Summary: Epilogue to the Marvel-X crossover Genetic Eclipse. The war with Apocalypse is over, but some members of the team have suffered a great loss. How far will Xavier go to stop his students from tearing each other apart?
Notes: I'm pretty proud of this piece... I wrote this over three years ago, and it reads somewhat like something I'd write nowadays. It can be slightly confusing to read if you haven't read the Genetic Eclipse crossover at Marvel-X Underground (mxu.rlk7.com), which is a sub-site for Marvel-X housing the X-titles. I write Uncanny X-Men at the site. Anyways, all the parts of the crossover are up at the MXU site if you want to check them out. The story shouldn't be too hard to get into, as I've been told it's good as a stand-alone and it's easy to understand the basics of what's going on without having read the whole Genetic Eclipse crossover. I would really love any and all feedback on this, no matter how miniscule ^_^
Cast: Professor X, Cyclops, Phoenix, Beast, Archangel, Iceman, Wolverine, Storm, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Dazzler, Rogue, Gambit, Marrow, Cecilia Reyes, Cable, Moonstar, Spark, Juggernaut. Is that enough? ^_^
Disclaimer: The X-Men belong to Marvel Comics and are used in this story solely for non-profit entertainment purposes. Spark is an original creation by Jason Kenney and is used with permission.
Genetic Eclipse Epilogue
Chapter Three
Kitty Pryde wanders through the beautiful garden of the Xavier Estate, on her way to the lake. She has a few minutes before she reaches her destination, giving her time to think. Think about what's happened... and about her future.
A couple months ago, Kitty quit the X-Men full-time. She found a new job, new home, new friends - a whole new life - in New York City. She told the X-Men to call her in the event of an emergency; however, the reverse happened, and she ended up rushing back to Chicago after being attacked by Apocalypse's Dark Riders. Apocalypse himself showed up in Chicago and battled against the X-Men, but in the end, he was able to take Kitty back to his stronghold in Egypt.
Apocalypse wanted Kitty for one reason: she was one of the Twelve. Cable had told her so, in a somewhat spontaneous and strange meeting between the two. Kitty didn't really realize what being one of the Twelve meant, and although she's learned more of their supposed purpose, she still doesn't have even the faintest idea as to what this fabled group is all about.
She's thought about it; about what her role in the Twelve is going to mean to her. She doesn't know what she'll have to do... but she knows it's important. Each of the Twelve has something unique to offer, something that will benefit mankind. It strikes Kitty as odd that of all the people inhabiting Earth, she would end up as of the Twelve; surely there are others out there with more to offer the world than her, right?
{Wrong,} says a voice in Kitty's head.
"Cable!" Kitty exclaims, thrown off guard by the Askani'son's mental intrusion. "Reading my thoughts again? I thought we went through this..."
"I'm sorry," Cable says as he walks from the edge of the pond to meet Kitty by one of the many tall trees around them, "my telepathy's been extra sensitive since my fight with Apocalypse. It's hard to keep other people's thoughts out of my head, especially if they're as close as you are."
"Oh," Kitty says, "well, I'm sorry I snapped. I guess I'm just wary about having anyone inside my head after Apocalypse tried to mentally dissect me."
"Understandable. And thank you for coming... I hope you realize how important this is."
"You mean 'it' as in the Twelve," Kitty translates, crossing her arms as a look of uncertainty washes over her face. "To tell you the truth, I don't know if I'm up for this... I mean, from the sound of it, this is a big deal. It must be, especially since Apocalypse was so intent on finding out who all the Twelve are..."
"It's good for you - and the others - that he didn't," Cable interrupted. "And it's good that he's dead; he can't harm any of you now."
"So the Twelve are a threat to Apocalypse?"
Cable nods, "Yes. They represent everything he stands against - peace, unity... life. He wanted them dead so they wouldn't stand in his way."
