Beginning of the End

[Starr]

. . .

Ana: "As much as a I hate to say this, I think your vision might have already come true, at least part of it. I saw Magneto go down, I couldn't tell if it was a tranq' dart or something else that took him down, but I saw him fall."

(In the distance a loud explosion sounds off as both Ana and Christina turn to the front entrance of the mansion. Without warning, the brick wall to the left of the front door explodes inward, Christina, presumeably having foreseen it grabs Ana and dives with her behind the couch. But just seconds before taking cover Ana manages to see that the object that crashed through the wall was not what she expected. It was ECKS.)

. . .

(After getting behind the couch she pops back up and yells to see what happened.)

Ana: "Chris! Can you hear me? What was that explosion? What the hell happened out there!? Chris!? Are you ok!? Chris!?"

. . .

[ECKS]

A few minutes earlier...

(ECKS is again having his way with a wave of soldiers, slicing one down here, dicing one down there, taking only minimal damage which quickly heals. After clearing out a crowd he noticed that the soldiers have stopped coming after him, but instead re stying a distance away from him. He raises an eyebrow and gets a little concerned by their actions.)

ECKS: "What? You guys finally had enough or wha....."

[glow=red,2,300]CLICK!![/glow]

(ECKS hears a loud clicking sound followed by something sounding much like a power generator charging up. Cursing under his breath, he wipes a bit of sweat from his brow and turns to see a huge monster of a thing staring him down. Standing at least eight feet tall and grinning behind red eyes that seemed to burn holes right through. His left hand was a cannon of some kind aimed in his direction.)

ECKS: "Guessin' that thing doesn't shoot a bunch of colorful confetti, or some'a those springy snake things? Roman candles, maybe? Everyone loves a good Roman candle."

(Then the weapon makes another clicking sound, probably signifying that it's ready to fire.)

ECKS: "Uh oh. I think I made it mad."

(ECKS tries to make a run at the beast before it can fire but doesn't even get close, the cannon fires a highly concentrated blast of energy with deadly accuracy. The blast drives ECKS right into and through the outer wall of the mansion.)

Present time...

(His ears ringing from the sonic boom-like sound of the cannon firing and his body wracked with pain from the combination of the blast, being knocked through the mansion's brick wall, and the added pain his healing factor causes while working it's magic on him, he lays beneath the rubble, trying desperately just to keep from being smothered. Then he barely hears the familiar voice of his one true love, calling out to him, and it gives him the strength to begin crawling out. Ana watches in horror as the rubble begins shifting, then a clawed hand shoots out from the bottom. Then the other as they begin pulling the rest out. After quite a struggle, ECKS emerges from the remains of the wall. His clothes mostly torn and tattered, cuts and bruises on just about every inch of him trying hard to mend themselves, and yet something so familiar. Underneath the blood from a gash on his forehead Ana sees her man's signature smirk of a smile.)

[ECKS]

(ECKS has just enough time to wipe some of the blood from his face, revealing that the wound on his forhead is nearly healed up, before the Theta comes crashing through the wall. Ana and Christina witness the yellow-skinned monster for the first time.)

ECKS: "Here we go again."

(ECKS turns around just in time to be clubbed into another wall by the beast's huge right hand. Within seconds the Theta is back on him and grabs him by the throat, it lifts him high into the air and holds him their, choking him out. ECKS sees Ana getting up to try something, but he puts his hand out and calls out to her through a choked voice.)

ECKS: "No!! Get her and get somewhere safe, I can handle this."

(Ana decides it's best to just listen and grabs Christina, they head down the hall and into ECKS' office, closing the door behind them. ECKS turns back to the monster.)

ECKS: "I hope."

(With everyone else out of the way, ECKS jabs the monster's arm with both sets of claws, but the Theta keeps his grip. It seems to almost be laughing.)

ECKS: "Are you actually enjoyin' this? So glad I could make your day. Not much of a talker though, eh? Good, talk's cheap."

(Realizing that wasn't enough ECKS starts just stabbing away at the arm and hand fighting to get free before choking to death. Finally he hits a sweet spot and the beast releases him, it winces in pain but never cries out. Growling, the Theta continues it pursuit as ECKS rolls between it's legs, slicing at both of the monster's calves. But even that seems to have little effect as the Theta just swings round and keeps coming. ECKS takes a glancing blow from the creature and gets knocked a few feet back, he waits for the right time and as it gets closer to him, charging at full speed, he tries to double uppercut claw the thing in the face. But it's to fast, it simply reaches out and grabs ECKS him by the hands and holds him off the ground. It starts to aim the cannon at him again but ECKS kicks it away. The beast gets even more angry so it throws ECKS right into the elevator doors, which twist and contort as he crashes through them, and luckily enough onto the floor of the elevator.)

ECKS: "What the hell is this thing? I'm givin' it everything I got and it just keeps comin'. Guess it's time to try a little somethin' new."

(ECKS reaches up and presses the button for the third floor and the elevator doors try to close but fail. They try again and still won't close because of the massive damage done to them. The Theta starts making his way across the lobby to the elevator.)

