Hank McCoy

Beast. X-Men. Government Liason. Scientist. I really do it all, don't I? Avengers Mansion Exclusive

[scott-summers-was-right-deactiv]

We Can Change The Future |Scott & Hank|

[scott-summers-was-right-deactiv]

She was as beautiful as the first time they’d met and similar to that time, he found himself at a loss for words while his thoughts seemed to buzz with things that needed to be said and stuff he’d chastised himself relentlessly over for not having said sooner. Such as how much he loved her and had theoretically seen how their future together played out … oh.

Mindlessly lost Scott found himself following hanks lead as their roles seemed to have reversed, no doubt the good doctor had already cottoned on to his delayed realisation and was aiming to make the best of what could be a traumatising experience. Jean was still learning to control her powers and unfortunately the young Summers lad was aware at how loud his thoughts were projecting. Even louder still as he attempted redirecting his thoughts to the new, at the time, Dazzler single. 

“Sure I saved you guys a seat.”

Her voice was as the angels spoke, confidence surrounding every syllable as her joyous tone reached and stuck between his ears. His heart beating almost painfully as he pulled out the stool and took a seat. 

“I was beginning to think you two had forgotten about the project we were assigned, you know the one about Thomas Jefferson?” Nodding cluelessly, Scott could feel the smitten smile etching across his features. The project as he recalled was one of many they did together and eventually proved that his jealousy over Warren was unwarranted - no pun intended.

“Scott? are you even listening? your kinda making my head hurt replaying that same line …”

“Huh? but you're not supposed to be reading thoughts remember – something about …”

“I’m trying not too but its sounds like your screaming it at me. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, erm – just trying to pick up the words–” reaching out for some plates Scott handed one to Jean and then Hank whilst inwardly praying this would serve as a change in conversation and calm his trail of thought “- Breakfast?”

[hankphilipmccoy]

“Scott, are you alright?” Hank asked.

He had been paying close attention to Jean, so he wasn’t aware of anything that Scott was doing. He seemed...flustered? No. It could have been something else. Maybe an effect of whatever sent them to this point in time.

Or he just really loved Jean. Thinking through it logically, that was more likely than anything. He remembered being at a loss for words when he was around his crushes, though they were never as serious as Scott and Jean. She seemed so innocent now, but he was still skeptical; and very outwardly so.

“Breakfast would be lovely,” Hank said, trying to seem casual. He wasn’t really that hungry, so he picked up his fork and began pushing around the contents of his plate.

He decided to let Scott continue to be flustered while he got down to the bottom of the situation. “So what about this Thomas Jefferson project? When was it due again?”

[adreamworthfightingfor]

Of Knights and Pawns

[adreamworthfightingfor]

While he tried not to delve into minds without good cause, the press of them around him made it difficult to ignore certain things.  Thoughts could be difficult burdens for anyone, and easy to pick up that things weighed heavily on his friend.   Actively following the process that affected so many made it easy to guess just what caused it.

Patience and a calm center would be the keys here to sooth them both along.   The game first, anything else along the way.   Hank might need a bit of a rest, he would need friendship, that is something Charles could assist with.   Nurturing others a reflexive action, especially after so many years of running the school.

“Well, the students  have been entertaining as usual.   We seem to have picked up a couple of practical jokers.”  He smiled, the lines around the corners of his mouth crinkling.   The students both his joy and his worry.   When they were comfortable enough to prank others, well that reaffirmed that he did create a sanctuary for them.

He let Hank have the white, so the first move would be up to his friend.   Most considered that an advantage.  Charles liked to see how people moved, and then act counter to it.  Yes he did take the imitative at times, because that could shape things to come.   This time though, he needed to react, not act.

[hankphilipmccoy]

Hank stared down at the board, listening to Charles discuss the students. They seemed to be unaffected by everything going on outside of the halls, and he feared that would change very soon. Xavier’s School was a safe haven for mutants, and the government was so close to knocking down their door and seizing everyone who refused to register themselves. Most of these kids had no family, or if they did it was a poor relationship. He wanted to protect them as much as he could, but he was growing tired.

He picked up one of his white pawns and moved it forward. For a moment, he thought about how Erik calls all of the lesser mutants ‘pawns’. Most of the Brotherhood was subject to his agenda, and he didn’t care if they lived or died. He wasn’t sure if any of the mutants following him cared either; they wanted revenge. He didn’t want the students to be pawns, asked to go out and fight against people stronger than they were and bring them to an ill-perceived justice.

“I’m glad they are doing fine,” Hank said aloud.

He kept staring at the board, waiting for Charles to make his move. Hank didn’t look up, but he continued speaking, “Things in Washington are progressing quickly. I’ve seen what’s been drafted of the bill so far. I wish I could have done more.”

