The attack had happened early Thursday morning. Caught unawares, the X-Men were now being held hostage. Charles Xavier was out on a rescue mission, and not there to protect them.
The school was now located in Chile, far from the prying eyes of the American government. It consisted of three giant glass pyramids, perfectly designed for keeping unwanted guests away. But Magneto was smarter. He had broken in, rounding up all of the mutants and questioning them. Their hands were tied with golden rope that took away their powers. They sit on the balcony that has the kitchen, Charles's bedroom, and a spare bedroom.
"Where is Charles?" Erik asked Storm.
"I've told you, I don't know." She replied, glaring.
Erik rubbed his jaw.
"Really. I don't believe you. Jean, dear, come here."
"Yes, Magneto?"
"Look for me."
Jean tore into Storm's mind. Storm screamed as she felt her mind almost fracture. Jean withdrew.
"Nothing Sir."
"Interesting."
Storm gasped, looking past Jean. There, at the top of the stairwell, was the most beat-up girl Erik had ever seen. There was a gash on her forehead, and blood ran down the side of her face. Cuts on her hands and arms. Blood dripped onto the floor. Her black, military-style uniform was shredded. She was missing a boot. She ran her hands through her hair.
"A hostage situation, huh?" She said, her voice cracking.
"And where did you slip off to?" Storm snapped.
"Revenge, of course."
"Med- , uh, B, Charles went looking for you."
B raised her eyebrows.
"He did now. I'm impressed."
"Well what happened?"
B walked over to the fridge, opened the door and pulled out a Mountain Dew Kickstart. She cracked it open, chugged it, and threw it into a trashcan halfway across the room. All eyes were on her.
"I flew to Idaho, raided a lab and flew back. No big deal."
B leaned against the counter.
"Flew?" Asked Erik.
"Yes. Flew." B replied. "I have wings."
She grabbed a backpack that was inside of a cabinet. She hoisted it on her shoulder, grimacing as she did so. She walked back to the top of the stairs, limping. She looked back over her shoulder at the captured mutants. The look in her eyes was forlorn and lost.
"Wait!" It was Rogue.
B turned, her hazel eyes turning to blood red.
"Do not ask me to wait. Other lives are on the line. I have work to do."
A door opened down on the first floor. Charles Xavier wheeled in.
"Bianca Ann!"
"Oh sh-"
"Language, Bianca!"
She rolled her eyes as the elevator doors dinged open.
"Do you think this is funny?" Charles looked her dead in the eyes.
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't. We'll never know."
Charles leaned forward.
"You're now on the most wanted list of sixteen countries. Who did you kill."
Her eyes flashed.
"For the record, they are not dead. They are frozen in stone. And they are just lab rats."
Charles tilted his head.
"Really? Tell me, why would you need to do that?"
"Oh, it's rather simple. They took my humanity, reducing me to an experiment. That's what I am. And the experiment wanted revenge."
Charles leaned back.
"And you think killing some scientists is going to solve your problem."
Bianca shrugged.
"I did more than kill some scientists. You remember Doctor Trask?"
The tension in the room rose.
"They are continuing his work. And I found where they are keeping the other mutants. Au revoir, see you around."
"You can't leave. Not now."
"You haven't seen half of my pain. I watched them drain blood from my brother as he screamed for my help. This is far from over."
She turned and leapt off the balcony railing. Everyone gasped, thinking she fell to her death. But she spread her wings and rose. The roof opened revealing the sky above.
"She's in no condition to fly." Charles announced. "Erik, let them go."
Erik shrugged and gestured to his mutants. They untied the rest.
"I'm going after her. Whatever she's going to do will be disastrous. She leaves no survivors."
Bianca's POV
So I'm dangerous. I'm currently flying above Brazil, coasting on a nice wind. I know they'll come after me. Charles thinks he knows my pain. Unfortunately, he doesn't. Erik thinks I could be a good recruit for his brotherhood or whatever. Personally, I hate relationships of any kind.
Idaho was a disaster. I thought I recalled the layout of the lab, but clearly, I didn't. At least the cursed scientists were no longer alive to continue other experiments. My X gene had been dormant for years before they captured me. I was perfect, newly orphaned, no place to go.
Funny how their experiment came back. They dubbed me Medusa. I gave myself the name Bianca after reading Percy Jackson. Ironic, at least I'm not dead. I feel myself cracking under the severe mental pain.
Anyways, back to me being an experiment. I was nine when they put me under for six months. They grafted wings onto my back, rewrote my DNA and hollowed out my bones. I weigh only 50 pounds.
