“So this is it?”
The words echoed in Scott Summers ears as he nodded. His wife stood firm beside him, hand clasped within his. Warren Worthington nodded back, understanding the simple gesture. “And Hank?”
“He’s back with the Avengers.” Jean’s gaze falls upon her oldest friends and felt love and warmth. “He sends his regards and his opinions though.”
Bobby Drake leaned against the desk and tilted his head slightly. “Old fuzz ball back on the Avengers. Good to hear. What about the Professor?”
Scott’s frown grew. “The Professor has turned himself into government custody. Discussions with Valerie Cooper are in progress to see if there is some way to remand him to our custody. Understandably they don’t trust us to keep him on the premises. The mess of Onslaught is still having reverberations around the world. Crimes against mutants have increased over the last year. They don’t trust us anymore, and at this point I don’t think they have a reason to.”
“Fear is not an excuse to terrorize and attack.” Firmly Warren settled his fist upon the desk. “The Professor is sitting in jail for something he didn’t even do.”
“Didn’t he though?” Strangely the comment came from Jean of all people. “Playing devil’s advocate here, but if the Professor hadn’t wiped Magneto’s mind so many lives could have been saved. The heroes would still be alive to protect the world. The Professor is paying for his sins, as must we all at some point.”
Before any other debate over the subject could explode Scott raised his hand for silence. “The blame doesn’t matter. What matters is what we do now. There are young mutants out there right now suffering with no place to go. They won’t have the luxury of a Professor Xavier or school finding them like we did.”
“Reopen the school.”
All eyes fell upon Bobby as he stood up straight and returned the gaze. “Isn’t that what we’re here to talk about. We’re the Professor’s legacy. He groomed us for this very moment and we need to run with it.”
Scott nodded. “Bobby’s right, and Hank agrees as his proposal called for the same thing. The school is needed. Not to train the next combat unit like we were, but to train young mutants how to control their powers and live a normal life. We’re not looking for the next X-Man anymore. Who better to teach them than the four of us? The original students. I know none of us ever expected this, but its what the Professor would want and we all know it.”
Three nods greeted his words. Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters would live again.
“What about the X-Men? If we’re busy running this place, who’ll be out there showing the world not to hate and fear us?”
Jean smiled as the word’s left Warren’s mouth.
“The others. There have been so many that have worn the X over the years, I’m sure we can find plenty to wear it again. Storm is the deputy leader, therefore the responsibility of leadership falls upon her shoulders again if she accepts.”
“Agreed, she’s the most logical choice. You know Logan will volunteer for the team. Shoot, he could staff it himself the way he gets around. Swear he’s in two places at once sometimes.” A thin smile appeared on Bobby’s face.
“Then we’re all agreed on the school and the X-Men.”
A chorus of “Agreed” greeted Scott’s question. Four of the original five students stood in the study of the man who taught them, staring into a future of the unknown.
At an unknown location...
A single light amidst a sea of darkness, a lone figure lie slumped over in a metal chair, his gray jumpsuit wrinkled and stained. His chained hands were crossed as they sat upon the matching metal table. His eyes barely registered more light as the room’s sole door opened. Thick stubble covered his cheeks as a somewhat bushy beard decorated his once proud chin.
The imposing figure, Bastion, fills the doorway, the light glowing around him in an almost biblical way. The door shut with a loud click. Moving around the table Bastion took his customary seat for what Xavier could only assume was the thousandth time.
“Onslaught. Tell me about your involvement.”
Cracked lips tried to form a smile as cold eyes settled upon the man asking the worn out question. “Why tell you what you already know?”
“Humor me.”
“Humor yourself.”
“The legendary Xavier wit is somewhat lacking, dear Professor. Perhaps you’d rather talk about the Xavier Protocols instead.”
Pure shock raced through his weary body as the words were spoken. Careful not to let the shock show, Xavier catches Bastions gaze. For over a year the game had been played. Guards would drag him to the dingy room where Bastion would question about his involvement with Onslaught. Sometimes Xavier would bite and give him what he wanted, while others they repeated the performance they had just finished.
Each time it ended with the guards being called and Xavier being dragged back to a cold cell. This was an unexpected play by Bastion. Never once had the protocols come up in the last year. They were too important and dangerous for one such as Bastion to even fathom.
