Hi there. Having fun so far? I sure hope that you are. Do you mind if I ask you a question? I'm curious because some people I just met are living it right now.

Let's say you're in 2500 feet in the air, and the ground is rushing up to meet you.

What do you do?

If you were a human, most likely you'd close your eyes and wait for death. It'd a quick death, with only a moment of pain before you're reduced to a spot on the grass. There would no hope. No other choice except to face the end with some modicum of courage.

But the five children in this particular predicament aren't humans, they're mutants. To be more specific, they're New Mutants. Basically, they're better than humans, or at least that's what they're taught. Anyway, the point is that because of their special powers, they have other options besides death.

For instance, take Sunspot, one of the team's leaders. He can absorb solar energy and utilise it to enhance his strength, generate powerful energy blasts, and fly. Right now, it's the ability to fly that's important, seeing as how it has just saved his life. Sure, he fell a few hundred feet at first, due to the surprise of the jet he was inside of vanishing.

Gee, maybe I should have mentioned that earlier.

But anyway, after Sunspot got over his surprise, the first thing he did was stop his descent, so that he ended up hovering in mid-air. Being a leader, the first thing he did was waste precious seconds surveying the situation, meaning he ran over the previous events in his mind, and got an idea of where the other New Mutants were around him.

Mondo was nose-diving through the air like a knife, as if he was welcoming the crash. Not surprising, considering that his power is to absorb himself into the earth. He'll probably fall through the ground and end up halfway to China before he decides to surface.

Alchemy, a powerful mutant with the ability to mess up the elements table, is also falling, but rather slowly. If one were to guess, they'd probably think that he was altering the air around him into water or something. That way he could just sink slowly to the ground.

And finally, we find the final two members of the New Mutants. Moonstar and Wolfsbane, while powerful in their own right, don't have a chance of surviving the fall. Just think about it. Moonstar can make psionic arrows, can probe minds for fear and weakness, and can communicate with animals. Wolfsbane can turn to a wolfesque creature, thereby getting all furry and sporting some fangs and claws. Good for killing people, but not too helpful when you're falling to your death.

It is probably for these reasons that Sunspot headed down to catch the two girls. Then again, Sunspot's not exactly known for caring about his team-mates. Most likely he's rescuing Moonstar because she's a good screw, and Wolfsbane because she's basically Moonstar's pet. For whatever reason, Sunspot grabs Moonstar's arm in one hand, Wolfsbane's arm in the other, and gradually slows their descent.

Eventually, the three manage to reach the ground, with Sunspot letting his passengers go before he lands. Mondo appears out of the earth at about this time, massive and hulking from all the mass he'd absorbed. Alchemy, however, takes his time sinking down. It's a good thing Sunspot gets impatient and flies up after him, because I was starting to lose it myself.

Oh yeah, I forgot to introduce myself. Sorry, but I was getting so caught up in my new toys that it slipped my mind. My given name is Kevin MacTaggart, but I prefer Proteus. I can alter reality and possess people. I also have a higher level of consciousness than most people, which is why I'm aware of all you people. Don't worry, I promise to give you all a good show.

I'm going to kill the New Mutants.

Cypher stands over the still body of Dr. Moira MacTaggart, considering the information he has just learned.

"I-is she d-dead?" Blink asks nervously, sneaking frightened glances at the unmoving Prime Sentinels surrounding them.

"Dead? No, of course not." Cypher responds coldly, as though surprised she would think that. "She's far more valuable alive. Once the word is spread that she gave birth to a powerful and homicidal mutant, she'll lose all credibility and influence. Most likely the Human High Council will also, though not to such a degree. Still, humanity will be haunted by the fact that every child they raise could possibly become a mutant, a monster that would kill them all without a second thought. Yes, this information is far more valuable than the mutant himself."

Blink looks at Cypher in a mixture of confusion and disgust. "How can you be so cold? Just because you're a mutant doesn't mean you aren't human. It doesn't mean you can't have a heart."

Cypher fixes his gaze onto Blink, forcing her back a step. "Whatever heart I once had, Onslaught ripped out of me long ago. This woman, all of humanity, would kill us without a second thought. Perhaps we are no better, but curling up to die is hardly an option, wouldn't you think?"

Blink opens her mouth, but she has no answer.

