Strategy X

A Caucasian girl with a tall and athletic figure was taking pictures for her school's newspaper. She had long red hair, which flowed freely down her back and green eyes. She's wearing a form–fitting pale purple shirt with a slight V–neck that shows her navel, tan khakis and brown open–toed sandals. She also has gold bracelets on each of her wrists, and rings on her index fingers, and thumbs.

In the distance flying above the city was a red-scaled dragon with similar red wings on it's back. Riding the dragon was a salmon-haired young boy.

'Is that a dragon?' The girl thought to herself, rubbing her eyes. 'I must be imagining things.'

As it would turn out, she wasn't imagining what she saw. The dragon flying directly over Bayville was Igneel, the Fire Dragon King.

Igneel then landed on a rooftop and looked out over the city.

"Sure is a nice view huh, dad?" The boy asked Igneel.

Elsewhere, a fire engine with two cannons attached to the top drove through the streets. This is Optimus Prime, the leader of the heroic Autobots hailing from the planet Cybertron which was located in another part of the universe.

A guy with blonde hair, a football player scored a touchdown as the girl took a picture of him as he asks, "Hey Jean, did you get that for the yearbook?"

Jean moved the camera down as she said, "No this is for my personal collection."

"Da, and it is a good picture comrade." Jean looked at a muscular young man with black hair and blue eyes who was speaking with a Russian accent.

"Thanks, Piotr." She smiled happily at his comment.

This young man is Piotr Nikolayevich Rasputin, who also goes by Peter Rasputin. He wore a white sleeve-less shirt, blue jeans and knee high red boots.

A handsome Caucasian man with a tall and lean frame watching the game while having a quarter go between his fingers. He has clean cut brown hair; his eyes were covered by ruby quartz glasses. He is wearing blue sweater over a pale–yellow shirt, tan pants with a brown belt and light brown shoes. This is Scott Summers. He was watching Jean and the player walk back to the bench when one of the players came to Duncan as he said, "Hey look at that."

He pointed to a pale guy light green hue with shabby light brown hair, which was in almost like a miniature mullet fashion. His eyes possessed that of bright yellow nature. He wore a long sleeved brown shirt, rolled up past his elbows. Underneath that, he wore a long sleeved white shirt. He also wore a pair of blue jeans, with huge tears on where the knees were. He wore a pair of white sneakers, untied.

Duncan's friend said. "Tolansky is at it again." Tolansky takes a wallet from a guy's pocket and takes the money out smiling evilly.

Duncan smirked and turned his head towards the coach as he asks, "Hey coach, can we be excused for a second?"

The Coach look at the scoreboard with Home: 49 and Visitor: 17 as he said "Yeah, yeah just hustle back." He waves his hand for them to hurry.

Duncan and his two football buddies go with him with Jean watching them take off after Tolansky.

Scott accidentally dropped his quarter as he said, "Oh man my cash." He and his friend saw a hand taking a wallet as he said. "Hey check it. Looks like someone is taking up a collection."

His friend asked, "Wow should we call the cops?"

Scott said, "Hold that option over." He walks down the bleachers.

Meanwhile, Tolansky looked around and grabbed another wallet as he said, "Got another one." He starts laughing then get pulled back by the football guys and lands on his back with cash floating around him coming from his pockets.

Duncan said walking up to him. "Well if it ain't Toady Tolansky picking up a little spare change."

Tolansky said crawling back a bit. "Uh, hi Duncan look I can explain."

Duncan said, "Shut up frog face!" He grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the metal fence.

The brown football player said pounding his fist with his hand. "Let's crush him Dunc."

Scott said. "Let's not Dunc just chill. The wallets are still there. How about we have him give back the cash? No harm done."

Tolansky said nodding his head. "Yeah, Yeah, see here's the money." He holds up the money that he stolen from people's wallets as Duncan ask, "What do care about this scummo Summers?"

Scott shrugged as he said crossing his arms.

"Not much, but I'm not crazy about three against one either." He asks, "So how about we settle this peacefully?"

