TRTSS37: Hero! – By Ocramed
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 49: "The First Class of X!" (Final)
Having no place to go, thanks to the attack of Sebastian Shaw's Hellfire Club on the CIA training facility, the young Dr. Charles Xavier suggested another place…
"Well, well," Ranma said, as he gets out of the car with the others. "Look at THIS place…"
"I didn't know you had money, Charles," Usagi said, as she and the others saw the old mansion, located in upper state New York, just outside of the town of Graymalkin.
"Technically, the mansion is in a trust, Usagi," Xavier replied. "Moira and I were thinking of opening a school for other mutants, before this crisis had occurred."
"Pretty sweet," said Banshee replied, as he turned towards Xavier's adopted sister Mystique with a grin. "I can certainly hook up in a fancy place like this, boyo."
"Don't even think about it," said Mystique replied.
"What about you, lass?" Banshee asked the exotic mutant named 'Firefly'.
"Eh, I've seen better," Firefly said, thinking that, as a private escort, she has visited her clients' homes, many of which were mansions.
"Charles, where do you think we can actually train?" asked Magneto.
"This place is built over a series of caverns that had been used for many things, including running bootleg operations during the Prohibition Era," Charles replied. "And, of course, there is plenty of space on the grounds if one really needs to 'open up'."
"Professor, do you think I can set up a lab?" said the young Hank McCoy.
"Charles, I also think we can use the space to set up 'Cerebro," Moira said.
"Lab?" said Darwin, as he felt unease. He didn't want to think that he came all the way out here just to be experimented on…
"Charles and I have been working on a way to locate mutants around the world," Moira said. "The process is in the experimental stage, but we believe that, with some work, and with the help Charles' telepathic abilities, Shaw can be located."
"Be able to find other mutants, eh?" Magneto replied. "It would be good to not be…alone…"
"Eric, you are never alone, super-powered or otherwise," Usagi said with a smile. "We just got to stop people from exploiting other people for personal gain."
"I fear that what you say might be both premature and naïve," Magneto said, as he looked at the Xavier Mansion. "But, we'll see…"
"If we're going to set up your lab and junk, I could call in some favors," Ranma said.
"Stark Industries?" Xavier said.
"Yep. And stop trying to read my mind."
"My apologies, force of habit…"
In the days and weeks, Xavier and his team begins to transform part of the Xavier Mansion into a working facility, while getting ready for the inevitable confrontation with Shaw…
"Huh!" said Mystique, as she continues to bench press. While Usagi worked in the lab with Xavier, Moira and Hank, Ranma worked with everyone else on the actual training, including developing a physical regimen.
"That's it," Ranma said, as he spotted her. "We're almost done."
"I don't know why you keep pushing me like this," Mystique replied.
"As a shapeshifter, you have great potential to increase your physical conditioning, even if disguised," Ranma said. "You should take advantage of that."
"She shouldn't have to disguise herself," Magneto said, as he plucks the weight from Mystique's hands. "She should be proud of herself as she is."
"Nothing wrong with role-playing, Mags," Ranma replied. "Besides, I don't think ordinary folks will accept extraordinary people who have blue skin. Hell, some don't even accept people with different skin tones amongst them."
"All I am saying is that people should be made to respect those differences," Magneto said, as he suddenly let's go of the weight…
KTCH!
"And respect should be earned, never given," Ranma said, as he twirls the weight around before setting it back into place. "And you do that by impressing them that you got the right stuff."
"Humph, we'll see," Magneto said, as he walks out of the gymn…
"Ranma, you think I should let others dictate my life?" Mystique asked, as she shifts into her true form. "I…I don't want people to think that I am a freak."
"One, you're not a freak, and two, you never let others dictate your life," Ranma said.
"But, you just said-"
"Mags think that the only way to get respect is by forcing others. You don't need to do that. How YOU carry yourself will be how others will see you."
"Ohhhh, I see…"
Pause.
"And, I'm not a freak?" Mystique asked.
"You are an attractive woman, blue-skinned or otherwise," Ranma said.
Mystique's heart bumps, as she realized that she might be falling in love with another woman's beau…
Later, that same afternoon…
"You're back from town early," Ranma said, as he sees Usagi entering the bathroom, wearing only a bathrobe.
"I…I wanted to come back in order to spend time with you," Usagi said with a smile, as she disrobes. "You know, between stuff we have to do."
"I see," Ranma said, as Usagi gets into the bath with her beau. Legally, the couple was separated, so seeing other people was permitted…
"And, I figured that we could, you know, have some fun," Usagi said.
"Um, okay, but, I rather be honest about this…Mystique," Ranma said.
"Huh?" "Usagi" said, as she reverted back to her true form. "How-?"
"Remember when I complained about Xavier reading my surface thoughts?" Ranma replied. "There's a trick involved that allows me to detect such things, which, I have expanded upon ever since thru training."
