A few days earlier...

In a laboratory across town three scientists were hovering over a half conscious patient. A woman looking to be in her mid-thirties with long black hair tied in a tight bun checked the monitor.

"Vital signs are normal," she said, looking to her superior.

"Yes, Doctor Townsen," he confirmed.

"Normal for what he is," another doctor said. He was young, in his late twenties with shoulder length brown hair and deep brown eyes.

"Quiet, Doctor Forbes," the doctor in charge said. "Patient 266 is a fact a powerful mutant, and therefore useful."

"Yes, Doctor Essex," he said, being humbled.

"Is the patient ready for injection?" Doctor Townsen asked.

"Yes," Doctor Essex said as he held up the needle containing a light blue liquid. "The power enhancer is ready." He took a needle and injected it into the patient's arm. Just then the unconscious victim went into convulsions. His whole body shook and the monitors went crazy.

"Doctor, I think we're losing him," Doctor Townsen said.

"That's unacceptable," Doctor Essex shouted. "Get the paddles."

The two other doctors set to work on the unwitting patient. "Clear," Doctor Townsen said. Twice they attempted to shock the patient back to life, but the monitor only showed a flat scan.

"We lost him," Doctor Forbes announced.

"No!" Doctor Essex shouted and snatched the paddles from Doctor Townsen. Doctor Essex shocked him again and waited. A beep on the monitor came on. "Yes, that's right. I knew I chose well with this one."

"It's a miracle," Doctor Townsen said. "He's the only one to survive this procedure."

"But not the last," Doctor Essex said as he was heading for the door. "Watch him closely."

As he reached the door a young blonde woman was waiting on the other side. He smiled at the pretty young woman. "Miss Danvers, I was just coming to see you."

"Yes, doctor, you promised me a new cure," she said with a tear in her eye.

"You must be patient," he said, trying to sooth her. "After the screw up with the last so-called cure, I'm taking no chances."

"I want my powers gone. They're nothing but a curse. The government, they lied to us, all of us who took the Cure. They never said it wasn't permanent."

"Carol, please, stop acting like a hysterical woman. I've come to tell you that I have a plan, but you need to trust me."

"I do trust you," she said. "Good. Now, come to my office. I have a mission for you."

Doctor Essex escorted Carol to his office and asked her to take a seat. He stood next to her leaning slightly on his desk. "What's this about?"

"It's about you, Carol. You want to be normal. I know how to grant your wish."

"How?" Carol questioned. "You said the treatment isn't ready."

"It isn't, but there are other options," he said and walked around to his desk. He pulled out a file and handed it to Carol."

"What's this?" Carol asked, opening it to see a picture of a young woman with brown hair with a white streak in the front, but Carol was more fixated on her deep emerald green eyes. "Who is she?"

"Power drainer," Essex said. Carol's eyes lit up. "She's a Cure mutant."

"Then how is she going to help me?!" Carol shouted. "If she no longer had her powers..."

"But she will," Essex said and pulled out a vial of blue liquid, much the same as he had used on patient 266. "Give her this dose, and it will jump start her powers."

"Okay, but how do I do that?" Carol asked. "It's not like she'll be willing to take this, especially from someone she doesn't know."

"Be creative. You're a smart girl. I have no doubt you will figure out a way."

Carol took the vial from Essex and stared at it." "You're sure this will work?" Essex nodded. "Then what? How will she take my power?"

"Easy," Essex said, grinning at her. "Just touch her, but hold on for as long as you can. It will make the exchange permanent."

"Where do I find her?" Carol asked.

"The Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, her last known address." Carol rose to her feet and walked slowly walked out and closed the door behind her. From the other side she heard Doctor Essex's voice one last time. "Carol, good luck."

From inside his office Doctor Essex looked into the mirror. He looked down at a small device that looked very much like an ordinary watch. He pushed a small bottom on it and studied himself in the mirror as he reverted to his true self.

As Carol walked the corridors she had an uneasy feeling about the situation, but she was willing to take the risk. All she ever wanted was to be normal, and now it was in her grasp. She trailed down the hallway not watching where she was going. She accidentally bumped into a young man.

"Jonathan, I'm sorry," Carol said, trying to steady herself. "I didn't see you."

"So what did Doctor Essex want to see you about?" he asked. "Is it about your powers?"

"Yes," she said, a bit of hopefulness in her voice. "They'll be gone before long, and then we can be together."

"I hope that's true," he said. "I hate mutants, especially Essex's special case. He should have let him die. The man dangerous and..."

"Don't worry, Jonathan. I'm on the trail of a power drainer. I'm going to be normal again, and I won't have the fear of hurting you or anyone else ever again."

"I hope so, Carol," he said. She moved closer to him to try to embrace him, but he back up. Jonathan Forbes was the love of her life, but still he was afraid of her, afraid of her power.

Carol felt hurt by his actions but didn't voice it. "I have to go."

He said nothing as she walked away from him. He watched her as her form slowly faded away.