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Geo-Force, formerly the Heir to the Markovian thrown Brion Markov, who had been exiled from his own country and forced to leave everything he had known, had not gotten any sleep since the news that the Exilibris would be leading a mission into Markovia. For the last 15 years or so, Markovia had been ruled by Brion's tyrant uncle who had murdered Brion's father, and had assumed the throne, forcing Brion and his remaining family, his mother and his younger sister, to flee Markovia if they wanted to stay alive. Since that time, Brion had been unaware of the civil unrest that had plagued his country for over a generation, and had just come to a halt with the death of his uncle. His cousin, the heir to the thrown had fled the country, leaving the country to once again heal from the injustice that had been done unto it during Brion's time away.

The last time Brion had stepped foot in his homeland, he had been just a child, with little memory of what had happened before he was forced out. Now, he had grown into a strong and very capable leader, the man he had been born to become. He had started off the morning like any other day, with breakfast with Pixie, and an hour work-out and spar with none other than his girlfriend and love. However, he would be shocked, when he was approached, midway through his training regimen, by the Exilbris leader, Storm. Being pulled aside to talk in private, Brion came to find out that not only was he now able to return to his homeland and people, but he was assigned as the Team Leader on a relief mission into Markovia.

Having already set up plans out on London with Meg later that day, he was forced to tell her that their "romantic date" had been cancelled, due to an important mission which she would be joining him on. Though she was unaware of it, his plans for a romantic date were more than just a romantic gesture, but something that he hoped would leave her breathless. However, with that out of the question, he couldn't help but fell a bit of excitement of having this chance to spend the "date" in his own homeland.

Though he hadn't been told of just how long the mission was to last, he had planned on atleast spending a few days, even if he had to find another way back to the Exilbris Accademy in the UN some other way. Hell, he was returning home for the first time since he was a child, and was certain that after the mission, he would make the best of it. When he had been packing for the trip, he had been so anxious to get going, that he had nearly forgotten his entire suitcase and costume when it had come time for the Team to meet for the mission debriefing.

Of course, many of the other heroes who were assigned to the mission gave him quizical looks when they saw that he had packed for something that wasn't going to be more than a day or so mission....but Brion brushed that off when he felt pixie's arm wrap around his own, and her other hand grasp his arm. Her head gently resting against his arm, he smiled softly as he placed a kiss on her forehead, and turned to see storm who had smiled shortly after winking at him. The briefing was short, and as soon as it was over, they had all taken their places on the X-Corps' Personalized Jet, Brion had turned to see Pixie staring up at him, concern showing through her eyes, though her face was showing the same warm glow that resonated from her beautiful smile.

"Something wrong?" Brion asked, trying to hide the fact that he was in fact nervous about the mission, but more importantly of returning to where his father had been killed, and where he had been forced to flee for his own life. The years during and following that time, had been the worst years of his life, until the X-Men, and meeting the very man who would become his best friend. This was no siple mission that he could just forget about, this whole thing had everything to do about not only his past but even his possible future. When he had seen a look that she could clearly see through his lie, he sighed and shook his head, lowering it to stare at the floor. "Brion.....you know you can talk to me about anything....there's something clearly bothering you....please, tell me?" She said softly into his ear, taking his hand in hers and holding it in her own, and with her second hand guiding his head until he was looking into hers. Biting his lip as he took in a deep breath, and then let out a deep sigh, he slowly shook his head. "I don't know....there's just so much going through my mind right now that...." He started to say, before stopping and turning his body towards hers, and looking her straight in the eyes. "After all this time, I can finally return home, without fear for my life....I guess it's just getting overwhelming to think of all that has gone on there...because I couldn't return to fight for my own people....and now I'm returning? Like nothing ever happened? These are my people....but....." He paused there, the pain shining in his eyes as he once again looked to the ground.

The guilt for not attempting to free his own people from the tyrant that had taken his kingdom, was overwhelming his senses, his ability to think about anything other than how he had failed those who he owed a sense of responsibility to. Pixie's soft hands rubbed gently over his back for a second, as it fell quite between them, until she had once again taken his hand in hers. "You haven't done anything wrong Brion....if anything you are trying to make ammends for the wrongs your uncle has done to you and the markovian people...." She said soothingly, her words reassuring him that he was not at fault for what had happened...but even though she was right, the guilt lingered. "but..." he started to say, but stopped as she gently put a fingertip to his mouth, stopping him from saying anything else. Leaning in she had pressed her lips against his, before laying her head on his shoulder, and wrapping her arm around his . "Let's just enjoy this time together before we arrive....anything that happens after, we can deal with as they come....just relax....." She said, her voice pleading softly to just let her enjoy his company there. With a nod, Brion fell silent, gently moving a strand of hair out of her eyes and kissing her forehead before leaning his head back against the neckrest and falling asleep.

