THE OMEGA MUTANT

Part IV: The Other Side

By Dino Pollard

Muir Isle

Kurt Darkholme looks at the man sitting before him with a mixture of shock and possibly even fear in his eyes. Kurt was once a member of a terrorist organization called the Brotherhood of Mutants, an organization run by his mother. The man who sits before him, Peter Rasputin—Colossus—was also a member of the same organization. In the middle of a battle with the X-Men, it was Kurt’s defection to the X-Men that was instrumental in the Brotherhood’s defeat—and Peter’s incarceration.

“Yes, it’s me, Kurt,” says Colossus. “You might as well come in.”

“I think I’d rather stay right here…” says Nightcrawler.

“Ah, you think I’m gonna try to kill you for betraying the Brotherhood, is that it?”

“…you might say that.”

Colossus sighs and stands to his full height—seven feet tall. The dim lighting shines off his armored skin and bald head. He slowly approaches Nightcrawler, who instinctively backs away.

“Honestly?” asks Colossus. “If I was in your position, I’d probably do the same.”

“…what?”

“The Brotherhood was going nowhere,” says Colossus. “If it wasn’t the X-Men, someone else would have gotten to us eventually.”

“So… you’re saying you’re not going to kill me?” asks Nightcrawler, confusion evident in his voice.

“That’s right,” replies Colossus.

“…I see,” says Nightcrawler.

“You don’t believe me,” says Colossus.

“No, not really,” says Nightcrawler.

Colossus’s fist lashes out and strikes Nightcrawler in the abdomen. He doubles over in pain, gasping for breath.

“Wh-what was that for?” asks Nightcrawler.

“For betraying the Brotherhood, dumbass,” replies Colossus. “I’m not going to kill you, but you didn’t think I wasn’t going to do anything to you, did you?”

“G-guess that would be hoping for too much, huh?” mutters Nightcrawler, still trying to catch his breath.

“Oh stop being such a pussy,” says Colossus. “I so pulled that punch.”

“You’re made of fucking steel…” mutters Nightcrawler. “Just… just gimme a minute…”

“Here, gimme your hand,” says Colossus, offering his hand to Nightcrawler. The X-Man reluctantly takes it, and allows his former teammate to help him up.

“Thanks,” says Nightcrawler. “…I think.”

“Word has it you joined the X-Men.”

“Yeah, I did,” replies Nightcrawler. “Rogue’s dead.”

“What?” asks Colossus. “What happened?”

“Long story,” replies Nightcrawler. “I don’t feel like going into the details right now.”

“So what brings you here?” asks Colossus.

“Came to destroy Black Air and liberate the mutants trapped inside,” replies Nightcrawler. “But someone called Proteus broke free and is causing trouble.”

“That what that was?” asks Colossus.

“What do you mean?” asks Nightcrawler.

“Something came by here, like some big glowing… thing,” replies Colossus. “I think it looked at me, but then it just kept moving. I thought I was seeing things.”

“And you’re still alive?” asks Nightcrawler.

“Obviously,” replies Colossus.

“Why didn’t he kill you, though?” asks Nightcrawler. “Something weird’s going on around here.”

London

“Caliban found newcomers,” says the large, chalk-white creature. “They like us, majesty.”

The woman this creature faces is dressed in leather, with short, black hair and an eyepatch covering one eye. The two of them are in the sewers beneath the streets of London, surrounded by others like them.

“Are you sure, Caliban?” she asks.

“Yes, Caliban sure,” replies the creature. “Caliban gets confused sometimes, but not about this. Caliban assure Callisto that he is right.”

“Go find them,” says Callisto. “Bring them here.”

“Caliban will do as he is told, mistress,” says Caliban.

“Not alone,” says Callisto. “Leech goes with you.”

Muir Isle

“I get the impression you’ve some dissension in your ranks,” says Pete Wisdom.

“Do we know each other?” asks Wolverine.

“Yeah… we met pretty recently,” replies Wisdom. “Don’t tell me you forgot already.”

“Nah, I know that,” says Wolverine. “I mean personally, do we know each other?”

“Not particularly…”

“Then why would I clue you in on what’s going on with my team?” asks Wolverine.

“I get the impression you don’t like me much,” says Wisdom. “Care to tell me why?”

“‘Cause I know guys like you,” says Wolverine. “The kinda guys who held me captive during most of my life—the part of my life I can actually remember, that is. Guys like you are the ones who had me imprisoned, who fucked with my memories, and who did this to my body.”

Three razor-sharp, adamantium claws extend from between Logan’s knuckles.

“I’m not Weapon X,” says Wisdom.

“No, yer Black Air,” says Wolverine. “The only real difference is the placement on the map an’ the government ya answer to.”

“You’ve got it wrong, mate,” says Wisdom. “Black Air is primarily a research facility. We help mutants here, and we imprison the ones who’ve broken laws.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” says Wolverine.

“Believe whatever you want,” says Wisdom. “Won’t change the fact that what I’m saying is the truth.”

“Hold up,” says Wolverine as he puts a hand to his ear. “Didn’t catch that, Summers—repeat.”

