by Chip Caroon and Paul Hahn originally presented as X-Men #8-11 at DC/Marvel: The Merging |
The Morlocks are mutants, every one of them. Horribly deformed or just unable to adapt to society, they chose to live secluded from a world that hates and fears them. They don't like strangers. After their run in with Young Justice, they had hoped to be left alone.* The X-Men didn't let them.
*(Young Justice #19 - also in the first book of Young Injustice!)
After their mansion home was destroyed in the battle with Magneto, they found themselves in the tunnels, presumably with the help of the Morlocks. Callisto, the Morlock leader, didn't want them in the tunnels. But she decided to play along. She figured she could use them to her advantage.
No longer. Callisto had had enough of them . . .
But what startled him awake was that Jean Grey wasn't beside him. They were an item, right? He thought so. But then again, since his confrontation with Death last night, there was a lot he didn't know. There was too much he was unsure of. That's why he told Callisto that the 'X-Men', thus named by the media, would be returning to the ruins of their home this morning.
"Jean . . . ?" he called quietly, looking about the room. He did a quick scan with his X-Ray vision, peering about the other rooms in the tunnels. Everyone else is accounted for . . . Hank McCoy, the Beast . . . Robert Drake, Iceman . . . Sarah Da'Part . . . Morph . . . but no sign of Jean. Hmm . . . now who're they?
Clark's eyes focused on two figures tip-toeing through the door to Sarah's room. He didn't recognize them. But we were attacked by Morlocks yesterday . . . no reason to take any chances!
Clark was out of his bed faster than a speeding bullet, intercepting the two Morlocks and flying straight into Sarah's room.
"Jesus!" she screamed, jumping up in her bed. She quickly pulled her blanket up to cover herself. "Don't you ever knock?"
"I've got X-Ray vision," Clark said, holding the two Morlocks, each with one fist. "If I really wanted to see you naked, I could. But the fact of the matter is, these two were about to ambush you."
She shook her head. "It's bad enough you don't find me attractive enough to take a peek at, but these guys've gotta try and kill me in my sleep?"
"Why?" Clark asked one of the Morlocks. He wasn't willing to answer.
"Egads," Hank McCoy appeared in the doorway, Bobby and Morph behind him. "By what havocal cry let slip those dogs of war?"
"They don't want to talk," Clark frowned, holding them up.
"Then maybe I should rip the answers from their minds," Jean Grey stood behind the boys in the doorway.
"Jean?" Hank asked.
"We haven't gotten a moment of peace since Charles gathered us back together," Jean continued. "And I'm tired of it. You said we're leaving, Clark . . . good. Everyone, gather your things, get dressed. I'll . . . interrogate these two . . . and then we're leaving."
"Yes ma'am," Morph saluted. He turned to Bobby and whispered, "Must be that time of the month, huh?"
"Go," Clark said to them. "And watch your backs."
"I'm sick and tired of this crap," Sarah frowned, grabbing a shirt and pulling it on.
"Callisto ordered them to kill us," Jean frowned. "Why?"
" . . . "
"Why?!" she repeated, pressing further.
One of the Morlocks yelled, obviously in pain.
"Jean, stop!" Clark grabbed her arm. He was shocked. And, he found, by the expression on her face, so was she!
"I'm . . . I'm sorry," she said, lowering her gaze. "I've just . . . I need some time off, y'know?"
Clark nodded. "Well, we'll get out of here . . . head back to the mansion, see if it's salvageable, still livable . . . if not, we'll think of something. Trust me."
"Hate to interrupt you two," Morph said, his head sticking through the doorway, "but we really should get moving. I'd hate to think of a whole army of these Morlocks attacking us."
Clark nodded. "Let's go."
"Well . . . " she asked. "Are the X-Men dead?"
The two Morlocks were afraid to answer. They bowed their head.
"No, ma'am," one finally said, meekly. "They got away . . . "
"Got away!?!?!" Callisto shouted, sitting on the edge of her throne. "Why did you let them get away?"
"We had no choice. Should we go after them?"
Callisto sat back and thought for a moment. "No, let them go. We can deal with them later, when they least expect it . . . "
And so, it was less than an hour before the X-Men returned home. They all landed, and stood side by side, looking at what was left of their home for the first time since the battle with the Brotherhood. The mansion itself was caved in. At some places, only the foundation could be seen. Bricks and other debris were scattered across the property, and the whole place looked like a landfill almost.
"Oh, man," Iceman said. "It's totaled."
"At least it looks like no one's come by to be a scavenger," Beast replied.
Clark sighed. "I never imagined it was this bad. I guess we'll have to grab what stuff we can find and go."
"Oh man," Bobby frowned. "I never realized how their could've been students killed in the fight . . . "
Hank nodded. "Indeed. I can only hope that our more . . . talented students were able to provide the others with protection and a means of escape."
They continued on, walking over rubble.
"Look over here," Hank called. "There's signs of people in the wreckage."
"I thought you said it didn't seem like any scavengers had come?"
"Well, you see the footprints, right? Seems someone was here for a while . . . but they're long gone."
*(See Exiles #1! - Paul)
"Maybe it was some Morlocks?" Bobby asked. "Or . . . more of Magneto's Brotherhood?"
"I hope not," Hank frowned. "If I ever hear the word Brotherhood again, it will be too soon."
"Brotherhood," Bobby said, laughing.
"Look there," Hank said. "It's an accessway to the underground portions of the school . . . our parts. Maybe it isn't totally damaged?"
"Let's take a look."
Bobby and Hank jumped down the access port, noticing all the cracks and damages to it on the way. There were no lights and most of the structure looked unsalvageable.
"What about Cerebro?" Bobby asked. "If that was still working, the Professor's dream could still live on . . . "
"This way," Hank lead. As they walked, Bobby iced up some of the walls and ceiling to help maintain structural integrity. When they approached the doors to the Cerebro chamber, they found them jimmied open.
"Looks like someone beat us here," Bobby frowned. "Our mutant detecting device is gone."
"I'd hate to think of that power in the wrong hands . . . "
"I just . . . I still can't believe I got sucked back into this," Sarah shook her head. "When I left the first time . . . I had left for good. Or so I thought. I mean, I'm grateful for what Professor Xavier did for me . . . but this fighting for his dream? I just . . . I can't do this."
