Marvel characters belong to Marvel and are borrowed without permission with no profit made, while
Visions characters are the property of Visions and can be used with permission, just ask. We'll say yes.

WRITERS NOTE: I know it's a bit early to send this, but I might not be available to send it within the next
week and I really want to stay on schedule. So I hope the readers enjoy an early issue (you mean someone
actually reads this thing ?) Of course ! I mean it's not like I get any feedback or something, but I know....
actually I know nothing. Get a clue readers....

January 1999
Visions presents the beginning of the greatest story in the world in:

"INVADING"
Scribe: Tom

Rubbing his temples, Senator Robert Kelly turned away from the glowing screen before his face. ^Nothing.
Absolutely nothing. Looks like they are indeed dead.^ he thought leaning back in his chair. The clock on the
wall showed noon, which meant he had spent five hours searching the government database with no results.
It must have been all true then. X-Factor were dead. An fact, he had known for few months already, but
never quite believed it fully. They were X-Factor after all. From his experience, mutants didn't die easily. It
was humans who paid the price without returning, like his wife for example. His expression saddened for a
moment at the memory of his wife, killed by Master Mold. X-Men couldn't help her then, he understood
that, but still it hurt when he remembered that. Since that he had endured himself in mutant relations, whether
is was protecting them or fighting against them. Lately, something came to him, and he realized that maybe
there was no use in fighting against them, and maybe it was time that they tried doing something that would
help the problem. The Reach Out program was a good option, and he was happy he came up with it.
Unfortunately, that itself wouldn't do. He needed good relationship with mutants, he needed to make sure
there were no mutant terrorists running around, and most importantly he needed the X-Men to be portrayed
as heroes, not villains. He knew they meant good most of the time, but almost every time they did, they got
themselves into more trouble. It was getting harder to show across a image of a "good" mutant since there
were none.

But, he was hopeful, and he had discussed the problem with Cyclops, and he promised to keep X-Men out
of trouble. If he could manage that and they could make sure that the public accepted X-Men and the
government supported them, his plan would work, and maybe humanity wouldn't be doomed. That was a
big if...

The ringing of a phone brought him back to reality, interrupting his thoughts. He picked up the handset and
answered. "Hello ?"

"Yes, Senator Kelly sir, I got Mr. Jakins on the line for you." said a female voice on the other end of the line.

"Thank you Jane, put him through."

There was a loud beep and then another one, and a male voice answered. "Hello ?"

"Mr. Karl Jakins ?" Senator Kelly asked leaning back in his chair.

"Yes."

"I'm Robert Kelly..."

"Oh yes Senator Kelly, pleased to talk to you sir. I really liked your speech weeks ago." Karl interrupted.

"Thank you Mr. Jakins." Kelly answered with a smile on his face.

"You know, someone needed to finally realize that muties aren't such a threat at all. So anyway how can I
help you ?"

"From what I understand, you are the manager of employment for the government."

"Yes, I employ all those agents to do the, well dirty work for us." He said with a bit of hesitation. Maybe it
wasn't necessary to say dirty to a American Senator, but he realized that too late.

Senator Kelly ignored the last comment and continued. "I was wondering if Frank Bohannan was under your
employment at all."

"Crimson Commando ? Yeah sure he is. He's on a mission right now, why ?"

"I'm ringing to ask you to retrieve him from that mission at this moment and make him report to me as soon
as possible."

"Whoa, is this something big ?"

"Yes I suppose you could say that, but right now it's still all a secret so I'm afraid to tell you. But worry not,
you will hear about it."

"Okay, Mr. Kelly I understand. I'll contact Mr. Bohannan right now, and he'll see you in few days."

"Thank you very much for your cooperation Mr. Jakins."

"Don't worry about it Senator Kelly. Glad I was able to help."

"You were of enormous help Mr. Jakins. Thank you."

"Yes." Karl said smiling. "Later."

"Goodbye."

***

Olympia, Washington

"So what have you been up to lately honey ?" An older woman asked pouring hot tea into a cup.

"Not much really." answered a young woman, curling her long dark orange hair on her finger.

"Still living in that Savage Land ?" The woman asked handing her the cup.

"Yeah." she answered shortly before taking a sip of the tea. "So what do you think of my hair now ?" she
asked changing the subject suddenly.

"It's like it heaps." answered a older man from the other end of the table. "I always liked your natural hair, it
was just so strange, so red it was orange."

