X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Thirty Eight
Author's Word: Here it is, guys. The latest chapter. Thank you so much. That was a large round of reviews for not only the last chapter but the new readers reviewing as well. I want to take time to welcome MyImageIs and say a big thanks for taking the time to individually review so many of the first chapters. Welcome aboard, my friend. I like seeing stuff like that, as it lights a fire under me for posting. I hope you all enjoy this and have a good week!
Finding the doors to the lab wide open, Raven, Alex, Sean, Frank, along with a pajama clad Becky and Joey filed in. Of course, Hank was there already, as well as the headmaster pair. Behind Hank's desk, though, stood eight white sheet cloaked mannequins.
Alex, Joey, and Becky took up one table while Raven, Sean, and Frank sat at another. Hank, Charles, and Erik all stood with the latter two appearing as expectant as the youngsters.
"Alright, so," Hank began, "it has been brought to my attention, quite vocally, over the last few weeks we have been away that my chosen uniform design was less than favorable."
"You mean dorky?" Frank translated.
Hank nodded tightly. "Thank you, Frank. Anyway, I have taken everyone's abilities along with personality traits into careful consideration as I present you with these." He held a long arm out, gesturing at the covered mannequins.
"We're going in dressed as ghosts?" Sean joked.
"Well, at least we know what we're wearing on Halloween," Frank said.
"Guys, knock it off," Raven ordered kindly.
Hank approached the first mannequin on the far left. "This one is for Magneto." He snatched off the sheet, revealing a red and royal purple suit. "The pocketing in the gloves contains metallic orbs that you can unleash in the event any other metal is out of your reach. The gloves themselves along with the steel boots will help your hand to hand skill and strength building exponentially."
"Yeah, he'll get to practice on us all the time," Alex brought up. "I can just see those boots flying toward my butt every day."
A small round of laughter sounded and Erik chuckled lowly.
"What's the cape for?" Frank asked.
With no better way to explain it, Hank answered, "Style," before moving on. He took the sheet off the second mannequin. A dark green suit with black shirt made under it was revealed. "This will be for Charles aka our Professor X. It's militaristic in style and the side pockets hold small weapons in the event you run across someone with a form of shielding similar to Shaw's."
Charles nodded his approval. "Well done, Hank and excellent foresight."
"Thank you." Going on to the next mannequin, Hank displayed a fully black suit. "I actually had the most trouble with yours, Raven, but as Mystique this material will act as a second skin, giving you no trouble at all with your transformations."
Frank let off a wolf whistle while Sean said softly, "Can I get one of those for my girlfriend?"
Raven sent a secretive smile Hank's way and the scientist had to clear his throat before continuing. "Here we have the suit I designed for Havok." He took off the sheet, showing off a blue and black suit with chest plate of similar coloring. "The updated chest panel will help you to channel significantly larger amounts of energy while still keeping your focus on a specific target. The gloves allow for you to send controlled power out through your hands."
"Nice," Alex remarked, thoroughly impressed.
"For Banshee," Hank showed them a green and yellow trimmed suit with striped wings sewn onto the arms, "these new wings are lighter yet stronger, giving you better aide from the wind so you're not as dependent on screaming alone. They will carry you with ease."
"They will carry me," Sean repeated happily. "Now that's reassuring."
"Frank," Hank spoke again, taking off the next sheet. The mannequin wore a suit consisting of red, white, and blue with a mask made on that only had an opening for the mouth.
Frank looked very confused. "I like the colors but how am I supposed to see out of that thing?"
"These eye sockets," Hank indicated the sewn over eye patches made onto the mask, "allow you to see perfectly but makes it impossible to know you're using your mutation until it's too late. You're giving off the illusion of blindness yet you can still see right through everything."
"Loving it," the twelve-year-old grinned.
Hank showed an extremely feminine suit that appeared to be a combination of Charles' and Erik's. "Becca, I'm sure you'll look forward to training in this." Like Charles' outfit, it had a military style and side pockets, except purple instead of green with a pink undershirt. The miniature cape made onto it was purple with a pink on the other side.
