Different

Chapter 22

Erik's regret turns to anger and blame towards Moira. The chain of her dog tags tightens around her neck.

"Erik, she didn't do this," Charles looks up at him. "You did."

Realising he's right, Erik releases her before she loses consciousness.

"Us turning on each other," He looks at Charles. "It's 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."

"My friend," Tears brim Charles' eyes. "I'm sorry, but we do not."

Erik lingers with Charles a moment longer, blinking away his sadness and looking up at Moira. He motions for her to come forward and she rushes over, kneeling beside Charles and apologising profusely. Erik stands to face the rest of us.

"Their society won't accept us," He begins. "We form our own. The humans have played their hand," He gestures to the ships. "Now we get ready to play ours. Who's with me?"

The team looks between each other. I look at Raven, who looks right back. She reaches for my hand and we step forward together. She lets go of my hand and kneels to Charles, Erik extends his hand to me. I step in front of him, taking his hand, and look down.

"You're not coming." He mutters.

I shake my head and look up at him. "No."

"We can find Aston. Together." His grip on my hand tightens gently. "We can protect each other."

"I know," I blink to clear my blurred vision. "But I also think I need to do this alone."

He nods in understanding and I place my hand on the side of his neck and kiss him. He kisses back and we pull away after a few moments.

"I'll come find you in the future." I tell him. He nods and I kiss him on the cheek before stepping away. Raven looks at me and wraps her arms around me in a tight hug.

"I'll see you again, yeah?"

"Yeah." I nod in her shoulder.

"You'll take care of him?" She asks of Charles. "For a little while? And come find us?"

"Yeah," I promise. She nods and we pull away, she stands next to Erik and I kneel to Charles.

"Go with him," Charles grasps my hand. "He'll help you find Aston."

"Charles-"

"It's what you want," He says. "Go."

I shake my head. "I need to figure some things out for myself first."

Raven, Erik, and Shaw's old group look towards the team.

"And Beast," Raven calls to him. "Never forget: mutant, and proud."

Erik nods to Azazel, and they disappear in red-and-black smoke.

The three of them rush over to Charles.

"I'm gonna get you to a hospital." Moira tells Charles, who cries out when she and Beast try to get him up.

"Wait," Beast says. "Charles - Charles don't move okay?"

"I won't," He catches his breath. "Actually uh..." His grip tightens on my hand. "I-I can't...I can't feel my legs."

"What?"

"I can't feel my legs," Charles' hand grips mine tighter. "I can't feel my legs."

. . .

"So, Professor X, what now?" I ask several weeks later. He sits opposite me in his wheelchair, morning light reflecting through the tall windows beside our table.

He lets out a light laugh. "Sometimes I forget I am a real professor now," He says. "We'll start small, build our way up, have as many students as I can manage and maybe more."

"Where's Moira? I didn't see her last night."

"Back at the CIA." His voice is lower and he directs his gaze elsewhere.

"Charles you didn't."

He wiped her memory.

"It was for the best," He confirms. "Anonymity is our greatest defence."

I look outside at the green, a few blue patches peak in through the light grey clouds.

"How are your studies coming along?"

"Studies?" I echo, not sure it's the right word.

"Training."

"On and off." I shrug. "Every now and then it's difficult to gain control, or I overstretch myself - overestimate how much energy I have to use my powers." I explain.

"You've come a long way since when we first met." He points out, taking a sip of tea.

"Mm."

"You're thinking of leaving soon, aren't you?"

"You read my mind for that?" I look at him.

"I suspected as much. You're not one for settling down."

"Not until Aston's dead," I watch him as he says nothing. "What?"

"We've been over this, you know how I feel of you going after the doctor." He says. "I don't think I need to say anything more."

"And you won't stop me even though you could."

He shakes his head. "I don't want to do that. If that's what you want...I'll do what I can to respect it, but it's down to you." He nods and a few moments pass between us. "What kind of peace do you expect to find if you kill him?"

"I never considered peace as an option. But when I kill him, I'll take comfort that he won't be subjecting anyone else to his experiments. And after I'm going to find those underground rings and burn them down. When I've done that, I'll let myself settle down."