REBORN IN X-MEN

The world seemed frozen, the acrid scent of burning wood and chemicals choking the air as Jade's consciousness ebbed and flowed. His body felt like a leaden weight, every nerve screaming in protest as he tried to move. The chaos surrounding him was muted, distant—like he was watching it all through a foggy pane of glass.

When his vision finally steadied, the reality of the devastation hit him like a blow to the chest. The home that once echoed with laughter and warmth was now a smoldering ruin. Fire danced along the wreckage, consuming what little remained. Sparks illuminated the blackened frame of the house, casting eerie shadows that twisted and writhed like malevolent spirits.

Jade's heart pounded as memories of the explosion rushed back. The deafening roar, the sudden force that hurled him across his room, the searing heat that followed—everything replayed in his mind like a nightmare on repeat. But this wasn't a nightmare. This was real.

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Desperate Crawls and Lingering Fear

Through the haze of pain and shock, Jade forced himself to move. His arms trembled as he pulled his body forward, inch by agonizing inch. His ribs protested with every shift, a sharp reminder of the impact he'd endured. The smoke stung his eyes, blurring his vision, but he refused to stop. He had to find them—his family.

"Mom... Dad... Max..." The names escaped his lips in a choked whisper, each one a desperate plea. His voice cracked under the weight of fear, the sound swallowed by the roaring inferno.

Then, his gaze fell on something familiar amid the destruction: his father's briefcase. Its leather was scorched, but it remained intact, wedged beneath a collapsed beam. Jade felt a flicker of hope, his mind latching onto it as a lifeline. If Dad's briefcase is here, maybe he is too. Maybe they all are.

Summoning every ounce of strength, Jade dragged himself toward it. The sharp edges of debris bit into his palms, drawing blood, but he didn't care. When his fingers finally closed around the handle, a strange sense of relief washed over him.

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The Substance Finds Its Host

Unnoticed by Jade, a broken vial lay nearby, its contents seeping into the debris. The silvery liquid shimmered faintly, almost as if it were alive. Slowly, it trickled toward him, merging with the blood pooling around his arm.

The moment the liquid entered his bloodstream, a strange sensation coursed through him. It wasn't painful—more like a ripple of energy that spread from the wound, warming his veins. His heart pounded faster, his senses sharpening in an instant. For a brief moment, the world around him came into sharp focus. He could hear the distant crackle of flames, the creak of collapsing wood, even the faint hum of sirens in the distance.

But just as quickly as the sensation came, it faded, leaving him drained and confused. He didn't notice the faint, silvery glow that briefly flickered across his skin before vanishing.

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Finding No Answers

With the briefcase clutched tightly to his chest, Jade's body gave out. He slumped against the charred floorboards, his vision swimming as exhaustion claimed him. In the back of his mind, questions swirled: Where is everyone? Why did this happen? But no answers came, only darkness.

The world blurred again as footsteps approached. Heavy boots crunched over the debris, their owners shouting to each other over the roar of the flames.

"Over here! There's someone alive!"

Hands reached for him, lifting him onto a stretcher. The motion was jarring, sending fresh waves of pain through his battered body. Jade tried to speak, to ask about his family, but the words wouldn't come. His throat felt raw, his voice barely a whisper.

"Hang on, kid," a paramedic said, his tone reassuring. "You're going to be okay."

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At the Hospital: A Harsh Reality

The sterile white walls of the hospital were a jarring contrast to the fiery chaos Jade had just endured. When he woke, the beeping of monitors was the first thing he registered. The second was the ache that seemed to radiate from every part of his body.

As his vision cleared, he noticed the nurse standing by his bedside. Her expression was kind but tinged with something else—pity, maybe?

"You're awake," she said softly, her voice carefully measured. "How are you feeling?"

Jade struggled to sit up, his muscles screaming in protest. "Where's my family?" he rasped, his voice barely audible.

The nurse hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. "Let me get the doctor," she said quickly, hurrying out of the room before he could press further.

Her reaction sent a cold chill down his spine. Something was wrong. Why didn't she answer me? Why didn't she tell me they were okay?

Minutes felt like hours as he waited, his mind racing. When the doctor finally arrived, his expression was grave. Jade didn't need to hear the words to know what had happened, but when the truth came, it still hit him like a punch to the gut.

"We found no other survivors," the doctor said gently. "I'm so sorry, Jade"

The words echoed in his mind, each one a dagger to his heart. He barely registered the rest of what the doctor said, his mind numb with grief. His parents, Max—they were gone. The home that had been a sanctuary of love and laughter was now nothing more than ashes.

As he lay in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, something stirred within him. A faint warmth spread from the wound on his arm, the one he'd dismissed earlier. It wasn't painful, but it was... strange. He felt stronger than he should after such an ordeal, his senses sharper. The beeping of the heart monitor seemed louder, the faint hum of fluorescent lights more distinct.

For a fleeting moment, he thought he saw his reflection in the polished surface of the monitor beside him. His eyes glowed faintly, a silvery hue flickering before vanishing.

Jade blinked, his heart pounding. What's happening to me?

And in a distant office, far from the hospital, a shadowy figure stared at a computer screen. Their lips curved into a cold, satisfied smile.

"Let's see how well you adapt, Jade carter," the figure murmured.