"It would seem Fury is not as trustworthy as we would've liked," stated Eric angrily, as he confronted Logan about their captor. It was late in the evening, and most of the younger kids had dropped off to sleep, leaving only Remy, Logan and Eric alert and awake.
"He does have a point. We're not much without our powers," replied Logan.
"Speak for yourself, mon ami," stated Remy, shuffling his card deck.
"I think I just did... and will you stop that. Its tickin' me off," he growled back at the Cajun. Remy didn't so much as bat an eyebrow, but he did stop, placing his cards back into one of the many pockets located within his trench coat.
"At least we know now where the base is," replied Logan. "Wanda can lead us there, if we can get back to the Blackbird."
Suddenly the door slid open and the mutants therein tensed, rousing the younger members to prepare.
Raven stood at the door, beckoning them, motioning them to be quiet. At her side stood a rather elderly woman in dark violet robes, who looked surprisingly out of place and calm inside the SHIELD facility. "Move it," whispered Raven, beckoning the others. "Agatha's disabled the guards, but we only have so long before her sleep spell wears off and they wake up... now move it."
True to her word, Raven and Agatha led the others out of the facility without encountering any guards (sleeping as they were) and to the field where the Blackbird was. Since it'd been hidden, SHIELD hadn't yet found it. The mismatched group boarded the X-Jet, surprised to see yet another woman waiting the back. Rogue's foster mother, the blind mutant known by some as Destiny, and others as Irene Alders. Standing behind her was a more familiar face to those present. Warren Worthington the III.
"We're here, Destiny..." said Raven, making her way over to her good friend and placing a reassuring hand on the blind woman's shoulder.
"Ah, good... everything is as it should be..." she stated quietly.
"What is she talking about?" asked Logan, as he set about preparing the Blackbird for take off.
"Destiny had a vision shortly before the mutants lost their powers," stated Agatha quietly from her place near the back of the room. "She knew this would happen, so she set about to contact myself and Mystique so we would be prepared."
"And they picked me up in New York earlier. Said I'd be 'useful'," stated Warren, obviously displeased by the choice of wording.
"Good to know..." replied Wolverine, flipping the switch that started up the jet's engines.
"Wait a minute... if all mutants lost their powers... how did you put those guards to sleep?" asked Jamie, glancing up at the elderly woman with innocent curiosity. She smiled down at him.
"I'm not a mutant," she replied with a mysterious smile.
"Wanda, Jamie, both of you I need directions," stated Logan, beckoning the two kids over, as they dutifully provided instructions as best they could to the hidden facility. True, they'd been on foot for the most part, but the general direction they'd traveled, east, made it easy enough to find. They spotted the base easily enough. A heavily guarded facility, it was built right into the side of the mountain with a big steel door. It looked thick enough to survive a nuclear blast, and from what Jamie and Wanda had been able to tell them and Eric and Logan could figure, it could likely only be opened from the inside.
Logan eased the blackbird down a good mile from the facility, well out of range of radar or human eyesight, in a clearing in the woods. Then he and the others headed into the back to confer and decided on a strategy. He activated the console in the back, showing a rough schematic of the base based on their first fly-by.
"I think we can all agree a frontal assault will not work," he stated. "Therefore, our best option is to slip inside undetected, grab whoever we can, and get the hell out before we're noticed."
"I take it dat where I come in?" asked Gambit with a smirk, flipping a card (the ace of spades) between his fingers.
"Unfortunately it is," replied Logan, giving him a brief glance. "You and me head in through this airduct," he said, tapping the console to indicate it. "From there, we find the control room and open the doors... get everyone else inside, and work from there."
"We'll need some cover," stated Eric. "Those guards out front won't let us get very far."
"My disciple and I shall handle that," stated Agatha quietly. Wanda, by her side, nodded.
"Good," replied Logan. In truth he didn't care how the crazy witches pulled it off, long as it worked. "Now all we need is a miracle."
The sun started to rise on what could have been the mutants last day on earth.
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"So where's this one go?"
"Stash her in the tubes with the other freaks."
The mutants, most of whom had already had a poor night's sleep, were jolted awake as the lights suddenly flared up around them and some more guards filed in, dragging with them yet another mutant.
To her shock, Ororo recognized her from the night before. It was Stall. But that meant the Morlocks had been attacked. Ororo started to panic. There was no sign of Evan. Did that mean he'd escaped? Or been killed? Well, either way, she thought bitterly, at least he wasn't at the mercy of a madman.
Stall was thrown into her own chamber and the glass sealed down around her. Ororo winced again, feeling immediately sympathy. This enclosed place was doing nothing for her. How she longed for the free, open skies. Even the big chamber outside of her glass prison would be a welcome relief.
