Chapter 17 – Rescue?

New York City, The Parker's Apartment, late night

Spider-Man swung to the window balcony at the apartment he, MJ, and his Aunt May lived in. He had run patrol on his way back from Fisk Towers, but there was nothing the boys in blue couldn't handle. He was eager to call Logan and let him in on what he had found out. He quietly lifted the window open, slipping in. MJ and Aunt May both were aware of his life as Spidey, he just didn't want to wake them. He tiptoed to his bedroom door, slowly. It was very dark. He whispered "MJ?"

All of a sudden, he was attacked. He saw flashes of red in the dark. The creature wrapped it's arms around his neck, and it's legs around his waist, squeezing tight. Teeth sought after his neck, pulling his mask upwards.

"Why didn't my spidey sense warn me?" He thought, bewildered. Next thing he knew, the creature planted a big wet smoochie on his lips.

"MAAAAAAAAH!" MJ said. "Hello, tiger, I've been waiting for you. Guess what I found out while you were out?" she asked.

"MJ, you're freakin' the bejeebers out of me." Peter smirked, reaching down to her hips to pull her in closer. "I thought Doc Ock was back. What did you find out? Did we win the Publishers Clearinghouse Lottery?" he crossed his eyes, touching his nose with his tongue.

"No, silly man. I found out that you are going to have to change your name." MJ kissed him again.

"What's wrong with Peter? It's a great name! There's Peter Criss from KISS, Peter Faulk, and that Brady Bunch kid. All wonderful people, just like me!" he snorted.

"Pete, you're such a goofball! I mean Spider-Man!" MJ laughed.

"Why? Whadduya want 'Arachnid-Boy?"

"No Tiger. Call yourself Spider-Daddy......"

The Institute, Xavier's office, late night

"...thanks Peter, that's good info." Logan paused, talking on the phone. "No, this is X-Business. But thanks. I'll call ya in a couple days. Thanks bub, we owe ya. Later." He hung up the phone. Peter sure sounded weird. "The dirt he and Daredevil got goes along with what I got at the Brotherhood House. I put a tracer on every vehicle at that joint, and one on that Gambit punk. He was outside smokin' when I left." Growled Logan. "We can follow them anywhere."

"Good work, Logan." Charles tooked at him, bringing his hands together. "Are you sure you'll be Ok on this mission." He asked, quietly.

"Yeah. She's just my clone, not my daughter." Logan shot back, a little to fast. "Besides, She's had a lot of the same training as me. Nobody else can stop her."

"Fine. I'm going to put Scott in command. Senior X-Men only." Charles held up his hand, as Logan was about to bark. "That includes yourself, Beast, Storm, Cyclops, Jean, Shadowcat, and myself."

"You!? Why are you coming? Jean's a telepath, and who's gonna –"

"The girl may have mental barriers like you do. I may be needed. No objections, Logan. Assemble the team. I'll be leaving Rogue in charge of household functions, and I've called a friend who will be arriving within a few hours to supervise. And, Mr. O'Bryanson will be here also."

"Friend? Who?" Logan sulked.

"Ms. Moira MacTaggart, a scientist of genetics. Also an old friend, and guardian of our Rahne Sinclair. She's on a Concord as we speak. Now, please, Logan, make it so."

"Hmph. You're the boss, Chuck." Logan turned before walking out the door. "If you can't help this girl, I'll have to take her down, Chuck. We don't want Magneto getting his hands on her."

"I know, Logan, I know."

The Institute, entry hall, three hours later (early morning)

::knock knock::

Charles answered the door himself. The X-Men were in the war room discussing tactics.

"Moira, thank you so much for coming on short notice. I am most thankful. Please, come in." There was a man and a teenage girl behind her. As they walked into the light, Charles smiled in surprise. "Sean! Good to see you old friend. Moira didn't tell me!" He said taking his friends hand. He turned to the girl. "And Theresa! My you have grown! How pretty you are! Quite the young lady. You're fourteen now, am I correct?"

"Right, Uncle Charles, Fourteen. Tell me Da that's old enough to date, won't you?" Theresa smiled.

"By God, Charles, not two years ago, she thought boys were buggers. Can't ye do sumthin' to her brain ta fix it?" Sean Cassidy, a.k.a. Banshee, a reserve X-Man, grasped Charles hand with both of his. "Or do ye have a cellar I kin lock her in?"

"DADDY/SEAN!!" the two women exclaimed at once, each hitting him on either arm.

"Have pity on a broken man, dear Charles, have pity!" Sean smiled.

"Thank you for coming, Sean. I'm glad Moira will have your help. The children can be a handful. Unfortunately, I have a matter to deal with, and I must leave you. I put some new files in your old room, Moira, to bring to up to speed on the new students and our new Gate Keeper. Thank you again for helping in my time of need." Charles smiled warmly at them.

