Eli's POV
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Ororo stepped out first, followed by the kids. I could hear a faint cacophony of voices as the door opened.
"Huh... sounds like there are quite a few people here," I mused.
As the girls got off, Gloria quickly said with a troubled look, "Stay with your brother, okay? I'll meet you after I speak with the Professor."
Ruby let out a small sigh through her nose, some of the usual attitude seeping through. "Yes, Mom."
Gloria gave Matt a stern look. "You stick with your sister. No wandering off Alright?"
Matt nodded quickly, though his eyes were wide with barely-contained excitement as he gazed around at everything. Ruby gave him a side-eye. Both the older girls, I noticed, looked more cautious, likely owing to their prior darker experiences. They even kept a small distance from the relatively unknown boy—Bobby, my mind supplied. He looked quite sullen and withdrawn as he kept giving Ruby envious glances while she interacted with her mother.
Wasn't he a powerful ice mutant...?
"You'll all be safe here," she said gently. "I promise. Come on, let's get you something to eat."
Scott walked out of the elevator as Jean gave me a quick, friendly nod. She then led the group off. The elevator doors closed again, and the car rose smoothly to the next level with just the four of us: Professor Xavier, Gloria, Wanda, and me.
When the doors opened, Xavier led us down a short hallway and into a surprisingly large, comfortable office. There was plenty of space for several chairs, a blackboard on one wall, which was lined with bookshelves filled with advanced reading material, and a massive window that looked out over the grounds. He wheeled himself smoothly behind a wide wooden desk and turned toward us with an open smile.
"Please, take a seat," he said warmly.
I lowered myself into one of the chairs, Gloria and Wanda doing the same beside me. After a few seconds of silence, Professor Xavier spoke.
"First, let me thank you, Mrs. Campbell, for trusting me and being here today," he said, looking directly at Gloria. "I know how overwhelming this must be. But I want you to know that Ruby will be in safe hands here. We take care of our own."
Gloria shifted in her seat, glancing around the elegant office before asking the question that was clearly weighing on her.
"How... how would all this work?" she said, shaking her head. "I mean, is this place really a school? And what about the tuition? This place looks like some kind of elite private school."
Xavier smiled faintly, a touch of warmth in his eyes, with a hint of pride.
"This is very much a school, Mrs. Campbell. As for the tuition, my family was quite wealthy, which I have inherited," he explained. "I founded this school with those resources, and we also continue to receive generous donations from like-minded people and supporters who believe in our mission. So, to answer your question, tuition is not a concern for any student who needs us. Ruby's education, board, and any of her needs will be taken care of. More importantly, we will help her gain control of her powers and learn how to use them safely."
Gloria went quiet at that, her expression troubled. She stared down at her hands for a long moment.
The Professor seemed to sense her worry—or read her mind, something I wasn't entirely comfortable with—and continued,
"As I can see, you are still a little uncomfortable on this particular topic. How about a history lesson? Mutants have always existed among us, Mrs. Campbell. For most of history, we've remained hidden from the general public. But those in power—governments, and certain organizations—know about us. And because people fear what they don't understand, we are often persecuted. That is why this school exists. Not just to teach, but to give young mutants a safe place to grow up without having to hide who they are."
I heard a scoff from Wanda, who was slouching in her chair, which earned a smile from the Professor.
Gloria, still looking at her hands, asked,
"Will my daughter be safe?"
Her voice cracked slightly. She swallowed hard and continued, "She was kidnapped just a day ago... I don't want that to happen to her again. It was a miracle my baby was returned to me." She glanced at me for a second, and I saw the Professor notice the look. "So I'm asking again... will she be fine?"
Xavier steepled his fingers as he gazed at this woman—no, a mother—and sincerely replied with a hint of power:
"I give you my word, Mrs. Campbell. I will do everything in my considerable power to safeguard my students. Because they are my students."
Gloria studied him for a long moment, then gave a slow, reluctant nod.
Xavier turned his sharp eyes toward me.
"Mr. Calderon... if I'm not mistaken, you were the one who rescued the girls. Would you mind giving us a little more information about what happened?"
I thought for a moment, then gave a rundown of what happened, keeping my account as objective as I could, keeping any hints of meta-knowledge to myself, framing the entire thing more as luck than anything else.
