Log: "You're dead! You don't exist!"
Players: Loads. Rachel, Kitty, Illyana, Betsy, Marcus, Siobhan, Rogue,
Remy, Colossus, Peter/Spidey, and the MLF (Fabian, Friction, Caliban,
Stalker, a mysterious brown-haired girl, Shooter (in the shadows), and
others keeping hidden)
Place: Central Park South
Date: October 1st, 2000
Synopsis: While Rachel was in the hospital, the MLF got Caliban to
confirm she was a mutant. Now that she's out, they want her. Others
want to stop them from getting her. And others are just in the area.
Things to look for: An unlikely romance, two redheads with the same
code-name, and women throwing themselves at a big metal guy.

Once upon a time there existed a red head who lived in a world that
could only be best described as - hell; no if, and, or buts about it.
The 'end' was never closer, the finale was upon her, and the chapter
that would close it all was turning its last page. Yet, instead of
living those final days, Rachel was yanked into the past, perhaps into
a different timestream altogether, and where the book was seemingly
closing - now another has opened.

Her eyes opened to this world but a few short weeks ago, and to say that
those first few moments was a traumatic experience, would indeed be an
understatement. Too weak to fight, too tormented to strike, Rachel was
consumed by fear, terror, horror, and confusion. Where was she? Who was
she? What had happened? What was going on? How could this exist? Why
does this exist? What will happen next? Too many questions, and far too
little answers, the red head that had arrived in a rather
'unceremonious' manor, found herself in a world that defied
explaination. Those first few days were filled with hazy memories, and
even hazier thoughts, drugs did their best to keep her from hurting
herself, from striking out at the nurses and doctors that were there to
'help' her... and slowly, the red head's insanity remained, as she
waited and recooperated, letting time go by until she was able to gain
answers to so many questions.

Time passed, and eventually Rachel gained a few of those necessary
answers, most were from the priest that brought her in, someone that
became a stable influence in an unstable mind. Today is the first day of
her release, and though Rachel's mind is still in a state of flux, to
escape the walls that she felt 'binded' her, she would do anything -
even agree to go with the priest that had helped her through.

Now, as the two make their way through the gates to the park, the man
walking next to the red head can't help but laugh minutely. The girl he
walks with is so full of questions, as though she's never seen the
things around her, as though she's never experienced a car moving past,
the grass on each side.. and thus, enter one Rachel Summers - insane
and confused time traveler, and one priest that watches her ever so
closely.

Darkness reigns in The Bramble. Every creek of the trees in the light
breeze surreal, every sound within the brush sinister. Not that a lone
blonde girl cares, the feeling for her is that of her home. So used to
that the sinister aspects of the wood pass unnoticed by her. It doesn't
help the state of the wood any that her own presence brings with it an
aura of something worse . . . something that drifts unseen, unheard, and
unfelt . . . but sensed . . . that whispers deeply of terror, fear, and
unknown horrors.
But that doesn't stop Illyana from almost cheerfully running along the
path, soon to emerge from the dark trees into Sheep Medow.

Marcus sits cross-legged on a towel in an open portion of the park,
before moving into a lotus position. Eyes closed, he appears to be
meditating, not sleeping.

Kitty waits by a tree at one of the entrances to the park. She glances
at her watch. Almost time. Right now all that she has to do is wait, as
she watches the various people in the park.

Siobhan can be seen prowling the pathways, stalking them as a kind of
hunter, yet she doesn't appear to be a bad sort of hunter, for her prey
is the darkness, the lowlifes who infest this park and defile it. Where
this darkness is found, she strikes to drive it away.

Caliban is just one of a group of three people milling about on the
path, slightly ahead of Rachel and the priest. Caliban, covered by his
hood and gloves, gives a quick repeated nod. Is he agreeing with
something? Or is it something else? The others in the group are a young
man that people following the news might recognize as Fabian, and a
young black woman (Friction).

Perhaps this future that the red head remembers is but a figment of her
imagination, the trauma of her 'mugging', has split her mind, creating
these horrific images of pain and suffering. Perhaps she can even begin
to believe it, for everything around her is so real, so true, not even
the night offers a tremor of the evidence that she believes will form
just around the corner. Eyes of hazy green, still clinging to the slight
influence of pain killers casts a quiet glance towards the man that
watches her, laughing at some inner, or private joke.. at her expense?
Annoyance crosses over Rachel's face, steps slowing down, then pausing
in the middle of the path. Her ashen face is revealed indepth by the
light of a streetlamp, the illumination streaking through the darkness
to expose the two individuals in a sea of people, thoughts, animals,
and 'creatures' of the night.

Peter has finally gone back into his usual routine of walking Central
Park, watching for any muggers or related scum of the population. So far
he hasn't run into anything bad, or weird, but that doesn't mean he
won't. In fact, he's already getting a bad feeling.

Illyana slows from her running pace to a brisk walk as she emerges from
the trees. One thing she's learned recently is that anyone, even a young
girl, running full tilt from the Brambles tends to cause a minor panic.
Then again, perhaps it's just her. Her sapphire gaze sweeps across the
grassy expanse, a look that can be felt by some, and her pace slows a
little more as if noting something out in the darkness of interest. An
eerieness begins to drift out of the Bramble along with her, slowly
casting itself into the Medow.

Siobhan stops after a moment, her head lifting, perhaps because she gets
an uneasy feeling, perhaps simply because it's... too... quiet. She
turns, a finger lifting to point the way, a bright glow eminating from
her palm. It /looks/ like a flashlight. She turns to the left and heads
in that direction, warily.

Colossus moves through the Park carefully(as carefully as a giant metal
person can), slowly being guided by Xaviers mental directions. His
silver eyes narrow as he peers through the foliage of the Park, and he
looks over his shoulder to see if Rogue and Gambit are still within
sight.

Ah, central park...so many memories. So much trouble. Rogue enters with
Gambit and Colossus, the small team identified as such by their similar
uniforms. Her emerald gaze is narrowed and focused as she scans the
great lawn for any of the troublesome group the trio has been called in
to stop.

Kitty starts moving from her place after a glance to her watch. She
starts walking down the path, glancing to both sides from time to time,
trying to look indifferent to her surroundings.

