20...

~ 3rd Person Pov ~

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Both Alex and Anna could be seen leaving the store after the scuffle. Anna, looked at her bewilderment friend realizing that even though the situation was handled somewhat well, he was still upset, she could tell from his expression...

"Thanks for stickin' up for me back there Alex..." Anna said, trying to lighten the mood. Alex hearing her gratitude smiled.

"You don't need to say thanks, besides. The guy deserved it. He was a certified A-Class A-hole." He finished.

"Well, still... it's not like I get much help either, people tend to stay away from me when I developed my powers... it's been tough since then." She said. Alex hearing her words felt pity for her. Alex knew it was one thing to be an outcast, but it's another when people think you're a monster too...

He was on the receiving end for the former, she was on both ends. Anna might have gotten off slightly easier because she was a girl, but it was likely still worse than his own circumstance.

'...I need to change the topic...' He thought.

"Sorry it had to be this way Anna... Before I came here, I was bullied for practically my whole highschooler life, so I get where you're coming from." He said.

"Wait? Really, you? How!?" Anna asked, as if that wasn't possible. Alex chuckled at her reaction. He knew why she was like this, he had changed drastically over the past couple of weeks... So much so, that if two people put photos side by side of him now and before, no one would believe they were the same person.

"Yeah, I wasn't always like, this. At first, I was super fat, short, definitely not pleasing to the eyes, and for lack of a better term, dumb. I was just the typical bullied kid, and being an orphan, just sorta made it worse on me..." He finished.

She didn't say anything for a moment. As if glossing over her own life. Anna wasn't always like this either, she was a normal school girl, she even thought she was even popular by normal standards, not over the top. But, she was known... "Well, for what it's worth, I think you're a pretty cute guy." She said with a low shy tone.

Alex smiled. "Thanks, Anna..." It felt off to him that someone had given a compliment, especially on how he looked. He was sure it was his current life's memories messing with him. Even if he's cumulatively, 40+ years old.

"I wanted to ask, where is the team? After you know, that whole, debacle?" Alex questioned. He was curious. He was sure they would change their approach with him now, especially after his new, change. How much, he didn't exactly know...

'Well, it's not like it really matters, I'll be leaving tomorrow anyways...'

"Well... I overheard them, likely another mission..." She looked down trodden.

He studied her expression... "What's with the glum face? Isn't this normal?" Alex asked. Though, he did find it interesting that they didn't have any outings of the sort that he could remember in his time here.

'It seems they might not go on missions as much as I thought...' He thought.

"It isn't. They're rarely gone, and not all of em' at any one time either. This is a first time for me... I guess it's somethin' important." She finished. Alex took note of all of this. However, it really didn't matter at this point. They wouldn't really be his concern. It sounds selfish, but it is what it is.

"I see... Don't worry about them, they're tougher than they look." Alex said attempting to cheer up his new friend.

Though, he had another thought come to him. If he left, what would she think about it?

'It would be shitty to just leave and say absolutely nothing to anyone... Anna seemed like a genuine enough person. The only issue is my own place. My old one is too open, and isn't really my own... That has to change. But first, I think I'll tell her...' He decided.

Alex stopped walking, Anna realizing stopped too. "Anna, before we go any further. I kinda want to tell you something... I'll, be leaving the mansion tomorrow."

Her eyes widened for a moment, but due to his perception. He could easily tell that she was caught off guard by the sudden announcement he had made. It was, quick...

"Oh..." That was all she had to say. He could feel and hear the disappointment in her tone. "Could ya' at least tell me why?" she followed up.

"My reasons are personal. Hey, it isn't like I'll be gone forever, we can still hangout. I just wont be at the mansion." Alex responded. It was the truth. Due to his sudden jump in power, the mansion's training ground was rendered useless to him. He had to find other means to gain strength...

Ann quickly pulled Alex aside. 

"But, how would you even survive out here? It's not like you have a job... The professor can only do so much when you go rogue. Plus, ain't you a mutant? Why would ya' want to be here? Humans don't even appreciate the good the mutant heroes do..." She said why tiredness...

With the silence, Alex spoke, "Anna... I'm, not a mutant." 

"W-What?" She uttered, with evident surprise. "How's that even possible? No human could've done what you did. I saw what ya' did to logan and hank, that isn't human..."

"Anna" Alex said, but she wouldn't let him speak... She continued.

"Even if ya' are, they'll think you're a mutant. It's better you stick with us at the mansion. You'll have somewhere to stay. Not to mention the guys that are willing to experiment on you if they catch you." She finally finished.

"Anna... I'm not staying." Alex repeated sternly. Even if they met each other recently, he could tell she treasured the relationship they had. But Alex didn't consider it as such. All he saw was someone who lacked human care, empathy and love. Until her powers came.

He might have been precious to her, but to himself. She was just someone new. They were not the same. Still, that didn't inherently mean they couldn't developed an actual friendly relationship. She needed it...

"Anna, I'll be fine. I have cash, likely a lot of it by now by my estimate... A home isn't hard to get either. The issue here, is you, but that isn't even an issue. You can literally stop by where I live, anytime." Alex smiled.

In realization, Marie backed away...

"I'm... I'm sorry. I-I came on too much... It's just-It's just that... I-I don't really have anyone that's really by my side. In my life, your realer than any of the friends I've ever had." She said, gripping her arm...

"It's, fine..." Alex sighed. 

'She has it bad... I've only spoken to her a few times, and saved her once...' He thought. He couldn't help but wonder though. Just what kind of mission did the team have?

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~ Third Person Pov, with he X-Men ~

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"DAMN IT!!!" Logan shouted.

His adamantium claws extended. As he was about to slice his opponent. An earth shattering blow smashed him across the face before he could register it. Causing him to fly into the nearby forestry...

"ARGHHH!!!!" Logan grumbled, conscious, but clearly in pain...

"Logan!" Jean shouted, worried.

"ROAAAAHHHHHHHHARRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The beast shouted, causing the forest to wake and rattle...

"Jean! Focus! Logan will be fine, just try and keep that thing down!" Hank shouted. However, as if realizing what the blue giant had said, the green one didn't respond in kind...

"GRghhhh..." It grumbled loudly. Its fury now focused on Jean only. 

"Jean! Run!" Kurt shouted, realizing what was happening.

Not thinking yet moving, Jean rallied her efforts in escaping instead.

"We can't beat this thing. It keeps getting stronger!" She shouted.

"We realized!" Storm responded. She charged her hands with focused thunder, and as if sensing her intent. The green beast charged towards her with speeds that his body shouldn't even be able to achieve...

"HAAAHHH!!!" She uttered. The thunder traveled, hitting the beast in the chest, causing it to fly backwards... The team seizing the opportunity to group together once more...

"We have to find an opportunity to get away... We can't beat it, much less keep going like this. It's getting too strong, and too fast..." Hank added huffing with fatigue...

"I know..." Logan added bitterly, still grunting with aches... The team now focused their attention on the hulking monstrosity before them...

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END