Marvelous Pals #57

The room was filled with an uneasy silence as we waited for Professor Xavier to speak. I could feel the tension in the air, my own nerves contributing to the palpable discomfort. Finally, Xavier leaned forward, his expression one of cautious consideration.

"Vito," he began, "your mutation is rather unique. Unlike some mutants whose abilities draw from abstract dimensions or even entities, your powers are strictly physiological. Your brain is more developed than the average human brain."

I raised an eyebrow. "More developed? How so?"

"Your telekinesis," Xavier continued, "stems from this advanced brain development. As your mutant gene continues to evolve, it will further enhance your brain's capabilities. Though I cannot predict to what extent this development will go or if it might have adverse effects in the future, I am certain that your telekinetic powers will grow stronger. Additionally, you will likely manifest other abilities."

Storm interjected, her voice laced with concern. "But, Professor, what kind of impact could this have on his health? Can his body handle such rapid brain development?"

Xavier nodded thoughtfully. "It's a valid concern, Ororo. We will need to monitor Vito closely. His brain's evolution is unprecedented, and while it offers incredible potential, it also carries risks."

I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache beginning to form. "So, my brain's going to keep growing? Am I going to turn into some kind of super-genius?"

Xavier's lips curved into a faint smile. "Possibly. Your cognitive abilities were already above a great deal of humans. It will continue to develop in the future, but with great power comes great responsibility."

Logan, who had been silent up until now, snorted. "Great. Another egghead. Just what we need."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his sarcasm. "Yeah, well, I'm not exactly thrilled about this either, man."

As I spoke, I felt a strange sensation in my mind, almost like a tickle. Suddenly, a vase on a nearby table began to levitate. My eyes widened in surprise, and I lost control, sending it hurtling towards Logan.

He reacted with lightning speed, catching the vase just before it hit him. "Watch it, bub," he growled, setting the vase back down.

"Sorry," I muttered, feeling embarrassed. "I didn't mean to—"

Xavier raised a hand to calm me. "It's alright. This is precisely why we need to train you to control your abilities. Why don't we move to a more suitable location where you can get a better feel for your powers?"

I nodded, relieved at the suggestion. The thought of accidentally hurting someone, especially someone like Logan, was daunting. "Sounds like a plan. Let's go."

...

Heading to the Danger Room, I listened to Professor Xavier’s explanation about the human mind and mutations, a lecture filled with complicated terms and vague theories. Surprisingly, I found myself actually understanding him for once. It was like a fog had lifted from my brain, allowing me to grasp concepts that would have normally gone over my head.

"So, in human terms," I interrupted, "other than telekinesis, my original mental faculties have also strengthened?"

Xavier nodded. "Precisely. Your brain's processing speed, its storage capabilities, and its ability to retrieve memories have all been enhanced. You could remember what you had for lunch five years ago, though that’s an oversimplification."

I frowned, thinking about the implications. "Doesn't that eliminate the need for... you know who?" I was referring to the original Vito, but I still felt uncomfortable talking about him in public.

"By all intents and purposes, yes, he should have disappeared," Xavier affirmed. "And yet, he's still there in your mind, albeit in a dormant state."

Having examined my brain, Xavier had discovered, much to my exasperation, that the original Vito was still there. Why that was, even he didn’t know. He made an educated guess that it had something to do with my powers, but he couldn’t say exactly how.

As he spoke, we finally reached the Danger Room. Xavier turned to me, his expression serious. "I want you to try something. The development of your brain has enhanced your observation skills to a new level, almost on the level of empathy...."

"You can tell what people around you are feeling with a glance, though not what they're thinking. I want you to try and guess what everyone is feeling right now."

I took a deep breath and focused, looking around the room. Logan stood by the wall, arms crossed, his face as stoic as ever. But there was a flicker of impatience in his eyes, a restlessness that belied his calm exterior. He was annoyed and... that's about it.

Storm, on the other hand, exuded calmness. There was a serene confidence in her stance, but I could sense a layer of concern beneath it, likely for me and the potential risks of my newly developed powers.

Finally, I turned to Xavier. His face was composed, but I could sense a deep well of worry and hope. He was placing a lot of faith in my abilities, hoping that I could harness them for good.

"Logan is impatient and curious, though he's not fully trusting this," I said slowly. "Storm is calm but concerned. And you, Professor, you're worried but hopeful."

Xavier's eyes twinkled with satisfaction. "Very good, Vito. Your observational skills have indeed reached a new level. This ability will be invaluable as you learn to control your powers."

I nodded, feeling a strange mix of relief and apprehension. My mind was clearer than ever, but with that clarity came the weight of responsibility. I had a lot to learn, and it was only the beginning.

"Let's start," I said, determination settling in. "Show me what I need to do."

...

Entering the Danger Room, I immediately noticed the hard light projectors were already active, creating a shooting range-like environment that looked like something straight out of a video game.

The room was filled with several yellow mannequins with targets on their heads. Some were standing, others kneeling, a few were running, and the rest were walking or jogging, each equipped with strange weapons.

At the foot of the shooting range stood a woman with long red hair, sporting the classic blue and yellow X-Men uniform. I recognized her instantly as Jean Grey.

Noticing our arrival, she flashed a smile and calmly waved her hand. Even from this distance, I could tell she was nervous, but trying her best to project confidence. Our eyes met, and her nervousness seemed to mix with curiosity and slight excitement.

It made sense—she's always struggled with her powers, so having another person with similar abilities must have been intriguing for her. I smiled back and waved, which seemed to ease some of her nervousness.

"This is Jean Grey," Xavier introduced, "though to most people, she is known as Marvel Girl. She will demonstrate her telekinetic powers. Although this won't help much with your mental control, it will provide a good example."

Jean nodded, flying to the middle of the shooting range and placing herself in the center, with the mannequins surrounding her. Her movements were graceful, yet there was a palpable tension in the air, a sense of anticipation.

"Ready when you are," Jean called out, her voice steady despite the nerves I could sense beneath the surface.

Xavier turned to Ororo and instructed, "Start the drill."

Ororo walked to a nearby console, hitting a few buttons. Almost instantly, all the mannequins turned their gazes to Jean, weapons pointing at her. In response, she took to the air, hovering approximately ten feet above the ground. I could sense her nervousness; it wasn't directed at the mannequins.

She had probably done this more times than I cared to count, but the subtle glances she cast our way made it clear she was worried about underperforming in front of us. Even her levitation trick seemed like an act to mask her nerves.

I chuckled internally. Typical Jean Grey—always self-doubting and trying to project confidence.

The mannequins soon began their assault, pointing their strange weapons at her and firing spherical projectiles. Though they moved as quickly as bullets, I could discern the exact shape and size of the projectiles.

Another quirk of my enhanced brain, I supposed.

Jean wasted no time. She raised her arm, causing all the projectiles to freeze in the air around her. My eyes widened at the sight, not just because of what she did, but because of the red aura emanating from her head.