ISSUE #14

Ian continued to suffer at the hands of Weapon X for the next few weeks, repeatedly being beaten and tortured every single day. And it was all taking a toll on the poor boy

* Bang Bang Bang!

" Hey, it's time! Get up!" Kimura shouted through the cell bars, waking Ian up from his horrid slumber. " There you go, sleeping beauty. Come on, get up. We've got a lot of work to do today." Kimura explained.

" What is it?" Ian asked.

" Oh, we're just going to get you a little something to do. You fight good, but you could be so much more, kid. So much potential. All that potential, and you've just barely scratched the surface of what you could do. But don't worry, auntie Kimura is gonna make sure to beat the softness out of you." Kimura spoke. She opened the cell and beckoned for Ian to follow her, and he did. He didn't have a choice. They had him trapped. Ian was given an ultimatum, work with them willingly, and everything would be alright. Or they would use hostages to force him to do their work. They would kill the girl if he didn't and then they'd replace her, and they'd keep doing it over and over again. So, unless he wanted a pile of kid's bodies on his hands, he'd have to do what they asked. So, Ian killed when told. Every day since he's been with them, he's killed, prayed, and cried. He hated it, but Ian knew, in order to survive, he had to do what he had to do. And it wasn't like he was just killing ordinary men and women. Some deserved it and Ian was fine with ending them, but others were just like him, good people put in a terrible position.

Kimura led Ian to a room filled with different kinds of devices and motioned for him to stand beside her.

In front of Ian was a metal slab.

" See this here? I'm pretty sure you know what I want you to do. All this time, we've been beating you, stabbing, slicing, breaking, burning. And yet your body is just fine. More than fine. Knives break against your flesh now, you are resistant to fire, even bullets don't do as much damage anymore." Kimura stated.

' Maybe... But all of it still hurts like hell.' Ian thought to himself, he knew by now talking back to Kimura was going to do nothing but earn him more punishment. See, Ian's powers make him stronger and more resistant. But being resistant isn't the same as being impervious. Ian still feels all of the punishment, it's just his body has evolved to a stage that it doesn't hurt him as much, and he can take more of the pain now. But no matter how much he might wish it, Ian will never be able to get rid of this pain.

" We've been building your endurance. And your healing factor... that's a neat little gift you have. It's not as impressive as some others... But it does work just as well. Your body is hard wired to heal fatal injuries as fast as possible, and the more pain we inflict at once, the faster your body heals, but all that healing takes a toll. Makes you tired... Kills your energy. Imagine what you could do if you didn't have that problem? It's only a matter of time, with enough effort and lots of determination, we might just make you into the perfect weapon. But that's just endurance. None of it matters if you don't have the strength behind it. But that's about to change. So, I want you to hit this wall as hard as you can, until your hands bleed. Until you can't swing anymore, and then... I want you to keep hitting." Kimura explained.

" Yes, ma'am." Ian replied. He stepped forward and punched the metal wall hard, as hard as he could, it was the only thing he's been able to hit all this time that helped him relax, even if only a little. It helped him release his anger in a way that would ensure that he stayed alive, and that little girl. Ian hadn't even met the girl. Not even once. The only time he'd seen her was the night Kimura first brought her into his cell while she slept. And ever since then, Kimura had used her as a bargaining chip to keep Ian under control. He knew that. There were even moments where Ian had thought that Kimura was lying, and the little girl was already dead. And she could have been. But he couldn't take that chance. If even for a moment Kimura was telling the truth, then Ian had to play along. At least until someone found him.

Honestly that was one of the few things still keeping him going. The idea that any day now, one of his teachers would bust in here and save him from this hell hole was the constant thing driving him to keep going. But little by little. Day by day that hope was beginning to fade.

Ian continued pummeling the wall in front of him, his hands, which would have bled by now, were just fine. They were more than fine in fact. The damage he has been receiving has built up his bodies power, more than he realized.

He was striking the metal so hard and fast that sparks were flying off of it.

Needless to say, Kimura was impressed.

Ian continued punching it, each strike harder than the last. His anger building and building with each strike until finally he just let loose. For a brief moment he stopped holding back. He let go and stuck the wall in front of him with as much power as he could muster.

" RAAAAAGH!" Ian struck the metal wall, and his fist went straight through it with ease. It was easy to see how shocked Ian was, as he never expected to be able to summon that much power with his abilities still, being somewhat hampered.

