April 7th, 1962
Covert CIA Research Base
The car stopped in front of a large facility surrounded by woods on all sides. Erik sat with his arm hanging out the window, taking in the military base around him. Charles Xavier, the man he had met only the night before sat next to him. On the other side of him was Charles's sister Raven. The CIA agent sat in front of him. He wanted to keep her close because in no way did he trust her.
Stepping out of the car they began walking toward the entrance. The man whose facility they were using who Erik had not bothered to remember his name Began to say while showcasing the building, "This is my Facility, the goal here is to investigate paranormal powers concerning military defense".
"Or offense", Erik said he had much experience with these people who wanted to know more about mutants like them and it didn't normally end well for his kind. Charles looked back at him almost in an exasperated look.
The man in the suit continued, "Shaw or Schmidt whatever his name is, is working with the Russians. Your help may be needed to stop him", He finished speaking once they reached the door.
"Marvelous, so we are to be the CIA's first mutant division", Charles said. Erik shook his head in annoyance the government would never work with mutants unless they could fully control them.
The CIA agent, Raven, and the man in the suit had walked into the building, but Erik had pulled Charles back by grabbing the sleeve of his coat. "You cannot possibly believe the government will want to work with mutants", Erik said.
"This will work Erik we will find Shaw and justice will happen we just have to do it by the law", Charles said back. The two began to follow the group as they walked past all of the corridors with labs on each side. No human experimentation, so Erik was glad that that at least was not happening. It seemed as though all the labs were for technology or substances that were not recognizable.
The man in the suit had stopped in front of two large doors and was saying some things to Raven and the CIA agent. "Do you truly think we can trust him", Erik said to Charles as they were coming closer to the group.
"I believe so", Charles said.
As Erik and Charles approached the group the man in the suit began to talk, "In here is my best technician", once he finished speaking he opened the door to reveal a large lab filled with different types of tech. Robots, parts of machines, and even a plane were all squished in what seemed to be a square box of a room.
A lanky man-no boy or teenager was working in the corner of the lab and when he saw the people enter he began to get out of his chair but stumbled over one of the many random pieces of machinery. "Hi, I'm Hank McCoy", He said.
"This is my lab", He said. The man called Hank did not look to be very comfortable talking in front of people least of all his boss-the man in the suit. "Here ugh-let me show you this", he pointed to the plane which was hanging from the ceiling.
"The plane right there it's supersonic, it's the most advanced ever built", he said. Pointing up to the plane. The front looked like a bird's beak and it was very sleek. "You should see it fly, it's incredible", after speaking he began to mumble about the scientific backdrop to it.
The man in the suit or whatever his name was interrupted the young scientist before he could continue mumbling. "Hank these are the new people who you are going to be working with", He said.
Charles walked up to Hank looking very excited at the prospect of the young man, "Wonderful another mutant already, why didn't you say", Charles said. By all the confused looks he had a feeling that his boss did not know.
"What do you mean", The man in the suit said.
"Oh no, he did not know, I am so sorry", Charles said as he looked at Hank.
The man in the suit walked up to the young scientist in shock, "Hank?" He said in a questioning tone. Hank's face now with a slight pinch of pink in embarrassment looked away.
"You didn't ask, so I didn't say anything", He said.
Raven walked up to Hank as well looking him up and down almost as to either size him up or figure out a hidden mutation. "So your mutation is what, you're super smart," She said.
"I'd say he graduated Harvard at the age of fifteen", Charles said.
"How did you know…," Hank said looking confused at Charles.
Charles tapped the side of his head, "Telepath", He said.
"That's not all it is though", Hank said in a disappointed voice.
"You're among friends now Hank, you can show off", Charles said.
Erik still off to the side was sizing up the group and who he thought he could trust. Charles Xavier seemed too naive, Raven seemed as though she was just here for Charles. The CIA agent was obviously not trustworthy and neither was the man in the suit. Hank seemed like he was too young for all of this.