The moment he had closed his eyes, he had seemed to drift off into a half sleep, which didn't seem to last long, before being nudged softly to wake up. A bit surprised to have arrived in Markovia already, he looked up at Pixie, who giggled at his quizzical look on his face, as he looked around. "Where are we? There's no way we're in Markovia yet...are we?" He asked, looking even more confused, certain that they must have had to make an unscheduled stop for gas or some other reason. "I can't believe you don't even recognize your own country!" she said, giggling a bit, before pulling him up onto his feet. "This can't be...." he started to say, but stopped as he was interrupted by a man dressed in a black business suit. "I hate to disappoint you, but this is in fact Markovia...I am Teodor Alin, personal assistant to President Horea. We thank you for your assistance in this matter at hand. We have hotel rooms prepared for each of you to rest and prepare for the briefing, in which you will be told the specifics of your mission here. The vehicles outside will take each of you."[/color] The man said, stopping to look at each of the members of the group, frowning a bit as he reached Brion. "I was informed that I would speak with an Ororo Monroe....the leader of the...." The man said a bit confused as he did not see anyone there who had fit the description given to him of Ororo, but before he could finish Brion had stepped forward. "I appologize, Lady Ororo was unable to assist on this mission, but has assigned me as the Team Leader...."

The information did not seem to please the man, but had instead decided to continue on with getting the X-Corps heroes situated. "Very well....and who might you be?"[/color] The man asked, nearly demanding. "Brion....Brion Markov....." Brion said hesitantly, though smiled a bit when he had seen the shock in the man's eyes as he looked at him. It almost appeared as if the man had seen a ghost, but soon had shaken it off, and showed Brion and Pixie to their vehicles where two armed guards were waiting. "As you know....we are still in a troubled times....these men will accompany you until you have arrived at the Presidential Palace.....We will see you all at 5....no later."[/color] The man said as he disappeared into an armored vehicle and disappeared into the horrizon.

A bit cautious of this whole situation, Brion wasn't comftorable about being followed around by armed guards, when he had been told that this was to be a relief mission. With a sigh of relief, he joined Pixie in the car, and the ride into town started on its way.

Megan giggled again at Brion as he could not believe just where they were. She true around to see a man behind them. Had things really changed that much over the years? She smiled at Brion and then looked back at the man as he talked. “Brion is more then capable to lean the team for this.” She know there was a reason for Lady Ororo to have him lead this team.

At hearing that there was rooms waiting for them she grin. “Good I can go for a nap and maybe a shower.” she looked down at her watch. “At 5, so we have... a couple of hours,” she moved past the man and headed for the car. She was not use to armed guards. She looked them over as she slide into the seat of the car and over so Brion could get in with her.

Once Broin was in the car next to her she slide over clost to him and lead her head on this shoulder. So this where he lived as a kid. “What do you think the man wants to tell us?”

(I hope no one minds... )

Through word from the community announcements and messages from the church, Celestia found out that there were 'deployments' to a country overseas to provide aid in food, medicine, and other necessities. The people here had been hit hard by civil war, so there was talk amongst the volunteers about providing a safe haven away from the worst of the fighting, even if it had died down from earlier years. The young woman and at least a dozen others had just gotten off of the plane when a small crowd gathered in front of them; it seemed that their mission of mercy would get a very early start.

After the encounter, inventory was taken and made a note of, just to be sure they had enough until the next shipments arrived in a day or so. Most had set up a hospital close to the palace, although there were other smaller stations scattered throughout the city, with one being close to the airport where the group saw some armed men arriving and speaking with some strangers in what looked to be one-piece suits. Upon further inquiry, this was a team of people that came from the US as well, but like her, had abilities...or so it was assumed by some of the locals who had overheard part of the conversation. Hearing the name of the young man who was leading the team, Celestia wondered if there was some connection between him and what had happened here; she and her group of volunteers had been briefed on Markovia's history during the trip, and received a more informed lesson from the locals.

