Chapter Four: The World's Not Ready For Us
X-Mansion, Off-Limits West Wing | Charles Xavier POV...
Charles had been keeping tabs on the boy born on the night that mysterious comet passed over – For years now. He was never able to pierce the child's mind — Even as a baby, the boy's mental walls were too strong. The best Charles was ever able to do was get a read on the boy's emotions, which for Charles — an Alpha-level telepath, accustomed to being able to read the mind of anyone — only had his belief reinforced: This child would be one of the most powerful mutants ever born. He had the potential to be a beyond Omega-level mutant.
So Charles kept track of Lewis through the minds of those closest to him — his parents, Dr. Connors, and even the villains he faced as the infamous Redline. He told no one of the boy's existence, not even keeping tabs of him on Cerebro like he usually did with other mutants. No, he thought it would be better if the boy maintained as normal a life as possible in the time he had it…At least, until he didn't.
He was initially troubled by his run as Redline, though.
Charles had always believed in preserving the sanctity of life, and that to take even one, was to oppose that preservation — For the mutants and the humans who misunderstand them.
And Lewis took lives. He only did it a few times as Redline, but it was enough. And even if it wasn't, his tactically ruthless methods made Lewis a dangerous person for, and of, himself.
Charles could see Erik in Lewis — That same darkness,that same dark impulse, that ruthless efficiency when facing an opponent. Lewis wasn't just ruthless; he was troubled.
And someone with Lewis's potential being troubled was not good for the world around him.
He also didn't approve of Lewis's use of thugs-turned scientists. When he bound them to him by downloading his intelligence into them, Charles had to make sure Lewis didn't enslave them. He didn't strip them of free will. He didn't, so there wasn't a breach of free will, but, had there been, Charles would've wasted no time assembling his secret taskforce, the X-Men, to take care of the boy, Beyond Omega-potential or not.
Charles and his team of X-Men have faced grave mutant threats before. Magneto. Apocalypse. Mister Sinister. Stryfe. Proteus. The list of threats to humanity is a long one, and one Alpha-level telepath, Charles Xavier, is highly invested in preventing its extension.
That was why he refrained from contact with the boy — At least, until now. To see if the young man was a threat to human and mutantkind, and where he stands on the issue.
He didn't poke too hard, just hard enough a probe on the boy's consciousness to let him know he wanted to meet — An invitation of sorts to the Psychic Plane [a metaphorical dimension of sorts that is also known as the Astral Plane; it exists alongside the physical world, and is only accessible to those of psychic or magical origins.].
'I've been watching you for years, and now, it is time to discover your alignment,' Charles thought to himself, waiting for the boy on the Astral Plane. 'Today, I decide if you are friend, or foe. I hope you do not disappoint me, Lewis.'
Eventually, Lewis's form blinked into existence before Charles, though not smoothly — which was expected, as this would be the boy's first time on the Astral Plane.
"Welcome, Lewis," Charles gestured around them, where they stood in an open-roofed castle miles high, floating in the sky where clouds of grey hovered above and outside. "To the Astral Plane."
"So this is the Psychic Plane?" Charles heard the young man murmur. "Interesting..."
Lewis Blake POV | Psychic Plane
"So this is the Psychic Plane? How interesting…" Lewis murmured. After taking in the environment, he looked to the telepath who was across from him.
Charles, as expected, looked exactly as he did in real life — bald, scholarly, wise, his gaze ever observing in dedicated curiosity. "Nice, setting, Professor, though I am certain that you didn't invite me here, in this plane of existence, to impress me with views, so, do tell me, Professor X, whatever do you want with me?'
And, like a charm, Lewis' casual revelation that he knew — that he knew — caused Charles to pause briefly, in surprise, before he covered it up with a pleasant smile. "So, you know who I am?"
Lewis straightened up with a pleasant smile. "So, you know who I am?"
"I do. It's quite hard not recognize the same foreign psionic presence attempting to read your mind as a baby, leaving a psychic touch on the minds of those you surround yourself with over the years, no?" Lewis smiled broadly at Charles' reaction, enjoying the telepath's shock.
