X-MEN : 103

"Recruitment, Part V"

The Uncanny X-Men - Chapter 08 "RECRUITMENT, PART 5"
by Stephen R. Sobotka / 2006-2012 ©

DISCLAIMER : This work is a fan fiction, based on characters and situations from the MARVEL Comics Series "X-MEN". All Characters within - with exception to the ones created by the author - are the ™ and Copyright of said licensees, and are used here without their permission. This is done without intent to gain payment or money of any kind. Please Do Not Sue.

AUTHOR'S NOTE : This story, and all subsequent chapters to follow, are part of a tribute to one of the unsung greats of Marvel - the late Dave Cockrum; one of the instrumental team members who was responsible for the reboot of the X-Men back in the 1970's. The work he did, beginning with "Giant-Sized X-Men #1" was key to the genesis of this entire effort.

As such, this version of the Marvel Universe is a different take on what's been established before. Be aware, there are some major changes and differences ahead.

Enjoy! - SRS

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oooOOOooo

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RECRUITMENT, PART V

Inside the Theatinerkirche,
Munich, Germany . . . .

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Staring up at the trio of Tessa, Henry McCoy and Ororo Munroe, the blue-skinned young man blinked, trying for the umpteenth time to absorb all they were trying to tell him. "So, then . . . you are telling me, there ist someone, somewhere, that can accept the way I look?"

Standing near one of the church's pews, where they'd moved the robed mutant teleporter after helping up from the stone floor, Tessa said, "Professor Xavier has a school, where people of all sorts are accepted . . . if only for the unique abilities they possess." She nodded towards Henry. "Henry was one of Xavier's first students, and only became as he is just recently."

"An accident caused in part my transformation into this form, that I've learned to accept, my young friend." Henry said.

Nodding, Kurt Wagner looked at Ororo, then back to Tessa. "Why did this Professor, send you to find me, Frauline?"

"Because your abilities could be made useful, not just to yourself but to mankind as well." Tessa said.

"I, do not think-." Kurt cut himself off, staring hard at the dark-haired woman. "What use could anyone find for these . . . gifts, you claim that I possess?"

"I shall explain, Kurt. Professor Xavier has a belief, that mutants can all learn to use their abilities as a benefit, not a hindrance or as a threat to themselves or to mankind in general. To this end, he had founded a team of young people - all mutants - who worked to stop threats and dangers alike, while in pursuit of his overall goal of peace for all who live in this world."

Kurt nodded. "I see . . . but, why look for me, if this 'team' is-?"

"Sadly, the original team is no more." Henry said somberly. "My friends were all lost, during a mission to investigate what we thought was another mutant." He briefly told Kurt of the remaining facts of that ill-fated mission.

"After suffering that loss, the Professor has begun searching for new mutants, to rebuild a new team," Tessa said. She looked at Ororo. "Ororo is but one of the first we have contacted and recruited." She turned back to Kurt and added, "We hope that you might also join us."

Kurt looked away, shuddering briefly before saying, "It is . . . my own wish, to be accepted for who I am, but . . . must I do this by joining your Professor's team, and risk my own life as well, Frauline?"

Ororo put a hand on Tessa's shoulder, keeping her from replying. "Sage, let me speak to him." When Tessa nodded, she faced Kurt and said, "I understand your fear, Kurt Wagner. It is a hard thing to decide; to put oneself in possible danger, when it can be more compelling to remain where you are most safe. I too, had a home where there was nothing I could not handle; no danger that I had not yet faced." She smiled gently. "Yet, I came to believe what these two - what Professor Xavier offers - has a much richer reward, for all the danger it may place before me. I left my own home to join these people, in making a dream of a world where people like us, can be accepted without being feared, hated or reviled."

"I believe Ororo, that you are at the root of our young friend's worry, here." Henry said. "Fear of the unknown . . . what may or may not happen, if he was to leave this place. Is that not so, Kurt?"

Kurt, silent during Ororo's pontification, sighed deeply and nodded. "Ja, mein friend. You are right. I fear greatly what I cannot see or know what is beyond these walls, this city . . . ."

"There is nothing so terrible that you can fear, if you face it with others . . . with friends." Henry offered. "After all, we X-Men look out for each other."

"X-Men?"

"It is the moniker that our founder, Professor Xavier gave us," Tessa said.

"And, this Heir Xavier-?"