Hearing that they were heading toward the Presidential Palace or their hotel - at least in that general direction, the young woman decided to try and meet them at their destination...although it would require either a very fast vehicle to do it, or she would have to resort to changing into Seraph. While the former seemed to be the more logical choice, no doubt it would prove the slower method, since it would have to weave through traffic just to find the place. Excusing herself from the others, she ducked into an alley and allowed the persona of Seraph to emerge, changing the common attire to a simple white gown, and sandals to take the place of her shoes. Six snow-white wings emerged from her back, and after a few flaps to take in air, lifted the woman into the air and over the city, searching for the mini convoy on the road. Spotting them, and the hotel in the distance, Seraph landed in a nearby alley and changed back, composing herself as headed toward the hotel doors, yet didn't go in. She wanted to catch them before they went in, mostly to ask if there was anything specific they wanted the groups to do, aside from what they were doing already in treating injured, building shelters, and feeding the hungry...and who better to speak to than the officials in charge?

Despite how pleased he was to finally be home again, a feeling of insecurity lingered in the back of his mind...a feeling that not everything about this situation seemed right. As megan sat down and closed the door, he let out a soft sigh, to finally have a moment away from the armed guards that seemed to watch his every move since the moment he stepped off the plane. When she had moved closer to him and lain her head on his shoulder, he took her hand in his, and squeezed it lovingly.

It had taken a few seconds for her question to sink in, as he had been running the situation over and over in his mind, trying to make sense of his insecurity about the "mission" that Ororo had personally sent him to lead. Looking her in the eyes, he shook his head slightly. "I...uh...I'm not entirely sure...." he said, pausing as he looked away. The fear that was evident in his mind seemed to linger in the back of his mind, and despite how much he wanted to believe that the fear was merely just a silly thought that refused to go away, he couldn't help but wonder if there was something behind his fear. Letting out a soft sigh he shook his head. "I don't know meg....I just have this weird feeling about this whole situation....almost as if there's something more behind why we're here, than what we've been told..." He said to her in a hushed tone, as he kept a careful watch on the driver of the car, to make sure that he wasn't listening into his conversation with her, for as far as he knew, the driver could very well be involved in this as well.

Perhaps it was just the anxiety of returning to his home after being away for so long, and the memories of his youth, that had been forced into the back of his mind, resurfacing. His youth still haunted him, and though he tried hard to keep that from showing, he was sure that she could sense it. The rest of the drive he seemed to close himself off, his mind going off into hundreds of different possibilities of why they were truly here, each of them sending a chill up his spine...but before long, the driver had pulled up in front of the hotel where he would be staying with the other x-men. The door opened, before he could reach out to grab the handle, and he slowly slid out of the car, holding onto megan's hand the entire time.

He was helping megan out of the car, when a woman had walked out of the alley and was standing near the entrance of the hotel. When he had turned to walk inside, with pixie's arm wrapped around his, he eyed the woman, who had seemed to be watching him intently. Stopping in front of her, as he got to the door of the hotel, he turned to face her. "Forgive me...but have we met before?" He asked her with a curious look in his eyes. The feeling he got from her, seemed to put his fears to rest, at least for the time being, giving him the feeling that she was not someone who he needed to fear.

Megan smiled at her hand in his. But behind the smile she was thinking about what was they was about to get into. She to had a feeling that all things was not as they seem. But she was sure that they can take anything that came at them….or she hoped they could. “You think Orora was holding back info on us or that maybe they was holding some back from her too?”

She snuggled in closer to him and look at the window as they made there way to the hotel. She wondered if being there was going to be ok for her love. Being home for the first time in years and in the middle of a war , even if it is coming to an end like they say it is. As her mind wondered, she did not see that they had pulled up to the hotel until she heard the door open.

Sliding out of the car, her hand still in Brion’s. She looked up at the top of the building at the roof top. It was a good one for her to take off from later. Her wings opened and closes at she looked back at Brion, it was then that she feel someone watching them and it was then that she saw that Brion was looking at someone. She to had a feeling that she knew the lady that was someone that was there to help them out with what was really going on around them.

She would wait by the door until addressed, which wasn't long after the vehicle stopped and its occupants emerged. During that moment of time, Celestia debated on how exactly to say what her purpose was without being shooed away by the black-suited men that stood nearby. There was no sense in making a big deal over the fact the man's name was a form of the country's own name...so it was best to address him as part of the group he was in. Act normal...stay calm. She thought to herself, clearing her throat before slow approaching them.

