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P.S. It's good to be back! Thanks for your patience! 3

Chapter 26: Testy

"Nnnnnmmm…" I wake up in an unfamiliar place with a killer headache and an incredibly numb feeling in my arms. Like pins and needles doing the Salsa under my skin. What happened after that fight? Did I pass out? I hope not. No, no, that wasn't it. I was drugged. That's right. I remember now. Wait—

How did I keep from suffocating while I was out? The pain in my head ceases my attempts to make sense of the situation and I moan again and try to open my eyes against a bright light. I move to turn on my side, but freeze when I hear something: a voice.

"…Relax, darlin'." Says the voice through the haze of my thoughts, just beginning to clear. "I'm just havin' a little look-see." The voice says and I snap awake, fully energized with an adrenaline rush that spikes through my veins faster than any drug I've ever tried in my teenage years, when I feel a hand begin to pull down the zipper of my jump suit. I bolt upright and thrust my arms out, knocking the blonde man with the country accent into the ceiling. He lands on his back, gasping in pain, and I hit him again; this time sending him clear across the hall of the room I'm in with a powerful energy blast. I waste no time and hightail it out of the open door, tripping over my own feet as I stumble into the hall and run for the nearest door.

"'Ey, I was just searchin' ya'!" The human torpedo calls after me, but I hardly hear him. My legs are carrying me, as if of their own free will, down a brightly lit hall way. I don't know where I am or where I'm going. I know I should stop, remembering that I'd meant to come here in the first place, but I can't. I'm too hyped, and there's no way I'm gonna turn around and head back the way I came. I round the corner nearly falling again when a metal door comes down in front of me, pulling me up short, and I fall flat on my back, my shoulders taking most of the blow, to avoid being crushed. A hollow, resounding crash echoes down the hall where the wall fell. Unnerved, I scramble up again, panting, as a red light begins to flash overhead, bathing the hall in an eerie, red glow. I begin to sprint back down the hall in a moment of panic, only to be met with another wall. I'm trapped.

"Agh!" I groan in frustration, pounding my fist on the door. It doesn't even echo, it's so dense. The lights stop flashing and return back to their normal white glow and I pause tensely, expecting some sort of booby-trap to spring out any second…but nothing happens. Then I spot it. A security camera in the far corner of the room. I move towards it and it zooms on me. I move back and it follows. I walk in a circle and what do you know? It tracks my every movement. Someone is watching me. But what do they want? Why don't they just come and get me?

"Well?!" I call to the camera, waving a hand as it zooms in on me. "What do you want?"

A loud buzzer makes me flinch and the door that I'd first been met with lifts up half way into the ceiling. I move closer but there's no way in hell I'm going under it. I get down on my stomach anyway and peer on the other side. Looks the same. What's the deal? A second later, the metal door slams down again with a loud Boom!Startled, I stand up again, still feeling slightly dizzy. I know where this is going. The buzzer sounds off again, louder, and I turn to the camera in anger, flashing my violet eyes just for the viewer. "Yeah, I get it already!"

I turn back to the door. They're not trapping me. They're testing me. Or my powers, that is. To see what I can do; what my limits are. Fine, I think to myself begrudgingly. I'll play your little game. I place a gloved hand on the door and survey it. I'd say it's about a foot thick, maybe more. I phase my hand through easily and feel air on the other side. Not a problem.

Wait a minute, I think suddenly and move away from the door and instead repeat the move with the wall to my right, where I imagine the outside should be. I can feel emptiness and a heavy breeze on the other side. I stick my head and half of my torso out this time to find myself about twenty stories over a cliff that leads down into the icy waters below, with a nice bed of sharp rocks to soften my landing.

A drop of certain death.

I bring myself back in and curse under my breath. If I had practiced it more, I might've been able to try and levitate out of here, but if I risk it, there's no doubt I'll be pursued even if I did manage to keep from falling. That and it's an Island so I'd have to levitate for miles before reaching land. I'd never make it.

I phase through the first door easily and continue on slowly into the next hall way. Sure enough, another, thicker door comes down before me. I make it through about five more doors, picking up speed, each door thicker than the last, before I grow bored and shout, "Come on! What are you waiting for!? Come and get me already and I'll show you what I can really do!"

The lights suddenly go out and I'm left in darkness.

"Damn."

I hit some violet lights of my own, willing my eyes to light up, and I find it a bit easier to see, only I don't need them for long before the doorway ahead of me suddenly glows a bright, blue-white color. It looks like electricity.

"Not what I had in mind…" I mutter observing the electrical currents, crossing in a net-pattern across the open doorway. No metal door lies on the other side of the net. It's just me, and the electricity. I crack my neck (and not just for show. My neck really hurts!) and then start forward, conjuring up an energy shield that covers my entire body in a sort of fitted-dome around me.

