CHAPTER 9: Reminder

Downs residence, Red Rock, Oklahoma – Sunday, May 22, 2011, 5:02 PM

"Should I set the table now, Mom?" Jason asked.

"In a minute, Jason. Help me with the tuna casserole."

Jason quickly stepped to Mom's side and began opening the cans of cream of mushroom soup to mix into the pasta and tuna. Jason felt his stomach growl as he began to mix the ingredients together. "It's been too long since you made this, Mom…"

Susan had to smile at that. "Well, I'm glad you love it so much."

"If I didn't, I should be arrested," Jason replied with a smile of his own.

Susan looked back at the meal she was preparing. It had been just over a month since their lives changed forever on that fateful night in April. Jason and her husband, Patrick had been released later the next week. It was tough at first, having to rearrange the house a bit to make it wheelchair friendly, and her having to find a job to meet the bills. Thankfully, Grandma Denise had decided to move in and help out where she could, and also to take care of Bethany when Patrick got tired. Jason had returned to school and was surprised to see how much he was missed. Apparently, the story of his close shave with the tornado had spread like wildfire in the school, and his scar was a testament to it. Jason however was reluctant to talk about it, and usually tried to change the subject. Susan glanced at Jason, still looking over preparing the casserole, and espied the crimson-colored y-shaped scar that dominated the right side of his face. That scar will be an eternal reminder of the change that happened to the family.

The tornado was just one incident that changed the lives of the family forever; the second was the revelation that Jason was a mutant, and an exceptionally powerful one at that, so much that it attracted a madman. Ever since being released, Jason had tried to act as if everything was normal, but even he knew it wasn't. During the nights, he would often retreat to the basement and repeatedly transmute wooden blocks to random shapes, trying to get a grip on his powers. It had been difficult, as he had to try to avoid clapping his hands together, which apparently stimulated the energy needed for his power. As a result, Jason had taken up the habit of carrying around a stress ball or two to keep his hands busy. Just the same, washing his hands was a bit of a chore.

Jason got done with the mixing of the casserole. "Ok, where do we keep the pans?"

"They should be in the cupboard," Susan answered. "When did they say they were going to be here?"

"About five-thirty." Jason continued as he dug through the cupboard. "The Professor said he was bringing two of the others at the Institute as well. Oh, here we are." Jason pulled out a decent-sized baking platter. "I hope we made enough tuna casserole, because I'm going to want seconds."

"Jason, are you sure about this?"

Jason looked at his mother. This had been a repeated topic of discussion since they left the hospital, about whether Jason should go to the Institute or no. "I'm not sure about this at all, which is why we agreed to have them come over, remember?"

"It's not that…" Susan returned. "It's just…so much has happened right now, I'm not sure if I want you to go."

"Believe me, Mom. If I could stay here and learn, I'd be all for it." Jason said calmly. "And frankly, I'm still not sure if I should go. With Dad being in a wheelchair, I've been wondering if I should stay around and help him out. Of course, you know how Dad stands about this."

Susan nodded. Her husband was all for sending their son to the Institute, partly to learn as well as for protection for their son. Patrick didn't want Jason to leave either, but if Jason was hunted by someone else as bad as or even worse than this Magneto that went after him before, Jason just was not safe here from that. "I know…I'm just so worried about you. I don't like the fact you have such a power that terrible people want to use you to do terrible things."

"Neither do I. Magneto was bad enough." Jason started pouring the casserole into the pan. "Let's worry about that after supper and we have a chance to talk to the Professor, ok?"

Susan nodded again, right when the oven chimed that it was fully heated.

"And just in time!" Jason remarked. "How long does it need to bake?"

"Thirty minutes. Once you're done, clean yourself up. Where's your father?"

"I think he's in the living room, watching the TV…"

At that moment, Grandma Denise waltzed into the room, dressed in a flamboyant purple dress and a prominent red hat. "Well, I can't stay another minute, but Susan, there's a pecan pie in the fridge for dessert."

Jason's eyes widened at that. "Grandma, you're going to spoil me…"

"I'm your Grandma, sweetie. That's my job!" Picking up her purse from the table, she said, "I got to run, and I won't be back for a few hours. Bethany is in her room, so have a good night!"

Jason laughed. "Ok, Grandma. Have fun with whatever the Red Hats are doing this time!"

