A/N: This going to be one chapter, but after finishing half of it, seeing the WC was over 7000, changed my mind and splt it. Most the chapter is based loosely on Giant-Sized X-Men #1. Flashback in italics.
Chapter 7: Changing of the Times Pt1
"End simulation!" Professor Charles Xavier sighed deeply.
Charles covered his eyes with one hand, his frustration was mounting and it was causing a pounding headache. It was time to consider some changes. Changes that would have a long-lasting effect on the team as a whole, but the changes were needed. It had been a growing concern and problem for far too long. Charles thought about the last fifteen months as he slowly made his way from the observation booth down to the Danger Room.
Scott had obediently attended his sessions with Dr. Moira MacTaggart while she was at the school helping with the wounds suffered from Stryker's attack. He had slowly backed off of his criticisms of Jean and Logan's relationship, but he was still insulting of Logan and highly critical of him. Scott's anger was less noticeable, but it was still there. He avoided Logan and Jean for the most part, but there were still times that they encountered each other many times during the week.
The tension was obvious to everyone, and the heated glares were a constant when the three of them were in the same room. The others were quick to defend Jean and Logan, as they understood and accepted the new dynamic of the group, whereas Scott refused to even try. It led to shouting matches with the rest of the team on occasion, but not outright physical fights. However, it still translated into many mistakes in the Danger Room and in the field. Thankfully, no one had been seriously hurt, but mostly that was because of Logan taking the heaviest blows for the rest of the team.
Logan and Jean had grown even closer in those fifteen months. Their friendship with Alex and Lorna had grown along with it. As great of a help as Jean was for Logan, his friendships with Alex and Lorna were even more so, socially speaking. Charles smiled to himself as he thought of the overheard conversation one morning in the kitchen while Jean was away for one of her classes at the college in town. It had been between Logan, Alex, and Lorna about what he should get Jean for Christmas.
"Green, 'Lex, I need yer help," Logan stated, almost frantic.
"Calm down, Logan," Lorna soothed. "What is it?"
"We got that holiday comin' up where ya give people gifts…" Logan breathed out.
"Sit," Lorna told him. "Yes, Christmas is coming."
"You're wanting help on what to get Jean, huh?" Alex nodded.
"Yeah, 'xactly!" Logan pointed at them.
"Stop worrying, brother of mine," Lorna giggled. "We got ya covered."
"What time does Jean get back?" Alex asked.
"In 'bout three hours," Logan answered.
"Well, come on, then," Lorna announced with the scraping of chairs. "Let's head to the mall. We'll help you out!"
Per their advice, Logan had purchased a necklace with a silver angel pendent for Jean. She had been almost overwhelmed by the sincerity of the sentiment behind the gift. Jean had jumped into Logan's arms, kissing him quite soundly in front of everyone. After such a success at Christmas, Logan had sought out Alex and Lorna's advice for Valentine's Day as well. Charles wasn't sure of the specifics of that day, but they had left the mansion about mid-morning and returned, both smiling widely, almost twelve hours later. Even on an everyday basis, they were certainly growing closer. They had spent numerous evenings cuddled together on the sofa spending time with the rest of the team, including a more distant Scott, in the rec-room.
Despite all of this, Scott still refused to completely accept their relationship. This led to the current situation in the Danger Room session. Scott's resentment was causing too many mistakes in his leadership of the team. Something needed to change. Charles knew that it was past time for this change as he entered the Danger Room hearing Scott's raised voice.
"Just what the hell was that, people?" Scott snapped, glaring at the team as they all struggled to stand. "Angel, I told you to distract them, not lead them right to us."
"They were already there, Scott," Warren spat back. "I was in the open line of fire from the start, because you gave the wrong order!"
"Whatever," Scott waved it away. "Iceman, why weren't you covering Angel?"
"Because you told me to cover your sorry butt, so you could have a clear shot!" Bobby yelled back at him.
Scott glared at him but didn't retort. He then turned to Jean. "And what's your excuse? I told you to shield that flank. Were you not paying attention? Or were you too involved with another mental conversation with your pet?"
"You're the one who gave the order to shield forty-five degrees to your right!" Jean yelled back. "You're the one who told me to leave ninety degrees open!"
"No excuse!" Scott shouted. "You ought to know better by now!"
