7 Lily's Gift #7

Evan's thoughts drifted as he recounted his encounter with a special mutant child—a little girl with the power to turn the world upside down in more than one way. Her abilities had made her the target of many, including General Ross, and Evan had resolved to protect her, even if it meant sacrificing his own career and a big portion of his plans.

"For a time, I managed to keep her safe," Evan explained, his voice carrying a hint of both pride and sadness. "But she was too smart for her own sake. She knew the danger she posed if her powers were to fall into the wrong hands."

His words revealed the depth of the connection he had forged with the little girl. She had become more than just another target. Her life was entwined with Evan's own, and he had grown to care for her deeply.

The weight of responsibility hung heavily on Evan's shoulders, knowing that her life was in his hands. "In the end," he confessed with a heavy heart, "she took her own life when I wasn't looking."

The room fell into silence as Xavier absorbed the profound impact of Evan's words. It was a burden few could comprehend, the weight of witnessing a tragedy and feeling responsible for its outcome.

Evan's expression briefly faltered, betraying the lingering regret that he carried. He had thought himself invincible in those days, yet he couldn't save one child.

"When it was all said and done," Evan said softly, taking a deep breath and calming himself, "I was left only with the single gift the little girl left for me." He concluded as he raised his hand, displaying the golden light dancing at the palms of his hand.

Looking at the golden light emanating from Evan's hand, Xavier's eyes widened, and he said in awe, "Is that...?"

Evan warily smiled, the glimmer of sadness in his eyes, and replied, "Yes... it was her gift. I call it Lily's Gift-- that was her name..." He paused, his fingers gently caressing the glowing light. "And yes... it is a mutant power."

Xavier's face showed shock, and he had to pause for a moment, gathering his thoughts before he spoke again, "So you mean to tell me there was a mutant child capable of giving powers to humans, and now she's..."

Evan nodded somberly, his expression carrying the weight of the memories, "Dead, yes..."

Xavier let out a heavy sigh, absorbing the information. "So it was her-- the one Mystique and Destiny told me about..." He shook his head, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Destiny predicted she could bridge the gap between humans and mutants..." The professor's eyes seemed to gaze into the distance, envisioning the possibilities that were now lost.

He let out a bitter smile, the reality of the situation sinking in. "Alas, the light extinguished as quickly as it ignited in Cerebro..."

Evan's smile remained, though it held a hint of sadness. "As much as I hate to admit it... but that future would have never come to pass..." His voice was calm, filled with a sense of understanding. "With her power, Lily would have been a target for every maniac with an agenda..."

Evan's tone turned colder, a hint of resentment creeping in. "In a way, her death was the best possible outcome for everyone... her powers manifested too early."

In Xavier's grand office, the atmosphere remained heavy with the weight of the conversation that had just unfolded. Evan's peculiar choice of words did not go unnoticed by the professor, and he frowned, curious about the hidden meaning behind them.

Xavier couldn't help but inquire, "Too early for what, might I ask?"

Evan's smile, though tinged with sorrow, remained enigmatic as he replied, "Too early for me to be ready to protect her." The words held a sense of regret as if Evan believed that given enough time, he could have shielded the young girl from the world itself.

Xavier's raised an intrigued eyebrow, clearly interested in the complexity of Evan's thoughts. He asked, "You think you would have been able to protect her, given enough time? From the entire world?"

Evan's chuckle held a hint of self-assurance, "If that's what it would take... but here we are," he said with a rueful shake of his head. "There's no use debating what ifs and if nots..." Evan's smile turned more genuine, his resilience showing through. "I'm here to get a job, and we got considerably sidetracked in our conversation..."

Xavier's eyes held a mix of admiration and curiosity as he regarded the enigmatic man sitting across from him. Evan's determination and confidence were evident, and there was a sense that this man had faced many challenges and emerged stronger.

The professor's frown softened into a thoughtful expression, realizing that Evan's journey had led him here, seeking a new purpose and a chance to make a difference. Evan's past held secrets and scars, but there was also resilience and strength that couldn't be denied.

Xavier leaned back in his chair, contemplating the young man's request. "Your qualifications are indeed impressive," he acknowledged, "And your determination is evident." He paused for a moment before continuing, "I believe you have the potential to make a positive impact on our students, to help them not only control their powers but also understand the responsibility that comes with them."

Evan's smile widened slightly, appreciating the professor's words. "So, when do I get to start?" he asked, eager to begin his new role as a combat instructor.

....

I woke up in my newly assigned room, a fraction of a second before the alarm clock activated. It was a useless habit, really, as I had long since trained my biological clock to wake up whenever I pleased. But old habits die hard, I suppose.

The room was simple, with basic furnishings and a small bathroom attached. The only thing that stood out was the view from the window, overlooking the lush forest surrounding the mansion's lawn. It was a serene sight, and I appreciated the tranquility it offered.

Charles Xavier had agreed to hire me as a combat instructor for the students at the X-Mansion. It was a good deal for me, as it allowed me to lay low and avoid any unwanted attention, at least for the time being. We had established some ground rules, with me making it clear that I was only interested in being an instructor and not joining the X-Men on missions. There were other rules, of course, but those were discussions for the future.

Stretching my arms, I shed my clothes and made my way to the bathroom for a quick shower. The warm water washed away the last remnants of sleep, and I felt refreshed as I stepped out. I went to the sink to brush my teeth, looking at my reflection in the mirror. My body used to be riddled with scars, accumulated over the years from my past life. But after absorbing Extremis from Pepper Potts, all those scars had vanished, leaving behind smooth and unblemished skin.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I proceeded to brush my teeth and exited the bathroom, feeling refreshed after the shower. I picked out a fresh suit and shirt from my wardrobe, quickly dressing up. Just as I finished adjusting my tie, I heard a knock on the door. "That must be my guide," I mused with a smile, making my way to the door.

As I opened it, I couldn't help but pause at the sight before me. Standing in front of me was a statuesque dark-skinned woman with silver-white hair cascading down her shoulders. Her startling blue eyes locked with mine, and I found myself momentarily captivated by her presence. She was dressed in a tight white shirt and a sleek black skirt, exuding an air of confidence and elegance.

"Good morning, Mr. Shpeherd," she greeted me with an amused smile, her voice soothing and calm as she cleared her throat. "I'm Ororo Munroe, and I'll be showing you around the X-Mansion today... if you're finished staring, that is..."

I couldn't help but laugh, snapping out of my reverie at her words. "Do forgive me, Miss Monroe... I'm more used to waking up to some soldier's unwashed mug in the morning..." Extending my hand toward her, I added, "Waking up to such a lovely face was an unexpected pleasure, and I couldn't help but stare..."

...

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