Cypher waves the question away. "Never mind. What matters now is getting this information back to Onslaught, along with concrete evidence. The good doctor's DNA is on file at Onslaught Island, as is her brain wave signature. The obvious course would be to extract a DNA sample from Proteus, but I doubt if that can be accomplished."

"Why not?"

"Observe the Sentinels around us." Cypher sweeps his arm. Immediately, the four Prime Sentinels come to life, moving in step into a line before Blink. "There are only four, while it is regulation for Sentinels to travel in packs of at least five. Also, while you can't notice, I can plainly see that these Sentinels are humans fitted with prosthetics, making them more man than machine. Such are the extremes humanity will go to."

"My god --" Blink starts, but Cypher continues.

"When I induced Dr. MacTaggart into her coma, I accessed her brain like I would that of a computer. I searched her memory for information on her son, and came across several facts she learned through experiments. Fact 1: He has a vulnerability to metal. Normally, that would help us, but Fact 2 will explain why it won't."

"Then spit it out!" Blink yells, fed up.

Cypher smiles grimly. She's finally starting to come around. "Fact 2: The extreme power at Proteus' disposal comes a price. His cellular structure steadily breaks down, more rapidly as he continues to use his powers. When he was locked up and powerless, it wasn't a problem, but just recently-"

"He tore through this whole complex with his powers." Blink whispers, understanding at last.

"Exactly," Cypher nods, pleased. "No doubt his body deteriorated as soon as he broke out, and I would imagine he was near death by the time he finished. However, with his power to warp reality, it would be quite simple for Proteus to transfer his powers, and his very consciousness, into another body."

Cypher points to several charred corpses. "I'm assuming that he had to 'recharge' several times during the slaughter. Perhaps one of those was even his original body. Only a DNA scan could tell us, and those husks are unreadable."

Blink nods slightly, trying not to wretch right then and there.

Cypher directs her attention away from the corpses and back to the Sentinels. "As I stated previously, these Sentinels are partly human. There robotic forms are also quite resilient. One is missing. The obvious conclusion is that Proteus managed to possess one of them, and if he did, then he's even more unstoppable than we were led to believe."

"The others!" Blink exclaims. "They don't know. They won't have a chance."

"Precisely."

Hi again. Hope you learned a lot there. I figured you should know more about me, and that Cypher kid just seemed to explain it really well.

He's right, you know. I did possess that Prime Sentinel. I feel like I could last for hours, maybe even days. More than enough time to destroy this island and maybe a few others, including England. After I'm done playing, of course.

Now lets see, where were we? Oh yes, the other New Mutants landed safely. I knew they would, and I would have been very upset if they hadn't. Most likely I would have brought them back to life and then killed them cell-by-cell. Don't worry, though, I plan to give them a fighting chance. You'll be very entertained, I can promise you that.

So anyway, Sunspot landed again, this time carrying Alchemy. Everybody is grouped together, forming a perimeter if case of another attack. Mondo is towering over everybody in the centre, using his link with the earth to watch for surprises. He'd feel the vibrations if anybody tried to approach them, and he's also ready to split and shift the ground against attackers at a moment's notice.

Wolfsbane is sniffing the air, her ears perked up. As Mondo keeps an eye out by touch, she's doing so by smell, sound, and, to a lesser extent, sight. I say lesser extent because she can only look in one direction at a time. I swear; the human senses are just so confining. I'm glad that I'm beyond them now.

In a sense, Moonstar is also beyond normal senses. I can feel her brainwaves expanding, probing for signs of anybody unfamiliar. Of course, it won't work, but I do like that they're trying their best. If not for me, these kids very well could have grown into Onslaught's best Prelates. After I kill them, I really should visit him and let him know just how much potential and talent he threw away.

Sunspot is hovering over his team, fists glowing with power that's just aching to be released. Likewise, Alchemy picks up several handfuls of rocks and transmutes them. I'm rather impressed, and amused, that he's able to create such volatile substances, and yet keep them contained beneath an ultra-thin shell. Perhaps I'll let a few hit me, just to see what the explosion feels like.

Throughout all this preparation, not one word is spoken. Isn't that cute, the way they communicate telepathically so as to operate more efficiently and therefore more effectively? Would you care to know what they're saying? All right, I'll sneak in on their conversation, but just because it's you.

Sunpot: The moment you find anything, don't hesitate. This thing is too dangerous for us to give any quarter. (Very astute young man, wouldn't you say?)

