X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter One Hundred Seventy Nine
Author's Word: Happy Third Anniversary, fam! Three years, one hundred seventy nine chapters, over a million words! I cannot believe what started as an afternoon of me home alone with pay per view turned into this! I just want to say thank you all so much for following Rise or Fall for an honest to goodness three year long journey. But as always, it's not over yet! I also know what you're thinking. Why isn't this as long as the other anniversary chapters? Excuse me, but how many chapters did I post this week? That's right, give me that happy smile and nod. Now, as you've done since 2011, please enjoy and review!
Also, after this particular writing week your Heiress will need a good day or seven of chill time. Enjoy!
Ever developing ears reacting to an unexpected surge within the dwelling, Cody jumped up from assisting his mother with laundry folding.
Not liking how her son now wore a similar expression to his father's the other night after Victor's attack, Kayla stood from the bed after him. "Sweetheart?" She rushed around to his side. "What is it?"
"I don't know, Mama," he replied in genuine puzzlement. "But I swear I heard somethin' downstairs."
Kayla received no time to comment as an essence seeped in from the balcony. The almost clear matter reformed into the young brunette woman.
"Mrs. Howlett," she addressed in urgency, "you have to come with me. Quickly."
Bringing Cody in as near as she could, Kayla wanted to know, "Melissa, what is the meaning of this? What is going on?"
She hastened through an explanation. "Estevan's little girl was abducted early this morning. I don't know who but someone contacted him saying you X-Men were behind it. He's gone mad." The importance in her eyes increased with every word spoken. "You and your son must get out of here."
Kayla prodded Cody forward but said, "I have to find the others."
"No!" Melissa practically screamed. "The Acolytes are already here. Estevan cannot be reasoned with right now. He could hurt you and the baby. I promise you, I'll return for the other children but please, please let me get you to safety first."
Cody turned towards his mother to await an answer.
One hand going to her stomach briefly, Kayla used the other to link up with Cody.
Mildly relieved, Melissa guided them out to where she'd setup a rope ladder on the balcony.
II
The serene noises of Becky and Kiki playing with their teddy bears on the former's bed while Trav and Joey fiddled around with a plastic toolkit became viciously drowned out by the rough breaking of glass in the windows.
Grabbing Kiki in a hug, Becky rolled off the bed with her, both girls screaming.
Trav burrowed against Joey, who yelled out, "What's happening?"
"Daddy, Daddy!" Trav bellowed at full lung capacity.
The door kicking open startled them all until Alex ran through.
Leaving Brian in Joey's arms, the young instructor ordered, "Stay here and do not move." He then reiterated, "Do not move," before speeding right back out again.
Absolute terror within him, Joey held Brian close against his chest.
"Over here." Taking Kiki and Trav's hands, Becky ran for her closet. She let go of them to throw open the door. "Hurry."
As soon as all children filed in, Becky shut the door. She brought them as far back as the space allowed. They sat with a shaky Joey trying to rock Brian. Becky kept tight arms over Kiki and Trav, her head bowed prayerfully.
II
Both arms spread out to shield the two young teens behind her, Cordelia said, "I don't know what your head-case is today, Fabian Cortez, but I have no clue where your sister is. I've never even seen her before."
He scoffed, coming to stand at his father's side with weapon ready. "You expect me to believe a word that comes out of your lying, treacherous mouth?"
Angry pulses creating minor tremors in the already ramshackle of a living space, Estevan hissed, "If you do not produce my daughter, I will tear apart this fortress to rubble right down to the foundation."
"If you don't get out of our house," Cordelia stuck out her neck to get as close to his face as she could, "you'll be escorted out on a gurney, old man."
Before she could react, Estevan coiled his hand around her throat. "Don't you dare get insolent with me, you little wench."
"Get your hands off her!" As soon as Estevan turned a glare on him, Frank sent a ray of blinding light at him.
Using both hands to shield his vision, Estevan released his hold on the girl.
"Okay," gold developed until it completely covered Cordelia's body, "enough is enough."
Fabian prevented her lunge by releasing his force over the three. Frank staggered while Cordelia and Scott toppled to the floor from the overwhelming lethargy inducing drain.
"Hey!" The Acolytes looked to see Alex leap into the room, both arms raised. "Get the fuck off them!
Marco charged at him, tackling and absorbing the plasma blasts. Receiving a double kick to his side, the large mutant launched away from Alex. He met with and smashed into another wall.
