Scott Summers sat on the edge of the grounds, his back barely touching the damp knoll sloping into the dense forest. He swallowed hard, as his mind raced through the events to this point.
An older Hank McCoy, blue and furry, ushered them through time in hopes of averting what he saw as mutant genocide. To that end, they confronted the wayward Cyclops, but the meeting was fleeting, and they parted without much gain. Now, under the care of the older X-Men, the young, original five decided to stay. Though Scott wholeheartedly agreed with his decision, he didn't realize the mental strain.
Everyone hated him.
The older X-Men saw him as the man who willingly embraced absolute power and used that power to kill their long-time mentor, Professor Charles Xavier. The younger X-Men didn't trust him. Their experience was limited, but they were easily shaped by the attitudes and demeanor of the others. They didn't want to be anywhere near him. Especially Jean.
That's probably the one that hurt the most. He loved her. Unequivocally. Compassionately. Unconditionally. But being a fledgling telepath granted her insight to their entire history to this point, and whatever it was, it drove her away.
Wolverine. The so-called X-Man. Scott couldn't accept that a brash, obnoxious ruffian was in some position of leadership within the ranks of the team. Hell, someone like that shouldn't even be on the team. Gambling a death threat in front of everyone? Is that what the X-Men had turned into?
"I must apologize for the lukewarm reception and reaction," a crisp female voice replied.
Scott whisked around. "You..."
"We have not had the time for proper introductions. I am Storm," Ororo took a seat next to him, a light breeze swaying her pristine white hair. When she glanced toward him, her icy eyes were kind and had years of wisdom and strength. Yet, there was a twinkle of hardened experience, an edge that made her formidable and respected.
"Storm," Scott repeated. "You're not coming out here to declare your hatred for Cyclops too, are you?"
Ororo caught the bitter defensiveness in his voice. "No. After all that has happened, I fear we are not at our best moment either. We are angry, hurt, betrayed—some more than others."
"Don't even bring up that Wolverine guy."
"You and he have a complicated history. With my good friend, Jean, in the middle. Aside from that tumultuous side of your relationship, he respected you, more so than probably anyone in his life. No matter how much you both loved her, he would follow you to the ends of the earth and beyond."
"I really didn't get that from our last exchange," Scott curtly replied.
"He was out of line, I shall agree with you on that point. Logan and I have been friends for many years, and I can say that of anyone that could hurt him, you had that ability."
"All he wants is revenge."
"No. I do not believe that is his desire. His feelings are...complicated."
"Jean?" his voice surprisingly shook, and he caught himself from saying anything more.
"Jean was well-loved by everyone. The tragic turns her life took were difficult for all of us. Especially for you and Logan. For her to be back in our midst, those old feelings have been reignited. For older Scott as well."
"This is one time where I don't know what to do."
"For better or worse, you cannot accept things the way they are. It is up to you to decide where to go from here." Ororo gracefully climbed to her feet. "It has been a long night. You should attempt to rest."
"Thanks," he said, unsure of where he stood with her. She departed just as quietly as her approach, and Scott realized that he was tense. Sleep wouldn't come easy for the foreseeable future. He had much think about, and a plan to formulate to make things right. With the X-Men. With Jean. And with himself.
