Subject: Onslaught: Redemption Chapter Eight Part Two by Swp. Date: Mon, 21 Apr 97 21:47:43 +0000 From: Swpwarrior@aol.com Onslaught: Redemption Chapter Eight Part Two 3. "Many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14) Narrative: The edge of Earth's atmosphere. {Panel opens with a spectacular shot of the crescent shaped {departing sun above Earth's atmosphere, reflecting brightly {against the red Earth, dark space behind it. Emerging from the {bright sunlight is a huge nuclear missile re-entering Earth's {atmosphere, then joined by a squadron of F-15 fighters.} {Panel focuses on a pilot within the Earth's atmosphere, dark {red energy reflects against the glass, as the fighters plunge {with the missile into the darkness of the night.} First Pilot: ...FZZT... Relay... FZZT... President... FZZT... Bird has re-entered air-space... FZZT... Intercept target... FZZT... nine minutes... FZZT... Second Pilot: ...FZZT... Copy... FZZT... Checking for hostiles... FZZT... Switching frequencies... FZZT... First Pilot: ...FZZT... bother... FZZT... Picking up visual... FZZT... Four O' Clock... FZZT... {Panel pulls wide with approaching squads of Sentinels rising {through the clouds, arms at their sides, chest-implanted spot-lights {shining bright, beneath them. The fighters approach.} Second Pilot: ...FZZT... Lock and load, gentlemen... FZZT... Narrative: Washington, D.C. The most powerful men on Earth now stand helpless in the face of their planet's own destruction. {Panel turns with a shot of a static-filled TV screen image {of a haggard Army technician standing away from the huge {computer mainframe beneath the Pentagon, where more {technicians are trying desperately to reverse the Sentinels {programming.} Technician: ...Running out of time, Sir... BZZT... Seven minutes before the mainframe blows... BZZT... Nothing's worked... BZZT... Keep getting... BZZT... something about "Shiva"... BZZT... Can't make anything of it... BZZT... back-door code?... BZZT... {Panel pulls away from the screen still in view in the foreground, {as the General turns to the President, standing before it.} President: Is "Shiva" a military code, General? General: My security clearance is second only to yours, Mr. President.... If Shiva represents some sort of access code, it's not one that's been in use recently and it's not one that I'm aware of. {The General and the President turn to Major Barrington {who still sits calmly at the command table.} President: Major Barrington? Does "Shiva" mean anything to you? Barrington: No, Sir. Nothing at all. {The President's Aide, Al approaches and whispers into {the ear of the President from behind as the screen image {reverts to the wild battle in New York.} President's Aide (Al): Mr. President... We've lost contact with Colonel Eastman's troops in the Allegheny’s. They were...annihilated, Sir. The Sentinels will be here in minutes. Sir...there is still time for you to evacuate. {The President continues to stare at the screen as he says {over his shoulder to his Aide, on an adjacent screen a huge {electronic diagram of the United States marks the dozens of {cities under Sentinel control.} President: Evacuate to where, Al? Narrative: Central Park. A man who has lost everything hears a familiar call for vengeance. {Panel switches back to Central Park. Quicksilver streaks {toward the rock formation at the center of Central Park where {Onslaught stands, mid-air, psionic energy continuing to gather {in a massive storming, circular pattern from the tear in reality {above New York.} {Panel shows Quicksilver running at an upward angle through {the air toward Onslaught, then coming to a sudden and violent {halt as he rams into a psionic barrier -- WHADAM!!!} Onslaught: Come now, Pietro. I have no wish to harm you. Like your father, you must realize this is all for the best. {Panel shows Quicksilver reeling in pain on the rocks, bruised {and bloodied forehead, trying to lift himself up staring ahead to {Onslaught.} Quicksilver: ...Nnn... Y-You are... a murderer... Nnn... nothing more... and by... my last breath... Nnn... you will suffer for what you have done... {Onslaught merely glances at Quicksilver and unleashes a mild {psionic burst -- SHOOM!!! -- which breaks Quicksilver's leg -- {ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!