Xavier's School
The gates of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters loomed before Johan, wrought iron and promise intertwined. He sensed rather than heard Wanda shift nervously beside him.
"You sure this is a good idea?" she asked. "After what Emma said about Xavier..."
Johan nodded, his shadow wolf circling his feet restlessly. "We need allies, not just Emma and the Hellfire Club. Xavier has resources we need—and I need those spins."
The quest notification from the previous night still glowed in the corner of his vision:
[ QUEST: SEEK THE MINDS OF TOMORROW ]
[ OBJECTIVE: MEET WITH PROFESSOR XAVIER AND 5 STUDENTS ]
[ REWARD: 5 SPINS, 1 LUCKY SPIN ]
[ BONUS OBJECTIVE: CONNECT WITH A CLASS 5 MUTANT ]
[ BONUS REWARD: 3 LUCKY SPINS ]
The system's message couldn't have been clearer. Whatever divine or cosmic force was orchestrating these events wanted him here—wanted him to meet Jean Grey and the Phoenix Force.
"Professor Xavier is expecting you," came a voice, and they turned to see Storm approaching, her white hair billowing in a breeze that seemed to exist only for her. "Though he wasn't expecting two visitors."
Johan extended his hand. "I'm Johan Smith. This is Wanda. Thank you for meeting with us."
Storm's handshake was firm, her eyes assessing. "Ororo Munroe. Most call me Storm." A small smile played at her lips. "I suspect you already knew that."
As they walked through the grounds, Johan took in the sprawling mansion and its surprisingly normal-looking students—teenagers playing basketball, studying under trees, or practicing powers in controlled settings.
"It seems peaceful," Wanda observed.
"For now," Storm replied, her tone suggesting she knew such peace was temporary. "The world grows more dangerous for our kind each day."
Inside the mansion, they were led to Xavier's office. The Professor sat behind his desk, fingers steepled, his keen eyes missing nothing.
"Mr. Smith," he greeted Johan. "And Ms. Maximoff. Welcome to my school."
Johan felt the gentle brush against his mind—a telepathic greeting, or perhaps a cursory scan. He allowed it, curious what Xavier would make of his unusual signature.
Xavier's eyebrows rose slightly. "Fascinating. You're not a mutant, yet you possess considerable power."
"It's complicated," Johan admitted.
"So I see," Xavier smiled. "And what brings you to my school?"
"Alliance," Johan said simply. "There are things happening—government programs targeting people with abilities. Not just mutants. Anyone different."
Xavier wheeled around his desk. "The Sentinel Program. Yes, we're aware. Hank has been monitoring their progress."
"Then you know we're running out of time," Johan pressed. "I'm gathering allies from different groups. People who can help stop what's coming."
"Including Emma Frost and the Hellfire Club," Xavier noted, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp.
Johan nodded. "Different perspectives, different approaches—but we need everyone working together."
Xavier studied him for a long moment. "You're either very naive or unusually strategic for someone your age."
"Probably both," Johan admitted with a slight smile.
Xavier chuckled. "Honest, at least. Very well. I'll introduce you to some of my students. Perhaps you'll find the allies you seek."
[ OBJECTIVE UPDATE: MET WITH PROFESSOR XAVIER (1/6) ]
As they left Xavier's office, Johan could feel the weight of the Professor's curiosity—and caution—following them.
The tour of Xavier's School proved more productive than Johan had anticipated. He met Scott Summers first—Cyclops—whose barely contained optic blasts reminded Johan of the devastating power hidden beneath control.
[ OBJECTIVE UPDATE: MET WITH SCOTT SUMMERS (2/6) ]
Next came Bobby Drake, Iceman, whose easy smile belied the omega-level mutant he would one day become.
[ OBJECTIVE UPDATE: MET WITH BOBBY DRAKE (3/6) ]
Kitty Pryde—already a student here in this timeline—showed them the phasing ability that would one day make her invaluable.
[ OBJECTIVE UPDATE: MET WITH KITTY PRYDE (4/6) ]
"Your parents," Johan said quietly during a private moment. "Are they safe?"
Kitty's eyes widened. "How did you—"
"Different timeline," Johan explained softly. "I'm trying to prevent what happened there."
Kitty studied him, then nodded slowly. "The Professor helped get them to safety. Canada. But others weren't so lucky."
Rogue approached them in the hallway, careful to maintain her distance, gloved hands fidgeting nervously when introduced to newcomers.
