Alternate X-Men #61
Michael Triggs at TRIGGS_M@bentley.edu
-------------------

Cover : Archangel lies prone on the ground, in a pile of wreckage, as 
Psylocke kneels down next to him. His wings move about erratically.

Caption : On Broken Wings.

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A Quick Recap of the Story so far..
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Gambit, who was on a special mission along with Psylocke, Archangel,
Rogue and Cyclops, was injured during a cave-in caused by the very
mutant they were trying to find. Cyclops was captured by this
mystery mutant, named Terrarota, who seemed to have complete control
of the earth around her. She delivered Cyclops to Sinister, and then returned
to finish off the remaining X-Men. After Psylocke and Archangel managed
to vanquish Terrarota, they returned, to find Gambit in an explosive
comatose state, which had been triggered by some foreign chemicals
somebody introduced into his system during a simple surgical procedure
he was supposed to undergo. Rogue, in an attempt to stop one of Gambit's
explosions, which had enough power to take out the entire region, attempted
to absorb the power into her. Unable to control this power, her body
took on the energy form Gambit's body was taking on, and dissipated.

The remaining staff at the hospital brought in Stark Enterprises, who
had a containment unit that would be able to control Gambit's energy
releases. Doctor Pym, who had been called in by SE, on a favor by
Tony Stark himself, suggested that the X-Men take the containment
unit, since they had the best chance of returning Gambit to normal. However,
a governmental task force of some kind, consisting of three people
[Coil, a young female sharpshooter/Refract, a red-haired cameraman, and
Bareback, a Native American woman with apparent cybernetic implants 
allowing her machine-based telekinesis] had different plans for Gambit's
body, wanting to take it and the containment unit into custody. Shortly
after, a fight broke out, as these government agents attempt to load
Gambit's body, containment unit and all into a large government-issue
vehicle. The X-Men and company, unfortunately, have found themselves on 
the losing side, as Psylocke has been hit by some sort of levitation
ray, and is pinned to the ceiling of the hospital.. Archangel is being
held at riflepoint by Coil, who is about to fire at him with some
full-intensity green blast .. However, unknown to anybody on either side
of this conflict, they are being Watched.. BY ME.

<the sound of typing>                   
[TAP, TAP, TAP]
#My Transdimensional History Project"
[tap, tap, tap]
#By Arnie the Watcher
<a computer beeping>               
                                
-*-

Title : "Last Light/A Colorful Demise"

Coil stares down at Archangel, the front-end of a glass-rifle pointed
directly at him. A green light erupts forth from it, with a strange elasticity
to it. Archangel dazedly tries to swerve out of the way of the light ray, yet
the light beam ray wraps around his ankle, having the consistency of wire or 
rope. Archangel attempts to fly away, but as he does so, Coil whips the rifle 
around, snagging him back down to the ground most harshly by the green 
rope-like light emission coming from the gun. Archangel attempts to move again,
and is swatted in the back of the neck by the massive metallic fist of 
Iron-Man, with a loud CRRRunch...

The Native American, Bareback, also looks down at Archangel struggling.
The metallic plate in the middle of her forehead shines brightly, casting
an almost angelic/sinister essence of a light across her face. As she does
this Iron-Man jerks about erratically, apparently not in complete control
of his own actions.

From the van in which the chamber containing the energy remains of
Gambit's body has been towed, there is a loud shouting. The face of
the red-haired lad, Refract, pops out from the interior of the dark
grey truck, which is tattooed with numerous symbols of various shapes and 
sizes.

"Come on! Quit fooling around! We're already running behind! Rendezvous!
 We're going to be late for it!"

The metal plate on Bareback's forehead glows brightly, as Iron Man nails
Archangel again, apparently knocking a tooth loose. Psylocke, who seems
to be levitated to the ceiling, and unable to move, can only watch.

Bareback <to Refract> : "Oh cm'on. This is fun. If they're gonna pay
  us for this, w'might as well make the most of it. Besides, I never
  tried controlling such hi-tech stuff before. This Stark-armor is quite
  impressive. So many possibilities."

Bareback is suddenly knocked back against the side of the truck, by a 
repulsor ray -- coming from Iron-Man.

Iron-Man : "More impressive than you ever know.. It was able to generate
  a counter-signal to override your override ray.."

The Iron-Man armor suddenly goes nuts again, slamming itself into the
ground. Coil stops the green ray wrapped around Archangel's ankle, twisting
the gun around. A dull brown light emits from it, as the Iron Man armor
suddenly begins to crush like an aluminum can.

Bareback <forehead glowing> : "You dumb braggart.. Knowing this, I was able to 
quickly override your override signal keeping me from overriding your
armor. Checkmate."

Coil <holding the rifle to Iron-Man : "Okay, now let's get out of here. I'm 
  starting to agree with the snot-nosed brat in the truck. This is taking 
  too long." <clearing blonde bangs out of her face>

Refract <from the truck> : "Hey, I heard that!"

Bareback has an evil smirk on her face, kicking the prone form of 
Archangel with her foot, making sure he's out cold. 

Psylocke <pinned to the ceiling> : Haven't you already done enough?

Bareback <forehead glowing> : Hardly. You mutants  made me suffer
  more than you'll ever know. Eye for an Eye. And Stone for Stone.
  Now's let's see how well my cybernetic technology works on your
  pal's wings.

Archangel <barely conscousience : No.. Don't.

Bareback : <forehead glowing brighter> : Yes, I think I will.

