((This chapter of the first Mutant Zero Story Arc is dedicated to Xiphan, where ever you are bro we won't forget.))

"So I see you're finally awake, going to stay that way for a while this time?" Shalimar asked as her eyes took over the form of Urien whose eyes looked up blankly at the feral who was watching him. "Cause I got a few things I want to get off my chest."

Urien's eyes looked up at Shalimar, his mind waving in and out even as the rodent leaned upwards. "Shalimar, we've been through this a number of times already. I understand why ye hate me. I know that ye just want to kick the snot out of me and get over with."

Shalimar's lips split upwards as she lashed her head from side to side looking at him. "Urien, your ways how you always subdue yourself, that's part of your feral nature like mine, is to protect my friends. All of us have internal battles, and you really need to get past your fears. Especially if you're ever going to be any help to us."

Urien's eyes flashed instantly as he felt a surge of anger willing up inside him as he moved around trying to wrestle with the straps on the seat. "You can pretend to know what I'm going through and even make excuses for me and reasons not to want me dead. But in the end of the night, it's still going to be down to one simple truth… I really messed up. I let a pretty face dictate me when I was the weakest and I though… damnit I really honestly thought I was doing the right thing. That I was helping not… destroying."

"Yeah, trust me Urien Asheloche has a knack for that. Finding the weakness and using it to his advantage. That's how he got to me."

"Got to you?" Urien asks almost wide eyed.

Shalimar points to her skull, "he's in my mind too. Thing is Ashelocke has ways of making you feel things you shouldn't do things you never would other wise. The way you acted after you laid us out… that showed more strength than most people have. Unless that itself is an act." The tension between the two ferals was thick. It would have been less pretty if Urien himself was any thing other than a rodent feral. As a Rodent, Urien knows he's not the strongest there is, knows when it's best to flee for a better position. The Sounds of Urien's pulse went up as he leaned back his fingers and fist balling up as he listened to Shalimar.

"I suppose you just gave me a compliment Shalimar." Urien pauses, "but your also right, but I still know you don't trust me to not stay in control, because your limitations and you trusting yourself is also an issue."

Shalimar smiled as she reached over and slipped her hand into Urien's her warm fingers lacing with his own. Urien's eyes looked upwards to Shalimar as he watched her. "Exactly, but we are Urien... on the same side. But I want you to do me a favor, and I'll give it right back to you. Don't hesitate to bring me down if you see the signs. I'll do the same for you. I know that Brennan, Jesse, and Emma would have trouble with that, they are like family to me but you… well do you think you can do that?"

Urien's body leaned over close to Shalimar's, Urien could feel the pores opening as his eyes looked into Shalimar's there was a feeling there, one of subversion, and one of betrayal. Urien's mouth opened as he leaned into her ear. "I think so, if either of us becomes a threat we will have to take down the threat. You have already done it once." Urien mentioned. Shalimar they moved to touch his cheek. Shalimar's hand sliding over the warm flesh of the feral, and then something that both of them were feeling do to their feral nature happened. Shalimar's lips pressed softly against Urien's. Urien's eyes closed as he felt her lips softly into hers. Both of them felt it, a call of their new Mutancies.

A knock came at the door suddenly, as the two ferals looked up Shalimar turning away and looking up at Urien like he heart had stopped beating for a moment… her heart beating in her chest as she pushed away. Though the motion was not fast enough, as Emma's hand opened the door. Emma's eyes got large as she looked Urien and then to Shalimar. Emma's eyes grew large at the two of them there. Emma's heart fell from her chest. Though nothing was ever mentioned, to the Prior Emma's expression was shocked. Emma's hand clasped over her mouth as she turned to walk to the doorway. "I think I should go."

Shalimar's head looked towards Emma even as the Telempath turned to the doorway and walked outwards to the hallway. "Emma, wait!" Shalimar shouted after her teammate, Shalimar took off from the lab, following her teammate through the silver hallways of the Santuary.

"Emma wait, hold up. It's not what you think." Shalimar pleaded as she jogged through the concrete floor, her heeled boots clicking over the concrete as she ran. Emma stopped near the gardens over looking the fountain that was placed in the lobby before the rooms where the members of mutantX stayed. Emma's head turned red locks sliding over a hurt and contorted face.

