Chapter Seven: Old Friends

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Anna

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She and Kurt stood over the Memorial, his arm over her shoulders as they stared at the name of the fallen. She'd already kneeled on the ground until her legs had gone numb, silently talking to Remy. She told him about the chance to live on another world. She apologized that what they had together was never enough for her. She hoped that he was at peace finally and promised that she'd do her best to live her life to the fullest, for all those who had their lives snuffed out prematurely.

"Logan," Kurt murmured, glancing behind them.

Anna followed his gaze to see Wolverine in his familiar plaid lumberjack styled flannel shirt walking towards them, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his bomber jacket. His bright eyes shifted between the two of them before they settled over the memorial stone. "Elf, Rogue," Logan greeted. "Chuck contacted me. He reached out to all of us back at the mansion."

"It is good to see you, old friend. Will you be coming to Planet M with us?" Kurt asked. He squeezed Anna's shoulders once more before turning to fully face Wolverine.

Logan's eyes stayed trained on the long list of names of the Genosha victims. "No. I ain't ready to give up on Earth just yet. However, I couldn't join you if I wanted to. I'm an Avenger. I don't have permission to leave the Earth."

"These are extenuating circumstances," Anna pointed out.

Logan looked up this time, a faint bittersweet smile on his lips. "I appreciate you saying that, Queen Rogue."

"Ah'm not used to hearing that title from you, Sugar," Anna admitted, feeling heat up her neck at her friend calling her queen.

He pulled a cigar out of the front pocket of his flannel shirt. "Yeah, well, Darlin', you looked pretty regal on the television. You'll be a good leader." He snapped on his lighter and lit the cigar, puffed a few breaths then balanced the cigar between his teeth. "Though, your tastes in men still remains questionable."

"Anna's taste in men may be unique to those with painful pasts," Kurt protested. "However, she seems to have a talent of encouraging former villains to seek redemption."

Logan snorted. "Not sure Magneto counts as a former villain."

"He's been a victim time and time again and he's our elected king. He's not perfect, but there is no doubt he's tried his best and sometimes his worst, to protect our people," Anna said defensively, clenching her hands into fists at her sides.

Logan smiled around his cigar. "You have a habit of making men want to do better, Darlin'. I have no doubt about the hopeful future for mutant kind with the two of you as his council."

"Gott has heard the cries of our people and Planet M is the answer to many prayers. Speaking of the future of mutant kind," Kurt said, tail twitching nervously. "It seems I have a daughter." He rubbed his forehead. "My Tochter's name is Talia."

"Oh?" Logan pulled the cigar out of his mouth, his eyes wide, the smoke curling up from the cigar at his side. "And who's the lucky baby mama?"

"She's no longer in the picture, but her mother is Wanda Maximoff," Kurt answered. "We were never in a relationship, but did comfort each other once many years ago. Gott apparently saw fit to bless the union."

Logan burst out into laughter. "Wow. Magneto is your kid's grandpa." He gestured towards the two of them. "I guess you two truly are part of the new royal family, eh?"

"Why don't I leave you two boys to catch up?" Anna suggested, feeling tired. "Ah want to check with Emma before I call it a night." She hugged Kurt once more, enjoying the feel of his strong, familiar arms banding around her. And then she stepped towards Logan for another hug. Her friend may have been gruff, but she had no doubt that they cared for one another. "It really is good to see you again, Logan."

"You too, Darlin'. Go get you some sleep," Wolverine grunted, hugging her back. "I need to give the Elf some advice about leaning about children from baby mamas years after the fact. I just hope Talia is nothing like Akihiro. It took a long time to get that boy's brainwashing cleared up."

"Luckily, Talia is a sweet young girl and her mother only had kind things to say about me," Kurt assured him.

She flew off towards her old room, leaving her brother and his best friend to catch up. Logan may have claimed he would be staying on Earth because of this status as an Avenger, but she suspected it was more related to the search for his son Daken— whom they hadn't seen in more than a year.

As she began to lower herself the the balcony of her old room, she crossed paths with another flying mutant, the tiny wings at his ankles fluttering madly.

"King Namor," Anna greeted the dark haired Atlantian ruler.

Namor smiled, hovering in place. "Queen Rogue," he answered back. "I was just visiting your lovely roommate. She was surprised when you dropped your bag off earlier. I would think you'd be staying with the king."

