Chapter 2: Shocking Discoveries

Author's Notes: Nothing much to say other than I enjoy your feedback and hope to hear more. Nothing motivates me more than reviews. :3 I also don't know how fast I might be able to update, so some days you might have to be patient, either way please feel free to give me any kind of feedback, except flames. If there is something you hate about my story so strongly that you want to flame then just tell me in a calm, legible manner that makes sense and backs up why you hate it. Appreciate it.

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Arowl: Well I've told you the reason for that, but I hope to get it fixed soon. :3

Marx: I'm glad to see you've noticed! I put a lot of thought into my characters, especially when giving them powers. As for the non cliché' I'd have to say fire is pretty over used, but to compensate for it Cinders ended up being very different in character, more so than I had initially planned.

Don't worry about the non smilies either, the fact that you told me you'd give me one is enough. Just hope you don't mind me using them. :3

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Well, like it says, the second chapter. This will further explain Lex to you, hopefully, and it's also where everything begins. Here goes. :3

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"It all started when I was just a little boy," I began. "My family was relatively wealthy and that was due to the fact my father was a genetic engineer. Although, he wasn't just a regular one." I sighed, gripping the arm rest slightly before continuing. "He was working with a company…a company that was trying to develop a way to suppress the mutant gene… The company was called-"

"Worthington Labs?" the professor interrupted. I nodded. Before I could get to ask her how she knew, she answered it for me. "We've had a run in with them before…" I nodded my understanding before continuing.

"Anyways, he was one of the heads in the researching department, so he got paid a lot, but eventually something happened... Dad told me that research he was conducting for the cure was being put to use on another project, some other form of the cure. He didn't tell me much, but from what I gathered it wasn't just going to stop the mutant gene, but destroy it all together, and since they really couldn't pin-point the exact location of the mutant gene…they basically meant to just kill the person containing the gene…

"My dad, of course, was appalled by this. Although he worked for a company most were opposed to, he just wanted to help people. He saw the way most mutants were suffering and wanted to give them a chance, a start at a new, normal, life. He was beside himself when he found out, and was convinced that it was his fault and that it was up to him to reverse the damage he had done… So, doing what he did best, he concocted a serum, a potent one that was based upon old splicing techniques. The serum was created to give a person unparalleled strength and defense. Once injected, the person would become a living, breathing, biological weapon. It took him awhile, but he finally found the perfect animal whose genetics were suited to giving a human such superior abilities. It was the bear."

Professor Storm seemed slightly surprised. "So your father used you as the human to become the biological weapon?" I shook my head. "Not really…

"You see, he did inject me with the serum, but not willingly. He wanted to search through their database for the perfect human who would be able to not only handle, but use that mutant power to stop Worthington Labs. Unfortunately, he didn't have enough time. They were onto what he was doing before he even finished the serum, so he was forced into hiding. When he told me of the danger he was being put through, of how he needed the person to do it, I volunteered myself. Luckily, my genetics were suited almost perfectly to take on the mutation. My mother and he were completely against it, but there was no time, the police had already started to have the house surrounded. So, although disgusted and saddened that it had to be his own son, I was injected with the serum and managed to escape while mom and dad bought time… The police…they…"

The wood on the arm rest was groaning in agony as my grip tightened too much. I always got upset at this part of the story. I would have snapped it in half were it not for the professor calming me down. "It's alright, Lex, just breathe…."

I inhaled deeply and then exhaled before continuing. "They were ruthless. My parents never had a chance… But suffice to say, his wishes were still granted. I am now using my mutant powers to help people in the Xavier institute."

Storm nodded, but something seemed to be bothering her. "Lex…do you know whatever happened to that fatal cure…?" This was a question she didn't ask before. So I had to stop to think about it.

"No, actually…"

This seemed to bother her further and after a minute or two of thinking I managed to piece it together. "So…that means that they could still be working…on that cure, right…?" Storm looked at me. "That…that they're going to still try and kill mutants…?" Stormed looked back down at the rug.