"No worries, doll," Morph grinned. "There's plenty of other activities we could do instead. Wink-wink, nudge-nudge, say no more."
She sighed. "Grow up, Morph, will you? We're facing life and death situations here . . . it's bad enough the world hates and fears us . . . but we have to brand ourselves outsiders to other mutants who believe differently from us? It's suicide."
"All the more reason to cherish every moment," Morph continued. "And get laid. A whole lot."
Sarah moaned angrily and walked away from him.
"What? What'd I say?"
"Clark," Jean asked, "why did you bring us out here to the shed instead of trying to find our stuff in the actual mansion?"
Clark ignored the question and opened the door. He peeked in.
"Have you ever wondered what was out here?"
Jean was confused by the question, but decided to play along. "No . . . why?"
"I never did either. Until the mansion was destroyed, and Xavier was dying." Clark looked back at Jean. "Jean, he spoke into my mind, and told me things. I . . . I'm not . . . I'm not quite what you think."
"What do you mean?"
"Ever since that night, I've been full of questions. But now, I think that I might be close to some answers."
"Here in the shed?"
"I think it was something Xavier put into my subconscious." Clark walked in, and Jean followed. In the far corner, they saw a strange box, one they had never noticed before. "I've been in here tons of times," Clark said, "helping with the groundskeeping, or when we had a new construction project, but I never, ever thought to look in that box."
He walked over, and pried the lid off. Peering in, he saw a strange rocket-like machine. "Help me get it out," he said.
Surprisingly, it wasn't that heavy, and Jean didn't even need to use her telekinesis.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I don't know . . . " Clark replied as he touched it.
Suddenly, Clark felt like he was being pulled away from the world, much like he did when Death revealed his true identity.*
*(in the Annual - Chip)
Jean watched as Clark stared off into space. "Clark!" she exclaimed. She tried to enter his mind, but found it to be an impenetrable as his rock hard skin.
Clark was totally unaware of her as he entered a different plane of reality. Standing before him was a man, similar in height and stature as himself, with very . . . familiar facial features. He was clad in what looked like a military uniform. The coat looked something like a green version of the jackets worn in the civil war, only with much modern material. His pants were the same shade of green, and his boots were red. However, the most striking feature was the red sun that was emblazoned on his chest.
"Hello, son," the man said.
"So, I really am from another planet, huh?" Clark asked.
"You are Kal-El, the last son of Krypton . . . I am your father, Jor-El. Your mother's name was Lara."
"What is this?"
"We programmed your birthing matrix with this simulation to show you your home planet. You were conceived on the planet Krypton."
The image of a green planet appeared behind Jor-El.
"So, how does this work? Is it interactive?" Clark asked.
"For the most part," Jor-El replied. "I can answer any question that has been programmed into the matrix."
"If I was conceived on Krypton, why was I born on Earth?"
"Kal-El, before you were born, great earthquakes disturbed Krypton. I was a leader in the Kryptonian community, and knew what these great natural forces were doing to our planet. However, I was unable to convince my fellow citizens of the danger. I knew that to survive as a race, Krypton would have to be evacuated."
"To Earth?"
"It was the planet closest to our own in nature."
"You mean, it was the only one that Kryptonians could live on."
"Actually, there were others in our system, but I knew that once Krypton had been destroyed, those planets would eventually die as well."
"How did I survive if no one else did?"
"Because I had already built a prototype ship. It was big enough for your birthing matrix to fit into. Your mother and I decided that just because no one would believe us that our legacy should completely die out."
"But what of the others who attempted to be saved?"
"I'm sorry, that question does not compute."
"When Death attacked me, he said that I was one of the four, but the others didn't survive the atmosphere."
"I'm sorry, that does not compute."
"I wish to know more about my heritage."
"You shall," Jor-El replied. "When you leave this . . . state of being, and return to the real world, all of the knowledge in this birthing matrix will be downloaded, so to speak, to your brain."
"Is there anything else I must know now?"
"When your mother and I sent you off, we had hoped that you would become a champion of the people - a superman, of sorts. The yellow sun would give you powers denied you by the red sun of Krypton."
"So that's why I took the name . . . "
"There is one thing I must give you now that cannot simply be downloaded into your brain." Jor-El pointed at Clark's chest. A stylized 'S' materialized on his chest. "I designed this for you, to be your emblem. You are Superman." He put out his hand.
Clark shook it. "Good-bye, father," he said as everything started to fade, and the shed reappeared.
The first thing he heard was Jean calling his name. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Clark shook his head a bit, to clear it. "Yeah, I'm fine." He looked Jean in the eye. "Jean, I'm not a mutant."
"But your powers - "
"I'm not even human."
"What are you saying? Wait a minute! What's that on your chest?"
Clark looked down and saw the 'S'.
"It's my symbol," he said. "Now, read my mind, and you'll know. But please, don't tell the others."
Jean closed her eyes, focused her power, and looked into Clark's mind. A few seconds later, she opened her eyes again. "Amazing . . . "
"We're taking this thing with us."
"But - "
"It's too valuable to me to lose."
"We don't know where we're going."
"I have some ideas. C'mon, let's get back to the mansion."
"Sarah, what's wrong?" Jean asked.
"Morph's acting like a total pervert."
"What's he doing?"
"We're facing life and death situations, and all he can think about is getting laid."
Clark snorted, trying to hold back a laugh. Jean smacked him across the chest and glared. Sarah grunted and stormed off again.
"Sorry," Clark said, meekly. "Let's just get our stuff . . . "
Captain America found himself talking to Henry Gyrich in a video conference yet again.
"Cap, our men have finally been able to locate the X-Men," Gyrich was saying. "Ever since that school in Westchester blew up, we haven't been able to find them. But, they have finally been found, back at the school. We're dispatching the Avengers League right now to apprehend them."
"But - "
"No 'buts' about it, winghead. This time, you do as we say, when we say it. Now, get your team together, and over to Westchester, now!" Gyrich disconnected the link.
"I know you don't want to do this, but we have to," Martian Manhunter said. He'd been watching from the back of the room.
"I know," Cap replied. "So, let's get the team together, and take them down . . . "
"Nice 'S,'" Iceman said, commenting on the new yellow 'S' emblem on Clark's shirt.
"Thanks," Clark replied, looking around at the group. "Where's Hank?"
"Yee-hah!"
