THE RETURN OF SPIDER-X
CHAPTER 37: THE GREAT ESCAPE
The X-Men were currently running through the massive metal halls as they were looking for something to lead them to the others. Unfortunately they hadn't made it as far inside before the alarm went off to Scott's liking. But if couldn't be helped so he had to work with it they were battling down the halls now with security people coming out to stop them but it wasn't too hard.
They guards weren't trained to handle them although it didn't feel right to Scott without Jean they had no one to intercept things with a mental shield or give a heads up on what was coming. Sure with Logan's nose that helped but there was also the fact that he had been fighting with Jean for years her not being here it was like a piece of himself was missing.
Even though Peter hadn't been on the team for a year yet he had quickly made a place for him and even now he kept on expecting to hear some lame one-liner or joke as he helped to confuse the enemy not to mention those webs sure came in handy for quickly incapacitating people.
At least they were doing well although Scott felt that they were a bit off with those two not on the team. He saw Beast launch himself and with his feet grabbed two of them and with a flip threw them into a few more that were coming.
Evan was pinning a few with this spikes and jamming a few doors closed, with Wanda all their weapons would backfire or just fail to work one actually came apart then the others would deal with what was left. Kitty was phasing and putting her combat skills to the limits as Kurt would be using his acrobatics to help out even porting a few of them to the roof or outside and then went back in to continue the fight.
Ororo's wind and artic cold was a major help as they made their way through the complex. The only thing he wanted to know was where they actually going the right way? They had no real layout of the building or where the others might be held if Harry's information was right.
'Damn it where are they? We have to find them,' He thought to himself and he touched the small control on his visor and fired a blast at a guard that had picked up what looked like a riot shield. The guards were coming at them with heavier equipment now making it tougher.
'Jean where are you?' He had to find her ever since he lost her he felt like something inside him had been ripped out. He had been wrestling with things and he hadn't felt this kind of loss since the day his life went to hell. The day the plane crashed and he was orphaned, the day he lost everything.
Yes Jean meant a lot to him but why did it hurt so much? So much more then Peter and Tabitha even Xavier who was like a second father to him? Yes Jean was his girlfriend but did that simply explain why he cared so much?
Scott
He stopped for a moment not sure he heard that, 'Jean?'
He didn't hear it again maybe it was just his imagination but then he felt something it was like something was pulling at his mind. Like he was feeling something there just on the edges it was hard to get a grasp on it. It was like having something on the tip of your tongue just out of reach.
"X-Men this way!" He shouted to them and headed towards where he felt the pull. They complied as they made their way through the place. They entered a large circular room and there was what looked like elevator doors. "We have to go down."
"Like how do you know that Scott?" Kitty asked as she tired the controls but no luck as it was secured.
"I don't know just call it a strong feeling but something is telling me we got to go down." He said he knew it sounded nuts but what else did they have to go on really? By the looks on it they didn't have any better ideas either and with Logan forcing the doors open with some help they got into the elevator.
It was much larger then a normal one about five times larger by the looks of it and when they tried the button on the inside. It actually worked this time as they started to move down, "Guess they didn't think anyone could get past the doors," Rogue stated as she adjusted the straps to her shoulders.
She had a small pack back on as she was carrying a few things that might come in handy for the others if they found them and given her new strength she wasn't really slowed down. Rogue had never been a religious person but at that moment she gave a silent prayer that this was the way to them.
-Underground Lab-
Miles Warren wasn't in a very good mood the alert had gone out and already he didn't like. When the break got down to their level Essex said it was time to pack up. "Are you crazy we can't just leave it takes time for those tubes to be moved and disconnected from where they are?"
"We can't take them if they reach this level they will most likely get here before the Mercenary can intercept them and the fact that if they are coming for them I doubt they will like to see us fooling around with them." Essex said calmly as he was transferring files to the second site everything they had learned so far in the data files was being sent.
"You grab all the genetic samples, the blood, skin, and everything else into the cold freeze carrier we need to take that emergency exit." He was now transferring all files as he looked up at the professor. "I'll wipe the hard drives you best get to work Professor."
Miles sighed and nodded all their work it would just go so much slower now thanks to this. He went to the cold room where the samples were and opened a compartment. He drew out a large metal case with a handle. It was heavy but then it had its own refrigeration unit in it.
