April 1998

Vision Comics presents the end of X-Men as we know in:

  Finally Cable opened the lock and they all entered a small tunnel made of bricks, just like anything around the place. At first the tunnel went straight ahead but later it started to curve upwards. After about ten minutes of climbing Cable stooped. He stayed still for few moments as if looking for something, but everyone knew he was scanning the area telepathically. He turned around and gave out orders. "There are no Sentinels outside here. I don't think Bastion expects us to come from here now. I bet he's got the whole of War Room guarded. You know the drill, we get out there and attack straight away. Our main point is to get to Bastion. When we will have him the Prime Sentinels will be held off. Also Forge Jubilee and Elizabeth I'm counting on you three to free Ororo and the rest of X-Men locked up in the Danger Room. Everyone understand ?"

  "Good." he said as he saw all of the heads nodding. He turned around and lifted to door slightly still making sure there was no one around. That done he quickly jumped out and waited for the rest to come after him. He heard Jubilee complain how this tunnel smelled like Bobby's socks. ^Will that girl ever shut up ?^ Cable thought to himself. Finally they were all up and Forge closed the door with his remaining hand. Cable pulled out his gun and started running towards the mansion. In few quick steps he was by the back door, he could see the rest behind him. The alarm system went of and Prime Sentinels appeared out of every room, beginning the battle that would end the war.

Hulkbuster Base

  A strong sonic scream tore the air blowing up the door. In the doorway stood Banshee, Cyclops, Beast, Angel, Chamber and Psylocke.

  "What the ?" the guard mumbled as he got up from his chair grabbing his gun.

  "I would strongly suggest you do not do that." Beast pointed out.

  "Wha... How did you get out ?"

  #None of your business mate.# Chamber spat out.

  "Get him out of my head !" the guard shouted with fear clearly in his voice. The ninja assassin known as Psylocke smiled and pulled out a sword she had found on her way up here. She walked up to the guard and pointed it at his throat.

  "Now luv no need to get all hasty. Tell us where Wolverine and Gen. X are kept, or other wise...." she stooped for few brief moments. "You know the rest... don't you ?" The guard gulped and pointed at some computers.

  "They.... they're held somewhere in there.... god please don't kill me. Here the keys are in that safe on the desk. The codes are B-72, W-09, K-65 and S-34." Betsy opened the draw and took out four magnetic cards.

  "Thanks..." she said smiling at the guard. "Bye." her telepathic butterfly alighted and the man fell to the floor unconscious. As she walked back to the rest Warren shouted at her.

  "Betsy are you nuts ? Did you just..."
 
  "Kill him ? No he'll wake up in a hour or so."

  "Why didn't you just use your telepathy ? What's the deal with playing the hero ?"

  "Warren one day you'll understand some things can be done better than others." Betsy answered coldly.

  She hid the sword and started walking down the corridor not paying much attention to Warren anymore. Warren himself tagging along behind the rest of his teammates looked at Betsy his face red from anger. ^Oh no Betsy, this is not how we play. It's just not^.

Mansion

  "Dis doin' no good." Remy shouted as he backed yet another shot from a Prime Sentinel. They managed to get through the first row just to meet the second. Now they were trying to get through to Bastion who was standing on the stairwell behind the Sentinels with a wicked smile on his face.

  "What's the matter Mister Wemy ? Don't know how to fight anymore ?" teased Sarah as she delivered a piece of bone into the chest of yet another Prime Sentinel. They could not be immune to her powers as they had no record of her.

  Remy's face filled with anger but he didn't say anything. With few quick paces he jumped into the air a piece of concrete in his hand. While he was somersaulting in the air he charged the rock and threw it at the Prime Sentinel who was behind Cable. ^Bingo^ Remy thought. He landed on the floor by Bobby gracefully. He grabbed some ice that was lying around and charging it threw it at his opponents. Some of it worked some didn't. This was the usual fight scene for the last ten minutes. They could hold the Sentinels of but couldn't break through them. They could just keep fighting hoping that they would receive some unexpected help.

Danger Room

  "How much longer Forge ?"

  "Jubilee if you'd shut up for few seconds it might actually open soon. It's not my fault the whole security system went down when we attacked and now we have to break into the Danger Room. Besides.... it's done." Forge said opening the giant door in front of him. It was dark inside, the power system gone as well.

  "Where's the light switch ?" Jubilee asked..