"Now you mind your business there, Jason, and don't let some stranger whisk you away before I had my say."

Jason smiled wryly. "I'll do my best…now shoo, you're going to be late!"

"Oh, good heavens you're right! Bye now!" With that, Denise took off out of the kitchen.

Jason sighed. "I never seen so much purple in one place before…"

"It only gets worse, Jason…"

"Don't say that." Jason placed the casserole in the oven and set the timer. "Thirty minutes…should be just about right then…"

Forty minutes later…

While the Downs family was waiting for their guests patiently, the Professor drove through the small streets of Red Rock, Oklahoma quietly. In the car with him were Jean and Piotr, both having come with him to the Downs house to once again offer a position at the Institute to Jason. Earlier the previous week, they had received a call from Jason himself, requesting a time they could come to the house and talk to him and his parents more about joining the Institute. The Professor was well pleased at hearing this, and had set up a time. He also chose Jean and Piotr to come with him to talk to the family, considering that Jason had familiarity with both of them.

"It's such a quiet town…" Jean said, as she looked at the houses roll on by.

"Indeed, very peaceful," the Professor said. "Piotr, are you all right?"

Piotr looked up, not expecting his name to be called. "Yes, sir…"

"You've been very quiet, Peter…" Jean said. "Something on your mind?"

"Da…" Piotr said. "I was still thinking about what we saw on the highway outside of town."

Jean managed a glance at the Professor. They had taken Highway 15 into town, the same highway Jason and his father had met fate in the form of a terrible tornado that nearly killed both of them. Nowadays, the highway had been cleaned up, and aside from some torn apart trees, you wouldn't think a tornado passed by. As they passed, all of them felt some kind of ominous feeling as they did, but no one talked about it at the time.

"Sometimes such a disaster leaves that kind of scar in the land for some time, no matter who cleans it up. Most don't even notice, but to those who know the story…we feel it as if we came across the scene the day after it passed through."

Piotr had to concede that.

"But it isn't healthy to dwell on the past, Piotr. The past is only there to remember and to learn from, not to live in. We must learn from the past, and use its lessons to shape the future from where we stand in the present. Wouldn't you agree?"

Piotr felt that cut straight to his heart. The Professor's word carried a deeper meaning that meant more to Piotr than anyone else in the vehicle. Jason had said something quite similar in more words over a month ago, and that conversation had changed Piotr forever. He had meant to discuss his past with the Professor, but he hadn't gotten around to it yet. He was still struggling with his own self-doubt, but he was working on it. Soon enough, he would talk to the Professor about it.

Jean spoke up; unaware of what went through Piotr's mind at that moment. "Isn't that the house?"

The Professor looked to see where Jean was looking. "Yes, that's it."

Piotr sighed nervously.

"You all right, Peter?" Jean asked.

"I will be. I just don't want to mess this up…"

Jean laughed. "I know the feeling. Don't worry, you'll be fine."

Piotr started to blush. "Thank you, Jean…"

At that time, the Professor pulled the car out into the driveway that led to the Downs' house. Jean stepped out first, and noticed something right away. "Isn't that tuna casserole I smell?"

Piotr stepped out, and immediately noticed the aroma. "It is…wonderful…"

The Professor had noticed the smell as well. "I didn't expect they would make us dinner. Now Piotr, can you help me with my chair?"

Immediately, Piotr went for the rear of the vehicle and opened the door, finding a wheelchair folded inside. They had left his trusted electric wheelchair at the mansion, as it was a pain in the neck to move in vehicles, minus the X-Van. In due process, the Professor led the way towards the front door, where a ramp had been prepared, laid over steps that used to be there. The Professor noticed the ramp with a touch of sadness, knowing that it was meant for Patrick Downs, the loving father of Jason that lost his ability to walk in the tornado, and with that in mind ascended the step. The others followed in silence. Upon reaching the porch, Jean knocked softly on the door. Very quickly, the door opened up to show Jason, looking a far sight better than how they first met, although he had to sport the buzzcut for a while until his hair grew out evenly.

Jason looked delighted to see them. "Hey, you made it!"

"Was there any doubt?" the Professor said with a smile.

"Not from me, anyway. Come on in! The casserole is not quite ready yet, but it will be. I was just setting up the table."

As they all entered, the Professor asked. "How have you been, Jason?"