"But now he's dead, so the Twelve can carry out their purpose," Kitty continues, absorbing all of Cable's words carefully. "So what is it? What's their purpose?"
Cable takes a deep breath and motions for Kitty to sit next to him at the edge of the lake. "It's hard to explain, Kitty. I can't even comprehend it myself, at least not well enough to put it into words. All I can really say is that the Twelve will have to pass a test... to prove themselves against an unspeakable evil to save humanity. I was under the impression that Apocalypse was that evil. I guess I was wrong."
Despite the warm weather, Kitty feels a shiver crawl down her spine. This is not what she wanted to hear; and suddenly, she feels angry. Angry that she has to be dragged into this Twelve business. Is there any reason that she just can't be left alone to live her life?
"I know this is a lot to dump on you," Cable says apologetically, "and I'm sorry..."
"So you basically asked me to meet you here so you could tell me I'm gonna have to fight something worse than Apocalypse, and that you're sorry?" Kitty says in a soft tone, sighing as she rubs her forehead. "Great. Thanks a lot."
Cable can feel what Kitty's feeling; her raw emotions are pouring into him like sand through an hourglass. She's annoyed, angry, confused, scared; in a word, stressed. She wants a normal life, more than anything, but there's always something standing in her way.
"I know this isn't what you want. I know you want to have a life apart from being Shadowcat... you want many things that most people your age should and can have. I wish I could take this away; I wish it were within my power to just choose someone else to take your place... but it's not. I don't decide who the Twelve are, it's simply my job to gather them."
Kitty's mind suddenly flashes back to her last meeting with Cable at Joseph's restaurant, which is where he told her she was one of the Twelve...
"I'm sorry for what I have to ask of you. Though I wasn't in my right mind at the time, I did speak the truth about your being one of the Twelve. We will need you with us, but I fear what it will cost you. I don't want to be responsible for losing you again, Cat."
"Cable... who are the others?"
Cable's eyes widen in shock, as if the question is something he didn't expect at all. "The others?" he asks rhetorically. "I... I can't say. I don't know, for sure; I have their identities locked away in my mind, and although I do know some of them, I can't seem to remember them all. Something's blocking their identities from me."
"Great, the Twelve gotta save the world, you have to gather them, but you don't even know who some of them are," Kitty sighs, propping her head up with her hand against her chin. "I feel better already."
Cable sighs inwardly, becoming disgruntled; this is going nowhere. He needs to convince Kitty of the importance of the Twelve, and show her why she's such an integral part of their cause. And suddenly, he has an idea of how to achieve that.
"Let me pass all the information I have about the Twelve to you," Cable says in an almost commanding voice.
"Isn't that why I'm here?" Kitty asks, turning to look at Cable with a puzzled look on her face.
"I mean..." Cable starts, "I want to do a telepathic transfer of the information. You'll absorb it so much easier... and it'll help you see how important all of this is."
Kitty doesn't say anything at first, but she hesitates; she's not exactly sure she wants that big chunk of information placed in her mind. And then there's the fact that Cable invaded her thoughts the first time he told her about the Twelve, and that Apocalypse tried to mentally pry the identities of the Twelve out of her. She's wary of a telepathic info transfer, and rightfully so. But...
'This sounds important,' Kitty thinks to herself, 'and I trust Cable, no matter what he may have done before. I just don't know if I'm ready for this.'
Kitty looks right into Cable's eyes for several minutes, neither of them saying anything. She can see it in his eyes; this is serious, deadly serious. But beyond that, she can see his feelings towards her. She's important to him; he needs her. The whole world will need her.
"Let's do it," Kitty says with a nod.
Cable and Kitty shift their bodies to face eachother, Cable raising his hands and placing each one on either side of Kitty's head. They both close their eyes, as Cable says, "This might be a little intense."
There is a flash in Kitty's mind; she can feel Cable inside her mind. She can feel him building something in her mind, a new landscape of information. And just when it seems like everything's going smoothly, Kitty starts to have visions. Visions of the future, of the Askani, of a looming, deadly evil, of... the Twelve. She sees them...
