Enemies:
Magneto AKA Erik Magnus Lehnsherr - A powerful mutant with the ability to generate and control electromagnetic forces which enables him to accomplish many feats such as creating force-fields, projecting powerful magnetic force-bolts and the ability to fly. He also has a genius-level intellect.
Cameos:
Spider-Man AKA Peter Benjamin Parker - An ordinary teenager, around the same age as The X-Men, Spider-Man has the ability to cling to walls, has superhuman physical attributes, can shoot spider-webs using devices of his own inventions he calls "web-shooters", and can react to danger quickly with his "spider-sense". He also very smart for his age.
Captain George Stacy - A police captain and father of Gwen Stacy, he often sees Spider-Man in action, or the results of his work, and thus truly believes him to be a hero, albeit one operating outside of the law. He's also young, athletic and good with firearms.
Issue 1
A lonely taxi with a single passenger sitting in the back with her hands in her lap was steadily driving down the long stretch of road which led to 1407 Graymalkin Lane, just outside of Salem Center, Westchester County, New York. As it drove up a small hill, she could see the sprawling mansion, in the distance, built behind a brick wall that seemed to surround its entire area. Reaching the wrought-iron gates that led into the mansion, the redhead could see a plaque was erected on a select part of the wall in gold plating with the words: "Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters" inscribed on it. On a side note, she remembered that the mansion was also built near Breakstone Lake, when she could smell the pleasant scent of its refreshing waters clashing with the smell of fresh, clean air devoid of car-smoke and pollution she would've smelt if she was back in the city.
The gates, however, seemed to have a mind of their own as they opened up for the taxi to enter. Living in a world filled with science and technology of all kinds, it didn't come as a surprise to her to find that the mansion was also filled with such things.
Approaching the pillared portico that led to the main entrance, the taxi followed the driveway around until it finally stopped in front of the house. Turning in his seat to look back at the girl, he replied in a gruff but seemingly relaxed voice, "We're finally here. Would you like me to help you with your bags, Miss?"
The redhead, who'd been quiet the entire trip busily pondering about what was in stall for her inside that mansion, turned her head and shook it, smiling as she did, "No, thank you. I'll be alright." She replied in a soft voice that sounded to the man more like an angel than a 16-year-old girl.
Letting herself out the driver, whose name was Tyler which she had heard when one of the operators called to inform him he needed to get to the next town after dropping off his current passenger, popped the trunk via the button next to his seat, and she heaved out her belongings, resting them on either side of her feet.
Once she'd given him the signal that she had everything, he gave her a quick wave of the hand before putting the car into gear, drove around the circled driveway and disappeared past the gates. Spinning on her wedge sandals that she'd chosen to wear for such a beautiful, sunny day, the redhead walked up the few stone steps before heading through the portico and up to the large doors that resembled the mansion's main entrance.
Noticing that she had forgotten that her belongings was still sitting on the driveway, she turned back and stared at them. In an instant the leather bags floated effortlessly into the air before landing about a foot behind her.
Oh, don't worry. The place was certainly not haunted by ghosts or ghouls. No, it was far more than that. This place was Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters and what it meant by "Gifted" was the fact that the students who resided here, were in fact born with an "X-gene" if you will, which gave them each their extraordinary powers the world had ever seen which manifested in their early teens. Xavier's School, as well as teach them ordinary subjects like Maths, Science and English, among others, would also teach them how to utilize and control their powers so they wouldn't be a danger to themselves or anyone else for that matter.
As the redhead raised her finger up to push the doorbell, she knew instantly she would be leaving her old life behind and would be starting afresh alongside others so like herself.
For she was Jean Grey, youngest daughter of Professor John and Mrs. Elaine Grey, and she was a mutant, a human being who was born with genetic modifications that allow for abilities not possessed by normal humans. She possessed the power of telekinesis, the uncanny ability to manipulate and control objects with the power of her mind and, even though she was in control of them now, she was here to learn how to develop it and keep them under her control.
For she did not realize that, in the coming years to come, she would wield the most destructive force the universe had ever seen if she ever stepped over the boundary of self-control…
Inside the seemingly expansive mansion, in the very subbasements underneath it if you will, the very students, who Jean Grey would be joining very shortly, were busy training in what was to be called the "Danger Room". To the untrained eye, the Danger Room was a featureless room. To those who are (un)fortunate enough to engage its systems, it is the ultimate battle simulator. It employed highly advanced technology funded by the very man who founded the very mansion he and his students reside in.
The Danger Room pitted its opponents, in this case the students, against an array of physical and holographic opponents that tested a trainees' mastery over their mutant powers to peak endurance. Housed above it with a glass floor to observe the training was the Control Room, where everything was programmed.
Inside the Control Room, observing the training below, was the very man who orchestrated all of this. Sitting in his wheelchair, in a rather fetching suit, one you'd see someone like Tony Stark wearing, the man leant his elbows on his knees, his index fingers pressed firmly against his lips as he watched his students perform.
He was Professor Charles Xavier, also known by the name Professor X by his students. A Professor of Genetics, Biophysics and Psychology, and, like his students and Jean, he was also a mutant. He was born with the power of telepathy, the ability to read others' minds, communicate mentally and other such psychic feats. They emerged when he was still a boy but given time, he learned to control them remarkably well. However, pursuant to this, at 16 he started to lose his blond hair until eventually he was left bald and has been ever since.
Now, he was training these teenagers to learn how to control and utilize their powers for humanity's benefit. The first one he asked to join his "School for Gifted Youngsters" was Scott Summers. He possessed the mutant ability to project a powerful beam of concussive, ruby-coloured force from his eyes. Problem was, he had no control over it and must wear his ruby-quartz glasses at all times. At the moment, he was wearing his battle visor, made especially by Xavier himself. For this particular reason, his codename was Cyclops.
Next was Robert "Bobby" Drake, the youngest of the group and with a "bold" personality, he has the ability of cryokinesis where he can freeze anything around him and can also turn his body into ice. Iceman was his codename.
Then there was the flying wonder who went by the codename Angel. Real name Warren Worthington III, he discovered his ability to fly when his feathered wings sprouted from his back at puberty. Soon afterward Warren became the Avenging Angel, a vigilante superhero, until Professor X took notice and asked him in person if he'd like to join his school. Warren gladly accepted.
