Rise or Fall

by Heiress Mellie

First Class: Charles and Erik have accepted their roles as guardians and headmasters over the young mutants but there is still work to be done for the greater than typical family. This is a familial and discipline, including spanking, centered fiction.

208. Chapter 208 Life is a Highway

X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Two Hundred Eight

Author's Word: Hi, fam! In honor of our graduates, here is a bonus chapter. Again, I am so proud of all of you. Also, this chapter's title? Though I'm not quite as music obsessed as most, this particular song has gotten me through many a rough patch. Please enjoy and review!

One black gloved hand on temple, Professor X prompted, Ready?

As ever, Emma returned, touching her forehead.

Becky linked hands with the adult pair. Ready, Uncle Charles.

Confirmations given, the Professor started them off. In an instant, the Triad faded away and the entire bunker became consumed with a thick blackness. Only minimal illumination shined for the five remaining.

"Alright, Cyclops," Havok set his gaze on the blue and yellow clad mutant, "you're leading the charge. Let's go."

Getting his small team moving in a hurried pace, Cyclops directed, "'House, give us some light."

Lighthouse did so but made sure to stay behind them in order to prevent blinding anyone.

Vapor pointed out an oversized gray creature emerging from one wall. "Head's up!"

"Got it." Cyclops released a high level blast from his visor, making the monstrosity vanish.

In its place, a pair of dark dressed assailants dropped from the ceiling.

"Vapor, Banshee!" Cyclops called out. "Waste 'em!"

Vapor took a massive leap over the heads of his teammates while Banshee dashed ahead. Each took an opponent. Banshee bent backwards to avoid a punch, seized his attacker by the wrist, and flung him off into the darkness. Vapor and the other traded blows for several seconds. When a kick came his way, Vapor dropped to the floor and sent out his own leg. The masked fighter went down and disappeared.

Before they could get much further along, the quad found themselves encased in some kind of see-through shielding that prevented them from continuing.

"Cover your ears!" Banshee roared out.

After the other three did so, the redhead tore down the clear structure by unleashing an intense caw. The bunker restored immediately after, bringing the three telepaths along with it.

"You guys," Lighthouse approached the Triad, "those visuals were unbelievable."

"I'm glad you thought so," Charles rubbed at the top of his own head, "though we'll need a few minutes recovery."

"It's good to see you young men so in tune with each other," Emma commented.

"That's right." Havok walked up to the younger mutants. "Considering our limited training at the apartment and the time away from each other before that, I have to say I'm impressed. Great command, Scott and quick thinking on all you guys."

Cyclops resisted raising a victorious fist but still glowed internally.

II

Lowered on all fours to be at eye level with his son, Beast went over the directions. "The object here is for you to run and hide wherever you can. You have to try and keep away from the bad guys to stay safe."

Trav asked, "That's you and Kitty, right?"

"Yes, but you have to act as if we're two strangers coming after you and do everything to stay away from us. Do you understand?"

The little boy nodded. "Yes, Beast."

"Alright. I'll signal you." Beast grabbed hold of an overhead branch and started up a tree. While he waited, Trav edged back and forth on his toes until he heard, "Go!"

With no need for an additional cue, Trav took off through the greenery. He detected the twin shadows above him and veered off to the right of the woods and away from them. Ducking behind a tree, he remained there until he picked up on the growling and glanced up to see Sabretooth reaching down for him.

Making haste again, Trav ran for a further tree. When he made it there, he stuck to and began climbing the trunk. After he made it a few feet up, he took a jump and managed to latch himself onto the tree beside it. He kept leaping from trunk to trunk that way.

"Okay, Trav, enough," Beast's voice sounded again, not wanting to wear his boy out.

Climbing down, Trav panted a little. "That was fun."

"I know it seems that way, but this isn't a game, son," Beast said, lowering from a tree to be at the youth's side.

"Your dad's right, kiddo." Sabretooth approached from the opposite area. "We're showing you these things to keep you safe from the real bad guys."

"Like that monster who messed up our house?" Trav mentioned. "And the evil lady who wanted to take Becca away?"

Blue eyes darkening at the recollection, Beast replied, "Exactly."

II

Hands on hips as he slowly paced the range, Wolverine commanded, "Give me three rounds."

Guns aimed, Silver Cat and Lighthouse shot at their individual artificial targets.

"Fire at will." After they gave off four blasts each, Wolverine ordered abruptly, "Hold your fire… give me five rounds… six rounds… fire at will… cease fire!" Both boys immediately stopped. "Lower your weapons." They both laid them on the table before them and Wolverine came over for closer examination. "Good job, Lighthouse. You're about ready to pop off your own teammate."

Realizing his error, Lighthouse quickly rotated the weapon's position. "Sorry, habit."

"Break it," Wolverine said unapologetically. "This," he picked up the gun, "is a firearm. You make the wrong move and it'll wind up being your last move."

Lighthouse nodded dutifully. "Yes, sir."

"And you watch that itchy trigger finger, Cat." Wolverine came around to his son next. "I swear I heard seven rounds during that six. You know you got to squeeze the trigger, not jerk the thing."

"I know." Silver Cat then amended his flat tone with, "Yes, sir."

Wolverine next determined, "Five minutes then it's on to rifles."

II

"And," Magneto launched the first scrap, "go!"

With a tall leap, Eel ascended the metallic sheets bit by bit, only to come to a sudden stop at the middle point.

Hovering over to him, Magneto wanted to know, "What happened?"

"I'm sorry," Eel said quickly. "I just- it was too fast."

"Your head got in the way again," Magneto knew. "In the heat of danger, you cannot let fear be your undoing. If your disc ever gets way from you, you must make use of whatever metal is in your area. Even in the atmosphere itself."

Eel claimed, "But I can't control metal like you can."

"And I cannot command electricity as easily as you are able. Yet," Magneto floated in a perfect circle around the boy with cape swaying, "I learned to do this. You're quick on your feet when we really need you. You must be equally fast on air."

Eel nodded. "Okay."

