Wow. Its finally done. Wow. I started this story back in about December of 1995. I had really wanted to do a Cyke story, and I had just reread the Geshem' graphic novels. Alternate realities have always been one of my favorite parts of comics, and I set out to merge a few of them and see what happened. What happened was what was supposed to be a short story grew to the monster before you, and I had a hell of a good time writing it. I love writing for its own sake... all the little ideas and stories clawing at the inside of my brain, demanding to get out. I can't say there's nowhere left to go with Geshem... there are enough dangling plot devices to make Marvel proud, but I am going to put it aside for a while. I have a few other little beasties to create. I have to thank Hawk and Lori for giving this a home, and all those who wrote with their suggestions, comments and praise. This story would never have grown to this size without you. I'm adding this because there is some background material to the story, and while you REALLY don't need to have read anything else to understand Pale Reign...', this will settle some questions for the more curious of you. Oh, one other thing... i'm sorry if the whole Alex/Alexander thing bugged any of you... Alexander Summerisle was a late addition to the cast at an emailed suggestion (apologies, I can't remember whose), and I thought the idea was too good not to use... it wasn't TOO annoying, was it? WARNING; the following contains SPOILERS pertaining to the graphic novels Wolverine:Rahne of Terra and Wolverine:Knight of Terra. The land of Geshem and some of the chracters were originally created by Peter David, Ian Edginton and John Ostrander and Marvel for two Wolverine Annuals; Rahne of Terra and Knight of Terra. Some Geshem characters and their counterparts; the Mage, a sorceror - Cable Shaman, a sorceror - Prof X the Beast, an elemental spirit - a sort of possessed Sabretooth Queen/Princess Rain - Rahne, Wolfsbane Samuel, a knight - Cannonball Robert, a knight - Sunspot Richard, a knight - Rictor Tabitha, a maid - Boomer/Meltdown High Lord Summerisle, wears a magic helmet called The Basilisk Mask' that fires optic beams - Cyclops Lady Jehane - Jean Grey Mistral - Storm Lord Paladin, uses a magic Sword called The Shard of Kym' - Bishop Hector, the Shaman's familiar - Beast The Prince-Consort - Doug Ramsey, Cypher Magnus, an evil Sorceror - Magneto Lilian - Illyana, Magik The short version is this; In the first one, the evil sorceror Magnus brings Logan into Geshem to serve as the Beast, a nasty creature propheised to kill the princess. To save the princess, the Mage switched her with Rahne. Logan goes after her, and the knights/New Mutants stop him. Magnus attacks, Logan snaps out of it and kills him. Everyone gets sent home. In the sequel, the real Beast shows up, and he is nasty, killing off most of the Princess's army on his way to kill her. The Shaman switches Rhane and the Princess again, because the princess is having trouble dealing with her magic powers, similar to Rahne's mutant abilities. The Shaman also brings over Wolverine again to help out. While Rahne rallies the kingdom, Logan, with the help of the High Lords; Cyclops, Bishop, Jean and Storm, manages to stop the Beast. Professor X helps the princess control her powers and everyone goes home. and my own adaptions; The Pale Man - Mr Sinister The Mage's Hunter - Stevie Hunter Gambler - Gambit (a'duh :) Katherine - Shadowcat Alexander - Havok Lustre - Belladonna Sir Peter, the golem - Colossus Marik - Scalphunter Javelin - Harpoon Downfall - Arclight Hairbag - Hairbag Sounder - Ruckus the man in grey - Riptide Julie and Alex were Julie and Alex Power, as in Power pack. Pale Reign...' takes place a month or so, Geshem time, after the events in the graphic novels... they really are quite good, btw. Yes, I know I took certain liberties with continuity, reality-hopping, time travel, and so on... it's a story, so if you liked it, good, if you didn't, let me know why, but realize some creative license in necessary, or it would be no fun at all. And make no mistake about it, it WAS fun to write. If you stayed with me this far, through 36 chapters, then I have to assume I at least held your interest, and would really REALLY appreciate hearing (reading) it from you. Finally, I'll add this. Writers are a special breed. We make something where there is nothing. If you have a story to tell... tell it. It may not be good, it may not be bad, but you'll have taken something immaterial, and given it life, and thats never a bad thing. Well... thats it, thats all... Til next time... Keep the faith. - Abyss, April 1997 Abyss