Obviously I do not own X-men or their characters in any way shape or form. This tale is based on Toad from the movie, also first fanfic ever so please review and enjoy. Story is on-going.

He couldn't say how long he had drifted in the ocean. Hours surely had passed, because he could see the faint rays of sunrise through his eyelids. He floated, in what passed for consciousness; and the let the current take him. His body was a mass of pain, burnt, every cell in his body ached and cried for attention. He must have swam but he couldn't remember doing so, for when he finally opened his eyes in what felt like days he found himself on a rocky shore, filled with rotting garbage and other refuse from the bay.

He was on his back in the stinking dirt, on hand on his chest and the other flung behind him with his feet still sticking in the water. He swallowed and it was painful. His mouth was dry and his tongue felt like it was on fire. Why shouldn't it? He had been struck by lightning hours (or was it days?) ago with his poor appendage as the conduit for a carefully directed lightning bolt. Why hadn't he let go? He could have survived the fall, and landing in water would have been no problem for him. He wasn't named Toad for nothing after all. He groaned and attempted to sit up. It was a struggle but he managed to bring himself into his familiar crouch and carefully brought his hand up to inspect his face and throat. His face was swollen, burnt, but at least he could breathe with his tongue feeling like it was twice its' normal size, which was considerable seeing as how it could stretch to 25 feet.

He turned his head to the side and stared out at the Statue of Liberty. His thoughts were muddled, as if he were drunk and his vision swam in and out of focus. He buried his head in his hands and let out a long drawn out groan. What had happened to the others? He couldn't remember things clearly beyond getting blasted into the bay. He glanced back at the sun and saw it was beginning to set. He had been out for at least a full day, maybe more. He struggled to his feet and stood their shaking with equal parts pain and cold. He had to go somewhere safe and warm and heal. He needed medical attention but he couldn't go to a hospital, he would be turned in to the police. Besides, he's rather die than accept help from a human.

Suddenly he heard a shattering behind him, he whipped around and knew it was a mistake instantly because he swooned and fell to his knees gasping. The last thing he saw was another person, a woman, holding her foot that had stepped on a bottle and looking at him with wide fearful eyes before he completely blacked out.