Clark turned and saw a van driving up, with Hank's head sticking out the window. "Hidey-ho!" he shouted. "Let's get on the road!" Hank climbed out, and walked to the group.
"Where in the world did you find that?" Jean asked.
"It was in the professor's garage. As you noticed, all of the outbuildings were unharmed."
"So, where to?" Clark asked.
"Why don't we wait until we get on the road, headed for a gas station?" Hank said. "We need fuel bad."
"Does everyone have everything?"
Everyone nodded.
"Let's load up!" Beast exclaimed.
As Morph, Jean, Bobby, and Hank began carrying their bags and whatnot to the van, Sarah came up to Clark.
"Is something wrong?" Clark asked her.
Sarah looked down at the ground, and then back at Clark. "I don't think this life is for me. I'm not the on-the-run type. I just want a normal life."
"I understand . . . "
"So, once we get settled somewhere, I'm going to fly back to California. That's my home. Not here."
"Okay," Clark replied. "It's your decision."
"I guess what we should try to do first is contact someone who can set us up with a place to stay," Superman said.
"Why not Warren?" Jean asked, referring to former student Warren Worthington III, also known as Angel. "He's got money. At the very least he could give us a hotel room or something for a night."
"Good plan," Superman replied. "We can call him from the gas station."
"Clark, there's something else you should know," Hank spoke up.
"What's that?"
"Bobby and I went looking for Cerebro . . . and it's not there."
"I thought you said there weren't any scavengers?"
"I said it didn't look like many scavengers had been around. Anyway, there's not much left."
"Great," Clark sighed.
"I took what parts were left," Hank continued, "but there wasn't much. I'll try to cobble something together out of it . . . perhaps we can repair it. But I'm not sure. I didn't invent the thing."
"This is all well and good," Sarah began, "but there's been something nagging at me since we got back. We were kinda whisked away from here very suddenly, after a major battle . . . "
"And . . . ?" Morph asked.
"Well, we all know Xavier died, but what happened to his body?"
Everyone was silent all of a sudden. Clark covered his face with his hands. "Oh, no . . . " he groaned. "I'd hate to think that he's been a meal for some animals all this time."
"Should I turn back?" Hank asked.
"No," Clark replied. "Let's move on. Maybe we can come back."
"Cap, I know you don't want to do this," Iron Man said. "None of us do. But, we have to, and we might as well get it over with. I have a clear shot."
"Go ahead," Cap said. "But try not to damage their vehicle too much." Then, he added under his breath, "They might need it later."
Iron Man flew out of the open hatch on the bottom of the QuinJet and descended slowly. When he was only ten feet above the van, he held up his hand, and fired a repulsor ray in front of the van.
"Holy - !" Hank shouted, turning the wheel, avoiding the blast.
"Jean! Use your TK to keep us steady!" Clark yelled.
"I'm trying!" Jean shouted back.
Iron Man fired another repulsor ray, this time to the rear of the vehicle. The van nearly turned 360.
Hank pressed on the accelerator, and turned the van back around and sped ahead.
"Someone's firing at us," Clark said. "I'm going to find out who." He unbuckled his seat belt, opened the door, and flew out. Hank slowed down to allow him to do so.
Superman flew up and found the golden avenger waiting for him. "Iron Man!" he exclaimed. Then he saw the QuinJet. "Let me guess, the Avengers League is finally bringing us in."
"Something like that," Iron Man replied, firing a repulsor ray into Superman's chest. The blast knocked him back, and he landed in the road in front of the van. Hank slammed on the brakes, bringing the van to a screeching halt. He turned to the back. "Jean, drive this thing to a safe place. Bobby, cover it in ice. We're going to have a battle!" he said, pulling his shoes and socks off before he jumped out.
Beast ran over to Superman, who was now standing up. "What happened?"
"It's the Avengers League, Hank. They're finally making good on their promise to take us down."
Jean and the other X-Men came running up, in full battle gear. They watched as the Avengers League came up on them.
Captain America. Martian Manhunter. Batman. Iron Man. Wonder Woman. Flash. Hawkeye. Wasp. Quasar.
The X-Men stood ready. Superman. Beast. Morph. Iceman. Jean Grey. Sarah Da'Part.
"Stand your ground!" Captain America shouted. "I speak for the Avengers League, and on behalf of the American government, we are under standing orders to combat the 'mutant menace' and bring you in."
Superman looked at his team. "X-MEN!" he shouted. "We didn't start this, but we'll sure as hell end it. Take 'em!" Instantly, the mutants charged forward, ready to butt heads with the mightest heroes on the planet.
One of Sarah's firebursts grazed Captain America's arm.
"We don't want to hurt you, but you leave us no choice!" Cap said, throwing his shield. "League, let's make this quick!"
"Sarah! Jump back!" Beast shouted. "I'll endeavor to render that spinning shield totally ineffectual."
Sarah jumped back, and as the shield came whizzing by, Beast flipped backward, hoping to use his abnormally large feet to grab the shield and toss it back. However, there was too much momentum, and instead, Beast ended up flopping to the ground.
Hawkeye fired a pair of arrows at Iceman who quickly put up an ice shield to block them. When the arrows impacted, they burst into flame, cracking and melting some of the ice.
"Whoa," Bobby said to himself. "That woulda left a mark."
"You're only making this harder on yourselves," Wonder Woman said as she swung a fist at Superman.
Clark ducked. "You attacked us for no reason!"
"We're only doing our job!" she answered, finally connecting a punch. The blow sent Clark flying backwards into the side of a building, crashing through the wall. "Great Hera . . . I pray I didn't kill him."
"Don't worry," Superman said, flying back. "It takes more than that to hurt me!" He flew at her with incredible speed, returning her punch and sending her out into the sky, miles away.
"Anyone who can do that to Wondy is a bit out of our league," Flash said, whizzing by Morph.
"Speedy, everyone's outta your league!" Morph yelled, trying hard to connect a punch.
"This is insane," Jean frowned, using her telekinesis to throw Quasar into Wasp.
"It is indeed," said the Martian Manhunter. He attacked her telepathically, and almost instantly regretted it. Jean's telepathy struck right back at him, far more intensely than he thought she was capable of.
Cap's shield return to him, which he used to block a volley of firebursts coming from Sarah.
"Why can't you just leave us alone?" she demanded, pouring on the assault. "Do you think we asked to be born this way? Do you think I want to be here, fighting for my life? I'm a United States citizen, and you have no right to do this!"