} Onslaught: My suffering is over, Pietro. I am a god, now. And no one will ever hurt me, again. Narrative: A nearby high-rise. {Rogue struggles to recover from a series of blows from a pursuing {Sentinel. She tries to pull herself up from the smoldering wreckage {of a high-rise floor, as the Sentinel approaches, raising its hand {to blast her.} Sentinel: Mutant target designate; Rogue. This unit's power set to maximum level. Termination imminent. {Suddenly the Sentinel's chest explodes outward from a {massive blast -- THOOOM!!! -- from behind -- BUDHOOM!!!} {The Sentinel collapses to its knees as it cries out -- {SQQUUUAAARRRKKK!!! -- as Post moves from behind it, his {swivel canon still smoking from the blast and now trained on {Rogue.} Post: You have suffered, Rogue. You have been chosen. Don't make me kill you. {Rogue stumbles forward, ashen-face, holding her arm.} Rogue: ...Okay, sugah... Let's see what ya got. Narrative: Inside the Park. {Panel shifts to Captain America running along an embankment {of the Park, closely above him, Cannonball rockets forward {absorbing multiple blasts from pursuing Sentinels among the trees {-- FFFZZZAAAMMM!!! FFFZZZAAAMMM!!! FFFZZZAAAMMM!!! {-- FWABOOM!!! -- Nate Grey, Iron Man, and Human Torch close in, {Onslaught and the rock formation in sight.} Cannonball: Ah got ya covered, sir! Narrative: Nearby. {Panel shifts to Hawkeye stumbling toward a statue along a {walkway of the Park, clinging desperately to an unconscious {Black Widow, finally collapsing over from the exhaustion and {fire, laying out Natasha beside the statute's base for cover -- {BADOOM!!!} Hawkeye: Come on, baby! Don't quit on me! {Hawkeye tears open the collar of Natasha’s costume and begins {to frantically administer CPR trying to revive her. Then her image {gives way to what Hawkeye is seeing; his dead wife Mockingbird. [7]} Hawkeye: Please! Don't do this to me, again! Narrative: Overhead. {Panel shifts again to Storm soaring majestically in the air, {furious, dark wind now clearly visible circling her in a pattern, {Iceman departing toward the other heroes beneath her amid {frozen air. Lightning begins to break through the psionic energy {-- KRAKOOM!!! KRAKOOM!!!} Storm: Now, Robert! Join the others! Iceman: It's all yours, Storm! {Then panel turns wide, full-page spread of a huge, 100 yard {across cumulus tornado raging in the middle of Central Park. {Several bolts of lightning break through the red psionic blanket {covering the sky -- KRAKOOM!!! KRAKOOM!!! KRAKOOM!!! {-- surrounding the tornado, dwarfing the skyline.} Narrative: The Morlock Tunnels. Decades old wounds have been re-opened...never to heal. {Panel switches to the Invisible Woman and Franklin and {Sabretooth and Wolverine making their way quickly down {the dark Morlock Tunnels. Franklin talks excitedly, while {there is tense silence between Wolverine and Sabretooth {walking further behind them, broken finally by Logan.} Wolverine: You think you're a hero now, Creed? You think this changes anything? {Sabretooth looks back with cold eyes.} Sabretooth: You sure you wanna do this now, boy? {Wolverine angrily grabs Sabretooth, pushing him, an intense {personal look in his eyes.} Wolverine: You think 'cause you saved that kid, we're all gonna forget what you done?! This don't change nuthin', Creed! Nuthin'! I ain't never gonna forget what you did! {Sabretooth pushes back, a serious tone in response.} Sabretooth: I did what I had to! You know that! {Wolverine grabs tighter, menacingly, yet pained.} Wolverine: You were my friend! You quit on me! On all of us! Sabretooth: I did what I had to, to survive! You woulda done the same! Wolverine: That's a lie an' you know it! You know what you did, Creed! Things ain't never gonna be square between us! You hear me?! Never! {Sabretooth throws Wolverine aside, then keeps walking as Jean {and Scott come into panel.} Sabretooth: I hear you, boy... You know what I woke up to... Things ain't never gonna be square with me...and anybody. Narrative: The high-rise. {Panel shifts back to the high-rise where Rogue is blasted {-- THOOM!!! -- through another wall in wide panel -- NNNHHH!!!} {Rogue disappears from view through the dust and smoke and {debris. Post walks forward cautiously, cannon-trained searching {for her.