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With one round of weddings out of the way attention was shifting to the next wedding, Lily and Tommy’s that was coming in April. Lily and Josalyn had one thing in common, both were very organized people. And so Lily wanted to have everything finalized long before the wedding in mid April. She already knew it was going to be small, and held in the large backyard of the Haven, David had given his permission for that. She had kept the guest list short, only having added Josalyn and Robert to the list since Josalyn’s wedding and how she broke down on the phone missing her. The wedding party was already picked and there was no changing it. She’d have Ashley as her matron of honor and then Rose and Cora Lee as bridesmaids. Tommy was of course having his twin brother Billy as his best man and then Malcolm and Landon as groomsmen. Merrick and Rose had agreed to let Faelan being the ring barrier as they had for Josalyn’s wedding. Demitri had the flowers covered, Landon’s band was taking care of the music, and her mom and Aislinn were cooking. So the one big detail Lily was stressing about was who was going to give her away. Sure she could non traditional and ask her mom, but even that didn’t really feel right. She loves her mom of course, but she wasn’t as close to her as her siblings. So with an idea in mind Lily took the train in from Manhattan and went to the townhouse by the institute her brother Demitri and sister-in-law Jean lived in and knocked.
Demitri was the only one home as Jean had already left for work. “Lily? What’s up?”, Demitri asked with a smile but a little confused seeing his ‘favorite’ sister. Demitri had always been closest to Lily of his triplet half siblings. But that was more circumstance than anything. He was getting closer to Merrick since Merrick became a father and he hoped eventually Josalyn would warm to him. “Hey Demitri. Wanted to talk wedding stuff.”, Lily greeted with a smile. “It’s October you have six more months to plan. And I thought everything was already covered. I’m covering flowers, Landon’s band is playing, your mom and Aislinn are cooking, and David said you can use the Haven. Heck you even have the wedding party fixed and the tickets are in place for Rose, Billy Ashley and Atif to fly back. We also already went dress shopping and I bought your dress. What more could there be?”, Demitri asked stepping aside for her to walk in. “Right I know it’s like ninety-nine percent finalized. But there’s one thing that I haven’t finalized.”, Lily explained walking inside and taking a seat in the living room. “Alright. And what's that? Not the telepath of my marriage remember so I can’t read your mind sis.”, Demitri questioned closing the door and following her into the living room.
“Who’s going to give me away and dance with me. I hadn’t even thought about it till Ashley’s wedding and Azriel gave her away and had the dance with her.”, she explained with a sigh. “Well isn’t that a rather obvious answer.”, Demitri answered puzzled why this was even an area of contention. “No it’s not that obvious. Which is why I’m here. Ashley chose Azriel because he’d always been there for her growing up and she wanted him to be the one at her side. So I want someone that I’ve felt close to. I want you.”, she explained. Demitri sighed and shook his head. “No. I’m paying for the wedding because our sister Josalyn was getting married mere months before you and figured it would save your parents the financial strain of two weddings. But I can’t give you away or have your father/daughter dance. I’m your brother not your dad. And Christian would want to do this. He loves you Lily, you just need to let him.”, Demitri refused. “But I don’t want Christian. So you flat out won’t do this for me?”, she asked. “I’m not going to take the spot that should be Christian’s. He already kind of dislikes me because when you ran away you ran to me and I became your legal guardian till you turned eighteen. I can’t take this away from the man. I’m sorry Lily. You should do the right thing and ask him.”, Demitri explained standing up. “So go talk to him, I need to get to the shop.”, he sighed. Lily frowned, she didn’t want Christian. “Fine. I’ll try my next choice.”, she grumbled and gave Demitri a hug. “Bye Demitri.”, she sighed and headed out. Demitri sighed shaking his head as he left for work.
Lily’s next stop took her to the Draven where David was going over the books and making sure he had some live performers for the weekend booked. LIly found the open doors and headed inside going to the office knocking. “David it’s Lily..”, she said knocking. “Come in.”, David said the metal doorknob turning on it’s own and the door opening. David sat at his desk looking at his computer screen as he was going through the spreadsheet for the club’s budget and getting payroll approved. “What can I do for you coz?”, David asked glancing over with his signature smile. One that Lily was familiar with as Landon had inherited it from him. “Wanted to talk to you about a favor for the wedding.”, Lily explained sitting down. “You mean more than using the Haven?”, he asked. “Yeah. There’s one detail I haven’t decided on. And I’m trying to get that finalized today while I have the day off from work.”, she explained further. “Okay and what’s the final detail that you are coming to me for?”, David asked confused. “Would you give me away and dance with me?”, she asked. David had grabbed his coffee to take a sip and almost choked on it. “Do what?”, he asked blinking. “Give me away and dance with me.”, Lily repeated. “Oh hell no. I love you coz as if you were mine but you aren’t. I am doing the giveaway and father/daughter dance one time in my life and that’s for Cora Lee. Granted Malcolm would have to actually propose first. Why aren’t you talking to Christian about this? And don’t give me that load he’s not your father. That’d be like Landon saying Aislinn’s not his mother.”, David shook his head.
Lily grumbled, shot down again. “He’s not my dad. I’m not close to him. Landon is close to Aislinn she’s the only mother he cares to know because well Gina was a waste, to be blunt.”, Lily sighed. “So was Calvin. You can think as highly of the asshole as you want coz but I went to the future where the man was mass genociding mutants and captured my cousin and raped her. Christian loved you guys before you were even born and was willing to take the responsibility of caring for you. And he did. He took care of all three of you and loved you unconditionally. Even after you ran away he loved you. I’m not going to take this from him. So sorry coz, but go ask your dad. He’s at the house, you know your way to it. So go.”, David said glancing at her and the metal chair she was sitting in pulling back at his command. Lily sighed. “You and Demitri are such pains in my asses.”, Lily cursed standing up. “Happy to be of service coz. Now go do the right thing and ask the man who raised you and loved you as his own.”, David smiled pointing to the door. Lily grumbled getting up, rejected again as she walked out. She didn’t want to as Christian but she had the impression anyone she asked was going to direct her to him. So she gave up and headed for the Haven to speak with her step father.
Christian was working from home in the little study off the foyer just putting in some financing information for a couple clients based on the morning’s stocks as he heard the front door opened. His head turned to see who it was since Faelan was with Zoe, Merrick, Jacob, Solangel, and Kim were all at work, Sebastian at school, and Aislinn was at the store. He blinked seeing his eldest daughter walking inside. “Lily?”, he asked confused getting up and walking to the foyer. “Um hi Christian.”, she greeted. “If you are looking for your mom or Merrick they are both at work. I’m the only one here at the moment.”, he said assuming that she was not there for him. She never came to see him specifically. It was something that hurt but he was used to it by now. Lily had just never warmed to him and there was nothing he could do to change that. “Ah. Well I’m actually looking for you.”, Lily stated. This felt so awkward and it was obvious. “Me? Alright. Well what can I do for you?”, he asked leaning in the doorway of the study. “I...well I wanted to ask you to give me away at the wedding.”, she explained. Christian blinked. “Really?”, he asked her tone had indicated this wasn’t her first choice. Lily sighed. “Yeah..”, she answered. “You don’t really want me do you? Your tone and body language say it. I’m not your first choice for this. So respectfully I decline. If you were asking me like Josalyn had because you truly wanted it to be me that gave you away I’d agree in a heartbeat because you are my daughter in my eyes. But I don’t want to give you away if I’m not who you want. It’s your day and whoever does that should be someone you want and feel can truly be responsible to give you away.”, Christian refused.
