Year 2000.

Alan entered the bar, his eyes scanning the room with a practiced wariness before he slid onto a stool at the counter. He leaned in slightly, his voice casual yet deliberate as he addressed the bartender.

"Whiskey."

His gaze never wavered, always moving, always on alert. As he waited for his drink, he pulled out his gadget and dialed into the team.

"Did Charles mention anything else? Just 'hairy, tall, and grumpy'? That's it?"

Skygge's eyes swept across the bar, finally locking onto someone.

"I think I found Sabertooth..." he muttered to himself, watching the man in question launch into an attack on another patron.

Alan didn't waste any time. He stood, intent on stopping the fight, but as soon as the man revealed his claws, Alan hesitated. He smirked, deciding to sit back down instead. His eyes studied the situation carefully.

The man didn't stick around long, leaving the bar with a woman trailing behind him.

"Now, who's this one?" Alan thought, intrigued.

Later, he spotted the man, now standing by his car. Skygge slid into his own vehicle, staying out of sight. He followed with caution, wondering what the man was up to. When the car stopped, Kvint flinched.

Did he notice me?*

The man met the girl from before, and Alan couldn't help but observe, trying to guess their conversation.

"If only I could read lips..." he thought with a sigh.

Soon enough, the chase continued. Alan called the X-Men again, updating them.

"I'm still in Alberta. Sending coordinates."

"Alan, don't do anything reckless before we arrive."

He smirked, clearly unconcerned. "Can't promise that.But seriosuly, Ro.You gotta trust me this time!"

He continued to tail them, keeping his distance until the moment things took an unexpected turn. The man slammed his fist into the trunk and, with surprising force, broke through the window. Alan's eyes widened. His instincts kicked in. He unbuckled his seatbelt and was out of the car in a flash.

"What the hell?" he muttered under his breath.

As the two men began to clash, Alan hesitated. Should he intervene, or should he let them settle it? As the fight wore on, Alan caught a glimpse of the other man's appearance-and something about him clicked.

"Shit!"

Without thinking, Alan sprinted toward them, leaping onto the unknown man's back and gripping his head tightly.

"Look me in the eyes!" he yelled, trying to use his mind control to subdue him. But it failed spectacularly. The man threw him off effortlessly, sending him flying into the other man.

Alan groaned, trying to shake off the daze. "Dude, hold on!" he shouted, struggling to regain his footing. Just then, he heard the familiar X-Men's arrival.

A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Finally," he murmured with a chuckle, grabbing the stranger by the arm and watching Storm and Cyclops handle Sabertooth.

But his smile quickly faded when he noticed the fire from the trunk.

"Rhe kid's in there!" he yelled, hoping they could hear him.

They wasted no time, rescuing both strangers from the wreckage and dragging them toward the jet. Alan grunted, hauling the unconscious man aboard and setting him down gently. Ororo gave him a playful tap on the back of his head.

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. I thought I could handle this on my own," Alan muttered, rolling his eyes. "I bet I could've figure out something."

"This is why we never let you handle missions alone," Ororo replied firmly, giving another smack at Alan's back of head.Alan yelps and rubs his head.

Scott grinned, clearly enjoying the moment. "Yeah, Alan. Didn't you say you were tough enough for this?"

Alan shot him a glare. "Oh, fuck you, Mr. Perfect!"

Ororo gave him last smack, her face a mix of frustration. "No swearing!" she scolded. Her concern for him was obvious-it was always the same. They were best friends after all.

Scott chuckled, clearly enjoying watching Alan face the consequences.

As the jet took off and headed back to New York, the two unconscious strangers remained in the back, their fates uncertain.

Westchester County, New York

Alan Kvint-Skygge, or Mindshader, as he was sometimes known-preferred the former. It sounded cooler, more mysterious. "Skygge" was Danish for "shadow," which didn't quite fit his powers as neatly as some others' codenames did, but it had a certain edge to it. His abilities were dangerous-mind control and psychic illusions. Powerful. But, as always, the risk was there.

He leaned against the wall, fidgeting as he waited for updates on the man from earlier.