Professor Warren opened the case with the extra padding in it and pulled out several smaller containers. He started to place the genetic material they had gotten into them, carefully not wanting to break anything.
Essex had hoped to have more time with these specimens the blonde wasn't too interesting but the boy and the red head Jean Grey was very interesting to him. Their DNA held much potential and he bet that Xavier had no idea just how much potential. He grinned to himself as he prepared a virus program that would wipe out everything.
It was then he noticed something in Jean's bio readings, the brainwaves actually it was faint but there was a bit more activity in the Theta waves it was a bit higher then normal for someone that was supposed to be unconscious it was almost in the rang of a waking dream in a way. Curious but he had to leave it at that when Warren was finished, thankfully Osborn was a paranoid man and kept an emergency exit he just hoped they didn't come out too far from any type of transport.
Before he left he activated a counter to release the virus when the download was completed it would wipe away any evidence in the computers in the entire build about who this place really belonged to and anything else linking it to Oscorp.
They left swiftly through the door that after they went into quickly closed looking like part of the wall and it was a good thing too for them since five minutes later the large doors to the lab were blown off by a red optic blast.
When the smoke cleared from the blast and they stepped into the room they saw all the equipment but most importantly the tubes containing all their friends in one side of the room. "Jean!" Scott shouted out seeing her just floating there he looked for a way to get them out as Beat went to a control station.
He tried to input some commands but something was wrong. "This is most distressing."
"What is it Beast?" Kitty asked him wondering what was wrong given that he only got that look on his face when something was really wrong.
"I can't access the computers they are showing signs I think of a systematic failure. Maybe a hard drive crash or it's being deleted. I have no why of controlling the tanks and I can't open them up from here." There was a loud sound of Scott's powers followed by a smashing sound.
He looked up to see Scott had blasted the front of the tube as the liquid was falling out and he was unhooking her from all the attachments. Rogue was already smashing through Peter's tube as Logan took Xavier's and Evan smashed open Tabitha's.
"Well that would work just as well too I supposed," Hank stated.
Scott carried Jean to the floor and laid her down there as he cupped her cheek she looked asleep but when he had found her he felt so relieved. He just wanted to hold her more in his arms and know that she was really there. He took one of her wet hands in his stroking her hair.
"Jean…Jean can you hear me? Please wake up." He told her silently he wanted her back and if they had done anything to her he was sure he was going to lose it. And it was at that moment he realized just how much Jean meant to him how much he needed her.
He leaned down to say something for only her ears. "Come on Jean I know you can do it…Please come back to us…Come back to me…I love you too much to lose you."
Then there was a slight movement and a moan her face contorted a bit. Scott pulled her into a sitting position with an arm behind her head calling to her. She slowly opened her eyes feeling the fog lift from her mind. It was like a dream she kept having this floating dream for who knows how long. She was cold and alone and couldn't move then she heard it a voice calling to her in the darkness.
As she opened her eyes the world started to get into focus and the first sight was that of Scott. She smiled seeing him she wasn't sure if this was a dream or if this was real but as long as he was here she didn't care. "S…Scott…" Her voice was a little weak from not using it.
"Hey there, sorry it took so long to find you all but I'm just glad we finally got you back." He told her and she smiled feeling her stiff limbs move but then she realize she was wet and really cold.
She looked down and her eyes widened seeing that she was only in her underwear. Her face flushed red as she realized Scott was holding her and seeing her like this. He was slightly confused but then he suddenly realized he was holding a barely clad Jean in his arms making his face flush as well.
"Yeah…uh…w-we got some spare clothing just in case…" he said embarrassed and she nodded crossing her arms shyly.
Hank was helping Xavier while Kitty was helping up a Tabitha who was overjoyed at seeing Wanda again. Then there was Rogue helping out Peter and she felt a little worried, she was shaking him trying to get him awake. "Come on Peter wake up."
"Just five more minutes Aunt May," He groaned feeling stiff as a board from lack of movement. He slowly opened his eyes puzzled to see Rogue and why she was in his room. But it wasn't his room he was on a metal floor and the ceiling was unfamiliar. Then he remembered the fight and getting knocked out. "The hell happened?"
