Previously: Charles Xavier, the founder of the X-Men has recently begun to reform the team he had originally brought together. The X-Men as he knew them had changed, and he had opted to start over fresh with a new roster to fit his newly revised "Dream". Alexander "Havok" Summers whom was once thought dead in an explosion, was recently found alive by the X-Men. Before they could assess the situation, the team's attention was diverted to a mission in which they faced the "Age of Apocalypse" mutant Holocaust. While the team was away, their mansion was simultaneously attacked by a faux Alpha Flight made up of robotic decoys. The aftermath of these encounters has left Jamie Madrox in a comatose state. Longtime enemy of the team Cain Marko has also been granted refuge at the Xavier's Institute, as his situation is also being assessed. With their troubles now seemingly behind them for the time being, the X-Men find themselves with a rare moment to reconvene amongst themselves...
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Xavier's Institute For Higher Learning
The estate of Charles Xavier had served as many years as a home for many including himself. It was the base of operations for the mutant superhero team known as The X-Men. At times it served as a school, but more importantly, it was the first place that Scott Summers was proud to call home. As one of the original X-Men, in fact the first X-Man so to speak, Scott would always hold this place in high regard. The house meant as much to him as it probably did Charles Xavier if not more.
Even if he wasn't a resident of it at the current point in time. As him and his wife Jean Grey-Summers, had relocated to Alaska in hopes of starting a family together. Though the moment it was discovered that his younger brother was alive, Scott and Jean made arrangements to return immediately.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to hit you right now." Scott said with a slight grin as he walked side by side with his brother along the grounds of the estate.
"Can't say I would blame you. Hell, I would want to hit me to after some of the things I did." Alex responded.
Right before Alex's presumed death, he had become a leader of the terrorist faction known as The Brotherhood. Along with the Dark Beast and Fatale, they fought against the X-Men on several occasions as well as remained a constant thorn in the side of the government sponsored X-Factor. He would later reveal that he had been working undercover the whole time, in an attempt to stop the Dark Beast and his ultimate intentions in the long run. In the process he turned his friends against him, and when it seemed that his wrongs were finally starting to be righted, he "died". Or so everyone was led to believe.
In truth he was transported to a reality which mirrored this one in some ways, yet was drastically different in others.
"In any case, you made a judgment decision to stop the Dark Beast at his own game. Can't say that I agree with how you went about things, but it got the job done. At the end of the day that's the most important thing.” Scott said as he looked over to his brother. Peering at him through the ruby quartz lens that lined his glasses, the two came to a stop at the lake which occupied the grounds.
"Why do I get the feeling there's another but in there,"
"But, I just can't figure out why you didn't come to me for help Alex. Your whole operation could have went much more smoother and efficient had you included some of us in your plans." Scott said to his brother as he folded his arms.
As children they were separated only to be reunited years later. Despite loving each other as family, there always seemed to be tension between the two brothers for reasons that were often unclear.
Scott didn't exactly make the situation easier.
"Maybe because I don't always need to dial up my big brother every time I need help Scott. Our methods may not be the same, but at least I don't question yours."
***
"You know it's always a pleasure to see you Jean." Charles Xavier said to the red head woman who sat beside him.
Jean Grey-Summers looked at her long-time teacher like a father. When her and Scott had decided to take a leave of absence from the X-Men, to her it felt as if she was turning her back on a man whom had literally saved the life of not only them, but many others over the years.
"Yes, same to you Professor. So tell me, how goes the current living arrangements. According to Bobby the mansion is more hostile than Wolverine and Sabretooth deadlocked in a cage together." she said amusingly as she took a sip of the tea she had in her grasp.
Charles couldn’t help but return the grin. "Bobby tends to exaggerate."
"Still I would have to say thing are coming along nicely. The group of X-Men we have now are all still coming into their roles here, learning where they fit in best. Where we have Polaris and Havok whom have served amongst our ranks before, we also have newcomers like Domino and Jamie. Everyone has been our side for years, just not the same team."