"Let's begin again." Magneto summoned forth another set of metal fragments.

II

"Come on," Mystique waved an arm as if able to draw them closer to her with the gesture, "we're almost there."

In basic yellow-blue attire that Hank had rigged up for her, Samantha moved along with them on her hands and feet.

"Whoa, hey!" Reacting urgently, Glimmer flicked away the dagger thrown her way then spotted the arrow. "Angel, look out!"

Veering out of the way in time, the girl in striped uniform fluttered higher into the air. Releasing a wad of acidic spit, she managed to destroy the next two arrows that came at them before catching up with the others.

Sharp implements of all sorts attempting to assault her, Mystique's reflexes went to work kicking at the handles while dodging others.

Angel spotted the razor like throwing star and shouted, "Sam!"

The blonde jumped and aimed her leg in a way that she kicked the weapon away with her boot.

Easing off, Angel had to remind herself that the girl had been on a far deadlier mutant team previously. Something else they had in common.

When they reached the twin trees, all three paused to gather their breath.

"We did it!" Mystique grinned.

Glimmer jumped with glee. "Yes!"

Angel said, "That last round was cutting it way too close to my hair."

Samantha smiled, taking in the enthusiasm of being among them.

Mystique looked at her good-naturedly. "Nice job, kitty gorge."

"Thank you, R- Mystique," she replied.

Emma gathered her stray weapons and moved over near Kayla, who carried her crossbow.

The older woman commented, "The rejuvenation of no longer being with child."

Emma noted, "This is actually the lesser of the two stresses."

Adrienne, in full black attire, came their way from the other side of the yard, metal stars in her possession. "Thanks for the workout." She started towards Angel and Samantha. "Come, ladies. We must cleanse before the restaurant tonight. I'll fetch the Sabretooth."

"Speaking of stresses," Kayla faced Emma, "how are handling having her in on these sessions during this little visit?"

"It's certainly strange," Emma admitted, "but it's a nice change of pace to be on the same side as both my sisters. At least this week."

IIIIIII

"Are you okay?" Maya frowned at the strain coming from the other end. "You sound winded."

"Training, hand-to-hand with Vic, and Alex has me on a serious weights regiment." Sean flexed one arm. "Gee, is it good to be home."

Maya laughed lightly. "Wish I was there. Feels forever since I fired a weapon."

"Thanks for the vision of you as an assassin babe," Sean responded wistfully. "I'm seeing a sleek black outfit, combat boots…"

"A nice little image for you to grasp while you're on the road." Maya reclined in her chair. "The better to keep you away from those grubby little coeds."

"Oh, for sure. You know I'm a one-woman redhead, right?"

"Right," she smiled. "So, what's the first stop?"

"Tomorrow it's WU then NYU and Princeton," Sean named. "We're going to stay over in New York then on Saturday we're heading over to New Haven to visit Yale. Though Hank makes no promises that he'll be able to resist spontaneously setting fire to the place. Then we're jetting over to Boston to visit the legendary Harvard."

"I'm sure Hank already has your bags packed for that one."

"Definitely. Same with Alex and WU. But I'm still weighing my options. Our options I mean." Sean's tone grew in seriousness. "We really have to sit down and talk about college more."

"I know," Maya sighed. "But it's all I can focus on to keep up in school and take care of my mom, not to mention visiting Tricie. We will talk, though, I promise. We still have time."

"Okay and don't worry. It can wait for now. But the last of my packing can't."

"Be sure to grab your smarty clothes," she reminded.

"Right," Sean replied. "My t-shirt of the brain wearing glasses."

"Just what I was picturing you in. Okay, I love you."

"I love you, future grubby coed," Sean returned.

Once they hung up, he left the parlor to dash upstairs two steps at a time.

IIIIIII

"And then he actually went into the girls' bathroom," Trav raved, "and they all started screaming, but Miss Davis just thought they were being cooky because she couldn't see him. It was so funny."

"I wouldn't exactly call that funny," said Hank, accepting the bowl of peas from Leon.

"Yeah," Raven concurred. "Max should not be using his powers like that. Someone could easily see him disappear out of thin air."

Erik eyed Trav as he put forth, "However, you know to never use your powers at school. Don't you, valiant?"

"Oh yes, Uncle Erik," the little boy nodded. "It's just fun watching Max."

"On the subject of school," Charles spoke, "tomorrow is first report cards. Is there anything we should know before we visit your schools?"

"Yeah," Logan aimed a fork at the youths, "which one of ya do we need to disown?"

"My reading, spelling, and writing grades went up," Joey told the table.

"That's wonderful, treasure," Emma reacted.

"I'm going to go nuts if I didn't make at least a B in ROTC," Scott vexed. "I'll never be a pilot if I can't get past this stuff."

"Hey, take it easy," Alex soothed. "It's the first quarter and it's a new school. You guys are all still adjusting."

"Not me," Trav smiled haughtily, "I made A's on my tests."

Cody rolled his eyes. "That's because school's all you do. You don't have karate or art or anything. And all your homework is baby stuff, anyway."

Trav glared over at him. "It is not!"

"Boys," Kayla intervened then specifically eyed her son. "Cody, that was uncalled for."

"Sorry, Ma," the boy sighed then gazed over. "Sorry, Trav."

They looked towards the front at the doorbell going off.

"And who is that during dinner?" Erik wanted to know.

"I'll go see." Cordelia wiped her hands with her napkin as got up. Seconds later, she returned with two familiar faces in tow. "So… look who's here."

The X-Men stared back at the pair of Acolytes.

"My apologies for disturbing your dinner," Estevan addressed them, "but I'm afraid we must speak. Just a moment, please."

Erik and Charles' blue eyes met.

IIIIIII

"Massachusetts and Virginia have passed government regulated sterilization for people with unclassifiable medical disorders." Toying with the rim of his hat, Estevan concluded, "In other words, their words, us."

Leaning against the fire place, Erik hissed a low, "Damn."

