Good To See You Again (Beast)

[RAVEN DARKHOLME]

Mystique grinned as she arrived in the forest. The headquarters felt a bit cramped at times. She had given Kurt his space and hope d one day she could make it up to him and Rogue. But she wouldn't push her luck. At least she was making some progress with the Brotherhood. She'd slowly started to regain some trust from Wanda at least. At least enough that she could show she could work with the team and complete missions. It was small but it was a start. She knew things weren't fixed just like that. It would take time to earn trust. She knew the twins may never completely trust her and she was okay with that. As long as she could be useful to the Brotherhood and help keep its members and all mutants safe.

Her time in Mardi Gras had been wonderful but now she was here to have some fun. She was dressed as a brunette wearing a blue tanktop and blue jeans. She glanced around seeing no one around and grinned as she shifted into her regular appearance. Her skin turning blue as her clothes disappeared. She grinned as she took off running for a bit and jumping onto a nearby rock as she lay down for a moment. She knew no one would be around. People rarely come out here into the woods anymore. Ultron's attack probably scared people into not leaving the city. Some probably would stay in their homes all day if they could. She sighed deciding perhaps later she'd go for a flight or perhaps a run. There was a lot of things she could do with no one here to bother her. She sighed closing her eyes for the moment to relax herfself.

@beast

[Deleted]

Science was a marvelous thing. The big blue mutant known as Beast relished in his time out and about to do some minor scientific work. Ever since the defeat on Ultron he was finally able to expand his science venture to stuff other than purely repairs and weaponry against robots. Now he was back studying biology, working on mansion defenses, and all the in-between. As it was he was out on a hike, not only for his own leisure just to be out and about away from normal people who would think of him poorly, because of what he was.

No, instead he was out on a nice hike for such reasons, but also to collect a few plant samples for varies experiments back in his lab. He was dressed in a simple vest white button up vest, and pair of black sweats. Of course he had a pair of glasses on as well, and on his back hung a black bookbag, with a water bottle dangling from it. Beast had a grin on his face as he let out a sigh of relief, as he left his vehicle on the side of the road near the trail.

Every so often as he walked he would pick up a plant here or there, some fungi, and other things placing them all in plastic bags or empty mason jars which were inside his bookbag. He sniffed the air ah the smell of nature. There was the earthy smell of the ground and the rocks, the evergreen smell of the pines, the sweetness of varies wildflowers, the scent of varies animal species, and ............. 

Hank sniffed a second time to make sure his nose wasn't deceiving him this time around. That smell he recognized it. Not one of anything normal in the wild. He last remembered that smell from quite a few months ago. It was a person's. One that he knew quite well. "What is she doing out here?" Beast questioned to himself. He had to investigate, and so he followed the scent trail now quieting his steps as to not give himself away too soon until he had eyes on the trail's end. 

This went on for a bit until finally he grew close. A smear of color on the landscape unlike anything else. Blue like himself but feminine. A mutant as well, one that Hank knew all to well. "I'm quite surprised Raven to see you out and about, it made me curious as to what you are doing out here?" Hank called out approaching.

RAVEN DARKHOLME

[RAVEN DARKHOLME]

Mystique was enjoying herself laying on the rock. She heard a familiar voice and opened her eyes seeing Hank. She smiled down at him.

"Hello Hank." said Mystique.

She paused at his question and shrugged.

"I just came out here to relax. To be myself for even a short time. We should not have to hide who we are. Xavier wanted peace between humans and mutants but that was just a dream. A dream that will never come true. But if we don't act soon we'll be wiped out. Or locked away like animals." said Mystique.

She sighed hating how even more paranoid the world had been after Ultron's defeat. She wouldn't be surprised if they soon turned on their so called heroes. Maybe this would be the wake up call everyone with powers needed. Not just mutants were going to be targeted now. Not even the Avengerse or Fantastic Four would be immune. She shook her head and chuckled bitterly.

"Sorry. I didn't come here to argue." said Mystique.

She glanced down and jumped down to the ground and approached him.

