"No! I never aimed to cause you harm, Charles. I apologize; it was unintentional, my brother."
Regret filled Eric's voice, and he wore it on his face.
"Brother? We... ain't brothers!"
Charles dismissed Eric's attempt at comfort with a wave of his hand, fixing a cold stare upon him.
"Uh..."
Eric's expression froze, and he released Charles, exhaling a long breath.
Alex, standing beside Charles, lent his support and warned, "Don't make any sudden moves, or your insides might find their way out."
Charles, with a perplexed expression, thought, "Can't you hold your tongue for a moment?" The anger from earlier had dissipated.
Observing Charles' speechless reaction, Alex couldn't help but smile. In the original timeline, Charles suffered a gunshot wound to the lumbar spine, rendering him paralyzed from the waist down—an unfortunate turn of events that impacted not just his mobility but also his dignity, with involuntary loss of bodily functions.
How could someone as esteemed as Professor X be burdened with such a predicament? It seemed incongruous. Luckily, at this critical juncture, history took a different turn.
"Alright, I'm making my exit!"
Eric cast a glance at the assembly, a tinge of sorrow on his face, and declared, "Humans are launching attacks, and there'll be more to come. I'm fighting for Mutant kind, for their future! To shield us from human aggression is my mission!"
Gazing around, Eric looked expectantly at the crowd and posed the question, "Is anyone... with me? Will anyone join me in the fight to safeguard us from human threats?"
"Are we reaching a crossroads here?"
Eric's words weighed heavily on the hearts of those present.
Could it be that comrades who fought shoulder to shoulder and brothers who stood by each other were now on the verge of parting ways?
"Human attacks on our people are inevitable."
"We stand united to protect our people!"
These words resonated deeply with many, the prior barrage of cannonballs serving as a testament to humanity's stance against them.
"Count me in!"
The Azazel rose and walked towards Eric.
"I'm with you!"
Riptide stood up and approached Eric.
"And I!"
The dragonfly flitted through the air, its iridescent wings catching the sunlight as it gracefully landed by Eric's side. The hot desert wind swept across the scene, making the encounter even more dramatic.
"I'm not sure who's right in this conflict! But... I'm tired of the discrimination," she declared.
Darwin hesitated briefly before rising and striding towards Eric. "I reckon protecting' Ussss is more crucial than safeguarding' humans. We're the underdogs here."
Sonic also joined Eric's side.
Looking at his comrades, Eric turned to Alex. "What about you, Alex? Will you come with me?"
Alex shook his head, his voice calm but firm. "Eric, I prefer a stable life, but remember, whether it's Charles or you, we're Mutant brothers. My manor's always open to you and the kids. We're in this together."
Eric smiled and nodded, appreciating Alex's loyalty. While remaining neutral, Alex pledged to assist others in need.
"Alright then...!"
With hands joined, the group created a powerful spectacle. The red devil initiated a teleportation, and they vanished.
"Alex, are you still keeping that neutral stance?" Charles asked Alex, who seemed unfazed.
"I did say that, didn't I? Protecting the rear logistics is my game. The rest is up to you," Alex replied.
Charles, his eyes determined, retorted, "Well, it might seem a bit evasive or like a retreat, but a peaceful life is valuable to many of us. Not everyone wants to be in the thick of a fight."
"Maybe your way of thinking' has its merits. The future's a mystery," Charles conceded, smiling.
With a wave to Alex, Charles led them onto a plane. "I'll be at your manor often, Alex. Keep a good bottle of wine for me!"
"Absolutely! You're always welcome," Alex replied, extending his hand. With a magnetic force, he lifted the plane into the sky.
"Now, how in tarnation do we get back?" Emma, one of them, asked as they stood on the deserted island.
Alex chuckled and said, "I have a daring idea."
The three women immediately protested, but Alex, with a mischievous grin, gathered them in his arms. Activating the red devil's teleport, they were whisked back to the New York manor.
.....
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