The next morning, the sun rose over the Xavier Mansion, casting golden hues across the vast estate. The usual peace of the morning was short-lived as few members gathered in the main hall, awaiting the return of Professor Xavier and Logan.
Storm and Betsy had returned from their girls' night out and were immediately briefed by Hank about the previous night's events. The corridors still bore signs of the intrusion—damaged walls, lingering scorch marks, and the faint scent of smoke in the air. The bodies of the attackers had been discreetly disposed of, but the tension from the ambush still lingered.
The Blackbird jet descended smoothly onto the landing strip near Xavier's Mansion, its engines humming before shutting down. As the ramp lowered, Professor Xavier and Logan stepped out, accompanied by a young girl in a yellow trench coat, fingerless gloves, and pink sunglasses. She blew a bubble with her gum before popping it loudly.
However, as they approached the mansion, Jubilee's excitement faded, replaced by confusion as she took in the damage. The corridors bore scorch marks, walls were cracked, and a few doors were either broken or barely hanging onto their hinges.
She raised an eyebrow and turned to Logan. "Damn. Is the mansion short on funding or something?"
Logan smirked, his sharp eyes scanning the destruction. "Nah, kid. Looks like someone had one hell of a fight here last night."
Professor Xavier's expression darkened as he assessed the extent of the damage. He reached out with his telepathy, sensing the remnants of heightened emotions—fear, anger, aggression. Something—or someone—had attacked, and it wasn't just a small incident.
His gaze shifted further inside, where a group of students lingered in the hallway—Kitty, Bobby, John, and a few others who looked uneasy.
Xavier wheeled forward "Everyone, this is Jubilee, She's a new student here at the institute." and addressed Kitty. "Kitty, I'd like you to give our new student a tour of the mansion. She'll be staying here from now on."
Jubilee waved. "Yo, what's up, people?"
Kitty who is always eager to welcome new students stepped forward. "Come on, I'll show you around. You can meet the rest of the gang."
Jubilee grinned. "Sweet. Hope the food here's better than my last school."
As Kitty led Jubilee away, Xavier's gaze shifted toward the mansion's interior. His eyes narrowed as he took in the damage. "What happened here?"
Hank who came after Professor sends a telepathic message cleared his throat. "Professor, Logan, I think it's best if we discuss this in your office."
.....
**Professor Xavier's Office**
Inside the Xavier's Office room, the atmosphere was tense. Xavier sat at his desk while Logan stood with his arms crossed. Storm and Betsy leaned against the wall, listening intently. Hank, Ethan, Anna, and Anissa sat across from them.
Hank began, "Last night, the mansion was infiltrated by an unknown group. They used sleeping gas and tranquilizers, likely searching for a specific target. However, before they could accomplish anything…"—he glanced at Anissa—"our guest eliminated them. Completely."
Logan's brows furrowed, "You're saying she killed all of them? Alone?"
Anissa remained silent with her arms crossed and is unfazed by the discussion.
Anna sighed. "I was surprised too. She didn't attack anyone here, though. She just wanted answers. I told her to wait until you got back, Professor. Didn't want her losing control."
Xavier's sharp gaze turned toward Anissa. "And how are you feeling now? Have you fully recovered?"
Anissa leaned back in her chair, "I want answers," she said firmly. "Where am I? Who are you people? And what the hell is going on?"
Her tone was sharp, but Ethan noticed something else—she was assessing them. She had been quiet all morning, observing. The way her gaze lingered on Anna in particular made Ethan uneasy.
Anna narrowed her eyes, already sensing hostility.
Anissa wasn't just assessing threats—she was sizing them up.
Anissa clenched her fists. If someone like Anna existed—someone who could restrain a Viltrumite—then that meant there could be others out there who could not only harm but kill her kind. That was a problem.
But her greatest concern? Ethan Carter.
Her initial goal was to breed with the hlaf-Viltrumite—Mark Grayson. But Mark was weak. A disappointment. Even by normal Viltrumite standards, he lacked the necessary ruthlessness.
Ethan, however…
He was different. Strong. Perhaps stronger than her. His power intrigued her. If she could have a child with him, their offspring would be unmatched.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Xavier spoke again. "Ethan, perhaps you should explain the situation in full."
Ethan sighed before running a hand down his face. He gave Xavier a look as if to say, Why don't YOU explain it? But ultimately, he relented.
"Fine." He leaned forward. "The short version? I have a device called the Omni-Watch. It lets me travel across the Multiverse."
Anissa scoffed. "Multiverse? Do you really expect me to believe—"
"It's the truth," Storm interrupted, "He isn't lying."
Ethan continued, "I ended up in your world by accident when I was experimenting with it. That's how I ran into you. I didn't mean to bring you along, but now… here we are."
Anissa frowned and her mind racing. A device capable of traversing the Omniverse? She had never heard of such a thing. She glanced at the others. None of them looked like they were joking.
Her gaze shifted to Anna, who pulled the silver pocket watch from around her neck. "As per Ethan, It's out of charge now, but this is it," Anna said.
Anissa's eyes narrowed. If this was true, then that meant she was in an entirely different universe.
