When it came to approach and ideology, Erik and Charles were two extremes—one overly aggressive, the other too gentle.
Yet, there was no denying it: both men were indispensable to the mutant cause.
Without Erik constantly stirring things up, the world wouldn't hold any real fear—or even basic respect—for mutants.
And without that fear, every power out there would pounce on them like vultures, tearing them apart without mercy.
No one shows kindness to a group that never pushes back. If mutants were meek and submissive, they'd be crushed without a second thought.
But without Charles, mutants would have truly become humanity's enemy, forced to stand in absolute opposition to the world.
And in that kind of war, it wouldn't matter whether mutants could win—the suffering would be inevitable.
Because humanity isn't that easy to eliminate.
A war between humans and mutants would be catastrophic—not just for humans, but for mutants too.
And that's the irony of it all.
Erik and Charles, despite fundamentally opposing each other's beliefs, spent their entire lives fighting for the same people.
Each clung stubbornly to their own path, but it was precisely their opposition that gave mutants the space to survive in human society.
They never saw eye to eye. They clashed again and again.
Yet unknowingly, they created the perfect balance—together, they shaped the best possible future for mutants.
That's why Alex had said: mutants needed Erik just as much as they needed Charles.
Erik was the fist—the visible strength of the mutant race. He made the world afraid to trample them.
Charles was the smile—the symbol of goodwill that eased tensions and promoted acceptance.
Together, they represented two sides of the same coin.
Neither could be missing.
But strength and goodwill alone weren't enough.
What mutants truly lacked... was deterrence.
A deterrent as powerful as a nuclear weapon.
And Alex didn't mind becoming that nuclear weapon.
---
"Then tell us, Alex!"
The White Queen's voice rang out again. Her eyes burned with intensity as she fixed them on him.
"If you're not here to help us fight humanity, then what can you do for mutants?"
"I'm going to build something real for us—"
"A true family for mutants, just like Erik said.
A home where all our brothers and sisters can live freely, proudly, and without fear."
"No more hiding. No more running. No more being afraid to show who we are.
One day, our people will walk tall and tell the world—'I am a mutant'—and they'll be proud of it."
"Because by then, the world won't look at us with prejudice or fear.
They'll look at us with envy. With awe.
Because we can do what they never could.
Because we're better."
Alex's voice was calm but firm, carrying a power that made it impossible to refute.
The White Queen, Copycat, even the winged man and the dreadlocked mutant Erik brought with him—all were moved.
The vision Alex painted was like a dream—a utopia they never dared hope for.
If that future could truly come to pass… it would be paradise.
"I know what I want isn't the same as what Shaw pursued," Alex said, turning his gaze to the White Queen.
"But Emma, will you help me make it a reality?"
"You've lost your damn mind," she muttered, clicking her tongue.
But there was no denying it—his dream was contagious.
"…Still, Shaw's dead. I've got nowhere else to go."
Alex couldn't help but smile.
In truth, he had no intention of letting her go—he hadn't broken into the intelligence agency just for fun.
His goal from the start was to bring the White Queen to his side.
But it was always better when the person chose to follow you willingly.
"Guess I've lost it too," Copycat added lazily, jumping down from the car hood.
"For a second there… I actually believed you could pull this off."
"You're naïve, Alex," Erik still scoffed. "They're our enemies. That's their nature. You can't change that."
"The future you speak of will never come!"
"No. It will come, Erik." Alex's reply was firm and resolute.
"You're still too young, Alex," Erik sighed, shaking his head.
He looked tired—tired of arguing.
And in that moment, he finally understood: Alex wasn't like him. He was like Charles.
And just like Charles, he couldn't be persuaded.
What a waste.
Erik wouldn't admit it out loud, but he was disappointed.
Still… at least Alex was better than Charles.
Charles had always thought like a human, cared too much about them. That, to Erik, was truly hopeless.
"It's been good seeing you again, my friend. But now, I must go. Take care."
Erik offered a final wave before turning away.
"Take care, Erik."
And with that, they parted ways.
---
"So, Alex… what's next?"
After Erik's group left, the White Queen stepped up, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"I'm going to pull off something big."
Alex's lips curled into a mysterious smile.
Then, he outlined his plan—just the rough version—to the White Queen and Copycat.
By the time he was done, the White Queen was stunned.
For several long seconds, she stared at him like he was a stranger.
"That's… absolutely insane. I'm starting to believe that dream you sold us might actually be real."
"Crazy, sure," Copycat's eyes lit up. "But I love it."
She was more certain than ever—following Alex was the right choice.
"Alex… are you sure about this?" Raven looked dumbfounded, her face tinged with worry.
She had been genuinely shaken by his plan.
"I promised to bring justice to our kind," Alex said with a deep, meaningful smile.
"And I keep my promises."
His mission to the intelligence agency wasn't just to recruit the White Queen.
It was the first step in a far bigger plan.
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