The little girl practically bounced in her seat. "I love it, I love it, I love it! I want to wear it now."
"It's yours tomorrow. I promise," Hank assured. "And last but never least." He took off the sheet of the smallest mannequin, which held a miniature version of Alex's suit. "I designed Joey's with Havok in mind, except this one is made entirely of rubber minus the chest panel and gloves. So if he's ever frightened or excited in any way, his power will only channel through these specific areas.
Naturally, though, Joey's ears only retained the part about Havok. "I get to look like Alex!"
Frank rolled his eyes. "Yeah, 'cause you don't already look like you climbed out of the same blonde pod or anything."
"I also made updates to everyone's communicators," Hank went on. "They're now completely waterproof, shatterproof, and are capable of over ten miles of range."
"Ah, but Hank," Erik put forth, "you haven't even found an end to world hunger yet."
Hank looked at him. "I actually had a theory about that. If we are able to dehydrate most food compounds—"
"Hank," Charles interjected, holding a hand up. "Have you slept at all this weekend?"
"Sleep becomes less necessary when one enters their twenties," came the scientist's response.
"Now where have I heard that before?" Erik commented knowingly.
Charles gave him a small glare.
"Codenames." Everyone turned to Raven. "The younger kids don't have them yet."
"No one's calling me Flashlight," Frank said specifically towards Alex.
"Then who do you want to be?" Sean asked.
"Lighthouse," Frank replied, looking at Raven. "Do you like it?"
Raven smiled. "Sounds great. Joey, what about you, babe?"
"Eel," the small child said without having to think about it. "That's what Alex calls me."
Alex ran an affectionate hand through Joey's hair.
"Your turn, Becca," Raven said. "What codename do you want?"
"Codename?" the younger girl repeated, making a face. "You mean like Magneto? What is that, anyway? Magnet with an O at the end?"
"Hey, I wanted to call him Magnet Man," Sean brought up.
"Actually," Hank said, "A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce alternating currents."
The room stared at him blankly.
"I don't want one," Becky declined. "It sounds silly."
"No, it's not," Frank insisted.
Erik cleared his throat audibly. "It's time for bed."
"Yes," Charles agreed. "After all, the first day of our brand new semester begins in the morning." Mixed responses, mostly negative, sounded from that. "That's the spirit. Off you go now."
They all began to leave out with Raven being the last. "Good night, my Beast," she waved. "I'll be sure to wear my new outfit off the field for you, too."
Hank could not help his giddy expression as he turned to find something to busy himself with.
IIIIIII
After tucking in Becky for the night, Erik went into Frank's room. The boy looked up from his comic book with a smile as the metal wielder approached. When Frank placed it on the night table, Erik picked it up to see the title.
"Superman, hm?"
"Yeah," Frank responded. "You know, like you."
Erik leaned in, kissing his forehead. "Time for bed, boychick." Frank lay back while Erik spread the blanket over him. "Also Frank, attempt to be nice tomorrow. Joey is nervous enough about beginning instruction with all of you again. No teasing, no laughing." He said the last part pointedly.
"Yes, sir. I won't mess with him, promise. Hey, Erik? Do you like Lighthouse?"
Erik tucked the blanket in around him. "Considering he's my boychick, I'd say yes."
"No," Frank laughed lightly. "The name."
"It suits you perfectly," Erik commented. "A glorious light for all the weary and lost to return home to."
Frank looked supremely satisfied at that. "Night, Erik." He rolled over to his side.
Erik stayed with him a few more minutes until the young one drifted off peacefully.
IIIIIII
Becky linked hands with Joey as they walked towards the library together. "I'm glad you're going to be in class with us."
"Thanks, Becky." Joey squeezed her hand and tried to appear cheerful through his trepidation. When they walked in and he spotted Alex sitting, his face lit up. "Al, you're here, too?"
"I need all the class time I can get, buddy," Alex told him. "If I want that shiny piece of paper in a couple months. Go sit down."
