The X Gene Chapter 6

Scott eased the red convertible up the long drive, gravel crunching beneath the tires as the familiar silhouette of the Xavier Institute rose ahead — its tall gables and warm windows cutting through the early dusk.

He brought the car to a smooth stop just outside the garage, engine humming low before falling silent.

For a moment, no one spoke. The air buzzed with quiet tension.

Jean unbuckled first, still pale but steadier than before. Rogue climbed out next, tugging on her gloves as she shut the door with a soft click. Kitty leaned forward from the back seat, brushing her hair behind her ear while Kurt, tail flicking restlessly, and teleported out .

BAMF! — a puff of indigo smoke filled the air.

Kurt appeared outside the door, grinning proudly as everyone coughed.

Kitty waved the smoke away, face scrunched. “Kurt! Can’t you, like, open the door and get out like a normal person for once?”

Rogue frowned, waving her hand in front of her face. “Yeah, for real. What’s the point of teleportin’ two feet? You’re just makin’ it smell like rotten eggs!”

Kurt placed a hand over his chest in mock offense, tail flicking. “Ah, come on! You can’t blame me for wanting to stretch my legs. Do you have any idea how cramped it is hiding my powers all day at school?”

Before Kitty could roll her eyes, BAMF! — he appeared right beside her, grinning wide.

Kitty yelped, stumbling back. “Kurt! Oh my gosh, don’t do that!”

Kurt laughed, doubling over. “Heh-heh, sorry, sorry! You should’ve seen your face, though!”

Jean just shook her head, smiling despite herself. “Boys.”

Scott stepped out of the car, as the group started toward the front steps of the mansion.

Kurt was the first to speak, his voice light but uncertain.

“Are we sure that this… power Jean felt is a threat?”

Jean frowned slightly, still rubbing at her temples. “I don’t know, Kurt. It didn’t feel like a person exactly. More like… a wave. Something breaking.”

Kitty glanced over, her tone half-nervous, half-curious.

“Like, yeah, but what if it’s just some regular kid like us or something?”

Rogue folded her arms saying

“Trust me when I say none of us are ‘regular kids’.”

Kurt gave a small shrug, tail curling behind him. “you’ve got a point.”

Scott cleared his throat, refocusing the group as the mansion loomed ahead.

“Either way, we need to look into it. Find out what’s going on — fast — before someone else does.”

They reached the grand double doors, the polished oak reflecting the porch lights. Kitty reached for the handle, but before she could touch it, a familiar voice echoed in all their minds — calm, patient, and unmistakable.

“Welcome home, everyone.”

The group froze.

“Please come to the meeting room immediately,” Professor Xavier’s voice continued, gentle yet urgent. “There is something we must discuss — something connected to what Jean experienced.”

“Guess he already knows,” Rogue murmured.

“He always knows,” Kurt added with a nervous laugh.

Whatever had sent that psychic shockwave across the world… the Professor had felt it too.