Author’s Note: This is the end!! Make sure to click the read more at the bottom for a sneak peek at the next story.
2nd Author’s Note: There will be no Afternoon Fic through Advent. Though I’ll be working on the next segment and for those curious … it will likely be the next installment for the Dragon Series.
Logan blinked, shifted on the empty bed and looked around the spacious room. It wasn’t something he was used to, it was too … nice. It was painted a dark green, and had hardwood floors. Pictures of the Canadian wilderness were on the walls, with the dresser filled with a variety of personal photos.
He swung his feet over the edge of the bed and stood, staring down at the nice jeans and heavy sweater. It was then he realized that it was actually cold. He found some socks and boots, slipped them on before opening the door to chaos.
There were kids everywhere.
Mutants of all kinds.
Laughing and smiling, while heading for class.
They had done it.
They had actually done it.
He wandered down the hall, knowing he looked like a complete idiot with the sappy grin on his face. Standing on the top of the stairs, he watched as Storm ushered kids along, answering questions and laughing. She looked younger and less stressed than he remembered.
As he made his way down the stairs, he came to a stand still.
Maria was talking to Bobby. She had a scarf around her neck, and long white gloves on as she held his hand, but she was alive and happy. She turned, smiling brightly at Logan before giving him a wink and wandered off with Bobby.
He snorted, but couldn’t find himself to care what she she was up to. She was alive to be up to something. Slowly the kids started making their way into classrooms, pushing and shoving like typical teenagers. Logan paused outside one door, watching Kitty teach physics of all things. Colossus was in the corner, watching over the kids as he paid attention to the lesson.
It wasn’t long until he found himself where the Professor kept his office. He wasn’t sure what he was going to walk into, or what he will see. He remembered nothing since 1973, but obviously they got it right, as he was standing in a school and not the Brotherhood Headquarters.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Logan turned to see an older Peter chase after a small girl, with vibrant green hair. Peter’s hair was still silver, and the goggles and leather jacket were still in place, but he had a few more wrinkles and was a lot more controlled. The little one dodged left, when Peter went right, he couldn’t help the chuckle. “Looks like she outwitted you.”
“Well you could help me!” Peter rolled his eyes at the Mutant.
“I’m frozen to the spot.” He smirked as he realized he couldn’t move. “She takes after her grandpa.”
“In more ways than one.” Peter put on some speed and grabbed his daughter, making her squeal as he swung her around, before letting her rest on his hip. “Unfreeze him, Lorna.”
She giggled. “I can’t hold him long like Pappy.”
“Thank God.” Logan reached out and ruffled the kids hair. “It’s good to see you Peter.”
“You saw me last night…” The laughter paused, as he suddenly looked at him intently, before shifting Lorna to the ground. “Hey kiddo go find your Uncle Kurt, tell him to find us.”
She ran off, in search of her favorite Uncle.
“You’re back.” Peter gave him a half smile, then reached out and hugged him. “We were wondering when you would show back up, well as you … you. Dad wasn’t to surprised when you wandered in amnesiac and angry with the world. Though your tagalong was a surprise, but Uncle Charles seemed to brighten when you introduced Maria.”
“You haven’t changed.” Logan couldn’t help the smile at the fast rambling. He had so much to learn, about everything and everyone, but it was good to see some things hadn’t changed.
“I’m older and wiser.”
“He’s older, wiser is a myth.” Kurt held Lorna’s hand as he smiled at Logan. “Welcome back, my friend.”
“A priest?” He took in the black suit and white collar.
“First Mutant ordained at the Vatican. Vatar was so proud, and when the Pope said he raised a lovely Catholic child, Vatar reminded him he was Jewish. Pope just smiled, and told him so was Mary and Joseph, who gave the world our Lord.” Kurt smiled brightly at the memory, at seeing his Papa and Vatar in the middle of St. Peter Basilica both couldn’t help the laughter at the visual or irony. Charles had to keep hushing them, though even he couldn’t keep the smile of his face. “I’m actually the priest at the local parish, I requested to be close to the school.”
“I really need to talk to the Professor.”
“Not between the hours of 9 and 10.” Hank stepped up, giving all three of them a look. “Shouldn’t Lorna be in class? As a matter of fact Logan shouldn’t you be teaching your class?”
Peter and Kurt looked at him, shifting their heads at Logan.
Logan couldn’t help but take in the Mutant, he looked so much like the general he knew, though softer. It was a good look on him, more scholarly less soldier. The fact he was completely blue furred, showed he had come to terms of who he was even without the war.
Hank took off his glasses, cleaned and put them back on. “What?”
“It’s Logan.” Peter stated hands waving at the Mutant.
“Yes it is.” Hank shook his head, there were days he swore Lorna was more mature, but then she also had her grandfather’s tendencies, which made her as unpredictable.
“No as in LOGAN.” He tried again, making wide hand gestures.
Kurt looked heavenward, crossed himself then gave Hank a look. “He means are friend from 1973.”
Hank paused, then looked at Logan. “We were never knew when or if you would return to us. We had changed so much, we weren’t sure what would happen. I’m glad to see you.” He smiled brightly at him, taking his arm. “I’ll let you knock. Though, you do have your metal frame so be cautious.”
