Everyone was on the edge and the atmosphere in the car was tense. Lorna was racing through the streets with full speed, fully concentrated on the road in front of her.
John was sitting next to her, tapping with his foot on the ground, which showed how nervous he really was. Clarice was sitting at the back, pressing her lips together in one line. Marcos, who was sitting next to Blink, had a determined look in his eyes.
Alex was slightly confused of what was happening, but still managed to keep up. Currently, they were travelling to Fairburn station, apparently a facilitie with a connection to the Underground.
When Sage had told them the news, the others hadn't wasted any time with talking this trough. They had ran out of the headquarters on John's orders and had reached the nearest vehicle.
To him, it seemed unreasonable to just flee somewhere to rescue mutants without an actual plan. The situation had escalated too quickly for him to say anything though.
"Reed, we are on our way, less than five minutes out. What's going on?" John asked, holding a phone in his left hand, which was put on a speaker so everyone in the car can hear.
"We are hiding out in the south end of the building, but we can't get to an exit."
"How many people are with you?"
"Just us and Wes... ah most of the refugees have already surrendered.. uh Andy's hurt."
The part with the surrendering refugees made Alex's blood up. He didn't get, how they could just surrender without fighting these assholes. He would rather be dead than locked up forever.
"How bad?" John asked, quickly turning back to look at Clarice.
"He is unconscious and Kate is afraid to move him. Wes has put up a mirage to hide us. I don't think he can hold up forever."
"We are almost there just hold on. We will portal in and get you out of there." Thunderbird said and hung up the phone.
In less than five minutes, Alex could already see the building. Lorna went round and parked behind it. They all got out quickly. The tea moved a few meters away from the car and John concentrated.
"Sentinel Services is setting up around the building. Can you get us in?" He turned to Clarice.
"Yeah, I think so." She answered.
A loud noise came from the distance. Everyone instinctively turned towards the source.
"What the hell was that?" Lorna asked
"I am pretty sure we are gonna find out" Marcos said
"And we surely won't like it" Alex added.
They walked over to Clarice, who has just a few meters away and stepped behind her, ready for the portal to open. Magenta light formed in her hands and she stretched it, making the portal bigger. Everyone around him looked battle ready and so was he. Soon the portal was wide enough for them to pass.
In the building windows were breaking and the noise sounded like the one they had heard from the woods. Marcos was right, about them finding out.
"Where are they?" Lorna had to yell, so they could hear her.
"Down the hall." John screamed back and they kept running with struggle.
Around them the world was in chaos. Door were slamming open, chairs, paper and metal shreds we're being tossed around like toys.
They managed to climb up the stairs into the other floor of the building.
"This way, come on!" John rushed ahead.
Alex could hear the big window exploding to pieces behind him. He kept running ahead, not daring to look back. They raced down the left hallway, another right turn leading them to the Struckers.
"Come on" Johnny yelled and bended down to help Andy, while Marcos, Lorna, Alex and Clarice rushed to help the other girl and boy.
"Hey, come on, we gotta go, we will cover you." Marcos said as he was helping the girl up.
They ran back through the same path as fast as they could. They entered in the hallway with the staircase. Marcos, Lorna, Alex and John were just about to go down after the other, when another big explosion shook the place. The shock wave threw Alex and Marcos a few feet back, but Lorna was knocked into the air over the cross-beam. Alex quickly pushed himself from the ground, ignoring the pain in his back and ran to the stairs, caughting Lorna as she fell.
Marcos turned to her, a light stain of yellow on his cheek. "Lorna!" He exclaimed with worry.
"I am okay. " She said getting up and rushing towards Marcos.
"Lorna" He repeated "I am okay." She hugged him and the quickly turned to Alex giving him a quick hug as well. "Thank you"
"It's too powerful, get us out of here now! " John screamed as Clarice showed up from the staircase. She gave him a quick nod and turned back, climbing down.
They quickly followed and found themselves at same place, from which they entered. Blink opened another portal, this time way faster and the team stepped into the woods. They moved into the forest, squatting down so they could use the bushes as a cover.
"We have to get out of here." Lorna said, quietly.
"Yeah, we can't take on those hounds. We will never make it, if they see us." Marcos agreed.
"If it comes down to it, we can only slow them down." Alex said
John stepped ahead and touched the ground, concentrating his hearing again. "Ohh, they are out in the woods, car's blown, they will be here soon" He said turning to face them.