"Oh," Mystique said in embarrassment. "This…is awkward…"
As the mutant stands up, Ranma grabs her wrist.
"Mystique, wait," Ranma said. "Don't go."
"But-"
"Look, I'm not opposed to us, well, you know, but I rather do so honestly," Ranma said. "Please, stay?"
Hesitantly, the mutant does as she is told.
"Okay…now what?"
"Just like you, I have a…secret that I want to share with you."
"You're a mutant, I know."
"Actually, I don't know what I am," Ranma said thoughtfully. "But I do want to show you…this…"
In spite of the hot water, Ranma changes into his girl form.
"You're…a girl?" Mystique asked.
"No. Well, yes and no…"
Ranma-onna tells Mystique how, as a boy, he had gotten himself cursed to become a girl whenever splashed with cold water, with hot water reversing the effect, albeit temporarily. Eventually, she learned to control aspects of the curse so that she could remain either gender for an extended amount of time…
"So, I learned to live with it, especially as an advantage," Ranma-onna said, as she shifted back to her male self. "I just wanted to let you know about this, if you really want us to, you know…"
Mystique looks away.
"I…I need some time to think about this," Mystique said, as she gets up from the tub. She then grabs her bathrobe, and turns to look at the object of her desire…
"I'm sorry," Mystique said, before leaving the bathroom.
"Huh," Ranma said, as he blinked his eyes. "That was…interesting…"
A few days later, what would be known as the Cuban Missile Crisis occurs, when the United States imposes a blockade around Cuba, as a means of preventing Russian nuclear missiles from being deployed on the island. Unfortunately, thanks to Cerebro, they learned that Shaw was on the move to Cuba. For what reason, no one knew…
"With this modified 'Blackbird', we should be able to get to Cuba quickly enough," Ranma said.
"Thanks to Stark Industries?" Darwin asked.
"Yeah," Ranma replied through gritted teeth. "Thanks to…HIM."
"Ranma, I really wish you would cut Tony a break," Usagi said. "He's been pretty nice to us."
"Oh, yeah, he has," Ranma said, as he rolled his eyes. "To YOU, that is."
"Do we have time for this?" Magneto said with annoyance. "We have a man to stop."
"Quite right," Xavier replied, as he assembled everyone in their new uniforms: blue with yellow trim, as designed by fashionista Janet van Dyne. "Listen up. Thanks to some intelligence, and Cerebro, we have located Shaw."
"We know that, but how is he getting to Cuba?" Darwin asked.
"Amazingly enough, Shaw is using a modified German U-boat," Magneto said.
"To what aim?" Firefly asked.
"Amazingly enough, Shaw wants to start a nuclear holocaust," Xavier said grimly.
"That's…insane!" Banshee said. "I mean, think what would happen to all of the beautiful women in the world?"
Mystique rolls her eyes, as Xavier continues his briefing.
"Moira?" Xavier asked.
"Mutations have always existed on Earth, going back to the pre-historic era, with the first known mutant, Abin Al Sur of ancient Egypt, circa 19th Dynasty," Moira said. "However, it is believed that six percent of the world's populace has the capability of developing paranormal abilities, via outside catalyst. Furthermore, from research, we've learned that nuclear energy can help increase the likelihood for the manifestation of not just 'mutates' to occur, but also 'mutants'."
"About that, what's the difference between mutants and mutates?" Darwin asked.
"Mutates are those who, under normal situations, would not develop powers without a catalyst," Usagi said. "Mutants are born with the ability to manifest powers spontaneously."
"Then why would being a mutant be seen as a bad thing, since there always been people with super-powers?" Firefly asked.
"Because there are those people who fear the idea that mutants could be the next evolutionary change," Magneto said somberly, as he glances at Mystique. "And some people would do anything to prevent change."
"Be as it may, stopping Shaw could help matters between normal people and mutants," Xavier said.
"Then, we should stop Shaw," said Hank.
"No offense, but how can you help?" Banshee asked. "You're an egghead."
"Actually, Dr. von Mondkinder helped me develop a way to access my mutant powers without detriment."
"THIS, I got to see. So, show me."
"Okay," Hank said, as he takes off his glasses, and pockets it. "Here's goes…nothing…"
FWOOMP!
In the place of a nebbish, young scientist, who could simply use his feat to grapple things with, there now stood a hulking, blue furred beast.
"Whoa," Banshee replied. "You're some kind of…beastie!"
"'Beast', huh?" Hank said with a toothy smile. "I like that…"
Pause.
"Call me…The Beast, I guess…"
"Hank?" asked Xavier.
"Well, as I said before, Dr. Von Monkinder has allowed me to realize my true potential, but not at the expense of my humanity," Beast replied.
"I did not know you were familiar with such…techniques," Moira asked Usagi.