Erik moved closer to see Hank more clearly. Hank obviously feeling more comfortable in front of the group began to take his shoes off. Except where one would expect to see a normal pair of feet. There were what looked to be two pairs of very muscular hands.
"Peculiar", Erik mumbled under his break. Charles slightly pushed his side so he would not embarrass the young man.
"Splendid", Charles said. Erik shoved him back a bit because even Charles began to laugh as well.
Hank tried to push through the group of people near the plane mumbling many different "excuse me's" and "I'm sorry's". Getting under the plane he jumped and landed with his feet firmly gripped to the object.
The whole group began to laugh or cheer in amazement at the young scientist's brilliant mutation. Raven moved closer to Hank where he was hanging upside down, "you're amazing", she said.
Erik looked at the two like they were insane. This whole thing was insane to him. He should be tracking Shaw down and killing him not spending time with children.
Later That Night
Somewhere In The Covert CIA Research Base
Later that night all of the mutants and CIA agents had parted ways. Erik knew what he had to do. He couldn't stay; he had to track down Shaw and kill him. These adolescents were just setbacks in his mission. If he didn't kill Shaw he would never be able to care for his children.
Making his decision Erik began on his way to the office of the man in the suit. Passing the Airplane hanger on his way over he overheard two voices. It seemed as though Raven the shapeshifter and Hank were having a little make-shift date together.
Stopping behind one of the pillars he began to listen to whatever the juveniles were discussing, "Charles has never understood," He heard Raven say. Becoming more interested he listened closer. "He's different, but he has never had to hide", She said. Erik grimaced mankind was cruel to anyone different the death of Anya showed that.
"Hank this serum you're making it doesn't affect abilities, only just appearance right", Raven asked. At this point, Erik was rolling his eyes. Raven felt as though she had to fit in to be normal, but she was already beautiful as herself.
He heard Hank mumble a small "yes", Then Raven said the unthinkable, "Do you think it would work on me", Erik could not believe that even so young one would want to give up such beauty.
"I can look into it if you would like, it's the least I could do after-", Hank kept going on and on but at that point Erik had stopped listening. Mutants shouldn't be afraid to be who they are no matter how one looks.
Eriks son had silver hair, what if when he grew up he hated that silver hair. The silver hair was gorgeous to Erik his father, but to outsiders, it was strange and different. He hoped his son would never have to go through hiding such a key aspect of himself.
Deciding that he had overheard enough and had to get on his way to track down Shaw, Erik began on his way to the office to the man in the suit. Passing by Raven and Hank he saw Hank taking Raven's blood and Raven leaning in for a kiss.
Erik stopped in front of the pair interrupting whatever weird sexual thing was going on, "Kinky", He said. "By the way, if I looked like you I wouldn't change a thing", making sure that Raven knew that even though she looked different she was still very much beautiful.
As Erik continued on he noticed that Hank had looked a bit annoyed. Walking down the hallways he noticed many different plaques dedicated to different scientists. Erik wondered what would happen if any of them could get hold of a mutant and if they would dissect them the way Shaw did with Erik.
Finally approaching the man in the black suit's office Erik found one of the filing cabinets opening it. Searching for many of the different files he saw many different names all of what he guessed were other villains. Locating Sebastion Shaw's file he grabbed it, putting it in his small briefcase to look over once more.
Leaving the office he looked over the man in the black suit's desk. He saw many different photos of the man's family and saw a small plaque of his position and name. It read:
Jacob Lewis
Director Of Paranormal Forces Research
Meaning little to nothing to Erik he carried on his way leaving the man in the black suit's office behind. Walking quickly to the exit wanting to completely vacate the government facility. Opening the door to the front entrance he looked around to see if anyone was following him. He noticed Charles standing near the door.
"What I know about you it's surprising to see how you have managed to stay this long", Charles said. Erik stopped in his tracks turning around to look at the younger man.
