"Wyatt… is it true?"
"…it is."
Wyatt stood in the brightly lit common room of the Xavier Institute, his heart pounding as the weight of his words hung in the air like a thick fog. His friends and mentors surrounded him, their expressions mixed, creating an almost palpable tension. In front of him, Kitty blinked, her eyes wide with confusion as she processed his answer, shaking her head slowly as if trying to dispel the grim reality.
"Wyatt, I'll always be on your side," she said, her voice a gentle yet firm encouragement. "But that… that doesn't make any sense."
Ever the naive optimist, Bobby furrowed his brow in confusion, his youthful innocence shining through. "I don't get it. Why didn't you just hand over those people to the proper authorities?"
Logan stepped forward from his place beside the imposing double doors. "It's not that simple, kid," he said, his voice gravelly but steady. "Sometimes, justice isn't always delivered to those who deserve it."
Embodying a fierce understanding of the law that reflected her upbringing as the daughter of a highly respected judge, Jean shook her head with judgment. Her brow furrowed, and her eyes sparkled with conviction as she expressed her views. "That still doesn't make it right," she said, her voice steady but passionate. "Even if the system isn't perfect, we have an obligation to let it function as intended. We can't simply take matters into our own hands. How is what Wyatt is doing any better than what he fought to stop in Nevada?"
Wanda, standing resolutely by Wyatt's side, crossed her arms defiantly. "Oh, I don't know, how about the fact that he's not torturing or abusing anyone? Or how he's keeping them from hurting any more people?" Her voice rose slightly, a surge of passion igniting her words. "Unless you've forgotten, a lot of the students here, including me, were victims there. So if anyone has any right to say anything, it's us. Not you."
"Wanda's right. We can't trust the government to do what's right," Jubilation chimed in, her voice firm yet compassionate. From behind her, Samuel nodded in agreement, his expression solemn yet resolute.
"Where was our due process from the system, Jean? The system is broken," he asserted, his voice ringing with frustration. "And if there's anyone I trust more to handle this, it's my boy Wyatt."
"But it's precisely because you all were kept captive that the existence of Wyatt's, up until recently, secret prison should raise red flags," Jean shot back, her tone sharp as she emphasized her point. "That's why we have laws, juries, and judges. They're impartial, and they should make those judgments on the guilty. Not Wyatt."
Rogue approached with a fierce yet protective demeanor as she stood beside Wyatt. "Are you saying you don't trust him?" she challenged, her eyes piercing those who doubted his motives. "After everything he's done? Wyatt has more than earned our trust. If anyone can contain and treat those under his watch fairly, it's him. Kurt," she said, turning to him, "You see it too, don't you? He's done nothing but prove himself."
"Rogue's right," Kurt agreed, his voice warm, yet underscored with conviction. "While it might be a bit… unconventional, I trust Wyatt to do what's right."
As the conversation swirled around them, the air crackled with tension, leaving Wyatt caught in the middle of clashing beliefs, all grappling with the complexities of justice and morality regarding his prison, the Fortress.
"While I understand the intentions behind Wyatt's actions, it's important to consider their potential impact on society as a whole," Charles stated diplomatically. "If Atomic is given the authority to imprison those he deems guilty, we need to carefully consider the implications of such power. What's to prevent others from doing the same? Should he really hold that level of authority over the people of Earth that he deems guilty?"
"The professor has a valid point. I appreciate that Wyatt's intentions appear to be noble, and I acknowledge that perspective. However, from an ethical standpoint, his approach may face significant resistance. This is especially true among global governing bodies," Hank remarked.
"There's been ongoing discussion among various organizations regarding appropriate responses to this Fortress," Ororo added. "Many are advocating for Atomic to release all the individuals in his custody. They're concerned about the implications of a superpowered independent individual exercising authority over their citizens without formal oversight."
"That's ridiculous. Those people are clearly the bad guys! Especially that monster, Igwe! They just want to get their people back so they can return to whatever messed-up activities they were involved in before Wyatt took them down," Evan said to his aunt.
"That's most likely true," Robert responded, turning to Wyatt, who had remained silent throughout the lengthy debate. "But that doesn't change the fact that trust in Atomic has been shaken. You could have been coy and shielded the existence of this Fortress, but instead, you laid everything bare. Why?"
"I almost didn't," Wyatt admitted. "But I knew it was the right thing to do. Despite all the issues it brought me, I think everyone had the right to know."
"Before you told the press about this Fortress of yours… were you ever going to tell any of us?" Jean asked, her arms crossed. "Were you ever going to tell Kitty?"
Wyatt frowned and glanced around the room. "The Fortress was my decision—a choice that I didn't make overnight. It was... a decision I didn't feel comfortable sharing."
"Well, that makes things better. We definitely don't want to make you uncomfortable by telling the truth," Jean said tensely. She turned to Scott and frowned. He had been extremely quiet the entire time, which was unusual for him, as he usually was very vocal. "Scott, don't you have anything to say?"
From his spot on the worn-out couch, Scott let out a deep sigh that seemed to resonate with the tension in the room. He glanced around to find everyone's eyes fixed on him, anticipation written across their faces. "I do… I trust Wyatt," he stated firmly. "And if he believes this is the best course of action, then I stand behind him."
"What?" Jean exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief. "Scott, you can't be serious!"
