Apparently Some Mutants Are Islands

"So what are you doing here?" Scott asked the Misfits after they explained their situation.

"We're on an investigative mission of our own," Lance said. "Apparently the military has known about this island for a long time."

"Two years ago Cobra was running several illegal and very dangerous experiments on that island," Hawk told them. "From what we can gather from our intelligence sources they were working with biological, chemical and nuclear weapons all on that island. Until something went wrong. Very wrong."

"What happened?" John asked.

"We don't know exactly," Duke told him. "But the explosion could be seen very clearly from our satellites. Up until recently the island was so radioactive it wasn't safe to even get near it."

"That does not sound good," Logan frowned. "Cobra experiments and radiation are a lousy combination."

"That's the understatement of the year," Duke said.

"But it would explain the unusual mutant signature Cerebro picked up," Xavier frowned. "Any life forms left on that island probably have mutated. But if this happened two years ago…"

"Well maybe it had something to do with that weird fog surrounding it?" Fred asked.

"What weird fog?" Scott asked. "You didn't say anything about that."

"I hadn't finished my story yet," Hawk told him. "Almost immediately after the explosion the entire island was enveloped in this strange dense irradiated fog which our sensors couldn't penetrate. A week ago it suddenly dissipated for no reason."

"Hold on a second I just thought of something," John looked at Scott. "If that island was covered in some kind of radiation…You could have infected us all!"

"That's impossible!" Scott told him. "The Blackbird's sensors would have picked it up!"

"I did not detect any traces of radiation when I examined Cyclops," Hank said.

"That's because there isn't any radiation left on the island," Arcade told them. "According to our long range sensors and probes all the radiation has disappeared overnight, literally."

"Okay I may not know much about nuclear science but even I know that's pretty much impossible," John said. "I mean from what I heard radiation like that pretty much sticks around for decades. Even centuries!"

"That's why they're sending us," Lance quipped. "To investigate."

"Sort of like those canaries miners used to send down the mines huh?" John folded his arms. "Figures."

"Actually the way our science experts figure out it might be safer for us," Althea said. "If there is a level of radiation that is so low and can't be detected, only a person with an active X-Gene may be able to survive. They say it does give us some natural protection against low level radiation."

"Well that's good to know," John remarked. "I guess being a mutant does have its advantages."

"Yes but there's never been any conclusive evidence on how radiation affects the X-Gene," Xavier warned him.

"I'm afraid Cobra has a lot of evidence on the effects of the X-Gene," Xi told him. "I should know."

"They irradiated you?" Logan growled.

"Among other things," Xi nodded. "But now is not the time for that discussion."

"I agree," Xavier nodded. "Rescuing the X-Men and finding the mutant or mutants on the island is our top priority."

"All right," Hawk nodded. "We'll combine our two teams and use both the Blackbird and one of the Tomahawks. We were having a discussion on who would fly it…"

"I'm not that bad a pilot!" Pietro snapped.

"I still say I could do better," Althea said.

"But in the interests of time…" Hawk sighed. "Logan would you mind piloting it?"

"Oh whoopee," Logan grunted. "Who's coming with me?"

"Wavedancer, Quicksilver, Blob, Toad, Avalanche, Scarlet Witch and Xi," Hawk said. "Arcade and Dragonfly will stay here."

"I'll stay here as well and direct the team mentally," Xavier suggested. "Cyclops you will take the rest."

"Can I switch teams?" John asked. "I don't want to be stuck with Major Pain here!"

"The feeling is mutual Thunderbird," Cyclops grunted.

"What's going on?" Todd nudged Kurt.

"Let's just say that Thunderbird's style is a bit too unorthodox for Cyclops' taste," Kurt told him.

"So what else is new?" Todd snickered.

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"So this is where you lost 'em?" John asked as they disembarked the Blackbird.

"Yeah this is it," Scott looked around. "I think. It's like we were never here."

"Is it just me or does this jungle give anyone else the creeps?" Pietro looked around. They all cautiously walked a few feet into the jungle.

"Something is not right about this place," Xi looked around. "I can feel it. I don't know what it is, but can't stop shaking the feeling of danger."

"Yeah for one thing it's too quiet," Althea said.

"Not to mention…" Lance shuddered.

"I know," Amara said. "I feel it too."

"Your connections with the earth?" Ororo asked.

"Yeah but in this case," Amara shivered and hugged herself. "It feels almost empty."

"Doesn't smell right either," Logan growled. "Elf head back to the jet and get the portable scanner."

"I'm on it," Kurt turned around and was about to teleport back when he stopped. "Then again maybe not. I think we have a problem."

"Problem what do you…?" Wanda asked. They all turned around and saw that both vehicles had completely disappeared. "Oh that problem."

"Uh weren't the planes there a second ago?" Todd asked.

"Yeah," Lance looked at the empty space. Then he turned around. "And I'm pretty sure that building wasn't there when we landed."

"Building? What building?" John turned his head and saw a huge stone temple behind him. "Oh…that building. Okay who else is officially freaked? Raise your hands."

"We're going in there aren't we?" Pietro asked.

"Yep," Logan nodded.

"Even though it's obviously a trap of some kind?" Pietro asked.

"Yep," Logan replied.

"Can't talk you out of it huh?" Pietro asked.

"Nope," Logan said. "Come on." They headed towards the building.

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Back on the ship Xavier's eyes widened. He was using the portable Cerebro. "Oh god no…"

"What?" Hawk asked. "What's wrong?"

"It's a trap! They're in danger!" Xavier then sent a mental summons. * X-Men! Misfits! It's a trap! Get out of there! *

"Uh yeah we kind of figured that on our own," John grumbled as he heard the telepathic call as they looked around the stone temple. "We can't get out even if we wanted to! The planes are gone!"

* That's because the island took them! I've just discovered that the island has some kind of living consciousness! * Xavier sent to them.

"This entire island is alive?" Pietro gulped. "That means…"

"Correct mutant…" A voice hissed all around them. "The mutant you were seeking all this time is here all around you…"

"This freaky island is a mutant itself?" John gulped. "Oh boy…"

"Yessss…We are Krakola…And you are our prisoners! Just as they are!" The walls opened and revealed the missing X-Men.

"JEAN!" Scott shouted.