The Center of Inquisition - Underground Cells
The drive there had been mercifully quick, at least it felt that way, the drugs certainly helped pass time since most of the trip they where passed out.
When Connor woke up with a startled jerk, his body laying down on an ice cold stone floor, it was pitch black, no light but a faint stream that crept in beneath the crack at the bottom of the iron cell doors. Connor yanked his body off the cold ground, but his arms where yanked hard when he tried to pull away from the wall he was facing, cold metal suddenly felt about his wrists. Madison's body was unconscious nearby, but on the opposite side of the small cell, and there was another scent, just to Connor's left. The feral's supreme eyesight enabled him to see in the utmost pitch blackest of rooms without the need for any trace of light. So the little slip of light that came from beneath the door was more then enough to help Connor see.
"First time this happened, yeah, it was scary.. second time, it was confusing, now? Now it's bloody annoyin'." Connor didn't normally speak so poor English, but it was hard not to sometimes slip when your father has such an odd accent and you hear it almost every day while growing up. He sounded dazed, and groggy, as if still half asleep, Connor's bright eyes stared at the stone wall, reaching out and pressing his palms against the cold and rough surface. There was a distinct anger in his drowsy tone, and a keen interest in meeting their captors. The Enright's may not like physical contact with others, but they didn't mind thrashing some adamantium claws about. Even if Madison's adamantium fusion process had been interrupted, resulting in only her bone claws and the lower part of her arm (where their claws are stored while inside their bodies) being coated in the theoretically indestructible metal.
There was a only a meter's length in the chains that held his hands to the wall, enabling him to be laying or standing yet not enough for any real movement. Their hearts where beating, Connor's mind still felt fogged over, hazy thoughts of what had happened to him drifted through his mind as he tried to figure out what lead to him being here.
"Madison." Connor whispered quietly, he felt ill, and he didn't like feeling ill, he wasn't used to it, his mutation kept him from getting ill, he hated them for making him feel so weak and helpless. He snarled angrily at his state of captivity, wanting to go over and see if his sister was alright, her health currently taking priority over the other he didn't know. There was a sound of metal rushing against metal, a sharp 'snickt' from where Connor stood in the otherwise soundless room. The blades of his adamantium claws that sliced through the skin of his knuckles cutting through the metallic chains that held him with a powerful thrust of his hand. Of course it meant he still had the shackles about his wrists but at least now he could move.
"Madi... Madison?" Her healing factor wasn't as powerful as Connor's, so that meant it was probably taking slightly longer for the drugs to wear off then it did for him, "Wake up, you know you'll hate it if they see you like this," He lifted her from where she laid and sat her up against the wall, "For starters, you have messy hair, which is a quality belonging to Arisa, you want them to think you're trying to impersonate her out of admiration?" Although he was teasing her, there was a slightly desperate tone in his voice, though his worried look was near impossible to see in the dark, unless she was still with his heightened senses, but he had no clue for the length of time since she last absorbed his abilities.
"Alright, now you're pushin' it sis, remember I have that picture of you smiling, imagine what people will say, especially if I give multiple copies to Frostbite, everywhere you look, a smiling Madison will be looking back," His voice was a little shaky, even though he was struggling to try and make it sound as if he was still just playing around. Connor had the habit of joking around the more scared he got, either that or he'd fly into an uncontrollable rage, depending on who was around him.
TBC: Michael & Madison
Madison.
A speedy recovery had never been Madison’s thing, although her healing factor was still quicker than a normal person it still annoyed her that it took that little bit longer for her to recover from wounds and everything else that you can recover from, like drugs. Sometimes she could absorb others fast healing abilities, but when she needed them most her mind was running on anger to think straight and she’d end up using her slower healing ability other than the speedy absorbed one.
As the drugs slowly began to wear off, Madison slowly drifted out of the slumber the drugs had put her in. Of course, she didn’t wake up as quickly as her older brother had but she could hear noises around her. Well, they were more deep mumbles to her ears than anything else, but at least it beat staying unconscious from the drugs.
After hearing more mumbles she felt her body being lifted, but still being half asleep Madison couldn’t tell who it was. Luckily it was Connor, otherwise she would have been angry that someone had touched her, even though the feeling of being moved wasn’t really registering as her brain slowly resumed consciously functioning.
Hearing talking once more the deep mumbles seemed to alter into a familiar voice, though the words were still remained as mumbles. It took a moment for her brain to register the voice, though there was nothing she could do but listen as her eyelids remained far to heavy to open and her body felt slightly numb to move, so speaking wasn’t an answer.
Again, mumbles from her brother were heard, though some words became clearer as Madison slowly woke up a little more in the passing moments. Finally she gave a sign of waking with a sleepy groan, something similar to what she did when someone woke her up in the morning. From there Madison wanted to wake fully, shifting about a little against the wall as if that would try and help.
"Frostbi-… Don’t…" The way Madison let the words out made her sound as if she were sleep talking, but she wasn’t going to let Connor get away with whatever he had planned, for she had only heard the words ‘picture’, ‘you smiling’ and ‘copies to Frostbite’. It was typical of Madison to reply to something like that before even realising where she was.
Slowly her eyelids became lighter and raised slowly before Madison blinked a few times. That wasn't due to the brightness, there wasn’t any in this place, but her eyes stung a little as they first opened and then they had to adjust to the darkness. A little luck on Madison’s side as she had absorbed Connor’s vision and could see, but with the drugs yet to fully wear off she couldn’t see properly.
Even though her sight wasn’t one hundred per cent, Madison forced her eyes to look around though she didn’t notice that the Enright’s had company in their cell. As Connor had said before, her hair was a mess, though it was only mumbles to Madison’s ears, she noticed the uncomfortable feeling of hair coating her face. Raising her right hand to brush it away she felt weight tugging on her wrist and heard the rattle of chains. Her left hand instantly reached for the rights wrist, feeling same tugging on her other hand as it felt the cool metal on them. With that taking up a lot of energy for the drugged mutant, Madison’s arms dropped to their respective sides and she let out a stressed kind of sigh. What had happened?
"… Where… What happened?" Her words remained groggy but Madison felt as if she knew the answer, an annoyed groan escaped from Madison as she pushed her head against the wall. She had come to believe that A Corp was behind it, since they had already captured the siblings once before coating all of Connor's bones with metal and planned to do the same to Madison, but only gettng as far as completing her hands. Then another time a demon had cast a spell to make Madison befriend her, though Madison was teleported to safety while Connor was captured on that occasion. "They’ve done enough already…" She complained, knowing the were captured and she felt to tired to move, but the sense of it was yet to sink in. Once it did, Madison wouldn’t remain sitting there in a weak state. Even if she felt weak she wasn’t going to let anyone else see it, let alone think it. But now she just closed her eyes hoping that her energy would return and she could be fully aware before anything else happened.
Michael.
It was cold, dreadfully cold, the surface beneath him hard and unforgiving. The agony in his right leg had eased somewhat. *Painkillers* he thought groggily *What would I do without them? Must have dosed me up recently, wonder why. So cold. Strange, its usually too hot in the lab. Maybe I’m sick again. That must be it. They’ve put me somewhere cold to break the fever. No! No that’s not right, there’s something else Something bad. Must remember, its important. Something about a car, a big black car and someone else, someone in the car…… *
Michaels thoughts slowly struggled to the surface, jumbled and incoherent at first but clearing, definitely clearing. *George! He’s taking me somewhere to sell me, big risks big money. And I’m not the only one. He put me in the car and it hurt so much. Still does. Always does. Passed out.
Must have given me the painkillers then. Before would have been nicer, still better late than never! Sedatives too from the feel of things, but not too much. Coming round now,recognise the queasy feeling. Seasickness without the sea.Wonderful. Must wake up, must try. But its so hard, I don’t want too. Have too though, have to open my eyes. Come on Michael ! That’s not to hard Just open your eyes.*
Darkness, pitch black. For a moment he thought he had gone blind and the panic filled him. *Stop it It’s just dark that’s all. Get a grip.*
"… Where… What happened?" Voices. No a voice. Had there been another one before? *Maybe, not sure. Could have been my imagination.* "They’ve done enough already…" *A girl. Somewhere close.* It hadn’t been a girl in the car. *She sounds the way I feel* Michael thought sympathetically. Memories were starting to fall into place. *Oh yes my great scheme. Michael rides in on his white horse to save the day. Don’t think so somehow. Not now, not ever.*
He struggled to sit up. *Bad move, very bad.* Couldn’t hold back the gasp of pain. *Chains? What was this place? Great improvement* he thought bitterly. *From Frankenstein’s lab to Dracula’s castle in one easy move.* He sensed the others had heard him move. They had fallen silent, waiting somewhere in the darkness. *Waiting for you idiot. They’re chained up, drugged, confused and blind as bats and then something starts groaning and clanking. Hardly reassuring. Now pull yourself together and talk to them.*
"Hello! Is everybody OK." His voice was decidedly shaky, his Scottish accent thickening under the strain. "Does anybody know where the hell we are?"
Connor.
"Frostbi-… Don’t…" Relief washed over the eldest Enright as his sister stirred from her drug induced sleep, even though his eyes felt heavy, the fear of the small space was putting him on edge and waking him up, more panicky then anything else however.
"… Where… What happened?" He didn't know, they where at the police department one moment and then being jumped on by a horde of goons, well.. eight, four each was usually something the Enrights easily could have managed, but they had been shot with tranqulizer darts "They’ve done enough already…" Their idea of a 'hug' was just really a comforting hand on the shoulder, on one occasion Connor had even placed his hand on the back of her own hand, but their mother had just died. It was hard growing up with Wolverine, everything seemed to difficult to express, and Madison's safe guard seemed not to express anything, and it was hard for Connor to be so unemotional, since it was obvious lately he wanted to be more relaxed and open like the others around him to an almost jealous degree.
"Hello! Is everybody OK." Connor had just placed his hand on Madison's shoulder when the other spoke, turning his head to face the blonde haired mutant while he kept speaking "Does anybody know where the hell we are?" Once again Connor's sliced out through his skin, his hand lifting Madi's chains and letting the indestructable claws slice through them, freeing her before turning his attention to the other boy.
"I don't know.." Connor replied, his tone quiet, forcing himself to remain calm even though his eyes kept darting towards the walls as if expecting them to suddenly start moving and crush them all, for him, it already felt as if the area was getting smaller.
'Doesn't look like the last cell we where in..'
The feral thought to himself while glancing about, there had been a gasp of pain from Michael earlier, and Connor only really just registered it, staring down at the boy's leg and then checking to see if he's hurt anywhere else, though there was no apparent wounds or anything..
"I'm Connor," This time there was a definat quiver in his voice, he didn't care if they drugged and experimented on him right now, just as long as he was able to get out of the cell, "Can.. I'm um.. your hands." Sounding as if he was breathless from having run too much and exhausted himself, Connor reached out carefully for Michael's right hand, lifting it away fromt he boy's body and letting his silver claw slice through his restraints, carefully moving to his left hand to repeat the process.
"Who are you?" Connor's form slipped away from the other boy, returning a little closer to his sister, there was one thing he knew, and that was with Madison around he was stronger then on his own, so even if the walls did cave in on them, she wouldn't leave him, just like he wouldn't leave her.. unlikeall the other members of their family.
Michael.
"I don't know.." A male voice. *So there are at least two of them. Maybe its the boy from the limo.* Someone seemed to be coming towards him, moving quickly and confidently through the darkness.
"I'm Connor," Doesn’t sound so confident but then who can blame him. "Can.. I'm um.. your hands."
Michael was startled. He hadn’t expected him to be so close. *Wish I could see what’s going on.* Suddenly he felt the stranger grip his right hand. Something sliced swiftly through the space where the chains should have been. Correction something sliced through the chains themselves Like they weren’t even there. *Wow how cool is that.* He repeated the process on the left hand and Michael slumped forward suddenly free.
"Who are you?" the other boy asked his tone defensive and wary.
"Michael, Michael Grant. Thanks! For cutting the chains I mean. I reckon this is some sort of holding cell. They’ll be keeping us here till the auction I imagine."
No reaction from the others. *Maybe they don’t know whats going on* thought Michael. *Better fill them in on what I’ve found out.*
"Listen I’m not sure exactly what’s going on but George, that’s my brother, he was talking about a deal he’d made with some buyers here in the states."
*Wonder whatever happened to George.* Michael felt to see if the explosives were still in place. *Nope Hardly likely to leave us some nice plastic explosives to play with were they.Anyway we have more important things to deal with at the moment.* Swiftly he continued his explanation.
"Seems I’ve got mutant blood or something. Anyhow George reckons its worth a bob or two so he set up this little scheme to cash in. Then on the plane I heard him say I wasn’t the only one up for auction. Sorry, he was probably talking about you. *Well done Micheal old chap Talk about breaking it to them gently.Oh well better plough on.*
There were at least three buyers waiting when we got off the plane, a big dark haired guy, another black skinned chap wearing shades and a woman called Jessica. Heard the first one say he had something to pick up elsewhere and he’d meet them at the centre. Hey maybe that’s this place."
*Geeze Michael you talk too much!* But he couldn’t help himself it felt so good to be able to talk to someone anyone after all those months of solitude.
"I know they were bringing another guy here. He was in the back of a black limo. Wouldn’t happen to be you by any chance? If so, sorry! Guess my message wasn’t very clear. Never have been much good at mime."
Michael stopped, wary himself now. *Nearly said too much What if the bad guys were listening in!*
"Hey you don’t think they’ve got this place bugged do you?"
"Hello! Is everybody OK." Words seemed to slur into mumbles once again, but Madison could clearly tell that it wasn’t Connor’s voice. For starters it didn’t sound at all American but since she was still drowsy she didn’t bother to try and figure out what accent she had heard through the mumbles. The good thing was that whoever this guy was, he wasn’t an enemy since Connor would have done something about it, or at least give a sign somehow to his sister. Instead she just felt his hand on her shoulder, which was actually quite comforting but if anyone else had dared to do the same thing, no matter how nice they intended, she would had shrugged their hand off violently.
"Does anybody know where the hell we are?" Madison forced her eyes open, even though they stubbornly tried to stay shut by weighing a ton to give another look around the cell, though as her dark brown eyes focused in the darkness, aided by her brothers enhanced sight, she just lowered her gaze at the sound of his claws being released and watched as he broke through the metal chains, which felt so heavy for the weakened mutant.
"I don't know.." Hearing Connor’s voice, Madison gave in to the heavy eye lids once more and let them close, but she was determined to not allow them get the better of her and let her drift off into a slumber. Her ears seemed to begin to function properly again as they picked up Connor introducing himself to the other captive and the sounds metal claws breaking through the chains.
“Michael, Michael Grant. Thanks! For cutting the chains I mean. I reckon this is some sort of holding cell. They’ll be keeping us here till the auction I imagine.” Duh! What else would this place be? Top hotels didn’t really go for the brick walls and icy stone floors, and they certainly don’t chain up their guests.
"Listen I’m not sure exactly what’s going on but George, that’s my brother, he was talking about a deal he’d made with some buyers here in the states." Buyers? What where they going to buy? It wasn’t every day people sell teenagers, but then again if A Corp was behind this… Instead of trying to figure it all out she shut her mind down and resumed listening to what Michael had to say…
"Seems I’ve got mutant blood or something. Anyhow George reckons its worth a bob or two so he set up this little scheme to cash in. Then on the plane I heard him say I wasn’t the only one up for auction. Sorry, he was probably talking about you." Her initial reaction was an annoyed and angered groan… Up for auction? People could really be put up for action? Then again, they weren’t people, the three captives were mutants thus making them more special than normal humans. But, who would they be sold to and why? The thought of being 'auctioned off' made Madison clench her left fist in anger, though the motion was slow as her body still remained slightly numb.
"There were at least three buyers waiting when we got off the plane, a big dark haired guy, another black skinned chap wearing shades and a woman called Jessica. Heard the first one say he had something to pick up elsewhere and he’d meet them at the centre. Hey maybe that’s this place." Madison tried hard to put any of the descriptions to a face in her mind, but it was proving difficult, maybe when she fully awoke she could have a chance of at least matching one to anyone she’s seen before, but not at this moment.
"I know they were bringing another guy here. He was in the back of a black limo. Wouldn’t happen to be you by any chance? If so, sorry! Guess my message wasn’t very clear. Never have been much good at mime." Ever since she had been drugged to sleep by tranquillisers, Madison had no clue what had happened. She didn’t even know how long she had been out for, so the last thing she knew was who had been in the limo.
"Hey you don’t think they’ve got this place bugged do you?" That was the last of their problems, well in Madison’s mind anyway. The more important matter was her regaining her strength, at least now the numbing feeling was fading, and then they had to escape. She didn’t want to be auctioned off!
"If it is…" Madison started faintly, she never liked being quiet for too long and refused to keep staying quiet, no matter how sleepy she sounded. "… Let them listen in... Might lower our prices," Resuming speaking, she didn’t sound as sleepy with her sarcastic comment. At least that was a good sign of the younger Enright waking up, as she often spoke sarcastically to those she didn’t like or when she wasn’t happy, which could be quite often on some days.
Connor.
ooc: Sorry guys.. my post is really rushed.. especially at the end
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The feral's eyes glanced about the walls, though the walls echoed loudly with the beating of his heart and both the other's thudding fericly in his sensitive ears. Though out of all of the hearts, his was racing the fastest, hearing the sounds of Michael's voice yet having a hard time understanding what the other mutant was saying.
"....something to pick up elsewhere and he’d meet them at the centre. Hey maybe that’s this place." The name sounded like something that reminded Connor about something he had once heard or read a while ago. But he was focusing more on moving towards the cell door, his body still crouched down as he inched towards the metallic barrier that confined them within the small cell.
"... another guy.. He was in the back of a black limo... Wouldn’t happen to be you by any chance?" The words where fragmented, Connor's breathing as well as the pulsing beats of his frantic heart almost deafening the claustraphobic mutant. Looking over towards Madison at her comment, already forgetting that the other boy had asked him a question, Connor couldn't help but smile faintly, a nervous little curve in the corners of his mouth. Though it faded as quickly as it had crept onto his lips, his eyes once again scanning the wall, he couldn't see any camera's..
