Contents

CoverPage
TitlePage

ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven

Epilogue
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AlsoavailablefromDelReyBooks
CopyrightPage

Themomentherbestfrienddied,JeanGreyfirstdreamedoffire,anddancingamongthestars.
Neighborssincetheywereborn,inseparableoncetheycouldcrawl,sheandAnnieMalcolmshared

toysandsandboxes,secretsanddreams,theirparents,theirentirelives.Theyhadtenyearstogether.

Theyneversawthecarthatbroughtthattoanend.
Blindcurve,guy’sinahurry,Anniefeelingcompetitive,totallyfocusedontheFrisbeeJeanhad

thrown.Reacting,notthinking,noconsiderationofanythingbuttheprize,asawaywardbreezescooped
theplasticdiskupjustbeyondherreach.Tantalizing,infuriating,beyondwicked,tocomesocloseand
thenfallshort.ForAnnie,thatwasunacceptable.

Shemadeaspectacularcatch.Jeancheered.
Hersmilewassospecial,aflashofpuredelightthatburneditselfindeliblyonJean’smemory.
Thenshewasgone,wipedawaysosuddenly,socompletely,itwasalmostasthoughshe’dnever

been,thrownasidelikeasackclothdummy.Therewasaflashofshapeandcolor,somethingbigand
powerfulmovingtoofasttoproperlyregister—afterwards,whenJeantriedtodescribethevehicletothe
police,whatcameoutwasmoremonsterthanmachine.Itwasthefirsttime—theonlytime—thather
perfectmemoryeverfailedher.

Orperhapsitwasjustthatshedidn’tcareaboutthecar.
Sheheardasquealasthedriverfoughtforcontrol,stompingonhisbrakestoolatetomakea

difference,thentheroarofanacceleratingenginerapidlyfadinginthedistance,asshockgavewayto
panicandhedecidedtosavehimselfinstead.

Jeanhadeyesonlyforherfriend,drapedagainstthewallofpiledfieldstonethatformedtheproperty

linealongRiverRoad.Annielayunmoving,allcrumpledandbloodyandbroken.

Sobbing,facetwistedwithdenial,Jeandroppedtoherknees,handstremblingasshereachedout,not

asoundissuingfromherlipssaveAnnie’sname—althougheveryfamilyintheneighborhoodclaimed
laterthattheyheardherpiercingscreamofanguishandhorror.Sherepeatedthenameoverandover,
likeamantra,asifsimplybysayingthewordshecouldanchorspirittofleshandkeepherfriendfrom
slippingaway.

Then,sheheardAnniecallhername.
Instinctguidedhertotakeahandinbothofhers,andJeancriedoutagain,ahoarsecoughing

exclamationthatgavevoicetoallthepainballedupinsideherfriend.Therewereburstsoficeandfire
alongoneside,scrapesandbustedribs,andaburningwithinonearmthattoldJeanittoowasbroken,
andmorepainwhereAnniehadcrackedherskullagainstoneofthestones.Thatwasthesourceofalot
oftheblood,paintingherfaceandnowJeanaswellasshestrokedAnnie’sbrowandtriedtokissthe
painaway.Therewasadullachenearthebottomofherback,agapinghollownessinthecenterofher
chest.Withastart,Jeanrealizedshe’dforgottentobreathe,andwithafranticgulpofairrealizedtoher
horrorthatAnniecouldn’t.

Herbackwasbroken.
Shecouldn’tbeartolookanymoreandclosedhereyes—onlythatdidn’thelp.Instead,itsimplytook

hersomewhereelse.

Herownheartwasatrip-hammer,poundingtoohardandfastforhertoseparatethebeats,herbreath

cominginshallowgaspsthatmatcheditscadence,likeananimalinaterrortrance,standinghelpless
beforethepredatorwhoseeksitslife.ThatmadeJeanangry;shehatedbeingafraidandrefusedtobea
victim,evenoffateitself.

Shethoughtatfirstshe’dblackedout,becausearoundherallwasdarkness.Andthen,ofcourse,she

assumedhallucinationsasimagesrolledtowardsheroutofthatdarkness,blurryinthedistance,
resolvingastheymovedcloserintovisionsofpeopleandplaces.Shesawherself,armsthrownstraight
upasthoughsignalingatouchdown,thought(absurdly)howfamiliarthoseclotheslooked,untilshe
realizedshewaswearingthemnowandshewaslookingatherselfonlymomentsago,celebrating
Annie’scatch.

Hermindtooktheconnectionastepfurther;shelookedmorecloselyattheotherimagesfloatingpast

herandsheknewthattheywereAnnie’smemories.

Theyseemedtobecomingfromacentralsource,likestarsbeingspunclearofthecoreofaspiral

galaxy.Withouthesitationsheplungedintotheheartofthatgloriousradiance,facetransfixedwithawe
andwonderattheunimaginablemyriadofcolorsandshapesthatrepresentedallofherfriend’slife-
experience.Shecouldn’thelpgrinningattherecognitionofhowmanyofthemseemedtorelatetoher,
andhowrichlytexturedtheywere.

Shewasstillthinkinginpurelyhumantermsandassumedthatwhenshereachedtheheartofthe

radiance,she’dbethisincrediblytinydustmotefacingsomeunimaginablyhugerepresentationof
Annie.Instead,shecametoherasanequal—onlyherbodyappearedwhollysolid,whereasAnnie’s
wasboilingawayattheedges.

Aghast,Jeanwatchedastringofmemories—somebirthdayorother,atriptograndma’s,boringdays

atschool—tumbleoffintothedistanceuntiltheyweregone,swallowedupindarkness.Againoperating
fromaninstinctshedidn’tunderstand,Jeanreachedouttotrytocatchthem,butshemightaswellhave
beenaghostherself,grabbingatthewind.Theywouldn’tbesnared,couldn’tbeheld.

SheheardAnniecallhername.
Theybothknewwhatwashappening;neitherdaredsayitaloud.
“Don’tbescared,Annie,”Jeansaid.
“Showmehow,’kay?”
“You’vegottoholdon,Annie,youcan’tgiveup.”
“I’mbroken,Jean.There’snothingIcando.”
“Stopit!Don’tyoudaretalklikethat,Iwon’tletyougo!”
Thepassionsurprisedthemboth,afierceragethatoutlinedJean,justforamoment,inacoronaof

fire,likeastarcastingforthasolarflare.ThefireplungedintoAnnie,makinghergaspwithsurpriseas
herfadingradianceglowedmorebrightly.

“See,”Jeancriedtriumphantly.“See!Icanhelp!Icansaveyou!”
ButAnnieknewbetter.
“Itisn’tmakingadifference,Jean,notsoitmatters.”
“Shutup,I’mworkinghere.”
“Doyouhaveacluewhatyou’redoing?”Annieasked.
“MakingitupasIgo.Whatdoyoucare,solongasyoucomeoutallright?”
“Ain’tgonnahappen.”
“Watchme.”
“No,Jean,”Anniesaid,“watchme.”
Jeandidn’twantto,butAnniewasbyfarthemoredeterminedofthetwo,alwayshadbeen,witha

focus(stubbornness,somesaid)thatwaslegendary.Theywerestillofthesamesize,apairofgalaxies,
islandsofbreathtakinglightandcolor,allbythemselvesagainstthebackdropofinfinity.Nowthough,
whileJeanremainedessentiallycoherent,Anniehadspunoffsomuchquantathatshewastranslucent.

Yetshewasvisiblythemoredynamicofthetwo—thepartofherthatremainedburnedfarmore
brightlythanitshould,becauseJeanwassustainingitwithherownenergies.Theconsequencewasthat
Jean’sownlife-glowhaddimmedconsiderably.

“Letmego,”Anniesaidquietly.
“No.”Jeancouldbejustasmuleheaded.
“Please.”
“You’remybestfriend.”
“Canyoumakemebetter?”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Canyoufixtheallofmethat’sbroken?Canyoufindtheallofmethat’slost?”Anniewaveda

barelycorporealarmtoindicatewhatremainedofherbody,themassofimagerycascadingeverfaster
intooblivion.

Jean’sfacetwistedwithagriefshe’dneverimagined,didn’tthinkcouldpossiblybeendured.
“I.Don’t.Know.How!”Andwiththatterribleadmission,herfacewentstillwithresolve.Shewould

findaway,nomatterwhatittook.Sherefusedtoacceptthatshecouldn’t.

“Youcan’tstay,”Annietoldher.
“Iwon’tleaveyou.”
“Doyouwanttodie,too?Lookatyourself,Jean.”
“I’mfine.”
“Icanbarelyseeyou.You’vepouredsomuchlightintome,yoursisalmostgone.Ifyougivemeall

yourstrength,howwillyoufindyourwayhome?”

“We’regoinghometogether.”
“No.”
Withthat,Annielungedforward,catchingJeanbysurpriseinanembracethatcarriedwithitevery

bitofloveandaffection,everyremainingaspectoftheirsharedlives.Shethrustbothhandsintothe
coreofJean’sbeingandreturnedthestrengthJeanhadgivenher.

Toomuchpower,toofast!Itburstoutwardlikeastargoingsupernova,impossibly—forthatsingle

flashoftime—turningatotalityofdarknessintoanabsoluteoflight.Againstsuchadisplay,Anniewas
toosmalltoevenquantify.

ForJean,thiswasbeyondrevelation.Sheunderstoodnoneofit,onanylevel.Theemotionsweretoo

primalforachild’smindtocomprehend,andshehadnoresourcesofintellectorspiritthatcouldgive
herevenahopeofcoping.She’dbeencastintoamaelstromandknewonlyenoughtoholdfastto
herselfuntilitranitscourse,prayingfatewassmilingonherenoughtosurvive.

Shethoughtthedarknesswouldreturnbutthelightremained,asthoughsomeonehadjustlitthe

matchofCreationwithinher,intonedthosefatefulfirstwordsofGenesis.Aroundher,itseemedasif
tangibleshapesbegantograduallyassertthemselves,althoughinrealityonlythemerestfractionofa
secondhadpassed.Shecouldn’thelpbutbefascinated,asmotesresolvedthemselvesintoelectronsand
protonsandneutrons,asthesevariousparticlesboundthemselvesintoatomsandthoseatomsinto
molecules,growingeverlargerandmorewondrouslycomplexastheyevolvedintoincreasingly
intricatecombinations.Andthen,withtheblinkofaninnereye,shefoundherselflookingataroad,
whereamomentbeforehadbeenavastplainofscatteredparticlesdefinedmorebythesubatomic
spacesbetweenthemthantheillusionofsoliditytheycreated.

Therewasasoursmelltotheair,thescorchedresidueofburnedrubber,andametallictasteinher

mouthsheknewwasblood.Notherown;thiswasasensememoryofAnnie’s,andwiththatrealization
camethebone-deepcertaintythatnoneofwhatshe’djustexperiencedhadbeenadream.Allofithad
actuallyhappened,andasiftoaddastampofauthenticitytothethought,camethatlast,wondrous
imageofAnnie’sgrin.

Jean’stearsburnedscaldinghotagainsthercheeks,scoringchannelsthatwouldmarkheralways,of

thatshewassure.Shecouldn’tstopcrying.Inpartitwasbecauseofherlostfriend,lyingsostillinher
arms,alookofpeaceonherface,replacingtheoneofshockandoutrageddisbeliefthathadbeenthere
before.Butalso,itwasforwhathadhappenedtoJeanherself,andforallthatwastocome.

Sheheardmorevoices,criesandcallsfromthesurroundinghouses,butpaidthemnoattention.What

matteredsomuchmorewastherichersymphonyinsideherhead,composedofnotsimplywhatwas
saidaloud,butalsowhatwasthoughtandfelt.

Annie’smother,grippedbyaterrorthatwouldneverleaveher.Jean’sownmom,feelingthat

selfsamespikeofanguishatthesightofherdaughter’sbloodyface,givingwayimmediatelytoasense
ofheartfeltrelief.ThathadbeenJean’sdoing,inadvertently.She’dwantedMomtoknowshewasall
rightandjustlikethat,themessagewassent,notsomuchasastringofwords,likespeech,butmorea
completecertainty.

Handstookholdofher,gentleascouldbe,andshehowledwithwhateveryoneassumedwasanguish

overherfriend’sdeath.Theycouldn’tbemorewrong.Shewasdiscoveringthatwindowsopenedaren’t
soeasilyclosed,andthatproximityandphysicalcontactamplifiedtheambientpsychicnoisearound
hertoanunbearabledegree.Everywheresheturned,therewasanotherlife,inallitsmyriadtextures,
crashingdownonherlikearoguewave,suckingherintoariptideundertowthatrefusedtolethercome
upforair,threateningtooverwhelmherownpsyche—morefragilefromthistraumathanshecould
know—withalloftheirs.

Herpsychedidwhatithadtoforitsownsurvival.Yetasshecollapsedintowhatwaslaterdescribed

asafuguestatebroughtonbyextremetrauma,thelastimagethatcametoherwasamemoryofher
bodyinAnnie’ssoul,wreathedinflame,turningthedarknessofforeverintomagnificent,gloriouslight,
andthecertaintythatsomehowshehadtouchedtheverystars.

1985

Jeanwasreadingupinherroomwhensheheardthemtalking.Oneofherfavoriteauthors,oneofher

favoritebooks,oneofherfavoritescenes:theunveilingoftheOverlordsfromArthurC.Clarke’s
classicChildhood’sEnd.Alienswho’deffectivelyruledtheEarthinpeaceandprosperityforahuman
generationwhilekeepingtheirtruefeatureshiddenbehindspacearmor,decidingatlonglastthat
humanityhadmaturedtothepointwheretheycouldlookupontheirfriendsandnotbeafraid.Thejoke
being,ofcourse,thattheOverlordsturnedouttobethespittingimage(hornedheads,skeletalwings,
clovenhoovesandtail)oftheclassicculturaldepictionofSatan.

Niceride,shethought,seeingitthroughthemind’seyeofsomeneighbors,pullingamemoryfrom

oneofthemtomoreproperlyidentifyitasaMercedes-BenzMaybachsalooncar,evidentlysomekind
ofclassic.Shedidn’tcaremuchforcars.Butshecaughtaresonancefromoneoftheoccupantsthat
madeherquirkaneyebrowinfascination,asurprisinglyadultgestureforagirlofsuchostensibly
tenderyears.Givenhishistoryandtheemotionalmemoriesheldonaverytightleash,shewondered
whyhe’dpossessaGerman-madecar.Spittinginthefaceofthepast,perhaps?Sheconsideredprobing
furtherbuteventhatcursorystrokeofhisthoughtshadleftherwithaskull-splittingheadache.Neither
ofthemen,sherealized,muchlikedpsychicintruders.

Theywereexpected.Shepickedthatupfromherparentsrightaway,botheredalittlethatshehadn’t

noticedearlier.Itwassecondnaturetopry;mindsforherhadquicklybecomesotransparentthatitwas
likewalkingthroughaworldmadeofglass.Almostnothingcouldbehiddenfromher,andsomuchof
itwasstuffthatwassobanal,sobeyondboring—occasionallysodisgusting—thatshe’dhadtoremind
herself,thenforceherself,moreandmoreoftenlately,tomindherowndamnbusiness.

Sheputthenovelbackonitsshelf,pausingamomenttocaressthespineoftheonebesideit,James

Blish’sequallyclassicACaseofConscience,andbeyondthatFrankHerbert’sDunetrilogy.She’d
alwaysenjoyedthem;now,though,theyhadresonancesthatshefoundcomfortingwhilesendingchills
skitteringthroughherheartatthesametime.

Sheheardavoice,inherthoughts,notherears,althoughthemaninthecarspokealoud.
“Istilldon’tknowwhywe’rehere,Charles.Couldn’tyoujustmakethemsayyes?”
Shedidn’tmuchlikethat,andsteppedtoherwindowtoseeforherselfwho’dcometomeether

parents.

Shesawaman,thirtysomethingandprematurelybald,eminentlyrespectableinabespokesuit.

Hawklikefeatures,piercingeyes,abornhunter.Hecarriedhimselfwiththeeasygraceofanathlete,
comfortableinhisstrength,confidentofhisabilities.Therewasatwistofsorrowtowhatlittleofhis
innerselfshecoulddivine,asensearoundtheedgesthathehadbeenplacesanddonethings
substantiallyatoddswithhisuprightdemeanor.He’dbeentowar,sherealized,whenhewasvery
young;he’dneededtoprovesomethingtohimself,andithadleftitsmark.Firstimpression,sheliked
him.

Hiswordscementedthefeeling.“Ofallpeople,”hesaidtohiscompanion,“Iwouldexpectyouto

understandmyfeelingsaboutmisuseofpower.”

Thesecondmanemergedandthecontrastcouldn’thavebeenmorepronounced.Dressandmanner,

aswellasaccent,suggestedaEuropeanbackground.ThecolorofhissuitmadeJeansmile.Notmany
menwoulddaretowearroyalpurple,buthemadeitwork.Itwaslikewatchingapairofwarriorprinces
takethefield,andshehadasensethatshewaslookingattwomenwho,intheirownway,wereasclose
asshe’dbeenwithAnnie.

“‘Powercorrupts,’andallthat,”saidthetallerman,theEuropean,withtheairofsomeonewho’dhad

thisdiscussiontoomanytimes.“Yes,Charles,Iknow.Whenwillyoustoplecturingme?”

“Whenyoustartlistening?”Charlesrepliedeasily,usingaveryslightsmiletotaketheedgeoff

wordsthathemeantseriously.

“We’renotgoingtomeeteveryoneoftheminperson,arewe?”
“No,Erik.Thisoneisspecial.”
Jeandidn’tlikethesoundofthateitheranddecidedtoletherattentiondrift.Mr.Pashacrossthe

streetwasmowinghislawn,wrestlingwithaplotpointofhislatestnovel,whilenextdoorMr.Leewas
wateringhisprizeroses.Thescenecouldn’tbemorenormal,yetJeanhuggedherselfthewayyoudo
whenyousenseabigstormbuildingoffinthemountains,suddenlyfearfulthatafternoonpeace
wouldn’tlast.

Ghostingherperceptionsovertotheperipheryofherparents’,shecaughtalltheappropriate

introductions:thebaldmanwasCharlesXavier;theother,hisfriendandcolleague,ErikLensherr.Mom
usheredthemintoDad’sstudy,whereshe’dalreadysetoutafullyladenteatray.

“Itlookswonderful,”shesaid,onceeveryonewassettled,gesturingtowardsthepileofbrochures

thathadarrivedmuchearlier.“Whatabeautifulcampus.AndSalemCenter’sonlyanhourandchange
downtheTaconic;it’snotlikeJean’sgoingtothefarsideofthemoon.”

“Thebrochureisgreat,”herhusbandagreed.Hewasstandingbehindhisdesk,sothattheirguests

couldn’thelpseeingthewallofdiplomasandawardsthatwentwithbeingatenuredprofessorata
majorindependentcollege.“ButI’mconcernedaboutJean.Whatabouther…illness?”

“Illness?”Lensherrsaid,soquietlythatbothJohnandXaviergotthemessage.Theonebridledwhile

theotherraisedaneyebrowinwhathehopedwasasubtlebutunmistakablewarning.

Sensingthespikeintension,Elainehurriedlyintervened:“Now,John!”
“Youthinkyourdaughterissick,Mr.Grey?”Lensherraskedinthatsamesilkentone,choosingto

ignoreXavier’scaution.Oncue,asiftocomplementhisundertone,theteatrayshiftedeversoslightly.

“Erik,”Xaviersaid,speakingbothaloudandwithhisthoughts,“please.”
“Callitwhatyoulike,”JohnGreycontinued,refusingtobecowed.“What’sbeenhappeningtoJean

sinceAnnie’sdeathisnotnormal.Noonecanexplainit—notmedicaldoctors,norpsychiatrists—and
noneofthemhavebeenabletohelp.Allweknowforsureisthatshe’sgettingworse.”

“Areyouafraidofher?”Lensherrasked,almostasifheassumedtheywere.
“She’smydaughter,”Johnflared,“Iwanttohelpher.”
“Asdowe,”Xavierinterjected,playinghisusualroleaspeacemaker,bitingbacktheflashof

irritationhefeltwheneverEriklethisgrowingantipathytowardsbaselinehumansgetthebetterofhim.
“Thewholepointofourschoolistohelppeoplelikeyourdaughter.Perhaps,”hesuggestedgently,“it
mightbebetterforustotalktoher.Alone.”

Clearly,JohnGreyhaddoubts.Onlyhisobviousloveandconcernforhischildkepthimfrom

showinghistwogueststhedoor.Elaine,equallyconcerned,atadmoredesperate,didn’tgivehimthe
chance.

“Ofcourse.”Shesteppedoutintothehallway.“Jean,”shecalled,“canyoucomedownamoment,

dear?”

JeanwastallerthanwhenAnniedied,butstillleanandrangydespitethefirstcurvesofwomanhood.

Herhairwasadarkred,likeafireseenintheheartofthedeepestforest,wheretheflamesaremostly
hiddenbytreesandshadow.Herbeautywasself-evident;bythetimeshewasfull-grown,itwouldbe
breathtaking,withthefoundationofbonestructurethatguaranteeditwouldonlyimprovewithage.

“We’llleaveyou,then,”JohnGreytoldthem.
Jeansatonthecouchoppositethetwomen,herdemeanoraspoliteasitwasguarded.She’ddecided

onthewaydowntoletthemmakethefirstmove.

Xavierobligedher.
“It’sveryrude,youknow…,”hesaid—buthislipsdidn’tmove.
Herbreathwentoutofherallinahuff.Itneveroccurredtoherthathecoulddowhatshedid.
“…toreadmythoughts,orMr.Lensherr’s,withoutourpermission.”
Hewassendinghermorethanwords;therewasavastandcomplextexturetotheircommunication

thattoldhershe’dbeenbustedfromthefirstfleetingtelepathiccontactastheydrovedownthestreet.
Whileshe’dbeenspyingonthem,Xavierwastakingherfullmeasureasapsi,withoutherbeingthe
slightestbitawareofit.

Lensherrpickeduptheconversationfromthere—onlyhespokealoud,suggestingtoJeanthathis

abilitiesdifferedmarkedlyfromXavier’s.“Didyouthinkyouweretheonlyoneofyourkind,girl?”

Sheintendedtokeepherresponsetoherself,andbridledeversoslightlywhenXavier“heard”it

anyway.Whatkindisthat?shethought.

“Wearemutants,Jean,”Xaviersaid.“Wearelikeyou.”
Shefeltaflickerofirritation,likethestrikingofamatchwithinhersoul,heraldingaflashoftemper

thatwascomingmoreandmoreoftenlately,moreandmoreintense,nomatterhowhardshetriedto
keepitundercontrol.

Shesmiledinawaythatpromisedtrouble,awarning.
“Really?”Thethoughtsandemotionsthataccompaniedthatsinglewordwererawandrude.“Idoubt

that.”

Xavierreactedfirst,toavolleyofpsychicalarms,Lensherrfollowinghisgazetolookoutthestudy

windowtowardsthestreet.

Mr.Pashwasrunningheadlongdownthelengthofhisfrontyard,partlydraggedbyhislawnmower,

partlychasingfranticallyafterit,astheoldmachinelauncheditselfskywardasifitwerewearingblue
tightsandacapeandwasbentonleapingtallbuildingsinasinglebound.

Atthesametime,thestreamofwaterfromMr.Lee’shosedecidedtorebelagainstthereignof

gravityandseewhatitwasliketopourupinsteadofdown.Fromhim,XavierandJeanhearda
mutteredexpletive,whilePash’sinitialfrissonofstartlementgavewaytoabarkofincredulous
laughter.

Thenthelaughterfadedashecaughtsightofwhatelsewasfloating.Allalongthestreet,everycarin

viewhadsuddenlylevitatedmorethantenfeetintotheair.Nothingelsehadchanged;itwasasthough
they’dbeenliftedoninvisibleplatforms.

Alltold,betterthantentonsofmetalhungsuspended,yetJeanwasn’tevenstraining.
Lensherrcouldn’thelpasmile,noracomment.“Oh,Charles,Ilikethisone.”
Xavierwasn’tamused.“Youhavemorepowerthanyoucanimagine,Jean.”
Herthought,instinctive,defiant.Idunno,Icanimaginequitealot.
Shemethisgaze.
“Thequestionis,”hecontinued,refusingtorisetoherunspokenchallenge,“willyoucontrolthat

power…”

Shelostfocus,justlikethat,andthecarscrashedatoncetothestreet.Shekepthereyeslockedon

his,realizingthatsomehowhe’dslippedintohermindandblockedtheconnectionsbetweendesireand
response.Sheunderstoodimmediatelyhowthishadhappened;withnoonebutherselfpossessing
psychicpowers,howwouldshehavedevelopedanydefensesagainstanotherwiththosesameabilities?
Shedidn’tlikethat,hatedthethoughtofbeingvulnerable;shelikedevenlesstheperemptorywayhe’d
acted.Hecouldhaveasked;sure,shewasshowingoff,butifhe’dtreatedherwithrespectshe’dhave
listened.

“…orletitcontrolyou?”hefinished.
Shedidn’tgivehimananswerbecausedeepdowninside,wheretheanswerreallymattered,she

didn’thaveonetooffer,notthathadanyvalue.Shesuspecteditwasaquestion—achallenge—she’d
hearofteninthedaysahead.

Sheknewshe’dattendhisschool.She’dlearnfromhimallthathewaspreparedtoteach—ifonlyto

beabletostandonherowntwofeet,freefromanyone’scontrol.

1995

Fatherwasatthebathroomdoor,knockingpolitely.Warrenrefusedtolisten.
“Warren?”calledWorthingtonJr.ToptieroftheForbes100,oneofthefewAmericanbillionaires

whowasn’theadofacomputergiantoradot-com,oneofthoserarerstillwho’dtakenthemodest
inheritanceofhisownfatherandbuiltitintosomethingoftangibleandlastingvalue.“Son?”Pause,
anotherknock.“Everythingokay?”Anotherpause,anotherknock,voicecreepingupanotchinthe
anxietyindex.“What’sgoingoninhere?”

“Nothing,Dad,”calledWorthingtonIII,railinginsideatthetremorinhisvoice.“Berightout!”
Hewastwelveandhadthefeaturesofanangel.Blondhair,facetodiefor,andabodyofwhipcord

muscle,withoutaspareounce;hewasfarstrongerthanyou’dexpectofaboyhisage.Hestoodbareto

thewaistbeforethebigmirrorinhisbathroom.Inhislefthandheheldaboningknife,swipedfromthe
kitchenjusttheotherday,rightafterthecookhaddonetheweeklysharpening.Thebladewastungsten
steelandsharperthanascalpel.Therewasbloodontheblade,bloodonthesink,bloodonthefloor.
Warrenknewheshouldhavedonethisinthetub,wherehecouldwashawayalltheevidence,butthere
wasnoviewofthemirrorfromthereandhehadtobeabletoseewhathewasdoing.

Sweatcoatedhisface,andhehadtoforcehimselftotakedeep,slowbreathsinavainattemptto

calmhisracingheart.Hismetabolismhadalwaysbeenhyperasfarbackashecouldremember;heate
moreatmealsthanmostsumowrestlersandhadtostrugglenottoloseweight.Reactionswerethe
same;that’swhyhecouldn’tplaybaseballanymore.Everyatbatwasanintentionalwalk,forhisskillat
makingcontactwiththeball,ifitwasevenmarginallynearthestrikezone,wasuncanny.Likewisehis
fielding.Nomatterhowfasttheplay,forWarreneverythinghappenedinslowmotion.Andmagnificent
ashisreflexeswere,hiseyesighteclipsedthem.Hedrovehisoptometristtodistraction,becausethere
wasn’tatestthatcouldaccuratelymeasurehisvision.Henevertoldanyoneofthetesthe’dtriedonhis
own,slippingontotheopenairobservationdeckoftheWorldTradeCenterandlookingouttowards
KennedyAirport,adozenmilesaway.Withthetouristbinoculars,youcouldmakeouttheplanestaking
off.Warren,withhisnakedeyes,couldreadtheserialnumbersontheirfuselage.Lookingacrossthe
EastRivertowardstheBrooklynHeightsPromenade,hecouldseethedetailsofpeople’sfacesand
clothingastheystrolled—hecouldevenreadthebannerheadlinesontheirnewspapers.

Butthatwasn’twhyhekeptthevisitsecret.Whilethere,hehadheardahighrisingscreechalittle

belowandtotheside,andlookeddowntoseeared-tailedhawksoaringeffortlesslyonthethermals
generatedbythegiantHVACfansatoptheWallStreetskyscrapers,coolingtheofficeswithinwhile
creatingaperpetualheatsinkathousandfeetaboveManhattan’sstreets.Itwasthemostwondroussight
he’deverseenand,withoutthinking,hisheadandupperbodybegantomoveintandemwiththehawk,
asthoughWarrencouldalsofeeltheswirlsandeddiesoftheatmosphere.Heimaginedwhatitmustbe
liketofeeltherushofairacrossitswings,toplungeheadlongtowardsoblivion,onlytosnapthewings
wideatpreciselytherightsecondtosaveitselfandbagtheprey.ToWarrenWorthingtonIIIthatseemed
likeHeaven.

AndHeavenwaslikelywherehe’dhaveendeduphadawoman’sstronghandsnotcaughthimbythe

shouldersandpulledhimbackfromtherailing.

Withastartthatlefthimspeechlessandtrembling,herealizedthathe’dhadonefootandbothhands

ontherail,andhisnextmovewouldhavebeentoclimbover.Yes,itwasonlyamodestfalltotheroof
below—thankGodtheobservationplatformhadbeensetwellbackfromtheedgeofthebuildingitself
—butforWarrenitwasthethoughtthatcountedmost.Orrather,thelackofit,becausehecouldn’t
remembermuchexceptwantingmorethananythingtosoarwiththathawk.

“Areyouallright?”thewomanasked,quitecalmly,asifthissortofthinghappenedtoherallthe

time.Shewastallerthanhewas,morebeautifulthananyofthemyriadfacesthatstaredoutfromthe
newsstandwallsoffashionistamagazines,butthemoststrikingthingaboutherwasamaneofsilver
hairthatfellnearlyallthewaydownherback.Sheworeleatherwiththecarelessairofsomeone
dressingforcomfort,knowingthatonheritwouldalwayslooklikecouture.

“I…I…”wasthebesthecouldstammer.
“It’sallrighttoenvythem,”shesaid,withasmilethatwashedoverhimlikethesunafteraspring

rain,justasacryfromtheaccessdoorheraldedthearrivalofhisparents.Shegavehimawinkanda
gentlesqueezeonhisarmthatlethimknowthiswastheirsecret.“Wejusthavetorememberwedon’t
havewings.”

Herwordsmadeperfectsense—andyet,therewassomethingtothewayshesaidthem,thewayshe

lookedoutacrosstheskytowardsthatspiralingbird,nowjoinedbyitsmate,thattoldhimsheknewfar
morethanshewassaying.Heassumedshewassomesortofextremehangglider,especiallywiththat

hair.

Except—whenheandthefamilyhadreachedthedoorway,andhe’dturnedbacktowavegood-bye,

shewasgone.Quickly,heswunghiseyesacrosstheentiretyoftheoutdoordeck,butshewasnowhere
tobefound.Asifshe’dneverbeen.

Warrenwincedwithpain,knewthere’dbemoreblood,thememorybanishedbythetearsthatstarted

unbiddenfromhiseyes.Hewascryinglikeababy—hecouldn’thelphimself.Buthesteeledhimself
againstthetears,againstthepain,againstthefear.Thishadtobedone.

Hescrapedthebladeacrosshisback,sointentonhispurposethathecompletelymissedthelatest

roundofknocksonthedoorandthecallofhisfather’svoice.

“Comeon,Warren,”hisfathersaid,closetotheendofhispatience,“it’sbeenanhour.Openthis

door.”Hestillwasn’tangry,althoughthatwouldbesoonincoming.Atthemomenthesimplyseemed
concernedbyhisonlyson’sincreasinglystrangebehavior.

“Onesecond,”Warrencried,tryingtobuyasmuchtimeashecould,unawareofhowclearlyhispain

andtearsandterrorradiatedthroughthosetwosimplewords.Hemovedwithoutthinking,grabbingfor
histoolstostuffthemintothelockboxhe’dsecretedinthedrawer.

Toolate.
ThedoorburstopenandincameWarrenWorthingtonJr.,tallashissonwouldsomedaybe,the

fulfilledpromiseinmaturityoftheboy’scrispbeauty,yetbroadlymuscularinawaythatWarrenwould
neverreach.Whateveremotionsthefatherfeltgoinginthedoorvanishedthemomenthebeheldhis
son,standingbeforethemirrorwhereWarrencouldseereflectedwhathisfathersawdirectly—apairof
ridgedprotrusions,asthoughtheboy’sshoulderbladeshadburstupwardsthroughtheskin.Onlyit
wasn’tthoseridgesthathadtorntheboy’sflesh.ThatculpritwasthelengthofgleamingSolingensteel
inhishand.

NoneofthatwaswhatmadeWorthingtonJr.gasp,andgape,inshameandhorroranddisbelief,his

mindsuddenlyfloodedwithrageatthehandGodhaddealthim,notdirectlybutthroughthischildhe
lovedmorethanhislife.Theobjectsofthoseemotionswerescatteredonthesinkandfloor,andsome
stillprotrudedfromWarren’sback,wherethebladehadmissedthem,ortheboyhadn’tquitebeenable
toreach.

WorthingtonJr.tookastepforward.Withouthisglasses,thescenewasn’tquiteascrispashewanted

it,theobjectsonthesinkandfloorjustoutoffocusenoughtorequireacloserlook.Warren
misinterpretedtheaction—smallwondergiventheexpressionofhorroranddisgustonhisfather’sface
—andtumbledhimselfintothecorner,handsheldupbeforehimasthoughheexpectedtobehit.That
alonewasenoughtobreakthefather’sheart…

…buthecouldn’tbringhimselftotouchhisboy,eventhoughhispainandmiserywerepalpable.
Instead,hereachedfortheobjectsthathadbeencutfromWarren’sback,refusingtoacceptwhathis

eyesreporteduntilhehadtheminhishand.

Feathers.
“No,”thefatherbreathed,indenial.
Hissonwassproutingfeathers.
“PleaseGod,no!”
Hisson,Godhelphim,wasgrowingwings!
“Notyou,Warren.Not…this.”
AndthereweretearsonWorthington’sfacenow,tomatchthoseonhisson’s.Oneinacorner,the

otheronhisknees,bothindesperateneedofcomfort,neitherwithanytooffer.

2000

Fiveyearshadn’tchangedthefathermuch.Hewasn’tquiteasrichashe’dbeenbefore,butthatwas

becausehe’ddivestedafairlysignificantportionofhisholdingsandpersonalfortunetoendowa
numberofratheresotericresearchestablishmentsacrosstheworld.Hewasstillhandsome,hewasstill
charming—butthatdayinhisson’sbathroomhadleftitsmarkinmorewaysthanone.Therewasa
hauntedqualitytohiseyesthattoldofacommitmenttoacause.

“YouaskedmetocometoBangalore,Dr.Rao.I’mhere.Whatdoyouhavetoshowme?”
Intermsofsize,thiswasamodestlaboratory,asmallpartofanindustrialestatethatwas

accommodatingIndia’sburgeoningsoftwareindustry.Thereasonforplacingitherewasmainlytohave
accesstodependablepowerandstate-of-the-artcomputingfacilities,nottomentionthegeekstotweak
thesystems.KavitaRaowasbothanMDandageneticist,ratedonaparwithMoiraMacTaggartof
EdinburghUniversityandconsideredjustaslikelytosomedayclaimaNobelformedicine.Theteam
she’dgatheredinWorthington’snamewasnearlyonaparwithher,andtheclinicshe’dbuiltwithhis
moneywasworthyofthemall.

Onewallconsistedofnothingbutagiantflat-screendisplay,whichwouldhavecostadecentfortune

inandofitselfbutforthefactthatanothercompanyintheparkspecializedinmakingthem.One
meetingbetweenKavitaandtheirmanagingdirector,thepromiseofmedicalcarefortheiremployees,
andwiththatquidproquogoodsandserviceswerespeedilyandregularlyexchanged.

WhatWorthingtonJr.sawonthedisplaywasasuccessionofdoublehelices,whichheknewwere

representationsofsomeone’sDNA,thegeneticbuildingblocksoflife.Hehadn’tacluewhatthey
meant,despitevoluminousreadingoverthepasthalfdecade.

Kavitaindicatedarail-thinboy,faryoungerthanWorthingtonexpected,lyinginanisolationroom.

Theroomhadbeendecoratedwithaneyetotheboy’scomfortandpeaceofmind—itwasasmucha
boy’sspaceasitcouldbegiventhecircumstances,withgamesandstuffedanimalssharingthevenue
withmonitorsandIVstands.Hewasreadingastackofcomics;sensingDr.Rao’sattentiononhim,he
offeredupawave.

“HisnameisJimmy,”shetoldWorthington.“Itwilltakesomeconsiderabletimetoexplain,andeven

moretobringmatterstofruition,buttheinitialtestslookquitepromising.Ifthefatesarekind,allour
workmaynothavebeeninvain.”

“Timeisofnoconsequence,”WorthingtonJr.said,pullingupachairbesideher.“Tellme

everything.”

Now

Warzone,pureandsimple.
Officially,itwasnight,butthedarknessonlyservedasabackdropforafireworksdisplayof

incrediblelethality.Thesettinghadoncebeenafair-sizedtown,decentcentralbusinessdistrict,
buildingsofsomesubstance,twotofivestoriestall,builttolast,ofbrickandstone.Spreadingoutwards
inagridpattern,residentialstreets,single-familyhomes,everythingfromArtsandCraftsbungalowsto
modern“McMansions.”Coupleofparks,onemostlygreenspace,theotherintendedforkidsand
recreation—playgrounds,baseballdiamonds,bikewaysandrunningtracks.Schools,ofcourse,and
churches.

Allgone.
Thebattlelineshadsurgedbackandforthoverthetown,inamannermorereminiscentoftheCivil

Warthanmodernwarfare,butplayedoutwithweaponsthatmadetheriflesandcannonsofthatbloody
conflictlookliketoys.Notabuildinginthetownhadbeenleftwholeandhardlyanyoftheruinsthat
remainedwerestillstanding.Thetreeshadbeenreducedtoshatteredstubs,trunksandbrancheseither
blowntowicked-deadlysplintersorscorchedbeyondrecognition.Theearthwassopockmarkedwith
shellholes,thestreetssochokedwithdebris,thatvehiculartransitwasoutofthequestion.Movingon
footwasnofuneither,sincethepilesofrubbleaffordedidealhidey-holesforsnipersandambush
parties,aswellasforboobytrapsofeveryshapeanddescription.

Itwasarat’snest,ameatgrinderthatwouldchewupanyforcefoolenoughtotakeiton.
Soofcourse,theX-Menhadbeentaskedtodojustthat.
Inthedistance,theskylitupwithalineoftracers,curvinggracefullythroughthenightasthegunner

trackedanairbornetarget,andafewsecondslaterthesoundoffiringfollowed,bup-bup-bup-bup.Both
sightandsoundwerethenoverwhelmedbyanuglyfireballasthefallingbombshittheirtarget.

Logan’seyesnarrowedtoslitsashewatchedfromtheminimalshelteraffordedbytheintersectionof

ahouse’stwostonewalls.Hissensesweremoreacutethananyhuntingpredator’s,butinascraplike
thistheadvantagebecamealiability.Hecouldseeclearlyinalmosttotaldarkness,yetasurpriseburst
oftracerroundscouldstriphimofthatnightvisioninaflash.Thehealingfactorthatwashismain
mutantpowerwoulddealwiththelossinacoupleofheartbeats,butinafirefightthosesecondsusually
madethedifferencebetweensurvivalanddisaster.Logan’ssenseofsmellallowedhimtofollowtrails
thatbloodhoundscouldn’ttrace,butthereweresomanyscentstochoosefromherethatittook
consciousefforttoprocessthem.Suddenly,hehadtouseconsciousthoughttodirectprocessesthat
werenormallybackbrainsecondnature.Didn’tmatterthathestilldiditwithaspeedandaccuracythat
lefteveryonearoundhiminthedust,whethermutantorsapien.Itbluntedhisedge—andthatwas
unacceptable.

Hesniffedtheair,tocataloguewho—orwhat—wasinhisimmediatevicinity,andsmiledatone

smellherecognized.

Somebodyhadbeenkindenoughtolosetheircigar.
Cuban.Vintage.Hand-rolled.Hecaughtjustthesmallestresidualflavorofthewomanwho’dmadeit

enoughtorecognizeheriftheymet,smiledasheconsideredthepossibilities.

Hecuppedhislightertoshieldtheflamefromview,awareashedidthatthishabitfromprevious

battlefieldswouldn’thelpintheleastagainstaheat-sensitivethermalimager;ontheotherhand,sucha
devicewouldhavenailedhimrightfromthestart.Noresponsesuggestednosuchdevice,whichgave
himleavetoindulge.Hedidn’tgettheopportunityveryoftenthesedays.Toomanyflamin’rules,too
manyflamin’busybodieshell-bentonenforcingthem,toomuchflamin’aggravation.

Harshsnapsthroughtheairofftotherightcaughthisattentionandhesankalittledeeperintothe

building’sshadows,instinctivelyhidingtheglowingendofthecigarwiththehollowofhishandas
multiplepulsesoflaserfireburnedtheirwayoverhead,clippinganearbybuildingandcreatinga
showerofheat-fusedmasonry.Likehail,onlyharder.Hadithitsomethingmoresignificantwithamore
powerfulpop,hewouldhavehadasprayofshrapneltocontendwith.

Hadnothingtodowithhim,though;someoneelsewasthetarget.
Logandidn’tmove;therewasnopoint.Giventhelayoftheground,theintensityofthestrafingfire,

theyhadnowhereelsetogobutrightpasthim.

Bingo.
Twofigures,maleandfemale,intheblackleatheruniformsoftheX-Men.Themanwasinthelead,

bigsucker,butmovingwithsurprisinggracedespitehisevidentbulk,barearmsstandingoutfromthe
restofhimintheglowofvariousexplosions.Theskinofthosearmsandofhisheadreflectedthelight
inawaythattoldLoganhewasmetal—evenhishairgleamedasthoughcastfromchrome.Thiswas
oneofthenewbies,PiotrNikolievitchRasputin.Colossus.

Logansparedhimonlythemerestglance;hisfocuswasmainlyonRogue.
Sheusedtoflinchatloudnoises;nowshekeptpacewithhercompanion,bobbingandweavingwith

practicedgrace,presentingarandomandunpredictabletargetfortheopposition—showingexcellent
instinctsfordealingwithanytroublethatcameherway.

“Howlongdowehave?”themancalledtoher.
“Twominutes,tops,”shereplied,asshedovewithhimtocover.
Smartgirl.TheobviousplacetohidewastheshadowedcornerwhereLoganhimselfstood,yetshe

realizedthatanyinfantrymanworththenamewouldrecognizethataswell,andprobablydropabrace
ofroundsonthelocationjusttomakesure.She’dchosenanearbyshellholeinstead,partofastringof
depressionsthataffordedamessybutrelativelysecuremeansofslippingacrossthisopenpatchof
ground.

ThemomentRoguehit,sheturnedherbacktothewaythey’dcome,everyoneofhersensesonhigh

alert.Rasputinwasastepbehind,hisattentionstillonwhatevermightbechasingthem;hehadn’tyet
twiggedtothepossibilityofathreatfromanywhereelse.Hiswasn’tasartfulalanding,either.
Downsidetoallthatbulkwas,despitehisrelativeeaseofmovement,Colossusstilllandedlikeafalling
banksafe.Slidallthewaytothebottomandmadeadeeperholeofhisown.

Logancouldn’thelpagrin.Thegirlwasprettydamngood.Allithadtakenwasawhiffofhislit

cigar.

Betteryet,herealizedshewaslookingrightathim.
Butthatwaswhenshemadehermistake,standingstraightuptogreethim,allthoughtsofthe

missionbanishedbehindhersmileofwelcomeandpuredelight.

“Logan,”Roguecried.
“I’mawayforawhile,thewholeworldgoestohell.”
Heshouldhaveknownbetter.Theyhadbothbreachedbattlefielddiscipline,hadforgottenfora

fatefulsplitsecondwhatwashappeningallaroundthem.Andnearlypaiddearlyforthelapse.

Heheardfootsteps,theklingofagrenadepinflippingfree,butneversawthebombuntilitblewon

thefarsideofRogue.Notimetopullherclear,nochancetocoverherbodywithhisown.Shewastoo
faroutofreach.

ButColossuswasn’t.Hisviewwasn’tmaskedbyRogue,asLogan’swas—hesawthegrenade—and

intheinstantittooktofall,thefractionofaheartbeatbeforeitexploded,hegrabbedRogue’sbarehand
inoneofhis.

Backintheday,whenLoganfirstknewher,theassimilationprocesswasgradual.Ittookadefinable

lengthoftime,enoughforRoguetohavesecondthoughts,forthesubjecttopullaway,ashefelthislife
literallypouringoutofhim.Thiswasvirtuallyinstantaneous.

Fromthepointofcontact,Rogue’sskinflashedchromeasarmorrolledupherarmacrossherbody—

whilePeter’srevertedtheotherway,fromorganicsteelbacktonormalflesh—sothatwhenthesprayof
antipersonnelshrapnelreachedher,itdeflectedoff…

…toclipLoganinstead.
Ithurtlikehell,bothfromslashingopenastretchofhisside—whichbledfreely—andbecausethe

metalwasred-hot,burninghimaswell.That’swhyhefavoredT-shirtsandclothesolderthanmostof
thejuniorX-Men;thewayhegenerallygothimselftornup,theywerethemosteasilyreplaceable.
Madehimsmileinsideandshakehishead,towonderatthereplacementcostofthecustom-constructed
X-Menuniforms.

Loganpressedhishandagainstthewound,butnomorebloodwasflowing;there’dbeenjustenough

forthatfirst,glorious,indeliblestainbeforetheskinregrew.Itwasstilltender,butinamatterof
minutesthere’dbeonlyascar,andbytomorrownothingatall.Nosignwhatsoeverthathe’dbeen
wounded.

Ifonlyhecoulddumpthesensememoriesofthosehurtsaseasily.Onethingtobeamanwho’s

almostimpossibletokill;totallyanothertorememberprettyneareveryoneofthosequasi-death
experiences.

Hetookanotherpuffofhiscigar.They’dbeenherelongenough.
“Yougonnastandhereandgetblownup,orwhat?”
“Ididn’tseeyouatbriefing,bub,”Roguesassedhimback,givingasgoodasshegot,whichcheered

him.“D’youhavetheslightestideawherewe’regoin’?”

Shehadtheknowledgefromthebriefing,buthehadtheexperience.Asabraceofsearchlights

speareddownfromsomehoveringplatformtoilluminatethescenefortheenemygunners,hegestured
towardsasquatanduglystructuresomedistanceaway,acrosswhathadbeenthetown’scentralsquare.

“I’mthinkin’thatbunker.”
ThelookshegavehimtoldLoganhe’dscored,andalsothatifshehadjustabsorbedCyclops’soptic

blastsinsteadofColossus’ssteel,thefrustrationinhereyesmighthavepropelledhimallthewayover
thereinasingleshot!

Hefeltatremorthroughtheground,sawripplesinapoolofwaterpulseinwardtothecenter.
Anotherpulse,establishingasteadycadencewhosespacingsuggestedthemarchofsomething

massive.

“Timetogo,children,”hetoldtheothers,notingthatbothwererevertingtotheiroriginalstates:

Roguehuman,Colossusinarmor.She’dwayimprovedsincehesawherlast.

“Wegettothatdoor,”Rogueannounced,stressmakingherMississippiaccentabitmore

pronounced,breathlessfromthedouble-sidedtransformation,“we’reclear.”

ThetwoyoungerX-Menbeganmovingfromcovertocover,justasthey’dbeentrained.
Loganstartedwalking,rightoutintheopen,asthoughhewereoutforaneveningstroll—making

himselfastalkinghorseforanyonedumbenoughtotakeashot.Watchinghim,Roguedidn’tknow
whethertoadmirehiscourageorshakehimsillyforbeingsuchadamnfool!Logan,shehissedto
herself,don’tyourealize,dummy,thatthepriceofhavin’friends,peoplewhotrulycare’boutyou,is
thatwhenyou’rehurt,wefeelit,too!Onlywemaybedon’tgetoveritquitesoquick.

Roguewasn’ttheonlyonethinkingalongthoselines.Onthefarsideofanearbyhill,Stormalso

watchedhimtakehiswalkandconfinedherspokencommentstoasingleword:“Logan!”

Thinkingtoherself,sheusedtermsthatwouldhavegivenevenhimpauseandmadeanytelepath

withaccesstothosethoughtssevertheconnectioninstantly.Hewasn’tsupposedtobehere,andwhile
hispresencewasalwayswelcomeinafirefight,shereallydidn’tlikesurpriseswhenliveswereonthe
line.

Stormlookedagainthroughherbinoculars,thistimecheckingtheintegraldisplay.Loganwasfifty

metersahead,thebunkersometwohundredplusbeyond.

Twistingaround,sheusedhandsignalstoalerttherestofherteam,undercoveroftheirownafew

dozenmetersbackandtotheside.KittyPrydewasalreadyonthemove,bodylowtothegroundasshe
sprintedinazigzagtowardsBobbyDrake.Themaneuveringwasn’treallynecessary;ofalltheteam,
shewastheclosesttoWolverineinherpracticalinvulnerabilitytoharm.NotsomuchlikeColossus,
whoseorganicsteelarmorcouldactuallybebreachedwiththerightweapons,butbecauseneither
bulletsnorenergybeamscanhavemucheffectonagirlwhowasessentiallyaghost.

Stormcouldfeelthetremorsintheearthaswell,couldsensethedisplacementintheairthattoldher

somethingmassivewasmovingthroughthenight,closingonthemwitheverygiantstep.Timehadjust
joinedtheopposition.

“Youokay?”KittycalledtoBobbyasshesliddowntojoinhim,misjudgingheranglejustenough

thatshearrivedhalfsunkintotheground.Hedidn’tsayanything,buthislookwaseloquent:sheknew
thecasualwayshewalkedthroughwallsreallycreepedhimout.

“Yeah,”hereplied.“You?”
“Alittledusty.”
Hereachedoutandbrushedhershoulderclean.She’dinvitedthecontact,andhe’dresponded,both

operatingoninstinct.Thatwasasfaraseitherwaspreparedtotakethings.Now.

Still,hecouldn’thelpgivingherasmile.Itwasclearhelikedher.Problemwas,whileKittywasa

freespirit,Bobbyalreadyhadagirl—Rogue.

“Storm’ssignaling;shewantsustocatchup.Yourlead?”
Shegrinnedandtookoff,andBobbyhadtoscrambletokeepup.Shewasasdangerouslyarrogantas

Wolverinewhenitcametogettinghurt.Shedidn’tbelieveitwaspossible.Kittydidn’tevenhaveto
worrymuchaboutbeingtakenbysurprise,becauseforthemostpartherpowerwasalways“on.”Her
naturalstate,accordingtoProfessorXavier,wastobephased;shestayedcoherentbyanactofwill.

Laserpulsessoughtthemout,andBobbyblockedthemwithawalloficethatwasporousenoughto

allowthemthroughbutfilledwithenoughimpurities—namelydirt—todiffusethebeamtothepointof
harmlessness.

Butthosebeamsweren’ttheonlythreat.Abraceofrocketsshotinfromanotherdirection.Bobby

wasonlyawareofthemafterKittysuddenlygrabbedhim,crushingherbodyagainsthisinahard
embracethatallowedhertophasethembothsothemissilespassedthroughthemasiftheywereair.His

insidestingledastheydid,remindinghimofajoybuzzer–penhisbrotherhadonceblownhis
allowanceforonHalloween.

Acrossthefield,Roguehadalsoseentheapproachingmissiles—they’dpassedherontheway—and

inthemomentbeforeimpact,whenshesawBobbysovulnerableandunaware,herheartstoppedand
leaptuptoherthroat.Shewashappytoseehimsurviveunscathed,butalotlesssowhenshenotedthat
ittookwaytoomanyextramomentsforhimandKittytobreakapart.

“Keepmovin’,kid,”Logantoldher.He’dseenwhatshe’dseen,damnhim;hedidn’tmissanything.

“Andkeepyoureyesdeadahead.”

Stormmisseditall.Shewasfocusedontheirobjective,andthehandhelddisplaywhichpresentedher

withamapofthebattlefield,completewiththedispositionofherteamandacounterthatwasjust
passingninetyseconds.

“Time,people,”shetoldKittyandBobbyastheyarrived,usingthecomsetclippedtohereartoalert

theothers.“Nomoremarginforerror.Iceman,Shadowcat—getinposition.”ThiswastoBobbyand
Kittydirectly,usingtheircodenames.“Onmymark.”

Theymovedforwardatajogtrot,quickbutcareful,inaV-formationledbyStorm,withheryounger

teammatestrailingbyacoupleofsteps,coveringherflankswhilesheconcentratedonthewayahead.

Thelastbitofcoverwasapileofjunkedcars;beyondwasnothingbutopenground,anidealkilling

field.Somebodywithamortargottheirrangeandbeganbracketingthemwithroundsasthey
approachedthecheckpoint,inchingcloserwitheveryshot,thelastforcingthemtopitchforwardinan
undignifiedscramblethatbroughtthemwithacrashdownbesidetheotherassaultteam,who’dgotten
therefirst.

Loganwasleaningagainstoneofthecars,apparentlywithoutacareintheworld.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Stormflaredathim,lettingabitmoreofherfeelingsshowthanshe’d

actuallyintended.Highabove,acomplementtothoseemotions,cameablindingflash,gonealmost
beforeithadtimetoregister,accompaniedbyabassodrumrollthatwasinstantlyrecognized.Aboltof
lightning,atrillofthunder;theelementswereechoingStorm’semotions.

Thatwasn’tgood.Thefactthatshehadtotakeamomenttomasterherselfdidn’thelphermood.

Chanceswere,whenthisopwasconcluded,someone,somewheremighthavetodealwithsomevery
nastyweather.

“Enjoyingthescenery,”hesuggested,choosingthecompletelywrongmomentforlevityandthen

makingitsignificantlyworsebyusingapieceofflamingdebristorelighthiscigar.

Foramoment,Stormseriouslyconsideredgoing“Zeus”onhisinsubordinateassandusinghernext

boltoflightningtoknockhimflat.Perhapsaverynearmisswouldknocksomesenseintohisthick
Canadianskull.Oratleastinspireamodicumofrespect.

Shedismissedtheinspirationevenbeforeitwasfullyformed,becausesheknewitwoulddonogood.
Andsuddenly,therewasnotimeforconsciousthoughtatallasshesensedmovementintheair—that

samemassiveshapeshe’dnoticedbefore,onlymuch,muchcloser.Howhaditcreptuponthemso
unawares?Realizationandactioncameasoneasshegrabbedforherfriendandteammateandyanked
himbodilyclearofthecar,justasamassivearmoredfootthesizeofasemitrailersquasheditflat.

Theyendedupface-to-face,tightagainsteachother,andforthatbriefestofmomentsthatwasallthat

mattered.

“Igotthis,”saidStorm,asthefootmovedon.Throughthesmokeandtheshadows,theliteralfogof

battle,noneofthemwasinapositiontoseewhatitwasattachedto.TheyoungerX-Menweren’tsure

theywantedto.

“Watchmyback,okay?”shetoldhim.
“Notaproblem,”hereplied.

Itwasaspectacularback,Loganthought,evenmaskedasitwasbythecloakofheruniform.Tocall

OroroMunroebeautifulwasmerelytostatetheobvious.Therewasnoone—amongtheX-Men,inthe
world—whoevencameclose.Except,thethoughtcametohim,amemoryofawoundstillfresh
enoughtohurt:JeanGrey.

“Hey,bub,”Roguechidedgently,“eyesfront,right?”
Heslidalookherway,whichmadehergrin.Logansubvocalizedawarninggrowlthatsethackles

risingonthebacksofthenecksofboththeboysandKitty,butseemedtomakeRogue’sgringroweven
wider.

Storm,allbusiness,broughtthembacktothetaskathand.
“Stayinformation,”sheinstructed.“Waittomakeyourmove.”
Theyknewwhatevercuesshewastalkingabout,butStormknewLogandidn’t.Shegrabbedhimas

hestoodtomakeamoveofhisown.

“Logan,”shesnapped,“weworkasateam!”
Hesmiledtolerantlyandshethoughtmoreseriouslythistimeaboutthatlightningbolt.“Youletme

knowhowthatworksoutforyou,darlin’,”hereplied,andresumedhiseveningstroll,completewith
cigar.

Soobviousatargetcouldn’tbeignored.Theiradversariesopenedupwitheverythingtheyhad.
Sofoolhardyafriendcouldn’tbeabandoned.BobbyandPeterexchangedquickglances.ThenPeter

rosetofollow.

“Peter!”Stormsnapped,genuinelyfuriousnow.“Getbackhere!”
Therawedgeofcommandinhervoiceactuallygotthroughtohim,andtoBobbyaswell,who’d

beencaughthalfwaytohisfeet.Peterstopped,tornbetweenwantingtofollowtheWolverineandhis
responsibilitytoStormasmissioncommander.

AsLoganknew,astheotherswereabouttolearn,inbattleasinglemomentcanswingthebalance.

Thusfar,they’doperatedmainlyinshadowandanonymity.Theirfoeshadoccasionalglimpsesofthem,
andageneralsenseofwheretheywere,butnoclearlydefinedfixontheirposition.

Rightthen,rightthere,thatchanged.
Bobbywasthefirsttoseethelight,attractedbythecommotion.Hescreamedawarning.
“Peter!”
Toolate.EvenasColossusturned,thesearchlightfoundhim,andthatcontactbroughtallitsfellows

tobear.Justlikethat,theteam’spositionwasilluminatedinafloodoflightthatdefinedthesceneas
brightasday.

Amomentlater,thebadguysopenedfire.Witheverythingtheyhad.
“Moveout,”Stormyelled.“Staytogether!”
Instead,theyscattered.
Momentarilyforgottenamidstthesuddenlytarget-richenvironment,Logankeptwalking,the

personificationofcalmamidstgrowingchaos.

Withamultitudeofsmall,fast-movingtargetstochoosefrom,however,thegunnersfound

themselvesfacingacompletelydifferentchallengethanwhentheteamshadbeenclusteredtogether.
TheX-Mencouldn’tsharetheirabilitiestocoveroneanother,butatthesametime,theywere
individuallyfacingasmallerarrayofweapons.Theyallbeganmakingquickprogresstowardstheir
finalobjective.

Inthelead,Storm’sglancekeptflickingbetweenthebattlefieldandthecountdownclockstrappedto

herwrist.Timewastheinflexibleadversaryhere,nottheguyswiththeguns.TheX-Menhada
deadline,andtheycouldn’tbelate.

“Storm,”calledBobby,indicatingthebunker,likethekidwiththewinningtouchdowninhand,astep

fromthegoalline,“we’realmostthere!”

Itblewupinhisface.
Shewasn’tsurewhetheritwasashellfromoutsideorsomehiddensappercharge;whatmatteredwas

thespectacularexplosionthatwouldhaveknockedheroffherfeethadshenotusedherowninnate
controlofthewindstoshuntthepressurewavearoundher.Bobbywasn’tsofortunate.Henotonly
wentflying,hegotclippedbydebrisforhistrouble.Badlandingaswell,thatlefthiminatwisted,
crumpled,unmovingheap.

SomethingpassedoverColossus,movingonthebunkerandBobby.Hewrenchedthedooroffa

ruinedcarandhurleditlikeadiscusattheoncomingfigure.Metalclangedonmetal…

…andthedoor,suitablycrushed,thuddedbacktoEarthathisfeet.

Logan,stillplayingtheroleofnonchalantobserver,wasimpressed.
“Goodarm.”
Helookedtheotherway,sawBobbyfallen,Stormunabletoreachhim,theremainingtwogirls

isolatedandunderconsiderableandgrowingfire.Thingswereoutofhand.

Kittysummeditup,fromherperspective:“We’rescrewed.”
Loganhadotherideas.
“Throwme,”hetoldColossus.
“Shto?”repliedtheyoungRussian.Hedidn’tgetit.
“Logan,”Stormcalled,racingtojointhem.“Wait—”
“Y’understandbaseball?”Logandemanded,poppinghisclaws,dartingquick,repeatedglancesover

hisshoulderatthesourceofthemightyfootsteps,whichcouldnowbeheardaswellasfelt.Colossus
nodded.“Y’know,likeafastball?”Again,henodded.“ThenfollowwhereIpointandthrowme!Now!”

ThearmoredRussianscoopedhimup,cockedhisarmandletfly.
Logandisappearedintothelowcloudofsmokethatprovidedaquasi-roofoverthetownroughlya

hundredfeetoverhead.

Thefiringslackened,enoughfortheX-Mentohearthesoundofrendingmetal,followedbyan

almostunendurablyhigh-pitchedsqueee!Itdidn’ttakearocketscientisttofigureoutwhatthatmeant—
theWolverinehadusedhisclaws,pureadamantium,unimaginablyandperpetuallysharp,wholly
unbreakable,onsomethingthatdidn’tmuchlikeit.

Confirmationlandedbeforethemwithathudthatshooktheground,momentumrollingitovertwo

completerevolutionsbeforeitcametorestinfrontofthekids.Itwasabig,gianthead,belongingto
somekindofequallyimpressiverobot.

Theythenheardanexplosionofsuchforcethattheairborneshockwavestruckthemlikealesser

punch,staggeringthemontheirfeet.Somesecondslater,whatevertheheadhadbeenattachedto
crashedandblewitselftobits.

ThatwaswhenLoganmadehisentrance,beforeanyofthemhadachancetoworryabouthisfate.He

lookedabittheworseforwearbut,evenasheapproached,hisinjurieswerehealingwitheverystep.
Heappearedfarmoreconcernedabouthisleatherjacket,whichwasbothtornandscorched.

Hepoppedasingleclaw,forefingerforonce,insteadofthemiddleclawhegenerallytendedtofavor,

andmadereadytocarvehisinitialsintothecrownoftherobot’shead…

…whenaklaxonsounded…
…andtheheaddissolvedbeforehiseyes.
Sameappliedtothescenery.Nightvanished,replacedbytheinstitutionalilluminationofavastand

sprawlingconcoursethesizeofacommercialjumbojetlinerhangar.Thelayofthelandwas“real,”as
thefloorsrealignedthemselvestoprovideforaflatandfeaturelesssurface,butthetownitselfwasnot.
OneverysidesurroundingtheX-Men,hugepanelsofphotonimagers—capableofgenerating
constructsthatwerenotonlythree-dimensionalbutsignificantlytangibleaswell—withdrewintotheir
housings.

Loganshookhishead.Notalotgothisfullattention,buttheDangerRoomsnaggediteverytime.
“YoufindawaytomarketthistoHollywoodandthethemeparks,’Ro,”hesaid,speakingmainlyto

himselfthoughheusedOroro’sname,“yourcollectivefortuneismade!”

Hetwistedhisback,shoulders,finallyhisneck,graduallyworkingoutthekinks,ashedidafterevery

scrap,thenlookedexpectantlyattheothers.

“I’mstarved,”heannounced.“Who’supforpizza?”
Bobbypushedhimselfup,KittyhangingbackasRogueslippedanarmthroughhis,visiblyand

intentionallyremindingalloftheirrelationship.Hewasn’thurt.TheRoom’scoreprogramming
wouldn’tallowit.Deathheldnoswayhere,andtheworsttheroomwoulddotoanyonewasstunthem
andthenuseitsprojectorstopaintthemosthorrendouswoundsimaginableonthebody.

Astheyallstartedfortheexit,LoganthrewanarmcompanionablyacrossPeterRasputin’sshoulder.
“Hey,Tinman,”hesaid,makingPeterrollhiseyes.TheRussiandidn’tmuchcareforthenickname

andprettymuchknewwhatwascomingafter.“Gottatellya—youthrowlikeagirl.”

StormstoppedLogandeadinhistracks,hereyesflashingadangerousceruleanblue—aprecursorto

themgoingwhiteandherturningloosetheextremeweather.

“Iamagirl,”shesaidsimply,throwingdownthegauntletashardassheknewhowbeforeturningon

herheelandbeatingthemthroughthedoorway.

Shewaswaitinginthehallwaybeyond,withsuchelectricityintheairsurroundingherthatherteam

beatahastyretreatintothelockerroom,figuringtotaketheirtimegettingchangedinhopesthatthe
“storm”wouldquicklypass.

Logantookamomenttolookfondlyatthestubthatremainedofhiscigar,thentosseditintothe

disposal.

“Whatthehellwasthat?”Ororodemanded.
“DangerRoomsession.”

Kittyhadherearpartiallyphasedthroughthewall,relayingthegistoftheconversationtotheothers.

Shevisiblyblanchedwhensheheardwhatwasbeingexchanged,wonderingaloudifthatCanucklehead
wantedtogetturnedintoacrispycritter.

Surprisingly,Ororokeptaleashonheremotions.

“YouknowwhatImean.”
Loganspreadhisarmswide,closetoashrug.Thiswassomewherehedidn’twanttogo.
“’Ro,”hebegan,andthenafterapauseandanawkwardsilencebetweenthem,“Storm—”
“No,”shesaidflatly.“Youcan’tjustcomeandgoasyouplease.We’retryingtorunaschoolhere.”
“Well,Itaught’emsomething.”
Shewasn’tamused.
“They’remainlyadolescents,Logan.Teenagers?Ringabellmaybe,whatthatwaslike?Atthisage,

especiallywhentheyhavepowers,they’rehardwiredtoactlikefools.Idon’tneedyouencouraging
them.”

