[The Raft Maximum Security Super Prison]
"No! It is my fault this happened! She asked me to go with her! Domino asked for my help! I told her no! I let her go alone and now…"
"Hey tough guy, it's not the time to blame yourself, we need to get out of here." Rouge cut off Colossus as both dealt with wave after wave of guards that had woken up or arrived. Rouge was easily dealing with them while Colossus had a lot of them trying to hold him down. But after hearing Rouge words Colossus nodded as he struggled against the guards even more.
"Get off of me! I have to go after them!" Colossus shouted and using his sheer strength managed to knock off all of the guards trying to hold him down. "I cannot stay here!" Rouge couldn't help but whistle seeing what Domino meant but then noticed the figure behind and before she could warn him it was too late.
"No worries there Colossus–" A voice said as she injected something into the back of Colossus' neck as he fell to the ground unconscious. "You aren't staying here."
"Hey Brand how you've been." Rouge said with a smirk not really threatened as Abigail looked up with a scowl on her face.
"Rouge Lavelle, agent of GUN but right now you're my problem." Abigail said as she nodded to a soldier who walked forward with hand cuffs and Rouge pouted as she extended her hands.
"Yah, whatever I know when I'm beat." Rouge said as the cuffs were but on as a few GUN soldiers came into the room with Abraham behind them as he needed a small bit of support.
"Rouge."
"Towers you're not looking so good need a seat?" Rouge asked keeping the same smirk but Abraham didn't react, turning to Abigail.
"Agent Brand, We've hailed the vessel." One of Abigail's subordinates.
"Good. Patch me through." Brand said, turning to Abraham.
"You and Rouge are coming with me." Abigail said and there was no argument to be made.
[Space]
"Unidentified vessel, this is Agent Brand of S.W.O.R.D. central command. You're traveling in S.W.O.R.D. protected space… And it would appear you've broken a number of my favorite laws. My men have you surrounded. Kill your engines and prepare to be boarded."
"Agenet Brand." The alien said, standing in front of three of his five captives. "Isn't it adorable how she pretends authority." He said as he walked back over to the cockpit where Domino and Shadow sat one still gagged by Psychic energy and the other almost completely enveloped only her head showing.
"What are you waiting for? Forge did up the specs. You could outrun the SWORD fleets at half speed." Domino spoke not even trying to struggle as the alien sat in the front seat.
"There's no rush. I hoped we could sit and talk." The alien replied.
Cool. What do you wanna talk about?" Domino asked.
"I'm an intergalactic criminal of some renown. And yet you let me out of my cage. You gave me my ship back. Why? Why was it so important for you people to get me off earth?" The alien questioned.
"We're Cable's X-Force. We do inexplicable criminal things for little or no reward." Domino said continuing to state in a business tone. "It's kind of our deal.
"Fair enough… And what about the boy?" The alien asked, pointing one of his six arms at Shadow.
"No idea who he is. You mention something about Black Arms." Domino said turning to Shadow who continued to struggle and seemed to actually be getting out slowly but steadily.
"Hmph, yes. Royalty of their race, no less truly a rare find as they only come once every thousand years but he has the stench of that arrogant Doom." The alien muttered but immediately saw the five SWORD ships and immediately fired at the ships. "… But no more let me show you my deal."
Meanwhile on a SWORD ship Rouge sat calmly swinging her legs back and forth even if they were bound together. She was alongside a now completely dressed Colossus and Cable. Abraham sat on a chair while Abigail Brand stood in front of the three as a picture appeared from a holograph.
"Kliktok the Cruel. The violet deathbringer. Scourge of the peptang cluster." Abigail started.
"Wanted for crimes against sentient life in twelve different star systems. S.W.O.R.D. was holding him in secret protective custody while we tried to navigate what to do with a criminal forty different planets want to execute. I'm sure you don't care about interstellar politics, but mucking up this particular extradition would mean starting several Big Bloody Space Wars…" Abigail took a breath and finished. "Only four people in the universe knew we had him.
"You're wrong about that." Cable replied.