Moonstar: Mondo, you hit it first thing. Sunspot and I will follow up with combo blast. (Apparently they do this combo attack often, with impressive results. I suppose if I weren't prepared, the combination of a solar blast and a psionic arrow would knock me off balance.) After us, Alchemy, start lobbing those bombs and don't let up until your out. Then we'll send you, Wolfsbane, to clean up the mess.

Not a bad plan, I must admit. Against a single opponent, it would be very effective. Too bad for them I'm the opponent.

Alchemy: And if Cypher and Blink show up first?

Sunspot: Can't take the risk. They'll just have to hope this thing attacks us before they get here otherwise they're toast.

Ooooooooo, that is cold. Of course, Sunspot is eager to kill Cypher and write it off as an accident, thereby removing his competition for Onslaught's favour. At any rate, I would be sorely disappointed if Cypher died before I could meet him. He seems to be an extraordinary young man.

What do you think? Should I attack now, or wait until Blink and Cypher bite it? The latter will leave the New Mutants momentarily open, but the former is just so much more fun for me. But it's all about you, so what do you think I should do?

Attack now? Are you sure? Okay, whatever you say. Here I go-wait a minute, what's that sound?

Arghhhh!!!!!

The New Mutants pull back in shock as the now visible form of Proteus appears before them, writhing in agony as energy blasts rip through him. Sunspot, who had already taken to the sky to intercept the four Prime Sentinels, nearly falls out of surprise. Composing himself, he yells out the command that's been on his lips the whole time.

"Now!"

As one, the New Mutants strike as planned. Great waves of rock and lava rise out of the ground to envelope Proteus, battering him from all sides. From above, Sunspot lets loose on Proteus with a narrow blast of concentrated solar energy. Moonstar complements him, shooting arrow after arrow in quick succession. Alchemy stands nearby, arm raised to hurl the pebbles once the word is given.

Blasting away, Sunspot screams out one final command. "Mondo, lay off. Hit him Alchemy."

Smiling, Alchemy, sends his arm back. "Everybody get down." He whips his arm forward, hurling the handful of atomic pebbles at the staggering creature.

Mondo raises a wall of rock in front of the team, while Sunspot flies as high as possible. They know what's coming.

His glowing body flickering, Proteus looks up at the New Mutants, his eyes wide with anger. Then the pebbles connect.

Mondo's shield shatters immediately under the force of the shockwave, as does the one after that, and the one after that. The airborne Prime Sentinels, unprepared for such a blast, are incinerated instantly. Sunspot is thrown higher than he ever thought possible, fighting with all his strength to stay within the atmosphere.

Finally, the shockwave subsides, leaving devastation behind. Sunspot crashes to the ground, barely conscious. Pieces of Mondo are scattered across the area, slowly being absorbed into the ground, where he can reform himself. Moonstar, Wolfsbane, and Alchemy lie prone upon the ground, bleeding from dozens of small wounds and groaning in pain.

In the centre, at ground zero, an immense crater lies where Proteus once stood.

Whimpering, Wolfsbane slowly gets to her feet, as does Sunspot nearby. Also noticeable is a pillar of rock that is rapidly forming. Mondo putting himself back together.

Cradling his broken arm, Sunspot surveys the situation. "Wolfsbane, check out the crater. If anything moves, eviscerate it."

Growling, Wolfsbane nods eagerly, cautiously creeping towards the edge of the crater.

Struggling to maintain his balance, Sunspot staggers towards the others. He'll need their help in case Proteus isn't dead. Kneeling next to Moonstar, Sunspot grabs her by the hair and yanks her to her feet, prompting a surprised squawk.

"What the hell do you think you doing?" Moonstar angrily demands as she frees herself from Sunspot's grip.

"Making sure everybody is fine, now wake up Alchemy," Sunspot states, glaring into his lover's eyes with a cold fury.

Snarling deep in her throat, Moonstar relents, hurling a weak psionic arrow at Alchemy. With a start, the British mutant's eyes open, and he struggles to his feet.

"Man, what a rush." Alchemy looks around. He's glad to see that Mondo managed to completely reassemble himself. "So, did I do it?"

"Looks like it, but I sent Wolfsbane to make sure." Sunspot motions to the crater. "But seeing as how we barely survived the shockwave, I just can't imagine how he could have possibly survived the explosion itself."

"Well, it's easy if you try."

