AN: Normally, I'd probably have more to tell you, at this point. But all I can think of; is that in this chapter, we will be exploring more of Jack's powers. Powers that Wolverine is well known for. As well as the ones that Jimmy Hudson; has been established to have. Also, this would be one of those times I mentioned; where the episodes would be in a different order. Traditionally, people would have you believe that the next episode to follow, of X-Men Evolution, would be "On Angel's Wings." However, according to the air dates, African Storm" was next.
So, episode wise. This chapter will take place, briefly, in the TFP episode of "Stronger, Faster." And then the X-Men Evolution episode "African Storm."
We will also be wrapping up what happens to Jamie. Last time, you got to see him uncover Jack and Arcee's secret. Now, you'll get to see what Jack does about that.
LET'S JUMP INTO IT!
Jack was currently lounging around the base. As luck would have it; Logan had something that he wanted to show him. So he only had a limited amount of time; before he had to go and meet up with him. Then, after that; he might as well, head down to The Institute. Things for Team Prime; were also pretty exciting, as of late. Jack had been told by Miko; that Bulkhead had discovered a formula for Synthetic Energon. This could be huge, for the Autobots. If they could perfect the formula; then they would never run out of Energon. They could make all they need.
That would mean, that they would always have the resources to; supply their troops with firepower. Or to provide first aid; to any of the Autobots, who have been critically injured. That would be unbelievably good. Especially since they're natural supply of Energon; was at an all-time low. Jack was walking with Raf; down one of the corridors of the base. He had heard from him; that Ratchet had tested the formula for Synthetic Energon, on himself. As a result, Ratchet was now faster; and stronger than he's ever been. He had become a one-bot army.
"So, are you going to The Institute, today?" Raf asked.
"Uh, eventually. Logan's picking me up. There's something that he wants to show me. And then I'm going to The Institute, right after." Raf had walked a few feet ahead of Jack. It's a good thing that he did. Because at that moment; Bulkhead came crashing through the wall. He slammed Jack against the adjacent wall.
"What was that?" Asked Arcee, as she and Bumblebee turned the corner.
"You have competition, Bulk! I'm a bit stronger than I used to be." Ratchet said. He walked out of the hole in the wall; looking as though he was raring for a fight. He was the one who threw Bulkhead through the wall. Raf looked around; and noticed that someone was missing.
"Wait! Where's Jack?" He asked.
"Between ten tons of steel, and a hard place." They all heard a muffled voice say. When Bulkhead got to his feet; Jack was revealed to be smooshed to the wall, behind him. He then fell down.
Raf ran towards him. "Jack!" He said, as he tried to help him.
"No problem. Metallic skeleton." Jack commented, as he got up; and his body started its healing process.
"Also a bit faster." Ratchet said, before he threw his fist out, in front of Bumblebee. "Think you can take me, muscle car?" Ratchet challenged. But Bumblebee just put up his hands, in defeat. It was clear that Ratchet was itching to prove himself. However, Bumblebee didn't want to be used as his next demonstration. "Whimp!" Ratchet mocked. "How about you, Jack? Let's see how tough those claws of yours, really are!"
"Sure! As soon as my internal organs are done healing; I'll get right back to you, on that!" He sarcastically said.
"Suit yourself." Ratchet then winked at Arcee; as he walked by her. "How's it humming?" He asked, on his way by. Ratchet's new attitude surprised everyone. But none more so, than Arcee. Ratchet, essentially, just made a pass at her.
"Did he just-" Arcee started to say.
"Stronger, faster, studlier." Bulkhead commented.
"Oh, of course! Don't even bother to apologize to the guy you almost turned into a Human whoopee cushion!" Jack shot towards Ratchet, offhandedly. But Ratchet was too far out of earshot, to hear him. Thank God, that Jack had his skeleton coated in metal, before the impact! Otherwise, the healing process; could have been much more messy. Later on, the Autobots discovered that the Decepticons found another Energon deposit. They asked if they should bring Ratchet with them. Optimus thought that would not be needed.
