Uncanny X-Men

Location Undisclosed

“As you can no doubt tell by this point, we have a situation on our hands.”

The words are spoken by the woman named Raven Darkholme, otherwise known as Mystique. She stands at the head of the cold, lifeless room lined with metal paneling and barren of pretty much anything else save for the small table and chairs and the large monitor built into one of the walls. Sitting at that table are two other individuals; a brunette, caucasian woman and a green-skinned man with a head of hair to match. They pay their full attention as their host continues to speak.

“Though the situation with Charles Xavier’s twin is resolved, and he himself is dead, things are far from pristine. We have Magneto and Jean Grey now ‘ruling’ Genosha;Magneto, once the most feared mutant in the world, is kneeling to the humans. He is practically begging for their forgiveness and their acceptance.” Mystique looks directly at the brunette and says, “It seems your former lord and savior isn’t quite the man he used to be, my dear.”

Carmella Unuscione says nothing, but silently acknowledges Mystique’s statement as fact. It makes her blood boil to think that the once-mighty Magneto is now nothing more than a willing puppet of the human race he once vowed to dominate. Even more, she feels like a fool for ever having followed the man. He’s gone back on every lesson he ever bestowed upon the Acolytes.

“We’ve also got this ridiculous X-Corporation setting up shop around the world. The world’s first human/mutant cooperative initiative… pffft.” Mystique shakes her head. “I think we know how long that will last before it blows up in Worthington’s face.”

“And we won’t even have to lift a finger,” the seated man says, a grin forming on his face.

“Not a one,” Mystique reaffirms. “However, that won’t be the case with the next organization on the agenda.”

She turns away from her guests and towards the widescreen monitor behind her, where a map of the world appears onscreen. “Weapon X is making a strong comeback, and it seems they’re most definitely a worldwide organization now. Thanks to your espionage, Mesmero, we’ve been able to locate four operation centers. I’m positively certain there are at least a dozen, if not more, around the world.”

“And the X-Men know this, and probably have plans to take the program down,” Unuscione points out. “Wouldn’t it make sense to keep our distance and let that mess clean itself up?”

Mystique nods. “Absolutely,” she concurs. “While we have no way to confirm what the X-Men are going to do, as our presence inside the Xavier Institute is limited, it’s a safe bet that they’re planning something. They likely took a good load of information from the Weapon X database in Russia with them.”

“Data we should have,” Mesmero says.

“We have the gene therapy technology, which is valuable in and of itself,” Mystique tells him. “Unfortunately, there were only so many files and trinkets I could take. The device I used to mask myself from their Cerebro system was a great find, though.”

“And what exactly are you going to do with this gene therapy stuff anyway?” Unuscione questions. “I thought the plan was to make a public statement to the world, not give ourselves makeovers.”

“What we are going to do is, indeed, make a public statement to the world, starting with the largest and most powerful anti-mutant stronghold on the planet,” Mystique answers. A sly smile finds its way to her lips, as she feels the fires of anticipation burning inside of her. It will be her grandest strike against humanity yet, and while she’s learned to be a patient woman over the years, she can’t help but get a bit anxious at times. “However, the X-Men and their various fringe teams are another sort of issue. They need to be dealt with in a very different manner. This is where the gene therapy procedure comes into play…”

“Well before you go on, I’d just like to say that I’m sold,” Mesmero cuts in. “Consider me an official full-fledged member of the team, ‘Stique.”

“And you?” Mystique asks as she moves her gaze from Mesmero to Unuscione.

Unuscione nods her head. “I like your style,” she tells the blue-skinned woman. “I like the way you think. I like what you have in mind. Count me in.”

Mystique smiles at the announcement. “Excellent,” she says. “The Brotherhood is going to be even more of a force to be reckoned with. Now, I believe I was going to tell you how we’re going to destroy the X-Men, from the inside out…”

EVOLUTION

By Ryan Krupienski

The Xavier Institute

Warren Worthington III doesn’t particularly like the room he’s in right now; it’s small, it’s dark, and it’s underground. Not the ideal space for a man who’s used to having a wide open area to spread the feathered wings that sprout from his back. Most uncomfortable of all to him, though, is the fact that his mentor, Charles Xavier, has to be buried down here. The man can’t even have a grave on the grounds of his family’s estate.

So while it’s not exactly his favorite place to be, Warren’s been down here several times since Charles’ passing. By himself once, several times to accompany his friends and colleagues, and presently playing host to one of the few women to ever truly capture Charles’ heart. While she’s not truly here, instead being projected from galaxies away via a holographic satellite, the pain on her face is all too evident and all too real.

[This should not be,] the alien woman says, as she reaches out a hand to the plaque that bears her onetime consort’s name. The hand phases right through it, but she doesn’t seem to notice. She’s too lost in shock at the moment.

“I know this may not be of much consolation right now, Lilandra, but Hank and Cecilia pretty much concluded that it was quick,” Warren explains to the woman. “He didn’t suffer.”

