"So, we're really just going to let them go?"
The plane ride back to the States had been a bit tense to say the least, which I guess is pretty hard to avoid when you're sharing your space with the same people who were trying to kill you an hour ago. Well, I guess technically they were more accessories to the other people trying to kill us, but still, it did make small talk a bit frosty.
Wrapping things up back in Santo Marco didn't take as long as I had expected, once SHIELD showed up to cart off Magneto and Mastermind our job was pretty much done, but once we were getting ready to head home, we realized we still had one issue to work out; namely, what the hell were we going to do with the two former Brotherhood members? Leaving them in Santo Marco was out of the question, and turning them over to SHIELD seemed like a bit of a dick move, even if they were technically guilty.
Well, there was one fairly obvious solution, even if it didn't make everyone happy.
"As opposed to what, Pym?" I say as I look over to where Wanda and Toad are currently talking with Professor Xavier, who was already waiting for us at the airfield when our jet landed, bundled down with thick winter clothing to keep the snow at bay. "Toss them in SHIELD Jail? Because I feel like that might send them some mixed signals considering they already turned their backs on the closest things to a family either of them had left."
As it turns out, Hank Pym wasn't crazy about our quick-fix solution to the problem, if his sullen silence the whole plane ride back is any indication. "So there's no consequence to them being part of an attempted coup? It's not that I don't sympathize with their situation, but I..." He falters a bit, trying to put his doubt into words "You can't just ignore it, they were accessories to a serious crime, even if they were unwilling participants. It just doesn't seem right..."
I shrug "Hank, I get where you're coming from, but honestly, this is the best solution right now. Turning them over to SHIELD would just send them right back to Magneto's side of things, and just leaving them to their own devices would be even worse. Consider this probation, if it makes you feel better."
Hank still doesn't look too happy about it, but doesn't object any further as we watch the X-Men join their new roommates by the Professors side. Bruce comes walking up next to us, dressed in a borrowed SHIELD uniform to replace his ruined bodysuit. I glance down, and notice he's still not wearing any shoes.
"Jesus Bruce, are you seriously barefoot in the snow? Aren't you cold?" I say as I pull my coat tighter around myself. I like the colder weather, but the difference between the tropic heat in Santo Marco, and a December evening in New York is a bit jarring.
Bruce just smiles "I've spent most of the past two years wandering around the wilderness in nothing but some ragged pants, cold feet is a luxury in comparison. I'll change to more appropriate wear once we get back to the mansion" He looks over towards the X-Men "I take it Professor Xavier was accepting of your idea?"
"Like there was ever any doubt? He just got two more recruits for his mutant after-school program, he's positively giddy. Well, he sort of smiled a little, that's giddy for him. Not exactly the most expressive man."
The Professor breaks away from his little group of students and begins wheeling towards us, followed closely by his two new students . "Ah, Mr Sunshine, it's a pleasure to see you again. And I don't believe I've met your comrades before."
I nod "Professor, this is Giant-Man, and Dr. Bruce Banner, who's also very green and angry sometimes. For obvious reasons, we'd appreciate it if you didn't spread that around."
"But certainly, I of all people understand the unfortunate need for secrecy, even with the best of intent" He shakes Hanks hand, followed by Bruce's "Ah yes, Dr. Bruce Banner, that is a name I've heard being bounced around in academic circles before, your work in nuclear physics were causing quite some excitement among certain groups before you disappeared."
"Yes, well, as you can imagine, I don't really do a lot of publishing anymore..." Bruce says sheepishly "My career, such as it was, took some... unexpected turns."
"I suppose I can sympathize to a degree" Xavier says, patting his wheelchair "Well-made plans and all that. One simply tries to make the best of it." He turns back towards me "I understand I have you to thank for the latest expansion to my school?"
"Well, me and Cap actually" I motion towards Steve, who's standing over by the plane, talking with Cyclops "I was actually just going to push for you two to join us at the Avengers mansion, but Cap pointed out you probably needed a bit more time out of the public eye to adjust to things." I turn towards Toad "Hey man, I know this isn't ideal, sticking you with a bunch of teenagers, but-"
"No, it's fine" Toad sighs, interupting me "Captain America is right, I need to get used to not being part of the Brotherhood anymore, and as much as I appreciate the offer, I'm not ready to be in the public eye, not as much as being an Avenger would be. Besides, it cannot possible be any worse than living under Magneto's thumb..."
Xaviers face falls "Alas, I knew the man he was before there ever was a Magneto" he says somberly. "He was a good man then. It saddens me to see what he's become, there was so much more he could have done to help this world..."
