Judgment of the Endless (MarvelxDC)

[Kinda messed up the order of the chapters earlier, didn't notice until now. Anyway it didn't affect the flow of the story, thankfully. Fixed it, happy reading]

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Charles Xavier, with a welcoming smile, led Darius into the study, a room filled with ancient books, artifacts, and a large, intricately carved wooden desk. The room exuded an air of wisdom and history, a testament to the years Charles had dedicated to understanding and guiding the next generation of mutants. 

Darius, however, was nonchalant, almost disinterested as he walked in, his eyes briefly scanning the room before settling on Charles. His presence filled the space, an aura of calm confidence and unmatched power radiating from him.

He was dressed casually, but the air around him buzzed with an otherworldly energy.

Before following them in, Harmony waved her brother off with a playful smile, "You two have fun in there. I'm going to go mingle." She then turned on her heels and floated—more than walked—back to the lobby, where she immediately became the center of attention.

Her beauty and charm were irresistible, and the mutants were soon enthralled by her tales and the way she dazzled them with just her presence.

Back in the study, Darius took a seat in a plush chair, crossing his legs with an air of ease. Charles settled into his own chair behind the desk, his fingers steepled in front of him as he regarded Darius carefully.

"So, Darius," Charles began, his tone measured and calm, "I must say, your presence here has caused quite a stir. Not many can simply appear on the radar with such...an impact."

Darius tilted his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I tend to have that effect on people," he said, his voice smooth and relaxed.

Charles nodded, but his eyes held a gleam of curiosity. "I understand you possess powers beyond what we can comprehend. I'm always eager to learn, and you seem to be someone with a great deal to teach."

Darius arched an eyebrow, his smile widening slightly as he noticed the subtle hint of intrigue in Charles' words. "Perhaps. But I'm not much of a teacher, Charles. I'm more of an observer these days."

Charles leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "Still, I must admit, your power intrigues me. How you wield it, how you came to possess it...such things are beyond the understanding of most."

Darius just smiled knowingly but remained silent, waiting for Charles to continue.

Sensing an opportunity, Charles decided to delve a bit deeper—without asking for permission. As subtle as he could, he reached out with his mind, attempting to peer into Darius' thoughts, to glean some understanding of the enigmatic being before him.

But as soon as he made contact, it was as if he had touched a live wire. A shockwave of energy shot through his mind, causing intense pain. The force was so powerful it sent him reeling back in his chair, gasping for breath.

His eyes widened in shock as he realized that he had not just encountered a barrier, but something far more dangerous—a force that seemed to toy with his very essence.

Darius, who had been watching Charles the whole time, didn't seem surprised. He simply pointed to his shirt, which now clearly read: "Do not try to read my mind—you will regret it."

Charles, still recovering from the mental backlash, looked at the shirt and then back at Darius, a mix of awe and caution in his eyes. "I...apologize," he managed to say, his voice a little shaky. "I've never encountered such resistance before."

Darius leaned forward slightly, his tone still light but carrying a hint of a warning. "I told you, Charles. Some doors are best left closed."

Charles nodded slowly, understanding that he was in the presence of someone—no, something—far beyond even his vast experience. "Noted. I meant no disrespect."

Darius shrugged, the moment already passing for him. "No harm done. Just a little reminder that there are things in this universe—and beyond—that even you should be careful of."

For a moment, silence filled the room. Charles, now fully aware of the vast gulf in power between them, chose his next words carefully. "Why have you come to Earth, Darius? What is it that you seek here?"

Darius considered the question, a small smirk forming on his lips. "Seek? I've found what I was looking for. A little entertainment, some peace, a break from the endless responsibilities. But I'll tell you this, Charles—I go where I please and do as I wish. As long as I'm not bothered, there won't be any problems."

Charles understood the underlying message: Darius was not someone to be controlled or even fully understood. He was a force of nature, a being whose motives were his own, and whose power was far beyond anything Charles could influence.

"Very well," Charles said finally, a slight smile on his lips as he acknowledged the situation. "But if you ever need anything—resources, information, or even just a place to rest—you'll always have a home here at the Xavier Institute."

Darius nodded, appreciating the offer though he doubted he would need it. "Thanks, Charles. I'll keep that in mind."

Just as their conversation was winding down, a loud, delighted laugh echoed through the halls, followed by Harmony's voice, full of warmth and cheer. "You should have seen the look on your faces! Oh, you're all just too cute!"

