I humbly present an idea that has been tumbling around in my mind for a while.
This idea came to me one night as I watched an old monster movie. I pondered what about a monster story with an X-Men: Evolution twist? Sounded like an intriguing development so I decided to pursue it. In the end I settled on one of my favorite stories, from novel and play, The Phantom of the Opera.
Thus I now present The Phantom of the Institute.
Thanks go out to the lovely Spiffythefaery for volunteering her time to beta reading this and many other stories that I have in my warped mind.
I don't own X-Men: Evolution or the Phantom of the Opera. I know Stan Lee owns the former and the latter was created by Mr. Gaston Leroux.
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"I dare say no one has ever seen the ghost."
-Sorelli
The rubber tires squealed slightly in protest as the large yellow taxi pulled to a halt outside the iron wrought gates of the Xavier Institute. The gates groaned as the rusted metal began to swing on its hinges, allowing the taxi entrance to the massive estate that housed the Xavier Institute.
The engine rumbled as the car slowly made its way along the concrete driveway. From her position in the back of the cab, Rogue marveled at the size of the property. Emerald green grass sparkled in the morning light, stretching from the gates to the cliff that the Institute overlooked. Along the far side of the Institute's grounds a small forest sprung up, the enormous trees reaching towards the sky.
Sitting in the middle of the vast grounds was a massive mansion. Rogue could not help but drop her jaw upon seeing the structure. It was larger than any building she had ever seen. Of course comparing the mansion to her home wasn't much to go against, it was still something to Rogue.
The taxi rumbled up the driveway, curling around a water fountain that was planted a few feet away from the stairs leading up to the front doors. Pulling to a complete stop at the base of the stairs, the taxi shuddered as the engine was killed. Hopping out of the cab, Rogue shouldered her bags and paid the driver.
Walking up the stairs, she took a moment to be awed once more at the size of the mansion. Making her way over to the door, she tapped the doorbell lightly, sending out a loud ringing through the manor. Rogue waited for a few moments before the giant oak door cracked open and a man leered out.
His eyes were small and black and his gaze was unsettling. His face was unshaven; several days' worth of stubble was apparent. His hair fell about his head in a massive jumble, wild and tangled. He gave a deep growl at seeing Rogue, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"What?" he barked, his tone deep and rough.
"Uh-" Rogue was taken aback by such an uncouth greeting.
"Spill it," the man snapped.
"Ah'm Rogue," was all that she managed to say underneath his blazing glare.
"Good fer you," the man replied as he began to shut the door on her. Fortunately for Rogue a voice called out from inside the mammoth building.
"It's alright Logan. She's the girl who phoned a few nights ago about joining the Institute. Please let her in," a distinct feminine voice called out. Logan frowned at the remark but he swung the door open, allowing Rogue entrance. Quickly stepping inside the hallway, Rogue rushed past Logan who was still leering at her.
Standing in the hall was a rather tall woman with dark skin and blinding white hair. Her posture was regal and her demeanor was calm. She shot a quick look at Logan before setting her dark eyes on Rogue. Rogue met the woman's gaze with her own, trying to size her up.
The woman smiled, her grin bringing warmth to Rogue after the frosty response from Logan. Stepping forward, the woman extended her hand.
"Hello child. I am Ororo Munroe. And that brute is Logan," Ororo said, her rich voice ringing through the large hall. Logan growled at the remark but said nothing. Rogue couldn't help but grin.
"Ah'm Rogue," she replied, grasping Ororo's hand.
"A pleasure to met you. I apologize for Logan's behavior, but he isn't very trusting." Rogue nodded in understanding, being the same way herself. Turning to see Logan's reaction, Rogue was shocked to find that he was no longer there.
"Where'd he go?"
"Who knows?" Ororo answered, her voice calling Rogue's attention away from the empty hallway. "He does that quite often. You'll get used to it."
"Ah'll take your word on that," Rogue replied, her grin returning.
