The mansion
"What took you so long?" Asked Raven as he entered the dining room. She was sitting beside Hank at the end of the table. Ororo, Kurt and Peter on her right, Jean, Scott and Logan on her left. Leaving a proper place for his wheelchair to fit at the head of the table beside Moira. Charles was relieved to see everyone was already there.
"It's good you're all here. We need to discuss something." He said.
The adults frowned a bit at that. "Were you in cerebro all this time professor?" Asked Jean, looking concerned obviously feeling the wheels in his head turning.
"Yes Love, I had a very interesting conversation with Erik." He said accepting the plate piled with stew from Logan.
"Is he okay?" Asked Peter quickly.
"Yes yes, he's alright, he actually asked me to send his regards." The boy looked relieved. "although they are having a bit of a situation at the moment." He picked up he's fork not lifting it.
"It's not going to tell itself Charles" Raven remarked after he stayed quiet for a minute. Everyone has paused their meal waiting for him.
" They had brought in new refugees"
"Are you talking about the lab that was working under Strucker? Someone dropped the information on our department... The place was ruined but the evidence left was enough to hold against Strucker for the next couple generation" Moira added shifting to business mood although a bit amused.
"That sounds like Erik" Hank muttered.
"Yes that exactly. You see they found around twelve kids who has just manifested. I'm afraid not normal kids for that matter." He prepared them to drop the bomb.
"Chuck you talkin 'bout mutants, you gotta be more specific" Logan said taking a drag of his cigarette.
'Are you bloody smoking over food?' Charles gave a pointed look at the object that was shrugged of by the man.
"The children are adults infact deaged by another mutant. We have a week to reverse it before it's irreversible."
"We?" Hank pointed out. "Because of course you already promised" he sounded both hopeful and annoyed at the same time. Charles knew the research opportunity was far too tempting.
"Yes, so I would expect the rooms to be ready for the students. Celine, Émilia and Forge are going to help us in research. They already had done some work." Hank nodded.
"They're going to be a pain in the neck to look after." Ororo noted already slumping in her chair like she has already chased around dozen kids.
"That's why Polaris and Eclipse offered their help" he added.
"Lorna's visiting?" Peter perked up. They had become like siblings in the few visits they had. The girl's temper and attitude complimenting Peter's sense of troublemaking and humare and both had a soft spot for a specific metal bender.
"At least you're going to have fun." Ororo didn't seem as enthusiastic.
"So technically half of Ganosha is coming over." Raven stabbed a piece of chicken in her plate. "If Celine's coming how are we going to communicate? Ganosha is shielded and their only telepath who is strong enough is coming over." She had a point because they all knew Erik wouldn't send them out without no means of communication if he was staying in. The first thing Ganosha did was setting a sort ofelectromagnetic shield up in their perimeters to keep mental intruders outside unless through a safe channel which was already compromised few times regardless. Yet It was so efficient Charles was tempted to asked Forge to design one device for the mansion as well.
"That won't be an issue, as among the refugees there were telepaths who offered help." He answered.
"And Erik just trusted them?" Raven said not buying the half truth.
"They're Frost sisters." He added cautiously.
"Erik..." She asked eyes widening with realization with a sad voice." Has found Emma's daughters?" Charles saw her eyes glinting in the light.
"Yes, I'm afraid... I'm afraid only three of them had survived." He added sadly. Charles didn't know about the brotherhood much but he gathered that his friend and his sister were , to his suprise, rather fond of the ice Queen. He still felt her long gone presence in Erik's mind. Raven's grip on her knife and fork tightened as she took a deep breath before standing up. She looked pained despite her neutral face." I'll prepare the rooms. "She informed before leaving. The dinner after that went on a bit tensely.
' it's going to be a long week' Charles thought.
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The time between the drop of the vial with the little girl's lashing out was probably less than a few seconds, the time it took Celine to gather her thoughts and freeze the girl in place was probably even shorter. Yet it was enough for everything going down to shit. She screamed Erik's name as the man ran to Wes. He pushed the boy to the other side just before there was a flash of light followed by a sound of something not so heavy falling and hitting the ground.
