Nathan took a deep breath of fresh air. It was the first that he'd tasted since the day he'd arrived at Sheol. He was in a training facility, located only a few miles away from the prison. Guards surrounded him, and each of them was armed with anti-mutant weaponry specifically designed to kill him. If he tried to run, he would surely fail. There was no use in attempting it. The temptation was almost more than he could bear, the way the sun hit his skin enticed him to run away, taking hold of his freedom.

"Soon, my friend. The quicker that you learn, the quicker that you'll be free," Deadpool encouraged, as if he could read Nathan's thoughts.

"I'll do whatever you tell me to," Nathan assured him. He was willing to do whatever it took in order to possess the freedom that called out to him from afar.

"First thing, don't try to escape; the guards will kill you if you try. Second, follow my instruction without question. Third, don't talk about anything you wouldn't want the MCA to know about you while you're here. It's no doubt that they are listening in on us," Deadpool explained. It was no doubt that he was taking an amazing risk saying it the way he had. He wouldn't have said it if he didn't know he could get away with it; Deadpool was smarter than that.

"Gotcha."

"As long as you keep those things in mind, you'll do just fine. Now, we're going start immediately. Get warmed up and take a hundred laps around the yard," Deadpool no doubt knew that he could do such a feat in a matter of minutes, even with his diminished powers. Nathan stretched a little and took off around the yard. He was careful to keep count of how many times he went around, though he could not keep his thoughts from wandering around.

He thought of Lindsey's face, her eyes, and her smile. He thought of what it would be like to hold her in his arms again. He wondered if she knew anything about him and where he was. Did she think he was dead? Did she know he was imprisoned? Was she okay? It was her face, sweet and smiling, that kept his legs pumping even when they ached and bulged. He had noticed that now, with his new healing powers, he was able to avoid the stretch marks altogether. He was glad for it too. It was one his greatest peeves with his powers.

His strength and speed were still much higher than that of a normal human being, but he felt he'd never reach his potential since the integrated healing factor. He didn't mind it so much now. There were certain benefits to being able to heal yourself at will. Either way, he had a goal in mind at the moment. He was completely focused on getting himself fit for battle. With Deadpool's help, he knew that he'd achieve the greatness he needed.

"Nathan! What are you doing? You're at one-oh-nine!" Deadpool called from the center of the yard.

Dang it.

He'd lost count in his thoughts, running like a madman around the yard. He had not even broken a sweat. As he jogged over to Deadpool he could feel his whole body tingle with the healing factor. His muscles grew, and there were no stretch marks. He was also able to keep the same shape and tone he'd had before.

Nice.

"Okay, we're going to start with hand-to-hand combat. It is the basis of all combat. You will need to be able to defend yourself when you have nothing else but your bare hands. Pay attention, this is the most important part of your training."

Nathan listened intently and mimicked the stances that Deadpool taught him. It seemed like it was so basic knowledge, teaching him how to correctly throw a jab, a hook, or an uppercut. He taught him how to snap his leg and how to position his foot to kick most proficiently.

"You're going to learn more than just judo and tae kwon do, Nathan. We're also going to have to develop your sense of balance and make you a little bit more limber. You're going to be taking gymnastics and ballet for that."

"Whatever it takes…wait…ballet?"

"Yes. It may seem trivial but you must have complete control of your body. As much as you may not like it now, you'll thank me in the future when you're able to fight on a beam an inch thick and your enemies cannot pursue you."

"I'm sure I will."

"Now, we spar. The best way for you to learn is to be forced to apply it. Let's go," he put his fists up.

"You're gonna slaughter me," Nathan objected. In return he received a quick jab to the chin.

"Rule number one, always keep your guard up," Deadpool sneered striking out again. Nathan blocked the punches away only to receive a swift kick to the ribs. He winced in pain. He was not as resilient as he used to be.

"The hand is quicker than the eye…so you should be watching the foot," Deadpool joked. Nathan lashed out, trying to give him a jab. He figured that Deadpool would block it so he kept attacking, careful to keep his form and poise. He didn't land a single blow, even when he snuck in a kick.

"Good. You're keeping your focus, that's good."

"I can't hit you," Nathan complained, careful to keep his guard up.

"You will be able to in time, friend," they continued to spar for a while and Deadpool went on to teach him some basic throws, blocks, sweeps and counter attacks.