However, when Ratchet found out what they were doing; he volunteered himself for active duty. He said that Bumblebee could handle operating the Ground Bridge. So, with that settled; the Autobots rolled out. This left Jack, Raf, and Bumblebee; alone at the base. Not long after they left; Optimus requested a Ground Bridge, back to base. Ratchet was supposed to come home. He was there for half a second; before Jack and the others, saw him run back through the vortex. He tackled Bulkhead, and then ran off.
When the other Autobots got back; they explained what Ratchet did. Apparently, he tortured a Decepticon miner, for Megatron's location. He was then about to execute, said miner; until Optimus stopped him. He insulted Cliffjumper's memory, as well as Optimus. Now, he was in the wind. So, to sum up. Ratchet, essentially committed war crimes. He insulted his unit. Then he went AWOL. The bots tried to track him. But they couldn't get a fix on him.
"Can't get a fix on Ratchet's coordinates." Arcee stated.
"That bogus Energon, must be scrambling his signal." Bulkhead remarked.
"You see, kids; this is why you shouldn't do drugs!" Jack murmured.
They all turned to Jack. "What?" Arcee said.
"You all realize that Ratchet's, basically, going through the Cybertronian equivalent of roid rage, right?" By the looks on their faces; Jack could see that none of the bots, knew what he was talking about. So, he chose to elaborate. "Ratchet, is not himself, right now. He has started to treat the Synthetic Energon, as a narcotic. He has been abusing it. And now he is addicted to it. He has become hyperactive. He has displayed random outbursts of aggression. And he stopped listening to the people around him. Simply put, he's become a jerk.
My mom works at a hospital. And I've heard about things like this happening before. It's not too late for him to get help. But it will be difficult."
"How? How do we help him?" Bulkhead questioned.
"There's only one way back, for Ratchet. He has to go cold turkey." None of the bots understood that. "He has to stop taking the Synthetic Energon. You have to ease him off of it. Then, and only then; will he return to the Ratchet, that we can all stand to be around." After Jack finished explaining; Ratchet's signal, inexplicably came back online. The bots used the Ground Bridge, to go to his location. When they finally came back; they had with them, a badly injured Ratchet.
Ratchet was laying down, on a medical slab. He fought Megatron; but greatly overestimated his chances. This led him to have a hole in his chest. Thankfully, this expelled a great deal of the Synthetic Energon, from his system. This is what made it possible to locate him. His Energon was currently being replenished. Ratchet apologized for his actions. Optimus said that they couldn't afford losing him. Not as a medic; or, as a friend. Optimus did tell him the one good thing to come out of this. Ratchet had led them to a much-needed Energon supply.
Ratchet now understood, that the Synthetic Energon formula needed to be refined; before it could be tested again. On machines, not Autobots. Today's events, had been difficult for everyone. Jack wanted to stay; to make sure that his friends were ok. But then he remembered, that he had to leave. Plus, there wasn't much that he could do for Ratchet, at this point. So, he left; with Arcee following him.
For some unknown reason; when Jack met up with Logan, he had them ride their motorcycles, to some secluded forest. The forest was quite a long drive from Jasper. It had trees; that looked like they went on for miles. Green grass, everywhere. Lastly, there were some mountains, off in the horizon. "Ok. I don't get it. We drive for miles; and then come to a stop, in a forest? What are we doing here?" Jack asked.
"There's a lot you can learn at The Institute. But I wanted to teach you something, specifically about our powers. Look at where we are! Tell me what you see!"
Jack wasn't sure what he wanted him to say. "Trees. Mountains. Maybe there's a field, somewhere, down there."
"We're not like other people, Jack. Even by Mutant standards. Our five senses, have been heightened; to super-human levels. Every sense that a normal person has; will become amplified, in you. They're more comparable to an animal's enhanced senses. Take your sight, for instance. You should be able to see farther, and more clearly; than anyone else. Even when it gets dark. Almost as if you have night vision. Focus, and give it a try!"
Jack knew that his dad and him, shared similar powers. So he gave it a shot. When he focused his vision; he could see things, so much better than before. He could see the smallest insects, in the grass. He could see animals running, off in the distance. When he looked high in the sky; he could see a bird, flying overhead. He focused his sight; and could easily identify the bird. It was a hawk. "Whoa! This is incredible!" Jack remarked.
