𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 || 𝐗-𝐌𝐄𝐍 ||

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐

˗ˏˋ꒰🃏꒱

The train hit the ground with a jarring thud, shaking the earth beneath them. As Jean floated down gracefully, a palpable tension filled the air. One by one, everyone managed to escape the wreckage, relieved to be alive but still shaken by the chaos that had unfolded.

Vuk approached Jean, an aura of dark energy swirling around her. She placed a hand on Jean's neck, and suddenly, vibrant colors began to swirl—red, orange, yellow, and purple danced in a mesmerizing display.

Everyone stood frozen, the weight of the moment heavy in the air. Jean scanned the faces of her friends, sensing their fear and hope mingling. "You can't control it," Vuk hissed, her grip tightening. "If you kill me, you'll kill them all."

Scott, standing closest, felt the disintegration creeping along his hand, a painful reminder of the stakes. "Jean!" he urged, desperation lacing his voice.

Jean's gaze shifted to Scott, concern flickering in her eyes. "Your emotions make you weak," Vuk taunted, channeling her power to amplify the tension in the air.

Jean made eye contact with Charles, a moment of understanding passing between them. She gave him a small nod, affirming her resolve. "Jean," Charles called out, his voice filled with both concern and encouragement.

As Jean touched Vuk's neck, a surge of energy enveloped them both, and they shot up into the air, leaving the ground behind. Colors swirled around them—vivid reds and greens mixing with deep purples, creating a chaotic yet beautiful display of power.

"Jean!" Scott yelled, watching helplessly as she and Vuk shot up into the air. "You're wrong! My emotions make me strong!" Jean shouted defiantly, the energy around them crackling with intensity.

As the colors swirled, they began to form the unmistakable shape of a

Phoenix

The rest of the group stood frozen on the ground, awestruck by the spectacle unfolding above them.

"She's gone," Scott murmured, his voice breaking as tears brimmed in his eyes. The realization hit him hard—Jean was transforming, merging with something greater, and he felt an overwhelming sense of loss wash over him.

Milo, who stood close to Scott, felt his tension radiate as he looked over at her. Without a word, Scott pulled her into a tight hug, burying his face in her shoulder.

"She..." Charles began, his voice thick with emotion, then paused to collect himself. "She's free," he finally said, his words hanging in the air as the group turned their attention to him.

˗ˏˋ꒰🃏꒱

𝟐 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫

Milo, Asher, Andi, and Marlow sat in Asher's room, huddled around a game of UNO when a knock came from the doorframe. They all looked up to see Peter standing there.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Milo... your boyfriend wants to see you," Peter said with a grin.

Milo glanced at the others, who were already smirking.

"Ooo, Hank wants to see you," Asher teased, drawing out the words with a playful tone.

Milo sighed and tossed her cards onto the pile. "Really, Peter?" she muttered, shaking her head as Asher and the others grinned.

"Ooo, Hank wants to see you," Asher teased with a dramatic sing-song voice, nudging Andi, who chuckled along.

Marlow raised an eyebrow, smirking. "What's it about this time? A science date? Or maybe a midnight stroll under the stars?"

Milo rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You all are insufferable."

Peter leaned against the doorframe with a mischievous grin. "Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I'm just here to deliver the news. Apparently, it's urgent."

"Fine," Milo groaned as she stood up, pointing at her friends. "You better not mess with my cards while I'm gone."

Asher gave her a mock innocent look. "We would never."

Milo placed her cards down and stood up, shaking her head at the giggles behind her as she left Asher's room. The teasing still echoed in her ears, but she rolled her eyes again, a faint smirk on her lips as she made her way down the stairs.

As she descended, she passed by Harper, who was deep in conversation with Scott. Milo caught Harper's eye and gave her a soft smile, which Harper returned warmly.

Milo walked into Hank's office, the familiar space once belonging to Charles before his retirement and move to Paris. The air in the room was different now, with traces of Hank's presence woven into the shelves and desk. Papers and scientific equipment replaced the more philosophical artifacts Charles once kept.

Milo's eyes landed on Hank, who was seated at the large desk. He looked up from the papers scattered in front of him and smiled warmly at her. "Hey," he said softly, his eyes filled with affection.

Milo returned the smile, walking toward him.

Hank stood up, his eyes following Milo as she walked over to him. "Peter told me you wanted to see me—" Milo began, but before she could finish, Hank gently placed his hands on her hips, pulling her closer. Without a word, he leaned down and kissed her softly.

Milo's breath hitched in surprise for a moment, but then she melted into the kiss, her hands resting on his chest

As Harper walked past Hank's office, she glanced through the open door and saw Milo and Hank together, locked in a quiet, tender moment. 

She froze for a second, her eyes lingering on them longer than she intended. A wave of jealousy surged through her, catching her off guard.

Harper clenched her fists at her sides, trying to push the feeling away. She shook her head, forcing herself to move on, as if nothing had happened. 

"Get a grip," she muttered under her breath, quickening her pace down the hall.

The kiss was brief but sweet, and Milo looked up at Hank with a soft smile, the kind that always made his heart skip. "What was that for?" she asked playfully, her eyes bright with affection.

Hank chuckled, his hands still resting gently on her hips. "Can I not kiss my girlfriend?" he teased back.

Milo laughed, the sound light and warm. "No, you can..." She tilted her head slightly, a curious glint in her eyes. "Is this the reason you wanted to see me?" she asked, her hands still resting on his chest.

Hank smirked, shaking his head. "There might be more to it than just that," he said, his tone teasing but affectionate.

"You're a dork," Milo said, rolling her eyes but smiling softly at him.

Hank grinned, clearly unbothered by the comment. "Guilty as charged," he replied with a playful shrug.

Milo shook her head, still smiling. "Well, lucky for you, I like dorks."

˗ˏˋ꒰🃏꒱