---

Xavier Mansion
Westchester, New York

A large, ornately designed antique wood table filled the center of the dining room as Jean entered. Four well known figures were seated and waiting. Regal with a serene look upon the face, Xavier sat at the head of the table, the longtime friend and mentor smiling lightly at the arriving redhead. Beside the man was the frosty as ever Emma Frost, a fake smile upon her face as her arm tightened around Xavier’s as if to show off more of her connection to the man now. Jean still didn’t see what the man found in her. As usual, the woman’s attire was chosen to accentuate her curves and endowments, all white as the snow. One could take the White Queen out of her court but never take the Queen out of her.

To Xavier’s right with his wings free and twitching every once and awhile was Warren Worthington, better known as Angel or Archangel within the X-Men. Warren’s gaze was avoided, the pain he felt for her and the concern as an old friend was too clear. They had talked before about Scott and all that happened. Warren wanted to help and she appreciated that but it was business before life misery. Forge, the last figure within the room, sat to Warren’s right and gave a small nod to the woman before returning to fiddling with designs upon a paper before him, as well as changing something within his cybernetic limbs. A multi-track mind was something Forge seemed to have.

“Jean…so lovely to see you….”

“Emma. I wasn’t aware you ever rose before noon, let alone be caught in a room with so much sunlight.”

“Jean…Emma…” As Charles spoke, both ended their comments with just a final hidden glare at one another. “I am happy to see you, Jean, especially during such trying times.”

There had been a time that Jean was at the side of Xavier learning from the man and craving his wisdom. Many had believed that one day she would be ‘the next Xavier’, whatever that would entail. Now, just like a small child jealous of their new step-parent taking the attention away, Jean found herself resenting Emma more. It was petty and childish but with her current situations she felt warranted in such feelings. As long as the urge to throw Emma through the nearest wall and beating her to a pulp stayed fantasy and never strayed into reality all would be well.

“Yes, well, those are the times that seem to actually bring us together aren’t they.” While it wasn’t meant as a dig at her friends, it perhaps would come as one. Sadly it was the truth that within the mutant community, the heroic community as a whole as well, that when things were going well all stuck to their missions or areas of the world. Then when tragedy struck they banded together and came back together as one. It was human nature to worry about oneself and the well being of your close companions before others. Tragedy was always a binding factor for many.

“Indeed. Let us proceed then.” Never once did the friendly and fatherly nature of the man break, not even with the tension in the room. Charles pressed a button upon the table’s console to bring a hologram from the table’s center. Rendered in green light was an image of Graymalkin Island and the extensive damage caused by Warp Savant and Weapon X. “The repairs are progressing at a steady rate?”

“I’ve been informed by the foreman that another day or two is needed for the structural damage. The damage to our technology and the Danger Room will take more time as most of it will need to be handled by qualified personnel within our organization. Sadly, the Danger Room has been off line since the attack by Warp Savant, with most of the circuitry is fried. Hank and Forge have informed me it can be repaired, but I have spoken with Forge about some new alternatives.”

Eyes turned to the inventor as he pushed the diagrams aside and closed up the panel upon his leg. “Through some creative sessions with Henry we have developed a new version of the Danger Room for the Island. We are changing the shape to a dome which will sit atop the island instead of resting below within the island.” The hologram changed as the man manipulated the controls. Upon the far side of the island simulation a dome appeared. “Throughout the shape of the dome will be independent holo-emitters of various shapes and power levels. Should any be damaged the rest will still be able to work and draw enough power to work the Dome, while the damaged area can be sealed off or patched up for a temporary fix. Estimated time to completion is four weeks tops.”

“Very well,” Charles said, turning back to Jean. “Your new recruits, how are they faring?”

“Quite the eclectic group you are growing.” Emma’s smile seemed almost predatory as the woman glanced up from the files presented upon the view screen of the new team members. “Are you certain you can lead such a group, without your husband present, that is?”

Jean rose quickly from her seat, telekinetic powers brimming. Warren and Forge rose just as quickly, ready to step in if needed though neither one was relishing the thought of getting between the two powerful women. Emma, for her part, didn’t move a muscle, not even to blink.

Charles’ hand rose as he stared at both of them. “Enough. We are all friends and allies here.”

Neither woman spoke as they took their seats.

“I…apologize Jean, dear.” Even to those without psychic powers it was clear that Emma’s words were hollow.

“Yeah, sure.” Turning back to the others, Jean gestured at the holograms before them. “Christopher is quite well versed in heroics from a stint with the New Warriors as well as his time around the X-Men. With the recent curing of the Legacy Virus he’s ready to dedicate himself to the mutant cause fully and I’m quite certain he will be an invaluable ally. Rina Patel, Timeslip, was another mutant member of the New Warriors. Before his departure, Justice suggested her for his position on the team.”

“Taking staffing advice from the man that left in a rage seems highly inadvisable.”

Jean met Emma’s gaze. “A similar thought crossed my mind, but in my research on Rina she has never shown signs of over aggression or anything of the like. Her powers allow her to switch with a version of herself either a short time in the past or the future. This could be quite handy in the field.”

“Kurt will make an invaluable addition to your team, so it’s good to see him back in the fold. It’s quite gracious and in his character to stand up to offer his help to your team with the recent losses. If you are in need of more experienced hands other than those you have and are getting, I’m sure we can find some way to bring in some others.” Warren leaned forward and met Jean’s gaze.

“No, that is quite all right. I have some leads of my own to follow to further flesh out my team and a support staff for them. I would rather be hands on about this and handle the leg work myself.”

Xavier smiled; the growth Jean had been showing as of late making him proud. “The true mark of a leader is knowing when to lead and when to get dirty in the trenches to do things yourself.”

“What sort of support staff is needed?” Emma asked, not fully sounding interested in her own question.

“A medical staff. Technicians. People to help run the entire island that is now our home base in Chicago. I’m also searching out public relations directors and others suited to the fields of mass media to help handle our public appearances and all calls for merchandising and work on television and movies. The celebrity angle we now face is quite a daunting one by the sheer size of all things that need to be faced, but is exciting nonetheless.”

“I can make some suggestions on that regard. In fact, I know of a doctor that would be more than perfect for your needs. She’s well versed in work with those with super powers,” offered Warren as his gaze met Jean’s.

“Oh, what is her name?”

“Foster. Dr. Jane Foster.”

---

Graymalkin
War Room

News stations filled the monitors within the War Room, each one showing a different station. Many of those stations were covering the take down of the armed men at the Willis Tower earlier in the morning. Clips of sound bites from Iceman were played while others were interviewing Longshot with their female reporters swooning over the man’s ever word. Pale fingers with green tipped nails tapped against a console as the other hand idly held a half eaten apple. Red hair swayed against the back of the chair as the head moved to and fro to see each monitor. The black, gray and yellow uniforms with jackets and gray long sleeve shirts was the choice wear of the day as there was no need to wear the green uniform the young woman had come to be known for. Monitor duty had fallen to Theresa that morning and she was making do.

With a hiss the room’s doors came open to admit the star of many of the monitors. Bobby smiled and glanced around the room. “The conquering heroes have returned! Rejoice!”

Theresa’s chair swiveled around as she shook her head at the man. “Yer a dork.”

“Yes, well, that is a well established fact. What is less established is whether you know just how stunning you look, Ms. Cassidy?”

“Are ye flirting with me, Bobby Drake?” The surprise at his words and the desire to laugh almost made her lose the apple and drop her feet to the floor from the console.

“Maybe. Is it working?”

“In ye dreams, Popsicle.”

“Damn. Oh well, I tried.” Bobby plopped down into one of the other seats and glanced around. “Seems a quiet day, terrorists with bombs notwithstanding. Any word from back East?”

“Not yet. Ye have ta give it time. Only been a few hours since Jean left, ye know.”

“Hmm…true. Guess I’m just antsy about how everything is with all our allies. If Weapon X hit us this hard you can bet they hit all the other sites just as hard. Then again, we were hit pretty hard here.”

“Aye.” The light and smile from the mirthful banter left her face as thoughts went back to that attack.

Bobby found himself frowning a bit. “Sorry, didn’t mean to bring that up.”

“Tis all right, it happens. Ye didn’t mean ta cause this feeling. Sure it will pass eventually. Anyways, how was tha shoot for Playgirl.” The smile returned slightly as she raised an eyebrow in his direction.

“Err, I’d rather not talk about it too much.”

“Ye ashamed, Bobby Drake? Tha world must be ending!”

“No, let’s just say the shoot was fine. It’s the rest of the stuff that plagues our lives that chose then to rear its celebrity face.”

“Ye making no sense, so ah’m just going to nod me head and pretend to know.”

Bobby laughed. “Probably for the best. Our lives are a constant source of insanity. Hey at least I got you smiling again.”

“That ye did. Suppose thanks are in order.”

“No need, it’s my job. I’m more responsible now.” A hand waved off any thanks.

“Ye seem ta be. It suits ye.”

“Let’s hope so.” Silence came as Bobby leaned back and thought about it all. Jean thought him to be a leader within the team thanks to his experience. It was different than what he was used to doing. It would take some work but Jean would not be let down, not as long as he could anyways…unless another Terminator came for him. Then again, the less thought about that the better. The future was nothing but a pain in the ass.

---

New York City

The clack of pool balls hitting one another as the cue ball struck its target sounded as the stick was pulled back. A smile split the blonde’s face as her opponent grunted. The last solid ball bounced into the corner pocket as the cue ball rolled to a stop near the eight ball.

“Lucky shot,” the heavy man in the biker leathers muttered, gripping his stick tightly and gazing at the numerous striped balls still upon the table.

“No such thing as luck on this table buddy. It’s all about skill.” Confident words were punctuated by the sound of the eight ball clunking into the side pocket as the cue ball spiraled away. Grumbles rose from the man as a wad of cash was thrown on the table and he moved away. “Nice doing business with you.”

A large smile grew as the blonde grabbed the money and began counting it. A feeling crept up her spine as it was obvious that someone was watching her. A quick glance brought the person that was close behind her into view. Tabitha Smith, the mutant once known as Boom Boom and Meltdown, shook her head slightly and sighed. “I’d ask how you found me but that would be a pretty redundant and stupid question, now wouldn’t it?”

“Perhaps, but you could ask anyway,” Jean offered as she pulled a stool up and sat upon it, her legs crossing as she did so.

“You know, if I had bet on how long it took someone with an X on them to come find me I would have lost by now because I expected it much sooner.”

“I hate to disappoint.”

“I’m sure. So, here to drag me back into the world the Xavier built?”

“We’d never drag you. It’s not our way.”

“Oh Jean, how you forget that this isn’t my first rodeo! I’ve been inside and know what happens, since way back in the days of X-Factor.”

“I recall. I recall a young woman with a lot of potential that she lived up to for years; a young woman putting her past far behind her and doing something for the people; a young woman who had friends and loved ones, and that same woman who all but fell off the face of the Earth after others went their own way and is now hustling pool I see.”

“Well it’s better than prostituting myself out, now isn’t it?”

“In a way.”

Tabitha let out a small laugh. “You know, usually a person would agree that prostitution isn’t a good thing to be doing.”

“I agree, though at the same time you’re wasting your talents in much the same way as if you were.”

“Let me guess, there’s an opening on the team full of students that aren’t really students anymore cause their adults and you all want me along? No thanks.”

“No, I want you on the X-Men. The real X-Men, Tabitha, not an off shoot. No training program. A full member of the team.”

“Now that, I admit, is a shock. I didn’t see that coming. So why would I do this now?”

“Because I want you in Chicago on the public team. I want you to join the big leagues, Tabitha.”

A smile split the blonde’s face. “Well, why didn’t you say so in the first place? Where do I sign on the dotted line?”

---

Graymalkin Island

With the Danger Room damaged and the new construction to turn it into a training dome still underway, other ways to train had to be found. A light breeze rolled across the surface of the island as a figure stood alone in the middle of a large concrete pad. All around there were targets that had been placed for use in the exercise. Some were close while some were far away while others were half obscured by natural objects on the island or unnatural manmade objects. This was so that some were harder to hit.

Longshot checked the pouch upon his belt and made sure all the throwing knives were there. Satisfied with the condition of the pouch and its contents, the man turned toward the first target. Mentally a countdown was started and when it hit the end another count started to see how long this all took. At the moment the first countdown ended cold steel was suddenly in his right hand, which was moving quickly to have secured it and the knife was out of his hand and flying through the air. With a satisfying sound the blade dug deep into the target.

Mere moments after the first one another blade was in the air and sailing at its target, and each handful of moments later another knife would enter the open air and seek out a target. Some curved around things to hit their target while others just flew true and straight, while a few others had to travel a long distance to hit their goal. Each knife made it perfectly where it was supposed to go. If anyone was watching they would either think it was a trick or the person was just damn lucky, especially when one of the knives went up over a box and down into a target. It was just impossible unless one had luck on their side.

“Very nice, though I totally could have done it faster.”

Longshot allowed himself to come down from the exercise and end the count as he turned to meet the gaze of Jubilee, who stood over to the side with arms across her chest and a large grin, one arm still snug and secure within the cast a reminder of the recent island attack. Longshot returned the grin with one of his own. “I’m quite sure you could have, but not with the same flair I’m sure.”

“So what gives with all the extra training, Blondie? I don’t recall you being that anal in training back in the day.”

Longshot’s grin faded away as a frown replaced it. “One must always be prepared for battle and the world. There are still those out there ready to attack us.”

“Don’t think I didn’t notice you deflecting the rest of the question, dude. What is up with that? You never want to talk about your past, especially that past with the X-Men.”

“That is not my past.”

Jubilee blinked for a moment as if surprised by his answer. “Uh, dude, I’m pretty it was. You were with the team and all. You came from Mojoworld…helped overthrow Mojo there for a bit. Though I suppose that didn’t stick well since the blob dude, no relations to the Blob that I know of though they totally share the same diet, came back to power. But you’re not part of Mojoworld anymore or under that all so it’s cool. Did you like just forget about us here or something?”

A moment’s pause came for the man as he stared out at the sky as if contemplating a hard answer. “As long as Mojoworld endures there will always be spineless ones and there will always be a Mojo. A Mojo obsessed with entertainment. Don’t ask me how it works, I’m just a product of the system. One doesn’t ask the puddles how and why the rain works the way it does I suppose.”

“A puddle? You compare yourself to a puddle? Dude, your self esteem needs some work.”

“Jubilee, it’s not about self-esteem. It’s about the truth. The truth of the matter is that I am just a product of Mojo’s system and whims. Just the newest in a line of Longshot’s actually.”

“Wait…you mean…” Jubilee’s eyes went wide as she tried to comprehend what she was being told. The young Chinese-American would have been literally at the edge of her seat if she had been seated at the moment.

“I’m not the same Longshot you all knew before. Dazzler spoke the truth to you all when she spoke of his death at the hands of the Age of Apocalypse babies.”

“That is still a lame name for a show.”

“Welcome to my world. That put aside, I’m a clone I suppose you could say. Then again, so was that Longshot, a clone of a product created by Mojo…a clone of a clone if you will. So I suppose in a way that makes every version of myself the true version in a way. Being products that shift and change depending on the whims of the Spineless Ones.”

“Dude! That majorly blows. Why didn’t you just tell us all that?”

“It was easier for you to assume I was Longshot returned to you all. Though I’m not sure if the Longshot you all knew then was even the true first Longshot. There might have been replacements before. It is hard to tell where the memories of one end and another begin. They are all just a big jumble within my mind.”

“So you have all of his memories in there too?” Jubilee asked, her hand rubbing at her chin.

Longshot gave a nod. “Yes, along with my own. I have been able to keep them separated, since those memories of before hold no special meaning to me. They are merely facts of what a Longshot has done here in this world.”

The young woman gave a nod as she thought. “So what’s your name then?”

Longshot paused and gave her a confused look. “My name? Longshot, just like before.”

“No dude, your, like, real name. We just can’t be calling you Longshot all the time.”

“Why not, you use your real name as a codename as well.”

“Err, well, that’s cause I’m totally awesome. You, on the other hand, need a name…something better than Longshot.”

The man waved off the words. “A name is not necessary. I’m Longshot, a product of my makers in the long line of Longshot’s that might have been and might still be and I’m here to help my friends in their never-ending battle.”

With a shake of the head Jubilee began walking away. As she moved away there came a moment where she stopped and turned back. “Everyone needs a name. Think about it.”

Moments later Longshot was alone again and stared at the targets before him. Instead of going back to training a sigh emerged as he walked away. There was a lot to think about at the moment.

---

X-Corps International
Chicago

Idle fingers played with the arm rest of the chair as time seemed to slip by with no sign of the owner of the office, the chair or the man who sat in it found themselves. Bishop had come to Chicago at the summoning of Jean and was prepared for whatever she asked of him. After the attack by Weapon X, the man had left the XSE and had begun to wander some, not sure where to go.

It wasn’t fully the attack that had spurred the decision to leave. As time went further on it had become harder and harder to recall the time he had come from. Details of his life prior to arriving in the 20th century were gone. It was frustrating to realize that one no longer could recall their parents and their childhood. Even memories of his family and all that led him up to coming back in time were slowly fading.

There were facts still within his mind, though. He knew that he had come from the future to stop Fitzroy and that his sister was Shard and that she had died and become a holographic being. Fitzroy was dead and so was Shard’s new form. Bishop knew he had been part of the future XSE. All these things were known because they had been spoken of or had been part of his time in the present, the adventures he had gone on. What was missing was recollection of his time in the future XSE, his sister in the future and all the rest of it.

The door opened as Jean swept into the office. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Lucas; my flight back from New York wasn’t as timely as expected.”

“It is fine. I didn’t mind waiting.”

Smiling, Jean shook her head. “Always so polite. If only all men were that way.”

“I’ll consider myself special then.”

Jean chuckled and settled into her own seat at the desk. The office at the X-Corporation building had been given to her by Charles and Warren for her own use, but it rarely ever was used. It just wasn’t like her to spend time at an office within a large building.

“So, down to business then I suppose, easiest way to go. Do you know why I called for you today?”

Bishop leaned back slightly within the chair. “I’m assuming to recruit me to your team. I’m going to save you the trouble of the recruitment speech, though. I’ll do it.”

Jean’s eyebrow quirked. “Well, that was simple. I wasn’t expecting it to be that easy. It’s a welcome surprise but a surprise nonetheless.”

“There are issues for me at the moment and something to keep my mind off them would be best. Action seems a good way to go.”

A nod was given as the woman’s hand extended. Bishop took it and returned her slightly firm shake. “Well Bishop, I guess welcome back to the X-Men then.”

---

Graymalkin Island
Medical Bay

Jane Foster had seen a lot of things in her lifetime…from the majesty of Asgard itself to pocket dimensions and monsters and creatures that would fill the normal mind with enough fear to last a lifetime. Through it all somehow she had come out in the end and continued on with her direction in life. The medical profession was where she belonged, yet after having been through so much there was no way she would ever not be able to be around things of such a fantastic nature. Thus her new place of employment.

Eyes scanned across the room and its cold and bare metallic walls. Deep within Graymalkin, the Medical Bay that was created for use by the X-Men was something to behold. While there were the aforementioned cold bare metal walls there was also enough futuristic technology to make one wonder if the X-Men had hijacked a bunch of alien ships at some point. Jane found herself checking each and every machine with a sense of wonder; there was one that seemingly could autonomously clean and suture wounds if a person placed the injury within the scanner field area without any other assistance needed.

“Makes you wonder why they even need us, huh?”

Jane turned to see a woman with shoulder length red hair wearing a white nurse uniform with a knee-length skirt standing within the doorway with a clipboard in hand.

“The human touch is necessary; machines can only do so much. Sometimes there are just things that only the human hand can handle,” Jane spoke as she moved forward. “You must be Christine Palmer, right?”

“Yeah, how’d you know?”

“Your staff picture doesn’t do you justice. I’m Dr. Jane Foster. I’m the one that chose you for this position.”

Christine nodded in understanding. “I was wondering how the X-Men had come to have me on their radar. Not the type that has really made a huge mark anywhere.”

“You made a big enough one to catch my eye. You’ve done some work with things of…the supernatural nature, if you records are right that is.”

“Mystical possessions on some of my patients, mostly children. I actually got to meet Dr. Strange at the time as he was the one to help us break the patients free of the control. I’m assuming I won’t be dealing with anything like that here.”

Jane smiled. “I wouldn’t say that exactly. Having been around super types quite a bit I know that there are things that happen that we’ll never be able to explain or understand. What matters is that we’re doing our part to help out.”

“Well, I signed on the dotted line, so what would you like me to do first?” The red head smiled broadly as she clasped her hands together and waited eagerly.

Jane thought for a moment as the index finger upon her right hand tapped idly against her chin. “Have you ever seen a mutant x-gene under a microscope?”

“Can’t say I have, actually.”

The doctor had a smile as broad as the nurse’s in a moment. “Well you are in for a treat then.”

---

Kitty’s Former Room

Bedrooms, each was as different as the next. They all had a personality of their own depending upon the décor that could be found within. With each piece of furniture there was a piece of the person’s personality within the confines of the room. Once each personal touch was taken away there was nothing but a room. That was the case in the room that had once been that of Katherine Pryde. All that remained from her time there was a stripped down bed and an empty dresser.

All of her memorabilia from the past was gone, including her clothing and each piece of personal furniture was gone. The only thing left at the moment was the purple dragon that perched upon the edge of the dresser. A puff of smoke emerged from Lockheed’s nostrils as eyes moved across every inch of the room. Kitty had left earlier that day with suitcases in hand, not looking back even once. She had no idea where she was going but knew that she had to change things. Being on Graymalkin was not the place for her.

That meant leaving some parts of herself behind, though it was nothing personal when it came to leaving the dragon. Kitty knew that Lockheed would be a better fit with the X-Men than wherever she might end up. She couldn’t treat him like a pet any longer as he was, after all, an intelligent alien being upon their planet. The dragon was far from happy, though. Huffing, Lockheed flapped his wings idly for a moment before settling back down.

“So she’s gone now, hmm?”

With a tilt of the head the dragon took in the sight of the red-haired woman that entered the room. Moving closer Jean perched upon the edge of the bed and glanced at the dragon. Her arm moved out as an offer and, after a moment of consideration, Lockheed ended up in the air and settled upon her arm.

“She knows you’d be better off here. I’m going to assume you agree since you’re still here.”

The dragon huffed but through a mental connection made just at that moment Jean could tell that Lockheed did know it was best. While others wouldn’t be able to understand the dragon, Jean was one of the few that could.

Smiling she stroked the dragon’s head softly. “Don’t worry. You and I are in the same boat. We’ll make it through.”

With a slight purring sound, the dragon agreed with her statement and settled against the woman’s arm. If it was time for Kitty to change then it was time for them all to change for the better. It was the only way.

---

War Room

The comings and goings of people lately had all but come to an end. Kitty had left earlier and was now on her own way to her own new direction. Dr. Foster and Nurse Palmer had settled into the medical bay, giving the island at last a medical staff. Tabitha was on her way to the island as she had things to take care of first. Bishop had already settled into his new room.

Pushing a few buttons upon a console brought up a roster on a screen as Jean stood looking at it. “I think we’re pretty much ready to go.”

Kurt gave a nod as he studied it as well. Shiro hovered nearby, listening but not seemingly fully interested in the moment. Bobby leaned against a wall nearby and left it to the other two to really look the list over. Moving forward he came to lean slightly over Jean’s shoulder. “So…now what?”

“Yes, what is our next step, fräulein?”

It was subtle but Jean noticed that Shiro’s attention shifted toward her, waiting for the response.

Jean turned to face all three men with a smile upon her face. “Gentleman, it’s time to astonish the world.”

---

Downtown Chicago

Shadows seemed to give an ominous feeling around the innocuous apartment building within the outskirts of downtown. There was nothing special about the place…nothing but a pretty standard apartment with average prices. Working families lived within and went about their mediocre lives. Yet the shadows and the reason for being there seemed to weigh on Thomas Dixon’s shoulders. Passing through the threshold, the nineteen year old reached the elevators and watched the doors open to admit him.

Light music drifted from the speakers as the elevator rose after he had pressed a button for the top most floor as thoughts began to drift to recent times and all that had led him to that point. Straight out of high school Thomas had been living high off of his sports scholarships that had come from his time as the star running back for his high school team. With a cliché blond cheerleader on his arm he was ready to conquer the next level. A bad car accident had been the end of that thought process when his injuries had taken him out of the running for the college team. Settling for a construction job in the city, he tried to keep his girlfriend happy while making ends meet. Then the mutants came. The mayor had announced his initiative to open areas of the city for more mutants and the people seemed to celebrate and cheer. Thomas was indifferent to the entire matter till they came to the construction industry.

The foreman let Thomas go as the young man was late too many times and there were now plenty of able bodied workers in the mutants that were willing to get to work on time. To add insult to injury his girlfriend announced she was leaving him for a four armed mutant she had met at the bar. Alone and jobless, Thomas tried to take stock of where his life had been and was going. All hope was lost until they had come to him, a group of men and women that promised a better life and riches beyond his wildest dreams. All he had to do was come to a meeting and join their ranks, as well as show mutants they weren’t welcome in Chicago.

At last the elevator reached the upper floor and Thomas walked the hall looking for the room he had been told to come to. Finally finding it at the end of the hall, he knocked twice as instructed. Shuffling could be heard behind the wooden barrier as someone moved along it. After a few moments locks could be heard and the door opened slowly. “What do you want?”

“Umm…Thomas Dixon...I was told to come here by Pierre. He told me to tell you, uhh…Creed, I think it was.”

With a grunt the man opened the door fully and allowed Thomas entry. The young man slid past the larger man and glanced around the sparsely furnished apartment. There were a handful of people milling about, each one stopping to glance at the new arrival. A man with slicked-back black raven black hair wearing a dark red suit with a black tie smiled and headed over. The man’s face had an almost leathery texture to it as his cheeks and lips seemed to be stuck in the perpetual grimace of one sucking upon a lemon, even when he smiled. There was a slight hunch to the man’s back and one of his hands was seemingly not able to do much more than hang at his side. The man’s name was Pierre Dumont. Getting caught in the crossfire of a mutant battle years before had cost him use of his hand and part of his arm. It was this man who had approached Thomas at first.

“Thomas, my boy, you came just on time. Good, good.” Pierre looped an arm around Thomas’s shoulder and began leading him around. “You are in good company, my friend, fellows who know the injustice of losing important parts of life or themselves because of the mutant scourge.”

As they approached one of the walls, Thomas allowed his eyes to drift to the large portrait that dominated the wall. It was as tall as the room itself almost and as wide as two of him with their arms outstretched side by side. How they had gotten it within the room mystified Thomas. A man was the center of the portrait, a man with a stern gaze and a focus that was hard to believe. “Who…who is that man?”

Pierre laughed and the others joined in. “That, my boy, is the man we have followed and patterned ourselves after, a true patriot, someone that realized that mutants are not the future as they claim. He realized that it is mankind’s right to stand firm and push the devils back. That man is Graydon Creed, the man that should have been President of the United States.”

Thomas seemed to recall hearing that name years before during the time that there was a giant uproar over mutants. The man was dead as far as he recalled. Pulling focus from the painting, Thomas glanced around nervously as he began to wonder why again he had come. “Why…why am I here.”

“Easy, my boy. You lost things to the mutants and it’s time you take back what is yours. We are here to help you with that. We just want you to join us, Thomas. Become one of our illustrious members. Help us make things right for all that have suffered like yourself.”

“Who are you all?”

All laughter and friendly smiles faded away as something more sinister and dark replaced them. “My boy, we’re the Friends of Humanity, and it’s our mission to show mutants that their time is over. Starting with those right here in Chicago.”

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Epilogue
Outside Time & Space

The transit was one that never could be fully gotten used to. Since it happened so few times that the X-Men traveled in such a way it only made sense that, upon arrival, all senses were off and took a moment or two in order to regain stability. A few servants waited for the arrival and ushered the woman down the hallway. Jean followed and kept her game face in place. This was one of the biggest parts of her plans for the X-Men and their mission to fully embrace the celebrity that mutants currently enjoyed as well as being the best heroes they could be. They needed more exposure if they were to fully break in. There were many qualified people back on Earth that could help with such a thing but there was only one that knew mutants and the X-Men so well. Only one that could make the magic happen so to speak.

Entering the giant domed room that was command central of the operation, the being in question grinned widely. “Jeannie, baby! You came back! Jean Gray starring in ‘Warrior Angel’...no, no...Jean Grey in ‘The Lost Carrots of Calmeron’! You ready to be a star, baby?!”

Arms crossed as eyes met. “You know why I’m here, Mojo. I’m here to accept the offer you put before us. I’m here for your help to make us stars.”

The only reply that was given was a wide grin that showed yellowed teeth.

The die had been cast.

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Next: In Astonishing X-Men #10: Friends of Humanity Strike!

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