"I'm sure that you would like a tour of the mansion but Professor Xavier wishes to meet with you. So if you'll please follow me," Ororo said as she turned and began to walk off into the bowels of the mansion. Rogue struggled to keep up with the older woman's swift pace, having to fight with luggage and trying to take in the vast manor. As Rogue followed Ororo through the empty halls, she noticed the lack of activity.
"Where is everybody?"
"You arrived during the middle of school hours."
"School? But Ah thought that this was a school."
"It is. We simply educate a person in the ways of controlling their mutant powers. While we could instruct students in other areas, Professor Xavier believes that it is more beneficial for the students to attend the local high school."
"Oh."
"You sound disappointed, my dear."
"Ah was just hoping that Ah wouldn't have to go to school anymore." Ororo nodded, her white mane falling about her shoulders.
"Every student we have has the same reaction upon hearing that fact. However not all of our students attend the local school. I dare say you'll run into Jamie soon enough," Ororo stated as her pace slowed down. Rogue slowed to match Ororo.
"We are here, child. Give me your things and I will see that they are placed in your room. Professor Xavier is waiting for you." Rogue dropped her luggage to the floor with a shrug. A feeling of relief washed over her as she rubbed her sore shoulders. She had packed light but it was still irritating to carry the bags for such a long period of time. Ororo gestured at a closed door.
Rogue turned the knob and pushed slightly against the door, stepping into the room, to meet the headmaster of the Xavier Institute. The man waiting for her was not what she had in mind. She imagined a tall, powerful man running the Institute. She did not expect to meet a bald man in a wheelchair.
Smiling warmly at her, Professor Xavier motioned for Rogue to sit down. Rogue did so, tentatively. Pushing on a small joystick that resided on the arm of his chair, he wheeled his way over to Rogue stopping when he was a few feet in front of her, his warm smile carrying up into his brown eyes.
"Welcome Rogue," he began, his gentle voice creating a soothing effect. "I wanted to formally welcome you to the Xavier Institute. I feel that Logan's greeting wasn't the one you expected?" Rogue's eyebrows shot up as she heard his statement. How could he have known about that? Xavier chuckled lightly.
"Everyone here is a mutant Rogue. Just like you. We each have our own gifts. My power is telepathy. I am capable of reading minds." Rogue's face darkened as Xavier explained his powers. She didn't like the idea of someone being able to eavesdrop on her thoughts.
"I assure you that I only read a person's thoughts when I have permission. I was simply doing a mental scan to see you reaction when you arrived. If I did something you don't approve of then I apologize." Was he actually apologizing to her? Rogue had been treated so harshly by the people back home that she was not used to being apologized to, even if it was warranted.
"It's okay, Professor." He nodded, his smile still playing on his features.
"Do you have any questions for me Rogue?" Xavier asked.
"Yeah. A couple of things actually. Ah was curious, just how big is the mansion?" Xavier's eyebrows furrowed in thought.
"I believe that there is about two hundred and ten rooms in the mansion overall, not including halls. And an additional twenty-five in the lower levels."
"Lower levels?"
"Yes. While this mansion has been in my family for countless generations, I found that there were some needs that couldn't be satisfied with the previous status of the building. So I constructed the lower levels to compensate."
"What needs?" Xavier frowned slightly as he brought his hands together to form a steeple.
"As you know Rogue, mutants aren't met with the greatest of acceptance by the world. I feared that this would be the case. I feared that mutants wouldn't be accepted. My greatest hope, my dream, is that mutants and humans would be able to live together in peace." Rogue heard a soft noise, quite similar to the sound of someone snorting. She turned her head but no one was in the room besides Professor Xavier and herself. And Xavier didn't seem to hear anything.
"I realized that there would be those, humans and mutants, who would feel that peace between the two groups is impossible and undesirable. I knew that if someone wasn't prepared to act, violence would grow between the groups until peace would be impossible and bloodshed will be the reality. So I formed the Xavier Institute for the Gifted.