"Pretty good, considering. Come on into the living room. My dad is already there, you can talk to him while I help Mom with the food…"

With that, Jason took off for the kitchen, while the three found Patrick watching the news. He looked up to see the Professor, Piotr and a red-haired girl he didn't know come in. "Hello, you must be Professor Xavier."

The Professor nodded. "I am indeed. Thank you for allowing us to visit your lovely home."

"We try…" Patrick smiled, rotating his chair around to face the Professor. "I already know Piotr there. How are you doing?"

Piotr had an inkling that Patrick was really asking how he had been since their last talk. "Very good, sir."

Patrick smiled pleasantly. "Glad to hear it." He then looked at Jean. "And I don't believe we met, Miss…"

"Jean, Jean Grey. I first talked to your son while you were still in a coma at the hospital."

Patrick's face reflected that recollection. "Oh yes, Jason mentioned you. Thank you for coming!"

"Thank you for having us…"

"Why don't we head to the dining room? Dinner should be done soon…"

"I have to say that I'm sorry to inconvenience you for dinner, Mr. Downs," the Professor said.

"It's no problem, and please, call me Patrick."

A few minutes later, all of them had gathered around the dinner table, and just in time too; Jason brought out a steaming platter of tuna casserole. "And here we are!" He looked back at the kitchen. "Mom, I don't think they will care too much about what you look like right now. You look fine!"

"Give me a few moments to freshen up, and I'll be right out!"

Jason placed the casserole at the table. "Mom, it's just the Professor, not Jean-Luc Picard!"

"I said a few minutes!"

"Ok, fine!" Jason whispered under his breath. "Pre-Madonna…"

"Jason…" Patrick warned. "That's no way to speak about your mother."

"Sorry…"

"Why don't you get your sister for dinner?"

Jason wordlessly got up and left the room down a nearby hallway.

Patrick addressed the Professor. "I must apologize. My wife gets like this when we have company…"

"Perfectly natural…" the Professor said graciously.

Eventually, Susan joined them for dinner—as well as Jason and Bethany—and it didn't take long afterwards for the group there to dig in. Needless to say, the tuna casserole was well received by their guests, and Jason made sure to get helpings as soon as he could. Bethany, who was normally chatty around the table, kept quiet. Her shyness around strangers got the better of her, but she managed to stay at the table, and only snuck glances at the three strangers when she was sure they weren't looking or speaking to her.

Dinner was over before anyone wanted to be, but with it came the reason why they all gathered tonight. All of them filed into the room, while Jason said goodbye to Bethany. "Hey, Bethany, you want to play in the room for a while?"

"Aww, can I play with you?"

"Maybe later, but right now I have some grown-up talk to do with my new friends…"

Bethany blinked twice before answering. "Does that mean you're talking about dirty stuff?"

Jason had to will himself to not burst out laughing and instead condense it into a chuckle. "No-no, not THAT grown-up talk. We have to talk about something that's got to do with the cool thing I can do."

Bethany widened her eyes. "Oh, you mean your magic!"

Jason had to smile; Bethany was far too young to understand the difference between alchemy and magic. "Yeah, in a sense. Now, we'll play later. Be good, okay!"

"Ok, but promise you won't talk about anything dirty."

"Oh, we won't, but I promise."

They shared a quick embrace, and Bethany took off for the room. By the time Jason joined his parents and the X-Men that came, they had already sat down. To that, Jason joked, "I feel like this is an intervention."

Patrick slapped his leg. "And I forgot to write my letter too…"

The Professor smiled at that, while Jean merely coughed to hide a laugh. "Well, rest assured, I hope this meeting will not be nearly so dramatic."

Jason shrugged, and sat down in a loan chair adjacent Piotr and his own father.

The Professor clasped his hands together in front of him, and looked briefly at Susan. "As you already well know, I run an Institute for Gifted Children in New York. That's at least the face of the Institute, although it is partly true. I opened up my family home to house and protect children that exhibited unusual talents, such as your son here.

"I as well as an associate saw the increasing number of men and women that would develop an active X-Gene, and we knew once that happened, people that did not have the gene would like shun or even persecute those with such gifts. As a result, I opened up my home to become the Xavier Institute for Gifted Children, and thus I began searching for girls and boys who were gifted…just like myself."

