Chapter 18
"We have to go back to Vegas," Jim said. "That or find a way to make a national broadcast."
"RIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!"
"Something to that nature..."
"Rrrrnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggaaa."
"Lilian, write it down."
He leaned against the wall and watched as they lifted her body and took it downstairs. Bobby sat on the couch and looked at the floor. Mostly everyone was downstairs, making sure the mutant was still okay. Jim looked at Bobby, and Bobby looked at Jim.
"How did you know that was her name?"
Bobby shrugged. "I don't know. I just know."
Jim rubbed his head. "We have to get on the news. God, get a damn phonebook. We're getting on CNN or something! A radio. Anything!"
Bobby sat quietly on the sofa, looking at the floor. Charles Xavier came into the room from the kitchen and parked next to Bobby.
"I couldn't pick up your friend with Cerebro."
Jim shrugged. "So? That's not really surprising."
"I can pick up the signals of every mutant on the planet with Cerebro," Charles said firmly. "I don't think she's a mutant."
"Oh yeah. She's human. So what about the obviously black skin, white hair, red eyes, and oh yeah, THE TAIL?" Jim hissed.
"Don't talk to me like that. I'm not suggesting she's human. I don't think she's either."
"A space alien?" Bobby said, turning his head.
"Oh that's even more bogus than her as a human. God, you're no help. Just leave."
"Look, young man. I don't know who you are or where you're from, but I demand some respect!"
"I am Jim Winde. I was born in LAS FUCKING VEGAS. I AM THE FOUNDER OF THE MUTES, THE MOST DANGEROUS TERRORIST GROUP IN THE USA! AND YOU DESERVE RESPECT?!"
Charles was silent. "You are the head of of the Mutes?"
"No, I'm the head of Barbie Dolls United," he spat.
"Jim, I know you're scared for Mimic but being mean to baldy won't help."
"We have to get on a national broadcast."
"Rrrrrrrin...."
"Lilian, please write it down."
She growled and pulled the small chalkboard and chalkbox out of her chest. Xavier paled a little.
I need to use Cerebro.
"But why?"
She erased it and started scribbling again.
I can tap into Mimic's genetic code, then I can use Cerebro to scan a search for that code. You said it wouldn't work on her now, but if it was set differently, it might.
"How well do you know computers?"
I know computers very well.
"Fine, then."
Jim transported Lilian and Charles back to the mansion that the X-Men lived in. Xavier rolled through the hallways and came to a very strange looking computer. Lilian began to fly through the main settings, bypassing passwords like nothing. She then went down to the main core of the information of Cerebro, and she put her finger into a port. The information started changing. Xavier understood none of it, but note it was impossibly comprehensible.
Lilian put the helmet on Xavier's head and typed Search.
It was a very fuzzy journey. Most of it was not seen clearly, but not there were not many people around. He found the black creatures, then he found a few other people, maybe twenty others. The mutant that was moving was in Florida, heading north. He was fast.
"Bayville!" Charles said. "She's here! She needs your help!"
The creature stopped, obviously hearing the mental message.
"Massachusetts! Bayville! Hurry."
The creature then began to run again.
Xavier took the headset off and rubbed his head.
"It worked."
The arrival of Illkune was not expected at the time it was, midday, precisely the time when he would be blinder than a mole. Mimic was watched in shifts, and during one shift, Charles Xavier had a tracking chip planted into her back. The wound healed immediately, and her skin was once again flawless. Mimic had worsened. Her skin was fading to white, and her breathing was getting more hoarse with every hour. Bobby and Jim were in the room nearly all the time, leaving to use the bathroom and shower and that was it. Their food was brought to them, and they had mats to sleep on, although Bobby had dug a hole to sleep in. It was very dark in the room; the only light was from a lantern that Jim had found in the attic.
It was very certain that he had been watching them for a few hours before he got her. Jim had gone that afternoon to take a shower, and Bobby had gone to sleep. When Jim came back, Mimic was gone. He panicked at first, but he knew about the tracking device in her back. He knew he would see her again. He left the room and went upstairs.
"What's the number to the mansion?" he barked at Lance who promptly spat out the number with a hiss attached at the end.
Jim impatiently waited for the phone to ring, and Kitty answered the phone.
"Hey, Kitty, give the phone to Baldy."
"Yeah, sure, Jim."
He waited a few more minutes, then he heard the Professor on the phone. "Jim, hello."
"He's got her."
"Give them a few days to reach their destination. This tracking system uses the satillite system so it should be global."
"Should be?" he buzzed. "Should be?! You better hope so, baldy. If something happens to her, I'll kill you and that damn computer."