Duncan said "I think me and my buds are gonna squash this slime ball. So, you and your stupid sunglasses at night can just bail."

Duncan lifted Toad up into the air then threw him on the ground.

Toad yelped as he hit the ground. Scott lowered his glasses a bit while Duncan was about to put his foot on Toad. As Scott said, "I said knock it off!" He grabbed Duncan and made him go away from Toad then he threw Duncan and made him run into the other two players making them fall back and hit the ground. Toad got up and hopped away from the scene.

The guys get up and saw Toad as the brown player said pointing at toad "He's getting away."

The two guys go after him dropping Duncan.

Duncan got up and growled as he said, "Big mistake Summers." He swung a fist at Scott.

Jean came around and saw them fighting as she said, "Scott no!"

Scott turns his head at Jean then gets punched right at the jaw as Jean said "Scott!"

Scott hit the metal pillar and his glasses fell off making his eyes shoot beams right at Duncan. The beams kept on going till it hit a propane tank and made it blow up in the distance.

Everyone was running away from the explosion while Jean stood there shock and scared.

A car drove by as the window close revealing a bold man, this man is known as Charles Xavier as he looks at the area while fire fighters and ambulances were clearing the area up from the explosion.

Jean and Piotr went to the spot where Scott was.

When the two arrived, they saw a black-haired reporter standing in front of the burning debris.

"Who are you?" Jean asked.

"Clark Kent. I was on assignment for the Daily Planet in Metropolis when the explosion took place." Clark introduced himself to Jean and Piotr. Then, he pulled his head back and inhaled before releasing a strong wind that instantly cooled the wood down.

"I'll handle this." Piotr declared as he assumed a armored metal form and moved the block of wood. Jean then levitated the glasses and caught them. She then walked over to Scott who had his eyes closed as she ask, "You okay?" She put the glasses back on.

Scott opened his eyes as he said. "Jean, oh wow I…"

"You should probably leave, comrade." Piotr advised. Scott took his advice and ran away.

Duncan had his helmet removed as a medic said. "Take it easy, son. Try not to move."

The officer asked the medic, "What happened here?"

Duncan said. "Uh, my head." The medic put a flashlight over his eyes as Duncan said, "Can't remember."

The medic said. "Concussion. He's been hit in the head."

The Officer looked at where the explosion is as he said, "It looks to me like–"

Charles began to enter the officer's mind causing his eyes to widen then turn back to normal as he said. "Of course. Must've been a leak in the propane tank."

Jean walked to Duncan's side as she asks. "Duncan, are you alright?"

Duncan said, "Hey, Jean." As he said. "Yeah, you know me." As he said knocking his head with his fist. "Skull like concrete. Ow."

Jean said. "Oh, you poor baby."

Scott stayed away in the distance watching Jean talk with Duncan then walk over to the ambulance.

Toad walks up to Scott and looks at the scene with him as he said. "Uh, thanks. Really, you know."

Scott said angrily. "Yeah." He walked away.

Toad watched Scott head to his car Toad leaned down then saw a fly go around. He shot out his tongue and caught the fly. He made it go in his mouth then ate it and hopped away.

Charles said. "Things are under control, for now. But we better hurry. We've got a train to catch."

The person he was talking to was an African American woman with blue eyes with long white hair, wearing a white blouse a long purple skirt with reddish purple shredded ends, and tan open–toed sandals. She also has golden and purple bracelets with matching gold hop earrings, a gold choker necklace and a single gold anklet with a reddish–purple bandana–like headband wrap on her head. This is Ororo Monroe, also known as Storm, drove the car away from the scene of the accident.

Charles is now in a wheel chair as he and Storm were at the train station was nearly empty that late at night. Storm looked around for a young man in his teens. A young man with blonde hair walked off the train as she asks "Kurt?"

Charles said, "That's not Kurt." He then turned to the end as he said, "This is."

Kurt came out of the train covered in a grey coat with his face covered by a hood carrying two duffel bags.

