X-Men: Trek Wars
by Ben Church
All X-Men Characters are the property of Marvel Comics. All
Dragonlance characters are the property of TSR.
Chapter 4B
The companions crossed the river just as the last rays of the
sun faded from the sky. As they crossed, an eerie change came over the
ferry and the river. At the start of their journey, the ropes of the
pulley system were in good condition. But as they crossed further
towards the opposite bank, the ropes and even the ferry itself began to
decay before their eyes. Hotshot realized with a start that this must
be how Raistlin saw everything. But most disturbing was the river. It
began as a clear and sparkling tributary. But as they crossed, it
began to darken until it was a deep red.
"Smells like blood." Wolverine growled.
"Thanks Wolverine, that's just what I needed to hear." Jubilee
said nervously.
They had just reached the opposite bank and were unloading
their supplies, when the failing ropes gave way and the raft drifted
away in the current. At that moment, the light completely failed, and
the river began to glow with a ghostly light. Hotshot peered into the
dark forest and shuddered.
"Ch, ch, ch, ha, ha, ha." he said in a low voice. Jubilee
glared and elbowed him in the ribs. Had she not been wearing her
shades, he would have seen the fear in her eyes.
"Raistlin, your staff." Tanis said. His voice startled
everyone, even Caramon.
"Shirak." Raistlin's staff began to glow, but instead of it's
usual bright illuminating light, it was a pale light like that from a
blacklight. It seemed to make the mage's eyes glow.
"All right I'm officially spooked." Hotshot muttered.
"You an' me both mon ami. An' Gambit don' spook easy." the
Cajun agreed.
"We must enter the forest." Raistlin said in a shaking voice.
He turned and stumbled into the forest.
The rest stood on the shore staring into the forest. Hotshot
stood, his terror barely contained. Around him, the others stood also
frightened. But none could decide what they were scared of.
"Um, Wolverine, do you smell anything in there?" Caramon asked.
"Death Caramon, hate to say it. But that's what I smell."
"Everyone be on your guard." Cyclops said. "We don't know
what's in there."
"Raistlin's right however." Tanis said. "We have to go in, to
find shelter. F-follow Raistlin."
Even as they moved, Hotshot noticed the tremor in Tanis' voice.
As they entered the forest however, Hotshot suddenly could not
move. He had never felt such unbridled terror in his life. Even
Wolverine's eyes were wide with fear. Then, all strength left his body
and he sank trembling with the others to the forest floor.
The trees were moving. Their roots clawed at the ground trying
to escape their torment. They screamed in pain and terror and they
wept blood. A green mist filtered around everything. It reminded
Hotshot of a thousand horror movies he'd seen, but never had he thought
he'd see it in real life.
Suddenly, he was walking again. Surrounded by the others he
was walking towards the tower. Though the terror was still there, and
undiminished, they were able to move again.
Then suddenly Tas screamed in terror. Hotshot whirled and saw
Tas staring in horror at the trees.
"But Kender don't get scared." he said to himself. Then he
realized that Tas wasn't even supposed to be here! But near Tas were
Sturm, Laurana, Flint and... Hotshot's eyes widened in surprise and
joy. The other X-Men! Arc Angel, Colossus, Bishop, Storm, Jean Grey
and Iceman! All were flesh and blood and as terrified as the others.
Then the nightmare worsened. Horribly deformed animals
bounded from the forest ridden by skeleton warriors. One of the things
rode at Hotshot. He thrust his hands at the creature and sent a beam
of pure heat at it. His power had no effect on it, and it kept coming.
But his many hours in the danger room had served him well. He dodged
effortlessly and lashed out with his sword. The blade passed through
the apparition and it vanished without a trace. Hotshot had emerged
unscathed.
But Caramon was not so lucky. Rastlin's magic proved as
ineffective as the X-Men's powers. A warrior speared Caramon through
the shoulder. Raistlin, his eyes ablaze with fury. Threw his dagger
and the creature vanished.
Goldmoon rushed to the big warrior's side. She placed her hand
over the wound and offered up a prayer to Mishakal and the wound was
healed.
Suddenly, both Jean and Psylocke started, and began to look
around them frantically.
"There's someone else here." Jean said. "Someone powerful."
Indeed there was, and it seemed that Raistlin knew exactly
where, and who he was.
"You!" he whispered.
"Who is it? Caramon asked weakly. All had heard the horror in
the mage's voice. "Who do you mean?"
"Raistlin, who is this entity?" Jean asked.
Psylocke shook her head. "I just can't penetrate his
shielding."
Raistlin, intent upon another conversation, did not answer.
"I need your aid," the mage said sternly. "Now as before."
"Who're you talkin to bub?" Wolverine demanded.
