Plan X

Striker examined the captured mutants, his expression far from satisfied. The core members of the X-Men had managed to escape. All he had to show for his efforts was a handful of mutants of varying ages. While he had been busy breaking into the X-Men's secret chamber and attempting to get his hands on Cerebro, a couple of girls had slipped away on the X-Jet right under his nose.

But that no longer mattered. Cerebro was in his hands; now, all that was left was to transport it to the designated location.

Meanwhile, aboard the X-Jet

"Hey, let me fly!" Kitty tried to wrest the controls from Jubilee.

"Sit down, or we'll crash!" Jubilee shrieked.

"Why can you fly it, but I can't?!" Kitty protested.

"For once, try not to act like a child," Jubilee shot back.

"That's it! We're not friends anymore!" Kitty huffed, plopping down into her seat.

Kurt let out a weary sigh, making sure to sit as far away as possible from the two bickering girls.

"Maybe we should try to find the other X-Men?" he suggested hesitantly.

Two sharp glares immediately cut through him, and he realized he should've just kept his mouth shut.

"Great idea. And where exactly do you suggest we start looking?" Jubilee asked sarcastically.

"There, on the dashboard. The beacon map," Kurt pointed at one of the screens. He often used it to locate and rescue teammates.

"We have that?!" Kitty exclaimed in surprise, leaning over Jubilee and blocking her view again.

"Will you quit it already?!" Jubilee snapped, shoving Kitty aside.

The jet suddenly lurched to one side, slamming them against the wall. Grabbing the controls just in time, Jubilee managed to steady their course and bring the X-Jet back to level flight.

"Whew… that was close…"

Kurt was already praying, despite the fact that he could teleport straight to the ground if needed. Somehow, he still didn't feel safe with them.

After a while, they spotted a small cabin and landed nearby. Those inside exchanged puzzled glances at the sound of the aircraft touching down before stepping outside.

"So, are we going in for the rescue?" Jean asked.

"No. First, we're picking up some backup," Logan replied.

He knew that after the events in Washington, the professor had found Escanor but had made no attempt to contact him. However, Charles had shared where to find him if the need arose.

"And who might that be?" Jean asked.

"Escanor," Logan grumbled.

He couldn't stand the guy, but now wasn't the time for personal grudges. When family was on the line, there was no room for hesitation.

**********************

Dressed in a closed cap, dark protective glasses, and a leather jacket, Logan walked through Hell's Kitchen.

His nose picked up all the scents of the street, but one stood out above the rest. His instincts led him straight to a bar. Inside, he immediately noticed a red-haired guy standing at the counter.

His face seemed vaguely familiar, though now it looked much more mature. He had to be at least twenty, but scent never lied. It was him.

Logan took a seat at the bar.

"You know, I could snap my fingers once, and you'd vanish from this place find yourself somewhere in the middle of the ocean," Escanor said calmly, not even looking at him.

"Maybe. But I wouldn't be here without a good reason," Logan replied. "You seen the news?"

"That you're wanted and every government agency is now after you?" Escanor asked rhetorically, pulling out a bottle of whiskey and pouring a glass for him.

He slid the drink toward Logan.

"Appreciate it. Just what I needed," Logan said before downing it in one gulp.

"We need you. They took Ororo, Cyclops, the Professor… and other mutants, kids included."

Escanor frowned.

The ones who attacked the X-Men… maybe they were the same people behind his parents' murder. He couldn't just sit this one out. And then there was Storm… his feelings for her were something he couldn't ignore.

"I'm in," Escanor said firmly.

**************

POV: Escanor

When Logan walked into the bar, all I wanted was to kick him right back out. Life was finally settling down, and now here he was again.

After the Silver-Haired Bastard turned into a demon and we took him down, things didn't just stop there. Kingpin was devouring power, pulling everything under his control. I had a simple way to deal with him for good.

But I kept getting stopped.

I held back, let Daredevil carry out his plan, but if he failed my way would be next.

And now, after all that, when I'd just started enjoying easy money, he showed up.

Yeah, I saw the news. They were saying the X-Men attacked the government, that they were criminals now. For a second, I thought about finding them, helping out, but I brushed it off. They shouldn't have had trouble handling it without me.

But it turned out to be way worse than I thought.

The school was practically wiped out. Mutants kidnapped. The rest on the run, hiding God knows where.

According to Logan, Striker had been experimenting on mutants for years, using them to create weapons. The moment I heard that, I remembered those black-ops agents. If anyone was behind this, it was him. I could feel it.

The moment I stepped onto the X-Jet, I barely had time to react before I was practically tackled in a hug.

