PsyNight
by
Mimic of Exiles: Time Fighters

(this story takes place before the X-Treme X-Men was formed)

---0---

Her name is Elizabeth Braddock. She is both a mysterious warrior and woman. Her powers include telekinesis and telepathy. And at the moment, she is using them to her advantage.

"You're dealing with the wrong woman!" Elizabeth laughs as she destroys two human-sized Sentinels with a psychic sword. Elizabeth turns around to see her sweetheart in danger. Using her telekinesis, Elizabeth flies to the avenging Angel.

"Don't worry, lover! I got you!" Elizabeth places her hands on Angel's shoulders and flies him out of harms way.

"Thank you, Betts! But more of those human-sized Sentinels are coming!" the Angel says. "But have no fear!" The Angel swoops down to the Sentinels who are now standing in a circle. He weaves in and out causing the Sentinels to fire upon one another.

"Warren. Betsy. That's enough," a voice says on the P.A. system. The Sentinels disappear and the Danger Room doors open. Rogue and Gambit walk in carrying a few towels.

"Here ya go, Betts," Rogue smiles as she tosses Psylocke a towel. Psylocke removes the sweat from her forehead.

"Thanks, Rogue. Those human-sized Sentinels make a good work out," Psylocke glances over at Warren who is tired out. "Looks like Warren needed the work out, too."

The two women laugh as they leave the Danger Room.

"Okay, Gambit. You're training session will begin in a few seconds," the voice on the P.A. says again.

"Just wait, cher Reyes," Gambit says. "Warren is still down here."

"I don't know if I can make it to the door," Warren says. The Danger Room doors close.

"I didn't hear your last comment, Gambit," Cecilia says into the P.A. "You can tell me after your training session. It begins now!"

Several objects fly towards Gambit and Warren. And, a few human-sized Sentinels appear.

"Cecilia! Turn it off!" Warren shouts. Using his last bit of energy, Warren flies to the window where Cecilia Reyes monitors the training session.

"Turn it off Cecilia!" Warren shouts into the window.

"Warren!" Cecilia gasps. Cecilia presses a large red button. The training session ends.

"What were you doing in Gambit's session?"

"You didn't give me a chance to leave," Warren takes a quick breath and flies out of the Danger Room. Psylocke and Rogue are sitting on the mansion's balcony talking.

"So, Betts. Any plans with Warren tonight?" Rogue asks.

"I don't think so. Warren is awfully tired," Psylocke answers. "Hey! Look at Neal!" Psylocke points to the ground. Neal Shaara runs a few steps and creates heat and plasma around his body. He sprints out of sight.

"Where is that sugah headed in such a hurry?" Rogue asks leaning against the balcony railing. Psylocke places her hand on her forehead.

"I don't know. His thoughts are scrambled! We better follow him," Psylocke says.

"Should we get t'others?" Rogue asks.

"We'll bring Beast," Psylocke says. "He's already outside anyway."

The small team of Psylocke, Rogue, and Beast have been trailing Thunderbird for 10 minutes. They watch from a small hill as Thunderbird waits anxiously on the docks. The water is calm and the misty air begins to clear. Thunderbird's flames show his position in the fog. A car speeds towards Thunderbird and comes to a complete stop. The car was inches away from hitting him.

"Who are those fellas?" Rogue whispers.

"Not sure," Beat replies.

"Neal looks like he's in trouble!" Psylocke says. "We should move closer."

"Won't all of us be too obvious?" Rogue asks.

"Yeah. Let me go. I'll be back in a few minutes," Psylocke whispers. Psylocke leaps swiftly and gracefully. She jumps behind the car unnoticed.

"You got the money, Shaara?" a bold voice asks.

"Yeah," Thunderbird hands the gang of 5 men the money.

"This isn't what we asked for," the bold voice says. "We wanted 5,000! Not 500!"

"But the paper said 500!" Neal's tone of voice is in fright.

"You're wrong, Shaara!" There is a loud punching sound.

"Neal!" Psylocke yells. Psylocke flips to the front of the car revealing her psychic sword.

"Betsy?!" Neal says as he gasps for air.

"A mutie! Kill her!" the bold voice yells.

"Not today, Charlie!" Psylocke sends a mental bolt into the 5 men.

"My name ain't Charlie! It's Evan!" the gang leader shouts. He manages to kick Neal in the stomach. Neal gasps for more air.

"Oh no you don't, sugah!" Rogue grabs the gang leader by his shirt collar. She flies up high.

"Put me down!" Evan shouts.

"Well, a lady always respects the man's wishes! Okay, I'll let you go!" Rogue says.