"Eric has got some family business to attend to," Anna answered. "Ah wanted to afford him some privacy to sort his own affairs without his girlfriend around as a distraction."

Namor cocked his head to the side. "I must say, while girlfriends are a pleasant distraction, partners are essential when handling stressful family affairs. You might want to be more supportive in person rather than leave a man with the fate of an entire people by himself."

That was surprisingly good advice. "Ah'll keep that in mind. How is Emma?"

"She's a resilient and remarkable woman," Namor said. "Her body may be hard as diamonds at the moment, but her heart is heavy. She could use a friend." He started to fly past her again, pausing near her side. "Or a fellow queen."

Rogue wasn't sure what he meant by that, but she'd probably find out sooner once she talked to Emma. The door on the balcony was cracked open a bit and she pulled it the rest of the way open to slip inside. Emma sat on the couch, her leg raised in front of her on the ottoman and her arms folded over her glittery diamond chest. She wore a white robe cinched around the waist.

"Hey," Rogue greeted flopping down on the armchair across from the sofa. "Ah so you had a royal guest."

"I suppose two royal guests," Emma answered. She gestured towards the bedroom. "The bed is all yourself. I can't get comfortable, so I'll just sleep on the couch. Were you able to use Elixir's powers?"

Anna nodded. "Yeah, his powers are fun to use and Ah don't much mind his thoughts running through my head. He's a good kid."

"Young man, perhaps, but hardly a child, Rogue," Emma pointed out. "Namor asked me to be the diplomat between Planet M and the Kingdom of Atlantis."

"That sounds right up your alley, to be honest," Anna said, leaning back and closing her eyes. She hardly needed the bed. She could fall asleep right then and there in the chair.

"Yes, well, he also said he was in want of a queen himself, if I might find myself interested being the White Queen in more than one way," Emma added. She chuckled ruefully. "He's optimistic that my diamond form is only a temporary challenge for me to learn to control. I think he's right."

"Well I agree on that too. It might take time, but Ah know you got this, girl," Anna said. She opened her eyes to study the woman across from her. "So he's interested in your romantically?"

Emma shrugged. "Maybe. Everyone knows about his doomed love affair with Sue Storm before she became Mrs Reed Richards. Blonds are his type." She gestured towards her diamond encrusted hair. "I am decidedly not blond at the moment." She sighed. "He'll lose interest soon enough, but it would be a big honor to serve as diplomat. King T'Challa made it clear he wanted to deal with you whenever our two kingdoms needed to work together. He holds no love for Magneto."

"T'Challa and I were once friends, back when he and Stormy were together." She nodded her head at Emma. "Back to you and the King of Atlantis. I don't think he's interested in you because he likes blonds. There are plenty of blonds. Something else you and Sue Storm-Reed have in common — you're strong, confident, brilliant women." She leaned her head back and sighed. "Ah'll go take that bed Ah guess. See you in the morning, Emma. Ah'm planning to be on the first shuttle to the way station on the moon."

"Namor said the Shi'ar engineers could have the Stargate in Atlantis functional within a month," Emma called when Rogue was standing in the doorway to the bedroom. "I will come join you on Planet M through the Stargate. My three daughters will accompany Joshua on the maiden flight."

"You take your time, Emma. There will be a place for you whenever you're ready," Anna vowed.

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OoO

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Eric

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He woke up early, finding it difficult to stay asleep when his bed felt too big and too empty without Anna's presence. At first, he flew up to the roof of the complex, but staring down at the wasteland that was Genosha, he had too many memories dredged up from other times in his life when his home had been razed by petty, greedy, fearful humans. So, he went to the medical tents. Years ago— decades to be honest, when he'd been hiding his mutant identity, he worked at a hospital as a Medical Aide. He knew basic first aid, wound care, how to manage IVs, give injections, and whatnot. He also wasn't above delivering food to those recovering.

"Oh!" Elixir looked up from where he was dozing in the staff rest area. He scrambled to his feet, his body completely golden in color as he focused on his healing gifts. "King Magnus!" He bowed at the waist. "It's an honor to see you this morning."

"No need for such formalities, Joshua." Eric raised his hand placatingly. "I am here to offer my assistance in whatever way is needed. I am at your disposal for the next ninety minutes or so."