"Thanks dad." she answered smiling. "It was a pain to grow it again, but I just wanted to get it like it was
before again. I don't think blue really suited me so much."

Her parents both laughed remembering those years when she was a rebellious teen.

"So, anything new happened since I was here last time ? Are the Robertsons still living across the road ?"

"No they moved to Seattle, with James, when he got married." answered her mother.

"James is married ?!" Anne Marie asked clearly shocked.

"Yes, he got married a couple of months ago."

"Who to ?" Anne Marie asked still surprised.

"Remember that girl Alice Cooper from your class ? Her."

"Heh, I could never imagine them two together. I thought James was never going to get over me."

"He didn't honey. He came by and asked about you every day, since you..." the woman stopped choosing
her next words carefully. "Came back. And he wanted you to be at his wedding so much, we tried to do all
we could to tell you about it, but you are so far away..." her mother stopped, looking away.

"Mum, I'm sorry I really didn't know, if I knew I would have came here, but I just didn't know." Anne Marie
tried to explain.

"Why do you even live there Anne ?" Her mother raised her voice suddenly.

"C'mon mom, we've been there too many times." Anne said rolling her eyes.

"And we never reached a conclusion did we ?" her mother backed.

"I don't see what's wrong with living with my friends." Anne Marie retarded, anger building up with her. Her
parents always had to complain about her life as a Acolyte.

"Honey, it's not living with your friends that bugs us. It's where you live, and why you live there. You're
running yourself into the ground, you're trying to live a life of outlaw. Why ?"

"Mum, I'm fighting for a cause. Haven't you heard what they did to mutants back in New York few months
ago ? No one likes us, everyone hates us in fact, someone has to stand up to it."

"But honey you're not making any difference. Your oh so high Master, he's dead. And there is about a
hundred other mutants posing as Acolytes running around, ruining any image you have."

"Magneto is not dead mom I know it !" Anne Marie shouted back. "We're waiting, waiting for the right
moment, to resurface and make some sort of difference."

"But Anne...." her mother sighed. She couldn't argue with Anne, it was like she couldn't see any other way
path the one she walked on. "Arthur, you try talking some sense into her." she said looking at her husband.

"Your mother is right Anne. I know you're trying to make a difference, and I'm proud of you for it, but this
isn't the way to do it, by being an outlaw, and living in hiding all life."

"You just can't handle, me doing something that you don't like. Just like you can't handle him !..." Anne
Marie stopped, realizing she went too far.

"Now don't bering your brother into this, you know the rule." her mother shouted at her.

"The rule ? Not to mention Fabian's name within this house ?" Anne Marie shouted back looking back and
forth between her parents. "Screw that. Soon you're going to forget me too, because I'm not living the way
you want me to." Anne said, her eyes filled with rage.

"It's not that Anne you know it right. Your brother did a terrible thing, and you know it. He ruined our whole
family's name. Do you really think we like to have our son become a international terrorist, unite with the
biggest mutant terrorist in the world and then betray and kill him ? Do you really think we like how we had to
convince all of our friend we weren't going to secretly kill them ? We hate Fabian for what he did, and we
have reasons too."

"You hate Fabian, for what ?! For staining your name ? What am I supposed to say ?! He was the one that
pulled me into this, I didn't really believe in all that mutants are being slaughtered stuff. But he was my older
brother, and I always admired him, I did what he said was right. Mum I became a terrorist because of him,
and then he betrayed not only me, but our whole team and killed us all. If it wasn't for Chrome, we wouldn't
have survived. Mum, he made me believe in his dream, and then he betrayed me. Do you have any idea how
it makes me feel ? All these nights I cried because my brother betrayed and killed me ? And you're telling
me you hate him because he stained our family's name ? I think I should be the one going around saying how
much I hate my brother. He ruined my life goddamn it !"

"Anne calm down." her father said, in a attempt to calm his daughter down.

"No dad, it's not just that easy. You guys hate Fabian, when he didn't really do that much to you, what he
did to me was terrible, but still I am the one that visits his grave, not you."

"You visited his grave again ?" her mother suddenly cut it.

"Yes, I did, I had to tear weeds of it, you guys never go there." Anne said tears building up in her eyes.

"You know why we don't go there Anne, and you shouldn't either."

"Why mom ? Because he was a bastard ? I hate him as well, but he's still my brother. He's your son for
crying out loud ! The least you could do is go to visit him now that he's dead. Are you going to do the same
for me once I die ?" she said now fully bursting into tears.