} Post: It does not have to end this way, Rogue. The Professor can wipe away your past in one glorious act. You will be clean and pure once again. {Post moves around a corner, ready to strike.} Post: You know that is the only way he will ever love you. That's what you've always wanted, isn't it? To be loved? Certainly you understand that is now impossible without Onslaught. {Panel focuses on the beaten Rogue, eyes opened, pained, {near tears hiding away, trying to rise from the debris. Post's {psionic projections narrating the panel.} Post: Lebeau knows the truth, Rogue... He will never love you now... He can't. He will never see past your shame. You have lost him. You have lost everything. {Rogue steps forward from the shadows, head down, beaten.} Post: You have nothing left to fight for. You are one of us. {Rogue's head raises, rage in her eyes.} Rogue: Wrong. {Rogue stomps the weakened floor -- GHHH!!! -- BAWHAM!!! {-- which collapses beneath Post sending him falling below, {crashing down through several floors -- AAHH!!!} Narrative: Central Park. Forces of nature clash. {Captain America crouches atop a rock, shadowed, his face {lit by explosions and lightning -- KRAKOOM!!! -- in the {foreground, Onslaught in sight ahead, the massive tornado {barely 30 feet from him as Cannonball soars near Storm, as a {gathering of Sentinels are sucked into the tornado and ripped {to pieces -- SSQQUUUAAARRRKKK!!! Captain America {raises his shield to the air shadowed on the ledge by fire.} Captain America: We're past the perimeter! Move in! {Panel turns to Human Torch, Cannonball, Iceman, Iron Man {and Nate Grey flying in from different angles, gathering behind {him, fighting Sentinels along the way against the storming sky.} {Panel focuses on Iceman joining the Human Torch, shouting {over the deafening noise. Focus on Nate Grey's hesitant face and {Iron Man.} Nate Grey: This is it, then?! Iron Man: We've got one chance, Nate! Iceman: Let's go! Narrative: The Morlock Tunnels. A love that has spanned millennium must now bridge that gap. {Susan Richards guides her son to Jean Grey.} Invisible Woman: Franklin, you trust mommy, don't you? Franklin Richards: Uh huh. {Jean kneels to meet Franklin, who looks hesitantly back to his {mother.} Invisible Woman: Ms. Grey needs to ask you something, Franklin. I'll be right here. I won't let anything hurt you. Jean Grey: Franklin, I need you to do something for me. Franklin Richards: ..Wh-What? {Jean places her hands on Franklin's head, gently. Psionic energy {lightly emanates and illuminates.} Jean Grey: I need you to remember someone... Will you do that for me? Franklin Richards: I-I'll try. Jean Grey: She's someone you know very well. Can you see her face in my mind? Franklin Richards: Uh Uh... Jean Grey: Look closely, Franklin... She's waiting for you. Franklin Richards: I-I... I see her... She's... She's pretty. Jean Grey: Do you remember who she is? {Franklin's expression is tentative.} Franklin: S-Sorta... Jean Grey: Do you remember her, Franklin? Do you remember how much you loved her? {Franklin's expression is scared.} Franklin: I-I don't want to.... {Susan Richards lunges forward but is held back gently by {Wolverine.} Wolverine: It's gonna be okay, lady. Jean Grey: It's all right, Franklin... She's waiting for you. I need you to bring her to us. Will you bring her here? {Franklin is becoming anxious, wind seems to be rising in the {tunnel.} Franklin Richards: I can't. I don't know how. Jean Grey: Yes, you do, sweety... Look into my mind. She remembers you... She remembers how much she loved you. {Wind picks up, Franklin's image blurs between panels, {alternatively the young Franklin then the Franklin of 2013 in {a concentration camp uniform, as Franklin’s reality warping {powers start to shift time and space.} Franklin Richards: I-I can see her now... {Young Franklin sees her, as a narrow bright light begins to {illuminate behind him, then closes his eyes and falls into {a "dream" state.} Franklin Richards: I see her... {Then the adult Franklin, steps from Franklin in ghostly form {turns to the building bright light and the figure forming and {emerging from it.} Franklin Richards: I see... you, Rachel. {The bright light begins to fill the room from behind Franklin.} Franklin Richards: I see you.... {The adult Franklin Richards standing up, facing the light, ghostly {behind the young Franklin still seated on the tunnel's floor with {Jean.