Commercials for new cars and coffee came to an end as the cameras once again began rolling for the morning news/talk show. Bubbly host Robin Sherman smiled widely as the camera panned to get her and her special guest into focus. Jean ran a hand through her red hair as she wrapped up a private conversation with the host with a smile and small laugh. The camera man counted down till they were live and the two women moved back to professional as they came back on the air.
“I’m back now with a very special guest. Most of you know of her from their short time in our fair city. Jean Grey, known as Phoenix to many, is the leader of the mutant super hero team the X-Men right here in Chicago. We’re pleased you could be here today Jean.”
“It’s my pleasure, Robin. Transparency and honesty are core values the X-Men and our allies hold dear, and interviews such as this are a step in that direction in regards to the fair people of Chicago we now protect and feel part of.”
“Before the break we were speaking of the recent changes to the city including an area of town being referred to as ‘Mutant Town’, or District X as it is referred to by the authorities and the city council. How do you feel about this mutant housing and living community that has sprung up?”
“I’m quite pleased with it in fact. A few high ranking officials of X-Corps International and myself were part of the planning committee for this community alongside Mayor Alexander. In fact, tax breaks were given to companies that helped in the construction and a great boon of income has come to the city with these new projects. At the same time mutants no longer have to live in secret and fear. They are open to the world, something not just for the X-Men anymore. While Genosha may be a nation for mutants, right here in America we are showing that mutants don’t have to flee their homeland to find somewhere welcoming of their differences.”
“Speaking of Genosha, what is your reaction to President Maximoff’s recent decisions to disallow the XSE a presence upon the island?”
“President Maximoff knows what is in the best interest of his people and his country. I believe this fully and genuinely with my heart. While to many this deals a blow to the legitimacy of the XSE or X-Corps or Xavier himself, I don’t believe this at all.”
“Why is that?”
“The XSE is something that has to stand for itself, not be defined by the nations it happens to work out of. The men and women of that organization are doing fine work and I think that speaks for itself. Xavier’s dream has reached a point no one ever thought it would. There will be minor setbacks, like perhaps this case in Genosha, but over all things are blossoming for mutants and humans together as we learn to live as one more and more each day. I believe that one day President Maximoff will make his own mark upon history when it comes to mutant and human relations, but at the moment the XSE is not part of his vision. I respect that and him for his decisions as well.”
“I assume this is not an opinion shared by all in your organization?”
Jean smiled lightly, knowing the woman was only trying to mine for nuggets that were not there to be found. “What the others believe is entirely their own decision. Independent thought and opinion has always been valued by Xavier and those he surrounds himself with.”
Robin shuffled a few notes around before continuing. “Recently there were reports of seeming attacks upon your various institutions and perhaps injuries or even fatalities. At the same time there have been visible shifts in the make-up of the organization, your team in particular. Care to comment on any of this?”
Jean visibly moved uncomfortably within her seat. Weapon X’s attacks upon them all were still fresh memories. “Doing what we do on a daily basis unfortunately means gaining enemies. Unfortunately, at times, those enemies will strike at that which they do not understand or hate or even fear. In the end we prevailed as we do, even at great cost. Understandably this is not something I’m quite comfortable speaking on just quite yet. Losses of friends and loved one’s can have that effect.”
“Would that include your husband, Scott Summers, who we have learned has left Chicago and has been seen back in New York briefly? Rumors are circulating of your splitting and possible divorce. They also indicate that perhaps there was another woman leading to friction in the relationship.”
While the interview had started out positive, Jean knew there had only been a matter of time before it would descend into rumors and dragging through the mud of herself or others. While people loved heroes or celebrity or anything else of that vein, they also liked nothing more than to see those heroes fall or err. It was the duality of human kind, always at odds with their own natures.