Archangel's wings begin to animate. In the background, screaming can be
heard coming from Iron-Man, as the armor is being flattened slowly but
surely. Archangel is oblivious to it, only aware of his metallic wings
animating, beyond his control.

Bareback : Ha! This is easy! 

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Without warning, the wings suddenly burst out a stream of quills, straight
for Bareback. She shrieks in pain, as the quills disable her motor functions,
her eyes rolling back in her head.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

A sinister look comes over Archangel's face, as his wings spread towards
Bareback aggressively.

Archangel : "I have never had control of my wings, so what makes you think
  you can control them?"

Another wave of quills shoots from Archangel's wings, nailing Bareback again.
>From the truck, Refract has his head popped out, and is trying to get all
this recorded on his shoulder-camera..

Archangel attempts to hold his wings down, but they react on their own.

"No!"

<another stream of quills nails Bareback, who's body is being ripped to
 shreds>

"Stop!"

<The quills continue flying, one successive sweep after another>

Coil, from the distance, removes her light beam from Iron-Man, whose
armor has been virtually crushed flat. A moaning comes from within in
his armor. She whips the rifle around, nailing Archangel with a bright
red beam, instilling a great deal of pain in him. As she does this, 
Refract, from the truck grabs the remains of Bareback, pierced
with multiple quills, and having some sort of seizure, and is attempting
to drag her towards the truck.

"See! I told you this would happen if we horsed around too much! This
 plan has gone to heck!"

Coil backs away, in a state of shock, as she makes a run for the truck.

"Shut up. You'll have your chance to rub it in later. Let's make tracks."

As she heads towards the truck, she winces back, as something apparently
knocks the truck over, with a loud thud. Refract clears the truck as 
quickly as possible, being forced to leave Bareback in the truck.

<From the Truck> : "You're not going anywhere."

Doctor Henry Pym, returned to his large-size, emerges from the backside
of the truck. He seems to be favoring his heart, holding his hand to his
chest. 

Refract : Emergency evacuation! Let's scram! 

Refract rushes over to Bareback, whose body has been ravaged beyond belief.
Tapping her on the shoulder, they both disappear with a flash. Coil narrowly
misses the grasping hand of Henry Pym. She suddenly turns her rifle on 
herself.. 

Wincing slightly, her body is engulfed by a blue ray, as she starts 
to levitate into the thick smoke-engulfed air. In apparent control
of her flight, she taps a keypad built into the shoulder of her uniform.
Archangel, still quite dazed, soars into the air at full speed.

"You're not getting away this time, lady!"

Coil <blonde hair blowing in the wind> : "Oh yes I am. But I'll be back,
  you can bet on it. <The blue of her eyes showing> I had my doubts whether 
  all mutants were dangerous, or if it was just the few I had the pleasure of 
  knowing.."

Archangel swoops at Coil, with his wings spread-eagle. With a slash, he
knocks the mechanical rifle out of her hand. 

Coil <starting to fade> : "But after what I saw today, maybe it's better
  that we put you all on ice.."

In a flash, she disappears, the rifle dropping to the ground with a thud. A 
downset expression appears on Warren's face. His wings behave themselves 
now, but he wonders if it is just a ruse. How much control does he really
have of his wings, if any at all?

Epilogue
--------

In the middle of what at one time was a busy hospital area, Archangel
sits, being attended to for his wounds. His wings sit idle. Holding
his arm to his forehead. He surveys the wreckage. Ambulances swerve
this way and that. He almost thinks he can here people whispering
insults at him. "Cam I blame them", he thinks to himself?

Archangel suddenly feels a voice inside his mind. No farther then four
feet away from him, Psylocke stands, wearing a cloak over her ragged body,
in order to keep out the night. Holding a cane to the ground, in order
to support the bad wheel she got after an earlier accident, she
tries to comfort him :

"This isn't your fault. Stop blaming yourself."

Archangel <breaking into a cold sweat> : I nearly killed that kid.

"Would she have done anything less to you, Warren?"

Archangel <spreading wings> : I don't believe in that "eye for an eye" 
  stuff, Betsy. If I did, what would make me any different from her?

Betsy : No matter what you are, were, and will become, you will always
  have a conscience. That will be what will save you every time. Look
  at what you did today. You saved Gambit. And you nearly burnt yourself
  out digging through the wreckage looking for Rogue.

Archangel <sheathing his wings around him> : I just feel so helpless. It
  just seems like Xavier and his dream are falling apart, bit by bit, and
  piece by piece.

Psylocke <patting Archangel on the back> : Things are always darkest
  before the rainbow..

From the distance, a third voice emerges.. That of Doctor Henry Pym. He
favors his heart, after having pushed it a little too far earlier today..
There is a concerned expression his face :

"Things just got darker. There's no rainbow for you in sight."

Archangel <getting up> : What do you mean?

Dr. Pym : The container holding your associate's corporal remains 
  disappeared without a trace. We had left it in the government
  issue truck under maxmium security by the Stark employees. Somebody
  got in there and stole Gambit right out from under our noses.

<Nightfall. Darkness falls upon Santa Fe. The look of shock gleems like
 a halo on the faces of all present.>

END.

--

Next Issue : The Focus swings back to the ventures of Wolverine, Jean Grey,
Beast, and Bishop. Where did Locus ferret them off to?

PLUS : Check out the X-Factor Protocols - Part III. Not mandatory, but it
  gives a very interesting tie-in to the last story. An epilogue of sorts
  from a different perspective.

Disclaimers : The characters here, and some of the ideas are the property
  of Marvel. The arrangement of these characters and ideas are my insane
  genius. =)