} Franklin Richards: In another life, my love. {In full-page panel, The Mother Askani emerges brightly from the {light illuminating the tunnel; Rachel Summers has returned.} Rachel Summers: In another life. {Franklin's image fades, he returns to that of a young boy, and he {sleepily opens his eyes, gathered up by the Invisible Woman.} Rachel Summers: In another life. {Jean smiles at Rachel, as Scott tentatively joins her, guided by {Jean to her side. Rachel smiles back, her robes flowing in the wind, {her existence sustained by bright white, ghostly, psionic energy.} Rachel Summers: I've missed you guys. {Scott says softly.} Cyclops: Same here. Rachel Summers: How are we doing? {Wolverine answers.} Wolverine: We need a miracle. {Rachel begins to fade out.} Rachel Summers: Then you're in luck, Logan. I'm going to give you one. {Rachel looks back on her parents.} Rachel Summers: Mom, you have to stay here... You and Franklin are my anchors.... You both have to stay alive. {Rachel looks to the gathered heroes, then fades out.} Rachel Summers: All of you...be ready. What is...no longer is. 4. "We few, we band of brothers; For he today that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother." (William Shakespeare, Henry IV) Narrative: Central Park. One hero must face the tragedy of his life. {Panel returns to the statute base and Hawkeye desperately {trying to revive Black Widow. Explosions rock near as {Sentinels approach -- FFFZZZAAAMMM!!! FFFZZZAAAMMM!!! {-- FWABOOM!!!} Hawkeye: Give me a sign, Natasha! Please! {Hawkeye cradling her desperately, fire behind.} Hawkeye: Please... don't leave me again... Please... {Suddenly Hawkeye feels a hand on his shoulder, he spins around {quickly, still holding Black Widow protectively. He turns to see {Forge with Havok standing away from them firing -- {SHHAAZZZAAAKKK!!! -- for cover.} Hawkeye: Wha-?! Forge: Hawkeye! We've got to get out of here! {Hawkeye pulls away.} Hawkeye: I'm not going anywhere! Can't you see she's dying?! {Forge leans in closer, a man who has seen too much horror {in his life. Havok shouts in the background.} Havok: Come on! I can't hold them back, much longer! Forge: Hawkeye... Listen to me... Onslaught is reaching into your mind... You have to fight it... {Hawkeye looks back to the Black Widow, closing his eyes.} Hawkeye: ...B-Bobbi... No.... No... {Forge with his hand on Hawkeye's shoulder pulls him back.} Forge: There's nothing more you can do for her.... You have to come with us... We still have a chance... Narrative: Elsewhere in the Park. {Panel turns to fire as psionic bolts straddle down from the {sky -- SHHAKKKATHOOM!!! -- Iron Man and Nate Grey {narrowly avoid, Sentinels trail -- FFFZZZAAAMMM!!!} Iron Man: Get ready, Nate! I'm picking up the missile on radar! We're gonna have to break away from the others soon! Nate Grey: They won't last two minutes without us! {Tight panel on Iron Man's face as he says quietly, painfully {to himself.} Iron Man: ...I know... {Iceman and Human Torch slightly ahead, then Cannonball takes {a psionic bolt -- AAARRRGGGHHH!!!! -- and is sent spiraling {down to the ground -- WHADAM!!! The tornado still thundering a {devastating path across Central Park close-by, Storm beside it, {trying to keep it under control, she cries out to Sam.} Storm: Samuel! {Captain America runs over and pulls him up from the ground by {his arm, never breaking stride, now less than fifty feet from the {rock formation and Onslaught. Cannonball beaten, clinging to {Captain America, whose expression is heated determination.} Captain America: On your feet! Narrative: The Morlock Tunnels. Duty has a price. {Panel switches to Wolverine looking to Susan, who still stands {around Franklin.} Wolverine: Lady-- Mrs. Richards... You don't have to-- Invisible Woman: Yes. I do. {Susan Richards turns to Jean Grey, now standing with Cyclops {behind her son.} Invisible Woman: Jean, can you get him far enough away? Jean Grey: I will, Susan. {Invisible Woman, shaken, trying to appear brave for her {son, kneels down and holds young Franklin by the arms, {the entire group of heroes, look on silently, the rumbling {and shaking of the ceiling reminding them all of the war {outside, and the meaning of Susan's words.