A manhole slid up, almost directly in front of the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters. Thankfully, in the dark of night, no one paid any attention. Cars rarely passed that way anymore, seeking routes that did not lead them near the 'filthy mutant school.'
It made it easier for the Morlocks.
Those not sick carried those who were, the larger carrying the smaller, or supporting those unable to stand up completely straight. None spoke a word, save Evan and his aunt, issuing orders to organize the rag-tag group. Thus it was that they made themselves into the Institute, immediately greeted as they were by Dr. Patronete and Roberto. Fortunately Evan recognized the red-bearded scientist from his time out in the California forests, and under his instructions guided the sick Morlocks to the infirmary.
And thus the sick numbers grew.
Those Morlocks with obvious symptoms of the disease, primarily the green lesions on the skin, were immediately sealed into the quarantined medical ward. All others were immediately checked and double-checked for signs of the virus from blood samples. Unfortunately, most of them were also sick, and the med lab was quickly filling up. Thus, Professor Xavier was forced to call on a drastic measure.
The Danger Room.
Under careful isolation, the students and guests sick were moved as quickly possible to the new medical ward, leaving the labs behind. Those in the lower ward were moved up as well, all lumped together. The pathway was sealed off to those still healthy, and medical suits issued to those working with the ill. Unfortunately, it was late, and many were tired. A great many nearly dropped off on their feet, and thus were sent to either their own rooms or some guest quarters located below.
Finally, amidst all the confusion, order was finally restored. The sick were carefully isolated, the healthy safe. And the ill were being cared for by those still active.
Unfortunately, only one Morlock had not caught the disease that had otherwise completely gripped their tribe, and was unsuitable for any sort of bio-suit to allow him to help them.
Evan Daniels.
Ororo and Roberto had also fallen ill assisting the Morlocks, and had joined the others below in the Danger Room. Thankfully, no others had caught the virus. But things were growing worse by the minute.
It was understandable, of course, that while the ill lay unconscious in the Danger Room, most of the uninfected could not catch even a few winks that sleepless night.
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Thankfully the night passed with little incident, though a few more of the sick had begun to develop lesions the virus had not worsened beyond that.
However, a new problem had developed.
Today was a school day.
Professor Xavier sat in his office, deciding how best to deal with the new situation. Like the others, he hadn't had much sleep. The steamy coffee cup resting near his hand was helping, but not nearly enough as he would have liked.
To simply call into Bayville High and excuse every single student as sick was simply unthinkable. Nor could he say nothing. And far worse would be the scenario where he told them what was going on. He could easily picture the panic and chaos it would bring. Worse, it would only bring about yet more anti-mutant fear and hatred.
Yet, in truth, what choice did he have?
Reluctantly, Professor Xavier picked up the phone and dialed the number of the Bayville Mayor. Edward Kelly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Dr. McCoy?"
"Yes?" he said, raising his shaggy blue head and glancing over at Dr. MacTaggert. She seemed unusually pale for some reason, and her hands jittered.
"Could you come here and double-check my work...?"
"Certainly," he said, knuckling his way over and leaning over to examine her results. And then, his eyes wide, he double-checked.
"Oh my stars..." he murmured.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey..." said Kitty, sitting down on the couch next to Lance. He smiled, but it was a thin smile. He was tired from such a long night. He hadn't slept much, and it apparent. Neither had Kitty, from the look of it. "Got some coffee..."
"You're an angel," he said, taking the coffee and sipping it down.
She giggled, but like his smile it was forced.
"Think everything's going to be okay?" he asked softly, glancing up at her through his dark brown bangs.
"Of course it will," she replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Hank and the Professor and that MacTaggert lady will totally find a cure, everyone'll be up and healthy by Monday, and we can get on with our normal lives," she said softly, smiling at him.
"Normal lives?" he asked, with a smirk. "Kitty since when have you and I had a normal life? After Northbrook I mean."
"You know what I mean silly," she said, smacking him playful on the stomach, which he took good-naturedly. He wouldn't have from anyone else. Lance didn't like being in close contact with anyone, unless it was through his fists. Kitty was the only exception, and boy was she ever an exception.
She proved the point by resting partially atop of him, her head resting against his chest as she closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
"You make a nice pillow," she remarked, still weary from a restless night.