Backedintoarhetoricalcorner,hesaidnothing.
“Ifyou’dreadthesyllabus,you’dknowthiswasadefensiveexercise.Evasivemaneuvers.”
“Bestdefenseisagoodoffense,”hecountered,butthenthoughtbetterofit.“Orisittheotherway

’round?”

“I’lltrytorememberthatformynextclass.”Hertonewasacid.Thishadn’tgonewell.
Loganunderstoodonlytoowell.Hejustdidn’thaveacluehowtomakeitright.Sohetookapage

fromhisowndictumandclosedtheconversationbychargingherbarricades.

“Hey,’Ro,I’mjustthesub,”hesaid,lettinghisownirritationshow.“Yougotabeef,talktoScott.”

ScottSummerswascold.
Itwasn’tsimplyaphysicalsensation—itwentfarbeyondthat,encompassingeveryaspectofhis

bodyandmindandspirit.Hewascoldinawaythattoldhimhe’dneverknowwarmthagain,intheway
healwaysimagineddeepestspacemustfeel,thewaytheCosmosmusthavebeeninthewhateverspace
ofnontimetherewasbeforetheBigBangbroughtitintobeing.

Hebundledinsweaters,hewarmedhimselfindownquilts,crackedtheheat,stoodbeforeroaring

fires—noneofithelped.Thecoldwasinthecoreofhim.Hemightalterthingsonthesurface,butthat
wasforonlyapainfullysmallmeasureoftime.

Itsappedhisstrength,itsappedhiswill,itmadehimashadowofthemanhe’dbeen.
He’dsoughtrefugeintheschoollibrary,readingenoughondepressiontotreatthediseasehimself.

Scotttalkedtotheprofessor,butXavier’stelepathydidn’thelp,nordidanyofthecurrentregimesof
drugs.

Heknewhelookedlikehell,andhesimplydidn’tcare.
Somewhere—andthisthoughtbroughtthehintofasmiletothecornerofhismouth—hemusthave

beeninfectedwithanactivecaseofWolverine.Toobadthediseasehadn’talsocomewithitsown
healingfactor.

Hetookadeepandreflexivebreathattheconsiderationoftheotherman,hisrivalforsomany

things,andhisbrowfurrowedasherecognizedthescentofpinesapandfresh-fallensnow,and
suddenlythecoldhadafocusandanidentityhe’dnevernoticedbefore.TheshoreofAlkaliLake,in
themountainsofwesternCanada,where—

Andjustlikethat,thecoldchangedagain,pressinginonhimfromeveryside,fillinghiminsideand

out.Heflailedonhisbed,mouthagapeinafranticquestforairwhilehismindshriekedtheutter
wrongnessofthataction,becausetherewasnoairtobreathe.Hewasunderwater,hewasatthebottom,
hewastangledinweeds,caughtinthemuckamidstamadforestofbouldersbigashousesandslabsof
rebar-threadedmasonrythatwerebiggerstill,depositedherebythemonumentaloutflowofwaterthat

hadoccurredwhenthedamhadburst.

Hewasscreaming,whichonlygeneratedafloodofbubbles,markingthefinalpassageofhislifeas

theycascadeduptothesurface.

Thensomethingcaughthiseyethatdroveallfearandthoughtfromhimandtouchedhisheartwith

thefirstsemblanceofwarmthhe’dfeltsince—

TheX-Menwerefleeingfortheirlives.Thedamhadfailed,afloodwascoming,theyhadperhapsa

minutebeforeoblivion.TheirBlackbirdstratojetwasliterallystuckinthemudafteralessthanperfect
landing;theverticalthrusterscouldn’tliftitclear.

Jeanhadbeeninjuredinbattleearlier,herlegbroken.Scotthadleftherinthepassenger

compartment,whilehescrambledforwardtohelpontheflightdeck.Therewassomuchconfusion
nobodynoticedshe’dlefttheplaneuntilProfessorXavierannouncedit.

Shewastheteamtelekinetic,andsheintendedtousethepowerofherthoughtstoholdthefloodat

bayuntilsheliftedtheBlackbirdfree.Itwasanimpossibleambition.She’dneverexhibitedevena
fractionofthatkindofpower,orcontrol.Oneortheotherwouldposeasupremetestofherabilities,but
both—neverhappen,notaprayer.

Withouthertheywerealldoomedanyway.Thattoowaspartoftheequation.
Scottracedafterherbutsheclosedandsealedthehatchinhisface.Hemighthavebeenabletoblast

itopenwithhisopticblasts.Wolverineforsurecouldhavecutthroughwithhisclaws,butinstead
Loganheldhimback.Hewouldn’ttryhimself,andhewouldn’tgiveScottthechance.SowhatifJean
wasdoingthisforhim,becauseshelovedhim;didn’tshe,didn’tanyofthemcomprehendhowhollow
hislifewouldbewithouther?He’dbeenalonehiswholelife,forasfarbackashecouldremember,in
theNebraskaStateHomeforFoundlings;hecouldn’tbearthethoughtofthewomanhelovedfacing
herfinalmomentswithoutsomeonetoatleastholdherhand.

HerememberedhervoicecomingfromXavier’slipsasshespokethroughhim,butwhatmattered

morewasthewarmththatflaredwithinScott,agloriouscelestialchorusthat—eventhoughheknewhe
wasexperiencingbutthesmallestportionofthetranscendenceJeanherselfembraced—filledhimwith
asenseofwonderunlikeanythinghe’deverknown.

Heweptthen,notforgrief—thatwouldcomelater,aknifethroughtheheart—butinaweatsuch

impossible,eternalbeauty.

Thentheplaneroseabovethefloodandbeforetheycouldbringherhome…
…shewasgone.
Thefirewentwithher,thatlossmadeinfinitelyworsebythememoryofwhathadbeen.
Yethere,andnow,witheachbeatofhisbrokenheartcamethefaintestresonanceofwhathe’dfelt

duringthoselastmomentsofherlife.

AndeventhoughapartofhimknewhesatinhisroomattheXavierInstitute,healsofullyaccepted

thathestoodaswellatthebottomofAlkaliLake.

Staringatabody.
Awoman.Clothesandfeaturesallobscured,wreathedinacrownofdarkredhair,thefieryauburnof

leavesturninginfall.

Quickasithadcome,theimagewasgone,assuddenlyasifoneoftheFateshadflickedaswitch.
Scotttrembled,rubbinghishands,keepinghiseyesshuttightashepulledoffhisvisorandrubbedhis

face,realizingashedidthathedidn’tfeelquitesohollowanymore.Thingshadchanged.Thebestpart
ofhissoulhadcomebacktohim.

Hedidn’tstoptothink,replacingthevisor,unzippinghiscarryallandstuffinginwhateverclothes

cameimmediatelytohand.Thiswasn’tamomentforrationalityorexplanations—andoncemorethe
imageofacharacterinfectionpassedonbyWolverineslippedthroughhisawareness—butforaction.
Makethemove,worryaboutconsequenceslater.

Theonlythingsheknewforcertainwerethatthishadtobedone,andthatitwasright.
Andwiththatthought,hewasgone.

TheestatehadbeeninXavier’sfamilysincethispartofNewYork—roughlyanhournorthofthe

City—hadstillbeenconsideredIndianCountry.Consideringthelocale,itssizewasremarkable:three
milesalongtheshoreofBreakstoneLakeandamileinland,inupperWestchesterCountyhardbythe
borderofneighboringPutnamCountyandthestateofConnecticutjusttotheeast.Mostoftheproperty
hadneverbeendeveloped,beyondtheimmediatevicinityofthegreathouseitself,andstillessentially
remainedvirginHudsonValleyforest.

TheMansionitselfhadbeenbuiltduringtheso-calledGildedAgeofthelatenineteenthcentury,by

anancestorwhowantedtoprovehimselfonaparwiththeVanderbiltsandtheGouldsandtheAstors.It
wasanattempttoconstructoutsideSalemCenterahomethatwouldrival,andpreferablysurpass,what
wasfillingtheNewportshorelineinRhodeIsland.

Whatresultedwasamonumenttowealththatbeggaredmodernconceptionsofthetermbutalso

exemplifiedratherextraordinarygoodtaste.NoexpensehadbeensparedintheMansion’sconstruction,
whileatthesametimeneitherownernorbuilderseverlostsightofthefactthattheywerecreatinga
homethatwasactuallytobelivedin.Somethingthattheresidentsmightactuallyenjoy,morethana
proclamationofexcess.

Themainbuildingroseatotaloffourstoriesabovetheknollonwhichitwasbuilt(includingthe

topmostturret,whichKittyhadimmediatelyclaimedforherown),allowingforacommandingviewof
thesurroundingcountryside.Therewerealsothreefulllevelsbelow,forstafffacilities—whichproveda
godsendtoCharlesXavierwhenthetimecametoadaptthebuildingtotheneedsofbothhisplanned
schoolandtheX-Menwhowouldgrowfromit.Amultitudeofsecretpassageswereleftoverfrom
Prohibitionbyamorerecentancestorwhofinancedtheupkeepwithsomeratherhigh-endbootlegging.
Consideringthemansion’srecenthistory,whichincludedafull-scalearmedassaultbyacadreofBlack
Opsparamilitarists,inadditiontotheeverydaywearandtearfromscoresofenergeticyoungsterswith
superpowers,thehousehadheldupincrediblywell.

AfterKitty’sgossipyreportontheexchangebetweenOroroandLogan,RogueandBobbycameup

theelevatorontheirown.Kittywastheresidentgeek,andsheoftenseemedfarmorecomfortablewith
theserverarraythatrantheDangerRoomthanwiththestudentswhousedit.Shecouldinvariablybe
foundeitherdowninthecatacombsorupinherroom,butrarelyinbetween,outsideofmandated
classes.Shehungalotwithherpartnerincrime,DougRamsey,whosemutantskillwithlanguages
madehisfacilityforwritingsoftwarecodetheperfectcomplementtoherintuitivebrilliancewith
hardware,andtherewerealsorumorsofalong-distancefriendshipwithPeter’skidsisterIllyana,back
inRussia.Butbeyondthat,Kittyprettymuchkepttoherself.

Bobbyactuallydidn’tmindherabsence.Roguewasinafoulmoodandhewasdeterminedtoferret

outthecause,andthenhopefullystompittodeath.Hecaredtoomuchforherandhatedseeingherso
tornupinside.Sohepushedandpushedastheyrodetheelevatorandfinallyshecaved,spittingthe
wordsoutlikebullets.

“What’swrong,”sheannouncedinthattoneofherswhichsuggestedshewasannoyedtohavetobe

statingtheobvious,“isthatIcan’ttouchmyboyfriendwithoutkillinghim.Otherthanthat,I’m
wonderful.”

Wasn’tmuchhecouldsaytothat,consideringitwasmostlytrue.Withtutelageandpractice,she’d

gainedameasureofcontroloverherabilitytoassimilatepowersandpsyches.Shecoulddoitmuch
fasterthanbefore,asshe’dprovedwithColossusintheDangerRoom,doingfarlessharmtoher
subjectsintheprocess.Butthosewereflash-hits,combatsituations.Rogueborrowedapowerfora
specificreasonandjustasquicklygaveitbackagain.Or—she’dtouchabadguyabitlongertotake
himoutofthefight.Herupperlimitwouldallowheruseofpowersfortwenty-fourhoursmax,putting
theguyshenailedoutcoldforthesamelengthoftime.

Atthemoment,though,Roguehadnoneedforherpowers.Bobbywasherguy.Shedidn’twantto

justtouchhimforafleeting,stolensecond,shewantedtheentireromancepackage.Thekissing,the
stroking,thehugging,thesex.Shewantedallofhim,butknewthatifshetried,itwouldbetheendof
Bobby.

Rogueheardtittersfromacorner.Shedidn’tlookbecausesheknewthevoices,buthereyes

tightenedtothedangerous,get-outta-my-way-bubglareshe’dlearnedfromLogan.Bobbylookedand
blushed.ItwastheCuckoos,ofcourse,blondtriplets,Polopostergirls,telepaths.Theydressedin
white,followingthestyleoftheirheadmistressattheincrediblypriceyMassachusettsAcademy,and
theylovedtopry,perpetuallytrollingforanystrayorwaywardthought.Wickedsatinherusualcorner,
playingchesswithoneofherdeadfriends.Shehadamillionofthem,spiritsatherbeckandcall,who
woulddoherbidding,orcouldmergewithhertoaddtheirrawstrengthtohers.

TheschoolhadgrownsinceRogue’sarrival,tothepointwhereeventhishugeoldhousewas

threateningtoburstattheseams.That’swhytheCuckooswerevisiting.Xavierwasconsideringan
affiliationwiththeMassachusettsAcademy,whosehead,itturnedout,wasafairlyimpressivetelepath
inherownright.Theprofessorwantedtoseewhatkindofstudentstheyrecruited,andhowwellthey
playedwithothers.

Thusfar,Roguehadn’tbeenimpressed.
Bobbymovedinfrontofher,apparentlynotreadytolettheconversationdrop.“That’snotfair,”he

protested.“HaveIputanypressureonyou?”

No,sheconceded,swearingthatifsheheardtheslightestsnickerfromthosefashionistawannabees,

there’dbeblood.You’vebeentheperfectgentleman.It’smewho’sgoin’crazy.

Butsadly,thatwasn’twhatshechosetosayaloud.
“YouthinkIcan’ttell?You’reaguy,Bobby.There’sonlyonethingonyourmind.”

Thistime,BobbychosenottofollowasRoguemovedaroundhimandheadedoff.Better,hedecided,

tolethercooldownandhopeforamorerationalconversationlater.

HeofferedawaveandahellotoScottasthebiggermanstrodepasthim,downthegrandstaircaseto

thefoyer.Bobbywascompletelyignored,whichwasn’tlikeScottatall.

Bobbyheardfamiliarvoices—Logancalling“Hey,Scott!”—andsnuckapeekoverthegalleryrailing

toseeifanythingwasplayingoutdownstairs.

Asusual,LoganandScottwereabouttohaveatestosteronethrow-down.Theycouldn’tbeinaroom

togetherforanyamountoftimewithoutgoingmega-machoineachother’sface.Thestudentbodyhad
apoolgoing,toseewho’deventuallywalkawayintheend.Bobbyalwaysfiguredthatwasawasteof
money,wassurethetwomenwouldonedayworkthingsout.

Listeningnow,though,hewasn’tquitesosure.
“Theywerelookingforyoudownstairs,”Logancommentedcompanionably,withjustahintofan

edgeinhisvoicetoletScottknowthiswasserious.“Youdidn’tshow.”

“Whatdoyoucare?”
“Ihadtocoveryourass,forstarters!”
“Ididn’task!”
“No,”Loganinterrupted,calminthefaceofScott’sanger,“youdidn’t.Theprofessordid.”Fractional

beat,toletthefactthatheusedXavier’stitlesinkin.WithLogan,itwasinvariably“Charley,”withthe
occasional“Chuck”whenhewantedtogetXavier’sattention,notnecessarilyinagoodway.Then:“I
wasjustpassingthrough.”

Scottdidn’tbataneye.“So?Passthrough,Logan.It’swhatyoudobest.”
Anotherbeat,onlyamomentinrealtime,butitseemedtostretchliketaffytoanalmostunendurable

length.

“Look,Scott,Iknowhowyoufeel—”
ThistimeScottcuthimoff:“Don’t.”
“WhenJeandied—”
“Isaid,don’t!”
Watchingfromabove,consciousnowthathehadcompany—thegallerywascrowdedwithkids

drawnbythecommotion—Bobbywonderedifhehadbeenfoolishtoskipthatpool.

Logansteppedinclose,butwhenhereachedouttoScottitwaswithanopenhand.
“Maybeit’stimeforustomoveon.”
Scottdidn’tgiveaninch.
“Noteverybodyhealsasfastasyou—bub!”

LoganwatchedasthegreatfrontdoorsoftheMansionclosedbehindScott,listenedtothesoundofa

bikeenginebeingpushedtoitslimitsandfadingquicklyintothedistance,takingasmuchtimeashe
neededtocomposehimself.

Heknewhehadanaudience.Withhiseyesclosed,byscentalonehecouldnamethemall.Hejerked

hisheadtoindicatetheshowwasover,andthenfoundhimselflookingatRogue,who’drushedtothe
baseofthestairs,probablytobackhimupincaseheneededit.

Shewasonlyakidthenightshehadcrawledintohistruck,intheass-endofupperCanada,in

LaughlinCity,adotofaprairietruckstopwithdreamsofgrandeur.Thatjourneytogetherhadended
withtheirintroductiontotheX-Men.Nowshewasafull-grownwoman—andLoganknewthathe’d
foundsomethingthathurtherfarworsethanhisclawsevercould.

AsRoguesteppedforwardtoofferalittlecomfort,perhapsonlycompanyoverabeer,shedidn’t

needwordstotellherthatLoganstillgrievedforJean.

Heshookhishead.
AsLoganwenthisownway,impulsedrewRogue’sgazeuptothegallery,totheonlypersonleft

watching—Bobby.Andsheknewthattheymusthavehadthesamenotionsskitteringacrosstheir
thoughts:couldeitherofthembeartobehurtsodeeply?Couldeitherofthembeartowalkaway?

Itwasamodestofficeblockbyfederalstandards,leftoverfromamoredecorativeage,liketheOld

ExecutiveOfficeBuildingandtheSmithsonian.Butwhatitlackedinmodernaesthetics,orthe
practicalitiesofstate-of-the-artinternaldatanetworking,itmorethanmadeupforinproximitytothe
onebuildingintownthatmattered.Theonewiththeaddress1600PennsylvaniaAvenue.

Theofficeshousedtheyoungestofthepresident’scabinetdepartments.Butthereasonbothforits

importanceandforitsbeingtreatedasabastardstepchildcouldbefoundontheofficialidentification
plaqueoutfront:unitedstatesdepartmentofmutantaffairs.Asusual,despitetheconstantsurveillance
ofCCTVcamerasandpatrolsbytheDCmetropoliceandfederalsecurity,someonehadstillmanaged
totagthesignduringthenight,usingspraypainttocoverAffairswiththewordAbominations.

Thethird-floorfrontsuite,withaviewoftheWhiteHouse,belongedtothesecretary.AliciaVargas

—formerSecretServicebodyguardtothepreviouspresident,nowemployedbyDOMAasunofficial
bodyguardandthoroughlyofficialexecutiveassistanttothesecretary—strodedowntheelegantwood
hallwayand,withaproformaknock,openedthedoortoherboss’soffice.

Theroomwasexquisitelyfurnished;whateverelseyoucouldsayaboutHenryMcCoy,DSC,PhD,he

hadexcellenttaste.Atthemoment,hewasalsohangingupsidedownfromthesuitablyreinforced
chandelier,thoroughlyenjoyingthelatestissueoftheEconomist.

Aliciawasalovelywoman,thekindyou’dexpecttobechairingaPTAmeeting,witharemarkable

knackforblendingintoacrowd.Shewasasprofessionallyturnedoutasherboss,althoughhersuit,
whileaqualitydesign,wasoff-the-rack,andhiswhollybespokeSavileRow.Themajordifferencewas
thatherswascuttohidetheSIGSauerautomaticshestillworeinabeltholster,whilehissuitwasbuilt
aroundasix-foot,nearlythree-hundred-pound,immenselyathleticbodycompletelycoveredinrichblue
fur.

Hehadfangs,too—amouthful.Andclawsthatbecamequiteevidentwhenheneglectedtokeephis

nailsproperlytrimmed.Hehadaleoninemaneofhairwhichwasadiscerniblydarkerhuethanhis
body,sweptelegantlybackfromadramaticwidow’speak,aswellassweepingsidewhiskersthatbore
anuncannyresemblancetooneofthemajorvillainsofaworld-famouscomicbook.Hecouldbench
presstwicehisbodyweightwithouttrying,hadreflexesthatwerealmostamatchforAlicia’s—because
shewasamutanttoo,justnotquitesoobviousamanifestation,thankGod—andagilitythatcouldsend
themostmadcapofmonkeysbacktoschool.Hewas,infact,everythingimpliedbythenicknamehe’d
beengivenbackincollege—theBeast.

McCoycouldalsospeakascoreoflanguagesfluently,wasoneofthemorerespectedgenetic

anthropologistsontheplanet,ademondancer,andapparentlyanevenbetterlover.Heenjoyedfine
wineswithhisbrother,theJungianpsychiatrist,preferredcookingtoeatingoutbecausehewasabetter
chefthanmostprofessionals,andhadanunfortunateweaknessforkaraokebars.Hisspeakingvoice
waswonderful,buthissingingtendedtorecallcatscongregatingonabackyardfence.

WhatendearedhimmosttoAlicia,however,wasthefactthatheneededreadingglasses.Heworea

classicpair,perchedonhisratherdramaticnose.

McCoyraisedaneyebrowoverthespineofthemagazineasshesnaredhisjacketoffthebackofhis

chair.

“TheWhiteHousecalled,”shetoldhim.“They’vemovedupthemeeting.Somethingtodowith

BolivarTrask.”

“Hmnh”wasHank’sonlycommentasheflippedthroughacrisp,confinedsomersaulttolandonthe

floorwithfelinegrace.Hefrownedasheslippedonhisshoes—Aliciawastheonlyonewhoeversaw
thosereactions,theonlyonehetrulytrusted—he’dmuchprefertogobarefoot.Hisfeetweredesigned
forit,notforbeingstrappedin.Butpeoplewerespookedenoughbyhisappearanceasitwas;dressing
respectablywasthefirst,big—necessary—steptowardswinningtheirtolerance,ifnottheiracceptance.

“Yourcar’swaitingdownstairs,”shetoldhimashedonnedhisjacket,takingamomentfortheir

usualexitritualasshesmoothedthesuitacrosshisshouldersandstraightenedhistie.

Then,twitchingherownsuitjackettomakesurehergunwasinreadyreach,shefollowedhimout

thedoor.

AnothersurpriseawaitedHankandAliciawhentheycheckedinattheWhiteHouse:themeeting

originallyscheduledfortheOvalOfficehadbeenmoveddownstairstotheSituationRoom.Itwasa
smallandselectmeeting:thepresident,hisnationalsecurityadvisor,thedirectoroftheFBI,apairof
uniforms,onerepresentingtheJointChiefs,theothertheNationalSecurityCouncil,andthesecretary
ofHomelandSecurity,BolivarTrask.

BigasHankwas,Traskmatchedhimineverydimension,tallandbroadandradiatingtheimpression

thatheremainedaspowerfulanddangerousnowashewasinhisyouth.He’dcomeoutofDetroit,
servedacareerinArmySpecialOpsbeforeconfoundingeveryonewhenheturnedinhispapersand
builtanewlifeforhimselfindisastermanagement.Traskhadbarelymadeitoutofhighschool,yet
overthecourseofhistwocareershehadamassedmorepracticalknowledgethanaroomfulofcertified
academics,possessinganeclecticmixofstreetsmartsandon-the-jobtraining.Hewasabrilliant
manager,asgiftedinthemilitaryanddefenseaspectsofhisdepartmentasthecivil,andseemedsoundly
determinedtoprotectthecountrybothfromnaturaldisastersandterroristthreats.

“SorryI’mlate,Mr.President,”Hankapologized,ashestrodeintothedarkenedroom.Display

screenswerealreadyactive,fillingthewallatthefarendoftheroom,whereeveryoneatthetablecould
easilyseethem.

PresidentDavidCockrumindicatedtheopenchairtohisleft.“Haveaseat,Henry.Sorryforcatching

youshort,butthingshavebeenhappening.”

TrasksatoppositeMcCoy,atthepresident’srighthand.Fromeveryone’sbodylanguage,McCoy

knewthiswasBolivar’sbriefing.

“HomelandSecuritywastrackingMagneto…”
Withthatcue,surveillanceimagesappearedonthedisplaywall,showingatallandhandsomemanof

naturallyaristocraticbearing.Sometimeintherecentpast,hemusthavegrownabeard,neatlytrimmed
ofcourse,whichgavehimtheairofaShakespeareanwarriorkinginexile.Alioninwinter,McCoy
thought,withapangofregretatthepromiseofbrighter,youngerdays,andallthatmighthavebeen.

Traskwasspeaking,usingalaserpointertohighlighthisbulletpointswiththeappropriateimage:

“HomelandSecurityhasbeencoordinatingwithalltherelevantalphabetagencies—CIA,NSA,DIA—
plustheircounterpartsoverseas.Asyoucansee,wegothitsonhiminLisbon,Geneva,Montreal.
NavSatlosthimcrossingtheborder.Butwedidgetaconsolationprize…”

Differentscreennow,thebiggestinthearray,withacrawlatthebottomtoinformeveryonethatthey

werewatchingreal-timestreamingvideo.Thesettingwasobviouslyaninterrogationroomofsomesort,
withadouble-doorsecurityairlockanddouble-panedobservationglass,suggestingsomethingmore
appropriatetoabiohazardcontainmentfacilitythanastandardlockup.Thereweretwofiguresinview,
interrogatorandprisoner.Noguards—thatcouldbeseen.

Theobjectofallthisattentionloungedinachairasthoughsheownedtheplace,andhadn’tacarein

theworld.Shewasnakedandflauntedaperfectbodyasproudlyasanyotherwomanwouldanew
designergown.HerskinwasasblueasMcCoy’sfur,herhairthecolorofblood,sweptstraightback
fromherforeheadandfacetoendinanimpossiblyprecisebluntcutatthebaseofherneck.Herbody
wasdecoratedwithridges,downthearms,thebreastsandbellyandgroin,withascatteringalongher
legs.Hankhadalwaysbeencuriouswhethertheyweredecorativeorhadsomefunctionalvalue,andthe
scientistinhissoulwondered,Howhardwoulditbetogetacellsample?Hereyeswereagleaming
chromeyellow,thesamevibranthuethatvanGoghtriedtocaptureinhispaintingsaroundthetownof
Arles:theflowercalledrape.Theyglowedinthedark,Hankknew,whentherestofherbecame

effectivelyinvisible.Thewaytheyflickedfromcameratocamera,thewaysheallowedherselfthe
smallestofsmiles,toldHankthatthewomanknewshewasbeingbroadcast,andprobablywhowas
watching.

ShecalledherselfMystique.She’dbeenbyMagneto’ssideforalmostaslongashehadbeenin

activeoppositiontoCharlesXavier.Noonehadeverbeenabletofathomtheprecisenatureoftheir
relationship,beyondtheobviousfactthatshewasutterlydevotedtohimandtohiscause,andthat
Magnetocaredforherashedidforfewothersinhislife,pastorpresent.

Shewasametamorph,ashape-changerabletotransformherselfwithathoughtintoanyotherhuman

formshepleased.Whattheywereviewingnowwassupposedlyherdefaultform;itwascertainlythe
skinshewasmostcomfortablewearing,theoneshealwaysreturnedto.

Themainscreenwascomplementedbyanarrayoflesserdisplaywindows,showingdifferent

perspectivesonthescene.Lookingattheoneaimedathereyes,McCoycouldn’tshakethesensethat
shewaslookingrightbackathimthroughthelens.Thatshecouldactuallyseehim.

Withaninnerwrench,heturnedhisattentionbacktoTrask,whowasstillspeaking.
“WepickedherupbreakingintotheFDA,ofallplaces.”
“Doyouknowwhoshewasimitating?”thepresidentaskedinanasidetoHank.“SecretaryTrask.”
Thatmusthavebeenasighttobehold,Hankthought,andalmostasifhe’dheardthecommentaloud,

Traskcuedanarchivalshotofthesceneinquestion,showingMystiquebefore,andthenrightafter,the
takedown.Hanklookedfromthemanhimselftothescreenandbackagain—asdideveryoneelse
present.Thematchwasflawless.

“Yes,sir,”Hanktoldthepresident.“Shecandothat.”
“Notanymore,shecan’t,”Trasksaidwithpardonablesatisfaction.Smartasshemayhavebeen—and

thatreputationwasaswell-deservedasitwasformidable—hehadfoundawaytonailher:“Wegot
her.”

“Youthinkyourwallscanholdher,Bolivar?”
“Wehavesomenewwalls,Henry,”camethereply,withthehintofanedge.Trask’stoneindicated

thathethoughtHank’squestionwasutterlyfoolish.Whatwasthepointoftakingthewomanifyou
didn’thaveameanstokeepher?“We’llbeastepaheadthistime.”

HankwasabouttopresshimonthatpointwhenTraskgesturedwithhisremoteandaddedsoundto

thestreamingvideofromtheinterrogationroom.

“Raven,”theagentwithhersaidsoftly,andwasignored.
“Raven,”herepeated,“I’mtalkingtoyou.”
Sheflickedhereyesdismissively.“Idon’tanswertomyslavename.”
“It’sonyourbirthcertificate,RavenDarkhölme.Orhasheconvincedyouthatyoudon’thavea

familyanymore?”

Nooneneededtobetoldwhich“he”wasbeingreferredto,butthequestiondidprovokearesponse.

Mystiqueswungaroundinherchairtofacetheagent.Herlookpromisedmayhem.Theinterrogator
tookitinstride.

“Myfamilytriedtokillme,youpatheticmeat-sack.”
“Sonowhe’syourfamily?”
Shesniffed,haughtyasaqueen,andhalfturnedaway,strikingaglamourposethatflauntedherbody

tohimandtothecameras.

McCoyheardamutterfromdownthetable:“MyGod,it’slikewatchingcable!”
Theinterrogator’stonehardened.
“Areyouplayinggameswithme?”
Shegavetheagentasmileasovertlysexyasherpose,andthenmorphedintoamirrorimageofhim.
“Whatmakesyousaythat?”

“Isitworthit,allthis,toprotecthim?”
“Youreallywanttoknowwhereheis?”Hedidn’tneedtoreply.Hedidn’thaveto,theanswerwent

withoutsaying.“Allrightthen,I’lltellyou…”

Sheleanedforward.Invitingtheinterrogatortomeetherhalfway.
Hank’seyesflickedawarningtoTrask.Bothmenwereonthesamewavelength.Thiswastoosoon,

tooeasy,waytoogoodtobetrue.Traskalreadyhadaphoneinhand,adirectlinetotheholdingcell,
buthenevergotthechancetowarnhim.

EvenasHankheardtheringingphonethroughthemaindisplay,Mystiquestruck,grabbingthe

interrogatorbytheearsanddeliveringavicioushead-buttthatwouldhavehiminthehospitalforthe
betterpartofaweekwithawickedconcussion.

Nowthepreviouslyunseenguardsmadetheirentrance,hardandfastandinnomoodtoplay.Their

adversarywasfasterthantheywere,strongeraswell,likelymoreskilledinthemartialarts.She’d
slippedherselffreeofeveryrestraint,makingherhandsmomentarilybonelesssothatthey’dslidloose
fromhercuffs.Buttheroomwastoosmallandsuddenlyfilledwall-to-wallwithmuscle.Shehadno
roomtomaneuver,andwhenshetriedmorphingintooneofthemHanksawthatthey’dbeenbiotagged.
Externalsurveillancesystemstoldtheteamoutsidewhowaswhosothattheyalwaysknewwhotohit.

Itwasagallant,desperatestrugglethatremindedHanktoomuchofawildanimalbeingcaged.Itwas

doomedfromthestartandquicklyover.

Traskshutoffthefeed.
“Onedown,”hesaidquietly,“onetogo.”
Hankstaredathim.“YouknowhercapturewillonlyprovokeMagneto.”
“So?Doweforgothecaptureofterroristlieutenantsbecausewe’rescaredoftheirboss?Ifthat’sour

policy,whydon’twejusthandoverthecountrytohimandbedonewithit?”

Traskgesturedtothescreen.
“Henry,berealhere.Youseewhatwe’redealingwith.”
“Allthemorereasontobediplomatic.”
“Youexpectmetonegotiatewiththesepeople?”askedthepresidentpointedly.
Hank’sfirstreactionwasathankfullyunspokenthought:Andwhatpeoplepreciselywouldyoube

referringto,sir?The“terrorist”mutantsormutantsingeneral?

Aloud,hechosetofollowhisownadviceandspeakdiplomatically:“Allduerespect,sir,Ithought

that’swhyyouappointedme.”

Hankshookhishead,realizingfromthelookonthepresident’sfaceandthewaytheotherman’seyes

shiftedeversoslightlythatthevenueforthismeetinghadn’tbeenanylast-minutechange,norhadits
earlierstart.

“Thisisn’twhyyoucalledmehere,isit,sir?”
Thepresidentshookhishead.“No,”hesaid,histoneconveyingwhatwassurelymeanttosoundlike

asincereandheartfeltapology.HeslidafiletowardsMcCoy.

“Thisiswhatshewasafter.”
Hankusedaritualwithhisglassestoregainhisinnercomposure:heremovedthebifocals,puffedon

thelenses,wipingthemclearonthethickandluxuriousfurprotrudingfromhiscuffs.

Whenhewasdonereading,whentheaxisoftheEarthhadfinishedshiftingbeneathhim,hedidn’t

knowwhetherhefeltrageorterror,butassumeditwasadecentmeasureofboth.Hepressedhishands
together,restinghisfaceagainstthem,likeamanassuminganattitudeofprayer,determinednotto
allowthemtotrembleandhopinghisvoicewouldn’tbetrayhimwhenhespoke.

“Isitviable?”heasked.
“Webelieveitis,yes.”
“Doyouhaveanyideaofthelevelofimpactthiswillhaveonthemutantcommunity?”

Thepresidentnodded,choosinghiswordsverycarefully.
“Yes,Ido.That’spreciselywhyweneedsomeofyour‘diplomacy’now.”
Hankclosedhiseyes,hisinnerchildhopingagainsthopethatthiswasmerelysomewildflightof

fancy,andthatwhenheopenedthemagainhe’dbebackinhisoldroomatXavier’s,youngand
carefree,withnothoughtsforthedayaheadotherthancharmingthedaylightsoutofJeanandteaching
Ororohowtoslow-dance.

Andthencameadarkerimage,ofamoviehe’dwatchedfartoooften,onetocomplementthebooks

andfileshe’dcommittedtomemorywhileresearchinghisfirstdoctoralthesis,whichhadn’tbeenon
medicineofanykind,buthistory.In1942,there’dbeenaconferenceinWannseeVilla,aresortoutside
Berlin,chairedbyReinhardHeydrich,who’dgodowninhistoryas“HangmanHeydrich”(hisfellow
Naziscalledhim“theBlondButcher”).HewasthenDeputyReichsführer,ahandsome,powerfully
commandingpresencewhoeveryoneassumedwouldclaimtheleadershipoftheThirdReichifand
whenHitlerpassedfromthescene.He’dgatheredthetopbureaucratsintheReich,fromallthekey
departmentsofstate,andinameetingthatlastedninetyminutes,they’dresolvedthe“Jewishquestion”
inEurope.Intermsbothbarbaricintheirracialvirulenceanddamnablychillingintheirinstitutional
banality,thesemensignedthedeathwarrantofmillions.

Oneortwoamongthemweren’tcomfortablewiththeidea,onemayhavevaguelyconsidered

opposingit,butintheendthevotewasunanimous.Thechoicewasstarkandterrible:consigntheJews
totheirfate,orshareit.

ApartofHankknewtherewasnocomparisonbetweenthatroomandthis.Noneofthemenand

womenaroundthistableconsideredthemselvesbigots,ormonsters—ifanything,fartoomanypeople
stillconsideredthelikesofHankthetruemonsters—butneitherthendidthemenatWannsee.They
weresimplytryingtodealonceandforallwithaperceivedthreattothesurvivaloftheircountry,their
culture,theirrace.

Andforthefirsttimeinhisadultlife,hefoundhimselffacingwhathadpreviouslybeenutterly

unthinkable,alientoeverythinghe’dbeentaughtandbelieved—thatMagneto,who’dbeenavictimof
thedecisionmadethatdayatWannsee,who’dgrowntomanhoodinthemostterribleofthosedeath
camps,Auschwitz,mightactuallyberight.

“Powercorrupts,”CharlesXaviertoldhisethicsclass,“andabsolutepowercorruptsabsolutely.This

isalessoneveryoneofusmustlearnandlive.Why?Becausewearemutants.

“Willitbeforthegreatergood,”hecontinued,“orpersonal,destructive,andtyrannical?Thisisa

questionwemustallaskourselves.Why?Becausewearemutants.”

Kittyansweredhimwithasighandbrieflyconsideredrelaxingherholdonherpower,justfora

heartbeat,herphasedformremainingatrestwhiletheEarthcontinuedmerrilyspinningonitsaxis.Just
thatlittleburstwouldputheroutsidethebuilding.Ifsheheldherbreathforacoupleofminutes,she
couldbemilesaway.

Itwastempting,butitwouldbewrong.Likeitornot,responsibilityhadbecomehersecondnature.

ShehadXaviertothankforthat.

“Riiight,”sheagreed.“Powercorruptsandabsolutepowercorruptsabsolutely.”
Xaviershookhishead.Hedidn’tlikeitwhenshewasintellectuallylazy.
“Kitty,that’snotanargument,it’saclichéandageneralization.Andlikeallgeneralizations,it’sonly

partlytrue.Unfortunately,students”—heexpandedthecolloquytoembracetheentireclass—“thereare

noabsoluteswhenitcomestoquestionsofethics.Forpsychics,suchasmyself…”Ashesaidthis,Kitty
felthisthoughtsjumpintohermind:andaswellforthosewhocanwalkthroughwalls.Shegotthe
message,sittingstraightupwhilehercheeksflushedtomatoscarlet,pursingherlipsinembarrassment
atbeingbusted.Xaviercontinued,“…thispresentsaparticularproblem.Whenisitacceptabletouse
ourpowersandwhendowecrossthatinvisiblelinethatturnsusintotyrantsoverourfellowmen?”

“Professor,”Kittycountered,seizingtheopeningwithaquestionthatwasactuallypertinent,yetalso

justthatfaintestbitnaughty,“ifthelineisinvisible,howdoweknowwhenwe’vecrossedit?”

Someoftheothersgrinned,andevenXavierpermittedhimselfanitsy-bitsyquirkofthelipsthat

mightbeinterpretedasasmile.Hisgameofchoicehadalwaysbeenchess,butKitty’swastennis,and
sheservedtowin.

Behindtheprofessor,aflat-screendisplayrevealedahospitalroom,togetherwithalegendthat

identifiedthesourceastheMuirIsleResearchFacility,Scotland.Itwasanisolationcubicle,marked
withtheinternationalbiohazardtrefoilandanMstampedinthemiddletoindicatemutantbiohazard.A
manlayonthesinglebed,clearlynotinthebestofhealth.Besidehimstoodawoman,Dr.Moira
MacTaggart,oldfriendofXavier’s,aformerlover,andpartnerinmanyofhiscurrentresearches.

“Thiscasewasforwardedtomebyacolleague,Dr.MacTaggart.”
Everyonetooknotes.Kittycouldn’thelpsneakinganenviouspeekoveratWeezie,whowasmerely

runningapairoffingertipsalongeachlineofhernotebookpage.Intheirwake,everywordXavier
spokewastranscribedautomaticallyfromhereartothepage.Althoughitseemedtobegoingsmoothly
now,itwasn’talwaysaseasyasthat;whenshegotdistracted,Weezie’stranscriptionpowertappedinto
herthoughtsandhernotesbecameastream-of-consciousnessexercisethatputJoyce’sFinnegansWake
toshame.Then,ofcourse,itwasallhandstotherescueamongherbestfriendsatschool,Kitty
included,totrytoseparateoutwhatwassupposedtobethere.Thismorning,though,shelookedtotally
ontrack.

Dr.MacTaggartwasspeaking,thescreenobliginglyprovidingsubtitlesforthosewhofoundher

Highlandaccentabithardtofathom.

“Themanyouseehere,”shesaid,indicatingherpatient,“wasbornwithnohigher-levelbrain

functions.Hisorgansandnervoussystemfunctionnormally,buthehasnoconsciousnesstospeakof.
Thathasbeenconfirmedbothbythemostcomprehensivemedicalscansavailabletous,andtelepathic
examinationaswell.”

Xavierpausedthetransmission.
“Whatif,”heaskedtheclass,“wecouldtransfertheconsciousnessofoneperson,sayafatheroffour

withterminalcancer,intothebodyofthisman?”

Kittycouldn’thelpmuttering,“SoundslikesomeonewantstoplayGod.”
Weeziegiggled.
Xavierignoredthemboth.
“Howareweto…”
Hepaused,lookingofftothesideforjustamoment,thentriedtomoveon.
“Howarewetodecidewhatiswithintherangeofethicalbehaviorandwhatis…”
Hisvoicetrailedoffandthistimehewasn’ttheonlypersontolookoutthewindow.Whenclass

beganithadbeenabright,sunnyafternoon;nowitwascompletelyovercast,darkwithcloudsthatwere
growingthickerandangrierbythemoment.

“We’llcontinuetomorrow,”Xavierannouncedsuddenly,tothesurpriseofveryfew.Youdidn’thave

tobeastudentatXavier’sverylongtofigureoutwhatmomentslikethiswereallabout.“Classis
dismissed.”

Charlestriedreachinghertelepathicallyasherolledhiswheelchairthroughthehalls,butaswas

usuallythecasewhenherpowerswerethisactive,therewassomuchchargedelectricalenergycoursing
throughhersystemthatitcoatedhermindwithasleetstormofpsychicstatic.Eventhefleetingcontact
necessarytodetermineherlocationthreatenedanastyheadache.

Bythetimehelefttheshelterofthedoorway,windwaswhippingenthusiasticallyacrosstheGreat

Lawnandthescatteredfiguresofstudentswereracingforcover.Hecouldtastetheozoneintheair;it
madehisskincrawl.

Thecauseofthesuddenweatherchangestoodalone,staringoffoverthetrees,solostinthoughtshe

hadnoideawhatwashappeningaroundher.

“Ororo,”Xaviercalledquietly,whenhe’dapproachedcloseenoughforhertohearhimandnotbe

startled.TakingStormbysurpriseatmomentslikethis,heriskedacloseencounterwithoneofher
lightningbolts.Notahappyexperience.“Theforecastwasforsunnyskies.”

Sheblinked,pullingbacktoherself,reintegratingbothhalvesofhermind.Stormglancedupwards,

hershoulderstwitchingwiththesuddenrealizationofwhatshe’dunwittinglydone.

“Oh,”shesaid,andthen,underneathherbreath,“Shit.”Andfinally,“I’msorry.”
Sheturnedtofacehim,acourtesy,acknowledgmentthatmovementwasn’teasyforhim.Hereyes

hadturnedassilverasherhair,nosignofirisorpupil,indicatingthatherpowerwasunderheractive
control.

Assmoothlyasithadarrived,butfarmorequickly,thesupercellabovethemansionwentaway,

restoringthelovelydaythathadbeenbefore.

“Ineedn’tbeapsychictoseethatsomething’sbotheringyou,”hesaid.
Therewasastonebenchnearby,andshesatdownsotheycouldconversemoreasequals.
“InthevillagewhereIgrewup,”shesaid,referringtothewildsofnorthernKenya,amongtheMasai,

althoughOroroherselfwasnopartofthattribe,“whendroughtswereattheirworst,Ibroughttherain.
Mypowerswereseenasagift.”

“AsIremember,theywereworshipped.”
Therewasmuchleftunsaidbetweenthem,althoughCharlesknewthestory.Ororo’dhadnooneto

teachher,andshe’dlearnedtheuseandextent—andtheprice—ofherabilitiesthehardway,withthe
tollexactedontheverypeopleshesoughttohelp.She’dhadtolearnthroughexperiencethatwhenshe
generatedraininoneplace,sherantheriskoftakingitfromsomewhereelse;adroughteasilyended
mightasaconsequencetriggeroneelsewhere,andultimatelydofarmoreharmthangood.Suchaharsh
lessonforsuchayoungchild!

“Yes,theywere.”Unspoken:andsowasI.“Andyet,here,Charles,inwhatcallsitselfthemost

advancedandenlightenedsocietyontheplanet,‘homeofthebrave,landofthefree’”—she’dclearly
reversedtheorderdeliberately—“wekeepourgiftsasecret.”

“Whydon’twegoinside?”Xaviersuggested.
Shenodded,stoodandfollowed,andbothofthemnoticed—faroffinthedistance—thefaintest

rippleofthunderacrossaclearandcloudlesssky.

“Magneto’safugitive,”shesaidastheycrossedthethresholdintothemainfoyer.“Wehaveamutant

inthecabinet,apresidentwhocampaignedonmutantunderstandingandtolerance—sowhyarewestill
hiding?”

“Wearenothiding.”
“Professor,”Ororoobjected,“welivebehindstonewalls,wekeepourtrueidentitiesasecret!”
“Asaprecaution,Ororo.Ihavetoprotectmystudents.”Unspoken,reflexive,cameanotherthought

fromOroro:“Protectthem”fromwhat?Whymustwebesoafraid?“Youknowthat.”

Shelookedatacoupleofpassingstudents,thenbackathermentorandfriend.
“Charles,”shesaid,“wecan’tbestudentsforever.”Wehavetolearn—wehavetobetrusted—to

protectourselves.

“Ororo,Ihaven’tthoughtofyouasmy‘student’foryears.Infact…”
Theyreachedhisoffice.
“…I’vebeenconsideringthatyoumighttakemyplacesomeday.”

Stormwonderedifshehadheardhimcorrectly.
“ButIthoughtScott…”
Xaviershookhishead.“ScotthastakenJean’sdeathsohard.”Histhoughtsnowcamethroughto

Ororoasplainasifhewerespeakingaloud:Somearetemperedbyadversity,othersarebroken,no
matterhowmuchwemaywishotherwise.Timehasnothealedthiswound.Despiteallourefforts,it’sas
thoughScotthimselfhaddiedwithher.

“AsforLogan”—andtheybothsmiled,simpaticoinboththeiraffectionforthemanandtheirmutual

awarenessofhisshortcomings—“well,Loganisaloner.Hehasneitherinterestnorrealaptitude,notfor
this.”

Havingnothingtosay,Ororokeptsilent.
“Thingsarebetteroutthere,Ororo—andcertainlymuchbetterbyfarinAmericathaninotherparts

oftheglobe.Butyouofallpeopleshouldknowhowfasttheweatherchanges.”Heofferedaplayful
grinandsurprisedherwithhisnextcomment.“What’sthatMelBrooksline,fromTheTwelveChairs?
‘Hopeforthebest,expecttheworst.’”

She’dsharedpopcornandwinewithhimandHankMcCoyandScottandJean,watchingthose

classiccomedies,andhaddamnnearsplithersideswithlaughter.Shecompletedthecouplet:“‘You
maybeTolstoy,orFannyHurst.’”

Then,moreseriously,respondingtotheundertonebeneaththebanter,“Charles,youknowsomething

you’renottelling.”

Heopenedthedoorandshefoundtheanswerrisingfromoneofthebig,comfychairsinfrontofthe

desk.

“Hank,”shesaidingreeting,followingXavierintotheroom.
“Ororo,”McCoyreplied.
Thehugshegavehimmatchedherstrengthtohisandwasfilledwithveryrealaffectionfromthem

both.Itwaslikesnugglingwithalion,andshegrinnedwide,wonderingifheknewhowmanygirlsat
theschoolwovetheirfantasiesaroundhissilkencoatandromanticheromanner.Notfornothingwere
DVDsofBeautyandtheBeastamongthemostpopularinthelibrary.

Shegavehissidewhiskersatug:“Ijustlovewhatyou’vedonewithyourhair.”
Hegavehersaflick.“Youtoo—whatthereisofit.”Whatoncehadfallenmostofthewaydownher

backnowbarelytouchedhershoulders,andshewasconsideringcuttingitbackfartherstill.Seasons
change,socouldshe.

HankandXaviershookhands,andOroro’seyesweredrawntooneofthephotosonthewall,ofthe

originalclassofstudents.Shecouldn’thelpnoticingthesightofherselfsittingsostiffandformal
besideagirlwhosehairlookedlikeithadbeendippedinblood-huedflame.JeaninherGothphase,
whichhadlastedbarelyasemesterbeforeshegotbored;shegotboredsoeasilybackthen,Ororo
remembered.Shewassodesperatelyhungrytolearn—theyallwere.Knowtheworldasthekeyto
knowingthyself.Hadtheyevertrulybeenthatyoung?Andwhatcouldhavepossessedthemtowear
thosedreadfulcostumesinpublic?Thingwas,andthisshehadtoadmittoherself,backthenthey
consideredthemtheheightofcool.Newmillennium,newattitudes,somethingelsethathadchanged.

“Thankyouforseeingmeonsuchshortnotice,Charles,”McCoytoldhismentor.
“You’realwayswelcomehere,Henry.You’reapartofthisplace,asmuchasanyone.”

“Ihavesomenews.”Thiswasn’tasocialcall.
“Erik?”Xavierasked,obviouslyfearingtheworst.
Itwastherightimpulse,justinthewrongdirection.Andagain,Ororothought:Everythingchanges.
“No”—McCoyshookhisgreat,shaggyhead—“althoughwe’remakingprogressonthatfront.

Actually,Mystiquewasapprehendedlastweek.”

“Theycaughther?”Hesoundedsocertain,butOrorohadherdoubts.
Xaviertookhimathisword:“Thequestionis,howwilltheykeepher?”
“Forthemoment,that’sBolivarTrask’sproblem,thankGod,”Hanksaid.“I—”
“Who’sthefurball?”challengedanewarrival,fromthedoorway.
McCoybristled.Stormknewhehadn’tbeenfondofthenicknamewhenhewasastudenthere.But

he’dalsolearnedmanners.“HenryMcCoy.SecretaryofMutantAffairs.”

“Right,”Loganacknowledged,“thesecretary.”ThewayhesaidHank’stitle,itwasn’tacompliment.

“Nicesuit.”

Hankheldouthishand.Loganignoredit.Xaviersighed,mainlytohimself.Notagreatbeginning.
Xaviersaid:“Hank,Loganis—”
“TheWolverine,”Hankacknowledged.“Ireadthefile.”ToLogandirectly,“Ihearyou’requitethe

animal.”

Logansniffed.“Lookwho’stalking.”
Ororowasdonewatchingthisdisplayoftestosterone.SheaddressedXavier:“Magneto’snotgoingto

behappyaboutMystique.”

“Hopeyourprisonhasplasticscrews,”offeredLogan.
“Magnetoisn’ttheproblem,”Hanktoldthem.“Atleast,notourmostpressingone.”
Hehadtheirattention.
“Amajorpharmaceuticalcompanyhasdevelopeda…mutantantibody.AwaytosuppresstheX-

gene.”

“‘Suppress’?”askedLoganafteraveryawkwardsilence.
Hanklookedathim.“Permanently.”Another,longer,silencewhiletheydigestedthenews.“They’re

callingita‘cure.’”

Logansnortedindisgust,whichtookcareofhisopinion.
Ororospokeup:“Thisiscrazy.Youcan’tcurebeingamutant.”
“Well,scientificallyspeaking—”Hankbegan,butsheallowedhimtogetnofurther.
“Sincewhenareweadisease?I’vebeencalledmanythingsinmylife,Henry,butadisease?”Raw

rageandcontemptlacedherwords.

“Ororo,”Xaviersaidquietly,andthen,whenshedidn’trespond,“Storm!”
Shelookedathim.
“It’sbeingannouncedrightnow.”

“They’vebeencalledsaintsandsinners,”announcedWarrenWorthingtonJr.totheassembledcrush

ofmedia.“They’vecommittedatrocitiesandbeenthevictimsofatrocitiesthemselves.”

HestoodhatlessagainstthestiffbreezeblowingintoSanFranciscoBaythroughtheGoldenGate,in

theshadowofthelong-decommissionedprisonofAlcatraz,withKavitaRao,bundledfarmoresnugly,
standingabitbehindhimonthedais.

“They’vebeenlabeledmonsters,andnotwithoutreason,”WorthingtonJr.wenton.“Buttheseso-

calledmonstersarepeoplejustlikeus.Theyareourfathersandmothers,ourbrothersandsisters—they
are,”andhere,justforthebriefestinstantthatonlyKavitanoticed,hisvoicecaught,“ourchildren.
Theirafflictionisnothingmorethanadisease.Acorruptionofhealthycellularactivity.Finally,thereis
hope.Awaytoeradicatetheirsufferingandthesufferingofthosewholovethem.”

HeheldupaslideofaDNAhelixinonehand.Andintheother,aphotoofKavita’slong-time

patient,youngJimmy.

“Afewyearsago,wefoundamutantwiththemostextraordinaryability—torepress,andeven

reverse,thepowersofthoseothermutantswhocameclosetohim.Now,aftermuchresearchand
experimentation,we’vefoundthemeansforallmutantstoget‘close’tohim.”

Hesetdownthephotosandheldupavial.Hepausedwhilethecrowdbeforehimeruptedin

flashbulbs.Hedidn’tneedhismediaadvisorscreamingthroughhisearbugtoknowthatwiththose
words,everynewschannelonthespectrumhadjustgonelivetothispressconference.Hewasn’tjusta
soundbiteontheeveningnewsanylonger,hewasspeakingtothewholeworld.

Amongthem,PresidentCockrum,watchingwithBolivarTraskandothersofhiskeystaffintheOval

Office.

“Thissite,”Worthingtonwassaying,“whichwasoncetheworld’smostfamousprison,willnowbe

thesourceoffreedomformutantseverywhere.”

Amongthem,thestudentsoftheXavierInstitute,gatheredincommonroomsthroughoutthegreat

mansion.

“Ladiesandgentlemen,”Worthingtonconcluded,“Iproudlypresenttheanswertomutation.Finally,

wehaveacure!”

Rogueletoutherbreath,unawarethatshe’dbeenholdingitallthiswhile,trollinghergazeoverthe

assemblageofstudents,notinghowfolksweresitting,whattheywerewearing.Shewascoveredhead
totoe,afactoflifeforagirlwhocouldstealmemoriesandliveswiththeslightestaccidentaltouch.
Shelickedherlips,rememberingamomentlikeithadjusthappened,thetasteofBobbyDrakewhen
she’dkissedhim,thedelightshe’dfoundwhenherbreathpuffedcoldjustlikehis.Thattastehadn’t
beenenough,andthey’dtriedagain—hepromisingitwouldbeallright,assuringherhewasn’tscared,
shewantingtobelieve,certainitwouldendbadly.Shewastheoneprovenright.

HereyeswenttotheTV,whichhadcuttoatalkingheadrecappingtheannouncementwhilethey

rustleduplearnedcommentators,promisinganin-depthinteriewandanalysiswithauthorLaurie
Garrett.Then,Roguelookeddownatherhands,glovedasalways.Shemadeaface,glancedtowards
Soraya,sittingdemurelybythewindowinherburqa.AtleasttheAfghanigirlcoveredherselfupby
choice,asanarticleofherfaith.Roguewasstucklikethis,she’dthoughtforforever.

Butnow—andhereyesroseoncemoretothescreen—butnow…

Stormlookedreadytohitsomething,radiatingaviolentfurythatseemedtoimpressevenLogan,and

HankthoughtitwasprobablybecauseitremindedtheWolverineofhimself.

“Whowouldwantthiscure?Imean,whatkindofcowardwouldtakeit,justtofitin?”
Hankbristledeversoslightly.

“Iunderstandyourconcerns,Ororo.ForGod’ssake,that’swhyI’mhere!Butnotallofushavesuch

aneasytimeasothers‘fittingin.’”

Shelookedathim,andthepainthatshowedinhiseyeswhollybeliedthejokingwordsthatfollowed.
“Youdon’tshedonthefurniture.”
“I’msorry,”shesaid.“Ididn’tmeanitthatway—”
“Don’tapologize,”Logantoldher,soundingonesmallstepremovedfromasnarl.“Forallweknow,

thegovernmenthelpedcookthisup.Imean,let’sberationalforasecondandconsiderthecivilliberties
sideofthings.Doparentshavetherighttoimposethiscureontheirkids?Employersontheir
employees?Supposesomeonedecidesmutantsareapublicsafetyissueandsociety’sbetteroffwithout
’em?Orbetteryet,let’sturnthetables—ifyoucanmakeadrugtoerasethegene,how’boutoneto
createit?Youthoughtnukeswerescary,folks,howzaboutus?WhybombanarmywhenStormcan
drownit?Andwhatthen,thefedsdecide—forourown‘protection’—maybewebelongona
reservation,wherewe’reavailableifneededbutcanbekeptisolatedfromthegeneralpopulation?
Pandora’sboxhasnothingonthis.”

“Icanassureyou,”Hanksaidstiffly,defensively,becauseLogan’simpassionedargumentwalkedthe

samepathastoomanyrecent,increasinglyheated,conversationsbetweenhimselfandAliciaVargas,
himselfandhisownsoul,“thegovernmenthasnothingtodowiththis.”

Loganlookedathimpityingly:“I’veheardthatbefore,bub.”
“Myboy,”Hanksnapped,provokedpastcaringaboutpropriety,“I’vebeenfightingformutantrights

sincebeforeyouhadclaws!”

LoganlookedtoOroro.“Didhejustcallme‘boy’?”
“Enough.”Hankapparentlywasn’ttheonlyoneshortofpatience.Xavier’svoicewasharderand

flatterthanhe’deverheardbefore.“Allofyou.”

“Isittrue?”Roguesuddenlyaskedfromthedoorway.“Canthey…cureus?”

Allofthemexchangedlooks,butOrorowasthefirsttoanswer.“No,”shesaidflatly.Shestepped

towardsRogue,holdingoutherhands,offeringallherstrengthandcourage,sickwithfuryatthe
realizationthatitwouldn’tbeenough.“Theycan’t‘cure’us.D’youwanttoknowwhy,Marie?Because
there’snothingtocure.YoumightaswellcureMozartofwritingmusic,ordaVincioftheabilityto
makemachines,orEdison,orArchimedes,orShakespeare.”

ShetriedtotakeRogue’shands,buttheyounggirlpulledthemaway,flinching.
“Marie,”Ororosaid,inatonethatwouldnotbedenied.“Nothingiswrongwithyou.Oranyofus,

forthatmatter.Youunderstand?”

Shenodded,butOroroknewthatherwordshadfallenonrock.Rogueheard,butwouldnotlisten.
OroroturnedtoXavier,andthistimethethunderoutsidewasn’tshy.Itcameinaburstthatshookthe

houseliketheendoftheworld,andthesunnydaygavewaytorainthatfellintorrents.

Sheheldhisgazeandsaid,softly,“Guessyouwererightabouttheweather.”

Themeetingstartedbadlyandthenitwenttohell.
JackStoverheldthemikeandtriedtokeepatleastasemblanceoforder.Helookedlikeyourclassic

Harley-ridingoutlawbiker:long-haired,bushy-bearded;massiveinthebodywithabellythatwas,
surprisingly,mostlymusclespillingoverhisLevi’s;ablacksingletthatshowedoffatorsoandarms
crowdedwithmagnificentbodyart.Thosewho’dseenhimatthebeachkneweveryinchofhimwas
covered,exceptforhisfaceandhandsandfeet,makinghimValleSoleada’sveryown“Illustrated
Man.”Whatwasevenmoredelightfulwasthattheimagesalwayschanged,becausetheywere
constantlybeingrefreshedandplayedwithbyhiswife,alsoamutant,whosetalentwaspaintingon
flesh.

FolkshadgatheredattheoldSeaBreeze,ontheboardwalk,andemotionswererunninghot.
“…listentome,”Jackbellowedintohismike,makingfolkswinceashegeneratedawickedpulseof

feedback.“Listentome.”He’dhavebetterluckyellingatatyphoon,buthesomehowpersevered
regardless.“Thisisaboutgettingorganized,bringingourcomplaintstotherightpeople!TheDMA
won’ttakeusseriouslyif—”

Oneoftherazor-boysfromupontheHeightscutin,“TheDMAisbullshit!”
Jackignoredhim.“Weneedtoputtogetheracommitteeandtalktothegovernment!”
Someoneelseyelled,“Goddamnit,Jack,theywanttoexterminateus!”
Jacktriedagain.“Thecureisvoluntary,Louis.Nobody’stalkingaboutextermination.”
“Nooneevertalksaboutit.”
Therichandresonantvoicefilledthetheater,makingthosesixwordssoundlikeacalltoarms.
“Byallmeans,”Magnetocontinuedashestrodeintoviewonstage,followedbyayoungmanwho

tookapositionwherehecouldwatchthemucholderman’sback,andwhothenproceededtostart
flickingthelidofaZippolighteropenandshut,openandshut,likehewaschannelingapulpfiction
badguy.“Goaboutyourlives.Ignorethesignsallaroundyou.Andthen,oneday,whentheairisstill
andthelongnighthasfinallyfallen,theywillcomeforyou.Anditisonlythen—”

Jackknewwhohewas,andwhathecoulddo,probablywithlessthoughtthananyoneelsewould

taketosquashabug.Butthiswashistown,hisfamily,andhewaspreparedtostandupforthem,tothe
fedsifhehadto,andcertainlytotheworld’smostwantedmutantterrorist.

“Excuseme,”hesaid,“thisissupposedtobe—”
MagnetocutJackoffwithawarningsmile,andaddressedthehallasifhewastheonewho’d

summonedthem.

“Itisonlythen,”herepeated,withemphasis,“yourealizethatwhileyouweretalkingabout

organizingandcommittees,theexterminationhadalreadybegun.”

Jackwasabouttotryagaintoreclaimthefloor,whenaflickoftheigniterwheelsparkedaflame

fromhislighter,andagesturefromPyrointensifiedittoawhite-hotflame.

JackgotthemessageandallowedhiswifetodrawhimintotheshadowsasMagnetowenton.
“Makenomistake,mybrothers,theywilldrawfirstblood,theywillforcethiscureuponus.They

willstealawayourfuture!Theonlyquestionyoumustansweristhis:Whatsideareyouon?Whowill
youstandwith?Thehumans”—fromhim,thatsoundedlikethedirtiestofwords—“orwithus?”

“Youtalkprettytoughforaguyinacape.”
AlthoughJackdressedthepartofanoutlaw,Callistowastherealdeal,utterlyhard-core,anurban

legendfromthecatacombsofManhattantotheCalibackcountry.Shelivedinherleathers,andherskin
—likethatofthegangwhofollowedher—waspaintedwithartandaccentedwithpiercingsthatwould
makeanygangbangerworthyofthenameappearmodestbycomparison.Rumorhaditshe’dalmost
beenaffiliatedwithXavierbackintheday,thatshe’devenbeenresponsibleforthelossoftheuseof
hislegs,butthatwasaplacenobodywent,toherface.Notmorethanonce,anyway.Shekeptherpasta
privatething,andatpresentsheplacedherselfonthecuttingedgeofmutantrights.Ifanyonedidharm
toamutant,theymaybehadtoanswertoher.Afterall,theX-Mencouldn’tbeeverywhere.

Except,unliketheX-Men,therewasnomercyinher.
TheonlymarkallofherganghadincommonwastheGreekletteromegaontheirnecks,signifying

theendofthings.InthecaseofherMarauders,thatappliedtoanyonewhoactivelydidamutantharm
—inotherwords,itwouldbetheendofthem.

“You’resoproudofbeingamutant,oldman,where’syourmark?”
Shewasn’tabitafraidofhim.Pyro,notknowinganybetter,startedforward,onlytobeheldbackby

asignalfromMagneto.

“Ihavebeenmarkedonce,mydear,andletmeassureyou…”
Hewrencheduphissleeve,withaconvulsiveviolencethatspokevolumestothecrowdaboutthe

depthofhiswoundsandthehatredthatsprangfromthem,revealingthenumberetchedalonghis
forearm.

“…Proclaimyourloyaltiesasyouwill,noneedlewillevertouchmyskinagain.”
Callistoshrugged,notsoeasilyimpressedasotherspresent.
“Hey,”calledPyro,“youknowwhoyou’retalkingto?”
Thewitheringglarethatsheansweredhimwithmadeclearthatwhatevershemightthinkof

Magneto,hiscompaniondidn’trateanyhigherthanabugonherwindscreen.

“Iknowthatyoucancontrolfireandhecontrolsmetal.AndIknowbymycountthere’sahundred

sixty-fivemutantsintheroom,andnotaoneof’emaboveClassThree.Otherthanyoutwo.”And,
unspokenbutplain,herself.

“Soyouhavetalents.”Magnetosoundedintrigued.
“That,andmore.”
Magnetopressedon.“Youcansenseothermutants,andtheirpowers?”Callistonodded.Hewas

delighted,inhisrestrained,magisterialmanner,likehe’djustfoundamuch-desiredsurprisebeneaththe
Christmastree.“Alivingcerebro,blessmysoul,”hemuttered,mainlytohimself.“Howutterlyfoolish
ofyou,Charles,toletthisoneslipthroughyourfingers.”Andthen,sothatshecouldhear,“Couldyou
locateoneforme?”

“IfIwantedto,”sheanswered.
“Trustme,”Magnetoassuredher,“youwantto.”
Heturnedtoleave.Hedidn’taskforrecruits.Theonlyoneswhomatteredweretheoneswho

followedwithoutbeingasked.

Scotttravelledasfarashecouldbybike,andwenttherestofthewayonfoot.Hecouldn’tremember

whenhe’dlasthadadecentmeal,butheknewhehadn’tsleptanunhauntednightsinceJeandied.

