Together Again
Somewhere on the highways and byways of America there was a large gas station/convenience store. Several people were either buying gas, groceries or using the facilities to stretch their legs. A few people were loitering outside on motorcycles while their friends were inside buying staples. A baseball game was playing on a large flat screen television in the corner. Until there was a news break.
"We interrupt this programming for an important news bulletin from the United Nations. Noted geneticist Professor Charles Zendrowski attempted to assassinate Professor Charles Xavier."
"What?" A young auburn haired woman with white streaks in her hair looked up from one of the aisles. She and the other customers at the gas station had their eyes on the television in the corner.
"For more information we go live to our reporter Hector Ramirez on the scene," The newscaster spoke.
The dark haired mustached reporter was then shown. "This is Hector Ramirez live from the United Nations where Charles Xavier has just been shot by Charles Zendrowski at the Mutant Peace Conference. Xavier, a well known mutant and leader of the infamous X-Men was promoting peace talks with humankind when the man who was supposed to announce him, Zendrowski, shot him just above the heart. Xavier was taken to a nearby hospital and is now being transported to the Xavier Institute for security reasons. So far his condition is serious but stable."
"No…" Rogue gasped.
"Immediately after the attack, Roberto DaCosta, the diplomat from Madripoor immediately attacked Zendrowski and killed him on the spot," Ramirez reported. "As you can see in this security footage."
The images on the television told the whole story. Zendrowski introducing himself to Xavier and then shooting him. Just as Hank, Peter, Sam and Tabitha were running over to help, Roberto flew out of the crowd shouting epithets at Zendrowski. In almost slow motion she watched in horror as he threw some fireballs right at the man who shot Xavier. Zendrowski narrowly missed one, but was hit square in the back by the other two. He was burned to death almost instantly due to the intensity of the heat.
Then the scene changed to one of pure pandemonium. Security officers firing at Roberto. Roberto firing back at them. One guard was singed and another was hit by the flame blast. People running and screaming. Some curtains and a podium being caught on fire. Hank trying to perform life saving techniques on Xavier. The other remaining X-Men trying to protect Xavier from the stampeding crowd and stray bullets. Then Roberto and Starla flying away.
"During the ensuing firefight DaCosta also killed one security guard and injured two more. As well as started a huge fire that has now engulfed the East Wing of the United Nations building. DaCosta and his companion Starla Vandermer escaped to the Madripoor Embassy. Due to diplomatic immunity they cannot be arrested for the crime," Ramirez reported. "However the United States Government is already putting pressure on the Madripoor Government to hand over DaCosta for trial. And a huge crowd of protestors is forming at the gates of the embassy. Also in the section of New York City known as Mutant Town we are also getting reports of crowds of mutants decrying this act of violence. Clearly the days events will have repercussions on both the mutant and human community for years to come."
"Sunspot you dang fool…" Rogue gritted her teeth and swore under her breath.
"As mutant/human relations decline deeper, it is just another nail in the coffin for Valarie Cooper, now no longer the head of the Department of Mutant Affairs," The newscaster reported. "We've just learned that she has resgined and has just been replaced by Henry Gyrich. Gyrich a staunch advocate on mutant registration..."
"Rogue did you…?" A young man with long auburn hair in a ponytail and a goatee pulled down his shades to reveal a pair of black on red eyes.
"I saw it too Gambit," Rogue grunted. "Damn it! Go tell the others. We gotta haul ass if we want to make it to the Institute by dark."
"HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN?" Logan roared. "How the hell could one guy get the drop on one of the most powerful telepaths in the world? Not to mention get a gun through all that security?"
The X-Men were all assembled in the War room along with Lance and Pietro. "We've already talked to the authorities," Lance told him. "Apparently he had a little inside help. A couple of the guards happen to be members of the FOH and helped smuggle a gun to him."
"But Zendrowski wasn't a member of the FOH," Alex said.
"No, but he knew a lot of people who are," Pietro folded his arms. "Including, get this…Graydon Creed. It seems Creed took a couple of classes under the guy when he was trying to get his doctorate degree. They remained friends over the years. According to a tape the authorities found in his office Zendrowski was convinced that Duncan Matthews didn't really kill Creed, but Xavier took over his brain and forced him to do it."
"Great, even dead that piece of trash still gives us headaches," Logan growled. "So how did Zendrowski fool Xavier?"
"We guess some kind of anti-telepathy dampener," Pietro said. "At least that's what it looked like when they pulled it off what was left of Zendrowski."
"Funny isn't it how out of all of us Sunspot was the one to get that guy?" Tabitha grunted.
"No it isn't, because now it's become an international incident!" Alex said.
"It was gonna be that the second Xavier got shot!" Bobby snapped. "You can't exactly blow away one of the most prominent mutant activists in the world and not expect other mutants to act on it!"
"Like Madripoor and Magneto," Logan groaned.
The door opened. Kitty, Kurt, Betsy, Pete Wisdom and Lila Cheney walked in. "We came as soon as we heard!" Kitty said giving Logan a hug. "How is he?"
"Stable," Logan sighed. "We were real lucky and the shot was inches away from his heart. Even a quarter inch and he'd be dead. Lifeline is in there with him."