"Is trying to forge a better future, for all mutants and humanity alike," Henry said. "His institute is meant as a haven for mutants who - for the better part of things - need to learn to better control or use their gifts and abilities."

"It is also a place where young mutants may learn and gain a better understanding of the world around them." Tessa said. "If you come with us. You will be treated fairly and given the time and means to fully explore your mutancy. Safe from any who would demonize you, or try to do you harm."

"For the obvious reasons, clearly." Henry said, pointing to his own furry face and then nodding at Kurt.

Kurt was silent for a few moments more, then he slowly rose to his feet. "Ist . . . is this, place you speak of? Is it far from this city?"

"In America." Tessa said.

"Ah, Ja wohl . . . I see." He closed his eyes for a brief moment, then he looked at Ororo with a firm countenance. "You willingly go with them and have no regrets . . . for the people you have left behind?"

"None, though I do admit I shall miss my homeland." Ororo answered. "Yet, I do look forward to the challenge ahead of myself, and my new friends."

Kurt nodded, then he turned away to look up at the framed, stained-glass artwork in the high windows above them. "All my life . . . I believed I was nothing more than a monster; cursed, because of something . . . that happened when I was still small." He turned to looked at the trio and continued, saying, "My foster family . . . they did all they could to help me better understand that, all things happen for a reason. Mortal men may never know, but . . . perhaps, God himself may be the only one who can answer the question of one's existence in this world." He sighed deeply. "I've been seeking answers all my life. Perhaps, this is just another . . . dare I say? An opportunity, to find them?"

"Perhaps, but you will only know for certain, if you have the courage to try?" Ororo said.

"I cannot make you any promises, Kurt," Tessa said solemnly. "Only that you will not have to run any more, if you are willing to come and be a part of the Professor's dream."

Kurt looked to Henry, who nodded in accordance with Ororo and Tessa's words. "Well then, I cannot be worse off, than I already am, mein friends." He nodded, and smiled - revealing four sharp fangs in his dark-furred face - before saying, "Cher guit. I shall go with you."

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oooOOOooo

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The Hangar Deck, Below Ground,
Xavier's Institute for Gifted Students,
Salem Center, Westchester County, New York . . .

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With a hsssh! of hydraulics and compressed air, the rear hatchway lowered until it dropped down to touch the metal and rubberized deck beneath Blackbird-One. Coming down the ramp, Professor Xavier's wheelchair preceded the remaining foursome on board.

However, it was only two of the adults and one of the teenagers who were able to follow under the own power.

"Take her to the Medical Wing," Charles said. His tone hardly shifted as he turned to watch Moira McTaggart and Logan carry the unconscious form of Kitty Pryde down the ramp. "We can make certain of her status there."

"Aye," Moira said. "Though I'm fair certain th' chield is fine," she added, casting a concerned look at Marie - who was trailing several paces behind them all, looking as pale as a ghost while she wrung both of her hands in concern. "C'mon, Logan. We best be quick."

The stocky Canadian cast a glance back at the Southern girl, then to Charles. "You gonna be okay on this end, Chuck?"

Charles said, "I'll be fine. Just help Moira see to Kitty." He watched as the others left the hangar, then he turned to face Marie. "Now then. I only want to hear what happened before we were about to land." He calmly looked up into her face, and added, "There's no reason to fear. Though I sense something like this has happened before?"

Marie was now hugging herself, looking away guiltily, before she turned back to Charles saying, "Yeah . . . but, ya gotta believe me, sir! I didn't mean'ta hurt her. Honest!"

Charles reached out with one hand, but his voice was the only thing to reach though Marie's growing sense of panic. "Calmly, Marie, calmly now . . . just, tell me what happened in the Blackbird first."

Drawing in a deep breath, Marie nodded and began to talk. "Well . . . I was just lookin' through somethin' in th' pocket in the seat, in front of me, y'know? I found somethin' that looked like a folder - full o' safety cards an' junk, like on a commercial jet?" She paused, and when Charles nodded, she continued. "Anyway, Kitty . . . she, well, leaned over to look at what I had, an' then she reached out t' take one from me-." She stopped and hugged herself tighter. "I tried t'pull back, before she could touch me, I swear! I tried tellin' her t'stop, but . . . b-but-!"

"It was too late then?" Charles said without callousness or ire. "This then has something to do with your mutancy, child?"

