X-men 2099UG #42

Xi'an Chi Xan. For years in the southwest of North America, he was called Desert Ghost. He is a martial arts master born with a unique mutant ability - a disruptive touch that can destroy matter at the molecular level. Later in life, due his body's strange healing processes, he discovered he had a latent mutant ability - a healing power that can close wounds, destroy viruses and disease, and mend broken bones. He had a vision years ago that the mutants of the world have been living separated for far too long. He would strive to build the mutant nation, and he would start with his X-Men.

Soon after finding the final component of his strikeforce -- Timothy Fitzgerald -- his vision was warped and twisted and he reverted back to his cruel, merciless self. It took the vampiric touch of a mutant sister to show him the painful and evil life he led had left his soul empty. Xi'an saw that he had nothing and he changed back into the 'boy scout', after causing pain and suffering for thousands of people. He once again must atone for his sins.

The first step in doing that has brought him here, to the town of Saba'Ur. Years ago, in the final days of the Lawless, he helped kill many innocent people here. How many? He can't remember. No, they all lost count. Men fought against them but were killed in protecting themselves, their families and their homes. Women pleaded for mercy, but not even their tears or cries of pain could stop the Lawless' wrath. Children, the youngest of whom did not understand any of what was going on, could do absolutely nothing against the killers. The children were the simplest and quickest to murder.

Xi'an walks through the streets, just observing the city's remains. He has no idea why he has returned here. He was drawn here from Halo City without any real reason. He could do nothing to change the past, so what was the point of bringing up old memories? They were ruthless and uncompassionate. The Lawless don't deserve the mercy of God for what they did. He tours the streets of Saba'Ur for hours, looking over the destruction they caused all those years ago. There are still remains of citizens scattered throughout the city. Xi'an lowers his head and keeps his eyes to the ground as he walks. The clear desert sky above looks down on Xi'an with pity. If it wanted, it could make Xi'an feel even worse by allowing a freak rainstorm to roll in. But the sky remains cloudless, so Xi'an can see everything clearly in the bright sun.

There is one thing that isn't clear, however. What drove the Lawless to wipe out an entire city of people? They were all innocents. The people posed no threat to the Lawless, and just what did they have to prove by murdering those people? They all know something took control of them, making them commit heinous acts against other people. They weren't responsible for their acts, right? He didn't actually enjoy killing those people, right?

Xi'an turns left at a corner and notices a shadow on the ground. He looks up to the source of the shadow and sees and old friend standing with his back toward Xi'an. Victor Ten Eagles does not know Xi'an is ten feet behind him. The few tall buildings on the street occupy his attention. Ten Eagles is rapt in his memories, not paying attention to anything else. Under normal circumstances, however, he would have heard Xi'an approach.

"Brother," Xi'an whispers.

Ten Eagles immediately turns around, momentarily disorientated. He realizes he is back in the present and he didn't expect a fellow Lawless member to sneak up on him. "Xi'an. So, it would explain the large hole in the gate of the city. I figured you were responsible for that."

"Yes, Victor. What are you doing here?"

Ten Eagles rests his left hand on his hip, feeling the soft material of his khaki pants. The wind blows through the town, and his loose green shirt ripples across his back. He looks Xi'an in the eyes and answers, "I felt compelled to come here for some reason. I started to think about Saba'Ur a few weeks ago and soon there was nothing else I could think about," Victor explains. "I knew I had to come here before those thoughts overwhelmed me and drove me insane. When I saw the hole in the gate, I hoped that you had done it and that you were still here in the city somewhere."

Xi'an nods his head. "Yes. I've been here for many hours just looking at the destruction we caused. Saba'Ur has been on my mind as well for some time. I left the X-Men awhile back and decided to come here."

Ten Eagles turns back around and looks down the street, exhaling loudly. He looks for a moment and shakes his head. "What could drive us to do this?" "I don't know, Victor," Xi'an answers, his eyes on his friend.

"Maybe we're here to find that out," a voice from behind offers. Xi'an and Ten Eagles both turn around to see Haiku and the Reverend, old Lawless members, approaching. Haiku, wrapped completely in neurotech, sits in a hoverchair. The Reverend, less than five feet tall with a small arsenal strapped to him and sunglasses over his eyes, walks along beside her.

Both Xi'an and Ten Eagles are left speechless. What are the odds of a small Lawless reunion happening by chance in the city where they fell apart years ago? All four of them realize, then, perhaps it wasn't by chance. Something specific has brought them here.

"Hello, boys," Haiku says. Her voice comes from speakers attached to the hover chair. Her body is motionless.

"Haiku. . ." Xi'an whispers under his breath.

Her voice is louder this time. "Yes, Xi'an. I've come here to stop the memories from flooding my mind. I haven't been able to concentrate on my work in cyberspace. I'm sure you've all been occupied with the strange memories of this place."

"We met up at the gate. We just got here," Reverend says. "Perhaps we should keep an eye out for Mongrel, Maim, and Junkpile. I think we're all meant to be here today."

"I agree," Haiku says.

"Strange, though, that we are all here on a whim," Ten Eagles comments. "It only took memories of our final days to bring us together."

With a smile on his face, the Reverend responds, "The Lord works in mysterious ways, Vic."

Ten Eagles in turn smiles and says, "Don't ever call me 'Vic'." The four recognize the tone in Ten Eagles' voice. He used to say that to his companion when they rode together. It is a happier memory than the ones that come to mind in this city. A symbol of their friendship, the humor between Ten Eagles and the Reverend will be always be remembered by themselves and the others.

"Let's head back to the gates," Xi'an suggests. "Because we all arrived here on the same day, we can assume that the others will be here soon, if they are not already here."

"Good idea," the Reverend says. "And if they don't show up today, we can stay here until they do. There's probably some good lodging available. I'm sure the people aren't going to need the rooms," he finishes, with a half smile.

Xi'an and Ten Eagles glance at him and then at each other. They both think the same thing: that wasn't funny. It did not lighten the mood any and Xi'an and Victor begin to head to the city's gates. Haiku and the Reverend follow a few steps behind.

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From above in one of the highest structures of Saba'Ur, the four are being watched. He sees the four Lawless members head back to the gates. The being watching them looks toward their destination and sees three others who are just entering the city's gates. He allows a grin to escape his stone-frozen face. All seven have returned to the city that shattered them as group, he thinks. He knows much about each of them. He knows about their lives after the Lawless disbanded. He knows what they did when they were still an unstoppable team. And by curiosity, he learned about their lives before the Lawless was a glint in their eyes.

The seven unite at the gate. The three that arrive stand side-by-side, while the other four approach. When they meet up, they face each other. Words are exchanged and after a few minutes, handshakes are exchanged. They are The Lawless once again, a fierce, peerless, dauntless band of warriors. Here, at this place - Saba'Ur - where they all began individual paths in life without each other's help or support, they come together possibly one last time to face that which they never once thought they would ever have to face: their past. They must face their crimes; their inexcusable sins.

Next Issue: Why have the Lawless been brought back together? Who is the stranger that watches over them? Is this the rrreturn of the Lawless, or something else all together? Stay tuned for the next issue of X-Men brought to you by Munch2099.