Blinded by the Light

Even though she knew it was night, all Alison could see was the blinding light around her. She heard the honking of horns and the distorted yells and jeers of passersby as she ran at first. But the more sound she soaked in the brighter the light became. She felt as if it was tearing her apart.

It's too strong! The light…It's turning me inside out! What's happening to me?

"Somebody help me!" Alison screamed. But no one answered.

I've got to hide the light! Can't let anyone see me! Hide the light…Too much light…This power…it's consuming me! I am the light! I am…

Alison fell to the ground and sobbed. Then she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. "It's gonna be okay honey," The voice spoke. "I'm gonna get you out of here. Don't be afraid."

That voice…I know that voice…But where? Alison couldn't remember. She just sobbed as she was lifted away to somewhere.

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"I found her scent," Logan sniffed as they followed Alison's trail. "Bunch of folks took her too."

"From the theater?" Todd asked.

"Nah, never smelled these people before," Logan frowned. "At least I'm pretty sure I didn't."

"We have to find her before those theater people do!" Hank snapped.

"Calm down Beast we'll find her," Sam told him. "Man you are really jumpy ain't you?"

"I think Hank's sweet on her," Tabitha remarked.

"Look," Hank sighed. "I don't know why she affects me like this. I just know I have to save her."

"You people may be making things worse for her," X23 said. She had come alone from the theater to help them.

"Kid that place is…" Logan started to say.

"I am not a kid!" X23 snapped.

"Look can we have this father daughter fight some other time?" Roberto asked. "We need to find the Dazzler before something really bad happens!"

"He is not my father," X23 grunted.

"Yeah I feel the same way about mine sometimes," Wanda rolled her eyes. "But Roberto has a point. Let's keep looking."

"How hard can it be to find a girl who glows brighter than a nuclear power plant having a meltdown?" Forge grumbled.

"Not that hard actually," Xi pointed. They had traveled to the beach. A very bright glow was emitting from a room at a run down hotel.

"Let's go!" Hank ran off wildly, breaking down the door.

"Geeze and people call me hot headed," Logan grunted.

"Alison! Alison!" Hank shouted looking around the shabby building.

"Now why do you wanna break down an old lady's door like that?" A gray haired woman in a yellow blouse and a brown dress frowned. "Ain't you got no manners?"

"Hey I remember you," Hank looked at her. "You're the newspaper lady."

"The newspaper lady has a name," The woman looked at him. "It's Kate and I repeat what are you doing here?"

"Looking for someone," Hank said.

"No lady here!" A boy with white hair shouted from the stairs.

"Who said we were looking for a lady kid?" Logan folded his arms.

"I can smell her from here," X23 shot out her claws at the boy. "Take us to her!"

"Uh easy there girlfriend," Tabitha put her hand on X23's shoulder. She responded by growling and nearly turning the claws on Tabitha. "Whoa! Chill! We're on the same side okay?"

X23 sheathed her claws. "Oh yeah she's definitely yours," Pietro mocked at Logan.

"Keep it up Quicksilver…" Logan growled.

"There's nothing up here," The boy gulped. "Uh except for a lot glowing lamps."

"What a coincidence," Hank said. "Lady we're looking for glows too."

"Smooth kid," Todd rolled his eyes.

"You want me to show them the door Kate?" A huge man with fangs and a hideous face walked down the steps to bar their way.

"No Hugo I think these folks are friends of hers," Kate sighed.

"Hey he's a mutant too," Todd blinked.

"They are all mutants," Xi said. "I can sense it."

"Morlocks?" Wanda asked.

Kate made a wry grin. "Haven't gone by that name in ages, but I guess you could call us that. This is the Heartbreak Hotel where those who can't go anywhere else find refuge. Come on, better show you all your friend before a fight breaks out."

They went upstairs, one door was completely illuminated by something from the inside. "I think I can figure out which room is hers," Hank said. He opened the door and blinked. Lying on an old mattress in the middle of the room was Alison. Her dress was torn and light was pouring out from her. "ALISON!" He ran over to her and held her in his arms.

"We found her like this," A man in a mime outfit walked up to them. "Couldn't let her run around like that, could we?"

"I look horrible don't I…?" Alison moaned. "My makeup is running and I have a shiny nose. Not to mention a shiny face, a shiny hand, another shiny hand…"

"Man she's really out of it," Todd squinted in the light.

"Funny isn't it…" Alison spoke in a faraway voice. "She sings, she acts, she roller skates…She'll dazzle your senses…It's the Dazzler! The greatest show in town! The greatest show…The show…" She started to sing something unintelligible.

"What did those people do to her?" Cover Girl gasped.

"Nothing good I'm afraid," The mime sighed.

"It' s okay Alison," Hank held her. "Don't worry, I'm here now. I'll take care of you. I promise. Quicksilver run back to my room and get my emergency equipment, there's no time to waste!"