Episode 1: Retrospect

Three months had passed since the phoenix force had been supposedly destroyed, since Xavier had told them that though they had succeeded in preventing a world ravished by war and dominated by mutant hating sentinels, their job to save the future was far from over. Now they had to stop the world from being taken over by an evil entity known as the Apocalypse. Logan sat on his bed brooding. As leader of this team of future saving mutants, the X-Men, he was entrusted with one vital piece of information, provided by Charles that would lead to the succession of the Apocalypse. He remembered after everyone had left the room where the professor's body lay, Charles had asked to speak to Logan alone.

Charles had taken him into that familiar white atmosphere that he called the astral plane. There he saw the professor standing in front of him a graven expression on his face. Logan had originally thought nothing of it after all he just told them that his present was overrun by an apocalypse.

"I have some…disturbing news." Charles had begun.

"What is it Charles?" Logan had replied, his senses were on edge even though there was nothing for them to detect he still felt that something bad was coming.

Then he had told him the terrible news. "Twenty years ago, my past your present, Apocalypse is going to do what you might think is impossible. I have a hard time believing it now despite seeing him with my eyes, seeing into his mind there's no mistaking the truth."

"What truth Chuck?" Logan almost growled his impatience getting the better of him, "What are you talking about?"

"It's Scott." Charles sighed, "He's changed. Apocalypse and Sinister have somehow changed him."

"Sinister?" Logan asked, "What's he going to do to him?"

"I don't know what he does but I can tell you he succeeds. Scott has turned against the X-Men and all of mankind, mutant and human alike. He works for Apocalypse."

"You've got to be joking Charles."

"If only I were, Logan." Charles had replied, "I spend every night wishing it wasn't true. But I have seen first-hand what he is doing. Something happens to him Logan something you need to stop. Or Apocalypse will not only win but he will have taken a valued member of the X-Men."

"What could push him so far out of the X-Men, what could make him leave?" Try as he could Logan could not figure it out, Scott's true love was back with him, and The X-Men were coming back together. He saw no reason for Scott to leave and yet the professor was telling him that he would.

"I don't know Logan, but something does and if you cannot stop it that sadly I must say you need to stop him. In my time both Sinister and Scott are serving him and are spearheading attacks on all of mankind. Every person that is not brainwashed by him is killed and only a few of the X-Men remain.

"Who's left?"

"You Logan, Nightcrawler, Storm and Rogue among others." Charles answered, "Logan you must focus your attention on Scott find what changes him and stop it, quickly!"

"I'll try chuck."

"Good Luck."

It had been three months since all of that had happened. Within that three months apart from Jean growing hair, Scott changing his on-field costume from the dark blue spandex suit and over coat to a lighter blue suit with a golden diagonal strap (which Logan thought looked much better compared to his emo look before.), and Genosha being taken over by the Scarlett Witch much to Kurt's delight, nothing had happened of note. After three months of relative inactivity Logan realised he could no longer stay at the mansion, he could not be the leader Charles wanted him to be he knew that now more than ever and yet he could not bear to leave the X-Men without a leader. What Logan needed was some time to think things through to prepare his next move and he could not do that while within the confines of the mansion. Yet leave he still found difficult not without leaving someone in charge while he was gone, but who? He most certainly could not give it to Scott but asides from him who else had the strength to lead the X-Men through every adventure they had. Logan tried to tell himself that he wouldn't be gone long for the team to need a leader like that but even he knew he was lying. Logan actually wondered whether he would actually come back after he had left. So the quest to find a leader began again and at that moment he had found the right candidate. The only candidate in his opinion.

Logan opened the glass door to the conservatory as he entered he was attacked by a plethora of smells, Ororo loved to be surrounded by nature and this was the closest thing to it that they had the mansion. Logan hoped she wasn't out flying somewhere. He walked further into the conservatory and spotted her watering some plants.

"Hello Logan," she said when she saw him. "It is good to see that you are well, none of us have seen our fearless leader in quite a while."

"Actually, that's what I came to talk about." He said, "You have some experience leading the X-Men, right? Even if you didn't you was a princess of tribe in Africa weren't you?"

"Yes on both accounts. However it has been long since I last led the team. Why do you ask?"

"I'd like you to become co-leader of the X-Men."

Ororo raised an eyebrow, "is the pressure of a leader to much for you to bear alone or…or are you planning on leaving?" she asked suspicious

"Not for long, I just need time to sort things out I'll be back but while I'm gone I need some one to-"

"Take charge." Ororo finished.

"Exactly,"

"Wouldn't Scott be a better suggestion or even Hank?"

"Hank has no experience of leadership besides he already has a lot to do." He paused, "And Scott would hate me if I took time away from him and Jean." He said.

"very well, I'll take the position." Ororo said, "But you have to promise me that you will return."

"I will." Logan lied, "I'd better tell the others of this." Logan turned to walk back to the conservatory door and out but as he reached the door Ororo said, "You and I know both know that if you would not need a replacement if you were planning on coming back."

"'Ro" Logan started but she didn't let him finish.

"You are a part of a family here Logan. Here you can live the rest of your no doubt long life, are you not tired of running?" she asked as she took a few steps towards him. "You cannot always run when you feel it is getting hard, you stay and take on the challenge head on knowing that you have the support of your family."

"Ororo I told you I was coming back,"

"If that is true then I doubt it will be anytime in the near future." She replied, "Logan if you really need this then I won't stop you I will be the leader you want me to be during your absence, but make no mistake you will return here, the children look up to you, Rogue idolises you and I will not allow you to leave this family. I will lead the team to wherever you are and, by the goddess if I have to electrocute that stubborn butt of yours in order to get you to return then I will not hesitate."

Logan left the conservatory without a word, he did not turn back he could not meet the eyes of Ororo they would see right into him.

Originally Ororo was going to inform Logan of who Jean had found when she had used Cerebro the night before, but she had decided that he needed a speaking to rather than that information so she did not tell him. If she was to take a leadership role she would deal with it and leave Logan to think about what she had said. She made sure that it was well after Logan had left before she had called the team for a meeting in the War Room.

"As you well know Logan has gone off and has left me in charge." Ororo said, "So I decided not to tell him about the piece of information Jean is about to tell you. Go on Jean."

"I was on Cerebro late last night when I heard a distress call."

"Was it someone we know?" Hank asked.

"It was Peter, apparently he and his sister want to leave Russia but have met barrier after barrier. There on a farm in Russia at the moment but they need our help."

Kitty's face fell when she heard Peter's name. Colossus was the last person she had dated and frankly the only person she had really connected with. They had to get to Russia and help him as soon as possible.

"Let's get suited up," Ororo said, "We leave immediately."


Do you find this a better start to the series or did you like the other one. Let me know in your reviews, and the next chapter will be out soon it's getting bigger and bigger and I need to condense it but trust me it's a good one. Thank you X-Menwriter17