บท 132: The Secret

"Well, we'll address this later," Alex remarked, shaking his head slightly. He gestured around, indicating there were others present besides them.

"Seems like we'll have to wrap up the extracurricular activities sooner than planned," Charles sighed, his ideals now under serious scrutiny. Was he really on the right path?

"Storm, round up those students," Alex instructed.

"Sure thing," Storm nodded, turning to gather the dispersed students.

After a short while, Storm managed to round up most of the students, only to realize that five were still missing.

"Bobby, Anna, John, Kitty, and Anya are nowhere to be found!" Storm reported, a hint of anxiety in his voice.

With the situation becoming increasingly tense, the absence of all five students naturally heightened Storm's concern.

"How many are missing?" Alex frowned, instantly extending his senses.

Addressing Storm, Alex said, "I've located them. They're grabbing a bite in the food court."

...

In the bustling food court, Kitty, Anna, and Anya strolled along, while Bobby and John were momentarily detained by the security, much to their amusement. Bobby, however, harbored a desire to converse more with Anna, who seemed indifferent towards him.

This left Bobby feeling rather helpless. He was aware of the rumors circulating about him, especially those spread by Kurt, expressing his intense disdain for Magneto's Brotherhood. It almost worked.

"Your hair is stunning," Bobby attempted to break the ice as they walked, admiring Anya's emerald green locks, drawing surprised exclamations from his companions.

"Thank you for the compliment," Anya said, her smile gentle. The innate bond she shared with nature drew parallels to the fairy druids of mythology. Animals seemed drawn to her presence, regardless of their usual demeanor. What might be a fierce wolf or lion to others, were merely a husky and two large cats before Anya.

In her wake, even venomous insects would retreat, birds would bring forth fruits to her hands, and flowers would bloom in her presence, defying their usual seasons.

In moments of peril, whether bird, insect, or predator, they all seemed compelled to shield Anya from harm, as if she were nature's cherished child.

Anya's heart remained as pure as fresh snow, her kindness akin to an untouched canvas.

"Hey," a guy interjected, his voice intrusive, addressing them, "Can't you see we're enjoying our time here? Can't you?"

"Get lost, kid," the other two joined in, their words laced with disdain. Upon closer scrutiny, these three girls were indeed striking! Whether it was Kitty, Anna, or Anya, each exuded a natural charm that effortlessly drew attention.

"I wonder if we could all grab a bite together," the three young men exchanged glances, expecting Bobby and John to step up as the protectors of the girls. Surely, these protectors wouldn't stand for any harm coming their way.

As for Bobby and John, they were determined to shield the girls from any potential harm. The men were clearly trying to take advantage of the girls, and Bobby and John were not about to let that happen.

"Absolutely not, please leave us be," Bobby stood up firmly, his protective instinct kicking in.

"Who do you think you are?" one of the men sneered back.

Youngsters can be quick to escalate confrontations when they disagree. However, these girls weren't ones to back down easily. Both Bobby and John had extraordinary abilities; they were mutants who could handle regular confrontations with ease.

John flicked on his lighter, tapping into his ability to control flames. He set one of the young men's clothes on fire, watching them panic with a smug smirk.

Bobby's expression tensed, and he promptly unleashed a blast of cold air, extinguishing the flames John had ignited.

By now, the three young men were terrified, trembling on the ground, staring at Bobby and John in disbelief. Fear was evident on their faces, while onlookers shot them disgusted glances. Mutants, especially after the chaos in New York, didn't have a good reputation.

Everything froze as everyone held their breath, a palpable tension filling the air.

Alex strolled over with Storm, Charles, Emma, and Jean following behind, their expressions menacing as they fixed their gaze on Bobby and John. "What are you doing?"

Bobby tried to explain, "Professor, they were harassing Anya and the others. We were just trying to protect them."

"I understand," Alex acknowledged with a nod, "but these girls are capable of handling themselves. Don't misuse your powers to intimidate others next time. Clear?"

Bobby nodded earnestly, "Yes, I understand."

Charles sighed at the unfolding situation, knowing Alex's true nature all too well. Storm stood silently, a storm brewing in her eyes. Emma observed with cold detachment, relishing in the chaos. Jean, watched wide-eyed, unsure of what to make of it all.

As Alex turned away, he glanced back at Bobby and John. "You two, come with me." He marched over to where the three young men were still recovering from their scare, fear now mixed with confusion.

Alex's tone turned menacing as he addressed them, "You should be ashamed of yourselves, trying to resist my authority. Consider this a warning. Cross me again, and you'll face dire consequences."

With that, Alex led Bobby and John away, leaving behind a chilling sense of oppression and a warning of darker times to come.

(End of this chapter)