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.

319. Chapter 319 Child of Fright

Rise or Fall

Chapter 319

NOTE: Happy Thanksgiving Extended Edition, Fam! I hope everyone got to enjoy it. As for mine… I was strongly reminded how much and why I am so utterly grateful for all of you.

Alright, check it out, we've got some new markers here. You guys already know that "IIIIIII" "II" signify scene/location changes in the present, "XXXXX" "X" is for flashbacks, but now I think it's important to indicate the telepathic/mental space since it's been recurring so much. Also, it's pretty important, what with our grand founder Professor X in mind. "OOO" "O" will now indicate that world.

Technical and all else aside, please enjoy and review!

When she finished with the tidying effort in the Children's Covenant, the blue-eyed girl departed the play space. She scanned the dispersed congregation for one guest in particular. Receiving a clue, she made a path for where the female visitor conversed with her oldest sister.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Tolbert," Jessie graciously interjected, "do you know where Frank went?"

The redhead tipped her head toward the rear of the church. "To be Frank."

"Thanks." Jessie redirected her path, heading for the cafeteria.

With amusement evident, Ashley and Alana resumed going over upcoming summer events.

Stepping inside the large room, Jessie took in the massive amount of red and blue that made the dominantly white walls pop. Through the buzz of activity, her gaze landed on the twelve-foot ladder. More specifically, it zeroed in on he who currently mounted it.

As he finished attaching the trio of balloons to the upper corner, Frank watched the rolls of streamers descend from them.

"Home of the brave, indeed."

Frank developed a smile at the voice, "How else did we become the land of the free?" as he made his way to ground level.

Jessie then wanted to know, "Do you just bleed smart?"

"What bozo's been filling your head with these vicious rumors?"

Glancing around at the amount of festooning taking place, she said, "I can't believe they put you on slave labor already."

"Eh," Frank shrugged, "it was between this and washing each other's feet. I'm into medicine and all, but I don't do bunions."

Jessie took both his hands. "Think I could loosen your chains for a bit?"

Frank determined, "If anybody asks, we're re-enacting Exodus."
"So fitting for the Fourth," the girl quipped in turn.

Through the kitchen exit, the enthused two burst forth into the radiance of the outdoors. The only other lifeforms present in the rear grounds consisted of three older male teenagers on cleanup duty. With two grumbling about their school's volunteer hours requirement, they did not bat an eyelash at the passing pair. Rounding the maple tree, its brilliant ruby buds provided them with shade as well as seclusion.

With Jessie's back pressed against the trunk, Frank bowed his head to burrow into her cerulean eyes. "Hey, June Baby."

"Hi, June Baby." Jessie then mentioned, "Have I said lately how glad I am you're finally fifteen? You nearly made a cradle robber out of me."

"Sorry, ma'am." Touching his palm to the tree, Frank leaned in with target set on her lips.

More reminiscent of a brief whisper between them, the kiss lasted hardly a second and Jessie continued gripping his shirt sleeves. "How many rosaries did that tally?"

"You tell me. We're in your Orthodox Oasis, remember?"

"We have a tab system for our penance. Like a Christ credit line." Expression growing slightly somber, she smoothed his tie between her fingers. "Guess this is our last day out until the weekend."

Frank raised an eyebrow. "Where're you going? I thought you only visited Themyscira at Christmas?"

Jessie reminded, "Tomorrow's the big day."

"What? No, babe, the wedding's Saturday."

Knocking on his forehead, Jessie enunciated, "You start college tomorrow."

"Ohh, that thing." Frank then dismissed, "It's not even college. Not for real. It's just a three-ring circus to my diploma. Seriously, adults are majorly glorifying what's essentially the GED for kids."

An enamored Jessie commented, "And I thought my dad was solid as a rock about every curveball."

"Not really," Frank denied. "Not the way my knees go to jelly around you."

Jessie arched on her toes to petition another kiss from him.

Holding her afterward, Frank uttered, "Lord… Liberty."

Following his line of sight, Jessie scowled at the stealthy appearance of a seemingly shrunken Lady Liberty. "Zoey! As soon as we get home, I am shipping you off to Ellis Island."

Lowering the mask, the little girl showed her gleaming face before sprinting off.

IIIIIII

At the vow from the Jamaican shopkeeper to have the guitar fully restored with the week, the X-Men expressed their gratitude. Once their business fully concluded, Trick left the record store ahead of Sean, holding the door open.
"Thanks again, Trick." The redhead eased out, accepting the man's arm around him to help maintain his steadiness. "He's cool, but I still feel lousy bugging people on a Sunday."

"Ah, don't worry about that." Trick patted his back. "Sanka's good people; one outsider who knows the musician's plight all too well."

When they returned to the BMW, Trick got Sean settled on the passenger side. After getting behind the wheel, he started them away from the location. As they departed Brooklyn, they became wrapped up in a conversation about the unconventional excitement of that weekend only preluding to what the upcoming one hand in store. Trick enjoyed seeing a significant amount of tension leaving Sean's shoulders regarding all things Tommy, fire, and fury.

"Patrick. Oh, Patrick…"

Sean saw the older male's eyebrows abruptly leap. "Trick?"

Vice-grip on the steering wheel, Trick kept his heavily focused vision forward. When the sandstone apparitions appeared to shoot straight through the rear window, he gasped sharply. Frenzy building on his countenance, he stamped down on the accelerator as if fleeing a crime scene.

"Trick." When their speed exceeded the limit by ten miles, Sean beseeched, "Trick, slow down. What's wrong?" His voice seemingly falling on deaf ears, he yanked on the wheel himself. "Stop!"

When the car's momentum decreased so rapidly, they both jerked forward, but Trick only reacted to the hiss the teen released. "Seanie?" He saw him reaching for his lower leg and his heartbeat increased significantly. "Seanie, I'm sorry. Are you alright?"

"I just bumped it," Sean promptly reassured. "You know me, Trick. Give me an hour and I'll do worse left alone with my own two feet."

Still, Trick offered a massage to the pained area. "I'm sorry, boyo. I don't know where my head is."

"Last night wasn't exactly normal," Sean brought up. "Not even by X-standards… though, not our first kid-fueled fire come to think of it…"

Trick tugged him over into a one-armed hug. "Let's get home so Hank can have my head good and proper."

With his mentor of musicality noticeably calmer, Sean made an anchor of himself by getting comfortable against his side.

IIIIIII

At last stirred, the slim vessel awoke to find himself acting as the meat in another human sandwich. Only now, his blonde and brunette comrades laid in place of the Headmasters. At the furry tickle against his wrist, Tommy spotted Bounty among them. He hugged the nose-twitching rabbit near to his chest.

Only lightly dozing, Joey alerted and noted with delight, "You're awake."

"You're alive," came from Cody, sitting up. "Did Erik whip you?"

Tommy shook his head. "A spatula. Man, that was a first. I've gotten a wooden spoon before. Never a spatula."

"All that kitchen crap is baby stuff," Cody waved off. "If I'd started a fire, my old man's belt would've given me Hurt and Stripes Forever."

Laughing lightly, Tommy turned to the fair-haired boy and wondered, "You ever get the belt, Joey?"

Cody released a profound scoff. "Please, the only belts he knows anything about are the ones his ma picks up to go with his Sunday pants."

"You know I don't get off with just a pop on the wrist- and those hurt, too, when Al does it," Joey said matter-of-factly. "My dad's ruler is lethal and I almost got it big time for sassing my mum that night." His shoulders slouched remorsefully. "Still can't believe I did that."

In an attempt to lighten their atmosphere, Cody put forth, "If I raise my voice so much as a decibel to my ma, you'll never find my body."

Greeted with energetic fledgling chatter on his way in, Erik returned to his quarters. "What's this? My own Musketeers plotting against me, I take it. You even have Bounty acting as D'artagnan"

Joey told his uncle, "We're getting you fitted for an iron mask."

"Quit clowning, Joey," said Cody. "You know we need wood for this guy. That way we can leave him to the termites."