Jean nodded at the Professor.
"Everyone is trying to make their mark. Understandable."
"Yes, and believe it or not Emma has been a tremendous help during this transition phase."
Jean's eyes narrowed towards Charles as her lips touched her cup once more.
"She knows what she's doing. Emma has even been working with Alex in his psychic debriefing sessions. But, enough about the status here in the mansion, answer this for me."
Jean looked at him to indicate she was listening.
"How is Ororo? Her and I parted on such bad terms that I,"
"She is good. Ororo is fine Charles. She came to visit Scott and myself when she left the mansion. Perhaps it would do you some good to use that brilliant mind of yours once in awhile and touch base with someone you can't see on a daily basis." Jean smiled.
"What's the point in being the world's most powerful telepath, if you barely use your power for something as endearing as communication."
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"I didn't come here to chastise you Alex."
"Why don't I believe you." the younger of the Summers brothers said as he bent down to pick up a pebble stone. With a light toss of his arm, he sent it skipping a few paced across the lake surface before it sank below.
As Scott observed he felt it best to avoid any irrelevant squabbles. For the past year his brother was thought dead, and to have him here in the flesh meant more than their differences ever could.
"This world you spoke of earlier...tell me about it."
Alex glance over at Scott before he tossed another pebble.
"It was...different to say the least. Definitely Earth, and everybody as we knew them were there. Well, not really there but you get what I'm saying."
"Alternate realities will do that to you."
Alex nodded. "I don't know, I mean all of our friends and teammates I encountered were rough. Not to say they had become bad people, but they definitely had some edge to them in how they went about things. Took awhile to adjust, and funny enough just when I was coming into my own there things fell apart."
"How so?"
"I mean I was a leader there. Like a genuine, self assured leader of heroes in that reality."
"How's that any different than what you've done here with X-Factor?"
Alex shook his head at the question. "You don't get it."
He faced his older brother with a look of seriousness.
"In that reality I was given the freedom to lead. Not off the strength that people expected me to have some of that command magic of yours in me. Those people believed in me because they watched me. Put their faith in me. And allowed me to live up to my own expectations without having to worry about someone else's shadow, or dream, or expectations."
Havok paused for a brief moment before continuing. "They let me progress."
Cyclops was a bit taken aback by the sentiment. Though he had always suspected that much of Alex's resentment towards him was out of frustration, he rarely touched on it. Chalked it up to sibling rivalry at it's best. As Alex bowed his head Scott placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Alex, we've had our differences before. And I know I don't say it often, but the things you've done, the decisions you've had to make...You've made some good calls."
As Alex waited for Scott to add to his statement, it nerved him a bit for Scott to let a silence develop.
"But...?"
"There is no but. Not this time at least. Like I said before, I may not always agree with you. Doesn't mean you're not right." Scott said as he gave him a quick pat on the back before his feet started moving him forward once more.
As Alex contemplated what his brother just said, for the first time in awhile he couldn't help but smile. A statement like that coming from Scott Summers was like having Christmas in July. Unexpected, unbelievable, and certainly never going to happen twice.
____________
As the Professor and Jean continued to reflect on better days, they had found themselves being interrupted by a more recent inductee into the X-Men ranks. As Emma Frost casually walked into the living room area of the mansion, she took notice of Jean immediately.
"My dear Jean, it has been far to long."
"And yet, Emma it never seems long enough." Jean said with a forced smile.
"Jean, Emma, please for the sake of peace be cordial."
"Oh but Charles, I have no intentions of being anything but cordial. I simply wanted to say hello to an old acquaintance such as Jean while I had the opportunity to." Emma said as she matched Jean's smile.
"Don't worry though, I won't be keeping your reunion delayed any longer. When you see that husband of yours however, tell him that I need him and Alexander to hurry their sibling outing up. We have a schedule to maintain. Those of us among the active that is." Emma said as she turned her back to leave the two together.
