This chapter has been re-written. The original can be found on my Facebook page, to which there is a link on my profile.

The inspiration for this story came from the Marvel storyline 'Fear Itself'. The description of that storyline as seen on Wikipedia says :

"The story's antagonist is the Serpent, an Asgardian being who sows doubt and fear among the superheroes of the Marvel Comics Universe as illustrated by early promotional images for the event, which depict Spider-Man, Hulk, Captain America, Cyclops, Thor, and Iron Man coming face to face with their worst nightmares."

All I did was take that idea and fit it to the cartoon. Please enjoy!

It had been about five years since the events of the Apocalypse, the events no one knew would mark the course for the world as they knew it. Since then, the X-men had faced trials and suffering which was beyond that of what most people could comprehend. Charles thought bitterly that some of the reason for which these "normal" people had such a hard time seeing this pain was because they didn't think of mutants as normal. A sad truth. Another was that the said barrier didn't seem any closer to being crossed than it had five years before.

However, mutants felt pain just like anyone else. With what the X-men faced, it was no wonder that some of them were starting to weaken, to break.

Charles looked up at the oak and marble clock that hung on the wall of his grand office, registering the simple fact that his guest was late. He then shamed himself for thinking such things. He had called upon her spur-of-the-moment, asking her to come and cancel all of her plans for a substantial amount of time. He didn't doubt that he had been terribly unfair, but he also knew that she would understand, probably better than even he did.

The door to his office opened with barely a knock on the door, and a flustered young Native American woman walked in, "I apologize for my tardiness. Traffic was terrible and I had some trouble rescheduling."

Charles waved a dismissive hand, "It wasn't right of me to throw this all upon you at the last moment. I apologize myself."

Danielle Moonstar smiled, "What was so important? What do you need?"

Charles folded his hands in such a way that it screamed 'sophistication', just short of arrogance, "I have a favor to ask of you, a huge one, but it will turn into a job offer with some serious fringe benefits, also allowing you to use your powers in ways of your choosing."

She pondered that for a moment, "I'm listening."

"Very well," he sighed. "I understand that you have gone to college with the hopes of becoming a teacher, and you plan to get your masters in psychology. Fitting for a person of your talents. The teacher part is something we are in desperate need of, with the expansion of both the school and the student body. Unfortunately, mutant teachers are not something as easy to come by as students. That being said, I will offer you not only a teaching position in a place where you wouldn't have to tone down your mutant abilities nor the ties to your heritage, but a position on the X-men if you wish. We'll take a look at the teams later and see which looks like the best fit."

"And?"

"Would you like to join us as a teacher?"

Danielle grinned, "I would love to, but what's the catch?"

"I have an important favor to ask. I wouldn't blame you a bit if you refused, and my job offer still stands if you do," he waited for her to speak, and when she didn't , he continued. "I wish to create new teams of X-men to best fit abilities and personalities. I already know how they can fight and who they are as people, so that's not the problem. I need to know how they would handle day to day life if everything they feared the most came to life."

Danielle's eyes brightened, "I'm assuming this is where my powers come in."

"Yes, it is. I have warned the X-men that some testing will most likely take place on an individual basis. They can go about their daily lives as the tests happen, but they cannot discuss the tests with anyone who has not been tested. You and I will be in the Control Room above the Danger Room, where they will be, in case of any power flare-ups."

"Professor, couldn't you have done this yourself?" Danielle asked nervously.

He sighed, "Yes, I could have, but your power is more fitted to the task. I may be the most powerful telepath on the planet, at least for the moment, but that doesn't mean I'm the most skilled. I can cast illusions, but not nearly as skillfully as you can, and your specialty seems to be involving fears."

"Charles, I don't want them angry with me for using my powers like this. Besides, my powers are an illusion of the mind, so their minds will feel whatever I show them, but it will take real time. The test you're asking me to help with...it sounds like you want it done fast."

"I do, but I will be helping you. I want to be able to see what they see and what they feel, but I will also help you in that you do what you do, but as you know, mental commands are much faster than what we can do with our bodies. What happens in their minds in the span of six months could only take days in the real world, even less if we really push it. Don't worry about them being angry with you, Danielle. They already know that they have to go through with the testing, no matter what I decide to throw at them, if they want to be an X-man. They all agreed so you are free territory, but forgive me for speaking of you as if you are property," Charles concluded.

Danielle smiled, "You are forgiven and I'm in. Does everyone have to do this test?"

"Everyone from previous adult X-men like Logan and Ororo to New Mutants like Amara and Bobby. Everyone who wants on one of these teams has to go through testing."

"Understood," Danielle uncrossed her legs and stood. "Should we get started? How long are we going to be doing this?"

"As long as it takes."

Charles and Danielle got themselves comfortable in the Control Room. All bodily necessities had been taken care of for the time being. Neither really had any idea how long this was going to take, so this first test would be the guinea pig.

Danielle shuffled a bit into her plush chair and Charles took a sip of water before pressing a button on the board in front of him, speaking over the PA system so the school could hear. Charles was sure word of mouth would get around if the person wasn't inside the school.

Would Scott Summers please report to the Danger Room?