"We don't know that for sure yet, Lex, but…" She sighed. "I'm sorry, Lex, but it seems I'm going to have to cut our session short today. There is someone I must talk with."

"That's alright," I stated, quickly standing up. There were only five minutes left, anyways. I held open the door for Professor Storm to leave before taking my own. I had training in the danger room in ten minutes, which gave me time to wonder who my partner would be for today.

Since teamwork was as big a part of fighting as was fighting itself we were usually partnered up with people and they always switched. Either it was people whose powers went together, people who were really close, people who generally didn't like each other, people whose powers didn't go together well, etc.. It was to get us prepared for any situation.

As I finally made it to the steel door that lead to the danger room I saw Kitty standing next to the door. "Hey, Kitty!" I stated, quickly walking to join her. Kitty and I talked frequently. She mostly came to me now a days when she wanted a gossip buddy or someone to dump their troubles on. I really didn't mind either, but some days…

"Hey, Bear!" she stated happily, now on her toes.

"What are you doing here?" Although I guess it was pretty obvious. Two minutes from when I was supposed to start training with a partner…Kitty was standing next to the door of the danger room…

"I'm your partner for today, I suppose," she stated, smiling. That meant today was supposed to be when I teamed with someone who wasn't really entirely suited to my powers. How would Kitty and I work together anyway?

Suddenly the door opened, signaling for Kitty and I to enter. Being the gentleman in this situation I let her in first which made her giggle. Everything I did seem to make her chipper, for some reason…

A few moments later and we were standing, back to back, in the center of the danger room. This time it was Scott's voice who was talking to us, not Storm's.

"Alright, guys. From what Storm tells me about you you sound pretty tough. If this is true then I'll be setting today's training on a high level difficulty rating. Are you ready?" he asked. I had to admit, the words 'high difficulty' got me a little frightened, but I knew that once I got started there would be no stopping me. I nodded.

"Ready." Kitty and I said simultaneously. We looked back at each other, smiling, before Scott started the simulation. My nose smelled burning before my eyes even saw the fire. There was smoke and flames surrounding us everywhere. From what I could tell it looked like the remains of a house…or a village, more like it, from the extent of the fire… I wasn't given much time to observe, though, for a loud "boom" sounded started to grow in volume, meaning whatever it was was coming towards us. The fire didn't allow us to see much, but we didn't have to. Whatever it was…it was gigantic… Kitty and I stared at the colossal figure in awe as we finally found out what it was… The thirteen foot tall sentinel's eyes shined a frightening purple as it came closer.

"Shadowcat…I hope you're ready for this…"

She couldn't even answer for the sentinel shot it's eye beams straight towards her… I swear, if she didn't phase straight through those lasers I don't know what I'd do.

Wasting no more time I spread my legs shoulder width, holding steady on my ground. I took in a deep breath and then let it out in a feral like growl as my body quickly started changing. My nails grew into black claws, my teeth growing sharper, body growing, sharp black hair starting to cover every portion of my body until the transformation was complete. I stood up straight, now two feet taller as my nostrils let out a puff of air. My fur seemed to shine as the bright flames exuded their bright, orange light, but I didn't let it bother me. All I focused on was the giant sentinel that was now focusing it's attention on me.

Shadowcat, thinking fast, phased into the ground and completely disappeared. I had no idea where she went, but I knew she had something planned. The Sentinel, completely oblivious to Shadowcat's disappearing act and now standing only two feet away from me, slammed down it's enormous metal arm on me, trying to crush me with it's weight. I caught it with both my arms, my elbows acting as a type of spring to slow and lessen the impact. Robots always seemed to underestimate my strength… I started to dig my claws into the advanced circuitry before the sentinel ripped it away from my grip, it's metallic skin now having new claw marks that gave off sparks every now and then. I could dig my hands pretty deep when I wanted to…

Suddenly, the Sentinel straightened up and proceeded to try and scratch something off of it's back, but it couldn't seem to reach it. Then, as suddenly as it had started gripping it stopped, the lights in it's eyes shutting off. I was confused until I saw Shadow cat crawl up from the back, waving at me up top the Sentinel's shoulders.