"Back off, bub!" Logan snarled as he stepped right in front of Scott, one hand, with claws extended in front of his growling face. "You're 'bout ta make me fergit my promise to Jeannie 'bout not hurt ya! Ya can yell at me til yer blue inna face, but don' ya yell her fer yer fuck up!"
"My fuck up? You were out of position, as usual!" Scott shouted.
"I took th' hit, as usual, 'cause ya can't lead a cat outta a paper bag!" Logan sniped back.
"Enough!" Xavier shouted as he stopped beside Scott. Jean stepped forward, gently pulling Logan back and calming him down. "Warren, Robert, you are dismissed. Alex, step over here, please." He waited until the door closed before addressing the situation further. "Over the last fifteen months, this has been building, and today was the final time this will happen."
"What do you mean, Professor?" Scott asked. He was still clearly angry, but he kept his voice calm.
"Scott, your leadership skills and decisions have been extremely lacking for a long time now," Xavier began. He noticed Lorna had joined Jean in calming Logan.
"My…leadership skills?" Scott asked confused.
"You have made mistake after mistake, usually leading to someone getting hurt. Fortunately for you, Logan has stepped in to take the brunt of those injuries, or we may have had to have a funeral, on more than one occasion. I have no choice after what I have just witnessed both in the booth and as I entered, but to relieve you of command, Scott."
"You're…You're…?" Scott stammered in shock.
"Yes," Xavier confirmed sternly. "You are no longer the leader of the X-Men. This has gone on long enough. I will not let you blame your teammates for your mistakes. You are dismissed."
Scott stared at the Professor for a long minute in disbelief. Finally, he slumped his posture, with a huffed breath. Scott hung his head as he walked out of the Danger Room. Charles watched as he left. He caught several thoughts from Scott's mind as he walked out, most of which were centered at blaming Logan for everything that had happened since he arrived. Charles shook his head. Scott was heading down a dark path. Charles only hoped he could help Scott before it was too late.
"Alex," Charles turned as he addressed the younger brother. "I am placing you in charge. You have proven yourself time and again as having the skills necessary to perform the position. Jean, I would like you to be his second. But, Alex, I encourage you to lean on and learn from Logan's many years of experience."
"I will, Professor," Alex swallowed. "Thank you, sir."
"Anythin' ya need, kiddo," Logan nodded. Alex smiled with a return nod.
"Thank you, Professor," Jean agreed. "What are we going to do about Scott? And, no, Logan, you can't gut him."
"Damn," Logan joked. Jean shot him a frown but could tell he wasn't serious by the smirk on his face.
"We will take Scott one day at a time, and hope we can reach him," Charles replied with a sigh. "Before it's too late."
XMXMXM
Logan was having trouble sleeping. A thought had occurred to him at dinner that evening while in a conversation with Alex about how to breach security systems. It made him think of what Jean had once shared with him about how they had gotten in to get him out of Stryker's compound. Then a new thought had struck and been bothering him ever since. If the United States and Canada had these so-called "super-soldier" programs, what about other countries? With the Cold War with the Soviets raging, they were sure to at least have their own facility. That thought led Logan to a buried memory. Logan kept seeing a large man in red armor with snow-white skin and metal whips attached to his wrists for some reason.
"What's wrong?" Jean sighed as she rolled over to face him.
"Can't shake these thoughts," Logan answered, letting her see the image and his questions in his mind.
"I never considered that," Jean breathed. "I think we should talk to the Professor in the morning."
"Yeah, I think yer right," Logan agreed. "But I don't think he should try ta find the whip guy. He gives me th' creeps fer some reason."
"Maybe we'll find the answer in your memories," Jean cuddled to him, putting her hair right under his nose. She felt Logan inhale deeply, knowing the scent would calm his nerves.
"Yer prob'ly right, an' that ain't a comfortin' thought," Logan sighed.
XMXMXM
"Come in," Xavier called. He had been occupied with paperwork, not paying attention to the thoughts that were close to his office when a knock on his door came, so he was surprised to see Jean and Logan walk in. "Good morning."
"Mornin', Chuck," Logan grunted. Charles could see that Logan didn't look like he had slept very well. Jean didn't look much better.
"Good morning, Professor," Jean yawned. "Sorry, bit of a rough night."
"Something on your minds?" Xavier asked guessing that was the reason for their lack of sleep.
"I was thinkin', after talkin' ta Alex last night," Logan started. He paused to sigh. "If the U.S. an' Canada have things like Weapon X, why not the Soviets? Or others out there?"
