earth-717: x-men vol 1 full version

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Earth-717: X-Men Vol 1

Chapter 1: Hindsight

Xavier frowned slightly when he grasped the cup. he tinge of war!th e!anating fro! the

coffee inside tingled the tips of his fingers. "s he lowered the cup to his lap# a waft of its sweet scent

reached his nose. He loo$ed down into the cup and saw the slightest hint of his own reflection. His eyes

narrowed as he loo$ed at the wrin$les fra!ing his face.

%he taste&s i!proved since last ti!e#' Moira said.

Xavier loo$ed up at her and s!iled.

%(&! sure it has#' he replied.

%hen try it already#' Moira insisted# !otioning towards the cup.

Xavier lifted the cup and touched the ri! to his lips. he coffee ran down his throat )uic$ly#

*arely gra+ing his tongue. "fter he swallowed# Xavier sighed gently and loo$ed at Moira.

%" lot less *itter than ( re!e!*er#' Xavier stated.

Moira s!iled. ,he placed her own cup on her plate# which she then left on the ta*le she was

sitting on. Xavier loo$ed at Moira&s cup. he faintest hint of vapour floated fro! it. He could feel

Moira&s ga+e on hi!# *ut he continued to loo$ at the cup.

%,o tell !e Charles#' Moira started# %why are you here'

Xavier too$ a !o!ent *efore answering. His ga+e didn&t leave Moira&s cup.

%( wanted to visit an old friend#' he answered.

%C&!on# Charles. ( don&t have to *e a !ind reader to $now that so!ething is going on. (f you

wanted to catch up# you could have ust called.'

Xavier sighed again. He lowered the cup to his plate.

%al$ to !e# Charles.'

Xavier loo$ed up at Moira.

%he world&s *eco!e a dar$er place# Moira. /ar$er than (&d ever hoped.'



Moira stared intently into Charles& eyes.

%/o you re!e!*er the plan ( told you a*out (n case things ever went *ad'

Moira&s eyes widened.

%Charles# has it gotten that desperate'

%0es. u*lic support is waning. owerful forces are !oving *ehind the scenes. (&ve *een a*le to

use !y political pull in the past# *ut !y well of allies is drying up# and ( fear that !y regular wor$

won&t *e enough.'

Moira ru**ed her left hand against her lips# as if in thought. ,he closed her eyes for a few

!o!ents# *efore facing her head down and clasping her hands together. ,he then loo$ed *ac$ at

Xavier.

%2hat do you need !e to do' Moira as$ed.

%( need all of the docu!ents that ( left in your care# and access to your research.'

%3f course.'

Xavier pressed the toggle on the ar! of his wheelchair. His chair rolled forward# past Moira.

Xavier stopped the chair once he reached the window. Xavier loo$ed out the window# allowing the sun

rays to wash over his s$in. He watched as the waves of the ocean crashed against the cliff face of the

island. Moira wal$ed over and placed her hand on his shoulder.

%Charles.'

Xavier did not respond. Moira crouched so her head was level with Xavier&s# while $eeping her

hand on his shoulder. ,he loo$ed out at a lone tree perched at the edge of the cliff.

%/o you re!e!*er the first ti!e we ca!e here'

he lines on Xavier&s face softened.

%0es#' he replied.

%/o you re!e!*er what you told !e'

Xavier closed his eyes for a few seconds and winced *efore opening the!.



%hat was another ti!e# Moira#' replied Xavier. %"nother life.'

Moira frowned as she loo$ed over at Xavier. Moisture started to well up in her eyes.

%4ot everyone can wipe away the past so cleanly# Charles.'

"s Moira loo$ed away fro! his face# Xavier reached with his left hand and placed it on hers.

,he *lin$ed and loo$ed *ac$ at hi!. he !iniscule hairs on her hand stood upright due to how cool

Xavier&s hand felt.

%0ou $now ( never wanted things to end the way they did#' Moira said.

Xavier paused. He then too$ his hand off of Moira&s.

%( have to get *ac$ to 5oston#' Xavier stated.

He turned the chair around and started to !ove towards the door. "s he was a*out to reach it# he

stopped at the sound of Moira&s voice.

%/o you thin$ things can ever *e the sa!e# Charles'

Xavier loo$ed *ac$ at her. hey stared at each other for so!e ti!e. 6inally# Xavier relented and

sighed *efore responding.

%4o.'

Moira loo$ed down at the floor. Xavier left the roo!.

he world was *lac$.

%,o what&s the story'

,cott&s head twitched at the sound of the !an&s voice. He could see nothing# *ut he could feel

that the voice was co!ing fro! so!ewhere to the right of hi!. he sounds were heavily !uffled *y the

walls of the roo!.

%"pparently there was so!e sort of accident.'

his voice was different. (t *elonged to a wo!an. ,cott felt an itch creeping in on his lower

*ac$. He frantically shifted his weight# atte!pting to ru* his *ac$ against the wall *ehind hi!. he cold



,cott )uivered.

%4o one can help !e. (&! a frea$.'

%(s that ,cott ,u!!ers ( hear# or 5arry 9loyd'

,cott er$ed his head up towards the voice.

%How do you $now who. . . .'

,cott felt the flash again# *ut this ti!e# it had a voice.

% Because I have a special gift as well, Scott.'

,cott&s !outh hung open. He then shoo$ his head violently.

% Relax, Scott. It's all right. I know what you're going through.'

% How are you doing this?' ,cott thought.

Xavier spo$e out loud.

%ust li$e you have the a*ility to fire *ea!s fro! your eyes# ( have the a*ility to read thoughts#

and it&s not *ecause (&! a frea$. (t&s *ecause (&! a !utant# and so are you.'

,cott *reathed in deeply.

%5ut !y power has hurt people#' ,cott sta!!ered.

%hat&s only *ecause you haven&t learned to control it yet#' Xavier said. %2hen ( was your age#

!y telepathy was out of control. ( was inside everyone&s !ind at once. 6or so!e ti!e# ( couldn&t sort

out !y own thoughts fro! those of others.'

,cott felt Xavier&s hand on his shoulder.

%( felt li$e !y !ind was tearing itself apart#' Xavier said.

,cott felt the flash.

% But now, y power is fully under y control.'

,cott er$ed his head away fro! Xavier.

%2hat does any of this have to do with !e' as$ed ,cott.

%( want to help you control your power as well# son. 0ou don&t have to *e afraid any!ore. ( will



ta$e you away fro! here# to !y school.'

,cott turned his head *ac$ towards Xavier.

%,chool'

%0es. My institute for the gifted. (t&s a school for !utants. 0ou would *e a part of its first class.'

,cott lowered his head.

%( don&t $now . . . .' ,cott trailed off.

%he choice is always yours# ,cott. 5ut *efore you !a$e a decision# ( want to give you

so!ething.'

%2hat'

%,o!ething to show you how ( can help#' Xavier replied.

"fter a !o!ent# ,cott felt Xavier&s hand tugging at the cloth wrapped around his eyes.

%4o;' ,cott yelled.

Xavier&s hand let go.

%(t&s alright# ,cott. rust !e. ust $eep your eyes closed.'

,cott shut his eyes and pressed down hard with his eyelids. Xavier tore the cloth off of ,cott&s

face. "fter another !o!ent# ,cott felt Xavier place an o*ect on his eyes. (t gave off a faint hu!!ing

noise.

%4ow open your eyes.'

%5ut . . . .'

%0ou won&t hurt anyone.'

,cott $ept his eyes closed. He winced hard. He then let out a large sigh and rela8ed his eyes.

,cott then allowed his eyes to flutter open.

he world was red.

%,ee ( told you it would *e alright#' Xavier said.

,cott could see the *ric$ wall in front of hi!# and Xavier sitting in a wheelchair. Xavier s!iled



at hi!. ,cott *lin$ed.

%My eyes . . . . they&re not . . . .'

%his visor was specially designed to regulate your powers.'

,cott shoo$ his head.

%How could you possi*ly $now how to !a$e so!ething li$e this'

%(&! not the only one who wants to help you# ,cott.'

Xavier held out his hand.

%Co!e with !e. 9et !e ta$e you ho!e.'

,cott stared into Xavier&s eyes for a few !o!ents. He then reached out and grasped Xavier&s

hand.




Chapter <: 3rientation

he *u++ of the television tingled Han$&s ear as he !oved his ar! up and down# chopping at the

to!ato in his other hand. 6or a while# he focused on each slice of the $nife= he had to# given the

unwieldy nature of his large hands. "fter he was done chopping# he gently *rushed away a few *lue

hair strands fro! the slices# and then swiped the! over with the $nife into the *owl he had prepared.

"s he did so# his selective hearing flared up.

%. . . . and tonight# ,enator >o*ert ?elly gave another heated lecture a*out the potential dangers

of the so-called !utant pheno!enon . . . .'

Han$ turned to face the television. He adusted his glasses to get a *etter view of the screen. (t

displayed the full face and torso of >o*ert ?elly# standing at a podiu! in an e8pensive suit. " giant

version of the "!erican flag acted as his *ac$drop.

%(t !ust *e $nown *y *oth Congress and the "!erican people that !utants are a threat to not

ust our citi+ens# *ut our entire way of life. How can we possi*ly rest easy# when the population of

people with unchec$ed and potentially uncontrolla*le super-powers is growing with each passing

year'

Han$ scowled. 3n the screen# one of the reporters fro! off-screen could *e heard.

%,enator ?elly# do you have any co!!ent on the incident that occurred yesterday at the ,tate

Ho!e for 6oundlings'

?elly s!iled slightly.

%his is ust another e8a!ple of the danger that !utants pose. "n entire orphanage co!pletely

destroyed *y one teenager 2as anyone living there aware that this person was capa*le of such

destructive power 2ell# they definitely should have *een;'

Han$ sighed and ru**ed his eyes with one hand.

%5ecause of the growing severity of the !utant pro*le!# ( a! !a$ing another push for the



Mutant >egistration "ct. (f passed# !y contract with ,tar$ Enterprises for the ,entinel progra! will

co!e into effect# and we can start to crac$ down on !utant violence. ( urge !y fellow senators and the

people of the @nited ,tates to support this *ill in the interest of national and glo*al security. hese

creatures si!ply !ust *e registered. (f they cannot control the powers they possess# then we# as

"!ericans# have the duty to do it for the!;'

Han$ heard a thunderous roar of applause and cheering. He furrowed his *row and gra**ed the

re!ote fro! the counter. He pressed the *utton at the top left of the re!ote# and the television flic$ered

off. Han$ leaned against the counter and sighed again# his ar!s crossed.

%4ot enoying the progra!'

Han$ turned around to see Xavier entering the roo!.

%@nfortunately not#' replied Han$. %ust !ore of the sa!e sensationalist nonsense that&s

hounded us since the start.'

Han$ sighed again.

%/o not worry# !y friend#' Xavier said. %2e&ll get past it. his is e8actly why we started this#

re!e!*er'

%( $now. /id you get the *oy'

%He&s here now. ,cott'

Han$ loo$ed over to the left of Xavier as ,cott wal$ed through the door. He was wearing a *lue

t-shirt# cargo pants and red-tinted sunglasses. He was loo$ing at the floor.

%Hello# ,cott#' Han$ said.

,cott loo$ed up at Han$ and see!ed ta$en a*ac$.

%0ou&re . . . .' ,cott started.

%5lue' Han$ said# chuc$ling.

%0ou&re Han$ McCoy. he !utant scientist. ( read a*out you.'

%0es# that&s !e#' replied Han$.



%hen perhaps so!e of these' Han$ said# holding out a carrot.

he *oy shoo$ his head# putting up his pal!s. Xavier coughed.

%>o*ert#' Xavier said. %2hy don&t you introduce yourself to our newest arrival'

he *oy loo$ed over at ,cott. He then slid over to hi! and held out his hand.

%4a!e&s 5o**y /ra$e# *ut call !e (ce!an#' 5o**y said.

%Hi# (&! . . . .' ,cott started. "s he shoo$ 5o**y&s hand# it turned into ice# and ,cott started to

shiver. ,cott then yan$ed his hand away as 5o**y held his gut laughing.

%3h !an# that face was great#' 5o**y chuc$led.

%>ight#' ,cott said# waving his hand *ac$ and forth as the ice !elted.

%ust a har!less *it of fun# ,cott#' Xavier said. %He does it to everyone.'

%,cott# eh'

%0eah. ,cott ,u!!ers#' ,cott said.

%2ell# ,cott# what can you do' 5o**y as$ed. %,uper strength 9ightning fast speed ,upre!e

*urger coo$ing talents'

,cott scratched the side of his head with one finger.

%@h# !y powers aren&t e8actly the sort of stuff you show off indoors# if you $now what ( !ean.'

5o**y nodded his head.

%Huh. 2ell# let !e $now if . . . .'

%E8cuse !e#' said a deep voice fro! *ehind ,cott.

He u!ped at the sound of it and )uic$ly turned his head to see a !assive !an standing *ehind

hi!# holding two large crates a*ove his head. ,cott then stared in awe# *ecause the !an&s s$in was

co!pletely !ade of shining steel. he !an loo$ed down at ,cott and s!iled.

%E8cuse !e# co!rade#' said the !an.

,cott wea$ly s!iled.

%iotr#' said Han$. %Can you place those crates in the la*'



%3f course#' iotr replied.

iotr then shuffled past ,cott# who !oved out of the way. iotr then wal$ed out of the $itchen

through the other door. ,cott stared at iotr as he wal$ed away.

%hat&s iotr >asputin#' said Han$# as ,cott loo$ed *ac$ at hi!.

5o**y crossed his ar!s and slanted his !outh.

%His codena!e is Colossus#' 5o**y said.

,cott shrugged.

%Ma$es sense.'

%Han$#' said Xavier# %why don&t you head upstairs# and show ,cott to his roo!'

Han$ loo$ed over at Xavier and nodded.

%"lright.'

5o**y turned into his ice for! and slid down the hallway# following iotr.

%0o iotr;' 5o**y called. %2ait for !e;'

Han$ wal$ed past ,cott into the other roo!# !otioning his hand to *ec$on ,cott to follow.

Xavier nodded at ,cott.

%"fter you&re done#' Xavier said# %co!e *ac$ downstairs. ( want you to !eet one last person.'

,cott nodded and turned to follow Han$.

,cott felt his hand *eco!e nu!* as his face pressed into his pal!. 2incing# ,cott stopped

leaning and shoo$ his hand# trying to restart the *lood flow. He placed his hands in his lap and loo$ed

*ac$ out the window. o hi!# each house loo$ed identical. ,cott&s eyes gla+ed over as do+ens of houses

passed *y his field of vision. Eventually# the houses stopped !oving.

%2e&re here#' stated Xavier.

,cott loo$ed over at Xavier and nodded. hey left the car par$ed on the side of the street.

Xavier rolled up to a particular house# with ,cott following *ehind. "s they wal$ed up the house# ,cott



too$ the ti!e to o*serve its features. he dull# cri!son *ric$s that for!ed the walls had a hint of

war!th to the! that see!ed foreign to hi!. he windows possessed a glossy loo$# and the roof was

for!ed of *rown# overlapping tiles. ,cott furrowed his *row# and then loo$ed at the door as Xavier

rung the *ell. "fter a few seconds# a !an with a thic$# gray !oustache answered the door.

%0es'

%his is rofessor Xavier.'

%Xavier @h# yeah . . . . co!e in# co!e in. ( thought you were so!eone else.'

he !an opened the door# and Xavier rolled inside. he !an then loo$ed at ,cott.

%He&s with !e#' Xavier said.

he !an loo$ed at ,cott for a !o!ent and then nodded his head# holding the door open for

hi!.

%han$ you#' ,cott said.

he !an closed the door *ehind ,cott without replying.

%2here is ean' as$ed Xavier.

%@pstairs with her !other#' replied the !an. %Elaine doesn&t want you to see her.'

%( thought we had gotten past this# ohn.'

%,o did (. ( $now the tre!endous help you&ve *een to ean# *ut Elaine . . . . she still has trou*le

accepting what&s going on.'

Xavier sighed.

%( understand co!pletely.'

" fe!ale voice was heard fro! upstairs.

%ohn; 2ho&s here'

ohn loo$ed up the stairs.

%(t&s the rofessor.'

%he rofessor . . . .;' said another voice.



%ean;'

,cott heard several )uic$ thu!ps# followed *y the appearance of a girl who nearly leaped down

the stairs.

%ean#' said Xavier# s!iling.

%rofessor;' ean e8clai!ed.

,cott stared at ean with his !outh open. ean&s s!ile lit up his eyes. Her long# scarlet hair

perfectly fra!ed her face. "fter loo$ing at Xavier# her ga+e !et ,cott&s. Her *right# e!erald eyes felt

li$e they were going to pierce his sunglasses. ean s!iled at ,cott.

%Aet out of here.'

,cott loo$ed up past ean to see an older wo!an# wearing thic$ glasses# wal$ing down the

stairs. ean turned around with a flustered loo$.

%Mo!; /on&t spea$ to the rofessor that way;'

%He&s not a professor#' replied the wo!an. %He&s the head of that !adhouse for carnival

ani!als;'

%Elaine;' shouted ohn# ta$ing a step forward.

%Mrs. Arey . . . .' started Xavier.

%0ou&re not ta$ing !y daughter to that school of yours# Xavier#' interrupted Elaine.

%5ut Mo!# ( want to go;' yelled ean.

%4o.'

ohn wal$ed up to Elaine.

%Elaine# we&re going upstairs. ean&s not going anywhere# *ut she is allowed to spea$ to hi!.'

