Sophia walked beside Charles, the group following closely behind, as they approached a door with a note taped to it that read, *"Gone to the airbase, bring the crate marked X. —Hank."* Charles pulled the note off and pushed the door open, revealing a room in complete disarray.

"What the hell happened here?" Erik asked.

Sophia moved closer to Charles, who was now standing in front of a large crate. Together, they opened it, and the group peered inside. "Hank has been busy," Erik remarked, his tone more amused than surprised.

"Do we really have to wear these?" Alex asked, eyeing the contents of the crate with skepticism.

Charles looked at him, his expression serious. "As none of us have mutated to endure extreme G-force or being riddled by bullets, I suggest we suit up."

Sophia glanced at the uniforms inside, then back at the others. As the reality of the situation sank in, she began to question what she had really gotten herself into.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

The group stood in front of the jet, all dressed in their new suits. Sophia wasn't fond of the color, but she kept her thoughts to herself. "Where's Hank?" Raven asked, scanning the area.

"I'm here," a voice called out. They looked up ahead and saw a figure approaching, but something was different. As Hank came into view, Sophia's jaw dropped slightly at his altered appearance.

"Hank?" Charles said, concern evident in his voice.

"It didn't attack the cells... it enhanced them. It didn't work," Hank muttered, dropping his head in disappointment.

"Yes, it did, Hank," Raven said, stepping closer. "Don't you see? This is who you were meant to be. This is you. No more hiding."

Erik, trying to lighten the mood, added, "Never looked better, man."

But Hank's expression darkened. He suddenly lifted his hand, grabbing Erik by the throat and choking him out. "Hank!" Charles shouted, alarmed, as Erik clawed at Hank's arm, struggling to breathe.

"Don't mock me," Hank growled, his voice low and dangerous.

"Hank put him down immediately. Please," Charles urged, his voice growing more desperate. "Hank! Hank!"

Finally, Hank released Erik, who collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. "I wasn't," Erik managed to say, still catching his breath.

Sophia stood frozen, her heart racing. She had wanted to make a joke, but thought better of it, not wanting to draw Hank's ire toward her.

"Even I've got to admit, you look pretty badass," Alex said, breaking the tense silence. "I think I've got a new name for you—Beast."

Sean eyed the jet with a hint of doubt. "You sure you can fly this thing?" he asked, skepticism clear in his voice.

Hank straightened up, his confidence returning. "Of course I can," he said firmly. "I designed it."

The jet skimmed low over the water, passing a few ships before pulling back up into the sky. "Looks pretty messy out there," Hank observed, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene below.

"The crew of the Aral Sea is dead. Shaw's been there," Charles said, his voice grim.

"He's still here, somewhere," Erik added.

Charles' expression darkened. "He's set the ship on course for the embargo line."

"If that ship crosses the line, our boys are going to blow it up. And the war begins," Moira warned.

"Unless they're not on board," Charles suggested, hope lacing his words.

Suddenly, the console on the jet began to beep urgently—a missile was heading straight toward them. Hank reacted instantly, sharply turning the jet to avoid the incoming threat. As the jet leveled out, Sophia pressed her back against the seat, trying to catch her breath. Her heart raced, but a comforting hand rested on her leg. She looked over to see Isabella, who gave her a reassuring smile, her hand gently covering Sophia's.

"A little warning next time, Professor," Hank said.

"Sorry about that," Charles replied, his tone apologetic. He quickly shifted his focus to Sean. "Are you alright?"

Sean nodded, though his voice was a bit shaky. "Yeah, I'm good."

Moira, trying to lighten the tension, said, "That was inspiring, Charles."

"Thank you, but I still can't locate Shaw," Charles admitted, frustration creeping into his voice.

Erik leaned forward, his eyes intense. "He's down there. We need to find him now."

Charles turned to Hank. "Is there anything unusual on the radar or scanners?"

Hank glanced at Moira, who checked the instruments. "No, nothing," she replied, a note of concern in her voice.

"Then he must be underwater, and obviously, we don't have sonar," Hank concluded.

"Yes, we do," Sean suddenly said, a spark of determination in his eyes.

Charles looked over at him, realization dawning. "Yes, we do," he echoed, his tone resolute. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he prepared to take action, Erik following his lead without hesitation.

"Hank, level the bloody plane!" Charles shouted, struggling to keep his balance as the jet swayed.

"Whoa, back off!" Sean warned, pointing at Erik, who had been getting too close. Erik raised his hands in surrender, taking a step back.

"Beast, open the bomb bay doors!" Sean called out urgently. Sophia, watching from her seat, felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach, worried about whether this plan would work.

Charles leaned in close to Sean, his voice steadying. "Remember, this is a muscle. You can control it," he reminded him, placing a reassuring hand on Sean's shoulder. "I'll be in here the entire time," Charles added, tapping his temple. "We'll see you soon," he finished, giving Sean a nod of encouragement.

"On my mark. Three, two, one—go!" Charles commanded.

Sean leaped from the jet, the wind whipping around him as he plummeted toward the water below.

