X-Men: Black Fire

 

By Paradox  

 

BOOK II  

 

7

 

 

            Dock 5 was quiet and closed when they reached it at two A.M. Ash drove the midnight black van around to the back and parked it behind a couple of dumpsters so it would be well hidden. Sliding the doors open, the three slipped out of the vehicle and moved towards the rear entrance of the club. Cole took the point and cleared the area as Kitty and Ash came up behind him. Everyone had their weapons out and ready, Cole with his Glocks, Kitty with the katana, and Ash held a pair of MP-5s. Slung across the vampires back was a huge black bag that looked like it weighed at least two hundred pounds. Yet, Ash seemed to move as though it weren’t even there. Having undead strength had its advantages.

 

            As they neared the door, Cole stopped and looked around. “This is way too easy.” He looked up and said, “I’m going topside and work my way down.”

 

            Ash nodded. “We’ll meet you inside.” Cole nodded back and quickly climbed a ladder attached to the brick wall, disappearing onto the roof. When he was gone, Ash looked at Kitty. “Are you sure you don’t want a gun? I’ve got plenty.”

 

            Kitty smiled and shook her head. “No thanks, I was never good with them.”

 

            Ash shrugged and slipped up beside the door, pressing a small black strip to the crack in the door next to the handle. A length of wire led from the strip to a hand grip with a red button on it. “You may want to find cover.”

 

            Kitty nodded and dropped down behind the landing of the back door. Ash backed off a little and pushed the button on the hand grip. There was a small flash and a hiss. Ash moved back to the door and pushed it open, the lock disintegrated. The vampire nodded to Kitty and the two rushed in, each clearing a side of the huge dance club.

 

            Emptiness greeted them. The entire club was completely empty just when business should have been booming. The two slowly walked further into the club, Ash sweeping his guns left and right. “Something’s not right here,” he said quietly.

 

            “Yeah,” Kitty agreed, “There should be people here. Vampires if nothing else.”

 

            “Ah, welcome to my haven.”

 

            Ash spun and aimed the MP-5 in his right hand at the speaker, the dot of a laser sight lighting on a woman’s forehead. Jessica smiled. “I see you came here to destroy me, might I ask why?”

 

            Kitty stepped forward, her sword held ready. “You had Ricky come after me and try to kill me. I’m pretty sure that you also cut off my powers too.”

 

            Jessica kept her smile and clapped her hands in quiet applause. “Very astute, young lady. Perhaps I did not give you enough credit.”

 

            “Give it where it’s due, bitch,” Ash growled, “You can come with us and see Priest right now or I can drop you where you stand, your choice.”

 

            “My choice hmm?” Jessica placed a delicate fist under her chin and cocked her head, as though in thought. “Well, it is an intriguing offer, but I think I’ll just kill you both now.”

 

            At the hidden command, shapes appeared out of the shadows, encircling the two. Kitty looked around to see various types of vampires. They ranged from thugs with knives to the most grotesque creatures Kitty had ever seen sprouting wicked claws from their fingertips. “Well, aside from looking ugly, what else can these guys do?”

 

            Jessica smiled. “Why don’t you find out. Randal...”

 

            The Nosferatu vampire off to Kitty’s left side was suddenly in motion, racing at Kitty with one set of claws raking towards her chest. Deftly, Kitty sidestepped the attack and lopped off the hand at the wrist in one movement. Continuing the movement, Kitty spun and sliced through the vampire’s neck with a backhanded slash. The undead man’s head fell to the ground with a wet plop, followed by his body. Finishing the spin, Kitty spun the sword into a defensive position, ready for the attack from the vampire with a knife rushing at her.

 

            The staccato sound of gunfire permeated the air as Kitty saw glowing red bullets rip through the vampire, throwing him back and dropping him to the ground. The vampire did not get up. Kitty looked at Ash questioningly, to which the Archon only smiled. “Tracers, great for permanent wounds against vampires.”

