Two months later:

"The day has arrived, ladies and gentlemen. We have camera crews all over the area looking into the newest phenomenon that has been added to the Mutant scene! Holly, can you hear me?"

The camera swiveled. Then there was Holly. Standing amidst a crowd of eager spectators, some of them chanting "we hate mutants!" while others screamed ferociously "mutant and proud!" Emma folded her legs neatly, wrapping the towel around her wet locks more securely.

"Indeed I can Jim!" Holly called over the noise.

"Tell our viewers what's going on!" Jim commanded.

"Well, Jim, I am currently in Boston, Massachusetts attending the grand opening of the first X-Men school for Mutant Youngsters! This building behind me has been in-construction for nearly two months. As you can see, it's a small building, white bricks and little more than an old baseball field for a playground but the Mutant community in the area has gone wild with excitement for its finish!" Emma scrubbed the wetness from her hair, rolling her eyes at the droll tone of voice Holly had. Couldn't she speak in something besides factual monotone?

"What's the purpose of this building, Holly?" Jim asked with all the patience of either a Saint or a very boring man.

"Well, Jim," Holly replied with the intelligence of Socrates or the simple-mindedness of a toad. "This building is the first in a long chain of schools being built around the country and even in some pockets of the U.K. The school was begun by two mutants named Eliza and John Worthington. The X-Men schools are for teaching young mutants how to embrace the implications of their altered DNA, and use their powers constructively for the good of all. You should see the crowds here Jim. There are over 1500 people all awaiting the arrival of Mutant-kinds greatest heroes!"

"Who would that be, Holly?" Emma picked up a brush, running it through her hair.

"Can he ask some relevant questions?" Raven called from where she was blow-drying her own hair in Emma's bathroom.

"I want to know if her name is really Holly and his is really Jim!" Alejandro called from outside the room. "He sounds more like a Steve and she sounds like a Cindy!" Emma grunted in agreement, picking out a tangled knot in her hair. Ireland's climate did not agree with her hair.

"Well, Jim, according to our sources…"
"What sources?" Logan wondered.

"Whatever corrupted cesspool the media can find to tell them stuff," Erik replied cynically.

"The X-Men themselves are scheduled to show up for the grand opening! It makes sense, considering that the schools were named in their honor,"

Emma gave her hair a last scrub with the towel. The glistening wet strands stuck to her shoulders. "I want a bikini line named in my honor," she muttered. Raven heard and burst out laughing.

"But better yet Jim; the X-Men are only scheduled to be escorting Professor X along with his own train of students. As anyone who has heard his speeches can testify, Professor X has his own collection of adopted mutant children that he keeps in a secret location. But he has promised to bring them out for the public's eyes; it will be they who will cut the ribbon inviting mutant children from all over the U.S to be the first inside of this epic compound!"

Even if it was never Professor X's idea and he hates the plan with every fiber in his being. That was Raven's though, bitter and amused at the same time. She still held resentment towards her brother, for what crime Emma didn't know. She didn't want to know, really. Half of her agreed with Charles, that bringing the children from behind the safe bars of the mansion was too dangerous. The other half, though, was ruthless in her execution of Mutant rights. The children would send a good message to the humans, as Erik had pointed out.

"I see. Do I hear protestors, Holly?" Holly turned and gestured towards one-half of the crowd being held back by policemen as they tried to surge past to the other side of the street and consequently the mutants there.

"Indeed, Jim!"

"I keep telling you: his name is totally Steve!"

"About half of this crowd seems to be humans protesting the creation of the school on the basis of mutants being 'freaks of nature,' as the term goes. Several anti-mutant societies have already set up grounds here, passing out flyers and protesting loudly. If the police weren't here, I'm afraid this demonstration of education might quickly turn into a bloodbath!" Emma exhaled a slow breath, easing the anxiety from her chest. A bloodbath alright, and they were bringing the children into this?

"But on the other side Jim, the Mutant Equality Movement has come to support the creation of this school. Mutants and liberal minded humans from all over have flocked to this location, also shepherded by police," she gestured to the other side of the street. Emma saw a flash of green skin and scales, and up above signs painted in colorful fonts. "I have to say, whether you're against or for it, I get the feeling everyone wants to get a glimpse of Mutant-kinds latest soldiers this day!"