"Cruel child," stated Erik. "You've pleased me- for now."

Rising to stand on the mattress, Joey leaped at the man. Erik caught him effortlessly with a squeeze. Taking over his nephew's spot, the Headmaster dropped himself onto the bed. He propped his head on a pillow and Joey sprawled out on top of him. Erik opened his right arm for Tommy and Bounty to nestle at his side.

Dragging a hand down the cheek of his boychick, Erik asked softly, "How are you feeling?"

"Okay. Hurts more here now." Tommy took the elders hand to press to his small stomach.

Erik massaged the spot. "I'm quite familiar with that ailment. Don't you worry. It will pass."

Tommy wondered, "Do you think it'll help if I clean up Sean's room?"

"A nice offer, but Alana beat you to that late last night," Erik informed him. "Your brother is concerned about you, not angry. He and Trick are off getting his guitar repaired now."

The raven-haired boy then wanted to know, "What about Lee and Maya?"

"Leon looked in on you while you were napping and Maya remains your greatest defender."

Cody piped up, "Hey, if they all put up with me, you're pretty golden."

"Do you want me to get you some ginger ale?" Erik offered.

"Yes," Tommy held tighter to him, "later."

With the warm bodies of boy and bunny at his side, Cody's purrs near his ankles, and Joey exhaling softly on his chest, Erik eyed the ceiling blithely.

IIIIIII

"Here we are, Seanie." Filled tray in his possession, the Professor re-entered his study. He headed for where Hank examined the teenager's propped ankle on the sofa. "One deluxe hero sandwich with all the trimmings." He situated the loaded foot-long delicatessen delight with potato chips and carrot sticks on the coffee table. "And yes, I remembered to balance the cheese to veggie ratio. Mustard and mayo mixed into the palest shade of yellow I've ever seen"

Sean's glow faded on sight of the plain milk. "I wanted Ovaltine…"

"I'll add the powder as soon as you finish half your carrots," Charles decreed. "Don't give me that look, either. Erik would require every crumb cleaned."

Leaning back with something of a sulk still present, "Can I have grapes, too?"

With a glib shake of his head, Charles granted, "Yes, my once and future prince."

As the man started to leave again, Sean tacked on, "Green, please."

"Yes, I know," replied the departing Brit.

"While I don't care for this bruising, it's nothing alarming," Hank determined. He looked from Sean's ankle to his face. "Trick didn't have a drink- possibly two- before you guys left earlier, did he? Last night was highly stressful, to say the least."

"What?" responded Sean in disbelief, lowering his sandwich. "Hank, no. He'd never do that with one of us in the car. He caught a fatigue spell, that's all. Please don't guilt him about this. You should've seen him. He looked like he'd run me over or something."

Softening, Hank pronounced, "Well, thank goodness you're both in one piece. I am glad he found someone to fix your guitar."

"Me, too." Face growing helpless, Sean beseeched, "Will you help me finish my carrots?"

Hank briefly gazed about. "Tell no one."

While Sean began munching on his chips, Hank started shoveling the orange sticks into his mouth.

IIIIIII

Beneath the dividing clouds, the young couple appeared conjoined to the unfocused eye. Perched at the fountain, Fabian maintained taut arms around Cordelia and gently rested his chin on top of her head. Cordelia peered into the water that coupled with the sky to make her blue eyes all the more striking.

"Darling." Both teenagers reacted to the woman's voice. Adrienne ambled over to their section of the vibrant garden. "Ready for a pick-me-up?"

Cordelia accepted the icy beverage she presented. "Thanks, Dri."

"However inauspicious my opinion of the Wolverine remains, I will not deny his status as Lord of the Tea Leaf." The scarlet-haired woman then asked, "Do you need more aspirin?"

"No," Cordelia quickly turned down. "I haven't eaten much and it'll just wreck my stomach. My head's better now, anyway."

Accepting that, Adrienne moved onto, "Ever since you were small, you've been a feeling child. Still, I must say that building fire has had a bizarre effect on you, even for your level of empathy."

Cordelia reminded, "It was a hate crime committed in Daddy's old neighborhood."

"Not the first nor the last," Adrienne came back with. "Assaults, looting, guns more easily than penny candy. Father saw the body of a slain colored bagboy when he was only a child.

"And far more children were lost in that blaze," Fabian piped up fervently.

Expression never changing, Adrienne noted, "Such sympathy for what likely amounted to a building full of flatscan humans. From Fabian Cortez?"

"Bug off, Dri," Cordelia snapped.

"Are you certain this trauma doesn't stem from something a little more personal?" Adrienne went on. "Solid gold angel..." At her sister's raised eyes of astonishment, the older Frost smirked. "Really, Baby Sis? Victor and I spent a romantic getaway tracking the cream de la crème of white trash. Did you honestly think I needed more than to place a call to find out about that item in the paper? Now," she crossed her arms, "what did you children really get yourselves into over spring break?"

Before Cordelia could speak again, Fabian insisted, "It was my fault. I got us into an underground party out there. We heard about the fire only by chance."

"We had to do something," Cordelia urged.

"This had to be when Father was away," Adrienne asserted. "If you so much as drove past that neighborhood, not even you could evade his wrath." Another thought hit her. "Chris covered for you, didn't he?"

"Dri, please, Daddy and Fabian got along so well and outside of the nightmares, we're fine. Can we please just drop this?" Cordelia implored.

Face and voice increasing in severity, Adrienne berated, "You know quite well the amount of disgrace Chris and Emma have reaped upon this family. If you can't behave yourself for even five minutes while Father's away, what moronic horseplay will you partake in as a full-time coed? I will not have it, Cordelia Frost."

"I know it was stupid," Cordelia said exasperatedly. "Like I could get involved in anything like that again after what happened."

"She's been through enough," Fabian emphasized.

"As for you," Adrienne turned scathing eyes on the male, "you will not lead my sister astray with your debauchery. I don't abandon my position when at odds with my own father. Don't think for a moment yours can intimidate me in the slightest. Am I quite clear?"

"… Si," Fabian answered her, "comprendo."

"Finish your tea," Adrienne instructed Cordelia. "I need to get back to Samantha." She veered to take her leave of them.

Facing each other in a unison feat, Fabian and Cordelia's visages expressed relief.

II

On the left-hand wall nearest Frank's bedroom door, the recent addition of a color bursting canvas hung. The scene depicted Superman and Batman as chiseled specimen with their heads distinctly replaced by those of the Eye Scream Team. At the sound of rushing water, Scott left Frank's doorway and made a path for the younger boys' bathroom. Crouched at the tub, he observed Joey scrubbing various sized paintbrushes."

"And everybody busts my chops about my training regimen." Joey glanced Scott's way as the older boy noted, "You're always working on something."

"There's barely any time left before the wedding," Joey brought up. "If my program started tomorrow like Frank's, my head would puke rainbow lava."

"… Yeah, about Frank," Scott went to sit on the edge of the tub. He twisted off the faucet before continuing, greatly capturing Joey's attention. "I need to ask you something and I need you to tell me the truth. Whatever it is, I'll believe you if you're straight up with me."

A confused but curious Joey agreed, "Okay."

"We all see how weird you act around Frank lately. Like you can't stand to breathe the same air half the time. I know you two have never been best pals, but is there something else going on between you? Has Frank done something to you? Not wisecracks or anything, but, like, hitting you... hurting you somewhere not so easy to see?"

Intrigue replaced by absolute revulsion, Joey's eyes swelled with incredulity. "No! God, Scott, no! I can't believe you. Frank is my cousin. He's your best friend. We're boys!"

"You wouldn't believe half of what I saw in foster care, Joey," Scott informed. "Lots of kids wound up there because of it."

"So, what?" Joey retorted. "Not me, never. Frank's a jerk, but he wouldn't do that to me or anybody. Know why I really don't want him around me? Because he's only good to me when he's happy. Then, lucky me, I'm invisible to him. That's exactly how it was before Dad found me and it makes me sick. But I still don't know how you could think something like that."

