Chapter 5: Wolverine and the X-Men
On Genosha Island, Toad and Magneto continue to work on constructing their fortress as well as some strange machine. Toad uses torches and other tools to put things together. So far, this weird machine looks like a chair with chains attached to the arms. Juggernaut is carrying more metal towards his leader.
"So why do we need this particular metal again? There's other types of metal out there." Juggernaut expresses confusion.
"This is unlike any other. This is Adamantium. The strongest metal in the entire world, completely indestructible." Magneto explained. "The only thing that we do not know is where it came from. But as I heard, only one person carries it within him. But now we should hear some news."
As soon as he said that, he hears footsteps coming from the returning team. Emma, Destiny and Sabretooth walk in on them while Rogue flies down. The latter barely manages to hide her pitiful face as they approach their leader. Sabretooth happens to be wearing some dog tags around his neck.
"Wouldn't you supposed to bring someone back with you, ya filthy animal?" Toad mocks Sabretooth. This only leads him to grab Toad by the throat and starts choking him.
"I do not see you doing anything useful. I am not the one who is easily fragile and easy to kill. How I could rip your throat out with my teeth." Sabretooth threatens.
"Enough!" Magneto shouted. Sabretooth growls as he reluctantly lets Toad go. Toad coughs to catch his breath but still chuckles at his failure.
"They knew, Magneto. We had them, but we were outmatched. I saw no future where we could win." Destiny reported.
"She's telling the truth. They had that red-haired telepath with them. I cannot read her mind for some strange reason. But on the one hand, our youngest lady here brought back something good." Emma points to Rogue.
Rogue slowly steps up, feeling sorry. She still hides the strange guilty and sad feelings from them just in case. She can't seem to make out what's going on.
"Tell me, my young Rogue. What did you manage to recover from your first mission?" Magneto asks her. Rogue was a bit hesitant for some reason. Like she has a harder time speaking. As if she absorbed some of Zach's personality.
"I saw his memories and powers. The young lad has what you want. And… he's special. Something to do with autism or something like that? But I feel his memories. Like he's been through a sort of trauma. He knows a lot of things something like me and him shouldn't know. But that's all I got. I'm sorry I let ya down." Rogue looks down. Magento walks up to her and puts a hand on her covered shoulder.
"No, no, my young girl." Magneto reassures her. "We made the first move. They're unaware of our motives. Not yet anyways. But you brought back something valuable. Information. You confirmed that they have what we need. Go with Emma. Explain everything to her."
"Alright. If ya say so I guess." Rogue sighs. She still couldn't help but feel bad for what she had to do. But there was something about those two she likes. But what exactly? She would have to put that aside for now as she walks with Emma.
"You did well, sweet one." Emma compliments her. "Tell me everything."
Rogue slowly explained as much as she could to Emma as possible. Whatever she could find. Then she began to experience weird emotions she hasn't felt in a long time.
"You absorbed some of his memories. He knows things that we don't. That's amazing, coming from someone so young. But we must see to it that we bring him alive and unharmed." Emma senses something else. "Your emotions. You absorbed some of his emotions."
"I have not felt this way in a long time. It… it reminds me of… what happened back then." Rogue stutters. It may seem something bad may have happened in her past.
"It will pass. What happened to you before was horrible. But we can prove them wrong. You have us as a family. Remember what Magneto said. Do not show weakness, or else anyone, mutant or human can exploit it." Emma advised. Rogue slowly nods as they continued walking and work on something in secret.
Meanwhile, Magneto continues to walk with Mystique. They conversate about their objective, and for her adopted daughter.
"I told you she wasn't ready. She's letting her emotions get the better of her. She's hesitant. Inexperienced in the field." Mystique talks about Rogue.
"Give it time. She will come around. The next time we come across Charles and his friends, we will not hesitate to show them what we got. As for our beloved Rogue, I have an idea for her." Magneto smirks.
"You always surprise us, love. Our home will be beautiful once perfected. When do we make our next move?" Mystique asked.
"Soon. Our sister Destiny always works nonstop. I tend to say that she works too hard, but she expresses her usefulness so much, it makes me want to tear up." Magneto said.
"Why can't we just go to the school and get them?" Mystique questioned him.