He slammed the phone on the hook and glared at Lance.
"I never liked him that much, either."
"Well, there's one thing we agree on. Didn't you see anything?"
"No. But if there's another Mimic, do you really think I would have?"
"Damn!"
Bobby stretched his wings again, flapping them as hard as he could. He felt the air being pushed under him, but his wings were still too short by about a foot. He was very grateful that they had grown that much over the past week. They hurt like hell, but he was willing to sacrifice a lot to gain his flight. He usually would set a bonfire in the backyard and sleep in it, keeping a spare set of clothes sitting in clear distance of the fire. That had worked so far, since his kiln had been destroyed. He hadn't practiced much with his pyrokinesis with Jim, but he thought he was getting the hang of it. Pietro didn't like it that he set the back yard on fire, but Pietro really had no say in it.
Wanda and Elizabeth had continued to hang out, doing strange girl things that have baffled the minds of mankind since time started. Pietro was always somewhere close by. He and Elizabeth had been dating for a few weeks now, and he still took her out on dates. Wanda really didn't object that much. Just as long as Pietro left her alone, he was fine with it. Todd would hang with Bobby and they'd hop around in the backyard. Bobby would parachute, sometimes with Todd on his ankles.
Austin had made a pact with Pietro for a little more of a threat challenge. Pietro and Mark would serve as targets while Austin really tried not to his Pietro. He could if he wanted to, and no one doubted that. Jim had been waiting a very painful four days when the Professor called.
"Jim, phone."
"Thanks, Pietro. Hello?"
(We found her, but you'll never believe where she is.)
"Where?"
(There's an uncharted island in the middle of the Atlantic. That's where the signal's at.)
"Uncharted island. Great. I'll tell everyone to pack extra toilet paper."
(The island isn't on any of the maps I have checked. We might have discovered a new island.)
"Look, if you want to name it Cubaldy, that's fine, but I want my friend back. You have transportation, so get us there."
(Alright, but I suggest you treat me better or I won't help you at all.)
"You know, that's really not a problem. I don't need your help, old man."
(Be here tomorrow morning.)
"Fine. Mutes! We're getting Mimic back! Pack light! We're going to uncharted places of the planet."
Of course they were early the next morning, but there was a limit to how many people could come. Bobby and Jim came out of the Mutes, Lance out of the Brotherhood, and the X-Men. The plane was stocked with supplies, and everyone was ready, especially Jim and Bobby.
The X-Men tended to stay to themselves, with an exception of Kitty who mingled with everyone.
"Kitty, why are we going ta this island anyway?" Rogue said, crossing her arms and snorting.
"We have to like save the black thing that attacked us."
"Save it?"
Bobby didn't like seatbelts. Rogue looked up and found herself staring into bright eyes.
"Bobby, sit down! Gees. Are you related to Iceman or something?"
"Iceman? I'm not ice. I breathe fire!!"
Bobby was yanked backwards into his seat. The seatbelt jerked itself off and tied him to the seat. Bobby glared at Jim and snorted.
"He likes meeting new people," Jim droned from his chair.
"I was just curious. I've never seen anyone that was white before."
"You've seen Mimic. That's just as bad."
"Mimic's black, though."
"Hush or I will close your mouth the entire trip."
Bobby was immediately silent, although small jets of flame came out of his nose.
"Hey, no fire on the jet, bub."
Bobby growled in response, and Wolverine growled back. There was a very strange silence for the remaining two hours.
"There it is..."
Jim was at the window instantly, looking down at the strangely small island.
"Land. She's down there somewhere."
"Yeah, and so are the things that were hunting her," Lance growled.
They landed and exited the plane. It was definitely not inhabited by modern humans. There was jungle everywhere. And the sky was suddenly a lot farther away. The air felt fresh here, and it smelled very distant. Bobby jumped into the nearest tree.
"Ah, home..."
"Be careful, Lizard Boy. I don't know what to expect here."
Bobby snorted at Jim and rested on his branch for a while. Jim and the others looked around.
"No doubt, you are here for my sister," whispered a voice.
Illkune hung down from a tree in front of Jim, causing the boy to fall backwards. He was wearing nothing but pants, and there was a white jewel on his forehead. He had obviously been trained in the same fashion that Mimic had. His body was very detailed, and he looked like he could snap Jim in half with two fingers.
"Ah, the stupid one from before. He he he."
Jim levitated upwards to stare eye to eye into the Mimic's face.
"Where is she?"
"Ah? She's here. But I'm afraid you won't be for too long."
Jim suddenly dropped to the ground.