It broke his heart to say it, but it was true. He knew he wasn’t her choice, no telepathy required. Her face said it all. “So wait you won’t?”, Lily demanded. “Lily I love you, I always have and I always will. But I accepted long ago that no matter what I do you won’t love me the same. I’m not your first choice in this, and for that I cannot do it. I can’t walk you down that aisle to Thomas when I know I’m not who you want on your arm.”, he sighed. Lily threw her hands up in frustration. “First Demitri tells me no because I should be asking you. David tells me no because I should ask you. I ask you and you tell me no because you aren’t who I really want. God fucking damn it.”, she cursed. Christian let out a heavy sigh so as he figured she didn’t want him. She was only there because her brother and cousin told her no for his sake. “Well I’m sorry sweetheart. But as much as I would love to, knowing that I’m not who you want I can’t. You could ask your mother to give you away or just not have anyone at all.”, he suggested. A ding sounded from his laptop and he turned his head a stock had just went up which meant he needed to get back to work. “I’m sure you’ll figure out. I should get back to work though.”, he smiled a little before heading back to his computer.
Now Lily was frustrated. Who was left to ask? “Thanks for nothing I suppose..”, she grumbled walking out. Christian frowned looking at his computer screen sadly his eyes tearing but none falling. He hadn’t wanted to tell her no. He’d wanted to eagerly shout yes. But it was the principal of the thing. She didn’t want it to be him that gave her away and as much as he wanted to be have that same feeling he had last month with Josalyn he knew it wouldn’t be there with Lily. Josalyn wanted him there and when he walked her down the aisle she held him tight and kept him close he could feel how nervous she was and to know that when he laid his hand over hers on his arm and those nerves faded it meant he comforted her that his presence made her stronger. It wouldn’t be like that with Lily, she’d be distant as she had always been and it wouldn’t be the same. Lily was out of options as she walked away from the Haven. “Who the hell else could do it? Who is close enough to me that I would want to give me away? Landon can’t because he’s a groomsmen. I don’t think Atif would. I want it to be family...so I’ve got one final option.”, she sighed making her way to the old Haven to Aonair Mac Tíre to find her brother Merrick. She figured he’d be there working. She was right as she walked up she saw his car in the driveway. She knocked on the door before walking inside. “Merrick?”, she called stepping inside. Merrick was down in the basement working on an armoire he’d been commissioned to make but paused his drilling smelling Lily.
“Lily?”, he questioned heading to the stairs. “In the basement!”, he called. Lily peeked into the living room area the place was rather empty comparatively speaking. He’d been sending more of his finished work to the new storefront in Boston, though he’d not officially opened the location yet. She headed to the stairs to the basement and walked down giving her brother a smile. “So what do I owe a visit from you for?”, he asked folding his arms. “I need to ask a favor of you. A really big one at that.”, Lily explained. “Uh huh. And what do you want Lily?”, he asked. “Give me away.”, she stated. Merrick raised an eyebrow confused. “Do what?”, he questioned. “Give me away at the wedding. I don’t want to walk the aisle alone, I’ll get too nervous I think. And I want and need someone there that will be my rock in the walk and not let me run. Someone that can support me and is close enough to me that I feel they can be the one that gives me away.”, she explained. “No. I’m your brother not dad. That’s dad’s job.”, he shook his head. “I already talked to him and he said no.”, she explained. “What? Dad wouldn’t tell you no. What did you do?”, he asked. “I asked him and he said no because he knew he’s not my first choice.”, she explained. Merrick groaned. “Who did you ask before dad?”, he asked. “Before Christian I asked Demitri and David. They both told me no and that I should ask Christian. But when I asked him he said no because he’s not who I want there. And he’s right. I don’t feel as close to Christian like you and Josalyn do. I just don’t. And whoever gives me away I want it to be someone I’m close to. So will you do it or am I walking alone?”, she asked.
Merrick growled a little wanting to tell her to walk alone but when he looked at her he couldn’t. He knew he was a last resort but she apparently felt he was worthy of the job, and their dad had turned it down on principal. “God damn it...fine. I’ll give you away. But I’m not dancing with you. Don’t ask him before hand just pick a father/daughter dance and at the reception you walk over to dad like you fucking mean it and ask him to dance. That’s my price. Don’t make him a second or third choice, make him your first. Because he loves you and he deserves that moment with his daughter, whether you want to think you are his or not.”, Merrick countered. “Fine. I’ll ask him to dance.”, Lily agreed before hugging him not caring that he was dirty and covered with sweat and wood shavings. “Thank you Merrick. You’re a good brother.”, she smiled squeezing him tight. Merrick sighed and hugged her back, so much for his plans of just being a spectator. “You’re welcome Lily. You know you just used the fact I’d do anything for my siblings to make this happen.”, he smiled. Lily nodded still hugging him. “I know, I manipulated that you are a loving brother.”, she commented. “Aww aren’t you two just the cutest.”, Zoe chuckled walking down the stairs with Faelan on her hip and a lunch pail in her other hand. Lily chuckled pulling back from the hug and smiled. “Hi Zoe. Hey Faelan. Come here little guy.”, she said extending her arms to her nephew. “Zia Lily!”, Faelan shouted with a smile as Zoe passed him over. “Hey hellraiser.”, Merrick smiled leaning giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Hello handsome. Did we interrupt a sibling moment?”, she asked. “It’s okay. I was asking Merrick to be a good brother and give me away at my wedding. So I get both of Rose’s boys for my wedding.”, Lily smiled giving Faelan a hug. “Really?”, Zoe asked with arched eyebrow. Merrick shrugged. “Demitri, David, and dad turned her down on principal. I only agreed because dad said no since someone is a brat and didn’t really want to ask him.”, Merrick explained. Lily rolled her eyes. “Ah well alright then. Should be interesting to watch Merrick get all dressed up to give you away.”, Zoe smiled. “Will you be staying for lunch? I didn’t make enough lunch for four but if you want I can share my lunch with you.”, Zoe offered looking at the lunch pail. “Oh that’s alright Zoe. I was going to go grab lunch with Jean while I’m in town. Well you have a nice lunch. I’ll talk to you soon. Thanks again Merrick.”, she smiled handing Faelan to Merrick giving Merrick a kiss on the cheek. “Bye Lily.”, Merrick waved as Lily headed for the front door.
