Chapter 4: The Shrunken Hero

Professor X had heard the scream and went to find Hawks as he reaches a bend in the road as he turned to corner. He was taken aback by shock.

Sitting before him rubbing their eyes was Hawks well, a five-year-old version of Hawks. Small wings that seem full but ratty his clothes in a heap around him the shirt was like a night gown.

"Hawks?" No reply.

"Keigo?" Professor X called to him as he approached, the boy who turns blurry eyed at him.

"Yeah?" Hawks replied unsure what to make of the man before stumble back curl his wings around him. How did he know me?

Professor X studies the boy before him. He seamed confused. "Do you know how you got here or who I am?" he asked him, his voice soft as he spoke. Professor X wasn't sure what happened but, he figured it must have messed with his memories. From the way the boy was behaving.

Hawks remained silent unsure how to answer the man's questions. Yet he looked up at him replying. "Am I in trouble?"

Professor X's theory was right. "No, why would you be in trouble?"

Hawks looks down, trying to hide in the mound of clothes, glances up warily. What does he mean not in trouble?

Professor X frowns, seeing the confusion and fear in kid Hawks' face. "Come here, how about we on get out of here." Professor reach out to grab him.

Hawks flinched and back way shield himself with his wing. Peering between his feather wasn't sure if he should follow trust the man. He saw surprise and confused on Professor's face blood drip from fingers where his feathers must have cut. Oh no he's gonna be mad.

"I'm sorry. Please don't hurt I go with you."Hawks shook eyes wide pleading with Professor X not to punish him.

"Hurt you? Keigo I'm trying to help. I know you didn't mean it."

Hawks flinched but low his wings a the hand touch his hair confused. Not mad? Hawks looked to see more of kinder look along with confusion on the man's face.

"I won't touch you but can you hand me those clothes you can walk along side me." Professor X wasn't sure how to explain things to the kid.

Hawks hands the clothes and gear to him and follows after. Only option was to reach out to his X-Men. Looking over at the five-year-old Hawks. The boy looked very confused and scared his wings pressed close head down. His eyes saw the boy held a doll. Did he have on his person the whole time?

"Are you wanting to ask me something?" Professor X catches the boy's eyes.

Hawks was silent as he was thinking to himself. Who's this kind man?

'I'm Professor Xavier,' He said with slight chuckle seeing the shocked look in Hawks' eyes as he jumped from the voice in his head looked up at Professor.

"Didn't know I could do that." he smiles at Hawks.

He shook his head. "No."Clearly was surprised and a little in awe.

"You know I'm a very powerful telepath. Able to read minds long distances away and a few other things as well." Professor X said. Speaking of which, we were followed here."

Hawks was confused. Followed us?

Professor X had to give them credit where credit was due. They managed to trail them without adult Hawks knowing they were there.

. **** **** ***. **.

As they neared the exit to the cave, Professor X called out to them. ' Alright come on out. ' He they exited, the X-Men stood there waiting.

"Though I am not happy you followed us, I am glad to see you all," he said, as Hawks stood next to Professor X watching.

"Same here, we were worried," Hank said.

"So, where is Hawks and what's with the kid?" Logan asked looking over the five-year old hiding behind the Professor wearing the black and gold oversized shirt.

"I'll explain once we head off, you brought the jet?"

Storm nodded. "Of course. Once we found out you're heading south we followed in it."

"Good, come let's go Hawks." Professor X said looking over at the boy next to him. Hawks nodded and followed after them.

Logan looked over at Hawks. "Something up kid?" he ask as Professor X enters the jet. Hawks was giving Logan a silent and a wary stare.

"Logan, don't scare the kid," Jean scolds. "Come on we should leave," she said.

. **** **** ***. **.

Once they got onto the jet. Hawks looked out the window, searching for anything that made sense. While Professor X filled everyone in on what happened.

"Hold on your telling us that this is the same Hawks as before?" Hank said looking at boy.

"Apparently yes. We split up, and when I found him, he is like how you see him now."

"So, he doesn't knows anything?" Storm asked.

"It appears to be the case, though I am not sure how long he'll be like this. So, until we find away to reverse it or it wears off. We are going be babysitting him."

"I don't do babysitting," Logan said.

"Just until he's back to normal." Professor X looks at Hawks making sure he wasn't listening. "Once we get back to the city let's head to U.A maybe someone there could help."

Hawks' worries were interrupted by the sudden landing of the jet. Frozen by fear he watched the others file out. Where are ? Are they taking me back to him? Dad gonna be mad.

