Chapter 3: The Journey Begins

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Character cross overs

Willow: Scott Summer (Cyclops)

Kiaya: Jean Grey (Phoenix)

Meegosh- Bobby Drake (Iceman)

Mims- Rachel Summers

Ranon- Nathan Summers (Cable)

Vohnkar: Piotr Rasputin (Colossus)

Burglekutt: Warren Worthington III (Angel)

High Aldwin: Charles Xavier (Professor X)

Warrior: Lucas Bishop (Bishop)

Hopeful #1- Forge

Hopeful #2- Vincent (Mesmero)

Hopeful #3- Arcade

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Every year the natives of Niagara would get together at the town fair. Items would be brought for sale, ranging from fabrics to foods. Games amongst friends were played and families joined in reunions. This was the time of year when the hard labors were substituted for a few days of joy and leisure.

Scott Summers had many things on his mind, though two consumed his thoughts. One was of the child his children had found in the river. Thoughts of what to do once today was over made him a little anxious. The other topic was of today itself. Today his dream of being taught by the great Sorcerer Charles Xavier was finally possible. The Sorcerer was rarely seen in realms west of Syracuse and to be in Niagara was unheard of.

The people of this realm had decided to make a big showing of this occasion. A stage and dozens of chairs were set up for the audience to witness this once in a lifetime event. Only a few were here this early.

Towards the back of the seating area Scott saw Bobby Drake, his childhood friend. "How are you feeling today, apprentice?" Bobby asked.

"Don't jinks me, Bobby," Scott said, ridged as always.

Bobby smiled. "Come on you're a shoe in. You just have to let the old man see for himself."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Scott and Bobby found a food stand and purchased snacks for the kids. They returned to the stage to find a seat amongst the audience. Three chairs together were found near the front.

Scott helped his children get settled in and looked at Bobby. His longtime friend could tell Scott was nervous. Growing up together the pair fed off each other well. While Scott was more practical, Bobby was a clown. Always joking at the most inappropriate moments and usually, surprisingly enough, making Scott laugh. But today would not be one of those days. No jokes would get his old friend's mind off what was about to take place. An opportunity few got.

Bobby was about to say something but the horns sounded. They all turned as Charles walked towards the stage. He didn't seem too impressed with all of the attention this was getting but as well-known as he was this wasn't the first time a choosing gained this much attention. Each of Charles's choosing's were conducted differently but the end result was the same. Charles sought not only the persons' potential but the person as well. They needed to be ready for the training. Something was pulling him to Niagara, someone of great potential.

As he walked to the stage the Dwellers looked on. Some bowed while others lowered their eyes in respect to the legendary Sorcerer. On the stage three other hopefuls stood alongside Scott, they consisted of Arcade, Forge and Mesmero. Charles eyed them all carefully, studying them. He offered a riddle to look deeper at what type of potential stood before him.

"Magic, is the blood stream of the universe. Forget all you know, or think you know. What grants you that power, is your intuition. The power to control the world is in which finger?"

Charles approached the first hopeful, Forge who thought for a moment and then chose Charles's middle finger. Charles let the response lingered for a moment then descended the chosen finger, shaking his head, no.

Moving down the line to Mesmero, who pointed to Charles' index finger. Again, Charles discarded the response, allowing the second finger to drop.

With three remaining fingers to choose from the next seeker was Arcade. He chose Charles's thumb, a third incorrect answer.

With two fingers left, Scott thought of the answer. His first instinct had told him it was his own finger, the power within himself. Scott was about to reply his gut feeling when he decided against it and pointed to Charles's ring finger.

A moment passed and Scott couldn't help but notice the disappointment in Charles' eyes. Like Charles was expecting a different answer, the correct answer from him.

"No apprentice this year," he said, his words were torn between disappointment and disgust.

The crowd sighed and Scott knew he had blown his chance at the opportunity to be taught by Charles Xavier. The thought didn't have long to linger in his mind when fearful cries filled the square.

Beyond the screams, Scott saw a pair of Bayville wolves. Scott's immediate thought was his children. He turned to see Nathan was standing by Bobby's side, but Rachel was nowhere to be found.

"Where's Rachel?" Scott asked.

He looked at his side, "I…she was right here," Bobby said, scrambling to find the young girl.

"Quick, take Nathan and find somewhere to hide. I will find her."

Before Scott had a chance to get far from Bobby and Nathan, Bobby shouted to him, "Scott!" sarcasm overcoming any other emotion. "Don't pet the wolves. I'm pretty confident they bite."

Scott grinned, leaving his friend and son to fend for themselves. Around the square, people were screaming and running for their lives. Through all of the chaos, Scott had somehow managed to find Rachel hiding behind a stack of fruits brought to the festival. "Come on Rachel," he said, picking her up. Now Scott needed to find someplace to hide.