AlkaliLakehadn’tchanged.Scotthadassumed—assubsequentrainfallandsnowmeltateawayat

whatremainedofthedam—thatthelakewouldbewellonitswaybacktoitsoriginalstateofbeing,a
wildanduntamedriver.ButFatewasn’tdonejoking.Turnedouttherewasasharpbendaboutamile
downstreamfromthedamthatformedanaturalchokepoint,preventingthewaterfromdraining
completely.Thelevelhaddroppedbymorethanhalfsincethebreach,buthadfinallyreachedakindof
equilibriumthatstilllefttheindustrialcomplexbeneaththedam’sfacesignificantlyunderwater.Worse,
theclearingwheretheBlackbirdtookoff,whereJeanhaddied,remainedlikewiseburied.

Helookedhaggard,hisleanfeaturesgaunt,ashestoodatthewater’sedge,staringatnothing.
Oncemore,heheardhercall.
“Stop,”hepleaded.“Stopit.”
Butshewouldn’t.
“Scott,”heheard,inthevoicesheonceusedtocallhimtobed,“please.Helpme!”
Thatwasthelaststraw.
Withacrytornfromthedeepestpartofhim—“Jean!”—Scotttoreoffhisvisorandopenedhiseyes

wide.

Scarletgloryeruptedthroughtheair,asthoughsomeonehadopenedawindowtothesurfaceofthe

sun,andrawconcussiveenergygougedamomentarytrenchdirectlytothebottomofthelake,parting
thewaterslikethehandsofGodthroughtheRedSea.Uncheckedforonce,whollyunrestrained,the
bolthammeredattherockalongtheoppositeshore,followingScott’slineofsightsothatwhenhisgaze
flickedtowardsoneoftheremainingtowersofthedam,theentirestructureshudderedwiththeinitial
impact,asthoughstruckbyacelestialbatteringram.Then,withbreathtakingsuddenness,itshattered,
notintorocksandbouldersbutpowder,allowingtheimplacablebeamtostrikethemountainsides
beyond.

Andthen,justlikethat,thebeamwasgone,andtheonlysignmarkingitspassagethroughthelake

wasthecrashofwaterfillingspace,coupledwiththeriseofvapor.

Scottcollapsedtohisknees,althougheventhen—spentandexhaustedashewas,inspiritandmind

andbody—hestillreflexivelygropedforhisglassesandsnuggedthembackintoplace.

Hewasdone.Hecouldn’tevencry,nottearsanyway.Wherevertheopticblastscamefrominsidehis

head,theyannihilatedhistearsthemomenttheywereformed.Hecouldfeeltheacheofsobbing,he
couldgivevoicetohisgrief,hejustcouldn’tphysicallycry.

Thenthewaterwasstirring,almostboilingasherosetohisfeetforabetterlook.
Asthedisplaybuilttoacrescendo,watershotskywardinamagnificentfountaineasilyahundred

metersacross,risingthreeorfourtimesthatintotheair,betterthanathousandfeet,generatingashock
wavethatbentthelodgepolepinesaroundScottalmostdoubleandknockedhimoffhisfeet.

Hepickedhimselfup,stunned,senseskickingintopropergear,reactingnowfromhistrainingand

experienceasCyclops.Andhefoundhimselffacingaradianceaswelcomeandcomfortingasthe
morningsun.

“Jean?”Hedidn’tbelieveitashespoke,certainthatsomewherealongthewayhe’dstumbled

headlongintomadness,andhewasbeholdingwhatheyearnedforratherthanwhatwas.

Herlaughterconvincedhimotherwise.
Hecouldfeelherinhisheart,thespecialrapportthathadalwaysjoinedthem,castingitswarmth

throughouthissoul,springarrivingtoarealmtoolongbesetbythecruelestofwinters.

Shewasfire.
Shewaslifeincarnate,inallitsglory.
Shewashislove.
Andthesmileshegavehimwhensheheardthatthoughtproveditbeyondalldoubt.

“Scott,”Jeancalled,laughingwithdelightatthesightofhim,yetstillskittishtosomehowfind

herselfaliveoncemore.Thoselastmomentswerestillvividinherthoughts.Thewallofwaterhad
strucklikeitwasmadeofsteel,shatteringheroncontact;shedidn’tevenhaveachancetodrown.
Everythingwasoverinaninstant.

Orsoshe’dthought.
“How?”heasked,reachingoutinsurprisetoherhair,whichnowfellinglossywavestothesmallof

herback.

“Dunno,”shetoldhimtruthfully.
Andforalongwhiletherewerenomorewords,nothingatallsavefortwoloversholdingeachother

close,savoringthejoythatcomeswithfindingyourheart’sdesire.Neitherhadeverbeenmorehappy,
oratpeace.

Jeanpulledback,justalittle.
“Iwanttoseeyoureyes,”shetoldhim,reachingforhisglasses.“Taketheseoff.”
“Jean—don’t!”
Sheshookherhead.“It’llbeallright.”
“You’veseenwhatmyopticblastscando.Youknowtheseglassesandmyvisoraretheonlythings

thatcancontrolthem!”

“Trustme,”shesaid.“Icancontrolthem.”
Shelaidapalmagainsthischeek,andhecouldn’thelpleaningintoit.Smilinginthatspecialway

thatwasforhimalone,Jeanslippedherhandalongthelineofhisjaw,herforeheadcreasingwith
concernathowharshlythelastfewyearshaddealtwithhim,strokingthecurveofhisearinawaythat
madehimtremble.

Shethoughtherownheartwouldcrackwhenhebrushedhislipsagainsthers,andwantedtocryto

theHeavensthathedidn’thavetoworry,thattherewasnothinghecoulddotohurther.Instead,she
returnedthekiss,bothofthemeagerformore.

“Nomoreglasses,Scott,”shesaid,asshegentlypluckedthemfromhisface,“nomorefear.Iwantto

seeyoureyes.”

Theyweretightlyclosed.
“Openthem.Please.Youcan’thurtme.”
Hedid,becausesheasked,becausesheknewatbedrockthathewouldalwaystrusther,without

hesitationorquestion,becauseshehelddominionoverthebestpartofhim.

Nothinghappened.
She’dputatelekineticfilmoverhiseyesockets,configuredbyherthoughtstothesameresonance

frequencyastherubyquartzcrystalofhislenses,holdingincheckthepowerwithinmoreeasilythan
theglasseseverdid.

“Theysay,”shetoldhim,“theeyesarethewindowstothesoul.”
Hecouldn’thideabitofbitterness:“Imaginewhatthatsaysaboutme?”
Jeanwouldhavenoneofit:“Yours,likeyoursoul,mylove,arebeautiful.”

LookingintoJean’seyesremindedScottofstaringupatthestars,backbeforehispowermanifested,

whenhewasakid,withakid’sdreams,whenhecouldseetheworldthroughnormaleyes.Inthat
moment,heknewhebeheldforever,asrichwithendlesspossibilitiesasitwaswithmysteries.And,
unbidden,jarring,awarning:Danger.

Onekissbegatanother,eachcaressbuiltontheonebefore,stokingapassionmoreintensethaneither

hadeverknown.Theysurfedthecrestofatsunami,awavethatwouldengulftheworld,whereone
misstepwouldmeanoblivion,andneithercared.

Theywerehappy,andtheywantedittolastforever.
Then,thelightinJean’seyesturnedtofire.
Theyopenedwide,herlipsturningfromthelatestkisstoanOofalarm,sharedinthatperfect

momentbyScott.Somethingbasichadchanged,andneitherknewwhatwouldcomenext,norhowto
cope.

Scottstartedtoshiver,hisskinlikethecoronaofastarboilingoffexcessplasma.
Helookedintotheeyesofthewomanhelovedandsawsomethingthathadneverbeenbefore,that

hadneverevenbeensuspected,andheknewwhatwascoming,bothnowandinthedaysahead.

Andbecauseitwashisturn,becauseheknewwhatitwouldmeantoher,hegaveherasmile,theone

thatcametohimwhenherealizedthiswasthewomanhelovedandthat,nowandforever,shewould
lovehim.Hegavehertrust,hegaveherstrength,hegavehercourage.

Notforgiveness,though—becauseforhim,therewasnothingtoforgive.
Thentheworldwentwhite.

Twothousandmilesaway,CharlesXavierscreamed.
ForLogan,itwasaspikethroughtheskull,alanceofpainnotevenhishealingfactorcouldmitigate.
Hethrewhimselfoutintothehallway,staggeringbecausehisheadwassoscreweduphecouldn’t

walkstraight.Heheardcriesandwhimpers,andmorethanafewsobs,fromeverydirection.Makinghis
waythroughtherapidlycrowdinghalls,hepassedstudentsbythescore,someholdingtheirheadswith
pain,afewnauseoustothepointofvomiting.Allwerescared,demandinganswershedidn’thaveor
comforthewasill-equippedtooffer.

OrorocaughtuptohimatthebaseoftheGrandStaircase.Shehadfarthertocome,fromherattic

loft,butshecouldalwaysmovefaster.

“Whathappened?”shedemanded.
“Noclue,”hereplied,andbulledhiswayintoXavier’sstudy.
“Professor,”Ororocalled,whilesimultaneouslyfromLogan,“Youokay?”
Hewassittingathisdesk,paleasthesheetofpaperheldintremblinghands.
“I’mfine,”heassuredthem,althoughneitherbelievedit.Logancouldsmellblood,andaquick

glanceatthetrashcanrevealedabadlystainedhandkerchiefthatXavierhadusedtowipecleanhis
bloodynose.Forebrainhemorrhages,Loganknew,becausehemadeithisbusinesstocataloguethe
strengthsandweaknessesofpeoplewhomattered,andofthosehemayonedayhavetofight.Amajor
signoftroubleinatelepath.

“YouneedtogettoAlkaliLake,”Xavierordered,inatoneherarelyeverusedwiththetwoofthem.

Itmandatedabsolute,immediateobedience,nobacktalk,nobullshit.“Now!”

Theywent.

TheygottheBlackbirdpreppedandairborneinrecordtime.Ororotooktheplanesuborbital,shooting

almoststraightuponcetheyclearedthelaunchbay,arcingnorthbywestastheyclearedtheatmosphere
alongatrackandataspeedthatwouldbringthemtotheirdestinationinbarelyaquarterhour.

Neithersaidawordduringtheascent.Ororowasbusypiloting,whileLoganstrugglednottolose

whatremainedoflastnight’sdinner.TheintensitybehindXavier’scommandhadbeensuchthatthere’d
beennotimeforuniforms.They’ddepartedwearingtheclothesontheirbacks.

“Shit,”Logangrumpedashedroppedintothecopilot’sseat.
“Youdon’twanttogobacktoAlkaliLake,”Ororonoted.
Hesaidnothingatfirst,butinsteadrubbedhisfingersoverthespacebetweentheknuckleswherehis

clawswerehoused.Somuchofhislifewasboundupinthatplace:ItwasthereLoganhadbecomethe
Wolverine.Itwastherehe’dfoundaplaceandpurposegreaterthanhimself.Andtherehe’dfoundthe
womanwhomadeitallworthwhile,whohadownedhimfromthemomenttheireyesmet,onlytolose
her,knowingthatshelovedanothermanmore.

Hefiguredhisanswerwastooobvioustobespokenaloud.Instead,asOrorocantedthenose

downwardforreentry,heasked:“Doyou?”

“No,”shesaidplainly.“Idon’t.”
ThehullheatedwithatmosphericfrictionandbuckedlikeamuleastheBlackbirdstartedthe

transitiontothedeeperatmosphere.Loganbusiedhimselfwithhisharness,growinglessthrilledwith
everyincidentofturbulence.

“Youknow,”Stormsaid,“ifyoueverwanttotalk…”
“Ohyeah,”heretorted,“absolutely.That’swhatIwant.”
Thelookshetossedhiswayspokevolumes.
Damn,hethought,she’salotlessofaprincessthanwhenIfirstrolledinthedoor.Stillalongway

from“justplainfolks,”butshe’sgotpossibilities.

“Look,”hesaid,thebesthewouldofferinexplanation,“talkisnotwhatIdo.”
Hersighwasevenmoredevastatingthenthelook.
“Right,”shesaid,hertoneassuringhimthatthisconversationwasmostdefinitelynotfinished.

“SameoldLogan.”

Hewasn’t,really,anymorethanshewasthe“sameoldStorm.”Buttheoldesthabitsarethehardest

tokick.

Oneoftheglasspanelsontheflightcontrolconsolegeneratedaschematicmapofthevalleyandthe

lake.Astheycontinuedtheirdescent,andtheirscanningarraygotdowntobusiness,adotoflight
beganpulsing.Logandidn’tneedcoordinatestopinpointthelocation.Itwaswithinspittingdistanceof
whereJeanhaddied.

“’Ro?”hebegantosay,intendingtomakeamends.Butshedidn’tgivehimthechance,throwingthe

Blackbirdintoatightdescendingspiralthatpinnedhimtohischairandmadehimsuddenlywonderif
shewasgoingtolandthedamnaircraftrightonitspointynose.

“Holdon,”shetoldhim,afterthefact,whichwasjustaboutasunnecessaryacommandashe’dever

beengiven.

Sheflattenedoutatahundredmeters,shiftingtoverticalflightmodeandskimmingthetreelinelike

theywereflyingahelicopter.Loganhadtakenhisturninthesimulator;iftheneedeverarose,hecould
takethecontrols.ButwithStormitwasdifferent;shehandledtheplaneasifitwerepartofher.She
coulddanceitthroughmaneuverstheotherswouldn’tdreamoftrying—exceptmaybeScott.Hewasas
muchanaturalflierasshewasandtheonlyonetoevermatchherskillintheair.

Unfortunately,therewasnosignoftheground.Belowthirtymeterseverythingwasshroudedinfog,

forasfarastheeyecouldsee,fromoneendofthevalleytotheother.

“Wegotnowheretoland,”Logancommented.
Withoutaword,Ororo’seyeswentmomentarilywhiteand,justlikethat,thefogbankmelted

obliginglyaway,revealingthattheywererightwheretheywantedtobe.

Eyesnormalagain,shecockedaneyebrowathim.
“Thanks,”hesaid.
“Anytime.”Smoothascouldbe,withoutevenabump,sheeasedtheebonyaircraftdownfromthe

sky.“Inpreparationforlanding,pleaserestoreyourseatstotheiruprightandlockedposition,storeall
carry-onitemsandtraytables,andmakesureyourseatbeltsaresecurelyfastened.”

Hegaveheralook;shegavehimbackasmile.
Themomentpassed.Theygotreadyforbusiness.
Withhisfirststepofftheramp,Loganknewitwasbad.Everysensescreamedalarm—theairsmelled

wrong,thegroundfeltwrong.Therewerenonaturalsounds,nothingtoindicatethepassingofabreeze
betweenthetrees,orwaterlappingagainsttheshore.Nottheslightesthintofanimalsofanykind.
Loganwasn’tsurprisedatthelast;thepartofhimthatwasmostlikethemwasshriekingtofleethis
haunted,accursedplace.AndOroro,whosesensitivitytotheworldaroundherwasjustasacute,
seemedspookedaswell.

Eventhecrunchofbootsonsnowwasstrangelymuted,remindingLoganofananechoicchamber

thatdeadenedeverysound.

Somethingcaughthisattention,rightattheedgeofhisperipheralvision,tumblingend-over-endas

thoughpossessingapersonalexemptionfromthelawsofgravity—andofmotionaswell,Logan
realized,astheobjectacceleratedpasthim,nottheslightestbitaffectedbytheresistanceoftheairit
passedthrough.

Hemovedaheadwithasilenceandafluidgracethatbeliedhispersonality,glidingthroughtheforest

withoutmakingtheslightestnoise,orleavinganysign.

Withahandgesture,hemotionedforOrorotohaltwhilehetookacloserlookatsomeleavesona

low-hangingbranch.Theywerethickwithmoisturefromthefog,butthatwasn’twhatcaughthis
attention.Hislipstightened,whileOroro’sformedasmallOofastonishmentasshejoinedhim;the
waterwasdrippinguptheleafandfallingtowardsthesky.

Loganheldahandovertheleaf.Itfeltperfectlynormal—exceptthatwhenthedropletssplashed

againsthispalm,theyflowedupandaroundhishandandthenploppedfreetocontinueontheirway.

Ororomovedonahead,whileLoganhomedinonanotherobject,spinninglazilyinmidair,likea

gyroscopethathadn’tquitewoundallthewaydown.Hehunkereddowntowatch,unsureifhewanted
tobreakthespellbyreachingouttotouchtheobject.Nodamagethathecouldsee,noranysignof
violence.Nothingatalloutoftheordinary—exceptitspresence,andwhatitwasdoing.

Withanalmostconvulsivegrab,hegatheredScottSummer’srubyquartzglassesintohishand.
HewasabouttocallouttoOrorowhenshebeathimtoit.
“Logan!”
Despitetheflatnessoftheair,theurgencyofhertonewasplain.Shock,disbelief,fear,those

reactionscamethroughplainlyandpulledhimtoheratarun.

HefoundOrorodownonthebeach,kneelingoverabody.
Shelookedupathim,stricken,buthewasn’tlookingather,hecouldn’tbearto,notyet.He’dknown

atoncewhowaslyingthere,withoutaltogetherknowingwhy,sohestalledbysweepingthevicinityfor
signsofanyoneelse.

Wasteofeffort.Therewasnothingtobeseen.
Hemadeawider,morethoroughsweepbeforetheyleft,searchingthegroundwhileOroropacedhim

overheadaboardtheBlackbird,usingitssensors.Healreadysuspectedthey’dfindnothing—youshould
expectsomuchonlyfromamiracle—buttheyhadtobesure.

“She’salive,”Ororosaid,assheturnedtheaircraftforhome.Therewasafaintcatchtohervoice;

shewasbothgladandscared,justlikehim.

Helookeddownattheglassesinhishand,atthestillwaterofAlkaliLake,takinginasuccessionof

slow,deep,calmingbreaths,unwillingtotrusthimselftospeak,ortakethesmallestofactions,until
he’dmasteredcontrolofhimself.Heunderstoodinstinctivelyaboutbalance,withoutbeingableto
articulatethewhyorwherefore;hehadanequallyinstinctivecomprehensionofwhathadlikely
happenedtoCyclops.Andwithit,afuryatwhateverdeityorfateorwhoeverhadallowedittohappen.
Atbedrock,Loganwasafarmorehonorablemanthanhe’deveradmit;forhim,thereweresomethings
thatwerefundamentallyright,astherewereothersequallywrong.He’dalwaysknownthatCreation
wasn’tfair,hisownlifewasproofofthat,butthatneverstoppedhimfrombelievingthatitshouldbe.

Wantingyourheart’sdesirewasonething.Havingit—likethis!
Thoughtsforanothertime,perhaps.Heshovedtheglassesinhispocketanddroppedtooneknee,

reachingoutwithunaccustomedtendernesstosweepafallofdarkauburnhairaside,andoncemore
lookeduponthefaceofJeanGrey.

“JeanGreywastheonlyClassFivemutantI’veeverencountered,”Xaviertoldthemadaylater,back

inthemansion’sinfirmary.“Herpotentialwaspracticallylimitless.”

Shelayontheexaminingtable.Herbodywasdottedalloverwithdirectsensors,surroundedbythe

informationpanelsoftheirremotescanningcounterparts.Theyprovidedaconstantandcomprehensive
streamofdatatotheInstitutemainframeforanalysis,rightdowntothefiringofherindividualneural
synapses,withthemostcurrentreadingsbeingprojectedonaphalanxofnearbyflat-paneldisplays.

Hervitalsweretotallynominal,andhadbeensincetheyfoundher,whollyconsistentwithherlast

physical,notlongbeforeherdeath.

“Hermutationwasseatedinherlimbicsystem,”Xaviercontinued,takingrefugefromhisowndeep

feelingsbyadoptinghismostprofessorialtone,“theunconsciouspartofhermind.Andthereinlaythe
danger.”

Logansnorted,gaininghimasharplookfrombothXavier,seatedinhiswheelchairatJean’shead,

andOroro,flankinghimoppositeLogan.

Logandidn’tbotherexplainingaloud;itwasn’thisway.Hewasstilltryingtofigurethingsout

himself.He’dneverbeenoneformovies,yethefoundhisinnerselfwanderingthroughthefantastic
vistaofaplanetcalledAltairIV,tobeholdthefinal,fatalargumentbetweenthehero,thewomanhe
loved,andthatwoman’sfather—abrilliantandloving,butultimatelymisguided,scientist—onthe
natureof“monstersfromtheid.”Thenightmaresthatcomefromourdeepest,mostprimaland
passionatesubconscious,thatgobumpinthenight.

Outloud,hesaid:“Ithoughtyouweretreatingher,”andgotanotherwarningglarefromOroroabout

histone.Hedidn’tmuchcare.

“Itried…”
Anotherimagecame,equallyunbidden,thatLogancouldn’tbanish,mixingmomentsfromthe

missionthatledtoJean’sdeath—Magneto’squiet,constantjibesaboutXavier’sfailuretotreatthe
mutantsonofWilliamStryker,Xavier’sownveryrealregret,andworstofall,theveryreal
consequencesthatarosefromthatfailure.Jasonhadbeenmadebyhisfatherintoaweapon;their
attempttostoptheuseofthatweaponhadledtoJean’sdeath.

IfXaviersensedLogan’sthoughtsthistime,hegavenosignashelaidhishandsgentlyonJean’s

headandclosedhiseyes.Themonitorsflickered,chartinghisprogressasheresumedtreatingher.

Loganpaidhimnoattention.HisconcentrationwaslockedonJean’sface,asifhisownsensescould

tellhimwhatXavier’stelepathyanddevicescouldnot.

“Icreatedaseriesofpsychicbarriers,”Xaviersaid,“toseparateherpowersfromherconsciousmind,

untilsuchtimeasshecouldintegratethetwoproperlyandsafely.However,indoingso,shedeveloped
asplitpersonality…”

ThiswasnewstoLoganand,bythelookonherface,toOroro,too.Neithertookitwell.
Loganspokeforthemboth.“What?”hedemanded.
“TheconsciousJean,whosepowerswerealwaysundercontrol,andthatdormantside,apersonality

that,inoursessions,cametocallitselfThePhoenix.Apurelyinstinctualcreature,alldesire,andjoy
and…rage.”

Hecheckedthemonitors,madesomenotes.
Loganhadgrownominouslystillandquiet,inawaythatwouldcleareventhemostroughhouse

saloonstheworldover.

Then,“Jeanknewaboutthis?”

OrorowatchedXaviershakehishead,soengrossedinhisworkthathemissedthecuesandwarnings

Loganwasradiating.Sheshiftedherstancejustalittle,butknewheroptionswerelimited.The
infirmarywasnoplaceforlightning,andLoganwassoquickthatshe’dlikelyhavenotimetostophim
withherpowersifthingswentsouth.OroroknewthatLoganwasacreatureofprimalpassionswho
foughttokeepthemincheckwithhisownrigorouscodeofhonor.Now,withJean,bothelementswere
inplay—hisfeelingsforJeancombiningwithgrowingoutrageatXavier’srevelations.Itwasadeadly
mix,morevolatilethanmatchesandgasoline.

“It’sunclearpreciselyhowmuchsheremembered,”Charlestoldthem.“Themorepressingissueis

thatI’mnotsurewhetherthewomanweseeinfrontofusistheJeanGreyweknow,orthePhoenix,
violentlystrugglingtobefree.”

Logantookastepcloser,andOrorotensed.
“Shelooksprettypeacefultome,Chuck.”
“That’sbecauseI’mkeepingherthatway,”Xavierreplied,notrisingtothebait.Foralltheattention

hepaidthem,despitetheirongoingconversation,itwasasifLoganandOroroweren’teventhere.“I’m
tryingtorestorethosepsychicblocks,andreenergizethem,andcagethebeastagain.”

Logan’snostrilsflared,andthistimeXavierseemedtoreacttothesubvocalizedgrowlthatissued

fromdeepintheotherman’sthroat.

“Whatdidyoujustsay?”Logandemanded.
“Logan,trytounderstand—”
“We’retalkingaboutaperson’smindhere,Charles,aboutJean!Wecouldbetalkingabouther

goddamnsoul!Howcouldyoudothistoher?”

“Shehastobecontrolled.Sheisn’tsafe.”
“‘Controlled,’Professor,orcured?Becausesometimes,whenyou‘cagethebeast,’thebeastgets

angry.”

“Youhavenoideawhatshe’scapableof.”
“No,Professor,”Loganspatwithfinality,andhemadeXavier’stitlesoundlikethemostprofaneof

epithets.“Ihadnoideawhatyouwerecapableof.”

Afterthislastcomment,Loganknewthat,hadXavierstillpossessedtheuseofhislegs,theprofessor

wouldberightupinhisface,probablychallenginghimtodohisworst.Loganneverdeniedtheman
hadballs,butthiswasthefirsthe’deverconsideredthatCharlesXaviermightbelackingsomething

essentialinthewayofaheart.

“Damnit,Logan,”Xavierflared,“Iwantherbackasmuchasyoudo!”
Loganshookhishead:“Notevenclose.”

Xaviercouldn’tstandLogan’sglareformorethanafewseconds.Itwasn’tthathelackedthe

strength,but—beingamoreintenselyprivatemanthanevenLogan—Charlescouldn’tbeartorevealto
themthedepthsofhisownpain.Ortheconcernthatwalkedwithithandinhand,growingwitheach
andeverystepintoaveryrealandpresentfear.

HeturnedhisbackonOroroandLoganandmotoredhischairtowardsthedoor,pausingatlasttotell

them,“Ihadaterriblechoicetomake,Logan.Hobson’schoice.Ichosethelesseroftwoevils.”

Loganwouldn’t—couldn’t,Charlesknew—lethimgo.“SoundstomelikeJeanhadnochoiceatall.”

LoganlookedawayfromthedepartingformofXavier,brieflytoOroro,andthenoncemorerested

hiseyesonJean.Hehadahunter’spatience.He’dwaitaslongashehadto.

Andafterthat…
…afterthat…
HemetOroro’sgaze,thenflickedhiseyestowardsthedoor,nowclosed,Xavierlonggone,thenback

toJean.

MoregentlythanXavier’stouch,moregentlythanOroro’slightestbreeze,hestrokedhisroughpalm

fromthecrownofJean’sheadbackacrossherhair,andbreathedinthescentofher.Notalotofgreat
thingshappenedinhislife,butheknewwithcertainty,thiswomanwasoneofthem.Likelythebestof
them.

Herepeatedtohimselfwhathe’dswornthemomenttheymet,whathe’dfailedtodoatAlkaliLake.
I’llsaveyou,Jeannie,hepromisedsilently.Whateverthecase.
I’llsaveyou!

WhenMcCoysawtheroom,thefirstthinghedidwaslookforblackcurtains,findingnone,of

course,sincetherewerenowindows.Butfromthenon,atthemostirksomeandinconvenientmoments,
hefoundhecouldn’tgetthelyricstoCream’sclassic“WhiteRoom”outofhishead.TellingOrorothat
wouldmakeherlaugh,heknew.

Hankdidn’tbelieveKavitaRaohadthatmuchofasenseofhumor.Hedoubtedshehadanysenseof

humoratall.Hewaswhollytheopposite,butsoanarchicintemperamentthathe’dlongagolearnedto
keephisacerbicwitonthetightestofleashes,lestdisasterresult.Butwhatelsecouldoneexpect,he
supposed,fromaguywho’dbeenbigandblueandfurrysincecollege?

HefacedamodifiedLevelFourextremebiohazardcontainmentmodule,fourmetersbysix,and

threehigh.Everysurface—walls,floorandceiling—waspaintedwhite.Oneofthelongwallswas
dominatedbyamirror,constructedoftransparentplasticthatwasstrongerthansteelineveryrespect.
ThiswasHank’svantagepoint,allowinghimanunrestrictedviewoftheroom.Asperprotocol,the
environmentwaskeptatnegativepressure—lowerthantheambientpressureoutside—sothatincaseof
anybreach,airwouldnaturallyflowintotheroom,therebycontaininganystraybugsandpreventing
contaminationoftheinstallationoutside.

Adoorattherearoftheroomledtothebathroom,wherethewallswereopaque,givingtheillusion

ofprivacy.Buttherewereascoreofminicamshere,too,andthemirrorwastwo-wayglass.Every
surfacewassterile.Therewasn’taspecofwaywarddusttobeseen.OntheouterdoorwasetchedtheM
trefoil,formutantbiohazard.

Itcouldhavebeenalab.Itcouldhavebeenahospitalroom.Itwasalittlebitofboth.
Mostofall,though,itbelongedtoachild.
Prettymuchanormalboy,too,asfarasHankcouldtell,ifthetoysandthemesswereanyindication.

Shelveshadbeenprovided,andbinsforstorage,butthekidusedthefloorinstead.Bookswerestrewn
haphazardlyabouttheplace.Nocomputer,justadeskwithakeyboardandascreen,bothconnectedto
I/Oportsinthewall.Hewaslinkedintotheprojectnetwork,soDr.Raocouldseewhatinterestedhim
and,ifnecessary,howthebehaviormodificationwasprogressingandwhethersheneededtotweakit.

Theflat-screenmonitorwasbigenoughtodoubleastheroom’sTV.Jimmywasusingitforvideo

games,perchedcross-leggedontheendofthebed.Hewasworkinghisthumbstodistractionashe
blewthelivingdaylightsoutofcars,trucks,pedestriansandjustaboutanentireCalicity.Hestolea
musclecarandheadedfortheborder—where,unknowntohim,monstersawaited.

AsKavitadescribedtheaction,andHankfollowedalongonaconvenientmonitoroutside,he

couldn’thelpwonderingiftheboyhadanyawarenessofhowclosehewastorealmonsters.

“Youknow,Dr.McCoy,”Kavitabegan,astheywatchedtheplay,“Iwrotemythesisonyourtheory

ofgeneticrecombination.”Behindthemanurseinamodifiedbiohazardsuitenteredtheairlock.

Jimmywasonthecuspofadolescence,buthadnotonehaironhishead.HeworeawhiteHouston

Astrosjerseyandapairofwhiteboardershorts,andwhitesneakers.

HankindicatedJimmy.“Ineverhadasubjectquitelikethis….”Hepaused,thoughtful.“What’sthe

lastingeffectoftheboy’spower?”Hankasked.

Kavitashookherhead.“None.”Shepursedherlips,“Hecanonlysuppressthemutantgenewithina

limitedrange.”

“I’veheardsomeofthestaffrefertohimbyanickname,”Hanknoted,straighteningtohisfull,

imposingheight.Kavitaclearlywasn’thappyaboutthisobservation.

“I’vemademyfeelingsclear,butoccasionallythesethingstakeonalifeoftheirown.Isupposeit

musthavebeenmuchthesameconcerningyourownsoubriquet.”

“That’swhyIbroughtitup.”He’dneverlikedbeingcalled“Beast,”evenbyfriendsmeaningitasa

complement.

“Thestaffarefirmlyinstructedtonevercallhim‘Leech’tohisface,orwherehecanhear.”
HanklookedKavitadirectlyintheeyes.“Andyoureallythinkhe’llneverknow?”
Shelookedatherwatch.“Ishouldheadintothecity,Dr.McCoy.Ifwe’requitefinishedhere,Ihave

manyappointments.”

Hanknodded.“I’mdonehere.”
Asheturnedtogo,itseemedasthoughhismovementattractedJimmy’sattention,whichofcourse

shouldhavebeenimpossible,sincetherewasnowayfortheboytoknowhewasthere.Jimmygrinned,
andHankallowedasmallsmileinreturn,eventhoughtheboycouldn’tseeit.Hismindwasracingwith
possibilities,bothgoodandbad,andhehalfwishedtheboywouldwanderover,andbringHankwithin
theactivationthresholdofhispower.Thescientistinhimwasfascinatedtodiscoverhowthegene-
neutralizingprocesswouldworkonhim.Themaninhimwonderedwhathewouldlooklikenow,
withouttheeffectsofhismutation.Washehandsome,washeagingunderthebluefur?Wouldhelike
theboyhewaswhenthemutationtookeffect?Hecouldn’trememberwhatithadbeenliketoappear
“normal.”Hedidn’tevenlookatoldphotosanymore.

ButJimmycouldbringthatboyinHankbacktolife.
Foraslongastheystayedclose.
Worthington’s“cure”wouldmakethereversionpermanent.Now,thatwasaninteresting

development.

“IsSecretaryMcCoygoingtobeaproblem?”askedWorthingtonJr.afewhourslater,inhisoffice

atoptheSanFranciscolabfacility.Afewstoriesbelow,alineofmutantsstretchedaroundtheblock.
Thestreetwascordonedoff,withagroupofSFPDsquadcarsformingabarrierrightdownthemiddle.
Acrosstheroad,almostasmanymutantsgathered,asvehementlyopposedtowhatWorthingtonhadto
offerastheothersweredesperatetopartake.

KavitaRaoshrugged.“Hardtosay.Hispoliticalviewsseemsomewhatatoddswithhis…personal

issues.”

“Iimaginewe’llbeseeingmoreofthat.”
“Quite.”
Heleanedforwarduntilhisforeheadtouchedtheglass,tryingtodirecthislineofsightasclosetothe

baseofthebuildingaspossible.

“Ineverreallyimaginedthere’dbeso…many,”hesaidatlast.
“Doesitmatter?”
“Itmakesone…think.It’sonethingtoconsiderthemutatorgeneanaberrantquirkinthehuman

genome—buttoseeitinsuchabroadspectrumofthegeneralpopulace….”

“Thereisnoconsistencytothemanifestations,eitherintermsofwhopossessesthegeneorthepower

theymanifest.Ifthiswereindicativeofsomespecies-wideevolution,wewouldseeacommon

element.”

“Theonly-pizzascenario.”
“Ibegyourpardon?”
“Basically,youthrowpizzasattheceiling,toseewhichonesticks.”
“Whichwouldtellyouwhat,praytell?”
“Metaphorforthecreativeprocess,pizzasasideas,thatsortofthing.”
“IstandwithEinstein,thankyou.GoddoesnotplaydicewiththeUniverse,nordoeshethrow

pizzas.”

Worthingtoncertainlyhopedso,buthealsohadtoconfessthatthenotionappealedtohim.Heused

tothinkofGodashavingasenseofwhimsy.

Untilhesawhowhissonwaschanging.Thenhe’ddecidedhe’dbebetteroffwithoutaGodatall.
“Mr.Worthington,sir,”announcedatechnician.“He’sarrived.”
TrainofthoughtalmostpromptedWorthingtonJr.toaskifthetechnicianwasreferencingthe

Almighty.Butheshuntedthenotionasideandsaidinstead,“Good.Bringhimin.”

Raotouchedhisarm.“Areyousureyouwanttostartwithhim?”
“Ithinkit’simportant,yes.”
Shepulledonsurgicalglovesandselectedanappropriatevialandsyringefromthetray.
TwoorderliesbroughtinWorthington’sonlychild,hisson—hisheir.
Warrenhadwhollyfulfilledthepromiseofhisyouth,withafaceandformthatbelongedonamovie

poster—aleadingmancapableofbreakingeveryheartalive,andjump-startingafewthatweren’t.Tall
andleanasever,withhairaburnishedgoldsweptmessilybackfromhisface,hewasmorehandsome
thanayoungBradPitt.Heworeanovercoat,andtherewasastrangehumpbetweenhisshouldersthat
madethecoatrideuptremendously.Tocallthehumpadeformitywasn’tright,becausehecarried
himselffartooeasily,soWorthingtoncouldonlyhopethatpeopleassumedhissonwaswearingsome
kindofbackpackunderneath.

Itwasclearhedidn’twanttobethere.Hewasn’tfightingtheorderlies,buthewasn’tcooperating

either,andtheyhadtogentlybutfirmlypullhimforwardtofacehisfather.

“Hello,Warren,”Kavitasaidbrightly.Shewasignored;ifthatbotheredher,shegavenosign.
“Youokay,son?”Worthingtonasked,likeamanbitingabullet,oraboysluggingdownmedicine.He

gotashallownodinreturn,fromasonthatseemedunsurehowtoanswer.“Didyousleepallright?”

“Yeah,Iguess.”
“YouknowI’mproudofyou,fordoingthis.”
Warrentookoffhisovercoat,revealinganopenshirt,andunderneath,acomplexleatherharness

reminiscentofastraightjacket,onlytheyoungman’sarmswerecompletelyunrestrained.

“Thetransformationcanbealittlejarring,”Kavitacautioned.SweatpoppedonWarren’sbrow,

suggestingthatwasn’tanaltogetherhelpfulthingtosay.

“Dad,”Warrenaskedpleadingly,thesheerdesperationinhistonecatchinghisfather’sheartstrings,

takinghimbacktothenightshe’dsatwithhisboyafterlights-out,stayingwithhimuntilhefellasleep
toprotecthimfromthemonstersunderthebed.“Dad,”Warrenrepeatedwithmoreintensity,displaying
moreovertfright.“Canwe…canwe…talkaboutthisasecond?”

Worthingtontookhisson’shand.“Wetalkedaboutit,son.Weagreed.Itwillallbeoversoon.”
ButWarrenwouldn’tstopsquirming.Thingsgotworseashetriedtowrigglehiswayloosefromthe

orderlies,fromhisfather.

“Wait,”hedemanded.“Justwaitaminute!”
WorthingtonJr.triedhis“dad”voice:“Warren,calmdown!”
“I…no…Ican’tdothis!”
“Justrelax,son,”WorthingtonJr.triedinamoreplacatingtone.Theorderlieswerehavingan

increasinglyhardertimeholdingon.

Theyoungman’sstruggleshadloosenedtheharnesstothepointwhereWarrencouldactivelystrain

againstit.Theorderlieswerebuiltforthejob—theylookedamatchforprolinemen,twiceWarren’s
sizeandchangeineverywhichway.

Butheshruggedthemoffasiftheyweighednothing,andtheysmackedagainstthewallsofthe

spaciousoffice.

Heshowednointerestintheguardsashetoreathisshirt,yankingitopentothesoundofpopping

buttons.Heflexedhischestwithagreatoutcry…

…andtheindustrial-gradebeltingleathershreddedliketissuepaper,remindingWorthingtonJr.ofan

articlehe’dreadwhenhewasyoungeraboutthewingsoflargebirds.Thewingsofagoosepropelthat
greatbirdthroughtheskyforthousandsofmiles.Aswan’swing,thatthingofpoeticbeauty,canbreak
aman’sarm.

Howmuchmorepowerfulthen,thoseofaman,capableofliftinghimfromthegroundandhurling

himthroughtheair?Howstrongwerethemusclesrequiredtosustainthatflight?

Beholdinghisson,WorthingtonJr.couldn’thelpbutthinkoftheflightsofangelshe’dseendepicted

incatechismclass,andofalltherepresentationsofdoomedIcarus.

Thefantasypaledincomparisontothereality.
Warren’swingsstretchedtwicehisheightandmore,tip-to-tipacrossabackthatsuddenlyseemed

muchbroaderandindecentlymuscledthanhisfatherremembered.Theywereapristinewhitethatwas
almostradiant.Theorderliesweresodumbstruckwiththeincandescentbeautyofthemanandthe
momentthattheyalmostforgottheirpurpose.

“Warren,”thefathertriedwhenwordscamebacktohim,“it’sabetterlifeweoffer.It’swhatweall

want!”

Lookingdownathisfather,Warrenrepliedwithaharshandunforgivingscream:“No!”
TheorderlieshadwithdrawntothedoorwayonceWarren’swingshadopened,andthey’dsummoned

reinforcements.Therewasnoescapethatway.

“It’swhatyouwant!”Warrenyelled.Seeingguardsinaphalanxatthedoor,heduckedtowardsthe

windows.

“Warren,don’t,”criedhisfather.“No!”
Andjustlikethat,witharesoundingcrash,hewasgone.

Onthestreetbelow,warningcriesrosefromthecrowdastheyscrambledforprotection,covering

theirheadsasthebrokenglasscamerainingdown.Someinstinctivelyusedtheirpowers—telekinesis
fordeflection,andinvulnerabilityofallshapesandsizestocoverthemselvesandthosearoundthem.

Onlyafewactuallysawwhathappened,andmostofthemdidn’tbelieveit.Afterward,theywould

certainlybereluctanttotell.Justbecausetheyweremutants,too—andafewresembledthenextbest
thingtoagilamonstercrossedwithaMacktruck—didn’tmakethemallthateagertoboastthatthey’d
seenabonafideangelsoaringoverSanFrancisco.

Warrennoticednoneofthis,andifhehaditwouldn’thavemattered.Allhewasawareofwasthe

metronomicbeatofhiswingsastheygrabbedgreatgoutsofairandthrustoutbehindhim,andthe
feelingofclimbingeverhigher,rushingeverfaster,throughtheafternoonsky.Thewindrushedacross
hisface,flushedwiththeunaccustomedexertionandtheterrificdemandshewasplacingonhissystem.
He’dhavetoeatsoonandrest.Wouldn’tdotoblackoutfromhungeratthisaltitude.

Hewasflying.
Hisheartpoundedinhischest,pushingbloodthroughhisbodylikeriversofmoltenflame,searing

himfromcrowntotoestothetipsoffingers.Hebelievedhewasburningup,yetknewaswell,with

thatsameirrationalcertainty,thathe’dbeallright.Thiswaswherehebelonged.

Hewasflying!
Thatdeservedacheer,andhegaveonehehopedwasloudenoughforalltheBayAreatohear.
Hedidn’tknowwherehewasgoing,andhehadnoclothes,nocash,noID—butitdidn’tmatter.All

hecouldsayforsurewasthatheprobablywasn’tevergoinghomeagain.

Therest,heprayed,wouldtakecareofitself.
Hewasflying!
HepassedtheWorthingtonResearchFacility,sohighandsoquicklythathewasbarelyseen—save

byone.

Jimmy’sattentionhadbeencaughtbythestrangenewshapeupinthesky,andhewatchedwithout

considerationofwhatitmightbeorwhatthismightmean.He’dneverseenanythingsobeautiful,ever,
andwascontenttopassthetime,howeverfleeting,simplyenjoyingit.

“Letmeoutofhere,”bellowedPresidentCockrum,shackledatwristsandanklesandwaist,and

fastenedtoabarthatextendedthelengthofthecell,allowingminimalfreedomofmovement—
basicallyatraversefromcottotoilettotable.“Goddamnit,doyouknowwhoIam?”

Hestoodinthelastofalineofcells,eachholdingitsownsingleprisonerboundbyacomplexand

formidablearrayofrestraints.Ahallranthelengthofthesingle-tieredcellblock,withafullyenclosed
guardstationatfrontandrear.Theentireenclosurerockedandtrembledasthoughonmoveable
springs,andtheairwasfilledwithafaintandpervasivehum.Itwasnight,andafterlights-out,sothe
cellsweremainlydefinedbyshadow.

Theguardflickedonthelightforthelastcell,andkeyedinthefeedforthemastersecuritystation,

plusthesatelliteuplink.Hedidn’tdeviatefromprotocol,nomatterhowannoyingortrivialthe
provocation.Hewasatrainedprofessional,ex-military.Thisinstallationwasoperatedjointlybythe
departmentsofHomelandSecurityandMutantAffairs,withsomehelpfromtheUnitedStatesMarshals
Service.TheBureauofPrisonshadlearned,toitssorrow,theultimateandtragiccostofincarcerating
prisonerslikeMagneto,afterthedestructionoftheMountHavencomplexduringhisescape,andthe
executionofitsentirecomplementofguardsandstaff.Thiswasintendedasaninterimsolutionuntila
moresecurefacilitywasconstructed.Now,however,withtheintroductionoftheWorthingtonserum—
andpendingtheusualavalancheofinjunctions,appealsandcourtroommotions—placeslikethis,
specializedprisonstoholdmutantinmates,couldwellenduplikeAlcatrazIsland,oncethemost
fearsomepenalinstitutionintheland,nowobsolete,goodfornothingbutalocaltouristattractionand
theoccasionalmovieset.

Twistinghismouthinirritationatasudden,inexplicablesmearofstaticacrosshisdisplayscreens,

whichmesseduphisviewofthecell,theguardfinishedhisreportsandtookastrollalongthecatwalk
foracloserlook.

Thepresidentwasinfineform:“I’mthepresidentoftheUnitedStates.”
Toughluck,asshole,thoughttheguard,enjoyingthemoment.Isureasshitdidn’tvoteforyou.
“Idemandthatyoureleaseme!”
“Mr.President,sir,”herepliedwithunexpectedgoodhumor,“shutthehellup.”
Hewasfinishedhere,butashestartedbackalongthecatwalk,hishandstayedlightandreadyonthe

buttoftheweaponholsteredathisside.HewasratedExpertwithapistol,andbeforereportingtothis
newstationhadspentacoupleweeksofrefreshertrainingwiththeFBI.Hecoulddrawandfirewitha
speedthatwouldhaveleftBillytheKidstunned,andshootwithmoreprecisionthanthatlegendary
pistoleroeverpossessed.

“Please,”cameanewcryfromthesamecell,butalittlegirlthistime.“Please,Ihaven’tdone

anything,it’sallabigmistake,I’mnotsupposedtobehere—pleaseletmego.”

Heglancedbackin,andsawakidwholookedlikeshe’dbeensnatchedfromherFirstCommunion,

asinnocentascouldbe.She’dsomehowtakentheplaceofthepresident.

Itwaslate,neartheendofadoubleshift,andhewastired.Theguardspokefromtheheart,without

thinkingoftheconsequences.

“Keepitup,Mystique,I’mgonnasprayyouintheface,bitch!”Foremphasis,hebrandishedacanof

pepperspray—whilehisgunhandneverstrayedfarfromthepistolonhisbelt.

Thegirlrespondedwithasmilethatwaswaytoowickedforsomeoneherage,andwithanequally

unlikelycome-hitherlook,whispered,“WhenIgetoutofhere,I’mgoingtokillyoumyself.”

“That’llbethedamnday,”hemuttered,althoughhewastemptedtodrawhisweaponandtakeashot,

justtoseewhatwouldhappen.

Theguardfollowedproperprocedureandwalkedaway,whilebehindhiminthecell,thelittlegirl

shiftedposition,herbodyelongating,maturing,losingitsclothes,turningadeepcobaltblue.For
Mystique,nothingventured,nothinggained.Thisployhadworkedbefore,soitwascertainlyworththe
try.Ithadalsotoldhersomethingimportant:thisguardwassmarterthanmost,morecarefulthanmost,
andsurprisingly,moreconsideratethanmost.Thethreathadmerelybeenanexpressionoffrustration.
He’dlikelybeendozingwhenherbellowingcalledhimbacktoduty.Mostguardsshe’dknownwould
havesprayedherjustforspite;he’dsimplymadethethreat.

Onthewhole,aprettydecentguy.
Butshe’dkillhimjustthesame.

Insidethecellblock,clocksandlightingconspiredtoconvincetheinmatesthatitwasthemiddleof

thenight.Infact,itwasquitetheopposite.

Theywereincarceratedinasupersemi,adouble-lengthtractortrailer,cruisingthebackroadsof

heartlandAmerica.

Inthebeginning,andforaslongasitworked,ithadbeenaninspiredidea.Withthedestructionof

MountHaven,thefederalgovernmenthadnowheretoholdsuperpoweredprisoners.Everyattemptto
establishareplacementledtoanacuteattackofNIMBY—Notinmybackyard,goddamnit!—onthe
partofallthegovernorsapproached,astheyproceededtowrapthemselvesinthemantleofstates’
rights.Givenwhathappenedlasttime,itwashardtoarguethepoint,especiallywhenitcameto
someoneaspersonallyandprofessionallyvaluabletoMagnetoasMystique.That’swhentheideawas
pitchedforamobileprison.

TherewereahelluvalotofroadsinthecontiguousForty-Eight,andahelluvalotoftrucks.This

wasn’tsearchingforaneedleinahaystack,itwassearchingforpreciselytherightneedle.Onethatwas
constantlyonthemove,andthoroughlyshieldedagainstMagneto’smagneticscans.Hecouldbe
standingrightbesidethetruckandneversenseMystique’sbiosignature.Thenumbercrunchersranthe
probabilitiesofdiscoveryandcameupwithanumberinthebillions.

HowweretheytoknowMagnetowouldcheat?

Thefirstanyonewasawareofitwaswheneveryvehicleintheconvoystartedshakingitselfapartat

theseams,andeveryelectronicinstrumentstartedbuggingoutbig-time.

Thedutyofficerslappedthepanicbutton,neverrealizingthathissignalwasdegradedthemomentit

lefttheantenna.

That’swhenMagnetosteppedoutintothemiddleoftheroad.
Theescortdriversflooredtheiraccelerators,hopingforachanceatrunninghimdown.Withacasual

flickofthewrist,hesentbotharmoredSuburbanstumblingend-over-endofftheroad.Sameappliedto
theafter-guard.

Thesupersemidriverstompedonhisbrakesinafutileefforttosavehimselfasthecabwastornfrom

thetrailerandpitchedthroughtheair,soaringthelengthofafootballfieldbeforecrashingtotheroadin
aballoffireandtornmetal.

Momentumkeptthetrailerscoming,althoughthefrontend,deprivedofthecab’ssupport,crashed

downtothepavementandstartedsendingupanimpressiverooster-tailofsparks.

Magnetostoodhisground,ascasualasifthiswasmerelyaSundaystrollthroughthepark.Asthe

leadtrailerapproached,hesimplycrushedit,lettingthescreamsoftorturedsteelabsorbthoseofthe
livinginside.

Bythetimeitstoppedathisfeet,he’dreducedatwenty-metercontainertothesizeofashoebox,

whilethesecondtrailer,thelongeronecontainingtheprisoners,wasaltogetherintact.

Themomentthealarmsounded,theguardranforhisstation,butthesuddendisengagementofthe

cabandthedestructionoftheleadtrailerlefthispartnersprawledonthemonitorconsole,shocked
unconsciousbyamassiveseriesofshortcircuitsasMagnetooverloadedtheinternalsecuritysystems
andthecomnet.Theguardhimselfwastossedtothecatwalkrightattherear,byMystique’scell.

Knowingthingswouldonlygetworseandthathischancesofmakingitoutofthisalivewerealmost

nonexistent,hegrabbedforhissidearmregardless.Hewasatrainedprofessionalandhehada
responsibility.Theguardhadswornanoath.

Thatoathwashisepitaph.Mystiquesnakedherlegsthrougharidiculouslytinybreachinthewallof

hercell,twistinghermalleableformthroughsomeimpossiblegyrations,makingherselfasbonelessas
ananacondasoherfeetcouldfindandembracetheguard’sneck.

Hefelthertouch,heardherlaugh…
…andshebrokehisneck.
“Toldyouso,”shesaid,extendinghertoestothelengthofachopstick,andusingthemtohookthe

keysfromhisbeltandbringthembacktoher.

Magnetomadehiswaytothebackoftheprisontruck,wherehewasjoinedbyPyroandCallisto,

who’ddealtwiththelastoftheescort.Beneaththefaçadeofwhatappearedtobeordinarytruckdoors
wasasecondlevelthatwouldhavedoneabankvaultproud,securedbyaseriesofmassive,high-tech
locks.Theentirebodyofthevehiclewascomposedofnonferrousceramiccomposites,bothlighterand
significantlystrongerthananymetalthissideofpureadamantium.Magnetocockedaneyebrowatthe
inventivenessofthedesign,remindedofapieceofinformationgleanedbyMystiquesomewhileback,
thattherewasamutantinventorworkingforDARPA,theDefenseDepartment’sAdvancedResearch
andPlanningAgency,knownonlybythecodenameForge.IfthiswasForge’swork,thatmadehim—
orher—aforcetobereckonedwith,onaparwithXavierhimself.

Hebroughthisthoughtsbacktothebusiness.Hecouldn’taffectthefabricofthetruckdirectly,and

suspectedthatthearmoredshellwouldwithstandanymodificationhemightmaketotheescortvehicles

—whichweremadeofsteel—tousethemtobreachthewalls.Hepermittedhimselfasmile.Didthey
trulythinkhimsuchasimpleton?Didtheythinkthatinthedecadeshispowershadbeenactivehe
hadn’tdevotedasubstantialportionofhislifetoresearchingalltherewastoknowaboutthenatureand
propertiesofmagnetism,oneofthefourfundamentalforcesofCreationitself?

Heattackedthetruckdirectly,butonasubatomiclevel,refininghisperceptionstothepointwhere

theworldwasnolongercomposedoftangible,readilyidentifiableobjects,butinsteadflashpointsof
energy,linesofforce.Itwasn’teasy,andherehecursedtheravagesoftime,wishinghe’dhadsucha
levelofinsightatanagewhenhe’dbeenhaleenoughtoutilizeitproperly.Aslightreshuffleofthe
alignmentofatomswithinamolecule,moleculeswithinalattice,andpresto!

Whathadbeenunbreachablewasnowasbrittleasricepaper.
Withaconfidentsmile,herestoredhisperceptionstonormal,thenreacheduptothenearestlock,

givingaheartytug—andthewholedoorpoppedoffitshinges.

Callistocaughtitasitfell,andtosseditasidewithaneaseandpowerthatrevealedanimpressive

physicalstrength.Magnetofiledthisinformationawayforfuturereference.

Mystiquewasstandinginthedoorway,andatthesightofhimshestruckoneofhermoredelicious

poses,radiatingirresistibletemptationandintolerableinsolence,allinthesamesultrylook.

“Abouttime,”shechided.
Heansweredwithathinsmile,“I’vebeenbusy,mydear.”Sheignoredtheveiledreprimandbecause

shewasclearlyhappytoseehim,tellinghimsowithasmile.Whichhedidn’tanswer.

“Didyoufindwhatwewerelookingfor?”
Shenodded,andthesmilewentaway.
“Thesourceofthecureisamutant,code-namedLeech.AchildattheWorthingtonLabsinBerkeley.

Withouthim,theyhavenothing.”

Magnetotookamomenttoconsiderwhatshe’dtoldhim,andthendecidedtoacknowledgethe

tumultcomingfromtheothercells.

“Andwhodowehavehere,”hemusedaloud,eyeingaclipboardonthecatwalkandusingaminor

burstofpowertotossitintoPyro’sgrasp.

“Readofftheguestlist,ifyouplease.”
Astheymadetheirawayalongthecatwalk,JohnAllerdyceflippedtotheappropriatepage.
“JamesMadrox,”heannounced,atthecellnexttoMystique’s.
“Thisonerobbedsevenbanks,”shetoldthem.“Atthesametime.”
“Hismutantnameis…”Pyrobegan.
“MultipleMan,”finishedthevoicewithinthecell.
Magnetopoppedthelockandanormal-lookingyoungman—darkhair,averageheight,athleticbuild

—rosetohisfeet.

“Icoulduseamanofyourtalents,”Magnetotoldhim.
AsMadroxapproached,hesteppedmomentarilythroughapoolofdeepshadow,andjustthat

quickly,betweenonestepandthenext,hewasleadingacolumnofidenticalduplicates,allofwhom
respondedtoMagnetowithadifferentexpressionorgreeting,establishingtheirinnateindividuality.
Theywereallcutfromthesamecloth,sotospeak,buttheycouldapparentlyoperateindependently.

“Whattheyknow,Iknow,”Madroxboasted.“Whattheylearn,Iremember.”
Withaglanceathernails,Mystiqueaskedinnocently,“Andifthey’rehurt,doyoufeelit?Ifyou’re

knockedout,dotheystickaround?”

Themultitudeofsourexpressionswasalltheanswertheyneeded.Magnetounderstoodthe

limitations,butrepeatedhisinvitationregardless.

“I’min,”Madroxtoldthem,inachorusofeagervoices.
“Splendid,”Magnetoacknowledged.“WelcometotheBrotherhood.”

Thenextcagewasmassivelyreinforced,withhugelocksforemphasis.Magnetopeekedthroughthe

smallaccessport.

“Carefulwiththisone,”Mystiquecautioned.
Shackledtoachair,completewithheadrestraint,wasthelargestfigureMagnetohadeverseen,more

impressivethanSabretooth,farmoresothantheX-ManColossusinhisarmoredform.Averitable
mutantbehemoth.

“CainMarko,”Mystiqueannounced,promptingawrysidewardsglanceofbemusementfrom

Magneto.Sheshruggedbackasiftosay,notherfault,shecertainlyhadn’tchristenedhim.

“Solitaryconfinement,”Pyrotoldthem,readingfromthefile.“Zerocontact.Checkthisout.”His

voiceroseinexcitement,remindingMagnetothathewasstillalotyoungerthanhelikedpeopleto
think.“‘Prisonermustremaininertatalltimes.Ifhebuildsupanymomentum,hebecomesvirtually
unstoppable.’”

“Howfascinating,”saidMagneto,andproceededtoopenthecell.
“Whatdotheycallyou?”heasked,onceinside.
“Juggernaut,”wasthereply.
“Ican’timaginewhy.”
ThehugetruckcreakedominouslyasJuggernautpropelledhimselffromhischair.Ashereached

downforhishelmet,Pyrocouldn’tresistajibe.

“Nicehelmet.”
Juggernautlookedattheboyasifhewereabugabouttobesquashed.“Keepsmyfacepretty.”
Pyrohadsenseenoughtoleavethingsatthat.
Theremainingcellswereempty.

Astheyexitedthetruck,noonenoticedastironthemonitorconsole.HermánMolinaknewthesafe

play,thesmartplay,wastostayrightwherehewasanddonothing.Buthe’dearnedhissixstripesin
theMarineCorps,andtheNavyCross,asthehardestofhardchargers.Beingassignedassecurityfor
thisrunwasn’tadead-endjobforloserswhocouldn’tcutitelsewhere—theyhadrecruitedthebestof
thebest,anddrummedintothemfromtheget-gohowvitaltheirresponsibilitywas,howdangerous
theirchargeswere.

Nowthethreeprisonerswerenotonlyloose,buttheywerewalkingoutwithMagneto.Something

hadtobedone,andaftertakingaglancearound,itwasplainthathe’ddrawntheshortstraw.

Hewasafirst-tiersniper,asdeadlyaccuratewithapistolasarifle.Buttherangewastoogreat;he

hadtogetcloser.

Mystiquecaughtthegreendotofalasersightoutofthecornerofhereye,centeredonMagneto’s

back.Theyweretoofaraparttopushhimclearandtherewasnotimetoyellawarningasshe
registeredthefaintthipofaweapondischarging.

Shedoveforward,andfeltastingbetweenherbreastsasthedartstruckhome.

Magnetowhirledabout,sawtheguardtrackingtotakeasecondshot,andinstantlymanipulated

magneticfieldsaroundhim,poppingtheplasticweaponfromhisgraspasthoughitwereawetand
slipperybarofsoap.Hebroughtitcarefullytorest,makingsurethebarrelwaspointedwellawayfrom
everyonepresent.Asecondlatertherewasanawfulshriekfrominsidethetruck,mercifullycutshort,
accompaniedbyarushofheatandsmokefromafireballsoinstantlypowerfulitmanagedtostagger

him.Pyro’sdoing.

Theyoungmanpulledtheflamesbackintohimself,leavingonlythecharredandstinkingremnants

oftheguard.MagnetoturnedinfranticconcerntoMystique.

Mystiquewasn’tinterestedinwhatwashappeningaroundher.Shehadproblemsofherown.Itwas

asthoughshe’dbeenstabbedbyaspearofice,andacoldmoreintensethananythingsheeverimagined
radiatedoutwardsfromthepointofcontact,behindawavefrontofsuchagonythatshefoundherself
hammeredtohandsandkneesontheground.Withoutanyconsciousdirection,herbodycurledinon
itself,impossiblytight,returninginstinctivelytothefetalpositionas—inaveryrealsense—shewas
beingremadeandreborn.

Gradually,hervisionclearedandsheblinkedmanytimes,tryingtocenterherself.Theimpossible

coldshe’dfelthadpassed,notevenleavingamemory,yetshedidn’tfeelquiteright.Shefeltchilledin
awaythatwasnewtoher.Sheshivered,somethingshe’dneverdonebefore.

Theotherswerestaring.Shewasusedtothat,itwasthepricetopayforwalkingaroundinherskin.

Theirexpressionsdidn’tregister—orperhaps,shesimplychosetoignorethem.

Shepluckedthedartfromwhereithadlanded,browfurrowingasshefeltasmalltrickleofblood.

Hermorphingabilityallowedhertocopewithinjuriesasinstantlyandcomprehensivelyasthe
Wolverine’shealingfactor;usuallyittookthenear-mortalwoundstodrawblood.

Thenshesawherhand.
Itwasn’tblue,itwaspale.
Sherosetoherknees,withthesameballeticgraceasalways,andstaredaghastatherbody.Nomore

scalesandridges—shewastruly,completelynakedandnothingshecoulddowouldchangethat.

“Erik?”shecalled,lostandaching,assheraisedahandtowardshim.
Thelookhereturnedmatchedhergrief.
“I’msorry,mydear,”hesaidgently,astoonedead,butwhohadn’tyetrealizedit.“You’renotoneof

usanymore.”

Hermouthopenedtoregisterhershock,hereyesbrimmedwithunbiddentears.Afterallthey’d

shared,afterhersacrificetosavehim,thefinalityofhisrejectionwastooterribletoaccept.

Heranhishandalonghercheekinafarewellcaress.
“Suchashame,”hemusedinakindofeulogy.“Youweresobeautiful…”
Herosewithasnapofhiscloakandsignaledtheotherstofollow.Mystiquestayedonherknees,

watchinglikeonewho’djustbeenturnedtostone.Pyro,atleast,hadthedecencytoappeartorn,
switchinglooksbetweenherandMagneto.Butthen,withafinal,farewellshakeofthehead,hescurried
aftertheMasterofMagnetism.

Throughherheadranmemoriesofthetimesshe’dsneeredattheX-Men,andthoughtthemfoolsfor

followingXavierinsteadofErik.Andespecially,therealizationthat,ifshehadstoodwiththem,powers
orno,they’dhavestoodbyhertotheveryend.

Loganhadn’tlefttheinfirmarysincethey’dbroughtJeanhome.Hewatchedherwithhissensesas

intentlyasthemachinesdidwiththeirs,andprobablycameawaywithasaccurateanassessmentofher
condition.WhenXaviercameintoperformhisownexamination,pluswhateverelsehedidtoherinthe
wayofhispersonalpsychicvoodoo,Logansteppedaside,stayingcloseenoughtointerveneifneeded
butotherwisedeferringtotheprofessor.HealsotookeachopportunitytokeeptabsonXavieras
attentivelyashedidonJean.ThecoupleoftimesOrorovisited,shewasactuallyasconcernedfor
Loganasherbestfriend.Loganwasn’tusedtothat,wasn’tsurehowtodealwithit.

Occasionally,he’dtalktoJeanasthoughtheyweresittinginsomesaloonorbar,havinganormal

conversation,tellingherofallthathadtranspiredwiththeschoolandtheworldsinceshe’dbeengone.
Mostly,hejustsat,withtheinfinitepatiencethatwasoneofhishallmarks.Hewatched,andhelistened.
Whensheneededhim,he’dbethere,he’dbeready.

Hesawthatsomewiresweretangled,sohereachedovertosmooththemout…
…andshegrabbedhimbythehand.
Shelookedupathimwiththatsamelong,lazysmilethatherememberedandyet,withsomething

new,something…more.Hecouldn’thelpreturningthesmileinkind.

“We’vegottostopmeetinglikethis,”shenoted,makinghimchuckle.“Itseemssofamiliar,doesn’t

it?ExceptIwasinyourplaceandyouwereinmine.”

Hecouldn’thelpthinking,you’rewearin’alotmoreclothesthanIwas,darlin’,whichmadeher

blushandgrinthewider.Sotherewasnothingwrongwithhertelepathy,heobserved,althoughshewas
keepingherownthoughtstoherself.Hehalf-expectedtohearfromtheprofessor,whoLoganassumed
wasmonitoringhisthoughtsorJean’s,waitingforjustthisverymoment.Thusfar,though,theyhad
completeprivacy.

Sheswallowed,mouthdry,andheheldoutaglassofwaterforhertosipfromitsstraw.
“HowlongwasI…?”shetriedagain.
“Tooflamin’long,”hetoldher,moregrufflythanhe’dintended,notfromanger,butbecauseseeing

herawakeandallrightmadehimsuddenlyadmittohimselfjusthowmuchhe’dmissedher.

“Youfeelingokay,Jeannie?”
Shesatupwithsurprisingeaseandgraceforsomeonewho’dbeen(a)deadand(b)flatonherbackin

thehospital.Jeanwasstillsmiling,radiatingmorehappinessthanhe’deverseenfromher.Butthen,he
realized,he’dhardlyeverseenhertrulyhappy—saveforacoupleofinstanceswhenhe’dcaughtherby
surprise,justoffguardenoughthathegotthatspecialsmileofhers,theonethatcamewithoutanyof
thefiltersofdutyandresponsibilitythatXavierhadlayeredonher.Hewonderedifthingshadbeenany
betterwithCyclops.

Loganhadneverfeltthisway;hisheartwasfulltoburstingwiththebrightestandbestofemotions

andyet,atthesametime,onthevergeofbreaking.Howcouldanymomentseemsowonderfuland
potentiallyterrible,allatonce?

“Yes,”shetoldhim.“I’mmorethanokay.I’malive.Forthefirsttimeinmylife,Ifeelalive.”
Heglancedatthemonitors,whichwerehavingmajorfits,buthedidn’thaveacluewhetherthatwas

goodorbad.