“So giving away your sister?”, Zoe commented. Merrick shrugged. “Well you know me I do anything for my family. At least if I get married there won’t be these issues.”, he sighed. “Yup because Rose’s dad will be giving her away. Come on let’s eat lunch out in the yard away from all this dust.”, she suggested. Merrick nodded carrying Faelan up the stairs and setting him down, Falean running out the kitchen door to enjoy the fresh autumn air. “So I see a lot of your pieces have been shipped up to Boston.”, Zoe commented as they followed Faelan outside. “Yup. I’ve gotta go up there soon and interview and hire people to run the store.”, he smiled watching Faelan change to wolf and run around chasing falling leaves. Zoe laughed a little watching the wolf pup run free as she set the lunch pail down starting to get things out. “How much longer do you think it will be till your grand opening?”, she asked offering him his vegan sandwich. “Faelan come eat.”, Zoe called sweetly. Faelan changing back rushing over to sit on the grass and take his sandwich from her. “If don’t run into problems with hiring people and such November.”, he smiled. “This is just so exciting. You are going to have an official store.”, she smiled leaning giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Yeah I suppose it is.”, he grinned digging into his food.
Larissa Durvo was trying to hide her feelings of remorse. She’d not wanted the couple to die, to cause three girls to lose their parents. She’d been secretly keeping tabs on the Fayte family. She knew the eldest sister had to quit college and take on multiple part time jobs to struggle to support her sisters and make ends meet at the house. The middle girl, who was her age, was lashing out and getting in trouble at school. Though despite the tragedy the girl was still pushing through AP classes wanting to graduate early. The youngest seemed to become an introvert not talking unless she had to. Taking on the responsibility of her sisters and earning a living had taken it’s toll on Crista Fayte. She was doing what she could to be there for her sisters. She was getting phone calls about Persephone from school that she’d gotten into trouble a number of times and the grief counselor from the school kept wanting to talk to Delilah but she didn’t want to meet with her. Crista just wasn’t sure what she could do. She was working three jobs and even with the life insurance money was having trouble trying to keep the house up and pay bills on time. She’d had to give up college and it pained her. And one thing that hurt the most was all the time she was putting into working and trying to be there for her sisters she was finding it difficult to give her boyfriend Joseph time.
This weekend he’d come to stay with them from school but she had to work two of her jobs so it wasn’t till midnight when she got home. Her sisters were both already in bed and he was sitting on the sofa. “Hi…”, she said softly as she walked inside slipping painfully out of her shoes that she’d just worn for two long shifts at two different restaurants. The tips tonight hadn’t been great, it was a slow night. She sighed putting the cash into a jar on a shelf before slumping on the couch next to him. “Hey. You look wrecked. Your sisters are already asleep, I made that frozen lasagna you had in the freezer for dinner. We saved you a piece.”, he smiled softly moving on the sofa getting an arm around her. He’d been trying his best to be supportive and there for Crista. “Mmm thanks babe.”, she yawned leaning into him her eyes closing. Joseph sighed hearing her start to slip into sleep. “Crista?”, he asked. “Hmm?”, she asked her eyes blinking open but slowly closing too tired to stay awake. “Nevermind…”, he sighed. “Come on I’ll help you to bed.”, he offered helping her from the sofa. Since she’d had to leave college and take on all this burden they’d rarely had even time to talk let alone to be intimate. And it was starting to bother him. He just wasn’t sure how to say something. She was doing everything she could to support her sisters and they probably should come first, but he’d like some time allotted to him. He got her up to her room and to the bed. Crista was out the moment her head hit the pillow. Joseph sighed and got into the bed next to her and tried to cuddle but she shifted with an ‘ow’ her back hurting from standing so long so she couldn’t lay like that. Joseph sighed and just layed next to her forcing himself to fall asleep.
With all that had been decrypted by himself, Landon and Xavier Forge knew he needed to bring his findings to Duncan. This wasn’t going to be something the X-Men could ignore as it was on their side of the ocean as well. He set up a meeting with Duncan and was making sure to video chat in Danielle Moonstar and her husband Justin Pierce as they would need to get involved on behalf of the government being heads of the Metahumans Crimes Division for the FBI. He brought walked the halls giving polite nods to the students who always found it interesting and odd when he left his lab for more than just going to the kitchen. He tapped on Duncan’s closed office door before it was opened by Karli instead of Duncan. Karli’s red eyes narrowed at him briefly before opening the door further to let him in. Forge sighed inwardly, Karli made living and working at the institute complicated for him since their break up seven years ago. “Welcome Forge we’ve been expecting you.”, Duncan greeted from his desk. Forge looked around the room Karli wasn’t the only X-Men present. Duncan had called in Mikali, Kurt and Annai as well. “What’s with having a group present?”, Forge asked. “Simple you said you found something big and we're looping Moonstar and Pierce in. So decided if it was that big would need to pick a few of the X-Men to sit in on the meeting and if it required actioning they’d be the team you’d work with.”, Duncan explained. Karli closed the door and took an empty seat and watched her ex intently.
“You picked a team before you even know there’s a mission and what would work best for it?”, Forge sighed shaking his head starting to bring up his intel on his biomechanical arm. “What you don’t think this team will be able to handle it? That they aren’t skilled enough?”, Duncan asked. “I didn’t say that Duncan. I know well enough that Mikali, Kurt and Annai are very skilled X-Men. I trained with them after all. And I know they can make a solid unit. I don’t think they’ll be enough.”, Forge explained. Karli’s eyes narrowed as he left her out completely. She was just as skilled as the others but of course she was never one for playing well with others. “How serious is this?”, Annai asked. “Like I want John to take off his watch and go active again and for Logan to be assigned serious.”, Forge answered pulling the information up on a projector and starting the video chat with Danielle and Justin. Kurt and Mikali both exchanged a concerned look. This was bad enough Forge wanted the Howlett brothers? “Good morning Dani and Justin. Thanks for meeting with us.”, Forge greeted. “No problem. You said this was important Forge and you never call something important unless it is. So what’s going on? And Hi Duncan, Mikali, Kurt, Annai, and Karli.”, Danielle greeted smiling though it faded slightly seeing Karli. She had never cared for the woman from day one, her powers told her there was something evil and broken in her but since Duncan took on the responsibility of being father to Karli there wasn’t nothing Danielle could say or do about it.
“Alright so as some of you might know there has been an very active Church of Humanity presence over in the United Kingdom. Excalibur has been doing what they can to contain the damage that this group is inflicting over there as we’ve had teams working to control the damage the Friends of Humanity have been causing over here.Well this past June there was a Charity event for a foundation called Leah’s Lost Souls. This foundation’s sole purpose is to offer shelter, education, assistance in finding homes and jobs to the disenfranchised mutants of the United Kingdom. The Charity was started by Mason Quentin Templeton CEO of Templeton Enterprises.”, Forge began to explain pulling up and image of Mason Templeton. “His father Quentin Templeton and mother Emma Steed Templeton were the Black King and Queen of the London Hellfire Club back in the day before Sebastian Shaw closed the club world wide. It has been confirmed by Rose that Mason Templeton and his bodyguard simply called Adder”, he continued pulling up a second image of Adder. “Are in fact both mutants but are also the same mutants that Hudson and Teresa encountered during a mission in Wales and that Rose and Donovan encountered one night when they rescued a young mutant boy. So we know that these two are highly dangerous and have no issues with dropping bodies for their cause. We just don’t know what that cause is yet. Now back to the charity event. Event wait staff members was armed and acted as a group to attack Mason and anyone in attendance.”, he explained.
