X-MEN
"That Which Never Was"
By J. B. Tilton (a.k.a. NoAzMale) and Teri Thibeault (a.k.a. Tessalynne)
Emails:
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Rating: PG
Disclaimer: "X-Men" and all related characters and events are the property of the Marvel Comics and Stan Lee, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
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(Authors note: This story is based on the X-Men trilogy movies. It takes place immediately after the events of X-Men 3: The Last Stand.)
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Following the events at Alcatraz Island, a mysterious intruder breaks into the X-Manor and the X-Men discover this intruder may be as powerful as the Phoenix was. And he may be planning to restart Magneto's war against humanity.
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Prologue
It was a bleak, barren landscape covered in snow and ice. No vegetation would have been seen even if the sun had been up. But the full moon overhead illuminated the area nearly as well as daylight. Nothing moved in this desolate desert except for a biting cold wind that dropped the temperature to a frigid -40 degrees. Few things could survive this freezing landscape at the top of the world.
Suddenly a ball of light appeared in the frozen wilderness. There was no apparent source for the light. It was approximately 8 feet in diameter and with each passing moment its intensity increased until it was a blinding radiance that would have blinded anyone who might have witnessed it. The light illuminated the surrounding countryside for several moments and then suddenly blinked out as if it had never been. In its place stood what appeared to be a man of average height and build.
The man was dressed casually, wearing only an overcoat that was much too flimsy to ward off the chilling cold of this barren expanse. Yet he hardly seemed to notice the cold. His jet black hair glistened in the moonlight and his yellow eyes were a stark contrast to the almost snow white look of his skin. He looked around the area as if searching for something. Then he turned his gaze skyward. For several moments he studied the stars and constellations overheard. A small smile played about the corners of his mouth.
He had extensive knowledge of the stars and their positions. Even a cursory examination told him he had arrived exactly at the destination he had intended. In this lifeless, desolate land there would be no prying eyes to witness his arrival. And more importantly, no satellites overhead to document his presence.
Confident he had arrived unnoticed and unannounced the man began to walk south. The only direction he could possibly go from this particular point on Earth. It would take him many days to reach his true objective. But he had timed his arrival precisely. He would have plenty of time to complete his mission. All but ignoring the bitter cold he walked confidently through the piercing wind and blowing snow moving ever closer to his destination. And those he knew would ultimately try to stop him.
ONE
"I don't know how you think you're going to pull this off," said Logan staring at Ororo. "The Professor's gone. So is Scott. And I had to kill Jean to stop her. If you ask me we should just close this place down. It's more like a God-damned mortuary than a school anyway."
"Logan, I'm sorry about what happened," said Ororo. "I know you loved Jean. And if I could change things I would. I loved her, too. I also loved Scott and the Professor. But the Professor started this school to help teach young mutants how to control and use their powers. He wouldn't want it to close just because he's gone. It's his legacy and I intend to do everything in my power to see that it continues for a long time to come."
"You're no Charles Xavier," said Logan, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "I didn't always see eye to eye with him on some things. Hell, we usually didn't agree on most things. But he's the one who kept this school running. You think you can just walk in and take his place?"
"He thought I could. He told me as much just before he . . . died." She nearly had to choke out the last word. "But we have enough instructors here that I think we can keep his dream alive. We could use your help, Logan. The students here need help and guidance now more than ever."
"She's right, Logan," said Hank McCoy, sitting in a chair on the other side of the office. "Charles was one of my oldest and dearest friends. I mourn his passing as do we all. And if he felt that Ororo was the best one to continue in his stead then I for one will not second guess my old mentor. Not only was he a good friend he was also one of the wisest men I ever met. I've always trusted his judgment."
"So, are you going to stay and help run this school?" Logan snapped at Hank. "You've been off in Washington playing politician. Are you going to give that up to make sure that the Professor's dream stays alive?"
"Right now the best place for me is in Washington," said Hank. "Or rather in New York. I'm the new ambassador to the United Nations. The recent events at Alcatraz Island have left not only the entire country uncertain of the future, but the rest of the world as well. If Magneto can do what he did here there are quite a number of people who are afraid it could happen elsewhere. That another mutant might try to seize power somewhere else. My high visibility as the ambassador will help calm a lot of people. Show them that not all mutants are like Magneto."
"You think one fur ball at the U.N. will do all that?" Logan asked sarcastically.
"That's not fair, Logan," snapped Ororo. "Hank has always been a good friend. A lot of people, human and mutant alike, trust and respect him. His appointment as ambassador went through Congress in record time. And, I might add, he was approved by the widest margin ever for an American Ambassador. People are going to listen to what he has to say and as a mutant himself he will be in the best possible position to make sure that Alcatraz never happens again."
"By forcing all mutants to take the cure?" questioned Logan.
"That isn't going to happen," said Hank. "I've all ready spoken to the President and key members of Congress. While they will still manufacture the cure, only those mutants who willingly accept it will get it. No one will be forced to take the cure unless they prove themselves to be a viable threat."
"And who decides if they're a viable threat?" Logan asked.
"The courts," responded Hank. "Legislation is being drafted right now that will require only mutants legally convicted of a felony to undergo mandatory injection. It's no different from a human that say murders someone with a gun. You take the gun away from them. Only in this case the weapon will be the mutant's power. So if they're convicted of a felony then their 'weapon' will be removed from them. Otherwise no mutant will be forced to accept the so-called cure."
"That still doesn't answer my question," said Logan. He looked at Ororo. "How do you expect to keep this school up and running?"
"The Professor left his entire estate to the school," said Ororo. "There's more than enough money to keep this school solvent for many, many years. Right now we're a little shorthanded on staff but that will change. There are a great many adult mutants who will be glad to help. And I know some of the students plan to stay on once they graduate.
