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*****
Clark and Erik led the children and the mutants from Future Tech away, arriving at the island Erik had used back in his Brotherhood days.
After settling the kids and the others for the moment, the brothers, several mutant instructors, and a few former Brotherhood elders gathered in a room, faces grave.
"This place isn't exactly safe, either."
Clark murmured the warning to the others.
Erik nodded. "I know. But for now, it's our best option."
"Where's your dad?"
Logan couldn't help asking.
If Mike were here, maybe he'd have a way to fix this.
An awkward look flashed across Clark's face.
"Uh… he, Gwen, and Aunt Raven went traveling to other planets. They've been gone a while."
They'd left during Gwen's summer break and still hadn't returned even though school had started. At this rate, what about Gwen's studies?
Maybe when she got back, he should buy her some workbooks.
Gwen would probably like that.
That thought barely passed when Logan asked, "Can you reach him?"
That question…
Clark coughed lightly, looking even more embarrassed.
"He came back once, said he had to handle something extremely important. He'd keep an eye on Earth, and if anything urgent happened, he'd return. We don't need to contact him—and we can't, anyway…"
Urgent? If this wasn't urgent, what was?
Logan and the old friends could only sigh.
"Then what counts as 'urgent'?"
Emma couldn't help pressing.
Clark pinched his chin, thinking. "Like if us brothers' lives were in danger. Or if that old friend got taken out. Or… huh? What's with those looks?"
Noticing the odd stares aimed at the two brothers, Clark realized and then, very calmly, said, "Be kind."
A collective glimmer of "kindness" passed through their eyes, and then everyone looked at Logan and Remy LeBeau.
The two sucked in a breath. "Do you people have any humanity left?"
They were really going to use them as sacrificial flags?
Just then, Ororo said softly, "Maybe we could go to a country that's safer than here—for the time being."
Everyone turned to her in surprise.
A faint blush rose on Ororo's face. "I… started dating someone. He said he's heir to a country. He just reached out and said we could take shelter there for now."
"A human country? Tch!"
Victor's face radiated distrust.
They weren't hated by just one nation right now.
Who could guarantee this country wasn't setting a trap?
Seeing the skepticism in many eyes, Ororo sighed.
She trusted him, but that didn't mean everyone else had to.
"Is it T'Challa?"
Emma's eyes glinted—she'd guessed it at once.
She'd seen the man who often came to the school, had even probed with Charles to sense his feelings for Ororo, and had a basic read on him.
"Yes."
Ororo nodded.
"Which country?"
Hank McCoy asked.
"Wakanda."
"Wakanda?" Hank frowned in thought. "That little African nation?"
"That's right."
Ororo nodded again, unable to keep from adding, "T'Challa showed me their country. It's… very special."
"Special as in so backward it won't threaten us?"
Remy LeBeau asked curiously.
Ororo could only look helpless. That was how much of the world thought of Africa first—but Wakanda was different.
"Ororo, do you trust him? Does he understand what this means?"
Emma pressed.
"I do," Ororo replied without hesitation. "He's a man of high character. And Wakanda has the strength to protect us. We could even go there without being detected."
"They have extremely advanced technology…"
In the end, she couldn't resist revealing a little.
Emma pondered, then said, "If that's the case, we can verify it."
She looked at Ororo. "Pick a meeting spot. I'll go with you—and Erik. Once we confirm he's trustworthy, we'll decide the next step."
"Okay!"
Ororo agreed, a trace of delight on her face.
She had full confidence in T'Challa.
Decision made, Ororo contacted him at once.
A few minutes later, after confirming a rendezvous point, Erik took the two and left, while Clark told the others, "I'll go buy ingredients. The kids must be hungry."
"Leave the cooking to me."
Thor rubbed his hands together, excited.
At last—it was showtime.
A moment ago, the other Avengers had reached out to him. By the time they arrived at the battlefield, the fight was already over.
When they heard those people had targeted children, they were furious.
Thor said he would stay here for now, and the Avengers told him to contact them immediately if anything came up.
Everyone moved quickly.
When Clark returned with a mountain of groceries, Thor laid out his cookware and got right to it.