%ohn# don&t you . . . .'

%his is not negotia*le. @pstairs. 4ow.'

Elaine sneered# *efore turning and wal$ing up the stairs# with ohn following. ean turned *ac$

to the rofessor# clasping her hands together.



%(&! sorry a*out that# rofessor#' said ean. %0ou $now Mo! is still upset a*out all this.'

%hat&s )uite alright# ean#' replied Xavier. %(t&s a co!!on attitude a!ongst parents of !utants.

4ow# there&s so!eone (&d li$e you to !eet.'

Xavier !otioned his hand towards ,cott.

%his is ,cott ,u!!ers. ,cott# this is ean Arey.'

,cott s!iled.

%Hello# ,cott.'

%Hello# ean.'



,arah nodded. asper opened the door on his side and stepped out of the truc$. ulling his pistol

out of its holster# asper closed the door *ehind hi!. He then tapped his earpiece with his free hand.

%"ny updates'

%4one yet.'

asper e8haled. He then wal$ed to the front of the truc$# holding his gun out in front of hi!.

Circling around# he $ept darting his view *ac$ and forth# *ut the visi*ility was so poor that he couldn&t

!a$e out anything a couple do+en !eters *eyond the truc$. "i!ing his gun forward# he s)uinted his

eyes. "s he loo$ed around# the a!*ient noises see!ed to co!pletely drain fro! the at!osphere. he

only thing he could hear was the truc$&s engine. 3nce again# he tapped his earpiece.

%his is ,itwell. "nything'

"ll he heard was static.

%( repeat# this is agent ,itwell. Have you found anything# over'

asper felt his *reathing get faster after once again hearing no response.

%,crew this.'

He put his gun down and ran *ac$ to the truc$ door. 3pening it# he cla!*ered inside.

%2hat&s going on' as$ed ,arah.

%( can&t reach anyone#' answered asper. %/rive. 4ow.'

,arah pulled the throttle and started driving forward.

%urn us around.'

%hat&ll ta$e ti!e . . . .'

%/o it;'

,arah started turning the truc$ around. asper loo$ed out the side window# still holding his

pistol. ,arah then started driving in the opposite direction.

%6aster;' de!anded asper.

%3$ay# o$ay. ust don&t shoot !e.'



asper too$ his phone out of his front poc$et and opened it. He tapped the screen to co!pose a

!essage# *ut his screen started to free+e.

%2hat the . . . .'

"n error !essage appeared on the screen.

Electro!agnetic (nterference.

"s asper loo$ed at the phone# he heard a loud crashing sound alongside the noise of *ra$es. He

loo$ed forward to see three cars flying towards the windshield. he first one ripped the ca*in in half#

and crushed ,arah. 2ithin a second# large chun$s of *loody flesh and *rain !atter spilled all over

asper. he other two cars struc$ the lower part of the truc$# causing the entire vehicle to flip over.

asper swung out his ar!s# trying to grasp at anything# *ut !erely ended up flying out of the ca*in and

crashing into the ground.

%@gh;'

asper felt e8cruciating pain in all of his !uscles. He already $new his left ar! was *ro$en.

,truggling to open his eyes# he was a*le to see that his glasses were on the ground in front of hi!#

!iraculously intact. he heat fro! near*y fla!es lic$ed at his nerves# !a$ing hi! !ore alert. lacing

his right pal! against the ground# he pushed as hard as he could# and then put his weight on his hip. He

cringed in pain *efore arriving in a sitting position. "s he did so# he heard a voice.

%Here we are.'

he voice had a deep# authoritative te8ture to it. "s asper s)uinted his eyes# all he could !a$e

out were distorted shapes and !uddy colours. He reached out with his right hand# and grasped his

glasses. 6rantically placing the! on his face# he suddenly saw a figure that was floating a*ove the

ground. (t was a !an# roughly si8 feet tall# in violet *ody ar!our. he ar!our appeared to *e !ade out

of !etal plates that overlapped each other# adorned with a large# flowing cape. His head was concealed

*y a purple hel!et with !agenta lining.

"s asper *lin$ed furiously# he saw the figure !ove his ar! up# and the !assive crate fro! the



*ac$ of the truc$ lifted into the air. he !an flic$ed his wrist# and the crate ripped itself apart to reveal

a set of four nuclear !issiles. asper loo$ed around and saw his gun a few !eters away. /ragging

hi!self over# he grasped the gun and ai!ed it# with one hand# at the !an. ,weating profusely fro! *oth

his face and hands# asper s)uee+ed the trigger.

he sound of the gunshot !ade asper&s ears feel li$e they were *rea$ing. He then loo$ed

forward at the !an# who had not !oved. asper then felt his gun fly out of his hand# as if it were *eing

ripped fro! hi! *y an invisi*le force. ,till floating in the air# the !an loo$ed over at asper. He !oved

his hand slightly# and asper saw the *ullet fly towards hi! and fall on the ground. " near*y piece of

!etal flew towards asper# wrapped itself around his a*do!en# and then flew towards the !an# pulling

asper along with it. ,truggling and pushing against the !etal# asper soon found hi!self a*ove the

ground# loo$ing directly into the !an&s eyes.

%"nother pathetic ho!o sapien# desperately struggling against what he doesn&t understand#' said

the !an.

%2ho are you;' shouted asper.

%( a! $nown *y !any na!es# hu!an#' replied the !an# %*ut you !ay call !e . . . . Magneto.'

asper&s eyes widened. Magneto&s eyes narrowed.

%( should $ill you#' said Magneto.

he !etal *ar around asper&s waist tightened. asper cringed# feeling li$e his *ones were going

to snap.

%5ut (&! going to let you live#' Magneto declared# %so you can watch your world cru!*le . . . .

and $now how truly helpless you are.'

Magneto flic$ed his wrist. asper and the !etal *ar flew *ac$wards# crashing into a near*y tree.

asper felt do+ens of wood splinters fall onto his *ody *efore everything went *lac$.

ean&s hand started to feel sore fro! the !otions of writing with her pen. /ropping her pen# she



shoo$ her hand to try and ease the pain. "dusting her seating slightly# she $noc$ed one of her pillows

off her *ed. >olling her eyes# she put her ournal aside and reached over the edge of the *ed. "s she

started to reach# she stopped.

ean stared at the pillow# her ar! outstretched. a$ing a !o!ent to thin$# she then narrowed her

eyes and fle8ed her hand. "fter a second# the pillow started to vi*rate. ean e8haled and felt a pulse

e!anate through her fingers. he pillow started to levitate. ean s!iled. "s she did so# the pillow fell

*ac$ on the floor. ,narling# ean pulled her hand *ac$ for a second *efore reaching out again. he

pillow started levitating. Holding her ar! out as far as she could# ean started to !ove the pillow

upwards. 3nce it was at eye level# she pulled her hand *ac$# and the pillow flew over the *ed. ,he then

closed her fist# and the pillow landed on the *ed in front of her.

ean giggled and s!iled vi*rantly. ,he then heard the door*ell ring.

%Co!ing;'

ean u!ped off the *ed# and started running out of her roo! and down the stairs. 5ounding

down the last few steps# she landed in front of the door# straightened her hair# and pulled it open.

%2ho is it . . . .'

ean stopped. ,he loo$ed up to see a tall !an in regal# caped# violet ar!our. He loo$ed down at

her# his head encased in a purple hel!et with !agenta lining. ean felt her !outh hanging open.

%Hello# child.'

ean too$ a step *ac$wards.

%2ho . . . . who are you' ean said# wea$ly.

%My na!e is Eri$#' replied the !an. %Eri$ 9ehnsherr.'

He too$ off his hel!et. He was an older !an# with sharp features and thin# gray hair. His eyes

had the colour of faded steel.

%0our na!e is ean# correct' as$ed Eri$# holding out one hand.

ean didn&t !ove. ,he felt her *ody sha$ing. Eri$ withdrew his hand.



%0es.'

%( hear you have so!e very special gifts# ean.'

ean raised one eye*row.

%How do you $now that'

%" friend told !e. " friend na!ed Charles Xavier.'

ean&s eyes widened.

%0ou $now the rofessor'

%3f course. Charles and ( are good friends. he *est# in fact. 2e&ve $nown each other for )uite

so!e ti!e.'

ean too$ a step forward# her legs no longer sha$ing.

%/o you have powers# too'

%( do indeed#' replied Eri$.

Eri$ turned around slightly and raised his hand. " *lue sedan par$ed at the house ne8t door then

flew up into the air. ean s!iled *rightly. "fter a few seconds# Eri$ lowered his hand and the sedan

landed *ac$ on the ground# unscathed.

%2ow;'

%ell !e# ean . . . . are your parents ho!e'

%4o#' replied ean. %hey&re *oth at wor$.'

Eri$ s!iled.

%" pity#' he said. %( ca!e to ta$e you away fro! here.'

%5ut# !y !other said . . . .'

%0our !other doesn&t understand the true nature of your gifts# ean#' Eri$ interrupted. %,he

would prefer that you hid the! away# never to *e used again. (sn&t that right'

ean sole!nly nodded.

%5ut you don&t want to do that# do you 0ou want to use the! freely. o show the world what



you can do.'

%0es.'

%hen co!e with !e.'

Eri$ held out his hand once again. ean too$ it without hesitation.

%2here are we going' as$ed ean.

%Ho!e.'



,cott found hi!self staring into her eyes.

%he sa!e way ( $now that your last na!e is ,u!!ers# and your visor has ru*y-)uart+ in it.'

,cott *lin$ed again. He narrowed his eyes and turned his head slightly to the left.

%How . . . .'

ean chuc$led again.

%/on&t *ust your *rain# *ig guy#' ean said. %( can read people&s thoughts.'

,cott&s eyes widened# and he s!iled aw$wardly. ean put up her hands and shoo$ her head.

%( didn&t !ean to pry# ( swear#' she pleaded. %( ust thought that# you $now . . . . since you have

powers too# that you&d understand.'

,cott felt his facial !uscles rela8. ean loo$ed down for a !o!ent. ,cott couldn&t see it# *ut her

chee$s turned pale red.

%,o you can do what the rofessor can do'

%0eah. 2ell# that# and so!ething else.'

%2hat'

ean loo$ed over to the right. 3n the ground# a few centi!etres away fro! her legs# which were

curled up on the grass# was a s!all stone. 6ocusing her view# ean held up her right hand. 6or a few

seconds# ,cott stared in intrigue# despite nothing happening. hen# the pe**le started to vi*rate.

Holding her hand fir!# ean *reathed deeply as the pe**le then *egan to float in the air. Holding it in

the air for a few seconds# she then flic$ed her wrist forward# and the pe**le was ettisoned into the

near*y pond at the *otto! of the hill.

%hat&s a!a+ing#' ,cott said.

%han$s.'

ean *lushed# and once again# ,cott couldn&t see it.

%(&ve *een wor$ing on it for a while#' ean e8plained. %(t&s not easy. (t usually wor$s *etter with

s!all o*ects. he rofessor says that if ( train at it# (&ll *e a*le to !ove ust a*out anything.'



,cott s!iled# his !outh slightly open.

%2hat&s the *iggest thing you&ve ever !oved'

ean&s face turned sole!n.

%" car.'

%5ut# ( thought you said that . . . .'

%,!all o*ects 0eah# well . . . .'

ean frowned. ,he loo$ed away fro! ,cott.

%Hey . . . . if you don&t want to tal$ a*out it# we don&t have to.'

%2ell# it&s ust that ( haven&t really spo$en a*out it with anyone e8cept for !y parents and the

rofessor . . . .'

ean loo$ed *ac$ at ,cott.

%5ut for so!e reason# ( want to tell you.'

,cott tilted his head to the right. ean sighed.

%6ive years ago# ( was playing in the street with !y *est friend#' ean started. %Her na!e was

"nnie. "nnie >ichardson.'

,cott placed his right el*ow on the ground# leaning against it.

%2e were ust regular $ids# you $now' ean continued. %4othing special. 2e were hanging out

down the street# ust a few houses away fro! !ine.'

ean&s frown *eca!e deeper.

%"nnie# she# uh . . . . she was running fro! !e. 2e were playing tag. ,he ran around the street

*end# and ( was chasing after her . . . . and she was only gone fro! !y view a few seconds.'

ean closed her eyes tight and winced. ,cott saw a tear for! at the corner of her left eye.

%( heard a screech# and a screa!. ( was so stunned# ( didn&t even hear the i!pact.'

he tear grew larger.

%2hen . . . . uh . . . . (# uh# got around the corner# ( saw her on the street. ,he was facing



upwards# her ar!s sprawled out . . . . ( had never seen anyone&s eyes *e that wide.'

he tear fell down ean&s chee$.

%( ran over to her# uh . . . . and gra**ed her. ( didn&t want to *elieve it. ( ust held her in !y ar!s.

( didn&t even cry at first . . . . ( ust stared into her eyes. hey were so pale . . . . as if all that she was had

*een drained right out of the!.'

he tear&s strea! on her chee$ glistened.

%6or a few seconds# ( was so focused on "nnie# that ( al!ost didn&t notice the car. he guy

driving it pulled *ac$ and then drove around. He ust tried to leave.'

%ried'

ean nodded.

%ried.'

he tear finally fell off ean&s chee$# and landed in the grass.

%he car flew into the air and landed on a fire hydrant. he !an inside didn&t get very far. He#

uh . . . . never left the hospital.'

ean sniffed as another tear fell out of her eye.

%hat was the first ti!e !y powers ever appeared.'

ean loo$ed away fro! ,cott. "fter a !o!ent# ,cott pushed hi!self off the ground and !oved

ne8t to her. He then placed his right ar! around her shoulders# pulling her close to hi!. ean loo$ed at

hi! with a surprised face. ,cott s!iled.

%( don&t have to *e a !ind-reader# ean.'

ean s!iled and then placed her head against his chest# closing her eyes. ,cott rested his head

against hers.

%( suppose ( don&t have to tell you !y story#' ,cott said.

%4o.'

,cott sighed.



%hat&s why ( trusted you# ,cott#' ean said. %( $new you&d understand. 6ro! now on . . . . (

won&t loo$ into your !ind unless you want !e to. ( pro!ise.'

,cott and ean held their e!*race for a few !inutes. ean then !oved her head.

%he rofessor says he is done tal$ing to !y parents#' she said. %2e should head *ac$.'

5oth of the! stood up. ean stretched her ar!s. ,cott loo$ed at her.

%ean.'

%0eah'

%5efore we go *ac$# ( wanted to as$ you one thing.'

ean turned to face ,cott.

%2hat&s that'

%2hat colour are your eyes'

ean s!iled. ,he too$ a !o!ent *efore answering.

%Areen.'

Xavier folded his hands as iotr wal$ed past hi!.

%Here we are# rofessor#' said iotr.

iotr placed the last *o8 he had in the corner of the roo!.

%his is all the !aterials that arrived fro! /r. Macaggert&s office#' said iotr. %/o you need

help to unpac$ the!'

Xavier waved his hand.

%/on&t worry a*out it# iotr#' Xavier replied. %0ou&ve done !ore than enough. ( don&t want you

feeling that your only use around here is !oving *o8es.'

Xavier and iotr *oth laughed.

%2ell# ( a! rather good at it.'

%Ao get so!e food. (&ll *e fine.'



iotr nodded and wal$ed out of Xavier&s roo!. " while later# Xavier *reathed deeply as he

typed at his co!puter. Clic$ing on another section of Moira&s notes# he placed his hand on his chin as

he read. "fter reading the sa!e sentence three ti!es# he shoo$ his head and closed his laptop. His

thoughts drifted *ac$ to ,cott. Xavier could sense that ,cott was thin$ing a*out the conversation that

he had with ean a few days ago# when they first !et.

5ut that wasn&t what was causing hi! to *e unfocused. He gra**ed at his forehead# trying to pry

into the psychic waves that he was e8periencing. here was so!e for! of distur*ance that was tearing

at his !ind. ,o!ething was out of place.

Xavier&s eyes suddenly widened# as his !ind finally loc$ed in on it.

%ean.'




Chapter D: 6irst ,tri$e

>unning down the hall as fast as he could# ,cott saw a path of ice fly past hi!# as 5o**y s$ated

along the wall. 9anding in the !iddle of the foyer# 5o**y reverted to hu!an for! ne8t to Xavier. Han$

and iotr were already there.

%2hat&s going on# rofessor' as$ed ,cott.

%(t&s ean#' said Xavier. %,he&s in trou*le.'

%How do you $now' as$ed Han$.

Xavier let out a )uic$ *reath.

%( sensed a psychic distur*ance. ean&s !ind . . . . it gives off a uni)ue signature on the astral

plane. ,he&s not at ho!e.'

%2here is she;' ,cott *lurted out.

%(n the city#' replied Xavier.

Xavier closed his eyes and placed the fingertips of his right hand on his forehead. "fter a few

seconds of concentration# he spo$e again.

%,he&s !oving )uic$ly#' e8plained Xavier. %here&s another presence# *ut ( can&t get a loc$ on

what it is.'

Xavier too$ his hand off his forehead and loo$ed at Han$.

%(t&s ti!e.'

Han$ sighed.

%Everyone# stand on the X#' Han$ co!!anded.

,cott loo$ed down. He hadn&t reali+ed *efore now that the foyer had a !assive X painted on the

wooden floor. He stepped inside of it. Han$ then pressed a *utton on his watch. ,cott al!ost lost his

*alance as the seg!ent of the floor started to descend. 5o**y loo$ed up with a confused face.

%2ell#' 5o**y said# %that&s une8pected.'