"I am," he replied, rising from the couch with a sense of resolve. "We may have had our disagreements in the past, but as Rogue pointed out, Wyatt has earned my trust, our trust, through his actions." He paused for a moment, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "But… I can't help but wonder: why go through all this trouble? Why not just... kill these threats outright? Wouldn't that be faster and simpler? Why choose to lock them away instead?"
His blunt inquiry hung heavily in the air, and the entire team exchanged glances, taken aback by the brutal honesty of his question. The adults in the room shared knowing looks.
Wyatt sighed heavily, his gaze drifting out the room's expansive windows, where sunlight poured in, casting a warm glow on the polished floor. "My powers grant me a unique perspective that I doubt anyone else can truly understand," he began, his voice tinged with melancholy. "I perceive these... strings—delicate lines woven from atoms, intricate threads that connect us all, intertwining our lives, thoughts, and emotions. We're all bound together in this intricate web of atoms. And if I were to start cutting out the lines I didn't like, killing the people who do nothing but inflict evil into the world, where does it end?"
Kitty looked at him, her brow furrowing in confusion. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Charles chimed in, his tone measured and reflective. "What Wyatt is trying to say is that if he takes one life, the next act of violence becomes that much easier. If he abandons all his moral restraint, what's to stop him from obliterating every source of evil he perceives? Or, at least, those individuals he deems worthy of judgment?" He paused, his expression serious. "No matter whose life it is, taking said life is an irrevocable act, a choice that clings to your soul. To do so would mean relinquishing a piece of your humanity. It's a decision that carries immense weight."
Logan stepped closer to Wyatt, his face etched with experience and understanding. "I know a thing or two about making hard calls," he said, his voice steady yet laced with weariness. "I've had to eliminate my share of bad people. Sure, their deaths might have nudged the world toward a slightly better future, but each one has left a scar. A part of me still carries the burden of those lives I've taken. No matter how justified." He leaned in, his eyes locking onto Wyatt's, sincerity radiating from him. "One day, you'll face a choice that will test you deeply. What do you value more: your ethics and morality or the lives of everyone around you? Because mark my words, there will come a moment when you'll encounter someone—or something—that won't give you the luxury of mercy."
Wyatt shook his head firmly, his expression resolute. "No… I refuse to do it. I'm confident I'll find a way if that day ever comes. With my powers, there's always a way forward."
Logan studied him for a moment, concern etching lines across his face. "I hope so, kid. For your sake and the sake of everyone else," he replied, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. He turned to leave the dimly lit room, the shadows flickering against the walls. "If you truly believe this Fortress of yours is the answer, then I trust you'll handle it well," he added, his voice low and cautionary, before stepping out into the corridor.
Wyatt nodded, fully aware of the weight of the situation. He approached Kitty, noticing the conflict in her eyes. Gently placing his hands on her arms, he spoke softly.
"Kitty, I need you to trust me on this. I know my decision is difficult to understand, but I truly believe it's right." He paused, searching for the right words. "But trust me, the Fortress isn't a place for just anyone; it's meant for the worst of the worst humanity has to offer. I promise that everyone under my care is treated fairly. While my Fortress may feel wrong now, I believe it's the right thing to do."
Kitty fell quiet, her thoughts swirling as she processed his words. After a moment, she nodded slowly. "Okay… if you truly believe this is the best path forward, I'll support you. Just please be careful," she said, leaning into his chest, seeking comfort and reassurance.
"I will," Wyatt replied, relief washing over him as he hugged her tightly.
"I still don't agree with this, Wyatt," Jean said, her voice tinged with frustration and weariness. She let out a tired sigh, the weight of the conversation bearing down on her. "But it seems I won't change your mind anytime soon… I understand why you believe this is the right path forward. But let me share something my father often reminded me during my childhood: 'At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice, he is the worst.' I just hope you don't end up looking back on this decision with regret."
With her words hanging heavy in the air, Jean turned and walked out of the room, her expression a mixture of disappointment and concern. Before she left, she cast a sharp, disapproving glance at Scott, silently conveying her displeasure.
"She'll come around… Just give her some time," Scott said, attempting a reassuring smile, though it faltered slightly under the weight of their disagreement. With a sense of urgency, he followed after Jean, hoping to mend the rift between them.
Like a meticulously arranged stack of dominoes, each person in the room offered Wyatt their parting words. The air was thick with unspoken emotions as they gradually filtered out of the common room, leaving him feeling increasingly isolated despite their encouragement.
Among the last to leave was Rogue, who had intended to uplift Wyatt with some kind words. She paused when she noticed that Kitty was holding his hand, a tender gesture that made her stop. "It's okay, Wyatt. Everything will turn out fine; you'll see," she said softly, her brow furrowed in concern, before slipping out of the room with a small, reluctant frown on her face.
Wanda followed closely behind Rogue, offering her own words of comfort to Wyatt before giving Kitty a small, hesitant smile and leaving.
Now left alone in the orange glow of the common room, Wyatt and Kitty settled beside each other on the couch. The atmosphere felt charged, with the earlier conversation lingering in the air like a thick fog. They both desperately tried to return to their usual rhythm, but the weight of the moment made it difficult.
Yet, despite the ongoing tension, they instinctively reached for each other, their fingers intertwining as they sought comfort in their connection. They found solace in the warmth of one another's touch, an unspoken promise that they would weather whatever storms lay ahead.