Toad huddles in the darkness, shivering with something he rarely feels; Fear.

{You failed.}

Toad jerked his head around, peering about frantically. Nervously, he licked his blood-stained lips. "Wh-where are you, mistress?"

{All around you. What happened?}

Toad swallows, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat. "We were in Singapore hunting down the omnipath, working off the info we got from those metas. What we found were some of the X-Men. Somehow they got wind of Onslaught's plans and --"

Toad's voice breaks off in a choking gasp, his head snapping back. His jaw clenches tightly as his body rises up on its tip-toes.

{You have not earned the right to name the master. Continue.}

Toad drops face-down to the floor, breathing heavily. Gasping for air, he continues. "So anyway, the X-Men found out and were combing Singapore too. Changeling felt it when the Asian bitch Karma was poking the airways for us, so we knew to be careful. I decided we should act in the open; draw the X-Men out for a fight. Figured it'd be enough to draw out the omnipath."

{And was it?}

Toad nods. "Yes, mistress, it was. A little too much I'd say. We were doing all right against the X-Men. I'd managed to take out Pyro, Changeling had stalemated Nightcrawler. Unus nearly took out Colossus and Thunderbird combined. Legion stopped him though. But Unus was playing it cool, distracting Legion while I got in position to take him out."

{You could not have killed Legion yourself.}

Toad quickly shook his head, his jaw starting to clench again. "O-of course not, mistress. But I planned to at least hurt him, Unus and I. Give Changeling some time to recover. We weren't fighting to win, just to prolong the fight until the omnipath showed himself." Toad allows a smile to touch his lips. "Well, he showed himself all right. Just not in the way any of us were planning."

With a lurch, Toad falls flat on his back. Desperately he claws at his throat, trying to force his tongue back up into his mouth. Blood dribbles from his mouth as the voice in his mind spoke.

{Do not take pleasure in your failure. That pleasure is mine alone.} Toad gasps in relief, the grip on his tongue relaxing. {How did the omnipath show his hand?}

Toad crawls to his feet. "Guh! He had help! A pretty skirt with white-blond hair, dressed in a robe like some kind of monk. She just showed up out of nowhere, blasting Legion out of the sky like he was nothing!"

{She killed the boy?}

Toad shakes his head. "No, he managed to deflect the brunt of the blast. But he was carried out of my sight, so I didn't see him land. I doubt he's dead though. Bishop's boys are tougher than that."

{As you well know. How did you react to the girl?}

"Not totally surprised, since we were expecting something. Anyway she gave us plenty of time to react, the way she was laughing and acting like we were nothing to her. Not an idle threat, let me tell you. All she was doing was powering up for a big blast, and it was taking Unus everything he had to keep his shield up against that excess energy. I nearly burnt my tongue off ripping her heart out."

{You killed a servant of the omnipath? We could have interrogated her.}

Toad flinches at the caress on his cheek, digging into his skin. "N-no, mistress. We weren't in any position to take her alive. What good would it have done, anyway! You know the psi-blocks those metas had! She had one for certain, and stronger too I'll bet!" The caress turns into a grip on his face, digging deep into his skin.

{I respect your opinions Toad. However, don't you dare take such a tone with me again!} With surprising quickness, Toad finds himself lifted bodily off the ground. At ten feet up, he's released, and drops painfully to the ground. {Now we come to the reason you fled? Why flee a battle when you were close to victory?}

Rubbing his face, Toad doesn't bother to get off the floor. "After I'd killed the slut, her energy signature didn't die down. Her body kept filling with energy, till she exploded! Damn, if Vanisher hadn't been ready to get us out of there, I'll wager even Unus couldn't have survived. That blast levelled the whole block."

{Intriguing. It was well that you came back to us. If this woman is anything to expect, the omnipath is far more dangerous that we were led to believe. What of the X-Men?}

Toad looks up, shaking his head with a slight grin. "Toasted. Legion was thrown out of range, but everybody else, with the possible exception of their telepath, was close by. I even saw Bishop's girl, Storm, rise level to the girl before she burst. She was finished for sure."

{Excellent. With the X-Men incapacitated, we should be able to find the omnipath and deal with what remains of his defences. While I'm sure you and the Brotherhood could continue the mission successfully, you will not go alone.}

Toad nods, getting up into a crouching position. "Who do you suggest, mistress?"