To the question of if he had met her before, the brunette shook her head, still giving a serene smile. "No we haven't. I'm Celestia Johnson, part of the charity organization called Wings of Hope." She slowly extended a hand for him to shake as she continued. "We just arrived here not long ago, and was hoping we could meet in order to better coordinate our efforts in restoring this country." She waited a moment for him to introduce himself if he wished and that of his companions before continuing. "So far, we have set up a few impromptu shelters for the homeless, as well as small hospitals to tend to the sick. Throughout the capital alone there are half a dozen soup kitchens, making sure that no one goes hungry. It will be a tough task ahead, but there will be others coming in starting tomorrow to help restock supplies as well as begin work on building houses."

Should probably wait to let them know of my alter ego...for now I see nothing else that is happening aside from making sure that people are well. Celestia thought to herself as she waited their reply. Perhaps they had better ideas on how resources could be divided, or at the very least give advice on how to better help the people. Glancing at the sky, she noticed that the sun was starting to set, meaning that either this meeting had to be cut short so she could change to Seraph and heal those that were really sick or seriously wounded, or hope that they can hold out until she arrived.

Despite the feeling of uncertainty about their mission, Brion shook out the idea that Ororo could have even withheld information from them. Shaking his head in response to Meggan's question, they were able to enjoy the rest of the drive in silence, enjoying the quiet time wrapped in each other's arms.

The guards who had been responsible for escorting them safely to the hotel were on edge the second that Brion had approached the young woman, asking if he had known her, but waved them off...sensing no danger from the woman at all. Frowning a bit, as he strained to remember where he might know the woman from, he was unsure why her face seemed so familiar to him, even after she had told him that they had never met before then. A soft but serene smile crossed his face when she had introduced herself to him and extended her hand in a friendly gesture. Extending his own, as he took her hand in a firm handshake, he turned to face Megan, placing one hand one the small of her back. "Celestia, this is Megan, my girlfriend....she's the second in command of our little Excilibris group that was sent here to assist...." Brion started as he turned back to face the young woman.

Brion listened carefully to what the young woman had to say, nodding as a brief smile crept across his face. The progress the other groups had been making were phenominal, just within the last day, and he started to wonder just what sort of help he and the other super powered being in his group were going to be needed there for. As she came to a close of informing him of everything that had been done before their arrival, he finally able to get a good look at her, and though he could see a hint of exhaustion...Smiling as he reached out and gently touched her shoulder. "You look awefully tired....won't you join us for dinner, before we begin to assist the needs of my group here? I'm sure that you could use a bit of rest yourself? I'll be sure to have my friends here treat your volunteers to food and somewhere to take a breather...."

Megan smiled as she stand there with her love as they talked to the young lady. “Hello Celedtia it is nice to meet you. It sounds like you and your team
have everything under control.” She could not think of why they were there?


She Nodded and hold out her hand to the door. “He is right. Why do not join u? and we will send someone over to help out your team so they too get some rest. We do not want you guys to get over worked or anything, now do we?”

(sorry it is late and so short)

As she shook Brion's hand, Celestia nodded as he introduced the young woman by his side as Megan. "A pleasure to meet the both of you." She replied, the smile still on her face. Her handshake was gentle enough, mostly brought on by fatigue from her prior duties before coming here, and even then her job wasn't over yet; once night fell, she would have to see who the sickest individuals were and use her powers to try and heal them at least to where they could be cared for normally. Serious emergency supplies were in short supply, especially in times of rebuilding after a war.

Brion had said that the group was from Exlibris, which no doubt would be a great benefit in the relief effort, especially since Wings of Hope had a great start in setting things up. She didn't want to reveal her other self just yet, not until she was in an area or circumstance where she could trust these people...that and she was pretty exhausted already, having been working all day on only a few small snacks. The rest of the food was saved for those that needed it more. Hearing the invitation extended to her to join them for dinner, Celestia was half-tempted to refuse, but as her stomach growled in protest, she gave an embarrassed smile. "I suppose I could do with a quick bite to eat before going back to work; I accept your gracious offer...and the rest of us could probably use a break too. We've been working almost nonstop since we arrived, but it is worth it when people are sheltered, full, and well-recovered from any wounds or sickness." Hearing Megan add that they would send someone else over for the rest of her group caused her to bow her head in thanks. "Again, you have my thanks."