ALL CRY THE CHILDREN - 7/?
By Various


X-Factor Liaison Officer's Office

Nick Fury:  "I want the Neutralizer."

Forge:  "I'm afraid that I have no idea what you're talking about
Colonel."

Nick Fury:  "Don't play me for a fool Forge. Perhaps you've forgotten that
S.H.I.E.L.D. was the front line in the Dire Wraith war?"
	Fury leans over Forge's desk, cigar smoke only partially blowing
into Forge's face the majority of it's stench is sucked away an ionized by
a device in the ceiling. "Oh, I'm sure you're aware that we haven't
figured out how to duplicate the thing yet, but we do know most of the
parts that went into it. And you know what? They're rare. And we've kept
tabs on 'm. You bought 'm up two weeks ago. Cut the Crap. Hand it over."

Forge:  "While I admit to using a wide variety of unique technical parts,
I tend to only need such things when developing my prototype devices for
agencies like SHIELD, if you can follow me Colonel. And while the parts
you refer to were used on a classified project, I can assure you that I
have not built a new "Neutralizer." I couldn't if I wanted to, I'd be
afraid of it falling into the wrong hands again..."

Nick Fury:  "Off the Record?" Fury steps back and paces. "Pete Gyrich is a
Bastard. The again, so am I - but for different reasons. I'm under UN
orders to bring in Magneto for a new World Trial, but that's never gonna
happen. He's not gonna submit to a second trial willingly, I know him. The
Nazi brats Fenris broke up the last trial to discredit him, but Mags
thinks the trial concluded and that he was exonerated. Wrong. The trial
concluded that it had no jurisdiction to judge him, and left it to the
world to decide on their own."
	Fury lights a new cigar, while flicking away the old one. The butt
is caught by a minuscule robot and whisked away. "Well, they've decided.
Half a dozen countries have arrest warrants out for him, and bounties on
his head. He's got all of the Suits scared stiff. Every caper he's pulled
is bigger than the last and he's winding up for a doozy this time. The day
he "returned" Genosha broke out into civil war and now we have mutants
spontaneously demonstrating for their rights worldwide. Dead he was a
Martyr. Back from the dead, he's the friggin' second coming for
mutantkind."
	"If I don't bring him in, someone else will - in a body bag. And
even if I could bring him in, that's gonna be where he ends up. No
government or religion can afford to keep him alive. I don't want it to
come to that. With the Neutralizer, I can remove his threat potential.
It'll still leave him free to preach whatever he wants."
	Fury blows a smoke ring, sweat visible around his eye patch, "It's
his _ONLY_ chance. Give IT to me, and I'll bring IT back. You've got my
word." 

Forge: "I do sympathize with your plight Colonel, but I'm afraid I can't
help you. There is no Neutralizer."

Nick Fury: "I can pull rank. The friggn' Magneto Protocols give me the go
damn right to do yahoo thing I want."
	Fury smashes his cigar out on Forge's desk. "I know you're well
placed Forge. Stark's been unreliable after his buddy Iron Man's escapades
in the Armor Wars and now Richards is dead. You're the main Gizmo man, and
you know it. It's got you your cushy office here. You could rebuild the
world in seven days if you wanted to because soldiers like me like their
toys." Thumps Desk, yelling, "But Mags is bigger than this! I can order
you to release to me _ALL_ of your private files, and I can hunt up the
plans myself! Do you want to have SHIELD crawling through every crevice
that you've ever broken wind in?"

Forge:  Forge is silent, staring out his window at the capital building in
the distance. "No." He says to the window, and then turns back to Fury,
"But if that's what you must do..."

Nick Fury: Throws up his hands. "Alright! I'm through bein' nice! When
this is over, and I have to scrape that poor man off the floor, I'm comin'
to see to it that you join him in the same box! Enjoy yourself while you
can." Fury stomps out of the room, and slams the door before it closes on
its own.

Forge: "I'll be here."

Nick Fury: Nick bursts back in, "Oh, and Forge, I've already drafted up
orders to send X-Factor after Magneto when we go to make the strike. It's
going through channels now. SHIELD believes that Mags is hold up at
Xavier's School for the Gifted, and we're preparing to move in once we
have a sufficient force, that's about 12 hours or so before we make a
move, so have your boys ready." Fury leers, nearly biting off the end of
his cigar.

Forge: "12 hours?" Forge asks through steepled fingers.

Nick Fury: "12. Should you come around to your senses, use the SHIELD
Priority Channel. Be seeing you." Fury Walks out on the last word. Forge
immediately makes a call.