"It's so hard, to not just send out a wave. I've kept this wall up so long, Shalimar. Sometimes it hurts to even ever let it go. To ever forget its there. I guess we all want to be normal, at least sometimes." Emma admitted as she looked at Shalimar as the feral stopped in front of her.

"Look, Emma for what its worth I'm sorry. I should not have, after what he did. But… but Adam seems to think he's okay. Ruby's going to make him a member of that team he's working on. So it's best to..."

"…to kiss and make up Shalimar? To pretend everything is okay. Look I don't blame you for trying, and I know that the attraction between Ferals is rather hard to control. It's just…" Emma looked down at her shoes unsure what to say next. Though as Shalimar's hand softly thudded against her shoulder the Telempath understood to well

"Look its okay Emma, really. Its just may of telling him… welcome to the team."

****

Santuary
Adam's office

"Doesn't it bother you we might be walking right into a trap Adam? I mean sure it sounds like a good idea. We might be there in number and put a stop to Ashelocke but what if this is just another diversion? We know Ashelocke doesn't mind sacrificing his people." Brennan says, his face red with anger as he looks at Adam Kane who's watching the elemental's every moment, the wrinkled flesh clinching at every high octave.

"Brennan that has been taken into account. That is why we had you all train with Mutant Zero, you all aren't going on this mission." Adam mentioned flashing a brilliant smile.

"Adam, you're sending in three mutants who have no idea what they are getting into. One of which happens to be a good friend of mine." Brennan roared his lips stressed as though he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"No Brennan Four, of them, will be going in. Shalimar, Jesse, Emma and you will be watching from the helix in case anything goes wrong. It's important to see if they have what it takes. Ruby agrees now would be better than anything else."

"Wait Adam Four? You don't mean you're sending in Urien with the other three, whose bright idea was this anyways?"

"Ours." Came the voice of Jesse along with Todd and Matty was lounging in behind the first two.

"You all have to be kidding me." Brennan raked his hand against his hair sharply. "If this is some sort of joke I'm not laughing."

"Look Brennan, we aren't asking you to agree, just be supportive. Emma has done a full search, of his mind, he was under Ashelocke power."

"What makes you think he's out of Ashelocke power genius? The other agents die when Ashelocke releases them."

"No, Brennan Ashelocke kills them. Urien knows this, and is helping with a very serious threat to his person. But we've devised a counter measure. But Urien just isn't another new mutant, Urien's one of the only stable rodent ferals I've ever seen. With his increased agility and strength, not to mention his unique features. Brennan we really need him on this mission."

"Adam, what if he turns on em all and helps the strand? There's a real security problem here."

"Brennan, Emma says he's on the level. Adam's right we need him. We can't divide our forces anymore. Not to mention if makes a wrong move. I'll jump start him myself." Matty smiled looking at Brennan.

"Look you guys do what ever you want. Just don't say I didn't warn you." Brennan says with a frown as he storms out of the room.

"Well it's settled then, all. So who wants to tell Urien?" Adam asked looking at the now rather filled room.

"No one's told him?" Emma exclaims, "So you and Ruby decide by yourself to put him in some mission that he's risking his life for and you don't even consider his own opinions? The boy is scared on the inside. You have no idea what he's going through right now."

"Emma, cool down I'm sure Adam has thought about Urien's well being first before anything else." Shalimar mentioned holding Emma into a hug. Though Shalimar did believe in the efforts of Adam and what MutantX did. Sometimes she questioned his motivates.

"Shalimar's right Emma, we would not ever think of using him unless he was willing to do this of his own accord. Though revenge does fuel people in a way that could be beneficial, but with his rodent DNA there are other things we defiantly need to keep tabs on."

The Strand Headquarters
Location unknown.

"This hasn't gone like I wanted it to." Gabriel roared as he through a wine glass against the wall. The glass easily shattered on contact. "I swear our plans have gone to hell."

"Why don't we just call off the whole operation Gabriel?" came the voice of one of the five bodies who were now standing overlooking Gabriel's broken glass.