"This is a .45 combat pistol. This is your friend. The first thing that you're going to learn about guns is how to take care of them, disassemble them and reassemble them. Then we'll work on how to load them, fire them and whatnot," Deadpool explained handing Nathan one of his twin pistols from his holsters. They spent the rest of the day with just the pistol. Deadpool even let Nathan fire off an entire magazine at a target. He was a horrible shot, but Deadpool promised that with time he'd get better.

Everyday he began with an ever-increasing amount of laps to do in an ever-decreasing amount of time. Deadpool taught him ever kata he knew, from various fighting styles, they did yoga, Pilates, gymnastics and ballet to train him in balance. They sparred for hours everyday, and reviewed the basics of punching, kicking, blocking, stance, throws, and holds. It all seemed routine and monotonous to Nathan but he could see that he was improving.

They continued to train for months. Deadpool took him out into the forest and taught him how to track animals and humans. He had Nathan hunt animals for food to eat every evening to improve this skill. He taught him everything he knew about explosives, had him do three hundred hours of flight simulators. He didn't risk tempting him with the real thing, because it would be too easy for him to escape.

He studied basic anatomy of the human body to locate the best targets to shoot, stab or slice that would guarantee a kill. He learned about the jugular vein and the femoral artery, their location and how to sever them. Nathan realized that he was being turned into a killing machine, just like Deadpool. He was teaching him everything that he knew about survival, fighting and killing.

Nathan had learned to use throwing weapons such as darts, shurikens and throwing knives. He learned to fight with swords, knives, staves, and many other such handheld weapons.

"You should choose one that you like the best and stick to it. I'm giving you the basics of all of them so that you can make your choice. My personal favorite are these twin bokken swords," Deadpool unsheathed his swords and twirled them around, brandishing them with skill.

"I like the twin pistols," Nathan didn't too much care for using swords and knives. He liked to keep his hands free to reach for a gun or grenade. He explained this to Deadpool, trying not to sound as if he were ignoring his advice.

"Very well. You are most proficient and confident in your hand-to-hand fighting skills anyway. I would still suggest you carry some sort of backup weapon, something easily concealed, just in case," Deadpool shrugged, a gesture he'd never seen the man do. It was the first sign that he'd ever no known something for sure. They didn't have too many conversations during their training. They maintained a strict, student-teacher relationship and were careful not to break it. Still, Nathan had grown fond of the man over time. He felt as if he'd earned a close friend in Deadpool.

"I'll use this," Nathan reached for the butterfly knife on the table. He flicked it around, opened it, did a few strikes to a mock enemy and then put it back in his boot.

"Good choice. I carry one of those as well," Deadpool reached for a strap on the inside of his thigh. He pulled out his own silver-handled butterfly knife. It looked and sounded as if it had made Deadpool feel better, and Nathan was glad for it.

He wasn't looking forward to doing any kind of work with Deadpool, as he often spoke of. He'd even said the word 'partners' once. Deadpool had always said that he was a solo operative. Nathan must've shown quite some promise if he was willing to take a partner in under his wing.

"It's time," Deadpool said one morning without warning. Nathan was completely caught off guard.

"Time for what?"

"It's time to put your training into a real test. I've taught you everything that I can in the months that we've spent together. There is little more that you can learn from me."

"Does this mean that I'm free?"

"Hardly. We are all slaves to someone—in some way or another…"

"What do you have in mind?"

"The MCA have been tracking a dangerous mutant for some time. He is an assassin, like us. He will work for anyone for the right price."

"We're supposed to kill him?"

"No, we're supposed to recruit him."

"Sounds harmless enough."

"I don't think that the Hybrid is going to go quietly, if you know what I mean. He's considered by some to be the most dangerous man alive—the deadliest assassin of all time," Deadpool's voice quivered a little as he spoke his name. Nathan had never heard it before. Although, he hadn't really hung around in circles where he would hear the name of deadly assassins before.

"Why do they call him the Hybrid?"

"He calls himself that claiming to be part man, part weapon. They aren't exactly sure what his powers are, though he appears to have increased strength and speed, they think he might have much more than that," Deadpool began.

"Like what?"

"As he gathers momentum, storing enough of it in his body, he can take flight, defy the laws of physics and gravity. He's a weapons specialist and skilled martial artist. He's killed some pretty hard-to-kill people and walked away without a scratch."

"Should we be afraid of him?"

"Any man who can take on an entire Columbian drug lord's militia and walk away unscathed deserves some kind of reverence. That was close to a hundred men—with a blade."

"Wow, he is something, then. So if we find this guy and recruit him—then are we free to go?"

"Of course not. We're never free from the MCA's grasp. These jobs are our freedom, Nathan," Deadpool admitted.

