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The air was chill around him, voicing his irritation so he actually didn’t need to speak about backwards everything seemed to him. Each breath a plume of smoke, showing even more irritation about the situation. It was clear the frost-wielder wasn’t happy. Funny he thought breaking his sobriety would have had made everything better. It didn’t. Now he just had to deal with a hangover... and Becca.

After Aoife, Becca’s sister mind whammied him with her magic spells it was hard to keep his anger in check. The safe house he kept Becca’s sister at needed some repairs not from Sam fighting anyone else but rather himself. His knuckles were red, whiskey was on his breath and a flask remained heavy at his side.

After finally convincing Becca (there might have been several attempts) Sam was walking through the halls of S.U.P.E.R. willingly to go ‘help’ with interrogation. Something Sam knew how to well. Unfortunately, that meant he was going to be watched by not just Becca but everyone else in the facility as well.

The icemancer didn’t trust the company as a whole, there were however several members of the organization he trusted but also knew the individuals were capable of so it made it a difficult situation for him.

Could he have an uninterrupted word with Becca’s sister? Yes, would he have to fight his way out after and apologize to the rest of his team after? Yes. Just because he was angrier than he had been in years, reliving the trauma of seeing his ‘not-real’ family would do that. It didn’t mean he was stupid though. It would have been dangerous to do anything other than talk. Especially with Becca there. While their relationship was always strained, he knew what she meant to the people he cared about so he promised to be on his best behavior.

Sam didn’t say a word till Agent Sang spoke, reminding him of no ice followed by a threat that made Sam turn his gaze to the agent. ”Nobody wants that kind of headache Sang. Just want answers. Would have had them already if it wasn’t for Red here.” mainly where they leaders of the cult were and where this ‘well’ resided. All the mystics could talk about was the ‘well’. At first when he was getting answers from other members of the cult he thought it was the name of a drug. Turns out it might have been more literal than they let on.

Chewing his words he looked back to Becca and locked his eye on her. It was an awkward position for everyone to be in. They attack Becca, then him and Maya. There would be little closure till the cult was shut down. He’d freeze half the city if he had to. It was an attack on mutants. His friends and family, Sam would freeze the world if had to for them. A world without them was not one he wanted to go back to.

”I wasn’t finished talking with her last time. I just want a location. A name. Something else to go on. While you might not think it’s an issue, I’m taking this as a very real threat.” Sam paused for a moment realizing what he said and then added a simple, ”Sorry...” they were siblings. Sam kept reminding himself that she was Becca’s sister.

They cyclopean team leader didn’t want or need to explain what Aoife did to him. Why he was drinking or why he was so pissed. ”I won’t ever get closure. Just want this **** show is behind us. I’ll sleep better knowing the school isn’t about to be attacked and the kids there aren’t going to be killed or forced to drink whatever is in the Kool-aid.”

Maybe this was why he was so out of shape? The food called to him like a siren. His stomach roared and wailed until the food finally arrived smothered in cheese, grease and meat. His eye fell from the pies and onto Lenna who was petitioning to have Aura released so she could get some food. Looking around he wasn’t sure if it was best to let her out given the circumstances. She was mind controlled less than an hour ago.

Sam wasn’t flattered. Did he brood all the time? Probably more than most. ”If they haven’t they will be. I called in a favor and the Candian and US are sending a crew in to clean the place out. They didn’t know it the island was being used to house a magic controlled fight club. You say any of those words with ‘fight club’ and it got them all worked up.” maybe that was why they didn’t talk about it in the first place.

”Nice try, keep practicing.” he said to Lenna as the room got brighter till Aura was sitting next to them. Sam’s hand fingered a small metal knife and held it turning his gaze to Aura before he started glaring at Zek for letting her out before they were in a less populated area. There were kids around. Two of them ran by to their family while chanting ‘pizza!’ over and over again. The scream didn’t help. Neither did Aura’s response.