[scott-summers-was-right-deactiv]

We Can Change The Future |Scott & Hank|

[hankphilipmccoy]

Hank was being much more cautious and calculating as he followed Scott through the halls. Everything seemed to be functioning as normal. The students were waking up and interacting as normal, running down to breakfast. Suggesting to find her with Charles made sense - they did do a lot of psyhic training together, having similar powers and all.

Scott was distracted by the smell of food coming from the kitchen, and he said, “Scott, wait! It might be - ”

He stopped his thought as they turned into the kitchen. Sitting down at the table was Jean, and nothing about her seemed out of the ordinary. He was still skeptical and looked to Scott before walking into the room.

“Good morning, Jean,” He said, sitting down across from her. “Mind if we sit with you?”

Hank glanced over to the clock, which was consistent with the time in his bedroom. If it were a dream, it was convincingly real.

[adreamworthfightingfor]

Of Knights and Pawns

@hankphilipmccoy

Charles carefully reset the chess board for a new game.   He had been working on a problem, as to keep his skills sharp.  Strategy often required thinking through several steps before making a single move.   Chess made an ideal game for that.  The practice helped when dealing with real life problems as well.   

A rather large problem faced the mutant community at large, the Super-Human Registration Act.  This legislation threatened the privacy of every single mutant, regardless of ability or behavior.  What bothered Xavier most about it, the people that wrote it didn’t seem to understand how it could hurt people that simply tried to live their lives.  It made it illegal to hide what they could do, even if they had no intention ever of using their gifts.  Becoming a mutant could be a scary and confusing time in someone’s life, this just made it worse.  It bred fear.

Any kind of list could be copied, stolen, identities exposed to a public that at times feared and hated anyone different. Throughout history a group of people being cataloged, the first step in persecution and destruction of said group.   The question being just what they would do when people came to the institute.   Their existence not a secret, not anymore.  Playing a friendly game between two friends in order to prepare for a far more serious situation.   

As he finished placing the pieces the door to his study opened.  Charles looked up with a slight smile.  “Ah Hank, come in.  Ready for a good game?”

[hankphilipmccoy]

Hank had been stressed from all the SRA nonsense. He could feel himself getting so exhausted any time it crossed through his mind. After spending the better part of two months living in a hotel in DC, he was finally back home at the mansion. Walking through the halls was so strange. Soon enough, the kids may hate him for forcing them into the spotlight. Some of their parents may even have no quarrels about outing them to the police. This was a mess already, but they were protected for now.

As much as he supported the bill, he hated how it was all worded. He didn’t write it - he wasn’t allowed to write it. That in itself was frustrating. This was as much a mutant affair as public safety. He had to stand by it. If he resisted now, when so far he had been publicly vocal about his support, would make things worse. He had to ride it out, and when revisions were taking place, he would definitely need to work harder on making sure everyones voice was heard - not just the scared humans.

Usually talking with Charles helped ease his mind. He must have known he was coming because the chess board was already set-up when he walked into the room. The game was relaxing, and playing against Charles was always a challenge. He never knew when he might look inside his mind to see what Hank’s next move would be.

“Ready as ever,” He flashed a smile before sitting down across from the Professor. “How have you been?”

[when-wasps-fly]

Public Image (Jan & Hank M.) June 16 2016

[hankphilipmccoy]

Hank was getting frustrated. None of these baby questions had anything to do with the matters at hand. He clenched his fist as his body tensed - he was tired of this reporter.

“I’m sorry sir, but how is any of this relevant to the matter at hand? Mocking Janet isn’t going to get us anywhere. Discussing her post-pregnancy body is taking us further from the problem. I do not appreciate when people waste my time, especially regarding the welfare of my fellow mutants.”

I have seven PhD’s and am a member of the cabinet. If I wanted to people to waste my time, I’d just fly back to DC right now, he thought to himself.

“Wanda has acknowledged she was in the wrong. We, as mutants and superheroes alike, need to stand together in this time. We cannot keep letting our powers go unchecked, otherwise more people will end up getting hurt. We are different. Science calls mutants homo superior, but we cannot continue thinking we are above the law. That is the real issue here.”

Hank was staring dead into the eyes of the reporter, who now seemed to have lost his smug grin. “I am not here to play around, sir. These are real peoples lives at stake, and baiting us with your emotion inducing questions isn’t going to inform the public of anything.”

[scott-summers-was-right-deactiv]

We Can Change The Future |Scott & Hank|

[scott-summers-was-right-deactiv]

It failed to even register that others would be wondering the corridors just outside his room, the school had always seemed active no matter the time of day, it was just during the night, students were required to limit the movement and volume. Crawling out from under the covers, towards the end of the bed Scott offered a slight smile, pushing back the insecurities he felt creeping over him. “D-do you think Jean will be here?”