 

            “Enough games,” Jessica said, “Kill them.” All of the vampires roared and charged in. Kitty desperately tried to fend them off with her sword, but the undead creatures were simply too fast. Several were able to get inside her defenses and cut her on her thigh, shoulder, and forearm. Stumbling away from the myriad of attacks, Kitty saw Ash was having the same problem. Everywhere he spun and fired, another vampire attacked from the opposite direction. Although he was able to take much more than her, Kitty saw that he would be in serious trouble soon. Dancing out of the way of a set of claws, she drove the sword through a vampire, wrenching it up through his chest and head as she pulled it out. As the body dropped, Kitty looked at the sword in amazement. There was no way she should have had the strength to do that. Obviously the sword was not ordinary.

 

            So caught up in her surprise, Kitty never saw the vampire that came up behind her, took the sword away by grabbing her wrist with one hand and the hilt with the other. Kitty cried out in surprise and slammed a fist into his face, knocking him back. The vampire stumbled away, but he still had the sword. Disarmed, Kitty watched in horror as a group of five vampires surrounded her, their fangs bared in a cruel smile. “Feeding time boys,” one hissed.

 

            “Feed on this!” said a growling voice as three metal claws punched through the vampire’s chest and ripped out through its side. When the creature dropped, Kitty let out a whoop of joy.

 

            “Logan!”

 

            Wolverine smiled and casually swiped his claws through another attacker, ripping out their intestines. “Hiya punkin’, miss me?”

 

            Kitty’s eyes went wide as the vampire Wolverine just gutted rolled to his feet, his fangs bared in a feral hiss. “Logan, behind you!”

 

            Wolverine spun as the vampire raked its claws across the mutant’s chest. Wolverine grunted and dropped back a step. “What the hell are these things?” he asked as he tore into the man.

 

            “Vampires,” Ash answered as he rolled up to his feet next to Wolverine and dumped a burst from the MP-5 into the downed vampire. The undead creature screamed and laid still. “Either put a stake in their heart or cut off their heads, otherwise they’ll just keep coming at you.”

 

            “Thanks for the advice,” Wolverine said as he dodged a set of claws.

 

            An explosion behind Kitty made her spin around. She had just enough time to see a vampire become engulfed in flames and explode. A figure in a dark brown duster dropped lightly to the ground. “I tink dat dese here vamps ain’t so tough if you know where to hit dem.”

 

            Kitty smiled. “Good call Gambit.” Her smile evaporated as another vampire in biker leather leapt at his back, claws extended. “Gambit, behind you!” The cajun mutant spun and reached for a card. As fast as the X-Man was, the vampire had the speed of the undead and was far faster. Gambit had no time to get out of the way of the claws that reached for his heart.

 

            Suddenly, the vampire was blown back, bullet holes appearing in its chest. As it sank to the ground, a trench coated figure dropped down. “You’d better watch your ass instead of flirting, pretty boy,” Cole growled, “Otherwise you’ll be dinner for the next few days.”

 

            Gambit was taken aback for a moment, but regained his wits and spun, launching a few cards at the vampires. Cole shook his head and looked around at the battle. Things were not going well. Wolverine was being hit on all sides. Despite how good he was, the undead don’t tire. Eventually, he would slip up and then be done. Gambit was able to make use of his ranged attacks, but he only had so much he could throw. Soon, he’d be out of ammo and dead in the water. Kitty had moved up beside him, her weapon lost. “We’re in a bad way here,” he shouted over the battle, putting bullets into every target he could get a shot off at, “We need to break off and regroup.” He quickly looked around. “Where’s Ash?”

 

            “Heads up kids!” a voice laughed, “It’s rock and roll time!”

 

            Cole looked and saw Wolverine and Gambit hit the ground as Ash swung the Vulcan cannon from his back and open fire. Cole’s eyes went wide and he dove to the ground yelling, “Ash you crazy son of a bitch!”

 

            The Archon only laughed and let the 30mm cannon spit fiery death at the vampires in the room, bullets cutting them almost literally in half. When the entire attacking force of vampires were laying on the ground either dead or unconscious, Ash ceased firing and hefted the Vulcan with one hand. “Any left?”

 

            “Only me, fool.”

