The Blood Phoenix 2: An X-Men: Days of Future Past Fanfiction

Chapter 4: Discussing the Plan

'So you're saying... they took Raven's power... and what? They weaponized it?' Charles asked. Charles, Hank and I were sitting in his old office, listening to Logan's tale and getting some more information on how to stop Raven from truly becoming Mystique.

'Yep.'

'She is unique,' Hank spoke.

'Yes, she is, Hank,' I replied.

'In the beginning, the Sentinels were just targeting mutants, then they began to identify the genetics in non-mutants who'd eventually have mutant children and grandchildren. Then they started targeting everybody. Many of the humans tried to help us. It was a slaughter. Leaving only the worst of humanity in charge. I've been in a lot of wars; I've never seen anything like this. And it all starts with her... and your wife.'

'Let's just say for the sake of... the sake, that I choose to believe you... that I choose to help you. Raven won't listen to me. Her heart and soul belong to someone else now.'

'My father,' I said softly. 'Erik. Magneto.'

'I know. That's why we're gonna need Magneto too.'

'Erik?' Charles asked.

'You know where Erik is?' Hank asked. I gave a harsh laugh and so did Charles.

'He's where he belongs, Logan,' I snorted with another sharp laugh.

'You really believe that?'

'Yes! I do believe that. Some people may change, but he never did. And he won't. Ever.' Charles stood and began to walk out of the room.

'You're just gonna walk out?' Logan yelled. Charles turned.

'Ooh, top marks. Like I said, you are perceptive.'

'The Professor I know would never turn his back... on someone who'd lost their path. Especially someone he loved.' Storming up to Logan, he got in his face. Angry.

'You know, I think I do remember you now. Yeah... we came to you a long time ago, seeking your help. And I'm gonna say to you what you said to us then: Fuck off.' I bit my lip and looked away.

'He's not wrong, Logan. You refused to help us. 1962. Remember? The bar?' I spoke. Charles gave yet another harsh laugh and walked off. But before he could get very far, Logan grabbed Charles and shoved him up against the wall.

'Listen here, you little shit. I've come a long way, and I've watched a lot of people die. Good people. Friends. If you're just gonna wallow in self-pity... and do nothing, then you're gonna watch the same thing... you understand?' Logan let go of him and Charles spoke.

'We all have to die sometime.' Then he walked off and up the stairs.

'Told you there's no professor here,' I snapped.

'Do you really believe that Erik can't change?' he asked me.

'Yes. My father, even when I fought alongside him, he would never change. His views never change. Ever. I loved him, but when he formed the Brotherhood and changed Raven into a killer, I never could love him anymore. Not for the man he had become.'

'Erik wishes that he could have you by his side... in the future.'

'No he doesn't,' I said, giving another snort.

'He does. He loved you dearly.'

'Charles changed too.'

'What the hell happened to him?'

'He lost everything. Erik, Raven... his legs. We built this school, the labs, this whole place... then just after the first semester, the war in Vietnam got worse. Many of the teachers... and older students were drafted. It broke him. He retreated himself. Back in the day, Charles was fun, a little edgy, cute... but when he started taking the serum and drinking... I lost more than my husband. I lost Charlene's father... I lost my best friend... my teammate, the leader of the X-Men, a great teacher... a mentor. And after Vietnam, I started getting nightmares. Charles was once there, but now... he's just a shell of the man I once fell in love with.' Taking a bottle of whiskey, I cracked the lid open and took a sip from where I was sitting in the chair in front of the desk in Charles' old office.