Patrick and Susan looked surprised at that revelation, while Jason didn't react. He had already "met" the Professor through a telepathic conversation he had with Jean back at the hospital. However, Jason did make a remark. "Makes sense; what better suited to run a school for mutants than a mutant?"

"Professor, if you would be so kind…" Susan interrupted. "How did you find my son to begin with? You told me that you received a phone call from someone who saw Jason at the science fair…"

"Yes…and I apologize for that. You must understand why I must err on the side of caution. Since we were not in a private area where I could discuss the real nature of the Institute. While most are suspicions that there are mutants in this country, there has not been any real revelation as of yet, and we're trying to keep it that way."

"That makes sense, but what does that have to do with how you found me in the first place?"

Jean answered. "Cerebro."

"Cereb-what?" Jason half-repeated.

"It is a computer that works with my telepathy," the Professor explained. "But on its own, it can discover any manifestation of a new mutant signature in the United States, as well as some of our neighbors."

Silence reigned for a brief moment, but Jason said it for them all. "Whoa…"

"When your power manifested, Jason," the Professor explained. "Cerebro detected it right away, and even let me know the dire situation you were in at the time, down to your vitals."

"Ok, that's a bit creepy…" Jason said sheepishly.

Jean chuckled. "It seems like it sometimes, but Cerebro has been very useful for finding mutants either in relative safety, or in great danger."

"And with that information," the Professor continued. "We can act accordingly."

Patrick spoke up. "That explains how you found my son, but if I recall correctly, you came down his bedside literally the day after. How did you get down here so fast?"

The Professor smiled. "It's pretty easy if you own your own jet…"

Jason's mouth formed an "o," while Patrick merely said. "I guess that makes sense…"

Jean could only smile knowingly. The three of them here knew that it was more than just a simple jet.

"Jean here was one of my first students to enter my care, but others followed. Piotr here is one of my more recent students."

Piotr noticed that Jason and his father shared a quick knowing glance. The Professor did not need to say just how he joined for these two already knew. However, Piotr had to wonder if the Professor knew that they knew. He seemed to make no indication he did.

Susan finally asked. "If Jason would ever go to this Institute, how will he receive his education?"

"Quite simple:" the Professor answered. "His normal curricular studies will be held at the nearest secondary institution, namely Bayville High School, located less than a mile from the Institute. At the Institute itself, we train our students on the how to control and use their powers properly. Depending on the power that student exhibits, we continually work with them to help understand their powers even beyond the high school level if necessary."

"How any different powers can this…X-Gene…create?" Susan asked.

"It's always different within each mutant, so it is impossible to determine just how an X-Gene will manifest, but there is a theory that there is a genetic trend, where children of a mutant may share the power of its parent or parents. Many powers aren't unique, such as teleportation, telekinesis or telepathy. There are varying degrees of those as well."

Patrick asked next. "So, are there others that have this…alchemy that Jason has?"

"From what I have observed, no. Jason's alchemy seems to be unique only to him. I have talked to an associate of mine who is well-versed in such arts and he has stated that no one has the same alchemic skill Jason has. While alchemy could be studied by anyone, Jason's mutant ability gives him an advantage over any other alchemist."

Jason wasn't sure what to feel about that, but he found himself looking at his hands, twitching slightly as the energy crackled through them. While it didn't hurt so much anymore, clapping his hands together caused them to burn.

"If Jason is so unique," Susan said. "Wouldn't that make him hard to teach?"

"Partially," the Professor answered. "While we may not be able to teach him the intricacies of alchemy itself, we can teach him how to use that power and to keep it under control. My aforementioned associate can help with what we lack the means to teach Jason."

"How does this training work?"

"We have training sessions several times during the week," Jean explained. "Most of the time, these are team-based, while others may be individual."

"Jean is correct," the Professor continued. "For new students, there are preliminaries to gauge their abilities, and then they incorporate themselves into the rest of the training. Ever several months we gauge their training again to see how far they have gone. Ideally, we try to find out students when they are at the age of fifteen, but we won't dismiss Jason as he is older. Piotr here was seventeen when he joined us."

Jason had to smile. "Sounds like it can be rough."

"I won't lie, Jason," the Professor said seriously. "Training to become proficient at one's own gifts is always challenging. You may feel at times you want to give up, but if you pull through, you will become stronger than you have ever imagined. After all, steel must be forged through fire to become strong."