Now to test it.

I put a hand, tentatively, through the netting and, as I'd hoped, the energy from my hand redirects the currents out in all directions, bouncing off me easily. I remain unharmed, but I hurry through to the other side as the currents shock the hell out of the walls, sending a shower of sparks hailing down around me. I drop my shield, hands shaking and fingers tingling painfully. I look up quickly when yet another door down the hall begins to go down but freezes half way. I must have shocked the circuits.

An alarm sounds.

Yep, I definitely shocked the circuits. I know I don't have much time before I'll be surrounded. I need to get out of here. The camera's already been taken out from one of the stray currents and I phase through the half-open door and hurry down the hall way, once again not even sure why I'm running but I make sure to speed up when I hear footsteps fast approaching. I duck behind the corner and wait for them to come, keeping my back close to the wall. The first guy never sees it coming. A streak of purple knocks the Black Suit back into a squad of others like him, and I propel myself over them in one great leap and make a break for it—

Only to be sideswiped by one killer heel.

It's the girl from before with the spiky hair. "Cybil, isn't it?" I cough from my place on the floor, clutching my aching collar where she caught me and slammed me against the wall. The squad of Black Suits surround us, cutting off my escape on all sides, but Cybil waves them down to keep them from attacking me.

"I prefer to be called "Ecko" if you don't mind, Ghostgirl." Ecko says mockingly, tugging on the hem of one of her gloves while I rub the back of my head, feeling a small lump where I hit the wall. I get to my feet, shaking slightly but I make sure not to drop my guard.

"It's Eida," I snap back, dusting myself off as we begin to pace one another in a tight circle with our fists up. I am so not ready for this! "So, what do you do?" I ask casually, trying to recall whatever "fighting-skills" I learned from Mystique during our singular day of training.

"You mean I haven't showed you yet?" The woman responds lightly, eyeing me through hooded eyes that greatly contrast her nonchalant tone. I look for an opening as we pace around and around. I never took a fighting class but I used to wrestle around with the guys sometimes during High School... All I need is one good opening to take her down. Maybe I can provoke her into fighting sloppily?

"Not unless your powers involve idly watching a fight go down, then no." I answer sharply, recalling her doing just that not too long ago…I think. I still don't know how much time has passed since I was out. "You haven't."

My attempt to anger her didn't work. "Well, we can't have that now, can we?" Ecko says dangerously with a smirk, her legs coiling beneath her and I prepare for the attack—and then, to my bewilderment, she purses her lips and lets out an ear piercing whistle. I throw my hands over my ears and double over with a cry as sound waves beat against my head and ear drums, threatening to split my skill with her vibrato. The gloves help muffle the sound a bit, but when the pitch of the whistle goes up an octave, all hope of concentrating on a counter attack go out the window. Ecko moves in closer as I try to get to my feet, but I fall forward, pressing my head into the floor as I try desperately to drown out the sound. The Black Suits retreat, their helmets going on the fritz from the whistle and soon it's just me and Ecko. Before I can go insane, however, her whistle begins to fade out as Ecko pushes her own limits (probably trying to knock me out) and the pain in my head begins to lessen.

This is my chance.

I stagger to my feet and rush at her, tackling the shrieking menace in the stomach, and silencing the horrible noise. We crash to the floor in a heap and Ecko immediately throws me off her with strong arms. I scramble up before she can get hold of me and climb to my feet, my head ringing. "That was cute." I pant, massaging my buzzing ear drums as she gets to her feet and resumes her stance, a look of fury marring his already tough features. Maybe she can be angered. "Now it's my turn." I extend my arm and intend to hit her with a powerful energy blast, but all that comes out is a tennis ball of energy that catches Ecko in the arm, effectively sending her staggering a few steps back, but not enough to allow me a clean escape.

It would seem I'm going to need a minute to recharge.

Ecko curses in rage and throws a punch at me, which I manage to block with my wrist. She kicks me sporadically in the legs and hips, trying to knock me down and slams me back against the wall when I get too distracted on trying to block her legs. I look up and see her leap into the air and whip her leg around to jump kick me in the face.

"Hey!" She barks as I move to the side and grab hold of her ankle. Not knowing what to do next, I kick her other leg out from beneath her. Still holding onto her other leg, I watch Ecko fall on her hands and prepare to drop her and run; only to have her buck her legs and catch me square in the chest with her heels. I slide across the floor, almost sailing into the electrical field, and struggle to get back up and away from the surging volts of electricity. The pain in my chest is tremendous and I have the feeling I'm going to have two ugly, heel shaped bruises there pretty soon.

But Ecko's not done with me yet and she starts toward me once more, sure she can take me.