"We can't, we need that Antibody. Its part of the puzzle, if I'm going to live." Gabriel growled. "The plans still going through according to plan." There was a sudden drive to Ashelocke voice as his hand slams into the table. "Sure Adam speculates we've used Urien as a pawn, and they are keeping MutantX open. But they have no idea where we are going to strike. So we can still pull this off the way we want to." Gabriel felt like he was talking to himself, for no one else knew that there were two channels for him in Adam's close wave of personnel, though Gabriel knew what was expected of him, knew what Adam would do, and how long he had. Gabriel had known Adam Kane to long to underestimate him. But the plans were already started; Gabriel knew he was going to succeed.

The Leader of the Strand plopped back down on the crush velvet couch, his back pressing into the padding as his eyes looked over all those who were standing before him. "The Plan is going as scheduled; teams one and two will be going to Micromax. Karen won't be leading you, but Jeremy will be taking her place… and you will be meeting some new mutants, under our old friend… Ruby Bishop." The voice was fractured as The Strand had let Bishop along with other new mutants go; Gabriel had doubts about where the telepath's loyalties were. Though they let him go, now he had gone back to Adam on bended knee. Now they were starting a second team, Gabriel felt almost sickened by the name they chose. Gabriel Ashelocke was Patient Zero. They had no business stealing that. "That leaves teams three and four with me, going for the real prize. I expect that Adam and his people are trying to find out our real objective. So if that's the case, leave them to me." As Ashelocke gave his orders, with his deep voice, his eyes paned to take in all of the members who now stood before him. A shake of the head came from his face his dark bangs creasing down his face as he let a smile glint over his deep sunken lips. The Strand members all turned in sequence to their leader before they began to file out of the room.

Santuary
the Lab

Storm King Mountain

The constant sound of monitoring equipment suddenly crackled to close as Urien's body eased up from the bed. The slim sound of eased muscles came over his body, as Urien stretched out his limbs, muscles contorting as he did so. The pink skin seemed to be smooth to the touch as the rat feral's body snapped up to the hand of a foreign warm hand resting on his forearm. A yellow glare eased over his bright eyes as he looked up to the new bodies face. Gabriel's face turned into a grimace as his eyes met with Urien's. "You welcome is over Urien. I can we were all wrong in trusting you. So now all your friends in MutantX and this Mutant Zero are all going to suffer the same fate. But you're going out first..." Ashelocke voice raged as his eyes began to glow a violent shade of red. Urien's back arched as the sudden painful impulse coursed though his body. The very blood began to thicken.

"URIEN NO!" Emma shouted as her usually pale face flushed with a red hue, as her eyes see the ghostly form of Ashelocke over Urien's withering body. The smile that licked across Patient Zero's face was something of beauty and something of pure sadistic delight. Emma's forehead suddenly emitted a pink blast that grew into a round orb scattering across the room, and shattering into the ghastly form of Ashelocke. Urien's body heaved, violently as he gasped for breath. Emma rushed toward Urien's side as she bit the urge to hug him, to comfort him despite the hits of fear that Emma now could feel burning through her own subconscious. Instead Emma's hand slapped up against the head. "Don't ever do that again!"

Urien's eyes knitted with a very uncertain look, the feral's whole face waving with a bit of fear, but something else he couldn't explain well—all he knew was that there was a sudden influx of heat radiating his body. "Get myself killed Emma? One doesn't have control of these things."

"No, Urien I do not mean being attacked and almost killed." Emma snapped back with an anger that easy glowed incandescently though her eyes that was now staring daggers at the rat feral.

"No, bloody hell, lass, then what? I'm sorry to alarm you Emma but I'm not entirely all here one would not…." Though as Uriel began to try to explain exactly that he didn't understand, Emma was already trekking for the door. "No wait, Emma don't go." Urien's voice cracked as his lithe arms sprang towards her back. Though by this movement Emma was already out the door and turning the corner in the hallway, the clogs that Emma wore echoed each footfall painfully clear. Emma though had thoughts about this, this could be the last time she sees him. Though she was angry, and the best offense is a good defense, a lesson Emma knew far to well. One the inside of the crimson haired Psionic though there was a lot of feelings, all wrapped up inside, though she did what she could, for Emma it was sometimes hard to piece things together. Though the feeling that made her angry, the feeling that made her come in there to check on him, that was to buried very far way Emma subconsciously couldn't block everything she felt, and was confused as to why she cared so much about everyone.

