A/N - Oh, thank you so much for your reviews. Yes, Avenger, you're right. We can put a few more out now at a little better pace. Enjoy!
Chapter 56 - Master of Manipulation
On the weekend of Alex's birthday, Scott woke up in a cold sweat.
He'd had nightmares on and off ever since what happened with Graydon Creed had decimated his family. They hadn't ever stopped. But this time … this time was different. This time, he had more concrete worries about his kids. This time, he'd dreamed that the department had sent another monster after them, that they had scooped them up and used them up until they killed them all.
And he'd lost all the family he had left.
It wasn't the best of mindframes to be in as he headed to Genosha with a gun in a small-of-the-back holster, Jean's locket, and three ceramic knives, not to mention a panic button. He knew the kids knew where he was going, and he felt bad about how worried they looked, but Magneto had been on the news just two days earlier on a spree, crushing several buildings belonging to governments around the world. And not all of them were clearly linked to anti-mutant programs. Some of them were destroyed just for their inaction.
He was putting a target on mutants, especially on Genosha. And that knowledge on top of the threats Erik had made against James were driving Scott forward.
Logan was right - he wasn't a killer. But he also couldn't ask anyone else to make the hard decisions when there was no other option. He had to know when to cross the lines in the sand - he'd learned that much when he lost his sight.
And if he couldn't leave his kids, if he couldn't give up, then he had to do something to keep them safe. Stopping Magneto would go a long way toward giving them a chance to breathe.
He and Kitty had talked it through a hundred times. Without the professor to stop Magneto, they had to fall back on a sharper plan.
Scott sighed and held on to the strap of the overnight bag on his shoulder as the ship arrived and Alex and Lorna greeted him there. At least that much had him smiling as his younger brother wrapped him in a hug and put his arm around Scott's shoulders, even if he was clearly disappointed that Scott hadn't brought the kids.
But that part of the trip? That part was some of the most fun Scott had had in a while. Lorna and Alex's kids were fun to play with - not to mention Alex himself showing off surfing and then preening about his kids and their own surfing talent.
It was when the day was over and Scott went back to the royal stronghold with Lorna and Alex that things turned more serious.
"Scott," Erik said, smirking to himself. "Have you finally come to your senses now that your children have gotten a scare or two?"
Scott stopped in the hall and then turned to face Erik. "I came to see my little brother, actually. Kids couldn't make it this time, as much as they wanted to. Rachel is on rotation with the Avengers, and the boys have some big tests they need to study for; otherwise, they'd be here with me to celebrate Alex's birthday," he said, trying to keep his tone in check when Erik had been one of the "scares" his kids had gotten. He wasn't going to forgive that. Or forget it.
"Yes, I'm sure that was the only reason you came," Erik said. "You're aware that the chatter from the less-than-savory groups has skyrocketed for two of those children, anyhow."
"I'm well-aware," Scott said. "James lost his cowl and Rachel lost her temper. An attempt was made on the team, and I'm already thinking of moving again in case anyone puts it together on Nate, too. He's still in high school; I'm not taking risks with him."
"So bring them here," Erik said, his tone richer and much warmer. "They're both welcome, and you know they'd be safe here."
"I don't know," Scott said. He didn't miss that Erik had only included two of his children in his offer of safety. But he had a plan; he needed to get close to Erik so he could catch him off-guard. And that meant trying to reason with him. Like the professor would have. "You know Genosha has a target on it now too, don't you? After those last governmental raids you ran?"
"I have always been acutely aware of the risks," Erik said. "But I also know the target is more on me than it is the island or the city itself. And I'm rarely here as of late."
"I noticed that too," Scott said.
"I can arrange for a comfortable home for you and your family," Erik said.
"You know I'd take you up on it if I didn't want to take Nate from his school," Scott said. He figured that was the most believable lie - and knew that Erik would give more consideration to Nate than to James. Even so, he couldn't help but test Erik's boundaries by bringing up Kate. "He's graduating in a couple years, and he really has fallen for this girl."
Erik scoffed at that. "Yes, I've seen the girl."
"She was upset when he got hurt," Scott said in a sigh.
"Teenage infatuation."
"If I tried to break them up, they'd only get more involved. You know how that goes." Scott shook his head. "I appreciate the offer. I really do. If you're serious… I might take you up on bringing them here for the summer and then going back for the school years. I'm honestly still considering options."