"When is it scheduled to begin, Holly?"

"In half an hour, Jim, our guest stars should be arriving!"

"Dangit," Emma cursed beneath her breath. "Half an hour," and they were still in Ireland. She finally clipped the metal hairclip into her hair, her fingers momentarily touching the small little wasp sitting there.

"For your stinging wit," Erik had whispered when he gave it to her for the Fourth. Emma never went anywhere without it. With that done, she rushed into the bathroom and plucked the hair blower from Raven's hand. "Almost time to go," she told her. The shape-shifter nodded and smoothed down red curls obstinately.

"Damn weather," she grumbled.

"X-Men!" That was Erik calling. After some initial frustration that they had not been able to decide their own names, the team had settled down and actually…Emma kind o liked it. It had a ring to it that sounded dangerous, intense, but did not reek of condescension. It was a simple name, for a simple group of idiots engaged in a bet between two stubborn men.

Emma and Raven came from their own room to the larger area where Erik wore his Magneto's helmet. Emma frowned. She hated that thing. It reminded her of Shaw, his lies, his promises, his cruelty. Besides, she couldn't read a lick of Erik's mind with him wearing it. He didn't usually wear it, it impeded his fighting, but today he wanted to look distinguished.

"Are we sure that's you there chief? Can't see your face beneath the metal can over your eyes," Logan seemed to share her sentiments as he waltzed into the main room, followed by Azazel, and Riptide. Erik glowered at him but did not answer. He knew better than to engage in a contest of wits with Wolverine.

"Listen up everyone," Erik commanded as they gathered around him. "You all know that this is an important day. You also know that one of the humans is probably going to try to ruin it," they all nodded with certainty. Charles may not have thought so, but they knew better.

"So keep your eyes open and your senses alert. Hopefully, the media will be too engaged with Charles and the kids to pester us, but if they do, don't answer anything. And remember, we don't know the others beyond casual acquaintance," he instructed.

Riptide raised his hand. He was hanging around with Sean too much. "Oh yeah, why are we doing that again?" he asked.

"Because for right now, our name and association with Professor X is purely coincidental, and its best to keep it that way. If the people knew we're all associated, it will give the humans ammunition to use against us. Saying we've been plotting this together or something," Raven explained thoroughly.

"We have," Ivan pointed out.

"Yes, but no one else needs to know that. For now, The X-Men and Professor X know little more than each other's names. Got it?" They all nodded.

"Good. Then let's get into the Blackbird and get out of here before the girls' hair attacks us all," the boys snickered at Emma and Raven's suffering. The two of them glared back, Emma delivering painful psychic lashes in retribution. Erik grinned, escaping her wrath happily. So Raven punched him in the arm.

Emma grinned and stood akimbo. "Good," she praised Raven.

"X-Men, let's move out."

"This is so cool!" Scott cried as he stretched to look out of the window. The van escorting them rushed past the lines of people-some protesting, others cheering-on the streets of Boston. In the back seats, most of the children, barring Jean, who was struggling to keep her telepathic shields up, were also craning their necks to look out.

"Professor, Professor, Professor!" The mutants and the humans like them chanted as the van rolled past.

"They're calling your name, professor!" Warren pointed out excitedly. It had been months since any of the children had been outside of the mansion. That was half the reason Charles has agreed to this in the first place.

"Don't you remember being locked up in that prison?" Raven had argued, hitting in the spot that still ached. "One day they'll have to leave Charles; do you want them to be ready for that day or not?" He did, but more than that he wanted to keep them safe. It was all he had ever wanted. Which was why Erik had agreed to have the X-Men attend the ceremony, but half of Charles was starting to regret it. It wasn't safe out here.

He glanced at Hank from the passenger seat, driving the car with smooth calm, but Charles could see his large hands clenched tightly around the wheel. He, too, knew the danger that they could face here, but he was trying to appear brave for the others. "Look at how huge that flag is guys!" Alex told them, pointing to a passing flag pole, which had the American stars and stripes flapping in the breeze. The flag was probably thirty feet wide and ten feet in length.

"Wow!" The children cried as one, before bursting into giggles. After months of being cooped in one house together, their bonds of friendship and siblinghood were strong. It made Charles grin.

