Mind Boggling
Chapter One, Introductions
"Readjusting to negative six point two," muttered Richards to himself as he wrote down something in his notes. Moving his head behind him enough so that he could see Princess Ravonna, he sighed quietly to himself.
It seemed that whatever he did, it just wouldn't be enough to sustain her. Shaking his head, a round of reprimanding rang through his head. No matter what happened, he had to save her. This woman, encased in the stasis tube, had to be saved. The survival of humanity depended on it and not because she was near death. Because she was the lover of the supposed Kang the Conqueror. The Avenger's most recent acquired enemy.
So far, all Reed and Hank had done was adjusting things in her tube. However, ever since Hank's disappearance Reed's efforts had seemed fruitless. As any minute she would, die and Reed wouldn't know what to do. What to tell the Avengers if anything like that happened. But being the brilliant scientist that he was, Reed had a haunch.
He hadn't been told much about what had happened to Ravonna and Hank hadn't told him much either. He had thought of every possible variable and had come up with multiple theories. Each one rejected until he had explored the last one. Hank would've thought him crazy for even considering but this was a matter of life and death and Reed was willing to try anything that would work. Even if it involved telepaths.
Just as soon as Reed was about to get back to writing, he heard a door to his lab open and in walked Sue. Her beautiful golden hair streaming down her head until it reached her shoulders. Her eyes alert as she walked around his lab with her usual cautiousness. That's what Reed liked about her. She, unlike the other boys, was careful where she stepped and if she stepped on something at least apologized and attempted to fix it.
When Reed looked from her to himself, he noticed that he had accidently coiled himself around the stasis tube. Feeling like a rubber band, he slowly snaked his way back around the tube. Following the path his torso had taken, he stopped until he felt that everything had realigned itself. Just as he did so, he noticed Sue standing in front of his work desk with two cups of coffee.
He smiled at her, taking one of them from her and sipping. Even though caffeine wasn't something he normally drank, he had taken it to more often lately. The doors opened again and in stepped the rest of the team.
"Hey Reed though you didn't drink," Came a deep bass voice from behind Johnny. The said blond stepped out of the way of the orange giant as Benn Grimm crossed his arms," you know, since you lecture us about drinking."
Both boys turned their attention on the mug in Reed's hands and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sue blushing deeply. Taking her mug in hand, she took a gentle sip from it. Looking down at his mug as if it were Fing Fang Foom he quickly set it down on his worktable and pushed it aside. He saw Johnny's and Benn's eyebrows go up.
Being the person that she was, Susan was the next to speak. Her voice soothing and comforting to listen to," Benn have you contacted Professor Xavier yet? I know Reed meant to do it but you know how he is when he's locked himself in his lab," she turned to look at him with a ring of brown around her lips. She smiled affectionately at Reed who gave a warm smile back to her. Then she turned to Johnny, who was fiddling with his nails," And how about you Johnny? Have you talked with Jean Grey, yet? Or were you too busy making out with her?"
At this, Benn cleared his throat and answered Susan's question. Another thing Reed loved about Sue. She always knew the right thing to say and exactly how to say it," Actually, I didn't get to. Last, I checked, Adamantium Bones said he was in Europe recruiting more young mutants. Said he wouldn't be back for at least a month or so."
Everyone turned to Johnny just as he stopped fiddling with his nail. A heavy sigh came out of him," No, sis, I didn't make out with Jean Grey," Susan must've shot him one of her famous glares because after that he looked like he was about ready to run for the hills," her boyfriend, that Scott guy, said she was still recovering from her amnesia. Said she wouldn't be active for another couple of weeks."
That's right I almost forgot! Thought Reed without changing his expression. A few weeks ago, the X-Men had just recovered their telepath and telekinetic, Jean Grey. Apparently, she had suffered from amnesia from an attack that had happened a year ago. Mean while, they had brought in a new telepath, Emma Frost, who had sacrificed herself to contain the Phoenix Force and had apparently given her all.
Suddenly, a dark blue material moved its way across Reed's line of vision. Shaking his head, he noticed that Susan's hand was the blue material he had seen. The others also looked at him strangely just as they did whenever he missed a conversation.
"Sorry, what were we talking about again?" he knew that he probably asked this question fifty percent of the time, but he didn't care.