Caliban taps Friction on her shoulder as he points in the direction of
Rachel and the priest. She shies away from the touch, but, keeping her
eyes down, raises her hands ever so slightly... and the ground beneath
the priests feet suddenly becomes as slick as ice. The three begin to
move towards Rachel as she's hopefully distracted.

Gambit also watches, moving to stand beside the other two with his hands
in his pockets. He glances over at his companions for a moment before
turning back to the area before them.

A cold wind blows through, or is that just a chill running up and down
her spine? Just as Rachel's mouth parts open, words about to ring out in
a sharp tone at the man that is still finding amusement at Ray's seeming
'newness' to this all - her voice can not be found. Nothing comes out,
nothing at all, not even a whimper of a note, leaving Rachel's mouth to
be parted, eyes widening, and stomach finding itself doing leap frog
within her system. Another shiver dances along Rachel's spine, as though
the devil himself is tickling her form, sending chill after chill across
her every bone. A mind swirling in confusion, thoughts still muddled,
attempting to adjust, understand, comprehend - she belongs here, thats
what everyone says, she was mugged, she shouldn't be having images of
nightmares, of loved ones dying before her, of screams of terror dancing
through her mind. Images that were buried deep, horrors that she doesn't
want to see, thoughts that are being stirred on as the fading aspects of
pain killers restores a troubled mind..

Of course, and naturally, Rachel doesn't get the opportunity to even
respond - nope, life as it were really does go and kick you in the
behind when you least expect it. The man before her begins to slip, and
slide, as the ground beneath him grows slick as ice, sending a standing
man to wail his arms around - and leaving Rachel to try and help,
wincing at the quick action of her arms reaching out, forcing those
stitches beneath to stretch ever so slightly . . . . Distracted? One
might say that, as Rachel attempts to keep the priest from falling.

Marcus rises slowly into a crouched position, body moving in long, slow
arcs.

Still near the trees, the blonde's course changes slightly. No violence
is directed in her direction, but instincts are whispering warnings. Too
many people here that she knows, all heading towards eachother. She
heads to a bench. While insubstancial for coverage, at least she'll seem
more normal sitting in a bench. Not as likely to stand out as much . . .
But even so, she keeps a wary eye on things and so notes the impromptu
dance of the couple.

Rogue spots the shy, young, black girl first and taps Gambit, then
Colossus, bringing thier attention to the trio walking toward Rachel, if
they hadn't seen it for themselves. The stumbling priest is almost a
giveway that things have started. Rogue clentches her fists and starts
to head up that way, without any real plan of action but to 'stop them'.
Impetuous youth.

Peter continues to walk down one of the many paths in the park. Often
turning his head, he says many things in the park. A young couple making
out in the bushes, a giant man made of metal... a what? Peter does a
double take and finally recognizes the man... the one from the pool hall
the previous week. He arches a brow. o O (Now what could he be doing
here?)

The three people who were approaching Ray and the priest come in close.
The girl speaks first, as the ground beneath the priest suddenly changes
from slippery to sticky. He simply is unable to move his feet. She says
to Ray, very softly, "Excuse me, ma'am, but we need to talk to you,
alone. Your friend can wait here, he'll be all right..."

Colossus nods to Rogue, and Gambit as he see's the same scene. He
motions for them to move on, but he stays within the trees whispering to
them "There is no sense in causing problems if they can be avoided. But,
if it even gets close to volatile then I will be there, Da?"

The movement of the priest nearly falling over and Rachel's attempts to
stop it are enough to get Kitty's attention. As a slight flash of
recognition crosses her face, it quickly disappears. She wasn't counting
on someone being with the priest... not that this changes anything. She
continues along the path, trying to get a little closer to the situation
without looking suspicious, reaching to her bag and opening it slightly.
Then when the other three get really close she pulls away. This might be
a lot harder than expected.

Colossus taps his slightly, silvery skin to emphasize his point.

Siobhan catches sight of a gathering of people and heads that way, her
feet walking faster, but not yet running. She holds a hand behind her
back, yet there is a faint glow coming up over her shoulder.

Gambit nods. "Yah," he says quietly, and stays back for just a few more
moments, taking in a little more of the situation before following after
Rogue, walking quickly to catch up.

Caliban starts getting jittery, looking all over the place as though
he's suddely paranoid of people approaching. He tugs on the jacket of
the other man, Fabian.

Fabian glares down at Caliban, mentally kicking him with many feet. He
doesn't move, though, nor does he make any use of his powers. He just..
imagines himself dealing Caliban many boots to the head.

You ever get the feeling things should be called 'grand central station'
instead of Central Park? Just before the unique appearance of the trio -
Rachel's left to wonder .. What /is/ going on? Is the man a complete
clutz? She should just let him fall on his behind, slipping and sliding
like the very ground beneath him is . . . slick? With another wince,
Rachel's cheeks grow paler, the stitches beneath groaning under the
quick actions of one red haired time displaced traveler.

From arms flailing around one moment, to being stuck in the mud another,
the priest's actions pause, as both his and Rachel's attention is
distracted by the appearance and words.

While one might be able to take the person out of her environment, that
environment will /always/ remain with her, even if she is still under a
veil of insanity. With a start, Rachel turns swiftly, form going on
'autopilot', as she shifts into an almost combatitive stance, unsure
why, but feeling extremely hesitant, brows narrowing down on the girl.
"Excuse me? Do I know you?" The words are spoken with a harsh note.

Illyana's features remain motionless even as she changes course again.
The first bench is abandoned as she works her way further into the
Meadow, closing gradually on the others. As much to get a good look as
concern, the latter she keeps tightly reigned. But she cannot hide the
way she moves, the stealthy pace of a tigress, a huntress, as she
closes. Sapphire gaze sharply picks out the players; the whole park
seems full of them. Even the few that she doesn't recognize are
involving themselves. Damnit, where's your Army of Darkness when you
need it?

Friction shakes her head at Rachel, a bit of a pleading look in her
eyes. "No, but we know you. Please come with us... just to talk?" She
looks back at Fabian, knowing well that he's one who wouldn't object to
hurting the priest, or anyone else, if he got in the way, so she wants
to move this somewhere less public. "Please?"

