Title: This is not the end
Fandom: X-Men Universe comics / movies
Pairing: Jean G./Emma F. / Ororo M.
Rating: PG-13
Notes: Let's get ready to rumble!
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, but I do love them.
X
Danger Room Level 2: Day 4 Rogue
Rogue doesn't care that she's naked she flies toward them when the Phoenix stops her. "Don't move hammer time, stay right where you are. As a matter of fact I want you to fly back to the trainee door. Stand there and wait for my instructions." The redhead puts her arm over Logan's shoulder and walks him toward Phoenix Door. "The nerve of some women, am I right? I mean she must have no shame flying towards a man completely naked like that. It's just uncouth." She pats Logan on the chest as they continue towards her door. He's confused but on guard. He knows she's setting him up for something.
"Everything's just fine I AM Weasel. Relax just keep standing right there and don't move a muscle. Okay. I'll be right back. I promise. Just stay right there." The redhead says smiling as he nods his head. She then flies to the other end of the dome and stands next to Rogue. "Alright 'Can't touch this'. It's time to show me what you've learned."
Anne Marie furrows her brow and looks at her with a completely puzzled expression on her face. "Uhhh, I don't understand. What do ya want me ta do?"
The Phoenix sighs. "Your bubble, show me your bubble." Rogue sits down on the ground and closes her eyes. "Hammer time, stand up and do that with your eyes open."
Anne Marie is still confused. "You never showed me how ta do it like that."
"Just do it, I don't have all day." She says. Rogue takes a deep breath and a bright thin light begins to appear around her body. She can see her hands glowing. She begins smiling. "Ok now I want you to expand it to fill up the whole dome." The Phoenix watches as a smile spreads across Rogue's face as she watches the light expand filling the entire dome. She's laughing, she can't believe it. She thought she was just imagining all that, but it was really happening.
"Alright Too Legit. Remember the feeling. I touch your bubble, your skin and it is so hot, its almost cold and I feel tired as energy leaves me." Suddenly her skin slowly begins to re-grow on her arms and legs, she winces sucking in air through her teeth. Logan is screaming at the other end of the dome. "Good job hammer time, that's enough." The Phoenix says.
Rogue is shaking her head. "I ain't healed completely yet."
The redhead punches her in the side of the face launching her into the dome window as the field of light disappears. "When I tell you to do something, you do it immediately. You understand me."
Rogue rubs the side of her face. "Damn I got it. I got it. Geez."
"You're done for the day. I'll see you tomorrow morning." The redhead says.
She flies to the other side of the dome to a passed out Logan. A pod is launched from the medical bay. She grabs it and opens his mouth pouring it down his throat. He wakes up and shakes his head. "You alright Weasel?" she says.
He stands up and rubs his head. "The hell was that, somethin hit me out of nowhere."
The Phoenix giggles. "That was a new variation of MC Hammer's powers. How did you like it?" He squints his eyes at her and grits his teeth. "Good I thought you might have enjoyed that. Now would you be so kind as to follow me." She walks to the Phoenix Chamber door and it disappears. She walks inside with Logan cautiously stepping in and looking around. He begins to sniff and stops with one foot outside the door. "Come on in here Weasel, I don't bite." She crosses her arms as he looks her up and down from head to toe. "I said come in here Weasel." Her voice is deep and her eyes are glowing. The see-thru wall appears and he looks over and sees Emma standing there waving at him with a smile on her face.
Now he was sure there was something going on. He breathes through his nose and steps inside as the door closes behind him. "Now I want you to try and relax, it's going to get very hot in here, but you'll be fine. Just let your body do what it naturally does." Her voice is unusually calm and relaxed. The room begins to heat up, and he starts to sweat. Waves of heat begin to form in the room as sweat begins to drip into his eyes. The Phoenix just stands there calmly. After a while the floor gets very hot and Logan's feet begin to burn, he falls down backward and his hands and butt hit the floor. He flips over trying to escape the heat. The walls are scorching.
"Let me outta here now!" He shouts, unleashing his claws he starts swiping at the doors and walls. His skin is turning red as his flesh begins to burn. He's starting to become delirious like a trapped animal. His eyes become red with blood as he tries to attack the Phoenix. His skin is almost completely gone as his adamantium skeleton is revealing its self. He's screaming out in agony as he's being burned alive. He passes out. The redhead walks back into the dome and catches the pod that's shot from the medical bay. She walks back inside and closes the door. She turns Logan over and pours it down his throat.