"They need to be distracted, just let me.." Alex begann, but Lorna cut him in mid sentence.
"I know what you are going to suggest. You won't be used as a distraction." She whispered.
"Lorna, we need the car. I will knock them out." He said.
"Your power isn't exactly discreet. " Lorna argued back quietly.
Alex was about to try to convince her again, but Andy's sudden rousing, caught his attention.
"We go that way." The boy said, pointing.
"The woods are full of agents." His father said, but Andy insisted. "They said it was safe."
"Who said it was safe?" His sister asked.
The boy got up, eagerness in his words. "I know how to get out of here, just follow me." He ran off into the woods, his mother calling behind him.
Everyone rushed after him, careful not to be seen. Alex hoped Andy was right about the direction, otherwise God help them. They ran ahead trough the trees, Andy's words urging them to continue "This way."
Not to far away, two cars were parked. They kept running, until they saw the Frosts sisters. Two of the agents were squirming on the ground, holding heads in their hands. "Help me." One of them weakly said. The triplets's were glowing bright blue. "Let's go." The one in the middle said.
The eyes got back to normal. "What are you doing to them?" Reed asked, looking down at the agents.
"We are just giving them something to think about." One of them said. "And we know, how you are squeamish about killing. " They said in unison, with smirks on their lips. Reed snorted at them.
"More agents coming this way, too many for us to handle." John said
"Well then, I guess you better get in. " The sisters said and went to car doors. The team allocated in one of the cars, Marcos rather hesitantly.
The trip back to the headquarters was quiet, no one really saying anything. Alex had noticed that the one of the two sisters in the car, looked over at all them a couple of times. Alex had returned the looks.
Soon they were back and out of the cars. Reed and Caitlin went in first supporting the unconscious again Andy, followed by Lauren, who was helping Wes. The others went in with the sisters. They had a lot to discuss. Inside, Clarice followed the Struckers to two empty beds, where they put the hurt.
Alex, however, wanted to hear what the Frosts had to say and find out if the alliance would be happening after all.
"Thanks for the help." He said. After all these girls had saved their asses and as he had hurt it was for a second time.
"You are welcome." They said and smirked again. Their smiles were very unsettling most of the time. There was something cold and dominant in the way these three smiled. It reminded him of Emma from her Brotherhood days quite a lot, but after all they were her daughters.
"How did you even find us? " Marcos asked.
"We told you, we have sources." One of them, who seemed to be Esme said. For a second Alex thought that one of them had looked at him.
"So, the mutants that were attacking us, that is what you were warning us about. It's what Campbell was working on at Trask? John asked.
"That was just the start." One of the sisters behind Esme said "It's going to get worse." The other said "Much worse. That is why we need your help." Esme finished and Marcos pulled his head back.
"Okay... and you can get us to Campbell. We can end this? " Lorna asked with hands crossed over her chest.
The Frosts looked at her. "We wouldn't be here, if we couldn't." Lorna raised her eyebrow and smiled back at them.
One more time, Alex could see how much she wanted this to work and how much Marcos detested the idea. He moved his gaze from Lorna to the Frosts.
"So" Esme started "What's it going to be?" They asked together.
The leaders and Alex shared a look. John met their eyes with an even look. "We will have to discuss it.
"Don't take too long." The sisters said and Johnny pulled the others a few meters back.
"We need to do this fast." He said and looked at them.
"I shared my opinion the last discussion and I still stand behind it. " Lonra said and Marcos gave something like a pleading look, which she returned with stubbornness.
"I still think, you need them as allies. " Alex nodded.
"We can do it our way." Marcos said, crossing his hands over his chest.
John walked over to them, without saying a word. Alex, Marcos and Lorna followed him. He had made his choice as well. It could be read in his eyes, the pure determination, just a little doubt left in there.
"We are in." He said
"Good." They said
It was done. They were allies now and Alex could ask them about Rachel's location, about the contacts Emma had kept, everything.
"We will be here soon, when we have more information about Campbell." They said. The leaders nodded and the sisters turned on their heels, heading to the door. Lorna, Marcos and John followed them, to the exit. Alex went with them, trying to find a gap, where no one was looking to ask one of the triplets. Before they went out, one of the sisters,who he was behind, slowed down, dropping behind the others. She didn't turn back, just started to speak quietly.
