Logan was protesting loudly about being stuck in bed. "Come on I don't need to stay in bed. My injuries have healed already. I don't need to be hooked up to these machines!"
"Logan, the more you complain the less likely I'm going to release you from here. Even if your powers have healed your injuries we need to keep an eye on you for a while. So sit back and relax please." Beast asked him while adjusting his IV.
"Dad please don't make such a fuss. I'm sure will be out of here by tomorrow." Sarah assured him gently. She gave him an encouraging smile and squeezed his hand.
"All right, but I don't have to like it," he grumbled.
"Well now that you're awake it means that Ray's the only one left. Finally I don't think I can handle doing anymore rounds on sleeping patients." Jubilee complained.
"Oh Jubilee you don't have to be so sore. Helping others is good." Rhane retorted.
"Yeah, and just think we've all learned a lot about each other. This has been a real learning experience." Jaime added.
"Still I hope that Forge and Jean can get the team out of the dream world okay. I don't want to think about what could happen if they don't get out okay." Sam mused.
Jean and Forge had their hands full at the moment. The Danger Room was breaking down. The stress of turning it into a portal into the dream world was causing structural damage. If they didn't end this soon the Danger Room would be destroyed stranding the team forever in the dream world.
"I've managed to in tune the armbands into Ray's dreams. The Danger Room is holding steady, but I don't know for how long. According to the readouts there health is okay and I've got minor communication. How about you? Figured out when and where they are?" Jean asked panicky. Her eyes were wide with fear and she was trembling.
"I'm trying to isolate the place, but it's hard. I think I got it. They're in Bayville sometime shortly after Ray got kicked out of his house. They have twenty minutes till he reaches his crisis point. If they can get him past that point he'll be fine, but."
Forge started to say as he looked at the readouts hesitatingly.
"But what? Forge what's wrong?" Jean demanded.
"The Danger Room will give out in fifteen minutes. They have to find Ray, wake him up, and get out of the dream world and back to the real world before that happens."
"Oh man I got to tell them!" Jean said focusing her thoughts on the team. But the connection was so bad she couldn't get through. Things weren't looking so good at the moment.
The team appeared in the middle of sewer pipe. Everyone started to gag at the smell. They were all screaming because they where covered in muck. "My God where the heck are we?" Boom Boom asked.
"Do you have to ask? Where in the Bayville sewers! I remember this place from when we were hiding from the police when mutants were exposed. I think that we might run into the Morlocks." Magma said getting up.
"Guys I think something wrong. A little while ago I felt Jean trying to contact us. I don't know why, but her telepathy couldn't get through and the communicator is down." Mirage stated gravely.
"Do you have any idea what she was trying to say?" Shadow asked intensely.
"I don't know for sure what's wrong, but I got the distinct impression that where on the clock. I fear that we don't have a lot of time to save Ray or ourselves. Come on guys we have to find the Ray or Morlocks now!" she shouted to the group. They didn't have to be told twice. They took off running.
In the infirmary Professor Xavier was getting concerned. While the other patients were recovering from physical attacks and their caregivers were also dealing with their own injuries, Ray wasn't getting better. In fact if anything his mind was getting more and more distant by the minute. "Ray, Ray please answer me. Ray, if you can hear me at all give me a sign." But he got no mental reading at all.
"Charles what's wrong? You look worried." Ororo said looking at him with concern all over her face.
"I can't feel Ray's presence. My telepathic abilities are detecting only the faintest traces of his mind. I don't know what's wrong, but he seems to be retreating deep into his own mind. I fear that if he retreats to far into his mind he will be lost forever." Xavier explained as calmly as he could under the circumstances.
"But what does that mean for our friends? What happens to them if they can't wake Ray up?" Clarice asked urgently.
"I don't know, but I rather not find out."
Back in Ray's dreamtime was running out with only about ten minutes left and they were having no luck finding either Ray or the Morlocks. To make matter worst they were starting to disappear slightly. "I don't know about you, but I really don't want to die in someone else sleep." Magma stated.
"We can't keep going on like this. We're running out of time for both Ray and us. If we don't figure out something soon we're all going to perish. So if anyone has any suggestions speak up now." Shadow said trying to keep everyone calm.
"It seems we have only one option. I've got to try and use my powers to direct the flow of the dream again. But I don't know if I have enough energy left to do it." Mirage stated tiredly.
"You have to try. Come on Mirage you taught us never to give up. You've come a long way since the beginning of this mission. You can't quit just because you're tired." Husk insisted.