"Charles, is there anything I can do? I'm still fit as ah fiddle, if ya needs me." Sean stated.

"No, thank you. I'd rather have you here, in the event we need to call. Tomorrow is Friday, so the children have school, but keep Rahne home if you prefer, Moira. I know she'll be happy to see you." Charles said.

"Aye, she'll be happy, but she'll be goin' ta lessons to. No dummies in the MacTaggart clan! We'll be here for a long weekend, so we'll get plenty of time together." Moira smiled. "Good Luck, Charles. Off with ya now, I know my way around."

"Thank you. You can reach me in the Blackbird if necessary. Thanks again." Charles hovered to the elevator.

"Godspeed, man." Sean whispered, remembering his days as an X-man.

Bayville Airport, Private Hanger, 5 a.m.

Mystique warmed up the helicopter Magneto 'owned'. Gambit and Sabretooth were sitting behind her. "Tower, clear flight 3671-MB for take off. Tourist run." She sounded like a middle-aged man. The clearance came back, and the chopper rolled out to the runway, preparing to lift off.

"We go to get a petit femme Wolverine, mon ami." Gambit said to Sabretooth.

Sabretooth growled. "Don't f#in' remind me, Cajun. The originals' bad enough."

Mystique turned to them. "You both be on your best. No screw up's allowed. Do you understand. Follow the plan."

"Yes, petit, follow ze plan. Gambit no screw up. Vicky, well, dat's another story.

Sabretooth growled, low in his throat.

The Institute, war room, 5:05 a.m.

"They're on the move Professor," Scott said into the intercom, "I uploaded their projected coordinates to the Blackbird."

'Good, Scott. I'm already aboard. Gather the team and meet me here.' Charles answered him telepathically.

"Everyone, to the hanger. The Acolytes are on the move. Come on, the Professor is waiting." Scott commanded.

Everyone save Jean looked at Logan. "Dammit! You heard the man, let's go!" he growled, getting up.

They all filed into the hanger, the roof already opening. The jet rose into the sky, thrusting after it's prey.

Kitty looked at Logan sitting next to her. 'It must be killing him. It's his clone we're going to get, basically the only family he has. Plus, he is usually leader, or up in the danger room control box during training. Now he's got to do what Cyclops says.' She grabbed his hand, squeezing it. Wolverine looked down at their hands, then back to Shadowcat. His expression didn't change, but he squeezed back, holding tight.

Hydra Island, three hours later

Richard Fisk sat behind a desk much like his Father had. In few more hours, he had scheduled another training session for X23, his personal assassin. He had stolen it from Hydra when it had disbanded the last time. He planned to use it to take over his fathers organization, then keep it for a hired killer and personal bodyguard. It was still immature, but with further training, it would be an unbeatable killing machine. He had plans to create others, amassing an army of feral killers under his command. It would believe only two things. Richard Fisk was god, and god was always right. During it's training yesterday, after being restrained, it killed two men with it's teeth, nawing the ropes off afterwards. All at his command. As it should be. 'All for you, Father, all for you.' He thought, smiling. Yes, an army of it, if one is destroyed, another could be created to take its place. His Father would be powerless, and control of his dad's underworld empire would be his. All thanks to that stupid woman, Dr. Deborah Risman. The petty wench had been killed for changing the sex of it, but it had stayed alive, where 22 others had failed. Good riddance. It would only know to kill, destroy, and protect Richard Fisk. It would have no will of it's own, at all.

Acolyte Chopper, 50 yards off Hydra Island

"The cloaking device is on, Victor, so land on the beach after Gambit and I have breeched the compound. Remain with the chopper until we return with the girl. Take out any guards you can, but do not leave the vicinity of the chopper. Understand?"

Sabretooth nodded, now sitting behind the controls. Mystique turned to Gambit. "Go! Don't be foolish! Take no chances, remember you're the decoy!"

"Yes petit, Gambit is ze decoy. Don't forget ole Remy now, chere." Gambit jumped out of the door, splashing into the water below. Heavy fog was rolling in. Mystique followed, changing mid-jump, to the exact likeness of Richard Fisk.

The Blackbird, 25 yards away

"I have the Blackbird running in silent mode, so they can't see or hear us Professor." Cyclops stated. He got up out of the pilots chair, and helped the Professor strap in.

"Good. Cyclops, Beast, and Jean your first on the Island. Concentrate on finding Mystique, Jean. I have a feeling she will be able to get the girl to follow her. Gambit is most likely a diversion, but stay alert.

Wolverine, Storm, and Shadowcat, second team. Your job is disabling their helicopter. Wolverine," Charles made clear, "do not spend all your time with Sabretooth. If the girl comes out, I'll need you clear. Understood?" Wolverine nodded, looking grim.

"Good. Jean, take first team out." Said Professor X.