Marie nodded several times. "It's like what happened before . . . back in mah hometown." She shivered. "Ah don'know when it started, but the first time it evah happened was when I was at a school party." She dropped to a crouch on the hangar deck, wrapping her arms now around her knees as she continued. "There was this . . . boy, named Cody. He, well, took a shine t'me a couple o' months before that night. I, uh . . . liked him back, but, we never got th' chance to be close or nothin'."

"I see. So, what happened then was similar to what happened with Kitty?"

Rogue shook her head, then nodded once. "Well, not exactly. Cody decided . . . aw, hell! All he wanted t'do was kiss me! So, I let him . . . an' the second we touched, I got this all ovah rush, an' then it was like . . . I could see mem'ries, in mah head, but they weren't mine! They were all about Cody. Catchin' the winnin' pass at th' big game, having dinner with his folks-!" She cut herself off and hitched her shoulders, suppressing a soft sound in her throat. "The next thang I knew, Cody was lyin' on th' ground, twitchin' like he was goin' through a fit or seizure! I just screamed . . . an' ran off. I never looked back, even to see what happened."

Charles nodded, nudging the controls of his wheelchair to bring himself closer to Marie. "I see . . . and now it makes some sense what happened to Cody and Kitty are both a result of your abilities." He cocked his head and added, "It's . . . disconcerting, yet fascinating as well."

Marie looked up at him. "Well, I don't think so! I found out later through mah folks that Cody's in th' hospital in a coma . . . doctor's never were sure when he'd come out o' it. But, evah since then, I just couldn't let people touch me. I didn't want th' same thing t'happen to anyone else!" She ducked her head. "Only now it's happened again!"

"Yes, but I'm certain the outcome will not be the same as what happened to your friend Cody," Charles said.

Marie looked back up at him. "Why's that, ya reckon?"

Charles said, "Because, I believe the reason lies in the fact Kitty is also a mutant." He looked away with a thoughtful expression. "Yes, after hearing your story about Cody, I'm certain of the outcome." He looked back at Marie, seeing the look of disbelief in her face. "You see, Marie, Cody was just a normal human being. He, according to you, had no mutant abilities or hidden powers . . . and, it appears that your mutancy can absorb the memories and vital force of humans. Which is what explains why you were able to view vivid memories of Cody's life, and why he was rendered into a comatose state."

Marie looked doubtful. "Well, then why's th' difference with Kitty?"

"I believe your ability to siphon off memories and energies is altered slightly when it comes in contact with another mutant. Because of her mutancy, you merely took a portion of Kitty's mutant ability and her memories, rather than draw off her vital energies instead." He added with a wry twist of his lips, "It's also what nearly caused you to fall through your seat, from the shock of when her hand touched yours. Out of reflex, you were able to access her ability of 'phasing', if only for a brief moment."

Marie nodded slowly, "Yeah . . . that, wasn't somethin' I expected t'happen."

"A good thing the effect was as brief as the moment of contact," Charles said with a touch of humor. "After all, you might have fallen completely through the bottom of the Blackbird."

Marie cringed.

Charles soothed her by saying, "But, you need not fear, Marie. I believe this little . . . accident, will be the starting point of working out a better means to understanding your mutancy. As to it's origin and the means to allow you better control over it."

Marie looked at him in surprise. "Control ovah-? You mean, I can . . . turn it off?"

"If we discover the means why it has remained active for this long, yes." Charles looked at her and pursed his lips. "However, knowing what effect it will have upon others means we must take some precautions with you, child." He turned his wheelchair away, and aimed it towards one of the walls on the other side of the hangar deck. "Come with me, please?"

Getting to her feet, Marie followed Charles up to where a row of eight, squat metal doors lined up on the wall before him. "What ya'll gonna do, Professor?"

Xavier reached out with his mind, telekinetically manipulating the control panel on one of the doors. "This is where I keep extra uniforms, Marie. Outfits and such that my X-Men wore when they were a-field, looking for other mutants." The door popped open, and Charles nodded after inspecting the contents inside. "Go on." he prompted, nodding for Marie to look inside as well. "These were made especially to act as protection from the environment, but . . . they might well allow you to insulate yourself from affecting others with your mutancy."

Marie drew out a couple of folded bundles; unfolding one into a long, full-body suit of clinging, flexible material that was colored in black with some gold-yellow pieces. "They . . . feel sorta funny. Like a wet suit mah uncle had once," she remarked. "He was a skin diver in th' Navy."

