Envisionings (2nd Edition) Part 20 💉🩸

Xavier makes another address to the room: "I need every one of you to make no mistake;

the presence of Leech does not cure you. While you should begin to feel your symptoms dissipate with the current absence of your powers, what you have been exposed to still exists within your bodies. Remaining in Leech's field does not appear to turn back or

even stop that clock." At this he glances towards the woman who came with Leech.

"The contaminate will continue to work against your X-genes despite your genes' expression

being neutralized. What I mean to get across is if you leave this room, your symptoms will return, instantly and likely worse. . .Our work will continue towards a safe return

to your normal lives, and what comfort we can provide in the meantime.

I hope I am asking for only a little more of your patience."

Alv: "And what's our guarantee you're not gonna' screw us up worse with that work?! The people who did this didn't do what they were trying to, if that can be believed. . ."

Jean fields this: "Counteracting what's been done is a comparatively straightforward process. Plus, mutant genetics is our specialty."

No further questions leaves just one other order on the agenda; another introduction

for Xavier to make, namely to Hank and Jean: "This is Val Baskhem. She is the one who brought Leech to us, having been securely sharing his company in the Morlock Tunnels since her mutation grew unbearable from the mist. They had overheard Kurt speaking

about the situation, though he'd left before Leech's ability could be introduced."

Hank: "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, as well."

Jean meets the raven-haired woman with a reflective look: "I don't know if you know how much this means."

"You might be surprised."

Hank: "And what is the nature of your mutation?"

"Complicated." She doesn't hang around for further conversation, instead moving to scope out what unoccupied area of the room she'd like to claim as her own - beds still forthcoming

for the newcomers.

Leech has wandered towards Graysen, the occupant closest to his size besides Willow, who's gone back to observe the goings-on from her own space.

While over by their spaces, Rogue and Bobby can be seen holding hands:

"Ah was scared when you had to stay in your envahronment. . ."

"Yeah. . .Actually had me imagining not having my powers -Didn't think that was something

I ever would."

Rogue looks down, considering their hands. "Guess we get to see what that's lahk, now." Carefully, from being so accustomed to needing to keep them on, Rogue removes

her gloves. Taking Bobby's hand again afterward, for once skin-to-skin.

Both smile with a mix of uncertainty and pleasure.

We see Colbur observing the couple from across the room before turning his attention elsewhere, ours going with his to see Rogue isn't the only one cognizant of the new

ability to forego protective wear.

Scott goes about removing his ruby quartz contact lenses.

Having noticed too, Hank has come over: "You may yet want to leave those in for their luminance dulling properties."

Even as the absence of his optic blasts is readily apparent, Scott's movements remain

habitually cautious: having shut his eyes the instant the contact lenses were far enough

removed to do so, and drawing a collecting half-breath before he opening his bare

eyes. An expression of some disconcert crossing his face for how foreign this feels, increased by the reality that his vision as he's known it is presently altered, too.

It's all temporary: "My mask will be more comfortable."

He reaches for where he knows it to be.

"Ah, but give it time, my friend. Improvements can be made once I have more."

"Thanks. But I won't be lookin' to make those my primary eyewear anytime.

Though they are good for emergencies."

"In that case, I hope never to see you make use of them again."

His mask back on, Scott sighs. What time he's had without compromising sensations affecting his ability to rest being insignificant. He stays sitting as if thinking over if he

should lay back to grab more decent sleep, or if there's something else he should be

doing in light of the recent developments; a tired, dynamic mind "checking the locks"

before it can rest.

Hank: "It occurs to me how this cancellation of power affords the rare opportunity to examine

your eyes. Once they've readjusted, of course. It may be of especial benefit given what your body has just endured."

Scott: "Then consider it an appointment." He settles back.

Hank vacates his area.

Colbur has moved -noticeably easier- to join the younger boys. Despite the relief from

his symptoms, there's a subdued manner about him. Though he smiles down at Leech.

"Thanks for sharing your mutation, kid."

"Leech never thanked for sharing."

"Hey, what mutant ever is?"

Meanwhile, curiosity has brought Willow from her comfort zone, and into Hank's path:

"How come you're still blue and furry?"

Hank: "My particular mutation is more set, requiring more of a reversal than a halt.

Though I envisage if I stayed within Leech's presence, my pilose, tinted appearance 

may gradually give way to something more. . .ordinary."

Willow giggles behind her hand.

Overhearing, Leech comes to join them. "You stay with Leech?"

Hank smiles down at him: "No. My work is elsewhere. But I will return for visits.

Be sure to share any needs you may have with one of the mature folks you see,

and we will ensure your comfort as you are ensuring ours." Hank's smile broadens.

"You are doing unquantifiable good here, Lad."

Leech looks confused at the "unquantifiable" bit, but he understands "good"; grinning gamely.

True to Xavier's words, however, Leech's power does not restore conditions to pre-affected states, as over the next while, potential and definite residual affects are discovered. . .

Willow's Mother: "One of your doctors had told me Willow's seizures were likely part of extra electricity building up before her mutant body could release it. The extra would've been part of her mutation too, right? So why if she doesn't have her powers now, is she still having seizures? They even seem different than before."