Jason nodded understandingly.

Patrick looked at his son. "Jason does have some…health factors we need to be aware of, and you might already be aware of."

The Professor looked down briefly. He was speaking of the probability that Jason would develop Charcot's Syndrome as a result of the brain trauma he had endured. "Yes, and we will take that into consideration. As these are my students, given to me under the trust of their parents, it is my responsibility to see that they get what they need, including medical assistance."

Jason looked around the room and pursed his lips. Unconsciously squeezing his stress ball in his right hand, he let everything he heard tumble around in his head. Deep down he wanted to go, but there was a lot of anxiety at the surface that he needed to chip away first. "Well…it sounds great…it really does…"

The Professor headed him off. "But…"

Jason looked down. "I'm just not sure if it's the best decision."

Patrick looked at his son. He had expected this kind of answer, but remained silent.

"What the matter?" Jean asked.

"I really haven't quite come to terms with this…" Jason was hesitant to call it a gift. "…thing I have. It's been a month now, and I still wonder why I got it. Sometimes the burning in my hands is so bad that I nearly lose it. Some days I wish I could have been…" Jason was about to say normal, but he halted in consideration of the company he was in. "…I wish I could have not been different."

The Professor didn't answer, but he understood this feeling. "You feel lonely in this home, do you not?"

Jason blanched at that, then his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Are you reading my mind again?" Jason asked accusingly.

"Jason…" Patrick began.

"It's all right, Mr. Downs." To Jason, he answered. "No, I did not…but I understand that pain you have. All of my students have endured that kind of heartache. Despite the wonderful gift you have, you feel so alone even among your own family that you don't know how to deal with it."

Patrick and Susan looked at their son, who flinched under their gaze. Patrick said, "Jason? Is that true?"

Jason had to sigh. "Yeah…he's right."

It was Patrick turn to sigh. "Jason, why didn't you say anything?"

"What could I say? That I feel like I didn't belong in the family anymore?" Jason ran his hand through his buzzed-down hair. "It was so much easier to know I was adopted, but this…this is a whole different thing."

"You were adopted?" Piotr asked.

Jason looked at Piotr. "Yeah, I was. I found out when I was twelve, before Mom and Dad told me." Jason smiled, but that smile seemed to contradict what he was feeling. "Figures, doesn't it? I was too scared to ask my parents back then, I was too scared to tell my Dad I was a mutant in the hospital, and now I'm too scared to confide in them that I felt out of place ever since then!" Jason rubbed his face with his hands. "I feel like a complete idiot."

Patrick looked disappointed in Jason. "Jason, you know you can always talk to us…"

"I know that…" Jason replied. "It's just this…is so beyond my league or yours. What would you have said?"

"You can't know that, Jason, and you never know until you ask," Susan said.

Jason looked down. "Yeah…I just…" Jason shook his head suddenly, as if he didn't believe what he said himself. "I don't know."

Piotr looked saddened as he listened to Jason. His own family was quick to notice he had a mutation, which manifested when he saved his little sister from being run over by a combine.

The Professor looked understanding. "You hide even among your own family, reluctant to talk about it. You feel torn two ways: in one direction you feel like you want to find other mutants that can identify with you, but in the other direction, you wish you didn't have your gift and be like your family. You feel like you are part of a whole new world, and your terrified to explore it because you feel like you would do it alone."

Jason didn't answer right away, but finally nodded. "Yeah."

The Professor then changed his tone. "Jason…you are never alone."

That hit Jason where he didn't expect, causing him to look up.

The Professor continued. "You thought my analysis of your fears was from my reading of your mind, but this is something I've seen before. Many mutants feel the same way, even if they are accepted by their family. And it's not limited to X-Gene mutations either. Often people feel they don't belong, even amongst their peers, so they attempt to find solace in solitude, yet they find themselves wanting more than that, and yet they find themselves afraid to search. It's a terrible cycle, and can only be broken when they find someone to confide in, and if not their own parents, then they need to find someone else.

"That's partly why I established my Institute, to offer mutants a place to live among those who experienced what you are experiencing. No one should ever have to shoulder their worries alone. That's why you should confide in your family, Jason. Your parents are there to support you through tough times, and are always there to help you. To be frank, Jason, the way your parents accept you along with your mutant abilities, you have it better than most mutants anywhere in the world. You should be proud of your parents."