While Frank chose to sit with the bigger boys, Becky and Joey took up the table behind them.
Charles turned from his enthusiastic writing on the board and faced them all with a bright smile. "Good morning, all and welcome back. I'm delighted to have all of you together to start off our new session. If you'll turn your attention to the blackboard, you'll see that I've jotted down your new curriculum schedule. Now that we have a full class, you'll spend the first part of each day with me going over English and literature. Then you'll move on to Erik for history, followed by Hank for arithmetic. Then after lunch, you'll return to me for English follow-up as well as grammar, Erik again for foreign language, and you'll conclude the day with Hank for science. Any questions?" At the lack of raised hands, Charles moved on. "We will begin the day by each of you writing a page on the experiences you gained while out in California."
After they all got out paper and pen, Charles stood back to observe them. Sean, the only one who spent a good portion of his time on the west coast letter writing, seemed to breeze through his. Alex had done his share of occasional studying during the time off so he did not exhibit too much difficulty, either. The youngest three continuously had to stop to shake out their hands.
"Hurts to write, doesn't it?" Charles asked softly, going over to Joey's side of the second table. Joey gave off a long nod, making the Professor chuckle. "That's what this exercise is for. It'll come back to you soon enough." He looked over at Becky. "What happened to all of that journal writing you used to do, Miss?"
"I was busy," Becky claimed. "Swimming, collecting seashells, eating ice cream."
"Oh yes," Charles said in understanding. "All of the important things."
IIIIIII
Raven stepped inside the gym and took a moment to watch Erik deliver vicious blow after blow to the bag.
"Torturing inanimate objects before you get to the kids?" the shape-shifter observed.
"A minute wasted is never returned," Erik said to her. He paused, letting off a quick breath. "What are you up to?"
"I have to get lunch ready soon." Raven walked over, picking up a pair of dumbbells. "Other than that, free as a bird."
"As a raven," Erik quipped. He used his ability to summon the dumbbells from her hands.
Giving him a look, the girl requested, "Would you cut that out?" She reached for them but he lifted him higher above her head. She gave him a look that came off as more of an indignant pout. "That is not funny."
"Only from where you're standing." He dropped the metallic objects suddenly.
Raven had to move with lightning speed to catch them both before they fell on her. "Is there a reason you're out to kill me?"
"To better you," Erik corrected. "Have you ever noticed how sharp your reflexes are? Every time I see you in the kitchen, it amazes me how you can be over the sink, at the stove, on the phone all in near simultaneous feats."
"That's called multitasking," Raven said.
Erik shook his head. "I think not, sister." He made as if he wanted to grab at the little raven necklace Hank had given her and Raven instinctively flung a dumbbell at his stomach. Erik tumbled to his behind.
Raven kneeled over to check on him. "Are you okay?"
He gave her a tight smile. "You see?" He held the dumbbell out to her. "Reflexes."
Instead of taking it, though, Raven chose to drop the other one down onto his already aching abdomen. She promptly got up and fled from the gym.
Letting off a pained breath, Erik shot up after her. "You are going to pay for that, little girl!"
IIIIIII
Coming downstairs for lunch, Frank spotted Sean coming in from the front way with the day's mail as well as a large brown box. The redhead had to kick the door shut to prevent the highly accumulated snow from getting in then wiped his feet off on the mat.
"Who's that for?" Frank asked, indicating the box.
"You, buddy." Sean held it out to him. "The delivery guy just came by."
"Really?" Frank took hold of the package while Sean walked off to deliver the rest of the mail.
Joey came through the entry way, seeing Frank eagerly unwrapping his package. "What's that?"
Frank unearthed a large black telescope. "Ohhhh, cool!" He pulled out the telescope's tripod, followed by a book on the Milky Way. "Thank you, Mom! This is my latest don't-tell-Dad-or-brothers gift."
Joey smiled, coming over to look. "Your mom is so nice."
"I know, right?" Frank agreed wholeheartedly. He gathered his things in his arms and ran towards the dining room. "Hey, Sean, check this out!"