"The work is not entirely mine, but I am familiar with the concept of bio-transmogrification," Usagi said, referring to the work of the late Dr. Henry Jekyll, as well as her own experiences as a certain Gamma-spawned "she-beast"…
"Regardless, the best thing about my 'enhanced' mutation is that I can switch states with but a thought," Beast replied. "In many ways, I am like Mystique."
"The difference is that I was born like this," Mystique said tersely.
"Um, well…"
"Guys, I do believe we have someone to stop?" Firefly said. "Personally, I would prefer to stay home and have NONE of this, but still…"
"Right you are," Xavier said, as he turned towards Ranma. "Has the flight check been made?"
"You're all clear, 'X-Man'," Ranma said.
"'X-Man'?" Xavier said, as he with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, since everyone has a codename, but yourself…"
"And no one knows what you are think most of the time," Moira said.
"Well, I do like the sound of that," Xavier said. "How about…'Professor X'?"
"Oh, aren't WE getting a bit pretentious…"
A short while later…
"Okay, boys and girls, we're in position," Ranma said, as he pilots the SR-71M through the American naval blockade. "I don't have to tell you that we have but a small window of opportunity before 'Admiral Ironside' decides to make us a target."
"Would they really shoot us?" Darwin asked.
"Considering the fact that Assistant Director Stryker doesn't seem to like us or what we represent, I would not be surprised," Magneto said.
"Beast, open the bay doors, so we can get into position," Professor X said.
"Right."
"Banshee, you and Darwin's assignment is to find Shaw's submarine."
"Right," Banshee said. He then turned towards Darwin.
"You ready for a swim, buck-o?"
"Just hold me back," Darwin said, preparing to adapt to the waters below.
"Okay, team, good luck," Professor X said, as he turned towards his companions. "After today, the world will know that mutants exist."
And, with that, the X-Men make their move…
Using his sonic cry, Banshee locates Shaw's submarine. Darwin was on hand to rescue Banshee, once he took a dive into the drink to deliver the sonar that the Blackbird would pick up. Once located, Magneto would use his powers to lift the submarine out of the water, and unto the Cuban shore. And, at that point, that's when the real fighting began…
"Ah, Xavier, you managed to get your own little group together to stop me," said Shaw. "I hope you know that I've come well prepared…"
Professor X sees that the Hellfire Club consisted more than just Shaw. Although Emma Frost (telepath with diamond bio-transmutation) had been captured, and was now in custody, Shaw had Azazel (red-skinned, demon-like assassin with the ability to teleport), Janos "Riptide" Quested (ability to create whirlwinds) and Lady Selene Gallio, an old foe of Usagi from way back during the Hyborian Age…
"Hello, old goddess," Selene said, as her aura began to glow.
"'Old'?" Usagi replied. "Speak for yourself. At least I don't suck people dry."
"You definitely do a number on my credit cards," Ranma said flippantly.
"Could you not do this now?"
"I have my associates, and my guards," Shaw said. "What are you going to do about it?"
"We'll stop you, Shaw," Magneto said. "You'll pay for you tried to do."
"We'll see about that, boy," Shaw said.
And, with that, the battle begins…
Years later, a reunion of sorts takes place, although for not the right reason.
"Mystique," Ranma said, as he was the last to leave the grave of Darwin, who gave his life to stop Bastion's latest attacks on the Xavier School for Gifted Students. Bastion was the latest development in anti-mutant technology known as the Sentinel Program…
"Ranma," Mystique said, as she reverted back to normal. "Still haven't changed."
"But you have, Raven," Ranma said. "You ended up joining Magneto's 'Brotherhood of Mutants', as some sort of freedom fighter."
"I had no choice, thanks to the fact that the world mistrust people like us," Mystique replied. "Darwin was the third person of our little band to perish, after Firefly, Banshee and Moira. And, as you know, Eric didn't turn until Stryker's murder of Firefly, who only wanted to be accepted for what she was. She never became a ballet dancer because of what happened to her."
"For that, I'm sorry," Ranma said, as he wiped away the tear for the corner of his eye. He then puts his sunglasses back on, and lays down a framed copy of a picture that was taken on the day the X-Men had been sent out on their first mission. Unfortunately, it would be the only mission that this particular group would go on, before what had happened to Firefly broke the group apart…
Before Magneto struck on his own to create his radicalized 'Brotherhood of Mutants', a group that is seen as freedom fighters to some, and a terrorist organization to others. And somehow, the Hellfire Club has escaped this sort of scrutiny.
"So, what now?" Mystique asked.
"I need something to drink," Ranma said, as he turned towards his old friend. "You want to come along?"
"Sure," Mystique said, as she changed her form to disguise herself. "And maybe, this once, you can buy me dinner…and breakfast, if you're in the mood."
"Eh, sure," Ranma said, as he and Mystique were the last to leave a graveyard full of mutant students and associates. Unfortunately, more will die fighting for a dream, when all has been said and done.
Fin.