Lilandra closes her eyes and is silent for several moments, as thoughts of Charles and the times she shared with him fill her mind. She knew he had been missing for a while, and was worried about him, but she never thought anything like this would happen. She now regrets not making more of an attempt to come to Earth, to help find him… maybe things would have been different? Maybe she could have saved him from himself? That would have meant neglecting her duties as ruler of the Shi’ar Empire, but at this very moment, that responsibility – and everything else for that matter – is overshadowed by her grief.

“We tried contacting you as soon after it happened as we could, I’m just sorry the message took so long to get to you,” Warren tells her.

[We are star systems apart, and Shi’ar technology is only so powerful,] Lilandra says, letting out a sigh. [I wish I had known sooner… I wish I had been here… but it’s not your fault.]

“If you’d… like to be alone here for a while, I can leave you…” Warren begins to say. He stops as he hears the sound of approaching footsteps.

“What a cozy session you have going on here,” comes a shrill female voice from behind Warren. He and Lilandra turn their attention to its source and find Deathbird walking towards them. “Hello, sister.”

[Cal’syee,] Lilandra says in acknowledgement of her sibling’s arrival. [It’s good to see you.]

“I’m certain,” Deathbird replies coldly.

“Please don’t start anything,” Warren says to the erstwhile X-Man in his trademark authoritative voice. “This isn’t the time or the place.”

“Her presence here won’t last long, terran, and I don’t intend to squander this opportunity,” Deathbird replies. She moves her gaze back to Lilandra and says, “Did you even bother to look for me?”

[I did, absolutely,] Lilandra answers. [There has been much going on here at home, though. Resources have been limited for some time, and I couldn’t…]

“You couldn’t have been happier that I was gone, supposedly dead,” Deathbird hisses. “You didn’t even attempt to make contact when you first discovered I was still alive! Since when are resources limited for members of the Shi’ar royal family?!”

[Please, I do not want to do this,] Lilandra pleads. [A man I love is dead… this is not…]

As the words register in Deathbird’s mind, her anger grows. She is tired of being talked down to, tired of being left behind. Tired of being treated as unimportant, as second best. Her own sister – her own people that supposedly accepted her back into their empire – deserted her, had no desire to ever bring her back. The X-Men have mostly been cold and uninviting towards her. Mere weeks ago, the man she thought she could love, and who she foolishly thought loved her, essentially took everything they had together and threw it away, leaving her high and dry. And now this ‘calm down’ talk… there’s only so much an alien warrior/exile who’s hated by the universe in general is willing to take.

“YOUR PAIN MEANS NOTHING TO ME!” Deathbird yells, and she lunges at the projection of her sister, slashing at it with her razor-sharp talons. The attack has no effect, but it is enough to take Warren and Lilandra aback for a split second.

“That’s enough!” Warren shouts, grimacing at Deathbird. “You will not be allowed to disturb Charles’ final resting place! Get out!”

“You terrans are pathetic! I have no desire to stay here any longer!” Deathbird snaps back. She turns to Lilandra, calmer but still seething with anger, and says, “And you… you disgust me. Mark my words, you have not seen the last of me, Lilandra.”

Deathbird wastes no time in exiting the mausoleum, leaving Warren and the projection of Lilandra alone and silent. They don’t speak for several moments, as Deathbird’s words and actions sink in, but eventually that silence is broken.

[I’m sorry,] Lilandra says with a shake of her head. [She…]

“No need to explain, I already know,” Warren assures her. “She’s been a handful.”

[I thank you for giving her sanctuary all this time,] Lilandra says. [It felt good knowing she was somewhere safe.]

“Relatively safe, anyway,” Warren corrects her.

[If you wouldn’t mind… I think I would like to be alone with him now,] Lilandra tells him. [The technician says I don’t have much time before the connection is lost.]

Warren nods in understanding. “Of course, Lilandra,” he says, as he begins to walk towards the staircase that leads out of the mausoleum. “It was good to see you again. I just wish it would have been under better circumstances.”

[Likewise,] Lilandra responds, trying her best to muster a friendly smile. [Please sends my regards to everyone. And good luck with your new endeavor… I know Charles would be proud.]

Warren smiles slightly as he says, “Thank you. I like to think so.” Without another word, he makes his way out of the room, leaving Lilandra by herself.

Lilandra turns her attention back to plaque with Charles’ name emblazened on it, and tears begin to well up in her eyes. She couldn’t cry in front of any of his students, but now she can let it out. It will certainly be a while before she stops. [Oh Charles… I will miss you…]

Above ground, inside the main house of the Xavier estate, two other individuals wait in the lavish foyer of the mansion at the house’s front entrance. It took no time for them to jump back into the thick of things after returning from their honeymoon, but with Cassandra and Jean both gone now, the full responsibility of running the school has fallen squarely on their shoulders. Xavier’s passing has not made it easy, but they are coping, and realize the need to keep moving forward. At least one of them does.

