The festival entrance buzzed with its usual morning chaos when Orion spotted the sleek black vehicle pulling up. Professor X's ride never changed—still looked like it belonged at a board meeting rather than a Pokémon celebration.
Perfect.
The Professor stepped out first, naturally, followed by a procession that could only be the X-Men. Orion had seen them in action enough times to recognize that particular blend of competence and contained chaos.
Jean Grey moved with that quiet confidence that made people instinctively trust her. Cyclops adjusted his visor with that familiar gesture—always checking, always calculating. Kitty phased through the car door rather than opening it, because why walk when you can walk through walls?
Colossus looked like he could bench-press the building. Iceman had that easy grin that suggested he was already planning jokes. Jubilee practically vibrated with energy. Nightcrawler's tail swished behind him, and Rogue kept her gloves firmly on even in the morning heat.
Orion approached with his usual casual stride, though his heart was doing backflips.
"Professor."
"Orion." The Professor's smile was genuine. "I've heard quite a bit about this place."
"Mostly good things, I hope?"
Kitty stepped forward with that familiar grin, Espurr cradled carefully in her arms like it might float away if she wasn't careful.
"Orion."
"Long time no see."
The little Psychic Pokémon blinked its wide violet eyes at him. Orion couldn't help but notice how glossy its fur looked, how clean. Kitty had clearly been taking good care of it.
"It is nice to meet Espurr again."
Espurr tilted its head, a soft psychic pulse brushing against his senses. Happy. Content. Who would have thought the quiet little restraint Pokémon would thrive under Kitty's care?
Jean Grey stepped up next, all calm authority despite the chaos of the festival around them.
"Orion Oak. We've heard a lot about Pokémon Home."
Cyclops adjusted his visor, ever the dutiful leader.
"Professor Xavier thought we should see this firsthand."
Colossus gave a small nod, his massive frame somehow graceful despite the steel coursing through his veins.
"Iceman."
The grin was infectious, even if Bobby's usual sarcasm was absent.
"Jubilee."
She practically sparkled with excitement, which was saying something given she already had fireworks for hair.
"Nightcrawler."
A theatrical bow that somehow fit perfectly with his pointed ears and prehensile tail.
"Rogue."
She kept her distance, gloves firmly in place, but her eyes were kind.
Orion's smile stretched genuinely across his face. Meeting the X-Men for the first time was like watching a superhero convention crash into a Pokémon festival—exactly the kind of beautiful chaos he thrived on.
Jean Grey approached with that quiet gravity that made people instinctively straighten their spines. Orion found himself wondering if she could sense his own psychic presence, or if she was simply used to reading rooms full of confused people.
Cyclops adjusted his visor with mechanical precision, the picture of controlled leadership. Orion had seen enough footage to know this man carried entire teams on his shoulders. It was almost unfair, asking someone like that to simply enjoy a festival.
Colossus looked like he could crush boulders with his bare hands, yet moved with surprising gentleness. Orion appreciated that contradiction—the gentle giant who painted landscapes when he wasn't stopping tanks.
Iceman's grin was infectious, though Orion caught the underlying tension in his shoulders. The man who joked loudest often carried the heaviest secrets.
Jubilee practically crackled with energy, her fireworks already sparking at her fingertips. Orion had a feeling she'd be the first to volunteer for anything dangerous.
Nightcrawler's theatrical bow somehow fit perfectly in this absurd situation. Teleporting demons and electric mice—why not?
Rogue kept her distance, gloves firmly in place. Orion understood that particular wariness. Touch was a gamble when you absorbed everything about everyone.
"You're all welcome to explore," Orion said, gesturing toward the festival grounds. "Learn what you can. Ask questions. The Pokémon are curious about you too."
Professor X watched the festival unfold with the careful eye of someone who'd spent decades reading rooms full of confused teenagers. This was different, though. These weren't teenagers with hormonal mutations—they were people with actual monsters at their heels.
"Orion."
The young man turned, his expression shifting from professional hospitality to something warmer. Professor X appreciated that. Most people either froze or performed when he approached. This one seemed to actually see people.
"I apologize for not reaching out sooner. I had hoped to schedule a proper meeting."
Orion's smile didn't waver, but there was a flicker—recognition, maybe, of the careful dance between wanting to help and not wanting to impose.
"You're here now." Orion gestured toward the festival grounds. "I'm overseeing operations, but I could use the company. Walk with me?"
Professor X nodded, extending that same careful warmth to his students. Jean drifted forward first—always the diplomat, even when she was still learning what that meant. Cyclops kept pace beside her, that familiar tension in his shoulders easing just slightly.
Colossus moved with surprising grace despite his metal frame. Iceman's grin was genuine, unforced. Jubilee practically vibrated with curiosity. Nightcrawler's tail swished behind him, and Rogue kept her distance but didn't flinch when a wild Pidgey fluttered past.
Kitty held Espurr carefully, the little Pokémon's wide eyes taking in everything. Professor X could feel the psychic signature—quiet, controlled, exactly what he'd expected from what Kitty had described.
They walked through the festival grounds together, and Orion pointed out various stations without breaking stride. His voice carried that particular blend of enthusiasm and exhaustion that came from running something beautiful but impossible.
Jean studied a group of children learning to read Pokémon body language. Cyclops watched trainers demonstrate proper care techniques. Colossus lingered near the berry garden, where the plants actually seemed to lean toward him.
Professor X found himself thinking about schools. About what it meant to teach people to be gentle with power. About the way this young man had somehow convinced an entire city that monsters could be friends.
"You've done remarkable work here," he said.
Orion's laugh was soft. "The Pokémon did most of it. I just listen."
That was the truth of it, wasn't it? Not control, but partnership. Not dominance, but trust.
***
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