POV Charles Xavier
"What brings the President to my humble estate?" I joke.
"Very funny, Charles," Erik says with a dry tone.
We pause before both of us get a smile, and I start wheeling to our usual meeting room.
"How have you been, Erik?" I ask.
Erik sighs.
"That bad, huh?" I ask with a sympathetic tone.
"I severely underestimated the sheer stress and difficulty of being the president. Don't get me wrong, it's been an honour serving as President, but the massive workload of trying to prevent this country from falling apart and saving as many lives as possible has been a nightmare for me. If you had any idea how close we came to total societal collapse, you would have nightmares as well," Erik says with an exhausted tone.
"It's that bad?" I say with worry.
"It was, but now things have stabilised. I still don't know how we managed to avoid a debt crisis. For the first time since 2001, we've actually managed to end the year with a surplus," Erik says.
"Then we have something to celebrate," I say with a smile as I make the first move on the Chess Board.
"Depends who you ask. There have been eleven assassination attempts on me since I began my term. Several of those attempts were at the behest of disgruntled Oil Executives. There's also been two attempted military coups in that same time," Erik says with an annoyed tone while making his move.
"But your approval rating has beaten even Bush after 9/11," I point out.
"Sure, I'll admit the people seem quite satisfied with my work as President, but that's more thanks to assistance from both Tony and Bruce. If it weren't for them, we would be in crisis for certain, and I would be lucky to have a 40% approval rating," Erik says pessimistically.
"Or, they recognise that you have done a good job and are clearly working hard to protect the nation," I counter.
"I agree that I have done an amazing job; I highly doubt anyone else could manage what I did in such a short time. I'm not trying to downplay my achievements or all that I've managed to do in my short time so far. I'm just trying to keep my ego in check by recognising that I couldn't have done any of it alone. Though the gutted government helps," Erik comments.
"Yes, I've heard the Democrat and Republican parties have been suffering some very messy issues as of late," I say while taking his Rook.
"Yes, Batman and the FBI have been working tirelessly to cleanse the government of corruption. I always knew that there was corruption in the US Government, but I never knew it was this bad. Even Supreme Court Justices have been removed," Erik says with barely concealed disgust.
"Well, that is in the past; with so many people being removed, it makes it easier to fix the system and revitalise the country," I reply as Erik takes my Knight.
"Oh, yes, those corrupt fools have been a boon to the country, thanks to all the wealth we have been able to seize from them. It also helps the government that we can tax companies at much higher rates, and they can't do anything about it as they can't leave. At least not without spending immense resources to attempt to move overseas, and even then they can't guarantee they can get better tax rates anywhere else," Erik says with a malicious smile.
I almost feel sorry for the fools that choose to try and leave the country or resist such taxes.
"Enough politics, how are you doing?" I ask while staring at Erik.
"Sigh. I was wondering when you would ask about that. Are you going to condemn me?" Erik asks.
"No," I answer simply, and I see the surprise on his face.
"Erik, I may be more of a pacifist, but that does not mean I believe that everyone can be saved or redeemed. If what I was given is accurate, then Shaw was a monster plain and simple, and the amount of horrors he has committed over the centuries he was alive makes it clear that he had to die. I wouldn't stop you from killing Hitler or Stalin or Pol Pot. So I will never condemn you for killing Shaw," I answer honestly.
"I... Thank you, Charles. And if you want to know, I am doing... Better. I won't deny that I feel a slight sense of emptiness. But I knew I would feel something like this once I achieved what I wanted. But I think it's a good emptiness. The hatred that drove me forward, is gone and I am face to face with, the man I used to be. I feel as if a great burden has been lifted and I am free to move on," Erik says with something I hadn't seen in a long time... A genuine smile.
"I'm glad you found your way," I say with a smile of my own.
"Checkmate," Erik says with that smile before bursting into laughter as I look down in shock.
I join in moments later. Eventually our laughter dies down, and I reset the board.
"So how are you, Charles?" Erik asks me.
"I've been doing fine. The children have been doing well in their studies, and everyone seems satisfied with the manor. Food and supplies are well stocked, and I have no financial issues. Honestly, I'm quite satisfied," I answer.
"Really now? No complaints at all?" Erik asks sceptically.
