------------Testing for Nuroravage Virus Infection----------->

Subject: Sikudhani Edna McCoy

Results: Subject tested positive for Nuroravage Virus

<---------------Retesting to Confirm Results------------------>

Results confirmed...

"Nooooooooooooo!!!!" Dr. Hank McCoy screamed as the words came across the screen of his computer. "I can't be true," he said in disbelief even though he knew it was. His little Sunshine had the Nuroravage Virus.

The Nuroravage Virus is an extremely rare, yet horrible virus that plagues mutants and humans alike. It infects only about one in every three million people. Very few cases occur and even fewer reported because it is difficult to diagnosis. The virus has a 100% death rate and kills within 6 months of infection. There is no cure.

Hank recalled what he knew about the Nuroravage Virus. People with the virus die horrible death. The person infected seems fine for the first 4 months with the exception of being a little weak. Then the virus does what the name implies, it ravages the nerves. The virus attacks the nerve and brain cells. The victim begins to lose their senses one by one. The victim slowly losses sanity until the virus destroys too much of the brain for it to function.

"Hank..." Jean said as she came running into the lab, "what’s wrong?"

Beast sat there in tears. Jean had never seen him like this before. Ever.

"She has the virus Jean, Siku's got the Nuroravage Virus," he said sadly.

"The what virus?" Jean inquired.

"The Nuroravage Virus," Hank sad while crying, "a terminal nerve disease that has no cure. Hank explains the immense pain suffered by an infected person. He also explains that Euthanasia is used as an act of mercy to end the victims pain."

"Oh Hank, I'm so sorry," Jean replied as she knelt beside him. She began to tell him comforting words as Bobby came in.

"What's wrong Furball?" Bobby said jokingly, "break a test tube?"

Hank glared at Bobby with his teary eyes. "I'm in no mood for jokes Drake," Hank replied, "I never am, but especially now."

"What's wrong?" Bobby asked, "what could be so bad?"

Jean explained. Suddenly Bobby felt really bad. He began to cry along with Hank and Jean. He loved Siku like a niece since she first came.

"Is there anything you can do Hank? Bobby asked, "Can you make a cure? You're the best when it comes to this field. You can make a cure right?"

Hank, who stopped crying for a minute and replied, "No. I worked on a cure briefly about five years ago. I used prior tests data collected by other scientist to aid me, but I never even come close to finding a cure."

Hank, Jean, and Bobby were the only ones home at the time. Logan, Warren, Storm, Gambit, and Siku went to Warren's beach house for the weekend. Hank was glad she wasn't there. He couldn't break it to her. Not yet.

Jean asked, "What are you going to do Hank? You have to find a cure, you just have too."

Hank replied, "I don't know. I can't do it alone. I can ask Moira to help me, but she is busy with the Legacy Virus. There is no one else that can help me except.... no, I can't ask him."

"Who?" Bobby inquired.

"No one, forget about it," Hank said ending the subject. "Can I have some time alone please? To work on the cure?"

"Sure Hank," answered Jean, "but you know we are here if you need us."

Bobby and Jean left the room.

__________________________________________________________________

Hank worked the rest of the day and all of the night on a cure. He didn't even come close. He called Moira on Muir Island and asked for her help, but he knew it was to no avail.

He resumed work the next morning. He was in the lab when Siku returned.

"Dad? Where are you? In the lab?" Siku shouted from downstairs.

"Yes Sunshine, I'm up here." Hank shouted back.

As soon as Siku came in, she knew something was wrong. Hank did his best to break it to his daughter gently, but some things just hit you like a ton of bricks. Siku immediately broke down in tears.

"Now everything's gonna be all right my little Sunshine, Daddy’s going to find a cure," Hank said comfortingly even though he knew he might not be able to save his daughter.

"I know you will Daddy, you wouldn't let anything happen to me would you?" Siku asked in an innocent tone.

"Of course not," responded Hank, "now can I please have a little time to work on the cure. I don't want to abandon you in a time of need, but it will take some work to find a cure."

"I know Daddy. I have some things I need to do anyway," Siku said as she left the room.

Hank's heart was broken. He needed to be with his daughter at a time like this, but he also needed to save her life. He had to find a cure, he just had too.

He continued to work for the rest of the week. He neglected to sleep and eat most of the time. He constantly stayed in the lab working on the cure. He was no closer than when he started.

He thought to himself and knew what he must do. He had to enlist the help of one of his greatest enemies to save his daughter. He made up his mind, said goodbye to Jean and Bobby, and entered the Morlock Tunnels using the door in the Mansion.

Upon entering the Morlock Tunnels, Hank began his search. He knew he'd find him here. Hank searched the tunnels that he most likely would reside in. The smell of the tunnels was horrible and the rats everywhere, but nothing could change his mind.