Cecilia Reyes-McCoy turns her head to look at her husband and takes a moment to study his face. She knows Henry is still grappling with Charles’ death, and that he’s not any closer to understanding why the man did what he did. He’s come to terms with the fact that it happened, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s ready to essentially replace the man as ‘Professor X’. She knows that’s what he feels like he’s doing.

“You sure you’re up for this?” Cecilia asks, taking one of Henry’s arms into her own. “Because we can always ask Dani to…”

Henry shakes his head. “No, the Jenkins made the appointment with me, it’s important that I be the one to greet them and introduce their daughter to the school,” he answers. “I’m the new full-fledged headmaster, after all. I need to perform these orientations myself, show the new students from the get-go that I’m fully accessible and not one of those cold and distant principals.”

Cecilia smiles and leans in to kiss Henry on the cheek, and just at that moment, the doorbell rings. Henry and Cecilia perk up, and then walk over to the front door. Cecilia opens it to find two men, one Asian, one African-American, and both seeming to be in their forties, standing there. She smiles as she says, “Hi there. I’m Cecilia Reyes, and this is my husband Henry. Welcome to the Xavier Institute.”

She holds the door open and steps aside as the two men walk in and are greeted by Henry. “I’m Jim, this is Gary,” the Asian man says. “It’s nice to meet you both. Doctor McCoy, I’ve admired you for a long time.”

As Henry shakes Jim’s hand, and then Gary’s, he replies, “Well thank you. I certainly hope the school will live up to your expectations.” Henry peers behind the two men and asks, “Is your daughter with you?”

Gary sighs, and takes a step back outside. “Shaquanita! Come on! You’re lagging behind again!”

Jim looks at Henry, then Cecilia. “She’s adopted… we didn’t name her that,” he assures them.

“I SAID I’M COMIN’! GOD DAMN! WHY YOU ALWAYS GOTTA BE RUSHIN’ ME?!” comes the loud, obnoxious voice of the young woman being summoned by Gary. As she comes closer to reaching the front door, a conglomerate of mumbled phrases can be heard, though besides the cuss words, not many of them can be understood.

Gary moves back into the mansion, and in a matter of seconds the aforementioned Shaquanita enters through the door. Her large, rotund form is dwarfed by the sheer eccentricity of her choice of clothing. She wears tight denim capris, with a red tanktop emblazoned with the words ‘Chicken & Beer’. Dozens of bracelets and rings occupy her wrists and fingers, and she also wears a pair of white boots with fur trim that almost reach to her knees. To top it all off is the hair on her head, which is styled in a bouffant with multicolored hair extensions coming out of it from the sides and the back.

Cecilia is shocked at the sight of the young woman, and whispers to herself, “Oh hell no…”

“Okay, I’m here,” Shaquanita declares with a roll of her eyes. She looks at Henry and for a moment her eyes are wide with shock. “Oh wow. I knew you was all blue an’ stuff, but damn… sorry, I never met no otha mutants befo’.”

“It’s… quite alright, Shaquanita,” Henry says, offering a hand to the young woman.

“That’s not my name,” Shaquanita tells him.

“Please don’t do this right now…” Jim says with a sigh.

“Oh just back it up! I already done picked my mutant name! An’ if you got beef wif it, then go eat a po’k chop!” Shaquanita snaps. She turns back to Henry and again rolls her eyes. “Sorry. Sometimes my dads be trippin’. But anyway… I was tryin’ to say, my name is Milkshake.”

Henry blinks a few times, feeling an odd sense of deja vu. He clears his throat and asks, “And… how did you come about selecting this name? If you don’t mind me asking?”

“Simple,” Milkshake replies. She puts her hands on her hips and swivels them around for a moment, singing, “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard…”

“As you can see, she’s quite a character,” Gary says with a cheesy, ‘I can’t believe this is happening’, smile on his face. “Hopefully she’s not too… colorful for the school?”

“Oh, not at all, Mister Jenkins,” Henry says with a reassuring smile. “We like to promote diversity here at the institute, and I don’t think your daughter will have any trouble fitting in. She’ll be absolutely fine…”

“Okay, for real now,” Milkshake says, interrupting the adults. “Don’t be all talkin’ about me like I ain’t even hurr! Okay? I ain’t down with that. But listen… can I use the bathroom? For real now, I gots to go…”

“I’ll show you the way,” Cecilia volunteers, motioning for Milkshake to follow her. She exchanges a look with Henry before she leaves, and she knows they’re both thinking the same thing – this is going to be an interesting school year.

Outside, within one of the vast, open fields that make up the land of the Xavier estate, two individuals sit before a quaint little set-up of food and drink resting on top of a light red blanket. Sandwiches, chips, crackers, fruits, vegetables, dips, and of course a huge variety of deserts are all at their mercy. If Jubilation Lee has anything to say about it, they will learn to fear her.

