Lucien reached the X-Mansion after a short ride.
The familiar gates came into view, but something was different this time. Outside the mansion perimeter, SHIELD personnel stood guard at regular intervals. There had to be at least a hundred of them positioned around the property, creating a security cordon that hadn't existed during his previous visits.
The agents recognized him and didn't attempt to stop him as he approached. They simply nodded and allowed him to pass through their checkpoint without question. Lucien wondered if they knew him from his visit to the Helicarrier or if Scott had specifically mentioned his name to the guards.
As he stepped inside the mansion grounds, the damage from the invasion became immediately apparent. The main building showed signs of extensive repair work, but large sections remained scarred by the battle. Construction materials were stacked in various locations, and the sound of rebuilding echoed from different parts of the complex.
What struck him most was how empty everything felt.
All the remaining residents appeared to be concentrated in the west and east blocks, the areas that had sustained the least damage during the attack.
Lucien made his way through the main entrance and into the central hallway. The floors were clean but showed stress fractures from the battle, and several walls displayed patch jobs where debris had punched through during the fighting.
"Lucien?"
He turned to see Colossus approaching from one of the side corridors. The massive mutant was in his human form, looking more tired than Lucien remembered. Piotr extended his hand for a handshake, which Lucien accepted.
"How's Illyana?" Colossus asked, his voice carrying the concern of an older brother/.
"She's safe," Lucien replied simply. "Living with us, doing well."
Colossus nodded, relief evident in his expression. "Good. I worry about her, you know? After everything she went through before, and now with all this chaos..."
Lucien nodded in understanding before he asked
"What's going to happen to the mutants here now?", gesturing around at the damaged mansion.
With the mansion severely damaged and anti-mutant protests spreading across the country, the future of this community was uncertain.
"We're trying to figure things out," Colossus said, his voice heavy containing uncertainty. "It's not easy when everything keeps changing."
"Mr. Piotr!" a young voice called from the other end of the corridor. A teenage boy was waving at Colossus. "The boxes are all packed!"
"Alright, I'll be there," Piotr responded, then looked back at Lucien. "Scott would be better able to tell you about our plans. He's in his office dealing with all the logistics. I'm helping move the kids' belongings."
Colossus headed toward the waiting student, leaving Lucien to navigate the hallways toward Scott's office.
As he approached Scott's office, the door opened and Wolverine emerged. Logan's face was set in a deep scowl, his usual gruff demeanor amplified by obvious anger. But when he saw Lucien, his expression shifted slightly.
"Kid," Wolverine said, his voice carrying its typical gravelly tone. "What are you doing here?"
"Just came to check on you all. Gonna meet Scott before leaving."
He had always found Logan to be straightforward, someone who said what he meant without diplomatic nonsense.
Wolverine grunted and gestured toward the office door. "He's inside. Go ahead."
As Logan passed by, Lucien understood that something was bothering him.
Wolverine was usually the most relaxed person at the mansion, comfortable with conflict and unfazed by most problems. Seeing him this agitated suggested that whatever conversation he'd just had with Scott hadn't gone well.
But that was none of his business... nor was he interested in sticking his nose in their Team matters.
Lucien knocked on the office door frame before entering. Scott Summers sat behind his desk, and the strain of the recent week was written across his face. The man who had led the defense of the mansion looked exhausted, his usually perfect posture slumped with fatigue.
"Lucien," Scott said, looking up from a pile of documents. "When did you arrive? Have a seat."
Lucien settled into the chair across from Scott's desk. The office showed signs of hasty repairs, with new drywall patches visible where debris had damaged the walls.
"Coffee?" Scott offered, gesturing towards a pot.
"No, thanks," Lucien replied.
"Are you alright?" Lucien asked, noting the dark circles under Scott's eyes. "You seem tired."
Scott sighed deeply and rubbed his temples. "It's been too much work this week. Between dealing with government officials, managing the community's needs, and handling all the paperwork... I haven't had much time to sleep."
"You should rest in between," Lucien said. "Running yourself into the ground won't help anyone."
Scott nodded absently, clearly understanding the logic but unable to follow the advice. "I know. There's just so much that needs to be done, and not enough time to do it all."