"Oh Emma before you go." Jean called to the turned back of the White Queen as she froze in her tracks.
"Hmm?"
"Always a pleasure to see you." Jean said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Oh Jean, the pleasure is all mine."
As Frost left the former teacher and student, Charles immediately spoke to Jean.
"You certainly know better than that."
"On the contrary Charles, I think that went quite well. Given the circumstances."
Xavier had no amusement in his face.
"Emma is a trusted associate that's"
"Given the circumstances Charles. Given the circumstances." As the red haired woman raised herself from her seat, she leaned over to give Xavier a kiss on the cheek. "Would love to catch up more Professor, but I'm going to go say hello to Logan before he takes off to where ever it is he disappears to."
"Well actually Logan isn't taking off anywhere just yet. He's supposed to meet me in my office so after you find him, send him to me when your through."
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"I don't know man, things with Lorna are basically what they've always been. At least I can say she loves me again." Alex said as he walked beside his brother through the back area of Xavier's estate.
"That girl has never stopped loving you Alex. Sometimes we all just reach our breaking points. You have to admit you put that girl through hell."
"Don't remind me. I'm still making up for my little Brotherhood stint." Alex said shaking his head.
"Who am I to talk though. Seems like I'm far from the one to be giving advice on relationships. If Jean couldn't read my mind to find the right words for me who knows where I would be right now." The older Summers said.
"True. Hey, you know I told the Professor I want to be placed on active duty as soon as possible." Alex said as his announcement caused his brother to stop in his tracks.
"You sure your up for it, I mean you said it yourself you went through a crazy time,"
"Which isn't any different than what I've been going through since the moment the X-Men stepped into our lives. I mean, sure, I could take some time off to get my mind right, and then as soon as Magneto decides to go rogue or Sinister comes creeping around, I'm sucked right back in. No, I rather face things on my own terms now."
As Alex spoke, Scott just listened and nodded. His baby brother certainly seemed to have a better handle on his situation than he had thought. Yet despite his eagerness to return to action, Scott held strong reservations against it.
"Alex, listen. I have no doubt that your capable of taking care of yourself, but don't force things. I mean obviously I can't stay here, but for the first time in a long while I see that there is something for us beyond the X-Men. You were lost for almost a year, and maybe I'm getting a little mushy here but it feels great to see my brother again. So, even if you find yourself caught up in the business of the X-Men, don't let that stop you from picking up a phone." Scott stopped as he ran a hand through his hair gathering his words.
"I know, I uh, I didn't keep in touch as often as I should have. Let's not repeat those mistakes. Alright?" he said as he extended his hand out to his brother before they went inside.
As Alex looked down out his brother's outreached hand he certainly did question where this sudden change of heart in Scott was coming from. Nonetheless he accepted the gesture as their hands met in agreement.
____________
"Logan those toxic sticks are going to be the death of you."
As Jean stood off to the side of her close friend, the feral X-Man known best as Wolverine as he smoked a cigar she couldn't help but be playful. She kept her fingers clasped on her nose as a sign of humor for the man.
"If I could be so lucky." Logan responded as he dropped the cigar to the ground. With a precise swipe of his boot, he stomped down on to ensure it was unlit.
"Don't worry, I haven't forgot how much ya' hate the smell of 'em." he said in a casual tone.
Standing in the garage of the Xavier Institute, Logan ran his hands over the motorcycle that rest in front of him. The engine was still warm from his earlier ride.
"How long you an' Slim stayin'?"
"Just stopped by for the day. You know Scott had to come see Alex as soon as we got word. Or at least when things settled, since it's so hard to get through to anyone on the phones here."
As Logan turned to face the red head whom he had quite an affection for, his mood lightened quite a bit. Jean Grey was always best at having that effect on him. The normally feral mutant would often find himself not necessarily vulnerable, but certainly more docile in her presence.
"Yeah, you already know how things get around here. Not like you and Chuck even use the phones to begin with anyway." he said with a wink.