Sitting next to the young woman is a man who’s a bit older than her, but not too much. Bobby Drake has gotten used to the idea of dating Jubilee, and their age difference has pretty much become a non-issue for him at this point. It’s not like he’s old enough to be her father.

Bobby smiles at Jubilee, and runs a hand through her long, black hair, bringing it to rest on the side of her face. He leans in and kisses her cheek, and she just smiles back at him. She’s also gotten used to dating someone – the guy she couldn’t stand, once upon a time – and even the idea of letting her guard down every now and then, not being afraid to do something so normal as gush, or giggle, or just be vulnerable. It’s been a long time since she’s felt she could be herself and not have to worry about any consequences. Only one other man – one other person – made her feel that way, but he’s dead now.

“I don’t think I tell you enough how beautiful you are,” Bobby says.

Jubilee reaches for one of the bunches of grapes and plucks a couple of them from their stems. “I don’t think so either,” she says with a small laugh. She eats one of the grapes and moves the other to Bobby’s mouth, and he gladly accepts. Turning her attention back to the food for a moment, her stomach growls slightly with anticipation. This is going to be a massacre.

“I’m glad you’re smiling again,” Bobby says, and Jubilee nods in response. “I know it’s been a hard couple of months… but, y’know, everything happens for a reason. We’re still here, we’re still together… that’s gotta stand for something.”

“Logan always said worrying about the past is pointless, you can’t control it or change it,” Jubilee says, turning back to face Bobby. “It’s the future you have to focus on.” She hangs her head for a moment as she adds, “The Professor obviously didn’t get it…”

“Hey, hey,” Bobby says to her, gently lifting her head back up. “Remember the rules? No moping. Only celebrating. You have to smile!”

Jubilee does just that, at least as best she can. She’s always been one to try and keep spirits up, to try and see the good in the bad, but lately it’s been harder to do so. She doesn’t know if she’d be doing so well at it if she didn’t have Bobby here for her. That upsets her, as she’s always been an independent kind of person, but at the same time… it feels good. Different, but good.

“Okay, I’ll just smile,” Jubilee promises, placing a hand on Bobby’s chest and leaning in to kiss him. “Now, let’s eat. Or I’m going to get really bitchy.”

They turn their attention to the mass of food assembled before them, and as they do so, Bobby cracks a mischevious smile. He may be considerably more mature than in the past, and he may only be a few years shy of thirty, but he’s not beyond acting like a little boy at times. He knows Jubilee is going to kill him for this.

“OH MY GOD! THERE’S ICE ON MY ASS!” Jubilee suddenly exclaims, as she jumps up from her seat on the ground and frantically runs the palms of her hands over her rear end.

Bobby laughs relentlessly at the sight, and Jubilee growls that cute little growl he loves so much. She suddenly feels the ice disappear, and she takes a deep breath and attempts to regain her composure. Not going to happen. She lunges at Bobby, landing on top of him and gently pounding her fists into his chest. “That was fucking COLD! What the hell?!”

“Please, don’t act like you didn’t like it!” Bobby laughs.

Jubilee playfully smacks his arm, and can’t help but begin to smile. “You are so lucky it’s not that time of the month, or else…”

Bobby just smiles, and wraps his arms around Jubilee, moving her down to the ground to lay beside him. “Yeah, I know what it’s like. Please don’t remind me.”

Jubilee attempts another playful jab, but Bobby just takes her hand instead and kisses it. It seems to finally melt the ice – pun intended – and she decides to cuddle closer to him. She’s so hungry she could eat a whole herd of cows, but this is nice too.

“Jubes, I just wanna say… well, I love you,” Bobby tells her with a bit of trepidation. There is silence for a moment, as Jubilee absorbs the words, and Bobby absorbs the fact that he said them. Was it too soon?

Jubilee swallows back a lump in her throat and answers, “Bobby, if this is about what I said in Genosha… that crack about ‘if you really loved me’… that was just for…”

“I know, I know,” Bobby says. “I know what it is. But this… this is for real.” He looks Jubilee square in her eyes and says it again. “I love you.”

Smiling as best she can while her heart is racing, Jubilee finds herself able to speak again after another moment of silence. “I… I love you too.” For the next half an hour, they just lay there and hold each other.

The War Room

Standing in front of a large holographic projection inside the spacious meeting room that rests beneath the ground level of the Xavier Institute, Scott Summers lets out a sigh as he fixes his gaze on the young man standing opposite him. He’s just received some rather disappointing news from that young man, and he’s running over several different options as to how to try and turn this situation around. He’s pretty sure that that’s not going to happen, but at least it won’t be for lack of trying.

“So,” Scott says, after a moment of silence to absorb what he’s just heard, “you’re sure about this? I was really counting on you staying…”

The other man – whose body consists mostly of brain matter – nods his head. “Yes,” he responds. “As of tonight, I’m out of here. And tomorrow morning I start bright and early at the X-Coroporation office in Tokyo.”

