Into Darkness

[ECKS]

(Once at the bottom, ECKS uses his heightened sense of sight to look around and make sure no one is waiting for them. Seeing that the coast is clear, he calls for the rest of them to come on down. While waiting, he sniffs the air to try to find a scent trail. Having been around Storm after her fight with Callisto he has a very faint trace of her scent in his memory. By the time the others have reach the bottom he's found what he believes to be the right direction.)

ECKS: "Listen up. I can tell you now that if Callisto is down here, she already knows we're here, too, thanks to her ability. The very thing we intend to use her for. And worse, she already knows what our gifts are. I picked up her scent, seems to head in this direction, toward the south end of the island.

(He points in the direction that they'll be taking to make sure everyone is clear. Then he looks back to them.)

ECKS: "I'll take lead, follow close behind me. No wanderin' off, you get lost, call us over the ear piece and wait for us to find you. I'm usin' it as a last resort but if I call abort, I mean it, get your butts outta here and back to the jet. Don't wait for me, just get to the jet, I'll be right behind you. Understand?"

(Everyone nods in silence.)

ECKS: "Good. Follow me."

(He leads the way in the near pitch black sewer tunnel, letting his nose guide him but also listening for anything around them. Somewhere in the distance he can hear something, moving in the shadows. Too far away to really be seen, almost too far to be heard, ECKS continues cautiously. The tunnel starts to get smaller and comes to an abrupt end. A large door with a wheel handle stands in front of the group. ECKS walks up to it and puts his ear against it.)

ECKS: "Voices! I can hear someone on the other side. Door's too thick to make out who, but I definitely hear something. Wait, now they're gettin' quiet, they know we're here."

(Trying to think of the best way to enter possible, ECKS turns to 8-Ball.)

ECKS: "Hey kid, you think you can take this door out without spendin' too much of your energy. This way we'll get the jump on'em, you blast it in and we go in, Nightcat you, the new guy, and Nightcrawler go in and set up to my left. 8-Ball, after you hit the door, you and Rogue get on my right."

(ECKS looks back to 8-Ball again and nods.)

ECKS: "You're up, kid, show me whatcha got."

(ECKS moves a little to the side to give 8-Ball a clear shot.)

[8-ball]

(8-ball moves up)
8-ball:"yea i can do it every one back up"
(everyone takes a step back. 8-ball charges a blast in his right hand and fills the darkness with little and then shoots it at the door as told)

[Varalf]

(As 8-ball is charging, Varalf decides that due to the number of allies in this fight, and the enclosed space, he is just going to use his spear as a staff. Accordingly, he shifts his grip on it, and then adjusts his stance so that he may move quickly)

[ECKS]

(With the door gone and a cloud of smoke to cover them, the group quickly enters. ECKS runs in through the smoke first and takes position, followed by 8-Ball, holding his sword, and Rogue who move in to his right. Nightcat and Nightcrawler both teleport in to ECKS' left. Varalf runs in between them, weapons drawn. In front of them are five people, one sort of resembles a really big, fanged thingyroach. By comparison, the others seem normal enough. ECKS is the first to speak.)

ECKS: "Which one of you is Callisto?"

(One of the three females stands up and answers.)

??: "Who's asking?"

ECKS: "You really don't wanna know, but if I gotta ask again, you're gonna find out. The hard way."

??: "I already know you, ECKS. I know all about you, about your so called powers anyway. I know all about your friends powers, too."

ECKS: "Then you must be Callisto. Well I've got some good news and some bad news for you. Bad news first, you're comin' with us. We need that 'gift' a yours. So good news, we need you alive. Gonna be a nice girl and come quietly, or are you make me dirty up my new suit?"

Callisto: "Most of my people are gone. Lost in the fight at Alcatraz. So it would seem to have me outnumbered. But as luck would have it, I brought home a little gift. Well, not so little, actually. So I think I'll have to decline your generous offer."

ECKS: "Gift, what gift? What are you..."

(Callisto just smiles as the ground starts to tremble. ECKS' face turns from sarcasm to concern as he hears the large footsteps coming up behind the group. Then the voice, one that he recognizes. He turns to see that this simple job has just taken a very dangerous twist. The man looks him dead in the eye.)

Juggernaut: "Hallo love, long time, no see. Com'on over 'ere and give us a kiss."

(With a slight gulp ECKS stands frozen for a second. Then looks over his shoulder at Callisto. With a big smirk on his face, he smarts off in his cocky and confident way, trying to show his group no fear.)

ECKS: "You asked for it, darlin.'"

. . .

To be continued...

[Varalf]

(Varalf quickly sizes up the new situation, and comes to the conclusion that things are not going to be pretty)

Varalf: Der'mo. Wait a second, all of you. We need not fight this day. If I understand things correctly, you (he points to ECKS) need to find a Mystique. And you (pointing now to Callisto) are needed merely to find this Mystique, nothing more. Am I correct?

[ECKS]

(Keeping on eye on the Juggernaut, ECKS turns his attention to Varalf.)