I force myself back up and run at full speed to meet her, only to duck past her at the last second and catch her in the back with my elbow. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, I knock Ecko against the wall where her head slams into the hard surface. She falls to the floor, spikes bent flat on her head, unconscious, and I take off before she has the chance to recover. It's not long before I run up against another energy field and I use the same method as before to disrupt it and slip through. I haven't seen more soldiers yet, but I have the feeling I will soon enough—

Now that I've passed their little test. After taking a few steps past the electric energy field, I come to a stop and hold my hands to my head in frustration, feeling like I've been headed nowhere for the longest time. "Where the hell am I going?!" I groan, not having the slightest idea of where Glenn or Tarina are being held or how in the hell I'm going to get us all out of here.

"Good question, frail."

My head snaps up fast enough to give me whiplash and my eyes widen, my mouth open in numb shock, as he steps around the corner in what feels like slow motion. My breathing slows as I look up to see his lip curling in a fanged smirk. "You!" I hiss, my eyes flashing violet as a sudden rage fuels the energy surging through me. Donovan, Tarina, Haze, Warwick…

It's all his fault.

Creed doesn't even have enough time to take a step towards me. Before I even realize it, I've got him encased in binding energy around his torso and I'm using every ounce of my strength to thrash him about the room like a gladiator fending off an invisible tiger. Almost completely unaware of my actions, I continue to slam Creed into the walls and floor before throwing him up into the ceiling in a shower of sparks, causing the lights to flicker and burn out completely. The emergency lights cast a deadly red glow about the room, and then with a final, rage-fueled push, I send Creed flying back down the way I came; a straight shot right into the electric current. The current shorts out after a horrifying minute, leaving Creed smoldering on the ground. He doesn't get back up.

It all happens in under a minute.

I pant heavily, staring at Sabretooth's charred form on the ground and hesitantly move in closer. He's not moving; not getting up and smirking at me, saying, "Nice try." or something creepy like that. Nothing. I cover my nose and nearly faint at the smell of burnt flesh. I—I think I killed him. My head pounds and I fall on my knees as the world spins at an alarming rate. I'm going to be sick. I can't believe I—I think I killed him. Oh, god…What have I done? I didn't mean to kill him. I was just...I was protecting myself, right?

I start to hyperventilate, but right at that moment, a squad of Black Suits emerge around the corner. They spot me and the lead guy starts shouting, a muffled sound in my ears. A second later, I'm completely surrounded. One of them tells me to get to my feet. Numb and still in shock, I rise. But when one of the guards reaches for me—to restrain me, no doubt—her hand passes through me. "What the—" She gasps and all guns turn on me.

"Nice try." I mutter humorlessly, still staring down at Creed's darkened form. Get up. Get up. Get up...

Tears threaten to invade my eyes but I give a start when a voice cuts across the hall, "Well, well, I am impressed." A man, dressed in a Military getup with numerous medals, pins, and ribbons, says, stepping over Creeds smoldering form with his hands clasped behind his back. "Tsk, tsk, Old Bill's faithful Dog…" The Militant croons, nudging Creed with his foot. "Get up, Creed!" He hisses sharply as a hiccup sticks in my throat, and, after a moment, Sabretooth stirs. I feel my heart sink back down from my throat. I didn't kill him! I-I didn't kill him!

...Damn it.

"Ngh, what hit me?" Creed groans, snapping his neck a little too loudly for my comfort as he straightens, clothes singed beyond repair. His skin is already regenerating, the melted flesh sealing itself back up as if nothing had happened in the first place. He spots me, then, and begins to chuckle darkly, saying, "Didn't know you had it in you, frail."

"I swear to God if you call me that one more time—" I snarl hotly, losing concentration on my intangibility as I start towards him, viciously, rage overcoming my common sense. However, my threat is cut off by an excruciating pain in my lower back as every muscle in my body goes rigid and I cry out in pain, collapsing on my hands and knees before falling all together in a heap of spasms.

I think I've just been tased!

A pair of strong arms grasp my upper arms and lift me off the ground, holding my limp body in a standing position. My head falls forward to my chest as I moan in pain, the burning, cramping feeling slowly dissipating and just leaving me numb inside. I'm trembling from head to toe and I grit my aching teeth, having bit down to the breaking point, to keep from whimpering.

"That'll do, Agent Red." The Militant says shortly before stepping forward with precise footing to take hold of my chin and turn my face upward toward him. An image of Glenn doing the same flashes behind my eyes, as does the image of a familiar red figure, but when I open my eyes, I meet a pair of sharp, stormy ones looking back at me. "Incredible," He breathes the scent of heavy cologne and cigar smoke into my face, making my stomach churn. His face is contoured to the utmost detail, with hard lines making up his features and an even harder stare. "This one looks so normal…" He murmurs, turning my head to the side like a dog at a pet show. In response to this, I flash my eyes a bright violet color and make as though to bite the man with a vicious snarl, causing him jump back quickly, his gaze of fascination turning into one of anger and disdain.

