Sarah Across the Multiverse

General (POV)

Training Grounds – Xavier's Mansion

The sound of Banshee's high-pitched scream pierced the silence in the training room like a broken glass shard through the air. Sarah barely flinched, though a small shiver ran down her spine. It wasn't that she was immune to his powers—it was just that she'd learned long ago not to show weakness, especially not in front of a group of hormonal, overwhelmed mutants. She leaned against the wall, arms folded, her usual half-amused smirk tugging at her lips as she watched the chaos unfold.

Banshee paced in tight, agitated circles. His frustration was palpable. "I can't get this under control," he grumbled, yanking his hand through his hair like he could pull the power right out of his skull.

Charles, ever the picture of patient serenity, stood across the room, telepathically reaching out to guide him. "Focus, Sean. You have to direct the energy. It's not about unleashing it; it's about channeling it."

Banshee threw his hands up, exasperated. "I know that, man! It's not like it's that easy!"

Sarah stifled a chuckle. Yeah, I get it, dude. It's not like throwing a tantrum gets anything under control either.

Meanwhile, Alex, standing nearby, was struggling to contain the surge of plasma energy that radiated from his body. Unlike Banshee's uncontrollable shrieking, Alex's power manifested as waves of intense heat and force. His arms were outstretched, his hands trembling slightly as bursts of plasma shot out sporadically, creating small impacts against the walls. Each pulse of energy seemed more intense than the last, and there was a clear tension in his body as he tried to contain it.

The glowing, fiery light from his hands flared up, momentarily brighter before dimming again, but it was clear from the tightness in his posture that he was close to losing control.

"How's it going?" Sarah asked, her voice tinged with amusement as she pushed off the wall and sauntered toward Alex. She hadn't really exchanged much with him before, but it felt like the perfect opportunity to throw in some unsolicited advice.

Alex glanced at her, startled for half a second before the flicker of recognition crossed his face. "It's... frustrating," he said, his voice steady, but his eyes told a different story. "I can't control it. Every time I try, it's like I'm about to blow something up."

Sarah shrugged, trying her best not to sound too entertained. "Yeah, sounds about right. Welcome to the club of powers you didn't ask for. You ever tried to treat your plasma like, well... energy? Not just like a bomb waiting to go off?"

Alex blinked at her, clearly confused.

"Focus on the flow of it. Like, pretend it's a current. Not a firework show. You're not trying to launch a missile here; you're trying to guide the energy, control it—don't just explode with it." She tapped her temple as if revealing some great secret. "Think of it like a steady stream. Let it flow through you, but don't just let it blast out uncontrollably."

Alex didn't say anything at first. Just stared at his hands as he considered her words. Then, as if testing the waters, he adjusted his posture. He relaxed, no longer holding himself as tightly as before. His fingers crackled with energy, but this time the plasma was more contained, flowing in controlled waves rather than bursting erratically.

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Hey, not bad. Just don't go frying the wrong people."

Alex nodded, his expression far more at ease now. "Thanks. I think that actually worked."

At the sound of Magneto's voice, Sarah turned her attention away from Alex. He stood at the edge of the room, his eyes boring into her with that magnetic pull she couldn't ignore. "Sarah," he said, his voice calm but with a hint of challenge. "You could be more useful than just an observer."

Sarah didn't flinch. She barely even looked at him. "I'm fine where I am," she replied coolly, eyes never leaving Alex. "But, sure, keep trying. You've got all the time in the world to convince me."

Magneto's lips twitched into a small smile, but his gaze stayed unreadable. "One day, you'll see the value of being more than just a silent observer."

Oh, I'm sure I will, she thought dryly. And I'm also sure you'll find a way to twist that into something that makes me feel like I owe you. But not today.

Before she could think of a retort, Charles stepped up, his voice cutting through the tension like a balm. "Alright, let's take a break," he said, offering a tired but warm smile. "Everyone's been pushing themselves. Let's rest for a bit."