ECKS: "Yeah, we need her power to help us find Mystique. She's comin' with us one way or another."

Callisto: "I'm not going anywhere with you."

Juggernaut: "Yeah, she ain't goin' nowhere with you. In fact, now that you're 'ere, you ain't goin nowhere either."

ECKS: "We'll see about that, Cain. We're walkin' out of here with her, you can either let us go now, or very soon from now."

Juggernaut: "You want her, you gotta get through me."

ECKS: "Hard way it is."

(He looks down the line toward each of his team mates, they all exchange glances and nod. Getting ready, ECKS starts barking orders.)

ECKS: "Nightcat, you take Callisto, don't let her get away. Nightcrawler, the one on her left is Marrow, she's all yours. Rogue, the other girl is Angel Dust, you two are pretty equal, she's yours. 8-Ball, Varalf, the roach-boy is Litterbug and the other is Berserker, take your pick. Been doin' my home work, too, Callisto. I'll handle Jugg-head. Everyone know what to do? Remember, we need her alive."

(Taking one last look before jumping in head first, ECKS gives one last impression.)

ECKS: "Make me proud, team."

(They scramble into action, taking their positions, leaving the two most dangerous people to themselves. ECKS just stares up at the Juggernaut.)

Juggernaut: "Well, aren't you just the fearless leader? You ready for this, boy?"

ECKS: "Since the day I was born."

[glow=red,2,300]**SNIKT**[/glow]

(In a flash, ECKS unsheathes his "ace in the hole." He throws his arms to his side and extracts his claws. Then just smiles grimly at his opponent. They circle each other, trying to feel each other out. Finally, hoping to the the jump on him, ECKS lunges, first at the Juggernaut.)

[Nightcrawler]

Nightcrawler jumps at the armored mutant, Marrow. She has an insane glint in her eyes. She jumps back, grabs two of the protruding bones on her shoulders, and hurls them at Nightcrawler. He teleports away at the last possible second and lands on Marrow’s shoulders. He grabs hold of two the bones and teleports away with her. The two reappear moments later on a ledge, holding onto each other’s arms. Kurt slips his tail underneath her and wraps it around her leg. He takes a step back and whips his tail in a downward motion. The result is that Marrow is thrown all the way across the tunnel and she smashes in to the wall and does not get back up. Kurt looks up to see his friends in the midst of their own battles.

[Varalf]

(Varalf gets upset, and starts yelling)
Varalf: NYET!!!!!! You ignorant Americans, this is why you never had a revolution in the 70's. You were too busy fighting each other to fight the greater evil. Now look at you, still divided, still fractured. You (he stabs his staff at Callisto) are needed to find this Mystique person. THAT'S IT! You don't even have to talk to them, just tell him (pointing at ECKS) where they are. And you,(he turns to point at ECKS) what is your obsesion with fighting? If one must fight, one fights. But if one needs to just find someone, it is not necessary to fight everyone along the way. You both are mutants, now act like you have something to talk about, rather than spit insults back and forth like a pair of adolescent boys in front of some girls on the playground. Heimdall, vedite vashih detej (this last he says while looking upwards)

[8-ball]

(8-ball grapes his sword and runs toward berserker. berserker throws lighting blast 8-ball. 8-ball jumps up in the air to douge the attacks.while 8-ball was in the air berserker throws 2 more lighting blast and hits him. 8-ball falls to the floor)
8-ball:"dam, i cant let him beat me"
(8-ball throws his sword at berserket and just shoot at it stoping the sword for going any farther.)
berserker:"haha, if thats all you can do you might as while just let me beat you"
8-ball:"your asking for it!"
(8-ball charges a blast in his hand and so does berserker)
8-ball:"let see whos blast are better"
(8-ball and berserker both fire there blast and when the 2 blast meet they blow up)

[ECKS]

(ECKS connects with the Juggernaut, shoving his claws into his chest with a very primal yell. After a second he realizes that it has no effect at all, he looks up and into the Juggernaut's eyes.)

Juggernaut: "Sorry, mate. My turn."

(The Juggernaut grabs ECKS by both hands and holds him up to his face, then with a grunt he easily throws him into the nearby wall. ECKS slams into it and hits the ground hard. He looks up just in time to see the Juggernaut's boot, he quickly rolls out of the way as it stomps down, nearly crushing him. He rolls back to his feet only to see the Juggernaut already in motion again.)

ECKS: "Oh shit..."

(Checking his surroundings he sees a ledge a little more than ten feet above his head. He gets an idea but his timing must be flawless. As the Juggernaut closes in he gets low to the ground, then at the last second leaps into the air, places one foot on the Juggernaut's shoulder, using it to push himself high enough to reach the ledge, then simultaneously uses his other foot to kick the back of the Juggernaut's helmet, to help keep him in motion. The force from the kick is enough to send the Juggernaut crashing through the wall behind ECKS, who manages to jab his claws into the bottom of the ledge. With the Juggernaut currently out of the way he pulls his claws out and lands back on the ground, crouching with his right hand landing in front of him to help catch himself. He stands up and looks into the huge hole in the wall.)