Lingering back, Joey mindlessly played through the white pallets that had been used to cushion Frank's presents.
IIIIIII
Hank finished wiping off the excess moisture from his glasses and rubbed his gloved hands together. His ears picked up the sound of crushing snow under boots. He turned in time to see his group of students approach, all having needed a few minutes to adorn proper winter attire. Frank kicked at random mounds of snow, Joey rested on top Alex's shoulders, and Becky leaned back against Sean.
"You're all probably wondering why I gathered you out here," Hank began.
"No, we were thinking about standing around in the freezing cold staring at each other, anyway," Alex piped up.
"It's funny you should say that," Hank said, either not registering the blonde's sarcasm or dismissing it entirely. "Because this new unit covers weather in great detail. I thought it would be a good idea to begin with snow since we have returned to this winter climate. Are you all aware that snow is actually a great insulator?"
Joey tilted his head at that. "Like long-johns?"
"How?" Becky asked. "It's too cold."
"Only to the touch," Hank informed. He knelt down for a moment and patted some snow together to form a ball before rising again. "Look how soft and fluffy it is. A "blanket of snow" has very literal connotations." Frank raised his hand. "Yes?"
"That's all well and good," Frank commented, "but why'd we have to come out here instead of the lab?"
Hank formed a slow smirk at that. "Because in science, the best way to understand certain concepts is to study them firsthand." That said, he flung the snowball he held at Alex's chest.
"Whoa!" Alex jumped slightly, putting Joey down. "You're paying for that, Bozo."
Within a minute, a snowball fight of enormous proportions started up among the assembly of mutants.
IIIIIII
Havok, eager to get going, paced up and down a short stretch of space while Lighthouse leaned against one wall and Becky sat on the small bench.
"He'll be here," Havok spoke, noticing Becky's slightly worried face that seemed to always be at least partially present whenever she lost sight of the beloved Poland native.
"Oh, he'll be here," Frank added with certainty. "He's been waiting weeks to torture us again."
"How right you are." The doors screeched as they spread apart, letting in the radiant light of the outdoors. Footsteps sounded before Magneto came into full sight, cape flapping lightly from behind. "Becky."
The petitioned girl stood and remained silent as Erik sent her telepathic orders.
"It is time to see how much of what I've already taught you was left out on that beach in California," Magneto stated, eyes locked on the young men.
As soon as he glanced at Becky out of the corner of his eye, the bunker transformed around Lighthouse and Havok. It looked as if they had stumbled inside a fortress with slick black walls, floors, and ceilings. Magneto and Becky had also vanished from sight.
"Where does Becky get this stuff?" Lighthouse wondered out loud.
"Beats me," Havok replied. "But I'll take it over a unicorn posse any day."
"The object," Magneto's voice bellowed, startling Lighthouse and receiving Havok's immediate full attention, "is for you to make adequate use of your eyes and ears. Distinguish the real from the imagined."
Suddenly, half a dozen masked warriors, armed with different forms of weaponry, emerged from below. Their clothes were as blackened as the floor that had released them. Havok and Lighthouse formed a back to back fighting stance, bracing themselves.
"Wait," Havok cautioned Lighthouse, feeling the younger boy ready to move. The warriors lunged for them. "Go!"
Lighthouse focused through the visionary assistance of his new uniform and aimed a blinding light at one wielding a cross. The move caused the figure to vanish. Havok fell back against the floor, missing the bullets that one shot out at him. He in turn released a fixed flow of plasma, making his foe dissolve. The mutated duo took out the second two together, leaving them with the final pair.
Before Havok could speak, Lighthouse jumped out at the one directly in front of him. The figure kicked him in the abdomen, making him fly over. Lighthouse groaned and tried to get up but the assailant came over him, putting a knife to his throat. Lighthouse completely froze at the presence of the blade.
Then the black adorned creature faded into a familiar feminine redhead. "Mystique," he realized.
The shape-shifter smiled and stood, helping the boy to his feet as they all stood in the bunker once again. Magneto and Becky also reappeared, the former looking less than impressed.
