Poppy was timid, but the living John still felt that the face he had lost had not truly been regained. The moment Bobby turned around, John ignited the lighter in Ke's hand, ready to teach Iceman Bobby a fiery lesson.
As Poppy turned, he heard the distinctive snap of a lighter lighting behind him. A rush of intense heat hit his back!
Iceman Bobby immediately sensed the danger and whirled around. With both hands extended, he released a blast of freezing cold air, attempting to block the sudden wave of flames.
"Enough!" Charles' voice rang out sharply.
Upon his arrival at the playground, Charles had not expected that John and Poppy would already be using their mutant abilities in combat. Flames and frost collided in the air, neither side yielding.
The students around them quickly scattered, wary of the impending chaos, but a handful remained, braving the risk to watch the spectacle.
Lin Mei, watching with quiet interest, observed the close proximity of the two fighters. The situation was too dangerous—if either of them relented even a little, the other would surely be injured. The only way to stop it would be through the intervention of a greater power.
Just as she thought this, John and Bobby both halted in unison. Lin Mei turned to see Professor Charles, his fingers pressed against his temple as he activated his telepathic abilities.
The opposing forces of fire and ice suddenly neutralized, and both John and Bobby snapped out of their combat-driven focus, their anger dissipating.
"Qin, take Katie to change her clothes," Charles instructed calmly, his eyes turning to the young woman who had been standing nearby. "I'll handle the rest."
Lin Mei, following his gaze, noticed Katie, whose back was mostly exposed and her eyes swollen from crying. Without hesitation, Lin Mei reached into her bag, pulling out her wand. Pointing it at Katie's torn sweatshirt, she murmured, "Repair as before!"
A stream of white energy shot out, quickly restoring the fabric to its original state. Katie's eyes widened in surprise, and though her condition still called for rest, she nodded gratefully. Qin gently guided her away, ensuring she was well taken care of.
Charles observed the two young men approaching him—John still wearing a proud, rebellious expression, while Bobby seemed more subdued, avoiding eye contact as if ashamed. Charles' expression tightened slightly. A battle between two students using their mutant abilities was dangerous, especially when one of them, Bobby, was classified as an omega-level mutant. If Bobby's powers had been unleashed without restraint, they could have triggered an ice age. Bobby, however, restrained himself, knowing the devastation his abilities could cause.
Meanwhile, John struggled to keep his rebellious nature under control. His fiery personality was only tempered by Charles' intervention. John glared at Lin Mei with a mix of frustration and resentment—clearly offended by her repairing Katie's sweatshirt in front of him.
John's simmering anger didn't go unnoticed by Charles, whose expertise in reading people was second to none. John had always been a thorn in the academy's side, constantly testing boundaries. His defiance had started the moment he walked through the academy's doors, where the rules and regulations felt like chains, restricting his freedom. His usual tactic was to challenge authority, as though it validated his existence.
Charles sighed softly, his eyes flickering between John and Bobby. When he spoke, his voice was firm but laced with quiet expectation: "John, your power is immense, but it must be used for the greater good. Not to settle personal grudges. Remember, we are each a unique force in this world, and with power comes greater responsibility."
John's eyes flashed with an unwillingness to accept these words. His shoulders tensed, and for a brief moment, it seemed as though he would lash out again. But then, something in him seemed to give way. His gaze dropped, and he stood silently, as if he had finally absorbed the weight of the professor's words.
Poppy, standing beside him, seemed to let out a quiet sigh of relief. He placed a hand gently on John's shoulder, offering a silent apology for the earlier confrontation.
Lin Mei watched from the sidelines, her mind turning over the scene. Professor Charles had always been a beacon of kindness and patience. It was his gentle guidance that had softened John's once-volatile nature.
She could tell that, though John had calmed momentarily, his rebellious spirit had not been entirely subdued. It had only been quieted, waiting for another opportunity to push against the constraints of his world.
But for now, peace had been restored.
The Fireman was still the Fireman. As long as his mutant ability remained, it was only a matter of time before he exploded again, potentially triggering an even greater conflict. And dealing with someone like him was simple—defeat the source of their power.
"Alright, everyone, you can head back," Professor Charles said with a wave of his hand, signaling for them to leave.
"Wait, Professor Charles!" Lin Mei called out.
Professor Charles turned, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Is there something you need, Lin Mei?"
Lin Mei glanced at John, who looked somewhat dissatisfied, and smiled. "Since I'm here to visit Xavier Academy , I should at least see some mutants using their abilities, don't you think? After all, what's the point of a visit if I don't get to witness that?"
Charles studied Lin Mei thoughtfully for a moment before replying, "So, what exactly are you suggesting? Or are you interested in seeing whose ability, in particular?"
Lin Mei pointed toward John, who was on the verge of walking away. "I think this guy's having a lot of fun playing with fire. I happen to be a little bored myself, and I've got some flame abilities too. Why not let me pass the time by having a little fun with him?"
Lin Mei would never admit it, but there was a certain satisfaction in getting back at John for his earlier glare. Yes, this was a chance to teach him a lesson, but she'd never admit that aloud. Not now, anyway.
"Hahaha! Oh, child, you want to play with fire in front of me?" John's voice rang with laughter, his disbelief clear. "You're really going to kill me with that one!"
He laughed so hard he nearly doubled over, clearly caught off guard by Lin Mei's bold proposal. But underneath his surprise, a competitive glint sparkled in his eyes. He glanced at Professor Charles, waiting for the go-ahead.
Professor Charles furrowed his brow, clearly surprised by Lin Mei's sudden challenge. But as he considered the situation, he realized that sometimes a direct confrontation could be more effective than a lecture. With a slow nod, he gave his approval, though there was a subtle warning in his tone. "Remember, Lin Mei, this is a friendly exchange. I don't want to see anyone get hurt."
"Of course, Professor," Lin Mei replied, her smile sharp and knowing. A mischievous glint danced in her eyes—she was certain this would be a show worth watching.
John, sensing the challenge, straightened up and flashed a confident grin. He stepped forward, facing Lin Mei with fiery determination. Flames once again danced at his fingertips, as if the very air around him was responding to his will. It was a clear declaration of war.
"Since you're so eager to see," John said, his voice filled with bravado, "let me show you what real fire power looks like."