"Lock her up in my study for questioning!" He snaps to Omega Red who is still holding me at bay. "And see to it she doesn't escape."

"Yes, Sir." Omega Red grunts behind me, a hint of sarcasm behind his words. "As for you..." The Militant says to Creed but I don't catch the rest of what he says. Where ever I'm headed, I don't think I'm gonna like it.

Tarina was brought in, once again, to her cell along by rough hands and cruel voices.

She couldn't remember much past her journey to the Island after being caught and subdued by Sabretooth. Since her arrival who knows how long ago, she'd been drugged so many times she could hardly keep her eyes open. One minute she was awake, feeling like crap, then an hour or so later, after getting cozy with the other prisoners, she'd be drugged again. She didn't know what they did to her while she was out, but every time Tarina woke up she felt worse than she did before.

One of them had come in her 'interrogation room' earlier where they'd taken her after a drugging rather than her usual cell. The Mutant was a tall woman with strawberry red hair that fell pin-straight over her head and bright eyes the color of pure jade. There was something about those piercing green eyes that reminded Tarina of a deadly predator. Something animal, like Creed, but not as wild or untamed. Like a wolf. Deadly and stealthy, like she could kill Tarina without a thought. Not out of anger but just because she felt like it. The woman never disclosed her name but she made sure to tell Tarina all of the horrible things the man in charge, a man named Colonel William Stryker, had planned for her and the others "once they get here", she said.

Experiments, torture, a life of imprisonment—

And that was only the start.

The woman spoke of past experiments; herself being one although she never elaborated on her mutation or what they actually did to her. She also told Tarina about Deadpool, the annoying mercenary who liked to torture her with his insane, and incessant chatter. She seemed to Tarina, like she was…lonely. Seeking someone to talk to, even if that person was a prisoner. It almost made Tarina feel kind of sympathetic—

That is, until she spoke, in a hushed tone, of another man who gave his body to Stryker long ago...

Weapon X.

A mutant with an indestructible skeleton, rapid regeneration, superhuman strength and agility, and razor sharp claws. Not to mention an unpleasant disposition towards, well, everyone. The woman would not give much information about Weapon X's life, or personality except that he went on a rampage and escaped shortly after going through the experiment (That and the fact that a man named "Omega Red" hates his guts).

Stryker has apparently been trying to recapture him for sometime...

Tarina knew that's why they wanted her. It all made sense. Whoever Weapon X was, he was worth a lot to these people. These monsters who experiment on their own kind. Men. Women. Children. Everyone is a prisoner here. And there are many prisoners. Her cell opened and Tarina looked up to see the green eyed woman standing there along with a blue one. "Whaddu you want?" Tarina murmured past the haze of drugs she'd been subjected to.

"Just thought you'd like a little news report." The red head purred, closing the cell behind her.

"Not interested." Tarina returned, turning her head away.

"Oh, but I think it's news you've been waiting to hear for some time now, sweetheart!" The red head taunted, but Tarina tried to block her out, muttering louder, "I said I'm not—"

"She came for you." The woman interrupted evenly and Tarina caught her breath, "What?" She whispered in disbelief.

"Your little Ghost friend?" Elaborated the woman, who grinned at the look of recognition in Tarina's eyes. "Yeah, she dropped by with a couple of hero-wannabe's and tried to rescue you, isn't that right, Domino?" The woman said, turning to her companion.

"As the rain, Wolfsbane," The blue woman named Domino crooned with a mocking smirk. "Should've seen her, kid. She's incredible. Much tougher than you anyway." Domino said nastily, pointing a blue finger down at the shocked Tarina. "Man, if you could've seen her take out Creed—"

"Where is she?" Tarina asked desperately. "If you hurt 'er—"

"Oh, I'm more worried about myself right now!" Domino says holding up her hands. "She took on Cannonball, a whole squad team, and Creed by herself! And won (for the most part)! Old Creed'd be finished if it weren't for that healing factor of his."

"Yeah, whatever, I could care less 'bout that monster!" Tarina cried in frustration, knowing they were trying to get under her skin. It was working. "What I wanna know is where is she?"

"Relax, Moppet!" Wolfsbane called to Tarina nonchalantly as she and Domino headed for the door. "She'll be joining you seen enough."

And then Tarina was alone with her thoughts once more.

Thanks for reading! I hope to come back with many more chapters and I'll be sure to bring back some of our favorite characters again...

~THE SCRIBE! ;D