His face looked hopeful, he remembered the moment he had set eyes upon the red-haired mutant, it had been love at first sight. Typically back then his confidence hung around his ankles ironically enough making him more of a pitiful laughing stock than the gallant leader he prided himself on. Even back then Jean seemed to have a way of seeing him for who he truly was and what potential he carried. Just as Charles had witnessed.

Looking around the room, Scott located the wall clock, hidden within the mass of photos decorating the wall near a desk. The time indicated that they’d awoken in time for the breakfast run, which was a battle in itself to grab what you could before Kurt and his infamous appetite made an appearance. “I can’t help but feel she brought us here for a reason, our safety perhaps? or maybe this was her way of calling for help. She always knew her abilities would become stronger, maybe she just didn't get the support she needed.”

[hankphilipmccoy]

“I - I don’t know,” Hank said. “If Jean created all this, surely she’ll be around somewhere. Maybe she’ll be disguised as a younger self, too.” Wishful thinking at best, but until they figured out what was going on, he was going to assume everything was a dream.

Truthfully, he didn’t know Jean very well. He remembered she was an excellent student and a powerful team member. The only discussions they had were regarding science or politics, and not too much else. If anyone would know why they came to this time specifically, it would be Scott.

He was struck with guilt at Scott’s last statement - she didn’t get the support she needed. Charles spent so much time trying to lock away the Phoenix Force in her mind. Looking back, he probably could have taught her to handle it instead of pushing it away. Hank could have said something to him, but at the time, he always thought Charles knew what was best. The problem with looking up to him was that Hank didn’t start to see his faults until they literally came back to bite.

“If she is unwillingly part of Magneto’s team, it could be a cry for help. Let’s go down to the kitchens and see what’s going on down there,” He suggested. Before he turned to the door, he took another look at the clock. Time was the biggest inconsistency in illusions.

[nataromanovas-blog]

The Safest Road to Hell | Natasha, Tony, Jan, & Hank McCoy | 20 June 2016

[when-wasps-fly]

Janet woke early when the monitor went off.  Henry was starting to sleep longer periods, now, but was still an incredibly early riser.  It had been months since either Jan or her husband had needed to set an alarm for the morning.  Even so, the morning was a tight one.  

The clock read five thirty-three and Jan rolled over to engage Hank in a lifeless staring contest to see whose turn it was to check on Henry, until she remembered what day of the week it was and that Hank had to get ready for work.  She grumbled a combination of “good morning” and “I’m going” as she sat up and put on her silk robe and padded down the hall.  Before she reached Henry’s room, she heard the shower start.  

Having changed her son and dressed him for the day, she brought him down with her to the kitchen where she began preparing the half-caffeine coffee she and Hank both hated to drink because it was easier than making a second pot. Tabby had long since learned that the one benefit of having a baby in the house was that everyone woke earlier and could feed her earlier.  She yowled and rubbed at Jan’s ankles until she was fed. 

A few minutes later, Hank joined her and started to silently make the steel cut oats in which he’d grown so interested in the last six months.  Janet hadn’t figured out what the deal with them was.  It was like the middle aged man version of fixing breakfast.  He smelled like shaving cream and “odor free” shampoo that absolutely did have a scent.  It wasn’t long ago that she would have wanted to kiss him whenever he smelled like that with his face smooth and soft to the touch.  “Make some for me, too?”  She was too tired to decide right now.  

By six thirty, Henry was napping.  Neither she nor Hank had the patience to take him up to his crib, so he was left on the sofa in the living room, close enough Jan could hear him as he woke and bolstered so that he couldn’t roll off.  Jan listened with half an ear for crying as she went through all her morning emails.  She’d done this the night before; how was it possible that so many people were up all night sending her messages?  

Seven fifteen, the fires had been put out and Jan was still in her pajamas and robe.  She tried to decide between a second cup of coffee and her morning yoga.  She only had time for one.  The yoga won out.  On her way to her yoga room, Jan checked on Henry.  Tabby had decided to nap with him, and lay curled around him with  one paw hugging him close.  Jan took out her phone and snapped a quick picture to Instagram before changing and doing her quicker yoga routine.  

With fifteen minutes to spare, Jan went to change.  She ran into Hank on the stairs.  He was holding a stack of papers in addition to the sizeable computer bag he carried.  What on earth could he be doing with  all of that?  He had inky marks all over his fingers like he’d been taking notes for the last hour.  He said nothing to her and she said nothing in return until he reached the landing.  Jan turned around.  “Henry’s sleeping on the couch if you want to say goodbye.  It’s cute.”  

“Thanks.”  

Jan donned a dress and blazer, but fumbled when it came to her hair.  What could she do with hair that was such a stupid length?  She thought she could grow it out by the time Henry was born but now it was ten inches long everywhere and all she wanted to do was cut it off again.  After much brushing and fiddling, she twisted it up into a wreath-like up-do.  Good enough was good enough. Good enough looked a little better with her trademark winged eyeliner.  