 

            Ash spun just in time to see Jessica rake her claws across his chest. The Archon fell to the ground, a scream tearing from his throat. The Vulcan fell from his hands as he groped at the deep gouge marks in his chest. Blood flowed from the wounds like an opened pipe. Wolverine stepped forward and raised his claws. “Try that on me sweetheart.”

 

            Jessica smiled and her eyes suddenly glowed red. An instant later, Wolverine fell to the ground, writhing in pain. Cole’s eyes went wide. “No way can she do that, unless...”

 

            Jessica laughed. “Very correct Shadow, I’m not a part of your little sect of “good vampires”.”

 

            “Sabbat,” the mage hissed.

 

            “Bravo.” The woman flickered and Gambit fell to the ground, a huge hunting knife buried in his leg. He grasped the handle and cried out in pain, but did not tear it free. The vampire smiled and looked back at Cole and Kitty. “I’m surprised you didn’t know, Cole. Usually you’re on top of these things.”

 

            Suddenly, a blast of white flame blew out Jessica’s chest. She froze for a moment and looked down at the hole in surprise, as though not able to believe what just happened. She turned and looked directly into blazing eyes of Priest. He pressed the twin barrels of a sawed-off shotgun to the underside of her chin. “I knew,” he said coldly, pulling the trigger and vaporizing her head with a blast of white phosphorous. The headless body slumped to the ground.

 

            “You knew about her and didn’t tell me!” Cole yelled angrily, “What the hell is the matter with you?”

 

            Priest shrugged. “Prince’s privilege.”

 

            Kitty only shook her head and walked over to Gambit, examining the knife in his leg. “Gambit’s in a bad way, we need to get him medical attention.”

 

            “Don’t bother,” Cole said, walking over. He placed a hand on the knife and it faded away to nothing. Placing his hand on the wound, he muttered a few words and his hands glowed with white energy. Slowly, the wound closed until only fresh, pink skin remained.

 

            Gambit blinked in surprise. “Neat trick, you couldn’t do dat before.”

 

            Cole shrugged. “I’ve had a yearlong crash course in magick.”

 

            “Yes,” a ghostly female voice floated in the air, “A pity it will not help you in the end.”

 

            Cole’s eyes narrowed and he looked around. “I figured you were behind this,” he growled, “What the hell do you want?”

 

            Smoky energy filled a corner of the club and slowly took the shape of a woman. When the smoke dissipated, a woman with green hair, white skin, and a purple leotard stood smiling. “It is time Cole.”

 

            The mage glared at the Goddess of death. “Why the hell did you use vampires to attack Kitty, she has nothing to do with this.”

 

            Lillith only smiled. “On the contrary, she is very important to you, and by destroying her, I destroy the only goodness in you.” She waved a hand and Kitty was flung against a wall, the breath blasting from her lungs and leaving her gasping for air. Wolverine roared and charged at the woman as Gambit flung a score of energized cards. As the adamantium claws raked across the woman’s chest and the cards exploded against her head, the death goddess only laughed and flicked her wrist, sending the two mutants flying. When the hit the ground, they both fell unconscious.

 

            “Leave them alone!” Kitty screamed.

 

            “Silence, little girl,” Lillith sneered, “You will be next.”

 

            “Like hell,” Ash growled, climbing to his feet, the wounds in his chest slowly knitting together. His hands closed on the Vulcan and he brought it to bear. “Suck on this for a while!” The cannon roared as a spray of bullets slammed into the green-haired woman, throwing her back into the wall and sending up a plume of dust and debris. Ash ceased firing and walked as the goddess’s form moved through the dust, completely unharmed.

 

            “Fool,” she laughed, “Even in my ethereal form, your weapons cannot hurt me.”

 

            “Then try this on,” Priest yelled, charging in and raking his razor sharp claws across her chest. Lillith fell back, five gash marks scarring her white flesh.

 

            “Very interesting, I did not believe you to be so powerful, vampire.”

 

            Priest smiled. “That’s usually everyone fatal mistake.” He slashed at her again.

 

            Lillith sighed and lifted a hand, promptly sending Priest flying through the air to slam into a wall and crumple to the floor. “Truly, this is starting to bore me.”