Urien's legs pushed a few more steps before he was stopped by the gaze of Ruby Bishop, whose coke-bottled glasses gazed at the rat feral, a small smile went over his face as Ruby let out a chuckle. "Well I'd not think that she means what she's doing Urien. She is just confused. As I'm sure you are."

Urien's eyes went large for a moment as he rubbed his head. "If you're going to read my mind at least do it right okay?" Urien exclaimed, "let her leave, I just wanted to let her know sorry for what I did to her, what I did to all of you. Ye've all been so kind and after what I did…"

Ruby's hand rested on the ferals shoulder, an almost large smile coming over his lips. Though Ruby did know more than he was letting on, Ruby could understand why Urien would want things to be kept of his own mind. Though Ruby wondered that if Urien's mind was so open, so angry, yet so hurt, what Emma exactly saw. Ruby wondered how tough it must be for Emma to even be in the same building as Urien, who seemed to be filled with so much raw emotion, so much fear. "Don't worry about it. Telepathy wasn't why I was here. There's another matter. Come on lets go back into the lab. I'll explain it."

Urien walked in front of Ruby, the rat feral's form slacked now, slow deep down he wondered if things could get worse. Though he had yet to pass words with most of the other members of mutantX as of now—mostly because Jesse was working on the blue prints and Brennan was trying to help Matty better hone her powers. Though right now, Urien had a good indication that his presence wasn't the best received within the sanctuary at all. Though, Urien wasn't entirely himself as he'd been mind warped by Ashelocke, part of Urien knew he did it for acceptance, to finally be normal, among others like him. Perhaps that's why Urien felt so at ease here, at Santuary even when most of the people who walked the ebony floors were in fact out to get him, and didn't trust him. The rat feral sat back in on the bed he had been stationed out for the past few days, lithe legs tucking under him, Urien watched for Ruby to walk into the room. Ruby adjusted his glasses as he pulled up a chair, scooting it close the feral. In the chubby face a crimson hue developed over his cheeks. "Okay, so you want to thank us or tell us that you're sorry. Well actually there's something we need from you. This is entirely up to you. But your new mutancy is rare. Your probably one of the most powerful ferals we've ever came across. Unlike many Rodent ferals you're sane. And though it might not seem like it, you're a very special guy. That's why Ashelocke sought you out." Ruby cleared his throat bringing up a rag to patch at his sweating brow. "The long end of it is, we need your help."

Urien's eyes looked over at Ruby a moment. The eyes turning yellow just for a flashed moment, before he looked as his claws, Urien's fingers drumming in his sleeves, "You are right Ruby, It doesn't seem like it. Like I'm sane. Like I'm normal, I always ya know wondered why I felt so isolated, alone no one understood me. Ashelocke showed me kindness, acceptance. Though Ironically I always felt alone. But the will to survive, it's always been around me. Ye talk about help. Ye helped me. And if ye asking me what I think ye asking me mate, which is to help stop the Strand. Then count me in."

Ruby looked at the kid as he nodded. Ruby knew partly feeling the longing in his mind, the words of a name that seemed to get lost in loops around his mind. But the name was doubled over spaced far apart. Ruby just raised his hand and in his palm was a single ring. "I'm not asking you to stay with us. But I am making you the offer. This ring is bonded to your genetic code, it's a comm. Link and it's also a multi purpose device. If after this you want to leave, that you're right. But for tonight, wear this ring." Ruby waited for the feral's shaky hand to stretch out. As Urien's hand stretches slowly fingers unfolding, Urien felt the ring mold to him coming on line.

Macromax Industries
twenty minutes from Toronto

the three helicopters hung like a swarm of Dragon flies, engines lapping around them, almost invisible in the night sky. The first of the three in the front curves around to take off. The helicopter curves into a C as the sound comes in over the radio –Channel team one is heading to the north decent, team two and three make it look like the real thing. Don't worry about Adams group we'll deal with them. -- With those words the first helicopter disappears out of view. The second and third Choppers begin to descend thick ropes sliding from the doors looking like thick tweed spaghetti as they do.

