Professor Charles Xavier has successfully recruited his adoptive daughter and son, Scott Summers and Jean Grey, into X-Corporation, a company owned by him and Tony Stark and designed to help employ mutants and secure their futures by giving them job opportunities, as well as privatizing world peace.
As Tony prepares to launch his Jericho missiles in Nevada, he and Xavier get a visit from Xavier's old friend, Erik Lehnsherr, who goes by the name of Magneto and has formed the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, a group of mutants who stand for anarchy and fighting humanity.
Issue 4: Enter Magneto
Oxford University – Twenty Years Ago
Thirty-three-year-old Charles Xavier found himself rolling out of his Oxford dormitory, his textbooks residing on his lap as he made his way to class. Being in his senior year in Oxford's medical program and about to graduate in the winter, he was one step closer to getting his PHD. He had hopes of being able to use his gifts in some capacity to help benefit the world. After having served in his early twenties in the U.S Army where he had met his ex-wife, Moira, it was disheartening when he'd gotten diagnosed with spinal cancer and got confined to a wheelchair. However, around the time he'd been married to Moira and they'd had their now-three-year-old son David together, Xavier had gotten blackmailed by Moira's now-husband, Joseph MacTaggart, into divorcing Moira who threatened to expose Xavier as a mutant to the world due to the fact that Joseph was a very influential politician in Scotland. However, Xavier and Moira still co-parented David together. It was important considering that David's mutant powers had manifested at birth, and as a result, Moira was looking to fund a research facility to help mutants with controlling their powers. That made Xavier receiving his PHD all the more important so that he could help David control his mutation.
As Charles exited his dorm room, following him was his college roommate and best friend, Erik Magnus Lehnsherr, a mutant like himself, who could control magnetism.
"Another day ahead of us, Charles," said Erik.
"Indeed, Erik," Charles said. "A few more months left, and graduation will be here. After that, Moira and I will be able to fund for that research facility."
"Ah, for your son David," Erik told him, nodding along. He knew of David's powers which had manifested when the boy was an infant.
"And any other mutants who struggle with their mutation," stated Charles. "Ultimately, we are one step closer to achieving what it is we've talked about from day one: peace, mutants and humans, learning and living together . . . it can all be achieved, Magnus."
"Absolutely, old friend." Erik shared a smile with his friend. He had every bit of confidence in his long-time friend. Having met in their freshman year when becoming roommates at Oxford, the two had been surprised to learn that the other was a mutant. But, that did mean that the two had at least one thing in common, and they both had the same vision for humans and mutants to one day live together peacefully. Erik having suffered as a victim of the Holocaust had lost everything; as far as he knew Charles Xavier was the closest thing to family that he had in his life. "It's the dawn of a new age for evolution, and one day, mutants will no longer have to hide. We can be open, free . . ." He smiled at the thought of achieving such a goal.
As the two men walked down the vast halls of Oxford to their first class of the day, Charles and Erik found themselves stopped in their tracks by someone.
"Hello, you're Charles Xavier, correct?" asked the man.
"Indeed I am. How may I help you?" asked Charles.
"I actually have an interest in you both. You might not know me, but, my name is Howard Stark, owner of –"
"Stark Industries," Erik said with a smile. "Yes . . . I know of your past exploits, Mr. Stark . . . very much."
"Absolutely . . . I know for a fact that the two of you are looking for travel to third-world countries to help traumatized war victims after you graduate Oxford," Howard said. "I would like to generously fund your trips, especially since Charles, you served in the U.S Army before attending school here. I feel that the three of us could make a difference in the world . . ."
Hawthorne Army Depot Base – Present Day
Today was a day of importance for Tony Stark, Charles Xavier and James "Rhodey" Rhodes, this day being that they were going to be doing a presentation of the new "Jericho" missiles. The Jericho missiles had been a long-time project that Howard Stark had been developing some time before his death. After Tony's father died, it had been up to Xavier and Tony to pick up on the development of the missiles, and now that the project was complete, he had to present it to members of the U.S Marines. Stepping off the private plane that had been piloted by Hank, Tony and Rhodey proceeded to greet General Christopher Lee, Xavier at their side.
"Mr. Stark, I am looking forward to your weapons presentation," General Lee said with a nod of his head.
"Absolutely," Tony said. He shook hands with all members of the U.S Marines before he proceeded to take the stage. Clearing his throat, he proceeded to speak to all members of the U.S Marines in Nevada, as well as the press that was there broadcasting the news to all around the United States.
