X-Men: Fate

Forge Us A Path

"Good morning," Forge said, laying beside Ororo. "You going to stay in bed with me a while this Saturday, or are you already thinking about what's on your agenda?"

Ororo tried not smile, but she decided to allow herself to do it. She rarely had much time to spend with her husband, and might have even less time soon, so she decided it best to allow herself some vulnerability.

"It is not my intention to keep secrets from you," Ororo said. "It is just what needs to be."

"Ororo," Forge said. "You don't have to explain. How long have we been married? I joke with you, but I know how you operate. In the best interest of everyone."

"I am not afraid of losing the school as its Headmistress ," Ororo said. "I am not afraid of losing you as your wife. However, I am determined to see all of the rest of you live a well lived life: with determination and happiness. It matters not if I am in it."

"Fortunately," Forge said, "for Ovid and I you in our lives does matter. We won't let you sacrifice all of yourself for everyone else."

"Worry not," Ororo said. "The thought of sacrificing myself is no longer a thought that crosses my mind. Nothing and no one will be sacrificed again. Not even for the greater good."

"Ovid wants you to rely on him more," Forge said. "He spoke with me about his trip to Wakanda to train with his godfather and meet Anansi. He spoke with me about his visit with Evan and the morlocks. He says college is great, but he's restless."

"No one can say he does not take after you," Ororo said. She made Forge laugh. "Why did he not speak with me?"

"You represent mutants on a global scale," Forge said. "He's all right. He doesn't want to take your time away from those who need you more."

"That boy," Ororo said. "I never should have took him to see T'Challa when he was young."

"You did," Forge said. "That's why he grew up to be a warrior with strength of character like his mother and his godfather."

"I will talk with him," Ororo said. "I will let him know that he is welcome to return to the X-Men as Genesis. He can work in a similar capacity as you did when you were with us. Perhaps, he can mentor in a way us older mutants cannot."

"He'll be happy to hear that," Forge said.

Ororo kissed him softly on his cheek. Forge blushed a bit.

"I love you," Ororo said.

"You better," Forge said. "I don't know what I'd do if you left me and broke my heart."

Forge made her laugh out loud. He loved when he made her laugh like that. It was rare and beautiful to him every time.

"Perish the thought," Ororo said. She went quiet for a moment. "Reth, Reva, and Adrian are meant to lead us into the future. Even the stars say so."

"Is that good or bad, for the world?" Forge asked. "For us?"

