Upstate New York, 1985
A young girl tells a cab driver, "1407, Graymalkin Lane, Salem Center."
The driver looks back, "Ritzy place."
***
The cab pulled up about twenty minutes later as the driver commented, "Jeez this place is huge, you said its a school right."
She nodded, "That's what the brochure says, Xavier's school for Gifted Youngsters."
As she got out she was met by Professor Charles Xavier and a solemn looking boy in a pair of red sun glasses that took her bags for her. They strolled up the wheel chair ramp after Xavier paid the driver. Once inside he looked to her, "Welcome to my school Ms. Grey, our student body is quite small at the moment but it will grow. At the moment it's just you, Mr. Summers here and three others."
The other three students stepped up as Xavier introduced them, "Robert Drake, Henry McCoy, Warren Worthington and Scott Summers. Allow me to introduce Jean Grey."
Bobby looked her over, "Does she need a roommate?"
Hank poked him in the side with an elbow, "Show some respect."
Warren stepped in front of them, "Sorry, my friends have a lack of class. If you need anything, I'll be glad to help out."
He then gave a bit of a sneer toward Scott, "Don't worry, no need to tip the bell boy."
Scott rolled his eyes and walked past without a word.
Jean looked to Xavier, "Are they, like me?"
Bobby nodded, "Yup, all freaks."
He gave a wide grin as he took on a snowman like form, "You can call me Iceman, my over sized buddy here is Beast, big feet, big hands, big...."
Warren and Hank glared, "What, I was gonna say brain. Haven't peeked downstairs, and no Hank I don't want to."
Hank swatted him on the back sending him staggering, "Don't mind Bobby, he thinks he's funny."
She looked to Warren who dropped his overcoat to reveal large wings, "And of course, I'm the Angel. Its fine if your impressed, the wings are cool."
Bobby and Hank gave a condescending nod as Hank spoke, "Powerful too, they can even lift that ego."
"What about Scott?"
Bobby replied,"Eye lasers."
Hank shook his head, "They aren't lasers, they are a concentrated force blast of energy. Though I'm not sure what type, if he'd let me examine them I could give a more accurate...."
He noticed the blank expressions of the others, "Never mind. So, Jean, how about a tour?"
***
In the sub basement
The three boys opened a large door as Bobby spoke, "This is what we call the Danger Room."
She looked at a giant robot sitting in the center of the room, "What is that?"
Hank grinned, "That is Colosso, the Professor uses it to help train us with our powers. Top of the line in robotic engineering."
"Is it dangerous?"
Bobby chuckled, "Wouldn't be much of a Danger Room if it wasn't."
***
After the tour she met with Xavier in the library, "This place is great and all but are you sure I belong here?"
He nodded, "Jean, this place is a home for any mutant who wishes to learn. The hope is that one day we won't need a place like this, when we can simply coexist with normal humans but for now I honestly believe this is the best place for you."
Bobby looked to Hank, "Is he gonna give the 'I have a dream' speech again?"
Xavier chuckled, "Don't worry Bobby, I promise I won't bore you. Jean, we start classes at Eight A.M. sharp Monday morning. Take the rest of the weekend to get settled in, and Bobby, have you finished your biology homework?"
"Having a Telepathic teacher sucks."
He then wandered off to his room as Warren stepped up next to Jean, "Want to check out the pool?"
She shook her head, "Not right now."
"Awe, come on. We got a hot tub."
Hank patted him on the shoulder, "Better luck next time, Tweety."
***
As Jean walked to her room she noticed Scott sitting in his room alone studying as he listened to a walk-man. She walked in and pulled up a chair beside him. He lowered his head phones, "Need something?"
She smiled, "No, you were just the only one not falling over yourself trying to get to know me. Figured this room had less pressure."
He gave a slight grin, "Hank and Bobby are annoying but generally good guys."
"And what about Warren?"
He raised an eyebrow, "I like Hank and Bobby."
The two then had a chuckle, "So, Bobby told me about your eye thing."
"I can't really control it, but the Professor figured out how to block it so I can see without blowing things up. So, what brings you to the school."
She lifted her hand over several of Scott's pens and pencils and made them stand up, "I can move things with my mind, and sometimes if I concentrate really hard, I can hear peoples thoughts."
"So you're like the professor?"
"Oh, I doubt I'll ever be that powerful."
He shrugged, "You never know, once you get a little training you might be stronger."
"Not sure I even want to be, but mom and dad said Xavier is better equipped than they are to deal with my, condition."
***
An old man sits waiting for a machine to activate. He looks to a man sitting crouched in the corner, "If this works, I'll be back in my physical prime."
The man, called Mortimer Toynbee nods, "It might be simpler to just pass on leadership, definitely wouldn't make this place a target."
"Pietro isn't ready, and Wanda isn't stable enough."
He gritted his teeth, "Guess that's a no, well by all means, become Magneto again."
Magneto gave an annoyed look, "If I didn't know better, I'd say that tone was sarcastic."
He then stepped into the machine. There was a bright flash of light and a great deal of noise. After a few minutes Magneto stepped out looking around thirty years younger, "Now, time to let our Brotherhood be known to the world."
(To be Continued)
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