Unwelcomed Intrusion #18

The next day, Evan found himself on another date with Ororo. They sat at a cozy table in the restaurant, the dim lighting adding a touch of intimacy to the ambiance. The gentle hum of conversations and the clinking of cutlery filled the air as they enjoyed their dinner.

"So, how did your first lesson go?" Ororo inquired, her eyes curious as she sipped her wine. She was genuinely interested in Evan's experience as the new combat instructor at the X-Mansion.

Evan couldn't help but smile at her question. "It provided the perfect excuse to ask you out again, so I'd say it went perfectly," he teased playfully, earning a playful eye-roll from Ororo.

"You never miss an opportunity to flirt, do you?" she said with a chuckle. "But I am curious to know how it went."

Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, Evan replied, "Well, it went as expected. The students who bothered to attend showed extraordinary powers and potential." He paused and sighed, his expression turning contemplative. "But they fought like a flock of headless chickens," he continued, not a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"They lacked coordination and barely used their abilities to their full extent," Evan concluded.

Ororo raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his assessment. "That bad, huh?" she remarked, taking another sip of her wine.

Evan nodded in agreement. "Afraid so," he admitted. "But there's no need to fret," he quickly added, a confident smile returning to his lips. "I'm here to guide them, after all. With time and training, they'll learn to work together as a team and harness the full potential of their powers."

Ororo nodded appreciatively, impressed by his confidence and optimism. She watched recordings of the training session in the Danger Room and knew Evan was up to the task. His combat skills and strategic thinking were evident in every aspect of his life, and she had no doubt that he would be a great mentor to the young mutants.

"I have no doubt you'll make a difference," she said, resting her face on her hand. "Still... I can't help but wonder; why are you here, really?"

Evan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Ororo's line of questioning. "What ever do you mean?" he asked, genuinely curious about her thoughts.

Ororo leaned back in her chair, her eyes focused on Evan. "You said that you aimed to reach for the stars," she began, her voice calm and measured. "And you seem like a man driven by his goals." She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "I can't help but wonder how being a combat instructor at the X-Mansion would further those goals of yours?"

Evan couldn't help but chuckle at her astuteness. "If you're trying to probe how much I know about the X-Men, you could have just asked," he teased, a playful glint in his eyes. He was no stranger to keeping his cards close to his chest, but he had nothing to hide.

Ororo's expression remained composed, though a hint of surprise flickered in her eyes. Evan continued, undeterred by her reaction. "I do know about the X-Men's relationship with the Shi'ar Empire," he admitted, his voice steady. "But that's not why I'm here."

Her poker face momentarily wavered as she sighed, conceding the point. "So you did know," she said, a mix of relief and amusement in her voice. She shook her head apologetically and said, "Forgive the roundabout approach, but I had to know for everyone's sake..."

"Most people come to the X-Mansion to seek guidance or a place to call home," she said, her voice gentle. She paused, her eyes searching Evan's face for any sign of understanding. "I'm not sure if you're a mutant or not, but you don't seem to need guidance or a home," she observed, her concern evident.

Evan leaned back in his chair. He knew Ororo was trying to make sense of his presence at the X-Mansion, and he appreciated her honesty. "It's true," he admitted, his voice sincere. "I have my own path, and I've always been one to rely on myself."

He sighed softly, his thoughts drifting to his past. "I've been on my own for a long time, traveling from place to place, seeking knowledge and honing my skills," he shared, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "But I couldn't possibly keep going like that forever..."

Ororo listened attentively, sensing the openness behind his words. "It's why some might doubt your motives," she said softly, understanding the skepticism that surrounded his arrival.

Evan nodded, acknowledging the doubts that others might have about him. "And that's fair," he said. "I don't blame them for questioning my intentions. I wouldn't react differently."

"But I'm an open book." he continued, a genuine smile gracing his lips. "My motives are no secret," he trailed off, searching for the right words to convey his feelings.

He took a deep breath, his eyes locking with Ororo's. "The stars are the finish line waiting on the horizon for me, and I intend to reach them with my own means..." he said, his voice soft but determined. "But even if I were to reach the stars, I'd still need a place to return to."

Ororo frowned in confusion, wanting to understand his meaning more clearly. "What do you mean?" she asked, intrigued by the depths of his thoughts.

Ororo listened intently to Evan's words, her eyes fixed on his face as he spoke. The crackling of the fire filled the cabin, creating a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Evan's expression turned serious as he delved into the topic at hand.

"Earth, my dear," he began, his voice carrying a mix of fondness and concern. He trailed off for a moment as if contemplating the vastness of the universe. "Undoubtedly small and backward on the grand scale of the universe," he continued, "yet trouble always seems to find itself to our little planet."

His words held a weight of truth, and Ororo nodded in agreement. Earth had been a battleground for numerous extraordinary events, attracting a myriad of dangers from both within and beyond.

"Magical artifacts, doomsday weapons, war-like alien species," Evan enumerated, each word carrying a sense of urgency. "All have a way of magically manifesting on Earth," he explained, emphasizing the precariousness of their home.

The gravity of the situation hung in the air, and Ororo could feel the weight of responsibility in Evan's words. He wasn't just speaking about the dangers Earth faced but the need for guardians to protect it as well.

"If left be, then our home would sooner or later cease to exist," Evan concluded, his voice resolute. There was no doubt in his words, as if he knew his words would come true sooner or later.

Ororo frowned. "You're right," she said, her voice steady. "Earth needs protectors... but if you think X-men could take the role, you're unfortunately mistaken..."

Before Evan could respond, Ororo continued, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "I have no doubt that many of the X-Men would rise to defend Earth if needed, nor do I doubt their capability," she said, her eyes reflecting her genuine belief in her teammates' abilities.

"However, I doubt humans would accept them as guardians," she sighed, her expression troubled. "Mutants have faced discrimination and fear for far too long. It's not just about their powers, but about their very existence."

Evan listened attentively, understanding the weight of her words. He had seen the fear and prejudice that mutants often faced and knew that overcoming it would be no easy task.

"I'm well aware of human prejudice," Evan replied, his tone calm and composed. "But if humanity is to survive what's to come, they must work together... mutants, mutates, or otherwise."

He looked into Ororo's eyes with determination, his belief unwavering. "The threats we face are not bound by race or species. It's a common challenge that requires a united front."

A soft smile graced Evan's lips as he continued, "That's why I'm here... to make everyone understand such a simple fact."

Ororo studied him, her heart warmed by his conviction. She had always believed in the importance of unity and cooperation and saw that same belief reflected in Evan's eyes.

"For all it's worth..." she said, her voice gentle. "I do look forward to seeing such a future, if it is at all possible..."

Evan was ready to change the subject to something less severe, but he had to stop himself as he spotted a familiar figure approaching him in the corner of his eye, causing him to stop.

Smiling, he turned to Ororo and said, "Do forgive me... it seems my presence has attracted an unwelcome guest..." He turned to the man approaching their table, and Ororo followed his line of sight.

She couldn't help but pause at the sight of a familiar face she had seen on television many times.

...

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