X-MEN FORGED: LOST SON
By Jason de L'Epee
FOREWARD: Welcome back! Thanks to the power of Microsoft Office 365 and my glorious iPad Pro—a match made in heaven…or hell depending on your outlook—I've never been this prolific. While I do have other projects I'm working on like Mass Effect: Descent, this one and my original work is priority. Hope you've enjoyed how Jason "Alchemist" Downs has been doing, because it's only going to get bigger from here. This one is going to be the biggest of the books with a whopping twenty planned chapters, including a three-parter climax chapter, so I hope you're ready for this, because here we go!
DISCLAIMER: X-Men and all other Marvel characters are copywrited to Marvel Comics and Disney Studios. Chapter and scene scenarios are adapted from various X-Men mediums, including but not limited to X-Men Evolution, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the animated series of Ultimate Spider-Man and the comic series Ultimate X-Men. Some characters also present may be borrowed from other fiction mediums. All characters are used without permission but for the purpose to entertain, not finance. All original characters belong to the creator of his fanfic, and the author would like it very much that you do not borrow them without permission, because odds are you will suck very badly at mimicking them. Think of the characters.
Enjoy book 3 out of 6, X-Men Forged: Lost Son!
PROLOGUE:
St. Anthony's Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – June 4th, 1994; 8:24 AM
It was a typical day in one of the main hospitals in Oklahoma City, and much like its location in the largest city and capital of Oklahoma, it was no stranger to being constantly busy as the greater population concentration created an increased likelihood for accidents or mayhem, and the St. Anthony's Hospital was just the kind of facility needed to mediate such an unfortunate consequence of the city. Despite that, the nurses and doctors were no stranger to fatigue, particularly with the heat of summer coming in early thanks to the Southern shifts of the weather in June. Heatstroke was a common reason for many visits to the ER.
So when the ER receptionist heard someone approach, she didn't immediately look up. When she did, she was a little surprised to see that a doctor had approached the desk. She didn't recognize him from the normal staff of doctors, but then again, this was a large hospital. Hard to say who was here and who isn't anymore. "You have something for me?" she said casually.
The doctor, an older man whose mouth was framed by a thin goatee, and his hair streaked with grey, said remorsefully. "I'm afraid so…"
The tone was not lost on the receptionist. She could see he was holding something, and she stood up. Bundled in the doctor's arms was a sleeping baby. "Oh no, who's this?"
"I do not know," the doctor said. "I found him on the steps of the hospital. I fear he was abandoned."
The receptionist looked sad. "Why would anyone want to leave a little baby alone? He looks barely newborn!"
"I imagine so. I estimate he's only a couple days old."
The receptionist shook her head. "I wish the world was a better place, so that little ones like this aren't just thrown away by an uncaring mother."
The doctor looked like he was trying to keep it together. "It could be a number of reasons, but what's important now is that this child is examined and adopted. He deserves a better home than an orphanage."
"Don't they all?" The receptionist whipped out a series of papers. "Take him to the children's wing. They might be able to help you."
The doctor took the papers. "Thank you for your assistance."
"Anything for the little guy…"
The doctor took the papers and the baby to an elevator, keeping his eyes forward deliberately, avoiding eye contact. When he was in the elevator, he was thankful he was alone. He allowed a single tear to etch its way down his chiseled face. This child had suffered enough; it was his responsibility to make sure he was put in a good home, finally safe.
The door opened and he made his way to the children's wing. The receptionist had likely called ahead to prepare any pediatrician on the floor that could examine him and make sure he is healthy. They might even had information about adoptive services. When he entered the wing, there were two nurses waiting for him.
Striding forward, one nurse spoke up. "Thank you for bringing him to us. We'll get him taken care of. Dr. Pike is the pediatrician in charge right now, and he's already been paged."
"May I attend to the examination until he arrives?" the doctor asked.
"Of course, but I wouldn't do anything invasive until Dr. Pike arrives."
"I wouldn't dream of it. Lead the way."