%( had hoped to show this to you all at a cal!er ti!e#' Xavier e8plained# %*ut the circu!stances

have changed. his institute isn&t ust a sanctuary . . . . it&s a head)uarters.'

he elevator descended into a !assive roo!# with walls covered in slee$ steel. iotr loo$ed at

the floor# and then at his own s$in.

%he rese!*lance is uncanny#' iotr said# chuc$ling.

%(s this so!e $ind of *un$er' as$ed 5o**y.

Han$ again placed his finger on his watch.

%4ot )uite#' Han$ replied.

Han$ pressed the *utton# and all of the lights in the roo! lit up# revealing a large# *lac$ et in

the center. ,cott# 5o**y and iotr all went slac$-awed when they saw it.

%(t&s a hangar#' said Han$.

,cott too$ a few steps forward# s!iling.

%,ay hello to !y specially !odified ,>-71 5lac$*ird#' said Han$. %3r# as ( affectionately refer

to it . . . . the X-et.'

5o**y narrowed his eyes# and loo$ed *ac$ at Han$.

%2here did you guys *uy so!ething li$e this'

%2e didn&t#' answered Han$. %( *uilt it.'

5o**y&s eyes widened. he *ac$ ra!p of the et opened.

%Everyone inside#' said Xavier.

,cott# 5o**y and iotr ran up the ra!p# followed *y Xavier and Han$. "s everyone got into the

et# the *ac$ ra!p closed.

%Choose a seat#' said Han$# as he cli!*ed into the pilot&s chair.

Xavier put up his hand.

%2ait.'

Everyone turned to hi!.



%3ne last thing#' Xavier said. %he unifor!s.'

Han$ nodded# and then pushed a *utton on the et&s front console. he side wall of the et

opened# revealing a set of outfits that were attached to hoo$s. ,cott loo$ed at the outfit in the !iddle. (t

was pri!arily !ade of a thic$# *lue !aterial# with two sectioned# yellow straps crossing over the chest

fro! *oth shoulders. iotr wal$ed over and gra**ed his# which was shaped in a way to fit over his

!etal fra!e. ,cott ran two of his fingers across the !aterial of his outfit# and then loo$ *ac$ at Han$#

who was fitting a si!ilarly styled ac$et over his torso. Han$ s!iled at hi!. ,cott loo$ed *ac$ at the

outfit and *egan putting it on.

"fter everyone put on their unifor!s# they stood in a line in front of Xavier. Xavier put his

pal!s together and nodded.

%4ice digs# right' said 5o**y# posing.

%6inally# so!ething that fits;' e8clai!ed iotr.

%@nifor! unifor!ity is the first hall!ar$ of a tea!#' said Han$# holding up one finger.

%rofessor'

%0es# ,cott'

%2hat&s with the X 2hy is there an X on everything'

Xavier put his hands on his lap.

%he X . . . . co!es fro! the X-gene. he X-gene is what !a$es people into !utants . . . . into

us. (t is the *aseline difference in our genetic code that !a$es !utants a differentiated evolutionary

strain fro! hu!ans. (t is our defining characteristic. herefore# ( felt it appropriate for our purposes. "s

!utants# we !ust *and together under a co!!on flag. herefore# we !ust *eco!e . . . . X-Men.'

5o**y snapped his fingers.

%4ow . . . . that# is a great na!e.'

%Han$# get us in the air#' co!!anded Xavier.

Han$ got *ac$ in the pilot&s seat. Everyone else sat down and strapped in. ulling a toggle on



the roof of the coc$pit# Han$ then pushed the ignition# and the et powered up. he et held steady in

the air as the front end of the hangar opened# revealing the "tlantic 3cean.

%2ic$ed#' said 5o**y.

Han$ pushed the throttle forward# and the et *lasted out of the hangar# into the s$y.

Eri$ sneered as he stared down at the *uilding. His ar!s folded# he too$ a few !o!ents to thin$

*ac$ at the ti!e he had lost as a child. 6lashing i!ages of !e!ories he had long tried and failed to

suppress flew through his psyche# li$e a slideshow of pain and regret. 2incing# he closed his eyes and

willed the i!ages to leave. He then loo$ed up at the 5oston s$yline.

%2here are we'

Eri$ turned around and loo$ed at ean# who was also standing on the sa!e roof as he was. He

then pointed at the *uilding.

%9oo$ down there# child#' Eri$ co!!anded. %ell !e what you see.'

ean wal$ed up to Eri$ and loo$ed at the *uilding. >aising an eye*row# she turned to Eri$ and

shrugged.

%" *uilding#' ean replied. %2hat&s so special a*out it'

%hat&s not ust any *uilding#' Eri$ said. %hat is the head)uarters for ,enator >o*ert ?elly# the

!an who has *een a !aor leader in anti-!utant propoganda for years.'

%?elly (&ve seen hi! on V *efore . . . . he said that !utants were . . . .'

ean stopped and ru**ed her left ar! with her other hand.

%He said that we were a !ista$e#' ean finished.

%3f course he did#' Eri$ declared. %He&s *een spewing his vile opinions all over the !edia#

rallying the wea$ willed and si!ple !inded to his cause# and that cause is the destruction of our $ind.

He spea$s of protecting the &hu!ans&# *ut if his Mutant >egistration "ct were to co!e into effect# he

would have us identified# segregated . . . . and eventually# e8ter!inated.'



ean loo$ed up at Eri$ with a frown.

%How do you $now'

Eri$ !oved his head *ac$ slightly. 4arrowing his eyes# he raised his right hand. ean&s eyes

widened as the !etal ar!our around his ar! flew apart# and the individual pieces started to rotate

around it. ean could see a nu!*er printed on his ar! in !ildly faded *lue in$.

<D.

ean gasped# placing her hands on her !outh. he !etal pieces effortlessly refor!ed around

Eri$&s ar! as he lowered it.

%How do ( $now' Eri$ said. %5ecause (&ve seen it happen *efore. 2hen ( was a child# ( was

powerless to help !y fa!ily . . . . !y people. ( watched the! *e slaughtered in droves# $nowing ( could

do nothing. ( will not stand idle. 4ever again.'

ean lowered her hands.

%,o . . . . what do we do'

%(f we don&t put a stop to ?elly&s tirade# !utant$ind will not survive. 2e have to end this# and

the only way to do that is to stri$e first.'

%2hat do you !ean'

Eri$ reached onto his *elt# and too$ off a s!all !etallic or* with a red light on it. ean loo$ed at

it and then *ac$ up at Eri$.

%@sing this#' Eri$ said.

%(s that . . . .'

%"n e8plosive device of !y own design. (t will co!pletely destroy the *uilding and everyone

inside. ?elly is hosting a charity event in there . . . . *ut it&s nothing !ore than a sha! to raise !oney

for his anti-!utant affairs. However# we cannot si!ply detonate it . . . . he&d die a !artyr. hat&s why

(&ve *rought you here.'

ean started to sha$e nervously.



%0ou&re going to use your telepathic a*ilities to ta$e control of a civilian# and have the! plant

and detonate the device# and su*se)uently ta$e the *la!e. ,ince it will *e one of his precious &nor!al&

hu!ans doing the deed# no one can *la!e !utant$ind for this &rando!& act of terroris!.'

ean too$ a step *ac$.

%2hat&s wrong# child a$e it# and find so!eone;'

ean too$ another step *ac$# and then flic$ed her hand. he *o!* flew out of Eri$&s pal! and

landed a few !eters away.

%4o;' ean shouted. %( won&t do it;'

Eri$ growled and then !oved his wrist# causing a near*y pipe to fly at ean and wrap itself

around her# trapping her. he pipe then pinned her to the ground.

%0ou can# and you will;'

%4o; ust *ecause he is against us# doesn&t !ean we have the right to $ill hi!;'

%0ou cannot possi*ly *e so naive; He would never have the sa!e courtesy for you;'

%hat still doesn&t !a$e it right;'

Eri$ !oved his hand# and ean *eca!e suspended in the air *y the pipe.

%hat $ind of senti!ent is so easy to have when you&ve lived such a sheltered life.'

Eri$ flic$ed his wrist# and ean went flying *ac$wards# crashing into the wall at the edge of the

roof. ,he sputtered out a few drops of *lood fro! her !outh.

%0ou will do as ( say# girl#' Eri$ roared# %or ( will !a$e your fa!ily suffer;'

%4o;'

ean winced# and the pipe surrounding her leaped off and flew towards Eri$# crashing into hi!.

%@gh;'

Eri$ too$ a step *ac$# and watched as ean stood up and pointed a finger at hi!.

%0ou&re ust as !uch of a !onster as ?elly is;'

Eri$ growled again# and started to !ove his ar!s when a large red laser *last hit hi! in the side



of his ri*cage. ,houting in pain# Eri$ fell off the roof. ean gasped and loo$ed over the edge as he fell.

,he then turned around to see the X-et flying a*ove her# with ,cott holding onto a !etal pole attached

to the open doc$ing ra!p.

%ean;'

ean s!iled as the X-et flew over. ,cott held out his hand.

%Ara* on;'

ean gra**ed ,cott&s hand. He pulled her onto the doc$ing ra!p as the et swung around and

started to descend to street level. Han$ s)uinted his eyes# and saw Eri$ *lasting his way out of the

ru**le on the street created *y his i!pact. Effortlessly $noc$ing away two near*y cars# Eri$ floated

upwards and landed on his feet. Han$ turned the et around and landed it on the street. Eri$ folded his

ar!s and stood still as do+ens of near*y civilians ran away# screa!ing.

%Charles.'

,cott# ean# Han$# 5o**y and iotr all ran out onto the street and stood in a line. 6ollowing

the!# Xavier rolled down the ra!p and stopped in front of Eri$# a few !eters away.

%( see you&ve *een *usy# Charles#' said Eri$ with a s!ir$. %( $new you had so!e . . . .

intriguing# ideas# *ut ( never *elieved you&d actually go through with this one.'

%,top this now# Eri$#' de!anded Xavier. %( $now what you&re doing here# and ( will not allow

it.'

%2hat you allow is none of !y concern. he !an you&re defending is a !utual ene!y# Charles.

He would have you arrested and e8ecuted ust as he would !e.'

%2e don&t have to always resort to violence to solve our pro*le!s#' replied Xavier.

%,ays the !an who put together his own little !utant attac$ s)uad.'

Xavier scowled.

%0ou&ve *een fighting for e)uality for decades# Charles# and it hasn&t wor$ed. 4ow# we do it !y

way.'



Eri$ raised his hands# and the X-et s$ated along the road# !oving away fro! the tea!. Xavier&s

chair then flew to the side# crashing into a wall.

%Eri$;' shouted Xavier.

Xavier tried to !ove his chair# *ut he )uic$ly reali+ed that the !otor syste!s were da!aged.

%2hat do you call yourselves# children' as$ed Eri$.

%he X-Men#' replied 5o**y.

%hen co!e# X-Men. 6ace your *etter.'

Eri$ flung his ar!s upwards# and a near*y *us lifted in the air and flew towards the tea!.

5o**y s$ated upwards# firing an ice *last which held it in the air. Han$ leaped on top of it. iotr

charged at Eri$# *ut Eri$ fired a purple energy *last fro! his hand# $noc$ing hi! *ac$. ,cott fired a

laser *last# which Eri$ deflected with his other hand. Han$ u!ped off the *us# his claws outstretched#

*ut Eri$ caught his hands and tossed hi! into a crashed ta8i. ean tugged at ,cott&s ar!.

%,top# ,cott; 0ou won&t *e a*le to win this; He&s too powerful;'

,cott loo$ed at ean. He then shoo$ his head# and er$ed his ar! out of her grasp. He ran

forward and fired another *last at Eri$# who a*sor*ed it with his energy shield. "s Eri$ rose into the air#

iotr u!ped fro! the ground and gra**ed onto his foot. ulling down# iotr sla!!ed Eri$ into the

pave!ent. 5o**y soared down and *lasted ice on top of hi!# *ut it *arely held hi! for a few seconds

*efore he *ro$e out of it and shot 5o**y in the chest with an energy *ea!# sending hi! careening into

a fire hydrant. iotr punched Eri$ twice# and Eri$ responded with *rea$ing the *us out of 5o**y&s ice

and $noc$ing iotr away with it. ,cott fired another laser *last# which was again deflected. Eri$

laughed.

%(s this all you have'

Eri$ fired an energy *ea! at ,cott# which he dodged with a *arrel roll. Eri$ fired another#

connecting with the ground ,cott was standing on# causing hi! to crash into the sidewal$.

%0ou little fools; /o you even $now who ( a! ( a! Magneto# !aster of !agnet . . . .'



5efore Eri$ could finish# iotr threw the *us at the *ac$ of Eri$&s head# $noc$ing hi! to the

floor. ,houting in anger# Eri$ stood up and !oved his wrist. he *o!* flew off the roof and landed in

his hands. unching iotr away# Eri$ loo$ed at Xavier and s!ir$ed.

%4o;' shouted Xavier.

Eri$ threw the *o!* at ?elly&s *uilding.




Chapter F: ,tructural (ntegrity

he e8plosion was *linding. he si8th floor# which was the one through which the *o!*

entered the *uilding via one of its windows# co!pletely collapsed# and the upper section of the *uilding

fell onto the lower one. housands of shards of glass and chun$s of concrete spilled onto the

surrounding street# s!ashing sidewal$s and crushing cars. /istorted screa!s were heard fro! the

do+ens of people who were instantly vapori+ed *y the electro!agnetic device.

,cott and ean were $noc$ed down *y the force of the *last. Eri$ stood still# levitating#

a*sor*ing the $inetic force with his shield. He then loo$ed down at Xavier. Xavier&s eyes were widened

in terror.

%,ee you in the new world# Charles.'

Eri$ floated away# over the near*y *uildings. Xavier loo$ed *ac$ at ?elly&s *uilding# which

*egan to fall apart. ,cott pushed hi!self off the ground and loo$ed at Xavier.

%rofessor;'

Xavier didn&t !ove.

%rofessor;'

,cott shoo$ his head and ran forward. "s he did# he noticed a large piece of a colu!n fall off the

*uilding# a*out to land on the ta8i that Han$ was still collapsed against.

%Han$;'

,cott rushed ne8t to Han$ and hoo$ed *oth of his ar!s under Han$&s ar!pits. @sing all of his

strength# ,cott hurled Han$ onto the road# and perfor!ing another *arrel roll# *arely dodged the

colu!n s!ashing into the ta8i.

%iotr;' shouted ,cott. %Aet that *uilding sta*le;'

iotr ran to the *uilding and u!ped onto what little re!ained of the si8th floor. 5racing the

ceiling against his hands# he pushed upwards# causing the entire top section of the *uilding to lurch and



hold in place.

%(&ve got it . . . . *ut ( don&t $now how long;'

ean helped 5o**y get up off the fire hydrant. ,cott loo$ed at hi!.

%5o**y; Can you get so!e ice on those pillars Help iotr sta*ili+e the *uilding'

5o**y&s features sharpened.

%0ou got it.'

5o**y s$ated forward# and then started *lasting the corner pillars. Xavier finally shoo$ his head

and loo$ed over at the X-Men.

%,cott; ( . . . . ( can&t !ove;'

,cott turned to the rofessor# *ut ean put her hand on his shoulder.

%9et !e.'

ean held out her right hand# her pal! open. 4arrowing her eyes# Xavier&s wheelchair started to

scrape against the ground. "fter a few seconds# the chair started to roll on its own until it arrived ne8t to

the!.

%han$ you# ean#' Xavier said.

ean nodded. "s 5o**y continued to free+e the unsta*le pillars# he heard coughing and

screa!ing co!ing fro! inside.

%,cott;' yelled 5o**y. %( can hear people in there; 2e have to get the! out;'

,cott turned to ean and Xavier.

%Han$ is still unconscious. ( have to go in.'

%2e.'

,cott loo$ed *ac$ at ean.

%2e have to go in#' ean said.

,cott nodded. ,cott loo$ed at Xavier for a !o!ent# and then turned towards the *uilding. ,cott

and ean ran for the front entrance# which was !ostly full of shattered ru**le. "fter ,cott fired a laser



*last# which cleared a path# he too$ a !o!ent to loo$ *ac$ at iotr.

%iotr# we&re going in to find survivors. 0ou have to hold. /o you hear !e'

%0es . . . .' iotr said# struggling.

%0ou have to hold;'

,cott then rushed inside# ean at his *ac$. " piece of fla!ing wood crashed into ,cott&s

shoulder. He cringed and shrugged it off. 5lasting open another door# ,cott arrived in a large# !ar*le

entrance hall. he !ar*le co!posing the walls# stairs and floors had crac$s running through it# and

three corpses were strewn a*out the roo!. ,everal screa!ing and crouching people were huddled in

one of the corners.

%he door&s open;' ,cott shouted. %Aet out of here. 4ow;'

he people got up fro! their position and ran past ,cott. ,cott then tore his way up the stairs#

*lasting various pieces of destroyed furniture and ru**le out of his way. "s he entered the ne8t corridor#

a large wall of fla!e repelled hi!= his *ody *eing physically *loc$ed *y the a!ount of heat it was

giving off. ,ha$ing his head# he loo$ed *ehind hi! to see an alternate staircase which was not on fire.

5ashing the door open# he *egan running up the stairs# with ean at his heels.

3n the ne8t floor# ,cott saw do+ens of people all in the centre of a *allroo! hall# !ost of the!

coughing incessantly. 9arge )uantities of s!o$e filled the top part of the hall. ,cott fired a *last

through all the near*y windows.

%Everyone; here&s a path through to the e8it; his way;'

"s the people started to !ove towards the!# a loud s!ashing noise e!anated through the roo!.