"Alert the fleet," Moira said into her communication device, her tone urgent. "They might want to take their cameras off."

"Banshee's got a location on Shaw," Charles announced, his voice filled with both relief and resolve as he watched Sean's progress from the jet.

"You ready for this?" Charles asked Erik, his eyes steady.

"Let's find out," Erik replied, a determined edge in his voice.

"Oh, hold on, guys. It's gonna get bumpy," Hank said as the jet started its descent. Sophia gripped her seat tightly as the jet landed roughly on the beach, flipping upside down. She let out a shaky breath as the jet came to a stop.

Charles quickly made his way over to her. "Sophia, are you alright?" he asked, helping her out of her seat.

"Yeah, I'm okay," she replied, trying to steady her voice.

Charles nodded and turned his attention to the situation. "I read Shaw's mind. He's drawing all the power out of his sub. He's turning himself into some kind of nuclear bomb."

"We've got no time," Moira said urgently. "The Geiger counters are going off the charts."

"Alright, this is what we're going to do," Charles said, taking charge. "Moira, get on the radio and tell them to clear both fleets out immediately."

"I'm going in," Erik said, determination in his voice.

"Lumina, Beast, Havok, back him up," Charles instructed. "Erik, I can guide you through once you're inside, but you need to shut down whatever's blocking me. We're hoping it's not too late to stop Shaw."

"Got it," Erik said, nodding.

"Good luck!" Charles called as Erik prepared to head out.

"Raven, stop!" Charles shouted, catching her just as she tried to leave the damaged jet. "I'm going to help them," she insisted.

"We don't have time for this," Charles said firmly. "Anything that comes through that entrance, you're taking care of it, understood?"

"Fine," Raven replied reluctantly.

The fighting erupted around them, and Sophia watched anxiously from a broken part of the jet. "We believe Shaw is trying to detonate some kind of bomb," Moira said frantically into the communications device.

"Erik, head for the center of the vessel," Charles directed urgently. "That's the area my mind can't penetrate. We have to assume that's where Shaw is."

"That's the nuclear reactor," Charles continued, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Disable it."

Sophia understood that Charles was communicating telepathically with Erik, but it didn't make it any less strange to witness.

Sophia stood by Moira, who was still working frantically with the device. Charles's face showed strain as he concentrated. "I'm starting to see him, but I can't yet touch his mind," he said, his voice strained.

A moment later, Charles let out a small cry of pain. Sophia turned to him, worry etched on her face. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Sophia, please," Charles said, his voice tight with urgency. "I can only control this man for so long."

Sophia nodded silently, her eyes filled with concern. Charles's voice grew more frantic as he continued, "Erik, please, be the better man. You have it in you. There will be no turning back."

"No! Don't do this, Erik!" Charles shouted, his frustration evident as he pounded the side of the jet with his free hand.

Charles staggered out of the jet, his face contorted with anguish. "No, please, Erik, no," he pleaded, his voice breaking. Sophia followed closely behind, her own fear palpable.

"Please, Erik," Charles begged, his breathing growing ragged. He let out a long, pained scream, the strain evident in every line of his face.

Sophia stood there, paralyzed with worry. She watched helplessly, unsure of what to do, her concern etched deeply on her face.

Charles and Sophia approached Erik as he emerged from the submarine, Shaw's lifeless body in tow. Erik dropped Shaw's body on the ground alongside the others.

"Today, our fighting stops," Erik declared, his voice steady. He gestured towards the ships in the distance. "Take off your blinders, brothers and sisters. The real enemy is out there."

Sophia stayed a few paces behind Charles, her eyes fixed on Erik. Charles moved closer to Erik as he continued, "I feel their guns moving in the water. Their metal targeting us. Americans, Soviets, humans."

Erik's gaze shifted to Charles. "United in their fear of the unknown. A Neanderthal is running scared, my fellow mutants," he said.

Erik's gaze remained fixed on Charles as he challenged him. "Go ahead, Charles. Tell me I'm wrong."

Charles, his hand pressed to his temple, walked closer to the water. Sophia, still maintaining her distance, followed his movements with worried eyes. Charles glanced at Moira, who understood immediately and sprinted back to the jet.

A tense silence followed, broken only by the sudden, sharp sound of missiles firing. Sophia's heart raced as the projectiles hurtled towards them. Erik, however, raised a hand and began to turn the missiles back around, redirecting them towards the ships.

"Erik, you said yourself that we're the better men," Charles called out, his voice urgent. "This is the time to prove it."

But Erik was relentless. "There are thousands of men on those ships. Good, honest, innocent men. They're just following orders," Charles pleaded.

"I've been at the mercy of men just following orders," Erik replied coldly. "Never again." With that, he sent the missiles hurtling towards the ships.

"Erik, release them!" Charles shouted.

"No!" Charles, desperate, tackled Erik, forcing him to release the missiles.

"I don't want to hurt you. Don't make me," Erik warned, elbowing Charles in the face.

Sophia and the rest of the group moved closer, but Erik's powers flung them back forcefully. "Stay back!" he ordered.

