Marvel: The Gene Collector

"Oh my God! Captain America just took down another HYDRA factory! It's mind-blowing!" Charles exclaimed as he pored over the report on Steve's latest heroics.

In this era, the allure of heroism runs deep, and people can't help but admire characters like Captain America. Steve, who used to be a nobody, has transformed into a true hero.

"You talking about Steve? I know the guy. Need an autograph? I can hook you up," Alex grinned, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Really? That would be amazing, thank you!" Charles replied, his excitement evident.

"I was actually with Steve on that HYDRA mission. We busted into the factory and rescued around four hundred soldiers," Alex added, shifting the conversation to his exploits.

"Wait, is this the same mission where you single-handedly saved over 400 prisoners of war?" Charles asked in disbelief.

"Absolutely. If you want the details, I can spill the beans, but it's gotta stay between us, top-secret stuff," Alex replied with a conspiratorial tone in his voice.

"Count on me! I won't spill a word. But how did you even end up on the battlefield?" Charles inquired.

"Went with my adoptive father," Alex explained briefly.

"That's cool! If I ever get the chance, I want to be on the battlefield, taking down Nazis," Charles expressed his enthusiasm.

"You'll have your shot," Alex assured him with confidence.

"Hey, Alex, swing by my place today. You can share some stories about Captain," Charles invited.

Alex flashed a smile, "Absolutely! We're friends, right?"

"Definitely! Friends, it is," Charles responded happily. He always believed that mutants were like a family, and inviting friends over was just a natural extension.

Despite Charles' solid family background, there was a mystery surrounding his father. The household consisted of Charles, his mother, and no sign of Mystique as of yet, at least according to Alex's guess.

.....

Later that night, Alex, awakened by a bathroom urge, ventured out of his room. He noticed the kitchen light still on, accompanied by a faint sound, piquing his curiosity.

Charles suddenly felt a peculiar sensation and swiftly exited the room, brandishing a baseball bat.

"Did you catch that, Alex?" Charles inquired, directing his gaze at his companion while leaving the room.

"Heard some shuffling. Perhaps a daring thief taking advantage of the affluent neighborhood," Alex responded casually, the scenario feeling all too familiar, hinting at Raven's possible involvement.

Armed with a baseball bat, Charles cautiously approached the origin of the sound—the kitchen. Upon entering, he found a middle-aged woman in a vibrant red dress rummaging through the refrigerator. A sigh of relief escaped Charles as he questioned, "Mom, what are you up to?"

Observing the middle-aged woman, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Charles's mother, Alex couldn't help but suspect the presence of Mystique Raven in disguise.

Charles, still on edge, approached his supposed mother and expressed, "I thought we had an intruder."

With a warm smile, the imposter closed the refrigerator door hastily, reassuring, "Didn't mean to startle you, sweetheart. Just grabbed a snack. Now, off to bed, my darlings."

The unsettling encounter left both Charles and Alex staring at the shape-shifter, puzzled by the unexpected twist.

Undeterred, the imposter insisted, "What's the matter? Off to bed, you two. I'll whip up a cup of hot chocolate for you."

Charles, visibly angry, introduced Alex to the imposter, questioning her presence in his house. "He's my classmate, Alex. Who are you, and why are you here? What have you done to my mother?" Charles's expression darkened as he tapped into his psychic abilities, delving into the imposter's mind.

Approaching the shape-shifter with each step, Charles continued, "My mother never steps foot in the kitchen, let alone makes me hot chocolate. She always insists that I do it!"

Unable to withstand Charles's psychic onslaught, Mystique Raven retreated step by step until she finally revealed her proper form—Mystique, with her distinctive blue skin.

Witnessing Raven's remarkable transformation, a pleased Charles couldn't help but flash a smile. He turned to Alex, expressing, "Alex, it seems we've just gained another valuable ally."

Alex, fully acknowledging the significance of having Raven on their side, nodded in agreement. The portrayal of Raven by Rebecca Romijn added an extra layer of value to her presence.

As Raven, with her piercing gaze, questioned their fear, Charles responded with a light-hearted chuckle, "Fear? Quite the opposite, my dear. We thought we were the sole bearers of uniqueness."

In response, Alex, with a subtle smile, demonstrated his ability by manipulating the magnetic field. The kitchen came alive as iron objects gracefully levitated under his control.

Taking the initiative to formalize their introduction, Charles extended a hand toward Raven. "I'm Charles Xavier."

In turn, Alex introduced himself, "My name is Alex, Alex Stark."

With that, the current chapter concluded, leaving the readers eager for the unfolding dynamics among Charles, Alex, and their newly acquired ally, Raven.

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Hey everyone, exciting news! We've got a tremendous challenge ahead. If we can gather 100 power stones by Friday, brace yourselves because there's a fantastic bonus chapter coming your way on Saturday! Let the power stone hunt begin!

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Do you want to read ahead? Explore more chapters filled with sizzling encounters and heart-pounding adventures.

Link: pa*treon.com/MidnightWonder (Remove the *)