AN: I've decided to go AU now on and make my own ending different to the show as the show is just awesome and I don't want to tarnish such good ideas. Thank you to all that followed and favourited :) I hope you enjoy
I do not own Arrow/Mutant X I just wanted to try something new.
Chapter 7 - Mutant X
Diggle had tackled Oliver into the car preventing him from blowing Felicity's cover. He had heard Felicity's comment through the comm about John at work keeping him there and took off from the cafe guessing what Oliver's move would be. He got in the car himself and started to drive away just as Felicity emerged from the cafe wearing the leather biker jacket Adam had been wearing he guessed the bike was his. They joined the traffic moving a few shop fronts away and pulled over again and John watched in the mirrors while Oliver announced he had the tracker up and running. When the bike joined the traffic and passed John followed suit keeping them in sight.
After being put back into the car Oliver opened up the 'archery' app on his phone and the screen came up with a map of Starling City and 3 markers one labelled Oliver, one John and the other Felicity. "I've got her tracker up." He said rather proudly Felicity's apps weren't the easiest for him to use he could call, text and take selfies since returning from the island. Felicity's marker moved past their position and followed the road with their markers trailing a short distance behind. They would suffer her wrath later for changing the plans but she'd changed them too so it was only fair.
They successfully followed the bike for several blocks it was heading towards Central City side of town when they lost it in a traffic jam. Diggle cursed and hit the steering wheel Oliver kept his focus on the tracker, "I've got her signal still were okay, wait they changed direction heading into the Glades now." He continued to watch as Diggle moved the Bently through the rush hour traffic towards the Glades. "S**T!" Oliver exclaimed. Before Diggle could question Oliver continued, "Her tracker just went dark." "Are you sure you didn't just lose it from the screen?" Diggle questioned, "No it vanished with a warning signal lost she was a block from the orphanage, I think we found them. Dig I can't hear the motorcycle on the comm either can you?" "No my comm is quiet except for you." John replied. "I need to get to Verdant now. Something doesn't feel right." Oliver growled.
Felicity felt the road surface get rougher and she guessed they had entered the Glades, she really hoped Oliver had the tracker working and that their street intel was right and they were heading for the old orphanage at least she could feel safe having an idea of where she was. The bike suddenly slowed down taking a sharp right turn the engine tone changed and the bike came to a stop. She still couldn't see and waited for Adam to let her know she could move. The engine stopped and Adam sat up on the bike and Felicity took this as she could move so she let go of his torso feeling very self conscious now. "You can lift the visor." Adam said and Felicity obeyed sliding the plastic back to see a garage layout, they were parked next to 4 other identical bikes and a black van THE black van she had seen on the camera footage from the first night they appeared.
Adam threw the kickstand out and slid from the bike leaving Felicity there staring at the van. "I know this probably seems very serial killer type scenario but I assure you we are far from that." He tried to reassure her. "Is the van for anyone that doesn't come willingly. Oh no I didn't mean that my brain to mouth filter is permanently disconnected maybe you can fix it with my DNA upgrade." She joked. "It's for supplies and another job we are on while here. Let me take the helmet and jacket from you then I'll take you too see my team Mutant X." Adam said. Felicity pulled the helmet off and handed it to him and then shrugged the jacket off giving that over too. He moved and placed them on the bike seat. "Are you ready?" He asked and received a nod in reply.
He lead Felicity from the garage through several corridors until they got to a large room that must have been in the middle of the building as there was a lack of windows. There were 3 people in the room rapidly moving about each other in patterns she recognised from watching Oliver, Diggle, Sara and Roy sparring. Her mouth nearly fell to the floor when she recognised the blonde mass of hair swinging about as the woman leapt into the air over one of the guys and touching the wall with her feet launching herself higher up and back out into the room to land in the middle of the floor space. The man she had leapt over turned and Felicity saw his face he looked like the guy that had been with Adam the first night. Well this was them alright no denying it now I need to do is find out why and where the bodies are she thought. She was so engrossed in her thoughts and watching she jumped at Adam's voice.