"I may not be above attacking others of our kind, but I am not wasteful. I do not wish to take mutant lives or harm mutant children. And I always find it best to respect my old friend's wishes to never attack his school. But our time will come. They will come to us." Magneto points out.
Despite him being evil, Magneto has his morals and limits. Even though Mystique had some sort of strange past with Charles Xavier, she does see why.
"If you say so. And I have been keeping track of the latest news report. The summit is approaching. And the government leaders will be attending. Hosted by Senator Robert Kelly. Shall I rid us of that disgusting stench?" Mystique asked.
"No. I want him to witness the start of the new age for the brotherhood. Have him watch as we rule this country and then the world. Then, he will be the first example of what happens if anyone attempts to rebel. Then, he's all yours, my dear." Magneto assures her. This puts a very sadistic smile on her face. She's ready for anything.
In Washington D.C., citizens are continuing to protest their opinions on mutants while cheering for the likes of Senator Kelly. Parents are screaming, demanding that they should not share the same classes with mutants, even in college, or they should prove themselves otherwise.
In the President's office, they continue to debate on their next move. Some of them have rather divisive opinions. But Senator Kelly's remains unchanged.
"All I am saying, Mr. President, we need examples of candidates for signing these papers. To register them to see how big of a threat they are. Heck, maybe Mr. McCoy should be an example." Senator Kelly expressed.
"I get your idea, Senator. But the fact that you're forcing these mutants to sign them against their will only sparks more fear and encouragement to turn against us even more. The mutant incident in Canada is beyond us." The President argues.
"But our reason is still justified that we hold this summit event as planned. We can't back down now." Senator Kelly replied. "I still have some names down here to show proof. But it isn't enough."
"But manhunting children and forcing them to sign? How will that help in any sort of way?! I do not approve of your actions, Senator. Children with powers live in fear and hiding anywhere. I also have proof from doctors and Mr. and Mrs. Martinez through audio and camera footage that it was ruled an accident and the mutant ran away, ashamed and crying. The last thing we need are police with guns in our schools." The President said in anger.
"And what do you propose? That we settle some sort of peace treaty, even if kids have ten times the power? More powerful that they can withstand bullets?" Senator Kelly argued.
"Anything better than to start a war. Which is why I'm coming to the Summit to prove you wrong. That some mutants deserve to be questioned about which side they are on rather than have them imprisoned or hunted." Mr. President said, glaring at Kelly, very upset for his actions.
"Mr. President, I don't think that's a good idea." Kelly protested.
"I'm not discussing this with you anymore. Until I call for you, you are dismissed. Do I make myself clear?" Mr. President asked, not letting up on him.
Senator Kelly sighs. He concedes and slowly walks away. Once he turned away, he gritted his teeth in anger. Upset by his leader's opinions, and protests, he is hoping to do anything to prove him wrong.
Below the X-Mansion, Jean and Hank continue their work. It's been about a day since Wolverine was knocked out. They could only hope that he's not dead though he is on the heart monitor.
"Hmm. Strange. According to his brain pattern, he doesn't seem to remember anything. And I can't seem to determine his possible age." Beast said.
"That can't be. No mutant could have lived for that long. Even with my telepathy, I can't seem to determine his real name. Only Logan." Jean replied.
"Hmm. Maybe if you could try unlocking his memories, it could help." Beast suggested.
"Hank, you know my telepathy isn't as strong as the professor's. Chances are I may or may not find anything." Jean argues.
"It could be worth a shot. We may find something useful that could help us figure out why the brotherhood attacked him and Zach. Maybe even help Logan out too." Beast replied.
Jean sighs and nods. As much as she is afraid to hurt someone with her telepathy, she does see Hank's point. She is willing to help those in need. Jean slowly approaches the unconscious Wolverine and slowly reaches her hands out and put them on both sides of his head. At the slightest touch, Logan's eyes flash open and within a second, grabs Jean from behind and places her in chokehold.
"Where the hell am I?! Who are you people?!" Wolverine shouted as Jean struggled to get free.
"Easy, Wolverine. We're only here to help." Beast told the man.
"I don't need any help, furball. Where's the kid?" Wolverine demanded.
"You mean Zach. He's fine. He's upstairs sleeping. I can assure you everything is fine." Beast tries to calm him. Logan finally lets Jean go and he drops to her knees, gasping for air.
