Clashing Allegiances

Three weeks had passed since the New Mutants arrived at the Massachusetts Academy, and things had grown more complicated than Inarius could have anticipated. The New Mutants were slowly regaining their confidence and camaraderie, though their scars—both physical and emotional—were still evident.

But the fragile peace shattered when Magneto arrived.

It was early evening when the Hellions and New Mutants were called to the common area. The tension was palpable as Emma Frost stood near the entrance, arms crossed, her icy demeanor unreadable. A few of the Hellions whispered among themselves, but Inarius wasn't interested in idle chatter. He focused on Emma, trying to sense what was coming next.

Then, the news broke.

"Magneto is on his way here," Emma announced, her voice calm but sharp. "And he's not coming for a friendly visit. He's upset about the arrangement with the New Mutants and believes I've overstepped my bounds."

Inarius exchanged a glance with Illyana. The New Mutants immediately grew restless.

"What are you going to do?" Sam Guthrie, aka Cannonball, asked.

Emma's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "I've already called the authorities, warning them of an impending attack. The police have escalated the situation to the Avengers."

"What?!" Rahne Sinclair's voice rose in disbelief. "You can't do that! Magneto's not here to hurt anyone!"

"His reputation says otherwise," Emma replied coldly.

The New Mutants erupted into protests, but Emma dismissed them with a wave of her hand. "You'll stay out of it. This is for your protection."

But the New Mutants had no intention of staying out of it.

When Magneto arrived, he was met with a full blockade of police cars and, as Emma promised, several Avengers. Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and a few others were present, clearly ready for a confrontation.

Inarius stood with the New Mutants at the edge of the grounds, his stomach churning. This wasn't right.

"We have to help him," Illyana said, her fists clenched.

Sam nodded. "He's our leader. We can't just let this happen."

The New Mutants moved as one, determination etched on their faces. Inarius hesitated for a moment, his loyalty to Emma pulling at him, but the sight of Illyana heading into the fray made his decision clear.

"I'm coming with you," he said.

Together, they rushed to Magneto's side.

The fight that followed was chaotic. The Avengers didn't hold back, but neither did Magneto. He manipulated the metal around him with ease, sending cars and lampposts flying, while Thor's hammer and Iron Man's repulsor blasts lit up the night sky.

Inarius found himself dodging debris and attacks as he fought alongside the New Mutants. His sword clashed against Iron Man's armor at one point, though he knew better than to aim for a real fight with the Avenger. Instead, he focused on creating openings for Magneto.

Illyana teleported in and out of battle, her Soulsword cutting through defenses with precision. Cannonball became a human rocket, slamming into the Avengers' ranks to buy time. The New Mutants fought like they had something to prove, and Inarius couldn't help but admire their unity.

Eventually, Magneto's power overwhelmed the Avengers. Captain America called for a retreat, his voice steady but frustrated. "This isn't over," he warned before leading the team away.

As the Avengers and police withdrew, Magneto turned to the New Mutants and Hellions. His expression softened for a moment, gratitude shining through his stern exterior. "Thank you," he said simply.

Back at the academy, the tension between Magneto and Emma was thick enough to cut with a knife. They retreated to her office, leaving the students in the common area.

When they returned, both looked unusually composed.

"We've reached an agreement," Emma announced. "The New Mutants will stay here for a few more days. After that, the choice is theirs—whether to stay or return to Xavier's."

Magneto nodded, his gaze sweeping across the room. "I trust you will make the right decision," he said to his students.

Inarius felt a strange sense of relief. Though he didn't fully trust Magneto, it was clear he cared deeply for the New Mutants. As the group began to disperse, Illyana caught his eye and offered a small, appreciative smile.

For now, the storm had passed—but Inarius knew it wouldn't be the last.