Seated in his chess chair, Charles released a sigh. "I feared as much. Needless to say, the rest of the east coast is all too likely to follow."

"I've heard you speak time and time again," Estevan said. "You're commanding, knowledgeable, and highly captivating. However, this means nothing when your words fall on deaf ears. We as mutants have to band together before this goes too far."

Erik turned around. "And what are you suggesting?"

"Help me find Ignacio," Estevan urged. "Charles, that's a simple task with your level of telepathy. We all know he was let off for one reason alone. They learned of his research on his sister and they want him to experiment on us."

"Say I agree to this." Charles got to his feet. "We find him, hunt him down, then what? Kill him? Make a martyr out of him and wait for countless others to take his place?"

"He's right, Estevan." Erik walked over to him. "I've played the hunter before. It's futile in the grand scheme of things."

"We need to rise," Estevan insisted. "We'll start with him and send message after message until one side relents. Believe me. It will not be ours."

"You make it sound as if humans alone are against us," Charles said. "You forget it was two mutants working for Ignacio. It was a mutant who abducted your daughter."

"After she was manipulated by Ignacio," Estevan claimed. "Besides, mutant or human it doesn't matter. How simple is it for female kind to betray us?"

"I understand with a whole heart why you feel that way." Charles locked his gaze on him. "You gave her everything. A nice home, beautiful things, absolutely wonderful children. Only for her to sink the knife in your back. And while your small son was made to suffer in terror, her life ended quickly."

A brief shine reflected in Estevan's eyes while his form remained stone. "If a child's own mother could do such a thing to him, how do you think the rest out there will react to us?"

"They'll see demons in the flesh." The three men looked to see Emma with arms folded in the parlor doorway. "But those bridges will have to wait until we cross them. Then we torch them."

Erik supported that motion with, "We will do what we have to in order to protect our own. That's for certain."

"At last. We agree on something." Estevan went to put his hat back on then remembered something. "Oh, about that unpleasantness with our girls last week? You should know that my Anne was punished. This little school experience means a great deal to her and I do hope this bout of childish fancy won't harm our rather… unconventional comradery."

Charles faced Erik, who replied, "No more than usual."

II

"This is Miracle Faith," Cody gripped the bars on the other crib, "and this big bonehead is Todd Hope. She's pretty and he's a little cute I guess, huh?"

Brown eyes mesmerized, Melissa uttered, "They are beautiful; perfect."

With a warm smile, Kayla stepped up to rub her shoulder. "And still here because of you."

Melissa dipped her head. "Thank you for letting me see them."

Logan came to block her path when she started for the door. "What are you doin' with yourself, baby? You're too good a girl to be wrapped up with Cortez's crew. You're young. You got everything goin' for you—"

"I'm guaranteed to marry and have countless children." Melissa wore a dry tight smile. "You sound exactly like Estevan if you can believe that." Her features fell drastically somber. "When will you all get it through your heads that this is all I have going for me? Being a mutant is a mere convenience for me, not a brotherhood declaration. The Acolytes give me the resources I need to do what I do. And what I do is the only thing keeping me from—" She regarded Cody out of the corner of her eye. "From doing something irreversible. Not that I expect any of you to ever be able to understand that."

Kayla headed over to her. "Melissa, we—"

"Missy, my dear," Estevan arrived outside the suite, "we should be off before we're needed at home."

Melissa glanced back and forth between the Howletts, "Take care," then walked towards her leader.

Poking his head in, Estevan commented, "Ah, twins." He removed his hat in a grand gesture, "My highest congratulations for such a blessing," and slipped it back on again.

As the two left their sights, Kayla linked arms with Logan and they shared a prolonged look.

IIIIIII

Silver and black bag ready and slung over one shoulder, Alex glanced over in time to see the smaller blonde making his way into the room.

"What do you think you're doing, Joe?" Going over, Alex roughed up his hair. "No school. You're supposed to snooze the morning away."

"I wish I could go with you." Joey held his arms open.

Alex bent to hug him. "When you're older, you and me are going to make a trip just like this. And hey, listen," he pulled back to establish their eye contact, "if your grades aren't all perfect today, don't even sweat it. I'm still proud of you. All the time. You know that?"

Joey nodded. "I love you, big brother."

"I love you," Alex squeezed his nose between two fingers, "baby brother." When he made it out into the hall, he met up with the other three travelers and zeroed in on the two bags Sean carried with him. "Oh for crying out loud, Seanie. Do you have to bring that thing everywhere?"

"Look who's talking." Sean patted his guitar case. "Let it be just ten degrees warmer and you'd be trying to shove your stupid surfboard in. Besides, we're taking my car." He concluded the statement by sticking out his tongue.

Leon said, "I love how we're starting off a road trip by going to class."

Hank tacked on, "Especially since Sean has already visited WU."

"Oh, nice try," Alex turned a look on him, "but if you get to do your little Harvard brainwash, I'm keeping Westchester U in the fold."

"Go Griffins," Leon chanted lethargically.

When they reached the base of the stairs, they found the Headmasters awaiting them there.

"Here we are," Charles smiled. "Our fine educated young men."

Alex raised his head a little. "Words I never thought I'd hear come my way."

"Charles, please," said Sean. "We'll be fine educated young men later. This weekend, we're rowdy college guys."

Erik piped up, "Which is why we're here to review the rules for this little excursion."

"Don't get comfy, guys," Alex advised. "We're only going to be here an hour."

Hank said, "I can assure you both that the height of our escapades will lead to a sugar overdose at worse."

"While I trust you in that regard, Hank," Charles spoke, "you're all to behave like the decent young men you are. Telephone us when you reach every one of your destinations. Do not roam about the cities by yourselves."

Leon concluded, "So hand holding the whole way and names stitched to our jackets. Got it."

"No, it's too dangerous to wear them on our jackets," Sean claimed. "But I'm pretty sure Mommy Emma wrote our names on the insides of our briefs. Just in case."

Erik's warning tone carried through with, "Leon, Seanikus…"

The boys made straighter faces.