Being X-men of the new Generation meant that they where trained in the many tactics of combat, and aside from being good fighters, they also where taught important signalling technique's, via radio transmission, hand signal's, eye signal's and any other form of communication that one might need in an emergancy. Just so that Michael couldn't hear Connor admit to something his family considered shameful (showing weakness was not something their father repsected, and often as younger kids all three of Wolverine's kids got harsh remarks if they showed any form of weakness), Connor gave a quick motion of his hand that warned Madison of his worsening condition. Admittedly enough, Michael wouldn't need super powers to hear Connor was having trouble breathing.
Lucky, in a way, for Connor, there was already people making plans on their rescue, as well as others who where preparing for the auction in which to sell them off, and it shouldn't be too long untol both things occur and finally they can leave this small space and the constant druggings that come with it.
Michael.
"… Let them listen in... Might lower our prices,"
Michael laughed.
"Heck, the state Im in I’d be surprised if they don’t have to give me away for nothing!"
It was frustrating not to be able to see the others. He couldn’t judge what condition they were in though the boy seemed to be having trouble breathing that much was obvious. *At least the darkness makes the probability of them having cameras in here pretty remote.* That left the problem of the microphones. After having hidden his powers from his captors for so long Michael didn’t like the idea of openly discussing them in case they were overheard. But there was no way of communicating with the others apart from speach. *You can't use signs when noone can see them.*
*So what are you going to do? Just sit here till they come and get us. No, that’s not an option. OK! Lets assume they think we’re out of it. Why would they bother listening in?* That made sense in a way, but he still felt exposed as he said
"Maybe I could just step outside and take a look around?"
Conor.
ooc:...*Gives Loza Twaa's puppy doggie eyes* Loooozaa... can ya send me some Madi pics? I can't find any.. only Tasha ones.. I want her in one of my next banners!
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"Can't see how that'll help.." Connor whispered, placing his hands on the door while he knelled before it, his eyes scanning over the smooth surface. "..Can we go with him Madi?" His voice dropped even more when he spoke to his sister, he wanted to start yelling, banging and thrashing at the door until he broke it down or someone came and opened it for them.
Of course, Michael wouldn't know they could 'sense' and absorb other mutant powers, they knew what he could do, and once they absorb his ability they'll be able to use it with perfection as if it was their own and had spent years training in its use. Something most other students found either annoying, or where jealous about, but Connor never bragged about that positive part of their absorption ability, he didn't like upsetting others like that. Well.. there was the rare occasion with Brennan and Shalimar Creed, those two made him so angry in the kitchen he hardly cared if he hurt their feelings now.
The worse part of all this was that Connor was so near a panic attack or at least fainting that he wasn't even sure he could focus enough on Michael's ability. It was difficult to breath now more then before, tiny beads of sweat scattering over his skin. Just imprinting the power into his genetic structure and have his mutant abilities shift as well as his genetic code that needed to be written in order for the feral to now possess the unfamiliar power of another was a struggle for Connor, though usually the Enright's barely had to blink an eye before they where a power house of mutant abilities.
Michael.
"Can't see how that'll help.."
The words cut like a knife. *See, even here you’re useless* The words died in his mouth. *Mutants! What do you really know about them. Maybe your powers are laughable. How stupid can you be thinking that you could help them get out of this.*
It was ludicrous. Obviously every mutant could do what he could. It was probably the first thing they learned. It had just seemed so miraculous to him. Even now. *They don’t know how much it can mean to someone like me* he thought.
Thankful now for the darkness Michael blushed. *Hell, they’ll think I’m a dork, just like everyone else.* It was hard to accept all the same. He had thought that maybe here he would find somewhere where he could fit in. Somewhere where he could be of some use. The realisation hit him hard. *Could I have risked all of this simply to meet someone who wouldn’t look on me as an outsider?* Before it had been easier to think otherwise. To think that he might have been able to help them escape. Now the boy *No! Conner! His name’s Conner*had dismissed his powers out of hand leaving him adrift on a sea of uncertainty. *I’m nothing without Hood,* he thought. *Nothing but a liability . Conner’s so strong. The chains meant nothing to him. Just something to be cut through and dismissed.*
*What do I do now? * Trying to keep the dismay from his voice he replied. “Sorry its all I could think of. I’m not used to this whole mutant powers gig. Guess you guys can do this sort of thing all the time. I just thought maybe it would be useful to see what was on the other side of the door. Guards, keys, all that crap. Maybe get the general layout of the building. Obviously it was a bad idea.
*And how sad does that sound. This guy could probably carve his way through the door without even thinking about it. Then what. Make a run for it. Yeah! Like to see you do that Michael. Oh hell I’m going to hold them back. Always imagining that they’re going to take me into account. And why should they? They don’t know me from Adam. What makes you think they would wait for you? *
*Because I would wait for them! Dream on. This is why you got saddled (blessed I’m blessed) with this whole Robin Hood trip. Helping the weak, fighting the good fight! How lame is that? About as lame as I am!* Michael admitted. *Anyhow if I'm going to be able to function at all we'll have to make our move soon Before these painkillers wear off and I really start to fall apart.*
"So," he said taking a deep breath."Since that was such a dumb idea what do you suggest we do now?"
Re: The Center of Inquisition - Underground Cells
Madison.
(ooc- *Waves fist* You had me on a Madi pic hunting spree… And I noticed how much of a photo hog Tasha is while I was doing that… Anyway, I’ll send them to ya in a tick.
Oh and don’t worry, ezboard goes against us all, it just happened to be your day, lucky you!)
Fighting against keeping her eyes open was proving to be a bit of a task, but Madison was too stubborn to give in to tiredness, she had been asleep for long enough already. And the added fact that it was a drug induced sleep, made Madison want to stay awake even more, not wanting to give anyone the satisfaction, even though they already had that once she had been put into the unconscious slumber.
Seeing movement through the darkness distracted Madison from thoughts of trying to stay awake as she focused on the signals her brother was giving her, the heaviness of his breathing also indicated what was wrong with Connor. Sure, she had noticed it was a small cell, but Madison had completely forgotten about Connor’s claustrophobia since she had a tendency to put herself before others.
Hearing Michael’s voice over the panicked breathing of Connor, Madison was yet to actually bother sensing the Scottish mutant’s abilities. She was still trying to wake and regain her energy, so she could hardly be expected to do that yet, although it was surprising she hadn’t already though. She always liked to remain strong, but maybe since Connor was the only one who could see her and the fact that he was there made her less determined since knowing he was there was kind of a comfort, in a way. And Michael couldn’t see her, so if she couldn’t be seen he wouldn’t see her in a weaker state, even though when she spoke she didn’t at all sound as if she had her full strength.
By the door Connor spoke again, not really seeing how the other mutant’s suggestion would help, before asking her if they could join him. Before her mind could bother to think of the question ‘join him?’ Madison went straight to focusing her drowsy mind, to see what powers Michael was gifted with. The other powers Madison had absorbed in the recent time span were unknown to the younger Enright, as for she’d have to think to try and remember that, and thinking at this moment was more of a struggle than keeping her eyes open.
“Sorry its all I could think of. I’m not used to this whole mutant powers gig. Guess you guys can do this sort of thing all the time. I just thought maybe it would be useful to see what was on the other side of the door. Guards, keys, all that crap. Maybe get the general layout of the building. Obviously it was a bad idea." The first thing that got Madison was Michael’s apology for his idea, which caused a slight roll of the eyes. She never liked apologises, and barely said them herself apart from the odd sarcastic one or two. To her, saying that you were sorry only meant that you were wrong or hadn’t done the right thing and that meant you were giving another the satisfaction that they should never have. The next thing was that he’s not ‘used to the whole mutant powers gig’. That also brought up another annoying factor for Madison, mutants who weren’t used to being mutants. That meant they couldn’t control their power, which normally led to them malfunctioning on Madison when she wasn’t paying attention. Of course, it was always a mistake, but she never let them think that it was and to rub salt into their wounds she would occasionally use their power in front of them, with it not once backfiring. It was purely showing off but Madison didn’t have to be nice to them, that was the last thing she’d want. Then the poor newbie mutant would believe that they’re friends or something when that was another thing disliked by Madison.
"So, since that was such a dumb idea what do you suggest we do now?" Looking away from the figure of Michael, Madison turned her head and let it resume leaning against the wall, like the rest of her upper body was doing. It had an idea on what to do. Rest. It nearly had its idea approved too as Madison’s heavy eyelids closed for a moment before she flung them open again.
"Whatever we do, we’re not staying here long enough to be sold," Though that was probably the more obvious thing going through the heads of the two other captives, as was as Madisons. "Otherwise there’s going to be some unhappy customers..." Now she was just rambling a little, but if the others didn’t have an idea yet someone may as well stop the awkward silence from entering the cell. Of course, even with the chance of getting a headache from thinking Madison still could have at least tried to think of something. But even now she was being selfish and putting herself before the others.
Connor.
ooc: Well I LOVE that siggy, so I'm honoured I distracted you into piccy hunting *Flicks hair*....*Is obviously 'Flicking Hair' week*
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It took a moment to realize that the other boy had misunderstood what Connor had said, everytime they escape, people hunt them down and capture them again, even if they did get out of this mess, it was just a matter of time before someone tries to capture the Enright's again.
"I meant.." Connor started, turning around so he was sitting with his back against the door and facing towards Michael, "..every time we get away, they come after us again." Connor's hands pressed firmly against his chest, he was starving, thirsty, and it felt like he was sucking in air through a straw with the width of a needle.
The cell was so crampt, he would be lying if he said he wasn't tired, but if he did sleep it wasn't because he was going to sleep, most likely he'd have fainted, and right now he wasn't wanting to do that in front of either Michael or Madi.
"Fine, you stay here and have a nap, at least Michael come up with a suggestion, and I'm betting he hasn't even been trained for these things!" When Connor's claustrapbobia was about to reach its peek it was common for him to snap at others who where irritating him in some way, which was easy for them to do, for example, the simple fact Madison hadn't replied to his question was enough to agitate him.
"I can mimic mutant powers, we can look about together." He sounded highly stressed, but pulled his body away from the door and still crouched down on all fours the feral moved over to the opposite side of the small room to where Madison was. Connor only had one other mimicked power on him right now, and that was Gwen Frost's power of electricity or 'Jessica' as Michael was falsely lead to belive her name was. But right now that would hardly help, unless Madison tried to touch him, he was so short tempered right now a small zap as pay back was highly likely.
Michael.
OOC Thanks for the moral support, Im feeling less computer challanged!!. Enjoy coming up with your ideal astral form
PS Highers are the Scottish form of A levels.
"Whatever we do, we’re not staying here long enough to be sold," "Otherwise there’s going to be some unhappy customers..." Well at least they were in agreement on that point. The girl sounded feisty, ready for a fight. *Just hope I don’t get in her way* Michael thought.
"I mean every time we get away, they come after us again." Conner’s voice came from near the doorway. Michaels head jerked up at these words *What?* This wasn’t the first time the others had been taken! No wonder they sounded so jumpy. *Maybe you should stop feeling sorry for yourself and get back to your original plan. Helping out. Just listen too him. Sounds like he’s heading for an asthma attack or something.*
"Fine, you stay here and have a nap, at least Michael come up with a suggestion, and I'm betting he hasn't even been trained for these things!"
*Yeah well that was a safe bet. Only thing I’m trained for is my Highers. Didn’t have Advanced Survival on the curriculum. I’ll ask them to add it when I get back. If I get back that is.*
Suddenly the question of what he was going to do if he did manage to get out of this situation flooded into his mind. *Where will I go! I can’t go back home. I don’t know anybody here, I’ve got no papers, not even a passport. There are people out there that hunt us down…Stop! Enough! Those are problems for another day. Lets get out first. That should be enough to worry about at the present.*
"I can mimic mutant powers, we can look about together." At first the words didn’t even sink in. Then as they slowly eased their way through his panicked mind Michael began to realise the full implications of what Conner had said.
"Sure! Great! Lets see. My power. Its an astral projection sort of thing. Basically I can float around invisible, hearing and seeing what’s going on around me. That doesn’t take much out of your body. No worse than being doped. Starts to get more dangerous if you want to manifest Doing the whole ghostly vision bit is OK but actually taking on physical form, well that requires a lot of life force. I haven’t been able to materialise completely yet, but then again I haven’t exactly been on form recently. Believe me today I’m motivated enough to go for it."
*What else should I add? How about the truth! They have a right to know.* "Since we’ll be working together to get out of here I should lay things on the line. I’m going to be a lot more useful in astral form." *Now there’s an understatement if ever I heard one.* "If we need to fight our way out of here it’s Hood you’re going to want to have along with you, not Michael. Oh yes." A slow smile spread over his face. "When you project, be careful what you wish for. You may just end up as the you you’ve always wanted to be. It can come as a bit of a surprise!"
Madison.
(ooc- Glad ya like the Sig! *Watches Madi take a bow* You did nothing to help… *Kicks her away, before pulling her back so she can actually be in the post*)
"Fine, you stay here and have a nap, at least Michael come up with a suggestion, and I'm betting he hasn't even been trained for these things!" A silent scoff was the only reply from Madison, as she stopped herself from snapping back. She may not have always acted it, but Madison was smart and was more than smart enough to provoke Connor any further. It was bad enough for him being drugged and captured let alone being stuck in a small cell. Though, that didn’t mean a few thoughts passed through her mind as she kept herself silent.
As Connor spoke again, Madison ignored his words, as if that were some form of punishment for him snapping at her a moment ago. At least from that it caused Madison to want to stay awake, but she hadn’t noticed that since she put her mind off trying to stay awake, she had actually woken a little more. Funny how minds like to do those kinds of things.
Then Michael began speaking about his power and Madison didn’t really take much notice of his words just listening in every few words or so. She already had an overall idea on what he could do, and if she didn’t know everything Madison could learn as she went on. Others powers could be used so easily, and although she had gone through a stage of not really liking and using her power a few months back since she wanted to focus on her other strengths, Madison realised that her absorption power was one of her strongest strengths. Of course, it had nothing to do with her being in a Danger Room battle against Shalimar that sparked that, when she was getting beaten for not properly training for so long. Not at all!
"Since we’ll be working together to get out of here I should lay things on the line. I’m going to be a lot more useful in astral form." Although she was a member of two of the school teams back at the institute, Madison wasn’t quite the team player, only liking to team up with Connor since they were so strong combined, but she pushed hard to get it through to herself that the help of Michael would be needed, even if it was in astral form.
"If we need to fight our way out of here it’s Hood you’re going to want to have along with you, not Michael. Oh yes." Hood? There was a slight puzzled twist of the head as she turned her head over to look in Michael’s direction, but she was distracted from the questioning thought by the way he added the 'oh yes'. It gave Madison a hint that she wouldn’t like what he was going to continue on with.
"When you project, be careful what you wish for. You may just end up as the you you’ve always wanted to be. It can come as a bit of a surprise!" That was it? A confident smirk spread from Madison’s lips as she believed that she’d remain as herself in the astral form. Well, who else would she want to be when she was quite happy as herself? However, that cocky thinking didn’t always work in Madison’s favour half the time. So, who’d she be was only going to be decided by her subconscious, something she didn’t always take notice of…
Connor.
ooc: Sorry I took so long, I fell ill again.. food poisoning.. again.. Loza's fault again!!
..And I'm not sure what to put in this post...it's been an odd day, every post I haven't been sure what to put has turned out to be long...*Thinks of her Riley reply post to Jenn's Cat post which only had Catherine walking in and sitting at a desk yet managed to get a 2734 word reply to it* God Bless the art of babbling!!
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"..Once we activate the powers we are able to use them and understand their potential, with most students we are instantly better then them in their power," Connor was whispering, his breathless voice on the verge of panic, talking was merely helping delay the over powering fear that was about to burst forth from him if he stayed in here any longer, "It's why they want us so badly I think," Slumping down to the floor, Connor let his back rest against the stone wall and his eyes closed, at least if Michael knew they'd be alright with his power he wouldn't worry so much. Though Connor had to admit, he was worried over this astral form they would take on.
Who was someone Connor admired? Or wanted to be.. he didn't think he wanted to be anyone else.. sure he was jealous of how easily Madison seemed able to cope having no close friends, it was killing Connor, so sometimes he wished to be more like her. God he wasn't going to look like her was he!? Then again, sometimes he's just wanted to be a normal human.. he's never told anyone that, his entire life he's always had troubles with his mutations, unlike most mutants his family where born with their physical differences, they had their claws from birth. When they where little the muscles that held control the blades couldn't be used very well, it meant they rarely had troubles with their claws until they where passed the age of five, around eight and nine they started showing more frequent for Connor.
But he always flew into such terrible tempers when his sisters had their more horrible arguments, but they didn't know, he'd run off into his room once they had settled down or go somewhere out of their ear shot and get really mad with himself for not having stopped the fight before it got so dramatic. When he was younger those where the only times his claws came out, when he got really angry. That's how his sisters knew he was beyond angry, normally they'd calm down and split up otherwise Connor would start screaming at them and like now, since he bottled his pain and anger up so well it tended to explode from him in his fits and many things would end up broken, getting them into even more trouble with their mother.
Connor didn't lose his temper often though, and even if Madison or Arisa did do or say something that warranted him the right to get upset he'd still feel horrible about it later. It just wasn't fair that they had to take everything out on each other, he loved both of them so much and it was like neither of them even wanted to try and work things out, Arisa was so used to Madison hating and screaming at her that his youngest sister probably didn't even realize why she hated Madison so much. And Madison probably wouldn't even remember the reason she hated the girl so much unless she sat down and thought really hard, that's what Connor thought anyway. How could they fight like that all the time, it was like they did it just because they knew it hurt him so much to see and hear their arguments.
