-3 WEEKS LATER-
In the dimly lit ICU room, Betty Brant enters, her gaze softening as she watches her mother, Eleonore Brant, seated beside the hospital bed where Wally lies unconscious, his breathing shallow under the machines keeping him alive. Eleonore looks exhausted, shadows under her eyes, hands clasped tightly around Wally's.
Betty steps closer, placing a gentle hand on her mother's shoulder.
Betty: Mom, it's been three weeks. You barely eat or sleep. You should probably go home at some point.
Eleonore looks up, her weary eyes managing a small smile as she sees her daughter.
Eleonore: Hey, sweetie…
Betty: Mom, you need to rest for a while. You need to go home.
Eleonore shakes her head, her voice quiet but firm.
Eleonore: I'll go home when my future son-in-law wake up.
Just then, Wally's body begins to tremble. His heart monitor emits an alarm, flatlining as his body goes into a seizure. Betty's eyes go wide with terror, her hand flying to her mouth.
Betty: Oh, my God. Oh, my God!
Eleonore, panicked, grips Wally's hand tightly.
Eleonore: Help! My son-in-law is coding!
Betty: They said he was stable!
Nurses and doctors rush into the room, quickly surrounding Wally's bed. They begin working frantically to stabilize him, pushing Betty and Eleonore back as they call out medical instructions. Betty's hands shake as she clings to her mother, the two of them watching helplessly from the doorway, their fear mirrored in each other's eyes.
Voice: They can't save him. But I can.
Betty and Eleonore whip their heads toward the doorway, where they spot a towering figure standing in the entrance—Hank McCoy, aka Beast, his imposing blue form framed by the harsh hospital lighting.
Betty, still on edge and struggling to process the sudden appearance, narrows her eyes.
Betty: I know who you are. You're that scientist from the X-Men!
Hank steps forward, his movements measured yet calm as he approaches the pair, giving a slight nod.
Hank: I'm Hank McCoy, aka Beast. And interestingly enough, my facility is the very place I would like to take him.
Eleonore's face hardens, her protective instincts kicking into high gear as she stands up, glaring at Hank with a fierce, almost frantic energy.
Eleonore: You're out of your mind. I don't want to take my future son-in-law to some mutant freak like you!
Betty, horrified by her mother's outburst, shouts to try to calm the situation.
Betty: Mom!
But Hank raises a hand, stopping Betty mid-sentence. His expression is patient but insistent, his voice steady despite the tense situation.
Hank: I'm not going to convince you with promises. But, please, listen. I can save him... I can save his life. Just give me a chance.
Eleonore, still trembling with fear and frustration, takes a step back, her eyes narrowing in distrust.
Eleonore: How can I trust a mutant freak like you? Think we don't already know what you're capable of? Scientist or doctor, you've hurt a lot of people fighting villains, experimenting. Who knows what you've done?
Hank's expression doesn't waver, but a hint of sadness enters his gaze as he glances back toward the ICU room where Wally lies.
Hank: So those doctors in there… they're good enough?
Eleonore stands her ground, her voice sharp and filled with defiance.
Eleonore: The best in the city, best in the country.
Hank looks back toward the medical staff working around Wally's bed, their frantic motions betraying the helplessness in their eyes. His voice remains calm, though there's a quiet urgency underneath.
Hank: Look at them. They're baffled. And the reason for that is what's happening inside Wally. It's a mystery, and they don't have the tools to solve it.
Eleonore's jaw clenches, but she hesitates, her mind racing with doubt and fear. She looks back at Wally, still unconscious and vulnerable. The tension hangs thick in the air, each word between Hank and Eleonore cutting deeper.
Hank: Please... Let me try. I can help him. Let me save my only human friend
Eleonore studies Hank's face, uncertainty flickering in her eyes as she weighs his words.
Eleonore: But you do? You have the technology that these doctors don't?
Hank meets her gaze steadily, determination in his voice.