"When are we going to get there, Hank?" Sean called from the very back, also craning his head to look out of the window. Charles knew that none of his original students had been to Boston before, and were just as interested in the landscape and people. The state, also as far as Charles had researched, was composed of a good number of anti-mutant societies, but a larger number of supportive Mutant Equality Movement members, now calling themselves MEM.

"In about fifteen minutes," Hank replied over his shoulder.

"Hey Charles, why does Hank get to drive?"Alex demanded.

"Because I trust him not to run over innocent pedestrians!" Charles answered factually, causing a stream of giggles to erupt from the back seat. He smiled and pressed a finger to his forehead.

Moira, Michael, he called to the two scouts already at the festivities. They had left two hours before to survey the crowds. How are things there?

Well, besides being a bit offended that the humans were given scouting duty, I'm fine, Michael reported, grumpy because he had not been able to nab a breakfast.

Moira was of more help. Nothing out of the ordinary, Charles. I have found no one with a significant weapon. Nothing that we can't handle, anyway, meaning that the weapons there could easily be destroyed using their powers. Charles nodded.

Good. Eliza and John?

Arrived a few minutes ago. They're shaking hands now with the MEM leaders. Do you want me to keep an eye on them?

Yes, please. They're good people, even if they had known his father which he found quite irritating considering the fact that they were under the impression that he had been a good and trustworthy man Charles was a lot like him, in their opinion.

He shuddered to think of it.

What about Erik and the others? He felt her search the clear blue sky.

I don't see the Black Bird. I suppose they're still in Ireland. They would be late.

Very well. We'll see you there.

See you, and Charles? Stop worrying! He smiled ruefully. That was easier said than done. Breaking off the connection, Charles turned partially in his seats t address his students.

"Now, does everyone remember the rules?" he wondered, his voice breaking into the animated conversations. The children gave him exasperated looks which clearly stated 'you've told us a million times already,' but managed to grumble out:

"Yes, Professor."

"Good," he would say them again, just in case. "Someone is to be with Kitty at all times. Always travel in groups of two, everyone," he did a quick head count to make sure they were as even as they had been two minutes ago. Ten, not counting him and Hank. Good. Five groups of two. He loved even numbers.

"There will be plenty of people with cameras asking you questions. If you don't know the answer, it is alright to tell them so…"

"Or you could say no comment!" Kitty burst out, having seen this on the television. The others smiled indulgently. Charles chuckled.

"Or that, yes. Scott, don't let anyone take off your glasses for any reason. Ororo, if they ask for a demonstration, please, no lightning. Perhaps summon a cloud. Jean, no reading minds. Bobby, no freezing toes. Rogue, I would just tell them about your power, not demonstrate it. Though you have come along brilliantly in your training. Soon, you'll be able to touch someone without draining them, I know it," he told her when she bowed her head. The others patted her on the shoulders soothingly.

"Warren, no flying people about even if you're sure you can do it," he warned when Warren opened his mouth to object. "Kitty, do not go through people without permission. Remember not to call the others,"-meaning the X-Men-" by their real names, but codenames. And if anyone asks where you live, do not tell them. Anyone. Understood?" Firm nods all around. He had stressed this point most of all.

"And most of all," he finally let a smile take over his face as Hank drove up to front of the streets. Policemen surrounded their car, trying to keep the milling crowd of admirers and enemies alike from getting into the van.

Charles blessed them. "Have fun. Many of these people will be genuinely glad to meet you. You might make some new friends today so mind your manners! And many humans are merely curious about your powers. This is your time to show off what you've learned. Now," he unbuckled himself. Hank jumped out of the driver's seat, coming around to the other side with his wheelchair. "Off you go! You'll be in here the entire time," he promised, tapping his forehead as he opened the door.

Instantly, he was blinded by the flash of cameras near his face. The deafening sound of people cheering and booing met his ears. Charles forced a smile onto his face as Hank wrapped an arm around his waist, gently helping him into the wheelchair. Charles, once again, cursed the immobile sticks that he called his legs. They were of little help. Once he had sat in the wheelchair, Hank opened the back doors, letting out a flood of lively mutant children. The cameras flashed and the voices of media were raised.

"Xavier's kids! Xavier's kids! Take a look over here!"