" crac$ started to for! in the ceiling.

%he ceiling&s caving in;' shouted one of the civilians.

eople started screa!ing and !oving frantically. ,cott turned to his right.

%ean;'

ean threw up her ar!s. he collapsing ceiling vi*rated# and stopped falling. ean grated her



teeth and closed her eyes# !oaning.

%Hurry; Aet out;'

,o!e of the people loo$ed at the ceiling and then *ac$ at ean.

%4ow;' ean screa!ed# sha$ing.

he crowd started to run past ean# down the stairs. ,cott *ec$oned the! along. "s ean

watched the! rush out# she noticed the face of >o*ert ?elly a!ongst the crowd. "s the last few were

evacuating# ean fell onto one $nee# holding her vi*rating ar!s as high as she could. ,cott turn to gra*

at her shoulder# *ut pieces of the ceiling started to *rea$ through ean&s tele$inetic *arrier.

%ean; 2e have to go;'

%( can&t . . . .' ean said# wea$ly. %(t&s . . . . too heavy . . . .'

%(&! not leaving you here;'

%(f ( !ove . . . . we won&t !a$e it to the door#' ean e8plained. %here&s . . . . too !uch . . . .

pressure. 0ou&ve got . . . . to go# ,cott.'

,cott gra**ed *oth of ean&s shoulders.

%4ot without you;'

ean loo$ed at ,cott# her eyes watering.

%lease . . . . go . . . .'

,cott placed *oth of his hands on ean&s chee$s.

%(&! not leaving.'

ean winced and closed her eyes as ,cott placed his forehead against hers. He then wrapped his

ar!s around her torso# pulling her close. "fter a few !o!ents# ean relented# and the ceiling collapsed

around the!. ,cott closed his eyes# waiting for the i!pact.

" few seconds after the noise stopped# ,cott opened his eyes. 9oo$ing around# he saw that all of

the ru**le was *eing $ept fro! the! *y a *u**le-shaped *arrier. "s ean loo$ed around# the *arrier

disappeared.



%0ou were a*le to do this' ,cott as$ed.

ean loo$ed fla**ergasted.

%( . . . . suppose so.'

,cott and ean s!iled at each other# and he let go of her.

%"lright# we have to !ove#' ,cott said.

ean started to fall towards the ground# sweating and sha$ing.

%he weight . . . . !y !uscles are so sore . . . .'

,cott gra**ed ean&s ar!s and leaned her weight against hi!. /ragging her feet along the floor#

,cott pulled her towards the e8it. "s they reached the stairs# a tre!or tore through the *uilding# causing

the! to lurch. ,cott reached out and gra**ed the !etal *anister# stopping hi!self and ean fro! falling.

ean groaned as her eyes started to flutter shut.

%ust hold onto !e.'

ean wea$ly reached out with one of her hands# which faltered and went li!p. ,cott too$ a step

down the stairs as the fire overhead continued to grow. ,cott cla!ped his teeth together as he loo$ed at

the fire. He felt his forehead sweating# *ut he too$ another step regardless.

%(&! going to get you out of here.'

%@gh . . . .'

"s ean&s eyelids started to close# her eyes rolled upwards. ,cott too$ a few !ore steps# pulling

her with hi!.

%C&!on ean# we&re going to get out of this#' ,cott pleaded. %,tay with !e. lease# ust stay with

!e.'

%,cott . . . .'

%(&! here# ean. ust stay awa$e. (&ll do the rest. ust . . . . please . . . . stay awa$e . . . .'

,cott *reathed in deeply as the fire caused !ore pieces of wood to fall on hi!. He held his head

over top ean as he too$ the *runt of i!pact. ears started to strea! fro! his eyes.



,cott sighed and coughed. Han$ held out his hand. ,cott gra**ed it and Han$ pulled hi! to his feet.

,cott put his hand on his forehead.

%@gh . . . .'

%a$e your ti!e# ,cott.'

%ean . . . .' ,cott started# %2here&s ean'

%(&! here.'

ean wal$ed past Han$ and stood in front of ,cott# s!iling. 5efore ean could say anything#

,cott gra**ed her shoulders and pulled her in close. (n the e!*race# they placed their heads on each

other&s shoulders.

?elly opened the door to his office and entered. he wooden furniture was !ade of deep# *rown

!ahogany# with thic$ patterned carpets lining the floor. ,itting at this des$# he placed his head against

his hand= his inde8 finger at his te!ple# and his thu!* at his chee$. 6urrowing his *row# he scraped the

nails of his free hand against the top of his des$. E8haling# he reached for the re!ote. He pushed the

power *utton# and the near*y television flic$ered on.

%his is 6rederic$ 6oswell# with the 5oston Alo*e. >ight *ehind !e# we can see what re!ains

of ,enator >o*ert ?elly&s head)uarters# which was destroyed today in what appears to *e a

*o!*ing . . . .'

?elly scowled.

%. . . . clai! that there !ay *e a correlation to ?elly&s strong anti-!utant platfor!. ,everal

eyewitness reports say that there were in fact !utants on the scene# *ut nothing has *een confir!ed *y

the authorities at this ti!e.'

?elly pic$ed up his phone and dialled the nu!*er. He placed the receiver against his ear as it

rung. "fter two rings# the line clic$ed on.

%his is Mac$en.'



%2alter (t&s ?elly.'

%,enator ?elly; My god# sir# ( heard what happened. "re you alright'

%(&! fine#' ?elly replied. %5ut ( thin$ you reali+e how dangerous this is getting.'

%3f course# sir.'

%( want the ,entinels online now. 6ull production.'

%5ut sir#' pleaded 2alter# %without the authori+ation of the registration act . . . .'

%/o ( sound li$e ( give a da!n a*out authori+ation ,tart !ass producing those !achines now#

or everyone is going to $now a*out your secret# you little shit.'

%0-yes sir#' replied 2alter. %>ight away.'

%Aood. (f ,tar$ says anything# ust refer *ac$ to !e. (&ll handle it.'

%3$ay.'

?elly threw the receiver *ac$ at the phone. He then loo$ed *ac$ at the television# which showed

his *uilding in fla!es.




Chapter 7: >egroup

he vase e8ploded upon *eing fro+en. (cy shards of glass scattered across the wooden floor.

%Aodda!!it;'

5o**y threw another ice *last# this ti!e free+ing the right-hand side curtain of his window. he

soft# reddish !aterial instantly *eco!e thic$ and dura*le. 5o**y then punched at the curtain# causing it

to *rea$ apart. Han$ sighed as 5o**y punched again# this ti!e at the wall# leaving a faint hint of

!oisture.

%5o**y . . . .'

%(&! not cut out for this# Han$;'

5o**y turned around and was a*out to throw another ice *last when Han$ put *oth of his hands

on 5o**y&s shoulders. Chilled tears strea!ed down 5o**y&s chee$s. 5o**y then fell to his $nees# and

Han$ followed hi!. 5o**y winced as he then pressed his head against Han$&s chest.

%(&! . . . . not . . . .'

%(t&s o$ay# 5o**y#' said Han$. %(t&s o$ay.'

5o**y pushed hi!self off of Han$ and wiped his face with his left hand. He scowled as Han$

helped hi! *ac$ to his feet.

%( ust thought . . . . you $now# for once ( could do so!ething . . . . so!ething i!portant.'

%0ou did# 5o**y#' assured Han$. %"ll those people in that *uilding wouldn&t have !ade it out if

not for you.'

5o**y scoffed.

%"s if. ,o what# ( put out a few fires# who cares Magneto trounced us# Han$. rounced. ( spent

!ost of the fight curled up against a da!n fire hydrant.'

%( spent !ost of the fight curled up against a da!n ta8i#' Han$ replied.

5o**y folded his ar!s and loo$ed *ac$ at Han$.



%hat&s not the point;' 5o**y e8clai!ed. %( should have *een a*le to ta$e down Magneto. He

got away *ecause ( wasn&t good enough.'

%hat&s not true and you $now it#' Han$ retorted. %0ou have a right to *e upset= we all do# *ut

*la!ing yourself won&t help anyone# especially not you. Magneto is one of the !ost powerful !utants

ever $nown# even perhaps !ore powerful than the rofessor. He&s *een fighting people for decades. 2e

weren&t even a*le to get in the proper training *efore we were forced into *attle.'

5o**y turned his head slightly to loo$ towards Han$ *efore loo$ing away again. Han$ sighed.

%9oo$# 5o**y# if you need so!eone to tal$ to# you $now (&ll *e there for you#' said Han$. %5ut

when you recede into that shell of yours# ( can&t do anything.'

%( never as$ed you to *e !y personal therapist;'

Han$ frowned.

%his isn&t a*out Magneto# is it'

5o**y groaned.

%/on&t go there# Han$.'

%his is a*out udy.'

5o**y turned and created an ice *last in his hand. "s he was a*out to fire it at Han$# he

stopped.

%( told you not to go there;'

%Ao on# 5o**y#' said Han$. %9ash out. (t&s what you want# isn&t it o !a$e so!eone else

hurt'

5o**y&s scowl started to !elt.

%o !a$e so!eone else suffer o get *ac$ at so!eone . . . . anyone# for all the pain'

Han$ folded his ar!s.

%Ao on then. /o it.'

5o**y reared his fist *ac$. Han$ didn&t !ove. "fter a few seconds# the ice *last disintegrated



and 5o**y lowered his fist as he frowned.

%How did you $now ( wouldn&t do it'

%5ecause as !uch as you !ight *e te!pted# as !uch as your pain !ight *ring out your dar$

side . . . . you&re not li$e Magneto.'

5o**y turned around. He placed one hand on the wall# and his other on his forehead as he

leaned forward. 5o**y continued to cry. Han$ put a hand on 5o**y&s shoulder.

%(&! sorry# 5o**y#' said Han$. %( $now what you&ve lost . . . . what you had *efore all this

!adness. /on&t forget that (&! only four years older than you# and trust !e# when ( got !y powers . . . .

people noticed.'

%5ut you&ve done things# Han$#' so**ed 5o**y. %( !ean# you&re a super *rain. 0ou&ve *uilt ets .

. . . *lasted through university . . . . ( was a no*ody *efore !y powers# *ut (&! still a no*ody after the!.

3nly difference is that ( lost the person ( really cared a*out.'

%,he was ust scared# 5o**y. eople get scared when they&re confronted with what they don&t

understand.'

5o**y closed his eyes and e8haled.

%9oo$# (&! not going to pretend that (&! going to *e a*le to fi8 your e!otions#' e8plained Han$.

%hese things have to run their course# and you&re not a *ad person for feeling the way you do . . . . *ut

the one thing ( won&t stand for is you referring to yourself as a no*ody. 0ou are so!e*ody.'

%0eah . . . . who'

Han$ too$ his hand off 5o**y&s shoulder and turned to the door. He gra**ed the handle and

pulled it open. 5efore stepping out# Han$ turned *ac$ to 5o**y.

%0ou&re an X-Man.'

Han$ stepped outside and gently closed the door. " few seconds after it shut# 5o**y closed his

eyes and clenched his fists. Charging an ice *last in his left hand# he shouted and threw the *last at the

!irror on his wall. he glass fro+e and crac$ed# *ut did not shatter. 5o**y opened his eyes and loo$ed



at the !irror. he face that was reflected *ac$ at hi! was splintered *y the several crac$s that were

now in the !irror. 5o**y stared into his own eyes for a while.

,ighing# 5o**y wal$ed forward and too$ the !irror off the wall. lacing it on the ground#

leaned against the wall# 5o**y *u!ped his hip into his dresser. his caused the top drawer on it to open

slightly. 9oo$ing down# 5o**y saw what he had left in there.

he picture.

5o**y ust loo$ed at it for a few !o!ents. 5reathing in# he reached down and pic$ed it up.

Holding it in one hand# he stared intently at the picture. (n it# he saw a younger version of hi!self#

s!iling *rightly and holding his right hand in a thu!*s up gesture. His other ar! was wrapped around

a girl of the sa!e age. ,he had curled# *rown hair and glistening ha+el eyes. Her pin$ dress perfectly

co!pli!ented her sharp features. ,he had the slightest of s!ir$s on her face# as if she was savvy a*out

so!ething that his younger for! wasn&t. Her left hand was placed on his chest.

5o**y spent a long ti!e loo$ing at that picture. "fter he was finally done# he tossed it *ac$ in

the drawer and sla!!ed it shut.

"s Han$ left 5o**y&s roo!# Xavier rolled up to hi!# followed *y iotr.

%(s 5o**y going to *e alright' as$ed iotr.

Han$ turned to the!.

%Aiven ti!e#' Han$ answered. %He still thin$s a*out udy. (t&s causing hi! so!e . . . . self-

estee! issues.'

Xavier folded his hands.

%(&! aware. 5o**y&s *een hiding his grief *ehind o$es. (t&s a difficult ti!e for all of us . . . . (

wish we had had !ore ti!e to prepare *efore so!ething li$e this happened.'

Han$ placed a hand on his chin.

%2hat do you thin$ is Magneto&s ne8t !ove'



%(&! not sure# *ut perhaps . . . .'

Xavier was interrupted *y the sound of the door*ell.

%"re we e8pecting so!eone' as$ed iotr.

%4ot that (&! aware of#' replied Xavier. %Han$# could you get the door'

Han$ ran down the hall and u!ped off the foyer *anister. 9anding in front of the !ain door# he

unloc$ed and opened it.

%Hello'

he door opened to reveal a wo!an with *rown hair# *lue eyes# and a white la* coat.

%/r. Macaggert;'

%Hello again# Han$#' said Moira# with a wave. %(t&s nice to see you.'

%2elco!e# welco!e#' replied Han$. %/o co!e in.'

Xavier rolled up to the *anister as Moira wal$ed into the foyer. Han$ closed the door.

%Moira.'

Moira loo$ed up at Xavier with a s!ile.

%Hello# Charles. ( see you !anaged to get your proect together.'

Moira *egan wal$ing up the stairs to the upper level. Han$ u!ped up and gra**ed the ledge#

and then heaved hi!self over# landing ne8t to iotr.

%( wasn&t e8pecting to see you here# Moira#' said Xavier. %3f course# it&s good to see you . . . .

*ut ( !ust as$ . . . . why are you here'

%( watch the news# Charles#' answered Moira.

Xavier e8haled.

%5ut of course.'

%( $now that Eri$ is *ac$. ( $now you tried to stop hi! *ut things are going to get too far out of

hand. ( ca!e *ecause you need !y help.'

%(&ve *een going through the research !yself . . . .'



Moira shoo$ her head.

%4ot the research# Charles. (&ve got it.'

%0ou were a*le to do it'

Moira reached into her coat poc$et and pulled out a !icrochip. ,he handed it to Xavier.

%(t too$ a long ti!e# *ut (&ve finally got it wor$ing.'

Han$ too$ out his glasses and placed the! on his face. He then loo$ed intently at the !icrochip#

as Xavier held it up with a finger and thu!*.

%rofessor . . . . what is that'

%his . . . . is how we&re going to find Magneto.'

,itting on the edge of the *ed# ,cott cringed and gritted his teeth as the cloth ru**ed the

da!aged s$in on his *ac$. ,ha$ing his shoulders# he felt ean&s hands gra* the sides of his ar!s.

9oo$ing down# ,cott saw his shirt on the floor. ,hrugging so that ean&s ar!s let go# ,cott sighed.

%his would *e over faster if you were !ore co-operative.'

%( have . . . . touch issues.'

%>ight#' ean said# with a tone of dis*elief.

ean dipped the cloth in the alcohol again. ,he felt it wash over the tips of her fingers# tinting

the! with foul taste and invigorating s!ell. ,he then held the cloth up to ,cott&s *ac$.

%,it still# ,cott.'

%"lright# alright.'

ean pressed the cloth against ,cott&s *ac$. ,cott e8haled# *ut did not !ove. ean placed her

right hand on his shoulder as she !oved the cloth around the *urn !ar$s with her other hand. lacing

the cloth down# she too$ a !o!ent to trace the largest scar with her inde8 finger. he deep red sections

still felt )uite tender.

,he then too$ out the crea! and unscrewed the cap. /a**ing so!e of the pale yellow !i8ture



on her !iddle finger# she started to ru* it into the grooves created *y the scars. "s she did# she too$

ti!e to carefully e8plore the te8ture of ,cott&s *ac$. he slow pace of ,cott&s *reath allowed her to

pause each ti!e he inhaled.

%9ast *it#' ean said.

,cott didn&t reply. ean too$ out her *andages and wrapped one around ,cott&s torso. "fter

fastening the *andage to cover the *urns# she tapped hi! twice on the spine.

%6inished.'

,cott reached down and gra**ed his shirt. "s he put it on# ean sighed and loo$ed down. ,cott

then turned around to face her# as she was laying on the *ed ne8t to hi!.

%han$ you# ean.'

%4o pro*le!.'

ean sat up and !oved ne8t to ,cott# sitting ne8t to hi!. hey *oth loo$ed forward for a while#

as the afternoon sun poured its rays into the roo!.

%,cott'

%0eah'

%(&ve *een wanting to as$ you so!ething . . . .'

%2hat&s that'

%2hen you were facing Magneto . . . . ( told you it was too dangerous. ( $now you don&t really

have any e8perience with that sort of thing. ,till# you went to face hi!. Even after all that# when the

*uilding was on fire . . . . even the rofessor see!ed li$e he didn&t $now what to do. 5ut you went

ahead and did what you could# and you rescued all those people.'

,cott was silent for a !o!ent.

