Aftermath

Posted on Sat Sep 7th, 2024 @ 4:24pm by Charles Xavier & Ethan Hale & Theodore (Theo) Winters
Edited on on Sat Sep 7th, 2024 @ 5:15pm

1,997 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 5: Days of Fortune Past
Location: X-Mansion
Timeline: October 24th, 1990

Once they were a safe distance away from all the mayhem Ethan landed and Theo climbed on his back. When they had left for the theater they had taken their time. They were just a couple of teenagers trying to live as normal of a life as their special abilities allowed them to.

Theo, still exhausted and thinking they were probably going to get in trouble was in no hurry to reach the mansion. He didn't tell Ethan that, he wasn't sure what the older teen's reaction might be.

Ethan knew there might be repercussions, but as far as he was concerned they'd just been defending themselves and they had done their best not to escalate things. Besides, if they were going to get in trouble he wanted to get it over with and he wanted to get back to the mansion before the shit hit the fan and their little escapade was all over the news.

The pair landed on the front lawn ten minutes after leaving the scene of the altercation.

Then they walked through the front door.

Professor Xavier was waiting for them. "Ethan, Theo." His penetrating eyes gave them both a knowing look. After so many years of mentoring wayward youth along a better path, he knew guilty consciences when he saw them. In addition to the telltale signs of fight or flight responses, this was a teachable moment one way or another. "Is there something you had better tell me in private?"

The two teens exchanged glances.

"It wasn't Ethan's fault," Theo replied before Ethan had a chance to say anything. "It wasn't my fault either. All we wanted to do was go see a movie and when we got there all hell broke lose. You might want to turn on the TV."

"Yeah," added Ethan, "then we better talk in your office. It might be better that way."

"Let's head down below," the Professor said instead. He turned around and led them to the central elevator in the main hall.

Rather sheepishly the two teens followed him into the elevator not saying anything.

At Xavier's direction, the elevator went below the basement into the second subbasement where the War Room was located. He exited the elevator and led the boys to the table where he then activated the display screen.

"... reports are conflicting," said an on-location news reporter with worried eyes, "but what most eye witnesses agree on was that mutants caused a scene inside Theatre 80 who were then confronted by a group of vigilantes."

Professor Xavier muted the live broadcast in order to hear their version of events. "I am glad you two are safe. What 'scene' were they describing?"

"I know Theo said it wasn't my fault, but it kind of was." Ethan kept control but he had clear feelings beneath the surface. "We were sitting in the seats just minding our own business waiting for the movie to start when the Friends of Humanity had this public service announcement, that basically condemned all mutants as subhumans that are highly dangerous and should be subdued."

"Yes, I am familiar with it," the Professor said. That particular PSA had been given considerable airtime as of late. "What happened next?"

Ethan continued. "I couldn't help myself I reacted, maybe overreacted. I called bullshit. Out loud. Then someone threw a couple of sodas that hit me in the back of the head."

Professor Xavier arched his eyebrow but said nothing.

"Then things kind of went downhill from there."

Seeing that Ethan was finished, he turned to Theo. "What happened downhill from there?"

"Well," Theo replied fidgeting slightly. "Ethan didn't do anything violent, he didn't attack anyon..."

"No, I didn't attack anyone but I would have if Theo hadn't been there," Ethan confessed. "I was that mad. Ever since I got back from the Savage Lands I've felt out of control."

That development hadn't been lost on the Professor. He had been monitoring Ethan, waiting for him to admit his situation which was the first step toward overcoming it. But there was more to say, so Xavier waited for a gap in the conversation.

"I may have helped, but you're the one that did it." Ethan trailed off.

Theo picked back up. "Instead of hitting someone, he put a talon or claw, whatever you want to call it, through the cup. He was, I don't know trying to bluff them, or just keep them from attacking."

Xavier nodded, keeping his face neutral. Comments could wait until the end. For now, the boys needed an impartial listener.

"But they didn't stop," Ethan cut in. "It only made it worse."

"There were eight of them," Theo said. "They surrounded us, or were trying to. And they were armed. I took a gun from one of them, but then I kind of lost control and triggered an explosion. They thought I'd killed one of them but I didn't."

Taking a moment to scan the surface level of Theo's mind, the Professor deduced he was telling the truth. The alleged homicide was likely the result of a wayward teleportation gone haywire. It was a detail he made a mental note of, as it would be a crucial detail in a rebuttal his X-Corporation mutant lobby could use in combatting any vicious rumors of the situation.

Theo finished his account. "Then when it looked like we were going to have to fight our way out and really hurt someone, I tried something I've never been able to do until now. I teleported us both out of there."

