Attack on Washington Three

[Sage]

"The Sentinels... I can reprogram them just fine; just not from a distance. Whatever Magneto did to them, I can't get into them remotely. I need to actually get into the wires, just for a second..." Sage said with a frown. Not even a second, actually.

She listened to Rogue’s plan and then nodded once. It could work. Maybe. Their main objective, at least for now, was to incapacitate Polaris. And so far, the only weapon they had that might have a chance of doing so was Sunshine's rolling pin. And while hilarious as that may be, Sage doubted that it would work. Once Polaris was knocked out, however, that would make fighting the Sentinels much easier.

She frowned suddenly. There were other people coming. She had no idea what they were thinking- they were all normal, after all. They would be easily killed by the Sentinels! But wait. One was... different. He wasn't a mutant, but she got the sense of power from him...

A shield flying over her head answered the question as to who it was. Captain America. Makes sense that SHIELD's stooge would show his face; after all, their precious Washington D.C. was in danger.

Maybe, with his help, they could beat Polaris.

[jean]

The transfer of power had been done and now the telepath had Sunny's ability to instill fear into anyone. However, that'd be a bit of a toughy since Jean would actually have to get a hold of Lorna to use the power. That and she didn't have time to even go after Polaris. She was suddenly under attack from a sentinel. She should have been on better guard because there wasn't enough reaction time for the telepath to construct a psi-shield and she found herself being fired upon.

She was stunned by a blast to her shoulder, and spiraled towards the ground. She hit with a thud onto her back. Not quite unconscious but her eyes remained closed, her teeth gritting from the pain. She cursed under her breath. The sentinels...Polaris...Magneto, the destruction they were causing. It had to stop. Jean was too late to protect the professor when he had been attacked by Magneto. There was nothing she could do about that. At the present time she had the opportunity to protect the capital of her country and she was failing. Partly because she had been holding back on her powers, but there really was no reason to since Lorna wasn't holding back on her end.

She heard Lorna's warning...playing hero would result in them dying like one? At that moment, the red head levitated, creating a psionic shield around herself to avoid any further attacks from the sentinels. She took towards the sky once more, setting her green eyes on the ones that belong to the mistress of magnetism.

"Lorna, reconsider your decisions wisely. You either call off this attack on your own, or I'll force you to myself. Make your decision." And she waited for a response, all the while Jean thought of different methods to use on Magneto's offspring. Inducing pain, taking away her senses, mental illusions, wiping her mind...whatever needed to bring this attack to a halt. At that moment the image of flames eerily flickered though her eyes.

[Chain]

All hell was breaking loose and it was hard for the tiny blond to process everything at once. A strange looking patriotic dude showed up and Jeanie just got.... "Marvel girl!" She wasn't going to yell her real name out. She really didn't have much time do much since Polaris was now sending something that looked like it'd hurt their way. "Sunny get outta the way." She threw herself against the other girl and landed hard. "Oh this is getting ridiculous."

She just barely missed getting hit by whatever the hell Polaris throw at them but she landed wrong on her arm and she heard the snap as her radius cracked. Freaking hell.... Kelly pulled herself up and held her arm gingerly. She looked over at Rogue. "What the hell are we supposed to do?" So she started picking up non metalic debris and tried throwing it at Polaris.

[Sunshine]

Sunshine saw everything in a blur. Nothing was really registering except that she was getting angry. Really, truly, deeply angry. Her head turned when she heard her name as Chain knocked her down. Everything had turned into that far away din and it seemed like it was all going in slow motion. Her head hit the ground when Chain tackled her and she blinked a few times to clear the stars. If she could just get her hands on Polaris. The butterball pushed herself up. "That is it."

She watched Chain try to throw things at Ploaris and shook her head. Then she looked down at the rolling pin still in her hand. She was going to be the joke of the school for bringing this. But with a shrug and pulled back and threw it as hard as she could at Polaris.

[rogue]

Rogue listened to Sage and nodded, but sulked on the inside. She knew it wasn't right to be so pessimistic but the odds were so stacked against them. Then enter some guy dressed in red, white and blue, along with his own little back up crew of helicopters fighting off the sentinels. It was nice that they were helping...whoever they were but, Lorna would just rebuild them again and again. This battle was essentially hopeless unless Polaris as taken out.

"What the hell are we supposed to do?" she heard Kelly asked her. The southern belle couldn't reply. Was there anything they could do? Even if Sage could over ride the sentinels, Polaris could probably bring them back to her side. Things started to get really desperate when she saw Kelly starting to throw stones and the green haired woman. Penny followed through by hurling her rolling pin. It was time to face the truth.