Jeanbeganpullingoffthesensorleads.Loganthoughttosuggestshewaitbutshegavehimalook

thatsaid,Trustme.I’mthedoctorhere,bub,IknowwhatI’mdoing.

Shewasthemostbeautifulthinghe’deverseen,evenmorestunningthanbefore.Hecouldn’thelp

staring.

“Logan,you’remakingmeblush.”Loganlikedthat,andallitimplied,andsheseemedtoaswell.
“You’rereadingmythoughts?”
“Can’thelpit.”
Shetookhisfaceinherhandsandpulledhimclose.
“There’snothingwrongwithwhatyouwant,Logan.It’swhatI’vealwayswantedtoo.”
Herlipsbrushedhis,alaughinginvitationthatdidn’tjustsendtinglesthroughhisbody,itunleashed

alightningboltthatrockedhimfromhisheadtothetipsofhistoes.Itwasasthoughhe’dbeenplugged
intoanemotionalsupercharger,everysensekickedintooverdrive,allofthemcenteredonJean.The
sightofhereyes,soclosetohis,theimpossiblysmoothtouchofherskin,thescentofherhair,the
soundofhervoice,theverytasteofher—allcombinedtofanhisdesiretowhite-hotincandescence.

Thelasttimethey’dkissed—astoleninterludebeneaththefuselageoftheBlackbird—he’dbeenthe

aggressor,tryingtostakehisclaimtoherheartbeforeitwastoolate.Butshe’dmadehercommitment
toScott,muchaseitherofthemmightwishdifferently.Andhe’drespectedthat.

Now,bycontrast,therewasnoholdingback.Shedidn’tmerelykisshim,sheforgedaconnection

betweenhermindandhis.Hewashard,shewassoft;hewassoft,shewashard—thelinesof
demarcationblurredandre-formedsothathelosttrackofwhatwasrealandwhatwasimagined.Time
stretched,expanded,turnedbackuponitself,enablingthemtolivealifetimeinaninstant,andthengo
backandtryitagain.Theygrewoldtogether,theywalkedhandinhandtotheendofforever;they
watchedCreationendandusedtheirpassiontomakesomethingnew.

Hecouldn’tbreathe,didn’thaveto;couldn’tstop,didn’twantto.Hebeheldtheworldthroughher

eyesandgaspedtoacknowledgeagreatandachinghollownesswithin,asenseofbeingincomplete,of
possessingtheillusionofsightwhilebeingtormentedbytherealizationthatyouwereactually,truly,
blind.Atthesametime,shewalkedalifetimeinhisboots,tearsstartingfromhereyesatthediscovery
oftruthsandmemorieshewasgladremainedhidden.Shesawthebloodinhispastandwhatithadcost
him,thecreaturehehadbeenandthemanwho’dgrowntotakehisplace.

Beforethismoment,Loganhadneverknownthetruemeaningandnatureoflove.Hestillwasn’t

surehehadtheanswer.Butwhathefoundhere—whatheandJeanweresharing—wasjustas
fundamental.Ithadchangedhislifebyshowinghimpossibilitieshe’dneverdaredimagine.Itwas
intimacy.

UnseenbyLogan,justforaflash,Jean’seyesflickered,andburnedwithaheatthathadnothingtodo

withthewhollyhumanpassionsthatclaimedtheirotherwisefullattention.

LogansensedheatradiatingthroughJean’sbodyandintohis,butchosenottonotice,nottocareas

hertelekinesistoreopenhisbelt.

Anyonewalkinginonthemnow…
AndherememberedwhathadspunpasthimthroughtheairatAlkali,anotherbeltbuckle,forgedin

theshapeofanX.TheoneScottwore.

“Jean,”hesaid,pullingawayalittleandfindingitamongthehardestthingshe’deverdone.“Wait!”
“Why?”Shewasn’tinterested,actingmorelikehimthanhewas.Itwouldbesoeasytogivein,and

herememberedthestoryofLancelotandtheGrail,thenot-quite-perfectknightdoomedtobeholdthe
sacredprizebutnevertoclaimit.WasJeanhisGrailandhisGuinevere?

“Jeannie,”heprotested,“thisisn’tyou!”

“Itisme.”
Heheldherbytheshoulders,finallyabletoputsomedistancebetweenthem,butcaughtinafitof

tremblingasshestrokedwithtelekinesisthepartsofhimhewouldn’tletherreachwithherhands.

“Stopit,”hewarned.
“Makeme,”shechallengedplayfully.
“Please.”
Shegavehimalopsidedgrinthatwasbetterthananycaress,andhecouldn’thelpthinking,I

should’vefoundyoufirst,andthewishhadnothingtodowithherrelationshipwithScott.Thesmile
faded.She’dheardhim,andunderstood.

“You’vebeenthroughhell,”hetoldhergently,“maybeyououghttotakethingseasy.”Hehad

anotherthought—shehadn’tyetsaidawordaboutCyclops.“Charleysaidyoumightbedifferent.”

Herlookdarkened,andhenolongerhadtoholdherback.Themoodwasbroken.
“Hewouldknow,wouldn’the?”shesaid,anddidn’tbotherhidingherbitterness.“Youthinkhe’snot

insideyourhead,too?”shechallenged.“Lookatyou,Logan,he’stamedyou!”

Thewordsstruckhome,becausehe’dthoughtthemhimselffromtimetotime.Buthedidn’treact.
“Jean,”heaskedinstead,“where’sScott?”
Shedidn’tanswer.
“WetracedthebeacononhisbiketoAlkaliLake.Ifoundhisglassesthere.”Hechosenottomention

thebeltbuckle,ortheweirdphysicalmanifestationsthey’dencountered,andconsideredthatshemight
pluckthemfromhisthoughtsregardless.

Stillnoresponse,sohecalledhernameagain,“Jean!”
Shelookedtowardshim,eyeslostandfilledwithamixofconfusionandpain.
HesetScott’sglassesdownonthebedbetweenthem,andhergazefollowedhisdowntolookat

them.

“Whereishe,darlin’?”
“I…”sheblinked,sniffed,shookherhead,blinkedagain,asthoughwakingfromthedeepestof

sleeps,notcomprehendingwhyhereyeswerefillingwithtears.“I’msorry,Logan.”Herexpression
twistedwiththerealizationthatshehadperhapslostsomethingsupremelyprecious,butdidn’tyetquite
knowpreciselywhat.“WhereamI?”sheaskedsuddenly,catchinghimbysurprise.Shereallymeantit.
Shehadnoideawhereshewas.

“You’reintheMansioninfirmary,Jean.”Hetookherbythehand,willinghisstrengthintoherslim

frame,hopingthatbytakingitshe’dbeabletousehimasananchoragainstthechaosswirlinginside
hermind.Whateverelsewasgoingoninherworld,shehadtoacceptthathelovedher.Thathadtobe
theabsolute,theoneconstantshecoulddependon.Whythatwassoimportant,hehadn’taclue,but
he’dlearnedearlytotrusthisinstincts.

“Listentome,darlin’,”hewentongently,asthoughtoaspookedfilly.“Youneedtotellmewhat

happenedatAlkaliLake.ToScott.”

Shetouchedtheglasseswiththetipsofthumbandforefinger.
“Oh,God,”shemoaned,andrightthenheknewforcertainwhathaduntilnowbeenjustasuspicion.

He’dneverseeScottSummersagain.

Hesparedaquickglanceawayfromherfaceasobjectsbegantorattlearoundtheperipheryofthe

room.

“OhGod,Logan!”Thislastwasanoutcryofdesperationandterror,andheknewshehadfound

herselffacingamemoryandagriefthatshecouldnotbear.

Thesideeffectsontheroomworsenedaccordingly.Screwsspunfromtheirholesandshotthrough

theair,thefluidintheIVbagsbegantodripupwards,andLogan’sskinbegantotinglethewayitdid
ontheeveofawickedelectricalstorm.Thesmellofozonefilledtheair.

Oncemore,hetookherbytheshoulders.
“Talktome,Jean.Focus!”
Shewaswhispering,sosoftlyhecouldn’tmakeoutthewords.Hereadherlipsastheymoved,and

didn’twantto.

“Jean!”hecriedagain.
“Killme,Logan,”shesaidagain,makingsurehecouldhear,tellinghimwithhervoiceandwithher

thoughts.

Heshookhisheadinabsoluterefusal.
Onlynow,shetookhimbytheshoulders,withastrengththatmatchedhisown,hervoicebuildingin

powerandresonancewitheveryword,“Killme—beforeIkillsomeoneelse!Please,Logan,I’m
begging.You’retheonlyonewhocan.Killme!”

Helookedintohereyesandsawtheend,justaswhenthey’dkissed.Theend,thebeginning,allthat

camebetween,asgreatandasterribleasimaginationcouldmakethem.HebeheldCreationinallits
wonderandglory.Heknewshewasright—andfoundhimselfflawedenough,stubbornenough,human
enough,tothinkhecoulddenyitandfindawaytowin.

“No,”hesaid,settinghimselfbeforeher,inthefleshandinherthoughts,asthatanchor.“Lookatme,

Jean.You’reinsidemyhead,deeperthanIcango,likelydeeperthanCharley.”Hetooktheriskof
mentioningXavier’sname,buttempereditwiththesuggestionthatshecoulddofarmorethanhe.“You
canseewhereI’vebeen.I’velostit,too,darlin’.Butyoucanclimboutofthatabyss.Wecanhelpyou,
Jeannie!”

Theroombegantocalm.
“Youtrulybelievetheprofessorcanhelp,Logan?”sheaskedinavoicethatheldallthesadnessthat

everwas.“Thathecanfixit,makethingsliketheywere?”

“Wecantry.”
Shelookedhimsquareintheface.“Idon’twanttofixit.”
Shehithimwithhertelekinesis,ashottothechestcontainingthefullforceofaCategoryFive

hurricane.Anyoneelsewouldhavebeenpulpedoncontact,butLoganmerelymadeabody-sizeddent
inthewall.

“Ican’tgobacktothewayIwas.Iwon’t.I’mfreenow.”

JeanlookedatLogansprawledunconsciousonthefloor,herfaceshowingbothlongingandloss.
Verysoftly,shelefthimsomelastwords,usingtelepathyaswellasspeechbecauseshewantedhim

toremember.“Ithoughtyoumorethananyonewouldunderstandthat,andlovemeenoughtoletme
go.”Theimagethatwentwiththethoughtwasthatofhisclaws.

Withawaveofthehand,sheblewopenthedoorandwasgonewithoutabackwardsglance.

HankMcCoyhadabig,boldsignature,amatchinitswayforthatofJohnHancockonthe

DeclarationofIndependence.Theletteritclosedwasbriefandtothepoint.Everythingthatneededto
besaidhadbeen—face-to-face.

ThepresidentstoodbehindhisdeskintheOvalOffice.Hankstoodopposite.Itwasanawkward

moment.Neitherhadwantedtocometothisjuncture,yetnowthattheyhadarrived,therewasacertain
inexorablemomentum.

“I’mnothappyaboutthis,Hank.”
“NeitheramI,sir.”
“Youthinkresigningisgoingtomakeadifference?”Awaveoftheletterforemphasis.“That’sno

waytoinfluencepolicy.”

“Duerespect,sir,policyisbeingmadewithoutme.Mr.President,thedecisiontoturnthe

Worthington-Raocureintoaweaponwasmadewithoutme!”

ThepresidentactuallylookedsurprisedasHanktossedafileonthedesk,previouslyrestrainedanger

takinghimtotheprecipiceofdisrespect.Thefilecontainedphotosofwhatwasleftoftheconvoy,
includingsomeofMystique.

“Iknowpreciselywhathappenedonthatconvoy.IdohavesomefriendsinthePentagon.”
“Hank,thatwasanisolatedincident.You’vegottounderstand,thosemutantswerearealthreat.”
“Soyousay.Butwhodecideswhatconstitutesathreat?”
“ForGod’ssake,McCoy,theywereconvictedcriminals!”
“JamieMadroxwasabankrobber.Juggernaut’scrimeswereallagainstproperty.Arethesecapital

crimes?Areweatthepoint,sir,where—likeinoldendays—wecutoffthehandsofthievesandburn
outothers’eyes?The8thAmendmentoftheConstitutionprohibits‘cruelandunusualpunishment.’I
submit,sir,thatstrippingamutant—permanently—ofhisorherabilitiesfallswhollyunderthat
definition.Andthat’sjustforstarters.

“Alteringaperson’sgeneticcodewithouttheirconsentistheultimateillegalsearchandseizure,not

tomentionaviolationoffundamentalprivacy.”

“Wedomuchthesamewithsexualpredators,intermsofdrugtherapyandincarceration.”
“Wedon’tcastratethem,sir.Nothingispermanent.Thisprocessis.MyGod,David,haveyoueven

beguntoconsidertheslipperyslopeyou’reon?”

Thepresidentnodded,hiseyesgonehard.
“Ihave,Henry.Longandhard.AndIalsoworryhowdemocracy—thatveryConstitutionandthe

RepublicIsworeinmyoathofofficetodefend,‘sohelpmeGod’—surviveswhenonelonemancan
movecitieswithhismind.”

“Honorableandwell-meaningasyouare,sir,whataboutthenextman?Supposeheusesyour

rationaletostripmutantsofmorerights?”

“That’swhyIaskyoutoreconsideryourresignation.Ineedyoubymyside,Hank,tobethatvoiceof

reason.Yourcountryneedsyou.”

Hankdrewhimselfuptohisfullheight.“Sir,Iserveatthepleasureofthepresident.Ithasbeenan

honorandaprivilege.ButIservemyconsciencemore.”

Thepresidentpouredthembothameasureofscotchfromthedrinkstrayonasideboard.Singlemalt,

veryold,veryrare,andwortheverydrop.

“Youknow,myfriend,it’sonlygoingtogetworse.”
Theyclinkedglassesinfarewell,andHanknodded.
“AllthemorereasonwhyIneedtobewhereIbelong,”McCoysaid.
Theyfinishedandsettheglassesaside.“Itrytodotherightthing,Henry.It’snotalwayseasy.”
“It’snotsupposedtobe,sir.”

Xavierpushedthechairtoitslimit,forcingOrorointoaquickstepthatwasalmostaruninorderto

keeppacedownthelong,gleaminghallthatledtotheinfirmary.

“Professor,”shedemanded,irkedasalwaysthattherewasn’tasufficientvolumeofairdownherefor

hertofly,“talktome.Whatisit?”

“Something’shappened.”Hepaused,thenmorequietly,“AsIfeared…”
“What?Whataren’tyoutellingme?”
Shestoppedastheyreachedthewide-opendoorsandbeheldthemessinside.
“Whydidn’tthealarms—”Ororostartedtoask.
“Forthesamereason,”Xavierbrokeinbeforeshefinished,“noneofusweretheslightestbitaware

thatanythingwasamissuntilitwasfartoolate.”

Loganwasawake,seatedonthefloor,backtothewallbeneathamajordentthathe’dclearlymade

withhisbody,kneesdrawnuptohischestasheidlyexaminedonesetofhisextendedclawsasthough
surprisedtofindtheminview.Hisclotheswereinragsandfromthegingerlywayhemovedashe
pushedhimselftohisfeet,Orororealizedthathewasstillinthemidstofamajorhealing.

Orororushedatoncetohisside,immediatelytakinginthefactthathewasaloneintheroom.The

monitorshadbeenreducedtolessthanjunk,componentsstrewnacrossthefloorlikeahigh-techcarpet.
Iftheydidtrytoaccessthedatathey’drecorded,Ororoknewthey’dfinditirretrievablycorruptedas
well.

Fearingtheanswer,shehadtoaskanyway,“Logan,whodidthis?”
“Jean,”hesaid.

Loganhesitatedbeforeexplainingthingsfurther.“She’s…she’snotherself.”Ittookanefforttosay

this,becausehestillhurtmorethanever,butalsobecauseeachwordseemedlikeabetrayalofJean.“I
think…she…”Butthetruthhadtobefaced,andhishonorrequiredhimtofaceit.So,whenhespokeat
last,therewerenodoubts.Hetoldthemwhathebelievedtobethecase.“ShekilledScott.”

Orororefusedtobelieve.“No,thatcan’tbe!”
Xavierwasgrimlycalm.
“Don’tlooksosurprised,”Logansaidtohim.
“Iwarnedyouabouther,”Xavierreplied,andhisownsadnesswaspalpable.“Itoldyouwhatshe

wascapableof.”

“Whatdoesthatmean?”Ororoasked.
LogantossedathumbinXavier’sdirection.“Askhim.”
Xavier’sthoughts,however,wereobviouslyelsewhere.Hiseyeswereclosed,andhewas

concentrating.

“She’slefttheMansion,”hereported.“She’sblockingmythoughts.”Hekepttryingtoreachher,

clearlyastruggle.“Sheisverystrong.Ihopewe’renottoolate.”

“WhataboutCerebro?”Logansuggested.
Xaviershookhisheadtersely,asifitwasalltheefforthecouldspare.“She’skeyedintoit,justasI

am.Givenhercurrentstate,shecouldeasilywrestcontrolofitremotelyanduseittoamplifyherown
abilitiesbeyondcomprehension.Believeme,thatisascenarioyoudonotwishtobehold.I’mafraid…I
mustdothis…onmyown.”

Heredoubledhisefforts,andforthefirsttimeLogancouldremember,heactuallysawsweatbuilding

ontheprofessor’sforehead.

Magnetoheldtheguard’splasticpistolinhishand.He’dyankeditcleartheinstantPyrohadtorched

thewretchedcreatureandhadspentmuchofthetimesinceexaminingit.Nowhewasexplaininghis
discoveriestohistroops.Quiteasimpledevice,really.Ittookamagazinelikeanyordinaryautomatic
pistolandusedcompressedairtopropelthedartsatanequivalentrange—whichinthehandsofa
superiormarksman,asthey’dseenthemselves,couldbeconsiderable.Worstofall,onehitwas
evidentlyallthedrugneededtotakeeffect.Whetheradirecthitwasrequiredorevenascratchwould
do,hedidnotcaremuchtofindout.

“Itoldyoutheywoulddrawfirstblood,”Magnetoremindedthem,brandishingtheweapon.
HestoodsurroundedbyahalfdozenofhisnewBrotherhood,inabunkerofhisownconstruction,

builtentirelyofmetal,withametalstaircaseleadinguptoatrapdoorintheceiling.Notthemost
elegantorcomfortableofsurroundings,butfortheirpresentneedsitwouldserve.

Pyrogesturedatthegun:“Whatdowedowiththat?Handitovertothewalkingwreckingball?”By

that,hewasreferringtoJuggernaut,whoundoubtedlydidn’ttaketohissenseofhumorastolerantlyas
anyX-Menusedto.

Magnetoshookhishead:“Thisweapon…willbecomeourweapon,myfriends.Alightningrodthat

willbringcountlessmoretoourcause.”

Hefacedhistroops.“Come,”hetoldthem,callingthemtoarms.“It’stimetogatherourforces.”

Thetrapdooroverheadswungopen,allowinglighttofanacrosstheroombelow.
Callistoclosedthedoorbehindher,hoppinglithelydownthestairsandovertoMagneto’sside.As

theonlyonepresentwhorememberedthewaythingsusedtobe,Pyronoticedhownaturallyshe
assumedMystique’sroleandrelationship,aswellashoweasilyMagnetoacceptedher.Another
differencebetweentheBrotherhoodandXavier’s,andeventhoughhetoldhimselfthathedidn’tcare,
deepdowninsideitbotheredhim.IfMagnetocouldsoinstantlyabandonsomeonelikeMystique,where
didtherestofthemstand?Andwhentheshittrulyhitthefan—becausethatwaswhattheywere
planning,right?—whocouldafellatrulycountonhere?

“Ipickedupsomething,”sheinformedtheirleader.“Anelectromagneticanomaly.Massive.”
Magnetoobviouslywasn’tinterested,butshewouldn’tlethimpushpast,speakinghurriedlywhile

shehadthechance.

“Ithoughtitwasapowergrid,asurgeinthesystem.Butit’snot—it’samutant!”
Shehadhimnow,Pyrosaw.
“ClassFive,”shesaidtriumphantly.“MorepowerfulthananythingI’veeverscanned.Morepowerful

thanyou!”

“Whereisshe?”heasked,andCallistolookedathiminsurprise.Heactuallyknewthismutant?

Xavier’sfirstthoughtwashowlittletheneighborhoodhadchangedinbetterthantwentyyears.How

calmandpeacefuleverythinglooked.Hewonderedifhe’dbeabletosaythesameanhourfromnow.

StormparkedtheMercedesinfrontoftheGreyhouse,andLoganhelpedXavierintohiswheelchair,

grousingjustalittleunderhisbreathabouttheimpracticalityofcertainEuropeantouringsedansfor
folksinXavier’scondition.Ononelevel,Charleshadtoagree—aminivanwitharampwouldprobably
makemoresense.ButhelovedtheMaybach,andrationalizeditsusebytellinghimselfthattheX-Men
hadtheirtoys.Thiswashis.

“Waitformehere,”heinstructed.“IneedtoseeJean.Alone.”
Buttherewasalreadysomeonewaitingforhim.Magnetosatonthegardenbenchbeneaththearbor

outsidethefrontdoor.

“Youwereright,Charles,”hesaidcharmingly,asiftheywerepickinguprightwherethey’dleftoff

afterthatfirstmeetingwithJean,asthoughtheinterveningyearsofconflictwerenomorethanadream.
“Thisoneisspecial.”

“Whatthehellareyoudoinghere?”Logandemandedwithaqualitytohisvoicethatsuggestedallof

them—Xavierincluded—takenotice,andperhapsevenawarystepback.ThelookLogangave
Magnetomadeiteloquentlyplainwhohisprimarytargetwouldbe,andthatnothingwhatsoeverwould
stophimfromtrying.Therewasnothreatorblustertotheman,Charlessaw,justacalmand
fundamentalcertainty,andlikeknowingthesunwillrise,heknewthatiftheneedaroseLoganwould
kill.

IfMagnetowasbotheredbyanyofthis,hegavenooutwardsign.Instead,herespondedasblithelyas

thoughthey’dallcomeforafternoontea:“Thesameastheprofessor,dearboy.Visitinganoldfriend.”

CharlesnotedthatLogan’seyesbrieflyslippedsideways,theWolverine’ssolereactiontothe

presenceofJuggernaut,CallistoandanotheroftheBrotherhoodwhocalledhimselfKidOmega.

Xavier,however,hadeyesandthoughtsonlyfortheciviliansaroundthem:kidsonfootandbikes,

someboundforplaydatesoralreadywellunderway,othersdoinghomework,acoupleholdinghands,
somegossiping,playingcatch,gripingabouttheday’sevents,anticipatingtomorrow’s,parentstaking
careoflifeandfamily,tendingtogardens,grousingaboutclutteredroomsorbills,orstressedbecause
ofanapproachingbirthday,eagerforaneveningonthetown.

“Idon’twantanytroublehere,Erik.”
“NordoI,Charles.”TheawfultruthwasthatwhileXavierknewMagnetomeantit,thatatheart

consideredhimselfanethicalbeing,healsoheldwithequalcertaintythatso-calledhumansdidn’t
count.ToMagneto,mutantswerethesentientspecies;allothersontheplanetweremerelyplaceholders,
tobedisposedofascasuallyasonewouldthrowawayaspenttissue.

Itwasarevelationhe’dneveractually,truly,allowedhimselftoface,anditstruckXavierlikeaspear

throughtheheart,thathisfriend—whomforsolong,insomanyways,he’dconsideredhisotherhalf,
thepassiontohisintellect—hadtakenhisownseatattheconferencetableatWannsee.Thewheelhad
turnedfullcircleandbroughtErikLensherr,withouthimrealizing,totheplacewherehehadbegun,
exceptthatnowandquitelikelyforeverhestoodamongthosehehated.Hehadbecomeatlastthevery
thingthathadnearlydestroyedhim.

“Charles?”repeatedMagneto,sensingthatsomethingwaspercolatinginhisoldfriend’sbrainbut

unsurewhat—whichwasstrangebecausegenerallyMagnetofoundXavierquitepredictable.“Shallwe
goinside?”

“Icametobringherhome,Erik.Don’tinterfere.”
“Justlikeoldtimes,eh?”
“Youmusttrustme,justthisonce,whenItellyouthatJeanismoredangerousthaneitherofusever

imagined.”

“Well,then,”Magnetoresponded,inatoneofcompleteassurance,accompaniedbyasmileof

infiniteconfidence,“it’sluckyI’mheretoprotectyou.”

AstheypassedthethreemembersoftheBrotherhood,MagnetospokequietlytoJuggernaut:

“Nobodygetsinside.”

Xavierenteredfirst,withMagnetofollowing.
Thehousewasutterlystill,andXavierrecognizedthesameeerieandunnaturalquiet,thedeadening

ofallsoundhe’dseenwhilereviewingOroro’smemoriesofAlkaliLake.

Theypassedthearchwaythatopenedontothelivingroomandsawcurtainsstirasifinabreeze,

althoughCharlesdidn’tfeeltheslightestmovementofair.Chairsmovedacrossthefloor,asthough
beingrearrangedbyanunseenhandthatwasimpossibletosatisfy.Xavierhadpsi-scannedthehouseon
thedriveoverandfounditsubstantiallyblockedtohim,gleaninginsteadfromtheneighbors’
recollectionsthatJean’sparentswereawayfortheweek,visitingheroldersister,Sara,andthe
grandchildren,inBoston.Thisknowledgehadbeenamonumentalburdenliftedfromhisshoulders.

Inthekitchen,waterhungreversedinacooler,floatingupatthetop,airbubblesgoingdown.More

chairswereshifting,alongwiththelights.Nothingwasatrest.Everythingquiveredjustalittle,
remindingXavierofthepreshocksbeforeagreatearthquake,orthefaintrumblethattellsyouthetrain
iscomingrightbeforeithits.

Shewaswaitinginherfather’sstudy,surroundedbyallthephotosandrecordsofaccomplishment:

diplomasandcitations,prompictures,weddingpictures,babypictures,allthetangiblesubstanceofher
lifefloatingintheairalongwitheverypieceoffurnitureintheroom.Jeanherselfwassittingon
nothingatall,usingtelekinesistocreateaninvisiblechairthatheldheraseasilyasshedidalltherest.

Themomenttheyentered,thefurniturecrashedtothefloorwithatremendousracket.Onlyherown

personalitemsfloatedgentlytothefloor.

Jeansatmainlyinashadowofherownmaking,verymuchlikeaqueenuponathrone,surveying

themthroughhoodedandwaryeyes.

“Iknewyou’dcome,”shesaid,thetensioninhervoiceestablishingthatthiswasn’taferociously

goodidea.

MagnetowasperfectlycontenttoallowhisfriendtoplayDaniel,andlethimwalkfirstintothelion’s

den.

“I’vecometotakeyouhome,”Xaviersaid,gentlyasanyfather.
“Ihavenohome.”
“Yes,youdo.Youhaveahomeandafamilywholovesyou.”
Sheclearlydidn’twanttolisten.
“Youknow,”Magnetointerjected,ignoringthesharpglareandwarningthoughtshurledbyXavier;

indeed,hereveledinthem.“Charlesthinksyourpoweristoogreatforyoutocontrol.”

“Erik!”
Magnetosteppedfullyintotheroom,relatingtoJeanasonemonarchtoanother,manneralone

dismissingXavierassomekindofuppitypeasant.“Idon’tthinkyourmindgamesaregoingtowork
anymore,oldfriend.”

Jean’seyesfixedonXavier.
“Soyouwanttocontrolme?”
“Yes,”Magnetoansweredforhim.“Hedoes.”
“No,”Xaviersaidforcefullyatthesametime,“Iwanttohelpyou!”
“Helpme?”Jeanwonderedaloud,asifconsideringsomethingshefoundutterlydistasteful.“What’s

wrongwithme?”

“Absolutelynothing,”Magnetoassuredher,daringXaviertosaydifferent—andthereby,givenJean’s

evidentstateofmind,strikematchtogunpowder.

“Erik,”Xavierwarnedagain,withathoughtthatexpressedbothdesireandexasperation,forGod’s

sake,stop!”

“No,Charles,notthistime.You’vealwaysheldherback!”
XavierspoketoJean,withameasureofdesperation,“Foryourowngood!”

Asilver-coatedsoftball,hersister’s,shotawayfromwhereithaddroppedtothefloorandshattereda

mirroracrosstheroomwithsuchforcethatXavierhadtoshieldhimselffromtheshardsofflyingglass.

“Getout,”shesaid,inatonethatbrookednoargument.“Bothofyou.”

“’Ro,”Logansaidtocatchherattention,astheGreys’mailboxbegantoshudder.
“I’mgoingin,”hetoldStorm,butshegrabbedhimbythearm.
“Theprofessorsaidhe’dhandlethis.”Hersubtextwasplain:She’smyfriend,too,forlongerthan

you’veknownher;don’tyoudarescrewthisup!

Juggernaut,obviouslysensingachallenge,lookingforafight,strodeforwardtoconfrontthem.
Loganextendedhisclaws.Onehandonly,threeblades,rammingintoviewwiththeircharacteristic

SNIKT!

“Iheardthoseclaws,theycancutthroughanything,”Juggernautannounced.“Wannatakeashot?”
“Don’ttemptme,bub,”Logancautioned,buttoStorm’sgreatrelief,eventhoughsheknewhow

closetotheedgehewas,heretractedtheblades.Forassholeslikethisthere’dalwaysbeanothertime.
Whatmatterednow,allthatmatterednow,wasJean.

Xavier,ofcourse,didn’ttakeJean’shint.
“Lookatme,Jean.”
“No,”shesnapped.“Stayoutofmyhead!”
Lightbulbsexplodedinacascadethatstartedinthekitchenandmadeitswaythrougheveryroom.

Xavier’swheelchairbegantoslidebackwards,despitetheapplicationofitsbrakes.Thewallsbeganto
tremble.

“Perhapsyoushouldlistentoher,Charles,”Magnetosuggested,notunkindly.
Xavierwasbeyondhearinghim.“Jean,”hesaid,speakingwithhisvoicewhileatthesametime

openingwidetheaccesstohismindsoshewouldseethathewasspeakingthetruth.Itwasthemost
calculatedofrisks,becausehewasalsoleavinghimselfdangerouslyvulnerabletoattack.

“YoumusttrustmewhenItellyou,you’readangertoyourselfandothers….”
Heforcedhimselfforward,stubbornlydeterminedtoovercomeherresistance,eventhoughthewalls

advancedfromtremblingtooutrightshaking.

“Butwecanhelpyou.”
Magnetohadaflashofinspiration,butitwasdreadfully,fatallywrong.“Youwanttogiveherthe

cure?”

HeofallpeopleshouldhaveknownthatwasanathematoeverythingXavierhelddear,butperhapsin

thefinalanalysishedidn’treallyknowhisfriendaswellashethoughthedid.

Regardless,Xavierbarelyheardhim.HehadeyesonlyforthefireflickeringinJean’s.Herefusedto

becowed,andheldhergazewhilethewallsshookliketheywerebeingpoundedonbytrolls.

“LookwhathappenedtoScott,”Xaviertoldher.“Youkilledthemanyoulovedbecauseyoucouldn’t

controlyourpower.YoudamnneardidthesametoLogan.”Histhoughtswereracingfarbeyondhis
voice,tryingjustashardtoreachher.Thepotentialwithinyouisglorious,mychild,butitmustbe
embracedbythematuritytoknowhowtoproperlywieldit.Therewardthatawaitsisbeyondbelief,but
youmusttraveltheentirepathtoreachit.Therecanbenoshortcuts.

Shewasagrownwoman,akindandgeneroussoul,yetonthelevelsshewasreaching,intheterms

Xavierwasapplyingtoher,shewasstillmainlythechildhe’dmetsomanyyearsbefore.Andthe
willfulflashoftemperdisplayedthenburstforthinhisfacenowasafull-fledgedtantrum.

“No!”shecried.

Thewallsbulgedoutwardsandthestonefacingofthehousecrackedfromfoundationtoroof.The

fieldstonehearthbehindhershattered,thechimneycollapsed.Xavierwasbouncedbackinhis
wheelchair,smashingintothewallbehindhim,whileMagnetowasshotthroughasetofglassdoorsto
thekitchen.

Magnetotriedtorisebuttheweightoftheplanetseemedtohavesettledonhim,aweightthatno

applicationofmuscleormutantmightwasabletodislodge.

Logan,withhisenhancedsenses,heardmorethantheothers.
“That’sit,”hesaid,pausingasOrorocalledhisname.
“Logan,waitforme!”
Withthat,Juggernautloweredhishelmetedheadandcharged.
Echoingthetacticsthey’dusedintheDangerRoom,LoganandStormsplitapartatonce.
Withaquickglancebackwardstoensurethecoastwasclear,Loganmettheonrushingman-mountain

headon…

…andjustasquicklyfoundhimselfatthebottomofashallowtrenchgougedallthewayacrossthe

street,throughthesidewalk,andpartiallyintotheneighbor’sfrontyard.

Figuringthesecondhitwouldbeevenmorefunthanthefirst,Juggernautkeptoncoming,fasterthan

before.

Storm,bycontrast,wentairborne,spinningherselfoutofthereachoftheothersleftguardingthe

door.Sheheldherselfstillintheheartofhervortex,whileintensifyingthesurroundingwindstothe
pointwhereshegeneratedalocalizedbutformidabletornado.Amongmutantsleftoutside,KidOmega
andRadianapparentlydidn’tknowwhichwaytoturnasthefunneldescendedonthem,strikingfaster
andmoreaccuratelythanacobra.Callistowasfarquickeroffthemark,duckinginsidethehousethe
momentStormwentairborne.

Thewindsslammedthetwoboysintoeachotherliketheyweretackledummies,keepingthemso

disorientedthattheynevernoticedOrorodroppingdowntofinishthejobwithasuccessionofpowerful,
accurateblows.

Loganisn’ttheonlyX-Manwhoknowshowtofight,shethought.
Unfortunately,shedidn’thavemuchtimetocontemplatethis,asCallistometStormwithafisttothe

headastheX-Manfollowedherinside.

Attherearofthehouse,Xavierneverslackenedinhisdeterminationtoreachhisfirstandmost

belovedpupil,evenasJeanpummeledhimmercilessly.

“Jean,”hedemanded,puttinghisheartandsoulintothestruggle,“let—me—in!”
Shestoodoverhim,refusingtoyield,andheknewthenthatthingshadgonetoofar.Neitherofthem

wouldsurrender.Therecouldonlybedefeat.

JuggernauthitLoganagain,punchinghimintotheneighbor’shouse,thenthroughthehouse,pretty

muchdemolishingitintheprocess.HehammeredLoganupthroughtheceiling…

…onlyLogandidn’tcomerightbackdownagain.NotwhereJuggernautexpectedhimto,anyway.
Instead,Loganclawedhimselfadifferentholebehindhisadversary,slashingatsomevitaljoistsas

hedid,todropasmuchofthestructureaswasleftonJuggernaut’shead.Thatwouldn’tholdthebigguy
long,heknew.Infact,hewascountingonit.HewasalsocountingonmakingJuggernautreallymad.
Loganfiguredhehadmaybefiveseconds,tops,beforeJuggernautexplodedoutofthere,andheused

themtotakeoffbackthewayhecame,towardstheGreyhouse,tobeinapositiontomeethim.

Jean’seyesglowedwithfire.Herhairstirredlanguidly,asthoughshewereunderwater,movedby

currentsofenergydrawnfromplacesXaviercouldn’timagine,butwishedwithhiswholeheartthat
Jeanwouldshare.HeknewthealarmshadsoundedbackattheMansion.Amutantmanifestationofthis
magnitudewasoneofthethingshe’ddesignedCerebrotodetect,butwithouthimtheretoguidethe
system,allitwoulddowasmonitortheevent.HeassumedKittywouldtakechargeoftheanalysis,
althoughbackinthedaythatwouldhavebeenHankMcCoy’sjob.Jeanwasclearlyshreddingthe
boundariesbetweenstatesofrealityandpossiblyevendimensions,andKitty’sphasingpowergaveher
exceptionalinsightintowhathappenedonaquantumlevelundersuchcircumstances.Whatever
occurred,heknewtheywouldlearnfromthisencounter.

Thistime,inthemomentbeforeimpact,LoganleaptstraightupinastuntNightcrawlerhadtaught

him,waymorecircusthanmartialarts,trustingtospeedandagility—whichhehadinfarmoremeasure
thanmostfolksgavehimcreditfor—tocompensateforJuggernaut’sunmatchablepower.Heusedthe
bigguy’shelmetasapivot,twistinginmidairsothathelandedrightbehindhisadversary.Then,while
Juggernautwasstillaprisonerofhisownforwardmomentum,Logandeliveredakickintheassthat
senthimthroughthefrontwalloftheGreyhouselikeanacceleratingMacktruck.

Hecameinrightbehind,clawsbared,readyfortheempiricaltesttoseeifJuggernaut’sarmor,and

hispower,wasanydefenseagainstsixbladesofunbreakableadamantium,takingamomenttoregister
StormandCallistomessingitupprettygoodas’Rousedasuccessionofthundermicroburstslike
punchestobustupthefaceandbodyoftheotherwoman.

HelandedonJuggernaut’sback,poisedtostrikethekillingblow.

XavierandJeanhadlongsincepassedthepointofmanipulatingtangibleobjects.Therewereno

morewallstoseeforthesetwo.Therewasnopointinhurlingbookswhentherawenergiesbeing
unleashedbetweenthemslashedacrossthemolecularbondsthatgaveobjectstheirshapeanddefinition,
reducingtheminatwinklingtotheircomponentelements.

Heunderstoodwhytheadvantagewashers.Shewasfueledbypassion,hebyintellect.Sweptaway

bythetitanicrushofthesenewlymanifestedabilities,Jeancarednothingfortheconsequences,whereas
forXavierthoseconsequencesmatteredsignificantly.Hedidn’twanttodie,ofcourse,althoughbynow
he’dcometoacknowledgetheveryrealpossibility—butevenmore,hewantedtofindawaytosave
her.Hewasateacherandahealer,andtotakeanylesserpathwasanabomination.

He’dtriedreachingherwithhermemories,applyingtoherconsciousnessthemanytalksthey’dhad

onethicsandresponsibility,remindingherasstronglyashewasablethatthisdreamwasasmuchhers
ashis.ThathemaybethemindbehindtheX-Men,butshewasverymuchtheirheart.Suddenlyitcame
tohim,outofnowherereally—oneofthoseunlikelyconnectionsthatlandasacompletesurpriseyet
seemperfectlyobviousoncethey’reinplace—thatthesouloftheteam,itsmoralanchor,wasnone
otherthanLogan.

HemightaswellhavebeentryingtostopKingKongwithspitballs.
Jeaninturnsavagedthevaultsofhismindforallhisfailuresandregrets.Shereplayedforhimthe

finalbreakupwithMoirathathadsenthimofftowar.Herelivedthosemany,manyargumentswith
ErikLensherrastheirdreamsdivergedandturnedthemintostrangers.HesawoncemoreJasonStryker
asaboyandthenfacedhimasaman,lettingragetakehimjustforthatmoment—hecouldn’tsavehim

eithertime.

Butstandingbesideeachofthoseimagesmeanttodebilitatehim,totearhimdownandweakenhis

resolve,werethefacesandfiguresofhissuccesses.AmemoryofJeanandHankplayingone-on-one
basketball,wherehisawesomedexteritymorethanmadeupforhernascenttelekinesis.OfOroro,
who’dlivedandfoughtandprosperedintheslumsofCairoandNairobi,andsurvivedthewildlandsin
between.Twowomenwhocouldn’thavebeenmoredifferentinheritageandtemperament,yetwho
quicklybecameinseparable,closerthansisters.OfScott,who’dcometoXavierlostandalone,buthad
foundthewomanheloved.

Xavier’sskinrippledthen,muchasScott’shad.This,hehadalwaysknown,wouldbetheultimate

dangerinconfrontingJean.Fightingatelepathwasabattleofthemind,simplyamatterofovercoming
theotherpsi’sdefenses.Battlingapuretelekineticwasmuchlikeanyotherhead-blindadversary;forall
theirformidablephysicalprowess,switchoffthebrainandthefightwasover.Jean,though,couldcome
atanopponentfrombothdirections,amentalattackandaphysical.

WithtelekinesisshedrewXavierfromhischair…
…andwithhim,draggedtheentirebuildingfromitsfoundations.

Energystampededthroughthehouse,andallthecombatantsinthelivingroom—Logan,Juggernaut,

StormandCallisto—foundthemselvespinnedtotheceilingasinescapablyasMagnetowastothe
kitchenfloor.

Bythistime,however,Loganwasasirrationalasthewomanheloved,fullyinthegripsofa

berserkerragethatwouldnotbedenied.Hedidn’ttrytopluckhimselffree,butwentsidewaysinstead,
twistingsothathelaymostlyonhisbellyandthenusinghisclawslikeclimbingspikestodraghisbody
along.

XaviersensedLogan’spresenceandsmiled.Itwasnoaccidentthathealonewasfreetomove.
Jeanwasnowcomposedentirelyoflight,astarmadeofflesh,sofarbeyondhumanandearthlyterms

ofbeautythatCharleshadnowordstodescribeher.Notevenconcepts.Shesimply…was.Andthrough
her,hebeheldthewindowtoallthatwasandis,andthebestofallthatmightbe.Hesawinhera
reflectionofhimself,anembodimentofallhopeanddreams.

Andyet…
Andyet…
Theveryhumanitythatmadeallthesethingspossibleheldinitsotherhandthedarkerdemonsof

humannature.Heightsweredefinedbythedepthsoverwhichtheytowered;thegreaterthesummit,the
moreterriblethefall.

Xavierbaredhisteeth,thankfulfortheaspectofhispowerthatallowedhimtomutehisperceptions

ofpain.Theoutersheathofhisskinwasbeingflayedonamolecularlevelandhedidn’twantto
discoverhowmuchthathurt.

HecaughtasenseofMagnetointhekitchen,staringwithequalpartshorrorandfascination.Hisold

friendwascompletelyentranced.Hewouldtakefromthisonlywhatwasuseful,ignoringtherest,and
thatwouldlikelybehisundoing.XaviersparedaprayerthatErikwouldn’talsotaketheworldwith
him.

Hedidn’tresistanymore.Charlesfeltaneerie,almostwelcome,calm,andknewthathewasshining

withlighttoo,bythispoint—althoughnowherenearasbrilliantasJean.Healsoknewthatasenergy,he
couldneitherbecreatednordestroyed—althoughhisstatemightwellhavechangedbeyondall
recognition.

Deathwouldnotbepleasedwithhim,thisday.HemeanttospitintheReaper’seye.
BecauseLife—Lifewouldfindinhimachampionworthyofthename.Hewasbeaten,yes,thatwas

lookingaltogetherlikely.Buthe’dneversurrender.Andoutofthatdeterminationanddefiancewould
comethechance,thehope,ofultimatevictory.Hesmiled.

ThenheheardLogan’shoarsecry,fromveryclose.He’ddonebetterthanXavierhadexpected.
JeanignoredLogan.Shehadeyesonlyforherteacher.
Andhemetthatglare,continuingtosmile,daringhertodoherworst.
Shetookthechallenge,asheknewshewould.
Xavierhadtimetovoiceasingleprayer:“Don’tletit…control…you.”
Andwiththosewords,hecastforthintotheheartofhertheverybestofhimself,onlyafractionofan

unmeasurablepulseoftimebeforeshestruckwhatremainedofhisbodywithsuchforcethatitinstantly
shatteredintolessthanitscomponentatoms.

Ashockwaveeruptedfromthestudywithcataclysmiceffect.Inthekitchen,horrified,Magneto

threwuphishandstoshieldhisface,coatinghimselfinsuchanarrayofmagneticforcethathewarped
compassesforathousandmiles,awareashedidsothatifJeanchosetofocusonhimasshehadon
Xavier,there’dbejustaslittlehecoulddotosavehimself.

Thewallsofthestudybulgedandunraveled,moleculesofwoodunzippingassmoothlyascarpet

fiber.Asolidbatteringramofairstrucktheotherfourmutantsandcastthemeachindifferent
directions,dumpingthemthroughouttheneighborhood,totheastonishmentofsomeoftheneighbors,
who—becauseeventshadhappenedsounimaginablyfast—wereonlynowcomingtorealizethatthe
areawasbeingtornapart.

TheremainderoftheGreyhousehungsuspendedforthebetterpartofaminute,andthencrashed

down,collapsinginuponitself,untilallthatremainedwasapileofrubbleandasingle,slim,exhausted
youngwomanwithhauntedeyesandhairthecoloroffresh-spilledblood.

OfCharlesXavier,therewasnothingleftbutmemories.
OutofthechaosroseMagneto,releasedatlastfromwherehe’dbeentrappedinthekitchen.He

sparedasmallglanceatthetwistedruinofXavier’swheelchair,andsawthatitwasthefocusofJean’s
gazetoo.Shemusthaveknownwhatshe’djustdone,butwasintoomuchshockfortheeventstohave
anytruemeaning.Itwasasifithadn’treallyhappenedtoher,itwasjustsomethingshe’dwatchedon
thenews.

He’dfeltmuchthesame,thatfirstdayattheAuschwitzcrematoria,stillmoreboythanman,but

strongenoughtobeassignedasaSonderkommando,tocartthebodiesfromthegaschamberstothe
furnaces,tosearchthemforvaluablesalongthewayandchipouttheirgoldteeth,andthensearchthe
ashesafterwards,justtomakesure.Ifhe’dacknowledgedthehorrorofwhathe’ddone,he’dhave
plungedhimselfintotheflamesratherthanfaceanotherday.Hehadwatchedanotherboydoprecisely
that,andanotherstillhurlhimselfontheguardssohecouldbebeatentodeath.He’dfoundawayto
survive.

NowhewouldtrytohelpJeandothesame.Andtogether,theywouldbanishallthenightmaresfrom

theirpast,thedemonsofmemorywhostalkedthemstill,andbuildafuturefortheirpeopleofpeaceand
prosperity.

ThatwassomethingCharleshadnevergivenhimcreditfor—thathehaddreamstoo.Perhaps,by

achievingthem,theycoulddohonortohisfriend,andtoallthosewhohaddiedbefore.

“Jean,”hesaid,layingagentlearmaroundhershoulder.Shewastrembling,unabletospeak,likely

notevenfullyawareofwhohewas.

“Comewithme.”

Andheledherouttheback…

…justasLoganbulledhiswayintotherubblestandingoutfront,withStormrightbehind,all

thoughtsofthemutantsthey’dbeenfightingcastaside,theirsoleconcernfortheirmentorandtheir
friend.

Loganwasabletomakeittowhatremainedofthestudyonsheeradrenaline.Theminutehecrossed

thethreshold,hisbodycalleditquitsandhecollapsedtohisknees.Untilherecovered,andheknew
thatwouldbeawhile,hewasn’tgoinganyfarther.HetaggedJean’sscentmixedwithMagneto’sand
toldOroroso,buttherewasnopointinfollowing.Notafterhiseyesfoundthewheelchair.Thescent
combinedwiththeflashesofmemoryofthethingshe’dseenwhiledragginghimselfacrosstheceiling
confirmedwhathadhappenedhere.

CharlesXavierwasdead.
Loganthrewbackhisheadandroared,acrythatechoedoutacrossthenearbyhousesandraisedthe

hacklesonthenecksofallwhoheardit—evenMagneto,usheringJeanintohisvehicle.Jeanblinkeda
coupleoftimes,asthoughtryingtofindherwaybacktoherself,hermouthstartingtoformtheshapeof
hisname,sothathernextexhaledbreathmightsayitaloudandrestoresomeordertoherworld.

Butshecaughtherbreathinstead,andsaggedintotheremainsofthefurniturebehindher.

CharlesXavierwasdeadandaterrorwalkedtheworld.

Itwasagloriousday,withonlyabarescatteringofcloudstogentlethesunwithoccasionalmoments

ofshade.

Oneandall,though,thestudentsthoughtitshouldberaining.Somethingtorrential,biblicaleven,

wouldbefarmoreappropriatetohowtheyfelt.

ThiswastheprivateceremonyforwhatCharlesXavierconsideredhistruefamily,thestudentshe

hadgatheredandmentoredoverthedecades,allofwhom—regardlessofage—werefeelingmorethan
alittlebereft,likeshipsthathadlosttheirmoorings.

There’dbeentheequivalentofatownmeeting.Xavierhadleftsomeinstructionsinhiswill,butthe

facultyfeltitwouldbebesttogivethestudentstheirownvoiceonhowtoproceed.Charleshadwanted
torestonthegrounds,amongthosehelovedthebest.Theonlyquestionthathadremainedwaswhere.

Thedecisionwasmadetoestablishamemorialinthegarden,becausethatwasalwayswherehe

taughtthehardestcaseswhocametohim.Hewouldtaketheoffendingpartiesandsetthemtowork
doingwhatwasdifficultforhim—caringforhisroses.Andbecausehewasneveronetoletpasssuch
anopportunity,thosesessionsturnedintoseminarsofextraordinaryvarietyanddepth.Acourseof
instructiononhowtoproperlytransferaplantevolvedquitenaturallyintoadiscussiononthenatureof
structureandbalance,andhownaturalselectionwasaffectedbyhumanengineering,whichinturnled
tophilosophyandameasureofhistory.Andsincehe’dneverletanyonegetawaywithjustspoutinga
position—ohno,they’dhadtobuttressitwithcitationsgoingback,invariably,tothedawnofwriting—
thatwouldoftenleadtoacourseinLatinorGreekorwhoknowswhatelse.Thedeeperintothis
seeminglymakeshiftcurriculumonewent,theharderonewantedtowork.Alessonlearned,alife
saved,rootsputdown—andnotjustfortherose.

Hehadaninfectiousloveoflearning,andarespectforknowledgethatinspiredthesameinthose

aroundhim.

Losingthat,forthesepeople,waslikestealingthesunfromtheirsky.
Thereweretwostones,thegreatercenotaphastallasXavierhimself,emblazonedwithabas-reliefof

hisfaceinprofile,alongwithhisnameandthewordsfather*mentor*teacher.Besideitwasasecond
pillar,slightlysmaller,bearingScott’sname.

Theairwasverystill—Ororohadseentothat—yetthetemperaturewasquitecomfortable.Each

breathbroughtthemtherichandvariedfragrancesofthegarden,andtheirearsweretouchedfromtime
totimebythebuzzofhoneybeesandtheoccasionaltrillofbirdsongfromthesurroundingtrees.Farther
offinthedistancecouldbeheardthekeenofahawk,callingforitsmate.

Onlytwowerepainfullyconspicuousintheirabsence:JeanGreyandLogan.NeitherhenorOroro

hadspokenoftheeventsattheGreyhouseholdbeyondthefactthattheprofessorhadbeenlostduringa
confrontationwithMagneto,andatthemomenttheywerecontenttolettheblamefallentirelyonhim.
ButJean’smanifestationofpowerhadsentripplesthroughtheaetherthatwerefeltbyeverystudentin
theschoolwithevenasmidgenofpsychicawareness.Ororohadtoadmit,whentalkingaboutitalone
withHank,thatJean’sactionshadlikelybeensensedbydamnneareverypsiontheplanet!Inaschool
fullofactive,inquiringminds,encouragedtothinkoutsidethebox,itwasn’tlongbeforethekidsbegan
puttingtogetherthepiecesanddrawingdisturbinglyaccurateconclusions.So,now,theyweren’tjust

shakenbythelossofthemanwho’drecruitedeveryoneofthem,who’dbeentheirguidinglightas
they’dexploredthisstrangenewworldoftheirpowers;theyalsohadtodealwiththeinescapablefact
thatoneoftheirown—perhapsthemostpowerfulofthem,aswellasthememberofthestaffwhowas
secondonlytoXavierhimselfasanurturingparentalfigure—hadgonerogue.

NobodyhadtoaskwhereWolverinehadgone.Theonlyquestionswerewhathe’ddowhenhefound

her,andwhetherornothe’dcomeback.

OrorostrodetoaspaceonthegrassjustinfrontofXavier’sstone,andtookamomenttocompose

herself—andinthatmomentsheinadvertentlyallowedallpresenttoseeandunderstandwhyduringher
youthinAfricashe’dbeenconsideredagoddess.

“Weliveinanageofdarkness,”shebegan.“Aworldoffearandanger,hatredandintolerance.”

Messagesofsympathyhadcome,notonlyfromPresidentCockrumbutfromhispredecessor,who’d

laidthegroundworkforalltheadvancesinmutant-sapienrelationssince.Adiscreetvideofeedhad
beenestablishedthatallowedtheseproceedingstobeviewedfromtheOvalOffice.

DavidCockrumsatathisdesk,hiswifeofmanyyearsathisside.Hewasidlysketching—whichis

whathedidwhenhewasstressed,tocenterhisthoughtsandeasehismind—aroughdrawingofXavier
asheknewhimbest,fromyounger,happierdays.Nostaffwerepresent,asthiswasaprivatemoment;
andpresidentsneverlikedanyoneoutsideofclosestfamilytoseethemcry.

“Formostofus,”Ororosaid,“thisisthewaythingsareandalwayswillbe.Somemaintainitis

hardwiredintoso-calledhumannature.Butineveryagetherearethosewhofightagainstit.”

Thenewshadbeenabodyblow.Noneofthestudentshadneededtobetoldthattheprofessorwas

gone.They’dfelthispassingthemomentithappened—inclass,indormrooms;everywhereonthe
great,sprawlingcampus—asshockingandundeniableasablowtothegut.Andyet—thoughtheinitial
reactionofmanywastears—discussionafterthefactrevealedthatthepredominantemotion,what
they’dactuallyfeltfromXavier,wasn’tpainorangerorsadness.Quitetheopposite:they’dbeenaware
ofafiercehungertoseewhatlayoverthenexthorizon,aneagernesstoembarkonthiswonderfulnew
adventure.Theyfeltasenseofgraceandpeace—and,strangestofall,theyfeltjoy.

“Moses,wholedhispeopleoutofslaverybutneverreachedthePromisedLandhimself.Abraham

Lincoln,whosavedtheUnionandfreedtheslaves,butneverlivedtoseehiscountryatpeace.Franklin
Roosevelt,wholedAmericathroughtheGreatDepressionandtheSecondWorldWar,yetdiedbefore
thefinalvictory.JohnKennedyandRobertKennedy,struckdowncruellybeforetheirtime,their
promiseunfulfilled.”

“MartinLutherKingJr.whofoughtforequalrightsbutwasstruckdownbyanassassin’sbullet.”

Loganstoodjustinsidethetreeline,downwindsohecouldn’tbescented.Hedidn’thaveagreat

view,hedidn’treallywantone,butheheardeverywordofwhatOrorohadtosay.

“Itwasn’tsomethingtheyaskedtodo.Theywerechosen.Andhewaschosen,too.”

Shelookedup,andhereyesfoundhisatonce,asthoughshe’dknownpreciselywheretolookfor

him.Thepaininhereyesmirroredhis,onlymoreso—andLoganknewshemournednotonlythe
friendsshehadlost,butfearedaswellforthoseabouttofollow.

Heunderstood,completely,butturnedawayregardless.

“CharlesXavierwasbornintoaworlddivided.Aworldhetriedtoheal.Itwasamissionhenever

sawaccomplished.”

Roguesatattheendofthefrontrow,Bobbybesideher,Kittybesidehim.Nonewereshyabouttheir

tears.Seekingcomfort,RoguereachedforBobby’shand,hereyesclosingeversoslightlyinfrustration
andgreatersadnessatthenecessityofbeingabletotouchhimonlythroughaglove.Someinstinct,
perhapsaminimalshiftinthewayhesatonhischair,promptedasidewaysglanceandshecaughther
lowerlipbetweenherteethattherealizationthatheandKittywereholdinghandsaswell.Only,the
othergirl’shandswerebare.NoneofthemnoticedPeterRasputin,sittingbehindBobby,witheyesonly
forKitty.They’dbeenanitem,once,andafterthey’dbrokenup,she’dspentasabbaticalyearabroad
gettingoverit.Problemwas,hehadn’t.

“ButXavier’steachingsliveonwithus,hisstudents.Whereverwemaygo,wemustcarryonhis

vision.Thevisionofaworldunited.”

Thatwasit.Onebyone,ledbyRogue—whoseideathiswas—eachofthemwalkedtothecenotaph

foramomentalone,tosaytheirownfarewells,andleavealong-stemmedroseatitsbase.

Thatnight,someofthemstillfounditimpossibletosleep.BobbyDraketossedandturnedandfretted

forwhatseemedlikeforever—butturnedouttobelessthananhourontheclock—beforedecidingto
raidthekitchenforsomesodaandicecream.

Paddingdownthesilenthalls,hewascaughtbyalowcooingfromKitty’sroom,anoteofsuch

poignantbeautyitstoppedhiminhistracks.Heknewatoncewhatitwas,beingoneofthefewwho’d
actuallybeenintroducedtoKitty’sdragon.Heeasedopenthedoorafterawarningknock.Bobbyhad
nointerestinLockheed,perchedwatchfullyupintheceilingshadows,onlyintheslim,brown-haired,
brown-eyedfigureslumpedcross-leggedonthebed.

Shewavedherhandshelplesslywhenshesawhim,hereyessunkenandredfromcrying.She’dgiven

upontissuesafterthesecondbox—theywerediscaredinpilesalloverthebedandcarpet—andnow
hadabathtoweldrapedacrossherlap.

Kittymutteredsomethingincrediblyrude,indicatinghereyesandcallingthem“waterworks.”Bobby

knewthatshedidn’tlikebeingblindsidedbyfeelings;takinghercuefromherfavoriteteachers,Ororo
andLogan,shemuchpreferredcontrol.

Shewipedawayhertearswithherfingers,thentheheelofherhand,thenthetowel.Didn’tdomuch

good—theyjustkeptcoming.He’dneverseenherlookhelplessbeforeandbrieflyconsideredmakinga
joke,butthenthoughtbetterofit.Instead,hetriedtooffercomfort.

“It’sokay,Kitty,”hetoldher.“It’sokay.”
Shemutteredsomethingevenmoreincrediblyrude.
Then,atouchmorecalmly,sheresponded,“Xaviercametomyhouse.Hewastheonewho

convincedmetocometothisschool.”

“Me,too.”Hesatbesideher,gaveheraguy-hugacrosstheshoulder.Sheslumpedbonelesslyagainst

himandforafranticinstantmadehimthinkshe’dactuallyphasedintohisbody.Whenithadpassed,he
said,“We’reallfeelingthesame.”

Sheturnedtohim,hervoicesoftassheshookherhead.
“No,Bobby,we’renot.YouhaveRogue.Ihave…”
Shetrailedoffintosilence.Hewantedtoseeherfacebutshewaslookingtowardthewindow.
“Ijust…Imisshome,”shesaid.ShewasfromasmalltownoutsideChicago,calledDeerfield.“First

snow,longwinters,eventhewindoffLakeMichigan.”

“Hey,”Bobbysaidalittledefensively,“wegetsnowaroundhere.”
Shegavehimawrylook,asthoughtosuggesthemadeitallhimself—whichhesometimesdid,in

fact,whentheywantedtogosleddingdownSuicideLeap.

“It’snotexactlythesame,”shenoted.Heactuallythoughtitwasbetter,butkeptthesentimentto

himself.

“What’ssodifferent?”heasked,meaningabouthome.
Sheshrugged,hervoicetired.“Well,forstarters,noMansion,nocooluniforms,nosupersonicjet.”
“Yeah,Iguessthere’sthat.”
“Don’tyoumissit,sometimes?Normallife?”
“Whatdoyoumeanby‘normal,’Kit-Kat?”
Thatgothimasourlook.Shewasn’tthrilledwiththenickname,whichiswhyheuseditnowand

thentobustherchops.Usuallyworkedgreatforknockingheroutofafunk.

Shegavehisquestiondueandproperconsideration,thensaid,“IwishIknew.”
Suddenly,hefoundhimselfacutelyconsciousofhowgoodshelooked,stillverymuchaworkin

progressbutshowingallthesignsofgrowingintoamajorandlastingbeautyoncesheemergedfrom
adolescence.Herlipswereveryclose,openjustenough,hereyeshalf-lidded,tosuggestthatany
advancewouldnotbesummarilyrejected.

Hedecidedondiscretionandindicatedherskates,stillinthecornerwhereshe’ddroppedthem,many

monthsago.

“C’mon,girl.Upyouget,onyourfeet,you’rewithme!”
“It’saftercurfew,BrightEyes.Stormtoldeveryonetostayintheirrooms.”
Hegaveheralook,sayingwithhiseyesandatwistofhismouth,What,youneverbrokearule?
Aloud,heassuredher,“Don’tworry,wewon’tgetcaught.”Then,withasoftandcharmingsmile,

“Youcanwalkthroughwalls,youknow.”

Walkthroughwallsand,itturnedout,onairitself,whichunnervedBobbyatadassheledhimdown

aninvisiblerampfromherupper-floorroomtotheground.Properlyphased,herbodyhadnocoherent
mass,butshecouldgeneratemotion—verymuchlikeswimming.Suspendingherselfwithinagreater
volumeclearlyworkedthesamewhetherappliedtoasolid,aliquid,oragas.

Gratefultobebackonterrafirma,heledhertotheornamentalpondoutback.Theswimmingpool

wastooobviousfortheirpurposes—toomuchchanceofbeingcaught.Here,hiddenamidstthehedges,
theyweremoresecure.BothofthemfeltameasureofcomforttobeunderthewatchfulgazeofXavier,
evenifitwasonlyarepresentationofhiminprofileuponapillarofstone.

“Thisplacecanbehome,too,”Bobbytoldher,hiswordsremindingKittythathehadn’tbeenbackto

BostonsincetheStrykerincident.Nolettersorcallsfromhisfolks,andeverythinghesenttothemwas
returnedunopened.

Hetouchedthewater,andjustlikethatitbegantocrystallize.
Bobbyheldupherskatesandinthesecondorsoittookforhertopluckthemfromhisgrasp,the

pondwassolidice,theairchillenoughtopromptacloudwitheverybreath.

“I’mnotverygood,”shewarned,takingtotheice.Infact,sheconsideredherselfamajorklutz.
Bobbydidn’tsayaword.Hedidn’thaveto—she’dseenhimskate.Hewasbeyondgoldinskill,he

wasplatinum.

Tonight,though,heshowednoneofthatgraceandflamboyance.Insteadhemadeplainthattonight

wasallabouther,andshelovedhimforit.Theyskatedaroundthelittlepond,whichactuallydidn’t
leavemuchroomtobefancy,andtheytalked.Astimegraduallypassed,thesorrowbegantogiveway
justalittle.Theyweren’tupforlaughteryet,buttheacheinsidewasn’tquiteasbad.

Shewhoopedinalarmashetwirledbehindher,handsclaspingherwaist—itwasallshecoulddoto

keepfromphasing,herreflexiveresponsetoanysuchsurprise—pullingherupandaroundinaspin.
Sheknewwhatwassupposedtocomenext.Themomentherbladesmadecontact,shewouldallow
momentumtopullherthroughatwistofherownandthengrasphisoutstretchedhand,whilestill
spinning,sothatshe’dendupwithherarmfullyextended.Itwasamaneuverpulledfromballroom
dancing,andifshewerewearingshoesshecouldmanageitquitenicely.

Butshedidn’tevenmakeitthroughthefirstrotation.Shesnaggedhertoeonhis,thrustoutaleg

clumsilytokeepfrompitchingflatonherface,feltherbalancegoalltohell,andcrashedagainst
Bobby,sensinghimstarttogotoo—butneitherfell.

Hecaughtherstronglyandjustlikethatshewascradledinhisarms,theirbodiestangledtightly

together.Hewasgrinning,andshesmiledback.Itfeltgood.

“Thankyou,Bobby,”shesaid,realizingtheireyeshadbeenlockedahalf-beattoolong.
Ashenoddedagreement,shecranedherheaduptokisshimonthecheek.Kittylikedthewayhe

smelledandletthecontactlingerlongerthanitshouldhave,sameaswiththeireyes.Shedidn’twant
themomenttopass.

Upstairs,anotherstudentwhocouldn’tsleepsawtheirheadsmovetogether.FromRogue’sangle,it

lookedlikeBobbyandKittywerekissingonthelips.Whatwasforthemabriefbutwelcomeinterlude
ofpeaceandreprievefromthemiseryofrecentdays,wasforheraspikethroughtheheart,initsown
wayfarworsethanXavier’spassing.

Bobbywastheonewhopulledback,butKittydidn’tpress.Theywerebothconflicted.
“I’msorry,”Kittybegan.
“No,no,no,”Bobbyinterrupted,“Ijust…”
Bothvoicestrailedoff.
“Yeah,Iknow.Me,too.”
Shebuttedhisshoulderveryslightlywithhers,a“buddy”thing.“C’mon,popsicle,weshouldget

backinside.”

Loganpausedabeatbythewindowofhisroom,takingabreathtocataloguethecomingsandgoings

outside.Hisroomwasusuallyamess,thefloorstrewnalmosttooverflowingwithemptybeercans.It
wouldhavebeenoddthatXavierhadnevermentionedit,exceptLoganfiguredhe’dknownthereason
why.Inthedark,itwasvirtuallyimpossibletofindyourwayacrossthefloorwithoutdisturbingthem,
andeventheslightestnoisewasallthealarmWolverineneeded.Betterbyfarthantheflocksofgeese
thatguardedancientRome.Today,though,he’dsweptitclean,andtakencaretopolishtheflooruntilit
glowed.