"Sure they are." Logan doesn't believe him. Logan grabs his flannel and leather jacket as he runs out of the lab.
Logan puts his clothes on as he runs to an elevator and pushes a button to the next floor. He is hoping to find Zach. But then he starts hearing voices.
"Logan." A voice spoke to him in his head.
Wolverine looks around to see who's doing that, to no avail. Both hallways seem empty and he sees kids almost everywhere, watching tv or studying and having snacks. He looks down a hallway and walks towards the end, hoping to find the kid he picked up.
"Not that way." The voice spoke once again.
Logan feels like he's getting paranoid hearing this voice in his head. It has never happened before. He pants as he runs as fast as possible, hiding behind walls and pillars, hoping he wouldn't get caught.
"This way, Logan." The voice said once more.
Logan is running and hiding. He hides underneath the staircase as a few kids are walking by. He remains completely silent as the kids walk past the staircase without even noticing a man hiding. Once they were gone, Logan found the right time to rush on ahead and turn left past some art.
"On your right." The voice spoke. Logan, actually hesitating, opens the door rapidly and shuts it tight behind him.
"Hello, Logan." A man said.
Wolverine immediately turns around and brings out his claws. He sees Professor Xavier, Scott Summers, Storm and Colossus all there waiting for him.
"Who are you? Where am I?" Logan asked, tightening his fists.
"Forgive me. I'm Charles Xavier. Welcome to the X-Mansion." Charles said.
"I don't need any welcoming. What have you done to me and the boy?" Logan is not letting up.
"Relax. Zachery is fine. He's safe here with us. So are you." Storm assures him.
"I didn't need saving. I had Sabretooth until those other creeps showed up. And that other asshole was in my head and did something." Logan doesn't trust them. Jean and Hank McCoy come in behind him.
"The ones who attacked you are not with us. I apologize. This is Scott Summers, known as Cyclops. And this is Storm and Colossus. And of course, you've already met Jean Grey and Doctor Hank McCoy, also known as Beast." Professor Xavier introduces everyone.
Scott offers to shake his hand, but Wolverine just silently glares at everyone, unwilling to trust anyone that easily. He looks at everyone around the room. He doesn't know or trust any of them. But he does get a good look at Jean Grey. Something about her just makes him feel a bit smitten. While Jean doesn't notice, Scott does…. And it bothers him very much already.
"Why am I here? If he's not with you, then where is he and those other jackoffs who jumped us?" Logan asked.
"They're with a powerful mutant. He goes by the name Magneto. They won't attack us here, I can promise you that." Charles tells Logan. This only confuses Logan even more.
"Magneto? Seriously? What kind of name is that? Sabretooth is already a ridiculous name." Logan mocked. "Storm, Beast, huh? What's your nickname? Baldie?" He snickers before he tries to make his leave. But Cyclops, Colossus and Beast all block the door and Colossus puts a hand on his chest.
"Wolverine. Please. Give us a chance to explain." Colossus offered.
"First off, don't touch me. And second, get the hell out of my way. You do not want to see me pissed off." Logan threatened.
"We can help you, Logan. If you give us a chance to tell you everything. It'll be worth your time." Colossus said.
"How the hell do you know my name?" Logan stared.
"It has been far too long, hasn't it, Logan? That you have suffered amnesia and have not found a single clue to figure out who or what you are." Charles said.
"And you do? Is there anyone else that could possibly know who I am? How could you possibly help me?" Logan questioned the professor.
"Because you are not the only one with gifts." Charles telepathically said to Logan.
Logan looks around and sees who's doing that. But within a second, he turns back to Charles Xavier. He realizes that he's the one making that voice. So he withdraws his claws.
"What is this place?" Logan asked.
Charles Xavier explains that the X-Mansion is a school for gifted youngsters. Open for mostly mutant children, including Zachery, who just became the newest student at the mansion while walking back down the stairs and showing the sub-levels that Scott mentioned earlier.
In the sub-level, there are X-Men uniforms, all designs with different colors, but mostly dark. And there is a council meeting room for each member to attend to, three rooms that are currently closed. They each say Danger Room, Cerebro, and Mission Details and Planning respectively.