"Breathe." He jumped as hand touch him. His head turned to Jean pull her hand back. "It's okay I know you're scared, everything is going to be okay," soothed by her gently voice, Hawks relaxes as Jean smiling back at him. "Just stick close to the Professor alright."

. **** **** ***. **.

One of the teachers opened the door to the principal's office. "Nezu, I presume?" Professor X said once the door was shut. The X-Men stood near the door as Professor X and Hawks approached the white rat clothed behind the desk staying hidden behind the wheelchair clutching his doll.

"That's me. It's pleasure to meet you Xavier." Nezu said, as he got up and walked to the Professor and Hawks.

Gesturing towards Hawks. Professor X quickly briefed the principal on what had happened.

"You wouldn't happen to have an idea how long this might last?" Professor X asked. Though familiar with powers, not often would he run into one that ages someone backwards.

Nezu shook his head no, "I'm sorry but, I don't know."

Professor X hums as he began to think. "Well, since we don't know much about." He looks over to Hawks. "It could last a few days or months." he said looking back at Nezu. "But, since we don't know it all it's just a guess."

Hawks stares down at his feet avoiding the stares of the others sinks into his wings.

"I might be best for someone to be with him until then," Nezu said. "He is just a child right now."

"Agreed."

The two discussed a few things. Mostly trying to figure out what would be best for Hawks right now. Stick with the X-Men or the school, and once more Logan said he's not baby-sitting.

"Well, then. What about you Hawks?"

"Huh?"

"Do you want to stay here at the school or with us at the hotel until what this is blows over?" Professor X asked looking down at boy next to him.

Hawks looked at his Endeavor doll then to Professor X and cling to him gently.

Professor X chuckled. "Alright then."

He looks over at Nezu. "If it's alright with you if we can swing by again tomorrow? My students are learning a lot and might be good for them to watch and learn from your own students here."

"I dont mind, after all we all can learn something from each other."

Professor X bid him farewell and with Hawks and X-Men he left. They began to make their way out. "I take it you haven't checked in yet?"

Jean shook her head. "No, we followed right away."

"Well then let's get checked in it's late and you all have busy day tomorrow." They all nodded. Knowing what he was saying was true.

. **** **** ***. **.

Soon they got checked in and broken off into their room. Jean and Storm in one room. Scott and Hank in another and Professor X, Logan and Hawks in the last.

Hawks looked up at Professor X and yawns, before rubbing his eyes.

"Come on Hawks, off to bed with you. You have had a stressful day after all," Professor X said, guiding the boy over to the extra bed in the room.

"I'm not tired."

Logan sighs along with Professor.

After an hassling two hours of trying to get Hawks taken care of and put to bed, the boy soon tears began stream down his face, yet he didnt make any sound. He just held his doll closer to him, while curling into himself more.

Logan had woken up a few minutes ago. He was almost back to his bed when he noticed the five-year-old. He quietly walks over him and whispers. "Hey, kid." He said seeing if he would rouse him.

Professor X looked up from the book he was reading. "What's going on?" He asked Logan.

"Kid looks to be having a bad dream." Professor X glances over to where Hawks was sleep. His eyebrows twitches. "Have you tried waking him?" Professor X asked.

"We both know it's not a good idea waking someone in a middle of nightmare like dream."

"Very true but, might be best if we at least try to see if he's awake."

Logan nodded and then carefully shook Hawks' shoulder. "Hawks? Kid, wake up." He called.

Professor X sat in his bed watching. Hawks didnt seem to respond, just curled up even more still clinging to his doll.

"Logan, being him over." Logan lifted the boy up making sure he had his doll too and walks over.. Setting him down next to Professor X.

"What now?"

"He'll wake up soon. For now you go back to sleep." Professor X said as he reopens the book.

Logan went back to his bed, leaving Hawks next to the Professor.

Later that night Professor X looked up from what he was reading to Hawks' hushed sobs. With a free hand he placed it Hawks back. Attempt to smooth him.

Though he wasn't sure what was going on in the boys head at the moment. He just rested his hand on the boy's back between the two smaller red wings.

Hawks stops and looks over at him teary feared filled eyes. "Awake I see.." Professor closed the book and put down. Before looking over at the five-year-old. As he whipped his eyes.

"Are you okay?" Professor X asked.

Hawks held his Endeavor doll close to him as Professor X opens his arms for Hawks to crawl into his lap.

As Hawks hesitantly does and nestled into Professor X's arms, quickly drifted back to sleep. "It's okay, son," He whispered, "I'm here, I've got you."