Joshua stared at him for a solid ten seconds before he broke out into a smile. "That's very kind of you, King Magnus. I've taken care of all the injuries. I sent Doctors Reyes and Nemesis home some hours ago. Doctor McCoy had already left the island with his girlfriend before I got here. Mostly our patients just need rest. The volunteers will be handing out breakfast in about half an hour if you want help in that area?" His golden eyes glowed. "I wanted to try something, if you're okay? I have been studying telomeres and the process of aging as a disease."

"Okay," Eric said, arching a silver eyebrow. He sensed a great deal of eagerness in the young man's tone. "Did you want to study the delay in my own aging from my mutant power?"

"Partly," Joshua said. "Our bodies run on electricity, so I imagine your power over magnetism delays the degradation of the telomeres and their subsequent shortening. I was wanting to check something, if I may?" He held his hand out towards Eric with his golden palm up. "May I examine you? If you'll place your hand in mine, palm up."

Without hesitation, Eric did as was asked. Almost immediately, he felt a tingling sensation from his toes to the top of his scalp.

Elixer grinned and then dropped Eric's hand. "Your DNA was in even better shape thanI expected. Go find yourself a mirror later. I think you'll be pleased, King Magnus." He waved at the futon behind him. "If you don't mind I'll be getting back to my nap. The kitchen volunteers are in the mess tent halfway between here and the shuttle."

Eric laid his hand over the younger man's shoulder. "You have done a great service for your people, Mr. Foley, thank you." He wasn't exactly sure what the healing mutant did, but he did feel an even greater flow of energy than usual.

"Ah, I see what you did there," Joshua said with a laugh. "It feels rude to call you Eric though. And you are my king. I appreciate how you keep stepping up to lead our people. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. I'm just here to help wherever I can."

"We're all friends," Eric said. "Though, in battle, please feel free to call me Magneto. Or if we're in front of a crowd, King Magnus is fine." He smiled ruefully. "I am trying to grow accustomed to the various formalities and titles myself."

"Riiiight," Joshua drawled. "Well, Eric, as a man with three mind-reading girlfriends that are identical in appearance, I'm used to calling the same person by many names," he joked. An absent smile spread across his face. "They're hoping to set up a mental health clinic, along with Ms. Frost to help everyone deal with their traumas. The triplets and I learned a lot in Medical school and in our Residency. We're eager to put that knowledge to good use."

Eric did not envy the young man being involved in such a complicated relationship with a trio of psychic women. Though, the idea of a mental health clinic made him glad. "That sounds like a fantastic idea. I fully support it." He would likely sign up for such services and hopefully, he could convince Anna to do the same. She'd gone to Xavier for help so many years ago, but it seemed his old friend had mostly channelled her talents to his cause, and not done much to help her deal with her traumas. But then, what did Xavier know about helping people deal with painful memories? His own stepbrother Cane had tried to kill him multiple times, not to mention Eric's own tumulltuous past with the man.

Eric made his way towards the mess tent. The smells of fresh food — eggs, hashbrowns, oatmeal, and fresh berries wafted towards his nose and he felt his stomach growl. Maybe he'd have a little snack? He had about an hour before he needed to return to his quarters for the family breakfast.

The Head Cook was happy to have the extra help and with Eric's power over magnetism, the metal trays would be easy to deliver. What he didn't expect, was to see Charles Xavier standing in an exo-suit ladling oatmeal into individual bowls.

Xavier's bald head jerked up abruptly as Eric drew closer. "Magnus," Charles murmured. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"It has always been my objective to help our people, in whatever capacity I can," Eric retorted with an imperious sniff. "Shouldn't you be spending time with your empress? She has offered so much to mutant kind."

"Liandra is both kind and noble of heart," Charles agreed. "We have a lifetime to spend together. I have only a month here on Earth before we must head back to the Shi'ar capital planet. I had hoped you would continue to lead my X-men in my absence." He stared down at the large stock pot. "I honestly had no idea about the alternative planet."

"It must be difficult being in a relationship with another psychic that can hide their thoughts from you," Eric said sarcastically expressing an empathy he did not feel. "They are not your X-men. You do not own them," Eric scoffed. "You never seem to understand that we are not your playthings. We are more than pawns to move about your chess board. Knowing people's thoughts doesn't mean you always know their hearts."

"I have never considered you a pawn, Magnus," Xavier said quietly. There was such an intensity in his eyes that it gave Eric pause. He wasn't a mind-reader, but he did know how to read people. Years of experience with comparing people's words with their actions afforded him the skill.