A grin broke out on Jason's face. "I…well…I don't know what to say!"

"Sometimes all we need is a little reminder." The Professor turned to face Jason's parents. "And I should be thanking you."

Patrick looked at the Professor strangely, while Susan gave voice to the question that was on her husband's mind, "What do you mean?"

"You are a model to what many of my students and mutants worldwide can only dream they have. Many young mutants are often subject to being rejected by their families. Many run away, and I shudder to think how many have ended their lives themselves because they couldn't find acceptance. It's hard seeing families broken because children are born different, and it's gratifying to see families like yours exist, supporting those among them blessed with such gifts. For that, you have my utmost gratitude."

Jason dared to look at his parents, and found both were completely speechless. And why shouldn't they be? They were just given one of the most heartfelt compliments anyone could ask for. But the Professor was right, and not just here. He should be proud of his parents, but just like when he was twelve-years-old, he couldn't even ask his parents about him being a mutant, even though they knew. He saw his mother tear up slightly, and his father put an arm on her shoulder to comfort her. He was touched deeply as well.

"Gee, Professor…that was…something else…" Jason finally said.

"We offer a place for you at the Institute, Jason; a place where you can be with people who have felt the same feelings as you have, and were you can learn your place in the world with your gifts. We will help you anyway we can."

Jason looked at his parents, and his father looked at him with support. "It is your decision, son. We will support you whatever you do."

"I want to know what you think first, Mom and Dad. This involves all of us…" Jason replied.

Patrick looked at Susan, who answered. "As much as I would love for you to stay home, Jason, I think that going with the Professor is the best we can do for you now. After what that Magneto did to you, and wanted to do to us, you should go where you are safe."

Patrick picked up from there. "I want you to go as well, son. Through chance or whatever you want to call it, you got this amazing ability, and these people are offering to help you use it for good. We can't help you with that here, but they can. You should go, son. We will miss you…but we know you will do us proud."

Now it was Jason's turn to tear up. His parents were behind him one-hundred percent. For a quick moment his brain froze as his mind mired through the support he was getting. Taking a few breaths, he finally said, "Okay…I'll go…"

With that, Piotr looked really happy upon hearing that acceptance. Jean sighed in relief; it had been a tough battle for Jason, but he was now making the right decision. The Professor looked delighted. It had been a close one for this boy, but it seems that their care and patience had paid off.

Jason raised a hand. "I just have one request, if that's all right."

The Professor replied, "Name it."

"Is it all right…if I can at least stay the rest of the summer here. This is going to be quite the transition going from here to the Institute, and I'd like to give myself and my family all the time we can have. Please?"

The Professor smiled at this. "Of course, Jason. Jean?"

Jean reached into her pocket and pulled out a stick-like device. "Here, Jason, we want you to have this until you come to the Institute. With it, you can reach us at any time…" Jean let go of it, and it left her hand and floated towards Jason.

Jason wordlessly took it out of the air, and looked it over. "Heh, fashionable."

"We all have one…" Piotr said.

"If you ever in trouble or need to talk to us for any reason, this communicator will get you through to us."

Jason smiled, taking a firm hold of the communicator. "Thanks."

The Professor turned serious. "Now, Jason, you have a responsibility during these next few months. You cannot discuss your new-found power with anyone outside your family. While there is unsettlement in this country because of the possibility of the presence of mutants, none have been revealed. This country is not ready to accept us as equals, and so we must stay in the shadows for now. Do you understand what this means, Jason?"

Jason said automatically. "No talking or doing anything with my powers in the open."

The Professor's brow deepened. "I mean it, Jason…"

"I understand…" Jason raised his hands defensively. "I'm just…annoyed. You'd think after two-hundred years of this, we'd finally get the picture."

"Indeed," the Professor agreed. "But unfortunately, humanity's legacy is laced with prejudice and oppression over differences. To avoid this, we must stay out of sight for now. Maybe one day, we can all walk safely under the sun without being hated or despised, but that day has not come for us yet."

Jason finally said resignedly. "Yeah…"

"I understand it's frustrating, for both you and your parents, but I cannot stress enough the importance of secrecy for mutants. Anonymity is our best protection right now, and it is imperative that we stay out of sight of those who would seek to destroy us."

"Is there someone crazy enough to do that?" Susan said, paling.

"There always is…" Jason said morbidly.