I love how they name everything after me, he thought to Hank dryly. The gentle giant chuckled softly, getting his normal position of behind Charles to push him forward between the two rows of people. Charles, as was usual, felt a pang of guilt that Hank was forced to cart him around everywhere. The children got into a line behind him like ducklings, two by two. He could see them waving at the crowds.

Suddenly, the sky opened overhead, making a deep whirring noise as it did so. The Black Bird came out of cloaking mode, showing a sleek black ship soaring through the air. The crowd gasped. The children grinned. They saw that ship more often than anyone else. With exquisite preciseness, the ship floated above the crowds, the air being stirred by the ship sweltering and stifling. Charles held his breath, not wanting to breathe in fumes. The crowd didn't seem to care. The screaming doubled in intensity on both sides.

"Mutants, go home!"

"X-Men! X-Men! X-Men!"

The hatchway opened, revealing the X-Men themselves. I see that autopilot is working, Hank thought with satisfaction as the ship hovered above without anyone to control it. Erik levitated himself down using the metal transcribed all over his body. Raven front-flipped to the ground, reminding Charles very much of a jungle cat with her intensity and flexibility.

Riptide lowered himself and Emma on a swirling tornado while Azazel merely transported himself and Logan down. With the X-Men on the ground, the Black bird's autopilot kicked in and suddenly it turned tail and flew back into the sky.

The X-Men (Charles chuckled whenever he thought of their name) spread out, keeping themselves for the most part on the side of the mutant haters, in between the hateful humans and the children. Charles had to turn away when he saw one scraggly bearded man spit into Logan's face.

Wolverine turned away, his face scrunched in disgust. Charles could feel his metal claws trying to break free, kept in check only by Logan's will. Charles was relieved. They didn't need an episode right now, and he predicted the only thing stopping Logan from creating one was his respect for Erik's command not too.

Said person was coming towards Charles. The media that had rushed towards him backed away without word; something about Erik's aura scaring them off. Charles could not help but feel proud of his friend's calm authority. He was towering, magnificent, calm, like a thundercloud rolling over the hills. And he was…

Emma, he called to the telepath. Why in the world is Erik wearing that ridiculous head ornament? She didn't even glance at him when she replied.

Because he thinks it makes him look distinguished, she told him. Charles studied Erik wonderingly; but finally came to the same conclusion as a moment before.

He looks like an idiot, he decided.

A small smile tickled at the edges of Emma's mouth. That's what we told him, she agreed.

As if he knew that they were somehow talking about him behind his back Erik stopped in front of Charles, eyes narrowed. "Professor X," he greeted lightly enough. There was amusement sparkling in his eyes. Charles dipped his head, giving Hank a nod when the other asked with his eyes if Charles would be alright there.

"Magneto. Thank you for coming," he replied politely;as if he hadn't just seen Erik a month ago.

"Of course. How are your students fairing?" He was about to check up on that right now.

Charles flared his senses out, enjoying the sight of the media pestering someone else for a change. They had already found Kitty and Sean. Sean was uncharacteristically quiet, his eyes vigilant.

"What's your name, honey?" One of the camera ladies asked. Kitty, dressed in a bright yellow sundress, twirled around with excess energy.

"Kitty," she said, smiling shyly. She held up her hand. "I'm this many," she told the camera, flashing five fingers. "I know about the solar system!" Kitty burst out before anyone could ask her what she did. "Wanna see? There are twelve planets. I can name all of them: Muto and Plars and Septune and Nuranus and…" She seemed affronted by the multitude of people giggling at the incorrect names. Charles smiled. Good job, Kitty. Keep being cute.

Scott and Alex both looked splendid in their matching tee-shirts and jeans. "We're brothers," Alex was telling the media. "So our powers are similar."

"What are they?

"Bro?"

Scott waved the people away. "You might want to stand back," he cautioned. The reporters rushed to comply. Where two of them had been standing a moment before, Scott looked down and promptly carved a smiley face into the cement on the ground. And Alex, his lasers coming from his arms this time; managed to draw a head of curly hair around the smiling head. The mutants on one side cheered.

You're doing great, boys.

Cassidy and Warren had their pairs of wings extended for the crowd to admire. "Can you really fly?" One of the reporters asked Warren.

He put his hands in his pockets and smiled mysteriously. "Yep," he popped.

"How high up?" He and Cassidy exchanged an unsure glance.