"What do you know about me", Erik said back. He feared how much the telepath knew in concerns to his family.
"Everything", Charles replied.
"Then you'll know to stay out of my head", Erik said back. He was angered at the extreme invasion of privacy that Charles had committed. The telepath seemed to not even care that he had invaded all of his thoughts and memories.
Charles persisted, "I'm sorry Erik, but I have seen what Shaw did to you. I have felt your agony, I can help you", He finished saying.
Erik was at a crossroads he could leave now and try to take down Shaw himself or have help from others who may not even be reliable.
"I don't need your help", Erik said. He could take down Shaw himself, but with all of the other mutants Shaw had to help him, he might not be able to.
"Together as a team, we can take down Shaw, Erik. I won't stop you leaving though", Charles said. "I could, but I won't," he finished saying as he entered back into the building.
Erik knew that Charles had a point there would be no way to defeat Shaw without help. He did not know if he would regret this decision later, but he walked back through the front doors of the facility.
Noticing Charles immediately standing off to the side against the wall, "Ah, I am glad you did not leave my friend," Charles said.
"I'm here to bring down Shaw that is all, no mutant CIA team nonsense", Erik said back. Charles seemed to take this as a win either way.
"Do you play chess," Charles asked.
"Yes, but not since I was a little boy," Erik replied.
"Then let us play a game of chess", Charles said.
That Next Morning
Somewhere In The Covert CIA Research Base
The next morning Erik had woken up around seven. He was eager to go find out what methods would be used in the search for Shaw. He assumed that all of the other mutants had to still be asleep. Taking a walk through the facility he noticed the different labs mostly seemed to be dedicated to technology or scientific study of some sort.
Approaching the office of the man in the black suit Erik overheard the voice of Charles and the man in the suit. He heard the man talking, "It's designed to amplify brain waves, so it could enhance your telepathic powers. Help us find other mutants for our division," he said.
Stepping through the doorway making himself known Erik said, "What if they don't want to be found by you".
"Erik, glad for you to join us", Charles said looking excited at the prospect of seeing Erik.
Ignoring him completely, "If a new species are being discovered it should be by its kind", he said. Looking over at Charles he continued, "Charles and I find the mutants no suits," he finished.
The man in the black suit jumped in to react to what Erik had said before Charles had a chance to say anything, "First of all this is my machine and second this is Charles's decisions and he's fine with the CIA being involved", The man said.
Charles and Erik had a bit of a staredown as one would call it until finally, Charles answered, "Sorry, but I am with Erik, we'll find them alone", He said.
The man in the Black suit looked rather annoyed at the answer he was given, "Then what if I say no," He said.
Charles seemed ready to stand strong against him saying, "Then good luck using your machine without me", He said.
Charles stood up and began to exit the room, the man in the black suit seemed annoyed but didn't say anything else as the two men began to walk towards the machine that looked like an enlarged golf ball.
Approaching the back door to the building neither had said anything since Charles made his decision. Erik opened the door for both of them. It was nice outside since it was the beginning of spring. The trees were bright green and the air was crisp.
Finally, Charles said something breaking the silence that had been between them for a moment. "Erik I am truly sorry that I looked through your mind without your permission. It tends to become a bit of a habit and then I find out things you do not want to know," Charles finished off by saying.
Erik could not say he forgave the man, he had looked through his mind with no permission and now just knew everything about the man with only knowing him for three days.
"I cannot say I forgive you, but I am willing to look past it if you help to bring down Shaw", Erik said.
"Understandable, oh there look there are Hank and Raven they seem to be waiting for us," Charles said.
"Wait, Charles, do you know about-," Erik asked in all seriousness. He didn't want the CIA to know that he had children because by the looks of Pietros hair he would be a mutant. If the government more than likely turned on mutants as a whole someday his children needed to remain safe.
"Yes, my friend and you do not have to worry that secret stays with me," Charles said
The two almost at the front of the golf ball-looking structure getting in close range to Raven and Hank.