" Not bad, little guy. That was solid steel. Impressive. You're definitely making strides, but not at the pace we wanted. Maybe we're looking at this wrong." Kimura spoke to herself.

P.O.V change first person.

I know why. They don't get it. Or at least I think I do. I do have a healing factor, but it's separate from my power. It's a natural defense to keep me alive. My healing factor is constantly working, but depending on how bad the wound is... That changes thing. I figured it out, I don't just adapt in an instant. My body needs time to heal naturally. But my healing disrupts the process, it forces my body back together as fast as possible to give me time to live. It doesn't allow me to gain the full benefits. I grow a little stronger yes, but not as much as I would if I healed naturally. A conundrum. I don't fully understand it myself. But I think... I think it could be the collar? Maybe? I don't know. It's all so confusing!

So many days, over and over again! Why me? What did I do to deserve this? I can't take this much longer. I feel like I want to blow my own brains out.

I look over to Kimura, she appears to be talking with someone, maybe I could force my way out. Maybe I could take that damned trigger? No, I can't hurt her. She's invulnerable. Nothing can hurt her. I'm stuck here. Lord forgive me for the sins I have committed. Please, I'm begging ye. Send me a sign you're listening, anything. Just get me out of here.

" Okay, I just got a message from the higher up. it seems like you're going to be heading into the operation room today. But don't worry, this isn't going to be another torture session. Today will decide whether or not, you'll continue to be useful to us. So, do your best not to die." Kimura explained.

Whatever it was, anything would be better than constantly being cut open.

Rahne, I miss you, you're one of the few good things I have in my life that keeps me sane!

P.O.V Third person.

" Okay. Let's go." Ian replied.

" Smart answer." Kimura replied.

Ian followed Kimura through the institute, he had walked these hallways many times over the course of his stay. But now, they were moving lower in the facility to a place that Ian had never seen before. And it was making him nervous.

" Ahhh! Kimura! It's so good to see you again. And you as well, my weapon XXX. I wish, I would have had a little bit more time, to prepare you for this, but it would seem that Harkins wants us to move ahead with trying the bonding process." The doctor spoke.

" I still don't understand why. We haven't had him for more than what? A month now?" Kimura asked.

" I know, but orders are orders. And we do have backups in case. If this works, we'll gain another asset if not... Oh well." The doctor and Kimura both blatantly spoke about Ian right in front of him, knowing full well, he couldn't do anything.

" We've already got the operating room ready. So, let's begin, shall we?" The doctor asked.

Ian nodded and the three stepped into the room directly behind him.

Ian looked around and noticed that the room was empty, save for one pod in the middle of the room, filled with drills of all sizes.

" Today is the day you are reborn. No longer will you simply be a mutant or a weapon. YOU! WILL BE! AN ONSLAUGHT!" The doctor exclaimed, he was excited to see whether or not his process would work out. " Now, if you would please, strip down and lay down in the pod."

Ian nodded and proceeded to strip down to his boxers and proceeded to step into the pod. Putting his life into Gods hands.

Inside the pod were restraints. One's for his arms and legs and even one for his torso. The moment he was inside of them, they closed tightly around his body.

" Excellent! Now, then Kimura, shall we go and greet the others?" The doctor asked.

" But of course, good doctor. Remember what I said kid, try not to die." Kimura gave Ian one last look and laughed as she and the doctor left the room.

The door closed behind them and locked.

" This is going to be the test Kimura, whether or not the boss likes our progress will decide if we move forward." The doctor explained to the woman.

" You mean Abraham is here?" Kimura asked.

" Yes. Doctor Abraham along with his bodyguard Ajax from Department K." The doctor explained.

" Well, doc. Let's hope Harkins doesn't blame us if it fails. Bonding adamantium to just anyone isn't something we can do." Kimura replied.

" Aye, but alas we have no choice. I do hope he lives. We put his body under enough stress, but to be sure, make sure his collar is off. We want his powers to be working at their best for this." The doctor explained.

"A re you sure about that, Doctor Hill?" Kimura asked.

" Yes, Kimura. If anything does happen, I will take responsibility." Hill replied.

" Alright, Doc." Kimura pressed a button and Ian's collar powered off.

Hill and Kimura entered the observation room above Ian's chamber, and there they were greeted by Adam Harkins, Dr. Abraham Cornelius, and Ajax.

" Ahhh, Doctor Hill, Kimura, so glad you two are here. Dr. Abraham, this is Doctor Hill our lead doctor on project XXX." Harkins spoke. He introduced the two doctors to each other and then moved behind Kimura.