Banshee looked like he'd been given a pardon from the firing squad. He sighed in relief, muttering something under his breath as he stepped away, clearly needing to process his own personal frustration. Alex, on the other hand, let his hands fall to his sides with a deep breath, his crackling plasma energy finally dissipating. He joined the group, clearly exhausted but trying to maintain a semblance of composure.

Sarah leaned back against a pillar, arms still crossed as she surveyed the room. Training's nice, but it's getting harder to ignore how much of this is just... waiting. For what? Who knows? Her gaze flicked toward the other mutants—most of them still figuring out their powers, still struggling to find their footing. It was a weird feeling. A mix of familiarity and disdain. She'd spent so much time working alone that all this team-building felt a little... pointless.

But she was stuck in the middle of it now. And if she had to be in the middle of this circus, she might as well enjoy the show.

...

Later That Day – Hallway Conversation

As Sarah walked through the mansion's endless marble hallways, her mind was buzzing with a million thoughts—most of them about surviving whatever mess she'd gotten herself into. She didn't even notice Raven until the last second, and they almost collided like a bad rom-com scene. But instead of awkwardness, there was a long, heavy silence, both of them sizing each other up in that way only people who can't help but read each other's minds do.

"You're quiet today," Sarah finally remarked, crossing her arms like she was trying to shut down the entire universe.

Raven just shrugged, the motion as effortless as a person who's gotten really good at pretending to be indifferent. "Just... thinking."

"About Shaw?" Sarah's tone was casual, but there was something dangerous lurking beneath it. A challenge. A warning.

Raven's eyes flickered, and for a moment, Sarah could almost feel the weight of whatever internal battle was going on inside her. "Among other things," she said with that familiar, sharp edge.

Sarah's gaze softened for a second. "You don't have to stay here, you know. This team—it's not for everyone."

Raven raised an eyebrow, the kind of move that made it clear she was intrigued but wasn't giving anything away. "And you think I should leave?"

Sarah leaned against the wall with a sigh, half-amused, half-serious. "Don't know. Just... don't make decisions because you feel like you have to fit in. That's the mistake people make."

There was a long pause. Raven didn't seem offended, just... thoughtful. She tilted her head, considering Sarah's words like they might be worth something. Then, with a slight smirk, she shot back, "And what makes you think you have it all figured out?"

Sarah chuckled darkly, because honestly, who did have it all figured out? "I don't," she admitted, giving a rare honest answer. "But I know enough to know that staying with the wrong people won't get you anywhere. You have to make your own choice. Just don't make it for anyone else's sake."

The silence that followed was thick, loaded with things neither woman said. Raven looked like she was processing the hell out of those words, but in typical Raven fashion, she just gave a subtle nod and turned to walk away, leaving Sarah with her own tangled thoughts.

As Raven disappeared down the hall, Sarah's mind snapped back to Shaw, the mess that was bound to explode. The team was getting stronger, sure, but cracks were starting to form between Erik and Charles. And when those cracks finally split open, it wouldn't be pretty.

...

Later That Evening – The Mansion's Library

The dim lighting of the library gave the room a certain eerie charm, shadows stretching across the walls like something just shy of sinister. Sarah was perched in one of the tall chairs near a long table, flipping through a stack of books that Charles had recommended. She didn't exactly enjoy reading for fun, but the quiet of the mansion had a calming effect on her tonight. Her mind had been all over the place—Shaw, the team, the gnawing tension that lurked just beneath the surface—but at least in here, the silence let her breathe.

Then came the unmistakable sound of footsteps. Sarah didn't need to turn around to know it was Raven. The woman had a way of not making noise when she moved, a stealth that bordered on unsettling. When Sarah finally looked up, she saw Raven standing in the doorway, not quite in, not quite out, like she wasn't sure if she was supposed to be there.

"Something on your mind?" Sarah asked, her voice a mix of casual curiosity and the kind of edge only someone who'd been around enough to understand Raven's mood swings could manage.

Raven paused, leaning against the doorframe like it was the only thing holding her up. "Just… trying to get some space. The others are noisy tonight," she said, her voice soft and almost too guarded for Sarah's taste.

Sarah smirked, knowing exactly what she meant. "Yeah, the constant bickering gets old." She waved a hand in the air like it was some sort of team-wide plague. "I get that. I need some distance too."

Raven's gaze flicked to Sarah, unreadable. "I didn't expect you to be here. You're usually off doing your own thing."

Sarah leaned back in her chair, letting her arms fold across her chest with practiced ease. "Well, someone's got to keep an eye on the drama," she said with a grin. "Besides, books are quieter than the rest of them."

Raven chuckled, but there was an edge to it, something deeper she didn't bother to hide. "I suppose so. They can get... overwhelming."

"Yeah, I get that vibe from time to time," Sarah said, her voice laced with a dark humor that matched the mood. She gave Raven a sideways glance. "The whole 'fitting in' thing never seems to work out here, does it?"

The words landed between them like a weight, hanging in the air. Raven's expression flickered—just for a second—but it was enough for Sarah to catch it. That brief flash of vulnerability that only someone who really looked could see. Raven didn't say anything, but Sarah could tell the mask was cracking.

Raven took a seat across from her, the movement fluid, graceful—classic Raven. "I don't... fit in with them," she admitted quietly, her voice a whisper too soft for the usually bold woman. "Not with Charles, not with Erik... not with anyone, really." She locked eyes with Sarah, her gaze sharp, like a blade she was holding out, just to see who would take it. "But maybe I don't want to, either."

Sarah studied her, feeling that familiar tug in her chest. She was used to masks, both literal and figurative, but Raven's words—those words—they felt... real. And that was the last thing Sarah expected. She leaned forward slightly, dropping the casual sarcasm for once and letting something more serious seep into her tone. "Then don't. But don't shut yourself off, either. The worst thing you can do is make a decision based on what others want from you. You make the choice."

There was a thick silence that followed, the kind where words become too heavy to fill the space. Raven didn't speak at first, just sat there, looking like she was chewing over Sarah's words in ways Sarah didn't even expect. Maybe it was the fact that Raven was used to hiding so much of herself. Maybe it was the way Sarah didn't try to force her into some box.

Finally, Raven spoke again, her voice softer. "Maybe. But I'm not sure what the choice is yet."

Sarah gave her a half-smile, the kind that could pass for warmth if you squinted. "That's the thing," she said, letting out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh. "You don't have to figure it all out right now."

For a moment, the air felt different between them, thick with something unspoken. But before Sarah could lean into it—before she could dig any deeper into whatever was happening here—Raven stood up, the magic of the moment shattering like glass. She gave a smile that didn't quite meet her eyes, the same practiced mask back in place.

"Anyway," Raven said, brushing the air with her hand like she was swiping away the vulnerability, "I'll leave you to your books."

Sarah nodded, her voice quieter than before, tinged with something she didn't quite understand. "Sure thing. We'll talk again, right?"

Raven hesitated, the briefest flicker of something flickering in her eyes. "Yeah. We will."

As she left the room, Sarah was left alone, her gaze following her for a moment before she shook her head. She didn't let herself linger on things, didn't let herself get lost in thoughts she wasn't ready to confront. But there was something about Raven—something that pulled at her curiosity in a way that was different from the usual.

...

The Next Day – Training Room

The training session today was more intense than usual. Sarah was working on her manipulation of metal again, her powers having grown stronger over the past few days. Her shadow tendrils were mostly a secondary tool now, the focus of her concentration shifting to the metal objects around her. She was bending and twisting them with increasing precision, the raw power flowing from her as she mastered the weightless dance of iron and steel.

The room was filled with the sharp, rhythmic sound of metal creaking and shifting, bending to her will. It was becoming easier, more fluid, and she could see the difference in her control. Where before she had to fight to maintain her grip on the metal, now it was almost like an extension of her will, moving in sync with the thoughts in her head.

Magneto stood a few feet away, watching intently as she practiced. He had always been a quiet observer, offering feedback when necessary, but today there was something more in his gaze—something predatory.

"You're getting better," he said, his voice low but approving.

Sarah smirked without breaking her focus. "What can I say? I'm a fast learner."

Magneto moved closer, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "You've got a lot of potential. I'd say we're beginning to understand each other."

Sarah didn't look at him directly, her eyes fixed on the piece of metal floating in the air. "Maybe. But don't expect me to start giving speeches about mutant superiority. Not my style."

Magneto chuckled, the sound smooth and dangerous. "I wouldn't dream of it." He paused, watching her closely. "But, you know, sometimes people are more inclined to listen when they understand the power behind the words."

She met his gaze finally, eyes narrowing. "I'm not here for speeches, Erik."

He seemed pleased by her response, but his expression remained cool. "Good. Just remember, when the time comes, power will speak louder than anything else."

Sarah just nodded, her focus slipping back to the metal object hovering in the air in front of her. It wasn't interested in speeches. It was only interested in her control—and that's what she was here to prove.

As she finished her practice, the metal object gently clattering to the floor with a final, sharp scrape, she knew one thing: Magneto wasn't wrong. Power would always speak loudest. But Sarah wasn't about to let it speak for her just yet.

She wasn't interested in picking sides.

As she walked out of the training room, her thoughts once again drifted to Mystique, their last conversation lingering in her mind. There was a tension between them, but it wasn't the kind of tension that was born from rivalry or hatred. "Am I falling for her?" crossed her mind.

...

The Next Day – Training Grounds at Xavier's Mansion

The sound of footsteps echoed off the cold, stone floors of the mansion—another training session, another chance to mess around with mutant abilities. This time, though, Sarah wasn't here just to show off. Today's mission? See if Raven could keep up with her.

As Sarah walked into the training hall, her eyes immediately found Raven, leaning against the far wall like she didn't have a care in the world. Sarah knew better. Raven was always on edge, always watching, like some kind of covert ops agent waiting for the mission to go sideways.

The others were busy sparring, but Sarah had made it clear she wanted a go with Raven today. Something about their conversations, the way they circled each other, made Sarah want to test their limits. And, if she was being honest, there was something she was trying to figure out.

"Ready to work?" Sarah called out as she walked toward her, cracking her neck.

Raven glanced back, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Persistent. I'll give you that."

"I like to be thorough," Sarah replied, stretching her arms with a lazy confidence that was all too familiar.

Raven pushed off from the wall, finally meeting Sarah's eyes. "Let's see if you're actually ready for this."

And with that, Raven attacked. It was a blur—quick jabs, rapid strikes. Sarah didn't flinch. In fact, she was already one step ahead, her shadow tendrils snaking out to intercept the first hit. The impact made her feel the familiar thrill of the challenge, but it wasn't enough to throw her off. She could handle this. She loved handling this.

"You're fast," Sarah remarked casually, dodging a series of strikes. "But you're holding back."

"Maybe I don't want to hurt you," Raven replied with a raised eyebrow, a smoldering edge to her voice.

"Not gonna happen," Sarah shot back, her grin wide as she shifted her stance. "But nice try."

The fight kicked into high gear. Raven was fast, but Sarah was just... smoother. Shadow tendrils whirling around her like deadly dance partners, precision that made it seem like they'd choreographed this. Each move Raven made, Sarah could anticipate, like they were in sync, like they shared the same unspoken language of combat.

At one point, Raven feinted—a move that could've taken Sarah out if she'd let her guard down. But Sarah never let her guard down. She countered, wrapping Raven's legs in shadow, holding her still.

"Dirty move," Raven said, a laugh escaping her lips. "I didn't think you had it in you."

Sarah shrugged, the playful smirk never leaving her face. "Well, I can be dirty when I have to be. You should've known better."

Raven's laugh echoed in the hall, but there was something more in it than just amusement. There was something softer there, maybe even... warmer, mutual? Sarah couldn't quite place it. She wasn't the type to let her walls down, but Raven had a way of cracking them without even trying.