"What the f... What happened?" Forge shouted half choking on his words as he noticed there were children around. He went to the other boy without being told.
"Get him out of here Forge." Celine said as she telepathically put the girl to sleep and kneeled beside the other figure.
" My Gideon" she mumbled as her fingers ghosted over the bony cheeks. She heard the other man leave.
' Emilia go to the camp. Bring the inner circle and the Struckers.' she projected.
The urgency in her mental touch was enough for Emilia to just project her agreement while there were still worry and curiosity there. She looped her arms around the young figure on the ground and lifted it too easily to be comfortable and placed him on a bed.
'Emilia?'
'Forge spoke. Were taking the kids to bed and we'll join you in no time.' came her way a shocked mental voice.
She sat on a chair and took a moment to look at the figure on the bed. They said the body and mind would both go back to the way it was the exact moment 35 years ago. What she was watching made her feel many things she didn't know where to place. This wasn't Magneto. There in front of her was young boy. Barely a teenager. He was still tall and lean. No not lean, he was all skin and bones. Almost fully lost inside the now huge clothes hanging from his frame. The boy's dark auburn hair was too short and cut definitely carelessly, probably forcefully as there were scars on his neck and skull. There was a edge of something red and angry poking out of the hem of the neckline of his shirt. She felt sick. How much did she not know about her friend?
She tore her eyes from the rest of the boy and looked at his face. He had sharp features. Looked a bit too defined with all the bones fully visible. He looked like a kid still. A softness complimenting his looks. He looked innocent. There was a cloud of pink and soon Emilia, Lorna and Marcos, alongside bishop, Forge and the Struckers appeared.
" Oh my gosh!" A gasp left Emilia's mouth as she rushed to the side of the bed staring. The rest of them stood there in shock not believing their eyes. Even Forge.
"Is he...?" Bishop started.
"Yes" Celine answered not looking away. There was another set of footsteps coming to her side. "May I?" Asked Kate.
"Of course that's why I sent for you. you're the only one who already encountered someone newly changed." Celine answered already drawing out her general voice. She took a step back. As the later took her place and started to examine the boy. It broke Émilia out of her haze as well. As she joined. "He needs medical attention" she said urgently. "Celine what happened?"
"He was in this state the moment he turned" she said voice tight.
"Body goes back to the exact state it had been. Just like the mind" Kate said absent mindedly. Frowning at every bruise and scar."he'll be out for almost 24 hours before waking up. We need clothes" she said looking at the group.
" I'll fetch some" Lorna said as she was the first one who pulled themselves together trying too hard not looking at the boy in bed." I'll go with you. " Emilia added before nodding to Kate and joining the young metal bender. They disappeared in pink smoke.
"I think it's better if you guys wait outside for a bit." She told the guys. Men nodded turning and leaving. She felt them sitting on the ground outside.
"I'll bring the first aid kit " she told Kate. Looking around the lab wasn't hard. She picked a couple of sanitizer, vitamins, an IV bag, antibiotics and the first aid kit. When she returned there were a set of clothes on the bed.
"They joined the guys outside. Lorna was pretty shaken" Kate answered the question she didn't ask noticing her line of view. She nodded putting everything on a metal table Kate had brought beside the bed.
"How old is he?" Asked the woman looking at Erik's face.