He had always suspected that Charles' feelings for him were more than merely platonic. While Eric had no issue with people finding love with whomever they found love with — for it was such a precious emotion in a life more prone to pain and suffering — he himself had only been in love twice in his life. His childhood sweetheart and dead wife, Magna was the first time and Anna in his more recent years. It didn't mean he didn't have his fair share of relationships— all doomed before they ever began. His friendship with Charles the most complicated of all of them— best friends and mortal enemies depending on the weather.

"Charles, you have been trying to reason with me for over thirty years and when I don't agree with your foolish notions, you then attempt to force me to mentally relive my greatest traumas. How many times have you snatched the memory of my parents and sister being taken from me by human soldiers in the Great War? Or perhaps you want to show me the human mob in the rural village I'd tried to live quietly in when they were murdering my daughter?" It made him angry how many times Xavier forced him to relive his most painful memories. However, it was even more upsetting that the pretentious man didn't even seem to notice the irony of repeatedly displaying the cruelty of humanity. It was supposed to weaken Magneto and make him docile, but all it did was empower him and strengthen his resolve to prevent such atrocities from happening again. Yet, Genosha was another victim. "Perhaps you'd like to make me revisit the mass murders that happened on our newly founded island nation?" He tapped his temple. "Go head, snatch away the most recent traumatic memory and force me to relive it time and time again. It's quite fresh, I'm sure it will be easy for you find on the surface of my mind."

Xavier sighed. "I am not perfect, Magnus. I admit, I tried to convince you in unsavory ways in the past." He stared down at the stock pot seeming to be searching for the right words. "Have I not always come to your aid when you have truly needed me over the years? Have you not done the same for me? It does not have to be us versus them."

"Ah, but you see, it was this time that you really did convince me of your impossible dream, Charles," Eric continued. "I wanted to believe in the possibility of coexistence so much and then once again, the humans proved the folly of such a naive notion."

"I admit, I didn't expect you to feel so sentimental about my supposed passing, Magnus," Charles said quietly. "I feel your love for me dead is greater than it is for me alive."

"You have been both my greatest friend and foe, Charles. But, the love of my life you are NOT. That position has been filled since a young woman wormed her way into my heart in the Savage Lands many years ago," Eric said, laying his palm upon the counter. He needed to settle this chapter with Xavier once and for all. They needed to part as friends, for his own peace of mine. "You want to know why I wanted your dream to work? Because it became Anna's dream— or as you call her — Rogue. More than anyone, she convinced me to try with all my might and sincerity."

Eric gestured towards the entrance of the tent. An early morning breeze ruffled the flaps, revealing the waste that had been laid upon Genosha. "This level of destruction was not the result of a single entity against mutant-kind. The amount of fiscal clout necessary for this would involve many powerful countries. The only way for our people to be safe, is through Isolationism. It is the method that has worked for the kingdoms of Atlantis and Wakanda. If you look at the historic oppression of peoples throughout the past five thousand years of humanity, genocide and slavery is a pattern that repeats itself time and time again. I will take this opportunity to truly isolate our people to protect them from further harm of jealous inferior humans. Perhaps life will not be perfect on Planet M, but we will be free to make our own mistakes and learn from them." He narrowed his eyes.

"We will be able to grow and raise families without the constant threat of oppression and concentration camps looming in the future," Eric continued. "Those of us that cannot pass as the baser humans will be safe. They won't have to hide away through shape-shifting powers or living underground like the Marauders. They won't fall victim to predators like Sinister or Apocalypse out of their desperation to fit in with the sapiens. Genosha was supposed to be that home." His thoughts fell upon his newly found grand-daughter and her demonic appearance. She was the sweetest child he'd ever met, yet he knew her innocence would be ruined before long if she were to stay on this hateful world. He wanted a better life for her, for all of mutant kind.

"I understand," Charles said quietly. "I have only ever wanted for peace as well."

Eric gathered up the trays and was only momentarily startled at the sight of his own reflection. He now understood what Elixir had done to him earlier. It was like staring at his old face from his thirties. The crow's feet had faded and the lines that had marked his chronically furrowed brow were no more. He cleared his throat, unsure how he felt about the changes and then started to make the patients' breakfast delivery, leaving Xavier behind to stew on his own failures.

Then Eric would enjoy a family breakfast for his last day on Earth.

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