Becausethistime,hereallydidn’tbelievehe’dbecomingback.
“Whereareyougoing?”Ororodemandedfromthedoorway.Hemadeaface.Somuchforhisclean

getaway.

“Wheredoyouthink?”hereplied,slippingonhisjacket.
“She’sgone,Logan.She’snotcomingback.”Andheknewshewasn’ttalkingaboutJean’sphysical

departurewithMagneto.

Heshookhishead.“Youdon’tknowthat.”
Heslunghisbackpackoverashoulderbutsheblockedthedoorway.“No,”shetoldhim,makingitan

order.Hequirkedaneyebrow,suggestingthatshenottakethisanyfurther.Hereyeshadadoptedablue
castthattoldhimshewasalreadydrawingonherpower;ifitcametoatusslebetweenthem,itcould
getugly.

“Charleswaslikeafathertoher,”shesaid.“Andshekilledhim.”Hecouldtellitwasdifficultforher

tobelieveit,evenasshesaidthewords,butatthesametimeitwasimpossibleforhertoforgive.

“Thatwasn’tJean,”Loganmaintainedstubbornly,withoutashredofrationalevidencetobackitup.

“TheJeanI…”briefestofpauses,tofindastand-inforthewordhewantedtosay,love,“…knowisstill
inthere.Imeantoreachher,tofindawaytobringherhome.”

“Youtrulybelievethat?”
Henoddedtersely.“Ihaveto.”
Headvancedastep,butshestoodherground.Theairaroundthemgrewchargedenoughtoraisethe

hacklesonhisneck.

“Why?”Ororocriedout,andthen,withevenmoreintensity,“Why?Whycan’tyouacceptthetruth?”
“Notmytruth,’Ro.”
“Damnit,Logan,whycan’tyoulethergo?”
“Because…”hesaid,andfoundhimselfcompletelyatalossforwords.“Because…”
Hershouldersslumpedandtheairbetweenthemgrewcalm.Shelookedathimwithmoresorrowand

sympathythanhe’deverseeninanother’seyes—atleastdirectedathim.

“Becauseyouloveher.”
Henodded.
“Logan,”Ororotoldhim,“Jeanmadeherchoice.”Hestartedtoprotestbutshestoppedhimbylaying

herfingertipsacrosshislips,agesturethatseemedtohimverymuchacaress.Itcametohiminthat
instantthathewasn’ttheonlyoneheldbythegripofprimalemotions.“It’stimetomakeours,”she
said.“Ifyou’rewithus,thenmakesureyou’rewithus.”

Sheshiftedhergrip,slidingherhanddownfromhislipstocuphisjawinawaybothtenderand

achinglyintimate,revealingfarmoreofherselfwiththesefewsmallmovementsthanshe’ddoneinall
thetimehe’dknownher.

“I’venowlosttwoofmyoldestfriends,andtheonlyfatherI’veeverreallyknown.Idon’twantto

loseyou,too.”

Withthat,shelefthim.

MagnetofoundJeanstandingontheedgeofforever.Anescarpmentrosebehindtheclearingwhere

themutantshe’dbeengatheringhadmadetheircamp,beneathacliffastallasaskyscraper.Itlookedas
ifnaturehadformedthislittlevalleyjustlikeaquarry,cleavingtherocksindisconcertinglystraight
lines.

Jeanwasbalancedrightontheedge,staringoutacrosstheskyinawaythatmadehimthinkshewas

lookingstraightthroughtheatmosphereattheverystarsthemselves.Andthenthethoughtcametohim
thatshemightactuallyseethosestarsinwaysunavailabletothefinesttelescopesonEarth.Healsosaw
asheapproachedthatshewasstandingasmuchonopenairasontherockitself,andhecouldn’thelp
butbeimpressed.

Themorehesawandlearnedabouther,thelesshetrulyknew.
“Doyouremember,”hebegan,andshesenttheghostlyprojectionofherreplyskitteringacrossthe

surfaceofhisthoughtsbeforeheevencompletedthesentence:Everything.

“…Whenwefirstmet?DoyouknowwhatIsawwhenIlookedatyou?”
“Ascaredlittlegirl,”sherepliedaloud,outofcourtesy.
“Isawthenextstepinevolution.”Again,shepermittedhimasenseofherthoughts,whichthistime

consistedofaroundofquietlaughter,assherespondedtoajokehedidn’tget.“WhatCharlesandI
dreamtoffinding.”

Wordscamethistime—awarning:Becarefulwhatyouwishfor.
Heignoredherthoughts,andfocusedonthewoman:“AndIthoughttomyself,whywouldCharles

wanttoturnthisgodintoamortal?”

“Iammortal.”
Heraisedapieceofmetal,shakinghishead.“Icanmanipulatethemetalinthisscrapofiron.But

youcandoanything!”

Shefacedhimatlast,intriguedbywhatheheld.
“Anythingyoucanthinkof,”hesaid.
ThefragmentofironpoppedfromMagneto’sfingersandbegantoglowasJean’stelekinesisquickly

exciteditsmolecules.Hisownpowergavehiminsightintowhatshewasdoing,andhecouldn’thelp
butbeamazedassheplayedwiththecoremolecularstructureofthemetal,alteringitsdensity,its
shape,itsstate,itsveryphysicalnature.Shemadeitaglobofprimordialylem,andthenformedatiny
statuette.Sheexcitedittoagaseousstate,compressedittothevergeoftransitioningintoa
microsingularity.Shealtereditfromirontowoodandtheninfusedthatwoodwithasparkoflife,so
thatifplantedinfertilesoil,itmightverywellgrowintoapropertree.

Hereyesnarrowedassheworked,hermouthwidewithasmileofdelight,likeachildembracingher

latestChristmastoys.Shehadachild’sattentionspan,too,andveryquicklyshebecamebored.

Theironfragmentflaredbeyondincandescent,lightingtheircorneroftheshadedforestbrighterthan

anyconceivablesun,asbrightasCreationmusthavebeenduringthosefirstmomentswhenthe
universewasborn.

TheshockwavestaggeredMagneto,shookthetreesaroundhim,andgeneratedaFourthofJulylight

show.Below,inthecampsite,therewerecriesofalarmandoutrageasthewavecoursedthroughthem,
playingwiththeirskinasasudden,fiercesquallmightthesurfaceofapond.Jeandidn’tnotice.

“Jean,”Magnetocommanded,“enough.”
Thatgotherfullattention.Perhapsnotsuchagreatidea.
Shewassmiling,alittleruefully.Helikedthatevenless.

“Yousoundlikehim.”
“Hewantedtoholdyouback.”
“Andwhatdoyouwant?”Jeanasked.
“Iwantyoutobewhatyouare.Asnatureintended…”
Hetookherbytheshoulder,speakingwithhisfullpassion.
“This‘cure’theyspeakofismeantforallofus,whetherwewantitornot.Ifwewantourfreedomas

aspecies,ourrightfulplaceamongthepeoplesandnationsofourworld,thenwemustfightforit.
Together,Jean”—hemovedclose—“wecanwinthiswar!”

Hiswordsstruckachord.Shewasinterested.
Magnetowascontent.

Callistowasfurious.
FollowedbyPyro,sheinterceptedMagnetoonhiswaybacktotheencampment.
“Whatthehellwasthat?”shedemanded,andhedidn’tneedtelepathytoseethatshethoughthewas

crazyforkeepingJeanaround.“Herpower’stotallyunstable.”

“Onlyinthewronghands,”heassuredthem.
Pyroobviouslydidn’tbuyit.“Andyoutrusther?She’soneofthem!”
Magnetodidn’tevensparehimaglance.“Sowereyou,once.”
“Istuckwithyou,alltheway,”PyroprotestedasMagnetobrushedpasthim.“Iwould’vekilledthe

professorifyougavemethechance!”

Hetookaquick,reflexivestepbackasMagnetoroundedonhim,consumedbyrage.“Theprofessor,”

heroaredrightintheyoungman’sface,“wasmyfriend!”Hepaused,forbreathandforcontrol:
“CharlesXavierdidmoreformutantsthanyou’lleverknow.Mysinglegreatestregretisthathehadto
dietoturnthetide.”

“Sowhatnow?”askedBobbyDrake.ItwasthemorningfollowingXavier’smemorial.Abunchof

kidshadgatheredinoneofthecommonroomsafterbreakfast,tobejoinedbyOroroandHankMcCoy
andultimately—toasmileofwarmrelieffromOrorothatwasn’treturned—byLogan.“Whatdowe
do?”

Ororoshrugged.“Idon’tknow,Bobby.”Hankknewthatnoneofthemhadreallythoughtthatfar

ahead.Theywerestilltoomuchinshock.

Hankspokeup,reluctantly,thedoctordeliveringtheworstofnews—newsthatseemedtobejust

aboutwhateveryonewasexpecting.

“CharlesXavierfoundedthisschool,”hesaid.“Perhapsitshouldendwithhim?”
Ororodidn’tcomment,butKittygaveashallownod.
“Weshouldstartcallingparents,”shesuggested.
“What?”Bobbysoundedoutraged,notonlyatthemotiononthetable,butalsobywhoitwascoming

from.

“She’sright,Robert,”Hanksaid.“Weshouldtellthestudentsthey’regoinghome.”
“Mostofus,”PeterRasputinremindedhim,“don’thaveanywheretogo.”
Bobbyshottohisfeet.“Ican’tbelievethis!Ican’tbelievewe’renotgoingtofightforthisplace!”
Ororodidn’tmovefromherplacebythewindow,soitwasLoganwhoansweredBobby’schallenge.

“Charley’sdead,kid,”hesaid.“Theprofessorisdead.”
Bobby,angrily:“Sowhat?”
“Thereisnoschool,”Loganexplainedpatiently,althoughitwascleartoHankthatwhathewanted

farmorewasasessionofunrestrictedberserkermayhem.“Thereisnochoice.”

“There’salwaysachoice!”Bobbythrewhisownwordsbackathim,andthen,rushingonwards:“But

whatdoyoucare?Thiswasneveryourhome!”

Loganlookedreadytoreply,butinsteadturnedtofacethedoorway.
Facingthemwasanangel.
“I’msorry,”Warrensaid,pickinguponthevibe.“Iknowthisisabadtime…”Hisbodylanguage

andmannertoldHankthathefullyexpectedtomakethingsworse.

“MynameisWarrenWorthington,”heintroducedhimself,thenwithashy,self-deprecatingsmile

added,“thethird.”

Everyoneknewthename.Warrenplungedaheadregardless.
“Iwastoldthiswasasafeplaceformutants.”
“Itwas,son,”answeredHank.
“No,Henry,”snappedOroro.“Itis.”
Withalongandevenstride,everystepproclaimingtherightnessofherdecision,Ororocrossedthe

roomtothedoorwayleadingtoXavier’sstudy.

“Bobby,”shetoldhimasshepassed,“showMr.Worthingtontoaroom.”
Shethrewopenthedoorandentered,withtherestofthemfollowing—curious,expectant,impressed,

outraged—likefishcaughtinhernet,tobeholdhertakingherplacebehindthedesk,asthoughitwere
hersandalwayshadbeen.

“Andtellallthestudentstheschoolwillremainopen.”
HankwatchedherlookpasttheassemblagetoLogan,whohadn’tmadeamove.
“Thisisourhome,”shetoldthemall,butherwordsweremainlymeantforhim.“AndaslongasI’m

here,thiswillbeasafehavenformutants.”

Thereweresmilesallaround—evenfromHank—andamuffledchorusof“Aw-riiight!”

“Outstanding!”“Waytogo,’Ro!”FromLogan,though,notaword,notevenanod.Ororohadmade
herdecision.Hemadehis.Heleft.

Upstairs,alittlelater,BobbyusheredWarrenintoaroom.
“Mightnotbewhatyou’reusedto,”hesemiapologized.
“It’sperfect,”Warrenassuredhim.
“Yeah,”Bobbynodded,comprehendingthemultiplemeanings.“Noparents.”
Withjustthosefewwords,theymadeaconnection.AndfromitBobbyintuitedatoncethatWarren

hadalottoprocess,workbestdoneinprivate.Tellingthenewarrivalhe’dgiveayellatdinnertime,
Bobbysteppedoutintothehalltoleavetheboyalone.Asheclosedthedoor,though,hecaughta
glimpseofWarrenflexinghiswings,stretchingthegleamingalabasterpinionssowidetheyscrapedthe
wallsoftheroom.

Withthatsightcametheobviouscodenameforsogloriousacreature,thatencompassedhisstrength

andtheevidentcourageitmusthavetakentobreakfromhisfather—whomitwasequallyapparentthe
youngmanstillloved—andofcoursehisunearthlybeauty.

“WelcometoXavier’s,”Bobbybreathed,“Angel!”
Helefttheroombyadifferentroute,toknockeventuallyonRogue’sdoorandquietlycallhername,

“Rogue?”Andthen,answeredbysilence,“Marie?”

Itwasn’tlocked,andhiseyeswidenedasthedoorswungopenonanemptyroom.Shehadn’ttaken

much,andthechaossurroundingthebureauandclosettoldhimshe’dpackedinahurry.Nonote,no
clue.Damnherandherimpulses!

Outside,heencounteredPeterandaskedtheobvious.
“Hey,Pete,youseenRogue?”
“Shetookoff.”
“When?Where?Why?”
Peterhadnoclue.Bobby’dhavetofigureoutthisoneonhisown.

LoganstoodbeforeXavier’scenotaph,replayingthosefinalmomentsoverandoverinhismemory.

Hehadn’tmovedformostoftheday,buteveryoneattheschoolhadthecommonsensetoleavehimbe.
Hiseyeswereathalf-mast,givingtheimpressionhewasdozing—butthetensioninhisbodytotally
beliedthat.Hewasinfullpredatormode,waitingfor…something—damnedifhecouldarticulate
preciselywhat—andwhenitarrivedhe’dbereadytodealwithit.

Treesrustledashispatiencewasrewarded.Thewoodsweredeepinshadow,andashelookedhe

foundnothingtheretosee.Bothtreesandairseemedstill,yethisearsreportedthesoundofmovement.
Itwasbig,andcomingstraightforhim.

Heflexedhisfingers,butlefthisclawsretracted.Thesameinstinctthatalertedhimtothe

approachingpresencenowassuredhimhewasinnodanger.Thisthingwasasmuchthepredatorashe
was,butitwasn’thuntingtonight.Atleast,nothim.

Andjustlikethat,withinthespaceofasinglebreath,hisheadwasfilledwiththescentofher.
Heheardhercallhisname.“Logan!”
Beforehecouldreply,hisperceptionstwistedinsideoutandhefoundhimselftumblingthrougha

cascadeofwaypoints,layingoutatrailhecouldeasilyfollowthatledunerringlytoahiddenforest
encampmentbelowatoweringcliff.

“Cometome,”Jeanpleaded,andtheforceofherdesperation,herneed,herstarkterror,drovehimto

hisknees.

“Helpme,”shebegged,andherealizedthatbothsetsofhisclawswerenowextended,gleaming

despitebeingshroudedintwilightshadows.Herdoing,hesensed,afurthertweakingofherperceptions,
toshowhimwhatwasneeded.

“Saveme,”sheaskedofhim,inthebarestwhisper,andthentheairfellstilloncemoreandthescent

ofherwasnothingbutamemory.

Hesatup,backramrodstraight,bladesrestingopenonhisthighs,legsfoldedunderhiminthe

Japanesemannerthatwasanunexpectedconstantinhisnatureandthesourceofmuchspeculation
amongthestudentbody.HowcouldaroughhouserfromtheCanadianbackwoodshavearealaffinity
foroneofthemoststructured,manneredandorderedsocietiesinhistory?Loganhadnoanswerseither.
Hesimplyaccepteditasapartofhimself,likethehealingfactor.

Hestayedthatwayastheeveningturnedfullydark,thenwithuncharacteristicformality,foldedboth

forearmsacrosshischest,sotheyformedtheshapeofanX,andretractedhisclaws.Withafluidgrace
herolledtohisfeetandlaidasetoffingertipsonthecrestofthegreatstone,hiseyesmeetingtheface
emblazonedonitsside.Therewasalittlebitofhumortothewayhismouthquirked;hewas,afterall,a
manwithanappreciationforirony.

“Youwereright,Chuck,”headmittedatlast.“Youwerealwaysright.”
NobodyheardhimretracehisstepsthroughtheMansion,butOrorowaswaitingatthecarriage

house,whereshehadherloft,withthekeystohisbike.Therewasnoneedforwords.Theypartedwith
anembracethatcarriedwithitanacceptanceofwhatwas,butalsoapromiseofafuturenotyeteven
dreamedof.

Then,witharoarthatwokethehouseasheopenedthebike’sthrottlewide,hehittheroad.
Loganhadalotofmilestogobeforeheslept—andapromisetokeep.

SomefolkscalleditMutieTown.Somesmart-assinthecitybureaucracyslappedonthelabelDistrict

X.Backintheday—whichinthisinstancewasacenturyandahalfago—Manhattan’sLowerEastSide
hadbeenthetenementhometosuccessivewavesofimmigrantstoAmerica’sshores,startingwiththe
Irish,thentheItalians,theJews,allthepolyglotvariationsofcountryandcultureinMiddleEurope,
followedbytheChineseandmostlately,therestofSoutheastAsia.ThejokeintheBigApplewasthat
youcouldstrollfromtheWilliamsburgtotheManhattanBridgeandencountertheworldinsmall,every
nationalityandethnicgroupcurrentlyextantupontheglobe.Andprobablyafairsamplingofthe
ancientonesaswell.Itwasthatkindofcity.

Thenewesttoarrivesortofbrokethemold,inthatthesefolksweresubstantiallyhomegrown.Here,

amongthemeanstreetsandhardcoreneighborhoodsthecitywouldratherforget,mutantsgatheredto
maketheirhome.Andlikeeveryimmigrantgroupthatprecededthem,onceestablishedthey’dbegunto
extendtheirinfluencebeyondthoseinitial,confiningboundaries,agitatingovertimeforthesame
servicesandrespectaccordedeveryoneelse.True,theylivedinaghetto,buttheyalsobelieved
acceptancewasonlyamatteroftime.

Here,inthemediacapitaloftheworld,WarrenWorthingtonJr.andKavitaRaohadestablishedtheir

firstclinic,promisinganinstantescapefromyearsofstruggleandhardship,offeringthechancefor
mutantstorejointherestofhumanity.

Roguehadwaitedonlineallnighttoreachtheclinic.She’dfilledoutalltheproperformsandbeen

assignedaplaceinthewaitingroom.Andthatwashowshespentherday,fromthatpointon:sitting,
watchingthosearoundher,andwaiting.Sameasthem.

Someofthemutantsappearedexcited,othersconflicted.Thefirsttimetheycalledyourname,itwas

forasessionwithacounselor,whooutlinedthenatureoftheprocedure,thepotentialramifications.For
example,specialcarehadtobetakenwiththosemutantswhoselifeprocessesinvolvedtoxicsubstances
orharmfulenvironments.Revertingsomeonewithgillswithoutthemeansofyankingthemoutofthe
water,pronto,wasanonstarter.Likewiseamutantwithsulfuricacidforblood.Ifyouexistedin
multipledimensions,Roguemusedtoherself,howcanyoubesureyou’llendupintherightone?

Theotheraspectthecounselorhammeredhome,returningtoitagainandagain,wasthefactthatyou

couldn’tchangeyourmind.Onceapplied,thereversioncouldn’tbeundone.Youmakethechoice,
you’restuckwiththeconsequences.Beingamutant,thatwasfate’sfault,ornature’s,orGod’s;you
couldventagainstthosehigherpowersallyoupleased.Thecure,however,wasallonyou.

That’swhynoadolescentswerebeingallowedtoparticipateintheseinitialtrials.Acceptingthelegal

argumentsputforthbyattorneyVangeWhedon(herselfamutant,abletomorphintoadragon),headof
theMutantRightsCoalition,thefedshadconcededthiswastoobigandabsoluteadecisiontobemade
forsomeone,evenbylovingparentswantingonlythebestfortheirchildren.

Roguehaddonehersessionthismorning,returnedtoherseat,andpatientlycontinuedtowaither

turn,wishingherpowerappliedtoinanimateobjectsaswellaspeoplesoshecouldlayahandonthis
chairandturnherselfintoastatueofplasticandmetal.Thelongershewaited,thecraziershebecame,
contentwithherchoiceonemoment,franticthenext.Shethoughtofallshe’ddonewiththeX-Menand
wonderedHowcouldshepossiblygiveupsuchalife?

SheachedforBobby’stouchandwonderedwhyshehadtowait,andthenworriedwhatwould

happenifthingsdidn’tworkout—ifhehadonlypretendedtocareforher?Shehadtoadmittherewasa
fundamentalsafetyinherpower.Herbodywasabsolutelyherown,andnoonecouldlayahandonher
withoutsufferingtheconsequences.Couldshehandlebeingvulnerable?Wastheneedthatateherup
insideworththeprice?

OhGod,ohGod,whatifshewaswrong?
Theinnerdooropenedandacoupleemerged.They’dbeenamixedpair,sherememberedfrom

earlier—heamutant,shenot.Now,theywerejustacouple,verymuchinlove,holdingeachother,
cooingendearments,touching,stroking,marvelingatthiscatalogueofnewsensationsthatmadethem
perpetuallygiddy.

Thenurseoverseeingthelineconsultedherclipboardandreadoffthenextname.
“Marie,”shecalled.
Thenamedidn’tregisteratfirst.Roguewastoousedtobeingaddressedbyhercodename.Whenthe

nursecalledagain,shereactedwithastart,raisingherhandandputtingherselfintoaminortumultas
shegatheredhergearandsteppedthroughtheindicateddoorway.

Protestorslinedthestreet,pro-cureandanti-,plusagrouprepresentingtheself-proclaimed“Web-

Nation”Purity,whocalleddownaplagueonboththeirhouses,decryingthecureasaworthless
smokescreenandholdingfasttotheircorebeliefthattheonlygoodmutantwasadeadmutant.

Opposite,andlookingunderstandablyanxious,wasanunexpectedlythickcrushofmutants,all

apparentlytryingtogetintotheclinicatonce.Thepolicehadstartedoutbyestablishingandtryingto
enforcealinealongthefaceoftheclinicbuilding,butthenumberandintensityoftheprotestorshad
graduallydriventhoseprospectivepatientsintoahuddleofself-defense.There’dbeenattemptstomove
theprotestorsback,butagainsheernumberswereaproblem.Thefactthattwoofthethreegroups
consistedofindividualswitheveryvarietyanddegreeofpowerdidn’thelp.Closingtheclinicand
sendingeveryonehomewasnooption—thatdecisionwasjustasguaranteedtostartariotasattacking
theprotestors.

Therealityofthesituationwasthatnobodyhadanticipatedthesheernumbersinvolved,onallsides.

Tomorrow,they’dhopefullyhaveabetterplan.Fortoday,whichsofarhadgonefairlywell,they’djust
havetokeeptheirfingerscrossed.

Bobbycouldn’tbelievehiseyesashehadmadethecornerofHoustonandfoundhimselffacing

policelinesandbodiesgalore.Talkingreallyfastandusingalifetime’squotaofdumbluck,he’d
managedtoworkhiswayuptotheclinic.Didn’thurttobumpintosomefriendsamongthecops,
includingthetacticalcommanderon-scene,InspectorLucasBishop(amutantandformerstudentof
Xavier’s)andhisseniorsergeant,CharlotteJones.

Itwasagamblecomingdownhere,buttryashemighthecouldn’tthinkofwhereelseRoguemight

go.Heunderstoodthathewasalargepartofthereasonwhyshemightconsidertakingsuchastep,but
hereallycouldn’tcomprehendwhyshe’dgothroughwithit;hewouldn’t—couldn’t—giveuphis
powerforanything.Until,thinkinghardonthetrainrideintoGrandCentral,hehadaskedhimselfhow
he’dfeeliftheirpowerswereswitched.Ifhecouldn’tevertouchthewomanhesodesperatelyloved.
HeunderstoodaswellthathecouldpromisetobefaithfulonastackofBibles,andmeanit,andshe’d
stillhavedoubts.Because,asshe’dsaid,hewasaguy.

Buthehadtobelievetherewasanotherway.Or—ifshewastrulydeterminedtogothroughwithit,

hewouldjoinher.Wouldhehateherforthat,after?Wouldshecometoresenthim,inthebeliefthathe
hatedherforit?Supposethingsdidn’tworkout—whatthen?

Hisheadwassplittingandhisheartwaspounding.Hecouldn’tthinkanymore.Themorehetriedto

findawayoutofthismaze,themoretangledandcrazyhegot.

Indesperation,hehadboileditdowntooneimmutableelement:helovedRogue.Hewouldsearch

untilhefoundher.Everythingelsecouldwaituntilafterwards.

Asthecrowdcondensedmoreandmoreintoanimmovablecrush,Bobbywishedhewasmuchtaller.
Then,hecaughtafamiliarflashofemeraldgreenexitingtheclinic.Hedidn’tneedtoseeher

distinctivestripetoknowitwasher,justknowingthewayshemovedwasenough.

Yellinghernamedidnogood.Shehadherheaddown,andhefelticeformaroundhisheartatthe

thoughtshe’dactuallydoneit.

Butthinkingoficegavehimanidea.Ifhecouldn’treachherwithhisvoice,he’ddeliveramessage

madeofice,writinghernamebetweenthebuildingsingreatbigletters.

Helostsightofherandtriedtobullhiswayforward,realizingthathisbrilliantideawouldn’tbeof

muchuseifheputthesignaluponthewrongstreet.

Bobbywasmakingdecentheadway—whenheranintoPyro.
“Johnny?”heaskedfoolishly.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“Whatareyou,popsicle?”Pyrosneeredbackathim,makingitimpossibleforBobbytobelieve

they’deverbeenbuds.“Getting‘cured’soyoucangohometomommyanddaddy?”

“Fuckyou.”
PyronoticedBobbystillsearchingthecrowdandsnappedhisfingers.
“Oh,Igetit.Lookingforyourgirlfriend.Figuresshe’dbehere.”
Youreallyareanasshole,Bobbythought.Withoutconsciouslyrealizingit,he’dclenchedhisfists,

hispowercoatingthemwithasheenofice.

“SameoldBobby,”Pyrochuckled,anditwasn’tacompliment.Bobbywantedtowipethesmirkoff

theothermutant’sfacebutthereweretoomanybystanders,packedtooclosearoundthem.“Stillscared
ofafight.”

BobbyheardthefaintclickofPyro’sZippoandsawasmallballoffireappearontheflattenedpalm

ofanout-heldhand.

OhmyGod,hethought,andmadeagrabforhisformerroommateasPyroheadedfortheclinic.
“Stop!”hecrieduselessly,knowingPyrowouldn’tlisten.“John,stop!”
Hecaughtattheother’ssleeve,butJohnsidesteppedbetweensomeotherpeople,breakingthehold

andusingthemtoblockBobby’spathwhileheworkedhiswayclosertothebuilding.

Bobbyheardhimyell,asifthiswereatreat,“Fireinthehole!”andthen,Pyroletlooseasphereof

firethesizeofasoccerball,arcingitthroughtheairlikeagoalieclearingthenet.Perfectaim,right
throughaground-floorwindow.

Itdetonatedlikeabomb,flamespunchingouteverydoorandwindowalongthatcornerofthe

structure,castingforthashockwaveofblisteringheatthatknockedthosenearestflattothestreetand
settherestofthecrowdtopanicked,screamingflight.

Bobbywasamongthosedroppedbytheforceoftheexplosion,andtheonlyonetoreactproperly.A

scoreofpeoplewereburning,clothesignitedbytheoutrushofflames,andevenashestartedtomove
towardsthem,aseriesofsharpsecondaryblastsshatteredwindowsontheupperfloors,sendinga
cascadeofglassshardstowardsthecrowdlikesearing-hotshrapnel.

Hisresponsewasjustasquick—hegeneratedcocoonsoficetoextinguishthefolkswhowere

burning,plusawalltoshieldtherestfromtheflyingglass.Hecouldhearscreamsfrominsidethe
building.Thefirehadspreadwithfearfulspeedalongthegroundfloor,coveringtheelevatorsand
stairwells,trappingeveryonewhowasupstairs.Itwasalow-risebuilding,thefiredepartmentcould

reachtheupperwindowsandroofwiththeirladders—exceptthattheblazewasgrowingtooquickly.
Pyro’sfireballwascomposedofsuperheatedplasmaofsuchintensityitcreatedaninstantfirestorm
insidethebuilding.QuickasNewYork’sBravestcouldpossiblyrespond,evenifitwasonlyamatterof
minutes,they’dlikelyfindnothingbutaguttedshell.

Bobbyicedtheroofandworkedhiswaydownfromthere,intentionallykeepingthecoatingthin

enoughthatitwouldalmostinstantlymelt.Itwasn’teasy—hehadtoprovideenoughicetocreatea
constantdelugeofwaterthatwouldchecktheadvanceoftheflames,enablinghimtoadvancegradually
uponthehyperhotcoreofthefirestorm.Dumpingicedirectlyontopofitwouldcreateadisasterallits
own.Thenear-solarheatwouldflashtheicedirectlytosteam,provingjustasdeadlytoanyoneit
touchedanddoingnothingtoeliminatethethreat.

Atthesametime,hecreatedapairoficeslidesattheotherendofthebuilding,asfarremovedas

possiblefromthefireitself,allowingthosetrappedameanstoescape.

Hisheadquicklybegantopound—hewasn’tusedtothismuchexertion.Themoreicehegenerated

todousethefire,themoreitdemanded.Hefeltlikehewastryingtofillanoceanbyhimself.Theair
aroundhimgrewtinderdry,andlashesofpainlaidthemselvesacrosshisbackandchestastheeffortof
channelingatmosphericmoisturethroughhisbodygrewexponentially.

Then,dimly,faroffinthedistance,heheardthegrumbleofthunder,andagustofairswirledaround

him,asheavywithmoistureasafog.Herememberedthephalanxofcameras—theday’seventswere
beingcarriedbyeverylocalchannelandthe24/7nationalnewsfeeds.WhenPyrothrewhisbombshell,
theymusthavegoneliveglobally—whichhe’dbethislifewasexactlywhatMagnetohadplanned.At
thesametime,though,itmusthaveallowedStormtoseehispredicamentandrealizewhatwasneeded.
She’duppedthehumidityintheairaroundhimtothelevelofatropicalrainforest,givinghimmore
thanenoughresourcestofinishthejob.

Evenso,hewasbreathlessandswayingonhisfeetacoupleofminuteslater,afteritdawnedonhim

thathe’dturnedtheclinicbuildingintoanicepalace.Hecouldsensenomorehotspotswithin,and
waterthathadbeenpouringfromtheshatteredwallsandwindowsinafloodhadslowedtominor
trickles.Bobbycouldhearsirensatlast,althoughtohimtheyseemedveryfaraway.Sodidthepeople
talkingtohim.Hecouldseetheirlipsmoving,astheciviliansinthecrowdwerepushedasideby
reportersandpolice,comingtogetherlikearugbyscrum,equallydeterminedtogettohim.

Atthemoment,though,hehadeyesonlyforhiscreation,whichhehadtoadmitwasquiteasight.

Theentirebuildingwascoveredwithicesparklingblue-whiteinthesun,sobrightlyitmusthavebeen
hardforpeopletolookatwithoutsunglasses.Bobbyhimselfhadlongagodiscoveredhehadno
problemwitheithersnoworiceglare.Theslidesatoneendwerecomplementedattheotherbyhuge
sculptedmoundsthathadbeenformedbythewaterplungingfromthebuilding.Closesttothewalls,
theyresembledgiantAfricantermitehills,butashelookedupandouthesawthembranchintomore
delicatearchesandpillars,spiresandramps,withstalagmitesreachingupfromthestreetintersecting
withstalactitesdrippingdownfromabove.Anearbylight-polewaslinkedtothebuildingbyartfully
delicatestrandsofice,asweresomestreetsigns,givingtheimpressionthatsomecrystallinespiderhad
beenbusilyatworkonitslatestweb.Thesuncastthesceneinflashesofdiamondbrilliance,butalso
playfullymixedinprismaticburstsofcolorastheicecaughtitsraysandrefractedthem,creatinga
successionofmicrorainbowstocomplementthemuchlargeroneforminginthesupersaturatedair
overhead.

Anotheroutcryfromthecrowdshatteredhismomentaryreverie.Aburstoffirewascoursingthrough

theair,asthoughfromaflamethrower,tosearasymbolthroughtheiceandintothebrickfaceoftheold
tenementbuilding:theGreekletter

©

,forOmega,thelastletterintheiralphabet,usedtorepresentthe

endofthings.

Bobbylookedhard,triedtoforcehiswaytowardsthesourceofthefire,thinkinghecaughtaglimpse

ofPyro—butthecrowdwastoolargeandtoospooked.Policeandjournalistswerealreadypressinghis
wayandwithfireandrescueunitsconvergingonthescenefromeverydirection,continuinganysortof
effectivepursuitwasaforlornhope.

Thegaggleofreportersbarelygottothrowasinglequestionbeforetheircollectiveattentionwas

distractedbyanall-too-familiarvoiceboomingfromthespeakersofanearbyradio.Wavesandyells
fromoneofthenewsvansbroughtaninstantaudience,everyonepressingcloseenoughforaviewof
Magneto’sfaceashebeganhisbroadcast,addressingthemwiththeformalgravityofthepresidentfrom
theOvalOffice.

“Today’sattackonyour‘cure’wasonlyourfirstsalvo….”heinformedtheworld.
“Solongasthisso-calledcureexists,ourwarwillrage.Yourcitieswillnotbesafe.Yourstreetswill

notbesafe.Youwillnotbesafe.”

Bobbyshookhisheadinmingledmiseryandfrustration,painfullyawareofthelooksthatwerebeing

splitbetweenthemanonthescreenandhimselfbythepeoplearoundhim,notinghowtheybeganto
edgeaway,clearingadefinablespacebetweenthemselvesandthemutants.

Overhisshoulder,themutantswho’dcometotheclinicweregatheredaroundoneoftheirown,

who’dassumedthecodenameBroadband,ashegeneratedathree-dimensionalrepresentation—
pluckedfromtheairwavesbyhispower—ofwhattherestwerewatchingontheirTVscreens.

Thankfully,thefiremen,paramedics,andanumberofthecops,ledbyBishopandCharlotteJones,

hadn’tforgottentheirresponsibilitytotheinjured.Theyfinishedtriagingallwho’dbeenhurtand
sendingthemofftothehospital.IfnotforBobby’sinstantintervention,theywouldtellhimalittlelater,
theconsequenceswouldhavebeenfarmoreawful.Instead,thankstohim,therewereonlya
comparativehandfulofthird-degreeburns;therestofthecasualtiessufferedmoredamagetotheir
clothesthantheirpersons.

“Youwantacure,”hewatchedMagnetosayonBroadband’slife-sizedgeneratedimage.“Youwill

haveit.Acuretoallthatailsyou.”Hedidn’tmuchlikethesoundofthat.ButwhereMagnetowas
concerned,whatthehellelsewasnew?

AttheMansion,StormandHankquietlyjoinedotherstudentsandfacultyinthecommonroomto

watchthesamebroadcast.

“Andtomyfellowmutants,”Magnetoconcluded,“Imakeyouthisoffer,andthiswarning:Joinusor

stayoutofourway.Enoughmutantbloodhasbeenspilledalready.”

Thatwasit.Silencereignedforthefirsttwoorthreeseconds,beforeoneoftheyoungerkidsstuck

outhisforkedtongueanddeliveredarousingBronxcheer.

Hegotthelaughhe’dwanted—butonlyforamoment,beforethebroadcastswitchedovertothe

newsroomandbegantopresentaseriesofreportsfromaroundthecountry.TheincidentinLower
Manhattanhadn’tbeenanisolatedattack,butpartofacoordinatedgroupofsimultaneousstrikes
throughoutthenation.There’dbeennoX-Manpresenttoprotectthoseothersandtheresultswereruin
afterguttedruin,andacasualtylist—includingabodycount—thatmademanywatchingweep.

Visiblyfurious,thepresidentswitchedofftheOvalOfficeTVandhurledtheremoteintothedepths

ofthenearestcouch.HestooddirectlyovertheGreatSealandasheglaredatthefloor,heremembered
whathe’dlongagobeentoldabouttheeagle.Intimeofpeace,asnow,itsheadfacedtoitsright,
towardstheolivebranchesclaspedinonegreatclaw.Inwar,itturnedtheotherway,towardsthebrace
ofarrowsheldinitsleftclaw.Ifitweren’tforallthefurnitureintheway,hewasmorethanreadyto
indulgeinanirrationalimpulsetoflipthedamnthingoverhimself.

Hegaveventtohisfrustration.“Whointhenameofallthat’sholydoesthatmad,arrogantmutant

sonofabitchthinkheis?Doeshereallywantawar?Doeshetrulybelievehecanwin?Orthattheworld
thatsurviveswillbeworthlivingin,foranyone?”

“We’retryinghardtotrackhim,sir,”cametheresponsefromBolivarTresk,alongwithCockrum’s

sudden,bitter,cynicalthought,Butthattrickneverworks.“We’reworkinghard—”

ThepresidentindicatedtheTV.“Yes,Iseethat.”Hefacedthemuchbiggerman.“Workharder,

Bolivar.Wecannotallowthistocontinue.Wecannotlethimdothis.”

“Wellthen,sir,youknowwhatneedstobedone.”
Cockrumstoodbeforehisdesk,staringatthecollectionoffileshe’dbeenreading,allcolor-codedto

indicatethehighestlevelofsecurity;evensomeofthemenandwomennowinthisroomweren’t
permittedtoseethem.Heseriouslyconsideredtheonemarked“Sentinels,”thendecidedtheywere
betterheldforanother,darkerday,prayingashedidsothatdaywouldnevercome.

Thenagain,he’dofferedprettymuchthesameprayerabouttoday.
“Thoseweapons,”thepresidenttoldTrask.“Iwantthemcommissioned.IwantWorthingtonLabs

secured.Iwanttroopsinfrontofeveryclinic.MagnetoisnotgoingtodictatetermstothisWhite
House,orinfringeonthetherightsofourpeople.”

Inthebackground,thepresssecretaryscribblednotesfuriously,collectingacoupleofthepresident’s

phrasestouselaterforsoundbites.

“Anyonewhowantsthatcuregetsit,”thepresidentreiterated,indicatingthathewantedtomakesure

thisstatementmadeprintandairwaves.“Wewillprotecteverycitizen,humanormutant,byanymeans
necessary.”

Withinthehour,securitywasinplace—eitherFBISWATteamsworkinginconjunctionwithlocal

lawenforcement,ortroopsculledfromtheNationalGuard.Itwasavisuallyimpressiveshowofforce,
but,aswithdisplaysinearlieremergencies,atairportsandrailroadstations,thepublichadveryreal
doubtsastowhetheradeterminedattackcouldtrulybeprevented.Stoppingguyswithbombswasone
thing,butstoppingguyswhocouldbebombs,ormanifestwhoknowswhatotherkindofmutantpower,
wassomethingelseentirely.

SinceNewYorkheldthegreatestconcentrationofmutantseastoftheMississippi,itwasdecidedthat

theclinichereshouldreopenassoonaspossible.TheManhattanlocationwasatotalloss,but
WorthingtonhadleasedspaceacrosstheriverinBrooklyn:abuildingattheconvergenceofAtlantic,
FlatbushandFourthAvenues,witheasyaccesstoahalfdozensubwayandraillines.Thevulnerability
ofthelocationmadethepublicsecuritydepartmentsblanch,butthespacehadn’tbeenchosenforits
defensibility.Easeofaccesswasthemainconsideration.They’djusthavetodeal.

Antiterroristsniperteamsweredeployedundercoverofdarknesstothesurroundingrooftopsandas

theymovedintoposition,theirbossesbegantobreathealittleeasier.Theclinicwasintheopen,with
highgroundoneveryside.Thisgavetheshootersamorethanadequateseriesofoverlapping“kill

zones.”PressreleasesidentifiedthebootsonthegroundasNationalGuard,butthatwasonlypartly
right;thedetailwasamixoftheNationalGuardandarmyregulars.Moretothepoint,allofthemwere
combat-experiencedveteranswithsignificantexperienceinurbanpopulationcontrol.Theyknewtheir
jobandthey’dfolloworders.Theywouldn’tpanic.

Astheymovedintoposition,theyexchangedtheirM16sforshotgunsthatfirednonlethalbulletsand

gascanistersforcrowddispersal.Eachmanwasissuedahandweapon,plastic,withbackupmagazines
sufficienttodealwithamultitude.

Asecureperimeterwasestablishedaroundtheclinic,withsandbagsandfencing,anddefinedareas

setasideforprotestors,aswellasforprospectivepatients.

Theprotestorswerefirstonthescene,yellingandscreaminginanattempttointimidatethepatients.

Theywerequicklyjoinedbytheirrivals,whowereforthecure,anassemblagethatwasmainly
nonmutantsapiens,withascatteringofmutants.Theyseemedtohavethenumbers,althoughthe
anticuremobdefinitelyhadthevolume.Thepatientsandtheirescortswere,ofcourse,stuckinthe
middle.

OrorohadofferedtheservicesoftheX-Men,andhadverypolitelybeenrebuffedateverylevelof

government,fromtheWhiteHousetoCityHall.Thehelpwasappreciated,buttheconsensuswasthat
theX-Menmightprovoketroublemorethanforestallit.Thesubtext,unfortunately,whichOroroand
Hankhadrecognizedalltoowell,wasthattheX-Meninparticular,alongwithmutantsingeneral,
weren’ttobetrusted.Theteam’sactionsinthepast,includingBobby’stheotherday,didn’tmatter.
Betterforallconcernedthattheystayclearandlettheproperauthoritieshandlethings.

LucasBishopwasoncemoreinchargeoftheNYPDcontingent,withCharlotteJonesbesidehim.

Theseven-eight,acoupleofblocksawayonBergen,washerhomeprecinct,andProspectHeights,her
home,period.Herfolkslivedalittlefartherintheotherdirection,inFortGreene,sothiswasn’tjustthe
jobforher.Thiswasverypersonal.

Theprotestorssurgedforward,againsttheNYPDwoodensawhorsesandthebaton-andshield-

carryingguardsmenwhobackedthemup.Asergeantyelledatthemthroughhisbullhorn,“Everyone,
please,getback!”

AroundBishopandCharlotte,everyonemovedintotheirproperposition.Intheirearbugs,whichtied

themintothecommandnet,thetwobossesheardthestatusreportsfromallthesniperteams.

“Perimetersecure,”camethereport.
“Good,”Bishopsaid.Then,intohisownradio,repeatedmoreloudlyforthebenefitofthetroops

nearby,“Let’sstartlettingthemin!”

Aquartetoftroopers,thebiggesttheycouldfind,tuckedthefirstclutchofmutantsbetweenthem,

likesaplingsamidstredwoods,andheadedfortheentrance.Watching,Charlotterememberedherdad
tellingherwhatithadbeenlikeasaboy,watchingnewsreportsfromLittleRock,showingfederal
marshalsescortingalittleblackgirlintothefirstintegratedschoolinthecity,inthefaceofamobof
snarling,hate-filledfacesspewingeverycruelandhurtfulcatcalltheycouldthinkof.She’dseenthe
NormanRockwellpaintingaswell,andhopedtherewassomeoneofequaltalentandpassionwhocould
documentthisgeneration’smomentofgraceandcourage.Shewasgladshehadtheopportunitytostand
amongsttheirdefenders,asherheartachedtoseemorethanafewsheknew—somequitewell—among
theprotestors.

Therewasaconstructionsitenearby,andsomeofthecrowdhadcollectedsomeloosebitsandpieces

ofrubbleinpassing;itdidn’ttakelongforthemtostartthrowing.Thetroopersusedtheirshieldsas
they’dbeentaught,linkingthemastheancientRomanLegionhaddonetocreatethe“turtle,”puttingan
unbreakableroofovertheirheadsforprotection.

Buttheshieldwasn’tfoolproofandnotalltheprojectilesweredeflected.Onesoldierwentdown,

bloodstreamingfromagashbelowhishelmet.CharlottehelpeddraghimclearandanNYPD

uniformedofficertookhisplace.Thelinebowed,retreatedperhapsastep,butotherwiseheld.

Slowly,patiently,thesnipersandtheirspotterssweptthecrowdwiththeirhigh-poweredlenses.

Roundschambered,safetiesoff,fingersrestedbesidethetriggers,butnotonthem.Boring,meticulous
work,maximumstress,becausetheycouldn’trelaxtheirvigilanceevenasmidge,andwhenthetime
cametoact,theyhadtobeperfect.Itwasn’teventhatwarmamorning,yet,oneandall,thesnipers
weresweating.

AtBishop’scommand,thelineofguardsadvanced,stepbyrelentlessstep,easingtheprotestorsback

totheiroriginalposition.Theorderfortheday,emphasizedrepeatedlyallalongthechainofcommand,
wasrestraint.Noscrewupswereacceptable,notinthefaceofsuchcomprehensivemediacoverage,not
withthewholeworldwatching.Hesparedhimselfaghostofagrinatthethought,becausesomeamong
theprotestors—althoughhecouldn’tyettellwhichside—hadbegunthatverychant,astheirparentsand
grandparentshadbeforethem.“TheWholeWorldIsWatching!TheWholeWorldIsWatching!”

Astiramongtheanticurecrowdsnaggedhisattention.Hebegantorespond.HenoticedCharlotte

turningaswell,reactingtothesamecopinstinct,thesamesubconsciouscues.

Someonewaschargingoutofthecrushandintotheopen.Lizardskin,withlegsmademorefor

jumpingthanwalking.

“Greenlight,”Bishopsaidintohisheadset.“Atyourdiscretion.”Therewasn’taninstant’sthought

giventotherepercussionsifhewaswrong,andhetrustedhismenashedidhimself.

SniperTeamOneacrosstheavenue,twelvestoriesup,hadthebestangle.OfficerZakPennstopped

chewinghisgum,tappedlightlyonthebuttonthatlaidthescarletdotofhislasersquareagainstthe
centerofthemutant’sback,andshiftedhisfingertothetrigger.

Thechargingmutantleaptintotheopen,coveringhalfthedistancetothepolicelinewiththefirst

jumpandreachingaheightthattoldthemhissecondwouldputhimontheroof.Hehadabomb,of
course.Healsointendedtobelonggonewhenitdetonated;he’donlyneedasecondtodropthething
andanothertobeanentireblockremovedfromtheblast.

Pennmadethenecessaryadjustments,pulledthetrigger,andstartedchewingagainwhilechambering

thenextround.Hewasreadyforasecondshot,butknewhewouldn’tneedit.

Themutantwasbarelyoffthegroundwhentheprojectilehithim,rightonthemoney.
Hedroppedashardasifhe’djustbeenhitbyaninvisiblelinebacker,goingintoviolentconvulsions

themomenthelanded.Bishopstartedforward,handonhisownweapon,whileCharlotteyelledforthe
paramedics.Buttheseizurepassedasquicklyandabruptlyasithadbegun,andconcernturnedto
astonishmentasscalesflakedofftheman’sbody,revealingclean,humanfleshunderneath.Hishead
hadbeencrownedbyasuccessionofbonyridges,runningfronttoback,risingtoacentralcrest.Now
hewasnearlybald,withadefiniteshadingofhair.Andasforhislegs—originallythey’dformeda
shapesomethinglikeawildS,madeforleapinghugebuildingswithasinglebound.Notanymore.Pink
feetandordinary—normal—toeswerewhatcouldbeseensproutingfromthehemoftrouserswhich

hadfitperfectlybeforebutwerenowhugelyoversized.

Slowly,wobblingbecausehisbalanceandcenterofgravityhadchangedsomarkedly,strugglingto

getusedtothenewconfigurationofhisbody,theman—who’dbeenamutant—rosetohisfeet.He
stared,dumbfounded,athishandsandthenliftedthemandhisfaceskyward,unleashingallhisgrief
andrageinonemonstrousbellowofdenialthatechoedandre-echoedthroughoutthesuddenlysilent
plaza:

“Nnnnooo!”
Nobodyelsesaidawordasacoupleofcopsandtrooperstrundledforward—nothingquickor

gracefulaboutmovinginallthatgear—totriphimupandputhimgentlydownsotheycouldbindhis
wristswithziptiesandhustlehimtothenearestpolicevanforprocessing.

Theprotestorssaidnothing,didnothing,althoughsomeshotnervouslooksattheneighboring

rooftops,wonderingwhatwouldhappennext.

Offtotheside,watchingfromtheroofoftheirtruck,whichaffordedthebestvantage,oneofthe

localreporterselbowedhercameraguyintheribs:“Tellmeyougotthat,”shedemandedofhimand
wasrewardedbyaterse,satisfiednod.

WorthingonJr.snappedofftheTV.Hecouldn’tbeartowatchanymore.
“WhathaveIdone?”heasked.“WhathaveIdone?”
Itwasn’tjusttheviolencedonetotheclinicsthathauntedhim;inaway,he’dhalf-expectedsucha

reaction,asitwasemblematicofthetimes.Whatstruckhimtothequick—comingontheheelsofhis
ownson’sterrorattheprospectoftheneedle—wasthelookonthemutant’sfaceasherealizedwhat
hadbeendonetohim.Thusfar,theonlymutantsWorthingtonJr.hadencountereddirectlywerethose
who’dembracedwhatheoffered.Herewasthefirsttimehe’dseensomeonetransformedinvoluntarily.
Thefactthathewaslikelyaterrorist,committingacriminalactthatmighthavegottenpeoplehurtor
killed,didn’tmattertohim—whichwasstrangebecausehewasadevoutproponentoflawandpublic
order.Itwascomingface-to-facewiththerealizationthathe’ddonesomethingirrevocable.

Herememberedamoviefromhisyouth,seenonadayoneafternooninLondon,Fellini’sSatyricon.

Earlyoninthemovie,aman—anextra,aderelictdraftedoffthestreets—hadactuallyallowedhishand
tobeseveredatthewrist,inascenepresentinghowancientRomepunishedcriminals.Hehadnever
understoodhowthatpersonhadpermittedhimselftobesomutilated,orhowanyotherrational,decent
personcouldhavecommittedtheact.Whatwasdonecouldneverbeundone,thehandgoneforever.

Justlikethatmutant’spowers.
Herememberedthattragicmomentinthebathroom,beholdinghisson,thelightofhislife,slashing

athimselfwithaboningknife,desperatetopluckawaythewingssproutingfromhisback,unableto
acceptthecruelalterationsinhisbodythatwouldmakethempractical.He’dheldtheboyinhisarms,
thetwoofthemrockingbackandforth,assomuchbloodfloodedoverthemthatwhenhiswifecame
homefromworkshescreamedanddamnnearfainted,thinkinghusbandandsonhadbothbeen
murdered.They’dallsobbedthemselvestosleepthatnight,withoutanyanswerstotheirprayers.Why,
ohwhy,hadGoddonethistotheirbrightandbeautifulboy?Ultimately,they’dhomeschooledtheirson
becauseWarrenhatedtogooutside.Hehadtostraphiswingsintoacruelharnessthatmadehimfeel
likehewaswalkingaroundinaperpetualhammerlock,desperatelyafraidofwhatwouldhappenif
anyonefoundout.Hebrokecontactwithhischildhoodfriends;hehardlylefthisroom.Briefly,they
consideredconsultingwithCharlesXavier,butneitherofthemwantedtheirboytobelumpedinwitha

studentbodythatwasdescribedinthepopularpressaseitherfreaksorterrorists,orboth.

Beyondthat,WorthingtonJr.hadbeguntoconsiderthecourseofhisson’slifeafterschool.Who

wouldhireamanwithwings?Whatworkcouldhedo?Andwhatwouldthismeanforany
grandchildrenshouldheevermarry?

Somanyhardquestions,sofewsatisfactoryanswers,somuchmiseryforallconcerned.Hefound

himselfimprisonedinabox,andsohehadsoughtasolutionthatwasoutsidethebox,whichiswhatled
himtoKavita.Herresearchseemedtohimagodsend,herdiscoverytheidealsolutiontoeveryone’s
problem.

Untilthismoment,whenallhisgoodworksandintentionsturnedtoashesinhismouth.
“AllIwantedtodowashelp,”hesaid,alittlebitlost,alittlebithelpless,recallingoutofnowhere

theoldsayingaboutwhatpavedtheroadtoHell.

“Perhaps,”Dr.Raooffered,“wehadn’tconsideredthefullramificationsofthecure.”
“Ijust…”WorthingtonJr.said,hisexplanationmoreforhisownearsthanhers,“Ithoughtthiswould

bringustogether.”

Raoshookherhead.“Letushope—letuspray—itdoesn’tteartheworldapart.”
TheroomshookwiththepowerfuldowndraftofrotorbladesasapairofApacheattackheloscircled

thebuilding,providingaircoverforaSikorskyBlackHawktrooptransportthatwasalreadytouching
down.Theyheardaminortumultintheouteroffice,therepetitivethunderofbootshurryingalongthe
hallways,andthenwerefacedbyacivilianflashingabadgethatidentifiedhimasFBI,accompaniedby
astickofparatroopers,assignedtosecurethelocationandespeciallyanyoneandeverythingrelatingto
thecure.

Worthington’sdiscoverywasnolongerhis.Anditsfate,likethoseofhisson,andmutantkindin

general,hadjustbeenassumedbygreaterhands.

Loganknewnothingaboutwhatwashappeningintheworld,andatthemomentcaredless.Hewas

hunting.

Jeanhadshownhimtheway,buthewastooinnatelywarytofollowhertraildirectly.Oncehefound

thejumping-offpoint,heusedoneofthehandheldcomputersKittywasfondofgimmickingtogetherto
pullalandsatoverviewofthesceneofftheNet.Cutelittlegizmo,hediscovered,inkeepingwithits
creator—fullofsurprises—itcontainedaminiatureversionoftheholo-projectionsystemsinthe
BlackbirdandtheMansion,allowinghimtoviewthetargetareainthreedimensionsratherthanasaflat
pictureonascreen.ThisenabledhimtofollowJean’strailvirtually,adryrunthattoldhimwherehe
hadtogo,sothathecouldfindhisownway.

Normally,he’dgofortheimpossibleroute,theonenobodywouldthinktowatch.ButMagnetohad

suchabuguphisbuttabouttheWolverine,chanceswerehe’dhaveguardspostedeverywhere,justfor
spite.TheMasterofMagnetismwasnofool—hehadtoassumeLoganwouldmakeaplayforJean,and
establishhisdefensesaccordingly.

SoLoganfoundhimselfabackdoorthatwasaruggedtraverse,butnowherenearimpossible.Itwas

oneofascoreofwaysintothedepthsoftheuntracked,minimallychartedmountainforest.

Hecamewiththeclothesonhisback,trustingtosensesandtradecraft,alongwithhisclaws,tosee

himsafely—whateverthatwouldmean—tothefinish.Noweapons,nogear.He’dsustainhimselfon
whateverhefoundalongthewayandfacetheelementsashehaddoneasaboy.

Speedwasoftheessence,butasheclosedonhisobjective,itwasfarbettertobesilent.Aghost

couldn’thavebeenlessconspicuousasheslippedfromshadowtoshadowwithoutmakingasound—
noteventheshushofclothesashemoved,thetouchofbootsolestoleavesontheforestfloor—or
leavingasign.

Securitywasquiterespectable.Magneto—ortheflunkywhoreplacedMystique—knewthebusiness.

Heencounteredthefirstcadreaklickfromtheclearing,chosetowatchthemratherthanengage,toget
asenseofwhatkindofadversariestheywere.Theirwoodcraftwaslousy—theymadeasmuchnoise
walkingasakidbustingawildernesstrailaboardhisbrand-newATV.IfthiswasthebestMagneto
had…

Asitturnedout,theyweren’t.Nastysurprisesawaitedhimasheencounteredsnaresanddeadfalls,

mostlyintheobviousplaces,butafewsitedquiteingeniously.FortunatelyforLogan,hecouldsmell
themutantswho’dlaidthetrapsandseewherethey’dcoveredtheirtracks.Gradually,painstakingly,he
learnedhowhisadversariesthought,andhowwelltheyworked.Ashedidso,helearnedhowbestto
beatthem.

Thehomestretchcame,theirlastlineofdefense—thebestoftheirbreed.Theseguys,hedidn’twant

toleaveonhissix;they’dhavetobedealtwith.Bythistime,hehadtheircommunicationprotocols
downpat.Ifhetookthemhardandfast,beforetheycouldgetthewordout,he’dhaveenoughtime
beforetheyweremissedtoreachJeannieandbail.Thequestionwas,didMagnetohavehimselfa
telepath—otherthanJean,ofcourse.Ifhedid,thepsiwouldlikelybeinconstantlinkwiththesentries,
andshriekthealarmatthefirstsignoftrouble.Nowayofknowingforsure,hejusthadtothrowthe
diceandhopeforthebest.

Butevenasheallowedhimselfthatthought,withitcamethecertaintythatMagnetohadnopsis

amonghisnewBrotherhood.

Jean,heknew;helpingagain.Hetookthatforagoodsign.
Twoguardspatrolledthewoods,withanothertriointhetrees.
Leavesrustled.Theguardsresponded,morewarywitheachapproachingstep,bringingriflestobear,

gearingforafight.Nothingworthreportingyet.

Heleftthemafootprint,andasoneofthemputfingerstolipstoalerttheotherswithawhistle…
…Loganblindsidedhimintooblivion.Hispartnertookaswing.Loganblockedit,stabbedthumbto

throattoforestallanyoutcry,duckedunderasecondswing,clippedtheguy’slegsoutfromunderhim,
caughthimashefell,andsenthimofftodreamlandwithhispartner.

Therehadn’tbeenalotofnoise,butitwassufficienttobringtheothers.Theycameinfastfromall

sides,trappingLoganattheirconvergence.

Theyfoundtheirtwofallencomrades,butnotthemanwhodroppedthem.
Theyshouldhavelookedup.Prettyuncannyhowwell,howquickly,howquietly,afellacanclawhis

wayupthesideofatreeifthere’saneed.

Ascrapoftornbarkflutteredpastoneofthemutants.Bythetimehisgazerolleduptofindthe

cause…

…Loganwasonhiswaydown.Hedroppedintothecenterofthetrio—noclaws,therewasnoneed

forblood.Theseweren’thardcoreBrotherhood.Hemovedinablur,withafocusandprecisionmost
wouldconsiderwhollyunlikehim.Theytriedtheirbesttolandbothpunchesandkicks,butheeither
parriedthemorslippedoutoftheway,returningtheirstrikeswithinterest,theadamantiumlaced
throughhisbonesimpactingwithmoreforcethansolidsteelbars.Toughasmutantphysiognomymight
be,theywerenomatchforhisenhancedskeleton,orhisnaturalstrength.

Threemen,threeseconds,sixorsevenmovesbyallconcerned,andthefightwasover.Theynever

reallyknewwhathitthem,andLogandidn’tevenbreakasweat.

Nowforthemainevent.
HewasafterJean,andherscenttookhimawayfromtheencampment,whichwasaltogetherfine

withhim.Mayhemwasn’tonhisdancecardtonight,ifitcouldbeavoided.Muchmorefuntofinda
waytooutthinkMagnetothantoplaythebrute,toshowtheoldmanthathewasn’ttheonlymutant
withanaffinityforchess.

AsLogansnakedhiswayalongtheridgeline,averyslightshiftinthewindfloodedhimwiththe

scentsofthemutantsgatheredbelowandtossedallhiswell-laidplansintotheDumpster.Thinkingback
overhistrail,herealizedthathe’dbeensointentonJeanandthesentriesthathe’ddiscountedtheother
scentsfillingtheair—onlynowacknowledgingthattheyreallydidfilltheair.Carefully,takingnotthe
slightestchance,hepartedsomebrushalongtheedgeofthecliffforaviewoftheencampment.

HehadtoconcedethatMagnetohadbeenbusythepastfewdays.Theoldmanmusthavemadea

helluvacase,too.He’dexpectedafewscore,max,torallytoMagneto’scause;whatlaybeforehim
easilynumberedinthehundreds.Bothsexes,allages,individualsandfamilies—notmerelytheones
whocouldfight,butthefuturegenerationstheywerefightingfor.

Magnetostooduponamakeshiftplatform,givingaspeech.
“Theywishtocureus,”hesaid,givingthatsentimentandthosewhohelditthecontempttheyso

richlydeserved.“ButIsaywearethecure,tothatinfirm,imperfectconditionofnaturecalledHomo
sapiens.”

Theycheered.
“Theyhavetheirweapons,wehaveours!”
Theycheeredmoreloudly.LoganhopedMagneto,likeFidelCastro,wouldgoonforhours.That

wouldmakehislifesomucheasier.

“Wewillstrikewithavengeanceandfurythisworldhasneverwitnessed.Wewilldestroythevery

sourceofthiscure…”

Itdoesn’thavetobethisway,Loganthought,andknewashedidsothatforMagnetotherecouldbe

noother.HeseemedashardwiredintothepatternsofhislifeashesofirmlybelievedLoganwasinto
his.

“…andifanymutantshouldstandinourway,thenwewillusethispoisonagainstthem….”
Loganpausedandtookamomenttolooklongandhardathishands,asifhisskinhadturned

transparentandhecouldseetheclawsintheirhousings,tuckedintohisforearms,seehowintricately
themolecularstructureofhisboneshadbeeninterwovenwiththatoftheadamantiumthatmadethem
unbreakable.Theprocesshadcosthimasignificantportionofhisbonemarrow;thekeyelementthat
sustainedhimwashishealingfactor.Itnotonlyhealedthegashesmadebetweenhisknucklesevery
timethebladesextendedandretracted,itproducedredandwhitebloodcellswithincredibleefficiency.
TakeawaythehealingandhewasaDeadMutantWalking.

Itwasnotahappythought,andafatehewasdeterminedtoavoid.Hewasn’talwayscomfortable

withtheX-Men,butlifewiththemhaddefinitelygotteninterestingovertheyears,morethanenoughto
keephimcomingback,andmaybeeventoconsiderstickingaround.

“Wewillendthiswhereitallbegan.”ThatcaughtLogan’sattention.“Andthen,mybrothersand

sisters,nothingcanstopus!”

Andsupposeyouwin,smartguy,Loganthought,whatthen,eh?Whataboutthepeoplewho’releft,

youjustgonnamake’em“disappear”?BeatHitler’sscorebyafactorofahundredormore?Caneven
youembracegenocide?OrdoyouexileeveryonetoAustralia?Orturnthemintotheperpetual
underclass?Isthatthefutureyoupromisethesefolks,tobecomelordsofanEarthpopulatedbyslaves?
Lookinthemirror,bub,you’llseehowthatscenarioplaysout.

Heheardachuckledeepinsidehisskull,caughtaflashofscarletamidstthewoods,whereJeanwas

watchingbothMagnetoandhim.

Heshouldhavebeenmorecareful,butknewintheenditwouldn’thavemadeanydifference.Hewas

onhiswaytoher,quickbutsilent…

…whenhewasbouncedbackoffhisfeetbyaninvisiblewall.Hethoughtforthatfirstmomenthe’d

beenattackedbyJean,especiallywhenhefoundhimselfpinnedspread-eagledtoatree,unabletoeven
wriggle.

“Herewegoagain,”Magnetosaidamusedlyasheapproachedtosethimstraight.“Iknowthestench

ofyouradamantiumfromamileaway.”

Loganstruggled,andthengrewverystillasMagnetoidlybrandishedthepistoltakenfrom

Mystique’sguard.MagnetoflashedhiseyesfromtheguntoLogan,hissmilebroadeningasthey
returnedtotheweapon.Then,obviouslyenjoyingthemomentimmensely,hetuckeditinhispocket.

“Ididn’tcomeheretofightyou,”Logantoldhim.
“Smartboy.”
“IcameforJean.”
“AndyouthinkI’mkeepingheragainstherwill?”
JeanturnedherbackonthembothasMagnetopulledLoganclose,usingmagneticfieldsbothtohold

himinmidairandtokeeptheX-Manutterlyimmobile.

“Sheishere,”Magnetosaid,“becauseshewantstobe.”
“Youhavenoideawhatyou’redealingwith!”Logancriedout.
Magnetoshookhishead,battlinganunhappymemorythatLoganknewhewaspreparedtoaccept.A

pricetopay,fortheoldman’sgreatergood.“Iknowfullwell.IsawwhatshedidtoCharles.”

“Youlightthatfire,whatmakesyouthinkyoucanputitout?”
“PerhapsI’mlikePrometheus,bringingthatsacredfiretothemasses?”
“I’mthinkin’morelikeIcarus.Idon’tgivearat’sasshowfaryoufall,Lensherr,butdamnedifI’ll

seeJeanfallwithyou.”

“Youtrulyloveher.”Theoldermanshookhishead,surprisedbytherevelation,andclearly

saddened.

“I’mnotleavingwithouther.”
MagnetopulledLoganrightuptohimandthelookhegavetheothermanwasactuallysympathetic.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Youare.”
HeplacedhishandflatagainstLogan’schestandgaveagentlepush.
Loganfinallycametorestjustthissideofthehorizonfromwherehe’dstarted,closeontwenty

miles,throughanentireforestandafairshareofbouldersandquitelikelyamountaintop.He’dlost
trackofhisprogressearlyon,andwhenhelandedhedidn’tmove.Hisbodywasbrutallytorn,fleshas
muchinragsandtattersashisclothes,andwhilehisbonesarrivedunscathed,therestofhimwasas
closetotheendascouldbeimagined.Hisspleenwasruptured,liverspearedbyabrokenbranch.His
lungswereintactwithintheribcagebutthediaphragmneededtopumpthemwassavagelytorn.His
heartcouldstillbeatbutwhatwasthepoint,sinceahugegashacrossthetopofonethighhadsevered
thefemoralartery.Anyoneofthoseinjurieswasanabsoluteguaranteeofdeath.Thecombinationof
themall…

…onlymadehishealingtakequiteabitlongerthanusual—itwasalsoarealpain.

