March 12th 2005 3.00pm
Westchester
The rain hadn't let up all day. It rolled off the edges of umbrellas and dripped down the backs of coats, but no one moved. The crowd stood still, silent, heads bowed before a line of freshly dug graves behind Xavier's School for gifted youngsters. Once, the mansion had been a place of hope and learning. But today... Today it was the backdrop for a funeral.
Ten freshly marked headstones sat in the rain, neat and cold. The names etched into the granite still didn't feel real.
Professor Charles Xavier
Jean Grey
Alex Summers
Kitty Pryde
Piotr Rasputin
Samuel Guthrie
Pietro Maximoff
Dr. Lorna Dane
Warren Worthington III
Rogue
Ororo Munroe, otherwise known as Storm, stood over a small podium. She took a breath and faced the people gathered before her. Mutants from all corners of the world stood side by side. Friends. Enemies. Strangers united by grief.
"My friends," she began, her voice quiet but strong. "Today we have the unfortunate task of laying to rest some of our own. Days like today make our past conflicts seem... petty by comparison"
She looked over the crowd, eyes lingering briefly on a few faces—Beast, his glasses fogged with rain. Gambit, silent for once, hat in hand. Further in the back her young students, Bobby, Suzanne, Calvin, Roberto, all pale and all trembling. Far too young to have to be sharing this pain.
And even farther back, slightly away from the service, barely visible under the cover of a tree, stood a man alone..
He didn't speak. He hadn't since he arrived. His long silver hair clung to his face, soaked and unkempt. His helmet was gone. In its place was a hollow man, too heavy with regret to move or speak. The pain of loss was not foreign to him, so much pain and strife marked his life, molded him, made him who he was and now... it seems it had finally broken him. The pain had broken the one they called Magneto
"Whether you stood with the X-Men" Ororo continued "sided with the brotherhood, kept a neutral stance, or just were a friend. What truly matters is that we are all hurting this day for our own kind"
In the distance, Magneto turned away and disappeared into the trees.
Ororo watched him leave, then looked to the remaining members of the Brotherhood, who stood stiffly among the X-Men.
"Charles Xavier was the best of us and he believed, wholeheartedly that unity and peace could be reached between us and with the humans. He believed that the key to our survival was coexistence"
Members of brotherhood listened intently. Todd, Juggernaut, Pyro, names that she had told her students were untrustworthy, now sat side by side along with them
"4 days ago the humans betrayed the trust of a good man, they slaughtered good people in the name of fear. Today, with all of us together, i ask and i plead that you not betray Charles' wish in the name of his death"
Internally she knew that would fall on deaf ears, they may be united today but how long would that truly last? It was worth a shot at least, she thought to herself, it's what Charles would have wanted
"We must show them that we won't stoop to those levels... this is a time of mourning but it can also be a time of reflection and forgiveness"
She turned back to the graves. The words caught in her throat, but she forced them out.
"To the fallen... may you find the peace that this world denied you."
The funeral ended in silence.
A short distance away, beneath the dripping limbs of an old tree, Logan sat with his back against the trunk, legs stretched out in the mud. A few crushed beer cans lay beside him, another in his hand. His shirt was half-buttoned, eyes bloodshot and staring off into the middle distance.
He hadn't joined the others for the service.
Storm found him there a few minutes later, Beast trailing right behind her. She didn't speak at first. Just watched him drink.
"You missed the service Logan"
Logan took a big swig of his beer "I heard what i needed to hear, that's what's matters
Storm stepped closer. "You look like hell."
"Thanks."
Beast adjusted his coat. "This isn't the way to go about things Logan."
He finally looked at them. "What way is there left? Because everything that tied me to this place is now six feet under."
Storm's voice softened. "...Jean wouldn't want you like this."
Logan stared off at the field, the gravestones just visible through the trees.
"She's dead," he said. "So what she wants don't mean much anymore does it?"
Storm looked away. She had no fight in her and truly their was nothing left to say. She turned and walked off, Beast following reluctantly.
FIVE. YEARS. LATER
March 12th 2010 3.00pm
Washington D.C
The walls of the Senate chamber were cold and clinical, a true far cry from the muddy field behind Xavier's School. Rows of politicians and aides sat behind polished desks, eyes fixed on the lone mutant standing at the center of the room going through his notes. Cameras lined the walls, red lights blinking as they streamed the session live across the country.