"Shal, Bren, Jess I have someone I would like you to meet." Adam announced. The 3 stopped what they were doing and headed over grabbing towels on the way to dry off. As they neared Adam spoke again, "This is Felicity Smoak, Felicity this is Shalimar Fox, Brennan Mulwray and Jesse Kilmartin." As their names were said they held their hands out for Felicity to shake which she did in a slow motion dumbfounded way. "Don't worry about the fighting we're all pussy cats really." The blonde now known as Shalimar said. The tall man of the group that Felicity had seen with the blonde on the first night now known as Brennan replied, "Well one of us is the rest are just harmless."
Adam stepped in again explaining, "Shalimar is a Feral with feline DNA, Brennan is an Elemental with control of electricity and Jesse is a Molecular and capable of altering mass density." "Hi." Felicity squeaked out. "She talks." Brennan joked. "Leave her alone Bren." The one called Jesse defended her. "Adam said you're good with computers?" He asked, Felicity just nodded not really able to form words, this was becoming a regular occurrence. "Want to check out our systems I can guarantee you've never seen tech like it." Felicity felt back in her comfort zone but unfortunately that meant so did her mouth and brain which decided to start working again, "You would be surprised what tech I've seen and used. Oh that sounded better in my head." Her comment made everyone laugh and broke the rising tension.
"Jesse just let me get the scan done then while I'm working you can demonstrate the technology." Adam suggested. "Right I'll go get cleaned up. See you in a bit Felicity." Jesse said as he stepped round her and disappeared down the corridor. "Come I'll show you the lab." Adam said. "Okay, nice to meet you both." Felicity said to Brennan and Shalimar then looked to Adam to lead the way. "We will see you around." Shalimar replied before crouching down and spinning on the spot with her right leg outstretched taking Brennan's legs from under him. "SHAL!" He shouted surprised. "2" Shalimar giggled. Felicity sniggered to herself that looked much more fun than Team Arrow's training, they didn't seem like evil mad people not like Slade.
Adam led Felicity further down the corridor then stopped at the entrance to another room this one smaller it looked like a kitchen but gutted except for steel tables along the walls and an island in the centre. It again was in the middle of the building as there was a lack of windows. The steel tables were littered with vials, bottles, tools, books, paperwork and other stuff Felicity didn't recognise. In front of the bench farthest away was a redhead with her back to the door. "Adam." She said softly and turned to face the doorway, Adam smiled fondly and guided Felicity into the room. "Emma this is Felicity, Felicity this Emma DeLauro." The redhead Emma crossed the room in a few elegant bounds and offered her hand to Felicity who took it, "Hi." Felicity said.
Emma's eyes seemed to go distant for a few moments before she blinked then stepped back. "Are you okay?" Felicity asked. "I... yes I'm okay I wasn't expecting such a strong hit I'm sorry." "Hit?" Felicity questioned. Adam answered, "Emma is a Psionic empath she can feel other peoples emotions and influence them." "Sorry I get emotional, I'll try not to..." Felicity apologised. "No it's my fault I wasn't expecting, I let my guard down I have never come across someone with such strong positive emotions before it's nice." "Oh." Felicity blushed deep red. "I'm just going to go get some fresh air." Emma said slipping past Adam to the corridor, before anyone could say anything else she was gone.
"Emma is the strongest empath that I've come across, don't worry about her she will be fine after she's taken some time." Adam explained. "I'm so sorry." Felicity apologised. "Don't be Emma will be fine it's just something new to her. We all find things that take us by surprise we just have to take a minute to process before we carry on. Now shall we take a look at your DNA?" "Okay." She replied nervous now. "Don't worry its a simple painless process I use an EDD scanner which diagnostically records your genetic enhancement and I can use the information to identify any adjustments that may be required to stabilise your new mutant DNA. If you just take a seat on the chair over there it will be over in a minute." Adam explained. Felicity moved to the chair her nerves started to affect her mouth control, "Are you sure this is safe, I've never seen anything like this before and..." She sat in the chair and tightly shut her eyes.