And lastly, there was Henry "Hank" McCoy. When he was born, Hank McCoy looked entirely human except for his enormous hands and feet. In college, he became a football star, nicknamed "The Beast" for his amazing apelike agility. His growing fame brought him to the attention of Charles Xavier, making him his fourth recruit and using his famed nickname as his codename, Beast.
The X-Men, who Professor X had named the team and who were all wearing their black and yellow uniforms he'd established for use in training and field situations, were halfway through their session and seemed to be passing with flying colours. For this particular training session, they were using the physical wherewithal of the Danger Room; as they were up against metallic flying spheres, tentacles, death-traps (yet non-threatening) and laser cannons (which would only stun them if they were hit).
Angel, seeing as he was the only flier in the group, was busy dodging the metallic spheres with the use of his aerial manoeuvrability as they soar toward him one-by-one. Beast, Cyclops and Iceman were taking care of the tentacles and laser cannons on ground level, occasionally watching out for the death drops that could appear out of nowhere.
"Okay X-Men! Spread out! We're easy targets if we stick together!" Cyclops commanded, lifting his hand up to his visor and pressing one of the studs on its side, releasing a heatless beam of concussive force that completely destroyed one of the laser cannons that was firing upon them. The other two quickly dodged out of the way of the other cannons' fire, just as Cyclops did, so they wouldn't get hit and be eliminated from the test.
Iceman, whose body was sheathed in ice after learning how to after weeks of training, created an ice shield in front of himself to absorb the cannons' fire. Using its protection he turned himself around, ice-blasting several of the incoming tentacles that tried to take him by surprise. They fell to the floor, smashing into pieces upon impact, looking like diamonds against the lights of the Danger Room.
"Oh how I love this job!" Iceman expressed contentedly, as he dived out of the way of another cannon's fire and froze it completely with another ice blast.
"Iceman, keep your head in the game! This session's not over yet!" Cyclops pronounced just before unleashing another optic blast that obliterated the cannon that Iceman had just frozen only seconds ago.
"Whatever you say Bossman!" Iceman smirked, heading straight back into the fray.
Meanwhile Beast was using his simian-like strength, dexterity and agility to dodge the cannons' fire whilst taking down the tentacles, ripping them from the very wall as though they were tissue paper. Sparks of electricity seemed to fly around the muscular teenager as he back-flipped away a couple of times, successfully dodging the cannon fire before using the two tentacles in his hands like whips. Once they were lassoed around the firing guns, Beast used all of his strength to rip them from their very posts, crashing to the floor below.
"Rather barbaric but gets the job done all the same," Beast poetically uttered, his blue eyes watching overhead as Angel flew by, followed shortly by the metallic spheres and cannon fire.
"You do what you must to achieve your objective! Watch how I achieve mine!" Angel cried out, successfully dodging the cannon fire as he glided through the air, spinning and twirling elegantly like he'd been doing this his entire life. Coming up to several large metal hoops that erected from beneath the very floor, Angel spotted them just in time and flew right through the middle of them all, wings held in tight for equilibrium. Once he was clear of the hoops, he was vast approaching one of the walls of the Danger Room and with the flying metal spheres hot on his tail, Angel needed to time this right, or he'd surely be put out for the count.
Alright Warren, this is your moment to shine, he goaded himself, not wanting to look like a fool in front of the other guys. Slowing down for the metal spheres to catch up, Angel persisted on flying onward until only a couple of feet away and then suddenly turned skyward. The sudden manoeuvre was too quick for the spheres to react and crashed vigorously into the steel wall, causing it to dent in places where they struck.
"Wahoo! Did ya see that Beast?" Angel cheered, flying around just in time to see the muscular mutant effectively dodge a certain cannon's fire before somersaulting into the air, landing safely behind it and ripping it off its post. It fizzed and fuzzed before powering down, Beast dropping it to his side.
"Ah Beast! You didn't watch, did ya?" Angel asked, a little disappointment in his voice that his friend didn't see the fantastic move he'd just performed.
"My apologies, my winged friend. As you can see, I was a little inattentive so to speak, but I couldn't have imagined it anymore than amazing." Beast smirked as Angel patted him on the back, a smirk evident on his face behind the black mask that covered most of the X-Man's head, revealing only his shiny blue eyes and mouth.
The two X-Men spun their heads abruptly to the other two who were busy taking out the last of the cannons and tentacles. Cyclops, with his hand on his visor, pressed the stud in quick succession releasing several optic beams at a time. All hitting the cannons without fail, putting them out of order for good.
Iceman, dodging out of the way of two swinging tentacles, flash-freezing them on the spot before using his hands to crush them into crystal dust. All the training equipment disappeared back into the walls and floors of the Danger Room for repairs. It was now just a featureless room with steel walls and a large door with an X inscribed across it but had no windows.
"Training Simulation No. 1.5 is complete. All targets neutralized and objectives accomplished," the Danger Room's synthetic voice authorized, its metallic voice talking out of the intercom.
"Well done, my students. You are really starting to work more as a team than individuals, though there were some…flaws so to speak," Professor X's voice occurred next on the intercom, sounding rather calm, "As such, that's the end of training for today. I'd like you all to hurry to your rooms and get change. I have someone I'd like you all to meet once she arrives. Which won't be long so I suggest you hurry." And with that understood, Professor X reversed his wheelchair from in front of the computer and headed into the elevator that led to the floors of the X-Mansion.
Down below in the Danger Room, all four boys looked at each other with a mixture of wonder and bewilderment as to who this mysterious woman could be.
"And I wonder who that could be?" Iceman asked, more to himself than the others as he relapsed into his human form, "Could he be adding a new member?"
Angel had touched down by now and was walking alongside Iceman and Beast, all talking about the possibilities of who this "she" could be. Cyclops, who had his head hanging, followed shortly behind delved in his own thoughts. Not having a single clue that this "she" was going to change his life…forevermore.
After waiting patiently for what felt like an hour but was really only 10 minutes, Jean Grey was about to press the doorbell again when the one of the doors opened up to reveal a man in a suit sitting in a wheelchair wearing quite a smart suit. One much like her father would wear whenever he and her mother go out to expensive parties and fancy dinners.