Two minutes to eight, Jan finally got her second cup of coffee, and at eight o’ clock on the dot she was in her Instagram-ready office answering Natasha’s call.  “Good morning,” she replied.  “I’m ready to go.”  She took another sip of her drink.  

[hankphilipmccoy]

Hank never felt further away from home in his life. He was alone in his hotel room in DC, trying to get the energy to get out of bed. With all the meetings, late night phone calls with all the members of the cabinet, interviews, and trying to guide Congress to some sort of compromise, he was exhausted. Yet he’d still barely been sleeping. All the stress was building up and he had no idea what would be agreed upon.

He hated that this was not falling under the Department of Mutant Affairs. It was argued that the attacks and subsequent casualties were a national security matter, and not specifically mutant. When he suggested to expand his department to include superhumans, the idea was shot down. Everyone was still coming to him for advice and asking him to speak up, as the spokesperson for mutants and secretary of the department. Nobody outwardly said it, but they definitely didn’t trust him to make decisions regarding the majority. Contrary to their belief, he didn’t want problems with humans. He also didn’t want every single mutant to be criminalized for merely existing, which so far was exactly what they were doing.

The first meeting on the agenda that morning was with members of the superhero community, who were in this just as deeply as he was. Janet Van Dyne and Tony Stark made sense, but the wildcard was Natasha Romanoff. He’d only met her a couple times and she seemed like a great leader. He just didn’t expect, with her history, that she would be so eager to be involved in this huge decision making process. He was definitely glad to have someone like that on their side, because when the time came, she may be a good voice to get people to comply.

He tried his best to ensure that the Avengers and the X-Men back home were always kept up to date with the latest information. Whether or not his assistant was keeping up with her promise was another thing. He wished he still had Ms. Stacy around, but it was in her best interest that she lay low. On top of everything going on, he didn’t want the public to know about his experiments - that would only cause further problems.

The sun was peeking in through the bottom of his curtains. He turned over and saw the clock that ready 6:37, and if he didn’t start his morning brushing routine, he would never be ready in time for his meeting.

By the time he finished and put his suit on, it was seven minutes to 8. Just in time. He opened his laptop, which had been on all night, and opened up the program. His experience with Stark Tech was very limited, so it was interesting to see how differently they approached security. Hank, himself, built most of the tech that was found at the mansion, but he wasn’t anywhere near as good at engineering. He worried that having someone so ‘tech savvy’, as it were, supporting this could mean trouble. Stark spent so much time getting out of the military’s arms, it would be a shame to see him getting dragged back in.

After all, with what he’d read so far, this was shaping up to be the start of a war.

The program was a bit different than Skype, or one of the NSA programs he used to talk with the President. It was supposed to automatically delete information after it was sent, or something like that. He just hoped it didn’t literally self destruct.

His computer made a brrp! noise exactly at 8:00. He took in a deep breath and pressed ‘accept call’. Instantaneously, the faces of his allies popped up on the screen. Natasha greeted first, followed by Janet. Hank relaxed his shoulders and let out his breath.

“Morning, all.” He wasn’t exactly sharing the good sentiment the others had thrown out already. “I may have some news on progressions. They’re talking about releasing the bill as soon as next month, if things continue moving quickly.”

[scott-summers-was-right-deactiv]

We Can Change The Future |Scott & Hank|

[scott-summers-was-right-deactiv]

The other mutants timing was nothing short of impeccable, no sooner had he cried out his friend’s name, had they appeared in his room voicing the questions already buzzing around his own thoughts with regards to whether this was some crazed dream or some new found reality. The secondary realisation was the nightmarish understanding of going through puberty again.

“I … I –” Furrowing his brow while choosing to tightly clench his jaw, Scott took another more detailed glance around the room he’d woken up in. Everything remained just as he preferred it. Secret hiding places for extra tinted glasses as well as a more private stash of skin care products the others used to laugh at him about. Not to be reminded that it was hardly a masculine purchase but it acted as some security to aid his none existent self-esteem. “What’s the last thing you remember? … I remember seeing Jean under what appeared to be the influence of the Phoenix.” Pulling the bedding higher into his arms the young mutant appeared to be clinging to it like a lifeline. “But I could feel my Jean, in my head, willing us to stop her before it was too late.”

Scott was struggling, not that he would ever visibly let his guard down. He recalled the tremendous strain he faced during his youth, the fear of what would happen should he ever let his emotions truly get the better of him. Xavier had created walls within his thoughts shielding him from potential triggers and with the bond he had Jean shared he felt he could almost live a normal life. Though structure and routine would need to be implemented.

[hankphilipmccoy]

None of this could be real. He didn’t know anyone with the power to physically send people back through time. He kept trying to come up with possible scenarios, but he was drawing a blank. Though, even Charles was unsure of the extent of the Phoenix’s true power. He had always been so cautious, careful about allowing her to use that power. He tried sealing it within her mind, but something must have happened to set it free.