Xavier sat stunned for a minute. It was a revelation that struck fear and dread into his mind.
"Logan's right, Professor," Jean spoke up. "We unlocked a part of a memory from his days as an agent with some Black Ops team."
"I never occurred to me," Xavier confessed, sounding a little distressed.
"We have to intervene if they are still in operation," Jean reasoned. "We can't other mutants suffer the way Logan did."
"I agree," Xavier nodded. "I'll start scanning for anything out of the ordinary as I did for Logan when I found him."
"Thank you, sir."
"You're quite welcome," Xavier nodded. "Try to get some more rest, both of you."
"Thanks, Chuck," Logan nodded as they left.
XMXMXM
After several days Charles had the information he needed to put together a mission to help three mutants in need and recruit three others. If they all accepted his invitation to join, it would change the team dynamic even further, but maybe it was for the better. Charles was worried about the timing to arrive at the home of one of the mutants, because he also had uncovered the Soviets version of Weapon X. By the files and accounts he had been able to obtain, Logan had encountered him before and he was not a viable recruit. He had just sent a summons to Jean and Logan to come to his office to discuss his findings. He stared out the window, hoping what he had planned would work out in the end.
"Come in," Charles called as he sensed them at the door.
"Ya wanted ta see us, Chuck?" Logan asked with a wide smile on his face as they entered. Charles noticed Jean was trying to stifle a grin.
"Sorry, sir, just something Lorna said before we came here," Jean answered before Charles could ask. He nodded but didn't ask.
"Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss," Charles motioned to the sofa. After they were settled, intertwining their hands, Charles began. "I have found the man you described to me from the Soviet Union. His name is, or was, Arkady Rossivich. However, Logan, you may have known him better as Omega Red."
Logan breathed heavily as he leaned forward, placing his hands over his pale face. The partial memory of that time in his life flooded his mind. None of the specifics, but the emotions were there. He couldn't help feeling it had been one of the hardest fights he had ever been in and how close to death he had come. "Yeah, that sounds very familiar."
"You alright?" Jean asked, rubbing his back worriedly.
"He's one of the few people out there that can hurt me," Logan answered. His memory became a little clearer on the man. "His whips shut down my healin' factor."
Jean looked at him in shock and terror. She hugged him protectively. "I won't let him get anywhere near you. Ever! Even if I have to fight him myself!"
"Relax, both of you," Charles patiently told them. "In my investigations, I have found his handlers have put him into cryo-sleep, where he will remain. The Soviets lost all control of him, and that was the only way to stop him. He is, in my opinion, and yours, too dangerous to allow him to be set free."
"Good thinkin'," Logan agreed, breathing a sigh of relief. "Don' wanna see his ugly mug ever again if I ain't gotta!"
"Now, on to other news," Charles continued, sensing a change in subject would be a good idea. "I have found six new potential members of the team."
"Six?" Jean looked up wide-eyed.
"Yes, however, three are an immediate concern," Charles continued. "The others are in a more stable situation at this time."
"Any in programs like Logan was?" Jean asked.
"Not as yet, however, that could change," Charles answered. "I would like the two of you to accompany me on this recruiting mission."
"Us?" Logan asked. "Why us?"
"Because you, Logan, have the background that could sway them to join us, before these other countries can take them," Charles answered. "And I would not dream of taking you and not Jean on a mission like this."
Logan and Jean had a silent conversation as Charles waited for their answer. They nodded at one another before turning back to Charles.
"Where to first?" Jean smiled.
"Frankfurt, Germany," Charles smiled. "We'll be paying a circus a visit."
XMXMXM
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I would like to direct your attention to the high wire!" the ringmaster called to the audience as he raised his arm in the dim light of the big top tent. "As you can see, this death-defying acrobat uses no safety nets. Multiple high-risk aerials. Multiple jumps and leaps. I give you, the one, the only, the magnificent Nightcrawler!"
Charles sat in the audience with Jean and Logan. They had arrived an hour before the circus had opened, spending the entire day exploring the attractions and booths. Charles smiled to himself thinking of the youthful excitement and playfulness they had enjoyed while still gathering information. Logan had paid close attention to their surroundings but also paid close attention to Jean. It had warmed Charles' heart to see how devoted Logan was to her, and Jean to him. Even as they watched the performance, Logan held Jean's hand lovingly. Charles felt sorry for anyone that tried to come between them. He knew they would be in for a fight, be it man or woman, brave enough to try.
