Hello again everyone! I have like nothing to do this summer so I'm gonna write for this, especially cause after this chapter, there will be only one more. This one will take you a while btw its over 3,000 words! So good luck! But I have really great ideas for the next book. So hang in there! Hope you enjoy my lovelies!
"Evelyn?" Charles opened the door to Evelyn's room as slowly and silently as possible. She was still fast asleep, and looked as peaceful as ever. Curiosity coming over him, Charles stepped in to see her beautiful sleeping form. He couldn't get over how beautiful Evelyn truly was. How her silky blonde hair framed her light porcelain face. The way her eyes would sparkle in the sunlight, or when her lips curved into the most amazing smile. Charles couldn't help but stare, she was just so perfect. However, he had remembered why he came to her room. Today was the day. They were going after Shaw, even if it meant risking their lives to do so. Therefore, Charles leaned forward and placed a kiss upon Evelyn's temple, hoping the affection would wake her. Thankfully her eyes began to flutter open.
"Good morning Charles." She spoke sweetly.
"Good morning, love." He responded lovingly.
Suddenly her eyes furrowed as if confused. "Today's the day isn't it?" Without needing a response from Charles, she readily jumped out of bed.
"I'm going to need you to wait outside the door, Mr. Xavier, I'm afraid I have to change my wardrobe." Evelyn joked, after realizing she couldn't do anything until he left.
"Oh really? Such a shame, I'd much rather stay and see what's under it." Charles flirted back.
Evelyn shook her head and pushed him towards the door despite his protests. She quickly changed into whatever she could find, remembering Hank was working on suits for them anyway. She then proceeded to stroll out the door and followed Charles to Hanks lab along with everyone else.
As they approached the door, it appeared that Hank had left a note for them.
'Gone to the airbase, bring the crate marked X. -Hank'
Waking inside, everyone was dumbfounded to see everything strewn all across the room. It was a mess. It appeared as if an animal wreaked havoc everywhere.
"What the hell happened here?" Erik questioned.
All that was untouched was a closed metal case marked X. Charles opened it to find piles of suits, namely for us.
"Hank has been busy." Charles thought out loud.
"Do we really have to wear these?" Alex complained.
"As none of us mutated to endure extreme g-force or being riddled by bullets, I suggest we suit up."
Time Skip to the Airbase
Stepping forward toward the plane, there was still no sign of Hank.
"Where is Hank?" Evelyn wondered.
"I'm here." said a voice. He didn't sound like Hank at all. It sounded huskier, almost like a growl. It wasn't until the blurry dark form came closer, that anyone could identify him. He was...blue. With the fur, fangs, and claws of an animal.
"Hank?" Charles uttered, astounded at what he saw.
"It didn't attack the cells. It enhanced them. It didn't work." Hank explained, holding his head down in shame.
Raven stepped forward, her features full of sincerity. "Yes, it did, Hank. Don't you see? This is who you were meant to be. This is you. No more hiding." It was a still, peaceful moment. Erik hit his shoulder lightly and chimed in.
"You never looked better, man."
However, Hank thought Erik was making fun of him. His large hairy arm gripped Erik's throat and held him up in the air.
"Hank!" Evelyn shrieked.
"Don't mock me." Hank threatened menacingly.
"Hank put him down immediately, please." Charles tried to be civil, although Hank still held Erik's neck tightly.
"Hank! Hank!" Charles yelled.
Hank released Erik and let him drop onto the floor.
"I wasn't." Erik hissed.
"Even I got to admit you look pretty badass. I think I got a new name for you. Beast." Alex proclaimed. Thankfully, Hank didn't strangle anyone this time, only snarled a bit.
"You sure you can fly this thing?" Raven asked him, marveling at the complex look of the plane.
"Of course I can, I designed it." Hank assured.
Time Skip again
On the ship, everyone glanced at each other nervously. They had no idea what would happen today. Someone could die, and right now would be the last time they were all together.
Evelyn felt her hand being held from beside her. Turning to her right, Charles gave her a grim look but trying to smile.
"It'll be alright, love." He assured her.
From her left, Erik reached for her hand as well. Thankfully, he couldn't see what Charles was doing.
"Are you ready?" Erik inquired, referring to Shaw. Evelyn nodded, rage coming over her. After all these years, today was the day she would avenge her mother.
Are you sure you want to do it Evelyn? Killing him will not bring you peace.
Im sorry Charles, but he killed my mother, I have no choice.
Those are Erik's words not yours. You are free to make your own decisions. You said yourself you didn't want to become a monster, if you do this, you're going down that dark path.
