Chapter Twenty: Secrets
Xavier Institute
Scott was in the danger room while Xavier watched the young mutant from above. It hasn't escaped his attention that Scott and Ben had been having a conflict. Although Ben was more mature in his thinking they both have similar problems. They both treat their teammates as if they are civilians.
While Ben acts as if he is expendable, Scott (the more extreme of the two), forgets his teammates are people at all. At the very least Xavier believes Ben has an excuse, due to the fact that he as a costumed hero has always had to put himself between danger and every person around him. Scott, on the other hand, takes the responsibility of everyone around him, and while he does things out of duty he ends up placing barriers between himself and the people he needs.
Two very different boys at the opposite ends of the spectrum, 'This is going to be a tricky one...' Xavier pondered.
He continued watching as Scott amplified the stage he was training on by three. Each level basically added the difficulty by two times. This means the level was advanced by six, at this level an entire team of super-powered individuals would have a tough time.
Each wave that attacked the young mutant was beaten back by a blast of crimson energy waves. Xavier could feel the anger and resentment in him as each foe he defeated was blasted apart. Love was the most interesting thing, it can build people up and tear them apart. Scott was so focused on what he felt for young Jean that he was finding excuses to vilify Ben. He only had a small chance to save these young men that he has taken responsibility for. If only they would listen when he speaks.
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
"Nick, why have you brought us here?! Make it quick because you don't want me to rip this tin can apart..." Logan said impatiently.
Holding up his hand Fury tapped a few buttons on his tablet and an image appeared on one of the walls and the light in the room dimmed.
"A few days ago project rebirth was stolen."
"I thought that was destroyed..." Logan asked irritated
"It was, it was a backup that we found thirty years ago, and the person that took it was able to do this" The screen switched to a picture of a broken and twisted metal door. "In addition, they also stole the formula…"
"Wait, are you telling me he has not only that device but also infinity?" Logan angrily yelled.
Fury didn't speak just nodded his head.
"But who could do something like this?" Ben asked in bewilderment. Ben was strong but even he would be useless against a door that thick.
Logan and Fury met each other's eyes and turned them back towards Ben replying to his question in unison, "Magneto."
XAVIER INSTITUTE
Jean sat on her bed while Rogue was studying at her desk the atmosphere was silent but Rogue didn't mind much. She never set out to be anti-social, but not being able to touch another living being would do that to a person. But the Goth did know when Jean was as silent as her there must be something wrong. After fifteen minutes went by Rogue had enough, even for her this was too much.
"So, I'm thinking of reporting theft to Professor Xavier," Rogue said lazily.
This got Jean's attention because her head popped up at her remark a hint of liveliness had returned to them.
"Who stole from you? Was it Kurt, because he seemed to do stuff like this for attention... It's not to harm anyone..." Jean said sounding a little defensive for the blue boy.
"No, it's you," Rogue replied.
Confusion crossed her face at the statement, "Wha... I haven't stolen anything? I don't know..."
"Geeze Red, lighten up! What I'm saying is you've stolen my brooding. We can't both act downcast. You are the peppy people pleaser, and I am the antisocial misfit. If you turn into the misfit then I will have to be the peppy one and let me tell you, girl, I don't do pep."
Making her smile a little Jean was shaken out of her funk for a moment.
But her face returned to his downcast version afterward. "I'm not sure how to fix something... and it's all just messed up..."
"Ok spill Red. Although I don't always act as I do... I care. So, if it's something I can give advice on, or better yet kick some ass over... Then I'll be there."
Cracking a smile she felt suddenly closer to the misfit of a girl. "Well, it all started with..."
DANGER ROOM
A pile of busted machines lay at Scott's feet as he huffed for breath. After the fight with Jean he needed to let off some energy, he had gotten in a stride of blasting robots apart but now he was spent. All he wanted to do now was shower and go to sleep. He didn't even want to eat dinner because he knew Ben and Jean would be there and he was upset with them both right now. Yeah, he'd admit that Ben was an evil villain but he was a wild card.
Scott has an image in his heart that he wants the X-Men to be one day, and Ben Reilly throws a wrench into that plan because the moment he shows up... Jean and he have a blowout!
"Scott, can we speak for a moment?" Professor Xavier's voice is electronically projected into the roo startling Scott a little.
"Sigh, ok Professor I'll be up in a minute." Scott always thought of Professor Xavier as a guide/Father, but he couldn't help find his request taxing at the moment. All Scott wanted to do was shower and sleep. He wasn't looking forward to the psychological evaluation he was sure to get from him.
Steadily if not a little hesitantly Scott makes his way to the Observing Room.
UNKNOWN LOCATION
"You're saying an evil mastermind has gotten his hands on not only the device that created captain America but also a formula that slows the aging down to a crawl?" Ben asked unbelievingly. "Here I thought a Spider-Slayer was bad news..."
Logan cut off Ben's banter with a more serious question. "Okay Nick, I understand why you got my attention for this news but why did you bring in the kid?"
"That is a good question Logan, it's because the Kid has a connection to all of this that we hadn't been fully aware of until just recently."
Gaining both of their attention Fury felt their gazes on him as he finished his sentence, "Does Dr. Warren ring a bell with you kid?"
Flashes of an old man with a sinister smile on his face forcefully came into his mind. He hated him, yet without him, Ben may not even exist. With mixed feelings, Ben nodded, "Yes, you might say we have a close relationship. Why what does he have to do with this?"
"Everything kid, there is something big happening and you seem to be dead center."