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"I hope you're not suggesting we climb?" asked Remy.
He and Logan stood at the base of the mountain, on the side opposite the base. The ventilation shaft in question they wanted was a great deal further up, barely in the line of their vision, along a sheer cliff face.
"Yup," replied Logan, strapping on some artificial claws to his wrists. The sort ninjas used for climbing, but made of steel, designed to punch right through stone and give a good grip. Having them on made Logan smile a little as he smacked them into the cliff face and started to haul himself up.
"Think I'll take the express route," stated Remy, placing the card back in his trench coat and pulling out the two halves of his staff, sliding them together and screwing them into place. Taking an extension from another part of his trench coat, he attached it to the top, took careful aim, and fired off his grapple line, watching with satisfaction as it sunk into the rock above the ventilation shaft and dug in firmly. Giving the middle of his staff a tap for gradual line in, he started the vertical walk-climb to the top, giving Wolverine a mock salute as he passed him by.
"See you at the top!"
Logan just grumbled, and redoubled his pace, claws moving as if they were a part of him (and why not, he'd had so much practice) as he used them to haul himself up the cliff face.
Midway up, he felt short of breath, holding on as a cough fitting overcame him, and he grumbled to himself. Had a mirror been handy, he also would've noticed how more and more gray hair was starting to replace his previously black locks. Even a few white hairs had appeared at his temples. Every bone joint in his body ached from the metal on metal friction, but he stubbornly choked down the pain and continued. Slowly, steadily, he continued to climb up after Gambit. It would take him a while, but he had no plans on dying today or anytime soon.
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"Come my apprentice... it is time we began our work," stated Agatha, as usual walking slowly to the edge of the woods. Nothing seemed to convince the woman to go any faster, she set her own pace in life, doing what she pleased, when she pleased. Wanda trailed behind her.
"How will we do it, Mistress? I know my concealing spell, but it only works on those not moving..."
"A concealing spell will not suffice here. Instead we must make use of more natural resources," stated the elderly woman, motioning to the ground. The morning sun was just peeking over the rim of the mountain, and a morning fog had rolled in. Wanda gasped as she understood her teacher's plan.
"Just do as I do, Wanda... your powers will enhance the spell, I will handle its proper shape," stated Agatha, holding up her hands and concentrating. She and Wanda began to chant softly.
"Annal nak thrak, usth beth bedtad, dok'kiel, kiente," they chanted, their stares vacant, their words moving in sync, their hands outstretched as the magic pooled around them. "Annal nak thrak, usth beth bedtad, dok'kiel, kiente... Annal nak thrak, usth beth bedtad, dok'kiel, kiente..."
The fog thickened, growing, spreading through trees and, more importantly, up the mountain to cover the entire outside of the fortress, making it impossible for those soldiers to see their hands in front of their faces, let alone each other. This would make the rescue effort easier.
The two witches continued their chant, and the fog thickened.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remy led the way through the narrow air duct, crawling forward on his hands as he found the grating and cautiously peered out, checking for guards. He could hear Logan's labored breathing behind him and quietly hoped that no one would hear them. If they got caught, the future of the mutant species were pretty much boned. Not that Remy cared for certain members of the mutant races (Mystique and Sabertooth springing instantly to mind) but then again, he didn't exactly care for the idea of living in a slave camp the rest of his life. However long that was.
Thus, he pulled the grate down and poked his head out, sliding out and landing gracefully on the ground, his trench coat swishing around his legs as he glanced left and right for any sign of the guards, bo staff in his hands. Seeing none, he gave Logan a hand down, wincing a little at the sight of the man. His skin was starting to wrinkle.
Logan shook him off angrily as the two headed in what they hoped was the direction of the main doors down one of the corridors. They had to move fast for this to work.
Remy tapped Logan's shoulder, directing his attention to a nearby door which read 'main door controls' on the side.
Logan smirked, the bad guys were making it too easy.
Remy leaned his bo staff against the wall and tapped the console to open the door, sauntering in as if he owned the place, smiling as the two guards on either side raised their weapons, aiming right for his head.
"Mornin' gents. Care to see a card trick?" he asked with a smirk, holding out his ace of spades away from his body, drawing their attention as he flipped the card, making it vanish. Before either guard could react Remy launched himself forward and slammed his fist into one's jaw. The other was quickly subdued by Logan, who grabbed his gun and decked him across the chin, sending him reeling, unconscious.
"Hmmmm... there it is," stated Remy with a smirk, making the card appear as if by magic behind the subdued guard's ear. He placed it back in his deck, as Logan made his way to the controls. With a flick of a switch, the main doors opened.
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Eric had been watching, of course, outside in the woods just a short distance away from Agatha and Wanda. He had no desire to be too close to his daughter once she regained her powers. Thus, until he could have Mastermind restore his illusions, he would keep a safe distance. It was a relief when she'd agreed to go help the witch. And the fog was working nicely.
