Disclaimer: I do not own X-men or any related characters, this is a piece of amateur writing and I make no money from it
Archiving: Nadja can and does have it, the rest of you, ask and I'll say yes.
World: Movie II
Pairings: Scott/Ororo
Summary: Everything is a lie
" " – spoken out loud
-spoken in mind
Thank you and plenty of hugs go to Nadja Lee for great beta and just being her wonderful self. I love you, dearest!
No dream
Rain was pouring heavily outside the isolated estate. It was night, and all the children were sound asleep in their beds. In the mansion's upper levels everything spelled peace, confort, and safety.
But the lower levels, however, were an entirely different matter.
The X-Men had just returned from a mission. But the seven young mutants coming out of the Blackbird were not standing proud and tall, as they usually did after facing the odds.
This time they had faced Magneto and the Brotherhood, and they had succumbed before an extraordianry force displayed by their enemies.
Scott stepped out of the jet first, carrying the limp body of his beloved Ororo in his arms. After Jean's death he and Ororo had gotten very close. She had helped him move on, she had always been there for him, making Jean's death somehow bearable. He slowly fell in love with Ororo, but at first he did not show his feelings for her, in the feeling that he was betraying Jean's memory. But with every passing day he came to love her more and more, until, one night, he unveiled his feelings for her, as well as the fact that guilt was ripping him apart. When she had answered that she had loved him since she had first laid her eyes on him he let go of all his guilt, and decided to go on with his life and enjoy it, just like Jean herself had once told him.
Now Scott was afraid for his love, and, while he headed towards the infirmary, he barely tried to hold back his tears.
God, please don't let anything happen to her, he prayed as he rushed to sickbay.
The loss of Jean still gave him nightmares, and woke him up at night. It had carved a wound so deep in his soul, he never would have thought would heal. But with the help of the one he now held in his arms, through her love and support, he had moved on, and managed to see that all he could have ever wanted, was right in front of him. Before, he never thought about Ororo as anything more than his best friend. He had failed to see the love she held in her eyes when she looked at him, he had failed to read the signs.
These last weeks since they had gotten together had been heaven. She never pushed him into anything, she always looked after him, always tended to his every need. He tried to be for her everything she was for him. It had been perfect, more than anything he could have ever wished for.
And now this!
He couldn't bear the thought of losing her. It would be too much. He slowly felt tears leaving his eyes, and, as they were instantly vaporized by his powers, he hated himself for not being able to shed a single one.
As he kicked open the door to the infirmery he heard the Professor's voice in his head.
X-Men, I felt what happened, I will check in with you as soon as possible. Hank will take care of the injured immediately, he will meet you in the infirmary. I have been informed that Storm has endured heavy injuries, and Nightcrawler, Bobby and Rogue, though not as severe injured, are also in need of medical attention. I will see you in the danger room after you have taken care of the injured.
Scott found Hank already in sickbay, filling a syringe.
"Scott, I'm sorry it all went wrong," he said bowing his head in sadness "I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you."
Hank was still seriously injured from their last mission, his left leg in a cast.
"Hank, don't apologize, just... keep her with us! Please..." Scott pleaded as he gently laid Ororo down on an available bed.
"Do not worry friend, I will let no further harm come to her, now, please, leave us, I need to do my work."
"I'm not going anywhere! I'm not leaving her!"
"Fine, fine, I have no time for this." Hank gave up and turned to Ororo.
Scott cupped his chin and walked around the room, not taking his eyes of Ororo. He couldn't help but wonder what the hell had happened back there. He was stopped from his thoughts as he heard a soft moan from Ororo. He quickly got to her side and he tried to take Ororo's hand into his, but Hank stopped him.
"I need room Scott, please, let me work."
"I'm sorry, Hank, I just feel so God damned useless!" Scott replied angry.
Beast didn't say anything, obviously caught up in his work.
Images of the mission flooded into Scott's head.
The Blackbird had soundessly set them down just behind the prison under Magneto's control. The Brotherhood had broken him out of his plastic cage, but magneto had chosen to take control of the entire facility. The place was a fortress Magneto could easily defend even from the military. But somehow the X-Men had succeeded in infiltrating it unnoticed.
They had entered the facility undetected, and were ready to surprise Magneto in what he thought would be a lightning-fast, unexpected attack. And it had been. Only on the wrong mutants. The Brotherhood had somehow been aware of their presence. The blow they had delivered to the X-men had been merciless. Ororo had been the one who had suffered the most dangerous injuries. She had been jumped by Sabretooth.
What the Hell does that guy have with her anyway! he thought.
Ever since Storm and Sabretooth had faced off for the first time, the evil mutant seemed to have developed a morbid obsession with her. First in the train station, then the Statue, now this...
Scott rubbed his temples and tried to concentrate.
How could this have happened? I need some answers. Now! he thought and then stormed out of the room.