--Okay this firebat one, were getting into position.—Came another voice into the comm. Wave as the helicopters paused over both sides of the thick glass covered building. The bodies easily leaped from the helicopter, as they slid down the rope. Footfalls attacking the roof. The Four silhouettes duck into the main window. Quiet movements as they slide against the walls. Carefully cornering the walls, creeping silent footfalls as they stop the head masked new mutant pokes his head out to look when an upper cut collides with the jaw, the new mutant growls as he picks himself up. Though, just as he does the other three new mutants look towards them. One of the three begins to form an energy ball it begins to crackle in the gloved hands.

"I don't think so." Matty growls as she unleashes a strike line of purple electricity hitting the Elemental and another smaller of the group. The two members of the Strand both fall to the ground, administering loud thuds. Matty looks over at Urien sending a half smile at him, as the rodent's new mutant lunges at the remaining new mutant who prepares. As Uriel sends up a round house the black cloaked form blocks pushing him away, followed by a fist into Urien's face. A shroud of dark hair follows Urien's body as his hands slap against the linoleum. A flash of yellow slides over his eyes as he springs forward bringing both feet up hard into the face of the remaining new mutant.

"So were clear over here. How you all doing?"

Macromax
level 3

"Still clear. Ya don't think they'd all come the same way?" Michelle voiced out over her ring. Todd was blurring around the empty corridor in after visions swarming around the Cyberpath.

--its not likely. Though they are crafty. We only ran into four so far. Though Adam said they might be splitting up their efforts.—

Todd stopped in mid stride as a door opened roughly and energy ball hits him hard. The Molecular speedster goes flying even before Michelle used her powers over the automated security system to slam the door hard. "Bad omens, Matty we got some activity." Michelle mentions as she strides over to Todd who was now crumpled on the ground. Michelle's hand reaches to touch his face as the blue eyes of Todd strike open.

"Don't stop on my account." Todd grins looking up at her. Michelle was just about the smack him when the door is blasted open with a sonic blast causing the door to go flying down the hallway.

"Well, guess we'll have to work for it after all." Came a burly voice from behind a mask. Todd stood back up in a blur. Michelle was targeting security protocols again. Though she was no pushover after having been trained as a GS agent, she just chose the easy way to do practically everything. The two Strand members walked towards the door. The Sonic elemental ceased his hand sending out another torrent of energy Todd blurred to the left before his body jolted forward slamming a fist hard into the elementals mask. The Elemental had no resistance despite his obvious size. There was a soft crunch as his body slid down the wall.

Michelle, two smaller forms seemed slide out of the door, and both jet in opposite directions. Todd blurs to the left and Michelle was concentrating on the one to the right. The two new mutants though hitting on each side of the wall slipped through the very walls even before Michelle and Todd could react. Michelle gulps as she brings her ring up to her perched lips her breathing a constant. "Matty, two of the new mutants are moleculars phased through the wall. You two need to round them off."

--Okay, were on it you all can hold fort then?—

As Michelle turned her head up from her ring she saw what appeared to be a bunch of smugging waves and ghosts streaking up and down the hall her brow lifted even as Todd found his match with this wayward new mutant who was also some sort of speedster. The two super fast new mutants exchanged punches as they sped down the hallway, though most couldn't see what was going on she was sure that Todd had it all under control. Todd's body jerked back with each quick strike that landed and kept coming. The other new mutants were making similar movements as the two brushing combatants streaked through the floor.

Storage Lab
level seven

Matty knew it was going to be a race to see who could get to the frozen stores where the DNA was first. Though they were neck to neck as Matty and Urien slid across the linoleum towards the corner of the two molecular new mutants made a dash for the storage room. The Door was not a barrier the two moleculars were worried about as the reached towards it both spiraling to the door. Matty had no idea their powers but instinctively she let a violet torrent of electricity to tear from her fingertips hitting both the new mutants both tumbling to the ground. The two silent masked shapes got up off the ground. Matty flinched even as Urien's body lunged up at them the two silent forms spread a part as Urien landed his eyes shimmering a color of copper for just a moment before he sent a leg out across long ways in a sweeping motion the Form to the left sent up a forearm to connect. Matty took no time to produce back up seeing Brennan do a similar stunt many times before Matty stepped back launching a torrent of waves as the creature fell back against the wall, just as her eyes saw the second molecular darting from Urien who had just been hit hard in the face. A fountain of blood seemed to ooze from his nose in a crimson fountain. Though that didn't stop Urien from launching after the Molecular as phased the door and slid in. Urien launched at the door but it was too late as the Rodent Ferals head impacted off the surface of the door.