"13 or 14 probably. Not sure but somewhere near that." She answered as she opened the front of the shirt. Something rose at the back of her throat and she heard Kate's breath hitch making a weird sound. The boy's body was bruised here and there. But it wasn't what bothered them. It was the Y shaped surgical scar on his upper body. It was stitched neatly and professionally. He was too thin to be healthy, ribs poking out dangerously. The next thing that made her fist clench was a dark tattoo on boy's left arm. A six digit number. It was still covered in a angry red aura and a bit swelled around the edge. A new tattoo. "Dear lord" Kate mumbled. It was a long time ago, the world war, but they weren't naive and Celine already knew. It just made it all much more real.There were scratches around it. Struggle marks. There were mostly around his wrists. Straps. Kate looked at the boy for a moment her eyes lingering on the biggest scar before she turned and throw up in a bin. She didn't blame her. She changed the boy out of his clothes on her own. By the time she was finished Kate had pulled herself together. They silently cleaned the wounds on the kids body and head, they applied bandages, sanitized the tattooed area although it wasn't necessary. Apparently it wasn't as fresh as it looked, and connected the kid to an IV drip with antibiotics after they dressed him. Cliene called for the team in a corner of the lab mentally.they were calmer, more put together now that some time had passed.
" What do we do now?" Asked Marcos breaking the awkward silence.
" We do as planned with a slight change." She answered. Getting everyone's attention.
"But he..." Reed started before Lorna raised a hand and silenced him.
"He needs us to do this. So do your friends nothing has changed." She said firmly. Celine felt a swell of pride in her chest. She saw in her what Erik did when he told her few weeks ago he wanted Lorna to take his place if something happened. "We just need to adjust" the young woman continued and everyone nodded in agreement. She nodded at Celine asking her to continue.
"We still take the kids." She started, " the research team as well. But Polaris and Eclipse has to stay. "
"But is it safe?" Marcos asked. He didn't seem to be convinced.
"We have to. "It was Lorna who answered." With Erik's condition i have to stay behind as only I can amplify the Frost sisters powers now. And we need to fill his absence with the same amount of power to protect us. We should stay"
Cliene didn't hide her proud smile. "I'm sure the mighty x-men can handle few kids. We move first thing in the morning. I suggest you get a good night sleep." They all parted with that. Aside from Lorna.
" You should get some rest too. It's going to be rough week. I'll stay with him."
"Thanks kid" she said affectionately. And despite the eye roll she knew Lorna shared the sentiment. Patting her shoulder she left as well.
' it's going to be a long week' Celine thought.
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Raven wasn't a morning person but she needed to be there to be sure everything is going as planned. that's how she found herself at the threshold of the back part of the mansion that was kept as a private section with Charles, Hank and the x-men at six in the morning. Apparently Moira hadn't came back yet and Logan, hadn't bothered to disturb his pretty sleep.
"Couldn't they just come at ... I don't know 10? It's Sunday." Asked Scott grumpily. He was still wearing his bed hair despite being all dressed up.
"It's my Dad , I think he even gave us like two hours bonus or something." Peter shrugged nonchalantly. It earned him a amused smile from Charles. His mutation allowed him to go very long hours without not much sleep and he was definitely rubbing it to their faces at any chance he got. Suddenly a Pink smoked filled the air, leaving behind a burning smell just like Kurt's before a group appeared in its place. Raven frowned at the scene in front of her instead of five adults and twelve kids, apparently they decided it was too risky to bring the mutant with de ageing powers to a highschool, there were thirteen kids and three adults. One of the kids was asleep in Forge's arms soundly. He had some bandages on around his head. Yet something about the child bothered Raven, he looked familiar. Émilia had a big Cold box in her hand probably containing their blood samples of the mutant they were going to neutralize. Charles's face took a pained expression before Celine stepped forward.
" Professor." She greeted and nodded at them all before her eyes landed on Raven. "Mystique," and then Peter, "hey kid". The boy waved.
"Let's go inside, Ororo Kurt and Scott will help you to place the children. And then lead you to the lab"Charles invited tightly. "Give Forge a hand would you?" He turned to face Hank who nodded and took the kid from the man's arms. "Look after him" the man said kindly before he , Émilia and the kids followed the assigned x-men inside. Celine stayed behind with the kid. She fell into steps beside Hank. Not particularly Hank , Raven noticed, but the child, like she was ready to jump at anyone who got near him.
"Someone care to tell us what's going on?" She asked impatiently.