Forge: "Alex? Get the team prepped for immediate deployment, I'll fill you
in later. It's bad. Bring everything you've got. Forge out."

Genoshan Jungle

Sinister disappears as he has come. The look of confusion is replaced by
annoyance on the X-Men's faces. They are tired of being played for pawns
in a game that means their lives, with players they don't even know.

Renegade: Bishop has snatched back the gun she stole, and readjusted his
holster to prevent a recurrence of his gun being "borrowed."
	 Renegade seems to want to say she's sorry but is taken aside
before she can by Nightcrawler.

Nightcrawler: "Well, fraulein, I believe Herr Sinister may have been
reffering to you in that warning.  Not that it matters right now, but it
is something to keep in mind.  I don't know too much about you, but maybe
you can bring me up to date. "   

Renegade: She's still visibly shaken at seeing Sinister.
	"Sure... Kurt? Anything you want to know. One day I'll make that
Bastard pay. He and his Marauders, THEY killed the Morlocks, MY family!"
She looks away. "I've never tried to kill in cold blood before. If that
gun had worked..." 

Gambit: Watches the players in front of him and shifts impatiently.  He
thinks "We gotta get movin' and all dis talk is only slowin us down." 
	 He then casts a glance at Bishop, his thoughts still his own. 
"Sinister bears watchin'.  I don' trust im.  I'll be keepin one eye for
him and one on my teammates.  Specially Renegade. I don' know what she
knows, but I got dis feelin dat she needs watchin too." 

Bishop:  On his own takes the lead, moving forward, scanning the
unfamiliar foliage for  enemies.  The meeting with Sinister was...
disturbing...and somehow  familiar.  Something he had seen, in his past,
in what was now the  future.  He shakes his head, dispelling the visions. 
A soldier cannot allow himself to become distracted when in a combat
situation.  He grips his weapon more tightly and continues through the
underbrush.

 Madagascar Coastline - Landing site of the Blackbird

Rogue:   Before flying into town, Rogue rummaged through her gear to find
the clothes she was going to wear to the Darwin concert.  She had been
wearing her costume, it seemed, non-stop.  To wear 'normal' clothes again,
if even for just a night or two.  She pulled out a pair of slightly baggy
jeans, a white tee-shirt and a flannel shirt.  Comfy clothes.  "Girl,
you're goin' grunge," she said to herself and laughed softly.  She changed
quickly, eager to get out of her costume, and also only afforded a moment
of privacy aboard the Blackbird.  Rogue rummaged some more for a pair of
socks and slipped them on.  Finally, she pulled out a pair of Doc Marten
shoes, newly bought and polished.  A year ago, she could never imagine
herself even thinking of dressing like this, but now it seemed
appropriate.  The concert was likely to be a hodge-podge of interesting
people and she would fit right in.  No mutant powers, no fighting off the
bad guys, just her and thousands of other people doing what people her age
do: enjoy life. 
        Rogue stood up and wiggled her toes around in her shoes, smiling
to herself.  For a moment she almost had a pang of guilt about going into
town and seeing this concert, but the feeling left just as quickly as it
came. Scott had O.K.ed it and she wouldn't have gone unless it was REALLY
O.K.  
        After putting her costume away, she moved towards the Blackbird's
hatch, but she stopped abruptly before exiting.  She had forgotten
something.   Her gloves had been left behind on the control console; Rogue
picked them up and paused for a moment before putting them on.  A dull
pain threatened to rise up, but she quickly shoved it away by shrugging
and slipping on her black gloves.  No problems tonight, she thought, not
even mah powers are going to put a damper on mah plans.  
        On the way down the Blackbird's ramp, Rogue met up with Kitty and
Peter as they were on their way in.  

Shadowcat: "Rogue! This is certainly something new for you!" 

Rogue: "What?  A girl from Mississippi can't dress like this?" she
laughed. 	"Ah think ah'm gettin' used to the idea of goin' with mah
instincts.  Before ah always had to second-guess mahself, but this seems
right, at least for the occasion.  This seems like me."  

Shadowcat:  Kitty hesitated.  "I wanted to ask you about that, but I
didn't think it was...I don't know, O.K." 

Rogue: "What? About who's up here?"  Rogue tapped a finger lightly against
the side of her head.  "It's all 100% me."

Shadowcat: "I'm glad, I really am."  She smiled at Rogue.  Peter was
strangely silent at her side.