"It would be in everyone's best interests," Erik said. "And that would work well with Wanda's intention with the boys."
"I'm trying to let them be their own people, make their own mistakes-" Scott rubbed his eyes. "It's hard to do that and watch out for them at the same time." He glanced up at Erik. "If it was just me, it would be a different story."
"Come on, Scott," Alex said with a concerned frown as he stepped up next to Scott and put his arm around Scott's shoulders. He'd hung back as long as he could, but now, he couldn't fight the urge to get his brother away from Magneto. "You look like you need a break."
"I do," Scott admitted as Alex's kids rushed over to wrap him up in hugs that Scott gladly returned. "You guys go ahead. I think I'd like to take a little time alone for a while, if that's alright." When Alex and Lorna shared a look but nodded all the same, Scott let out a breath and headed in the opposite direction from the others, ending up on the balcony of his suite overlooking the seaside view of Genosha for a long while.
That part hadn't been planned, but it ended up being tactical all the same. Scott really did need a break from Erik's pushing so he could stick to the plan. The actual celebration for Alex wasn't set to happen until the following day, when Corsair would be there, too. Both Summers boys were anxious about their father being that close to Magneto. Humans that hadn't been taken prisoner hadn't been allowed on Genosha since Captain America and Iron Man had come to help after the X-Men had been gutted so many years ago. With all that in mind, Scott needed the opportunity to refocus.
That was how Erik found him, a few hours later, long after Alex had left. Scott was quietly sitting on a chair on the balcony overlooking the city and playing with Jean's locket, letting it drift between his fingers as he watched the ocean beyond the barriers of the city itself. He missed Jean desperately, especially in that moment. He missed her clarity. And despite his promise to James, he found himself wishing to see her again. He was so tired of doing this alone.
"You must know that I'm right about things concerning your safety," Erik said gently from the doorway. "Especially with how the humans have been handling themselves lately."
"Hello again, Erik." Scott didn't move from where he was seated. The years had gone by so quickly. And now, Scott could almost feel the moments as they rushed past faster and faster. But he could feel the weight of those years, too. "It's been so long," he said softly. "Watching it all happen again, watching the kids put themselves at risk while the world tries to shout them down, it feels like it just happened yesterday."
"Nothing has changed," Erik said, some anger slipping back into his tone, though it still remained soft. "They still hate us for the power we hold. You cannot expect that to change by hiding."
"No," Scott said in a breath. He finally tore his gaze from the ocean. "You're going to destroy them, aren't you?" he asked. His tone didn't hold any accusation to it - if anything, he sounded tired, resigned. "Until the world is nothing but mutants?"
"The initial leap into mutantkind was sudden. The extinction of the humans truly would be the natural course to take," Erik said. "Of course, I only plan to reverse the tables, not kill an entire species. The world leaders, the ones who lead the hatred and exploit mutants - yes. They will die. The rest … let them go to some distant place and stay there in exile."
"Give us the world and them Genosha," Scott summarized, one eyebrow raised. "Ambitious." He paused. "I'm asking because my son - he really has fallen for Kate. I want to be sure your goal isn't destroying the few who are standing by us. I know what's being said on the news, but the professor always gave you the chance to tell your own story. Maybe you're exactly what you say you are, and my kids and I couldn't be anyplace safer than right here. And maybe you're the genocidal maniac on the news. So which is it?"
"It depends entirely on who you ask, Scott. As you know well enough yourself."
"That's why I'm asking you," Scott said. "The same people who called me a terrorist not that long ago are still working today and painting you with the same brush. I'd rather know the truth - wherever it falls." He got to his feet and spread his hands out wide. "It matters to me - the truth. I don't care what you're telling the world or even what you're telling the people of Genosha. Be honest with me, please. Do you really think you can fix this and keep my kids safe and happy?"
Erik watched Scott carefully. "I'm sure there would be some complaints to start with," he said diplomatically. "But once they saw it was for their own good, yes. I think they'd be safe and happy. I've already looked into making sure all three of them would have all they need to keep themselves engaged in their passions should they come here."
"That's all I'm asking," Scott said, letting his hands drop to his sides. "I'm just tired of hoping the Avengers catch everything."
"That was always a waste of time and a perfect example of misplaced faith."
"I honestly think they mean well, but…" Scott let the statement hang in the air, then let out his breath and turned to Erik more fully. "You were right. The world still needs mutants to have a voice. I'm just trying to decide if I should step out of the way and let the new generation be that voice or if those of us that laid that groundwork still have something to give. They're the ones set to inherit the world. Shouldn't we let them?"
