Outside the fortified entrao Cerebro, Tyson stood guard against any who might dare approach. The five blondes, almost identical in appearance, maintained a loose perimeter around him. At first, they were silent, yet there was an underlying tension in the air. Their heads tilted in unison, pale blue eyes fog on the far end of the corridor. The subtlest shift in their stance sighat they had picked up on something. "An intruder approaches," they muttered as ohe blondes eyes’ fshed with a blue glow as they jointly accessed their psionics. "Difficult to dis," one spoke, another added, "Her mind is... shielded."

  Tyson's stance became mgressive, every muscle in his body ready for a. His eyes sed the corridor, ready for whatever was about to emerge.

  The dimly lit corridor echoed with footsteps as Mystique emerged from around the far er. Tyshe threat and immediately lunged forward in a blur of movement. Yet, halfway to his intearget, his form halted as if caught by invisible s. His muscles bulged with strain and his features torted in frustration, but he couldn't move.

  Mystique moved around Tyson towards the qui of bloheir identical faces refleg caution and intrigue. Their voices began that eerie, almost hypnotic rey of speech. "It's the metamorph," one began.

  Mystique retorted sharply, "Get out of my way."

  The transformation began at Mystique's feet, the blue scales seemed to melt away. The ges cascaded upwards like a wave of fluid motion. Her lithe, muscur form softened. Her face, once sharp and angur, also softened, her cheekbones desding, her jawline narrowing. Mystique's fiery red hair receded into her scalp, re-emerging as ptinum blonde locks that framed her fad fell in perfect, uniform waves down her shoulders. Her eyes shifted from their pierg yellow to a softer blue, mirr the icy gaze of the blondes. In moments, where there had been one formidable, blue-skinned shapeshifter, now stood another identical young woman. Each detail was replicated with supernatural precision; the cut of their stylish yet austere clothing, the way they held their posture, and even the subtle, shared expressions that crossed their faces.

  But the girls weren't easily intimidated. Spreading out in formation, each adopting a fighting stance, another tinued, "You might shape-shift.” Another finished her sentence, “But you 't hide from us."

  The qui of blondes advanystique in perfect syny, their movements mirr one another as if they were all part of a single anism.

  As the first blonde luowards her, Mystique ducked and swirled around her, aiming to use her momentum against her. But another blonde was right there, cutting off her escape. With every movement Mystique made, it seemed one of the blondes anticipated her. They worked in perfect tandem, blog her strikes and tering seamlessly. It was like trying to fight a siity with five bodies.

  Mystique, ever adaptable, switched strategies, aiming to isote them. With a swift roundhouse kick, she mao send one of the blondes crashing into the others, creating a momentary opening. She lunged forward, fist aimed squarely at the face of the blonde closest to her. But just as her strike was about to nd, the blonde's skin shimmered, transf into an iridest diamond-like material. Mystique's fist collided with the diamond face, produg a sharp, eg g but causing no damage. The force of her punch merely sent the blonde skidding back a foot or so, her diamond eyes betraying no pain.

  "You didn't expect that." one of the bloaunted, while the others recovered and began their coorditace more.

  Magurhe er and approached with a smooth, assured gait. "Look what they've doo you," he observed, his voice dripping with pity and perhaps a touch of disgust. He paused, surveying Tyson's predit, his foarrowing on the gleam of the metal within him. "I reize the signature of that alloy. They've doo you what they did to Logan." A slight smile crept onto his face. "It's made you stronger." He leaned in, almost admiringly, "But not against me."

  With the slightest flick of his wrist, Mago sent Tyson crashing into the wall. The adamantium within him became his cage. The sheer force of the magic field reyson immobile, his struggles futile.

  The five blondes, moving with a unity that seemed inhuman, were so focused oarget, Mystique, that they failed to take into at the threat approag from behind them. While Mystique danced and dodged between the blondes, drawing their collective attention, Mago raised a hand subtly. With a mere flick of his fingers, strips of metal began to peel away from the walls of the corridor. They unduted like snakes, refleg the fluorest lights overhead in a serpentine dance of their own. Suddenly, with a swifthat caught the blondes off guard, the strips of metal shot forward, ensnaring them. They ed around wrists, ankles, and torsos, pulling the five girls tight against the walls, and rendering them immobile. Their diamond forms shimmered, but to their surprise and then frustration, they were uo break the bonds.

  "Impossible!" one of the blondes cried, struggling against the powerful metallidings.

  Another, with an eerily calm demeanor, stated, "He was hidden from us."

  Mago looked over the restrained blondes with a hint of satisfa. "It's always the uhreats that pose the greatest danger," he remarked coolly.

  Mystique, catg her breath, gave Mago a nod of gratitude.