  "You're our light switch Jubilation. Unless until we find the back up generator." Jubilee's hands alighted with fireworks but they couldn't see much beyond their feet. They knew the X-Men were somewhere here but they couldn't see them. Slowly watching her every step Jubilee led the way for Forge to the emergency switch. It appeared to be just few steps from the door and Forge was already kneeling by it trying to turn it on with his one hand. After few unsuccessful tries and curses that no one could understand they heard a strange noise. Seconds latter the Danger Room alighted with lights.

  "Now that's what I call light." Jubilee said with a giant grin as she turned around. "Now to only...." she stooped in half sentence as she found what she was looking for.

  X-Men. They were all there hanging from the walls. They were not moving, their chest seemed not to rise and fall. Some of them had bruises all over their body some still had blood dried on their faces. There they were: Bishop, Jean, Storm and Rogue. Just hanging there giving no sign of life. God knew what Bastion did to them. "Oh my God." Jubilee whispered as she ran up to Jean.

  "Jean ? C'mon ! Wake up."

  "Jubilee ?" Jean said in a torn voice she forced her eyes open. A small smile filled her face. "We knew you would come." Quickly Jubilee blew the locks on the cuffs that were holding Jean and helped her down.

  In the meantime Forge did the same with Storm. She tummbled and fell to the ground before he caught her. "Forge ?" she mumbled.

  "Quiet Ororo. I'm here for you. I always will be." he picked her up gently and walked up to where Jean was sitting on the floor. With help from Jubilee they freed Bishop and Rogue. They all sat down as Forge took of the Genoshian collars of their necks. "Your powers should return within few minutes" he mumbled.

  He looked at the dazzled Storm. "Ororo, are you okay ?"

  "Forge... I... I.... don't feel it."

  "Feel what ?"

  "My... power... it's gone."

Hulkbuster Base

  A ray of red plasma energy shoot through the door breaking the lock. A foot kicked to door open and Cyclops entered the room. "Paige, Angelo, let's go." he announced with a stern voice. Hank helped them with the power neutralizers and they left the cell without a word spoken. The anger and tension could be cut with a chain saw. After few minutes they had found everyone except Wolverine.

  A pink butterfly appeared around Betsy's forehead as she searched for him all over the complex. Finally she stooped. "I've... found him. But he's not at his best. We better get to him fast." Everyone started walking behind Betsy who seemed to know the way.

  "I don't get it. Why haven't we been noticed yet ?" Synch mumbled to Paige.

  "Everett ! Psylocke is shielding us from the sensors."

  "Oh yeah. I knew that."

  Soon they found a cell in which Wolverine was held. After blowing the lock they all entered to small room. It was dark everywhere until Angelo found a light switch. As he turned it on everyone gasped. Wolverine was lying there on the bed covered in bandages looking dead. "Betsy ?" Scott whispered the question.

  "He's alive Cyclops. For now. He's had something very bad done to him... Oh God how could they ?" Betsy mumbled as she searched Logan's mind. "We need to get the hell out of here and get him to the medlab." Hank grabbed the unconscious Logan. His eyes showed surprise as he noticed how heavy Logan was.

  "He gained some weight." Beast mumbled.

  "More than you can imagine Hank." Betsy said. Everyone looked at her for a explanation. She hesitated for a while and then sighed deeply. "They.... they put andamitium back into him."

Mansion

  Sarah pulled out yet another bone from her back and slammed a Prime Sentinel into it's head. [WARNING: SYSTEM RESOURCES IN LOW. DANGER OF NOT COMPLETING THE MISSION IS HIGH] said the Sentinel in a inhuman, robotic way. ^This is ridiculous^ Sarah thought as she lurched into the air. Her sharp as knife bone pierced it's way through the Prime Sentinels before it could turn around. ^I'm too fast for them. I'll show X-Men just what a Morlock is capable of^.

  "This is not doing any good." Sam announced as he landed beside Cable, Iceman and Gambit. "We can't get through the Prime Sentinels, we can't get Bastion."

  "We 'now dat mon ami. De question be watt d' w' d' 'bout it."

  "I found Professor Xavier in the mansion telepathically. He's locked up in one of the rooms."

  "Den go !" Remy shouted as he dogged a plasma bolt. This was new. Until now the Prime Sentinels awaited their attack. They never attacked on their own. Whatever was in Bastion's head it was weird. Everyone split as they yet again began to fight the robots.