"Responding to provocations aside," the Professor said, "I would say you both handled the situation fairly well. Leaving immediately would have been better, but I understand why you did not. There is a time and a place for forceful confrontations." He looked at them both, each in turn, before he said, "That was not the time or the place. It hurts the pride to be the bigger person and walk away because it feels like tacit consent for the oppressor to continue oppressing. The greater reality, however, is that there is no greater domination someone can have over you than to goad you into losing your temper, for when you do, you also lose your self-determination, like a raging bull who cannot help but charge a matador who lies in wait with a hidden blade. The moment you allow yourself to be baited, you become another's slave and so have made them your master." After pausing for effect, he asked, "Do you understand what I am telling you?"

"Yes," Theo replied.

"Understanding what you said is one thing, but how do I control my emotions? What's the difference between taking a stand and fighting the good fight and doing something stupid?" Ethan queried.

"What he said," Theo inserted.

It was an honest question that made the Professor smile with compassion. "The answer to that is quite simple," he said, "and it's in the form of another question. Do you feel proud of what happened? Is it something you want to do again? If not, that is your heart and soul telling you to find a better way."

Both teens nodded. "I guess that makes sense," Ethan replied. 'I don't feel proud of starting things. I should have just ignored what was up there on the screen. My outburst started the whole thing. On the other hand, I am proud we walked away and I think Theo handled it better, which kind of sucks because he's younger and I know better."

"Thanks, Ethan, but I could have dealt with it better than I did."

"Professor," Ethan continued, "could I talk to you more after Theo leaves?"

"Of course." The Professor looked at Theo. "You are excused, Mr. Winters. Thank you for your honesty and integrity."

After dismissing Theo, he turned to Ethan. "What did you want to say in private, Ethan?"

"I've always had a short fuse. Shorter than I should have. Maybe because of being kept in a cage and all the experiments they put me through. Maybe it's just how I am."

Xavier shook his head. "No, I don't think that's it. Go deeper, Ethan. Tell me what you really want to say."

"But, I've been working on it since I got here, trying not to act before I acted. But ever since we went to the Savage Lands it's been different. Like I'm reverting to Day One, or maybe even worse." Ethan shook his head. "I'm finding it harder to stay Ethan if that makes sense."

"It does," the Professor said. "We go through many seasons in life discovering who we really are. What you have to ask yourself is whether these feelings are beneficial. It may be that 'Ethan' is a concept you do not fully understand yet. While we cannot deny the influence of gene-editing on your psyche, I can assure you there is more to you than you know, even without factoring in what was done to you. Before you give in to despair that you are losing control, you should first ask yourself what it is you're afraid to let out and show the world."

There was a long pause before Ethan replied as he thought about Xavier's words. "Good point, Professor. I'm not fully sure I know what I should be. I know I'm going to change, and hopefully grow over time."

"Yes, but what are you afraid of?" Xavier pressed.

"I guess what I'm afraid of is I'll become more beast than human," Ethan said, "that the change won't be good and it won't be growth. I still want to be a lawyer as we've discussed. I can't do that if I can't reason."

The Professor's mouth quirked in a knowing smirk. "Oh, Ethan. What is human if not a divine beast? The only thing that separates us from the animal kingdom is our own imagination. Whether the changes you experience are good or bad is for you to determine. Do that, Ethan, find the silver lining that turns every setback into an advantage, and you will have demonstrated your faculties for clear reason."

"So, you're telling me I'm the master of my own destiny, and I should just let whatever it is that's affecting me, affect me, and just deal with the consequences?" Ethan asked plainly.

"No, at least not in any sense of fatalism." The Professor shook his head and tried to explain better. "Fear of the unknown is what has led humanity into the darkest periods of recorded history, and that is no less true for us as individuals than it is for nations. Whatever comes next, Ethan, the right response is never fear. The unknown is a mystery to be sure but it need not be a terrible one." His smile quirked up as he recognized the irony. "You may not be a mutant in the pop-cultural sense, Ethan, but you are wrestling with the very same question that we all do. I am quite grateful that you came to us when you did. We are all on the same journey and we will continue on it together."

Ethan nodded in understanding. "I see your point, sir. I get it. I can't let fear consume me. I'm sure this isn't the last time we'll be talking. Any more advice before I go get lunch?"

"No," the Professor said. "But I appreciate the respect you have shown for school rules and house decorum. Today's misstep notwithstanding, you are proving to be quite the role model. That is why I'm not afraid of whatever your developing issues may reveal. You have already revealed that who you are inside is indomitable and cannot be forever twisted into something else." Inclining his chin for emphasis, he concluded, "Have faith in that, have faith in one another, and there is nothing you cannot do. Enjoy your lunch, Ethan."

"Thank you, Professor," Ethan replied as he stood to his feet and moved to the door.

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