Erik and Charles have bickered for years after what other mutants refer to as the Cuban Beach Divorce. After that, Charles was left paralyzed. Mystique was stopped from killing Doctor Trask.
Then something strange happened. It was like all the mutants were moved in time. It's now 2021, and the world flies along. But nobody really noticed. I did. They don't need to know.
I don't think of myself as strong. No, I am clever. The person I am searching for was the head scientist for the Medusa Experiment. He wasn't at the laboratory. Coward.
As I soar over Panama, I think of my friend in Nebraska. Yes, for the record I have one (1) friend that I trust with my trauma.
Back in Chile…
"Erik, I don't think you understand." Charles declared. "Bianca has a lot of resentment. She's, well, unstable."
"So she's like me." Erik replied, his cool blue eyes staring daggers into the wall. Charles rolled his chair around.
"Look at me Erik. Her power is a reflection of her emotions, just like all mutants. Her nickname is Medusa. All she has to do is look and everything is turned to stone."
"Does she bite?"
"What?"
"Like a snake, does she bite?"
"Well, I wouldn't know."
"I know. She bites. She wants to crush her enemies."
Charles rolled his eyes.
"Enough with poetic riff raff, there is no way she will come back of her own will. Unlike you."
Erik, mentally. Charles: 1 Me: 0
"I heard that, Erik."
"Dammit, Charles."
"Try me."
"I can and I will."
"I need your help Erik."
Desperation entered his voice. Erik paused, staring at Charles.
"Very well. When do we leave?"
Charles's face broke into a grin.
Bianca's POV
Anyways, you don't really wanna hear those old gasbags talking about me, do you? I had landed in West Virginia, in Charleston. This is where the head scientist, Doctor Carl Faxworth. Faxworth was worthless, to be subtle. I do love a good pun. I had healed my wounds in Mexico, where a nice lady offered me a tortilla. I had wrapped them and put rubbing alcohol on them to prevent infection.
I lay in the soft grass, and carefully unwrapped my bandages. They had scabbed over nicely. Excellent. I would need to be in top condition for my meeting with Faxworth.
I carefully walked up to the mansion. I had repaired my suit, using the sewing kit in my backpack. I was wearing fingerless gloves that covered most of my arms. The cut on my forehead was nothing more than a scar now. I kind of have fast healing. Not like Logan, of course, but a little TLC goes a long way for me.
I rang the doorbell, and a woman dressed as a maid opened the door.
"Um, hello. I'd like to talk to Doctor Faxworth."
She simply nodded. I was afraid she would say that I needed an appointment or something, but apparently not.
"He is upstairs in the first door on the right." She replied. I nodded my thanks.
I climbed up the beautiful wooden steps, careful not to leave fingerprints. I knocked on the door.
"Come in," was the muffled reply. I opened the door to reveal the most elaborate study. Books lined the walls, their red casings standing out against the wood stain. It took everything I had not to gasp or even be in awe. This man had cost me a lot.
He had aged since I saw him last. His hairline had receded an inch, and wrinkles crossed his face. His blue eyes I once marked as hostile, now twinkled with a sad expression I couldn't Place.
"Doctor Faxworth." I announced.
"And what can I do-" He looked up and realized who he was talking to.
"Hello. I have some questions, if you don't mind."
"Of course, please, be seated."
"Why did you do what you did to me, first of all?"
He sighed and rubbed his head.
"I was a younger man who believed that I could take whatever I wanted. I wanted to discover mutations. You were only nine. The perfect age, and I had thought. The wing procedure took longer than what we all expected. To have you be unconscious for six months should have killed you. But you were alive. We were all shocked with your resilience."
I was very deep in thought, so he continued.
"You and I both know that you didn't kill the scientists in Idaho or burn the laboratory down."
I gasped.
"How did you know that?"
"I burnt the laboratory down, and you were in the path of blame. You decided to take the fall because it would make sense why you were there, even though the real reason is because you were looking for the second part of the Medusa Experiment. Charles Xavier would automatically think it was you, without having to look into your mind.
I destroyed the laboratory because it represented everything I am now against."
"This is a lot to process."
He chuckled.
"Yes, it is. I actually was in prison for the last three years, for what I did to you. I confessed in a quiet trial, and was sent to prison. Other scientists had a longer time, because they opted to try to continue their work."
I rubbed my head. He continued.
"There's a guest room where you can stay the night just down the hall. I can call Mr. Xavier to come pick you up."
I nodded and turned to leave.
"I know this is a lot. And I am very very sorry for all the pain I have caused you. Goodnight, Bianca."
