Post by Bengal on Feb 4, 2009 20:51:50 GMT -5
Name/Code Name:
Professor X
Real Name/Alter Ego:
Professor Charles Francis Xavier
Notable Aliases: Onslaught, Consort-Royal, Founder, X, Warlord, Entity
Team Affiliations:
X-Men
Illuminati
Genoshan Excalibur
Cadre K
Brotherhood of Mutants
Shi'ar Imperium
Starjammers
The Twelve
Defenders
Abilities/Powers/Skills:
Professor X is a mutant who possesses vast telepathic powers, and is among the strongest and most powerful Earth-born telepaths in the Marvel Universe.
Telepathy: Xavier can read the minds of others within a 250 mile radius.
Telepathic Illusion: the ability to cause others to see or experience events which are not actually occurring.
Telepathic Cloak: the ability to hide one's presence from others by making oneself invisible by clouding the minds of others.
Psi Link: Xavier can create psychic links with others.
Telepathic Camouflage: Xavier can make others see him as someone else by manipulating and controlling the minds of others to make them see him with another appearance.
Mind Blast: Xavier is able to place massive amounts of information inside the mind of others to cause extreme mental pain on them.
Mind Control: Xavier can also manipulate the minds of others.
Mind Possession: the ability to possess the minds of others, controlling someone's mind for oneself.
Mind Alteration: the ability to alter the minds of others.
Mental Amnesia: Xavier can cause people to forget certain memories. He can cause large groups of people to forget things.
Psionic Shield: the ability to erect a shield that is used to protect one's mind.
Psionic Blasts: the ability to emit blasts of psionic energy which does not harm its victims physically but mentally instead.
Astral Projection: the ability to control one's astral self.
Mental Detection: Xavier can detect nearby mutants.
Mind Transferral: If Xavier were to die, he could transfer his mind and powers to a host body.
Information Absorption: He is able to quickly absorb and store information.
Rudimentary Telekinesis: He possesses minor telekinetic abilities; able to move, control and manipulate inanimate objects telekinetically.
Professor X is able to perceive the thoughts of others or project his own thoughts within a radius of approximately 250 miles (400 km). Xavier's telepathy once covered the entire world but Magneto altered the Earth's electromagnetic field to restrict Xavier's telepathic range.[120] While not on Earth, Xavier's natural telepathic abilities have reached across space to make universal mental contact with multiple alien races.[121] With extreme effort, he can greatly extend the range of his telepathy. He can learn foreign languages by reading the language centers of the brain of someone adept, and alternately "teach" languages to others in the same manner; Xavier once trained a new group of mutants mentally, subjectively making them experience months of training together, while only hours passed in the real world.[122]
Xavier's vast psionic powers enable him to manipulate the minds of others, warp perceptions to make himself seem invisible, project mental illusions, cause loss of particular memories or total amnesia, and induce pain or temporary mental and/or physical paralysis in others. Within close range, he can manipulate almost any number of minds for such simple feats. However, he can only take full possession of one other mind at a time, and must strictly be within that person's physical presence. He is one of the few telepaths skilled enough to communicate with animals and even share their perceptions.[90] He can also telepathically take away or control people's natural bodily functions and senses, such as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or even mutant powers. A side effect of his telepathy is that he is gifted with an eidetic memory. He has displayed telepathic prowess sufficient to confront Ego the Living Planet, while aided by Cadre K[123] as well as narrowly defeat Exodus.[124] However, he cannot permanently 'reprogram' human minds to believe what he might want them to believe even if he wanted to do so, explaining that the mind is an organism that would always recall the steps necessary for it to reach the present and thus 'rewrite' itself to its original setting if he tried to change it.[125] However, his initial reprogramming of Wolverine lasted several years, despite how Wolverine's healing factor works around such a reprogramming much faster than an ordinary human mind.[126]
He is able to project from his mind 'bolts' composed of psychic energy, enabling him to stun the mind of another person into unconsciousness, inflict mental trauma, or even cause death. These 'bolts' inflict damage only upon other minds, having a negligible effect on non-mental beings, if any. The manner in which Xavier's powers function indicates that his telepathy is physical in some way, as it can be enhanced by physical means (for example, Cerebro) and can be disrupted by physical means (for example, Magneto's alteration of the Earth's magnetic field).
Xavier can perceive the distinct mental presence/brain waves of other superhuman mutants within a small radius of himself. To detect mutants to a wider area beyond this radius, he must amplify his powers through Cerebro and subsequently Cerebra, computer devices of his own design which are sensitive to the psychic/physical energies produced by the mind.
Professor X can project his astral form into a psychic dimension known as the astral plane. There, he can use his powers to create objects, control his surroundings, and even control and destroy the astral forms of others. He cannot project this form over long distances.
Uncanny X-Men writer Ed Brubaker has claimed that, after being de-powered by the Scarlet Witch,[127][128] and then re-powered by the M'Kraan Crystal, Charles' telepathy is more powerful than was previously known. However, the extent of this enhancement is unknown.[129]
Charles is a genius with multiple doctorates. He is a world-renowned geneticist, a leading expert in mutation, possesses considerable knowledge of various life sciences, and is the inventor of Cerebro.[9] He possesses Ph.D.s in Genetics, Biophysics, and Psychology. He is highly talented in devising equipment for utilizing and enhancing psionic powers.
During his travels in Asia, Xavier learned martial arts, acquiring "refined combat skills" according to Magneto. When these skills are coordinated in tandem with his telepathic abilities, Xavier is a dangerous unarmed combatant, capable of sensing the intentions of others and countering them with superhuman efficiency. He also has extensive knowledge of pressure points.[130]
Charles Xavier was also given possession of the Mind Infinity Gem.[131] It allows the user to boost mental power and access the thoughts and dreams of other beings. Backed by the Power Gem, it is possible to access all minds in existence simultaneously. Like all other former Illuminati members, Xavier has sworn to never use the gem and to keep its location hidden.
[edit] Xavier Protocols
The Xavier Protocols are a set of doomsday plans created by Professor X. The Protocols detail the best way to kill many powerful mutant characters, including the X-Men and Xavier himself, should they become too large of a danger. The Xavier Protocols are first mentioned during the "Onslaught" crossover and first seen in Excalibur #100 in Moira MacTaggert's lab. Charles Xavier compiled a list of the Earth's most powerful mutants and plans on how to defeat them if they become a threat to the world.[132] They are first used after Onslaught grows too powerful. Only parts of the actual Protocols are ever shown. In the "Operation: Zero Tolerance" crossover Bastion obtains an encrypted copy of the Protocols, intending to use them against the X-Men.[133] However, Cable infiltrates the X-Mansion and secures all encrypted files before Bastion has a chance to decrypt them.[134] Due to the tampering of Bastion and his Sentinels, the X-Mansion computer system Cerebro gains autonomy and seeks to destroy the X-Men by employing its knowledge of the Xavier Protocols. In a virtual environment created by Professor X Cerebro executes the Xavier Protocols against the X-Men.[135]
Each Protocol is activated by the presence of a different combination of X-Men and were written by Xavier himself:[132]
Code 0-0-0 (Charles Xavier): This file is both an entry on Charles Xavier, as well as an introduction to the Xavier Protocols. It contained a holographic image of Charles Xavier, reading the following message: "Moira, Scott, Jean; if you three are seeing these images, then I have become a mortal threat to my X-Men. In this instance, I must be stopped by any means necessary. Some years ago, I made a study of various forms of possible defense against my own psychic abilities. The image next to me is that of an anti-psionic armor. The wearer should be protected from my talent. When I finish speaking, a blueprint for this armor will be downloaded." (Activated by Moira MacTaggert, Cyclops, and Jean Grey)
Code 0-2-1 (Wolverine): Activated by Archangel, Cyclops, and Jean Grey
Code 1-3-9 (Cable): Activated by Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Cannonball
Other X-Men who face their Xavier Protocols are Colossus, Rogue, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Storm, and Gambit.