  With one jump Cable was on the stair well. He ran up the stairs dogging the attacks on him. After few seconds they stooped. He didn't have time to look back and he figured someone took the Sentinel out. As he disappeared behind the wall he was safe . For now. #Charles ? Can you hear me ?# he called out telepathically.

  #Nathan ?#

  #Yes. Me and the X-Men are here#

  #Good.# Xavier answered and Cable could almost feel his relief. #Bastion told me they were all dead#

  "They're far from that Sir." Cable announced as he stormed into Xavier's room. Before it was Cablian's room but now Bastion took out anything that Charles could use to free himself and placed him in there. As Cable worked with Xavier's chuffs, he asked:

  "Nathan. What has happened since I was gone ?"

  "It's kind of a long story. Here." he said as he telepathically told Xavier the events of last month.

  When he was finished seconds later, Xavier gasped. "How can a man have so much hate in himself ?"

  "I don't think he is a man sir."

  "Neither do I."

  "So what do we do now ?" Cable asked as he picked up Xavier.

  "Let's go downstairs. I think I have a plan."

Hulkbuster Base

  Team Alpha made it's way down the corridor quietly. They were still in the complex having rescued everyone, including Wolverine who was as close to dead as one can get. They were protected from guards and such as Psylocke was telepathticaly shielding them. Now they only had to find a way out.

  ^Damn I'm not used to doing this anymore^ Psylocke thought to herself as she pushed her limits so she could keep up the shield. ^Before the Siege I could do this without moving a finger. And now ? How often do I even use my telepathy ? I have been relaying on my ninja skills so much I forgot about my psychic power. If we make it out then I am going to make some changes in my life. Serious ones.^ She bit her lip as she pushed on using her power. The pain was not increasing with unbelievable force. She wasn't going to hold much longer. "Damn it...." she mumbled as she let go and fell to the floor.

  "What's wrong Betsy ?" asked Sean who was the closest to her.

 "I'm... sorry.. I couldn't hold it longer."

  "Hold what ?" he said. The instant the words left his mouth he heard a voice behind them.

  [MUTANT TERRORISTS KNOWN AS X-MEN AND GEN. X. YOU ARE TO SURRENDER IMMEDIATELY OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.]

  "Damn." he mumbled as he picked Psylocke up and started running with the rest of X-Men. They couldn't hold down a fight with the Prime Sentinels. After few turns and corners they ran out to a open space. This was it. The hangar bay. The place they had been looking for the last twenty minutes. Now they needed to find a plane and get out of here. Just then a army of Prime Sentinels appeared in front of them.

  "Oh great." mumbled Warren.

  Everyone regrouped and they began to fight the last fight. Cyclops fired at the Sentinel in front of him and the same thing as usual happened. The Prime Sentinel was shielded form his power. Banshee lifted of into the air. His sonic scream shook the earth and some Sentinels lost their balance. Beast noticing this advantage took one giant step and jumped over the Sentinels and next to a plane. He quickly kicked to door open and entered with the dying Logan in his arms. He knew the X-Men could hold the Sentinels of for him long enough to strap Logan to some life saving device.

  Meanwhile outside what was left of the X-Men were still holding of against the army. But as more and more Prime Sentinels arrived  they understood they couldn't win. Everyone backed into a wall and they started fighting aimlessly just to get through. Chamber unleashed his psionic power blowing up one of the Sentinels that wasn't ready for his attack. But that was as much as they could do.

  "We have to do something... fast !" Sean shouted to Cyclops.

  "I know. If only Betsy was still able...." Cyclops paused as he looked at Psylocke standing against the wall. She was near fainting from the usage of her telepathic power.

  "Cyclops you're forgetting something." interrupted White Queen. "I'm a telepath as well."

  "We can't fool them with the same trick twice." pointed out Warren as he flew past dogging a plasma ray. He landed on the ground beside them. His metal wings unfolded revealing hundredths of metallic feathers. At his mere thought they sprang from his wings attacking the robots from everywhere. "You guys think fast I can hold them off for a second."

  White Queen stepped from behind him. #Warren back me up# she told him as she moved forward her eyes fixed on the Prime Sentinels in front of her. A sudden telepathic attack escaped her head. What was left of human brains in the robots reacted and the first row began to fall to the ground grabbing their heads screaming with fear. All of the rest followed, as Emma fought to keep the telepathic attack going.

