Professor Charles Xavier watched his group of senior X-men enter his study. Scott, Storm, Logan, Kurt… but no Jean.
Scott looked as worn out and broken down as ever. He was destroyed, had been ever since Jean's death, and totally incapable of hiding it. The others had to take over his classes, since he could not teach anymore. Charles guessed that Logan saw him as a burden to them. He showed little understanding towards Scott.
But Logan had grieved, was still mourning, just in his own way.
Storm had a deep look of worry in her face as she approached the professor. She had always been very insightful.
"Professor, what has happened?"
He offered her the item he held in his hands. It was an old book, clad in leather with one single large golden symbol printed on the front. Anyone familiar with Egyptian mythology would recognize the symbol as 'The eye of Horus', the all seeing eye. Fewer would recognize its connection to death.
"What is this?"
Storm took the book in her slender hands. Her gaze was wide, questioning. He motioned for her to open it, and she did. Her eyes darted over the first page for a few seconds. The she rapidly flipped the page over, and looked at the next spread.
"Oh my god," she mumbled through he teeth.
Kurt Wagner shifted uneasily behind her. He, being the current teacher of ancient cultures, was familiar with the symbol. Apprehending its true nature, Kurt found the print on the book, and Storms reaction to its content somewhat disturbing.
Logan crossed his arms in front of him.
"Gee, if I'd known my presence here was so important, I would have hurried more," he commented with sarcasm. "So what is this thing?" he then added.
Storm completely ignored his snide remark. She dedicated her undivided attention to the book. Her left index finger trailed down page after page, marvelling over what she saw. She suddenly froze, staring at one thing in particular.
"Charles Francis Xavier," Storm read out aloud. "Time of birth, 04:51, February 3rd, 1946…" She looked up at Xavier for confirmation. His calm, dark eye met hers, and he nodded slowly.
"Time of death, 11:07, April 16th, 2001," she looked up. "That is less than six months from now."
Xavier clasped his hands together, and leaned back in his seat. He had looked through the book, seen the names, and noticed himself being mentioned amongst many of his current students.
"It seems that every mutant who has ever lived is listed in here, amongst with those who have not yet been born," he stated calmly. Storm looked appalled, while Logan had a scowl on his face. Scott looked like he had heard nothing of what had been said. "It presents the exact date and time of birth, as well as predicts our exact time of death."
There was a tense moment of silence.
"Hmpf," Logan suddenly snorted. "This is total rubbish." He turned to leave.
"Logan, wait," Storm called sharply. He growled lowly, but obeyed her.
Charles watched Scott stir on the couch. His tired, feverish eyes trailed around the room, as if he had just woken up. Though Xavier did not let it on, he was deeply concerned. The old Scott had been ambitious, alert. The Scott Jean left behind was nothing but a shadow.
Xavier's eyes left Scott and trailed to Storm again.
"I believe you can decide if this book is accurate or not, Ororo." He wheeled to her side, and gently took the book out of her hands. He flipped the pages, searching for something, or someone, in particular. His eyes found the name he was searching for, and handed the book back to Storm. If his suspicions were right, they would have to inform the older students tomorrow.
I he was right about this, the world they knew would have changed forever.
Storm's gaze drifted over the page crammed with names and dates. She recognized some of them; some of these mutants had been students of hers. And now she had seen the date when they supposedly were going to die.
She froze. Her eyes widened in shock and surprise.
"Oh my god…"--
A/N: This is the short introduction for the story. Thank you for reading!