The X-Jet landed smoothly on the manicured lawn of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Dante didn't bother looking impressed; the mansion was big, sure, but he'd seen bigger rooftops, bigger alleys, and way bigger messes back in Chicago.
The doors opened, and Charles Xavier wheeled himself out, robes brushing over the polished wheels of his chair. He raised a hand, calm and commanding.
"Welcome," Charles began, voice warm but firm. "You've shown extraordinary….."
Dante cut him off instantly, leaning casually against the jet. "Yeah, yeah. Blah, blah, extraordinary. Where's the food?"
Charles blinked, clearly taken aback. He frowned slightly, but the calm didn't falter. "The… cafeteria is just inside. Perhaps we can…."
"Cafeteria? Now you're speaking my language," Dante said with a grin, pushing off the jet and strolling toward the mansion.
Scott stepped forward, visor already lowering slightly, irritation clear in his stance. "Excuse me you will show respect for Professor Xavier. This is not….."
Dante turned his head, one golden eye glinting, and smirked. "Oh, don't get your shiny red goggles all bent out of shape. You… hmm, what do I call you? Scott? No, too bland. How about Glasses McAngryface?"
Scott's jaw tightened, and he bristled. "That… is not funny."
Dante laughed, loud and sharp, throwing his hands in the air as he continued toward the doors. "Relax, angry glasses. I'm here to eat, not to lecture you on manners. Trust me, I'll catch up to all the manners later."
Charles wheeled himself forward slowly, calm as ever, though his voice held a thread of exasperation. "Dante, I…."
Dante waved a hand dismissively without turning. "Professor, love the enthusiasm, really, I do. But unless this cafeteria has tacos, I don't care about speeches. Tacos or I start questioning your life choices."
Jean, standing behind Charles, stifled a laugh. Logan smirked knowingly from the side, clearly amused.
Charles exhaled softly, trying to maintain composure. "Very well. The cafeteria is this way. Please follow me."
Dante grinned, falling in step beside him like he owned the place. "Finally. A man of action," he said, eyeing the mansion with mild disinterest. Then he glanced back at Scott. "Angry glasses, you coming, or do I need to carry your dignity in a lunch tray?"
Scott scowled, arms crossed, muttering, "I'm not going in there with him acting like a… a… circus performer."
Dante chuckled, leaning close enough that Scott could feel the smirk radiating. "Oh, come on, no need to be sour. You'll thank me later. Maybe."
Charles rolled ahead, the calm in his tone trying to regain some order. "Dante, the school is a place for training, education, and growth. I know you have immense power, but….."
Dante waved again. "I'm sure it's great, Professor. Really. But right now, I'm hungry. Can we circle back to world domination and moral guidance after I've had my sandwich?"
Jean shook her head with a soft laugh. "He really doesn't take anything seriously, does he?"
Logan chuckled. "Kid's got balls. I like him."
Dante leaned back casually against the doorway of the cafeteria as Charles followed behind, trying to keep the situation under control. "So," Dante said, grinning, "this is where the magic happens, huh? Let's see if you can impress me with whatever food you've got."
The cafeteria was bright, buzzing with students chatting, trays clattering, and the smell of warm food filling the air. Charles rolled Dante inside, keeping his calm demeanor intact.
"And here we are," Charles said. "The cafeteria. It's… functional."
Dante's golden eyes scanned the room like a predator sizing up prey. "Functional? Professor, that's your word for it? I call it lunch paradise." He grinned, already moving to the counter. "Alright, let's see… turkey, cheese, maybe some of that weird green stuff… nah, can't trust it."
He slapped slices of bread together, threw on turkey, cheese, a little mustard, and some crisp lettuce, assembling it with surgical precision. He bit into the sandwich and chewed thoughtfully.
"Huh. Decent," Dante muttered, crumbs falling onto the tray. "Needs more hot sauce though. Real warriors put hot sauce on everything."
Scott, still trailing behind, crossed his arms, clearly trying to mask irritation. "I….Do you always disregard protocol the second you arrive?"
Dante looked up, a teasing smile spreading across his face. "Glasses McAngryface, protocol is for people who care about rules more than results. I care about results."
Scott gritted his teeth. "You—"
Dante waved a hand dismissively and turned back to his sandwich. "Relax. You'll survive."
After finishing his impromptu feast, Dante set the tray down and strode toward the lab wing, golden eyes scanning the sleek corridors. Beast was already waiting, blue fur sleek, glasses perched on his nose, clipboard in hand. Jean was beside him, calm but observant.
"Dante," Charles said from the doorway, "this is Dr. Hank McCoy. He will help us understand your abilities."
Dante tilted his head, smirk in place. "Abilities? You mean my awesome powers, right? Don't worry, I've got this. Mostly."
Hank adjusted his glasses, clearly both amused and skeptical. "Well, let's start with some basic scans and tests. Jean, if you'll…."
Jean approached with a small tray of vials. "I'll need a blood sample first, Dante. Just a tiny bit."
Dante's smirk deepened, and he leaned casually against the counter. "Blood? Sure. But be gentle. I'm very handsome, and it's a crime to draw a single drop incorrectly."
Jean blinked, momentarily taken off guard, a faint pink rising to her cheeks. "I… I'll be careful."
He grinned wider. "Careful, huh? I like it. Makes the experience… more personal."
Jean coughed softly, flustered. "Dante, I'm… older than you. I don't….."