" Ahhh, Doctor Hill... I've heard much about your plans. I must say they sound truly genius. If it works, we could make even the weakest of men the strongest creatures alive." Abraham spoke.

" Why thank you, sir. I truly believe with time I can make this hypothesis a reality. Our soldiers will be stronger than even the avengers." Hill replied.

" If it works." Abraham stated.

" Yes, if it works. But again, I must know why our development time was cut so short. Weve had the boy for a month, maybe even less than that. We haven't had the proper time to fully explore what the boy can handle." Hill spoke. He wanted to try and gain more time to experiment on the boy's body to see just what he could handle without pushing him over the limit.

" Ah, yes. Well, I've seen many unreasonable expenses coming from this department, Hill. And I'm sure not all your fault. In fact, I believe Harkins is the one to blame. But Me and a few other took a vote to decide what to do and unfortunately right now, your department is on the chopping block. This is just one of many tests I've been asked to oversee over the course of the next couple of months. Believe me when I say that I truly do hope your experiment works Doctor." Abraham explained.

" I see." Hill spoke. " Very well, then. Let the procedure begin!" Hill exclaimed, he pressed a button, and the pod Ian was in closed shut, tightly. A breathing mask came down and attached itself to Ian's face, so he could breathe. And once that was done the tube started filling with a strange liquid.

Down in the room, Ian was beginning to worry.

' What is this stuff?' Ian wondered. He watched as the liquid started to engulf his body until finally, he was floating off the bottom of the tube.

" And begin drill penetration." Hill ordered.

A button was pressed and the drills inside the tube came alive.

" MMMMMMMMPH!!!!!" Ian's eyes jerked open as multiple drills dug their way into his body. His arms, legs, chest, back, and his skull. He felt something going into his body and it burned. It hurt far more than anything he had ever experienced. He started to thrash around in his restraints to try and break free, but no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't get loose. And soon, he died.

Doctor Hill and the others watched closely as Ian's heart rate went from beating rapidly to flatlining.

" Damn it, damn it. Damn it!" Hill cursed. " Come on! Come on! The bonding process is almost over. You're almost there!!" Hill cursed.

They continued watching, until finally the drills stopped spinning and were pulled out of Ian's body.

" The bonding process is finished, sir. But no signs of life coming from the chamber." One of Hills assistants spoke.

Hill and Abraham both sighed as the hard work, Hill had put into the boy was all wasted.

" Well, looks like he didn't make it. What a waste of time." Ajax stated. He was annoyed. He had been pulled off his current assignment for this and the results were just as he expected.

" Yes, it would seem you've failed Harkins. The others aren't going to like this." Abraham said to the man.

Harkins was angered beyond belief. Angered and embarrassed.

" Forgive me, doctor." Harkins spoke, he had nothing else he could say at the moment. Nothing that wouldn't make him look any further bad than he already did.

" I gotta know, Kimura. How did you get this kid to agree to this?" Ajax asked in amusement.

" Ha, I made him kill a girl's father. I told him I'd kill the girl if he didn't" Kimura laughed.

" Damn, that's cold." Ajax replied. " So, did you kill the girl?"

" Of course, I did! But he didn't know that. Made it so much easier to manipulate him! HAhahahahaha!" Kimura and Ajax both started laughing but then a small noise filled the room.

* Beep Beep! Beep Beep! Beep Beep!

Down inside the chamber's Ian's body underwent a process, of rejuvenation. And soon his heart started beating again. His eyes jerked open, and he started thrashing around in the tube in anger.

" His tore through the restraints, Drill penetration is negative. We can't neutralize him!" One of the scientists spoke.

" What is he doing?! What is happening Hill?!" Kimura asked.

" I think he heard you." Ajax stated.

The alarms in the room started blaring loudly.

Ian slammed his fist into the pod's door and launched it off the hinges. The water in the tube spilled out and Ian got up. He punched the lid off and jumped to his feet.

" AGHHHH! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Ian roared as loud as he possibly could and flailed his arms around like a mindless beast. He looked up towards the observation room and grabbed what was left of the pod and launched it.

" INCOMIN!" Hill shouted.

Everyone in the room hit the floor as the pod tore through the walls and glass.

Turrets appeared in the room and all of them blasted Ian.

Ian reeled back, hurting from the bullets, but thanks to his neat new skeleton, the bullets didn't do much.

