GhostWatch (FF)

Chapter 21

Charles sighed as he sat up on his bed. He turned and noticed the bed was empty until yesterday came racing back to him.

'I think I'll go somewhere and clear my mind too.' Charles thought as he stood up and headed to the shower. He came out feeling slightly better as he dried himself and put some hiking clothes on.

"Might need some protecting, just in case of Talon." He said lightly as he put on his gear. He left and headed to the hangar and noticed Hana working on her MEKA. Hearing the shuffling feet of someone, Hana glanced behind her to see Charles walking to a dropship.

"Morning Charlie, you're not having breakfast?" She asked, ripping him from his thoughts. He looked at her and smiled.

"Not hungry, I'm going out hiking. I'll be back soon." He informed her as he boarded the ship and set in coordinates. Hana watched the ship levitate and take off as she tossed her wrench on the ground.

"Stay safe dork." She said before heading to the mess hall. On the ship, Charles sat on the chair as he watched the clouds go by.

"Charlie? What are you doing?" The voice of Julie said over the comms. "I'm just going out for a few. I'll be back mom." He replied.

"Okay, just be safe. I love you." She said before comms went dark. "Athena." Charles said. "What is it Charlie?" The AI asked.

"Cloak this ship, I don't want them following us." He ordered. "Okay, but are you sure?" Athena hesitantly replied.

"I'm sure of it Athena, besides I can take care of myself. You've seen to that before." Charles said with a smile.

[Spoiler: If you have not watch Logan, do not read this part.]

"I can't argue with that, just be safe." Athena said as the dropship landed in a forested area. "May I ask, where we are?" Athena asked.

"North Dakota, just something I want to clarify. After sightings of new mutants, I decided to check it out. When I was still trying to stop the Rider from taking over me, when I had some control. I went to a string of coordinate, believe it or not, from a comic book I read. When I went to those coordinates, I discovered a place where mutants were free to do what they want. I was greeted by a teenage girl, very hostile, she had double metal claws from both of her fists." Charles replied.

"Metal claws? That reminds me of a once great mutant named 'Wolverine'." Athena said. "What do you mean of a 'once great mutant'?" Charles asked as he walked down the ramp.

"From the records, Wolverine, or James Howlett. Better known as Logan. He was sadly killed by a clone of him when he tried to save a group of man made mutant children from Transigen Inc." Athena informed him.

"Man made?" Charles asked as he trudged through the forest. "Since the rapid decline of mutants, Transigen decided to create more mutants. But not ones with free will, no, they were created into soldiers." Athena informed him. As Charles trudged through the forest, he emerged into a clearing with a lake. Grass covered the lake as the sun shone down onto the water. Charles walked over to the lake until a pile of rocks came into his line of sight.

"What's this?" He wondered as he walked over and noticed the wooden cross. "This is a grave." He realized as he cautiously stepped forward and knelt to see the wooden cross moved to resemble an 'X'.

"Logan." Charles said as he realized who the grave belonged to. "This grave has a fairly small amount of adamantium. Enough to cover a human skeleton." Athena confirmed. Charles sat down next to the grave as he stared at the 'X' and sighed.

"I've heard stories about you, read comics based on you. My only regret was not meeting you in person. From my time when the Rider was trying to possess me, I've seen the news and read up on mutants. I didn't believe you were a menace, you were people too. The only difference was that you had gifts that made you different to us, and now there are few of you left. I used to feel like an outcast when I had this demon. No one knew me or even cared. They were only afraid because I could kill them in an instant. Maybe that is why the people feared the mutants. You could have killed us and take over the world. But you didn't, because Charles Xavier saw that we could coexist on this planet. I only wish we could've made that come true before. I am sorry." Charles said before a twig snapped, causing the man to turn his head and see a small girl and boy standing a few feet from him. The girl popped out her metal claws as the boy levitated some rocks, preparing to throw them.