Rogue:  Feeling somewhat shy all of a sudden, not quite knowing what to
say, then blurted out, "Thanks," sincerely and flashed a wide grin. 
"Ah'll see you guys later." 

        Rogue felt weightlessness take over as she flew up into the air. 


Shadowcat: "Oh Rogue!" Kitty called from the ground, causing Rogue to stop
and look back.  "If you really intend on going grunge," Kitty said,
"you're really going to have to cut back on showers." 

Rogue: Laughed and shook her head.  "Showers...ah'll have to remember
that.  See y'all later, Pryde, Petey!"  She gave them a short wave and
took off towards town. 
 
 Inside the Blackbird As Shadowcat busies herself about the Blackbird,
Colossus takes advantage of the solitude and renewed closeness between
himself and Shadowcat to give her an impromptu back rub.  

Shadowcat: Kitty sighs, and latches a medkit back into place against the
side of the plane.  Her shoulders, rather than relaxing, seem to tense
even a little more at the touch. This should feel good, she thinks.  Once
I would have given the world for this, to feel those strong hands on my
shoulders.  His touch is so delicate, like his art, yet so wise.  So why
does it feel *wrong* now? It's not the mission, although it's been a
little too quiet lately.  It's him.  Us.  Everything's changed.  Colossus:
"You look tense, Perhaps as tense as I feel at the moment, Katya?" 

Colossus:  He pauses for the briefest of seconds with a strained look upon
his face, then continues with the backrub
	He ponders,"Did I do the right thing?" 
     Then, out loud, hesitant, "Perhaps, when this mission is over you
would enjoy a holiday, da?"  

Shadowcat: "Perhaps.  Perhaps we all should.  Things have been so bad
lately, we just all need to get away.  Away from the world, from our
enemies and our friends... maybe from each other."  She shrugs her
shoulders back, and phases, letting Peter's fingers pass through her,
ending the backrub. 

Colossus: Fingers flex in the blank air, stretching in the forms a
sculptor or a painter uses to take the tension away from the hand. Then he
shivers eerily, visibly throwing off his inner feelings. 
     To himself he thinks, "I was doing this too quickly!  Piotr... Ever
must you control your urges, your passion. You are on a mission!  What
would the rest of the team say if they saw you now, behaving like a, like
a ..." 
	He turns from Kitty with a long, labored, sigh and looks out the
front of the Blackbird.  He looks around inside the cabin for something,
anything to do to take his mind off Kitty. 
 
 Rogue in the air over Madagascar
	Below was a wide field that is now an outdoor concert. Originally,
the land was clear cut from the jungle as farmland, needed to support the
growing coastal cities. This concert, the "MTV Rock the World Vote," was
to provide funds for the UN to ensure that elections would be conducted
fairly in Africa. With Democracy waning in the third world, and the
tenuous state of affairs in South Africa and Genohsa, this was sorely
needed. It was also extremely controversial in terms of soveriengty.

	Despite this, a stellar cast was assembled. A "Sun City" reunion,
a partial "Yes" reunion featuring South Africa's Trevor Rabin, and the
crowning glory, a duet with Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush. 
	The enigmatic bassist, Richard Darwin, was even scheduled to make
a rare live appearance. He had been part of the "Sun City" album, playing
both rythym and producing, and had been one of the most vocal supporters
of this concert. He was the sole supporter after Bob Geldoff bowed out
over contractual legal problems. 
	That the concert was here, and going off on schedule, was more
than a minor miracle. 

Rogue: The night was completely perfect; Madagascar was cool, but not cold
at night, and as beautiful place as any she had seen.  One thing Rogue had
to thank being an X-Man for was the places she got to see during their
adventures.  Africa, the Savage Land, France, even Asgard.  She couldn't
decide, however, which place bewildered her more, France or Asgard. 
        Rogue found that she was really looking forward to the concert,
and she supported its cause. During her childhood in the South she had
only encountered racism (and its step children segregation and voting
denial) as a child, at the periphery of the community.  She had even seen
a cross burning once, not really knowing what it meant and just knowing
that it scared her.  Now, as a young adult, she couldn't believe that she
had ever witnessed anything like it.  Yet the image of it was firmly in
her mind; she could bring it up again and see it.  What she especially
remembered was the sound of the fire as it burned, and how that sound had
found its way into her dreams that night. 