They were ushered into a nearby home. Scott did not hesitate to enter with Rachel in his arms. He thanked the occupants as they stood on guard. Scott listened from inside as the wolves snarled racing up and down the village. The beasts seemed to be in search of something in particular.

Outside five of the guards of Niagara chased after the beasts. It didn't take them long to slay the first wolf.

The second wolf had stopped its' search, snatching a cradle brought to the festival to sell. The wolf started shaking the wooden crib. The well-crafted item was broken to pieces under the powerful jaws of the wolf.

"Attack!" Piotr ordered, as five spears cut into the beast. Somehow the wolf still stayed aloft. "Back away," Piotr unsheathed his sword, "I got this one."

The other four guards did as commanded. They watched the young lad of thirteen, though at over six foot tall, stocky and still growing he hardly appeared and acted younger than a man in his twenties. He stood ready to take on the Bayville wolf one on one, not something many would do.

Piotr waited for an opening, when he got one he didn't hesitate. One swift blow left the wolf decapitated.

Nearby villagers saw the heroic display and came out from hiding to cheer the colossus man.

Piotr ignored the idol compliments, picking up the shredded cradle. "The wolves were after someone's baby."

Scott could feel his heart drop. "Jean!" He turned in time to see Bobby approaching him. "Keep them here," he said, pushing Rachel by Bobby's side. Scott ran, he needed to know if Jean was alright. Images clouded his mind as he thought of countless gory outcomes that could have happened if the wolves broke into their home.

He opened the door, some fear subsiding as the door still remained intact. "Jean!" He stormed inside.

"What is it, Scott?" she asked, getting up from her rocking chair, child in her arms.

Scott breathed a sigh of relief rushing up to her side, kissing her on the cheek.

"Scott, are you alright?" she asked confused.

"Bayville wolves," he heaved a breathe, "came to the festival. One ripped apart a cradle. The baby, Jean," he pointed to the child in his wife's arms. "They were here for the baby. We need to take her to the counsel."

Jean closed her eyes, fearful now of what this child had brought to their realm and what the mark meant. She opened her eyes and nodded, hugging her husband.

~3~

"Who knows what Bayville will send next," one Dweller shouted.

"If they send their wolves to Niagara the army is not far behind," another added.

"It's a sign! There's a bad omen amongst us. We must form together and discover who it is," another shouted.

"And throw it in the pit!"

"Yeah!" the crowd agreed.

After that, the number of Dwellers began shouting out different ideas to the demise of whoever it was that Bayville sought after.

Scott heard some of the grotesque ideas and looked at Jean. The couple decided against telling the counsel about the baby since all of their ideas, at the moment, seemed to be in the death of the child.

They started edging out, but Charles saw them. "Scott Summers," he called out. The crowd grew silent and turned to look at Scott and his family. "You have a question that needs answering, lad?"

Taking a breath, Scott carried the infant towards Charles. "My children found this baby stranded on the shores of the river near my fields," Scott said, placing the baby at Charles's feet.

Charles looked at the child for a moment. His eyes widened and he searched the baby's arm and found the mark. Before Charles could speak Warren stepped forward and pointed accusingly at the baby.

"That's what Bayville wants. There's no reason to keep it here. We'll send it back to them," Warren said.

"No!" Scott insisted. "There's something special about her. Something magical, I can sense it."

"Scott, I told you quit with your magic. Great titles aren't meant for common folk such as you," he insulted. The group of villagers laughed at the exchange. They all knew Scott spoke of magic but had never shown any potential of being a Sorcerer, let alone an apprentice.

"Mr. Worthington, your…opinion of Mr. Summers offers no value to any of us. Step back." Charles said, beyond annoyed with the man's selfish outburst at a moment like this.

Warren looked around then backed into the crowd amongst the other villagers.

Charles returned his attention to the child at his feet. He calmly looked at Scott then back down at the baby. "This is the child of the prophecy!" he declared.

The crowd reacted with all sorts of outbursts; excitement, fear, cheerfulness, uncertainty. Charles held up his arms to silence the crowd. "She must be taken to the realm of Syracuse and given to the first Militia you come across."

"Who'd be crazy enough to get that close to Bayville occupied realms?" someone amongst the crowd shouted.

Closing his eyes everyone quieted down and watched the great Sorcerer summon his magic. When he opened his eyes, he again looked down at the baby then back up at the crowd. "A journey such as this will require those destined for greatness." Charles's eye caught Scott's.

Scott's breath caught in his throat and he waited for the Sorcerer to continue. "But one who cannot believe in their own destiny would need to look at this child and see what I see." Charles gestured at Scott.

Without considering those around him, Scott looked from Charles to the infant in front of him. He recalled the events of yesterday when he first saw her, to when Jean showed him the mark on her left elbow. In a way, Scott somehow felt a connection to the child, though he was unable to understand why. "A destiny about to be fulfilled," Scott replied rather impulsively.