As he quickly made his way to the Professor's study he was careful not to project any thoughts. After so much time spent around his old mentor, he learnt how to shield his thoughts, at least partially, from Xavier.
He didn't bother knocking as he pushed the door open to Xavier's study. It was very dark, only a small lamp set on the desk providing a glimpse of light for the Professor. Surprisingly, he found Xavier looking straight at him, a trace of a smile on his face, as though he was expecting Scott.
"Well, Scott, I was on my way to meet with the team. What happened?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing." Cyclops replied coldly. He was no longer Scott now, but instead he had pushed forth Cyclops. Scott needed Cyclops's clear judgement, severeness and cold logic to be able to stand up against his old mentor.
"I am afraid I am not following you, Scott."
"Don't feed me this crap, Professor! You made us walk into a trap back there! Why wasn't I filled in on all of the mission's parameters?"
"Just where are you going with this?" Xavier demanded in a suspiciously calm tone.
"Don't you dare tell me you didn't feel it in their heads that they knew we were coming?! Maybe Magneto's mind is protected, but the other's minds aren't. You knew they were expecting us, and you didn't do one damn thing to stop us from falling right into Magneto's trap. Now Storm's been injured..." he unwillingly clenched his fists when he remembered Ororo's critical state, and he didn't have the strenght to continue. The mere thought of anything happening to his love made him weak in the knees.
The professor cupped his chin, and the look in his eyes betrayed that a growing conflict was taking place in his head. His ice-blue eyes fixed Scott, but his focus was clearly not on the man in front of him. His expression was troubled, and Scott knew Xavier was weighing matters heavier than he would have wished for.
Xavier raised his gaze to look at the young man he had molded. A true leader, a true soldier, a true model. He decided it was time for the truth, and he prayed Scott would understand it. Because if he did not, then what more could Xavier ask from the other X-Men? He of all people should understand, because, as any leader, he was practical.
Scott's experience with Xavier told him to wait patiently. But he was determined not to let Xavier walk out of this one using his slick tongue, and his clouded answers.
"My tongue shall not be any slicker than it always was, and I pray my answers will carry away all the clouds of doubt with them, Scott."
Cyclops opened his mouth as if to speak, but was cut of by Xavier.
"Storm is going to be fine, Scott. Hank just contacted me. She's going to be allright."
Although the red visor shielded his eyes, Xavier knew Scott had his gaze fixed
on him.
"I'm waiting, Professor." Cyclops pressed his mentor.
"Scott, indeed I knew Erik was waiting for you..."
"And you let us all walk in there. Storm could have been killed!"
"No, Scott, you were never in such peril. None of you. Erik wouldn't have allowed it."
Cyclops stood there, uncomprehending.
"Why would Magneto ever keep us from harm? We are his arch enemies... I don't understand..."
"I can no longer keep you blind to the current situation, Scott. Please, take a sit, and try to be receptive to what I am about to tell you."
"I'm all ears, Professor." Scott said, still standing.
"Very well." Xavier hesitated, trying to find his opening words.
"Erik and I have known each other for a very long time, Scott. He and I went through quite alot together. We first met at a hospital. We were collegues, and our friendship was solid even before we revealed our mutant abilities to each other. As we were young, our taste for adventure and foolish hopes were strong and made us look for others such as ourselves. We had hopes of forming a group to withstand the public hysteria and panic that would be generated when mutants finally made their presence felt on a world-wide level. We set out to form an early version of the X-Men."
Scott's eyes narrowed behind his visor.
"This has nothing to do with your attitude towards this mission, and the danger you exposed this team to, while..."
His words were cut short by Xavier who spoke with difficulty, trying to find his words.
"Please, Scott, I will make all things clear. As I was saying, Erik and me had high hopes, and daring dreams for the future. We set off to fulfill a dream, Scott. Sadly, every mutant we encountered was more or less incapable of controlling the powers he had been blessed with. I could not do much to help them as they all reacted with fear, hate, and even
violence towards us."
Scott rubbed his chin, while taking in all of Xavier's sayings.
"When the mutant issue blew out of proportion Erik and me tried to help our kin. We still tried to make the dream work. I was injured in a fight, and I lost the use of my legs. It was then Erik and me took different paths, but with the same goal. He trailed off and formed the Broterhood, while I founded the X-Men."
"With me as your first student." Scott remarked.
"Indeed. But, Scott, Eik and me never became mortal enemies. There was never the Brotherhood versus the X-Men."
"What do you mean? They have been our arch enemies since the X-Men were first created!"
"No, Scott. The Brotherhood and the X-Men were never mortal enemies. And neither were Erik and I. I used the X-Men to recruit mutants for the dream we both had since our youth. And Erik used the Brotherhood for the same purposes. We are both only taking in the best, and filtering them, so only the strongest would remain with us. When we have our teams complete, we will walk at each other's side again."
Scott shook his head in disbelief as the principles, beliefs and knowledge of all his life, was turned to crumbles in no more than five minutes.
"No... This cannot be... we... and them... we are... on the same side?" he asked amazed.