"No! Don't drop me!" Evan screams.

"But ya told me to put ya down, sugah!" Rogue flies down to the water. "I'll let ya off here!" Rogue drops Evan into the water and flies back to the docks.

"Neal! I want some answers! What are you doing with men like these?" Psylocke says as she kicks one of the men in the back. All of the men are lying on the docks. Well, all except for Evan. He's in the water.

"They got some dirt on me. That's all," Neal says.

"Well, it must be some dirt! They're charging you 5,000 dollars?" Psylocke says.

"Don't worry about it," Neal begins to walk away, but he is stopped by Beast.

"Sorry Neal. But we want some answers," Beast says.

"We'll I'm not talking!" Neal shouts.

"Sorry, sugah. But you will," Rogue says.

"Wait a minute!" Psylocke says. "Someone else is here!"

"Very good, X-Man!" a voice grins.

"I know that voice! That's Sinister!" Beast says.

"Yes! Me and the Marauders!" Sinister laughs. "Get 'em Riptide!"

A man with long silver hair and a purple uniform dashes towards the few X-Men.

"Hello, X-Freaks!" Riptide spins around at a highly accelerated speed and throws ninja stars at his targets. The X-Men just miss them.

"Scalphunter!" Sinister shouts. A large man with a black beard and black hair appears. He reveals two large guns. He fires at Beast. Beast is thrown backwards.

"Beast!" Rogue shouts.

"Get them, Vertigo!" Sinister commands. A beautiful woman with green hair smiles evilly. She projects a field that causes dizziness and nausea at her foes. Rogue and Thunderbird drop like flies. But Psylocke restrains.

"Sorry, honey! But you won't...get...er...me!!" Psylocke charges her fist with telekinetic energy. She punches Vertigo in the stomach. Vertigo falls and the nausea field goes away.

"I don't get defeated so easily!" Vertigo laughs. She stands up and sends the nausea field at Psylocke only. Psylocke flies towards Vertigo and the two women lock fists.

"Lets settle this some place else, psy-witch!" Vertigo taunts.

"Fine by me!" Psylocke, still holding onto Vertigo, flies on a flat rooftop.

"It's about a 25 story drop. It will be a shame if you fall!" Vertigo projects another field and Psylocke places her hands on her head.

"NOOO!" Psylocke shouts. Vertigo kicks Psylocke off the roof.

"A piece of cake!" Vertigo smiles.

"Think again!" Psylocke is hanging on the edge of the roof. She grabs Vertigo's ankle and throws her off the roof. Psylocke crawls back to the top and sits on it.

"If I weren't so noble, you'd be dead," Psylocke stops Vertigo's fall with her telekinesis. Psylocke slowly moves Vertigo back onto the rooftop. She releases her telekinetic grip.

"Big mistake!" Vertigo runs towards Psylocke but is stopped by a stern voice.

"Not so fast, Vertigo!"

"Warren!" Psylocke smiles. Warren flies towards Vertigo.

"You're too late, lover boy!" Vertigo kicks Psylocke very hard. Psylocke loses all concentration and falls off the roof.

"Betsy!" Warren shouts. Warren flies past Vertigo and grabs Psylocke's arm as she falls. Warren holds Psylocke tightly. Vertigo moves to the edge of the roof.

"How sweet!" Vertigo sends a nausea field at the couple. "Drop her, Warren! Obey me!"

"NO! MUST RESIST...THE...FIELD!" Warren shouts.

"DROP HER!" Vertigo commands increasing the intensity of the field.

"NO!!!" Warren flies back to the rooftop and sets Psylocke down. He then flies towards Vertigo and punches her very hard. Vertigo falls.

"Now it is my turn!" Psylocke sprints to Vertigo and sends a psyblade into her forehead.

"Betsy!" Warren yells.

"Don't worry, Warren. I didn't kill her. I only stunned her."

"Yes, but you should try to kill me!" a woman with short hair lunges at Psylocke.

"Who are you?!" Psylocke shouts as she is tackled by the woman.

"My name's Arclight! Remember it!" Arclight touches Psylocke's neck. Shock waves are sent through Psylocke's body.

"Betsy!" Warren flies into Arclight knocking her off of Psylocke. Psylocke continually shakes.

"Betsy! Are you okay?" Warren grabs Psylocke's hand. Arclight touches Warren's shoulders. Warren starts to shake.

"Such broad shoulders, Warren!" Arclight teases. "Is that your muscle shaking? Or your nerves?"

"You bitch!" Warren shouts.