%( don&t understand . . . .'

%2hy# ,cott'

%2hat'



%2hy did you do all those things 0ou could have ran. 0ou could have let so!eone else handle

it. ( !ean# we&re *oth only seventeen for crying out loud . . . . and then you nearly got yourself $illed

inside *y staying with !e . . . . al!ost suffocated carrying !e to safety. 2hy ta$e that $ind of

responsi*ility on yourself'

ean loo$ed at ,cott. ,cott turned his head to face her.

%5ecause . . . . there was no other choice. 2hen it co!es down to situations li$e that# ( have no

choice *ut to put !yself on the line . . . . *ecause no one else can.'

ean raised an eye*row.

%(s that it ure selflessness'

%4o.'

%hen what'

%( needed to protect you.'

%2hy'

,cott loo$ed down for a !o!ent *efore turning *ac$ to face ean.

%5ecause . . . . you&re the only one who has ever !ade the pain go away.'




Chapter G: Cape Citadel

he night s$y was as cal! as it could *e. he air had a sense of stillness to it# as if nothing in

the at!osphere could distur* its tran)uillity. he feeling of silence caused Eri$&s *reathing to slow to a

!ethodical# stilted pace. His eyes shut# Eri$&s !ind drifted *ac$ to that ti!e. he ti!e he had long ago

atte!pted to shut out. 2ith nothing to *rea$ his flowing strea! of !e!ory# Eri$ allowed it to slip *ac$

into the forefront of his !ind.

%?ill the!; ?ill the ewish scu!;'

Eri$&s head er$ed slightly to the right as he heard the sounds again. E8plosions. ,crea!s.

5ullets. ears.

%hey !ust not *e allowed to escape;'

Eri$ shoo$ his head *ac$ and forth as he entered the area. he houses were a*la+e# and the

sound of heavy co!*at *oots crashing against the ground echoed through the town. he i!ages were

vi*rant# *ut they were inco!plete# as if the !e!ory was da!aged. Certain sections had grey static.

eople were scattered a*out# running in all directions.

%,top; Aet away;'

%Eri$# )uic$# get her out of here;'

he voice was faint. Eri$ winced as he closed his hands. here was nothing in the! now# *ut

they had once held her ar!s in his.

%2hat a! ( supposed to do'

%Aet her away fro! here; (&ll try to stop the!;'

he voice was !ore distinct now. he inflections were uni)ue. he pattern started to *eco!e

recollection rather than e8perience. (t all sounded so fa!iliar# yet it was li$e it was happening for the

first ti!e. More grey. "nother e8plosion. "nother screa!. "nother life gone.

%4o;'



"n i!age flashed of a soldier in green gar* with an electrified *aton strapped to his forear!.

he soldier ran up to a !an holding a *a*y in his ar!s# who had fallen to the ground.

%Hail Hydra;'

he soldier struc$ down with his ar!# and the *aton collided with the !an&s chest. he !an&s

entire *ody sei+ed as *lood spurted fro! his !outh and ri*cage. he *a*y fell out of his ar!s# falling

into the !ud. he *a*y&s !outh opened# *ut no cries were heard. ,tatic.

%Help;'

Hyperventilated *reaths !assaged Eri$&s nec$. Her sweat started to seep into his s$in. he thin

cloth acting as a *arrier *etween her *ody and his tre!*led as her *ones shoo$.

%Hail Hydra;'

Eri$ $new it was ti!e to run# *ut he didn&t !ove. (nstead# he loo$ed forward# and saw do+ens of

green gar*ed soldiers. ,o!e of the soldiers were !ale with the electric *atons# others were fe!ale with

fla!ethrowers strapped to their *ac$s. 3ne of the fe!ale soldiers let out a strea! of fla!e fro! her

weapon# setting a*la+e several civilians who were desperately trying to escape. he entire ti!e# she

was laughing. "nother soldier wal$ed past the screa!ing *a*y# and loo$ing down at it# pulled his pistol

fro! its holster.

"s Eri$ continued to stare# another !an e!erged into view. He was wearing si!ilar gar* to the

soldiers# *ut he had no face-!as$ or hel!et. His *ald head and !onocle caught Eri$&s eye# *ut his !ost

distinguishing feature was his right ar!# or lac$ of one. (nstead# there was a silver plated !etallic li!*

hoo$ed into his right shoulder. "t the end of the li!* was a !etal o*ect si!ulating a hand# which

glowed with reddish electric energy. Eri$ didn&t !ove as the !an approached hi!. 6ro+en in fear# he

watched as the !an reached out with his !etal ar!# and gra**ed his face.

he s!ell of rotting flesh filled the air.

%4o;'

Eri$ opened his eyes. He was *ac$ in the forest. "ll the sights and sounds of that ti!e had



vanished. ,ighing# he felt a tinge of pain in his chest. he !e!ory was not )uite the sa!e any!ore.

he details were different. ,o!e pieces were in other places= so!e !issing and so!e co!pletely new.

,truc$er had never gra**ed his face *efore.

Eri$ loo$ed forward as he saw his target. 9ifting hi!self into the air# he allowed all the ele!ents

of his repressed !e!ories to fade away as his ga+e fi8ated on the tas$ at hand. 6lying high a*ove the

forest floor# Eri$ floated over the gate of the !ilitary co!ple8. He )uic$ly glanced at the sign attached

to the gate as he flew past.

Cape Citadel Military 5ase.

he alar! was al!ost i!!ediately sounded. Eri$ continued to fly forward. "s do+ens of

soldiers trained their weapons on hi!# Eri$ slowed to a halt and crossed his ar!s. He cal!ly watched

as !ultiple eeps and tan$s arrived. Eventually# the sound died down to a single voice.

%his is Captain ho!as 5ow!an of the Cape Citadel Military 5ase. 0ou have trespassed upon

govern!ent property. 0ou are i!!ediately ordered to . . . . land . . . . on the ground# and surrender

yourself# or we will use lethal force.'

Eri$ narrowed his eyes# *ut did not respond.

%his is your final warning;'

Eri$ didn&t !ove.

%an$s; 3pen fire;'

he two near*y tan$s fired shells at Eri$# who threw up his ar! as his energy shield for!ed

around hi!. he rounds e8ploded on the shield# and the s!o$e cleared to show Eri$ unscathed. ,o!e

of the soldiers on the ground gasped in surprise.

%9ethal force# indeed#' said Eri$.

%6ire at will;'

Eri$ threw up his ar!s as the rifles and shotguns wielded *y the soldiers were ripped fro! their

hands. he guns then turned around to face their owners# and started to fire. ,crea!s were heard as the



soldiers were cut down *y their own weapons. 5ow!an leaped fro! his eep as the surviving soldiers

ran away# shouting. he soldier on the eep with the !achine gun turret opened fire on Eri$# *ut he

flic$ed his wrist# causing the eep to fly into the air. he soldier fell out and landed on the ground as

Eri$ sent the eep crashing down on top of hi!. he two tan$s fired again# *ut Eri$ held his hands

forward# and the shells stopped in !idair. He then sent the! flying towards the near*y *uildings#

setting the! a*la+e.

%2hat the hell is this guy'

More soldiers arrived with guns# *ut Eri$ continued to dispatch the! with ease. Energy *lasts

fired fro! his hands incinerated the tan$s# and he used the shrapnel fro! the! as proectiles against the

soldiers# shredding their flesh and tearing the! apart. urning his ga+e to another line of soldiers# Eri$

flic$ed his other wrist# and the pins on the grenades attached to their *elts all flew into the air. he

soldiers scra!*led to rip off their *elts# *ut within seconds were reduced to puddles of roasting !eat.

urning around# Eri$ loo$ed to a near*y landing pad with a helicopter on it. 9ifting his ar!# he

caused the helicopter to levitate into the air. Holding it in place for a !o!ent# Eri$ then turned to the

!ain watch tower on the *ase# and !otioned his ar! towards it. he helicopter was heaved# and

crashed directly into the tower# causing a !assive e8plosion. ,everal fla!ing corpses fell out of the

tower as it *urned down.

Eri$ then turned forward# and he saw 5ow!an *ac$ing away. 5ow!an pulled out his pistol and

opened fire on Eri$ while wal$ing *ac$wards. He deflected all of the *ullets and then closed his fist#

causing 5ow!an&s gun to cru!ple up and fall on the floor. Eri$ landed and wal$ed towards 5ow!an.

%2hat# you going to $ill !e too'

%4o#' Eri$ replied. %4ot you.'

Eri$ gra**ed 5ow!an *y the nec$ and held hi! off the ground. 5ow!an coughed and

sputtered as he spo$e.

%2hat . . . . do you . . . . want'



%0ou can create a video co!!unication with the 2hite House fro! this *ase# correct'

%0es.'

%hen that is what you&re going to do.'

%2hat do you !ean# you can&t find anything'

Henry sighed.

%Ayrich# that was a ship!ent of four nuclear !issiles. 4uclear. /o you $now what that !eans

"ny*ody out there !ight have these ar!a!ents.'

%Mr. resident# without the launch codes . . . .'

Ellis waved his hand.

%/on&t give !e that. 0ou $now as well as ( do that there are groups out there with *oth the

resources and !otivations to put those weapons to use . . . . and given the state of the street where it

too$ place# (&d say so!eone along those lines pulled this off.'

%2ell# !y tea! hasn&t *een a*le to e8plain it# Mr. resident. 2e don&t have any leads.'

%( need answers# and soon# Henry#' said Ellis. %,ince one of his agents was inured in the attac$#

6ury&s *een *reathing down !y nec$# wondering what the hell happened. hat agent was there as a

courtesy to the secret service# and now he&s in a godda!n co!a.'

Ellis sat down at his des$. (n the chair ne8t to hi! was ,enator ?elly.

%2hat is our contingency plan since the nu$es were ta$en' as$ed ?elly. %( !ean# they were in

!y state. ( want to $now what&s going to *e done a*out this.'

%2e&re ta$ing this very seriously# ,enator#' said Henry.

%Ao *ac$ to wor$# Ayrich#' ordered Ellis.

%0es# Mr. resident#' replied Henry. %2e&ll continue loo$ing.'

Henry turned to wal$ away when a light on Ellis& des$ flic$ered on. " *eeping noise was heard.

%hat&s an e!ergency channel#' said Henry.



Ellis loo$ed over at ?elly for a !o!ent *efore tapping the *utton. " !onitor screen folded out

of the des$ and turned on. 3n the screen was the face of 5ow!an. He was *leeding fro! the nose.

%Mr. resident'

%ho!as My Aod# what happened to you'

%,ir# (&! sorry . . . .'

%hat&s good enough.'

5ow!an stepped out of the screen&s view as Eri$ stepped in. Ellis& eyes widened.

%Areetings# Mr. resident.'

%2ho are you 2hat have you done . . . .'

%Cal! yourself# resident Ellis. 0ou&re no longer in charge here. ( a!.'

%2ho are you' Ellis repeated.

%My na!e is Eri$ 9ehnsherr. ( figure you&re pro*a*ly wondering right now who stole your

nuclear !issiles. "llow !e to spare you the grief and ad!it that ( did it. ( have also ta$en over the Cape

Citadel *ase in 6lorida# which# as you&re pro*a*ly aware# contains active !issile silos.'

he colour fro! Ellis& face flushed out.

%How could you possi*ly have done that all *y yourself' de!anded Ellis. %/o you have so!e

sort of underground ar!y'

%4o#' answered Eri$. %( a! a !utant.'

?elly&s eyes widened.

%( want three things# Mr. resident#' e8plained Eri$. %6irst# the Mutant >egistration "ct is to *e

cancelled. ,econd# all !utants are to *e li*erated fro! all atte!pts at prosecution# and third . . . . ( want

,enator >o*ert ?elly to *e $illed# and the *ody to *e delivered to !e.'

?elly held in his *reath.

%(f you do not co!ply with !y de!ands within seventy-two hours# ( will fire one of !y

!issiles at a rando!ly chosen @, city. he choice is yours# Mr. resident.'



he screen turned off. Ellis sat *ac$ in his chair.

%Ayrich# call up all the !ilitary forces you can. 2e need to stop this !aniac *efore . . . .'

%2ait# sir#' interrupted ?elly.

%2hat'

%( have a *etter idea.'

%How !any do you have'

%,ince we went into full production# around thirty. "ll Mar$ 3nes#' answered Mac$en.

%9aunch the!#' ordered ?elly. %(&ll send the co-ordinates to your /". his is an order fro!

the resident hi!self# 2alter. Aet it done.'

%0es sir.'

Mac$en hung up the phone and loo$ed at the status screen. 2ithin a few seconds# the co-

ordinates !essage appeared on his screen. unching the co-ordinates into the console# Mac$en turned

the !aster control $ey and triggered the launch se)uence. he ceiling of the factory opened# and the

eyes on the ,entinels lit up.

%(nitiating start-up se)uence#' said the ,entinel voice. %Co-ordinates received. arget . . . .

Mutant. 3rders . . . . Eli!inate.'

he ,entinel&s roc$et *oots activated# and they started to fly upwards. Mac$en watched as the

,entinels launched into the s$y and flew off into the night.




Chapter : 6inding 6riends

Xavier rolled into the foyer# followed *y Moira and the rest of the tea!.

%2hat do you !ean# you can find Magneto' as$ed ,cott. %/id he register on the astral plane'

Xavier frowned. Everyone stepped onto the foyer elevator as it started to descend.

%@nfortunately# no#' answered Xavier. %My telepathic range is only a few hundred $ilo!etres#

and his hel!et *loc$s !y telepathy.'

%hen how will that gi+!o of yours find hi!' as$ed 5o**y.

%his gi+!o#' started Xavier# %is the $ey to finding not ust Magneto . . . . *ut every !utant on

Earth.'

,everal of the tea! !e!*ers raised their eye*rows.

%(&! sorry# rofessor#' said Han$# %you&re going to have to e8plain that one.'

Xavier sighed as the elevator reached the hangar.

%(&! sorry to say that (&ve *een $eeping so!ething fro! you all#' stated Xavier. %Even you#

Han$.'

Xavier turned his chair around and started to roll to the *ac$ of the hangar. Everyone else

followed. "t the *ac$ of the hangar was a loc$ed# circular door. "s Xavier rolled up the door# a light

*lue laser shot fro! the centre into his eye. "fter a !o!ent# the laser disappeared and the door opened.

Xavier rolled inside the newly opened roo!# followed *y the tea!.

%3h# !y stars and garters#' said Han$.

he roo! was a !assive !etallic sphere. he door led into a wal$way# which covered the

radius of the sphere. "t the end of the wal$way was a co!puter console# with a polished !etal hel!et

sitting on it.

%2hat $ind of roo! is this' as$ed iotr.

Xavier rolled up to the console and turned around.



%his . . . . is Cere*ro.'

ean loo$ed at the panels that for!ed the sphere# narrowing her eyes.

%Cere*ro' said ,cott.

%0es#' replied Xavier. %( felt the na!e appropriate considering what it was designed to do.'

%"nd what was that e8actly' as$ed Han$.

%o enhance the !utant a*ilities of telepaths#' answered Moira# as she stepped forward. %"s

Xavier told you# his range of psychic detection is li!ited# even though his telepathy is very well

developed. /uring our initial research together# we theori+ed that a !achine could *e constructed

which could ta$e the astral signal of a telepath and relay it so as to widen its range . . . . li$e a satellite

dish.'

%How far is Cere*ro&s range' as$ed Han$.

%2orldwide . . . .' answered Moira# %if it wor$ed.'

%(f'

%0ou see# when we first *uilt Cere*ro# it was una*le to properly channel the a!ount of psychic

energy that it was receiving#' e8plained Moira. %he !achine alone could not deal with the load. 2hile

at first# Xavier *elieved that he needed to develop his control of his powers to !a$e it wor$# ( soon

discovered that it was *ecause the !achine&s interface was far too si!ple co!pared to the hu!an

!ind.'

5o**y# his ar!s folded# loo$ed at iotr. iotr loo$ed over at hi!. hey *oth shrugged and

shoo$ their heads *efore loo$ing forward again.

%2hat it needed was a guidance syste!#' continued Moira. %" sorting algorith! to properly

organi+e the telepathic data. ( wor$ed for years on various co!puter progra!s to try and si!ulate

so!ething that could *e effective# *ut ( wasn&t a*le to . . . . until now.'

%0ou still haven&t e8plained why you wanted to *uild Cere*ro in the first place#' said Han$.

%E8tend telepathic range# sure# *ut to what effect'



%o find !utants#' answered Xavier.

Han$&s eyes widened.

%( propositioned Cere*ro as a way for !e to find !utants in need#' Xavier said. %ust as ( found

all of you . . . . *ut ( can only do so !uch on !y own. >ight now# however# we need it for a different

reason.

%Magneto#' said ,cott.

Xavier nodded. He then pulled out the !icrochip and plugged it into the Cere*ro console. he

console lit up with *right# *lue energy. he soft# hu!!ing sound of the !achinery droned in the

*ac$ground. Moira put her hand on Xavier&s shoulder.

%Charles#' Moira said# %are you sure you&re ready for this'

Xavier loo$ed up at her with a slight frown.

%( can&t afford not to *e.'

Moira closed her eyes for a !o!ent *efore ta$ing her hand off his shoulder and standing with

the tea!. Xavier placed the !etal hel!et on his head and closed his eyes. 5reathing in slowly# he felt a

tingle of electricity hit the *ac$ of his s$ull. His whole *ody er$ed slightly as the !achine entered his

!ind. ean too$ a step forward with her ar! outstretched# *ut ,cott put his hand on her shoulder and

shoo$ his head. ean withdrew her hand and stood *ac$.