A man wearing a brown jacket over a black shirt, blue jeans and black shoes wearing a helmet was driving a motorcycle on the road before parking outside a small convenient store. Removing his helmet, he donned a battered cowboy hat and headed inside. Hardly had he made it through the door when a newspaper stand caught his attention. Specifically, the name 'Bayville' mentioned in the margins of the front page article as he said. "Hmm. Trouble at home." As the owner ask, "You want that paper?"

The man took the newspaper as he said walking up the cashier. "That's why I'm holdin' it, bub. Bottle of water too. Cold." He looked up revealing his brown eyes, the owner took a water from the refrigerator while the man placed down a twenty–dollar bill.

As the owner said, "Warm weather we're havin' for this time o' year," He placed the bottle down as the man took it while the owner took back the bills. Ringing up the purchases, he heard something being sliced, but missed seeing it. All he saw was the spinning top portion of the glass bottle as it settled on the counter as he asks, "Huh?"

A second later, the bottom half of the bottle was slapped back down on the counter, empty. The man finish the water then place the bottom on the counter as he asks, "Recycle that, will ya?" He then left with the owner look in shock as the man walk to his motorcycle but unknown to him he was being watch by a man with long blonde hair, amber eyes wearing brown clothes was watching him then growling in anger.

The next day, Jean and Scott were preparing to go to school. Scott was ready but was waiting on Jean who was in the bathroom brushing her hair.

"Ah, hello lad." A Scottish voice called out. Scott looked at a young man with reddish-colored hair wearing a wing suit. His name is Sean Cassidy, a member of the X-Men known as Banshee. He received his code name from the fact he possessed a sonic scream.

A man in native American style clothing was walking down the hallway when he saw Scott standing outside. This is John Proudstar.

"Let me guess, she's taking forever in there." John assumed.

"Yeah." Scott nodded.

"I see." John replied, then knocked on the door to get her attention. "Hey Jean, hurry up. I need to use the bathroom."

"One second Thunderbird." Jean said.

Scott asked, "Look you want me to blow this door…" Then Jean opened the door as Scott asked, "…down?"

Jean asked as she ran her finger along his chin. "So are we going or what?"

"Hello, chere." Someone with a Cajun accent was heading down the hall from the other direction.

"Gambit." Jean commented.

Scott smiled sheepishly as she walked ahead of him. The two went down the staircase in the entryway as Scott said, "We're heading out Professor."

Charles said. "Just a moment you two. Come here. I'd like you to meet someone."

Jean and Scott walked into the study and found a hooded figure as Charles said. "This is Kurt Wagner. He just arrived last night."

Scott said waving. "Hey, Kurt. This is Jean. I'm Scott."

Jean waved as Scott ask holding out his hand "How you doing?"

Kurt backed away as Charles said, "Kurt, you're among friends here."

Jean came walking up to the professor. Kurt took his hand out of his pocket revealing his hand blue with three fingers then shook hands with Scott as he said in a German accent. "Hello."

Scott and Jean were shocked at this Kurt took his hand back as Charles said. "I was just telling Kurt how I set up this institute for gifted youngsters. Youngsters whose gifts are not always an asset." As he asks, turning to Scott. "Right Scott?"

Scott said, "Uh so you heard about last night."

Charles said with a raised eyebrow. "Difficult not to. It was on all the news channels."

Scott said, "It was a bad situation, and there was an accident." He rubbed the back of his neck as he said, "I'm sorry."

Charles said. "I know. Fortunately, no one was badly hurt and the true cause was not discovered. But you must be more careful, Scott."

Scott said, "Come on, professor! I'm packing a bazooka behind each eyeball!" As he asks, "What do you want from me?"

"I think you should know the answer to that." The four turn to a dark-skinned man who was standing in the doorway.

"What's that supposed to mean, Bishop?" Scott demanded, narrowing his eyes behind his glasses.

Charles replied. "Control, Scott! That's what you're here to learn. That's why you're all here." He turns to Kurt as he said, "Scott's eyes emit a destructive optic blast beam."

Kurt took off his head revealing his blue hair and yellow eyes as he said "Cool."

Jean turned to Kurt as she said. "How about you Kurt? Got a special gift that brought you here."

