Meanwhile, at the Mad Scientist's Lair...

[simon_williams]

...No really, but that's what it feels like at the dusty old West Coast compound, having Blue Hank run all these tests with Antman Hank's equipment. the rest of the Avengers are out fighting armies of the dead or something. Consciousness is a fleeting thing, so that might not be happening anymore. Who knows? He's here as a test dummy, feeling

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[drbluebeast]

"Which has happened before," said Hank, ever optimistic, although that optimism wasn't entirely unfounded. He said this as he was pressing buttons and staring at multiple scans. "A way was found to help your regain your ability to manifest a solid form then

[simon_williams]

His energy reading are also way, way off - like he's half here and half somewhere else.

"Barely..." he notes weakly. "Is this why I feel like the old Simon where I couldn't bench press 200?"

Best not to dwell on Billy. Poor kid is likely freaked out by this and doesn't need anymore freak out.

[drbluebeast]

"For the time being, you probably shouldn't bench press five. Doctor's orders," said Hank. "Not until we find a way to stabilize you."

[simon_williams]

"So what did Erik hit me with?" Feels weird not to be able to swallow.

[drbluebeast]

"Until I can examine the weapon in question, it's rather difficult to tell, but I suspect it was something that caused you to go out of phase with the rest of reality," Hank said. "Which may very well be the only reason you're here right now. Your resurrection was made somewhat easier by the fact that you were never quite dead."

[simon_williams]

It's starting to flicker back. His ionic form brightens and dims dangerously with the cadence of his speech.

"Last thing I remember...I was jumping around, just random. Sometimes it was because I thought of something sometimes..." his voice trails off. "Billy was there - and Tommy and their friends. And all these children dying. I had to stop them from getting away with it."

[drbluebeast]

Beast's eyes darkened at the mention of the children. After all, he'd been the one that patched them up again.

The ones that had survived, at least.

"It's quite possible that those moments of focus brought you back into closer contact with the reality the rest of us occupy. In fact, it would be safe to say that if you hadn't been trying so hard, and hanging on to life...your ionic form may have dissipated entirely."

His desire to not just sit there and watch, his desire to come back and help--it'd saved his life.

[simon_williams]

"I still don't feel 'here,' Hank." He sighs. "Are Billy and Tommy okay?" He's tempted to ask if Wanda and Vision are acting like they're time bombs. His form spark faintly with annoyance.

[drbluebeast]

"From what I've seen and heard, they're as fine as they can be."

No worries.

"Damage to their team-mates notwithstanding."

Okay, some worries.

[simon_williams]

Simon moves his hand in a circular motion, inviting his best friend to continue.

[drbluebeast]

"There was only a small group of the children who got through the ordeal with the Cube unharmed, and they were those that attacked from the outside," Hank said, eyes carefully averted to his scans. "We took in most of the ones who spent time on the inside for treatment at the medlab at the Institute, and those that didn't get released to their families after medical treatment stayed with us as students. In fact, we have been harboring the Runaways--as they insist to be called now instead of 'The Pride's Children'--and they've made an unusual addition to Xavier's. Though now that Miss Dean is up and about, it's likely they may scatter to the four winds once more

[simon_williams]

"And Erik has to shoot me right before this." When and if he gets his body back, maybe they should tattoo "World's Worst Uncle," on his backside.

[drbluebeast]

"Which you had absolutely no control over," Hank said, raising two furry eyebrows. "It's unlikely one more hero would have done much to help, in any case. The schism between most of our allies and compatriots left both sides fairly equal in number, and those on the law's side were rather thoroughly hornswoggled into believing there was a legitimate threat to civilians from the youngsters. I was not in support of the law, but even I didn't dare dream there was such a conspiracy behind it--more likely the superhero community's dear old friend Henry Peter Gyrich simply sticking his twitchy, little nose where it wasn't wanted or needed."

[simon_williams]

"Life just gets better and better..." He growls. "FYI, Thought you might want to know, Wanda dumped me right before all this so no need to call my girlfriend and tell her I'm not quite all better."

[drbluebeast]

"Hrm. I had assumed..." He did not really want to talk about this. "..as she was escorted to your charity celebration by Vision."

[simon_williams]

"Yup. That's that. Least they showed. I half expected them not to."