Her mother looked at her, for few seconds curled up in her chair, tears running down her face, and she
cracked. She moved her chair over, embracing Anne. "Don't cry Anne. We hate Fabian, for what he did.
We know what he did to you was even worse, and we know how you feel about it. That's why we're asking
you to come back to us, stop living in Savage Land as a terrorist. We don't want you to end up dead like
him. You're our only daughter, and we don't want to loose you. Fabian was our son, that's right. But he
denied himself the right to be part of this family when he did what he did. Do you think he cared about what
you, me or dad thought about stuff he did ? No Anne, he was a selfish egoistic young man, his own angst
corrupted him. He didn't care what we thought, he didn't want to be a part of this family anymore. We
shouldn't pay our respects to him because he betrayed all of us, he didn't care about what we thought. And
when you remember him, and cry over him, you only do yourself damage. Anne, you must remember that
Fabian was a terrible man."

"Don't you think I know that ?" Anne said wiping off tears. "I know he was the biggest asshole to walk on
this earth. Mum, I left James to go after him and his dream. I could have been married to him now like Alice
is, but look at what I am now. I hate Fabian for everything, but still I shouldn't just forget him because he did
all that stuff to me. He was my brother, always was and always will, and that I think is enough for me to
make me visit him sometimes and pay my respects to him. Just try to understand that mum, I see I won't
convince you to accept what he did, but at least let me do it." She said sobbing.

"Oh Anne, if it only was that easy. Maybe one day you'll understand, how wrong you are." her mother said
pulling her closer. "Let's end this conversation now. Look at us, we were shouting at each other. This isn't
my idea of spending time with my daughter. Let's just forget we had the argument, okay ? Let's just enjoy
your company, while you're still here. Okay ?"

"Okay mum." Anne Marie Cortez said pulling away from her mother.

***

Xavier's Institute For Higher Learning

Ororo Munroe looked around the War Room, staring straight into the faces of Logan, Scott and Jean. They
were awaiting her message, one she called all of them into the War Room for. Finally she decided to speak.
"Thank you for coming, I have an announcement to share with you and I feel like I should discuss it with you
first."

"No problem Ororo." Jean said smiling.

Storm took a deep breath before saying the next words, trying her hardest for them not to sound wrong. "I'm
leaving the team."

"You're what ?!!!" Scott suddenly shouted.

"You heard right Scott, I'm leaving X-Men for some time. I am not a good leader without my powers
anyway, and I don't feel like I could lead like I did powerless before, I've changed since then. I have way to
many things to clear up in my life, I haven't been home for years, I've even sent the Morlocks there, and I
don't even know if they arrived safe. In short I need a vacation."

"Of course Ororo, I understand what you mean. And I was going to say, that you lead the X-Men
powerless before and did pretty well at it too, but if you feel like you're not up to it." Scott answered, much
calmer now.

"It's not a matter of being up to it Scott. It's just I don't think I can become that person I was back then. I
was young, and I lost my connection to mother earth then, I wasn't the real myself. Sure it was still me, but in
normal circumstances I would have acted differently than I did then, even though I still haven't regained my
connection with the mother earth."

"We understand Ororo." Jean said. " If you feel like you want to go, then you should go, keeping you here
by force will only make matters worse."

"Thank you Jean, I knew you'd at least understand."

"Since 'Ro is making the big announcement so maybe so should I." Logan cut it. Everyone turned their heads
to him.

"I was thinking of leaving too. I mean I am useless to the team right now, I would only be a pain in the rear. I
don't have a clue what's up with my skeleton, and my claws, and I just got out of medical bed a week ago.
The last time I remember being so wounded was when they put the bloody thing in the first time. So I don't
think I would be a good thing on the team now, besides I don't know if I want to be on the team, for now.
Don't get me wrong, I love you all guys, but well.... I just, I suppose I need some time alone." Logan took a
deep breath. He was not a man of long conversations, but he felt like he had to explain this to them well. "I
was going to leave soon too, but now that 'Ro is going back home, a idea just poped into my head. Would
ya mind if I came along with ya 'Ro ?"

Storm took a few moment to answer, and was clearly surprised to hear the question, but finally she did, with
a smile on her face. "Of course I wouldn't Logan. it would be my pleasure, you are more than welcome to
come."