Something to do with Magneto, he was pretty sure.

“I don’t know,” Hank said, “I can’t remember a thing. I know we were standing in front of her, and then I heard her speak...and then I woke up in my room down the hall just a few minutes ago.”

He turned back out into the hallway. Everyone seemed to be going about their business, and nothing was hazy like a dream would normally be. However, Phoenix was a very powerful telepath - if it was forced images, she may have been strong enough to make it all seem real.

When Hank turned back again he said, “First we need to find out if this is real or not. If she’s forcing us into a shared dream of some sort, there will always be inconsistencies. We just need to find them.”

[bonetoadamantium]

Training  II Hank and Logan

[bonetoadamantium]

“Uh Hank?”   Amused Logan scratch his jaw before going for the third gun.   It shot off while Hank went for the first.  Rarely after the opening moves did a fight progress in a logical neat procession.   Instead fighting tended to be a messy thing.

“Would now be a time to mention I may have been working on changing up the scenarios some?”  Relying on a predictable fight, would get someone killed in the field.  So why have one for the training rooms.  A pattern could be found, they were machines after all.   In order to find a pattern, you had to really work  your way through the fight.  Or be in a position to gain enough strategic information.   

Hank had some of the information, but been dropped in the middle of the fight.  So his challenge would be to figure it out while being shot at.  Logan would play body guard in this situation while Hank got a bit of a work out.   “So what are you going to do next furball?”   Even he didn’t know the full plan since he set it to random. Instead he listened for the whine of the next gun warming up.

[hankphilipmccoy]

“Patterns are my specialty,” Hank said. It was why he became a scientist. Being able to think logically is what made him a good strategist, and his enhanced strength was really the only thing that made him a fair fighter. If he wasn’t naturally equipped with his mutant abilities, he would just be another sidelined science nerd that merely advised everyone from afar.

Theoretically, if Logan really wanted to challenge him, he would have to exercise the full use of his physical powers, not his mental ones.

Either way, when he went to kick at the turret, he was shot in the back by one of the other ones. None of them were firing at the same time, but the shots sped up as he got closer to one of the pedestals. They were equipped with sensors, and it allowed the others to know when someone was getting close. He wasn’t exactly sure what Logan wanted him to learn from this, but he knocked the cannon off the pedestal, and it sunk back into the ground.

Maybe the other ones would be more difficult.

[when-wasps-fly]

Public Image (Jan & Hank M.) June 16 2016

[when-wasps-fly]

Janet’s winning smile didn’t flinch for a moment.  As soon as the cameras were on, she could feel the warm support of millions of invisible individuals who had supported her through her super hero career and, to a lesser degree, her fashion one.  That feeling only added to the hilarity of this man’s mistake.  Jan sincerely hoped it was a mistake.  

She laughed at the mistake, and touched Hank’s shoulder when he stepped in to correct it.  “That’s alright, Hank, everyone makes mistakes.  Now, I’m not quite sure how this particular one was made, but we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.  After all, I’m only covered in the news slightly more often than the Queen of England–sorry,” she said, turning from the cameras to the reporter himself, “I think you may know her as Prince Phillip’s wife.”

“Mrs. Pym, yes, now if we could move on to–”

“At any rate,” she continued, cutting him off, then took a breath, “in case there was truly some confusion on the matter, I am Janet Pym, CEO of Van Dyne Industries,” God, she hated how that sounded now that the names didn’t match, “and Chairman of the Avengers team, of which, yes, Hank Pym was a part until very recently.  Joining me today is my superhero colleague and the public face of mutant politics; Hank McCoy.”  

“Mrs. Pym, would you please–” 

“Undoubtedly, many of you have heard by now about the tragedy that befell New York City when the Black Knight decided to terrorize several businesses and private citizens less than a week ago.  It is the Avengers’ sworn duty to protect this city and to respond to all instances of super human proportion.  Wanda Maximoff was on duty the day that it happened, and she bravely responded to the call, along with Fandral of Asgard.  The two did combat with the Black Knight, who is currently awaiting trial.  Because of these heroes, New York is safe from outside threats.  As an organization, the Avengers will always try to keep the peace while trying to cause as little collateral damage as humanly possible.  In this, very unfortunate moment, due to the nature of the villain at hand, the price of of security was steep. 

“Then, you would characterize Wanda’s actions as ‘heroic’?” 

[hankphilipmccoy]

Hank didn’t really expect any less when Janet started [politely] tearing apart the news reporter. After all, he did talk directly past Janet to introduce him first. If it had been directly relevant questions about mutants, he figured she would’ve brushed it off. But nope. Though in the back of his mind, he wondered if maybe they were trying to make her angry on purpose. Media nowadays solely existed to provoke emotions.