Scott raised his voice to counter, "Because I've seen what happens when kids try to cover for family- the way retards do. I don't care who it is. I won't let anybody in or out of this house get away with hurting you that way."

Joey's irritation tempered. "Not even once. I promise."

Scott bobbed his head in acceptance of the reaffirmation.

II

"Specter…"

Entire form stiffening in mid-stride, Trick glanced at every angle frantically.

"Stay with us, Specter…"

"Shut up- shut up, damn you!" Trick spat, fists clenching. He nearly choked on his own oxygen at the oddities materializing. His attempt to retreat resulted in them hovering around him in a continuous circle. "No, no! Get away!" Trick shut his eyes and brought his palms over his ears. "And whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they fell down before Him and decreed—"

"Trick?"

Nearly on the floor, the hazel eyes reopened to the youthful pair keeping him upright. "Oh, lads," he breathed, "thank you."

Joey vexed, "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Trick replied automatically. "Aside from the fact that I'm too daff to figure out that thirty minutes does not constitute adequate rest."

The smaller blonde pulled on his arm. "Let's get you back to bed."

A genuine smile crossed the man's features. "More and more your daddy's boy every day."

They reached the designated bedchamber and they helped lower him onto his mattress. Joey sat by him, keeping a delicate grip on Trick's arm.

Crouching near the headboard, Scott studied his face intently. "Did you get any sleep last night?"

Trick stated, "No such thing on Eye Spy duty, boyo."

"No, I mean when I woke up a couple times," Scott clarified. "I thought I was dreaming because I can't see so well at night, but you tucked us back in. Just watched us sleep."

"A privilege I miss every day," Trick responded ruefully.

When Scott only quieted, Joey put forth, "I think we should get Mum and Dad to help you sleep."

With a shake of his head, Trick assured, "No need to give your folks a headache on my account. I've been enough of one for them already."

"Trick," Joey addressed somberly, "you were yelling and swearing."

Trick removed his hand to cup the boy's cheek. "I'm sorry you heard that and I'm ashamed to have so much as whispered it on a Sunday. Not that it's an excuse, but sometimes certain bad thoughts from the past creep up on you unexpectedly."

"Yeah, they do," Joey sympathized.

"We better let you rest." Scott resumed his full height. "Come on, Joey."

The younger fledgling took the time to crawl over and touch noses with the man. "I love you."

Brightening, Trick returned, "I love you," he looked to his right, "two."

Scott sported as benign an expression as he could before leading Joey out of the suite.

IIIIIII

On route for the Havok Hovel, Tommy found himself spontaneously hoisted and flung over a shoulder

"Hey," the dangling boy wiggled his legs. "What's the big idea, Sasquatch?"

At the punch to his rear, Frank uttered his own, "Hey! Watch the goods, kid." The teen patted the smaller rump. "I'd return the favor, but I figured Dad already mangled you."
"No joke," Tommy confirmed.

"Don't worry." Frank carried him in the rest of the way. "Boychicks always bounce back."

In the gym, Hank spotted for Leon at the bench press. The scientist did so while also keeping a certain ginger in his line of sight. Sean and Alex performed various limb stretches. The exercises acted as a preventative method against cramping due to Sean's reduced mobility. It also aided in not letting his strong leg suffer from strain trying to drag the limped one from place to place.

Striding in, Frank addressed the older four with, "Yo, fart faces," and deposited Tommy on the nearest mat.

Sean responded, "And the Casanova Kid blesses us with his effervescent presence."

"Effervescent?" Tommy rolled to his right side to eye his brother. "Nobody told me Dad was flying in early."

Sean came back with, "Bite me, baby man," and accepted the younger Cassidy's charging headbutt to his shoulder.

Alex watched the pair with a widening smile.

Signaling Hank for a pause, Leon relinquished the barbell to him. He sat up on the bench and beckoned Tommy over with one hand while he used the other to apply his towel to his face and neck. The blue-eyed child hopped up and accepted Leon's wordless request to take over his lap space.

Hank settled his gaze on the returned youth. "You're just now getting in?"

"Yep," the teenager in question confirmed, loosening his borrowed tie. "Jessie's dad invited me and Mom to a Sunday meal special at their new restaurant. When they say authentic Greek cuisine, they're not messing around. I about killed that spread."

Alex piped up, "Lucky you didn't wreck Dad's clothes pigging out, Frankenstein."

"I wasn't that slow," Frank assured. "I made a makeshift bib out of, like, twenty napkins."

Hank said, "Well, it's nice that you had such a good day. It'll make you all the more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for school."

"Oh, yeah." Frank gave off a slight eye roll. "I already picked out the shiniest red apple for Teacher and Mom's ironing my sailor suit even as we speak."

Leon cracked a wry smile and Tommy snickered.

Fists going to his hips, Hank wearily declared, "Every one of you will be the death of me."

"Joke's on us then," Alex claimed. "If you go down, give it five minutes for the rest of us drop like flies." He took note of the brief discomfort that crossed Sean's face. "Hey, take it easy." His palm went to the redhead's ankle. "I don't want you to tear the skin."

"Even if we have to amputate it, I have to shake it off," Sean asserted. "I can't let stuff like this slow me down. Not anymore."

Hank proposed, "Perhaps closer to the end of the week, we can ask Kayla to finalize your healing."

"Yeah," Tommy seconded.

Sean immediately shook his head. "Nothing doing, brothers. I can't carry Kay around in my knapsack in Syracuse."

Maneuvering around, Frank squatted behind him. "What about your Green Hornet lunchbox?"

Sean sloped his head back to nimbly bump noggins with the city native. "Seriously, I have to get over this stuff myself if I expect to keep my job. Singers have to work through the flu, pneumonia, and worse injury than this."

Alex put forth, "You just have to play Boss Banshee on a crap leg, don't you? Some things never change." At Sean's confusion, the blonde teased, "You know what I'm talking about. The first time your ankle went out. When your bright idea was to cover it up."

As if a lightning jolted him, the moment replayed in Sean's mind, making him grin at the absurdity of the events. "Oh man, I went down like a sack of potatoes before I even knew what hit me."

"Ah, if that wasn't ages ago," Hank chimed in reflectively. He faced Alex's direction. "Also, the first time you and Erik proved there was more to you than your patented self-centered, denigrating, needlessly antagonistic depravity."

Alex nearly laughed as he fully admitted, "We were such a couple of pricks."

Exchanging a look, Leon and Tommy shrugged with equal obliviousness.

Sean said, "Honestly, guys, I barely remember falling. In fact, I usually only think about what happened right before."

Tommy wondered, "What happened?"

"Charles calling us all together," Sean replied beatifically. "I'll never forget how ecstatic he was to have discovered the first mutant kid since D.C. Right here in New York."

Frank inched forward to prop his chin on the older teen's right shoulder. Sean tilted his head to connect their cheeks.

II

Acrylic paint as last dried, the juvenile artist took in the small canvas. It showed different species of birds soaring around the sun. At the top, two sparrows carried a banner between their beaks that read "Get Well Soon". After he added his signature to one corner, Joey left the recreation room with the creation.

Not hearing anything from his side, the child twisted the knob and slowly eased the door open as noiselessly as he could. Upon full entry, the unsuspecting youth received a startle but managed not to react beyond his shoulders jumping and eyes enlarging. Very quickly, however, his alarmed features faded into intrigued exuberance.

II

Due to the prior night's demands on their minds, the Xaviers opted for virginal beverage blends. They commiserated further by Emma wordlessly claiming her husband's lap for herself. Logan desired nothing more than his usual beer. Erik and Kayla started on a fresh bottle of wine.

"Whatever you're having, please share." Upon entry into the parlor, Alana allowed her released hair to tumble down the back of her olive green tea dress. "Better yet, double it."

Fulfilling her request, a suspicious Erik questioned, "How did things fare at the Jarvis church? Is Frank alright?"

