In the heart of every storm, there is a calm that anchors. For Scott Summers, that calm is Rory Nicks. She is his guiding light, the one who brings clarity to his often chaotic world. With every glance and every touch, she weaves a tapestry of hope...
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Rory attempted to sit up, a sharp hiss escaping her lips as pain flared in her leg. Scott was instantly at her side, his hands steadying her. "What is it? What's wrong?" he asked urgently. Gritting her teeth against the pain, Rory managed to murmur, "My leg..." Scott's gaze dropped to her injured limb, and he nodded, his expression softening with concern. "Ah, okay, easy, easy," he soothed, his hands gently supporting her as he helped her carefully back into a more comfortable position.
Scott's hands were steady as he carefully adjusted Rory's position, his concern evident in every movement. "I've got you," he said, trying to sound reassuring despite the tension in his voice. Rory winced with each shift, but she nodded, her eyes reflecting both pain and gratitude.
"Thanks," she managed to say through gritted teeth.
Scott glanced around, his protective instincts on high alert. "We need to get you somewhere safe," he said, his gaze scanning the area for any immediate threats. "Can you stand if I help you?"
Rory shook her head slightly. "I don't think so. It hurts too much."
With a deep breath, Scott carefully lifted Rory into his arms, cradling her gently but firmly. "Alright, hang on. I'll get us out of here."
Rory leaned her head against his shoulder, the warmth of his body providing some comfort amidst the pain. "Scott, you don't have to—"
"I want to," he interrupted softly, his focus entirely on getting her to safety. "We'll figure out the rest once we're out of here."
As they made their way through the facility, Scott moved with a determined urgency, each step a testament to his commitment to protect Rory. The corridors seemed endless, but Scott's resolve never wavered. Despite the chaos and the pain, there was a quiet determination in his actions, a promise to keep Rory safe even in the darkest moments.
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"Wait, wait, wait, Scott!" Rory's urgent voice cut through the tension, causing Scott to halt abruptly. "What? What's wrong? Are you hurt?" he asked, his concern deepening. Rory's face was contorted in distress as she paused, trying to pinpoint the source of the unsettling sensation. "No, something's wrong," she said, her voice trembling. A sudden breach in her mind made her gasp. "Cerebro, we're too late!" Before either of them could react, a searing pain erupted through both of them. Scott crumpled to his knees, clutching Rory protectively as she writhed in agony, her hands gripping her head. The walls around them seemed to shimmer with chaotic illusions, the entire building caught in a spiraling vortex of torment as they struggled against the overwhelming force.
Scott held Rory tightly, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he tried to shield her from the onslaught of agony. The building around them was a blur of distorted shapes and colors, a byproduct of Rory's overwhelmed mind. He could barely make out the frantic figures of their comrades in the chaos, but all his focus was on Rory.
His hands, trembling with a mix of fear and resolve, gently cradled her head, trying to provide some semblance of comfort amid the torment. Rory's face was pale, her eyes squeezed shut as she fought against the invading illusions and the excruciating pain.
As the intensity of the pain continued to build, Scott could see the strain etched into Rory's features. He shifted slightly, attempting to alleviate some pressure on her leg, which had been injured during their earlier fight. He could feel the throbbing warmth of her blood against his hands, and it only fueled his determination.
The chaos in the room seemed to crescendo, the illusions becoming more frantic. Scott grit his teeth, trying to stay focused. He had to protect Rory, to make sure she made it through this nightmare. He could only hope that their friends would find a way to counteract the Cerebro-induced mayhem before it was too late.
Suddenly, the intense, piercing pain began to fade, replaced by an eerie silence that seemed to envelop them. Scott's grip on Rory tightened instinctively as he looked around, confused by the abrupt change. The illusions that had been spiraling out of control started to dissolve, leaving behind a semblance of clarity amidst the chaos.
Rory, still clutching her head, gradually relaxed as the psychic assault retreated. Her breathing was ragged, her face still pale, but the immediate agony had lessened. She opened her eyes slowly, looking up at Scott with a mix of relief and exhaustion.
"What happened?" she managed to ask, her voice trembling.
Scott, equally bewildered, looked around the room. "I don't know. The pain just... stopped."
Scott gently lifted Rory back into his arms, his concern etched deeply on his face. Rory winced slightly but managed a weak smile, her exhaustion evident but her spirit undeterred. Scott nodded reassuringly and began moving cautiously through the corridor, his eyes scanning for any sign of their missing teammates. "Hang in there, Rory. We need to find the others and make sure everyone's okay." With each step, Scott's grip remained steady, his focus unwavering as they navigated through the disorienting aftermath, determined to reunite with the rest of the team and ensure their safety.
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Scott sprinted through the echoing hallways, Rory cradled securely in his arms. The building seemed to be closing in on them with every stride, the blaring alarm reverberating through the cold, metal corridors. The shrill sound only added to the urgency as they finally skidded to a halt at the entrance of Cerebro. Storm and Jean were already there, their faces etched with concern.
"Storm!" Scott's voice cut through the cacophony. Storm whipped around, her eyes widening in alarm as she saw Rory's pale face.
"Scott, oh my," Storm exclaimed, rushing forward. "Rory, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Rory managed to say, though her voice was strained. She tried to steady herself, though her leg throbbed painfully.
"What's happening?" Storm asked, her gaze shifting to Jean for answers.
Jean's eyes were serious. "The Professor's still in there, trapped inside some sort of illusion with another mutant."
Rory's face tightened as she concentrated, her powers reaching into Cerebro. "Magneto's reversed Cerebro. It's not targeting mutants anymore."
"Who is it targeting?" Storm's voice held a note of dread.
"Everyone else," Rory said, her face showing the weight of the revelation.
Scott, his expression resolute, began to gently set Rory down. "Everyone back up," he commanded, his hand moving to his visor as he prepared to take action.
"No!" Jean's voice was a sharp cry of desperation. "The Professor's mind is connected to Cerebro. If you blast it, you could kill him too."
Storm's gaze was determined as she turned to Kurt. "Kurt, I need you to teleport me in there."
Scott looked between Storm and Kurt, confusion evident. "Wait, what are you—who is this guy?"
Kurt stepped forward, his demeanor serious. "I'm Kurt Wagner. I-."
Storm cut him off, her tone brooking no argument. "He's a teleporter. We need him."
Kurt nodded, his focus on the task ahead. "I have to see where I'm going or—"
"I have faith," Storm said firmly, cutting off Kurt's explanation.
Jean's eyes met Storm's with a warning. "Don't believe anything you see in there."