} Invisible Woman: Franklin, sweetheart, I need you to promise me something. {Franklin looks back at her with genuine innocence, something she {no longer has any of. The look kills her.} Franklin Richards: What, mommy? {Susan, holding back her tears, chin trembling.} Invisible Woman: Mommy and Daddy have to go somewhere very far away, so you have to promise me that, no matter what, you'll never forget how much... how much we love you. Franklin Richards: Where is Da-- {With the last of her strength, Susan asks of her son.} Invisible Woman: Promise me. Franklin Richards: I-I promise, mommy. {Panel pulls back wide to show Susan silently hugging her {son, tightly, desperately. It takes all her strength to pull away.} {Susan stands up, holding her sons hand. She sniffs quietly, {then guiding her son to Jean, turns to join Logan and Creed {back toward the surface.} Narrative: Baltimore Harbor. The burden has become too great. {Panel returns to the edge of Baltimore Harbor. Magneto now {hovers mere feet from Cable, whose techno-virus now protrudes {from all over his body, metallic content, shaped liked razor-sharp {spears, all pointing at Cable's beaten face under Magneto's {control.} Magneto: We have both suffered so much, Nathan. We have both lost so much... our families... our innocence... our hope... It is too much to bear. Man's inhumanity to itself... Man's own savagery must end. Charles must be allowed to finish, Nathan. I am sorry. {Panel on Cable looking back, too sick and beaten to say or do {anything but gasp for air, the razor-sharp tendrils inches from {his face. Magneto's fist is raised close to his face controlling {the tension on the tendrils of Cable's own techno-virus.} Magneto: You must die. Cable: --gasp-- Narrative: Auschwitz. The waning days of World War II. {Panel switches abruptly in both time and space. Suddenly {we are inside an abandoned prisoner barrack of Auschwitz. {Daylight shines in from the open door through the dust and {filth. Sounds of fighting filter in from outside.} Magneto's Narrative: I remember this day. The rumors had spread through the camp for days... At first incomprehensible... then finally a reality... A War which seemed so removed from our own horror was ending... {In from the door steps the unidentifiable legs of an allied {soldier, rifle raised, as he steps cautiously inside.} Magneto's Narrative: ...And the nightmare that will forever haunt my life was finally over... {The soldier steps further into the barrack, shadowed from beside {a bunk, searching for Nazi soldiers.} Magneto's Narrative: ...Even as the first of the allied troops made their terrible discovery, the Nazi's sought to finish the slaughter they'd begun four years earlier... Amid the chaos was a chance for escape... Yet I would not leave... not alone. {Panel turns briefly to a teenage Erik Lensherr -- about 15 {or 16 years old -- in shadow huddled on the floor beneath a bunk.} Magneto's Narrative: ...Only one thing mattered to me. All I cared for was alive somehow. She was alive. Magda. My beloved. In that pit of pain and terror, amidst an unfathomable evil... I had found a ray of light and gentleness... {Panel shows the soldier's legs beside the huddled Erik.} Magneto's Narrative: ...She had sustained me... The dream of someday holding her hand as my wife had kept me from the brink of insanity when my rage had threatened to consume me... {Panel shows the soldier pushing aside the bunk, toppling it {over and Erik trying to run for his life.} Soldier: Freeze! Magneto's Narrative: Overwhelmed with hunger and pain, finding her and protecting her were my only thoughts... {Panel shows the soldier cornering Erik, huddled against a {barrack wall. The soldier raises his hand to Erik, who flinches.} Soldier: Take it easy, kid. I ain't gonna hurt you. {Panel shows the soldier pulling Erik up, then reaching for his {cantina and handing it to Erik.} Soldier: Here, kid... You thirsty? Magneto's Narrative: I was dead inside until she found me. With her, there was hope that I would one day, live... {Panel shows another allied soldier calling to his officer from {the barrack door.} Second Soldier: Captain! We’ve been ordered to follow the Kraut's into the Vitsula! {The Soldier stands up.} Soldier: You're gonna be all right, kid. Magneto's Narrative: In moments we would be together. {The soldier stands shadowed by sunlight in the door way.