 
"X-MEN: Let There Be Peace on Earth, Part 1"
Part 1: "Did you hear about the mutant genome project?" Asks Senator Robert Kelly inquisitively. "Hrm . . .? Mutant . . . genome project?" Magneto responds, confused about the Senator's question. "Yes, a project to map the mutant genome, and discover where mutants get their powers." "I was not aware. " Magneto pauses, and then looks at the Senator. "And what is the point of this project?" "Well, " Kelly replies, "the point is to possibly find a way to help those mutants who cannot function in society due to their powers." "As in taking away said powers?" "Yes, " Kelly answers in a low tone, as if ashamed. "And, if some people have their way, it will be used to incite mutations in those who wish to serve their country." Xavier, having listened to the whole conversation, step in: "Artificial mutants, artificial humans; creating neither will help us all. A mutant is a mutant, a human is a human, if we accept that, we will be all the more closer to tolerance." "But what about those who cannot live the way they are?" Kelly rebutts. "A mutant who looks different, a human with a disease that can be cured only with a healing factor. If we do not do this, they will live uncomfortable lives." "What if . . ." Xavier says, rubbing his chin in thought. "What if a black slave was given a chance to become white? What if he was equally given a chance at making peace with those who were enslaving him? Would the slave give up his roots to be normal, or would the slave try to make peace?" "You speak as though the slave wouldn't remember his roots." "True, but those roots would no longer be visible, and every time he looked in a mirror, he'd see what he gave up . . . all to fit in with everyone else." With that, Xavier turns his wheelchair around, and rolls away. Magneto accompanies him, leaving Kelly standing alone, saying: "But we're doing it to save lives." Xavier simply ignores Kelly's final comment.
Outside, Xavier and Magneto head for their car. "Mutant Genome Project? Of all the assinine things to do" Magneto thinks to himself as he forms a magnetic field around his body; a field which is strong enough to lift him into the air. "Something must be done, Charles." "I am quite aware, Erik. However, we must not be too quick to act. We do not want another Penthesene gas incident." "Of course not, " and with that, Magneto lowers himself back to the ground, with thoughts of how Charles never knew the X-Men's part in that particular incident running through his head. "Then what, praytell, shall we do?" "We will wait, " Xavier responds.as he telepathically opens the door. "Right now, the program is totally legal. However, if they take away anyone's powers against their will, we'll act." Magneto frowns at the idea of genetically raping someone is such a way, and frowns even more at the thought of waiting for such a thing to happen. He doesn't always agree with Xavier's way, and so this situation would have to be taken care of without Xavier's knowledge. Unknowing to Xavier and Magneto, three people watch from the trees. "Psi-dampeners on. Infrared active. HPLs ready if needed." The first man smiles wickedly at the other two. The three are dressed in in black camouflage clothing, and are covered in devices technologically far superior to anything seen. The first man drops from the tree into some bushes below. The other two soon follow. For now, their job was to simply watch. But that's just for now. Warren Worthington III, who was, at one time, the high flying mutant called Angel, walks into the kitchen of the school very early in the morning. It is so early that not a single soul in the school should be awake, and an even smaller number intend to wake up any time soon. However, Warren faces quite a shock when, upon entering the kitchen, he sees Professor Charles Xavier sitting at the table, sipping his coffee. "Professor?" Warren asks, approaching. He gets no response, though. "Professor?" Charles shifts slightly, and looks up. "Oh. Hello, Warren." "You seem awfully despondent today, Charles." Warren pours walks over to the counter to pour himself a cup of coffee. "Any reason why?" "Things just seem . . . not right. Did you ever hear of the . . . Mutant Genome Project?" "Most definitely. A lot of companies are jumping on that bandwagon." "Why?" "Who knows how people think. I guess they think that robbing mutants of their powers is a good way to make money." "Genetically raping mutants. That is what they want to do with this . . . this garbage called the Mutant Genome Project. It's sickening!" Erik Magnus Lensherr points angrily at a monitor from the X-Men's War Room. Next to him sit his two children, Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, both mutants, who possess the abilities to alter possibilities and to run at an accelerated rate, respectively.. "Really now, father," Pietro says, "don't you think that if Charles had fears about this he would have us do something?" Pietro's father, the one time master of magnetism, looks at his son, saying, "Charles used to be proactive. He knew when action needed to be taken. But lately, he has become a politician, unwilling to take any real action. Each of you gathered here are the people are trust to help me, no matter what Charles thinks. The others don't trust me enough, but you all do." "Father, you're not asking for another penthesene gas incident, are you?" "That was an accident, Pietro, and you know it. So, will you all help me to complete this task? Will you help me destroy the mutant Genome Project?" Erik looks around the table at each person gathered there. First, he looks to his children, Wanda and Pietro, aka the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver; then to Shiro Yushido, aka Sunfire, whose ability is to project blasts of heat from his body. Magneto's gaze then turns to John Proudstar, aka Thunderbird, who is superstrong; and to the one called Logan, who likes to be called Wolverine, and has heightened senses, a healing factor, and unbreakable claws. Magneto then looks to Exodus, Bennet du Paris, who has always loyally followed Magneto since he freed him from his prison. Each one nods to Magneto, telling him that they will indeed go on this mission with him, and somehow "fail" to tell Xavier about it. Magneto smiles. To Be Continued in Part 2 Read part one of the prologue here: Prologue Pt. 1 Read part two of the prologue here: Prologue Pt. 2 Read part two of the story here: Part 2 Read part three of the story here: Part 3 Want to comment on this story? Send Tet an e-mail by clicking here:
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