As comforting as Jean's presence was, it only slightly eased the tension that had been running rampant through Wolverine the past few days. There was much him and the Professor needed to discuss, though his anxiousness was certainly uncalled for. His encounters with Fantomex and the rogue mutant Holocaust recently left some unexplored questions in his mind. Ones he wasn’t' going to dangle over the head of the woman he considered to be close to him.
"Something troubling you Logan? Seem a bit off." Jean said as she eased into Wolverine's temperament. It would be nothing to just read his thoughts, but she didn't enjoy violating the privacy of her friends. Especially someone as covert as Wolverine. No, she would give him the option of disclosing his troubles or lack there of.
"Nah, nothin' at all Jeanie. Just good to see you."
____________
The halls of the Xavier Institute were often overlooked as they were lined with dozens of pictures. Each one seeming to capture a specific moment in time. Practically outlining the very history of the X-Men.
One particular picture caught the interest of both of the Summers brothers. It was a group picture featuring the five original X-Men: Cyclops, Beast, Angel, Iceman, and Marvel Girl. The picture also included Alex, as well as Lorna Dane.
"Remember the times. Seems like yesterday doesn't it." Scott said as he looked over the picture in fondness.
Yet for Alex Summers it was just another memory that despite everything he had accomplished to his own credit, it may never be enough. At least, not in these hallways.
"No, not quite yesterday. But at least things seemed easier back then. Less responsibility."
"Responsibility is what you make it Alex."
"Your one to talk these days, aren't you retired?" The comment was meant as a joke, though Scott found it hard to reciprocate.
"Funny. But, I don't know what the future holds other than I'll do everything in power to ensure that Jean will be there every step of the way for me. Besides, there may come a time when I have to take off the blazer, and loosen up the tie again."
"And hop right back in the spandex. Wouldn't that be something. Take your time big bro, you know the X-Men can survive without you."
Scott looked at Alex before returning his attention back to the picture. Perhaps.
____________
Later
As Scott Summers joined his wife outside their car, they both took one last look back at the mansion. Silently they both convinced themselves that this was far from a goodbye. This was for all intents and purposes, their home.
There was more to life than the X-Men of course, but the X-Men were a family. Family was one of most important aspects to life.
As the two finally got in their car, their departure is being observed from the top level of the mansion by Scott's brother.
Alex watched his brother and sister-in-law drive off.
"Something troubling you, Alexander?" Emma Frost said from her seat as she waited for her patient to resume their session for the day.
"No, just clearing my mind. I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately."
"So I see. When last we talked you mentioned you were a bit nervous to be seeing your brother again. I take it things went well?" As the one designated to helping Alex cope with his transition back to this reality, Emma Frost had taken an interest in the Summers brother. In many ways he was like his brother. Stubborn, emotionally detached at times, with a tendency to snap here and there. Yet Emma also noticed the subtle differences.
Scott Summers was cool, calm, and collected. Alex was surprisingly unsure, forever trying to define himself. She hoped she could help define meaning for him.
"It went well, given the history. I mean despite it all, it is my brother. I expect him to be there when I call. If I call that is. He knows I'd die doing the same for him."
"Interesting way to put it."
"I don't know any other way to do it," he said facing Emma.
"Maybe me being back here, is a chance to let go, and move on. Ignore the setbacks I've been handed."
"Do tell..."
Alex smirked. "I've been through it all. Since me and Scott found each other, I've been told I'm the brother that never mattered. The one with the least potential. I've put my life on the line for others, made critical decisions, and sure enough helped save the world a couple times here and there. Yet there is always one thing which has always stood out to me after all these years."
"Which is?"
Shaking his head, Alex closed his eyes. "Who needs a Havok around when you have Cyclops?"
Emma's face showed no expression, and though she tried not to invade Alex's mind too much during their sessions, his thoughts flashed as clear as day. Resentment, jealousy, and a feeling of inadequacy aside, Emma never once considered the possibility of this latest revelation. Ironic, considering the hated relationship she had with her own siblings.