Weapons[if any]: A Walter PP7
Personality:
Xavier’s goals are to promote the peaceful affirmation of mutant rights, to mediate the co-existence of mutants and humans, to protect mutants from militant humans and to protect society from antagonistic mutants, including his old friend, the militant Magneto. To achieve these aims, he founded Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters (later named the Xavier Institute) to teach mutants to explore and control their powers. Its first group of students were the original X-Men. Xavier's students consider him a visionary and often refer to their mission as "Xavier's dream". He is highly regarded by others in the Marvel universe, respected by various governments and trusted by several other superhero teams, including the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. However, he also has a manipulative streak which has resulted in several significant fallings-out with allies and students.
He often acts as a public advocate for mutant rights and is the authority most of the Marvel superhero community turns to for advice on mutants. Despite this, his status as a mutant himself and leader of the X-Men has only recently become public.
In the comics' history, the X-Men rarely operate without Xavier. He also appears in almost all of the X-Men animated series and in many video games, although usually as a non-playable character because of his disability. Patrick Stewart plays him in the 2000s film series, as well as providing his voice in some of the X-Men videogames (including some not connected to the film series).
According to BusinessWeek, Charles Xavier is listed as one of the top ten most intelligent fictional characters in American comics
In a number of comics, especially more so in recent years, Xavier is shown to have a dark side, a part of himself that he struggles to suppress. Perhaps the most notable appearance of this character element is in the Onslaught storyline, in which the crossover event's antagonist is a physical manifestation of that dark side. Also, Onslaught is created in the most violent act Xavier claims to have done: erasing the mind of Magneto. In X-Men #106 (August 1977), the new X-Men fight images of the original team, which have been created by what Xavier says is his "evil self ... who would use his powers for personal gain and conquest," which he says he is normally able to keep in check. In the 1984 four-part series titled The X-Men and the Micronauts, Xavier's dark desires manifest themselves as the Entity and threaten to destroy the Micronauts' universe.
In other instances, Xavier is shown to be secretive and manipulative. During the Onslaught storyline, the X-Men find Xavier's files, the "Xavier Protocols", which detail how to kill many of the characters, including Xavier himself, should the need ever arise, such as if they went rogue.[4] Astonishing X-Men vol. 3, #12 (August 2005) reveals that when Xavier realizes that the Danger Room has become sentient, he keeps it trapped and experiments on it for years, an act that Cyclops calls "the oppression of a new life" and equates to humanity's treatment of mutants. (However, X-Men Legacy #220 - 224 reveals that Xavier did not intend for the Danger Room to become sentient: it was an accident, and Xavier sought a way to free Danger, but was unable to find a way to accomplish this without deleting her sentience as well.)
In X-Men: Deadly Genesis #6, a de-powered Xavier is forced to admit that he had sent a group of hastily trained young mutants to Krakoa to save the original X-Men, resulting in their deaths. Because one of the mutants is Cyclops' brother Vulcan, Xavier erased Cyclops' memory of the event. He further manipulated the rescue team of new X-Men by making them think the meaningless noises the island made were intelligible speech—evidence that the island was alive—to match the new memories he had given Cyclops. It has also been revealed that he lied to Rogue in an attempt to protect her from evil influences, and that for years he told her he could eventually help her control her abilities, when this was not the case.
Xavier has multiple secrets that he hides from the X-Men beyond the Krakoa and Danger incidents. Since the inception of the X-Men, he has created and maintained a network of mutant espionage agents to work in dealings that are too dubious for the public eye of the X-Men, even entrapping Mystique into helping him (even though she killed his dear friend, Moira MacTaggert). The mutant Sage was recruited at the same point as the original X-Men, however, Xavier forced Tessa into a role as a spy within the Hellfire Club, seeing his team as heroes and Tessa's only ability "the capacity to betray". He has also been part of the secret Illuminati society responsible for shooting Bruce Banner into space.
In the Mutant X comic book series, set outside the Marvel Universe continuity, Xavier travels the world capturing telepaths for the purpose of stealing their mental energy. Xavier takes control of S.H.I.E.L.D., captures Gambit's daughter, and attempts to kill the X-Men with a nuclear strike. An alternate-reality version of Xavier is the enemy in the first story arc of the Exiles series. In Ultimate X-Men, Xavier frequently lies to other characters, including the X-Men, or even manipulates them when he feels it is necessary. Xavier tells the American president that he has killed Magneto, but instead he has blocked Magneto's memories and created a new personality and memories for him, along with a new life working with mentally challenged children. In issue #65, unbeknownst to the rest of the team, he directs Angel to become his mole in Emma Frost's Academy of Tomorrow in the guise of expelling the student. In Ultimate X-Men #58, he defuses a hostage situation by hiring the mutant bank robbers for a mission in which the X-Men cannot be implicated, and making the police believe they have killed them.
[edit] Romantic interestsA brilliant student intent on undertaking graduate studies, Xavier was admitted into England's Oxford University, where he studied at Pembroke College. It was in Oxford where he met and fell in love with a young Scot named Moira Kinross with a mind that would match his own. Their passionate discussions on genetic mutation gave way to an equally passionate romance. They planned to be married, but after finishing his work at Oxford, Xavier was drafted and sent to Asia. It has been hinted that Mister Sinister interfered with Moira's and Xavier's relationship as he is posing as a professor at Oxford at the time. Deeply depressed when Moira broke off their engagement without explanation, Xavier began traveling abroad after leaving the army.[volume & issue needed] He later discovered that Moira married her old boyfriend Joseph MacTaggert, who abused her. He eventually renewed his friendship with Moira MacTaggert, who is now a renowned geneticist, and they began discussing the idea of founding a school for mutants.[volume & issue needed] Charles' ex-fiancée has become a lifetime friend who interacts with the X-Men often. He nearly followed her to death to be with her when she was fatally injured.[volume & issue needed]
Xavier went to Haifa, Israel, where he fell in love with Gabrielle Haller, a catatonic Holocaust victim he forced back to awareness. Xavier and Haller were unaware when he left Israel that she was pregnant with his son, who would become the mentally ill mutant known as Legion. They separated on good terms.[volume & issue needed]
American nurse Amelia Voght helped him recover from his debilitating injuries from his assault by Lucifer in India. She made cheering him up in the hospital her pet project. They lived together both in Bombay and Westchester, but she then left as Xavier gathered students. Xavier felt he failed her, and in a passing "maddened panic" tried to force her to stay, with her feeling betrayed. He encountered her again as an Acolyte of Magneto, and eventually she saved his life.[volume & issue needed]
Charles became romantically interested in Teri Martin, the mother of a young mutant girl he was trying to help, after the Z'Nox incident, but he decided that he had no room for romance at the time.[5]
Shi'ar Princess-Majestrix Lilandra formed an intense psychic bond with Xavier across the vast distance that separates their two planets, which led her to him after she fled her Empire, in search of help against her villainous brother. Xavier dreamt of her and Lilandra knew they were soul mates. They fell in love at first sight. Later, he helped overthrow her sister in order to return the throne to Lilandra. They were wed until the Shi'ar Counsel annulled their marriage on the grounds that involvement with Xavier has caused trouble for the Empire. However, as seen in the recent Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire storyline, Lilandra still loves him, despite their troubles. No child has resulted from the union in the canon universe (he and Lilandra do have a child together in X-Men: The End). Charles is currently unaware of Lilandra's assassination during War of Kings.[6]
In one instance in the start of Uncanny X-Men (issue #3), Professor X privately reflects upon his love for Jean Grey, but does not pursue it due to his feeling inadequate about being in a wheelchair, and the age difference and sacredness of the teacher-student relationship.[7] Although Xavier never again displays a romantic interest in Jean, the idea that he once entertained this thought becomes one of his "dark secrets" and is revisited when the Professor's dark side manifests in the form of Onslaught and reveals it to Jean. There is debate[citation needed], however, that it is more of a loving father-figure relationship, as Professor X has known Jean from the age of 11.[original research?] He also loves her in Ultimate X-Men as it is said in the Phoenix arc and in the Cable arc.