ECKS: "He's gonna feel that tomorrow."

(Walking closer to the hole as he talks, ECKS is suddenly stopped in his tracks. The massive hand of the Juggernaut reaches out of the dark hole and grabs him by the throat. The Juggernaut lifts him high above his head, ECKS starts to lose his breath as he struggles to break free from the grip.)

Juggernaut: "Nice try, squirt. But it's gonna take a lit'l more'an that to stop the Juggernaut."

. . .

[8-ball]

(8-ball thinks to himself. i cant do that attack no more if i do someone other then me or him can get injured. 8-ball:charges a blast but this time not aiming for berserker his aiming for the roof of the tunnel above berserker hoping it would fall on to berserker. when 8-ball fired it hit the roof at crashed down to the floor)
8-ball:"there my fight is done"
(then turns to see how every one else is doing. when his back was turned a lighting blast came out of the bricks and hit 8-ball in the back.)
berserker:"next time make sure im really dead before your back at me. i was going to let you live but now that i see that you were plaining to kill me im going to kill you
(berserker walks up to 8-ball that is still on the floor and picks him up. then 8-ball kicks berserker across the face)
8-ball:"i wasnt plaining for that to kill you i just couldnt fight you form long range someone could have gotten hurt so i had to get you to come to me"
(as berserker gets up 8-ball punches berserker and then berserker punched him back 8-ball backed up and then blocked the next punch that was coming to him and bothed of them stayed fighting with there fist.)

[Nightcat]

(Rouge flies at the young mutant. Angle Dust throws up her hands in defense, her eyes clenched shut. Suddenly, Dusty’s eyes fly open. Rogue can see now that they are bright yellow and filled with rage. Rogue barely has enough time to fly upwards as Dusty reaches up and makes a grab for Rogue’s left ankle. Rogue avoids this and flies to the top of the tunnel. She flies around to the girl’s back and bullets toward her. Rogue catches dust up flies back to the top of the tunnel, where she drops Dusty. Dusty smashes into the water, but gets up again and stars to stagger over to the wall and to a ground-level ledge. She stand there and looks up at Rouge.)

Dusty: Is that the best you can do?

Rogue: No. But ah doubt that you want to see mah best sugah.

Dusty: Bring it!

(Once again, Rogue flies at the girl, but this time changing her direction and angle every ten seconds. She slams so hard into Dusty that the wall behind her collapses on both. Moments later Rogue emerges from the rubble with scratches covering her body. She looks back to see Dusty’s limp form. Rogue knows she’s not dead, but just knocked out for at least three to four hours.)

[Nightcat]

(Nightcat looks up to see Callisto staring at her, almost like she’s measuring Liz up. Callisto launches herself at the blue-furred mutant. Liz teleports to just behind her and Callisto wheels around to face her. Liz holds up her hands.)

Liz: I wish not to fight you Gefährte Callisto. I wish for this to be peaceful.

Callisto: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS PEACE FOR MUTANTS!!!!!

(Callisto swings her right fist back and Liz teleports to across the tunnel. Callisto turns to face her and runs at her at such a speed that Liz thought that Callisto had teleported. Callisto’s fist had still been raised when she had run at Nightcat and it met its mark. Callisto had punched Liz right in the left shoulder and there was a loud CRACK like a gun shot as the bone shattered. Liz screamed in pain but looked up just in time to see a second punch coming her way. She teleported to the other side again and looked down at the older mutant.)

Liz: I wanted this to be peaceful. But you leave me no choice but to get violent.

(Liz launches herself into the air and teleports halfway down. She reappears a second later right behind Callisto and slams her into the wall. The older mutant slides down the wall. Liz is shaking as she kneels onto the ground. She loops her tail around her girl’s wrists and lifts her gently onto her lap. She winces as she slowly lifts her shatters shoulder with her right hand so her left hand can rest on Callisto’s temple. She then lifts her right hand to her right temple and she delves into Callisto’s mind. Within a few minutes, the psychic blasts have done their job and Callisto goes limp and is completely subdued. Liz looks up to see her team still fighting. She yells to her friends)

Liz: SOMEONE, HELP ME!!!!!

[Varalf]

(Varalf sighs)

Varalf: of course, no one wants to listen, it's alwa- AHH!

(He is interrupted by Litterbug's claws in his back)

Litterbug: You really should pay attention to your suroundings

Varalf: Fine! (he turns sharply, removing himself from Litterbug's sharp embrace)

(As he turned a complete circle, he swung, hitting Litterbug on the side of his head, and temporarily stunning him)

Liz: SOMEONE, HELP ME!!!!!

(Varalf turns and decides that his ally's needs outweighed his own and ran to Liz's side, as he did so he slung his staff on his back and drew both his short sword, and his axe)

Varalf: Are you okay?

[Nightcrawler]

(Nightcrawler looks over and sees his "twin" kneelingon the ground clutching her left shoulder. He had hear the crack but was unable to find the source of it until now. He tences and teleports to her's and Varalf's side)

Kurt: Are you ok Liebchen?