"He will be as soon as he has Sean and the boys in hearing range to detail all. I just had to be the adult driver example and turn down the restaurant's infinite spirits menu." Alana accepted the clear substance contained in a festive scarlet tumbler he delivered to her. "As for the rest, Frank was all too eager to pitch in on the Independence Day decorations, Jessie's sisters are peaches, and the congregation practically placed the minister on pause to welcome back a woman and her two children. Finally out of the hospital and her toxic marriage… Your Jew Crew the other night and now, these yahoos. Most unorthodox, these orthodox."

"Mine still claim the prize for greatest oddity," Erik asserted. "They have yet to chase me out with a garden hose of holy water."

"On that note," Kayla put forth, "we really need to discuss the situation with Tommy."

Erik promptly turned at that. "There isn't anything left to discuss. He received and accepted the consequences for his actions. He knows last night is never to happen again."

"I'm referring to all that led up to him lighting that match," Kayla clarified. "I knew from the moment of meeting him, Tommy's similarities to Sean begin and end with their eyes. But the amount of anger Tommy had to be feeling to start that fire…"

"Yes," came from Charles. "I sensed a great deal of it last night."

"Hold on," Logan interjected. "Let's turn down the panic meter a few notches, educators. Black Irish ain't hardly the first one around here to pick the crazy option when pushed too far. That includes Sean, by the way."

"Splendid, I'm in agreement with the rabid beaver." The other elders faced the doorway at Adrienne's voice and presence. Victor stood with her. "And I was having such a pleasant evening."

"That's rich," Logan quipped. "You and pleasant in the same sentence."

Disregarding the remark, for the time being, Adrienne went on with, "Whatever anger young Thomas is carrying is an unfortunate symptom of having the blinders removed. An event men three times his age or more have yet to experience. In any case, I don't see a dark road ahead for such a generous benefactor."

"What are you talking about, Dri?" Emma wondered.

"The kid dropped off every cent he had in Eye Spy the other night," Victor explained. "For Dri to give to St. Jude."

"Six dollars and seventy-four cents, to be precise," Adrienne specified. "For those of you unfamiliar with the legend behind Danny Thomas' rise to fame and fortune," she stepped into the room fully, looking between each of them, "with a wife and child on the way, he donated the last of his money to his church in the name of his favorite saint, Jude. He vowed to build a hospital in Jude's name if he was offered a job that would make or break his career. Needless to say, he kept his word, tenfold."

Astonished, Erik raised an eyebrow. "Is that true?"

"Did the sequence of events take place? Yes." Adrienne shrugged slightly. "Whether you want to consider it a miraculous or glorified coincidence is up to you. When Tommy first brought me the money, I thought it was simply Danny's charms at play. After last night, however, I strongly suspect there's another divine deal at the root of all this. Only… relatively less positive."

"You think the kid forked over all his pocket money in exchange for the Big Man takin' out his hit list?" Logan voiced the conclusion.

"I'll have to give that a try…" At the number of gazes that resulted from her audible musing, Alana placed her hands on her hips. "Really, people, how much have we been through together? Save the airs. Who else was thinking the same?"

Before she could fully present the question, Charles brought his hand high ahead of the rest. The reactions from his colleagues ranged from taken aback to entirely apprehensive.

Blue eyes light and shining as ever, the Professor spoke an infantile, "What?"

Emma regarded him with primal interest.

II

Done with her most unwanted cleaning duty in the girls' bathroom, Becky quite joyfully packed the supplies away under the sink. She shed her rubber gloves and scrubbed her thin hands in time to catch up with the passing Eye Screamer in the hall.

"I apologize if I reek of bleach," she said sheepishly.

Bringing an arm around her, Scott sniffed twice. "Mm, lavender- granted, wouldn't complain even if it was mildew." He started to match her smile then noticed the light spilling from one open door. "Oh hey, Trick must be feeling better."

Becky went with him to confirm the notion.
"I'm Charles Joey," the blonde child positioned in the center introduced himself. "Call me either one. What're your names?"

One of the floating figures responded in a low voice, "We have no names as you do."

"What we do is paramount," said another. "Not who we are."

Upon hearing her cousin, Becky's attempt to speak turned into a shriek. "Joey!"

The boy whipped around. "Becky?"

Shielding her, Scott demanded, "Get away from him! Joey, down!"

No sooner did his belly touch the floor, did Joey witness the removal of the Cyclops' shades. The creatures vanished, making the optic blast connect with a crumble a sizable amount of plaster.

Lowering himself, Scott maneuvered quickly to reach the blonde youth. "Are you okay? Jesus, Trick, why didn't you—" Facing the bed, he at last noticed the man in question jerking his every limb.

"Trick?" Becky approached, trying to wade through the barrage of hysterical thoughts he unintentionally fired at her. "Trick, wake up, please."

As soon as she gripped his shoulder, the elder shot up into a sitting position. His eyes wide open but vacant, he continued chanting incoherent utterances.

"Rebecca, we have to get out of here; get help." Scott kept Joey attached to his side then dashed over to seize Becky by the wrist.

The girl inwardly screamed, Uncle Charles, Auntie Em!

IIIIIII

After the telepaths made the distress call known throughout the house, Charles and Emma temporarily subdued Trick. Victor carried him downstairs to the infirmary, where Hank, Raven, and Alana awaited him. Samantha and Adrienne helped Kayla in her suite with the smaller children. Alex and Leon stayed off to the side, exchanging occasional glances with the McCoys. Angel hastened to join Alana and Maya at Trick's bedside. Keeping herself available for the Triad, Becky stood between Charles and Emma. From behind her, Erik gripped his daughter's shoulders. Positioned next to the man, Frank hoped his expression did not come off as uncertain as he felt watching his long-time friend in such a distressed state. Raven made her way over to link arms with him.

Palm going to Trick's forehead, Maya reported, "He's developing a fever, Hank."

Preoccupied with the monitoring equipment, the younger doctor petitioned, "Alana, could you?..."

"On it." The requested redhead got up to prepare a cool compress.

Angel held Trick's right hand to her cheek. "What is happening to him?"

Hank replied, "Dehydration and exhaustion for starters. This delirium was a foregone conclusion."

Charles asserted, "I'm afraid we can't simply chalk this up to the physical. Doing that is what brought us here. I felt something, but I was convinced it was the tension of late."

With a supportive gaze, Emma sympathized, "So did I."

Charles shook his head slowly. "I'm his best friend…"

"Ditto." Alana folded and laid the chilled towel over Trick's brow. "This guy is a master of the happy mask. Something's been off since we came back. I saw it that first night, but I didn't want to press him." She stroked near his jawline. "What are you doing to me, kid?"

Maya put forth in vexation, "What if the Shadow's back?"

"It's not him," Frank immediately affirmed. "I don't know what this is."

"Those things Joey found in Trick's room," Becky spoke recollective, "I know I heard him talking to them, but I don't know how. They didn't have minds. I couldn't feel them at all. They sort of reminded me of…" She peered up at her father. "When my dream attacked you in my room."

Erik drew her in closer and look around at the others. "But Trick is neither telepath nor illusionist. And the Triad was awake. None of you could have caused it."

"That isn't entirely true, brother," Charles countered. "Trick is more than capable of illusions."

"We sure saw that up close and personal," Logan recalled.

"Alright, outta my way." Cody entered the medical space purposefully.

Sending his eyes heavenly for a moment, Logan wanted to know, "What do you think you're doin' down here, boy? You get your skinny hide back up to your ma and the twins."

"Not until I help, Trick," Cody insisted. "Get me in there, Charles," he turned the Professor's direction, "I'll get those crude dudes right outta his head."

"Out of the question," Charles shot down. "This is far different from guiding the way through one of Aunt Adrienne's visions, Codicat."
"Nuh uh, just let me in there for two minutes," Cody urged. "I'll help Trick just like I did Smiley. I'm not scared."

"No," the male telepath firmly refuted. "You are still a novice to astral projection and we're not even certain as to what we're dealing with this time."

