The Stray Mutant

Inside a large, burgundy decorated office, sat Metalium, opposite him, Morpheus stood. 
"The time has finally approached," Metalium spoke, "Edward David's has medalled for the last time.  Why does this man insist on preventing any harm to humans, especially the government, the ones whom hate us the most.  The girl, Alexia, she could have been useful." Metalium was speaking about an event earlier, where Alexia Areflecta had the chance to destroy a large amount of government staff.
"I agree sir, she could have been useful, the ability to create both fire and ice is a great ability," Morpheus replied, she then smiled.
"What is it? Why the smirk?" Metalium asked with intriguement.  Even if it was a private joke, Metalium would find out sooner, or later, he tends to have very persuasive abilities.
"Although Alexia could prove useful, I have witnessed a mutant with much greater powers," Morpheus paused to see if Metalium looked interested.
"So who is this and what are these great powers?" Metalium asked.
"Mary-Beth Jones, or better know as Vixen, she has the ability to absorb the powers of other mutants," Morpheus told Metalium
"Now, that is certainly an impressive ability.  Somehow I need to get her on our side," Metalium replied.
"Although her powers are great, I am unsure she would be reliable.  The girl is very naive, it would be fairly simple to get her on our side but she could prove a liability to us.  She could make all Edwards allies weaker and allow us to get to him" Morpheus replied.
"Yes, that would be a problem, why are or the useful mutants idiots?" Metalium angrily replied.  After a brief silence, Metalium spoke; "I've got it!"
"Please, do tell," Morpheus smiled, she knew how good Metalium's plans were.
"I think we need to pay a visit to our old friend - Professor Dean." Metalium continued; "You see, he creates his own mutants, just by another mutants DNA.  The only problem is, he has two unknown substances that are needed to successfully complete the transformation."
"He will never help us and who would we transfer the powers to?" Morpheus asked.
"We will just have to use a little force.  All we need to do is get samples of the two substances, the ones he names 'X' and 'Y'.  I think Sky will be willing, he is always wanting to help us," Metalium told Morpheus. "Right, get Max, I am not wasting any time."
After briefing Max on their plan to get the substances, Metalium looked at Morpheus.
"Morpheus, I want you to get the Edwards mansion and do not return unless it is with the girl, Vixen," he told her.
"How?" Morpheus asked.
"What do you mean how, just use your powers, get her here, you know what Sub-Zero looks like - I am sure they are friends," Metalium snapped.
 

Meanwhile, at the mansion.  Vixen ran to the front door, standing behind her was Athena.
"Hey, I'm just going out, I will be back soon," Vixen told Athena.
As Vixen walked down the path, Sub-Zero was walking toward her.
"Hi, where are you heading to?" Sub-Zero asked Vixen
"I'm just going for a walk to get some fresh air and maybe go to a few shops," Vixen replied.
"You fancy coming with me to an old friends house?" Sub-Zero asked her, "It's just, well, we fell out a few years ago and I want to try patch things up, I could really do with the support," Sub-Zero looked at her with puppy like eyes.
"Sure, I haven't got anything else to do," Vixen giggled.