"Now I know you will be surrounded by many temptations on these campuses," Charles went on, "but you are to keep your wits about you. That means no substance experimentation of any kind. No downing shots, no chug contests, no drinking tomfoolery whatsoever. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," the four chorused.

Sean asked, "So is that everything we need to know?"

"Not quite." Erik stepped forth, touching his shoulder. "Remember that regardless of whichever of these schools interest you the most- Westchester University, Harvard, Yale- I will always find you." He placed heavy pressure on the shoulder. "Always."

Sean's eyes darted back and forth. "Officially using a nightlight in college."

"That'll keep you out of the drinking parties for sure," Alex joked.

Charles then brought Sean into a strong hug. "Have fun. I can't wait to hear all about it when you get home."

Sean smiled, resting against his neck a moment. "And I can't wait to tell."

Erik patted each of their backs as they passed by, going out the door.

Once they were by themselves, he looked to the younger Headmaster. "Sounds to me like you faced quite a great deal of temptation during your university days."

"Yes," Charles admitted with a bashful smile of recollection. "It's amazing how the combination of youthful energy and lovely women can have such an effect on a bloke."

"I don't think I had a single girlfriend throughout my studies." Erik appeared further thoughtful. "Or friend for that matter."

Charles went to lean on him playfully as they headed towards the back of the house. "I'll be your friend."

Erik shook his head, masking his amusement. "Me and my big mouth."

IIIIIII

Somewhere between NK cells and cancerous immunology, the notes he took down became a smeared blur in Alex's eyes.

He wiped at his face with his sleeve and inched close to the one on his right. "What did he say?"

Jam whispered from his own notes, "Natural killer cells are innate lymphoid cells known for their ability to recognize and eliminate infected or altered cells. Didn't you catch that?"

Alex came back with, "Was that the curveball that just came through and shaved off the top of my head?"

Eyes on the front, Leon leaned in towards them. "Ever notice that the faster Professor Lenway talks, the bigger his neck bulge gets? I'm waiting for the day he turns green and snags a fly with his tongue."

From behind, Hank let off a sharp hush. "I don't believe this is the time for conversation."

"New kid," Leon mouthed to his friends.

"New pet," Alex corrected.

Professor Lenway used his yardstick to indicate a different section on his chalkboard. "And with the prospects offered by eugenics…"

One word echoing within his ears, Sean's hand went into the air almost automatically. "Excuse me, Professor?"

"Yes?" The aged man looked towards the teenager pleasantly. "Does one of our visitors have a question?"

"Pardon me if I'm wrong," Sean stood to speak, "but did you just mention eugenics?"

"Why yes," Professor Lenway replied. "There are scientists at work right now trying to improve upon it. With proper gene selection and breeding—"

"Breeding?" Sean echoed with an incredulous humored air. "Sorry but are we talking humans or hounds right now? Because it seems to me that you're trying to convince us that picking, molding, and even eliminating people, corrupting their development, is some kind of advancement."

Blinking twice, Professor Lenway assured, "I never said anything about elimination nor did I mean to make such an implication. If you'll grant me a moment, I can further elaborate. If you're quite finished of course."

"Right," Sean shook out his head as if from a trance as he lowered into his chair again, "sorry."

"That's quite alright. But I see well who is the most vocal in your household."

Alex stifled a laugh at that assertion.

Professor Lenway faced the board and resumed speaking.

Seated next to Sean, Hank offered a comforting press to the back of his neck to usher out the tension there.

IIIIIII

"Wow," Sean marveled as they neared the grand structure, "this is way bigger than WU."

"And far more purple," Leon remarked. "What twelve-year-old girl vomited violently enough to inspire these school colors?"

"Purple is most associated with royalty," Hank informed them. "Queen Elizabeth the First actually forbade anyone outside her family to wear it."

"Whoa," Alex stopped their group, removing his shades at what currently took place in front of the campus, "speaking of color conflict."

Two separate crowds stood outside the university, each with individual picket signs.

One side could be heard shouting, "Education equality and civil rights!"

The other sounded with, "Stop the violence and end the fights!"

Leon looked around at the hostile packs. "They never put this stuff in the brochures."

"Are we going to get to do anything without controversy?" Alex then threw out, "They heard Sean and Lee were coming."

Leon darted eyes Sean's way. "We're very bad boys."

Sean laughed softly at that but could not face away from the crowds for a moment.

"This isn't funny, guys." Hank spread his arms, keeping the younger three to the rear of him. "These demonstrations become riots far too easily. We should try coming back early in the morning."

"Relax, we'll be fine," Alex said with certainty. "We just can't get into it with anybody. Besides, our tour guides are waiting on us."

Hank sighed, "Stay close," and began leading the way towards the doors.

With Hank in front, Leon went next, followed by Sean, and Alex walked in back of their perfectly straight line.

"Keep your eyes forward," Alex instructed. "I mean it."

Though he attempted to follow the order, Leon could not help his gaze lingering with the firecrackers previously known as people. To Sean they seemed like a pride of lions and den of wolves ready to rip each other apart on contact. Their outcries filled the area in such a way that it made his mutated scream almost obsolete.

Relief instantly came over Hank when they made it all the way inside.

"Alex." A concerned Kerstin headed their way.

From behind her, Zaro asked, "So what do you guys think of the show we put together for you? Sorry we didn't have enough time to get the majorettes together."

Alex walked up, sharing a hug with Kerstin. "It's good to see you guys."

"You, too," Kerstin returned.

"Wait." Sean pointed at the two members of Children of Liberty. "Are you our tour guides?"

Zaro placed an arm behind his back and dipped in a short bow. "Welcome to New York University. Our motto?" He peered out front. "To persevere and excel."

II

Back with heated beverages, Alex handed one of the foam cups to Kerstin.

"Thanks." She accepted the coffee and returned her attention to the third story window.

Next to them, Hank, Zaro, and Sean observed from a separate window.

Hank wanted to know, "How long has this been going on?"