Image:
[searching for a new one]
History:
While using Cerebra and talking to Beast during the Messiah Complex storyline, Charles detects a new mutant so powerful it fries Cerebra's system. He asks Cyclops to send out a team to find out about the mutant. Once the team have come back empty handed, he argues with Scott for not telling him about the team he deployed to find former Acolytes. Scott tells him outright that he doesn't need him to run the X-Men anymore.[85] This upsets Charles and annoys him later on when he overhears Cyclops briefing X-Factor on the situation.[volume & issue needed] He also approaches the New X-Men in an attempt to help them figure out a non-violent way to help against the Purifiers, but is quickly rebuked by Surge, who questions where he was when they were getting attacked the first time, and that they didn't need to learn from him. Charles questions Cyclops' decision to send X-Force to hunt down his own son, Cable, in front of the students. Cyclops then tells Xavier that he is a distraction that will keep getting in the way and that he must leave the mansion. Xavier is contacted by Cable, who lost the mutant newborn to the traitorous actions of Bishop, who in turn lost the child to the Marauders, and tells him that he is the only one who can help Cable save the future.[86] In the final fight, Xavier is accidentally shot in the head by Bishop. Immediately afterward Xavier's body disappears and Cyclops declares that there are no more X-Men.[87]
Professor Xavier survives Bishop's gunshot but falls into a coma.[88] Xavier is kidnapped by Exodus, Tempo, and Karima Shapandar. Exodus tries to heal Xavier, Xavier mentally fights Exodus. Exodus finally approaches Magneto, who is apparently still depowered, for help. Magneto and Karima Shapandar are able to stir Xavier's memories and coax him out of his coma, though Xavier remains slightly confused and partly amnesiac. Later, Exodus confronts Magneto about Joanna Cargill's injury (Magneto was forced to shoot a laser through her eyeball in order to prevent her attempted assassination of Xavier). Exodus nearly kills Magneto, and Xavier drags Exodus onto the Astral Plane, putting Xavier's own newly-restored mind at stake. Xavier defeats Exodus after a harrowing psionic battle, and Exodus reveals the reason he abducted Xavier and to restore his mind: Exodus wants Xavier to lead the Acolytes and find the mutant messiah child (now under the guardianship of Cable) in order to indoctrinate the child into their cause. Xavier refuses. Emma Frost's telepathy picks up on the psychic fight, and Emma informs Cyclops that Xavier is alive. Xavier parts company with Magneto and Karima to try to regain his lost memories by visiting people from his past.[89]
The first person Charles visits is Carter Ryking, who had gone insane after losing his powers. Charles reads Carter's memories and discovers that when the two were children they were used as test subjects by Nathan Milbury of the Black Womb Project, with the approval of Charles' father, Doctor Brian Xavier. Xavier makes the connection Milbury and X-Men villain, Mister Sinister, who has apparently long been manipulating Charles' life in addition to other X-Men. Afterwards, he discovers he's been targeted by assassins.[90]
Charles eventually discovers Mister Sinister had set up Charles, Sebastian Shaw, Juggernaut, and Ryking as potential new hosts for Sinister's mind.[89] Bleeding slowly to death, he apparently gives in to Sinister becoming the new Mister Sinister. But in reality, Xavier is still battling Sinister for control of his body.[89] As Sebastian Shaw and Gambit destroy Sinister's Cronus Machine, the device that he used to transfer his consciousness into new hosts, Xavier drives Sinister out of his body permanently.[90] Xavier thanks Shaw and Gambit for their help and declares he must go and see Cyclops immediately.[91] Professor X returns to the X-Mansion to find it destroyed after recent events.[91] Afterwards, Xavier leaves the ruins of the X-Mansion to secretly meet up Cyclops by psychically coercing his former student for the visit. Xavier explains to Cyclops about the recent events with Mr. Sinister and tries to explain to Cyclops how Sinister has been manipulating Scott's and Jean's lives since when they were children. Xavier attempts to have Scott give him permission to scan Scott's mind for traces of Sinister's influences, but instead Scott turns the tables on Xavier by revealing that he has secretly invited Emma Frost into their entire meeting and also into Xavier's mind.[92] While in his mind, Emma forces Xavier to relive each of his morally ambiguous decisions under altruistic pretenses. As the issue continues, Charles realizes his human arrogance and that while some of his decisions were morally wrong, he must move forward with his life and deal with the consequences. Emma ends her incursion into Xavier's mind by reminding him of Moira MacTaggert's last words. As he reflects on Moira's words, Xavier gives Cyclops his blessing to lead the X-Men and leaves to find his own path.[93] Following his encounter with Wolverine (in the "Original Sin" Arc) Professor Xavier seeks out his step brother, the unstoppable Juggernaut in an attempt to reform him. After a conversation about the meaning of the word "Juggernaut" and a review of Juggernaut and Xavier's shared history Xavier offers Cain an empty box as a gift. Confused by Xavier's gift Cain attempts to kill the Professor bringing an entire sports bar down over their heads in the process. Later Cain battles the X-Men in his full Juggernaut armor and conquers the planet. Just as everything appears to be under the Juggernaut's control Xavier reappears and informs him that everything that has just taken place except for Juggernaut destroying the bar took place in Cain's mind. A baffled Cain demands to know how Xavier managed to overcome his psychically shielded helmet to which the Professor replies that he decided to visit Cain in his sleep. Professor Xavier then informs him that he now understands Cain as a person and that he will not attempt to get in his way or reform him again. But Xavier also warns Cain that if he gets in the way of the Professor's path to redemption Xavier will stop him permanently.[94] Following his encounter with Cain it has been revealed that Xavier is now searching for Rogue.[95]
After his bruising encounter with Cyclops and Emma Frost, Professor X is forced to revisit the biggest challenge and the biggest failure of his career, Wolverine, when the feral mutant asks for Charles' help in freeing his son from the clutches of the Hellfire Club. As the two search for Daken, Wolverine reveals that when he first joined the X-Men he attempted to assassinate Xavier due to some unknown programming. In response, the Professor broke Logan's mind and rebuilt it so that any and all programming he received was forgotten. Logan also revealed that the real reason Xavier asked him to join the X-Men was that Charles "needed a weapon."[96] Eventually Professor Xavier and Wolverine locate Sebastian Shaw's mansion and attack his minions, just as they are about to enter a bomb explodes from within catching them both off guard. From the wreckage emerges an angry Sebastian who immobilizes Wolverine. Meanwhile, Miss Sinister knocks Daken unconscious and has him taken to the medlab in the mansion's basement. As Shaw prepares to deliver a killing blow to Xavier, Wolverine recovers and stops him telling Xavier to rescue his son. Professor Xavier locates the medlab and after a quick psychic battle with Miss Sinister enters Daken's fractured mind. While in Daken's mind Xavier discovers Romulus's psychic tampering and comments that Daken's mind is even more broken than Wolverine's was. Before Xavier can heal Daken a psychic bomb explodes causing Xavier to become comatose and Daken to wake up. Miss Sinister arrives and attempts to manipulate Daken who reveals that the psychic bomb in his head restored his memories and stabs Miss Sinister in the chest. Meanwhile Wolverine defeats Shaw and enters the mansion to find Daken standing over an unconscious Xavier preparing to kill him.[97] Wolverine tells Daken that he won't let him hurt Xavier and the two fight. Overcome with guilt over what happened to Daken and Itsu, Wolverine allows himself to be beaten. Just as Daken appears to have won Xavier pulls both of them onto the astral plane revealing that the psychic bomb had little effect on him because his psyche was already shattered. Xavier then explains to Wolverine and Daken that Romulus is solely responsible for Itsu's death and that he lied to Daken about everything because he wanted Wolverine to become his weapon. As the three converse Daken returns to the physical plane and prevents Shaw from killing Xavier. With the truth revealed Wolverine and Daken decide to kill Romulus. As the two depart Wolverine tells Xavier that he forgives him for all of the dark moments in their history. Wolverine acknowledges that Professor Xavier allowed him to become a hero. Wolverine then tells the Professor that he hopes he will one day be able to forgive him for choosing to kill Romulus.[98]