"Good morning, Miss Grey. I surely hope I haven't kept you waiting long?" Professor Xavier asked politely, smiling up at the girl whose red hair glowed with such radiance amid the sunlight that made it looked like it was ablaze. She was wearing a white surplice dress with contrast spaghetti straps, shirred crossover V-neckline and a full gathered skirt. To the Professor she appeared quite delicate, like an antique porcelain doll but he knew in particular that she was far from it.
Jean's smile widened, showing perfect white teeth, as she hooked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Not at all, Professor," she replied simply.
"Please, do come in. I'll have Scott bring in your bags when he and the others arrive," Professor X enunciated civilly, escorting her into the large living room which was decorated with expensive-looking furniture, several paintings of families past hung on numerous places on each of the four walls of the room. A sizeable fireplace made completely out of marble was fixed into the wall facing the doorway, which completed the aristocratic setting of the room.
Moving over to one of the two sofas that sat on either side of the glass coffee table clearly opposite to the fireplace, Professor X urged Jean to take a seat. Jean conforming almost immediately.
"Your home's more beautiful than I could ever have imagined," Jean replied in admiration, her mouth slight agape, her eyes wide with wonder. It didn't look so big from the outside, but once she'd stepped inside, she quickly noticed the apparent change.
Professor X could see the wonder in her bright, green eyes without having to use his telepathy and smiled, "Why thank you Jean. I assure you that, for how ever long you wish to stay with us, I know you're going to be truly happy here." His voice barely a whisper yet loud enough for both of them to hear.
Jean Grey blushed, the light crimson a welcomed addition to her fair complexion, "Thank you again. For accepting me into your school. I can't quite put it into words, but I feel as though I'm meant to be here. Does that sound at all strange, Professor?" She asked, looking to see that the smile on the Professor's face was still beaming at her.
"Not at all, my child." Professor X reassured softly, whom was making his way to the living-room entrance nearest the hallway, "Come. I'd like you to meet the others before we get you settled in."
As if on cue three teenagers, around the same age as Jean, entered from the foyer, all dressed in a casual mix of t-shirts, jeans, shorts, and trainers. The trio stopped dead in their tracks, eyes wide with surprise, all mouths agape as they stared at the sheer beauty that was Jean Grey.
"Whoa," Bobby seemed to be the anyone to utter as the other two continued to stare in silence.
The Professor coughed, "Uh-hum," grabbing their undivided attention, "Now boys, this is Jean Grey and from today, she will be a fellow student here at the Institute." Turning to face Jean, he persisted in introducing her to the others, first to Hank, who stepped forward once Professor gestured to him, "Jean, this is Henry McCoy, who also likes to go by the name "Hank". Because of his uncanny abilities, I have code-named him "Beast"."
What Jean first noticed about Hank as he took her hand into his and kissed it lightly like a gentleman was the sheer size of it. It must have been twice the size of a normal human hand, "It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Miss Grey. I can already tell that you're going to be very welcome here."
"Why thank you Hank. It's a pleasure to meet you too and please, call me Jean," she answered softly, as Professor X moved onto the next, "Jean, this is Robert Drake, youngest of my students and goes by the code-name, Iceman."
Bobby saluted, a large grin on his face, "And you can call me Bobby, Jean. I must say this place might pick up a bit now that you've joined us." From the way he was carrying himself, he was obvious to Jean that he was a flirter. And definitely one to watch out for in future, Jean told herself as Professor X began to introduce the last of the trio.
"Last but certainly not least is Angel or rather Warren Worthington III."
Warren, who was definitely a blond, stood up to her, and she could see right into his eyes. Deep Cerulean, as though she was looking into the ocean itself and to her, it was somewhat beautiful to look at.
"It's nice to meet you Jean and don't mind Bobby, he can be a little much, if you know what I mean," he smirked, receiving a nod from Jean, signifying that she knew what he was talking about.
"Hey! You can talk Warren! Just because you've got the looks and the physique, doesn't mean that every girl you meet falls at your feet!" Bobby expressed irately, crossing his arms over his chest in a huff.
Warren stood back up and smirked at the younger X-Man, "And how do you know I've got the physique, Bobby? Been checking me out?" He hinted with his eyebrows, loving how easily he can wind up the youngest X-Man.
"Ha, ha, ha. You're a real laugh riot Warren," Bobby replied sarcastically, Professor X deciding to break them up with a telepathic thought before they were at each other's throats, "Alright you two, that'll be enough of this foolishness. We're trying to give Jean a good impression of the school and its students, not seeing whose ego is bigger."
His telepathic voice seemed to boom like thunder inside the minds of the two adolescents as they wince at its intensity before nodding immediately afterward, denoting their understanding and not wanting to anger the Professor.
Just then someone caught Jean's attention as he stood tall behind the other three boys, hands behind his back, his face firm. As though he was standing to attention before his drill sergeant. Jean beamed, finding him quite fetching with his lips in a tight line, his dimples creasing slightly. But what caused her to continue to stare at the teen was the red-coloured shades he wore to hide his eyes. She then started to wonder why he would be wearing them inside the mansion. This was when the Professor came in.
"Jean, I'd like you to meet the last of my students, Scott Summers. I can tell by that look that your probably wondering why he's wearing those glasses."
Jean, watching as Scott stepped forward so she could see him better, nodded at the Professor's correct deduction but before he could continue where he left off, Scott carried on for him, "It's because of my mutant ability. You see Jean, my powers aren't like yours or any others for that matter. You all can conceal your abilities whenever you like but I haven't got that luxury. My powers are continuous and uncontrollable, meaning that I can't simply "turn them off" and I have no control over them whatsoever. So Professor X devised these glasses, made of ruby-quartz, that successfully diffuse my powers," he explained, pointing a finger to his glasses. "I also use a visor whenever I'm training or in the field."
After Scott's explanation of his powers, Jean's smile faltered and her heart sank, "Oh, how terrible it must be for you. And I thought I was having problems with my powers."
"Uh-hum," the Professor coughed to gain their attention, "I'm sorry to intrude but perhaps Scott can tell you more about it later on. For now, I'd like you to demonstrate some of your ability to the students. Show them what you're capable of." The Professor insisted, gesturing her to the middle of the room as though to "take the floor".