"He just got back from an extended mission," Lance explained. "We got him to Xavier just in time. He'll pull through."
"That's nice to know," Lila spoke. "Thanks be to Shakari!"
"Uh oh…" Lance gulped when he saw Lila.
"Relax Avalanche, I am so over you!" Lila folded her arms. "Especially when there are bigger jerks who deserve to be tortured even more. I mean the only reason you betrayed me was that I was going to betray you first. That was just my own bad karma biting me in the behind!"
"Well that…" Lance gulped.
"Unlike a certain rich playboy who dumped me for the first available bleached blonde hooker who opened her legs for him for no reason…" Lila fumed.
"Lila, focus!" Kitty snapped. "Shakari, Lila. Shakari!"
"Right," Lila calmed down. "Shakari. Shakari…"
"We gotta introduce you to Magma," Pietro snickered. "Something tells me that the two of you would get along like a house on fire! Actually it sounds like you would burn your exes' houses on fire."
"Same old Quicksilver," Jean walked in with Scott and Wanda. "Still running off at the mouth."
"Jean!" Kitty gasped. "Is it really you?" More hugs and comforting pats on the back were around.
"When they heard the news on the radio Jean called the number we left with them for emergencies and I gave 'em a ride," Wanda explained amid the chaos. "Xavier is he…?"
"He's going to live," Lance explained.
"Which is more than what I could say for Sunspot if I ever get my hands on him," Sam grumbled.
"Don't be too mad Sammy," Tabitha sighed. "Sad truth is I would have probably done the same thing myself."
"Yeah," Logan had to admit that same truth as well. "I know. Any news about Magneto or Madripoor reacting yet?"
"Still all quiet but you know that's not going to last much longer," Hank sighed.
"SHIPWRECK STOP PUSHING ME! I CAN DO IT MYSELF!" Ororo shouted as Shipwreck wheeled her into the room. Her foot was in a cast.
"Speak of the devil," Hank rolled his eyes.
"Come on Babe, you're not able to run or anything so you might as well sit back and…" Shipwreck smiled.
"I can still throw bolts of lighting at you Shipwreck!" Ororo snapped. "Very painful bolts of lightning!"
"I take it you have reconsidered our offer to stay here at the Institute while your foot heals?" Hank raised an eyebrow.
"After the few weeks of living Hell with this clown, yes!" Ororo said.
"Hey Storm!" Jean hugged her. "What happened? And what was all that I heard about you being engaged?"
"Let's just say if it wasn't for a certain sailor my life would be very different right now!" Ororo glared at Shipwreck.
Althea, Xi and Todd walked in wearing black. Althea was wearing a black halter top and black pants with a black jacket. Todd was wearing a similar variation only he had a black T-shirt and a long black coat. Xi was merely wearing a black ninja mesh uniform with silver wristbands.
"Hey!" Althea said. "Looks like the gang's all here."
"Some reunion," Jean sighed giving Althea a hug. "Were you on a mission?"
"Finished it up just before this crap hit the fan," Todd nodded. "Yo Summers! How's it going?"
"Not bad Wart Man," Scott smirked. "I hear you three are full fledged ninjas now."
"Check it out, dude," Todd rolled up his sleeve on his right arm. The symbol of the Arashikage Clan was tattooed in red on it. "I'm a man of the clan!"
"Holy crap Toad did you get taller?" Bobby gasped. Todd had drawn himself up at full height. He was almost as tall as Scott now and his hair was a little longer.
"Had a growth spurt," Todd smirked. "You guys didn't exactly shrink while we were gone ya know?"
Bobby then realized he had also grown almost a foot since they had last seen the Misfits. "I guess we didn't."
"I guess a lot of things changed while we were away," Scott sighed.
"Yeah, hey Summers you wanna get a drink or something in the kitchen?" Lance asked.
"Sure, why not?" Scott sighed as they walked out of the room.
"Wow, another sight I never thought I would see," Pietro blinked.
"Things must really be bad if those two are getting along," Althea agreed.
Soon Scott and Lance were both alone in the kitchen drinking sodas. "Okay I brought you down here because I thought you wanted someone to talk to," Lance admitted.
"Talk? About what?"
"Scott how long are you going to punish Xavier for what happened in the past?" Lance asked.
"What do you mean?" Scott asked. "I can't just forgive him after what he did to me! To us!"
"It wasn't all his fault," Lance told him. "Even I can see that. He's not Magneto you know? Besides no one put a gun to your head and forced you to put on spandex and fight the good fight. Of course in my case it was several sharp metal objects but you see where I'm going with this."
"No, but you have to admit there are a lot of similarities," Scott growled.
"He made some bad choices when he was young," Lance said. "Or should I say misinformed choices?"
"Don't throw that in my face," Scott said. "This is completely different than the Cauldron Incident and you know it."
"Take it from someone who's not exactly an angel himself," Lance told him. "It's not easy to change. Even if you really want to. And Xavier wanted to change. Look I'm not saying he didn't screw up a few things, but he really thought he was doing the right thing. And in a way he was."
"I never thought I'd hear you defend him," Scott was stunned.