        But that was too many years ago in a past she had thought best
forgotten.  Growing up, she knew the KKK existed, but it never entered
into her life except for that one night as a little girl.  Now, as a young
adult, she had seen racism

nto something even bleaker.  This concert was more than just a protest
against racism; she felt as though it spoke about hatred against mutants
as well.  Rogue had hated the racism, no matter how covert, she had
encountered in Mississippi, but it was a silent hatred. 
	 Before she had an opportunity to finally voice her opinions about
it, acquiring the courage she would need to speak up through maturity, her
life had been rocked by the advent of her powers.  Those took her away
from her life in the South, her past.  
        Now, it might not mean as much, but she wanted to be a part of
this concert.  It, and its message, represented the beliefs about people
she had kept hidden. She smiled and twisted in the air, allowing herself
to enjoy her powers of flight.  A great cause and great music.  And
Richard Darwin.  
        Rogue had wanted to see him live for the longest time, but she had
never gotten the chance.  She couldn't believe it when she heard he was
here.  "This concert is gonna ROCK!" she exclaimed, not caring that she
was talking to herself, letting the moment just happen.  
        She finally came upon the town and she landed in a secluded spot,
being careful to blend into the diverse crowd that was alive on the
streets. 
	 People were everywhere; Rogue made her way through the crowd to
an interesting looking resturant.  There were still a couple hours before
the concert and she wanted to make a night of it.  Before she went in, she
walked over to Madgascar's version of a payphone.  She was really trying
to inconspicuously get in touch with Cyclops to check in.  
	She had to wait for young man to finish what was an absurdly long
call. When he emerged, he was buoyant in the way that only youth can be,
and he burst out of the booth running, Coke in hand, and managed slam
right into Rogue, splashing the pop over her front. He stammered an
apology, and almost tried to brush it off it embarrassed confusion, but
Rogue waved him away, chuckling when she wanted to be mad. "Kids," she
began to say but stopped, looking at her reflection in the silver plate of
the phone, "When did I stop being a Kid? I'm twenty three and already I
see lines beneath my indestructible eyes." 

 The Blackbird

Shadowcat: Kitty spends a few more minutes re-arranging stores, although
everything was pretty well packed before the trip; it's mostly just make
work.  When she's 'finished', she shoulders her backpack, and walks back
to the communications gear. 
 	Hope everything's going okay, she thinks, and checks the logs to
see if everyone (anyone?) has checked in.
	Nothing.
	Then she shoulders her backpack and says, "I'm going outside to
check and see how the repairs are going, Peter. If the comm gear signals,
beep me on the radio."
	She grabs a repair kit (her favorite, the one with tools that
nobody else is sure of their function) and phases through the bottom of
the plane to the ground then she looks around for Cyclops. 

Colossus: Stretching, sulking, is alerted by an incoming call, but the
system routed it automatically to Cyclops. "Not even the ship has need of
me."

Outside the Blackbird

Phoenix and Cyclops' conversation dwindled as Scott involved himself in
repairs and planning for contingencies. Scott was consumed with being
prepared, for anything. Without Xavier, and with Storm captured, his
shoulder was the last to fall back on. He had to be strong enough for all
of them, and there could be no room for error. None.
      The red x-transmitter on his uniform vibrated lightly, and he tapped
it on.

Cyclops:  "Cyclops here." 

Rogue: "This is just me checkin' in, Scott."

Cyclops: "Rogue!  Everything's O.K.? I assume -" 

Rogue: "Yup...everything's completely wonderful, in fact." 

Cyclops: Of all his team, Rogue was the most stressed, and potentially
least reliable. R'n'R was risky to grant her, but necessary, "I guess
you're having a good time, then?" 

Rogue: "Not yet, ah just got here, but ah intend to." 

Cyclops: "Well," Scott said, "Enjoy the concert, but be careful - just in
case."

Rogue:  "You know ah will Cyke, on both counts.  Rogue out." 

Cyclops: "Cyclops out." The transmitter fell silent as Shadowcat came his
way. She was alone and it didn't take a telepath to see the tension in
her, and to guess why. 