*FLASH*
Cyclops, the leader.
*FLASH*
Phoenix, the mother.
*FLASH*
Charles Xavier, the dreamer.
*FLASH*
Nightcrawler, the believer.
*FLASH*
Storm, the goddess.
*FLASH*
Wolverine, the warrior.
*FLASH*
Forge, the creator.
*FLASH*
Magneto, the savior.
*FLASH*
Cecilia Reyes, the healer.
*FLASH*
Synch, the potential.
*FLASH*
Franklin Richards, the future.
*FLASH*
Kitty then sees herself, the last of the Twelve, the genius. Another face begins to form in the realm of her mind, then...
*FLASH*
Kitty's eyes shoot open and she gasps for air; she collapses into Cable's arms, breathing heavily and loudly. "Kitty! Are you all right?! What happened? What... what did you see?"
Kitty takes a moment to compose herself, standing up and taking several slow, deep breaths to help clear her mind. She looks into Cable's eyes once again, this time with a complete understanding of what he's been trying to tell her.
Then she speaks.
"I saw them, Cable. I saw the Twelve."
Thirty minutes later, Professor Xavier's office.
Seated behind his desk, Charles Xavier waits silently for the last of his students to arrive. Ororo Munroe, Hank McCoy, Bobby Drake, Warren Worthington III, Logan, Kitty Pryde, Nathan Summers, Alison Blair, Kurt Wagner, Remy LeBeau, Rogue, Cecilia Reyes, and Angela Tobin have already gathered in the large office, and are all waiting on Scott Summers and his wife, Jean Grey. The reason for this gathering? A chance to work things out, to patch things up... hopefully, a chance to put the X-Men back together.
The doors to Xavier's office slowly open and Scott and Jean, with baby Rachel, want into the room, met with glances of pity from all in the room. No matter what some may think of the couple, they feel sorry for their loss.
"Scott, Jean, thank you for coming," Xavier says. "We have important matters to discuss."
Scott replies to Xavier with a glare through his ruby quartz glasses, saying nothing. Xavier notes the reply, then continues, "It seems everyone is present and accounted for, except Marrow..."
"Good, this is none of her business," Scott mutters under his breath, catching glances from several of his teammates.
"So let's begin," Xavier continues, resting his hands on the sides of his wheelchair. "I called all of you here because I believe it's time that we settle our differences. Our team... our family... was split apart months ago, as a result of a... difference of opinion between Scott and myself. We've recently been forced to work together again, in light of Apocalypse's return, and I think now would be the best time to settle our differences."
"You're pathetic," Scott says in a tone of disgust, crossing his arms.
"Scott, please..."
"I'm sorry, Jean, but this man is sick. He thinks that now, since we've lost a child, we're vulnerable, and we're gonna come running back to him," Scott continues, stepping forward to Xavier's desk. "I'm more intent than ever on doing things my way, and removing myself as much as possible from you and your dream... considering you're the reason my son is DEAD!"
The last sentence almost echoes throughout the room, and no one can believe what they've actually just heard. Ororo wastes no time and steps in front of Xavier's desk, meeting Scott face-to-face.
"Scott, you are being unfair. You are grieving. We all understand that. But how can you possibly blame Charles for your child's death?"
Scott stares into Ororo's crystal blue eyes, then moves to the side of her and sets his cold gaze on Xavier. "How, Ororo? It's simple. He was working to save Jean from the virus Omega Red infected her with... Jean, who he's been in love with from the day she joined the X-Men."
Xavier's head sags as Scott turns to Jean, whose eyes have begun to water with tears. "I guess he figured that if he could fail to save one of our children, I might become so mentally unstable that Jean would leave me, and he could have her all to himself..."
"Scott, that is ENOUGH!" Ororo says angrily, grabbing Scott's arm. "That is the most absurb accusation I have ever heard. You are out of line!"