For a moment, Captain America hesitated behind his shield. She had a point. That's why he hated this. Mutants could very well be legal citizens of the US who want nothing more than life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
But before anything could come of that train of thought, Batman leapt at her from behind and kicked her hard in the back, taking her down.
"You always have to be the sneaky one, don't you?" Cap asked.
"It goes with the cape," Batman replied.
Beast leapt about, dodging blasts of repulsor rays from Iron Man.
"Give it up," Iron Man said. "You can't beat the League."
"Says you, bunky!" Morph said. He made his fist giant sized and slammed it into Iron Man, knocking him to the ground.
Meanwhile, Jean was using her telekinesis to lift some rocks and hurl them at various members of the Avengers League. However, Wasp saw that. Already in her small size, she dived down. If I can just reach her in time . . . she thought.
Just as Jean had manipulated the rocks in place, Wasp grabbed her hair and pulled it over her eyes.
"My eyes!" Jean exclaimed, dropping the rocks, many of them either hitting the ground, or other X-Men. "I can't see."
"That the idea, sweetie!" Wasp replied. "You can't affect what you can see!" She let go of Jean's hair, and went to stop another X-Man. Jean brushed the hair out of her face, and made Wasp freeze in mid-air. Janet Van Dyne reverted to human size, and Jean let her free.
Elsewhere, Martian Manhunter was trying to enter Morph's head and make him stop fighting. However, Morph kept shifting his brain around so J'Onn couldn't get a decent reading.
"Clever move," he said.
"Thanks," Morph replied. "I learned from the best." Then, he punched J'Onn, but the Martian sidestepped it.
That's gotta be th' Avengers League down there, he thought. I've seen 'em on the news. An' it looks to me like they're fightin' the X-Men. Saw them on the news, too. An' I heard plenty about the mutant menace. These X-Men, though . . . seems like they're supposed to be the good guys. An' I'd hate to see 'em go down by a buncha boys in colorful spandex.
He scratched the tops of his hands as he watched the battle for a few more seconds. Then, he saw Iron Man going for Superman. Iron Man was flying higher, ready to dive down. The man started running, and jumped off the hill, flying towards Iron Man. Mid air, claws popped out of his hands, three on each, and he shouted, "It's Adamantium tasting time, boy!"
"Eh?" Iron Man turned his head a little, to see this short, hairy man with claws lunging at him. They both fell to the ground, hard.
The little man got up and ran to where the X-Men mainly were.
"You better not be their back-up," Superman said.
"Relax, bub, I'm on yer side. Call me Wolverine. We can figure out the other details after I finish carvin' up the tin man."
Batman recognized the presence of another hardcore fighter in Wolverine.
"He's mine," he said to nobody in particular. Batman began leaping across the others, getting ready for combat with Wolverine.
Wolverine saw the Dark Knight Detective making his way toward him. This one looks like he's been around the block a coupla times, even with the bat-ears, he thought. He deliberately sheathed his claws, just to make the fight a little bit more interesting.
Batman somersaulted through the air, his foot landing square in Wolverine's chest.
The impact of bone upon Adamantium was jarring for Batman. He was lucky that he only sprained his ankle.
"What are you made out of . . . " Batman muttered, clutching his ankle and readying something destructive from his utility belt.
"I'm one part Adamantium, one part animal, and two parts just plain mean mothertrucker, buddy!" Wolverine growled as he picked Batman up from the ground with one hand and tossed him aside.
The other Avengers Leaguers began to see their opponents with a little more respect now, and the battle was evening out now that Wolverine had arrived.
"Stars and garters, man!" Beast shouted, seeing what Wolverine could do. "Who are you?"
"Save the questions, and I'll save the claws," Wolverine growled. "We fight, then we talk."
Just then, the two mutants saw Quasar headed their way. He was fully charged, and blasted Wolverine. Beast hopped out of the way, but turned around and saw what had happened to his new teammate.
Wolverine was lying on the ground, his chest blackened, much of the skin burnt off. Quasar stopped. "Oh, no! I didn't mean to do it . . . I'm so sorry . . . I didn't . . . "
"Hey, bub, stop yer crying," Wolverine said, standing up.
Beast was astonished as he looked at the wound. It was barely there!
"How did you - ?" Quasar asked.
"It's called a healing factor." Those were the last words Quasar heard before being punched by Wolverine.
"Avengers League! Regroup!" Captain America ordered. Superman heard this, and called out the same order for the X-Men.
Both teams gathered together into two groups. They stared at each other. Finally Captain America spoke. "Avengers League . . . " he said. Both groups tensed up, ready for him to give another order of attack. " . . . stand down."
"Huh?" Superman wondered, relaxing.
"I'm sorry," Cap explained, "but I just can't let this fight continue. You are American citizens, most of you, and you did nothing to deserve this, except to be born."
"Captain, what do we tell our government sponsors?" Martain Manhunter asked.
"We tell them that they got away," Cap replied, stepping forward, and walking toward Superman. He offered his hand. Superman shook it. "You're good people. I hope next time, we're on the same team."
Turning around, Cap led the Avengers League back to their QuinJet. Superman and the other X-Men turned to the new arrival.
" . . . what?" he asked.
Superman gave him a weird look. "Thanks for the help." "Yeah," Wolverine answered.
"I'd say we owe him," Jean stepped in. "He really turned the tide of the fight."
Superman nodded. "Do you have a place to stay, stranger?"
The mysterious mutant looked down at the ground. "Well, bub, I've been . . . travelin' for awhile. By myself. Haven't really had any place t'stay."
"Are you willing to join us?"
Wolverine thought for a moment. "It might be nice to have some company . . . I'll hang out with ya, but I can't say I'll be an X-Man."
"I think you'll change your mind," Beast said under his breath, smiling.
"Do you have your own vehicle?" Superman asked.
"Got a jeep parked back a ways," Logan replied. "I'll follow you. Where're ya headed?"
"We need to find a gas station," Beast answered. "We kinda got started on an empty tank."
"There's one only a coupla miles that way. Let's meet there."
"Hi," Beast said. "This is Hank McCoy. I'm an old acquantance of Mr. Worthington. Might he be in?"
"I'll check for you. Please hold."
Beast covered the mouthpiece and looked back Clark. "The secretary is 'checking' to see if he's there." He heard the phone click, and the secretary's voice returned.