Benn was the first one to answer," Well we were just discussing the other telepaths that we know," Johnny and Susan nodded in unison. Must've been a twin thing.
"But as far as we know," Johnny finished as if this were his big scene. It probably was, considering all he did when they weren't saving the world was cars and girls," there's only one other telepath that has the power to do the job."
Reed nodded, letting the information he had just received sink in. He nodded again and turned to Johnny," If that's the case then why don't you and Benn contact the Avengers. I'm sure they'd love to visit us now that Doom isn't on our tails." Turning to glance at Susan, he suddenly wished that they were the only ones in the room. Susan's eyes met his only once and probably conveyed the same feeling. At least, Reed hoped they did.
Before Johnny could respond Benn's tight hand gripped the young man's arm," Come on hot stuff, let's leave the two love birds alone for a bit," without waiting for a response, Benn's firm rocky hand dragged the young man out of the room. His face ventured from Susan to Reed but neither conveyed anything of use to him. Once the door finally closed on the two, Reed let out a small sigh of relief.
"Well Reed, what did you want to talk about?" Sue asked, moving her way closer to Reed. She stopped a breath away and Reed's heart was pounding. He glimpsed down at the coffee on the table that he had left and picked it up. Taking a sip, he saw Susan's expression relax.
Reed shook his head again," Nothing exactly. I just wanted to know if-"she didn't give him time to finish. Before Reed could even calculate the odds, she moved her way towards him. Her lips briefly brushed his cheek and then they were gone.
"If I wanted to go to dinner after we're done? Of course," she said with a sweet and sexy grin on her face. Just as Reed was, about to reach for her she backed away," Just as long as you pay," without another word, she was out the door before he could even begin to do the math.
Reed's expression was a mixture of confusion and delight. He hadn't expected, no, predicted for this to happen. On a spare piece of paper, he wrote down what had just happened between him and Sue and how to the situation had occurred.
Several doors down, Johnny had just contacted the Avengers with the help of Benn. The contact was on a giant holo screen, provided to them by H.E.R.B.I.E. A small hole in his stomach told Susan where the projection was coming from. The rest of the room itself was dimly lit, which made it hard to see which room they were using. Susan had just arrived when the boys turned to glance at her. Johnny was the first to speak as they moved aside to let her see Tony, whose shirt was buttoned loosely.
"Hey sis," Johnny greeted as Tony turned to talk to someone off screen," we were just chatting with Iron Man here about our whole situation."
"You know," Benn continued and Susan turned to look at him. Tony continued his conversation off screen, leaning his head back," that we've already contacted all the other telepaths we know. And, you know, this telepath is our last resort."
Just then, Tony's conversation ended and he turned his attention back to the three. Susan noticed that his shirt had been buttoned all the way up but a new person was on the screen. She was darker skinned than him and had long, flowing black hair. Her eyes were the same shade as her long sleeve shirt, aquamarine. Her lips were full and very pink looking. For some reason, she seemed familiar to Sue but she couldn't place the other woman's name.
"So Lucy, what do you say?" asked Johnny and then it finally hit her. The Lady! A powerful telepath and telekinetic who happened to be very good friends with Tony. Not to mention an ex-S.H.I.E.L.D agent and mutant.
Tony turned to Lucy, his eyes scanning her for something. For what Susan wasn't sure but she listened anyway with deep intent. Lucy's response was clear and concise, as if she had planned this out at some point.
"I'll do it," she conceded and Tony's gaze returned back to them. The boys smiled and Susan nodded, her warm and welcoming demeanor most likely already reaching them.
"You guys might want to hurry then," said Benn and the two turned to him," cause Reed'll most likely lock himself in his lab again if you don't," a smile played across his face. The other two nodded along with Tony.
"Right. We'll make sure to be there as soon as we can," he responded and Lucy pushed back waves of ebony hair behind her ear.
"As long as we bring Janet along too. You know how badly she's been bugging you to see Susan again," a warm nod was directed at Sue, who returned it.
"So it's settled. We'll be there in half an hour," Tony said.
"Wait, three of you? We only need the telepath," intercepted Benn who had now crossed his arms.
Just as Susan opened, her mouth to speak the door behind them opened. In entered Reed, who had taken off his lab coat and was wearing his costume," That's quite all right Benn. We're going to need the others anyway. We'll see you when you get here, Tony," with those final words, the holo projection shut off and the lights of the room were restored.