"We have to go back to Vegas," Jim said. "That or find a way to make a national broadcast."
"RIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!"
"Something to that nature..."
"Rrrrnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggaaa."
"Lilian, write it down."
He leaned against the wall and watched as they lifted her body and took it downstairs. Bobby sat on the couch and looked at the floor. Mostly everyone was downstairs, making sure the mutant was still okay. Jim looked at Bobby, and Bobby looked at Jim.
"How did you know that was her name?"
Bobby shrugged. "I don't know. I just know."
Jim rubbed his head. "We have to get on the news. God, get a damn phonebook. We're getting on CNN or something! A radio. Anything!"
Bobby sat quietly on the sofa, looking at the floor. Charles Xavier came into the room from the kitchen and parked next to Bobby.
"I couldn't pick up your friend with Cerebro."
Jim shrugged. "So? That's not really surprising."
"I can pick up the signals of every mutant on the planet with Cerebro," Charles said firmly. "I don't think she's a mutant."
"Oh yeah. She's human. So what about the obviously black skin, white hair, red eyes, and oh yeah, THE TAIL?" Jim hissed.
"Don't talk to me like that. I'm not suggesting she's human. I don't think she's either."
"A space alien?" Bobby said, turning his head.
"Oh that's even more bogus than her as a human. God, you're no help. Just leave."
"Look, young man. I don't know who you are or where you're from, but I demand some respect!"
"I am Jim Winde. I was born in LAS FUCKING VEGAS. I AM THE FOUNDER OF THE MUTES, THE MOST DANGEROUS TERRORIST GROUP IN THE USA! AND YOU DESERVE RESPECT?!"
Charles was silent. "You are the head of of the Mutes?"
"No, I'm the head of Barbie Dolls United," he spat.
"Jim, I know you're scared for Mimic but being mean to baldy won't help."
"We have to get on a national broadcast."
"Rrrrrrrin...."
"Lilian, please write it down."
She growled and pulled the small chalkboard and chalkbox out of her chest. Xavier paled a little.
I need to use Cerebro.
"But why?"
She erased it and started scribbling again.
I can tap into Mimic's genetic code, then I can use Cerebro to scan a search for that code. You said it wouldn't work on her now, but if it was set differently, it might.
"How well do you know computers?"
I know computers very well.
"Fine, then."
Jim transported Lilian and Charles back to the mansion that the X-Men lived in. Xavier rolled through the hallways and came to a very strange looking computer. Lilian began to fly through the main settings, bypassing passwords like nothing. She then went down to the main core of the information of Cerebro, and she put her finger into a port. The information started changing. Xavier understood none of it, but note it was impossibly comprehensible.
Lilian put the helmet on Xavier's head and typed Search.
It was a very fuzzy journey. Most of it was not seen clearly, but not there were not many people around. He found the black creatures, then he found a few other people, maybe twenty others. The mutant that was moving was in Florida, heading north. He was fast.
"Bayville!" Charles said. "She's here! She needs your help!"
The creature stopped, obviously hearing the mental message.
"Massachusetts! Bayville! Hurry."
The creature then began to run again.
Xavier took the headset off and rubbed his head.
"It worked."
The arrival of Illkune was not expected at the time it was, midday, precisely the time when he would be blinder than a mole. Mimic was watched in shifts, and during one shift, Charles Xavier had a tracking chip planted into her back. The wound healed immediately, and her skin was once again flawless. Mimic had worsened. Her skin was fading to white, and her breathing was getting more hoarse with every hour. Bobby and Jim were in the room nearly all the time, leaving to use the bathroom and shower and that was it. Their food was brought to them, and they had mats to sleep on, although Bobby had dug a hole to sleep in. It was very dark in the room; the only light was from a lantern that Jim had found in the attic.
It was very certain that he had been watching them for a few hours before he got her. Jim had gone that afternoon to take a shower, and Bobby had gone to sleep. When Jim came back, Mimic was gone. He panicked at first, but he knew about the tracking device in her back. He knew he would see her again. He left the room and went upstairs.
"What's the number to the mansion?" he barked at Lance who promptly spat out the number with a hiss attached at the end.
Jim impatiently waited for the phone to ring, and Kitty answered the phone.
"Hey, Kitty, give the phone to Baldy."
"Yeah, sure, Jim."
He waited a few more minutes, then he heard the Professor on the phone. "Jim, hello."
"He's got her."
"Give them a few days to reach their destination. This tracking system uses the satillite system so it should be global."
"Should be?" he buzzed. "Should be?! You better hope so, baldy. If something happens to her, I'll kill you and that damn computer."
