At the prestigious Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, nestled in the suburbs of New York, the storm outside had calmed, but tension brewed inside.
In the medical wing, Christina lay unconscious on a hospital bed, her body hooked up to monitoring equipment. Dr. Jean Grey stood beside her, running diagnostic scans and gentle psychic probes. Faint traces of psychic feedback danced around the room — a side effect of Chris's newly awakened X-Gene.
Outside the medbay, Storm (Ororo Munroe) and Cyclops (Scott Summers) stood before Professor Charles Xavier, recounting their mission.
"You're certain someone else reached her before you?" the Professor asked, his voice low and concerned.
Scott nodded grimly. "Yes. There were signs everywhere — a tranquilizer dart, scorch marks, footprints. And she wasn't freezing, even in that storm. Someone intervened."
"Scott," the Professor gently interjected, "don't let frustration cloud your judgment."
But before he could finish, a sudden mental spike from Jean's direction cut through his thoughts like a blade. Without hesitation, Charles wheeled toward the medbay, face tense. Sensing his urgency, Storm and Scott followed swiftly, mentally preparing for a fight.
****
Inside the treatment room, Jean stood protectively between Chris and a figure none of them had expected to see.
Jue — robed in the black uniform of a Shinigami, with his white haori draped regally across his shoulders — stood calmly, watching Christina with unreadable eyes.
Scott immediately stepped in front of the group, arm instinctively raised near his visor.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" he demanded.
Jue offered a soft, sardonic smile.
"You've been scanning me, haven't you, Professor?" he asked, eyes briefly shifting to Xavier. "So… what did you find?"
Professor X's expression hardened. "Nothing. That's the disturbing part. I can't sense your presence at all."
Jue chuckled quietly. "Good. That means I'm still intact." His gaze returned to Chris. "She's more sensitive than I expected. I didn't think we'd meet so soon."
"Start explaining," Scott snapped.
"My name is Jue. I'm a Death God — a Shinigami, to use our own term — from the Soul Society," he said, referencing the spiritual world from Bleach. "I was caught in a spatial-temporal anomaly and ended up in this world. My soul bonded to that jade cross," he nodded toward the pendant on Christina's chest, "and I've been dormant inside it until now."
"You say you're a god?" Scott scoffed, skeptical.
"Hardly. We're called Death Gods — but don't confuse us with deities. Our role is to maintain balance between the human and spirit realms," Jue explained, his tone shifting from calm to serious.
Jean and Professor X exchanged a silent telepathic message, both confirming that Jue was speaking truthfully — at least, as far as their powers could determine.
"She needs rest," Jue added, gesturing toward Chris. "We can continue this elsewhere."
Professor X nodded. "My office. This way, Mr. Jue."
Scott and Storm flanked the stranger as they moved through the halls. Jue, unfazed, took in the school's architecture and decor with curiosity — as though strolling through a museum.
"You've been in this world a month?" Professor X asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes. The dimensional turbulence nearly destroyed me. Most of my Reiryoku — my spiritual energy — was dispersed. I've spent this month mending my soul core. Right now, I exist only as a spiritual projection… an afterimage. But this world has surprisingly rich spiritual particles. I should regain physical form within a year."
Though his voice remained light, the weight behind his words was unmistakable.
"What are your intentions here?" Xavier asked, pausing near a familiar painting.
Jue stopped to examine it. "Christina saved me, unknowingly. I owe her my life. Until she's strong enough to stand on her own, I'll protect her." He turned to Xavier. "I don't intend to disrupt your school. I only ask for a quiet room and to be left alone — unless needed."
Scott's fists clenched. "You're the one who killed those men, aren't you?"
Jue's smile returned. "They were heavily armed and about to kidnap a child. I used Hadō #31: Shakkahō — Red Fire Cannon — to vaporize them. Efficient and clean. Their armor meant nothing against spiritual-based attacks. There was… nothing left to identify."
Storm's expression darkened. "That's a bit extreme."
"Extreme?" Jue repeated, tone sharp. "I've lived through wars that lasted centuries. I've fought Hollows, Arrancar, even Quincy. After 1,300 years, I've seen what happens when mercy is extended to monsters. Violence may not solve everything, but it ensures peace is possible."
The room fell silent.
Professor X's eyes narrowed slightly but said nothing. Jue's worldview was foreign… but not entirely unfamiliar.
"We'll offer you temporary lodging," Xavier finally said. "But we expect peace within these walls."
"A fair deal," Jue said with a slight bow. "I'll stay out of your way."
"Scott, please escort Mr. Jue to the guest quarters," the Professor instructed.
Scott obeyed, leading Jue to a room far from the students' dormitories. He opened the door.
"You can use the intercom if needed. You do know how to operate one, right?"
"I think I can figure it out," Jue replied dryly, eyes scanning the room.
As Scott turned to leave, Jue offered, "Good night."
Scott paused, hesitated, then replied quietly. "Good night."
****
Later that night, Scott entered Xavier's office, where Jean was already waiting.
"Is the girl stable?" he asked.
Jean nodded. "I gave her a sedative. She should sleep through the night. Poor thing — awakening her mutation under trauma like that… She's strong, but fragile. And based on her psychic signature, she may be a high-tier mutant. Possibly Omega-level."
Scott sighed in relief. "We got to her in time."
"Barely," Jean added.
Scott took her hand, grounding himself. Then he turned to Xavier.
"And that Shinigami?"
"I'll contact someone… someone who may know more," Xavier said quietly, gazing out the window at the storm-lit sky. His voice carried fatigue, but also caution.
"You should both rest. Tomorrow will be… complicated."
Jean and Scott left without a word.
Once alone, Xavier rolled to the bookshelf behind his desk and retrieved a small box. Inside, a shard of emerald jade glowed faintly.
He held it gently, fingers brushing its surface.
"Is this an opportunity… or the beginning of something far worse?" he whispered.
And with that, he reached out with his consciousness — diving into the jade.