Milesaway,hearinghimscream,knowinghowhefelt—bothintermsofthehealingand,farmore

importantly,abouther—JeanGreyhuggedherkneestoherbreastandstaredintotheheartofthe
campfire.

Shewept.

LoganlookedlikehellwhenhereturnedtotheMansion.Hefeltawholehelluvalotworse.Hehadn’t

waitedforthehealingtorunitsfullcourse.Assoonashe’dwoken,assoonashecouldmove,hefound
hisbikeandhittheroad,stoppingatabikerdivejustlongenoughtopullaTerminatorandrelieveone
ofthegentlemenpresentofhisleathers.Andthen,oncethedustsettled,heputinaquickcalltothe
fedstocomedealwiththecrystalmethlabpercolatingoutback.

He’driddenallday,allnight,andhewasjustgettingwarmedup.
“Storm!”hebellowed,slappingthedoubledoorsoftheformalentrywayopensohardhedamnnear

poppedthemoffthehinges.

“Wehaveproblems,”heannounced.
“Youfoundher,”Ororosaid,assumingthingshadn’tgonewell.HankjoinedthemasLoganshook

hishead,indicatingthatwasanunderstatement.

“Isuredid.”
“StillwithMagneto?”
“Lockedatthehip,butI’mnotsurethey’rewalkin’thesameroad.’Ro,sheledmerighttoher.She

knewIwascoming,shewantedmethere—butwhenMagnetocaughtme,shewalkedaway.”

“Itoldyou!”
Heshookhisheadviolently.“It’snotthatsimple.”
’RoshelvedtheargumentforanothertimeandherthoughtechoedLogan’s:Ifwemakeitthatfar.

“Wherearethey,Logan?”

“Onthemove.Sonofabitchhasraisedhimselfanarmy!”
“You’resayingyousawMagneto?”askedHank,whogotignoredforhistrouble.
“Iknowwherethey’regoing,’Ro,”Logantoldher.“We’vegottagetthere.We’retheonlyoneswith

achancetostophim.”

Stormnodded,understandingthedoublemeaningtowhatLogansaid,thatthestrugglewithMagneto

wouldn’tbetheonethattrulymattered.

Astheyleftthefoyer,HankMcCoypulledouthiscellphoneandtapped1onhisspeeddial.

Originally,thatslothadheldXavier’snumber,butasHankcametorealizewhenheacceptedhis
cabinetpost,therearecertainphonenumbers,andcertainpeopleinthiscountry,whotakesecondplace
tonoone.

Itrangonce,andwasansweredbythebestswitchboardintheworld.
“ThisisHankMcCoy,”hesaid,eventhoughtheyknewthatalreadywithcallerID.“Patchme

throughtothepresident.”

DavidCockrumwasintheSituationRoomwithhisseniorsecurityandbattlestaff,monitoringinreal

timeanongoingmilitaryspecialop.

“Sevenminutestocontact,”BolivarTrasktoldhim.
ThepresidentnoddedasTraskgesturedtowardsasatelliteimageofMagneto’sencampment.

“Magneto’sbaseofoperations.”

Astraightlinerannorthwestthroughthetreesfromthevicinityofthecamptoadistanceofover

twentymiles.Cockrumaskedaboutit.

“We’renotaltogethersure,sir,”Traskreplied.“Theoriginalbestguesswassomekindofprojectile,

consistentwithsomethingbeingkickedoutofarailgun.It’sastuntthat’scertainlywithinMagneto’s
powerandcapabilities.Butwhenwecheckedouttheterminalpointwitharecceteam,theyreported
findingafairamountofblood,andwhattheytellmewasatrailofphysicalevidence.Nearasthey’re
willingtohazard,somebodylandedthere,gotupandwalkedacoupleofmilesdowntothehighway,
whereitseemsabikewasstashed.Nextwehear,there’sbeenahelluvabarfightnearby,oneguyversus
thelocaloutlaws.Seemshewantedsomeclothes.SeemshealsofoundadruglabtheDEA’sbeenafter
forquiteawhile.”

Cockrumquirkedhiseyebrows.HewastiredofwaitingforTrask’spunchline.
“ItwastheWolverine,sir.Starttofinish.Welosttrackofhimatthebar,butIjustgotaflashfromthe

NSAthatourKeyholesurveillancesatellitetaskedtomonitorXavier’smansiongotaphotoofhim
rollinginabouttenminutesago.”

“Jesus”wasallCockrumcouldsay,consideringtheramificationsofwhatTraskjusttoldhim,

thinkingfirstWhatthehellisthatguymadeof?Andthen,withrelief,ThankGodhe’sonourside.And
thenlast,anxiously,DearGod,Ihopehe’sonourside.Finally,asawayofcoveringthoseworries,he
asked,“Bolivar,howdidwefindMagneto’sbase?”

Traskindicatedanothersubordinatedisplay,presentingaquitelovely,well-dressedwoman,

Caucasian,blond.ShesatintheconferenceroomofaUnitedStatesattorney,herlawyeratherside,and
signedanaffidavit.

“Shegaveuseverythingwewanted,andmore.”
Almostasifshe’dheardTraskspeak,thewomanlookeddirectlyupatthemonitor.Mystiquemay

havelostherabilitytochangeshapes,butCockrumstillcouldn’tshakethecertaintythatshecouldsee
himthroughthevideofeed.

“‘Hellhathnofury,’”hemusedtohimself,“‘likeawomanscorned.’”
AnaidewhisperedinTrask’searandthesecretarypickedupthephone.
“Notagreattime,Hank,”hesaidbrusquely.
“IhavereasontobelieveMagnetoisenroutetoattackWorthingtonLabs,”Hanktoldhim.“He

intendstodestroythesourceofthecure.”

Niceofyoutocall,oldbuddy,Traskthought.You’rejustadaylateandadollarshort.Aloud:“We’re

wellawareofhisplans,Hank,we’retakingallappropriatemeasures.”

“Bolivar,”Hankdemanded,“whatdoesthatmean?”
You’reoutoftheloop,Henry,Traskthought,youquittheteam.Whatgivesyoutherighttoan

answer?Butaloud:“We’removingonhimaswespeak.It’llallbeoversoon.”

Hehungup.Thepresidentlooked,obviouslycatchingenoughoftheconversationtoguesswho’d

called.CockrumgaveashallownodthattoldTraskhetrustedhisjudgmentindealingwithit.

Traskpointedtothemainscreen.“It’sstarting,sir.”
Technologygavethemamultitudeofperspectives.Fromanetworkofsatellitesoverheadcamereal-

timestreamingvideo.Directimagingwasuselessafterdark,andthenaturalcoveroftheforestcanopy
madeitevenworse.However,enhancedinfraredpresentedthesceneineerieshadingsandsurprising
detail.Targetswerecodedred,incomingtroopsinblue,withtheoverallsceneneatlyand
comprehensivelylabeledbytheattendingcomputer.

Atthesametime,therewereawholehostofsecondarydisplaysprojectingamultitudeoffeedsfrom

minicamsattachedtothesoldiers’helmets,eachlabeledwiththeidentityandrankofthewearerandhis
orherposition,whichinturnwasrepeatedonthemasterdisplay.

Thearmyhadfieldedanentirebrigadeofspecialops,totalingoverthreethousandtroopsina

multilevelcordonaroundtheencampment,toensurethat—regardlessofpowers—nonewouldescape.
Becauseintel,courtesyofMystique,toldthemwomenandchildrenwerepresenton-site,therulesof
engagementcalledfornonlethalforce.However,aswithallmilitaryplans,therewerebuilt-in

escalators.Thepresidentknewwhenhesignedtheorders,eventhoughitmadehimheartsick,thatif
thingswentsouth,peopleweregoingtodie.

“Nocontact,”cameascratchyvoiceoutoftheroom’smainspeakers,thecomputeridentifyingthe

officerasColonelSimonKinberg,leadingtheattack.“Allunitsinposition.”Oneofthesecondary
screensrelayedthedatafromhison-scenescanner.“Imarkonehundredplusunfriendlies.”

“That’sthenumberMystiquegaveus,”Traskcrowed.“Everybody’shome.”
“Tellthem,”saidthepresident,“it’sago.”
“ThisisTeamLeadertoBravoOne,”saidKinberg.“Wearegreen.Repeat,wearegreenlighttogo.

‘Mr.andMrs.Smith’ontheflip.”

“What’sthatmean?”Cockrumasked.
“Hit’emhardandelegantandwithasmile,likethere’snotomorrow.”
Thefirstwavechargedfromeveryside,eachapproachangledsoastoavoidclashingwiththeothers’

fieldsoffire.Lasersightstracedmyriadlinesofscarletandgreenthroughtheair,questingfortheir
targets,findingnone.

IntheSituationRoom,theyheardahoarseprofanityfromKinbergandsawontheirdisplaythesame

thinghedid:oneafteranother,thetargetheatsignaturesweredisappearingfromthescreen.

Thespeakerfilledwithachorusofstartledvoices,radiatingconfusionandalarm.Noonewassure

whatwashappening,andeveryonesuspectedatrap.

Onecontactremained,utterlysolid,holdinguphishandsandgrinningeartoeartofindhimself

dottedwithscoresoflaserpoints.

Asoldiershovedalensinhisface,poppedtheflash,andwithinsecondstheprisoner’sidentitycard

dominatedthemaindisplay:JamesMadrox,code-namedtheMultipleMan.

Truetoform,heremainednonviolenttothelast.
“It’sagoddamndecoy!”Kinbergbellowedincompletefrustration.
CockrumcouldseethatTraskwasinanaltogetheroppositemoodtotheirloneprisoner,lookinglike

hewishedtoindulgeinalengthysessionofultraviolence.

Thepresidentspoketohiminconcern:“Bolivar,ifMagneto’snotthere,thenwherethehellishe?”
Trasklookedatthephone.Thepresidentlookedathim.Traskgrabbedthehandset,butallhegotwas

Hank’svoicemail.AndwhenhecalledXavier’sschool,itwasthesame.

Acrowdwaitedattheentrancetothehanger:Bobby,Kitty,Colossus,Angel,evenMcCoy.Storm

wasabitbehind,waitingbytheBlackbird.

Loganrolledhisshoulders,tryingtosettlehisuniformmorecomfortably.Hepreferrednottowearit,

soithadneverbeenbrokenin.NotlikeOroro’s,whichfeltlikekidgloves.Theotherswereallsuited
upaswell.

Kittywasgrinning—she’dobviouslysavedaquipforthisspecialoccasion.“Rememberhowyou

toldBobbyouruniformswereonorder?”Littlegirl,hethought,youweren’tevenflamin’there!“Well,
guesswhatjustcameinthemail!”

“We’recomingwith,”Bobbyannounced.
Logansnorted,hiswayoftellingtheminnouncertainterms,Thehellyouare!
“Wetrainedforthis,”PeterRasputinsaid,backinguphisfriend.“We’reready.”
“Bestoffenseisagooddefense,right?”Ororosmiledfromtheplane,clearlyenjoyingeverymoment

ofLogan’scomeuppance.

WarrenIIIsteppedforward,visiblyshybutrefusingtogiveintohisfear.“TheysayMagneto’sgoing

aftermyfather,”hesaid,hisvoiceshakingasmuchwithoutrageasnerve.“Myfather!Hemaybe
wrong,sir,buthe’snotevil.I’mnotgoingtoleavehimouttherealone.”

Seriousnow,OroroaddedtowhatAngelsaid,“Thisisourfight,Logan.Notjustyours.”
Hesighed.Hedidn’twantthemtolearntherealitiesofhislifethisway.Orever.
“Thisisn’tgonnabelikeclass,”hetoldthem,lookingoneaftertheotherintheeye,hopingthey

couldseeonhisface,inhisowneyes,whathewastalkingabout,“ortheDangerRoom.It’sgonnabe
realbattle.Withbloodandtears…anddeath.”

Theywerekids.Eveniftheythoughttheyunderstoodwhathewastalkingabout,theyhadnoproper

frameofreference.Hell,deepdowninside,theyknewthey’dliveforever;that’swhyarmiespreferred
theirrecruitsyoung.Thingslikethiscouldonlybelearnedthehardway.Itwasapartoflifethat
mirroredWorthington’scure,inthatonceyoucrossedthisRubicon,youcouldnevergoback.Whatyou
saw,whatyoudid,wouldstaywithyouforever.

“Asmuchaswe’velostinthelastfewdays,that’snothingcomparedtowhat’sontheline.”
Nobodymoved.Nobodyevenblinked.
“Wegetonthatplane,we’renotstudentsandteachersanymore.We’renotkidsandgrown-ups.

We’resoldiers.”

“We’reX-Men,”Bobbycorrected.“Allofus.”
Henodded,gesturedtotheBlackbird.
“Getin,then.Let’sgo.”
HehadtolooktwiceatMcCoy’suniform.He’dseenpicturesinthearchivesandwasthankfulthe

schoolhadmovedontosomethingbetter.Thedesignwasform-fitting,akintospandex,adarkbrown
leatherpants-and-jacketcombo,althoughthetopwasshort-sleeved,withyellowbandsonthe
shoulders.TheXsymbolwasstitchedinyellowandbrownontheleftfrontbreastofthejacket.

Loganhadreviewedthespecs.Theoldsuitshadenvironmentalpropertiessimilartothecurrentones,

protectingthewearerfromextremesofweatherandenvironment.Theywereinfactbodyarmor,proof
againstasignificantarrayofprojectileandedgedweapons;theycouldevenhandleshotsfromdirected
energybeams.Alltold,theywereremarkablyefficientuniforms.Theywerejustincredibly,
unforgivablyugly.Andasachaser,incasehethoughtitcouldn’tgetanyworse,itwasclearthat
McCoyhadoutgrownthewholething;thejacketlookedlikeitwasholdingonfordearlife,barely
zippingovertheBeast’smassivefurrychest.Thepantsweresotightthatabeltwasn’tnecessary,and
hishugebluefeetprotrudedfromtheflaredpantlegs.Unfortunately,evenLoganhadtoadmitto
himselfthatMcCoylookedprettyformidableinhisoutdateduniform,despitethetroublehewashaving
fittingintoit.

“Christonacracker,”Loganexclaimed,stillwonderinghowMcCoyputthedamnthingon,andalso

howhekepthisfurfrombinding,“isthatajoke?”

Hankactuallylookedoffended.He’dapparentlywornthisproudlyinhisday.“Myolduniform.Still

fits…almost.”

“AndIthoughtblackleatherwasbad.”
Hescentedher,eventhoughshehungbackoutofsightinthehallway.Shewasn’ttryingtohidefrom

him—sheknewbetter—justfromtheothersaboardtheplane.

“Youalmostmissedtheflight,darlin’,”LogantoldRogue,roundingthecornertojoinher.“C’mon,

girl,getsuitedup,we’reonaclockhere.”

Sheshookherhead.“No,Logan,I’mnotgoin’.”
Helookeddown,havingheardfromOrorowhatBobbyhadseeninManhattantheotherday.Buther

handswerestillgloved.

Shesmiled,likeshe’dlostsomethingprecious.

“Couldn’tgothroughwithit,”shetoldhimwithashakeofherhead.
“So,”heprompted,suggestingwiththegesturethatsheheadintothehangar.
“Youdon’tknowwhatit’slike,Logan,tobeafraidofyourpowers…afraidtogetclosetoanyone…to

knowyoucannevergohomeagain—”

Hehelduphisrighthand,showingittoherthewayhehadwhenthey’dfirstmet.She’daskedhim

then,“Doesithurt?”Meaning,whentheclawscomeout?Hisreply,forthefirstandonlytimeinhis
life,forreasonshestillcouldn’tfathom,allowingsomeoneoutsidetoseewhatthishadcosthim:
“Yup.”

“Yeah,Marie,”hetoldherveryquietly.“Ido.”
“No,”Rogueprotested,“youdon’t.Youcancontrolyourpower.”Shefaltered,rememberingthe

timesshe’dseenhimgoberserk,mostsignificantlythenightWilliamStryker’smercenarieshad
attackedtheMansion.SheandBobbyandPyrohadbeencornered,andcapturewascertain.Until
Loganleaptfromthegalleryabovewithaterriblecryshe’dneverforget.Sheneverreallysawhow
manysoldiersconfrontedthem—thehallwaywasdark,thingshappenedsofast.Therewerealot,that
wascertain,andheavilyarmed.Withstartlingsuddenness,theywerealldead.OnlyLoganwasleft
standing,hisjeansandT-shirtandfacesplatteredwithliveshehadjusttaken.Single-handedly,he’d
morethandecimatedStryker’scommand.Noneofthecasualtieswerewounded,andmorethanafew
wereinpieces.Butthetruehorrorofthatmomentcamewhenhelookedtowardsthechildrenhe’d
cometosave—anddidn’trecognizethem.Theyfacedtheveryrealpossibilitythathewassolostinhis
killingfrenzythathewoulddothesametothem.Buthehadn’t.Themaninhissoulgrabbedholdofthe
monsterandregainedcontrol.

“Ican’t,”sheconfessedinabrokenvoice,barelymorethanawhisper.
“Logan,”sheheardBobbycallfromthehangar.“Aren’tweinahurry?”
“ButIcan’trunaway,either,”shefinished,soundingalittlebitbemusedtodiscoversomething

brightandindomitableamidstthedesolationofherspirit,somethingthathadsetdownrootstoodeepto
bedislodged,thatwasdeterminedtogrow.“Ithoughtthatwastheanswerthen”—shepausedtolookin
Bobby’sdirectionasthoughshecouldseerightthroughthewall—“andnow.Notmybrightestidea,I
guess.”She’dneverreallyconsideredherselfparticularlystrong,orbrave,andhereshewasevolving
intosomeonethatwasboth.Itmadehersmile,justalittle.

“Controllingthepowershasnothingtodowithbein’afraid,Marie,”Logansaid,acknowledgingthe

changewithinherbydeliberatelyusingherrealnameagain,insteadoftheoneshechoseforherself.
“Ofthepowersthemselves,ofgettingclosetosomeone,ornevergoinghome.Ifitmatters,youfinda
way.Ifthisdoesn’tworkforyou,findsomethingbetter.”

Sheleanedupclosetohischeek,sparinghimakisssofleetingthathebarelyfeltthethrillofher

powergrabbingforhis,yethe’dneverexperiencedanythingmoreheartfelt.

“Workin’onit,bub.”
“SoIsee,”heagreed,andadded,“They’reasmartandsneakybunchhere,Marie.Give’emadecent

chancetoproveit.Throw’emachallenge.”

ShegaveLoganalazy,lopsided,littlebitsassysmilethatremindedhimjusthowmuchshe’d

changed—grown—fromtheadolescentriverratwho’dhitchedherwayfromtheGulftoLaughlinCity,
Alberta,theunofficialendoftheroad.

“I’llgetchanged,”sheassuredhim.
“I’lltell’Ro.”
Butshesurprisedhimbysaying,“I’mstillnotcomin’.”
Prompted,sheexplained,“Someone’sgottalookafterthekids,don’tyouthink?Wouldn’tbethefirst

timeMagneto’sfakedusout.”

“Figureyoucanhandletrouble,ifitcomes?”

Shetossedhimalookshehadtohavelearnedfromhim.“Ain’tthatwhatRoguesdobest,sugar?”
“That’smygirl.”
“Always.Hey,”shecalledasheheadedfortheBlackbird,“yougokicktheBadGuy’sbutt,Mister!”

Henodded,butshewasn’tdonewithhimjustyet.“Andyoumakesureyoufindawaytosavethegirl,
hear?We’recountin’onyou.”

Comebackwithyourshield,victorious,thequeensofancientSpartahadtoldtheirkingswhenthey

marchedofftowar,oronit.

Hetossedherafarewellsaluteandanodthatwasbothjauntyanddeadlyserious.

Andwithintheminute,asRoguepulledherleatheruniformfromitslocker,thecomplexshookwith

therumbleoftheBlackbird’shugeengines,quicklyfadingtosilenceastheplaneroseintotheairand
spedaway.

Allthelockersaroundherwereempty,alloftheX-Menweregone.Shedidn’tmindbeingalone,but

she’dcountthesecondsuntiltheirsafereturn.

JeanGreyhatedherdreams.
Theywerefulloffireandpassion,ofaviolenceasprimalandlastingasCreationitself.Theytook

hertoplacesbeyondimagination,thatsomehowsheknewwereasrealasherownlife.Because,
perhaps,theywereaspectsofherownlife.

Xavierhadbeenafrequentguestthatfatefulsummerwhenherecruitedher,butafterthefirst

meeting,she’drarelyseenErikLensherr,sensingagrowingsadnessinXavier’srelationswithhisold
friend.Somethingwasnotrightbetweenthemandthepassageoftimeonlymadethebreachwiderand
deeper.Shewasawareofiteventhoughoutwardlyhewasascharmingandrelaxedasever.Heandthe
’rentswouldtalkforhours,aboutamultitudeofsubjects,ashehelpedElainecook,orsharedan
afternoonballgameonthetubewithJohn.Hehadnogreatloveforbaseballbuthefakeditwell,andhe
actuallylearnedsomenewrecipesfromMom.Ofcourse,whetherthesubjectwashistoryorart,current
eventsorphilosophy,itwasreallyallaboutJean.Tolearnabouther,hewasdeterminedtolearnabout
theforcesthatshapedher,herhomeandherparents.Moreover,sincehe’dbetakingheroutofthat
home,awayfromthoseparents,theyhadtoknowtheycouldtrusthimabsolutely.

This,sheunderstoodthenasnow,waswhereheandMagnetopartedcompany.Magnetomighthave

experiencedamomentarypangofregretatthesunderingoffamilialbonds,butforhimsuchasacrifice
wasnecessaryforthecommongood.Xavierwanted—needed—herparentstosharethejourneyofher
life,sononeofthemwouldbeafraid.

ForMagneto,fearwasthedefiningelementofhisworld.ForCharles,ithadalwaysbeenhope.
HehadalwaysviewedJeanastheembodimentofthathope.
Yetshehadslainhim.AndScott.
Andshehadslaintheonesshemostloved.
Toanyonelooking,whichwasbasicallyjustMagneto,sheappearedutterlynormal.Yetthecoreof

theBrotherhoodkeptwellclearofher.EvenJohnAllerdyce,who’dbeenherstudent,andCallisto,who
professedtofearnothing.Shemadethemnervous.Especiallypennedtogetherintheplanecarrying
themwestwardtotheirfinaldestiny.

ShesmiledtoherselfatthethoughtofCallistotryingtotakeMystique’splacebyMagneto’sside.

MystiquewastheclosestthingtofearlessJeanhadeverencountered,thissideofLogan.Aslikelyas
not,she’dhavesimplysidledupbesideJeanforagal-chat,spicedalongthewaybytheoccasional
metamorphosisintowhateverformwouldgetmostirritatinglyunderJean’sskin.Mystique’snaturewas
topusheverythingtoitslimit;thegreaterthedanger,themoresheenjoyedit.Jeanenviedherthat
freedomandwonderediflosingthosepowerswouldmakeadifference.

Jeanhadbeenallaloneinthatbig,emptyhouseatthebeginning,althoughshequicklyfoundherself

irresistiblyintriguedbyalltheworkbeingdonebelowgroundasXavierandMagnetobuiltthehidden
complexwheremuchoftherealworkoftheschoolwouldbeaccomplished.Later,astherestofwhat
wouldbecomethefoundingclasstrickledin,shemadenewfriends.

Atfirst,theynumberedbutfour:herself,OroroMunroe,HenryMcCoyandScottSummers.Despite

herself,shediscoveredinOroroakindredspirittofilltheachingvoidleftbythedeathofAnnie
Malcolm.InHank,shefoundsomeonewhocouldmakeherlaugh,nomatterwhat,whocouldchallenge

herintellectasnoother,andbestofall,whotaughtherhowtoattemptthetriplesomersaultonthe
trapeze.Sheneversucceeded—herpersonalbestwasaperfectdoubleandan“almostmadeit”—butthe
worktaughtherhowtodelightinherphysicality.Andnottobesoscared.

Shefellalot,andthat’swhysheworeaharness,butwithpractice,ashertelekinesisgrewstronger,

shediscoveredshecouldslowherplummetwithathoughtsothatshelandedeasilyonherfeet.And
laterstill,tostopherselfinmidair.Andfinally,topushherselfbackuptowhereshestarted,soshe
couldtryagain.

Ororotaughtherhowtofly,sustainingherselfaloftwithacombinationofherowntelekinesisandher

friend’swinds.

AsforScott…
…hetaughtherlove.Whichshethoughtwasenough.
UntilLogancamealong.
She’dtoldLoganbadboyswerefordating,forafling,forbeingnaughty,butyoumarriedthegood

guy.Andhe’dsaidinawaythatthrilledhertothecorethathecouldbethegoodguy.Scottwaslove,
Loganwaspassion.

Justthinkingabouthimmadeherheartrace,whichsettheirplanetotremblingjustalittle,prompting

startledglancesatthelittletricklesoffieryenergythatpoppedintoviewalongtheperipheryof
everyone’svision,likethemonsterforeverlurkingjustbeyondthecampfire’sglow.

Theywererighttobenervous.Shewasterrified.
HadMagnetopinpointedtherationalreasonforherbeinghere?Probably,andhe’dnodoubt

concludedinhisarrogancethatitwasworththeriskandthatwhenthetimecamehecouldproperly
manageher.ButshestillhadtoomanytieswiththeX-Men,andshe’dalreadystruckthemtwoblowsto
theheart,withoutmeaningeither.ToseeOroroorKitty,HankorLogan—Logan—fallthesameway…

Sheshookherheadviolently,theplanebucked,andthepilotwarnedthemtheywereenteringafield

ofturbulence,tellingeveryonetostrapin.

Better,she’ddecided,tobeapotentialthreattoMagneto.Servehimrightifthingswentwrong.
Shecoveredhereyes,likinglessandlessthepatternsherthoughtswerefallinginto.Shewasa

doctor,andshe’dsworntheHippocraticoathto“donoharm.”Shewasascientist,whoseabsolute
provincewastherationalmind.

Theeventssinceherresurrectionsurehadblownboththoseviewsofherselfalltohell.
Resurrection.
EvenbyX-Menstandards,shewasdancingwayoutontheedge.
Outwardly,herhandswererocksteadyinherlap,herfacealmostsereneasshegazedouttowardsthe

watchingstars.Within,though,shetrembledlikeachildquailinginthefaceofparentalrage,so
terrorizedbytheforceofthewaveofemotionsbreakingoverthemthattheonlyoutletisbarely
coherenttears.

Indesperation,withinhermind’seye,sheforcedherselftoherfeetandenvisionedaboutherselfthe

bowlshapeofamedicaltheater,claimingforherselftheairofaphysicianconductingrounds.

Breakthingsdown.Regainperspective,andthereby,control.Climbthestepsoneatatime,seewhere

you’reled.

HerlegachedmurderouslyasshedraggedherselffromthebellyoftheBlackbird.She’dusedher

telekinesistoknitthebrokenbonestogether,telepathicallystealingthe“how”ofitfromLogan’s
backbrain,butwasn’tcomfortableenoughinherknowledgetodothejobofhealingasquicklyand
perfectly.Ormaybeitwasalwaysthismiserableforhimandhe’dlongagostoppedgivingadamn.

Shehadsecondstoact,tocreateabarriertokeeptheonrushingfloodatbaywhileliftingtheX-Men

completelyclear.Itoccurredtoherthatshecouldrisewiththeplane,thatshecouldputaprotective
bubblearoundherselftosurvivethetorrent,thatshemighttryalifeline—shefacedawholemenuof
optionsthatallowedhertosurvive.Yetsheconsiderednotaone.

Thepassionwasrisinginher,gloriousandhungry;themoreshedrewonherpower,themorethere

wasforhertoclaim,increasinglydesperatetobeunleashed.Itwasasongmoreagelessthanthestars,
datingfromthemomentoftheirbirth,whenCreationcameintobeingasaninconceivableoutrushof
matterandenergy.Waterturnedincandescentathertouch,thegroundatherfeetfusedinstantlyto
trinititeglass,asifsearedbythebreathofthesunitself.Stellarprominencesdancedinhereyes,over
herskin,fillingherwithayearningasinexpressibleasitwasunfulfilled.

Shesaidherfarewells,throughXavier,hopinghewouldunderstand,awarethatevenhisbrainand

insightwerelimitedintheirperceptionsofwhatshewasexperiencing.Verymuch,andshehadtosmile,
liketryingtoexplainthesensoraltotalityoftelepathytothehead-blind.ShefeltScott’sagonyashe
chargedthehatch,wasgratefulbeyondmeasurewhenLoganheldhimback.Asbadinsomeways,far
worseinothers,wasthesharpandkeeningcryofanguishthatLogankepttohimself.Twoheartswere
beingsavagedbyhersacrifice;whatmadethemomentbearableforherwastherecognitionthatnow
she’dnolongerhavetochoosebetweenthem.

Intruth,shewanted…needed…desiredthemboth.
Theplaneflew,thewaterloomed.Timeforhertogo.
Thiswasforthebest,sheknew.Shewashuman,thatwashowherstoryshouldend.
Sostronganinstantbefore,sheshatteredwiththeimpactofamilliontonsofwater,crushedand

broken,strippedofanythingthatmightresemblethewomanshehadbeen.

Yetshewentonfromthere.
Shereallyshouldhaveknownbetter.Damnably,ofcourse,X-Menweretoobloodystubborntogoout

soeasily.

Herownperceptionssplintered.
Shefoundherselfcastadriftfromtheworld—stillapartofthingsastheyhappenedyetincreasingly

apartfromthem,experiencingthetotalityofthoughtandemotionwithanintensitythatwasasnewto
herasitwasexhilarating,yetequallyawareofthemasanaudiencemightbe,safelyremovedfromall
consequences.

Fromeachofherfriends,inturn,hertouchbroughtforthsensationsofgrief,offury,ofconfusion,of

achingandirredeemableloss.Somewereasloosefromtheirmooringsasshe,whileothersbecame
theirbedrock.

ShesensedWilliamStryker—defianttothemomentoffinaloblivion—whilehissonclaimedrefuge

withinathreatthatwouldprovemorelastinganddeadlythanhehadeverbeen.Buriedinthe
catacombs,aproductoftheoriginalindustrialplant,itwasnotyetfunctionalbutnolongerdormant.

MuchthesamewastrueofYurikoOyama,LadyDeathstrike,trappedandhelplessbeneathcountless

tonsofrubbleintheaugmentationchamber,yetsustainedbyasparkthat—likeWolverine’s—refusedto
beextinguished.

Sheskimmedtheresidualessenceoftheslaintroopersscatteredthroughthecomplexandwhat

remainedofthosewho’dprecededthem—anumberthathorrifiedher—datingbacktothedayswhen
AlkaliLakehadbeenathrivingcommunityofBlackOpsmedicalresearch.Ifkarmahadanymeaning,
thiscursedplacewaswellandtrulyhauntedandwouldremainsoalways.

Inhermind’seye,Jeanopenedherarmsandspedawayfromallsheknew,toeagerlyembracethefar

greaterAllthatawaitedher.

Splintersbecameprisms,reflectingamyriadofpossibilities,thelivesthatmighthavebeen,or

perhapsactuallywereelsewhere:shesawherselfolder,younger,withadaughter,aloneuntodeath.
Livingalifeofunbearableroutineinaworldwheremutantsdidnotexist,doingpreciselythesame

wheremutantswerethenorm.ShecalledherselfMarvelGirlandfavoredanX-Mencostumeofemerald
greenandbreathtakingbrevity.Shesawherowngrave,tastedgrace,ruledHellfire;sheshuffledthe
deckofexistenceandcastfortheveryimaginablepermutationofherself.

SheflewacrossthefaceofForever,onwingssowidetheyreachedfromthebeginningtotheendof

All.

Sheheardhumming,inabsentdelight,asongherfatherfavoredwhenshewaslittle,playedtothe

pointofhermother’sdistraction,hisownwayofcelebratingthepromiseofthefuturerepresentedbyhis
children.Shetriedherverybest,remainingpainfully,perpetuallyawarethatGraceSlickwouldalways
doitbetter,“Youarethecrownofcreation…”

Worlds,wholedimensions,screamedviolentlytoanend,othersslippedunnoticedintobeing.Life

wasforeveracycle,eachendingabeginningsomewhereelse,thestoryofeveryindividual,nomatter
howseeminglyinconsequential,formingitsownthreadinthetapestrythatphilosopherscalledthe
schemeofthings.

Sheachedwiththeyearningtoknowmore,tobemore,chafedatthesenseitwasn’tyethertime,

impatientasanychildtorunwhenbarelyabletostand,nosensewhatsoeverofthecostwhenshefell,
nocomprehensionyetthatnonestoodbytohelpandcomforther,thatshehadreachedthatpointinfate
whereshemustproveherselfabletoactonherown.

Or,shethought,blinkingfuriouslyasherthoughtssettledbacktotheworldofthenow,agrowing

pressureinherearstellinghertheaircraftwasdescendingataratedictatedbystealthandexpedience
ratherthanthecomfortofitspassengers,Icouldjustbemad.

Atthemoment,shefigured,itwasatoss-upwhichwasbetter.
Itmadeherwonder,though,asshehadsincethatfatefuldaywhenXavierandMagnetofirstcame

calling,whatitreallymeanttobethe“nextstepinevolution.”

Shesaggedbackinherchairandcreasedherlipsintoarealsmileasshereconsideredoneofthe

imagesfromherdaydream:anemeraldgreenoff-the-shoulderminidress.

Shestretchedandlethergazetraveldownthelong,leanlengthofherlegs.Definitelynotherstyle,

evenwhenshe’dbeenyoungenoughtodareanythinganddamntheconsequences.TheHellfireleather,
though,thathaddefinitepossibilities.

Scott,sheknew,wouldhavelovedthemini.Andbeentemptedbytheleather.
Logan,sheknew,carednothingforthetrappings.Helovedher.EnoughtodowhatXaviercouldnot

andScottwouldnot.

Sometimes,thesoulhadtositinjudgmentoftheheart.

JeanalwayslovedSanFrancisco.NewYorkwasaboutpower,anexpressionofhumanity’s

dominanceoveritsworld;asidefromtheharbor,theviewwasnothingbutpillarsofsteelandstoneand
glass.TheCitybytheBayhowever,whileamplyrepresentedbytheworksofman,oneofwhich—the
GoldenGate—loomedbelowthem,wasdominatedmorebythoseofnature.Whatyousawbackeast,
strollingalongthewaterfrontofManhattan,weremorebuildings,asbothNewJerseyandBrooklyn
tookituponthemselvestoapetheislandthatseparatedthem.

Here,therewasbrilliantbluewatertobehold,andtheislandofAlcatraztocatchtheeye,unlessyou

preferredtolookalittlemoreseawardtotheheightsofTiburonandMt.Tambeyond.

TheX-Menhadspentsometimehere,andamemorablenighthadbeenlosttoOroroandJean,Scott

andHank,startinginChinatown—Hankordered,sincehespokeboththelanguageandlocaldialect.
TheystrolleddownhilltotheBayandcruisedthepiers,closingtwoorthreebarsbeforecallingita
nightwiththedawnjustbelowthehorizon,sunonthebarestbrinkofrising,withtheskyequallysplit
betweenshadowandlight,enjoyingcrabfreshofftheboatwithcocktailsaucesohotwithhorseradish
theythoughtthey’dinstantlycombust.

Itwasthekindofmadcap,“dareya”nightthatfoundOroroandJeanstaringacrossatableateach

other,goingshotforshotwiththeowner’sprivatestockoftequila,whiletheguyskeptscoreand
debatedwho’dgettocarrywhomhome.

Ororohadreachedoutaneleganthand,takinggentleholdofoneofJean’sanddrawingittothe

centerofthetable,cuppingitpalmupwards.Jeanshiveredeversoslightlyasaswirlofintenselyicyair
passedaroundherneckanddivedtowardsthatupheldhand,andthenshehadfeltadecidedlywarmer
zephyrracearoundtheothersideofher,likethecaressofsomeone’sbreath.

Thetwostreamersofairhadcollided,intertwined,foughtfordominance,andJeanblinkedwith

surpriseatanactinicflash,sosuddenshehadnochancetoreact,sointenseitscatteredspotsallacross
hervision.Thatsameinstant,shehadfeltasmuchasheardanequallyintensebutwhollycontained
boomofthunder.

Cloudshadthenbeguntoformoverthetable,thinstreaksthatquicklymergedandgrewintobig-

belliedcumuliandfromthereintotheanvil-toppedmonstersofcumulonimbus,creatingapillarofforce
andenergythatreachedbarelyafootaboveOroro’shand.Outside,withthevastnessoftheatmosphere
toplaywith,thisthundercloudwouldhaveeasilytoppedfortythousandfeet.Jeanhadsmelledand
tastedozone,andthestaticelectricitygeneratedbythetinycloudhadraisedthehairsallthewayupher
extendedarm.Anotherboltoflightninghadfollowed,fromdeepwithinthecloud,joinedbyaminor
drumrollofthunderthatwentwhollyunnoticedagainstthebackdropofconversationandthemaxed-out
jukeboxbyallsavethefourmutants.

Then,shehadgiggledandalmostjumpedasthefirstraindropstruckherpalm.
Thesensationofthecoolwaterhadbeenadelightagainstherskin,whichfeltexceptionallyhot,and

strangelyseparatedfromtherestofher,asifshewererunninganimpossiblefever.Jeanhaddeepened
thecupofherfingerstoformabowl,watcheditfill,turnedherhandovertolettherainworkits
wondersontheotherside.

Theguyshadgrinnedeartoear,butOrorowasn’tsothrilled,asnotadropofwaterfell—eitherfrom

thebackofJean’shandortheinvertedpalm.Thesimpleexercisewouldhavebeentoformatelekinetic
barrier—abowlofenergy.ButJeanwasinamoodtoshowoff,soshe’dtriedthemuchharderrouteof
bindingthemolecularstructureofthewatermoretightlytogether,creatingsuchsurfacetensionthatit
hadbehavedmorelikeasolidthanaliquid,butwithoutcrystallizingintoice.Moreover,she’dlockedit
intoplaceagainstherownflesh.

Fascinated,Jeanhadleanedalittlecloser,andwithoutrealizingwhatwashappeningherfocus

sharpenedtopinpointintensitysothatshewaspresentedwithaviewofasingle,solitaryraindrop,
suspendedinmidairbyhertelekinesis,partwaybetweenthecloudandherhand.

Asshehadboredinonthedropthatcaughtherattention,itquicklyseparatedintocomponent

molecules,toatomsofhydrogenandoxygenandfromtheretoagglomerationsofcharmsandquarks,
muonsandgluons.ThiswasalwaysmoreHank’ssideofthestreetthanhers,andwithoutconscious
awarenessshehadpluckedfromhimtheinformationsheneededtogivenamestowhatshebeheldand
provideacluetothenextdestinationonherjourney.

Timethenlostmeaningforher,perceptionstretchingitliketaffyaslongassheneeded.Theothers

hadseenhereagerandradiantsmile,hersparklingeyes,thetiltofherheadasshefoundherselflostin
wonderment,encompassingperhapsafractionofamomentofelapsedobjectivetime.Bycontrast,Jean

couldhaveswornshewasengrossedforhours.

She’dneverhadsomuchfun.
Toomuchfun.
Inexplicably,shehadfeltasuddenchill,andreactedwithadesireforwarmth,drawinginthemyriad

dotsofenergythatsurroundedher,hopingtodrawenergyfromthemtorestoreherself.

Toolittle,toolate—wrongpower,wrongsolution.
Ithadn’tbeenhertelekinesisshehadtoworryabout,buthertelepathy.
She’dallowedherselftobecomesocaughtupinexploringthesubatomicquantumworldwithin

Ororo’sraindropthathernaturalpsi-screenshadslippedloosefromhercontrol.Likeasingleloose
threadunravelinganentiretapestry,hertelepathicwindowontheworldaroundherhadbecomeever
moreporous.

Thefirstthoughtsthathadcometoherwerenothingspecial,raisednoflagsofwarning:shetagged

thirty-eightpeopleinthebar,prettyfairbusinessconsideringthehour,twenty-onemen,seventeen
women.

Anumberwerecouples,someofthemcommitted,othersjustfriends,somejustforthenight,others

lookingforsomethingmore.Manyweresingle,afewbychoice;somewerelooking,othersdidn’tcare.
Shehadbeheldvaryingdegreesofinebriation,stone-coldsobertoslightbuzztooneguyfallingdown
drunkandanotherdeadasleepinaboothattheback.

Shehadsensedlotsofconversation,mainlyinconsequential,notawholelotofactual

communication,thefacileexchangeofwordsusedtoomuchasashieldagainstintimacy.Thetrue
intimacywasreservedtolooks,ortouch,thelazysmilethatsparkedadropoftheeyes,aslightflush,
anelectrictingleracingalongthesurfaceoftheskin,occasionallydelightedlytothecoreofthebeing.

Butlurkinginthebackgroundlikeashadowmuggershehadfeltfrustration,loneliness,boredom,

excitement,anticipation,desire.Thereweredreamsgalore—withinreachorjustbeyond,unfulfilled,
evenunrecognized.

Shehaddetectedthesharpintensityofpredatorsonthehunt,andtheequallysharptasteofthose

beinghunted,alltangledtogetherwiththeprimalneedsandfearsofrejection,ofacceptance,of
success,ofcommitment.

Andthathadbeenjustthesurface.
Eachpersonhadahistorythatbundledalltheexperiencesoftheirliveswithinthelabyrinthoftheir

psyche.EachbackstoryledJeandownpathsthatwerewindingandtwisted,branchingasrandomly—
yetintheirownway,ontheirownterms,aslogically—asthetributariesoftheMississippi,takingherto
partsofeachandeverypersonthattheylikelyneverevendreamedexisted,tothedeepestsecretsofthe
subconscious,theirfundamentalselves,nevermeanttoberevealed.Tothethoughtsthatwereforbidden
forareason.

Theemotionscrashingagainstherthenwereasfascinatingasthequantummicroverse.Bythetime

shehadrealizedhowfarshe’dgone,shecouldn’ttearherinnereyesaway,andshedidn’twantto.

Thecurseofhertelepathy:notonlydiditstriprealityofitswalls,itseemedtomandatethatevery

observation,everyexperiencebeunforgettable.Now,sittingontheplane,thehardershetried,themore
thememoriesthrustthemselvesintoherface.Thereweresomany,crowdinginonherlikepassengers
onarush-hoursubway.Hermouthtwistedatthepowersomeofthemhadtothrillher—notalwaysthe
onesshewelcomed.Atthepowerothershadtoshameher,becauseevenifsheatonedforthefault,she
couldn’tescapethememoryoftheoriginalmoment.

Therewassomuchmoredarknessthanlight.Thedarknesswasthenaturalstateofthings.Andyet

thealternativeterrifiedhersomuchmore,becauseitwasalightthatseemedtoJeantocomefromthe
fireinhersoul,thetranscendentandall-consumingpassionthathaddestroyedScottandXavier,and
thatterrifiedhersomuchmore.

Itwouldbesoeasytodrown.ShefeltthatwaywithAnnie,feltthatwayatAlkaliLake.
Sheclosedhereyes,openedthemwideatthesoundofafamiliarvoice,tobeholdanothermomentof

memory,onefromthatverysamenight.

Agameofpool,heragainstScott,telekinesisversusopticblasts.
Therehadbeentablesinthebackofthebar,insurprisinglygoodshape.Shehonestlycouldn’ttell

howshe’dgottentoherfeet,muchlessmadeitthedozenslightlywobblystepstothegameroom,but
onceshearrivedthereshehadbeendeterminednottodisgraceherself.

Scottalwayshadthateffectonher.Whenevershefoundherselfintheriptideofhertelepathy,his

presencewaslikeaseaanchortoher,steadyingheragainstthefiercecurrent,givinghertheopportunity
tocollectherselfandregainherinnerfocus.

Agentlemanalways,Scotthadofferedherthebreak.Thiswastheirownprivateversionofthegame

ofpool,playedwithpowersinsteadofcues.Shehadsmirkedandslappedthecueballwithher
thoughts,hopingtoclearthetablewithasingleshot.Thatwasn’timpossible—itmerelyrequired
pinpointandsimultaneousmanipulationofeveryballonthetable.Shecouldn’t,forexample,useher
powerstodragtheballsovertothepocketsanddropthemin;backatthebeginningthey’dagreedthat
wouldbewaytooeasy.Forthisstunt,thecontacthadtobeonesmooth,continuousflowfromballto
ball,offoneanotherandtherailtotheirfinalrestingplaces.Shehadtoplayanglesandforcesinthe
blinkofaneye—and,asthesayingwent,lettheballsfallwheretheymay.

She’dactuallysucceeded,morethanonce.Butnotthatnight.
Sixballshaddropped,andfromthelazygunfightersmileonScott’sfacesheknewhewasn’taboutto

showheranymercy.

Hehadprowledthetablewithsurpassinggrace,alithephysicalitythatwasrarelyassociatedwith

Scott,yetwasasmuchapartofhimasitwasofLogan.Theyhadthatincommon—theywereboth
hunters.Scottalwayshadanuncannyknackforseeingthepatternsofthingsandofpeople,whichmade
himasformidableatpokerashewasatchess.Nowherewasthatmoreevidentthaninapoolhall;pool
wasallaboutspatialgeometry.He’dtakenadvantageoftheshadowsinthebacktoswitchhis
sunglassesforhisvisor,whichallowedhimbettercontroloverhiseyebeams.Hehadproceededto
unleashhisopticblastsinpreciseandfractionalbursts,minuteflashesofscarletneonfromhiseyesthat
barelyregisteredeveninthedarknessatthebackofthebar.He’dtapaballhere,nudgeitthere,using
sufficientforcetomoveitproperlywithoutdamagingthefeltitrestedon.

Hehadrunthetable,thebastard,andshelovedhimforit.Hegrinnedwhenhewasdone.Becauseit

hadbeenaprivatemoment,becauseitwasjusthimandher,heletdownallhisusualdefensesandfor
oneofthoserare,precious,deliciousinstantshadjustlethimselfbehimself.Hewasstrongand
confident,temperedbythewoundsandlosseshe’dsufferedinhislife,madewholebythelovehefelt
forher.Andsheinreturnhadfeltanachingneedthatdroveheraroundthetableandintohisarmsfora
kissshewantedtolastforever.

He’dlookedatherjustthesamewaywhenshe’dkilledhim.
Shewantedtoscream,andshewishedforthepower,thewill,toreachinsideherownskullwith

fingersturnedtoobsidianclawsandtearouttheoffendingmemories,togutherheaduntilitwasa
hollowshell,justtogiveherselfsomelastingpeace.

Then,inmemory,somethinghappenedthatwas…different.
Scottbroketheirkiss,whichiswhathadhappened.Andthenthey’dreturnedtotheirhotelarmin

armandputthedonotdisturbsignonthedoor,andproceededtofulfillagreatmanyoftheir
teammates’morescandalousandfantasticalsuppositions.

Butinstead,thememoryshifted,andchanged,andnowquiteseriously,hetoldher:“Stop!”
Sheblinked.
“Betheteacher,Jean.Showustheway,”hewenton.

Sheblinkedagain.
“Growthischange,changecanbechaos.Itisn’talwayspeaceful,andthere’salwaysaprice.”
“Toodamnhigh,”shetoldhimnow,inthismemorythathadsomehowwarpedintosomething

entirelydifferent,takingrefugeinactingasdrunkassherememberedfeelingthatnight.“Idon’twantto
pay.”Sheturnedawayfromthetable.“Idon’twanttoplay.”

Hepulledherback,usingthatstrengthofbodyandwillthatalwayshadthecapacitytosurpriseher.

NoneoftheX-Menhadreallyunderstoodhowmuchhemeanttotheteamuntilhewasgone.Especially
her.

“What’sdoneisdone,”hetoldher,gentlywipingawaythetearsthatburstunbiddenfromhereyes.
“Ikilledyou.”
Hegaveherthatdamnsmileagainandshrugged.“I’mstillhere.”
Sheblinked,uncomprehending.
“Perfectmemory,coupledtothepowertotranscendalltherulesandrealities.”
“You’reafigmentofmydamnimagination!”
Hesighed.“WhateverIam,whereverIcomefrom,I’mapartofyou.”Hestrokedthetipofhis

thumblightlyacrossherlipsashishandscuppedherface,andsherespondedinkindbyleaningher
bodyagainsthis,marvelingathowwelltheyfit.

“Powerisresponsibility,”hetoldhergently.“Responsibilityischoice.”
Herownlessons.Shedidn’twanttohearthem.
“Haveityourownway,then,”hesaid,andbeforesheknewwhathewasdoing,thoughtandaction

soclosetogether—virtuallyone—thatevenhertelepathywasn’tabletowarnher,hewrenchedoffhis
visor.

Twinspearsofforcestruckherwhollyunrestrainedwithanimpactsufficienttopunchaholestraight

throughthebaseofagranitemountain.Sheflewbackwardsasifshe’dbeenshotfromacatapult,
screamingwithrageasshecrashedagainstawallthatshouldhavebrokenwiththeblow,but
miraculouslyheld.

Thefireblazedwithinhereyesasshefoughtback,takingtheenergiesScotthurledatherandmaking

themherown,usingthatstrengthtoestablishashieldandforcethecontinuingblastsawayfromher
bodyandbacktowardstheirsource.

Itwasn’teasy.Evenwhenthey’dfoughtatAlkaliLake,whenScotthadbeenmind-controlledby

StrykerintobecomingtheX-Men’sadversary,thefactthathe’dbeenshootingthroughhisvisor
maintainedanuppersafetylimitonhispowerlevel.Thistime,allthosegovernorshadbeencastaside.

Shegatheredherownpowerandpreparedtostrikeback.
Only—justlikethat,heclosedhiseyes.
Thesuddenabsenceofpressurecaughtherasmuchbysurpriseashisinitialattack.Shewaspushing

sohardagainstthattitanicresistancethatshewasthrownimmediatelyoff-balanceandcouldn’tstop
herselffrompitchingtothefloorinanundignifiedsprawl.

Assheshovedherselfup,shefoundhimbesideher,visoroncemoreinplace,thepictureofloving

solicitude.Shereactedwithfuryandslappedhimaside,puttingsomedistancebetweenthemasshe
movedagainstthewall,thebettertolethimseethefireinhereyes.

Hewasnomoreafraidofhernowthanhe’dbeenatAlkali.
“Ican’thelpmyself,”hetoldherashehadtoldherlongago,andtappedacoupleoffingersagainst

histemple.“Something’snotquite…rightinhere,abitthat’sbroken,thatweneverfoundawayto
repair.”She’ddonetheMRIandCATscansafterthey’dmet.Itwasacrucialbitoforganicbrain
damagedatingfromachildhoodaccident.Inaway,itwasmuchlikewhathadhappenedwithherand
Annie;bothsheandScotthadsufferedatraumathatcatalyzedtheirpowersaheadofschedule.Each
hadhadtodealwiththelastingconsequences.

“Ican’tturnoffmyopticblasts,”hecontinued,“andyouhaveaccesstomorerawpowerthanyou

everimagined.Questionis,mylove,doesthepowercontrolyou?Or…?”

Xavier’sfinalquestion,hisfinalplea.
Charleshadn’tbeenafraid,either,butmore—surprised.Andinawaythatsuggestedhebehelda

frontierofinfinitepossibilities,nottheendofhislifebutawholenewbeginning.

“Youhaveachoice,Jean,”Scotttoldher.
Itwastime.

“Welcome,”thetourguideannounced,“tothenorthernanchoroftheGoldenGateBridge.”
ThebigPrevostbuswaspulledofftothesideoftheroad,ontoapavedoverlookthatprovideda

sweepingsea-levelpanoramaoftheBay,withaspectacularviewofSanFranciscoandAlcatraz.Almost
afullload,alittleshyoffiftytourists,mainlandChineseonholiday,hadcometoviewthesightsand
visitrelativeswho’demigratedgenerationsago.Therewasalotmorevarietyinclothesthantheguide
rememberedfromprevioustoursandasignificantimprovementbothingeneralstyleandquality.Itwas
fascinatingtohimhowmuchlikeeveryoneelsethey’dbecome,surprisinglyindistinguishablein
outwardaffectfromtheircounterpartsfromDesMoines.Madesenseinaway;forallheknew,they
madealotoftheclothesheartlandAmericawore—whyshouldn’ttheywearthemaswell?Generational
splitscertainlytranscendednationalandsocietalboundaries,thatmuchwasobvious:theolderfolks
weretotallyexcited,theparentslookedharried,tornbetweencaringfortheirparentsandtheirkids,
whilethekids,whoranthespectrumfromveryearlyteenstobarelytwenties,clearlywantedtobe
anywherebuthere.Ontheirown,theymighthavefoundthisfun,butstuckinthiscrowd,theywere
determinedtoproclaimtheirindependencebyradiatingennui.

“Ifyoulookinthisdirection,”hesaid,leadingthemaroundthefrontofthebusforabetterlook,

“you’llseethefoundationanchorsforthenorthtower.ThebridgewasthebrainchildofengineerJoseph
Strauss,andexecutedbyarchitectIrvingMorrow—whowehavetothankbothfortheArtDecodesign
touchesandthebridge’sdistinctiveanduniquecolor—alongwithengineerCharlesAltonEllisand
designerLeonMoissieff.ConstructionbeganonthefifthofJanuary,1933,andthebridgeitselfwas
completedinApril,1937,andofficiallyopenedamonthlater,inMay.It’sonepointsevenmilesfrom
endtoend,withacentralspanofforty-twohundredfeetrisingtwohundredtwentyfeetabovemean
highwater.Thetwotowersthatsupporttheroadwaystandsevenhundredforty-sixfeethigh,ninetyfeet
aboveGoldenGateStrait.

“Coupleofmorefunfactsbeforewemoveon,”hecontinued,preeningeversoslightlyasanumber

ofcamerasturnedhisway.“Eachofthoseanchorages,theonehereinMarinanditscounterpartover
thereatFortPoint,weighbetterthansixtythousandtons.Thetotalweightofthebridge—souptonuts
—isjustshyofninehundredthousandtons.Eachmaincableisaboutamileandathirdinlength,a
yardindiameter,andismadeupoftwenty-seventhousandseparatestrandsofgalvanizedwire.The
totalweightofthemaincables,thesuspendercables,andallthebitsthatholdthemtogetherisnearly
twenty-fivethousandtons.

“Thereareacoupleofbiggerbridgesintheworld,”hefinishedproudly,“butnonemorebeautiful.

Takeyourtimewithpicturesbutsavesomefilm,becauseIguaranteethattheviewfromtheMarin
headlands,”hepointeduptheroadahead,“willtakeyourbreathaway.It’stheshotyouseeinallthe
movies,buttakeitfromme,therealityisevenbetter!”

“Arewethereyet?”Georginawailed,deliveringaprettysolidkicktothebackofthedriver’sseat,

andfortheumpteenthtimesincethey’dhittheroad,alloftwentyminutesago,AllanRyerson
wonderedwhyhe’dtakentheplungewhenthesalesmanhadsuggestedtheMercedesSUVwiththe
integralvideo-gamemonitorsandDVDplayer—itseemedtobenohelpatallwithkeepingthekids
quiet.

HetossedaglanceatBlair,whoreturnedasemihelplessshrugandtwistedaroundtoremindher

daughteryetagainnottobotherdaddywhenhewasdriving,whichAllanverymuchappreciated,asthe
bridgewasabitmorecrowdedthanusual.OutofthecornerofhiseyehecouldseeTimhuddledinhis
ownseat,takingrefugeintermittentlybetweenhisPlaystationcontrollerandhisstashofcomics,
wantingnothingtodowithhiskidsister’sdemandsforattentionandtheparentaloutbursttheywere
suretoprovoke.

AllanfeltabumpdownbythesmallofhisbackandfiguredforthatfirstfleetingmomentthatGee

Geehadagainignoredhermother,andgivenhimanotherboot.Butithappenedagainandhethoughtof
potholesandspeedbumpsorthatperhapshe’ddriftedoveralineoflane-separatingcat’s-eyes.

Then,impossibly,terrifyingly,thebridgegaveasuddenandviolentsidewayslurch.Histires

squealedasAllanfoughtforcontrol,instinctivelystompingonthebrakeasheregisteredtaillights
flashingscarletallacrosshisfieldofvisionaseveryotherdriverinviewdidthesame.Hefishtailed
slightly—eyeswideandstaringintotherearviewmirror,prayingtheguyonhistailwasjustasmuchon
theball—andheregisteredadeeprumble,likeaconvoyoffullyloadedsuperdumptruckspassing
closeathand.Heskiddedlaterallyandwailedinsideasheheardthetelltalecrunchofcontactwiththe
SUVtohisimmediateright.Therepaircostwouldlikelybeobscene,andevenifinsurancecoveredthe
billhisrateswouldskyrocket,assumingthecompanydidn’tcancelhispolicyoutright.Thenhecried
outinshock,GeeGeescreamed,andBlaircriedhisname,asapickupontheothersidecollidedwith
enoughforcetoshowerhimwithglass.Hewasdimlyawareofsomeoneintheothercarcallingout
overandover,“I’msorry,I’msorry,I’msorry,”buthehadmoreimportantthingstoterrifyhimasthey
werehitonelasttime,frombehind.

Theshakingaroundthemwasgettingworse,carsbouncingoneverysideliketoys.Theconstant

contactwashorrible;metalgroundtogether,andsprungbitsofplateandbumpergottangledsothat
doorstorquedoutoflineandlockswerejammed.Somethingwhizzedacrosshislineofsightand
slammedintothehoodoftheSUVnexttothemwithaterrificbang!Hestaredatit,uncomprehending,
forwhatseemedlikealongwhile,tryingtoplacetheoriginofanobjectcoloredsobrightared.Then,
afterwhathadreallybeenonlyasecondorso,hismindmadetheproperconnectionandhepaledwith
recognitionandcranedhisneckaroundforaviewofthesouthsupporttowerthey’dbeenpassingwhen
thisnightmarebegan.

Itwasarivet.
Theshakingwaspoppingtherivetsthatheldthebridgetogether.
Therewasonlyonethingwithforceenoughtodothat,andfromthewayeveryonewhowasablewas

pilingfromtheircarsandracingpell-mellforshore,hewasn’ttheonlyonetocometosuchanobvious
—especiallyforSanFranciscans—conclusion.

GeeGeegaveitvoice,withashrillscream:“Daddy,it’sanearthquake!”
Allantriedhisdoor,butitwouldn’tbudge.HelookedtoBlair,butknewatoncethatherswasjustas

jammed.Heknewthepassengerdoorsmostlikelywouldn’tworkeither.Andwiththetruckjammedup
tightagainsttheirrearbumper,theywouldn’tbeabletogetoutthatway.

Nosunroof—anoptionhe’dpassedontochiseldowntheprice.Hisownwindowwasshattered,but

therewasn’tenoughclearanceforhimtowrigglethrough.Thebesthope,theonlyhope,wastosmash
thewindshield.

Everyonearoundhimwasmakingnoise:GeeGeewashowlinginterror,Blairstrugglingwithher

seatbelt,twistingherselfbetweentheseats,thebettertoreachherbabies,whileTimwasnonstopwith
questions—“What’shappening,Dad?What’rewegonnado,Dad?Arewegonnadie,Dad?”

Allan’sbreathcaughtinhisthroat—Whatwashappeningupahead?
“I…”hestarted,thenworkedhislipsandtongue,partlytomoistenhismouth,partlytoremind

himselfhowtospeak.Hespokemoreloudlythistime,tomakehimselfheard.“Idon’tthinkit’san
earthquake.”

Hecranedupwardsinhisseatasbesthecouldtogivehimselfabetterlook,thengaspedin

astonishmentasaHummerupaheadbouncedintotheairasthoughshotfromacatapult.

Itdidn’tgofar,butitwasn’talone.Allanfoundhimselfremindedofthemostmemorablescenefrom

TheTenCommandments,thepartingoftheRedSea—onlyinthisinstanceitwascarsbeingshunted
asideinsteadofwater.Aninvisiblewedgewasmovingdownthecenterlineoftheroadwayfromthe
Marinshore,blastingasideeverythinginitspathandpilingvehiclesupwiththecarelessabandonofa
kidwho’sbeenaskedtoclearawayhistoys.

Hecouldseepeoplenow,acrowdfollowingtheleadofatallandcommandingfigurewearinga

formal-lookingcoatthatseemedtoAllansomekindofuniform.Thecrownofhisheadgleamedinthe
waninglightofday,andforasecond,watching,Allanwaspuzzled—untilherecognizeditasahelmet,
andthensawmoreclearlythekindsofpeoplethattrailedbehindhim.AndAllanknewwithanicystab
ofterrorwhotheywerefacing.

ThemanwasMagneto,themutantterroristdescribedonthenewsastheMasterofMagnetism.
ClosebehindMagnetoweretwomenandtwowomen.Thewomen,oneatallredhead,theother

darker,bothworeleatherlikeitwasasecondskin.Oneofthemenwasslightandsurprisinglyyoung,
andasheapproached,AllancouldseehewasplayingwithaZippolighter,constantlyflippingitopen
andshut,openandshut.Theotherwasamountainwithlimbs,somonumentallymassiveheputeven
themostpowerfullybuiltprowrestlertoshame,thearmorheworemakinghimevenmoreimpressive.

Behindthemcameacrowdofmixedfolks,somewholookedlikeaveragepeoplebutotherswho

wereoutrightmonsters—ahundredstrong.

AroundtheRyersons,everyonewhocouldwasscramblingfromtheircarsandfleeingforshore.He

wantednothingmorethantojointhem,buttryashemight—hepoundingwithhisfistsandBlair
kickingwithherfoot—theycouldn’tpopthedamnwindshield.Then,startlingly,provokingmorecries
fromthechildren,andayelpfromBlairasshefoundherselftuggedoffbalance,everythinginsidethe
vehiclethatcontainedevenascrapofferrousmetalbegantorisetotheceiling.Blair’sproblemwasher
belt,composedofinterlockingsteellinks,andshedangledsemi-helplesslyuntilAllanwasableto
releasethebuckleandhelphertwistfree.Sheendeduphuddledinthebackwiththekids,andhe
wishedhecouldjointhem.

Somethingheavyhittheroof,thefirstinaseriesofimpactsthatremindedAllanofaprairie

hailstorm,untiltheshatteringofglassdemonstratedthatwhatwasfallingherewasconsiderably
heavier.

Heheardaterriblesnapfromoverhead,andcriedaprimalandatavisticwordlessprotest—rage,

defiance,denial,despair—asitwasfollowedbyahigh-pitchedandmetallictwangandthena
tremendouscrash,asoneofthegreatsuspensioncableslandedalongsidethem.

Allanwascrying,hisfamilywascrying,Blairsatwiththekidsclutchedclose,andeventhoughhe

couldn’thearawordforallthedinthatenvelopedthem,hecouldseehermouthformingthewordsof
theLord’sPrayer.Shebelievedtheyweregoingtodie.Hewassuretheywould,too—butevenasthe
thoughtoccurredtohimitwasbanishedbyanother,justasprofoundandfarstronger,thecertaintythat
theywouldnot.Hewouldnotallowit.Hopelessasthingsseemed,utterlycrazyandimpossibleasit
sounded,hewouldfindawaytosavehisfamily.

Magnetowasveryclose.Allancouldseehimwithperfectclarityasthemanraisedhisarmshigh.

Itwasagrandandtheatricalgesture……anditachievedanimmediate,equivalentresponse…
…astheGoldenGateBridgewastornfreefromitsnorthernanchors.
Magnetoturnedtohistroops,everyinchaconqueror,andallofthemsaveonecheeredhim

accordingly.

Theredheadlookedbored.

OntheMarinside,thetourgroupranfortheirlives.Theydidn’tbotherwiththebus.Apieceof

concretefromoverheadthatwastwiceitssizehadsquasheditflatandtheairwasfilledwithdebrisof
everymaterialandsize,pepperingbothwaterandshorewithshrapnel.Someofthegrouptriedtopause
totakeproperphotos,whileotherssimplyheldtheircellphonesanddigitalcamerasovertheirshoulders
andshotontherun,hopingsomethingappropriatelydramaticwoulddevelopthattheycoulduseto
maketheirfortune.Theguideheardscreamsheknewwouldhaunthimuntilthedayhedied,whichhe
prayedwithallhismightwouldnotbetoday,andwasthankfulhecouldn’tseewhatcausedthem.He
wasthelastupthehill,makingithisbusinesstolookafterhispassengers,assumingthesamesenseof
responsibilityassignedtothecaptainofashiporanaircraft.Thegroundwasshaking,theairthickwith
achokingcloudofdust;evenifhecouldfindbreathenoughtospeak,itwaslikelyimpossibletomake
himselfheardoverthesheervolumeofnoise.

Somethingcaughthimbehindthelegsandslappedhimdown,hardenoughtobloodyhisnose.He

didn’tknowwhatitwas,anddidn’tcare;hewasbeingsuckedanddraggeddownslope.Hescrabbled
forhandholds,brokenailsontarmac,criedoutwithshockashewasdousedinbitterlycoldwater,and
thenregrettedtheimpulseashismouthfilledwithsaltwaterthatmadehimgag,onthebrinkof
drowning.

