A sly smirk played on Alex's face as he addressed the group, the corners of his lips curling up mischievously.
"First things first, we need to slow down," he announced with confidence. The gravity of the situation, however, did not escape the glint in his eyes.
"Charles has been captured by Apocalypse," he continued. His gaze swept across the room, assessing the reactions of each member of the group. "My guess is they've headed back to Cairo. We must organize a rescue mission."
The weight of the words settled in the room, and a collective nod of agreement rippled through the group. Hank concurred with a thoughtful nod, his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. His blue fur seemed to catch the light as he leaned in, adding an unexpected touch of elegance to his normally unassuming appearance.
"Let's go," Alex declared, his voice breaking through the tension.
"I'll transport you to Egypt. We've got some time, and Apocalypse's preparations will take a while." He extended his hand.
Holding the hands of Eric and the others, Alex prepared to teleport; however, it was abruptly interrupted by the unmistakable sound of propellers cutting through the air.
"Huh? Enemy attack!" Alex swiftly activated "Energy Absorption" with a fluid motion, a protective barrier shimmering with rippling energy, and enveloped Eric and the others like a shield against the unforeseen threat.
A deafening explosion shattered the relative calm, the shockwave sweeping through the vicinity like an unforeseen tempest.
Eric's expression darkened, his jaw clenching as he processed the unexpected turn of events. "Are humans gearing up for war against mutants again?" he questioned, a mixture of frustration and weariness etched on his face.
"It's Stryker!" Alex exclaimed, turning to Eric with a furrowed brow, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and urgency. "He's brought people to attack the Mutant School. They've got a brainwave jamming device interfering with my psychic power."
"My helmet? That's Sebastian's helmet," Eric hastily clarified, wearing an uneasy expression. His eyes, usually stern and determined, now betrayed a hint of vulnerability. "The manufacturing tech is from the Russians. They must have leaked it!" The disclosure added a layer of complexity to the unfolding crisis, the intertwining destinies of mutants and humans reaching a critical juncture.
"Not a big deal," Alex remarked. "Stryker's likely after these youngsters. I will handle the situation here while you can start the rescue mission."
Alex swiftly transported the group to Cairo and came back.
The sudden shift left them all astonished, their surroundings transforming in the blink of an eye.
"Wow, that was quick!" Quicksilver's voice cut through the astonishment, his eyebrows arched in playful curiosity. "So, his name's Alex? Next time, I want to see who's fastest."
"Enough! Let's focus on the task at hand," Eric snapped at Quicksilver, his stern gaze cutting through the banter. "You're still just a kid, and I ain't sure how powerful Alex's ability is."
"I'm not a kid anymore! My power's stronger than you think!" Quicksilver retorted, the determination in his voice echoing through the streets of Cairo.
Eric's words, meant as a father's caution, had unintentionally set Quicksilver off. The desire to prove himself, especially in the eyes of his father, fueled the fiery rebellion within him.
"Eric, as a father, you should be encouraging your children," Hank interjected, attempting to diffuse the building tension.
"I do encourage him, but he ought to set a more sensible goal. This is just... Even I can't beat Alex," Eric expressed his frustration.
But Quicksilver, far from giving up, only grew more determined. The rebellious spirit inherent to his age clashed with the expectations placed upon him.
With Magneto, his father, having not paid him much mind for years, a lingering resentment fueled the fire within the speedster.
Back at Charles' Xavier Manor, a place that once stood as a beacon of hope for mutants, now lay in disarray. The air was thick with tension, and the once serene atmosphere now echoed with the chaotic aftermath of violence.
"Search! Round 'em up!" Colonel Stryker's authoritative voice pierced through the wreckage as he donned a brain-wave-isolating tactical helmet. With calculated precision, he directed a troop of soldiers to carry out his orders – a grim mission to capture all the mutants in the school. The soldiers moved with a sense of urgency, their footsteps resonating like a dark symphony in the eerie silence that followed the assault.
"This guy never quits, does he?" Alex remarked with a shake of his head, his eyes scanning the devastation around him. The weight of responsibility bore down on him. If not for Alex's intervention, Sentinels would have likely descended upon the Mutant School by now.
"Adamantium sounds good, but..." Alex's thoughts wandered as he pondered the intricate details of the situation. Memories danced in his mind, the mental gears turning, recalling Captain America's legendary vibranium shield.
"...Adamantium and Vibranium," he mused.
"The raw Adamantium was stashed in Stryker's base, and the precious Vibranium was hoarded in Wakanda. I've got to lay my hands on these valuable metals," a spark ignited in Alex's eyes.
Alex leaned back casually, observing with calculated nonchalance. His eyes followed Stryker's every move as the Colonel prepared a plane to transport a group of mutants back to the base. Alex plotted his infiltration into Stryker's stronghold.
....
Want to read more exciting chapters, then join my Patreon right now and get access to 2+ advanced chapters for free.
JOIN NOW
Link: pa*treon.com/MidnightWonder (Remove the *)