Xavier&s *reathing started to speed up. (!ages *egan to flash across the astral plane. He

clenched his hands on the ar!s of his wheelchair. 2incing# he focused his thoughts as various !utants

*egan to whirl through his psychic view.

" wo!an flying through the savannah s$y.

" young girl with a single white strea$ in her hair.

" !an huddled in a winter forest.

" !an in torn nina gar* hanging onto a ceiling with his tongue.

" wo!an with *right *lue s$in and cri!son hair.



" !an in !etallic ar!our# wearing a purple hel!et with !agenta lining.

Xavier opened his eyes. he i!ages faded away as he *reathed in. He then too$ off the hel!et

and placed it on the console.

%(&ve found hi!.'

%2here'

%a!pa#' replied Xavier. %2e&ve got to get to the et. 4ow. He&s !a$ing his !ove.'

%(&ll go fire her up#' said Han$# as he turned around and ran into the hangar.

%i!e to suit up#' said iotr.

Xavier rolled up to ean as the others *egan to leave.

%ean# we have . . . .'

%@nifor!s#' said ean. %( $now. ( actually !ade one for !yself.'

Xavier raised an eye*row.

%(&ll *e right *ac$.'

ean ran *ac$ to the elevator and too$ it up and out of the hangar. Xavier rolled past the elevator

and onto the loading ra!p. "s ,cott and the others were putting on their unifor!s# Moira sat down in

the one of the side seats. Han$ was in front# activating the et controls. ,cott loo$ed over at Xavier.

%2here&s ean'

%Here.'

Xavier turned around to see ean standing at the *otto! of the ra!p. ,he was wearing a green

and gold s$intight suit with a golden sash hanging fro! her waist. 3n her chest# was a *right# gold

sy!*ol in the shape of a *ird. ,cott stared at ean# his !outh hanging open. Xavier&s eyes widened.

%/id you . . . . !a$e that yourself# ean' as$ed Xavier.

%0es.'

%2here did you get the idea for that i!age'

%3h this'



ean loo$ed down and pointed at the *ird sy!*ol.

%0es.'

%(t&s so!ething (&ve seen in !y drea!s *efore. ( li$ed it# so ( $ept it.'

Xavier nodded his head slightly.

%>ight#' he said. %3n the et# then.'

ean s!iled and cla!*ered up the ra!p. ,he loo$ed at ,cott *efore ta$ing a seat. Everyone else

sat down as Xavier strapped hi!self in ne8t to Moira. "s the doc$ing ra!p closed# Xavier loo$ed at the

*ird sy!*ol again. His *reathing slowed.

%Closing in on designated target.'

he ,entinels flew in strict for!ation over the a!pa s$yline. 2atching the video feed fro! the

lead ,entinel# ?elly folded his hands and s!ir$ed.

%/on&t worry# Mr. resident#' ?elly started# %He doesn&t have a chance. he ,entinels were

specifically designed to ta$e down !utants.'

%2e&ll see# >o*ert#' replied Ellis. %(&! ust wondering how we&re going to e8plain thirty !assive

ro*ots flying around to the 6lorida populace.'

%9et the pu*lic relations people handle that#' said ?elly. %0ou&ve !ade the right decision.'

he ,entinels flew over the forest and arrived at Cape Citadel. "s they flew over the !ain gate#

they switched fro! hori+ontal to *ipedal !ode and *egan to land on their feet in the co!pound. he

*lue lights fro! their eyes scanned the surrounded area. hey !arched forward until they ca!e into

view of Eri$.

%arget ac)uired. /esignation . . . . Mutant.'

he ,entinels raised their ar!s as their hand lasers charged. Eri$ s!ir$ed *efore throwing up

his hand.

%3rders . . . . Eli!ina . . . .'




Chapter 1: X-Men

%arget . . . . Hu!ans. 3rders . . . . Eli!inate.'

he lead ,entinel fired a pulse grenade fro! its hand# which o*literated a large section of the

crowd at the first intersection. "s the rest of the people screa!ed in terror and *egan fleeing in all

directions# the ,entinels descended into the city. Eri$ and the lead ,entinel stayed in the air while the

rest of the! *egan to attac$ the populace.

3n one of the !ain roads# civilians *egan to a*andon their cars as one of the ,entinels !arched

down the street. 6iring its lasers# the ,entinel incinerated three people as a fourth duc$ed *ehind a car.

he ,entinel $ic$ed the car forward# crushing the !an. "nother near*y ,entinel fired a roc$et at a car

pile-up# *lowing apart several civilians as !ore were set on fire. he ,entinel then loo$ed down to see

a young wo!an who had *ro$en her leg while running and was crawling along the road. ,he loo$ed up

at the ,entinel with a loo$ of horror. he ,entinel responded *y lifting its leg and stepping on her#

causing a loud crunching noise and *lood to spurt all over the road.

3n a near*y road# a ,entinel punched into one of the *uildings# causing it to *rea$ apart and for

several people to fall out. (t then fired a pulse grenade into the *uilding# creating a !assive e8plosion

which levelled al!ost the entire *loc$. he downpour of *ric$s and steel crushed even !ore people on

the street as they tried to run away. he sound of *ones and s$ulls crac$ing filled the air alongside the

screa!s.

" handful of police vehicles with sirens *laring *egan to drive up to the ,entinels. 3fficers

carrying shotguns and pistols opened fire on the ro*ots# to little effect.

%heir ar!our is too strong;'

he three ,entinels that were *eing attac$ed turned to the officers.

%argets ac)uired.'

hey fired their lasers# vapori+ing five of the officers. wo of the others turned to flee# *ut were



$noc$ed away *y one of the police cars e8ploding. "s the first officer passed out# the second tried to

push hi!self off the ground *efore collapsing. His chee$ on the pave!ent# he felt the *urns on his *ody

all stinging at once. 3ne eye open# he watched as the three ,entinels !arched past hi!# leaving heavy

i!prints in the ground with every step. 2ith great effort# he turned his head the other way and watched

as one of the ,entinels set a *uilding a*la+e. 3n the ground floor# a !an ran out of the *uilding

carrying a *a*y in his ar!s. "s he started to run away fro! the ,entinel and towards the officer# the

,entinel turned and loo$ed at hi!.

%argets ac)uired.'

(t fired its laser at the !an as he huddled on the ground and covered the *a*y. 2ith a screa!

and a flash# *oth the !an and the *a*y were reduced to ash. he officer winced as all feeling left his

*ody.

3vertop the *urning a!pa s$yline# Chess >o*erts& news helicopter flew a*ove several of the

,entinels assaulting the city. ,he loo$ed at the scene with her !outh open *efore turning to her

ca!era!an.

%his is Chess >o*erts# with 5ay 4ews 4ine#' e8clai!ed Chess. %(&! here in a!pa# where the

!utant terrorist $nown as Magneto has ust unleashed an ar!y of hu!anoid ro*ots on the civilian

populace; (t loo$s li$e the !ilitary is responding right now . . . . oh !y god;'

Chess turned to the left# seeing a large e8plosion topple one of the s$yscrapers. 3n the ground#

!ilitary eeps and tan$s for!ed a line along one of the !aor intersections. 3ne of the tan$s fired on a

,entinel# $noc$ing it *ac$ *ut *arely piercing its ar!our.

%3pen fire; 3pen fire;'

he soldiers fired their auto!atic weapons at the ,entinels. he sheer volu!e of *ullets

staggered the!# as another tan$ fired# $noc$ing one of the ,entinels to the ground. he other ,entinel

raised its ar! to deflect so!e of the *ullets and fired a roc$et fro! its other wrist.

%(nco!ing;'



he roc$et collided with the front eep# *lowing it to pieces. "s the soldiers recovered# the

,entinel stepped forward# firing its hand lasers# tearing apart so!e of the other vehicles. he first tan$

fired again# hitting the ,entinel s)uare in the chest# causing it *rea$ apart and collapse. However# as

that ,entinel fell# another one flew overhead# and dropped a cluster *o!* on the line of !ilitary

vehicles# incinerating !ost of the! and the re!aining soldiers.

3ne of the soldiers hid *ehind a pile of scrap as a ,entinel flew overhead. (t turned to the

soldier# who tried to open fire. However# he )uic$ly reali+ed that his gun was !alfunctioning.

%arget ac)uired.'

he ,entinel loo$ed at the soldier for a !o!ent.

%arget . . . . Mutant. /isengage.'

he ,entinel then turned and flew away# as the soldier )uivered with a loo$ of shoc$ on his

face. "s Chess loo$ed down at the street# her aw dropped *efore turning *ac$ to the ca!era.

%hat entire s)uad ust got deci!ated . . . . other !ilitary forces are *attling the ro*ots across

the city . . . . *ut how could they possi*ly win;'

%Chess;' shouted the ca!era!an. %5ehind you; (t&s one of the!;'

Chess turned around and gasped= a ,entinel was flying near the helicopter# loo$ing at it. (t

raised its ar!.

%argets ac)uired.'

%3h shit;'

he ,entinel fired a roc$et at the helicopter. Chess screa!ed as the roc$et closed in# *efore a set

of twin lasers hit the roc$et# *lowing it up in the air. Chess put up her ar!s to shield herself# *ut then

loo$ed forward as the X-et flew past the!. he ,entinel loo$ed up at the et as it swerved around# and

fired another set of twin lasers# destroying its head. "s the ,entinel&s decapitated *ody fell out of the

s$y# the et flew down into the city. Chess wiped her forehead.

%2hat the hell was that'



3n the shoulder of the lead ,entinel# Eri$ furrowed his *row as he watched the et descend into

the city. He sneered.

%X-Men.'

%i!e to u!p;'

Han$ pressed the *utton which activated the doc$ing ra!p. "s it lowered# iotr ran out to the

edge.

%>eady;' shouted iotr.

%Ao;' co!!anded Xavier. %0ou&ve got to stop those ro*ots fro! destroying the city;'

iotr leaped fro! the ra!p and fell downwards# his fists in the air. He ai!ed for a near*y

,entinel# and when he reached it# he flung *oth of his fists in a downward !otion. Colliding with the

,entinel&s head# the entire !achine cru!pled under the sheer pressure of iotr&s *low. He landed on the

ground with a loud crash as the ,entinel&s s!ashed pieces fell all over the road. 5o**y loo$ed out the

window.

%2here did Magneto get the giant ro*ots'

%hey&re called ,entinels#' replied Xavier. %Mutant-hunting ro*ots which have *een in the

design stage for )uite so!e ti!e. ,o!ehow# Magneto&s re-purposed the! for his own cause.'

%2e&ve got to stop the!#' said ean.

%5o**y;' said Xavier. %a$e ,cott and ean down to the ground.'

%Han$ too#' said Moira.

%5ut ( need to fly the et;' re*utted Han$.

%( can do that#' replied Moira. %( helped you design it# re!e!*er 0ou&re part of the tea!. Ao;'

Han$ nodded and stood with the rest of the X-Men while Moira got into the pilot&s seat. ,cott#

ean and Han$ all held onto each other as they clung to 5o**y.

%"lright everyone#' said 5o**y. %2e&re going down;'



5o**y s$ated forward# creating an ice path as the four of the! slid along. hey soon landed on

the road as they heard sirens# screa!s and e8plosions. Xavier waved to the! as the ra!p closed.

% Ree"er, Scott,# said Xavier. % Be strong.#

,cott loo$ed up at Xavier and nodded *efore the ra!p closed. He then turned to the rest of the

tea! as iotr wal$ed up to the!. hey loo$ed around to see several ,entinels *attling !ilitary forces

and hunting down civilians in all directions.

%,o# what do we . . . .' started 5o**y.

%Call it# ,cott#' interrupted Han$.

,cott turned to Han$.

%2hat'

%2hat do we do'

%Me 0ou&re . . . .'

%he oldest hree years isn&t that !uch# ,cott. 5esides . . . . re!e!*er our first *attle 2ho

was the only one who was a*le to !aintain their co!posure enough to co!e up with a plan ( thin$ we

all $now who the leader of the X-Men is.'

,cott loo$ed around at everyone else. Every !e!*er of the tea! s!iled and nodded at hi!.

"fter *reathing in# ,cott nodded.

%3$ay#' said ,cott. %his is what we&re going to do. 5o**y . . . .'

%(ce!an. Code na!es in the field.'

%(ce!an. ( need you to start helping the !ilitary forces. @se ice to shield the! and help out

wherever you can.'

%0ou got it.'

5o**y s$ated off towards the nearest soldiers.

%ean# Colossus# you&re our strongest !e!*ers. herefore# you&re going to *e our ,entinel-

hunting party. 2or$ together and ta$e out as !any as you can.'



ean nodded and started to run down the street. ,cott loo$ed at iotr.

%?eep her safe.'

%( will.'

iotr turned and ran after ean.

%2hat a*out us' as$ed Han$.

%/o you have a codena!e'

%5east.'

%2ell# 5east# you and ( need to worry a*out the civilians. 9et&s go.'

Han$ nodded as he and ,cott ran towards a near*y *urning *uilding.

wo of the soldiers u!ped out of the way as one of the ar!y eeps fell down fro! the s$y and

nearly crashed into the!. he soldiers got *ac$ up and started firing their rifles again at the ,entinel#

which was *usy tearing apart one of the tan$s.

%his is useless;' the first soldier e8clai!ed. %hey&re ripping through everything we&ve got;'

%0ou got a *right idea' as$ed the second soldier# reloading his rifle. %lease# share;'

"s the soldiers ai!ed their weapons# they loo$ed up in awe as the ,entinel fired a roc$et

towards the!# which was then *loc$ed *y a wall of ice which !ateriali+ed in front of the!.

%2hat the . . . .'

hey heard a loud whistle as 5o**y s$ated in the air past the!# and then start firing ice *lasts at

the ,entinel. he ,entinel turned away fro! the soldiers and loo$ed at 5o**y.

%arget . . . . Mutant. /isengage . . . . progra . . . . progra!!ing altered. E8ception added. arget

. . . . Mutant. 3rders . . . . Eli!inate.'

he ,entinel *egan firing its lasers at 5o**y as he dodged. he soldier watched hi! *attle the

,entinel.

%(s that . . . . a !utant'



%0eah.'

%/idn&t that Magneto guy say that . . . .'

%9oo$# ( don&t care if he&s godda!n ,anta Claus#' said the soldier. %(f he&s fighting the ro*ots#

cover hi!;'

he two soldiers ran forward and around the wall of ice as it !elted. hey *oth fired grenade

rounds fro! their rifles at the $nees of the ,entinel. "s its $nees *uc$led and fell into a crouching

position# 5o**y created a spear of ice in his hand# and ra!!ed it directly into the head of the ,entinel.

He then s$ated to the floor as the ,entinel collapsed on the ground.

%han$s for the assist# guys;' said 5o**y.

he soldiers loo$ed at hi! with their !ouths hanging slightly open.

%"nd you are'

%(ce!an.'

%>ight.'

%/on&t worry# this is the second !ost co!!on reaction ( receive#' chuc$led 5o**y.

" crashing noise was heard. 5o**y and the soldiers loo$ed in its direction to see a ,entinel

careening through the s$y.

%2hat the hell happened to that thing'

%My guess' said 5o**y. %ro*a*ly !y *uddy Colossus.'

%Eli!inate this# co!rade;'

Aripping the ,entinel&s right *oot# iotr spun around and threw the ,entinel into the air. (t

careened through the s$y until it crashed into the road and cru!*led into pieces. wo !ore ,entinels

landed ne8t to iotr.

%@h oh.'

he first ,entinel punched down# pushing iotr into the earth. 9ifting its fist# it then sto!ped



down on hi! with its leg. iotr shouted in pain. "s the second ,entinel charged its lasers# its ar!s then

suddenly ai!ed forward *efore firing# destroying the top half of the first ,entinel. ean then threw her

hands down# and the ,entinel&s ar!s flew to the ground# causing the whole ro*ot to hit the floor. iotr

then stood up and punched the ,entinel across the aw# causing its entire head to shatter.

%hey need to !a$e these things !ore dura*le#' chuc$led iotr.

ean then loo$ed over to the left and saw another ,entinel wal$ing towards the!.

%Colossus#' said ean# pointing towards the ,entinel.

%>ight#' said iotr.

iotr then lifted ean and placed her on his *ac$.

%>eady'

%>eady.'

iotr ran forward# *uilding !o!entu!. "fter a few !o!ents# iotr gra**ed ean *y the

shoulders and tossed her towards it. unching her ar!s forward and for!ing her tele$inetic *arrier

around herself# ean flew at top speed right through the ,entinel&s chest# o*literating !ost of the

!achine. "s ean was a*out to hit the ground# she slowly stopped in !id-air.

%2hoa;'

6u!*ling a*out for a second# ean then found her *earings and started to float around. 9oo$ing

down with her !outh agape# she then felt herself drop to the ground on her feet. ,he loo$ed at her

hands for a !o!ent *efore turning *ac$ to iotr.

%ean;'

iotr leaped towards ean# pushing her out of the way of an inco!ing roc$et. "s ean cru!pled

onto the road# the roc$et hit iotr in the chest# *lasting hi! into a near*y *uilding# which started to

cru!*le around hi!.

%iotr;'



Han$ u!ped fro! wall to wall to )uic$ly scale the *uilding&s staircase.

%ust the top floor left to chec$;' shouted Han$.

?ic$ing open a door# he saw inside a fa!ily# consisting of a father# !other and daughter# who

loo$ed at Han$ with surprised faces.