  Mago approached the heavy metal door that barred their path to Cerebro. The door was built as sturdy as a bank vault. But fo, such barriers were mere trifles. He raised a hand, fog ily on the plex log meism within the door. From within, the distinct sound of gears turning and locks releasing echoed in the corridor. With a final, resonant *k*, the massive dan to swing open with a slow, deliberate grace, revealing the pathway ahead.

  As Mago worked his way through the door, Mystique closed her eyes briefly. When she opehem, her skin began to ripple and shift. Her form began to ge, bones realigning, her height adjusting. In a matter of seds, she became an impeccable replica of Stryker. The transformation was fwless, down to the stern expression and cold glint in her eyes. ‘Stryker’ approached Jason, the mutant's eyes unfocused, refleg a world of illusion he tinuously painted for others. Mystique, with every detail of Stryker, leaned close, her voice dripping with feigned urgency. "Jason," she whispered, her lips barely moving, "Find all the Humans. Kill all the Humans."

  Jason's eyes, previously gzed, so sharp attention. He hesitated for just a heartbeat, then nodded slowly, beginning his psychiipution on Xavier. The Professor's face, serene and distant uhe helm of Cerebro, subtly twitched, a brief sign of the mental battle ensuing within. As Jason focused on his new directive, Mago motioo Mystique, signaling their exit. The two mutants swiftly exited Cerebro's chamber. Reag the door, Mago outstretched his arm, his fingers spyed. With a trated effort, the door's metal began to twist and meld, seg Cerebro from any possible intrusion. As he worked, he turned and regarded the blondes, but dismissed them.

  Mago firmly pulled Tyson from where he had been pio the wall. The young mutant hovered, surrounded by a magic field, just behind Mago. Tyson tile but was held helpless within the power. With Mystique leading and Tyson floating behind, the trio made their way down the corridor.

  ~~ Rogue Rept ~~

  Stryker's boots clicked heavily against the etal floor of the base. Close behind, Omega Red and Yuriko followed. They turned a er and halted abruptly. There, in the middle of the hallway, stood Wolverihere was a moment nant silence before a crisp, metallic sound shattered it. Three adamantium cws on each of Wolverine's hands slowly extended, refleg the cold light in a menag gleam.

  Stryker's eyes darted, looking for an alternative route. "We'll go around," he muttered quickly. Then, as if an afterthought, he turo his tall panion, "Red, handle him." As he turned back to Yuriko he ented, “These mutants are like weeds. I think it’s time we made our exit.”

  Omega Red smirked, the light pying off his pallid skin, making it appear even mhostly. His Russian at was thick thick as he said, "You shouldn't be here."

  But Wolverine's gaze never wavered from Stryker. With a roar, he lunged forward, the i clear in his eyes. He was going for the man who had caused him so much pain. But just as he was about to reach Stryker, something shot out from Omega Red's arm. A long, whip-like tentacle smmed into Wolverine's side, sending him skidding across the floor with a grunt.

  Omega Red chuckled, "Thought you could ignore me, little man?" He flexed his tentacles, ready for the brawl that was about to ensue.

  Omega Red towered over Wolverine, his long, deadly tentacles writhing and moving with a life of their own. His lips curled into a cruel smirk, relishing the moment.

  With a fierce growl, Wolverine lunged, sshing swiftly at his oppo. Omega Red's tentacles snapped forward, aiming to ensnare Wolverine, but the smaller mutant dodged with surprising agility. Every time Red thought he had Wolverihose sharp cws would fsh, slig the tentacles and f them to retract. Yet, for all of Wolverine's agility, Omega Red had raw power. A tentacle whipped forward, catg Wolverine off-guard and hurling him into a nearby wall. The impact sent a shockwave through the corridor, debris scattering everywhere. Wolverine grunted, pain and anger evident in his eyes. Uerred, Wolverine pushed off the wall, using it as a springboard. He came at Omega Red from above, raining down a flurry of sshes. But Omega Red was no pushover. With a swift motion, he caught Wolverine mid-air with his tentacles, strig him tightly.

  As the tentacles squeezed, Omega Red drew Wolverine closer, their faces inches apart. "Thought you could beat me?" he hissed, a gloating grin stretg across his face.

  Wolverine, despite the immense pressure, managed a defiant smirk. "Barely started trying," he spat back. With a sudden surge of energy, Wolverine's cws plunged into the tentacles, f Omega Red to release him.

  Cirg each other warily, their eyes locked in mutual disdain, they prepared to csh again. Wolverine and Omega Red sized each other up. The silence alpable, punctuated only by the distant echoes of chaos elsewhere in the base. With a snarl, Omega Red lunged first, his tentacles shooting out, aiming straight for Wolverihroat. Wolverine ducked, rolling to the side, then sprung up and lunged with his cws bared. But Omega Red was faster this time, his tentacles ing around Wolverine’s arms, pinning his deadly cws to his sides.