"This round?" Zaro thought about it, taking a sip of coffee. "A couple weeks, on and off."

Kerstin stated, "The committee I'm on is all for the demonstrations. We're just trying to avoid bloodshed."

"I'm out there with them on and off, but I got to watch myself," Zaro said. "That backlash will be unreal if I get suspended."

"Yeah," Alex seconded. "The deans will be all over you."

"Who cares about them?" Zaro scoffed. "I mean Steve."

"So this is college in the big city." Leon watched someone waving a rock in an all too ominous fashion. "Great incentive for socialization and with possibly less damage inflicted than your average kegger."

Sean continued to stare. "This is unreal."

"Oh no," Zaro shook his head. "It's real alright, buddy. I can tell you that."

"If I'd known they were going to start up today, I would have warned you guys before you left," Kerstin said apologetically.

"Don't worry about it," Alex said. "Better we see the truth up front than get the sprinkles and nuts version."

Leon tilted his head towards the left. "I'd say there's more than a handful of nuts out there."

IIIIIII

Inside the pale green walls of the hotel room, the four created a square on the floor between the pairs of beds on either side. In the middle of them lay two open pizza boxes; one a meat lovers and the other ham with pineapple. They also had a box of donuts and case of cola spread out.

"Okay, so," Alex lifted a slice loaded with pepperoni and hamburger, "Princeton is…?"

Sean pulled the tip of his Coke bottle from his lips to answer, "Huge, ancient."

Leon replied, "In love with Woodrow Wilson on a near unhealthy level."

Hank grabbed a custard donut. "Not nearly fit to stand among the top three of the Ivy League."

Sean looked at him in mock disbelief. "Is that your way of saying something nice about Yale?"

"Now Sean," Hank faced him with a straight face, "that makes the very strong implication that there's something nice to be said about Yale."

Alex sniggered. "One thing's for sure. The cafeteria is a dive. I've seriously had better from the floors of WU."

Hank looked at him now. "Alex, we discussed this. If you don't stop eating off the floor, they're going to send you home with more of those notes."

"As long as you're careful," Alex countered. "Your body's liable to go into a state of shock making good cracks like that."

"One thing's for sure," Leon asserted, "Princeton is definitely not worth a move to New Jersey."

"Definitely," they all concurred.

"But NYU?" Alex put forth. "That place was insane."

"It was so wild seeing that stuff up close," Sean recanted. "It's so different from just watching it on TV. Westchester tends to button up about everything. Here in the city it's a totally different story."

"You should get a load of LA," Leon mentioned then added, "The non-tourist sections I mean."

They finished eating shortly and stacked the empty containers away in one corner to make it easier on the cleaning crew come morning. On one side of the room, Alex sprawled out in bed with Hank on the other bed tossing a soft football up and down with one hand. Across from them Leon worked on the crossword puzzle inside the room's complimentary magazine and Sean sat up against his headboard. He stroked a gentle melody on the strings of his guitar.

Sean peered over at Alex, seeing him sorting out some sort of training strategy in a notebook. "Are you really being an X-Man right now?"

Alex replied with a plain, "An X-Man on the go is still an X-Man," without looking up from his planning.

Hank bobbed his head with approval. "Yes, we are."

"You instructors." Sean adjusted his instrument in his grasp. "Out of control."

Leon raised, "A little like you earlier in our microbiology class."

Sean said, "I told you I just lost my head for a sec. I know what he meant now."

"This has happened before, Sean." Hank straightened his glasses as he looked across at him. "At the Waldorf. If Emma hadn't gotten you out of there, the situation would have proven fatal. For all but you."

"Hey, he's not wrong," stated Alex. "This is the stuff Erik and Charles are fighting against. A load of crap they want to push off on us." He stared directly at Sean. "I get why it tears you up."

Sean propped his guitar up against the night table that separated his and Leon's beds. "I just don't like this. The government can't take away God-given rights. It can't."

Hank said firmly, "And we will continue to combat it, believe me."

Leon moved on to the next word in the listing as he put forth, "Seems to me, combat is pretty unavoidable."

IIIIIII

With tour guide Brock rounding the tour at one end of the lush campus, he continued on with his well-versed Yale history. The X-Men taking up the rear of the modest ten person group, Sean gazed around at the centuries old architecture around them. He also noticed the number of people walking around who paused to gape at them every so often.

"What are they staring at?" Sean's voice came out in a hush to his comrades.

"Him," Leon used his thumb to indicate Hank's maroon sweater. "Yale is blue. Harvard is red."

"You know that's right," Hank feigned absent-mindedness. "I must have grabbed the first thing out of my suitcase. I suppose my face is red, too."

Alex gave him a playful jab with his elbow. "Here I thought you were all about the blue."

A certain smile came to Hank's features. "Only head to toe on my wife. Besides, she has red hair."

Sean snickered and ran a hand through his own copper strands. "So does that mean I have to shave off mine to go here?"

Leon responded to that with, "No, but I believe a major requirement is leaving your beliefs and slightest trace of individuality at the door. Got to love the old ivies."

"Yeah, good luck with love in this place," Alex scoffed. "Are we at college or a German monastery? How are there seriously no girls here?"

"We have sister schools," Hank told him. "Vassar for Yale. Wellesley and Radcliffe for Harvard."

Alex stated, "WU has never looked so good to me."

"At least now we know how these students stay so robotically focused," said Leon.

The tour concluded with a late afternoon lunch in the cafeteria. Afterwards, Sean, Leon, and Hank returned to the visitors' parking lot and waited by the BMW.

Drooping in the driver's seat, Sean wondered tiredly, "What is taking Alex so long?"

Draped across the car's hood, Leon put forth, "Guess this is why girls go to the bathroom together."

"This reminds me of when we first moved into the mansion. He's probably lost in there." Hank stood from the sitting on the trunk. "I'll go find him."

Before Hank could venture forth, the head of yellow raced their way like a beam of escaping sunlight. "Drive!"

Sean jumped in his seat. "What's going on?"