"Charles said his name is Logan Howlett... Wolverine..." he muttered to himself, still trying to wrap his mind around it all.

Just then, the door opened, and Alan's gaze met the man. Wolverine stood in the doorway, looking every bit the part of a cornered animal. He was clearly trying to find a way out-understandably so, since they'd brought him in without consent.

Before Alan could react, the man bolted.

"Wait up, dude!" Alan called out, his voice trailing behind the fast Wolverine.

Jean's strained grunt followed him into the hallway.

"You okay?" Alan asked as he knelt beside Jean, checking her for injuries.

"I'm fine," she replied quickly. "But *he's* the one you should be worried about. Go after him before he scares off the students."

Alan nodded, his resolve hardening. "Got it."

He dashed after Wolverine, but the man was quick, and Alan soon lost his trail. He pushed through the crowded halls, calling out to the escaping mutant.

"Where the hell are you going?"

Finally, after a tense moment, Alan caught up, grabbing Wolverine's arm. The man spun around, growling like a wild animal as he seized Alan by his shirt, his grip tight.

Alan stared into his eyes, prepared for whatever would come next.

"Not friendly i get it!Mind you, we saved you!"

Logan drops him with a loud thud.Alan stands up on his feet

"Big asshole..."

"What'd ya say?"

"I said you should meet Charles.He'll explain you everything.This is home for mutants or whatever, and we'll be glad to have you in our team."

Logan confusingly raises his eyebrow as he chuckles.

"What makes you think i'd do that?"he mutters.

"Look, man.I don't have time for this.I have a class to go and kids to teach."

"So this is like a school?Seriously?And what could you possibly teach?Some bitch class like art?"

Kvint hated that he was right.

"...No?"

They sit in a silence for a good minute.

"Anyways go straight right you'll find Xavier's office."

"Go straight?Is this what everyone asks you to do?"

Alan doesn't answer that.He leaves murmuring cusses at Logan.

Later...

"Hello class, today we-...'

Before he could finish, a wave of questions hit him.

"Mr. Kvint who is the new girl?Is it true that she can absorb powers?"

"I heard she just absorbs them."

"Who was that rugged man?Is he a brotherhood of mutants?"

"You've been on a mission for few days?What happened?Did you fight anyone?"

"Maybe we're gonna start going to mission!"

Alan stops them.

"Woah-woah. Chill up, kiddos. I couldn't even finish the sentence!To answer your question - i genuinely don't know who they are, no i did not fight anyone and no the hell you guys are not going to missions! You guys can't even draw or play music. This is art class for your information! Now who is ready to show me your homework?"

He sits on the chair facing the kids. Kvint takes a silent drag with eyes around the room. He suddenly chuckles fixing his chair.

"Guess no o-...Oh!Kitty."

With a slight glance he makes Kitty lift her hand.Kitty's expression was confused as she quickly puts her hand back.

"Wait i didn't do it!You mind controlled me!"

"Well you still gotta show the homework" he laughs it out loud.

The room goes quiet as a student enters.She is the new girl.

"Oh, Miss Rogue if im right?"

"Yes..."

"Well take any empty seat.We are gonna start drawing."

Rogue hesitantly takes a seat at the back, next to Bobby. He quickly straightens his clothes and awkwardly waves at her.

"I'm Bobby... Or Iceman, if I wanna feel cool."Rogue glances at his hand, still unsure about her powers, even through her gloves."Hi," she says, offering a small but genuine smile.

Meanwhile, Pyro is busy playing with his fire powers, doing tricks in the air.

"John, do you really want to burn this place down?" Bobby whispers.

John smirks, but the sound of someone clearing their throat from the back startles him. He jumps, his hand still ablaze, and accidently sets Alan's clothes on fire. Panicking, he scrambles to put it out while Alan stands there, looking unimpressed and angry.

"Testing my patience once again, Allerdyce."

"Detention?"

"You know it."

The class continues as usual until the faint sound of Charles Xavier's wheelchair draws attention.

"Sorry to interrupt," he says smoothly, guiding Logan into the room. "I was just giving our latest addition a tour of the school. Meet Logan Howlett, also known as Wolverine."