The nurses took the child to the nursery, where the doctor soon saw other children were being kept. This hospital had full post-natal services where children are kept with the mother in the room, which meant that these children were also orphaned. He couldn't help these children, but he did breathe a silent prayer for their happiness. The nurses placed the sleeping baby on the cart and the doctor began taking vitals. The baby awoke and cried, unhappy about being awakened.
The nurses did their best to comfort the baby while the doctor performed basic vital checks. Soon enough, the attending pediatrician arrived, a younger doctor with black hair but the doctor could tell in his eyes that he was quite qualified and experienced in dealing with babies.
Dr. Pike did his own examinations, while the doctor shared his own observations, which Dr. Pike confirmed. "He seems a little lethargic, maybe dehydrated. Besides that, I don't see any real problems in this one. He's lucky; a round of fluids and he should be perfectly healthy."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for finding him. It could have been worse."
The doctor looked at the baby. "I suppose it could have been." He didn't mean to sound as sad as he was, but it's been quite a day already.
"Are you all right?" Dr. Pike asked. "I hope you're not getting too attached to him, unless you want to adopt."
The doctor looked up. "I'm afraid I can't. My work has me too occupied to properly take care of him, both me and—and my wife."
"You don't have to tell me twice," Dr. Pike said. "I'm practically married to my work, and I see children like this all the time."
"Can you see he gets taken care of? Family-wise I mean?"
Dr. Pike looked up. "Unfortunately, all of these babies here are about the same as this one. I can't spend my time helping one of them over all of them."
"Please…" the doctor said, looking down at the baby. "I know I ask for a lot, but…"
Dr. Pike crossed his arms. "Finding this kid really did something to you, did he?"
The doctor looked up but said nothing.
"I can tell you don't have experience with handling kids. Trust me, doctor. Do what I do long enough, and you get numb to it."
The doctor looked back at the child, and continued to say nothing.
Dr. Pike sighed. "I'll tell you what. There's been a couple that's been stopping by this place a lot; I know they're processing paperwork for adoption. Perhaps I can give the adoption service a call and see how they are doing with that and maybe put in a word for this one. I'll have to issue a clean bill of health first though."
The doctor sighed. "That will do."
"The kid should be thanking you. I'll be right back; I'll make the call."
The doctor was left alone with the child, and he looked down at him for a time. The child had drifted back to sleep, and the doctor felt like his heart was going to break. He was grateful to have found the child when he did; it certainly could have been a lot worse.
Sooner than the doctor expected, Dr. Pike returned. "I just contacted the agency. They said they'd give the couple a call and they'd look at him."
The doctor looked relieved. "Thank you."
Dr. Pike looked neutral. "So, Doctor…" Dr. Pike read the name tag. "Strange, wasn't it? Since you seem to have a thing for this kid, did you think of a name? I'm sure the hopeful parents would like one."
The doctor looked thoughtful for a second, and a name jumped out in his mind. "Jason."
Dr. Pike took the file and wrote the name on the file. "Seems fair. I'll write up the treatment for Jason."
"And I'll be on my way," Dr. Strange said. "I've done what I can for him. He's in your hands now."
Dr. Pike smiled. "The best hands in this hospital for him. Have a good one, Strange." Dr. Pike left.
Dr. Strange lingered over the child for a little bit. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you, Jason. You'll be someone special in this world, and I've made sure you'll be taken care of. Live well, young Jason. May the Vistani watch over you." With that well-wish given, Dr. Strange looked out the nursery window, saw no one, and then vanished in a cloud of red smoke.
XXXXXXXXXX
And so it begins. Kind of cryptic, wasn't it? Well, on't worry; we'll find out what this is all about soon enough. In the meantime, here's a preview for the next chapter.
Scott and Alex are taking some family bonding time in Hawaii, but their plans are washed away as a massive storm system sweeps Alex out to sea and Scott goes out to rescue him. Soon enough, the X-Men catch wind of their situation and stage a rescue, and Jason will have to face his biggest fear. Stay tuned for Chapter 1: Poseidon.