"They were meant for function and utilitarian purpose, Marie." Charles said. "Complete with boots, belt and gloves." He sighed a bit. "I had hoped that it would be a while, before I had to issue these to any who would join my new 'class' of mutants . . . but, with your situation-."

"It's sort o' necessary, huh?" Marie blew out her cheeks with a sigh. "Well, I cain't look any worse in it, than what th' girls back at th' Club wore." She looked at Charles with a slight blush. "Ah mean . . . well, some o' them wore a LOT less than these duds."

Charles smiled. "I would . . . imagine so." He turned and indicated the doorway nearby. "There's a small changing room, just beyond there. You can go in there and change, if you'd like to try one of these on. Most are fit for most body sizes and shapes."

Marie looked back at the locker for a moment, then, pulling out a pair of low-heeled boots and gloves, she said, "Well, ain't nothin' gained if it ain't ventured."

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oooOOOooo

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The Infirmary, Medical Bay,
Sub-Level Two, Beneath the Xavier's Institute . . .

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Kitty Pryde slowly felt herself coming back from the dark void she'd fallen into; feeling heavy against the pillow and mattress she found cradling her head and body. Wincing, she tried to lift herself, only to have someone press her back down with a firm yet gentle touch.

"Stay put, m'girl . . . I've only just gotten ye hooked up tae th' medical scanner, an' Aye don' want tae knock any o' th' connections loose."

Recognizing Dr. MacTaggart's voice, Kitty stopped moving. "Oh . . . okay. Umm, wha'happened to me?"

"From what I can tell, Kitty, somethin' t'do wi' Marie's mutancy knocked ye out cold f'r a bit."

Kitty frowned, then asked meekly, "Am . . . am I gonna be okay?"

There was silence for a few moments, then Moira sighed, "I'll know when th' scanner is finished, child."

From somewhere to her right, Kitty could hear a low growl. "Don't need a scanner t' tell me she's on the mend, Moira. Though now I get why th' girl - Marie - didn't want me touchin' her when I was tryin' t'get her out of that firetrap."

Kitty opened her eyes, blinking a bit as she focused on the faces of Logan and Dr. MacTaggart, who leaned across her to check one of the bed-side monitors briefly before looking down into Kitty's face. "Do ye feel any thing is wrong, Kitty?"

Kitty shook her head. "No . . . just, I feel drained, is all."

"Weel," Dr. MacTaggart said, "apart from that, ye seem okay f'r th' nonce. At least, that's what th' scanner's say. I'll keep ye here f'r a wee longer, just t'make certain." She looked to Logan. "P'raps ye better go and let Charles know she's in no danger, Logan."

Logan nodded. He started to turn away to head for the exit, when a mental voice spoke to him, Dr. MacTaggart and Kitty all at once: Logan, Moira . . . when you can, join me in the lounge in the mansion-proper. Henry and Tessa have returned, and . . . they have some extra guests with them.

Dr. MacTaggart replied aloud and internally; "Aye, Charles." She nodded to Logan. "Best go ahead, mon. I'll be up shortly."

"Okay, Doc." Logan looked at Kitty and gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't fret, kid. Yer in good hands here. Get yerself back t'rights, an' we'll get you up to speed later, 'kay?"

Kitty nodded. "Sure thing, Mr. Logan."

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oooOOOooo

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The Main Lounge, Mansion's Ground Floor,
Xavier's Institute for Gifted Students,
Salem Center, Westchester County, New York . . .

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Logan stepped through the open doorway to the lounge, pausing when he took notice that Charles and Marie weren't alone. "Well, when you said we'd be havin' extra company, Chuck, I wasn't expectin' this." He took note of each member of the group - two dark furred men, one larger than the other; a tall black woman with white hair, next to a very tall younger man with hard, chiseled features and a shorter, dark-haired woman in skin-tight leather clothing and an overcoat.

"Logan, I've only just been introduced to some of our new arrivals," Charles said. Nodding to each in turn, he said, "Let me introduce you to Ororo Munroe, Kurt Wagner and Piotr Rasputin. The others are two of my current . . . surviving students; Henry McCoy and Tessa."

Logan nodded to each in turn - his eyes lingering a bit over Ororo and Tessa, before narrowing at Kurt's appearance - before he said, "Please t'meet ya." He looked to where Marie was standing, his eyes widening at the look of the form-fitting outfit she now wore, before saying, "Doc's still runnin' tests, but looks like Kitty's gonna be okay, kiddo."

