40 40. Professor X

Like Adam expected. Tony used the ark reactor to kill Stein. In the following interview he openly said he was Iron man.

From the news Adam saw agent Coulson standing to the side with an embarrassed expression.

"You really know how to gather attention."

Adam chided Tony who was fiddling with his armour suit.

Tony threw his hands and shrugged, "Hey, who asked me to be so awesome."

"Narcissist."

"Just stating the fact."

Adam knew he couldn't win an argument with this man, "What are you gonna do about that?"

He pointed to his chest.

Tony halted for a moment and said, "Don't know. Guess I will take it as it comes."

Adam already knew a way to help him but he didn't say it. Every incident Tony went through made him the man he was in the movies.

From an arrogant, self-centered, egoistic playboy to a hero who gave up his life for others.

Adam smiled faintly and got up, "Anyway, I am leaving."

"Yeah."

Tony didn't turn back and continued to work on his project.

Adam shook his head and left.

It was past midnight when he got home. His phone buzzed as he was ready to hit the bed, he saw the text and went to sleep.

...

Early morning, Elle came by for her training. And someone else also joined them.

"Why the sudden interest, Wendy?"

Adam looked at his adopted sister and asked curiously.

He didn't expect her to wake up so early to train with them.

Wendy wearing gym clothes said seriously, "I want to beat up bullies."

So cute!

Adam and Elle shouted in their minds.

He coughed and said, "Wendy, it's wrong to hurt others."

Wendy hung her head down, "Sorry...

Adam rubbed her head and said, "But if they start it be sure to give them hell."

Wendy raised her head and smiled.

Elle nudged him, "Hey, is that alright?"

Adam shrugged, "She is a good kid. She knows what's right and wrong."

Knowing his character she could only sigh and agree. Adam guided Wendy through some basic body exercises and told her to practice by herself.

He sparred with Elle and checked on her hand seals. When they were almost finished Frank came in.

"Just a minute."

Adam nodded to Frank.

"Where are you going?"

Elle asked curiously.

Adam smiled, "To visit a peculiar gentleman."

Elle didn't ask further and continued with her practice.

He changed his clothes and went down when he saw his parents, "Mom, Dad, Wendy is interested in training. I gave her a set of basic exercises, but it's best if you guys could supervise her."

William has no problems with that, "Alright."

Georgia was even more elated to see Wendy open up, "Since she is interested, I will teach her military boxing and some Jujitsu."

Adam nodded and left with Frank. A black Mustang was parked outside.

"Where did you get this?"

Adam asked curiously.

Frank looked at him and said, "She is not a 'this', her name is Veronica."

Adam raised his arms in surrender and boarded Veronica.

"When did they arrive?"

Frank heard his question and replied indifferently, "A day ago. That person was with them."

He pulled out a file and gave it to Adam, "Logan a.k.a Wolverine, mutant, ability - self-regeneration, adamantine claws, age unknown."

"Anna Marie, female, age 16 years, mutant, ability - absorption."

Anna Marie, Rogue... she finally appeared. With her blood I can synthesize a stronger serum. Harry's sickness will no longer be an issue.

The car sped towards their destination. An hour later they entered a private estate.

Adam saw a board on one side of the gate.

Charles Xavier's School for the gifted.

The door opened on it's own. Frank drove in.

Adam saw a lot of kids from different age groups walking around. Some were playing basketball, some were laying on the lawn, some were reading beneath a tree.

"Not a bad place."

Frank parked the car. They got out and walked to the entrance where a woman with silver hair was waiting.

"Good morning, gentlemen. My name is Storm, professor told me you were coming. This way please."

Storm... a beta class mutant.

Adam took his eyes away from her and looked around. The mansion was well maintained and looked exquisite.

They walked through the corridors and stopped infront of a room.

"Please."

Storm opened the door and gestured for them to go inside.

Adam walked in and saw the famous Professor X.

He was a bald man with a serene expression, he wore a dark blue suit and sat on a wheelchair.

Now any sane person would think he was just a disabled man but Adam knew better. This man was an alpha mutant, one of the very very few out there.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor."

Charles smiled, "Please, have a seat."

Adam nodded and sat down. Frank didn't introduce himself and sat down. The professor didn't find this offending and simply smiled.

"So, what brings you here, Mr. Adam?"

Adam didn't beat around the bush and said, "Professor, I heard about a mutant named Rogue. I am here to request a sample of her blood."

Charles frowned. Adam immediately explained, "It's like this, I am developing a new formula to help my friend. Rogue's ability is to absorb mutant powers, I believe she can absorb and store mutant powers as energy. My formula needs this peculiar trait to absorb a huge amount of energy without compromising stability."

Charles thought for a while and asked, "I can't make a decision for her."

Adam nodded, "I understand."

Charles called in Storm, "Bring Rogue, these gentlemen have something to ask of her."

Storm nodded and went out. A while later she came in with a young girl with black hair.

Charles Introduced, "Rogue, this is Adam. He is here to ask something from you."

Rogue pointed to herself, "Me?"

Adam replied, "Yes, you."

He said the purpose of his visit. Rogue thought it wasn't a problem and agreed immediately.

Adam thanked her and the professor, "Thank you. This means a lot to me, if you ever need help please don't hesitate to ask."

Storm led them to a lab and extracted several vials of blood from Rogue.

Thanking them again Adam left the school.

Looking at the bag in his hands he smiled. A bit more time, Harry.