"How about a truce? At least for now. No attacking each other or arguing. You must have come out here for something. Perhaps a peaceful day to yourself as well? You're welcome to stay if you wish. I was thinking of going for a run or flight later. So I may be gone for awhile anyway." said Mystique.

She smiled at him. She never really had anything personal against the X-men. Perhaps if things had gone differently there wouldn't be divided mutant groups. The Hell Fire club. The X-men. The Brotherhood. Then again she'd heard about what big numbers had done at Alcatraz. Numbers didn't always mean a victory. Still it would be a lot easier for the cause if they weren't fighting the X-men as well. But she doubted that would change anytime soon.

@beast

[Deleted]

Hank could only sigh. He predicted such a topic would come up, it was inevitable. It was a shame how separated the two had become since Raven chose her path and Hank chose his. A pity really, something he wished he could of convinced her to do otherwise years back but now he didn't know. There still may of been a chance but it wasn't the best as it may have been many years ago. "Please Raven I can think of at least ten separate places where I would argue you topic and the middle of the woods isn't one," He said simply. He could and would argue and there was a part of him that hoped it would turn Raven but right now no he didn't wish for it. There was relative peace and he wished to keep it.

"Glad we could come to an agreement," Hank said after Raven finally admitted the same as Hank. "No fighting?" Hank asked rhetorically tilting his head. "Does that imply you were going to fight me?" He asked with a grin. He had no plans to fight her unless she attacked first. "Either way I was out and about for a nice hike away from the mansion and of course getting some plant samples for a few experiments in the labs, mostly medical work and the like, but I won't bore you with the details," Hank said grabbing the water bottle dangling from the side of his pack as he pulled it free taking a quick swig of water.

Hank stared at Raven with a small grin. there was a part of him glad this wasn't the typical confrontation of Brotherhood and X-Men. He knew some of his compatriots weren't as mild-tempered as himself....... Logan....... but still. "What are you doing out and about Raven? You surely weren't a face I was expecting to see out and about today," Hank finally asked curious as to what the other blue mutant was doing their. He imagined she was just out and about for the sake of it, as it made the most logical sense, but who knows there could be some secret whatever hidden in these woods that she was sent to find, Hank doubted that though.

RAVEN DARKHOLME

[RAVEN DARKHOLME]

Mystique chuckled as he spoke.

"Then we're on the same page. No fighting." said Mystique.

She shrugged.

"Well if I had to. We are enemies technically. With Ultron and his army gone we're back on opposite sides again. But let's not worry about that. At least for a few hours." said Mystique.

Mystique listeened to him intrigued.

"A hike and sample collecting? Well at least you're out your lab and that school. I used to wonder if you had any time for fun. Is this all you do? Experiments, teaching and missions?" said Mystique.

She smiled at his questioning.

"Well I came here to relax and be myself. I had to get away from our headquarters for awhile and the forest was pretty good. Plus we've all been cooped up for so long that it's nice to stretch my legs again. Without worrying about a robot attack." said Mystique.

She paused for a moment and continued.

"So we both just happened to get out here for something outside of missions? How amusing. I guess it's nice to remember there are still some X-men besides my daughter that could be reasoned with. And won't just attack or assume I'm up to something." said Mystique.

She stretched for a moment and glanced around. She had taken so much for granted before Ultron showed up. And now she had some of her freedom back. Well limited as long as she was in her mutant form.

"So how long are you out on this hike? No one will miss you and come looking for you right? I'd rather not have the whole team burst in looking for you." said Mystique.

@beast

[Deleted]

"True but even so one should immediately jump to conclusions, opposing forces don't shoot diplomats on site, and only actively confront one another in all out war, which granted may be coming sooner than anyone should want," Hank said with a shrug. It wasn't a lie, still he did understand the strenuous situation of the xmen and brotherhood to say the least. Perhaps eventually the two could coincide following the same idea, unfortunately Hank both fear and knew that would end with either the Brotherhood's Ideals running supreme or Hopefully Xavier's.