Marie breathed a sigh of relief, hugging herself as she said, "Thank God! Can I go see her? I gotta apologize-."

"You'll have time after we're finished here, Marie," Charles said, giving her a reassuring look, before he turned to face the others. "Well, since we have everyone together - with Kitty and Moira the exceptions - I guess it would be best to start things off with . . . well, with an explanation of what I am trying to do here at my school." He paused when he saw Kurt flinch. "Kurt, is there something wrong?"

"Forgive me, Heir Professor," Kurt said, giving Tessa a quick glance, "but . . . I was told that this was an institution?"

Charles nodded. "It is, after a fashion. However, for the most part this is an institution where I work to help other mutants to understand and control the abilities, and what effects that come with each individual's mutancy." He smiled. "In a way, I find that using an educational base is often a good platform to aid in that mission."

"Ah, I see," Kurt said.

"So," Ororo spoke up, "what exactly is expected of us, Professor? Are we simply to learn from you while we stay here?"

"In part yes, though overall I am hoping that you will aid me further in my far-reaching goals," Charles said. "You see, I have found it a universal fact . . . that humanity at large is, well, afraid of what we as mutants possess. Powers that some cannot even begin to comprehend. Abilities that put us somewhat above the norm, for what most people expect and understand." He paused, looking at each one of them in turn. "It is my hope that, through your help and assistance, that I might be able to put humanity at ease. To show them there is no need to fear us, to help grow acceptance of all mutants; no matter what powers, abilities or appearances they may possess."

A soft rumble of a throat clearing got everyone's attention, as the tall young man named Piotr spoke. "So, it is for us to help you, Professor . . . by being part of this school, and of this 'team' Mister McCoy spoke of?"

"Yes, that is part of what I hope to do, Piotr," Charles said.

"Does not sound promising, forgive me, Professor," Piotr said, frowning. "To consider what has been told of your first class, da?"

That question drew shocked looks from Ororo and Kurt, and caused expressions of concern on Henry and Marie's faces. Tessa remained passive as ever, but Logan looked darkly in Piotr's direction.

Charles expression fell briefly, but he shook himself and nodded. "I will not make you any promises, Mister Rasputin. My X-Men team was formed, when I saw that there was a need for . . . for helping people. Abilities such as ours could always be used for the greater good. To stop disasters. Save lives in danger."

"But, is true it will also be our lives in danger as well?" Piotr asked.

At that, Logan cleared his throat and said, "Look, kid. Life's always gonna be a risk, no matter how ya slice it. Are you sayin' ya ain't up for th' task?"

Charles shot Logan a hard look. "Logan-."

"Butt out fer a sec, Chuck. Question's as valid as his." Logan stepped up to where the tall Russian was, glaring up at him. "Face it, Ruskie, we ain't exactly formin' a tea an' doily circle here. Chuck needs people who can stand up to th' task an' stick with it to th' bitter end." He reached out and jabbed a finger into the tall, dark-haired man's chest. "You got that sorta moxie, kid?"

Staring down at the shorter Canadian, Piotr said, "I live in Siberia all my life, where work was hard and living just as much." He slowly crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Logan. "Not once have I ever shirked responsibility, nor left my family when the need was there. If asked, I would do all that I could to help those in need."

Logan nodded. "But, do ya got the guts to stick with it, when it gets all ugly? An' I mean blood-an'-guts ugly, kid."

Before Logan had realized it, Piotr had reached out and snagged him by the neck, lifting him bodily off his feet and up into the air. Out of reflex, Logan kicked out towards the big Russian's body, only to shout in surprise when his boot-clad foot clanged off of something metallic.

Reacting with varying degrees of alarm, everyone else watched as a silvery, metallic sheen began creeping over the exposed flesh of Piotr's arms and chest. In moments, it appeared that his skin and hair had become something like solid metal. Much to Logan's own surprise, when the metallic transformation was complete, he found that Piotr's grip around his throat felt nigh-unbreakable.

Glaring harshly, Piotr said, "I am Piotr Nikolaievitch Rasputin. I do not run from that which threatens my family. Nor will I run from anything that threatens those I would call 'friend'." His hand visibly tightened around Logan's throat. "I also will not turn away from arrogant, Americans who question my courage."

Dragging air through his restricted windpipe, Logan croaked, "I . . . gotcha, but . . . I'm Canadian!"

At that point, Charles spoke up. "That is enough, Peter! Let Logan go at once!"