Raistlin, oblivious to all, reached out his hand to the center
of the clearing.
"Jean, Psylocke! Break the link!" Tanis yelled. Even as
Caramon clutched at his brother.
"No Raist!"
Raistlin's hand dropped. Cyclops looked at Jean, but she shook
her head. She had done nothing.
"Our bargain remains." Raistlin said. "What? You want more?"
He sighed. "Name it!"
For what seemed like an endless length of time, the mage stood
silent in the clearing. His head tilted to the side as if listening
intently.
"Very well," he said at last. "I accept." And then to
everyone's horror, his robes began to change. The red robes that
marked his neutrality in the world, began to deepen to crimson, then
darken to a blood red, then darken more-to black.
Wolverine growled, Jubilee gasped and Cyclops' visor flashed.
Only Hotshot voiced what they were thinking.
"Oh shit."
"I accept this," Raistlin repeated more calmly. "With the
knowledge that the future can be changed. What must we do?"
A shout behind him, signaled to Hotshot that the battle was
once again joined. For the most part, their mutant powers served
little purpose, though Wolverine, Colossus and Arc Angel were able to
dispose of many of their adversaries.
Hotshot heard Raistlin speak again, but paid it no mind. He
was too busy slashing at undead enemies with his sword.
Powerful lightning flashed into the supernatural army, and they
vanished. Hotshot turned to thank Storm, but instead found himself
facing Raistlin.
"Come around me!" the mage commanded his companions. No
one moved. He was their friend true, but he wore the black robes of
evil. The army returned but were stopped by an invisible wall.
"Come to stand near me." The companions were astonished to
hear Raistlin speak-for the first time since his tests- in a normal
voice. "Hurry." he added. "They will not attack now, they fear me.
But I cannot hold them long." Slowly, one by one the companions crept
forward. Finally, only Sturm and Wolverine remained outside the
circle.
"Nothin' doin' bub." Wolverine growled.
"I always knew it would come to this." the knight said slowly.
"I will die before I place myself under your protection Raistlin."
And with that, the knight and mutant strode into the forest.
The leader of the army of skeletons bade some of his men to follow
them. Tanis and Jubilee started after them.
"Let them go," the mage said sternly, "or we are all lost. I
have information to impart and my time is limited. We must make our
way through this forest to the Tower of the Stars. We must walk the
way of death, for every hideous creature ever conceived in the twisted,
tortured dreams of mortals will rise to stop us. But know this-we walk
in a dream, Lorac's nightmare. And our own nightmares as well.
Visions of the future can arise to help us-or hinder. Remember, that
though our bodies are awake, our minds are asleep. Death only exists
in our minds. Unless we believe it otherwise."
"Nightmare on Elm part two-thousand and twenty-five." Hotshot
muttered. Tas looked at him quizzically.
"Then why can't we wake up?"
"Ouch!" Hotshot glared at Tas. "You're supposed to pinch
yourself in order to wake up you putz."
Raistlin continued, ignoring the shenanigans around him.
"Because Lorac's belief in the dream is too strong and your belief too
weak. When you are firmly convinced, beyond a doubt, that this is a
dream, you will return to reality."
"Reality is over rated." Hotshot said.
"You and that Kender deserve each other." Flint said.
"Then why don't you wake up?" Tanis challenged him.
"Perhaps," Raistlin smiled. "I choose not to."
"Did that sound ominous to anyone else?" Iceman asked.
"I don't understand." Tanis said.
"You will. Or you will die. In which case, it will not
matter."
"Oh dear," Beast said. "I did not like the sound of that at
all."
The following events seemed a blur of nightmarish events. In
the next attack, the true nightmare began. Just after they had started
off, the undead army attacked once again.
Hotshot turned at the sound of a beast charging towards him.
But he turned too late. Almost before he realized what was happening,
he felt the thing's spear stab cleanly between his ribs, through his
heart and out the back. He fell, his scream choked off by the rush of
blood that poured out his mouth. The spear point pierced the ground
when he landed, pinning him to the ground.
Dimly, he heard Jubilee shout his name. Through blurred eyes,
he saw her come towards him, a look of horror on her face. Then his
eyes closed.
He was dead, but the dream was not over yet, he saw the
adamantium ripped out of Wolverine's body, he saw Flint die of old age,
he saw Tas poisoned, he saw Tika die defending him, and then he saw
all the X-Men turn to crystal, and shatter.
"INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT! ALL HANDS TO BATTLE
STATIONS!" The alarm woke Cybo from his strange dream. He stood
from his bed.
"Armor on." His armor appeared on his body, the force field
automatically switching on. He held his gun and twirled it on his
finger. "It's party time." he said grimly.
To be continued...
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