The Dark Phoenix - Log 15

[x-gambit.livejournal.com]

Xavier prepares his own last stand



His children were dying.

It started at Muir. All those familiar minds, those bright sparks he knew so well, extinguished forever. Those who had sought healing, and those who had sought to help, snuffed out. His oldest friend and enemy among them, each loss leaving a hole in his world.

It continued in India. Brave, broken souls, giving everything of themselves in order to bring Jean home. More holes, the darkness growing within him. More loss, more pain, more lives gone.

And now it was here, his home, the school he'd given his life for. The sanctuary he'd tried to create torn apart, the students, his students, forced to fight for their lives, for his life. Given their futures for his survival while he hid down in the basement complex, useless, helpless, crippled...

There was another rumble from above, magnified by the metal corridor. The mansion was being destroyed, just as his dream was destroyed, the lives of those he'd arrogantly claimed as his soldiers were destroyed. There wouldn't be much left to save.

"Welcome, Professor." Cerebro's electronic voice was as emotionless as ever, the door unfolding before him as he nudged his chair forward. The helmet was cold on his bare scalp as he fitted it in place.

"Cerebro," his voice cracked slightly and he tried again. "Cerebro, disengage safeties. Protocol triple-X-Alpha."

Time hung breathless and then Charles spoke again:

"Password: Erik."

Cerebro hummed, a low and somehow dangerous tone, as the various safety restrictions were unlocked. Charles paused just a moment, aware that a mere thought away lay the minds of an entire world. Minds vulnerable to his powers, as they had been years before in Alkali Lake.

Closing his eyes, Charles stepped into the astral plane and began building his walls.