𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 || 𝐗-𝐌𝐄𝐍 ||

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏

˗ˏˋ꒰🃏꒱

Everyone sat silently in the train, divided by barriers, each lost in their own thoughts. Across from Milo, Charles sat with a weary expression. "Raven had the right of it," he began quietly, his eyes meeting Milo's. "Jean was never the villain. I was. I should never have lied to her. I was wrong. But this power inside of her... I never put that there. I would never intentionally hurt her. That isn't me, and this is not Jean. We can still save her. She's still Jean inside."

Milo listened, her face unreadable, as a heavy silence hung between them.

Harper, sitting nearby, finally spoke up. "What exactly is controlling her?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

"I don't know," Charles admitted, looking toward Harper. "But this woman, this... thing, has tasted that power, and she'll be coming back for more. She'll be coming back for Jean."

Milo, who had been staring at the floor, suddenly lifted her head. "Good. Let her."

Charles turned his gaze to her, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "She'll kill Jean to get it. And I promise you, the killing won't stop there."

Scott, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally intervened. "That's not what Raven would have wanted," he said firmly, looking at both Charles and Milo. "You know that. You both do."

The rattling above the train intensified, drawing everyone's attention. "Alpha One, you have multiple hostiles onboard. They're heading towards the back," crackled the voice through one of the guards' radios.

"Open four to five," another guard responded through his radio before turning to his team. "All right, you two, come with me. The rest of you, stay here, guard the prisoners!" He ordered, motioning for two guards to follow him. The others remained behind, weapons at the ready, their eyes shifting between the captured mutants.

"Don't be fools! You need our help!" Erik called out as the door slammed shut behind the guards.

"Goddamn muties come to spring you," the lead guard sneered, walking down the row, his eyes glaring at the prisoners.

"They're not mutants," Charles said calmly, trying to reason with the guard.

Milo leaned forward, her eyes sharp. "Free us. You're going to need our help. We're the only chance you have."

The lead guard stopped in front of her, his face twisted in disdain. "Keep your mouth shut," he spat, his eyes cold as he stared her down.

The guards moved toward the door just as it exploded, splinters of metal flying everywhere as a group entered. Panic spread through the guards as one rushed to the back and flipped a switch. Suddenly, the mutant inhibitor collars stopped working, and the mutants, now free, ripped them off and stood up, ready for action.

"We only want the girl. Step aside," Jones demanded coldly, staring down the guards who looked unsure of what to do.

"No!" Milo shouted defiantly, stepping forward.

Jones raised an eyebrow as Selene, standing beside Milo, looked at her in surprise. "What are you doing?" Selene asked, not expecting resistance from her.