"Quite, and we don't know the faces of those who will seek us out aggressively, so therefore we must stay hidden. Do you understand?"

"I do now…" Jason said, smiling nervously.

"You don't think these kinds of people would outright attack a school, would you?" Patrick questioned.

"Terrorists hijacked airliners to crash into bustling skyscrapers, Mr. Downs. I do not expect ant-mutant extremists to not do anything less."

Needless to say, this did not settle well with the Downs family.

"However, to do so would expose them to the world as it would do the same to us. Also, they are aware that mutant sympathy, or so they call it, is large enough for them to be hesitant. As they need to be secret, so must we." The Professor looked sympathetic at Jason. "I will not lie; we live in a time and age that being a mutant is a mix of a blessing and a curse; include the pressure from without, and life as a mutant will be difficult and complicated." Then his gaze hardened. "Yet we as mutants are called to shoulder that burden like men, and be a part of this world and of the beings that inhabit it for eons to come. Jason, you have been blessed with the gift of alchemy, and your position in this world can only be filled by you. We will help you find that position, not to dominate, but to join the world together as one people. That's what the Institute can give you."

Jason was completely speechless at hearing that impassioned speech at first, and had to breathe before speaking. "Way to play hardball…"

"We all have a place in this world, Jason…" Jean said. "And it's our responsibility to find what it is, but it's not just about finding what it is; it's also about the journey to get there."

Jason smirked at that. "That's almost cheesy enough to be on a fortune cookie…"

"Yet sometimes it takes a scrap of paper inside a pastry to tell us a piece of wisdom we have ever seen before. Am I right?"

Jason remembered a fortune cookie he once read: "A journey of one-thousand miles begins with a single step." Well, here was at the start of his own journey. He had taken the first step in accepting the invitation to the Institute; time to take another step.

"You're right, and I still want to come to the Institute." Jason looked at his hands, twitching still. "I want to master this power, to control it…and to learn from it."

The Professor smiled. "As shall we all…"

The same day, 8:16 PM

Jason leaned against the picket fence on the west side of the yard, fingering the communicator he received from Jean a mere few hours before. After Jason's initial acceptance to go to the Institute, the conversation went on for a few more questions, but the visitors from the X-Men decided to make their goodbyes to them and left, leaving the family alone. After cleaning up the table, Jason made his way outside to think about what he just committed to. He guessed he had less than three months to be with the family now, and he still couldn't believe it.

Just two months ago, he was your average honor-roll student at your average Midwest high school. Now, he was proclaimed by friend and foe to be one of the most powerful beings to walk the earth or soon to be, and here he was, standing in the backyard like your average honor-roll student. It was completely ridiculous…yet apparently it was true. He didn't fully understand his power now, but he'd taken his first few steps to learning. He couldn't help but wonder how the Professor would teach him the specifics of alchemy, but he imagined he was resourceful to find a way.

Before the X-Men had gone, he managed to catch Piotr and catch up with him. Jason could also see that he seemed to be generally happier, more so that he seemed to stand taller than Jason could ever remember. He had meant to talk to the Professor to ask about him, but forgot. He would have to find out when he arrived in August.

He could only imagine what he needed to do now. There was the transfer details from the school, all the legal papers that needed to be signed along with his medical records—and that was going to require some explanation at the new clinic he felt—and not to mention the emotions that will come with it. Before he never saw himself leaving the family until he was off to some nearby state college, but even then he'd come back to visit for the weekends and holidays. This was not the case here. Going to the Institute was something else. He wondered if he could even see his parents once or twice per year while at the Institute. What about the summer?

Jason rubbed his head, grimacing as a wash of ache bathed his brain like hot water. There he went again. Too much worry made his head hurt, and his doctors warned him about stress level, particularly because of his trauma. He was going to have to be more careful from now on. He just had to approach everything one ahead of the other. Thankfully, he asked for three months to do it.

Waiting for his headache to die, he thought about other things. He wondered what the Institute would be like, or this Bayville High School. Jean had said that it was a good school, and had a lot to do. That interested him, as he was always looking for something extracurricular to do. He once looked at a year or a semester in vocal while he was still attending the high school here. Or maybe he could warm up his gymnastics again. Those might come in handy during the training he heard about. Hard to say…

"Jason!"

