Elias POV
I kept an eye on the window, watching as a ramp from the invisible aircraft lowered. Four figures emerged: a bald, older man in a futuristic wheelchair led the way, followed by a tall, elegant Black woman with striking white hair. Behind her were a young man with red-tinted sunglasses and a beautiful redhead. The redhead paused, raised her head, and looked directly up at my window, meeting my eyes before continuing with the group toward the building's entrance.
I let the curtain fall back into place and turned away from the window as they disappeared from my field of vision. Inside the apartment, Wanda had already made herself comfortable, lounging beside Yukio, who wore a hesitant smile and was trying to strike up a conversation with the woman. Gloria, meanwhile, hovered a little distance away near Ruby, holding a silent conversation with her daughter.
I could tell, just from the tightening of her jaw, how uncomfortable and wary Gloria was after concluding her whispered, protective talk with Ruby. She slowly walked over to Wanda with a surge of maternal fury.
"Who exactly are you?" Gloria asked, her voice tight. "And why do you want my daughter?"
Wanda tilted her head slightly, offering her a distant smile.
"My name is Wanda Maximoff," she said, her accent was unique with a certain purr to it. "As I said, my father sent me to collect the girls. They're mutants, you see. It's not safe for them out here in the open."
Wanda held out one of her hands, curling her fingers as red wisps of energy danced around them. A cookie from the coffee table in front of the sofa floated into her hand. She smugly held it, taking a bite, chewing while giving a look to Gloria, whose face had gone ashen.
"Whoa..." muttered Yukio, her eyes shining as she looked at the older woman. Yukio held out her own hand, and electricity sparked around her fingers. Wanda smiled at the younger girl, a genuine smile that showed she was more interested in talking with her after this display of power.
"Sure am. We are different, Yukio, special, and because of that, bad people will try to use us for their own means," Wanda said.
"Like the ones that kept me and Ruby captive?" Yukio asked in a small voice. Wanda's smile dimmed as I slowly made my way towards the group, moving away from the window.
"Yes, Yukio... just like them," Wanda said, placing a comforting hand on the younger girl's hand.
"Lie," my mind supplied quickly. I felt helpless for a moment, knowing that if Wanda wanted us hurt, she would have a high probability of doing so. Sure, I could fight back, but I wasn't sure just how effective it would be. I didn't know her intentions nor her objectives for coming here.
It was suspicious that she was here by herself. I highly doubted Magneto would allow his daughter to roam around the world unguarded, no matter her strength.
Before anything else could be said, Gloria cut into their conversation, still pale-faced and her knuckles clenching.
"Regardless of any reasons, mydaughter is staying with me and not going anywhere! And I would like you to please leave my house."
I could see the beginning of frustration build up on Wanda's face. I walked up to the couch, keeping her within arm's reach, as my only hope of subduing her was by directly using the Codex on her.
"Ms. Maximoff, we do not want any trouble and would very much like you to leave." She looked mutinous, like a child being denied a doll — rather different from the disconnected young woman from a few minutes before. She slowly stood up from the couch with a certain look in her eye.
"And who are you supposed to be... mind your own business..." She cut herself off as I felt a probe, much different from Emma's, trying to breach my mind. I could tell she couldn't reach my thoughts or memories, but she could somehow show me illusions. The Codex eagerly informed me of this information.
"Please... don't do that," I said, stressing the word please, letting her know I knew what she was attempting. She looked stupefied, appearing more than a little awkward. Ignoring her reactions, I tensed my muscles, allowing my brain to slow down the world, ready to spring into action. But the moment was broken by the doorbell ringing.
Wanda turned her attention to the door, blowing out an explosive sigh. She flopped back onto the couch, groaning.
"This is getting ridiculous."
I gave Gloria a look. She hesitated, then walked over to the door and opened it slowly.
A calm, cultured voice drifted in from the hallway.
"Good evening. My name is Charles Xavier. I am the headmaster of a school for gifted young people. This is Jean Grey, Scott Summers, and Ororo Munroe. They are students and a fellow teacher at the school. May we come inside? This is about your daughter, and I assure you we have no intention of hurting her or taking her away against her will."
Gloria's voice rose, bordering on hysterical. "I don't want any of you here! I want you to leave right now!"
Ruby suddenly ran over and wrapped her arms around her mother, whispering something soothing. Gloria clutched her daughter tightly, breathing hard.
Then Matt's door creaked open. He stepped out wearing headphones, blinking in confusion at the group of strangers in his living room. "Mom? What's going on..."
"Go back inside!" Gloria snapped, her voice cracking.
Startled, he looked around, then quickly retreated, closing the door behind him. I wanted to tell Gloria to let them in, knowing Xavier and his people might actually help with whatever this situation was. But before I could say anything, Gloria mastered her emotions.
"...Fine," she said shakily. "Come in. But you will explain everything, and if you do something weird, I WILL call the cops!"
I highly doubt the cops could do anything, Gloria, I thought, a little glumly.
As the group filed inside, Charles Xavier's wheelchair rolled smoothly through the doorway. His eyes met Wanda's across the room, and a fond, slightly amused smile touched his lips.