"Professor Xavier, with all due respect" Toad says, a hint of anger in his voice "I don't know what Magneto was like once, but as someone who's seen all too well what he's like NOW? You'll forgive me if I don't spill any tears over it."
"I fear Toad is right, but I understand your pain as well, professor" Wanda says sadly "My brother Pietro, he worshipped the ground that man walked on, soaked up every poisonous word like it was a gospel. I wish I had said something, ANYTHING that would have made him step back and see what was happening to him. If I'd just stood my ground, maybe I could have..." she shakes her head "I don't know if Magneto really warped my brother, or if he just brought out what was already inside him. But either way, I fear both of us have to live with what they have become, rather than what we wish them to be..."
Toad doesn't answer, his jaw clenching stubbornly, but Xavier looks thoughtful. While the professor might be an idealist, if a pragmetic one, Toad has long had any sort of belief in the better nature of people beaten out of him. If Magneto had the sanity to show him even the tiniest amount of genuone kindness, Toad would never have turned on him even if his life depended on it.
I'll be happy to help the guy, but Xavier's the psychologist... psychiatrist? One of the psy-ones, he'll straighten things out. Toad doesn't deserve the shit hand he's been dealt. But then again, few people do. And I can't fix the whole world, no matter how much I might want to. I can only plug up the few leaks I know about.
Which brings me to something I've been putting off for too long. And I know it's Christmas and all, but it's high time Professor Xavier and I have a chat about something important.
"I know it's been a long day, professor, but I was hoping the two of us could have a moment to talk, alone?"
Xavier looks up, surprised "I... don't see why not. I believe the airport lounge is currently unoccupied if that would suffice?"
"As good as anywhere else." I turn to Hank "If Cap finishes up before I do, tell him I'll be out in a minute. This shouldn't take long." Hank nods, and I follow Xavier as he begins moving towards one of the buildings lining the runway, one of the few that is lit up, as the snow and the wind howls around us.
.....
There's a rush of warm air as we push through the glass doors, stepping into a large room lined with windows, lit by the fluorescent lights far above. Padded chairs and sofas take up most of the lounge, with an unmanned cafeteria at one end, the staff all being home for the holidays. I take a moment to shrug out of my coat, tossing it over one of the chairs as Xavier wheels over to a group of comfortable seats around a low coffee table made of steel.
"I hope this is private enough for your purpose?"
I sigh, running a hand through my hair "As good as it's going to get, I think..." I pause, still trying to process what I'm about to do. This is something that's been bothering me for a while, pretty much since I first got here, but today has really pushed it to the forefront. I know the Marvel timeline is unreliable even at the best of times, and I don't know how much I've already changed just by being here, but I don't have the luxury of taking chances. Not with this. And while I know Xavier isn't perfect, he's one of the best chances I got at preventing what I know lies in the future.
This next part is going to be difficult to get across properly, though...
"Alright, I'm going to just put this out there, Professor. I've seen the future, and it does NOT look good for any of us..."
Xavier stares at me, his face showing nothing "...I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific, my boy."
"I can't explain it better, my powers allow me... glimpses of the future. I don't know the physics behind it, but it's already happened the way I've seen it several times. And I've seen things... horrible things, that's still waiting in the future. And I'm going to need all the help I can get to stop it from even being a possibility. Because that simply isn't acceptable."
Xavier sits silent for a moment, a hand pressed thoughtfully to his chin "I hope you forgive me, dear boy, if I'm a little skeptical to this claim. While I'm all too aware of the truly magnificent things mutation is capable of, knowledge of the future is something I've not yet encountered in my research. And considering you seemed to have little interest in my assistance in our prior meeting..."
"I know, and I get your skepticism. I wouldn't take it at face value either. Which is why I want you to read my mind."
He looks surprised "I'm sorry? You seemed fairly adamant-"
"Yeah, I know, so this is a bit of a gamble on my part, but I'm going to have to trust you, aren't I? Because I can't stop this on my own, professor. And while I will never agree to Magneto's mad agenda, he was right about one thing. There are some very dark days ahead. And we need to do far more than we're currently doing if we're going to prevent them from ever going to pass. So, if that's what it takes for you to trust me, I'm willing to let you take a peek into my mind. Just this part of me. You need to know what I've seen."
At first, there's nothing. And then there's an ever so slight twitch at Xavier's forehead.
And I press everything I remember to the front of my mind, my sunlight blanking out everything else in blinding white.
Bolivar Trask
Senator Kelly
The Sentinels
Xaviers face freezes.
A ruined city
The Hounds
Ahab
His eyes widen
The camps
The mass graves
The bones of untold dead
He speaks, his voice hollow "We have FAILED..."