”No one is dead, though this is on par with hell.” he looked down at the pizza. It wasn’t a New York Pizza but it was good enough. Sam had gotten used to ignoring some of the stuff people said when talking about death or religion. He had a great stance on it, ‘None of my Business’ it kept people from trying to explain why he was evil or how to convert. Both topics usually just pissed him off.

”No. You aren’t dead. You can thank her.” he nodded to Lenna then to the food. ”Eat. If I see any of your powers here now I’ll take it as a threat. Only warning.” the table around them got colder for a second then went back to normal as he slowly let go of the knife and picked up a slice of meat lovers making sure to avoid whatever Zek got.

”You were being controlled and right now I’m debating what I should do with you.” she deserved to be locked up. Most of his team would kill him if they knew he was eating pizza with her. The threat of the magic wielders however made him weigh his options. Dangerous times made for dangerous friends.

Sam wanted a drink. ”Your safe for now.” he said to Aura squinting ”Lenna, want to fill her in?”

”Don’t dodge the question.” Sam said into the phone. The smirk he had now was meant for Cora as he continued, ”I got back earlier today. Was making the rounds, you weren’t at the school so I thought I’d check in with Cora next.” more like he was called to pick her up but she wasn’t in a state too much better than the depth perception challenged X-man at the moment.

”You’re at the zoo? Teleporting Cat?” was it a jungle cat? Her voice didn’t give away the fact that there was danger. Even if there was he doubted Eve would said anything. She was stubborn like that. ”Sit tight. We will come pick you up. Stay out of trouble till then.” before his adopted daughter could argue or try and talk her way out of them coming to collect her the phone was hung up and placed in his pocket.

”She seems in good spirits.” Sam said with a buzzed chuckle.

When they arrived there was a blip of a heat signature that appeared and then disappeared before them. It looked like a cat... a big one. ”Teleporting cat.” Sam agreed when he noticed Cora looking for it after it blipped out in front of them again.

”V!” Sam called out knowing that either Eve would find them or Cora would lead them to her. The larger cat blipped back in before them then vanished before porting onto a branch where it laid to watch the pair of them. ”Call the firefighters?” Sam half joked reaching out for the bottle.

Another gunshot sounded as Sam cut the transmission so he didn’t have to hear the shifter monologuing as if he was a detective of some kind. If he wasn’t getting shot at and wasn’t currently searching for a missing persons he would have thought it pretty funny. However, that wasn’t the case. A bullet slammed into the armor on his shoulder and he rolled a bit to soften the blow. Spitting out the bullet and healing over the ice grew and spread further along his body as he ducked in cover.

“You got some nerve coming here! Even the police don’t mess with us!” said a mobster. It was someone Sam had heard about, which was the reason he was here. Something he shouldn’t be doing. Knowing full well there was an active investigation into this group Sam knew he’d be hearing about it later.

”Why do you think I’m here?” shouting back calming himself. The air turned cold and the ground and windows coated over dimming the natural lighting as frost engulfed everything. ”I told you I’m looking for someone. You have the biggest operation not affiliated with anyone.” Sam shouted as two identical copies of Sam covered in ice started to form. One leapt over him and charged. The other ran around the boxes Sam was hiding behind as a shotgun blast pelted his cover.

“He’s not alone! Get them!” one voice shouted. “Move the girls!” shouted another.

-------

The clones of ice darted around the room distracting the human traffickers as Sam tried to feel for the nearest bodies that weren’t holding weapons. There was some heat coming off from the nearest vehicle and someone was rushed into the back of the van before the vehicle was slammed shut.

”You’re all under arrest.” Sam shouted, the room getting colder and darker the more the frost built up on the windows and light fixtures. Gunfire illuminated the room in brief bursts, “I got one!” someone shouted as a clone dropped reaching out trying to touch one of the men. The gunman made the mistake of trying to kick the hand away. It was all the clone needed to freeze to the man’s leg holding him in place as the clone started to climb up said leg. “He’s got me!”