He searched the tunnels for hours. He had almost given up hope of finding him until he came across a sealed tunnel. A large iron door blocked it. There was a DNA pad in the shape of a hand. If this belonged to whom he thought it did, his hand would suffice.

Hank hesitated before putting his hand up to the pad. Should I do it? He thought to himself. I have to. I can't lose Siku. She's my only daughter and all I have. I couldn't live with myself if I lost her and didn't no everything I could to save her. I just have to do it. He raised his hand up and placed it on the DNA pad.

Once Hank put his hand on the pad, the door began to hum, then stopped. Hank removed his hand; disappointed that the door would not open. Suddenly, a red beam shot from a hole in the door into Hank's eye. Hank was surprised, but not hurt. It was a retina scan. The door was "convinced" and began to hum again. It slowly opened.

Hank stood back and let the large doors open. Once open, he stepped through and entered the lab of the one he sought. He saw him sitting in a chair in the center of a room amongst many TV screens. There sat the Dark Beast.

"Why hello McCoy, nice to see me...err..you again." Dark Beast said in a mischievous tone. "May I ask what I owe the pleasure of this visit too?"

"I did not come here to fight o'clone of mine. I....I..need your help," said Hank in a humble tone.

"My help?" Dark Beast replied shockingly, "I'd never thought I'd see the day. Why should I help you?"

"I suppose you know of my daughter Sikudhani don't you?" Hank sternly retorted.

"Why of course I do. I should know of her, she is practically my daughter too," said Dark Beast smartly.

"Well, she has the Nuroravage Virus. I suppose you have heard of it. I need your help to find a cure. She's all I have. I can't lose her." Hank said sadly.

"I see, the Nuroravage Virus. Such a bad turn of events, I had hoped the McCoy's would avoid the 'touch of death' known as the Nuroravage Virus." said Dark Beast.

"Well, will you help or not?" Hank asked.

"What kind of person would I be if I didn't?" the Dark Beast replied, "for a price...."

"Name it McCoy, I'll do anything for her," Hank quickly responded.

"Excellent, you will know in due time," said Dark Beast evilly, "but for now, lets just say, you owe me."

"Ok," said Hank, "lets get to work."

"Lets," said Dark Beast.

And they did. They worked for two solid months together. Hank had only left Dark Beast's Lab three times. He left once every two weeks to be with Siku and comfort her.

Hank despised the Dark Beast and hated working with him. What have I done? He thought to himself. I pray I've made the right choice. I had to do it, for Siku.

Dark Beast actually committed to the work almost as much as Hank did. He rarely took breaks and worked nearly nonstop. This worried Hank. He knew his "other self" was similar to him in some ways, but he didn't think in his work ethic. He suspected Dark Beast had his own motives for curing this virus.

Not just Dark Beast's work habits troubled Hank everything he said and did worried him. He knew he had something horrible in mind for repayment. The evil grin of Dark Beast's face never left. He was planning something...evil. Hank put those thoughts out of his mind. I have to save Siku. He thought. No matter the cost.

Finally, after two long months...

<--------------------------Nuroravage Virus Cure Test------------------------->

Sample: DNA from Sikudhani Edna McCoy

Testing Cure Attempt 45215...

Results: Total annihilation of virus. DNA cured.

<-----------------------------Confirming Results-------------------------------->

Results confirmed...

"Eureka!" shouted Hank, "I think we have done it!!!"

"Good work McCoy!" said Dark Beast.

"I couldn't have done it without you," said Hank.

"I know...." Dark Beast replied cryptically. "We make a good team, too bad we couldn't work together more often."

"Yes...too bad," said Hank worriedly. He remembered the favor he owed Dark Beast. "I must go, Siku needs this cure."

"Of course my good McCoy, and godspeed." responded Dark Beast.

Hank grabbed a vial of the cure along with a formula and left. As he did, an evil smile formed over Dark Beast's face. He laughed an evil laugh....

_______________________________________________________________________

6 Months Later

Everything is great at Xavier's Institute today. Siku has been cured. Everything is great. The X-Men are outside playing a game of volleyball.

"Here you go Siku," yelled Hank as he set the ball up.

"Got is Dad," she replied as she spiked the ball.

Bobby dove for it, but missed and got a face full of sand. Beast and Siku busted out laughing.

"Looks like we win again Siku," said Hank.

"We make a good team Dad," Siku responded.

Those words sent a chill down Hanks spine. He knew he owed a favor to Dark Beast that he would have to pay. He did not know when or how, but he would pay. He thought to himself: it was worth it right? I now have a cure for the worst virus to ever plague mutants. My daughter is safe. What could the Dark Beast want for me that would be so bad?

Just as he finished that thought, Storm came walking over. She was carrying the mail.

"Here Hank," said Ororo as she handed him a letter.

"Thank you," he replied as he opened the letter.

The letter consisted of one sheet of paper with only three words on them: