[A/N] Support & Read Up to 10 Advanced Chapters on Patreon!
[A/N] For More Chapters - Drop Some Power Stones! 💎💎
.....
Wolverine, confined within a metal box, had already been brainwashed by Stryker using a specialized device, making him forget everything about his past and even his own name.
When Roger and Jean released Wolverine from the cage, he still had the brainwashing device on his head. He bared his teeth like a wild animal, snarling at the two who had freed him.
"Don't be afraid; we're not here to harm you."
Jean spoke softly to Wolverine, attempting to connect with his mind.
Roger moved to Wolverine's side, grasping both his arms, and said:
"Use your abilities to help him remember his identity. Don't worry, I've got him under control."
At this point in time, Wolverine had already been bonded with Adamantium by Stryker. However, under Roger's immense strength, Wolverine's abilities were rendered useless except for deploying his claws as a scare tactic.
He couldn't even move his arms.
Under Roger's restraint, Jean easily removed the brainwashing device from Wolverine's head and placed her hands on his temples.
After a while, Jean suddenly spoke:
"No, I can't do it."
"What's wrong?"
"His memories are completely shattered. I can't make him recall his past experiences or identity. The best I can do is help him remember his name, Logan."
Due to the prolonged brainwashing, Wolverine's memories were fragmented beyond recognition. Even if Charles were present, he wouldn't have been able to restore Wolverine's past memories.
All Jean could achieve was to help Wolverine remember his first and last name, Logan. This was the limit of her ability.
"Then let him remember his name."
Roger, still controlling Wolverine, urged Jean, "Do it quickly; we don't have much time."
"What?"
Jean froze in confusion when she suddenly heard Roger mention that time was running out, looking at him questioningly.
Roger replied:
"I can hear the sound of helicopters. It seems the military has been called in for reinforcements. We need to get him out of here before they arrive, or else... we'll be in for another big fight."
Outside the base, the sound of armed helicopters reached Roger's ears. He knew that this was Stryker's call for military support from his superiors.
Although Stryker had been secretly conducting research on mutants, undermining the fragile peace between humans and mutants, Roger and Jean had no evidence other than Wolverine's presence to prove his experiments.
Facing the military head-on didn't concern Roger, but it would complicate things for Jean and the rest of the X-Men.
Therefore, Roger decided it was best to take Wolverine and leave for now, planning to inform Charles about the situation later and let him handle it.
After all, this was a matter concerning mutants, not something that was directly Roger's responsibility.
Jean acted quickly, helping Wolverine recall his name in a matter of moments.
Soon, Jean's hands left Wolverine's head, and she nodded at Roger, saying:
"It's done."
"Good."
Roger released Wolverine, allowing the still-dazed man to leave the military base on his own.
As she watched Wolverine's back, Jean asked:
"Are we just... letting him go like that?"
"He'll find his way home. This is for the best."
In the movie's storyline, Jean and the others had merely released Wolverine, and no one knew where he went afterward.
But under normal circumstances, Wolverine should leave safely and start a new life, until he eventually crosses paths with the X-Men again.
Roger had no intention of keeping Wolverine by his side. This man, true to his code name, was a beast meant to roam the wilderness. Only in the wild could he truly be Wolverine.
Of course, Roger would never admit that he simply didn't want the hassle of taking Wolverine along.
Watching Wolverine depart, Roger and Jean also prepared to leave the now-destroyed base.
Initially, Roger had intended to find Stryker and kill him to end things once and for all. But, likely sensing that Roger was after him, Stryker had already fled the base.
With special anti-telepathy barriers all over the base, Roger couldn't track Stryker's whereabouts, so he had no choice but to leave with Jean.
However, as Roger and Jean exited the base's gate, they were surprised to find a jet parked in the distance, with members of the X-Men disembarking one by one.
Raven, Hank, and Alex.
The three of them, clad in the uniforms from the early days of the X-Men, stepped off the jet and looked at the newly emerged Roger and Jean with puzzled expressions.
"You... Why are you here?"
Hank asked in surprise, clearly not expecting to see Roger.