{Polaris is eager for an opportunity against Legion. Her power will assist you. I shall also send Angel. His scouting capabilities and experience should prove invaluable.}

At the far end of the room, the shadows shift with movement. Toad's mouth goes dry as a figure emerges from the darkness.

{I cannot trust Changeling's power to deal with the omnipath alone. Therefore I shall deal with this myself.}

A vision of perfection steps out of the shadows towards Toad. Her tall, lithe body is perfectly proportioned, and barely contained in her clothing of station. Thigh length boots hug her amazing legs; her bare, perfect hips clothed only in a small bikini thong. Straps of black leather cross down from her shoulders over her breasts, stretching against the perfect globes. Her cape only serves to accentuate her figure, the tattered cloth extending like wings along her pale arms, giving the impression that it is indeed an angel standing before Toad. A dark angel of death, but an angel nonetheless.

Once again Toad gulps, in both fear an excitement. As frightened as he is of Prelate Jean Grey, the very sight of her turns him on in ways that only a good killing or an even better fuck ever could.

Sweat glistens on the armoured form of Colossus, steaming almost as soon as it forms. Steel muscles strain against the piles of debris, the metallic X-Man fighting against both the great weight on his back and the terrific heat within the cramped space.

Lying at Peter's feet, the forms of Pyro and Thunderbird are still, unmoving, and smouldering. Colossus does not doubt that one or both is the source of his discomfort, and he prays that their powers are protecting them as his powers protect himself.

Compared to the heat, the weight borne upon his shoulders is a small discomfort. In fact, if Colossus so desired, he could hurl the debris off him, freeing himself from his prison. It is only because of the team-mates at his feet that he does not. The debris has stopped shifting, but Colossus knows that if he moved in the slightest, there is a great chance that the rest of the enclosure would collapse, burying them alive.

Colossus knows that he would survive, but he also knows that Pyro and Thunderbird wouldn't. Thus, Colossus sustains the burden, and he does something that he hasn't done in a long time. Colossus prays.

Colossus prays that his comrades are alive and searching for him. He prays that they will not find two bodies and a weeping friend. Colossus prays that he is not all that is left.

But most importantly, Colossus prays for a woman that, for years, has been like a sister to him. A sister once, perhaps. But to his heart, a sister no more. Colossus remembers the scream, and the blinding light that followed, and he prays that she survived. Colossus prays that she lives, and that she'll learn to laugh again, as she did so long ago.

Colossus prays for Storm's salvation.

"Legion? Legion, wake up."

"Ungh." Groaning, Legion opens his eyes, squinting against the bright light. Sitting up, he shakes his head to clear it, and then looks around to get a sense of his surroundings. "Huh? How'd I get back here?"

He's lying on a bed in the hotel room in Singapore. Standing next to him, Karma sighs. "Gateway, of course. Here I was, minding my own business and monitoring the fight - you need to learn to shut up, by the way - when you suddenly got nailed by an energy blast. Next thing I know, a portal opens up, and you pop through, followed by Gateway."

Slowly getting off the bed, Legion holds his head. "Ungh, yeah, now I remember. I was about to square off against Unus when I got blindsided. My TK shield managed to take the brunt of it, but apparently even a taste of that power packs a wallop. I was thrown clear through the air. If not for Gateway, I probably would have gone through several buildings."

Looking around, Legion gets concerned. "Where are the others? Were they able to take care of whoever attacked me?"

Karma shakes her head, fighting back tears. "No, they weren't. The last thing I saw, whoever attacked you blew up. Next thing I know, a whole city block is nothing but rubble!"

Hearing Karma's words, Legion suddenly feels weak in the knees. "My god. W-were there any survivors?"

"Colossus is still alive. He's keeping Thunderbird and Pyro from being crushed, but he's tiring. Nightcrawler managed to 'port out before the blast reached him. He's waiting for me to give the okay to retrieve the others. Storm is....missing."

Legion grasps Karma by the shoulders. "What do you mean? Is she dead, unconscious, kidnapped? What?"

"I don't know. I lost my connection to her, but I'd know if she was dead. If she's buried, it's possible that her claustrophobia sent her into mental shock, leaving me no mind to link to. If she was kidnapped, it's possible that she's being shielded from me. I honestly can't tell you which."

Sighing, Legion lets her go. "Well, at least she's alive. If she's buried though, she won't be for long. Okay, here's the plan. Tell Kurt to wait for me. As soon as I get there, I'll search for Storm's heat signature and try to help Colossus. Meanwhile, try to partially merge with him and help him hold on until I get there."