{{ I said I think we’re on the right track. Jean and I just stumbled on a bunch of mutilated bodies. }}

“Must be Proteus having some fun,” says Wisdom. “This is why Black Air exists, Logan. T’ contain mutants like Proteus.”

“Give it a rest,” says Wolverine. “For all we know, he could’ve gone nuts because of what was done to him here.”

“Americans…” mutters Wisdom.

“Keep yer eyes open, Summers,” says Wolverine. “An’ be careful.”

{{ Right, Cyclops out. }}

“We gonna keep moving?” asks Wisdom. “Or would you rather sit here and argue some more?”

“Tell me more about Proteus,” says Wolverine. “What can we use to stop him?”

“Dunno,” says Wisdom. “He’s been kept in isolation and under heavy sedation since the day his powers first manifested.”

“Why?” asks Wolverine.

“His father left him and his mother a few years earlier,” replies Wisdom. “His mother’s new boyfriend got into an argument with him. The boyfriend was drunk, and he flogged Proteus, who lashed out with his powers in retaliation. The boyfriend’s head was swallowed by his neck and ended up coming out his arse. The mother feared what her son would do, so she contacted the authorities, who in turn contacted Black Air. We took him while he was sleeping, and we’ve kept him under heavy sedation since then. He’s essentially been comatose for the past four years.”

“So you put this kid into a coma,” says Wolverine.

“We had no choice,” says Wisdom. “Someone with that kind of power, running amok, it’s not exactly good news. He represents everything mankind fears about mutants—raw, limitless power gone completely unchecked combined with one bad attitude.”

“Maybe you should’ve just put him outta his misery, then,” says Wolverine.

“If we knew how to, we would have,” says Wisdom. “With you lot here, maybe we’ll have better luck containing than we’ve had in the past.”

“Well well well…”

Wolverine and Wisdom instantly spin to the ready. They see a man walking towards them, dressed in a security uniform with his eyes glowing a bright green.

“How are yeh doing today?” asks the guard.

“Wisdom, I’m not picking up any scent from him,” says Wolverine. “As far as my nose is concerned, you an’ me are the only two people in here.”

“It’s not an illusion,” says Wisdom. “Proteus is invisible to all forms of detection save for the naked eye. While sedated, he had to be kept under constant surveillance by people looking directly at him.”

Proteus continues to walk forward, his hands clasped behind his back. He smiles slightly as he approaches his two pursuers.

“Why hello there, Mister Wisdom, delightful to see you again,” he says. He turns his gaze over to Logan. “And who might you be?”

“Your worst nightmare,” says Wolverine. He prepares to pounce on Proteus, but finds himself frozen in place. “What the…?”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” says Proteus. “Was the Clint Eastwood act supposed to frighten me?”

Wolverine feels his nerves explode with pain while his body becomes little more than a plaything to Proteus. He feels his claws being pulled from his hands, he feels his blood coming to the surface of his skin. Every single one of his limbs pulls, trying to escape from his body.

“Not so tough anymore, are we?” Proteus taunts. “Hmm… and what’s this? Ahh… you poor, insignificant man. The tough guy routine is a façade. Afraid to face our dark past, are we? You can put up a front with the others, James. But not with me. I can see through you. I know everything about you. I know your fears. I know your weaknesses. I know the things you have tried to forget.”

Wolverine grunts in pain, and he clamps his eyes shut as water begins to well up in them.

“So many dark memories, so little time to make you relive them properly,” says Proteus. “Perhaps I’ll just have you relive all of them at once.”

“ARGH!!” exclaims Wolverine. His mind is in flames as the painful memories he has sought to repress burn inside of him. Brought to the forefront of his mind’s eye.

“Back!” exclaims Wisdom. He lifts his gun, and Proteus simply glares at him with glowing eyes and the gun erodes away into a fine, black dust.

“Come now, Wisdom, I’m not an idiot,” says Proteus.

Wisdom extends his hand, his fingers tensing up.

“I’m warning you, boy—let him go.”

“Or what?” asks Proteus.

“Or this,” replies Wisdom. His fingers begin glowing a bright reddish orange and they extend into bladelike shapes. He points his fingers at Proteus, and the blades extend even further, impaling the mutant’s host body. Proteus releases Logan in shock, his host body now damaged and quickly being burned out by his essence. Proteus’ energy form steps out from the body. Before he moves towards Wisdom, Wolverine leaps at him and slashes at him with his claws. Proteus cries out in pain and recoils. He raises his arms and the ground rises up to create a wall that separates him from Wisdom and Wolverine.

“You okay?” asks Wisdom.

“I’m fine,” replies Wolverine. “That trick… you’re a mutant?”

“Guilty as charged,” says Wisdom. “Now do you trust me?”

“Nope,” says Wolverine. “I knew a few mutants who worked for Weapon X of their own will.”

“Did you see that?” asks Wisdom.

“What, the way he manipulated everything around us?”

“No,” says Wisdom. “He pulled away. Your claws hurt him.”

London

“So mission accomplished, right Hank?” asks Dazzler.

“You would think so,” replies Beast. “Except I’ve lost contact with the psychics back in Avalon.”

