HOMECOMING
The ocean folded open in a ripple of violet light, and the hybrids stepped out onto Atlantean stone. The portal sealed behind them like a closing eyelid, leaving only the hum of the city's wards echoing through the corridor.
Alloy released the metal from his skin, his armored form dissolving into smooth, natural flesh. His wings folded once and sank beneath his back. Surge shook out tension in his shoulders, restless as always. Shade stepped lightly, almost silent. Bul exhaled a slow breath, the air around him settling.
Mutants nearby lifted their heads as the team entered — not startled, not hostile, just watchful. Survivors knew how to read people at a glance. The hybrids looked steady, alert… and unbroken.
Domino gave them a small nod from where she leaned against a coral pillar.
"Good timing," she said softly. "Storm's bad up top."
Surge shrugged. "We've seen worse."
Darwin approached with quiet steps, hands tucked into his pockets.
"You all holding together?" he asked. His tone held no judgment, only genuine curiosity.
Bul cracked a grin. "We manage."
A faint smile tugged at Darwin's mouth. "That's enough these days."
Elixir's golden eyes flicked briefly toward Vex.
"You look steadier," he said gently.
Vex lowered her gaze. "I feel it."
Shatterstar paused near Stryke, not imposing, just present.
"You came back upright," he said. "That's good."
Stryke nodded once. "Trying to make it a habit."
Manifold offered Shade a quiet nod from across the hall. She returned it — subtle, respectful.
Before anything else could be said, an Atlantean guard approached Elle and Stryke.
"Your presence is requested," he said with a formal bow.
Elle rested a hand on Vex's shoulder before stepping forward.
"We'll be back soon."
Stryke followed beside her, calm and unreadable.
As the large pearl doors opened, the rest of the team drifted naturally into conversations with the resistance — small groups forming, quiet dialogue threading through the hall. No one asked about powers. No one prodded at secrets. Survivors learned to speak lightly, letting trust build on its own.
The doors closed behind Elle and Stryke with a deep, resonant hum.
---
THE THREE LEADERS
The chamber beyond was domed and vast, water-filtered light shimmering across its smooth marble walls. A circular table carved from Atlantean crystal waited at the center.
Three figures stood around it.
Magneto, regal even in worn armor, hands clasped behind his back.
Cable, posture rigid, the faint blue glow of his cybernetic eye reflecting tactical readouts only he could see.
Namor, bearing the weight of a king and the sea, expression cool and unreadable.
The moment Elle and Stryke entered, all three leaders looked up.
Namor spoke first. His voice carried like distant thunder through water.
"You return sooner than expected."
Elle inclined her head. "The mission went as planned."
Cable studied them sharply. "We saw the storm signatures. Something heavy hit topside."
Stryke stepped forward. "A reaper construct. And a human resisting it."
Magneto's eyes narrowed with interest — not fear, not surprise, but calculation.
"A human? Surviving a reaper engagement?"
"He fought hard," Stryke said quietly. "Very hard."
Elle added, "We intervened before he was killed."
Namor's gaze sharpened. "Where is he now?"
Stryke met his eyes. "Taken. By Apocalypse."
A silence fell — thick, weighted, but not panicked.
Cable's jaw tightened. "He moves quickly."
Magneto finally spoke, voice measured.
"Whatever Apocalypse intends, we cannot afford distraction. We asked you here for another reason."
He placed a hand on the table.
A projection bloomed upward — a 3D map of the coastline north of Atlantis. Ruins. Reaper clusters. A flickering blue signature deep beneath the rubble.
"This," Magneto said, "is what concerns us."
Elle stepped closer. "What are we looking at?"
"A distress beacon," Cable answered. "Mutant origin. Buried under collapsed infrastructure. It's old, but it triggered again two hours ago."
Stryke frowned. "Someone survived the fall?"
"Or something awakened," Cable said. "We don't know."
Namor's voice carried an edge.
"And the structure above it is unstable. If the Reapers detect the signal, they will move to eliminate it."
Elle asked, "And you want us to retrieve whoever—or whatever—is down there?"
"You're the only team fast enough," Magneto said. "And quiet enough."
A small shadow of approval flickered across Cable's face.
"You handled yourselves well. You earned this assignment."
Stryke glanced at Elle.
Elle nodded. "We'll leave immediately."
Namor inclined his head in royal acknowledgment.
"Do not underestimate the ruins above the site. They are treacherous even without Reapers."
Magneto lifted two fingers. The map rotated, revealing a deep fissure running through the city's remains.
Cable added, "And one more thing—whatever is down there may not be friendly."
Elle's voice stayed steady. "We'll be ready."
The three leaders exchanged a single, unified nod.
"The mission is yours."
---
THE TEAM GATHERS
Elle and Stryke stepped back through the pearl doors into the main hall.
The rest of the hybrids looked up — Alloy folding his arms, Bul leaning on a pillar, Vex standing close to Shade, Surge pacing like a coiled spring.
Surge raised a brow. "Mission?"
Elle nodded. "We move in ten."
Bul straightened. "What's the job?"
Stryke answered. "Distress signal. Mutant origin. Buried deep."
Alloy cracked his knuckles. "Sounds like a rescue to me."
Shade adjusted her glove. "Or a retrieval."
Vex's eyes glowed faintly. "Either way… they need help."
Surge grinned. "Let's go dig someone out."
Elle's expression softened — proud, focused, ready.
"Gear up. We leave as soon as Vex sets the coordinates."
The team dispersed like practiced soldiers, each slipping into motion without hesitation.
A new mission.
A new unknown.
But this time, the hybrids didn't feel like strangers walking into danger alone.
This time… they felt like a team.
---
TEAM STATUS
The Ximera Cores synced quietly in the background, registering their return and the resonance from their last battle.
Team Synchronization: 23%
Field Efficiency: Improved
Morale Rating: Stable
Elle – Elemental Node
Stability steady. Leadership pattern strengthening.
No new skill trees unlocked.
Stryke – Tactical Node
Super Soldier tree initialized.
Shield attunement recognized.
Processing speed increased.
Alloy – Magnetic Node
Metal retraction stable. Emotional flux low.
Magnetic responses efficient.
Surge – Kinetic Node
Reflex output high.
Minor psionic spark detected.
No instability flagged.
Bul – Titan Node
Density shift regulated.
Armor response healthy.
Shade – Stealth Node
Infiltration patterns optimized.
No new integrations.
Vex – Hex Node
Arcane skill tree active.
Magic stabilized through Atlantean resonance.
Next Mission:
Respond to buried mutant distress signal.
Location: Surface ruins, northern sector.