 Isle of Avalon

Magneto has been pouring over the world news feeds, summing up the
darkness in the world, its instability. He uses the connections he's
established on Internet to give word to the mutant underground to go where
they can be found in the major cities wearing red, and hinting that they
would be taken home.
	He even makes an untraceable call to the X-Men at their mansion,
but is greeted only by Jubilee's snapping gum on the answering machine. He
returns to Avalon's construction, needing the exertion to while away the
waiting.
	To Magneto's surprise, results come quickly. Around the world,
mutants and their supporters, begin spontaneously protesting for their
equal rights.
	The media is baffled why such a spontaneous eruption should occur
now after a decade of hostility. Talking heads in the news criticize
President Clinton's Information Superhighway as the cause of rapidly
spreading ideas, but the same talking heads also praised the brave Russian
people for using the highway to quell their own civil war a mere two years
before. No matter, the movement takes form.
	To the mutants, fired up by the MLF, the Acolytes, Magneto in the
past and present, and their private persecutions at the hands of Homo
Sapiens, there is nothing sudden about this. Magneto has returned, born
again, and promising them a promised land of peace.
	Rival demonstrations by neo-nazi hate groups began to pour across
Europe in response, and the KKK becomes visible again in America.
Strangely absent amongst the hate groups is Mutant Liberation Front and
the Friends of Humanity.

 
X-Men Mansion

X-Factor and Forge have given the mansion a thorough going over.

Multiple Man: Seven voices chorus, "Empty. Completely empty. Everywhere.
Its creepy."

Quicksilver: "And the grounds are also empty, as is the hangar."

Polaris: "I checked the telecom log. Lots of clues boys, all bad."
	Polaris informs them that Xavier is dead, and that the Gold Team
has been captured in Genosha. Excaliber and the Blue Team are on a rescue
mission. Magneto also called and left a message about anti-mutant
protests.

Havok: "Why didn't any of these messages get through if they were sent to
us?"

Forge: "Someone's been intercepting our phone lines. Someone like SHIELD."

Havok: "So why play games with you? He knows Magneto isn't here."

Forge: "Nevertheless, SHIELD is preparing a Strike team to hit the
mansion. We can't allow SHIELD access to Xavier's files, or the Shia'r
equipped sub-basements.  We'd never be able to keep the X-Men a secret
again."

Havok: "So it was a warning. Fury's on our side."

Forge: "Fury is on his own side. Always has been. Guido, get Emma Frost's
and David Haller's bodies and their containment units out from the med
section. Jamie, Pietro, grab whatever personal item looks work saving, and
be quick about it. I'll get Cerebro, or at least as much of it as I can.
When we clear, Alex, Lorna, level the place. Make it look like Magneto did
it. Polaris is the only one who can."

Havok: "There's got to be another way."

Forge: "I'm open to suggestions, but I'm also heading for Cerebro. One
hour people, and then she goes. Alex, you've got an hour to out think me."

Havok: "No you're right. We can't fight SHIELD, not now. I'm going to give
Jamie a hand, I've been here the most."

Polaris: Left alone in the common room, she stares at nothing in
particular. "Once you tried to convince me that I was your daughter. You
lied. Now I've met your true son who hates you, and we are friends. You
told me that my destiny was to be like you. That I could never avoid it.
Now here I am, saving you by destroying the home of your greatest rival.
It was also once my home and your home. You may not be my father, but for
a time, you were, and for a time I loved you. And at times past I've come
to hate you. I'll save you now, but I may not do so tomorrow. This act
will erase my debt to you. It's too big a price to ask for anything less."

	 She grips the chair where she first kissed Alex, a quiet night as
an X-Man. A hurried kiss before Longshot and Dazzler came stumbling by,
she chasing him with an Icecube.
 	"For the two of us father, it's much too small a world."

Three days forward in time.

  The Isle of Avalon

Magneto sits and regards the work going on around him. 30 mutants have
been brought here from around the world, few speaking the same language,
but each helping each other build their homes that they will call their
own on the newly established island nation of Avalon. Magneto's powers
could speed the work, but not grant them the satisfaction of their labor.
He assists when requested, little more, preoccupied as he is with the work
involved in gathering his followers.
	Already, sub leaders have appeared, and the most intriguing of
these is a boy of unusual will and charisma. He is the exuberance of youth
and fearlessness. He is barely a day over seventeen, and while he was
liberated from Pakistan, he is English speaking, his nationality
uncertain, but his skin is white.

Boy: "My Lord, you were not at liberty to answer my questions before,
would that you know gave me that honor, I would be grateful." His
piousness towards Magneto is disturbing, as is his blind loyalty.

Magneto: A lifted eyebrow, half amused, half uncomfortable. "Ask what you
like, young man. I do not promise answers. But you are more likely to get
them if you cease bowing... and address me by name." 

