REUNION
Massachusetts
Sean Cassidy stared at the bottle on his bedside table. He told himself over and over again that he wasn't going to take another drink. The next thing he remembers, the bottle is in his hands and already empty. 'Maybe I do have a problem' he thought to himself. 'I've been in denial about it all along.'
When the students lost their powers to the High Evolutionary he and Emma sent them off to a regular school to try to be normal teenagers. 'Is it any wonder that none of them returned even after their powers were restored? What kind of example am I to them now? I don't even know where Emma is. Haven't seen her in months.'
Sean picked up the phone that was now on the twelfth ring.
"Sean this is Professor Xavier. I need your help old friend. There is a disturbance in the South pacific and I fear the worst"
"Charles, I'm getting too old for this. My super hero wanna-be days are over. No more Banshee for me. I've retired. I'm not even teaching anymore. I've been thinking of going back to Ireland and live the rest of my days in peace."
"I understand and respect that but you are one of the few who has first hand experience with this situation. I promise I won't bother you anymore after this."
Banshee sighed thinking 'How do I let myself get talked into these things?'
"Ok Charles, I'll be there…but you owe me big time boyo!"
Sean went to his closet and looked at his uniform that had been hanging up for so long. He had hoped it would stay there for good. 'One more for old times sake, eh?'
Alaska
Jean Grey stared at the picture of Scott Summers…her husband. They had shared so much together and now he was gone. How many hours…days…weeks had she stared at his picture? Hoping that somehow he would magically crawl out of the frame and take her in his arms. Her eyes have a permanent redness around the rims and a watery glaze. She didn't know it was possible to cry so much. All she had to go on was hope that they would find him. But as the months went by, everyone close to her started giving up hope. Until she was the only one left to hope. Now she holds on by a very thin thread. That's all she has left…one thin thread of hope.
The phone rang. Her heart started beating faster. That little thread of hope was telling her it had to be Scott calling and telling her everything was alright. 'Hell, I've come back from the dead, it's his turn now. It has to be Scott!'
She quickly picked up the phone and said "Hello!"
"Jean, it's been a long time. I thought I'd give you a call and see how you were"
"Oh, hi Professor. I'm not going to lie to you. I've been better."
"Jean, I just want you to know that I did everything I could. I know that's not enough. I wish I could have done more."
"I know Professor. I don't blame you. It's just so hard for me right now."
"Well, I wanted to ask you …um… how have your powers been since they were restored?"
"If you're talking about any residual effects from the Phoenix force, there doesn't appear to be any. I seem to have reverted to original form. The telekinesis is there and my telepathy seems better than ever."
"Oh, ok"
Jean could swear she heard a sigh of relief in his voice. Possibly relieved that he wouldn't have to face another Phoenix episode she thought wryly.
"Anyway, Jean you know I wouldn't ask if I didn't have to…"
"If you have to ask then ask"
"I need your help on a very touchy mission"
"Professor, we've discussed this already. My X-man days are over. It brings back too many memories. All I want is a little peace in my life right now and to see my man walk through the door. I can't have both so I'll take the peace if that's all I can get"
"I can't make you come Jean, but I need you to know how important this is. You're the last person I need for this mission."
"Who else have you recruited so far?"
"Storm, Wolverine and Nightcrawler were the easiest for me to find. I had to hunt down Archangel and Iceman but I finally got ahold of them. Polaris in many ways is facing the same ordeal that you are. She's here at the mansion now. Colossus is in the midst of a budding career as an artist. I hated pulling him away but he graciously accepted."
"Well, you know our Petey. He'd do anything for you." Jean said.
"I spoke with Banshee this morning, he's on his way and I even got Sunfire to come."
"Wow that's a surprise. How long do you think it'll be before he's tangling with every other member of the team?"
"Give him a chance Jean, I think he's in a better place now. He's finally earning the respect he's always wanted from his country and I think that's done alot for him."
"Yea…maybe he can rub some of his good fortune off on the rest of us. Well, I don't want to be the one to ruin the parade so I'll be there."
"Thank you, Jean. You don't know how much this means to me."
Salem Center, New York
Jean arrived at the mansion to the open arms of her best friend, Ororo Munroe. She was so happy to see Jean. Jean gave her a half hearted smile trying to show some happiness as well but knew that she was failing miserably. Ororo grabbed her hand and said, "Come in, everyone is looking forward to seeing you again."
