When Wolverine mentioned that he had returned on the orders of both Professor X and Magneto, the video showed Charles falling silent. The three then began discussing how they might help Magneto break out of prison, but no specific plan was shared before the video ended.
Outside the screen, Logan let out a sigh with a frown. "The future's a mess this time—Sentinels, the fallout... Am I ever going to be free of trouble in this lifetime?"
Erik glanced at him. "Give it up, Logan. That peaceful life you long for isn't going to happen. Accept that reality. Of course, you could also try to change it. You have the strength and the motivation. Believe me, only by standing together can we create a better future. And this isn't just for me or Charles... it's for yourself."
Logan scoffed. "You really don't give up, do you? Look, since my future self chose Charles, if I have to pick a side, it won't be yours, Erik. Just drop it!"
Erik shook his head, thinking Logan was stubborn as a rock. The future video had already revealed critical information—a great catastrophe would strike, putting mutants in dire straits. Even he and Charles had to unite, so did Wolverine really think he could stay out of it?
Before he could ponder further, a new question appeared on the screen, again related to Wolverine:
[After losing his memory, what led Logan to join Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters?]
[A: Scott Summers
B: Anna Marie
C: Jean Grey
D: Ororo Munroe.]
There was also a hint that this would be the final question in the round. Once answered, the competition between Team A and Team B would end, and a winner would be decided.
However, Team B had already secured victory. Regardless of whether they answered this question correctly, incorrectly, or even chose not to answer, they would still win since their lead in points was already too large.
Erik blinked as he looked at the options, finding the names unfamiliar. He turned to Logan and said, "Well, it looks like you got your wish in the end. You and Charles can keep being the hopeful dreamers. Good luck with that."
Logan raised an eyebrow. "So, which option do we go with for the last question?"
"Doesn't matter. Pick whichever one. We've already won. To be honest, I'm more curious about what kind of reward this strange game will give us. Just pick any answer and be done with it," Erik shrugged.
On the other side, Wanda and Peter looked a little downcast. Peter shook his head. "Man, if we'd just managed to buzz in on one of the earlier questions, we could've at least challenged them. Now we're out of luck… might as well pick something randomly. I don't know any of these names."
Wanda sighed. "Yeah, but points are still important. If possible, I'd like us to get this one right, even if I don't have high hopes."
The game didn't give them much time to think. Soon, the countdown began, and both teams hesitated, not pressing the button immediately.
Without a clear answer, both teams hoped to buzz in but fail, so they would only lose one point if they guessed wrong. As the countdown neared zero, they finally had to press the button, and this time, Team A managed to buzz in first.
Wanda hesitated for a moment, then randomly chose option B, while Logan, representing his team, picked option A.
In a flash, the correct answer was revealed:
[Congratulations, Team A answered correctly. Player Peter Parker and player Wanda Maximoff each gain 4 points. Team B answered incorrectly; player Erik Lenhenserr and player Logan Howlett each lose 1 point.]
It turned out their random guess was right, a surprising bit of luck. But it only made Peter feel more regretful. If they'd had just a little more time, they might have had a real shot at turning the tables.
Wanda, however, was more at peace. "It's actually not so bad. We're lucky, you know. In previous rounds of the quiz game, the losing team not only lost all their points, but they also faced severe punishments!"
This round's rules had changed; losing didn't mean losing all points or facing punishment. In fact, they'd managed to earn over twenty points from this game, so it wasn't a total loss.
Soon, the final future video began to play on the screen.
At first, there was no sign of Wolverine. Instead, the camera focused on Anna Marie, a sweet and adorable girl on the brink of adolescence. She was chatting with her boyfriend about going on an adventure together. As they talked, the young couple gradually drew closer.
But just as Marie leaned in to kiss him, disaster struck!
What should have been a sweet moment turned horrifying as her boyfriend's eyes rolled back, his face twisted in agony, and he collapsed as if in convulsions. Terrified, Marie screamed and kept backing away. She seemed to realize something had changed about her and didn't even dare to touch her own parents when they rushed over to check on her.
By this point, the viewers watching the screen understood that the girl in the video had just awakened her mutant abilities. However, her powers were unusual and beyond her control, accidentally hurting her boyfriend.
The scene shifted to a formal hearing, where a poised and striking woman was giving a speech.
It appeared to be a formal hearing, with the audience full of council members. The speaker on stage was Jean Grey.
Her speech centered on mutants. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are witnessing the next stage in human evolution. The mutant gene often manifests during adolescence, triggered by emotional fluctuations…"
Her speech indirectly explained the ordeal young Anna Marie had just gone through.
It also caused the audience outside the screen to speculate. Erik quietly guessed that, in this future timeline, mutants were already known to the public. Jean seemed to represent mutants, presenting herself as a spokesperson trying to reach out to high-ranking human officials.
"Thank you, Miss Grey. Your introduction was quite educational, but you've strayed from the point of this hearing. Tell me, are mutants... dangerous?" A council member challenged her.
From their conversation, it was clear that this council member intended to push for a bill to expose all mutants' identities and subject them to strict oversight.
Jean disagreed, believing that such actions would deepen the already growing rift between mutants and ordinary humans, potentially leading to violent clashes. Such a conflict would benefit no one.
____________
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