She smiled at him and despite herself hugged him shutting her eyes not wanting to cry. She didn't like to cry in front of people she hated showing that weak side to her but she was just so happy to have him back. "Oh god ah missed ya so much."
He weakly wrapped his arms around her rubbing her back a bit. "It's okay."
She pulled away smiling and he gave her a small grin back and tried to get up when he noticed his lack of clothing. He looked at his boxers and then to her, "Why are you always seeing me when I'm nearly naked all the time?"
Rogue blushed a bit and tried not to laugh.
After passing out the clothing and Peter was glad Rogue found his stuff before they left the mansion, he had lost his new web shooters when they took all his stuff and had no idea where they kept them. At least he packed his older ones although it would take him awhile to rebuilt himself a new set.
Xavier was in pants and a shirt that looked a lot like part of black uniform that no one used and who was being carried by Beast. He looked at all of then a bit proud at doing well without him. "How long have we been gone?"
"Nearly a full weak," Beast told him as they gathered up. "But I say we overstayed our welcome and we need to get out of here with hast."
"Uh oh," Peter suddenly said having that old familiar feeling again just as he put on the spare Spider-X uniform Rogue had with her.
"Sorry ain't gonna happen Mr. Cookie Monster," they all turned towards the voice that sounded like a deeper and slightly gravely voice of Demi Moore. They saw right behind him Deadpool alone with the two last Spider Slayers.
"Oh goodie looks like it's round two you have no idea how boring it was just sitting here watching TV." The masked merc said pulling out a few guns. "And I bet my buddies here rae glad to give some payback to poor Kenny."
"Oh great this maniac again," Wanda gritted her teeth.
"Just what we so totally didn't need." Kitty stated getting ready for a fight.
Spyke got ready himself with a few bone spikes coming out of his uniform, "What I want to know is how the hell we didn't hear two massive robots on a metal floor coming for us."
"Oh that? That's easy Bonner-Boy," The Merc said to him, "These babies got some wicked stealth stuff on them makes them most all quiet they can't attack in that so there's the drawback. But now we don't need it…"
"I think not," Xavier said trying to get into his mind but he only got a major headache and grunted with pain from it as he palmed his head feeling the effects. He had never been in a mind like that it was just too intense for him.
"Oh yeah the mind reader, nice try but see got this constant cellular regeneration thing going even in the brain not to mention my mind is pretty messed up. Makes my mind a nightmare for telepaths," he told him and then pointed his guns at them.
"And without further interruption…the fight scene!"
Deadpool launches himself through the doorway firing concussive rounds he figured to get a bonus if he could capture them all alive an intact and it is about the paycheck with him. Well okay it's also about women, porn, Bea Arthur, spicy food and above all else a healthy does of violence.
The X-Men scattered from the shots as he wanted to break them up while the Spider Slayers took them on he didn't want to give them a chance to regroup and attack as a team Scott had been holing up Jean and took a shot hitting Deadpool in the side and forcing him into some controls.
"Okay…Of course you realize this means war," He stated getting up firing at the couple. Jean was physically weak but not mentally as she put up a shield to stop the incoming rounds. While he was focused on those two one of his guns was slashed by Logan's claws. "Hey I liked that gun!"
"Tough!" Wolverine shouted back he like the others were itching for payback on this guy. The two living weapons fought it out Deadpool pulling out a katana as he tried to avoid Logan's attacks still going on and on about something or other.
The others were now faced with two Spider Slayers and the entire lab was being messed up from the fight. Hank had to focus on just keeping Xavier out of the way and handed him to Kurt he told him to teleport Xavier back to the waiting vehicle and wait for them.
He didn't like leaving the fight like this but sadly Xavier wasn't any use in this fight and was more of a liability no one said it but that's what Xavier knew. It was times like this he cursed his inability to stand and told Kurt to do what Hank asked.
"Okay so how about we put an end to these things?" Peter asked moving but a lot slower then he normally would his entire body was sluggish and his reflexes were shot from the tank. "You know I didn't like these things the first time around, in fact most sequels just suck take the new Star Wars movies."
"Or the Friday the thirteen movies?" Evan asked him.