ECKS: "Oh hell."

(In a last stitch attempt ECKS stabs his claws into the control panel, the elevator finally starts to rise. It is completely out of site by the time the Theta gets to the now empty shaft. It looks up to see the elevator stop on the third floor. Angered, it heads into the shaft and starts to climb, using it's hand to hold the cable, it's long legs extend far enough to reach the front and back walls. It gets about ten feet up from the hole when a slashing metal sound is heard above. ECKS rips open the top of the elevator and climbs out onto the top.)

ECKS: "If this doesn't work, I'm all outta options. This one's for you, Charlie."

(With his left hand ECKS grabs the elevator's cable, then extracts the claws on his right hand. He hears the beast closing in on him.)

ECKS: "Now or never."

(Holding the cables tight, he slashes his claws, cutting through the cables below his hand as if they were mere pieces of rope. The elevator immediately starts to freefall. It makes a terrible sound as it connects with the unsuspecting Theta and an even worse sound when it crashes at the bottom shaft. A cloud of dust and smoke rises from the crunched up elevator cab. ECKS hangs for a second admiring his handiwork.)

ECKS: "Heh, not bad. Not to bad at all."

(Taking a glance up, then back down, he swings toward the corner next to the front of the shaft and releases the cable, he uses his claws to slow his descent down the shaft. Spotting the hole he made in the lobby doors he pulls his claws out and turns to free fall the last few feet then jabs them back into the shaft just above the opening, using his momentum to swing him back into the lobby. His landing is not so good as he crashes on his back a few feet from the doors. Upon landing he retracts his claws.)

ECKS: "You guys can come out now."

(Ana rushes out of the office to see the devastation. She makes her way around all the debris and gets to ECKS to check on him.)

Ana: "Are you ok?"

ECKS: "I've been better. But we're gonna be usin' the stairs for a while. Elevator's out of order."

Ana: "You dropped the elevator on that... that... whatever is was. Good thinking. You think that killed it? You think it's dead?"

ECKS: "Well, if it's not dead. It's damn sure not happy."

(Just then, the sound of metal wrenching and twisting is heard from within the elevator shaft. Followed by the sound of something massive trying to climb it's way out.)

Ana: "I think I spoke a little too soon."

ECKS: "Yep. You jinxed it."

(Ana helps ECKS get to his feet as the Theta's hand appears in the doorway. Then the cannon, it pulls it's way out of the shaft and slowly stands in the lobby. Looking much like ECKS when he plowed into the mansion, the Theta's yellow skin is now black and blue with bruises and covered in cuts, probably from climbing out of the twisted wreck of the cab. It takes aim with the cannon and starts to fire, ECKS to hurt to move stands with Ana and hopes braces for impact. They both close their eyes and hold tight to one another. But the sound they hear is a large thud nd when they slowly open their eyes the Theta is down in the center of the lobby, still breathing but not moving. ECKS slowly walks over and stands over the massive head. He extracts the claws in his right hand then drives them through the back of the beasts thick skull. It twitches for a few seconds then finally stops moving completely. ECKS removes and retracts his claws. He looks over at Ana.)

ECKS: "I need a vacation."

(Totally exhausted ECKS drops to the ground next to the Theta. Ana walks over and sits next to him, holding his head in her lap.)

Ana: "My hero. Always something to say."

. . .

[Shadowcat]

(Kitty runs into the mansion, climbing over the fallen debris. She reaches to where everyone is sitting on the ground beside ECKS.)

Shadowcat: You okay?

(The response is group of stares that seem to state the obvious.)

Shadowcat: Sorry, standard question.

(Lockheed flies into the mansion and rests on Kitty's shoulder. Kitty looks to see Lockheed, who nods his head and lightly growls. She redirects her attention to the group.)

Shadowcat: Okay, looks like the soldiers left to leave that... thing... to finish the job. So, I guess they were unsuccessful. Now, what the hell is that thing and why did they send that after ECKS?

[Mindcontrol]

(hearing a big explosion sound, Mindcontrol runs to see what it is but noticing Magneto laying there on the ground, not knowing if he is dead, unconscious or if has been shot with the cure uses his telekineses to carry him. running as fast as he could, with Magneto on his back, Mindcontrol enters the mansion or whats left of it. lyes Magneto carefully on a corner of the room and walks over to where everyone is at)

Mindcontrol:what happened?

(looking down underneath his shoes was a paddle of blood, trashed elevator, and a hideously ugly monster dead on the floor gave Mindcontrol a conclusion that thing tried to kill everyone and its dead now thats what is important)

Mindcontrol:never mind

[Starr]

(Ana still holding ECKS in her lap turns to the rest of the group and fills them in on as much as she knows.)

Ana: "I saw most of it from the office, I had the door cracked so I could see what was happening. I'm not entirely sure what that thing is myself but I can tell you that Chris here was his main target, he never even came after me or Christina. And I assuming that bit of goo coming from the end of that cannon was his real purpose. I guarantee that if we test that in the lab it'll be some form of the cure. The thing almost sprayed him with it twice. I think neutralizing Chris is what he was sent here for. But Chris managed to stop him before he got the chance."

