Readthrough: Classic X-Men 9

[sheliak]

This one is set between panels of the previous Uncanny issue. The X-Men have made it back from space, but Jean still hasn’t woken up, and the other X-Men are futilely waiting for news. Most of them have fallen asleep, in their chairs or leaning against each other; Scott, of course, is still on his feet and brooding.

So is Kurt. Frustrated by the inaction but not wanting to bother Scott, he teleports out the window. Once there, he notices a young boy on his own, sitting just outside the hospital. Naturally, he’s worried about the kid, and goes to say hello.

Kurt: …Aren’t you a bit young—as the hour is extremely late—to be haunting this neighborhood?

The boy tells him that kids aren’t allowed in the hospital, and indeed, a security guard comes along to chase them off. Kurt sticks with the kid out of concern, buys him a meal, and they introduce themselves.

Kurt: You know, Daniel, I have a very dear friend in the intensive care ward—in critical condition.

I don’t know whether she’ll live or die.

She’s lucky in a way, though Unconscious as she is, at least she’s out of it.

I have to wait—

—Watching the days drift past, counting the seconds, hoping for the best, imagining the worst, wondering why it’s taking so long.

Daniel: Isn’t much better when you’re sick…

…Except you got more at stake.

Kurt: You sound like you speak from experience.

Daniel: Ancient history. Over and done with.

Daniel’s frustrated by Kurt’s protectiveness, and tells him that his parents know where he is. Still, Kurt insists on walking him home through Central Park. On the way, he walks on his hands to amuse the boy, and when Daniel runs ahead, he teleports to keep up. When Daniel asks how he manages, he replies, “Magic, of course!”

Kurt: Magic isn’t a matter of power—witches and spells, that sort of thing—

—It’s a creation of a state of mind…

…That becomes a state of being.

So convincing—and when it’s done right, wondrous—a game of “Let’s pretend”…

…That the audience willingly, eagerly believes your illusions are real.

He offers to teach him, and while Daniel struggles to pick it up, he enjoys the effort.

As the sky begins to turn light, Daniel insists it’s time for him to go; Kurt urges him to try juggling one last time, and this time he manages.

He drops the boy off at his house, promising a second lesson. Daniel dodges that idea, but does say that he's glad to have met Kurt. And on impulse, Kurt turns off his image inducer.

The last bit of that dialogue is pretty blurry, so:

Daniel: Of my pal? No way

And hey, Kurt, don’t worry about your sick lady friend. She’ll be fine.

Trust me.

Later—probably the next morning—Kurt has received news of Jean’s recovery, and he’s in a good mood. He asks a nurse if she’s heard of Daniel, and she tells him that the boy died last night.

A ghost story.

It always rang a bit oddly to me, although I don’t know why it should—this universe is full of stranger things than ghosts. And it’s a sweet story.

Poll #21492

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On X-Men ghost stories...

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Yes, it's a bit startling for the X-Men to meet ghosts.
2 (20.0%)

No, that's the kind of world they live in.
8 (80.0%)