Justassuddenly,justasviolently,hefoundhimselfjerkedclearoftheflood,hisarmsdrapedacross

theshouldersofhisrescuers,whileotherhandsclutchedathisbelttokeephimupright.Without
prompting,hefoundthemeanstopropelhislegsintoactionandkeptpacewiththemenoneitherside
astheyscurriedclearofthemaelstrom.

Theyprobablyclimbedahundredfeetwithoutpause,movingatarapid,relentlessclip,beforethey

reachedabendintheroadthatseemedtobeasafevantagespot.

Whentheguide’svisioncleared,ashetriedtostammerthankstomenwho’dhearnoneofit,he

couldn’tbelievehiseyes.He’dbeenfelledbyatitanicwavecausedwhentheentirenorthtowerofthe
bridgemovedpastthemandintothebay,asthoughpivotingonsomemonumentalaxis.

Inthedistance,hesawwhatseemedtohimlikeminorpuffsofsmokefromtheSanFranciscobaseof

thebridge.Close-up,heknew,forthoseinthePresidiowithagrandstandseat—asheandhistourists
hadoverhere—there’dbenothing“minor”aboutitatall.Whateverhadwrenchedthebridgefromits
MarinmooringswasdoingthesameacrosstheGoldenGate.

SomethingflickedacrosshisperipheralvisionandhecaughtsightofaTVnewshelicopterbuzzing

thescene,takingadvantageofwhatlittlelightremainedtobroadcasttheeventlive.

Butevenasthehelicopterapproached,ittwistedintosuddenandunexpectedevasiveactionasone

impossibleeventwaseclipsedbyanother.Freedofallitsanchors,frombothshoresandthefoundations
ofthetowers,theGoldenGateBridgerosesilentlyandmajesticallyintotheair,toproceedinstately
processiondeeperintothebay,leavinginitswakeatrailoftumblingcarsandcollapsingsuperstructure
fromeitherend,likeHanselandGreteldepositingbreadcrumbssotheymightfindtheirwayhome.

Magnetoplacedonefootonthecoamingofthebridgewalkwayandleanedforwardonbentknee,

surveyingthewayaheadwithcoolconfidenceandnosmallamountofpride,likeashipmasterbringing
hisvesselintoharbor.

“Charlesalwayswantedtobuildbridges,”hecommented.
AndJeanthought,It’salwaysaboutCharles.Everyaction,everydecision,youmeasureagainsthim,

asthoughyoucan’taccepttherightnessofyourcauseuntilyouprovehimwrong.

Asthoughsensingthetenorofherthoughts,heturnedtofaceher,indicatingtheirfast-approaching

destination—theformerprisonislandofAlcatraz.

“Oncethatcureisgone,nothingcanholdyouback.Nothing.”
AndJeanthought,Silly,foolishman,youtalkasifthat’sagoodthing.
Shecouldn’tdeny,though,howmuchshewastempted,andsheknewtheintoxicationofthemoment,

theanticipationofwhatwastofollow,showedinhereyes,onherface.

Aloud,withasmileheshouldhavefounddangerous,shesaid,“Iknow.”
Sheclosedhereyes,releasedherpower,tookacountofthesoulsonthebridge,andthoseawaiting

themontheisland.IfMagnetoaskedfortheirdisposition,she’dtellhim.Otherwise,shedecidedto
holdherpeace.

ShewonderedifsheshouldtellhimtheX-Menhadarrived.

EveryonecrowdedtheflightdeckforaviewofthebridgeasOrorobroughttheBlackbirdoverthe

bayinawide,sweepingturnthatallowedthemalltoseewhatwashappening.Furtheraft,atHank’s
techstation,everyscreenonthemaindisplayrevealedavariationofthesameevent,pulledfromallthe
localTVchannels,plusthenationalandinternationalnewsnetworks.Farmorethantheincidentsatthe
Worthingtonclinics,thiswassomethingthewholeworldwasindeedwatching.

“Ohmystarsandgarters,”Hankmurmured,takingrefugeinacatchphrasehehadn’tusedforyears.

Itwentwiththecostume.

Kitty,sittingintherightseat,announcedinresponsetoaflashingtelltaleonherpanel,“We’rebeing

painted,TraConDopplerradarfromOaklandandSanFranciscoInternational.”Shetappedacontrol,
refiningthesweep.“But—I’mgettingsomeQ-bandactivity,highrange,readsasanE2CHawkeye
AWACSofftheTeddyRoosevelt,establishingatargetportraitforpossibleairstrikes.”

Ororotappedacodeintothecentercontrolconsole,betweenherandKitty.“Goingtostealthmode.”
Fromoutside,thegreatblackaircraft,alreadydifficulttoseeinthegatheringdarkness,shimmered

andthenvanished,bothtothenakedeyeandtoallformsofelectronicdetection.

“Onyourtoes,people,”Ororosaidquietly.“Everyonebacktoyourplacesandstrapin.Henry,Kitty,”

sheadded,“we’redependingonyounow.Thisairspaceislikelytogetmorethanalittlebitcrowded
andsincewecan’tbeseen,wecan’tbeevaded.It’suptoyoutwotokeepusfromanycollisions.”

“Acircumstancemostdevoutlytobeavoided,ma’am,”Hankagreedwithmocksolemnity,while

Kitty,inthemidstoftossinghimaslightlyjaundicedlook,simplynodded.

Initsway,M-day,asthiswouldcometobecalledwhenitwasallover,provedassignificantand

memorableastarttothetwenty-firstcenturyfortheCitybytheBayasitsfabledearthquakehadbeen
forthetwentieth.Itwascertainlythekindofthingthatnobodypresenteverforgot,especiallythose
“privileged”enoughtoactuallywatchitunfoldfirsthand.

IthadbeenjustanormalFridayafternoon,witheveryonegoingabouttheiraverageandaltogether

ordinarypursuits,closingouttheworkweek,preparingfortheweekend.Mostfolksdowntownweren’t
evenawareofanythingamiss,atfirst;Magneto’sseizureofthebridgeoccurredsofast,andtheaction
itselfwassoincrediblyunbelievable,thatevenwithahelicopteronthescene,broadcastinglive,itstill
tookalittlebitoftimeforthewordtospread,andforittobetakenseriously.

Imaginethemoment,ridingthecablecarupandoverthecrestofRussianHill,thinkingaboutwhat

todofordinner,billstopay,achingback,walkingthedog,watchingcable,gazingoutatthefamiliar
sightofAlcatraz—themindperhapsnotquiteregisteringwhattheeyesbehold,thesightofthis
magnificentfeatofengineering,oneofthemarvelsofhumanhistory,glidingeffortlesslyacrossthe
waves.

Inthat,appearancestrulyweredeceiving,becauseforMagnetothetraversewasprovinganythingbut

effortless.Liftingthismassofbetterthanahalfmilliontonswasbutthefirstchallenge,andmovingit
wasnothingcomparedtothenecessityofkeepingtheentirestructuretogether.

Jeanwatchedimpassively,gaugingthestrainhewasplacingonhisbody,impressedbyhis

determination.Thiswouldhavebeennosmallfeatforhiminhisprime,andyetMagnetohadfirst
manifestedhispowerintheNazideathcampatAuschwitz,betterthansixtyyearsbefore.

Sheshruggedinside,temptedtolethimsucceedorfalteronhisown;iftheworldwastrulyaplace

definedbyDarwin’sdictumofsurvivalofthefittest,shouldn’tthosesamerulesapplytohimastothe
sapienhumanityhedesiredtosupplant?Butevenassheacknowledgedthatconsiderationshefound
herselfestablishingalinkbetweenthetwoofthem,onalevelsoslighthecouldn’tpossiblybeawareof
it,butwhichallowedhertoshareherownenergieswithhim,grantinghimasufficientreservoirof
strengthtocompletehistask.

ThebridgepassedFortMason,depositingasitdidsoafewmorestraycarsfromtheendofthe

roadway,alineofnearmissesacrossAquaticPark,leadingtoacoupleofdirecthitssmackintothe
bellyofaScarabcigaretteboatmooredatHydeStreetPier,alongwiththeworkingtrawlertiedupjust
beyondit,andlastlysomedot-comzillionaire’sLamborghinidoingaswandiverightthroughtheroof
ofawaterfrontrestaurantattheCannery,tofinishoutitsdaysasthecenterpieceofthebar.

Bythispoint,peopledownalongtheshorehadgottenthemessageandwereclearingtheareaas

quicklyastheycould,especiallyasitbecameincreasinglyobviousthatthebridgewasabouttomakea
landing.

Thesounditmade,andtheeffectithadonthecitywhenMagnetobroughtittorest,remindedmany

ofthelastgreatearthquake.Thenoisestrucklikeaphysicalblowandwhilethegroundtrembledonly
foramoment,theshockwavewassufficienttobreakafairshareofwindowsand,farmoreannoyingly,
triggerhundredsifnotthousandsofcaralarmsalongtheentirebreadthofdowntown.

Oncethebridgehadsettledintoplace,withthetowerawaysoffshoreandwhatremainedofthe

roadwayextendingfarenoughtoflattenalineofwaterfrontstructures,peopleregainedenough
confidencetogatherandwatchwhathappenednextastheothertowerwasbroughtintolinewith
Alcatraz,andthendeposited.

Thebottomdepthsthereweren’tanywherenearconsistentwiththoseatthemouthofthebayitself,

sothebridgeendedupcantedatadramaticandawkwardangle,tiltingdownwardfromcitytoisland,

withoneendoftheroadwaysuspendedatadecentheightabovetheshorelinewhiletheotherwasn’tall
thatmuchhigherthanthewateritself.

Magnetohadn’treallycaredmuchaboutthepeopleunderneaththebridgeashemaneuvereditinto

place.Hehadnoactualintentofkillinganyone.Hejustdidn’thavetheenergytospareandbesides,
theywereonlysapiens.Theywerefunctionallyirrelevanttothefuturehewastryingtobringabout,and
thesoonertheywereshuffledofftheevolutionarystagethemoremercifulitwouldbeforthem.Asfor
thetroopsassignedtotheisland—thiswastherisk,andprice,thatcamewiththeuniform.

ThejourneyconcludedabitmoreabruptlythanMagnetowouldhavepreferred.Hewasamanof

sublimeprecision,asmuchasXavier,anditirkedhimtomiscalculatethefinaldescentsothatthe
bridgecrashedtorestwithajoltsevereenoughtoknockeveryonestandingofftheirfeet.Onlyheand
Jeanremainedupright.

Heshookoffthehandshe’dusedtosteadyhimand,asthoughtoprovehismighttoallpresent,

immediatelylevitatedabovethecrowd,givingthemallagrandstandviewashehoveredtotheforefront
ofthebridgeandusedhispowerstopartiallycollapsethatendoftheroadway,combiningitwitha
gatheringofdebrisfromthecrushedbarrackstoformaneasilynegotiablerampfrombridgetoisland.
Beyond,atthehighestpoint,rosethecellblocks.

IntheWhiteHouseSituationRoom,BolivarTraskwasthefirsttotakenoticeofwhatwas

happening.OnlyminuteshadpassedfromMagneto’sinitialincursionontothebridge,andthenewswas
stillmakingitswayupthegovernmentinformationtree.WhatcaughtTrask’seyewasahardtowatch
visualononeoftheTVmonitorstunedtoFoxNews,whatcaughthisearwasananchorreducedto
stammeringincredulity.

Hewonderedashespokeifhisownvoicesoundedthesame.
“Mr.President,”hesaidquietly,inthatunimaginablymatter-of-factvoicethatonecallsuponto

announcetheimminentendoftheworld,“Ithinkyoushouldseethis.”

EvenasDavidCockrumturnedtolookatthescreen,sometechsintheircubbyholeshadworked

magicoftheirown,projectingnetworknewsfeedsonsubordinatescreenswhilesavingthemain
displayforaKeyholeKH-13surveillancesatellite-viewofthescenefromorbit,enhancingtheimageto
takeintoaccountthefactthatitwasalmostnighttime.

TherewasagapacrossGoldenGateStrait,asglaringasthesuddenlytoothlessspaceinahockey

player’smouthafteracloseencounterwithapuck.Andtherewasalandlinkconnectingtheislandof
Alcatrazwiththecityonitsdoorstep.

“MyGod,”thepresidentsaidinawhisper.
Andthen,becausethatwashisjob,hecalledhismilitaryadvisorstoorderandstartedplanninghow

todealwithit.

AllanRyersoncouldbarelybelievehewasstillalive.Inalltheconfusion,asthebridgeswungacross

thebayandthencrashedspectacularlytorest,thesurroundingcarshadshiftedawayenoughforhimto
forceopenhisdoor.Butnowthattheycouldescape,hewasn’tsureitwassuchagreatidea.

Acoupleofcar-lengthsaheadofhim,Magnetodescendedoncemoretotheroadway.Nowthatthe

sunhadset,andwiththepowertotheroadwaylightsseveredwhenthebridgewastornfromits
moorings,itwasdangerouslydifficulttosee.Theonlyilluminationcamefromthecitybehindthem,the
ambientradiancecastbyitsapartmentsandskyscrapers,whichbarelylituptheoppositeendofthe
bridge.Thewayahead,toAlcatraz,wasshroudedintotaldarkness.

Magnetodidn’tseembotheredbythisintheslightest.Heglowed,justalittle,outlinedinapaleblue

coronalikeaminordisplayofSaintElmo’sfire.AllanyelpedashisSUV’slightscameon,alongwith
thoseofeveryothercarthatremainedonthebridge.Thevehicleshadbeenarrangedwithpurpose,so
thattheirheadlightscreatedamorethansufficientpoolofilluminationthatstretchedthelengthofthe
bridgeandextendedoutontotheisland.

Allancouldn’thelpstaring,awestruckandimpressed.Acknowledginghisreaction,Magnetoinclined

hisheadandallowedAllanoneofthosepracticed,professionalsmilesfavoredbyBritishroyalty.

Blairwasfarmorepractical.Sheslappedthedoorlockclosedandprotectivelygatheredherchildren

abouther.

ThatactuallymadeMagnetochuckle—althoughtherewasahauntedaspecttotheshadowedeyes

beneaththebrowofhishelmetthatAllanwouldneverforget,andwhichbeliedtheoutwardandvery
realhumorofthemoment.

Magneto’smemorywasnotaspristineandabsoluteasatelepath’s,buttherewerecertaininstances

thatcouldnotbeexcised.LookingatBlairRyersonremindedhimofone,fromanagehewishedhe
couldforget,whenhewashuddledinthearmsofawomanwhowasn’thismother,yetwhowas
determinedtoprotecthimjustthesame,crammedintothecornerofacattlecartrundlingthroughthe
bleakwildernessofaPolishwinter,fromonecampofmiserytoanother.

Auschwitzwasn’tupandrunningasadeathcampinthosedays.Theywereamongthefirstinmates,

theoneswhohadtohelpconstructthefacilities,andthatsparedthemthefateofthosewhofollowed,
thosesenttothegaschambers.Theyweresimplyworkedtodeath,underthatdamnablelegendArbeit
MachtFrei—WorkMakesFreedom.

“Neveragain,”Magnetobreathedtohimself,turningviolentlyfromthepast—hisownand

humanity’s—andwavinghismakeshiftarmyofrevolutiontowardswhathewasdeterminedtomakea
brightandshiningfuture.

JeanwatchedEriktakethelead,moreawareofhisthoughtsandwhattheymeantthanhewas,and

shetookamomenttosweephergazeacrossthefamilyintheirMercedesGL500.Theywereconfused,
theywereafraid,theywereangryatthewantonassault—andyet,therewasnohate.

Whattomakeofthat,shewondered,andsuggestedwithanotherthoughtthatthiswasnofitplacefor

them.Andjusttomakeiteasier,sheusedalittletwistoftelekinesistomakesurealltheircardoors
openedfreely.

ThemomentJeanpassed,AllanRyersonburstfromthedriver’sseat,wrenchingopentheslidingdoor

besidehisdaughterandgatheringGeeGeeintohisarmswhileBlairandTimtumbledfree,Timstill
clutchinghishandfulofcomicsliketheywereatalisman,andBlairholdingontohimjustastightly,for
thesamereason.GeeGeestartedhowling.They’dleftherstuffedbear,andAllanhandedheroffto
Blair,madeafranticdashbacktothecar,cursingabluestreakashetorethroughtheclutteruntilhe
foundtheanimal.Thenhegatheredhisfamilyandtheyfledfortheirlives.

Jeanwatchedthemgo.Onlywhenshewaspositivetheyweresafelyonshoredidsheturntofollow

Magneto.

Ontheisland,franticradiocallsforhelpwentunanswered,asalltheemergencyfrequencieswere

occludedbysleetstormsofimpenetrablestatic.Thesameappliedtovideoandcellularlinks,and
internalcommunicationswerealsocrashed,aswaseverycomputerontheisland,fromnetwork
superserverstohandheldPDAs.Thelightswerestillon,butthatwasmorefortheconvenienceofthe
invadingforcethananydefenders.

Inhisoffice,whichusedtobethewarden’s,withaviewthatoverlookedtheentireprison,Warren

WorthingtonJr.andKavitaRaostoodatthewindowandstaredstraightdowntheroadwayofthe
GoldenGateBridgeandintothefacesofthemutantswho’dcometodestroytheirlife’swork.

Deepwithinthemaincellhouse,ontheoppositesideoftheisland,inhisroomwhichaffordedhim

hisfavoriteviewofthegreatbridge,youngJimmy—code-namedLeech—tookonelastlookatthe
yawningemptyspacewhereitusedtobebeforeburyinghimselfinacocoonofquiltsandcoversand
stuffedanimalsofhisownbeneaththebed.

Backonthebridge,Magnetoledtheway,Callistobyhisside,flankedinashallowarrowhead

formationbyPyroandJuggernautononeside,ArclightandKidOmegaontheother.

Jean,asalways,wasalittlebitbehind.
Callistoadvancedafewsteps,takingpoint,castingherperceptivenetacrossthewholeoftheisland.
“Boy’sintheback,”sheannouncedwithsatisfaction.“Southwestcornerofthebigbuilding.”She

pointedtothesquat,massivestructureofthecellhouse.

“Wellthen,”Magnetoinformedthem,“thisplacehaslongsinceoutliveditspurpose.Let’stakeit

downtothenails.”

Hereversedpositionandraisedhishands.
Atthatsignal,themassofmutantswho’dbeenfollowingsurgedforwardwithagreat,accompanying

cry,adozenfliersassumingthevanguard,scatteringincombatpairsacrosstherockwhiletwentymore
streakedafterthemacrosstheground.

Juggernautbegantofollow,butMagnetomotionedhimback.
“Inchess,”hesaidmeditatively,“thepawnsgofirst.”
Jeanshookherhead.Scottwouldn’thavebeensodismissive;forhim,forCharles,evenpawnshad

value.Buttheyweredead.ItwaslefttoMagnetotoseizetheday,andlayclaimtothefuture.

Inasequenceofbounds,ayoungwomanwhosemutationmadehermostlylizard,withthepredatory

speedandpowerofaKomododragon,racedthroughtheruinedbarracks,upawall,leapttoarooftop
andfromtheretothelighthouse—whereshetookaperchatthetop,usingeyesthatsawaswellby
nightasbyday,andaforkedtongueevenbetteratfindingprey,toscoutthewayahead.Theeyessaw
nothinguntoward.

Thedangertastedbyhertonguecametoolate.
EvenasKomodoraisedthealarm,troopersarosefromhiddenambushpoints,andgrenadiersonall

sidesunleashedavolleyfromshoulder-mountedmissilelaunchers.Football-shapedprojectiles,smaller
thanregulationballs,moreakintotheonesgiventograde-schoolers,arcedthroughtheair,detonating
overtheroadbedofthebridgewhereitmettheisland,fillingtheairwithacloudofminuteflechettes
thesizeoftoothpicks.

Atfirstitseemedlikeajoke,likebeingattackedbygnats.Thedartsweresofinetheycouldslip

throughtheweaveofanordinarycottonshirt,thoughtheheavierthicknessandconstructionofajacket
ormilitary-issuedclothcouldquiteeasilydeflectthem.Evenwhentheystruckhome,theybarelystung.
Someofthemutantsdidn’tevenrealizethey’dbeenhit.Butthemutantsinthefirstwavewerethe
targetofascoreofprojectilesfromwhichcameuncountablenumbersofdarts,enoughtocarpetthe
roadbedinaveritablelawnofplastic,manyexplodingupwardsaswell,tostrikeanyofthefliers
overhead.

Everyonefrozeforamoment,expecting—assuming—theworst.
Komodopluckedonedartfromherneck.
“It’sadud,”shecrowed,convulsivelysweepingalltheothersshecouldreachfromherskin,furious

withherselfforbeingsospookedwhenthebombshadbeenlaunched.Shehadbeensuretheywere
goners.

“Keepuptheattack!”sheyelled,andbaredherteethferociously,decidingitwastimetorundown

somesoldiersandscarethemjustthesameasshe’dbeen.

Butthen—withstaggeringsuddenness—hersnarltwistedintoarictusofpain.Komodowantedtocry

outindenial,shewantedtobegformercy,becausesherememberedwhatshe’dseenonTV,howithad
beenwiththemutantinBrooklyn,andknewitwasthesamenowwithher.Acascadeofpainstoleaway
bothbreathandthoughtandshecollapsedtohandsandkneesontheobservationplatform,watchingin
anguishasherskinrippledlikeapondofwaterwithfishfightingoverbaitrightbeneaththesurface.
Herhandslosttheirwebbing,herskinitsbrightpattern.Shescreamed,wantingtohurlherselftothe
rocksbelow,bettertoendeverythingthanenduresuchmisery—notsimplytheagonyoftransformation,
forsheknewmuchworsewastocomeasherbonesreshapedthemselvesbacktotheiroriginalbaseline
sapienconfiguration,buttheawfulfateoflivingwiththememoryofwhatshe’dbeen,thecertain
knowledgethatthosedaysweregoneforever.

Shereachedforthelowestbaroftherailing,pushedwithherfeetagainstthewallbehindher,butshe

didn’tmove.Shehadnostrength.Ineveryrespect,saveperhapsforweeping,shewasdone.

Overhead,someoftheflierswhohadn’tbeenhitmadefrantic,divinggraspsfortheirfellowswho

had,reflexivelytryingtosavetheirfallingfriends.Sometheycaught,sometheymissed,someyanked
freeofthehandsthatheldthem,andthenightwasbrokenbythesoundofdull,scatteredimpacts,like
sacksofmeatstrikingtheearth.

Thirty-fivemutantshadbeenhit.
Thirty-fivemenandwomen—althoughsomemightbetterbecalledboysandgirls,theywereso

young—invaryingstagesofdevolution,tooktheirplace.

“That,”remarkedMagnetofromhissummitonthebridge,“iswhythepawnsgofirst.”Heshookhis

head.“Humansandtheirguns.”

Aheadandbelow,mop-upteamsemergedintoview—afullcompanyofregulararmy,evenlysplit

betweenthoseequippedwiththedartweaponsandthosewithriotgear,plusacontingentofmedicsto
dealwithanywounded.AHumveerolledintothecourtyard,sportingawatercannontohelptheriot
troopsdealwiththeprisonerswhilethecombatplatoontookupnewpositionstoprepareforthe
expectedsecondwave.

Alieutenantspokeintohisradio,triedagain,thentossedthesetasideindisgust;electronicswere

useless.Usinghandsignals,hepassedwordtohisplatoonsergeantsandsquadleaderstobegintheir
advance.Theseweretough,experiencedprofessionals,veteransoneandall,who’dlearnedtheirtrade
inurbanwarfare.

MagnetofacedJean.
“Destroythem,”hetoldher.
Sheignoredhim,concentratingherattention—atleastinpart—ontheviewahead,asthelastairborne

mutantswerepickedoffbysnipers.

“Jean,”Magnetosnappedcommandingly,inatoneofexceptionalharshness,“doasIsay!”
Shelethimseeahintofthefireinhereyes,inhersoul.
“Yousoundlikehimagain.”
Hemethergazewithoutfear.
Fromtheisland,thelieutenant’svoicerangout:“Fire!”
Avolleyofmissilesarcedtowardsthebridge.
Magnetosnatchedupapairofcarsandbroughtthemtogetherwellaheadofhimtoformabarrier,

instantlyflatteningandexpandingthemetalfabricofthevehiclestoformabowl-shapedshieldthat
envelopedthebombstheinstanttheydetonated,toensurenotasingledartescaped.

Justasquickly,heroundedonArclight,atallandrawbonedwomanwholookedasthoughshe’djust

steppedoutofanancientHellenicportraitofsomeAmazonwarriorbattlingbeforethewallsofTroy.

“Canyoucontrolyourshockwaves,”hedemanded,“totargetthoseweaponsanddestroythemallat

once?”

Shelookeddismissivelytowardstheadvancingtroops.
“Youfindtherightwavelength,”shereplied,“everythingbreaks.”
“Amentothat,”agreedJuggernaut.
ArclightpoppedanotherstickofBeeman’sgumintohermouthtocomplementtheoneshewas

alreadychewing,thenmovedafewstepsclearoftheotherstostandaloneinthecenteroftheroadway,
seeminglyintentonmakingherselftheideal,irresistibletarget.ThiswaswhyMagnetohadlether
experimentwithoneoftheweaponsthey’dclaimedfromthetransportguards—tofindtheprecise
frequencytodestroythem.

Assoldiersmovedwarilyintoview—understandingfullwellthatwhileMagnetocouldn’taffecttheir

weapons,therewasnothingtostophimfromusingtheverybridgeagainstthem—Arclightclappedher
handstogether.Theairbeforehershookwiththegenerationofalocalizedsonicboom,andvisible
ripplesmarkedtheprogressofitsenergy-chargedshockwavesastheyrolledoutwardtowardsthe
oncomingtroops,whorespondedbybringingtheirgunsuptofire.

Beforeasingledartcouldbeunleashed,theshockwavewasonthem,shatteringeachandevery

plasticpistolandrifletheyheld.Stunned,thesoldierswatchedthedartstheyheldclatteruselesslytothe
ground.

Theshockwavescontinuedtheiradvanceacrosstheentireisland,doingthesametoeveryplastic

weaponontheRock.

Asthesoldiersonthebridgehastilywithdrewtojointheirfellowsontheisland,Arclightturnedto

Juggernaut,handupheld,andheslappeditinahighfive.

“Whataboutjets?”demandedPresidentCockrumoftheChairmanoftheJointChiefs.“Tanks?

There’sanaircraftcarrierjustoffshore.Can’ttheTeddyRooseveltlaunchanairstrike?”

BolivarTraskshookhishead.“Magneto’llturnthemintoscrapmetal.”
Cockrumpoundedhisfistonthetableinfrustration.“Wherethehellareourgroundtroops?Wehave

tobeabletodosomething!”

Withtheparamountthreatneutralized,Magnetoledhistroopsashore.Jeanremainedatherperchon

thebridge,headcockedtoonesideasthoughlisteningtoaconversationonlyshecouldhear.

TheX-Menweren’tattemptingtomasktheirthoughts,althoughtheyhadtechaboardtheBlackbird

thatwouldallowthemtotry.Ororowastestingher,Jeanknew:wouldsherevealtheX-Men’sapproach
toMagneto?Ororowantedtodeterminenow,beforethesituationescalated,whereJean’sloyaltieslay.

Truthbetold,Jeanstillwasn’tsure.
Magnetolooked,searchingforthesourceofasoundthatshouldn’tbethere—themutedroarofapair

ofjetengines.Jeanallowedherselfaruefulsmile.Apparently,thesoundbafflesweren’tquiteproperly
tuned.

“Wehavevisitors,”hewarned.
Ororoannouncedherarrivalwithlightning,aboltpowerfulenoughtoilluminatetheislandbrightas

day,dazzlingthosewhosawitalmosttothepointofblindnessandopeningacraterintheground.

Inquicksuccessioncamethreemore,bracketingMagneto’scadreofmutantsonallsidesasOroro

streakedintoviewfromapointonlyMagnetocouldperceiveatopthemainbuildingoftheprison.

Whilethiswashappening,inthoseprecioussecondsthattheiradversarieswerereelingfromOroro’s

assault,theX-Mentookthefield.

HankMcCoyleaptimpossiblyfromrooftowalltorooftowalltowall,bouncingeffortlesslyback

andforthashemadehiswaytoalandingintheyard.

PeterRasputinsimplydropped,fullmetalbody,likeasolidsteelrock—despitetheriskthat

representedagainstthepowersofMagneto—tomakeaniftycraterofhisown.

Logansliddownthefaceofthebuilding,usinghisclawstothrustintothemasonrywallandslowhis

descent.

KittyPrydecamedownwithBobbyDrakeinherarms,phasingthepairofthemsothatwhenthey

reachedgroundlevel,theysimplydisappearedintotheearth.Amomentorsolater,theypoppedright
backup,likecorksonawave.Kitty,withBobbybyherside,clamberedtothesurface.Shewas
grinningwithdelight.Helookedreadytohurl.

“Don’teverdothatagain.”
Sherolledhereyes.Someguyswerejustplainuseless.
ThelieutenantcommandingtheforceonAlcatrazrecognizedMcCoy,despitehisoutlandishgetup,

andcouldn’thelpstaring.Presidentialcabinetofficersdon’tgenerallytakethefieldofcombat,much
lesscladinformfittingcostumes.

“Pullbackyourtroops,Lieutenant,”McCoytoldhim,withthefullauthoritythatonlysomeoneused

tohavingtheearofthepresidentcanmuster.“LettheX-menhandlethis.”

“Sir,”thelieutenantswallowed,wellawareofwhatMcCoywasaskingandnotaltogethersurehis

menwouldfollow,“thisisourpost,sir.Sixofyou,sixty-fiveofthem.Thoseoddssuck!Wecanhelp.”

Hankacknowledgedtheoffer,knowingwhatitmeantforsapientroopstovolunteertostand

shoulder-to-shoulderwithmutants,allowinghimselfthehopefulthoughtPerhapssomelastinggood
mightcomefromthismess.

“You’vedoneyourpartandmore,Lieutenant,”hetoldtheyoungman.“Go.Now.That’sanorder.”
Hankhadnoplaceintheofficer’schainofcommand,butsuchwasthenaturalforceofhisvoicethat

thelieutenantrespondedwithacrispsaluteanddidashewastold.

“Mindyou,”HankmusedtoLoganbyhisside,“giventhoseodds,hedoeshaveapoint.”

Logansnorted.HankconsideredthatforsomeoneliketheWolverine,withhistemperamentand

capabilities,heprobablythoughtofthisasafairfight.

“Gettogether,people,”Logantoldthem.“Sidebyside.Whatevercomes,weholdtheline.Wedefend

thisplace,andthepeopleinit,atallcosts.”

Magnetoshookhishead.
“Traitorstotheirowncause.”Forgiveme,Charles,hethought.Forthecausewebothchampion,I

mustdestroythesechildrenyouholdmostdear.“Wemustfinishthem,”hetoldhismutants,andboth
toneandexpressionleftnodoubtastowhathemeantby“finish.”Asfarashewasconcerned,this
battlewouldbetothedeath.Hewouldasknoquarter,norgrantanyinreturn.“Everylastone.”

HeturnedhiseyestoJean,whomethisgazebutmadenoothermove.
AtMagneto’ssignal,hismutantscharged.Aphalanxofalmostfortyagainstalineoffive.

Logandidn’twaitforthemtoreachhim;forhimthebestdefensewasalwaysoffense.
Tencameforhim,andhetookthemdownwithoutbreakingamajorsweat,withoutevenpoppinghis

claws.

Hewasquick,butthatwasjustthestartofit.HishealingfactorgaveLoganareactiontimethatwas

significantlygreaterthantheaveragesapien,ortheaveragemutant.Herarelyneededtothinkashe
fought,onanyconsciouslevel;hisbody—workingthroughbackbrainandinstinctandphysicalmemory
—didthatforhim.Hereactedtotheslightestofcues,onlevelsmoresubtlethanmosthuntingdogs,
whichallowedhimtobeginhiscounteratvirtuallythesametime,soitseemedtohisadversariesas
thoughhewasreadingtheirminds,anticipatingtheireveryattack.

Forhisopponents,itwasevenworsewhenbodiesactuallymadecontact.TheWolverine’sskeleton

waslacedwithadamantium,andstrikinghimwasakintohittingbarsofametalfarstrongerthansteel.
Punchinghiminthejawinvariablybrokeahandandthesameappliedtoanybluntforceobjectlikea
cudgel.Whenhestruckback,itusuallytookonlyasingleblowforlights-out.

Theclawswerealastresort,hisultimateweapon.Hefinishedthisinitialengagementwithout

needingthem,saveforasidewaysslashthroughalightingstanchiontodropitasatemporarybarrier
betweenonegroupofcombatantsandthenext.

McCoywasevenfasterinspeedandreactiontime.UnlikeLogan,hepossessedanunnaturalgrace

thatmadehimseemalmostweightless.Heseemedutterlyathomeonanysurface,floororceiling,
verticalorhorizontal,stationaryormobile.Evenmasonryinmidcollapsecouldbeturnedintoa
momentaryperchorpivotpointthatallowedMcCoytomovefromoneopponenttothenextwithoutthe
slightestpause,asthoughtheentireengagementhadbeenchoreographed.Combinedwithanacrobatic
agilitythatwouldmakeanOlympiangymnastweep,theBeastwasnearlyuntouchable,definitely
unbeatable.

Hankcaughtapunchinonehand,flippedthemanheadoverheelsintothetwobesidehim,leaptfor

awall,bouncedofftheheadofanothermutant,yankedhimintotheair,grabbedapole,andused
momentumtomakea360-degreepivotintimetoslamafootintothenow-fallingmutant’sbellybefore
droppingbackintotheheartofthefray.Andallthewhile,hisfacewassplitbyagrinoftruedelight,as
hereveledinatrueandoutrageousphysicalitythathadbeenstraightjacketedforfartoolongwithinhis
bespokeSavileRowsuits,strappeddownascruellyasyoungWarrenWorthington’swings.

TwentyofMagneto’screwinasmanyseconds.ThatwasthescorewhenHankandLogancame

together,back-to-back,atskirmish’send.

“We’vecuttheirnumbersbyathird,”Hankcrowed.

“Thoughtyouwereapacifist,”Logangrowled,lookingforMagneto,cryingoutinhismindforJean,

thinking,Thiswaswaytooeasy.

“AsChurchillsaid,‘Theremustcomeatimewhenallmenmust—’”
Thesecondwavecame,asmanyasthefirst,butmuchnastiertolookat.
McCoyshrugged.“Yougetthepoint,”hesaid,andleaptbackintothefray.
Orororoseskywardatthesametime,eyesflaringwhiteasshegatheredwindsandpowertoher,

pullingmoisturefromseaandairtogenerateamassivecloudformationjustofftheisland’sshore.

Thundershooktherockyisland,andaseriesofsympathetic,almostelectronictwangs,likethe

pluckedstringsofanuntunedguitar,soundedalongthelengthofthebridgeastheboomestablisheda
cascadeofvibrationsacrossthesuspendercables.

Inthespaceofafewheartbeats,OrororampedupherstormtobetterthanCategoryFiveonthe

Saffir-SimpsonHurricaneScale,andunleasheditsfullfuryintotheheartoftheattackers,strikingthem
withwind-drivenrainthatknockedsomeofftheirfeetandlefttheresttoodazedanddisorientedtocope
withthestormsurgethatfollowed,awavethatrosetotwicetheirheightandsweptthebattlefieldclean
ofdebrisandcombatants.

Becauseoftheclosequartersofthecombat,Ororohadtocomedownlowtowieldherweatherwith

thenecessaryprecisionofforceandplacement.TherewerenofliersleftamongMagneto’stroops,no
signyetofanyenergycasterslikePyro,soshethoughtherpositionfairlysecure.

Callistoprovedherwrong,demonstratingastrengthandagility—anddaring—thatwasonparwith

McCoyasshescrambleduponeofthesuspendercablesandhurledherselfatStormwithheadlong
abandon.

Ororosensedtheshiftintheairthatheraldedtheotherwoman’sapproach,buthadtomakesureher

weatherwassafelyundercontrol,costingherthesplitsecondneededtoproperlyrespondtoCallisto’s
attack.ThewomanhadaknifeandrakeditacrossOroro’sbody,scoringtheleatherofheruniformand
leavingatrailoffireinitswakethattoldOroroshe’ddrawnblood.Theimpactfollowedamoment
later,asCallistowrappedbothlegsaroundthetallerwomanforananchor,hammeringatherwitha
clenchedfistwhiletryingagainandagainwiththeknifeformoreblood.Beingupintheairclearly
didn’tfazeherintheslightest;shemusthavesimplyassumedthatStorm’spowerwouldkeepthem
aloftuntilCallistokilledherorshegottoodistractedtomaintainit.Eitherway,they’dfall,andshe
knewthatCallistowouldtrytomakesurethatStormlandedonthebottom.

Orororefusedtofall.Shedidthereverseandshotthepairofthembetterthanamilestraightupinthe

blinkofaneye.Callistopaidnoattention,insteadcrackingherforeheadagainstStorm’shardenoughto
revertthesilvereyesbacktonormal.Astheystartedtotumble,asshockseveredStorm’slinkwiththe
windsthatpropelledthemaloft,Callistohammeredatherwithherfist,tothethroat,thehead,theface,
towhateverpartofhershecouldreach.She’dfindherownwaytosurvive,shehadnodoubt,justso
Stormdidn’t.Shewasgoodatthat.

Shetriedstabbingaswell,butStormcaughtthathandinhers,usingthegreaterlengthofherarmto

keepitwellclear.

Callistosqueezedherthighstogether,ashardasshecould,andwasrewardedbyagruntofpainfrom

herfoe.

Shegrinned—thiswashermoment—andwrenchedherknifehandloose.Callistodidn’ttrystabbing,

sheknewStormwouldblockher,butinsteadflippedthebladeendoverendtowardsherownwaiting
lefthand.She’dgoforaquickgrab,andaquickerstabtotheotherwoman’sunprotectedflank,endof
story.She’dneverknowwhathither.

Butherfingersclosedempty……andCallistofeltanawfulmixoffireandicecoursethroughher

ownchest,whichsuddenlyrefusedtodrawinanymoreair.

Uncomprehending,shedroppedhergaze,tobeholdthehiltofherweaponjustbelowherbreast,a

perfectlyplacedthrusttotheheart.

ShelookedbackintoOroro’seyesandsawahardnessinthemthatputherowninnerarmortoshame.

Stormhadpluckedtheknifefrommidair—Callistocouldn’tbelieveshehadsuchspeedinher—and
deliveredthefinalblowtoCallistoinstead,withoutamoment’shesitation,withoutashredofmercy.

Shetriedtospeak,tastedblood,feltherfacetwistintoanunaccustomedexpressionthatwasasilent

pleaforsalvation.She’dneverinhermutantlifeconsideredthepossibilityofdying.Facingitatlast,
shewasterrified.

Ashereyesclosed,herheadlolled,andherlegslosttheirgrip.Thefacebeforeherremained

unrelenting.

ButwhenCallistofell,Ororocaughther.
She’dcomeofageinawarzone,inaplaceandatatimewheregirlsweregenerallyconsideredofno

consequence,andlearnedtodefendherselflongbeforehermutantpowersmanifested.

Killingcameeasy.
That’swhyshestrovetofindabetterway.

BackonAlcatraz,furtheralongtheline,Bobbyfoundhimselfconfrontedbyabehemothwhocalled

himselfPhatforreasonsthatweregrosslyobvious.ThefilesheldintheMansionmentionedamutant
whoworkedinacarnival,withasimilarphysique,whocalledhimselftheBlob,butFredJ.Dukeswas
amatineeidolcomparedtothisguy.Phat’sfootstepssetofftremorsthroughtherockandthreatenedto
bringdownwhateverwallsofthebarracksstillremainedupright.

Bobbytriedfreezingthegroundtoupendhim,butPhatwassomassivethattheicemerelyshattered

underfoot.

Fortunately,hewasnospeeddemon,andBobbyhadlittletroubleduckinganddodginghisgrabs.

Therewasn’tawholelotofwiggleroomandthefightaroundthemwasdevolvingintoamadcapmelee.
NoneoftheX-Mencouldaffordtodevotethemselvesoverlongtoasingleadversary,forfearof
becomingvulnerabletosomeoneelse.

Desperationproducedinspirationand,insteadofasheetofice,Bobbychosetoformapillarinstead,

toenfoldtheotherman.Thisway,exceptperhapsbytripping,Phatcouldn’tbringhisweighteffectively
tobear.Andifheshouldmanagetofall,Bobbywasdeterminedtobuildanicemountainontopofhim,
tomakesurehewouldn’tsoongetup.

Phatstillmanagedtwoorthreemorestepsbeforetheicelockedhiminplace.DespiteBobby’s

efforts,hewasstillstrugglingandBobbyknewthatifheeasedoff,evenalittle,theothermutantwould
quicklybreakfree.Madesense,damnit,thatacreatureofsuchobscenebulkwouldhavemusclesto
match;howelsecouldhemove,howelsecouldhegethisheartandcirculatorysystemtofunction
properly?

ThenColossuswasthere,landingasinglepunchtoPhat’sjawthatbrokethefoot-thickencasement

oficeasifitwerenothing,andstillconnectedwithpowerenoughtoshatterthemutant’sconsciousness
beforehehittheground.

ThebigRussianturnedatoncetoaidKitty,whoreallydidn’tneeditagainstthewomanwiththeaxe.

Timeandagain,thewomanslashedherbladethroughthegirl’sghostlybodywithoutdoingtheslightest
harm,whileKittybobbedandweavedandbackpedaleduntilshecamewithinPeter’sreach.

Asinglebackhand,notevenfullforce,knockedthewomantwentyfeetandoutofthefight.
Therewereacoupleofquickglancesfromsidetosideandthebriefestexchangeofsmilesbackto

Logan,whoacknowledgedthattheyweredoingwell.

AtLogan’ssignaltothelieutenant,thesoldiersmovedontothescene,takingthefallenmutantsinto

custody.

Uponthebridge,PyroglaredacrossthewayatBobby,chompingatthebittoconfronthisformer

roommate.

Magnetowouldhavenoneofit.
“Notyet,”hesaidtotheyoungman,inatonethatallowedneitherargumentnordefiance.“Stayby

myside.”

Instead,MagnetoturnedtotheJuggernaut.
“Mr.Marko,”hecalledout.“YouhavethecoordinatesfromCallisto.Theboyweseekisinthemain

cellhouse.”HepointedtotheverytopoftheRock.“Upthere.Getinside.Findtheboy.Killhim.”

Agedidn’tmatter,thefactthathewasamutantdidn’tmatter—nomorethanithadwhenhewas

preparedtosacrificeRogueyearsbeforeatLibertyIsland.Ifitwasnecessaryforthecause,thatwasall
thatmatteredtoMagneto.

AsforCainMarko,hereallycouldn’tcareless.Hejustlovedtosmashthings.
Buildingswerefun,peoplebetter—andX-Menwouldbebestofall.
Hedroppedhishead,anglinghistorsoforwardasbesthecouldsothathisconicalhelmetappeareda

bitlikeamassivecannonshellplowingthroughtheair.Theslopingroadwayallowedhimtobuildupa
decentamountofspeed,andhewasfairlyconfidentthatnothingbelowwouldbeabletoevenslowhim
down,muchlessbringhimtoahalt.

Squadsoftrooperswerethefirsttofall,solidhitsthatmadehimfeelthesamesatisfactionaswhenhe

threwastrikeinbowling,withbodiesflyingaswildlyastenpins.

AHumveerolledfromcoveranddeployeditswatercannon,whichhadaboutasmucheffectasa

kid’swaterpistol.Juggernautstruckthevehiclemoresolidlythananybatteringram,shatteringiton
contactandbouncingallthebitsandpiecesoffthesurroundingwalls.

Loganpoppedhisclaws,figuringtheymightdosomegoodagainsttheonrushinggiant—whatgood

wasunstoppablemomentumifyouhadnolegslefttorunwith?—buthewasatthewrongendofthe
yard,withtoomanybodiestofightbetweenhimandJuggernaut.

Colossuswasmuchcloser,andhemadetheinterceptiononhisown,withoutasignalfromtheothers,

settinghimselfrightinthechargingman’spath.

Juggernautacceptedthechallengeandpickeduphispace.Petersethimself,andcockedafist.
Hethrewagreatpunch,butitnevergotthechancetoland.Juggernautbody-slammedhimrightoff

hisfeet,turningthemassivestrengthoftheX-Managainsthisteammates,deflectingthearmored
Russianintoanearbywallthatwasalreadyonitslastbricks,forcingBeasttoscrambletoyankIceman
clearastheentireedificecrashedtotheground.

Bythen,ofcourse,hewasonhiswaytothecellhouse.
“He’sgoingfortheboy,”McCoyyelled.
“NotifIgettherefirst,”Kittyyelledbackoverhershoulder,forshe’dstartedrunningthemoment

JuggernautbouncedColossusaside.

Juggernautcouldn’tbestopped.Neithercouldshe—onlyshewasalotlessmessyaboutit.Kitty

phasedstraightintothebodyoftherockyisland,andthehillthatformedthefoundationofthecell
house.

WarrenWorthingtonJr.,guninhand,andKavitaRaowererunningfortheirlives,andforthefuture.

Shewasterrified—becausetheywereinaheadlongflighttowardsthesoundsofbattle,ratherthan
away,scramblingthroughtherotted,shadowywarrensoftheoldprisoninadesperateattempttoreach
Jimmy’sroomandtakehimwiththem.

“Weneed…toget…theboy,”Worthingtonspatoutbetweengasps,ashisbodymercilesslyreminded

himofthetwintollsofageandthegoodlife.He’dthoughthimselfinperfectlyfineshape,onlytohave
thelastfewminutespuncturethatballoonforever.

Notsofaraway,andcomingcloser,hecouldhearaseriesofhollowbooms,followedbytheshushof

collapsingmasonry;itmadehimthinksomeonewastakingawreckingballtothebuilding.Didn’t
muchlikethesoundofthat.

“Thereheis,”cameashoutfromagalleryoverhead.
Beforetheycouldmove,findanescape,bringtheguntobear,themutantswereuponthem,ledby

KidOmega.Kavitashriekedinreflexiveterrorasthethreemutants—Psylocke,Arclight,andKid
Omega—surroundedthem.

“You’retheguythatinventedthe‘cure,’amIright?”thefemaleknownasPsylockedemanded.
Worthingtonfacedher,surprisedtodiscoverthatwhilehewasscaredalmostoutofhismind,itdidn’t

reallyshow.Outwardly,heappearedaltogethercalm.

“Yes,”hereplied.“Iam.”
“That’swhatIthought,”shesaid,displayingagorgeoussmilethatwasfilledwithbothmischiefand

menace.

“Psylocke,whatabouther?”askedoneoftheothers,givingKavitaaroughshake.Shewascrying,

praying,lostwithinherselfwiththecertaintyofherimminentdoom.

“She’sthebrains,”Psylockesaid.“He’sthemoney.Killher.”
WorthingtonstaredatKavitainhorror,twosetsofwide-openeyesmomentarilylockingglances.He

triedtoreachouttoher,onlytofindhimselfyankedroughlyaway.

Overhisshoulder,hesawtheotherboydeployquillsacrosshisshouldersanddownhisarms.A

singleflexoftheforearmhurledademonstrationsetintotheneighboringwallwiththeforceofanail
gun.

AsWorthingtonwastossedaroundacorner,hiscaptorsnotcaringiftheyraisedbruisesorbroke

bones,hesawthemutantreachforKavitaandheardherlast,despairinghowl.

Kittyhadnotimetospare.Shewassurroundedbythreemutantsofherown.Shewentsolidforthem,

spinningsidekickstotheface,backedbythestrengthofadancer’sleg,bouncingoneguyintothenext,
shakingbothupenoughforhertocompletethepivotandpunchthethirdinthebelly,droppinghimat
lastwithakneetothenose.

Theothersmadeuncoordinatedgrabsforherbutshesteppedrightthroughthemandturnedsolid

frombehindtogivethemherversionoftheVulcanneckpinch.

Everyonewasdownbutbreathing.Therewasnotimetodomorebecausethesoundofsmashing

wallswasfartoocloseforcomfort,andherleadovertheJuggernautwasperhapsawallawayfrom
vanishing.

Asifoncue,hethunderedintoviewbelow,scatteringchunksofmasonry,barsthatweremorelike

spears,intohispathashelumberedthelengthofthetier.

Savinggrace—theboyhewasafterwasn’tonthegroundfloor.
Uphecame,withoutslackeningpace,eachstepbowingthemetalstairsasiftheyweretin,while

Kittysprintedalongthegallerytocatchhim.

Shephasedhimwithher,sothathisnextstep—insteadoflandingsolidlyonthemetalgrating—

plungedrightthrough.She’dmeanttoleavehimthere,danglingfromhismidsection,deckandbody
inextricablymergeduntilshecamebacktopullhimfree,butheprovedquickerandmoreontheball
thanshe’danticipated.

Theinstanthesensedtheuniquetinglingthatcamefromhernervoussysteminterruptinghis,he

slammedhisgreathandsdownonthegallerywithforceenoughtotearthisentiresectionloosefromits
mountingsandpitchbothhimselfandKittytothemainfloorbelow.

Theylandedcloseenoughtogetherforhimtomakeanothergrabather,whichfailedasshewent

reflexivelyghost—onlytodiscoverthatwaspreciselywhathewanted,asheusedthatmomentary
intangibilitytowrenchhimselffreeofthedeckgrating.

Notonlyquick,butcunning.Andnow,reallypissedoff.
ThankHeaven,shethought,atleastsomething’sgoingright!
Kittybolted.Ashopedfor,hefollowed.
Shecouldn’tgivetheothersanupdate;oneofthemajorrepercussionsofherpowerwasthatit

shortedoutanyelectriccircuitshepassedthrough.Totalmurderoncircuitboards,whichwas
appropriatelyironicforanaturalgearhead.Advantage,shecouldneutralizesurveillancesystems,
electroniclocks,evenpeople,withjusttherighttouch.Problem,putaradioonher,itdied.

Shecouldn’tcallforhelp,whichmeantshewasonherown.
SheconsideredaWileE.Coyotestratagem,maybeleadingJuggernautaroundincirclesuntilhe’d

underminedthebodyoftheprisonsomuchthatitcollapsedontopofhim.Thendecided,fromrecent
experience,thatnotonlywasheprobablyatadtoosmartforthat,butthecrashwouldn’tstophim.

Nowsheunderstoodthenickname.HispowermadeCainMarkounstoppable.
She’dreachedawhollyrefurbishedsectionoftheprisonthatmanagedtomakethegreat,grayedifice

lookquitecomfortable.Freshpaint,modernfurniture,totalclimatecontrol;itremindedherofthe
wealthyofdaysgonebywhotransportedstatelymanorsorcastles—orLondonBridge—fromEurope
torebuildthembrickbybrickoverhere.Inthiscase,ifshehadn’tknownbettershe’dhavefiguredshe
wasstandinginanytop-flightlabintheworld.

Thefloortrembled,theechoofcollapsingwallsreachedher,andshewasgalvanizedintoaction.

She’dlostherleadagain.

Kittyphasedthroughthenearestdoorway,thenracedfromroomtoroom,assumingthatsooneror

latershe’dgetlucky.

Figures.Theroomshewantedwasthelast,attheendofthehall,withaspectacularcornerviewof

thenow-emptystraits.Shemadeaface.Itwassomeinteriordesigner’svisionofwhatakid’sroom
shouldlooklike,withallthepersonalityofamagazinelayout.

Theboywashuddledunderthebed,clutchingastuffedanimalthatwasalmostasbigashewastohis

chest.

Shereallydidn’thavethetime,butshesparedhimhermostreassuringsmileanyway.
“I’mKitty,”shesaid,holdingoutahand.Anothercrash.Wouldn’tbemuchlonger.“I’moneofthe

X-Men.We’rethegoodguys.”

“Iknow,”hesaid,“I’veseenyouonTV.I’mJimmy,”hecontinued.“ButtheycallmeLeech.”
Nicename,shethought,castingshameonwhoeverwasresponsibleforit.
“What’shappening?”heasked,terrifiedthroughandthrough.
“I’lltellyoulater,”shesaid,motioninghimtowardsher.“Rightnow,Jimmy,we’vegottogetyou

outofhere.”

Shecaughthishandandyankedhimintoherarms,shovingherselftowardsthenearestwall.
Majormistake.Sheledwithherheadandforamoment,asstarsdidafandangoacrosshermind’s

eye,shethoughtshe’dbrokenitforsure.Crackeditwide,justlikeZeus,onlyinsteadofAthena
springingforthfullgrown,shewaslosingbraincellsbythemultitude.

Damnation—theshockactuallymadehercry.
“Whathappened?”sheyowled,pressingtheheelofherfreehandtoherbatteredforehead.
“Yourpowerswon’tworkaroundme.That’smypower.”
Shecouldn’thelpgrinning:“Honey-bunny,”shetoldhimhurriedly,“Rogue’sjustgonnaloveyou.”
EnterJuggernaut,beyondrage.
“Comeoverhere,”KittysaidloudlytoJimmy,makingashowofputtinghimbehindher,flatagainst

thewall.Theybothlookedtrapped.

Jimmydroppedtohisseatonthefloor,staringthroughKitty’slegsattheman-mountainwhofaced

them.

Juggernautsavoredthemoment.
“Twoforthepriceofone,”hegrowleddelightedly,forgettingthatKittycouldalwaysphaseherselfto

safety.Orperhapsassumingthatmaybeshe’drunoutofgas,thatshecouldn’tplaytheghostany
longer.Ormaybeshewasstayingsolidtoprotectthebrat.

Thereasondidn’tmattertoJuggernaut,onlytheresult,whichinthiscasewouldmeanblood—theirs.
Hedroppedhisheadtorammingpositionandkickedhimselfintogear.
Kittywaiteduntiltheverylastpossiblemomentashebarreledtowardsher,buildingupanimpressive

headofspeedforsuchasmallspace.Shecouldn’taffordtomisplaythisintheslightest,asshehadno
illusionsaboutherabilitytofaceJuggernautinafairfight.Forallherstrengthandskills,she’dbea
toothpickinhishands.

Hewasalmostonherwhenshedropped,abonelesspuppetwithseveredstrings,righttothefloorto

coverJimmy’sbodywithherownasJuggernaut…

…crashedfulltiltintothewall.
Putaholeinit,too—rightthroughtheSheetrockthatformedtheouterwalloftherefurbishedroom

tothetwo-foot-thickgraniteunderneath,reinforcedbyconcreteandbrickandsteel.

KittygatheredJimmycloseagainstherandshovedthembothalongthefloorbetweenJuggernaut’s

legsuntiltheywerewellclearofhim.She’dheardamonstrouscrack!onimpactbutwasn’tyetwilling
toputanyfaithinthatassheleveredherselfbacktoherfeet,keepingholdofJimmy,readytostart
runningagainifneeded.

Juggernautwasstartingtowobble.Stifflegsturnedspongy,hisbuttpoppedabitbackfromthewall

asgravityexerteditshold,andhewasdone.Hiseyeswereopen,wideascouldbe,butthepupilswere
whollydilated.Nobodyhomeatallinsidethatskull.

KittypumpedafistandlaughedaloudasJimmyechoedher.
ShestartedtowardstheentryholeJuggernauthadmade,thenchangedhermind.Shehadabetter

idea,somethingshehadn’thadtodosincesheturnedthirteen.

LeadingJimmybythehand,shereachedforthehandle…
…andopenedthedoor.

ThetwomutantslaughedastheyhustledWorthingtonJr.totheroofofthecellhouse.Itwasasheer

drop,fourstories,totheground,butsincethebuildingcamedangerouslyclosetotheedgeoftheisland
itself,aheftyshove—whichhiscaptorsweremorethanphysicallycapableof—wouldsendhim
plummetingdowntheclifftotherocksoverahundredfeetbelow.

“Youstillthinkweneedacure?”Psylockedemanded.
Worthingtoncouldn’tanswer,evenifhewantedto,histhroatclosedbyamixtureofstarkterrorand

absurdprideasthestrangestmemorycoursedthroughhishead,oneoftheclimacticscenesfromThe
LioninWinter:threeyoungprinces,facingexecutionastraitorstotheCrown.YoungPrinceRichard,
stillbuildinghisreputationastheLionheartoflegend,intendstomeethisendwithcourage—hewon’t
begforhislife.HisbrotherGeoffreythinkshimafool,asifitmattershowamandies.Richard’sfinal
words:Whenthefallisallthat’s

left,itmatters.
Worthington’sinsideswereice.Hefearedthathewouldlosecontrolandshamehimself,andheknew

that’swhatthemutantswanted,whyKidOmegakeptmimicking—withfearfulaccuracy—thatlast,
awfulcryfromKavita.Butatthesametime,hefoundhimselfgatheredinastrangeandunexpected
cocoonofcalm,asthoughhewassuddenlysnugglingdeepwithinanemotionalcomforter.Hewas
measuringthelastmomentsofbeingwitheachstepacrosstheroof.Hecouldhearthesoundsofbattle
buttheyseemedveryfaraway,andsincethetwomutantspaidthemnomind,heassumedtheirsidewas
winning.Thewindoffthebayseemedrefreshinglycoolonhisskin,sharpenoughblowingstraightinto
hisfacethatitbroughttearstohiseyes;theairwasascrispandclearashe’deverseenit.Hewasso
usedtoseeingthestraitsframedbythetowersoftheGoldenGatethatseeingitopenlikethismadehim
thinkofadoorbeingsuddenlyflungwide,leavinghimwithanunrealsenseofliberation.

Themutantsmadenoefforttomatchtheirpacetohis.Theylikeditwhenhestumbled,eventhough

theywouldn’tlethimfall.Theywereinarush,talkingaboutplacestogo,thingstodo.

“Well,guesswhat,Warren,”Psylocketoldhim,gettingrightupinhisface.“It’stimetocureyou!”
Theyshoved,harderthanheexpected……andhisarmsflailedreflexively,pinwheelingasheshotout

andwellawayfromtheprisonwall.

Hecried,“No!”butthatwasanautomaticdenial.Atthesametime,hefoundhimselfcataloguingthe

sensations,bodyrememberinghistrainingandexperienceasaskydivertoshiftfromtheshockofhis
violentlaunchintothelimbsakimboposeofflight.

IfIonlyhada’chute,hethought.Andthenherecalledtheclassicjokeaboutthemanwholeaptfrom

thetopoftheEmpireStateBuilding.Ashepassedeachfloor,peopleheardhimsay,“Sofar,sogood.”

Sofar,sogood.
Hewasfallingfaster.Hewouldn’tcleartherocks,andhewonderedhowmuchitwouldhurt,how

longhe’dfeelitbeforefinaloblivion.

Andthen,hissoncaughthim.
Therewasaterrificshockofcontact,thenanevenstrongerjerkastheboy’sgreatwingsbeatatthe

air,bothtoarresttheolder,largerman’sheadlongfallandtogathersufficientlifttomaneuver.Warren
hadstoopedlikeadivinghawk,droppingwiththespeedofaracecartotacklehisfatherandgrapple

himwitharmsandlegs,makingsurenottohurthim,wrappinghimselfaroundhisfatherasheusedto
doasalittleboy.

Itwasatremendouseffortandforthefirstfranticmomentsitdidn’tlooklikehe’dbesuccessful.

Angelcriedoutinveryrealpain,hisvoicebreakingwiththestrain;therewasfireacrosshisshoulders,
downhisarmsandspine,andhesuddenlyfearedhiswingscouldnotwithstandthestrainoflifting
someonetwicehisweight.

Adrenalinesurgedthroughhissystemasherefusedtoacceptthepossibilityofdefeat,hisbeating

wingsgeneratingapulseofgroundeffectsufficienttogivehimjustenoughlifttoskimthecrestofthe
rocksandtransformhiscrazeddescentintoasemblanceoflevelflight,barelyatallman’sheightabove
thewaves.

Worthingtongothisfeetwetastheyskimmedacoupleofcrests,butthatwasallasWarrenkept

beatinghiswings,startlingthegullsandpelicansoutfortheirowndailyexcursions.

Outofthecornerofhiseye,Worthingtoncaughtsightofhisson’sface,inprofile,tautwiththeeffort

ofkeepingthemaloft—andyet,alsotransportedwithafierceandprimaljoythefatherwouldnever
himselffeel.Helookedtothebirdsthatjoinedthem,thenbackathissonwhowasasmuchapartof
theirworldasofWorthington’sown,andhefeltatremendoussorrow.Thiswasnotsomethingtobe
feared,ortobedenied—thefactthathissonhadwings,thathewasamutant,thathecouldfly—butto
becelebrated.

Perhapsothersmightfeeldifferently.Perhapstherewerepowersthatshouldbeneutralized,asthere

weresuretobepeoplewhoshouldnotbeallowedtokeepthem.Thatwasaquestionforeachindividual
andthesocietytheywereapartof.Withmutants,aswithallpeople,thejudgmentshouldbeoneof
actionandcharacter,notgenome.Hedidn’tregrethispartincreatingthecure,althoughhewould
alwaysbeartheburdenofKavita’sdeath,andoftheharmthathadcomefromhisactions.Whatwas
wrong,however,werehisreasonsforit:theshameofhavingwhathethoughtwasafreakforason,and
thefearofwhatthatrepresentedforthefuture.

“Thankyou,”hebreathed.
Itbrokehisheart,inthebestofways,tobeholdthesmilehissongavehiminanswer.
“You’remydad,”Warrentoldhim,asthoughthatrepresentedtheanswertoeverything.
“Andyou’remyson,”Worthingtonreplied,asproudlyashewasable.

BackonAlcatraz,thegroundbattlewaswindingdown.Stormhadrejoinedtheteam.Beastwas

facingthelastfewofMagneto’sfightersstillleftstanding.Onehadextensiblelimbs,grabbingforHank
withrubber-bandarms.TheburlyX-Manbobbedandweaved,leaptandtwisted,withseemingly
aimlessabandon,stayingoutoftheother’sreachasheboundedfromwalltopillartopostuntilhehad
thepoormutantalltangledupwithhimself.

Beforethemutantcouldsorthimselfout,Hankconcentratedonhiscompanions,springingoff

fingertipstoflattenonewithafoottotheface,whileusingprehensiletoestograsphismateandpitch
himbetterthantwentyfeetintoRubberBandGuy.Anotherleapdroppedhimintothemiddleofthe
impromptuscrum,andaquickflurryofblowsdealtwiththemonceandforall.

Hewassuresomebodywouldhaveaminicam,ifnotamongthemutantsthencertainlythesoldiers,

andthatitwasonlyamatteroftimebeforeimagesofthebattlewereallovertheInternet.Somuchfor
hispoliticalcareer.Helookeddownathimself,cladinhisoldbrownleathersuitthatwasasizetoo
small,andfiguredhe’dcomeacrossasalaughingstock.

Ormaybenot.Theuniformmayleavesomethingtobedesiredasafashionstatement,butthemoves

wereasgoodasever.SeeingtheX-Manbattlingsidebysidewiththearmy,defendingthepeople
againstacommonfoe,mightdosomegood.Theclothesmightmaketheman,asthesayingwent,but
thedeedsdefinedhim.

Speakingofdeeds…
Logan,upbythebridge,wheretheroadwaymettheisland,wasdukingitoutwithamultilimbed

mutantwhosebodywascoveredinaprotectivecarapacethatgavehimsomeoftheaspectsofalobster.
Nothingfunnyaboutwhathecoulddo,though,asthebodiesofaclutchoftroopersscatteredabouthim
testified.Hehadaweaponineveryhandandthemusclestomakeasingleblowlethal.Nearmisses
shatteredconcreteandbentsteelandthenumberofappendagestookawaytheadvantageofLogan’s
speed.Logancoulddodgeoneortwolimbs,butnotallofthem.Fortunately,hisunbreakableskeleton
kepthimfromseriousharm.Unfortunately,hewasstillvulnerabletostrikesagainsttheunprotected
portionsofhisanatomy,andwastakingsomeheavyhitstothebelly.

Thatwasn’ttheworstofit,though.Loganusedhisclawstolopoffanarm.Therewasminimalblood

andhefellbackquicklyasthemutantredoubledhiseffortswiththelimbsthatremained.

EvenasHankwatched,thescientistinhimutterlyfascinated,abudappearedatthebaseofthe

severedlimb,regeneratingatsuchacceleratedspeedthatitwasfullyfunctionalwellbeforeitregained
itsoriginalsize.Comparingallthearms,Hanknotedthatnoneofthemwerepreciselythesame,which
toldhimthisprocesshadbeenongoingthroughoutthefight.

Logan,however,wasdoneplaying.Hankfearedhewouldsimplykillthemutant.Thatwould

certainlyfitWolverine’swell-deservedreputation,buthediscoveredthattheX-Manwasnotwithout
hisownbrandofroughhumorasLoganhauledoffandkickedhisadversarysoundlybetweenthelegs.

Themutantwenttohisknees,gasping,faceinstantlypalepurplewithshock,allhandsgoing

reflexivelytohiscrotch,nonelefttoprotecthisjawfromthefollow-uppunchthatLogandeliveredto
endtheirengagement.

“Well,”Hankmuttered,tohimselfhethought,untilaquickturnofLogan’sheadhiswayreminded

himofjusthowkeentheotherman’searsreallywere,“that’sonewaytodoit.”