"This school is protected by a faction that we call the X-Men. Despite how the outside world sees us, we protect said outside world. Doctor McCoy has been my closest friend before we found Scott, Jean and Storm. They were some of my first students. Colossus here is the newest member of our team. I have protected them, taught them to control their powers. And we help find new students. Most of these students are usually runaways. Afraid, shaken. Some of them have very powerful gifts. Such as your new friend Zach. Rare powers called psychometry and intellectual transfer." Charles explained.
Charles and Hank explain Zach's powers to Logan as well as him being the first autistic mutant. Now he sees why Zach is afraid to touch anyone and hardly tries to talk.
"While we aren't saving lives or recruiting new children, we also act as teachers. We prepare for many subjects as this is a high school. And time, we also help these students to control their gifts." Charles explained.
"So what happens after these kids graduate? Do they become X-Men as well?" Logan asked.
"Well that is entirely up to them. They can either join the X-Men or return to the outside world to find a right career path for themselves. Here, they learn, be accepted and not feared. And that is what Zach here will learn." Charles finished.
"But what does all of this have to do with that Magneto guy?" Logan is still confused.
Everyone in the group was rather reluctant to explain who he is and what his motives are, particularly Hank. Given everyone's hostility towards the enemy, Charles decides to explain himself.
"After I became a professor, my friend Hank and I met a man named Erik Lensherr. He is one of the most powerful mutants in the world. He has the ability to manipulate and control metal and even control magnetic fields. We worked here in this mansion as close friends and we helped form the X-Men. But upon growing up, we began to have different viewpoints on humanity for the way they see us. He has had a tragic history. His parents died during World War 2 and he was on his own. Despite us working together on a mission, Magneto's hate for humankind runs too deep. He abandoned the name he was given and became Magneto." Charles remembers.
"Damn. Somebody must have had issues. Can't say I blame the guy. And I'm guessing he has some sort of team name as well. Some woman in my head said ``the brotherhood of mutants." Logan remembered.
"Yes. He considers those who follow him his brothers and sisters. He plans to start a war and wants all mutants to be superior. He wants humanity to share his feeling." Charles Xavier explained.
"And the thing is we still don't know what he's planning. Which is why we're lucky to find the kid and this weirdo in the first place." Scott said.
"Watch it, bub. You're lucky I'm showing restraint at the moment." Wolverine snarls at Scott.
"Otherwise the animal will come out of the cage." Scott replied. Wolverine growls out of annoyance and was about to approach Scott, but Charles interrupts them.
"If no one is prepared to oppose the brotherhood, then mankind will be doomed." Charles reminds them.
"And what does that guy want anyway?" Logan asked.
"Considering your special powers, Logan, I wish to make a deal with you. I promise you we will get to the bottom of this. We can find out what Magneto wants. Then I will do my best to provide the best help I can. That we can. Starting tomorrow." Charles offered.
Wolverine looks at the other members of the X-Men. Jean, Storm and Colossus smile, agreeing with the professor. Beast shrugs, unsure. Scott, however, remains silent and skeptical, particularly with his attitude and the way he looks at Jean. That is what annoys him.
Logan turns to the professor, ready to give his answer. "Ah. What the hell? Not like I'm going anywhere anyway." He shrugs.
"Good. Peter. Why don't you show him where he can stay. Somewhere in a room on the floor above us." Charles instructed.
"Yes, Mr. Xavier. Come, new friend. Your journey to remembrance will begin soon." Colossus said. He sounds sort of excited that Logan is staying. He could already see him as a potential X-Man.
"Professor. You sure about this?" Scott has doubts about Logan.
"I am sure of it, Scott. He's lost and confused. But he deserves to be a better man. He could have potential as other students one day. We will have to wait and see." Charles said.
"It's alright, Scott. He won't get between us, I'm sure." Jean assures her fiance. That makes him slightly better as she caressed his face.
"I suppose so." Scott said, letting out a yawn.
All the X-Men leave to turn in for the night. Tomorrow is a new day for everyone.
Note: I hope you guys are liking the members of the Brotherhood and the X-Men so far. I have researched each of these guys with some help and understand what they do such as Destiny for example. And for the record, there will be no love triangle between Wolverine, Cyclops and Jean Grey any time soon. Besides not being a huge fan of love triangles, I kinda think it has overstayed its welcome. And it didn't really go anywhere in the movies. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.