First he lost his mother, then his already distant father grew even further away from them, now he's lost his youngest sister and recently he's been having these 'weird' desires that he thinks Madison would be ashamed of him for feeling. Connor could hardly be blamed for wanting to have friends, they were perfectly natural desires, to want others to want to be around you, to have people to talk to you, to have others that would want to do anything in their power and beyond to help you when you are in trouble.
Since no one has ever told Connor they would do anything so extreme for him, he didn't realize that there were others out there who would give everything and everything they could to help him. He had helped Arlen a lot, teaching the merman how to use the legs his tail had shifted into, showing him how to run and move about while Arisa was away so the Prince would impress Connor's youngest sister when she visited. Then there was Heath Knight, who would give his life to save someone he had just met. Plus there was Riley, Connor could easily forget about him because right now he was so focused on having just lost his baby when his girlfriend was shot in the stomach, Catherine Hall had dumped him and Connor can tell Riley still hopes to win her back. There are also those two new students, Ben and Taylor, both who he had helped in different ways, both times he had been there for them when they needed someone to stand beside them and help them in whatever way they had needed.
Connor was a good friend, loyal, trusting, determined and stubborn, but he was also an understanding kind of guy, who wouldn't judge the handicaps of others and focus on their strengths and personality. For example, Connor didn't hate Shalimar because she was the daughter of the man who would hunt down Connor's father every year on his birthday, meaning the kids never got to spend the day with their father incase they got hurt. Connor hated Shalimar because she was a complete jerk that said incredibly stupid things about his sister right in front of him WHILE he was already angry.
Now the sure way of getting Connor to dislike you, is by teasing his sisters, and the Creeds had an interesting talent of irritating him and his sister Madison, who cares if they are just wanting to be friendly, she said things about Madison and mocked her in a way Connor would never forget, to top it off, Brennan kissed her and Madison had not liked that. Connor was very sensitive about physical contact, all the children of Wolverine were, and maybe a part of them did long to be held and touched and loved in the way they tried to deny not only to others but also to themselves. But if it was against there will, then that was a very dangerous game whoever was foolish enough to try was daring to play. Madison was the only one to have had a boyfriend, and again deep down it had been something Connor had been jealous about.
Sure Connor had tried dating.. once.. but the girl had moved too quickly and Connor wasn't ready to fly into something like that so fast. He didn't know what to expect or what to do or say or how to act, it didn't matter that nothing had happened, for Connor it was the mere fact Lara had tried to undress him and kiss him and she was all over him and her scent was everywhere and her hands where touching his arms and chest and neck and cheeks and stomach.. Going from never having contact with others to that situation had terrified Connor so greatly he had hid in Madison's room that night after backing out of his own room where Lara had walked him to after their date. It was one of those precious times were he was glade they didn't share everything between each other, sure Madison knew something had gone wrong on his date, but he was far too ashamed to try and explain to her what had happened and had remained quiet and withdrawn for a while after that.
Right now however, Connor's mind was far from it's recent curious thoughts of what it would be like to date someone and were thrown into the more life threatening aspect of trying to breath. At first it would have probably been difficult to figure out if the claustrophobic feral had merely fainted or was preparing to use Michael's powers. Because his struggling breaths became more quiet and his body slowly curled on the cold hard floor. At first his form was weak, mainly due to the fact that his body was so weak from the near panic attack he was on the verge of having. But as Connor's astral projection formed in front of his body, Connor kept his eyes shut for a moment, almost afraid to see what he looked like.
After all, the Enright's were not famed for being deep thinkers, fair enough Connor liked to sit back and think over things on the odd occasion, but he never sat down and though 'Hey.. what ridiculously dressed costumed hero would I like to be?'.. What if Madison laughed at him? What if she was ashamed, if was it he has always wanted to be? Was it really stupid? Was it something she'd be ashamed of? Madison was the only member of his family who hasn't abandoned him and he did not want to lose her respect or her devotion, he could live knowing he had lost everyone, she was the last thread that was tying him to this world and keeping his feet firmly on the ground, even if he did stumble about, she was keeping him steady. If she left him like all the others have done then he'd not cope at all, as far as he was aware she was the only one in the world that even cared about him.
When Connor was younger, much younger, when their father was still part of their lives, before Arisa was born, Connor actually adored his father. And when he was between four and six he use to tell his mother about when he grew up how he wanted to go out and fight the bad people like their father was doing. It's why Connor had named his code name after his father, Logan was supposed to have retired and stayed on only as a teacher, but when important things came up he'd join the other X-men and they'd go off and fight.
When they where a little older though, when Connor was between seven to nine, that's when their father started to neglect them a little more then usual. At first it had been small disappointments, but then they became bigger, and more frequent. Connor no longer wanted to be like his father, Connor wanted to be better then him, Connor wanted to out do the man in every possible aspect. He wanted to treat others better, he wanted to control his temper more, he wanted to be faster, stronger, everything and anything possible had to be done better than what his father could do.
It's why Connor trains so hard all the time, but there's some things his father has that Connor hasn't been able to get yet, Logan has friends with the other X-men, who would do anything for him, and his been close to other females, been in love and shared his love with others. Connor would never betray his mate like his father betrayed his mother, none of them knew that Mystique had tricked their father into thinking she was Michelle, so Connor was rather bitter towards that betrayal.
Slowly Connor opened his eyes and stared down at his black-gloved hands, then nervously down at his darkly dressed figure, the black material a snug fit to his well-built form. Though Connor's body was not 'muscle' bound like some of the older mutant X-men, his body was still strong and powerful, but too much muscle would get in his way, he was also built for speed and agility, quick agile moves could be ruined by the bulky build muscles can give some egotistical males that like working out.
Connor panicked a little since he realized quickly 'who' he had become, for years Connor would pass his free time locked away in his room and all he would do was write, when he was younger he used to just lay in bed and think up stories and scene featuring a made up character he had created. When he turned 18 the government gave him money that his mother had put away for him, all of them had money, but they wouldn't get it until they turned 18, and Connor had used some of her money to buy himself a computer, he hid it though, the laptop was stuffed under his pillow now, usually he'd hide it somewhere in his room.. His draws, his closet, anywhere, he was so scared his sisters or someone would find it and they'd read the things he'd write and they'd tease him, or even if they didn't, he'd be embarrassed they had still read it.
When he got really sad and really lonely, he had started writing out things, at first it just began with what he wished he could do to prove to his dad that he was better. Slowly he'd start dreaming up things, just things he'd do, people he'd save or fight.. and when he was older he started writing it out in stories, the whole thing was just a hobby, though he has written many other stories in English and they always got good grades. But since this character was based on what he wanted to be it felt humiliating to have others see him like this. After all, he'd never told anyone about his stories before, about his dreams and what he wished he could be like, have friends and a happy family and fight evil and save lives..
The black suit had three white strips across his lower back, the edges of the stripes wrapped about his waists so you could see the tips from the front, three on each side of his ribs. There where faint dark gray stripes that run down the side of his arms and legs, the black mask he wore covered his entire face, which was good, because Connor has just managed to actually blush in his embarrassment. But since Connor had such a hard time expression his emotions, since he was a child he had the habit of expressing himself more outwardly with body language, and so the instant he dropped his head shamefully and started shifting his weight from one foot to the other while right hand fiddled nervously with the clothe over his left shoulder, his fingers stroking over the dark fabric then it was basically screaming out with neon flashing lights to his sister that he was really humiliated by the image his astral form had taken.
Well, at least he knew how to use his own claws, but would that tell Madison who it was he had taken the image of? There was an 'X' on his chest, a white one with six lines forming the X, since in Connor's stories he would use his claws to leave a mark around the scene of battle to tell the police or villains or whoever that it was him who had been there. Normally he'd slash the X into a wall or on the criminal, it was odd that Connor was so humiliated by this though.. the character was based on him, but then again, it was a part of himself he's always wanted to be, but also been too frightened to express. His character was far more social, more emotional, had friends and family and enemies and allies, and was known to people all over the city.
It would be this character that will coax Connor into eventually leaving the X-men and the school in the near future, not completely, he will leave and find a place where he can start a new all over again and try to be who he wanted to be instead of always being too scared to express himself. When he's mad he wants to get mad and when's he's sad he damn well wants to be sad, he hates hiding away now, it's been too long and it's becoming to painful. When he finds Amlarie, who will convince him to stay at the school, she will help him find himself, and in truth, isn't that what Connor has always wanted, yet never been able to achieve? Just to simply be himself... and not be afraid of showing others.
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ooc:...*crawls off to bed.. while discreetly collecting posts from other places to do in a few hours*
Michael.
OOC Poor you hope you're feeling better!! Don't let Loza cook, it sounds too dangerous!!
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"..Once we activate the powers we are able to use them and understand their potential, with most students we are instantly better then them in their power It's why they want us so badly I think,"
*Yeah I can understand why they would*thought Michael. *That must make life a whole lot easier! If I had been able to control my powers fully would I be here now or would I have found some way to get out of that damned lab, away from George and Brady and their incessant experiments? No time to think about that now. What’s done is done and nothing can change that. Lets just concentrate on getting out of this place.*
Already he could hear Conner’s breathing slowing, the painful wheezing fading to silence. *See , great isn’t it this magical power of mine. Doesn’t it feel good to just leave everything behind?* Michael automatically started his own cycle of relaxation, his heartbeats coming more and more infrequently, the ever present pain fading into the distance. *I’m free* he thought floating over his body, his astral form slowly gaining more substance as the life force bled out of him. *Maybe this time I’ll be able to get it right, to materialise completely.* Just having the others with him gave him more confidence.*Conner knows how to master this power so why shouldn’t I?*
What would it feel like to fully become Hood. To be able to walk, run, jump again just like before. *Better it will be better.* He had seen his astral form before in mirrors. He knew what he looked like. Slightly older, slightly taller, athletic but not heavy, the finely chiselled muscles thrown into evidence by the leather armour that moulded his form. *I’ll be strong and fast I bet. Acrobatic.* The thought excited him.
*What about the longbow? Robin Hood the greatest archer in all England, his name a legend the world over. Will I be that good?* Already the bow felt like an extension of his own body. *That’s what it is after all,* he realised *Its all part of Hood.* The arrows too, ready to fly to where he wanted them to go. Lines from Blake’s poem flitted through his head *bring me my bow of burning gold, bring me my arrows of desire’ Arrows of desire that’s exactly right.* All he had to do was become Hood, totally, completely, physically.
Concentrating fully now on materialising he let his body sink further and further down into its slumber. *My hearts stopping* he remarked but the realisation brought no accompanying surge of panic. *Feels good, peaceful, right. No pain, no cold…. * But that wasn’t true. The air felt cold against his skin. *My skin?* He felt the ground beneath his feet, solid human feet. Still shrouded in the impenetrable darkness he whirled around in delight.
*I’m really here! I’m Hood!*
Madison.
(ooc- Heeeey… but now you’ve give me an idea, can I bake you all cookies and send them over?
But I’m not denying that I’m a bad cook… *Remembers experimenting with recipes in her cooking class in year 9* A friend of mine has banned me from cooking ever again! *folds arms* Humph! At least I wasn’t one of the many in my class who put a tea towel on fire! *Laughs at memories of that class*)
Having absorbed Michael’s astral projecting power, Madison prepared herself to use it. Well, it was hers now, for around a day anyway. That’s how long most absorbed powers last for, at first when Madison realised she had inherited the power from her mother she could only keep an absorbed power for around an hour before losing it, but over the years she reached the same amount of time as Michelle has which she was proud to have, although she does want to make them last for even longer amounts of times. It might sound greedy, but Madison wanted to make herself one of the top and strongest mutants around. Though, having a habit of being lazy and not training properly and often was standing in her way of reaching her goal for now.
She heard Connor’s breaths fade but she knew what Connor was up to. Michael was up to the same also, but since his breaths weren’t as loud as her brother’s panicked ones she took no notice of him. While the two boys were half way through their astral forms, Madison followed. Her body felt the breaths shorten, she felt the heartbeat slow down…
Once her astral form was complete, Madison had to re-absorb powers from Connor, or his astral form she wasn’t sure, to be able to see in the dark, cold cell. Being confident that she was herself, she looked right over to Connor, a brow raising at his astral form. It was obvious that he had hid his laptop well, since Madison was yet to stumble across it and read his fictional novels and for the fact she had no clue who Connor really was. Though it did nag on her for a moment, who was this person her brother so wanted to be?
However, from the corner of her eye Madison became distracted by movement from Michael, or now should we say Hood, and turned her gaze over to him. Well, at least that explained who Hood was…
It hadn’t yet occurred to Madison that as much as she didn’t want to believe, she was in another form other than her own. It wasn’t too much different though; she remained with the same shade of brown hair though a few inches longer, her eyes were the same dark brown, her skin was a little paler however, and aged a few more years as well as a few centimetres were added to her height. Perhaps this is what Madison would look like in a decade or two… but looking down to her hands Madison noticed the ring that her mother had worn for as long as she could remember…
She quickly looked up to nothing in particular, her eyes widened in surprise, slightly worried since Madison was the last to know that the she she always wanted to be was actually her mother. Personality wise they were completely opposite; Michelle was so kind and caring towards others and a great friend, while Madison did her best to make others hate her and being friends with anyone was out of the question! She preferred to be alone, with the only company she enjoyed was that of her brothers, or when she was busy in the Danger Room pounding whoever she had either tricked or forced into a ‘friendly’ training session with.
Madison quickly found herself wondering why she was actually her mother. Her first conclusion was that the power had worked different for her, making her… Her mind couldn’t finish the sentence. What she had to do was actually think about, then it might actually make sense to her, but with Madison having the longest thought last at longest a whole minute it was unlikely that she’d figure it out.
When Madison was younger she had struggled in making friends. That was due to a few reasons, some of which were that Madison wasn’t really the sharing type, she seemed to demand that was always right and if others were stubborn and refused to believe her she’d threaten them by saying her brother or father would hunt them down and hurt them and when it came to playing games she despised losing. So those factors, alone with more, showed others that she wasn’t the type of girl you wanted to make friends with.
Sometimes when Michelle had her best friend over Madison would sit with her mother, since Connor would be off playing with Arisa, and just listen into the convocations, even though she had no idea what the topics meant at a young age. But seeing her mother happy with her friends sort of filled the gap she had for not having her own.
Over the years, Madison didn’t care that she had a rather large list of those that hated her and very few liked her. In fact, she had grown to like it and as she hadn’t become any friendlier growing up it was a part of who Madison was. But deep down, waaaay deep down, Madison wished that she had the gift to befriend another, just one person who she could talk about everything to, like her Mother had, both the gift of friendship and friend. Of course, she always had Connor there for her, but maybe, just maybe, if she had a friend she might actually grow up a little.
There was also the fact that Michelle always made her two children happy along with another that wasn’t her own, she could say the right words when needed and she never made Connor upset. Madison knew that the many fights she’s had since Arisa was born annoyed Connor, but she couldn’t help it everything Arisa did annoyed her. Like the fact that had returned the hatred to Arisa recently, she hadn’t returned to the institute. Madison had gone through all the trouble of virtually becoming Arisa and making a mess of things at the Brotherhood so Mystique would disown her daughter so she would return to her real family, but Arisa since hadn’t returned Madison was left to feel that her work had gone unknown. She knew that Arisa still wasn’t with the Brotherhood, since she had done a little work to see what had happened, though it was merely a game for Madison as it was all too easy for her to fool any of those guys that had been recruited into the Brotherhood, and to spill out any of the secrets she had wanted to know. Honestly, it was harder to find a place behind the curtains in hide and seek than to get the information she needed.
But the fact was, Arisa was off on her own again and what Madison had thought was the feeling of missing someone for the right reasons was more for the bad. Feelings were never strongly felt by Madison to know what they truly felt, apart from aggression that is. So, for the month or so Madison had thought she actually began to like and miss Arisa were gone and thrown out of the middle child’s mind and filled with the hate she had for her half sister for so many years previously.
Madison knew that if she saw Arisa again, she’d fight with her. No doubt about that. But as much pleasure she took from that she knew that Connor had different feelings from their constant fights. And since Michelle had a calm temper, Madison probably wished for that small gift as well, just to keep her brother happy, in the one spot hidden so deep inside her.
Sure, those two reasons may not mean or even be much to anyone else, but for Madison it is… well will be if she does come to realise them. Being so focused on herself ninety per cent of the time she had no reason to feel the need to be anyone else, and putting someone before herself was also a very slim chance of happening.
However, in her mothers’ form she would still have her personality and be the Madison she has always been. It made her feel very awkward, since she felt that it somehow made her all of a sudden weak. Well, it did in a way. Michelle may have had her powers for a fair amount of time, but controlling them wasn’t always as easy as it had been for her two children. And sure she was feeling weak while just lying against the cold stone wall but this was different, it was showing a part of Madison that would never be seen, ever. To her this was as bad as showing emotions. She was just thankful that Frostbite, Arisa or the Creeds weren’t around.
She looked down at her hands again, as if staring at the wall for a moment might have changed how she looked, or at least her eyes had deceived her, but she saw her mothers ring on the same caring hands that had tended to Madison when she was younger. Her, now, motherly eyes looked over to Hood since Madison was yet to judge him but for the first time she didn’t feel like judging another, not while she was in this form. Something made her feel as if she was disrespecting her mother if she did. Instead she just looked over to Connor and tried to figure out who his masked identity was, while she tried to get used to her astral form.
So, for now, at least, Madison didn’t want to spend time thinking why she was in the form of Michelle Enright, maybe it would be best kept in secret for her. And luckily for her, now wasn’t a time to spend away in thoughts.
Re: The Center of Inquisition - Underground Cells
Connor.
ooc: Ha! I moved countries Loza; you are too lazy to write down my new address, you can't get me!! *Cackles*
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It wasn't a secret that Connor missed his mother, and it he has mentioned before that Madison looks so much like her.. maybe that's why a part of him strives so hard to keep her respect. Connor stared at Madison and was glade the mask he wore covered his hurt expression, every part of him wanted to reach out and touch her. Instead he dropped his gaze and stared intensely down at the ground as he spoke.