Turning his full attention back to the center ring, Charles watched with a critical eye as the blue man with a tail swung from one bar to the next with such ease that he made it look like a natural thing to do. Charles could tell this was not the young man's only mutation. There was more to him than just his blue demonic form, tail, and agility. Charles wondered why the younger man's features looked so familiar to him. He would have to figure out that mystery another time. Charles turned his attention to the ringmaster, scanning his surface thoughts, and was disturbed by what he found. The ringmaster was about to sell Nightcrawler, as if he was property, to another circus for a large sum of money. Charles scanned a little deeper for the name of the circus to prevent any unwanted trouble in the future. The Essex Traveling Circus. That name sent alarm bells ringing in Charles' head.
'We must make contact soon,' Charles sent to Jean. As he told her the reason, Jean stiffened at the mention of the name.
'Professor, that circus is a front for experimentation done on mutants,' Jean looked at him with wide eyes. She looked at Logan for a few seconds, seeing him nod. Jean turned back to Charles, she shared one of Logan's early memories with him.
'Come, we will wait backstage,' Charles sent back with a sense of urgency.
Ten minutes later the show was over. They heard voices and then a harsh slap. A few seconds later, the ringmaster was roughly throwing Nightcrawler into a cage on wheels. It looked like an old-style lion or bear cage for traveling, with old banners proclaiming which circus it belonged to. The bars were thick steel with a slight bluish shimmer to them. Logan's keen sense of smell told him it had a vague ozone scent to it. Charles wondered just what that meant. His question was answered by the ringmaster's taunt.
"No disappearing from this cage, freak!" he sneered. "No going off to chat with your fellow demons this time. Mr. Essex has paid me top Marks for you and I intend to deliver. That was your last show for me. Now you're Mr. Essex's property, and not my problem anymore."
Logan growled lowly. In the blink of an eye he leaped forward before Jean or Charles could react. Charles marveled at his speed and agility once more. He knew that Logan was trained to be deadly and his feral side was a predator waiting to strike. Charles was also impressed by his amount of restraint, for not giving into the killing rage Logan had just under the surface.
"I don't think so, bub," Logan snarled as he slammed the ringmaster against another cart. He held the man there with one hand, unsheathing his claws on the other. "He may look diff'rnt, but the elf is still a human bein'."
"Logan, please, remain calm," Charles soothed, but knew Logan was in control of his actions, even if he was angry. "Jean, the cage, if you will."
"Of course, Professor," Jean nodded. With her powers, Jean unlocked the door. She reached in extending her hand to the blue-skinned man inside. He hesitated as he wiped blood from his lip. "We're here to help. And no, we don't work for this Essex."
"Dankeschön," he nodded as he reached a three-fingered hand out to Jean. She smiled kindly at him as she helped him out, then led him over to where Charles was keeping an eye on Logan.
"Jean, would you mind," Charles motioned to Logan. Jean smirked and giggled a little.
"Sweetie, leave him to the Professor," Jean told Logan as she rubbed his back.
"You're lucky, bub," Logan growled. "If it was up ta me, I'd gut ya fer doin' slave tradin'!"
'Nightcrawler disappeared right after the show before you could ask him about joining the other circus. You will do no more business with Essex. You hate the thought of slavery, and that is what he is asking,' Charles planted in the ringmaster's mind. "Now, Nightcrawler, I assume you are a teleporter."
"Ja. It is my main ability," he answered. "But only if I can see or picture it in my mind."
"Have you ever tried teleporting more than yourself?" Charles asked.
"Nien."
"We will work on that, should you choose to join us," Charles nodded. "I am sorry we do not have time for introductions, but, at this moment, I believe we should make a hasty retreat."
"Got four scents comin', Chuck," Logan added. "None o' them friendly."
"This way," Jean motioned to the others to follow after a quick scan with her telepathy. "It's clear all the way to the Blackbird."
"Logan, please, take point," Charles nodded. He turned back to the blue man with a tail. "We will explain more once we are aboard our jet and in the air."