"Life's funny like that," Lance shrugged. "But like I said I wasn't always exactly the good guy. So I can get where he's coming from. Look Summers, we both know that this ain't exactly a perfect world, let alone a perfect world for mutants. As soon as a mutant is born he's got a target on his back. Xavier was just trying to be realistic as well as try to bring some hope for our kind."
"Hope? He was making a mutant army!" Scott snapped.
"So was Magneto if you didn't notice," Lance pointed out. "Not to mention the Hellfire Club and a half dozen other creeps we've come across. And if I recall correctly you weren't exactly complaining when you were leading the X-Men. In fact you were more into the whole army idea than anyone."
"That was different!" Scott said. "That was…"
"When you thought you were the first?" Lance asked. "When you believed that Xavier didn't do it with anyone else? That you were special or something?"
"Just what are you saying Alvers?" Scott growled.
"Face it Summers you ran because you got kicked where it hurts the most, your pride!" Lance snapped. "You think I don't know what that's like? At least you weren't tossed aside like an old shoe when you were worn down!"
"That's because I wised up and tossed Xavier out before he had the chance to do it to me!" Scott snapped. "I mean what about all those other mutants he worked with?"
"You mean you don't want to end up tossed aside on some kind of reject pile?" Lance asked. "Don't lie to me. You ran because you got scared. You've been tossed aside like a worn out sneaker before and you don't want that to happen again. If you really hated Xavier like you claim you do, you wouldn't be here at all!"
"But you still love him and deep down you know he loves you," Lance went on. "Now maybe it wasn't a perfect relationship but what relationship is? Charles Xavier was more of a father to you than your own father was. And you were scared. You saw him discard other people and you were scared that would happen to you. Alone and unloved just like you were before he found you! So what happens when you find out you're not the most important thing in his life? You chicken out! It's not too late to try and make up with him. You don't have to go back to being an X-Man if you don't want to. But you have to face Xavier and tell him how you really feel. Way I see it you got a second chance. Don't blow it."
"It's not that I don't want to but…"
"But what?"
"I just can't forget what he's done," Scott sighed.
"You are forgetting one little thing," Lance said.
"And what's that?"
"He's also human and if there is one thing humans do well is make mistakes," Lance told him. "Xavier will never be perfect and yes like all of us at one time or another he misused his powers. The point is how we handle ourselves after our mistakes. Just give that some thought will ya?"
Lance turned to leave. "One other thing…Even though my old man was a bastard. If I had the same chance you have with Xavier…I still wouldn't blow it. No matter how much crap he put me through." He walked away.
Scott sat there thinking for a moment. Then he finished his drink and went to the infirmary. "How is he?" He asked Hank who was checking up on him.
"Resting," Hank said. "He might wake up in a minute. But don't get him overexcited."
"All right," Scott said as he sat down by Xavier's bedside. "I just…I just want to sit with him a minute. Okay?"
Hank nodded and left the room. "Professor?" Scott said softly. "I don't know if you can hear me…But I…I don't really hate you. I just…There's a lot I've been thinking about and going through. I just…I just want to talk."
"It's all right Scott…" He could hear Xavier talk to him telepathically. "I can hear you. I'm just…so tired. It's easier to communicate this way…"
Scott wasn't angry or startled at the telepathic communication. Actually it was rather comforting. "Yeah," Scott smiled as he held his mentor's hand. "I guess we really haven't been communicating for a long time. Maybe…Maybe it's time we started?"
"So how's life in Excalibur treating you, Fuzzy?" Todd asked as he opened a soda bottle with his tongue and took a deep gulp. Many former and current X-Men and Misfits were in the living room catching up on old times.
"Not bad," Kurt smiled as he opened the soda with his tail and took a drink. "You know, every week we go fight the bad guys. But uh, it's not like the old days ya know? I don't know what it is but the bad guys over in Europe are mostly limited to bank robbers and art thieves and a couple of drug dealers. Oh yeah we get the occasional super villain that wants to take over the world but uh, they're just not as challenging as what we're used to ya know?"
"Yeah we get better fights between Kitty and Pete before they have makeup sex," Lila snorted.
"Wonderful," Peter grumbled and left the room.
"I heard Cobra had a few operations in Europe," Xi said.
"Had is operative word," Lila snorted. "We busted those losers up good!"
"If only it was permanent," Althea shook her head. "I heard even Hydra is keeping a low profile these days."
"That's because they have decided to move their main headquarters of operations to Madripoor," Rina growled.
"I heard about that," Kitty nodded. "Looks like they're getting real cozy with the mutant run government there."
"Not surprised about that," Amara folded her arms.
"Hey! We've got some vehicles headed this way," Logan grunted.
"More news trucks?" Bobby asked as they looked out the window.
"No! I recognize those bikes! It's Rogue!" Amara yelled. "And Gambit! And they've brought company!" Everyone ran outside to see their old friends.
"Looks like I came back just in time," Rogue smirked as she dismounted from her motorcycle. "Now we can really get this party started!"
Next: Who are the friends Rogue's brought with her? And how are things going to play out? Keep reading folks! This fic is just getting warmed up!