"We should go now," He moved towards the door, but there was a slight turn of his head as he passed Madison, even while his head was tilted down to stare towards the ground, it was obvious he was taking a quick side-glance of her while he passed. It felt wonderful when his body phased through the wall onto the other side, there was a long hall, narrow, enough for two people to walk side by side, doors ran along the entire passage, obviously more cells. Some had other mutants.. most had demonic creatures, a demonic council after all ran this place.
It would prove just how great a control they had over their powers since they were able to walk and move about right away without any effort. Connor grinned a little, something he didn't normally do but hey, he has a mask now to hide his face, probably also because he was in this astral form of 'himself' and that was after all his secret dream, so there was a slight thrill running through him, a tingle of excitement as if this was just another one of his stories, but for once, it was real.
"You are lucky.. this is a special gift.." There was an almost envious tone to Connor's voice as he stared down at the back of his gloved hands, some people might find that one of the most ridiculous things he's ever said. He was able to mimic the powers of any mutant he sees, taking their gifts and making it his own for a short time, only half as long as Madison was able to store them, but still it was something remarkable.
But when you think about it, that isn't his only gift, he had his heightened senses, he could hear, smell, see, taste and feel things that most human couldn't even imagine possible, he was even more sensitive then his father's own amazing senses. It meant just to go out to a club with his school companions he'd end up nearly blinded unless he hid in a corner, and he had to wear special ear plugs in order not to go deaf, it meant that he'd not hear anything, he'd be in a world of silence while everyone else was hearing blasting music all around them.
He had to wash all his food and he could smell and understand each and every ingredient, if someone had sweaty hands and handled his food at some point then he'd still be able to taste their sweat, his was revolting, he hated it, he hated what his father had given him, and it was just another thing he was jealous about when it came to Madi, she didn't have that, she could absorb it, and then use it for as long as she wants and then get rid of it. He was stuck with it, and no one cared to even try and understand the extent of his abilities, running around screaming at the top of their lungs right next to him, sometimes he'd get so mad, as if they ignored the fact they were hurting him and it was just another one of the many reasons he had to stay away from people.
So while Connor's abilities had been a great part of the reason for his confinement from social life, Michael's were in fact a freeing ability that allowed him to once more take part in the normal activities people take for granted, like walking and jumping.. Connor slowed to a stop and turned around to face the other two, purposefully staring down at the ground so he couldn't see his mothers face staring back at him.
"It might be dangerous if we go running about causing any scenes, I suggest we scout about, find out what's going on, and then once we're more up to date on what's going on we'll plan a way to get out of here." There was a door in the wall beside them, some stairs leading up to it, Connor's hand motioned towards it. "Michael, lead the way, I'll take the back, and I suggest we stay together for now.." It was obvious there was silent 'and you take the center' directed towards Madison that Connor didn't say, it was hard to speak to Madi like this, Michelle was the only one who Connor could fall apart on and he knew she'd somehow nurse him back together and an hour later he'd feel like he was on top of the world. And Connor has been on the verge of falling apart more then usual for the past few months, seeing her face, it made him want to just throw himself at her and not let go until she promised to make everything better again.
Connor had no idea that beyond this door was just another hall with cells, but at the end of the hall there would be a door, and you wouldn't need heightened senses like Connor's to pick up the screams that were emanating from behind the thick metal barrier.
Michael.
OOC Sorry this took so long and also that its short but I gamed myself to a standstill this weekend and I am shattered!(but happy) Also we've got a sick 13 year old on our hands(hey you didn't send her any of those cookies did you ) and Im the entertainment comittee!! Wish me luck!
Oh I've presumed the other cells are also in darkness and thats why Michael hasn't noticed the demonic forms of some of the occupants. It could come as a shock when the lights go on!
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"We should go now" Connor said. His words brought Michael back to the reality of the situation. Reluctantly he let the solid wholeness of Hood fade back into phantom form *What if I never get him back?* a part of his mind kept clamouring. *What if that was it! A once in a lifetime never to be repeated experience, wasted in this prison cell?*He already knew that his powers of resistance to disease had been weakened if not permanently damaged by the months of abuse he had suffered at Brady’s hands. What if his other power also faded and died?
He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. This wasn’t like him, these extreme mood swings. *From euphoria to depression in three minutes flat!. Its just all been too much !*he realised,the sickness, the fear and now the fact of not having to go thought it all by himself after the weeks of loneliness and solitude. *My nerves are shot to hell! Well you’d better get your act together if you’re going to be of any use here.* he reminded himself.
He eased his transparent form through the wall and into the corridor beyond. Light! Finally to be able to see again! He turned, eager to discover the faces of those had been sharing the cramped cell with him. *Or then again maybe not* he thought with a grin as he saw Connor’s masked form before him. *A fighter * he thought. *Not one to tangle with.* He wondered what it would be like to fight alongside him. *I might have to find out sooner than either of us would like.*
His attention shifted to the girl, or rather woman who stood before him. *God she’s beautiful !* was the first thought that crossed his mind. No costume here, no mask to hide her face.. Her eyes as they met his held no judgement, no mockery of the strange form his mind had chosen for him. *The girl behind this image must be very special. She looks like someone it would be good to spend time with. Maybe I’ll get the chance when this is all over. That would be so fine, just to talk to someone.*
"You are lucky.. this is a special gift.." the faint longing in Connor’s voice surprised him. *Freedom to be who and what you want to be.* Yes, he had always thought it was special and he thanked whatever power had made him a mutant for the joy it brought to him. To have this opinion confirmed by the other boy only made him appreciate it more.
Not that Connor didn’t have special gifts of his own. Michael watched impressed as Connor shifted effortlessly between invisibility and solid form exploring the various rooms that lined the sides of the corridor. *At least someone’s concentrating on the job in hand.* So saying Michael pushed through the nearest door and into the room beyond. Another cell, dark, cold, sounds of others moaning in drugged sleep. *More mutants?* Impossible to tell without light but it was the most likely explanation. *How many are they holding here? Twenty, thirty, more?*
Angered now by this further evidence of misuse, Michael returned to the others in the corridor. Connor’s form was solid as he said "It might be dangerous if we go running about causing any scenes, I suggest we scout about, find out what's going on, and then once we're more up to date on what's going on we'll plan a way to get out of here." *Must have seen the look on my face* Michael thought. *He’s right though No point getting ahead of ourselves.* Connor motioned towards one of the doors. "Michael, lead the way, I'll take the back, and I suggest we stay together for now.."
Michael was surprised and flattered by the confidence Connor showed in him by letting him take the lead. He nodded briefly towards him, unable to speak in his wraith like state. Shifting from one form to another was harder for him than it seemed to be for Connor and the girl. He could feel his distant body struggling under the strain, his weakened physical state no doubt contributing to the problem. *Better to stay like this till I really need to get physical* he said to himself.
At a signal from Connor he shifted through the door into an another identical corridor, cell doors lining either side. The sheer scale of the enterprise dismayed him. *What kind of organisation could be behind such a large scale operation?* His thoughts were suddenly shattered by a piercing scream that sounded from behind a metal barrier at the end of the corridor.
Without consciously having moved , Michael suddenly found himself next to the door. It took all his self control just to keep himself from flying thorough the obstruction and attacking those who were inflicting such pain and terror. His mind flashed dreadful pictures of his own imprisonment , the needles, the fear, the total helplessness as they watched him suffer, noting each detail with clinical precision. He knew what it was like to be in that room. He didn’t care who was in there now, he couldn’t just leave them to their fate.
He placed his hands upon the door to steady himself hardly noticing that they were once again solid. Then he turned to face his two companions.
"We have to do something. We have to stop this now."
Connor.
ooc: *Peers over to Lazy Loza* Hey, jus' occurred to me.. Do we have A Levels in Aussie? >_> ... <_<
*Was thinking; Highers are the same as A Levels which I don't remember having so that must make them the same aaaaass.. uh..*
...*Is now wondering why she is asking Loza of all peopl-thingies this question* -_-'
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In truth there was also a slightly selfish reason behind why Connor had asked Michael to go in front, with Connor at the back, it meant that he could watch his mother's form without being too obvious. Just because he understood that it was Madison and not really his murdered mother didn't mean he was going to pass up this chance of actually 'seeing' her again.
There was a scream, full of agony and pain, its loud roaring voice echoing easily down the hall, even beyond the thick metal barrier that stood between the three and those in the room. Connor stepped up right behind Madison's left side, peering over her shoulder towards Michael who was with his hands against the door. There was a moment when Connor's masked face turned to stare at the side of Madison's face.. the face of their mother more correctly.
'I wonder why you want to be more like her..'
They may look similar, but their attitudes were completely opposite, Madison was so cold and hateful, snappish and rude, judgmental and arrogant.. Michelle was so warm and loving, tolerant and polite, understanding and wise, everyone loved her, but Madison purposefully tries to make everyone hate her with a passion.
"We have to do something. We have to stop this now." Connor blinked and looked back towards Michael, forcing his thoughts away as he moved passed Madison, turning around and walking backwards he spoke to her in a teasing tone.
"Better close your eyes Madi, I have this strong desire to be on my best behavior when you look at me." Since the kids had so much trouble with Logan and even between each other, it was very hard for her to get too upset with them, but it was amazing how much trouble three toddlers could get themselves into. Well.. at least one thing hasn't changed in their lives, they were still getting into trouble, now it was just on a far greater and more dangerous scale.
"..And.. now I feel guilty for not fixing my bed before we left.." He smirked a little at the thought, but he was aware there was someone hurting nearby, it was just a reaction Connor sometimes had to situations like this.. after all, there was a chance that a medical laboratory was behind this door, and that frightened him, so to avoid thinking about things like that, he'd joke around with his sisters.
Turning about, Connor stared at the door, then at Michael, glancing for a moment down at his feet and then again at the door. He was able to do this, it was easy.. they couldn't keep him in there because technically he was still back in the cell, he just had to remember that right now walls were not a prison for him!
"I want you to count to twenty before you two come in, I'm going to focus on disabling any resistance inside, Madison, you help whoever is singing for help," Of course, that was obviously whoever was screaming out in agony, but Madison would know that without him having to explain it to her.. he would think it was pretty obvious what he had meant anyway, "..and Michael, you help finish off whoever may still be standing." There was a reason for this, if Connor enters, he takes them by surprise, he was well trained, he could handle himself well enough, and if he has the upper hand he'll be better off on his own since Michael wasn't aware of Connor's fighting style like Madison was. And then if anyone was giving him trouble, they'd be so focused on fighting Connor, that when Michael enters he'd have the chance to take the remainder by surprise.
"No discussions about it." The addition statement was more for Madison, she liked getting her claws dirty, but right now she had to understand she didn't have claws and right now she was in a form that would only cause Connor to panic if anyone tried to fight her. He lost his mother once to a mob of racist shallow minded men, he wasn't able to risk letting that happen again, even if it was Madison, he couldn't help but see only their mother.
"See you shortly." Connor's body crouched and faded into its ghostly form as he leapt through the door, his unseen figure passing through someone who had been standing in front of the door. As Connor's ghostly hands reached for the ground, able to perfectly control all his movements since gravity didn't effect him in this form, the palms of his hand became solid again, his legs bending slightly for increased moment before they lashed back and slammed hard against the guards chest. His darkly dressed form smashed back against the metallic door, already the feral's form returned into its wraithlike state. Two men rushed over towards the door when they heard their companion being bashed against the metal door, Connor's enhanced speed and agility was also with the additional feature of increased strength, not anything overly super, but enough to cause greater damage then normal.
Letting his legs flip over his head while standing on his hands, a graceful movement unseen by the other occupants of this room. There was no effort needed to stand up, infact his legs hadn't even touched the ground by the time his hands left the ground and his posture moved quickly so that he was standing up again in time to thrust his now solid fists hard into the oncoming faces of the surprised guards. Connor couldn't hear any other heartbeats, all up the action only took around ten seconds, including the moment hesitation and when Connor turned about and banged on the door.
"Honestly you two, how slow are you counting out there, get in here you slackers." With that said and done, he turned about and examined the room, a shiver ran down the back of Connor's spine at the sight of the wall lined with six 'bio-tubes'. Able to hold one person each, made of a strong metallic alloy with an enhanced bulletproof glass to stop most of the frantic mutants inside from breaking out. They were mostly empty, but the two that did have bodies inside were already decreased, their strapped in forms limp in the tiny coffin sized cells that were often used in A.Corps experimental processes.
"...Talk about strolling down memory lane.." He mumbled to himself, nervously looking about the relatively small room, it was a form of lab, about seven meters in width, five meters in height. At least it wasn't small like the cells, but for a lab it was kind of small, Connor glanced over into the center of the room. There was a flat metallic bed, not very comfortable looking, but a man was laying on it, his arms, waist and legs all bound down by adamantium restraints.
"Well, this is a surprise." Connor frowned and yet they needn't have to see his face to tell him he didn't like the sight of this man. "Maybe we ought to just-" Connor stared over towards Madison while he was about to suggest they leave the man where Connor figures he belongs, somehow staring at Michelle made him feel really ashamed for thinking that.
"He doesn't deserve this," Connor whispered harshly, but meaning he didn't deserve to have them rescuing him as he stalked over towards the man who only Madison and Connor would recognize as their father, it was about time he felt pain though, like they had felt it, he hadn't come to save them last time at A.Corp, at least Connor hadn't seen him around while they were being rushed onto the Blackbird. "You two see if there's anyone in those container things." Connor's hand motioned over towards the tubes, it was amazing how his father was able to just bring out the worst of Connor with such great ease.
Standing over by the bed, his father's uniform leather fabric was torn and ripped from the fights he had gotten himself into while trying to find where all his kids were taken. Connor pulled his body up effortlessly onto the side of the metallic bed, sitting there beside his restrained father with an air of supremacy about him.
"You know, when Madison and I were in your position, you didn't come to help us, but then, I guess that just proves we're better then you, rescuing and giving up our cover for someone like you." Since this was an astral form it didn't have a scent (ooc: I assume it doesn't have a scent.. correct me if I'm wrong!) and so Wolverine wouldn't be able to tell it was Connor aside from the sound of his voice. Connor leaned forward and added quietly, though not a whisper, still able to be easily heard by any one else in the small room, especially Madison with her borrowed enhanced abilities, but Connor hardly cared, it wasn't like he had been making an effort to keep his opinions about his father a secret.
"Make no mistake father, I still hate you." Hopping off the bed, Logan's dazed eyes suggesting he had recently been drugged even though it was already fading off. "Madison!" Connor's voice sounded rather snappish and angry, his eyes now scanning over a nearby panel and pressing one of the more obvious switches that caused the older Wolverine's restraints to unlock.
"If you want your father, come and get him, I am not dragging his carcass about." With that, Connor stormed towards the door of the room, right now Connor was so mad with his father and the man's lack of responsibility and care towards them for their entire lives that the young feral hardly cared whether the man lived or died, it would make not difference to his life, the man was never around anyway.
Well Connor wouldn't just let someone kill his father.. deep down.. really extremely deep hidden beneath so many barriers of hate, anger, misery, loathing, resentment, distrust and the feeling of abandonment, amongst many others, there was a part of Connor that did want to have his father back, but as the man he used to be, the one who actually paid attention to them.. outwardly showed his love for them.
"Michael, since we have a burden on our hands, I think you and I continue on, Madison, stay here with him, we'll be back when we find a way out." Connor didn't even look at Madison or Michael while he spoke, walking out of the room before anyone could reply. He knew that must have sounded really cruel of him, and he knew Madison wasn't overly comfortable with the idea that Connor has in a sense disowned the man as his father, even if he did still sometimes call him 'father', he would also call him 'Logan', but more often it would just be 'him' or 'that man'.
But they couldn't really drag Logan about in his drugged state, they'd get too tired lugging him around while they had no clue where they were going. Besides, they needed the advantage Michael's power gave them, if they have Logan, then they wouldn't really be able to use it. Connor felt bad for what he said before, but in truth, he wouldn't take it back, if he could do it again.. he would, and that made him feel even worse.
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ooc: *screams, lunges onto her hands, rips them off, ties them in a box and drops them into a block of wet cement, waits for it to dry and drops it off a plane in the center of the pacific ocean* They won't stop writing! I'm sorry.. *Wants to write more.. eyes her toes and then the keyboard* I know! *Runs off to go online to collect some Jenn posts*...*forgets rest of the board exists*
Madison.
( ooc- *Looks about* I didn’t send any cookies to no one… Uh… Nope… Must’ve been someone else!
And Angie, you are veeery right in wondering why you asked me that when you know my knowledge revolves around Footy, and rather useless information! )
After stepping out of the cell and into some light, Madison looked over both Michael and Connor’s astral forms as she could see them much clearer in the light. She noticed Michael was doing the same, though this was his first view of his cellmates and even this wasn’t what they would normally look like.
While walking through the corridor, Madison fiddled with the ring of her mothers that was placed on her hand as she tried to figure out why she looked like her mother. She had a feeling that Connor was probably wondering the same thing, even though she couldn’t read his face due to the mask. She seemed so focused on trying to figure out why she was in this form by the time she came back to the world around her she quickly had to stop otherwise, in a few steps, she’d crash into her brother.
"Michael, lead the way, I'll take the back, and I suggest we stay together for now.." Madison wasn’t really one who stood in the middle of things, normally if she was walking it would be by herself but if she was walking with another she’d either be leading the way or trailing slowly behind, all depending on her mood. And she most certainly was never in the middle of two people in a fight, she was normally the one starting it! And what was even rarer than being in the middle of things was Madison taking orders from another, however she stepped into her place in front of Connor and behind Michael, since she could take them from Connor.
Following after Michael Madison stepped through the door, however her pace came to a halt at the sound of the painful scream. Whoever it was, was in terrible pain and the face of Michelle showed worry, but if Madison had of been able to stay in her own form while astral projecting it wouldn’t have looked quite like that, maybe more curious than anything else. Well, Madison didn’t know who was behind there and in pain, why should she care who’s there?
