The X Gene Chapter 5

Meanwhile, in Bayville, hundreds of miles away…

Jean Grey balanced a stack of books, laughing with Flash Thompson as they walked down the crowded hallway. Then, suddenly—a searing pressure slammed into her mind.

Books tumbled to the floor. Jean clutched her head, eyes wide, as if invisible flames were consuming her thoughts. A buzzing, impossible to control, crackled through her mind.

“Jean? Hey — what’s wrong?!” Flash crouched beside her, voice distant as the pain pulsed through her skull.

Then, as suddenly as it hit, it vanished. She blinked, breath ragged, trembling.

“What… was that?” she whispered.

Flash held out a hand to help Jean up, his voice softening slightly. “Are you okay?”

Before she could answer, Scott saw her on the floor and sprinted over. “Jean… Jean! Are you okay?”

Jean’s breathing was heavy and uneven, but she slowly took Flash’s hand, letting him help her to her feet. When Scott reached them, he placed a hand on her shoulder. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

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Flash’s face scrunched up bitterly. He slapped Scott’s hand away. “Get your hands off her, Summers.”

Scott squared his shoulders. “Hey! What’s the big deal? She might be hurt!”

Flash sneered, voice low and dangerous. “If she’s hurt, I’m the one taking care of her. So why don’t you do us a big favor and get lost… before I make you.”

Scott’s lips curled into a challenge. “I’d like to see you try.”

Jean stepped between them, head still pounding. “Stop! This is not the time for your toxic alpha-male pride!”

“Flash,” she continued, voice steadier, “can you tell the coach I can’t make practice? I… need to go home.”

Flash softened. “Yeah… anything for you.” But his glare lingered on Scott—a silent promise that this wasn’t over.

Scott supported Jean as they walked down the hallway, his hand steady on her arm. His brow was furrowed with concern, eyes never leaving her face.

“What happened, Jean?” he asked gently.

Jean’s expression was still hazy, her breaths shallow. “I… I’m not sure. One moment I was fine, and the next… I felt this overwhelming power.” She winced as she tried to recall more details.

“An overwhelming power?” Scott echoed, his frown deepening.

Jean nodded slowly. “Like… an overwhelming mutant power.”

Scott’s jaw tightened. “It might be Magneto… or worse, a new threat. We’d better get to the Professor quickly.”

Jean shook her head slightly. “No… the level of power it gave off was too strong to be compared to Magneto. Whatever this is, Professor probably already knows. We need to get the others — we might need them if this is a real threat.”

Without another word, Scott guided her toward the parking lot. There, a large red convertible gleamed under the afternoon sun. Its curves and sleek lines were a perfect homage to a Shelby Cobra, polished and powerful, just like Scott himself.

He eased Jean into the passenger seat, making sure she was seated comfortably. “Hold on,” he said softly, giving her a reassuring smile.

Then, without hesitation, he sprinted back into the school building. He had to gather the team. Whatever had struck Jean, whatever surge of power she’d felt… they would need every X-Man ready.