Jean, still looking at Scott, eventually turned away and nodded at the Professor, making her way over to the coffee table before spinning round to face them all. She took a moment to take a breath, her hands out by her sides before lifting them out in front of her.
The boys were practically paralyzed on the spot, waiting in pure anticipation to know what mutant power Jean was about to unleash. All was quiet until they heard what sounded like a gentle breeze as the furniture around her started to levitate slowly. There they remained afloat, Jean concentrating hard to keep them there until the pressure and their weight was too much for her, returning them to their original positions.
After what felt like a lifetime one of the boys spoke out, "Wow. That was truly awesome! What is that anyway?" It was Bobby who was asking so enthusiastically, his face full of amazement as she ambled her way back to the teens, feeling a little "light-headed" but smiling all the same.
"I have the power of telekinesis. Basically it means I can move objects with my mind," Jean said simply, shrugging her shoulders as though it was no "biggie".
Professor X then moved forward, gaining their full attention once again, "Thank you Jean for that fantastic demonstration. Now, before you settled in here, I'd just like a moment with you to talk a little bit more about my school." The Professor then gestured toward the sofa that she'd levitated only moments ago.
The boys, having heard this story many times before, decided that it was their time to leave and allow Jean to get acquainted with the school's history. Before he left Scott watched as she took her seat upon the sofa, the Professor settling himself beside the one opposite her. He was surprised when she looked up and waved to him, that smile still formed across her face.
Scott found himself waving back, his dimpled smile forming, before finally departing, picking up her leather bags in each hand and taking them up to her room…
New York City, New York
Meanwhile, while Jean was settling in back at the mansion of the "X-Men", another mutant was about to make himself known to the public, believing that now was the time to show humanity that "Homo-Superior" were the dominant species of the planet.
Garbed in a form-fitting body-suit coloured in crimson along with violet gloves and boots that were accented with crimson bands. Upon his head the mutant wore a helmet, similar to those worn by ancient gladiators with an opening in the front that exposed his face. Around the opening was an ornate violet accent. Centred above the facial opening was an ornate, horn-like ornamentation. The mutant floated effortlessly through the air, on his way to the centre of the city where it was bustling with homo-sapiens, which he liked to refer them as.
Onlookers from all around were staring in amazement and pointing at the floating mutant who continued his flight until he at last stopped outside the Daily Bugle on 39th Street and 2nd Avenue. Knowing full well that he'll get much publicity here. Still afloat high in the air, he turned to face his public, they not able to see his face as it was concealed by shadow, thanks to the bright Sun above.
"Hear me! Your time is at an end! The time for Homo-Superior's upon you all! You humans no longer deserve dominion over the planet Earth! I, the Master of Magnetism, shall show you my power…to make all of you bow down to me, Homo-Superior!" The Master of Magnetism bellowed, his voice seeming to boom all around the area, his eyes crackling with electricity.
The countless bystanders down below stood seemingly paralyzed, not having a clue what to do. If this was the start of a super-villain attack, then surely Spider-Man, The Avengers or the Fantastic Four would come to save the day. Wouldn't they?
The Master of Magnetism, who he so called himself, lifted his arms up into the air and, from that gesture, utilized his mutant ability to manipulate magnetism and all forms of electromagnetic energy. In front of him was a massive billboard of an upcoming film that was advertising its release in a couple of weeks. Pulling it away from its hinges via his magnetic powers, the mutant allowed it to levitate in the air for a few seconds before permitting it to plummet to the ground below.
Citizens right underneath it screamed and scattered in all directions, not wanting to be crushed by it. Next the Master of Magnetism magnetically raised several large objects (an empty bus, a "Woolworths" lorry, and other similar vehicles) off the ground, hearing the whimpers of the humans below wondering what he was going to do next.
"I think you should desist before someone gets hurt. Preferably you because you're wearing such appalling attire," a young voice sounded from behind the Magnetic Master.
The mutant turned to face whoever dared to speak to him like that but was quite astonished at who he saw. Stuck to the point of the Daily Bugle building was the Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man, with his arms crossed over his chest. Down below the red-and-blue costumed wall-crawler could hear the cheers from the citizens, chanting his name.
"Hah, hah, hah," the mutant laughed hoarsely, sounding to Spider-Man like those super-villains from the cartoons he used to watch from when he was a kid, "You really think you can stop me? I am Magneto! Master of Magnetism and I cannot be so easily defeated from the likes of you!" Pointing his finger at Spider-Man before allowing the objects he held under his power to drop back to the ground.
Spider-Man would be lying if he said that he wasn't just a little bit intimidated by this guy who called himself "Magneto". He could tell by the way that the guy just radiated power that he wasn't like the Vulture, Dr. Octopus or even Sandman. He was going to have to be real careful going against this guy.
"Come and give me your best shot Spider-Man," Magneto coerced the wall-crawler, his arms now crossed over his chest as he waited for the super-hero's first strike, "I'll even allow you to take the first shot." Spider-Man could only see the smarmy expression on Magneto's face as he pondered on how to approach him.
Then it came to him in the shapes of the NYPD, whose squad cars surrounded the area and were now aiming their weapons at Magneto. Spider-Man knew that the bullets wouldn't be able to take down the mutant, but it might give him the chance to take him down while they were keeping him occupied.
"This is Captain George Stacy of the NYPD! Stand down or we'll have no choice but to open fire!" His bellowing voice amplified with one of the department's megaphones.
He was the most noticeable of the countless officers, with pale blond hair that almost looked white and the only one not garbed in a police uniform. Instead Capt. Stacy was dressed in a stylish navy-blue suit with a red tie, with his gold police badge pinned to his left breast pocket. He also carried his own gun, a Glock 17, in his shoulder holster underneath his suit jacket.
"I won't ask you again! Stand down or we WILL open fire! Choice or not!" He replied again, this time backed up by the numerous sounds of the other officers' guns as they clicked off their safeties.
Getting Magneto's full attention now, the magnetic mutant turned in the air to face his challengers who continued to try his patience. His body crackling with electricity, Magneto descended until he landed on the pavement, 10 or so feet away from the officers and Capt. Stacy, before raising his arms out at them.