"We have to do something. We have to stop this now." Feeling eyes on her, Madison looked over to Connor but by now he was already looking back towards Michael, before passing her, though turning around and walking the rest of the way backwards.
"Better close your eyes Madi, I have this strong desire to be on my best behavior when you look at me. ..And.. now I feel guilty for not fixing my bed before we left.." As Madison smiled, well she thought she was smirking but her mother wasn’t really the smirking type. You see, Madison only really pulls out a smile if she is really pleased about something, otherwise she smirks and it’s not as if you can’t really tell what she’s smirking at, there’s a range of them. For example, right now she’d probably have her amused smirk on her face, but she now wore her mother’s amused smile.
"I want you to count to twenty before you two come in, I'm going to focus on disabling any resistance inside, Madison, you help whoever is singing for help.. and Michael, you help finish off whoever may still be standing." There was a slight smirk at the ‘singing for help’ since she found that much more better than someone saying ‘the person who was screaming in pain’. It had a better ring to it. Though, the smirk faded rather quickly… why was she the one who has to help out the person on the other side of the door and Michael gets to join Connor with the fun stuff? She didn’t find that rather fair, forgetting that she wasn’t her strongest in this form, and was about to protest… but it seemed that Connor knew his sister too well, so Madison’s mouth stayed shut as she clearly added that there was not going to be any compromises.
"See you shortly." Michael and Madison were left to do the counting as Connor phased through the door, her lips moving, slowly silhouetting the words of the numbers as she counted them silently in her head. Though her mind was drifted away from numbers as she heard a thud against the door in front of them. A smirk forming on her lips, which still looked much like a smile. She even for a brief second she wondered how weird it would look to see her mother smirk…
"Honestly you two, how slow are you counting out there, get in here you slackers." Her deep brown eyes looked over to Michael, much warmer than Madison’s own eyes, wondering if he had kept up with counting after she had become distracted. Then she looked back to the door before she became ghost-like and wandered through the door.
As she became solid again, her eyes wandered the room until they found Connor. From there they seemed to follow his gaze to the bio-tubes. Madison almost looked down to her hands as she remembered being inside one, though it wasn’t for as long as Connor and she only hand her forearms laced with the metal but it was still painful, until she remembered that the hands she was about to see weren’t her own.
"Maybe we ought to just-" From hearing Connor speak just a moment before, Madison looked over to her brother as he resumed once more, however he seemed to stop mid-sentence when looking at her… wait his mother. As if Madison wasn’t already feeling slight awkward in this form, now she was beginning to feel more and more uncomfortable.
"He doesn't deserve this," Madison took a step forward and was about to continue on forward to see who the man was, but Connor directed her and Michael elsewhere before she could see. Of course, if Madison had bothered to give a sniff of the air she might have been able to figure out who it was, but she hadn’t bothered, mainly because she didn’t expect it to be someone she knew. Instead she turned around and hurried over to the tubes, but once she arrive she only saw the dead bodies inside them. She only briefly looked over to the one that was a little distance off from her, but she stared at the one in front of her and curiously tapped on the glass.
Although seeing a dead body was not the most pleasant of things, Madison seemed fascinated by it, even though it did send off an eerie-like feel she covered any nervous feelings it gave her by pretending that the dead man was Shalimar, but before she could smile at that she was distracted by overhearing Connor, her absorbed enhanced hearing picking up the word ‘father’ pulling Madison’s mind away from thinking about the dead body of Shalimar Creed. '…Father? ... No way, he can’t be the one lying there.. maybe I just heard wrong…'
"Madison!" Spinning around on the spot automatically, as if she was young again and had been caught doing something wrong and was about to act as if she hadn’t done anything.
"If you want your father, come and get him, I am not dragging his carcass about." Her mouth opened a little in shock, but it was only a tiny movement as her gaze dropped from Connor moving away from the steel bed and to the body on it. Of course, she wasn’t totally surprised, she had partly expected it, but she was sure that she had heard wrong.
Slowly she began making her way over towards the bed her father laid upon. Connor may have disowned the man but Madison hadn’t. Sure, she didn’t have much feeling towards him, how could she when she only sees him on the rarest of occasions and even those are short because they have met by chance while passing each other in the halls or finding themselves in the same room before going their separate ways. However, she seemed to want to honour him, become as strong as him to make him proud and gain his respect, not just so she could be stronger and have an advantage over him like Connor wanted. This goal was only enhanced when the Creed children had arrived at the Institute. Shalimar had said things, compared her to her father, compared both their fathers and while Madison and Shalimar were really yet to prove who was the strongest between them she wanted the older Creed to know who had the stronger father around. So she wasn’t ashamed of him and wasn’t afraid to stand up for her father when others spoke poorly about him, she could speak proudly of him… just she didn’t really have much to say, maybe if she saw him more she would.
“Michael, since we have a burden on our hands, I think you and I continue on, Madison, stay here with him, we’ll be back when we find a way out.” Finally reaching the older Wolverine’s side, she looked up towards Connor but her look of feeling as if she was stuck with the short stick was unnoticed since he didn’t seem to be bothering to look at his sister, or even Michael. Even though it was their father, Madison wanted to be off doing something else, not be stuck behind looking after the weak! Feeling that she was of more use she was about to protest, but as her mouth opened she fell silent, instead she just leaned against the bed and let out a soft, yet annoyed, sigh after coming to the realisation that maybe this was the best she could do. As her mother she had only gain the small traits she subconsciously wanted, her strength was left behind as Madison.
"Fine…" Her voice was soft, though there was a grumpiness riddled in it. The tone rarely heard, on one occasion being when Michelle had been upset after leaving Logan and Madison had broken some fancy and expensive glasses. Feeling bad for upsetting her mother Madison had offered to re-pay them, though the only money she had were a few coins she had found on the ground when she was at the institute a week previous.
"Just hurry," Her voice was more demanding now and Madison kind of felt bad for using her mother’s voice in that way but she didn’t have plans on hanging around here for too long.
After Connor and Michael had left, Madison stood up properly from leaning against the bed and turned a little to peer down at the Wolverine. Her mind curiously wondering why he was here, at first she had figured that he must have been captured. Someone may have wanted to collect the family set. Then her mind played with the thought that maybe, just maybe, he had come to save them and things had gone wrong. She liked that idea much better than him being captured, though if she admitted it to Connor he’d probably change her mind coming up with enough words to pull her over onto his side.
(ooc- Aaaand now ezboard's stuffng for me... so hopefully this posts, but I can't preview and I don't have enough time to read over it anyway... well, apologies if that darn typo demon of mine has struck a bazillion times!!)
Michael.
OOC Hmmm Yep dont think astral forms have a scent! By the by, going on the presumption that though Connor did have a look at Michael in the beginning to make sure he wasn't wounded they are not yet aware of his disability - its not that visible till he tries to stand up.And I havent gone on any further since I don't know whats waiting out there for us.Madi- dont hate him cos he thinks you're nice Its not his fault
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Michael waited for the other two mutants to react to his words. Would they be willing to go in there and get the prisoner out or not? He wasn’t sure what he would do if they refused.
"Better close your eyes Madi, I have this strong desire to be on my best behaviour when you look at me." "..And.. now I feel guilty for not fixing my bed before we left.."
The words left him perplexed. Obviously these two knew each other well, very well. *Some kind of private joke?* The woman had smiled at the words, a sweet caring smile that looked oddly out of place in such a setting. Conner turned towards him then glanced briefly at his feet as if gathering his thoughts together.
"I want you to count to twenty before you two come in." Michael let out a sigh of relief. So they were going to help. At another time it would have seemed foolish to be glad that they were openly putting themselves in danger but somehow it felt like the right thing to do. He would have found it hard to live with himself if they had simply left whoever was behind that door to their fate.
"I'm going to focus on disabling any resistance inside, Madison, you help whoever is singing for help, and Michael, you help finish off whoever may still be standing. No discussions about it."
So this is it. Michael hoped he could phase through the door and regain solid form fast enough to act effectively. As he had stood before the door, willing himself not to go through, it seemed his subconscious mind had translated this into a need to fully materialise Hood. Although the others seemed to change with an ease and speed that left him struggling behind he knew that such frequent alterations of his astral state were taking a toll on him. His heart rate varied with each transformation speeding up and slowing down as Hood sucked more or less life force from his real body. *Don’t know how long I can keep this up or what condition I’ll be in when we eventually get back to the cell. Oh well I wasn’t so great to start with.*"
See you shortly." said Conner and disappeared.
As Michael counted down he wondered what would be waiting for them on the other side of the door. *Will I have to kill to get out of here? Am I capable of killing?* He thought again of the arrows he carried. *That bow is not a toy, it’s a deadly weapon. Am I really ready to assume that responsibility? Rather than let this torture continue. Rather than let Conner and Madison fight alone. Maybe. If I have to! But lets pray it doesn’t come to that.* He met Madison’s warm brown eyes with his own and stepped through the door.
The bow was out before he even got to the other side, the arrow ready and nestling against the string. He had made the transition swiftly and without fuss. Thankful that his luck had held he swept the bow in a swift arc round the room searching for potential enemies. Seeing none, except those Connor had already dealt with, he lowered it and began to take stock of his surroundings. *A lab. Why am I not surprised.* He suppressed the feeling of helplessness the place called up in him *This time I’m not the one strapped to the table he thought.* But still someone was.
Connor had moved over to the bound man "Maybe we ought to just-" Michael heard him say. "He doesn't deserve this" *Well no, no one does. That’s what makes this whole thing so wrong.*
"You two see if there's anyone in those container things."
Michael turned his attention to the row of transparent pods that lined the side of the room. Glass coffins, some of them still holding their unfortunate occupants. His stomach clenched. This was the first time he had seen death close up, unnecessary death, inflicted on others for the sake of some unholy experiment. The idea sickened him. So far he had thought, perhaps naively, that no matter how bad things got these people would hold of from actually killing the mutants imprisoned here. That they held some intrinsic value that would at least save their lives. Now he knew that this was not the case, there were no boundaries which could not be crossed, no shred of human compassion which would stay their hand.
As if from a long way away he heard Connor speaking to the man on the table, the words at first indistinct, meaningless. Suddenly a phrase separated itself from the rest calling Michael's full attention to the masked figure of the boy bent over the prone man "Make no mistake father, I still hate you."
*Father?* The man was Connor’s father? The animosity in Connor’s voice was plain to hear. What could this man have possibly done to him to merit such hostility. *Look at your own family before you start judging others* Michael thought. How would he have reacted if he’d found it was George strapped to that table. His brother’s betrayal still burned him up inside. *He’s selling me like an animal to the highest bidder. He doesn’t care that they’re going to go on hurting me injecting me with these foul diseases.*
He remembered one of George’s discussions with Brady "Diphtheria! Are you sure that won’t kill him? We'll get no money for him if he's dead!" And Brady’s answer "No! Very little chance of that! I just want to see if his system kicks in before his temperature gets too high and he goes blind." He suppressed a shudder. Yes there were times he had wanted George to be the one on the receiving end but even so. *Would I have turned round and walked out if it had been him in here?* No matter what Connor’s father had done to him Connor was still undoing the restraints, still getting him out.
"Madison!" "If you want your father, come and get him, I am not dragging his carcass about."
*My God he’s her brother!*That would explain the complicity, the way they worked together without any need for words. *How is she going to react to this?* Madison left the container she had been staring into and made her way across to the table. She looked concerned and troubled by the turn of events. *Not exactly the ideal place for a family reunion. Not exactly the ideal place for anything come to think of it.*
Connor’s voice broke the silence
“Michael, since we have a burden on our hands, I think you and I continue on, Madison, stay here with him, we’ll be back when we find a way out.”
Harsh words . A burden. It was an expression that cut right through Michaels defences. How many times since the accident had he heard that phrase used about himself. *Is that how he sees him, his own father. He just seems a bit groggy to me. What are they going to think when they realise how badly I’m going to slow them down?*
It was something he’d been trying not to think about but it was always there at the back of his mind. *I’m not going to be a liability. I’m not!* But he knew it wasn’t true. No matter what he did or how hard he tried there were physical limitations that he just couldn’t overcome. He had thought he had accepted the situation but that was just another lie. He hated it and he always would.
"Fine. Just hurry" Madison sounded unhappy at being left behind but Conner seemed determined to ignore the other members of his family. He gestured for Michael to follow him and started to phase out. With a sigh and a last look at Madison Michael did the same.
Connor.
Since the Enright's bodies were able to recover rapidly from any draining excercise, it meant that they were able to handle these forms longer then Michael, plus the fact that their true bodies were now in far better condition then the other boy. But Connor only just now realized that it was taking effort to phase in and out of his solid form because he had been doing it continousily, his body was already regaining its energy though while he was waiting outside. But how was Michael dealing, Connor's hand pulled off his mask angrily, he recived his claustraphobie after the creation of this character's costume so back then he didn't pay attention to the masks details. But now it felt so confining and as if it was restricting the air flow to his mouth, he couldn't breath again and Madison wasn't around so she wasn't going to be ashamed of him in any way if she couldn't see his face. It of course didn't offer to Connor during his moment of stress that.. he most likely didn't need to breath in his form,, it was just a subconsious habit, and his mind was just making things harder for him.
He was pacing, a tell tale sign that he was extremely frustrated and aggitated about something, it wasn't that their father had done something horrible to them.. it was just that he hadn't been there when they needed them. First their mother is dying and he doesn't even tell them until she has only such a short time left, they couldn't even see her, he should have told them, he should have at least told Connor and Madison! But what made him even angrier, he should have been there for them when A.Corp first got them, even if he was too late to save them from the excruciating experiments, he should have been there after.. He should have held them, comforted them, done some-damn-thing that hinted towards the fact he cared that they had been suffering!
Connor half turned so his body was facing the cold wall of the corridor and his face turned to look back at Michael, the peircing blue eyes that came from somewhere on their fathers side staring at him. It was like the very iris of his eyes where on fire, but with ocean blue flames that blazed within the depths of his gaze, burning right though anything he sees. And in a sense they did, he could see things so sharply that he could see the rough imperfections on a soomingly smooth rock. Meet the gaze of a bird soaring far above, he could see with perfect clarity, but he was lucky when it came to his sight.. he had far more control over it then any of his other senses, in fact, it was basically the only one he had any true control over.
"My body has the ability to regenerate at extremely fast rates, which means it takes a while for me to get tired and also means I need little rest to recover." Connor knew full well that Michael will now see who it was that Connor has always wanted to be, but right now, Michael didn't even know what Connor really looked like, and since everyone else in his faily aside from Arisa who had Emerald eyes, they all had brown.
"There's not point getting yourself dangerously weak, with the drugs they are injecting into you your body will need to be strong enough to combat them, when you can't keep this up any more, tell me and we'll head back." If someone had said this to Connor, the feral would have smirked, and even if he felt as if he was about to faint, he wouldn't show or admit to his weakness until there was no other choice. "Once we find the exit maybe we should head back, get into our normal bodies and then get out of here, there are people we know who can come and help these others trapped here." He had no idea where here was, but there was little point hanging around any longer, he had no idea what to do.. even if he was acting all in charge, he was as lost and confused as the others.
But isn't it at least better if it appears that someone has a faint idea of what's going on? That there is someone around who is giving orders in a time they are needed? Connor wished it wasn't him, and yet he knew if someone else was telling him what to do and he didn't respect that person, or know them at all, he'd be much like his sister and they'd tend to feel very insulted by the pull of rank that person felt they had the right to do.
Michael.
Once through the door Michael concentrated on regaining his solid form, draining the necessary life force away from his body and into Hood. He took his time, carefully marshalling his dwindling reserves of energy.
*Looks like Connor needs some time to think things out in *any case* he thought watching the other boys restless pacing. *Can’t have been easy walking into that situation with his old man back there.*
Michael noted the frustration evident in the other boys movements as he suddenly snatched the mask from his face. *He looks like his dad. Wonder if that’s how he really looks or if his mind is playing tricks on him with this astral form. Anyway there’s obviously a whole lot of history between the two of them and its strictly none of my business. If he wants to talk about it he will. But not now* Michael thought as Connor’s fierce eyes turned to him, *now its all too fresh and it hurts too much.*
Michael kept his own eyes neutral, trying not to let his own fears and doubts show in his face. He watched as Connor slowly calmed, his expression changing from one of introspection to something approaching concern.
"My body has the ability to regenerate at extremely fast rates, which means it takes a while for me to get tired and also means I need little rest to recover." *Lucky you! Now that’s what I call a useful power.* "There's no point getting yourself dangerously weak, with the drugs they are injecting into you your body will need to be strong enough to combat them, when you can't keep this up any more, tell me and we'll head back."
*Do I really look that bad? I thought I was holding up better than that. Well at least I thought Hood was.* Michael was under no illusion as to his present physical state of health.Not good and getting steadily worse.
"Once we find the exit maybe we should head back, get into our normal bodies and then get out of here, there are people we know who can come and help these others trapped here."
*Sounds like a good plan except for one little thing. Once I get back into my body Im going to be worse than useless.* Michael looked back at Connor. *He’s waiting for an answer, needing to know whether or not Im up to this. This is his show and he deserves to know what he’s got to work with.*
"I’m fine for the moment Connor. Its true all this phasing in and out is tiring but I can keep up. Don’t worry about Hood he’ll be OK. However there’s something we should get out in the open."
Michael sighed searching for the appropriate words.
"I think we both know that getting out of here is not going to be easy. Im not really expecting to find a door with exit marked on it and a key left in the lock. We’re probably going to have to fight and we’re probably going to have to run. And that’s where the problem lies. Hood can fight and Hood can run but Michael, well that’s another story. There was an accident a couple of years back, car hit me. Messed me up pretty bad."
He tried to keep his voice casual, this wasn’t a plea for sympathy it was just cold facts. Facts that had to be dealt with if they were going to get out of this safely.