%C&!on everyone#' Han$ said. %his way;'

"fter a !o!ent of hesitation# the fa!ily started to !ove towards the door. ,cott ran up the

stairs# and saw that a pile of de*ris was *loc$ing the path of the staircase to the floor Han$ was on. He

*lasted it with his laser# *ut the de*ris caught fla!es fro! the wall and collapsed a section of the

staircase.

%,cott;'

,cott too$ a step *ac$ as the wooden staircase fell apart.

%5east; (&! cut off; ( can&t reach you;'

%2hat concerns !e !ore is how we&re cut off fro! you#' replied Han$.

he daughter started shrie$ing as !ore pieces of de*ris fell fro! the ceiling down the staircase.

,cott coughed as the s!o$e started to fill the air.

%2e&ve got to get the! out of here now;' yelled ,cott. %(n a few !inutes# we won&t *e a*le to

*reathe in here;'

Han$ nodded and ran *ac$ into the apart!ent.

%2here are you going;' shouted the !other.

Han$ returned a !o!ent later# holding a large *oo$case. He placed it on the edge of the

wal$way and laid it down to create a *ridge to the section that ,cott was standing on.

%"lright# let&s get across#' said Han$.

he !other held her daughter up to her chest and *egan wal$ing along the *oo$case. he

daughter was still screa!ing# with tears flowing readily down her chee$s. ,cott held out his hand. he

!other grasped it and ,cott pulled her over to his side. he father followed# and Han$ u!ped across.



However# when he landed# the i!pact desta*ili+ed the wood# and the daughter fell out of the !other&s

ar!s.

%4o;'

"s the daughter fell# Han$ instantly reacted *y u!ping off the edge and gra**ing her ar!. "s

he fell# he reached out with his leg and dug his claws into the wood. he daughter stopped screa!ing as

Han$ held her forear!# the two of the! hanging upside down.

%Aotcha;'

Han$ s!iled at the girl.

%Help !e up# would you'

,cott gra**ed Han$&s leg and pulled. "fter a !o!ent# Han$ had enough roo! to flip over the

edge# carrying the daughter in his ar!s. He then handed her *ac$ to the !other# who loo$ed at Han$

with wide eyes.

%han$ you#' she said.

Han$ nodded as they proceeded to escort the fa!ily out of the *uilding.

Eri$ had the lead ,entinel land on the hill as he watched the et approach. He then flew off the

,entinel&s shoulder and fell to the ground as the et landed on the hill. 6olding his ar!s# he watched as

the ra!p opened and Xavier rolled out.

%2hy did you co!e here# Charles'

%( ca!e to plead with an old friend#' replied Xavier.

%0ou&re not going to *e a*le to tal$ !e out of this# Charles#' said Eri$. %2e are the future. ( will

not allow you to eopardi+e that.'

%/o you thin$ Magda would have agreed with that'

Eri$ sneered.

%/on&t you dare . . . .'



%/o you re!e!*er what you told !e# Eri$ "*out the village "*out what happened to her'

%hat was different;'

%0ou&ve *eco!e what you&ve always fought against# Eri$#' said Xavier. %(f only she could see

how far you&ve fallen.'

Eri$ loo$ed away# cringing.

%0ou want to $now how hu!ans and !utants can co-e8ist' as$ed Xavier. %,he was all the

proof you needed . . . . and you&ve forgotten her.'

Eri$ loo$ed forward at Xavier.

%End this now. ,he would never have wanted this.'

Eri$ loo$ed *ehind hi! and raised his ar!. "fter a few !o!ents# the sound of a launching

roc$et was heard.

%Eri$; 2hat are you doing;'

%Ending it.'

Xavier watched as one of the nuclear !issiles flew into the air. He turned to Eri$ with a loo$ of

shoc$ on his face.

%,ay good*ye to your pupils# Charles.'




Chapter 11: Choices

"fter s!ashing the ,entinel with two cars that she had lifted with her !ind# ean started

frantically waving her ar!s# causing the chun$s of de*ris to *e lifted out of the destroyed *uilding.

iece after piece lifted into the air and got tossed to the road.

%iotr;' ean cried. %iotr;'

"fter !oving a few !ore *ric$s# a silver fist punched out of the pile. ean sighed with relief as

iotr cli!*ed out of the ru**le.

%/on&t worry# (&! still alive#' said iotr.

" loud noise was heard# li$e the launch of a roc$et. ean turned around and saw the !issile fire

into the s$y. ean&s eyes widened.

%Might not *e for !uch longer#' said ean.

%ean;'

ean loo$ed to the right as ,cott# Han$ and 5o**y ran up to her.

%,cott;'

%3h# !y stars and garters#' said Han$.

,cott loo$ed at the !issile.

%Magneto#' said ,cott.

%4o#' said 5o**y. %4o.'

%Han$#' said ,cott. %lease tell !e that&s not what ( thin$ it is.'

%(&! afraid it is# ,cott#' said Han$. %2e&re near Cape Citadel !issile *ase.'

,cott loo$ed down at the ground.

%How !uch ti!e'

%Aiven its traectory . . . . !inutes.'

%4ot enough ti!e for !e to s$ate up there#' said 5o**y. %5esides# if ( free+e it# it will still hit



the ground.'

,cott winced *efore shouting and firing a laser at the destroyed ,entinel in front of hi!. 5o**y

closed his eyes and e8haled. iotr shoo$ his head *efore wrapping his ar! around ean&s shoulders and

pulling her close. ean leaned her head against iotr# *ut loo$ed at ,cott.

%,cott . . . .'

%2e were so close;' shouted ,cott. %"ll these people . . . . all these lives . . . . Magneto&s ust

going to ta$e all of it;'

Han$ put his hand on ,cott&s shoulder.

%0ou can&t *la!e yourself for this# ,cott#' pleaded Han$. %(t&s not your fault.'

,cott sharply turned to Han$.

%5ut it was !y responsi*ility;'

,cott loo$ed *ac$ down at the ground# sha$ing his head.

%(&! sorry . . . . (&! sorry . . . .'

5o**y wea$ly chuc$led.

%2ell# at least we&re all here# right he X-Men.'

,cott&s fists tre!*led.

%X-Men' said ,cott. %2hat $ind of a tea! are we 2hat did we acco!plish 2e failed . . . . (

failed.'

ean loo$ed up to see several ,entinels flying into the s$y.

%he ,entinels are leaving#' said ean.

%4o dou*t Magneto wants to !a$e sure they&re still around to help hi!#' said 5o**y. %hat

!urdering *astard.'

%,o that&s it#' said ,cott. %Magneto wins.'

%(s that all you have to say# ,cott'

,cott turned to loo$ at ean.



%his is what&s co!ing fro! the !an who fought Magneto when he had no good reason to

*elieve he could win'

%2hat do you want !e to do# ean'

%4ot you#' said ean. %Me.'

%2hat'

%( can stop it.'

iotr !oved his ar! off ean&s shoulders.

%How' as$ed iotr.

%( have to raise a si!ilar )uestion# ean#' said Han$.

%,cott#' said ean. %/o you trust !e'

%ean . . . .'

%/o you trust !e'

,cott stared at ean for a few seconds.

%0es.'

%hen let !e do this. ( can use !y tele$inesis to propel !yself upwards# and hopefully# divert

the course of the !issile . . . . *low it up in the air.'

ean wal$ed forwards# past ,cott# and focused her energy. "fter a few !o!ents# she started to

float a*ove the ground. 5reathing in# she *egan to fly upwards.

%ean;'

ean turned to loo$ at ,cott.

%/on&t do this#' said ,cott# tears in his eyes. %ust get away fro! here; (f you go after that

!issile# you&ll never !a$e it;'

%( have no choice# ,cott.'

%2hy'

%5ecause when it co!es down to situations li$e this# ( have no other choice. ( have to put



!yself on the line . . . . *ecause no one else can.'

%lease# ean . . . .'

ean turned forward and loo$ed at the !issile. 4o one could see it# *ut her green pupils filled

with orange fla!e for a *rief !o!ent *efore she started flying upwards.

%E"4;'

ean roc$eted into the s$y as ,cott held out his hand in vain. "s ean stared at the !issile# she

felt the residual psychic energy of ,cott&s astral signature. Closing her eyes# she *reathed in as she

allowed ,cott to leave her !ind. "ll that she wanted to focus on was the tas$ at hand.

0et# she found she could not. "s she approached the !issile# she found her !ind drifting to the

astral plane. ,he felt thousands of eyes watching her# thin$ing of her. (nside# she did not $now e8actly

how to process how she was feeling. ,he was flying headfirst into a situation that she truly did not

*elieve she was going to survive. "s tears welled in her eyes# she allowed the thoughts she wanted to

hear to flow through her psyche.

$%lease . . . . coe "ack to e, &ean.#

,he closed her eyes as her heart sei+ed. he feeling of pain e!anated through her chest. ast the

!issile# she could see the thousands of stars in the night s$y. hey re!inded her of all the souls on the

astral plane that she had touched . . . . and all the ones she would never $now.

$%lease . . . . I can't lose you.#

ean winced. he tears started to strea! down her face. ,he wanted to reply# *ut couldn&t *ring

herself to. ,he didn&t want to increase the pain. he !issile was closer.

$othing ade sense "efore you . . . . don't do this . . . .#

,he closed her eyes and opened the! again. he tears stopped. ,he stared at the tip of the

!issile as it started to point downwards. ,he felt her speed increase as s!all fla!es appeared on her

ar!s# *ut she felt no pain. ,he for!ed her tele$inetic *arrier around herself as she opened her pal!s.

6ocusing on the !issile# she felt it start to !ove under her control.



$&ean . . . . I . . . .#

ean closed her eyes one last ti!e. "s she felt the e8plosion *egin# she couldn&t help herself.

$(ood"ye, Scott.#

$&ean)#

"ll of ean&s feeling stopped as the e8plosion *egan. "fter a *rief !o!ent of *eautiful silence# it

all ca!e to a close.

,cott screa!ed as loud as he could as the e8plosion lit up the night s$y. Holding his fists to his

chest# he felt his vocal !uscles shred under the sheer volu!e of his cry. Han$ closed his eyes and

loo$ed down# tears stro$ing the fur on his face. iotr placed his hand on his forehead. 5o**y stared into

the s$y as the e8plosion *egan to fade. ,cott fell to his $nees. ears strea!ed fro! the edges of his

visor and dripped onto the ground.

6or a long while# everyone was silent. he !assive orange flare in the s$y finally phased out of

e8istence. "fter that# all that was left were the stars.

%,cott . . . .'

,cott didn&t reply. He ust $ept his eyes closed# his hands on the ground. hen# he heard a series

of loud noises. 9oo$ing up# he saw the ,entinels returning to the city.

%3h no#' said iotr.

$*+en)#

"ll four of the! felt Xavier&s voice in their !ind.

$agneto is furious) I know that what happened to &ean is on your ind . . . . "ut he's sending

the Sentinels "ack in, and he's personally leading the) -ou have to stop hi)#

,cott stood up.

%2hat do we do' as$ed 5o**y.

,cott didn&t answer for a !o!ent. hen# he turned around.



%0ou three . . . . ta$e on the ,entinels. ?eep the civilians safe. Magneto is !ine.'

%5ut ,cott#' re*utted Han$. %0ou can&t ust . . . .'

%He&s !ine#' said ,cott# pointing his finger at Han$&s face. %,tay out of !y way.'

,cott turned around and ran forward.

%,cott;'

,cott didn&t loo$ *ac$. He felt hi!self *eco!e weightless as he ran. He didn&t even feel any of

the steps he was ta$ing. "ll that !attered was what was right in front of hi!. Everything in his

peripheral vision *eca!e a *lur. ,treet signs# *uildings# civilians . . . . it was all ust static to hi!. He

)uic$ly lost trac$ of ti!e as he continued running. Eventually# he saw his target.

Eri$ was flying a*ove the streets. He fired a !assive pulse fro! his own *ody# and the

surrounding *uildings e8ploded. (t also created a large crater in the ground. ,cott leaped into the crater

and wal$ed towards Eri$.

%Magneto;'

Eri$ loo$ed at ,cott.

%2ell# if it isn&t Xavier&s pri+e pupil#' said Eri$. %"ll *y your loneso!e.'

%0ou&re going to suffer for what you&ve done;'

%"! ('

Eri$ threw up his ar!s# as thousands of !etal o*ects# ranging fro! *olts to pop cans to gar*age

containers to cars *egan to circle around hi! in a whirlwind. ,cott felt the force of all of the o*ects

flying i!peding his !ove!ent. ,till# he too$ another step towards Eri$.

%0ou don&t $now what suffering is# you i!pudent child;'

,cott continued to wal$ forward. ,everal o*ects *egan flying directly towards ,cott# *ut he

*lasted the! away with his laser.

%0ou&re a traitor to your own species;' e8clai!ed Eri$. %(&! going to create a new world for

!utant$ind . . . . too *ad you won&t *e there to see it.'



,cott *lasted even !ore o*ects out of his way. 2ith great difficulty# he continued wal$ing

forward. He stared directly at Eri$ as he s!ir$ed. Eri$ fired two energy *lasts fro! his hands at ,cott.

,cott u!ped to the side to dodge# *ut Eri$ fired !ore *lasts# which hit the ground as ,cott&s feet#

$noc$ing hi! down.

%@gh;'

he pressure *uilding $ept ,cott on the ground as Eri$ fired another energy *last. ,cott )uic$ly

fired one of his own to deflect it *efore pushing hi!self off the ground. a$ing another step forward#

,cott watched as Eri$ folded his ar!s.

$Scott.#

,cott stopped. He couldn&t *elieve what he was hearing.

$&ean?#

$Scott . . . . hear e . . . .#

$&ean) How are you . . . .#

$Scott, listen to e . . . .#

More o*ects flew towards ,cott. He *arely reacted in ti!e to *last the!.

$I can help you defeat agneto . . . .#

$hat?#

$!o you trust e?#

,cott stood still for a !o!ent. i!e see!ed to slow.

$-es.#

$/hen when I tell you . . . . take off your visor.#

$But . . . . it's too dangerous . . . .#

$%lease, Scott . . . . I will protect you.#

,cott e8haled and continued wal$ing forward. Eri$ chuc$led. He allowed ,cott to wal$ up to

hi! until they were only a few !eters apart.



%0ou could *arely survive fighting !e with your tea!#' said Eri$. %How could you possi*ly

hope to defeat !e alone'

$ow)#

%5ecause# unli$e you# Magneto#' said ,cott# %(&! not alone;'

,cott tore off his visor and $ept his eyes open. Eri$ gasped as a !assive cri!son *ea! ripped

its way out of ,cott&s eyes. However# ,cott felt the energy *eing directed in a way it never had *efore.

"fter a *rief !o!ent where it felt li$e all ti!e had stopped# the energy *ea! hit Magneto s)uare in the

chest# and *lasted hi! do+ens of !eters until he crashed into a *uilding. he entire *uilding cru!*led

on top of hi!.

,cott felt his eyes close= he did not close the! hi!self. He then put his visor *ac$ on. E8haling

loudly# he started coughing and fell to the ground out of e8haustion. a$ing a few !o!ents to *reathe#

,cott pushed hi!self *ac$ up. 9oo$ing around# he saw the ,entinels all fall down and collapse at the

sa!e ti!e. He then felt a s!all psychic tinge in the *ac$ of his !ind.

%ean.'

Xavier rolled up to the destroyed *uilding where Eri$ had fallen. He )uic$ly found Eri$# his

*ac$ against the ground# collapsed a!ongst a pile of ru**le. His hel!et was on the ground near hi!.

Xavier sighed. He rolled up to Eri$ and placed his hand on his forehead. " s!all psychic pulse entered

Eri$&s !ind.

%(&! sorry# old friend.'

,cott ran out to the *each. 9oo$ing out at the ocean# he saw the waves# all see!ingly !oving in

unison. >unning forward# he felt each step as it i!printed in the sand.

%ean;'

2ading into the water# ,cott ignored the disco!fort of his unifor! *eco!ing drenched with



li)uid. He pushed forward as his feet stopped touching the ground. ,tarting to swi!# ,cott pulled all of

his re!aining energy to propel hi!self.

%ean;'

art of hi! wasn&t sure if he had actually felt it. he other part was a*solutely convinced.

%Co!e on# ean# give !e a sign; ,ay so!ething; lease;'

,cott didn&t hear a response. 5reathing in# ,cott plunged under the water# swi!!ing faster

*elow the sea line. ulling his head a*ove the water# he finally saw so!ething. ,)uinting# he saw a

shape floating in the water ahead of hi!. ,taring for a few !o!ents# he finally saw it.

(t was her hair.

%ean;'

,cott started swi!!ing as fast as he could. "*out a !inute later# he found her# still in her

unifor!. Her face was to the s$y# her hair soa$ed in the water. Her li!*s were outstretched# her eyes

closed.

%3h !y . . . . ean#' said ,cott. %(&ve got you. (&ve got you.'

,cott pulled her close to hi!# paddling his legs to $eep hi!self afloat. 6lipping her over so that

she was straddling his *ac$# ,cott started to swi! towards shore.

%ust stay with !e#' pleaded ,cott. %(&ve got you.'

He stared at the shoreline. He could see three figures standing on the *each.

%(&! going to get you ho!e# ean#' said ,cott. %( pro!ise.'

,cott continued to swi!. he feeling in the lower part of his *ody started to *eco!e nu!*. he

weight of the water in his unifor! strained his !uscles.

%2e&re going to *e o$ay#' said ,cott.

he shoreline was closer now. he figures were !ore distinct. ,cott closed his eyes as his

*reathing *eca!e !ore la*oured. He $ept pushing his !uscles# *ut he felt the! start to give.