"My dear Alexander, do you....hate your brother?"
Alex looked at Emma, and let the question linger as he returned to staring out the window once more.
____________
As Charles was caught up in the letter which he held in his hands at hid desk, he almost failed to notice the knock on his office door. Fortunately he knew he had a visitor en route before they even made it to his office.
"Come in, Logan."
As his X-Man entered with a calmness that didn't normally suit him, Xavier waited for the door to close before he engaged in any conversation with the feral mutant. Though this mansion was a welcome sanctuary for those who embraced it, even one such as Charles Xavier had matters that didn't need to be disclosed.
"Alright, Chuck, what do you got for me?" Logan said as he stopped just short of his mentor's desk.
Xavier placed the letter he was holding to the side. Despite it being set in an awkward position for Wolverine to read, he noticed a particular seal on the envelope that lay next to it. Nothing which concerned him directly, but something worth noting.
Xavier however, wasn't going to address anything of the sort.
"After much thought, I believe it is time to act on the suspicions I've already discussed with you. We haven't been able to make contact with Alpha Flight since the mansion was attacked by their cybernetic doppelgangers recently. This concerns me." Xavier leaned forward on his desk as his hands folded.
"Could be nothing, you know it's hard keeping that team afloat. Last I heard they were inactive anyway." The nonchalant response from Logan drew eye contact from the Professor.
"Yes, but I haven't been able to touch base with any of the Department H officials either. Add that to the fact that the Sasquatch whom attacked us was indeed the real Walter Langwoski and we have cause for concern. The attack on the mansion was a calculated one that goes hand in hand with your recent mission to Chicago."
"You preachin' to the choir Chuck. You don't have to convince me that this whole mess is connected. The Fantomex guy, he knew me. Or knew of." Logan's tone started to change as Xavier detected a note of animosity.
"You believe the Weapon X program may be involved or,"
"No, I'm positive it is. And I think it would do us both some good Chuck if you start spillin' everything you know." Wolverine was leaning on the desk with his hands planted firmly.
"Now out of respect for you, I keep quiet especially when everyone else is around. But we both know you keep your ears to the streets pretty close, with a pretty good list of contacts on the underground. So let's stop pulling strings and just get right to it." The look in Logan's eyes was not one to be taken lightly.
"Hmm." Xavier leaned back as he collected his thoughts.
"There have been rumors, whispers really, going around that mutants have been disappearing. More than that, they are going missing as if they never existed to begin with. My Intel hasn't given me anything concrete, but it's something to note. Which is why I asked for your presence in the first place Logan."
Charles Xavier was a hard man to intimidate, and though it wasn't Wolverine's intention to do so, Xavier treated the situation as he would any other. With reassured calm.
"I want you to go, and investigate. Find out what you can, as only you could. I don't expect this matter be solved over night, but knowing where things are going keeps us intact for future reference. Whoever was after my step-brother Cain, I have no doubt, will come again."
"Marko can take care of himself."
"Indeed, but it's up to us to make sure that we're protected. Remember, whatever you find out is not to be discussed amongst the others. Not until we can formulate a way to counter this possible threat."
"Don't worry, you already know I can keep a secret. What happens in the meantime though?"
The Professor couldn't help but smile at the last question as he picked up the letter he was reading prior to this conversation.
"It would seem that my presence has been requested abroad. In spite of recent sanctions by the world's government, an old friend wants to show what he's done with his new sovereign nation."
Logan's face scrunched up as it dawned on him exactly who Professor Charles Xavier was referring to.
"It looks like I'll be visiting Genosha."
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Next Issue- Time to go visit the Master of Magnetism. Always a good time.
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Author's Note~ It's been a crazy experience getting to this point where I could produce any sort of writing again as personal issues made things very hectic for me. With that said how ever, we are back. Let's keep this momentum going.
Eric Roman- 1/16/10