It had been weeks since Megan had last stretched her wings. The injury had grounded her, leaving her restless while she healed in the med bay. Now, under the watchful skies above Xavier’s Institute, she pushed herself off the lawn and rose higher and higher, wings shimmering in the sunlight. For a few glorious minutes, it felt like freedom again—every beat strong, steady, and true.

Then, suddenly, the strength faltered. Her wings shuddered, the magic sputtered, and gravity yanked her down before she could recover.

She crashed hard—right into another student, sending them both sprawling in a mess of tangled limbs and crushed grass.

“...Ow. That was not supposed to happen.” She groaned, propping herself up on her elbows and looking at the unlucky classmate beneath her. “Please tell me I didn’t break you too.”