Alan's smile fades as he recognizes the man behind him.Kvint offers an awkward smile, while Logan silently checks him out with sharp brown eyes.

"We... met earlier,"Alan says, trying to keep things light. "I'm Alan Kvint. But, uh, you can call me whatever you want." He forces a small grin, throwing in a wink.Before the tension can settle, the bell rings, and the classroom erupts as students file out. The X-Men begin gathering. Finally, Xavier clears his throat and starts speaking.

"We need to discuss our next move.And since we have a new—"

"Don't call me that" Logan cuts in with a scoff, arms crossed. "I haven't signed up for anything. I just agreed to help you find that Magneto or whatever his name is."His eyes narrow, scanning the team with thinly veiled skepticism.

Xavier exhales, patient as always.

"Regardless," he continues, "you'll help us figure out why Magneto attacked you and Rogue. And in return, I'll do everything I can to help you piece together your past." A warm smile crosses his face.

"Whatever..."

"To introduce you our X-Men. Scott Summers, Cyclops. He basically shoots lasers with his eyes but we made a visor that helps him filter it."

Scott offers a handshake, which Logan does not return.

"Ororo Munroe, Storm. She manipulates weather. I suggest you to not make her mad if you don't want to turn into ashes." Charless chuckles as Ororo proudly smiles.

"I believe you already met Doctor Jean Grey. Telekinetic and a telepath like me."

"I'm not really great at telepathy as Professor but i'm stilll learning." she nervously adds.

"And finally Alan who you met as well. Alan Kvint, Skygge. A mind controller who can make bit illusions."

Logan chuckles.

"Cyclops...Storm...What do they call you, wheels?"

Everyone's smile drops. Skygge holds back his laugh out of respect for Professor. Professor changes the subject. "Logan, this will be your home for now. You're a mutant. Just like us. This school is a safe space, for all the scared and lost mutants. To guide them and help them. Just like your friend — Rogue."

Wolverine scratches back of his head, not knowing what to respond. Maybe he's wrong, maybe not. Why should he trust them?

"We wanna know more about your mutation."

Meanwhile at Brotherhood of Mutants...

Magneto brings everyone to his machine. "This is the device I was talking about. This will make any human a mutant."

Sabretooth drags in the abducted Senator Kelly, who struggles violently against the brute's grip. "Let me go!" he shouts, twisting and turning in vain. But Sabretooth only holds him tighter. Magneto raises a hand, and with a flick of his fingers, metal bindings coil around Kelly, locking him into a chair.

"I shall care to explain yo—"

"You're just proving my point!" Kelly snaps, eyes burning with hatred. "All of your kind are evil, you foolish mutant!"

Magneto laughs, unfazed by the senator's rage. Placing his hands on the machine, he channels his power, and the entire area begins to tremble. The Brotherhood watches as the machine hums to life. Magneto grits his teeth, his body shaking, sweat forming on his brow. The strain is unbearable—his strength waning with every passing second.

Finally, the machine collapses under its own weight.Kelly remains seated, looking unchanged. A heavy silence follows until Mystique finally speaks, her voice laced with curiosity. "Did it work?"

As if in response, Kelly's body begins to shift. His form softens, turning gelatinous, his skin rippling like liquid. A strangled groan escapes him as he staggers backward, desperate for escape. His body warps, distorts—until, finally, he collapses into a shapeless puddle.

Magneto falls, his strength failing, but Mystique rushes forward, catching him in her arms.

"My dear Raven... That is why I needed the girl."

Sabretooth growls, impatient. "And how the hell is she gonna help with this?"

Mystique murmurs to herself, the realization dawning. "Absorbing powers… You're right."

Magneto exhales sharply. "No… no. They might have already figured that out."

Toad flicks his tongue, agitated. "Then what the hell are we gonna do?"

A smirk tugs at the corner of Erik's lips as he pulls a small, worn photograph from his pocket. "I still have… a Plan B."

Mystique takes the photo, her golden eyes widening with recognition.

"Then we need to meet them." She glances up, her expression darkening. "In a fight."