"Far as I know," Ororo said, "that depends on them. Their connection is tied to either chaos or order, blessing or disaster. But today, as far as an agenda goes, I plan to find out for certain."

~~~

Sorcha knocked on Reth's door. It was Saturday afternoon. He wasn't there earlier, but she hoped to catch him now.

"Hey Sorcha," Reth said, answering the door.

"Hey," Sorcha said. "You got a minute?"

"Yeah," Reth said. "Come on in."

Reth sat back down to his desk that looked out of his window and provided a view of the property. He could see students, the landscape, the mountains. It was quite the view. He was writing on his laptop. He was writing about fear and hope.

"Take a seat on the bench," Reth said, facing her. He had a cushioned bench at the foot of his bed. "You need my help?"

"Oh no," Sorcha said. "I don't think it's anything serious. I'm always with Reva. Adrian and Armod are secret mechanic buddies. We haven't recently talked since our tea and coffee extravaganza. I was thinking I wonder if he's lonely. Reva and Adrian are the only two he seems comfortable with."

"You've been watching me," Reth said. "You've been watching all of us."

"Watching after," Sorcha said. "Just watching to see if you three are alright."

"Four," Reth said. "Reva had you watch Armod. You still are."

"He's my friend too," Sorcha said. "You all are, but you three…" She trailed off.

"You can say it," Reth said.

"You're the new team of X-Men," Sorcha said.

"That's an interesting notion," Reth said. He smiled.

"You know I know," Sorcha said, crossing her legs. "It's more than a notion. But I got further proof for you. Adrian's the heart of the trio. Even though he used to be a Purifier, and guilt gets him down sometimes. He's a soldier. Willing and able to get things done. No matter who's in charge. But he tempers you two. Acts as tiebreaker: between your logical thought process and Reva's emotional actions. Reva's hard charging. She's second in command. She's terrible when it comes to time keeping and following instructions, but she makes sure you two stay well and stay on task: when it matters most." She leaned back on her hands on his bed. "Then there's you. Always thinking. Always worrying. One eye on a grim outcome. One eye on a beautiful result. You're the leader, willing to sacrifice yourself if it means good for those two who you care about deeply." She was looking out the window now: at Reth's magnificent view. "Powerful. Unpredictable. Enigmatic." She rested her eyes on Reth. She met his eyes.

"No," Reth said.

"No?" Sorcha questioned.

"You came to see about me," Reth said. "I know you did because you're a sincere person, but you also wanted to ask if the X-Men do exist to join the team. And even if they do exist, they're not ready for something like that. Neither are you."

"That isn't something you get to decide," Sorcha said: more hurt than angry. But she knew he was right. On both counts.

"If you think so," Reth said, "why not talk to Reva about this? Or even Headmistress Munroe?"

"Reva would say what you just said," Sorcha said. "You'd have been able to change her mind. But seems like you two would be in agreement."

"That wasn't a never Sorcha," Reth said. "Just not now. Not yet."

"I understand," Sorcha said. "I really do. This conversation just makes me want it more. So I'll make myself ready. For when I can get the answer I want from you." She uncrossed her legs, stood, and went and leaned on his desk. First, she gazed out his window again, and then gave him her attention. "I've read about the iterations of the X-Men teams.

Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Beast, and Phoenix. Thunderbird, Sunfire, Banshee, Colossus, and Polaris. Forge, Jubilee, Angel, Morph, and Iceman. Mirage, Wolfsbane, Cannonball, Karma, and Magik. Psylocke, Sunspot, Northstar, Dazzler, and Pixie. Rogue, Gambit, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, and Spyke. Those are the documented team members, and I know there are outliers and more."

"The X-Men are still out there," Reth said. "They may be apart. Some have even died. But the X-Men exist for the mutants out there that need them: in one way, shape, form, or another."

"I get what you're telling me," Sorcha said. "I can prove myself capable, a part of the cause outside the field as well. But do you get what I'm telling you?"

"What's that?" Reth asked, a bit puzzled.

"Your team's not complete," Sorcha said. "And" She said this as she headed for the door. She opened it, went to leave, but then peaked back inside to whisper to Reth. "You should really consider both myself and Armod as the final members of your team." She smiled when Reth stood surprised by her suggestion as she closed the door and went her way.

Sorcha made a phone call.

"Hey," Sorcha greeted him soon as he picked up.

"Hey," Armod said. "What's going on?"

"Where are you?" Sorcha asked. "What are you doing?" She already had an idea, but she wanted confirmation. She was headed to his location now.

"I'm in the garage," Armod said. "My grandpa gifted me an old run down beetle to work on. Found it at auction. He figured I could restore it, keep my mind and hands busy, and then gift it to someone."

"I love your grandpa," Sorcha said, heading out the front door of the mansion. "While you work on a project for him, I was wondering if you could work on a project with me."

"Sounds doable," Armod said, "depending on the project. I'm supposed to talk with Forge today about something."

This reminded Sorcha she had a meeting herself with Headmistress Munroe tomorrow.

"When could we meet so you can give me the details of your project?" Armod asked.

"Right now," Sorcha said.

Armod looked in her direction as Sorcha looked in his.

Once they stood across from each other, they simultaneously hung up their cellphones.

"You're going to train me in the art of fighting against mutants," Sorcha said. "The Purifier way. From what I've read, your organization has a whole training regime."

Armod raised an eyebrow. It wasn't until now that he saw how Reva and Sorcha could get along so well and get so close so fast.

"You're up to something," Armod said.

"I always am," Sorcha said.

"What's in it for me?" Armod said. "If I were to decide to do what you ask?"

"You get to be a good friend," Sorcha said. "Don't worry Armod. I have faith you. Have faith in me. We come from the same world. Win-Win. This will pay off for you in the end. So what say you?"

"I'm in," Armod said. "If only to see where your machinations led us."

"Text me when you're ready for me,"Sorcha said. Then after gifting him a wry smile she left him too, watching after her.

~~~

Ororo and Hank were on a hologram conference call. Ororo was in Forge's lab as she soon would be leaving for an important meeting using Forge's teleportation device.

"How are you my friend?" Hank asked her. "It's been a while since you and I have talked. I suspect you're busy. I wanted to update you on my progress. Hopefully, get an update from you on things."

"I am well," Ororo said. "I hope you are as well."

"Quite," Hank said. "You and the trio have had me absorbed in my work. Based on the information and the mutants that were saved, I was able to study and pin point the origins of the Purifier's Cure. I understand how it works because of that data that was collected. I am working on an antidote, but having talked with those cure receivers I don't think anyone would choose to take it."

"That is their choice," Ororo said. "We are not here to force them; however, you can make the antidote available so they have the option to take it when or if it becomes necessary."

"My thoughts exactly," Hank said.