" GUUURGH!" Ian grunted and turned towards guns smiling.

Up above, Hill and Harkins were freaking out, because not once, in all their time working on Ian, had they thought about what would happen if their little experiments, actually worked.

Ian ran towards the turrets and smashed through them and the wall behind them.

Ian looked around frantically. He ripped his collar off and started running the direction he knew he came from.

" Containment team weapon XXX is loose; I repeat weapon thirty is loose! Get the fo- Agh!" Harkins was speaking to the rest of the facility but as he was, he was suddenly pushed to the side by Abraham.

" Rescind that order! I want all heads available, exterminate weapon thirty on sight!" Abraham ordered. He then looked down to Harkins. " This over, I'm shutting this down now. Ajax Kimura kill him." Abraham commanded.

Kimura and Ajax both nodded and ran out of the room.

Chaos erupted throughout the facility, Ian was on a rage induced break-out, aware but not in control. His body was just moving on instinct.

" Clear!" Ian ran clear into a group of guards, running straight through the hail of gunfire they were hitting him with. His, body was being torn open, but he still just kept trucking on.

He swatted the men in front of him away with his arms and exploded through the walls. He was just dead set on going forward no matter what. Eventually he came into a room filled with elevators and men.

" Open fire! Open Fire!"

The bullets were no longer even puncturing Ian's skin. they were bouncing off of him.

" Gyaaaaaaaaaah!" Ian tried picked up one of the elevators off the floor and threw right at the men, crushing them with ease.

" We're fighting his game. It's too cramped down here we can't get him." Kimura radioed to Abraham as they continued trying

" Hill, shut the power down. Show him the way out. We'll fight him outside." Abraham spoke.

Hill nodded and started typing on his keyboard. The lights in the building turned off and the power shut down.

Ian looked around in the darkness and then spotted a bright light. He followed the light all the way to the top and exploded out of the base.

" I'm Free?! I'm Free!" Ian exclaimed. He looked around the deserted area. It was full of sand and rock formations. Suddenly Helicopters started coming out the base and opened fire on Ian. Hitting him in his back, with multiple bullets. He grunted in pain and then started running as fast as he could to avoid being shot even more. His legs were moving so fast his legs appeared to be a blur. In just a few minutes he was already miles away from the base, but the Heli's were still right on his trail.

" Fire the rockets you fool, turn him to ash!" Kimura shouted.

" Right!" The pilot in chopper pressed a button and started firing hellfire missiles at Ian.

Ian managed to dodge the first rocket with ease, and kept on running, even as the Heli circled around in front of him and continued firing rockets.

Ian started swatting missiles away left and right, continuously.

Ian jumped into the air, avoiding the explosions behind him and continued forward.

As he ran, another missile was fired at him, but this time, Ian caught it with his hands.

" Holy shit he caught my missile!" The pilot exclaimed.

Ian jumped into the air and threw the missile right at Kimura's helicopter.

" Pull up you idiot! Pull up!" Kimura shouted.

The pilot tried to move out of the way, but the Missile snagged the tail, and the Heli started spinning out of control. It crashed on the ground and exploded.

" Agh! Ajax! Come get me!" Kimura radioed. Being indestructible meant that explosions couldn't hurt her.

" On it." Ajax replied. He had his men lower the Heli and let Kimura on.

" I'm gonna wring his neck for that." Kimura exclaimed.

" If we can catch him. What have you been feeding this boy?" Ajax asked.

" I don't know! He's never displayed anything like this before." Kimura replied.

" Well, ain't that just fucking peachy! Come on, boy move this damn thing!" Ajax yelled.

" I'm trying sir, but he's dodging everything, those missiles move at 995 miles per hour. This Heli only goes so 201. We can't keep up!" The pilot explained.

" Damn, you guys and your cheap shit!" Ajax shouted.

" Don't blame me, blame Harkins. He's the one who buys this shit!" Kimura stated.

They tried desperately to try and catch Ian, but at the speed the boy was moving he was beginning to slowly get away from them.

Ian started taking small bounds, gaining more and more momentum and with all his strength he leaped into the air, vanishing into the rock formations.

" Fuck, he went into the rock formations!" Ajax shouted.

" What do you want us to do sir?" The pilot asked.

" Level it! Destroy it all! Bring it all down on top of him! We can't let him get away!" Ajax replied.

The pilot nodded and started firing into the rock formations, destroying them and dropping the large mountainous formations into the canyon below.