"Yes, we are." Joey walked in ahead of Scott and Tommy, who acted as Sean's animated crutches. "Mum, Dad, look at this."

Emma crouched to his level. "What is it, Treasure?"

"I knew I'd seen them somewhere before. From our unit on European Architecture." Joey showed her the vivid pages in the textbooks. "I've even made a couple with clay."

"Gargoyles," Emma recognized.

Angel left the bed to view the book herself. "Those hideous statues they put on ancient churches?"

"They're benign entities," Erik informed, "however hideous."

"They're supposed to look scary," Joey further explained. "That's why they make those faces looking away from the house. They're not for the people living there. They're there to ward off evil from the outside."

"Mutant guard dogs," simplified Sean.

"Ancient, hideous, benign dogs," Cody listed. "Hey, they're just like you, Dad."

Logan arched an eyebrow. "Who're you callin' benign, boy?"

"Wait," Hank attempted to grasp things, "are you trying to tell me Trick is being tormented by Notre Dame's décor?"

"You said his sleep and hydration levels are suffering," Leon reminded. "Now, combined with the fever, these could be his own inner manifestations gone haywire."

"He must be trapped inside himself," Emma suggested urgently. "The way Rebecca was when her projections spun out of control."

"If that's the case, he'll never find his way back to us on his own." Charles walked until he reached the bed and sat beside the Irishman. "I'm going to free him myself."

Bringing his arm forward, Victor lightly clamped down on the Professor's shoulder. "We'll free him, you mean."

"Are you sure, Victor?" Charles searched his face. "After what happened before?"

"This ain't about me, boss." The security man used two fingers to comb hair away from Trick's eyelids.

"If you're to succeed," Emma approached the dutiful males, "you have to give your undivided attention to locating Trick. Becky and I will maintain the mental link from this side."

Charles automatically shook his head. "No, darling, you and I can handle this. This could be too much of a strain on her young psyche."

The adolescent telepath's countenance instantly reflected her displeasure. "Uncle Charles."

Emma eyed her husband unwaveringly. "She's pried you free without losing her mental stability. The only hazard to her young psyche- all of theirs- is losing you to your own mind."

"We've come too close to that already," Alex chimed in.

"This is like any other mission," Raven stated plainly. "And Becca's been through way worse there."

Glancing at each of them, Charles's gaze landed on his fellow Headmaster. "Erik?"

Bringing his fingers into his daughter's curls, the metal wielder responded, "No matter how far away you drift, your iron anchors are steadfast."

Becky smiled up at him.

Tipping over to position himself between Victor and the Professor, Cody flashed earnest brown eyes. "Or you can help hookup the telepathic telephone while I go with Uncle Vic…"

"You, my insufferable little kitten," Charles reeled him over to situate the persevering lad in his lap, "are going to remain right here and give me a source of comfort to hold onto. If you'll be so kind."

"You got it, Charles," Cody wholeheartedly vowed then presented his hand to his uncle.

With a partially amused smile, Victor gripped the smaller appendage. He experienced the rush of Cody seemingly becoming a unified rope between Charles and himself.

Angel, Alana, and Maya had to scatter to give the Triad ample space on Trick's bed. Charles and Emma each took one of his hands. Latching onto Emma, Becky pressed her free palm to where she could strongly feel Trick's heartbeat at his temple. Erik along with the boychicks stayed close to Becky and Emma. Raven watched over Charles and Hank did likewise for Victor. Logan kept sharp blue eyes on his brother. Maya, Sean, and Tommy joined him. Angel's gaze fluttered back and forth between Victor and Trick. With his cheek nestled against Charles' chest, Cody's lulling purrs emanated.

OOO

In an instantaneous rush too rapid to compute, Victor found himself not only out of the infirmary but in a whole other realm. As if billowing from a skyscraper fire, a swarm of dark gray smoke surrounded him. His eyes received no chance to properly gauge the setting when he experienced the vulnerability on par with nudity due to his drastically less heightened senses.

"Charles?" The next petition came out in a growl. "Charles, where are you?"

"Victor, I am here." The Englishman revealed himself as he passed through the soupy fog.

"What's goin' on?" Victor stared at his fingernails that refused to form claws. "My powers…"

"Should be superior on this plane," the telepath informed. "You must trust me and steady your mind."

Victor regarded the younger man in bewilderment. "You know I trust you, Charles."

"This is an entirely different stomping ground, mate," Charles emphasized. "You and Logan come from a time when mutants with our varied powers were so few. The two of you are mankind at its most impeccably physically advanced. I know that is high on the list of reasons why you have difficulty accepting telepathy. But we must look beyond ourselves. I need your help, Victor. Trick needs us."

"… Same." Victor accepted Charles' offered hand.

The leonine male absorbed the burst that shot through his core and seem to release it in a monumental roar.

Charles proved unaffected as well as significantly pleased. "Bloody smashing, boss."

OOO

Despite the multiple spectators present, quiet dominated the infirmary. Only Cody's continuous purr could be heard, depending on the kitten's breathing. On Trick's righthand side, the filled bed contained Scott, Joey, Maya, Sean, and Tommy. Maya used Sean's shoulder as a headrest and Tommy reclined against the ginger's front.

Ruby quartz covered pupils darting back and forth between Victor and Charles, Scott covertly admitted, "You were right earlier. We should've told Em and Charles about Trick."

Seated next to him on the mattress, Joey raised his head. "Trick didn't want to bug Mum and Dad. We didn't know he'd get sick like this."

"This isn't a case of the sniffles we're talking about here, Joey." Unable to shake his vexation, Scott frowned at the floor. "Those things in his head coming after you…"

Joey reassured, "The gargoyles didn't want to hurt me, Scott. I'm not sure how, but I could feel it."

"Maybe not in that moment," the older X-Boy countered, "But they could've turned on you like Rebecca's projection of her birth dad did to Erik."

"He's right, Joey." Both turned to Sean, who went on with, "I think that's what

happened when we were on our way home today. "I tried to tell myself he was just tired, but he went from zero to sixty on the road like somebody was after us."

Parting his lips for the first time in the last half an hour, Tommy wondered penitently, "Did I do this to him? I made him lose all that sleep last night."

Raising her visage, Maya rapidly refuted, "No, buddy, of course not. Trick is a grown mutant. If it took more than one wild night for my powers to go berserk, there's no way last night affected him this badly."

"Bein' a grown mutant doesn't make us infallible." Logan's voice brought the youngsters' eyes up. "Try as we might to keep up that front of havin' all the answers."

Hank started to shift his glance, but kept his rigid attention on Trick's vitals.

OOO

Hardly inches from one another's side, the gallant X-Men walked a straight path through their muddled surrounds. The further they went, the more the fog dissipated. When they appeared to reach a clearing, everything around them began a swift transition. Victor's reflexes activated and he gripped Charles' arm defensively. Both peered up to see the murky gray fade into brilliant blue. Trees, grass, and even buildings accompanied the radiant sky.

Victor blinked. "… Okay, does this whacked world just operate by random light switches? What, you mental mutants never heard of twilight?"

Charles reaction proved far more enthralled than his comrade's. "My God, Victor, look where we are. We cannot be far from Galway."

"The Emerald Isle, Canada," Victor shook his head, "remind me to consult the Triad the next time Adrienne wants dinner in Paris so I don't have to take off work."

Charles declared, "You, sir, are a blessing to my home and health," before they received their next startle.

The familiar outcry sent a briskly uncomfortable wave through both their cores.

"Trick!" Charles broke into a dash.

"Charles, wait." Victor lowered to gallop with all four limbs.

The Professor only did when he spotted the racing figure some yards away from them. "There he is. Best mate!"

Standing upright again, Victor's combined senses recognized him as well. Even his eyes lacked disbelief, despite the ash blonde hair, hazel irises, and beaming features attached to a body at least two decades younger than the one he knew.

