The Secret

Alex's persuasive efforts seemed to have struck a chord with the Pryde couple, evident in the softened expressions on their faces as they listened intently to his words.

Taking advantage of the receptive atmosphere, Alex pressed on, introducing Charles as a distinguished genetic scholar with a doctorate. He highlighted Charles's role as the founder of a mutant school, emphasizing the safe haven it provided for students facing discrimination.

"Alright, I understand. No need to continue. Come in, and I'll share the details of what happened last night," Kitty's father relented with a sigh, inviting Alex and Charles into their home.

Once inside, they settled onto the sofa, where Kitty's mother graciously served them coffee, setting the stage for further discussion.

"Last night, Kitty woke us up with a scream. We found her in the warehouse under her room, having crossed through the ceiling and fallen down. We initially thought it was sleepwalking until we saw the sheets stuck in the ceiling," Kitty's father explained, his concern palpable.

"Can you take us there?" Charles inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Absolutely," Kitty's father agreed, leading Alex and Charles to the warehouse where the mysterious incident had occurred.

Inside, a sheet remained lodged in the ceiling, its gentle sway a silent testament to the unusual event.

"What ability do you think this is?" Charles asked, studying the sheets intently.

"What ability? Didn't you already figure it out? Shadowcat Kitty," Alex remarked with a chuckle, referencing Kitty's newfound powers.

A knowing smile graced Charles's lips, having glimpsed the potential of Shadowcat's abilities in the future.

"Now, let's go to Kitty's school to communicate with her. You take charge of Kitty, and I'll handle another young one. I believe you'll make a great team," Charles suggested, his optimism evident in his demeanor.

"Absolutely willing," Alex affirmed, turning to Kitty's parents with a gesture of gratitude before presenting them with a generous one-million-dollar check. "Thank you for sharing so much. Here's a one-million-dollar check. Consider moving to New York, on the outskirts of the city, so you won't have to worry about being separated from Kitty."

With that, a hand pressed on Charles's shoulder, and they were whisked away in a teleportation to Kitty's school.

Surveying the diverse array of students around him, Charles utilized his psychic abilities to sense the unique energies emanating from each mutant. In this space, mutants stood apart from ordinary individuals, each harboring their own extraordinary potential.

Alex's attention swiftly shifted to a young girl caught in his periphery, her beige shirt contrasting with her lively movements. With each bound, her long chestnut hair, secured in a high ponytail, swayed behind her. Alex couldn't help but chuckle softly as he silently observed the girl, dubbed Kitty, navigate the area with unbridled energy.

Suddenly, Kitty's exuberance met an unexpected obstacle as she tumbled headlong into a bunker, much to Alex's amusement. "Well, looks like Kitty's not immune to a little stumble," he remarked with a grin, witnessing Kitty's frustrated reaction as she hurled a handful of sand onto the ground.

A blonde girl nearby interjected with a playful quip, "Meow~ Looks like Kitty's got a feisty side!"

Meanwhile, a brown-haired girl, brimming with optimism, took her turn at a long jump. However, the mood swiftly shifted as the ground beneath her cracked open, unleashing a torrent of sand that swallowed her mid-air.

Observing these events unfold, Alex couldn't help but shake his head. It was evident that the boy upstairs was succumbing to the allure of his powers, his intentions turning darker by the moment. Conversely, Kitty seemed bewildered and fearful, her innocence contrasting starkly with the brewing chaos around her.

Deciding to intervene, Alex followed Kitty into the hall, calling out her name gently. Startled, Kitty turned towards him with wide eyes. "Are you still upset about Reddy's outburst? I assure you, I had nothing to do with the bunker incident," Alex reassured her, sensing her relief at his explanation.

Noticing Kitty's evident confusion and apprehension, Alex adopted a soothing demeanor, offering his assistance. "You seem a bit lost. Perhaps I can lend a hand," he suggested, his gentle smile aimed at calming her nerves.

To Kitty's surprise, she found herself inexplicably comforted by Alex's presence. Despite her initial trepidation, the sight of his kind face had a calming effect on her frayed nerves.

"Please, take a seat. Let's see if I can help clear things up for you," Alex offered warmly, gesturing towards the nearby table and chairs.

With a nod, Kitty complied, her earlier agitation gradually dissipating in the presence of Alex's reassuring demeanor.

"You seem perplexed right now. Are you troubled?" Alex's gentle smile conveyed empathy as he looked at Katie, understanding evident in his eyes.

"I found out last night that I can walk through walls. It makes me feel different, like I'm some kind of monster," Katie explained, frustration lacing her words as she demonstrated by phasing her hand through the back of the chair.

"No, it's not that you're a monster. Let me show you," Alex responded reassuringly, extending his hand. With a subtle gesture, a piece of iron levitated in the air, morphing into various shapes under his control. An intricate iron flower blossomed gracefully before Katie's eyes.

"See, I have abilities too. Initially, you might feel like your powers make you a monster, and every time you think about it, it annoys you. You might wish your abilities would disappear, but things don't always go the way we want, and that fear of the unknown sets in. Your parents may not fully understand what happened to you in '08, but you're not alone. Both your parents and our kind care about you," Alex explained gently, his words carrying reassurance and understanding.

As a tangible symbol of his words, Alex placed the delicate iron flower, a manifestation of the metal piece, into Katie's hand.

(End of this chapter)

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