Boy: "Yes master - Magnus. It is hard to break the old ways. I was a
devote Acolyte, until I learned of Fabian's deceptions. It was I who led
the X-Men into our Citadel. For that I have been outcast, but I have never
given up on your dream, for I have made it my own."
	"An Outcast, I made an attempt to replace the dream with religion.
A faith in God instead of faith in mutantkind. I have made a pilgrimage to
both Jerusalem and Baghdad in an attempt to find God. But I found nothing,
only that the Jews and the Muslims are too much like ourselves. They must
fight to hold onto what they are, and endure bigotry by the First world,
and live with the constant fear of reprisal, just to be who they are.  I
was making plans for a trip to the ruins of Tibet, or to find the Dalai
Lama, when I discovered that YOU were alive."
	"I sent computer viruses and messages the world over to find you,
and I joined the protests hoping that you would find me. And you have.
Despite your wisdom, I do not think that you can understand how much this
means to me to serve you and the Dream. You are the only man that I trust
or believe in, and I am sorry if that faith has deified you. Trust is all
that I have to believe in. It is also the name I have Chosen -Trust."
	As the Acolyte Trust speaks, a crowd gathers. 20 mutants in all
have been liberated to Avalon, a handful of the thousands, possibly
millions in hiding. They all join in, listening. They too have dreamed of
a savior, of a guiding hand to freedom. They have listened to the
broadcasted, and published teachings of Charles Xavier, and found them
hollow in this cold, brutal world. They have heard Magneto's speeches in
the past, edited as they were by the "FREE" press. And they Believe.
	They know that the Acolytes that remained loyal to Cortez are now
locked into the civil war in Genosha. Fighting and dying on what must be
the front lines in the war for equality and freedom. 
	Magneto is their last true hope. Men like him are born as
champions, not made, or so they believe. If not Magnus, than who? 

Magneto: To Trust, slowly, searching for the words as he goes: "Charles
Xavier, perhaps, could speak of dreams. I am wary of such words... perhaps
because I have seen what evil can be done by men so faithful to a less
cautious leader." The last is said with a tiny smile, but there is no real
humor or warmth in it.
	"Or perhaps because I have no dream worth the title to offer. I
cannot say as Charles did that my way will lead to a world where mutants
are safe from persecution -- only that, if we are very lucky and very
careful, it may give us a chance to fight that persecution with our hands
no longer tied behind our backs."
	The gathered respond in a supporting cheer.

Magneto: He chuckles a little. "Which I intend to begin doing at any time
now, when we have gathered enough people here to make such a move
feasible. And at that time, I cannot be here; my presence will be a
liability you cannot afford. So I advise that you learn to do without me."

Trust: When the boy speaks, he's not speaking so much to Magneto as he is
to the crowd of mutants. They respond to him. They relate to him. He
reminds Magneto of a younger Fabian Cortez.
 	"Then teach us! We have lived in fear, cowering behind doors,
shivering in alleys - All we know is fear! Teach us to be strong! Show us
that we can live without fear! Teach us that we have purpose - that we are
worthy of hope! Our parents abandoned us, we have no friends! All of us
here are alone, no matter how many you bring here. We don't know how to
care for each other, we've never learned how to care because no one has
cared for us. Show us how to be proud like you. How to be Strong like you!
We don't really care what the dream is, what we want is to learn _HOW_ to
dream. Show us how to dream!"