"I don't know if your motive here is revenge or more of your random chaos," Hank let go of the doorway to land on his wide feet, "but whatever the case is, you picked the worst possible time to attack us."
Eyes firmly on Hank, Estevan aimed his gun in the direction of the adolescent mutants. "Ever dealt with blood stains? They're horror to get out."
Alex rushed to get to his feet. "Son of a—"
Hank moved quickly to restrain him. "Is this your latest recruitment method? Coercion, endangering the children of a species you claim to fight for?"
"Don't you dare play games with me!" Estevan commanded, the reaction sending another miniature quake through. "Tell me what you've done with my daughter."
Struggling in Hank's grasp, Alex retorted, "We don't know what you're talking about!"
"You're all liars." His weapon directed at them, Fabian approached. "You can't even trust your own. One of you tapped through our private lines. I know my sister is here somewhere."
With the smallest glint of sympathy Hank informed, "You've been had."
"Cloak, come here." The boy arrived at Estevan's side promptly. "You and Marco stay here while my son and I search the house. We'll start with this floor then check for hiding spots below."
"Yes, sir." Cloak accepted the transferred weapon.
Yanking Cordelia up by the wrist, Fabian brought her back against his chest. "Come, bonita." He then pressed the barrel of his gun to her temple. "I'm just dying to see the rest of your lovely home."
Cordelia remained still but glowered out of the corners of her eyes.
"If you value the girl," Estevan came to tower over Alex and meet Hank's gaze, "you'll spare the heroics. After all, if you are telling the truth, you have nothing to fear." Cape sweeping, he walked by them.
Fabian tacked on a vague yet clear, "But if you're not…" He followed his father.
When Alex looked to move his foot, Cloak stood ready with the blaster. "Hey!"
The blonde kept his hands high. "I just want to check on my brothers, that's it."
Cloak stepped back enough to allow him access. "That's all you better do."
Getting down, Alex pulled a weakened Scott onto his lap and reached up for a still disoriented Frank.
Remaining in place, only Hank's head moved as Marco made a purposeful path for him, punching oversized fist into palm.
In Charles' study, Cordelia held her knees to her chest in the corner furthest from the door while Fabian ransacked and knocked on the walls for secret crevices. He spared one hand to grip his gun.
"… Do you honestly believe I did this?"
"Backstab me when I least expect it?" He peered critical eyes her way. "Yes, I'll say that about spells out the nature of Cordelia Frost."
"We used to talk Fabian," Cordelia emphasized. "I used to be able to tell you things. Things not even the other X-Men could understand. I wanted to stop you that night. Not hurt you."
Fabian shared a stare with her then stated, "Hurt comes in more than physical form," and returned to knocking books at an irater pace.
II
Dear God, Charles' irises magnified intensely, no- no!
Charles? Emma demanded to her husband.
He faced her. The phantom that was following Becky. I know who it really is. We must get out of here, now!
II
At the unmistakable sound of a door opening, Becky managed to send out a mental, be quiet, to the other hidden children. A pair of feet made direct tracks towards them, soon blocking part of the light from beneath the doorway. Hollers sounded as the closet door creaked open and the green clothed figure loomed over them.
Letting off a shout of its own at suddenly colliding with the floor, the masked eyes stared crossly up at the shining diamond body.
"Stay away from my children." Emma stepped over. "I know who you are and, more importantly, what you think you are." She stooped, snatching the mask off. Lengthy dark waves tumbled down. "I knew there was a reason I didn't like you."
Heated like a provoked bull, Vanessa sprung at her.
II
Maneuvering through the near maze of a lower level, Estevan stopped suddenly. He spun around, spotting the fleeting shadow.
One hand out and prepared to create a tremor, he ran back with an order of, "Show yourself!" His face them made abrupt and very close contact with the floor.
Leaning in towards his ear, Victor requested, "Visitor's pass, please."
II
Fingers lacing together over and over, Frank finally raised his head. "Collin?"
"Don't," Cloak gave him a sharp glare, "call me that."
"Why are you with these guys?" Frank wanted to know. "Cortez doesn't seem any different from your folks. You're better than staying in some trap forever."
"Oh shut up," the other boy dismissed with an eye roll. "At least I know what Estevan's all about. You're fake as shit, Frank. What, were you hanging out with us as some sort of charity? Using Fabian to prop up your own powers? Ooh, let me guess. Rich kid rebellion, right?"