"Oh man...This is it. We 'gon die yall." Rogue replied simply falling to her knees and putting a hand to her forehead. They needed help, and Mr. Patriot wasn't going to be enough. She closed her eyes unaware of a strayed sentinel laser heading straight for her back...

[Gambit]

Burning red eyes took in the numerous bullets and lasers that flew across the battlefield. The fire traded between the opposing forces were accompanied by explosions that threw debris everywhere. Gambit quickly skimmed over the man that could only be Captain America focused on the mutant women.

Now any normal person would have walked away. No one in their right mind would want to get caught in the crossfire between the two clashing forces. However, "normal" wasn't the word to describe Gambit. Actually, the Cajun wasn't even suppose to be here because a team had already set out to intercept and defend against the attack on the place. But the way Gambit saw it that didn't mean he couldn't be here though. It was more of a suggestion and he was pretty sure with the way things seemed to be going that the team would appreciate the help.

Wasting little time, he charged across the field. Using incredible agility he dodged around the debris and stray lasers while quickly closing the distance between him and the lovely ladies that were occupying the equally beautiful green haired woman. Gambit almost slowed down when he got close, but he caught a flash out of the corner of his eye and pushed his legs to move faster.

Gambit seemingly came out of nowhere to scoop up Rogue and save her from being hit by the stray laser that blasted the ground where she once stood. Skidding to a crouching stop with the woman in his arms, he could only grin down at her.

"Ah don't know if its my lucky day or yours, mon Chere," he said standing and setting the woman on her feet. He then made a show of looking around even though he knew of everything going on. "Looks like you could use a wild card."

[Polaris]

[/b]: I'm assuming Captain America will be controlling the armed forces, so I crafted my post with that in mind. Similar to how I control the Sentinels, basically, right? Anyway... ]

The U.S. Army was putting up a bit of a fight, but they lacked the backbone to do much, considering they should be scattered all over to deal with the simultaneous attacks. If they weren't, they were probably overseas picking on countries that didn't even have standing armies.

Pitiful...

Captain America was right, the actions being taken against Sentinel #4 were known. However Polaris did nothing more than glance in its direction, instead focusing on the missile that had been destroyed by the flying aircraft.

Raising her left hand, she began replicating what she had done previously when Jean misguided her Sentinel's missile, grabbing and condensing the particles in the air, reworking them into an orb-like shape. Inside was a packed explosion, totally surrounded and maintained by electro-magnetic energy, ready to join alongside the other one - controlled by Lorna's right hand, and which Sunshine and Chain were able to avoid.

Perfect, she wanted them to do that.

Still controlling the first, Lorna sent it at Chain while the second went hurling towards Sunshine. Once several feet at their targets, they would explode with the equivalent of 30 tons - 60 with two of them - of TNT, as well as a charged surge intended to burn the skin and fry the nervous system. If connected, it would do nothing but than cause serious pain, unconsciousness, and perhaps break or fracture a bone or two... or three or four. Whatever, they'd be hurt unless they could move faster than an explosion...

However, doing all of this took away Polaris' focus and before she knew it...

Ka-Klonk~!

... a wooden object smacked against the left side of her head, causing a slight wince of pain and surprise, before falling towards the earth. So, they were going to be cheap and throw non-metallic objects at her? Idiots, they really needed to crack open a science book!

As objects from Chain came in, Polaris merely burned them away due to the intensive heat radiating from her electro-magnetic shield. She may not be able to grab it, but she could burn or deflect it, that much was for sure. Still, the fact they'd gotten something - even a ridiculous rolling pin of doom - through was enough to irritate Lorna, so much she decided to up the ante...

Rak, rak, RAK, RAK, RAK~!!!

Having both arms free now, due to the attempted explosion on Sunshine and Chain, Polaris could focus on Sentinel #4 who came crashing down to the ground. Excellent, she thought, now I can show those blundering pilots what idiots they are.

Rak, rak, RAK, RAK, RAK~!!!

Right hand pointing towards the cables around Sentinel #4's legs, Lorna would send a surge of electro-magnetic energy from inside the Sentinel and out and up the cable... right to the pilots inside, where their precious planes would fry, then explode taking them and their lives with them... or so it would seem. Actually, Polaris would let them live and parachute to the ground, an odd characteristic that the X-Men and their allies would do well to take note of. Polaris was acting independently of the Sentinels - those which she had no control over - and in a manner, well, a little confusing.