"Goodmorning," Charles said to the two as they stood waiting for Charles and Erik.
"Hello, so about this machine it amplifies your brain waves and will help connect you to every human being, so we can find other mutants," Hank said. The young man opened the door and the group of four began to walk up the tight staircase to the inside of the sphere.
Once to the top Raven, Erik, and Charles began to take in their surroundings. In the center of the small room was a hat with a bunch of wires hooked up to it with a mechanical table on the side.
"I call it Cerebro", Hank said. He seemed to be very proud of his work. Hopefully, this plan didn't kill Charles that would have a dire blow to Hank's confidence. Hank continued to mumble many different scientific aspects that would help the machine to work. All Erik could pick up was "find mutants" and "hooked up the brain to here". So clearly this was going to be interesting.
"You designed this," Raven said. Hank appeared to blush just a bit and only nodded his head in yes.
Erik headed over to see Charles who was putting the contraption over his head, "You make a lovely lab rat you know," Erik said in a mocking tone to Charles.
"Don't spoil this for me, Erik," Charles said. The man looked rather excited at the prospect of amplifying his powers.
"I've been a lab rat, I know one when I have seen one," Erik said back to Charles.
"Are you sure we can't shave your head," Hank asked.
"Don't touch my hair," Charles said. Erik rolled his eyes at Charles's comment and Raven laughed.
The lighthearted mood began to change more when Hank flipped the first switch to the machine. Hitting many different buttons and pulling many different levers. The machine began to start.
Charles screamed out in pain at first, but soon enough it seemed as though he had gained control. "It's working," Hank said.
Soon enough there were many different names and locations all over the sheet. The search for more mutants would begin immediately.
April 10th, 1962
A Strip Club In Florida
Two days had passed since Cerebro was used to find different mutants. The list was a reasonable length. The search for mutants was now on its way fully. The first location was in northern Florida, a strip club.
The two men had taken a train to the tip of Florida and then had driven the rest of the way. Charles was driving with Erik in the passenger seat. At first, Erik had pressured Charles into letting him drive, but his mission failed, as Charles was now smoothly driving to the location. Pulling into the Parking lot both men began to exit the car.
"Do we have a plan," Charles asked.
"Other than convince her to join our mutant cause, no," Erik replied.
"Well clearly this is going to go swimmingly," Charles said. The two men walked through the doors into the dimly lit room. Looking around the two men did not look that out of place. There were many other what seemed to be working-class men there for some entertainment.
"Do you two gentlemen need anything in particular," A woman who barely had any clothes on asked. Erik looked the woman up and down as if to size her up.
"No thank you, darling we will be at the bar though," Charles said. He looked around the room searching for the women he saw. "There," He said moving towards one of the corners of the counter where a dark-haired woman stood behind the bar.
Charles and Erik sat down in the two seats right in front of her. The plan had not gone further than finding the women, but here they were on the part neither had planned out; how to convince Angel to join.
Erik took out what looked like to be a wad of cash. "For that, you get a private dance", She said.
Erik, Charles, and Angel went to one of the private rooms which were surrounding the bar area. The two men took a seat in the lounge chairs in the room.
"You do know that it's double for both right", Angel said.
Charles interrupted her further antics by saying, "No, no that will not be necessary, although I am sure it would be magical", he finished saying.
Carrying on Erik said, "We were thinking, We'll show you ours if you show us your's", both of the two men looked thrilled to have found a new mutant and be at a strip club in general.
"That is just not how it works around here", Angel said.
Erik dramatically snapped his fingers and the metal bowl filled with alcohol dropped perfectly into his hands.
"More champagne dear", Erik said.
Angel sensing that she was among people who were like her began to show off her mutation. Where her tattoos once began to sprout actual fairy wings. The type that you only normally see in cartoons or children's books.
"How would you like a job where you could keep your clothes on completely", Charles said.