"I'll try. Wish me luck," she said pressing her fingers to her temples. She focused her entire thoughts on directing the dream the way she wanted. But nothing happened. Not willing to give up with out a fight she tried harder and they saw a faint ripple appear around them. She collapsed to the ground. "Did I do it?" she asked weakly.
"I think you did. Look!" Daytripper said pointing at a figure approaching the group. Even in the dim lighting they could make out Ray. He didn't look the least bit different. If anything he looked a bit thinner and dirtier.
"All right we found him! Now all we have to do is figure out what needs to be done so he can wake up before we all disintegrate into nothing!" chirped Husk joyfully.
"Careful you guys, we have no clue how he'll react to us," Sunspot warned. He was a bit leery of his friend. After all Ray didn't like talking much about his time with the Morlocks.
Ray approached the group hesitantly unsure of what to make of them. He had never before seen a group of people who resembled this bunch. They were all sporting injuries of some type, their clothes were a mix mash of spandex and animal skins, and to be perfectly honest none of them smelled that great. "Hi. My name is Ray, Ray Crisp. Who are you guys and what are you doing down here?"
"We could ask you the same thing couldn't we? Let's just say that were a group of special individuals who have been waiting down here for someone." Magma said casually.
"Special? You mean like your handicapped?" frowned Ray. He didn't think that was a good reason to be down here. "There are a lot of places for people with your needs."
"Were not handicapped Ray. Tell us the truth why are you down in the sewers? This place isn't exactly safe and there are a lot warmer places to be. Your home for instance?" mentioned Boom Boom.
"I don't have a home. My parents kicked me out a few weeks ago because of something. I really don't want to talk about. I've been living on the streets since then trying to survive. Last night I ran a foul with a local gang leader. He wanted to kill me. After I zap I mean beat him up I fled down here."
"Ray you don't have to hide what you are down here. There's nothing wrong with you despite what your parents might think. You're not a freak of nature. In fact you're the next step in nature's plan for humans. You're a mutant with the power of electricity same as us." Mirage explained to the troubled boy. She indicated to the others to demonstrate their powers, which they did. "See? You're not alone, far from it actually."
Ray took a step back and fell flat on his butt. He rubbed his eyes several times, but the images didn't go away. They were still there staring at him. In fact several of the girls were giggling at his expense. "I must be dreaming."
"Yes you are dreaming, but no where not part of the dream. We're your friends and fellow team mates from the Xavier Institute for the Gifted. Your codename is Berserker and right now you are in serious danger." Shadow said helping him to his feet.
"Danger? You're joking right? Every minute of my life since these crazy powers appeared has been dangerous. I'm not sure how much worse they can get." He said laughing hollowly.
"They can and will if you don't shut your trap. Time is short and we don't really feel like ending up in your head for the rest of eternity. Now tell us, have you seen anyone else down here, but us?" demanded Sunspot angrily.
Ray looked at them puzzled for a moment. Did they believe that he spend much time down here? "No, I've only just got down here. I didn't expect to run into anyone. Why do you ask?"
They ignored him and began to talk amongst themselves. "We still have a shot. If we can convince the Morlocks to take him in we can save him from dieing out on the streets. I say we try." Sunspot stated.
"How are we going to find them? Look at us! Our legs are almost gone! We're disappearing fast! How much longer do you think were going to last?" demanded Boom Boom annoyed.
"Not to mention the Morlocks aren't exactly the most friendly people. Let's face it; they have the personality of a scorpion. They're never going to listen to us. From what we know about their leader, Callisto, she's not going to let us simply walk in and drop the guy off." Magma pointed out.
"We don't have a choice. Time is running out! We don't have a clue how much longer we have left before we're erased. I say we forget about the dangers. Come on I know that these people can hurt us for real, but I think death is a worse option." Daytripper interjected.
"Enough talk. It's time for a little action. I don't know about the rest of you, but we can't continue like this. If we don't make a move now, we're not going to be able to at all. So let's drag Berserker through these tunnels till we find them." Husk said heatedly.
They nodded their heads and started walking through the pipes. Shadow had tossed a kicking, screaming Ray. "Put me down I can walk on my own! I'm not an invalid!"
"Yeah, but will make better time if I carry you so shut up. We're trying to save your life so I suggest less mouth and more working together. Because if you don't I'm going to use my katana to cut off your mouth." Shadow threatened. He didn't really mean the last part, but he didn't want to have to hear Ray complain the entire way.
"Less talking more walking. Come on guys I think our time is almost up." Mirage warned. She looked exhausted and she was a little sick. They had to find a way out of this dream and quick.