Of course, this would only occur if her attempt was successful. If not, well, she had more tricks up her sleeves. If she didn't, would she be deserving of the title 'the Mistress of Magnetism'?

While all of this was happening, Captain America's Vibranium shield sliced through Sentinel #1's head...

Ker-Sliiiiis~!!!

... with a sound so deafening, it immediately captured the green-haired woman's attention. Well, it seems they had some kind of contraption to fight back, well she'd take care of that with her...

Nothing.

One more time.

Again, nothing.

... her electro-magnetism wasn't working, apparently this shield was made out of something non-magnetic! Fine, whatever, she could still deal with that by grabbing pieces of metallic debris and hurling them at the shield, in an attempt to deflect it off a singular path. which should also slow it down, where she would set in motion her second plan. Using these same pieces of metallic remains, Lorna would mold and engulf the shield before, finally, hurling it up and over the horizon... many, many, many miles away from the battlefield.

Of course, this all depended if the attempt was successful. If not, again, Polaris was a tramp of the trades, and could do a multitude of things to prolong or upset this battle.

Now she could reply to Jean, or could she? Apparently her Sentinels were deprived of a kill by the arrival of a certain Swamp Rat.

"Really now?," she asked, loud enough to be heard by all in the vicinity. "Am I more of a threat than my father, that so many mutants and government sponsors are needed?" It made little sense, but whatever, she knew could take it as a compliment and proof she was the superior sibling.

Take that Pietro and Wanda! Haaaa!

Rak, rak, rak~!

Once again, Polaris raised her right and left hands, together at the same time, rebuilding the Sentinels from whatever damage they incurred. It would take a little longer, since it wasn't some simple bullets or enhanced punches, but not too long considering they were able to return to the battle. Both Sentinel #1 - whose head was welded on via electro-magnetism - and Sentinel #4 - who rose to stand tall once again.

"You're just in time, Swamp Rat.," she said in notice of how dirty and filthy Remy LeBeau looked. Hands now free once more to cause mayhem, which she did flawlessly. "I do hope you're smarter than the others here..."

Rak, rak, rak~!

Reaching out for two tanks, Polaris would attempt to collect them in her electro-magnetic grasp and hurl them at Gambit and Rogue, who so happened to be near the Cajun.

"Marvel Girl, was it now?" Polaris had no idea, the X-Men changed code names like NBC changed it's Fall line up. "Do you think it would be wise to unleash your power with your comrades around?," she proposed, to make Jean think but also for a genuine answer.

Jean hadn't been using her full power, Polaris concluded. The woman was the only one she actually had a slight caution towards; all that raw power, enough to give Lorna a run for her money, perhaps even bring her down. If Jean would risk the Phoenix surfacing, then Polaris would have no choice but to take out the others, just so she could deal with Jean. But if not, then the likelihood of killing anyone directly drastically decreased.

It was bad enough Polaris and the Sentinels were causing destruction, but imagine how much worse it'd become if Jean Grey soiled the name of the X-Men!

"I'd be careful, Ms. Grey. My father and his Brotherhood are already marked criminals, you don't want to disappoint the Professor now, do you? Just imagine what he would do if his beloved students became international fugitives, Xavier would probably fall over and croak from the shame."

This was done to mostly protect herself, but also to buy some time for Lorna. At the side, Polaris was already devising a plan, and her electro-magnetic shield was expanding rapidly, growing larger, stronger, and more vibrant. Just what she intended to do with it, or how much she would let it emit was a mystery known only to Magneto's eldest.

But whatever it was, it couldn't be good.

Sentinel #2 and Sentinel#3, seeing Jean, turned around to and began blasting at her from both sides - the right and the left - with both eye and palm lasers.

Ka-Zaaaaap~!
Ka-Zaaaaap~!
Ka-Zaaaaap~!

That was everybody, except Sage. Polaris couldn't really take her seriously, mostly because she kept talking out commands. Of course Lorna couldn't hear her, but that didn't stop the earlier fiasco of her yelling.

You do have a telepath, maybe you should try issuing orders like that, so that I can't respond accordingly!, she thought in remembrance of earlier, securely due to her electro-magnetism shielding her mind from mental assaults.

Though if the Phoenix came out, that may become a problem.

Now then, what would the X-Men do? Better yet, what would the two newcomers do? Polaris waited, fingertips jingling with energy and orchestrated pandemonium.

In the words of Ivan Drago, she would break them.[/font][/ul]

[ayden1]

The shit had well and truly hit the fan.