“Now since that time Xavier has been investigating who hired the wait staff and organized them. His research brought him to Trask.”, he explained bring up the picture of Donald Trask. “Now Xavier’s investigation found a heavily encrypted file that he, myself and Landon have been working on decrypting.”, Forge explained. “Landon? What are you getting him involved for? Didn’t he advocate from the X-Men and being a hero?”, Karli asked a bit of disdain in her tone. Landon had been one of the very few students that Forge had been close to and it was Landon’s insatiable curiosity that kept Forge always working on various tech from Landon’s ideas. And then the fact Landon had always disobeyed and disrespected her father hadn’t helped plus him flat out saying he didn’t want the headmaster position her father offered him all left a sour taste in her mouth. Forge groaned. “Yes Landon. And Xavier brought him in and I would have too. Landon happens to be one of the best minds I’ve had the pleasure to teach and to call my apprentice along with Xavier. Just because he didn’t want to shoulder the responsibility of headmaster doesn’t mean he is out of the game. Can I continue or do you got more to say against him?”, Forge asked looking at Karli. Kurt, Mikali and Annai just sighed. They liked Landon well enough he’d grown up with their kids and always been kind and offered guidance to the younger students. They knew he was brave enough, strong enough, and smart enough to lead the X-Men but because he was smart enough he didn’t want the job. They couldn’t fault him for that. “Carry on.”, Karli said coldly.
“So as I was saying. We had been decrypting the information. And what we found has more than a little unnerved. There is a connection between Donald Trask, who I might remind all of you is the grandson of Bolivar Trask original creator of the sentinels, and Olivia Queen, granddaughter of Page Queen aka Leper Queen and founder of Sapien League, and also well this might sting a little to hear Justin… Thomas Pierce, son of Donald Pierce the original founder of the Reavers. Which the idea that the descendents of Trask, Queen, and Pierce are teaming up is worrisome on its own. But the further we dug we found a fourth link. David Styker, grandson of William Stryker, is tied into this as well.”, Forge explained. The room went silent. They hadn’t heard the name Stryker in a long time, not since Logan killed William Stryker all those years ago. “So we’ve got descendents of four of the most high profile mutant haters of all time teaming up like their grandparents did. I can suddenly see why you said you wanted the Howlett brothers.”, Mikali commented. Forge nodded. “What we can tell Trask and Queen are pulling the church’s strings over in the United Kingdom doing god knows what to the mutants that have gone missing in the United Kingdom. Pierce and Stryker are playing puppet masters here over the Friends of Humanity. Rose and her team are working on what they can to keep the Church in check. We will need to do what we can to keep the FOH in check here. And yeah these four together is why I meant no offense that you guys aren’t good enough just you won’t be enough to bring these people down.”, Forge explained.
Duncan sighed running a hand over his face. So a new generation were pulling ideas from their ancestor’s bag of tricks. This wasn’t going to end well he just felt it. “Dani and Justin legally you take point on this. However any and all of my X-Men will be on call and across the country on patrol. This is bigger than just a bunch of humans who aren’t happy that we could soon have equal rights protected by laws. I will not however be asking John or Logan to leave retirement, yet. John has been wearing his watch for four years now he’s starting to age and is enjoying getting to grow old with his wife. And Logan still can’t pass his mental health exam so I can’t let him join the active roster. Plus with a Styker involved it might become personal to him.”, Duncan concluded. “He could pass the exam my vife gives if you just didn’t vant for her to push on vhat happened vhile he was in limbo. Vith something this big going on I’m vith Forge ve need Professor Logan, ve need the best. And no matter vhat you say Professor Logan vill always be the best. But I am not the leader. So it is your call and I vill go on missions as I am called forvard. Hovever as a father to a student I vant to knov if you will assign any of the student teams to missions.”, Kurt interjected. “I respect your opinion Kurt, but my decision stands on Logan. As for the student teams. No I will not be assigning them missions.”, Duncan stated. “I will though.”, Forge stated which got the room looking at him.
“Excuse me? You want to undermine my father’s authority?”, Karli asked folding her arms starting to stand eyes starting to glow with anger. “Karli sit.”, Duncan instructed. “Yes father.”, Karli sighed sitting back down. “What are you talking about Forge?”, he asked turning his attention to Forge. “I’m saying that I’m the one that knows all the teams’ strengths and weaknesses, every mutant’s strengths and weaknesses. And when something comes across the wire I will send whatever team I know will best handle the situation. I handle the dispatching here. And weather I’ll be sending a team of seasoned X-Men, a team of students or a combination of both will depend on the situation. I get you want to shield the current student teams after everything that Landon and his team of leaders put themselves through in their time without your permission. But don’t short change these kids. They are smart, they are skilled and they are strong. I wouldn’t send them on a mission they couldn’t handle.”, Forge said. “Right like when Nathan went nuclear on that mission you sent them on this summer?”, Karli interjected. “That was different. His power overloaded due to his bracelet malfunctioning. I’m working to make it stronger. I’m not saying that I’m going to send students every time and certainly not when it comes to facing Pierce or Stryker themselves. They deserve their chances to make names for themselves as X-Men and prove to all of us X-Men and to themselves they can do this.”, Forge explained.
“Alright. We handle this one case at a time. Justin and I will start investigating on our end through legal channels. Forge, just keep doing what you are doing. Send who needs to be sent on missions. Even if that includes our Inola. She’s a strong kid in mind, body and spirit. She’ll prove herself just like I did. I’ve got no doubt about it. Thanks for the heads up on Pierce and Stryker.”, Dani interjected. “Thanks Dani. Alright I am going to get back to work. Before I do…”, he said pressing a couple buttons on his arm sending information to Daneille. “This is a few leads for you to follow up on. I’ve also got a couple missions for situations outside of Bayville that I know the FOH are going to hit. So Duncan make sure everyone is on alert and knows that at any time I will be assigning teams to these missions. And since you put this little ‘team’ together I’ve got something they could handle.”, Forge explained pulling up some information about a mission in Baton Rouge. “There is a refinery just outside Baton Rouge. Their union just went on strike and they’ve hired scabs, well all the scabs are mutants who they figure they could pay less money to. The Friends of Humanity have been talking to the union workers and are planning an attack against the refinery for hiring the mutants. They are planning to bomb the place which if it happens the detonation will result in more than just the refinery’s employees injured but anyone in a twenty mile radius.”, Forge explained. “Ve vill handle it.”, Kurt nodded standing up. “We’ll make sure that injures are as limited as possible.”, Mikali assured. “Let’s get some training in as a team, since we don’t all work together normally and then tomorrow we head for Baton Rouge.”, Annai suggested. The others nodded though they all knew she suggested it because Karli didn’t generally work on any team where she, her husband Mikali and Kurt had worked together many times since being teens.

