It's up, everyone! Story FIVE! Got a fantastic plot lined up for this, quite different to the others but certainly not lacking in all departments. Action, romance and drama galore in this new packed story!

NEW TO THE SAGA?
Now, if you're new to this saga, then you may wish to go back and read the first four stories for the required background information. However, you are welcome to read on without. There are summaries for each story on my website. Click on previous stories so you can read up without having to read for all the background info (although I advise you do! They are good! Lol.)

The homepage of the site, however, is complete. New layout too! Hints of new characters and the future plot! My images of my characters represented perfectly in the forms of two well-respected actresses.

www(dot)freewebs(dot)com/twhb4

- CHAPTER ONE -
A Force

Logan glared out of the window as he stood in Professor Xavier's office. The mutants had only been back in Westchester for a week and luckily, nothing out of the ordinary had happened. That was, of course, until Charles telepathically asked them all to join him in his office. Logan, who had been enjoying the quiet week, had a scowl on his face the instant he walked through the door. He had slouched off to one side of the room, and had remained there since.

There was a weak morning sunshine spilling from the large windows of the office. A fresh, crisp air was in the room, coming natural with spring. The soft rays of light illuminated portions of the royal blue carpet and the surface of the dark polished desk that Charles sat behind. As well as Logan, the rest of the X-Men had joined, standing together as opposed to Logan's skulking figure in front of the sun-washed window. Storm, Gambit, Aurora, Scott and Siren stood in front of the Professor's desk.

"Thank you for coming so quickly," said Charles politely as he bowed his head, "Please, take a seat if you prefer."

The group scattered to the two sofas in the room whilst Gambit settled himself in an armchair besides the desk. Logan cast a momentary glare down at Scott and Siren as he sat in the sofa he was leaning his hands upon the top of. He lifted his hands away and continued to prowl back and forth in the small space between the bay window and the seating.

"It is nothing too alarming, so you may alleviate such worries." Charles said quietly as he steepled his fingers tips. He poised them in front of his chin thoughtfully as he watched what appeared to be a collective sigh of relief from the team. "This morning I was observing worldly activity through Cerebro as normal to keep a check on any events that may require our assistance and managed to picked up some very strong telepathic signals from the ruins of Alkali Lake."

The relief in the room seemed to be sucked back in, as almost everyone in the room took a sharp breath and gasped.

A tense silence had come into the room and it seemed to difficult to break. But Storm spoke, although quietly, "But, Professor.. no one has been near Alkali Lake since.. what happened." She glanced across the room to Scott; whose lips had suddenly gone very thing and his jaw was set stiffly. Siren looked round to him, placing a hand on his knee.

"I understand that, Ororo," came the response from Charles, "All the more reasons for my concerns and undoubted curiosity. I can only imagine it to be some type of mutant activity. What makes it so peculiar is how it is the very same power Jean had."

Scott's head dipped in a reluctant little nod. His arms had folded and the forefinger of his curled fist was pressed against his lips tightly.

Charles lowered his hands, regarding the room with a stern expression that still managed to hold the soothing composure inside his cerulean eyes, "Whilst I do not wish to elevate any false hope, I do believe this needs to be investigated. Normally, I would not be so urgent as to inform all of you. But somehow, I feel some sort of connection to the phenomenon that occurred in the Amazon," his eyes settled upon Scott. "The unexplained force that occurred there may have some link to the same energy I am reading that is active at Alkali Lake."

Logan leant down on the back of the sofa again, securing his tight grip on the panel of wood that frame the luxurious seating. He knew his grip was nothing about stability, "You sayin' we gotta go back there?"

"It shouldn't be a dangerous mission, so not all of you need to go. Of course, I understand if some more than others may wish to stay away," Charles's eyes travelled upon Scott again. "I contacted an old friend a short while ago, Emma Frost, asking her views on the matter. She too is a powerful telepath. Of course, her powers in comparison to a fully active Cerebro are minor, but if she was picking up something, just anything, it would mean it was an undoubtedly powerful signal being produced from the ruins."

Out of the entire X-Men, only one of the people in the room reacted to the information. Whilst the others listened with interest, Scott, already looking distressed at being reminded about his fiancé's death, leaned forward and covered his face with his hands. Siren looked perplexed, but just lay a comforting arm on his shoulder.

Charles had a regretful look on his face, as though he had something he would he'd had said different. Or at least, phrased it more delicately. "As I said, you are not all required. I'd say four would be sufficient. Scott, do you wish to stay behind?" Scott glanced up slowly as he was spoken directly to. But before a response could come out of him, Charles had quickly spoken. "We will not think any less of you."

At these words of encouragement, Scott bowed his head, "I'd like to opt out of this mission, Professor."

Charles did not look at all surprised. He just nodded his head one in understanding, "Of course," he turned his head to look towards Storm, his second-in-command, "Ororo?"

"I'll be fine, Professor," said Storm gently, "Naturally, I'll lead the investigation since Scott had stepped down."

Charles glanced over the rest of the room, whilst he knew Gambit and Siren may be uncomfortable visiting the place, he knew that directly they had not dealt with the horrors there. If they didn't want to go, they would say so, "Aurora, Wolverine? Are either of you willing to go?"

"I'll go," grunted Logan, not particularly sure why he was agreeing to it. It was just a natural reaction out of him, like instinct. Plus he knew, deep down inside that he wanted answers himself. If the force that saved Scott and that had been communicating inside his head was also the same one that was in Canada, then it would reveal some very interesting connections.

Aurora however, looked a little more hesitant. And it was no wonder. Fifteen years of her life she had been trapped inside that, to be freed only when the dam burst on the X-Men, "Depends if Siren and Gambit are going. That would make four."

"We'll go, hun," said Siren softly as she nodded over to Aurora, "It's alright, you can stay here." Aurora looked across to Gambit for confirmation and the Cajun nodded his head sagely without saying a word.

"Very well," said Charles, "Storm, Wolverine, Siren and Gambit. I believe it would be better if you were to leave as soon as possible. I will be following your progress with Cerebro and will guide you to the source of the signal." He cast one last look around the room before he bowed his head, "Meeting adjourned, X-Men." He pushed his chair back from the desk as he wheeled out from behind it to follow the mutants out. "Good luck."

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