Delicate fingers grasped the lapel microphone and began to remove it. At the same time Jean began to stand. “This interview is over.” Before any of the staff or the host could react, the leader of the X-Men rose into the air and out one of the skylights.
|
#8
JUN 11 |
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“Growing Pains”
Graymalkin Island
Fuzzy bear feet slippers were a must for the morning. Whether you were thirteen or nineteen, it didn’t matter to Jubilee. The garish brown footwear didn’t match the long yellow shirt with a cartoon version of Wolverine upon it and the green boy shorts underneath it, but fashion never really mattered to the young woman. The normally loosely hanging raven hair was pulled tight into a ponytail, hanging loosely upon the back. Fingers with neon painted nails rubbed at sleep filled eyes, as the other arm lay upon the chest, still within a sling and cast. “How do you people like wake up at this god awful hour of the morning.”
“Usually one wakes with the sun, not hours after the sun.” Already clad in his blue and white uniform, Bobby Drake played with balancing a spoon on one finger while his feet were placed atop the table and the chair he sat upon was leaning back upon just two legs.
“Feet off the table, Drake.” A swift swat to the head came courtesy of one Theresa Cassidy. Jubilee smiled as she remembered her days as a student under the girl’s father and all the times she had been chastised for such things. Some things never changed. “Good morning, lass; didn’t think we’d be seeing you so early.”
“It’s for Jean. What can I say; the woman has a way with people.” While she was playing it off some, Jubilee respected the woman very much. While much of Jean’s life had seemed to be spent at the background of the X-Men, she had been through as much and sometimes more than any other member. From the Phoenix to the Dark Phoenix and supposed death, to loosing those she cared about on a continual basis, that the woman stayed strong and confident was a great inspiration.
Jubilee didn’t want to be the slacker or the ‘cool’ girl for the rest of her life. She had plans and goals that the others couldn’t even guess at. Some of those goals centered on where she was at that moment, as part of the X-Men. Others were more clad in bright lights and the fame of Hollywood. A previous brush with that life hadn’t gone quite as planned when the man she trusted to get her good parts began to ask for and demand things that she wasn’t willing to give. Needless to say the road to stardom had come to a grinding halt. The X-Men’s current status was a new road towards that, if she managed to keep living.
Angelica wasn’t well known to Jubilee, one having grown up with the X-Men and the other with the Hellions and eventually the New Warriors and Avengers. Through conversation the two found they had a lot in common, time under Emma Frost at the top of the list, especially the same feelings shared about the woman. Friendship had just begun to blossom when the attack by Weapon X came. The broken arm and bruises upon most of the body were not the only reminders of that vicious attack; the empty chairs at the table for Angel and Vance, and the empty place in the heart, served that purpose well.
“Shame that she was just on the air about ten minutes ago and ended the interview.” Theresa smiled as Jubilee came to a complete stop and glanced around.
“Well that’s…that’s good I guess. I totally didn’t want to watch that anyways. Cartoons are on somewhere I’m sure. Long as it’s the old school ones and not the mindless numbing ones for kids nowadays, that is.” While she’d never let it show, Jubilee chided herself internally at having managed to mess up such a simple task. It wasn’t as if they had to do it or that Jean would be upset. It just had meant something to Jean and Jubilee wanted to be there for her in a way.
“While it still gives me a poor taste within with thoughts of Mojo, may I join you in your television viewing?” Jubilee’s eyes slid over as the blond haired and blue eyed attractive man known as Longshot stood within the doorway with his trademark smile upon the face.
Her knees were starting to buckle as Jubilee’s head began to nod quickly. “Sure…more the merrier.” There was just something about that man that made the ladies weak at the knee. For just a second she was jealous of Dazzler in the past for having been with the guy. While Mojo was a nasty bloated pus bag, he sure knew how to make a man.
As the two moved out of the room, Terry noticed a wide smile growing on Jubilee’s face and she shook her head with a chuckle. Bobby looked up confused, trying to figure out where the joke was at that he missed. “I miss something, Irish?”
“I imagine that there is a mighty long list of things ye’ve missed, Bobby Drake.” Before the chryomorph could respond the Irish lass had left the kitchen as well, leaving Bobby alone.
“Seriously what did I miss?”
Sounds of construction had been prevalent since the day after the attack, as many repairs were needed to restore the damage from not only the attack by Weapon X but that by Warp Savant only a short time before the last attack. For a base that wasn’t that old yet they had already dipped into the repair funds quite deeply. Just another thing that was becoming more common for places the X-Men chose to live. While work was being done down below in the base proper, construction was taking place above as the topside of the island had taken considerable damage as well. A few buildings had been repaired so far, including the main center that was a hub over the main underwater base.
The construction sounds were still going strong as Jean came to lower herself upon the deck of the island’s upper level. An early morning start had been chosen by the construction crew and herself, the better to get through the work.
A few nods were given to the crew, most handpicked by the redhead as they were part of the crews that were helping put together Mutant Town, and they smiled or waved in return. Entering the hallway of the building over the elevator, Jean came to a stop as a figure was staring out one of the windows apparently lost in thought. A light poke in the ribs brought Kitty’s eyes back to the present and the person standing there beside her. “Penny for your thoughts, Kitty?”
“That’s okay, I won’t charge you. I’m sure most of the surface one’s are free to you at the moment anyways. Not that I’m saying you’re like mind eavesdropping or anything. I know that surface thoughts are louder than most or something to telepaths.”
Jean chuckled softly. “You’ve known many telepaths over the years so, yes, I think you just about nailed that on the head. In this particular case though, surprisingly, your surface thoughts aren’t that loud; granted I’m perhaps caught up in my own mind a bit this morning.”
“Not hard to tell why. I can send a little dragon fire Ms. Sherman’s way if you’d like.”
“No, that is okay. It’s much appreciated though. I think this time I shall rise above her level.”
“Not hard to do when the levels parasites like her set are quite low. Fair and balanced my ass…whatever happened to neutral journalism in this country?”
“As with all things, time has changed it; perhaps one day a balance will be reached again, one can only hope. So without a mind read, want to talk about what is bothering you perhaps?”
Kitty’s shoulders sagged a bit as she moved around a bit more, clearly uncomfortable about something. “Just life I suppose. All that we’ve been through lately, I never really stopped to think about the future. All this downtime is giving me time to think and…yeah, just not sure how I feel about it all.”
“Understandable. Your path with the X-Men hasn’t been the smoothest. You’ve been outside the team, you’ve seen the world. It’s hard not to wonder if this is truly your place. We’ve all been there before, I assure you. The loss of people tends to do that to all of us. Death and life and resurrections are something that still confuses me when it comes to us super powered types, and I’m one of the one’s that has come back in a way.”
Kitty smiled a bit as she met the other woman’s gaze. “I guess you’d be one with an inside track on such things. I don’t know what it all means. I’ve done wonderful things with the X-Men but I think I’m ready to move past that part of my life. Like I need to move on and do something more. How are you dealing with all this with Scott leaving…?”
Just as the words came out Kitty wanted to hit herself over and over; wrong subject at the wrong time. “Jean, I’m so sorry.”
Jean’s hand rose and moved to wave off any comments. “I know you didn’t mean it in a bad way, Kitty. As for how I am dealing with it…it’s difficult. Death and rebirth changes people, not just those that come back from the dead. It changes those that lived as we go on living. We grow. We change. And sometimes those changes clash with who they become or who they still are. The best we can do is roll with the punches and find the path that works for us.”
“So what does that mean for me?”
“You have to decide who you are. What the future entails for you. If you have to, cut the ties that bind you. Do what you know is best for Kitty and nothing less.”
Kitty moved forward and enveloped the woman in a hug. Jean smiled and returned the embrace. “Thanks, Jean. The leader and the wise one, that’s quite a combo.”
“What can I say, I’m just gifted.”
Pulling apart, the two women stared out the window at the stunning blue waters around them. At last Kitty spoke again. “I think I need to go. To move forward you have to let the past go they always say…so I need to let this all go.”
“I think that is the best idea.”
Silence rose again as they continued to watch the construction upon their home. After a few moments Jean excused herself silently and Kitty was left alone. Thoughts moved toward the past and what the future might bring. Soon enough she pulled away from the railing and followed after her friend, thoughts on the future to come.
Conference Room
“It was totally ridiculous but so freaking awesome too, you know? I mean, who gets to actually be inside a television show except the vapid actors and losers that populate reality television. I wonder if I can totally use it on my resume. Granted it was in Mojoworld but it’s totally on screen time and that is golden. What do you think?”
A pause came at last as Jubilee finally slowed enough to lean forward toward the conference screen she was before. On the screen was the blond haired visage of Paige Guthrie down south, secure within the main base of the XSE. Paige and Jubilee had been teammates during their formative years on Generation X and, outside the deceased Everett and Angelo, who was part of the X-Corporation out there somewhere, Paige had been the closest friend Jubilee had made during the time. A hand rose as Paige brushed a bit of hair out of the way bruises still visible from the attacks her team had suffered recently as well.
“I think you haven’t stopped talking for ten whole minutes, but I think I got the gist of it.” A friendly smile was shown upon Paige’s lips but it was betrayed by the visible sag of her shoulders and other signs that something just wasn’t fully right. Jubilee may have talked a lot or been very valley girl sometimes, but she had been trained by the best to pick up on such things. She figured if they talked enough she could get out of her friend what the problem was. “I doubt that most studios will really take a resume that includes other dimensional ties. Then again, with all the popularity of the X-Men, they just might. So you might as well give it a shot.”
“So true.” Shifting in the seat, Jubilee tried to bring her casted arm into a more comfortable position. “This broken arm is going to be the death of me. Oh, did I totally tell you that when this happened I got swept up into the dreamy arms of Longshot. He totally was there to catch me and care for me and it was, like, super dreamy! Though I think I might have been delirious and said some weird things so I hope he doesn’t hold that against me, ‘cause he’s totally cute. I just about lost it this morning when he came to watch cartoons with me. He totally couldn’t keep his eyes off me the whole time.”
Paige just nodded slightly, eyes seeming to glaze over some. Jubilee knew it was now or never. “What happened to you guys down there? It was pretty bad here.”
The glaze cleared as Paige regained eyesight with her friend. With a sigh she realized she had to bring it out eventually. Jubilee of all people deserved to know. “During the attack…ah fought Everett. Weapon X they…they did things to him…turned him into some kind of machine. Ah…ah had to destroy him.”
Pain found its way to the face of Jubilee as she turned away from the screen for a moment. Everett had been her best friend, but he had been more than that though. He had been one of the first that Jubilee had ever had feelings for that transcended friendship. It was never meant to be though as the young man had fallen for Monet, something Jubilee had never been able to truly forgive either for in her mind, even if she had been supportive and happy for them both on the outside. When Everett had died she had felt a piece of herself die that day and had hated herself for never forgiving them. Though there had been a part that wanted to believe that if he had chosen her he would have lived. That blame at Monet had colored some of her interactions with the woman for some time. Then she realized it was a stupid thought. Either way Everett would have tried to be the hero he was at heart. It was just the way he was.
“Did he…did he suffer?”
The answer never came as suddenly the screen shifted and Paige’s face was replaced by another familiar face framed by long blonde hair…a face that was not so welcome. Even with a faux friendly smile in place, the contempt that Emma Frost held for so many was clear upon her face and Jubilee was not even close to her favorite out of her former students. In fact, she probably rated below the bottom of the list really.
”I didn’t know they allowed children to man the communications room in Chicago. Clearly Jean isn’t as fit of a leader as one would suppose. Pity.”
With all that she had just learned from Paige, added to the combination of Emma Frost appearing and being condescending right off the bat, Jubilee wasn’t about to stand firm and let it be. Leaping from the seat she glared at the screen and began waving her good arm around. “Why you fake boobed, pale, aristocratic piece of…”
”Now, now, Jubilee, choose your words carefully. Wouldn’t want to find yourself reassigned to some god forsaken jungle, would you?”
Grumbling, Jubilee returned to her seat. “What do you want, Emma?”
”Put your intrepid leader on child, this is business for adults.”
Pushing back from the chair, she began to move toward the door to find Jean. Let the leader deal with the vile woman, at least then she could be alone with her thoughts.
”Oh, and Jubilee? Try not to break anything else while getting her. Be a shame.”
“Bite me, Frost.” Moments later the door slammed as the former White Queen was left alone upon the monitor, waiting.
War Room
With a slight whoosh the door to the large War Room slid open, causing long red hair to sway slightly from the small breeze. A jacket that was colored yellow around the middle with black sleeves and yellow rings around the wrists was placed over a gray ribbed shirt with a silver X over the chest, along with black leather pants and a silver belt with another X symbol, was Jean’s choice of wear as she entered the room. While they had costumes for their missions, uniforms of similar colors and materials had been made for all of the team to wear during their down time at the Island, as well as for missions that didn’t require the super heroics they normally dabbled with.
“You’re all here, good. After all that had happened I believe it’s time we all touch bases and discuss the future of this team and our mission.” Jean spoke as she moved around the table and took the main chair at what had been designated the head of the round table.
Kurt and Bobby sat to her left and right respectively as the most senior members of the team. Jubilee, Chris, Rina, Longshot, Shiro, Alison and Theresa filled out some of the other seats. A few of them were eying the dark skinned older man that took up the seat across from Jean. It wasn’t hard to figure out where he was from or why he was possibly there as the man was attired in a dark blue S.H.I.E.L.D uniform.
“First of all I want to thank our S.H.I.E.L.D liaison, Agent Gabriel Jones for joining us today; Agent Jones will be our representative with the organization. At the same time, through dealings with Director Fury and myself, Jones and a contingent of S.H.I.E.L.D agents will be stationed here on the Island. With recent events we decided it was prudent to have S.H.I.E.L.D close by in case of emergency. This also give us access to their files and information as well as some of their technology should the need arise.”
Jean took a breath and nodded at Jones, who gave his own swift nod back. “All right then, onto the first order of business: the construction is moving swiftly and should be complete soon. The Danger Room is another story though. Until I can speak with Forge and Hank it will still be down as I’m sure you can surmise by it being technology above most construction firm’s level.”
“Time for the old fashioned training, then,” Kurt said, smiling and glanced at the others, his words causing a few to groan.
Jean allowed a soft smile to grace her face. “Yes, well, that is the next matter. With the change in roster we’re going to need to train to make sure that we work well as a team. I’ve spoken to Emma Frost earlier and I’m needed back in New York to discuss this team and the changes. These changes include the new additions, plus our losing some like Angelica, Vance and now Kitty. While I’m gone Bobby will be in charge as I would like him to train our new recruits.”
Bobby’s face turned toward Jean as his trademark smile slid away into confusion. “Uh, Jean, you sure about this?”
She nodded. “Quite sure. We’ll discuss a training regimen after this.”
“Of course, nothing like training with the Iceman!” It was clear that Bobby was quite concerned with what had just occurred but was playing it off.
“In just a few days one of our efforts in expanding this new age for mutants is coming to fruition.” Pressing a button, Jean brought up a hologram of the district that was being referred to as District X or Mutant Town by the press and others. “Officially it will be known as District X in the city books but it’s becoming more and more known as Mutant Town by proposed residents and neighbors. As you can tell, the district borders the lake and therefore Graymalkin is included within its borders. So you can guess where the X in its title comes from. Mayor Alexander has asked me to head the new Department of Mutant Affairs within the city, and as part of that job wants me to oversee the opening of District X. He would like for the X-Men to be there on hand to show our support for the community.”
Theresa leaned forward as she spoke. “Seems ta be something we can easily do. I’m surprised this was put together so quickly.”
“Where there is a will, there is a way. Tax breaks and scads of cash didn’t hurt I’d guess.” Jubilee smiled as she spoke.
“I have faith this community was created for more than the all mighty dollar liebschien.”
“That’s cause you always have faith in such things, fuzzy.” Jubilee tried to rearrange her cast and sling so she could lean forward without causing pain or for it to get messed up.
“I think it’s really a great idea. I wish there had been such a place when my powers had emerged,” Chris spoke with a tinge of pain within his voice as he recalled the loss of his family home and social life when his mutant heritage had been revealed.
Jean raised a hand bringing an end to all conversation. “The motives behind the community are beyond our knowing at the moment, therefore they do not matter. All that matters is that this is an opportunity that cannot be missed. Chicago is readily accepting mutants and I for one am pleased to be part of such a movement. I hope each of you are as well. “
“There is honor to be found in the expansion of mutant culture,” said Shiro as the man spoke up for once.
