It was already afternoon in New York when the group arrived at the Institute. The sun hung lazily over the mansion, casting long shadows across the lawn.
Professor Moriarty adjusted his coat and glanced up at the building, a sharp glimmer in his eye.
"They still haven't changed the name. Even after Xavier's… misstep." His tone carried a touch of disdain, as though he found sentimentality inefficient.
Karna, who walked at Ritsuka's side, spoke evenly. "Perhaps that woman, Emma Frost, wishes to use Xavier's reputation to gather more mutants under her care. Reputation is a powerful shield… and a powerful weapon to gain something."
Media vans were pulling out of the gates as they approached. Cameras, microphones, and flashing bulbs all scattered away, leaving only silence and the heavy air of change behind.
Kitty Pryde spotted them from the entrance. Her eyes lit up, and she practically ran to meet them.
"You're back!" she exclaimed, relief written all over her face. "I thought… I thought you wouldn't come here again. Not after the government dragged you all away."
Ritsuka offered her a small, reassuring smile. "Well… things have settled for now. But what's going on here?"
Kitty's expression dimmed slightly. "Emma Frost. She's taken over as principal. Xavier… he's retired."
"I see," Ritsuka murmured,
They followed her inside, where familiar faces of the X-Men were gathered. For Ritsuka and Hakuno, this place had become more than just a school in this world. It was where they had taught, guided, and learned in return. A place that clung to them, even as circumstances forced them to step away.
Both Ritsuka and Hakuno greeted everyone and went to Emma office. Beast helping her with management.
Standing before Emma, Ritsuka spoke with steady resolve. "Hakuno and I… we're resigning from our positions as teachers. As for us—" he exhaled, "—we've accepted another roles. With the government. With S.H.I.E.L.D. you know about them right?"
Emma nodded through she was sad for a second to lose a honest person.
There was a ripple of murmurs outside of Room where other X-Mens listening to them, but no outrage. Only quiet acceptance, tinged with regret.
Hakuno came out and bowed her head gracefully. "Thank you, all of you, for allowing us to stand beside you. Rogue, Kitty, Piotr, Kurt, Betsy, Bobby, Remy, Pietro, Mystique, Jubilee…" she looked at each one in turn, her smile soft and warm, "we're grateful."
They talked for awhile and created a Facebook group for themselves.
Then they entered the classroom that the weight of their decision truly struck them. The children, gathered in their seats, looked up at them with wide eyes. Some already carried the glimmer of tears.
Ritsuka froze when he saw them. When he saw the little girl with the anime-like features clutching at her desk, her lip trembling. Slowly, he walked over and scooped her gently into his arms.
"Hey," he said softly, brushing her hair back. "We'll still visit you. We'll bring gifts. And if you ever miss us…" he smiled faintly, "…you can always come find me. I'll be working evenings at a bakery, Monday to Thursday. You're welcome anytime."
Hakuno stepped forward beside him, her smile radiant and tender. "And I know you won't forget me," she teased, her voice warm enough to soothe their hearts.
From the back, the mischievous boy who always pulled pranks on her crossed his arms and shouted, "We won't miss you!" His voice cracked with defiance… but the tears streaming down his cheeks betrayed him.
Hakuno chuckled softly. She walked over, knelt before him, and gently patted his head, wiping his tears away. "You're terrible at lying," she whispered. Then, pulling out her phone, she added, "Here. My number. I'll make us a group chat. On Facebook. That way, you can always talk to me, whenever you want."
The children gathered closer, their small voices murmuring promises and pleas. Hakuno's eyes softened.
"I want to see all of you graduate one day. Don't forget that. I'm proud of you. Each and every one of you."
When it came time to leave, both she and Ritsuka turned at the doorway, waving one last time. The classroom was filled with sniffles, half-hidden smiles, and hands waving back.
Outside, as they walked down the steps of the Institute, Ritsuka glanced sideways at Hakuno. "You treated them… the way you did with BB." His voice was quiet, filled with a mixture of affection and melancholy.