'He has access to his infant memories and even managed to sense my highly concealed psychic imprint?' Charles realized, wide-eyed. Every psychic, no matter their level or method, leaves a faint psychic touch; many can become skilled enough to mask or disguise the signature, making it difficult for other psychics to detect, but it is always there. As a powerful Alpha-level mutant telepath, Charles' ability to hide his touch—even from other telepaths—was a skill he took pride in. 'He shouldn't have been able to sense his touch on the mind. I've perfected the ability of concealing my psychic signature; he shouldn't have been able to sense it at all… unless… Don't tell me—He's already Omega-level?'
Lewis merely chuckled at Charles' panicked expression. "If you're wondering if I'm an Omega-level mutant yet, the answer is no. I'm currently barely continental, so high-tier Alpha."
"Currently?" Charles raised a brow.
"'Currently,'" Lewis grinned, "though I sense I'm ever closer to breaching that roof real soon."
'He's actively growing stronger than, at a faster rate than I had initially anticipated,' This caused Charles another pause. 'He's progressed even further than I initially thought. A mutant that can bypass natural limitations without the help of secondary mutation? Is such a thing possible? It must be, since it's standing right before me. The ability alone is Omega-level, but he's right—He's currently only Alpha-level. I can feel it.'
"Still, I imagine that's also not the reason you called me here. Or at least, not the entire reason for your abrupt summoning, eh, Mister Xavier?" Lewis thought aloud, looking at the professor curiously.
"No," the professor shook his head, gathering his thoughts. "It is not."
Lewis willed two chairs into existence, each behind one of the two telepaths, himself and Charles. After taking a seat, he made a "continue on" gesture.
"You have the potential of being one of the most powerful mutants on the planet, Lewis. A mutant born on the night a mysterious comet unknown to us that passed Earth's surface and disappeared. My guess, you absorbed it. And yet…you've shown very low restraint or temperment."
"Restraint? Temperament?" Lewis made an "Oh, wow" gesture, crossing his right leg over his left. "Alright, so that's what this is about, huh? What do you want, exactly? You have to be direct and forthcoming with me. I'm not one of your X-Men student-professors, Professor, to be hopelessly naive enough to allow themselves to be inspired by your doe-eyed speeches and preachings of inspiration."
At the direct revelation that Lewis knew of the professor's secret force, Charles hesitated before deciding to just go for it. "Whose side are you on? What is your stance on Humanity and Mutantkind? I have to know, so—"
"So you can know if I'm a threat that needs elimination. Or, I guess, rehabilitation and reformation? Yeah, elimination is probably more Erik's and Logan's thing, huh?" Lewis finished. Charles said nothing, just narrowing his eyes. "Don't worry, Charles. I have no desire to harm mutantkind nor humanity. I most definitely have no intentions of being foolishly naïve like you and your bunch, but Magneto's way isn't mine either."
"Then what is your way?" Charles asked, tense still, but tone betraying his curiosity. "What is your vision? I can't piece your mind. You must enlighten me. And be honest."
"I'll tell you what future I see through my eyes, Professor," Lewis spoke, voice tinged with raw emotion, vulnerable but, also, guarded. "I see a world where mutants, the superpowered, and the average live in two worlds become one. Does that answer your question, Professor?"
Charles visibly relaxed before looking up, curiously, likely deducing Lewis' honesty. " 'Two worlds made one'? What do you mean by that?"
"You'll know in due time, Professor X," Lewis chuckled. "What I can tell you is that eventually, I will be creating the first-ever laboratory that accepts mutants in its workforce. Perhaps we ought to collaborate a program together sometime? Maybe this olive branch can prevent future conundrums?"
Charles Xavier became wide-eyed before smiling a genuine smile. "I'd like that. It could help lead the next generation of mutants spectacularly."
"I agree," they shook hands as Lewis added, "Now, I will have to wait until I've returned back from space, but you can begin brainstorming ideas. Collaborate with my assistant; she's quite competent. In the meantime, I do have a business trip to rest up for…Do you mind?"
"O-of course not, young man," Charles nodded, chuckling as he nodded his approval. As Lewis vanished, leaving Charles genuinely surprised by the young man's outlook on life and his proposal.
"A new future for a new generation," the professor thought aloud. "Lewis Blake, the man you are...Keep becoming. Maybe, it isn't such a bad image."
Then, with that, the professor vanished too.