So what am I supposed to do then? Let him get away with murdering my mother?
Be the better man, Evelyn. I am sorry but killing him won't bring your mother back. Please make the right choice. There's so much more to you than just pain and hatred, love.
Evelyn stopped responding after that, not knowing another reason to kill Schmidt other than because of her mother. And because Erik wanted to. But what would her mother really think of that. She taught them the difference between right and wrong. If they were to slaughter Schmidt just because they thought it was the right thing to do, they'd be no better than the men who slaughtered their people because they thought it was "right". Evelyn's mind was now more confused than ever. Erik would think she betrayed him, and he's all she has. She doesn't want him to despise her for this. Just as Evelyn's mind became riddled with more questions, they arrived at the Cuban beach.
"It looks pretty messy out there." Moira observed.
Charles brought two fingers up to his head, checking for signs of Shaw.
"The crew of the Aral Sea are all dead. Shaw's been there." He announced.
"He's still here, somewhere." Erik spoke, anticipation in his voice.
"He set the ship on the embargo line. If that ship crosses the line, our boys are going to blow it up. And the war begins." Moira added.
"Unless they're not our boys."
Using his telepathy once more, he made one of the Russians fire a missile at their own ship. The missile nearly hit the ship if it wasn't for Hanks maneuvering.
"A little warning next time Professor?" Hank requested.
"Sorry about that, you all right?"Charles apologized, running his hand through his (beautiful) hair.
"That was inspired Charles."Moira complemented. Evelyn slightly glared at her. She knew from the beginning Moira had something for Charles. And she does not like it.
"Thank you very much, but I still can't locate Shaw. He's down there, we need to find him now. Hank? Is there anything unusual on the radars or scanners?"
"No. Nothing." Moira answered.
"Well then he must be underwater. And obviously, we don't have sonar."
"Yes we do." Sean butted in confidently.
Erik nodded at Charles, both of them standing up to give Sean a proper send off.
"Hank, level the bloody plane!" Charles demanded urgently.
"Whoa, you back right off." Sean joked, referring to Erik standing too close to his liking. Especially after last time.
"Beast, open the bomb bay doors!"
"Remember! This is a muscle. You control it! You'll be in here the entire time! We'll see you soon! On my mark! Three! Two! One! Go!" And off went Sean into the dark ocean.
"Alert the fleet. They may want to take their cans off." Moira spoke into the radio.
"Banshee has got a location on Shaw. Are you ready for this?" Charles questioned Erik.
Erik did not look so sure of himself, but nodded anyway. "Lets find out."
The rushed to the opening of the ships wheel, and Erik disappeared under the ship.
Back to where Evelyn sat lonely, she couldn't help but feel useless. Her telepathy wasn't powerful enough to do anything Charles could. And now her ice powers were out of control. Well, at least she could bend water without any problems. Staring at Raven, she spoke the words in her head that someone once told her.
It'll be okay Raven. Everything will be okay.
Except...maybe it won't. Who knows what could happen today on this beach in Cuba. All Evelyn knew, was that she would do anything to protect the things she cared about. By any means necessary.
"Hold on guys, Its gonna get bumpy." Hank informed us.
Suddenly the ship started to shake, and Evelyn's hands instinctively gripped the handle bars. The shaking got worse, leaving her to hope that her brother and Charles would get in before anything got worse. Getting impatient, she reached her arm out towards them and used the water in the air around them to push them back into the ship. Immediately the ship spun out of control. Erik held onto the metal on the floor to keep both him and Charles grounded. Evelyn closed her eyes tightly, waiting desperately for the plane to stop moving.
BOOM
The plane hit the beach. Parts of it were torn apart and thrown all over the beach around them. It took a few minutes for everyone to steady themselves enough to stand.
"Evelyn? Evelyn, are you alright?" Charles asked urgently, rushing to her now upside-down seat. Evelyn's hair was disheveled, along with her mind. After quickly getting Evelyn free, he ran over to Raven to do the same.
"I read the teleporter's mind. Shaw is drawing all the power out of his sub. He's turning himself into some kind of nuclear bomb. We have no time. The Geiger count is going out of control. Moira, this is what we're going to do. Get on the radio and tell them to clear both fleets out immediately."
"We're going in." Erik motioned to Evelyn as they both left the plane.
"Beast, Havok, back them up."
Erik, Evelyn, I can guide you through once you're in, but I need you to shut down whatever it is that's blocking me, then we just hope to God it's not too late to stop him.