"Mr. Worthington will take your call now."
Hank waited for a moment, and then heard a familiar voice. "Warren Worthington the third."
"Warren, it's Hank."
"Hank! How've ya been, ol' buddy? Still with Xavier's group?"
"Actually, I just rejoined a few weeks ago. But Xavier's dead."
Warren's mood suddenly changed. "Dead? Oh, I'm sorry to hear."
"Listen, have you heard anything about the X-Men?"
"As a matter of fact I - wait! You're the X-Men?"
"Yup," Hank replied. "Clark's our fearless leader. Then there's me, Jean, Bobby, Sarah, and Morph. You remember them, right?"
"Yeah . . . "
"And we just had another mutant join us. Goes by the name of Logan."
"Uh-huh . . . "
"Anyway, we need a place to stay. You see, the mansion got totalled, and . . . "
"I tell you what. I'll reserve you guys a room, no, a suite at the Plaza Hotel. I'll come over in the morning to see you. And, I might even have some surprises for you."
"Surprises?"
"I've been itching to get back in the adventurer gig," Warren replied. "Being the CEO of a big company can get boring."
"I gotta go . . . I'm on a pay phone, and my quarter's about to run out. See you tomorrow."
"Okay, bye."
Hank hung up the phone and looked at Clark. "We have ourselves a suite at the Plaza Hotel!"
"This is where we're staying?" Bobby Drake asked as he and his companions entered through the lobby doors.
"Yup," Hank McCoy replied.
"Jean, you should probably be telepathically masking our appearance," Clark Kent said.
"One step ahead of you," Jean Grey replied.
"It's so fancy," Sarah Da'Part commented, looking around at the ornate decorations.
"A little too fancy," Morph said, jokingly.
The mysterious man named Wolverine said nothing. He merely followed.
Clark cleared his throat as he approached the main desk. "I believe a suite was reserved for us by a Mister Worthington III."
"Group of seven?" the lady behind the desk asked.
"Yup," Clark nodded.
"Any luggage you need brought up?"
"We can handle it," Clark shrugged.
"Okay. Here's your keycard. The room's on the top floor. Enjoy your stay."
"Thanks," Clark smiled politely, accepting the card. He motioned with his head for the group to follow him to the elevator.
"Like it woulda hurt you to get a bellhop to carry our luggage," Bobby frowned.
"Like there's so much of it," Clark replied. "We've each only got about a bag or suitcase. We can manage."
They all stepped into the elevator quietly and waited as it began its slow trek up to the top floor. About halfway there, it came to a stop and the doors opened, with more people trying to get on.
"We're full, bub," Wolverine said, hitting the close doors button. "Better catch the next one."
The people just looked at him strangely and then shrugged. The elevator resumed.
"What kinda face are you givin' me, Red?" Wolverine asked.
"Something that won't frighten the other people here," she replied.
A short while later, the elevator came to a stop again, this time at their desired floor. They stepped off into the hallway. Clark led them down to a corner suite. He did a quick pass of the suite with his X-ray vision. Being a mutant had taught him to always be cautious, even if it seemed like paranoia. Once he accepted the room was clear, he slid the keycard in and opened the door.
It didn't open.
He tried again. Nothing.
"It's not . . . " he started.
"Here," Jean said, taking it. "Look, you need to insert it, pull out, and then open."
She opened the door easily.
"Just need to start reading instructions there, Clarky," Morph grinned.
They all stepped inside slowly. The suite was indeed sweet.
"Now, this is living," Bobby grinned.
"Haven't seen a place this nice . . . ever," Wolverine frowned.
"Well, after that battle with the Avengers League," Hank started, "I know I could use a dip in the pool."
"Sounds good to me," Bobby said.
"I'm gonna go down and have a smoke," Wolverine said, walking out the door.
"He's a nice one," Morph said. The other four all headed out after him to go swimming in the indoor pool, leaving Clark and Jean alone.
"He looks an awful lot like Death," Clark frowned.
"That guy who was an agent of a God?" Jean asked. "I guess . . . especially with the claws. But I did a brief mindscan of him after the fight with the League. He's definitely not. After all, Death is dead."
Clark nodded. "Just saying. Maybe it was a sign of some sort? That we're not supposed to trust him? After all, he did just appear . . . we know absolutely nothing about him."
"Then we'll ask him," Jean shrugged. "Simple as that."
Clark nodded again. "I suppose."
"Hot stuff, comin' through!" Morph yelled as he leapt into the pool. Just before hitting he shifted, increasing his mass. When he hit, he caused a giant splash, soaking everyone else in the pool. "Teehee."
"Now my hair's gonna smell like chlorine," Sarah frowned.
"Complain complain complain," Bobby said. "Lighten up, Sarah. Relax and have fun."
"He's right, my dear," Hank said with a grin. "After all we've been through these past few days, we definitely deserve this."
Wolverine watched them from outside. There they were, having fun. And he was standing outside, smoking. He was alone. That's how he always was. How he liked it.
Right . . . ?
He shook his head. This was just another pit stop, another place to spend the night . . . maybe a place to even let his guard down for an evening. Then he'd keep on moving towards his goal.
"And what goal would that be?" Jean asked.
"Stay outta my mind, Red," Wolverine frowned.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I normally don't scan a person without asking permission. But you look like someone we'd fought recently . . . I wanted to be sure you weren't that person. And after I did confirm that, I found something strange."
Wolverine just took another puff of his cigar.
"I can barely read your thoughts," she continued. "Your mind is virtually impenetrable to my telepathy. I was only able to know you had a goal because you were thinking about it that exact second."
"Maybe it's better off if you stay outta my head," he said. "Things in there that might scare a frail like you."
"Frail? Hardly."
Wolverine looked her up and down, then grinned. "Okay, I'll agree t'that."
Jean couldn't help but blush slightly. She looked down to her feet for a moment to get a grip. "So what's your goal?"
"I'm lookin' for something," he replied.
" . . . Something?"
"Name o' Weapon X," he answered. "It's a black ops type group . . . it's where I was . . . before I went off on my own."
"And you want to be with them again?"
"Heck no, darlin'. I want to find that place and kill every man, woman and child involved in it."
"That's pleasant."
"You don't know the half of it," he said quietly. "I don't expect you to understand . . . no one does. I'm a loner. It's what I've been, it's what I'll always be. I'll be outta your hair by morning."