"What Im saying is that even without the crap they’ve been injecting into me these last few months and the drugs they’ve got me pumped full of at the moment Im not in such great shape. As soon as we get back to our bodies I'm going to slow you down. And that’s not something Im prepared to do."
Now it was Michaels turn to pace.
"Don’t get the wrong idea, there is no way Im going to just sit back and let these people do whatever the hell they want with me. But the most important thing at the moment is that some of us get out and get help. You say you know people who can come back in here and rescue everyone, great. Sounds good to me. And I’ll do all I can to help. Ill fight with you and Ill cover your backs when you make it out. But Ill be staying here. There’s no way you and Madison are going to be able to function efficiently if you’re having to carry me around at the same time."
There he had said it, finally choked out the words. *If I’m going to get out of here someone is going to have to carry me.* He wondered vaguely if Connor realised what it had cost him to admit this. He hoped not, hoped it had sounded as cold and logical as he wanted it to sound. No emotions, just spelling out the situation. Nothing to be done, it was just the way things were. He supposed he had known all along it would come to this, he'd just been putting off the inevitable decision. *At least it is my decision to stay, my choice, not something Connor's going to have on his weighing on his conscience. That wouldn't be fair.*
"Anyway if I stay here I can make myself useful. Contact the other prisoners. Find out what they can do. Organise some sort of internal unrest to coincide with the rescue attempt. I can always phase out and meet you outside, let you know how things are going. It could work out really well."
*Sounds good, sounds sensible.* He forced himself not to think of what would happen when the guards came for them and found the others gone. Would they just accept that they had left him behind because he was too weak to follow them? Would they believe him when he said he didn’t know how they had escaped? *Hope so because if they don’t and they start asking questions.* His stomach tightened at the thought. He could well imagine what sort of questioning went on in this place.
"Well now that’s settled lets get on with the job in hand?" He smiled at Connor "Where do you think we should start looking for the way out?"
Connor.
ooc: Not really sure what to put.. someone asked if they could join but now they aren't sure if they'll be around so if they don't post by tomorrow I'll go on without them! *Cackles evilly*
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There seemed to be a hesitation before Michael was able to respond, Connor wondered if he was taken back by the feral's cold display towards his father. The guilt was there, but the anger burned on to drive his hate, Madison didn't understand from Connor's point of view, none of them did. He had to lie, and make pathetic excuses, whenever his father had to cancle an outing, or couldn't pick them up, or couldn't see them for a long amount of time. They didn't have to do that, they never had to walk up to him while he was brimming with excitement and say that it wasn't going to happen. They didn't have to make up for the times they father let them down, he had to get a job just to be able to afford to get them presents and take them out. And even then, since Arisa had similar features to her half brother, Nightcrawler, it meant that whenever Connor did take her out there was most often some thing.. more accuratly someone that ruined the day.
"I’m fine for the moment Connor. Its true all this phasing in and out is tiring but I can keep up. Don’t worry about Hood he’ll be OK. However there’s something we should get out in the open." The feral just needed to make sure, he hadn't noticed it was draining his energy until he started using it more frequantly so he didn't want to think Michael was pushing himself. But the last remark in his replycaught Connor's attention, the feral turning a little more to face Michael while he spoke.
"I think we both know that getting out of here is not going to be easy. Im not really expecting to find a door with exit marked on it and a key left in the lock." So.. what was he saying? Connor wondered if he was hinting towards the fact that he might not last that long, or maybe he didn't think they could make it out of here? "We’re probably going to have to fight and we’re probably going to have to run. And that’s where the problem lies." While Michael was speaking a confused expression slowly formed faintly over Connor's features, "Hood can fight and Hood can run but Michael, well that’s another story. There was an accident a couple of years back, car hit me. Connor blinked as the words sank in, repeating themselves even while the astral mutant finished speaking, "Messed me up pretty bad." There was one thing about Connor's gifts that helped him out more often then he realized.. He could tell easily what people were feeling, the increase of the heart beat, the sweat forming almost unseen on their skin, anything, everything, and if someone was fond of someone else he could even pick that up.. not that it was something he tried to do.
But with Michael in his astral form it meant that Connor could only assume that it must be a painful thing, being a burden to others.. Connor paused in thought, he had called his father a burden, was that why Michael was telling him now about this? Another stab of guilt hit him if that was the case, people couldn't help that they had problems like what Michael was explaining.. but his father could have helped Connor and his sister, he was able, there was nothing holding him back that he hadn't faced before.
"What Im saying is that even without the crap they’ve been injecting into me these last few months and the drugs they’ve got me pumped full of at the moment Im not in such great shape. As soon as we get back to our bodies I'm going to slow you down. And that’s not something Im prepared to do." The startling blue eyes of the feral watched the other boy for a moment, what was Michael getting at? His mother died and he had no way of saving her, his sister, Madi, had adamantium laced to her forearms, and he had been in no condition to save her either. He was tired of being unable to help people and if Michael thought Connor was just going to walk out of here without him then this boy needed a few beatings of adamantium claws upside his head until he figured out a better plan!
"Don’t get the wrong idea, there is no way Im going to just sit back and let these people do whatever the hell they want with me." A distinct frown had appeared on Connor's face, and such obvious displays of displeasure were rare. "But the most important thing at the moment is that some of us get out and get help." Connor looked away from him and glared at the ground, the worst part of this was that now Michael was going to start making it all make sense and seem so logical and pefect, "You say you know people who can come back in here and rescue everyone, great. Sounds good to me. And I’ll do all I can to help. Ill fight with you and Ill cover your backs when you make it out. But Ill be staying here. There’s no way you and Madison are going to be able to function efficiently if you’re having to carry me around at the same time." But they had his father as well, Connor could carry Michael and.. and what if someone attacks Connor? He'd be the first one they'd go for since he was busy with protecting Michael, that'd put the other boy in even more danger..
"Anyway if I stay here I can make myself useful. Contact the other prisoners. Find out what they can do. Organise some sort of internal unrest to coincide with the rescue attempt. I can always phase out and meet you outside, let you know how things are going. It could work out really well." Connor stared at him and it was obvious by the look that he did agree it would work out great but that hardly made him feel any better about it.
"Well now that’s settled lets get on with the job in hand?" Very well. It seems Michael has decided already, but Michael will have to learn that the Enrights are a stubborn lot, but he'll see in time just how far their headstronge attitude can take them. "Where do you think we should start looking for the way out?" Connor thought for a moment, then glanced down the hall, almost acting as if nothing had been spoken between them and that this had been the first question that Michael had asked.
"..In a cave, the closer to the entrance you get, the fresher the air becomes." Reasoning outloud as he pondered the question, most people would never possibly be able to tell the same in buildings since they had windows, but this was underground, and Connor was not most people, so all they do is follow the corridors with the freshest air. But then he added as an after thought. "Or we could run wildly through every room and see what they have around the place, maybe we can even find a place to hide you." There was a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, Connor was obviously enjoying the freedom of these astral projects. But with that said, he began walking down the hall so they were not just standing there doing nothing and wasting time, "If we leave, they'll think you've come with us, they might not start searching if we make a big enough scene." The silver coloured adamantium claws on Connor's left hand pierced through his knuckles, special slits in his black gloves allowed the claws through without it tearing the fabric, even though, theoretically, the fabric was not real.
"I don't think it'll be safe for you to remain in the ce-" Connor went silent, looking alert as he stared ahead at the door that lead back to the hall their cell was located in, he could hear voices, and movement, if someone came here they might go to see his father and then the cover would be blown far too early! With a motion of his hand, Connor beckoned Michael to follow him into one of the cell doors, the feral mutant's form phasing out of sight so that they were not caught. Inside the cell Connor had chosen was a vampire, the pacing creature more deformed then the normal ones seen out in the streets. But there were many kinds of vampires, this one had gray spink, he looked more impish then man, pointed nose, chin and eats, plus razor sharp teeths, his red eyes glowed slightly in the dark as he glared at the intruders.
The moment of concern that flared inside Connor passed as he realized if they didn't become solid it shouldn't be able to hurt them.. The creature's long fingers houses sharp claws, Connor smirked slightly again, if that creature thought he was going to be scared off by those tiny things it was sadly mistaken.
"Well.. have to say, seeing that thing makes me miss Spike, at least he looks human." The comment was mumbled entirely to himself, after all, Michael wouldn't have the faintest idea who or 'what' Spike was. But then again, Connor barely knew much about the vampire who had taken up residence with the untouchable mutant Rogue.
"We better not stay in here too long, who knows what might happen this thing starts up a racket.." There was no light at all, and again as it often happens, Connor didn't realize that Michael might not be able to actually 'see' what else was in there with him, save for the glowing eyes.
Logan.
It would seem that none but the Professor was truly aware of the lengths that Wolverine had gone to back when Connor and Madison where abducted by A.Corp, Logan had even returned to scope out the area and it was his invasion of their security that forced the corporation to do business outside of its grounds. Wolverine had been at A.Corp with the rescue mission, he had been with Phoenix, helping her hold off the swarm of fighters that tried to get to the blackbird, they had teleporters go in after his children, even if he tried to get to them, he would not have had any way to reach them unless he clawed through both stone, metal and flesh, something he was entirely willing to do, but decided Kurt’s way was easier and quicker.
It was strange for Logan, Connor had always been the one who tried so hard to hold the family together, Michelle had always said she wouldn’t have been able to do as well as she was managing if she didn’t have her son’s extra help. Out of all three of them, Connor had always been the quieter one, always preferred to hold his tongue instead of snap back, if anyone was going to hate him he thought it would have been Madison. She hated Arisa by what the Wolverine could tell and he wasn’t sure how to handle it, he couldn’t explain to Arisa why he didn’t want her to see her mother, and he couldn’t tell any of them that Mystique had pretended to be Michelle when they had made love and that had resulted in Arisa being born. All these secrets, twisted truths or half truths, the personal pride and endless shame, it was all working together to perfectly destroy this family, and Logan had no idea how to put it back together. Connor had never yelled at him so angrily before as he had done in the Kitchen, Logan didn’t even say anything warranting such retaliation, but he knew then that something had to be done… something had to change.
Logan’s eyes watched as Connor and another boy vanished from sight, his head was throbbing from what they had been doing to him, all his muscles hurt, he could feel the stiff pain fading slightly as he reached out and touched Madison’s arm with the tips of his fingers. Sometimes he’d walk into the room back when they all shared a family room together at the school, and she’d be sitting there, and he’d just see the side of her face or her back, and sometimes it was like Michelle was standing right there. But she’d always turn around and it wouldn’t be Michelle’s face, it’d be similar, but not her, he was still dazed, and he couldn’t really be blamed for not understanding what was going on, but this time the face wasn’t Madison’s, it really was Michelle’s.
“She looked like you…” The gruff voice of the elder feral had a sleepy tone to it, the way his eyes would just closer for long moments would hint he was still recovering, “Thought it was you Shelly,” He didn’t called Michelle ‘Shelly’ often, normally only when he was teasing her, or really down about something, he still kept her ring on, never took it off anymore, only when he knew he was going to go out and do something she wouldn’t approve of. He always wondered, if he had just told her, even after she thought he had cheated on her, if he had just explained to her what happened… maybe she wouldn’t have moved out, maybe then she wouldn’t have been out on her own that day, then maybe, just maybe.. she’d still be living with him at the school, or they moved out to live in their own house.
With a lightly pained groan, Logan shifted about slightly, rolling onto his side, there was another sound of movement, Connor hadn’t killed the three guards, just knocked them out, so the men in the room with them were starting to stir awake, though Wolverine was in no condition to realize this. His legs had slipped off the side of the bed, and for a moment he remained slumped over it before forcing himself up onto his feet, blinking a few times as he encouraged his drugged mind to start functioning again.
“Right… what was I doin’?” Placing the back of his hand against his lips as he coughed, though his mouth remained closed as he tried to subdue it in the back of his throat, he was partially ignoring ‘Michelle’ since he was pretty sure she was just a bonus feature of the drugging. “Ah, ‘ats right, bustin’ heads an’ takin’ names.” He eyed the fallen men, but didn’t remember being the one having done that… taking a moment to remember Connor had been around at some point, he frowned looking thoroughly confused, once again staring at Madison and blinking rather blankly at the realization he had touched her before. There was no scent.. what was she, a ghost? A hallucination? What ever it was it looked and felt real enough, his eyes stared down at her hand to study the ring, then looked up at her face, he knew when he married her that he most likely would outlive her, he just didn’t think she’d die so soon, and it wasn’t a peaceful death at that, so it made the parting all the more difficult.
Madison.
(ooc- *Looks at Fengal* You know you’re evil doing that to poor Michael! *Thinks of Madi being all nice, friendly and caring towards others and cracks up laughing*
Madi: *Scoffs* I can be nice!
Suuuure… You’re yet to prove it, well unless you want something… Oh! And Angie’s siggy reminds me, he’s singing at the Grand Final this year! *Pictures him slicing up umpires with his claws* Aww, that'd be SO cool!)
Watching her father stir as he slowly began to wake, she felt the cold tips of his fingers reach onto her arm. Normally if anyone touched her she’d push them away violently, even if she had bumped into someone it was always their fault and she’d spend the next few minutes yelling at them or if she was in a rush she’d just tell them to watch where they’re going rudely as she continued on. But staring down at the older Wolverine her arm stayed put after remembering that she didn’t look like his daughter anymore, his former wife was who she looked like. As if she wasn’t feeling slightly uncomfortable being in her mothers form who was the complete opposite of her personality wise, she now felt more awkward. Michelle was the woman he had loved, yet Madison was led to believe he had cheated on her with Mystique, someone she had been brought up to recognise as the enemy. How could you really love someone and cheat on them? Even she knew that was wrong, and if some guy ever did dare to cheat on her she'd never let him forget about what he did. He'd be given lovely scars as daily reminders!
“She looked like you…” At first Madison thought Logan had seen right past the astral projection and knew who she really was, thinking he had said something along the lines of ‘You look like her’, until her mind replayed the sentence telling her the correct works.
“Thought it was you Shelly,” Madison quickly picked up that he was really talking about her, Madison. She knew for a while that she looked similar to Michelle, she had even shown Madison a picture of her a five years of age and compared it to one of Madison at the same age. Both were smiling with a cheesy yet cheeky grin and could easily have been mistaken as twins if you showed them to someone who didn’t know the family. Sometimes Madison would wonder if she’d look exactly like her mother when she’s older, but she didn’t feel worthy enough to look like her. She’d only create a bad tale behind the face that her mother had made a good one.
As the Wolverine rolled over to prepare himself in getting up, Madison looked over to the other sound her absorbed enhanced hearing picked up. Why couldn't the guards wait a little longer before waking? She was almost tempted to go and deal with it herself, return them to a world of unconsciousness, but she had to remind herself that her strength was in her own body. It returned her to wondering why her mother what the person she had always wanted to be, still yet to figure out the small traits she longed to have.
“Ah, ‘ats right, bustin’ heads an’ takin’ names.” There was a faint smile from hearing the typical trademark talk of her father. If he was causing trouble, and taking names, that meant that he was looking for Connor and herself... right? Well, it was enough proof for Madison to belive that he was anyway. She wondered for a moment if that would change her brother's mind, though he seemed focused on getting out himself. Help from the older Wolverine was probably only going to be accepted as the last resort, very last and desperate resort.
Looking at her puzzled father she wondered what he was thinking. She had noticed Connor glance back at her, probably just to see Michelle's motherly face again, which she would have done if she had the chance.
"It’s Madi…" She blurted out, yet it was slow at the same time. She had to tell him, she just wasn't sure how to word it it. Honestly, it's better when she doesn't think about what she says before speaking. It makes things much easier for herself than the few times when she does bother to think. "And to make it quick since I’m sure they’re not up for a story…" She said glancing over to the waking guards quickly before continuing. "I’m really back in the cell, with Connor and some other guy, Michael, I think… Anyway, he has this astral projecting power, we absorbed it, took astral form and for some reason I look like this." The way she finished off made it sound as if it was a bad thing, when she didn’t mean to but when you’re not at your full strength with strong guards waking nearby, that won’t be too happy to see you, you can’t be blamed for the way you say things. Then there was also the fact that she didn’t want to mention that for some reason that even she doesn’t know she wants to be like her mother and that is why she now looks like her. Luckily the waking guards could be used as an excuse for not mentioning it. Besides, Madison could tell that her father was already slightly confused, she didn’t need him wondering why she was in the form of Michelle.
"Don't think I’m going to be of much use," She grumbled, her eyes glancing down at the guards making sure they weren’t up yet. "Everything I could use to fight is back with my body in the cell. Probably why Connor made me stay here…" She still wasn’t that happy that she had to stay, but before she could sulkily quote Connor’s words she trailed. She knew things weren’t good between Connor and their father, anyone could tell that, well he was never around and Connor wasn’t pleased that he never seemed to be there for his children when they needed him the most and that was a more than good enough reason to disown a family member, but she wasn’t going to jump in and make it worse, in any other situation she would have loved to make it worse but not this.
From what she had said, she had virtually come out and said 'I'm useless', of course she tried hard to avoid saying those exact words. She always had her pride, which was always annoying for others since she never seemed to lose it, if anything it would make her cocky and more arrogant, but now her pride was low, she didn’t want to wait around. She wanted to be of use and fight. She didn’t even have any powers absorbed to fight with, only enhanced senses. What was she going to do with them, smell, hear and see her way though opponents?
Re: The Center of Inquisition - Underground Cells
Michael.
OOC Em normally you cant speak in astral form unless you materialise so...Ive presumed that things are so easy for Connor that he does it without even realising it. Hope thats OK?And yes I am evil to all my characters Laughs wildy and........ goes to bed! What an anticlimax!
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"..In a cave, the closer to the entrance you get, the fresher the air becomes." *OK! That went well *Michael thought. Strange. He had hoped to sound sure of himself confident in what he had proposed but still Connor’s lack of emotion caught him off guard.
. "Or we could run wildly through every room and see what they have around the place, maybe we can even find a place to hide you."
