Chapter 28
A Mobile Leader
Disclaimer: Same as before with a little extra added. Tommy 'Shark Man'/'Chilljaw' Sharpe is L1's! Forgot to mention that earlier.
Though it had taken some time and the inclusion of a specialized Science team familiar with Gamma Radiation, Scott, his brother, and a number of others had finally figured out where the large, mutated Marine life was coming from and who was doing it. Some had wanted to bring in Bruce Banner because of his experiences with Gamma Radiation but considering the explosive potential that had and the fact no one knew where he was at currently had kept it from happening. The fact that someone named Namor had yet to show up for the whole thing had been remarked as a Godsend and so far Scott had yet to find out much information on the mysterious 'Namor'. But Scott did make a few calls to Hank, Airtight, Forge, and the Delgado Triplets to help the Science Team figure out a safe way to remove the effects of the Gamma Radiation from the surrounding area as it'd been discovered to the horror of quite a few that the permanent means used to get rid of the terrors had been causing Gamma Radiation spikes in the Marine life.
Not to mention a few issues on land thanks to various Fishing expeditions and the like. And once a means had been developed to track down the source causing all the problems had been created, Scott and the Ruby Quartz had ventured out to track it down with two Navy Ships along for the ride and as well as those he had called in. Plus a few others. Leading to them to discover that the source was none other than a Mutated individual that calls himself 'The Leader' and for Airtight to reluctantly make a call to SHIELD to get them on their way to collect the Leader again once he was dealt with. Which… As everyone quickly found out, was proving to be more difficult than any of them would've liked thanks to the fact that the Leader's mobile platform was heavily armed.
That, and the Kraken like creature attacking them and one of the Navy ships had already been brought down because of it with Shark Man doing what he could to help prevent any deaths while fighting the Kraken like creature. "I think this guy needs a hobby." Grumbled Scott as he and several others fought their way through the Leader's army after using the Mass Device to get on board.
Alex had remained on the Ruby Quartz as the acting Captain until Scott returned and because of the offensive nature of his powers. "One that doesn't involve mutated Science Experiments." Added in Hank 'The Beast' McCoy with a frown on his face.
As this was not how Science should be used, darn it! It should also be noted that Leatherneck and Wet Suit had not too surprisingly made the whole thing into a tournament between themselves to see who would have the most scores for each take down they did from their part of the base. "This is The Leader! Do not let the invaders reach me! I repeat! Do not let them reach me! Use all means available to keep them from getting to me!" Called out the Leader over the intercom as yells and explosions were heard everywhere.
Quickly issuing an order for those with him to get behind him and once that was done, Scott let out a powerful attack of his Optic Blasts that decimated an entire hallway of the Leader's minions. Making the young man feel somewhat sick to his stomach and forced down the bile rising up in his throat as he and the others moved on. Though it wasn't long before they had more company but thankfully it wasn't as bad as the previous welcoming party had been. Before long, Scott was able to blast his way into the main control room of the mobile base and the Leader was none too happy with this! "How dare you come where you're not wanted!" He cried out angrily.
"How dare you use Science for your own twisted needs!" Beast retorted just as angrily.
"I don't expect a hairy Ape such as yourself and those with you to understand MY genius! But if my minions can not defeat you, then I will have to do so myself! Even if I do find it beneath me!"
Letting out a yell, the Leader charged him and Scott, not wanting to deal with this any longer than what he had too, blasted the man with his powers. Sending the green skinned Mutate flying back and into a section of controls. Causing sparks to occur in the process. "AUGH! THAT HURT!"
Forcing himself up, or at least trying too thank to how much pain he was in and wishing nothing but pain on his enemies, the Leader failed to see he had Cyclops quickly coming towards him. "And this will hurt even worse!"
"Huh!? Wha-oof!" And with one single punch, the Leader was knocked out cold and Cyclops nodded in a satisfied manner.
Beast, quickly seeing that the intercom system was still operable, quickly got word out that the battle was over as Cyclops put handcuffs on the unconscious Leader.
A Short Time Later
After watching a few SHIELD operatives take away the now awake and very unhappy Leader, Scott and Hank had returned to the docked Ruby Quartz to talk and catch up now that they were able to do so without anything in the way. "Well, it will be some time but I am of the belief that things will return to normal around here without the Leader's interference." Hank told him as the two enjoyed their Sodas.
Scott nodded in agreement. "I just wish we'd been able to find him sooner than what we had. Still… Its better than what you told me where Evan's concerned."
He couldn't believe that his friend and former team mate, one of the originals for crying out loud for that matter, had really been the one to murder Spears and fool everyone enough to the point he was able to be cleared of all charges. And that if it hadn't of been for Roadblock and Althea finding one of the teleport watches on the Xavier grounds, they'd have never known about it all. "Agreed. Ororo is taking it very hard." Hank said sadly.
They had had to take her somewhere as far from civilization as they could so that she could let out her emotions without causing serious problems in the process. Of course, that uninhabited island Shipwreck had known of would never be the same again but they'd had little choice in the matter. "I can only imagine."
"Indeed, my young friend, indeed. And if you don't mind my asking, what will you do now?"
"If you're wanting to know if I'll return to the Mansion and the X-Men after all this, I'm gonna have to disappoint you, Hank. As I'm still pretty much enjoying life away from there."
Momentarily frowning at that answer, Hank nodded in understanding seconds later at what he'd been told. "Understandable, my young friend. Just know that you will always be welcomed back warmly when you are ready."
"I know, but thanks, Hank." Scott told him with a smile.
One Hank returned and the two clinked their Soda cans together as a toast before deciding to watch the Sun set together in easy silence.
"By the way…"
"Yeah, Mr. McCoy?"
"What's with the rather old fellow who is among your crew? For the life of me I can't understand the majority of what he says!"
Scott chuckled at what he'd heard and sipped from his drink before speaking. "Oh, that's Skuggi, believe it or not, we came across him way out in the Ocean on a tiny little boat and he ended up joining us." Hank's eyes widened at that as he wondered how on Earth that old fellow had ended up in that predicament!
"I've slowly been learning his language since as you heard, his English isn't that great and he claims he's been alive since before Odin started the Norse Pantheon."
"My word, incredible! Is he a Mutant!?"
Scott shook his head in the negative. "Nah, we checked and he's Human."
"Fascinating! If his claims are true then its very possible he's speaking Proto-Norse or even a language before it!" Hank told the younger was simply going to have to converse more with the old fellow to learn more for this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up!
Scott grinned and chuckled at his Teacher's enthusiasm where Skuggi's concerned.
Author's Notes: Well, that was fun! While thinking about this re-write of the story and how Norse Mythology is getting popular in the last few years, I thought it'd be an interesting idea to include an OC who has been around since before the Norse Pantheon. Skuggi means shade or shadow and I thought it fit the character.