"Of course but first let's get us somewhere more comfortable." Charles answered instead as he wheeled himself inside. She frowned as Hank passed her, something about this kid was so familiar but she was sure she has never seen him before. The others followed. She gave Jean meaningful look as they walked.
' Jean?'
' I have no idea either, all shielded' came the girl's reply.
Raven was expecting them to go downstairs to the lab as well, instead they went upstairs and stopped in front of Erik's room. "Why are we here?" Asked Peter.
"He'll be comfortable here" Charles looked at Celine receiving a confused look from the kids and Hank. The other telepath nodded and then it clicked.
She turned to look at the kid again. Lean and tall, almost a teenager, 13 or 14. He had a pale profile, yeteuropean and sharp. And the hair was the exact same color as...
"Oh my God!" She gasped bringing her hand up to cover her mouth. "Is this true?" She asked Celine.
"Is what true?" Hank asked hopelessly. Raven for the first time in a long time felt like punching him. " This boy... " The woman started, "is Erik".
" Fuck!" Peter said staring at his dad who was now barely a teenager.
"Yeah..." Jean said stunned.
Hank on the other hand just stared at the child in his arms. His eyes widening comically as he realized the child in his arms is the one and only Magneto. They all went inside as taking a moment to let the truth sink in. The scientist put the boy ' ok this is going to take a while to get used to' on the bed covering pulling the sheets up to his chest.
"How did this happen?" She asked.
Celine sat down on a metal chair that was placed near the window, now that Raven looked closely, she looked exhausted. Her eyes roamed around the room slowly. The small bathroom door in the back. A shelf with few books and some clothes. A pair of chairs and a table with a designer chess set on it in front of the long wide window. This was the room Erik stayed in before he left for Ganosha and the one he used whenever he came to visit. Her eyes lingered on Peter who sat across her. Charles on her right took place beside the bed and Raven sat on the bed on Erik's side. Hank and Jean stood in a corner.
" The child lost control and lashed out. There was a kid on the way , he stepped in." She said brief and efficient. Kinda flatly like stating temperature.
Raven looked down and notice she has started to stork the kids short and uneven trimmed hair slowly. A small smile came to her face before the reality downed on her. "When he wakes up..."
"The last thing he remembers is what happened when he was this age." Celine informed. Raven realized from her tone that she might not know yet she had some opinions.
"Charles how old is he?" She asked already knowing the answer.
" 13, 14 I would say maximum. And I'm afraid his body has gone exactly to that state as well" he said sadly. Raven could fell the kids intense confused stare as Hank's face got a sad pained look.
"He had fresh scars, even the tattoo was still bruised" Celine said absent mindedly clenching her hand.
"Charles when he wakes up..." She said knowing how challenging it might be.
'Shaw, camps, his mother, his sister...' she projected mentally and frantically.
' Raven calm your mind.' came her way .
"We will figure it out Raven. We still have till night for now I need two of you stay here." He told the kids" Hank, Celine and I will be in the lab and Raven could you please supervise the classes?" He looking at the rest of them.
"We'll get you the moment his mind stires. " Peter said sharing a look with Jean nwho nodded determinedly and they all left one by one . Leaving the young X-men with the young Erik.
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The day passed by in a blure for Jean. She couldn't believe her eyes. The first couple of hours they decided to completely ignore the child ' because it's a child, the Magneto, Erik was.... A child' and soon they settled for a game of chess or reading some of his books.
"Check mate"Peter said smugly.
" what, how did you do that?" Jean wasn't even faking her suprise. For someone who couldn't sit in a place for long Peter was really good.
"It's in my blood Jeany dear..."his eyes saddened at that as he glanced towards the bed.
"He's going to be ok Peter." She reassured.
"I know it's just why is he like this, he seems so..."
"I know, professor said he would explain but for now we have to...." Jean was caught off as a shudder went through her chair. Peter sat straight feeling it as well. She felt it , a surface of a mind getting slowly more conscious with panic and fear and pain. She whipped her head towards the bed as the boy twitched. Projecting the thought to the team she looked at Peter who was watching the boy as well. " Bring them here, now."