The Professor grinned.
"Yes, Scott. All of the battles between us and Erik were just tests, to see how we would do when the time for real war comes. Everyone who was good enough, we already have chosen. You are among them, Scott. The rest remains to be seen. You see, Scott, that is why Storm was never in any real danger. She is indispensable to us. We would have never risked her well-being."
In that moment Xavier let out a gasp as Scott no longer held back his thoughts, and he now projected all his confusion, growing anger, and sadness. The feeling of betrayal, and anger rose above all else. The young mutant's internal turmoil caused small tears to burn at the back of the Professor's eyes. For a moment he felt the need to hold Scott, to take his head in his hands and caress him, while whispering soft words of confort in his ear. But he pushed aside his parental impulse, and chose to let Scott decide for himself what road he would pursue further. Xavier continued in a half-chocked voice.
"Because of his more devastating powers, Erik chose to play the role of the outcast, rebel, evil mutant. He gathered valuable members using the Brotherhood symbol. And, through his outlaw ways, he provided unlimited funding to both the X-Men and his Brotherhood."
"You mean Magneto's money bought all this?" Scott asked, stunned by what he was hearing.
Xavier chuckled.
"Did you really think I just inherited so much money I could afford all this," and he waved, indicating the sourroundings, "or that I had found a hidden treasue maybe? It is his money that were spent here, Scott, yes."
"But then... Rogue, at the statue... she almost died."
"Accidents will happen, Scott."
Cyclops then turned furious as he grabbed Xavier by his shirt and pulled him up.
"And what about Jean?! Was she just an accident too?"
Xavier frowned as he made Scott let him go, and forced him to sit in a chair.
"Striker was something we hadn't predicted. He was very real. He wasn't with us. He was just another mutant-hater."
Cyclops sat tensed in the chair, still not free from Xavier's mind control.
"You can't do this. You are toying with people's lives, Professor. There are young men, children who would fight without second thoughts for you and your dream. And you betray them by keeping them blind to the truth."
"I will reveal all, at the right time. You were coming too close to suspecting something, so I thought it was best for me to let you know where everybody stands."
"I will..." Scott tried to get up, but couldn't, "Let me go, I'm not going to do anything!"
At his request Xavier gave him control over his body.
"I will tell you where I stand. Away from you and all your lies. I'm taking Ororo, and we're leaving. I will not spend the rest of my life fighting side by side with my enemies, and following a man that only fed me lies and deceit, playnig me like I was his little toy soldier."
"I will not stand in your way if you want to leave, Scott. But think about it: us, and the Brotherhood, united. No more fighting with each other, no more mutant against mutant... You, as a leader, should see all the advantages of having an elite squad at your command."
"Professor... I will never fight side by side with those that I have been trying for so long to vanquish."
Scott bowed his head. He had already taken the decision of leaving. This life the Professor had given him was just another cradle of lies. Another scarf pulled over his eyes in order to keep him blind and obediant.
He wished so much he could have took everyone away from Xavier and his lies, but there was nothing he could do if he expected his mind not to be erased. There was nothing he could do, but hope the others would realise the truth on their own.
"I will not tell the others about this, none would belive me anyway, but I am leaving. I thought you gave my life meaning. You only gave me more confusion and despair. How could you make us fight those who are supposed to be our friends all this time? How could you go through with this little make-belief war?... I cannot be part of this anymore. You just lost yourself a recruit." He said bluntly, not raising his gaze.
"This war with the Brotherhood was just an appetizer,Scott. The main dish is yet to be served. You have all fought for a greater good, and I am saddened you cannot see in the same direction as I.
Erik and me... we are the same, we both aiming for the same goal, and it pains me that you are not willing to help us achieve it."
The Professor silently weighed the options of loosing Storm too. He decided to calm things down and give them both permission to leave. He needed no outbreaks from Scott now, especially when he was so close to achieving the dream. Besides, there was always another mutant just as good.
"You are free to pack your things, then I want you out of here. Storm will be coming with you. Until you take your leave I want you to reduce to minimum your contacts with the other students. I do not want one word of this discussion to leave this room.
I am going to check in with the X-Men now, Mr. Summers." he said and began wheeling his chair towards the door.
Scott stood still in the middle of the room, amazed at how fast everything that mattered in his life had turned to ashes.
Well, not everything, I still have Ororo, and at least I can save her from their illusions of power and from their sweet venom.
"You said your and Magneto's goals are the same..." Scott spoke once more, "So there never was an evil mutant, bent on taking over the world?" he finally asked with a glimpse of a sad smile.
Xavier turned to face him, and his expression was as cold as ice, his blue eyes making him look even colder.
"You have got it all wrong, Scott. There never was a caring professor, hoping for peace..."
Scott's face lost all signs of smile and it became expressionless, as Professor X wheeled himself out, leaving him alone in the dark study.
And then something impossible happened: a small tear ran down Scott's cheek.