"I must be. The true fact is, I don't know how you found him or what in all the cosmos could have possessed you to release him." Abigail shut off the hologram of Kilktok. "And right this second I don't have time to care-- because if Kilktok isn't back in a cell within the next 96 hours, we're, All Of Us, are screwed sideways.
"What happened down there, Pete? What went wrong?" Cable asked turning to Colossus and Rouge not really focussed on the thief.
"I'm not sure. There was an explosion. Domino went to… I wouldn't leave my cell." Colossus replied.
"That was until they were apparently kidnapped by this Kilktok guy." Rouge said and Abigail turned to her with a scowl.
"I'm sorry. Did you think I was done talking?" She questioned tapping on the hologram button she had of Shadow and Emerl fight through the prison. "You made my job and Abrahams ten times harder just by realising these two from whatever containment they were in. Because someone decided to hide it." Abigail said, turning to Abraham who sighed tiredly.
"I thought they would never get out. Both had excellent security for the last fifty years. Each leader made sure to keep them under guard. But things had to be moved around when we decided to work on two fronts." Abraham told Abigail who rolled her eyes behind the green shaded glasses she wore.
"So you failed to mention two potential planetary threats. One created from an unknown source on the Black Comet that returns tomorrow and another created during the time of the first four civilizations. All information wiped from G.U.N.'s archives except for a select few things." Abigail said then turned to Cable.
"As for you. Let us all take a look at what happens when the violet deathbringer gets to run free." Abigail said, swapping the hologram. "Peptang Prime. He preys on systems at war. Attacks the home worlds when most able-bodied adults are off planet fighting."
Abigail swapped the hologram again. "Xarkon 3. Kliktok doesn't murder. He brutalizes the depleted population. Tortures the young, the old and the infirm. Makes them watch as he destroys everything they've ever known."
Abigail swapped it out a third time. "Rembus Alpha. Then as they watched their world burn around them… He eats." She pointed straight at the gruesome image. There's what you let go free, gentlemen, that's Kliktok the Cruel."
"Brand…"
"If I don't get him back immediately. There will be war. That's my job. That's on me." Abigail cut off Cable, her brow furrowed in frustration.
"Agent Brand you don't–"
"But if he kills again before I find him… That's on you." Abigail cut off Cable again, her glasses locked onto Cable who frowned at her.
"Okay. You've said your piece, Brand. Now let me say mine."
Then both went silent as Rouge Colossus and Abraham just watched.
"... What's going on?" Rouge asked while Colossus shrugged.
"I'm guessing these aren't power dampening cuffs. He's probably telling Brand something or showing her something we shouldn't know about." Abraham said as he stood up and walked until he stood in front of Rouge, a frown adoring his face.
"Rouge, why did you release Shadow?"
Wow, straight to the point as ever Abe well you know little ol--."
"I'm being serious." Rouge stopped at the seriousness in Abraham's tone. She never heard him so… angry before. Sure, irritated, amused, and glad but never angry.
"Well I did for a payment you know me well Abraham." Rouge said and Abraham scowled.
"Have you ever thought he was in there for a reason. That he was unstable?"
"Oh please, he seemed more confused since he couldn't remember anything. Why does he make you so angry it's not like you kn–"
Abraham's fist slammed against a table causing Rouge to stiffen slightly from Abraham's action not expecting him to be that angry.
"Not like I know him?" he growled, his voice a low rumble under the engines. "Rouge, I was there when they made him."
Rouge blinked. "What?"
Abraham stepped closer, his voice rising, every word a blow. "I was young but I remember everything. He's a monster, he's not natural and should have never been created. You just release a being of unknown power on the world."
Colossus, finally regaining his voice, rumbled, "You speak of this Shadow as though he is a monster. From what I saw he seemed to be a young man fighting for his life."
Abraham shot him a glare, but Rouge actually chuckled softly, despite the tension. "Listen to tin man, Abe. For once, someone's not drinking the G.U.N. brand of paranoia."
Abraham didn't answer this time. Instead, his gaze went distant, haunted even, as though the memory of Shadow wasn't just some classified file, but something personal. Something painful.
"Listen, we can figure this out after we save him and the rest of those idiots from this Kliktok Okay?" Rouge said as Abraham stared at her and sighed.