Siobhan moves even more quickly. She apparently recognizes Friction from
her own previous meeting with her, because she almost starts to run,
moving quite quickly. She can clearly see that something's going down
around that other redhead. "Oi," she calls out like a crass Londoner.

As Rogue approaches, she moves to stand beside Friction, if possible.
She gives the girl a hard stare. "Remembah me, Sugah?" Her stern gaze
follows along to Caliban and then Fabian. "Ah think it might be a good
idea, for ya'll ta leave this woman, an' th' preachah be. Ya'll can come
talk to us instead." She says with a too-confident smile.

Kitty watches the crowds build around where she needed to be and doesn't
like it. She walks past the crowd, glancing back occasionally to wait
for things to think out a little.

Colossus remains crouched, as much as he can, in the trees. Making sure
to listen to all that is said while surveying what he can see of the
Park.

Fabian's glare deepens as Rogue approaches. "Ah, the /wench/ has
returned." Eyes picking out her nearby companions with Caliban's help,
he elaborates. "And I see she has brought a pair of strawmen with her.
No doubt they have the unusual ability to utterly bore their peers with
tales of woeful inadaquacy. Begone," Fabian utters, waving his hand
dismissively at Rogue.

Friction looks down as she recognizes Rogue. At least she seems all
right. "Go, please..." she says softly. "I don't want anyone to get
hurt..."

Peter notices the odd scene gathering around the man who was slipping
for a moment. Knowing how things go in this city, do not get involved
until you know everything is safe... unless you can deal with things
otherwise. But not in these clothes... He creeps into the trees, quickly
taking his camera from the rear of his utility belt. Removing the other
accessories, including the lenses from his jacket he attaches them one
by one before letting out a small blob of webbing in a dark patch of a
tree, and fastening utility plate to the blob. The camera is attached to
the plate as he sets the autoshutter to two minutes and begins to remove
his clothes, placing them in his backpack before locking it shut. He
pulls the hood from under the collar and places it over his head,
pulling the sleeves down and the attached gloves on.
Creeping into the trees, only a light rustling sound can be heard as
Spider-Man climbs to the top, jumping to the other side of the path and
onto the lamp post near the group with a loud clang. He recognizes the
faces of Fabian, Friction, and Caliban from the trio in central park a
few weeks back. Perching himself on the top of the post, his hands
holding onto the stop between his feet he speaks loud enough for the
group to hear him, "Well if it isn't the three stooges. You guys used to
be so funny. Is it the money that made you all rotten?"

Gambit stands behind Rogue and smiles, wiggling his fingers a little at
Fabian when 'two strawmen' are mentioned. Might as well go along with
her strategy for now.. "You'll excuse us, homme, but de girl, she not
for you," he says, in pleasant tones.

She knows /her/? Why is it things just don't seem right? Why is it,
Rachel's mind screams out 'she can't know you, she can't'. Far too many
questions, far too few answers, the time displaced traveler can only
wrap her arms around her chest, trying to stop the chill that just gets
closer, and closer, trying to stop the onslaught of fear that tugs at
the base of her mind, tries to get a grip on her own dwindling sanity
again. Mugged. She was mugged. Everything around her is real, she isn't
from a different time, she doesn't know her name because ... because of
the trauma. Remember what the doctor said? Traumatic amnesia. Right?
Right. These people do not sound familiar, the southern teenager's voice
is /not/ familiar in the least, and .. and ...

The wide exapse of the /park/ even begins to get tighter, and tighter,
shivers and chills find themselves running up and down Rachel's spine,
her very arms which wrap around her mid section begin to shake, as her
eyes close tightly shut. When she speaks, her voice echoes out in a
hushed, raspy note. "Just leave me alone." One step, two steps, Rachel
begins to back up, eyes shifting nervously around her, too many people,
too many thoughts, too much insanity swirling about her mind. The priest
is, forgotten, they wouldn't hurt him, he's just standing there,
watching with wide, horrified eyes, Rachel shouldnt' care about him, she
should just .. just get out, get away. "You all don't exist, this isn't
happening, just leave me alone. Go away." Sanity ... slowly .... going
.. away .. (Or is that swiftly), as Rachel's eyes widen more. Did she
just say that? Well .. onward with the show, lets see what happens next.

Fabian studies Rachel for a long, silent moment, then turns and
backhands Caliban. THWACK! His whole arm goes into it. "Would you /stop/
leading us to all the /losers/ of the genetic lottery!? I am getting
very, VERY tired of this! First wenches, then cowards, and now ranting
lunatics!" He whips back around to Charlotte. "Are you quite finished
trying to be nice yet?" He takes note of Spider-Man, but does and says
nothing as of yet.

Rogue smirks, "Ya didn't think ah was so 'inadequet' when ya'll tried ta
kidnap me." She says loud enough. She looks back at Friction, "Look
girl, you keep sayin' you don't want anyone ta get hurt, yet people keep
gettin' hurt, don't they? It's sooooo obvious you don't wanna have a
part with these losahs. People -are-gunna get hurt, people are -dyin'-,
make it stop. You wanna get out, we will help you, just help us now...
stand down." She speaks to Friction with a stern, yet caring voice,
hoping that she can at least get to her, then deal with the others.

By now, Illyana is close enough to pick out all the players. Even the
man that doesn't seem directly involved, but there's no denying his chi.
Though she doesn't call the quality that, herself. She also ends up
walking right towards Kitty. To whom she gives a wide, if quite neutral,
smile. Or maybe she is just too much the huntress at the moment and is
baring her teeth. Most of her attention is past the brunette though. And
for a moment, as she gazes at the red head, listens to her panicked
words, some warmth touches her expression. A cold, harsh warmth. And the
edge of a hunger not really her own.

Colossus grits is teeth as Caliban is slapped, hard, and shakes his
head. Trying to refrain from stepping into the clearing, and causing
more panic. He decides to wait it out, and see if anything can be
resolved before he must act.

Caliban is taken quite off guard by the thwack. He really should know
Fabian better now. "Ow! Caliban hurt! Fabian say no more hurt!" The tone
of the last sentence is hurt, not accusatory. He seems to be cowing
before Fabian.