“I don’t mean to trivialize what you want to do, or make you out to be a convenience, but the fact of the matter is that with you gone, I’ll be left without a telepath,” Scott admits, letting out another sigh. “You’ve made a great addition to the team, Ever, and I hate to see you go.”

The former Gene National can’t help but smile at the comment; he knows Scott is sincere, and it feels good to be acknowledged in such a manner. Who would have known that the little boy who grew up in the Morlock sewers and, subsequently, a hellish alternate dimension, would one day grow up to be one of the legendary X-Men? Of course he wasn’t the only one, and he often thinks of Marrow and the sacrifice she made. She proved herself; Ever strives for that same validation, and it seems he’s on the right path.

“I know, everyone’s been bailing on you… almost half the team took off to who knows where, and somebody else seems to be leaving almost every other day. I feel bad, and it’s not that I don’t want to be here, that I don’t appreciate how my life’s improved since coming here. I just…” Ever pauses for a moment, then shrugs his shoulders. “This opportunity that I’ve been offered with the X-Corporation, it’s too good to pass up. I hope you understand…”

Scott raises a hand, motioning for Ever to stop. “I do,” he states. “And I don’t begrudge you the chance. I hope it all works out for you.”

“Thank you,” Ever says, and he holds out a hand, which Scott takes hold of and gives a firm shake.

Just as Scott’s about to speak again, the door to the room slides open, and two more individuals begin to make their way inside. One is a woman, looking to be close to Scott’s age, with shoulder-length strawberry blonde hair and a pair of dazzling blue eyes. The other is a young man in his late teens, a bit on the lanky side, with dark brown hair. Unlike Scott and Ever, neither of them are currently dressed in uniform.

“Alison, Peter,” Scott says cooly, not wanting to show his anxiety. He wonders, are they here to ‘quit’ too?

“I thought I’d find you down here,” Alison says, offering a meek smile as she and Peter walk up to Scott and Ever. She notices the plans and schematics displayed by the large hologram and adds, “Ever the master strategist, I see.”

“There’s a lot of work to be done,” Scott says matter of factly, and he notices the somber, almost guilty expression that crosses Alison’s face.

“And, I’m sorry to say, I won’t be here to help with any of it,” Alison says, mentally kicking herself for being so sudden with her declaration. She didn’t want to just blurt it out; Scott’s a strong man, but he’s been through a lot lately. She wants to make things as easy as possible for him.

“Mind if I ask where?” Scott questions.

Alison closes her lips tight, and looks at Peter, then Ever, and finally back at Scott. Hesitantly, she finally reveals, “Genosha.”

A grim look crosses Scott’s face at the mention of the place; it’s impossible for him to disassociate it with his estranged wife. Needless to say, thoughts of Jean aren’t exactly lifting his spirits nowadays.

“I wanted to tell you exactly where I was going, not just take off and that’s that,” Alison begins to explain. “I know Jean’s there, and… frankly, I want you to know that I’ll keep an eye on her as best I can. I’ve got other projects I’m going to be working on, but she’ll be a priority. I know you’re worried about her, I am too, and I prom-”

“I appreciate it,” Scott says, cutting the woman off without really meaning too. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” Alison finishes. She wants to say more, but she knows the topic is a difficult one for Scott to talk about, especially in front of people he’s not particularly close with. Maybe later, though.

Scott turns his attention to Peter, who’s silently waited for his turn to speak. “You’re packing up too, then?” he asks rhetorically.

Peter shakes his head. “No, actually, I want to stay,” he begins to say. “I mean, if you don’t mind…”

“Of course not,” Scott says, eyeing the young man curiously. “You thought I was kicking people out?”

“Well, no, but… I didn’t want to overstay my welcome is all,” Peter explains. “And Alison mentioned she was coming to see you to tell you she was leaving, so I thought I’d come along and…”

“And make sure he didn’t have to get in the unemployment line,” Alison says, cracking a smile. “You’re crazy, kid.”

“Better safe than sorry,” Peter says, smiling back at Alison before turning his attention back to Scott. “But actually, I wanted to ask you something else, really… I wanted to know if it’d be okay if I took a week or two off and went to visit my mom? I…”

Before the young man can continue, Scott lets out a small laugh, and Alison does the same. The two veteran X-Men exchange a look, before the team’s leader looks back at Peter, who looks back at him, bewildered. “Did I say something funny?”

“Sort of,” Scott replies, his laughs fading away. “I’ve just never had anyone ask me for vacation time before.”

“Well I didn’t want to just go and not ask, I mean…”

“Peter,” Scott says, interrupting the young man. “This isn’t a job. More or less we’re a volunteer organization. I don’t control you, I can’t and won’t keep you here against your will. Obviously, if you want to be a part of this team, you need to be around and you will need to take orders from me at times, but don’t ever feel like you’re stuck. If you want or need to go somewhere, go. Just do me the courtesy of letting me know. It’s that simple.”