Sophia watched in horror as Erik regained control of the missiles, aiming them once more at the ships. "Erik, stop!" Charles pleaded, trying to remove Erik's helmet.

Sophia gasped as Erik, his face contorted with rage, punched Charles, sending him stumbling back. Missiles exploded in the air, but Erik quickly reasserted control, redirecting them towards the ships once more.

Sophia turned to Isabella, who met her gaze with equal parts shock and distress. Disappointment flickered in Sophia's eyes as she looked at Isabella, questioning the choice she had made to align with Erik.

Sophia watched in horror as the missiles were about to strike the ships. The tension was shattered by a sudden gunshot. She whirled around to see Moira firing at Erik. The first bullet struck Erik's helmet, while others were deflected by his powers. But the last bullet veered off course and struck Charles in the back.

Charles cried out, collapsing to the ground. Sophia's hands flew to her mouth in shock. "Charles!" she cried, rushing to his side. "I'm so sorry," Erik said, kneeling beside Charles.

Erik's voice turned harsh as he yelled, "Back off!" Sophia stopped in her tracks, her heart pounding."You, you did this." Erik's powers flared as he used his abilities to choke Moira with the tags she was wearing. Sophia tried desperately to free her, but it was futile.

"Please, she didn't do this, Erik. You did," Charles managed to say, his voice weak but firm. Erik looked down at Charles, conflicted, before releasing Moira. She fell to her knees, and Sophia hurried to her side, trying to offer comfort and assistance.

Erik's gaze was intense as he addressed Charles. "Us turning on each other, it's what they want. I tried to warn you, Charles. I want you by my side. We're brothers, you and I. All of us together, protecting each other. We want the same thing."

Charles managed a faint, pained laugh. "Oh, my friend. I'm sorry, but we do not."

After a tense pause, Erik beckoned Sophia and Moira closer. Sophia quickly moved to Charles's side, gently shifting him onto her lap. "Charles, oh my god," she said, her voice trembling as she held him close. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Charles." Moira knelt beside them, her voice filled with regret.

"It's alright, it's alright," Charles reassured them, though his breathing was labored. Sophia held him tighter, her eyes brimming with tears.

Erik's voice cut through the somber moment. "His society won't accept us. We'll form our own. The humans have played their hand. Now it's time for us to play ours. Who's with me?" He locked eyes with Raven, who looked torn.

"No more hiding," Erik said firmly. Raven limped forward, glancing between Erik and Charles. She knelt beside Charles, her face a mixture of pain and resolve. "You should go with him. It's what you want," Charles said, his voice barely a whisper.

"You promised me you would never read my mind," Raven said, her voice breaking.

"I know. I promised you many things. I'm afraid I failed," Charles replied, kissing her hand. Raven leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Take care of him," she told Sophia.

Sophia nodded, her heart heavy. She glanced at Isabella, who stepped forward after a moment of hesitation. Isabella made her way toward Erik, meeting Sophia's sad gaze with a silent acknowledgment of the choice she was making.

Angel and two other mutants joined Erik, their presence a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded. "And Beast, never forget. Mutant and Proud," Raven said, her voice carrying the weight of finality. Then, they were gone.

The others, rushed to Charles's side. "Help me out, help him," Sophia urged urgently.

"I'm going to get you to a hospital," Moira said, her voice steady but filled with concern.

Charles shifted slightly, trying to hold onto Hank but crying out in pain. "Wait, don't—Charles, don't move, okay?" Hank said, his voice tight with worry.

Charles's expression grew more strained. "Actually, I can't—I—I can't feel my legs," he admitted, his voice wavering.

Sophia's heart sank as she leaned closer. "What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I can't feel my legs," Charles repeated, desperation and fear in his voice. "I can't feel my legs."

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Sophia pushed Charles's wheelchair outside the mansion, taking in the fresh air. "How many students do you think will be here once you get it up and running?" she asked, glancing at him.

"As many as I can manage. Possibly more," he replied.

She stopped the wheelchair, moving in front of him. "You know, Moira was right. One day, the government will realize how lucky they were to have Professor X on their side," she said softly.

Charles looked away with a small smile. "I suppose I am a professor now, aren't I? Next thing you know, I'll be going bald."

She laughed. "We're still on the government's side, Sophia," he said.

Sophia smiled. "I really liked the new name she gave the team, X-Men. Sounds fancy."

"Yes, I did like the sound of that," he agreed.

Charles began to speak, "Sophia, for us, anonymity—"

"No, Charles," she interrupted, kneeling down to him. "I'm not CIA, and I'm not going anywhere. Do not do this."

He laughed softly. "I know," he said. He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips. Sophia took his hand, holding it firmly. "Read my mind," she requested, looking deeply into his eyes.

Charles hesitated for a moment, then closed his eyes, reading her thoughts. When he opened his eyes, she was still looking at him, a small smile on her lips.

"I want to be here. I want to stay here and be with you," she said softly.

He returned her smile and pressed his lips to hers once more.