Scott stares at the bar’s entrance. ‘They changed the door’, he thinks… and despite himself, wonders if it was because the owner decided to make the change on his own, or wonders if he; or she for that matter, was forced to make the change – which under normal circumstances, would have been likely caused by property damage stemming from fights by people with powers – people like him. Lord knows he’s had his share of fights in places like this… not too many, though. After all, he hardly went such places.
He much preferred more quiet places where he could do what he did best… brood. Scott Summers, was after all one of the brooders around. He couldn’t help it. Back then, he would be thinking about how he could be a good leader for this team and friends… how he could be worthy of… of the professor’s trust in assigning him as the team’s field commander. And at times, he would think his brooding would keep him from doing what he wanted back then, which was spend time with Jean. He still remembers how vulnerable she looked when she first arrived in Xavier’s school.
Later, his brooding would be on how to make the X-men better than they were. With threats like Magneto, he needed to make sure they were ready – after all, they were the self-declared first line fo defense against renegade Mutants… his race… the homo-superiors as some would put it. Yet despite his best efforts, he would find the team – both old and then later, the newer ones, lacking in some things. Discipline… Experience… Training… he pushed them hard – and himself harder. Hoping for peace – but preparing for battle.
Newer… he nearly smiles at that. After all, these ‘newer’ X-men were not exactly amateurs anymore – come to think of it, some of them were already capable of handling themselves and their powers before Charles called them all to form a team to fight Krakoa and free him and his team. Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Sunfire and members who are no longer alive… Thunderbird, Banshee… and Wolverine.
Wolverine… it was this same bar that he went to to talk to Logan a year ago – at the behest (or insistence of Kitty… Katherine Pryde. So he shared a quiet and tense hour with Logan. Back then, he was just wondering how long it would be before Logan found an excuse to try and slice him – after all, he had just killed Charles – no… the Phoenix had done it. Granted, it was using him… but he could not accept that he was the one responsible for such an affront. Despite what others would think, or say… after all, they were not the Phoenix’s vessel.
Yet… at times, he likewise thinks back… as he looks up the moon – where Jean, back then, likewise the Phoenix’s vessel, took it upon herself to make the ultimate sacrifice. How he failed to do the same. So much for inner strength… maybe that was also why Logan could not accept him and his reasoning.
“The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
The words are uttered in a ‘matter of fact’ tone, made by a very familiar – albeit, seemingly coming from out of nowhere voice. Scott turns to the shadow to see two glowing eyes staring at him. He composes himself, and smiles a bit. “Hello Kurt… any reason why you’re keeping to the shadows?”
“Just being cautious. After all, one cannot totally assess the effects of the Red Skull’s hate influence against us” The eyes look quickly on both sides, before Scott hears a slight button press, and Kurt Warner appears from out of the shadows – image inducer on hand and working. “Given the circumstances, it is good to see you Scott” and Kurt offers his hand. Scott takes it and shakes. “You too Kurt”.
“Who else is here?” Kurt asks. “I’m not sure. I just arrived myself.” Answers Scott. To this he gets a smile and a shake of the head. “No you did not Scott. Forgive me, but I was observing you from the shadows, You were brooding again.” It’s Scott’s turn to smile. “Touche.” He replies. “Now there is the Scott Summers I remember! I missed that smile mein freund.” As quick as it came, said smile fades. “Guess I haven’t had any reason to smile often Kurt.” He gestures towards the door. “C’mon, let’s see who else is here.”
As they enter, both case the place without having to communicate who looks where – a habit borne out of survival. It is hardly noticeable. Except by those who normally do the same. As all else looks fine, they go towards the back where a table reserved under the name of Katherine Pryde aeaits them. Sitting around said table are Kitty, and Ororo Munroe. Kitty smiles and waves at them, Ororo greets Kurt with a hug, and formally greets Scott. Scott does not notice the slight hesitance of his old teammate – after all, she isn’t too sure of how Scott is – and his close association with old enemies… Emma (a.k.a. the White Queen) and Erik (a.ka. Magneto) puts him in confusing light. “I come in peace, Ororo.” He jokes – at least, he tries to.