Peter nods in understanding. “Okay,” he says. “In that case… I was planning to go visit my mom for a week or so. Just wanted to let you know.”

“And then you’re coming back, huh?” Alison says in a playful tone. “Good luck with some of the nuts you’re going to be left with…”

Peter smiles and says, “I’m sure I can handle it.”

“We all need some downtime, but once everyone in back and ready for the field, we’re in for the long haul,” Scott begins to say, his expression becoming more serious with each word. “Take some time to think this through, Peter… we’ve got a lot of work to do, and I’m telling you now, it’s going to get messy…”

Genosha

She stands on the rooftop of the sleek skyscraper that lies at the center of the city, looking past the other buildings, past Hammer Bay, and out into the never-ending blue of the ocean that surrounds the small nation. It’s an adjustment, to be this close to water – and a lot of it – on a regular basis; she’s used to dry land. Of course, there are many other things she’s getting used to as well… being the president of the world’s first official predominantly mutant nation, for example.

Jean Grey is silent and still, a casual look cemented on her face. To look at her, one wouldn’t know that a million thoughts are racing through her mind at the moment, and that uncertainty is the emotion more in control than any other. Though she has come to terms with her actions, and what they mean for the people affected by them, she is still in awe of herself. Even after everything she’s seen, experienced, and done in all her years, she’s still in awe of her life. And she can’t help but think if this is the way it’s really supposed to be. Should this have been Charles instead?

The former X-Man is interrupted from her thoughts as she feels a new presence closing in on her. He hasn’t made a single sound, but Jean can sense things on a level that a majority of even the most powerful mutants can’t. She turns her body slightly, and her eyes fall on the form of Erik Lehnsherr, who is just touching down on the rooftop. He greets the woman with a nod, and she obliges him.

“I thought I might find you here,” Erik says as he slowly walks towards Jean. “This is becoming a habit, you know.”

Jean shrugs. “What can I say? I like the view. It calms my nerves.”

Erik’s first instinct would once have been to lash out, lecture the woman on the idea of ‘nerves of steel’, reminding her that this is a country, not a school, and that a true leader must be strong, must be in control at all times. Weakness and vulnerability were ideas that he always rebuked, attributes that he did accept in the people he associated with or lorded over. That was the past, though… this is now. He is a changed man, changed in many ways he never thought possible. Such as the fact that he finds himselfempathizing with Jean… the view truly is soothing.

“So, is there something I can help you with?” Jean asks her ‘partner’ as she turns back to the view she was admiring a moment ago.

“No,” Erik says as he steps up next to Jean, now staring out into the distance himself. “I’m trying to push all the business and politics from my mind for the moment, as it seems you are. I hope you don’t mind the company.”

“Not at all,” Jean responds, and her reassuring tone is what takes Erik by surprise. He is still shocked at how civil Jean has been towards him; it’s as if she’s decided to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. Or perhaps she remembers all too well her own sins, and won’t pass judgement on another who has strived for change?

“We are lucky,” Erik continues to say. “Construction is going extremely well, but even once this city is showered with hundreds of buildings and the country is bustling with citizens… we will still have this scenery to call our own.”

Jean simply nods, not quite sure of what to say in response. It’s taking some time getting used to having small talk with Magneto. She lets out a sigh as a realization suddenly comes over her, and she says, “We have a cabinet meeting pretty soon.”

“Yes,” Erik says. “Twenty minutes I believe.”

“Wonderful,” Jean laments. “I swear, if I have to look at Alda Huxley’s fake grin one more time…”

“A necessary evil,” Erik jokes, cracking a small smile. “One day, the United Nations will be no more to us than they are to any other world power. This will truly be ourcountry.”

“And hopefully by ‘us’ you mean mutants, and not yourself,” Jean retorts, turning her head to look at Erik.

“Of course,” Erik assures her, the smile fading quickly from his face. “You know my intentions are noble.”

“Charles trusted in your change, so I will too,” Jean tells him. “Until you give me reason to think otherwise.”

“Likewise,” Erik says, and with that, a stoney silence fills the air. With one word, the environment between them has gone from friendly to almost hostile.

Turning away from the elderly man, Jean says, “I’ll be along shortly for the meeting.”

Erik accomodates her blatantly obvious request, and in an instant takes the skies. “I’ll see you there.”

A sense of peace washes over Jean in the wake of Erik’s departure, but it is torn from her as her previous thoughts, all of her pain and uncertainty, return to her with a vengeance. She told Scott she needed to leave to work things out, to get away, to keep those she cares about safe. That was a lie. However, she’s starting to realize that she may have actually been right, though coming to Genosha to be its new president probably isn’t the best stress reliever. These powers are greater than she imagined, and it’s going to take more than she realized to keep them in check. She can’t bail now, though… how would it look if she stepped down after only a few weeks? And she certainly can’t leave Magneto in charge.