  “I’ve got you, little man.” Omega Red sneered.

  But Wolverine had another move up his sleeve. Using his legs, he pushed off the ground, flipping backward and using the momentum to kiega Red into the wall. The impact dazed the Russian mutant momentarily, and Wolverine broke free.

  "ry, bub," Wolverine spat, wiping a trail of blood from the er of his mouth.

  The fight turned even more savage. Omega Red's tentacles, now infused with glowing energy, became even mgressive, snapping and writhing, trying to drain the life force from Wolverine. But Logan's healing factor kept him on his feet, his resilienever wavering. Omega Red's tentacles grabbed a metal pipe, twisting it into a spear and hurling it at Wolverine. With incredible reflexes, Wolverine sliced through it, but the diversion allowed Omega Red to nd a solid punch to his face.

  Wolveriumbled back, "Yoing to have to do better than that," he growled, getting bato a fighting stance.

  Omega Red chuckled. In a heavy at, he replied, "Oh, don't worry. I have plenty more in store for you."

  He rushed the smaller man, their silhouettes g again.

  ~~ Rogue Rept ~~

  Nightcrawler and Storm made their way to the holding room where the children captured from the Institute were kept. Cages dangled ominously in the air, the young mutant captives looked down on them with eyes wide with terror. Storm’s blue eyes fshed as she sed the area, trying to find the trols to lower the cages. Nightcrawler was about to simply teleport to the cages when suddenly, footsteps echoed in the chamber. Both mutants turo find Cyclops walking in, his ruby-quartz vislowing dimly.

  "Scott!" Storm excimed, relief evident in her voice. "You're okay!"

  But something was amiss. Scott's face was eerily calm, devoid of aion. His demeanor did not refley hint nition.

  "Scott?" Storm questioned again, uainty creeping into her voice.

  Without warning, Cyclops raised a hand to his visor. The subsequent red bst that shot out was sudden and ferocious. Storm, reag just in time, ducked behind a sole.

  Nightcrawler, realizing the immi danger, yelled, "It seems he's not himself!"

  "I see that, Kurt!" she resporying to keep her focus on Scott while searg for a way to subdue him without causing harm.

  Cyclops prepared to fire another bst, his pcid expression never ging.

  The atmosphere within the chamber crackled with electricity as Storm’s usually calm demeanor shifted. Her eyes, a brilliant shade of blue moments before, transformed into a stark white. Arouhe winds stirred, starting as a mere whisper aing into a tempestuous roar in mere seds. Her cape billowed and her hair danced wildly in the gusts she summoned.

  Suddenly, Cyclops found himself overpowered, a victim to nature's might as a gust of wind smmed him to the ground. But Storm didn't stop there. With a sweep of her hand, the wind took hold of Cyclops, dragging him helplessly across the room's metal floor. With his back against the wall, Scott defiantly struggled against the force pinning him. He lifted his hand, releasiic bsts. The cussive beams ricocheted, creating etal screeched and lights flickered as the beams hit their mark, turning the chamber into a dangerous maze of destru.

  In a puff of brimstone-sted smoke, Nightcrawler appeared beside Cyclops. He nded a punch to Scott's abdomen, momentarily knog the wind out of him. Before the powerful gusts could sweep him off, Nightcrawler vanished, reappearing safely away. Again and again, he executed his hit-and-run tactics, appearing beside Scott for a strike and then disappearing. The bination of Storm’s relentless winds and Nightcrawler’s rapid assaults gradually wore Cyclops down. His efforts to fire his optic bsts became less frequent, and his struggles against the wind weakened. With o punch from Nightcrawler, a swift strike to the temple, Scott's eyes rolled back, and he slumped, unscious, still pinned against the wall by the force of the wind.

  The room fell silent, save for the soft whir of disturbed air as Storm reined in her powers. She k beside Scott, her fiips brushing against his o check for a pulse. Without waiting for further instru, Nightcrawler nodded and turned his attention to the suspended cages. He disappeared in a puff of purple smoke, only to reappear within one of the cages. His agile hands moved swiftly, unfastening the restraints and lifting the first child into his arms. With aeleportation, he reappeared on the ground, pg the child safely before repeating the process. Each time he appeared, a f whisper of "You're safe now" left his lips, helping calm the frightened children. It wasn't long before the floor of the chamber was filled with a small group of children, their faces streaked with tears but relief evident in their eyes. Nightcrawler moved quickly until every child was free.

  Storm cast a shadow over the children. "Stay close," she instructed, her voice firm but kind. "We're going to get out of here."

  Nodding, Nightcrawler hoisted Scott onto his shoulder. With the children gathered around Storm they began to move. Nightcrawler, carrying Scott, took the rear, his eyes darting around for any signs of danger.

