Lay Down This Armour.

Nine

Tony was not happy. That little mouse that called himself Everett Ross was really pushing his buttons.
' You need an expert evaluation of your x-gene power, Stark.'
What the hell for? He knew what he could do with it and seeing Professor Xavier was not going to change that. That also brought up another issue. After having Wanda poke around his mind before Ultron and HYDRA basically dismantling it, he was not enthusiastic about being in the same vicinity as the strongest telepath. So he was in a black mood as he drove to the Xavier mansion. What could Xavier possibly want with him to agree to Ross' request. He would have to see. He found his car at the gate in no time. The automated gate opened. He raised his eyebrows. Either they knew it was him or they were awfully trusting for a group that was always at risk. He drove through the enormous driveway and, looky here, a welcoming committee stood waiting for him. A resounding headache started pounding at his head. He swore as he knew that it was his mind roomie who was gunning to get out. He was in no mood to deal with mental tizzy being thrown in his head. This was not the day to antagonise people by trying to kill them. He stopped his car in front of Xavier and his lackies. He slid his aviators over his eyes.
' Friday, you know the way home. Drive carefully will you?'
' I am forever careful on the road sir,' the irish lilt held a mischievous tone.
' A lie if I ever heard one,' he grumbled as he stepped out of the car. The driver's window whirred as it closed before the car started around the driveway to the gate.
' Your car is driving away,' the guy he knew as Scott stated the obvious.
' It knows its way home. I don't need it to get back,' he said.
Most of the group just stared. Xavier laughed softly from his wheelchair, which immediately drew Tony's engineering eye. He shook himself out of the mindset.
' Mr Stark. I finally have the pleasure of meeting the single biggest benefactor of the school. I hope the drive over was okay,' offering his hand.
'I wish we could have met in different circumstances. What can I say, children need to learn. Besides anything that makes Howard roll in his grave, I am game. And funding mutants definitely has him doing somersaults,'
' Isn't that your dead father?' the one called Storm asked.
' Yes, he was known to have sired me,' tone dripping with promise of a major family disfunction story that got the mutants curious, all except Xavier.
' Ah yes. I had the chance to meet him once. I can surely say I have seen more friendliness come from a rock,'
' So you have been busy these past few years,' the famously prickly one he definitely knew to be Wolverine spoke rather rudely. He was waiting for this, but he definitely was not ready for it.
'Logan,' Jean, the quiet red head admonished him.
' Its the truth ain't it. Standing here talking to a threat to the children like he is the milkman is rather disturbing,' he growled.
' I am sure if I should...lose the front seat of my mind you can handle me, Logan, is it,' Tony drawled.
' Its Wolverine to you,'
' And I don't care,' he smiled,' I did not ask to be here and I sure as hell did not invite myself so throwing a hissy at me is really a waste of my time and yours,' he clenched his left hand which was covered by a long sleeved casual sweater and glove that were not characteristic of him.
'If you don't want to be here scram, bub,'
' Believe me I would definitely want to be anywhere but here, but unlike you, I know that there are things I have to suck up and deal,' the headache was getting worse. Dammit, not the time to have the red peril come out.
' So much for being a mutant lover,' Logan smirked mockingly.
' Its not an affront to everyone here. I just have difficulty being around people with mental abilities. I can barely refrain from strangling the one I live with on a bad day. No offence Professor. Just bad experiences,'
' So what do you call your abilities?'
' How about I show you what I call them with a little taste of the beautiful weaponry calling to me underneath your grounds. God knows I want to give you a taste of it,' he said as he ripped the aviators from his face, revealing his glowing eyes. His patience was almost paper thin now. A small shred and he would tear all the way through.
'Logan, enough. He is a guest, not the enemy,'
Tony pressed a palm on his forehead.
' Are you alright Mr Stark?' Xavier asked in concern.
' I just need a moment. Someone is really trying to break free,'
The group had an idea what he was talking about.
'Why don't you let him free. I have to talk to him as well at any point and I think you would feel better if I am surrounded by people who can subdue him,'
' How about we not do that. I don't want to come to spotting bruises,'
' The impression I get from him is not to harm, Mr Stark. Just let go and I promise no harm will come to us,'
Tony relented begrudgingly.
Okay, you twit. Have at it.
The 180 change in the man was a fascinating sight to the group, more so to Xavier. It was terrifying to see how the person in front of them was another persona altogether from the one they had been talking to a moment ago. His body relaxed, like a predator lounging, but always alert and ready to attack. The blue eyes became dull and empty. He settled in to a relaxed parade position. He looked down at Xavier. The Professor internally was having a moment of wonder. This was by far the most complex mind he would have the chance to study.
' Professor. I assure you that none of you are targets. I only wish to tell you of something I have not allowed him to know which concerns our abilities,' the tone almost robotic.
' And what would that be?'
' There is another ability which I made sure the handlers did not discover. The technopathy was difficult to suppress so nothing could be helped on that front. But if they had knowledge of the second one, coupled with the technopathy, they would have made us wreak more havoc,'
' What is it?'
Suddenly, blue streams of information burst in front of their eyes. It looked like different kinds of data.
' Its a strong affinity to electricity. I had time to explore it in between solo missions to determine its strength. I can manipulate electric currents in the air and any other source. I can manipulate the weather to a degree. Preferably storms. I can manipulate electrons in human bodies and thereby influence neurons and their interaction with the brain. I am essentially a conduit for electric currents. Huge amounts would have to be grounded or they could cause me to go supernova if too much is held. I am sure you can get the picture of why this was, is hidden,'
Yes, quite. From what you say, I can easily say that is a level six ability. In addition to the level five technopathy, you might arguably be the most powerful mutant living,'
' Tell that to his killer half will you,' Logan grumbled. Mechanic looked at the grouchy mutant.
' I might have been born of pain and destruction, Mr Howlette, but as my other half tried to put it not so eloquently, I do not care for harm without cause. I am all too aware of the dangers of power weilded wrongly and do not wish to do such again,' politely,' So it would be much appreciated if you would drop the prickly attitude. It is unbecoming and frankly, annoying to listen to your paranoia and lack of any sense of manners,' calmly.
Scott outright laughed at the chastisement that was so reminiscent of Xavier's gentlemanly manners.
' I can't believe you just got schooled thoroughly Logan. I wish we could keep him,' as he guffawed. Logan just turned and went into the mansion. Xavier smiled lightly.
' I believe we have had you standing here for too long. Please follow us in and we may begin. I think I will talk to you first before I talk with Tony,'

