Disclaimer:  All Marvel characters featured in this story are trademarks
of Marvel Comics Group. This is an unauthorized work and no profit is
being made on this work.  This story is copyright Tim Frankovich 1995-96.

Shattered Perceptions, Chapter Seventeen

Every muscle in his body ached, blood oozed from a multitude of cuts and
scrapes, both of his hearts were beating at a feverish rate, his head
still throbbed with searing pain and a fog seemed to be partially
obscuring his vision.  Despite all of this, Shatterstar was happy.

It was all he had ever wanted:  a fight to the finish - and more...
Windsong, his wife, fighting at his side... Cannonball, Sam Guthrie, a
friend he had come to know and depend on, a leader he had come to
appreciate and respect, also fighting for him...  Shatterstar lifted his
head higher and held his sword with a slightly stronger grip.  This was
where he belonged.

"Stay close, everyone!" Sam shouted.  "Ah'll protect us with mah blast
field as long as Ah can!"

"You can't hold them off forever, Sam," the Rebel pointed out, withdrawing
a trio of throwing knives from an inner pocket.  "It's all right.  We're
ready to fight."

"And die," Lepton observed morosely.

The dog soldiers abruptly halted their advance as an orb of sparkling
energy appeared between them and the tiny band of defenders.  "Spiral!"
Star spat.

Spiral materialized in the midst of her orb.  "I'm sorry, everyone," she
announced.  "But our lord and blob Mojo has decreed that there is far too
much character development taking place here. The masses crave mindless
action!"

"Emphasis on 'mindless,'" Sam observed drily.

"I must admit that I'm surprised to see you still alive, Cannonball,"
Spiral said with a grin.  "I suppose I'll just have to kill you again."

"And how many times will you kill me, Spiral?" asked the Rebel, stepping
forward and letting his hood fall back.

"YOU!"  Spiral seemed extremely taken aback.  Shatterstar was still
uncertain of the old man's identity, but he certainly enjoyed seeing
Spiral surprised for once.

"I have failed to stop you before, Spiral," the old man said calmly.  "But
I will keep fighting until my people are free.  Take that message to Mojo
V."

"I'll deliver it with your head," Spiral snarled.  "Kill them!" she cried
to the surrounding soldiers.

Before the soldiers could attack, a second portal appeared in mid-air near
the defenders.  First to leap out of the portal was Cable, followed by
Rictor, Boomer, Warpath and Siryn.

"'Bout time ya got here!" Sam exclaimed.  "Not that I'm complainin'..."

Major Domo's voice drifted out of the portal.  "This portal location is
too difficult to maintain," he announced.  "Please meet me outside the
arena."  The portal immediately began to fade.

"Stab his eyes!" Cable growled.  "Okay, people, look alive!  Boomer, Siryn
- Spiral is yours! Ranged attacks only!  Everyone else focus on these dog
soldiers!  Sam, Star - you two okay?"

"We will survive," Shatterstar answered, glancing at Windsong at his side.

As the battle erupted, Rictor stepped up next to him and raised an
eyebrow.  "You sure, amigo?" he asked.

"I have survived the severest test of my life thus far," Star replied,
again looking at Windsong. "This fight is nothing."