Professor Xavier recruits Gambit to go with him to Australia to find and help Rogue who is currently staying at the X-Men's old base in the outback; unaware Danger is using Rogue as a conduit for her revenge against him.[95]
In a prelude to the Secret Invasion storyline, Professor X was at the meeting of the Illuminati when it came to the discussion about the Skrulls planning an invasion by taking out Earth's heroes and posing as them. He claims he was unable to distinguish that Black Bolt had been replaced by a Skrull, and his powers were bested quickly by the Black Bolt Skrull. Professor X leaves after learning even he can no longer trust the others, yet appears to have severely restricted the number of people he informs of the forthcoming alien invasion, as the X-Men were not prepared for the Skrulls, at least at first.[99] Xavier is not seen again during the events of Secret Invasion, though his X-Men in San Francisco are successful at repelling the invaders there through the use of the modified Legacy Virus.
During the Dark Reign storyline, Professor X convinces Exodus to disband the Acolytes. A H.A.M.M.E.R. helicopter arrives and from inside appears Norman Osborn, who wants to talk to him.[100] During the Dark Avengers' arrival in San Francisco to enforce martial law and squelch the anti-mutant riots occurring in the city, Xavier appears (back in his wheelchair) in the company of Norman Osborn and publicly denounces Cyclops' actions and urges him to turn himself in. However, this Xavier was revealed to be Mystique who Osborn recruited to impersonate Xavier in public.[101] The real Xavier is shown in prison on Alcatraz and slowly being stripped of his telepathic powers while in psionic contact with Beast, who was arrested earlier for his part in the anti-mutant riots.[102] It was also revealed by Emma Frost that she and Professor X are both Omega Class Telepaths when she manages to detect the real Professor X.[101] Professor X helps Emma Frost enter Sentry's mind. However, as Emma frees him of the Void's influence, a minute sliver of the entity itself remains in her mind. Xavier quickly tells her to remain in her diamond armor state to prevent the Void from gaining access to her psi-powers. Professor X is later seen with Emma Frost where Beast is recuperating.[103]
After the events of Utopia, Xavier has come to live on the risen Asteroid M, rechristened Utopia, along with the rest of the X-Men, X-Club, and mutant refugees and is also allowed to join the Utopia lead council (Cyclops, Storm, Namor, Iceman, Beast, Wolverine and Emma Frost). While he no longer continues to openly question every move that Cyclops makes, he is still concerned about some of his leadership decisions. Xavier had wanted to return to the mainland in order to clear his name, but in the aftermath of Osborn declaring Utopia as a mutant detention area, Cyclops refused to let him leave, stating that it would be a tactical advantage to have him as an ace in the hole in case the need arose. To that end, he has kept Xavier out of the field and instead relied on Emma Frost, Psylocke and the Stepford Cuckoos respectively for their own psionic talents.[104] While attending the funeral of Yuriko Takiguchi, Magneto arrives at Utopia, apparently under peaceful motives. Xavier does not believe it, and attacks Magneto telepathically, causing Cyclops to force him to stand down.[105] He later apologizes to Magneto for acting out of his old passions from their complicated relationship, which Magneto accepts.[106]
During the Second Coming storyline, Professor Xavier is seen on Utopia delivering a eulogy at Nightcrawler's funeral. Like the other X-Men he is deeply saddened by Kurt's death and anxious about the arrival of Cable and Hope.[107] Xavier is seen using his powers to help his son Legion control his many personalities and battle the Nimrods.[108] At the conclusion of Second Coming Professor X is seen surveying the aftermath of the battle from a helicopter. As Hope descends to the ground and cradles Cable's lifeless arm, Xavier reflects on everything that has transpired and states that, while he feels that Hope has indeed come to save mutantkind and revive his dream, she is still only a young woman and will have a long and difficult journey before she can truly achieve her potential.[109]
During the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline, Professor X and his son Legion are sensing the Phoenix Force was emergencing by transforming Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus and Magik into the Phoenix Five.[110] Captain America arranged another meeting of the Illuminati in an attempt to talk with Namor after he was possessed by the Phoenix Force. Professor X resented how the other four members were subconsciously blaming him for the current mess.[111] When Rachel Summers leads a group of X-Men in a fight against Wolverine and the Avengers in Indonesia, Rachel finds Hope, but her mind is drawn to the psychic plane where she meets Professor X. After realizing that he was just keeping her busy to give the Avengers an advantage, Rachel engages him in a psychic battle knocking everyone out except Spider-Woman and Professor X himself. Later, Professor X states that he cannot fight his own students and erases his presence in the battle from everyone's minds.[112] Later, Professor X telepathically contacted a Phoenix Force-powered Cyclops after the fight in Wakanda to express his severe disappointment in their recent actions. Professor X makes it clear that unless they ended their "madness" immediately, he would have to take action and use the appropriate actions to bring the X-Men down.[113] Professor X returned to help the Avengers who are being held prisoner in a volcano in Siberia by the Phoenix Five, who were under the dark influence.[114] While on Utopia, Magneto asks Professor X for his help as Phoenix Force-powered Emma Frost's rule becomes more tyrannical.[115] During a battle on Utopia, Cyclops absorbs Emma Frost's powers, becoming the only Phoenix host. Professor X tries to make him stop, to reason him one more time. Professor X is then killed by an angry, Phoenix-corrupted Cyclops.[116]
Following the defeat of the Dark Phoenix-powered Cyclops, a funeral for Professor X is held and the X-Men attend, with Wolverine delivering the eulogy for Professor X's honor as a fallen member of the community. When Rogue and Scarlet Witch are visiting Professor X's grave, they are attacked by Red Skull's S-Men who steal Professor X's body. Red Skull is then seen removing Professor X's brain as he plans to use it to "eradicate the mutant menace".[117] After escaping from the clutches of the S-Men, Rogue and Scarlet Witch discover the lobotomized body of Professor X. Red Skull arrives and reveals that he has fused his brain with Professor X's brain,[118] using his new powers to provoke anti-mutant riots as he turns most of New York- including Thor- against mutants while also controlling Rogue and the Scarlet Witch, leaving Captain America and Havok to try and stop him
Professor X
Real Name/Alter Ego:
Professor Charles Francis Xavier
Notable Aliases: Onslaught, Consort-Royal, Founder, X, Warlord, Entity
Team Affiliations:
X-Men
Illuminati
Genoshan Excalibur
Cadre K
Brotherhood of Mutants
Shi'ar Imperium
Starjammers
The Twelve
Defenders
Abilities/Powers/Skills:
Professor X is a mutant who possesses vast telepathic powers, and is among the strongest and most powerful Earth-born telepaths in the Marvel Universe.