Darius shook his head with a chuckle. "Seems like my sister is having more fun out there than we are in here."

Charles allowed himself a small smile, sensing the lighthearted bond between the siblings. "She has quite the charm, doesn't she?"

"That she does," Darius agreed, standing up from his chair. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I should go check on her before she decides to redecorate your lobby with stardust or something equally dramatic."

Charles chuckled softly. "Of course. It was a pleasure to meet you, Darius."

"And you, Charles. Take care." Darius gave a casual wave before heading to the door, leaving Charles with much to ponder.

As Darius walked out of the study and into the lobby, he was greeted by the sight of Harmony surrounded by a group of mesmerized mutants, all of them hanging on her every word. She turned to him with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Done with your boring chat?" she teased.

"Yeah, yeah," Darius replied, shaking his head. "Let's get out of here before you charm these poor kids into following us home."

Harmony laughed, the sound like music, and looped her arm through his. "Oh, but I was just getting started!"

Together, they left the mansion, the mutants in the lobby still recovering from the whirlwind that was Harmony's presence.

Meanwhile, Charles sat quietly in his study, contemplating the encounter, the warning that had been delivered, and the sheer magnitude of the power that had just walked out his door.

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[Earlier with Harmony]

As Darius followed Charles into the study, Harmony waved him off with a playful flick of her fingers, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips.

"You two have fun in there. I'm going to go mingle," she called after him, already turning to make her grand entrance back into the mansion's lobby.

The moment she stepped into the lobby, it was as if the entire atmosphere shifted. The air around her seemed to shimmer with energy, drawing the attention of everyone present. Harmony had always had a magnetic presence, and now, surrounded by curious mutants, she decided to turn up the charm.

"Well, well," she began, her voice smooth and warm, "you must be the famous students of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Such a diverse and impressive group!"

Her words were met with a mix of shy smiles, intrigued glances, and a few outright stares. Harmony was dazzling—there was no other word for it. With her glowing skin, eyes that seemed to hold galaxies, and an outfit that could only be described as divine couture, she looked every bit the celestial being she was.

But more than that, she carried herself with an effortless grace, exuding warmth that instantly put those around her at ease.

"I'm Harmony," she introduced herself, her smile growing as she noted the eager faces around her. "And yes, before you ask, I'm Darius' sister."

The mention of Darius caused a few hushed murmurs to ripple through the group. It was clear that the students were aware of Darius, though likely more from whispers and rumors than any direct interaction.

"You're his sister?" a young mutant with bright green hair asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. "He never mentioned having a sister."

Harmony laughed, a light, melodic sound that seemed to brighten the room. "Oh, he's full of secrets, my little brother. But don't worry, I'm much more open." She winked, causing a few of the students to chuckle.

One of the older students, a tall boy with the ability to manipulate light, stepped forward, clearly trying to compose himself in the presence of such a radiant being. "So...what brings you here? To Earth, I mean."

Harmony tilted her head, considering the question. "Well, I suppose you could say I'm on a little vacation. Just spending some quality time with Darius, exploring this lovely planet, and meeting interesting people like all of you."

She leaned in slightly, her eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and genuine interest. "Tell me, what's it like being a student here? I've heard so many things about this place."

This simple question opened the floodgates. The students, eager to share their experiences, began talking all at once—about their powers, their classes, the adventures they'd had, and the challenges they faced.

Harmony listened intently, nodding along, occasionally asking a question or offering a compliment that made whoever she was speaking to beam with pride.

As they talked, Harmony made it a point to remember each name, each power, and each story. She was genuinely interested, not just in what they could do, but in who they were.

And the more she interacted with them, the more the students relaxed, charmed by her genuine warmth and the effortless way she made each of them feel special.

One student, a boy named Jason who could control plants, hesitated before asking, "So, what's it like...being, you know...like you?"

Harmony smiled softly at the question, her gaze turning slightly inward as if considering how to answer. "Being like me...it's wonderful, in many ways. But it's also a lot of responsibility.

My brothers and I—well, we're not like most beings. But that doesn't mean we're all that different either. We laugh, we love, we get annoyed, we argue, and we try to enjoy life as much as we can. Just like anyone else."

She paused, then added with a twinkle in her eye, "Of course, we do it with a bit more flair."

The group laughed, the mood lightening even more. Harmony had a way of putting people at ease, of making even the most extraordinary things seem relatable.