"Great, thanks 'Ro. So Scott, what do you say ? Do I have permission ? I'll be a good boy, boy scout's
honor." Logan said chucking to himself.

"Well, it's not going to be the same with both of you not here, and maybe even hard, but what can I say ? If
you feel like you should leave, then do so. Just remember, both of you, the doors are always open, and you
are more than welcome to come back."

"Thank you Scott." Storm said. "We will be leaving within a week. Logan I need to talk to you about few
things." Storm announced as she and Scott began leaving the room.

"Right 'Ro, I just need to talk to someone first. I'll be with you in a minute." he said as her and Scott
disappeared out the door. Jean was following them closely but Logan grabbed her hand pulling her back.
"We need to talk red." he said with a serious expression on his face.

"What about Logan ?" Jean said sitting down on a chair next to him.

"Scott."

"Oh."

"He's been acting weird lately, blows up at any smallest problem. I mean, he drove Gambit so nuts few days
ago the poor cajun punched him. That's not the Scott I know. He said it's the pressure of leading X-Men,
but I don't believe that crap, he can handle the X-Men any day. It's something more isn't it ?"

"No Logan. You know Scott, he always over worries about everything, and I think he has too much to
worry about anyway, and with you two leaving, it's not going to get any better." Jean said with a faked sigh.

"Red, don't lie to me. I know you even better than I know Scott. C'mon it's me you're talking to. You can
tell me whatever is the problem."

Jean looked up at his and sighed, this time for real. "It's me Logan. He's worried about me."

"Why ?"

"Well even since Professor fell into the coma, I've been powering myself up lately. You know, changing my
clothes with thoughts and taking trips around the world and all that stuff. It's natural for me, since the Phoenix
powers were just an evolution from my normal powers. But Scott, well you know Scott he's worrying
about..."

"He's worried that you'll be corrupted by your power and end up like Chuck or even worse like Dark
Phoenix."

"Yeah. Exactly that."

"Well you have to understand how it hurt us all when you died on the moon. Sure it wasn't you, but we all
thought it was. And now with what happened to Professor it's showed us again how power can corrupt. I
know you can handle it, and that the Jean we saw die on the moon was just a replacement, but Scott
doesn't. This is Scott after all, he has to worry about everything there is to worry. And you're his number one
priority. Do you have any idea how much it would hurt him if something would happen to you ?"

"He doesn't seem like it at times." Jean responded calmly staring off to space.

"What do you mean ?"

"Most of the time he's busy taking care of X-Men. He never has time for me Logan, there's always some
problem with the X-Men that he has to attend to, and when I need to talk to him he's not there. Sometimes
it's just like I'm there for sex, and that's not a big part of it either."

"Aww c'mon Jeannie, you know it's not true. Scott is just that kind of a man, he needs to take care of
everything, and he does take good care of X-Men. I suppose he does forget about you at times, and that's
bad but believe me he worries about you more than he worries about the X-Men. You just need to tell him
that you feel left out and alone at times."

"Now with you guys leaving he's going to have even less time for me." Jean said looking at her feet.

"Look Jean." Logan said putting his hand on her shoulder and trying to look into her eyes. "If you want me
to, I'll stay. I can take care of the X-Men, mentally, Scott can take them to fight, but I can mentor them,
even without my powers. That will give Scott some more free time."

"No I couldn't do that Logan. You need to take care of your own life for now. You've been helping us out
for too long." said Jean looking back up at Logan.

"Sure ?"

"Yeah, we'll manage it's not like we didn't have problems before. I just feel like we need a holiday too, but
someone has to take care of X-Men. Don't worry though I'll sort things out with Scott. You're right about
him, he does mean well for me, sometimes it just doesn't seem like it."

"Yeah that's the Jean I know. You'll make it red I know it." Logan said, embracing her.

"Thanks Logan. You're the best friend I could ever wish for. Good luck."

"Thanks red. And keep working on that marriage of yours, you're lucky to have Scott."

"I know." she said pulling away. "Good luck with your life, and I hope I'll see you again sometime."

"You know how life is, our paths will defiantly cross again."

"How could I forget." Jean said laughing.

They were interrupted by a sudden entrance of Bobby. He poped his head in through the door looking
around. "So you're still here Logan. There's a certain girl on the phone for you. She asked me not to say who
it was, she said she wanted it to be a surprise."

"Certain girl eh ? Oh well I better go and get it. See you later red, remember what I told ya."