H.E.R.B.I.E's stomach returned to normal and he flew towards Reed. Chatting with the robot, Reed was occupied. Susan turned to the boys, who were now indulging in a game of Poker on the couch. Now was Susan's chance. Now was the time to make her move.
Deep down, there was a voice in her head. A voice that told her, Not yet. Wait for the right time, then report.
She nodded and just as she did so, Reed turned his attention to her," Sue are you alright?" he asked and she looked up just in time to see everyone turn to her.
Shaking her head, she nodded. Putting a hand to her head, she answered," Yes, I'm fine. I think I'll go clean up a bit."
Without another word, she left the room. Silence ensued and for a moment, a pin could be heard dropping. Finally, Johnny broke the peace by laying down his hand. Soon after Benn punched him in the face and Reed took it upon himself to break up the fight.
Many blocks away from the Baxter Building were the Avengers mansion. Shining in the April sun with dew still on the grass, the three said Avengers made their way to the Baxter Building. Followed by Hawkeye and Panther, they made their way to the Quinjet in full costume.
"So what exactly is your business at the Baxter Building again? It sounds to me like-"However, Clint didn't get to finish his sentence before he was corrected by Panther.
"I believe Iron Man has already told us what his business at the Baxter Building is," Clint turned to him just as Jan and Lucy were boarding the jet. Standing the doorway with his hand halfway inside, he stopped," I believe Iron Man has no business at the Baxter Building. Unless of course it is to support the Lady. Who is somehow needed by the Fantastic Four."
Clint's gaze turned from Panther to Iron Man then back again. His eyebrows shot up and Iron Man sighed," Yeah, something like that. Anyway, I'm putting Panther in charge while I'm gone. No funny business. Got it?"
Just as Clint opened his mouth to respond Panther beat him to the punch," We will try our hardest. Good luck and may it guide you."
Iron Man nodded and the door to the Quinjet closed. Taking the front seat, Iron Man sat next to Jan. Pressing random buttons that he didn't remember designing, he turned to Lucy. Normally, she would've been excited at the possibility of someone needing help. Especially telepathic help. Right now, she just seemed like a lump on a log. Her facial expression was a mystery and her mind seemed elsewhere as she glanced out the window with one arm firmly on the back of a seat. Jan must've sensed this as well because she turned the jet on autopilot just as the ceiling opened up.
Turning around, both stared a hole into the telepath until she finally looked at them. At first, she almost looked puzzled but when she saw their expressions she sighed," I know what you're thinking and I didn't have to read your minds to know that."
Answering the question in the air, Jan spoke next. The Quinjet ascended into the air until it hit sky. Each were knocked against the wall and fell harshly against it. Lucy was the first to recover," Then why are you so upset? And don't try lying to us because you know that doesn't work."
Another heavy sigh, almost like a weight had dropped down from the sky, rolled over Lucy. Her expression had changed from upset to beyond. As if she were staring at something that wasn't present," I don't know. I guess I just feel a lot of pressure about what they want me to do even though I don't know what it is yet. I know they contacted all of the telepaths they know but why me? What can I do that other telepaths or S.H.I.E.L.D can't?"
The two shared a look and for a moment, silence ensued. It hung around the Quinjet like a shadow as they passed through the clouds with ease. For a while, nobody said anything. Once they had discovered the Baxter Building, Iron Man spoke. He had removed his mask and slowly made his way towards her. Putting a hand on her shoulder, his response was true and plain.
"I don't know," she looked up at him almost skeptical," but what I do know is that whatever Reed wants you for, it must be pretty important." A smile formed on his face and Lucy nodded, feeling more proud of what she was about ready to do.
Janet nodded and the Quinjet vibrated as it prepared to land. The inside was like a cotton candy maker, spinning the three around in a circular motion. Thankfully, Jan was in her seat buckled up but the other two were shaking. As soon as the Quinjet landed the two standing were pulled down onto the floor by gravity. Lucy on top of Iron Man, which was more preferable to her than the other way around.
"Are you two alright?" Asked a gruff voice as the Quinjet hanger opened and in stepped Benn Grimm. Suddenly, a heavy and rocky hand gripped the two. Carefully and slowly, it picked them up off the ground.