He turned then to walk away. Jean grabbed his hand. He paused.
"Not the smartest move," he frowned. "The claws could've slipped . . . natural reaction."
"I felt I was safe, Wolverine," she said.
"Th' name's Logan."
"Logan."
He turned to look into her eyes for a quick moment. Then, just as quickly, he turned his head and walked away.
In the suite: Clark and Jean shared one room. Sarah took a room to herself. Morph, Bobby, and Hank all split the third room. Logan slept on the couch.
And as he did, his dreams raged.
He could feel the pain. It never left him, really. Being tied down to that cold, metal table, feeling the tubes pumping things into his body. He should have died.
But he didn't. His healing factor kept him alive. It kept him breathing as Adamantium was pumped into his system, bonding to his bones. It kept him alive when razor-sharp, Adamantium-coated claws burst forth from his hands for the first time. His heightened senses were blaring at the pain, at the noise. He realized it was his own screaming.
And through it all, once face watched the process from above . . . from the safety of a control booth. The face was etched in his mind. He would never forget it . . . until he tore the face off the body.
"Raaaaa!" Logan screamed, snapping awake. His claws popped out and he tore through a lamp behind him. His breathing was heavy. His eyes flickered around. He remembered where he was.
Jean walked over to him. "Logan . . . ?"
"Go back to sleep, Red," he said, slowing his breathing. "Just had a bad dream is all."
"I was already up," she said.
"Bad dreams, too, huh?"
"Not exactly," she said. "I was . . . surprisingly enough, worried about you. I don't want you to just leave us in the morning. You helped us out back there against the Avengers League. If you weren't there, we'd probably be in government custody right now. You saved our butts."
"So?"
"So? So, we want to repay the favor. We'll give you a place to stay with us, and in turn, since you fought our battle, we'll fight yours. This Weapon X? We'll help."
"Listen, Jean, I . . . "
"No, you listen. All of us in this hotel? We're here because of one man: Charles Xavier. He had a dream that mutants and humans could live together in peaceful coexistence. Us? We're the X-Men. We're fighting so that his dream can become a reality. You're a mutant, Logan. Join us. Help us with our fight and you'll never have to be alone again!"
"Peaceful coexistence ain't my thing. I'm more the kinda guy who'd cut ya up instead o' talkin' about somethin'."
"I know that's not true. Though I can't scan your mind, I can sense enough to tell me there's more to you than that. Please, at least consider my offer. I want you to stay."
" . . . I'll think it over."
"That's all I ask. I'll . . . go back to bed now. Goodnight, Logan."
" . . . Goodnight."
Jean opened her eyes and looked over at the man sleeping beside her. Clark, she thought. You look so peaceful, not having to worry about our lives for once.
There was a knock on the door. Jean waited to hear if anyone else was up to answer the door. She hear nothing, and did a quick surface scan. No one else was awake.
Jean slid out of the sheets, and walked out of her room, into the main room of the suite. She saw Logan sprawled out on the couch.
He probably heard, but is ignoring it.
Jean finally reached the door, and looked through the peephole. When she saw who it was, she got excited, and quickly opened the door.
"Warren!" she whispered.
"Hi, Jean," Warren replied, giving his old friend a hug. "Did I come too early?"
Jean looked at the clock on the wall. It read ten a.m. "Probably not. We're just all real tired from recent events."
"May I come in?"
"Oh. Sure, sure," Jean answered, stepping aside. "After all, you are footing the bill."
Warren walked into the suite, and put down the bag he was carrying. Jean closed the door.
"Who's that?" Warren asked, looking at Logan.
"He's a new recruit. Goes by the name of Wolverine, but his real name is Logan. He can be trusted."
"I take it that everyone else is still asleep. Tell ya what. I'll fix some breakfast, and you wake everyone up."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Jean replied. She walked back into her room, and gently shook Clark. He stirred.
"Huh?"
"Wake up, lover boy. Warren's here."
"Warren? Now?"
"Yeah. Now get out of bed, and go wake the guys up. I'll get Sarah."
Clark grabbed his robe, and put it on as he walked out. He saw Logan getting off the couch as he crossed the suite.
"Sleep well?" Clark asked.
"Never," Logan replied. "But it wasn't so bad. Actually, th' most comfortable place I've had in a long time."
"Er . . . glad to hear that, Logan."
Logan tensed up. "What did ya call me?"
"Your name is Logan, right?"
Logan nodded apprehensively, but then relaxed. "Jeannie musta tol' ya."
"Yeah, something like that. Uh, I gotta go wake the guys."
The room was perfectly made, as if no one had been there, except for the note on the bed. Jean picked it up and read it. Upon completion, she rushed out, and to the guys' room. They were already coming out, mostly dressed. Clark was standing there as well. She handed the note to him.
"It's Sarah," Morph said. "She left."
Clark nodded. "But she'll be okay. It's what she wanted. C'mon. Let's go eat breakfast."
"Okay, guys," Warren said. "I've been informed of recent events, and well, I think it's time for some change. First, I would like to announce that I have decided to return to the X-Men."
"All right!" Bobby exclaimed. "The old days are back!"
"Maybe," Warren replied. "But nothing will ever be the same. Anyway, as you all know, I am rather wealthy, and will be using that wealth to help you guys out. Currently, a construction company I own is building a mansion, which I will be using for my own personal use, as far as the general public will know."
"But to us, it's the new X-mansion," Morph said.
"Correct. The next thing I want to work on is the team dynamic. I know how difficult communication can be in the middle of the fight. Can't always rely on the telepath. Might be too busy or unconscious. That's why I've gone to the liberty of making these." He pulled out a black leather jacket from his duffel bag and held it up. It was trimmed in gold, and had X's on the collar, cuffs, and one on the chest. "A communication device has been added to this, and it makes a great fashion statement."
"Slammin'!" Bobby whispered.
"A new mansion, and new jackets?" Clark asked. "Thanks, Warren. I knew you'd come through. Only, when will the mansion be completed?"
"It should be done in a few weeks. You can stay here until then."
Clark stood up, and Warren took his seat. "Well, gang," Clark began, "we've come a long way in the past few days, but there are still a few things we have to deal with, including the government and the MRA."
"The Mutant Registration Act?" Warren asked.
"Yeah. What do you know about it?"