"I ripped out the wires," she stated, holding up pieces of several colored wires. I sighed, about to let me guard down, when the sentinel suddenly came to life again. It stood up straight, eyes glowing a bright red, and suddenly I knew something was up.

"Target acquired. Target name…Bear. Proceeding to ex-ex-ex…" The sentinel kept repeating those two letters before it's head did a complete three-sixty. It raised it's arms and, one after the other, began slamming them into me. The Sentinel was moving so fast that all I could do was block the onslaught of hammer fists with my forearms.

"Shadow…cat…!" I growled, the constant impacts shoving my feet, or should I say paws, further and further into the ground. "Try…again!!" I didn't mean to sound so harsh, but my voice was uncontrollably gruff and angry in this form when yelling.

She quickly doe back into the robot, leaving me to endure another few moments of incessant banging before it finally ceased all together, collapsing onto the ground beside me. I sighed, watching Shadowcat walk towards me, a large black box in her hands.

"I made sure to take out the batteries," she stated, grinning. I only stared at the box, shoving it slightly with my paw.

"Batteries, huh?" I asked in a sort of breath growl. "Never knew…"

"Your arms alright?" she asked, slightly worried. I nodded.

"They just tingle…" My ears twitched when it caught the sound of machinery. I looked at the sentinel, but it was still laying lifeless on the ground so… I turned, watching in slight horror as several large shadows approach us. I smacked my fist against my paw threateningly.

"Shadowcat," I growled. "It looks like we've got our work…cut out for us…"

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I groaned, collapsing onto the ground in my human form as the last of the sentinels died missing both of it's arms. The simulation soon ended and I heard Kitty scream in frustration.

"God, they didn't seem to end!!" she exclaimed. I could only nod in agreement, completely exhausted. Slowly and painfully I pushed myself back up on my feet, walking out of the danger room as Kitty followed, throwing a fit. How she had enough energy to throw a fit was beyond me…

As I walked down the halls towards my room, getting ready to take a nice, long hot shower, I stopped in my tracks, seeing the incredible mass of students in the living room. Spotting Carmen, I walked towards her.

"What's going on?" I asked her, seeing the strange headlines in the news. She quickly shushed me, though, as the reporter began to speak.

"And now for our breaking news bulletin. A few months ago, a body showing signs of life was being closely monitered in one of our local hospitals. What is so special about this body, you may ask? Well it appears that even though it seemed to be very much alive, there was currently no brain activity in the cerebral cortex of the body, meaning it was basically just a living vegetable." I winced. This reporter sure seemed harsh… "But just recently this supposedly brain dead body woke up, spewing maddened words and phrases like 'mutants' and 'institute.' After subduing him the doctors of the hospital managed to gather straight answers from the being, yet none of it made any sense… The human was claiming to be none other than the long deceased Professor Xavier, creator of the Xavier Institute for mutants…"

I blinked. Xavier…? What…?

"Most disturbing of all," the reporter continued. "Shortly after interviewing the newly awakened human body, the newly reformed brother hood of evil broke into the hospital and stole the body… Currently he is being held by them in a warehouse not too far from the hospital itself where they are offering to give up the supposed 'Professor Xavier' in exchange for several millions of dollars. More on this later. And now, what you've all been waiting for, we are going to test the new weight loss product that all of America has been dieing to try!" The T.V. was suddenly turned off by Storm as she looked towards all of us, the same look of shock on her face that we had on all of our faces. I turned towards Carmen.

"So what does this mean?" I asked, expecting her to answer, but she merely shook her head.

"It means that we're going to have to rescue him…"

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Rather long. Apologies. :3