Hank's suspicions turned on immediately. "Alex, what did you do?"

"Nothing." The twenty-year-old hastened into the passenger's seat. "Just left a gift for good old blue. That's all."

Leon climbed into the back. "A gift?"

Hank's senses detected it first. "Stink bomb!" He practically tore the door off to join Leon in the back.

"Oh no..." Sean started up the car with jittery hands and took off. "We're gonna die, we're gonna die, we're gonna die…"

Leon remarked, "Yet what an interesting way to go."

"Rigged it up in the chem lab. Just thought they needed something to remember us by." Alex folded his arms behind his head comfortably. "Pretty good, huh?"

"Alex…" The growl from Hank's lips made the way for a wide smile. "You've officially made this day worthwhile; beginning to end."

The blonde turned to the window with a grin. "I do what I can."

Leon looked out of his window as well. "Oh God, the Yalies! Sean, they're going to egg your car."

The redhead had to keep from screeching with panic. "What?" When the other three began to laugh, Sean sulked in place. "Hate you guys." He then amended that claim with, "I mean greatly dislike. Not 'sposed to hate."

Leon requested, "Stick that on a billboard when you get a chance."

An hour later, Sean traded places with Hank so that the scientist could take them onward to Boston. Getting a good look at the gage, Hank pulled up in front of the first gas station. Credit card in hand, he headed inside.

Alex said, "I'm going to snag some snacks," and followed him in.

Growing stiff, Leon looked to the one on his right. "Want to throw the ball for a bit?"

"Sure." Sean latched out of his seatbelt.

After fishing around a moment for Hank's soft football, Leon got out with him. "Head's up."

Sean went back several paces and managed to grab hold of it with one arm. "Coming at ya."

Leon jumped to catch it. "Let's see how you handle this."

At the distance the ball flew, Sean remarked humorously, "Hank's been teaching you way too many tricks," and ran after the toy.

When the ball bounced off the window of a store front, Sean could not have been more relieved that it was not an actual football. Stooping to get it, he noticed the amount of patriotic décor covered the store. It all supported the re-election of a Bostonian alderman. Sean read the poster on display in one window.

Count on Dr. Lyle Larson for the Best in: Cancer Research Funding, Low-Cost Health Care, Medical School Grants, and Gene Control and Selection.

In a simultaneous fashion, a burning sensation erupted in Sean's chest and a constriction entered his throat. The combination gave him the urge to gag but not so much as a whimper sounded.

"Sean?" Leon jogged up to him. "Alex and Hank are waiting." He studied the younger boy's close to catatonic state. "Seanie?"

"Right." Sean blinked and shook his head. "Let's get back." He started for his car.

Taking time to glance at the store, Leon moved to go after him.

IIIIIII

The moment the clear doors to the bar and grill spread apart, the lyrics to All Summer Long blasted their way. Taking in the Saturday evening crowd, Alex looked beyond them all to the various waitresses in short pants gliding through.

At the blonde's wolf whistle, Hank gave off a shake of his head. "Down, puppy."

"Hank, I love my twin and everything, but you have been married way too long." Alex made a path for the arcade in the back and went right to the baseball game. He stuck in the necessary coins and started playing. "Did you come here a lot?"

"Quite often." Hank absorbed the various alterations within the establishment. "Though it's changed a bit these last years."

"I'm still trying to wrap my head around being in college when most kids are starting high school." Alex worked the side controls of the came to power the ball. "Or were you freakishly tall then, too?"

"My growth spurts started then they forgot how to stop."

Alex rolled his head back in mock anguish. "So greatly dislike you right now."

"I know you do." Arms folded, Hank leaned against the side of the machine, somewhat facing him. "A couple of your professors spoke to me yesterday."

Becoming initially stiff, Alex raised his head with an accusatory glower. "You've been checking up on me?"

"No," Hank responded strongly. "They approached me. Out of concern."

"Look, I'm fine, okay?" Alex turned to walk off.

Hank grabbed him by the wrist. "I wouldn't call a D on your last trigonometry test fine. And that C minus in microbiology is hardly praise worthy."

"Is that why you wanted to go out tonight?" Alex snatched away but veered around at him. "To bawl me out?"

"I am not bawling you out," Hank said evenly. "And if I am, it's not because of the marks but for not coming to me or anyone."

Attempting to keep his temper in check, Alex explained, "Look, my workload for physical therapy has practically doubled at school. And I had to make sure we kept up training while the mansion was down so that we wouldn't fail if anyone came at us again. Then I had Scott and Joey and everything else at home."

Hank wanted to know, "Why didn't you say anything when you were feeling bogged down? I could've helped you."

"That's just it," Alex stated adamantly. "Hank, you have no idea what it's like to be the brother who constantly needs help. Rae glides through school. Jam and Lee are on full-ride scholarships. Sean and Frank are honor students. You're… you. I'm left in the dunce cap."

"That is absurd," Hank disputed. "Your GED score alone was phenomenal."

Alex insisted, "Because all of you helped me study like every second."

"Bull," Hank dismissed sharply. "Alex, you were the one who had to take that test. And you not only excelled there, but you got into a fine university all by yourself. You were Raven's entire inspiration for going to college."

Alex bowed his head a bit. "It was too hard to talk to you about this."

"Alex, do you really believe I never need help?" Hank touched his shoulder, getting his eyes up again. "I may be something of a wizard in the lab, but you have the ability to relate to the kids in ways I simply can't. Even children who haven't known you long feel comfortable around you. There are times when I need you in order to see a problem through their eyes."

Alex shifted on his feet a little. "I know I should have talked to you before, but… could you please not let this get around? Trav thinks his Uncle Alex is super smart and…"

Hank gave him a gentle smile. "My son has clairvoyance that way. Alex, you're not the annoying mouthy kid I used to know. I completely respect you as another instructor. If you ever need me, I'll never look down on you."

"Thanks…" A small smirk played on Alex's lips. "Bozo."

"You're welcome." Hank lifted his foot to give him a ginger kick. "Lanky."

