CONVERGING GENERATIONS

By Mike Rudden

Author’s Note: This story takes place after X-Men #2.

“Why are ye kids so glum?” asked Sean Cassidy.

He knew exactly why his students were so glum – he was just as bored as they were. Cramped in the green van was Synch, who hadn’t cracked a smile for a week; Chamber, who was trying with all his might to not stare at Husk and Skin, the only two in the van who were talking to each other. There was also Jubilee, who was unusually quiet; M, who was reading a collection of Edgar Allan Poe poems; and Nuclear, the new kid, who was just staring out the window.

“Why, when I was your age back in the Republic, I couldn’t keep still long enough to get out of the driveway, let alone stay quiet for a whole road trip.”

Of course, these children have gone through more than Banshee ever did at that age. He remembers that age, when he prayed for any kind of excitement. How he yearns for those simpler times, times not nearly as stressful as being charged with the responsibility of half a dozen teenage lives.

Of course, he had to get involved with the X-Men, which became more of a family to him than his own daughter. Your worries were the team’s worries. Not so anymore, as he is now a leader… a teacher.

Of course, this weekend will be a good time to reminisce, as Generation X is making its annual trip to the Xavier Institute for a general records updating. He wonders how Charles is holding up, with Cyclops’ recent ‘betrayal’.

Several options run through his head. He could return to the X-Men, and return to his family. He could decide to side with Cyclops and his beliefs. Or he could just stay were he was, as a humble headmaster of a humble academy. First, he’ll see how Charles is holding up.

Meanwhile, about a mile and a half ahead of the van, a white convertible was speeding down the highway. The Corvette contained the telepath Emma Frost and her prisoner, Blink, trying to make it to the Institute before the others.

While Blink wondered what these X-Men will be like, Emma wondered why they were even inviting her there. After all, she’d tried to kill a few of the X-Men on several occasions, even corrupted their first training team, the New Mutants.

“So where’re we going again?” sighed Clarice.

“Westchester County,” replied Emma.

“Is it pretty there?” Clarice was obviously trying to annoy Ms. Frost.

“It won’t really matter to you. You are to go right to the security floor. Professor Xavier has something to say to you there,” mumbled Emma.

“Who?” inquired Blink.

“The man who created all who wear the coveted ‘X’. The most powerful telepath on the planet. And quite possibly the most intelligent, humble person on this rock, as well.”

“So, you probably tried to kill him once or twice, right?”

“Naturally.” Emma couldn’t help but relate to Clarice’s attitude. While this will be one last attempt to make Blink see the light, it might also be one last attempt for Emma to befriend the X-Men. Yes, today will be very interesting day indeed.

There had just been a snow fall over the X-Mansion the night before. None of the X-Men had bothered to shovel, so Banshee just followed Emma’s tracks up the driveway.

“Wake up kids, we’re here,” he spoke gently.

Monet was the only one still awake, as the others blissfully opened their eyes. Only Jubilee hurried to open the door, excited to see what was happening with her old friends.

“Welcome,” said the bald man sitting in a high-tech wheel chair in the doorway.

“Prof!” yelled Jubilee, jumping into his arms.

“Jubilation…” he said with a sigh, being reunited with the daughter figure. “I’ve missed you.”

“Me too, Professor, me too,” Jubilee said as she let go and hurried inside the warm mansion, excited to which other X-Men were home. The other children stumbled out of the van, only half awake.

“And I see we have a new one,” Xavier hovered over to Alex, “my name is Professor Charles Francis Xavier. I’m the one who talked to you over the phone. It is so nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Nuclear mumbled, unconvincingly.

“Pity about the other two…” the Professor’s voice trailed off as the children walked into the mansion, not an ounce of excitement in them.

“Sean, Emma, all is ready for us to have a talk with Clarice, but I was wondering if I could talk to you privately first.”

“Sure, Charles.” The two went, side by side, into the main hall.

“Jubilee, why don’t you show the others where the kitchen is? I prepared some hot cocoa for you,” Professor X offered.