Kurt teleported himself away from Jean in a puff of smoke and appeared in a corner of the room as he said. "Maybe."

Scott and Jean said at the same time. "Whoa."

Charles said. "I'll be helping Kurt get settled in. We can talk more tonight."

Tolansky was at school at the office waiting at the principal's office the door opened revealing a woman with short orderly dark brown hair and Brown eyes. She has black rimmed glasses and white semi sphere ratings. She has a necklace with a white piece at the front. She's wearing a dark grey suit jacket over a light lavender, shirt. She also is wearing a matching dark grey skirt. With dark stalking and formal heels. She has light pink lipstick and red nail polish, this is Principal Darkhölme as she asks. "Mr. Tolansky?"

Tolansky turned to her then stood up and walked to her office while she began to smell a foul scent waving trying to get rid of it then closed the door and rubbed her nose as she said walking to the window. "Excuse me a moment while I open a window."

Tolansky sat on the chair as the principal opened the window as she said "There." She then walks back to her desk as she said. "Now, Toad, shall we talk about your new friend, Scott Summers?"

Tolansky said with his fingers in his ear. "What about him? He's cool." He looks at the wax on his fingers and rub it away as he said. "Heck, if it wasn't for him, them jocks would've stomped my skull flat." He hit his head with his fist to show an example.

Principal Darkhölme said. "Yes. Well, Summers, as you've noticed, has special powers. There are others like him." She walked over Tolansky putting a hand on his shoulder as she said "We need to know more. Much more."

Tolansky said. "Oh, look. I don't wanna–"

Principal Darkhölme said in a deep voice gripping Tolansky's shoulder. "Silence! You'll do as you're told!"

Tolansky notice that Principal Darkhölme hand changed to blue as he looks behind him as he saw Principal Darkhölme change to a demon with red eyes and sharp teeth as she asks. "Understand?!"

Charles and Storm showed Kurt his room as he asks looking around. "Wow. This bedroom is mine?"

Charles said. "Of course, Kurt. That's why your parents sent you to us. Because they knew you would be happy here."

Kurt asked, "Happy? How can I be happy when I look like this?" He looks at himself in a mirror as he said, "I scare people."

Storm put down a package on Kurt's bed as Charles said, "I have a surprise for you, Kurt." He took out a watch from his jacket as he said, "Put this on."

Kurt put the watch on and he began to change to with light skinned with black hair, black eyes, tan jacket over a red long sleeve shirt and dark brown pants with shoes with four human fingers and a thumb as he said, "I don't believe it!" He began to look at himself as he said, "I'm normal!"

Storm said. "Of course you're normal, Kurt. But not because of that machine."

Charles said, "Storm is right, Kurt." He wheeled up to Kurt as he said putting a hand on Kurt's back as they look at the mirror. "Normal is what you truly are. Never think otherwise." As he said, "This is just a disguise." He presses the button on a watch as Kurt went back to his true self as Charles said, "A disguise so that you'll not be persecuted by those who do not understand your gifts."

Kurt said, "I understand." He then changes back to his disguise as he said, "But nonetheless, you rule!"

At Bayville High School, the bell rang for lunch, Scott walked up to his locker with his friend from the game as he said. "Hey, see you in the cafeteria."

Scott said opening his locker. "Just grabbing my lunch. Save me a seat."

Toad appeared right next to Scott's locker as Scott closed his locker before Toad said. "Yo, Summers." He then jumps onto the lockers as he asks, "What's up?"

Scott looked around seeing that no one is there as he said, "That's quite a jump."

Toad said. "Like it? Surprised you could see it through them smokes of yours. Here, let me help." He then uses his tongue to take Scott's glasses away.

Scott said closing his eyes. "Hey!" He then covers his eyes with his arms.

Toad asked waving Scott's glasses. "What's the matter, Summers? Afraid to open your eyes?"

Scott said, "Obviously, we both know what'll happen if I do." As he said holding out a hand. "Now give me back my shades before I go nuclear on you."

Toad said, "You got it." He tosses the glasses in the air then caught it with his tongue and put it on Scott's hand as Toad said. "Well as you can see. You and me have something in common."