The meeting room was heavy with silence after Ethan's revelation. Anissa sat with her arms crossed, her sharp eyes watching everyone, especially Ethan, while Anna sat beside him with her fingers lightly tracing the silver pocket watch hanging around her neck.
Logan who had been leaning against the wall, suddenly pushed off and stepped forward as his brows furrowed in disbelief. "What the hell's a multiverse?" he asked gruffly.
Ethan already knew this was bound to come up. He glanced at Hank, silently prompting him to take over.
Hank adjusted his glasses and leaned forward, lacing his fingers together. "In simple terms, Logan, the multiverse theory suggests that there isn't just one universe—there are many, possibly an infinite number. Each one exists in parallel, with variations of people, events, and even completely different laws of physics."
Logan gave him a skeptical look. "So you're tellin' me there are other versions of me out there?"
Hank nodded. "Possibly. Some universes could be nearly identical to ours, while others could be drastically different. Ethan here, according to what he's saying, has a device that allows him to travel between these realities."
Logan crossed his arms. "That?" He pointed to the watch around Anna's neck. "That little thing lets ya jump worlds?!"
Ethan smirked slightly but didn't answer directly. "It's more complicated than that, but yeah, that's the basic idea."
Storm raised an eyebrow. "And where did you get such a thing?"
Ethan leaned back in his chair, keeping his expression neutral. "I told you already. I got it from Bob—one of the scientists at the lab where I was experimented on. I didn't question where he got it from. Just figured it would come in handy."
Hank frowned. "Yet you never let anyone study it."
Ethan shrugged. "I'm not exactly eager to hand it over. You've all seen what happened when I tested it once. It's not something you can just tinker with."
Professor Xavier, who had been observing everyone's reactions, finally spoke. "If others knew such a device exists, then the potential dangers are immeasurable. There may be others searching for it—individuals or forces who could use it for far more destructive purposes. That's why it is best to keep it in safe hands." He looked at Anna who clunched the watch tightly.
The room fell into another heavy silence.
Logan exhaled sharply. "Well, hell. Guess peace is never an option around here."
Anissa sat still and her sharp gaze sweeping across the room, taking in the faces of the mutants around her. She was still processing everything—the so-called "multiverse," the strange powers Ethan and hai girlfriend possessed, and most of all, the device that had somehow brought her here.
Her mind worked quickly, assessing her situation. This was an unfamiliar world, and despite Ethan's explanations, she wasn't ready to blindly trust anything he or his allies said. She needed proof. Proof of where she was, proof of what dangers existed here, and most importantly, proof of whether or not these people were truly as strong as they seemed.
'If this world is full of weaklings,' she thought, 'then I have nothing to fear. But if there are others like Ethan... or worse, stronger than me... then I need to tread carefully.'
Still, the only two who truly concerned her were Ethan and his little girlfriend.
She didn't know exactly what Anna was, but the fact that she had been able to restrain a Viltrumite, even momentarily, meant she was dangerous. Anissa wasn't foolish enough to underestimate her.
'I'll observe them,' she decided. 'Blend in. Learn their strengths, their weaknesses... and see if this world has anything worth fearing.'
She leaned back and smirked. "Fine. If that's the case… then Ethan, you have to take responsibility for me."
The room went dead silent.
Anna blinked. "…Excuse me?"
Ethan groaned and is already feeling a headache coming on. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"
Anissa smiled coyly. "Simple. You brought me here. So now, I expect you to help me. And in return…" She leaned forward before smirking at Anna. "I'll stay by your side."
Anna's fists clenched. "Like hell you will!"
Anissa's smirk grew. "What's wrong? Afraid I'll take him from you?"
Anna's eyes flashed with anger. "Try it, and I'll put you back in a coma."
Ethan sighed before looking around for support. But to his dismay, everyone—Storm, Betsy, Hank, Logan—was teasingly watching the exchange. Even Xavier's lips twitched in amusement.
Ethan groaned. "Oh, come on! A little help here?"
Betsy smirked. "Nope. This is way too entertaining."
Storm chuckled. "Agreed. You seem to have quite the dilemma, Ethan."
Logan smirked while shaking his head. "You're on your own, bub."
Anna's temper was rising. "He's mine, got it?! We've been together since the start!"
Anissa tilted her head. "Oh? And yet, I don't see a ring on his finger."
Anna snapped. "You—!"
Before she could launch herself at Anissa, Ethan quickly pulled her back. "Alright, enough! Can we not turn my life into a soap opera?"
Anissa chuckled and is clearly enjoying herself.
Ethan exhaled while rubbing his temples. He had a feeling this was just the beginning of his problems.
Anissa's gaze flickered to the pocket watch hanging around Anna's neck, its silver surface reflecting the light of the room. 'That small device—that was the key. If it truly allowed travel across universes, then the Viltrumite Empire could expand beyond a single reality.'
Her lips curled slightly at the thought.
Anna, however, caught her staring. Her grip instinctively tightened around the watch and her expression shifting to a scowl. "Why are you looking at it like that?"