Sunspot's head whips around to view the speaker, and his eyes widen in shock and fear. Moonstar gasps, her grasp on her bow gone as it clatters to the ground. Mondo takes a step back, totally unprepared. Alchemy just looks on in amazement, muttering under his breath, "No. It's not possible."

Smiling viciously, Wolfsbane floats out the crater, an aura of great power surrounding her. When she speaks, it's not with her voice.

"I must admit, I am very impressed. Not with your attack, of course. I was expecting it and was well prepared for it. Rather, I'm impressed that Cypher was able to make use of those Prime Sentinels to find me and surprise me, thereby enabling you pathetic children to actually destroy my host body. It's a shame you didn't include a bit of metal. That would have finished the job for sure."

Stepping onto the ground, Wolfsbane - or rather, Proteus - bares her/his fangs. "Now it's my turn."

Lifting one of his/her hands, Proteus points directly at Mondo and flicks his wrist. Mondo is hurled about five feet into the air, where he is stopped, hovering above the ground. Proteus smiles wider, and opens his hand wide, and Mondo screams.

Mondo screams as the rock and soil absorbed into his body trickles off him onto the ground. He screams as chunks of his mutated body break away, revealing a naked, skinny Samoan kid beneath the rocky exterior. He continues to scream as all hair on his body drops of in clumps, and the screaming impossibly intensifies as his skin starts to peel off.

"No!" Sunspot screams, suddenly more frightened that he's ever been in his entire life. "Hit him Moonstar!"

As one, the leaders of the New Mutants attack, hurling solar blasts and psionic arrows at a laughing Proteus.

"Oh please," Proteus mocks. He waves his other hand, casually sending the projectiles away from him and back to their sources. Sunspot takes his solar blast head on, barely affected. Moonstar, however, is struck dead centre into her skull.

Letting out a wail of pure agony, Moonstar crumbles to the ground, quivering in fear and torment. Tears streaming from her eyes, she curls into a fetal position, muttering the words 'Demon Bear' over and over again.

Watching the shivering Moonstar with amusement, Proteus drops the skeleton that was Mondo and fixes his gaze on Sunspot.

"And then there was one," Proteus remarks, dismissing the shock-still Alchemy.

Sporting his fangs in a toothy grin, Proteus slowly walks towards Sunspot, who is frozen with fear.

Sunspot knows that he is going to die this day. He knew he would die eventually, and often wondered about how he would face the end. He'd always envisioned that he would die bravely, with some purpose to his sacrifice. Never in his wildest dreams did Sunspot suspect that he would die like this. Not that he would die alone, against an unstoppable, homicidal maniac.

Instead of the courageous death he'd seen for himself, Sunspot is about to face the unknown wearing a soaked uniform.

Still grinning in wicked amusement, Proteus raises his hand once more, this time at the sun. A small black sphere appears at the point of his finger, slowly expanding. Finally Proteus throws his arm down, hurling the black sphere at Sunspot.

Upon contact, Sunspot feels the blackness surrounding him, covering his body like a second skin. Totally enveloped, Sunspot then feels something else. Or rather, he doesn't feel it.

"Nooooooooooooooo!"

"Oh yes!" Proteus roars, grabbing the black, powerless Sunspot by the throat and lifting him off the ground. "I am as far beyond you as you are beyond humans. Now you shall feel their agony, by dying alone and powerless, utterly at my mercy."

Powerless, unable to fight back, Sunspot closes his eyes to the blackness and waits for the end.

Imagine his surprise when instead, he drops to the ground, even though a hand still grips his throat. Lying on his back, Sunspot opens his eyes to the bright sunlight, and the sight he witnesses makes his heart skip a beat.

Proteus, in Wolfsbane's body, still stands over him. The difference this time is that he's holding an arm with the hand severed at the wrist. Also standing over Sunspot, across from Proteus, are Blink and Cypher.

Blink looks frightened for her life, though she still manages to hold one of those javelins at the ready. Cypher, however, glares coldly into the eyes of Proteus. But his cold glare is the not the unemotional, logical gaze he's always worn. No, this glare is one of cold fury.

"You claim to be above mutantkind, Proteus," Cypher states, his gaze unwavering. "Once, I considered myself below mutant kind, barely above humans. That was until Onslaught found me, and taught me to use my powers in such ways as I had never imagined. Claims are meaningless. It's time to back it up."

Snarling, Proteus narrows his eyes, meeting Cypher's cold glare with a white-hot fury of his own. "Gladly, boy. Gladly."