Scott said rubbing the slime off his glasses. "Yeah. Now we're both slimy."

Toad said. "No." He jumped off the locker and landed on the ground as he said, "I mean, we aren't like other people."

Scott turned to Toad as he asks with a raised eyebrow. "And your point is?"

Toad said, "I just want to talk." He hopped and grabbed the top of the lockers as he said, "You know get to know each other better." He ate Scott's lunch including the bag as he said, "You know maybe do lunch."

Scott said walking away. "I'll think about it."

Toad said. "You think about it, Summers. I got other stuff to do."

Charles was reading a book in his house after brining Shawn to his home, then he heard an alarm go off then the wall with the painting lifted revealing a hidden room.

Charles wheeled to the computer and began to type as the screen showed Bayville High showing a red dot at it as Charles said, "Hm. So, out in the open." He then heard a ringing then he presses a button on his wheelchair as he said. "Hello, Scott." As Scott said on the phone. "Man, professor. You know it always creeps me out when you do that."

Charles asked, "Sorry. What are you calling about?" He then presses a button on the computer as a dome open revealing a helmet.

Scott said, "One of the students here, he's kind of like us."

Charles said. "Yes. Todd Tolansky." He picked up the helmet.

Scott asked, "You know him?"

Charles put on the helmet as he said. "Cerebro just got a reading. He must be using his powers openly now."

Scott said putting an elbow on the telephone. "Anyway, he's not the kind of guy I'd want to share a room with. I mean, to put it bluntly, he's got the personal hygiene of a dead pig."

Charles said. "We cannot turn our backs on anyone, Scott. You know that."

Scott said. "Yeah, I know." As he asks, "So should I bring him in?"

Charles said. "No need, Scott. Speak with you later."

Kurt walked in now wearing a navy blue bodysuit, with a red vest going down the front and back in a V shape, with extended shoulders. He has golden gloves and red two toed boots that cover his feet and his calves. He also has a gold belt with the X emblem on the buckle as he asks, "What's that thing, Professor?"

Charles said. "This is Cerebro. It detects the manifestation of special powers. That's how I found you."

The screen showed Toad.

Kurt asked, "So this guy is one of us?"

Charles said, "That remains to be seen."

Storm was in a garden as Charles said in Storm's thought "Storm."

Storm spread out her arms as a rain cloud appeared watering the plants as she asks. "Yes, Professor?"

Charles said in Storm's mind. "I wonder if you could audition someone for me."

That night Toad wore a dark green bodysuit, that's lighter green on the inner edges. He has light grey armor covering his chest and the entirety of his back. He has light grey armor covering his arms and back of his hands. He also has a thick light grey belt. On his shoulders are black armor designed and he has light grey and black boots. He hopped towards the institute. He looked at the fence and chuckled, as he said. "Cake." He jumped over the fence and hopped towards the institute.

Storm walked out of the balcony now wearing a navy blue puffy three quarter sleeves jacket, with gold cuffs and belt. She has tight navy blue trousers. She has white gloves and boots. She also has a cape that's navy blue on the outside and is silver on the inner side, that's kept in place by a small clip that holds the X emblem. She then flew above Toad. She then began to summon a thunderstorm, as the rain fell.

Toad observed, as he said. "Wow. Now that is just freaky."

Storm cast lightning down on him causing to jump out of the way. He quickly hopped his way to the school.

Kurt explored the school, when he saw there was a thunderstorm outside, he was wondering what was going on. Just then, the front doors busted open and Toad was sent flying inside, screaming like a little girl. He bumped in to Kurt causing them both to fall to the ground. They quickly got back on the feet and went into their battle stances as Toad ask, "Whoa, what are you? Some kind of ratty plush toy?"

Kurt sniffed Toad's scent as he said, "The name's Nightcrawler, and at least I don't reek like unwashed lederhosen."

Toad said, "You blue–furred freak!" He tried pouncing on him but Nightcrawler teleported out of the way, confusing Toad.

