X-Men
"Sinister Vengeance" pt. 1 (of 6)
Note: This story takes place before "The Twelve" storyline in Marvel
The Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters
"Professor! How can you do this to us!"
The loud voice of Scott Summers rang through the halls of the 17th century estate located on 1407 Graymalkin Lane. Professor Charles Xavier alongside his pupil, Katherine "Kitty" Pryde, made his way through the mansion hall and to the foyer.
"Scott…there is a lot of things happening in this world now. Things are not as simple as they once where. I mean with Logan gone and these new diaries of Destiny's found. Scott you have to understand my concerns for the future. I must go and understand my role with the school, if I have one, and I don't think I can find out that here. Kitty and I will be heading to Muir Island. Moira is waiting for us there."
After reaching to the hanger of the X-Jet, the only thing the mutant called Cyclops could do was help his mentor get his belongings on a plane, and watch as the father figure in his life slowly fade away into the distance. Little did he know that his wife, Jean Grey-Summers, was standing right behind him.
"Scott…?" she asked hesitantly.
"Call a meeting, Jean. We have work ahead of us."
The War Room
The war room was a room which probably had the most use in the X-Men's history, an unfortunate fact for some of it's members. Today, it was being used to decide the fate of the well-rounded team of mutants. In the middle of the room was a large, circular table. Sitting on it's right were Storm, who was the second in command of the X-Men, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Polaris who had recently arrived back to active duty when her lover, Havok, was seemingly killed. On the left side sat Rogue, Gambit, Marrow, Archangel, Psylocke, Iceman, and Beast. Jean, or Phoenix as her code-name was, entered the room and sat next to the side of her best friend, Storm. Seconds after Phoenix's arrival, Cyclops showed up. He walked in front of the large table and began to speak.
"Alright, people," he began. "Things are in need of a change. With the Professor gone along with Wolverine and Shadowcat, there is suddenly a decrease in power. I mean, who's next? And with mutants popping up at an alarming rate, there are more threats to mutants and by mutants. These new mutants need the same kind of guidance that we got from the Professor."
"They are the new generation," Storm added, "We need to take responsibility and teach them in their control over their powers."
"Exactly." Said Cyclops. He began to pass around a paper to each of the present X-Men.
"What in the world…" the mutant girl known simply as Rogue did not understand what Cyclops was doing.
"You're makin' us teachers?" She said with her accented voice.
"Yes." Cyclops said with a smile on his face.
"Well, you can count me out." Said the arrogant voice of Marrow.
"Come now, Marrow. I mean, think about it. You can help the kind of kids that you yourself once where." Said the Russian-born Colossus. Marrow stared at him as he spoke but she barely heard what he was saying as she was to lost him his eyes. She turned away from him and gave a slight scowl.
"May I be so bold as to ask WHY we are becoming teachers? I mean, doesn't one need a student to teach first?"
"Which brings me to my next topic, Nightcrawler. I'm…I'm going to 'out' the school, so to speak."
Gasps came from everyone in the assembly of X-Men. The only type of comment made was from Marrow exclaiming, "Yup, we're all doomed." As she placed her hand atop her bone-covered head.
"Do you think that that is the wisest thing to do now, Scott?" said genius Henry McCoy, a.k.a. the Beast.
"Now more then ever, Henry. Now more then ever."
"What about the teams? If were to busy teaching, how on earth do we go out on missions as well?"
"That is why I called in a little help from my 'reserve' list of X-Men. When we're busy fighting Magneto or something, they will be here watching over the school."
"And who are these 'reserves'?" asked Storm.
"Well since X-Force just split up as well as X-Factor, I have Dani Moonstar, Rhane Sinclair, Jamie Maddox, just to name a few off the top of my head."
Silence fell over the teams and they all just looked at each other and at their assigned teaching jobs. Rogue looked over at her love, Gambit, and the two locked their gloved hands together.
"Anymore questions?" asked Cyclops.
"You never answered the team question. What about us?"
"Well, as for the teams, Storm and I will be having a meeting later to discuss the topic. More information will be disclosed after." Everyone continued their silence.
"Alright. Seeing as there are no other questions, meeting adjourned."
Each X-Man slowly exited the room, making conversation as they made their way out. Storm approached Cyclops.
"And when were you going to tell me of this decision?"
"Since when do I have to tell you every time the teams shift?"
"Don't you think that I have a right to know?" Cyclops stood silent. He knew she was right, but he didn't want to admit it.
"I'm…I'm sorry, Ororo." He reluctantly said calling her by her first name.
"It's alright, Scott. I know you've been under a lot of stress with the mansion and…you know." He nodded.
"Jean and I…our counseling is going along pretty well. I'm sure Jean and I will be fine." Cyclops continued, "Dr. Riviera is world renowned. She's on Doc Sampson's level. I'm sure she'll find out what's wrong." Storm gave a slight nod then turned away.
"Oh by the way," she began, "When is our little meeting?" Cyclops gave her a smile and a slight chuckle was given.
Whereabouts unknown
A man stood in his dank, morbid lab, looking over at some readings he had. He scratched his head thoroughly. Suddenly a gust of wind began to blow the pages the man had in his hands around. The wind stopped and the man looked over his shoulder.
"What is it?"
"Xavier is gone, sir. The time is now, Master E--"
"Please, please, please, Riptide." He said his shining metal skin glowing off of the single glowing candle hanging down from the ceiling.
"Call me Mr. Sinister." Claimed the man with a sinister grin upon his face.