Ororo: "It is possibly a consequence of what her body has endured. One of ours

whose powers are concentrated in his eyes now seems to be seeing less clearly."

Over with Scott, Jean moves back from performing the final test of his eye exam:

"It's clear that there's damage. The vision loss may be arrested at this point,

or it could be progressive. . .We won't know until more time has passed."

". . If that has to be the trade-off."

A look of shared feeling, Jean returns the last testing tool to a container.

"Could you bring a couple books down with you please, the next time you go upstairs?"

Jean: "From our room, you mean?" She asks for the pleasure -and affirmation-

of the designation existing again. "Anything for you, Blue."

Her look directly into his eyes clues him in on what she's referencing.

Scott smiles a little. His brow then furrowing as Jean moves away.

These recent days coming with a lot to think on.

Bobby: "It's strange to see Cyclops like that."

Rogue: "Yeah, he looks softer without any ahwear."

The couple are once again hanging out as a trio with Colbur, though his attention is taken

by who's just coming in the door: "Wonder who's that with your Professor X?"

Turning to look, Bobby's in disbelief: "That's my brother."

He gets up from where he'd been sitting to meet Ronnie, the younger Drake

uncertainly -or uncomfortably- moving through the room towards him.

"What are you doing here?"

"I, uh...I wanted you to know, I'm the one who gave blood for your cure."

Bobby is surprised -and a little suspicious: "You know it's a cure for what's messing up

my mutation? Not for it?"

"Yeah, I understood that. Look, I still don't know about all this. . mutant stuff. Why you'd want it-" Bobby frowns, "-but I guess. . I mean we're still brothers." Ronnie shrugs.

"I don't. .I don't want you to. ." another shrug, ". .whatever would happen."

Bobby takes this in " . . thanks man."

While the brothers have their uncertain reunion, Colbur takes the opportunity to speak with Xavier, who turns to him receptively.

Colbur: "So our powers, they got pushed out of control, yeah? So what your doctors

are working on is something to dial them back down? Suppress them just a bit?"

"Actually, they're working to eliminate the substance from your bodies which is negatively influencing your X-Genes."

"Okay. But if anyone could make something to dial them down, like all the way-

make a cure? It could be them, right?"

"Hank and Jean could never make a cure, because mutantcy is not a disease.

It is a way of being, as normal as any other."

Colbur smiles ironically: "You sure about that, Professor X?"

"Absolutely."

While back with Rogue, we find her in conversation with Jean.

Rogue (unacceptable): "Havin' mah powers but not bein' able to use 'em?"

Jean: "I know." And she sounds like she really does. "But there's nothing to say it would be forever. Just that while we continue searching for your blood relatives, you can go back to your usual routine."

"Yeah, except for being an X-Man."

Jean (matter-of-fact/connective): "You can still be, aside from missions requiring power use. I'm still one, aren't I?"

Rogue meets her eyes, supposing so; more in doubt of her own state of X-Menhood

than of Jean's.

As Jean moves on, we see Val Baskhem with an attentive look in the background.

While Jean notices how Scott is observing the re-connection between the Drake brothers, stiff though it is -a handshake going into a brief hug. Still, a brotherly interaction. . .

. . .Following everyone being seen to and visitors seen back out, we join the Professor with Ororo: "It is strange being in there and not feeling the charge of my powers. Strange, too, feeling their sudden return."

Xavier: "Yes. For me it is similar to the TV being muted, then having the volume return at an uncomfortable level just before I take back the control."

While in the Lab

Hank: "If worse comes to worst, visually speaking, perhaps I could engineer a VISOR for Scott a la Geordi La Forge."

Jean: "A bit of an over compensation, don't you think?"

Hank: "On the contrary, the expanded capability could play into Scott's penchant for preparedness."

"Trust me, enhanced perception isn't all it's cracked up to be."

Hank smiles like this conversation was for literal entertainment as much as for entertaining the idea; Jean in on the joke. They get back to more operative conversation.

Jean: "It's looking likely we'll need to synthesize an antiserum for Alv,

and Xavier suspects the same for Colbur."

"Is that so? . . And what of the mysterious Val Baskhem?"

"Living up to that description. I suspect she's waiting to see how this goes before divulging anything." Jean compares something under a microscope to data on a screen.

Back in the Danger Medical Bay - Scott is stretching his legs.

Bobby: "Back to wearing your glasses, Cyclops?"

"From wearin' them so long, my perception of colour is actually irregular without them. I see no reason in letting my eyes readjust."

The sound of books colliding with the floor directs attention back to Scott's area. "What are you doing?"

Alv rises from having been rifling through a cabinet by Scott's bed. "Not surprised there isn't anything worthwhile in your junk."

"So now you've had a look, set it right!"

Alv scoffs: "You don't have your eye beams to sick on me to make me do what you want, so why don't you just shove off?!" He makes a point of hitting into Scott as he stalks past.

Scott glowers at his departing form, before letting go of the emotion. . . .everyone dealing in their own way. Everyone dealing. It wasn't worth the disturbance.