Hide somewhere. That was a possibility. It all depended on how long the rescue took. What if they searched the place? If he was somewhere else they would know for sure he had been involved in the escape. Then there was the question of food, water. *Painkillers You mean painkillers. Yes! All right!*That was a major concern but there was no way he was going to admit to that. *Oh and by the way did I tell you I might be hooked on drugs as well. Shoot me now and have done.*Sure there was a good reason for taking them. *Like I feel like I want to die if I don’t.* But all the same enough was enough.
"If we leave, they'll think you've come with us, they might not start searching if we make a big enough scene."
Seemed Connor had thought of that possibility. Maybe he was right. He had certainly got more experience with this sort of situation than Michael had. *Anyhow lets face it either way is risky. How do we even know that the guards aren’t heading back to our cell at this very moment to get us out for this auction or whatever the hell it is?*
"I don't think it'll be safe for you to remain in the ce-" Connor stopped mid sentence, indicating that someone was coming and motioning Michael to follow him into a nearby cell.
*Great! Another change of form.* Michael tried to emulate the others fluid transformation willing himself back into wraith forming order to traverse the cell wall. But it was hard . And getting harder all the time.
The cell was dark like all the others. Michael tried not to let it bother him but it was clear he felt nervous not being able to see. He would have preferred simply to have become invisible in the corridor, able to survey those who were coming towards them but if Connor thought this was best well maybe he knew something Michael didn’t.
"Well.. have to say, seeing that thing makes me miss Spike, at least he looks human." Michael sighed . So Connor could afford to take solid form again. Well he couldn’t not unless a fight was coming up or it was absolutely vital for him to say something. Smalltalk was definitely out as far as he was concerned.
We better not stay in here too long, who knows what might happen this thing starts up a racket.."
*This thing?* It seemed strange to hear Connor talking about another mutant like that. *Or maybe its not a mutant* Michael suddenly thought catching a glimpse of the glowing red eyes that seemed to float in front of him. The atmosphere in the cell was strange , almost hostile.
*There is something decidedly weird about our fellow inmate* Michael thought. *Something I don’t like the feel of one little bit. ’By the pricking of my thumbs Something wicked this way comes’ Shakespeare never leaves you short of a good quote when you need one and somehow Macbeth seems oddly appropriate at the moment. What with me playing Banquo’s ghost and all. May I live long enough to have heirs and inherit the crown!*
The thing in question seemed to have other ideas. He could feel it pulling against the inevitable chains, reaching towards the spot where Connor stood. *Stay immaterial, stay out of range! he pleaded silently, little knowing tht Connor had dematerialised without even realising he had ever resumed his solid form.
*How many of the other cells I’ve been so blithely sailing in and out of tonight were filled with things like this? Without light how will I tell the difference on my great recruiting drive when the others have gone. Excuse me would you like to join my little revolution? No thanks I’d rather rip your head off if its all the same to you. OK, sorry to have troubled you. Ill call back later when I’m less dead.*
He felt the stupid laughter gathering in his throat, choked it down in case once he started he couldn’t stop. Not that anyone could hear him even if he did *How to make a bad situation worse. Throw in a few spooky homicidal creatures, stir and leave to stand for a few moments.*
The perfect recipe for disaster..
Connor.
ooc: Hey, now I'm curious, what happens if the stral form get's attacked? Shot, stabbed, ripped into tiny bite sized peices? And what of their real bodies.. if someone touches or drugs them can they feel it and such? *Gives intent look of interest*
And sorry it took me so long to post this, I was ready to put it up yesterday morning but I didn't like this post but I couldn't think of how to do it differently..
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Since Connor could see perfectly well that the chains binding the creature were short enough to render it harmless at this distance, however close to it they were, it couldn't get any closer to them. Taking a moment to listen for the movement outside, Connor's first reaction was that these creatures might somehow see their astral form, he didn't know the exact abilities that might reveal them to others. That was one risk in absorbing other people's power, you may know perfectly well how to use them, but it isn't always easy figuring out their down sides and weaknesses.
"You can speak to me.. I lip read." It wasn't something that Connor 'wanted' to do, more something he 'had' to learn to do. Otherwise outings like the Dying Star nightclub would mean not only was he completely deaf by the special plugs he wore to protect his sensitive ears, blinded by the bright flashing lights, he would be completely cut off from any form of actually socializing with others if he couldn't understand what they were saying.
But it was scaring, removing away all his senses, like last time at the club, with Lauren, Heath, Ben and Racheal, when that mad man, the racist pig who started up on a yellow mutant named Taylor, started waving about a gun. Connor didn't even know he had been shot during the panic of people rushing for the door, most of the group had been dragged along with the crowd. It had angered Connor to think someone shot him, in the back as well, coward, and Connor had the man's scent locked away in his memory.. if they ever met again..
"..The center.." Whispering the name that Michael had mentioned earlier, Connor thought for a moment, "The.. Center of Inquisition?" It was the only 'center' he knew of, when a vampire from another dimension came into this world with some of his goons, he came to the Center of Inquisition, and then the X-men had to come here in order to destroy him.
There was a scream in one of the nearby cells, it sounded female, and it was more of a frightened 'get away from me' yell instead of one soaked in sheer agony. Connor threw Michael a warning glance, demanding the boy to stay put and not think about moving off yet.
"You look for a door that leads out of here, no point in exhausting yourself with always shifting if you're going to have to stay back and help, reserve what you have left," His tone sounded more commanding as he added, "Get back to your body if you need to, I'm going to look for somewhere to stash you, even if I have to carve a damn hole in the wall." There was an urgent tone in his voice - for obvious reasons - but he realized now if they have resistance between them and their way out of here it was going to be hard moving Michael's body without being caught..
"Now, I'm going to go do what I do best, not a sight for decent folks to witness," Michael may not know what that was, but Connor hardly cared right now for those facts, beside, the boy was smart enough to know Connor was probably going to go off and fight, "I'm going to head back to get my body soon, if there are mutants around, it'll give me a chance to pack some additional abilities, and becareful with the demons, some demonic entities can mimic human appearences, so keep your distance, and don't free anyone from their chains yet, no one down here is to be trusted." With that, Connor phased out, he could hear perfectly well that they were just talking with the girl, even if she didn't sound too pleased, she'd started swearing rather foul words in order to get them to leave her alone, but it only amused them more.
It was only three cells down and on the other side of the hall to the room they had been in, it hadn't occured to Connor that Michael may not actually have ever seen a demon before. Being born in the Institute tended to warp your sense of what other people considered 'normal', and after all, he's had so many run ins recently with demons, it only seemed fair that others have at least 'seen' one before. His wraith-like form making a direct line towards where the others were, once they were in his sight, the feral's form materialized once more. The footsteps of Connor's now solid body easily pulling away the attentions of the men so they focused only on him, but by the time they actually heard Connor all they saw of him was his body running past them and then the back of his body.
"Hey!" One slammed the cell door shut and then all three run after Connor, well.. just because this was a serious situation didn't mean he couldn't play with them. Once through the door, Connor slammed it shut, glancing down the hallway he knew eventually lead to his cell. His body slowly faded from sight, smirking slightly as they threw open the door and walked towards him, two standing right in front of him while they glanced down each direction of the hall. An instant later Connor had his body solidify, his claws embedded moments later into their stomachs, though retracted slightly and not at their full length, crippling them, yet not fatally killing the humans.
The last guard pulled out his gun and aimed it towards the younger boy, the smirk didn't fade from Connor's lips, he had been shot before, and he hadn't even realized it! The man was yelling out orders, but Connor simply allowed his adamantium knives to slip back within his knuckles. While the man took a step forward, Connor's body began to vanish from sight, a nervous look seen on the guard while he glanced about. There was a slight headache forming, it was signalling that Connor was over using the power, even if his body could recover quickly, he still got his headaches, even though it took much longer then usual to get them now. Like that time he had kept teleporting with Kurt's ability, he grew so weak from the strenuous drain on his body and abilities that he basically collapsed into Madison's arms.
He was going back to his body shortly anyway, then he could hold off using his abilities for a little bit to give his body a chance to properly recover. But first he had to deal with this pesky guard, it was an easy thing for Connor to kill them, but Connor wasn't someone who could just murder others. The silver hued claws sliced across the mans back as Connor reappeared behind him, his foot then slamming against the man and throwing him hard into the wall, knocking him out cold.
Now.. to get his body, hopefully Michael put his time to good use so when Connor get's back to Madi they'd at least know which direction they were going to be leaving a trail of chaos in.
Logan.
"It’s Madi…" Logan stared rather hard at the young woman as she said this, Madi? His Madison? ...Hardly able to call her 'his' though, rarely gets to see her..
'Must be the drugs..'
The thought whispered in the back of his mind, though she seemed so real, she seemed so much like her mother, had she changed and grown this much and he had not noticed?
"And to make it quick since I’m sure they’re not up for a story…" Turning his attention away from Madison over to the guards only for a heartbeat before he was looking at her again, relishing the chance of 'seeing' his wife.. even if she was not the real Michelle. "I’m really back in the cell, with Connor and some other guy, Michael, I think… Anyway, he has this astral projecting power, we absorbed it, took astral form and for some reason I look like this." There was that instinctive 'Don't speak of your mother like that' look about his eyes for a moment, the tone of voice seemed to make Wolverine think Madison wasn't fond of looking anything like her mother. But then the more curious thought of 'Why' crossed his mind, it wasn't going to be answered however, not now, and in all likely hood not for a very long time, if ever.
"Don't think I’m going to be of much use," These words caught Logan off guard, he can't remember the last time Madison said something like that. "Everything I could use to fight is back with my body in the cell. Probably why Connor made me stay here…" The dark eyes of the feral dropped off from Michelle's face and stared over towards the guards. Connor was off fighting people that had not only managed to capture him and his sister earlier, but captured Wolverine as well, and Logan knew full well he was doing it on his own just to prove that he could do this without Logan's help.
Placing the tips of his fingers on the side of his temple while he moved towards the guards, Wolverine groaned a little, all this confusion wasn't helping the throbbing headache that was beating in the front of his head. Bending down, Logan grabbed two of them by the throats, lifting them up slightly and then banging their heads together so they slumped back down to the ground.
"Yer not usually the 'lacking confidence' type Madi, jus' coz you ain't with claws don't mean you can't do some serious damage, an' you ought to know Connor is fully aware o'what you can an' can't do," There was a groan from the third guard who slowly struggled to his knees, his back to both the door and Wolverine, Logan's hand grabbing a handful of the mans hair and forcing him up to his feet, turning the guard about Wolverine slammed the guy head first into the steel door.
"You ever thought he might'ave jus' left you behind coz you ain't exactly you right now, yer his mother, an' don't take much guessin' t'tell how much he misses her." Wolverine looked around rather bored already, he wanted to leave, he wanted to leave right away, but he knew if he left then Connor and the other boy might return expecting to find them here and he didn't want to split up from his kids just yet. "An' you tell yer brother next time he goes off lookin' for Aris' or whatever, least you lot can do is leave a letter on th'fridge or somethin'." He may not be perfect but at least he would call or get someone to tell them he wasn't going to be around, bad enough he was walking into an empty room at the Institute, last thing he needed was now worrying over where exactly they were and if they were even IN the school grounds.
He was being a little sarcastic about the fridge part, but that's what Michelle would often do when she went out without warnings. Mainly because Logan would often wander straight to the fridge in order to grab a beer, the kids tended to raid the fridge for food and snacks, so it was the most obvious place to put any notes, they'd see it instantly.
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ooc: Erm, sorry Loz, not sure what else to put..
Michael.
OOC Don’t know about Loza but having recently become a parent myself I think you’re doing a good job!
Now as to those powers. Grabs franticly for my ‘its in the bio' card Oof! Had already thought of this. Feels smug (and relieved) and reaches for copy button
‘As soon as ‘Hood’ touches Michael he is reabsorbed. It would not therefore be possible for Hood to carry Michael’s body to safety for example.. Any injuries sustained by the Hood form are transferred to Michael, if Hood is cut Michael bleeds. Similarly if Michael is attacked Hood knows something is wrong’.
Think if you knocked Michael out or drugged him it might make Hood reintegrate. Although Michael seems to be unconscious or even dead when Hood is out, there must be some conscious effort going on for the energy transfer to be possible. What do you think?
Do you know an Aussie band called Something about Kate?? Saw them Tuesday night at an Evernescence concert,
Otherwise Help I don’t know where I’m going!! If it doesn’t coincide with your idea of the way out then please say!! I may be computer illiterate but I can…..roll he drums Edit!!
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"You can speak to me.. I lip read." *What?* Michael gazed blankly in Connors direction. *Lip read? But that would mean… That he can see in the dark well enough to do it. So, no wandering around blindly for him. How great would that be? I should have known. Seems like there’s not much he can’t do.*
"..The centre.. The.. Centre of Inquisition?" *And that sounds just wonderful too. The kind of place you’d really want to spend some time in. Not that they had much choice. Seems Connor's heard of it before even if he's only now putting two and two together. From the sound of his voice he isn’t too enthralled at the prospect of being held here either.*
A girls frightened scream sounded from one of the nearby cells Instinctively Michael turned towards the source of the cry. *Damn! Now they were starting up on someone else.*
"You look for a door that leads out of here, no point in exhausting yourself with always shifting if you're going to have to stay back and help, reserve what you have left"
Had he not even heard that the girl was in trouble! Michael cursed the darkness which prevented him from seeing the expression on Connor’s face. “No way! We have to go help her first. Damn it I’m fine. I can rest and get my strength back after you and Madi get out” He mouthed the words, waiting for Connor to react but the other boy just continued talking. *What’s the point in lip reading if he doesn’t look at me! Or maybe he is looking at me and what I think just doesn’t count.*
"Get back to your body if you need to, I'm going to look for somewhere to stash you, even if I have to carve a damn hole in the wall."
Michael swore in frustration. *All I’ve managed to do is convince him that I’m worse than useless. And its not me that’s paying for it. Its some girl who doesn’t even know what’s going on or that there may be a way out of here.*
"Now, I'm going to go do what I do best, not a sight for decent folks to witness,"
*What you mean is you’re going to fight and you don’t want me getting in the way. But I can fight too. I told you I could. Maybe he’s going to help the girl after all. I wish he’d open up a bit. God I hate the dark!*
"I'm going to head back to get my body soon, if there are mutants around, it'll give me a chance to pack some additional abilities, and be careful with the demons, some demonic entities can mimic human appearances, so keep your distance, and don't free anyone from their chains yet, no one down here is to be trusted."
*Demons What the hell did that mean? Was that what was in the room with them? A demon? Horns, tail, smell of sulphur? No that was just too far fetched. Things like that belonged in Faust or Paradise Lost. You didn’t run into the on the way to the chemists. Must be some American slang I can’t pick up on. Please let it be that! * Otherwise things had just moved to another level and Michael wasn’t sure he was ready to follow.
"Connor! Wait! What do you mean by demon? And what about the girl? Connor? Connor?"He had he impression that his words fell on deaf ears. *Has Connor gone? Just like that! Leaving me mouthing unheard phrases to no one? No thought that maybe I’d have some questions or even not be in agreement with this plan. Guess he’s just used to having his own way. Wonder if Madison felt this frustrated when he left her behind. In any case she did as he said. I suppose I’d better do the same.*
Deep down Michael knew that this arrangement made sense. Someone had to find the way out. Connor was sure of his own ability to fight his way out of any situation but Michael was an unknown quantity to him. But it still rankled. It had hit him harder than he had realised admitting his bodies condition to the other boy. The flash of anger he felt was as much directed against his own helplessness as against Connor.
*So he expects me to sail off and find the way out does he. What did he say before. Oh yes In a cave, the closer to the entrance you get, the fresher the air becomes. Now that’s really helpful, always provided you’ve got the heightened senses required to smell the fresh air. Oh yes and who has those? Give you two guesses.*
*So I suppose that leaves me with the second option ‘run wildly through every room and see what they have around the place’. Well it’s the only solution. And take it on trust that he’s done something to help that girl? I’ll just have too I guess. But I don’t have to like it.*
Michael became acutely aware of the other creature in the room. *He knows here’s something here. Even if he can’t see me. Some kind of sixth sense . And that is not good!* It seemed as if it was trying to scent its prey. *Does Hood have a scent? If so it must be the smell of fear at the moment!* He instinctively edged away from the prisoner, feeling its intrinsic hostility flowing towards him.
*Calm Got to think this through.* Connor had said not to trust anyone held here in the centre.*But surely ‘the enemies of my enemies are my friends.’ * Where had he read that? Risky idea at best, but honestly, if he was proposing to stay behind and lead some sort of revolt against those who were holding them all captive here maybe it would work. *Who had said that studying Machiavelli was a waste of time. Force them to choose a side . Our side. Even a temporary alliance was better than nothing. But then again maybe letting things like this loose in the world is too big a price to pay for our freedom.* He groaned. *I just wish I had more facts to go on.*
*So should I stay and chat? No! To be honest I don’t feel like trying to make new friends at the moment. Better to find the exit and come back later if we decide to consider the alliance option. That’s what Connor asked me to do. Only hope he doesn’t need backup because I’m already in two places at one time as it is. *
Michael floated silently through the cell door and back into the corridor. He could hear sounds of fighting coming from the direction of the scream. *Connor Taking care of business.