"Good. Now, extended your other senses! What do you hear? What do you feel?" Jack opened himself up to his hearing, and sense of touch. He told his dad everything he could hear, and feel. He could hear the sound of birds chirping. The sound of twigs snapping, all around him. He could actually feel the wind changing direction. It all felt, liberating. It was like he had finally opened himself up to the rest of the world.
"I've found that my most powerful sense; is my sense of smell. Properly used, it won't just make you a good tracker. But it will also help you to form a sort of, mental image, inside your head. With that, you will be able to see where others have gone; and what they have done. It'll be the same as if you were there to see them do those things, in the first place." Logan instructed. The smells around Jack, were so strong; that they almost overtook him.
He got a whiff of something; and decided to follow it, over to some trees. "It smells like a wet dog, marked this tree." An image of a dog, appeared in his head. He followed it around. Upon further analysis; it didn't make a lot of sense for a dog to be in the woods. When Jack realized this; it stopped smelling like a dog. "No, wait! It's not a dog. It's, a wolf!" Jack said, with worry. The image of the dog; morphed into that of a wolf. Jack tracked the image; to a spot, directly behind them. Where it was replaced, by an actual wolf.
The wolf growled at them. Jack wanted to pull out his claws; to defend himself. Logan picked up on this, and stopped him. "No! Don't do that!"
"Are you kidding?" Jack questioned.
"Don't act hostile! Breathe calm, and slowly! And above all else; follow my lead!" Logan ordered, before he approached the wolf; and got down on his knees. Jack, reluctantly, followed suit. They both displayed calm demeanors. Soon, the wolf stopped growling. It then chose to leave them alone.
"How did you do that?" Jack asked, as they both got up.
"Charles classifies it as "Animal Empathy." It's one of our abilities. Basically, it allows animals to get a sense of your emotions, and your intentions. All you have to do; is show no anger, and no fear. If you do that; then the animals can decide whether or not, you're a threat. We're a part of nature, Jack. When you accept that; the animals will accept it too." That was a very useful trick that Logan taught him. As long as Jack remembered that; then he shouldn't have a problem with any dangerous animals.
"Now, down to the real reason we're out here." Logan said, as he pulled out a jacket. Jack recognized that particular piece of clothing.
"Hey! That's mom's. Why do you have it?"
"I asked June if I could borrow it. She let me have it; once I told her that I was going to use it for your training. Don't worry! I'll give it back; the next time I see her. The point of us being out here. Is that I want to make sure that you can survive. If you can navigate the terrain that you find yourself in; then you'll never get lost. I'm going to go into the woods. Let's see if you can find me; with smell, alone! This has your mom's sent on it. Use it, to track me! Here, get a good whiff of it!" Logan said, as he tossed the jacket to his son.
Jack started sniffing the jacket. "Have you got it?" Logan asked.
"Got it." Jack answered.
"Good." Logan responded, before he took the jacket back. "Now, wait five minutes! And then come looking for me!" His dad instructed. Jack gave his dad a head start. Then, when the five minutes were up; he went after him. For the first twenty minutes; Jack was stumbling through the forest. A few minutes later; the scent led him to a tall tree. Jack looked up the tree; and could see his dad, with the jacket. Logan jumped down. "That took you thirty minutes.
Not bad. Considering that it was your first time tracking anyone. Now, come on! Let's head to The Institute!"
"You go ahead! I know where The Institute is. I'll catch up." Jack said.
"You sure?" Asked Logan.
"Yeah." Responded Jack.
"Alright." Logan said, before he started to leave. Jack waited for a while; and then he headed back to where he left Arcee. With Logan gone; they could now use the Ground Bridge, to get to The Institute.
When Jack got to The Institute; he ran into Bobby. "Hey, Bobby! How's training going?"
"Pretty good, in fact. Ever since you got here. I think that Logan's gotten, happy. Or, at least, happier." Bobby clarified.
"Happy?" Jack asked.
"Yeah. You must've noticed. Usually, he's like a drill sergeant. But lately, he's been giving us breaks. And I think I caught him smiling, once or twice. Bottom line. I think that you being here; has been good for him." Bobby then walked off. This made Jack think. Did he really have that much of a positive effect on Logan? Jack was only beginning to get to know his dad. But to think, that Logan would be so excited; just by the mere presence of Jack.