He wakes up like a rabid wounded animal growling trying to find a corner where he can be safe. He can't even see the Phoenix anymore. His body begins to very slowly heal as the room heats up again. Emma actually puts her head down as she's never seen Logan so far gone, this was beyond cruel and unusual punishment, this was sadistic. She felt bad for him. It was like sticking a baby animal in an oven with no way out. Phoenix turns off the see-thru wall sensing the blonde's emotions. Logan's screams are so loud that Rogue can hear it in the locker room and the team in the windowed hallway can as well.
Ororo is pained in her heart as she knows those are the sounds of torture. Emma leaves the Phoenix room and goes to her. She holds her in her arms as she begins to cry. The blonde rubs her back gently and strokes her hair as she cries in her arms.
The screaming suddenly stops and the redhead walks out the door and catches another capsule and walks back in. This went on for the next 3 hours. Hank and the professor fired 20 pods from the medical bay. Finally the redhead emerges from the chamber with Logan in her arms, adamantium and blood dripping from his body. She walks over to the medical bay door and puts body against it. The restraints activate and he's pulled inside.
They immediately begin treatment and take him to the silver room with molten adamantium in the tubs. Ororo tries to enter the lab but the computerized voice won't allow her access. Her eyes begin to flash with lightning as Emma places her hand on her shoulder and shakes her head. She turns with tears in her eyes and falls into the blonde's arms. Jean comes out of the Phoenix room and sees everyone staring at her with fear in their eyes.
Emma sees her and telepathically tells her to come over to them.
~ This was difficult for everyone today Jean. What the Phoenix did to Logan was heartless. He may eventually be alright physically, but we can only hope that he can mentally and emotionally recover. ~ Emma says as she continues to rub Ororo's back.
Rogue comes out of the Ascension Chamber hallway, some of her skin has grown back, but she is still covered in burns. She walks over to Ororo and reaches out to rub her back then stops herself. "I'm real sorry, sweetheart. You know he's gonna be alright though, right. Hank and the professor gon take good care of him. And we both still got one more day a training left. I mean look what she did to me, and I'm gettin betta. Every thangs gonna be fine you'll see." Storm turns and nods at her with a half smile.
Bobby, Rogue, Kitty, and Forge get on the access elevator and head back upstairs. Jean and Emma wait with Ororo outside the medical bay. After about 20 min, Hank walks out of the medical bay and the ladies stand up waiting to hear the news. "Logan is stabilized. According to the Phoenix's instructions he should be conscious by early tomorrow morning. The professor will be joining me shortly. There is a special containment field set up in Logan's room to offset his new ability."
3Ororo steps forward and asks. "What new ability?"
The professor comes out of the medical bay. "We don't actually know what it is yet, but it's as if his DNA has been completely rewritten. We are simply following her instructions for his treatment. He's almost completely healed, even after we reset the adamantium on his bones, his physical recovery was almost instantaneous. I've never seen anything like this before. Unfortunately we can only let Ororo into the treatment area, as her body can withstand the energy in the containment area." She looks at Jean and Emma. They smile and give her a hug, and she walks into the medical bay. Hank and Charles stay outside with them.
Ororo slowly approaches Logan's room. There is a glowing light running along the walls of the room, a force field. She puts her hand up to the doorway and it shocks her. She then transforms her body into lighting and walks through. Logan is on a bed in the center of the room with a sheet over his lower body. He looks completely fine as his chest raises and lowers softly. She walks over and stands next to him, she places her hand on his.
"Logan, I hope you're alright. I know the pain I feel in my heart cannot compare to what you experienced today. I wish I could have done something to help you. I know this is just the way the Phoenix does things, but this was intolerable. It seems everywhere you turn women are hurting you. I am sorry that I was one of them." She takes a deep breath and sighs.
"I appreciate that you've been more communicative with me lately. It really means a lot that you are trying even despite your feelings. You really are quite a man Logan. So strong and pure, any woman would be fortunate to have you by her side. I'm so grateful to have you as a friend. I hope that when you recover, you and I can sit by the lake again and talk. I'll never forget how cute you were, trying to ask me out, stumbling over your words. It was lovely to feel worthy of your adoration. And even though I don't remember what in the hallway that day….I believe that things happen for a reason, and that perhaps I may have wanted you even more than I realized back then."