"It serves three purposes. The first is to help mutants find a place where they will not be persecuted, a place where they can be comfortable with whom they are. The second is to help mutants control their powers so that they are no longer a danger to others and themselves. The third is to train a group of mutants to defend mankind from mutants who would seek to destroy them and vice versa. They are the eldest of the students here, known as the X-Men.
"The lower levels of the mansion provide the students with the training facilities to control their powers, in addition to other rooms that might be necessary such as a locker room, a medical ward and the like. Also the lower levels house Cerebro."
"Cerebro?"
"Cerebro is a machine that amplifies my powers. It lets me find any mutant in the world, records their powers, and tracks the mutant," Xavier answered with pride seeping through his voice.
"Okay."
"Joining the X-Men is a conscious decision. I will not force you to do so if you wish otherwise. It is merely an option. However that is a decision for another time. Anything else?"
"Where is Mr. LeBeau?"
"Remy is currently away on business in New Orleans. He should be back within a week or two. Any other questions?"
"Ah don't think so."
"Very well. Now you need to meet the facility of the Institute and then be shown your quarters." Rogue nodded hesitantly. She was still a little unsure about this whole X-Man thing, but she was intrigued about the concept. Rogue's thoughts were interrupted as the door behind her opened and the facility members of the staff entered.
Rogue turned to take a glance at the staff of the Institute. Three people walked in and took their places beside Professor Xavier. Rogue was already familiar with two of them, but the third was uncanny. He was covered in blue fur from head to toe. His arms were longer than usual and his feet were larger than normal. His appearance indicated that he was a monster, yet he was wearing a pair of glasses and a knee length medical coat, indicating some measure of civility.
"You are already familiar with Logan and Ororo," Xavier began, referring to the still frowning Logan and the placid Ororo. "This is Henry McCoy."
The blue giant took a step forward and extended his hand.
"It's a pleasure. Please call me Hank, everyone else does," Henry said in a surprisingly gently voice for his appearance. Rogue was taken aback and made no move to grasp his extended hand. Seeing her shock, Hank chuckled lightly.
"I see my appearance has startled you. I assure you I am not some wild animal residing in the mansion. That distinction goes to Logan and Victor." Rogue slowly nodded, Henry seemed to be a lot more cordial than Logan was.
"Who's Victor?" Rogue asked, realizing that Henry had referred to someone not present. Rogue immediately assumed that he was a student.
"Victor is another member of our Institute. He serves as the caretaker of the mansion, cleaning and the like. He doesn't do well with the children. Keeps trying to persuade me to let him hang them by their fingers from the walls," Xavier replied as he looked over at Ororo. "Speaking of which, where is Victor? He normally likes to scare the new recruit."
"He's cleaning up one of Bobby's pranks," Ororo replied nonchalantly. Xavier nodded before turning his gaze back onto Rogue.
"The final instructor of the Institute is Raven Darkholme. You'll have to forgive her absence but she has a job during the day. If that's everything then Ororo will show you your quarters and give you the grand tour of the mansion."
Rogue nodded and stood up, moving to follow Ororo out the door. She was surprised to find Logan blocking her path out of the study. Rogue's stomach danced with butterflies. He leered at her before cracking a grin, breaking his icy demeanor.
"Welcome to the Xavier Institute," he replied, his tone much lighter than it had been in the hall.
"Thanks," Rogue said, feeling much better. Logan nodded and began to turn away but stopped.
"By the way. You're rooming with Kitty. Hope you can deal with her perkiness. Also a word of advice. Never get in a car she's driving." With that being said Logan stalked off. Rogue grinned and turned to glance at Xavier, who was absorbed in some paperwork.
"Come on child. We should hurry if you want to get the tour before the students come home. I dare say you won't get a free moment afterwards," Ororo gently called out, grabbing Rogue's attention. Nodding firmly, she followed the elder woman out the door.
***
Rogue had finished viewing the manor with Ororo and decided to settle down in the cavernous living room at the front of the building. The main reason Rogue had ended up in the living room was that it had a window that looked upon the entrance to the mansion. Rogue was curious about the other students and eager to see them. She was staring out the window, her eyes lazily sweeping over the twisted iron gate. Lost in her thoughts, Rogue failed to notice that she was no longer alone.