"Go in the same building as before. Our mother will be waiting for you." She said and Alex slightly nodded.
She continued straight ahead and caught up with her sisters outside. Alex stayed at the frame of the door. He met Lorna's gaze for a second and looked and she came to him, pulling his arm.
"One of them told you something" She said.
"What are you talking about?" He asked, trying to look confused. Alex knew it was a stupid question, she had seen, but he didn't know what else to say. Emma did tell him that he would have to help 'when the time comes' whenever that meant. He wasn't sure what he could tell the Underground. Nothing? Everything? The first was more reasonable. For now he had to stick to lying even to Lorna. He could ask Emma, when he had the chance.
"She said something and you nodded behind her." Lorna said, anger crawling in her eyes. "Is there something you aren't telling us?"
"It was nothing important. She thanked me for voting for this alliance." He said quickly, looking away from her.
He wasn't good with hiding his emotion. Alex had been told that time and time again from different people. Now, he felt guilty for lying to Lorna. His only hope was, that she couldn't read his body language good enough.
"If you say so." She said, unconvinced and entered.
Alex sighed and ran a hand thought his hair. He wanted to talk to her, but that would be stupid, as he didn't know what to say and more lies wouldn't make it better. Plus, Emma was waiting for him.
The walk to the building was quiet. The streets weren't busy and there weren't end people around. He had left the headquarters quickly and without a word. If anyone asked him where he was, he would say he needed fresh air.
He walked around an hour, until he came close to the high building. Alex followed the same route to reach the 12th floor, passing the receptionist and entering the elevator.
Emma was waiting for him, sitting on the coach with a glass of champagne. How classic.
"Well done." She began and took a sip. "I was informed we are allies now."
"We are and I want what I came for Emma." Alex said crossing his hands over his chest.
"Very good. I will assemble a team, but we will have to ask the Underground to help for this mission." She said
"I recall, you said they are 'untrained and not organised enough' to help." Alex said smirking.
Emma rolled her eyes. " Please save me the judgmental mom tone and listen. The facility is bigger and better secured than I was last informed." Emma explained, taking another sip. "We will need every help we can get to save Rachel."
"Why isn't Campbell using her now? The mutant problem is centred in Atlanta now, after you know... out cells crumbled. " He said, trying not to dive into the painful memories.
"The hounds from that facility are going to be shipped to Atlanta soon, but in an unknown facility, which isn't Trask. This is our only chance to reach her, before she disappears." Emma said meeting his eyes. "Rachel and I never had warm feelings for each other, but I will be damned before I let her in there, serving as some mutant dog."
"Okay then but what should I tell the Underground about it?" Alex asked.
Emma had rarely let her emotions to get out of control. Most of the time, she was the perfect image of calm coldness, but in these rare moments where she had gotten angry, she was unstoppable. After her words, Alex knew that they would get Rachel, whatever it took.
"Tell them my girls had told you about Rachel and that her rescue will be a step forward to helping all hounds. Also, we will take the data from the facility. All of this should convince them." Emma said and stood up.
"Okay, I can do that." Alex said "I can't tell Lorna about the Hellfire Club, can I?" He asked, looking away.
"How do you think?" Emma asked, walking around the room with the glass in hand.
"That, I shouldn't" He answered
"Exactly. For now I will need you there. If they are uncertain about the alliance, I would need you to help my girls maintain it. You will join us when the time comes." Emma said
Alex just nodded. He still didn't like the idea of joining the Hellfire Club. It all felt like one big betrayal and it probably was. Actually scratch that, it was the definition of betrayal and it didn't suit with him. Charles's teachings, his hope for the future and the world were still sowed inside him and make him despise himself for his choices even if they felt right in his mind. His heart was screaming him to stop, to say no and walk away, but he couldn't. Emma could help him. "Was that all?" He asked
"Yes, you will have to convince them tonight and tomorrow at 10 a.m. my girls will arrive and take you to the meeting place." Emma walked over to the little table in front of the coach and left the glass on it. "Good luck Alexander."
"Bye Emma." He turned back and pressed the button for the elevator. The door opened in a few seconds and Alex stepped inside. He pressed the first button on the silver panel. Before the door closed he met Emma's cold blue eyes for the last time. How did they ended up like this?