He then hopped towards him but Kurt disappeared then Toad heard Nightcrawler saying. "As you say in America: neener, neener, neener!"

Toad look up to see Kurt hanging on the lamp ceiling as Toad said.

"That ain't gonna help you, boy." He hopped after him.

But Kurt jumped out of the way before Toad could reach him as he was on the other wall as he said, "You're so slow!"

Kurt crawled deeper into the mansion, Toad followed as Kurt said, "You couldn't catch flies on the windshield."

Toad said, "Get back here and fight like a man."

Just as they left, Storm came inside as Charles said. "Yes. Tolansky is indeed gifted. He could be one of us."

Storm walked up to Charles as she said. "Sometimes, professor, I feel your good heart blinds even you from the truth."

Toad was still chasing Nightcrawler while destroying stuff at the mansion as Kurt said jumping. "Over here. Over here."

Toad said hopping on the wall. "I'm gonna rip your pointy tail off, you fuzzy gecko."

They were back at the front entrance as Toad said. "You little Wookiee boy, come here. I'm gonna–"

Kurt jump off the stairs landing on the ground as Toad said. "Oh, come back." As he said still chasing Toad. "Don't make me come over there. Don't make me Now you're starting to tick me off."

Toad tried catching him with his tongue but Nightcrawler dodged it causing it to destroy several windows instead as Charles said with Storm. "This test is over. Toad Tolansky does have the special gift of the X–gene. He's welcome to join us if he so desires."

Toad said, "Only thing I desire is blue boy's fuzzy head." He used his tongue at Kurt once more. This time he was able to catch Nightcrawler to get close enough to him. Their struggle caused the two of them to fall, thankfully Nightcrawler managed to teleport them away before they could hit the floor.

They were in a different room then Kurt saw a red light on the ceiling as he asks, "Where are we?"

Toad said. "You asking me, fool? You brought us here."

Kurt gasped as he said pointing ahead. "I think I'm about to regret it!" They notice mechanical arms emerging from the wall.

Scott wore a navy blue bodysuit, with golden gloves, knee high boots and a golden X straps that cover his chest and back. Gold trimmed armor covers the shoulders, which are red with a black X on each. Over his eyes is a thin red visor, that is trimmed in gold.

Jean wore a navy blue bodysuit that covers everything except her hand, face and hair. The body is green going down the middle. On her shoulders are the X emblem. She also has a single bracelet on each wrist.

Piotr had a sleeveless red bodysuit on with a X on his belt.

They heard Charles saying in their thoughts. "Scott! Jean! Piotr! Nightcrawler and Toad have teleported into the Danger Room!"

Scott said. "Oh, man! The Danger Room has automated defenses!"

Jean said. "It'll attack them with everything it's got!"

Piotr spoke next, converting his body into his armored form. "Make haste, comrades."

He and Jean ran off while Scott was putting on his other boot as they heard the Professor saying in their thought. "Get in there now!"

Kurt and Toad began to dodge fire from a gun splitting up as Kurt said, "That was close."

Kurt jumped then ducked avoid the claws and gun fires coming at him. Toad hopped out of the way from getting shot at as well.

The trio came into the danger room and saw the guns and claws going at Kurt and Toad.

Scott said. "I've got the cannons. Keep them clear of the tentacles."

Jean said flying in the air. "On it!"

"Leave the walls to me." Colossus declared, running forward.

Scott fired his optic blast destroying one of the cannons as Kurt took cover.

Kurt tried to climb up a wall to avoid the lasers but then an electric tentacle came right at him. However, Jean used her telekinetic powers to move Kurt out of the way. Kurt smiled in appreciation as he said, "You're an Angel!"

Jean asked, "On occasion. How about you? Are you a demon?"

Toad continued to hop out of the way of the attacks from the danger room as he said, "I just bought that."

However, enclosing walls soon trapped Toad and he couldn't hop over them. Right before it could crush him, Colossus held them apart.

Scott said. "Tolansky, over here!" He then dodges a blast from the guns.

Todd didn't need to be told twice. Scott fired another beam destroying another cannon.