"What are the cure's origins," Ororo asked, "and how does it work?"

"Siphon," Hank said. "The data the trio has been collecting from various Purifier sites and the interrogations of some of the radical Purifiers helped me form a sort of hypothesis. The man Rogue has been seen with Emma managed to identify through Cerebra. Jean assisted with sifting through his medical records included in said data."

"Rogue plans to resurrect those we lost," Ororo said. "I am certain this will include a mutant with a unique ability. This Siphon will probably lead her to that mutant."

"A mutant could theoretically have the ability to reanimate a dead body," Hank said.

"That does not mean that mutant could reanimate their very essence," Ororo said. "Their soul."

Hank nodded.

"I would be thrilled for them all to be back," Ororo said. For a moment, her voice almost cracked. "Would it be the same? Would we want them back if they were no longer who they were? Jean's Scott. Your Raven. Our Charles."

"I wouldn't help Rogue accomplish that goal," Hank said, "but I would be lying if I said I didn't want it to come to pass. Having Raven back with me… I would help her be who she was again, even if it took the rest of my life."

They shared a short silence before Hank continued.

"In all the years Charles and I worked together," Hank said, "I have no memory of a mutant with the power to reanimate corpses. With the loss of Cerebro's database I have no way of going back through its archives. However, I remember Siphon. Although he was happily adopted, he let questions of his identity plague him to no end. He was whip smart, built his own company. He studied genetics and experimented on himself on the side. He valued Charles and Erik, but he grew jealous of their friendship, let it affect his self-worth, especially after Erik caused Charles' paralysis. He took their powers away. They all fought physically before that happened. Rhee Hyeon-U… Matthias Calhoun… He couldn't understand why Charles could forgive Erik so easily. He grew to hate their fascination with the relationship between humans and mutants. He exploded on them on the topic of that soon after. He parted ways from them both: despite Charles' repeated attempts to reach out."

"I did not expect him to be a part of Charles' and Erik's generation," Ororo said. "Charles rarely spoke of himself or his time before his paralysis. Perhaps Moira might be able to shed more light on Siphon and provide us with a name for a mutant with the power to reanimate. He. She. Might be a part of their time too."

"I should've reached out to Moira," Hank said. "I doubt Charles would've let her remember much, but she was resourceful on her own. She might have catalogues and hard copies she kept from when Cerebro was online. I'll concentrate on that. You have a school to run and people to manage." He gave her a small smile, which she returned. "As I was saying earlier, Matthias began to experiment on himself and then he turned himself over to some financial backer who wanted a cure to exist. A procedure came to exist after decades of testing. It works from Matthias' blood and DNA. The data called it Genetic Bleaching. Matthias himself used to call it Genetic Splicing. Matthias, his ability, becomes a part of your genetic makeup and you cease to be a mutant: at least in your eyes."

"You still are," Ororo said, "You just no longer have your power but a variation of his, which you continuously are using upon yourself."

"Say what you will," Hank said, "but this cure has been proven effective. Mutants can choose whether they want to stay mutants. They get to have a choice. If whoever has decided to financially bankroll this cure has it legalized, if it goes national, or even global. Jean and I worry about potential side effects, the future."

"The veterans have their roles to play," Ororo said. "The newcomers have their roles as well. The government thinks the X-Men, mutants, will bring about only disaster. They decided they have enough evidence to support that. No matter what seems on the horizon worry not. As Charles brought us under his protection, until he no longer could do so, all of you are under mine. I will strike down outside forces, and even if it comes down to it the forces within."

"Ororo you've done an excellent job," Hank said. "I never thanked you for all you have done and do. I never have and never will doubt you. We all couldn't have been left in better hands. Thank you."

They smiled together. Ororo nodded.

"Thank you as well," Ororo said. "I have done nothing alone or on my own. You all were paramount for success."

"I have to get back to work," Hank said. "So do you."

"Come visit soon Hank," Ororo said. "You are indispensable, but you need rest too. Besides, I think your meeting with the trio would be invaluable to both of you."

"Then I'll take that suggestion and put it in my schedule," Hank said.