Dr. Hank McCoy adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. His blue fur popped out of his custom tailored navy suit. He stood tall, dignified, even as the weight of the moment pressed down on him like gravity.
A senator spoke into the microphone "Mr McCoy-"
"It's actually Doctor... Doctor Hank McCoy" Beast interjected
The senator offered a thin smile "Of course, my apologies Doctor McCoy. The purpose of this public hearing is to further quell any fears the mutant populous has over relations between humans and mutants. In a recent television appearance you stated you have fears over the united states government's and i quote 'lack of transparency' to the mutant population, would you like to elaborate on that?"
"Of course, 5 years ago, a sentinel attacked and killed many of my friends and my people in broad daylight."
He paused, letting the words hang in the air before continuing
"This machine was recovered by the US government and in the past 5 years no information has been released publicly about where the machine came from, who built it, where it's parts were made or why it solely targeted mutants"
The senator leaned in to respond "The Sentinel is now property of the US government and you have been informed that it was immediately dismantled for research purposes, no other information will be released at-"
"Furthermore" Beast interjects again "the name of the machine Senator...The Sentinel. To my records of the day in question, the machine never spoke, and as you say had no discernable markings on it, no insignia. So how were you so quick to name it The Sentinel"
Murmurs began spreading through the room, one of the aides leaned in and whispered something to the senator
"We know what it was called because of recovered data from its internal programming."
Beast raised an eyebrow. "So you were able to access its programming files?"
"That's classified information Doctor McCoy"
"Will the mutant population ever be allowed to see those files Senator?"
"Doctor McCoy," the senator said, clearly agitated now, "need I remind you, the United States has been very cooperative with your X-Men, just as we have with all super-powered individuals operating on American soil."
Beast smiled thinly. "Ah yes. Just last month i believe, Mr. Tony Stark stood in this very room to answer questions pertaining to the Avengers. However i don't recall him having a sniper aimed at his head."
There was an audible gasp. The murmur turned into voices rising, reporters scribbling furiously in notebooks and typing into phones, up in the rafters on the building stood a lone officer with a rifle aimed at Hank.
"Order!" the chairman barked. "Settle down!"
Beast waited for the noise to fade, then folded his arms behind his back.
"The truth of the matter is that, you don't trust us Senator" he said quietly. "Not truly. Even after all the times we've saved this country, this world… we're still seen as threats."
More murmers come from the crowd as reporters discuss what Hank is saying
"Settle down... Doctor McCoy can you honestly blame us? Having Tony Stark here is very different from having... what is it they call you? The Beast?"
A few in the crowd nod, visually put off by Hank's mutation and name
"The name actually comes from a human Senator" there was a brief pause "it was about 10 years ago give or take, the X-Men had barely formed and we were tasked with a mission, a bank robbery with dozens and dozens of hostages. My team successfully infiltrated the building, neutralized the threat and prevented any casualties. That day a small child was one of the hostages, he looked to me after the fact and proudly proclaimed to me 'you're a beast!'
Hank has a slight chuckle at the memory before continuing
"There was no malice in his voice, no negative connotations, he just said what he felt in the moment, that i Hank Mccoy... was a beast...and i suppose the name just stuck after all these years"
There was a noticeable silence in the air after Hank finished speaking, one of quiet consideration from those listening
"Regardless Doctor McCoy at this time the United States government has no further information to reveal about the sentinel attack from day zero"
Hank flinches ever so slightly upon hearing the words 'Day Zero'
"If that is the case i have no further testimony Senator. Thank you for your time"
Hank made his way out of the chamber and discussions began to run rampant
March 12th 2010 10.00pm
Madripoor
The crowd roared as the cage slammed shut behind him. Madripoor's infamous underground fight ring, known only as The Pit, was a circular cage lit by harsh overhead lights and surrounded by drunk spectators hungry for blood and violence.
Logan stood in the center, shirtless, scarred, and already bleeding from a cut above his eyebrow, but the cut was already beginning to heal itself.
Across from him towered his opponent, nearly a foot taller, muscles like steel cables, a mutant whose skin shimmered like obsidian and arms rippling with barely contained power.
A bell rang loudly and the crowd roared with excitement.
The mutant charged full speed at Logan, he ducked under the first blow, drove his adamantium laced fist into the man's side, then took a knee to the jaw that rattled his skull. He staggered, spat blood, and smiled at Logan
They traded punches over and over again. Logan's nose broke. His ribs being cracked. But every time he hit the floor, he came back up, healing, cursing, and fighting through the fleeting pain
The fight ended when Logan drove his elbow into the side of the man's neck, wrapped an arm around his head, and brought him down hard with a thunderous slam. The opponent hit the ground and didn't get up.