Siobhan leaps forward, aiming to get to the poor redhead's side while
the other supertights get into a scuffle. "Stay behind me," she says to
Rachel, hardly giving her a second look. To her eyes, it's clear Rachel
can't defend herself against whatever these people want her for. "Well,
well, well, look who we have here," she says in a soft brogue, her eyes
on Fabian. "Looks like the rats came out to play again."

Psylocke has arrived.
Kitty glances back to the crowd, hearing and seeing Caliban getting hit,
but more importantly to her, she notices Illyana. As if things couldn't
get harder for her.... Siobhan's stepping forward just makes things even
more complicated.

Spidey starts to get up as Illyana nears, and that alone starts his
spider-sense buzzing. What's worse than that? Probably what happens
next. As his arms raise as he's ready to jump off of the post, the
internal alarm starts to blare. He leaps off of the post towards the
other side of the path... the farther away from Illyana, the better, and
he presumes farther away from whatever danger would have befallen him
should he have stayed put.

And indeed, the post reverberates with a pair of solid smacks and twangs
of metal as Spider-Man leaps away.

Illyana starts to slip past Kitty, but as violence occures, she pauses
instead. A quick glance, paying attention with more than her eyes, about
and she reminds herself of the positions of the players. "On your way
home again, Kitty?" she quietly asks the other girl.

Kitty breathes out slowly with the acceptance of all of her problems
now. She responds to Illyana, glancing to the crowd, "Mmmm... no. Not
for a while."

Psylocke enters the park, still well away from the commotion. She heads
down the path, coming this way, though it will take some time for her to
get there.

This is /not/ happening, this can't be happening this will not happen!
Eyes of emerald suddenly open wide and full, though before she can act,
or even react, she's being protected by .. another? No, no, no, this
isn't happening, they don't exist, none of them do, this park doesn't
exist, it should be an empty crater, a molting pit of death, decay, and
destruction. She can feel the heat from it still, she can see before her
horrified gaze the mountain of dead, eyesockets staring out from behind
skulls that once held life.. Her breath begins to pick up the pace,
madness crossing the bounderies of her mind, for in truth - she has
never once, since arriving, /desired/ to accept that what only came to
her in nightmares - was true. Now though - now that the shivers of
terror strike deeper, familiar sensations of an 'ending' chapter haunt
her, Rachel's realization and awareness slowly begin to dawn on her...

They're all distracted, they're all focused on each other, and the
priest that still remains stuck to his spot, the one link that Rachel
/had/ still gazes on, unable to move and unable to say a word. Again,
the rush of air escaping Rachel's lungs gets quicker and quicker,
shivers and fear riding through her system. Who is she? Why does she
believe this to be fake? Why does she see death, where there should only
be life? Over and over again, as a troubled mind tries to find a foot
hold on reality, her voice echoes out a whispered note. "This isn't
happening, this isn't happening. They can't exist, they can't..
tampering with my mind, with my thoughts.. my emotions.. They're
creating this false paradise, this recreation, driving me insane,
driving me mad.." The words are rushed through lips that have gone dry,
as fear nearly incapacitates her.

Friction looks at Rogue with pleading eyes. "I _can't_," she says. She
looks to Fabian. "Let's just go, you said it yourself, she's a loonie...
we don't need her... let's go, please?"

Fabian almost smiles as he watches Spider-Man hop off the post. He taps
a button on the gauntlet he wears, and speaks into it. "Shooter, keep
Panjama Boy busy. Stalker, proceed and neutralize the raving redhead.
The rest of you, pile on stripe if either of her strawmen interfere." He
turns a look on Friction. "He wants her. *I* am not going back without
her. Got it?"

Caliban stands up and looks around. He moves behind Fabian. Fabian can't
hit him there. And also he's out of danger there, mostly.

There's a slight shuffling as a light-haired red-head starts to emerge
from the foilage behind Rachel. The Irish man stalks forward, stripping
off his gloves.

Rogue shakes her head with a frown toward Friction and then turns her
attention to Fabian, the obvious leader. She scowls, "Mah name's
-Rogue-, and ah'm sorry ta tell ya, that you -are- going back without
her." She pauses, again with a cocky grin, "Ah take that back, ah'm not
very sorry at all." Ok, now that she's out of talk, action is a little
harder to come by, but she makes due with balling her fists, prepared to
fight. She's targeted to Fabian, Friction and Caliban, yet to notice the
Irishman.

Gambit keeps his hands in his pockets and continues to smile at Fabian.
He notices and then doesn't watch the red-haired man, or Caliban, or
Rogue and Friction, attention on the one with the little gauntlet beeper
thing. Strawman, again? "Now, you makin' too many assumptions witout
even a propper introduction, homme." He grins. "You may keep on endin'
up wit cowards an'psycotics. De odds are, your gonna run into someone
who ain' eit'er. She wort' dat, y't'ink?"

Colossus grimaces, and shakes his head as he finally strides out of the
trees. His voice is almost as cold as his metal body, "It should not
have to come to this Comrade. We only wanted you to leave the lady
alone." His words are directed towards Fabian, but he keeps an eye out
for any more of Fabians 'friends'. An eye going towards the Irishman
behind Racheal, and he says to her and Siobhan "Behind you Ladies, there
is someone who you might want to watch."

Siobhan nods to Colossus. "Thank ye, sir," she says to him as she pivots
on her heel, facing the Irish guy. From behind her back, she pulls the
glowing shillelagh she'd been hiding there. "Hello there," she greets
her dancing partner with a lilt. "You'd be advised to seek another
quarry tonight, boyo. This one is not for the likes of ye."

