"Arlo? Weren't you assigned to the frontlines? Why are you back? What's going on?"
Professor Charles looked up from his desk, confusion flickering across his face. He watched "Arlo" stride toward him, urgency written all over his expression.
"Professor! The situation's worse than expected!" "Arlo" said, breathing hard. "Captain Ryuuto sent me to get you out of here immediately. He said we have to evacuate—now!"
Charles frowned, concern etching deep lines into his face. "Ryuuto told you that himself?"
"Yes!" the shapeshifter nodded, feigning desperation. "He's holding the line, but he can't guarantee our safety much longer!"
The imitation was flawless. Every word, every twitch, perfectly mimicked Arlo. Charles hesitated only a moment before sighing. "Then we have no choice. I trust Ryuuto knows what he's doing—"
"Wait."
A quiet but firm voice cut through the air. Jean Grey rose from her chair, stepping protectively between Charles and "Arlo." Her eyes glowed faintly, a telepathic ripple brushing the air.
"Arlo," she said slowly, "what you said… is it really true? Is Ryuuto in danger? Did he say anything else?"
Mystique—still wearing Arlo's form—kept her composure, nodding vigorously. "Yes! He's surrounded, fighting alone! But he told me to prioritize your safety. We need to move!"
Jean searched his—her—eyes for even a hint of deceit. Nothing. The mimicry was that good.
Charles shook his head. "No."
Mystique blinked, her mask cracking for a split second. "No?"
"I'm not leaving," Charles said firmly. His voice carried a weight that silenced even the alarms echoing in the distance. "I am an X-Man. My team is out there risking everything. I won't abandon them."
Jean's lips curved into a faint, proud smile. "Then I'm staying too. I'll guard the professor."
That was when Mystique's patience snapped. The fake Arlo lunged forward, hand flashing toward Charles' neck.
Jean moved first.
Her telekinetic shove sent Mystique skidding back, her disguise flickering and melting away into her true blue-skinned form.
"You're not Arlo!" Jean shouted, summoning psychic energy into her palms.
"Tch." Mystique's eyes narrowed. "Too sharp for your own good."
The two women clashed. Psychic energy flared, blue skin met red flame, furniture exploded in the shockwaves. Then—crash!—two windows shattered as a pair of Mutants burst in from outside, charging at Charles.
"Professor!" Jean's focus faltered for a split second—just enough.
Mystique's hand chopped clean across her neck. Jean collapsed, unconscious before she hit the floor.
"Jean!" Charles cried, struggling as two Mutants seized his arms.
"Take him!" Mystique barked. "He's Magneto's priority—make sure nothing happens to him!"
"What about the girl?" one of the intruders sneered, motioning toward Jean.
"Leave her," Mystique snapped. "We're out of time."
The Mutants dragged Charles toward the door. "Let me go! You'll regret this!"
But before they could step outside—
Crash!
A shadow fell from above, slamming into the floor with bone-shaking force. Dust exploded outward.
When it cleared, a figure stood atop a broken, bloodied body—Quicksilver's.
"Heh." Ryuuto's voice carried through the smoke. "You break into our base, and you're already leaving? How rude."
Mystique's eyes widened. "Impossible…"
Quicksilver groaned under Ryuuto's boot, his face a swollen mess of cuts and bruises. "Y-you damn monster…"
Charles' voice rose with relief. "Ryuuto! You did it! I knew you would!"
Ryuuto tilted his head, flashing a half-smile. "Told you, Professor. I don't die that easy."
"Professor! Captain!"
Bobby, Steel, Scott, and the real Arlo burst through the entrance, weapons ready, energy crackling around them. The entire battlefield seemed to tilt in their favor all at once.
Mystique's gaze darted between them and Ryuuto. Her instincts screamed retreat.
She grabbed Charles, pressing a laser gun to his throat. "Don't move, or the professor dies!"
Her voice was low and deadly. "Stay where you are. All of you."
Ryuuto's eyes darkened, his expression calm but predatory. "You just ran out of luck, Mystique."