"Only when their time comes," Erik said. "Until then, it's our duty to handle it ourselves and clear the way for them. Not … pawn it off on those not yet equipped to handle it."
Scott smirked dryly and waved his hand in front of his face. "I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm not entirely equipped to handle it either."
"Not in the capacity that you used to," Erik said. "But to speak up … that could do a lot of good for everyone, if it was done properly."
Scott tipped his head, crossing his arms. "I'm listening," he said, knowing that simple statement would earn him more trust than anything else he could have said - and get him that much closer to ending this charade once and for all.
Erik smirked to himself. "Tell the world your story. Down to the most intricate detail. Show them what happens when humans are allowed to dictate the rules and how mutants are handled like pests. And do so with your children beside you. The world has seen one of their faces, and I know for a fact the world is frothing at the mouth to hear that story. Simply being there with you, they would demonstrate the lengths you've gone to all these years - to keep those children safe ..."
"That… could cause uproar," Scott said slowly. "I still have a hard time telling that story. There's a lot of power in it, and we both know it. It's the absolute worst of humanity."
"And yet, those young people were the smallest victims of a heartless captor." Erik let his tone drop quieter. "If you don't think that your story - and your children - wouldn't unite the mutants of the world, then you've lost your touch with how people think."
"I don't want to end up 'uniting' them into a frenzy," Scott pointed out. "I don't doubt my kids can lead. I taught them. I know they can." He let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair, completing the picture he was trying to paint of a harried father. "You're not wrong. There's a lot the world doesn't know - and they should know it. I just need to find a way to tell it that won't incite mutants against humanity itself…"
"I don't think that it's up to you to try and choose the impact of the story, Scott. But it needs to be told clearly and as it happened, and I'm very sure that for you, it's still fresh enough to make an impression. The others have let time erode the sharpness of their emotion in favor of letting those memories fade. You have not done so."
"The others don't look at Jean and Logan every day," Scott said.
"Yes, I suppose that's true enough," Erik said, his eyes glittering. "Which makes me sure that you should be the one to speak up. If anyone should hold a grudge ... " He gestured to Scott. "You have to look at two younger doppelgangers while staring at that scar every time you look in the mirror. It's a measure of your tolerance that you've managed to do as well as you have with the three of them and with so many reminders staring at you."
"I hate it," Scott said, letting some real anger out in his voice.
"So what will you do about it?"
Scott let out a frustrated sound. "Talking doesn't feel like enough!" he said, suddenly and sharply - and getting a surprised but pleased sort of look out of Erik.
"Of course it doesn't," Erik agreed. "Talking has never worked in the past. Just like talking has never worked to rein in rebellious teenagers. Tell me, Scott. What measures have you taken to keep an eye on your children? The world had advanced from when you were a young man."
"I've surrounded us with people I trust," Scott said. "And I have been surveilling the areas where we live. Stark's security measures have only gotten better with every new upgrade."
Erik chuckled. "You've been trusting the Avengers too much. Have you made use of all the resources available to you? I doubt that you have, somehow."
Scott gestured with one hand. "Enlighten me, then."
"One of your sons has been working for Stark - I thought for sure you'd have better surveillance than what he allowed you to use. Has the boy done anything at all to advance the safety of the group on his own?" He smirked to himself. "My own home has advancements well beyond what you've got on your building, and I don't have free access to Stark's endless resources."
"I also have two telepaths in my home who know exactly how paranoid they need to be to survive," Scott said.
"Yes, but for how long?" Erik asked, "Telepaths have become rather hard to come by, if you haven't kept up on the acquisition lists. They are nearly as rare as ferals are. Even here."
Scott's eyes narrowed. "Erik," he said slowly, every syllable sharp, "there is nothing I won't do to keep them safe. No one is getting those kids."
"Nothing you won't do except the obvious." He smirked. "And considering the way that those weapons groups are rallying, you sound naively optimistic."
"If you've watched any of the footage from the team's most recent encounter, you know they even sent a damn Creed. You don't have to lecture me about it," Scott snapped back.
"I interrogated those men that were sent to my prisons," Erik said in a low tone. "But that Creed would have succeeded had my grandson not stepped in. Those soldiers had plenty to say once they were here. And I am very sure your Avengers wouldn't have gotten anything out of them."
