Walking Through the Snow, Ethan trudged through the knee-deep snow, his bare feet sinking into the icy ground. He had managed to find so fabric from the wreckage to cover his lower half, but the cold didn't bother him.
His body had already adapted to the freezing temperatures, making it feel no different from a warm sumr day.
He didn't know where he was—until he heard the distant rumbling of an engine.
His enhanced senses flared. Soone was nearby.
Without hesitation, Ethan broke into a sprint, the wind howling around him as he followed the noise.
Then he saw it.
A pickup truck parked on the side of the road. A man stepped out.
Ethan's eyes widened slightly.
Logan.
The rugged man, wearing a heavy jacket and jeans, lit a cigar as he stared at Ethan with narrowed eyes.
"Who the hell are you, kid?" Logan asked "And what the hell are you doing out here—half-naked?"
Before Ethan could answer, his instincts flared.
A gust of wind rushed behind him—followed by a sharp pain as sothing slashed across his back.
SHRRIP!
Ethan barely had ti to react before he was lifted off the ground and tossed aside like a ragdoll.
He crashed into the snow, rolling across the ground before coming to a stop.
The won inside the truck scread.
Ethan gritted his teeth, his body already healing. He turned his head—And saw a massive, towering man with long blonde hair and sharp fangs grinning at him.
Sabretooth.
Logan's eyes darkened and his fists clenching. "You ugly son of a—"
SNIKT!
Adamantium claws shot out of his knuckles, Sabretooth grinned. "Missed , runt?"
And then they charged at each other.
Their claws clashed, sending sparks flying as they exchanged brutal slashes.
Sabretooth was bigger, stronger, but Logan was deadlier because of his tal claws.
Logan dodged a wide slash and countered with a quick stab to the ribs—but Sabretooth barely flinched, his healing factor keeping him in the fight.
Ethan slowly got up from the ground and began to watch the fight unfold. It was raw, animalistic—a battle between two predators.
But a small groan caught his attention.
Ethan turned and saw the girl inside the truck—Rogue or Anna Marie.
She was trapped, her seatbelt stuck, and so sparks are flying from the damaged dashboard.
Ethan quickly ran to her. "Are you alright?" he asked.
Rogue looked at him and her eyes wide. "I'm stuck! I can't get out!"
Ethan saw the problem. The seatbelt was jamd, and the truck was slowly catching fire.
He didn't hesitate. With one hand, he grabbed the door and ripped it off its hinges.
Rogue gasped. Then, gripping the seatbelt, he snapped it like a twig.
She was free.
Before she could react, Ethan lifted her into his arms—a princess carry.
Rogue's face turned red. "U-uh...?"
But before Ethan could respond, Logan was sent flying—slamming into the side of the truck.
Just as Ethan was about to jump in, the wind picked up.
The sky darkened.
Lightning crackled through the clouds.
Then, from above—
A woman descended from the sky, her white hair flowing, electricity dancing around her fingertips.
It was Storm.
With a raise of her hands, a bolt of lightning struck Sabretooth, sending him flying backward.
Before Ethan could react, another voice called out.
"It looks like you could use so help."
Ethan turned his head—Standing a few feet away, wearing his red visor, was Scott Sumrs—Cyclops.
Rogue was still in his arms, staring up at him and her cheeks flushed red.
Ethan then glanced down at himself.
He was still shirtless and his little clothing down also got lost in the fight, which ans he is standing completely naked with a girl in his arms. "...Shit."
.....
Ethan sat in the X-Jet, staring out the window as the aircraft soared through the sky.
For the first ti since waking up in that hellhole of a lab, he felt... sowhat calm.
Scott also got him so spare clothes since he was naked.
Beside him, Rogue—Anna—sat quietly.
She kept stealing glances at him and her cheeks slightly flushed, as if still processing what had happened.
Ethan ignored it and is lost in his thoughts. He needs to process how everything happened in his life until now.
After a while, the jet landed.
