Freyja's face was still flushed as she watched Soren teasing Jean again.
She stomped her foot in embarrassed frustration, though there was nothing she could do about him.
Over time, she and Jean had slowly accepted one another. There were moments of jealousy, yes, but neither denied the other's place at Soren's side.
Soren was delighted by their growing closeness and had become even more affectionate with both.
They now slept together sometimes… one dragon with two phoenixes, but for Freyja, the most she allowed so far was holding hands, hugs, and the occasional stolen kiss.
That was her limit… at least for now.
After a long while, Jean finally pushed Soren away, breathless.
Soren smacked his lips dramatically, wearing an expression that made both women glare at him.
"Well," He said lightly, "It's getting late, let's head back. I'll speak to Thor about Thanos."
Freyja and Jean exchanged a silent look.
They trusted Soren. And no matter how dangerous Thanos was, they had already made up their minds.
They would face him together.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
"What? Thanos is coming?"
The moment the information circulated through Soren's inner circle, shock rippled like an earthquake. Thanos's reputation was infamous even among those who had only heard fragments.
Thor was the first to spread the word.
As Asgard's new king, he had read deeply into the history of the Eternal Titan, the mad being who slaughtered even his own people in a deranged attempt to impress Death.
And now, after accepting Grandmaster's offer, Thanos had decided to come for the Infinity Stones Soren held.
Silence filled the Avengers' meeting room.
Then Tony spoke first. "No matter what happens, I'm with Soren. If he falls, the Earth is done for."
"And frankly, I owe him."
"Hulk help too!" Hulk shouted from the corner, pounding his chest. "Hulk bored! Hulk wants smash!"
Since returning from Sakaar, Hulk had been cooped up in a carefully designed environment… safe and peaceful.
He missed the thrill of combat.
Captain America didn't say a word, but the shield in his hand vibrated faintly. That was answer enough.
"An alien mission? Been a while." Black Widow slid a knife into its holster and smirked.
Thor exhaled slowly. "Thanos is no ordinary adversary. But Soren will not face him alone."
…
After Thor alerted the Avengers, Jean returned to Kamar-Taj and knelt before the Ancient One.
"Thanos," She explained. "An immortal being is coming. And Soren will be his first target."
The Ancient One froze for a heartbeat. "An immortal… coming to Earth?"
Even for her, it was shocking.
Then she straightened, calm and resolute. "Do not fear, Jean. If Thanos truly descends upon this world, Kamar-Taj will stand."
"We will use every ounce of magic we possess. Earth will not fall."
Jean bowed deeply, relief easing the tightness in her chest. With that promise, she raced back toward the X-Mansion.
…
Professor X and the others welcomed her warmly, they had missed her. A small celebration broke out, brief but heartfelt.
Only afterward did Jean gather them privately and explain everything.
Thanos approaching Earth.
The room fell silent as Professor X absorbed it.
He had long accepted that Earth was not alone in the universe, that countless civilizations existed beyond the stars.
But this time, the being who approached Earth was an immortal
Although the X-Men might not be able to change the outcome of a cosmic battle, they were not the kind to sit idle. Professor X finally spoke after a long, thoughtful silence, answering the expectant looks around him.
"Even if we cannot contribute much directly, we will stand with Dr Soren if he calls upon us."
"But the children at the school must remain safe. They cannot be drawn into a conflict of this magnitude."
Everyone understood. Soren had shown the Mutants nothing but goodwill time and time again.
He had prevented several near-disasters between humans and Mutants, and, more personally, had restored Professor X's ability to walk.
The man owed Soren not just gratitude, but loyalty.
Storm and the others exchanged firm nods.
Ever since the Apocalypse incident, Soren had been there whenever Mutants faced annihilation. Now the threat was universal, and refusing to help simply wasn't an option.
A common enemy required a united front.
"I'll reach out to Erik," Professor X continued. "This isn't only Soren's fight anymore."
"This is a new crisis for Earth itself. If we stand together, our chances improve."
Jean nodded her thoughts were already with Soren.
She left the academy in haste, Thanos's arrival time was unknown, and no matter how calm Soren appeared, she couldn't shake her worry.
She wanted to be at his side.
When Jean's footsteps faded, Professor X turned toward Cerebro. The metallic sphere hummed to life as he donned the brain-wave amplifier.
With practiced ease, he reached out across the world, searching for the familiar presence.
He found him.
"Charles!" Magneto's voice thundered instantly in his mind. "We agreed, you would not enter my thoughts uninvited!"
Professor X sighed, a weary smile tugging at his lips. "Erik, forgive the intrusion. There was no time for formality."
"I'm not here to debate old wounds. I'm here because I need your help."
Magneto was caught off guard.
Professor X rarely asked him for anything directly, and never lightly. Their ideologies had clashed too often, carving a deep rift between them.
And yet… the respect remained. The goal remained, they both wanted Mutants to survive.
And if Charles was calling him now, then the threat must truly be dire.
"Very well," Magneto said after a long pause.