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Exactly two days after Hydra's attempted infiltration...
"There is a new enemy out there: mutants. You need a new weapon for this war." A strong voice echoed through the Senate. "When you sent our soldiers to Afghanistan without the proper weapons to win the war, you underestimated your enemy. Do it with this enemy and it won't be some skirmish halfway across the globe. This time, it will be for our homes, our streets and by the time you see the need for my program, it'll been too late and you would've lost two wars in one lifetime. Thank you." A rather short man with wavy hair and thick rimmed glasses stepped down from the podium. He wore a triumphant smirk, which made Tony Stark squirm.
Many cheers and jeers resounded throughout the room. Members from both parties were upset and began to shout loudly. Captain American wasn't sure what to make of it. He and the Avengers had been here for nearly an hour and a half, and there was no sign of the mutant institute. His eyes constantly scanned for the tall blonde who had seemingly brainwashed his best friend into leaving the world's force for good to go live at a school with very dangerous mutants. There was little he could do. The other Avengers were less than enthusiastic about his idea to go to the Institute to "rescue" Bucky. Tony had called him moronic and naïve. Hank simply shook his head and muttered that he owed Professor Xavier too much, while Thor shrugged and the assassins tried to reason with him. 'We'd be going in blind. No one knows how many or what they can do. One mutant put us down, imagine all of them against us.'
"Now, the opposition to this law and sentinel program." A Senator from California announced. Captain tensed as his eyes landed on the familiar reptilian blonde and an African American woman with grayish white hair styled into a pixie cut walking beside her. Both women were dressed elegantly. Netanya donned a Donna Karan noir sleeveless V-neck draped tunic, black slack leggings, and black heels, while the mystery woman wore something much similar. They looked powerful, majestic, and dangerous. Steve felt Tony sit up beside him, the billionaire was a million more times interested with the mutants' arrival. Steve felt the familiar pang of anger flood him. Doc took a few strides to the podium, took in a breath, and began to enchant the chamber with her silk voice.
"Esteemed members of Congress, honored military heroes, and Earth's Mightiest Heroes, thank you for allowing me to speak on behalf of the mutant community. My name is Dr. Netanya Xavier. I am board-certified psychiatrist specializing in mental disorders and memory recollection.
In previous years, Dr. Jean Grey has briefed the Senate on the progression or evolution of the mutant kind, thus I will not be explaining the intricacy of the mutant gene, but rather the mapping of the mutant brain. You may think that we are dangerous, and while that may be true for some, the majority of us simply wish to live our lives. We are no different from you in thought. We have the same impulses, ideas, and core values.
At Xavier's Institute for Gifted Children, we teach young mutants to not only control their gifts but use them for the betterment of those around us. Now, you can list off mutants who have lost control, and while that is regrettable, their mistakes do not begin to come close to meeting the yearly total number of lives lost to gun violence in America.
Violence is a human condition. Anyone is capable of doing the wrong thing, and there are consequences for violating the law. However, it should not be a crime for being a certain way. Before the mutant suppression began, there were other suppressions; that of women, African Americans, homosexuals, and Muslim Americans. With each suppression, there was a wave of protests and backlash; and eventually society realized that these people groups were not a threat to their way of life. In fact, it was on the contrary, these groups enhanced the world around us and helped propel America to the forefront of the world. I will conclude with this: imagine a world where society embraced the mutant community and how that acceptance led to advancement in every way of life. America is supposed to be land of the free and home of the brave. Ladies and Gentleman of the United States Congress, we implore you to show that these values still exist and apply to every American citizen. Thank you."
The room was silent. The doctor and her company stepped down from the podium, however, a voice rang out, "Do we have the opportunity to question you Doctor? Or were you only here to grand stand for CSPAN?"
Tony Stark immediately rolled his eyes at the man. Netanya smiled at the pudgy man and reclaimed her position at the podium.
"I'd be more than happy to answer reasonable and respectful questions sir." Her voice was strong and cordial but communicated a warning to those who were really listening.
"Senator Stern, Doctor Xavier. Now, you claim that mutants are the same as us humans. How can that be? You have powers. We do not."
Steve heard Tony murmur, "He obviously wasn't listening. He did the same to me. Tried to take Ironman away from me."
Steve's eyes widened at his friends statement. This senator wasn't interested in the nation's well-being? What was his motive then?
"Senator Stern, you misquoted me. I said we have the same dreams, ideas, and values. Obviously we're different genetically. Then again, each being is unique, with their own set of DNA and fingerprints. In my opinion, an American is an American."
The other Avengers nodded in agreement with her assertion. The majority of those in the room seemed to have been swayed by the doctor's stirring speech and fluid answer. Steve still wasn't convinced that mutants should be left to their own devices, but he could see their point of view.
"Doctor Xavier, how many students do you have at your school?" Another senator questioned with interest. Tony's face noticeably hardened. Why was he so annoyed with these proceedings? Did he not like the government? Was he a mutant sympathizer?
"Senator Kennedy, I do not believe that is relevant, but I will tell you that we rival any other private school's average class size." Her reptilian smile sent chills down Steve's spine. She was playing the game and winning. The snake knew it too. Her telepathy was giving her a huge advantage. Steve contemplated exposing her mutations, but that would probably push Bucky further away from him.
Speaking of the Winter Soldier...where the hell was Bucky? This woman was worth their friendship? What spell had she cast upon his best friend? He had to be here—he wouldn't have let her go to DC with this other woman. The woman, in question, stayed still. Every so often her eyes would scan the room, and a soft smile would play on her lips. She seemed like a kind person. Bucky was here. He just knew it, but he'd have to play detective to find him in a room filled with so many people.
Steve's heightened hearing picked up the sounds of Tony rising to his feet, walking away from their seats, and heading toward the podium.
"What the hell is he doing?!" Natasha hissed angrily. Steve watched his friend march down toward the doctor and her silent companion.
"Mr. Stark, you're not being questioned today. You are here as an observer." Senator Stern accused with obvious disdain.
With his trademark smirk, he quipped, "Oh, my apologies Senator. I was merely coming down here to ask the good Doctor if they were in need of teachers. If so, I'd like to throw my name into the mix."
That's when all hell broke loose.
Please review, that'd be lovely. :) Tony Stark meets Wolverine...that sounds like an adventure.