(Ana looks down at ECKS and with the sleeve of her shirt she wipes some of the blood and dust from his forehead and face. She smiles as she realizes just how amazing what he did really was.)

Ana: "I know he doesn't need medical attention or anything like that, in fact most of his wounds have already healed but we need to put him somewhere where he can lie down and rest until his healing factor can finish. And I can't lift him alone. There's a couch in the living room down the hall, though, that should work for now if someone can just help me get him there."

. . .

[Shadowcat]

(Kitty walks over to Ana to help her with ECKS. She also notices Jack who had just brought an unconscious Magneto.)

Shadowcat: Hey, Jack. Why don't you bring Magneto in there too. You could put him in one of the chairs.

(Ana holds ECKS up on one side by putting his arm around her shoulders as Kitty takes the other side doing the same. Together they carry Chris to the living room and lay him down on the sofa. Jack follows using his telekinesis to bring Magneto and sets him down on one of the chairs in the room.)

Shadowcat: Okay, so what do we do now? Once they realize that their objective was not completed, they'll come back and I don't think this place could withstand another attack.

[Starr]

. . .

Ana: "Hopefully with that thing dead in our lobby, which was probably their best shot, and with most of their soldiers down and injured that will buy us enough time to regroup. And I think Christina is still in the office, someone should check on her. She may still be a bit out of it from the dart she took."

(Suddenly noticing something, Ana looks around the room as if doing a roll call.)

Ana: "Ok, umm, has anyone seen Liz?"

. . .

[Oracle]

Christina: No need... I'm fine.

(Christina walks into the living room. She is standing and walking on her own, but she still seems to experience some effects of the tranquilzer by appearing tired. She looks and sees Magneto lying in a chair unconscious.)

Christina: I'm guessing that since that vision came true, so did the one about Liz too.

(Christina retells the two visions she shared with Ana to the rest of the group present.)

[Starr]

. . .

Ana: "Is there any way you can like, I don't know, maybe go back into your vision to find some kind of clue as to where they are, or where they're going? I mean, I hate to be pessimistic here, but by now they could be just about anywhere in the world."

(She looks over at Magneto and then back at ECKS. Both of them still out from their respective battles.)

Ana: "And that doesn't even mention the fact that we're now without two of our greatest assets. Maybe you and Mindcontrol can put your heads together and with your visions and his telepathy figure out a round about area as to where she might be, so we have some idea where to look."

(Ana turns to Mindcontrol.)

Ana: "We have a working version of Cerebro in the lower levels. I know it takes a lot of control to be able to use Cerebro and I wouldn't advise it if you don't think you can handle it, but it is an option if you're willing to try."

. . .

[Oracle]

Christina: I don't know. All that I saw about Liz happened here at the mansion. To see where she is now or where she's going, I have to get another vision. I can't make it happen on its own though. I need to touch something that connects to Liz to trigger a premontion to see where she is.

[Mindcontrol]

Mindcontrol:I'll do it. that werewolf took Liz i think we have to find out where she is no matter what.

(turns to Starr)

Mindcontrol:take me to Cerebro.

[Starr]

. . .

Ana: "Allright, follow me. Everyone else, stay here and keep an eye on ECKS and Magneto in case they wake up."

(She leads the way into ECKS' office, to use the elevator there for the lower levels.)

[Nightcat]

(Liz's emotionless voice fills the room.)

Liz: I am in Egypt. Ze volf ist dead. I need to be picked up.

(All that is left is a ringing silence.)

[Oracle]

(Christina has been concentrating on trying to get a vision on will while Kitty and Lockheed rest from the assault. Liz's voice is heard throughout the room. Christina opens her eyes and looks at Kitty whose eyes have also opened.)

Christina: This is a first I think. I never got a vision like that before.

Shadowcat: That wasn't a vision. It was Liz sending us a telepathic message from where she is.

Christina: Oh.... *blushes with embarrassment* So what do we do now?

Shadowcat: *stands up* I'm going down to the lower levels to make sure Ana got the message. You stay here and keep an eye on ECKS and Magneto. Lockheed, you stay here too. I don't know if the soldiers are going to attack again so it would be better if you're here to help Christina.

(Lockheed nods his head and growls in agreement. Kitty then phases into the floor to reach the lower levels, leaving Christina with Lockheed, unconscious ECKS and Magneto... and the cure weapon. Christina stares at Lockheed who stares back, sensing Christina's indecision. Lockheed tilts his head in confusion, not knowing truly what Christina is thinking about. Christina slightly smiles.)

Christina: It's okay. I'm fine. You can rest.

(Lockheed lies on the floor, curls around himself and rests his head. Once Christina sees that there is no one else watching her, she takes the cure weapon strapped around her back and holds it in her hand. She finds herself staring at the weapon again trying to insure herself that she is making the right choice. The "Win-Win" situation, she called it. She holds the weapon more propertly and holds out her opposite arm. She aims the gun for her arm, but then turns her head so she won't have to see it. She closes her eyes and her finger reaches for the trigger.