“Sure thing, Prof.” Jubilee then gestured to the others to follow her.

“Well, now that we’re alone…” Xavier searched for words. “I trust you are up to date on the recent events, Sean?”

“Yes, Storm called me and told me all about it. I cannae believe such a thing would happen.” Banshee tried to act surprised. The truth was, he knew it was just a matter of time before something like that happened. Xavier was never an aggressive man.

“Yes, it has left me a bit shaken. Cyclops was like a son to me, Sean. His betrayal… and so many going with him… well, it’s left me doubting my position in things.”

“Charles, no. Don’t ye ever doubt yeself. There are still many who believe in ye… who need ye… mutant and human. Any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for, remember?”

“Yes, I suppose. But I can’t help feeling… that maybe I’m past my prime…”

“Well, that’s why we have Generation X, isn’t it? And I want ye to know, Emma and I will be behind you, a hundred percent, throughout everything.”

“Thank you, Sean, that is very comforting.” Charles cracked a smile. “Shall we proceed to the matter at hand, then?”

“Certainly.” Banshee put on a grim face. This task wasn’t going to be easy.

“So tell me, Clarice, why are so you hostile to Mister Cassidy and Miss Frost’s school?” asked Professor Xavier, with his eyes closed and his thumb and forefinger rubbing his temples. Emma couldn’t tell if he was trying to concentrate with his powers, or just had a headache.

“Geez, doc, I don’t know. I think it might be abuse from when I was a child. My parents never bought me a pony,” Blink chuckled sarcastically.

“You will have to cooperate if we are to make any progress,” Charles stated with experience. Banshee and Emma were about fifteen feet behind the two.

“How did you feel when you first heard I was ‘sacrificed’ so the others could live, Professor?” Blink asked cockingly.

“Well, I was devastated that we had to lose a young girl with so much potential, but I was happy to see that all the others had pulled through.”

“Uh-huh. And, have you ever killed a person, Professor?” Clarice asked with a smirk.

“I… uh…” Xavier didn’t know how to respond. Of course he had. He’s killed all sorts of demons, aliens and even mind-wiped a few humans. But it was all in the name of good… right?

“Wouldn’t you consider not even searching for a lost soldier close enough to murder?” Blink’s smirk faded away as her eyes narrowed. “I sure felt like I was murdered.”

“And why didn’t you come back sooner, Clarice?” Charles said, trying to regain his position.

“Well, I was planning, if you will. I met some… allies who were interested in my services. They offered me a chance to gain revenge with some back-up. Well, look how good that worked out.” She glanced at Emma and Sean.

“You honestly want us to believe that you were playing us from day one?” the Professor asked sharply.

“Exactly.”

“Rubbish!” Banshee came out from the shadows. “Pure rubbish! I was there, Clarice! I witnessed what ye did! You could have easily escaped with the other kids and Emma, but ye stayed! Ye stayed to save me, of all people, me! Ye risked your life to save a complete stranger. It was the one most humble act I have ever witnessed. Don’t ye go and be sayin’ it was in vain. Ye can say you’re evil now all ye want, but don’t ye dare say that day was in vain.” All eyes were now on Sean. “I know a heroic act when I see one, and ye were a hero that day, Clarice, ye were.”

Blink was speechless. She just stared at Sean with her clear-blue eyes. Sean saw a tear start to form. This was what was truly inside. Vulnerability.

“Well, that will be all for today. Emma, you can put Clarice into one of the security cells until you are ready to depart.” Professor X was just as surprised from the outburst as Blink was.

“Yes, Charles,” replied Emma.

Banshee just stood there, staring at Blink, a bit redundantly.

After securely locking up Clarice in her restraints, Emma Frost made her way up a couple floors to ground level. She walked through the metallic back halls of the mansion. She remembered her short time here. She was imprisoned here after her Hellions were slaughtered.