AfewofMagneto’sfightersremained,buttheycollectivelychosetheso-calledbetterpartofvalor

andbeganahelter-skelterwithdrawalbacktothebridge.OnAlcatrazitself,therewasjustsome
moppinguplefttodo.

Warrentookhisfatherhome,tothebighouseonRussianHill.Hethoughtthiswouldbeasafeplace,

butthebridgewasalmostcloseenoughtotouch.Hestayedlowtotherooftopsashemadehisway
acrossthecity.There’dbeentimenowforthearmytorespondtotheday’seventsandtheairwas
becomingincreasinglycrowdedwithgunships,observationhelosandremote,pilotlessdrones,bothfor
battlefieldsurveillanceandforattack.SomewerearmedwithconventionalordnancebutWarren
suspectedthatmorethanafewwouldbecarryingair-launchedversionsofthemissilestheAlcatraz
troopshadusedagainstMagneto’sforces.Hedidn’twanttobedroppedby“friendlyfire.”

Hisfatherlookedathimaftertheyhadlandedandmovedasteporsoback,intrigueddespitehimself

bythenew,confidentwayhissonstoodinfrontofhim.

Warrengrinnedshyly,hisexpressiondarkeningjustatadasherememberedtheharnessheusedto

weartohidehiswingsandhevowedtohimself,Neveragain,“I’velearnedtofoldthewingspretty
good.”

“I’msorryforthat,Warren,truly.”
“Iknow,Dad.Iknowyoualwaysmeantwell.”
“Son…thankyou.”
Warrenshiftedonhisfeet.Worthingtonswerenevergoodwithdisplaysofemotion,especially

betweenmen.Ideally,that’swhatspouseswerefor.ButWorthingtonJr.wasn’tdone.

“Warren,I…”Thewordscameslowlybecausetheycamehard,becausetheycamefromthefather’s

heartandfromhissoul.“Ihaveneverbeenmoreproudofyou.IhopeIcanbecomehalftheman
you’veshownmeyouaretoday.”

“Dad,”Warrenbegan,butinsteadofwordshesteppedforwardandputbotharmsandwingsaround

hisfatherinthekindofembracetheyhadn’tsharedsincehewasaboy.

“I’vegottogo,”hesaid,whentheysteppedapartoncemore.“I’moneoftheX-Mennow.I’vegotto

help.”

“Takecareofyourself,boy.”
“Seeyousoon!”
Andwiththat,hewasgone,risingmajesticallyintotheairwithacasualsweepofthewingsthat

remindedhisfatherofsketcheshissonusedtomakewhenhewasstillaboy,longbeforehe’dbegunto
change.Hereadcomicsinthosedays,andlikemanyfans,createdhisowncharacters.Hisfavorite,and
hereWorthingtonhadtowonderifeventhenonsomedeepsubconsciouslevelWarrenhadknownwhat
wasinstoreforhim,wasawingedavengerthathechristenedArchangel.Thesuithadbeentoogarish
forwords,andtheposeandbodyhadbeencribbedfromdaVinci.

Watchinghissonnow,WorthingtonJr.sawthatdreammadereal,inallitsglory.

Jean’smouthtwistedasshecaughtthatfaintpulseofaweandwonderandpridefromWorthington

Jr.,andthedeterminationofyoungWarrentostandbyhisnewfriends.Atthatage,she’dbeenmuchthe
same,yearningtobeapartofsomethinggreaterthanherself,tobeofvalue,tobe—astar.

Thebattlewasrushingtoitsend,andMagneto’ssidewaslosing.Quitebadly.
Notasurprisetoher,sincesheknewwhattheywereupagainst.Magnetoinvariablyunderestimated

theX-Men,unabletoseehowtheycompensatedforthe

weaknessesofeachofthemasindividualsthroughteamwork,whichinvolvedself-sacrifice.Mutant

tomutant,Magneto’sforceswerestrongerbyfar,butthatwashowtheyfought,utterlysolo.Eachof
themdemandedcenterstageasamatterofright;theydidn’tcaretosubordinatetothegroup—whereas
intheX-Men,Xaviercreatedawholethattranscendedthesumofitsparts.

Themainlandshorewasawashincoloredlight,alternatingflashesofredandwhiteannouncingthe

presenceofjustabouteveryemergencyvehicleinthecity,andlikelyeverypolicecarintheBayArea.
Nottomentionthemilitary.

Therewassignificantarmoronscene,butthetanksandself-propelledgunswerekeepingtheir

distance,aswerethehelicopters,outofrespectforMagneto’spower.Fromthecitysidecamesuchan
avalancheofthoughtsandemotions,hundredsofthousandsofcitizensinvaryingstatesofanxietyand
rageandoutrightpanicthatevenJeanfoundherselfstaggered.Shecouldblockthemeasilyenough,but
theoverwhelmingvolumemadeitincreasinglydifficulttodiscriminatetheonessheneededtosingle
outfromtheunendingbackgroundclutter.

Soshesetasideherprimarypowerandusedhereyesinstead,catchinghintsofmovementthat

graduallyresolvedintoanextendedlineofskirmishers,makingtheirwarywayontothebridge,

advancingtowardstheshoresidetower.

Sheconsideredstoppingthem,turningofftheirbrains,shuttingdowntheenginesonthe

helicopters…

…andsteppedbackfromthatabysswithagasp.
Shewasadoctor,shesworeanoath:Todonoharm!
Andthought,bitterly:FatlotofgoodthatdidCharles—orScott.
Magnetowasn’thappywiththeturnofevents,andrespondedcharacteristically.HeturnedtoPyro.
“It’stimetoendthiswar,”heannounced.
Therewereeasilyafewhundredcarsontheroadway.Withaflickofthewrist,Magnetohurledone

skywardasifithadjustbeenshot,rocket-propelled,fromacatapult.

“Incoming!”Loganyelled,asthevehicleshotoverhisandOroro’sheads.“Takecover!”
Instead,Colossusstrodeforwardandmetthefallingvehiclewithapunchsufficienttobounceitclear

oftheisland,tolandinthebaywithanicesplash.

MagnetogaveacuetoPyro,whoflickedhislighteraflame,andlaunchedavolleyofcarsthistime.
Astheyclearedthebridge,climbingtotheapogeeoftheirtrajectories,Pyrohiteachandeveryone

withafireball,ignitingtheirgastanksandusinghisowncontroloverfiretoamplifythemuntilthey
blazedhotterthananyblastfurnace.

Thesightwaseerilybeautiful,likewatchingfallingstars.
Pyrogrinned,eartoear,becausehewasjustgettingstarted.
Magnetohadlaunchedahalfdozencars.Pyrodetonatedtheminarandomandstaggeredorder,one

highintheairasadistraction,somemuchclosertospraythescenewithincandescentshrapneland
flaminggasoline,theremainderasgroundbursts.Oneimpactandexplosionchoppedthebaseoutfrom
underaguardtower,topplingthethree-storystructureandforcinganumberoftroopsoutintotheopen
wheretheycouldbebombardedwithwhitehotmetalandlivingfire.

OnecarstruckColossusdeadon,drivinghimtotheground.Evenashefoughthiswaybacktohis

feetandpitchedthewreckageintothewater,Pyrosurroundedhimwithflame,attackinghimwith
salamander-streamersfromtheotherburningcarswithsuchintensitythatthearmoredX-Manquickly
begantoglowredhothimself,radiatingsuchincredibleheatthathebecameadangertoanyoneclose
by.Hesteppedtooclosetoapileofwreckageandthewoodthereinstantlyandspectacularlyburstinto
flame,whichPyroturnedagainsthim.DuringhistimeatXavier’sschool,they’doftenspeculatedabout
thebigRussian’sresistancetoheat—justhowgoodwasthatarmor—butnoonehadeversubjectedhim
toanythingapproachingtheultimatetest,evenintheDangerRoom.ProfessorXavierfeltitwasfartoo
dangerous.

Time,Pyrofigured,formetotakeMr.Musclewheretheprofwastooscaredtogo.
Morecarsledtomorefire,andPyroranstreamersfromoneblazetothenext,buildingafenceacross

thebattlefieldthatallowednoonetoescape,graduallybuildingtheintensitytothepointwhereitcould
explodeintoafirestormcapableofincineratingtheisland.Anyonenotincineratedoutrightwould
suffocateasthegreatfiresuckedalltheoxygenawayfromgroundlevel.Bythetimehewasdone,
there’dbenothinglefttomarkthepresenceofanyoftheisland’sdefenders,notbones—exceptperhaps
theWolverine’s—notevenashes.

Afterwards,forfun,maybehe’dstarttoworkonSanFranciscoitself,bycarvinghisnameacrossthe

cityinletterstenblockshigh.

Amidstthegrowingholocaust,BobbyyelledtoLogan,“Whatcanwedo?”
HelookedtoStorm,whoshookherhead.
“JohnandMagnetoareworkingtogether,”shereplied,refusingasshealwaysdidtousethecode

nameJohnAllerdycehadadopted.“Creatingafiredomeovertheislandhighenoughtodealwithany
rainIcanbringtobear,combinedwithamagneticfieldthatcripplesmycontrolovertheweather.I
can’tmanifestastormpowerfulenoughtodousanygood,oranylightning.”

Logangrowled,“Sonsofbitchespickedtheperfecttimetoquitbeingdivas.”
Thenhepaused,eyescaughtbysomeloosecartridgesfromthesoldiers’dartgunsthathadn’tbeen

destroyedbyArclight’searlierattack.

“Okay,”hesaid,shufflingtheelementsofhisplantogetherlikeadeckofcards,thinkingfast,dealing

outordersfaster,“theyworkasateam,weworkbetter.”

Heheldouthishand,withtheampouleshe’dgathered.Ororopickedupthecueasiftheywereboth

telepaths.

“Bestdefenseisagoodoffense?”
Hegrinnedandthoughtshelookedgoodenoughtokiss,andshethoughthowmuchshe’dlikehimto

try.

“Yo,popsicle,”hecalledtoBobby.
“Don’tcallmethat!”
“Makeme—butfirst,youfigureyoucantakeoutyouroldbud?”
BobbygavePyroalong,hardlook.InalltheirsessionsintheDangerRoom,everytestoftheir

powers,Johnhadcomeoutontop.HeknewPyrowascountingonthat.

Healsoknewtheyhadnoalternative.Hewasalreadygasping,andeachharshbreathlefthismouth

andthroatdry,hischestaching.Maybeaminutemore,they’dlikelybebreathingflame.

HesignaledLogan.Hewasgoodtogo.
“Furball,”LoganturnedtoBeast,whowasn’thandlingtheovenlikeenvironmentwellatall,“canyou

stillmoveinthatsuit?”

“Ifit’lltakemeoffthisgriddle!”
“’Ro,”andhereachedouttolaysurprisinglygentlefingersagainsthercheek,thumbstrokingan

invisiblepieceofgritfrombeneathhereye,inagesturesolightandtenderthatshebarelyfeltit,yet
whichsentanunexpectedsurgeofelectricitythelengthofherspine,straighttothecoreofherbeing.“I
knowit’llbehard,butweneedsomecover.”

Hereyesdancedbackathis,acceptingthechallenge,andtheyturnedfromawarmandwelcoming

browntoabluethatstartedasdeepasthemostmagnificentskybeforepalingtoanarcticblue-white.
Hefeltthehairsonhisbodyrise,sawthatMcCoyfeltthesame—althoughtherewasaspecial
undercurrenttothesensationshefeltthathewouldalwayskeeptohimself—asStormbroughther
energiestobear,smeltandtastedthefaintesthintofozone.

OneoftheremarkablesightsofSanFranciscoisthat,lookingwestlateintheday,itappearsas

thoughanimpossiblyhugemountainwallhasfilledtheseawardhorizon.It’saviewthatneverfailsto
impress,hearkeningbacktothedaysoftheIceAge,whengreatglacierssweptsouthfromthepoleto
blanketthenorthernhemisphere.

NowOrorodrewonthatdistantphalanxoffog,anduseditastheprimertocallforthalocalizedbank

ofthesamefromallaroundtheislandandthenearerbaseoftheGoldenGate.

Pyro’sexcitementhadgottenthebetterofhim,andhewastotallysweptawaybytherushofbattle.

HehadmovedaheadfasterthanMagneto,whowasstillonthemainbodyofthebridge.

Magnetocalledawarningasthefogswirleduparoundthem,closinghimofffromthesightofhis

adversaries,butPyrocouldn’thearhimabovethecrashoffallingcarsandtheroarofflames.He
couldn’tuseradio,either,eventhoughtheunitshadbeenconstructedtoberesistanttohismagnetism;
thesameforceshewasemployingtoinhibitmilitarycommunicationsandOroro’sweatherpowers

createdanimpenetrableseaofstatic.IfhescaledbackenoughtoreachPyro,Stormwouldbeableto
bringmoresubstantialresourcestobear.

Obviously,theX-Menwereuptosomething.Buthehadnodoubtthatwhentheymadetheirmove

he’dcrushthem.

Hesentanothercarintheirgeneraldirection,Pyroignitedit…
…butthistime,awhooshoficeextinguishedtheflamesbeforetheyhadachancetogetproperly

burning.Thecarwasquicklycoated,madesocoldthatwhenitcrashedtothegrounditshatteredto
bits,itsmetalcomponentsturnedinstantlybrittleasdrytwigs.

Beforethem,silhouettedagainstthebackgroundofPyro’sflames,whichstillimprisonedthesapien

troops,stoodBobbyDrake.

Magnetosteppedupbesidehisprotégé.
“Areyouagod,”heasked,ashehadthedayhe’drecruitedPyroawayfromtheX-Men,wellaware

thatonceuponatimethetwoyoungmenhadbeenthebestoffriends,“oraninsect?”

PyrosteppedawayfromMagnetoandboundeddowntothecourtyard,tofaceBobbygunfighterto

gunfighter,everyelementofexpressionandbodylanguageproclaimingthathehadnodoubtastohow
thisfightwouldend,andthathewaslookingforwardtoenjoyingeverydeliciousminute.

Fromthesurroundingfire,hehurledtwinpillarsofflameathisformerroommate.
Truetohiscodename,Icemanparriedashehadeverytimethey’dfoughtinthepast,withbarriersof

ice.Pyroshruggedanduppedtheante,awareashedidthatashepouredmoreandmoreconcentration
andenergyintohisconfrontationwithBobby,hewasallowingthebarrierwallshe’dcreatedtofade
awayandthetroopsheenclosedtoraceforfreshshelter.Hewasn’tbothered,though.Oncehewas
doneherehe’dsimplystoketheflamestoanevenhigherintensitythanbefore.Thepoorsapswerejust
prolongingtheinevitable,justlikeIceman…

…whoseicewasmeltingataratherdistressingrate,allowingtheflamestoapproachevercloser.He

wassweatingbuckets.Soonhe’dbeburning.

“SameoldBobby,”mockedPyro,decidingthetimehadcometoputhisformerfriendoutofhis

misery.“Maybeyoushouldgobacktoschool.”

“Youcan’tdothis!”
“IdowhatIplease,a-hole.Canyoustopme?”
“HowcouldyoujoinMagneto?”
“Simple.He’sright.Xavier’swrong.Nottomentiondead.”Pyroshookhisheadinangermorethan

pity.“God,youandRoguearesuchamatchedset,IamsogladIletthattrainwreckpassmeby.

“Don’tyougetit?WhileXaviertalkedaboutsharing,theso-calledhumanracewasturningtheEarth

intoacesspool.They’resobusyruiningtheirpresentthey’renotgivingathoughttothefuture.They
don’tgivegoodgod-damnabouttheirchildren,ortheirchildren’schildren;it’sallabouttoday.Well,
werepresenttomorrow—we’reheretodayandwewanttomakesurewehaveadecenthometoinherit.
Ifthatmeansevictingthecurrenttenants…hey,getwiththeprogram,popsicle,orgetdeleted.”

“Iwon’tletthathappen.”
Pyrosmirked.“Yeah,right.Isthissomekindofjoke,puttingyouinthefieldagainstme?Imean,

rememberallthosescrapswehadintheDangerRoom,aboutwhichofushadthebetterpower,fireor
ice?Whoalwayscameoutontop?”

HeadvancedonBobby,pushinghisflamestotheirlimit,andwassatisfiedtoseeIcemanhammered

tohisknees.Still,batteredthoughhewas,Bobbyrefusedtoyield.Theflameswereclose,buthewas
stillfightingback,withmorestrengthanddeterminationthanPyrowouldhavegivenhimcreditfor.

“Dropamountainoficeonme,Bobbyboy,myfire’llmeltittovaporinaflash.”Arrogantsnapof

thefingersforemphasis.

“Hey,”hecontinued,“whenyou’reicing,doyouburnlikenormalfolks,ormakeliketheWicked

WitchoftheWest?”HeadoptedasingsongparodyoftheclassicmomentfromTheWizardofOz,“‘I’m
melting,I’mmelting!’”

Pyroshookhishead.“Dude,yougottastopthinkin’we’restillbuds.Wewereneverfriends,Bobby,

justclassmatesforawhile.Thatstory’sdone.Inthisnewone,Itakenoprisoners.”

Bobby’dalwaysknownthat,justrefusedtoacceptit,hopingagainsthopethatsoonerorlaterthings

wouldworkout.Hewasonhandsandknees,alivethroughsheermulishstubbornness,staringatthe
groundwithoutseeingashefocusedsolelyonenduringthistormentaslongashewasable,tobuyhis
fellowX-Menthetimetheyneeded.

He’dmisslastgood-byeswithMarie,withRogue,thatwashissoleregretthatmattered.Callingthem

atrainwreckwasutterbullshit,asifPyro’deverdoneanybetter.

Hiseyesnarrowedasthevisualinformationtheyweretransmittingfinallymadeitspresencefelt

insideBobby’ssomewhatheat-addledbrain.Hisicebarriersweremelting,nosurprisethere,butwhile
muchofitwasindeedincandescingintogas,therewerepuddlesofwaterallaroundhim.Andnowthat
hewaspayingproperattention,hecouldseethateventhoughhewassweating,everyexhalationof
breathbroughtwithitapuffballcloudofcondensedair.Hewasn’tsimplygeneratingcold,hewascold.

Connectionsclosedonlevelsfarbelowhisconsciousmind,memoriesofdiscussionshe’dhadwith

JeanGreyonthenatureofhispower,ofmutation,ofwhereitmightleadhim.Sheandtheprofessor
alwaystalkedaboutthingshappeninginthenaturalcourseoftime,buthenolongerhadtimetowait.
Hehadtomakethingshappenrightnow.

Thepuddlescrystallized,thecrystallizationflashedfromonetothenext,buildinglinkagesoficeas

Pyrodidwithfire.

Theytouchedhisnearestfinger.
“Youwerealwaystoomuchinlovewithyourownmouth,Johnny,”Bobbysaid,gettingashrugin

return.“Toodamnbusybeingyoutopayattentiontobasicscience.”

“What’sthatsupposedtomean?”
“Entropy.”Hisfingerwascoatedwithice,yetitbentjustlikenormal,theprocessoftransformation

acceleratingasitsweptuphisarm.Thesleeveofhisuniformshatteredtosplintersasifithadjustbeen
plungedintoliquidoxygen,revealingaperfectlyformedarmoficeunderneath.Hecouldn’thelp
grinningatthelookonPyro’sfacenow,astherestofhisjacketfellapart,evenifhishumorwaspartly
tocoverforhisacuteembarassment.Hedidn’twanttothinkaboutwhatwascomingwhenhispants
shattered.Ifthiswasthewayhispowermanifestedfromhereon,theyweredefinitelygoingtohaveto
findhimattheveryleastasetofcold-resistantbriefs.

“Evenmoleculesgettired,Johnny.Theyslowdown,theygetcold.Thedefaultstateoftheuniverse

isn’tfire,it’sice.”

Theflamescouldn’tharmhim.Hisnewskinwasbetterthanarmor.
Pyrodidn’tbelieveit.“Thisisn’tfair.Thisisn’tright!EverytimewetangledintheDangerRoom,

everyevaluationofourpowersandskills,Iwasalwaysbetter!”

Bobbylungedforward,grabbingbothofPyro’shandsinhis.
“Ilearnedsomenewlessons.”
Heicedtheotherman’sarmsallthewaytotheelbows,theintensecoldstrikingPyrowiththeshock

ofbeingplungedintoamidwinterocean,creatingaparalysisofthoughtandaction.BeforePyrocould
recoverhiswits,Bobbylethimhaveitwithasolidpunchtothejaw.

Lightsoutatthesource,nowillpowertosustainthesuperstormoffirehe’dcreated.Andsincethat

blazehadbeensounimaginablyfiercetobeginwith,ithadconsumedallthereadilyavailablefuel,
leavingonlyPyro’spowertokeepitburning.

Therewasadiscerniblepopofimplodingair,astheflamesvanishedandcooleratmosphererushedin

totaketheirplace,andthestenchofcharreddebris.Butotherwise…

…theislandwasstill,fog-drapedanddarkoncemore.

LogantappedColossusontheshoulder.“Okay,Tinman,timeforthatfastballspecial.”Colossustook

somestepsbackfromIceman—he’dbeenusingtheotherX-Man’scoldtobleedoffsomeoftheheat
fromhisarmor,andhewasstilluncomfortablywarmtothetouch,butnolongerglowing.Logancould
handlethat.PetergraspedtheWolverinebythebelt.

“Makeitastrike,”Loganchallengedhim.
Colossusmadeitabullet,rightonthemark.
Ofcourse,Magnetosensedhimcoming.
Withoutevensparingaglance,heraisedahandandsuccessivewavesofmagneticforcepunchedthe

X-Manintotheroadwaymorethanhardenoughtomakeanimpression.

Magnetodidn’tbotherbeinggentle.HeusedLogan’sbodytocreateatrenchrightdowntothe

underlyingsteelashereeledhimintherestoftheway.

“Iwarnedyou,”hechided,eversogently,eversofinally,makingabundantlycleartheywouldnot

dancethisparticulardanceagain.

Loganhadnoeyesforhim,onlyforJean,onherperchaboveandbehindtheMasterofMagnetism.

Therewasnothingofthewomanherememberedandlovedinherstanceoraffect.Shelookedatthem
asatastrangeandalien—andlesser—species,thewayascientistmightexaminesomenewspeciesof
microbe.Sheperhapsfoundthemintriguing,buttherewasnoemotionalcontacttobindthem.

Thefirstlineoftroopsfromshorewerecloseenoughtotakeaction.Loganstartedtoyellawarning

toJeantowatchout,tothesoldierstostanddown,anythingtoheadoffwhathefearedwastocome,but
theywereoperatingonhairtriggers.

Theyshotonsight,atherandMagnetoboth—andifLogangotclippedinthecrossfire,them’sthe

breaks,pal.Everycombatengagementhasitsregrettablecollateraldamage.

Heshouldn’thaveworried.Noneofthedartsevencameclose.Jeanstoppedthemall,lessthanan

inchshyofcontact.

Hereyesflashedcelestialfireandthedartsturnedtodust.

Satisfiedhehadnothingtofearfromthemilitary,MagnetoaddressedhisfullattentiontoLogan.
“Youneverlearn,doyou?”hemocklamented,raisingahandtoseparateLoganfromhisadamantium

onceandforall.

“Actually,”Loganrepliedquitepleasantly,“Ido.”
Toolate,Magnetosensedanotherpresence.Hespunaround,andthefogaroundhimcleared,

revealingtheformoftheBeast—almostinvisibleagainstthenightthankstohisdarkfuranduniform—
hangingupsidedownfromoneofthesuspendercables.

HankflashedfangsinagrinandflickedafingerattheX-Men’soldestadversary.
Magnetofeltastingacrosshischeekandthefingersheclaspedtherecameawaycoloredwiththe

merestthreadofblood.

Inshock,hetookastepawayfromtheBeast.Hislegslostallstrength.Hecollapsedtohandsand

kneesinthefaceofagonysuchashehadneverimagined,muchlessexperienced.

AroundLogan,allsenseofpressureandpainfaded.Herosetoonekneebesidethemanwho’dbeen

abouttokillhim.Hisrightfistwascloseenough—itwouldbenoeffortatalltopophisclawsandput
anendtoMagneto.Hankhadthesamethought,hesaw,andwasgrippedbythesameambivalence.

Someadversaries,perhaps,oughtnottobespared.

Once,Logansuspectedhe’dhavedonejustthat,withoutasecondthoughtoranounceofregret.

Thankfully,thatman,thosedays,werelost—Logandidn’tmindintheleast.Hemuchpreferredtheman
hewasbecomingandthewayhewasstartingtolivehislife.Xavierwouldhavehislegacy.

Magnetosunkbackonhisheels,dazedwithhorrorashegropedforhishelmet,onlytohaveitfall

fromfingerssuddenlygonenerveless.

Watchinghim,Loganrealizedthetruekindnesswouldhavebeenaquick,cleandeath,butheshook

hisheadtobanishtheimpulse.Hehadtolearnfromthemistakesofhispast;ifMagnetowasworthyof
CharlesXavier’sfriendship,he’dhavetodothesame.Andperhapsfindawaytoatonefortheharm
he’dcausedthathadbroughthimtothisplace.

“I’m…”Magnetosaid,unabletogofurther.
“Oneofthem,”Loganfinishedforhim.“Itshouldhavenevercometothis.”
Thencamethescreams.
Anotherwaveofsoldiershadattacked,andthistimeJeandidn’tbotherwithjusttheirweapons,she

erasedthemenaswell.

“Jean!”Logancalled,imperativetogetherattentionbeforethingscouldturnanyworse.Inthat

regard,he’dreckonedwithoutMagneto,whospokethemomentJeanmadeeyecontactwiththemall.

“Yousee,mychild,”hesaidinavoicethatcouldbarelybeheardbutwiththoughtsthatrangoutlike

aclarioncall.“Lookatme.Lookintotheirhearts.Thisiswhattheywant.Forallofus.”

Shedidn’tlikethatidea.
“Jean,”Logancalledagain,makinghiswaytoher.
Sheunfoldedherarmsfromwheresheperched,spreadingthemwidewithstatelyandmajesticgrace,

andgazedatLoganwitheyesnolongerevenremotelyhuman.Theywereblackeyes,doll’seyes,
predator’seyes,anddeepintheheartofthemburnedthefiresofCreationitself.

Energypulsedfromherbody,spiralingoutwardacrossbayandcityinsuccessivewavesthatchurned

thewatermorepowerfullythananystormofnature.Sherosefromherperchanddescendedfrom
bridgetoisland,Loganspringingafterher,wavingtoMcCoytofollow.Hedid,gatheringMagnetointo
hisarmsandthenmakingmostofthetripupsidedown,usinghisfeetashandstoboundalongthe
suspendercables.

Jeanwashoveringabovethecenterofthecourtyardthathadbeenthemainbattlefield,streamersof

fieryenergyswirlingfasterandfartherfromherbodyasthoughshewerebecomingthecoreofherown
galaxy.Shewascertainlyblazingbrightlyenough,generatingsomuchradiancethatevensunglasses
wouldhavebeenlittlehelp.

Wavescrashedfuriouslyagainsttheshoreoftheisland,againstthebaseofthebridge’stowers,but

thewaterdidn’trecedefromthoseimpacts.Instead,impossibly,thewaterbegantopourupintotheair,
asthoughsomegreatsuctionpumpwasevacuatingtheentirebay.Muchthesameeffectwashappening
totheislandaswell,aseverythingnotnaileddown—debris,weapons,toolsandthelike—shotskyward
sosuddenlyitwasasifgravitywerereversingitself.Thusfar,peopleweren’tbeingaffected,butit
didn’ttakemuchimaginationtoconcludethatprobablywouldn’tlastmuchlonger.

“Everyoneofftheisland!”Loganbellowedfromtheramp.“Now!”
JimmyandKittyemergedfromthecellhouse.Forabriefmoment,surveyingthesituation,Kitty

consideredturningJimmylooseonJean.LockingeyesbrieflywithLogan,sherealizedwithastartthat
hewasconsideringmuchthesame,andrejectingit,justasshewas.Jimmywasakid,hehadnoplace
here.Evenifhewaswilling,bothofthemknewJean’stelepathywouldgiveherenoughwarningto
finishhimbeforehegotcloseenoughtoaffecther.WavingofftheotherX-Men,Kittymadeabeeline
forthebridge,pausingasshedidtoinformthearmylieutenantaboutJuggernautlyingunconsciousin
Jimmy’scell.

Giventhesituation,shedoubtedanyonewasgoingtogocollecthim.
BobbyignoredhersignalsasheapproachedwithJohnAllerdyceslunginafireman’scarryoverhis

shoulders.He’ddefinitelyundergonesomemajorchangessinceshesawhimlast.Kittycouldn’thelp
wonderingiftheywerepermanent.Hehadmuchthesamequestions,madeallthemorepertinentbythe
absenceofProfessorXavierorDoctorGreytohelphimfindtheanswers.Withinadozenorsopacesof
her,hisiceshellbegantoflakeaway,revealingtheskinunderneath;healsostartedblushingas
furiouslyasanyoneshe’deverseen,forreasonsthatbecamescandalouslyobviousacoupleofsteps
later.Bythetimehewasbyherside,hewaswellbeyondmortification,staringstraightaheadasshe
struggledtodothesame,thankfulforthismomentofutterabsurditytocounterpointwhatseemedlike
theimminentendoftheworld.

ColossusscoopedupasmanyofMagneto’sfallenfightersashecouldcarry,passingthemoffto

troopersastheyestablishedaroughlinethroughtheruinsanduptheramp.AngelsawIceman’s
predicamentfromoverheadandlatermadehimselfafriendforlifebyfindingBobbyapairofpants.

Twentymetersaway,burstsofpowerfellfromJeanwithincreasingstrengthandfrequency,creating

whatcouldonlybedescribedastearsinthefabricoftheuniverse.Magneto,whosetrainingand
researchinthefieldsofsubatomicphysicswererivaledonlybyhiserst-whileabilitytomanipulatethe
forcesfoundthere,shookhisheadinwondermentandutterweariness.Hewasspentinsoul,farmore
thanheeverhadbeenintheflesh,moresoeventhanatAuschwitz.Hehadonlyonemomentinhislife
tomeasureagainstthisone,thedeathofhisbelovedfirstborn,hisonlychild,hisAnya,andthehorror
hehadseenintheeyesofhiswife,Magda,whomhe’dsavedfromthecampsbutwhocouldnotbearto
lookathim,staywithhim,onceshe’dbeheldthevengeancehe’dtakenagainstthosewho’dkepthim
fromsavinghisdaughter.

“WhathaveIdone?”hebreathed.
“Moretothepoint,”Logandemandedofhim,“what’sshedoing?”
“Discorporatingtheplanet,”wasthereply.“Strippingexistencearoundherdowntoitsprimal

componentstates.”

“Why?”
Magnetosnorted.“Becauseshecan.”
“Yourrationale,bub.”
“It’swhatCharlesunderstoodthatIdidn’t:thetruemeaningofthenextstepinevolution.Forus,for

allourpowers,we’retalkinglittlemorethanbabysteps;forher,sevenleagueboots.Idon’tbelieveshe
canhandlethetransition.”

“Timeforyoutogo,”Logantoldhim.
“I’dliketostay.”
“Forthis,”Logan’svoicewasbrutal,“youlosttheright.”
“I’msorry,”Magnetotoldhim.
“Yeah.”

AtroopergrabbedMagneto’sarmsandhustledhimuptheramptobeswallowedbythefleeing

crowd.Logandidn’twatch,didn’tmuchcare;withhispowersgone,Magnetowassignificantly
neuteredasathreat.IfLoganneededtofindhim,he’ddoso.

Assumingtheworldsurvived.
“It’snotJean,”Ororocriedouttohimasshetriedtopullhimawayaswell.Hedidn’tbothertelling

hershewaswrong.“Notanymore.Nothingcanstopher,Logan.Nothing!”

Helookedatherandquirkedhismouthintoasemblanceofasmile,asfromamanabouttoembrace

theGorgoninitslair.“I’mtheonlyonewhocangetclose.”

Shedidn’tneedtoaskwhatwouldhappennext.Insteadshelethereyesrevealherheartandleapt

quicklyaloftbeforehertearscouldbetrayher.Nomatterhowtonightended,iftheylivedtoseethe
dawn,theywouldlosesomethingsupremelyprecious.

HisinsideschurnedasLoganturnedbacktofaceJean.Heknewthathewasbeingbombardedby

lethallevelsofradiation.Wasn’tonpurpose,heknewthataswell,shewasbroadcastingenergieslikea
starcomingintobeing.Thatinsightwasn’tsomethinghe’dthinkof—theflavorofitwaspurelyJean
anditgavehimabreathofhope.Ifshecouldstillreachhimonthatkindofdeepsubconsciouslevel,he
couldfindawaytopullherallthewayback.

“Ihearyou,darlin’,”hesaid,andtookhisfirststep,“Iknowyou’restillthere.”
Thegroundwascomingapart.Itwasn’tacaseofrockbeingshatteredtodustandthedustdissolving,

shewasshreddingthecomponentmolecules,manipulatingthestatesofexistencesothatwhatwassolid
andopaqueoneinstantbecameutterlytransparentthenext,allowinghimtoseestraightdowntothe
coreoftheworld.Thepatchesofearthbecameutterlynonexistentafterthat,forcinghimtoprogressin
hopscotchfashion,followinghisinstincts—whichinturnfollowedcueshegrewincreasinglycertain
camefromJeanherself—towardshisgoal.

Jeanturnedtohimandhisownmoleculesbegandiscorporating,hisskinliterally(painlessly,thank

God)boilingaway.Theadamantiumwaspartlywhatsavedhim,becauseitpossessedthetightest
molecularbindingofanysubstanceconceivable.Giventimeandwill,shecoulddeconstructittheway
shewasshreddingeverythingelse,butrightnowhermindwasfocusedongreaterthings.

Themetalprovidedananchorforhisphysicalbeingandatthesametime,theoutrushofpowerfrom

heractedasanamplifierforhisownabilities.Hehadn’tseenScottdie,buthecouldguesswhat
happened.Sheamplifiedhisopticblasts,somuchthathedamnnearshatteredanentiremountain,but
allthatreallydidwascompletetheenergyloopbacktoher.Blastingatheractuallymadeherstronger,
andmeanwhileScotthadnodefenseagainstthediscorporationprocess.SamewithXavier.His
telepathymusthavebeenheightenedtoanunimaginableextent,butevenifitputhimonalevelabove
her,hecouldnotmatchhertelekineticpowersandhecouldn’trepairthedamageshewasdoingtohim.

Logan,ofcourse,wasanothercritteraltogether.
Thehardershehithim,themoreefficientlyhisbodyhealed.Shecouldn’tkillhim,onlymakehim

stronger.Ifshereallywantedhimgone,therewerewaystoaccomplishit.Throwhimawayfor
instance;hehadnodoubt,atherlevel,shecouldputhimintoorbitwithathought.Ifhewasstillhere,it
wasforareason.

Helovedher.Hewasn’tgoingtofail.
Thebuildingsweregoing,anditcametohimthathewaswatchinginslowmotiontheawfuland

absoluteannihilationthatoccurredatgroundzeroofathermonuclearblast.

Hewentblindashiseyesmelted,couldseeagainaninstantlater,theprocessspeedinguptosuchan

extentthatobliterationandreconstructionbecamevirtuallyinstantaneousprocesses.Hereachedforher,
hisarmstrippedtobaregleamingbone,thegreatclawsvisibleandquiescentintheirhousings.

Thelinkageswereintact.Carelessofhernottoseverthem.
Hehadnolungstobreathewith,nohearttobeat,nobloodtopump,nobodytosustain.Hewaslittle

morethanartificialframe,theghostofanervoussystem,anagglomerationofselfandwillwithinthe
bunkerofhisunbreachableskull.Yethewouldnotfall.Hewouldnotstop.

Sheturnedthosemonsteronyxeyesonhimandtherewasnorecognitionofhimtobeseeninthem.
“Youwoulddieforthem?”Hervoiceresoundedinhissoul.Ifhe’dhadabodytheeffectwouldhave

lefthimgasping,face-to-faceatlastwiththetruthoftheancientunderstandingthatangelsareas
terribletobeholdastheyarebeautiful.

“Notforthem.”
Shestartedtosmile,preeningsatisfaction,thinkingshe’dfoundtheflawinhimthatwouldallowher

todiscardhimonceandforall.

“Foryou!”
Hedidn’tmerelysaythatwithwords.Hecouldn’t.Noface,notongue,nolungs,noanything.She

wasatelepath.Hegaveherhisthoughts.Butofcourse,becauseshewasatelepath,shegotmuch,much
morethanwords.

Helovedher,hadfromthefirst;hegaveherthat,too,andallitmeantforhim.Lifehadbeenasimple

thingforLoganbeforeJeanGrey.Hedidashepleased,tookwhathewanted,didn’tconsiderthe
consequencesorrepercussions.Nobodyhadevercaredmuchforhimbecausehemadeitplainhe
wouldn’tcarefortheminreturn.

Roguehadbeenthechinkinthatarmor,andJeanhadtornitopenwide,somuchsothathecouldn’t

gobacktotheoldwaysevenifhewantedto.Andknowingher,lovingher,knowingthatshelovedhim
inreturn—evenifshe’dpledgedherselftoScott—madehimneverwanttoagain,nomatterhowmuch
thenewwayhurt.

Hegaveherhisdreams,hegaveherhishopes.Heunderstoodthatshecouldseewhathelikelynever

would,thecreaturehehadbeen,andstooduprightandproudtobejudgedagainstthemanhehad
become.

Amidstthefireinhereyes,hesawaflashofgreen.
“Saveme,Logan,”heheardhersay,andfeltherhandsgentlycuphisfaceanddrawhimclose,

bodiescloser,lipsachingtotouchinalastandlovingkiss.

SNIKT!
Shespasmedagainsthim,clutchinghimtoherasifshecouldmergeheressencewithhisandmake

themonecoherentbeing.Ormaybeitwasadesperateattempttogainaccesstohishealingpower.
Didn’tmuchmatterbecauseagain,theadamantiumgotintheway.

Onehand,allthreeclaws.Therewasnomarginforerror,ormercy.
“That’sbetter,”heheardhersaywithsatisfaction,andbeheldhereyesstillfulloffire,butstrippedof

thedarkragethathadfueledheractions.Therewasthewarmthheremembered,thesenseof
completionhefeltduringthosefleetingtimesthey’dsharedtogether,thenativegenerosityofspiritthat
wasmorethanhefiguredanyonedeserved,especiallyhim.

“Stopsellingyourselfshort,bub.”
Shesmiled,thatwrycurlofonesideofherlipthathe’dalwaysknownwasjustforhim,thatmarked

themaskindredsouls.

“OhLogan,”shebreathed.Hecouldnolongersustainherweight,hisbodywasstilltoomuchofa

mess,sodowntheywentinaclumsyheapwithherinhislap,reversingtheposeofaPietà.“WhereI
am,whereI’mgoing,”andshecouldn’thelpgatheringhimintoherthoughts,tosharethemomentsohe
wouldn’tsorrowforher.Hewasgladhissenseswerestillashadowofwhattheyshouldbebecause
eventhatfleetingglimpsefilledhimwithsuchwonderandpure,primaljoythatmuchmorewouldhave
beentheendofhim.

IfthiswasbutthemeresttasteofwhatJeanhadtappedinto,smallwondershewasoverwhelmed.
“Bewell,”hetoldher.
Shehadnofinalwordsforhim.Shedidn’tneedthem.
Hehadnoregrets,becausethislastmomentwasalifetimeforthemboth.
Therewasafinalpulseofenergy,surgingfromhertosetrightasmuchasshecould.Itwashedover

himlikethegentleglowofaspringmorning,lightinghimasmuchwithinaswithout.

Thewaterpulledfromthebaybegantoreturn,asasoftlyfallingrain.
Themoonappearedthroughthedispersingfogandcastthesceneinstrokesofsilverandshadow.

HecradledJeanclose,rockingslightlybackandforthintimetohisheartbeatasitreasserteditself,

savoringthemyriadscentsoftheislandashegainedoncemorethecapacitytobreathe,acknowledged
tohimselfthepresenceofhisfriends,asfirstOroro,thenKitty,andtheothersreturnedtoAlcatraz.

Hewaswearytothebone,ravagedinbodyandsoul.
Hefeltreborn.

“Mutation:itisthekeytohumanevolution.”

WhenOrorothoughtofScott,orJean,orasnow,Charles,itwasasthoughtheywerestillwithher,

theirwordsasfreshasifthey’djustbeenspoken,theexpressionsmakingherbelievethey’donlyjust
partedandwouldsurelybeseeingoneanothersoon.Withinhertheywereasaliveasever,andwhen
realityremindedherthattheyweren’t,herresponsewasn’twhatyou’dexpect.Shedidn’tfeelatallsad.
Theyweregone,butthey’dneverbeforgotten.

AmagnificentoakoverlookedwhatwasnowcalledtheMemorialGarden.WhenOrorofirstarrived

attheschoolshe’dchosenitforherprivateplace,anacknowledgmentoffartoomanynightsinher
youthwhenshe’dhadtoscrambleforabranchtokeepfrombecomingsomefour-footedbeast’sdinner.
Thisiswheresheoftencametothink,andtowrite,whichnevercameeasily.

Shedidn’tbelieveCharleswouldobjecttoherborrowingsomeofhiswordsforherown.Itappliedto

thebothofthem.

“WhenIwasyoungandfoolish,”shespokealoud,scribblingthewordsonherpad,“andfeeling

totallycastoutfromtheworld,Iusedtowonderiftherewereotherslikeme,anddreamofthefuture
wemightcreate.”

Hecouldn’twalkwhenhehadrecruitedher,andnevertoldanyofthem—exceptprobablyJean—

howhe’dlosttheuseofhislegs.Truetoform,he’dboughthimselfaLandRover,fitteditforhands-
onlydriving,andheadedoutacrossthesavanna.Hehadn’tgonealone,ofcourse;Jeanwasbyhisside.
Ororowasn’taverytrustingsoul,livingintheshadowofKilimanjaroandplayinguplocalsuperstitions
andlegendstokeepherselfsafe.She’dbeenlearningtheuseofherpowersbytrialanderrorand
inadvertentlydonefarmoreharmthangood,tryingtohelpherownpeoplebyendingtheirdroughtonly
tocauseanevenworseoneintheneighboringcountry.ShebelievedXavier’swords,butitwasJean’s
smilethatwonherover.BythetimetheyreturnedtoWestchester,thetwogirlswerethebestoffriends.

“Then,”Ororocontinuedwriting,settingasideherreflections,“Iactuallyencounteredsome,and

aspectsofthatdreamturnedoutnottobesopleasant.

“Aswitheveryerainhumanhistory—perhapsevennaturalhistory—goodseemseverbalancedby

evil.Thehigherandmoregloriousthesummitofouraspirations,thefoulerandmoreinsatiablethe
abyssweleavebehind.

“That’swhyXavier’shasalwaysbeen,andIshallhopeandprayalwaysremains,aschool.
“WhileweX-Menexisttoprotecthumanityfromthosewhodwellintheabyss,thisschoolisever

focusedonthesummit.

“Whyhumanityisfractured,whysomehaveenhancedgenesandothersnot,noneofuscansay.But

thatshouldnot,mustnot,matter,forfundamentallyweallcomefromthesamestock.Weareallbornof
thisworld,composedofthesamerawmaterialsasthecosmositself.Apotentiallymagnificentfamily
ofsentientbeings.

“Westrivebecausewemust,thatisreality.Butwhywestrivemustneverbeforgotten.”
Hereyesflickedacrossthethreememorials:Xavier’sinthecenter,flankedbyScottandJean.There

werefreshflowersbeloweachone.

“Theyearnings—thehopes—thatbindustogetherasaspeciesmustbegreaterandmorelastingthan

thepettyconflictsthatdriveusapart.Weareallofusbrothersandsisters,parentsandchildren.And
ultimately,thecharacterofeachandeveryperson,andthedeedsthatflowfromit,mustmattermore
thanthecoloroftheirskin,orthestructureoftheirgenome.

“Thatisourdream.Thisschool,andweX-Men,existtohelpmakeitareality.”
“Notsobad,”commentedavoicefromrightbesideher.AsidewaysglancerevealedKitty,standing

nonchalantlyonemptyair,hereasymannerwhollybeliedbythehoodedeyesthatsurveyedthethree
markers.

“I’mterrified,”Orororemarked.
“Yougetthebigoffice,Headmistress,”Kittyzingedquietly,“yougettheheadachestogowith.”
“IthinkIlikedourlivesbetterwhenweweresemi-outlaws.”
“Everythingchanges,’Ro.Ain’tevolutionabitch?”
Ororocockedadisapprovingeyebrow.Friendstheymightbeandteammatesaswell,buttheywere

alsoHeadandstudentandcertainproprietieshadtobeobserved.Rulesthatweregoodenoughfor
CharlesXavierwerejustasgoodforhisfirstsuccessor.

Kittyair-walkeddownaflightofinvisiblestepsthatbroughthertothethreecenotaphs.Ororoswung

herselffromherperchwithasilentgraceshe’dlearnedwhenshewasyoungerthanKitty,trainingtobe
athief.Forher,thatoutlawpastwasmorethanamerephrase.

“Imissthem,”Kittysaidsimply.
Ororodrapedanarmacrossthegirl’sshouldersandpulledherclose.“Me,too,”shereplied,hervoice

goingbrieflyhusky.“Everyday.”

“Ithasenabledustoevolvefromasingle-celledorganismintothedominantspeciesontheplanet.”

Bellssoundedthroughoutthegreat,oldhouse,andthehallwaysofitslowertwofloorsexplodedwith

lifeandactivity,asscoresofyoungpeoplemadetheirwayfromclasstoclass.Thestudentpopulation
wasdoublewhatithadbeenbeforeXavier’sdeath,andtherewasadeliberatemixnowofmutantand
sapien,astheschoolbegantoestablishareputationnotonlyastheworld’sforemostfacilityforthe
teachingandinvestigationofmutantabilitiesbutasanacademicinstitutioninitsownright.

“Thisprocessisslow,normallytakingthousandsandthousandsofyears.”

HankMcCoysatperchedovertheteacher’sdeskasthestudentsfiledin,hangingupsidedownfroma

trapezebarinstalledbyNightcrawler.Noonestared,asthiswasactuallyoneofhismorerestrained
poses.

Onhisdesk,hislaptopwasopen,itswebcamorientedtopickhimupwherehewashanging.He

woreaheadset.Noneofthestudentscouldseethescreen,whichwasjustaswellsincehewasfinishing
aconversationwiththepresident.

“Iappreciatetheoffer,sir,”hetoldDavidCockrum,“butItrulybelievethatmyplaceishere.Forthe

presentanyway,thisiswhereIcandothemostgood.”

“Iunderstand.”ThenCockrumbrokehistrainofthoughtwithashakeofthehead.“Henry,forGod’s

sake,havepityontherestofus.Doyouhaveanynotionofhowdisconcertingitistotalktosomeone
who’shangingupsidedown?”

“Youlookperfectlyfinetome,sir,”McCoyreplied,blandlydeadpan.
“Haveityourownway,then.I’mtakingyouradviceaboutAliciaVargas.I’llbesendinghernameup

totheSenateforconfirmationasthenewSecretaryofMutantAffairs.”

“Couldn’tdobetter,sir.”
“Actually,Icould,ifthefellaIhaveinmindweren’tsodamnstubborn.Anytimeyouwantajob,

Henry!”

“Duerespect,sir,thegovernmentjobIfindmyselffantasizingaboutisn’treallyyourstogive.”
Cockrumsnorted.“Giveamanhissecondterm,willyou?Bewell,Henry.”
“BesttoPaty,sir.”
“Bytheway,”thepresidentsaidjustbeforebreakingcontact,“averyyoungladyjustwalkedthrough

thewallbehindyou.Doesthathappenoften?”

“Doyoureallywanttoknow?”
Bothmenchuckled.Thescreenwentdark.AsMcCoytwistedhimselflithelytohischair,henoticed

thatKittyhadleftsomethingforhimtolookat:afairlyprofessional-lookingposter,aheadshotofher
lookingquitegrown-up,belowthewords:

ELECTCHICAGO’SPRYDE.

Hecockedaneyebrow,andshereturnedaconspiratorialgrin;evidentlyhewasn’ttheonlyone

harboringpresidentialfantasies.

“Buteveryfewhundredmillennia…evolutionleapsforward.”

Hankcalledtheclasstoorder,andsetasidethetexthe’doriginallyintendedusing.Withawicked

smile,hepluckedupawell-readcopyofEthics,byBenedictdeSpinoza.

“Solongasamanimaginesthathecannotdothisorthat,”McCoyread,hiswell-rounded,theatrical

tonesinstantlyquietingtheroomandgatheringineveryone’sattention,“solongishedeterminednotto
doit:andconsequently,solongisitimpossibletohimthatheshoulddoit.”Hepausedamomenttolet
thewordssinkin.“So,class,howdoweintegratesuchaphilosophyintoourmodernworld?Whatfor

usconstitutes‘impossible?’Ms.Pryde,shallwestartwithyou?”

“ThatiswhyIcreatedaschoolforgiftedyoungsters…”

“Alsointoday’snews,spokesmenforWarrenWorthingtonJr.announcedthismorningthatthelastof

theirmutantclinicshasbeenclosed.Establishedonlyafewmonthsagotodistributewhatwas
trumpetedasa‘cure’fortheso-calledmutatorgenethatispresentinasignificantandgrowingsegment
oftheglobalpopulation,theclinicswerethecauseofconsiderablecontroversyduringthoseearlydays.
However,withWorthington’ssubsequentacknowledgmentandacceptanceofhisownsonasamutant,
popularsupportandinterestinthatcurehassubstantiallyevaporated,ashastheneedfortheclinics.”

“Thisworldwillcontinuelongafterwearealllaidtorest.Andwhileourbodiesmaybegone…our

lessonsareeternal.”

BobbyDrakerosequickly,alittleclumsily,tohisfeetasRogueslippedthroughthedoorwayintohis

room.

Hissmilewasbright,hersasshyasever.
“Hey,”hesaidingreeting.“Iheardyouwenthometovisityourfolks.”
“Beensolong,”shereplied,withanervoustossofthehead,“Ifiguredthey’dforgotallaboutme.”
“Nosuchluck?”
“Gofigure.”
“Probablymakeawholelotmoresensewhenyou’reintheirshoes.”
“That’llbethedamnday.”
“So,”hebegan.
“So,”sheechoed,makinghimwishhewasbackonAlcatrazgoingtoe-to-toewithPyro.
“Kittywantstobepresident,”hetoldherbrightly,graspingfranticallyforanythingtousetomake

conversation.“Shewantsustobeherbraintrust.”

Herlookpresentedherthoughtsonthatscorewithpainfuleloquence.
“Youdon’t—”hebegan,butshecuthimoff.
“Gotnodoubtsabouther,sugar,”shesaid,allowingalazysmile.“That’saslamdunk.It’sthis‘brain

trust’thingthat’sgotmeworried.”

“So,”hetriedagain,afterapause.

Shetookabreath,crossedaRubicon,pulledherhandsfrombehindherback.
Hersweaterwaslong-sleeved,butshe’dpushedthesleevesuptoherelbow.Sheworegloves.
“I’msorry,Bobby,”shesaid,herBayouaccentmuchmorepronounced,thewayitalwayswaswhen

shewasmajorlystressed.“I…”

“Rogue,”hestarted,“Marie,it’sokay.”
Shesmiledsoftly,counterpointingitwithaslightlyacidlookthatcametotallyfromthegirlheloved.

“Iknow,”shetoldhim,withaslightsubtext:dummy!“It’swhatIwanted.”

Sheheldoutherhandandhetookit.
Andforthelongesttime,sittingsidebysideinthebaywindowthataffordedoneofthebetterviews

oftheestate,thatwasalltheydid.

Attheendofthelongundergroundhallwaywasadoorthatwaseasilythesizeofabankvault,more

imposingthananythingyou’dfindprotectingtheUnitedStatesGoldDepositoryatFortKnox.

Astheyapproached,itslidsilentlyopen,toadmitthesevenofthem—fourgirls,threeboys—to

anotherworld.Theysteppedacrossthethresholdintonighttimedarknessandfoundthemselvesamidst
theruinsofwhathadoncebeenacity.

“Where’sthedoor?”oneoftheboysasked,andtheyallturnedasonetobeholdthesamebleakvista

behindthemasbefore.Oneofthegirlssteppedforward,armoutstretched,andlookedperplexedwhen
sheencounteredonlyemptyair.

“Ain’tthateasy,”Logantoldthem,flickingathumbacrossthetipofhismatchtostrikeitalightand

thensettingtheflametotheendofhiscigar.Hestoodatthecrestofapileofrubble,dressedinX-Men
combatleathers,aswereKittyandColossusamongthegroupbelow.Therestworethestandardtraining
uniformofgoldandindigo.Theyellowwasintenseonpurpose;thekidsweresupposedtobeseen.

“Pryde,”hesaid,callingtheroll,narrowinghiseyesatthesightofKitty’suniform,withpantsriding

dangerouslylowandherbolerojacketcuthighandtight,showingoffhersuperblytoneddancer’sbody
tothebesteffectshecould.Girlwasputtingwaytoomuchfaithinherphasingpowertokeepherfrom
gettingintrouble;he’dhavetofindawayaroundthat.“Rasputin.”

Hemovedontothenewbies,apairofverylong,veryleandrinksofwater,oneofeachsex,blond

mountainboyfromthecoal-mininghollersofeasternKentucky,andaraven-hairedCheyenneoutof
Wyoming.“SamGuthrie,DanielleMoonstar.”

Dark-hairedfellawasnext,hangingbackintheshadows,playingwithacoupleofcards,surprisingly

hardtoseedespitetheDay-Glodesignofhisuniform.Logansensedatfirstsightthis“Gambit”would
betrouble,whichsuitedhimjustfine.“RemyLeBeau?”Nospokenanswer,justacurtnodofthehead
andtheflashofeyesthatglowedredinthedarkness.

ThelastwasawomanidentifiedasSage.Darkhair,darkeyes,apairofmarksfallingfromtheouter

cornerofeacheyethatmadeitseemasthoughsomeonehadtattooedalineoftearsdownhercheek,
althoughinthelightallowedthemnowtheylookedmuchmorelikeblood.Sheheldherselfperfectly
still,givingawaynothing,theepitomeofgracefulcontrol,andwithasingleglanceshecausedevery
hackletoriseonthebackofLogan’sneck.Instantly,herevisedhisestimateoftheclass.TheCajun
withthecardsandtheattitudewouldbetrouble;thisgirlwasdangerous.

Hesparedaglanceupandbehindhim,overhisshoulderattheobservationblistermountedinthe

ceiling,sensingwithoutseeingthepresenceofOroro,overseeinghisfirsttrainingclass.Heknewshe
wassmiling,enjoyingeverymomentofhisdiscomfiture,butalsotrustinghimtodothejobright.

“Okay,firstly,thisisn’tagame.Anyonethinksdifferent,gooutbackandsitaspellbythememorials.

Theworldcouldbeanastyplacebeforewecamealong;thepresenceofmutants,withpowers,hasjust
uppedtheanteintothestratosphere.Mostofthekidsupstairs,they’llleavethisplacewithadegreeand
afuture,andthat’llprettymuchbetheendofit.Mutantornot,they’llgoonwiththeirlives.Youlot,
you’recutfromadifferentcloth.Here’swhereweseewhatyou’remadeof.”

Hetookalong,contemplativedragonhiscigar.“It’sgonnaseemlikethisisallaboutduckingand

dodging,stayinginline…

“…butwhatit’sreallyaboutis…beingapartofsomething.Notjustateam.Morethanthat.”
Hemadeaface,certainhecouldhearOrorolaughingathim.ThequicklookSagesplitbetweenhim

andtheblister—whichbyrightssheshouldn’thavebeenabletosee—madehimwonderifshecould
hearher,too.Definitelyverydangerous.

“Anyway,”onelastpuffandhetossedthecigaraside,“I’mnotoneforspeeches.Ortheory.Around

here,weprettymuchlearnbydoing.So—let’sgetstarted.”

Andonthatcue,allhellbrokeloose.

HisfavoritespotwasatopCoronaHeights,justabovetheCastro,whereanaturaloutcropofrock

knownasArthur’sSeataffordedatrulymagnificentviewofSanFrancisco.

Ifhelookedoverhisshoulder,hecouldseetheredandwhitespiderytripodoftheSutroTower,a

giganticcommunicationsmastthatdominatedthewesternheights,likesomeMartianinvaderoutofH.
G.Wells.DowntownandtothelefttheskylinewascompletelytransformedbytheGoldenGatethat
nowlinkedthecitywithAlcatraz.

Thedisruptioncausedbythebridge’sremovalhadbeennothingshortofmonumental,andcommuter

trafficpatternshadprovedtobetheleastofit.Cannyentrepreneurswerealreadyattemptingtofillthe
breachwithlarge,fasthydrofoilferries,suchaswereusedupnorthinSeattleandVancouver;the
problemwasterminals,eitherinTiburonandSausalitoorhereinthecityproper.Pedestrianpassengers
couldbeaccommodatedexceptthattheyneededsomewheretoparkoverthereandaccesstomass
transitoverhere.Drivingaroundthebay—from101totheRichmond–SanRafaelBridgethatseparated
SanFranciscoBayfromSanPedroandthendownInterstate80tothe“GovernorNorton”BayBridge—
wascertainlyfeasible,ifyoudidn’tmindatwoorthree-hourdriveeachway.HousingpricesinMarin
hadcrashedandboththemayorandthegovernorinSacramentowereshriekingforfederaldisaster
relief.Ontalkradioandblogs,thetrialballoonwasbeingfloated—withavengeance—thatsince
mutantshadmadethemess,theyshouldbeartheresponsibilityofcleaningitup.

Howhardcoulditbe?theyspeculatedadnauseum.Afterall,ittookonlyoneofthem—albeitthe

self-styledMasterofMagnetism—whowassaidtobenospringchickeneither,tomovethebridgein
thefirstplace.Surelyabunchofthemcouldreplaceit,oratleastmaketherebuildinggomorequickly
andcheaply?Or,failingthat,whynotfindMagnetohimselfandforcehimtomakerestitution?Sure,
theX-Menclaimedthathe’dfallenvictimtotheWorthingtonCureandhadbeenpermanentlystripped
ofhispowers,butaren’ttheX-Menmuties,too?Howcanwebelievethem?Howcanwetrustthem,
really?

Thatwastheargument,acrossairwavesandbandwidths,dayinanddayout,eachside,mutantand

sapien,yellingattheotherwithoutregardtologicortheslightestefforttoconsidertheotheropinions.

Someday,eventually,anewbridgewouldspanthestraits.Inthemeantime,thecityanditspeople

wouldcope,astheyhadacenturyagoaftertheirequallyfamousearthquake.Fornow,though,theyhad

aperfectlywonderfulanduniquenewtouristattraction.

Sightingsofactualmutantswerestillsurprisinglyrare,witheverypaparazziandamateurwithalong

lenssearchingtheskyforashotofthenewlychristenedAngeloutforaflight.Thefactthathewasat
schoolbackeastdidn’tseemtofazethem;theystillkeptaperpetualstakeoutontheWorthingtontown
house.SomeofthemoreenterprisingprofessionalshadthoughttosneakontoXavier’spropertyinNew
York,forshotsoftheyoungmanandanyothermutiestheycouldfind.Theyspentanightstraightout
ofBlairWitchlostinthewoods,andfledtothecoastontheearliestflight,nevertospeaktoanyoneof
whathappened.

Theonlysuchphototoactuallyseeprintcamefromanamateurbirderandmadethecoverof

Audubon.

Theworldproceededmuchasitalwayshad.
TheFBIhadMagnetoatthetopofitsMostWantedlistandeveryintelligenceserviceintheworld

hadthewordouttofindhim.Thereweretheusualchorusofrumorsthathewasdead,aswellasthose
whichmaintainedhe’dneverexisted,thatitwasallahoaxperpetratedbytheX-Mentomaketheir
reputation.

Heenjoyedthestoriesimmensely,dividinghisthirstfornewsbetweentheNewYorkTimesandthe

Economist.TVwasn’tforhim;thedramawastooharshandthecomediesweren’tterriblyfunny.
Havingenduredsomuchofthereality,hehadnostomachforpretendviolence.

HollywoodwentbigbudgetonTheBattleofAlcatraz,withoneofBritain’sfinestShakespearean

actors,aknightnoless,tappedtoplaytheroleofMagneto.ItwasscheduledtopremiereinSan
FranciscoinMay.

Somehow,hemeanttofindawaytoseeit.
He’dalwaysbeenacarefulman.He’dscatteredhisresourcesacrosstheglobe,sothatregardlessof

whateversetbacksheencounteredalongtheway,he’dbeabletosustainhimselfandstartagain.This
wasthefirsttimehe’dhadtodosowithouttheuseofhispowers.

Hehadajob,workingoneofthetrawlersthatstillpulledoutofFisherman’sWharfeveryother

week;he’dbeen“adopted”somewhatbyArcadia’sskipper,AleytysForrester.Shecookedhimmeals,
hetaughtherGreek.Sheaskedhimnoquestions,hetoldhernolies.Inmanyrespects,hewasinthe
bestphysicalshapeofhislife.

Hewassurprisinglyatpeacewhileheremainedawake.Hisnights,ofcourse,werehaunted.
Hiscustomwastonursealargemuffin—freshlybaked,organicandobscenelydelicious—andatall

cupofdark,richcoffeeoverabook,baskinginthesununtiltheafternoonfogrolleddownoffthe
heightstoshepherdhimhome.

Occasionally,though,inremembranceofhappierdays,he’dtakeaseatatthechesstabledownbelow

theknobofArthur’sSeatandplayagamewithCharlesinhishead.Itwasn’texactlykosher,playing
bothsidesoftheboard,fartoomanydraws,butitpassedthetimeandkepthiswitskeen.

Veryrarely,he’dpullacollectionofbottlecapsfromthepocketofhispeacoatandspreadthemout

beforehim,pittinghisimprovisedpiecesagainsttheonessuppliedhisadversaryfromhisimagination.
Andhewouldstareatthemwithferociousintensity,withallthestillconsiderablewillpowerhe
possessed,andtrytomakethemmove.

Todaywassuchaday.Andaswitheverysuchattemptsincethatfatefulconfrontationonthebridge,

Magnetowasdisappointed.

Ashadowfelloverhimandheglancedupfromunderloweredbrowtoseeawomanofmedium

height,forty-somethingandquitehandsome,dressedwithcarelessstylethattoldhimshehadthewealth
toaffordgoodclothesbutlittleinterestinappearingfashionable.Whatmarkedhermostwasanobvious
intelligence.

Heignoredherandhopedshe’dgoaway.Shedidn’ttakethehint.

“MayIjoinyou?”sheasked,withanevidentScotsburr.
Hesaidnothing.
“Icanhelpyou,”shesaid.
Again,hesaidnothing,thinkingthatthefactthathewashereshouldhavemadeabundantlyplainthat

hewantednosuchhelp.

Shesetabusinesscardonthetable:

MUIRISLERESEARCHCENTER;KINROSS,SCOTLAND.

Andbeneathit:

moirakinrossmactaggart,director.

“AndIprayy’canhelpme.”Theslighthitchinhervoicemadeplainthatwhatshewasaskingwas

bothintenselyimportantandwhollypersonal.

“I’mattheFairmontthesenextfewdays,foraconference.Ify’wish,ringmeonmymobile.Ifnot,

I’llnotbothery’again.”

ShehadaHighlander’sdirectness,ofspeechandmanner,andabrilliancetomatchthatofthetwo

menshe’dteamedwithfreshoutofUniversity.TheworksheandCharleshaddonewithhimwas
groundbreaking;byrights,itshouldhavewonthemalltheNobelPrize.Butbothmeninsistedshewas
theonetogotoStockholm,tobethepublicfaceoftheirjointresearches.HersecondPrizeshe’dwon
onherown.

“Thenextmoveisyours,Erik.”
Hewatchedherallthewaydownthehill,untilsheturnedthecornertowardsMarket.
Hetappedhisfingersabsentlyonthetableinarandompattern.Hethoughtaboutwhatshe’dsaid,

andhowshe’dactedandwhatthey’dalloncemeanttooneanother.Leewascookingcioppinotonight,
fromfishthey’dcaughtwiththeirownhands.

Hecouldn’tgoback.Thatpathhadbroughtnothingbutgrief,tothosehecaredfor,thosewhotrusted

him,tohimself.Thiswasbetter.

Magnetoreachedouttogatheruphisbottlecaps…
…andoneofthemtrembled,eversoslightly,asifcaughtbyapuffofbreeze—exceptthattheairhad

fallencompletelystill.

Andthen,justalittlebit,itmoved.

AlsoavailablefromDelReyBooks:

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SPIDER-MANbyPeterDavid
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X-MenTheLastStandisaworkoffiction.Names,places,andincidentseitherareproductsofthe
author’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.

ADelReyMassMarketOriginal

™&©2006TwentiethCenturyFoxFilmCorporation.Allrightsreserved.

PublishedintheUnitedStatesbyDelReyBooks,animprintofTheRandomHousePublishingGroup,
adivisionofRandomHouse,Inc.,NewYork.

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isaregisteredtrademarkandtheDelReycolophonisatrademarkofRandomHouse,Inc.

X-MENCharacterLikenesses:™&©2006MarvelCharacters,Inc.
Allrightsreserved.

eISBN-13:978-0-345-49383-5
eISBN-10:0-345-49383-4

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