Scott's mouth was a thin line. "Look," he said, matching Erik's tone, "I wouldn't have even come here if I wasn't willing to do anything - anything - to keep them safe. And that includes hearing you out despite the way you've treated James."
"I haven't laid a finger on him," Erik replied, looking perfectly affronted.
"Is that how you justify wrapping him up in wires and scrap metal?" Scott asked.
"I told you before that I lost my temper," Erik said, shifting to a more placating stance and tone. "The boy was unharmed."
"I know." Scott took a deep breath and let it out through his nose, dropping his shoulders, too. "Their push to get James to start - let alone the others - has been ramping up, and you know damn well that I'm running out of options," he said at last.
"Yes, you are," Erik agreed, then gestured for Scott to join him. "I have something to show you. Perhaps it will ease your mind. Most of the time, it helps me."
Scott was watching for an opening as he followed Erik to a room, where there were several monitors - many of them monitoring threats, of course, but several dedicated to the kids. The school. The outside of James' lab. And several rooms in Scott's decoy apartment.
Scott felt like he couldn't breathe, though he heard himself ask, "How did you even get in my apartment?"
"You're hardly a shut in, Scott."
Scott shook his head, coming to the monitor closest to Erik to reach out and touch the screen where Rachel could be seen talking with Betsy as they worked on her control. On another screen, Nate was obviously enjoying Kate's attention even if he was still playing catch up in his homework. Tommy and Mia were stealing kisses instead of playing chess. Billy and James were hand in hand walking into the lab, back from a short break to grab some food together.
"You've been watching them this whole time," Scott breathed out.
"When I'm here, yes," Erik said.
Scott shook his head slowly, realizing that he was seeing Erik at the height of his paranoia. It just made the threats against James that much more concrete, knowing how much effort Erik had already put into preparing to act on those threats. And that - that was too much for him to ignore. Seeing his kids in the crosshairs - again - something snapped.
He moved exactly the way he'd practiced with the Logan from another dimension, but Erik hadn't quite been convinced enough to relax - not that he ever would have been with how high his paranoia levels were lately. So when Scott made his move, Erik stepped back just enough that Scott missed the fatal blow but still managed to sink his knife near Erik's collarbone.
Erik shot backward, away from Scott, but when he tried to lift his arm in Scott's direction, he simply couldn't pick that arm up high enough to do so. His confusion and disbelief at being that injured gave Scott the time he needed to close the gap again, rushing forward and ready to fight before Erik could gather his senses. Scott hit him nearly in a tackle, leading with the knife in his hand - in a rush to take him out. Though Scott's strike was true, the armor Erik was wearing was steady, and the ceramic blade splintered and broke when Scott tried to slip it between two panels. On seeing how close to a fatal blow Scott almost landed, Erik reached out toward Scott, expecting to find a steel knife. When he didn't find steel though, he let out a roar - thinking of the stockpiles of non metallic weaponry that James had in his lab - just before he took the only metal Scott had on him now. The locket and Scott's cybernetic eyes.
Scott couldn't stop his scream when it happened, either. He hadn't been expecting it, and he was reeling badly enough that he couldn't have possibly prepared for when Jean's locket came back toward him and ended up embedded close to his heart - and would have been right through if he hadn't bent over as he gasped in air trying to alleviate the pain.
The next thing he knew, the locket left his chest and wrapped around his throat. And that, finally, was such an urgent threat that he was able to think about more than just how badly he was hurt to remember one of the failsafes he'd brought. Fumbling and losing steam fast, he managed to hit a button on his watch that activated a small dampener there - and all at once, he could breathe again as the locket settled on the floor.
Of course, being denied access to his powers only infuriated Erik more, and he removed the first knife Scott had used against him, stalking forward with a low, dangerous, "I think it's past time you joined your team."
Scott was bleeding badly and massaging his throat, but he reached for the last of his ceramic knives and forced himself to focus as he settled into a fighting stance. "You act like I've never had to fight blind before."
"Rest assured you won't have to again." Erik was confident as he rushed toward him, but Scott was the one to draw blood first as the two of them fell into a viciously lopsided knife fight, slicing away at each other. With Erik bleeding and unable to lift one arm and Scott bleeding from his chest and face, they were already fighting less elegantly than they would have at their prime. But that didn't seem to matter to either of them. Not when it was abundantly clear that neither of them could hold anything back and survive the fight.