Outside of the ship, there was three of Shaw's "minions". The red one started fighting Alex and Hank, then disappeared out of sight. Angel flew out and began to fight Sean. It was too easy to fight the last one. Tornadoes? Really? Easily, Evelyn froze the water surrounding him in seconds, leaving him just a frozen body. Then Erik tore the sub open, letting it fall onto the frozen man.
As they walked in, it appeared there was no one to be found. Still determined, they moved on to search the sub.
We believe Shaw is trying to detonate some kind of bomb. Erik, make for the middle of the vessel. That's the point my mind can't penetrate. We have to assume thats were Shaw is.
Erik turned to see a lever on the side of the wall.
That's the nuclear reactor. Disable it.
Erik pulled it down, shutting it off. Going further down the hall, the two began to get frustrated. There were still no signs of Shaw, and there was no where else he could be!
Erik, Evelyn, you're there. You've reached the void.
"He's not here, Charles." Evelyn replied.
"Shaw's not here! He's left the sub!" Erik agreed.
What? He's got to be there. He has to be! There's nowhere else he can be. Keep looking.
"And I'm telling you he's not. There's no one here, God damn it!" Erik yelled.
An unknown door opened behind them.
"Erik. Evelyn. What a pleasant surprise. So good to see you again." Shaw mused.
The two stepped inside his inclosed room, leaving Charles behind.
"May I ask you two something? Why are you on their side? Why fight for a doomed race who will hunt us down as soon as they realize their reign is coming to an end?"
Shaw threw them against the wall, breaking the glass surrounding them.
"I'm sorry for what happened in the camps. I truly am."
Erik, whatever you're doing, keep doing it. Its starting to work.
"But everything I did, I did for you. To unlock your powers, to make you embrace it."
Shaw threw them once again.
I'm starting to see him, but I can't yet touch his mind.
"You two have come a long way from bending gates and freezing mud. I'm so proud of both of you. And you're just starting to scratch the surface. Think of how much further we could go together. I don't want to hurt either of you. I never did. I want to help-"
Evelyn had had enough. Anger boiled in her, and she was tired of listening to this old man drabble on. She had realized if she could control the water in the air, what if she could control the water in a person? Controlled by her own rage, Evelyn reached out and stopped him in the middle of his speech. She could feel every muscle, every vein, every part of his body. And she could do anything she wanted with it. Erik stared at her, stunned at how she was doing such a thing. However, brushing it off Erik stepped closer and closer to Shaw until they were face to face.
"I'm sorry Charles."
Erik, please. Be the better man. Erik there will be no turning back! Don't do this Erik!
He took off Shaw's helmet, and placed it upon his own head to block out any more of Charles.
Facing Shaw he spoke once more. "I'd like you to know that I agree with every word you said. We are the future. But, unfortunately, you killed our mother." He stepped back a few feet away, and held up the coin Shaw once gave him.
"Im going to count to three and I'm going to move the coin."
The coin started, aiming towards the middle of Shaw's forehead.
"One."
Evelyn, please. Stop this madness. You're the only one that can stop him.
Charles, if the Government got their hands on Shaw they'd kill him anyway! What difference does it make if its them instead of Erik? And I couldn't stop him now anyway. This is what he's dreamed of doing since he was a child! It's what I've wanted since I was a child! He made our lives Hell, and now its time to take him there.
"Two."
The coin squished itself into Shaw's skin and broke into his cranium. You could faintly hear the sounds of his brain tissue being ripped as the coin ran through his head. Finally, it came out of the other side, covered in blood.
"Three." Erik ended, dropping the coin to the floor. Evelyn let go of Shaw, letting his corpse fall to the floor as well. Erik bended some metal bars around Shaw's wrists, and lifted him up(along with himself) to the outside. Evelyn followed, using the air to carry her. Everyones faces glanced up in shock. But Charles..he glanced up at Evelyn in disappointment. Evelyn suddenly felt ashamed. She had convinced herself in the plane that she shouldn't do it. She knew it wasn't the right thing. And yet, in her anger she disregarded it all and did it anyway. Evelyn didn't exactly kill Shaw, but she had aided her brother in doing so. And it was exactly like Charles said. She doesn't feel satisfied. It doesn't feel peaceful. It was like nothing she thought it would be.
I'm sorry Charles.
There was no response, making Evelyn feel even more shameful. She escalated down to the sand and stood by Raven.
"Today, our fighting stops," Erik dropped Shaw's lifeless body in the sand and dropped himself in the middle of everyone, "Take off your blinders brothers and sisters. The real enemy is out there. I feel their guns moving in the water, their metal targeting us. Americans, Soviets, Humans. United in their fear of the unknown. The Neanderthal is running scared, my fellow mutants!" Erik turned to Charles.