Although Spider-Man cares for all of his friends in this situation, he
is better to them when he can grasp his sanity, and after what happened
last time he was around Illyana, he won't chance it. His spider-sense is
doubled since he is a target of this 'Shooter' character, on top of
Illyana's aura. Spidey leaps back into the trees towards where he hid
his backpack. Upon finding it, opens the backpack and pulls his clothes,
and his shoes out. Spider-Man he removes his gloves and rolls the
sleeves up, pulling his hood off and under the collar. Placing his shirt
and pants on, he then gets on his socks and shoes, closes his backpack
and swipes his camera off the tree, after realizing that 'Stalker' is
the one who bashed him up last time he got into trouble in Central Park.
What a night.
Peter runs off into the trees, and out of Central Park, headed for the
subway to get as far away from here as he can, trying to clear his head
of his spider-sense. Last time he was around Illyana, it took a day to
fade. And that day, as well as the following he still has no
recollection of. On his way out of the park, he mumbles to himself,
"I'm sorry that I can't help you..."

Illyana's tongue spends a moment licking her lips as she watches the
unfolding drama. This is so much better than watching a movie. But her
eyes focus on the terrified red head. She smiles a little, the
expression possibly mistaken for something of real warmth rather than
the passion for that fear. She holds up her hand, gesturing. Crooking
her finger at Rachel to come to her. That eerieness that has nerves on
edge through out the park getures as well, in its own way. A promise of
salvation of the darkest sort. Her other hand reaches out to absently
grasp at Kitty's. With painful tightness if contact is made.

Kitty watches the situation explode, a sudden expression of annoyance
crossing her face. She shakes her head slightly, not really suprised
that Illyana didn't say anything else and expecting that she can get
back to the task at hand. As she turns more towards the situation,
taking a half step in their direction, her hand is grasped and she
quickly glances back to Illyana. "What?"

One loonie present and standing, err.. kind of? Well, sort of hunched
over really, arms wrapping around her mid-section, gaze focused on those
ahead, body shaking back and forth. One step, two steps, Rachel takes a
few more paces backwards, anger suddenly shifting over madness. Her gaze
lingers towards Illyana once, though she can't look at her, she can't
keep her eyes on her, swiftly they turn, unable to gaze long at the
blonde.. why? Rachel has no idea, she simply can not look at Illyana..
unpleasant does not begin to describe it.. Then.. from somewhere deep
within her troubled mind, she can hear Fabian's words. 'He wants her'.
Who!? No one. No one is ever going to have control over her again, where
that strong convication comes from, Rachel has no clue, she just knows,
she knows without a doubt she will NOT allow them to grab her, she will
not allow them to get to her. "...No..." The word is barely heard under
her breath, the voice echoing through the suffering her mind is sending
her through. "...No..." Again, a whispered sound of defiance, as Rachel
takes another single step backwards.

"No.. no.. _NO_!" The final expression is spoken with a venom tongue,
as Rachel's hands ball into tight fists. "I _said_ leave me _alone_,
you all are /dead/, you're dead! You don't exist, stop tampering with my
_mind_." And with that ... the ground beneath Rachel is gone, where has
it gone one might inquire? Well, it's sort of left her once Rachel
zipped into the air, streaking off towards the moon, kind of. One moment
she's on the ground next to the safety of Sio - the next
she's in the air, eyes wild and full of rage. She'll work this out,
really, one of these days she might even be able to gain some normal
conversation in, as it is though? The fear that rides through her
system, the nightmares that visit her waking mind, memories and images
that do not make sense, and frankly, are a bit too horrific to
comprehend, all combine together to send one powerful red-head into a
fit of 'don't touch me, don't get near me, you'll regret it if you do,
just leave me alone' (ish?). And just like that, one, two, three,
Rachel's in the air, screaming out 'no' and her other phrase. Troubled?
A little.

Friction looks up as Rachel seems to fly. Maybe that's why they want her
so badly... they don't really have any fliers. Still, she has to do her
job, or there will be consequences. She looks to Rogue again and says,
"I'm really sorry." Suddenly, the ground beneath Rogue and Remy (and,
'accidentally', Fabian too) becomes slippery, and almost impossible to
stand on. Should anyone fall, it almost immediately changes to sticky,
and impossible to release from. Of course, while she's activating on
this new area, her concentration on the old area lapses and the priest
is free to go where he may.

Fabian is momentarily distracted by the retreating Spider-Man. "Brave
Sir Spider ran away, bravely ran away away," he sing-songs softly.
"Shooter, bring Raver back down to Earth. Avoid vitals; aim to wound
only." He blink-blinks as Rogue raises her fists. "You DARE threaten me
with assault," he declares, wonderingly? ( Oh, crap, she does! ) He
starts to turn to Friction, intent on issuing a quick order, but it's
already done.

Stalker remains silent as he eyes Siobhan. Unfortunately his priamry
target is now meters up in the air, and unavailable. He remains face to
face with Siobhan, seperated by a space of about four feet. Just
waiting, perhaps, for her to turn her back on him.

Silenced shots rocket jacketed slugs skyward, arcing through the air
towards Rachel's shoulder. Even if there were a noise, the slugs would
strike before the noise would be audible. But Shooter's intention to
fire is loud and clear in his mind.

Fabian, too, suddenly starts to stumble, his feet working rapidly on
frictionless ground. He's rapidly on his back. "CHARLOTTE!!!!"

Caliban suddenly realizes Fabian is not in front of Caliban as a
convenient shield, Fabian's on the ground. Since Caliban's not inside
the field, he steps in to offer his hand to Fabian and attempts to pull.

Rogue shifts her gaze momentarily upward as Rachel takes to the air, but
then an odd sensation underneath her redraws her attention. She whoooas
as her legs wobble under the slippery ground. Her arms flail out, trying
to grab onto something to keep her steady, Friction included if she is
close enough. If not, Rogue is soon to join the MLF field leader on the
ground.

Gambit's hands fly out of his pockets as he moves towards Fabian, and he
flails and skitters around on the now slick ground for a few moments.
Inevidably, he looses his footing and topples over. His hands were not
empty, however, and as he falls, a metal cylander in his fist expands to
a staff, his own height. He swings out at Fabian, and, since he's there,
Caliban as well. He catches himself with the staff arm, but that just
gets stuck to the ground, and the rest of him soon follows, but a card
palmed in his other hand begins to glow, should it prove nessisary.

Colossus gets a very dangerous look to his face as he moves towards the
group, and out of the trees as Fabians orders are given to shoot Rachel.
He was beginning to reach for a nearby bench when Rachel took off, and
people started falling near Friction. His eyes narrow warily as he looks
up briefly to try to catch sight of Rachel, and see if she gets hurt.