"Goodnight, Carl."
He smiled and bent over his desk and I left the room.
The guest room was gorgeous. I set my backpack down and pulled out my hairbrush. I undid my ponytail and carefully brushed out the tangles. I took off my boots and wiggled my toes. I took off my shirt but left my pants on. I climbed into the plush bed and promptly fell asleep.
Back in Chile…
Charles sat in front of the computer, his hands rapidly traveling over the keys. Erik sat behind him, absent-minedly picking at his nails. A phone rang in the distance.
"Hello?" Jean answered. Charles tilted his head, listening in.
"Oh, yes, you can talk to him. Hold on please." Jean replied. "Charles! It's for you!"
Charles and Erik shared a hopeful glance, and entered the elevator.
Charles picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Ah, Mr. Xavier." An older man, definitely.
"What can I do for you?"
"I am Dr. Carl Faxworth, and I believe one of you students came to visit me."
"Perhaps, can you tell me her name?"
"Yes, Bianca."
"Is she still with you?"
"Yes, but she has gone to bed."
"Do you mind if I come to pick her up?"
"Not at all! I do believe we should have a conversation though. I am in Charleston, West Virginia."
"Very well. I shall see you tomorrow."
"Good night, Mr. Xavier."
Click. Charles broke into a smile.
"I'm glad she's safe."
Erik nodded his agreement.
"We should leave now to get there by tomorrow."
"Yes, of course. Hank!"
Hank came bounding up the stairs.
"Can you fly us to Charleston, West Virginia?"
"Yes, Professor."
Bianca's POV
I woke up the next morning feeling rather well rested. I stretched, ruffling my wings. I heard my back crack. Satisfying. I stood up and got dressed. I had my Led Zepplin shirt with two slits in it for my wings and black short shorts. I brushed my hair, quickly french braiding it.
I descended the stairs, backpack in hand, setting it by the front door. I wandered into the kitchen, where the smell of sizzling bacon greeted me.
"Good morning Bianca. Please, have a seat." Faxworth said. I grinned as bacon and eggs slid onto my plate. I devoured them. It had been awhile since I had a decent breakfast.
"This is fantastic!" I said. The maid who answered the door had made breakfast, and she smiled at me.
"What do you want to do before he arrives?" Faxworth asked me.
"I just want to spend some time outside, if that's alright." I replied.
"Go ahead. There's a large field out back you can hang out in."
I grabbed my airpods from my backpack and went outside. The sun was shining beautifully. The grass rustled softly. The perfect place to be alone with my thoughts.
You might be wondering how I forgave him so easily. The thing is, I am a telepath. Very minor, I can sense hard memories, like how Doctor Faxworth was threatened if he didn't comply. How his staff wanted to help me, but couldn't. I was glad Trask was in prison because I wanted to rip his head off.
I lay down in the grass and closed my eyes, my music reverberating in my mind. I sighed, the sun warming my entire body. Jolene by Dolly Parton was playing, and while it is a sad song, it's also a complete banger.
I felt a soft conscious brush against my mind.
Hello Charles.
Hello Bianca. Would you come inside for a moment.
On my way.
I stood and ruffled my wings, shaking all the grass off. I lifted my wings above my head and took off. I've forgotten to tell you how exhilarating flying is. The sheer power it makes me feel. I feel like a hunter stalking its prey, an eagle ruling the skies. I cleared the roofline of the mansion, landing on the front step. I opened the door and went upstairs to the study.
Charles sat in his wheelchair, while Erik stood behind him. My heartbeat accelerated. I stepped forward and sat down in the chair. I crossed my arms and legs.
"Bianca, why did you come here?" Charles asked. I knew he was trying to ask an innocent question.
"I was going to kill Dr. Faxworth." I said. No reaction from Faxworth.
"Why didn't you?" Erik said. His anger was simmering. He hated it when mutants were hurt.
"Because Dr. Faxworth was following orders, put to him by a man we know very well." I replied softly.
The doctor spoke, his voice a whisper. "It was never my choice to hurt her. I should have done more to help. I understand your anger. I burned down the laboratory. Bianca took the fall, when she should not have."
A smile quirked my lips as shock crossed over Charles' face.
"You lied?"
"Yes. Being two faced is my hidden talent and I use it well."
"You bragged about it?"
"Anything to fit the part."
He rubbed his jaw, lost in thought. Erik looked a little ticked. I couldn't blame him. I had lied about killing people.
"What about the statues? And being on the most wanted lists?"
"Again, photoshop and copy paste come in handy. Most government websites are easy to hack."