Fifteen minutes later they arrived at the Blackbird. Logan was nowhere in sight, but Charles knew by Jean's smile that he was close by. Charles tapped the remote on the armrest of his wheelchair to open the ramp as they neared. Jean stopped with a grin on her face as Logan dropped out of a tree, landing beside her. They shared a gentle kiss and hug before following the Professor and Nightcrawler up the ramp. In minutes they were airborne.
"Now, then," Charles began as he turned from the pilot's station. "I am Professor Charles Xavier. I run a school only for mutants. This is Jean Grey, who is a graduate of my school and my first student. And this Logan Howlett, our physical training and martial arts instructor."
"Kurt Wagner, or as I was known in the circus, Nightcrawler."
"Have you ever heard of the X-Men?" Charles asked folding his hands in his lap.
"In passing," Kurt answered. His yellow eyes grew large as he realized. "Vait, you are the X-Men?"
"Indeed, we are," Charles smiled.
"Just vhat are you offering me?" Kurt asked with curiosity.
"I am offering you a chance to be a part of our team," Charles smiled slightly. "To have a home and friends. To have a place to belong. To learn more about your powers, and yourself. And possibly teach one day, when we have younger students again."
Kurt was silent for a few minutes, considering the Professor's words. He thought of never having to be constantly traveling from town to town. A place to have roots. This was something he wanted on a deep level, but he was also afraid. Afraid of what these people would think about him because of the way he looked. Would his looks cause him to be an outsider even among other mutants?
"No, we accept you for how you look," Jean added breaking into Kurt's thoughts. "Sorry. I'm a telepath, like the Professor. You were thinking very loudly."
"I am not offended," Kurt nodded. "I am intrigued, however."
"We'll let you speak to the Professor about the details," Jean told him with a smile as she and Logan walked to the back of the Blackbird hand in hand. Charles nodded at them as they passed.
"I take it zhey are a couple?" Kurt asked as he turned back to Charles from staring at them cuddling together in the larger seat in the back. Jean had laid her head on Logan's shoulder as he put his arms around her protectively.
"Very much so," Charles chuckled.
"I don't need to hear any more details, mien Herr. Jean's answer to my thoughts has convinced me," Kurt told Charles. "I accept your offer."
"Excellent!" Charles smiled, shaking Kurt's hand. "We will be traveling to two other locations before returning to New York. Don't worry, we have taken the liberty of obtaining documentation for you and the others beforehand."
XMXMXM
The lush golden farmlands of the late summer in the Russian Steppes rolled out in every direction as far as their eyes could see. Along with wheat, there lay corn, and livestock covering the vast landscape in neat patches on both sides of the dirt path they walked along. Charles, Jean, and Logan approached a large collective wheat field from the south. They had landed the Blackbird a mile away, in a remote location, so they wouldn't startle the family they were about to visit or the neighboring farms. Logan, ever on alert, kept a watchful eye around them. He felt very anxious with his heightened senses. Charles could feel it radiating off of him in waves.
"Logan, calm down," Jean soothed rubbing his arm.
"Can't. Too open here. No cover," Logan grunted. "That and the last time I was here, I almost died. Wasn't that far from here." Jean didn't reply, just wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned her head on his shoulder with a calming sigh.
"I take it you unlocked that memory?" Charles asked turning slightly in his wheelchair.
"Yeah, but I can't talk 'bout it, Chuck," Logan commented looking away. "Goes back ta my black ops days which were a bad dark time for me."
"I understand," Charles nodded reassuringly. "We are almost there."
As they crested the top of a small hill, they saw a young girl playing at the bottom of a field. She was unaware of the tractor that was rolling quickly toward her.
"Illyana!" a large young man yelled in warning as he raced to save her. Jean instincts started to take over to stop the tractor but Charles looked at her with a shake of his head to stop her from intervening. The young man's skin shimmered brightly as it took on the look of silvery metal. He hugged the little girl in his arms, shielding her with his metal body, as the tractor struck him. He did not move, but the large farming vehicle crumpled into twisted pieces of scrap metal. As soon as the wreckage was settled, he breathed a sigh of relief, his body slowly returning back to normal flesh and blood.
"I take it that's him?" Logan huffed. Charles nodded. "He ain't more'n eighteen."
"I was sixteen when I officially joined the X-Men, Logan," Jean informed him. "Bobby was only fourteen." She only received a grunt in reply.
"Come, we must speak with his parents," Charles commented as he started toward the small gathering by the wreckage. Logan frowned at Charles slightly. Jean shrugged as they began to follow him.
