Ray reached at about half past five in the morning, having gotten calls from Veronica several times until he convinced her to fall asleep. Similarly, Jean's parents called her too, and Ray had to convince them everything was alright and he'd drop Jean back before midday.
At Salem, New York; the mansion was gigantic, and when Ray arrived at the gate, he doubted this was the place. More than an academy this looked like some abandoned monarchal palace.
"This is the place... never thought I'd ever show up at the front gate," Raven said as they deboarded the car and the two school buses parked right behind. Ray made some hand signals for them to stay on the bus and don't make a fuss.
"Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters... it looks classy," He said, "It doesn't seem like the kids are going to have a hard time here"
"They won't... we don't need to do anything, they know we're here".
"You should have told me earlier this is where we were coming, I'd have prepared mentally. That baldy and I don't get along" Emma groaned, "I can confirm he knows we are here, he already asked me why am I here, of all people".
"You two have a history?" Ray asked her, getting all chummy.
The blonde threw him a sidelong glance and didn't make distance but she was clearly still upset.
"We have met several times while I worked for Shaw. He's a fellow telepath so we always end up fighting. Usually, it is my loss, he wins with numbers. Originally my parents wanted me to attend this academy once they knew I was a mutant, but I refused and went my way".
Jean stared at the school in awe, "So this is where mutants are sent to study..."
"They are not sent, Jean. Xavier only matriculates the mutants he's lucky enough to meet. So long as you are not a criminal and you're a mutant, you can study here the entirety of your pre-grad education and get a proper degree, you can also learn to control your powers to some degree, but you're encouraged to conceal yourself in society, for all I know" Emma answered her question.
It took several minutes before they finally saw a group of silhouettes walking out of the mansion, among them, one of them was a lady that was flying... a mutant hundred per cent.
"When you said power rangers, you weren't joking" Ray and Jean frowned.
"I told you..." Emma and Raven grunted in bad memories.
...
There were five people in total, all wearing yellow and navi blue suits except for one exception. Emma and Raven were kind enough to introduce them one by one just so Ray could be prepared.
A bald old man in a wheelchair, he was the only one wearing a tux instead.
"His name is Charles Xavier, he's a genius and a powerful telepath... more than likely already tried to pry on your mind and realised that he can't do it, so he will be wary of you" (Emma).
"He's a complicated fellow, but don't worry, I can handle him with words" (Raven)
...
A white-haired dark-skinned lady levitating in the air.
"She's Ororo Munroe or Storm. Her power is weather control, she can be troublesome to deal with, but she's a pacifist, so long as Xavier doesn't make a move, she won't either" (Emma)
"Ugh, that woman struck me with lightning once, a pain in the ass" (Raven)
...
A rather handsome young man with some weird shining glasses on his eyes.
"He's Scott Summers aka Cyclops. A bit handsome... but dumb. Careful with his eyes, he shoots beams and they're really fast, I don't know how your intangibility will fare against his power" (Emma).
"Uhh... so long as there are boobs and butts on the line, this man will risk his life, he's just dumb" (Raven)
...
A blue-skinned monster that looked like a werewolf.
"His name is Henry McCoy but they call him Hank. He's a genius like Xavier more orientated in engineering and science rather than psychology and psychiatry. I don't think he will give you trouble in a fight". (Emma)
"I blue-baled him in the past, don't think it has anything to do with his skin colour" (Raven)
...
And lastly, a tall ripped-up man who looked like he smoked weed 24/7, there were what looked like claws coming out of his hands.
"Wolverine, he's the one you should be the most wary of. The man you killed, Sabretooth, was his younger brother. Although they were enemies, but still who knows how he will react when he sees you? Those claws are made out of one of the toughest and sharpest materials in existence, his whole skeletal frame is made out of that material, he's nigh-unkillable" (Emma)
"Logan... if he jumps us, you're going first" (Raven)
**
**
I couldn't help but look at Raven and sigh.
"Your information is fucking useless you know that?".
"Useless but interesting, right?~"
...
The gate opened and both groups came face to face. According to what Emma said the ones that get my attention the most are Ororo Munroe and this Wolverine. Charles shouldn't be able to read my mind, and if he can, both Jean and Emma are here to stop him.
As for this Wolverine, he does look like he wants to pounce at any moment.
"I think, before we discuss anything of relevance, there should be proper introductions" Charles addressed me and I nodded, I think everyone's an acquaintance except for Jean and me.
"My name is Ray Stark, this is my partner".
"Jean Grey".
"Emma and Raven have already told us about you, it is better if we don't waste unnecessary time. Charles Xavier, do you know why we've come?" I asked him straight, I don't have business with these people, it is Raven who wanted to bring the kids here.
"I know, the children behind you. Although we can give them accommodation and matriculate them in the academy, it may take way more resources than we have available due to their numbers. Usually, we matriculate a maximum of ten mutants at most every month. These numbers are..."
"Money is not an issue, Charles. Ray and I will pay whatever is necessary to make this transition easier"
"You still haven't explained what your purpose is, Raven".
"What is there to explain? There are innocent mutant children who don't have a home to go to, where else should I have taken them? or would you have preferred if I gave them to Erik?".
"So you have turned a new leaf?" Hank commented.
"Whether I have turned a new leaf or not is not your business, Hank. But suffice to say I'm not Magneto's puppet anymore–"
"Now you're his puppet" Scott Summers hissed.
Raven frowned and I stepped forward again, this conversation was going nowhere.
"I will say this once. I don't know what enmity exists between you all and I don't care. Emma and Raven are working with me, so restrain yourselves a bit with the ill-intended comments. As Raven said we will donate whatever is necessary to help you meet the needs of the children. Nothing more, nothing less... I don't think there is any much more to discuss".
"But there is, boy. How do we know they're not spies? you say they are your partners, but they have worked to disrupt society against the interests of both humans and mutants alike. Or do you not know... that this very lady you're working with is one of the causes of those kids' suffering in the first place" Ororo landed in front of me and stated.
!!!
She said irrefutable words. Both Emma and Raven flinched and stared at me. What she said is right, they have turned a new leaf, and they're working with me now. Their past may be erased in my eyes, but not in everyone else's...
"Let's go" I said, and turned around, shocking Ororo.
"Ray?"
"They don't trust you girls... which means they won't trust the children either. I don't think it is a good idea to leave the kids in a place where they're not wanted–"
"We never said we don't want them!"
Ororo grasped my wrist and I got on guard and slapped her hand away.
!!!
It wasn't just me, we all did.
Jean, Raven and Emma were ready... but the other side was also ready.
"We don't want to fight–" Ororo begged, but she wasn't listened to.
"As a matter of fact, we do!" This logan screamed and jumped at me, essentially fucking everything up.
"Logan, stop!".