Telepathy: Xavier can read the minds of others within a 250 mile radius.
Telepathic Illusion: the ability to cause others to see or experience events which are not actually occurring.
Telepathic Cloak: the ability to hide one's presence from others by making oneself invisible by clouding the minds of others.
Psi Link: Xavier can create psychic links with others.
Telepathic Camouflage: Xavier can make others see him as someone else by manipulating and controlling the minds of others to make them see him with another appearance.
Mind Blast: Xavier is able to place massive amounts of information inside the mind of others to cause extreme mental pain on them.
Mind Control: Xavier can also manipulate the minds of others.
Mind Possession: the ability to possess the minds of others, controlling someone's mind for oneself.
Mind Alteration: the ability to alter the minds of others.
Mental Amnesia: Xavier can cause people to forget certain memories. He can cause large groups of people to forget things.
Psionic Shield: the ability to erect a shield that is used to protect one's mind.
Psionic Blasts: the ability to emit blasts of psionic energy which does not harm its victims physically but mentally instead.
Astral Projection: the ability to control one's astral self.
Mental Detection: Xavier can detect nearby mutants.
Mind Transferral: If Xavier were to die, he could transfer his mind and powers to a host body.
Information Absorption: He is able to quickly absorb and store information.
Rudimentary Telekinesis: He possesses minor telekinetic abilities; able to move, control and manipulate inanimate objects telekinetically.
Professor X is able to perceive the thoughts of others or project his own thoughts within a radius of approximately 250 miles (400 km). Xavier's telepathy once covered the entire world but Magneto altered the Earth's electromagnetic field to restrict Xavier's telepathic range.[120] While not on Earth, Xavier's natural telepathic abilities have reached across space to make universal mental contact with multiple alien races.[121] With extreme effort, he can greatly extend the range of his telepathy. He can learn foreign languages by reading the language centers of the brain of someone adept, and alternately "teach" languages to others in the same manner; Xavier once trained a new group of mutants mentally, subjectively making them experience months of training together, while only hours passed in the real world.[122]
Xavier's vast psionic powers enable him to manipulate the minds of others, warp perceptions to make himself seem invisible, project mental illusions, cause loss of particular memories or total amnesia, and induce pain or temporary mental and/or physical paralysis in others. Within close range, he can manipulate almost any number of minds for such simple feats. However, he can only take full possession of one other mind at a time, and must strictly be within that person's physical presence. He is one of the few telepaths skilled enough to communicate with animals and even share their perceptions.[90] He can also telepathically take away or control people's natural bodily functions and senses, such as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or even mutant powers. A side effect of his telepathy is that he is gifted with an eidetic memory. He has displayed telepathic prowess sufficient to confront Ego the Living Planet, while aided by Cadre K[123] as well as narrowly defeat Exodus.[124] However, he cannot permanently 'reprogram' human minds to believe what he might want them to believe even if he wanted to do so, explaining that the mind is an organism that would always recall the steps necessary for it to reach the present and thus 'rewrite' itself to its original setting if he tried to change it.[125] However, his initial reprogramming of Wolverine lasted several years, despite how Wolverine's healing factor works around such a reprogramming much faster than an ordinary human mind.[126]
He is able to project from his mind 'bolts' composed of psychic energy, enabling him to stun the mind of another person into unconsciousness, inflict mental trauma, or even cause death. These 'bolts' inflict damage only upon other minds, having a negligible effect on non-mental beings, if any. The manner in which Xavier's powers function indicates that his telepathy is physical in some way, as it can be enhanced by physical means (for example, Cerebro) and can be disrupted by physical means (for example, Magneto's alteration of the Earth's magnetic field).
Xavier can perceive the distinct mental presence/brain waves of other superhuman mutants within a small radius of himself. To detect mutants to a wider area beyond this radius, he must amplify his powers through Cerebro and subsequently Cerebra, computer devices of his own design which are sensitive to the psychic/physical energies produced by the mind.
Professor X can project his astral form into a psychic dimension known as the astral plane. There, he can use his powers to create objects, control his surroundings, and even control and destroy the astral forms of others. He cannot project this form over long distances.
Uncanny X-Men writer Ed Brubaker has claimed that, after being de-powered by the Scarlet Witch,[127][128] and then re-powered by the M'Kraan Crystal, Charles' telepathy is more powerful than was previously known. However, the extent of this enhancement is unknown.[129]
Charles is a genius with multiple doctorates. He is a world-renowned geneticist, a leading expert in mutation, possesses considerable knowledge of various life sciences, and is the inventor of Cerebro.[9] He possesses Ph.D.s in Genetics, Biophysics, and Psychology. He is highly talented in devising equipment for utilizing and enhancing psionic powers.
During his travels in Asia, Xavier learned martial arts, acquiring "refined combat skills" according to Magneto. When these skills are coordinated in tandem with his telepathic abilities, Xavier is a dangerous unarmed combatant, capable of sensing the intentions of others and countering them with superhuman efficiency. He also has extensive knowledge of pressure points.[130]
Charles Xavier was also given possession of the Mind Infinity Gem.[131] It allows the user to boost mental power and access the thoughts and dreams of other beings. Backed by the Power Gem, it is possible to access all minds in existence simultaneously. Like all other former Illuminati members, Xavier has sworn to never use the gem and to keep its location hidden.
[edit] Xavier Protocols
The Xavier Protocols are a set of doomsday plans created by Professor X. The Protocols detail the best way to kill many powerful mutant characters, including the X-Men and Xavier himself, should they become too large of a danger. The Xavier Protocols are first mentioned during the "Onslaught" crossover and first seen in Excalibur #100 in Moira MacTaggert's lab. Charles Xavier compiled a list of the Earth's most powerful mutants and plans on how to defeat them if they become a threat to the world.[132] They are first used after Onslaught grows too powerful. Only parts of the actual Protocols are ever shown. In the "Operation: Zero Tolerance" crossover Bastion obtains an encrypted copy of the Protocols, intending to use them against the X-Men.[133] However, Cable infiltrates the X-Mansion and secures all encrypted files before Bastion has a chance to decrypt them.[134] Due to the tampering of Bastion and his Sentinels, the X-Mansion computer system Cerebro gains autonomy and seeks to destroy the X-Men by employing its knowledge of the Xavier Protocols. In a virtual environment created by Professor X Cerebro executes the Xavier Protocols against the X-Men.[135]
Each Protocol is activated by the presence of a different combination of X-Men and were written by Xavier himself:[132]
Code 0-0-0 (Charles Xavier): This file is both an entry on Charles Xavier, as well as an introduction to the Xavier Protocols. It contained a holographic image of Charles Xavier, reading the following message: "Moira, Scott, Jean; if you three are seeing these images, then I have become a mortal threat to my X-Men. In this instance, I must be stopped by any means necessary. Some years ago, I made a study of various forms of possible defense against my own psychic abilities. The image next to me is that of an anti-psionic armor. The wearer should be protected from my talent. When I finish speaking, a blueprint for this armor will be downloaded." (Activated by Moira MacTaggert, Cyclops, and Jean Grey)
Code 0-2-1 (Wolverine): Activated by Archangel, Cyclops, and Jean Grey
Code 1-3-9 (Cable): Activated by Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Cannonball
Other X-Men who face their Xavier Protocols are Colossus, Rogue, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Storm, and Gambit.