After Charles and Erik's fun at the strip club of convincing Angel to come with them. They drove in the car to Charles's private jet looking for the next mutant on their list. Armando Muñoz a mutant who drove cabs in New York City for a living.
Angel had taken up space all her own in the corner of the plane. She quickly fell asleep during the plane ride.
Erik was looking out the window at all the land below. He wondered when they would pass over D.C or if they even would. How were his children doing? They were not even two years old yet but barely knew their father. He couldn't be absent for their lives, but he had to defeat Shaw. That was the only way for him to protect his family.
Charles had moved over to the seat across Erik holding a small wooden box. Placing it on the table in between them.
"My friend, I don't mean to pressure you to talk about anything or to invade your privacy, but your thoughts are being rather loud", Charles said.
"Yes, Charles what would you like to discuss", Erik rolled his eyes. Living with a telepath or at least being around one would take a lot of time to get used to.
"Erik, your children, how-", Charles began to ask but was quickly interrupted by Erik.
"Charles, I am pretty sure you know how babies are made if not would you like me to explain", Erik said.
Moving past that statement, Charles continued, "How do you have these children, how old are they", he finished saying.
"Did you not invaid every single waking moment of my life shouldn't you know these answers", Erik said.
"Yes, but Erik I am truly sorry about that, however, I fail to understand why you don't want to care for these children", Charles said.
"I cannot be around them unless Shaw is eliminated", Erik said.
"But I understand your trauma, Erik, however, killing is not the best option", Charles said.
"You do not understand my pain, do you not realize that I would do anything to be with my children this very moment. I cannot that is the issue", Erik said. Charles reached over as if to almost grab Erik's hand to calm the man down.
"Erik I-", Charles said.
"I would do anything for Wanda and Pietro, anything that would keep them safe", Erik said.
Charles did not understand, but in a way, he knew that Erik's pain was his. However, Charles wondered the lengths to which Erik would go to defend those he loved. Charles only nodded the conversation was over he understood that much.
Charles opened the wooden box to reveal a small chessboard and its pieces. "Could I interest you in a game of chess my friend", Charles said. Erik only nodded and they began to unwind with a game of chess.
After a couple of hours, the plane landed right outside of New York City. Angel would wait in the private Jet for the two men to return hopefully with other fellow mutants to help in the cause. Somehow Charles had obtained some sort of device that told you where cabs would be at a specific time just with the cab numbers.
The high-tech device showed a grid of all the streets in Manhatten with blinking lights as the cabs. They were looking for cab number 67253. Currently, that cab was heading down Cornelia street. The two men decided to walk or take the train most of the way there.
They must have looked very peculiar with a strange device in their hands walking all around the city. Multiple people were heard muttering words like "commies" and "queers" under their breath.
Soon enough Erik and Charles had come close enough to where the cab was currently located. Though the plan was not full proof because of the other cabs all in a row.
"This plan is full proof", Erik said sarcastically.
"One moment look at the numbers we can find the man", Charles said taking a look at the machine again.
Walking past the numerous taxis trying to find the one with the number 67253 on the side. Finally, they came across it. Sat in the driver's seat was a man with dark skin and a small afro. They knocked on the window. Armando gestured for the two men to come into the back seat of the car.
"Where to gentlemen", Armando said.
"New York International airport", Erik said.
"We'd like you to join us", Charles said.
"Well that doesn't sound creepy at all", The cab driver said.
"We can explain on the way", Erik said. Moving the small meter on the side of the cab which controlled the windows showcasing his mental abilities.
Needless to say, Armando was very convinced by the time they arrived at the airport and was soon enough on the private jet with Angel as well. The next location was a prison in Texas. Charles and Erik had left Angel and Armando on the private jet to their own devices.
The two men were slowly accumulating a team. The only setback with finding their next mutant was that he was locked in solitary confinement and was also only 17 years old. Looking over the file they saw his name was Alex Summers. The singular photo of him in black in white made him look not as young as he was.
