Running through a forest, a little girl rushed toward a house deep within the trees, an annoyed expression on her face.
"Mom, Dad—Gray's gotten into a fight in town again!" she shouted as she burst through the door.
She had flowing white hair and blood-crimson eyes that carried a faint natural glow. Despite her annoyed tone, her petite frame made her look almost delicate.
A moment later, hurried footsteps came from the kitchen.
A woman stepped out, wiping her hands on an apron.
She had long white hair and soft purple eyes. Her features were gentle but striking—fair skin, small lips, and an elegance that made her feel almost unreal.
"Oh no… not again," she sighed.
Then she turned slightly toward the hallway.
"Logan… I think you should go get him."
A tall man stepped forward behind her.
Over six feet, black-haired, with blood-crimson eyes and a relaxed, mischievous smile that never seemed to leave his face.
"Why do you look so worried?" Logan said lightly. "I thought you'd be happy we're getting new patients."
"Logan."
His wife's voice sharpened instantly.
"Okay, okay," he raised his hands in surrender. "I'll go drag the boy back."
He began pulling on his shirt, revealing a toned, battle-hardened physique beneath.
"I don't trust that look in your eyes," she muttered.
Turning to the girl, she added gently, "Marie, don't let him cause trouble."
"Yes ma'am," Marie said quickly, already running outside.
Logan sighed as he stepped out the door.
"See you later, Elizabeth."
As the door closed behind him, Elizabeth shook her head with a faint smile.
"Why do I feel like he's going to cause more trouble than fix…"
Town Square
"Now are you going to apologize or not?" Gray said coldly.
A boy lay beaten in front of him, barely able to lift his head.
Gray—black hair like his father, purple eyes like his mother—stood over him with a calm but dangerous expression.
"Why should I apologize? I was telling the truth, you freak!"
Gray didn't react immediately.
Not anger.
Not frustration.
Just a pause.
A quiet moment where he looked at the boy like he was deciding how far this situation would go.
Around them, the crowd had gone silent. Even the air felt tighter.
"Hey! Get away from my little brother!"
Six boys stepped in, forming a loose circle, each holding clubs.
"Brother, help me!" the injured boy cried out.
Gray looked down at him and smirked faintly.
"Backup arrived, huh?"
Before the boy could crawl away, Gray stomped him back down.
"Shut the fuck up."
The impact sent dust and blood scattering across the ground.
The leader's face twisted in rage.
"I said get away from my brother!"
Gray tilted his head slightly.
"Chill out," he said calmly. "I'll let him go."
Then he brief pause.
"As soon as he apologizes."
The words barely landed before the leader suddenly laughed.
It was sharp. mocking. almost relieved.
"What's so funny?" Gray asked, eyes narrowing.
The leader leaned forward slightly.
Well if you're not willing to cooperate maybe we should bring your little sister here instead. I'm sure that would convince you faster."
For a moment, the air changed.
Gray didn't speak.
He didn't move.
But something in his posture shifted.
Still relaxed… but no longer humanly calm.
"…What did you just say?" he asked.
His voice dropped lower.
The leader smirked.
"I said I'll drag your sis—"
He never finished.
Gray moved.
Not forward.
Instantly.
His fist slammed into the boy's face so fast it barely registered. The impact echoed as he was launched into a wall.
CRACK.
Stone fractured. Dust rose.
Silence followed for half a second.
Then—
"Get him!"
The six thugs rushed at once.
Two from the front. One from the side. One circling behind.
He shifted slightly left—letting the first club miss by inches.
Before the attacker could recover, Gray grabbed his wrist mid-swing, twisted sharply, and struck his elbow into the ribs.
The attacker collapsed instantly.
Another came from the side.
Gray ducked under the swing and moved forward at the same time, closing distance too quickly for reaction.
A palm strike hit the ribs.
A knee followed.
The attacker dropped.
Footsteps behind.
Gray didn't fully turn.
He leaned forward slightly.
The club swung overhead—missing completely.
Without looking, Gray caught the wrist mid-air.
He rotated and used the momentum to throw the attacker into another charging thug.
Both hit the ground hard.
Three left.
They hesitated.
"…Too slow."
Gray moved again.
One clean strike to the chest—down.
Another tried to react too late—hit first—down.
The last turned to run.
Gray grabbed him mid-step and slammed him face-first into the ground.
Dust exploded outward.
Silence returned.
Only the leader remained.
Trembling.
Gray walked toward him slowly.
Crouched.
Grabbed his face.
Lifted it slightly.
"Now…" Gray said quietly. "I'll ask again."
A pause.
"Will you apologize or not?"
The boy spat on his face.
Gray paused.
Slowly wiped it away.
"…I warned you."
His fist rose—
"GRAY!"
A hand grabbed his arm mid-swing.
Logan.
Gray froze instantly.
"…Dad."
"It wasn't my fault," Gray said quickly. "He grabbed Marie's arm when she refused him."
"And?"
"…And I sort of beat him up."
"What about them?"
Gray glanced around at the groaning bodies.
"…Collateral damage."
Logan sighed deeply.
Letting go of Gray's hand he approached the incoming parents of the injured.
***
On the way home, they walked back in silence.
The sky slowly shifted into orange fading into deep blue.
By the time they reached the house, the last light of day disappeared completely.
Nightfall had fully arrived.
"Hahaha! You really wiped them out," Logan laughed.
Gray sighed.
"Dad…"
"And you barely got hurt."
"But your mother is going to kill you."
"Can't you help me just this once?",Gray said.
"Nope," Logan said immediately. "If I defend you, I die too."
Marie slept on his back as they walked , nearly reaching the door.
Gray sighed.
"…Great."
As expected, the moment they arrived, trouble began again.
***
After having dinner, Gray silently took Marie to bed,while Logan and Elizabeth cleared up the table. Then suddenly Elizabeth heard a faint knock outside.
"Honey, I think someone's at the door," Elizabeth said.
"I'll get it," Logan replied.
He opened the door.
And stopped.
The air changed instantly.
His relaxed expression vanished.
His face filled with shock.
Anger.
Recognition.
A man stood outside.
Blonde hair.
Crystal blue eyes.
A calm, unsettling smile.
"Hello, Logan," the man said. "It's been a while."
Logan's aura darkened as he glared at the man in front him.
"…Xavier."