Weapons[if any]: A Walter PP7
Personality:
Xavier’s goals are to promote the peaceful affirmation of mutant rights, to mediate the co-existence of mutants and humans, to protect mutants from militant humans and to protect society from antagonistic mutants, including his old friend, the militant Magneto. To achieve these aims, he founded Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters (later named the Xavier Institute) to teach mutants to explore and control their powers. Its first group of students were the original X-Men. Xavier's students consider him a visionary and often refer to their mission as "Xavier's dream". He is highly regarded by others in the Marvel universe, respected by various governments and trusted by several other superhero teams, including the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. However, he also has a manipulative streak which has resulted in several significant fallings-out with allies and students.
He often acts as a public advocate for mutant rights and is the authority most of the Marvel superhero community turns to for advice on mutants. Despite this, his status as a mutant himself and leader of the X-Men has only recently become public.
In the comics' history, the X-Men rarely operate without Xavier. He also appears in almost all of the X-Men animated series and in many video games, although usually as a non-playable character because of his disability. Patrick Stewart plays him in the 2000s film series, as well as providing his voice in some of the X-Men videogames (including some not connected to the film series).
According to BusinessWeek, Charles Xavier is listed as one of the top ten most intelligent fictional characters in American comics
In a number of comics, especially more so in recent years, Xavier is shown to have a dark side, a part of himself that he struggles to suppress. Perhaps the most notable appearance of this character element is in the Onslaught storyline, in which the crossover event's antagonist is a physical manifestation of that dark side. Also, Onslaught is created in the most violent act Xavier claims to have done: erasing the mind of Magneto. In X-Men #106 (August 1977), the new X-Men fight images of the original team, which have been created by what Xavier says is his "evil self ... who would use his powers for personal gain and conquest," which he says he is normally able to keep in check. In the 1984 four-part series titled The X-Men and the Micronauts, Xavier's dark desires manifest themselves as the Entity and threaten to destroy the Micronauts' universe.
In other instances, Xavier is shown to be secretive and manipulative. During the Onslaught storyline, the X-Men find Xavier's files, the "Xavier Protocols", which detail how to kill many of the characters, including Xavier himself, should the need ever arise, such as if they went rogue.[4] Astonishing X-Men vol. 3, #12 (August 2005) reveals that when Xavier realizes that the Danger Room has become sentient, he keeps it trapped and experiments on it for years, an act that Cyclops calls "the oppression of a new life" and equates to humanity's treatment of mutants. (However, X-Men Legacy #220 - 224 reveals that Xavier did not intend for the Danger Room to become sentient: it was an accident, and Xavier sought a way to free Danger, but was unable to find a way to accomplish this without deleting her sentience as well.)
In X-Men: Deadly Genesis #6, a de-powered Xavier is forced to admit that he had sent a group of hastily trained young mutants to Krakoa to save the original X-Men, resulting in their deaths. Because one of the mutants is Cyclops' brother Vulcan, Xavier erased Cyclops' memory of the event. He further manipulated the rescue team of new X-Men by making them think the meaningless noises the island made were intelligible speech—evidence that the island was alive—to match the new memories he had given Cyclops. It has also been revealed that he lied to Rogue in an attempt to protect her from evil influences, and that for years he told her he could eventually help her control her abilities, when this was not the case.
Xavier has multiple secrets that he hides from the X-Men beyond the Krakoa and Danger incidents. Since the inception of the X-Men, he has created and maintained a network of mutant espionage agents to work in dealings that are too dubious for the public eye of the X-Men, even entrapping Mystique into helping him (even though she killed his dear friend, Moira MacTaggert). The mutant Sage was recruited at the same point as the original X-Men, however, Xavier forced Tessa into a role as a spy within the Hellfire Club, seeing his team as heroes and Tessa's only ability "the capacity to betray". He has also been part of the secret Illuminati society responsible for shooting Bruce Banner into space.
In the Mutant X comic book series, set outside the Marvel Universe continuity, Xavier travels the world capturing telepaths for the purpose of stealing their mental energy. Xavier takes control of S.H.I.E.L.D., captures Gambit's daughter, and attempts to kill the X-Men with a nuclear strike. An alternate-reality version of Xavier is the enemy in the first story arc of the Exiles series. In Ultimate X-Men, Xavier frequently lies to other characters, including the X-Men, or even manipulates them when he feels it is necessary. Xavier tells the American president that he has killed Magneto, but instead he has blocked Magneto's memories and created a new personality and memories for him, along with a new life working with mentally challenged children. In issue #65, unbeknownst to the rest of the team, he directs Angel to become his mole in Emma Frost's Academy of Tomorrow in the guise of expelling the student. In Ultimate X-Men #58, he defuses a hostage situation by hiring the mutant bank robbers for a mission in which the X-Men cannot be implicated, and making the police believe they have killed them.
[edit] Romantic interestsA brilliant student intent on undertaking graduate studies, Xavier was admitted into England's Oxford University, where he studied at Pembroke College. It was in Oxford where he met and fell in love with a young Scot named Moira Kinross with a mind that would match his own. Their passionate discussions on genetic mutation gave way to an equally passionate romance. They planned to be married, but after finishing his work at Oxford, Xavier was drafted and sent to Asia. It has been hinted that Mister Sinister interfered with Moira's and Xavier's relationship as he is posing as a professor at Oxford at the time. Deeply depressed when Moira broke off their engagement without explanation, Xavier began traveling abroad after leaving the army.[volume & issue needed] He later discovered that Moira married her old boyfriend Joseph MacTaggert, who abused her. He eventually renewed his friendship with Moira MacTaggert, who is now a renowned geneticist, and they began discussing the idea of founding a school for mutants.[volume & issue needed] Charles' ex-fiancée has become a lifetime friend who interacts with the X-Men often. He nearly followed her to death to be with her when she was fatally injured.[volume & issue needed]
Xavier went to Haifa, Israel, where he fell in love with Gabrielle Haller, a catatonic Holocaust victim he forced back to awareness. Xavier and Haller were unaware when he left Israel that she was pregnant with his son, who would become the mentally ill mutant known as Legion. They separated on good terms.[volume & issue needed]
American nurse Amelia Voght helped him recover from his debilitating injuries from his assault by Lucifer in India. She made cheering him up in the hospital her pet project. They lived together both in Bombay and Westchester, but she then left as Xavier gathered students. Xavier felt he failed her, and in a passing "maddened panic" tried to force her to stay, with her feeling betrayed. He encountered her again as an Acolyte of Magneto, and eventually she saved his life.[volume & issue needed]
Charles became romantically interested in Teri Martin, the mother of a young mutant girl he was trying to help, after the Z'Nox incident, but he decided that he had no room for romance at the time.[5]
Shi'ar Princess-Majestrix Lilandra formed an intense psychic bond with Xavier across the vast distance that separates their two planets, which led her to him after she fled her Empire, in search of help against her villainous brother. Xavier dreamt of her and Lilandra knew they were soul mates. They fell in love at first sight. Later, he helped overthrow her sister in order to return the throne to Lilandra. They were wed until the Shi'ar Counsel annulled their marriage on the grounds that involvement with Xavier has caused trouble for the Empire. However, as seen in the recent Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire storyline, Lilandra still loves him, despite their troubles. No child has resulted from the union in the canon universe (he and Lilandra do have a child together in X-Men: The End). Charles is currently unaware of Lilandra's assassination during War of Kings.[6]
In one instance in the start of Uncanny X-Men (issue #3), Professor X privately reflects upon his love for Jean Grey, but does not pursue it due to his feeling inadequate about being in a wheelchair, and the age difference and sacredness of the teacher-student relationship.[7] Although Xavier never again displays a romantic interest in Jean, the idea that he once entertained this thought becomes one of his "dark secrets" and is revisited when the Professor's dark side manifests in the form of Onslaught and reveals it to Jean. There is debate[citation needed], however, that it is more of a loving father-figure relationship, as Professor X has known Jean from the age of 11.[original research?] He also loves her in Ultimate X-Men as it is said in the Phoenix arc and in the Cable arc.