"Glad I'm some use around here," Lance said, sipping some coffee with his free hand, his other lightly wrapped around Kitty's shoulder. Despite his best efforts, he hadn't been much help in the medical ward the other day. He'd tried, for the sake of his fellow Brotherhood, to help. But everything he did he seemed to screw up. He brought the wrong medicine. He kept people too cold. He kept people too hot. He nearly spilled some blood samples. Eventually Mr. McCoy had been forced to suggest that they already had enough student volunteers with Tabby and Bobby to help, and he'd been politely steered towards the door.
Lance had resisted the urge to slam the door on his way out. Mostly because when he did that, it tended to register on the richter scale, and the last thing his sick friends and pseudo-enemies needed now was the walls caving in on them.
And so the two of them lay side by side, comfortable in each other's presence. And Lance Alvers felt appreciated. Like someone actually needed him. In a way even the Brotherhood had never needed him. When Mystique had run things he'd just been another soldier in the great mutant war. And of course before that he'd been 'just another worthless orphan.'
It was nice to be needed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"He's burning up...!" said Bobby over the intercom. "I've tried extra ice packs under his cot but its like he's got magma in his bloodstream."
"Keep doing what you can," said Hank, turning away from the intercom and switching it off. "I was afraid of this."
"So our theory was correct," stated Dr. Patronete gravely.
"How long do we have?" asked Hank.
"Taking an educated guess, based on when you said Kurt first started showing symptoms..." said Moira, taking a moment to do some rough calculations. "I'd say that it'll be irreversible in less than twenty-four hours for Mr. Wagner and possibly Mr. Madrox. Not too long after that..."
"Don't," said Hank, cutting her off. "I shouldn't like to think about it."
"We'll do everything we can," said Moira, giving him a reassuring pat on his massive shoulder before returning to her work.
Thus the three of the most brilliant scientific minds in the entire world focused their minds on a mystery that did not seem overly eager to be solved. Professor Xavier joined them briefly, telling them that the Institute had, as they'd suspected, been placed under quarantine by Mayor Kelly. However, at Xavier's request he had decided not to alert the public yet of the particulars of their predicament. He had agreed that the chaos that would ensue was not something to look very good, either for him, the city, or the mutants (though the last Kelly cared not for in the least).
"Anything else?" asked Moira, when Xavier had finished explaining the situation to them all.
"Nothing," he replied. "I've contacted Warren, Alex and Danielle, but they are free of any symptoms of the virus. They'll be calling back if anything develops. I could not reach anyone else."
"Any sign of Wolverine?" asked Hank.
"None," said Professor Xavier. "If I have some time later I believe I will use Cerebro to try and locate him. Perhaps he is near a phone and I can contact him."
"Go ahead Professor, we've got things under control here," said Moira with a strained smile. Professor X nodded, wheeling out of the room and towards Cerebro.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No one noticed his arrival.
A plane might have been seen passing over head in Bayville. With an international airport nearby, it was not an uncommon thing to see in the sky. But this was much smaller than any airplane. Barely the size of a small car, or perhaps a person. And everybody knew people couldn't fly.
It was a metal sphere, perhaps eight feet in diameter. It rushed through the air with incredible speed, passing right over Bayville's towers and over the watery bay for which it was named, until it came to hover over the Xavier Institute. Then it slowed, dipping down, to land with surprising delicacy on the grassy front lawn. That is when its uppermost section slid open, as the sphere folded around itself and lay flat against the ground.
A dark figure stepped out, wearing red armor that would've looked out of place in this modern era. Something perhaps better suited for the medieval knights of England and France. He didn't so much step as floated out, landing on the grass and peering at the Institute as if it held all the mysteries of life. Mysteries he meant to have, and understand.
His companion was no where near as subtle.
"Alroight! Finally here... time to... ackt!" came a voice that made Magneto groan, as his red-headed companion tripped over the metal of their transport orb and came crashing down onto the grass. Not in the least bit daunted, the bright-eyed and slightly disheveled figured pulled himself to his feet, dusting off his bright and flashy clothes.
"Alroighty then. Well I suppose we'll 'ave to see what's goin' on here, eh Magneto?" he asked, absent-mindedly playing with the lighter in his hand. Flicking it open, flicking it closed.