“Then, you would characterize Wanda’s actions as ‘heroic’?”

Hank grit his teeth and decided to speak up. “Heroism is a relative term. The Black Knight considered himself a hero, and to some degree he was. It’s not the term we should be equating with ‘good’. When you analyze the term, it just means someone who can be idealized for acts of bravery, having noble qualities, or someone who has courage. For mutants and even the Avengers, it’s not heroism that calls us to defend the helpless. It’s because we have means they do not to protect the average citizen.”

“So everyone who does heroic acts are evil?”

“No, that’s not at all what I said,” Hank really wanted to just take the mic and start speaking, but that would be rude. This reporter was so frustrating. “It’s easy to call people we admire heroes. People like the Avengers usually pop into people’s mind. But to every villain who commits a heinous crime, they are a hero in their own mind, and to some degree they are because they put forth bravery and courage to do what they believe is right. We cannot discredit that, and using the term ‘hero’ is not objective. We have to dig deeper than that.”

Before Hank could continue, he was interrupted by the reporter again.

“Based on what you’re saying, we all can consider Wanda an evil hero, yes?”

[when-wasps-fly]

Public Image (Jan & Hank M.) June 16 2016

“It’s hard to overstate how relieved I was to hear you’d be joining me with this.”  Jan closed her eyes and let her makeup artist apply the blush to her cheeks.  There was just something about the way cameras read her face that made it look rounder than she wished they did.  She opened her eyes to glance sideways at the Beast.  In addition to his prior connections to Washington, he’d worked extensively within the superhero community and knew about their issues.  Their concerns were his concerns, too.  

“Wanda’s taken this pretty hard, and the whole team feels for her.  Congress, I suppose you could say, has also taken this hard, but I presume you know about that already.”  She paused for a moment to allow the artist to draw the lipstick onto Jan’s lips.  When she pulled back, Jan pursed an rubbed the color in.  

This felt like a last-ditch effort.  People, for the most part, had either made up their minds on the matter.  Those who enjoyed the protection and support they gained from the super heroes of New York and across the world would be there to support them.  The rest, well, perhaps their image of Wanda could still be softened.  “She doesn’t have a bad bone in her body; she really doesn’t.  She’s just more powerful than the rest of us combined and sometimes that makes people on-edge.  I don’t have to explain to you,” she rehearsed her thoughts out loud before she had to make a full address on camera, “that she’ll have to deal with her powers whether or not she’s using them for good.  In the meantime, she really does more good than harm on this team, even if she doesn’t always see it.”  

“Pym, McCoy, it’s almost time.  Are you ready?”  Jan waved to show she’d heard and stood, straightening her wrap dress so it lay a little less scandalously across her chest before following to the front of the New Avengers’ Facility.  Inside somewhere were her husband and her team.  The impression she made today with Hank McCoy might just set the tone of their future as such.  

[hankphilipmccoy]

“I wouldn’t miss this for anything, I can assure you that.”

Mutants were a hot button topic, and he hated it. He hated every single time they were painted as the enemy, and when regular humans killed each other nothing was wrong. What happened with Wanda was an accident. It burned him to his core knowing exactly how the government sees mutant. Hearing over and over again how evil they can be, pulling up images of Magneto and Mystique, then turning over to Hank and saying ‘but you’re not like them’.

No. He wasn’t part of the Brotherhood, but they were mutants fighting for their freedom. Although their morals and actions differed, he was exactly like them.

Janet was rehearsing by herself, and he took a moment to arrange his own notes. He was listening to this, and honestly he was glad he was called. This was more than about Wanda, people were asking for justice. Janet was there representing her, and Hank needed to represent the rest of mutantkind.

The reporter came by saying it was time, and they walked out in front of the New Avengers Facility. We’re on in 5..4..3..2...

“I’m here today with Dr. Hank McCoy at the New Avengers Facility. Joining us as well is Janet Pym, wife of Dr. Hank Pym of the Avengers. Do you have any opening thoughts, sir?”

Hank was literally reading the prompt cards this man was given and he rolled his eyes. “I would like to clarify that Janet, leader of the Avengers, was the one who set all this up. She asked me to join her, and I was more than eager to oblige. The discussion of mutants in the media, as well as our government, has gotten so blown out of proportion. Janet, if you would like to proceed?”

[hankphilipmccoy]

FROM: “Hank McCoy” <[email protected]> TO: “Maria Hill” <[email protected]>

Subject: CONFIDENTIAL - OPEN ALONE

Maria,

I am sure you saw in the news that mutants are currently a target for the media once again. I have already informed Ms. Stacy, but I would suggest that for the time being you do not use your powers, publicly or privately. This is precautionary, but I believe something may be happening. The last thing I want is for my experiments to be another platform for the hate of the world. This is about your safety as much as anyone else.

In the meantime, I am about to go to a press conference with Janet Pym. If you are available, you are welcome to tune in.