How fortunate Charles seemed to keep NV binoculars in his Blackbird. Thus, it was easier for the second team to see that the great huge steel doors had been opened, and for the most part the security seemed unaware of it.
"That's our cue..." he stated quietly, glancing back at the others. "Move quickly and move quietly."
Eric, Kitty, Raven, Warren, Forge and Arcade, the second team, moved quickly, staying crouched down low so that those few guards with NV wouldn't noticed them against the ground. They hadn't had a chance to change into their uniforms, but most of them wore black or dark clothing anyone, so they'd easily get by. Thankfully, they were not noticed as the slid inside the main doors and ran into an aged Logan.
"Mr. Logan? Are you like, okay?" asked Kitty, her concern obvious.
Logan grumbled, leaning against the wall as the team made their way down the corrider. "I'm fine half-pint... go on I'll catch up. Just gotta... catch my breath..." he replied after a short while.
Remy met up with the others at the control both, already with a small, crudely drawn map taken from the central computer.
"Alright, I think I got it figured out," he said. "This room," he stated, tapping a big, central looking place. "Is labeled mutant containment, so that's likely where our friends are. But this also caught my attention," he added, tapping another such point on the map.
"Nullification chamber?" asked Raven, tilting her head to one side, her eyes narrowing.
"If this is what I think it is..." started Remy.
"The it's the perfect solution," finished Eric.
"I'll go..." stated Raven, and left no room for argument. Forge and Arcade immediately were ordered to go with her, to keep them out of the main line of danger. Which left the rest to race (as quickly as they could while still waiting for Logan to keep up) down the corridors to find their friends and set them free.
Guards were found, here and there, but using the element of surprise and some well placed martial arts on behalf of Kitty and Remy, they were quickly dealt with. Almost too quickly.
"We're walking into a trap," wheezed Wolverine, as he fell to one knee. Angrily he waved the others on, who did so, some with more reluctance than others. None had heard his warning.
"A fine mess you're all in," came a harsh, disagreeable voice just behind him. Logan didn't bother to turn around, he knew who it was. "Pity you won't be much use here."
"So you save 'em then," he grumbled, struggling to stand.
"Fine I will."
Wolverine collapsed against the ground as his friend sprinted on ahead of him to join the others.
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Authors Notes:
Just curious, does anyone recognize the chanting Wanda and Agatha are doing? If not then shame on you, that movie was classic. And Logan is dying, how sad. Well, the rescue teams have divided up and are heading towards a trap. Anyone takin' bets, 'cause my money's on the heroes. Despite my love of angst-ridden stories, all I ever seem to write are happy endings.
Rain: Still lovin' it? Or did Wraith spook ya a little?
Sharpsnout: Take your time, and reread if you like it. The many subtle hints and foreshadowing you'll enjoy, methinks. Oh and if you like LotR and XME, you might want to check out my other stories too. Let me know what you think.
Todd Fan: What are you, stalking me? How do you know the instant I put up chapters?!
Gyuumajo: I don't think it was all that philosophical. He just knows right from wrong. If he launched into some MLK mutant speech then yes, he'd be way out of character. Oh and yeah, Jean's spoiled, but she's showing signs of improvement now that she's no longer the Queen of Bayville.
Illyana Rasputin: Thank you, thank you. No Cain didn't go with the Morlocks, he's going solo as he usually does. But don't worry, there'll be more of him involved later.
Arekanderu: Thanks. And don't worry, plenty more to come.
Rogue14: Oh don't worry, Wanda will be alright. Though not necessarily the way she wants to be.
Faith Darkholme: You'll see. Though if I miswrote, it was three people that X23 saw, not two. Besides, that bit above might have just answered half of your question. As for Psylocke, she will not appear again until the very end in a cameo, because she's not yet appeared on the Evo show.
Unknown Source: A few more experiments maybe, but I'll save terrible genetic alterations on the whole for another story. I am keeping this in the Evo timeline, after all. And yeah, I loved Wanda and Raven smackin' around Eric. Gives you a good idea of just how much people hate him, despite his 'noble' aspirations.
Elisabeth Braddock-Grey: SHIELD, for all its good intentions, is a military organization. And one thing I've learned watching so many movies, is that the military always are the ones who screw things up. Don't worry though, you'll like what I've planned for SHIELD in a few chapters. I know, Colonel Wraith creeps me out too. But Sabertooth deserves at least a little of what's coming to him. What goes around, comes around.
*B: Well thank you. Glad you like it.
Drakensis: It was 18 last time I was in England, and I'm not in a habit of every few years checking their laws. But thanks for the update, much obliged.