A massive estate mansion behind a high iron gate is sitting quietly at Graymalkin Lane, Salem Center, located in Westchester County, New York.

Beside the iron gate, is a placard stating ‘Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters’.

Originally built in the 1700s by Dutch settlers, this sprawling multi-acre parcel is located roughly 40 miles outside of New York City near its own private waterfront—Breakstone Lake. In its near 300 years of service, this estate has been the primary residence for New York’s elite society, as well as the students of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters—an exclusive private academy run by a renowned geneticist, Professor Charles Xavier.

Featuring three lavish stories, in addition to the main basement and two sub-basements, this property is built to survive even the most catastrophic apocalypse.

In one of its many state-of-the-art facilities—in a lab of some sorts—, there stood several figures while looking at a holographic screen that displayed the status of a person’s body.

A woman with a red, flame-like hair operated the panel and displayed a more detailed statistics. The woman wore a lab coat, but somehow, her bombastic figure still displayed its magnificence around her. But, no one seems to be new to this sight as they all focused on the screen.

“How is he, Jean?” A man spoke to her. The man is the only one not standing; he’s sitting in a wheelchair. He had a deep, gentle voice, paired with his all-knowing eyes. He oozes a strong feeling of wisdom. He asked Jean—or, in her complete name, Jean Grey.

“His vital stats are going up and down for the past 7 hours. He’s not doing well, Professor.” (Jean Grey)

A blue, furry hand suddenly pressed a few keys in the panel and displayed the profile of the man they’re discussing. The source of the hand is— a blue humanoid creature—or some sort of a beast, in a man’s figure. The man stood a bit taller than an average Joe. His whole body is covered by a fur, not much different from a lion, with the color tinged with a deep blue. He has two sharp fangs jutting out of his mouth. Hank McCoy; he was also known as the ‘Beast’.

“Robert Kelly. He is a U.S. Senator and a major proponent of the Mutant Registration Act. He is presumed to attend to the Ellis Island Summit a few days later. He was reportedly seen on the beach this morning, and the next thing we know, he’s knocking on our doorstep. A 100% Homo Sapien. Until yesterday.” Beast spoke in a deep tone. He stopped and looked at Jean Grey. Jean continued the report.

“According to this statistics, his genes are behaving in an erratic manner. It looks like someone has tampered it and altered it artificially. This turned him into a…” (Jean Grey)

“A freak?” This time, a voice sounded in the back. They all turned towards him. The man who spoke wore a white shirt under a black leather jacket. It was paired with a worn out pants. Under the clothes is a well-built body. It was clear that he was a fighter. He also has a kept beard, adding to his ferocity. He smokes tobacco as he tinkers with three metal claws jutting out his knuckles. The claws measures at least 20cm each.

“You can’t smoke here.” A man who wore a red visor—that covers his eyes—spoke, not hiding the animosity in his voice. It was Scott—or more commonly called as Cyclops.

The man who’s smoking snorted. Then, two of the three claws retracted, leaving one claw protruding in the middle, creating a sign we all know too well. Nonetheless, he still snuffed out the tobacco. He picked it off his mouth and pressed the lit end on his palms, creating a sizzling sound. He moans in a bit of pleasure. He pocketed the tobacco afterward, planning to use it later. The weird thing is, however, that the palm that should be burnt is unblemished—or more accurate to say, that it was burnt but it healed instantly at a visible rate.

“Savage.” Cyclops muttered in a low voice, turned around and fully ignored the man.

“Yes. Freaks. Mutants. The term Logan used is what the world says about us.” The Professor said in a manner-of-fact tone.

The room fell in silence. After a few moments, a woman with white hair spoke.

“But, how is this possible? How can genes be modified artificially and who would do such a thing?”

It was Storm. The woman with dark skin, white hair and light-blue eyes. She asked in wonder.

“We can only find out after he woke up.” (Professor)

The figures of Jean Grey, Beast, Professor, Cyclops, and Storm stared at the lying body just beyond the glass separation. The man named Logan didn’t show a bit of interest as he played with his claws again.

At that time, the figure of Senator Kelly lying down convulsed.

Jean Grey and Beast were alarmed. They immediately checked his vital stats and pressed some keys. They went inside the room where Senator Kelly is laid down and did some adjustments to the equipment connected to the Senator. A few moments later, the Senator showed signs of stabilizing and woke up.

“Help...me... It hurts...” He called out. Senator Kelly’s figure can no longer be called as ‘human’. His body, or what’s left of it, has now evolved into nothing more than a mass of vaguely humanoid jelly. Plasma juices can be seen oozing out of his body.

Jean Grey took samples of Senator Kelly's plasma, while Beast probes him here and there. Storm and Cyclops stood still, watching in horror. Professor tries to see the face of his adversary in this blob of gelatin.

“What did they do to you? Can you tell me anything?” (Professor)

“Un... conscious... Light... Bright... light….” The Senator mutters a broken sentence.

Senator Kelly flinched, and then his whole gelatin-like body started rippling, changing into various shapes.

“Pain... Terrible pain.” He continued.

The Professor pulled himself closer, looking deeper into Senator Kelly’s eyes.

“Open your mind.” The Professor said. Then, he stretched out his hands and touched the part that looks like the head of the gelatinous blob.

And the next thing that Senator Kelly felt was a weird sensation as the Professor probes into his mind.