After a bit, Raven exhaled, her posture shifting to one of approval. "You're getting better with your abilities. I guess you are holding your own after all."

"Thanks," Sarah said, her tone lighter hand to hand wasn't her thing so her compliment was welcome, though she kept it cool. "You're not too shabby yourself."

Raven flashed a grin, sharp and sly. "Maybe you're not as bad as I thought."

They stood there for a moment, the silence between them charged with something unspoken, something more than just physical tension. Sarah wasn't the kind of person to get attached to anyone. She didn't do that. But Raven? She wasn't easy to ignore, and that made Sarah more intrigued than she cared to admit.

"Nice match," Sarah said, finally breaking the silence, stepping back a bit. "Same time tomorrow?"

Raven smiled, a gleam of something calculated in her eyes. "We'll see."

...

Later – The Mansion's Rooftop

The day had dragged on, the air thick with exhaustion and the weight of unspoken thoughts. Sarah had been through enough today to last a lifetime—training, sparring, and whatever mental gymnastics she'd been forced to endure. So, when the sun dipped low and the grounds started to quiet down, she retreated to the roof. If nothing else, it was a place where she could breathe without feeling like the world was pressing in.

The cool evening breeze hit her skin, offering a moment of relief as she stood there, gazing over the mansion's sprawling grounds. The silence up here was a balm, a stark contrast to the chaos of the day. But, of course, her mind wasn't ready to quiet just yet. It drifted back to Raven.

She had felt something when they sparred. It wasn't just about the fight—it was the way Raven moved, the way they flowed through the motions like they'd been doing this dance for years. There was a tension, an undeniable spark. But it wasn't all physical. No, it was more than that. It was that moment of understanding between them. The kind where two people can go through hell and back without ever needing to say a word. Sarah wasn't sure where this would go, but she couldn't ignore it.

Letting out a sigh, she leaned against the edge of the roof, letting her breath fog in the cool air. She wasn't used to being this open with anyone, but Raven? She was different. For the first time in a long while, Sarah wasn't sure if keeping her walls up was worth it. But she'd get there. She always did.

A shift in the air signaled the presence of someone else—a familiar one. Raven.

"I thought I might find you up here," came Raven's voice, softer than usual. She stepped up beside Sarah, her eyes scanning the horizon, that familiar detached air of hers gone, replaced with something more... raw. "You've been quiet."

Sarah didn't need to look to know it was her, but she turned anyway. Her arms crossed, gaze fixed on Raven. "Just thinking. It's peaceful up here."

Raven nodded, her eyes flicking to Sarah before quickly darting back to the distant horizon. "Yeah. It's different from the rest of this place. The noise... the expectations."

"Tell me about it," Sarah chuckled dryly. "It's hard to fit in with all the noise."

"Hard to be understood," Raven murmured, her voice quieter now. "Hard to know where you belong."

There it was—Raven's vulnerability, hidden behind her tough exterior, flickering like a candle in the dark. Sarah wasn't one for playing therapist, but she understood the weight of feeling like an outsider. Hell, she was one, too. Maybe that's why the words came so naturally.

"You don't have to belong anywhere," Sarah said, her tone steady, grounded. "Not here. Not anywhere. Just do what feels right for you."

Raven looked at her then, really looked. Her gaze was sharp, penetrating, as if searching for something Sarah wasn't sure was there. "And what if what feels right is... not what everyone expects?"

The question lingered in the air, charged with an energy that neither of them fully understood. Sarah met Raven's gaze with equal intensity, her own eyes unwavering. "Then that's their problem, not yours."

There was a pause, a beat where everything seemed to still. And for that moment, they were on the same wavelength.

Raven finally broke the silence, her voice low but sincere. "I'll keep that in mind." She stepped back, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—something soft. A smile, small but real, curved her lips. "You're not so bad after all, Sarah."

Sarah smirked, a quick flash of her usual self. "I have my moments."

As Raven turned to leave, Sarah's heart gave an unexpected jolt. "Damnit," Sarah muttered under her breath, not sure whether to be annoyed or... something else