"Kid," Alex chimed up, fingers in Scott's hair, "you are on the road to stupid ass. I know. I've walked it."
Marco scoffed in dry amusement. "You X-Men think you're so righteous. You'd think your shit was made of perfume. What do you do all day, anyway? Sit back on your asses in your little mansion counting your stacks? The Acolytes are fighters; warriors for our own."
Hank let off a thoughtful hum. "Tell me. Do you also march in several rows while shouting, "Hail!"?"
Jabbing a finger at him, Marco warned, "Save the bull for school, four eyes."
Hank exercised all self-restraint not to pummel the younger mutant into a blood drenched state.
Cloak gasped at the weapon in his possession jumping out of his touch and crumbling with the ease of a paper ball before his eyes.
Frank grinned over the returning X-Men. "Erik, Rae, Wolverine!"
When Marco moved to attack, Hank connected his fist to the back of his head and wrestled him to the ground.
The wizard of metal hovered in first. "A little boy playing with a gun?" Erik lowered to his feet. "Only adding to the reasons why you must be punished."
Raven zoomed right past the shattered pieces of her front room to get to Alex and the boys. Frank almost collapsed into her arms.
"Fox, Cody, Maya!" Sliding onto his knees, Logan pressed the tips of his bone claws against Marco's jaw. "Where are they, dammit?"
In a burst of air, Melissa appeared in the room. "Your wife and son are secure down in the garage."
Not letting go of Scott, Alex said, "Maya must be upstairs with the others."
"What is this?" Fabian demanded from the doorway.
Erik did not hesitate to snatch away his gun as well.
Cordelia hardened into gold and kicked Fabian off her. "You make one crummy date, baby." She dashed over to rejoin the other X-Men.
A hurled Estevan landed in the center of the room and Victor stepped up. "Think ya missed one."
"Coach." Scott perked at the man somehow fueled despite his remaining injuries.
Rising with his upper arms, Estevan declared, "You will give me back my daughter," the area began pulsing again under his power, "or be buried alive."
"Stop this!" Melissa demanded. "You're wasting time with senseless destruction. We will never find Anne this way."
Erik calmly lowered to him. "Are you so willing to sacrifice your son along with the rest of us?" Glancing back as Fabian pulled himself back up, Estevan ceased the shaking. Satisfied, Erik went on. "And by asking, you shall receive." The metal wielder looked into the destroyed opening.
Walking with Leon, Sean carried in the fragile blanketed cargo.
Fabian exclaimed, "Hermanita!"
"Mijita!" Eyes glossing and shoulders shaking, Estevan did not spare a moment to hasten in gathering her. He raised her to caress their cheeks together. "My Anne-Marie."
Fabian sped for them, sandwiching his sister between them protectively while his fingers coursed through her light brown hair.
"She was bound in one of Owen Ignacio's rooms," Sean said. "She was so out of it we wouldn't have heard her if not for Logan."
Able to turn gaze away from his daughter long enough to peer around the room shamefacedly, Estevan spoke with, "X-Men, I cannot begin to—"
"The children!" Hank let go of Marco to bound out of the room.
Alex and the others followed after him.
II
Managing to throw her opponent into an end table that broke on contact, Emma worked to steady herself. Her diamonds struggled between solidifying and flashing over to flesh form.
Vanessa sneered at her. "You're too weak to stay in control of our own powers. What's the matter, Mrs. Xavier?" She walked upon her with a slow but steady menace. "Feeling dizzy?"
Emma felt a wave in her stomach that became cut off just as quickly.
Releasing a scream, Vanessa went to the floor.
"Her eyes!" A disheveled Maya stood there, taser in hand. "Don't look into her eyes, Emma."
Leaving the younger children to the confines of her closet, Becky dared a glimpse out into the hall. "Auntie!"
Vanessa kicked Maya away from her and jumped up after Emma. "Don't you touch her!"
Emma grasped the other woman by the forearms and seethed, "I will use my last breath to bring about yours if you go near her."
"She's my daughter," Vanessa spat, "not yours!"
Everything before her dissolving into soundless specs, Becky could only cover her mouth with both hands.
Maya experienced a whole new sickness in her stomach.
Emma only continued to struggle with her. "You abandoned her."
"She was stolen from me!" Vanessa insisted. "Gavin used me, lied to me."