  "I don't believe this." Cyclops said to Sean. "Even Jean couldn't do anything like this. When has she grown so powerful ?"

  "Emma's been pushin herself to the limits for the past month after Onslaught encounter."

  #What are you waiting  for ?# Emma shouted at them telepathically. #I can't hold them for the whole eternity. Get in the plane !#

  Everyone began running towards the plane past the Prime Sentinels on the ground. As soon as everyone was in Emma started for the plane slowly still keeping the control over the Sentinels. She ran up the stairs into the plane and then her control was lost. "Hurry, we don't have much time." She shouted. She didn't need to the engines were already started and the plane was lifting off.

  Psylocke started out the window at the Hulkbuster Base already disappearing in the dark. So she had gotten out of there. Now what ? She sighed deeply as she sat down beside Warren. To her surprise he turned around and didn't say a word to her.

Mansion

  By the time Cable arrived at the battle scene with Xavier Forge was there with the bruised and worn out Team Beta. They were all alive, and their powers seemed to return with the exception of Storm. As Cable put Charles on the floor he looked at his students. So much had happened in this month. Too much. He turned his attention to Cable. "Nathan I want you to switch my powers back on." he said trying to remain calm. He had been planning this for a week.

  "What... ?!"

  "I want you to go into my mind and break the block Onslaught put there. I am the only one that can defeat Bastion. Now hurry up we don't have much time."

  "Sir... you realize the risks ?"

  "Of course I do ! Hurry up." Without hesitating more Cable entered Xavier's mind and he located the block. He started beating upon it pushing on it breaking it bit by bit. At first a small crack appeared and then the block started to give way. Cable kept attacking it with all the power he had and he could himself see the block was yielding. Finally it broke. Shards went flying everywhere and Cable was mentally pushed forward hitting yet another unseen barrier. His psychic power unleashed itself and broke the barrier as well. Quickly Cable pulled out afraid he would do some damage. As his mind returned to his body he realized what he did. ^Damn it Charles you knew, didn't you ?^ was all he could think before fainting.

  Xavier opened his eyes the feeling of his power returning with a instant. He looked at Cable lying on the ground and Forge and the rest surrounding them. He pulled his legs up and stood up. He mumbled something and then was standing on his feet yet once again.

  "Professor.... you ?" Forge mumbled as he looked at Xavier standing in front of him.

  "Long explanation Forge, leave it for later. Now get everyone out of here. I have to face Bastion myself."

  "But he's immune to telepathy !"

  "That's why I need you." Xavier said pointing at Elizabeth.

  "...ME ?...."

  "Yes. From Cable I learned about your power and you are the only person who can help me defeat Bastion. Will you help me ?"

  "Umm...." Elizabeth thought as her hands began to shake. Everyone was silenced leaving her to decide. "Ok...okay..." she managed to mumble out her whole body now shaking now that she realized what she'd agree to do.

  "Good." Xavier said. #X-Men. This is Professor Xavier. Save any questions for later. Now I need you to leave the mansion at this instant. Me and Elizabeth are the only ones that can confront Bastion.# Charles stooped for a while, taking a deep breath. #I want each of you to know I'm proud of you, proud you're a X-Man. If I don't make it out alive out of this then remember to stay faithful to the dream#

  With that said Charles made sure everyone stooped their fight and began to leave. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Bastion appear. Just what he needed. He looked back as the X-Men left the house glancing back at their mentor, maybe for the last time. When they were all gone he turned around to Bastion, who had now called of all of the Prime Sentinels, obviously getting ready for a verbal fight. He wondered why Xavier kept the young girl with him. He had no record of her so he couldn't tell who she was. He was sure that it would end tonight. And he knew who was going to win.

  #I'm affraid.# Elizabeth told Xavier telepathically.

  #I understand child. Have faith. Trust me if one of us is to die today then it won't be you.# Elizabeth was going to ask what exactly did he mean by this but it was too late. Bastion had spoken. She could just await instructions now.

  "So Xavier I see you reclaimed your role of the mutant leader ? And you're walking again ?" Bastion said with sarcasm in his voice.

  "Bastion why do you hate mutants so much ? What have we ever done to you ?"

  "Done to me ? You are the reason I was born." Bastion said with something that could have been a smile on his face.