Jean levitated the team out over the water. Storm was providing heavy fog cover for them. Fifteen yards away from shore, the explosions began.

Far side of the Fisk/Hydra Compound

Gambit was sneaking thru the area. 'I tink Remy make some noise over here. Maybe dis go boom.' He thought, walking over to a small shed and touching in with his hand. Slowly the whole shed began to take on the same glow as Gambits eyes. 'Dats enuff, I go elsewhere now, au revoir petit chateau.' He snuck away quickly, looking for another distraction. The shed blew, throwing parts everywhere, and sending up a large cloud of smoke. Fifty feet away, some trash cans blew. All along the back of the compound, thing started blowing up. Security and scientist alike were running everywhere, confused.

'Remy do his job, I think, Remy do bon job, no doubt.'

Shoreline, Team One

Jean set them down behind some rocks. Cyclops took over, using the telescope feature of his visor, scanning for Mystique.

"I don't see her anywhere. Those explosions have caused havok to the compound. I do see a way in though, up on the left side. We'll have to search inside. Let's go." Cyclops started moving.

As they got close to the door, they noticed boats leaving from the east side of the island.

"Looks like some of Fisk's people are jumping ship." Jean commented. "Not to loyal a bunch."

"Speaking of Fisk, I believe that is the man himself, entering that thruway to the right." Beast pointed in that direction.

"He can lead us right to her. I'm sure he want to use the girl as protection. Follow him." Cyclops commanded, heading that way. On the way there, they were confronted by four security guards.

"Beast, take care of this, Jean and I will go on ahead. Catch up with us A.S.A.P.

"Affirmative, Cyclops, I will rejoin with you soon." Beast intoned, jumping up on top of a nearby crate. He jumped towards the guards, twisting, disabling one with a paw to the jaw, and another with a heel to the head." So sorry, gentlemen, but my cause is just." He said, flipping over the next guard, delivering dual chops to the man's neck. The last guard turned tail and ran, headed for the boats. "Tsk, tsk, I do so strive not to offend." Beast said, turning to see Cyclops and Jean entering the thruway.

Fisk/Hydra compound, Inside the main building

Mystique walked briskly thru the hall. Security and scientist alike just seemed to get out of her way. She grabbed a man in a guard uniform. "Accompany me to the holding area for X23" she commanded, using Fisk's voice. "You lead the way."

The guard nodded, turned down a hallway to the left. Mystique followed. They twisted and turned, going down two different flights of stairs. They came to a door with a retinal scanner locking system, and the guard stopped and turned around. 'This must be it.' Mystique thought. She faced the guard, promptly kicking him three times in the face. He slumped to the floor. She turned to the scanner, pressing the green button. It scanned 'her' eye, and she heard the lock click open. She entered the dark room. She saw the girl, laying naked on a pallet.

"Get up. Come with me. Kill anyone who stops us." Mystique/Fisk told the girl. X23 nodded once. Mystique opened the door, and found herself face to face with Richard Fisk.

Upstairs, Main Building

Cyclops had just stunned a number of guards just inside the thruway. The others from the compound had scattered. Fisk was nowhere to be found, and hallways went straight, right and left. "Any ideas Jean?" Cyclops asked.

Jean closed her eyes. "Fisk is somewhere below us. He's very confused..." she said.

"Confusing times, it's a wonder we aren't all bewildered." Beast said, coming in behind them.

"There's the stairs." Cyclops said. "Lets go down"

Downstairs, Main Building

She stool still. She was not trained for this. She knew one Richard smelled differently, but they looked exactly alike. She had no protocol for this. They had all moved back into the room. The Richards were circling, and in these close quarters, their scents were mingling. Richard swung, but Richard ducked. Richard kicked, smashing Richard on the Jaw. Richard and Richard looked at her.

"KILL HIM!" They both commanded at once.

She wanted to obey. She HAD to obey. This was what she was for; Protect Richard, Obey Richard. Now Richard wanted her to kill Richard.

She had to protect him, she had to obey, had to, his command was hers, he was all, death, hurt, life, obey, kill, Richard, havetohavetohaveto –

::snap::

She ran out the door, claws out, and up the stairs. She was going anywhere but here. She couldn't think straight, and her vision was cloudy around the edges. She felt queasy and dizzy. She ran out of sight.

Mystique/Richard turned to Fisk, eyes of hate burning. She kicked him once, twice, then a third time in the face. Then she rammed his head into the metal wall, crushing his nose, blood flying out. Fisk collapsed into the ground, out. Mystique turned and ran out the door.