A multitude of footsteps sounded on the second level followed by, "Tell her the truth." Vanessa and Emma both put attention on the set eyes behind the glasses. "I'm not like the others here. I knew Gavin Douglas. He talked to me quite often."
"You know nothing of this!" Vanessa shouted at him.
Hank came back with, "If you're who you say you are, I know he hired you for the duration of his assignment in France- something he fully admitted as a foolish error. Neither one of you anticipated your pregnancy. After she was born, Gavin didn't want to marry you so you made it clear that a healthy baby would produce quite a profit. Especially considering how light her skin turned out. He fled back to the US with Becca to keep her away from you."
A redness in her brown eyes, Vanessa claimed, "I carried her. She belonged to me! Then he took her."
"Good." Vanessa turned back to a smirking Emma. "In fact, that was probably Gavin Douglas' finest hour as a father." She shoved Vanessa back before her swinging fist could collide.
"So," A formerly silent Erik emerged from the gathered bunch with a stony expression, "all this time, every moment we were together…" A low, dry chuckle bubbled out of him. "I must say, you are a spectacular actress."
She flashed him an unsympathetic expression. "Don't take it so personally. We had our fun. But Rebecca was never yours, Erik. Her father is dead. I am what remains."
Absorbing that, Erik informed, "Remains are what you will soon be in, my dear."
"Mother?" the hardly whisper of a voice brought all attention to the little girl present. "Are you- are you really my mother?"
A smile building, Vanessa walked to her. "That's right, ma fifille."
Erik felt his entire chest crumble. "Anya!"
Vanessa threw over her shoulder, "She won't know that name again." She stared eyes into Becky's. "After all these years- I knew you'd turn out beautifully." She looked past her into the room, where something resided on the dresser. "Ah, you still have it." She moved by Becky to pick up the porcelain doll. "I remember picking this out for you. Back in France."
Becky came towards her on jelled, robotic feet. "Eliza?" Vanessa handed her the doll. "She's from you?" The woman nodded in satisfaction and Becky stroked Eliza's hair. "She was my very favorite for so long…" Green eyes gazed up again. "Can I tell you something?"
Joey peeked out from the cracked portion of the closet door, his countenance entirely incredulous.
When Vanessa squatted to her level, Becky swung the doll like a bat.
A resonating scream detonated from Vanessa as the porcelain smashed into her face.
"I don't have a mother." Becky dropped the remains of her childhood toy. "My papa adopted me."
"Run!" With Trav and Kiki behind him, Joey clutched Brian and charged out.
Becky took time to grab the smaller children's hands as they all scurried from her room.
Shielding a portion of her face, Vanessa grunted angrily and made a move to follow them. Through her damaged vision, she watched Erik sweep Becky up into his hold.
The metal wielder said nothing as the girl buried her face into his shoulder. Erik used one hand to help Maya up and they walked back to stand with the others.
While Hank and Raven collected their children, Emma left Joey and Brian to Alex's care. The blonde woman swept arms over the collective group, regarding Vanessa with the challenging countenance of a lioness.
"You," Estevan gave Anne to Fabian, stepping up. "Are you the one who took my daughter?"
"Yes."
Recognizing that voice immediately, Sean glared in every direction.
They all shielded themselves as Owen Ignacio burst in from the roof and third floor, suspended over them by nothing but air.
A solid white made up his eyes as he spoke again, "But only because I told her to. Didn't you find it odd how soon you received that anonymous tip? Had to keep the X-Men distracted by something while Van- excuse me, "Vertigo" fetched my third telepath." He looked to Vanessa disapprovingly. "But you couldn't even handle that much. Not that I'm surprised. If you had any real skill set, you'd have had the girl sold the moment she rolled out of you. Don't think me completely heartless, though. You can keep the house, but you might as well forget your payment."
"You bastard," Vanessa fumed.
"Now if you have me confused with your daughter," Owen countered. "Anyway," he faced back and forth between Fabian and Erik, "give me my telepaths and I'll be on my way."
Erik placed Becky with Leon and ordered, "Get them downstairs!" then hovered up.
Bypassing the metal wielder, Owen spread his hands apart, causing the floor to collapse. Outcries filled the entire house.
"No!" Erik moved swiftly to create an electrical magnetic sphere that seized all of them before they hit the main level.
That is enough, Ignacio!
In a breath, Owen found himself in a crimson setting. A rock floor and darkened sky made up the surroundings. Several yards away from him, Professor X stood in full X-Men attire.