} Soldier: Hey, kid... What's your name? Erik Lensherr: E-Erik. Magneto's Narrative: The War was over... {Panel shows Logan turning toward the door. [8]} Logan: Mine's Logan. Magneto's Narrative: My life had begun. {Panel turns immediately back to Baltimore Harbor and The {Mother Askani standing between Magneto and Cable.} Rachel Summers: Erik... We need your help. Narrative: Central Park. The final steps. {Panel shows Captain America desperately holding off {Sentinel fire with his shield while a terribly injured, bloodied, {bruised, Cannonball clings to him.} Onslaught: Such determination... {Storm overhead firing lightning bolts wildly and weakly at {gathering Sentinels -- KKKZZZAAAKKKTTT!!! -- BADOOM!!! {The raging tornado begins to veer off then glow bright red as {it takes a funnel shape against the sea of psionic energy {blanketing the sky.} Onslaught: Such gallancy... {Human Torch, Iceman, Nate Grey and Iron Man still battling {with the Sentinels. All now just a few steps from the base of {the seemingly massive rock formation where Quicksilver can {still be seen reeling in agony. Onslaught looks down upon {them all.} Onslaught: Such bravery... {Panel turns full to Onslaught.} Onslaught: So meaningless. {Panel wide to Onslaught, the tear in reality pulsating behind him, {flashing with white psionic energy.} Onslaught: You are all unwilling to see the truth before your eyes. Man-kind does not deserve your heroism. They have been poisoned by hatred and fear... Tonight I will rid them of it. {Onslaught begins to glow with psionic energy drawing it to {him from the breach, then releases a scattering of lightning bolt {shaped psionic energy blasts -- SHAAKKKOOOOOM!!!! -- from {the tear in reality itself.} Onslaught: And if I must...I will begin with you! {Nate Grey steps mid-air before Iceman, Human Torch, and Iron {Man protectively and raises a transparent golden psionic shield {stopping several wild bolts of burning psionic energy -- SHRANG!!!} Nate Grey: Get behind me! {Panel lowers to the ground, Captain America swings around {Cannonball protectively raising his shield, two bolts converge {and explode dead-on against the shield -- CHRANNG!!!} Captain America: Brace yourself, Sam! {Suddenly psionic energy explodes from the tornado which acts as a {flume spreading psionic energy all over the park, firing wild blasts of {psionic energy at adjacent buildings -- BUHDOOM!!! The tornado {follows and rips apart a luxury high-rise. Storm is sent flying from the {tornado, violently like a rocket trailing psionic energy directly toward {the rock formation. Iceman takes off toward her.} Iceman: Storm! {As Iceman circles her, out of the air melting his ice trail sending them {both down to the base of the rocks near Quicksilver -- FWHOOMFF!!!} {Panel near to Captain America beginning to move, Cannonball still {clinging, then he suddenly falters.} Captain America: Let’s g-... {Panel down as Captain America and Cannonball look down to his shield {with a small, steaming hole burned into it from the psionic energy. Captain {America touches his stomach, then pulls his hand to his face, he stares at {his own red blood.} Captain America: No. {Captain America collapses in Cannonball’s arms with the realization he {has been mortally wounded -- Hrrk. Iron Man reacts frantically racing {toward the base, Nate Grey and Human Torch follow as more psionic {energy erupts around them -- SHAKKAKOOOM!!!} Cannonball: Sir! Iron Man: Cap! {The heroes are gathered around Captain America {at the base of the rock formation which seems enormous, {the psionic energy bursting through reality and spreading {everywhere. Onslaught simply towers glowing, becoming {more powerful by the second.} Cannonball: He’s not breathin’! {Iron Man spins around suddenly and shouts out.} Iron Man: Nate, look! {Four successive panels show four different angles of Magneto {emerging from the sea of psionic energy, his cape wrapped {tightly around his body, he emerges as if born out of the energy, {fierce and motionless, as Satan himself emerging from the fire {of Hell.} {Nate looks with immediate recognition, then answers calmly.} Nate Grey: Magneto. Narrative: Beneath the White House. {Panel switches to the General turning to the President standing {alone in the center of the room before a huge screen following {the nuclear missile’s trajectory across the United States.