"Quite a bit. In fact, just over the past few days, Congress has been investigating some of the people trying to pass that through. And boy, have they turned up some interesting stuff."
"Hmm . . . " Clark pondered. "It might be interesting to check that out. In fact, I know of a government-owned warehouse where Sentinels are believed to be stored."
"Sentinels, eh?" Hank asked. "I've been wanting to study them ever since I heard about 'em."
"And I've wanted to know exactly what their purpose is," Clark added. "That's it, then. We're going to investigate. We leave in the morning."
To the naked eye, the building found at this discreet location would appear to be nothing more than an abandoned factory. But far beneath the run down construction of steel and concrete lies a high-tech, government-owned complex.
Its entire existence is devoted to one function . . . Project: Wideawake. The project whose goals are many, but all revolve around the Mutant Question. Many of the project's founders and operators believe that the Final Solution will be the giant, robotic Sentinels being manufactured both there and in other locations.
They recently made their grand debut.*
*(Generation Next/Young Justice #1)
Though they failed their first test run, those in charge still feel confident. If several robots were sent to detain one or two mutants at a time, success would be highly likely, especially with their high adaptiveness.
The other kind of sentinel, the Sentinel: Prime, has been in secret use for months. Normal humans near death or in vegetative states were transformed into robots, human-sized sentinels is disguise.
The money for these robots has come from two sources: Sebastian Shaw and Lex Luthor. The technology? A man named Reed Richards . . .
"Tonight, toooonight, the world is wild and bright . . . "
"This is a little embarrassing."
"With suns and moons all oooover the plaaaace . . . "
"Morph, this is supposed to be a stealth mission."
"Oh . . . right."
Clark Kent sighed. He was Superman, leader of the team of mutant outlaw heroes, the X-Men. At the current moment, he was carrying his team, literally. Morph changed himself into a large platform. On top of him sat Iceman, Beast, Jean Grey, and Wolverine. Angel flew above them, his angelic wings beating softly.
"You gotta admit, though, it's a pretty night," Morph continued.
"You just miss Sarah," Iceman said.
"You betcha," Morph answered. "I may be a mutant shape-shifter, but I'm still a man . . . a man with needs! I'd go after Jean, but Clark'd probably stick his thumb up my butt and light speed."
Clark smirked below.
"I believe we should be taking matters a tad bit more seriously here, folks," Hank McCoy, the Beast said. "We're about to be invading a top secret government installation. We may not get out of it, if we can even get in."
"Oh, we'll get in," Jean said. "My telepathy will mask us easily."
The mysterious mutant named Logan said nothing. He merely sat and watched.
"We'll be coming up on it soon," Angel said, his keen vision helping out."
"What d'you think we'll find in there?" Bobby asked.
"I'm not sure," Clark answered. "We'll need to be ready for anything."
"I'm always ready for anything," Morph said. "Well, except text stories . . . I work way better as a visual, y'know? Text is kinda boring for a shape-shifter . . . "
"What is he talking about?" Angel asked.
"Don't bother trying to understand," Jean answered. "Just know that you'll get used to him sooner or later."
"God I hope so."
"Hey . . . "
"Okay, Jean," Clark said. "Begin masking us as best you can . . . we're heading in . . . "
"So far so good," Jean spoke telepathically.
"No kidding," Iceman's thoughts replied.
Jean had psi-linked the group, meaning that, instead of speaking, they needed only speak in thought to each other. It was a bit of a task On top of her psi-masking the group from the bases' scanners and sensors. She wasn't sure how long she could keep it up, but knew she'd try her best.
The other members of the team were actually rather prepared for a mission like this. Wolverine's heightened senses gave him an advantage of detecting numerous traps. Iceman could shift his perception, allowing him to see things in temperatures, much like heat vision. Angel's eyes were incredibly keen. And Clark's X-Ray vision let him see exactly what the team would be walking into. Beast could provide them with any technical know-how they'd need while sneaking around, and Morph could change his shape to get inside just about anything.
"So what's our purpose again?" Morph thought.
"Find out all we can on these Sentinels," Clark replied. "Also, see if they have any files on us, the X-Men, or the Xavier Institute. Heck, mutants in general."
"And maybe anything on Weapon X," Jean replied.
"Weapon X?" Angel asked.
"It's something Logan told me about," she answered.
"Just somethin' I'm interested in, Wings," Wolverine replied, uncomfortable with all the mind-speak.
"We'll get as much information as we can," Clark nodded. "Hank, you think you'll be able to deal with their computers?"
Hank nodded. "And anything I can't cover, I'd be willing to bet Jean would be able to help out with."
"Assuming I don't collapse from the strain anytime soon," she said.
"That'd be a bad thing," Iceman commented.
"Wait . . . here's something interesting," Clark said.
"What is it?" Hank asked.
"My vision's picked up something that looks like a prison cell," he continued. "One occupant . . . "
"Let's set him free," Iceman said.
"Whoa, let's not be stupid," Angel answered. "We don't know what he's in for."
"Let me try a mindscan," Jean said.
"Don't push yourself too hard, Red," Logan said.
"He's been here for a few years," Jean said, obviously straining. "Name of . . . Reed Richards."
Suddenly, the alarms started blaring.
"What the?" Morph asked.
"It's an intruder alert," Wolverine said.
"Jean must've pushed herself too hard," Clark said. "Jean, drop the shield and psi-link . . . no point to it anymore."
"We're soon to be surrounded by government troops," Beast commented.
"Okay," Clark said. He smashed a fist into the cell door, punching it open. The man inside was incredibly startled. "Here's the plan: Hank, Jean and Warren . . . find the computers, get whatever files you can. Take Richards here with you, keep him safe."
"And us?" Logan asked.
"The four of us are gonna draw their attention," Clark said. "Cover 'em, draw all the troops to us . . . but please, no killing."
"We'll see," Wolverine said, his Adamantium claws popping out of his hands from casings in his arms.
"Go," Superman ordered.
"What's going on?" Richards asked.
"No time to explain," Hank said, picking up the older scientist. "We're moving!"
Soon, the X-Men were down to four.
"If there's gonna be a fight, we could use more room to maneuver," Iceman said.
"Right," Clark nodded. He fired up his heat vision and blasted a hole in the wall to his right. He blasted through a few more walls, then flew through. Morph, Iceman and Wolverine followed.