Soon they were led into a modest little farmhouse not far from where they were. An older man led the group into the small kitchen where a short, robust woman was preparing a meal for her family. After a quick discussion in Russian, the older couple turned worried faces back to Charles. With a mental nudge from his telepathy, he translated the languages for everyone to overcome that barrier.
"Please, do not worry," Charles assured them. "We are not with the State. We are from America."
"America?" the woman asked still worried. "Why are you here?"
"Yes, America. We came because of your son," Charles answered honestly. The woman gave a little sobbing gasp. "But we came to offer your son and daughter, a chance to have freedom to not be tied down by your government, but ultimately to still learn more about their powers and how to control their powers in a safe environment. Especially when your daughter comes into her powers."
"Who are you?" The man asked still skeptical.
"I am Professor Charles Xavier. I run a school for mutants to teach them how to live in peace with normal humans," Charles began. "We offer a home, and friends, with other mutants as well as an education. We would like Piotr to join us, now, and when her powers manifest, Illyana as well."
The couple looked at each other, the woman still clearly upset. The man looked more resigned and accepting. He spoke quietly with his wife as they glanced at their children. The woman finally heaving a heavy sigh, but still had tears in her eyes.
"Piotr, it is your choice," the woman sniffed. The young man looked down at his feet, undecidedly.
"If it helps," Charles spoke again, "we do allow families to visit. We would also pay the expenses for these visits and your family could even use our private jet to come over for said visits. Whether it is just your sister or your parents as well. We will also pay for their documentation."
Piotr still looked unsure. His sister looked at him with a sad smile but nodded her head. He looked back at his parents as his father approached him.
"Piotr, the measure of a man is what he does with his gifts, and you, my son, have great gifts. You were meant for so much more than our modest little farm," he told him placing his hands on his shoulders. Piotr pulled him into a hug. "Don't worry, we will manage without you. But if the State learns of your gifts, they would turn you into another Rossivich. I do not want that for you, my son."
"Trust me, kid," Logan spoke as he extended his claws, "you don't want that."
"Papa…I…" Piotr sniffed.
"You know this is the right thing to do in your heart," his mother stepped forward to hug him, still with tears on her cheeks. She looked up at her son, holding his cheeks. "We will miss you, but it is time for you to be the man you were born to be."
"I love you, mama," Piotr sniffed as he hugged her again. He knelt down by his little sister. "My little Snowflake, be safe, be good for mama and papa."
"I will, brother," Illyana cried. "You be safe."
"What harm can come to me in my metal form?" Piotr smiled weakly at her.
"You will take care of him?" Illyana asked as she looked at Charles, Jean, and Logan.
"We will," Jean promised. Illyana nodded.
"Allow me to pack a few things," Piotr nodded as he and Illyana left the kitchen.
Twenty minutes later they boarded the Blackbird. Piotr looked at Kurt with a strange look but extended his hand.
"My manners are lacking," Charles chuckled. "Piotr Rasputin, this is Kurt Wagner or Nightcrawler. Jean Grey, Marvel Girl, and Logan Howlett, Wolverine. They will be three of your teammates on the X-Men."
"Vho are a colossal one, nien?" Kurt commented. Piotr laughed.
"Nice job, Kurt," Jean smiled and chuckled. Kurt and Piotr looked at her confused. "You just gave Piotr his codename. Colossus."
"I like it," Piotr agreed proudly.
"Excellent," Charles nodded. "We have one more stop before we return home to New York."
"Where to this time, Professor?" Jean asked inquisitively as she and Logan snuggled on the bench seats in the middle of the jet.
"Kenya, Africa," Charles answered. "It is time to pay a visit to an old acquaintance of mine."
"They are a couple?" Piotr leaned over and asked Kurt quietly.
"Ja. Zhey vere like zhat the whole time from my home country in Germany," Kurt nodded.
XMXMXM
The Blackbird landed on the Plaines of Kenya, just north of Mount Kilimanjaro. The sumptuous grasses swayed in the wind, both natural and those caused by the landing of the large jet. Charles could see the village clearly from the window, and again he wondered why the young mutant girl had come here from Cairo all those years ago. Now was not the time to waste on that matter, he would just have to wait to ask her in person. Charles had to convince the tribe to call her to them first and then to hope she accepted his invitation to join the X-Men. As he rolled down the ramp, Charles was greeted by a large portion of the male hunters and warriors from the tribe all holding spears and shields just outside of the village. Charles stopped his wheelchair a few feet from the end of the ramp. He heard a soft low growl coming from Logan to his left.