Jack saw a bunch of The New Mutants, talking in a group. He walked over, to say hi. "Yeah, right, Jamie!" Roberto Da Costa said. His code name was "Sunspot." He had the power to absorb solar radiation. He could then use it to make himself stronger, and fly.
"But I'm telling you! I saw it! With my own eyes!" Jamie defended.
"Hey, guys! What's going on?" Jack asked.
"Oh, Jack. You're just in time. Jamie, here; says that he saw your motorcycle turn into a giant robot. And then he claims, that the two of you; walked through a big green portal." Roberto said. This gave Jack pause. Jamie must have seen him, and Arcee; leaving The Institute, at some point. Jack had to think of something, fast! Then an idea came to him.
"I think I know what's going on, here. Not many people know this. But back in Jasper; I'm kinda a member of a science fiction club. It's a new thing, for me." Jack was hoping that they would buy this excuse. He remembered that that's what his mom thought; before she found out about the bots. "Me and my crew, came up with a what if scenario. It was all about what would happen; if the Earth was visited by alien robots, that could turn into vehicles. I shared this with Jamie. But I guess he took it a little too far. Now he thinks my motorcycle's alive."
Jamie tried to tell everyone that, that wasn't true. But everyone thought that he was making it up. Nobody took his word for it. "Come on, Jamie! I think you and I, need to have a reality check." Jack said, as he dragged Jamie with him. When they were alone; Jack began to question him. "Alright, Jamie! What did you see?"
"The day you brought your friends to The Institute; I saw you leaving, with your motorcycle. I went after you. Then I saw your motorcycle turn into a robot. You both went through a green vortex. And then you disappeared." Jamie finished. Jack knew that it was only a matter of time; until something like this happened. But still, he had to find a way to deal with this.
"Look, Jamie! I can explain this. I promise! And I will. But in the meantime. You can't tell anyone else about this. Do that, and I'll tell you everything. But please! Just give me some time! I need a day, maybe two. There are some people that I have to talk to first." Jamie accepted these terms. Jack then went to the garage; to go talk to Arcee.
"Arcee! I have some bad news. One of the students, that goes here; saw you transform."
"WHAT?" She shouted. Jack reminded her not to be so loud.
"Yeah. His name is Jamie. He saw us leave, the other day."
"Jack, this is serious!"
"I know. But if you think about it. We both knew that this was an eventuality. Someone was bound to find out, sooner or later."
"What are we going to do?" She asked.
"I think we have to tell him everything. Maybe even take him to meet the other Autobots."
"Tell me you're joking!"
"Arcee, I'm confident that we can get him on our side. Plus, I don't see how we have much of a choice. You really want to see how this plays out; if we do nothing?" It bothered her, that Jack had a point. But, she reluctantly agreed to his plan. After everything was set up; they would then deal with Jamie. Jack eventually found himself, in the sub basement. That's where he met up with Rogue.
"Hey, Rogue!"
"Hey, Jack!"
"So, did you tell Scott about how you feel; since I was last here?"
"No. Not yet." She answered.
"Would you like me to do it for you?"
"NO!" She yelled.
"Take it easy! I was just joking! Sort of. Maybe we could come up with a plan; to get the two of you alone, together. Then, you could just be honest with him." Rogue thought that this was different. She hadn't known Jack, for that long. But, he was strangely invested, in her happiness. Before the issue could be pressed any further; Evan bursted out of the Danger Room. He didn't look happy. He had a bad training session with his aunt. "Evan! What's going on?"
He told Jack, that his Auntie O; was freaking out. All because she got locked in a box. Even though, she managed to break out of it. Jack didn't quite understand. So, Evan, and Rogue; explained it to him. They told him that; Storm has always had a problem with tight spaces. "I didn't know that Storm was a claustrophobic. But I guess it makes sense. If you really stop, and think about it." Jack added.
"What do you mean?" Evan inquired.
"Well, I'm no psychologist. But given that her code name is Storm. And considering the nature of her powers. It kinda makes sense. Think about it! Her powers, typically have an area effect. That's how a storm works. It has room to grow. But once the area is taken away; its power becomes restricted. She might feel suffocated. It'd be like, shoving lightning into a bottle." That was very insightful of Jack.