"What are you doing here?" a deep voice rumbled, catching Rogue unawares. Feeling her stomach leap into her throat, Rogue whirled around to see who had scared the living daylights out of her. Rogue was more frightened when she looked at the intruder. He was enormous. Standing well over six feet, he would have dwarfed Remy. Long dirty hair fell down to the middle of his back. He was bulked up, muscles bursting out over his entire body. His nose was squashed, as if it had been broken and not healed properly. His yellow teeth were barred and cat-like. His hands were clenched into fists and his fingernails were long and black, looking like claws.
"Well?" the large man snapped.
"Ah-Ah—Ah was just waiting for the others to come home," Rogue managed to spit out as she backed away from the large man.
"A likely story. So what are you planning? Spilling paint all over the room and the others? Throwing water balloons?" he pressed, his eyes gleaming with anger.
"No. Ah'm just waiting for the others."
The man snarled, raising his fist in anger. Rogue clenched her eyes shut as he raised his arm. But no blow came. Rogue opened her eyes to see the large man standing in front of her, his fist by his side.
"Don't let me catch you playing any pranks girlie. And behave yourself!" he roared as he began to leave, mumbling something about elves and snowmen under his breath. Breathing a deep sigh of relief, Rogue turned her attention back outside only to see a banged up jeep screech to halt outside the mansion.
A teenage boy with brown hair covering his eyes leapt from the passenger seat and began to kiss the ground. A young brunette slid out through the driver's side of the car. Rogue blinked, she hadn't seen that right. The young girl had passed right through the door of the car.
The girl was trying to lecture the boy on something; Rogue couldn't hear the conversation. But from what she could see the boy was arguing with the girl as other cars began to come up the driveway. The argument between the two teenagers came to an end as the girl flipped her brown ponytail over her shoulder and marched right through the front door. Rogue blinked again, she knew she had seen that right. The girl strode down the hall and into the living room, plopping down on the sofa, not noticing Rogue.
"I so know how to drive," the girl fumed. Rogue looked over at the girl, debating whether to introduce herself or not. Taking a glance out the window, Rogue decided to introduce herself to the brunette.
"Hi," Rogue called out, her voice surprising the brunette.
"Huh?" the girl looked up from her mutterings to see Rogue. Her face brightened immediately and her attitude swung towards perky. "Like hi! I'm Kitty. Are you that Rogue girl I've heard about?"
"That's me."
"We're, like, roommates. This is gonna be so cool. I always wanted a roommate and now I've finally got one. We'll be the best of friends and we'll…" Kitty rambled on as Rogue stopped listening. Logan was right, she was awfully perky. Rogue rolled her eyes as Kitty began a rant on the joys of having her as a roommate, someone who knew the latest gossip or something.
Rogue was far more interested in meeting the other people who were walking in. The boy who had argued with Kitty waltzed in, talking to another boy with red hair and orange highlights. Several girls walked in, one blond, one brunette, and one Asian discussing someone named Ray. Two boys followed the girls, one with spiked hair and one with an earring.
Two red heads, a guy wearing red tinted glasses and a girl, made their way through the hall and immediately up the stairs, reminding everyone that they had homework. They were immediately answered with snowballs being flung at them. The two shrieked and rushed up the stairs to escape the oncoming ice.
Snowballs? Rogue shook her head to clear her vision. It was the beginning of September; there shouldn't be any snowballs. Yet there they were, being flung by two boys who had yet to enter the mansion. One boy was creating the snowballs while laughing hysterically. The other was tossing the weapons at the redheads, his blue tinted hair contrasting with the white bullets.
"Rogue?" Kitty called out trying to get her attention.
"Yeah?" Rogue answered her gaze on the pair of snowball slingers, who had just vanished in a puff of smoke. Turning to face Kitty, Rogue couldn't help but smile.
"So how do like the Institute so far?" Rogue's grin grew.
"Ah like it."