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With one round of weddings out of the way attention was shifting to the next wedding, Lily and Tommy’s that was coming in April. Lily and Josalyn had one thing in common, both were very organized people. And so Lily wanted to have everything finalized long before the wedding in mid April. She already knew it was going to be small, and held in the large backyard of the Haven, David had given his permission for that. She had kept the guest list short, only having added Josalyn and Robert to the list since Josalyn’s wedding and how she broke down on the phone missing her. The wedding party was already picked and there was no changing it. She’d have Ashley as her matron of honor and then Rose and Cora Lee as bridesmaids. Tommy was of course having his twin brother Billy as his best man and then Malcolm and Landon as groomsmen. Merrick and Rose had agreed to let Faelan being the ring barrier as they had for Josalyn’s wedding. Demitri had the flowers covered, Landon’s band was taking care of the music, and her mom and Aislinn were cooking. So the one big detail Lily was stressing about was who was going to give her away. Sure she could non traditional and ask her mom, but even that didn’t really feel right. She loves her mom of course, but she wasn’t as close to her as her siblings. So with an idea in mind Lily took the train in from Manhattan and went to the townhouse by the institute her brother Demitri and sister-in-law Jean lived in and knocked.
Demitri was the only one home as Jean had already left for work. “Lily? What’s up?”, Demitri asked with a smile but a little confused seeing his ‘favorite’ sister. Demitri had always been closest to Lily of his triplet half siblings. But that was more circumstance than anything. He was getting closer to Merrick since Merrick became a father and he hoped eventually Josalyn would warm to him. “Hey Demitri. Wanted to talk wedding stuff.”, Lily greeted with a smile. “It’s October you have six more months to plan. And I thought everything was already covered. I’m covering flowers, Landon’s band is playing, your mom and Aislinn are cooking, and David said you can use the Haven. Heck you even have the wedding party fixed and the tickets are in place for Rose, Billy Ashley and Atif to fly back. We also already went dress shopping and I bought your dress. What more could there be?”, Demitri asked stepping aside for her to walk in. “Right I know it’s like ninety-nine percent finalized. But there’s one thing that I haven’t finalized.”, Lily explained walking inside and taking a seat in the living room. “Alright. And what's that? Not the telepath of my marriage remember so I can’t read your mind sis.”, Demitri questioned closing the door and following her into the living room.
“Who’s going to give me away and dance with me. I hadn’t even thought about it till Ashley’s wedding and Azriel gave her away and had the dance with her.”, she explained with a sigh. “Well isn’t that a rather obvious answer.”, Demitri answered puzzled why this was even an area of contention. “No it’s not that obvious. Which is why I’m here. Ashley chose Azriel because he’d always been there for her growing up and she wanted him to be the one at her side. So I want someone that I’ve felt close to. I want you.”, she explained. Demitri sighed and shook his head. “No. I’m paying for the wedding because our sister Josalyn was getting married mere months before you and figured it would save your parents the financial strain of two weddings. But I can’t give you away or have your father/daughter dance. I’m your brother not your dad. And Christian would want to do this. He loves you Lily, you just need to let him.”, Demitri refused. “But I don’t want Christian. So you flat out won’t do this for me?”, she asked. “I’m not going to take the spot that should be Christian’s. He already kind of dislikes me because when you ran away you ran to me and I became your legal guardian till you turned eighteen. I can’t take this away from the man. I’m sorry Lily. You should do the right thing and ask him.”, Demitri explained standing up. “So go talk to him, I need to get to the shop.”, he sighed. Lily frowned, she didn’t want Christian. “Fine. I’ll try my next choice.”, she grumbled and gave Demitri a hug. “Bye Demitri.”, she sighed and headed out. Demitri sighed shaking his head as he left for work.
Lily’s next stop took her to the Draven where David was going over the books and making sure he had some live performers for the weekend booked. LIly found the open doors and headed inside going to the office knocking. “David it’s Lily..”, she said knocking. “Come in.”, David said the metal doorknob turning on it’s own and the door opening. David sat at his desk looking at his computer screen as he was going through the spreadsheet for the club’s budget and getting payroll approved. “What can I do for you coz?”, David asked glancing over with his signature smile. One that Lily was familiar with as Landon had inherited it from him. “Wanted to talk to you about a favor for the wedding.”, Lily explained sitting down. “You mean more than using the Haven?”, he asked. “Yeah. There’s one detail I haven’t decided on. And I’m trying to get that finalized today while I have the day off from work.”, she explained further. “Okay and what’s the final detail that you are coming to me for?”, David asked confused. “Would you give me away and dance with me?”, she asked. David had grabbed his coffee to take a sip and almost choked on it. “Do what?”, he asked blinking. “Give me away and dance with me.”, Lily repeated. “Oh hell no. I love you coz as if you were mine but you aren’t. I am doing the giveaway and father/daughter dance one time in my life and that’s for Cora Lee. Granted Malcolm would have to actually propose first. Why aren’t you talking to Christian about this? And don’t give me that load he’s not your father. That’d be like Landon saying Aislinn’s not his mother.”, David shook his head.
Lily grumbled, shot down again. “He’s not my dad. I’m not close to him. Landon is close to Aislinn she’s the only mother he cares to know because well Gina was a waste, to be blunt.”, Lily sighed. “So was Calvin. You can think as highly of the asshole as you want coz but I went to the future where the man was mass genociding mutants and captured my cousin and raped her. Christian loved you guys before you were even born and was willing to take the responsibility of caring for you. And he did. He took care of all three of you and loved you unconditionally. Even after you ran away he loved you. I’m not going to take this from him. So sorry coz, but go ask your dad. He’s at the house, you know your way to it. So go.”, David said glancing at her and the metal chair she was sitting in pulling back at his command. Lily sighed. “You and Demitri are such pains in my asses.”, Lily cursed standing up. “Happy to be of service coz. Now go do the right thing and ask the man who raised you and loved you as his own.”, David smiled pointing to the door. Lily grumbled getting up, rejected again as she walked out. She didn’t want to as Christian but she had the impression anyone she asked was going to direct her to him. So she gave up and headed for the Haven to speak with her step father.
Christian was working from home in the little study off the foyer just putting in some financing information for a couple clients based on the morning’s stocks as he heard the front door opened. His head turned to see who it was since Faelan was with Zoe, Merrick, Jacob, Solangel, and Kim were all at work, Sebastian at school, and Aislinn was at the store. He blinked seeing his eldest daughter walking inside. “Lily?”, he asked confused getting up and walking to the foyer. “Um hi Christian.”, she greeted. “If you are looking for your mom or Merrick they are both at work. I’m the only one here at the moment.”, he said assuming that she was not there for him. She never came to see him specifically. It was something that hurt but he was used to it by now. Lily had just never warmed to him and there was nothing he could do to change that. “Ah. Well I’m actually looking for you.”, Lily stated. This felt so awkward and it was obvious. “Me? Alright. Well what can I do for you?”, he asked leaning in the doorway of the study. “I...well I wanted to ask you to give me away at the wedding.”, she explained. Christian blinked. “Really?”, he asked her tone had indicated this wasn’t her first choice. Lily sighed. “Yeah..”, she answered. “You don’t really want me do you? Your tone and body language say it. I’m not your first choice for this. So respectfully I decline. If you were asking me like Josalyn had because you truly wanted it to be me that gave you away I’d agree in a heartbeat because you are my daughter in my eyes. But I don’t want to give you away if I’m not who you want. It’s your day and whoever does that should be someone you want and feel can truly be responsible to give you away.”, Christian refused.
