X-Men 2099 #11

Set after the death of Captain America and Uatu the Watcher, X-Men 2099 carries on the tradition of a band of mutants trying to make a life for themselves in a world that doesn't fear or hate them, but are wary all the same. Working in the Savage Land to build a civilisation where man and mutant live in peace, the X-Men have redefined themselves as trouble-shooters, fixing problems when and wherever they arrive. If only it were that easy…


Issue #11

"Psions and Sorcerers "
Heir War, Part 4
by David Wheatley

Once known as the Desert Ghost, Xi'an Chi Xan is the former leader of the X-Men, now Head of the Xavier City Council. A man who works to keep the dream of Professor X alive, his mutant ability to touch something and heal with one hand or destroy with the other, added to his keen intellect and devotion to mutantkind, make him a force to be reckoned with.

Xi'an Chi Xan

Formerly known as Cerebra, the founder of X-Nation and driving force of the X-Men, now member of the Xavier City Council, Shakti's nervous system had been destroyed and her powers seemingly with them. Her nervous system has now been repaired by her father, the geneticist, Zail Haddad, but her powers are still gone and she has also been revealed to be pregnant.
Shakti Haddad

The human link in the Xavier City Council, Victor Ten Eagles is the voice of humanity in Xavier City. A master tech-smith, he sports a bionic arm of his own design, and is one of the few people who knew Xi'an in the old days, riding with him as a member of the Lawless.
Victor Ten Eagles

Formerly a member of Doom's cabinet, now a Council member in Xavier City, Morphine has the power to rapidly age whatever he touches. Bearing a striking resemblance to Gambit, and a name closely linked with Cyclops, Morphine is a wild card, whose game plan works out to the benefit of one man - himself.
Morphine Somers

Edward 'Eddie' Van Beethoven is the powerhouse of the X-Men thanks to his ferromorphic abilities. Once trapped in his metallic form, he has only recently regained the ability to return to normal.
Metalhead

The fastest man alive, leaving a blur behind him as he uses his power, Henri Huang went missing before the Phalanx War, somehow returning in time for the expedition of Earth's heroes in to space to breach the barrier surrounding the planet. How he returned and where he was remains a mystery.
Meanstreak

The ability to form crystals out of thin air, to her own requirements, makes Krystalin Porter a vital member of the X-Men, though not as dedicated to the cause as some of her friends, she is one of the original founders of the X-Men of 2099, joining at the same time as Meanstreak, her best friend.
Krystaline

Almost feral, Luna is the least trusted of the X-Men despite having proved herself many times. Possessing vast strength, dense skin and the ability to feed of the emotional pain of others via touch, she has begun to hunger for emotion more now that she has lost the love of her life, Tim Fitzgerald.
La Lunatica

Tim Fitzgerald was Xi'an's last recruit into his band of X-Men. Possessed of the ability to absorb electrical energy and rechannel it in vast quantities, Tim was recently freed from corporeal form as he mutated into a being of pure energy, able to give himself form and mass. Formerly field leader of the X-Men, Tim has been missing since they arrived in the Savage Land.
Skullfire

Bloodhawk: A long-time ally of the X-Men, though reluctant to become a member, Bloodhawk uses his ability to fly and his fearful reptilian appearance to full advantage as a self-styled protector of the Earth and guardian of Nature.
Bloodhawk

Junkpile: Former member of the X-Men, Junkpile originally betrayed the team, killing Serpentina in the process. Junkpile possesses the mutant ability to rebuild his body from whatever mechanical parts are available. A member of S.H.I.E.L.D. under Doom's brief Presidency of America, Junkpile was sent to capture Brimstone Love, leader of the Theatre of Pain. He went missing after the X-Men's showdown with the Theatre.
Junkpile

A powerful psion with a life span of 150 years, he is a man who needs forgiveness from all those who have worn and now wear the X... including himself.
Dust

Long-time foe of both the X-Men and Ka-Zar, Garokk is the former self-styled Sun God of the Savage Land. Reawakened in the year 2099 by the young Strange, Garokk defeated her in mystical combat and usurped the title of Sorcerer Supreme. He uses his new found powers to plot the destruction of the X-Men of 2099 and all they stand for.
Garokk

Bennet du Paris was a Knight of the Crusades, until he stumbled cross the temple of Apocalypse and was transformed to Exodus, a being of great power. Formerly an Acolyte of Magneto, he has survived the passage of time to re-establish the cause of both his former masters.
Exodus