At Professor Dean's lab.  The Professor was reading thought old mutant records, no doubt planning his next super mutant, suddenly, there was a knock at the door.  The Professor looked up at his monitor, he recognised Metalium straight away.
"You are wasting your time, I do not let the likes of you into my laboratory," he shouted to Metalium.
"I'm afraid you have no choice," Metalium replied.  All of a sudden, the professor was knocked to the ground.  Behind him stood Max, whom had teleported into the laboratory, he then opened the door to let Metalium in.  Using a metal chain, Metalium tied the professors arms behind his back. 
"I don't suppose you could tell me where you keep the substances 'X' and 'Y'?" Metalium asked, not expecting the professor to say yes.
"Like I would reveal that.  What are you up to now?" the professor replied.
"I would have thought you would have loved to help destroy Edward Davids," Metalium smiled.
"Sir, Over here," Max called.  Metalium walked over to a desk, there were two packets, labelled 'X' and 'Y'.  Metalium picked them both up and laughed.  "Much easier than I thought."
"You really are an idiot aren't you, they are purely empty syringes, go on, take a look," the Professor laughed.  Metalium tore open the packets, just as the professor said, they were just empty syringes, Metalium threw them to the ground. 
"Max!  Search this place high and low until the are found, unless the professor is going to save us a lot of time - and your life by telling us where they are," Metalium ordered.  The professor remained silent, watching as Max began searching the lab, pulling draws from desks and throwing them.  From one of the lab doors, walked a beautiful, slim red haired girl, she halted at the doorway, watching Max tearing the lab apart and Metalium standing opposite the professor.
"Can I help you?" Lara called to Metalium.
"Yes, I think you can help me," Metalium replied.  Just as Lara was about to use her lightening powers against him, Max teleported behind her and grabbed her arms.  Like with the professor, Metalium tied Lara's hands behind her back, she knelt on the floor.
"Are you friends of Sub-Zero? I will help no allies of that vermin," Lara shouted.
"Ha, I despise that comment, I have no use for Edwards pathetic mutants," Metalium laughed.
"Then why are you he.." Lara began to say.
"Silence Lara, this is not you business," the professor shouted.
"Enough! Enough of this time wasting," Metalium angrily shouted.  He walked over to the professors desk, lying on the floor was a gun, Metalium picked up the gun and walked toward Lara, he then held the gun to her head.  "Now can one of you please tell me whereabouts I can find the 'X' and 'Y' substances, before I decide to destroy this feeble excuse for a mutant."  Lara began to look worried, she had not mastered her powers well enough to risk using them whilst her hands were tied so tightly behind her back. 
"Do you honestly think I care about a mutant? Kill her for all I care," the professor told Metalium, unconvincingly. 
"Why am I not convinced?" Metalium laughed, "Now Lara, you will suffer a long and painful death, unless you tell me where I can find what I am looking for."  Lara looked toward the professor, as if to look for his permission or reassurance to save her own life.  She began to cave in, she wasn't ready for all this business she had been dragged into, just as she was about to reveal where to find the substances, the professor called out;
"Ok, Ok, I have better things to be doing," the professor pointed over to a room, the same room where Lara had been transformed into a mutant.  "In there, the key is..."
"No need for a key." Metalium smiled.  Max looked through the window of the door, he then teleported into the room.  As soon as he entered, he saw more of the packets, the same as the empty ones found earlier.  Max opened two of the packets, checking they were not empty, both of them were full.  Max teleported back into the lab, he gave the packets to Metalium;
"They're full sir," Max smiled.
"Thank you for your time," Metalium said the professor. Metalium and Max walked to the main door, Metalium raised his hand and using his powers, he snapped the chain which was tying the professors hands together, he then left the building with Max.  The professor looked at Lara angrily, whom was knelt on the floor weeping.
 

Sub-Zero and Vixen were both walking through a forest, Vixen was beginning to look a little puzzled.
"Wow, your friend certainly lives in a eerie area," Vixen told Sub-Zero.
"Yeh, I'm pretty sure we are capable of handling ourselves though," Sub-Zero laughed.  As they continued walking, they came toward a large old mansion.
"Is this it? It looks really familiar," Vixen asked.
"Yeh, this is it, you probably saw it in a movie, there's millions of houses like this," he reassured Vixen.  As they got to the door Vixen became suspicious.
"Hold on, this is Metalium's Mansion, why on earth have you taken me here Scott?" Vixen worriedly asked him.  "I'm not going in there."
"Shadowman!" Sub-Zero shouted as he began to transform back to his real self - Morpheus.  Vixen grabbed Morpheus, absorbing her energy, Morpheus began to get weaker.  All of a sudden, Vixen felt herself been strangled, but she couldn't feel anybody doing it.  Behind her stood Shadowman, strangling Vixen's shadow.  Finally, Vixen passed out.
"Thanks!" Morpheus said to Shadowman.