Wonder if Madison’s OK? Hope there’s not an alarm on that door to the lab. Even if her father can also absorb my projection powers they’re going to have to open it sometime to get his body out. Maybe those guards Connor downed would have a key or something. We could certainly use one otherwise how are we going to open our cell door? Better keep an eye out for one as I go along.*
He swept through the building methodically, not simply phasing through the ceiling to see what was on the next level. That might be the fastest way to go in astral form but wouldn’t be much use when they had to physically work their way out. He had to find and remember the safest route out of this place. Stairs leading up. *Always up! How far down are we anyway? And why are there not more guards, more security cameras? Are they so sure of themselves that the idea that someone may get out just doesn’t occur to them. Or is it something else?*
As if his question had tempted fate he heard footsteps approaching. *OK so there are guards. Time to get a look at the enemy.* He watched as they approached his invisible form. Three men Black suits White security badges. Humans from the looks of things. He smiled, relieved. *Connor almost had me going then with his demons ‘ghosties and ghoulies and three legged beasties and things that go bump in the night’ Sure! Like that’s going to happen. Still that thing back in the cell was really weird.* he reminded himself. *Yeah and I’m not?*
The men moved down the corridor towards him. He instinctively pulled back, not liking the thought of them actually passing through his form *Even ghosts need personal space is seems!* Then he changed his mind *I could at least try to see if they’ve got anything that looks like a key on them though maybe those badges are enough to open the doors.* He eased towards the men, careful even in his immaterial state.
Suddenly one of them spun round gazing directly at where Michaels astral form was standing. Michael froze. *What’s going on How can he possibly know I’m here?*
"What’s wrong?"
"Don’t know. Just a feeling. As if there was someone here with us. Better check it out."
So saying the man changed, his face seeming to shift and melt until………
*Holy crap what is that? * Michaels brain struggled to come to terms with what had just happened. Any remnants of complacency or disbelief were ripped away by the sheer physical reality of the being standing before him. Red eyes seemed to burn into his own as the demons green skinned face came closer, ever closer. He couldn’t move.
His mind flashed back to the day of the accident, the car hurtling towards him He hadn’t been able to move then either and it had cut him down and left him dying on the pavement. Not again! Not this time! With an ultimate effort he tore himself away from the dreadful gaze and hurled himself back through the walls. Anywhere as long as it was away from the thing searching for him.
Another cell, empty by the feel of things, but this time he was grateful for the darkness that surrounded him. *How do you fight something like that? How can there be something like that? I want to go home* he thought suddenly, desperately. *I want to sit in an armchair and moan about what’s on the TV. I want to hear Kirstie rambling on about her latest boyfriend or which lip gloss to wear. I want to be normal again.*
*But that’s not going to happen. All that’s gone and what lies ahead is strange and frightening and cruel. So get up and deal with it.*
He waited five long minutes in the cell and still no one came. *Maybe they weren’t sure there was something there. Maybe I was too fast for them to track me. Maybe it will be OK to go back out.* Shakily he pushed through the cell door The corridor was empty. The guards had gone.
*Thank god Connor wasn’t there to see my reaction* he thought. *If it had come to a fight would I have frozen? Maybe it was for the best At least next time , please don’t let there be a next time, Ill know what to expect. But its cost me time. Need to get a move on. case Can’t keep this up all day.* He turned around looking at the cell number on the door behind him, noting it in case it proved to be the only place they found for him to hide while the others went for help. *Don’t think about what its going to be like staying here by yourself. Just find the exit and then you can head back.*
More stairs. *No way I could climb all of these as Michael.* However there seemed to be more light more noise coming from behind this door. *Maybe I’m getting close to the surface. Lets hope so.*
He had just started to phase through door when the pain hit him. A massive mystical charge that tore a silent scream from him and shattered Hood into a million splintered pieces.
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OOC Figured they’d have some sort of anti ghost security in his place!! Especially after you lot trashed it ( been reading the other centre of inquisition posts to try and find the way out!) You'll probably hear the scream coming from our cell! Might need heart massage! If so you could see some scars from the ops! Just thought I'd be optimistic!
Connor.
ooc: Sounds great! Lovely post.. and Loza, you know how we look around for shirtless pics of characters and spunks? Well for once I tried to find pics with Connor in a shirt..*couldn't find a single decent one that worked for the siggy* É had to draw a singlet onto him!
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'Open damn you!'
The grip Connor had on the steel door was strong and firm, yet the lock wouldn't let him open the cell door, he needed a key, one of those guards probably had a key for the doors. This was a waste of time! Connor irritably threw his fist at the door, deciding he should just run back and find a key, but his body jerk quickly away from the door as a scream echoed from within the cell.
'Michael!'
Connor grabbed at the front of the door again, before readying to phase through it, when he did shift, it felt as if someone had just thrown him head first into a wall. His abilities may be impressive but he couldn't use them as long as Madison still, so after a little while it would start to take its toll on him.
'Maybe I should get the door unlocked first.. what if I can't phase out of there again? What if I get trapped inside the cell?'
After a strenuous moment of thought, Connor cast aside his own fears and focused solely on Michael, what had happened? Had the other boy over done it? It was all Connor's fault, he should have insisted they split up earlier to cover more ground faster! What if something was wrong? ..'What if'? Of course something was wrong!! People don't just start screaming for the heck of it, there's always a reason.. well.. unless they were insane or similar such conditions.
Inside the cell Connor was both relived and frightened from the silence, the feral wouldn't be able to cope if someone was screaming, especially with these stonewalls that'd just amplify and echo the horrendous sound that could virtually cripple Connor. There was a moment he was trying to will himself to solidify once again, only there was a painful burning sensation flaring almost feverishly on his forehead. A moment later Connor's eyes opened as he was once again within his own body, no use in fighting to remain in astral form if it was only going to strain his power and body more.
Again there was another jealous thought about how Madison had a longer duration in both using her absorbed abilities and holding onto them. He may be able to hand and use the powers of other people, but when his power couldn't handle any more use. then that was it for Connor, always so sudden and instantly basically forcing him to cease using his mimicking abilities.
'Real good Connor, tell him not to push himself and you go and do just that, though, normally I can handle powers a lot longer.. must be the drugs, or something.. Madison will be here though, don't panic, she always comes, she's the only one that will never let you down..'
He groaned slightly as he sat up and placed his hand gently against his forehead, looking over towards Michael, he cursed himself for forgetting about the boy. Shifting onto his knees, Connor moved over towards Michael, well at least the pain, worry, and exhaustion was keeping his mind of the claustrophobia. Isn't he something? Blinded by a torchlight, deafened by a scream, knocked out by a potent stench, made ill by an awful taste, experiences sudden exhaustion that has on two occasions nearly made him faint, and to top it off, he was claustrophobic, with slight unease around water. A son to be proud of eh?
'Pathetic waste of perfect Genes.'
He thought dismally as settled beside Michael, Connor suddenly stopped his inward rant and stared at Michael, all in all it had been under a minute since Michael entered his body and Connor made it to his side, but it felt like hours as far as Connor was concerned.
"Alright.. uh.. if you need mouth to mouth I think we ought to wait for Madi to realize something's wrong.." Even though his sarcastic words where teasingly spoken in a worried tone, Connor already had his hand lifting the boy’s shirt. But really, who was Connor kidding, Madi might allow the boy to die rather then let her lips touch his, and usually Connor was all for her lips being well clear of any male suitors... especially that argumentative Shalimar Creed's brother, Brennan.
'Another reason I'm glade for my healing factor, look what they did to the poor guy.'
Connor's eyes flickered over the scars, the young feral may have been sliced and diced and injected with adamantium but his body recovered quickly from the scars of the harsh treatment.
"This may be shockingly unexpected, but I would highly appreciate you not screaming.." The palm of Connor's hand rested against Michael's chest, it was easier for Connor since he had absorbed Gwen Frosts 'Electric Power', now to just access it without knocking himself out in the process. With a small charge running through his fingers, Connor couldn't help but think of a Doctor calling out 'Clear' while they shocked the patient.
It was no way near enough to hurt Michael, just enough to hopefully zap him awake, best the boy be conscious before Connor blacks out, how humiliating will this be, no one has ever seen his panic attacks, not even Madison, normally she gets him out of the small area before it gets too bad.
Madison.
( ooc- I know Something for Kate, they’re cool!! And just because one of my Footy Players loves them had NOTHING to do with me liking them! They're a great band!
... Wow, who’d have thought that shirtlessness could become a problem?)
At least if she couldn’t be the one causing damage, at least she could watch her father return the guards to unconsciousness before they barely woke up.
"Yer not usually the 'lacking confidence' type Madi, jus' coz you ain't with claws don't mean you can't do some serious damage, an' you ought to know Connor is fully aware o'what you can an' can't do," She knew that and knew that he knew she wasn’t at her full strength right now, but it didn’t mean she was just going to forget about being the one who had to stay behind. Connor had the strength or whoever he was and Michael was, well, Robin Hood and seemed to have his skills, what was Madison? A mother. Somehow this idea of grounding people didn’t seem to lighten her mood, but seeing the last guard be used as a doll in her fathers hands did.
'Why couldn’t I have become someone strong?' As much as she loved her mother, she wanted to be use now and while it was annoying enough not knowing why she looked like this, it was more annoying not being able to fight. However, those she knew who were strong were mostly strongly disliked, excluding Connor and Logan, and there was no way she was going to take the form of any of them, even deep in her subconscious knew that.
"You ever thought he might'ave jus' left you behind coz you ain't exactly you right now, yer his mother, an' don't take much guessin' t'tell how much he misses her." She misses her mother as well, probably everyone who knew her would since Michelle was one of those nice people you never forget. Madison knew shortly after realising the astral form she was in that she was probably going to be treated differently, though her mind didn’t stay on that for too long as she was hoping to be proved wrong in that case. It turned out she was right… it was always a curse of always having to be right!
Just because she looked like her mother now didn’t mean she had to be treated differently, she was still Madison… except she had none of her own strength, claws or absorbed powers. She still had her own personality and mind, not always something good in most cases for others more than herself, but it wasn’t as if she had turned into Michelle. Ok, the whole reduction of strength was probably a reason to be looked out for, but Madison wasn’t happy about it. As long as she wasn’t turned into some 'damsel in distress' because of that, she might just be able to get through this without losing her temper.
"An' you tell yer brother next time he goes off lookin' for Aris' or whatever, least you lot can do is leave a letter on th'fridge or somethin'." A faint smile tugged at the sides of her lips from the comment and memories of racing Connor to the fridge for food and finding a not stuck up there. Though, if she was going to bother to properly smile at that remark, the mention of Arisa would have stopped that. Madison still couldn’t believe how ungrateful her half sister was. There was the fact that Arisa didn’t know who had stuffed things up for her at the Brotherhood, something Madison had kept well a secret yet felt that she deserved some kind of credit. She didn’t seem to realise that her ‘acts of kindness’ normally done more harm than good. As in this case, Arisa had no family to turn to, not that Madison really cared now anyway.
"You knew we were missing?" She asked slowly, her mind playing with the thought that the Wolverine had come to save his children, yet she wasn’t too sure if she was right or not. It was just what he said a moment ago that caused the question to arise. "Does everyone know?" She didn't want everyone knowing that she had gotten herself captured and gone missing. Even if people didn't know about what had happened last time she was captured, and even though most people probably wouldn't even care if they did know, she still didn't want them knowing. Again... she was putting herself before everything else, but she couldn't be blamed for not wanting people to know about, could she?
Michael.
The world was light and darkness, spinning, swirling particles with no sense of self or being. There was no peace, no stability just chaos and violation. Time itself had no meaning for there was no consciousness left to recognise its passage.
Then what had been violated? Something. Something that had been and now was lost.* I’m lost* Shadow of though, spark of reason. Gone again. Torn apart by the whirlwind.
*Door* Somewhere the echo of an image, endless doors, endless wandering, so many to choose from. All different, all leading to darkness.
*This one Car door. Fast so fast. No time to open it. Impact. Rising. Falling. Breaking. Pain. No not that one Please.*
*There! Another one. Metal and glass. Dread and necessity Rehab. Machines, pulling, stretching tortured muscles. Forcing ruined limbs to obey. Hard! So hard. Pain *
*Don’t want to Don’t want to go back to that. Just let me be.*
*This one White, hard, locked. Always locked. Keep it locked! Not going through. Not there not again. But I’m already inside and they’re here with their needles. I’m strapped down and they’re going to hurt me. They’re going to keep on hurting me again and again. And there’s nothing I can do to make them stop. Why wont they stop? Even here Even in the chaos and the oblivion they won’t let me rest.*
*Why is there another one. Haven’t I been through enough! Its important! Its why you’re here why you’re like this.*
Realisation of self flooding back. *I am someone, distinct independent, not just fragments of consciousness. All of these doors I have opened are part of me. ‘I think therefore I am’ Descartes Discourse on Method* A thousand quotes filling his head The smell of old books The feel of the leather bindings in his hands. The joy of the words spilling out from between their pages. *There is also this pleasure and it helps. It helps beat back the pain. It helps me forget . It helps me become…….. Something! Something else! What could it be. Have to open the door to find out.*
*Yes! This door! Have to open it! Not phase through! It’s the way out! The way out for Connor and Madison Have to get back Have to tell them But I don’t know the way. I’m lost. I’ve lost myself. I’ve lost…..Michael.*
*But I am Michael. Maybe I just have to accept that. Accept what its going to be like if I do find my way back. Open this last door The one that’s hiding way down here in the dark. Standing between me and the pain. That’s my way back even if I don’t want to take it.*
*And what if I cant? I’m so tired and its so far away. Everything’s getting so far away. And I don’t have the key. Must have dropped it somewhere. Too dark to find it now. Too dark and too hard and too peaceful . I’m dying! That’s why its peaceful. Finally! I got away! But the others! They’re still trapped They don’t know how to find the door. Can they still project if I die. Must try to hold on, open the………*
Shock! Brutal, violent. Chest muscles in spasm Lungs gasping for air. Pain everywhere, tearing him apart. Too much even to scream. Tortured breathing coming from somewhere. *That’s me! Mustn’t pass out Not yet Have to tell them about the door. Must lie still. Hurts too much to move.*
*Breathe Just breathe.* Tears of pain coursed down his face unnoticed. *Someone there. Close Connor? Madison? Must tell them.*
"Connor?" Little more than a groan escaped his lips. "I found it……… The way out……. Listen."
Slowly agonisingly he dredged up the route from the recesses of his mind “third… corridor on the right….. then second left stairs going up…"All the details etched in fire, memorised like his precious poetry. "Guards. Connor….. there were guards. Three of them …A demon He can sense us Connor…… Sense astral forms…… Don’t get too close……. Got away before they were sure……. Last corridor Cell 513 ……..Its empty….. Just in case" He gave a wan smile "But its far. Too far!"
"Then there’s the door…….. At the top of the stairs…….. Open it Connor. Find a key…….. Don’t phase……. There’s a trap……. Blew me away."
Realisation hit him suddenly, bringing another slow smile to his lips. "I saw what’s on the other side Connor……… Just before I shattered……… Offices………. Its like the entrance to an office complex……… If you get through the door……… maybe you don’t have to fight……. Bluff. Hide in plain sight!………. Walk right out of here."
*And now I can rest.*
OOC He's not passed out! Unfortunatly for him! Thanks for the volts
Connor.
ooc: *cries* Lost my post.. only had 2500 something words.. I'm ok.. really I am..*Looks around with paled expression after her comp just ate 7 other posts as well after freezing and shutting down*
---------------
"Connor?" There was a pause as Michael was struggling to speak, Connor's bright eyes looking up at the boys face, his hand slowly pulling away from his scarred chest. "I found it……… The way out……. Listen." A way out, that sounds nice, his eyes drifted to the thick steel door before wandering back to Michael.
“third… corridor on the right….. then second left stairs going up…" The words repeated in his mind, a desperate struggle to focus solely on his voice and nother else. "Guards. Connor….. there were guards. Three of them …A demon He can sense us Connor…… Sense astral forms…… Don’t get too close……. Got away before they were sure……. Last corridor Cell 513 ……..Its empty….. Just in case" Didn't occur to Connor that Michael would have not believed in demons until then, so Connor hardly really cared about the fact, most of the guards in A.Corp were vampires in the sub-basement "But its far. Too far!" Nothings ever too far! Besides, there is three of them now, one can fight, two can help him move, they don't have many guards down here since the cells are thought to be so difficult to escape from. Then again, they are only supposed to be holding mutants with some form of healing powers in them really, or some other ability that would help earn the business some extra money, no one knew about Michael's astral form.
"Then there’s the door…….. At the top of the stairs…….. Open it Connor. Find a key…….. Don’t phase……. There’s a trap……. Blew me away." Well, Connor would need at least 30 minutes to recover so he doubted he'd be phasing anywhere, an hour would be nicer, a few hours would be best, but 30 minutes and he could at least use his ability again without any threat of it instantly knocking him out "I saw what’s on the other side Connor……… Just before I shattered……… Offices………. Its like the entrance to an office complex……… If you get through the door……… maybe you don’t have to fight……. Bluff. Hide in plain sight!………. Walk right out of here." Offices? That's bad... in the sense that it only leaned towards confirming that this place was in fact the Center of Inquisition.
"Sounds great." The tone of voice made him sound rather distant and distracted, that means all he'll have to do is get out of this small cell into the even smaller hallways.. "Nothing like a nice stroll in the stale air of cramped hallways to boost the funness level of a family outing." Connor added off hand in a rather uneasy tone, though his attention shifted back towards the door as a distinct 'clicking' sound could be heard as it was unlocked.
"You get the girl, you get the cripple, I'll get the boy." As soon as the men opened the door they allowed light from the hall to peirce into the darkness, causing Connor to shut his eyes tightly and look away half dazed. There was talk between the guards, about how none of them were chained to the walls any more, about the girl being extremely weak, Connor half hoped Madi would hear that and come to slit their throats for saying such blasphemy!
There was a mixed between a groan and a growl from Connor as they approched the two boys, a hissing sound coming from the man being the last thing Connor remembers as the guard releases a small amount of knock out gas from a spray canister onto the feral's direction. Well the good thing was at least Connor didn't have to worry about staying in the small cell any longer, bad thing was that things were going to get a little more difficult for the young mutants who were now being transorted to the designation set up for the auction. All three of the bodies were lifted rather roughly and carried off hastily towards the lobby of the building where Gwen Frost and Cole Turner were both waiting so that they could escort the captives to the proper location.
TBC: Harmony Market; The Black Market Auction - Official Mutant Trade
ooc: I know.. I know.. it's awful...*Throws accusing glare towards Loza*..*Shakes fists* ..
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