After going through several large pipes and crosswalks they finally came to a dry patch. There were signs of life in the ground and they could hear faint sounds of people talking. It looked like they found the Morlocks. Shadow unceremoniously deposited his cargo on the ground and drew his blade. "We're not alone. Someone already knows were here."
As soon as the words where out of his mouth they were attacked from all sides. Caught off guard they were soon captured by some of the Morlocks and where taken to meet Callisto and Caliban. Neither mutant looked particularly pleased to see them. "Mutants. They are all mutants Callisto." Caliban said simply.
She nodded and stared at him. "You eight are in a lot of trouble. I don't know how you found this place and I don't really care. Right now I'm more concerned with how I should get rid of you."
"Please wait Callisto let us explain. We came seeking you to ask for your help in a certain matter. Our friend over there needs a place to live. He has been cast out of the surface world because he's different. You and your people can take care of him." Mirage begged.
"Why should I do that? He is not like us. The Morlocks are mutants who can't live up in the real world. He could pass for normal or he could live with you. Furthermore you haven't given me a reason not to get rid of you." She replied suspicious
Before they could respond they all started groaning and clutched their sides. Or they would have if they had any. They had nearly disappeared all together. Glancing around them the world started to melt away. People were becoming distorted and Ray was drifting farther apart. Time was up!
"We've failed! Were all going to die!" Husk cried.
"Not if I have anything to say about it," thought Mirage
In the Control Room both Forge and Jean were desperately trying to keep the Danger Room from collapsing on itself. The fifteen minutes would be up in thirty seconds!
"Come on Jean you have to hold it all together! Keep it together!" Forge said urgently as he used his transformed arm to build replacement parts for the Danger Room. If he could do a temporally fix they could keep the team and Ray alive. At the same time he was trying to preserve the dream world with special programs with little success.
"I'm trying, but it's hard. I've never had to hold so much together before. It's straining my mind. I don't know how much longer I can hold it together." Jean said as she strained to keep the Danger Room in one piece. Sweat poured down her face and wrinkles had started to form on her brow. "I can't hold it. It's giving away. Ahhhh!" she screamed as she fell to the ground in a heap.
"JEAN! Oh no not now!" Forge said looking down at the floor. He watched in horror as the stress of the dream world on the real world became too much. The support beams sagged and caved in. Plates crashed to the floor and wires became exposed. Lights flickered off and on and the room shook violently. The dream bubble was going crazy. It wavered like crazily before collapsing completely!
"NO! It can't be it just can't be! We can't have lost them. They can't be dead they just can't be. How could I have messed up this badly?" Forge said slamming his fist down on the control panel. Tears streamed down his face as he tried to figure out how he could have gone so wrong. All he wanted to do was help Dani with her powers not end up killing her, six other students, and trapping Ray in a permanent nightmarish coma!
Jean moaned once and held her head in her hand. "Why does my head feeling like someone drilled into it? Forge? Forge why are you crying? Oh no the team!" she said suddenly remembering what was at stake. She crawled over to Forge leaned against him. "What's wrong? What happened to the team?"
"I lost them. There gone and Ray's trapped forever in his nightmare. Its all my fault," he said softly. "I don't understand why. Why do all my inventions end up harming my friends?"
"Forge please. Will find a way to save them. You can't give up hoping their okay. I'm sure if we put our heads together we can come up with something."
Forge opened his mouth to argue when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. The readouts on the team hadn't changed at all. It still indicated they were alive and healthy. "This can't be right. I wonder what's… Jean look!" he said pointing down to the floor.
The Danger Room was sparkling like crazy. Up from the floor the rose parts of the dream world swirling around each other. They finally came together as one whole dream bubble. The dream world was back!
"I don't know how but somehow we've re-established our connection to the dream world and it's sustaining itself!" Forge said stunned.
"Its because of Danielle I can feel it. Her powers really have evolved these past hours. Let's hope she can keep it going long enough to finish what they started." Jean replied.
In the dream world Mirage had her hands around her head trying not to pass out from the strain. Already a thin line of blood began to trickle down from her nose and ears. "Guys it's really hard keeping this up. We have to hurry and finish this dream now!"
"What are you talking about? What's going on? I demand an explanation!" Callisto ordered.
"Sorry, but we don't have time for an explanation. Is there anyway we can convince you to take Ray in?" Shadow asked hurriedly
"Look I don't need to." Ray started to say before he was silenced by Husk and Magma.
"If one of you were to fight me and win I would allow your friend to stay. Fail and your lives will be forfeited. Agreed?"
"We don't have much of a choice. We accept your terms. Shall we do battle?" he asked drawing his katana.