"Is it better to be feared, or respected?" Tony asked everyone there. "And I say, is it too much to ask for both? With that in mind, I humbly present the crown jewel of Stark Industries Freedom Line. It is the first missile system to incorporate our proprietary repulsor technology. They say that the best weapon is the one that you never have to fire at all. I for one respectfully disagree. I prefer the weapon that you only have to fire once! That's how Dad did it, that's how America does it, and it's worked out pretty well so far! Find an excuse to let one of these things off the chain and I personally guarantee you the bad guys, won't even want to come out of their caves . . . peace in our time, everyone." Tony proceeded to gesture for the weapons to get launched, and the missiles proceeded to get prepared to launch. However, that was the moment something unexpected happened. The missiles seemed to be turning into the direction of the members of the Marines that were there for the presentation.
"Tony, Tony, what's going on?" asked Rhodey, coming up to him.
"I-I don't know, this wasn't part of the plan," Tony said.
"Well, somebody shut it down!" Hank said, looking to the person who had had their hands on the controls for the missiles.
"I can't!" the man said.
"Shit!" Tony hissed. He walked over to the professor. "Everybody, get out of here, now!" he yelled out as the missiles prepared to launch. That was the moment the Marines proceeded to fall back and get inside the base just in time before the missiles fired.
"ERIK!" Charles shouted at the top of his lungs, looking as though he was going to lose his mind. When Magneto had come knocking down their door the other day, he hadn't been kidding at all. In fact, he'd been serious. As the missiles flew towards a desert alley not far away and went off, causing a large explosion, the master of magnetism himself made his presence known, wearing his classic deep, purple cape and red armor made all out of metal, as well as his helmet which blocked Professor Xavier's telepathy.
"Really, Magneto?! This is low, even for you!" Hank seethed, looking surprisingly angry.
"Hank, do not let him do this," whispered Rhodey, trying to calm the blue beast down. "You're better than this."
"Erik, why this?" Charles asked. "Why?"
"Because, Charles, if you think for even a second that you can achieve peace with a weapon that you only have to use once, and only once, then you truly are a special kind of idiot, especially you, Mr. Stark. This comes to show you that your project is no different than those Sentinels that are in development to hunt down our kind!" Erik said in a cold tone.
"That is not true, Magneto," Tony retorted. "Just because I develop a weapon that can be an asset to the U.S military it does not mean everyone's out to get you! Get a life! You're paranoid!"
"And when have you ever tried to do anything that isn't just for yourself? Where were you when hundreds of mutants started suffering from discrimination, Mr. Stark?" Magneto spat.
"Now, you're talking crazy!" Tony bit back harshly.
"We shall meet again, and I won't be alone," Magneto said, before drifting off to God only knew where.
"Well, let's hope that that moment won't be any time soon," Tony whispered bitterly.
X-Corporation Tower – Rec Room
In the recreation room of X-Corporation Tower, Warren Worthington III found himself sitting on the couch while he watched the news on one of the many, high-tech flat screens Tony had throughout the tower. Warren had wanted to watch the coverage of Tony launching his newest weapon with Scott, Jean and his girlfriend, Candy Southern.
Candy curled into Warren's side, a glass of red wine in her hand while Warren nursed a bottle of Angry Orchard hard cider in his hand. The young couple stayed close to each other while Scott and Jean sat on the opposite end of the sofa, curled up underneath a blanket that they were sharing. Scott still had his bandages over his eyes, but, according to Moira, his ruby-quartz glasses were to be ready by the next day.
As they watched the news coverage of the missile launch, Warren shared a meaningful look with his girlfriend of three years. She had been the most amazing, stable thing in his life, especially after Warren had gotten cut off from his family. Candy had accepted him and let him into her heart from the moment that Warren asked her out on a date. She had been a lifelong, childhood friend of his . . . they used to play house when they were six years old. For Warren, falling in love with one of his best friends had been both exciting and scary at the same time. But, Warren now knew that Candy was the one. Lord knew how badly he wanted to marry this raven-haired, sapphire-eyed beauty. Just as Warren and Candy were about to lean into a kiss, a disturbing image on the news caught their attention almost immediately, but, were Warren and Candy surprised? No; they weren't.
As Warren watched the news, he could just tell that the problems with the missiles had been Magneto's doing. Only Magneto would have that short of senses to screw over Tony and Professor Xavier like that. Warren shook his head, and he noticed Jean had been watching too. She looked disturbed.
"Is it normal for stuff like that to happen?" Jean asked.
"It's more normal than I'd like to say," said Candy. "This isn't the first time an incident like this happened."
"Who could do something like that?" asked Jean.