Tony and Professor Xavier and the four mutants, Tony now surmised to be his most trusted, walked out of the mansion. Xavier's session with Tony had lasted three hours. They had mostly gotten to know each other and sorted out their weekly schedule. Tony had been wary of the older man at first, but he found himself relaxing into his presence. There was something about him that elicited comfort and an urge to trust. Maybe Tony's daddy issues made him want to seek out fatherely figures. He wasn't sure if that was the case, but he knew he would figure it out eventually. He turned to the group as he wore his aviators.
' I didn't think I would say this, but it was a pleasure...mostly,' tilting his head meaningfully to Logan, who growled lowly. Tony only smirked at him.
' Don't worry buddy. You don't scare me. I know a much scarier and greener guy and I happen to be his friend. Your bark, is nothing to what I have faced before,' voice deceptively sweet. He turned to the Professor,' I love your chair. If you ever need a few more functions added to it, think of me. Would love to take a looksy,' voice now genuine.
' I will keep that in mind, Anthony,' he laughed.
' Ororo, Jean, Scott, a pleasure,' he nodded to them.
'It was all ours, Tony. Don't be a stranger when you come around,' Storm smiled.
He pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a vest that allowed his retracted to spread without ripping the vest. The wings were plastered to his back over the vest in their steely magnificence. The adamantium arm was now revealed to them. Xavier understood why he covered it. For such a public figure, the arm would scare people. The group suppressed a wince at the scarring were metal met flesh at the shoulder. His wings then spread and he raised himself off the ground.
'Well, this was nice,' while he hovered,' Till next time, folks,' before flying off high into the sky.
' I am glad they managed to get him back. He is a weapon in the wrong hands,' Jean said.
' I like him. When is he coming back?
' Next week Tuesday,' Xavier answered.
' Do you think you could eventually get him to guest teach a few times?' Storm asked the Professor.
' I even hope that with time he could become part of the X men,' he said quietly.
' We don't need him,' Logan scoffed.
' Logan, that is one of the most brilliant minds of the century and it has helped conquer alien attacks the likes of which none of you have ever faced. Let us not forget his abilities which are unparallelled. With time, he will probably be able to manipulate other people's abilities. There is no data he won't be able to access. With that, no enemy would be able to sneak up on him. He will be able to weild electric currents like a weapon. And we shan't forget the adamantium vertebrae he has,'
The group was shocked at the last detail.
'Adamantium. Like Logan?' Scott asked quietly.
' Yes. The serum and the gene worked most intriguingly in his body. So tell me Logan, would it not be an advantage to have him protect the children against the Brotherhood?'
Logan did not respond, but the grudging acceptance was there.