"You Homo-Sapiens and your guns," he muttered, now utilizing his powers to magnetically manipulate all of their weapons into his control and aim back at their owners, right between the eyes. Arming them, he smirks, confident in his ability and sheer control over them, "Without them you're all simply…powerless, am I right Capt. Stacy?"
Capt. Stacy, like the rest of his officers, was paralyzed to the spot. He didn't like to admit it, but he was scared. Scared that he didn't have a clue what to do or what this "Magneto" guy was up to. He just hoped Spider-Man had a plan to get them all out of there in one piece. Thing was, Capt. Stacy obviously didn't know that he, Spider-Man and his officers, were about to be saved by an unlikely force New York and perhaps the entire world will ever see…
Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters, Salem Center, Westchester County, New York
Once the Professor had told Jean everything she needed to know about himself; the Institute; the classes she'd be taught; the other students; the training of her powers; her and the others' role as an X-Man, he finally excused her to allow her to settle into the place he'd like her to call home from this day forward.
An hour later, she had settled into her room, which was probably two or maybe even three times as big as her own bedroom back home, and was now fitting into her training uniform which Hank had brought up for her, albeit with a flush look on his face.
Despite his size, he's a pure gentleman at heart, Jean smiled as she admired herself in the mirror, wearing the costume Professor X had made specifically for her. Just like the others' costumes; a black tight-fitting bodysuit with a yellow strip down the middle (also accentuating the shoulders) which had a black circle over her navel with a thin yellow 'X' over it. However, to make her costume suit her gender, Professor X had added a pair of yellow opera-style gloves and a pair of thigh-high flat boots.
I look utterly fantastic, even if I do look like something out of a comic book, she joked to herself before she was suddenly interrupted by a telepathic thought, commanded by the Professor himself, "Attention, X-Men! This is Professor Xavier! Report to the War Room at once! There's an important matter I'd like to discuss with all of you!"
As soon as he'd spoken, he was gone out of her mind just as quickly. Jean was able to think again, her head feeling like a church bell was ringing inside it. A few seconds later there was a soft knock on the door and Jean felt something, like a tingling sensation or butterflies in her stomach, as she softly called out, "Come in."
The door opened, creaking a little, and Scott popped his head, clothed in his uniform. His silver visor glinting in the light, "Err…Jean? Are you about ready? We shouldn't keep the Professor waiting." His voice was soft, gentle yet sounding like any normal 16-year-old boy. He was also looking down at the floor, acting all shy. Jean found it pretty cute and his cheeks were a nice colour of crimson.
"Yeah," she replied, her smile seeming to light up the entire room, "Lead the way."
Exiting the elevator into the subbasement Jean followed shortly behind Scott to make sure she didn't get lost down there, looking at the interior coloured in metal blue. A few moments later the two came up to a steel, oval door with a 'X' engraved on it, sliding open to reveal a larger room with the same interior as the corridor. There were various computers and monitors around the room, each with their own function. To the X-Men, this was the War Room; a room that monitored news feeds from every news network on television and radio, and scans every known frequency for reports on events occurring around the world. It was also where the X-Men was briefed on their current missions.
As the doors slid shut behind Jean, she turned back to see that Warren, Bobby and Hank were already waiting for the duo, sitting around the table situated in the centre of the room, garbed in their uniforms, with Professor X sitting amiably at the head of it.
"Hello again, Jean. I do hope this isn't too overwhelming for you for your first day as an X-Man?" the Professor asked benevolently, his facial expression clearly showing his concern for his newest recruit.
Jean stood with her hands behind her back, shaking her head, "No, no, not at all. I'm finding it a little exciting if not a little daunting at the same time. If that makes any sense at all?"
Professor X admired her courage, knowing the fact that she was willing to help them on their mission even though she hasn't even trained in the Danger Room yet, "Not at all, my child," the Professor assured her, "What you're feeling now is perfectly natural. Like I said before, it is your first day after all. Oh, and before I forget, your codename shall be Marvel Girl. I've already notified the others while you were making yourself at home."
Jean nodded in agreement, taking a seat between Scott and Hank, who smiled at her behind his black mask that completely covered his head, like the others except Bobby's, before all their attention was back on the Professor.
"Now to your mission; a crisis has arisen in New York City which leads me to believe that the first of the evil mutants that I've spoken to you all about has made their appearance! Spider-Man and the police are trying their best to hinder the mutant but it appears that they're going to need your help. You must help them take down this mutant or the consequences will be dire! I shall accompany you all via telepathy. Now go, there's not a moment to lose!" Professor X commanded his team, all nodding with understanding before bounding out of the War Room, with Jean following shortly behind.
"Where are we going Scott?" Jean called, her voice seeming to resonate in the corridors.
"To the hangar where we keep the X-Jet," he replied, Jean hearing the shushing of the doors as they slid opened and revealed to her the gigantic hangar with a shiny, black RS-150 Blackbird situated dead in the centre. She could also see other vehicles sitting idly around it.
Jean was amazed. Her expression was priceless, "Wow…that's amazing. And you can actually fly this thing?" She asked, pointing to it as they all made their way down the stairs.
"Not yet but we all will when we are of age. In the meantime, the Professor flies it telepathically," Scott replied, stepping aside to allow Jean to enter the X-Jet before him.
"So, you're saying that the Professor can control and fly this thing from the War Room just by using his telepathy? That's unbelievable!" Jean said in amazement, sitting down in one of several chairs that was positioned parallel from each other.
Hank turned from his seat once he'd buckled himself in, "Listen Jean…now that you've joined the X-Men, you'll realize that nothing's unbelievable!"
And just as he'd said that, the opening closed behind them, the X-Jet burst into life, its controls online and ready to fly. As Jean buckled herself in, her heart started to pound hard in her chest, mostly of excitement but also with anxiety. However, she somehow felt safe with these boys and her heart gently eased to that of soft thumping, looking to Scott to see that he was busy tightening his gloves and making sure that his visor was on and secure.
The platform under the X-Jet started to ascend up into the ceiling and just before it could hit it, it slid open and Jean could see that the hangar was right underneath the basketball court at the back of the mansion. Yeah, it was going to take her a while to get used to this place with all its wonders but she was sure glad that she'd made the right choice in coming here.
She, like the others, relaxed into their chairs as the X-Jet took off into the sky, taking them to the city and onto their first mission as X-Men.