"Not bad for the first day back," Lighthouse grinned. "Four out of six goons, alright— ow!" He rubbed the top of his head, gazing at Magneto questioningly.
"The object here had nothing to do with arithmetic," the metal wielder reminded sternly. "You were supposed to determine the real from the imagined. You especially should have had the least amount of trouble. Becky's illusions can only go into so much detail. All that was necessary was for you to perform an x-ray of one of your attackers to determine the true living being."
"Oh… right." Lighthouse shifted his feet timidly. "Sorry, but I just got caught up taking all those guys out."
"You should know when to heed your instincts but also when to put them on the backburner in favor of using your head," Magneto told him. "I know when you're in the field, everything is telling you to go on the offense. But you have a secondary mutation for a reason. Use it to your advantage, Lighthouse."
"Yes, sir," he sighed. "I'll do better."
"Havok," Magneto spoke next, "when you're in field command, you have to ensure that they follow your orders. Don't allow one of your men—" Mystique cleared her throat audibly, "or women to go in halfcocked."
"Yes, sir," Havok instantly responded.
"Wonderful control," Magneto commented to Becky then looked at Raven. "Nice reflexes."
Mystique gave him a knowing smirk.
IIIIIII
Eel walked around Charles in a circle, looking him up and down. "Is that really how professors dress?"
The man currently wore the military inspired outfit Hank had put together for him. "Only those of us of a mutated variety." He rubbed the small one's hair. "Don't you like it?"
"I think it's cool," the child stated. "I just thought professors always had to wear those jackets with the patches on the elbows."
"It's not like any of us are really dressed to make sense," Sean brought up, patting one of his winged flaps fondly. "Banshees don't even have wings because they don't need them. Then Hank should—" He paused for a moment. "Hank, who are you supposed to be?"
Before the scientist could say anything, Eel brought up, "Raven calls him Beast."
Turning his head slightly, Hank amended softly, "The Beast."
Banshee laughed lightly then glanced over the edge of the platform. "Any chance I can take this dive without Magneto around?"
"Of course," the Professor replied then tacked on, "If you want me to give you a spanking."
"Then again, patience is a virtue," Banshee decided.
Eel glanced over as the final member of the group mounted the platform. "Uncle Magneto's a slowpoke."
"We ran over," Erik explained simply. "I do hope I can be forgiven."
"No, never," Banshee shot down playfully. "But you still have to catch me if I fall."
"I'll see what mood I'm in."
Professor X looked to Banshee. "Ready when you are."
Banshee nodded then walked out to the opening on the platform. He had been craving this sensation during his time away and gladly leapt down. He let off an intense scream that seemed to carry him everlastingly.
At some light tugs to his cape, Magneto glanced down. "What's this? An Eel/Kangaroo hybrid, hm?" He lifted him up with one arm. The tiny mutant started playing in his dark brown hair. "See anything interesting in there?"
" You need a hat," Eel deduced.
"Do I?" Magneto's glance went to Professor X, who in turn watched Hank writing furiously on a notepad. "What are you doing over there?"
"Hm?" the glasses adorned Beast looked up. "Oh, just jotting down some ideas on Banshee's performance. You can't constantly be with him to monitor his flights so I'll have to get to work to equip his suit with some sort of failsafe device." He returned to his note taking.
"On fire, isn't he?" Magneto commented, giving Eel a little tickle below his chest plate.
"Quite." Charles could only hope Hank did not spontaneously combust in the process.
IIIIIII
After dinner, Frank went out to one of the second floor balconies. He spent the next twenty minutes out there, gazing at different sights with his telescope. He finally found an appeal to a small town like Westchester, as the city had too many bright lights for him to see stars in such a way.
"Enjoying the heavens around us?"
Frank glanced back at Erik's voice and smiled. "What do you think it'd be like if mutants had our own planet?"
"Rollercoasters and fun houses twenty-four hours a day," the metal wielder replied, walking up. "Though a planet may be too large for the mutant populous. Perhaps an asteroid."
