𝘚𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 -and lost just as many reasons to keep going.
Natalie Parker, once hidden in the shadows of history, is a mutant unlike any other. Bound to the earth by blood and power, her touch coaxes life from st...
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"Suit up,"
-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-
The sun had barely risen when the team gathered in the living room, sleepy-eyed but alert. Wordlessly, they made their way to the lab in search of Hank. A note on his door greeted them:
'Gone to the airbase. Bring the crate marked X. – Hank'
No one questioned it. Not yet.
When they pushed the door open, the lab was in ruins. Equipment overturned. Glass shattered. The air hung heavy with scorched circuits and the scent of failure.
"Holy crap," Natalie whispered, stepping beside Charles. Her gaze swept the wreckage with narrowed eyes, unease crawling over her skin.
"What the hell happened here?" Erik asked, standing in the doorway.
Charles moved toward the back of the lab where the crate marked with an 'X' waited. He opened it to reveal sleek black and yellow uniforms—except for one. A tailored black and deep forest green suit rested on top, bearing a faint shimmer.
"Hank's been busy," Erik said with a smirk.
"Do we really have to wear these?" Alex asked, wrinkling his nose.
"Well, unless you've mutated to survive a hailstorm of bullets, I'd recommend it," Charles replied, lifting the top suit.
"Except me," Natalie chimed in, picking up the green and black ensemble with a half-smile. "Guess I got lucky."
Alex shot her a glance—half grin, half intrigued—and she caught it, her expression softening.
-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-
The jet was waiting for them at the airbase, gleaming under the morning light. Natalie's suit flowed with her movements, the cape trailing behind her like living ivy, designed to shift with her elemental powers. She stood a little taller in it.
"Where is Hank?" Raven asked, looking around.
They spotted a figure approaching, moving fast. But when he came into view, everyone froze. His skin was now bright blue, his body covered in fur.
"Hank?" Erik blinked.
"It didn't attack the cells. It enhanced them. It didn't work," Hank mumbled, lowering his gaze.
"Yes, it did," Raven stepped toward him, her voice gentle. "This is who you were meant to be. No more hiding."
"You never looked better, man," Erik added with a grin, clapping Hank's shoulder.
It backfired. Hank snarled and grabbed Erik by the throat.
"Hank!" Charles warned.
"Don't mock me!" Hank roared—but quickly let go, the rage subsiding.
"I wasn't..." Erik coughed, catching his breath.
"You look badass," Alex offered, folding his arms. "Beast. That's what I'm calling you."
The tension broke as Sean stared up at the jet. "Uh, you sure you can fly that?"
"Of course," Hank grinned. "I designed it."
-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-
The jet was a capsule of nerves. Silent. Focused. Outside, the world balanced on the edge of war.
"It looks pretty messy down there," Hank muttered, tilting the jet for a better view.
Charles closed his eyes, fingers at his temple. He found a mind—one of the Russians—and saw through his eyes. Everyone on board... dead. Azazel had been there.
"The crew is gone. Shaw's been aboard," Charles announced.
"He's still close," Erik insisted.
"He's steering the ship toward the Embargo Line," Charles added grimly.
"If it crosses, it's over," Moira said. "The war begins."
Charles took control of one man's mind, forcing him to launch a missile—destroying Shaw's manipulated ship.
"Little warning next time, Professor!" Hank shouted as the jet tilted violently to avoid the blast.
Charles instinctively reached out, hand catching Natalie's stomach to keep her in place. She glanced at him, startled—then smirked.
"I'm fine," she said, voice laced with dry humour.
Moira blinked. "That was... inspired."
"Thanks," Charles said, though his brow was furrowed. "I still can't sense Shaw."
"He's hiding underwater," Natalie murmured, eyes locked on the sea below.
"No sonar," Hank frowned.
"Yes, we do," Sean piped up.
In minutes, Sean was prepped. "Open the bomb bay doors!"
Charles pointed at Sean. "You control this. We're with you."
"Three! Two! One!"
Sean dove, screaming against the wind. He hit the water, skimming, then diving deep.
"Banshee has a location on the sub!" Charles called.
Erik prepared himself, climbing to the landing gear, reaching for the water with one hand. The sub began to rise.
Then Riptide appeared.
A tornado roared into existence, forming from nothing. The plane trembled. Natalie's breath caught.
"I have to stop him," she said, unbuckling her seatbelt.
Alex grabbed her hand. "Natalie—wait."
She paused. The first time she didn't immediately pull away. His touch was grounding.
"I have to," she said softly.
He hesitated. "Just... be careful, okay?"
A flicker of a smile. "Always."
She moved to the bay doors. Her hair turned white, eyes glowing red as she manipulated the air around her, trying to counter Riptide's storm. The wind lifted her. Charles shouted her name, but she was already lost in the chaos.
"Erik! Take my hand!" Charles reached out.
The plane shuddered. Natalie was flung backwards into the jet, her body limp.
"Nat!" Alex yelled, scrambling out of his seat.
The plane crash-landed, skidding across the sand. Erik used his powers to brace them and cushion Natalie's fall.
The moment the dust settled, Alex rushed to her side. "Natalie? Hey—Nat, look at me."
She stirred. "Ugh... What hit me?"
His fingers brushed her hair back. "A storm," he said softly. "You okay?"
