“Please, make yourself comfortable, Director.” Charles insisted as he wheeled himself across from the dark leather couch. “Can I offer you anything to drink?”

“No, thank you, Professor.” Nick answered, sitting down and looking directly at Charles. “If it’s alright with you, I’d like to get down to business.”

“By all means,”

“Alright,” Nick sighed out. He leaned forward and intertwined his fingers, doing his best to become intimidating; though that wasn’t very hard to accomplish, trying or otherwise. “The government, specifically speaking the C.I.A., wants mutants gone. They’re becoming more fearful of you and your students, of what ‘destruction’ they can bring.” He stated. “As we speak, the C.I.A. is doing everything in its power to find your school so they can obliterate it along with everyone in it.”

“The government knows that the last thing my students and I want is conflict.”

“I’m afraid that doesn’t mean that there people who will understand. There will always be people who are afraid of the unknown and will do anything to make themselves at ease.” Nick replied. “As Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., I do have some connections and strings I can pull to, let’s say, throw the C.I.A. off your trail? However, I’m afraid I won’t be offering my help without knowing that I will get something in return.”

There was a knock upon the door and two men turned their gazes towards it. “Professor, may I come in?”

Charles looked over at Nick. “Would you mind, Director?”

“Not particularly,” Nick answered lazily, leaning back into the sofa and relaxing.

“You may, Storm.”

The wooden door opened and Ororo entered the Professor’s office. “You called for me, Professor?” She inquired, soon taking notice of Fury who resided comfortably on the sofa. “What’s he doing here, Professor? Isn’t he with the government?”

“Yes, Storm, he is.” Charles said. “Though at the moment, he poses no threat to us. Please, remain calm.” His reassuring did just that and she felt her muscles loosen and become less tense. “Storm, would you please go and inform Skeeter, Chase and Liberty that I would like to have a word? Please let them know that it’s urgent. Thank you.”

“Of course, Professor,” Storm nodded her head and silently excused herself from the office, going off to inform and collect the three students to bring to Professor X. She couldn’t help but wonder what in the world was going on.

Charles returned his attention back towards Fury. “You want more power for your Avengers, is that correct, Director?” He inquired, however, it was posed as more of a statement than anything and they both knew it.

“It’s always a good idea to keep your enemies on their toes, Xavier.”

“Yes, well, Storm is bringing three of my best students. I think at least one shall prove to your liking, though I will tell you this right now, Director. I will not force my students to go with you. It will be their choice and if they decide to stay, I will not try to persuade them otherwise.”

“Oh, I understand, Xavier. I hope you understand that I won’t be covering for you if one doesn’t come, though.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to, Director.”






Liberty knocked gently upon the mahogany door before twisting the handle and poking her head inside the room, immediately taking notice of two classmates, Skeeter and Chase. To the side of the room beside the Professor stood Storm, and on the opposite side sat a man who was unfamiliar to Liberty in every way.

“You wanted me, Professor?”

“Yes, thank you for coming Liberty. Now that we’re all gathered, let me explain.” Charles said. “This is Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

“S.H.I.E.L.D., what is that?—An insurance company?” Chase questioned.

“We’re the Strategic Hazard Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.” Fury retorted, giving Chase an unnerving look for being smart.

“Oh, okay,” Chase muttered, looking anywhere other than at Fury.

“I presume that you all remember the Battle of Manhattan where the Avengers won against the aliens that threatened our world?” Everyone nodded their head as they recalled the event, and Charles resumed talking right after. “Well, Director Fury is the head of the Avengers. He’s looking for another person to join him and his team. He came to us hoping that he would find his newest recruit.”

All was silent in the office, Professor Xavier’s students looking at one another with contemplating expressions.

“You are not obligated to go, no one will force you. It is your own choice to make.” Charles added.

“How are we going to decide who will be chosen?”

“I will leave that to Director Fury.”

“Well, Professor, I was hoping that they would be able to spar with two of the people on the team. What do you say?”

“I have no objections.”

“Wait.”

Everyone turned to look at the person who had spoken up. Skeeter stared down at the wooden flooring, his hands balled up into fists. “I’m sorry,” he began. “This is a great honor and I’m thrilled that you considered me, but I just don’t think I’ll be able to match up. I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.”

“Very well, Skeeter. Thank you for coming anyways.” Charles said, giving his student a reassuring smile to let him know all was well. “I trust you know not to spread the word about this?”

“Yes, Professor. Good luck, guys.” Skeeter said, giving a weak smile and a thumb’s up as he left, leaving the rest of them enveloped in another silence.

“When did you want for us to spar?” Chase asked eagerly, his blood beginning to pump with excitement.

“Right now,” Nick stated, rising from the sofa and walking towards the door. “Hawkeye and Black Widow are back at the chopper waiting.”







The group had moved into the woods that surrounded the mansion and had gained three new members in the process. Logan remained by the Professor and Ororo, while Hawkeye and Black Widow stood by Nick’s sides. Logan was uneasy having so many people who weren’t like them upon the campus and was ready to jump into action if something were to happen. His dislike for them only grew with the judgmental look Fury seemed to give everyone.

“It will be one-on-one.” Nick began. “Black Widow will be sparring with Liberty, and Hawkeye with Chase. The first one to get their opponent to announce defeat wins. Ready? Go.”