"Wanda, my dear... there you are. Your father was quite worried. He even went to the effort of coming to me for help."
Wanda crossed her arms, scowling. "My father doesn't own me."
"Indeed, my dear," Charles replied gently, still smiling. "Nobody can own anyone anymore. That was a very long time ago."
Yukio let out a loud snort, then immediately shrank into herself, cheeks flushing bright red as every head in the room turned toward her. She looked like she wanted the couch to swallow her whole.
Gloria finally spoke up after the tension in the room had somewhat subsided.
"Why are you all here?" she asked, looking straight at Professor Xavier. "What do you want with my daughter? And what are you?"
Charles Xavier regarded her with calm, compassionate eyes. His voice was gentle, measured, like a teacher who had given this speech many times before.
"I am a mutant, Ms. Campbell," he began, "and a mutant is a person who is born with an ability that sets them apart from ordinary humans. These abilities usually manifest during puberty or times of high stress."
He paused for a second, then continued,
" Being a mutant is... dangerous. The world is not kind to those who are different. That is why I founded a private school, Xavier's School for the Gifted—a safe place where young mutants can learn to control their powers, receive an education, and simply live without fear."
Yukio leaned forward slightly, whispering under her breath, "Isn't it a really famous...?"
Ororo Munroe smiled warmly at her and continued, "It is both a high school and a university. Scott and Jean here are students. The school is a safe haven for our kind. A place where mutants can be themselves."
Xavier nodded. "We received intelligence that two young mutants were in need of help. We came here hoping to offer them a place in our world—a real home, if they want one." His gaze drifted across the room and settled on me for a moment. "It seems we found three."
I blinked. "I'm not a mutant." Scott coughed, as if he'd found something funny, just as Jean elbowed him.
Professor Xavier smiled kindly. "All mutants are welcome at the school, Mr. Calderon. Regardless of age, background, or the nature of their gifts."
How does he know my name? He can't read my mind... No, but he can read the others, though..., I thought accusatively, though I held back from confronting the powerful mutant.
Jean stepped forward and quietly handed Gloria a glossy pamphlet. Gloria took it with trembling hands, staring down at it, hoping it would give her some clarity.
Yukio spoke up again, her voice small but certain. "I'll go. I... I don't really have anywhere else."
Ororo reached over and gently patted the girl's shoulder. "Of course, dear. You'll be safe with us."
The conversation continued for a while longer, questions and answers flowing back and forth. Gloria listened carefully until a certain exhaustion settled over her, knowing that everything was about to change for her daughter.
Eventually, her voice hoarse, she spoke again.
"I... I need some time to decide."
"Of course," Xavier said warmly. "We actually have another young mutant to visit nearby. It will take us the rest of the day. We'll return tonight. Please consider it seriously—for Ruby's safety. You're more than welcome to come see the school yourself."
He turned to me. "And you as well, Mr. Calderon. Just a visit. No pressure."
I hesitated. "...I'm not sure I don't really need help." I wasn't really a mutant, nor did I truly want to involve myself, remembering the feeling of figuratively being at Wanda's mercy, I thought.
I had to get stronger, I thought.
"Just a visit," he repeated gently. I did have some time before nightfall, and it would do me some good to have some allies, and the X-Men were generally good people, I considered this for a moment. then exhaled.
"Okay."
Ororo stepped forward. "I'll stay here with you for safety, if that's alright."
Gloria looked reluctant, but after a long pause, she nodded.
As the group prepared to leave, Xavier turned to Wanda, who had been unusually quiet the entire time.
"Wanda, my dear, why don't you come with us? You could get some supplies, perhaps some funds, and a little rest before continuing your journey."
Scott started to protest, "Professor, are you sure..."
"Wanda is most welcome," Jean said softly, shooting Scott a look.
Wanda stared at Xavier for a long moment, then gave a small shrug. "I'll come... but I'm not staying."
They filed out, promising to return by nightfall. Deciding to leave, I turned to Gloria.
"I'm going to get some rest before the journey, alright? Holler if you need anything." I gave her a meaningful look, trying to say I'm still here without the words.
"Sure," she said softly, sounding drained at this point.
I gave Ororo a nod, then stepped back into the hallway and returned to my own apartment. The door clicked shut behind me. I leaned against the wood for a second, then, making up my mind, I moved quickly through the kitchen. I scarfed down anything I could find: leftover takeout, half a loaf of bread, a couple of protein bars, eggs stuffing myself until I could eat no more. When I couldn't fit another bite, I headed into the bedroom.
I grabbed a clean T-shirt from the drawer, folded it, and shoved it between my teeth. Just in case. Then I lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling before closing my eyes.
Opening the Codex in my subconscious, using my will and intent alone, I constructed a new ritual that would resemble the Spartan growth hormone protocol. I designed it in such a way that it would affect my muscles and bones.
Less my bones. Their strengthening can be done another time.
Over the next couple of weeks, this alchemical ritual would rewrite things on a cellular level, leading to increases in muscle density, mass, and raw strength, pushing me toward something far beyond human limits.
Taking a deep breath, I started the process. As I slowly felt the pain build, I bit down hard on the T-shirt. I couldn't stop, nor did I want to.
Lets do this...