Anissa didn't hesitate. "I'm curious. If it really does what you say, then I'd like to test it myself."
Anna's eyes narrowed. "That's not happening."
Anissa arched an eyebrow while feigning innocence. "Why not? You're not even using it."
"Because it's not yours," Anna shot back, "It's mine And it's dangerous."
Anissa leaned forward slightly before resting her elbows on her knees. "Oh? And you, of all people, get to decide who touches it?"
Ethan sighed while rubbing his temples again. "Here we go..."
The tension in the room thickened as the two women locked eyes, an invisible battle of wills beginning to unfold.
Anna stood her ground. "I don't trust you. You haven't earned the right to use it."
Anissa scoffed. "'Earned the right'? And what exactly have you done to earn it?"
Anna smirked. "Unlike you, I don't have to. Ethan gave it to me."
"Then perhaps he should reconsider," Anissa said before shifting her gaze to Ethan. "You do realize that in the hands of someone stronger, that device could be put to better use."
Ethan gave her a flat look. "Not happening."
Anissa exhaled sharply through her nose. "Tch."
The others in the room watched the exchange with varying expressions.
Logan crossed his arms and muttered, "This is gonna be a damn headache."
Betsy had an amused smirk, enjoying the tension.
Storm watched carefully, her posture calm but ready.
Hank was more intrigued than anything, his scientific curiosity piqued by the device and Anissa's motivations.
Professor Xavier remained silent and is simply observing. He already knew what Anissa is planning.
Finally, Anissa leaned back, shrugging. "Fine. Keep your little trinket. But don't expect me to stop being interested in it."
Anna's glare didn't waver. "Then don't expect me to trust you anytime soon."
Ethan sighed again while looking up at the ceiling. "Yeah, peace really doesn't last long around here..."
'Maybe I should move out of here, I've already become strong enough and there's no point in being there other than being dragged into unnecessary drama.'
He then looked at Anna who looks at Anissa like she can eat her alive, 'I should also ask Anna to come with me.'
Professor Xavier folded his hands in front of him and his sharp gaze settling on Anissa. "Now that we've established the situation, I believe it's time for you to introduce yourself properly."
Anissa sat back and is exuding confidence as she spoke. "My name is Anissa. I am a warrior of the Viltrumite Empire—an empire that thrives on strength, discipline, and order. We are the pinnacle of evolution, a race dedicated to bringing stability to the cosmos. Weakness has no place among us."
Her words were carefully chosen, painting the Viltrumite Empire as something noble, a force for balance and control rather than what it truly was—a brutal expansionist force that crushed civilizations under its heel.
The way she spoke made some of the X-Men uneasy, but her tone was smooth, persuasive. Betsy gave her a skeptical look, while Hank adjusted his glasses, clearly analyzing every word.
Professor Xavier, however, saw right through her.
He nodded but didn't smile. "That is an interesting perspective, Ms.Anissa."
Xavier then turned to Ethan. "Since it was your actions that brought her here, Ethan, I believe it is your responsibility to ensure she does not become a problem."
Anna immediately protested. "Professor, you can't be serious! She's dangerous! You saw what she did last night!"
"Yes, and I also saw that Ethan is one of the few people who can restrain her if necessary," Xavier replied evenly. "His strength makes him uniquely suited for this task."
Anissa smirked at Anna with her arms crossed. "Looks like I'll be under Ethan's care then. How fortunate for me."
Anna clenched her fists. "Like hell you are! I'll be watching you too!"
Xavier simply nodded. "That is acceptable. Ethan and Anna will both be responsible for keeping an eye on Ms.Anissa. This is not up for debate."
Anna glared at Anissa who merely smiled in amusement. Ethan realised he wasn't getting out of this. "Fine, fine. We'll watch her. But if she steps out of line, we handle it our way."
"That is all I ask," Xavier said. "Now, you're all dismissed."
Ethan, Anna, and Anissa left the room, stepping into the hallway where a few of the others were waiting.
Bobby and John had been curious about what was going on and were watching from a outside of the room.
Bobby was the first to speak. "So… are we just pretending like she didn't kill a bunch of intruders last night?"
"No," Ethan said. "But we're gonna keep an eye on her."
Anissa smirked. "I'm standing right here, you know."
"Yeah, we know," Anna shot back.
Meanwhile, back in the meeting room, Xavier let out a quiet sigh. "That woman is more dangerous than she lets on."
Logan grunted. "Figured as much. What else did you see?"
Xavier's expression darkened. "She's intelligent. Ruthless. She sees the world through the lens of dominance and control. In her mind, weakness is something to be erased, not protected. And she has no hesitation when it comes to killing."
Hank looking troubled. "That's concerning. If she's as cunning as you say, then she might be planning something already."
"Trust me, she already planned something."
Storm folded her arms. "Then we'll keep a close watch on her. No one makes a move in this mansion without us knowing."
"Agreed," Logan said. "If she tries anything, we shut it down fast."
Xavier nodded. "For now, we observe. But make no mistake—this is a dangerous situation. And if she ever turns against us, we must be ready."
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AN: Death of the endless won the poll for the third female lead.
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