“Oh, goodness,” Jean whispers to herself, “what have I gotten myself into…?”

The Xavier Institute

He walks slowly down the wide hallway, taking plenty of time to study each of the dozens of pictures that line the walls on both sides. As he looks at a picture of a stunningly beautiful Japanese woman with long purple hair and a man he recognizes as Colossus, he runs a hand over his head to find the not-so-familiar feeling of stubble tingling the nerves in his fingertips. A lot of things have been changing for him very recently, one of those being his decision to grow his hair out. His wife always did like it better than his bald head.

Calib Moore takes a few steps and moves on to the next picture, one of a group of what seem to be teenagers, none of them looking older than fourteen or fifteen. Standing with the group is a weird machine-like creature with what almost looks like dreadlocks coming out of its head; he’s not even sure the thing is human, let alone mutant. The machine being has got to be the weirdest-looking person he’s seen in these pictures yet.

He is astounded by the sheer amount of mutants who are or have been at this place over the years, but more than that, he’s shocked to find that they display pictures on their walls; it’s almost like they’re a family of sorts. He’s always known of the X-Men since they first went public, and like most other people, he assumed they were just always up to no good. Being at their base of operations – their home – has opened his eyes up to many facts, and he’s starting to see just how human these mutants really are.

“You’re never going to finish looking at them all today, there’s too many of them,” a female voice suddenly says from behind Calib, and he whips around to find a slightly older Chinese woman walking towards him. Anna Hong flashes him a friendly smile and waves as she approaches, and Calib nods.

“You guys sure love your pictures here,” Calib says with a snort, shaking his head in disbelief. “I just wanna know how you have the time for all this. Aren’t you too busy stopping evil mutants?”

“Most of the time, but I guess things were different before I arrived,” Anna tells him. She adds playfully, “I’m not in any of the pictures.”

“How long have you been here?” Calib asks her, fully turning his attention away from the pictures and giving it to Anna.

“Oh, little over a year, I’d say,” Anna says with a shrug. “It seems like a lot longer, though. It feels like it’s been ages.”

“Heck, I’ve been here a few months, I was unconscious for the most part, but I still feel like my Weapon X days were a lifetime ago,” Calib tells her. He thinks to himself for a moment how strange it is that he’s being so talkative with someone he doesn’t know, especially in a place like this, but then again, he’s always been the chatty type. “A new life can really do that to a person.”

Anna nods. “It can,” she concurs. Raising an eyebrow, she asks, “So you’re staying then, I take it?”

“I’ve thought about it,” Calib tells her. “I’ve been asked… and I know Cyclops is wanting all the knowledge of Weapon X I have, which I have to admit isn’t much. But what I really meant was that whether I do stay here or not, my days as a thug for hire… they’re over. I want something more for myself.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Anna says. “And I hope you’ll stay. As you can no doubt tell… around here, the more merrier.”

Calib lets out a laugh and replies, “Yeah, damned if I didn’t notice that already.” The idea of sticking around moves to the forefront of his mind, and he becomes more contemplative as he asks, “What’s it like? Living here, doing what you do?”

“Stressful. Fun. Tiring. Exciting. Terrifying,” Anna answers him, not skipping a beat in her sequence of words. “Above all it’s very different, and it’s very wonderful. I feel very much at home.”

Calib nods as he absorbs Anna’s words. She seems to be sincere, and so far, everyone here has been friendly and, as far as he can tell, on the up and up. If they were really that bad, wouldn’t they have just had one of their telepaths take over his mind and steal all the information they need?

“Thanks,” Calib says, offering a hand to Anna.

Anna shakes his hand and says, “Of course. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask. And trust me, you’re not the only one who’s had to get used to this place.”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Calib says. “But it seems like it’s all good. I think I just might have to give it a try…”

Salem Center

Bobby Drake walks through the nearly-empty parking lot, moving quickly towards his car. He has a grin on his face, and he’s whistling, or at least trying to. He’s looking forward to this night, to spending more time with Jubilee… hopefully she’ll like the flowers he bought for her. He knows she isn’t really into romantic gestures, but he can’t help it. It’s what he likes to do.

Just as Bobby arrives at his vehicle, he feels a chill run through his body; not an unusual thing, given his powers, but this one is different. It’s one of those ‘bad feeling’ chills. Before he has any time to think or react, though, everything around him seems to fade away into darkness, and he can feel all sense of gravity being wiped away. His heart starts to race, as he realizes he must be under attack, but yet again before he can even think a coherent though, he finds himself out of the strange void, now standing in grassy area littered with bushes and trees.

“What the hell…” Bobby mutters to himself as he looks around. Peering through the thick gathering of trees, he can faintly see silhouettes of buildings that look familiar. Even though it’s dark, he can tell he’s still in Salem Center… but if he’s being attacked, specifically by a teleporter, then why?

