/
Onslaught catches him as he lies in bed, staring at the high pebbled ceiling above. Even the usual background noise of the other inhabitants in the mansion is unable to lull him to sleep.
Think of what we could accomplish, together. We want the same thing. Join Me.
No. Charles can hear his own desperation as he tries to deny the voice in his head.
Onslaught tsked. Charles, Charles. You know what must be done. Let me in.
There has to be another way! I can't … I can't just …
Onslaught smiles his usual Cheshire cat smile, eyes glowing more brilliantly blue than human genetics allow. I'm afraid you're out of time—I can afford to wait. Can you?
/
Charles is sitting on the front steps of the entrance to the Xavier mansion, the last significant refuge of mutants with kindly intentions toward humans, when Erik returns with a straggle of the Brotherhood; of course Erik had had no trouble with the metal gates leading to the grounds.
"Back so soon?" Charles asks, with admirably restrained sarcasm. "I hardly had time to miss you." He looks worn. He has grown something approaching a beard, and long hair.
"You know why," Erik says shortly. "But I'll fill you in, because I like the sound of my voice. The Phoenix has usurped my position as head of the mutant movement for freedom."
Charles glances over the pitiful remnants of the once swelling crowd of the Brotherhood. "And taken many of your pawns, I see." He gets to his feet. "Well, come in. You're late, actually. We're about to discuss what can be done."
"If anything," Erik says dryly.
"I think we have one last option."
/
Enraged by the Phoenix's wanton destruction, humans are similarly wreaking vengeance on mutants everywhere.
United at last against a common foe, the Brotherhood and X-Men, working under the coordinated efforts of Charles and Erik with input from senior mutants like Logan. The last and Hank will stay behind to protect the young mutants collected in the hugely enlarged (by Erik) underground bunker. Built to withstand a nuclear war, hopefully it will do the same against the Phoenix.
"I don't like it," Logan mutters, stubbing out his cigarette on his hand. Charles winces. "I should be out there with you and Magneto."
Charles smiles at him. "You're a last defense, to be put to use only in the event that everyone else fails. Your job is the most important of all—keeping the next generation of mutants safe."
"Cut the bull, Professor." But Logan waves him away. "I get it. Go and get Jean back."
/
Raven takes a good look at Charles once she neatly cuts away the last excess strands. He is newly clean-shaven, and looks much younger than yesterday, although she suspects the lines of strain on his face will always remain as marks of the extreme stress under which he labors.
Charles grins at her with a trace of his roguish, womanizing ways. "Would you date me?" he inquires innocently.
Raven's lips twitch. "Of course I would. You're stunning."
He comes closer and enfolds her in a close embrace. "You're my oldest friend," Charles murmurs.
"But not your only friend," she finishes warmly.
Charles says nothing, releases her, smiles, and goes to change. The next time she sees him, he is at his desk, neatly dressed in his once familiar cardigans and is nearly indistinguishable from the charming and irrepressible young man she knew years ago.
She approaches, and sees that he is, impossibly, grading papers. No, she realizes. He is reading old student letters expressing their appreciation at acceptance to the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, carefully setting one aside after another.
On observing her presence, he stands up, and with her impeccable eye for detail, she notes how carefully he has prepared himself for the upcoming confrontation, from his posture and expression to the shine on his shoes and cane.
"Funny how time passes," is his only comment as they walk out of the room into the drizzling morning, Raven with a hand on the small of his back as Charles limps forward.
/
The plan is childishly simple, actually. In a pincer movement, Erik and Alex will use the mutants under their command to close ranks on the Phoenix's minions in a concentrated attack.
As the Phoenix is forced to try to be everywhere at once, Emma will telepathically do what she can to distract Her.
Everything leads to Charles, who assures his friends that he has a final magic trick, one he does not really elaborate on. The mutants following him have such unshakeable faith in their Professor that they only nod and agree.
They are standing in quiet on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial when Erik turns to Charles. "So many years wasted fighting each other, Charles … to have a precious few of them back."
Charles does not dispute the statement, only continues gazing out onto the horizon.
"I'm sorry, Charles. I truly am." Erik holds out a hand. "Goodbye, old friend."
After a few moments, Charles shakes himself, and taking his hand, and smiles at Erik fondly. "Goodbye, Erik." One day, we will all be together again. Charles' image suddenly blurs, as if Erik is looking at him through tears.