The bell rang again "Here is your winner and still undefeated! THE MOTHER! FUCKING! WOLVERINE!"
The announcer's booming voice sent the crowd wild again. Logan stood over his fallen opponent, chest heaving, the hint of temptation on his face, to bring out his claws and really end this, give these psychos a show and blood bath they'd never forget
"Not worth it" he said to himself, steeping over the man and out of the cage
In the shadows of the rafters of the pit, high above the cage, Magik appeared silently. Her glowing orange portal shimmered like moonlight on water. Next to her stood Sebastian Shaw, tailored as ever, eyes fixed on Logan like a man watching a weapon prove its worth.
"He'll do," Shaw murmured and walked back through her portal, vanishing
Magik said nothing but look at her target, a slight smile creeping across her face
March 12th 17.00pm
Genosha
The sun began to set over Genosha, casting a soft light across rolling hills and modest stone buildings. Once a battleground, now the island had the tranquility of a small forgotten town at the edge of the world, tucked away from all the chaos. The streets were lined with simple homes, vegetable gardens, and narrow paths shaded by trees.
Mutants moved freely here, laughing, working, existing. A child with wings soared over rooftops. A woman with green skin hung laundry beside a man whose fingertips sparked electricity as he tuned a broken radio. The peace was genuine, but beneath it lingered something else, almost like the town was holding its breath, surely peace like this wasn't sustainable for a mutant?
Storm landed the blackbird jet on an unobtained patch of land on the outskirts of the town. She slowly made her way through, wondering to herself if in another life she'd be here instead, but she knows she has a responsibility to those who aren't here, those who are at the school, those who didn't survive.
Magneto was waiting for her. He wore just a simple black coat over muted grey robes, his long hair tied back, streaked with silver. He looked older than she remembered.
"Ororo," he greeted with a tired smile. "It's good to see you."
"You look... calm Erik" she said, searching his face for the man he used to be.
"I am. Retirement has it's benefits."
"I'm not sure you can classify leading all of this as retirement". She quickly retorted
They walked together in silence through the winding village paths. As they moved, mutants greeted them, some nodding with respect, others merely curious but speaking loud enough to be heard "is that storm?". Magneto spoke as they approached a modest two-story building on a quiet street.
"She arrived here last month. Kurt barely managed to smuggle her in after her powers manifested" he said
"What happened?"
"Parents thought she was schizophrenic, took her to the hospital to have her diagnosed, then she accidentally had everyone in her wing seeing visions of dead relatives"
"Jesus"
"Police wanted her in custody for causing mass hysteria. We have a contact at the hospital, they reached out and i had Kurt get to her before the humans could".
Erik opened the door for her and they made their way upstairs. "She'd been quite calm upon arrival but recently her powers have been… unstable. She's barely been sleeping."
Upstairs, the air felt heavier, tense with psychic energy. From inside the room, muffled crying echoed faintly.
Storm knocked on the door and entered gently.
A young girl sat curled in the corner of the room, no older than sixteen, knees pulled tight to her chest. Her eyes were wide and unseeing, but her hands clawed at the air as if trying to push something away.
Around her, illusions flickered and pulsed, transparent figures that drifted through the room. A man with green eyes and a hooked nose. A young woman with green hair screaming. A woman wrapped in light, mouth agape in a song.
Storm knelt down beside her, careful not to touch. "Xuân, my name is Ororo, It's okay. None of them are real. Just breathe, child."
"I don't know them," Xuân whispered. "I don't know who they are, but they keep… showing up. I can never hear them but I feel them. They're in pain and i don't know why"
"They aren't yours," Storm said softly. "You're reaching into the minds of others… people you've never met. Echoes. Memories that don't belong to you."
Xuân's breathing began to slow, but tears streamed down her cheeks.
"I'm scared," she said.
"I know. I've seen this before," Storm said, her voice low. "I had a friend like you, a very close friend. She had gifts just like yours. Sometimes her power felt like a wave too big for her to control… but she did. She learned."
Karma's illusions began to fade, each figure flickering once before disappearing into smoke. Erik stands in the doorway watching over the two of them
"You remind me of her," Storm said with a small smile. "Strong. And so much more powerful than you realize."
Silence filled the room. Xuân wiped her face, still trembling but present now.