Hank gave an oh so gentle nod. "You'd be surprised at how much I do get out, I used to be quite the athlete back in my day, the star of my high school's football team believe or not," Hank said with a chuckle. Back then though he was normal looking with only very enlarged feet. Those were interesting times. It was also funny because Hank was the youngest to ever graduate from his school and for that matter any high school ever. A child prodigy so his time on the Football team was short but good.

"I admit it is nice now that, the X-Jet isn't trying to kill me, it made for a nice change, and a much needed rest at that," Hank said with a sigh. "I often forget you were one to propagate, I'm curious how you enticed a man the day you did, either way, I find most the members of the team to be pleasant enough and generally reasoned, sure I mean other than Logan he has a temper like no one else," He said with a small chuckle. The irony was one of his ideas why she was out here was that she was up to something bu it was mostly just curious hypothesizing. 

Hank crossed his arms and tilted his head as he responded. "Oh I never really set a time for myself, I wouldn't worry though I'm a grown man, who can take care of himself, I'm sure they won't notice me gone for a good while," Hank said finally. "What about you, I wouldn't want your friend Toad mucking about out here, granted I would be able to smell him from a mile away, Sabertooth as well, not pleasant smells."

RAVEN DARKHOLME

[RAVEN DARKHOLME]

Mystique smiled.

"You do have a way with words. And I guess you are a diplomat I suppose. I've always been more of the assassin and spy type myself." said Mystique.

She had remembered her time impersonating politicians including Senator Kelly and she often got bored, angry, and annoyd at politicans. She paused wondering if Beast had much pull with the President or the UN these days. With so much push for the Registration Act lately and now the mess with Ultron. She knew they'd need all the help they could get. But she didn't want to bother him. If he had any pull with any politicans he'd probably have used any connection he had by now to stop the act. And people were still trying to move it forward. She paused hearing Beast's words and chuckled.

"A scientist and an athlete? Well I did not expect that. Very impressive." said Mystique.

She nodded.

"That's one of the drawbacks to society nowadays. We depend too much on technology. What happens when another intelligent robot attacks. Or someone uses technology to wipe ours out. This planet may have been weakened due to Ultron but everyone's rebuilding. Sooner or later countries will go back to fighting each other." said Mystique.

She nodded at the mention of Logan. She still remembered the scars he'd given her. Thankfully they'd healed completely by now but she knew how much of a temper Logan had. She would remember to be careful next time if she ever came up against him again.

"I see. Of course the downside to that is if you fell into a trap you wouldn't be missed for quite awhile. And that's not good either. There are enough anti mutant groups out there as well as your regular enemies." said Mystique.

She chuckled at the thought.

"Well you don't have to worry about that. I haven't seen Toad or Sabretooth in months. I know they're alive but that's about it. Much of the Brotherhood of old is dead, depowered or in hiding. It's mostly new members these days. I guess that's one way to keep you and your friends on your toes. Guessing who everyone is and what they're capable of." said Mystique, grinning at him.

[Deleted]

A pity that Hank hadn't been able to meet Raven back in those days perhaps then he could of had more influence on her and possibly convinced her to go along with him. Alas that was all speculation on his part. "I often reminisce on those times. Ah what it was like to be young, do you remember those younger years or when we first met?" Hank asked a small grin setting on his face.

"Raven my dear you must understand you are talking to a man who invents new technology everyday, but you do have a point, Ultron caught everyone off guard. None were exempt from his fury upon mankind, to be honest we are lucky to of survived," Hank spoke true. How close Ultron had come to his goal, was a terrible though. "I'll be honest your crew was not the group I expected to see, I am glad I did though, you all seemed to be in a rough shape, I don't know what I would think if something happened to Kurt or you," True they were enemies by definition. But it wasn't always so. Hank and Raven went way back, and same with Kurt. Though, he did disagree with their choices in truth he still couldn't bring himself to hate them as people. 

Hank knew that what Raven said was true. The amount of anti-mutant groups had grown in the recent years. No thanks to the such incidents like what happened to Alcatraz. It was worrisome to say the least. Still that's why the X-Men were a thing to help other mutants and to bridge the gap. It was Charles dream. A dream of peace that he kept to his deathbed. "I liked to see a human try and take me down, I may be getting old but I'm no slouch Raven," Hank replied with a small and light chuckle.