“Hey! Whoever you are, don’t get any ideas!” Bobby yells out as he begins to transform his body into thick, freezing-cold ice. He is startled when he finds the process halted, and his body reverts back to its natural state in a matter of seconds, against his will.

Bobby shakes his head in disbelief. “Again, what the hell…”

Suddenly, Bobby is struck from behind, an object – a fist, he gathers – pummeling into his back and throwing him to the ground. He gasps for air as the shock of the blow washes over his body, and he again attempts to change to his ice form, but he still finds himself unable to. Somehow, his powers are being dampened.

“Heh, sorry Iceboy, no powers fer you,” comes the sound of a gruff, feral man’s voice. The source towers over Bobby, casting a shadow over his comparably small figure.

Bobby struggles to get to his feet, and as he turns around in the process, he catches sight of his attacker. Almost seven feet tall, bulging muscles, blond, spikey hair, and a glimmering set of razor-sharp adamantium teeth…

“Creed… you asshole…” Bobby says, grimacing as he tries yet again to activate his powers. Sabretooth smiles, taking great pleasure in seeing the longtime X-Man helpless before him.

“It ain’t gonna work, Drake. An’ as much as I’d love t’ fight ya fair an’ square, there ain’t no time fer that. Quick… an’ painful!” Sabretooth growls. He brings one of his hands high in the air, preparing to deliver another blow to the Iceman. He is stopped by another who appears on the scene.

“Victor! Wait!” says a young man standing mere feet away. He is shrouded in darkness, but Sabretooth can still see him, and smell him for that matter.

“Back off an’ let me do this, then you bring in the dupe,” Sabretooth growls at the young man.

“Stop being such a beast,” Nocturne retorts with a roll of his eyes. “I just wanted to grope him a bit before you killed him.”

Sabretooth snorts. “Yer sick, you know that?”

“This coming from a man who enjoys mutilating small children?”

“Heh. True.”

Without another word, Sabretooth turns back to Iceman, who’s now back on his feet and, from the looks of it, ready to fight. Creed simply laughs, and advances on the X-Man. Bobby glares at Creed, his heart beating a thousand times a second, but his face refusing to show any semblence of fear. He can’t run; even if he tried, it wouldn’t do any good.

“Don’t worry, we’ll make sure an’ take real good care o’ yer girlfriend for ya!” Sabretooth says as he pierces Iceman’s chest with the tips of his adamantium claws. Blood spills forth in an instant, and shock washes over Bobby’s face as Creed digs deeper, until the claws rip through to his heart. Bobby takes a final, desperate breath, and one last image flashes through his mind, that of the one he loves – Jubilee.

Just as Bobby’s lifeless body is about to fall to the ground, Sabretooth grabs hold of it, using one of his massive fists to crush the corpse’s neck and partially sever the head. He then tosses the body away, and begins to lick the blood from his hands. “Just to make sure,” he says with a slight chuckle.

Nocturne rolls his eyes once more. “You take too much pleasure in that sort of thing,” he says with a sigh. He turns his attention away from Creed and to a disc of dark energy that has formed on the ground nearby. A shadow seems to rise up from the disc, and seconds later that shadow is replaced by a man. A man who looks exactly like Bobby Drake.

“Yer up,” Sabretooth says as he turns to the new arrival, tossing a set of car keys at the man.

“What do you plan to do with the body?” the double asks as he looks at the corpse.

Sabretooth shrugs. “Looks like it’s startin’ to melt anyway… probably just send the remains through Noc’s portal, clear it out.”

“You have the scrambler?” Nocturne asks, and ‘Bobby’ nods in response. “And the keys. And the clothes are close enough. Don’t forget – you’re in a relationship with Jubilation Lee now…”

“Mystique already gave me the rundown, so sod off,” ‘Bobby’ interrupts. “Just get me to my damn car.”

As the imposter begins to sink away into the shadows, Sabretooth tells him, “Go on an’ make us proud, ‘Iceman’…”

NEXT ISSUE: New X-Men. Weapon X. The Brotherhood. All this and more to come as the next phase for the X-Men begins!

Author’s Notes

Ah… here we are at last. The end of volume two. The end of a lot of stuff, and you’ll see what I mean in the next issue. And by this point you should have probably figured out the new line-up! Well, there are two characters yet to be introduced who may or may not end up on the team permanently, so you’ll have to wait for them. Again, next issue 🙂

Poor, poor Bobby Drake… sorry, but it had to be done…

Well, I’m excited. To quote Aretha Franklin, I am so damn happy. It’s gonna be great! Weapon X, the Brotherhood, trips to the Savage Land and Madripoor, Jubilee leading her own little team, the ‘return’ of Apocalypse… that’s just some of what’s in store for this year.

Oh yeah, and that Kwannon origin… I will get to it, I promise!

Well that’s about all for now. Look for the new issue next month!

~Ryan
03/29/04

 

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