Image:
[searching for a new one]
History:
While using Cerebra and talking to Beast during the Messiah Complex storyline, Charles detects a new mutant so powerful it fries Cerebra's system. He asks Cyclops to send out a team to find out about the mutant. Once the team have come back empty handed, he argues with Scott for not telling him about the team he deployed to find former Acolytes. Scott tells him outright that he doesn't need him to run the X-Men anymore.[85] This upsets Charles and annoys him later on when he overhears Cyclops briefing X-Factor on the situation.[volume & issue needed] He also approaches the New X-Men in an attempt to help them figure out a non-violent way to help against the Purifiers, but is quickly rebuked by Surge, who questions where he was when they were getting attacked the first time, and that they didn't need to learn from him. Charles questions Cyclops' decision to send X-Force to hunt down his own son, Cable, in front of the students. Cyclops then tells Xavier that he is a distraction that will keep getting in the way and that he must leave the mansion. Xavier is contacted by Cable, who lost the mutant newborn to the traitorous actions of Bishop, who in turn lost the child to the Marauders, and tells him that he is the only one who can help Cable save the future.[86] In the final fight, Xavier is accidentally shot in the head by Bishop. Immediately afterward Xavier's body disappears and Cyclops declares that there are no more X-Men.[87]
Professor Xavier survives Bishop's gunshot but falls into a coma.[88] Xavier is kidnapped by Exodus, Tempo, and Karima Shapandar. Exodus tries to heal Xavier, Xavier mentally fights Exodus. Exodus finally approaches Magneto, who is apparently still depowered, for help. Magneto and Karima Shapandar are able to stir Xavier's memories and coax him out of his coma, though Xavier remains slightly confused and partly amnesiac. Later, Exodus confronts Magneto about Joanna Cargill's injury (Magneto was forced to shoot a laser through her eyeball in order to prevent her attempted assassination of Xavier). Exodus nearly kills Magneto, and Xavier drags Exodus onto the Astral Plane, putting Xavier's own newly-restored mind at stake. Xavier defeats Exodus after a harrowing psionic battle, and Exodus reveals the reason he abducted Xavier and to restore his mind: Exodus wants Xavier to lead the Acolytes and find the mutant messiah child (now under the guardianship of Cable) in order to indoctrinate the child into their cause. Xavier refuses. Emma Frost's telepathy picks up on the psychic fight, and Emma informs Cyclops that Xavier is alive. Xavier parts company with Magneto and Karima to try to regain his lost memories by visiting people from his past.[89]
The first person Charles visits is Carter Ryking, who had gone insane after losing his powers. Charles reads Carter's memories and discovers that when the two were children they were used as test subjects by Nathan Milbury of the Black Womb Project, with the approval of Charles' father, Doctor Brian Xavier. Xavier makes the connection Milbury and X-Men villain, Mister Sinister, who has apparently long been manipulating Charles' life in addition to other X-Men. Afterwards, he discovers he's been targeted by assassins.[90]
Charles eventually discovers Mister Sinister had set up Charles, Sebastian Shaw, Juggernaut, and Ryking as potential new hosts for Sinister's mind.[89] Bleeding slowly to death, he apparently gives in to Sinister becoming the new Mister Sinister. But in reality, Xavier is still battling Sinister for control of his body.[89] As Sebastian Shaw and Gambit destroy Sinister's Cronus Machine, the device that he used to transfer his consciousness into new hosts, Xavier drives Sinister out of his body permanently.[90] Xavier thanks Shaw and Gambit for their help and declares he must go and see Cyclops immediately.[91] Professor X returns to the X-Mansion to find it destroyed after recent events.[91] Afterwards, Xavier leaves the ruins of the X-Mansion to secretly meet up Cyclops by psychically coercing his former student for the visit. Xavier explains to Cyclops about the recent events with Mr. Sinister and tries to explain to Cyclops how Sinister has been manipulating Scott's and Jean's lives since when they were children. Xavier attempts to have Scott give him permission to scan Scott's mind for traces of Sinister's influences, but instead Scott turns the tables on Xavier by revealing that he has secretly invited Emma Frost into their entire meeting and also into Xavier's mind.[92] While in his mind, Emma forces Xavier to relive each of his morally ambiguous decisions under altruistic pretenses. As the issue continues, Charles realizes his human arrogance and that while some of his decisions were morally wrong, he must move forward with his life and deal with the consequences. Emma ends her incursion into Xavier's mind by reminding him of Moira MacTaggert's last words. As he reflects on Moira's words, Xavier gives Cyclops his blessing to lead the X-Men and leaves to find his own path.[93] Following his encounter with Wolverine (in the "Original Sin" Arc) Professor Xavier seeks out his step brother, the unstoppable Juggernaut in an attempt to reform him. After a conversation about the meaning of the word "Juggernaut" and a review of Juggernaut and Xavier's shared history Xavier offers Cain an empty box as a gift. Confused by Xavier's gift Cain attempts to kill the Professor bringing an entire sports bar down over their heads in the process. Later Cain battles the X-Men in his full Juggernaut armor and conquers the planet. Just as everything appears to be under the Juggernaut's control Xavier reappears and informs him that everything that has just taken place except for Juggernaut destroying the bar took place in Cain's mind. A baffled Cain demands to know how Xavier managed to overcome his psychically shielded helmet to which the Professor replies that he decided to visit Cain in his sleep. Professor Xavier then informs him that he now understands Cain as a person and that he will not attempt to get in his way or reform him again. But Xavier also warns Cain that if he gets in the way of the Professor's path to redemption Xavier will stop him permanently.[94] Following his encounter with Cain it has been revealed that Xavier is now searching for Rogue.[95]
After his bruising encounter with Cyclops and Emma Frost, Professor X is forced to revisit the biggest challenge and the biggest failure of his career, Wolverine, when the feral mutant asks for Charles' help in freeing his son from the clutches of the Hellfire Club. As the two search for Daken, Wolverine reveals that when he first joined the X-Men he attempted to assassinate Xavier due to some unknown programming. In response, the Professor broke Logan's mind and rebuilt it so that any and all programming he received was forgotten. Logan also revealed that the real reason Xavier asked him to join the X-Men was that Charles "needed a weapon."[96] Eventually Professor Xavier and Wolverine locate Sebastian Shaw's mansion and attack his minions, just as they are about to enter a bomb explodes from within catching them both off guard. From the wreckage emerges an angry Sebastian who immobilizes Wolverine. Meanwhile, Miss Sinister knocks Daken unconscious and has him taken to the medlab in the mansion's basement. As Shaw prepares to deliver a killing blow to Xavier, Wolverine recovers and stops him telling Xavier to rescue his son. Professor Xavier locates the medlab and after a quick psychic battle with Miss Sinister enters Daken's fractured mind. While in Daken's mind Xavier discovers Romulus's psychic tampering and comments that Daken's mind is even more broken than Wolverine's was. Before Xavier can heal Daken a psychic bomb explodes causing Xavier to become comatose and Daken to wake up. Miss Sinister arrives and attempts to manipulate Daken who reveals that the psychic bomb in his head restored his memories and stabs Miss Sinister in the chest. Meanwhile Wolverine defeats Shaw and enters the mansion to find Daken standing over an unconscious Xavier preparing to kill him.[97] Wolverine tells Daken that he won't let him hurt Xavier and the two fight. Overcome with guilt over what happened to Daken and Itsu, Wolverine allows himself to be beaten. Just as Daken appears to have won Xavier pulls both of them onto the astral plane revealing that the psychic bomb had little effect on him because his psyche was already shattered. Xavier then explains to Wolverine and Daken that Romulus is solely responsible for Itsu's death and that he lied to Daken about everything because he wanted Wolverine to become his weapon. As the three converse Daken returns to the physical plane and prevents Shaw from killing Xavier. With the truth revealed Wolverine and Daken decide to kill Romulus. As the two depart Wolverine tells Xavier that he forgives him for all of the dark moments in their history. Wolverine acknowledges that Professor Xavier allowed him to become a hero. Wolverine then tells the Professor that he hopes he will one day be able to forgive him for choosing to kill Romulus.[98]