"I see, you all are probably for the better with those two away, Sabertooth was always a little blunt and his problems with Logan got old, and Toad he always creeped me out," Hank said. In truth he didn't have much experience against those two Toad only in the past when the Brotherhood was still strong. Sabertooth well Logan always grunted about him. "I'm sure you all have been missing Eric, do you still keep tabs on him?" Hank asked. He hadn't seen Magneto in a long while now. Who knows if he got his powers back, but if he did he wasn't active anymore.

RAVEN DARKHOLME

[RAVEN DARKHOLME]

Mystique smiled.

"Not very often. So much of my past well wasn't very good. It wasn't even tolerable at best. Although there are some exceptions. And you're one of them. Before I met you I'd never met who were blue like me. Sure you had fin and I had scales but you were the closest I thought I'd ever meet. Well until I met Azael. I do think of our time together. And my only regret is I wish I could have taken you with me." said Mystique.

She knew it wouldn't have worked. They had different opinions and beliefs. He had chosen to stay with Xavier and she'd left and later joined the Brotherhood. She chuckled.

"I have no doubt you do. You probably miles ahead of any of the human scientists out there. A shame you can't have your own lab." said Mystique.

She knew he probably still had one at the mansion but it wasn't the same. He wouldn't have access to all the normal things he'd get at a regular lab. But from what he could get he did surprising well when she'd seen him in action. He probably was even better now.

"We didn't expect to you see either. Although we should have. The world was ending. I doubt there was anyone out there who wouldn't fought back. The Fantasic four. The x-men. The avengers. The brotherhood. The Hellfire Club. And so many others." said Mystique.

She blinked in surprise as he said he was glad nothing had happened to her or Kurt.

"I'm glad. I know Kurt probably thinks he lost friendships with the X-men when he joined the Brotherhood. Pyro made more of a clean break I suppose when he left. But I know Kurt still cares about you and rest of the X-men. We haven't spoken much recently but I'm sure he cares." said Mystique.

She sighed.

"I really made a mess of things keeping quiet for so long. He knows I'm his mother now. I'm grateful he and Rogue didn't completely kick me out of their lives but they're both still hurting. They're considering giving me another chance and I've given them both their space. But I just hope I've haven't broken any chance of a relationship for good with either of them. Can you be there for rogue when you can? I don't know how close you are with my daughter but I know it must be hard. Kurt's now with the Brotherhood so she can't even talk to him about this. At least not as often as if he was still with the x-men." said Mystique.

She chuckled again as he spoke.

"I know it would take a lot to ever take you down." said Mystique.

Mystique shrugged.

"I was sad to see them go. But they're alive which is more than I can say for some of the others." said Mystique.

She didn't know many of the newer members of the Brotherhood that well before she'd been depowered. Then they'd all been depowered or killed at Alcataraz. But she needed to stop looking to that day. And move on. Nothing would change on its own. The Brotherhood needed to make that change. She clenched her firsts in anger and shook her head.

"That bastard can rot in hell for all I care. He abandoned me when I was hit with the cure. I was on my own for six years without my powers. They came back and I reformed the Brotherhood. And now we'll finish what we started. But I hope I never see Magneto again." said Mystique.

She kept her thoughts to herself most of the time. She wasn't aware if anyone in the Brotherhood was telepathic but she doubted Quicksilver, Lorna or Scarlet Witch would be happy if she talked or spoke about Magneto much. He was a former leader of the Brotherhood and their father after all.

"I just try not to think or talk about him. With his children in the Brotherhood I don't wish to offend them even though I have every right to feel the way I do." said Mystique.

@beast

[Deleted]

"Trust me Raven the feeling is shared, back then I think we were both young and were still discovering our paths in life. You found yours I found mine. To be honest you were the first mutant I really met with a mutation that covered the entire body. Though I had met other mutants before you Charles being one you were honestly the first like me in a way," That was the truth of it. Though Hank's first phrase in all honesty he was really thinking he wished he could of taken Mystique with him. Should honestly would of made one a true X-Men. Funny how things lined up wasn't it.