"It's like what Dri showed us, Charles," Victor surmised. "This is all a big picture show. He can't see o—"

"Charlie," the Irish lad waved zealously.

"Pat!" Charles hurried to meet him halfway.

Victor hung back for a moment to observe their affectionate collision. As soon as they got within reach, the leonine mutant witnessed Charles' millisecond disappear into a flash of light. He returned instantly, now in a prepubescent state himself. However, his reduction in stature seemed negligible as the Professor threw arms around and dropped to the ground with his found friend.

"There you are." Charles lightly bonked their heads together. "Forget to leave your trail of breadcrumbs? Or did you swap them out for magic beans, perhaps?"

"Oh, what a stitch." Trick made a show of rolling his eyes repeatedly. "The academic priss believes himself witty."

"Why not?" Charles came back with impishly. "He still believes you an annoyance of the anus."

Trick extended his tongue as a retort.

From his viewing point, a fond smile perked Victor's lips.

OOO

After refilling the dish with bottled spring water, "There ya go, hairball," Scott stepped back for Midnight to replenish himself. Seeing the bundle Joey entered with next, the optical mutant deduced, "He started fussing, too, huh?"

"I just wanted to check on him then he decided I'm not allowed to put him down." Joey eased into a chair at the table and situated Brian in his lap. "Is Kiki okay?"

"Yeah, now." Scott went over to take a seat near the blondes. "I read her a book to calm her down. She just doesn't appreciate all her guys packed in the basement and Raven can't leave Charles right now. Trav's upstairs with her, too," he grinned a bit, "little pain." He reacted to Brian's jovial sound effect. "What's so funny? You're one, too."

"He is not," Joey denied. "Can you get him some juice?"

"Fibber," Scott ribbed, but got up to prepare the drink.

Chin propped on his brother's head, Joey appeared ponderous. "Why do you even like Frank?"

Placing his taken aback ruby-covered eyes back on him, Scott reminded, "You mean besides the fact that he's been my best friend since I was your age?"

"But why him?"

"It happened that way; instant Eye Scream Team." Scott used the remainder of the previous spring water to dilute Brian's fruit juice. "Look, I know Frank's a genius with recurring empty-head-syndrome and he's got that mouth on him, but he's paid for that plenty of times, including from me. This does make me wonder…" sitting again, Scott handed the eager Brian his well-shaken bottle. "Why do you like Cody?"

Though he guessed what the younger boy's sentiment would be there, the size of Joey's scoff and disbelieving expression still caught him slightly off-guard. "Are you kidding me with that? Cody's my best friend in the world; the best friend of all-time. He's nothing like Frank."

"You're right," Scott agreed then tacked on, "he's luckier. Perfect mom, cool dad, even cooler uncle to boot. Something happens in that family, they always stick together. The Tolberts can't even stick to the same continent."

"Please," Joey refuted, "all Frank's ever done is brag about how perfect his mom is. I don't know why he doesn't just go live with her."

Scott's tone became acidic. "You better not say that again."

"Why not? We don't even need him." Joey said nonchalantly. "We have you."

Suddenly short on words, Scott's attempt at a proper rebuttal got distracted by another male venturing into the kitchen. "What do you want?"

Sean cocked an eyebrow. "To bask in your sunny Summers disposition, sugar lump."

Scott calmed his voice. "You're supposed to stay off your leg."

"Because that's the mentality that got Charles out of the wheelchair. Hank gave me the okay for snack duty." Sean retrieved a tray from an upper cupboard. "I've been waited on enough today. How's Kiki?"

"Not asking for you," Scott answered matter-of-factly. "So, about normal."

Joey grimaced deeper than the ginger. "Scott…"

Sean only shook his head. "Never miss a chance for a sucker punch to the gut, do you? That's Sinless Scott for you."

The boy in question glowered. "What's that crack mean?"

Heading into the pantry for potato chips, Sean said simply, "You're not ticked off I'm leaving." He started tossing bags onto the table. "This is just giving you new ammo for how pissy you still are about me going into containment."

"About you being dumb enough to get captured the way you did," Scott sharply corrected.

"I didn't know the threat was that huge. I still get nightmares about what that whole thing almost cost me." Sean then emphasized, "Just me," as he stepped out again. "God had a couple hundred gallons of grace for you when you blew through that window at school and almost our entire cover. Glad you didn't kill any roaming kindergarteners, by the way."

"I was trying to gain control," Scott insisted. "You were just being an idiot."

"I was trying to clear my head. You went completely out of yours," Sean countered evenly but authoritatively. "We shared a room at the apartment building and I never once gave you grief for it. In fact, I felt for you, especially after seeing Charles made sure to pack that yardstick."

"Ugh," Joey winced and even Brian made a sour face.

When Scott moved to stand, Sean ignored the pain involved to maneuver in front of him before he could take his agitated leave. "Nope." The older teenager further blocked him by sending his left arm out horizontally. "You want to piss off? Got to plow through the gimpy gingy first."

Joey and Brian stared at the furious face-off that resulted between the two.

Only the returning presence of, "Aunt Cordy," drifted their mutual attention.

Relaxing their posture, Sean and Scott noticed the smartly dressed Bostonian and Spaniard in the doorway.

At the tension of unknown origin, Cordelia put forth, "Is it remotely safe to leave this dwelling for an hour? What's going on?"

"Que importa?" dismissed Fabian who solely wanted to know, "Where is the Professor?"

OOO

With a taut arm around each youth's slim middle, Victor broke into a rapid spin. Ecstatic shouts and gallant laughter erupted from the lads. Though blurred, he caught occasional glimpses at the telepath-turned-fledgling. Between the lack of height, bright blue eyes, and dark hair, the mutant elder could not cease being reminded of another spirited boy. Despite having not seen him for decades, he remained at the front of Victor's mind constantly. Charles simply had more of a round, illuminated face that only required a halo to complete the look. Trick's adorable features and warmer eyes proved no less worthy of mention. Both wore short pants with knee socks and shoes. Trick had on suspenders and a plain gray long-sleeve shirt. A regular belt kept Charles' pants up and his top consisted of a cerulean collared shirt and tan sweater-vest. Victor inwardly joked how Trick painted the picture of boyhood while Charles looked as if he stepped right out of a Macy's Christmas catalog.

Trick caught a quick wink from Charles before all three found themselves mounted on a merry-go-round.

"Wicked, Charlie," Trick said gleefully from his jade green dragon.

On a horse that strongly resembled Xander, Charles explained to the adult among them, "I thought you deserved a ride instead of just being one for us."

Eventually, Victor formed a smile and soon grew comfortable on his black and gold lion figure.

When the contraption faded, it reformed into a slide. Charles rushed down in the lead, Trick directly behind him, and Victor at the rear. When they reached a soft, grassy field, Charles and Trick tumbled into giggles. Victor performed an aerial somersault then dropped to land on his hands. The European pair applauded him.

"Alrighty, kiddo." Doing a belly crawl, Victor inched over to Trick. "I'll admit it. Some of this mind mumbo jumbo's a kick, but we better—" He watched the color and euphoria drain from him. "Trick?"

The Irish lad hurried up. "We have to go, now."

Charles peered up as the sky darkened once more and the fog looked ready to reform as well. "No, Trick, it's alright." When what initially appeared to be clouds morphed into individual entities, growled and resumed full height. Charles turned alarmed only when Trick left his touch. "What are you doing? We must stay together."

"I- I didn't…" The hazel eyes threatened tears. "I didn't mean this, Charlie, I swear…"

That slightly older boy tried rubbing his back. "Trick, please, be calm. Relax your mind for me, please."

Bringing his knees to his chest to wind arms around, Trick bowed his head and rocked in place. Victor tried to pick him up, but another hand interceded from below. It instantaneously bound Trick in what looked like tar ropes before transforming the ground into black quicksand. Though their area remained solid, Charles hesitated not a second as he hastened to grab so much as a piece of fabric on Trick. He managed to snag him by his upper armed and pulled with vigor. Victor took Charles by his waist to aid in tugging.