As soon as Benn set them back on the ground, Iron Man exited the Quinjet as fast as he could. Lucy rolled her eyes and followed him, making sure to float quickly. As her feet brushed the surface of the hard ground, Johnny Storm held out his hand. Reminiscing her days as a S.H.I.E.L.D agent, she took it. Letting go, she rolled her eyes again and waited as the boys tried to figure out how to park the Quinjet.
Jan eventually caught up with her and Johnny," So, where's Susan?" she asked with a hand on her hip. Even though the last time they had seen the four was a month ago, Jan still hadn't forgotten how annoying he could be.
Johnny scoffed and began to exit the room with the girls on his heels. Despite not knowing where they were going, they hoped that Johnny would lead them to where they needed to be," She's in Reed's lab. Or was the last time I checked."
The two girls shared a look as they entered what looked like the kitchen. With its white and yellow tiled walls and floor. A very large refrigerator stood in the far left hand corner beleaguered by cabinets all the way around. To the right of the three stood what looked like a dishwasher.
The girls stopped in the doorway while Johnny went ahead to the fridge. In the middle of the room was a metal counter with four stools.
Instantly, Lucy remembered the place. She had been here so many times she had almost forgotten. Almost. Feeling a sense of urgency, Lucy spoke for the first time since arriving," So Johnny do you know where Reed's lab is? Since, you know, I'm going to be working with him?"
Johnny's whole body froze where he was standing. His thoughts about anything other than her question were only half stopped. Turning to face her, he answered with a sly grin on his face. However, just as he was about to open his mouth Jan sent a glare in his direction. The grin slowly disappeared and he sighed," Follow me." allowing the fridge door to close he pushed past the girls.
Lucy turned to Jan who just shrugged. Not a word was spoken the entire walk and Lucy was relieved when they finally reached the lab. Her eyes took in everything that was in sight. Papers scattered on every surface. Several desks lay around the room, all covered with either papers or test tubes. All were composed of some kind of metal. In the farthest corner of the lab was a stasis tube, which contained Princess Ravonna.
Her body was as it had been when Jan had first found her, still as a statue. Her eyes were closed and she was still breathing. You could tell because of the small rise and fall of her chest.
Suddenly, Lucy's costume felt tighter than it normally did. Even though she had worn it since she was a young teenager, something about it felt uncomfortably tight. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart pounded faster than normal.
Jan left Lucy's side and she knew why. Susan was standing behind Reed, Tony and the other boys. She had several drinks behind her along with a meal from what looked like Arby's. Lucy shook her head and concentrated solely on Reed.
"Welcome Lucy," Greeted Reed as she took a seat on the work desk nearest to Ravonna's stasis tube. He didn't seem to mind, or at least not that Lucy could read," we apologize for calling on such short notice but this truly is an emergency."
Tony's eyes wandered to hers, which didn't hold his for long. Clearing her throat as everyone turned their heads towards her she spoke," Well I'm here now. What is it exactly you want me to do? You know I can't cure Johnny of," she glanced at Johnny who shrugged then back at Reed," whatever problem Johnny has."
A hearty chuckle came out of Benn and Reed cleared his throat, trying to be heard over him," Yes well, that's not exactly what we called you here for," Reed's gaze turned to Benn and he immediately stopped laughing. Reed continue," Well, I called you here for. I need your telepathic abilities to help me with something," Lucy had a feeling that something was Princes Ravonna," did any of the others tell you about what happened with Princess Ravonna?"
She nodded and relaxed her muscles against the desk. She had a feeling this was going to be a while, knowing Reed and how long he took to say things sometimes. However, this surprised her deeply.
"Good then you're one step ahead," he said and began typing on the bottom of Ravonna's stasis tube. Just then, a yellow holo chart appeared at the bottom. It showed a red line, probably Ravonna's breathing monitor," As you already know, Princess Ravonna has been in the care of Hank and I," raising her eyebrows at Hank, Reed cleared his throat," well, mine anyway. So far, I haven't gotten any new progress as to reviving her. I've tried everything I can think of and you're my last hope."
Great, now I'm really going to fail, Thought Lucy as she nodded and continued to listen. She had the confidence that she wasn't going to fail, but a part of her didn't feel very confident.
