The CIA learned of a secret fleet: Soviet and American ships facing off in the Caribbean, but beneath them, a Russian submarine retrofitted with Shaw's mutant-powered technology.
"Peace was never an option, old friend. But I will try not to kill you."
Charles tried to freeze Shaw's mind, but the helmet deflected him like a mirror. "You cannot reach me, Charles!" Shaw laughed, absorbing the concussive force of his own ship's cannons. He grew stronger, more radiant, his body thrumming with stolen energy.
"No." Erik turned to the others—to the survivors, the beasts, the angels, and the outcasts. "Who is with me?" X-men- First Class
They trained on a secluded beach. In the mornings, Charles taught them philosophy and control. "Anger is a jet of steam," he'd say. "You can let it blow the lid off, or you can use it to power a locomotive." In the afternoons, Erik taught them the hard edge. "Survival," he'd say, as he made a satellite dish buckle with a flick of his wrist, "is not a philosophy. It is a reflex."
"You're thinking about Shaw," Charles said, removing the helmet. His eyes were kind, blue as a summer sky, but weary.
"Boys become men who fire missiles," Erik replied, his voice cold as the deep ocean. He tore the helicopter's door off its hinges and dove into the water. The CIA learned of a secret fleet: Soviet
Erik’s jaw tightened. "I'm always thinking about Shaw."
In that silence, the war began.
Charles Xavier closed his eyes and reached out with his mind. Not to fight. But to find the next scared, lonely mutant. The next girl who couldn't touch anyone without killing them. The next boy who saw colors in sounds. "You cannot reach me, Charles
It was Erik who solved the equation. "Keep him busy," he muttered, then reached out. Not at Shaw, but at the coin on the floor of the submarine. The very coin Shaw had used to kill Erik’s mother. He pulled it. Through steel, through water, through the chaos. It shot up through the deck, through the air, and hovered, trembling, an inch from Shaw's forehead.
"You wanted a world where they accept us," Erik said, his voice hollow. "Look at what they did to you, Charles. Out of fear. Out of hatred."
"Erik, don't!" Charles screamed, reading the intent like a black sun rising in his friend's soul.