As soon as the creatures zeroed in, Trick yelled out as if in agony. His arm became intangible and slipped straight out of Charles' grasp.

"Trick!" the British boy screamed after him.

The pit sealed off and a furious Victor clawed at it. He ripped apart large chunks, but no trace of the child did he find.

At the circle of animated beings hovering directly above them, Charles' blue irises appeared black, "Give. Him. Back!" He emanated his green telepathic aura and raised his hands.

The creatures shrieked and writhed until they dropped.

"Please," a gray one managed to utter before Victor could pounce, staying on his belly submissively, "we can help each other."

"Pathetic underlings." Charles regarded them in bitter amusement. "The Shadow King already made the mistake of starting these games with me. Now, I'm officially done playing," he sent another shockwave of pain through them, "bring Trick back to us!"

Shaking in place, the crimson creature struggled to speak. "I-if you destroy us, he'll never return to you."

Furious, Charles spat, "You dare threaten us?"

From behind, a bronze entity proclaimed, "We did not take your Patrick. We are your Patrick."

Charles and Victor faced each other as the entire realm seemed to still.

OOO

"Logan."

At his wife's petition, Logan left his position to regroup with her in the middle of the infirmary. "Faith and Pup all good?"

"Finally asleep." Kayla noticed Fabian situated among the telepaths, Cody, and Trick. "What's happening here?"

Logan indicated the Spaniard as he explained, "Don Juan's tryin' to give Chuck-and-crew a boost."

"It was so weird," Cordelia recollected from where she sat among Angel, Alex, and Leon. "We had to bail on dessert after Fabian received this wild hunch out of nowhere."

Alex reminded, "Guy's a mutant fuse box. He's sensed Charles before."

"When there was a floor between them," Cordelia brought up in turn, "not fifteen miles."

"Use extreme caution, Fabian," Hank advised grimly. "Charles is still connected to Trick and overstimulating the X gene is all too likely to spike his blood pressure."

"That's definitely not an immediate concern." Alana monitored the equipment carefully. "In this state, Trick's heart rate is on the decline."

At that piece of intel, Hank cast his gaze on a different mutant fuse box of source. "Joey, stay on standby. Trick might need you. Can you handle that?"

Joey nodded hard. "Yes, sir." He stood to transfer Brian over to Erik's arms.

Giving the baby's soft cheek a kiss, the metal wielder stroked one of Joey's.

When the short blonde sat down again, Scott left his hand on his upper back. He saw and felt an equally silent Sean touch his knee. Scott did not react beyond initial acknowledgement.

An entirely curious Tommy stood from the bed for better observation.

"Tommy, no." Maya wrapped her thin fingers around his wrist. "Not too close."

The boy inched no further, but opted to keep standing. For a brief second, he thought he caught a side-eye glimpse from Fabian.

The crouching Acolyte/Courtier kept diligent concentration on the Triad.

OOO

At the conclusion of the account detailed to them, a continued suspicious Victor surmised, "You're tryin' to tell us you're some hokey imaginary friends Trick dreamed up?"

Beside him, Charles clarified, "Manifested friends, to be more precise. Projections from Trick's own mind. Likely inspired from the statues on any number of churches and other ancient architecture he grew up around."

"Correct, Charles Xavier," the gray entity confirmed. "With so few toys, we were playmates and confidants to the young Specter."

"Uh huh," Victor murmured skeptically. "Yeah, a growin' boy like that would have a pretty trippy imagination. Remember when I was a kid, I used to re-enact Moby Dick, Oliver Twist, you name it. Goin' on voyages, buryin' blades in mooks' bellies, runnin' from the characters because they scared the shit out of me- no, wait, I'm slow. That," he nearly roared at the manifestations, "never happened! You seriously expect us to buy that Trick liked havin' you floatin' fuckers around until he cracked his coconut on a rock one day then decided you were terrifyin'?"

Charles reiterated the question diplomatically. "What did you do to make him so frightened by you?"

"We did nothing, Charles Xavier."

"We are nothing. No home, no names, no existence without him. We were his steadfast protectors until he became the Specter."

Victor said, "Hate to break it to you, ghoulies, but you won't find a ton of sixteen-year-olds with imaginary friends unless they want a straitjacket slapped on 'em."

"The Specter only reemerged at sixteen. It surfaced years before."

"What?" Victor turned to Charles. "Didn't Trick tell us he didn't have his powers until those hoods tried to jump him?"

A deeply pensive Charles realized, "That's when they manifested. When his need to survive overthrew his desire to repress. Even then, he restrained himself. Look at them, Victor." The lad gestured at the figures. "Don't they resemble the ghastly images of Trick's full powers? Powers he never revealed to us until that night we went up against the Purists."

Victor attempted to grasp this full stream of new information. "So, Trick's been fightin' bein' a mutant ever since he was a kid."

The main creature stated, "There is much more to it than that. However, we are powerless if he continues resisting us. The two of you have a paramount influence over the Specter."

"Wise, kind, and generous Charles Xavier."

"Resilient, steadfast, devoted Victor Creed."

"Both strong, capable, and utmost virtuous among men."

Victor scoffed. "If you goons are extensions of Trick, kid's head really needs straightening out. Virtuous?"

"I, too, wish to accept your praises," said Charles, "but it is unearned."

"We never once referred to you as perfect. All people fall."

"Very few rise."

"Your victories and errors alike have made you what you are today."

At last, Charles' voice and posture matched his current fledgling form. "What? What are we?"

The entities chorused, "Fishers of men."

The X-Men lingered in mutually dazed reverence.

When wind swept through strong enough to make his hair billow, Victor glanced back. "Charles?" The acknowledged youth looked in time to see a glowing doorway form from the infinite nothingness. "What is that?"

Charles smile brought about even more of a highlighter effect. "Fabian." With that, his body took off like an expelling arrow.

Left to wonder exactly when the docile, scholarly mental mutant had developed a hunter's prowess, Victor shot after him. To his pleasure, Charles proved gentlemanly enough to wait for him outside the door. With an exchange of expressions, they joined hands. Taking the plunge into the brightness, they released enthused shouts and growls.

O

Not having so much as twitched a muscle in his distraught, rocking stance, the petrified child continued his sing-song chanting.

You shall be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me

Only when he experienced the overhead warmth did he finally raise his head. He watched in awe at his comrades' descension.

"Trick." Charles hurried to fling his arms around him. "Thank God. We understand- so much- it's all going to be alright now."

A shaky Trick insisted, "No. No, it won't, Charlie. Not ever."

"Look, kid," Victor squatted, taking him by the chin, "me and Charlie here need to get back and seein' as we're not leavin' Lewis Caroll-Land without you, you lay off that quitter talk." He noticed Charles' sudden change in expression. "What is it?"

Jumping to his feet, Charles stared into the pitch blackness that made up one side wall. "I know I—"

All three promptly shifted their gazes when the room's wooden door flung open with such gusto that it could have broken clean off its hinges. "Patrick!"

Head in a swirl, Trick managed to get to his feet. "Da."

"The barn's a travesty and the cows' tits are about ready to burst." Ultan made a purposeful stride towards him. "Why aren't your chores done, Patrick? And don't give me a bald-faced lie about schoolwork."

"Hey, hey," snarled Victor. "You better take it down a—" His attempt to keep the other man at arm's length proved vain as Ultan continued straight through him. "What- Charles, what happened?"

With a panicked countenance in place, Charles deduced, "His memories are seeping through. We've become apparitions."

Victor stood flabbergasted. "You're tellin' me we're just supposed to stand here and watch this bull like a damn floorshow?"

"You expect your mother to look after the baby, keep up this house, and clean up after your good-for-nothing hide on top of that?" Ultan reproached.