Going up

She ran up a flight of stairs. She had to leave, get out, she would go until she couldn't. She came to a landing with a door. She opened it and ran down the hallway. She took a turn, and saw three in front of her. They moved to block her way. No. She jumped at the tallest one. A blast of energy came from him, but she ducked in mid-air, bringing her claws across his chest and down a leg. The female one screamed, and she felt herself get slammed against the wall. The female came a step closer, torn between the tall one and her. She kicked out, slashing the female along her wrists and hands. Blood ran. The animal rushed to the female, ignoring her. She ran.

Hydra Island, Beach, Team Two

Storm, Wolverine, and Shadowcat floated down on the beach on gusts of air. Wolverine could smell Sabretooth, in the chopper about 50 yards down the beach. Sabretooth got out, seeing Wolverine, and roared. Wolverine flashed out his claws, but Storm raised her arms and lightning came down and struck Sabretooth, slamming him against the chopper, denting it. Then Storm used winds to toss him hundreds of feet out to sea. Wolverine and Shadowcat sprinted to the chopper. Shadowcat phased, then ran thru the cockpit controls causing them to fry out, sparks crackling and popping. Wolverine jumped up on the tail and slashed at the rudder propeller, removing it.

'Logan, look up at the building. She's coming out.'

He heard Professor X in his head, and turned to look. X23 came running across the compound, naked. Wolverine could smell her fear, pain, and confusion. He started running to her.

When she noticed the man headed her way, she turned and ran away from him, around the west side of the island. She ran into a hooded rock cove, with no way out but backwards. She turned around to escape, but the man was there. She flung out her claws. So did he. She was startled by this, but she would escape or die. She jumped at the man, slashing and kicking, but he blocked every blow like he knew it was coming. She had to get closer to him, so she jumped and grappled with the bigger man. He held her, but she slid beneath his legs, cutting both of his calves as she went thru. He fell, and she jumped on top of him, repeatedly slashing at his arms and chest, cutting him over and over. She was pure animal killer now, destroying her prey.

Wolverine couldn't take much more. He was healing, but he was losing blood rapidly. He didn't want to hurt her, but he had no choice. He waited for an opening, then drove his claws thru her shoulders. She stopped, feeling the lances pierce her. She made to slice Wolverine again, but he pulled her down, face to face.

"LOOK AT ME!" Logan screamed, "WHAT DO YOU SEE!?!" He shook her, causing her more pain, bringing her to full alertness.

"WHAT DO YOU SMELL?!" He shouted. "YOU KNOW WHO I AM!"

She looked directly at Logan, wrinkling her nose. A look of fear and shock spread across her face as a scent so close to her own breezed thru her nose. She squeezed her eyes shut and screamed like an animal, then fainted. Logan pulled his claws out of her body, picked her up. Storm and Shadowcat came running up.

"STAY AWAY!" Logan commanded. "If she wakes up, it might be worse. I'm taking her to the Professor. Go get the others." He walked off towards the ocean. 'I need a pick up, Professor. Fast. I have to get her restrained. She's had a breakdown.'

'Yes Logan, I'm bringing the Blackbird now.' Professor X responded.

Hydra Island, Other side

Mystique found Gambit by the ocean.

"Where de petit, chere? Where be Sabretooth?" he asked.

Mystique just looked at the Cajun. "Shut up, idiot." She hissed. "Let's go." They ran down to a motorboat at a dock on the waterfront. They fired it up, and sped away.

Main building, Hydra Island

Richard Fisk had dragged himself to the communications room, and was calling for help. Wilson Fisk's big face appeared on screen.

"Dad, I need help..." he slumped down into a chair, coughing up blood.

"You come to me now, asking for my help?" Wilson asked, his tone sarcastic. "I wouldn't help you 'son', if you wanted me to put a bullet in your brain." The screen went black.

The Blackbird, Heading home

Dr. McCoy looked over the stitches on Jean's wrist. He had sewed her up, and it looked like there would be minimal scarring. He had wrapped Scott's cuts on his chest and leg; thankfully they were not too deep. He checked the IV on both Jean and Scott, she getting blood, and he saline. They were working properly. He turned to Charles.

"How is the child, Charles? And Logan?" he queried.

"Logan, of course is fine, and it seems the girls physical harm is healing as well. Her mind, now that is a different story altogether." Charles frowned. "She is still out, and a brain scan produces normal readings."

"But...?" Dr. McCoy asked.

"I'm worried that her brain, like Logan's, will push these memories deep into her subconscious. She 'is' Logan, and that is what he has done with the memories of his time with Stryker."

"I see. Maybe that will be for the best?' Hank replied. "Perhaps, she can start fresh, a new existence."

"Maybe. But her memories will haunt her, just like Logan. Two people with the same pain. It's been difficult helping Logan deal with it. I just don't know, Henry. I don't even know what she's been taught." Charles sighed.

"The road for this girl will be long, and I fear I might not be enough of a guide for her."

Logan stepped over to them. "You won't be alone, Chuck."

End – Chapter 18 – Getting to Know You, Yourself, and I