Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1: INTRUDER
Ana
“Charles Xavier was the finest man I knew. Despite our differences, he never ceased to have faith in our friendship, nor forgive my many failings. Perhaps that is why the old fool has done this,” Erik spoke, his baritone voice displaying a quiet amusement as he observed Charles Xaviers Last Will and Testament.
“Magneto, what are you doing in our home?” A male voice asked, and I realized that the chair was angled towards the window on purpose.
They can’t see me.
But she. . .
I felt another telepath in the room and came to realize that it was Jean Grey herself - another telepath that Charles was proud to have taught. She sensed my presence but couldn’t pin down where I was.
“Your home? I beg to differ, Cyclops,” Erik challenged, the book floating over to him.
“The last will and testament of Charles Francis Xavier. As you all will see, his fortune, his school, everything he built, everything he fought for, now belongs to me - my X-Men.”
Found a way in, Jean Grey?
She gasped as I sensed her and shoved her from my mind.
“Oh, and I would like you to meet my beneficiary should something unfortunate happen to me,” Erik spun the chair around, revealing me and I waved.
“Meet Anastasia Eisenhardt, your new teammate.”
“I suggest you get outta that chair, little lady,” Wolverine's claws sharpened, taking a few steps towards me.
“Oh, this chair?” I taunted, dragging my nail over the fine leather, “I think not. After all, if you read the second page, I own the mansion.”
“Liar!” Rogue accused.
I looked at Jean, whose eyes were wide as she looked at me.
“Tell them, Jean. Tell them I’m not lying,” I allowed her a fraction of access into my mind and I felt her touch as she lingered. She also found the memories of Charles and I - the ones in which he trained me.
“She. . .she’s telling the truth.”
Morph was staring at us, and asked the question that was on everyones mind, “so you’re his wife?”
Erik frowned, “not my wife, no. Anastasia is like a daughter to me. I adopted her, trained her, and Charles found her quite endearing. She is like Jean, a remarkable telepath. I do hope you do not write her off because of my past, but we all know human nature.”
I decided to speak up, “I know you all think we’re taking everything away, but I knew Charles. I’ve steered clear of the spotlight, but I know how to fight and I’m ready to give Mutants their fighting chance.”
“We’ve been doing just fine without the likes of you,” Gambit sneered.
Well, that was a productive day.
The X-Men were upset and rightfully so. As soon as they dispersed, I could feel their eyes on me as I went to and from my new room, the common area, and even the Professor's office.
“I told you this was a horrible idea. Probably the worst you’ve ever had, and that’s saying something,” I told Erik, my eyes sneering at him over my mug.
“Mausebärchen, this is what Charles wanted,” he expressed, his gaze soft on me, “he specifically expressed this to us - to you. It is not our fault that Charles left them with false promises.”
No, it’s not.
But still, it has to hurt knowing Charles left them behind without the truth. They’ve grown up with him and he basically raised Jean and Scott.
Washing my mug and setting it to dry, I turned back to Erik. I looked at the man who raised me, who always reassured me that no matter the cost that we’d always be together. Erik Lensherr is a terrorist and a Mutant, and I saw that side of him everyday when he’d leave to fight. When he’d tell me that I wasn’t ready to be fighting by his side yet and I’d watch with the rest of the world as he fought for us.
“I just know that if you left your entire life to someone else, I wouldn’t know what to feel,” before making my way towards my room, leaving Erik to ponder.
I felt a pair of eyes watching as I approached my room, and stopped as I was halfway inside.
“Nice acting,” my voice rang out in the quiet hall, “for a second, I really thought you might not remember me.”
She walked out from the shadows with her arms hugging herself. She looked guilty, and probably felt it too, “sorry about that, suga’.”
“None of them know?” I questioned.
She nodded gently, “none of ‘em.”
I sensed her guilt ravaging her. Rogue’s an honest girl, and I could tell it was ripping her to shreds keeping such a secret from her family.
“Oh don’t gimme that look,” she scolded gently.
“What?” I feigned innocence.
“Those eyes ain’t fooling me, little empath,” her smile grew, “you’re about to tell me to be honest and confess to my team, or I might explode.”
A minor smirk grew onto my lips, “or we could take this to that training room I’ve been hearing about since I was little?”
The southern belles’ eyes fired up, “oh you’re on.”