As the conversation continued, Harmony couldn't help but playfully show off a little, using her powers to entertain the students.

With a wave of her hand, she created a small, twinkling galaxy in the palm of her hand, the stars swirling and dancing as if alive. The students watched in awe, their eyes wide with wonder.

"This," she said, holding the tiny galaxy up for all to see, "is just a little taste of what's out there. The universe is vast and full of mysteries. But sometimes, the most amazing things are right here, on this little planet."

The students were entranced, leaning in to get a closer look. One of them, a boy with the ability to phase through objects, tried to touch the tiny galaxy, only for his hand to pass through it like mist. Harmony giggled at his surprise.

"Careful," she teased. "Wouldn't want to accidentally phase through a star, would you?"

More laughter erupted from the group, the students clearly enjoying themselves. Harmony's charm and genuine interest had won them over completely.

As the conversation continued, Harmony made sure to keep things light and fun, steering clear of any heavy topics or deep philosophical discussions. She was here to have a good time, after all, and she wanted the students to enjoy themselves too.

Eventually, one of the older students asked, "So, what's it like having Darius as a brother? He seems...intense."

Harmony's eyes softened at the mention of her brother. "Darius? Oh, he's the best. A bit of a show-off sometimes, and definitely a handful, but he's got a good heart. He's always been there for me, even when we were younger and the universe seemed a lot bigger and scarier. I couldn't ask for a better brother."

She paused, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Though, between you and me, I'm definitely the more charming one."

This earned a round of laughs and a few playful nods of agreement. The students were completely won over, and Harmony had clearly become the star of the day.

As the time passed, Harmony continued to chat and laugh with the students, her energy never waning. She made each of them feel special, listened to their stories, and even gave a few of them playful nicknames. It was clear she was enjoying herself immensely.

However, she always kept a small part of her attention on the study, where she knew Darius was talking with Charles. She was curious, of course, about what they were discussing, but she trusted her brother completely.

Besides, she was having too much fun with her new friends to worry about it.

Eventually, Harmony glanced towards the study's closed doors, sensing that the conversation inside was wrapping up. She decided it was time to prepare for their exit.

Turning back to the group, she smiled brightly. "Well, it looks like my brother's almost done with his chat. But before we go, does anyone have any last questions? Or perhaps a request?"

The students, who had been so engrossed in their conversation with Harmony, suddenly looked a little sad at the thought of her leaving. A few of them hesitated before one of the younger girls, who had been quiet until now, shyly raised her hand.

"Can you show us another one of your powers?" the girl asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Harmony's heart melted at the request. "Of course, darling," she said, her voice gentle. "How about a little light show to remember me by?"

With that, Harmony raised her hands, and the room was suddenly filled with a dazzling display of lights and colors. Beams of light danced across the walls and ceiling, creating intricate patterns and shapes that shifted and changed with each movement of her fingers.

It was like watching a living, breathing work of art, and the students were mesmerized.

As the light show continued, Harmony's smile grew. She loved making people happy, loved seeing the wonder and joy in their eyes. It was moments like this that made her travels worthwhile.

Finally, with a flourish, she ended the light show, the room slowly returning to normal as the lights faded away. The students burst into applause, their faces filled with admiration and awe.

"Thank you," the young girl who had made the request whispered, her eyes shining with gratitude.

Harmony leaned down and gently patted the girl's head. "Anytime, sweetheart."

Just then, the study doors opened, and Darius emerged, looking as calm and collected as ever. He raised an eyebrow at the sight of Harmony surrounded by adoring students but didn't seem surprised.

Harmony straightened up and gave the students one last smile. "Looks like it's time for us to go. But don't worry, I'm sure we'll see each other again."

With that, she floated over to Darius, linking her arm with his as they made their way to the exit. The students watched them go, clearly wishing they could have spent more time with the dazzling visitor.

As they left the mansion, Harmony glanced up at Darius with a teasing grin. "So, how was your little chat?"

Darius smirked. "Informative. But I think you had more fun."

Harmony laughed, her voice filled with joy. "Oh, definitely. These kids are adorable. We should come back sometime."

"We'll see," Darius replied, though there was a softness in his voice that suggested he was considering it.

As they walked away from the mansion, Harmony couldn't help but glance back, a small smile playing on her lips. She had made some new friends today, and she was glad for it.

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