"That's right! I am a bitch!" Arclight releases her grip on Warren. Warren collapses.

"Now. Once I hold onto you as long as I held onto your sweetheart, you'll be as finished as he is!" Arclight laughs.

"Sorry, Arclight! But that isn't going to happen!" Psylocke says not moving from her position.

"Oh yes it is. You are far too weak to move!" Arclight laughs. "Give up, Betsy."

"You...you know my name?" Psylocke says.

"But of course," Arclight snickers. "Your name is Elizabeth Braddock. You are both a mysterious warrior and woman. Your powers include telekinesis and telepathy. And at the moment, you're trying to use them to your advantage."

"But it isn't working!" Psylocke shouts.

"Of course it isn't. You powers are so weak," Arclight says. "And that is only because I touched you. Don't worry. In time you'll recover."

"You're terrible! You monster!"

"I know," Arclight leans next to Psylocke. "With one touch, you'll be in pain. If I hold on for 2 minutes, you'll be killed!"

"No! Please!" Psylocke is still shaking from the shock waves traveling through her body.

"I am so sorry," Arclight touches Psylocke's shoulder. Psylocke screams.

"Stop it! Stop it now!" a soprano voice yells.

"Who says?" Arclight shouts.

"Me! You came for me!" the same soprano voice says.

"Lorna Dane!" Psylocke gasps.

"Lorna Dane..." Arclight smiles evilly. "The former Marauder! Neal Shaara tried to keep your location a secret!"

"Neal?! How'd he know about Lorna?!" Psylocke shouts.

"Shut up!" Arclight squeezes Psylocke harder. Lorna sends magnetic blasts at Arclight. Arclight falls over. At that moment, Psylocke uses all her energy to send a psychic sword into Arclight's mind. Arclight is now stunned like Vertigo. Psylocke slowly crawls over to Warren.

"Warren?"

"Betsy!" Warren smiles. "You're okay!"

"Yes, Warren," Psylocke says. "Lorna. How did Neal know about you?"

Warren sits up. "What is she doing here?"

"Please. I got a letter saying the Marauders wanted me back," Lorna begins.

"But, I thought you were possessed by Malice while you were in the Marauders!" Angel says.

"I was. Anyway, while I was sitting in a bar calming my worries, Neal walked in. He asked me what was wrong. I told him," Lorna says. "That's when the humans of the Marauders invaded the bar. Neal told me to run. But I stayed and fought with him. We escaped. No one was harmed. The Marauders told Neal and I that they would leave us alone and not harm anyone if we paid them 500 dollars. Neal and I got the money. Neal said he would deliver it on his own."

"Yeah. And he was attacked because he didn't have 5,000," Psylocke says.

"What? But the note said-"

"The Marauders wanted to ambush the two of you. Thunderbird was attacked. Luckily, I was there to help him," Psylocke says. "We have to go back to the docks. Lets bring Arclight and Vertigo."

At the docks, the battle dies down.

"Huuuuhaaah!" Rogue yells as she punches the last of the Marauders down.

"The battle is over!" Psylocke announces as she flies down with Angel and Lorna Dane.

"Leave Marauders. You have lost," Psylocke says. "You will not black mail Neal and Lorna anymore."

"Who says we won't?" Scalphunter grunts.

"Me!" Lorna shouts. Lorna reveals a small capsule. She opens it and all of the Marauders fly inside.

"My DNA capsules! How'd you get them!" Sinister shouts.

"I went to your lab! You will not clone the Marauders in your service anymore! You will finally let their souls rest in peace!" Lorna shouts.

"DNA samples?" Thunderbird asks.

"Most of the Marauders were killed in the Mutant Massacre and in Inferno," Lorna explains. "Sinister has their DNA in his lab where he clones them time and time again in his service. I finally stole the DNA capsule. Their DNA remains with me, now. You will no longer use them, Sinister!"

"Fine, X-Men! You have won! But it is not the last you'll see of me!" Sinister runs off.

"Should we let him go?" Rogue asks.

"Let him," Psylocke says. "Lorna. You can stay in the X-Mansion if you want."

"No thank you," Lorna says. "I belong in Genosha. Good-bye. And, thank you."

"Bye," Thunderbird says.

"Thank you, Neal," Lorna kisses Neal on the cheek. "Bye." Lorna flies away.

"Lets go home, X-Men," Beast says.

"Good," Thunderbird yawns. The team begins to walk home, but Warren and Betsy sit on the docks.

"Well, Warren. We won again. Together," Betsy grabs Warren's hand.

"Yup. You're a marvel, woman," Warren says.

"And so are you...man."

THE END