. . .Over the next collection of days, completed antiserums are gradually administered; observations heightened against adverse affects, and bloodwork drawn regularly

to confirm efficacy. . .

. . .once things appear to be progressing agreeably in the adults, the younger set are given theirs.

A myoclonic jerk has Willow accidentally sending the syringe out of Hank's hand

into a surface where it breaks.

Willow's Mother (apologetic/stressed): "Oh- how long will it take for her, now?"

"Only the time of my stride back to and from the lab. Given the dosage amount we landed on, we have a little surplus." He reverts attention to Willow. "Sit tight, m'young lady."

His form of address succeeds in getting a little giggle out of her,

somewhat lightening her Mother's mood, as well.

"Sitting tight", Willow looks around, finding herself staring into the watchful eyes of Val Baskhem across the way. The woman turns away before so much as a smile can be shared.

. . .with no resistance or relapse observed in anyone's bloodwork, Scott's dose -using Alex's blood- is finally made and administered to him. . .

. . .and an antiserum with the missing relative component determined to still have potential

for benefit, though to an uncertain consequence, Alv consents to -rather insists on-

giving it a go. . .though he's alone in this decision.

Val, Rogue and Colbur opting to wait for their own cures using the proven method. . . .or in the case of one, take their chances.

Colbur (sensitively) "So none of your family is stepping up for you?"

Rogue: "Ah'm adopted. Ah don't know where mah blood family is. Professor X is trahin' to find 'em."

There's a certain look that falls over Colbur's face, but it's only a flicker. In the next moment, there's an air of lightened confidence: "Ya' know? I bet we're good, anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that stuff sort of clung to our mutations, right? And Leech has cancelled them out

for so long, what's that substance had to hold onto?"

"They told us it doesn't work that way. Val was with Leech for days before they came here and she still couldn't be without him."

Colbur shrugs. "We were in treatment environments, it wasn't left to run wild like hers."

Bobby stares quizzically. "That's not how they worked. The contaminate still progressed unchecked and it's still in your blood."

"Isn't that how our bodies work, though? A little bit of whatever's triggered our immune system stays- Doesn't mean anything - it's so our system remembers so the problem's not a problem anymore. Once you're good you're good -I mean even if it's not the case with Val-" -he shrugs, talking fast- "-everybody's different, right? And I'm feeling good!"

Colbur makes for the door --

Bobby and Rogue, having been sitting, now rise: "Hey- wait!"

"Colbur!"

Colbur turns his head but doesn't break his stride: "Just watch, I'll show you!"

Scott's attention is caught -looking up in time to see Colbur pushing away from Rogue and Bobby's halting touches -his use of force clearly more than either was expecting from their friend-

-who makes it outside the door-

"Stop!" Bobby gets back on Colbur's heels while Rogue's gone to get Leech-

-his boundary to be broken once the boys turn down the hall--

--Scott's gotten out there --trying to get a hold on Colbur as he shakes Bobby off again-- --one arm and leg going beyond, rocking-up at once-- a look of fear and disappointment crossing Colbur's face before instantly giving way--

--the urgency of the situation has Leech confused; Colbur as much out of his reach--

--as Bobby and Scott's--their grasps too awkward or simply too late--Colbur already

in a consequence loop as his solidifying body multiplies his weight--more of his body falling out of the boundary--more of his body rocking-up--

--Scott goes down with him, a flash of light visible behind his ruby quartz lenses.

Recovering from the impact -a second spent acknowledging the return of his optics blasts; no consequence- Scott turns to see the calm resignation now permanently etched on Colbur's face. . .

Match-Cut to- -the entirely solidified Colbur on his bed in the Danger Med Bay.

Rogue and Bobby standing-by as Hank examines him. Scott standing just back.

Bobby: "Why isn't he changing back? He's in Leech's field."

Hank consults a tablet which shares the diagnostic information of the Danger Room, relaying with astonishment: "The solidification is absolute. His cells completely superseded by crystallization. There is nothing left for Leech's power to act upon."

While Rogue and Bobby struggle to come to terms with this, we focus on Scott. His body language reflective of the thought we hear: 'If I'd been quicker.'

Jean's voice in his head: 'From what you described, Colbur was determined.'

'. . .he was Alex's charge.'

After. . . Rogue: "He saw how ah was feelin'. He did it wantin' to show me-"

Professor Xavier shakes his head: "You had no bearing on his actions.

It is my belief that Colbur chose to cling to the possible hope that it would be alright

on the other side, than to face an uncertain chance, or a certain pain."

Rogue staring in confusion, Xavier concludes: "His choice, over someone else's, or lack thereof."

. . .Later

Ororo: "All that has happened, caused by parents who could not accept their sons being mutants."

Xavier: "In Michael's case, he did not accept his own mutantcy. In that respect his parents were supporting him. . .Not every one of us will come to accept their mutation as a gift,

and in the face of a choice to remain a mutant or not, there is no right or wrong. . .

What was wrong in these cases, is how neither Michael nor Colbur had the opportunity

to authentically decide on the course of their lives. . .The voices of the world they lived in,

choking out their own."