Xavier had everything set up for this evening to be a reunion. He wanted everyone to put their worries aside and enjoy the evening with friends. He would save the briefing for tomorrow.
The food spread was enormous and rich. Jean, for the most part, stood in the corner without much appetite and feeling very out of place. She listened to the laughter of her friends. Just about everyone came up to talk with her one by one but she couldn't find much to say.
Polaris approached her. "Hi Jean…hey…I know things have been hard on you lately. I just wanted to let you know that if you ever needed someone to talk to…someone who knows what you're going through, I'm here for you. We really should talk some time."
Jean gave her a small smile, "Yea Lorna, we should. I think that would be good."
Bobby, who was pretty much the life of the party, approached Jean.
"So Jean, what's the code name going to be this time? Phoenix Girl? Marvel Lady? Marvel Phoenix?", trying to lighten the mood a little.
"How about 'ex-X-girl that shouldn't even be here," Jean replied.
"Eeyow! I didn't think it was possible but I believe you just iced over the man of ice."
Jean immediately regretted what she said. "Bobby, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so short."
"Hey, that's ok. Actually I thought it was a pretty good come back line."
"I think I'll make it easy on everyone and just stick with Phoenix."
The air in the mansion was getting heavy and stifling. Jean needed to get away so she took a walk outside. It was a lovely evening and she could smell the sweet fragrance of the flowers blooming. She heard a flick behind her and saw a small light illuminating a face. It was Logan.
"Hey Darlin'. I brought an extra Cuban just in case you wanted to share a smoke with me."
Jean smiled. Logan was the first person to truly bring a grin to her face in a long time. "I think I'll pass this time Logan"
"Well, how about some company on your walk instead? Never know what lurks in the woods these days. I can't let a lady walk alone at night."
She laughed, "Last I checked, I could take care of myself quite well, buddy. But I appreciate the sentiment and you're welcome to join me."
They talked about old times with the X-men. Never once during the discussion did he project pity like she felt from the others and she appreciated that. As they walked, she looked down at this rugged man who stood almost a head shorter than her, all the while, trying to be the perfect gentleman. She found the contrast cute and endearing. She didn't have to be telepathic to know his feelings towards her. At any moment she was sure he would act out on his feelings but he didn't. It meant alot to her that he respected her enough to give her the space she needed. She had been in a tug-of-war of emotions in the past in regards to Scott and Logan. Both men having meant so much to her. She wouldn't be able to handle those emotions now with all that's happened in her life recently.
The Next Morning
Professor X started the morning with the briefing. "I want to start out by thanking all of you once again for coming. I'm sure you've all heard the reports of what is happening in the South Pacific. The reason I've brought you here is very similar to the reason I brought you together originally. I fear that the mutant island of Krakoa is back and is the cause of the missing vessels. Before, the Island fed on mutants but now it appears to be feeding on normal humans as well. Possibly even machinery."
"But that's impossible", Lorna replied. "We hurled Krakoa into space years ago when we first encoutered it."
"Maybe we're facing a baby Krak," Logan said, "and junior might just be pissed at what we did to Mama."
"Actually, that might not be too far from the truth," Kurt added, "I, myself, encountered what would best be described as Krakoa's offspring awhile back. What was really scary, the creature seemed to have evolved into a new intelligence and actually had a mind control on its inhabitants."
"Another thing I must add," Xavier said, "when I used Cerebro to pinpoint the island, the power registered many times stronger than before. In fact, it was off the scale. I've never seen anything register this high."
"Professor, forgive me for asking," Peter said, "but how can we expect to defeat something of this magnitude?"
"You are the only surviving X-men to ever encounter Krakoa. I have faith that with your experience, you all can beat this thing. I have asked Storm to lead the operation. We will spend the next two days training before you leave."
Two days later
Shiro picks up the phone and dials Akiko's number.
Akiko answers, "Hello, Love of my life! I've been waiting to hear from you all day long."
"Yes, we had another day of rigorous exercises in the Danger Room. I had forgotten how good these guys were. A couple of times they really put some moves on me."