"You're back! Yay!" Kitty exclaimed joyfully.

"Kitty, let go of me," I said, trying to peel her off.

But she only clung to me tighter, wrapping her arms around my neck from behind.

"I missed you so much!" she said.

"Enough, Kitty. We've got serious business to take care of. This isn't the time," I said.

"Oh, so serious. You're only fifteen!" she huffed but finally let go.

"Mentally twenty," I smirked.

Coming back was worth it just to see all of you again. No matter what, they were my friends.

"We shouldn't waste time," Logan said.

Kitty had already entered the mansion and begun scouting. Reaching the hidden floor, she searched the labs and other rooms. The strangest thing Cerebro was missing. The only person besides the Professor who could use it was Jean. If they didn't have a way to make it work for them, then they wouldn't need it. But they went after it first, even leaving behind the X-Jet's newest engine untouched," Logan continued.

"You think they want to use the Professor's powers for something specific?" I asked.

I knew Cerebro helped locate mutants, but that only gave them an advantage in hunting not much more. They already had devices to detect mutants.

"Cerebro amplifies Xavier's powers," Logan explained. "He can literally control anyone within his reach anywhere on the planet. If he wanted to, he could snap his fingers, and we'd all drop dead, brains melting out of our skulls."

That made the situation a lot more serious.

"But how would they make the Professor do it? Even under the threat of death, I don't think he'd obey," Jean said.

"There are worse things than death," Logan said grimly. "Striker created Weapon X. He probably has everything he needs to force the Professor's hand. We can't waste time."

He paused, glancing at everyone gathered.

"We're heading out. We can't strike right away we need to rescue our people first. Otherwise, they'll be used as hostages against him. Kitty, Nightcrawler, you're our best bet. Jean will go with you she'll help find them. Your mission is rescue only. Get them to the X-Jet. No fights, understood?"

Logan stared intently at Kitty.

"What? My powers aren't even combat-related!" she protested, but after seeing his expression, she sighed heavily. "Fine, fine! I got it!"

"Then let's move."

***************************

"You know, Professor, I actually admire you," Striker said, locking eyes with the mutant. "To wield such incredible power and yet have such control… You could have made humanity perfect. Brought order. Led the world to true balance."

He smirked, watching Xavier, who remained calm despite the situation.

"But instead, you hide away in your school, wasting your gift."

He wasn't afraid of mental attacks the helmet on Xavier's head blocked his abilities.

"No matter the thirst for power, we must first care for one another and for the next generation," Xavier responded evenly. "Controlling everyone is a path to self-destruction."

"Admirable. In some ways, I even share your vision of the world. And I'm willing to pile up as many bodies as it takes to ensure that future generations live without people like you!" Striker declared.

"You are mistaken," Xavier replied calmly. "This will lead to nothing but ruin. Mutation is neither a curse nor a defect it's merely another step in evolution. Something truly dangerous is coming, and the world is preparing us for it. It's not too late to stop. Until the final step is taken, there is still time to make things right."

Striker smirked, tilting his head as he examined the Professor, as if assessing him.

"You're an exceptional psychologist, Professor Xavier. But it seems you've forgotten who you're dealing with."

He gave a signal, and the doors to the room swung open. A wheelchair was pushed inside, carrying a young man in his twenties. His gaze was empty, and several tubes were connected to his body.

Xavier froze, shocked by what he saw.

"That's your son," he said quietly.

"No!" Striker cut him off sharply, clenching his fists. "My son is dead. This… thing, this mutant, is the reason my family was destroyed!"

Hatred flashed in his eyes.

"My wife she took a knife and slit her own throat with a crazed smile on her face," he gritted through his teeth. "All because of him!"

He took a deep breath, regaining his composure.

"But that doesn't matter anymore. Everything has already been decided. I've done everything to reach this moment. Now do it take control of him."

Xavier barely had time to process his words before his vision blurred and his consciousness plunged into a nightmare.

"Sir, several sensors on the outer perimeter just went off," a soldier reported, pulling Striker's attention away from the scene.

The colonel smirked and turned to the screen.

"Our guests have finally arrived. Let's give them a warm welcome," he said, clasping his hands behind his back. "Deploy every piece of Weapon X technology we have."

*************************

POV Escanor

"I'll go first and draw their attention. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see me," Logan said, clenching his fists, ready to unsheathe his claws. "As soon as the fight starts, you move in. The rescue team gets to work. Rogue and Jubilee stay with the jet."

"Hey, that's not fair! We wanna have fun too!" Jubilee protested, crossing her arms. Rogue just shrugged but didn't argue.

Logan scoffed.

