Chapter 24

With a gasp, Adelina's eyes flew open.

She laid there, looking at the white ceiling above her, listening to the machines that helped her breath for a brief moment before she started to freak out. Her hands scratched at the small tube that was attached to her nostrils, painfully ripping out the IVs that were taped to her arms. Adelina cried out for her parents as she rolled over. She was so weak; she couldn't even catch herself or get her legs to move as she fell towards the ground. And the winged girl would've planted face-first onto the tiled floor if not a big blue furry hand kept her steady.

"Whoa there."

Adelina started to sob at the familiar soft, yet strong voice. The hand pulled her gently around and sat her on top of the table she had almost fallen off of. And, not to too much of shock, Adelina realized she was looking at the visage of a much younger Beast. His fur was a much more vibrant blue, and while he was hunched over, it wasn't from age or pain in his back. It seemed to be just a natural pose for him to fall into. His eyes were strong and clear, hidden behind glasses that were probably only used recreationally.

And his eyes shone with the biggest relief ever.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, my dear." Dr. McCoy said in a light joking voice. "Your vitals have miraculously stabilized. And you're awake."

"Cure…." Adelina's tongue was so heavy.

But that seemed to get his attention. "You know the cure?"

Adelina nodded before miming that she needed a pencil and pad of paper. While the Beast disappeared, leaving her alone, Adelina heard something off to her left. It was another gasp, this time belonging to a man. She turned her head, and saw a man that she had only heard about in stories: Professor Charles Xavier.

A man that was pretty much a legend where she was from.

He lurched forward, clutching his head before fluttering his eyes open. They lingered on Nami, who was still out cold, before darting over to where Adelina rested.

"Ah. So, you're awake." The Professor whispered; exhaustion heavy in his voice. His eyes then went to someone behind her. "Jean must've exhausted herself."

Adelina turned her head and saw the woman in her dreams that helped her. She was laying on the table, looking as though she was asleep.

"Nami…."

The Professor followed her line of sight. He sighed sadly. "She…. she wanted me to tell you that…that she was sorry."

Tears formed on her eyes as she started to sob.

No. No, Nami couldn't die. She was the one that her friends sacrificed everything to send back in time, to save them from a future that could still be rewritten.

"I…have ta help…her."

"Absolutely not. You're still weak." His eyes went to someone that had just walked in. "Ah. Dr. McCoy."

"Professor! Our patient here has the antidote."

"It was…. given to me by…." Adelina paused before saying, "A close friend."

"You're going to have to make it quick. She's already giving up."

Right at that moment, the machines started to beep heavily, indicating that there was a drastic drop in Nami's heart rate. Adelina quickly scribbled something onto the paper, making it only barely legible before she ordered the professor, "Send me in there."

"You're too we-"

"I know how Phobos works." She spoke. "I can help Nami defeat him. I can give her strength…."

"I can't allow that."

"She's flatlining!" Dr. McCoy called. "Logan, get me the defibrillator!"

"Please, Professor Xavier." Adelina pleaded. It must've been the tears in her eyes or the worried voice but he finally relented.

"Fine." He rolled himself in between Adelina and Nami were laid, placing a hand on her forehead and Nami's.

"Heartbeat is stable."

Those three words were the last things she heard before darkness consumed Adelina and she tumbled downward into Nami's mind.