There was never a dull moment in the lives of the X-Men. Even though Warren wasn’t part of the active team anymore, he was one of the first five - Xavier’s first students and the first X-Men that existed. It was hard not to feel like part of the X-Men still, to not consider himself part of the team, especially when he was frequently called on to help, whether that was with the X-Corp business, defending Krakoa, or just generally being a hero overall. He really wasn’t supposed to be an active fighter, but it was what he was trained to do since being a teenager. And besides, there was still an almost unbelievable amount of danger in the business world, cutthroat didn’t even do it justice. He really enjoyed the simpler moments of just doing good and not being questioned at every turn, or having to watch his back for any hint of betrayal.
He was thankfully a tough guy, though, able to withstand a decent amount of punishment while being lightning fast in the air. Maneuverability was his practiced strength, and he was sure he was the best at flying with all of his training. But even with all of his prowess and a healing factor to back him up, he still got hurt. While things rarely ever let him rest properly, he could push through it. He had to when Scott had called, and needed the aerial superiority that Warren had. He had to push aside singed and missing feathers, but at least transitioning his wings to the sleek metal regrew them in an instant. And now, he could focus on taking care of strange monsters from another dimension, a rift opened as the result of playing with powers far outside of mortal comprehension.
Traveling through a Krakoan gate and flying fast to the north Californian coast, it didn’t take Warren long to rendezvous, already seeing Scott and Firestar waiting. The young Mutant was proving to be a skilled X-Man So far.
“So, what are we looking at?”
Scott, arms crossed, lets out a soft hum.
Warren tilts his head, moreso just wondering what they were waiting on until Magik's characteristic stepping disc appeared.
“Now,” Scott starts, “Rictor and Magik will prioritize closing the rift. Firestar and Angel, you'll keep them engaged and limit their destruction. Jean has located them traveling north. Don't let them get any farther. Firestar, are you alright with staying in telepathic contact?”
Simple enough; And Firestar gives a nod of confirmation at Scott's question. Warren knew she wasn't the fondest of telepaths, or at least of Emma Frost. Which was probably a story for another day. And besides, he was keen to take off and get into the action.
“As always, be careful. We don't have much solid information on what these creatures are capable of, but they've so far been largely difficult to spot via visual contact.”
Another brief response of confirmation was all Scott was looking for, and Warren knew that. He kept himself alert, trying to spot anything that just didn't seem right. Firestar, to her credit, was using her powers to fly and as a sort of detection if anything was disrupting the air unseen to the eye. And if he were anyone else, he would've missed it; the glimmer of light that just didn't look right.
“Firestar, there!” Warren directs, and the heated blast hits something full force that lets out a horrible shriek. Whatever camouflage it had faded, revealing a creature similar to a manta ray albeit without a stinging tail. It was like its skin reflected the light, and newfound burns disrupted it. These things definitely couldn't stick around. There were probably more of them too, but Warren wanted to be careful with his flechettes. While a few blades hit their mark on the injured creature and quickly work to paralyze it, that’s when he gets a good look at the underside of the creature revealing a large maw of colossal razor sharp teeth and tucked claws shaped like scythes. And finding out how deadly those were was not on his agenda.
He caught sight of another creature, and darted for the more open ocean off the coastline. Keep them distracted; that was the goal. While their course had turned back towards the rift, probably sensitive to whatever work Rictor and Magik were doing, this was the time to really let loose and not let a single of these monsters do anything more. He turned to climb skyward, a few flechettes making sure that he drew the monster’s attention. But as he climbed, he could see the way light reflected off the creature and how quickly it gained on him. Maybe he couldn’t outspeed it, but he could outmaneuver it. He moves into a loop, seeing the monster speed past him and try to turn around to dive on him. But it just takes one powerful beat of wings to send more flechettes towards the now extended claws, while enough hit their mark, the feeling of those sharp claws scratching against his wings were not at all pleasant and forced a grunt of pain from him as they managed to cut him.
But he’d heal just fine, and now he sped back towards the coastline to get sights on more of them.
“Scott, how’re things there?”
“Fine,” He says back, but Warren could tell that something was up. And it wasn’t that much of a surprise to hear Jean’s voice in his head, with her maintaining the telepathic connection.
“Hurry back, more of those creatures are trying to stop Rictor and Magik.”
No time to waste now; Warren pushes to his maximum speed to get back as quickly as he can. Classic Scott, having a plan already that wouldn’t call for backup. But he was already on the way, and already able to see the familiar blasts hitting some of the monsters. And he was handling it perfectly, though Warren could see a creature coming in for a dive bomb. Easy enough to intercept, he figured, as he climbed higher and focused on the beast.
He collided directly with the monster and turned to open it up to a direct blast from Scott. It shrieks from the hit, and the claws fully extend to reveal the jagged teeth (for lack of a better term) on the inside of the limb. It tries to grab hold of Warren’s wing, managing to tear a good chunk of the metal feathers to pieces. He lets out a shout then, but he’s able to still recover and keep himself from crash landing.
Jean’s voice in his head was concerned, and he let out a breath to compose himself.
He’d worry about it later, and besides - this was far from the worst he’s ever experienced. He could still fly fine, and with Firestar reconvening back at the shoreline and helping with the monsters, it was a simple task to hold them off long enough for the rift to be closed. The creatures went with it, vanishing with little more than a screech to signal their departure. At least that was that, and Warren for once was glad to land.
“You look a few pounds lighter, Angel,” Magik spoke up, and he couldn’t help rolling his eyes.
