Aiden's powers had grown far beyond what he had once thought possible.Six years ago, he could barely lift a toothbrush without feeling dizzy. Now his telekinetic perception stretched in all directions like an invisible web, covering nearly four hundred meters. He could sense the presence of every blade of grass, every shifting leaf, every flutter of a bird's wings within that radius. Objects as heavy as two tons bent to his will like toys.It was an incredible leap of progress—yet Aiden still felt unsatisfied."Seriously, I haven't had enough fun yet," Danny said, still buzzing with excitement from their training session. His cheeks were flushed, his golden-brown eyes bright. He looked like a kid who had just gotten off his first roller coaster ride.Aiden chuckled at his friend's enthusiasm. "Alright, alright. Once my power gets stronger, I'll take you higher than the basketball court roof. A real flight. You'll feel what it's like to soar in the sky."Danny's eyes widened instantly. "Really? Don't joke with me, Aiden. You have to do it. And don't make me wait too long!"Aiden smirked, giving him a playful punch in the arm. "You rascal. You'll be the first to know."Danny laughed, rubbing his arm dramatically. But when he leaned back on the bed, he still had that dreamy, childlike expression of wonder.---Later that night, Aiden lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The soft glow of the lamp lit the room in warm amber, but his mind was restless.Despite his growth, his thoughts drifted to Jean.Jean Grey didn't train the way he did. She didn't sweat in secret, lifting furniture until her nose bled, or meditate for hours to stretch her mental field. Yet her raw power dwarfed his. She could lift dozens of cars at once without breaking a sweat. Even Charles admitted that her potential was unparalleled—both a miracle and a curse.If I had her gift, Aiden thought bitterly, I could push past my limits in days instead of years. Maybe I could even extract Hank's knowledge of Cerebro or uncover Charles's hidden truths. But with my current strength… I'm still too far behind.He sighed. "If only there were something that could strengthen my telekinesis."Danny, lying across from him, suddenly rolled over. "Something to strengthen your abilities? My uncle might be able to help."Aiden blinked, turning his head. "Your… uncle?"Danny nodded firmly. "Yeah. He's a scientist. A brilliant one. My dad works for him."Aiden's mind whirled. A brilliant scientist, tied to Danny's family. Slowly, a realization dawned, his eyes narrowing. "Wait. Don't tell me…"Danny grinned. "Howard Stark. My father's his butler."Aiden sat up in bed, his chest tightening with surprise. Howard Stark—the genius engineer, weapons developer, and visionary who laid the foundations of Stark Industries. The man who would one day father Tony Stark, the infamous Iron Man.If Howard was involved, then this world wasn't just the "Mutant timeline." It was the full Marvel Universe. Aiden's suspicions, lingering for years, were finally confirmed.This wasn't just Magneto and the X-Men. It was Hydra, S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers, gods, aliens—an endless sea of danger.Danny's grin widened. "So it's settled. This summer break, you'll come to my house. I'll ask Uncle Howard to take a look at your powers. Maybe he can figure something out."For Danny, it was simple—the joy of inviting a friend home. For Aiden, the gesture meant something much deeper. It meant trust."Thanks, Danny," Aiden said softly, extending his fist.Danny didn't hesitate. Their knuckles bumped together with a light tap."Hey, no need to thank me. We're buddies! Just don't forget—when you can fly, I'm first in line.""Deal," Aiden replied with a smile.---The next day, Aiden told Charles about the plan.Unlike his earlier request to leave for libraries, Charles did not object. "Jarvis's family is deeply tied to Stark Industries. They will ensure your safety," Charles said simply.It was rare for Charles to show such easy trust, but with the shadow of Stark's influence, even the government tread lightly.Still, Aiden caught the unspoken warning in his eyes: Don't forget who you are, or how dangerous the world can be.---When Jean heard the news that afternoon, she stormed into the garden where Aiden was training.Her fiery red hair caught the sunlight, framing her delicate face and faint freckles. She was taller now, nearly eye-level with him, her slim figure hinting at the grace of the young woman she was becoming."Aiden," she said softly, but her eyes burned with emotion. "I want to go with you."Aiden blinked. "Jean… this trip isn't for fun. I'm going for something important."Her lips pressed together, and she lowered her gaze. "Is it… because of me? Because I couldn't help you anymore?"Aiden froze, realization striking him. She still blames herself for that accident years ago.Stepping closer, he gently brushed her hair back, his hand lingering atop her head. "What are you thinking, Jean? When have I ever blamed you? I'm going to Danny's house because his uncle is a genius scientist. I want to learn from him, that's all."Her eyes flickered, sapphire-blue and vulnerable. For a moment, the hurt faded. She leaned slightly into his hand, her cheeks blooming pink."Then… remember to come back early," she whispered. And before Aiden could respond, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him.Her warmth, her scent of faint flowers—it left him stunned. But the embrace lasted only a heartbeat. She released him just as quickly and darted away, her hair flashing like fire as she disappeared around the corner."This girl," Aiden murmured, chuckling softly, though his chest still felt warm.---The last class of the semester ended, and cheers erupted through the Academy halls. Students packed their things, their laughter filling the air as parents arrived to take them home.Aiden and Danny packed quietly. Danny's belongings were few, just some books and clothes. His family could provide anything he needed.Aiden packed even less—some simple changes of clothes, and a handful of well-worn books. To him, knowledge was worth more than possessions.That night, the dormitory fell silent. Outside, cicadas buzzed and frogs croaked, a summer symphony. Danny sprawled across his bed like a fallen soldier, his blanket halfway to the floor. Aiden, in contrast, slept straight and calm, like a soldier at attention.Yet in the depths of sleep, his brow furrowed. His breathing grew shallow, his face twisted in discomfort.---In the dream, Aiden wandered through endless black mist.It was thick, suffocating, a darkness so absolute it pressed against his skin. He reached out, but his fingers vanished into the haze as though swallowed by ink.There was no ground beneath his feet, no sky above, no sense of direction. Only void.He walked. And walked. But the darkness stretched forever.Then came the sound.A screech.High-pitched, piercing, like the cry of a bird yet more primal, more furious. It sliced through the silence like a blade.Aiden froze. The sound vibrated in his bones, making his chest ache. The black mist around him rippled, twisting unnaturally, as if recoiling from the cry.He turned in every direction, but there was nothing. Only mist.Then the screech came again—louder, closer.This time, he saw something.Far off, deep within the haze, a glimmer of red.A flicker of flame.It pulsed once, twice, then spread like wildfire, devouring the darkness. Shapes twisted in the inferno, wings stretching wide, a blazing outline forming against the black.A bird.No—something beyond a bird.A cosmic phoenix, wings wreathed in eternal fire, eyes like burning stars. Its shriek shook the void, and Aiden felt his body tremble as if every atom of his being was coming apart.The flames surged, swallowing the mist. The phoenix's gaze fell upon him, piercing, infinite.And then—---Aiden jerked awake.His chest rose and fell rapidly, sweat dampening his shirt. For a moment, the image still lingered—the flames, the wings, those burning eyes.He sat in silence, staring at the ceiling in the dormitory. Danny snored lightly across the room, oblivious.Aiden clenched his fists.The Phoenix Force… why am I seeing it now?The firebird's cry still echoed faintly in his mind, not fading, but settling deep into his soul like an omen.-
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