The House Xavier Built

As Colossus waited impatiently for the elevator to release him into the underground corridors, he suddenly realized with mounting dread that he, Bobby, and Rogue were the only X-Men in the Mansion. And Rogue was still in some kind of strange coma, and there was no telling what emotional state Bobby would be in.

His fear of having to face whatever threat was approaching alone was alleviated when he saw Bobby waiting outside of Cerebro.

"What's going on?" Colossus asked him.

"I don't know," Iceman admitted. "I just got here, too."

"Where's Dr. McCoy?"

"I think he's in there with him."

Colossus nodded, and they waited in awkward silence. Both of them were worried, but Iceman had an additional worry that neither of them could do anything about.

Abruptly, the doors slid open, and Beast wheeled the Professor out. "We have a problem," Xavier informed them with evident concern.

xxxx

A few moments later, they were gathered in the Danger Room's control room, watching on the monitor as a massive, armored man broke through the fence.

Xavier closed his eyes, and the others heard his voice in his head. Attention all students and staff, this is Headmaster Xavier. Please proceed in a calm and orderly fashion to the underground tunnels. Follow your evacuation plans, and wait for further instructions.

"What's going on?" Colossus asked.

"As you can see, we have an intruder," Beast answered wryly.

"Who is he?" Iceman asked.

"His name is Cain Marko," Xavier answered mechanically. "But he goes by 'Juggernaut.'"

"You sound like you know him," Iceman pointed out.

"Oh yes," Xavier agreed, his voice still very quiet. "He's my stepbrother."
Colossus blinked in surprise.

"But you've fought him before, right?" Iceman reasoned, still gauging Xavier's reaction. "So whatever you did then, we can do again, right? What's the problem?"

"My stepbrother's… gift… manifests itself in superhuman strength and aggression. He is, in many ways, my polar opposite." His expression was pained. "In the past, my mind has been my defense. He is vulnerable to psionic attacks."

Both boys stared blankly, not seeing the problem.

"Just now, when I was in Cerebro… I was unable to touch his mind."

"The helmet," Beast suggested, nodding at the picture of the monitor.

"It does seem to resemble Erik's," Xavier agreed, a new edge entering his voice. "Perhaps my old friend was so good as to provide it."

"So, it's simple, then," Beast continued, turning to Iceman and Colossus. "We have to get the helmet off so Charles can stop him." No one missed the "we" in his statement. The boys exchanged glances.

"Before he became a boring old scientist, Hank was one of my first and best students," Xavier reassured them. But the faint smile quickly faded from his features. "However, I fear Cain's strength is too much for you three. We may need to consider… alternative measures."

"Surely you do not intend to allow your stepbrother to have what he wants," Beast protested.

"What does he want?" Colossus asked.

"Me," Xavier explained simply.

xxxx

Fences did not stop him. Walls did not stop him. Juggernaut effortlessly tore his way through his stepbrother's house, heedless of the damage he left in his wake.

"Xavier!" he shouted, his voice shaking the mansion on its foundations. "I know you're here! Show yourself, you coward!"

As he approached the elevator, three insignificant figures appeared before him, wearing identical leather uniforms. Two normal-looking boys, and something blue and fury. As he watched, one of the normal-looking ones suddenly turned metal. Cute. As if that would help.

Juggernaut growled. "Where's Xavier?" he demanded.

"Charles is rather busy," the blue one explained with feigned politeness. "Perhaps if you left a message?"

With an enraged snarl, Juggernaut swept his arm at them to backhand them. They rolled out of his way, and quickly sprang into attacks of their own.

The normal-looking one shot some sort of cold spray at him, while the metal one charged and hit him in the stomach with his elbow. Juggernaut laughed at their puny attacks, and effortlessly knocked the metal one to the ground.

Where did the blue one go?

Suddenly he felt someone on his back trying to remove his helmet. With a growl of frustration, he threw him off, and saw the blue creature go flying into the wall.

"You're starting to make me mad," Juggernaut warned. "You don't want to do that."