"Charles Xavier?" Owen smiled sincerely. "I cannot deny what an honor this is. I sensed your mind almost two years ago- during your mutant recruitment. The most powerful telepath of all. Not only that, but your Triad magnifies you; keeps you alive in situations that would kill an ordinary man or mutant."
The Professor kept an even visage. "You sought to use Rebecca and Anne Cortez to create your own three-way link. However, you knew you could never get close enough so you summoned the Shadow King. Used him to generate the phobias that left us comatose. Through him you learned of the mutant Vertigo and sent her here to put Erik off-guard, weaken our security men, and capture Anne. Then you thought Rebecca would follow her mother out of familial longing and obligation…" Charles stared deprecatingly now. "I must say, for a PhD holder in possession of a malevolent being, you are a bloody fucking idiot to have thought that would work."
Owen appeared as if to say something but a series of violent jerks throughout his body made him incoherent. Professor X only looked on in awaiting intrigue. Finally, the Shadow King emerged in full, leaving Owen sprawled out below.
"Xavier," he sneered with malicious glee, "at last."
The unaffected X-Man surmised, "That's the real reason you wanted Ignacio and Vertigo. They were simply your means to take me on alone."
"Hardly worthy of being called pawns," the creature dismissed. "For years, I have taken satisfaction in bleeding in through humanity's fear, anger, and hatred. Ripping apart households; tearing down souls."
"Ever since you sold your own," Charles seemed to catch his attention with the assertion, "You were once a strong telepath, but it wasn't enough. So you made a deal with forces that turned you into this abomination."
"You X-Men are disgusting," the Shadow stated with disdain. "Regardless of whatever you faced, you continued to band together like mindless sheep. But I know why." He encroached upon the man. "You and your delusions of hope. Now that you are weakened and alone, I can at last devour that hope permanently."
"Hm," Charles seemed to consider this, "weakened, yes admittedly. Alone?" The Professor chuckled. "Never."
On either side of the rock floor, the two youths appeared.
"You!" The Shadow King journeyed up into the sky at the sight of the redhead then gazed in the other direction. "And the filthiest of all the X-Men- the Child of Light."
Frank felt a restriction in his chest. "It's you. You were the one laughing."
Sean called over, "Don't be afraid of him, Frank! He's nothing."
"Sean is correct, Franklin," Professor X confirmed. "Lads, I am not at full strength. I need you to help rid us of this monster once and for all."
Making a fist, Frank nodded hard. "Alright!"
Sean rubbed his palms together eagerly. "Ohhh, can't wait."
Throwing his hands out, Professor X unleashed his telepathic energy on the two young mutants.
Bright radiance exploding from him, Frank flew upward.
"No!" The Shadow King enlarged himself over the boy. "You cannot do this. You can't do anything. You'll never be man. That's why your father has never cared- why your mother abandoned you at the first opportunity."
Sean's voice drowned over him with, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you!"
"You matter the least of Erik's sons," the Shadow attempted to combat. "Alex, Leon, they will always be superior to you."
"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!"
Frank experienced an inward rush of joy that built into magnificent light. It spilled from him and formed a blazing white fireball.
The Shadow King's cries of anguish echoed as the mental grounds faded.
"Charles!" At her husband coming around to them, Emma skipped over the wreckage to him.
"Seanie?" Hank propped up the redhead.
The teen's face split into a grin. "That was too far out!"
"Frank." Becky ran fingers through the easing boy's hair while Erik held him.
Managing to peel eyes away from his young ones, the wizard of metal focused in on where Ignacio and Vertigo lay unconscious beneath the debris.
IIIIIII
Cloudy blue irises on the setting sun before him, Erik reacted to a hand on his shoulder and looked back.
"I don't know whether to plead your forgiveness or fall to my knees in thanks." Heavy remorse carried from Estevan's shoulders to his face. "Even if I offered my own life, it would not be repayment enough."
Erik turned to fully face him. "My daughter was abducted once. I understand the rages of any mad man in such a situation. Never miss a moment to cherish her."
Estevan bobbed his head.
Hank approached next. "I finished Anne's examination. Vertigo injected her with a potent sedative to disable her telepathy. Ignacio didn't get the chance to cause her further harm and the effects should wear off soon."
"Thank you," Estevan uttered, a swell of relief developing within him at the prognosis.
With his brother and nephew on either side of him, Victor moved along with their support. "See? Practically as good as new."