Charles smiled at Scott. A look Scott had hoped to see earlier when he evaluated the potential Sorcerers. "The beginning of Raven and Bayville's downfall has begun!" Charles said as his eyes began to tear.

The Dwellers cheered and Scott picked up the child. "It is up to you, Scott, and four others, to take this child to Syracuse to discover your journey," Charles said.

"Four others?" Scott asked, "who?"

"One shall be me, Scott," Bobby said, stepping forward, "after all, I couldn't let you have all the fun."

"Another shall be me," Bishop, one of the guards of Niagara said.

Scott smiled, looking for his other two companions.

"Your journey is one not to be taken without me by your side, friend," Piotr said, placing a hand on Scott's shoulder.

"Whoa! Hold on a minute. Piotr is the best fighter in the village. If Bayville sends more wolves, who will protect the women and the children?" Warren demanded.

"Warren, my magic named you as the fourth," Charles said.

Warren's face instantly turned a pasty white. "Then that means Piotr is going?" Warren asked, sounding hopeful.

"But Warren, what about the women and children? With Piotr gone who will protect them?" Bobby asked, grinning.

"They can handle themselves. Besides, if the great Sorcerer Charles thinks Piotr is one of the four, we shouldn't oppose his decision." Warren said, color returning to his face.

~3~

An hour had passed since the village had gathered together and assembled the five villagers chosen to take the child to Syracuse. Each had said their goodbyes to loved ones and packed for the journey. Now they awaited Charles's final instructions.

"Each of you has an important role to offer in this journey. If all of you agree with one another this will be a moment to tell future generations," Charles said.

Scott turned to look at Warren, Warren did not meet Scott's gaze and stood staring at the ground, clearly not happy he was a part of this.

"Stay to the woods and do not come in contact with anyone until you reach Syracuse. Good luck," Charles offered.

As the five were about to set out Charles called Scott over to speak with him a moment. "I sensed in you a feeling of regret when you answered my riddle at the festival. Scott, what was your first instinct to the question?"

"Well, it was silly."

"Just tell me."

"My own finger."

Charles smiled, "that was the correct answer. Your faith in yourself is something that denies you of your true destiny, becoming a great Sorcerer. When you're out there, listen to your instincts. They will guide you to the answers you seek and the potential you have yet untapped."

Scott looked at Charles. No one, well besides Jean and his close friends and family, had ever offered such encouraging words about him with his belief of becoming a Sorcerer. Scott couldn't help the smile that covered his face. He hugged Charles. "Thank you and I will," Scott said.

The pair parted behind Scott he had a cradle backpack that had the child of the prophecy secured inside. Charles looked at the child who slept soundly then Scott. "Remember, this child will bring forth the down fall of Raven and Bayville. Keep her safe," Charles said. Nodding, Scott grinned then turned and he raced to catch up with the other four on their journey.

~3~

The men were not far from where they parted with family and friends when Warren started complaining. "How long will it take us to reach Syracuse?" Warren asked.

Piotr looked at his surroundings. "If we took the main roads, we could have been there in a couple of days. But staying to the woods, probably a little over three days," Piotr answered.

"Are you kidding? This is ridiculous. 'Oh we found a baby in the river. Let's take it home. I'm sure there's nothing suspicious about it.'" Warren complained.

"Tell me why I doubt anyone will miss you, Warren," Bobby said. Then stepped closer to Scott, "this is going to be a long three days."

The three day journey hadn't been as bad as Scott originally thought it would be. Warren had stopped complaining after the first night since he was so tired. The only near encounter with Militia was when they had to cross the main traveling road yesterday and several Bayville Militia rode their horses by not long after.

Night was near and the realm of Syracuse was in sight. A pair of iron cages hung from a pole dangling from chains. In one a skeleton sat in decay. Some of its' flesh still intact, rotted away and still clad in raggy pieces of clothing.

In the second cage a pile of rags lay at the bottom of the cage but that was all they could see, perhaps a newly deceased prisoner.

"Let's make camp here," Piotr said, dropping his pack.

"Are you insane? You expect us to stay here?" Warren asked, looking at the gloomy surroundings.

"It's fine. What, are you afraid of a couple of cages and a pile of bones, Warren?" Bishop asked.

"Of course not. I just don't feel so comfortable staying so…out in the open," Warren lied.

"Collect some wood. We will build a fire. Warren, no one is going to be looking for us here," Piotr advised.

"Still," Warren muttered as he started to help set up for the night.

They all fanned out collecting pieces of wood. Scott hadn't been paying much attention as he neared one of the cages. A lot of the kindling lay near the cages and he was too distracted in his collecting the small twigs to notice a hand reached out of the pile of rags.

"Got ya!" was all he heard as strong arms grabbed him by the shoulders. Soon he was in a head lock, his airways blocked.

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