His shield had, as predicted, smashed right through Sentinel #1's poor skull and began to sail back around like a boomerang. Yet, it began to carry extra bits of weight with it, and much to the dismay of the Cap, it was flying away from him. His mind kicked in, the decisiveness and pure instinct he had developed over the many, many years he had endured. A soldier's corpse happened to be near him, and right next to the body was God's gift to the American Hero: A surface-to-air Stinger Missile Launcher. This heat seeking missile was designed to hit airborne targets and even had a rather advanced A.I that could read the air patterns that a flying object made and lock on to them. "Thanks." He tapped the dead soldier on the helmet before lifting the launcher to his shoulder. Letting the marker catch onto the air pattern that his shield was making, it beeped to confirm it had indeed locked on.

With a loud sound that could be considered equivalent to a engine starting, the missile ejected reaching Mach 3 speeds in less than 4 seconds and was in hot pursuit of the shield. There was nothing Polaris could do to have the Shield avoid the missile...unless of course she took apart the missile at its root schematics. But Cap already knew this, and in order to prevent her from drawing her attention to the shield he began to make himself known to her. Reloading the Stinger launcher, he fired a second missile, this one aimed directly for Polaris. It was harmless, but what it would do, would distract her for that split second or two to allow the first missile smash the debris covering his shield.

Once he had fired however, he turned his head to see how his S.H.I.E.L.D comrades were doing. His eyes looked on in shock as he knew what Polaris was doing; there was a surge of electricity going through the jet's cable. Bringing his finger to his ear, he yelled to his comrades. "GET THE HELL OUT OF THE PLANES!!" The electricity had reached the planes, but they had not detonated yet. Was it a miracle? Or was it merely the act of Lorna who seemed to have some form of a good conscious below the mysterious exterior. Either way, it was a relief to see the parachutes of the pilots high in the air.

Polaris may have just won back a minimal amount of respect points.

Cap threw the Stinger Missile launcher to the ground; its use had come and gone. His back up plan had now come into action. Polaris did not have a unlimited amount of energy, and the constant manipulation and powering of the Sentinels would surely begin to take its toll. Well, if the resistance couldn't physically beat her, why not just wear her out until she drops? "I bet that forcefield you've got up is draining the hell out of you..." He mumbeled to himself, no one would hear his rather firm attitude as he pulled from his belt a small device. A Electro-Magnetic Pulse generator.

S.H.I.E.L.D had Lorna's file and knew of her abilities. And naturally the Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Devision knew exactly how to deal with these type of threats. As his commander, Nick Fury put it, if they make themselves go up, then we can make them go down. The device in his hand was designed to let off a electro magnetic pulse after two seconds that would spread to the radius of three football fields. The pulse would completely short-circuit any mechanical object in the area; and in the case of Lorna it would do one of two things..."Hey Polaris...S.H.I.E.L.D says hi." He smirked, pressing the button before tossing it high in the air. The thing detonated before anyone could act and what followed was the most deafening sound.

A giant blue shockwave blew right through the entire area.

As soon as the shockwave came in contact with anything mechanical, it would immediatley shutdown the circuitboard and the machine would come crashing down. The Sentinels would be dropping like flies due to this thing. But that wouldn't help against Polaris; she would just resurrect them. Yet, this pulsewave that was generated would do either two things to Lorna. It would completely knock her out as it would short-circuit her powers. Or, it would merely overload her with so much energy that not even the daughter of Magneto could handle and she would overload and fall unconscious. That is...unless she could actually absorb that much energy..."If there is justice in this country; let this work..."

(OOC, Any hassles, just PM me.)

Edit: Due to my misreading of Polaris' post, the pilots are still alive, and my post becomes considerably less bad-ass. Damn!)

[jean]

So Polaris had decided to give Jean a little lecture on controlling her power. Jean didn't know what this raw power flooding into her body actually was. The same power she had felt before. The power the professor had tried to suppress, but with the stress of this batle, they were starting to crack. Magneto's daughter was right. If Jean did try and harness this power completely, there was no telling what would happen or how much destruction that would happen. Her mind obviously wasn't ready to wield it...but what other choice was there?

Sentinel #2 and Sentinel#3, seeing Jean, turned around to and began blasting at her from both sides - the right and the left - with both eye and palm lasers.

Ka-Zaaaaap~!
Ka-Zaaaaap~!
Ka-Zaaaaap~!