Professor Xavier recruits Gambit to go with him to Australia to find and help Rogue who is currently staying at the X-Men's old base in the outback; unaware Danger is using Rogue as a conduit for her revenge against him.[95]
In a prelude to the Secret Invasion storyline, Professor X was at the meeting of the Illuminati when it came to the discussion about the Skrulls planning an invasion by taking out Earth's heroes and posing as them. He claims he was unable to distinguish that Black Bolt had been replaced by a Skrull, and his powers were bested quickly by the Black Bolt Skrull. Professor X leaves after learning even he can no longer trust the others, yet appears to have severely restricted the number of people he informs of the forthcoming alien invasion, as the X-Men were not prepared for the Skrulls, at least at first.[99] Xavier is not seen again during the events of Secret Invasion, though his X-Men in San Francisco are successful at repelling the invaders there through the use of the modified Legacy Virus.
During the Dark Reign storyline, Professor X convinces Exodus to disband the Acolytes. A H.A.M.M.E.R. helicopter arrives and from inside appears Norman Osborn, who wants to talk to him.[100] During the Dark Avengers' arrival in San Francisco to enforce martial law and squelch the anti-mutant riots occurring in the city, Xavier appears (back in his wheelchair) in the company of Norman Osborn and publicly denounces Cyclops' actions and urges him to turn himself in. However, this Xavier was revealed to be Mystique who Osborn recruited to impersonate Xavier in public.[101] The real Xavier is shown in prison on Alcatraz and slowly being stripped of his telepathic powers while in psionic contact with Beast, who was arrested earlier for his part in the anti-mutant riots.[102] It was also revealed by Emma Frost that she and Professor X are both Omega Class Telepaths when she manages to detect the real Professor X.[101] Professor X helps Emma Frost enter Sentry's mind. However, as Emma frees him of the Void's influence, a minute sliver of the entity itself remains in her mind. Xavier quickly tells her to remain in her diamond armor state to prevent the Void from gaining access to her psi-powers. Professor X is later seen with Emma Frost where Beast is recuperating.[103]
After the events of Utopia, Xavier has come to live on the risen Asteroid M, rechristened Utopia, along with the rest of the X-Men, X-Club, and mutant refugees and is also allowed to join the Utopia lead council (Cyclops, Storm, Namor, Iceman, Beast, Wolverine and Emma Frost). While he no longer continues to openly question every move that Cyclops makes, he is still concerned about some of his leadership decisions. Xavier had wanted to return to the mainland in order to clear his name, but in the aftermath of Osborn declaring Utopia as a mutant detention area, Cyclops refused to let him leave, stating that it would be a tactical advantage to have him as an ace in the hole in case the need arose. To that end, he has kept Xavier out of the field and instead relied on Emma Frost, Psylocke and the Stepford Cuckoos respectively for their own psionic talents.[104] While attending the funeral of Yuriko Takiguchi, Magneto arrives at Utopia, apparently under peaceful motives. Xavier does not believe it, and attacks Magneto telepathically, causing Cyclops to force him to stand down.[105] He later apologizes to Magneto for acting out of his old passions from their complicated relationship, which Magneto accepts.[106]
During the Second Coming storyline, Professor Xavier is seen on Utopia delivering a eulogy at Nightcrawler's funeral. Like the other X-Men he is deeply saddened by Kurt's death and anxious about the arrival of Cable and Hope.[107] Xavier is seen using his powers to help his son Legion control his many personalities and battle the Nimrods.[108] At the conclusion of Second Coming Professor X is seen surveying the aftermath of the battle from a helicopter. As Hope descends to the ground and cradles Cable's lifeless arm, Xavier reflects on everything that has transpired and states that, while he feels that Hope has indeed come to save mutantkind and revive his dream, she is still only a young woman and will have a long and difficult journey before she can truly achieve her potential.[109]
During the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline, Professor X and his son Legion are sensing the Phoenix Force was emergencing by transforming Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus and Magik into the Phoenix Five.[110] Captain America arranged another meeting of the Illuminati in an attempt to talk with Namor after he was possessed by the Phoenix Force. Professor X resented how the other four members were subconsciously blaming him for the current mess.[111] When Rachel Summers leads a group of X-Men in a fight against Wolverine and the Avengers in Indonesia, Rachel finds Hope, but her mind is drawn to the psychic plane where she meets Professor X. After realizing that he was just keeping her busy to give the Avengers an advantage, Rachel engages him in a psychic battle knocking everyone out except Spider-Woman and Professor X himself. Later, Professor X states that he cannot fight his own students and erases his presence in the battle from everyone's minds.[112] Later, Professor X telepathically contacted a Phoenix Force-powered Cyclops after the fight in Wakanda to express his severe disappointment in their recent actions. Professor X makes it clear that unless they ended their "madness" immediately, he would have to take action and use the appropriate actions to bring the X-Men down.[113] Professor X returned to help the Avengers who are being held prisoner in a volcano in Siberia by the Phoenix Five, who were under the dark influence.[114] While on Utopia, Magneto asks Professor X for his help as Phoenix Force-powered Emma Frost's rule becomes more tyrannical.[115] During a battle on Utopia, Cyclops absorbs Emma Frost's powers, becoming the only Phoenix host. Professor X tries to make him stop, to reason him one more time. Professor X is then killed by an angry, Phoenix-corrupted Cyclops.[116]
Following the defeat of the Dark Phoenix-powered Cyclops, a funeral for Professor X is held and the X-Men attend, with Wolverine delivering the eulogy for Professor X's honor as a fallen member of the community. When Rogue and Scarlet Witch are visiting Professor X's grave, they are attacked by Red Skull's S-Men who steal Professor X's body. Red Skull is then seen removing Professor X's brain as he plans to use it to "eradicate the mutant menace".[117] After escaping from the clutches of the S-Men, Rogue and Scarlet Witch discover the lobotomized body of Professor X. Red Skull arrives and reveals that he has fused his brain with Professor X's brain,[118] using his new powers to provoke anti-mutant riots as he turns most of New York- including Thor- against mutants while also controlling Rogue and the Scarlet Witch, leaving Captain America and Havok to try and stop him