Scott made his way down to the hanger, needing to take a few moments for himself. It was harder than he thought coming here. Seeing Wolverine and Storm was difficult but now he had to see the Professor and Jean…he wasn't sure he was up for the task…but he knew he had to be…the future depended upon it. Scott walked around the hanger thinking of all the things he needed to tell the X-Men about himself and about the future or what could possibly be their future if they failed. Scott stopped suddenly in mid-stride as a realization hit him…Jean! He didn't want Jean at this meeting; he wanted to speak with her alone…to prepare her for what was coming. Hurrying out of the hanger he went to find Storm to make sure that no one notified Jean of the meeting or his return.
Getting to Storm wasn't easy. Making his way through the mansion and the students who recognized him proved to be a challenge. Stopping just long enough to say that he would explain everything later and getting them to promise not to mention his return to anyone else but most especially Jean wasn't easy. He finally managed to catch up with Storm just as she was making her way up the stairs that lead to the wing that housed the faculty. "Storm wait!"
Pausing with her hand on the banister and her foot on the first step, Storm turned her head towards Scott. "Scott, I was just on my way to inform Jean of the meeting."
"I know." "That's why I stopped you." Scott paused as Storm frowned and turned towards him fully, noting the frown he hurried to reassure Storm of his reasoning. "It's okay; I just want to speak with Jean alone." "Our…our discussion needs to be held in private." "I mean – my sudden return from the dead will be a lot for her to handle and I would rather our reunion take place in private." "I am sure you understand."
Storms frown cleared up Scott gave his explanation when he finished she was smiling softly at him and nodding in agreement. "Of course I understand." Moving away from the stairs she started back down the hall to the elevator speaking to Scott over her shoulder. "Let's head down to the war room." "I saw that Logan and the Professor heading down just as you came up and the rest of the team should be there as well." Just as she started to get on the elevator Scott heard the sound of a motorcycle and another vehicle pulling up outside.
"That should be the friends I told you about." "Why don't you head down and let everyone know that we will join them in a few moments." Scott turns away from the elevator and heads for the front door before Storm can agree or disagree with his suggestion. Calling out she lets Scott know that his plan is acceptable. "Okay, we'll see you downstairs."
Storm enters the war room to see Logan, the Professor, Bobby, Kitty, Rogue, Peter, Hank and Warren already gathered together on the side of the table facing the door. Moving to join them she takes the open seat between the Professor and Logan. "Scott will be down in a few moments." "His friends were arriving and he wanted to bring them down."
"Storm are you sure it's Scott?" The Professor asks as Storm takes her seat. Seeing the look on her face that says she never thought other wise the Professor continues. "I only ask because I can't get a reading and while Scott has always had strong mental shields he has never been able to completely block me out." "If this is Scott his shielding has become excellent since he's been gone. As the Professor starts to say something else the door opens once again and Scott enters followed by four men that had the hair on the back of Logan's neck rising. Friends – yeah right – more like soldiers. Logan took in the appearance of each man in turn. The first was about 6'1 and weighing about 175 with reddish-brown hair, wearing a trench coat and a pair of shades which he took off to reveal a pair of red eyes. The second was about 6'6 and had to weigh at least 275 with black hair and brown eyes and "M" tattoo over his right eye. The third man was about 6 feet even weighing about 180 with brown hair and black eyes he also seemed to have some kind of mechanical right leg. The last man was at least 6'8 a good 380 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair and what also looked to be a mechanical left arm and shoulder.
Before Logan could act on his impulse to gut first and ask questions later the Professor spoke up. "Scott, it's good to see you my son." Indicating the seating on the other side of the table the Professor gestures for them to have a seat.
Logan notes that while Scott takes a seat his friends remain standing and take up positions around him. "It's good to see you as well…Charles." The Professor starts a little as he hears his name cross Scott's lips which is unusual, for as long as he has know him Scott has never referred to him as anything other than Sir or Professor – this was indeed a change. "I am sure that everyone has a lot of questions and I will try to answer them as best I can but for now let me introduce you to my friends – standing on my right is Gambit, to my left is Bishop, and behind me is Forge and Cable." Scott pauses and takes a deep breath which he expels slowly. "I am going to tell you all a story – a story of a mutant called Apocalypse.