Scott and Storm led them through the gates of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
The massive mansion lood before them—tall, elegant, and buzzing with energy.
Kids and teenagers road the halls, so using their powers casually, others laughing and chatting.
Ethan and Anna were quickly given spare clothes—finally allowing Ethan to wear sothing decent.
anwhile, Logan, still unconscious, was taken to the d bay for treatnt.
Ethan and Anna were brought to Charles Xavier's office to wait.
Ethan sat on the leather couch, arms crossed, deep in thought.
Anna sat beside him, still sneaking glances his way.
Ethan smirked internally but didn't comnt. Instead, his mind drifted to what ca next.
Would Professor Xavier try to read his mind?
Ethan had a gut feeling that his adaptive evolution had already started working against telepaths. But he wasn't 100% sure.
And if there was one thing he knew—he will only get stronger when he was in danger.
Which ant, if he wanted to be sure, he had to face Charles Xavier head-on.
That thought made him grin slightly.
Before he could dwell on it further, the door opened.
A bald man in a wheelchair rolled into the room, followed by Storm.
His eyes landed on them, and he smiled warmly. "Welco, Ethan. Anna. I am Professor Charles Xavier."
His voice was gentle yet firm, carrying an air of authority without needing to demand it.
Ethan and Anna both stood up and began shaking hands with him one after another.
"Nice to et you, Professor," Ethan said.
Anna simply nodded, still a bit nervous.
Charles studied them for a mont before speaking again. "I imagine you both have been through quite an ordeal. First, let assure you—you're safe here. This school is a sanctuary for mutants, a place where you can learn to control your abilities and find a purpose."
Anna shifted slightly, her hands gripping her sleeves.
Ethan, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, completely at ease.
"Now that you're here, I'd like to understand your situation better."
His gaze shifted to Anna first. "Would you mind telling what happened?"
Anna hesitated for a mont, then took a deep breath.
"Ah was on mah own, runnin' away. Ah... hurt soone. Soone I cared about."**
Her voice grew quieter.
"I didn't an to, but mah powers—" She stopped while shaking her head.
Charles gave her a reassuring smile. "I understand, Anna. You don't have to explain everything right now." She nodded and is clearly relieved.
Then, Charles turned to Ethan. "And you, Ethan?"
Ethan let out a small scoff. "I was experinted on."
That imdiately caught Charles's attention. "Experinted?"
Ethan nodded. "Yeah. So lab, full of scientists and guards. They did sothing to , tested my limits."
Storm frowned. "Do you know who they were?"
Ethan shrugged. "Didn't care enough to ask. But I made sure they won't be experinting on anyone else."
Charles's eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you an?"
Ethan's smirk returned. "The facility exploded when I escaped."
That made everyone pause.
Storm and Charles exchanged glances.
Scott, who had just entered the room, frowned. "You destroyed it?"
Ethan shook his head. "No, the guy in charge did. I assu it was a self-destruct system. Guess he'd rather blow everything up than let walk free."
Charles studied Ethan carefully.
A destroyed mutant experintation lab...
That was serious.
He glanced at Storm and Scott. "We'll need to investigate the site. See if there's anything left."
Storm nodded. "I'll prepare a team."
Once that matter was settled, Charles refocused on them.
"Now, tell —are you aware of your mutant abilities?"
Anna imdiately looked down, avoiding his gaze. "Ah... Ah don't really know much about mine."
Ethan glanced at her.
Charles nodded, then turned to Ethan. "And what about you, Ethan? If I may ask, what are your abilities?"
Ethan paused for a mont before answering. "I call it Adaptive Evolution."
A flicker of recognition passed through Charles's eyes.
Storm raised an eyebrow. "That sounds... unique."
Ethan leaned forward. "Basically? My body adapts to whatever I go through. The more I fight, the stronger I get. The more I take damage, the more resistant I beco."
Scott crossed his arms. "So... you're saying you can't die?"
Ethan chuckled. "Not sure yet. But they guys who experinted on sure as hell haven't found a way to kill ."