Piotr shot Charles a quick glance, before he returned his eyes to Logan. "He insults my courage, Professor. I can not allow it."

Charles softened his tone, but his words were as firm as iron as he said, "Yes, but I need Logan's own . . . unique skills, Piotr. Logan will apologize, but I need you to release him, so that he may do so, at once."

Piotr held his gaze on Logan for a moment more, then without warning he opened his hand and dropped him unceremoniously onto the floor. Logan hit the carpet with a thud, before rolling up onto his feet and extending his claws with a snarl, clearly intending to launch himself at the metal-clad youth. Piotr raised both of his fists, clearly ready to meet whatever Logan was about to toss at him.

"That is ENOUGH!" Charles' voice was reinforced with a mental 'shout'; both of which brought both men to a standstill. "Both of you, stand down at once!"

Both Logan and Piotr didn't reply, nor did they let their heated gazes come away from each other . . . until Charles moved his wheelchair in between them and the air between both men became filled with the intense energy of psionic force.

"This sort of blind, misguided aggression is not needed, nor will I tolerate it while you are under my care." Looking from one to the other, Charles said, "Logan, while I admit I need you, what I do not need is you goading any of my students into unnecessary displays of force. You are experienced, and I need that and leadership to help form my new team, but you will keep your temper in check . . . or else. Do I make myself clear?"

Logan continued to stare up at Piotr, but his body grew less tense and his claws retracted slowy into his arms. "Sure, Chuck. I get ya."

Charles turned to Piotr with equal sternness. "As such, Mr. Rasputin, no one is going to call you out for being a coward. You clearly are an honorable man, and I respect that and need such traits in my students. However, as much as Logan shall curb his temper, I expect you to do the same where your 'honor' is concerned. Is this clear?"

Piotr glared at Logan for a moment more, but then he turned his eyes to the Professor and nodded; his body reverting to normal flesh and bone as his mutancy was deactivated. "Da, Professor Xavier," he said, his cheeks coloring as he clearly showed his shame. "I . . . I am sorry. I should not lose control, like that."

Still firm in posture, but allowing his tone to soften a bit, Charles said, "You are human, after all, Piotr. That is what makes the difference in the end." Turning back to the others, Charles said with a rueful smile, "For all we come from different countries and backgrounds, we are all here for a common cause. To work together. Learn from each other, and work towards a future in which that which makes us different, can someday be tolerated and accepted by everyone. Human and mutant alike."

"It is . . . it sounds like a worthwhile cause, mein heir," Kurt said.

"Indeed," Ororo said. "Though I feel there is much risk in what you are attempting, Professor."

"There is, Miss Munroe," Xavier said, his face taking on a brief pained expression, before shaking it off. "However, my prior students all believed the risks were worth taking, if only to see the ends of the means come to pass." He looked at each young person in turn. "A world were all are accepted, without fear of persecution," he said, nodding to Kurt. "Where we can strive for a better life, for those we care for." At this, he looked pointedly at Piotr, who grunted softly in accord. "My students sacrificed much," he said, looking to Henry and Tessa. "But, I believed in their potential . . . and I will do the same here, with you." He smiled at Marie, before adding, "Because I know that I cannot let the dream - my dream, yours, and theirs - die without making the ultimate effort to try."

Henry said, "For them, and for ourselves, we cannot do anything less."

Tessa nodded, "Agreed."

"Ja, Heir Professor," Kurt said, looking less fearful than he did moments ago. "I will do this, and help you with your work here."

Marie said, "After all, I ain't got nowhere else t'go . . . besides, what more have we got t'lose?" This she said, looking up at Piotr.

The tall Russian crossed his arms over his chest, before sighing and saying, "Forgive me, for I am pessimist." He shrugged, then cracked a crooked smile. "Is Russian tradition. But, I will join you, Professor. If only for the sake of my family and their future."

Logan nodded, before saying, "Looks like ya got an accord, Chuck."

Charles smiled and gestured to every one of them as a group. "Then, with that said, I welcome you all as my students, and as the core members of my new team of X-Men."

Tessa said, "You said core members, Professor. Does that mean we're not finished recruiting?"

Charles replied, "Oh, we're finished for the time being, Tessa. However, I must say that there is always a possibility for us to accept more new people into our 'class', as it were." He nodded more to himself than for everyone's benefit. "After all, one cannot predict what will happen in the near-future . . . ."

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To Be Continued...