Hank: Yes. Now, let me take that technology, let me take that know-how, and make sure your son-in-law actually does have a future. Let me save him.
Eleonore's expression softens, her shoulders finally sagging in reluctant acceptance. She nods, her voice quiet yet resolute.
Eleonore: Then save him.
As Hank moves into action, arranging for Wally's transfer, while Betty finds her way to the hospital chapel, a small, dimly lit room with rows of empty pews and a single flickering candle on the altar. She sinks into a pew, her hands trembling as she clasps them together, lowering her head in silent prayer.
Betty: Wally… I don't know if you can hear me, but I hope you can… because I really, really need you to wake up.
She leans closer, her words choked with remorse.
Betty: I'm so sorry… for everything I said on the call. I didn't mean it. I just… I need you to wake up. Please.
Betty feels a gentle hand rest on her shoulder, and she startles slightly, turning to see a bald man in a wheelchair beside her. She quickly wipes her tears, looking at him with surprise and a hint of confusion.
Betty: Wh-who are you?
The man's face is calm and compassionate, his eyes kind.
Charles: My name is Charles Xavier. Wally… well, he's told me quite a few stories about you.
Betty's expression softens, a mix of curiosity and sadness in her eyes.
Betty: What do you mean?
Charles offers a small, understanding smile.
Charles: Wally often spoke of you with such admiration, Betty. He shared stories about the first time you met, how your kindness left a mark on him, even how you would encourage him to keep going, to believe in himself. He'd say you're his anchor… that you're always there to remind him of who he truly is.
Betty listens, the weight of Charles's words sinking in. She glances away, her voice barely a whisper.
Betty: I… I didn't know he felt that way. I thought he saw me as just… one more thing he had to keep up with.
Charles shakes his head gently.
Charles: On the contrary, Betty. He considers you his greatest support, his reason for striving to be better. In his eyes, you are so much more than you might realize.
Betty's eyes fill with tears again, and she nods, her voice soft and shaky.
Betty: Thank you, Mr. Xavier. I just… I just want him to come back.
Charles places a reassuring hand on her shoulder once more.
Charles: Hope can be a powerful thing, Betty. Keep believing in him. Wally's a fighter he's proven it time and time again.
Betty looks up at Charles, desperation mingling with uncertainty in her eyes.
Betty: Please… how can you help Wally? I don't even know if he'd survive… with you.
Charles's gaze is steady, understanding her doubts.
Charles: If you don't trust me, Betty… then trust my X-Men.
He lets his words sink in, his tone confident and filled with conviction.
Charles: They're more than just mutants. They're people who've dedicated their lives to protecting those they care about, people who understand what it means to struggle against overwhelming odds. They know how to help him.
Betty hesitates, glancing back toward the chapel doorway, her heart warring between her fears and her hope. After a long moment, she nods, a spark of belief finding its way into her expression.
Betty: If they're anything like you say… then I'll trust them.
Charles gives her a reassuring smile.
Charles: You've made the right choice, Betty.
Just as Betty absorbs Charles's words, the doors to the chapel creak open softly, and two figures step inside. The soft shuffle of footsteps draws Betty's attention, and she looks up to see Storm and Shadowcat entering, both moving with purpose and urgency.
Storm: Professor, we need to go. Time is running out.
Charles nods, turning to face them, and then glances back at Betty, who's watching with a mixture of hope and anxiety.
Charles: Betty, these are two of my finest. Ororo and Kitty will help ensure Wally's safe transport.
Shadowcat gives Betty a reassuring nod.
Shadowcat: We're going to do everything we can to save him.Betty takes a shaky breath, her gaze flickering between them all.
Betty: Please… just bring him back safe.
Storm steps forward, her voice calm but filled with resolve.
Storm: We'll move as quickly as possible. You have my word.
Charles turns to his team, nodding in affirmation.
Charles: Let's move.
To Be Continue.