New York City, New York
Meanwhile, as the X-Men were on their way in the X-Jet, the situation with Magneto was steadily getting worse. He'd created a massive force-field out of sheer magnetic energy to keep Capt. Stacy and the other officers out of his way while he "played" with Spider-Man until his demands were met.
Spider-Man, for the time being, was utilizing everything that he'd learned since he first discovered his powers around the same time the Fantastic Four gained theirs but to diminutive effect. Every time he fired his web-shooters, Magneto would dissipate them magnetically before they even reached him, and every time he'd get close to lay out a punch or a roundhouse kick, Magneto would erect his protective force-field, making him practically impervious to his attacks.
Taking a respite on top of a lamppost Spider-Man knew straight the way that he was at his limit. He was almost out of 'web-fluid', his entire body was fatigued, and he was out of options. Magneto, however, hadn't even battered an eyelid. Well, of course! He's protected behind his 'magnetic force-field', Spider-Man bleated to himself as he took a moment to catch his breath and think about what to do next.
"You waste my time, web-slinger! You're more like the annoying fly on the wall than the spider that preys upon it! It's about time I take you out of this picture, once and for all!" Magneto claimed, raising his hands and sending a magnetic bolt toward the exhausted Spider-Man.
With his 'spider-sense' tingling, Spider-Man managed to flip out of the way, the magnetic bolt hitting the lamppost instead and sending it crashing down onto the several cars below. Sticking onto nearby building Spider-Man didn't have time to recover as Magneto sent another bolt of magnetic energy, this time, as the web-slinger dodged out of the way, it caused some of the windows to shatter and the building to rumble.
I've got to think of something fast! I don't know how long I'm going to last! Spider-Man told himself but was unable to do so as Magneto grabbed him magnetically, making the web-slinger incapable to move within the magnetic energy.
"Enough! I tire of your evasive actions! Time to end this childish game you proceed in playing!" Magneto claimed, raising Spider-Man to his level, still held within his power.
Spider-Man felt like the energy was crushing the very life out of him, his muscles aching and now feeling completely powerless. He hated to think it but he was out of options. If a miracle was going to occur, now would be the perfect time to do so…
Outside of the force-field Capt. Stacy was getting worried, "What the hell's happening in there? Is Spider-Man winning? Can anyone please tell me something?" He turned to his officers, who were all scattered around him and spotted a most unfamiliar sight.
"Maybe the X-Men could be of an assistance?" A voice spoke from behind the crowd, it immediately spreading out to reveal five individuals in black and yellow costumes, their faces concealed by masks that either covered their entire head or just their faces, most likely superheroes but ones unlike the Fantastic Four or the Avengers.
"X-Men? Who in the world?" Capt. Stacy asked, watching as the five heroes approached him, all the officers including himself giving them amazed looks as they passed. The most noticeable was the one whose body was sheathed completely in ice and another had large, feathered wings sprouted from his shoulder blades.
"No time to explain, sir. I respectfully request you hold back while myself and my team-mates go into action to stop this guy," Cyclops demanded, the others standing firm behind him.
Capt. Stacy took a moment to think of the costumed hero's request, looking back and forth at the heroes and the fore-field before eventually deciding, "Oh, all right! I've got nothing else to lose! You've got 15 minutes, then I'm bringing in the big guns."
Cyclops nodded in understanding, "You won't regret it, sir. X-Men…let's move out!" He commanded, leading them onward toward the force-field while Angel flew overhead.
Now standing in front of the magnetic force-field, Cyclops turned to face his team-mates, "All right everybody, stand back. I'm gonna try something I haven't done before so I want all of you to be at a safe distance in case it backfires."
The others didn't know what to make of it but complied all the same, Marvel Girl holding back somewhat until Cyclops reassured her with a comforting smile and a nod.
Once he was in position in front of the force-field Cyclops raised both hands to his visor, a finger just barely touching the studs fixed on either side before pressing them both down together, unleashing the destructive, ruby-coloured force behind them. Letting loose at full intensity, the others could see that the force-field was weakening but so was Cyclops, who kept informing them that he couldn't maintain the action for very long.
He sustained the attack for a few more moments before the force-field finally gave way, dissipating into the air while Cyclops, now completely exhausted for using too much of his power, collapsed.
"Cyclops!" Marvel Girl cried out as she softened his landing with her telekinesis. Beast was at Cyclops' side in half a minute, checking to see that he was alright, giving everyone else the nod of reassurance when he was.
"Don't worry Marvel Girl. Cyclops had just used too much of his power, that's all. He'll come to in a matter of minutes so there's nothing to worry about. Now come on," he heaved Cyclops onto his shoulder effortlessly, thanks to his superhuman strength, "Let's show him that we can carry the ball."
"Alright, it's about time we get to show off our powers!" Iceman cheered as he and the others hurried into the fray, with Angel soaring overhead.
Elsewhere, Magneto had felt the impressive energy feedback and had turned his attention away from Spider-Man, releasing him from his magnetic grip and letting him plummet 20 feet to the ground below. Luckily, well in Spider-Man's shoes anyway, he landed right on top of a parked car, the sheer force of the plummet causing him to cave the very roof in, shatter all the windows and set off the car's alarm. Spider-Man was sincerely out for the count.
"What is this? Some power has completely dispersed my force-field. Some power as superhuman as my own! I must meet the superhuman who has managed to accomplish such a feat!" Magneto deducted, floating in the direction of the disturbance, using the magnetic waves to pinpoint the exact location.
In no time at all, Magneto confronted the cause of his force-field depleting but instead of finding one superhuman, there were in fact five of them, clothed in black and yellow costumes and making their stand. However, what grabbed Magneto's attention was the symbol that was inscribed on their costumes: 'X'.
He couldn't really dwell on it for the time being as one of the five; a muscular brute who seemed contented on walking on all fours, much like a silverback gorilla, called out to him, placing the one on his shoulders gently against the side of a nearby car.
Beast raised up his hands in a peaceful gesture, in hopes that it'll give the mutant the hint that they weren't there to fight, "I implore you to please desist your malevolent acts of violence! We do not wish to fight you, just to reason with you!"