"Indeed," he replied, cursing himself mentally for ever considering Pyro as a suitable Acolyte. He was good in a fight, yes. The power to control fire was immeasurably valuable. But otherwise he was... flaky, to say the least. Thinking of his Acolytes, another gesture and a second orb descended from the sky, though it was of a much smaller size. Only one person could possibly fit into it comfortably. Magneto brought it along with him, keeping it hovering near his shoulder like a great bird. Eric hoped that his friend Charles had some sort of sick ward, for the orb he'd made for the sick individual inside was air-tight, and had only a limited supply of oxygen.
The doors to the Institute opened as if automated, and he walked inside. He needed to find his children.
Author's Notes:
And now things are really heating up. Oh, the virus is lethal you say? Twenty-four hours until people start to die? Muwahahahahaha! Nothing like a deadline to motivate people. Or make the sick and not-sick realize their own mortality and have a lot of reflection, which is what next chapter will be primarily composed of. Obviously I had to move everyone to the Danger Room because, come on, there's tons of sick now. For those confused, the non-sick mutants at the Institute are, as of now: Professor X, Beast, Magneto, Pyro, Cyclops, Shadowcat, Avalanche, Scarlet Witch, Spyke, Boom-Boom, and Iceman. All others are in various stages of the virus. And cute little Lancitty scene I simply had to put in, a little downtime from all the running around trying to find a cure or being sick.
Nessie6: Like marvel, I generally think my stories will involve as little killing as possible. I mean, out of all the characters who has ever permanently died? Thunderbird maybe. But don't get me wrong, I do have plans for two, possibly three character deaths in this story or the next couple of sequels. Oh and by the way... my view on Gambit has improved since TAS, when all he did was speak in third person and make awful card puns. But I still don't like him.
Todd fan: Glad you like the mutant scientists. Hehehe, and glad you're liking the poking fun at the resident wheelchair telepath. I couldn't resist, since he's always just sitting there so dignified. I shall keep up the good work, you just keep up the good reviews.
GryfinndorSeeker: Well there's your Magneto. He'll be joining the others shortly. But glad you like my portrayal of the Morlocks, Ororo, and Evan. I rather like how he's changed into semi-wolverine Spyke. Not the sort of person you cross in a dark alley, ne? And yes, the coffee line was of course to add humor to my story. I hate pure angst fics.
Gambi316: Well, by request, there are the three you wanted. I did briefly consider doing the dialogue at the end of chapters, but I quickly realized it would sound almost identical to the banter from Nullification. That's the only reason I left it out. Besides, no one has guessed who's behind all of this, so I'm keeping the mystery alive methinks.
DoubleL27: *ding* You win a prize! Don't worry, now that all are gathered I have plenty more writing to do of couples, sick and healthy students. And I was kidding about the coin flip. I only kill characters as it works with the story. Despite the temptation certain characters (*coughJeanRemyAlexcough*) give me to just strike them dead with lightning.
Snitter in Rivendell: Clearly you have not read my prior story 'African Fire.' To be blunt, yes there is Callisto/Evan. In fact, I have plans for perhaps the future involving an OC son between the two of 'em. Glad you're enjoying the portrayal of Moira, Patronete, and the Morlocks.
Sandoz: Glad you enjoyed that. Thought it was coffee, not tea. Glad you like the imagery, and like I recommended to Snitter in Rivendell, take a look at my prior story 'African Fire' if you want to see more stuff like that. Its full of Callisto/Evan and the underdog mutant Morlocks.
The Rogue Witch: Don't feel bad, everybody forgot about him. Poor fellow. Most people probably forgot about Colonel Wraith too. It is the way of such minor characters. But I give them their chances to shine. Glad you enjoyed the introduction of the Morlocks.
Cookies-n-cream08: Is answer question? Recall if you will that the Acolytes more or less disbanded after the first episode in season four. But of course I try to give a little time to all the characters. Besides, Sabertooth's already gotten plenty.
Comet-hime: Yes, yes Hank is going to need plenty of help. All of them are. TabbyAmaraness to come, promise. Un-cross my heart and hope to die (and be reincarnated as a butterfly). Yeah I know, poor Morlocks.
Rogue14: Ah, I see. Well okay then. Yes I'm writing I'm writing. Fast as I can sweetie, I promise.