"An old friend of Xavier's . . . they were roommates at Oxford when Howard Stark, Tony's father, approached them about funding their trips to third-world countries to help traumatized war victims. Heck, they even helped people after 9/11 happened and actually went to the hospitals where the people that were caught in the Twin Towers were residing. Xavier used his telepathic powers to counsel them. Magneto, like his name implies, can control magnetism. However, one day, while Xavier and Magneto were in Sokovia, Romania, Magneto's wife at the time who'd been traveling with him and their children Wanda and Pietro, she got caught in the crossfire.
"The people that lived there found out about Xavier and Magneto being mutants, and they killed Magneto's wife Magda who also happened to be Jewish. As a result, Magneto had ended up leaving his children with this couple who adopted Wanda and Pietro as their own, but, these people, they were mystics, and ended up somehow enhancing Pietro and Wanda's powers to the point where their mutations came a lot earlier than expected. Ever since then, Magneto has been filled with bitterness and hatred for humanity, and he formed up a group of followers called the Brotherhood of Mutants. His children Wanda and Pietro are the some of the youngest members; I'd say they're close in age to me. Wanda's powers include chaos magic, telekinesis, reality warping and teleportation. Pietro's include increased metabolism and moving faster than the speed of light," Warren explained. "And now, with President Osborn attempting to push for a mutant registration, Magneto, he's determined to prove that he's right, that mutants and humans cannot live together peacefully. I for one, respectfully, disagree. I mean, my girlfriend is human, for God's sake!" He kissed Candy's face to emphasize his point.
"Good point," Scott said with a nod as Pepper and Happy made their way into the room.
"Hey, did you all see?" asked Pepper.
"Yeah, we saw. Magneto, he's not going to stop at anything," said Candy with a heavy sigh. "This is insanity."
"But at the same time, we are dealing with people wanting to build Sentinels. I know for a fact that Trask Industries is behind that; I bet you a hundred dollars that Bolivar Trask is the brains behind it all," Warren stated in a cynical tone.
"Well, if they cause any worse problems, you know who we should call," Pepper said.
"Yeah, Alpha Flight: the Wolverine, Carol Danvers, John and James Proudstar . . . best of the best," said Warren. "They'll be more than happy to whip his ass into shape and set him up in a plastic prison cell on Rikers. We just have to wait until they end up doing something worse. I mean, I know for a fact that Senator Kelly is on the campaign trail with Henry Gyrich as the main choice for his vice president. I mean, the guy's high in the polls especially with how he is winning at these debates. I can say, Kelly has the charisma, but, what makes me nervous is him wanting to push further for mutant registration. It's the last thing that I need to worry about, not when I've got my old man trying to create a cure for mutation. The fact that he had wanted to use me as his guinea pig to test it out, that for me was the last straw," Warren added.
"I know, and that kills me, because I've known you and your parents since we were little kids, War," Candy piped in.
"But you know what hurts even more; my best friend since my early prep school days, since middle school, Cameron Hodge? I find out that he is an anti-mutant bigot and that he sides with my parents. My parents must've told him about my mutation, and now, he's against me! I've known that guy since I was twelve and in the sixth grade! All those years that I've spent protecting him from bullies in the gym locker room, taking him under my wing, letting him hang out with me and Candy . . . I was nothing but a good friend and a nice person, and now, he's throwing my kindness right back in my face!" Warren said, his voice brimming with hurt and anger.
"Warren, I can just say this: even though I am separated from my brothers and sisters and my parents are dead, I'm glad that my life isn't as fucked up as yours," said Jean.
"Me too," said Scott in agreement. "I can barely imagine my parents cutting me off."
Warren nodded at Scott and Jean. "Well, I don't envy your guys' situation at all. Anyone who says that they envy you guys is crazy."
"Let's just hope that Tony didn't get himself into too much trouble with Magneto," said Happy. "I mean I am his driver and his bodyguard. If anything, it's me and Pepper who are responsible to keep the guy out of trouble."
"Well, I hope that we never have to run into this Magneto guy," said Scott.
"You should never say the word never, Slim, because I remember the last time I had ended up getting involved. He'd sent one of his guys, Fred Dukes who had been a strongman of sorts in some sideshow out in Texas due to the fact that he is massive in size, to come to my college and start trouble. I ended up getting involved and exposing myself as a mutant, and let's say I'll never forget what Dukes had done to my wings," said Warren. "Now that you two are recruited, that means Magneto would want to try and come after the two of you. You're a target now."
"Well you can tell this guy to kiss my ass, because from what I am seeing on the news right now, I'm not joining his side," Jean said with a shake of her head.
"That's the spirit, Jean," said Scott, nodding in agreement with her.
Up next: Iceman Cometh
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