Adam picked up the tablet from the countertop and tapped away setting up the EDD scanner. "Keep as still as you can." He said then started the scan. On the ceiling, above where Felicity sat reclined, a projector type device emitted 2 beams of orange light one landed on her head and the other at her feet. As the scan started the 2 beams swept towards each other becoming a single beam at Felicity's middle then parting and continuing to the opposite ends to where they started. "Done." Adam stated. Felicity squinted one eye open, "Really?" "Yeah like I said painless. Give me a few moments and I'll show you your genetic code."
Felicity opened her eyes up fully and looked around. Adam was stood with his back to her facing the only wall that had no tables lining it with his head bent down tapping away on the tablet. She stood up and moved over to him. As she reached his side he flicked the screen towards the wall and the wall filled with a spinning double helix strand. "This is your DNA, and this section here..." He stepped closer to the wall tucking the tablet under his arm he grabbed the strand and zoomed into one area, "This is your mutation, see how it's changing, that constant state of evolution is causing the instability on your lifespan. I've got to identify the recurring pattern stabilise it so that future changes don't disrupt the pattern. Have you noticed any changes recently your powers doing something new?" "Yes but I was in a new situation so I thought it was normal." She replied. "It could be a new development or as you say you just discovering what was already there. You will find your powers change over time its nothing to worry over especially once I've stabilised your code."
Emma returned to the room at this point, "Felicity I'm sorry for my behaviour earlier. Can we talk please?" "Sure if Adam's okay, do you need me anymore? I don't think I will understand anymore genetic speak you lost me at the evolving part. I prefer computer code to person code far simpler." Felicity said. "Yeah and don't forget Jesse said he'll show you our systems you will love it. I'll come find you when I'm finished." Felicity moved to Emma's side by the door and she walked her back down the corridor past the hall to yet another room in the middle of the building. This room had sofas, TVs, computers and game consoles in there.
"This is our chill out room, please sit, would you like something to drink?" Emma asked. "No I'm good thanks. What did you want to talk about?" Felicity replied. "My powers allow me to see and feel others emotions yours were something I've never felt before. I've felt fear, death, love, passion in most people its brief encounters with them but your emotional aura is pure love, loyalty strength, safety and happiness all woven together and constant. The image I got was so plain you are surrounded by a dark green blanket from your head to the floor. What makes you feel so grounded?" "I don't know I just live each day to the full, I try to help anyone I can and my boyfriend looks after me and makes me really happy." Felicity replied blushing, I'm such a rubbish liar she thought.
"Can I ask you another question?" Emma enquired. "Yes." Felicity replied. "What do you think about the hooded vigilante is he a good guy? We know what the news is reporting about him but you live here what's it like?" Felicity blushed harder, crap okay stick as close to the truth as possible you will be fine. "I didn't like him at first he just seemed to be a crazed killer but when the Undertaking happened he saved a lot of the city and the people in it. He tries to help, his killing spree has stopped they even call him the Arrow now Starling City's hero." "Felicity what do YOU think of him?" Emma reiterated the question as she hadn't really answered. "I believe he is a good person a hero and good for Starling City." She replied. "Do you trust him?" "With my life." Felicity replied seriously then realised how it might come across and tried to turn it into a joke, "You know if I'm being mugged I'd trust him to save me."
"Thank you. So how do you find living with your gift?" Emma changed the topic she had got the information that she needed now she had to talk to Adam. "It's okay I keep it hidden I don't like the reaction I get from people when they see. I have a job I love and a happy relationship although he doesn't know yet." "Its hard I didn't understand what was wrong with me until Adam found and helped me I thought I was going mad." Emma giggled at the long ago memories trying to distract Felicity too. A knock on the door brought both girls attentions to the open doorway, in the opening stood the dirty blonde haired man Jesse all smartly dressed in a long sleeved t-shirt and jeans. "Are you ready to see the coolest tech invented?" He said with a huge smile on his face. Felicity nodded excitedly, "Come this way." He said holding out his hand for her to take. Felicity glanced at Emma asking her permission, she nodded and Felicity stood grabbing Jesse's hand who dragged her excitedly from the room.
