X-GENE OMNITRIX-Chapter 12: XGO

A kid, no older than six or seven, sat inside a small, dimly lit tent. The fabric was patched together with whatever scraps could be found, the floor covered in thin blankets.

Surrounding him were three other kids, all huddled close to stay warm.

In his lap lay a tattered comic book.

Its pages were ripped, some words faded, but across the torn cover, one word remained clear—

MARVEL.

Alex's small fingers traced the letters, his wide, innocent eyes filled with curiosity.

One of the boys nudged him. "Alex, read it to us!"

A girl giggled. "Yeah! Tell us the one about the big green guy again!"

Before Alex could respond—

A soft, tired voice interrupted.

"Alex, you're still reading that old comic?"

The children turned toward the entrance of the tent.

There, standing with a gentle but firm expression, was his mother.

Her face was warm, caring, but strained with exhaustion.

She looked at the other children.

"It's late. You kids need to go in your tents. Your parents are looking for you."

The kids groaned but obeyed, gathering their things.

"Yes, Auntie!" they called before scurrying out into the night.

His mother sighed before kneeling beside him.

"You should sleep too, Alex."

But Alex didn't close the book.

He stared at the images of heroes—bright costumes, strong faces, saving people from destruction.

Then, from outside—

The sound of airplanes.

Loud. Too loud.

Engines roared across the sky, shaking the ground.

Alex's small hands gripped the comic tighter.

He turned to his mother, eyes filled with the innocent wisdom of a child.

"Mom..." He held up the comic. "Aren't there heroes like in these books to stop this?"

She didn't answer.

Her face, for just a second, was filled with something he couldn't understand back then.

Regret.

Sorrow.

Hopelessness.

She smiled weakly and brushed a hand through his hair.

"Go to sleep, Alex."

And then—

Everything faded.

Alex's eyes snapped open.

He was back in his room at the mansion, lying on his bed.

The ceiling above him was silent.

Just the distant sounds of a mansion full of mutants living their lives.

His hand twitched slightly.

That memory... Why did it return now?

Was it the training?

The talk with Mystique?

A head popped through the wall.

"Hey, Alex, whatcha doin'? Something fishy? Maybe fantasizing about Jean?"

Alex didn't even flinch.

His cold, unreadable eyes locked onto Kitty Pryde, who had just phased through the wall like it was nothing.

Without changing his expression, he responded in a flat, monotone voice.

"If I was, you'd be the last person I'd want to catch me."

Kitty grinned. "Ohhh, so you admit it! You were fantasizing about Jean!"

Alex sighed. "You're an idiot."

Before Kitty could keep teasing him, the door opened.

Rogue leaned against the frame.

"Alex, we're goin' into town for some shopping. Kitty and I figured you might wanna come."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "We're allowed to leave?"

Kitty rolled her eyes. "Yeah, we can go into town, genius. Xavier has some agreement with the U.S. so mutants in the mansion don't get harassed."

Alex looked between the two girls.

Going into town?

With them?

He wasn't interested in shopping.

But...

He was bored.

Finally, he exhaled. "Fine. I'll come."

Kitty grinned. "Aww, look at that, Mr. Lone Wolf wants to hang out with us!"

Alex stood up and walked past her.

"Keep talking, and I'll leave you phased halfway into a wall."

Kitty yelped and backed away. "Okay, okay! No need for threats!"

Rogue smirked. "Let's get goin' then."

As Alex followed them out of the room, one last thought lingered in his mind.

Trailing behind Kitty and Rogue as they checked out clothing stores, bookstores, and every other time-wasting place they could find.

When they stopped to eat, Alex barely paid attention to the conversation.

The burger was good, at least.

But as they walked down the road, something changed.

The air felt heavier.

People in the street started backing away.

And then—

Three figures stepped into their path.

The one in the center was huge, built like a moving wall of muscle.

A red helmet covered his head, his entire body radiating raw, unstoppable power.

To his left, a tall, sleek-looking mutant with dark sunglasses and an amused smirk.

To his right, a woman with short black hair and glowing green energy flickering in her hands.

Juggernaut grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Hello, kitties. Missed your way home?"

His voice was thick with mockery and intimidation.

Avalanche tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Why don't we take you back where you belong?"

Kitty and Rogue tensed immediately.

Rogue's hand twitched, ready to strike. "What the hell are you Brotherhood freaks doin' here?"

Avalanche chuckled. "Oh, fierce little Kitty. You are quite aggressive, aren't you?"

Then he looked at Alex and said, "Oh, handsome. You were quite aggressive yesterday, weren't you?"

His sunglasses flashed as he lifted a hand.

"We came to humble you a little."

Kitty clenched her fists.

Alex?

Alex just sighed.

Before anyone could make a move, doors slammed open from the buildings nearby.

Men in black tactical gear flooded into the street, assault rifles raised.

Their vests were stamped with S.H.I.E.L.D. in bold white letters.

A man in a decorated black trench coat and sunglasses stepped forward.

Agent Coulson, Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division.

"All mutants in the vicinity, stand down!"

His voice was authoritative, firm.

"You are in violation of multiple federal laws under the Mutant Restriction Act. Stand down now, and this doesn't have to escalate."

Juggernaut snorted.

"You seriously think we're just gonna surrender?"

Coulson didn't flinch.

"This is your only warning. By order of the United States government, you will—"

Avalanche grinned. "Ah, shut up."

The ground trembled beneath their feet.

Alex exhaled, stepping forward slightly. His cold, calculating gaze swept across the SHIELD agents.

"So let me get this straight," he said, voice devoid of emotion. "We were being monitored like wild animals just for walking outside?"

The agents tensed, their fingers tightening around their weapons, but they didn't lower them.

Coulson narrowed his eyes. "We monitor all mutant activity for security purposes."

Alex's crystal-blue eyes sharpened.

"Security? You mean paranoia."

Juggernaut suddenly laughed, stepping forward.

"Has my name lost its value?" He grinned. "You're all lookin' at this kid instead of me?"

He cracked his knuckles. "That's just disrespectful."

Alex ignored him.

Instead, he turned to Kitty and Rogue.

And in a calm, unreadable voice, he said one word.

"Run."

They both turned to him. "What?"

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Alex didn't repeat himself.

"I'll handle this. You'll only slow me down."

Kitty looked like she wanted to argue, but Rogue grabbed her arm.

She looked at Alex one last time.

And then—

They nodded and ran.

Juggernaut watched them leave, amused.

"Let 'em run. I want this one."

Alex finally looked up at him, his expression bored.

"Yeah?" He tilted his head slightly. "Then come and get me."

Avalanche grinned, raising his hands. "Hope you like earthquakes."

SHIELD agents shouted orders, guns raised, tension at its peak.

The street rumbled beneath them.

And out come a voice THROW POWER STONES