Hakuno only smiled at him, her eyes bright with that same boundless kindness that had carried her through so many battles. She didn't need to say anything more.
Outside the Institute, Ritsuka spotted his companions waiting near Bee, who sat idling in his sleek car form. But what caught his attention was the sight just a few paces away—Charles Xavier in his chair beside Ororo Munroe. Further off, near the road, Logan leaned against a car with Jean and Scott nearby, the three of them lingering like ghosts reluctant to reenter the home that no longer felt like theirs.
Ritsuka and Hakuno approached Xavier and Ororo first. The old professor's face was lined with weariness, his eyes burdened with unspoken guilt.
"You had your farewell," Xavier said quietly, his voice tinged with envy and regret. "Unlike me. I'm sure… they hate me."
Ritsuka shook his head, his tone gentle but firm. "Don't be so hard on yourself. One day… they'll forgive you."
Xavier laughed softly, a spark of fragile hope breaking through.
Ritsuka turned his gaze toward Ororo, offering her the same easy warmth he always carried. "Hi, Ororo. You look as beautiful as ever."
Ororo's lips curled into a smile, graceful and self-assured. Yet, behind him, Hakuno, Morgan, and Castoria exchanged sharp glances. Their eyes lingered on him with unspoken judgment, though Ritsuka remained oblivious.
"If I were a younger woman," Ororo teased lightly, "I think I'd fall for you."
Ritsuka chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're too kind."
Her expression softened as her eyes drifted toward Xavier. "Both my brother and I will be leaving this place. It won't welcome him any longer. Too many wounds have been left open."
Xavier inclined his head, accepting her words. "She's right. I've made… too many mistakes. Just as I did with Jean. But I'll do my best, with Ororo's guidance, to correct them. To… heal what I can."
Ritsuka met his gaze, steady and respectful. "Good luck, both of you. The path ahead won't be easy."
Ororo stepped forward, slipping a small card into his hand. "Here."
Ritsuka raised a brow, amused. "A number? …Are you asking me out?"
Her smile widened, playful and yet sincere. "What if I am? I'll be returning to my hometown for a while now, to settle some things their. But when I come back…" she leaned closer, her eyes gleaming, "I'd love to spend some time together."
Ritsuka slipped the card into his pocket with a grin. "I'd love that."
Behind him, Hakuno's lips pressed into a thin line, Morgan's eyes narrowed dangerously, and Castoria's innocent face hardened in a way few had seen before. None of it reached Ritsuka, who was too focused on Ororo's warm smile.
"Be safe," she said softly.
"I will," Ritsuka nodded.
"Bye Logan, Scott and Jean. Don't get yourselves into troubles again while I'm not with you." she hugged Jean and Scott who are her favourite students. Logan nods at her.
"We miss you" Jean said with smile.
With that, Ororo placed a hand on Xavier's chair and wheeled him toward the waiting car. Together, they departed, leaving only the quiet weight of unresolved bonds hanging in the afternoon air.
"Finally… peace, that guy left." Logan muttered, the usual gruffness in his tone, but for once it wasn't bitter.
Ritsuka turned to him with a small smile. "Jean… it's nice to see you're doing fine."
Jean gave a faint, grateful smile just as Hakuno stepped forward, pulling her into a warm embrace. "I missed you," Hakuno whispered, relief written across her features.
Ritsuka shifted his gaze to Scott. "So, what are you three planning now?"
Scott extended a hand, his expression steady but carrying a spark of determination. Ritsuka clasped it firmly.
"We've decided to take the fight to Hydra," Scott said. "And… to find my brother. As well as Logan's wife."
Ritsuka blinked. "I thought you didn't believe me," he said, eyes narrowing slightly toward Logan.
Logan gave his trademark snort. "Still don't. But… bein' around you might just lead me to her. My wife's Japanese, y'know."