"I chose my opponent. I wouldn't stand a chance against a seasoned warrior like you. Know to make this fair I shall choose my opponent. I pick her," she said pointing at Daytripper.
"Me! You want to fight me? But..." She started to say.
"Daytripper please don't argue! I'm not sure how much longer I can keep the dream going. Fight her and win." Mirage ordered as she sank to her knees. Boom Boom held her to give her strength.
"I accept your challenge. What shall our weapons be?" Daytripper asked. Caliban tossed her a bo staff with a sharp blade attached to it. Callisto took a similar weapon. "No powers may be used. This fight is of skill alone. We begin now!" she said lunging at her.
Daytripper blocked the attack and forced her back. She thrusts her staff at Callisto chest which she blocked effectively. Daytripper jumped into the air and thrusts the blade at Callisto shoulder nicking her. Then using a fencing trick Kurt showed her she separated the staff from Callisto thus ending the battle. "I win."
"Yes you do. I'm impressed by your skill. You have obviously trained in hand to hand combat before. I would never have suspected."
"My boyfriend fences. He taught me a few tricks. Since I won you'll keep your end of the deal?"
"Yes I never break my word. Your friend may stay with us for as long as he obeys the rules. You may go now."
"Thank you. Ray go with them. They will take care of you for now."
"I don't know what to say. I still don't understand what's going on."
"Just trust us and go with them. Will meet again soon. Bye." Sunspot said as Ray disappeared.
"Someone contact Forge or Jean quick. We need to get out of here." Mirage said. She was in pain and more blood was pouring down her face. She couldn't keep this up for more than a minute or two.
"Jean this is Shadow. Bring us home." He said. There was no reply. Instead they simply faded away. When they reappeared they back in the Danger Room. "Wow what happened here? It looks like a tornado blew through." Tabitha commented
"Actually the Danger Room just fell apart because of all the stress on it. Welcome back guys. You don't know how happy I am to see you." Forge said as Jean and him entered the room.
"Jean! Forge! Man are we glad to see you. You wouldn't believe what we've been through. How long have we been in there? It feels like days." Amara complained.
"You've been gone all afternoon and part of the night. Its eleven p.m. Come on I'm taking you all to the infirmary to be checked out while Forge packs his toys up." Jean said as she led the way.
In the infirmary it was a happy reunion between friends and family. Everyone was talking, laughing, and crying. Beast had to yell for quiet so he could examine each of the team members. They all had some type of injury. Paige and Roberto were cleared medically, but ordered to rest for the next 48 hours to be sure. Amanda hands were treated for burns she received in Kurt's dream. Mean while Amara and Tabitha had to get stitches in a few places because of injuries from a variety of dreams. Kai had twisted his wrist with all his swordplay so he received a wrap. Danielle had stopped bleeding and she didn't have a concussion from when the bear attacked. All in all everyone was okay.
"Alright I know your all eager to get out of here, but I'm afraid most of you will be staying here tonight. All the patients will be staying down here for a twenty four observation period. Bobby, Warren, Roberto, and Paige will be joining you. The rest of the rescue team may go to bed in your rooms, but I want you back here first thing in the morning for a follow up. Everyone else get a good night rest. Because the Danger Room was destroyed and of our injuries I'm stating that all sessions are canceled for the next month. No use protesting Logan, my mind is made up. Alright time for bed lets go." Beast said.
"I'll see you later Kitty. Sorry I put you in so much danger." Dani said.
"Hey you didn't like mean to. Beside your powers like did evolve. All you had to do was trust yourself." Kitty told her.
Dani smiled knowing she was right. She left the infirmary and got ready for bed. She had just lied down when there was a knock at the door. She got up and opened it. "Professor! What are you doing here?"
"I just came to congratulate you. You did a fine job as team leader from what I heard. You conduct yourself with both confidence and pride. I think a promotion as co-leader of the New Mutants is in order."
"Professor I'm honored. Are you sure? I mean I'm not physically the strongest and my powers are not as useful as others," she said surprised by what he said.
"Your powers have evolved much faster then any others and your mastery over them is commendable. Earlier today you had almost no control over projecting now its second nature. You woke up today as one person and now you're a completely new one. I say Forge's device did do what it was suppose to do." Xavier told her kindly.
"I think your right Professor. I accept the position then. Thanks again."
"You're welcome. Now it's time for bed for Danielle. I hope to see you in the morning." He said as he wheeled away.
"Good night Professor and thanks!" she said closing the door. "Me team leader of the New Mutants? Wow this is a dream come true," she whispered to herself as she climbed into bed. Soon she was fast asleep dreaming pleasant dreams.