"Hmm," Akiko mused, "maybe we should set up our own danger room here. I've got some moves of my own I'd like to put on you"
Shiro laughed and then added seriously, "We leave in the morning, Akiko, I just wanted talk to you one more time before I left. There's also something I need to ask you."
"I always love to hear your voice, what's on your mind?"
"Listen, don't answer now if you don't want to but at least think it over. I've thought about it and I've never been so sure of anything in my life. Akiko, I want you to be my bride."
Akiko was at a loss for words and sat totally stunned.
"Akiko, are you still there?"
"Y-yes, I'm still here. Shiro, I've already though it over. Yes, YES I'll be your bride! There is nothing more in this world that I could ever want!"
"You don't know how happy I am to hear that. Listen, I better let you go now."
"Please call me when you get back. I get so nervous for you."
"Don't worry, I'll call as soon as we're finished."
"I'll be counting the minutes, my love."
Shiro walked down the hall towards Xavier's study. He really needed to talk to him about the Sauron incident. When he got to the study he saw Xavier there frantically going over documents. He was literally sweating. He had the look of a mad man. He apparently didn't even realize that Shiro was standing there, which is odd for a telepath like Xavier. 'This Krakoa deal must really be getting to him,' Shiro thought. 'Maybe I'll wait until this whole ordeal is over before I bring it up. It would be just one more thing for him to worry about.'
The Next Day
The X-men took the Blackbird and flew to the approximate location of the anomaly in the South Pacific. Kurt was at the controls looking down at the vast Ocean.
"Wolverine do you see anything yet?" Kurt asked.
"I don't see a damn thing. Archangel how about you?"
Warren scanned the area and shook his head, "There's nothing out there."
"This can't be right," Storm said. "can we get the Professor on the Com?"
"I'm here Storm, I've been monitoring your progress. I'm telling you there has to be something out there"
"Kurt can you bring the Blackbird down just on the outskirts of the projected zone?" Storm asked.
Kurt steadily took the Blackbird down and released the flotation gear that would allow the aircraft to rest on the water.
"Ok, here's the drill" Storm said. "Wolverine and Colossus will take the Jet skis and scout the area first. Then we will send the long range hitters later. Archangel, you and Kurt will stay here and man the Blackbird. Warren, keep your eyes peeled for anything unusual and alert us. If you lose contact with us, you are to take the Blackbird and evacuate the area at the top of the hour. No questions asked. We can't afford to lose the whole team on this. Jean will keep a telepathic rapport with everyone. If something happens to her then we have communications head sets to fall back on."
Jean closed her eyes thinking, 'thanks for the comforting feeling 'roro'. Jean didn't know why but she had a real knot in her stomach over this mission. Not knowing for certain what they were about to face didn't help matters. She couldn't help but wonder if Xavier could be wrong about his suspicions.
"Ok, Wolverine and Colossus, head on out. We'll back you up shortly," Storm said.
They took off on the jet ski's and were about a mile away from the Blackbird.
"Do you guys see anything yet?" Storm asked.
"No, Storm, but I sure as hell smell something and it ain't grandma's apple pie either."
"Well, what is it Wolverine? Is it familiar to you?"
"Darlin' I wish I could tell you it was but it ain't. I've never smelled anything like this."
"Storm, I must add that I can smell it too even without a heightened sense and it is foul indeed. But neither one of us can see a thing"
"Thanks Colossus," Storm replied. She thought about what their next move should be. They still couldn't be certain what they were up against. Just when she was thinking that, the water started churning and bubbling all around them. The water was even churning around the Blackbird and she was certain they were at a safe distance. She heard Wolverine curse.
"WOLVERINE, COLOSSUS GET OUT OF THERE NOW!" Storm screamed.
"No need to tell us twice we're on our way!"
The water was getting worse. Logan and Peter had their heads down and were going as fast as the Jet Ski's would allow.
"Maybe we should go get them," Sunfire said.
"No. We have no idea what this is" She looked at the tides starting to form behind the Jet Skis "C'mon C'mon guys hurry" she said more to herself than anyone else.
Then all hell broke loose.
The Ocean seemed to open up right before their eyes. Right behind Wolverine and Colossus. The X-men stared in horror from the Blackbird as Logan and Peter were being sucked into a huge Abyss that just opened up in the ocean.
To be concluded in Issue #3: Out of the Deep
Brian Ritchie
2001
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