Trans-temporal duplicates of the original Fantastic Four, they were created by the Watcher to bring peace to the planet, and to further the manifest destiny of humanity. Led by Reed Richards (pictured), the FF of 2099 are exact duplicates of the originals.
The Fantastic Four

The original Spider-Man of 2099, Miguel is the current wielder of the hammer of Thor, Mjolnir, which was given to him by Captain America before his death in space. He can lift it but not access its other powers, but it signifies his status as leader of the free world.
Miguel O'Hara Guardians of Latveria, X-Nation have had their share of tragedy and failure and are trying to face the future whilst accepting the past.
X-Nation
'Their Oath shall drive them, and yet betray them, and ever snatch away the very treasures that they have sworn to pursue.' - J R R Tolkien, The Silmarillion

"Death to the infidels!" echoed the cry as the Fantastic Four found themselves surrounded by hoard of Atlantean warriors.

"Flame on," snarled Torch as the minor racist feelings of his predecessor found themselves coming to the fore *, forced up by the psionic bubble that surrounded the Earth.

* (As seen in Fantastic Four Versus X-Men - David)

The Fantastic Four and the X-Men had clashed in the 20th Century and even though they were in the 22nd some things didn't change. Mutants, Atlanteans, whatever, the FF would take them all. Or so he thought.

"Torch!" called Reed as he saw what was happening, and Sue used her force field to keep the Atlanteans at bay.

"What're you doing?" shouted Torch. "We can take those filthy..."

"Think very carefully before you speak," said Ben interrupting him. "We're supposed to be here on a peace mission, not starting another war."

"But they..." said Johnny, staring him down.

"Are under the influence of Exodus," said Reed. "As are you."

"Bastard muties, first they ban us from Xavier City *, then..." It was obvious to the others that Torch was barely in control. Reed nodded sadly to Ben who then punched his teammate out. Johnny Storm fell to the floor and Reed stretched out and caught him to stop him from being hurt. This wasn't his fault.

* (In X-Men 2099 #7 - David)

"Well this is a revoltin' situation," said Ben Grimm. "What do we do, Stretch?"

"I'm working on it, Ben. However I suspect that the only people who can help us now are the X-Men."

"There can be no harmony, there can be no peace, there can be only one!" His eye blasts fired at the statue of Charles Xavier and shattered it in to pieces.

"I couldn't have said it better myself," said Garokk, who had been waiting for the right moment to reveal himself. "Time to die, Exodus."

"How did you get in here?" demanded the Emperor.

"I am Sorcerer Supreme and I go where I like!" retorted Garokk. "Your time is drawing to a close, Bennet du Paris." He cast a binding spell, holding the X-Men in place, whilst leaving his own people free. "Not even the scion of Apocalypse can defeat the powers of the universe!"

"Braggart! You over-estimate your power and your importance," cried Exodus, casting forth a psionic blast, which Garokk dispersed around him.

"Is that all you have, Exodus?"

"No," sneered his enemy. "I will show you I am so much more."

"Really?" said Garokk as Meanstreak hurtled forward, his powers having been restored by Morphine. He punched Exodus in the jaw and sent him to the floor. "Then how did he get past you? Taking over the world is taxing you, keeping control of the X-Men is taxing you, and you don't have much left. It's been a long time since you were in your prime. Time to bow out like the rest of your kind."

"Fool!" laughed Exodus. "Your binding spell means I no longer need these so-called X-Men. I am in charge of Xavier City, their computers are locked down, and your spell has them trapped. I am very familiar with the power of the Cytorrak!"

The X-Men sagged as Exodus freed them from this thrall and he then turned to Garokk, who smiled.

"Predictable," he said and cast a spell, taking them from the Council chambers down to Lenhsherr Memorial Park.

"Really?" said Exodus, and began to convert the park in to an arena, ripping up the flora, fauna and other objects. Their molecular structure began to twist and bend via telekinetically and making them in to a series of ornaments depicting the various Acolytes and at the head of them all stood Magneto himself, made from the shattered remains of the Xavier statue. "Begin the beguine."

In Latveria, Nostromo looked out on his kingdom, disturbed at the state of the world but reassured that Latveria was safe. For a moment he had been worried that the people would turn against him and the rest of X-Nation, but the people of Latveria were no strangers to persecution in their history. They did not have it in them to repeat the mistakes of their enemies, or to defy the will of Victor Von Doom.