"As high as we want, really," she replied.

"Can you show us?"

Cassidy smiled and offered her hand. "Warren?" He took it and with a whoop the two had taken off into the sky, diving like seagulls. The reporters applauded delightedly. Charles chuckled.

Beautifully done, you two.

Jean and Marie were standing side by side, beaming. "What can you do?"

"I'm a telekinetic telepath, like the Professor," Jean told them proudly. Charles smiled, remembering a time when she had been terrified to let this fact slip out. "He's teaching me everything he knows," she said.

"There seem to be a lot of telepaths walking around today," the reporter observed, glancing at Emma. Upon hearing this, the blonde woman appeared behind Jean.

"Telepaths are a rare mutation," she told the media lyrically. "I think you've got the only three in this courtyard today," some gasps were heard. Jean smiled. "Besides, Jean is also telekinetic. Meaning what Jean?" The fiery haired girl grinned and raised a hand. Slowly, a few pebbled raised off the ground and begun to spin in wide circles.

Way to go girls. And Marie-never forget you're mutation is a gift too. He felt her gratitude at his words, even if he knew she felt a bit left out.

Ororo and Bobby were having fun creating blizzards. "Here you go," Bobby offered a small piece of ice shaped like a flower to a little girl on the mutant side. She grinned at him happily, her eyes bright with joy at having received the gift. "It's too hot," Bobby announced to the reporters.

"Who wants snow?" He snapped his fingers and a few flurries danced from his skin. Ororo's eyes glowed white and the winds swept them along the crowd. A few people opened their mouths to catch the snowflakes, cheering.

Extravagant. Moira, Michael, are you seeing this?

They're extraordinary children.

I told you it would all be fine, Charles. He supposed she had. He turned back to Erik. "My students are well, thank you," he told him reassuringly. Erik gave a grave nod-eyes dancing- just as Eliza and John finally found their way to Charles's side.

"Professor!" Eliza cried, bending down to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. John came forward then, grinning and carrying a large pair of scissors on his shoulder. For all intents and purposes, he looked like a mere gardener, not the starter of a mutant school. And Eliza looked perhaps like an elementary teacher, not

"Hello there Professor. Magneto. We're so glad to see you," he chirped amiably as he shook Erik's hand.

"Hello there John. Are you about to cut the ribbon?" Charles inquired, indicating the long blue ribbon stretched across the entrance to the school. Above the door, a sign was posted, designed and created by Erik as a gift to the school. The words X-Men school for Mutant Youngsters was engraved into the metal in shining silver colors.

"We were hoping that Magneto would," Eliza admitted, turning to Erik. His face registered surprise.

"Me?" he asked as the scissors were offered to him.

"The school is named after your team," Charles pointed out amusedly, as the reporters noticed the scissors and fairly abandoned his students in their rush to get the best picture spot. Erik cast him a suspicious glance.

"My team was named after you," he griped. Charles grinned impishly.

"Details, details," he said, with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Come on!" Jean cried as the children all gathered around excitedly. The mutants on the sidelines all pressed close to the fences and policemen, craning their necks to get a glimpse of the epic cutting. Even the protestors went silent, watching. The only sound was of that of flashing cameras and the occasional whisper.

Erik glanced around, suddenly uncomfortable.

"Do it, do it!" Kitty encouraged, jumping up and down. The X-Men cast him curious looks, wondering if he actually would. After a long hesitance- in which Charles knew every bad deed and unreported death weighed heavily in Erik's mind- he took the scissors from John's hand and walked towards the ribbon. With a simple but eloquent wave of his wave and clench of his fist, he commanded the metal to cut.

The ribbon floated to the ground, light as a feather.

Charles took Kitty's hand and moved out of the way quickly as the crowd was let out. Mutants and humans alike all poured into the tiny compound, led by Eliza and John on the first ever tour. Charles grinned.

This was the first step to peace.

Stay, all of you, he directed his sneaky students before they could step foot inside the building. You are to go nowhere that Moira cannot see you. He trusted her to shoot if so anyone so much as touched a single hair on anyone's head. He caught defiant thoughts, especially from Alex and Sean, but their outsides stayed well shrouded in smiles.