"I'll help."
Kitty Pryde spoke up, taking some of the older kids with her.
Watching the bustle, Logan smiled. Then he quietly edged up to Clark and lowered his voice. "Aren't you worried about Charles?"
"Mm. He said he's fine."
Clark was calm. If there were danger, Charles would have asked for help on the spot.
Logan choked on that, hesitated, and dropped his voice further. "That's… not the danger I meant."
"Then?"
"I heard from Emma that Jean seems to like Charles. The two of them are together—do you think they might…?"
"That would be wonderful!"
Clark whooped under his breath.
Logan's mouth twitched.
Fine. He hadn't said anything.
Moments later, Erik returned with Emma and Ororo—and brought T'Challa to their temporary refuge.
If he'd been brought in, it meant Emma had verified that what T'Challa said was true.
Because he'd visited the school often, T'Challa had met quite a few people there.
After greeting the familiar faces and stating that his country could protect them for now, he drew cheers from the children.
At that, the teachers finally allowed themselves a smile.
But in Emma's and the others' hearts, the cloud remained.
Today was only the beginning. They would be in danger—and so would other mutants. Who would protect the ones who could not protect themselves? What awaited the innocent?
Erik's eyes flickered; a chill passed over his face as he made a decision.
Suddenly, he noticed Clark watching him and hurriedly turned his head away.
"Sigh."
Clark patted Erik's shoulder lightly and murmured, "After the kids go to Wakanda, I'll go with you."
Erik blinked, then nodded.
Clearly, Clark knew what he was thinking.
"Dinner's ready!"
Kitty phased through a wall into the room, called out to everyone, swallowed a little drool, and ran back to the kitchen.
Thor's food was just too good. She'd never imagined the mighty God of Thunder would have such divine culinary skills.
Truly… a god.
She marveled inwardly.
That same marvel rose in almost every heart once they tasted the curry rice Thor had made.
Seeing their satisfied faces, Thor felt a surge of accomplishment.
After they'd eaten their fill, a Wakandan craft descended at the base.
When they saw that sleek, futuristic ship…
(…)*N.
And you told us this came out of "backward" Africa? This thing outstrips the bulk of this planet's tech. Even the school's excellent Blackbird jet couldn't compete.
Ororo tucked her arm through T'Challa's, pride lighting her face. She squeezed his strong arm, eyes brimming with affection.
T'Challa smiled, tapped her nose, and murmured, "This is a conspiracy. I'm only doing what I should—and they're children."
He'd spent time with the students. He knew that aside from their gifts, they were no different from any other kids.
And clearly, someone was fanning the flames behind this war on mutants.
But… it was irrational. And immoral.
T'Challa sighed inwardly.
The teachers led the children aboard one by one. The people from Future Tech boarded as well. When everyone was on, they all turned to look at the two brothers who still stood on the ground—
Clark and Erik.
"Come on!"
Logan waved them over.
Erik smiled faintly and nodded to the crowd. "You go first. We have some business to handle."
At that, a shiver passed through many hearts.
That meant…
"I'll go with you."
Thor stepped forward, about to leave the ship.
Erik shook his head. "Leave it to us. This isn't a matter where more people helps."
Clark smiled to the others as well. "Go on. We'll be fine. Please help look after them."
Looking at the two, the mutants' expressions were complicated—but there was no doubt they admired them.
Erik lifted a hand, and under his control the hatch sealed.
They watched the craft depart, met each other's eyes, shared a grin, slung arms over shoulders, and headed back into the base.
"Should we wait for Charles?"
"That guy might be with his student right now… heh heh heh!"
"What's this? Sounds spicy. Tell me slowly."
"Jean—you know her, right?"
"Jean? Charles's first student."
"Right! I heard from Logan she seems to really like Charles. And this time her power went berserk, apparently because Charles got hurt!"
"Hiss—Charles, that kid, robbing the cradle!"
"Heh, maybe he'll come back in a couple of days with our new sister-in-law."
"Tsk, tsk. You think…?"
"…"
Chatting and chuckling, the brothers disappeared down the corridor.
(End of chapter)