However, it seemed to the three other X-Men that Beast's ploy to reason with the mutant had been disregarded as Magneto let out a menacing laugh that seemed to resonate all around the street. "Do you honestly believe that you four can reason with me? I am Magneto and I am here to prove that the human race no longer deserves dominion over this planet! We, Homo-Superior, shall rise above them! I offer you to join me in my enterprise or you shall perish along with the rest of those who oppose me!"
Iceman stood with his hands on his hips, clenched into fists, and laughed to his team-mates, "Jeez, this guy sounds more like the villains I read about in my comic-books! Where's the originality!"
Magneto, who was surely losing his patience, asked the group one more time about his offer, "I shall ask you one final time! Do you or do you not wish to join my conquest? You'll only be disappointed if you refuse my generous offer."
It took no time for the X-Men to make their decision, Beast once again answering for all of them, "We're so sorry but we're going to have to protest your generous offer. Your attacks on these citizens of New York City's intolerable and we're here to put a stop to it."
At that moment the four X-Men moved into their defensive stances, forming a semi-circle around the still unconscious Cyclops, intent in protecting him from anything Magneto was going to throw at them.
From where they were standing, the X-Men could tell that the magnetic mutant was smirking, remaining afloat as his smirking soon turned into hoarse laughter.
"Hah, hah, hah! I admire your gallantry, young one, but surely you've figured out that all of you combined aren't strong enough to face my power?"
It was Beast's turn to smirk, standing his ground, the others doing the same, "Ah but that's where you're wrong, Magneto. There are other ways in defeating your adversary than just using strength and power."
As soon as he'd uttered those words, a powerful beam of concentrated ruby-coloured energy blasted past the four teenagers and struck Magneto squarely in the chest. The attack took the "powerful" mutant by surprise and sent him soaring through the air and smashing through a nearby building.
"Like taking them by surprise," uttered Cyclops, who was now fully recovered from his earlier attack on Magneto's force-field, if not a little out of breath.
The four X-Men turned abruptly to face him, all their faces expressing the same emotion they all felt as they looked upon him; astonishment. This 16-year-old kid, with the uncanny ability to fire concussive force from his eyes powerful enough to level a building easy, used all of this power to take down the force-field that was blocking their entry and within a matter of minutes, was now back on his feet, fully recovered and ready to take down the menace that was threatening with human lives. Their own included.
"Hey Cyclops! Good to have ya back in the game!" Iceman grinned, pattering the leader on the back, Cyclops' smirk his only reply.
"Yes. I'm quite impressed in how quickly you've recovered from that spectacular act you pulled on Magneto's force-field," Beast added, Angel and Marvel Girl joining in crowding round their intrepid leader.
"ENOUGH OF THIS!" A great bellow emerged from behind the five teenagers, seeming to echo for miles around. It even vibrated the very air around them.
The X-Men switched their attention back to their magnetic adversary, who was now vibrating with power, electricity crackling in the air around him and from out of his eyes, "I WILL NOT ALLOW A BUNCH OF KIDS TO RUIN WHAT I HAVE PLANNED FOR THE HUMAN RACE! NOW, I SHALL DESTROY YOU ALL!" He roared with such anger, such energy that it caused all of the X-Men's hairs to stand on end.
Next Magneto gestured one arm to a car below, gripping it with his magnetic powers and levitating into the air, throwing it towards his young opponents seconds later.
"Iceman! Shield us now!" Cyclops ordered but before the youngest of the X-Men could encase the team in a shield of ice, strong enough to withstand the impact of a flying car, Marvel Girl stepped up to the plate, "He's got no time! I can handle this!"
Before he could protest, Marvel Girl raised both hands, which rippled with telekinetic power, and aimed them at the approaching car. Within a matter of milliseconds, she'd managed to halt the vehicle mid-air, successfully stopping it from pursuing its goal of crushing them underneath its weight. With a gesture of both hands to the right, she flung the car telekinetically aside. However, the strain of the car's weight and using so much of her power at one time caused Marvel Girl to fall onto her knees, exhausted from the effort.
Cyclops immediately came to her aid whilst the others stayed back, keeping him covered from any of Magneto's other attacks, "Marvel Girl! Are you alright?" He placed a hand on her shoulder, gentle to the touch, which somehow causes Jean to feel butterflies in her stomach.
"I'm…I'm fine…Just never held something that heavy before," she gasped, accepting Cyclops' hand to help her onto her feet.
Nevertheless, as soon as the others join the duo Magneto was setting up his next attack. Using both hands this time he magnetically raised two cars this time and sent them hurtling towards the group.
Angel instantly flew into the sky to avert the collision with a plan in mind to slow the magnetic mutant down. As though thinking the same thing, Iceman gestured toward one of the flying cars and froze it with a 'freeze beam' before Cyclops pushed one of the studs on his visor and released a fast, optic beam, obliterating it successfully.
Meanwhile Beast was standing his ground, tensing all of his muscles and channelling all of his strength into his arms and feet. Whilst training in the Danger Room, Hank had only managed to bench press a single tonne, hoping to God that it was enough to accomplish what he was about to do. The second flying car "nosedived" on top of Beast but he managed to grasp it, using every ounce of his strength to make sure it didn't crush him. After what felt like hours holding up the 1 tonne car, Beast 'gently' threw it to the side, landing with a crash, followed by windows smashing.
The manoeuvre exhausted Beast, who collapsed onto his knees, getting his strength back slowly but surely. He wasn't going to attempt a feat like that for a long while.
Whilst the others attended to Beast, Angel swooped into a nearby alleyway to carry out his plan to take out Magneto while he had his attention on his team-mates. Flying past some garbage Angel's sharp eyes spotted a long, dirty pipe, probably belonging to a drain overhead, and grabbed it before soaring back up into the air.
Looking back to Magneto and the X-Men, Angel can see that his team-mates were busy distracting him with everything they could throw at him.
Alright Warren, here goes nothing, he goaded himself, picking up speed as he flew straight for Magneto, lifting the pipe high over his head for his surprise attack.
Yet, to Angel's utter surprise, Magneto spun around immediately and halted the winged X-Man with his magnetic powers, "Did you really think you could sneak up on someone who can sense your every movement?" He then proceeded to wrap the large pipe around Angel magnetically before tossing him aside, turning back to the other X-Men.