Later that night; Ororo was tossing and turning, in her bed. It was hard for her to sleep peacefully. She felt as if, someone was in her room, watching her. "No! Stop! Stay back!" She mumbled, in her sleep. "STAY BACK!" She shouted, as she shot up from her bed. Logan had heard her shouts. He came into her room, extended his claws; and checked for signs of an intruder. He even checked the balcony.
Then, Kitty phased through the wall. "Ororo! Are you ok?" She asked.
"Someone was in here." Ororo said.
Then The Professor rolled in. "Logan?" Charles asked for his assessment.
"Nothin." Logan informed them. He didn't see anybody; and there was no sent to be found.
"Check the security system! Just in case." The Professor ordered.
"I heard shouting! What going on?" Jack asked, as he came into the room; with his claws already extended.
"Everything's fine. You two, just go back to bed!" Logan told them.
Everyone left the room; except for Charles, and Ororo. When Jack was out of the room; he saw Evan, leaning against the wall. He was eavesdropping on his aunt's conversation. Jack walked a little down the hall, before he stopped. He felt kind of guilty about this. But he used his enhanced senses; to also, listen in on the conversation. Because of this; he heard them talking about Evan. The Professor asked if her recent troubles; had anything to do with her nephew.
She said that he was showing less regard for school. His training. Even his aunt. This made Charles suggest; that maybe the best thing for Evan, would be to send him home. To have Ororo's sister, come, and pick him up. Ororo saw wisdom in this. Evan ran back to his room, in shame. Jack didn't feel much better about this. Evan was her family; and it was like she was giving up on him.
Later in the day, Charles was rolling down the hallway; when he felt a drop of water, land on his head. The leak was coming from an upstairs bathroom. The door was locked. But that didn't stop Kitty. When she got inside; she saw Ororo, on the floor. She was in bad shape. She let the bath water run for too long. That's why there was a leak in the ceiling. She had become such a nervous reck; that she didn't even turn it off. Then Jack, The Professor, and Jean; all showed up. The Professor, and Jean; asked if there was anything they could do to help her.
Ororo thanked them; but said that their was nothing that they could do. While this was going on; Jack inspected the room. He used his senses; in the way that Logan had previously shown him. He sniffed the air; and got a mental picture of what happened. Ororo was preparing a bath. She went to get a bottle, out of the cabinet; when something spooked her. Jack then saw the broken cabinet mirror. He told The Professor about it; who responded with a shocked look, on his face.
After that, Evan was in his room; packing up his things. Ororo came into the room. "Then you know?" She asked.
"Yeah, I know. When is she coming for me?" He asked, in regards to his mom.
"Tomorrow morning." His aunt answered.
"No big deal! It's not like anybody's gonna care!" He said, with obviously hurt feelings.
"That's not true, Evan. You just, never let any of them get close to you."
"Hey! I'm fine with it! I better get to school; so I can clean out my locker." Evan gave his aunt, his X-Men uniform; and then stormed out of the room.
"Truth be told. I can't really say that I'm surprised at his reaction." Ororo turned to see Jack, standing in the doorway. "Super hearing." Jack said, as he tapped his ears. "I'm still getting used to all this. But one thing I find; is that super senses, come in handy. Based on everything I've heard. It sounds to me; that Evan might feel like you've given up on him."
"I haven't given up. I would never give up on him."
"Does he know that? Ororo, sometimes people need to hear certain things, be said. It would probably mean the world to Evan; to know that you believe in him. Because, as of right now; he feels more alone, than anyone else here. He wasn't the only one who heard your conversation, the other night. The Professor suggested that he leaves. And you didn't argue with him. Not even for one second. You know; looking back on it. There might have been times when I was a handful for my mom too. But she never gave up on me.
Even if there were moments; where she felt as if I was pulling away from her. She never stopped believing; that I was meant to do great things. Evan's your family. And you don't ever give up on family. So, if you want to fix things, with him. Then talk to him! Really, talk to him! Give him, the chance to do better! You'd be surprised at how much good that does." Jack said, before he started to leave.
"Jack!" Ororo said; stopping him, in his tracks."Thanks!" She commented, with gratitude.
Jack smiled. "No problem. It's what I'm here for." He said, before leaving.