"AHHHHHH!!!!" The telepath screamed her voice combined with the screeching of a raptor bird. Invisible waves of psychic energy pulsed from the red head as she raised a hand ceasing pausing the lasers and reversing their flight path back onto the machines. Another wave was released obliterating those two sentinels into scraps of debris. Another feral scream escaped the telepath as the flames from her eyes began to over take her entire body. At that moment, everything slowed down for Jean. Chunks of earth, sentinel parts, buildings had began to telekinetically float from the ground, her eyes becoming a pure white. A dome of psychic energy exploded with concussive force spreading within a 2 mile radius. Buildings cracked, cars flipped over, as well as people, some were rendered unconscious from the blow.

The flaming aura around Jean dimmed as she floated peacefully down to her feet into a crater created by her outburst, waiting for anything or anyone else to oppose her.

[Chain]

Kelly and Penny were trying to get out of the way of Polaris' attack but they weren't going to make it. Neither girl even understood what was going on with the walking American flag and they could hardly hear much with all the noise. Kelly braced herself for the explosion from Polaris and Sunny did so as well but it didn't come. No what happened was Jeanie freaked out and suddenly both girls went flying through the air. Sunshine hit a wall several feet in front of her and slid down slumped over unconscious.

Kelly went flying and the slid across the ground on her already broken arm. That whole side of her body got scraped pretty good and the pain nearly made her pass out. When Jeanie calmed down glazed blue eyes watched her and the chaos that had been made. "Remind me.... never to... piss her.... off...." Her world went black for the time being.

[rogue]

"What tha-?!" Rogue cried as she was suddenly grabbed and moved out of the way of the sentinel's attack, just in time too. She shook her head a bit before realizing exactly what happened and when she looked up, well to be honest it was the last person she thought she'd see here, but god bless whatever celestial being resided in the heavens for Remy Lebeau.

"Ah don't know if its my lucky day or yours, mon Chere," he said standing and setting the woman on her feet. He then made a show of looking around even though he knew of everything going on. "Looks like you could use a wild card."

"Definitely mine, Sug. Definitely mine." Rogue replied giving him a quick hug. The guy saved the girl, it would be the perfect little romantic moment if with wasn't for the destruction of the city around them, the crazy green haired chick, SHEILD and giant robots.

"You're just in time, Swamp Rat.," she said in notice of how dirty and filthy Remy LeBeau looked. Hands now free once more to cause mayhem, which she did flawlessly. "I do hope you're smarter than the others here..."

"Damn it. Ugh, ah feel so useless..." Rogue gritted her teeth. Nothing would satisfy her more than to put Polaris in a little coma via a barehanded bitch-slap to the face. Of all nerve, to call her man a swamp rat? Well that would be the least of her worried since Lorna decided to give the couple a little present. Death via being crushed by some tanks. Joy.

"Remy, move ya butt!" she screamed trying to run and leap out the way. The southern bell was still hit by the elongated tank gun and upon impact, she heard a crack, her sternum being fractured and the blow knocked her out cold. She wouldn't even be conscious in time to see a portion of Jean's true power. The explosion of power tossed her body like a rag doll across the air and landing sprawled out on top of a large chunk of concrete.

[Gambit]

Gambit glanced from Rogue to Polaris at the green haired woman's comment. Really now, Swamp Rat? It had to be the trench coat. Not everyone could appreciate the charming albet roguish look it gave him.

"Y'seem angry cher, ever consider just sittin' down an' talkin'-" He was cut off by Rogue's suddenly shout and the tanks that were sent hurtling in their direction direction. His legs tensed beneath him once more and with a powerful push sent him soaring back, barely avoiding them. Remy touched back down, but his feet didn't stop moving. Spurred into action his mind screamed for him to keep moving. It was harder to hit something that was moving.

Outwardly, Gambit remained in total control. Years of close calls having honed his body to moving instinctively. However, a multitude of different thoughts ran through his mind. Concern for Rogue as well as trying to decide on the best course of action. Things were getting too chaotic. A concerned glance back revealed that Rogue was down. He prayed that she was still alive.

More explosions and gunfire made it hard to tell just where danger was approaching from, but he still didn't stop moving. There wasn't much of a choice of action anymore. Polaris would just keep fixing up the Sentinels, best chance was for them to focus on her first. A few cards slid into his hand then with one quick flick of the wrist he charged them and sent them flying at her while she was busy taunting Jean.

He wouldn't know if they'd make it to their destination though. Soon after he threw them a fierce battle cry echoed across the battle ground, drowning out every other noise. Glancing back at the flaming bird-like creature that held Jean at its core, he could only cross his arms in front of his face as the pulse of pure psychic energy hit him head on.

