MV1 #77 FEBRUARY Year 4

They are homo sapien superior - men and women whose genetic structure has gifted them with extraordinary abilities. Gathered together by Professor Charles Xavier, the X-Men have been instructed in the use of their powers for the betterment of mankind. Shunned by society at large, these outlaw mutants  fight an endless battle to bridge the ever-widening gulf between humanity and mutantkind by protecting a world that fears and hates them.

"Dissolution and Rebirth One - Changes"

What Has Gone Before: With "Sinister Developments" over, Charles Xavier announces to the X-Men that a change is needed... but what change will that be?

"My X-Men... it's time we all had a talk. The dream is not dead... but it has to adapt if it is to survive."

The assembled X-Men looked on in shock. Professer Xavier doubting the Dream? Could it be?

Slowly, but with confidence, Charles Xavier began to explain.

It was several hours later. Logan, long a stalwart of the X-Men, the Wolverine, slung a duffel bag over his shoulder and started up his Harley.

"You don't have to go, Logan..."

Wolverine didn't even look over his shoulder. "Yeah I do, Jeannie. The Prof's dream is good - I like it. But I don't fit. An' besides... I got some thinking t'do anyways. Don't worry none, Red - I'll be back. I always am."

The Harley roared off, carrying away the man who many might say was the heart of the X-Men.

Jean Grey, the woman he loved but could never have, watched him go.

Another departure was less heralded.

Leaving a letter - a short one - a slim form with red eyes slipped out of the Xavier Mansion and ran into the woodline.

"Dis dream don' got no room for me, chere... Gambit just do more harm den good, stayin' here."

Whether such a statement was true or not meant nothing. Remy LeBeau believed it to be, and as such had no choice. He left the closest thing he'd ever had to a home behind... he left the woman he loved behind. He ran off into the night - because that's what thieves do, after all.

Warren Worthington III was in private consultation with the Professor.

"Sure, I can do it... I've mostly got control over Worthington Industries again... I've got the money. But... are you sure about this?"

"As certain as I'll ever be, Warren. My powers are growing less reliable... no doubt due to my advancing age. This is my best hope, at present, to help mutantkind."

"I have my doubts... but I'll call some people."

"Thank you, Warren."

As the Professor's hoverchair brought him out of the room, the Archangel was already on the phone. "Hello, Mister Carville? James! It's Warren. Listen, I've got something..."

Havok and Cyclops shared a last moment... playing basketball.

"You sure about this, bro?"

"You bet, Alex. You know I trust the professor."

"Too much, I think, sometimes. But hey... you know if you need me, I'll be there, right?"

Scott Summers nodded, shooting a jump shot that bounced off the rim. "Same goes for you, you know."

Sometimes brothers can hug each other without actually hugging each other. Thus it was with the Summers brothers.

Robert Drake was one of the first X-Men. Katherine Pryde had joined the X-Men long after. They didn't know each other as well as either of them might have liked, especially with Kitty having spent so much time in Excalibur. But they were talking now, in the Mansion's kitchen.

"So what do you think, frosty?"

"I think it's a pretty interesting idea... I'm worried it'll backfire, but... well, if it works..."

"Yeah. Let's hope it works out well."

The munching of sandwiches followed.

Colossus painted. Storm bathed. Polaris read a book. Nightcrawler fenced opponents in the Danger Room. One by one, all the men and women who had called themselves X-Men found a way to pass the time. A lot of them left after a while. Some of them stayed.

One of them called a press conference. And another one called a second.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming. My name is Professor Charles Xavier."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming. My name is Cyclops."

"I've come before you, alone, to make an important announcement."

"I've come before you, along with the other X-Men, to make an important announcement."

Professor Charles Xavier, the man some called Professor X, regarded the popping flashbulbs and rolling cameras, and steeled himself.

Of all the things he'd ever done, this was most difficult.

"Many of you know me as a professor of genetics. I've done work in this regard for the United Nations, the United States, and many organizations worldwide. But this is no longer enough, I am coming to realize.

"The past few years have seen many changes in how humanity and mutantkind interact, and it is my opinion that there are very few people who truly understand how this changing dynamic will affect our world. We need that understanding. And that is why I, Professor Charles Xavier, am this day announcing my intention to run for the office of United States Senator from the State of New York."

The reporters went berserk.

Scott Summers, the man some called Cyclops, regarded the popping flashbulbs and rolling cameras, and steeled himself.

Of all the things he'd ever done, this was most difficult.

"Many of you know me as a member of the X-Men. A team of mutants. Outlaws.The X-Men have done a lot of good things in their day... but it's never been enough. We are still feared. Hated. All we've done hasn't been enough, I am coming to realize.

"The past few years have seen many changes. The Onslaught incident. The return of the heroes. Things have certainly not been boring. But in order for mutantkind and humankind to ever really get along... in order for us all to realize that whether we like it or not, we're all a part of the same race - we need understanding. And for that reason..."

Several figures stepped up to join Cyclops on the stage as he pulled back his hood and removed his vosor, to reveal a handsome, square-jawed man with crimson sunglasses. "My name is Scott Summers."

Shadowcat removed her domino mask and said, "My name is Katherine Pryde."

Colossus changed his organic steel form back to normal flesh and blood, and said, "I am Piotr Rasputin."

Iceman 'de-frosted' and announced, "Bobby Drake."

Phoenix had no mask to lose, but she announced, "I'm Jean Grey."

Nightcrawler and Rogue looked nervous, but the former announced, "I am called Kurt Wagner," while the latter just shrugged and told the audience, "Ah... Ah don't have no name 'cept 'Rogue'."

Cyclops nodded as the roll call was complete. "We're the X-Men. We're not looking to do anything except make the world a better place... for everyone. Now, I'm sure you have questions?"

The reporters went really berserk.

Told you it'd be a biggie! I know this is gonna cause a lot of heads to turn... and a lot of questions to be asked. But I promised a big change in the mutant dynamic here at MV1, and by golly, I meant it!

One item of note - there's been some discussion in MV1 of late over an "X-Branch". This story provides, in my opinion, a compelling reason why such a branch should not be - because the mutant books have always been, and should always be, about the idea that segregation is a bad thing. Let's not separate the X-Men from any other comic just because they happen to be mutants. It just isn't gonna happen. Not on my watch. :)

So... bring it on!

-Shawn-