After an hour or so he was back at the headquarters. Alex stopped in front of the entrance and took a deep breath. It was time to act. He entered and looked around to see one of the leaders. Luckily, Lorna just turned around the corner.
"Lorna!" Alex called and the green-haired mutant turned to face him.
"Where were you?" Was the first thing she said.
"What, you missed me?" He winked at her, but her face remained unemotional. Yup, she wasn't in the mood for jokes. "I will explain later, Lorna, there is something important I need to talk to everyone about." He cut to the point.
She raised her eyebrow. "You want me to gather everyone?"
"Preferably the combatants and people active on the field." Alex said
"Okay... " Lorna said confused. "Give me a minute and I hope the explanation for your behaviour is in what you have to say. Wait for us in the side room."
"It is" He confirmed and Lorna left. Alex made his way to the room, in which she told him to go. True to her words Lorna came in after a few minutes, followed by John, Marcos, Clarice, Sage and the Struckers minus Andy.
"Well, what is it?" John asked first.
"The Frosts sisters...they told me that Sentinel Services had a facility in Virginia... " He began, but didn't had the chance the finish.
"Wait, wait when did you talk to the Frosts?" Marcos asked and Alex gave him an angry look.
Did he seriously clung to that? Alex took a deep breath and tried not to punch him. 'Punching people isn't the answer' He thought and looked at the man in from of him.
"Trust me this isn't the important part." He said trying to cover his irritation. He could bet that it didn't work.
"But it is a part, which makes this interesting." Reed said crossing his arms over his chest.
Someone needed to remind Alex, why did this man come to the meeting too. He sighed from annoyance. He had to convince them tonight, but with that tempo he wouldn't be able to.
"They talked to the me the night they came to ask for help for the first time okay." He said forcing his voice to be calm. That seemed to shut them up, but Lorna looked at him with understanding. Did they talk to her that night too?
"Continue" She said and Alex nodded
"In this facility in Virginia they are holding hounds, that will be soon transported to Atlanta, strong hounds. I think we will have to travel there and stop this shipment. We can take the data from their drives. This will be a step forward to understand the hounds and how to help them." He said and looked at their faces.
They looked like they were thinking about it. For now that worked.
"Why did they tell you about it? Why not us?" John asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Because...one of the hounds there is my niece." He said, not realizing his knuckles had turned white from grabbing the table. It was worse when he had said it out loud. At this moment he realized he would go there on his own, if he had too.
He looked up and the first eyes he met were Lorna's. Her deep green eyes were full of sympathy.
"Why are telling us know?" Clarice asked after the silence had passed.
"It was too confusing... and too many things happened in a short period of time." He lied.
Clarice nodded and Caitlin spoke up. "The last time we infiltrated a facility we knew nothing about, our children got taken and Sonya ended up dead."
Alex had no idea who Sonya was, but evidently she was part of the Mutant Underground before. The Underground had their own loses too after all.
"You assume, we know nothing about it." Alex said, which got him everyone's attention. "The Frosts know the building, the security, they even have the blueprint."
"You want us to trust them with this too. We are diving in the unknown with this operation. Our priority is Campbell. If we take him down, we will save your niece." Marcos said
"In this lab is kept the data, which is key to the whole brainwashing. We can break it with this information and same more hounds." Alex said, glaring at him.
"The Frosts told you all of this?" Lauren asked and he nodded.
"She didn't thank you for the vote, did she?" Lorna asked and a shadow passed trough her face.
"No, she told me to ask you for help." Alex said, meeting her eyes. He couldn't feel guilty now.
"You disappeared for three hours earlier." Marcos stated "Where?"
"This starts to sound like an interrogation" Alex sighed "I went to meet with them and discuss the situation. They told me to ask for your help and explain the situation."
"So, you are meeting with them behind our backs?" Marcos asked.
Lorna looked at her boyfriend and gave him am angry look. "You mean, like you used your connection to the Cartel to help save me?" She asked.
"Lorna, this is different. The Cartel... I knew they would help, but the Frosts... " Marcos was cut in mid sentence
"Are our allies now." Lorna said harshly and looked at Alex. "I vote to go there."
Alex gave her a thankful smile. It was good to know, even if she was angry with him for lying, she would step up and help him, when he needed her. God, he couldn't help, but love her.
"Where are we going to receive the information about the facility?" John asked.
"Tomorrow. The Frosts would come here and drive us to a meeting spot." He explained
"Who are we meeting?" Clarice asked, narrowing her eyes.