Doom had named Nostromo his heir and aside from the incident with the Theatre of Pain, * he was doing a fine job. However for all he had been through, he was still inexperienced with such matters as the crisis that they were now facing.

* (See X-Men 2099 #5 - David)

"I don't know what to do," he said to himself, standing and looking at the night sky. Friendship cried for vengeance against Exodus for Clarion *. Responsibility told him to stay here, for whilst there was no infighting, the outside world would see Latveria as a prime target after Xavier City. Honour demanded a resolution to the problem.

* (A member of X-Nation killed by Exodus in X-Nation #7 - David)

"What does your heart tell you?" asked December as she stood behind him. Nostromo turned and looked at her.

"How long have you been there?" he asked.

"Does it matter?" she answered. "Nos, things aren't the same as they were when we lost Clarion. The Phalanx changed all that. You rule a country, you can't abandon your duties for revenge."

"But Clarion..."

"He wouldn't want you to take on Exodus. You saw how easily he despatched him, and now how he's taken Xavier City. The X-Men couldn't stand against him, so how could you? How could we?"

"I know," said Nos, looking down at Latveria's sleeping capital city of Doomstadt. "It's just... hard."

"I understand, but remember - the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few," said December, putting her arm around him.

"Or the one," said Nostromo and he felt December wilt a bit as she stood next to him and he looked at her. "You okay?"

"Nos?" she asked, blinking at him. "What am I doing here?" Nostromo looked at her a second. She seemed genuinely confused.

"Helping," he answered and wondered what was going on in the Savage Land.

Shakti ran blindly through the jungles of the Savage Land, using the fear in her heart to ignore the bliss with which she achieved with movement. The only reason she was able to run was due to the psionic child growing within her.

Xi'an had fallen, the X-Men had fallen and Exodus' psionic proclamation meant that Morphine and Meanstreak had fallen as well. There was only Shakti left of the X-Men, alone and powerless.

"But not helpless," she said, coming to a halt. "Not anymore." Death had restored her faith in herself, and she knew she had much to live for, much to do, and much to achieve. Exodus would not, could not be allowed to ruin everything after all they had been through.

She had seen that the universe did have a sense of justice in the end. It may have needed to be pushed to its limits but there was an underlying natural order to things. This would be the challenge she needed to push herself, to prove herself as a worthy member of the team, not some helpless cripple. She was Cerbra of the X-Men and she had work to do.

However her defiance towards the fates were only momentary as she realised she was lost within the Savage Land. The jungle looked the same as she turned and she could not tell in which direction she had come in.

"Jammit," she cursed under her breath, as she looked skywards for a sign. Her commitment, her courage, her fighting skills - they were all worth nothing if she couldn't find her way out of the jungles and back to Xavier City. "For God's sake, give me something!" she shouted in sudden frustration.

The trees rustled and a flock of creatures flew overhead. Shakti stood deadly still for a moment. Anything could have disturbed them - a dinosaur, her shout, someone coming her way. After the creatures and flown by screeching she listened to the quiet. There had been something in the midst of it, something that didn't belong in the middle of the jungle.

It had sounded like something she had heard before at Stark/Fujikawa, but she couldn't place it. However with the problems they were having with S/F, it made sense to investigate. She crept through the jungle, taking care to be silent with her moves. It was a test to see how limber her body was after the long period of immobility.

As far as she could tell she was as silent as possible, however she was ready for something, as she knew she wasn't as good as she had been.

But she wasn't prepared for someone to catch her unawares as a hand was placed over her mouth and she was yanked back by someone with far superior strength than she possessed.

Yet she wouldn't go down without making a fight of it.

In the council chambers, Xi'an was shaking off the after effects of his possession by Exodus. He had confidence in the way things were going, of how they would turn out. They had taken worse than this, and Exodus was not as all-powerful as he had claimed.

He had needed the aid of Junkpile to keep control of him, and he had not been able to influence Shakti, either. Then there was Morphine and Meanstreak who had caught him unawares. Yes, Exodus was not the real problem. Garokk was.

"I can't get loose," said Tim, shifting his mass as he tried to free himself from the mystic bonds that trapped him, however they moulded themselves to his state and even trapped him in an ethereal state.

