First, the standard disclaimer: I do not own any of these recognizable Marvel properties and this is for fun, no profit here so please no lawsuits.

As always, reviews are greatly appreciated.

Chapter Thirteen: Plans

Empire Lodge, Bayville

"Welcome home Doctor Trainer..."

Seward froze dead in his tracks. The voice was familiar but wrong somehow. Deeper perhaps?

"Who are you?"

"Why I'm the prodigal son, doctor." His visitor said without humor. "Have you forgotten me so soon?" He took off what was apparently a mask and clicked on the lamp by the bedside.

Trainer recognized the scarred face instantly. It was the face of nightmares. "You... But Doctor Warren?"

"Destroyed me? Is that what he told you? He only wishes. I'm sure he planned to but if I'm an abomination as he claims, then one beneficial consequence of his mistakes is that I'm much stronger than he expected."

"Why did you come here?" Trainer asked the clone.

"Why are YOU here?" He countered, examining the back of his hand as if the answer was of trifling importance.

"I'm supposed to keep an eye on Parker." He avoided mentioning that it was Parker's clone he was looking for. He suspected that mentioning Doctor Warren's favorite son could only serve to anger his deformed and possibly deranged predecessor.

"Are you sure it's Parker? That may be what you tell Osborn but it's not what you tell Father."

"I..."

"Don't act so scared doctor. If I wanted to kill you I wouldn't be wasting my time talking to you. You'd be dead and I would be elsewhere."

"What do you want?" Seward fought to remove the fear from his voice.

"I want PARKER!" A huge fist banged down on nightstand smashing it to pieces. The clone got up and advanced toward Trainer. "I want him dead and I'm going to kill anyone who gets in my way. And then either you or Doctor Warren is going to fix me. For that I'll need little brother's help won't I?"

"Uh?"

"Don't play dumb with me. It really doesn't suit you." He placed a large hand on Trainer's shoulder. "Truth is I would MUCH rather spare you Seward. You aren't the one who discarded me like a piece of trash! Plus there's the matter that though I don't trust either of you, I believe that if we can make an arrangement, I can more likely trust you to keep it than I can father. So here is what is going to happen Seward: You will go about your business reporting to both Doctor Warren and Osborn. I offer you my protection and in exchange, you work for me. You are going to be very valuable to me Seward."

Trainer didn't have to think long on this. Aside from the fact that the clone might kill him if he refused, this might be his only way out. Like a drowning man gratefully clutching a thrown life preserver, he grabbed it eagerly.

"Yes."

"Good." The clone said putting his mask back on. "You can call me Kaine..."

Bayville High (Two weeks later)

It turned out that assuming a new life was much easier when one had the cooperation of an independently wealthy backer and the recommendation of two highly regarded scholars. There had also been a passing mention by Logan of cashing in a favor but his tone advised Ben not to ask. With that in mind, Ben wrote his name on the blackboard as Bayville High's new science teacher.

This latest career change had started off as Ben watched Xavier's other students pile off to school. He (Or rather Peter Parker) had graduated Midtown High with honors and in the absence of the younger kids simply had very little to do. Certainly there was training in the danger room, maintenance on the vehicles, being jabbed by needles as Beast studied him and his abilities, housecleaning... (Not a cobweb left in sight) and boredom. For one thing, solo training in the danger room did absolutely nothing to address his main weakness. Mainly his inexperience at working as part of a team. Individually, his skills made him one of the most formidable people here. But teamwork was the heart of the X-Men and he needed lots of practice. Then over a coffee break amid another of Beast's research sessions, an idea had come up as Ben mentioned his frustration to Hank:

It seemed that for a short period, an agent of Magneto's named Mystique had infiltrated Bayville High posing as the School Principal Ms. Darkholme. Although Mystique had since vanished, her successor as Principal; a Mr. Kelly, had proven to be a paranoid nutcase. So; they reasoned, why not have someone on their side to help keep an eye on the kids? After a brief discussion, Xavier had approved the idea and work had begun on creating a paper trail confirming that Mr. Ben Reilly was a fully accredited science teacher. Kelly had leapt at finding a replacement for the missing Professor McCoy and so now Ben found himself teaching his first class.

He looked over the students, Kitty Pryde was one he expected to do well. Infact her tests had suggested she had a higher IQ than his. Guess that proves cooking is an art not a science. He thought wryly. Although her baked goods seemed to defy known laws of physics. Lance Alvers was another student in this class along with one Pietro Maximoff. Both were members of the Brotherhood and were constantly having run ins with the kids from the institute. Lance; though, seemed to harbor a thing for Kitty. And although his juvenile record was extensive, he too had tested as an exceptionally bright student if he could be made to apply himself!

Ben had read the files on all the Brotherhood kids. It had been a series of blunders and missteps that had put them in the Brotherhood. Tolensky, Alvers, Dukes... Outsiders with none of the advantages that Xavier's students had and they were not surprisingly resentful. This made them very easy for someone like Magneto to manipulate.

Frankly it was past time someone did something about that.

As the bell rang and the last student took her seat, Ben dropped a tiny sliver of potassium into a vat of water.

Foom!

The class stared wide open.

"Good! Now that I have your attention... My name is Mister Reilly and welcome to the world of science!"

To Be Continued...