He let it go and watched as the students headed back over to the lines remaining; now being asked various questions by MEM leaders and other mutants. Erik had vanished from his side, curiously heading into the compound. Logan and Emma were speaking to reporters while Raven, Alejandro and Ivan were still keeping smooth watch on the human protestors, who were now screaming louder than ever words of pure hatred.

"We don't want any freaks around here!"

"Go home, mutant scum!"

"You don't belong here!"

"I'll kill every last single one of you!"

"Devil spawn!" That one sent a jolt of memory down Charles's spine. He shivered involuntarily, suddenly very cold. He saw Raven glance at him from the corner of her eye. There was anger in her gaze, but not directed at him for once. She, too, recognized the name that had been used to torment him for so very long. So she felt it too, felt his pain. The brother and sister nodded to each other. Raven turned back to the protestors, sharp eyes watching them vigilantly.

But a few minutes later (peaceful minutes in which the media were too occupied with his students to care for him much) Charles still felt an itch at the back of his neck, tickles of apprehension that made him uncomfortable.

Emma, he said to her. Do you feel anything strange? She didn't break off from her cheerful conversation though her psychic voice was worried.

I do. Something is wrong.

He agreed. There was a disturbance in someone's mind, a tendril of malice creeping along the walls of their psyche. Intelligent, dangerous malice. Charles could not pinpoint who, or where, but he knew that it did not spell out good things for the people here.

Keep an eye on the children, he ordered. I'm going to find Erik, what Erik could do Charles didn't know, but he would feel better if he had track of all his friends. Only Erik was inconsiderate enough of his feelings to make Charles follow him instead of just leaving his mind open for communication like everyone else in the world.

But no, he just had to be distinguished. The bloody idiot.

Charles wheeled himself into the compound. It was brimming with mutant children and parents, humans who had brought their mutant family members here and were now staring around with joy on their faces. True, the building was a tiny one-story white bricked space.

The walls were decorated with encouraging and inspirational flyers and posters courtesy of the MEM. School supplies such as globes, pencils and paper had been the public's doing while larger things such as cameras, fire extinguishers (he had insisted on it, remembering his own training with Alex) practice dummies and books had been his contribution.

Charles grinned when he saw the smaller gifts from his own students. The beaded bracelets and necklaces Ororo had made sitting on the counter; Bobby's ice sculpture standing in the cooler room; the baseballs that Scott and Warren had collected and donated; Kitty's play-do creations. It was a rather rag-tag affair, but Charles was still stopped several times and thanked sincerely.

Finally, mutants and their families could get help to manage their powers; could have a refuge such as the mansion was for them. He felt his own eyes burn at the joy he felt, but continued on with humble salutations. The bad feeling was making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up; by the eighth thanks, he was almost desperate to find Erik. He found him in one of the side rooms towards the back of the building, listening to another mutant with green skin describe his powers.

"So, your tongue is like a frog's?" he was asking curiously.

"Yep," the other man popped, with a large grin that exposed sharp predatory teeth. Erik was undisturbed.

"How far does it extend?"

"About nine feet,"

"Nine feet!? How strong is it?"

"Oh, I've picked up about twenty pounds of weight with it before. It creeps out the neighbors but I… Oh, Professor X!" The other man cried, staring at Charles with hero-worship. Charles gave him a brief smile.

"Hello my friend. Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked, planting a small suggestion in the man's mind to go away.

"A ton! Hey, look at this over here!" Now completely fascinated with a standard camera, the mutant dashed away. Worked every time. Charles turned to Erik.

"Profess…"

"Do you sense anything odd in here?" Charles demanded, interrupting the fake greeting. Erik blinked, taken aback by the harsh tone. But he narrowed his focus, mind turning to the metal within the compound. He closed his eyes, feeling, searching. Charles's bad feeling grew worse. Something was about to happen. He could feel it…

Despite the helmet on his head, Charles felt Erik's quick flash of pure terror spike through him. "Dammit!" Erik cursed as his eyes flew open, exposing eyes wide with alarm.

"EVERYONE, GET DOWN!" He suddenly screamed, diving for Charles. Not even a second later, Charles felt an explosion rock the ground beneath his feet followed by the raucous sound of people screaming and rock crumbling. He cried out as several lives were decimated before his psyche. A flying brick smashed against his skull before the full effects of the pain could register.

Then he saw nothing.