Magneto: Arches an eyebrow in surprise. "To be proud; to dream? I cannot
teach you that. That, we must all learn; you think we have not started?
You think I do not hear the mix of languages we have bred into a creole,
half words and half understanding, passed through those who can speak
without words; or see the way those among us who have hidden their talents
all their lives are beginning to stretch their wings?" He looks with a
glimmer that is almost affection at one boy who holds literal wings
half-extended... the young man had been thought a hunchback all his life,
the wings hidden twisted behind him under his clothes.  
        Sternness masking cold fear, Magneto surveys his small group. "To
be strong -- now that I can teach you." 
        He looks over the faces again, slowly, his piercing gaze holding
them silent through the long seconds while he says nothing. "So few of
them...," He thinks, "I had hoped to wait for this. But they are so
fragile; their momentum will fail without a challenge, even though the
challenge itself may destroy them."
	 When he speaks again, his voice is steady, quiet, holding no
trace of the worry in his heart. 
        "Well, David, you're the fastest of us --" And a rare, brief smile
of encouragement, coaxing the young teleporter he addresses into an
answering smile of pride.
	(To Himself) "They are all so afraid of what they can do!" A
flashback of memory strikes Magneto, and he sees Magda's eyes, looking at
her husband and seeing a monster...
	(Out loud) "-- so David, you shall keep collecting our refugees.
Well-hidden," he cautions sternly. "No heroics; there will be time for
that soon enough. Can you do that?" Barely waiting for conformation, he
rises, turning on his heel with an unconscious military precision toward
the room where he keeps his communications equipment.
	 "Come. If we are not yet a nation, we shall at least become a
state." 
      Now, with his followers watching, he sits almost casually at a
massive electronic console and flips on a camera -- sitting before it in
street clothes in a very rare willingness to show his face to the world --
and a microphone. 
	Worldwide telecommunications are abruptly cut off, and replaced by
Magneto's electromagnetic carrier wave signal.
      "You will pardon the intrusion." But his voice holds no trace of
apology. "It is customary for the birth of nations to command a certain
amount of international attention. In the absence of outsiders to report
the occasion, we are forced to substitute ingenuity." The threat is veiled
but unmistakable: for those inclined to forget their earlier encounters
with Magneto's ingenuity, his tone gives cool reminder. 
      "The world has savaged her mutant children like the animal which
eats its young. The allegedly civilized world --" his eyes glitter with
irony at the distinction "-- has stood by and watched... as it always
does. When Ishmael was cast out into the desert by his father, he founded
a great nation; so shall we." The last three words are dropped slowly, one
after the other, like ice. "And if, as was said of Abraham's elder son,
every man's hand is against us and ours against every man, well, fewer of
us than this have proven those odds even before." 
        He pauses and continues more quietly, almost conversationally. "In
order to provide a place of safety and a welcoming homeland for mutants
whose home nations may have rejected them, we now declare the sovereign
nation of Avalon. Its land is bound to no other state," he smiles, looking
suddenly years younger, "having been until recently under a considerable
quantity of water. Its citizenship is open to any mutant of any land. 
        "We want no quarrel with the world. We are an outcast people
seeking a homeland... and I call especially upon those nations similarly
founded to grant us immediate recognition. If we are left in peace and our
citizens are unhindered when they attempt to join us, you will find us a
peaceful and responsible member of the international community." And
suddenly the calm in Magneto's voice, in his eyes, is gone, replaced with
a cold savagery as he appears to be seeing something besides the camera
before him. "But for our lives and our freedom we will fight if you force
us. And those who would destroy us will die as the childless die: unknown,
unmourned and graveless, for we are the children of humanity and those who
turn on us turn on their own children. Their souls shall have no future,
for they would murder their future."  
        He sits silent a moment, his face implacable, compelling; letting
the words sink in. Then he switches camera and microphone off and remains
there, very still, eyes fixed still on something unseen. 

Three days back in Time: 

The Concert

Rogue: Leaves the phonebooth.   "Ah'm gonna have mahself a great time,"
Rogue whispered and walked towards the resturant. The young man who bumped
into her meets her at the door.

Chris Sypal: "I'm real sorry about that, and I wanna make it up to you! I
bought you a souvenir shirt to replace the one I ruined, I hope it fits."
He holds it out to her, then gushes, "OHMIGOD! You're Rogue! I'm in your
Stripe - I mean fan club! Oh wow."

Rogue: Takes a step back, surprised and alarmed that she has been
identified.  Looking around, she quickly scouts the immediate area, wary
of any ambush or attack.  "C'mere," she says curtly, noticing that her
mood is on a downswing.  Rogue swiftly took ahold of the stranger's arm
and lead him to an empty alley next to the restuarant. 
        "Alright," she says, "who are you and how do you know me?" 
        "Uh...I'm Chris and I'm in the Stripe, that's how I know who you 
are."   
        Rogue sighs.  "The Stripe.  Super.  Okay...are you evil mutants or
humans that hate mutants or aliens that want to take over the earth?" 
        "I think you misunderstand!  We're your fan club!  The Stripe, get
it?"  Chris points to Rogue's hair. 
        She rolls her eyes up at the hair that's cascading over her
eyebrows. Letting go of Chris' arm, she brings a hand up to her face and
shakes her head.  "Oh man," she says, "Ah'm really losin' it." 
        "I'm no evil threat," Chris says, "just a netter and a BIG fan of
yours!"
	Rogue laughs and says, "You still might be an evil threat." 
	 Growing serious for a moment she continues, "Ah have to let you
know that you need to keep your mouth shut about who ah am.  Ah'm here to
have a good time, not on X-Men business, so please keep who ah am
hush-hush." 
        "Oh, no prob!" 
        "Well, at least y'all didn't call yourselves the Skunk.  Ah have
someone to thank for that one," she smiles.  "You hungry?" 
        "Yeah!" Chris says. 
        "Then c'mon...Ah need to eat before this concert!" 

