In the video, a somber and somewhat despondent Charles presents a heart-wrenching image.
Just moments before, viewers had seen him as a refined, intelligent, and calm figure, radiating an impressive charisma. No one would have doubted that, even without his powers, Charles could still achieve great things.
But in this moment, what he has lost is not his abilities, but his indomitable spirit and the compassionate heart that once longed for justice and light.
Outside the screen, Peter shook his head in dismay. "It's really tragic what happened to the Professor. He's a genuinely good person, but people have been so harsh on him. The way the authorities treated him... it makes me sick. They're not just oppressing innocent mutants; they're trampling on the Professor's kind heart!"
After watching the video, Peter couldn't help but feel admiration for Charles. He aspired to become someone as wise, confident, and charismatic. Seeing Charles's tragic future hurt him even more than his own painful experiences.
Why is it that good people often don't get good outcomes?
Charles dedicated himself to helping both humans and mutants, but he was met with rejection from both sides. His mutant friends Erik and Raven both eventually left him, and the government not only abandoned him but even repurposed his school as a forced recruitment center.
Peter thought to himself that, if he were in the Professor's position, he'd likely not be able to handle things any better. He might crumble under the relentless pressure, perhaps ending up even more despondent than Charles in the video.
Wanda, with a thoughtful expression, added, "Peter, have you noticed? For good people to overcome the bad, for justice to defeat evil, kindness alone often isn't enough. Sometimes, even the good guys have to learn a few tricks from the bad guys if they want to protect the justice they believe in."
Watching Charles's future reminded her of her own experience with S.W.O.R.D., where she was framed and betrayed.
Charles had foiled Sebastian Shaw's schemes, undoubtedly saving the world from the threat of nuclear annihilation. Yet, the human authorities still treated him as a criminal.
As for Wanda, though she had a personal vendetta against Thanos for what he'd done to "her husband," Vision, she also fought for the world's safety, making great sacrifices in the process.
But afterward, she received none of the respect she deserved. To S.W.O.R.D., she wasn't a hero who'd helped save the world but merely a powerful "freak" to be kept in check. Her kindness, too, had been trampled underfoot.
And then there was Vision—a being born from machinery yet filled with a sincere desire to protect humanity. He'd sacrificed everything, even asking the woman he loved to kill him to stop Thanos. But in the end, not only was his body desecrated, taken apart piece by piece, but he was reassembled as a mere weapon. To S.W.O.R.D., he had never been a person, only a valuable piece of technology.
Having recently joined the Avengers, Wanda knew that, if not for watching these videos, she wouldn't have been able to let go of her resentment toward Tony so easily. Unlike in the original timeline, where she eventually became fully integrated into the superhero community, these glimpses of the future had clearly influenced her perspective.
Peter opened his mouth to say something, but he found Wanda's words a bit too cynical and didn't know how to respond. Wanda noticed his hesitation and gestured for him to just keep watching the video.
In the video, Charles lay alone in his bedroom, pulling out a syringe and injecting himself with a serum developed by Hank to suppress his telepathic abilities and dull the pain and frustration in his heart.
At this moment, Charles looked every bit like an addict.
He was indeed becoming dependent on the serum, aware it wasn't a good habit. Usually, he only resorted to it during particularly troubling times. Clearly, Logan's arrival had stirred up his emotions.
As he took a shaky breath, Charles glanced over at a photo on his bedside table—a picture of a smiling Raven.
He couldn't help but recall the memories of growing up with her, the close bond they'd shared. They had once been as close as real siblings.
But in the end, childhood bonds couldn't compete with the allure of Erik. Raven had ultimately been drawn to him, leaving Charles with regrets. Had he been too neglectful of Raven's feelings?
He had promised never to use his telepathy on her, thinking he understood her heart. But as it turned out, he'd been overconfident. A young woman's heart could be as unpredictable as the weather in June, leaving Charles feeling distant and helpless.
Even now, as he remembered Raven's departure, he struggled to let go. Taking a deep breath, Charles finally summoned the strength to get out of bed. He was still the resilient Professor X. Even without Logan's intervention, he would find a way to pull himself out of this slump.
Downstairs, he expressed his willingness to help Wolverine, though he added firmly, "I'm only doing this for her, for Raven! But let's be clear—you don't know Erik like I do. He's a devil, a murderer! You think you can convince Raven to come back, but what makes you think you can change Erik?"
By now, Erik had become a thorn in Charles's heart. Logan, however, just shrugged. "Because you and Erik both sent me back here."
Watching this, the real Erik narrowed his eyes. With Logan revealing that he was from fifty years in the future, Erik started to piece together the underlying motive.
He could roughly guess that, in fifty years, both humans and mutants would be facing the threat of the "Sentinel" program, caught in a dire situation. That's why they sent Logan back in time.
It surprised him, however, that in the future, he and Charles would once again be fighting side by side. But on further reflection, it wasn't impossible. Against a common enemy, even humans and mutants might join forces. He and Charles didn't have any deep-seated hatred, after all—they were both mutants, and they shared a foundation for cooperation.