"That's not good enough for me. I need to know that I'm working for something more, Deadpool. I need to know that all this time and effort has been worth something," Nathan started to object. Deadpool leaned in and whispered to him as quickly as he could manage.

"I'm sorry Nathan…that's just the way things are. This is the lot we've been thrown in life. There's nothing more that we can do about it."

"When do we leave?" Nathan asked bitterly.

"Tomorrow—first thing. Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?" Deadpool asked. His tone of voice gave away that he was smiling. Nathan could see his brow rise under his mask. It occurred to Nathan that he had never seen his friend's face.

"Deadpool, how come you wear that mask?"

"My identity is a precious thing. Even if I took it off and showed you what I looked like, it would not be my true face. I've had enough surgeries that I've had several faces. My face would probably be different the next time that you saw me as well. There's no point in revealing my face, for I don't have one of my own," Deadpool explained.

"I understand. I hope that you don't expect me to do that," Nathan hoped he wouldn't offend him.

"No, as long as you're careful not to be captured or seen, there would never be any need for you to do such a thing. Take the day off. I want you to be relaxed and rested for your first day on the job," he changed the subject. He gave Nathan a pat on the shoulder, another first-time gesture. Nathan watched as Deadpool walked away. He was in anticipation of tomorrow, unsure as to what it would bring.

Maybe a chance to escape?

He could only be so lucky. Maybe the Hybrid would have sympathy on them. Maybe he would give them some sort of safe passage. Maybe he would help them kill their MCA escort that would no doubt be coming along just in case either of them decided to flee. Nathan was hopeful, though preparing himself for the worst. He might have to fight and kill the Hybrid, which apparently would be no easy task.

He had confidence in his abilities, and in Deadpool's. Together, he was sure that they were unbeatable.

So why don't you and Deadpool take on the MCA escort—hijack the plane? Maybe he's already thought of that and he just can't speak it out loud. He'll give a signal if that's the plan.

A thousand thoughts raced through his head until they landed on his long-lost beloved once again.

Lindsey…I miss you so much…

It had been so long since he'd seen her face or heard her voice. It had been such a long time since they'd last seen each other. He was not allowed to make contact with anyone while he was training—more MCA's rule than Deadpool's. Although he couldn't see Deadpool thinking it was okay to make phone calls all over the place.

Maybe when he was in Puerto Rico, he'd have the chance to call her and touch base—let her know he was alive—make sure she was still alive. It was the most torturous thing in world, not knowing how she was. It was the hope of one day seeing her again that kept him going. It was the drive inside, his determination and his purpose. He knew that if he ever got the chance to see her again, he would never be apart from her. Now that he had the ability to protect them, they'd live anywhere they wanted and do anything they wanted. He welcomed anyone who would try to stop them with his .45.

Someday, Lin…someday…

No opportunity had presented itself for he and Deadpool to hijack the plane. He knew that something was up. Deadpool had given him a glance or two that said that something was up. They were under anti mutant radiation the entirety of the trip for the sake of the MCA's safety—a wise move on their part. All of their equipment and weapons were stored beneath the plane, out of their reach—another wise move. They were making certain that they had no room for insurrection.

It didn't seem like they'd be having a formal meeting with Hybrid, as Nathan had originally anticipated. When they briefed them on their mission, they were told to sneak into his house, detain and question the Hybrid, though not to kill him unless absolutely necessary. Nathan knew that it was when they were in reach of Hybrid that their plans would change. They would have one shot to take in hopes that Hybrid would show them some mercy.

What if Deadpool's not thinking along these lines at all? Maybe he just knows that you're gonna try something. Maybe he wants you to stay with the MCA so he'll have a partner.

The whole thing was driving Nathan insane. They were in a safe house only a mile from the Hybrid's hotel condo. They were going to be sending he and Deadpool in to 'retrieve' him. They would go in by plane, parachuting onto the roof. From there they would take the ventilation shafts to the floor that he was on and apprehend him. It seemed so in-and-out, so routine, but everyone shuddered when someone so much as said the word 'hybrid.'

Is he really that dangerous. Surely they have faith that Deadpool and I can take him. He can't be that powerful.

"You've never jumped out of a plane before?" Deadpool asked him with disbelief.

"No, sorry."

"What did you do for fun as a teenager?"

"Watch movies," Nathan offered, nervously looking at the ground below. The cars were merely specks from where he was. They only had one shot to jump out and land on the roof of the hotel. Nathan was going to do it one way or the other, but it didn't make any less frightening.