  Xavier tried to understand what exactly that meant but ever time he tried to enter Bastion's mind there was nothing there. Or he just had very big telepathic shields. #Elizabeth, listen to me, this is what we do. Right now I'm draining any telepathic power I can, plus adding my own and your power should be enough to defeat Bastion.#

  #Defeat ? How ?#

  #Your powers can create plasma energy that is generated from telepathy. Is that right ?#

  #Yeah I think so. So what ?#

  #I am generating any telepathy I can and then if we link together you can have the power as well and you can attack Bastion. One clear who is all you'll get but it should be enough.#

  #Okay...#

  "Bastion, why can't you understand that mutants and humans can live together in peace and harmony ?"

  "You are a fool Xavier ! Mutants can not live in peace with humans. Mutants are a threat to humanity. They always have been always will. Mutants need to be destroyed."

  "How can you be so cruel ?!" Xavier shouted anger overwhelming him. "What are you ?"

  "What am I ? Why don't you read my mind and see for yourself !"

  He knew this was the perfect moment to attack. If not now then never. He gathered all the telepathic energy he could and grabbed Elizabeth's hand. A link was created and instantly energy started flowing into Elizabeth. She clenched her teeth as she felt the pain again. Pain she had not felt since her power manifestated. She now understood she wasn't ready for this. #Don't worry you can do it.# Charles encouraged her.

  "Wha.... what are you doing ?" Bastion mumbled shocked as he saw Elizabeth powering up.

  "I'm ending this." Xavier said as he let go of her hand. #NOW !#

  Elizabeth closed her eyes and pointed her hands at Bastion. She felt this strange energy building up in her, ripping her apart. She could see Xavier attacking Bastion mentaly trying to break through his psychic shields. Elizabeth fired the energy. She missed and got the floor under Bastion but it still sending him flying in the air. He landed hard on the ground wiping away blood from his face. In the same moment Xavier unleashed his biggest telepathic onslaught at Bastion. They both began to scream as their minds joined for a split second. Xavier fell to the ground barely breathing and Elizabeth looked at him tears in her eyes.

  "NO !" she shouted. She released the energy once again hitting Bastion this time.

  From there one she couldn't tell what was happening. Energy came firing from her without any control. She tried to stop it but with no use. Everything around her began to burn. Bastion was lying motionless on the floor. ^Oh my god I've killed him^ She dropped to her knees crying. She couldn't stop the energy. For the last time, she knew it she released into the air. All she could hear or see was a gaint explosion and then she fainted.

  Outside the X-Men watched as their mansion was blown into pieces. One great explosion that looked like a nuclear bomb destroyed the giant building. They stood there motionless each watching the burning building and as what was left of it collapsed to the ground. This was it. The mansion was gone.

  "Elizabeth." whispered Jubilee.

  "Professor." echoed Storm.

  Everyone broke into run, running for the ruins hoping to find them. When they got there the heat from the fire backed them off and Jean searched for them telpathicaly. She stepped into the house folowed by Gambit and Iceman and they found Charles lying on the ground, under a heap of rocks and wood. Elizabeth was under him. Quickly they pulled them out; Jean's shield protecting them from the ceiling which was coming down. Once outside they found that Elizabeth was alive, Professor had covered her with his own body when the ceiling came down.

  Professor himself was in a worse shape. By the time everyone gathered around him he had woken up. "Is... is she okay ?" was the first thing he asked. A faint smile appeared on his face as he heard a positive answer. At least he kept his promise. He started coughing and knew this was the end. Patches of black started to cover his eyes as he began to speak. "My students. I'm proud of you today. All of you young and old made my dream come true. Thank you for that. Now..." he began to speak but didn't manage to finish. He could feel loosing his grip and he tried to speak something else but there was no way he could open his mouth. His powers didn't respond either. His eyes widened and then slammed shut.

  As the X-Men wiped away tears they looked first at their mentor, then at their destroyed home they understood that this was the end. Again....

  Read the Epilogue in "Gen. X" #5, online in two weeks.

NEXT ISSUE:
"The Dream that Failed"
  The title says it all doesn't it ? With this issue we begin a new direction for the X-Men. For the next 12 issues or so we will see how they are coping with the events of last month. We will see who they are and who they want to become. And in the end we will see the return of X-Men like never before. And this issue starts it all of. Many changes, many revelations. Things are just getting better.