“Xavier Protocols? Doesn’t sound familiar. Old teaching methods I have forgotten over the years? I’m not the young man I used to be.”
Hands clasped, Bastion leaned forward, bringing them closer together over the table.
“You deny knowing about them then?”
“Perhaps you can enlighten me to what they are. Maybe jog my memory.”
Metal scraped as Bastion rose to his feet. Moving around behind the Professor he leaned forward. “The Xavier Protocols. Records of the powers and personalities of all the mutants you have ever encountered or found using Cerebro. Handy information for anyone wishing to find a majority of the world’s mutants, for sure. The most interesting part of it though, is the fact that you, in your infinite wisdom, devised a way to defeat all of those mutant’s powers and therefore kill them if needed. So you can see why one might be interested in obtaining such files.”
Pulling back, Bastion was rewarded by the shocked look upon Xavier’s face. “Guards!” The door opened revealing two armed guards. “The Professor will be retiring to his cell again now. Perhaps he can think hard on what was said today.”
Moments later the door closed as the men and Xavier were gone. Turning to the shadows no emotion showed as he watched a figure melt from the very shadows. “We need those protocols. Without them the mutants will continue to prove an obstacle to our goals. Progression of acquiring the information is moving as projected. Once the information is obtained we can move onto the next stage.”
“Agreed.”
The figure moved away again leaving Bastion alone in the small room. Waiting a moment, making sure the figure was gone the door opened as he exited the room. Plans were in motion and soon the mutants would no longer be a problem.
====================
Xavier Institute
“Mutant targeted. Termination protocols activated.”
A laser blast smashed into the floor as the figure that once occupied the spot had already disappeared in a puff of smoke. Reappearing upon the giant robot’s head, Nightcrawler smiled knowing it’s targeting sensors could not find him.
Another Sentinel spotted the demonic looking X-Man and unleashed a blast. Flipping off the head and engaging his powers, he reappeared just in time to watch the blast destroy the first Sentinel’s head. The body staggered and smashed into the walls before hitting the ground.
“That’s two beers, Herr Logan.”
Grunting, Wolverine launched himself across the room, striking the chest-plate of a Sentinel. Digging his claws in deep a grunt left his lips as a hand smacked into him. Groaning, he used his hold on the machine to launch upwards slicing into the neck and sending the head spinning to the ground.
As the machine fell he rode it out, leaping forward to send the one behind it to the ground as well. Two for one. “You’re losin’ it, elf.”
“I believe this contest is mine to win tovarisch.” Colossus ran forward, the organic metal springing across his body. As the metal set he smashed through the legs of four Sentinels sending them off balance.
As each machine fell they took another one or two with them ending with a pile of sparking, trapped robots. A firm hand grabbed the back of Wolverine’s uniform launching him skyward, his trajectory taking him right down into the middle of the withering pile. Circuit boards and wires rained down as his berserker nature took over briefly.
The machines and the surroundings faded as a cough sounded over the speakers. “If you are all done with the pissing match down there, perhaps others can use the facilities?”
Ororo and Kitty stood in the observation deck staring down at the sweaty and heavy breathing men. Moments later the women walked through the door joining their teammates.
“If ya wanted in on the bet ya only had ta ask, Stormy.”
Raising an eyebrow Logan’s way, Ororo moved to stand beside them. “No, I believe I shall stay out of a bet that involves you men and your beer. Especially one that ties up the Danger Room for hours.”
Taking a slight bow, Kurt smiled. “The humblest of apologies, Ororo. We truly lost track of time. Were others waiting for us as well?”
Rolling her eyes, Kitty ruffled her friend’s hair. “Only about the hole mansion, blue. Not much else to do lately.”
“Too many people around if ya ask me.” Logan growled as he grabbed a towel and pulled his mask off, moping the sweat from his brow.
“Sounds like someone’s a grumpy old man yelling at the kids on his lawn.” A smirk flitted across Kitty’s face. Turning to the others she shrugged. “Though I do have to agree with the old man. Quite a lot of new faces around. I mean, shoot, even Magneto is here.”
“Joseph, Kitty. Joseph is here.” The confusion over the two men and their identities had been a constant argument since the altercation with Onslaught. “Doesn’t one that could be one of our greatest enemies not deserve a second chance? Would the Professor not reach out a hand for rehabilitation?”