When school got out; the X-Men informed Jack, that they tried to help with Evan's problem. They thought that if they all rallied together; that they could change The Professor's mind. But Evan just blew them off.
At night, Ororo was remembering her past. Years ago, in Africa; she was revered as a goddess. Everyone loved her, for her power. When the village suffered from a drought; she could provide rain. The Hungan was the only one that didn't like her. He was the tribe's Shaman. But when Ororo arrived; they looked to her, instead of him. When the flashback ended; she saw that there were snakes, that were now at her feet. In fear, she flew up into the sky. From up there; she could see Evan, running away.
She got down on the ground. "Evan, wait! Don't run away!" But it was foggy, outside; and Evan just seemed to disappear, into the night. Fortunately, the whole thing was seen, by Jack. He offered to help her find her nephew. There was a man, who stepped out of the fog. He had on a tribesman outfit. He was a friend to Ororo; back when she lived in Africa. She wasn't expecting to see him again.
The man began to speak. "You must turn back! It is not safe!"
"Where's Evan? What have you done? Evan!" She said, as she went past him; and continued to look for Evan. Jack was worried; so he went with her.
"No! The Hungan has come for you!" He warned. It was unclear, if she heard him. But Jack definitely did. As they were looking for Evan; they were then pursued by tribesmen. They were the henchmen of the Hungan. When Evan was scaling the fence; he saw them being chased. He grew concerned. It got to the point where Jack and Storm, stopped running. Jack pulled out his claws. He was ready for a fight. "LEAVE US ALONE!" Storm shouted, as she surrounded her body with lightning.
The tribesmen circled them; until one managed to shoot her in the neck, with a blow dart. She fell to the ground, unconscious. "Storm!" Jack called out, before he tried to get to her. However, he too; also got shot with a blow dart. Thanks to his healing factor; it wasn't enough to knock him out. It did make him feel a little dizzy though. Enough to make him collapse. He could only watch, powerless; as they took Storm away. When Evan found him; his healing factor had already pushed most of the drug, out of his system.
"Jack, what happened? Where's Auntie O?"
"There was this man. He said that the Hungan was after her."
"What's that mean?" Evan questioned.
"I don't know. That's just what he said. Some guys showed up, and took her. I guess they worked for the Hungan. I tried to help her, Evan. I swear I did!"
"I know. Let's just focus on getting her back." Evan said, as he helped Jack, to The Institute. When they got back; they told The Professor what happened. The X-Men were assembled, to save Storm. Storm awoke, to find herself, in a big box. She didn't like that.
"NO! LET ME OUT! PLEASE! LET ME OUT!" She screamed, as she pounded on the walls. She tried zapping the walls, with lightning. But that didn't work either. Then came a panic attack. She then gave in to despair; and sat down. All the fight; had been sucked out of her. The lid of the container; had been opened, revealing the Hungan.
"Your spirit has been broken, Wind Rider. And now, I can take it from you!" The Hungan begin to speak some magic words. As a result of this; Storm's Spirit was sucked out, and went into his staff. "Where is your power now, goddess?" He then closed the crate. Logan had managed to track Storm, to the docks. He informed the others of this. But he was intent on not waiting for them. He pulled out his claws; and immediately began tracking someone. He grabbed a hold of a man; and pinned him against a crate.
It was the same man who came to warn Storm, about the Hungan. "Where is she, Bub? I won't ask twice!" Logan interrogated.
"I, I tried to save her." The man said.
"From what?" Logan inquired.
"The Hungan." He answered.
The other X-Men showed up. Even Jack was there; wearing his suit. They wanted to know where the Hungan was keeping Storm. He told them that she was being held, in a crate, aboard a ship. He had also told them; that he had captured her spirit, in his staff. It was revenge; for turning the village against him, ten years ago. With her power; he would rule over all of Africa. The X-Men were now racing to her rescue. The Hungan's henchman, tried to stop them. They fired blow darts at them.
"Not this time!" Jack said, as he pulled out his claws; and began deflecting the darts. Some of the others; were also able to deflect the darts. One of the tribesmen, threw a spear. Nightcrawler was able to dodge it. But it pinned Rogue to a crate, by her uniform. One of the henchmen; came rushing at her, with a machete.