Yes, she remembers clearly, she was often guarded by…

“Hello, Emma,” said the soft voice with an African accent. A black woman with long, streaming white hair stood there. A young man with brown hair and an impressive build stood behind her, slightly shy. Storm and Iceman.

“We were wondering if you could gather your students together so we could start our lecture.”

“Surely, but the Professor asked to borrow Alex for a little while.” Emma was a little surprised to see them here. Through her time with Generation X, she had always seemed to avoid them. “Ororo… Bobby…? I can’t tell you how sorry I am to hear of the others’ betrayal.”

“It’s okay. We’ve both… we’ve all dealt with worse,” chimed in Drake. He didn’t give an eye-to-eye contact. Emma wasn’t surprised, given her history of playing with his mind and such.

“I was thinking, maybe we could go into town for coffee or something. Talk,” Emma stated. This was it. If she could ever make up for her past sins, this would be it.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Storm stood strong, showing her years of experience.

“…What?” This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. They were supposed to forgive her.

“Well, Emma, we both have… uncomfortable… histories with you,” said Iceman, indirectly.

“Yes, Emma, you’ve taken over both our bodies… and almost killed Bobby’s while in it! I think it would be best if we just went our separate ways. Now, for that lecture.”

Storm went on her way to an empty meeting room, walking confidently. Drake followed her, walking uncomfortably and glancing back at Emma to see if she was gone. Emma was stunned. After the door shut, Emma made her way to the kitchen to gather her students.

She separated Nuclear from the group, and took him down to where Sean and Xavier were waiting.

“Are ye sure there’s no way of findin’ Gaia, Charles? Everett’s love sick six ways ’til Sunday over her,” Banshee pleaded.

“Sean, it’s a bit more difficult than that,” the Professor sighed. “Technically, Gaia’s not a mutant that Cerebro can detect. Whatever mutates a person in Gaia’s dimension is not the same as in this one. She’s a mutated alien, not a mutated human, so Cerebro cannot detect her.”

“I see… and ye have to other way of searchin’ for her?” Banshee tried all his might to compromise with the situation.

“From what I know of Fatale, she’s fairly insane. There’s a good chance that Gaia’s dead by…”

Charles was cut off by the entrance of Emma and Alex.

“Who’s dead?” asked Nuke.

“No one you know, Alex. Please sit down.” Xavier seemed a little repulsed.

He looked over Nuclear’s dyed and greased hair, several piercings, punk clothes and dark features. He wondered what the two traitors looked like if this was the good guy.

Nuclear sat obediently. He slouched, letting the rims of his baggy pants drag on the floor.

“So… I see you were born in Detroit?”

“And raised,” sighed Nuclear.

“Mmm hmm.” Xavier then privately sent telepathic signals to his computer unit, instantly recording his first impressions of Alex, what Alex’s potential is and how useful he might be. “And I don’t believe we’ve recorded a parental address.”

“Uh… yeah… I’ve kinda been in and outta homes…” Alex squirmed in his seat uncomfortably.

“So your parents move sporadically?” the Professor asked coarsely.

“No… not exactly…”

“Alex, what was ye’re last address before moving to the school?” asked Sean.

“Um…” Alex stared at the floor.

“It’s okay, Alex. Lord knows none of us are here to judge you,” came from Emma.

“Well… I was kinda staying on the streets for a while before you guys paid for the plane ticket to Massachusetts.” he said, choking up.

“I see,” stated the Professor, awakened by the revelation. “Don’t worry, Alex. There won’t be anymore of that life. You’re in our hands now.”

Nuclear just sat there, staring at the floor, embarrassed over his unhidden secret.

“So, does anybody know the key element that you need in an ally during a battle?” quizzed Robert Drake. The six mutant teenagers in the room were only half awake. Suddenly Jubilee’s hand fired up. “Yes, Miss Lee?”

“Firepower?” A small barrage of pyrotechnics flew upward about a foot and a half from Jubilee”s index finger. Robert almost instinctively turned to ice, but held the urge back.