It broke his heart to say it, but it was true. He knew he wasn’t her choice, no telepathy required. Her face said it all. “So wait you won’t?”, Lily demanded. “Lily I love you, I always have and I always will. But I accepted long ago that no matter what I do you won’t love me the same. I’m not your first choice in this, and for that I cannot do it. I can’t walk you down that aisle to Thomas when I know I’m not who you want on your arm.”, he sighed. Lily threw her hands up in frustration. “First Demitri tells me no because I should be asking you. David tells me no because I should ask you. I ask you and you tell me no because you aren’t who I really want. God fucking damn it.”, she cursed. Christian let out a heavy sigh so as he figured she didn’t want him. She was only there because her brother and cousin told her no for his sake. “Well I’m sorry sweetheart. But as much as I would love to, knowing that I’m not who you want I can’t. You could ask your mother to give you away or just not have anyone at all.”, he suggested. A ding sounded from his laptop and he turned his head a stock had just went up which meant he needed to get back to work. “I’m sure you’ll figure out. I should get back to work though.”, he smiled a little before heading back to his computer.
Now Lily was frustrated. Who was left to ask? “Thanks for nothing I suppose..”, she grumbled walking out. Christian frowned looking at his computer screen sadly his eyes tearing but none falling. He hadn’t wanted to tell her no. He’d wanted to eagerly shout yes. But it was the principal of the thing. She didn’t want it to be him that gave her away and as much as he wanted to be have that same feeling he had last month with Josalyn he knew it wouldn’t be there with Lily. Josalyn wanted him there and when he walked her down the aisle she held him tight and kept him close he could feel how nervous she was and to know that when he laid his hand over hers on his arm and those nerves faded it meant he comforted her that his presence made her stronger. It wouldn’t be like that with Lily, she’d be distant as she had always been and it wouldn’t be the same. Lily was out of options as she walked away from the Haven. “Who the hell else could do it? Who is close enough to me that I would want to give me away? Landon can’t because he’s a groomsmen. I don’t think Atif would. I want it to be family...so I’ve got one final option.”, she sighed making her way to the old Haven to Aonair Mac Tíre to find her brother Merrick. She figured he’d be there working. She was right as she walked up she saw his car in the driveway. She knocked on the door before walking inside. “Merrick?”, she called stepping inside. Merrick was down in the basement working on an armoire he’d been commissioned to make but paused his drilling smelling Lily.
“Lily?”, he questioned heading to the stairs. “In the basement!”, he called. Lily peeked into the living room area the place was rather empty comparatively speaking. He’d been sending more of his finished work to the new storefront in Boston, though he’d not officially opened the location yet. She headed to the stairs to the basement and walked down giving her brother a smile. “So what do I owe a visit from you for?”, he asked folding his arms. “I need to ask a favor of you. A really big one at that.”, Lily explained. “Uh huh. And what do you want Lily?”, he asked. “Give me away.”, she stated. Merrick raised an eyebrow confused. “Do what?”, he questioned. “Give me away at the wedding. I don’t want to walk the aisle alone, I’ll get too nervous I think. And I want and need someone there that will be my rock in the walk and not let me run. Someone that can support me and is close enough to me that I feel they can be the one that gives me away.”, she explained. “No. I’m your brother not dad. That’s dad’s job.”, he shook his head. “I already talked to him and he said no.”, she explained. “What? Dad wouldn’t tell you no. What did you do?”, he asked. “I asked him and he said no because he knew he’s not my first choice.”, she explained. Merrick groaned. “Who did you ask before dad?”, he asked. “Before Christian I asked Demitri and David. They both told me no and that I should ask Christian. But when I asked him he said no because he’s not who I want there. And he’s right. I don’t feel as close to Christian like you and Josalyn do. I just don’t. And whoever gives me away I want it to be someone I’m close to. So will you do it or am I walking alone?”, she asked.
Merrick growled a little wanting to tell her to walk alone but when he looked at her he couldn’t. He knew he was a last resort but she apparently felt he was worthy of the job, and their dad had turned it down on principal. “God damn it...fine. I’ll give you away. But I’m not dancing with you. Don’t ask him before hand just pick a father/daughter dance and at the reception you walk over to dad like you fucking mean it and ask him to dance. That’s my price. Don’t make him a second or third choice, make him your first. Because he loves you and he deserves that moment with his daughter, whether you want to think you are his or not.”, Merrick countered. “Fine. I’ll ask him to dance.”, Lily agreed before hugging him not caring that he was dirty and covered with sweat and wood shavings. “Thank you Merrick. You’re a good brother.”, she smiled squeezing him tight. Merrick sighed and hugged her back, so much for his plans of just being a spectator. “You’re welcome Lily. You know you just used the fact I’d do anything for my siblings to make this happen.”, he smiled. Lily nodded still hugging him. “I know, I manipulated that you are a loving brother.”, she commented. “Aww aren’t you two just the cutest.”, Zoe chuckled walking down the stairs with Faelan on her hip and a lunch pail in her other hand. Lily chuckled pulling back from the hug and smiled. “Hi Zoe. Hey Faelan. Come here little guy.”, she said extending her arms to her nephew. “Zia Lily!”, Faelan shouted with a smile as Zoe passed him over. “Hey hellraiser.”, Merrick smiled leaning giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Hello handsome. Did we interrupt a sibling moment?”, she asked. “It’s okay. I was asking Merrick to be a good brother and give me away at my wedding. So I get both of Rose’s boys for my wedding.”, Lily smiled giving Faelan a hug. “Really?”, Zoe asked with arched eyebrow. Merrick shrugged. “Demitri, David, and dad turned her down on principal. I only agreed because dad said no since someone is a brat and didn’t really want to ask him.”, Merrick explained. Lily rolled her eyes. “Ah well alright then. Should be interesting to watch Merrick get all dressed up to give you away.”, Zoe smiled. “Will you be staying for lunch? I didn’t make enough lunch for four but if you want I can share my lunch with you.”, Zoe offered looking at the lunch pail. “Oh that’s alright Zoe. I was going to go grab lunch with Jean while I’m in town. Well you have a nice lunch. I’ll talk to you soon. Thanks again Merrick.”, she smiled handing Faelan to Merrick giving Merrick a kiss on the cheek. “Bye Lily.”, Merrick waved as Lily headed for the front door.