Erik couldn't imagine his children being in a place like this. The prison walls were cinderblock and all the inmates looked as though they had given up on life. It reminded him of the camp he had been at as a child. Charles sensing the man's discomfort grabbed part of his jacket just to distract him from all the brutal details.
Moving to the solitary confinement area of the prison the two men were greeted by a guard who began to inform the two men about the inmate that they were taking out.
"The hell does the government want with a guy like Alex Summers, he doesn't do well with others, the first guy I have met who prefers solitary confinement", The man said.
"Great team player", Erik said sarcastically, as the door was opened. Alex Summers was sitting on the singular bench in the small cell.
Soon enough Erik was glad to be out of the American prison. They drove back to the private jet explaining the whole situation to Alex, as they had done with Armando and Angel. Eventually, they arrived back at the jet. Alex had taken up a corner on the jet to himself, staying away from the others. Armando and Angel had hit it off and were playing a game of cards.
The next mutant on the list was a sixteen-year-old boy by the name of Sean Cassidy. He was from a small suburb outside of Chicago. Erik had made several comments like "child army" and "endangering children", but since it would benefit the well-being of mutants he would let it slide.
Erik and Charles had once again decided to leave Armando, Angel, and now Alex behind on the jet. Hopefully, it would be in one piece when they returned.
The two men following the address of 45 Oakland ridge road arrived just around noon. Both men got out of the car and knocked on the door to the house. A small blonde woman opened the door though.
"Mam, we are looking to talk to your son", Charles said.
"Oh dear, what did he do now", the woman said.
"No, no nothing bad we just want to talk to him about...ugh", Erik was drawing a blank.
"A school, we are looking to recruit him to a school in New York", Charles said.
"Oh, I guess he's at the aquarium", the woman said. Shutting the door promptly on the two men.
"A school really", Erik said.
"It's the first thing that came to my mind", Charles said.
The two men made their way over to the Chicago aquarium. Looking through all of the areas. Trying to find a teenage boy in a huge aquarium was difficult. Luckily, with the help of a certain telepath, it was made somewhat easier.
Eventually, they found Sean in the pufferfish department attempting to flirt with a girl and failing miserably.
"Well at least we know his mutation isn't charisma", Erik said.
Once Sean had been properly rejected by the girl he was attempting to flirt with. The two men snuck up behind him.
"Nice mutation", Charles said.
"What's a mutation", Sean said looking very clearly dumbfounded.
The two older men had eventually explained the basis of why they were recruiting the young kid and then had to explain how they were going to lie to his mother. The lie ended up being that he was being recruited to a prestigious school in upstate New York.
Sean had agreed fairly easily and soon enough they were back on the private jet. Armando and Angel seemed to still be invested in a competitive game of cards. Alex was reading one of the books that were tucked away in the plane. Sean ended up sitting next to Armando and watching the card game.
The next location was in a rural area of North Dakota. None of the other mutants had been to North Dakota before besides Charles who had mentioned something about fly fishing as a child there.
Charles and Erik left all four of the new mutants behind hoping for no destruction of personal belongings. The two men headed off to a bar looking for a man by the name of Logan Howlett.
The file on him was almost non-existent. The two men walked into the bar seeing the man they guessed to be Logan who was currently smoking a cigar.
"Hello I'm Erik Lensherr", Erik said.
"And I'm Charles Xavier", Charles said.
"Go fuck yourself", the man said.
Giving up rapidly the two men left the bar and arrived back at the private jet with no other mutants. Quickly explaining the current situation to the others and what the small plan was to be.
Charles and Erik had succeeded in their mission to bring together a group of mutants and the next step would be to continue to work towards the threat of Sebastian Shaw. The small group of mutants including Raven and Hank was nowhere near ready to face Sebastian Shaw yet.
The group mostly being made up of young adults or even teenagers was not a great solace to Erik. He had children and he had lost a child himself. The young mutants would have to train if they were going to face Shaw only then would they even have a chance at being successful.