Consciousness started to leave hi!.



%Han$; Help hi!;'

,cott *lin$ed as he desperately tried to paddle his li!*s. He then saw Han$ entering the water

and pulling on his ar!. ,cott rela8ed as Han$ pulled hi! to the *each. ,cott *reathed in as his face hit

the sand. "fter a few seconds# ,cott pushed hi!self off the ground and loo$ed over at ean# who was

ne8t to hi!.

%ean;'

Han$ was standing over her.

%Han$ . . . . is she . . . .'

%,he&s alive#' answered Han$. %@nconscious# *ut alive . . . . *ut ,cott# she&s not *reathing.'

Han$ !oved out of the way. ,cott started to pu!p her chest.

%ean . . . . wa$e up;'

ean didn&t !ove. ,cott opened her !outh and *reathed into it *efore returning to pressing

against her chest.

%lease . . . .'

ean didn&t !ove. ,cott *reathed into her !outh again. Han$ winced.

%/a!!it# ean . . . . wa$e up . . . . please;'

ean didn&t !ove. ,cott sla!!ed his fist against the sand as he *egan to cry. He then gra**ed

her head and placed it against his chest.

%ean . . . . ( was so close . . . .'

5o**y felt fro+en tears strea! down his face.

%(&! sorry# ean . . . .' said ,cott.

,cott then heard a cough. Everyone&s eyes lit up. "nother cough# followed *y a sputter.

%ean;'

%,cott . . . .'

,cott !oved ean&s head so he could see her eyes. hey fluttered open. ,cott had never seen



anything as *eautiful as her eyes at that !o!ent. ,cott felt a thousand words hit his !ind# *ut he

couldn&t *ring hi!self to say any of the!. ean loo$ed into his eyes# as a s!ile wea$ly for!ed on her

face.

%Hey . . . .'

,cott didn&t reply. He ust s!iled.

%(t&s o$#' said ean. %( $now what you&re thin$ing.'

,cott laughed *efore placing his chee$ against hers. He too$ the ti!e to feel her *reathe against

his chest. Han$# 5o**y and iotr all s!iled. 6or a few !o!ents# ,cott ust a*sor*ed the relief he felt.

6inally# he pic$ed ean up# one ar! under her shoulders# his other under her $nees. ,he pressed her

head against his chest and closed her eyes.

%han$ you# ,cott . . . .'

%Co!e on#' he said. %(&! going to ta$e you ho!e.'




Chapter 1<: 6oresight

Eri$ tapped his te!ple repeatedly with his right inde8 finger. ,ighing# he !oved his left hand

over the *oard# !oving his $night to *loc$ Xavier&s roo$. He then rested his head against his right

hand# his el*ow on the ta*le. He then loo$ed forward at Xavier.

%0ou have to reali+e# that regardless of what you or your little students have done# ?elly&s war

will go on.'

Xavier loo$ed into Eri$&s eyes. "fter ta$ing a !o!ent to conte!plate# Xavier !oved his *ishop

to place Eri$ in chec$.

%3f course ( do#' replied Xavier. %here will always *e those who fear us.'

Eri$ *reathed in deeply *efore !oving his roo$ to ta$e Xavier&s *ishop. he two pieces of glass

tapped each other for a *rief !o!ent# causing a soft clanging noise to rever*erate through the cell.

%hen what do you do when those who fear us are the ones in power'

Xavier !oved his pawn forward# ne8t to Eri$&s $night.

%( do what (&ve always done#' answered Xavier. %4egotiate the *est ( can. ?eep pushing for

peace.'

%eace#' said Eri$# scoffing. %,uch foolish idealis!. (t&s always *een your downfall# Charles.'

Eri$ !oved his *ishop in position to ta$e Xavier&s )ueen.

%hen why a! ( not the one in a cell' as$ed Xavier.

Xavier !oved his $night to ta$e Eri$&s *ishop.

%" plastic prison# courtesy of the sa!e people who *uilt the ,entinels#' said Eri$. %0ou thin$

they won&t co!e for you or your school ne8t hey *uilt those infernal !achines to wipe us out. (

stopped that fro! happening.'

Eri$ !oved his roo$ to ta$e Xavier&s pawn.

%Aenocide to prevent genocide#' said Xavier. %Hardly see!s li$e !uch of an i!prove!ent.'



Xavier placed Eri$&s $ing in chec$ with his other pawn. Eri$ scowled when he saw the position

his $ing was in.

%/on&t lecture !e on ethics# Charles#' said Eri$. %0ou and ( *oth $now that ethics have failed us

in the past.'

%hey did indeed#' replied Xavier. %0et that doesn&t !ean they can&t save us in the future.

Magda *elieved in that. 2hy can&t you'

Eri$ narrowed his eyes.

%0our opti!is! is refreshing# Charles# it really is . . . . *ut it won&t stop the co!ing war. 0ou and

all your children will *e consu!ed *y the fire.'

Charles&s eyes widened for a *rief !o!ent. Eri$ s!ir$ed.

%2hat# you thin$ ( didn&t see it'

%( don&t $now what you&re tal$ing a*out#' said Xavier.

%3h# don&t you' as$ed Eri$. %0ou really do *elieve in those students of yours'

%( would trust any of the! with !y life.'

Eri$ sla!!ed his fist against the glass ta*le.

%5ut not with the truth;'

he guard in the corner too$ a step forward# his hand on his plastic *illy clu*. Xavier loo$ed at

the guard and gestured# lowering his hand. he guard stepped *ac$# $eeping his hand on the clu*. Eri$

shoo$ his head# sneering *efore rela8ing his shoulder !uscles and sitting *ac$ in his chair. he guard

wal$ed up cal!ly to Xavier# gra**ing the *ac$ handles of his plastic wheelchair. Moving hi! around

the ta*le# Eri$ then loo$ed directly at Xavier.

%( will get out of here one day# Charles. 0ou&ve won this *attle# *ut you haven&t ended the war.

3ne day . . . . ( will finish what (&ve started.'

%"nd when that day co!es# Eri$ . . . . we will *e there to stop you.'

Xavier nodded to the guard# who pushed hi! out of the cell. Eri$ sneered again *efore tipping



over his own $ing# which was in chec$!ate.

Han$ and 5o**y were sitting on the couch# watching the television. iotr was *ehind the!#

sitting ne8t to the window# painting on his canvas.

%oday# a !e!orial was held for all of the people who died in the a!pa Massacre# where the

!utant terrorist $nown as Magneto assaulted the city with an ar!y of hu!anoid ro*ots which have

*een confir!ed to *e the Mar$ 3ne ,entinels# *uilt *y ,tar$ Enterprises . . . .'

5o**y folded his ar!s.

%. . . . tough )uestions are *eing as$ed a*out the head of the ,entinel progra!# 2alter Mac$en#

who refused to co!!ent on the incident . . . .'

%3f course he didn&t#' said 5o**y# scoffing.

%. . . . also under fire is ,enator >o*ert ?elly# whose anti-!utant agenda has so!e *elieving that

he was *ac$ing the ,entinel progra! . . . .'

Han$ furrowed his *row.

%. . . . this is what the resident had to say on the !atter.'

resident Ellis appeared on the screen# standing at a podiu!.

%(t is with the ut!ost sadness and regret that ( have to spea$ on such a tragic incident#' started

Ellis. %( send out !y deepest sy!pathies to all those who have *een affected *y this heinous act of

violence. he terrorist Magneto has *een apprehended# and ( want to assure the "!erican people that

he will *e !ade to answer for his cri!es. "s for the ,entinels# we have *een assured *y *oth !y own

intelligence agencies and ,tar$ Enterprises that it was Magneto who !anipulated the ,entinels to his

own ends# and that none of the fine people who wor$ed on the proect are to *la!e.'

Chess >o*erts appeared on the screen.

%"nne Marie Hoag# CE3 of /a!age Control# has reported that several tea!s have *een

dispatched to repair the da!age done to a!pa# as well as collect and properly dispose of all ,entinel



!aterials . . . .'

%. . . . while certain !utant hate groups have used the incident to launch !ore propaganda

against !utants# others are holding to the *elief that not all !utants should *e held accounta*le for

Magneto&s actions . . . .'

%. . . . ,tar$ Enterprises has ter!inated all contracts with the ,entinel progra!. However# it

see!s that all active develop!ent and patents on the ,entinels will not go to waste# as ras$ (ndustries

has already started *idding to o*tain the rights . . . .'

%. . . . no one is sure a*out the current status of the Mutant >egistration "ct# which was *eing

spearheaded *y ,enator >o*ert ?elly&s ad!inistration . . . .'

%. . . . Captain ho!as 5ow!an of Cape Citadel !issile *ase was found wounded *ut alive. he

!ilitary has also confir!ed that the stolen nuclear weapons have *een recovered . . . .'

%. . . . although 2ashington&s official stance on the !atter is that it was the !ilitary who

defeated Magneto and his ,entinels# do+ens of eye-witness reports clai! that it was actually a group of

!utants who helped to defend the city. he following people who were at ground +ero in a!pa had

this to say on the !atter.'

,everal different civilians were shown *eing interviewed.

%(&! telling you# the resident is lying. (t was !utants who fought those ro*ots# not the ar!y.'

%He was huge# and he had !etal s$in. (&ve never seen anything li$e it. He cru!*led that

!achine li$e it was paper;'

%( don&t even $now what to *elieve . . . . it all happened so fast.'

%( saw her; ,he flew up into the s$y; (t was insane;'

%( don&t care a*out what the govern!ent or the ta*loids say. " !utant saved !y daughter. ,aved

!y fa!ily. hey should *e re!e!*ered for that.'

%( heard the! say so!ething . . . . li$e# &X-Men&# or so!ething li$e that. ( don&t $now if that&s

what they&re really called# *ut if they&re out there# ( ust gotta say . . . . than$ you. 6or everything.'



Chess appeared on the screen again.

%2ith 5ay 4ews 4ine# this is Chess >o*erts.'

Han$ turned off the television.

%2ell# 5o**y# when you as$ed if we&d !ade the news# ( suppose that&s you answer#' said Han$.

%( can&t *elieve this crap;' shouted 5o**y. %2e *oth $now ?elly was *ehind the ,entinels.

,ure# Magneto&s loc$ed away# *ut . . . .'

%here&s nothing we can do a*out ,enator ?elly today# 5o**y#' interrupted Han$. %9et it *e.

Eventually he&ll slip up# and we&ll *e there.'

5o**y sighed and nodded.

%3$ay.'

Han$ s!iled. 5o**y then u!ped over the couch and loo$ed at iotr.

%2hat are you painting'

iotr sat *ac$ on his stool so 5o**y could see. 5o**y&s eyes widened. (t was ean# flying into

the s$y over a!pa# with fla!es on her ar!s.

,cott stared at the afternoon sun as it held itself low over the ocean. he cool *ree+e hit his s$in

with ust enough pressure to *e soothing. a$ing a *reath in# he felt the war!th of ean&s hand on his

leg# her hair on his nec$. Her head was rested against his shoulder# his ar! wrapped around her *ac$.

hey were *oth sitting on the par$ *ench at the cliff to the ocean# outside the (nstitute.

%0ou $now#' said ean# %( thin$ (&ve thought of a codena!e for !yself.'

%2hat would that *e' as$ed ,cott.

%hoeni8.'

,cott nodded his head.

%,ounds powerful. How did you thin$ of it'

%(t ust sort of ca!e to !e#' said ean. %( also thought of one for you.'



%3h'

%Cyclops.'

,cott tilted his head to side.

%2hy that na!e'

%5ecause# no !atter what# you always !aintain your focus#' said ean. %"lso# it sounds cool.'

he two of the! laughed.

%,o what happens now'

%2hat do you !ean'

%"re you going to go *ac$ ho!e 5ac$ to your !o! and dad'

ean was silent for a few seconds.

%4o.'

%4o'

%(&! staying here# at the (nstitute.'

%5ut . . . .'

%(&ve already called !y parents#' e8plained ean. %( told the! that ( was staying here.'

%2hat did they say'

%My !o! said it was a !ista$e . . . . !y dad ust wanted to $now why.'

%2hat did you tell hi!'

ean sighed.

%( told hi! that (&ve finally found a place where (&! happy#' replied ean. %(&ve finally found a

place where ( *elong. (&ll always love !y parents . . . . *ut whenever the rofessor ca!e over# ( felt li$e

( was with so!eone who understood what ( was going through. My parents ust couldn&t provide that. (

felt li$e ( was in a cocoon. 4ow . . . . ( $now (&! in a place where ( can grow.'

ean !oved her head so she could loo$ at ,cott.

%(&ve finally found !y ho!e.'



,cott s!iled at ean.

%,o have (#' said ,cott.

"fter staring at each other for a few seconds# ean closed her eyes and utted her head forward#

pressing her lips against ,cott&s. hey shared the !oisture of their lips for a few seconds *efore ,cott

opened his !outh slightly to allow his tongue to slip inside ean&s !outh. Arasping her hair# ,cott

pulled ean closer as she placed her hand on his nec$. ,he !assaged his tongue with hers. "fter they

*ro$e lips# ean cuddled up to ,cott and placed her head once again on his shoulder# closing her eyes.

,cott loo$ed forward again# watching as the sun continued to slowly drop towards the ocean.

Xavier closed the screen of his laptop as Moira placed a handful of *oo$s on the shelf. "fter she

was done# she turned to Xavier as he spun his chair around to face her.

%"lright# so that&s the last of the reference *oo$s#' said Moira. %Everything should *e in order.'

Xavier loo$ed up at her.

%0ou haven&t had your coffee# Charles#' said Moira# pointing at the des$.

Xavier loo$ed at the des$ to see the cup of coffee sitting there. " large a!ount of stea! ca!e

off of it.

%3h yes#' said Xavier.

He pic$ed up the cup and placed it to his lips. a$ing a large sip# he felt it !assage his throat

with its war!th. He then placed the cup *ac$ on the plate.

%H!!!#' said Xavier. %Iuite good.'

%( told you that (&ve *een practising#' chuc$led Moira.

%han$ you#' said Xavier. %6or everything.'

%0ou $now that it&s !y pleasure# Charles.'

%( $now . . . . ( ust . . . .'

Xavier paused. Moira raised on eye*row.



%(t&s nothing.'

%Charles# we were together long enough for !e to $now that you&re not a very good liar.'

Xavier rolled his eyes.

%>ight#' he said.

%al$ to !e.'

%( was ust thin$ing a*out what&s going to happen now#' e8plained Xavier. %he world $nows

a*out us. hey&re going to want to $now !ore . . . . and not everyone who tries to investigate us is

going to *e doing it for the right reasons. ( can&t help *ut wonder if the future is going to *ring us !ore

har! than good.'

%4o !atter what happens# Charles# you&ll find your way through it. 0ou always have.'

Moira sighed. ,he then stood up and wal$ed to the door.

%How are you getting ho!e'

Moira stopped# holding the door with one hand.

%(&! not.'

%3h'

%( figured ( would stay. 0ou&ll need !y help. 0ou&ve never *een very good with organi+ational

stuff# and you&ll need so!eone to !aintain Cere*ro. (&ll *e your . . . . tech support. ( hope it&s not too

!uch trou*le.'

%4ot at all.'

Xavier s!iled wea$ly *efore folding his hands and loo$ing down.

%( figure that your answer pro*a*ly hasn&t changed#' started Moira# %*ut ( figured that (&d as$

again. /o you thin$ things can ever *e the sa!e'

Xavier loo$ed up at Moira. "fter ta$ing a few seconds# he s!iled and his eyes lit up.

%erhaps.'

Moira s!iled *ac$ at Xavier *efore leaving the roo!. He sat *ac$ in his chair. 6or a long while#



he sat there# loo$ing out his window at the afternoon sun. 6or a long while# he ust waited and

pondered. "llowing his thoughts to drift# he found hi!self in a !e!ory he rarely touched. " ti!e

*efore the wheelchair.

He was standing on his two legs# and Moira was standing on hers. He was in his !ilitary

unifor!= she was in a ravishing red dress. Her au*urn hair was in an updo# with curled strands fra!ing

the sides of her face. Her eyes were oceans of *eauty. hey were dancing at a restaurant with a na!e he

had long since forgotten. "ll that !attered was that they were there# her ar!s in his# her s!ile as *right

as the evening stars.

,he used to *e happy. hey used to *e happy.

Xavier let the !e!ory fade *efore turning on the television.

%>eports are ust co!ing in now that a fire-truc$ in 5oston has crashed . . . .'

Xavier&s eyes widened.

%. . . . hanging over the *ridge; 2e have no idea how !any civilians are in danger . . . .'

Xavier tapped *oth sides of his forehead with his inde8 fingers.

$/o e, y *+en)#

HE E4/

he X-Men 2ill >eturn



Epilogue

he !an&s finger tapped the *utton on his !ain console. "s he watched the footage# three s!all

or* ca!eras floated around his chair. He placed his other hand on one of the or*s# !assaging it gently.

He then paused the video. ,neering# he placed one hand on his chin as he +oo!ed in. 3n the screen# he

saw ,cott standing up on the *each# with ean in his ar!s.

%6inally#' said ,inister. %(&ve *een loo$ing for you# ,cott. (t&s ti!e for you to co!e *ac$ ho!e.

he fa!ily has !issed you so !uch.'

He then +oo!ed in even further on ean# who was resting her head against ,cott&s chest. ,inister

chuc$led.

%2ell . . . . it loo$s li$e you&ve !ade a friend.'

earth-717: x-men vol 1 full version

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