She sighs and looks down gently caressing his hand. "Even if a relationship is not a possibility, I would still be honored to accompany you on a date as your friend, if you would have me. I just want you to know that." She gently squeezes his hand as she prepares to leave. "Get well soon Logan, we're all excited to see what the Wolverine will show us tomorrow." She passes through the force field and walks through the medical bay door. Her girlfriends are there to greet her with open arms. Hank and the Professor had gone back up to the mansion.
"So how was he, you didn't get frisky with him again did you?" The blonde laughs poking fun at her.
Ororo lightly giggles. "He looks fine. He's asleep. It's hard to believe he recovered so quickly considering the condition the Phoenix left him in. I think he really will be alright." She takes a deep breath and hugs Jean tightly then looks over at Emma. She releases Jean and takes the blonde's hand. "Are you alright?" She asks her full of concern.
"Huh, why do you ask? I'm perfectly fine." Her brow furrowed as she locks eyes with her girlfriend's loving aqua blue orbs.
"Your training will begin soon. It's only for 1 day. How are you feeling after what we witnessed today?"
Emma takes a deep breath and looks down for a moment. "I'm fine Ro. Worry has never been a good look for me." She smiles and lifts Ororo's hand to her lips and kisses it. "Now shall we depart, I don't know about you ladies but I could use a drink." They both nod and board the elevator.
The Final day
Rogue is standing in the center of the dome as the Phoenix walks in. She nods toward the medical bay window as the door opens and Logan's body is lowered into the dome. Everyone's eyes are glued to the windows waiting. The restraints are released and Logan stands there motionless for a few moments. The Phoenix watches as his body sways and falls to the ground. She crosses her arms. "Get up Weasel, I have no patience for you playing possum this morning, we need to get his show on the road." He remains motionless. She shakes her head and rolls her eyes. She knows exactly what he wants. She takes a deep breath and walks over to his prone body in front of the medical bay door.
She bends down and whispers in his ear. "Do it and be done with it already. "He grabs her by the throat and repeatedly stabs her in the stomach with his claws. He stands up and continues to stab her. He roars into her face as he continues stabbing her. She rolls her eyes and sighs. "There. Are you done? This is boring me." He continues to stab her until she gets irritated, knowing he's not going to tire out anytime soon. She grabs him the throat and slams his body into ground creating a crater and making the ground ripple like a stone thrown into a lake.
"That's enough of that I Am Weasel." She stands up and Logan gets to his knees and grunts at her. She turns to Anne Marie. "Let's see that bubble hammer time." Rogue begins to expand the light from her body again as the Phoenix begins to speak. "I touch your bubble, your skin and it is soft, smooth, and warm, and that is all." As the light reaches Logan and Phoenix, she feels like a normal person. Her body feels as though its being touched without absorbing anything. "Alright drop the bubble." The redhead says, this time she immediately complies. Phoenix smiles at her and snaps her fingers. Rogue's suit disappears again.
"Now Weasel if you would please." Logan looks at her and growls. She crosses her arms and her eyes begin to glow. He looks at Rogue and takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. Suddenly to the amazement of everyone watching Anne Marie's skin begins growing back in record time. Within seconds her hair has grown back and her body is completely healed. She runs toward him. "Aaa aaa aahh, hold your horses, Too Legit. Lets see that bubble, wrap it around your body." She does it and jumps toward Logan wrapping her arms around his neck.
His eyes get huge as he doesn't know what to do with his hands, now that there is a naked woman attached to him. "Uhh, yeah, Rogue…uhh, you're welcome, but would ya mind lettin go of me, you're…. kinda naked."
She smiles and releases him as she ecstatically claps her hands and begins flying around the dome. She hadn't absorbed his powers. She'd touched someone and not hurt them.
The Phoenix laughs. "MC Hammer whenever you're done flashing everyone, come down here so I can finish please." She lands in front of them and Logan looks down to the ground. She could careless that she was naked. Phoenix snaps her fingers and her suit reappears. "Hammer time, that bubble is your skin now. All you need to do is focus on what you want it to do. You can absorb energy and abilities at will now. You're done. Now get going." She hugs the Phoenix, who shakes her head and laughs, and flies toward the trainee door.
"Weasel, as I explained to you yesterday, your healing abilities can go as far as you can mentally. Just focus and your pores will open allowing you to pass on your healing factor to others in need. Use it wisely. Your body has been fortified, but if your brain gets completely destroyed, there's nothing that can be done to regenerate it. Do you understand?" He nods and heads toward the trainee door. He turns towards the window and sees Ororo looking at him. He takes a deep breath and turns back toward the door.