"I asked them to dug up some of my old associates and they agreed, so we will meet with some of the surviving X-men." Alex said and couldn't help, but feel impatient to meet the others. At least he would find out who was alive.
"Okay then, then I am in as well." John said and Marcos sighed.
"Let's do this." He agreed at last.
"I am in as well." Clarice announced and Alex gave her a nod. The other people in the room nodded too, some more hesitant than others.
"Tomorrow at 10 the Frosts will be here." Alex informed them and the people started exiting the room one by one. Lorna was the only one that stayed behind. "You shouldn't have lied to me." She said, the sound more upset than angry.
"I was just... confused" Alex said "I need to discuss this with them first."
Lorna nodded and then sighed. "I get it, but doing this behind our backs isn't good. I may have defended you, but that doesn't agree with what you did." She said
"I get that and I am really sorry." Alex said
"And you never said you have a niece." Lorna said hesitantly as she was afraid not to say something wrong.
"It never came up in a conversation." Alex shrugged "Her name's Rachel." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"We will help her, I promise." She said putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I know." He said and looked at her "Thanks Lorna, for agreeing to this mission."
Lorna shrugged casually "No problem... The Frosts talked to you that night?" She asked after a short silence.
"Yup. They talked to you too?" He answered with a question.
"Yeah, Esme talked to me about being their allies and the Hellfire Club, my powers." Lorna explained, looking down at her hands.
"What about your powers?" Alex asked, raising a brow. So these three weren't only trying to convince him into an alliance. They had targeted Lorna too and that definitely didn't please him.
"The baby makes me stronger. My power is growing." Lorna said smiling.
Alex had noticed the way Lorna glowed, when she talked about that baby. It made him smile as well. He had forgotten how much he liked seeing her smiling and happy. Two years ago he couldn't even imagine it, but now she was here and at the same time so far away, like a dream.
"This baby is one helluva fighter then, like it's mother." He smiled at her and put a lock of her hair behind her ear. Lorna looked away and Alex realized he had crossed a line. He stepped away and rubbed his back. "What did you meant by 'save me' when you talked to Marcos?" Alex asked, changing the subject of conversation.
"I was arrested a few months ago." Lorna said and bowed her head down. "We were saving Clarice and Marcos was shot. I was so angry that In attacked the policeman and well... I was arrested." She finished and Alex's eyes widened.
At this moment he wished he was there to help her, but he wasn't. How many more things had he missed in her life?
"It sucked didn't it?" He half smiled. He could only imagine what kind of hell it must have been.
"Yeah, it did." She smiled as well, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. Instead, it left them empty, emotionless.
"I shouldn't have asked." He said
"It's okay, I asked about Rachel." Lorna said and the air in the room was filled with silent awkwardness.
"It's getting late." Alex said and ran a hand thought his hair. " I think, I am going to lie down for a little."
"Yeah, me too. Goodnight Alex." Lorna said and gave him one last smile, before leaving the room.
"Goodnight Lorna" He said and was left alone. Alex propped himself on the table and bowed his head down. He shouldn't have gotten that close to her. Lorna had a boyfriend and baby on the way. Alex didn't fit the picture, he was liability. She was still his friend, but he wanted so much more. Of course, there was no choice on that matter. Her friendship was everything to him.
Alex made his way to his room and threw himself on the bed and covered himself with the thick sheet. Soon he felt into uneasy sleep.
Everything was black. He looked around effortlessly. Nothing could be seen, because of the darkness. The damn back up energy reactor was supposed to be on by now. Something has gone wrong. Alex had pulled energy to his hands, red circles generating around his clenched fists. The light made him see a little better, but he still felt like he was blind.
He moved slowly, listening carefully for steps echoing on the floor. The fight was taken to the lower levels. It all seemed quiet. Alex made his way to the stairs, paying attention to every step he was making forward. One step, another step and another. The room lighted up in red as the back up generator was turned on. Alex heard heavy steps pounding on the ground, along with the sound of man carrying guns. He showed himself from behind the corner and charged against the men. Havok sent a blast to one of the agents and ran to the other, punching him directly in the throat. The man gave out a sound of pain and dropped the gun down. Alex used the moment to kick him in the stomach, which left him on the ground.