"So what's going to happen now?" Lucien asked, getting to the heart of his visit. "New location, or will the mansion be reconstructed?"
Scott leaned back in his chair as he spoke,
"Even if we repair it, the mansion is done for. Too much structural damage, too many bad memories."
"So, currently we're creating an artificial island off the coast of San Francisco using the remaining parts of an asteroid that belonged to Erik. Or as most people knew him, Magneto."
"And the government isn't interfering?" Lucien asked. "There have been protests going on across the country. Anti-mutant sentiment is building again."
Scott's expression shifted into something that might have been a smirk. "You don't have to worry about the government. They're fully supporting us right now."
Lucien raised an eyebrow. The answer seemed too convenient, especially given the current political climate. "Why? Isn't this the perfect opportunity for them to rally public opinion against mutants? Whatever pity people felt because of our small numbers seems to be fading because of those protests."
Scott maintained that knowing smirk. "You don't have to worry about the protests. They'll soon be taken care of. And as for why the government is helping us move... let's just say I got my hands on information they wouldn't want to come out to the public. Some of the Avengers also put in requests on our behalf."
Lucien understood the implication. Blackmail was an ugly word, but sometimes it was the only language that powerful people understood. If Scott had leverage over government officials, it explained the sudden cooperation even after having a moral high ground.
"When are you moving?" Lucien asked.
"In a day or two. The island construction is almost finished, and we've got transport arranged for everyone and everything we're taking with us."
Lucien hmm'ed in understanding.
Just then, Scott seemed to have remembered something.
Scott leaned forward slightly, his expression becoming more serious. "I wanted to ask you something. Do you know anything about some shadowy creatures? Dark figures with a purplish glow to them?"
Lucien kept his face perfectly neutral even though he knew what Scott was asking about.
"No. Why are you asking?"
"When we were fighting in Wakanda, just when we were about to get overwhelmed by the Outriders, these shadow creatures appeared and helped us turn the tide of the battle. One of them even killed the Black Order member who was leading the alien army."
Scott's voice carried genuine curiosity mixed with confusion. "They were healing from any wounds they received almost instantly. But after some time, the largest one among them killed the others and then slashed his own head off before disappearing."
He paused, studying Lucien's reaction. "I didn't understand what had happened. None of us did. But I thought maybe you knew something about them."
Lucien stood up, maintaining his neutral expression. "Nah, sadly I don't."
Scott nodded but didn't seem entirely satisfied with the answer. "Leaving already? It's only been a few minutes."
"Yeah, I just came to check on you guys," Lucien replied.
Scott stood up as well, extending his hand. "Thanks for that. Come back anytime, and bring the other kids as well. They're always welcome here."
Lucien shook Scott's hand and nodded. "Take care of yourself. And get some sleep."
"I'll try," Scott said with a tired smile.
Lucien left the office and made his way back through the mansion corridors. The place felt like it was saying goodbye to itself, preparing for a chapter to end and a new one to begin.
After Lucien left the room, Scott remained standing behind his desk, that tired smile still on his face. He looked toward the door where Lucien had exited and muttered to himself, "So they are related to him in some way. Man, he really is such a bad liar."
.....
Lucien made his way to the mansion's parking area, where several SHIELD vehicles were stationed alongside civilian cars belonging to the staff. The security presence was extensive but discreet, professional without being oppressive.
He walked to a relatively isolated section of the parking area, near a concrete retaining wall that provided some privacy. Looking around to make sure he wasn't being observed, Lucien pulled out a dungeon key from his inventory and placed it against the wall.
The gateway that opened wasn't the usual blue or white he was accustomed to. Instead, it glowed with deep crimson energy, casting red shadows on the surrounding concrete.
"A red one, huh?" Lucien muttered to himself, studying the unusual portal. "It's my second red one now. Let's hope it gives some nice levels and shadows."
The last red dungeon had been transformative, leading to his evolution into the Shadow Monarch and his battle with Sukuna.
Without hesitation, Lucien stepped through the crimson gateway.
The portal sealed itself behind him, leaving no trace of his departure.
.....
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