"One of the possibilities that I have come up with," he continued as Tony everyone else in the room surrounded Sue and Jan. As if something more interesting were going on then what Reed was talking about, which it probably was," involves you going into her mind. Do you know anything about the dream cycle?" before Lucy could even open her mouth, he continued," the cycles last in hour and a half increments. Those increments are divided into the hours of sleep. There is one stage of sleeping that is very deep. In that stage, you dream, sort out any problems you might have and recuperate. What I have proposed is that Princess Ravonna is stuck deep into that stage of sleep. For what reason, I don't know," his body moved its way towards her. Almost like that of a snake," What I propose is that we take a telepath, you, to go into her mind and find out why."
He moved his body back, almost as if he were registering her reaction. He probably was, considering he was the smartest man in the universe. Somehow, Lucy's eyes made their way to the floor then back up at Reed. She let out a long sigh, the heaviest yet," Questions," Reed clasped his hands together with a joyful expression on his face. This meant that he was ready to answer then, no matter how dumb they were," The first one is how long would I be in Ravonna's mind?" she waited for his response, then continued," Secondly, how would I find my way back to the physical world once I'm finished? Thirdly, what if I can't save her or find whatever you're looking for? Fourthly, what if she doesn't want me to save her?"
Reed turned his head to Tony, who had just now decided to poke his head away from whatever Susan and Janet were doing. He returned his gaze to Lucy," First answer," he said, ticking off the answers on his fingers. Lucy's eyes found his instantly," I don't really know how long you'll be in there. I suppose as long as it takes you to discover what has happened to Princess Ravonna. Secondly, I think you should use your friends as a beacon back to the physical world. Shouldn't be that hard should it?" Lucy shook her head and he continued to tick off his answers," Third question I believe Tony should answer," Both turned to Tony as he made his way towards the other two," did you even hear the question?"
He nodded, making his way towards his friend," We'll handle it together," he whispered, coming closer towards her," until then don't worry about a thing. Reed and I will monitor your progress on a holo screen. He'll plant a tracer in your costume and then you're off. Nothing else to it."
She nodded, feeling lightheaded enough to grab onto his armor. He reached for her and placed her back on the desk. When he finally backed away, he stood beside Reed and Benn. Reed continued ticking off answers on his fingers.
"The answer to your last question," Reed continued in a low voice so that the other three couldn't hear him," isn't an option. I can't imagine someone not wanting to be saved."
"And if even they don't, save' em anyway. That's what I'd do," Benn said as the two boys turned to face him," you know, if I was in your position."
"However we're not going to make you do this," Reed interjected with a pang of new sympathy added to his voice," we only called because we thought you could help. If you can't, it's understandable and we can always try something else."
The boys were silent for what felt like ages. Even after a couple seconds, Lucy could've heard a pin drop anywhere in the room. The only thing making even a peep was Ravonna's heart monitor. Finally, Lucy sighed and asked her final question. She knew she only had one more chance and was going to take it.
"Did you try contacting Cassandra Webb?" she asked, her voice almost cracking when she said the other woman's name.
Reed was the first to respond, even before Benn could open his mouth to speak," I did at least three times. She hasn't responded and I doubt she would."
Lucy nodded again and before she had time to say no she did the exact opposite," I'll do it."
All turned to Reed as Lucy looked away. The scientist cleared his throat and nodded, taking a small needle-like object from inside of his lab coat pocket. Lucy hated needles but for this one time, she could manage it.
Me: So this is one of my absurd story ideas. To be honest, I didn't purposely mean to write a story like this since I know tons of my stories already have my Oc's in them. However, one day I got to thinking. What if I could save Ravonna with a telepath somehow? So I started thinking and thinking and eventually got an idea.
I figured it would be kind of dumb to use any other telepath instead of mine. Plus, it puts her in the spotlight and makes her telepathic abilities shine. I promise the entire story won't be about her, but for now, Princess Ravonna needs help!
I would also like to apologize in advance, because sometimes I like to write new story ideas better than old ones. Which is why I haven't been writing Heirs of M or any of my other projects. I promise all those eager fans that I will try to have them published at some point, but not right now. I know this chapter was probably kind of lame, esp. with that cliffhanger but I promise the next chapter will be better!
Lucy: Legion22 would also like to say that she doesn't own anything; Marvel does, except the plot and her Oc's! So please ask before you use them!