"Keep trying," said Xi'an as he looked to the others. Victor was silent and motionless. His humiliation had been all the more worse for he was reminded that for all his presence and commanding nature, he was still all too human. However he did note that Krystal was holding his hand, showing a tenderness between the two of them that he hadn't seen before.

He refrained from smiling, knowing that since his own awakening to his feelings towards Shakti, he had become much more aware of the happiness and love of others, as well as a deeper understanding of himself. It was something special, and he gave a small sigh.

"Xi'an," said Eddie. "Any joy with your powers?"

"Not yet," said Xi'an, as he tried to work himself free. There was a sparking as his powers of molecular disintegration went to work on the bonds that trapped him. They were having an effect, but it was nothing that was currently noticeable.

"I got an idea," said Junkpile, suddenly. "You change to your bestial form, meat?" Bloodhawk scowled at him, but nodded. He didn't speak, because it would not be conducive to the situation. He pushed himself, wondering if the bonds would be as adaptable to him as they were being with Tim.

If they were not, his wings would be ripped to shreds and he would be in a world of pain he had never experienced so far. It was a risk, but he could see what Junkpile was working towards. The bands flexed, and strained and eventually adapted, as the pale skinned human became the hard, red gravely skin of Bloodhawk. His wings grew instantly from his back, and the bands adapted, growing with them, however the council room was small, and Junkpile was shoved through a window as the space became rather cramped.

The X-Men were scattered across the room, and Krystal could see down to the floor below. Junkpile had hit the ground hard and some of his limbs had broken off. However the bonds were in disary as they tried to figure out which part of him to bind next.

"The amount of pain he must be in," said Krys as she watched him pick himself up as the bands were in a state of flux. She could see the strain, watched him shake as he held on to his powers, trying not to reclaim the fallen pieces and instead grab other pieces from around the place. The control he was exercising was so that he could take a shot at the people who had abused him.

"Operating on pure mean," said Xi'an then stopped as he heard a solitary round of applause. "Morphine," he said without looking.

"My master doesn't want you to interfere," said Morphine. "So there's only one thing for it." His hand began to glow as he powered up the aging propeties within it and walked towards Xi'an. "It's about time someone did this," he said.

Miguel O'Hara looked down from Alchemax, watching the populace below. New York had become a war zone, all in the name of racism.

"What the hell's the point of such intolerance?" he asked of himself as it began to rain, and he wondered if he'd done that. Mjolnir was constantly at his side in the form of the staff he carried, and he knew all he had to do was slam it down and transform in to the hammer of legend.

However he knew that it was impossible for him to activate the mighty powers within it and he only benefited from the side effects. The words of Exodus had no sway over him whilst he held Mjolnir, so he could think clearly and rationally.

There had been no contact with Atlantis so he couldn't use the wisdom of Reed Richards, though he had just spoken with Nostromo in Latveria, and they were ready for the worst. He was about to speak to Xina, when he remembered she wasn't there anymore. She'd left him a while back, and though he'd had tried to get her back, he had failed.

They had been married not long after the Phalanx War, but her heart still belonged to Doom. One day she realised that it was so and she had left him and he hadn't heard from her since. * It hurt, but he'd survive. He had survived worse.

* (As revealed in : 22nd Century #2 - David)

"You've never seen anything like this?" said his brother Gabe, suddenly entering.

"Gabe?" asked Miguel. He hadn't seen him for a while. "What are you doing here?"

"Came to see my brother. See how he's holding up. It's bad out there, isn't it?"

"You have no idea, and there's nothing I can do. While the people are under the hold of Exodus I can't reach them. I'm speaking but they can't hear me."

"And you're feeling despondent?"

"Yes," said Miguel. "The last time I spoke to someone who was unable to hear me, I got hurt."

"Yes I... heard about Xina," he said.

"It's probably for the best," philosophised Miguel. "It's just I get so very lonely. Last night I dreamt of her. We talked for ages and it ended with her putting her arms around me. I realised then it could only be a dream and I woke up."

"I know what it's like to be lonely," said Gabe, looking at the rain. "However your loneliness comes from being at the top. You have to look at the bigger picture and details such as Xina can become too small to see. I know you are strong. I know your shoulders are broad enough to bear the burden. All great leaders do."

"Thanks, Gabe," said Miguel, feeling better. "Do you think the X-Men can handle things?"