Jean nodded. “There is. Now, when I return I hope to bring the last of our new members as well as support staff. Some will be arriving while I’m gone so please help them in any way that you can. Meeting adjourned.”
Common Room
“Figured I’d find you here.” Bobby turned his head from the television to see Jean walk into the room.
Nodding slightly he reached for the remote and turned off the device. “Wanted to catch up on…well, nothing really, just whatever was on. Did you know there was a mutant version of Jersey Shore on there?”
“Bobby…”
“All right…serious face on.”
The redhead settled down into the couch beside her friend and smiled warmly at him. It was hard to believe sometimes how much they had been through and how long it was from their days as part of the first class of X-Men. Bobby had seemed to stay the same the most out of them all, but that wasn’t entirely true. He liked to pretend that he was still the same jokester and friendly face of the team but Jean could see more.
“You know you’re right for the job.”
“Jean, I’m not the leader or teacher type. I’m the guy that still thinks whoopee cushions and joy buzzers are funny. I’m that guy. Not the one that trains and leads.”
A slight frown grew upon her face. “Bobby, it pains me that you short change yourself so much. I see in you the man that can be that and still be one to step up to the plate and lead and pass on what he knows. If you looked hard enough you’d see it too.”
“You could have Terry or Longshot help out. They’re experienced.”
“Bobby, I have a plan for this team and it’s not the plan or dream that Scott had. There will be some more new faces here soon as I haven’t finished recruiting. I don’t want us to be overwhelmed as before. I’m going to create two teams within this team much as we had before, two squads if you will. One will be lead by myself and Kurt, and I want you to lead the other. Besides myself, Shiro and Kurt, you’re one of the most experienced and veteran members of the X-Men.”
“Sure, shove the old timer card in my face.”
She chuckled. “I know you can do this. Do you believe that I know this?”
“Course I do. I’ve always believed and trusted you, Jean, and I always will. It’s just… it’s a change and we all know how changes go for people.”
“How about this: you give it a shot while I’m gone and see how it goes. If you aren’t comfortable upon my return then you can go back to being the guy you are comfortable being.”
Bobby nodded in response. “All right, I can try.”
“That’s all I ask.” Rising, Jean leaned over and gave her friend a hug and kiss upon the cheek. “You’ll do wonderfully, Bobby.”
The hug was returned as he sighed a bit. “You sure aren’t Scott, that’s for sure, though I totally wouldn’t have minded a hug and kiss on the cheek from fearless leader, all wrapped up in those manly arms and all.”
Jean found herself laughing as she slapped her friend upon the arm before heading towards the doorway.
“Jean, wait…if Kurt is leading with you, do I get a second in command or something?”
A large smile was plastered on the red head’s face as she turned back around. “You do.”
“Who?”
“Shiro.”
A loud groan was heard as Jean walked away, the smile never fading. As she left, Bobby turned the television back on and slumped on the couch again. Things were changing again and he wasn’t sure if he could keep up with them this time.
Jean’s Room
Kurt had assured Jean that the jet and all preparations for her trip back east were more than ready. Leaving him and Chris to their work, she had retired to her room at last. Since Scott’s departure the room had changed and seemed homier than before. A woman’s touch or something was her thought. There hadn’t seemed to be time or effort on Scott’s part to making their room feel like more than just a cold metallic place to sleep. Now that it was to be her room alone she had figured it was time for a change.
The silky sheets felt like heaven as she fell upon them, staring at the metal ceiling. Thoughts from earlier that morning with the interview were still ringing around. The reporter had hit on many sore spots with just one name. Thinking of him again brought a fresh stab of pain.
Pushing off the bed she approached the desk and the folder of papers that were still there. After her talk with Warren a few nights before she wasn’t sure how to regard the divorce papers that were still sitting there. Or she hadn’t before that morning, at least. When the reporter brought it up Jean realized that she had known all along what to do. Yet, like Bobby, she had been afraid of what the change would bring. Fearing it wasn’t going to stop the change from occurring because it already had, really. There was no going back.