“Wait, what do you mean you lost contact?” asks John.

“We came here through a portal, and the person who created that portal is back at our home base,” replies Beast. “We’ve been linked to him through psychics, and that’s also how we found you. But now, I can’t seem to get a connection with them.”

“You can thank Leech for that.”

Beast, Dazzler, and John slowly turn and find a tall, lanky man with green skin and straggly hair approaching them. His skeleton is distorted, and his skull is unproportional compared to the rest of his body. By his side is a large, albeit somewhat stocky, creature with chalk-white skin.

“Look Leech, Caliban find them!” says the white creature. “Caliban did good!”

“Yes, you did,” says the lanky man named Leech. “You three must come with us.”

“Just a tick, who are you?” asks John.

“Leech and Caliban at your service,” replies Leech. “We Morlocks.”

“No thanks, we’ll just be on our way,” says John.

“No dissent,” says Leech. “You come with us. Majesty’s orders.”

“Somehow I doubt you’re working for the queen,” says Beast.

“Human queen, no,” says Leech. “Morlock queen, yes.”

“We’re not going to meet any queen, period,” says Beast. He steps up to Leech and looks up into the mutants blank, yellow eyes. “Do we understand each other?”

Leech looks up for a moment and taps a long finger against his chin, apparently in deep thought. He then looks down at Beast and places his hand on the X-Man’s shoulder.

“Yes,” says Leech. Beast groans as he feels his body begin to grow weak. His legs give out from under him and he collapses to the ground. “Understand that you come with Leech.”

“Get back!” exclaims Dazzler. She lifts her hands and attempts to generate a light burst, yet nothing happens. John sparks his lighter, but the flame makes no movement.

“Bollocks…” he mutters. Leech smiles. Caliban lurches forward and slams his massive fist across John’s jaw. Dazzler watches this and slowly backs away from the two odd mutants. She turns and starts to run from them. As she runs towards the end of the tunnel, she notices a black, oily substance dripping down. This substance quickly expands and seals off her exit. A face appears within the tar and she cries out in shock. A hand reaches out and wraps around her mouth. She begins to feel weak once Leech’s hand rests on her shoulder.

“Good, Tarbaby,” says Leech. “Bring them, Caliban. Callisto waits.”

Muir Isle

“Hey Mags,” says Thunderbird. “Y’know what just occurred to me?”

“My name is Magneto, Thunderbird,” he says. “And what?”

“Well… you saved my life in Alaska when the M-Squad had me dead to rights,” replies Thunderbird. “And… I dunno, I guess I was in shock at the time. But what I realized is that I never said thanks. So… thanks. Oh, and I’m sorry I tried to knock your head off in New York.”

“Preserving the life of a fellow mutant is not something I require thanks for,” says Magneto. “And apology accepted.”

“Guess we were both being manipulated back then, huh?” asks Thunderbird.

“Trust me, it’s something that won’t happen again,” says Magneto. “The Shadow King caught me unawares at a weak moment.”

“At least now he’s gone,” says Thunderbird.

“One can only hope,” says Magneto.

“You really think this Proteus is as dangerous as they say?” asks Thunderbird.

“Black Air may be many things, but I don’t believe them to exaggerate the power levels of one of their captives,” replies Magneto. “Needless to say, once we defeat Proteus, we free all the mutants imprisoned here and then we destroy the facility.”

“Okay…” says Thunderbird. “I’m gonna go scout ahead.”

He breaks into a run at superhuman speed, rushing past Magneto and around the corner. Magneto hovers above the ground and follows him. He turns the corner and sees Thunderbird standing there with shock in his eyes.

“I think we’ve got a problem…” he mutters.

“Apparently so,” says Magneto.

Before the two is a large hole leading to the outside world.

Scotland

“The polls are looking good, Joe,” says a man with short, black hair.

“Aye,” says Joe. His hair is black, with white streaks at the temples. “Soon, yeh’ll be seein’ a new member of Parliament.”

“The family man campaign has paid off big,” says his aide. “We’ll keep it up. I think an interview in yuir home with the wife and kiddies will seal the deal.”

“Schedule it,” says Joe.

“Beg yuir pardon, sir.”

Joe and the aide both look and see a woman standing in the doorway.

“What is it, Anne?” asks Joe.

“Yuir wife is on the phone,” replies Anne.

Joe smiles at his aide.

“Well, I suppose there’s no time like th’ present t’ clear it with the missus, eh?”

Joe walks past Anne and pats her on the arm as he does. He enters the next room and picks up the phone.

“Hullo,” he says. The smile on his face quickly fades when he hears the voice on the other end of the line. “I thought I made myself clear during our last conversation—yuir not t’ call me, understand? Wait… what did you say?”

Muir Isle

“Blast it Joe, have yeh completely lost it?” asks Moira. “It’s Kevin. He’s escaped. Our son is loose.”

“Your son, huh?”

Moira spins and sees Cyclops and Phoenix standing behind her. Phoenix steps forward and looks Moira directly in the eye. Moira simply stares into the flames that dance in the young redhead’s eyes.

“I think it’s time we had a little chat, Doctor MacTaggert,” says Phoenix.