Sincerely,

Hank McCoy Xavier Institute Department of Mutant Affairs

~ ”When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” ~

[scott-summers-was-right-deactiv]

We Can Change The Future |Scott & Hank|

[scott-summers-was-right-deactiv]

His movements vaguely mimicked his dreams and how he would react seeing and being able to touch Jean again, he wanted to believe that nothing had changed and once this was over they could be together, fighting the good fight and fulfilling the dream they both shared of raising a family. So it seemed only natural, even against his better judgement, that he would stumble closer than deemed sensible, passing his faithful comrade and ignoring the hardened stare focused upon him from Magneto. 

“Jean? is that really you?” The memories of what happened back at the lake when he experienced the true meaning behind heartbreak flooded his focus. The pain seemed to intensify with each step forcing him to his knees and arm barely outstretched as he willed himself to get closer. “I thought I’d lost you … Please … come back to me.”

The red-haired woman seemed to wear an entirely different attire, the prominent colours - green and yellow clung to her flesh like a second skin bearing the shape of a phoenix across her chest. A sadistic smile creeping up onto her features as she stared down at the once confident leader then towards the ingenious doctor. Her glare enhancing her, already, fierce expression. “We grew up in such a different time with so many possibilities, Charles promised us the world – in a manner of speaking but it was magneto that really made things happen.”

The young Xman dug his fingers deep into the dirt as if grounding himself in fear of falling further. “Charles wanted what was best for you – he tried to help, your ability was developing faster that any one of us could understand. We can still help you.” 

“Oh Scott, I really didn’t want you or anyone to be a part of this but you simply left us no choice …”

–

Scott ran his fingers over his cheeks feeling the dampness left by the forgotten tears. Tightly fitted sleep goggles moulded to his face as he took a moment to look around the room he now found himself residing in, familiarity struck hard. He was in his old dorm room within the institute, posters of dazzler pinned above his bed and trinkets he’s almost forgotten about sat neatly arranged on the dresser top. “Jean …” both hands quickly moved to cover his mouth as an almost foreign voice passed his lips, well certainly a tone he’d grown out of a few years prior. 

Sitting up in bed, Scott reached for the bedside lamp letting his vision adjust, before patting and looking over himself. He was back within the awkward years of himself, the shy teenager, scared of his own ability and threatened with how others portrayed him. “Hank!” The boy genius was one of the original Xmen and with hope would be able to explain just what had happened. 

[hankphilipmccoy]

Hank wasn’t...he didn’t feel right. He got really sick to his stomach when Jean started speaking. Her devotion to him was unnatural. Unless there was a mutant with a more powerful mind than Jean or Charles, then it there was no way it could be mind control. Brainwashing, maybe. Something was different, and she had changed.

“Oh Scott, I really didn’t want you or anyone to be a part of this but you simply left us no choice …”

Those were the last words he remembered before waking up disoriented at the mansion. He was in his old room, before he moved. Before he moved back. Everything he owned was so cramped in this tiny bedroom and he looked down at his hands. Still blue.

This wasn’t a dream.

Or, if it was, it wasn’t his dream. He quickly got out of bed and went down the hall to where Scott’s room was. He knocked on the door a few times, then let himself in.

Hank!, he heard the younger mutant call out. “Do you know what happened to us?”

Scott was always hard to read because of the tinted glasses. Eyes were the windows to the mind, or so he was told. But expressions did say everything. “Is this a dream, or did Jean really send us back in time?”

[scott-summers-was-right-deactiv]

We Can Change The Future |Scott & Hank|

[scott-summers-was-right-deactiv]

“Yeah–” It was greatly appreciated that his friend and fellow X-man had offered such reassurances, not just for his rather demeaning fall, to which nothing was injured apart from his pride; but for the whole scenario and respect about how hard the situation as a whole was for him. 

“You know, she won’t be the same. Whatever you see may not be the Jean you remember.”

And the words he really needed to hear, it was getting old people trying to tell him what he wanted to hear and even though it left his heart feeling hollow he had to face truth that the woman they were up against was no longer the sweet and caring individual he grew close to and loved with all matter of his being. A thank you, was close to passing his lips but the trailing of feet put a hold to that, reminding him that this was no time to fall into a sentimental moment. 

Dusting himself off as he moved Scott offered a nod, his feet splashing through the slight stream that seemed to widen as they pushed forward. The only saving grace provided by their surroundings was how far away from the inner city they were and how limited the supply of metal appeared to be. Magneto would no doubt be the least of their problems. “I still believe there has to be some of my Jean in there, a part that will listen to reason. We need some hope Hank or we’re dead before we’ve even begun.”

The hilltop where the masterminds behind the brotherhood stood began coming into sight causing a gasp to spill over the young leaders lips.