 Inside the restaurant

        Rogue sits back down with Chris after changing into the shirt he 
bought her to replace the one he spilled Coke on.  Now she had a concert
tee shirt to go under the flannel shirt she was wearing. 
        "I hope you're not sore about the tee shirt I ruined," Chris says.
        "Nah...don't worry about it.  This one is a lot better.  Ah'm 
flattered that you were so kind as to buy me another one." 
        "I certainly never expected to see you dressed like this," Chris
says. 
        "Huh?  Oh, well, ah'm on R & R.  It's nice to get out of the
costume for a bit," Rogue says.  
        "But grunge?" 
        "Why not?  Ah like it.  Very comfy."   
        Rogue and Chris order their meals.  After the waiter leaves, Rogue
leans forward and props her elbows on the table before her, resting her
head in hands. 
        "Tell me about the Stripe.  Ah'm surprised that ah actually have a
fan club.  It's kinda weird.  How much do y'all know about me, and the
X-Men for that matter?" 
        "Much less than you'd except.  What we mainly do is keep track of 
sightings of you, try to speculate about your background and your powers. 
We really only know what we get through the media and whatever rumors are 
circulating on the network," Chris explains. "It started when you saved
all those people from a falling building in San Francisco, and the X-Men
were called a menace on some stations and heroes on others. Funny thing
tho, lately, if we use the name Rogue or X-man it erases itself!" 
	   Rogue quickly makes a mental note, "So the electronic blackout
only partially works, have to tell Cyke about that." Out loud she adds,
"So the Stripe isn't a security threat.  That's good to know.  Ah have to
protect my teammates, you know." 
        "No, we're hardly a threat at all.  Just a bunch of people who
think you're great." 
        Rogue blushes.  "Ah'm flattered." 
        Chris smiles.  "The others are never going to believe I actually
met you.  I mean, this is really too much!" 
        "What are the others like?  Are they as nice as you?" Rogue asks,
this time making Chris blush. 
        "Well, there's David...he's basically the Dali Lama of the group. 
He's in charge of your FAQ..." 
        "FAQ?" 
        "Frequently asked questions file.  David keeps everything updated
for us.  And then there's Jennifer...I guess she's David's counterpart.
She's the one that whips all the drooling fan-boys into shape when all
they talk about are your...*ahem*...physical attributes." 
        "Jennifer?  Huh...she sounds cool.  I'd like the meet her," Rogue
says. 
        "And then there's Joanne and Mike and tons of other great people."
        "Wow...ah have a fan club.  Mah teammates are gonna flip over
this!" 
        The waiter brings the food and Chris and Rogue dig in; they chat
over the meal.  The conversation drifts away from the Stripe and they end
up talking about normal things, or at least what Rogue considers normal,
which is a nice change of pace.  Chris and she compare musical tastes,
literary preferences and the recent Olympics. 
        "Nancy was robbed," Rogue says. 
        "And how." 
        The pay and leave the restaurant. 
        "Ah really had a good time," Rogue says. 
        "This has been great," Chris replies.  "Would you like to go to
the concert with me?  It's a couple miles from town, but we could catch a
cab or something." 
        "Are you kidding, darlin'?  You forgettin' who ah am!" 
        Rogue smiles and grabs ahold of Chris' hand, leading him to the
same deserted alley as before. 
        "This is safe enough," she says.  "You ever fly before, Chris?" 
	   "What?  You mean FLY fly?" 
        "Is there any other kind?" Rogue giggles.  "Put your arm around
mah neck and ah'll support you. Careful not to touch my skin now." 
        Chris does and she wraps one arm around him.  "Fasten your
seatbelt!"  Before Chris realizes it, the two of them are swiftly moving
away from the ground and through the air.  The sensation of flying was
amazing. 
        "Wow..." Chris says, unable to think of anything else to say. 
        "Yup...this is pretty wonderful.  One of the perks of bein' a
mutant." 
        They fly on towards the concert, Rogue being careful to make the
ride as smooth as possible and not to hold on too tightly.  Near the
concert area, she spots a small clearing where she can land without being
noticed. 
        They set down lightly and Chris laughs.  "The Stripe is definitely
never going to believe this.  That was really great Rogue...thanks!" 
        "No problem, hon," she smiles.  "Now let's go check out this
concert!" 
        Rogue and Chris walk to the grounds, both expecting to have a
wonderful time at the concert.