"Great googly moogly," Morph said as he entered their new destination. It was a large chamber filled with powerless Sentinels. The chamber went down several hundred feet, and was filled with dozens of giant Sentinels.
"Think maybe we're in over our heads?" Bobby asked.
"Nah," Logan said. "Haven't met a metal yet that these claws o' mine can't cut."
"There they are!" a voice yelled.
"Here they come," Clark said. "Get ready . . . "
"Here's a computer access station," Hank said. He began typing away.
"How're you doing, Jean?" Warren asked.
"It's easier to just mask the three--four of us," she said. "We'll be okay for a little while, anyway."
"Who are you people?" Richards asked.
"We're the X-Men," Angel answered.
"Mutants? Oh god . . . I'm so sorry . . . they made me do it, I swear . . . please, you must believe me."
"What's he talking about?" Angel asked.
Jean did a mind scan. "The government's been forcing him to create mutant locating, tracking and exterminating devices, as well as power dampeners and negators."
"I just downloaded that," Hank said, busily at work. "These things seem pretty powerful . . . "
"And highly adaptive," Richards said. "God . . . it's been so long since I've left that cell . . . I want to be free, but . . . for what I've done . . . "
"Explain?" Angel asked Jean.
"He stole a space shuttle and went into space . . . got hit by radiation," she answered. "Believes himself responsible for the deaths of three others . . . his fiancé, her brother, and his best friend. Hmmm . . . "
"What?" he asked.
"Mister Richards, I may have some startling information for you . . . I'm detecting those three people's thought patterns in this very complex."
Iceman unleashed a wave of cold, trapping the charging troops in a block of ice. As troops charged from the other side, Morph and Wolverine leapt into the fray, attacking with giant fists and sharp claws.
"This seems a little easy," Superman said.
"I'm sure if we give them enough time it'll get plenty difficult," Bobby answered.
"No, there's something else . . . " he stopped. His eyes went wide. "Bobby! The Sentinels . . . they're powering up!"
"Oh no . . . " Bobby said. "Oh sh--"
The four raced down another hallway, Hank content with the information he was able to download.
"These three chambers," Jean said. "I'm detecting the occupants to be Susan Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm. Each believes the other three dead."
"Impossible," Reed gaped.
A telekinetic punch from Jean was able to smash open the doors. Their occupants came out slowly.
"What's going on?" Susan asked. "Reed? Johnny?"
"Oh my God," Reed said. "You're alive. But Ben . . . where's Ben?"
"I'm . . . I'm here," he said. From the third cell emerged a large figure covered in orange rock.
"B-Ben . . . ?" Reed asked.
"Whoa," Angel said.
"Jean?" Hank asked. "Though it's great that we're freeing these people, we need to move quickly. We should get out of here and rendezvous with the rest of the team."
"Right," Jean said. A telepathic suggestion was all that it took to put the four prisoners to sleep. "I can telekinetically carry them up and out. And if they're sleep, there'll be fewer emotional problems to worry about. Ground floor, anyone?"
Another full-powered telekinetic punch, this time straight up, cleared a pathway to the night sky. Angel flew up, carrying Hank, while Jean telekinetically lifted herself and the other four to safety.
"Meet back at the rendezvous point," Warren said. "We'll wait for the others there, or try to contact them."
"Time t'move fast," Clark said. He flew at the Sentinel closest to him, and smashed it's face with his fist, using his super strength to cause massive damage instantly. "We need to take them down before they become fully operational! Who knows what they're capable of?"
Too late. A sentinel sent a large energy blast towards Iceman, destroying the ledge he was standing on and sending him falling down the few hundred feet.
Wolverine leapt down, grabbed hold of Bobby with his right arm, then popped the claws on his left. He slammed his arm into the wall, skidding quickly, then slowly, and eventually stopping.
"Whoa," Bobby said. "You saved my life."
"Yup," Logan answered.
"Whoa."
Up above, Clark kept up his assault. Morph did his best, turning his arms into sharp blades and cutting away, but he could only do minor damage.
"I bet Wolverine would make this look cool," he complained to himself.
"I'm getting a telepathic signal from Jean," Clark said. "She says they're out . . . let's get moving!"
"You okay, kid?" Logan asked.
"Yeah," Bobby said, creating an ice ledge for them to stand on. "I was just dazzled earlier."
"Well, you heard the 'boss'," Logan said. "We're cutting out. But first, let's say you drop the temperature in here a couple hundred degrees or so? Make these Sentinels so much scrap metal."
"No problem," Iceman smiled. "I'll turn this place into a popsicle stand . . . and then we can blow it!"
The X-Men had returned to their current home.
"So, let's break it all down," Clark said. "The government captives?"
"I was able to get the four of them to a hospital my family owns," Warren said. "They'll be given the best treatment . . . once they've been given looked over, we'll take it from there."
"The information?" Clark asked.
"I got plenty on Sentinels," Hank said. "Design, operation, performance evaluations . . . plenty to study. Didn't find anything on Weapon X, though . . . sorry."
"S'okay," Logan replied.
"Sentinel status," Clark said.
"The kid froze those tin cans colder'n anything you could imagine," Logan answered, referring to Iceman. Bobby smiled in appreciation.
Clark nodded. "All in all, this was a decently successful mission. Good work, team."
Team, huh? Logan thought. Maybe this ain't such a bad idea . . .
"Definitely some good work," Warren said. "And for that, we deserve something. Anyone interested in seeing our new home . . . ?"
Lex Luthor picked up the phone in his darkened office. "Luthor," he said.
"This is Gyrich," the voice on the other end replied. "There have been . . . complications with Wideawake."
"What sort of complications?"
"Do you remember when we briefed you about the 'X-Men'?"
"Of course. Outlaw band of mutants."
"Well, it seems that they broke into an installation in upstate New York. They 'rescued' a few prisoners."
"Dr. Richards, I presume?"
"Unfortunately."
Lex sighed. "Oh, well. It was inevitable, I guess. Still, we have enough of Richards' work to continue. Besides, it's not like they destroyed all of the Sentinels."
"They did do quite a bit of damage, however . . . "
"A minor setback. You'll simply regroup, and then come back later for the X-Men. Catch them with their guard down."
"But if the rescue goes public, as it probably will, then we're dealing with the possible repeal of the Mutant Registration Act."
"Like I ever let the law get in my way before. I trust that you'll have everything under control."
With that, Luthor hung up.