Karma nods. "Done and done." Beads of sweat start to form on her face, and her expression changes to one of great exertion. "Dear lord, how can he take it? The heat!" Nearly falling, Karma grabs the bed and lies down. "Oh god, Legion, hurry. Hurry!"

Legion doesn't have to be told twice. He's gone before the first "hurry" is out of her mouth.

Six robed figures kneel around an altar, softly praying. One robed figure raises his head, speaking loudly.

"Master of Games, the hunters have been crippled by the sacrifice of Pawn Blaze. I, your faithful pawn, have brought you a captive, so that you may learn from her the secrets of your enemies."

Above the altar, a glowing, transparent man comes into view. He looks down at the figure lying upon the altar and smiles. "You speed and skill has served me well, Pawn. Now I require a service from all of you."

The robed figures rise, speaking as one. "Ask Master, and we shall obey."

The astral body of Gamesmaster nods. "Those that came with this captive will search for her. Because I will be distracted by the Onslaught that threatens to engulf the world, I will be unable to keep them from my sanctum. You will be all that stands between them and myself."

The robed figures bow and stand tall, casting their robes aside. Fabian Cortez, Andrea and Andreas Strucker, Wildside, Forearm, and Kamikaze stand ready. Again, they speak as one.

"They will not pass us, Master. Before the day is over, only their lifeless bodies will darken your sanctum. We are your Pawns, and we obey!"

Turning from their master, the Pawns exit the inner temple, to prepare themselves against the coming intruders.

Left alone with the captive, Gamesmaster looks down and invades her mind with his telepathic power, digging for every scrap of knowledge she possesses.

When he is finished, the Gamesmaster's astral form vanishes, leaving a catatonic Storm alone, in the encompassing darkness.

{Piotr, how are you hanging?}

Colossus smiles grimly, recognising the voice in his head. "I am well, David, but I fear John and Neal are seriously injured. The extreme heat they are generating...I am nearing my limit."

{I know. I'm trying to help you in that regard, but with all the rubble between us, I'm afraid it's not enough.}

"The heat I can endure," Colossus whispers. "But we are running out of air."

{I can send Nightcrawler to-}

"Nyet!" Colossus whispers harshly. "Between the heat and the pressure, I doubt Kurt could survive long. As it is, I fear John and Neal won't last much longer down here. You must help me David."

{How? Even if I could wake up John or Neal, they couldn't do much. I could try burning through the rubble, but the threat that-}

"Are you not a telekinetic?" Colossus thinks, holding his breath. There is too little oxygen for him to waste. "All you need to do is protect a shield around Pyro and Thunderbird. Once they are safe, I can do the rest."

{Peter, I won't be able to hold the shield for long, and in your state...}

"I won't fail my comrades. Just do it."

Legion is silent, but Colossus knows that his friend is doing his part, and takes immediate action. Bit's of debris dig into soften metal skin as steel tendons tighten and muscles of iron burn with the exertion. Slowly, tenuously, the rubble above Colossus shifts upward, inch by agonising inch.

As pockets of air are released, cold air collides with the burning form of Colossus, enveloping him in clouds of steam. Small pieces of rubble drop around him, but Colossus pays them no mind. With a final roar, Colossus stands fully, hurling rubble and debris aside as though they were toothpicks.

Free at last, Colossus kneels to the ground, exhausted to his steel bones. Next to him, sulphur stinks the air, and Nightcrawler appears next to his friend.

"Vas," Nightcrawler gasps, awed again by the strength of Colossus. "Rest easy Piotr, I'll get Pyro and Thunderbird out of here."

Colossus barely nods as Nightcrawler leaves with the injured. He has pushed himself to the limit and beyond, his body a mess of dents and scars. Colossus would like nothing more than to sleep for an eternity. But his duty isn't over yet.

With true effort, Colossus rises to his feet. Grasping a mound of rubble, he begins to climb out, thinking only of Storm.

Legion stands over Pyro and Thunderbird, Colossus and Nightcrawler standing nearby.

"Karma, you're sure you've found Storm?" Legion asks aloud.

Yeah, she's only a few blocks away. I'm watching the building now, thanks to Gateway.

Nightcrawler frowns. "That is not safe. Don't do anything, Karma, we'll be there as soon as--" Out of a disk of light, Gateway appears. "Uh, as soon as Gateway takes us there."

Legion nods to the aborigine. "One second. We need to get everybody up and at 'em." Looking down at Pyro and Thunderbird, Legion nudges them with a minor psi-bolt. With a start, the two awaken.