"Stand down, Logan, we are in no danger as long as we respect their customs," Charles told him quietly. Charles received a grunt as a reply from Logan, then heard Jean soothe him with a very quiet hushed voice. Three warriors approached, stopping halfway between their fellow tribal members and the Blackbird. "Follow my lead, please."
Charles led them to the three men in silence, stopping three feet in front of them. "Greetings. I am Charles Xavier. We come in peace," Charles used his telepathy to translate.
"Greetings. I am Mubari," the man in the middle spoke. "How is it you know our tongue?"
"I have special gifts to allow me to read the language from your mind," Charles smiled as he touched his temple. "I am the same as your blessed Wind-Rider."
"You know of Ororo?" Mubari asked in surprise. "How?"
"Yes, I know her," Charles answered. "I met her many years ago when she was just a child. She was still in the north then."
"I see," Mubari replied with a sad undertone. He turned to his two men with a slight nod, before looking Charles directly in the eyes. "You have come to lead her to her true destiny. We have always known she was meant for so much more than our humble village. I shall summon her."
They waited patiently as Mubari turned, walking back to the village. Charles watched as he retrieved a covered basket and a type of sling-whistle from one of the huts. Logan flinched with a whimper and quickly covered his ears at the sound of the whistle as it was swung. Charles felt, more than saw, how Jean tried to help Logan block out the loud, high-pitched sound from his sensitive ears.
After setting the rope down, Mubari returned to Charles and the others. Within a few minutes, a strong, whirling wind was blowing out of nowhere. Looking up, Charles saw her as she glided on the wind. He had to smile as a young dark-skinned woman with white hair landed between them, her proud goddess-like stance evident in her posture. She turned to gave Jean and Logan a curious glance, before her eyes fell on Charles. A flicker of recognition flashed in her eyes as well as uncertainty, to quickly be replaced by confusion in her deep blue eyes as she stared at him for a long minute. Finally, she turned to Mubari, only to tilt her head more in confusion.
"Your true destiny has arrived, Wind-Rider," he told her before extending the basket to her.
"My destiny?" she asked more confused, her eyes looking from his face to the basket and back quickly. Mubari nodded once, holding out the basket more.
"Hello, again, Ororo," Charles smiled.
"How do you know me?" she asked as she swung her head with wide eyes to Charles. Her voice was full of fear as she stared at Charles again.
"I met you on the streets of Cairo, many years ago," Charles answered with a kind smile. Her eyes grew even larger as memories replayed in her mind. "You tried to steal my wallet, and I stopped you with my mind. I also broke the hold the Dark One, as you called him, had over you."
"That was you?" Ororo asked in shock as she took a slight step back.
"Yes, it was," Charles smiled reassuringly.
"Ororo," Mubari spoke again. She turned to him with an uneasy but slightly aggravated look, glancing down at the basket still extended in his hands. "You journeyed here to us, the people of your mother, shortly after that. We honored you as we did her. N'Dare had the gift of the front sight. Before she left us after meeting and marrying your father, she told my father, you would come to us for a time, but would leave us again when your true destiny came for you. She also told my father; we would know the man by his hairless head and would arrive in a large black bird and that he would know you from a child."
Ororo stared blankly at Mubari as her mind raced. Finally, she turned to look at the Blackbird and then at Charles again, taking in his appearance. Her mouth hung open slightly in shock. Charles could feel her disbelief and confusion.
"You will always be a part of this tribe, Ororo, as your mother was," Mubari told her, still holding the basket out to her. "This is from your mother. She left instructions with my father, that you were to be given it on the day your true destiny arrived. Inside are things from your mother and things about your father who was from a faraway land."
"Mubari…" Ororo gulped as she took the basket with a sad, reverent look.
"You have been, and always will be, like a daughter to me, Ororo," he choked out. "As tradition demands, I give you permission to follow your destiny. Even if that means you will leave us. I miss you, my daughter, but remember, you will always be welcome here."
"Thank you, my…father," Ororo sobbed as she hugged Mubari. "I shall make you and the tribe proud."