A growl seemed to escalate not from Urien's lips but from Matty's as her arm pushed him to the side. Matty let a wave of electricity channel from her fingers. The door's safety lock unbolted as Matty's foot kicks open the door. The Molecular turned around shocked the face mask was now off and the cherry red spiky hair seemed to glow even in the small yellow lighting of room. Matty's hands tensed as he looked at her shocked holding the glass globe. The Molecular turned smiling. "What you think we really wanted this? Seems the Rat bastard really screwed you guys over." There was a smile on his lips and Matty didn't think twice sending a current at him. The Molecular phased through the blast dropping the vial as it smashed on the floor the molecular phased through the wall just leaving Matty to look at Urien.

"Look I know Adam and Ruby like ya and all. I just…"

--Okay, guys umm Ashchelocke had us in his grip, nailed Shalimar and me then just got really weird looked like he was dying. -- Brennan came over the channel. Matty's lips curved as she looked back over to Urien. Matty's fist hit him hard in his shoulder.

"Gezzus Christ, Urien what the hell was that about?" Matty giggled as she waited for him to walk out of the door her head weaving.

"What was what seems like it's a job well done."

"Yeah what ever Urien. They are probably expecting us."

Jam and Joes
Toronto, Canada

The Ruby, Vince, and Alison looked over at the four new mutants who were now lined up against the wall. Each of the three moderators of Jam and Joes smiled easing grins as they looked at one another. Shaking their heads Ruby planted a hand on Todd's shoulder first as Alison and Vince took steps towards the other three new mutants. Urien felt some sick fluttery feeling of pride, as Ruby slipped off the rings they were wearing around their fingers, the rings had mutantX symbols along the base line, extras crafted by Adam. Though those days were over. "Well I think that as you four are not members of Mutant X that that you all deserve something more commemoration, your own team. Alison designed a new comm. Ring with features that better support our teams' goals." Ruby mentioned his cheeks rising into sags against his eyes. "Todd Richards, welcome to the team." Ruby mentioned as the case he was holding was shifted open Todd slid his MutantX ring into the slot and pulled out not a silver ring but a gold ring with a Zero pressed on the top.
Alison stepped towards Michelle now her lips forcing a smile as she lifted up the case and Michelle slipped her ring into the slot and slid on a gold ring. "Welcome to the team girl." Alison grinned.

Finally Vince looked to Matty as like the other two slipped open a black felt case allowing Matty to slide her ring back into the its contents, and picking up a gold Mutant Zero ring. "Hey good show, Matty your father would have been Proud." Matty looked at Vince almost shocked but he said nothing more. The three of them turned to just look at the three wearing rings. Urien looked at em all as his lips frowned.

"Yeah guys congratulations." Urien growled as he slipped off his own ring, and tossed it into the air. Vincent snatched it in a blur. As the three heads turned to look at him. "Not like I need to be a bloody part of this anyway." Urien turned to walk back to the doorway. The others in the room watched silently as his footfalls marched into the hallway. It was as he neared the stairs leading up to the coffee shop that Urien's nose smelled something familiar. His nostrils flared as Urien's head turned to see who was behind him. Emma stood there her red brilliant hair curling about her face. A pair of shimmering lips smiling. "E-Emma?" Urien asked as he looked to the Telempath.
"Welcome to the club." Emma mused as her dazzling eyes looked up into his. "Ruby thought it best if I gave it to you." Urien stood there speechless for a moment before he slipped the ring from the case.

"I don't know what to say Emma, just that I'll never forget this.. Forget you."

"You don't really need to say much at all." Ruby mentioned as he walked into the hallway, Todd, Michelle, Matty, Vincent, and Alison all folded into the room. "Welcome to Mutant Zero."


((and this is the last chapter of Preludes… I hope you all enjoyed it. And I'm not sure if I'll be writing anymore of it. At least for the time being. As I've been dispirited about the show. But who knows. If you want more let me know. But won't be for at least a few months as I got some other Fiction I'll be writing. But let me know how you feel. I enjoyed writing it. And as Urien said. None of us will forget Emma.))