"Yes thanks Logan. Good luck again."

Logan waved his hand and walked out of the War Room heading up stairs to the phone. Bobby looked at
Jean. "What's with all the advice and good luck ?"

"Nothing much, Logan and Ororo are leaving the team."

"Great, now there's no escaping Scott's leadership. I bet you he's going to make us wear those ugly team
uniforms." Bobby said slapping his hand on his forehead.

Jean laughed and walked up to Bobby. "Is everything a joke to you Bobby ?"

"Yeah pretty much. Except Mexican food of course, that kinda brings tears in me."

They both laughed. "C'mon you want some ice cream ?" Jean asked.

"Sure as long as it's not sprinkled with Mexican spices."

***

"Hello ?" Logan spoke into the handset.

"SURPRISE !" A voice shouted on the other hand.

"Hi Jubilee. What are you doing on the phone at this time ? Shouldn't you be in class ?" Logan asked trying
hard to sound strict.

"Yeah kinda, I said I was going to the toilet. I just felt a sudden urge to call ya. Icecube took ages to get you
so I don't have much time before Frost starts to look for me. So I just wanted to know, how are you feeling,
after you know what..." Jubilee's voice lowered.

"I'm all right Lee, healing factor took care of everything, and I've been up and running for over a week now."

"That's still long though."

"Yeah I know, but I seem to be fine now."

"And your claws ?"

"No sign of them, but that maybe be because andamitium is blocking all the scans. I suppose the only way to
find out what the hell is up with them is to try to use them, but I'm not to keen on that yet. That's why I'm
taking a vacation."

"You're doing what ?? Where... when... ?"

"Calm down Lee. Ororo is going back home and I'm going with her for few weeks and after that I really
don't have anything planned yet."

"Oh can you visit me ? Frost won't let me go anywhere so why won't you come down here ?"

"That's an option, I'll see."

"Uhuh, gota go, Frost is looking for me. So quickly when you're leaving ?"

"Before the end of the week."

"Okay then see you later, and please at least send me a post card okay ?"

"Sure. Now get back to class before White Queen punishes you."

"Yeah I know, she's like the Punisher or something. Later, and good luck."

"Bye." Logan hanged the phone up and smiled. Jubilee never changed.

***

Few Hours Later

"Yes Sam, how can I help you ?" Cyclops looked up from the construction plans for the mansion that were
laid out before him.

"Well, Cyclops Sir, I heard that Storm and Wolverine were leaving."

"Yes they are indeed."

"Well I just thought, well that maybe I would be able to help you lead them team, after all I do have some
experience."

Scott looked up at him, unsure if he was joking or not. Deciding he wasn't Scott sighed. "Look Sam. I know
you've lead X-Force in the past, and I heard you did a good job at it, but this isn't X-Force. This is X-Men.
We work in a different way."

"But, Cyclops, how much different leading can be ? I lead X-Force for two years, and even you yourself
told me I did good. When I joined the X-Men, I didn't want to be a newbie all my time."

"You are still young Sam, and even though all you've been through, I don't think you're ready for taking care
of X-Men. Even if it's not full care."

"So what ??!! Do you expect me to be the young inexperienced member all my life ? I have more control
over my powers than Rogue or Joseph do, but you don't see them being treated like newbies." Sam shouted.
He was getting angry.

"Sam this isn't about anyone else. It's about you. I know you've lead X-Force, and you did a good job at it."
Scott said trying to stay calm. "I just don't feel you and X-Men are prepared to be lead by you. It's not any
action against you, it's just that you have to prove yourself before you can become a leader on this team."

"Of course ! You don't just hand the leadership to a person that is available." Sam shouted fully angry now.
"That person has to prove himself in combat. Well guess what Cyclops, I've proven myself more times than
you can think of. You've just never been there to see it. And you know why ? Because I'm never let to do
anything on this goddamn team ! I am just supposed to sit back and learn from you guys. Learn everything I
already know. And I'm already starting to regret my decision to join X-Men." Sam shouted turning around
and heading for the door.

"Sam, don't tell me what I should and should not...." his sentence was interrupted by Sam slamming the door
behind himself.

^How am I supposed to handle that ? He's not able to lead the X-Men. He's like what, 19 ? As much as I'm
going to need some help, I can't trust him enough.^

Sam slammed the door shut behind himself, anger building up in him. It was always like this, he was always
the young, inexperienced one. He was slowly having enough of it. He had