Ororo sent him off. Hank ended the hologram call. Ororo composed herself: became serious. She stepped onto the teleporter. She let it send her to meet with Irene.

~~~

Forge had come to the garage to speak with Armod. He would act as a mentor and liaison for Armod as the only human student at the school.

Forge had been monitoring the young man since his arrival at Ororo's request. And while initially he had concerns similar to Reth's he saw how much Armod reminded him of Adrian.

Adrian had needed Emma, Kurt, and himself. His team, Reva and Reth, had taken him the rest of the way.

Armod didn't need to be monitored. He needed Reth, Reva, and Adrian. And Forge decided he would take him the rest of the way. And if Ororo was right, as she tended to be, Sorcha would help him with that.

"So," Armod said, starting things off. "How long until we discuss why we really work on cars together?"

Adrian and Armod were looking under the hood of the beetle. They pulled back and glanced at each other.

"You already know I'm keeping tabs on you," Adrian said. "What's there to discuss?"

"And I want to persuade you to rejoin the Purifiers," Armod said. "But I mean past those reasons."

Armod and Adrian stared each other down.

Forge couldn't help smile to himself. They reminded him of Angel and Iceman: from his active team days. Iceman, Bobby, the extroverted rapscallion. Angel, Warren, the introverted altruist. Always in a friendly battle of wills. Armod would have to carry the conversation. Adrian would strike the heart with his words unknowingly.

Forge appreciated the formation of the new team: the X-Men's new members. He enjoyed the threads he followed from the X-Men's foundation to now. He saw what he and Ororo had discussed: Phoenix in Reth, Wolverine in Reva, and Beast in Adrian. He even saw Storm in Sorcha and Cyclops in Armod. Maybe Jean had been right. Those who become X-Men have a certain essence in their being at their core.

"You hang out with me because I don't put you on edge," Armod said. "You're used to me."

"So what," Adrian said.

"So what," Armod repeated. "I get it. Every day I think of a mutant killing me because I'm a Purifier. I stay. Whether I'm a Purifier or not, it's important that I be here."

"I didn't thing about that before," Adrian said, "but that is important: you being here. You serve as a reminder. The goal. Coexistence."

"You make it sound like I'm playing exactly into the X-Men's hands," Armod said.

"You might be," Adrian said. "You think they'd let just anyone in here, especially someone who could endanger everyone? The Purifiers selected the perfect candidate, and Headmistress Munroe accepted the perfect chess piece."

"I see you side stepped my X-Men comment," Armod said. "Mutants are a threat, but I recognize it's important they exist too."

Forge and Adrian found themselves with raised eyebrows.

"Maybe you never thought of this," Armod continued. "You were as much a leader as your father was. The Purifiers trust the X-Men to stop an Omega-level threat. Even as they work toward their own countermeasures and work on the cure they developed. I volunteered to come, so they wouldn't send someone worse. I volunteered because of you. A Purifier who became an X-Men. At the time, you were integral in putting down the Bastion event. Alexander Reyes."

"I didn't have a choice," Adrian said.

"You did," Armod said. "You know how many Purifiers killed themselves after becoming mutants. You could've done nothing. Instead, you helped save the world. Ushered the Purifiers into the future. Provided an open door for our numbers to increase."

"I'd be more inclined to listen to what you're saying if you stop sounding like you're working me," Adrian said. "The Bastion Event. The Dark Phoenix Saga. They taught me to value life. Period. Can you say the same?"

"Is there a right way for me to answer this?" Armod asked.

"Things changed," Adrian said.

"Things are different between us now," Armod said.

"Yeah," Adrian said, "but we're both making an effort. That's a big deal for people like us."

"True," Armod agreed.

Forge joined the two young men. He drew their attention.

"You came to see me Professor," Armod said.

"The X-Men exist," Forge said, looking Armod straight in his eyes. "They're actively working against The Brotherhood and The Purifiers as we speak. You two were family, brothers at one point. You both wonder if you can be that way again. There's a lot at stake. I'm going to do you both a favor. I'm going to bear the burden. I'm going to assume the risk." He put himself between Armod and Adrian. His eyes locked on Armod's.

Armod had been provided the most information on Forge, except for his actual name. This was because Forge used to work for the government: ex-military. For that reason, Armod had more respect for him, which was why he kept quiet when Forge spoke and planned to follow his words. Not out of loyalty Armod told himself. Out of respect.

"I don't much care whose side you're on," Forge said. "Long as you're about mitigating loss of life. I'll vouch for you every time as long as we're united in that. Got me?"

"Yes sir," Armod said. It kind of slipped from his mouth. It made Forge smile. It was strange for Armod. He felt he didn't want to let Forge down.

"That's all I had for you," Forge said. "If you need anything, I'm your point of contact from here on out. You can trust me. With anything. I'm on your side."

Forge left them. His thoughts occupied him. X-Men. Peacekeepers. Soldiers. Reth, Reva, Adrian. That Trio. Forge hadn't told them, but he was proud of them, that they desired to take on the burdens, sorrows, and obstacles of mutantkind. They had volunteered to do it. For the good. Of all. They made that choice. He would honor them by making sure they never regretted it.