The third agent fired and Alex dodged the bullet only inches from his head. He sent another blast, this time thought his chest, sending the man flying in the wall behind him.
"Alex, lookout!"
The scream made him turn back at Hank, who was running as fast as he could from the other end of the hallway. The agent, who he thought he knocked out first had gotten up and taken the gun, aiming for his head. Hank launched himself at the man, knocking him to the ground, before he could shoot.
"Thanks Beast" Alex said and stepped towards his friend, when he heard a loud 'bang' coming from nearby.
Suddenly Hank turned to his left and ran ahead, what seemed to be another attacker. Alex ran back and then left to help, but before he could reach, a few more gunshots echoed through the building. At the end of the hallway he was Hank trying to get up, as the agent was looking at him from above, aiming his gun.
"Time to die, mutie" The man said with a disgusted look on his face.
Alex sent a blast of energy at him and he was knocked back. Havok ran ahead and reached Hank, trying to help him up.
"Alex, don't, just let me lean on the wall for a second." He said with great struggle, his face curved in a painful expression. He pushed himself to the wall and rested his head on the cold stone, his hand pressing his stomach.
"Hank, you have been shot, we need to find you help, you are losing blood fast." Alex insisted, trying to pull him up.
"Alex, don't. We can't find medical help in time." Beast said, meeting his friend's eyes.
"NO!" Alex exclaimed as he realized where the situation was headed. "Hank, I won't leave you." He said, feeling his eyes watering.
Alex, please just... " Hank said weakly, but couldn't finish.
"No, don't Alex me. Get up soldier." He commanded and helped him pull himself up. They moved slowly for 10 minutes, each step was struggle for Hank. They had a med bay in the headquarters. If he could only get him there...
A few Sentinel Service agents turned around the corner and opens fire as soon as they saw they. Alex quickly let Hank drop to the ground and let the cosmic energy consume him. He fired blasts towards the attackers. The bullets that were shot were vaporizing in the hot plasma, before they had a chance to hit him. Alex moved ahead cutting the distance and sending another blast towards the agents. Soon they were all knocked out and Alex felt exhaustion taking over him.
He made his way back to Hank, trying to keep himself conscious. "Come on." He helped him up again and they continued walking. "Marvel Girl, can you hear me?" Alex asked at the comlink
"Loud and clear Havok, the perimeter is clear here." Rachel said from the other side of the connection
"Beast is hurt, I would need to get to the med bay, but... " He started, but a loud noise from the other end cut him off. "Marvel... are you there?" Alex asked, the worry increasing.
" They have brought Sentinels!" Rachel exclaimed and a a couple of throbbing noises could be heard.
"Damn it." Alex muttered to himself. "Rachel, try to escape them and head to the med bay, we will meet there.
"Roger that, stay safe." Rachel said "You too" Alex replied.
He swept through the corridors supporting Hank, which was getting harder by the minute due to his weight, but Alex brought himself to continue further. Sean was supposed to be at the bottom level, evacuating the refugees.
The Sentinel Services attack had been surprising and well organized. It had been well thought through and carefully executed. They hadn't had time to react and it had all escalated fairly quickly. The agents had caught some of the mutants, before they had had a chance to escape. Only a few of them had surrendered as if this would make it easier for them. Rachel, Sean, Alex and Hank had taken one floor of the building each, in order to protect it and fight the agents off. It had worked, but then the energy reaction had been cut off and the attackers had backed off. As Alex had supposed it had been a trap, which had intended to created a false feeling of safety. Havok had wanted to laugh at it. These agents really had thought they were that stupid, but alas they had another surprise. The shitty Sentinels. Faster, stronger and more durable than ever and... looking like spiders.
Both mutants reached the staircase and Alex went down, step by step, careful not to make harsh movements to Hank's sake. They stepped on the ground and Alex looked left and right to make sure the perimeter was clear. Of course, with their damned luck, three of the spider like creature were waiting for them in the left hallway. Havok quickly shoved Hank behind him muttering an excuse. The robots reached him the same second as he had turned to face them. Instinctively, he shot a blast at them, but it wasn't strong enough to destroy them. Alex felt the red energy crawling under his skin, the raw power and channeled it in all directions, disintegrating the Sentinels to bits and pieces. The glow faded and he saw black circles swimming before his vision. He blinked a couple of times and turned to Hank.