Charles and Storm went to the control room, as Charles said, "Security code override: Priority X. Voice print: Charles Xavier."

The computer said. "Confirmed. Shut down in five seconds."

Kurt said. "Ah. Now I get it. It's a training area. Watch." He then teleported on top of a gun as he said, "I just pull the plug and…"

But as he did that, things did not go as planned as the cannon start firing randomly, one at Scott and Toad as they hit the wall then Storm then used lightning to destroy the machine. Everything went back to normal with the minor exception of the place being destroyed a bit.

Toad stood up as he said. "Forget this, man. I've seen enough. I am out of here." He hopped away.

Scott said rubbing the back of his neck. "Tolansky!" But Toad was gone as Scott said. "Sorry, professor. I couldn't stop him."

Charles said. "It's all right, Cyclops. He wasn't ready to be one of us."

Kurt said. "I blew it too, professor. I'm sorry. You've been wonderful. But I guess I just don't belong here." He then teleported away.

Charles said. "Nightcrawler, wait!"

Scott said, "No sweat professor I'll take care of it."

Scott ran out of the room while Charles left the control room to look outside.

Toad jumped out the window and hit the ground. The man from before stopped in front of him and three metal claws emerge from his knuckle as he asks, "Going somewhere, bub?" He raised his hat with his claws smelling Toad's scent.

"Wolverine." Thunderbird called out, causing him to look up at a balcony.

Charles said, "Let him go."

Logan looked at Toad then put his claws away and motioned for him to go. Toad hopped away as he said, "That's crazy stuff there."

Logan said, "I came back here because I smelled trouble brewing." He then sniffs as he said pointing at Toad. "Of course, maybe it was just stink boy there."

Charles said. "I wish it was. Welcome home old friend; we've missed you." They smiled at each other.

Kurt teleported himself into the hanger and saw the jet. He stepped back as he asks, "What is this?" He looked at the Black Bird surprised.

He heard the door open and turned around seeing Scott walking in as Scott said "The SR–77 Blackbird. Twice as fast as the SR–71 and with three times the range and firepower. It's nice, eh?"

Kurt said looking at Scott. "Sier good. Is it yours? Please tell me you get to fly it."

Scott said. "It's ours. If you stick around for a while, I'll show you how to pilot this bad boy. So, what do you say?" As he asks putting a hand on Kurt's shoulder. "You want to be part of our team?"

Kurt said closing his eyes. "Me? I almost got you killed a few minutes ago."

Scott said. "Yeah. Don't do that again. But look, we all mess up sometimes. I know I do. That's why we're all here, to learn not to make mistakes like that. That's why we'd like you to stay."

Kurt asked, "And you don't mind the way I look?"

Scott said crossing his arms. "Dude, just don't hassle me about my shades and we'll call it even."

Kurt said. "We have a deal then."

Scott said putting an arm on Kurt's shoulder. "Welcome to the team. Come on, I'll show you where they hide the sodas."

Toad was with Principal Darkhölme in her arm still in her uniform as she said. "I can't believe this! You were actually inside and you ran away?!"

Toad said. "Hey, I freaked. So sue me. I did what I could."

Principal Darkhölme walk towards the door then she turned to Toad as she said, "And no doubt the good professor wiped your mind so you can't remember anything!" Toad shook his head as Darkhölme opened the door as she shouted, "GET OUT!"

Toad hopped away as Darkhölme slammed the door shut, she then let out a frustrated yell as she changes to a new form, she now has bright blue skin with red hair cut to her shoulders, extending slightly in the back, and pale yellow eyes with no pupils. She had a triangle shaped gem on her forehead. She is wearing a sleeveless white dress with a high neck, thigh–high white boots, and white gloves which reached nearly to her shoulders without covering her fingers.

She walks towards the desk and picked up the chair suddenly metal balls in the room floated around her, as a voice said. "Do not be so hard on the boy, Mystique. We don't want to thin our ranks, now, do we?"

Mystique backed away in fear as she said. "Uh. No, sir. I'll be more careful."

The voice said. "Mind you are. Remember, this is only the beginning."