She managed to tear free from the spear; and deliver a powerful kick, to his gut. This sent him flying back. "We can stop em. Just gotta move fast." Rogue said. It was hard to see their enemies, in a fog. But not for the likes of Jack, and his dad. They used their claws, to shred the henchman's weapons. One of them; was dragging Shadowcat, with their whip. She managed to phase out of it; and deliver to him, a jumping kick. When all the henchmen were defeated; the X-Men made their way to the ship.
Wolverine and Spyke, found the container; and opened it up. But Storm wasn't in it. "You're too late." The Hungan said. He was on the upper deck. Wolverine jumped after him. But Storm blasted him, with a bolt of lightning. It sent him hurtling down, to the lower deck. He landed, very roughly. The Hungan had control over Storm. She was flying in the air; and shooting lightning, at the remaining X-Men. Jack was tracking her movements. He saw that her next attack; was aimed right at Rogue.
"ROGUE, LOOK OUT!" Jack yelled, as he stepped in the way, to protect her. The lightning hit Jack, dead on. It sent him flying to the ground. He laid there, motionless.
"JACK!" Rogue shouted, as she rushed to him.
Everyone ducked for cover. But all Evan could remember thinking; was that his aunt was counting on him. He got up; and pulled some of his spikes out. He was looking for the Hungan. It was difficult to see him; in all that fog. Luckily, all he had to do; was listen for the sound of his voice. Then, he zeroed in on him. "You're toast, dude!" He said, as he fired his spikes. The spikes made contact with his staff, and shattered it. This released Storm's spirit. Once she regained control; she knew what she had to do.
"You want my powers, Hungan? HERE'S MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE!" Storm yelled. She created a massive gust of wind; that blew the Hungan away. When he was gone; the weather returned to normal. Even the fog had been lifted. Storm fell out of the sky. Only for Evan to catch her.
"It's okay, Auntie O. He's gone." Evan reassured her. Although, their peace of mind, was short-lived.
"SOMEBODY, HELP!" Rogue cried out. This got Evan; and Storm's attention. Rogue was on her knees; next to Jack's motionless body. She pulled off his mask; to get a better look at his face. "Professor, he's hurt, real bad! I don't think he's breathing!" Rogue said.
Storm put her hand over her mouth, in shock. "What have I done?" She asked herself, in regret.
Jack woke up, in the infirmary. His dad was standing by his bed. He had been waiting patiently, this whole time; for Jack to wake up. "You've been out, for a couple hours, now. Apparently, when you got zapped; your heart stopped beating, for a while. But after a little time went by; it started up again. And it's a good thing that it did.
If you died; your mom would kill me. That, and I don't think I'd be able to live with myself; if something had happened to you!" Logan said, as he placed his hand on his son's shoulder. Jack could see the sincerity, behind his dad's eyes. When the others heard that Jack was awake; they all wanted to see him.
Rogue was the first one to come in the room. She rushed over to Jack; and threw her arms around him. She was careful, not to let any of her skin, touch his. Jack heard the sound of her, sobbing. He could feel her trembling. He started to rub her back; in a soothing motion. "It's alright! I'm ok!" He told her.
She pulled back; with tears in her eyes. "I thought you were dead!" She said.
"Believe it or not; I've survived far worse. Although, getting struck by lightning. That's a new one, for me. It probably wasn't a good idea; to have a metal skeleton, at the time." Jack didn't remember much about being zapped. It all happened so fast. Then, after that; he was immediately knocked unconscious. The metal around his bones; might have acted like a lightning rod. Sending the electricity; all throughout his body.
"You saved my life!" Rogue said.
"I'm just glad you're alright!" Jack responded.
"I don't get it. We haven't even known each other, for that long. Why are you always so nice to me?" She asked.
Her question, puzzled Jack. It caused him to ask one of his own, in return. "Do I really need a reason to be nice to one of my friends?" Rogue has had friends before. But not all of them did; what Jack has done for her. It was such a simple matter, for Jack. Rogue was someone important to him; and he wanted to be good to her. That's what friends do. They help each other. When one friend is happy; the other is happy for them. If one of them isn't happy; then the other tries to help them be happy. That is friendship 101.
Soon after, The Professor, Jean, and Ororo; all came into the room. Ororo was the first to speak. "Jack, I'm sorry for the role I played, in hurting you!"