Hank rolled his eyes and chuckled. "To be honest I have contemplated giving Tony a good scolding on how to properly develop science and technology safely without endangering the world alas, if I only had the time," After the events of the Age of Ultron Hank had a lot of business back at the mansion.  Many things to repair, as well as mutants who were hurt in need of a good Doctor. "I know many miss Kurt and many think disapprovingly of him understandably, but it is still his choice. I for one may not agree with it, but I accept the fact he left and I just hope he doesn't mind up hurt for worse, Pyro on the other hand was always a troubled student if you ask me. I know he hurt Bobby by his actions."

Hank gave a small nod. "It's never to late to make amends it just takes time, but I promise to be there for Rogue. She is still young and still has much time but she shows much potential, be proud of her," Hank said. IT was true the young mutant had grown much becoming the leader of the X-Men, by this point. 

"Understandable I was merely curious he has quite the past with Charles and me, he just took a different path in life, but I can understand why many in the modern Brotherhood would best like to forget he even existed," Hank said with a small shrug. "Life goes on though I suppose." He shrugged not going to push that subject any further.

RAVEN DARKHOLME

[RAVEN DARKHOLME]

Mystique nodded.

"I've only met a handful of mutants who were blue like myself. You were one of them. It's one of the things that drew me to you when we first met. I've always regretted we chose different sides because you were one of my first real friends. And I did miss you when I left. And when we teamed up to fight Ultron it almost felt like old times." said Mystique.

She smiled thinking about it and grinned as he spoke again.

"I have a feeling that'd be a life time commitment. If the Avengers and SHIELD couldn't keep him in line how could you expect to? It's arrogant humans like him that make more determined to keep mutants safe. If people turn on their so called heroes like him mutants would never stand a chance. Not as long as humans remain in power." said Mystique.

Mystique nodded as the topic shifted to Kurt and Pyro.

"They made their choices just like I did. I don't think the Brotherhood though is as forgiving as the X-men would be. I don't know if either would return but if one did I hope you'd keep them safe." said Mystique.

She had a feeling if one rejoined it would be Kurt as Pyro had left long ago. But Kurt's switch had been more recent and he seemed to have more friends in the X-men. She'd miss him but if he wanted to return one day to the X-men she wouldn't stop him. She just had to hope the X-men could protect him if it came to that as she couldn't do as much being a member of the Brotherhood. Although if it came down to it she probably would protect Kurt just like she would Rogue or Pyro. It would just make things difficult if he left but she didn't even think he would. But she hadn't spent much time with him lately so she wasn't really sure.

Mystique smiled as he promised to be there for Rogue.

"Thank you Hank. And I'll always be proud of her." said Mystique.

Mystique shrugged.

"I think most in the Brotherhood don't know much about him. Just that he's a former leader. Well his children are back with us. Even I was surprised to learn he had a third child out there. I guess we had more in common than I realized." said Mystique.

She nodded.

"Yes it does." said Mystique.

@beast

[Deleted]

"It is curious I often think what has become of him and if he even cares about his children or his past anymore or if he just wishes to keep to his own secrecy now," Hank commented with a small shrug. He let out a small sigh, in many ways it seemed Raven still kept much of the brotherhood mentality and Magneto's with it. That was just something that Hank himself couldn't get behind. He believed much like Charles did that peace could be made between the humans and mutants. A bridge had to be built between the two and perhaps it could but then there were always bad seeds from both sides that made the entire situation sticky. Trask, Kelly, Magneto, Sabertooth; all names of individuals who made such a peace, farther and farther from a reality.

"Times have changed," Hank said his tone shifting slightly, "Many of the humans who sought mutant destruction in the past are gone now: Kelly, Stryker. I haven't given up hope on them just yet, as insufferable as some are like Stark with his arrogance, there are also others who stand as symbols of hope like Captain Steve Rogers. Groups who inspire like The Fantastic Four. And others who push on despite their own ailments like The Hulk." He shook his head he tried to keep away from this conversation for most of the time so far but some things were inevitable. "Bah folly on me for bringing this subject up," He commented mostly to himself but still

Perhaps there would come a day when the Brotherhood would become much like the X-Men but that day was still far off. Perhaps it would never arrive. Hank was a genius but such things were unpredictable even to him. The unknown of the sentient nature human and mutant alike. A curious thing. 