As he flew through the air, struggling to adjust his body for a less damaging landing, he caught the massive blue shockwave enveloping the area. "Ah sure hope dat's suppose to help..." he said hitting the ground hard. He rolled to a stop with his body aching and once again thanked his armored outfit for saving his life. That and the trenchcoat.

[Polaris]

[/i][/color] Now this was bad, very bad Lorna thought as that aquatic wave rushed towards her floating figure. Depending on the amount, I may not be able to absorb that. Change of pla--

Ker-Znnnnk~!

Polaris would never finish, the EMP made contact with the shield she had been expanding since practically the very beginning of this conflict. It would wane and crackle, almost like a child trying to hold a raging bull in place, before wavering with a fizzling orchestra of pops. This would buy the Mistress of Magnetism time, and thankfully, keep the EMP from making a direct hit.

"Daddy didn't raise no fool.," she said, mostly only loud enough for she herself to hear. Unlike her father, Lorna recognized the significance of getting up - and holding - shields in the event of such things. It had become so second nature, Polaris didn't even think about it, and was frightened by Captain America's device.

However, things would not go too smoothly for Lorna:

Ker-Flsk~!

Momentarily blinded, Lorna would shield her eyes from the fiery presence of the Phoenix, though Polaris only knew the basis of its power, it was enough to warrant caution and perhaps a tinge of fear. "You'd risk your loss of control, just to attack me?," she asked of Jean, unsure if she had any control or if this intergalactic entity was dominant. If Jean was inside, perhaps Lorna's words would reach her, at least before getting pummeled - something Polaris was beginning to accept at this moment.

It was obvious, that psychic blast had flipped cars, torn through buildings, even flung the bodies of the deceased. It wouldn't be surprising if it even hurt Jean's fellow teammates - which made Polaris's job easier - and lifted the work load. But in pondering such a possibility, that blasted EMP was temporarily forgotten, as Polaris did something unthinkable...

Rak, rak, rak~!

With one flick of her wrist, Polaris collected some of her shield's energies and used it to pick up pieces of metal, form them into a egg-shaped shield and threw it in the direction of... a mother and child, just in time to save their lives, but not fast enough to prevent them from enduring moderate burns.

Jean's psychic blast, not only fast, but sudden caught Polaris off guard. Thankfully, something could be done, though it would most likely be overshadowed by the rampage of the Sentinel robots.

In doing this, Polaris's shield - though fairly strong - was lowered enough to allow a waning EMP signal to penetrate through. But by this time, the EMP was weaker than it was originally, and Polaris could deal with it. Not easily, but she could!

Rak, rak, rak, rakrakrakrakRAKRAKRAKRAK~!!!

Enduring contact, Polaris's body responded accordingly by immediately going to protect her vital organs. Remainders of energy surged through her body, finding and targeting the EMPs, using them to transform into usable energies. It would take a moment, but the Sentinels could give her the necessary cover she needed, right? Surely so, she thought as her shield flickered a bit in relevance to her physical well being; she wasn't hurt, just preoccupied.

Kelly and Penny were out, at least for now. This made things easier, and left only Captain America, Marvel Girl, Rogue, Gambit, and... that other one, the one Polaris did not consider important enough to recall. Oh well, that was five... wait, the tank, four people left to stand in opposition to her (not counting the men remaining in the United States Armed Forces).

Rogue would be sparred, as Polaris was not intending to kill. This was already obvious from her not slaying the pilots, protecting a mother and son, and now not aiming to kill Rogue with a tank. Gambit somehow survived, which was impressive, the male must have had ridiculous athleticism.

Sentinel #1 was headless, but still operating, albeit a little wildly, as it fired palm blasts in the direction of several U.S. military units, with the intention of destroying them. Again, Polaris had no direct control over what these gigantic goons did, and could only watch.

Sentinel #2 and Sentinel #3 were, for lack of a better word, decimated. Until Polaris regained her composure, those three sentinels would remain on their own, leaving only Sentinel #4 in proper condition. Sensing this, Sentinel #4 proceeded to enter what could be called an "emergency mode" where it fired eye and palm blasts at Gambit's incoming cards, easily capable of incinerating them.

"PREPARING DEFENSE MODE, TARGET TO PROTECT: LIGHTNING QUEEN.," it said, it's words reaching Lorna's ears who had, by now, begun to re-channel the energy inside of her. But what was said next, was a bit too much for her. "MISSION SUCCESS WITHOUT, 43%. NEEDED FOR SUCCESS."

So, the Brotherhood viewed her as a tool did they? Her life wasn't important because it was, well, a life but a necessity for victory. Lorna had suspected this but now she was absolutely sure, but that wasn't important at the moment. The X-Men were, and raising her eyes to stare out ahead, Polaris could see Jean defiantly opposing her.