Back at the professors lab.  Lara was still knelt on the floor, the professor stood in front of her.
"You idiot!  You should have stayed out of this," he shouted, "now, because of you, Metalium got what he wanted."
"I'm sorry, I was just trying to help you," Lara cried.
"What on earth did you think you could do, against one of the most powerful mutants in the world?" the professor laughed, "Look at you, you're just a child, Give me one good reason why I shouldn't destroy you right now."
"You wouldn't, you stopped Metalium from killing me, that means you don't want me dead," Lara replied, "Please, all I wanted to do was help you, you made me what I am and I am forever grateful."
"Look, I am willing to let you keep working for me," the professor smiled, "I have many uses with you, with a little training....."
"Sure, anything," Lara replied.
"Good, now lets get to work right away," the professor removed the chain which was tying Lara's hands together.

Back at Metalium's mansion.  Metalium was just leaving a small room, inside was an unconscious Vixen, in Metalium's hand there was a syringe, filled with Vixen's DNA.  Just as he closed the door, Morhpeus approached him;
"You got it sir?" she asked
"Yes, now get Sky into the testing room right away," Metalium smiled.  Metalium walked to the test room and waited for Sky.  Ten minutes later, Sky arrived.
"Sit down Sky, I haven't got time to waste," Metalium told Sky.  As soon as she sat down, he injected the DNA he had just taken from Vixen into sky's arm, he then injected both 'X' and 'Y' into her arm.
"I don't feel any different," she told Metalium
"Just try out your powers on somebody, Max get in here!" Metalium shouted.  As soon as Max walked in, Sky grabbed his hand, suddenly, Max began to look discomforted.
"Ok, enough, it worked," Metalium shouted, Sky let go of Max, "Now Sky, go find Morpheus, it is time!"
Just as Morpheus and Sky were leaving, Metalium called them back;
"Remember, don't let anybody stand in your way, they will all try to protect Edward," Metalium paused, " Whatever you do, don't give him chance to get into your heads."  Morpheus and Sky both nodded their heads and left.

At Professor Davids' mansion.  Athena and Lightnin were sat in the dining room, having their evening meal.
"Where is Vixen? I haven't seen her since she left this afternoon," Athena asked Lightnin.
"I am not sure, Sub-Zero may know, they're never apart," Lightnin replied, "I wish that girl would cut me some slack, she really needs to get over her crush on Axle,"  Lightnin began telling Athena.
"She's young, she will eventually find somebody else and you will be friends," Athena replied, she then smiled.  Just as they were talking, Vixen entered, with a young girl.
"Hi Athena, Hi Lightnin, where is Professor Davids? I need him urgently," Vixen said to Athena and Lightnin, Lightnin looked a little confused.
"He is in the main hall, what is wrong?" Athena asked Vixen.
"Nothing, I just want him to meet Sky, she really wants to join us," Vixen smiled.
"Oh, right, well be quick, you may just catch him before he leaves," Athena told Vixen, "And welcome Sky."
"Thank you!" Sky replied.  Vixen and Sky both left the dining room.  Athena noticed Lightnin was looking a little odd;
"Katina? Are you ok?" Athena asked her.
"I am not sure.  Vixen seemed different, she was very polite to me," Lightnin replied and then laughed.
"Oh no!  I've got a real bad feeling. Quick, we have to find them," Athena told Lightnin.
"What? What is it?" Lightnin called to Athena, but Athena ignored the question and ran, Lightnin followed her.  They soon caught up to Sky and Vixen.
"Wait!" Athena shouted, Sky and Vixen stopped and turned around.  "Now tell me what is really going on."  Vixen suddenly began to change, back to her real self, Morpheus, she then grabbed Athena;
"Quick Sky," as Morpheus held Athena, Sky began absorbing her powers, Athena suddenly began to weaken.  Lightnin was just about to use her powers when Morpheus kicked her in the stomach, Lightnin fell to the ground, again, Sky began to absorb Lightnin's powers.