"You already have," Mubari smiled sadly. "Go in peace and honor, my daughter. And remember that your new friends are welcome here as well. They will be treated as honored guests should they visit with or without you. May the Blessed Bright Lady guide and protect you."
"May she do the same for you," Ororo smiled sadly as he wiped her tears away. Several women and children approached to say their farewells. Many gave Ororo bracelets or earrings, some necklaces or clothes made of animal hides. Many tears and sad smiles followed. One little girl from the tribe ran up to Ororo, hugged her, and gave her a hand-made doll to take with her. Ororo knelt down, giving her a small kiss on the cheek and before she stood up once again.
Distracted by their farewells, the tribe did not notice the pride of lionesses approaching from the east. Logan sniffed the air as the wind shifted. Letting out a loud instinctive growl, he placed himself between the pride and the tribe with his claws extended. Jean looked at him curiously until she looked into his mind, seeing what he had sensed. With a gasp, she stepped in front of Charles. Her gasp drew the attention of the hunters as a lone male lion walked out of the tall grasses to stand tall, staring at Logan.
"Please, allow Logan to handle this, as a show of friendship and honor," Charles insisted. Mubari nodded, signaling the hunters to remain behind but stand guard.
The lion roared a warning at Logan, but he only stared at the large male. This was a battle of Alphas. It paced back and forth, never taking its eyes from Logan. With a low snarl, Logan stared into the eyes of the lion. Suddenly, the male stopped pacing as it lay down on the ground. Logan slowly approached it, as the claws of the big cat scratched the dirt in front of it. Logan retracted his right-hand claws slowly as he neared the lion, reaching out with a calm, but cautious hand. The tribe and Jean all held their breath as Logan touched the mane of the lion.
To the surprise of everyone, the lion flopped to its side, emitting a loud purring noise that was clearly heard by them all. Mubari mumbled something under his breath as he stared at the large male letting Logan scratch and stroke it as if it was a large kitten. A lioness approached them with her head down, showing Logan the utmost respect. Logan held out his left arm as the female sniffed it. Jean's eyes widened as the lioness looked directly at her, then bowed her head before turning back to the tall grasses. The male nuzzled Logan once more before following his female away from the village. Logan chuckled and waved them off.
"Mighty Hunter," Mubari bowed his head to Logan as he walked back to them. "Will honor a request from a humble tribesman?"
"Yeah, shoot," Logan grunted, having a feeling of what was coming.
"As surrogate father to Ororo, I ask you to watch over and protect her as only you can," Mubari begged.
Logan glanced at Ororo, then Jean, with his usual chuckle, fully knowing he just took on another little sister. "I will."
"My humble thanks, Mighty Hunter," Mubari extended his hand. Logan took it, holding back a sigh as the rest of the tribe cheered. He was presented gifts of fangs and claws from the hunters and the breastplate of a warrior in the tribe by three women. Logan noticed that Jean was presented with traditional adornments from the tribe as well. Charles was given an elder's spear of honor as he thanked Mubari. Ororo stood a little straighter, proudly knowing her new friends had just been inducted into her tribe. Her worries were less after seeing Logan stare down the alpha lion. She knew she would be safe with these people, no matter what the future may hold for her.
As they climbed the ramp, Ororo turned one last time to her tribe, waving. Mubari returned the gesture, nodding his head. Jean directed her to a seat as the ramp closed. Ororo smiled sadly as she looked out the window as the jet lifted off the ground, her home becoming smaller and smaller until she could no longer see it. She swallowed hard as she took a deep breath. She opened the basket looking at the contents for the first time.
Jean sat down next to Ororo, offering to read the words of the newspaper clippings and letters to her. As Ororo listened, she learned about her parents, about how they met, fell in love, married, and moved away to Egypt, where her father was an American envoy. She learned her last name of Munroe for the first time in her memory. The final clipping was about an earthquake that had struck when she was only six. It had destroyed the embassy her father worked in. A list of the dead was given at the end. Ororo cried as she heard her parents' names listed. Jean hugged Ororo close, comforting her as well as she could. Logan sat down next to Ororo, rubbing her back as she sobbed on Jean's shoulder.
Kurt and Piotr looked on helplessly. Exchanging a look, they knelt in front of their new friend and teammate, offering her what little comfort they could as they joined Logan in rubbing Ororo's back.
Charles looked on with a proud smile. He knew with this display of common sympathy and compassion; he had the nucleus of a great team of X-Men that could and would change the world.