Chapter 4 | The Arrow

× Xavier's School ×

"Who will go on the mission?" Logan asked, standing behind the seated, bald man in a wheelchair. They were both in a rounded room to which a bridge led from an automatic door marked with a large letter X. The room was so large and empty that every sound echoed.

Removing his peculiar-looking helmet, Xavier, without turning, replied, "I've already sent a message to all those in need. We must move out as soon as possible, otherwise..." Turning his wheelchair, the man moved towards the door while Logan walked beside him, "Magneto will beat us to it."

"Again him..." Logan growled, lighting another cigar, "It's always the same."

× Morning 8:34 ×

"I'll have a chicken sandwich, please," I said, waiting for my order while a chubby man in front of me prepared it. Today, I need to head to my second class since I have no morning sessions. Better for me; more free time never hurts. But that's not the only good news that brings me joy—tomorrow is a day off, and I plan to watch some series or movie. Maybe I'll order something tasty; in short, I'm planning a nice evening.

"Here you go," the man handed me a sandwich wrapped in a bag. I paid and took it, "Thank you."

Hmm, it's quite cloudy outside today, unlike yesterday. The rainy season might be coming soon, autumn after all. I should buy an umbrella, or it might be too late soon, and the rains could start happening nearly every day. I love rain, but only under the condition that I'm sitting at home, warm and cozy, without a worry.

"Everything seems fine, but I have a small problem. An unclear thirst, not physical like for water or food, no... Of course, I have an idea what it is, but it doesn't make it any easier for me," lost in my thoughts, I suddenly noticed someone calling out to me. Turning my head, I saw a forty-year-old man dressed in old sportswear, "Got any spare change for a beer?"

"No," I briefly replied, ready to move on, but he grabbed my shoulder, stopping me, "Hey, don't lie to me. I saw how you paid. I'll pay you back anyway."

"How annoying. One of the most despicable types of people. I hate such. Why can't people like him understand the meaning of the word no?" My irritation was growing by the second, with every moment I wanted to kill him more and then hide the body using Sticky Fingers' ability.

"You surely have some change left, right?" the man smirked disgustingly.

"I'll kill him..." I was already thinking about taking him to a secluded place to quietly deal with the problem, but then I noticed the parked cars nearby shifting slightly.

Slowly removing his hand from my shoulder, I started to look around along with the other alarmed people.

"Hey," I turned to the man, "If you want to live, run."

"What?" was all he managed with a confused face, which changed to fear as the cars jerked again, this time with more force.

For my part, I started to move faster to a safe place. Though, what could be considered safe now? I don't know. Cars began to drive onto the sidewalk, and those on the road tried to stop to avoid hitting anything. Panic among the people grew gradually. Screams of women and children filled the street I was running through.

Turning a corner, I ran into an alleyway, which was a dead end. Having reached the wall, I hit it with my stand creating a zipper-like slit. Jumping through the wall, I closed the zipper, leaving everything as it was. I don't understand what's happening, but it's definitely not good.

Looking around, I realized I was in what seemed to be a store warehouse. Surrounded by food and similar items.

I sighed, "Good thing I managed to escape before the panic started. The main thing is not to panic myself," looking around, I noticed metal objects, spoons, knives being pushed in different directions.

"Magneto?" I asked myself when the idea of a magnet popped into my head. X-Men, always incidents.

"Correct!" suddenly, right next to me, a cheerful voice spoke, and then I was hit so hard that I was thrown into boxes. Good thing I managed to protect myself with a stand, otherwise, I would've definitely had fractures.

I barely got up when I was hit by a blurred spot. Who is this even?! I couldn't react to his attacks because I was completely on the defensive. I had to think of something.

As soon as I fell again, I heard the voice, "Are you also a mutant? I saw how you made that slit in the wall."

Lifting myself up while holding my possibly broken hand, I looked at the source of the voice, where a young guy in casual clothes stood, "M-mutant?"

"Yes, heard about us, haven't you?" he asked, standing about three meters away from me, "Is your ability a mutation, or what? Who's that person with you? He hit the wall."

HE SAW IT?! WHY?! How much more don't I know about this world?! Others couldn't notice him, but he did! I need to calm down and think. Most likely, he will tell other mutants about me, which is simply unacceptable. I must kill him. As soon as possible!

"Is that called a mutation?" I had to play dumb; otherwise, it wouldn't work. I need him to lose vigilance.

"Yes, but some superpowers manifest differently, say..." the young man pondered, "Captain America!"

"Are you going to kill me?" I asked, making a scared face.

The guy was surprised. Just a bit more - "What? No. I'm offering you to join us. People have always hated us, hiring squads to kill us forcing us to hide our powers."

"And you plan to exterminate humans?"

"No, there's no need for that yet," he shrugged.

"So, what do you think about joining us?" he asked after a moment of silence, "Of course, if Magneto approves. I guess you're tired of hiding your powers too."

He's so naive, met a person with abilities and already offering to join them. Better for me, lucky that he's still a child - "I-I don't know. It's all so sudden," with those words, I stood up while the young man extended his hand to me.

"Thank you..." stretching out my hand in return, I tensed up, commanding my stand. He shouldn't have time to react, my stand is fast enough to reach him from such a distance! All or nothing, I had to deal with him quickly - "ARI!" The fist of Sticky Fingers extended from my hand, leaving him less chance to react. The punch landed a right hook on the boy's face, throwing him several meters away.

Even at such a short distance, he managed to react with his eyes and tried to dodge, but I caught him.

"Kh... Heh, not bad, you hit me once," he stood up with anger, rubbing his cheek, "But it won't do you any... huh?"

Didn't get a chance to rise before his head came off due to an undone zipper, panic appearing on his face. "Don't worry," I said calmly, beginning to walk towards him, "Being decapitated won't kill you now."

"You... You tricked me!" the head screamed in panic while his immobilized body lay next to it. "What did you do with...?!"

"Quiet," I approached him and summoned my stand under the frightened gaze of the boy, preparing to hide the body.

"Hey, hey!" the boy tried to catch my attention desperately. "Stop! What have I done to you?!"

Pushing the body into the opened zipper in the floor, I grabbed the boy's head by the hair. "I wouldn't want anyone to know about me, and you saw my ability."

"I won't tell anyone, just let me go," panic was increasingly evident on the young man's face as he gradually realized what was happening. He had lost, and even his special gene couldn't save him.

Sealing his mouth, I opened another slit in the ground and, under his hysterical moaning, threw him in there before closing it as well.

"Phew..." I sighed in relief. "Now I can relax. I was sure there was no one in that alley; he must have just followed me, and I didn't notice him because of his speed."

Adjusting my hair, a piercing pain through my right arm distracted me. Pulling up the sleeve of my shirt and jacket, I saw an arrow protruding from under my skin along my arm. It was the one! The arrow that grants stands! So, it exists in this world too?! Amidst all these thoughts, I didn't notice the tip cutting through the flesh, trying to burst out of my hand. As soon as the arrow emerged from my limb, covered in blood, I sealed the cut with Sticky Fingers.

Breathing heavily with a strange smile on my lips, I carefully held this precious arrow as if it were a small infant. "I will definitely become stronger," I sighed, "And live a peaceful life."