"Logan, you of all people should be behind me on this. Professor Xavier took you in when you had no place else to go. You fought the evil mutants and risked your life to keep everything the Professor believed alive. How can you just turn your back on it now?"
"I didn't say I was turning my back on it," said Logan. "I've never said anything before but this is the first place that's felt almost like home. But with the Professor gone I just don't see how you can keep the school open. There are still a lot of humans out there that see us a threat. And probably more than a few that would like to see us all take 'the cure'. Or worse."
"Then help us change their minds," said Hank. "Help us show them that not all mutants are like Magneto and those others. Show them that mutants can be taught to use their powers responsibly. A mutant's power is like any other tool. The power itself is not a threat or a danger. It's how it's used. Help Ororo and the others teach young mutants to use their powers to benefit mankind."
"There'll always be a Magneto out there," said Logan. "Some mutant who thinks they're better than everyone else. Who thinks they have the right to tell others how to live. Keeping this school open won't change that."
"But it will help keep us prepared to deal with them when and if it does," said Ororo. "Alcatraz Island proved one thing if nothing else. The only ones capable of dealing with a mutant threat are mutants. Most humans aren't equipped to deal with rogue mutants. We are. Keeping this school open will not only help us to teach young mutants to use their powers correctly but will also give us the means to stop anyone else that tries to do what Magneto tried to do."
"Besides," said Hank, "as you said, nothing can stop someone else from trying something similar in the future. It's just as true for humans as for mutants. History has taught us that. The only way to guarantee the peace is to be prepared for war. The fact that this school is still open might actually deter someone from trying anything."
"Speak softly but carry a big stick, huh?" questioned Logan.
"Something like that," said Hank. "All we're asking is that you help us try."
"And what if it doesn't work?" Logan asked. "What if after your best efforts you can't keep the school running?"
"Then it will close," said Ororo. "But we at least have to try. We owe that much to the Professor, Scott, and Jean. So that at least their deaths will have some meaning."
Logan looked at Ororo and Hank. He knew they were both right. And he had never run from a challenge in his life. It wasn't his nature. Jean's death still festered inside him. The thought that her death would be in vain was not a thought he was willing to accept. He had been forced to kill the woman he loved to save not only mutants but humans as well. Her death had to have some meaning; some purpose. Perhaps they were right. Maybe this was exactly what would give her death some reason.
"On one condition," he said finally.
"And that is?" questioned Ororo.
"I want the fridge stocked with beer," said Logan. "A fellow has to be able to unwind after a long day in the classroom."
"I think that's a small price to pay," said Hank, smiling at Ororo.
"As long as you don't drink while you're on duty," said Ororo. "And not in front of the students. They'll pick up enough bad habits as it is."
"Deal," said Logan. "Then again, it does beg the question just exactly what is it you want me to teach these kids?"
"How about etiquette and manners?" Hank suggested wryly, a hint of a smile on his face.
"That's enough, Hank," said Ororo. "We don't want to push Logan away. Well, you do seem to be very good at taking care of yourself. What about physical education? Maybe with a little self-defense thrown in?"
"You mean the Danger Room?" questioned Logan. "I guess I can handle that. What about Cerebro? What do you plan to do about that?"
"I've all ready sealed if off," said Ororo. "Like the Professor's private quarters, they are off limits to everyone. Anyone who had any chance of properly using Cerebro is dead. I don't think we should dismantle it. The Professor felt it was important to have. I'm not sure what we'll do about it. For now we'll just keep the room sealed and let no one in until we do decide."
"Well, I need to be going," said Hank, looking at his watch. "I have a meeting with the President this afternoon to discuss my new ambassadorship and then I'm scheduled to address the entire general assembly tomorrow. Logan, thanks again for staying on. You won't regret it."
"That has yet to be proven," said Logan. "But you're both right. We should at least give it a try. Maybe we can make a go of it, who knows? But we won't know if we don't try."
"That's the spirit," said Hank. "Ororo, it's been a pleasure. I'll try to get back this way again soon to see how things are going. And if you need anything, you know where to reach me."
"Thanks, Hank," said Ororo. "I will."
"He's not so bad once you get to know him," said Logan after Hank had left.
"Hank's a good friend," said Ororo. "I really wish you wouldn't refer to him as a fur ball. He can't help the way he is any more than you or I can."
"I don't mean anything by it," said Logan. "And he doesn't seem to mind."
"Excuse me, Ms. Monroe," said a little girl about 12 standing in the doorway to the office.
"What is it, Claire?" Ororo asked.
"You told us that Professor's room was off limits," said Claire.
"That's right," said Ororo. "Until we decide exactly what we're going to do the room is going to remain sealed."
"Oh," said Claire. "Who was that man going into his room?"
"What man?" Ororo asked.
"The strange man," said Claire. "He had white skin and yellow eyes. And he just went through the door into the Professor's room."
"I thought you locked that door?" Logan questioned.
"I did," said Ororo. "No one has the key to it but me."
"No, he went through the door," said Claire. "You know, like Kitty can."
"He phased?" Ororo asked. "I wasn't aware that anyone else had phasing ability."
"We'd better get down there," said Logan. "This guy sounds like another mutant. But what would he want in the Professor's room?"
"We'd better find out," said Ororo. "Claire, would you contact Piotr and Bobby and ask them to meet us there please."
Claire closed her eyes for a moment. Then she opened them again.
"They're on their way," she said.
"Come on, Logan," said Ororo, a hint of anger in her voice. "I want to see who dares invade the Professor's room."
Together she and Logan left the office and headed for the sealed room of Professor Xavier.