She takes a deep, centering breath. Offers a bit of a smile and answers “Yes… peace. It is good to see you in such light Scott.” Kurt nudges her “It’s bad enough we have one stuffy being in this table by way of Scott, Ororo… let’s not make it two, shall we?” “What he said.” Interjects Kitty. “It’s all right Kurt… Kitty, I’m used to it. Good to see you too Ororo.” And he slides by Kitty’s side, as Kurt angles between the ladies with a quick, inconspicuous Bamf! His three companions are shocked – looking around to see if anyone notices. But apparently, no one did. Still, Kurt can see three pairs of reproachful stares at him.
“What? I was discreet,,, and the exhausts are right above us, so the smoke will not even be seen. Ease up all of you.” He smiles. “Bar keep! Some service please?” He shouts just loud enough to be heard. He then turns to Kitty. “So my dear Katherine, what brings about this little reunion?” Kitty settles down, but does not back down a bit. “I swear Kurt, if you still like living on the edge, try not to include me in your misadventures.” “Yes, ma’am.” – this done in as seriously a reproached manner… which last for a good two seconds before the smile returns. “So,,, back to the question.”
“I’d like to think of it as a tradition that we started a year ago.” Explains Kitty. “That no matter what happens, we meet here and prove to ourselves – and hopefully, to a larger and ever growing group that we can still sit and talk… in peace… at least in this time of the year. “Christmas?” Kurt asks, “and Hanukkah.” Answers Katherine. “Let’s not forget Kwanza as well,” Ororo points out. “A veritable gathering for Happy Holidays” Scott concludes after a few heartbeats.
As if on cue, their drinks arrive and they offer each other a toast. Ororo turns back to Kitty and asks, so you started this last year? Who was here? Well, me of course… Scott, and Logan. This brings a look of surprise to both Ororo and Kurt. “But last year… Logan and Scott were at the height of their… disagreement. How did you do that Kitty?” Ororo asks. “With a good deal of wheeling, dealing and coercion.” Answers Scott… smiling a bit and touching his glasses to raise them a bit. Not looking at Kitty, but knowing she was giving him a bit of a pout. But she takes it in stride. “I told Scott, I would pull out of his school if he didn’t give in to my reasonable request. And as for Logan, I threatened to phase his prized possession into the grounds of the Jean Grey school and let Kracoa make sure it moves to a separate location whenever he tries looking for it.” They all laugh at that.
After a few catching up discussions, where some topics are easily discussed… and a few a bit more painful, others even slightly divisive – hence discarded, they then decide to toast companions gone. A list that is painfully long. Scott starts… “Calvin Rankin. We used to call him Mimic, and a regular pain. He had all powers of the old team, and he felt that made him better than us. Still, he later fought the Super Adaptoid and lost his powers. He turned out okay. But it would be years later when he would sacrifice himself. So here’s to the Mimic.” And Scott raises his glass. Toasts happen then Ororo speaks.
“I did not meet Mr. Rankin, but I would like to toast a comrade who perished in one of our earlier adventures… Thunderbird.” Nightcrawler nods… “Ja… we hardly knew him, but he died making sure Count Nefaria did not escape.” “But Nefaria did escape, Kurt… unfortunately.” “Scott… that does not lessen his gesture.” Scott raises his hands – “Not arguing that point Ororo… just saying things could have gone better.” “So it was his fault?” “Yes, Ororo!...” Scott takes a breath, as he hears some distant thunder… “His… and mine. He died in my watch, and I have thought through that several months – berating myself for not doing enough. Hell, even Charles kept to himself for a few weeks.”