Looking over to the van the icemancer shot a beam of blue towards the tires trying to lock the vehicle in place. His thermal vision was revealing a few people in the back of the van. Women. His stomach turned at the thought of his friend being one of them and he jumped up from his cover now covered in a thick layer of ice.

-----

There was blood on his hands, some spattered on what was left of the armor and behind him lay all the men keeping him from freeing the women in the vehicle. Sam touched the door freezing it then pulling the thing off it’s hinges. The door dropped to the ground as what was left of a clone helped him move the thing.

”Liz!?!?!” Sam shouted hoping his long search was over but also hoping that she wasn’t here, crammed in the back with a handful of other terrified women. Some had physical mutations the others looked human all of varying shapes and sizes. Bags covered their heads and their hands were tied behind their backs.

There was a moment when Sam wasn’t sure what to say, how could he. Looking at the victims he finally spoke in a direct and gruff voice. ”You’re safe now.” Liz wasn’t here. There was a sigh of relief. ”I’m Sam. No one is going to hurt you again.” gently removing all of the bags from their heads he could see the look of fear and terror streaked across each one of the women.

The clone climbed in as Sam exited the vehicle touching his ear helping one of the women out of the vehicle. His ice clone started removing bags and cutting ties as another clone formed and started helping the women out of the van. ”This is Sam Johnson, calling in for some support. Found some kidnapped victims at...” rambling off the address he continued, ”12 suspects in custody. I’ll need a few cars to round them up.” Sam said feeling the urge to kill the nearest trafficker.

A trembling hand on his arm was all he needed to convince him otherwise. Directing his attention to the woman, ”There wasn’t anyone else was there? A blonde woman named Liz?” she shook her head and started sobbing.

”Did ya try at-”

”For the last time! She’s not just sleeping on the mansion grounds somewhere! Zorro would have found her already and you already checked! I caught YOU sleeping in a tree!” It wasn’t even two minutes into them leaving the mansion it was the first thing he did after flapping his wings! Sam and Hercules literally watched the kid fly to the nearest tree and lay down on a branch.

It was herding cats. Hercules already went off to check a few of the spots they frequented again. Hopefully to also grab a shirt. Sam couldn’t imagine the budget he had for them if they tore that easily all the time. Sam however wasn’t going to ask because they weren’t that close yet.

Looking down he spotted someone running in the alley way from some others. Sam sighed loudly along with a string of curses as he fell down into the opening between the buildings. ”I don’t have time for this!” he said coldly as he dropped in between the one running and the man chasing them... with a knife.

“****” dropping the knife and running in the opposite direction Sam launched himself forward on a pillar of ice to get the drop on the guy. ”You must be the most-” Sam landed on him and brought him down quickly to the pavement where he pinned the man, ”Unlucky and dumb... what were you doing?” he looked back, ”mugger?” it didn’t matter. Chasing someone with a knife while they were scared out of their mind was enough reason to arrest him.

”.....doesn’t matter. You are under arrest. By the way have you seen any blondes today, frizzy hair. Usually has an animal of some kind around her?”

Mind control. It was a touchy subject for Sam. Something he and Aura had in common no doubt given their past experiences being living weapons. It was all about breaking control. If it was a knock to the head so be it. Unfrotantly before he could do it Sam was blinded sided by a force that had no heat signature. Damn. Even with his ice armor he felt the wind leave his lung as he followed the direction of the blow kicking his feet up and moving with the strike to soften the attack where ever it came from separating Sam from Aura. Did she have a new ability?

Lenna slumped to the ground behind him, was she the one who had separated them with that force? It would make sense but now wasn’t the time to be sitting. Speaking of where was Zek with his pocket dimension?

Aura fell forward towards him and Sam braced for the next exchange hoping he’d get a little back up soon. If not from Lenna or Zek he’d possibly have to call Shin in knowing that Kealey wouldn’t let him hear the end of it.