"...and as we left with the girls, I sensed a female figure in white. I know she has powers. Do you know who she is?" I asked the man in front of me, wanting to know more about the situation, or rather, what he knows and is willing to share.
At this point, both women were listening intently; even Wanda was contemplative at my tale.
Professor Xavier's expression grew more serious. "Her name is Emma Frost. She's a fellow mutant with a rather... peculiar mutation. She can transform her skin into a living diamond-like carbon material, making her incredibly durable. She also possesses a surprisingly potent form of telepathy."
I cut him off before he could continue. "Like you?"
After getting a measure of the mutant in front of me, I knew he was not the type to resort to violence quickly, but I still wanted to know how he would respond.
The Professor smiled at me and said, "Yes, I am a telepath. And before you grow worried—I do not read the minds of others, nor their memories, against their will. It goes against my principles. In fact, it is the very first thing I teach to any young mutant whose mutation expresses itself as mental abilities." He said this while looking at Wanda, who shifted uncomfortably.
I had my doubts about that but decided to keep my silence; I would gain nothing from pushing the topic. It was still interesting how he handled it.
He then continued, growing more serious.
"Emma Frost is part of an elite society, one filled with extremely powerful and influential people. They are... not friends of this school."
I took the opportunity to ask the question that had been gnawing at me.
"Will she approach Tendo with ill intentions?"
Xavier nodded absentmindedly, like he was reminiscing about something. "I will send a message to the organization to be conscious of certain limits. After all, your friend is an incumbent officer."
I stared at him incredulously. "A message?"
He met my eyes with a small, knowing smile. "They are, at their core, an oligarchy that only cares about power and influence. And I do have some influence. Worry not—the message will be... strongly worded."
We lapsed into silence. I was grateful, even if I doubted how effective a strongly worded message would be. I sighed through my nose; it would have to do for now, until I got back, though I should call him and brief him about the situation, I thought slowly.
Professor Xavier broke the quiet, his tone shifting to something lighter.
"How about both you and Mrs. Campbell join the children down at the mess hall and get some food?" he suggested. "I would like to have a private conversation with Wanda here."
Wanda huffed, blowing a stray lock of red hair out of her face. She was really not looking forward to that.
I nodded. "Sounds good." I really did need the food, something my body felt free to remind me of. "Where is the mess hall, though?" I thought.
As if reading my mind—which he didn't; I still hadn't let my guard down—the Professor added, "Dr. Hank McCoy will show you the way. And please, after you've eaten, get some rest. We can give you a proper tour of the facilities tomorrow."
Just as he finished speaking, the door opened. A massive, blue-furred figure ducked low to avoid smacking his head on the frame. Hank McCoy—The Beast—stepped inside with surprising grace for someone his size.He was dressed in a tailored shirt and slacks, glasses perched on his nose.
Gloria failed spectacularly at hiding her shock, her eyes going wide. I tried to keep my face neutral, but I couldn't help being impressed—and a little fascinated—looking at this inhuman being.
"Mr. Calderon, Mrs. Campbell," Hank said warmly, offering a large, clawed hand. "Pleasure to meet you both. If you'll follow me, the mess hall is this way."
I took his hand, offering him a handshake. "The pleasure is mine."
We followed him out after bidding farewell to the Professor and giving Wanda a nod as she caught my eye.
We trailed after him down the hallway. Gloria drifted closer to me, whispering, drained and a little distant regarding everything.
"Is all... this going to be okay?"
I knew Hank could probably hear us, but I answered anyway, keeping my voice low and steady.
"It will."
I hoped it sounded more confident than I truly felt. Everything was moving at a pace I had really anticipated
Gloria gave me an exhausted nod, but I could see the doubt still lingering in her eyes. I didn't blame her. How could I? She had no idea what kind of world she'd just stepped into.
As we followed Hank down the hallway, my mind kept drifting ahead. Things were going to escalate soon. Really soon. Tony would reveal himself as Iron Man. Then the Hulk, Thor, Loki... all the other nightmares waiting just around the corner.
I knew it was coming. And I knew I was standing right in the middle of it now.
But I also knew one thing for certain:
I would survive. All I needed was time.