“The mantle and burden of leadership… I understand.” Says a slightly placated Ororo, and everyone could notice the weather calming down a bit as well. “Another friend I miss so much… “ Ororo continues, “is Jean.” She looks at Scott slightly sad. Waiting for what he will say. He just looks down. Non-committal… even Kurt talks about Jean. Kitty chimes in – saying she hardly knew Jean, but knows of her from conversations with everyone. Scott simply listens, then asks “Can we move on? I’ve buried her twice… I don’t want to dwell on it.”
“Logan…” chimes in Kitty. “Do you believe he’s dead?” “Katchen…” Kurt comments. “No Kurt…” she shakes her head. “I don’t believe he’s dead, I mean, I could have phased him out of that hardened Adamatium casing!” “But you weren’t there Kitten” Ororo whispers…. “None of us were.“ “He always went off alone – even back then, we argued about that.” Scott shakes his head. “But he’s got a stubborn streak,,, then again,” looking around the table, he adds “so do we all. Cheers.” ”Cheers” everyone else says in a muted manner.
“The runt was stubborn as hell… but I gotta admit, he was a great scrapper.”
Everyone freezes – the voice came from the table next to theirs… separated by the back-rests of their chair. And although they did not see who uttered it, they have heard the voice enough to recall it should they hear it again.
Scott and Ororo stand. Ready… tense. Kitty phases, but remains calm. Kurt looks over the upholstery and sees a short cropped, red-haired back of the head. He knows who it is and his heart beats faster. The head slowly turns to meet his eyes. It is Cain Marko… otherwise known as the Juggernaut. All four X-men have the same thought in mind. ‘Not here… too many civilians’.
“I don’t know what you’re doing here Marko… but we won’t allow you to endanger the people in this bar.” Scott tells him… using his Cyclops voice – all serious… ready to defend the civilians. His eyes glowing a bit brighter, but still in check. Ororo mimics Scott’s seriousness, if not the tone. Her eyes showing some slight discoloration and electrical charges. “If you have come to make trouble, Marko… you will regret this.”
”I’d like to see try, Storm”; He says leveling his gaze. “But if you really want a fight, I suggest we take this outside. I don’t want to splatter your brains out on my new furniture.” “Wait… your what?” asks Kitty. “You heard me. I own this place.” Marko stares at them. “I been here lots of times. Trashed it to dust several times. You remember that elf, you were here in one of those times. You with the runt and that love sick drunk Russian all those years ago.” “Well I still came back, and the owner… well let’s just say he talked to me one night – chanced that I was in a good mood… and offered to make me a partner. Said since I paid him so much for past damages, I practically almost owned the place. He convinced me to buy him out. Even offered to manage things for me.”
“Now like how he treated me back then, I welcome anyone willing to pay and frequent the place. Even losers like you four. I may not like you… but so long as you don’t make any stupid move, and harm my palce, you go t nothin to worry from me.”
“I was just curious why you four were here, so I slid over to this table and kept quiet.”
“You were eavesdropping on our conversation?” asks Kurt… though slightly more bemused that offended.
“Protectin my property… figures it gives me the right. So… you need me ta mop the floor with you?”
“No…Cain” Ororo steps towards Cain Marko. No defiance… just restrained tension. “We came this evening to declare peace to each other. We will extend that to you – and, we… thank you for your hospitality.”
“Sure thing, sweets. Like I said… your money’s welcome. And I meant what I said about the runt. He was good at what he does. I’ll miss tusslin with im.” Cain looks to the bar and shouts “Hey Josie! How bout a round a drinks to this table, my tab.” With that, Cain stands.
“Enjoy your drinks, and don’t think that makes us friends, I see you outside blockin my path any time soon, I’ll swat you down.” He leaves, as all four look on. “Oh yeah, Cyclops… I’ll see you soon,”
“So much for turning this into a long standing tradition.” Kitty mumbles.
“Oh I don’t know, Kitty…” Scott is smiling. “I feel safer now, knowing the Juggernaut is our bouncer”.
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