That made Ritsuka's eyes widen. "Japanese?"
Hakuno smirked, hands on her hips. "Can't believe a Japanese woman would fall for someone like you. I want to meet her myself."
Logan only grunted, though his lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile.
"Don't worry," Ritsuka said firmly, his tone carrying the weight of his promise. "We'll find her. Soon."
Logan gave a sharp nod. No words, just trust given in silence.
Scott glanced past them, eyes landing on the bright yellow Camaro parked nearby. "That your car?" he asked, a note of appreciation in his tone. "Old model, but solid. How about a race?"
Before Ritsuka could answer, Bee revved his engine indignantly, headlights flashing like eyes narrowing.
"Maybe later," Ritsuka replied with a chuckle, patting the hood.
Just then, Hakuno's phone vibrated sharply in her pocket. She frowned, pulling it free, and the device nearly buzzed itself out of her hand. Shin's screen flickered with Coulson's ID. She handed it straight to Ritsuka.
He skimmed the message, his face hardening. "Guys… before we move forward, I have to ask. Are you sure you want to follow me? Jean… if you come with us, your hands will be stained in blood."
Jean froze, but then lifted her gaze. Her voice trembled, but her words were clear. "I already… killed my mother. It was an accident, but when the Phoenix showed me its memories of destruction—when it tried to blackmail me into destroying the world—I was terrified. I thought I would lose myself. It was the darkest moment of my life."
She clenched her fists, tears glinting in her eyes but refusing to fall. "I haven't slept properly since then. I was always shy… always afraid of people. But I don't want to stay that way anymore."
Her eyes swept across them all—Scott standing close, Hakuno's warm smile, Logan's steady presence, Ritsuka's quiet but unwavering focus.
"We come into this world alone," Jean continued, her voice soft but growing steadier with each word. "And we leave it the same way. The time in between—the time we spend alive, sharing, learning together—that's what makes life worth living."
She exhaled, a trembling breath that steadied into resolve. "I may still be shy. Still fearful. But I want to protect the people I care about. That's why… I'll follow you guys."
The courtyard fell silent, her words hanging heavy in the air. Even Logan didn't cut in, his usual sarcasm dulled by the sincerity radiating from her.
Da Vinci brought her hands together in a delicate clap, her eyes gleaming. "Impressive! What a work of art you are, Jean. You've got a brilliant future ahead of you."
Romani nodded warmly, the quiet pride of a teacher in his tone. "You've found your path. I'm certain you'll grow from a shy girl into someone remarkable. Mash… I'm sure she and you would get along very well."
Jean blushed faintly at their encouragement but smiled, holding the words close.
Ritsuka stood, his expression steady. "Moriarty. Karna. Get into Scott's car. We've got a place to stay for the night—and I've got things we need to discuss."
Scott gave a short nod, already fishing out his keys.
Before moving, James Moriarty tipped his book toward Logan with an ever-polite smile. "James Moriarty, at your service."
Logan's eyes narrowed, claws flexing at his sides though he didn't unsheathe them. "I hate your name."
Moriarty froze for a moment, blinking in genuine surprise. "...Pardon?"
Jean sighed, dragging a hand down her face. "Logan, don't start."
But Logan only smirked, lighting a cigar. "Not startin'. Just stating a fact."
Moriarty's brows twitched, and with visible effort he bit back a retort, muttering under his breath, "Some men simply lack taste for refinement…"
Scott suppressed a chuckle while starting the engine, and Karna quietly moved into spirit form, joining him without a word.
With that, Ritsuka and Scott's car pulled away from the Xavier Institute, leaving behind the quiet campus that had witnessed too much pain and too much hope.
For Ritsuka, it felt like another chapter closing—and another burden beginning.
---
Note: Next Arc is hydra downfall And this arc won't end until hydra is gone for good. This arc covers 4 years until Hulk storyline starts. I will try to show more world building through hydra and how they influence the world.