"Okay, just jump, count to ten and pull the chute. Don't hesitate either. When it comes time to jump out of the plane you had better do it when you're supposed to or you'll miss your mark," Deadpool warned.

"Okay," Nathan gulped. It was time to jump sooner than later. They decided that Nathan would jump first so that Deadpool could push him out if he hesitated for even a second. He stepped up to the edge of the plane, the wind whipping in his face. He had made up his mind that he wasn't going to hesitate. If wasn't afraid to take on the world's most dangerous assassin, he was not afraid to jump out of an airplane.

"Now!" the navigator yelled. Nathan jumped out and began free falling; it was the most liberating experience he'd ever felt. He made sure to count as he went down, as Deadpool had taught him. It was the freest he'd felt even before he'd ever been a prisoner. Free falling was such a liberating experience, he wasn't sure that he was ever prisoner at all. Maybe it had all just been a bad dream until now.

I could only be so lucky.

He pulled his chute and descended down onto the roof, landing rougher than he thought he would. Deadpool landed only seconds after him and they began to unhook their harnesses. It was a good thing that the roof was flat; Nathan could not imagine landing on a roof that was peaked or pointed.

They began to unload the equipment they needed to scale the building. They were already armed to the teeth with the finest gear. Deadpool had his twin bokken swords, Colt pistols, grenades and a sawed off shotgun. Nathan carried his own set of pistols, assorted grenades, a butterfly knife and shotgun of his own. Whoever this Hybrid character was, he would have to put up a really good fight to stand a chance against the two of them.

They were going to use a rope to swing down onto the floor where he was. They were going to use a fulcrum swing, jumping out as far as they could with the robe and using the momentum to put them onto the balcony. According to the MCA surveillance, the balcony doors were open and they would be able to rush into the room. Hybrid owned an entire half of a floor on the hotel, turning it into his own condo. It was supposed to be his safe house. Ironic, Nathan thought, that it would be the very place that he was going to get captured.

With an unspoken command, Deadpool gave him a nod to set up the fulcrum swing. Nathan assembled the grappling device for two people and strapped the repelling cord to his harness. He handed Deadpool his own rope. They backed up to the middle part of the roof.

"You ready, friend?" Deadpool asked him.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Nathan replied curtly.

"Let's go," and they ran for the edge of the roof, jumping off the roof and out into the warm evening air. Once again, Nathan made a descent, free falling through the air, free again until his robe caught slack again. He began to swing towards the balcony, Deadpool perfectly parallel to him. They had made exact measurements as to how much rope they would need. They had to be careful not to land on the wrong floor or hit a window—neither would be very good.

Nathan lifted his feet as he cleared the balcony they'd aimed for. Upon landed he unhooked himself and continued his stride into the room. Diving and rolling, he pulled out one of his pistols from its holster, scanning the room for any movement. Deadpool was right behind him, unsheathing his swords.

A rush of adrenaline and excitement suddenly overtook Nathan, in mere seconds he would be engaged in battle with the deadliest assassin alive, the Hybrid. Honestly, Nathan couldn't wait to try out his skills on him. Deadpool had trained him well and he was confident in his abilities, no matter what the rumors of their foe. They went from room to room, ready to fire or slash anything that moved. They split up down the hall and then regroup in a living room, coming in from different entrances. There he was, sitting on the couch, sharpening one of his many bladed weapons laid out before him, the Hybrid.

Nathan kept his pistol trained on the back of his head as Deadpool entered from a place which he could be seen.

"Deadpool, long time no see," he spoke, looking up from his work, calmly and coolly—as if he had been expecting him.

"It's been a while, Hybrid," Deadpool hissed in retaliation.

"And who's your friend?" The Hybrid turned to look at him and the surprise on his face was equal only to the feeling of Nathan's heart dropping into his stomach. He blinked and looked again at him in disbelief.

"Nathan! It looks like you've seen a ghost," the Hybrid sneered. There was no way…it couldn't be. He'd hadn't been seen since years before the earthquake. How? He was dead, everyone saw the papers.

"Garrett?"

"That name's dead to me now, but yeah, it's me," he replied.

"You two know each other?" Deadpool exclaimed with surprise.

"In another life…now I know that you've either come here to kill me or to retrieve me, neither of which I'm about to let happen so let's get to it, shall we?" Garrett, the Hybrid leapt up from his spot on the couch, spear in hand. He threw something shiny and metallic at Nathan knocking his pistol from his hand. He brandished his spear and stood, ready for either of them to make a move.