"A chunk of rock floating out in space," Frank stated dryly. "Real exciting."
"Cheeky boychick." Erik bent to kiss him at the temple. "It was nice of you to put the telescope out where the others could use it as well. Did you call to thank your mother?"
"Oh, definitely," the boy replied, smiling wider. "She told me it looks like she'll be able to come home soon. Isn't that great?"
"Yes," Erik responded after a moment. "Has she said anything about Lincoln- or Jeff. How are they?"
Frank shrugged dismissively. "They're okay, I guess. I think Dad's taking another leave soon but I'm not so sure I want to go home again without Mom. It's not the same."
Erik nodded in understanding. "I imagine it's not."
"Besides," Frank turned, leaning forward against the man, "I like it here with you."
Erik wound arms around the boy he found to be more precious than the twinkling stars overhead.
IIIIIII
"Time for bed, little one," Charles announced, entering Joey's bedroom.
"Okay, Daddy." The blonde child pushed back from his desk to get up.
Charles noticed the box covered in white material on the desk. "And what's all this?"
"I'm doing a special snow project for Hank's class," he explained. "Frank let me use all the cushy white stuff that came in his package."
"Well, that was certainly kind on Frank's part." Charles came over, lifting his boy up to carry over to bed. "I'm glad you're getting so involved with your studies already."
"Frank's mom sent him a telescope."
"Yes, I know." Charles laid him down, pulling the covers over him. "Would you like me to pick out tonight's book?"
Joey nodded, gazing up languorously. "Frank has the nicest mommy in the world."
Charles turned back from the bookshelf at that. "Yes… Joey—"
"But you know something?" Joey propped up on his pillows. "I think I have the nicest daddy. Even if your hand can really hurt."
Charles chuckled and sat near him. "Personally, I prefer to use both my hands for this." He pulled Joey over into a tight hug.
After the adolescent mutant was relaxed, Charles got out the book he had chosen for them and started reading. Once the tale finished, Charles tucked the now sleeping Joey into bed. He turned off the light then headed out.
The moment he made it out into the hall, the telepath sensed something that gave him pause. He walked down then around the corridor until he found his way into the lab. Hank, wired like a man on a mission, moved back and forth around the space between writing out formulas on the chalkboard, checking on specimens, and logging his many findings.
"Hank?" Charles petitioned.
The scientist came to a sudden freeze frame. "Charles, can I help you with something?"
"As a matter of fact," Charles had to carefully make his way through the laboratory clutter he swore had multiplied in a day, "yes. Go to bed."
Hank removed his glasses, as if he had both heard and seen incorrectly. "Come again?"
"Go. To. Bed," Charles reiterated. "Ever since we've returned, you've slept sporadic hours at best. You've worked very hard and I am both thankful and proud for your efforts, but for the night, I need you to cease."
"Charles, with all due respect, I am not going to bed at only nine o'clock," Hank responded. "That's a waste of productivity." He picked up a notepad and found it completely full then went searching the drawers for another.
Sighing with internal frustration, Charles' eyes fell on something on Hank's desk.
He lifted the yardstick. "Henry." The young scientist faced him again, now with wide eyes. "That was not a request, young man."
Hank held his hands in the air defensively. "Now Charles, there is no need to be hasty."
"If you choose to ignore your own health, I'm afraid there is," Charles countered. "Now, are you going to go to your room without further arguments?"
Understanding Charles' message loudly and clearly, Hank nodded. "No further arguments."
Charles nodded as well. "I will be up for a few hours more. If I sense you awake again, the three of us," he held up the yardstick, "will be having a detailed conversation."
"You won't— sense me I mean." Hank carefully made his way towards the doors, his eyes never leaving the long piece of wood in the Professor's grasp. "And Charles?" The older man looked over. "Thank you."
"Go on now," Charles smiled after him.
Putting the yardstick back where he had gotten it, Charles turned towards the board to study Hank's formulas. Regardless of any few bad habits the Harvard graduate possessed, it constantly amazed Charles that he had the privilege of interacting with the brilliant McCoy mind.