(The Professor can only see what Senator Kelly has seen)

Vision fades in and out in a sedated haze.

Senator Kelly is laid out on a trolley, being wheeled towards a cell that seems to have no door, only metal bars. Then, the metal bars bent sideways to allow the trolley to be wheeled through.

He looks up and sees Magneto wheeling the trolley, smiling down at him.

*FLASH*

Senator Kelly is looking around a large, domed room. In the center is a machine; it looks like a tall spire with a round platform at the top.

Long and cylindrical, tapering towards the bottom. Two arcs at the top; one full arc and a half-arc sticking out in the back.

*FLASH*

Magneto is seen in the center of a machine. He looks visibly in pain as he operates it.

A light slowly formed around the platform, enclosing it like a barrier. Then, the light exploded.

It engulfed the figure of Senator Kelly.

The last thing Senator Kelly saw was the exhausted figure of Magneto.

*FLASH*

Then, the next thing the Professor saw is the conversation between Magneto and the Senator inside the cell.

He also witnessed how the Senator got out of the cell—by squeezing his whole body in the metal bars.

The Professor snapped back in his chair, physically affected by the visions. Frightened, shocked, and perhaps even in pain. His breathing is erratic.

All rushed in to help him, but he waves them away, collecting himself.

“What is it? What did you saw?” Beast asked in trepidation.

“Evil... Something... evil” (Professor)

------------------------

Everyone, except Logan, stood behind the glass separation, whispering. He still showed no concern.

“A long cylinder you said. A warhead of some kind?” (Cyclops)

“An antenna?” (Jean Grey)

“Was it part of a bigger structure?” (Storm)

All of them probed about the machine after the Professor described his visions. The Professor shook his head, frustrated.

“It is something so simple. I just didn't get a good enough look at it, but it seems so.” (Professor)

“What does it do?” (Storm)

“From what I am able to surmise, Magneto has developed a device to artificially trigger the Mutator gene, effectively giving him the power to turn anyone he pleases...” (Professor)

“Oh God.” Storm exclaimed.

“But how did Senator Kelly—“(Jean Grey)

“They think he is dead.” (Professor)

“He might be better off.” Beast spoke.

All eyes fell on him.

“He seems to be adapting to his environment literally from room to room, like how a salamander changes color. Senator Kelly is, or at least recently, was a perfect organism. The mutant of all mutants.” Beast continued.

“So maybe this machine is what made Logan.” Cyclops said as he looked at Logan in the corner of his eyes.

Logan’s ears twitched, his attention turned into them.

“Certainly not Magneto's design. Senator Kelly's metabolism, heart rate, respiratory—even the cell production—are all working at an exponential rate.” (Beast)

“How long does he have?” Jean asked.

“I couldn't say.” Beast said, and he continued. “The Professor said that the machine was operated by Magneto’s power. It would emit a white light, a light like none us had ever seen. I surmise that the light that engulfed the Senator is what caused the mutation. However, it seems that the machine requires a great deal of energy, as it left Magneto exhausted just after one use. The question is, how does he intend to use it, and where?”

“The Summit.” Logan spoke, gathering everyone’s attention. He turned towards the direction of the TV in the room, and all of them followed his gaze. On there, the news about the Ellis Island Summit’s preparation was reported to be completed. The Summit was to be attended by political figures and leaders of the world. It was the fiftieth-anniversary gala celebrating the formation of the United Nations. It will happen a few days later.

“My god. He… ” Storm halted.

“His target is the leaders around the world.” Beast continued Storm’s sentence, silencing the room.

“But then, his target would be too big. He can’t possibly support the required energy. It will leave him dead.” Beast continued. “He can’t be thinking of sacrificing himself. So, the real question is, what does he plan to use as an energy replacement?”

The room fell silent.

“Absorption.” Then, the Professor spoke in a grave tone.

Beast’s eyes lit up, as he understood what the Professor said.

“A few days ago, a teenage girl was reported to have the power of absorption. It is most likely that Magneto has already caught this news. Maybe, Magneto intends to use her as a scapegoat by letting the girl absorb his powers, and forcing her to operate the machine.” Beast explained to those who didn’t understand.

Storm and Cyclops’ face darkened, as they are the ones who’re supposed to bring the girl in question back in the mansion.

“We need to find her.” The Professor said, ready to turn towards the direction of the Cerebro. But, just then, a scream resounded. They turned toward the source.

They saw the figure of Senator Kelly convulsing. They all rushed into the room, except Logan. Jean and Beast tried to operate the life-support machines. But, it did nothing. The blob known as Senator Kelly contracted and expanded repeatedly. Then, it melted, leaving nothing but a puddle of slime. Senator Kelly was no more.

“Oh God.” Storm covered her mouth and rushed out of the room; she cannot stomach what she had just witnessed.

“Such pain... Pain like I could never have imagined...” The Professor tried to touch what’s left of Senator Kelly. “Poor creature. Poor, cursed creature...” Tears came to the Professor’s eyes. Then, the Professor arches in his chair, as though jolted with electricity. Jean holds him to keep him from falling to the floor.

“I'm alright. I'm alright... He's gone. Please... a moment.” (Professor)

The Professor turns away to collect himself.

A few moments later, faced them all.

“We need to find that girl, before Magneto gets to her.” The Professor said as he turns to the direction outside of the laboratory. He was followed by all, including Logan.