Marvel: A Tale of Shadows

The Mustang pulled up to the metal gate that was covered in vines and moss. In the center of the metal gate was an 'X' as it was the symbol of this particular school. Its brick walls, while old, stood tall and strong, preventing intruders.

Unbeknownst to most was that there was an array of security systems along and just past the wall. But even to her barely trained observation skills that she got from training with Black Fox, she could see these traps and hidden turrets.

"Not really hiding your defense systems huh…" Felicia shook her head and leaned out the open window and pressed a button on the metal terminal causing a buzzing sound to trigger. "It is Felicia Hardy, I am here about the tutoring internship for the upcoming semester."

She then leaned back and waited for a moment. Then there was the sound of shuffling over the microphone before a voice spoke.

"You're good. Park by the garage." A gruff and gravelly voice responded. Then the microphone cut off.

The gate creaked as it slowly opened inwards away from the Mustang. Felicia drove forward into the compound catching sight of a camera in her rearview mirror as she drove in. Probably an observation team from a government organization or news photographer. But she would ignore that for the time being.

Driving down the driveway was an experience she would never forget. As she passed the blockade of trees she was welcomed by a winding road. There was signage up ahead that led to the garage, the dorms, and the main building. She drove down the path leading to the garage but she still caught sight of the various students. It was beautiful to watch as the students freely used their powers, some transforming, some flying, some even manipulating plants and other objects.

Felicia could not help but smile at seeing the freedom the students had within these walls. It truly was an incredible sight to behold. She eventually arrived at the garage, there were three above ground garages that looked big enough for car modification. Then there was the underground garage entrance, should not tell much, only that the entrance was closed by a metal shutter. The final area was a plot of gravel where a few cars were parked, she pulled into the gravel lot and parked the mustang.

She then climbed out of the car with a bag in hand and walked toward one of the garage's that were open, she could hear the sound of machine movement and talking from inside.

Arriving at the door she peeked her head inside. There was a large cluster of students talking with one of the teachers. She thinks she has seen him before. But she did not get a moment of concentration as a burly looking man with long sideburns and animal-like look stopped working on his motorcycle and walked towards her.

She leaned back out of the garage when he stood in front of her. There was something familiar about him that she just could not place.

"Hmmm… you must be Felicia. Jean has yet to stop talking about you. You are as fearless as she says, most people are scared stiff when I stare them down." The man chuckled as he grinned, displaying his canines.

"Indeed, I have heard about a number of her fellow X-Men and teachers. You must be… Wolverine. Am I right?" Felicia displayed her signature confident grin.

"Hoh? Yes, but you can call me Logan." He reached to the side and pulled a brown leather jacket off a hook inside the garage. "Come on, I will bring you to the main building. Professor Xavier also wants to meet you."

"Hahaha…. I am sure he does. Do you think he will be more pissed that I am using telepathy blocking technology? Or that I will refuse to take it off?" Felicia asked as he followed Wolverine onto a walking path.

Wolverine chuckled as they walked, "not taking it off. Because it all but makes his and Jean's security measure of mind reading useless."

"I figured, but Jean seemed okay with it when I first met her." Felicia pointed out, "so I am guessing it is more of his preference more than anything else."

"I suppose- duck- '' Wolverine crouched and Felicia followed suit as a student flying through the air passed right above them. "Hey! Watch where you're flying!" Wolverine yelled toward the student and then continued walking. "Where was I? Oh yeah, it is more like Jean who can literally be in anyone's head like that she has made a possibly genuine friend without reading her mind."

"Oh… I guess that makes sense. Anyways, on my way here I noticed a few different… vans and vehicles situated along the road. How long have they been there?" Felicia asked.

"Huh? Vans, along the road. I suppose those are various government agencies and criminal groups. How did you notice them?"

Felicia pulls out her phone and it shows a map with the area of the Xavier institute marked with all the areas and specific information, like where the basketball court was. It was even up to date following the recent renovation and addition of the dorm that happened this past few months. It showed several arrows where suspicious vehicles were marked, as well as FBI and Shield vehicles were marked specifically as well.

"I just told Xavier, we will take care of it. But it is typical for Shield to have someone watching the school." Wolverine stated as he frowned.

"Told Xavier?" Felicia thought for a moment as she put away her phone, "ah telepathy, still not used to that. Anyways I figure Shield will try to reach out to me again."

"Again?"

"Yeah, they have sent a few agents to break into the apartment I am currently staying in. Fortunately they have learned their lesson after the fifth agent was detained."

"Detained? How? Usually they just walk through our gates."

"Well… long story short we stay in a high security apartment building. Mostly due to the nature of it. Anyways anyone caught breaking in above the age of eighteen are dealt with in the same manner. They get flown and dropped off in a random location in South America."

"Hahaha!" Wolverine let out laughter as the main building came into view. "Man that sounds more like a dick move than cruel."

"Yeah… but it sure is annoying that I just know I have a permanent tail on me when I leave. But I think I will have fun with it eventually."

"What makes you think they will attempt to reach out again?"

"Because of their basic operational procedure. Anyway, what do you teach here?"

"Hmm, I teach History and close combat class. From what I recall you will be tutoring basic science and chemistry?"

"Yes sir, from what I understand I will be working directly under Jean who is the biology teacher."

—----------------------------------

There was a spark as Ethan worked on the electronics board. He was sitting in the living room. Sitting nearby was Laura who was pouting in an adorable manner.

"Why can't I play video games?" Laura asked as she was crouched over a workbook.

"Because, you are supposed to be going to school but since we know it is too dangerous for you to go to a public school; so we decided to homeschool you for the time being." Ethan explained as he flinched as he cut one of his fingers on something.

"But, it is not like the government will know." Laura pointed out.

"We will, and we don't want to be responsible for you failing in education. Besides you are barely grasping multiplication when most kids your age are onto more advanced stuff."

Laura pouted again and turned her attention back to her workbook. "What are you working on?"

"A mechanical construction robot." Ethan answered.

"Why?" She asked as she glanced up from the workbook, excited to dodge her work.

"Keep working on your homework, you can talk and write. I am creating a construction company. I decided to use automated workers and robots as the majority of my employees." Ethan explained.

"Why?"

"Because it means I can take on discrete works and make a building to my liking without the info being leaked." Ethan glanced at the TV in time to see a news broadcast covering an interesting piece of news.