Chapter 16: Wishes Fulfilled
Magneto's planned attack on the high security prison has been delayed. Charles had informed Mystique about Hank's attempt at arranging something or other and she had begged him to wait. Very unlike Mystique, he thought, it reminded him at bit of all those years ago when she had implored him to give up his son. He should have made her his godmother, always his best interest at heart. He gave her a few hours, before they would move in anyway.
Quicksilver is confined in his cell. They had bound his hands and feet and sedated him as well. His lawyer had strongly protested but they'd laughed in her face. She had persuaded him not to sign his confession and they were not amused about that. After that, they had thrown him in here. And here he was, sitting in solitude, awaiting his fate. He is very worried. Will he be saved this time around. Could his father penetrate the building? Would his former teachers help him again? Would anyone come to his aid? He has a lawyer but since he has killed a man and confessed to it, he doesn't really believe she can help.
An extra news broadcast shows the high stakes the lawyer is willing to risk. She figures the case of Pietro to be her final piece of the puzzle and sues the police department for unlawful methods. The rights of under aged mutants are trampled upon and have been for quite some time. The use of interrogation methods resembling torture, the use of truth serum and sedation, the denied presence of lawyers and adults are all on her list of grievances.
Magneto has been persuaded to wait. The court case might result in Quicksilver's release so he shouldn't interfere. It takes him quite some effort to wait, but he grudgingly complies. Charles has been granted access to Pietro as his former guardian of sorts. Their meetings have been awkward. Pietro is upset and bitter and Charles severely disappointed in his actions. However, Charles has given him a ray of hope in the form of smuggled letters from his father and friends from school. "They do miss you, Pietro, although they are terribly shocked by what's happened, as am I. I dreamt of a different future for you, a better one." Quicksilver doesn't know how to respond. He feels guilty enough about taking a life but also damaged by his captors and their methods.
The court case had drawn local media and even interest from abroad; the treatment of mutants being an issue in many nations across the globe. After days and days of proceedings the hour of judgment approaches. Magneto is not present, but Hank and Charles are, and so is Mystique posing as another teacher. Both Hank and Charles think the same thing. In a different world, in another life, she might have been a teacher at the school working alongside them always, not merely occasionally.
The conduct of the officers in Pietro's case as well as the other's led to an undermining of the law. It created a blemish on the law and on justice itself. The ruling was very clear and left nothing to the imagination. The incarcerated boys and girls were free to go, despite their crimes. However, they would be under scrutiny for the coming two years. A responsible adult needed to provide access to the child in case of further misbehavior. The mutant teenagers would not be released until this was arranged.
With Magneto on the most wanted list for the attacks on the medical facilities, it seemed there was only one solution. Charles would take it upon him to be the adult in question. The decision was finally made by Magneto, although old fears of his son becoming like them, resurfaced. The boy had been quite shaken with his first murder, but perhaps that would wear off in time. The X-men did know how to kill after all when push comes to shove.
"Perhaps you are safer there, Quicksilver. For now." Although it pains him to say farewell to his son, it just might be for the best. He is young and needs an education, not to mention a safe place to live. If it hadn't been for the conditions, he could have taken him with him, but in light of all that, this is the next best thing, after all. "I'll look after him Erik, like before. He'll have a home with us." Although perhaps a little daring, he adds: "You're welcome to visit anytime you want." "Visit the headquarters of the X-men? May not be your best idea." "You might be right. I've got a better one. How about… quarterly visits at a place of your choosing. Preferably in the same state though." "Sounds like an adequate compromise. I'd like that." "Me too," Quicksilver states.
Hank and Mystique are watching the tearful goodbye. A little shy they begin to make conversation. They hadn't spoken much despite following the court case together. Charles had generally acted as a buffer and did most, if not all, of the talking. "You did well making that deal with the department. And now this, with Quicksilver..." "Thanks, but I couldn't have if the attack on the military base hadn't happened first." Eager to explain themselves, they speak simultaneously. "Looks like we both have our roles to play." "Perhaps we should agree to disagree." They look at each other; a small smile on their lips. "Hank," "Yes..?" "I'd like to see you sometimes. Just to talk and maybe… more." He's a little startled at this. He never was the forward one. "Aren't you and Magneto, Erik?" She laughs. "Not for a long time. He's more like a leader, a mentor." "I don't understand why he would have let you…" "slip through the net?" "I never would," he says, displaying his feelings once more. "It's just that we've already lost so much time, you and I," she responds. "Maybe we should get reacquainted?" "I'd like that." Hanks eyes are shining with hope.
They're on their way again. Searching for new projects. New causes for mutant liberation. Mutants in need who need their help. "What was that between you and Beast?" Magneto can't help to be curious. "We've decided to become friends again. No need to let the past predict our future. Years ago you wouldn't have dreamt of letting your son be raised by Charles and I thought that Hank and I would never see eye to eye." "And now you do? It's hard to believe that." "No, we don't, not really. But it's not going to stand in our way anymore. There's more to life than principles." Their eyes meet for a moment. "I'd second that."