And Then There Were Four
Chapter Seven: Ashes to Ashes
Scott Summers stood next to his younger brother Alex, Ororo Munroe to his left. The clock on the Headmaster's desk read 4:57A, and no one was happy about being up so early.
Especially under the circumstances upon which brought them here.
"Juggernaut was outside, why?"
"I don't know, Scott," Alex—one of the team's leaders, though then known as Havok, answered. "I don't think it matters, either."
"It matters."
Ororo Munroe, Storm and leader of the X.S.E., surveyed the two men. There was a level of tension—and the weather goddess sensed a feud that had been left unresolved was beginning to resurface.
"No one questions Logan when he's out surveying the grounds at all hours. At least not anymore. So again—I don't think it matters."
"Havok," Cyclops took a deep tone, "I'm telling you that it matters."
"And I'm telling you that it doesn't. We need to get to the bottom of this—not sit around here arguing about the validity of Cain Marko's intentions as an X-Man." Havok was stern; assertive—but he wasn't stepping on Scott's toes. He'd definitely grown up over the years, Ororo thought to herself.
Cyclops, however, was reckless and defensive—though understandably so, Munroe had to remind herself. She was having a hard time remaining calm herself—Cain Marko, Juggernaut, had just found the grave of Jean Grey, her best friend, to be empty.
"Scott—Alex is right," she stopped the argument. The two men shifted to Storm, giving her their attention.
"Ororo..."
"Scott, he's right. I've seen Cain in action—he's no less of an X-Man than you or I. Things change—people change. Or do I need to bring Emma into the discussion?"
"I've already invited myself," Emma Frost's voice called as the door closed behind her. "Apparently I have to." The former White Queen shot a look of disgust in Cyclops' direction.
"Emma, this meeting was called to order at the last second—it was very impromptu."
"Save it for another time, Scott. As Headmistress, I'm here—and I expect to be informed right away."
"You don't have to listen to her," Havok challenged. He'd never seen his older brother cower... and he didn't like it.
"No, perhaps not," Frost hissed, "but you do. Now stand down and tell me what's going on."
"I don't know what's happening," Rachel Grey stood, disoriented. The light had just been turned on, so Kitty Pryde winced as she watched her roommate stumble. She soon stood to steady her.
"Ray... you need to sit down..."
"I can't, Kitty—I can't..."
"Ray? Rachel, please... you have to calm down..."
"I didn't tell you what I said, Kitty..."
"Rachel, please... what are you talking about? Sit down and we can talk about it..." Kitty had rarely seen her friend speak so blindly. It didn't matter that it was five in the morning.
"Kitty," tears formed in Grey's eyes, "I'm so sorry."
"Rachel...?"
"I turn to Scott and I say...
"...oh God... I can't stop it... Kitty, oh... Kitty... oh God, Kitty..."
Tears poured from her face as fire erupted around Rachel Grey, now known as Marvel Girl, the entire room bursting into flame.
"Oh my God," Emma Frost stopped short, her hand to her head. She fell limp to the ground, Cyclops scrambling to catch her.
"Scott, what's going on?" Storm asked—seconds later, the windows in Summers' office shattering. Shards flew through the room, showering into the four X-Men.
"Stay DOWN!" Cyclops shouted, hovering over Emma while trying to survey the damage.
Orange light flooded into the large office, Havok stumbling up against it. "It can't be..."
Ororo Munroe could only mouth Jean's name as she stood, the sheer force of wind slamming into she and her friends. Heat poured into the office as the orange light was revealed to be solid flame.
Kitty Pryde ran through the door behind Storm and Havok. "Grab Alex!"
Storm reacted instantly, leeching onto her companion's arm in time for Kitty to hit the floor in solid form. With one arm she grabbed Storm's ankle, and with the other Cyclops' wrist.
The four X-Men fell through the floor as Scott's office met the beginning of its descent into ash.