 

            “Then let me liven it up,” Ash cried, as he leapt onto her back and sank his teeth into her throat.”

 

            Cole’s eyes went wide. “Ash, don’t!” But it was too late. As soon as the vampire’s fangs sank into the dark goddess’s white flesh, a tiny trace of black fluid seeped from the wound as Ash drank deeply. No more than five seconds after he had begun feeding, the Archon reared his head back and howled. The entire lower half of his face was covered in the thick, black blood of the dark queen.

 

            Ash dropped down to the ground and crouched, his eyes blazing red with a bloodlust Cole had never seen in a vampire before. Hungrily, Ash licked his lips. “Yum,” he snarled, “Better than Garou blood.” He took one step towards the woman before a strangled cry escaped his lips. He grasped at his chest and fell to the floor, twitching violently.

 

            Lillith smiled at the writhing vampire. “Foolish little vampire, my blood does nothing but destroy, even your kind.”

 

            Cole looked around at the chaos around him. All about, his friends and comrades lay either crippled or dying. His eyes found Kitty’s and homed in on them. She returned his gaze with one of wide-eyed terror. She knew she was about to die, he could tell that. “No way,” he growled. Spinning, he faced the pale goddess, his eyes narrowed. “Lillith,” he yelled, “Let the rest go and you can have me.”

 

            “No Cole,” Kitty cried.

 

            Lillith smiled at the mage and walked over to him, using her demonic powers to float Kitty over beside her. “Oh, rest assured, I will have you no matter what. The rest I could care less about.” She smiled at Kitty. “Except this one.” Reaching up, Lillith caressed Kitty’s cheek, sending a chill through the young woman. “She’s very pretty, isn’t she Cole.”

 

            “What do you want?” the mage bit out.

 

            Lillith smiled. “Give yourself to me as my willing slave and I will let her go.”

 

            “Don’t do it Cole!” Kitty yelled.

 

            Cole ignored her and focused his glare on Lillith. “Do you swear that you won’t hurt her if I agree?”

 

            The goddess waved an absent hand and sighed. “Yes, yes, I’ll let her go.”

 

            Cole nodded and let his guns fall to the floor. “Deal.”

 

            “Cole, no!” Kitty begged, “Please don’t do this!”

 

            “I’m not going to let you die Kitty,” Cole said grimly.

 

            “So noble,” Lillith mocked, snapping her fingers. Instantly, Kitty fell to the floor. Cole was immediately at her side, crouched down beside her and cradling her in his arms.

 

            “Cole,” she begged softly, “Please don’t do this. Everything good you’ve tried to accomplish here will be for nothing if you do.”

 

            “I can’t let you die Kitty,” Cole said quietly, “Not you.”

 

            “Why?” she asked, her eyes wide with emotion. “Say it Cole, please say it.”

 

            The mage clutched her tightly. “Because I love you Kitty,” he whispered.

 

            The young mutant sobbed and tears rolled down her cheeks as she held onto the young man that had asked for her heart, and she had given it to him. “I love you too,” she whispered back.

 

            “Very touching,” Lillith said in an annoyed voice, “But it is time for us to go Cole, we have preparations to make.”

 

            Cole glared over his shoulder at her and gently disengaged from Kitty. She gave a soft cry of protest and reached out to him. “I’m sorry Kitty,” he said quietly, “But my mistress is calling me and I have to go.” He stood and walked over to Lillith, standing beside her and slightly back.

 

            “No!” Kitty screamed, jumping to her feet and rushing at the goddess, punching her in the face again and again. Lillith sighed again and flung Kitty away from her in one simple gesture. “Foolish child,” the dark queen sneered.

 

            Lillith!

 

            The death goddess turned and looked at Cole with surprised eyes. His roar of pure fury echoed through the empty dance club. The rest of the mage’s companions stirred awake and slowly started rising. “What was that you said to your mistress, slave?” she mocked with a smile.

 

            The smile evaporated as Cole’s fist, crackling with energy, slammed into Lillith’s face, sending her flying across the room to slam into a wall, cracking it from base to ceiling. “You dare!” she hissed.