What's quicker, a bullet, or light? It is light that streaks up from in
front of Stalker, brilliant silvery light that eventually resolves into
the form of two giant angel's wings that support an Irish girl as she
ascends after Rachel... Siobhan may indeed be in the line of fire, but
isn't that her job as a hero? To make sure the innocent or persecuted
are protected, even with her own sacrifice? That apparently never enters
her mind. "Hey, Red!" she calls up as her wings propel her up. One
bullet drills through her solid-light wing on the left-hand side. "At
least fly toward cover, kiddo! Those aren't spring chickens down there.
Go that way!" she says, pointing in a safe direction. "Phoenix will
watch your back."

Oddly, Illyana sidles closer to Kitty. She's looking up at Rachel, her
expression rapt on the sight of the hovering woman. "Did you say
something, Kitty?" Her tone is distracted, her sapphire eyes bright and
glittering above the background of darkness behind them.

As Rachel and Siobhan fly up and most eyes turn up towards them, or at
least the eyes that aren't worried about keeping their owner's balances,
Kitty sees her chance and turns back to Illyana who seems to come
closer, "Nothing," and intangibly slips her hand away from Illyana. She
starts moving towards the chaos, trying to figure out the sides as she
does so.

It isn't the bullets or sound, or events that are happening below that
have gained Rachel's attention. It's the glowing, familiar sight of a
fiery bird that has suddenly drawn her immediate fascination. Why is it
so familiar? Why does it send vibrations of both delight and fear
through her system? "Mom.." The word is off her lips before she can even
realize its there. She isn't even cognizant she said it, still utterly
mesmerized by those wings. "Phoenix?" Wait a cotton pickin minute here!
Phoenix? That doesn't sound -right-, that isn't correct, that can't be
Phoenix. No.. but why? Why can't it be Phoenix? Why can't it be .. why
couldn't it.. be..?

There are always going to be problems with using ones powers after not
only a great deal of time, but when one is simply not -ready- physically
to /use/ them. Her chest hurts, she can feel a stitch waver and break,
blood beginning to stain the white hue of her t-shirt. She's using every
ounce of power she has available to her, and its costing her, dearly.
Tears begin to appear within troubled emerald eyes, streaming down her
cheeks .. and as consciousness dims, a fiery red head falls from the
sky, having moved -just- far enough away to not fall in the midst of the
crowd. The final thought she has? Mom will protect her.. before Rachel's
form rockets towards the ground.

Friction looks apologetically down at Fabian as he yells at her. "I'm so
sorry, I didn't mean to include you!" . o O (Yeah, right...). The
instantly releases her field, but the way her powers work, she has to
release the whole field... under Rogue and Remy as well.

Fabian growls and begins to clamber to his feet. "This situation is
growing out of control," he says. "AGAIN. Stalker, take out the
strawmen." Stalker frowns ever-so-faintly, but moves forward to do as
instructed.

Fabian manages to get up in time to get smacked along the head by
Gambit's staff. The impact does, however, spare Caliban from impact.

Caliban steps back as Fabian gets smacked, and beams a little. Fabian
actually took a blow for Caliban! Fabian really like Caliban after all!

Rogue scrambles to her feet as soon as she realizes the field is gone
and she makes a leap toward Fabian, intent on taking him down. Arms out,
she literally pounces, attempting to take him down tackle-style, letting
all those days of football with the boys on muddy country grasslands
come into play. "You're not gettin' away this time." She snaps bitterly.
The events in the sky are not her primary concern at the moment.

There's no thought of concequences now. No thoughts of just earlier
today, of guilt brought out from the back of his mind. Maybe it scares
him how quickly he can push back the thoughts, how when it comes down to
it, he does whatever needs to be done. And being stuck on the ground,
what Gambit can do is limited. But the grin is still on his face, and
the card in his hand is glowing a softly, red as his eyes. Its about to
leave his hand when he finds himself no longer stuck to the ground, and
so he leaps up, and moves his attention from Fabian to this Stalker
fellow.. perhaps it isn't nessisary after all.. but he keeps the card
charged, and readies his staff.

Colossus grunts as Rachel is hit, and starts to fall. Grabbing the
nearby bench, and easily pulling it out of the concrete settings, he
tosses it in the direction of Stalker. Trying to buy Rogue, and Gambit
some time to recover. The bench will clear Friction easily, but is going
at a good speed towards Stalker. That is done with one hand as he spins,
and reverses his direction. Taking his very long strides, and sprinting
towards the falling form of Rachel. Sparing little in the wave of
destruction as he takes the quickest, and most direct path to her
falling form.

Siobhan immediately changes direction as Rachel starts to fall, one
redheaded missle turning into two as she folds her wings and DIVES,
DIVES! for the other. Of course, that takes her toward the running
Colossus, both of them aiming to save the same person. Siobhan's arms
reach down, stretching to try and catch Rachel before both of them go
splatter at Colossus' feet. Physics may dictate that this is gonna hurt
a lot, especially if she smacks into the metal man, but it's apparently
a risk the swift Irish lass is willing to take.

Illyana doesn't notice Kitty pulling away and leaving her. The spreading
of red against the white of Rachel's tee shirt has captured her
attention as only blood can to a predator. But then something else comes
into her awareness, and oppressing wave spiralling down to her from
space non-existant. Instinctive shields are thrown up . . . which are
non-existant in this realm. A flurry of actions started and aborted, all
without any external sign of her rapid attempts to avoid the attact upon
her that is invisible by the others. And then it hits her.

On the edge of the conflict, the young blonde girl is tossed like a
puppet smacked by a giant hand. She doesn't notice however as a howl is
ripped from her, a noise that shudders the ground as well as piercing to
the ears. About her, a horror-impelled wave rides Illyana's scream,
relishing her pain, delighting the fear and spark of terror that scream
raises. . . And then she is quiet as she falls in her shallow arc
towards the running metal man. As if discarded by something greater.