} General: We're taking tremendous losses protecting it, Sir... but the missile is still intact... Estimated detonation in four minutes. {The President looks blankly at the screen when he is startled {to hear Barrington standing next to him, speaking softly.} Barrington: How well do you know your mythology, Mr. President? President: Not very, I'm afraid. {Panel turns to Barrington, standing beside him, both staring at {the screen.} Barrington: Shiva is the ancient Hindu god of destruction... Destruction and rebirth. It is the Hindu belief that in the end times, Shiva will appear and destroy the world... And from the ashes their creator-god Brahma will rise to start the world over. {The President turns to Barrington, with a look of accusation.} President: Why didn't you tell me this before, Major? {Barrington does not answer, but turns to the President, his eyes {cold and distant.} Barrington: Imagine, that... A chance to re-build a world in your own image. Tell me, Mr. President... If Onslaught is the god of destruction, who will be the god to rise from his ashes? President: Who are y--? {Suddenly a loud alarm goes off -- EEEeeeEEEeeeEEEeeeEEE!!! {red lights flashing, all present begin reacting panicked and {wildly. The President turns to a technician calling to him, the {General, Noah, and Senator Kelly gather.} Technician: Mr. President! We've lost the Arctic! President: What?! {The Technician says frantically, all look at the screen and the {image of Earth as the extreme Southern and Northern {Hemisphere begin to disappear, overcome with psionic energy.} Technician: It's gone, Sir! I-It's like it doesn't exist anymore! {Panel to the President, stunned, the Technician shouts over {him.} Technician: It's spreading everywhere, Sir! {Panel to the Noah, frantically.} Noah: This isn't right! This isn't how it happens! General: What is it, Noah?! President: Oh my, God.... The shockwave. Noah: Onslaught's released the psionic shockwave! {Panel to the President.} President: New York's not the beginning of the breach, General... {Panel turns abruptly to Central Park, the psionic storm now {rages uncontrollably all around the remaining heroes as psionic {energy blasts upward throughout the ground of Central Park -- {BRAKKAATHOOOM!!! BRAKKAATHOOOM!!! -- a sea of {psionic energy covers most of the remaining ground like a foggy {mist, ever increasing. Tears in reality begin to rip open all over the {sky. Cannonball hovered over Captain America's near lifeless body, {Human Torch, Nate Grey, Iceman, and Iron Man stand near as tears {in reality begin to rip open all around them. The President's words {caption the panel.} President: ... IT ENDS THERE!!!! {Panel back to the heroes at the foot of the rock formation, {squinting their eyes to see through the swirling psionic {energy, focus into Captain America as with his last ounce {of strength he calls out to his fellow heroes, grabbing {Cannonball by his shirt, the whites of his eyes visible, he {says.} Captain America: ...Do... not... look... back... {Final panel, wide angle, Onslaught atop the rock formation, {Magneto faces Onslaught, an ant against the raging rift of reality {and psionic energy -- BRAKKATHOOOM!!! -- the heroes around {him, Iron Man kneels to Captain America. Iceman solidifies near.} Iron Man: No! {Iceman rises, Magneto’s eyes stare ahead.} Magneto: My fight is not with you, X-Man. Iceman: What your call, Sam?! Do we trust him?! {Cannonball rises tall and stares ahead, lightning behind him -- {KRAKOOM!!! He looks down to his hands, one open palm, one {closed fist.} Cannonball: Tonight... we do. {Magneto faces Onslaught.} Magneto: This ends now, Charles. {Panel tight to Onslaught.} Onslaught: No, Erik. It's just begun. {Panel to the heroes, Nate Grey and Iron Man to one side, {Iceman and the Human Torch on the other, Magneto at the {center, all confronting Onslaught.} Onslaught: Now, gather around children. {Panel to Onslaught, the storm and tear in reality swallowing {everything, the world literally falling apart all around them.} Onslaught: Close your eyes. {Panel tight on Xavier's eyes glowing menacingly through {his armor.} Onslaught: It's judgment time. End Chapter Eight Part Two. To Be Continued in Chapter Eight Part Three...