"Angel! I've got you!" Marvel Girl called, seizing him with her telekinesis before directing him carefully beside Cyclops, who used his ability to cut the pipe away from around Angel's body.
"Thanks, Cyclops. This Magneto guy's a tough character," Angel uttered, but he was interrupted by Magneto's voice booming once again, "Not all those with mutant powers are fit to rule the Earth! I've decided that you all must be eradicated!"
"Cheerful chap, isn't he?" Iceman smiled, his obvious sense of humour not really appreciated at this given time as they gathered back together, awaiting Magneto's next assault.
Magneto, who drifted closer to the costumed teenagers, utilized more of his powers this time in order to levitate all of the cars in the street into the air and showered them upon the on looking superheroes.
"Iceman! Now it's your turn!" Cyclops quickly commanded, the youngest X-Man getting straight to work. Waving his hand in a semi-circle over his head, Iceman quickly creates a domed ice-shield over himself and his friends just in the nick of time. A few seconds later, the flying vehicles compacted against each other as they bombarded the ice-shield that Iceman had created, resulting in a large explosion that shattered all the windows in the nearby buildings and sent anything else flying.
One of these things to go flying was the car that Spider-Man had landed on top of and once it was in motion in the air, the wall-crawler's spider-sense was tingling and he instantly awoke. Not having much time to shake away the light-headedness that was dancing around in his head, Spider-Man discharged a strand of web from one of his wrist-shooters to a nearby building, pulling himself toward it before being "literally" squashed.
"Whoa! What did I miss while I was out?" Spider-Man asked himself, now taking the time to shake away the light-headedness before noticing Magneto hovering over a blazing inferno, laughing manically.
"That guy's probably going to tear down the city if I don't do something and fast!"
Diving off the roof of the building, Spider-Man web-swung his way toward Magneto, blasting away countless globs of webbing while the mutant menace was presently distracted by the inferno. The webbing hit their target and instantly stuck to Magneto, making him unable to move his arms, Spider-Man watching as the man tried to struggle out of it.
"YOU! I had forgotten about you, you annoying pest!" Magneto fumed, releasing his magnetic powers outward which successfully rid him of Spider-Man's webbing that covered his body, "And now to take care of you once and for all!"
"I don't think so!" A voice called from below, followed by a blast of red, concussive energy that hit Magneto square on the back, knocking him off balance and plummeting back to the ground. Magneto managed to save himself before he hit the ground but when he turned back to see who'd hit him, his face was astonished. Cyclops was standing just a few feet away from the inferno, completely unharmed, and with the rest of the X-Men. Iceman, meanwhile, was flash-freezing the fire until it was completely out.
"Not possible! How could you have survived such an attack?" Magneto asked, confusion clearly written on his face as Spider-Man jumped down to join the group.
With his fingers ready on the studs of his visor, Cyclops walked slowly toward the mutant who was crawling away from him, replying surprisingly in a calm voice after what he'd just been through, "Stand down Magneto. We can do this the easy way or…the hard way." Cyclops' visor flashed red when he uttered the last part but Magneto wasn't going to surrender so easily to a bunch of mutant kids.
"Hah! You haven't defeated me yet!" He raised his arms out in front of him and released a burst of magnetic energy, sending the X-Men and Spider-Man sprawling onto their backs. Just as hastily he then impelled himself into the air via magnetic propulsion and vanished away before the heroes could go after him.
Moments later Spider-Man sat up, hand placed on the side of his head and moaned, "Hunh! Have I got a splitting headache." He then turned to face the other costumed heroes, "Hey, are all of you alright?"
They all eventually sat up, moaning and groaning, but all managing to nod their heads to confirm that they were, in fact, all right.
"Who are you guys anyway? If you don't mind me asking," Spider-Man enquired whilst helping Cyclops to his feet, "You're certainly not the Fantastic Four."
"We're the X-Men, Spider-Man. I'm Cyclops, this is Marvel Girl and they are Angel, Beast and Iceman," he introduced, pointing at the others as they helped each other to their feet and brushing away the dust that had gotten onto their costumes.
Spider-Man smiled behind his mask, "Well, I like to say it's always nice to have help around here, and I can't say that I didn't appreciate it. With that Magneto guy gone for now, it's about time I was heading off. More people to save and all that. Catch ya later, X-Men!" Spider-Man sounded off, shooting a web onto a nearby building and swinging off into the distance.
"I see how he runs off to leave us to clean up the mess," huffed Iceman as Capt. Stacy approached them with several of his men.
"I can't say how contented we are that you lot arrived when you did and stopped Magneto from tearing any more of this city apart. Where's Spiderman, by the way?" He asked with much enthusiasm, looking behind the X-Men to see if he could see everyone's Friendly Neighbourhood Superhero.
"He took off. Left us to do the clean-up, can you believe it?" Iceman replied with a huff, crossing his arms at the thought of it.
Capt. Stacy smiled and nodded, knowing the exact same feeling whenever he arrived on a scene in which Spider-Man was involved but had absconded moments before.
"Well, if you don't want to be swarmed by crowds of press, I'd suggest you hightail it out of here pronto." The Captain stepped aside, pointing in the direction in which the X-Men had made their entrance and where the X-Jet was parked.
"Well, if you say so Captain," Iceman said in his usual manner, walking past him on his way to the X-Jet, followed shortly by Angel, Beast and Marvel Girl. Captain Stacy placed his palm on the passing Cyclops' shoulder, knowing in his experience in the force that he was the leader of this little band of superheroes. He also had a hunch that they were probably only in their teens.
"So, you call yourselves the X-Men, huh?" He then smiled again, pearly whites glinting in the sunlight, reminding Cyclops of those models in the toothpaste commercials, "I won't ask you to reveal your true identities, but I do promise that after today the name X-Men will be the most honoured in my department. As the same goes to Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. The people need heroes to look up to; to save us from those who mean us harm and to help us to make a brighter future for us all."
Cyclops was at a loss for words, "I…I thank you sir. You can count on us, the X-Men, to return whenever you, the people, are ever threatened by those who mean harm. That, you can count on."
The two exchanged a handshake and then Cyclops was off, following after the others as they disappeared into the X-Jet, back to the safety of the X-Mansion and to be congratulated by the Professor on a job well done. Their first mission as X-Men was a complete success!
THE END OF ISSUE 1