The morning at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters was as normal as any other, at least on the surface. Students went about their usual routines, attending classes and engaging in idle chatter. But for a certain group of friends, an unspoken tension lingered in the air. Bobby, John, Kurt, Kitty, and Angelica had been waiting for Ethan and Anna since breakfast, eager to talk to them about the previous day's events.
When they finally saw the pair enter the cafeteria, all five rushed over.
"So, what the hell happened?" Bobby demanded. "You guys just vanished last night. You gotta tell us what went down."
Anna hesitated, glancing at Ethan, who gave her a subtle nod.
"I… I was manipulated," Anna admitted quietly. "They impersonated Ethan and tried to kidnap me. Ethan stopped them."
Kitty gasped. "What? Who were they? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Anna replied, forcing a small smile. "Thanks to Ethan."
John frowned. "Who was it? Did they get away?"
Ethan's expression stayed neutral, though a flicker of something darker passed through his eyes. "Let's just say they got what they deserved."
John scoffed. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
Ethan didn't elaborate, and neither did Anna. The unspoken truth hung between them: Ethan had killed someone. Though Anna wasn't entirely comfortable with it, she accepted the fact.
Kitty and Angelica exchanged uneasy glances, sensing there was more behind Ethan's words, but they didn't press further.
John clenched his fists. "I hope whoever it was suffered. Nobody messes with our own."
Bobby nodded, his expression hardening. "If they come back, we'll make them pay."
Ethan and Anna shared a glance. They didn't need to say anything, the ones responsible weren't coming back.
Kitty placed a comforting hand on Anna's shoulder. "If you need anything, let us know, okay? We're here for you."
Anna nodded, a genuine smile playing on her lips. "Thanks, guys. It means a lot."
The group sat for breakfast, the atmosphere lighter than before, though a shadow still loomed over Ethan's thoughts. He could tell Anna wasn't entirely at ease, but she stayed close to him.
---
Afternoon, Xavier's Office
After lunch, Ethan received a telepathic summons from Professor Xavier, asking to meet in his office. When Ethan arrived, the room was quiet except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. Xavier sat behind his desk, composed yet firm.
Ethan stepped inside and closed the door. "You wanted to see me?"
Xavier gestured to the chair across from him. "Yes, Ethan. Please, sit."
Ethan didn't hesitate. "I'm guessing this is about yesterday?"
Xavier nodded. "We need to talk about what happened about the lives you took."
Ethan didn't flinch. "They were a threat. I eliminated them."
Charles studied him for a long moment, then leaned forward. "And what about the value of their lives? Do you believe they deserved to die? Was there truly no other solution?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "They weren't going to stop. If I hadn't acted, they would have come after Anna again. I made sure they wouldn't."
Xavier sighed. "Ethan, I understand your need to protect those you care about. But taking a life should never be done lightly. There is always another way."
"Not always," Ethan countered, his gaze darkening.
"Perhaps not," Xavier conceded. "But we must try. That's what sets us apart from those who choose violence first."
Ethan scoffed. "So, when someone attacks us, we're just supposed to let them? Even if it means we die, we can't fight back?"
"That's not what I'm saying," Xavier replied calmly.
Ethan cut him off. "I'm not like you, Professor. I won't just sit and wait to be attacked. If someone tries something, I'll make them regret it."
"Ethan, you wield power beyond most people's comprehension," Xavier warned. "But power without restraint..."
"...is dangerous," Ethan finished, his tone almost mocking. "I've heard it before."
Xavier frowned but remained composed. "Then tell me, why did you spare Erik?"
Ethan smirked faintly. "Because the one who impersonated me is still free. Erik might know something he can lead me to them."
Xavier's eyes widened slightly at the realization.
Ethan rose, ready to leave. "I'm not a killer, Professor. But if someone I care about is in danger, I'll do whatever it takes to protect them."
Xavier exhaled slowly. "And if the whole world becomes the threat to those you love, what then?"
Ethan paused at the door, turned back with a wry smirk. "Then this world is screwed."
Xavier's eyes widened in shock as Ethan walked out slowly.
---
As Ethan stepped out of Xavier's office, his mind churned with the conversation. He knew Xavier meant well, but their perspectives were too different. Ethan wasn't one to philosophize about morality when lives were at stake.
That's when he noticed someone leaning against the wall, arms crossed, waiting, Logan.
Ethan stopped, narrowing his eyes slightly. "You heard our conversation?"
Logan smirked, pushing off the wall. "Yeah, most of it."
Ethan sighed. "And? You here to judge me too?"
Logan let out a low chuckle. "Nah, kid. I've taken more lives than your age. Not my place to judge."
Ethan raised an eyebrow at the rare honesty. Before he could reply, Logan tapped his temple. "Got my memories back."
Ethan's eyes widened. That wasn't supposed to happen, not yet. Then again, his very presence had already derailed the so-called canon. No surprise there.
Logan's tone turned serious. "I get it, kid. Sometimes doing what's necessary means getting your hands dirty. But don't let it become a habit."
Ethan stayed silent, studying the older man. Logan wasn't judging, he was warning.
Logan started to walk away but stopped after a few steps. Without turning, he added, "I'm just worried about you. You've got heart, kid. And someone out there cares about you, a lot. Don't let her down."
Ethan smirked faintly as Logan strode off. He wouldn't become a mindless killer, he was sure of that. Yet there was something else he'd begun to notice about himself: he enjoyed the fight. Even in training, even against Magneto, battle made his blood boil with excitement.
He wouldn't seek out fights, but if one came, he wanted to test himself to push his limits. Maybe it was part of his adaptation, sharpening instincts, making him more focused. Or maybe, deep down, he was simply a battle junkie.
He shook the thought away. That was for later. Right now, something more important demanded his attention.
When Ethan returned to the cafeteria, most students had already finished lunch and left. The long table where his friends had sat was empty, except for one person, Anna.
She looked up as he approached, concern soft in her eyes. "Everything okay?" she asked quietly.
Ethan offered a reassuring smile and nodded. "Yeah. Everything's fine."
She wasn't entirely convinced, but she didn't press. Instead, she sighed in relief and shifted so he could sit beside her.
Ethan leaned back, watching her carefully. "Anna, there's something I need to talk to you about."
She tilted her head, frowning slightly. "What is it?"
He drew a steady breath. "I can't always be there to save you. You need to be able to protect yourself and that means learning to control your powers."
Her eyes darkened. "I know that. But…" She trailed off, and Ethan understood.
"You're afraid of them," he said gently.
Anna tensed. "They hurt people, Ethan. I can't control them."
"They're out of control because you're afraid," he explained. "You keep treating them as something dangerous, something separate from you. But they're part of you, whether you like it or not. Instead of running, accept them. We'll figure them out together."
Anna looked away, biting her lip. Ethan reached out and gently took her gloved hand.
"You trust me, right?"
After a pause, she nodded.
"Then trust me when I say this... you're stronger than you think," Ethan said firmly. "And you don't have to face this alone."
Anna drew a deep breath, then gave him a determined smile. "Okay… I'll try."
Ethan grinned. "That's all I ask."