Raven, however, wore a knowing expression when she saw Roger and said:
"So, it really is you. The military called us for backup, saying that a self-proclaimed superhuman mutant attacked their base. I had a hunch it might be you.
"So, Mr. Superman, care to explain what's going on here?"
Raven's eyes glanced over to Jean standing behind Roger, carrying a hint of reproach.
Facing the X-Men members, Roger felt a bit awkward.
He had previously promised to bring Jean back, yet now he not only failed to do that but also brought her along to wreck a military base.
Though Roger didn't see this as a big deal, he knew he had to consider the feelings of the X-Men.
Thankfully, the X-Men were more rational. If it had been certain other hotheaded "elders," the criticism would have been far more severe.
Clearing his throat, Roger glanced at the helicopters approaching in the distance and explained to Raven:
"We discovered that this place was conducting experiments on mutants."
"What?!"
Raven's eyes widened, and Hank and Alex also frowned, their expressions darkening.
Experimenting on mutants was a deeply sensitive subject for the original X-Men members.
Ten years ago, Bolivar Trask, the creator of the Sentinel program, had secretly experimented on mutants to develop the Sentinel robots, leading to the deaths of many mutants on the operating table.
Members of the first X-Men team, such as Banshee and the former follower of Magneto, Azazel, had been victims of that incident.
The end of that event had supposedly marked the military's decision to cease experimenting on mutants. But now, to hear this dreadful news again was shocking.
Raven's expression turned grim, her human disguise barely hiding her anger as she asked:
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. Jean can testify, and we have witnesses."
"Where are they?"
"At Jean's home. Her name is Clarice, a mutant we rescued from the military. There's also one named Logan, whom we just released. He shouldn't have gotten far."
Roger recounted the situation to Raven.
Initially, Raven was skeptical of Roger's claims, but when he mentioned Stryker's name, she stopped doubting him.
Raven was well aware of who Stryker was. Back when Bolivar Trask, the creator of the Sentinels, was around, Stryker had been one of his associates.
Thus, it wasn't surprising that Stryker would resume experimenting on mutants after so many years.
With the situation explained, the X-Men no longer felt any urge to fight.
Raven took a deep breath and said to Roger:
"This is a serious matter. We need to go back and report to Charles. If Stryker is truly conducting experiments on mutants in secret, we won't let him get away with it!"
"Then take Jean back with you."
"What...?"
Jean, who had been hiding behind Roger, looked at him in shock when she heard his words.
Roger turned to Jean and said:
"Now's not the time to be stubborn. I could take you on a wild ride around the world, but you wouldn't want Clarice to be stuck wandering with us, would you?"
"..."
"Take Clarice to the school and take care of her, just as Charles took care of you. You might start to understand Charles better."
Roger spoke earnestly.
Seeing Jean in thought, Raven asked, "Aren't you coming with us?"
"No, I've done my part. It's not my concern anymore, and besides..."
Roger gestured to the helicopters in the sky, smiling at Raven:
"If I went with you, it would only cause you trouble, right?"
No matter what his intentions were, Roger's attack on the military base was a fact. In the eyes of the U.S. military, he was now just another mutant using his powers recklessly, and they wouldn't let him off easily.
And Roger had no intention of meekly following the X-Men back to apologize to the military or politicians, they didn't deserve it.
With his time in the X-Men world concluded, Roger was now set on pursuing his own goals. After all, in this world, no one could stop him.
After speaking with the X-Men, Roger didn't wait for their response. He ascended into the air and quickly vanished from sight.
Jean watched Roger disappear, lost in thought.
Even though their time together had been short, Jean had already grown accustomed to Roger's presence, especially to the feeling of freely using her powers when he was around.
And the visions she had seen in Roger's memories, those vibrant worlds, had left a lasting impression on her.
She longed to see with her own eyes the places that existed only in Roger's memories.
With this desire in her heart, Jean gazed in the direction Roger had gone and silently made a decision.
...
Support and read 10 Advanced Chapters, Ahead of the Rest!!
https://p@treon.com/dragonnx
[Replace '@' with 'a' to Access Patreon Normally]
There is 6 more exciting Fanfics already available on my Patreon page!