The Wolf Inside

Chapter 11

Cyclops looked at the fallen rubble that was blocking the water, and Lunar, from getting out. Already he could see some of the smaller chunks getting moved out of the way from the pressure build up off all the water like Jean and the others had warned him about. But despite their warnings he knew he couldn’t leave Lunar behind, not like the first time, even if it was an accident he couldn’t let Stryker ruin her life again.

            “Lunar, I’m going to blast the rubble stay back!” He shouted as he backed up and waited for a response telepathic or not.

            After a few seconds of not hearing anything he braced himself for the water that would come out and turned the dial on his visor until a powerful laser beam shot out and destroyed the upper part of the blockage. Water flooded out soaking Scott and causing him to stagger back from the force before going back down to a steady flow, he climbed up the rest of the rubble and looked down into the deep water that was still trapped inside.

            “Lunar, where are you?” He slowly dragged himself over the side and felt the freezing water envelope him until it reached his neck.

            “Scott, she’s gone you have to come back before the water breaks to barrier and kills you.” Xavier told him through his telepathy.

            Cyclops ignored him and jumped off the cement slab he’d been standing on and dove into the water, he still couldn’t see anything but felt around the water for any sign of Lunar’s body. Eventually he had to swim up for air and heard rubble from a blockage around the corner collapse, more water immediately entered and shoved him into the rest of the rubble. Scott quickly dove down again and continued to search, this time he felt fur and grabbed it before turning and blasting down the rest of the rubble he’d climbed over. The water carried him into the snow before he came to a stop, he let go of Lunar and coughed up water, which now that it was in the light, could be seen as not the normal blue-gray color, but pinkish red.

            He turned back towards Lunar who’s fur was spiked up from all the water, from what Cyclops could tell the freezing water had helped seal the wounds shut, which was a relief, but she also didn’t appear to be breathing. Water was flowing from her mouth, which was a good thing; it meant it wouldn’t stay in her lungs. He wasn’t a vet though so he didn’t exactly know how to check for a pulse so he did it like he would a human, he pressed two fingers to her throat where a major artery was located and waited. At first Cyclops couldn’t feel anything but then when he pushed harder he could feel a faint one.

            “Lunar if you can hear me, I need you to turn human.” Scott said before turning back to the dam that was collapsing in on its self. 

            “Scott, leave her!” This time he felt force put behind the Professor’s words and had to force himself to stay put.

            I won’t leave her again. Cyclops thought, knowing Xavier would still be in his mind.

            Kurt appeared in a cloud of smoke and grabbed Cyclops by the elbow. “We must go back now.”

            Scott shook him off and grabbed Lunar, who had shifted into her human form as he picked her up, before nodding at Kurt that they could leave. He felt a strange sensation of not knowing where he was for a moment before appearing at the end of the jet’s ramp.

            “Come on.” Kurt urged.

            Cyclops shook his head to clear it and followed after him. “Never do that again.”

            “I will do it to save your life.”

            “No… never again.”

            Logan turned towards him before glaring at Lunar. “You risked your life for her? She’s one of the reasons we’re in this mess!”

            “She’s also the reason we could escape.” Storm retorted before Scott could say anything.

            “Where’s Jean?” Logan turned to look around the jet as Cyclops pointed out they were missing another person.

            The ramp suddenly closed and the jet shuddered until it was hovering in the air, Xavier suddenly sat up straighter in his seat. “She’s stopping the water…”

            “Nighcrawler bring her back inside!” Logan ordered.

            Kurt disappeared in his cloud of smoke only to reappear less than a second later. “She’s not letting me!”

            Cyclops looked up from where he was helping Lunar and ran to look out the large window in front. “No, Professor can’t you make her come back?”

            They all turned to look at Xavier but when he spoke it wasn’t him speaking, it was Jean. “I have to do this, it’s the only way for you to leave safely.”

            “No!” Logan protested. “There has to be another way!”

            Xavier smiled, though it was still Jean’s voice. “It’s too late to find it… Logan, take care of them.”

            “Jean, don’t do this. I can’t let you die here.” Scott argued.

            “Scott… you don’t need me to be happy. You made your choice now let me make mine.”

            The jet flew off even though no one had touched the controls and Xavier got control over his mind again. For a few moments everyone just sat there in silence, Logan had tears in his eyes but he didn’t let any of them fall while Cyclops watched out the window as Jean was over come by the water.

            “It seems this matter has spread beyond Alkali Lake.” Professor Xavier finally said quietly. “Storm, take us to DC.”

            Cyclops moved away as Storm took the controls and walked back to the chair where Lunar was now shaking, she muttered something under her breath in her unconsciousness but stopped as he wrapped his arms around her to keep her warm. “Professor, should we have Kurt take her back to the mansion?”

            “I think she’ll be fine for a bit, the water kept her from bleeding to death and for now the shock of everything that’s happened is being taken care of by her mind… I’m helping to speed that healing process up of course, but other than that Lunar will heal.”

            “I promised we would help her remember her past.”

            Logan turned to look at him. “Is that what you offer everyone?”

            “No.” Scott retorted. “Just when they ask for it.”

            Xavier put his hand to his temple and closed his eyes for a moment before opening his eyes again and turning to address Cyclops. “It seems upon Jason’s death the illusion blocking those memories was broken. I just saw how she was taken by Victor Creed.”

            Logan let out a growl but didn’t say anything as he sat down beside Rouge and Bobby. Scott felt a wave of protectiveness come over him at what Charles had said and held Lunar even closer, he didn’t even realize he’d dozed off until Kurt shook him awake.

            “We are here.” Kurt explained quickly. “Come, Lunar will be fine this won’t take long.”

            Cyclops stood up to follow him outside before quickly turning back to Lunar. “We’ll be back soon, don’t worry.”