Now...

Rak, rak, rak~!

... fall down.

Ker-ZRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNK~!!!

Releasing the EMP that Captain America had so graciously given her, and in a manner similar to Jean's psychic blast, the Mistress of Magnetism was intending to knock out everyone in the vicinity. But how this worked, it was quite simple, the moment the EMP energies entered Polaris' body, her own power went to work sequencing and modifying, until finally she could release them similar to how pressure escapes a pot. This energy would reach out in a circular direction - 60 feet in all ways - with an electrical surge that'd, in simplistic expression, overcharge the neural system until their bodies collapsed.

Tanks, jets, missiles, guns, buildings, even the remains of the Sentinels would be plucked from the ground, then violently hurled in all directions. Electronics (including that blasted EMP machine) would surely short-circuit, becoming utterly useless now. Even the debris-surrounded shield of Captain America would be hurled back many miles away, wherever it was. But in regards to the humans, cracking magnetic shields would immediately form around them, allowing them to be removed from the nation's capital without any fatal wounds. If the X-Men, at least the ones still conscious, were paying attention they'd notice these random acts.

So far, none had been killed as a direct result of Lorna Lehnsherr's actions. Only the Sentinels'.

I'm not in critical condition, at the moment I can still endure. Polaris was giving a self evaluation on her body's condition, as this had been going on for quite some time, and the strain was just now beginning to appear. But if I had to guess, my power reserve is around 85%. If I reassemble three sentinels, I can safely assume I'd be at 82%, which means... at this rate, with no more surprises, I can go for another three or four hours.

Taking a moment to scan the battlefield, Polaris individually analyzed each of those here:

Jean is obviously my biggest challenge, while the Cajun I have very little information to work with. But by witnessing those cards, I'd have to assume some sort of energy projection or manipulation power, which means he operates similarly to myself. Panting softly, Lorna glimpsed over to Chain and Sunshine. Not sure what the larger one does exactly, and the other was linking up by touch, so I have to assume some enhancement ability. I could be wrong, but two mutants are more troublesome than one, it's a good thing she's not at full capacity. That thought, Magneto's eldest looked to the battered Rogue. You're tough, and next to Jean, the most problematic. It is unfortunate I had to resort to such extremes, but if you think about it, this is my way of respecting your power - no ordinary subduing method would suffice. Xavier is harnessing you for war, I could guide you to paradise, Rogue.

Captain America, well, he was just a guy in a corny suit, right? But Polaris did view him as somewhat of a threat, considering he had a shield that she couldn't directly control. Also, he had a connection to the U.S. forces here, which was fairly impressive to the green-haired female.

Again, Polaris came to Sage last. She'd not seen the woman do much but bark out orders, wield a gun, and well... that's it. If she had an impressive ability, she'd have used it already. But even if she did, that EMP-reversed blast should suffice, taking care of her as well as anyone else improperly prepared for such a thing.

Rak, rak, rak~!

Of the individuals here, Polaris knew Jean with the Phoenix could avoid this. Gambit, maybe, as he did wield kinetic energy, but she had something in store for him if he got around this. The others though, they should fall, leaving just the Phoenix's shell and Genosha's elite.

"You're so determined to stop me from bringing destruction to this city, yet in doing so perform the same type of acts?," she asked, momentarily glancing to her left side at the burning remains of buildings and automobiles, before looking back to Jean. "Do you not concern yourself with any possible damage inflicted from resorting to... that... power?"

Of worthy note, Polaris was not rebuilding the Sentinels. One had to assume one of three things: 1) Polaris was in no condition to do so, 2) Polaris had another plan, or 3) Polaris knew better than to waste her time with them.

Sentinel #4, sensing Polaris was coming back to her normal condition, returned to it's original commands. But instead of destroying buildings, the metallic monster rocketed off to pick up the weakened and/or unconscious mutants, intending to store them inside it's chest.

Sentinel #1, headless, was firing all over the place. Maybe Gambit would go mess with that one, or whoever was left.

Hopefully, this would leave just the two femme fatales upon the battlefield, and perhaps a conclusion to this chapter in their lives.[/font][/ul]

[ayden1]

Just as the EMP pulse was released through the entire field of battle, one of the mutants whom happened to be fighting for the protection of the humans let loose a wave of psionic energy that was far more powerful than anything Captain America had been briefed on. He was thrown off his feet, flying backwards a number of metres before hitting a wall and crumpling to the floor. His eyes remained open, all through the power of his will and hope that his attack combined with the force of Jean's blast would put a stop to Polaris. His plan was crushed.