B.L.A.K.E H.T. Laboratories HQ | Moments Later
Lewis's physical body regrew consciousness inside his private office at HQ, quickly issuing orders to his uper AI, OMNIS. "OMNIS, secure the room properly, won't you?"
[Command Acknowledged. Security Cameras For Room Have Been Offgridified. Anti-Psychic Fields On Room Active. All Windows Have Been Obscured. Doors And Windows Have Been Sealed. Room Secured.]
"Excellent work, OMNIS," Lewis muttered, grinning like a madman as he pulled out his dagger — a special dagger that channeled psionic energy. Its blueprint was one OMNIS created after merging the schematics of Stark Industries, Oscorp Incorporated, Hammer Industries, Intelligent Solutions Inc., Tri-Optimum Corporation, and Cyberdyne Systems Corporation — and all their weaponry and defense-manufacturing blueprints.
Each company had created a dagger blueprint; Lewis fused the best aspects of each. He'd also pulled data from every firm — upwards of 1.2 million+ files and blueprints of armaments, defense and weapon systems alone(That doesn't even count orbital cannons, space lasers, naval fleets, carrier groups, orbital battle fleets, drone armadas, submarine forces, or entire space-fleet blueprints he'd glanced through. OMNIS spanned Earth's technology and everything in proximity to and within the Solar System. Some of the material OMNIS returned had to be transcribed into English for Lewis to read. Point is: Lewis's AI was absolutely broken). "Now I can experiment."
[Psionic Dagger — Image / Description]
The dagger was a long, futuristic blade. Its hilt and grip were made of a comfortable metallic material with a red sphere set in the guard above the handle. It radiated natural crimson and indigo-blue psionic energies.
'I can't leave Earth without leaving a Redline,' Lewis thought, cutting himself and letting fragments of blood drip into a vial. "OMNIS, is the duplication tube ready?"
[Affirmative.]
The floor opened. Three body-sized steel tubes rose into place — machine-linked reservoirs. Lewis dropped his vial of blood into the processor and watched as the fluid traveled into the first body tube. "How long until the vessel creation process is complete?"
[Forty-Five Minutes. Proceed?]
"Do it."
[Command Recognized. Processing…]
Lewis watched the blood inside the tube coagulate and reorganize into a nascent body form — Forming a fetus shape of cells before gradually an assembled form of an infant formed before his eyes.
'As fascinating as this is, I need to do the thing,' Lewis thought, eyeing the dagger. 'If consciousness is the soul, a psionic blade should fractionalize it. One way to find out.'
He entered a meditative position, dagger aimed at his right arm from the elbow. Channeling psionic energy, he willed chunks of his consciousness to sustain themselves within the limb he would eventually sever, essentially making the limb an independent consciousness generator.
Then, with masochistic calmness, he sliced his arm off at the elbow.
Instant pain flashed through him, but, with his evolved physiology, he ignored the pain, using his remaining hand to grip the severed limb, and pushed his senses into it.
"A small chunk of my consciousness and power was severed when I cut off the arm," he thought aloud. "I sense I'll pass out in a few seconds, but based om the psionic signature inside the limb, I'd say this was worth it.
"OMNIS, integrate this arm to the body withiin the tube and release a low-frequency arc of electricity and solar radiation on both myself and my vessel. Focus a high concentration on me, though. Do not disturb my rest."
[Yes. Understood.]
The room hummed. Panels along the walls began to glow. Lewis passed out as the machine saturated both forms in the room with controlled energy.
Four hours later Lewis woke. His arm was fully healed, energy fully replenished and before him, stood a naked, younger version of himself — about 16 to 17 years old — standing at rigid attention. Lewis hastily dressed the new vessel in a red shirt, a black-blue hoodie, and pants he'd kept on him in spares at his in his office.
[Lewis Blake #02 — Image ]
"Are you me?" the copy asked. "Or am I you?"
"You are my first copy," Lewis answered. "I'll call you Lucas Blake. You will attend to my duties as the Redline — but discreetly. None can know I'm on Earth." With a tap to Lucas's forehead, Lewis downloaded his skills, knowledge and loyalty to himself (Lewis) into Lucas's head.
And with a gasp, both Lewis and Lucas grinned their twin mischievous grin.
The world won't know what hit it. It just wasn't ready for us.