Jesse took Felicity to the rooftop, they stepped out onto the roof but as Felicity moved forward the skyline appeared to be computer stations 5 of them with flickering buttons and lights dotted about. The footsteps clanged on metal grating rather than the concrete of the building. "What is this?" She asked amazed. "This is the Double Helix our plane or when we're on mission's our central computer hub. Sanctuary's systems are better but this is still beyond anything on the market." "Oh my babies are close." She said defensively. "Can I take a look?" She asked cautiously. "On one condition." He said. "Anything." "You take what you see to the grave." He cheekily smiled. "My lips are sealed." And she sat down at a station.
20 minutes later Jesse and Felicity were having a heated debate about computer tech when Jesse decided to ask a question. "Why haven't you used your abilities to see the system?" "I um I'm so used to not using them I never think about it." She replied. "I couldn't imagine that, I was lucky Adam found me just as my abilities came through he helped me control them and avoid killing myself. They have saved me and the guys a lot. You can if you want to go take a look, anything private is protected so don't worry." "Have you seen a telecybernetic before?" She asked. "Yes a friend of Emma's she got in the wrong crowd we helped her out and she showed us the flaws in our security system." "Could she take other's in with her?" "No only she could connect using her mind and a computer terminal." "Oh I have to touch the device but I can enter any digital device and I can take people with me. You want to go see?" She asked her excitement building she could share her world with someone who knew computers. "Yes." He practically shouted.
Felicity grabbed his hand and touched the monitor, her eyes changed and she entered the familiar room with circuit boards, wiring and flickering moving lights. She was stood opposite Jesse who was looking around eyes wide. "This is incredible how do you operate the system?" He asked. "I just think what I want and it appears." She thought about google and a floating box appeared between them with the Google logo and search bar. Jesse thought about checking his email but nothing happened, "I think that's your ability I can't bring anything up I'm just spectating." "One to me then." She said smugly.
Suddenly the room illuminated red with a siren blaring Felicity brought both of them out if the system. The siren was still sounding, Jesse madly punched away at the keyboard and his monitor displayed different screens. He flicked through images that looked like CCTV. He stopped on one that had an image of a green hooded figure. "Adam we have a visitor on the perimeter." Jesse reported. "The Arrow." Felicity whispered. "I'm on my way." Jesse replied to a request Felicity hadn't heard. "Come on we've got to go to the lab now." Jesse said taking Felicity's hand and running to the rooftop door.
Diggle pulled into the staff carpark at Verdant but before he could park Oliver was out of the back moving towards the rear entrance. Diggle grumbled as he parked up and followed after him. As he descended the stairs into the Cave he saw Oliver already in his leathers and putting on his jacket. "Think this through Oliver its daylight still what if she is safe and you go in arrows blazing and screw things up for her. There might be a system glitch causing the problem. Man she will be pissed." "Dig I'm going if she's in danger and I didn't react I... I'll risk her wrath than her life." Oliver answered putting his quiver and mask on. "You stay here if something happens get Sara and Roy to follow me in." He picked up his bow and ran for the exit.
He took the bike attempting to be as unnoticeable as possible in daylight. When he was 2 blocks away he tried the comm, "Dig?" "Still here." He spoke his movements as something to keep checking the connection was working with Dig responding. At a block away he lost Diggle on the comms damn it they have a blocker. He moved back away and tried again, "I thought I'd lost you what happened?" Diggls asked. "They have made a blackout zone no comms. Felicity is in there I'm going closer. If I don't make contact in an hour come after me."
He left his bike in the back of an alley and climbed onto the roof, he could see the roof of the orphanage and headed in that direction jumping between buildings. The light was starting to fade and making shadows on the street level so Arrow descended the fire escape on a building opposite the orphanage and stalked along the side of the building. He couldn't see movement through any of the windows it looked abandoned.
AN: what do you all think?