"Well... I suppose there are a few things. The X-Men team has been doing well, and we have great recognition across the globe, but I find myself questioning if the team needs to continue operating at all," I say with uncertainty.
"Why would they stop?" Erik asks.
"There isn't much for them to do anymore, and what there is to do is often handled by the Guardians. The need for them is just not strong, and there is always a risk each time they deploy. I originally started the X-Men to give us a way to showcase Mutants to the world and to have a team that could rescue Mutants in need. But, well, with so few of us with active X-Genes, publicity isn't needed, and people don't even care who does or doesn't have the X-Gene or where someone's powers come from. Any Mutant, or I suppose Metahuman, that appears from now on could be contacted by the Guardians without my interference," I explain.
"I suppose that makes sense, but what does your team want?" Erik asks.
"Most are willing to step down. Only Logan, Jean, and Scott have any interest in staying in the X-Men. The rest don't mind helping out when needed, but they understand there isn't much need for them to fight anymore. Honestly, most of the children want to join the Guardians when they grow up rather than the X-Men," I say with a slight smile.
"I can't blame, even I would join the Guardians if I were younger," Erik says with a similar smile, then he takes my Queen.
I frown as I focus more on the game and see I was losing again.
"Yes, well, I have been dealing with a certain someone who really wants my recommendation to join the Guardians," I say with a barely restrained sigh.
Erik frowns, and I have a feeling he knows who I am talking about.
"Emma?" Erik asks.
"Emma," I answer.
"Sigh. Yes, she has been pestering me as well. The only silver lining is that she can't easily contact me since I am so often very busy," Erik says with an annoyed tone.
"I don't know why she doesn't just ask one of the Guardians for a recommendation. Spider-Man and Spider-Woman are more than approachable, and I feel they would at least ask Batman," I say with a shake of my head as I take Erik's Queen.
"She's bored; now that she sold off the failing company of hers, she has a lot of money again but nothing to do with it. Though I like to think that she does want to help with her abilities," Erik comments.
"I know she wants to help, as she willingly let me read her intentions. Though of course with her it is never that simple. She has a clean enough record, but she feels a bit of guilt for working alongside Shaw for all those years. She wasn't aware how twisted Shaw really was, as she says she would have killed him if she had known. And I believe her," I respond.
"There's more to it than that, isn't there?" Erik asks.
"Yes... She also seems to be quite smitten with Batman. Not that I blame her, I mean even I have to admit he seems quite handsome," I respond.
Erik looks at me suspiciously.
"What? Just because he wears a mask doesn't mean someone can't find him attractive. He's very fit, obviously wealthy, powerful, and his voice is deep and intimidating, but not to everyone. But he's also so... Human. I truly feel he cares for everyone. Of course, some people find the dark and mysterious as attractive traits," I answer.
"Yes, I suppose he could be seen as attractive; I just didn't think you swung that way," Erik says, and for a few moments I don't catch his meaning.
When I do, I nearly choke in surprise.
"AHEM! No, no, no, I'm not Gay Erik. I can admit when someone is more attractive than I, so why can't I point out why someone else is attractive?" I counter.
"Hahaha! Relax, Charles, I don't care if you are or are not Gay. Worrying about such things is such a foolish thing. If you aren't hurting anyone, why should it be my business? And I'll wholly admit that Batman is attractive to most, I would guess. Though I do often wonder who is behind that mask," Erik comments.
I settle down and think about that idea myself.
"Hmm, honestly I'm not really sure. Whoever he is, he must have a lot of money to support the Guardians and the people they save. And obviously quite intelligent," I comment.
"And very fit, as he can do things most people can't," Erik adds.
"And lots of free time where nobody would notice he was missing," I add.
"Hmm, you know, I don't know if I've ever seen Bruce Wayne and Batman in the same place," Erik comments.
"Huh? Well, Mr Wayne is very often busy and doesn't make a lot of public appearances," I retort.
"But they are very similar builds, and Mr Wayne has a lot of free time, money, and when I have met him, he seems fairly smart," Erik points out.
"But Bruce Wayne, billionaire philanthropist and all-around good man?" I ask incredulously.
"Hmm, maybe you're right. Bruce Wayne being Batman seems a bit outlandish," Erik admits.