Jason looked at the house to see his mother calling for him through the kitchen window. "What is it?" he called back.

"There's still some tuna casserole in the kitchen if you want some still!"

"Sure, I'll be right there!"

Jason nearly turned for the kitchen there and then, but something held him back. He looked out to the west as the sun lowered in the west in its reddish gaze and coloring the clouds purple, he wondered what the next day would bring, and soon enough the coming months. There was much to do, but he felt like everything will be all right. He turned towards the kitchen, relaxed for the first time in a long time. "Well…this has been an informative day for the new recruit," he said aloud to himself. "Guess all I have to do now is enjoy the ride. But first things first: I really want some tuna casserole…"

Jason strolled towards the back door of the house as the sun shed its last rays on the quiet hills of Oklahoma, but it would rise again to give Jason another day to ponder what will come, and what adventures now await for him.

But for now, night greets the weary recruit—as well as a scrumptious second meal.

THE END

Whew, now THAT was an adventure for me. Sure, it was unlike most X-Men works with action, but it seemed that having this as a drama more than an action seemed appropriate. This was quite an interesting seven months for me to write this. I would have finished sooner, honest, but with moving, a busy job and some health-related issues, I had to take a few weeks off a time or two to let my brain catch up.

Now a little bit of response time:

I've received a lot of comments by an anonymous user called "ibnuub," so I'll answer the best I can since I couldn't directly respond.

"I love the crossover with FMA."

Hehe, yeah. While this is not a crossover with Fullmetal Alchemist, it is VERY obvious that I was strongly inspired by that beloved manga. Most of the alchemic junk I'll find for later stuff will be fruit of my own research, I assure you. Like Edward Elric and the others in that manga, Jason too will find themselves tested in places they didn't think they needed to be tested in, but adversity shows the worst and the best in all of us, so it must be so. There won't be any homunculi in this, as we already have regenerative abilities in several characters already. If there are any homunculi at all, it will be my own reiteration. [looks cautiously at his Sonic fanfiction as a pair of venom-yellow eyes look at him.]

"Just one question. Will this be a yaoi fic.PLEASE SAY NO!"

[sigh.] I'm going to have to be blunt here. You're reading an X-Men fanfic. What are the X-Men fighting for? To be treated just like everyone else. What do gays and lesbians want? Equality, just like the X-Men. A lot of parallels can be drawn between the X-Men, the LGBT agenda, the Civil Rights movement and other such things, because that's what the X-Men are for: to paint a picture for us to show what ignorance and hatred for those who aren't that different from us at all feel.

Now I don't believe in writing pornographic content in works, because the pleasures of sex I find are best left un-described and imagined. We as authors give you a setting, and your imaginations should play the rest. After all, telling a play-by-play can be lethally boring…and in this case…a bit disgusting. More so, doesn't allow the posting of such material. No yaoi here. Now, if done tastefully, gay relationships can be just as interesting as straight ones to read. Now, if that doesn't strike your fancy, then don't read it.

Moreover still, the X-Men as well as several other leading comic book heroes have gay relationships within. One of the most famous is the X-Men Northstar. If you are unfamiliar with him, you should look him up and see who he is. Check out Wikipedia and look up LGBT themes in comic books. You might be surprised whose names appear on there.

Whether Jason is gay or no is really out of the question. This story and the ones to follow are about his journey to find out who he is and what his place in the world is. Should love come his way, it shouldn't matter if it's a man or a woman. Why? Because both are people. If Jason finds love, it will be with a person, not a body.

"Will Jason be able to perform many types of Alchemy?"

Alchemy is insanely broad, and once Jason learns more, he'll be able to do more. Simple as that really. Jason may find himself doing some interesting…and scary things in the future.

And that's it for now! Here's a small premise of what's coming next:

"Jason is now attending the Xavier Institute of Gifted Children, along with several new arrivals: the New Mutants. With the population of the Institute doubled, order is a little hard to come by. As Jason goes to school, he finds himself the target of the Brotherhood, particularly a speed demon with ties to someone Jason would sooner want to forget.

Meanwhile, old grudges die hard as another figure from Jason's past continues to haunt the Institute, and Jason will find himself involved in the many problems that the other members of the Institute have long-since buried.

How will Jason stand this brave new world? And just how does a Broadway musical become too darn hot? Stay tuned for X-Men Forged: To Be Human."

See you then!