"Fine. Afterwards you will be transferred back to London and to one of our Prisons for further questioning and Shadow will be placed back in Stasis permanently. As for you Pitro I will leave it to Abigail." Abraham said as they wanted for Abigail and Cable to be finished.
It only took a few minutes until Abigail, Cable, Colossus, and Rouge were all on a ship.
"Can't even believe I'm doing this Cable. When this is over you'll need to come back quietly. Back into S.W.O.R.D custody the entire team." Abigail said as she piloted the ship.
"You got it." Cable said sitting in the passenger seat."
"I mean it. The second they're on board, we all head straight back to the peak. No funny business."
"I hear you."
"Good. This is my personal transport. It's very fast. I can catch us up but the symbiotic ship of his is a beast. We won't last ten minutes in a straight fight. Any Ideas?"
"This is my fault. I could have prevented this. Instead I did nothing." Colossus spoke up, cracking his knuckles and continued. "You get us there. Let me worry about the fighting."
"Just make sure that you don't leave any of them in space?" Rouge asked.
"Of course." Colossus said with a quick nod.
"I don't understand you at all. Earth women. You know where you are. You know what I am." Kliktok the Cruel said as he sat in his ship next to a still psychic bound Domino who was staring out of the expanse of space. "Your companions have been out for hours. None of you are able to move a muscle.I'm sure you must understand that you're already dead. And yet you sit unimpressed."
Kliktok grabbed Domino's chin as she continued to stare out in space. "Not a hint of fear."
"I'm a mutant. Mutants have special powers. Sort of like your glowy purple blaster. Mine's fearlessness" Domino said.
"Is that so?"
"That's completely useless in this situation." Shadow thought as he continued to struggle against the hold that was on him. "Stone told me that it would be harder to absorb other energy but not this hard! It's like my cells are screaming for it to stop. It's almost unbearable!" Shadow continued his struggle as Domino began to speak again.
"Yeah. Not the flashiest crayon in the box, but it sure keeps spindly alien creep-bags from getting off on my terror." Domino said as a resounding 'Boom' could be heard a piece of the ship was destroyed.
"GRARG!" Kliktok roared as its back slammed into the wall of the ship, losing focus as Domino was free.
"That was probably Forge's time bomb blowing up your engine and stranding the ship in space." Domino said with a smirk. "You wanted to know why we helped you escape. That's why." She said pointing outside and Kliktok eyes widened as ship after ship came out of a portal. "We didn't want you on our planet when a billion bloodthirsty Aliens came to set you on fire."
<12,987 Unique Battleships Detected>
*Translated from Crazy Alien*
Kliktok immediately grabbed Domino by the neck, anger in its insect-like eyes. "You're all here with me. They'll kill every one of us!
"Yeah, we screwed that part." Domino admitted.
"GRAARK!" Kilktok roared again, tossing Domino to the other side of the ship and lunged at her. "You don't get to die in this fire, Earth women." He stated as he began to choke her.
"Maybe this is my end, but there's enough time for one last meal." Kilktok said as Domino gritted her teeth. "MMM… There it is. I smell it now. Not quite as fearless as you thought."
"No, just a damn good poker face. I'm honestly more scared of the kid that's sparking right now." Domino taunted, confusing Kilktok until he was rammed into a wall denting the metal. A freed Shadow snarled at the alien pinning it to the wall and hit his forearm as Kilktok struggled. Shadow forced more Chaos Energy into his arm causing it to scream in pain.
"You disgusting six arm freak!" Shadow snapped as he tossed the alien across the ship. "What was that shit about selling me!" Shadow demanded as Domino smiled at Kilktok pain and was impressed by the kid.
"By the way. My mutant power isn't fearlessness… It's luck." Domino told Kilktok.
On, Abigail ship Colossus was rocketed out towards Kilktok ship. "Heh. Spaceball Special." Rouge and Cable commented. Not before long Colossus rockets through Kilktok ship slamming both of his outstretched fist into Kilktok back. Shadow managed to grab Domino and jumped back just in time to avoid being dragged into the vacuum of space.
"Thanks kid but I would have been fine." Domino said while Shadow huffed. Domino shrugged, turning to the hole that was slowly sealing up.