"Hey what's wrong with horror films?" Rogue asked picked up a lose pipe to smash it into the leg of one of the robots. It broke and so she had to find something thicker to use and she couldn't believe she got sucked into this kind of argument while fighting.
Back with Logan and Deadpool the two had been really going at it, "Damn you know for a short hairy guy with an obvious anger management problem you ain't bad, no wonder the Weapon X guys liked you so much."
"What did you say?" Logan asked him surprised by that and got a cut through his throat for it. He grabbed his throat as he couldn't breath at the moment and he fell to one knee from it waiting for his throat to heal up.
"See they didn't just stop with you, you know. They had a few other experiments and lucky me I was one of them." He put the sword through Logan's chest at that point, "I was dying and they said they could help me. Gave me a copied version of your healing powers sure there were side effects but what doesn't give you side effects these days?"
Logan heard about enough and sliced through the sword with one hand and with the other impaled Deadpool in the chest. "Yeah apparently one of the side effects is talkin' too much."
"Oh…he…made a funny." Deadpool said falling back from the wound. Logan wasn't sure if he really did have a healing factor or if it was as good as his but the kids were in trouble he'd get back to him later.
Storm had little room and when she got a clear shot sent a hurricane like wind to the black widow making it slam into the scorpion. She had a shot and fired out lightning at the two robots she remembered how they weren't really affected last time but she hoped they had made at least one weakness in the armor.
"Kitty phase through them!" Scott told her while they were together hoping to get both of them.
Kitty nodded and ran as fast as she could and jumped through the machines causing massive damage to the electrical systems thanks to her powers. The two machines jerked around as they lost totally control.
"Great it's time to finish this!" Tabitha said making the largest bomb she could focus on, "Jean this may have a bit of a large bang so get ready!"
Tabitha threw her bomb as Jean put up a shield around the two machines the explosion was larger then Jean had thought she never knew Tabitha could make that big of an explosion with her powers and made a mental note to have her tested out later when things got back to normal, that is if they did.
The explosion in the tight 'space' and with Kitty's damage to them was all it took to take out the massive arachnid machines. Jean was exhausted from the strain and would have fallen if not for Scott holding her up.
When the smoke cleared the Spider Slayers were totally out of action.
Just then Deadpool shot up from his spot healed up from Logan's attack. He figured that there was only one way out of this now so since he was behind storm he got up quickly grabbing Ororo from behind and put a knife to her throat. "Let her go!" Logan roared out at him seeing this.
"Hold that thought I'm copping a feel," He said to them he had to admit the chick with dark skin and white hair was a babe, "How's about this, since the lab is trashed and my employer is most likely not going to be pleased and I'm outnumbered and outgunned I walk, you walk and we all go our separate ways until the next time?"
"I got a shot," Scott said aiming with his visor and Logan didn't want to risk it sure he knew Scott was good but one wrong move could send that knife into Ororo's throat.
"Come on kids it's been fun, we beat the crap out of each other but frankly I think I've had enough besides I'm running low on ammo as it is."
"You got ta beh kiddin' meh, you attack our home, kidnap some of us attack us again and ya just want us to let ya go?" Rogue asked him looking at him like he was a lunatic.
"Pretty much sweet cheeks," He responded and saw the looks and sighed, "okay fine plan B." He pulled out a grenade from one of the many pouches on his belt and pulled the pin and let the safety handle fly off. He pulled the top of Ororo's uniform and dropped it down her front kicking her forward.
"Damn it!" Logan ran forward and Ororo was frantically trying to get it out of her top. Everyone was too shocked to move thinking that Ororo was going to blow up. Ororo had her hands shaking and then got it and threw it away. Logan covered her and everyone waited for it to go off.
But it never did.
Peter got up and walked forward towards it, "Peter what are you nuts?" Evan asked him but he just ignored him and picked it up.
There was no spider-sense warning, "Guys I think he used a dud."
There was a large relief at that and Logan helped up Ororo she gave him a smile seeing how he tried to do for her. "Thank you Logan." He just grunted something and for a moment she thought he actually looked a bit…Shy.
"Great the nut job gets away again," Evan sighed to himself.
"Can we please get out of here?" Tabitha asked everyone and they agreed it would be good to leave the area as fast as they could.
NEXT UP CHAPTER 38: A MOMENT TO REMEMBER