Phoenix leaves the dome and walks into the Phoenix Chamber. She walks into the room where Emma is waiting for her. "Would you mind if we spent some time together, lover?" The blonde smiles at her and takes her hand. They walk out of the Phoenix Room together. The team is waiting outside the doors as they step out. "You all have done extraordinarily well. In all the universe there have only been two beings who have survived my training. You have exceeded my expectations and strengthened my desire to see this world thrive. We are almost prepared for the Judge's arrival, there is not much left to do now." She turns and smiles lovingly at Emma.
Ororo walks forward and hugs her. "Thank you." The Phoenix looks her in the eyes with a very serious expression on her face. "Do not thank me Ororo Munroe. The battle hasn't started yet." Storm backs away from her. She and Emma suddenly disappear.
Logan walks over to Ororo and clears his throat. "Hey do you have a few minutes?" She nods at him as they head for the elevator. Logan does nothing but look at her as they reach the mansion level. They walk to the foyer doors in silence.
He takes her hand and walks out to the lake. She smiles realizing he must have heard her while he was recovering. They stand there for a few minutes just looking at the water enjoying the silence. Then Logan begins to speak. "Thanks for coming to visit me. That beating the Phoenix gave me, really shook me up. If it wasn't for that drink she kept shovin down my throat, I would have died in there. I was scared. Me, the Wolverine. I was afraid. I ain't never experienced nothin like that in my life. I'm pretty sure hell would have been a vacation."
He paused for a moment and took a deep breath and began to gently squeeze Ororo's hand. She turned and looked at him as he continued staring out at the lake. It almost looked like he had tears in his eyes. "I didn't want to get up from that bed. I didn't want to experience that again. Death would have been easier. Then I heard your voice. I heard what you said. Then I realized I had somethin I'd be willing to go through hell for. Someone that makes this world better just by waking up in the morning." Ororo sheds a few tears as Logan turns to her.
"Who am I to say who somebody can and can't love. If you could ever look at me the way I see you look at them two I think I'd be alright with that. So if you still think this old boy's worth a damn, I'd really like to take you out some time."
Storm smiles and pulls him into her arms and kisses him firmly on the lips. "Yes that would be wonderful."
He smiles at her. "I ain't saying I'm alright with you and Frost…and Jean doin whatever you all do together, but I'll try if we can take this one day at a time." He says sweetly as he pulls her tighter into his arms.
She squeezes him tighter and he gasps. She pulls back. "Oh I'm so sorry Logan, are you -,"
He smiles from ear to ear. "Damn woman, you're alright." They hug again laughing in each other's arms.
9,000 miles away Emma and Phoenix lay on a beach off the coast of New Zealand holding each other as stars shoot across the sky. "Lover, no matter what world I see you in, you are always beautiful."
The blonde laughs at the statement. "Is that so? So you're telling me there are other Emma Frosts out there in the universe."
The redhead rubs her back. "Yes lover, but no one like you. Your soul is the strongest and the brightest. It wasn't just Arishem that brought me back here. It was your light. My first host had a light like yours so full of love, so warm and strong." Emma sat up. Her heart began beating faster. She had something important she wanted to ask her.
The redhead looked at her with concern as she could feel her sudden anxiety. "Talk to me lover."
The blonde took a deep breath. "I'm going to die aren't I? That's why you chose me to go last isn't it. You just wanted to spend more time with me before I die, right. It's ok. I can take it. I've already got my affairs in order. Everything I have is going to Jean, Ororo, and the Institute. That's why you chose me to go last isn't?"
The redhead began to giggle and sits up to take the blonde into her arms. "No lover, you're not going to die. Why would you think something like that? As much as I love you, as much as I live for your happiness." She rubs her back and looks out to the stars. "You are last because you are first in my heart. It is your love that will turn the tide of the upcoming battle."
Emma sighs. "I'm just a telepath who can transform into a living diamond, how is that going to save the world?"
The Phoenix pulls away and looks into her eyes. Her face is stark, focused, and determined. "I have seen your ascension Emma and it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. When we go into that dome together tomorrow, just promise me, no matter what happens, that you will not give up, that you will not stop fighting. Promise me Emma. Promise me."
Emma looks into her eyes, she can feel the strength of her words. "I promise."
TBC…