//I think I’ve finally figured out what happens during the Cuban Missile Crisis in this storyline...
Dark content below.
One major change in this version I haven’t talked about is the continued growing uncertainty amongst the ‘First Class’/Moira over what they’re preparing to do. As Charles’ world darkens and his behavior changes they start lose faith in him and their ability to stop a pending-war. Raven is the most vocal and frustrated/hurt: in part because she’s pretty sure Charles is being abused and in part because instead of opening up to her after that one very desperate night they shared together Charles all but shuts her out...gradually at first, then suddenly and completely.
Raven finally confronts him the night before they fly out and tries to tell him they’re not ready, this is a bad idea but...something in Charles is broken and when she gets too close he snaps and almost kills her. He doesn’t of course, although I need to work on the details. It does however finally push him past that breaking point...
This was a roundabout way of explaining everyone’s state of mind by the time they’re trapped on the beach: the X-boys are frustrated and nervous, Raven is hurt and angry and Moira is trying desperately to keep everything together. As for Charles...he’s lost whatever fight in him he had left. He essentially withdraws, leaving an anxious and self-loathing Erik to take the lead.
This time around it isn’t Charles who stops Erik from turning the missiles towards the human armies but the rest of the X-men. Moira leads it, firing at him. When Erik disarms her Hank and Alex charge him.
I don’t know the exact details of the struggle but I’m pretty sure it ends with Raven holding Charles at gunpoint. For the second time in the far too recent past Erik fears for Charles’ life, even though he’s damn well aware he has no right to.
I’d like to think he’s the one who finally holds up his hands. Raven bitterly gives Charles one last chance to come to her but he won’t and when Erik takes his hand he bites his lip but doesn’t pull away. Erik, Charles and the hellfire club leave that day: they regroup with Emma, who rarely dirties her hands in careless combat.
I’m still working on writing up the detailed backstory for this Wicked Game so some details in this scene may change. For now though let’s consider it canon...