"What in bloody--?" Pyro curses, looking around. "Hell, what'd I do, hit a gas main?"

"No. Apparently the mutant we're hunting has guards. One of them did this." Legion says. "She's dead now, but there may be more."

There are. I can't get an exact figure, there are definitely hostiles near Storm.

Colossus steps forward. "We can't waste time. We must save Storm!"

"I know Colossus," Legion responds. "But we're here on a mission. Finding this telepath is top priority."

His face locked in stony rage, Colossus stands before Legion, towering over him. "I will not abandon Ororo."

"And you won't have to," Legion says quickly. "Look, it's possible this telepath might be near his flunkies, but it's not likely. He's a powerful telepath; he could be anywhere. We also have the Brotherhood to think about. They could be back any second."

Rubbing his head, Thunderbird tries to make sense of everything. "So, what are you saying?"

Legion sighs. "I'm saying that you guys go with Gateway and free Storm. In the meantime, I'll go back to the hotel and try to find this telepath on the astral plane."

{What! Legion, you don't have the skill to--}

"Maybe not, Karma, but I've got the raw power. You said so yourself. The others need your skill and experience. Hopefully, I'll distract this damned gamesmaster enough that he'll ignore his pawns. When that happens, you might be able to find something to help me."

{Al-all right. I can see there's no point in arguing. Just keep an eye out. Onslaught has telepaths scouring the astral plane at all times. It wouldn't do to lead one of them to this guy.}

"I'll be careful," Legion states. To the others, he says, "This okay with you guys?"

Colossus nods his approval, mirrored by Nightcrawler. Pyro clutches his shattered arm, determination in his eyes. Thunderbird smiles, giving a cry of, "It's time to kick some ass!"

Legion shares his enthusiasm, giving a weak smile. "Great, now lets go. Gateway, do your thing."

Silent as always, Gateway spins his bullroarer.

Abandoning his team-mates, Legion's astral spirit soars through the astral plane. Gliding at breakneck speed past the myriad of minds and thoughts that surround him, he hunts for one in particular.

{If this guy's as powerful a telepath as we've been led to believe, he'll stand out no matter how well he tries to hide. All I need to do is find the psi-signature that was imprinted in that Blaze woman's mind.}

Floating in the infinite space, Legion expands his consciousness, probing throughout the psionic dimension for the telltale signature of the Gamesmaster. Lightly he brushes against various minds, leaving them as quickly as he arrives, finding no trace of the Gamesmaster's influence. Throughout the world, millions stop and gasp, each feeling a light tingling beneath their scalp for a moment.

Probing, Legion finally smiles. {They are his followers. Damn, he's totally supplanted their personalities, leaving nearly mindless husks. Even Onslaught hasn't gone that far. Heh, just makes it easier to find the source.}

As Legion continues to search, he can't help but worry about the others. In essence, they'll be fighting mindless drones of immense power, each ready and willing to die for their master. Legion takes some solace in the fact that his team will be more than willing to accommodate, and he can't help but wonder if that's why Bishop sent this particular team.

Pushing his concerns aside, Legion continues to search, unaware that he himself is being watched by another.

"I see six," Karma states, projecting her message to the others. "The fact that I can sense them shows us that this Gamesmaster's influence is weakening. Two are guarding an inner temple, possibly where Storm is. There are three hidden outside, lying in wait. There's a third one, somewhere in between the two groups. I can't explain how, but the two groups are linked by him in some way."

Gathered on the street below, the other X-Men nod silently.

"Then we'll try to kill him first," Pyro remarks hotly. "So, what's the plan?"

"You and Thunderbird engage the three outside," Nightcrawler states. "I'll teleport myself and Colossus into the inner temple, grab Storm, and get out. Colossus, you sure you want to fight two of these guys in close quarters? If they're anything like that Blaze--"

"I am ready," Colossus says. "You will need me to hold them at bay, and you can't teleport with both Storm and myself."

Nightcrawler nods. "Fair enough. Thunderbird, Pyro, I'll try to help you once I'm out, and hopefully Storm will too. Until them, don't engage these guys head-on. Just toss around fire and keep them off balance."

Thunderbird snorts. "Yeah yeah. I don't like it, but I'll do it. I'm not that eager to die, you know."

Pyro doesn't say anything. After what happened earlier with Toad, he knows better than to object.

Nightcrawler smiles grimly, flashing his fangs. "Let's go."