Disclaimer: I do not own the X-Men, or any of its original characters. Nor do I have any type of claim to those characters. However, the characters of my creation belong to me, and cannot be used without my permission.
Decision (Welcome to Jack-X! Part IV)
By: Moonchampion
Bobby sat in his chair for what seemed like an eternity. He heard the Professor and the others bring up just about every act of misconduct he'd ever done at Xavier's, and at the same time, he heard his friends stand up to defend him. It was his life. He couldn't deny that. Yet, throughout it all, Bobby didn't say a word. What could he say? He couldn't really defend himself from the truth, and right now, he wasn't so sure that he wanted to.
"Bobby? Bobby?" said the Professor. Bobby had been so lost in thought that the rest of the hearing seemed to fade away from him. He snapped to attention when he heard the Professor call his name. "We've all presented our views, and now it is time to vote. Is there anything that you would like to say in defense for yourself?"
Bobby took a deep breath, as he thought about. What good would it do, he thought. Maybe they're right. Maybe it's time that Bobby Drake finally took some responsibility for his actions! Bobby looked towards Professor Xavier, and said, "No, I have nothing to say."
Professor Xavier nodded, and then turned towards the rest of the panel. "Very well, let us commence with the vote then. Bobby, it is important to understand that you will only be expelled from the Institute if you receive three votes towards your expulsion," said Xavier. He looked towards Beast who sat at the end. "Hank, what say you?"
The blue-furred mutant took his glasses off and looked at Bobby for a moment. "Charles, despite all the evidence that was presented her today, I have must insist that Bobby remain at the school. He is young, and still growing. I believe that he can only learn from his mistake, and that given time he will mature and grow to use his powers properly."
Xavier nodded, and then turned towards the other end of the table. "Scott?"
Scott took a deep breath, and looked towards Bobby. "I'm sorry, Bobby," said Scott. "I wish I could vote otherwise, but… right now you haven't proven to take things serious enough. And with that attitude, you should see that you're not just a danger to yourself, but to others around you." Scott then turned towards Professor Xavier. "That's why… that's why I have to vote for expulsion."
There were a few whispers from the students in the audience. Professor Xavier held up a hand to silence them, and then turned towards Logan. "Logan, what do you say?"
Logan looked at Bobby and shook his head. "I won't take anything from the kid," said Logan. "He's got a lot of potential, and a great deal of determination. And I don't care that he's trashed some vehicles and gone… joyridin' from time to time, or even snuck out on a mission. The problem is he's not growing out of it. He's too reckless, and that's why Ororo's in the condition she's in now. It could have been worse though… you could've been killed pullin' a stunt like that!" Logan was looking directly at Bobby. "Maybe later, you'll be ready to grow, but you aren't right now." Logan kept his eyes on Bobby as he voted, "Expulsion."
The Professor then turned towards Jean. The red-headed teen looked at Bobby and shook her head. "I… I can't do this," she said. "This is a school, and here we're supposed to be learning. And at the same time… I know what Bobby did was wrong. Yet, how is expelling him from school going to help him? What is he going to learn from that? I think he should stay."
And there it was… the count was even, and the deciding vote rested with Professor Xavier. Professor Xavier looked at all the students in the audience and at the other members of the panel. He finally turned towards Bobby who sat there looking directly in Xavier's eyes. It was then, that Xavier knew what he needed to do. "Robert Drake… you are hereby expelled from this Institution. You're excused to go and pack your things… I'll inform your parents that you will be returning home."
The Professor's decision seemed to catch everyone off guard, and totally by surprise. Scott stood up. "Professor, I'd… I'd like to reconsider my decision!" said the teen. Logan had turned towards Xavier, obviously willing to do the same thing.
"No, gentleman, I'm sorry… but the decision has been made. This hearing is adjourned." There was a burst of shouts and tears coming from the audience. Bobby simply got up from his seat and left the room. Many of his fellow classmates tried to stop him, but he continued on. Just as the doors to the auditorium closed, there was a crash of thunder and a flash of lightning. Bobby took a deep breath and proceeded towards the elevator.
TO BE CONCLUDED…