 

            Cole began walking slowly towards her, the rest of the vampires and mutants moving behind him. Kitty rushed over to him and took hold of his arm. Cole squeezed her hand, but continued to glare at Lillith. “You promised not to hurt her,” he growled, his voice having lost any trace of humanity.

 

            “You can’t hurt me,” the dark queen said, standing wobbly before getting her balance, “I am the queen of the underworld. I am immortal.”

 

            Cole’s entire body began to crackle and pulse with magickal energy. The intensity was so powerful that everyone had to step back several feet or be burned. The energies rippled along Cole’s form, outlining his every muscle, every vein. Kitty watched in awe as more magickal energy began pumping up from the floor into the young man, as though drawing power from the very planet itself. More and more magick dumped into the mage’s body, causing a corona of red, crackling energy to form around him. When Kitty looked back at Lillith, she saw something she could not believe.

 

            The goddess looked afraid. “You cannot destroy me,” she announced haughtily, but her voice did not have the strength to indicate she could back up her threats.

 

            “No,” Cole agreed, “I can’t. You’re part of the cycle of life and there’s nothing I can do about that. But there is something I can do.”

 

            “What?” Lillith barked.

 

            Suddenly, Cole’s eyes burst into black flames. The magickal energy that surrounded him suddenly went as black as death and filtered down into his arms, finally crackling violently in his palms. The young man drew his hands to his right side and curled his fingers, as though holding a tangible object. The black magickal energy suddenly roared to life, forming a pulsing and crackling energy in his hands. The power of it was so overwhelming everyone had to cover their eyes, including Lillith. “Go to Hell Lillith,” he roared, “And don't come back!

 

            Cole shot his hands forward and a wave of magickal energy blasted through Lillith and the five buildings behind her, leveling them where they stood. Dust plumed into the air, creating a mushroom cloud a mile wide. Kitty felt herself pulled to the ground by Priest as chunks of wood and concrete washed over them. She screamed as a large sliver of wood drove into her thigh. Priest instantly covered her up with his own body and held her gaze with his eyes. “Hang on,” he yelled into her ear, “I’ve got you.”

 

            “Cole!” she screamed back, “What about Cole?”

 

            Priest shook his head and shuddered as a chunk of concrete the size of a Volkswagen slammed into his back. The vampire only grunted and remained where he was, tossing the granite block away like a toy. Kitty looked around frantically, trying to catch some glimpse of the mage. Her eyes widened when she saw him standing in the midst of the urban typhoon, a shield of crackling energy around him, deflecting every piece of debris. Then, smoke enveloped them all and Kitty lost sight of him.

 

            The group waited for a few minutes as the dust settled and then slowly got to their feet. Priest expertly took the wooden spear from Kitty’s thigh, but she still screamed in pain. Yet the agony faded instantly when she saw Cole laying face down amongst the carnage of the five blocks around them. Hobbling over, Kitty fell to her knees beside him, more from a lack of strength than the desire to. “Cole,” she cried, “Cole are you okay?” She heard a weak moan and wept for joy. Carefully turning him over, she looked into his half open eyes, cupping his face with her hands. “Cole, don’t you die on me,” she ordered firmly as tears rolled down her cheeks, “You can’t die now that we knew how we feel about each other.”

 

            Cole smiled weakly and reached up to caress her cheek. “I’m not going to die Kitty,” he said, barely above a whisper, “I wouldn’t do that to...you...” His eyes closed and he fell limp in her arms.

 

            “Cole!” she screamed. Looking over her shoulder, she begged the others, “Someone, help him!”

 

            Priest was immediately on his feet and rushing over to the two, as was Wolverine. They crouched down next to the mage and Priest felt for a pulse. “He’s alive,” the vampire announced, “He’s just passed out. The strain was too much for him.”

 

            “Let’s get him to a hospital,” Wolverine said, picking up the unconscious young man.

 

            “No,” Priest said, “We’ll bring him to Elysium. Follow me.” Picking up Kitty, and then grabbing Ash by the unconscious Archon’s collar, he led the group through the remains of Dock 5 towards Elysium, the one safe haven Kitty knew existed in Chicago.