Meanwhile, out in the garden, Axle and Futura were sitting, talking about their past, suddenly, Futura stopped speaking and closed his eyes;
"Futura? Are you ok?" Axle asked him.  Futura remained silent.
"Quick, we have to get to Metalium's place, Vixen is in trouble," Futura told Axle.
"Damn, Ok, hold on," Futura held onto Axle has he teleported to Metalium's mansion.  They found themselves at the back of the house;
"Come on, we had better check all of these windows," Futura ordered Axle.  They began looking through all of the windows, checking for the presence of Vixen.  After a number of windows they finally saw her, sitting in the corner of the room sat Vixen.
"Gotcha!" Axle muttered.  He then disappeared from Futura's sight, within seconds he reappeared along with Vixen.
"Wow, thanks," Vixen told Axle as she kissed him on the cheek, Axle didn't reply.
"What on earth is going on?" Futura asked Vixen.
"It's Metalium, he's given one of his mutants the same powers as mine, he wants to get the Professor," Vixen told them.
"Oh god.  We have to get back there immediately," Axle said, worriedly, "Hope we're not too late."

Professor Dean stood in the main hall, in his hand, he held a book which he was quietly reading.  He heard the door open, Vixen entered, behind her walked Sky, she tried to look as if she were shy about been in a new place.  The Professor stood up and turned around to look at his visitors. 
"Hi Professor," Vixen smiled.
"Hi Vixen," the Professor replied, he then looked at Sky, "Hello, Sky".  Although Sky knew the capabilities of the Professor, she kept up her act of looking surprised that he knew her name and also kept up the task in her mind, the task of not thinking about what they are about to do.
"Erm, hi Professor, Professor Edwards," she replied.  The Professor sensed the discomforting atmosphere, he also sensed Vixen appeared different in some way, he attempted to get into her mind, but all he could see were rapidly changing images.  This made him more definite that something was wrong.  The long pause also made Vixen aware that the Professor was beginning to sense the abnormality.
"Sky was wondering, Well I was wondering, would it be possible for Sky to join us, to learn with us," Vixen told the Professor.  The Professor remained silent, he began to read Sky's mind, unlike Vixen's, this was clear enough, he could see her willing herself to think of anything, anything but what she is going to do, but what it was she was blocking from her mind, he could not see.  As he was about to control her mind, to find the hidden thoughts, his concentration was disturbed.
"Are you ok Professor, what is it?" Vixen asked, she knew he had got into Sky's head. "Now Sky!" she shouted.  From Sky's hands a thick white cloud was released, unlike a cloud, this substance hit the Professor head, causing pain and sudden confusion.  He fell to the ground, the phoney Vixen returned to her natural self, Sky grabbed the professors arm, absorbing his energy.
"Get off him!" Axle shouted, he ran towards the Professor, followed by Vixen and Futura.  Just as Morpheus was about to attack him, Axle disappeared from her sight, Futura was about to grab Morpheus, but she pushed him away, then from behind she was grabbed by Axle, they both suddenly disappeared from Futura's sight. Futura grabbed Sky and pulled her off the Professor, she grabbed his arm, beginning to absorb his powers, Vixen grabbed hold of Sky to pull her away, but she began absorbing both Sky and Futura's powers.   She suddenly let go, realising if she touched Sky, she would harm Futura even more. She put on her gloves, to prevent herself from absorbing Sky's powers, she then pulled Sky off Futura, luckily Sky has neither held on long enough nor concentrated hard enough to harm him too much.  He grabbed Sky by holding her around her stomach, which was protected with her small blue and white top.
"It's her Marcus, she has been given the same powers as me," Vixen shouted.  Futura quickly began to think of what they should do next, he then looked at Vixen.
"Well, take them back!" he smiled.  Vixen removed her gloves, then she held onto Sky's harm, concentrating on absorbing the power Sky had been given.  Vixen saw Sky begin to fall unconscious, but she continued to hold onto her. 
"Enough! Lucia, let go," the Professor shouted. Vixen quickly let go of Sky, followed by Futura, was gently placed Sky's body on the floor.
"What are you going to do?" Vixen asked the Professor.
"I am not to sure yet..." the Professor began, but he was prevented to continue when right in front of his eyes, he saw Max appear in front of him, before anybody had chance to fight him, he disappeared, along with Sky.
"Dammit!" Futura shouted.