That made everyone go silent for a mont.
Even Charles seed deep in thought. "Fascinating... I once knew a mutant with similar abilities."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Really? What happened to him?"
Charles's expression turned somber. "He... can't make it." Ethan nodded says, "I'm sorry to hear that."
He smiled, "It's okay. Everyone has to die soday." Then he took a deep breath. "Since we're discussing powers, I should tell you about mine as well."
He gave them a small smile. "I am a telepath. I can read and influence minds."
Anna looked a bit nervous, but Ethan only tilted his head, intrigued.
"You can read minds?" he asked.
Charles nodded. "Yes. If you allow , I can sense your thoughts."
Ethan's smirk widened. "Go ahead. Try reading mine."
A few seconds passed. And his expression changed almost instantly. He concentrated harder, but—nothing.
Charles's brows furrowed slightly.
After a few monts, Charles pulled back, his face filled with surprise and curiosity. "That's... unexpected."
Storm frowned. "What happened, Professor?"
Charles looked at Ethan. "I... can't read his mind."
That got everyone's attention.
Ethan's smirk deepened. "Interesting, huh?"
Charles nodded slowly. "Very. It's rare to et soone I can't read. Even among the strongest minds I've encountered, very few have natural immunity. Are you a telepath yourself?"
Ethan crossed his arms. "Not really. I think my ability works on my mind too."
Charles studied him for a mont before nodding. "That is... truly remarkable."
Ethan didn't say anything, but internally, he was thrilled.
His mind was evolving.
Even one of the strongest telepaths in the world couldn't break through.
This ant that if anyone—even soone like Jean Grey or Emma Frost—tried to invade his mind, his abilities would eventually shut them out.
Charles smiled. "Ororo, would you mind showing our new guests around?"
Storm nodded. "Of course, Professor."
After their conversation with Professor Xavier, Ethan and Anna followed Storm as she guided them through the X-Mansion.
The halls were grand, filled with students of all ages walking around, chatting, or training their powers.
Anna stayed close to Ethan, still a little nervous about being in a new place.
Ethan, noticing this, gave her a reassuring smile and nudged her lightly. "Relax, Anna. You're not alone here anymore."
She let out a small breath and nodded. "Ah know... It's just a lot, ya know?"
Storm, overhearing their conversation, smiled. "You'll get used to it. The mansion is a safe space for all mutants. Here, you don't have to hide who you are."
Anna seed to relax a little more at that.
As they walked, Storm pointed out different areas.
"This is the main hall, where students gather for announcents. To the left is the cafeteria. The classrooms are on the second and third floors, and below ground, we have the training facilities."
Anna glanced around with mild interest. "Training facilities?"
Storm smirked. "You'll see soon enough."
They continued walking when a group of students approached them.
A blond-haired, blue-eyed boy in a hoodie and jeans walked up to them first. "Hey, Ms.Ororo, how are you."
He then saw Ethan and Anna, "So, they must be new guys!" He held out his hand toward Anna. "I'm Bobby Drake."
Anna hesitated but slowly shook his hand, making sure to avoid direct skin contact as she had her glows on. "Ah'm Anna Marie, but ya can call Anna."
Bobby grinned. "Cool na." Then he turned to Ethan and extended his hand. "And you are?"
Ethan smirked and shook his hand firmly. "Ethan Carter."
Storm nodded to him. "Alright, you're late for your class."
Bobby then cursed and went running as Storm turned to them, "Let's continue the tour."
As they walked, Ethan glanced at Anna and noticed she was smiling a little more.
He nudged her playfully. "See? Not so bad, huh?"
Anna blushed lightly but nodded. "Yeah... Ah guess not."
For the first ti in a while, she felt like she belonged sowhere.
And for Ethan, this place just might be the perfect training ground for him to grow even stronger. There is a reason for his thinking.
This place was attacked a lot.
Which ant—He could grow stronger here.
User Comments
0 comments from readers