"It wasn't your fault. The Hungan made you do it. You had no control over your actions."
"Also, I wanted to tell you; that you were right. I took your advice. I talked to Evan. We all agreed, that he should be given another chance. So, he's staying at The Institute. You said that it felt like I was giving up. Maybe you were right. But because of your advice; we were finally able to clear the air."
"I didn't do anything special." Jack claimed, modestly.
"Yes, you did. And thank you! You tried to help. You put us on the right path. Now, my connection to Evan, is stronger. You're a good friend, Jack. And I'm sure that you're a good son too. Your mother would be very proud of you; if she knew the things you've done, here, today.
"I hope so!" He said.
"Well, I know so." Ororo stated.
After that, The Professor wanted permission to look into Jack's mind. Although his body healed from the lightning strike. Charles wanted to make sure that there wasn't any neurological damage. Jack said it was ok. The Professor placed his hands on his temples; and began the mind probe. However, he met resistance. The Professor couldn't get in. After a minute of trying, he gave up. He then asked Jean, to give it a try. She tried to probe Jack's mind. But the results were the same. She couldn't get in.
"That's curious." The Professor said.
"What's curious?" Jack asked.
"It seems we can't read your mind. If I was to hazard a guess. I'd say that your powers; are protecting you from any telepathic interference." The Professor reasoned.
"Does that mean that the only voice I'll ever hear, in my head, is my own?" Jack inquired.
"It appears so." Charles remarked. Thanks to this, Jack found out; that he was essentially, immune to telepathy. Possibly, also mind control. When Jack felt strong enough; he got out of bed. No one would have faulted him; for choosing to take things slow. But he had a promise to keep. He searched The Institute; until he found Jamie. He brought him to the garage. Thankfully, no one else was using it, at the moment. Jack stood with him; in front of his motorcycle.
"This is the guy I told you about. We can't avoid it, any longer. You have to show him, now!"
After saying that; his motorcycle started to transform. It's metal began to move, and shift; until it took the form of a feminine looking, robot. "Jamie, this is Arcee. She's a robot. Ok, an alien robot." Jack corrected.
"Wow!" Jamie remarked.
Jack gave a brief explanation, on where Arcee comes from. As well as telling him about the Autobots, and the Decepticons. But no matter how much Jack explained it. He figured that showing Jamie; would probably be better than any explanation, that he could offer him. "You know, Jamie. There's some friends of ours; who could probably explain things, a lot better than we could. What do you say? Do you want to meet them?" Jack asked.
Jamie thought about it, for a moment. "Sure. Why not?" He answered. Then Arcee made a call for a Ground Bridge. A swirling green vortex appeared. The three of them stepped through it; and then they were gone. On the other side of the portal; the three of them were now at the Autobot's base. Jamie looked around; and saw the other Autobots. Each one was bigger than the last. "Whoa! Cool!" Jamie stated. Raf and Miko, saw Jack bringing someone new, to base; for the second time.
"Jamie, meet Team Prime!" Jack said. Jamie split himself into multiple copies; so he could introduce himself to every member of Team Prime, all at once. The bots, weren't expecting that. A kid, who can multiply himself; might take some getting used to. Jack could just tell; that this was going to be a long explanation.
AN: Now, one of the X-Men, knows the secret. Truth be told. Some of this chapter; was actually pretty fun for me to write. I enjoyed writing about the Wolverine powers. It's important for you all to know; that I took no liberties with that. Everyone of Wolverine's powers, that I mentioned; is from one form of Canon, or another. I read that Wolverine's eyesight, is very good; even in the dark. He can track people, by their scent. Even if the scent has been eroded, by time.
As for the ability to project a mental image, in his head. I saw Logan being able to do that; in an episode of Wolverine and the X-Men. Jack's resistance to telepathy; is actually one of Jimmy Hudson's abilities. In the comics, Jimmy was supposed to be resistant to mind probes. That could, theoretically; also make Jack immune to mind control. So, I made nothing up. Everything is accurate. I also liked writing the scene, in the infirmary.
Anyway, just remember; that if you didn't like something about this chapter. Then that's all you have to say. Don't go out of your way, to be jerks, in the reviews! Be honest, but fair!
STAY AWESOME!