It was over in a flash. Or rather his fight with Aura was over... for now. In a ball of red she vanished leaving Sam catching his breath and exhaling loudly. ”*****ing kidding me.” was he this out of shape? Maybe he needed to volunteer for more missions. ”Get up.” he reached down to Lenna as he made his way over to her. ”We can relax when we get back to the jet.” Sam said grunting as he helped her up already sore from the fight.

”I always forget how skilled she is.” Sam sighed again then looking to Zek. ”Nice catch.” Sam said not wanting to compliment the... whatever Zek was.

”Shin, got the package. Heading topside. Meet you at the Evac point.” lettign go of his earpeice he looked back to Zek. ”I’ll buy the pizza.”

A lot happened in a span of a few seconds, even for Sam who was currently experience the adrenaline rush of the century. Not knowing if he’d survive, Rex and then the rest of the city. The X-men could eventually bring him down. Sam’s trump card was of course Gawain/Maya throwing the guy in a mirror and then shattering the thing. Was his element about to defeat him?

Looking down to his hands he felt anger, hate and he knew what he wanted to do to the neanderthal who was freezing not only the city but everyone in it. The most brutal aspect of Sam’s powers. The thing that made him too dangerous to be in the public as a kid. The one that got T.A.T.M.A.H.’s attention on how useful he could be. The thing he spent so much of his life learning to control, lock away.

Sam knew what he needed to do. It break a lot of promises in the process and probably get him into some trouble with the law in the process. Sam was going to kill him and end it. His cold didn’t effect Sam. Sam had better control. It seemed the caveman had no interest in it.

Before he could leave Rex and leap into the last fight ‘Ice Age’ would ever had, Rex started to curse him, everyone. Including Sam, which was enough to throw him off for a second. ”Wait... me?” Sam was standing by Rex, trying to console him. Motivate him even, Sam wasn’t aware of his powers before but things started to make a lot more sense about the firefighter now. They were the same person. Sam just had years to adapt to what he was.

It was blinding, Sam was starting to run over to Rex when he dropped to his knees. What the icemancer wasn’t ready for was the heat and fire that erupted from him. His thermal sense cut off instantly and his frozen armor started to melt under the intense heat. Reinforcing his armor so he didn’t burn Sam covered his face and waited for more. It never came, at least for Sam. The fire erupted forth in a bright light of red, yellow and orange.

Smoke filled the area near him as Rex burst into flames, Sam wasn’t ready for it. Hell, the cave man wasn’t ready for it nor the fiends that the fire brought forth. It was... awe inspiring. A true last ditch effort, Sam’s stomach turned a little when he looked back to Rex who was screaming in pain before blacking out.

The small sun that appeared in the center of the storm died out and there was something that fell to the nearest building and stayed there. Sam looked back to Rex and blasted him with snow, ice and cold to suppress what was left of the flames that surrounded Rex’s limp body. He was burned. Badly, but he lived. Sam didn’t drop his armor nor the ice golems that littered the streets just in case he needed them... well what was left of them anyways. Most of them melted, a few of them were on fire from a few of the creatures of fire that had nothing else cold to attack.

”Well... you did what I asked.” Sam sighed more to himself knowing Rex was out for the count.

----

“I will... I will...”

Sam walked up to the wheezing form of the caveman, half of his body was still in flames the other half was blackened and charred, already reduced to ash. He was dying, slowly. Doc could save him. Sam slowly walked forward making sure to see that he was no longer a threat. He killed so many.

“Megafauna... I’m sorry... I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t... make a world for us.” Sam approached in silence as he looked up to the sky crying with milky eyes no longer able to see. Just feel. His spear in one ashed hand remained at his side. With a little tug the spear was free as his hand crumbled to soot. Sam ignored his gasp of pain.

“You... of the ice... I can feel you brother... help me...” he wheezed. “Freeze me... please....”

”.....” Sam turned the spear and lodged it in the man’s chest and turned the shaft till he was through the body. ”No... There is no place for you here. You proved that.” before watching the last bit of life exit man who’d freeze the world. What Sam could have been if he didn’t find his friends, his loved ones. ”May you never find rest, you don't deserve it.”