“Although unintentional, completely impractical, Jubilation.” Ororo stood at Bobby’s side.

“Anybody else?” asked the Iceman. In the back of the room, Chamber’s hand lazily appeared in the air. “Yes, Mister Starsmore?”

{Trust,} came telepathically into everybody’s mind. Jono shot a look in Angelo’s direction.

“That is correct, Jonothon,” spoke the African woman.

At that moment, the Professor, Sean and Emma entered the room, and gestured for Alex to take a chair.

Storm continued, “If you cannot trust your back with your teammate, there is no point in fighting at all. An area of your mind will always be battling with the possibility that they might betray you.” Emma gave Storm her complete attention.

“You must work out the battles within the team before trying to battle a true enemy,” added Bobby.

Later, at dinner, almost all X-Men were present to converse with the third genesis. However, it turned out that the X-Men socialized only within themselves, and caught up with Banshee. So, that leaves Generation X at the kiddie table…

“So… what’d everyone think of Miss Munroe’s and Mister Drake’s lecture?” Synch tried to start conversation.

“Sucked, hombre,” added in Skin. “If anyone here doesn’t trust another of us, they should come right out and say it.” He shot Jonothon a sharp look. Jono just continued staring at his uneatable meal.

“Don’t be silly, Ange,” Husk tried to act enthusiastic, “Ah’m sure everyone here is just fine with one another.” For some reason she felt she had to be the rock of the group.

“Well, I think the whole trust idea is ludicrous,” stated Monet. “I mean, when I joined the school I barely knew any of you, or who this Xavier was. Let alone try and trust you. And I was ready to join a battle with you in a minute.”

“After you tried to slash Husk’s arm off, of course,” Jubilee teased sarcastically.

“You were chasing me. I was scared,” M faded out.

“I’d like to here what Alex thinks.” Everett said, trying to include the new kid. Everyone’s stares switched to Nuclear.

“Well, I think that you guys called me a traitor and tried to beat on me when I first got here. I also think that I stayed here because I trusted that it was just a mistake. I’m still here because I trust that you guys know what you’re doing. But I’m startin’ to think there’s only so much a person can trust in.”

After a silent moment of thought, the kids returned to their meals.

At the end of a day, people are often left contemplating if they made the best of the day. If they tried their best. If they got what they wanted out of the day. If the day was yet still unfulfilled. All these feelings and more were present as the two converging generations said goodbye.

“Thank you for coming, Sean, it was a pleasure,” said Charles Xavier humbly.

“It was a great experience, Charles. I’m sure the kids had fun, too,” assured Banshee. The two very different teams for two very different times shook hands, and said their goodbyes.

In midst of the excitement, Emma had forgotten to bring Blink back up and feed her, not allowing her to get on the road before the others. Sean and the van was just pulling out as she was loading Clarice into the Corvette. Most of the X-Men had re-entered the mansion but there were two waiting on the doorstep.

“W-Wait… Emma…” stuttered Robert Drake. You think he’d be used to the cold after all these years as Iceman.

“Yes, Emma. Please do wait,” came the second voice with an African accent.

“Yes, Ororo? Bobby?” Emma was unsure what she should be hoping for.

“We talked… and we’d both like to apologize…” said Iceman.

“…For our behavior earlier,” Storm finished the sentence. “It was very rude of us to bring back the past when you have so obviously changed your ways.”

“I… well… thank you.” Emma was left speechless.

“We’d like you to know,” Drake added, “that we’d be honored if you were the one watching our backs.”

“That means much more to me that you can imagine, Robert.” A moment of silence. “I guess I’ll be off.”

At the end of some days, most feel that their days were unfulfilled. That they didn’t try their best. But Emma Frost tried her best to make penance for her sins. And this time, she succeeded.

NEXT ISSUE: Tempers run hot in the school as the team must decide whether to try and reform Blink or hand her over to the authorities! Husk and Skin get decidedly closer, as M gets a private training session with Nuclear!