Chapter 22: Welcome to the X-Men

After the intense battle with Loki's group, the Avengers bid farewell to the X-Men, grateful for their help in recovering the Tesseract. As the dust settled, Anthony found himself surrounded by his fellow mutants, each wearing a mix of relief and admiration on their faces.

"Welcome to the X-Men, Anthony," Bobby said, clapping him on the back with a grin. "You handled yourself pretty well back there. You're officially one of us now."

Anthony felt a surge of pride and acceptance. He had come a long way since arriving at the Xavier Institute, and being recognized by the X-Men meant everything to him.

"Thanks," Anthony replied, trying to hide the excitement in his voice. "I couldn't have done it without all of you."

"You've got a powerful gift," Storm commented, her eyes filled with both curiosity and caution. "But you also have great responsibility. It's important that you learn to control your abilities, especially around those who don't know about mutants."

Anthony nodded solemnly. "I understand. I'll be careful."

"Good," Cyclops chimed in, his leadership aura evident. "We're a team here, and we look out for each other. If you ever need help or have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."

The other mutants, including Iceman, Beast, and Jean Grey, all offered their welcoming words and encouragement. Anthony felt a sense of belonging that he hadn't experienced before.

As the evening wore on, the X-Men gathered in the common room of the mansion. The mood was light, and they shared stories and jokes about past missions. Anthony found himself laughing along, feeling more at ease than he ever had.

"So, Anthony, how are you finding your new abilities?" Jean asked, her telepathic presence gentle and inquisitive.

"It's... a lot to take in," Anthony admitted. "But I'm getting the hang of it. I've been practicing, trying to control my powers better."

"That's the spirit," Beast chimed in. "It takes time and patience, but you'll get there."

Anthony appreciated the support, knowing that he had a lot to learn from his fellow mutants.

Later that night, as Anthony settled into his dorm, he couldn't help but reflect on how far he had come. From a bullied teenager with no friends to a member of the X-Men, he felt a sense of purpose and belonging he had never experienced before.

But even as he embraced his new life as a mutant, he couldn't shake the weight of the world outside the institute. The news reports of mutants being treated as criminals and the fear and hatred that surrounded them weighed heavily on his mind.

As Anthony lay in bed, he heard a soft knock on his door. It was Bobby, popping his head in with a friendly smile.

"Hey, you settling in alright?" Bobby asked, leaning against the doorframe.

"Yeah, I think so," Anthony replied. "It's just... a lot to process, you know?"

Bobby nodded, understanding. "It's a big change, joining the X-Men. But you'll get used to it. We've all been through it."

Anthony appreciated Bobby's reassurance. "I just... I want to make a difference, you know? I want to help mutants, show the world that we're not all dangerous."

Bobby grinned. "That's the spirit! And with your reality-warping powers, you've got a unique advantage. Just remember, it's not about showing off or trying to prove anything. It's about using your abilities for the greater good."

Anthony nodded, absorbing the wisdom in Bobby's words. "You're right. I'll be careful not to draw too much attention to myself."

"That's the way to go," Bobby said with a wink. "And don't worry, you've got all of us behind you. We're a team, and we've got your back."

As the days turned into weeks, Anthony settled into life as a member of the X-Men. He continued to train with Wolverine and learned from the experienced mutants around him. He found a sense of camaraderie with his fellow students, each with their own unique powers and personalities.

But amid the joy of being part of the X-Men, Anthony never forgot the struggles faced by mutants outside the institute. He knew that even with the acceptance and support he found within the mansion's walls, there was still a long way to go in the fight for mutant rights and understanding.

With each passing day, Anthony grew stronger, not just in his powers but also in his resolve to make a difference. As a member of the X-Men, he had a unique opportunity to be a voice for mutants, to show the world that they were not to be feared but embraced.

And so, Anthony embraced his new life, knowing that the journey ahead would be filled with challenges and victories. As part of the X-Men, he had found his place in a world that still had much to learn about mutants.

To be continued...

(A/N: I don't want to keep reminding you guys and girls to drop your power stones, so DROP your power stones and nobody get's hurt. also review my fanfic.)