“So giving away your sister?”, Zoe commented. Merrick shrugged. “Well you know me I do anything for my family. At least if I get married there won’t be these issues.”, he sighed. “Yup because Rose’s dad will be giving her away. Come on let’s eat lunch out in the yard away from all this dust.”, she suggested. Merrick nodded carrying Faelan up the stairs and setting him down, Falean running out the kitchen door to enjoy the fresh autumn air. “So I see a lot of your pieces have been shipped up to Boston.”, Zoe commented as they followed Faelan outside. “Yup. I’ve gotta go up there soon and interview and hire people to run the store.”, he smiled watching Faelan change to wolf and run around chasing falling leaves. Zoe laughed a little watching the wolf pup run free as she set the lunch pail down starting to get things out. “How much longer do you think it will be till your grand opening?”, she asked offering him his vegan sandwich. “Faelan come eat.”, Zoe called sweetly. Faelan changing back rushing over to sit on the grass and take his sandwich from her. “If don’t run into problems with hiring people and such November.”, he smiled. “This is just so exciting. You are going to have an official store.”, she smiled leaning giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Yeah I suppose it is.”, he grinned digging into his food.
Larissa Durvo was trying to hide her feelings of remorse. She’d not wanted the couple to die, to cause three girls to lose their parents. She’d been secretly keeping tabs on the Fayte family. She knew the eldest sister had to quit college and take on multiple part time jobs to struggle to support her sisters and make ends meet at the house. The middle girl, who was her age, was lashing out and getting in trouble at school. Though despite the tragedy the girl was still pushing through AP classes wanting to graduate early. The youngest seemed to become an introvert not talking unless she had to. Taking on the responsibility of her sisters and earning a living had taken it’s toll on Crista Fayte. She was doing what she could to be there for her sisters. She was getting phone calls about Persephone from school that she’d gotten into trouble a number of times and the grief counselor from the school kept wanting to talk to Delilah but she didn’t want to meet with her. Crista just wasn’t sure what she could do. She was working three jobs and even with the life insurance money was having trouble trying to keep the house up and pay bills on time. She’d had to give up college and it pained her. And one thing that hurt the most was all the time she was putting into working and trying to be there for her sisters she was finding it difficult to give her boyfriend Joseph time.
This weekend he’d come to stay with them from school but she had to work two of her jobs so it wasn’t till midnight when she got home. Her sisters were both already in bed and he was sitting on the sofa. “Hi…”, she said softly as she walked inside slipping painfully out of her shoes that she’d just worn for two long shifts at two different restaurants. The tips tonight hadn’t been great, it was a slow night. She sighed putting the cash into a jar on a shelf before slumping on the couch next to him. “Hey. You look wrecked. Your sisters are already asleep, I made that frozen lasagna you had in the freezer for dinner. We saved you a piece.”, he smiled softly moving on the sofa getting an arm around her. He’d been trying his best to be supportive and there for Crista. “Mmm thanks babe.”, she yawned leaning into him her eyes closing. Joseph sighed hearing her start to slip into sleep. “Crista?”, he asked. “Hmm?”, she asked her eyes blinking open but slowly closing too tired to stay awake. “Nevermind…”, he sighed. “Come on I’ll help you to bed.”, he offered helping her from the sofa. Since she’d had to leave college and take on all this burden they’d rarely had even time to talk let alone to be intimate. And it was starting to bother him. He just wasn’t sure how to say something. She was doing everything she could to support her sisters and they probably should come first, but he’d like some time allotted to him. He got her up to her room and to the bed. Crista was out the moment her head hit the pillow. Joseph sighed and got into the bed next to her and tried to cuddle but she shifted with an ‘ow’ her back hurting from standing so long so she couldn’t lay like that. Joseph sighed and just layed next to her forcing himself to fall asleep.
With all that had been decrypted by himself, Landon and Xavier Forge knew he needed to bring his findings to Duncan. This wasn’t going to be something the X-Men could ignore as it was on their side of the ocean as well. He set up a meeting with Duncan and was making sure to video chat in Danielle Moonstar and her husband Justin Pierce as they would need to get involved on behalf of the government being heads of the Metahumans Crimes Division for the FBI. He brought walked the halls giving polite nods to the students who always found it interesting and odd when he left his lab for more than just going to the kitchen. He tapped on Duncan’s closed office door before it was opened by Karli instead of Duncan. Karli’s red eyes narrowed at him briefly before opening the door further to let him in. Forge sighed inwardly, Karli made living and working at the institute complicated for him since their break up seven years ago. “Welcome Forge we’ve been expecting you.”, Duncan greeted from his desk. Forge looked around the room Karli wasn’t the only X-Men present. Duncan had called in Mikali, Kurt and Annai as well. “What’s with having a group present?”, Forge asked. “Simple you said you found something big and we're looping Moonstar and Pierce in. So decided if it was that big would need to pick a few of the X-Men to sit in on the meeting and if it required actioning they’d be the team you’d work with.”, Duncan explained. Karli closed the door and took an empty seat and watched her ex intently.
“You picked a team before you even know there’s a mission and what would work best for it?”, Forge sighed shaking his head starting to bring up his intel on his biomechanical arm. “What you don’t think this team will be able to handle it? That they aren’t skilled enough?”, Duncan asked. “I didn’t say that Duncan. I know well enough that Mikali, Kurt and Annai are very skilled X-Men. I trained with them after all. And I know they can make a solid unit. I don’t think they’ll be enough.”, Forge explained. Karli’s eyes narrowed as he left her out completely. She was just as skilled as the others but of course she was never one for playing well with others. “How serious is this?”, Annai asked. “Like I want John to take off his watch and go active again and for Logan to be assigned serious.”, Forge answered pulling the information up on a projector and starting the video chat with Danielle and Justin. Kurt and Mikali both exchanged a concerned look. This was bad enough Forge wanted the Howlett brothers? “Good morning Dani and Justin. Thanks for meeting with us.”, Forge greeted. “No problem. You said this was important Forge and you never call something important unless it is. So what’s going on? And Hi Duncan, Mikali, Kurt, Annai, and Karli.”, Danielle greeted smiling though it faded slightly seeing Karli. She had never cared for the woman from day one, her powers told her there was something evil and broken in her but since Duncan took on the responsibility of being father to Karli there wasn’t nothing Danielle could say or do about it.
“Alright so as some of you might know there has been an very active Church of Humanity presence over in the United Kingdom. Excalibur has been doing what they can to contain the damage that this group is inflicting over there as we’ve had teams working to control the damage the Friends of Humanity have been causing over here.Well this past June there was a Charity event for a foundation called Leah’s Lost Souls. This foundation’s sole purpose is to offer shelter, education, assistance in finding homes and jobs to the disenfranchised mutants of the United Kingdom. The Charity was started by Mason Quentin Templeton CEO of Templeton Enterprises.”, Forge began to explain pulling up and image of Mason Templeton. “His father Quentin Templeton and mother Emma Steed Templeton were the Black King and Queen of the London Hellfire Club back in the day before Sebastian Shaw closed the club world wide. It has been confirmed by Rose that Mason Templeton and his bodyguard simply called Adder”, he continued pulling up a second image of Adder. “Are in fact both mutants but are also the same mutants that Hudson and Teresa encountered during a mission in Wales and that Rose and Donovan encountered one night when they rescued a young mutant boy. So we know that these two are highly dangerous and have no issues with dropping bodies for their cause. We just don’t know what that cause is yet. Now back to the charity event. Event wait staff members was armed and acted as a group to attack Mason and anyone in attendance.”, he explained.