Kitty takes advantage of all of the distractions to work her way around
the fighting, towards the priest, who seems to be forgetten in all of
the confusion. The noise lights in the sky don't seem to distract her
and the scream from behind her doesn't distract her. The only thing that
seems to be garnering even marginal attention from her other than the
priest is the encounter between Rogue and Gambit and the MLF.

Something of what caused Illyana to fly through the air might be seen as
her clothing starts to darken. Filaments spread from her, as if the
cloth is unraveling about her. Wetly, liquidly, the darkened mass starts
to flow about her, emitting its own sound. Miniture fingers on
chalkboard . . . .

Swiftly falling, falling swiftly, unless stopped, Rachel will find
herself hitting the ground - or a metal man, or being caught by another
red head.. with fiery Phoenix wings .. or .. hitting into whoever /else/
is there. She has no control over this fall, she has no choice nor
options, she's dead to the world, and it to her. The slight stain of red
over her chest just lengthens with the fall, head tilting backwards,
arms outstretched .. and while both of her heroes are swift - only one
manages to win. The one that, though initially wrong in her crazed
thoughts, still is the person she hoped would. One hand is caught by the
diving Phoenix, as Rachel's unconscious form is 'saved' from, well, too
deadly a fall?

The bench sails over Friction safely, but manages to clip Stalker and he
falls to the ground, not moving, though it's hard to say if he's dead or
merely unconscious.

Fabian is tackled by Rogue, and they both go onto the ground, Fabian
first landing on his back but then turning it into a roll. He leans
forward and, with a grin, surprises Rogue with a kiss, feeling
completely safe. But, like all men who kiss Rogue, his eyes roll back
and he falls unconscious.

From the bushes, a brown-haired woman starts running towards where
Stalker fell. She seems just slightly less than unnaturally fast, as
though she's an olympic sprinter.

Caliban puts his hand to his ear and starts pulling Fabian off Rogue.
Friction meanwhile tilts her head to the side and looks to Remy, and
says, "Look... we're backing down, okay... just don't interfere or
they'll kill you... Shooter doesn't miss..."

Rogue is at first pleased as her attempt to subdue the leader takes him
to the ground. But as she finds herself underneath him, staring up into
his grin, she feels her heart pound once before the man's lips caress
hers. Initally, a mental wave of panic ensues, but the contact reacts-
differently than normal and the southern girl falls unconcious as well
as her 'victim'.

Gambit narrows his eyes and looks around. Well, who's left standing?
There's that woman who just ran out towards Stalker, then there's
Friction, and she's talking to him now... so he turns to face her, and
twirls the staff. He smirks. "Alright den, chere. Back down. We'll wait,
y'all leave." He motions towards the bushes the brown haired woman just
came out of with his other hand. He is not letting his guard down, still
ready to release the card. Shooter? Where's this Shooter? He starts to
look around again.

Colossus continues on his course, accidentally knocking over a small,
stone bird bath in the process. When Siobhan catches Rachel, and tries
to slow their descent he lets out a small sigh of relief, but notices
they are not stopping. He sprints the last bit, and gets under them in
time to cushion their fall. Amazing how a metal man can absorb an impact
with only slight bruising to the others. It is then that the flying body
of Illyana comes crashing on top of them, and causes Colossus to stumble
a few steps back. His eyes going to her in concern as well, and looking
to the direction she came.

Siobhan manages to keep Rachel from splattering against Colossus, which
was good, cos he's made of metal, so they tumble ignominiously into his
arms, any man's dream, redheads raining from the sky, but the impact is
enough to daze her, especially given her wearying use of her powers in
her efforts to save Rachel from attack. She lets out an exclamation of
injury generally translated as 'OOF!' as Illyana also impacts. She
struggles to free herself from Colossus' arms, to try and manhandle
Rachel safely into cover, however she may best accomplish that.

The young blonde girl seems completely unconscious, despite her face
twisted in an expression of pure agony, laying in the tangle of bodies
that Piotr has ended up with. The token blonde to the pair of red heads.
Tears make shimmering streaks along her cheeks as they fall, further
expressions of her pain. Her clothing, though, bubbles and squirms on
her light frame. The tendrils thicken, jointing. Things that might be
eyes open. Other things that resemble mouths gape. As the horrible
creatures form, they leave wide patches of lightly-tanned skin behind.
Skin starting to well red with blood as the claws on the things dig into
her skin. Then the things start attacking in ernest, dark and malign.
They strike at Illyana as well as the others, indiscrimianate in their
need to gouge, bite, and lash.

Kitty stops in her progress, now just a few feet from the priest. Almost
too easy. She takes one last glance around before going any closer.

The priest, for all intents and purposes, doesn't even REALIZE he can
move, he's just stuck there, to the spot, unmoving, unwavering, not even
blinking. He just .. stands there, watches everything, a few mutters
occasionally let out - the Lord's prayer perhaps..?

Out for the count for the moment, Rachel doesn't even get in a sound as
she falls into the large metal figure's arms with Phoenix, though
consciousness begins to dawn. She doesn't even manage a dignified sound
as Illyana joins in this little gathering. She /does/ however stir at
the great deal of pain that stirs through her. Youch! Bite? Gouge? Lash?
Hurt? From slight dimming awareness, to full born awake as one of those
horrific nightmares take a good bite out of her shoulder, Rachel does
the only thing that she can think of. A telekinetic bubble goes lancing
out from her, as she attempts to not only push herself out of Colossus'
arms, but away from those terrible creatures, and everyone that she's
managed to find herself bundled up with.

The brown haired girl checks Stalker's vitals quickly, and then lifts
him over a shoulder, and starts off into the night. They'll rendezvous
later, after all, and they don't want to lead anyone who might follow on
a specific trail.

Caliban starts to drag Fabian away. Fabian seems to be very well
unconscious, and yet, smiling...

Friction shakes her head to Remy as she starts to back away. "We're
going. Tell her I'm sorry," she says looking to Rogue. Seemed like a
nice kid. "I wish I didn't have to do this." That last bit is muttered
to herself. However, should Remy try to move, he'll notice his feet are
stuck again. She needs to make sure he won't follow.

Rogue lays on the ground still, out for the count. Her eyes are closed,
but she certainly isn't smiling, nor looking very peaceful in her forced
slumber.