Dante leaned in just slightly, eyes twinkling, tone teasing. "Older, huh? Age is just a number, Jean. I've got charm, wit, and apparently your attention. That counts for something, right?"
Jean's cheeks flushed deeper, but she held his wrist steady as she drew the blood. "Don't push it, Dante. Focus on… the tests."
Meanwhile, Scott's shades had lowered and he was staring at Dante with a mix of irritation and jealousy, muttering under his breath. "Can't believe he's… acting like that."
Dante noticed immediately. He smirked, leaning back as if casually watching a show. "Oh? Angry glasses are… bothered? Interesting." He shot Scott a playful glance. "Relax, I'm not taking anyone's job. Just… making friends."
Scott's jaw tightened, clearly unimpressed.
Once Jean was done, Hank moved forward with a scanner, placing it near Dante's hands and shoulders. Energy readings spiked instantly.
"Fascinating," Hank muttered, eyes wide behind his glasses. "Your energy absorption is… unprecedented. You're not just drawing energy you're converting, storing, and releasing it in real-time. At this level… I've never seen anything like it."
Dante flexed his fingers, energy faintly flickering across his skin. "Yeah… yeah, I kinda noticed that myself." He leaned casually against the counter again, smirk unshakable. "I'm awesome. I mean, I already knew it, but it's nice to have science confirm."
Jean stepped closer, watching him, a mix of curiosity and mild exasperation. "You're… confident, I'll give you that. But you need to learn control. You could hurt someone if you aren't careful."
Dante tilted his head, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hurt someone? Sweetheart, I protect people. That's the first rule. And besides… you look worried. Maybe I should stick around and ease that tension. I'm good at stress relief."
Jean's blush returned, her arms crossing instinctively. "You are insufferable."
Dante grinned, ignoring Scott's increasingly tight stance. "Insufferable? Maybe. But adorable when flustered. I'm full of surprises, Jean."
Scott stepped forward, voice tight. "Dante, that's enough. You….."
Dante waved a hand lazily. "Oh, angry glasses, relax. I'm just having fun. Don't you want a little fun? Or are you too busy glaring at me all day?"
Jean shot Scott a pointed glance, clearly both amused and embarrassed by Dante's antics.
Hank cleared his throat, waving a scanner over Dante's torso. "Focus, Dante. Your readings indicate your energy manipulation isn't just omega-level it's bordering on something… beyond. If you train properly, you could be….."
Dante's grin widened, cutting him off mid-sentence. "I already know. I'm aware of how awesome I am. Don't worry, Dr. Furball I'm on track to be unstoppable. But it's fun watching people react."
Jean shook her head, exasperated but still curious. "You… you truly are remarkable."
Dante's eyes flicked toward Scott again, smirking. "Remarkable, yeah. And don't worry, Angry Glasses there is plenty of time for you to catch up. Maybe I'll even give lessons… if you behave."
Scott groaned, muttering something about mutiny and chaos.
Dante chuckled softly, energy still flickering faintly across his skin. "Lesson one: never underestimate me. Lesson two: life's too short to be boring. Lesson three… well, we'll see what you can handle."
Scott's jaw tightened, his fists clenching slightly. "Lessons? From you? Please."
Dante leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, grin unshakable. "Oh, come on. Admit it you just want to see what I can do. It's entertaining. And educational. Mostly educational… for you, anyway."
Jean's blush deepened, though she tried to look stern. "Dante… you really should take this seriously. Hank and I are trying to help you understand the full scope of your abilities."
Dante leaned toward her just slightly, voice teasing. "I am taking it seriously. I'm learning fast, aren't I? And don't worry I promise to be careful… mostly."
Scott shot him a glare that could melt steel. "Mostly? That's not reassuring."
Dante's smirk widened. "Angry Glasses, you really need to lighten up. It's not like I'm going to destroy the place… yet." He let a faint pulse of blue-black energy flicker across his fingertips, making them dance like live wire threads. "See? Controlled. Precision. Talent, my friend."
Hank's ears twitched, clearly impressed. "That control… it's remarkable. Most mutants with omega-level abilities can barely handle a single energy source, and you're already mastering multiple flows instinctively."
Dante nodded casually, flicking his wrist to make the energy disappear. "Yeah, yeah. I know. I've been told before. But trust me, this is just the beginning. The fun part comes when I push the limits."
Jean rolled her eyes but smiled slightly despite herself. "Your confidence is… overwhelming. And your charm, apparently. Just remember flirting isn't a strategy, Dante."
Dante leaned in closer, voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Flirting is a tool, Jean. And I'm a master at it. Don't worry, though you're a tough challenge. Makes it interesting."
Jean's cheeks went a shade darker. "Dante! I…." She straightened, looking away, clearly flustered.
Dante winked at her and then turned his gaze back to Scott. "Oh, and Angry Glasses? Lesson one in surviving me: don't get jealous. Lesson two: don't glare. Lesson three… stay on your toes, or I might just make you look ridiculous."
Scott ground his teeth but stayed silent, the tension thick enough you could slice it with a knife. Dante, of course, was enjoying every second.
Dante's grin only widened. "Damn right I am. Now, where's my room? I'm ready to set up camp and plan my next move."
Scott's scowl deepened. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
Dante tossed a wink over his shoulder at both of them. "Relax, team. You'll thank me later… or at least survive me."
And with that, he strode off toward the dormitories.