---
Another day at school. When I opened my locker, a hand suddenly pushed it shut again.
"I was looking for you."
Rogue was the owner of that hand, staring straight at me. "How about a date?"
She held out her bare hand toward me and winked. I looked at her hand, then at her face.
Damn it… She suspects something. I hesitated and brushed her arm lightly with my bare fingers.
"Sorry, I'm really busy," I said, shaking my head and refusing the handshake. "Maybe next time."
"You're not going to touch my hand?" she asked with a frown, sounding hurt. "You're really gonna leave me hanging?"
"I'm sorry. Like you said… I won't cross any boundaries," I replied, my tone sad and my expression soft. "You don't like to be touched, and I respect that."
Her expression shifted — first surprise, then anger.
"I don't care if it's you," Rogue said and pushed her hand toward me again.
"Sorry, but we're not close enough for that," I said, stepping away. But before I could fully retreat, she grabbed my hand in desperation.
"Damn it."
"I knew it," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "You can touch me."
I froze, words caught in my throat. Seeing Rogue cry hit me harder than expected. It wasn't me… it was Prometheus — or whatever was left of him — feeling sorrow for one of his children.
Even if Rogue was a mutant, she was still human in spirit.
I had no answer.
"What's going on here?" Jean Grey's voice cut through the tension as she rushed over. "Why are you trying to touch him? Are you crazy? Did you forget who you are?"
Jean scolded Rogue sharply, and I used the distraction to slip away.
"Wait!" Rogue shouted, but I was already gone.
---
"What were you thinking?" Jean demanded, glaring. "Trying to touch the new kid? Do you want to kill him?"
She eyed Rogue's bare hand warily, careful not to get too close.
"Get out of my way," Rogue growled, trying to push past Jean, who blocked her path.
"No. You're dangerous, and you just tried to hurt him — in front of the whole school!"
"I don't owe you explanations. Move," Rogue said, rolling her eyes and stepping forward.
"Don't get involved with him. Don't go near him. Got it?" Rogue's tone darkened, and she stared right into Jean's eyes.
"If you interfere with me, I'll make you pay." Rogue's hand moved faster than Jean could react — she touched Jean's face, and the telepath collapsed.
"Jean!" Scott ran toward her, glaring furiously at Rogue. "Why did you do that?"
"She was in my way. Don't get in my way." Rogue turned and ran after me.
"Damn it, Jean, you let your guard down," Scott muttered, picking her up bridal-style. "She's just passed out — low blood pressure, that's all. I'll take her to the infirmary."
Students stared, whispering. Rumors spread fast: the antisocial Rogue had fought the popular Jean Grey — over the new boy.
---
For the rest of the day, I stayed as far away from Rogue as possible.
She had just discovered her powers didn't work on me — and that probably meant she'd try to recruit me for the Brotherhood, thinking I was a mutant.
The real problem was that if I became known among mutants, my name would start spreading. People would start to believe… to have faith.
And faith was dangerous.
If Zeus was still out there, he might feel that faith directed toward me. I didn't want to be tortured again — not like the original Prometheus.
But if I gained enough faith, I might slowly regain my divine power. Even then… defeating the king of the Greek gods would be almost impossible unless I was at my full strength.
---
"Hey, new guy!"
I turned and saw Kurt and Kitty — two of the original X-Men, and quite powerful ones too.
"Hey," I said, keeping my guard up. "What do you need?"
"We're inviting you to a party at our place!" Kitty said brightly, smiling. "It's going to be fun if you come."
"Well, if you're the one inviting me," I smirked, winking at her, "I'll be there. You got a boyfriend?"
I glanced at Kurt, who awkwardly looked away.
"No, man, I'm just her best friend," Kurt said quickly, raising his hands. "I've got a girlfriend."
"Yeah, he's not my boyfriend," Kitty added with a playful smile, pointing at me. "I'm totally single — but maybe you can change that."
Damn… even with a different soul, I guess I'm still a Greek at heart.
"I like a challenge," I replied with a sly grin.
"See you there," Kitty said, looping her arm through Kurt's and walking away.
---
"Got him!" Kitty said proudly when she reached Scott and Jean in the infirmary. "I invited him to a party at the mansion."
"But… we don't have a party," Scott said sternly.
"We do now," Kitty replied playfully.
"No, we don't!" Scott snapped, clearly irritated. "We can't use the mansion for that."
"Yes, we can," Kitty said, puffing her chest proudly. "I got the professor's permission."
"How did you manage that?" Scott asked, confused.
"The professor's interested in this supposed telepath," Kurt explained, stepping in. "Not everyone can fool Jean like that."
Jean grimaced, remembering Elias.
"How did you even get him to talk to you?" she asked, frustrated. "I can't say two words to him without him imagining me in a sexy chicken outfit dancing for him."
"As you said," Kitty teased, mimicking her gestures, "he's a flirt — I just had to play along."
"I only tried talking to him once, and he imagined me as a chicken!" Jean snapped again, something inside her practically clucking in rage.
"Maybe he did that to mess with you," Kurt sighed. "If he sensed you trying to enter his mind, he could've taken it as harassment — and decided to embarrass you."
Kitty nodded discreetly; she hated when anyone tried to read her mind too.
"That's possible," Scott admitted. "Still, this party is the perfect chance to find out whether he's a real mutant… or just a pervert with a chicken fetish."
Jean glared daggers at Scott, who quickly raised his hands in surrender.
---