“Now since that time Xavier has been investigating who hired the wait staff and organized them. His research brought him to Trask.”, he explained bring up the picture of Donald Trask. “Now Xavier’s investigation found a heavily encrypted file that he, myself and Landon have been working on decrypting.”, Forge explained. “Landon? What are you getting him involved for? Didn’t he advocate from the X-Men and being a hero?”, Karli asked a bit of disdain in her tone. Landon had been one of the very few students that Forge had been close to and it was Landon’s insatiable curiosity that kept Forge always working on various tech from Landon’s ideas. And then the fact Landon had always disobeyed and disrespected her father hadn’t helped plus him flat out saying he didn’t want the headmaster position her father offered him all left a sour taste in her mouth. Forge groaned. “Yes Landon. And Xavier brought him in and I would have too. Landon happens to be one of the best minds I’ve had the pleasure to teach and to call my apprentice along with Xavier. Just because he didn’t want to shoulder the responsibility of headmaster doesn’t mean he is out of the game. Can I continue or do you got more to say against him?”, Forge asked looking at Karli. Kurt, Mikali and Annai just sighed. They liked Landon well enough he’d grown up with their kids and always been kind and offered guidance to the younger students. They knew he was brave enough, strong enough, and smart enough to lead the X-Men but because he was smart enough he didn’t want the job. They couldn’t fault him for that. “Carry on.”, Karli said coldly.
“So as I was saying. We had been decrypting the information. And what we found has more than a little unnerved. There is a connection between Donald Trask, who I might remind all of you is the grandson of Bolivar Trask original creator of the sentinels, and Olivia Queen, granddaughter of Page Queen aka Leper Queen and founder of Sapien League, and also well this might sting a little to hear Justin… Thomas Pierce, son of Donald Pierce the original founder of the Reavers. Which the idea that the descendents of Trask, Queen, and Pierce are teaming up is worrisome on its own. But the further we dug we found a fourth link. David Styker, grandson of William Stryker, is tied into this as well.”, Forge explained. The room went silent. They hadn’t heard the name Stryker in a long time, not since Logan killed William Stryker all those years ago. “So we’ve got descendents of four of the most high profile mutant haters of all time teaming up like their grandparents did. I can suddenly see why you said you wanted the Howlett brothers.”, Mikali commented. Forge nodded. “What we can tell Trask and Queen are pulling the church’s strings over in the United Kingdom doing god knows what to the mutants that have gone missing in the United Kingdom. Pierce and Stryker are playing puppet masters here over the Friends of Humanity. Rose and her team are working on what they can to keep the Church in check. We will need to do what we can to keep the FOH in check here. And yeah these four together is why I meant no offense that you guys aren’t good enough just you won’t be enough to bring these people down.”, Forge explained.
Duncan sighed running a hand over his face. So a new generation were pulling ideas from their ancestor’s bag of tricks. This wasn’t going to end well he just felt it. “Dani and Justin legally you take point on this. However any and all of my X-Men will be on call and across the country on patrol. This is bigger than just a bunch of humans who aren’t happy that we could soon have equal rights protected by laws. I will not however be asking John or Logan to leave retirement, yet. John has been wearing his watch for four years now he’s starting to age and is enjoying getting to grow old with his wife. And Logan still can’t pass his mental health exam so I can’t let him join the active roster. Plus with a Styker involved it might become personal to him.”, Duncan concluded. “He could pass the exam my vife gives if you just didn’t vant for her to push on vhat happened vhile he was in limbo. Vith something this big going on I’m vith Forge ve need Professor Logan, ve need the best. And no matter vhat you say Professor Logan vill always be the best. But I am not the leader. So it is your call and I vill go on missions as I am called forvard. Hovever as a father to a student I vant to knov if you will assign any of the student teams to missions.”, Kurt interjected. “I respect your opinion Kurt, but my decision stands on Logan. As for the student teams. No I will not be assigning them missions.”, Duncan stated. “I will though.”, Forge stated which got the room looking at him.
“Excuse me? You want to undermine my father’s authority?”, Karli asked folding her arms starting to stand eyes starting to glow with anger. “Karli sit.”, Duncan instructed. “Yes father.”, Karli sighed sitting back down. “What are you talking about Forge?”, he asked turning his attention to Forge. “I’m saying that I’m the one that knows all the teams’ strengths and weaknesses, every mutant’s strengths and weaknesses. And when something comes across the wire I will send whatever team I know will best handle the situation. I handle the dispatching here. And weather I’ll be sending a team of seasoned X-Men, a team of students or a combination of both will depend on the situation. I get you want to shield the current student teams after everything that Landon and his team of leaders put themselves through in their time without your permission. But don’t short change these kids. They are smart, they are skilled and they are strong. I wouldn’t send them on a mission they couldn’t handle.”, Forge said. “Right like when Nathan went nuclear on that mission you sent them on this summer?”, Karli interjected. “That was different. His power overloaded due to his bracelet malfunctioning. I’m working to make it stronger. I’m not saying that I’m going to send students every time and certainly not when it comes to facing Pierce or Stryker themselves. They deserve their chances to make names for themselves as X-Men and prove to all of us X-Men and to themselves they can do this.”, Forge explained.
“Alright. We handle this one case at a time. Justin and I will start investigating on our end through legal channels. Forge, just keep doing what you are doing. Send who needs to be sent on missions. Even if that includes our Inola. She’s a strong kid in mind, body and spirit. She’ll prove herself just like I did. I’ve got no doubt about it. Thanks for the heads up on Pierce and Stryker.”, Dani interjected. “Thanks Dani. Alright I am going to get back to work. Before I do…”, he said pressing a couple buttons on his arm sending information to Daneille. “This is a few leads for you to follow up on. I’ve also got a couple missions for situations outside of Bayville that I know the FOH are going to hit. So Duncan make sure everyone is on alert and knows that at any time I will be assigning teams to these missions. And since you put this little ‘team’ together I’ve got something they could handle.”, Forge explained pulling up some information about a mission in Baton Rouge. “There is a refinery just outside Baton Rouge. Their union just went on strike and they’ve hired scabs, well all the scabs are mutants who they figure they could pay less money to. The Friends of Humanity have been talking to the union workers and are planning an attack against the refinery for hiring the mutants. They are planning to bomb the place which if it happens the detonation will result in more than just the refinery’s employees injured but anyone in a twenty mile radius.”, Forge explained. “Ve vill handle it.”, Kurt nodded standing up. “We’ll make sure that injures are as limited as possible.”, Mikali assured. “Let’s get some training in as a team, since we don’t all work together normally and then tomorrow we head for Baton Rouge.”, Annai suggested. The others nodded though they all knew she suggested it because Karli didn’t generally work on any team where she, her husband Mikali and Kurt had worked together many times since being teens.