[hankphilipmccoy]

Scott’s optimism about Jean made him sad. He’d seen what Magneto can do to people first hand. He thought of all the young X-Men-turned-Brotherhood that he once taught. The current Brotherhood members they just fought in the forest that were cannon fodder from the start, and how that was literally all Magneto viewed them as.

Hank couldn’t believe how long Charles held out for Erik, somehow thinking there was something more in him than anger. He had seen a lot in his time, he doesn’t blame him for whatever horrible things happened while he was younger, but he didn’t have to go back to it. He didn’t have to drag so many people down his same dark path. Maybe if Hank himself was older, he would have been able to do more, but his only thought was to cure himself of the mutation.

The worst thing he could do would be to let his emotions get the best of him. If Jean survived Alkalai Lake, that meant she was much more powerful than he ever anticipated. Charles was always afraid of what was lurking in her mind, but without being able to see it himself, he had no idea what to think. He was afraid for Scott.

Hank made the first move, leaping out of the ravine and onto the flat grass at the foot of the hill. Magneto was standing there with Jean, and it seemed all the others had cleared out. He stood straight, waiting for Scott to join him. None of the others were in sight, but he could still hear fighting in other parts of the forest.

“Magneto,” He said. He looked at the red haired woman next to him, still not quite believing she was real. “Jean.”

[bonetoadamantium]

Training  II Hank and Logan

[bonetoadamantium]

He watched Hank move with an experienced eye. Logan didn’t just teach history, or work with the feral mutations on refining their abilities, he also helped with training in the Danger Room. So watching his friend also meant he evaluted skill level.

Sometimes fragments of old memories stirred when he did this. Everything from bar brawls to battlefields lurked in dark corners of his mind. Stimulating these scraps of memories added to what he knew of his life before. While mostly settled to his life now, the urge to know held a low grade pull in his metal fused bones. In part what kept him embracing the job of instructor.

The question earned Hank a smirk out of Logan. “I thought you designed it, maybe you should tell me.” Holes opened up in the floor and walls as the next stage started.

[hankphilipmccoy]

“These all have to be programmed in an order. I know what I would plan, but if history tells us anything, we don’t always think the same way.” Hank laughed.

There were any number of variable things that might come up in a beginning simulation. Logically, it made sense to continue on with more stationary targets, shooting more projectiles. Something slightly more advanced would be moving targets shooting projectiles. Or it could be a plain endurance test. He liked a nice progressive sequence, but Logan didn’t always have that same vibe. Not when testing tried and true X-Men.

The floor opened up in 4 parts of the room, creating a rectangular shape with pedestals rising up. Smaller cannons, like the ones on the walls, were mounted on top. Once the pedestals clicked into place, the small cannons didn’t hesitate with shooting. They were the precision ones, that were much better at locking onto people than the big ones (they were mostly for show, and enhancing larger simulations).

Hank went towards the one that shot him first.

[scott-summers-was-right-deactiv]

We Can Change The Future |Scott & Hank|

[hankphilipmccoy]

Hank was still ahead of Scott when they reached the ravine, so he didn’t see him fall, but he definitely heard it. He stopped and turned, watching his young friend flail down the short fall. Well, at least the two had made a decent gap between themselves and the Brotherhood. He leapt down after the young man. “You alright, Cyclops?”

He looked a bit disoriented, but otherwise fine from an outside perspective. Scott was looking up ahead, towards where Magneto would be. And Jean. Hank knew that he had a powerful hold on minds of vulnerable mutants. He spent enough time around Charles to understand how to get inside peoples heads and persuade them. Jean, though a powerful mutant, would have been susceptible to this, especially of the Phoenix Force was unlocked from her mind.

He stepped up closer to Scott and under his breath said, “You know, she won’t be the same. Whatever you see may not be the Jean you remember.” Before he could say anything else, he heard pounding feet on the ground and that was their cue to keep going.

[bonetoadamantium]

Training  II Hank and Logan

[hankphilipmccoy]

Logan’s snark made Hank’s eyes roll. While his friend was making a half-assed attempt at the starter level, he was personally thinking of all the future stages and how things would progress. Everything usually flowed together, adding more obstacles instead of being totally random and going from like, dodging low-grade plasma blasts to dodging a wall of blades. Did he add that in? He couldn’t remember…

But dodging was easy enough, they were slow enough to leap away from with ease. Moving in an S towards the wall, the ‘dumb’ turret couldn’t predict his pattern. He leapt and using his feet he kicked the barrel of the turret and it crunched inward. For some extra finesse, he did a backflip from his kick, landing upright on his feet.

Hank could only show off for so long, though. Knowing Logan, he could only imagine the sort of shenanigans they could get into. As the danger room got more dangerous, he would have to be more wary. But during these warmup rounds, he wanted to remind his body that he was still capable of mild acrobatics.

"Well," He said, staring between the two broken turrets. "What's next?