"All because you didn't want anyone else but yourself to take the full and complete blame?"
"Correct. No one else would have a reason to burn down that laboratory except for me and one other."
"Who is the one other?"
I shrugged. Charles was staring at me.
"Someone I haven't talked to in years, someone who would have been highly suspect."
"Way to go. For a fifteen year old, you attract trouble like a magnet."
"I've had practice."
I stood up. Charles was looking at me with something other than disappointment. That's new.
"We will leave you now, Dr. Faxworth. Thank you for your help." Charles said. The doctor only nodded. I followed Charles out the door and he had to take the elevator with Erik, while I took the stairs.
I grabbed my backpack at the front door, checked my phone, and stepped out into the summer sunshine. The white SUV almost shimmered. Weird. I opened the back passenger and slipped inside.
Charles and Erik came down the front steps. Erik actually picked up Charles and put him in the car. Erik planted a kiss on Charles' forehead. None of my business. Erik then put the wheelchair in the trunk, climbed in and started the SUV.
Silence the entire way to the airport. Perfect. I had my airpods cranked all the way up to avoid any interaction. I figured Charles and Erik were having their own conversation, that didn't include me. I would say I didn't care, but that wasn't true.
I've always thought of myself as a loner, someone without friends. Or happiness. I have really bad PTSD. I can't stand the smell of antiseptic, or stainless steel anything. I hate small knives. I have two handguns that I keep secret, because I'm underage. That doesn't matter right? I'm a good shot.
We arrived at the airport and I came out of my daydream. Hank was here to fly the plane, and he came down to help with the wheelchair. I grabbed my backpack, went to the back of the plane and sat down. I was tired for some reason, and I was asleep before the plane took off.
I was back in the Idaho lab. No, this was something different. I saw myself hanging from chains. I was in a lot of pain. It's weird seeing yourself outside of your body. A man came up with other scientists in white lab coats. It was Doctor Trask.
"The Medusa Experiment's greatest success. This specimen is a weapon, and can be easily manipulated." He announced.
Dream Me was infuriated, and thunder rumbled overhead. My eyes glowed red, and there were cracks along my skin. I spread my wings and I spoke. My voice sounded far away and desolate.
"I have come. I have suffered. I will burn."
Dream Me looked directly at the real me.
"Awake, child. This is the future and you must change it."
I startled out of my slumber. Charles was staring directly at me. I was shaking so bad, I wanted to cry.
I saw.
Invasion of privacy.
I think you'll want a second opinion.
Really. I now have the gift of seeing the future. Great.
Bianca, you need to clear your mind.
Can't do that if you're in it.
I closed my eyes, and thought of myself standing in a wheat field. The way the grain rustles calmed me, and I went to sleep again.
When I woke up, we were above Venezuela. Erik and Charles were playing chess in silence. I scrolled through Instagram absentmindedly, distracting myself from the disturbing dream.
"Checkmate." Erik said. Charles smirked. I reached into my backpack and pulled out my tablet. It was time for some designing.
I had made some carbon fiber boots that were bulletproof. But I wanted not just boots, but a whole set of armor. I decided to do wrist/forearm guards. I started out with the basic herringbone pattern that all the armor would have. I didn't want gloves, so the top part of the guards creeped up onto the top of my hand.
I worked on this until we landed at the home base, and by that time I was itching to get out and start making them.
As soon as we landed I was ready to go. I would have preferred to actually jump out of the plane but that wasn't possible. I stepped off the plane back pack in hand. I headed up to my room, avoiding the hordes of kids coming and going to classes.
I spent the rest of the day working on my guards in my hidden workshop. I finally finished one when I looked at the clock. It was 2 am. Damn. I couldn't believe it was this late. I remembered I hadn't eaten since being in West Virginia.
I crept out of my room, and snuck towards the kitchen. I wasn't the only one who was nocturnal. I could hear sounds coming from the basement, a movie or something. Good. That meant the rest of the nocturnal people were ocupado, as they say in spanish. I opened the pantry and grabbed a granola bar.
"Good morning." It was Erik. I almost jumped out of my skin. I glared at him, not wise in the least or intimating, for that matter.
"What are you trying to do? End my life prematurely?" I hissed. He chuckled quietly.
"No, I'm just wondering what someone like you is doing up at such a late hour."
"I'm working on, on a project of, of mine."
"That's nice. Maybe you should go to bed."
Now that he said it, I was incredibly tired. (He didn't drug me, I assure you) I trudged back to my room, exhausted. The adrenaline rush had died, leaving me without any energy. I crawled into bed, and promptly fell asleep.