What a day. I'm still reeling.
The X-men got back from their mission, and I met them to help. Nightcrawler was the worst off. Heavy burns. As most of the smarter X-men led him to the medlab, Bobby stopped to talk to me, and asked if he would join me in the kitchen saying he needed a refresher after what happened. Two pourings of orange juice later, we were sitting in the dining room. He cried out, "Sentinels! The darn boat was loaded with SENTINELS!" Concerned about a government aircraft carrier filled with mutant killing machines, I asked him to continue. He continued, "What's more, the Brotherhood members used those scan blockers they stole from Muir Island! The Sentinels didn't recognize them as enemies! They attacked only us. Not to mention it took all our strength just to save the crew! Crew that didn't even appreciate being saved!"
A familair southern voice came from the kitchen door who I turned to see a cute older man with some weird red on black eyes say, "Mind if I join in this rant, mon amis?"
Bobby made a quick introduction and Gambit continued, "The worst part is dat de Brotherhood got away with what dey were looking for. And we still don't know what dat is."
Professor Xavier said from a door in the hallway, "I know. Where are the others. I need to tell them."
Bobby said, "Down in medlab, helping with Kurt's injuries. What were they looking for, Professor?"
Professor Xavier held up a printout and read from it, "Arbiter cargo hold 4, contents: Special experimental holding cell for Mutant terrorist Eric Lehnsherr."
This was definitely a concern as both Bobby and Gambit buried their heads in their hands, I asked who that was but my question was answered with the television in the next room flickering. The image on the television was replaced with an older guy in a heavy helmet, and an angry expression in his head. He said, "Homo sapiens, I am Magneto. Evolution has judged you lacking. I invite all mutants to congregate at the Mount, and together we will take our rightful place as the rulers of this world."
Gambit said simply, "That be Eric Lehnsherr, little Allison."
Magneto.
I've learned that he lost his parents to the holocaust, and he has been spending years fine tuning his power to create magnetic fields. As much as he would not admit it, I don't find the power that much scarier the the human who wields it. A person who has seen so much death and hate that he has lost any faith in peaceful solutions to problems yet has not lost his strategic mind. And this is apparently the first time he's publicly declared war on the humans. What is such a man who has such power really capable of?
Everybody else felt it too. Wolverine looked so angry as he walked by later that all students purposely got out of the way.
The stress was so much that I couldn't muster myself to object when the Professor asked me to hone my powers in the danger room. It was a special simultion where I went through everything that Wolverine went through to rescue me that day in New York. It included a fight against Mystique. I knew she was a shapeshifter. I didn't know she was such a good fighter. I saw her ability to move her body in ways that pits her with skilled contortionist, but despite that, when I turned into my volcanic form, every physical attack on me hurt her too so she relied on her guns which she was a clean shot with. Despite her skill I was victorious with my clearly superior powers. As soon as the battle was over, the Professor said, "Allison, The senior X-men and I have to discuss these results." He then told Bobby to continue. After a few more simulated fights against Brotherhood members, as well as some X-men, the Professor called Bobby and I up to his office.
All the X-men were in seated around the room. I asked what's going on, and the Professor said, "Career counseling, I have your parents on speakerphone."
I heard Mom's voice from the speakerphone say, "So what do you have in mind Professor?"
The professor said, "Your daughter is an interesting subject. Your daughter has created a better relationships with the X-men than with the students here. She is intelligent and one of the most naturally powerful mutants I have ever seen. She has shown incredible bravery, in facing powerful enemies. Given what she's told me about her past, she has a fine sense of right and wrong, and is not afraid to take action when somethings wrong. These are all qualities I look for in certain mutants to take up a certain duty. Allison, we had a uniform made for you." With that Wolverine took out of the closet a modified, cut down version of my training suit. The moment I saw the emblem on the front I realized what the Professor was saying. The professor asked, "Allison, will you take up this duty."
It took awhile to convince my parents. I remember Wolverine telling them, "Listen, Crestmeres if almost any member of the Brotherhood tries to grab Pebbles again, I'd be more worried for their saftey than for hers." But for me, it was not a choice. It was an honor.
I sign off this Diary entry for the first time as,
Allison "Magma" Crestmere,
Mutant,
Prom Queen,
X-man.