"Go ahead, Charles. Tell me I'm wrong."
Charles brought two fingers to his head to see if Erik was telling the truth. Sadly, he turned to Moira and nodded for her to call off the attack.
BOOM BOOM BOOM
Suddenly, missiles from every ship flew their way towards the beach.
"Erik, you said yourself, we're the better men. Here's the time to prove it! There are thousands of men on those ships. Good, honest, innocent men! They're just following orders!" Charles screamed, trying to convince him.
"I've been at the mercy of men just following orders. Never again."
Erik turned the missiles around and shot them back towards the boats. Evelyn wasn't sure of what to do. Of course she knows that mutants are the next step of evolution. But that doesn't mean one should go around killing people just to speed up the process. There are men on those ships with families and children. She doesn't want to be like the men who once took her parents from her. But before Evelyn could step in to do something, Charles tackled Erik to the ground.
"Erik release them!" Charles begged, trying to stop him.
"I don't want to hurt you. Don't make me!" Erik growled, elbowing Charles in the face.
Evelyn and the others ran to aid Charles, only for Erik to push back everyone but Evelyn.
"Stand back!" He yelled.
Evelyn couldn't decide what to do. Betray her brother and save innocent lives? Or to let him continue to help the mutant race? Erik punched Charles in the stomach and stood, leading the missiles once more. Evelyn made up her mind. She didn't care if she thought differently than her brother. She was going to do what she thought was right, regardless. Pushing her arms up, Evelyn created a giant wave barrier between the ships and the beach. Some missiles fell into the water, but others were strong enough to withstand the wave. Erik turned to Evelyn, confused and almost hurt. Suddenly, Moira shot bullet after bullet at Erik's head. Now turning his attention to Moira, Erik threw each one to the side of him. Evelyn saw it coming before anyone else did. Before Charles walked any further, Evelyn pushed him away, the bullet hitting her thigh. Everything in that moment stood still. Erik turned in shock to see Evelyn barely conscious in Charles' arms. He pushed Charles away and held his dear sister, the missiles long forgotten. Lifting her side, he pulled the bullet out of her leg. Blood seeped through her clothes and onto the sand. The others tried to get close again with no avail.
"I said back off!" Erik yelled once more.
"Erik she needs to go to a hospital, she's losing too much blood." Charles told him, still in disbelief that this woman saved him from possible death.
"You. You did this." Erik wrapped Moira's dog tags tight against her throat, strangling her.
Evelyn mustered up the strength she had left."No Erik. You did." She stammered.
Erik glanced up at Charles beside him, only to see him nod in agreement with Evelyn.
"Us turning on each other, its what they want. I tried to warn you, Charles. I want you by my side. We're brothers, you and I. All of us together, protecting each other. We want the same thing." Erik insisted.
Charles grimaced and shook his head. "My friend. I'm sorry, but we do not."
Erik then stood, carrying his beloved sister in his arms.
"This society won't accept us. We form our own. The humans have played their hand. Now we get ready to play ours. Who's with me?" Erik scanned all the mutants now together. Hank, Alex, and Sean didn't look up to meet Erik's gaze. Knowing they'd want to stay with Charles. The three mutants of Shaw's joined Erik's side. However, Raven wasn't sure. Its what she wants, but could she leave Charles like this? Erik could sense her uneasiness, and stared right into her deep yellow eyes.
"No more hiding."
Raven started towards Erik, but went to Charles instead, wrapping him in a hug.
"You should go with him. It's what you want." He insisted.
Raven let go, facing him in disbelief. "You promised me you would never read my mind."
"I know. I promised you a great many things, I'm afraid. I'm sorry." Charles apologized, but he didn't want to make her stay. If it's what she really wants.
Raven walked over and joined Erik, placing a hand on his shoulder. Charles wanted to speak up, do something to get Evelyn to stay. But he couldn't. She had to leave. She needed medical attention immediately.
Evelyn forced her head to the side, just to see Charles at least one more time. Tears pricked her eyes from the pain in her leg, to the pain in her heart. They stared at each other, begging not to leave the other. Knowing they might not see one another again. But this was life. If you really love someone, you'll let them go.
Evelyn. I'm so sorry, love. I wish I could do something. I'll never forget you.
"And Beast, never forget," She gazed at Hank, determination and pride in her eyes, "Mutant and proud."
Charles, I-
And just like that, they were gone.
Just a reminder I WILL be writing another chapter, this isn't quite the end yet. Granted it will probably be much shorter than this chapter, but whatever, it'll exist and it will be important.