[ OBJECTIVE UPDATE: MET WITH ROGUE (5/6) ]
"Your control will improve," Johan told her quietly as they moved on. "More than you can imagine."
Her startled, hopeful expression followed them down the corridor.
Storm led them toward the library for their final introduction. "Jean Grey is one of our most promising students," she explained. "Her telepathic and telekinetic abilities are exceptionally strong."
"And growing stronger," Johan murmured, earning a sharp look from Storm.
The library was quiet, sunlight streaming through tall windows. Jean sat alone at a table, books floating gently around her as she studied, her red hair catching the light like flame.
Johan felt it immediately—a presence within her, dormant but aware. And something else: mental barriers, carefully constructed. Xavier's work, no doubt. Seals designed to keep the Phoenix Force contained—and hidden from Jean herself.
"Jean," Storm called softly. "These are the visitors the Professor mentioned."
Jean looked up, books settling gently onto the table. Her smile was warm, genuine. "Hi, I'm Jean Grey."
Johan stepped forward, extending his hand with deliberate intent. "Johan Smith. It's a pleasure."
As their hands touched, Johan subtly released a pulse of his universal magic—not enough to be obvious, but sufficient to disturb the delicate balance within Jean. A calculated risk.
The reaction was immediate. Jean's eyes widened, then flashed with orange fire. The books around her began to shake violently.
"What—" she gasped, clutching her head. "Something's... wrong... What's happening to me?"
Johan watched as Xavier's mental seals began to crack. Not completely—that would be too dangerous—but enough for Jean to sense what had been hidden from her. Enough to plant the seed of doubt.
"Jean," Storm moved forward, concerned, but Johan raised a hand.
"Let me help," he said calmly, even as objects around the room began to levitate. "I've seen this before."
Jean's confusion turned to alarm as flickers of the Phoenix Force leaked through the weakened barriers. "There's something inside me," she whispered, horrified. "Something powerful. Why can't I remember it? Why does it feel familiar but hidden?"
Johan met her gaze steadily. "Someone's been keeping secrets from you, Jean. Barriers in your mind. Can you feel them now?"
Her eyes widened further, realization dawning. "The Professor... he's been in my mind. Containing something... controlling me."
The library descended into chaos as Jean's telekinesis flared wildly. Windows cracked, furniture flew against walls. Storm shouted for the Professor, while Wanda prepared defensive spells.
Johan waited until Jean's distress peaked—until the perfect moment when doubt and betrayal crystallized in her mind—before acting. With practiced motion, he extended his hands, shadow magic flowing forth to envelope Jean in a gentle cocoon.
"Breathe, Jean," he instructed calmly. "Focus on my voice."
Inside the cocoon, Johan carefully extended tendrils of his universal magic toward the Phoenix Force—not to suppress it, but to offer it something it craved. Energy. Connection. Understanding.
The Phoenix Force responded instantly, hungry for the unique power Johan possessed. It reached for him, desperate for more, momentarily distracted from its host's distress.
"That's it," Johan murmured, slowly feeding the cosmic entity small portions of his considerable magic. "Take what you need."
As the Phoenix Force gorged itself on his offering, Jean's panic subsided. The library settled, objects dropping back into place as her wild telekinesis ebbed.
Johan maintained the connection, watching as Jean's expression shifted from fear to confusion to the first stirrings of anger. The seed had been planted.
"What did he do to me?" she asked quietly, her voice steady but edged with betrayal. "Why would he hide this from me? My own power..."
"Perhaps he thought he was protecting you," Johan suggested, his tone neutral while his intent remained clear. "Or perhaps he feared what you might become if you knew your true potential."
Jean looked toward the doorway where Xavier now appeared, his expression grave. "Is that true?" she demanded. "Have you been manipulating my mind? Keeping me from knowing what I truly am?"
Xavier's silence spoke volumes.
[ OBJECTIVE COMPLETE: MET WITH JEAN GREY (6/6) ]
[ BONUS OBJECTIVE COMPLETE: CONNECTED WITH CLASS 5 MUTANT ]
[ REWARD: 5 SPINS, 4 LUCKY SPINS ]
[ ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: PHOENIX WHISPER ]
[ ADDITIONAL REWARD: SKILL BOOK - COSMIC ATTUNEMENT ]
Johan lowered his hands, his work accomplished. Division sown. Alliance potentially shifted.