"If we all leave and they destroy the jet or disable it, how are we getting out of here?" he shot back. "Securing our escape is the priority."

Jubilee rolled her eyes but eventually relented.

"Fine, got it," she grumbled.

"Don't worry, I'll bring you back a souvenir," Kitty teased, only to receive a sharp glare from Logan.

"Enough talking. Time to move. I've got a bad feeling we're expected," I said.

"Let's go."

Wolverine led the way, relying on memory to find a concealed door. He slashed through the lock with his claws and stepped inside. We hung back a little, watching as Kitty and Kurt phased through the walls. I suppressed my strength enough for them to pull me along. Within seconds, Nightcrawler appeared beside me, and in a puff of purple smoke, we teleported inside. The rest followed soon after.

"What signal are we waiting for?" Iceman asked.

"I'm sure we'll know it when it comes," I replied.

"We're heading out to rescue the mutants," Jean said. I nodded to show I'd heard her.

Left alone in the small room, I clenched my fist in anticipation. All this sneaking around wasn't for me I was used to facing fights head-on, not hiding. But common sense told me that with hostages in play, caution was necessary.

*ALERT*

"The signal?" Iceman asked.

"That's the one."

My sun flared to life, and I turned my body into a battering ram, smashing through walls, reducing them to splinters. Bursting into the corridor, I caught sight of an operative's shocked expression he barely had time to react before I sent him crashing into the wall. I kept forging ahead.

"Seal the doors! Now!" someone shouted from up ahead.

A steel plate dropped with a loud clank, blocking the passage. But could something so trivial stop me? Hardly slowing down, I plowed straight through it.

As I entered a spacious room, I saw Logan a few meters away, leaning against the wall, covered in blood and wounds, struggling to breathe. Nearby, Storm and Cyclops were using their powers to beat him down, while a woman with dagger-like fingers slashed at him in close combat.

"Right on time," Wolverine muttered.

"What's wrong with them?" I asked.

"Looks like they're under someone's control go easy on them," he said, forcing himself to his feet.

Taking the hint, I charged Cyclops. The impact sent him flying toward the wall, but I held back just enough to avoid causing real harm. Moving quickly, I reached Ororo and pressed gently against her carotid artery. She went limp in my arms, unconscious. I caught her carefully, cradling her like a princess to keep her from falling.

"You're quite stunning when you sleep," I smirked, glancing at her face. But now wasn't the time for dramatics I laid her down gently and turned back to help.

"You don't have to hold back with her she's got the same regeneration as me," Logan said.

My next strike sent the enemy crashing deep into the concrete floor, embedding him several meters down.

"Whoa, that's some power… Damn, you're a big guy! Just don't hit me like that, alright? I'll surrender right now. Not that I could do anything I'm like a newborn, just without arms or a lower body," came a casual voice from the floor.

He really was missing his limbs, yet he spoke as if it didn't matter.

"Another mutant. His regeneration is weak. Let's leave him for now," Logan said.

"Hey, don't go! I wanna see how this ends! I'm dying of curiosity!" the guy called out excitedly.

Logan's claws flashed as he crouched over him and drove them into his skull, silencing him instantly.

"Striker ran that way. We need to find the Professor," Logan said.

I picked up Ororo while Logan hoisted Cyclops onto his shoulder. Pushing forward through the remaining guards, we eventually reached a door engraved with the 'X' insignia.

"Looks like Cerebro," Logan muttered.

But before we could step inside, a powerful wave of pressure hit us. Iceman collapsed to his knees instantly, Logan barely managed to stay standing, and even I felt the weight of it pressing down but I resisted.

"He's trying to crush our minds! Escanor, now!"

Wasting no time, I kicked the door open.

In the center of the room sat Professor Xavier, a helmet placed on his head. Behind him stood a young man a mutant, no doubt the one controlling Charles.

I grabbed him by the throat. Despair flashed in his eyes he knew this was the end. I didn't hesitate. With a sharp twist, I snapped his neck.

The pressure vanished instantly. The Professor sagged in his chair, gasping for air. His hands trembled as he slowly removed the helmet.

"Escanor?" Xavier managed weakly.

"Yes, it's me."

"The children…?" he asked, struggling to focus.

"Kitty and Kurt evacuated everyone. We saved them," I replied.

"What now?" Iceman asked, approaching and clutching his head.

"Where's Logan?"

"Said he went after Striker. Following his scent."

Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out over the loudspeakers:

"Attention! Evacuate immediately! Code 7 activated! Full facility purge initiated! Attention! Evacuate immediately! Code 7 activated! Full facility purge initiated!"