To his surprise, a few Sentinels were trying to claw over to him, but the beast was fighting them off with struggle. A wave of anger went through him and he launched himself ahead, to destroy the machines. Why couldn't they just leave them alone?
One blast, then another and it wasn't enough. His power levels had decreased a lot, since the beginning of the attack six hours ago. He focused another beam, from both hands, knocking back the Sentinels. The bleeding from Hank's wounds had increased and he looked like crap. A mechanical sound made him turn back. More Sentinels. 'They have got to be kidding me!' He thought and sent another wave of beams towards them. The first row or spiders, melted, but the others kept coming. There were dozens.
Alex took a deep breath, gathering the plasma in his hands. Havok was just about to send another wave of destruction, but the familiar sight of the orange telekinetic energy relieved him, even before he saw Rachel herself. She was hovering above the ground, tossing the machines around the hallway. A smile of comfort appeared on Alex's lips and he turned back to check if it was clear. When he was convinced, that in fact it was, Alex took a step forward sending another wave of blast towards the Sentinels, careful not to harm Rachel.
She managed to toss them all in the opposite end of the hallway, tearing some of their mechanical bodies apart. Now the path in front of Alex and Hank was clear. "Hurry!" She said and lifted Hank carefully in the air, using her telekinesis.
Alex and Rachel ran ahead, a few of the remaining Sentinels rushing behind them. Alex swore under his breath, but kept running. They turned around the corner and Rachel quickly pushed the red button on the control panel, which was attached to the wall. A heavy metal door came sliding down from the ceiling and splitted up the hallway with it's shutting.
They continued walking ahead, keeping their guard up, in case there was another danger coming. Quick steps echoed in the hallway, the source coming their direction. Alex's hands glowed with plasma at his command and he prepared for an attack. A familiar freckled face and blue eyes turned around the corned. Sean stopped, panting. "I was starting to get worried." He said and smiled, exhausted. "Let's go, Hank doesn't look well." Banshee said and Alex nodded, smiling back at him.
The medical bay was destroyed and the equipment was smashed to the ground, probably by Sentinel Services. The outcome didn't look good. Hank was bleeding heavily and they didn't have where to get him help from. Alex turned to Sean and Rachel. "We will have to get to the cars. There should be some place, where they could help him." He said and his friends nodded.
The first few room and corridors they had passed through were all clear, which was good. The exit was very near and Alex felt his adrenaline raising. They turned another corner and to their despair in the room were gathered a couple of agents, who immediately noticed them. Rachel put up a telekinetic shield to protect them. She put Hank on the ground, holding his wounds with her telekinesis. The bullets bounced of the shield.
"Rach, put it down." Banshee said and took a deep breath. Rachel did as she was told and Sean screamed. The agents fell on the ground clinching their heads. The group of mutants was just about to move forward, when more Sentinel Service agents fled in the room.
Alex, Sean and Rachel hold them off, trying to protect Hank, who was in no condition to fight, at the same time. When the last man was knocked out, a few more came in, accompanied by Sentinels. These people had solid back ups.
The fight continued. Alex was blasting every enemy he could lay his eyes upon, Sean and Rachel did the same. It was going well, the mutants fighting like a well-pitched machine.
A Sentinel managed to creep behind Rachel's back as she was fighting. Before Alex could attack it or warm his niece, the spider-like robot caught her leg and slammed her down on the ground. The impact made Rachel lose consciousness.
"Rachel!" Alex screamed and tried to reach her, but the creature was faster. It started to drag her quickly out of the room. Havok tried to blast it, but one of the agents nearby noticed and aimed his gun at him. Alex dodged the bullet in the last second and blasted the man away.
As he turned towards the direction, where Rachel was a minute ago, she was gone, along with the small Sentinel. Alex turned to Sean, who was fighting of the last agent in the room. He punched him in the face and then emitted a short scream, sending him to the ground. The wave of coming agents stopped and everything fell silent.
"They got Rachel." Alex said, gritting his teeth.
"We have to take care of Hank first." Sean insisted "If we don't find him help, he is going to die."
Alex nodded and headed over to his furry friend. The wounds were opened again and bleeding heavily. Two in the stomach area and one in the chest. The two men were about to pick him up, when Hank coughed loudly.
"It's too late, you won't make it in time." He said, his voice merely a whisper.
"Hank, you have to get up." Alex pleaded, feeling helpless. "We can make it."