  The dim lighting of the corridor made the distant figures difficult to dis. As Storm detected approag figures, she immediately went on the defensive. She stepped forward, her blue eyes sing the distatempting to identify the group.

  "Hold on," she whispered to the children, urging them to stay close and still. "Kurt!" she called out more loudly, the name eg slightly. In an instantaneous puff of violet-hued smoke, Nightcrawler was by her side, Scott still cradled in his arms. The sudden appearance of that distinct teleportation smoke made the group of approag figures hesitate for a split sed.

  From among the figures, a familiar burst of colorful fireworks erupted. Jubilee's voice, full of relief, broke through, "Oh thank god it’s you!"

  Storm, reizing the distinct pattern of Jubilee’s light show, rexed her posture slightly. However, her gaze turern when she said, "I thought we told you to stay i."

  John replied, "Yeah, like that was going to happen."

  As the group closed the distaweehe features of Jubilee, John, and a few others became clear. Storm's expression softened with relief, but she maintained her authoritative stance. Waving her hand slightly towards Nightcrawler, she signaled him to return to the back with Scott.

  "Good," Storm started, direg her words to the newly arrived team, "You help get the kids to the pne."

  Illyana's blue eyes darted from face to face, and a frowled on her lips. "Where's Tyson?" she inquired, her voice sharp with .

  Jean stepped closer, her brows kogether. "And Professor X?" she added.

  Storm showed a hint of worry as she responded, "Mago and Mystique were heading to get Xavier whe saw them." She paused, gng at the group, then added hesitantly, "As for Tyson... we aren't certain of his whereabouts."

  The weight of those words settled heavily on the group. The tension alpable. Illyana's face was etched with a stubborn resolve, her voice carrying an edge. "No," she decred.

  Storm raised an eyebrow, "No?" she repeated, seeking crity.

  "I'm going to find Tyson," Illyana began. "Do you know how many more of us would've been taken from the mansion if he hadn't been there? He stood against those invaders. Alone. And now he's missing? And to top it all off, Mago is here. The very same man who already tried to kidnap Tyson. You were there when they found him mangled on the rooftop. You know what he did to him!" Her words reverberated through the corridor.

  Storm tried to find a middle ground. "Listen, Illyana, once we ehe children's safety, we'll e back for Tyson and the Professor. We're a team. We don't leave anyone behind."

  Illyana's blue eyes bzed "Not good enough," she snapped, "I'm finding my boyfriend now."

  John couldn’t resist. "Finally, she admits they're dating!" he said with a smirk.

  Jubilee smacked John's arm. "Not the time, John!"

  Ign the two, Illyana's boots clicked as she strode down a different corridor, every step eg her resolve to find Tyson.

  As Illyana made her determined march down the corridor, John jogged to catch up. "Wait up!" he called, falling in step with her.

  Bobby’s expression showed a mix of and bewilderment as he raised his voice. "Hey, where are you going?"

  John gnced back, fshing a mischievous grin and shrugging. "'t let her go alone, right?"

  Jubilee's eyes softened, "Be safe, okay?" she told them, her voice a gentle plea.

  Jean's face was lined with ption. "Should we just... let them go like that?" she asked, her voice ced with uainty.

  Jubilee took a deep breath, her gaze drifting off momentarily. "I want to save Tyson too, believe me. But I keep repying his words in my head. He told me I'm not ready yet. And if I'm being ho, I feel it. I'm not prepared to be the hero, yet. For now, my job is to keep these kids safe. But if you think you're ready, Jean, then hurry up and go with them."

  Jean sidered Jubilee's words. Her mind fshed back to the footage of Tyson taking on Mago. Watg him wield her telekinesis with such raw power, at a level she hadn’t achieved, made her sider. She realized, much like Jubilee, she wasn’t there yet. She gave a small nod indig she was staying.

  Bobby's gaze shifted to Storm, his eyebrows knit in a silent plea fuidahe weight of the situatioed heavily on Storm's shoulders. She exhaled deeply, her voice revealing a touch of weariness. "Teically, they did graduate this year," she admitted, gng in the dire John and Illyana had departed.

  Bobby's face showed surprise, "So, they're making their own choiow?"

  Storm nodded slowly. "Yes, they are. I don’t agree, but I 't trol them at the moment. Right now, my main focus is to protect these children. Ohey're safe, I promise, I'll e bad search for… everyone."

  Behind the Ses

  - In the X-Men movies, Wolveris his adamantium sometime after 1974 (Days of Future Past) and before 1983 (Apocalypse). Logan happens in 2029. But… The (Future Part) of Days of Future Past happens in 2023, and Logan is seemingly fi that point, maybe starting to show the first symptoms of adamantium poisoning since his hair is greying around the temples and he looks older. So we assume around the 40 to 50-year mark is when adamantium really starts to take its toll on mutant healing factors.