"Just SHUT UP!" Scott yells as he fixes his covered eyes on Ororo's, grabbing both her arms and clenching his fists tightly. "I am so sick and tired of you, you stuck-up little..."
Before he can finish his sentence, Scott finds himself torn away from Ororo and backed up against the wall by Logan. Bone claws extend on either side of Scott's neck, with a third eager and willing to go straight through it. "Don't you dare ever touch her like that again, Summers. If you do, so help me God, Jean's husband or not, I'll kill you myself!"
Logan is suddenly struck by a telepathic blast from Nathan, who then grabs Logan by the collar of his shirt and throws him to the ground. "Leave my father alone, runt!"
"Cable, stop it!" Kitty cries as she helps Logan to his feet.
Arguements errupt within the room, so loud that no one can even hear themselves think. Except for Xavier. Thanks to the Legacy Virus, his telepathy has been bumped up to incredible power levels, so much that it scares him. He looks on at his students, fighting with eachother, yelling and pointing fingers. He can't take it. This is not how it was supposed to be. Some of his students are in pain. Some can't understand what the others are going through. This has to be put to an end, before it gets out of hand.
His telepathy... Xavier's telepathy is more than it's ever been. He can plant false memories in large groups of people, remold the past in people's mind. He can even create things - possibly even people - and keep them alive through others' eyes. He can do all this, and more. The question is, can he bring himself to do it? Should he even attempt it?
YES.
As the arguements continue, no one notices as Xavier closes his eyes and concentrates to the best of his ability to expand his influence over the room. As Xavier makes his way into the minds of each and every individual in the room, the room falls silent, and everyone appears to be in a trance of sorts. Xavier keeps his eyes shut tight, and slowly remolds the memories of the past several days inside each of their minds. The task is strenuous... but he must do it. For the sake of his children.
Several more minutes pass... then the task is done. Xavier has done what he must, to ease the pain of his students. To ease the pain, specifically, of Scott and Jean.
Xavier composes himself and looks around the room, as everyone exchanges anxious glances. At first he fears they're aware of the telepathic intrusion, but his fears are soon put to rest by Logan.
"Well, it's pretty obvious we're not gonna be agreein' on anything anytime soon. Chuck, Summers," Logan says as he glances at both Xavier and Scott, "you two do what you gotta do. I'm not takin' sides, no way no how."
"I'm with Logan on this one," Kitty chimes in. "I know I chose Scott's side when the teams first split up, but really, this is getting old. You both need to just grow up."
Scott and Xavier are both slightly stunned by Kitty's choice of words, but aren't about to let it show. Xavier looks at Scott, and sees his stern face. In his arms he sees a baby. Not Rachel... it can't be Rachel. Because Jean is holding Rachel.
"Jean and I are leaving and taking our children home," Scott says, freeing one arm to open the door to Xavier's office. "Maybe one day we can work out our differences, but not today."
Scott and Jean exit the room, followed by Warren. Hank and Bobby exchange nods, remembering back to their discussion at Harry's Hideaway. Xavier sighs heavily, as the rest of his students exchange glances, then start to file out of the room. Ororo moves behind Xavier, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Charles, you are tired. You need rest."
"I just need to be alone for a while, Ororo. I'll be fine."
Ororo nods in understanding and motions for everyone else to follow her out of the room. Once the last person has left and closes the door behind them, Xavier turns to the window and stares out at the snow-covered wonderland outside.
It worked. It actually worked. Using his telepathy, he was able to convince each of his students that Scott and Jean's newborn son never died. It didn't reunite the X-Men. It didn't even really make things any better between the two teams. But it erased the pain of loss from Scott and Jean's minds, and gave them - gave everyone - something to look forward to. That's a start.
But what happens when his students discover what he's done?
Check out the Marvel-X Underground site for the continuing adventures of these X-Men.