"Alex!" Hank snapped. "Please stop." He said again, this time much weakly. His eyes began to close and Sean shook his shoulders.
"You can't give up Hank, not now" Sean insisted, sounding desperate.
"You have been great friends, both of you... even if me and Alex didn't start on great terms."Hank said with a faint smile.
He was dying... and there was nothing they could do. The realization hit him hard, like a lighting from a clear sky. His teammate, his best friend was lying in a small pool of his own blood and was dying. It was a miracle he had survived that long with three shot wounds, but Hank was stubborn and tough. Apparently as stubborn as you are, you can die. He didn't deserve it, but life wasn't fair. Sometimes the best of people die first.
Alex still remembered the nerd with the glasses that he had teased about his big feet. It seemed stupid to him then. A boy with a simple and harmless mutation as big feet to hide it and be ashamed of it. It was the opposite of Alex's destructive power set. It was pissing him off then. They had bonded afterwards, he, Hank and Sean becoming the best of friends and a great team. Alex couldn't lose his best friend, not after he had lost Scott. He felt the tears in his eyes, but refused to let them flow, refused to sink in the ocean of desperation.
"You were the bestest friend too, Hank." Sean said and tried to laugh, which came out more like a sob. His tears were flowing free down his cheeks.
Alex couldn't bring himself to say anything, the shadow of helplessness trying to drown him. He knew he should say goodbye to his friend.
" We had a rough start didn't we?" He laughed, the sound bitter and joyless.
" Yeah.. " Hank laughed as well, coughing blood. "You have to keep fighting, continue our dream, Charles's dream." Hank said. "I believe in you guys and... I love you both."
"We love you too." Sean said,his voice trembling and grief written all over his face."
"We love you Hank." Alex said, the words hard to say. He blinked, the tears slipping down his cheeks. "We will fight... we will fight. Rest in peace...bozo" Alex said, his body shaking.
A faint smile shone on Hank's face. "Goodbye." He said quietly and his eyes slowly closed.
"Goodbye." Alex and Sean both said.
Hank drew one last breath and exhaled slowly, life leaving his body. He didn't move anymore, didn't say anything else. Henry McCoy was dead.
Alex started at his friend's lifeless body, cursing Sentinel Services, cursing these bigoted flatscans, who couldn't see beyond their own two eyes. The person that shot Hank, had seen a big furry monster. This man couldn't be farther from the truth. He screamed from anger and helplessness, punching the wall. Sean was talking to him, but he couldn't hear him. He punched it again and again, shouting curses towards the murderers.
Alex woke up with a scream. Drops of sweat were rolling down his forehead and he looked around, panting. He realized, he was in his room and covered his face with his hands. The nightmare felt so real and the memory of it was vivid, like it had happened yesterday. He felt the pain in his chest increase, his heart was literally hurting.
It was light outside, so it he decided against trying to fall asleep again. He couldn't risk another nightmare like this one.
Alex put on his shirt and made his way downstairs. To his surprise most of the people were already up, doing their usual stuff.
"The Frosts will be here soon." Lorna said coming closer.
"Is everyone ready?" Alex asked and she nodded. He could see the question in her eyes. "I am fine, just a nightmare." He said and looked away.
"Do you want to talk about it? " She asked
"Not really. We have to go." He said and walked passed her.
"Alex!" Lorna called behind him, but he kept walking. He would apologize later.
It was rude and she didn't do anything wrong, but he couldn't discuss it now. It was too soon and the mission in hand was too important for distractions of any kind.
Two black cars parked in front of the headquarters. The three blond girls exited them, almost at the same time and faced the mutants from the Underground.
"Good morning. We hope you are ready." They said in unison per usual.
"We are." Alex answered directly and they all entered the cars, without much kindnesses, greetings and hesitation.
Clarice, Lorna, John, Marcos, Lauren, the Strucker parents and Sage were there for the mission. Alex could protest against Reed and Caitlin coming, because there was no point in them being there and could be huge liabilities, but John had obviously approved. Alex didn't had time to argue with Thunderbird's decisions, even if he wanted to.
The cars left the area of the headquarters and the wide, straight road spread out before them.
A/N:
I am really sorry for the late update, but has been keeping me very busy. I enjoyed writing this chapter, especially the dream sequence, because I love angst :) Hope you enjoyed it and I will try to update again next weekend. See ya!