"Self-Sealing walls." She coughs slightly from the lack of air. "We're gonna pretend Pete knew that would happen."
"He didn't know?" Shadow questioned as the wall completely sealed up.
"I just said we're going to pretend that he did highlights." Domino replied and Shadow just crossed his arms as he watched Colossus sock Kilktok in the jaw with a small satisfied smirk on his face. "That's deserved for the sick Bastard."
Colossus now had Kilktok by the neck holding him up like a ragdoll. "You are an evil creature. I will not regret killing you. But you also helped me to see what matters. What's worth fighting for. What I'm not willing to lose." Colossus then wined up ready to toss Kilktok out the ship but not without some parting words. "For that. I must thank you." Then Kilktok was tossed out his ship roaring as he drifted through the cold void of space.
"Dom, I'm sorry." Colossus said, turning to Domino with remorse in his tone. "I was being selfish. I let this happen to you when I could've–"
"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa." Domino stopped Colossus before he could continue. "Just stop right there, Pete. I botched a job. Almost paid the price. That's how it goes sometimes. Thanks for coming. I appreciate the save But I'm not your Damsel in Distress,"
"Where the eff are we?" Boom Boom asked as the psychic barrier around her, Forge, and Dr. Nemesis was lifted.
"Space. The final frontier." Dr. Nemsis said as he began to stand up.
"Oh for fuck sake… Who's the kid?" Forge questioned starring at Shadow.
"Ah, you must be Shadow?" Colossus asked as Shadow sneered at the group, staying silent as he walked to the other side of the ship.
Meanwhile on Abigail Ship. "Alright, Pete. Grab the team and get back over here. That ship's got two big holes in it. Brand says the forcefield dies with Kliktok… And something tells me his time has run out." Cable announced from a com as the many ships began to get closer.
A few minutes later after they got to Abigail ship they immediately bailed leaving Kliktok to his fate and headed back to Earth.
I wanted to say we really appreciate all your help Brand. You didn't have to do any of this." Cable told her as he got up from his seat while Abigail continued to drive her ship.
"Sure. We'll see how much you appreciate–" She then smirked. "After your first night in the… Brig." Abigail eyes widen seeing Cable's X-Force Shadow and Rouge all standing. In Cable hands was one of the space suits.
Minutes after kicking Abigail off her own ship… and crash landing it everyone got out.
"Well, at least we're done Abraham is going to be so disappointed." Rouge said walking out with Shadow as Cable turned to them. His eyes were on Shadow who looked distant.
"This is where we part. I'll leave you two to find your way back." Cable told the two. Shadow scoffed as he began to walk away and Rouge flew after him.
"Something is wrong with that boy. I tried entering his mind but something was in there that kicked me out." Cable thought watching as both walked away.
Miles out Shadow stopped and Rouge paused as he turned to her. "Leave." He asked and Rouge looked surprised.
"Oh, and what brought this way of thinking to you, Shadow?" Rouge asked landing on the sand as Shadow turned to the horizon.
"I don't know what I am. You promise me we'll find out what I am but all we learned is that I'm a bioengineer weapon and a connection to a robot… I want to go on my own for a while. And figure out what I am. What's my purpose, and how does that align with this world? I can't do that while relying on someone." Shadow said, turning back to Rouge his intentions clear. Rouge sighed as she placed a hand on his shoulder giving it a squeeze.
"Fine, I guess everyone has that 'need to find myself' moment. Just know if you need a place to stay, remember me alright. I made a promise and even though I'm not great at finishing them early I eventually fulfilled them." Rouge said with a smile. Shadow nodded as Rouge let go of his shoulder. Shadow nodded as he turned and skatted off only taking a few seconds to be out of Rouge site range.
Rouge sighed as she was left alone. "Well, better head home. Good luck Handsome." She said to herself, as she took off in the air heading back to California. Abraham, back at G.U.N. headquarters, is already preparing a full debrief report on the incident. His paragraphs on Shadow and Rouge are sharp and accusatory, warning of "immediate detainment" upon visual confirmation. The name "Shadow and Rouge" now entered into several classified watchlists.