"You will be as soon as you learn to stay off your feet for five seconds," Logan reproached.
Victor shot back, "Look who's talkin'."
Melissa and Kayla laughed from behind them.
Sobering quickly, Melissa touched the woman's wrist. "We should be going."
"Melissa," Kayla took her hand to slow her, "please. I know a lot has happened, but you don't have to return with them. Stay with the X-Men."
The younger woman shook her head. "That could never work. Take care, Mrs. Howlett."
Cody watched her walk by them. "Bye, Melissa! Thanks!"
Pausing a moment, she offered him a kiss on the air as she dissolved into it.
IIIIIII
Head aching and mind foggy, she attempted to move but found all limbs restrained tightly. The vehicle's back door open, pouring in minimal light over the tall silhouette.
At having her gag removed, she wanted to know, "Who are you?"
Forcing her out, Hank lifted her enough to meet their eyes. "I'm the one you will learn to fear if I ever see you again. Yet I'm also the one who pities you," unsnapping the rope around her arms, he dropped her down into the grass, "because you will never know her. Ever."
Hand going into her hair in an attempt to massage her puzzlement, Vanessa only looked on as he returned to his car. Back behind the wheel, Hank pressed hard on the gas, flooring past the road sign for New Jersey.
IIIIIII
Inside the currently filled basement level panic room, Emma hummed a lullaby to help Brian drift away. Cordelia hugged her sister's arm with Bounty nestled in her lap. Next to them, Joey and Scott laid asleep against Charles. Sean and Alex kept Frank between them with Alex rolling over every so often to observe the one on the cot next to them. The loss of blood combined with Hank's treatment for Leon's aching neck had helped him enter slumber with simplicity. His arm around Kayla, Logan watched Maya ease off with Cody in her hold. Victor took over one bed with both sore legs propped up. Though it took some doing, Raven's children finally nodded into sleep.
She left a kiss on her boy and girl's foreheads before approaching Erik, who sat stroking a tensely sleeping Becky's curls. "Do you think she'll be okay?"
Erik replied with a straightforward, "No… not for some time."
Raven slowly raised her next question. "And you?"
"Not for some time," the man repeated.
Carefully detaching from the boys, Charles walked to his brother and sister. "This experience has left deep wounds of every kind. However, the Shadow King was still right about one thing. Throughout it all, the X-Men endured and persevered." He placed an arm around each of them. "We will see our way through this as well."
Attempting to keep tears at bay, Raven's face went into his shoulder. "I can say this a thousand times and it will never get old- I'm so glad you're back."
Charles kissed her head. "So am I, Baby Blue." He then faced Erik.
After a second, the tallest of the three joined them in the embrace. Charles did not miss the small stressed tremor that moved through Erik and he squeezed the metal wielder tighter.
Hank made his way in next. "Hey." He caught Raven in a solid hug. "How are the kids?"
"They're fine." She pulled back to look at him. "Finally sleeping."
Erik turned inquiring eyes on the young man. "Did you take care of it?"
Hank gave him a wordless nod. "And Ignacio?"
Charles fielded that one with, "Steve Rogers is going to see to it that he faces charges for unlawful medical practices and his sister's murder. Now Henry," the Professor folded his arms, "there's something I would like to know. When we first arrived here, why did you tell us that Rebecca's biological mother signed away her rights to her?"
"I didn't know either of you well then," the young scientist explained. "Everything was so up in the air after Shaw's attack that I couldn't risk you trying to locate her- I didn't even know her name. I was honestly ready to take what Gavin told me to the grave. I never wanted Becca to know about any of this. To know that the woman who gave birth to her is nothing but a- After all these years…" He shook his head with sorrow. "Unbelievable. I feel so responsible for all of this."
Raven brought his hand across her lips and put an affectionate grip on the appendage.
Erik stepped up to take him by the shoulders. "You did what was best, Hank. Vertigo penetrated us like a black widow. I'm the one who should have known better; been more cautious."
"We shall not pass fault around," Charles interjected firmly. "What matters now are the people in this room."
Hank brought up the question troubling them all. "What do we do now? Our house is in shambles."
"But we're not," Raven urged.
"Listen to your wife, Henry," Charles encouraged. "As for this old house, we'll rebuild. Stone by stone."
Erik reached behind Charles to squeeze his neck fondly. "Then this shadow was right on two accounts." The others looked to him curiously. "You are indeed our hope, brother."