X3: Fight For the Future

The Status Quo

Logan was kicked back in an easy chair. He could get used to living at the Xavier School. He had two classes ever week day to teach, a good salary for it, room and board paid, and he got to keep an eye on his favorite mutant; Rogue. She was developing into quite the young lady. She, Bobby, Piotr, and Jubilee had actually been training to be full-fledged X-Men after their run in with Striker. Rogue was actually turning out to be quite the team leader.

Logan was teaching auto-shop while Scott was "sick". Logan didn't blame the man for taking things so hard. Logan had been nigh unapproachable for a month after Jean died. She had been Scott's wife. The only woman he had ever loved. For that reason, Logan had given Scott wide berth so as not to get into any arguments.

In fact the only two things that Logan could really complain about was the lack of available women, and lack of available booze. He dealt with both gracefully in his opinion. Others thought his constant reminders that they were all tea-totallers was quite annoying.

Logan had found several friends here at the school. Ororo was always good to talk to about being a mutant. The Professor was always there if he needed to talk about sensitive things. Recently though, it was the new guy, Kurt Wagner, that Logan was hanging out with. Wagner didn't judge, he didn't speak much, and he always had something that could lift Logan's spirits when he doubted humanity the most. Of course, he would never tell as single one of these people any of this. But still, there was no one he would ever consider a drinking-buddy. No one he would be willing to go into town with and knock back a few.

As it was right now, Logan was watching the news in the rec. room while the students goofed around. As a rule the news had to be on for at least two hours a day. Unfortunately there was no rule that the students had to WATCH the news that was on.

A few feet away Rogue played a game of foosball with Jubilee against Bobby and Piotr. The boys were loosing badly. Logan sniffed, and jumped up turning around. There was Scott. He was unshaven, with a good amount of stubble on his face, but dressed and wearing his glasses.

Rogue noticed too, causing her to miss a block. Bobby exulted a moment, until he noticed what his other friends were watching.

Scott nodded to the kids, and made his way over to Logan. "You've been covering my classes for the last few days," he said.

"Yeah, couldn't find much to teach 'em though. You did good shades." Logan intended to be tender with the widower. He was rarely seen outside of his room. Jean had died three months ago, but he was still a bit of a wreck.

"Thanks," Scott said. "Maybe later you can catch me up on what you've taught them."

"Sure, no problem," Logan nodded. He turned and then added, "I wouldn't ride your bike for a while, Madrox replaced the fuel line and its been actin' funny ever since."

"Funny," Scott said, almost feeling normal again. "Jaime's always been pretty good. Must be the bike."

"Yeah, I…" but Logan quickly realized that Scott wasn't paying attention to him. Scott was staring at the TV. Logan looked around and it was some news story about mutants. Logan turned it up to be heard over the din.

"Was revealed to be a mutant last week. His family fortune is estimated in the billions. Worthington industries is making no comment at the allegations that he stole a priceless gem in his escape from the mansion, but sources inside the Worthington Mansion have confirmed that a large diamond was stolen the same night."

They were showing a picture of a handsome blonde man smiling cheekily at the camera. They were also juxtaposing it with a picture of the same blond crouching in the snow, covered in dirt or ash with no shirt and large wings spreading from his shoulders.

"Storm!" Scott called suddenly, making the kids at the foosball table jump.

Ororo walked in, just as the switched to another broadcast. "What is it Scott," she asked tenderly, not sure what was going on. She began eyeing Logan, suspecting that he had started something.

"Warren, on TV, Warren was seen!" Scott babbled.

"Who's 'Warren'?" asked Wolverine as Ororo's face took the same shocked one that Scott was wearing. "C'mon Logan," she said turning from the rec. room, obviously to the Professors study.

Scott and Ororo lead the way, the four kids followed close behind. "Warren Worthington III used to attend the School here," Ororo explained. "Jean, Warren, Scott, another boy, and I were the first students Xavier took on. Warren left when his parents took ill, so that he could help run the family company. He has always been afraid of what humans, especially stockholders, would think if he were a mutant. He has always kept his wings hidden. That's his mutant power by the way, he has Wings. We called him Angel."

"Angel, Storm, Cyclops," Wolverine ticked off the names and cast a look back at Bobby, "And the best you could come up with is Ice-Man?"

Bobby rolled his eyes while the other three snickered.

As they opened the doors to Prof. Xavier's study, they heard his voice begin in their heads "X-Men, I need…" but as he saw they were already there, he looked surprised. "Well," he said aloud, "That makes me wonder who the telepath is."

"Professor," Scott said desperately. "We're ready to go after Warren."

"Warren?" asked the Professor, surprised. "What's wrong with Warren?"

"Wait, You actually don't know?" Logan asked, amused at this first.

"Knock it off Wolverine," Scott said abruptly. Logan gave him a cruel glare, but said nothing. "Warren's gone missing," Scott reported. "He was outted and is now on the run."

"Yes, I see," he said thought fully. "Perhaps I should have watched the happenings a little longer." He was obviously reading their recollection of the news report. "Well I assure you, Warren did not steal that diamond."

"Professor, we have to go find him," Ororo pleaded.

"Yes, you're right," the Professor agreed. "But I was calling you here for another reason."

At that moment, Kurt opened the door. "Sorry I'm late, but I didn't want to bamf. Some students have mentioned its sulfurous smell is a little irritating." At this both Jubilee and Bobby blushed.

"Better late than never," Xavier said warmly. "Now, Kurt, you and Logan will take Rogue and Piotr with you to Alabama. I need you to pick up a mutant there who is being framed for a crime he did not commit.

"What about Warren!?" interrupted Scott.

"I will address that Scott. I am already reassigning people," Xavier explained. He continued, "The mutant is charged with stealing research from a lab in a pharmaceuticals company called Desino De Vicis. They are offering a reward on his head. While the reward is only given if he is captured alive, I fear for his safety. This fear is based on the fact that he is innocent of this crime."

"How do you know," Bobby asked inquisitively.

"Simple, he was committing another crime at the time they allege he stole the research."

Everyone paused for a moment. Xavier continued. "You will take the Blackbird, and try to persuade him to come to the School."

"I don't know how to fly that thing," Logan protested.

"But ah do," Rogue said with a gleam in her eye. Storm had been teaching her ever since her little joy ride back at Alkali Lake.

"Good luck," Storm said to Kurt. They had been quite close since they had met. There was a pool running among the students about how long it would take them to go on an official date. Logan was down for four months.

Logan, Kurt, Marie, and Piotr, left. Xavier turned to his remaining X-Men. "Now, you four will go after Warren. Scott, Storm, would you like me to consult Cerebro?"

"No, I know where he would go," Scott said sadly.

"The old Massachusetts facility?" Xavier guessed.

"It was the last place we were all together," Scott said in confirmation.

"Very well, be careful. Things are not as they should be."

"What do you mean professor?" asked Ororo.

"This company, I do not like them. On of many reasons is that they are going to a great deal of trouble to frame a specific mutant for a crime I am not sure even happened. This could spell trouble for you. Warren is this mutant's only witness. If they want the truth hidden so badly, I fear Warren may be in danger."

"We'll bring him back professor," Scott promised, heading out as he spoke.

"God speed," Xavier commended.