“Veeery funny, Magik. I’m fine.”
“You seem so, so I wasn’t asking that. Time to head back home.”
She opens a stepping disc once more, bringing them all back home to Krakoa. Warren’s priority now was to find a spot where he could relax and worry about his wing. Scott was sure to have to report to the Council how things went, and that would give Warren some free time. Or at least, he was assuming, until he heard Jean’s voice in his mind again.
He knew that tone, that obvious worry when Warren’s first solution would be to isolate himself and handle it himself. And he knew he really shouldn’t if he didn’t want one of the most powerful telepaths he knew to come looking.
“It’s not that bad, Jean, really. The damage’ll heal when they transform back.”
And that was true, they would. It’d hurt like hell, but they’d be pristine white feathers again with hardly any indication that something happened. He’d be exhausted, sure, but he didn’t have anywhere to be.
“I know, but still. You know we’ll worry.”
He can’t help a soft laugh then. She wouldn’t force him, he knew, but it was also painfully clear that she would much prefer if he spent his time resting in the Summers house on the blue side of the moon. And while he adored the breeze he felt on Krakoa often while flying, the moon wasn’t so bad.
“Alright, alright, I’m on my way.”
He was definitely a bit amused. He wasn’t that reckless young guy anymore, charging headlong into danger. And he was tougher now, with a healing factor that helped him and his much stronger form that he had learned how to control. But, in the same breath, it’d be nice to be able to relax with the people he had known the longest, and trusted wholeheartedly without hesitation. It was an easy enough task to fly to the gate that would take him to the house, landing once he was right outside the gate and stepped through. That was one thing that was always sort of interesting - suddenly being in a brand new place altogether. But then again, all the times traveling through them at least made them feel more normal.
The moment he was in the Summers home, he was aware of just how quiet it was. The kids must be busy with something, Alex out somewhere, and Gabriel off to God knows where. But he wasn’t going to worry about that at all, especially when he was keen to lay back and relax. He sat down on the couch and let out a soft hum then, and it didn’t take long for Jean to meet him.
“Warren, it’s always great to see you.”
He gives a soft laugh then, waving to Jean as she steps around the couch.
“You too, always. But I mean it, I’m fine!”
Jean answers him by running a hand over the still metallic feathers, gentle and careful though it was very clear that she knew how to avoid being cut by the flechettes, and stopped right at the part where the feathers had been ripped off. He took that memo clearly enough.
“Okay, it will be fine. Is this the part where you offer to keep me from feeling the pain of them shifting back?”
“If you want, I’d like to help.”
And he knew that Jean meant it wholeheartedly, but wouldn’t push it if that wasn’t something he was comfortable with. He generally disliked anyone messing with his mind, but there were a select few he trusted. So he lets out a soft breath, nodding.
“That’s fine, just dull it so it’s more bearable, maybe.”
She nods at that, only dampening Warren’s ability to feel pain as he willed his wings to change form again. Like this, it still hurt, and he could still feel the way the feathers rapidly regrew to fill in the empty space, but it wasn’t as bad as it once was; when his wings first became white feathers again. He had to make sure to keep taking steady breaths, stay focused and composed. Once they were back to their normal form, he leaned back against the cushions in relief.
“Are you sure you feel okay, Warren?”
Jean asks, and he can't help a laugh.
“Yeah, I feel alright, especially thanks to you. I appreciate you, Jeannie.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Scott’s voice makes Warren jump, because hell, wasn’t giving a report on things more time consuming than that?
“Sorry Warren,” Scott says as he comes around the back of the couch, standing off to the side. “I just wanted to come and check on you myself.”
Warren can’t help a laugh at that, shaking his head. “I’m telling you both, I’m fine! I’m not fragile!”
But he knows why they worry so much, and it’s not as if it’s unwarranted. With all the pain they’ve all had to endure over the years, it was natural to worry about each other. Scott worried about others, sought to make sure they were okay and safe. It was what the leader did, so his own tone wasn’t upset; it was more playful and lighthearted.
“I know, but still.” Was the unsurprising answer from Scott. Even after all these years, some things didn’t change.
“Is this going to lead into a question of staying to take some time off?” He can’t help teasing, and while Scott shakes his head, Jean lets out a hum.
“Not if you don’t want to,” Scott starts, but Jean picks up. “But it’d be nice to have some time with you.” And Warren understands that sentiment. They would generally have plenty of time to enjoy the peace and quiet, if all things went well, but taking moments now while they fought to keep themselves safe day in and day out was always a warmly welcomed respite. And if there was anything that Warren appreciated, it was a comfortable night in with his loved ones.
“Alright, I’ll stick around. You’re lucky I love you both.” He jokes, and Jean gives him a warm smile and tousles his hair just a bit as she stands. “Love you too, Warren.” And she even goes as far as pressing a kiss to his forehead before she walks off. That leaves Warren just a bit dumbfounded, because that was new. And when Warren looked over to Scott, he was sure the stoic leader had an amused smile on his face. There was definitely a whole conversation that those two had that he missed out on entirely.
Scott just hums. “Nothing. You heard us, didn’t you?”
Warren rolls his eyes dramatically at that. “Alright, you cheeky weasel. You know what I meant.”
Scott laughs then, only moving to follow after Jean with a wave to Warren. Some sort of movie night or otherwise relaxed time seemed in order, reminding him when things were much simpler and they were just heroes doing all they can. And truthfully, it was a welcome familiarity - and Warren was just fine with that.