The next morning, the sun spilled through the mansion's tall windows, bathing the corridors in gold. Aurora followed quietly behind Miles as they were led to the grand dining hall. The X-Men sat scattered around the long table—Logan brooding with his arms crossed, Storm graceful and composed, Nightcrawler offering small nods of reassurance.
Aurora felt their stares. Suspicion. Curiosity. Distrust.
She kept her head down, fingers nervously tracing the rim of her glass. Miles whispered, "Relax. They're staring at me more than you." He tried a crooked grin, but Aurora couldn't even bring herself to smile.
The tension broke when Professor Xavier rolled into the room. He carried a calm authority, his presence commanding without force.
"Last night," he began, folding his hands, "I sensed something remarkable." His eyes settled on Aurora. "You are not an ordinary traveler, Aurora. You are a mutant."
The room went still.
Aurora's breath caught. "What?"
"Your power to copy—to adapt. It is not the gift of an accident, nor the result of experimentation," Xavier said gently. "It is born within you. As natural as wings to a bird, or light to the sun."
Logan leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "So she's one of us."
"But she comes from another world," Storm said evenly. "If her mutation is natural here, it means the X-gene exists everywhere—even across dimensions."
Nightcrawler tilted his head. "Zhen she is not just a visitor. She is… family."
Aurora's throat tightened. She had spent her whole life thinking she was something broken, something to hide. And now—this man she barely knew was telling her she belonged to something greater.
But the acceptance didn't silence her fear. "If I'm… like you," she said softly, "then why does it feel so dangerous? Why does everyone look at me like I'm a threat?"
Logan's growl cut through the silence. "Because copying powers ain't a small thing, kid. You can turn anyone into a weapon. Even yourself. That kind of power makes people nervous."
Aurora dropped her gaze. She hated that he was right.
But Xavier leaned forward, his tone warm but firm. "Then it is up to you to decide how your gift is used. Here, you will not be feared—you will be challenged. You and Miles both."
Miles raised his hands. "Whoa, hold up. I'm not a mutant."
"No," Xavier said, his eyes twinkling. "But you are extraordinary in your own right. And this house welcomes those who fight for something greater than themselves."
Logan sighed, pushing back from the table. "Fine. Put 'em in the Danger Room. Let's see what they're really made of."
Aurora's stomach twisted. Miles muttered under his breath, "Great. I knew it. Superhero boot camp."
For the first time, Aurora allowed a nervous laugh to slip. Maybe this was terrifying. Maybe it was impossible. But for once… she wasn't running.
She was about to find out what it meant to belong.