"Will you help me?" she asked.
"I will, it's why I'm here" Storm said. "It's a lot to ask of you to relocate again but if you're willing i run a school for gifted individuals just like yourself. There you can learn how to control your powers. You won't face this alone."
Minutes later Ororo was taking the young mutant onto the blackbird. She motioned for Xuân to continue on as she turned to speak with Erik
"You made the right choice telling me about her"
Erik takes a moment to think over what he intends to say next "do you think she has the potential to hit that level?"
Ororo puts her hands on her hips thinking it over "Honestly too early to say, her powers seem more disruptive than destructive but...it was the same with Jean in the beginning"
"Take care of her Ororo"
Ororo looks at a man she once would have called enemy without hesitation, the genuine look of compassion and cconcern shocked her. Erik had always cared for mutants but not in this way, it reminded her so much of Charles
She nodded at him before making her way to the blackbird to return home with a new student
From the doorway, Magneto watched, his expression unreadable.
Outside, the sun had nearly vanished, but for the first time that day, the air inside the room felt still.
March 12th 2010. 20.45pm
New Jersey
Scott Summers sat in the far corner of a holding cell, one eye swollen shut, the other almost hidden behind a bruised cheekbone. His head was bowed, eyes clamped shut tight. Without his visor, the risk was too high. A twitch, a reflex, and the steel bars in front of him would melt like candle wax.
"Hey mutie boy!" the cop muttered, loud enough to be heard. He kicked the bench leg with the toe of his boot. "Wait till everyone gets a load of you. What they call you? Fucking cyclops" the cops laughs hard "Fucking muties man"
Scott didn't react. The weight of his silence was heavier than any insult the man could lob his way tonight
Then the front doors sprung open. The cold wind rushed in first. Then heel, sharp, measured, and loud.
Emma Frost entered like she owned the building.
She stood just shy of six feet tall in stiletto heels, the white fabric of her tailored coat parting slightly with every stride to reveal a skin-tight corset beneath, hugging her curves like it had been sewn directly onto her body. Her hourglass figure drew the eye of the cop instantly, full bust, a tapered waist, and long, sculpted legs that moved with an almost practiced precision. Her thighs, powerful and smooth, brushed together with every step. Her platinum blonde hair flowing behind her like a banner of warning: beautiful, dangerous, untouchable.
She walked past the front desk without a glance, a slim case in one hand, and met the cop's sneer with a glacial smile.
"You have someone here I need released. A Mr. Scott Summers."
"We don't do charity cases, lady," the cop grunted. "Unless you're here to post bail, I have to ask you to leave."
Emma's voice didn't rise. It didn't need to.
"I'm here," she said, stepping closer, her words threading into his mind like silk, suggestion wrapped in desire, "because you want to release him. You want to do it quietly. No paperwork. No questions, is that okay?"
The officer blinked rapidly, he doesn't know why but he must do what she says immediately " Yes ma'am, no paperwork, no bail."
Moments later, Emma walked up to Scott's cell as it was opened, he stood but his eyes were still shut. He looked more broken than dangerous.
She handed him the small black case "here". Her voice sounded almost apologetic
Inside: a new pair of sunglasses. Sleek. Familiar.
He put them on slowly, like donning a memory, and looked at her for the first time. He knew it was her, he could recognize her voice from a mile away whether he liked it or not
"Let's go...we need to talk" she muttered.
March 13th 2010. 01.00pm
Madripoor
The alley reeked of rotting trash, rust, and piss... honestly standard fair for the streets of Madripoor. Neon lights flickered from a nearby sign, bathing the rain-slick walls in a red glow.
Then the air split.
A circle of violet flame erupted out of nowhere against the alley wall, spiraling open with a deep, arcane hum. Magik stepped through the portal. Her boots crunching loudly against broken glass. The portal closed behind her like a heartbeat coming to an end
She dragged a body behind her
Logan hit the pavement with a grunt, a near empty bottle of whiskey slipping from his fingers and rolling to the curb. His shirt was torn, his knuckles bloodied, eyes glassy.
Before he could move, the ground beneath him cracked with cold light. Magik's weapon of choice, her Soul Sword rose from the shadows like a specter, massive and burning blue, and with a single, effortless swing, she brought it down, pressing the sharp edge to the side of his neck
Magik stared down at him, her eyes like frozen steel.
"So this is the Wolverine…" she said, her thick russian accent on full display
"I'm not impressed."
End Of Chapter