The EMP was not strong enough to break through Polaris' shield and phased her little. The one back-up plan, the one trump card that S.H.I.E.L.D had to use on the mutant and it failed rather abysmally. "Damn it to hell." He cursed as he punched the ground forcefully with his right fist. Pushing himself to his feet, he gazed out upon the sight of destruction laying at the feet of Lorna. Hell, what did the Government have that could stand up to this type of power? Apparently Magneto was even more powerful than Lorna, so how the hell were they supposed to defeat this threat?

"Captain America! Transmission from Vice-Commander Hill sourced from S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters; respond immediately!"

Placing his right index finger to his ear, wondering what the hell could be the problem now. "Captain America reporting; what's the situation?" God, he hoped by the dreams of the American patriots that the White House or some form of high standing place had not been brutally destroyed. "We have word that a group of mutants have infiltrated the White House and are in direct pursuit of the President and his family. You are to abandon your post and return to the White House; immediately." This was ridiculous, he could not leave these mutants and people to fend for themselves. This was wrong, on so many levels. These mutants were giving their lives to the protection of the humans whom hated them, and he was being ordered to abandon them to save the President? "Negative, Vice-Commander Hill. There are mutants here who desperately need my assistance. It pains me to say, but the life of one, even if it is the President, does not outweigh the lives of many." Maria Hill was second in command to Nick Fury, and Steve knew that Hill had it in for the Star Spangeled hero since the day they met. Apparently she couldn't trust him.

"This is not negotiable, Rogers. You will obey the commands S.H.I.E.L.D issues to you, understand? The lives of a couple of goody-two-shoe mutants mean nothing to the safety of the American President."
"These people will die, damn it! They are living, breathing people who need my help!"
"If you do not return to the White House immediately, Captain America, you will be accused of treason. Do you want all the school-kids looking up to a criminal? No. Of course you don't; now abandon your post; soldier."
"Damn you, Hill..."

Ending the transmission, Captain America looked out upon the battlefield once more. It tore him to leave this place to the mercy of Polaris, but orders were orders; soldiers obey orders. Swearing under his breath, he turned towards the direction from which he came and headed towards the jet that he had piloted to reach this place. This was not a glorious day...

Captain America has left the battle to assist the White House.[/u]

(Approved by Magneto. This should add some fuel to the 'humans vs mutants' flame.)

[Sage]

... The Phoenix.

The raptor's cry echoing with Jean's own made the cyberpath frown and mutter a few choice swear words. No, that couldn't happen! That girl- who had so much potential with her powers that it had given Sage a migraine when she tried to analyze them- couldn't lose control of whatever it was that was inside of her. If she did, there was no telling what would happen-

A blast of pure concussive psychic energy was that something that would happen, Sage noted, a mere second before it hit her. She was blasted back into the window of the store that was behind her, and she landed on the floor and felt something snap as glass rained around her.

A rib, she noted once she landed in a heap on the floor. Probably more. Magneto had better be happy, she thought, rolling herself over so she lay on her stomach. His daughter was winning, playing with the other X-men. Sage had never liked Lorna much, and this battle had only further cemented those feelings.

She pushed herself off of the ground, ignoring the broken glass from the window that cut into her hands. Magneto had better be fucking happy, because getting toyed around with by his bitch of a daughter was not in her job description, at all.

Sage made her way to the door and opened it to get back into the fight, but a second blast of some sort of energy knocked her roughly to the ground again. She cried out in pain as she landed roughly, her ribs shouting in protest at the abuse. Her glasses crashed, and began to spark.

With a frown, she pulled them off and tossed them to the ground. Great, EMP. They were totally fried now, there was no use in keeping them in hopes that she could reprogram them.

Holding her side with one hand, Sage used her other hand to push herself halfway off the ground, breathing heavily. She glanced backwards, and noted in shock that Captain America was retreating. So, he was just leaving them there on their own, then? Swoops in to help, then retreats the second things don’t go his way? Patriotic bastard.

She coughed once, noting with a frown the blood that speckled her hand after doing so. Coughing up blood was never a good sign, she knew.

Jean, you need to stop her...

But Sage had other things to worry about, at least for herself- Sentinel #4 rocketed toward her, and scooped her up inside of its chest. A half second of panic was stopped by her sudden smirk. This was exactly what she was hoping for. She slid a knife out of her boot and began prying at panels inside the robot. One wire, all she needed was one wire, and the Sentinel was hers.