"I don't doubt it," said Gabe. "The X-Men have always been notoriously difficult to defeat and almost uncanny in their escapes from the bleakest of fates." Then there was a crack of thunder and Miguel turned in spite of himself. When he turned back Gabe was gone.

"Gabe?" he called but there was no answer and he called security.

"I'm sorry, sir," came the reply, "your brother's not been past us," leaving Miguel very puzzled.

More relaxed, but most definitely puzzled.

Shakti was prepared to defend herself but was unprepared to be caught in a bear hug.

"You're alright!" echoed a familiar cry.

"Luna?" asked Shakti when she looked at the other person. "What happened to you?"

"A long story," she said, almost at a whisper. "I'm not sure I'd be welcome back with the X-Men, but I saw Tim. He's alive." Her joy was radiant. "But what about you? How are you?"

"Not totally healed," said Shakti. "I don't have my powers but I can walk again and that's all that matters."

"But I saw you dead," said Luna, puzzled. "It was part of the memories from... Rosa." She stopped and looked down, her joy fading rapidly.

"Don't worry about that, the X-Men are in trouble. Exodus has them," started Shakti and brought Luna up to speed. "I'm the last of the X-Men."

"No," said Shakti. "We are. I know this jungle like the back of my hand. Follow me."

In the wastes of Antarctica, in a still and lonely citadel, the X-Man known as Dust stood up and looked around. The voice in his mind still rang from his fever dream. Exodus had almost ruined him, but he knew that was not the real problem now.

"I reckon it's time the X-Men got it together," he said and pushed out with his psionics, using his protect himself from the elements outside.

Soon it would be his turn.

Exodus and Garokk were fighting each other tooth and nail. Garokk was casting spells, which Exodus was sensing at the last minute, and using whatever he could to throw his enemy's concentration to stop Exodus from using his powers.

Exodus however was using the mass energies within him to defend himself. Mystical bonds were held at bay by telekinesis, illusions were seen through and direct assaults were avoided by a combination of his telepathy and telekinesis. He was also drawing on the violent impulses that were overflowing in the city as human versus mutant, mutant versus mutant, human versus human all came, the raw power of the astral plane flowing in to him.

He was Exodus; he would not be stopped.

The powers of infinite magic were pitted against the might of Celestial technology and thus far were a stalemate, with neither gaining a significant advantage over the other. However both sides sensed victory was within their grasp - all it would take was one whim of fate.

Garokk smiled as he watched the events in the council chambers through the eyes of his Reavers and he knew that Junkpile was coming for Exodus and he quickly twisted his hands, casting a spell that created a breach in the arena Exodus had created.

So intent on the fight was Exodus and so cunning was his opponent, Bennet du Paris never saw Junkpile, never sensed him coming up behind him and pounding the man with his gigantic metal fists, a loud crack coming as the blow connected.

"Owed you one, meat," he said as Exodus came crashing to the floor, badly injured - he had never been very good in close physical confrontations. Garokk seized on the opportunity by casting a spell over Exodus, who screamed as he felt the lights surround him, and could do nothing to resist, so great was the damage to his back. Then he fell silent, the energies that flowed from his eyes faded to a trickle and eventually died away.

"Now who's the fool?" said Garokk, kicking Exodus in the chest.

"What did you do to him?" asked Junkpile.

"I showed him his own private heaven then sent him to my own version of hell. He couldn't take the change. Do you count yourself as one of the X-Men?"

"Nah," said Junkpile. "This was revenge pure and simple."

"Then you shall not share their fate. It is time for the dream of Charles Xavier to end - once and for all."

"Really?" said a voice, and Garokk turned to see Morphine standing with the X-Men. "Then I guess we have a problem."

"Somers?" cried Garokk. "But how?"

"Guess even the Sorcerer Supreme has his off days. Now Xavier's dream is my city, and I only let Exodus have so you could beat him." Garokk began to glower with the rage he felt at such impudence.

"How dare you?" he started, his hands glowing with power. "The children of Xavier will fall at my hand."

"Except these aren't the children of Xavier," said Morphine. "They're the children of Xi'an." He lit a cigarette and his eyes narrowed in anticipation at what was to come. "Now it's our turn."

In X-Men 2099 #12: The double sized spectacular conclusion to Heir War as the X-Men take on Sorcerer Supreme, with an assist by old ally. And don't count Exodus out either. This is the big one, ladies and gentlemen.

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