A pen was gripped as she flipped the folder open and her signature began to appear in black ink. Once it was finished she realized that it was now done. There was no going back. In reality there was, as the papers could be destroyed, but she wouldn’t diminish this step. She had to keep moving forward. The X-Men team of Chicago was now hers to lead and she wasn’t going to fail at that. This was finally her chance to step out of the shadows of the men in her life. Xavier. Scott. They had meant well, but Jean quickly realized she had always been in their shadows supporting their dreams and their goals, never looking out for herself and her own destiny. That was now changed.
Moments later a sound filled the room as the papers slid through a device similar to a fax machine but different in that instead of just sending copies of a paper it sent the actual papers through a transport beam to their destination…another one of Forge’s creations that had been hammered out in a bored moment. At that same moment the divorce papers would be showing up for Scott to sign. Once his signature was there and the papers were back and sent in it would be over. They would be divorced.
Falling back upon the bed, Jean let out a sigh. It was done. As the woman began to drift off to sleep, ready for the day to come, she realized that at last things had changed and she had accepted them. It was but a first step though as there were more changes to come. Whatever they were she was ready to face them.
New York State Penitentiary
Years had passed, each one seemingly longer than the last, and it was hard to really count how long it had been. While the days and years had been long the mind was still as strong and resilient as before, a thin belief having kept it going, a belief that the cause was still just and that God had a plan. God had a plan for William Stryker and soon it would come to be. That was the hope that kept Stryker going every night. Days had been filled with reading and a gathering of a new flock, a flock of true believers that wanted nothing more than to see mutants wiped from the planet. They were criminals, killers, rapists and a score of other disgusting offenses, yet they would work for his cause. God would judge them later after they carried out his will.
Many of the flock had gotten free or left long ago, only the most hardened were still within the prison walls. They had made the lives of mutants within the prison system a living hell. Not many mutants actually ended up in their prison as their powers would be too much to handle. Those with mundane mutations or latent mutations though were fair game as they were deemed safe enough to be in the prison. A few had been killed or tortured horribly in that time, just adding to the sentences of those that followed Stryker. They didn’t mind, as most were there for life anyways. While the Warden had tried to pin the acts to the religious leader, it was all but impossible as Stryker never had any part in the attacks and none would speak ill against him.
Cold metallic bars slid away as the cell of the man opened slowly. A well weathered copy of War and Peace was set down as the man glanced towards the opening. Very rarely did anyone come for the prisoners after they were put away for the night. Two guards followed the Warden as they approached the open doorway. There was a fourth man in a fine Italian suit that followed after. His hair was slicked back and a predatory smile seemed etched permanently upon his face. The man looked as if he had hit the jackpot.
“Prisoner 34501, stand.” The guard motioned with his baton.
Stryker set aside the book and stood to face the others. The Warden sneered as he moved closer. “Enjoying a good read, scum?”
“I’ve found some Tolstoy before bed is quite relaxing.”
“I imagine. Somehow it seems your crimes have been pardoned. I’m to release you into the custody of this man. Loathe as I am to do such a thing for a bigot such as yourself.”
“There is a fine line between bigot and revolutionary, my dear Warden.”
“Take your servant of God bullshit and get out of my prison.”
Without another word the Warden and guards left, Stryker turned to the other man, who it seemed might be to thank for his newfound freedom.
Shinobi Shaw stepped forward and offered his hand. “Shinobi Shaw, the man responsible for this newfound freedom. Well, responsible for pulling some strings and calling the right people with the right information.”
“God is to thank for my freedom, as his will guided you to this end.”
Shinobi pulled his hand back with a slight confused look. It only lasted a second before his face returned to the predatory smile. “Yes, of course. I have a proposition for you, Reverend.”
Styker glanced the man over for a second. “My only mission is the one that God has given to me. There is no time for any others.”
“Well consider it lucky than that this proposition fits into your vaulted mission. Tell me, Reverend, do you remember the X-Men?”
For the first time in a long time Stryker paused as a large smile began to decorate his worn face. “Tell me more.”
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Next: In Astonishing X-Men #9: Jean Gray vs. Emma Frost! The story of Longshot! The Friends of Humanity return!
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