“That’s the problem, ‘Ro. The Professor ain’t here. Even he gave up on the dream. Maybe it’s time we gave up as well.” Pulling a cigar from who knows where and placing in his mouth Logan glanced around the room. “Ain’t no reason to keep beating ourselves up thinking what the Professor would do.”
Silence reigned as the words sunk in. It was unlikely that Logan was the only one with such feelings. After the battle with Onslaught Kitty, Kurt, and Piotr had returned to their old home, Excalibur disbanded with their departure. With the diminished ranks and those missing, it was only a matter of time before the team would have gone their separate ways.
“Logan, we must not lose faith. If we do, every step forward we made over the years will mean nothing, and those we fought against will have won. The Professor will always be with us in heart, in spirit. It is up to us to live up to the expectations he had for us.” A blue furred hand settled upon Logan’s shoulder.
“Elf, we haven’t made a difference or even left the mansion since that Hydra incident.* The world is against mutants. One of us killed the world’s heroes. That kind of outrage ain’t gonna go away overnight.”
*see the Hercules Unleashed mini series for details
“Then we must have faith in Scott and the others. The dream will survive. As long as we have faith.”
Lighting the cigar Logan nodded. “Hope your right there ‘Ro. Hope ya right.”
====================
*All X-Men report to the Danger Room immediately.*
Jean’s telepathic message echoed through the minds of everyone within the mansion.
Within minutes they were all gathered, the room in the form of a giant auditorium. Taking seats, what was left of the original five stood upon the stage before them. There was a visible spread of the members as Joseph sat alone a few rows back, Quicksilver making sure he was far away from the man that was rumored to be his de-aged father. Cannonball and Magma sat side by side in the front with Multiple Man behind them. Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, and Storm sat in the front row as well.
“The world has changed. Many heroes are gone, and the world blames mutants. There are those out there who don’t have the benefits of this school as we do. Its time to change that. Xavier’s has always been a school, and now we are going to re-open the doors.”
Cyclops stared out at all assembled and saw various nods or other signs of agreement.
“Jean, Warren, Bobby, and myself have agreed to open the school again, and to serve as the administrators and teachers. Many of you will be asked as well to teach and help to run the school.
“What is also needed in the world is the X-Men. With the heroes gone and the knowledge of Onslaught’s origin becoming more known by the world, the need for a positive image of mutants. With the senior X-Men busy with running the school the rest of you will be acting as the field team under the leadership of Storm, as long as she’s willing of course.”
Not a word had been discussed with Storm before, but she knew what had to be done and was willing to once again assume leadership of the team she had been part of for so long. There were many new faces, but that was always the case with their team. With so many mutants in the world it was common for so many of them to end up at the school at some point as part of the team. “I accept the responsibility.”
“Do we all get snazzy new uniforms? Something trendy with a giant x upon it perhaps.” The only one that even really cracked a smile upon their face was Iceman as he was glad to see there was a team jokester in the form of Jamie.
Ignoring the small outburst Sam raised his hand almost tentatively. Even though he had been on the team for quite awhile there was still hero worship in the way the young man interacted with the others. Growing up under them as a New Mutant, the X-Men were the standard he always wanted to achieve. “What about Dr. McCoy? Will he be workin alongside ya as well?”
Jean moved forward to field the question. “Henry will be serving alongside the Avengers, but his presence will still be felt among the senior staff. His recommendations for the school have already been brought before the rest of us.”
“What about Xavier?”
All eyes focused upon Joseph as his head raised and he sat calmly to the side. Pietro avoided looking at the man as he crossed his arms and kept silent. The mention of their missing mentor brought a new frown to Scott’s face.
“The Professor turned himself into custody of the United States government. It was his choice, and we can’t risk breaking him out, as it will bring the spotlight down upon the school. We will be working with the Government and hopefully the Professor himself to secure his release into our custody.”
“So this is it, Slim? This is our reality.”
“It is Logan. Its up to us to carry on the dream the best way we can, or die trying. The future is in our very hands.”
A solemn silence fell over the room as the reality of their situation sunk in. They had always known the day of Xavier would end. That they would have to stand up in his stead and continue on. Dark figures loomed in the future, and they had to be ready for them. No matter the cost.