RAVEN DARKHOLME

[RAVEN DARKHOLME]

Mystique shrugged.

"If he's still alive I'm sure he cares for his children. But he was one of the mutants cured. If his mutant powers didn't return he may have chosen to stay in hiding, ashamed of being human. He abadoned me when I was cured. I was fortunate to have it worn off but it hasn't worn off everyone." said Mystique.

She knew there were plenty of former mutants living normal lives happy to be considered "normal" and not hunted, avoided, or bullied anymore. And she couldn't blame them as many didn't have a place to turn too. Xavier and Magneto hadn't approached any of them in time and it was too late for many of them. Unless there was a way to reverse the cure. That would be something to think about especially if one of them was hit with the cure again. She was sure there was some left out there somewhere.

Mystique chuckled bitterly at his words.

"Things have changed Hank but not for the better. I believe it's gotten worse. People are even afraid of their own so called "heroes" now. Trying to get that registration act for anyone with powers whether it's mutant, super heroes, super villain, alien, and anything else out there. I won't be surprised if one day they try to adjust the cure so it will remove powers from everyone." said Mystique.

Mystique shrugged hearing his reply.

"Well we may not agree on everything but I know one thing we agree on is mutants need to be treated better." said Mystique.

@beast

[Deleted]

"I wouldn't exactly call the registration act people turning on heroes seeing as it's supported by other heroes, but I will agree with that it does muck up the waters making friends hate each other," Hank shook his head he was still undecided on where he stood on the issue. On one hand he agreed with some parts of it like training new heroes and those with super-powers, it was what the X-Men did. On the other hand it was very much like the mutant registration act and he also didn't quite like the idea of those higher up being the ones to control the hero teams. Yes there were some good people in the upper-echelons but Beast saw first hand that corruption was very much prevalent there. Also considering the dark secret that was HYDRA within the higher ups proved that corruption can seep everywhere.

"I can also agree mutants do need to be treated better, people fear us but perhaps we can give them reason not to," Beast started, "Raven that's why I do what I do. The humans need to see that mutants can be good, they need role models to look up to." He shook his head again wit ha sigh once again thinking of Charles. "That was Charles' dream for peace, so we could be the heroes people looked up to like the Fantastic Four or the Avengers, that's what I've always wanted," He confessed. Hank did truly believe this. He wanted peace while at the same time looking out for all mutants where he could. That was the goal of the X-Men originally. To do good and to help mutants. To protect them.

"I just want what's best for everyone," Hank finally confessed as well with another slight sigh. Unfortunately for him there was no way to get what was best for everyone. It was a dreamer's impossibility. 

RAVEN DARKHOLME

[RAVEN DARKHOLME]

"Maybe not everyone but fear and panic will make people desparate. Even if some regret it later. Especially with the Ultron mess. I fear the act could end up being passed and we'd all suffer because of it." said Mystique.

Mystique chuckled.

"People have feared and hated mutants for no other reason just because we are different. Some humans even hate other for so many reasons. Some people fear what's different or what they can't understand. If they can't all like each other how could we even expect them to like mutants who are not only different but many of us have powers." said Mystique.

Mystique shrugged.

"I doubt that day will come. There will always be some who hate and fear us. Even if that number gets smaller it doesn't seem it would just fade away completely. Not unless something is done about it." said Mystique.

Mystique smiled at him.

"I know you do. But that's the thing. What's best for mutants isn't what's best for humans. If there was a way I honestly think you or Xavier would have found it long ago." said Mystique.

She smiled.

"It was good to talk to you again like this. I've missed talking with you like this. Although at times it felt more like a debate. But I have enjoyed it. It's a shame this will have to end soon. We'll go our separate ways and be enemies the next time we meet." said Mystique.

She sat back down on the rock for a moment and stretched again.

@beast