IIIIIII

Vehicle secured at service station, the dark loafer covered feet quietly proceeded the short ways down the road. Jacket zipped up as high as it could go with black slacks and hair combed in such a way to shield his face, he silently wished he had packed attire more suitable for the night. That mattered not at all as he found himself in front of the store with the various paraphernalia staring back at him complete with the beaming alderman's picture.

"It is far too dangerous to unleash deadly mutants upon society."

"Mutants are terrorists."

"We cannot afford for those genes to spread."

The building fire that seemed ready to burn his eyes out altogether dipped into his throat and spewed in the form of a scream. The windows became nothing short of dust and the doors split in half. The intensity grew until Sean went to his knees. He closed his mouth but panted and gripped his chest to console the beating.

When all sensory returned, he hastened to his feet and broke off in a run. Before he could reach his car, his face made abrupt contact with the concrete below. He attempted to jerk free but found his arms pinned to his back and his legs also nearly immobile. His try at screeching resulted in his lips being forcefully pressed into the ground.

Crouching to his ear, "And that's how fast you could have ended up inside a truck. And the three of us would have had no way to even begin searching for you, not even with Hank's powers. You'd have been back on a table. Very likely with your throat cut open this time. Is that what you want?" He received his answer in the form of a strong head shake. Leon let go of him with an order of, "Get up."

Sean rubbed his sorest arm as he made it to his feet. "Lee, listen to me."

"Is this your new crack habit or something?" Leon flapped his arms with annoyance. "Sneaking around, switching your brain to off and doing something stupid, then making a near equal idiot out of me for following you?"

"Lee—"

"Is this why you wanted me to share your side of the suite? Because you knew Hank and Alex would hear you in five seconds?"

"No!" Sean insisted. "It is not like that. You don't understand."

Leon opened his hand. "Give me your keys." Digging them out of his pocket, Sean tossed them over. "We have to get out of here. Move."

When they both returned to the safe confides of the BMW, Leon drove them three miles up the roar and around one bend into a clearing.

Bringing the car to a halt, he prompted, "Let's hear it."

"I barely know, okay?" Sean tried to rationalize. "It's just all this stuff about sterilization. These politicians. Seeing that in my face. I couldn't… I had to…"

"Go out in the middle of the night- again, openly use your powers- again, and practically try to get yourself captured- again." Leon faced him with a straight face. "You are going to end up sterilized for real if you keep this up. Meaning whatever little visions you entertain about producing itty bitty "Seana's" is as good as dead. At this rate, so are you."

"Leon," Sean touched his head, heavy in fatigue, "I'm sorry. I don't know what- I'm sorry. I didn't ask you to bunk with me so I could leave. I wanted to hang out, talk about comics, rag on all those knee socks we saw at Princeton. I couldn't sleep and next thing I knew- I'm sorry!"

"And I'm sorry that the idea of something happening to you would screw with my already warped head, but here we are." Leon leaned back in the driver's seat tiredly.

Lips quivering at first, Sean took a breath. "I can't believe I have the nerve to ask you for anything but can you please not tell Hank and Alex? This weekend was supposed to be really special and I really don't want to be the one who ruined everything for everybody because I'm stuck on stupid lately. Please, Lee."

Gaze going to the roof of the car, Leon lingered in silent pondering. "You know if this stays between us, it's me you have to answer to." He looked at the younger boy directly. "We both know what that means. It's X-Men 101."

Eyes glossing over, Sean nodded. "Mmhmm."

"Get out." At the redhead's confusion, Leon brought up, "If we go back to the hotel, we'll wake up Hank and Alex."

Knowing that to be true, Sean detached himself from the car, seeing nothing but openness all around them. "Umm… now what? Do you want me to bend over the hood?"

Taking in the land, Leon waved him along. "This way." He walked over to and made a seat out of a tree stump.

Sean went to him, face heavy with anxiety, uncertainty, and an embarrassment he could not mask. "So, bend over?"

Leon shook his head and said nothing else as he bowed his head in ponder. His thoughts went to Erik as well as his birth father and he eventually pieced together what to do.

Reaching out for Sean's belt buckle, he started to undo his pants. "While I'm doing this, I want you to count how many I give you. If you miscount, you get more."

Sean's eyes widened. "Are you serious?" At the even brown eyes that looked back at him, he muttered, "Right."

Pants down, Leon next instructed, "Bend over."

Breathing in and out, Sean placed his tall form over Leon's legs. He pressed his hands and toes into the grass.

Outside of swats to Cody, Leon found himself a foreigner to the task at hand. However, from what he had observed with the X-Men, he did not consider himself in rocket science territory. He pulled down Sean's underwear then raised his hand only to bring it down with severity.

Not expecting the first blow to be nearly that intense, Sean gasped. He had no time to fully absorb it as several other ferocious strikes offered no mercy to his rear end. Wanting to beat the ground, Sean quickly remembered he had to count. As the number reached the teens, he found himself hating having to keep up because he could do nothing to distract himself from the pain.

Though it caught him off-guard at first, Leon did not slow down when he heard the tears and sniffling develop. He knew how sensitive Sean could be. Leon felt no guilt in being the reason for the crying. After all, Sean would have had infinitely more to worry about than a simple familial punishment had stealth agents popped up to throw him right back into containment.

Containment. At that word, a wealth of images seemed to attack Leon's mind. His father's home, job, and reputation being snatched away. Jared losing his dream of college. His mother left to die on that table without so much as a peek at her newborn; blood everywhere. Blood. His cousins' blood. Everything consumed in fire.

Not this time, Leon decided.

Only when his hand ached too much to continue did he stop. "How many did I give you?" At the few seconds delay, he jabbed Sean in the back of the neck with two fingers. "How many?"

Face practically washed with tears, Sean managed to answer, "Forty four."