He slammed the phone on the hook and glared at Lance.
"I never liked him that much, either."
"Well, there's one thing we agree on. Didn't you see anything?"
"No. But if there's another Mimic, do you really think I would have?"
"Damn!"
Bobby stretched his wings again, flapping them as hard as he could. He felt the air being pushed under him, but his wings were still too short by about a foot. He was very grateful that they had grown that much over the past week. They hurt like hell, but he was willing to sacrifice a lot to gain his flight. He usually would set a bonfire in the backyard and sleep in it, keeping a spare set of clothes sitting in clear distance of the fire. That had worked so far, since his kiln had been destroyed. He hadn't practiced much with his pyrokinesis with Jim, but he thought he was getting the hang of it. Pietro didn't like it that he set the back yard on fire, but Pietro really had no say in it.
Wanda and Elizabeth had continued to hang out, doing strange girl things that have baffled the minds of mankind since time started. Pietro was always somewhere close by. He and Elizabeth had been dating for a few weeks now, and he still took her out on dates. Wanda really didn't object that much. Just as long as Pietro left her alone, he was fine with it. Todd would hang with Bobby and they'd hop around in the backyard. Bobby would parachute, sometimes with Todd on his ankles.
Austin had made a pact with Pietro for a little more of a threat challenge. Pietro and Mark would serve as targets while Austin really tried not to his Pietro. He could if he wanted to, and no one doubted that. Jim had been waiting a very painful four days when the Professor called.
"Jim, phone."
"Thanks, Pietro. Hello?"
(We found her, but you'll never believe where she is.)
"Where?"
(There's an uncharted island in the middle of the Atlantic. That's where the signal's at.)
"Uncharted island. Great. I'll tell everyone to pack extra toilet paper."
(The island isn't on any of the maps I have checked. We might have discovered a new island.)
"Look, if you want to name it Cubaldy, that's fine, but I want my friend back. You have transportation, so get us there."
(Alright, but I suggest you treat me better or I won't help you at all.)
"You know, that's really not a problem. I don't need your help, old man."
(Be here tomorrow morning.)
"Fine. Mutes! We're getting Mimic back! Pack light! We're going to uncharted places of the planet."
Of course they were early the next morning, but there was a limit to how many people could come. Bobby and Jim came out of the Mutes, Lance out of the Brotherhood, and the X-Men. The plane was stocked with supplies, and everyone was ready, especially Jim and Bobby.
The X-Men tended to stay to themselves, with an exception of Kitty who mingled with everyone.
"Kitty, why are we going ta this island anyway?" Rogue said, crossing her arms and snorting.
"We have to like save the black thing that attacked us."
"Save it?"
Bobby didn't like seatbelts. Rogue looked up and found herself staring into bright eyes.
"Bobby, sit down! Gees. Are you related to Iceman or something?"
"Iceman? I'm not ice. I breathe fire!!"
Bobby was yanked backwards into his seat. The seatbelt jerked itself off and tied him to the seat. Bobby glared at Jim and snorted.
"He likes meeting new people," Jim droned from his chair.
"I was just curious. I've never seen anyone that was white before."
"You've seen Mimic. That's just as bad."
"Mimic's black, though."
"Hush or I will close your mouth the entire trip."
Bobby was immediately silent, although small jets of flame came out of his nose.
"Hey, no fire on the jet, bub."
Bobby growled in response, and Wolverine growled back. There was a very strange silence for the remaining two hours.
"There it is..."
Jim was at the window instantly, looking down at the strangely small island.
"Land. She's down there somewhere."
"Yeah, and so are the things that were hunting her," Lance growled.
They landed and exited the plane. It was definitely not inhabited by modern humans. There was jungle everywhere. And the sky was suddenly a lot farther away. The air felt fresh here, and it smelled very distant. Bobby jumped into the nearest tree.
"Ah, home..."
"Be careful, Lizard Boy. I don't know what to expect here."
Bobby snorted at Jim and rested on his branch for a while. Jim and the others looked around.
"No doubt, you are here for my sister," whispered a voice.
Illkune hung down from a tree in front of Jim, causing the boy to fall backwards. He was wearing nothing but pants, and there was a white jewel on his forehead. He had obviously been trained in the same fashion that Mimic had. His body was very detailed, and he looked like he could snap Jim in half with two fingers.
"Ah, the stupid one from before. He he he."
Jim levitated upwards to stare eye to eye into the Mimic's face.
"Where is she?"
"Ah? She's here. But I'm afraid you won't be for too long."
Jim suddenly dropped to the ground.