“They’re still that bad.” Logan couldn’t help the bemused smile.
“Yes.” It was said with a fond amusement. “They’ve been an inspiration for many couples over the past decades. Including another pair, who will be interested to hear your story.”
Logan stopped in his tracks when he saw Jean, standing at the Professor’s door with a mixture of fond amusement and exasperation. She smiled brightly when she saw Logan. “Well someone finally decided to get up. I was ready to send Scott.”
“I would’ve likely tossed him through a wall.” Logan couldn’t help but take in her beauty. The three of them were formidable warriors, until they day the Phoenix was uncontrollable. He lost Scott and Jean that day, but between the two of them they took out a shitload of Sentinels that helped many of them escape and regroup.
“I’m sure you three have a lot to talk about.” Hank coughed, then took a deep breath before knocking on the door. He stepped back and hid behind Logan.
The door ripped open, showcasing a growling Erik. “What?”
“I didn’t do it.” Jean held up her hands, trying not to grin as the Professor adjusted his suit and settled behind his desk. Erik on the other hand, didn’t care that his shirt was untucked and looked rumbled. “It was Logan.”
“The world must be ending if you of all people dared to interrupt.” Erik left the door open, and proceeded to sit on Charles’ desk, fiddling with some paper clips.
“Nice grey hair.”
“Fuck off.” Erik gave him a pointed look, though confusion was showing through. “I don’t like it when you act weird.”
“I never asked in all the years, how you lost the hair.” He stepped into the room, focusing on Charles. “I assumed it was from the stress of what we were going through, but now I’m guessing it’s Erik.”
“Ish. We don’t talk about Egypt.” Charles stood, his gaze and attention focused on Logan. “Something is different, my friend.”
“I’m having a hard time with some of my history, mostly anything past 1973.”
They both looked at him, then at each other. “Welcome home, Logan.” Erik’s voice was softer, older, yet held a steal to it that he remembered.
“Thank you.” Logan looked between them, trying to hold back the tears. Just seeing Jean and Scott, the kids, a grown up Peter and Kurt, Erik with grey hair, hell he was even a grandfather, was enough to make him want to cry with joy and frustration as he knew no ones story. Only a future that will never happen.
“No Logan.” Charles pulled him into his arms and held him. “Thank you.”
“Come on in, we’ll catch you up.” Erik ushered everyone out but Hank. “Let Alex and Darwin know what’s going on, they’ll be back in a few days.” He paused, smiled at the sight of his grandkid, then focused on his son. “Did you know my granddaughter is making a sword out of spoons?”
Peter turned to stare at his kid. “Lorna!”
Erik chuckled as he closed the door. “God I love that kid.”
“So where should we start…” Charles sat behind his desk, Erik joined him, leaning against the back table. Hank settled onto the couch, with Logan taking one of the armchairs.
“How about Egypt?”
Erik growled.
“Oh that sounds like a good story.” Logan settled into his seat, he had a lot to catch up on, but he was content to have finally found home.
***
Erik walked through the kids, who were groggy and not sure what was going on. Most stared at the ruins of the house, while others stared at Dean Lehnsherr. Scott Summers, along with Jean followed meekly behind the pissed off teacher, making sure to stay out of his eyeline. They were in enough trouble for stealing one of the cars and going joyriding.
“Would someone care to explain, what happened?” His voice was calm, yet held a low growl to it, that sent shivers of fear down everyone’s back.
“I just got here.” Peter held up his hands in defense. “I finished my final, and came by to talk to the Professor, and the place was exploding.”
“You got everyone out?” Erik studied his son, noticing a few singe marks and the shaking of his hands. It was obvious Peter was terrified and dropping from adrenaline.
“Everyone that was there.” He sagged slightly, wanting nothing but to fall into his Dad’s arms. “I didn’t see Uncle Charles.”
“Then someone needs to explain to me, how in the one hour I’ve been gone. The school has been destroyed and my husband is missing.” Erik turned and looked directly at Hank, who was bent over an unconscious Alex.
“I have no idea … “
Erik shifted suddenly as helicopters came over the horizon, and just as he reached out with his power a powerful burst of energy spread across the school grounds, knocking him flat along with those who were standing.
Only ones left upright were Jean and Scott who had ducked behind some rubble. Kurt suddenly appeared to the site of carnage, to see his father …. “Vatar?”
Jean hushed and pulled him behind the rubble.
“Now what?” Scott demanded.
General Stryker stepped out of the helicopter, sneering at the unconscious Erik. “Get him, his kid, Summers, and the Beast … leave the rest.”
“Can you get us into the helicopter?” She asked Kurt, who nodded. “I’ll keep them from seeing us, and we’ll see where they’re taking them.”
“Where’s Uncle Charles?” He whispered as they settled into the helicopter.
“I don’t know where the Professor is.” She answered quietly.
“What do you think will happen?” Scott glanced around, still getting used to seeing the world through a haze of red.
“Well when Vatar wakes up and realizes someone took Uncle Charles.” Kurt gave the two a look. “He’ll rampage across the earth until he finds them, and they better pray that Uncle Charles isn’t harmed.”
Excellent *claps hands* love this so much .