"I believe," he said carefully, "we all have much to discuss."
[ NEW QUEST AVAILABLE: DANCE WITH FIRE AND SHADOW ]
[ OBJECTIVE: MASTER COSMIC ATTUNEMENT (0/5) ]
[ REWARD: TECHNIQUE UNLOCK - PUPPET MANIPULATION ]
[ ACCEPT? Y/N ]
"Accept," Johan thought immediately.
[ QUEST ACCEPTED ]
As Jean turned back to face Xavier, her expression hardened with newfound suspicion, Johan caught the Professor's gaze. The older telepath's eyes reflected both understanding and warning.
Xavier knew exactly what Johan had done—and why.
Xavier's garden was peaceful, a stark contrast to the turmoil unfolding beneath its sprawling oaks. Jean had stormed away from the library, tears of betrayal streaming down her face. With a subtle nod, Johan signaled for Wanda to follow her while he remained behind with Xavier.
Once they were alone, Johan bent down, his lips close to Xavier's ear.
"Someone had to do what I did," he whispered.
Xavier tried to interject, but Johan continued, his voice low and grave.
"The thing you've been hiding from her—that you sealed away—can erase the Earth in a matter of minutes if angered and unleashed." He paused, letting his words sink in. "And I'll tell you a secret: when I fed it my magic to calm it down, I could feel its emotions for a second. There was nothing but utter hatred for the prison you had created for it."
Johan straightened, placing a hand on Xavier's shoulder with casual familiarity. "I'll meet you later, Professor."
As Johan walked away toward the garden where Wanda and Jean had retreated, Storm and Scott moved to intercept him, their faces masks of anger and suspicion. Xavier raised a hand, stopping them.
"Let him go," he said quietly, his expression troubled as he realized what might have happened if the Phoenix Force had fully awakened—if Johan hadn't been there to contain it.
Under the shade of a massive oak tree, Jean sat with her knees pulled to her chest, her sobs having quieted to occasional hitches in her breath. Wanda sat beside her, a gentle presence offering silent support. Johan approached carefully, settling on Jean's other side.
"He was in my mind all this time," Jean whispered, her voice raw. "Keeping me from knowing what I truly am. What gives him that right?"
Johan leaned back against the tree trunk, appearing thoughtful. "The power inside you is ancient and dangerous," he said. "Perhaps he thought he was protecting you."
"By lying to me? By manipulating my memories?" Jean shook her head, anger flashing in her eyes. "That's not protection. That's control."
Johan nodded, then spoke with careful nonchalance. "You could come with me instead."
Jean and Wanda both looked at him in surprise.
"I could help you control it," Johan continued. "Teach you how to use it, like how I did just now. No secrets, no hidden barriers. Just honest training."
A moment of silence stretched between them. Johan could see the consideration in Jean's eyes—the temptation of freedom and truth battling against years of loyalty to Xavier and the school.
Finally, Jean sighed. "I... I can't. Not right now. This is still my home, and these people are still my family, even if..." She trailed off, unable to finish.
Johan nodded, having expected this response. "It's alright. You can come to me whenever you want." He pulled out a phone and handed it to her. "Put your number in. My door is always open."
Jean hesitated, then took the phone, entering her contact information before returning it.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For showing me the truth, even if it hurts."
As Jean rose to return to the mansion, her posture straighter despite her reddened eyes, Johan allowed himself a small smile. The seeds of doubt had been planted. Xavier's perfect student now questioned his methods and motives. The alliance Johan had come seeking might take a different form than Xavier had anticipated.
Things had gone better than he'd expected.
[ HIDDEN OBJECTIVE COMPLETE: SOW DISCORD ] [ BONUS REWARD: 1 LEGENDARY SPIN ]
When Jean disappeared into the mansion, Wanda turned to Johan, her expression concerned.
"That was ruthless," she observed quietly. "Necessary, maybe, but ruthless."
Johan watched the windows of the mansion, catching glimpses of students moving about their day, unaware of how their futures might have just changed.
"Sometimes," he replied, "the kindest thing you can do is reveal a painful truth. Better she knows what Xavier did—what's inside her—than be blindsided when the Phoenix Force eventually breaks free."
What he didn't say, what he kept to himself, was another truth: in this game of cosmic chess, Jean Grey might prove to be the most valuable piece on the board. And now, she was one step closer to becoming his ally rather than Xavier's pawn.