Gambit sneers down at Fabian as he's dragged off. The whole strawman
bit, and then he goes and pulls -that-? Now that they seem to be
retreating, he lets himself pay attention to what else is going on. He
sees Rogue is unconcious as well, and he frowns and lurches towards her,
then Friction, and can't. He glares over at the woman. "Let me go."

Colossus is forcefully moved away from Rachel with some kind of shield.
That worries him little though as he glances to Illyana. He grits his
metallic teeth, and does the only thing that he thinks will help.
Grasping at the 'alive' clothing, he starts ripping and tearing it off
of her. Tearing his own shirt off, and covering up what might be seen if
he is successful.o0(Illyana...even if she isn't my sister it is too odd)
Worry, and anger clearly written on his features.

Siobhan has been weakened by her extended use of her powers, but she
valiantly assists Colossus in trying to keep those ouchie-biting-things
off herself, the big guy, Illyana, and most especially Rachel, who
apparently can defend herself when she's awake. She fires up a handful
of sharp and pointy darts, wicked-looking things that are quite nice for
stabbing squirming things from hell.

Those things ripped away from Illyana . . . they attack /everything/.
Ripped off of her, they attack the grass and the creatures living in it.
Flying through the air they twist and snarl until they come in contact
with something. Tearing them does not seem to kill the fiends, only
makes them smaller. The stuff that bleeds from them stinks and burns,
and the sounds they make cause small hairs to rise. Long bleedings welts
are left on Illyana as they are torn away, her blood quickly soaking
into the shirt thrown hastily over her. Once away from a person, though,
they seem contents to kill anything living near them, even though it be
plant or insect.

Kitty finally moves up to the priest, walking up alongside him, trying
to place one hand on his shoulder and the other on his back, saying
quietly to him, "You shouldn't be here right now. It's not safe."

Successfully shoving herself away landing on her rump a few feet from
those that 'saved' her, shoulder now a nice red hue, along with her
chest, Rachel's eyes narrow to slits, gaze lancing from one individual
to the next. They focus in on the horrific /things/ that tear at
anything living, they dance towards the false Phoenix, the blonde, the
metal man, the others next to the priest. Flashing, emerald orbs remain
slitted down, as Rachel rises to her feet, only to fall again, dropping
to her knees. The only thing that /isn't/ breaking through are those
creatures, for a protection of telekinesis is wrapped tightly about her.
That is the only thing she does, for her mind is still processing
information, she can keep herself alive, and thats pretty much it.

The priest at Kitty's voice stirs, then turns startled. His wide,
unseeing eyes blink once, twice, before he nods dumbly, then moves to
run, stumbling along in a quick gait.. or at least, tries to.

Friction, helping Caliban carry Fabian, finally withdraws, and the force
holding Remy to the ground disappears... as has the MLF.

Gambit rushes over to Rogue and kneels beside her in the grass. The
staff colapses back into itself and a few moments after that, and a
warry glance at the biting creatures, the glow on the card fades to
nothing. He shakes her gently and frowns over at Colossus.

Colossus mutters, and finishes remove the biting things of nastiness
from Illyana. He stands up with her body in his arms, and blood soaked
shirt hanging on her form. Turning to Siobhan, and Rachel he says "If
you would please come with us it would be safer for you both. I am not
sure if they will re group, and try again." Then looking specifically
at Rachel he adds, "I would feel much better if you allowed us to treat
your wounds..." the Russian accent almost overwhelming his English.

Siobhan glances at Colossus for a moment, then uses a dart to stab at
another creepie getting too close to Rachel. "I think she's out of it,"
she says in her Irish lilt, jerking a thumb at Rachel and her TK shell.
"Can ye actually lift that up? Unless she snaps out of it, we won't be
able to move her otherwise. I'm too tired to generate a crowbar." Her
last dart fizzles out in her hand as the last of her power is used up,
and dammit, it's a new moon, so there isn't much coming in to help her
anymore. Still, she tries to physically intercede between Rachel and the
creepies.

Illyana is still limp in Colossus' arms. But at least she is breathing
more or less normally, if she seems a bit pale from her encounter with
. . . with whatever happened to her. Hopefully Piotr won't trip over her
long braid while he carries her.

Kitty follows the priest, taking one last glance back, taking her time,
apparently content with the biting creatures' distraction.

What does Rachel say? "You're dead." (Repeat of before) And well,
*plop*, down goes the red head, slumping into the grass, sweet oblivion
taking over her form, the shielding around her disappearing instantly.
She isn't going to argue about things, not right now, in fact, she isn't
going to get much of anything in else. Trouble is, she isn't going to
get any peace out of this rest, for her dreams will be torments,
fractions of memories, and nightmares most horrid.

The priest just moves, doesn't speak, doesn't do much else, but listen
to Kitty and do his best to escape, the child is right, after all.
Getting away is a really good idea. In fact, he'll do pretty much what
ever Kitty tells him to do - shock is a powerful influence.

Gambit pockets the staff and the card, and carefully scoops up Rogue,
mindful not to touch her. He heads immidately to the north.

Colossus looks to Siobhan, and shrugs "I will have to try, Da?" Perhaps
if the look is not familiar, the voice and expressions are to Siobhan.
He moves over, and finds no resistance. He easily, and very gently,
lifts Rachel into his arms. Carrying them both now, and looks to
Siobhan, "If you need assistance just hold onto my arm. We have
transportation very close. Things will be fine." his smile is genuine,
and tries to be reassuring to Siobhan.

Siobhan nods to Colossus, a faint smile on her face. "It is good to see
ye again, my friend," she says to him as she gratefully accepts his help
back to the nice dark plane. "I only wish it were under better
circumstances." Her eyes go a bit wide as she spots the plane, and she
gives a wondering look to Colossus. "Nice friend ye've got." She boards
the plane as gracefully as she can, and away they go.

Colossus moves to the north with Illyana, Rachel, and Siobhan. A
large, sleek, black jet is there with the hatch open. Inside is Gambit,
Rogue, and the Pilot. It lifts off vertically, and flies into the
distance almost silently. Heading towards the Xavier Mansion, and
hopefully some semblence of rest...

<-END LOG->