"Good." Leon gave him the courtesy of bringing his clothes into place. "You can get up now." Sean stood up somewhat wobbly and tried to wipe his face. Leon followed him up. "I don't care. I don't care if you hate or greatly dislike me. Too much has been taken without my okay. But I get a say this time. You're going to stay alive. If you want to be stupid and do something to risk that, just know you better have enough bravado leftover to face up to me."

"Kay," came the hushed response. "I'm… Lee, I'm sorry."

Leon opened his arms a little. "Help me out here."

Forming the faintest trace of a smile at the request, Sean stepped forward to ease into the embrace. Not completely certain on his end, Leon raised one hand to cup a section of Sean's hair. He himself often liked for Erik or Emma to finger comb his own long strands.

After helping Sean lay down on the backseats, Leon drove them back to the hotel not far from campus. To his relief, their original parking space had not been taken. As quietly as possible, the two made it back to their half of the suite, ever grateful for the private entry door.

While Sean got back into his pajamas, Leon left out and came back with a plastic bag loaded with ice from the machine.

Seeing what he had, Sean said, "You don't have to."

"Alex does it for me." Leon placed the bag on Sean's upright behind. "I never deserve it."

Sean nodded into his pillow. "Me, either."

Going around, Leon knelt beside the bed to face the Irish boy. "I know what that desire for retribution feels like. It's one of the few things I've ever felt consistently. But you can't lose your head this way. Take it from the nutjob himself."

Sean let off an amused exhale from the nose. "Thanks, Leon. For everything."

"Get some sleep." Rising, Leon went to get into his own night apparel.

IIIIIII

With Harvard in mind, Hank dressed in black slacks and a white formal shirt with crimson tie and his school pin attached to it. Alex wore red in the form of his WU sweater with khakis. After a lengthy cool shower, Sean put on gray pants and a maroon sweater vest. Leon went with dark brown pants and a red turtleneck.

Alex remarked to the Japanese boy in good humor, "You look like Dad."

Leon proved unable to hide his pleasured reaction to the comment.

They arrived on the school grounds shortly and with it being a Sunday, Hank took the pleasure of offering his fellow X-Men the grand tour.

Peering at the guide book, Leon read, "Harvard has the largest endowment of all educational institutions in the world."

"Whoa!" Alex's eyebrows leapt. "I mean I know this place is cream of crop college but they're worth that much?"

Hank stated, "Though it costs a pharaoh's fortune to attend here, you receive the very best in and out of the classroom."

Sean said, "Sounds like our school."

Alex looked over at him. "Westchester High?"

Sean shook his head hard. "Xavier Institute."

Leon shrugged glibly. "I got it the first time."

Alex hip nudged him in jest.

When they reached one particular building, Sean could not keep form gawking. "Oh, my God. Is this the library?"

"One of many." Hank led the way inside.

Light from the near endless number of windows poured down upon them.

Sean slowed, feeling almost swallowed by the countless books that overtook the shelves. "Okay, forget dorms. Can I live here?"

"I practically did," Hank smiled. "This is one of the biggest academic libraries in the world."

Alex felt his eyeballs jut. "And this is only one of them?"

Hank nodded. "Our entire library system comprises more than eighteen million volumes."

"Eigh- eight…" Sean struggled for words. "I… I…"

"Whoa, hey." Alex took hold of him to keep him upright. "We're losing Seanie. We are losing Seanie.

"Don't worry. We'll help you read them. I'll take the science fiction section," Leon determined.

"Poetry," Hank selected.

To no one's surprise, Sean picked, "Horror."

Alex said, "I'll wait for the movies."

For the visit's end, Hank brought them out to the enormous U-shaped stadium. Outside of a few stray students well across the way, the group of mutants had their pick of the bleachers. Hank sat next to Leon while Alex and Sean stretched out directly below them.

"So," Alex spoke, "this is where the football legend of the X-Men conquered."

"It was." Hank gazed out, untold ponderings reflecting in his eyes. "And I have to say, after everything we've seen and overcome, the anxiety of game days is all too laughable."

Alex put forth, "Maybe one day you'll see Trav on this field."

"Maybe," Hank said simply.

"Harvard is amazing, Hank," Sean marveled. "I'm so glad we came here."

Leon glanced down at him. "So I take it we won't be catching you around WU next year."

Sitting up, Sean's features contorted uncomfortably. "Listen, guys. This whole thing has been great, mostly just us being here together. But I'm still not sure."

"Hey." Alex moved to pat him on the knee. "Seanie, it's okay. There's no pressure here."

"He's right," Hank concurred. "I'm only grateful to be able to share this with you. I was never on pins and needles about you choosing Harvard or any school."

"Oh, great," Sean said with relief. "Because now that I think about it, Yale's blue brings out my eyes."

With a mock growl, Hank jumped down at him.

"Ohh, get him!" Alex went to rough up the red strands. "You little brat."

Leon laid over and held down Sean's ankles in a lazy motion.

Sean nearly squealed with untold laughter as he attempted in vain to fight them off.

After a stop off at the nearby diner for something to eat, the four returned to the car. With their things already loaded, they started away from the Cambridge area.

"How are we possibly down to a quarter of a tank already?" Hank wondered, getting out of the BMW.

Trying not to squirm in his seat, Sean said from the passenger's seat, "My ride needs a lot of juice."

Alex brought up, "Remind me to change out your oil when we get home."

"Sure," Sean smiled with ease, "thanks."

Once he finished filling the tank to capacity, Hank got back behind the wheel. "We'll switch when we get near state lines."

Sean raised an upward thumb. "Sounds like a plan."

"Oh geez!" As soon as Hank stopped the car again, Alex stared out the window at the practically demolished store front circled by police tape. "When did that happen? We passed this place just yesterday."

Sean felt his temperature rising at record speeds.

Hank pushed his glasses back at the rim. "I know politics can get out of hand but this is absurd. This was completely uncalled for."

"Maybe, but should get going," Leon recommended. "We need to call home at the next rest stop."

"Ah, right." Hank turned the key and got them moving again.

As soon as they completely passed the store, Sean relaxed and placed attention back on his Green Hornet comic book.