"I don't know what happened, Da," Trick responded, confused him. "I never want to make more work for Mam, honest. I was coming home from school and it's… it's like they were following me. I was sca—"

"That's your pitiful excuse?" Ultan cut in contemptuously. "I'm out from dawn to dusk trying to pave our way to a better situation and you believe it alright to neglect your chores because you can't hold your own in a little playground squirmish?" He scoffed bitterly. "No brain in your head, no spec of common sense, and you can't even hold your own in a fight. My only son amounts to no more than a weak, worthless wanker."

Charles' jaw dropped and almost went to the floor as soon as he saw the suspended implement the man reached for next. "No! So help me God, get away from him!"

"Charles, it's no—" Disbelief flooded Victor when the telepath dashed in front of Trick and absorbed the slash of lightning intended for him. "Charles!"

"Christ alive…" Ultan stepped back in alarm, looking between the young and adult strangers that seemed to appear via thin air. "Who- what are you?"

"Fishers of men," Charles answered casually, "apparently." Blue eyes as cutting as freshly sharpened blades, a single wave of his hand coiled the strap around Ultan's neck. "And you're the bait."

The loose end of the strap shot into the air, forcing the elder Hughes to dangle. He did not have long to suffer in the hanging position as a small body of water pooled directly beneath his feet. Becoming animated once more, the strap plummeted. Never lightening its constriction around his neck, it dragged a struggling Ultan into the darkest depths of the moisture. In a blink, the water dissipated.

Charles veered in time to catch Trick, who trembled against him. They gripped each other in a desperate clutch. Leaping over to them, Victor lowered and locked both into his burly grasp. None of the three raised their heads again until they detected an unmistakable, infantile mew.

At the overhead creatures coming in for a landing, Victor remarked, "Oh, look-it, Team Dumbo's back."

Immediately sensing his friend's trepidation, Charles held him tighter. "No, Trick, don't be afraid. The Gargoyles are your mates, part of your powers- don't you remember?"

One tentatively reached for the ash blonde. "Specter…"

"No!" Trick shook his head adamantly. "Cast them out, Charlie. Get rid of them."

Charles eyed him incredulously. "You're asking me to destroy part of you. No, not for anything, Patrick."

"You can't keep runnin' from them, kiddo," Victor spoke next. "You've spent too many years doin' that with your powers Keep actin' like this and you'll be your own undoin'. Whatever your life means to you, it matters a hell of a lot to us."

"You must heed your brethren, Specter, oh Child of Fright."

"Child of Fright?" Victor and Charles echoed.

"Don't call me that!" Trick hissed. "It's not true!"

"But it is, Trick, isn't it?" Charles patted his back. "You wield fear as part of your gift."

Trick gaped at him. "I terrify people, Charlie."

"You save people," Charles countered firmly. "Kerstin, toppling the Purists, when we went after Ignacio. We know who you are, what you can do, and we love you for it. Don't keep up these pretenses for us."

"Fear itself ain't what's evil, Trick," Victor told him. "Like any of our powers, you have to learn to control it and make good judgment calls on when to use it. Fear doesn't make you weak or wicked. It teaches you what's worth fighting for."

The crimson gargoyle stepped forward to present the tiny vessel of warmth he carried. "For you. All of you."

A genuine grin appeared as Trick accepted the small tuxedo cat. "Cody."

Victor reached over to stroke the furry head. "Just had to tag along, didn't ya, Mite?"

"Hello, little kitten," Charles smiled.

Brown eyes gleaming, he wriggled his paw and gave off another leonine murmur.

OOO

All at once, the Triad, Specter, and Sabretooth discovered their return to the physical plane. Additionally quickly, Angel went to squeeze Victor's arm, Raven knelt to kiss Charles' chestnut strands, and Erik sent arms around Emma and Becky. Still experiencing what greatly resembled intense jetlag, Trick received little time to brace himself for the barrage of Sean, Maya, Joey, and Tommy. In addition to a smooch blown to him from Alana, the Irishman also found no complaints to register.

"Fabian," Charles addressed the sport coat adorned teenager.

A slight smile toyed at his lips. "We must meet under more pleasant circumstances, Professor."

Gratitude in his gaze, Charles replied genuinely, "I've no doubt we will."

From the male telepath's still occupied lap space, a drifting Cody stirred and kneaded at the man's shirt front.

Charles bobbed his head to peck his fingers. Hello, little kitten.

IIIIIII

So that the Howletts could go to bed with their brood and Victor could maintain visual over Trick, Alex and Leon assigned themselves to Eye Spy. Frank helped his mother throw together a light supper for Raven and Hank to likewise focus on their children. Angel and Maya freshened up Trick's room and added pillows to the bed.

With great disdain for Trick's feeble hydration levels, Hank set up an IV for him. Ankle sufficiently supported, Sean conversed with Trick on the bed. Victor worked to repair the portion of the wall the fearsome Cyclops had unwittingly blasted. Charles lingered a short distance away.

When the older Headmaster made his way in the room, he did not cease movement until he reached the bed. "You troublesome little troll."

"What?" Sean moaned. "Hank said I could walk around a little. You were standing right there."

"Not you, Seanikus." With his backhand, Erik thumped the ginger head. His hardened gaze zeroed in on Trick. "Surrendering your sleep to night terrors without a single request for help, suppressing your powers yet again, and your pathetic attempt at self-care. I should whip you."

"What Erik means is," Hank stepped over to intervene and developed an even more menacing countenance, "he should whip you raw."

Before Trick could fathom a response, he reacted to Sean's sudden desertion. "A knife through my heart, boyo. You're leaving me to the mercy of the wolves?"

"Hey, I'd walk through fire and brimstone for you." Sean obtained sanctuary by latching onto Charles. "But Battle of the Belts? You're on your own."

The Professor chuckled softly and lowered into a chair to better hold the tall teen.

An entirely unamused Hank wanted to know, "Do you feel that disconnected from the rest of us that you let it get so out of hand?"

"It wasn't anything of the sort," Trick vowed. "If anything, being home has been an improvement, if you can believe that. I fell into old habits, no different from nail biting. Fighting what's inside me is second nature."

Though his expression marginally softened, Erik disputed, "Fighting your mutation and donning a veil of stoicism is not natural for us, Trick. Denial and hindering your own growth can only lead to disaster." Hank silently glanced at the metal wielder. "I fully admit how hard I come down on you at times. It's such a rarity you can make it home and it wouldn't kill me to cut you a little slack… but I won't." At the look Trick formed next, Erik went on with, "As I told you that very first day we met, the X-Men are accountable to and for each other. However, I come off in your eyes is irrelevant. I will not lose a member of this family, in or out of this house."

A partially cheeky smile stretched across Trick's face. "I hear you loud and clear, you decrepit sanctimonious sod."

"Save the flattery," Erik waved off.

"Seconds coming through, my man," Frank announced himself, carrying in the reloaded tray of soup, bread, and milk. "Including Mom's pistachio pie."

Track sat up hungrily. "I pledge my heart to you, oh offspring of Lannie Tolbert."

Frank decided, "That is so going on my gravestone."

"You better get ready for bed," Hank determined. "Dozing off on your first day is not the best first impression."

"About that. See, I figured this counts as a pretty reasonable family emergency for me to get…" Frank developed a prey animal's trepidation as every pair of older male eyes came at him like flaming-tipped darts. "… first dibs on the bathroom tonight." He raised his arms with a put upon yawn as he retreated the room.

II

Already in his pajamas and awaiting the wizard of metal, Tommy made himself comfortable in the armchair. He gripped the martyr book by its spine and flipped it open to skim just a page or two. So engrossed did he become, the child became deaf to the incoming footsteps and even the palm on his shoulder until the rapturous surge made him wonder if he had dozed off.

Peering up, Tommy acknowledged the older male with, "Oh, it's you."

"And what do we have here?" Fabian leaned in to study the cover's title. "Ah, fantastico. Well, sorry to interrupt. As much as you bear his likeness, I was actually looking for Magneto."

Tommy smiled after him and raised the book again.

Fabian closed the door upon exiting- me puede agradecer más tarde, chico- and strolled through the hall with a curvier raven-haired, blue-eyed figure in mind.