Xavier Manor – Back Door
Charles and Eric stood in the doorway, watching a black sedan slowly drive away, each with a different expression on their face.
Charles's expression was complex, a mix of confusion and reluctance. After all, this was someone he had personally recruited, someone they had worked with for months. It was hard to believe they had just sent her away.
Eric's face was cold, unreadable as always.
"Charles, you erased her memories, didn't you?" Eric asked, his tone serious as he turned to Charles.
"Oh my God, Eric! She's a kid we've been with for months, she's not an enemy!" Charles said, exasperated. He couldn't imagine using his powers against someone who had become a part of their team.
Charles had always been careful not to use his abilities against his own people, let alone do something as invasive as erasing memories.
"She's just not the same anymore. You can see what her attitude toward Shaw is like," Eric said, shaking his head.
"So what? Does that mean she's going to help Shaw deal with us? Eric, you're worrying for nothing!" Charles replied, frustrated.
"I'm just being cautious," Eric shot back.
"Eric, listen to what Ling said: If you make decisions based on things that haven't happened and probably won't, what's the difference between us and Shaw?" Charles countered, trying to reason with him.
"Charles, that's your problem—you always see things in too good a light."
"And you always expect the worst!" Charles snapped.
A tense silence hung in the air, the beginnings of an argument swirling around them. They had been here before—each unable to convince the other.
"What do you think, Rorschach?" Eric asked, turning to the figure standing quietly beside them.
After learning of Rorschach's involvement with the CIA, their perception of him had shifted. Though still young, they now saw him as a peer, someone whose judgment they respected. Some decisions, even tactical ones, were now made with Rorschach in mind, forming a new trio where once there had been just two.
Rorschach looked thoughtful for a moment before responding, "Charles, I think Eric's right—you're too idealistic."
Eric couldn't help but smile at Rorschach's answer, feeling vindicated.
"But," Rorschach continued, "Eric, you're too negative."
Eric's grin faltered, his face frozen in surprise.
"Hahaha!" Charles couldn't help but laugh. "Eric, did you hear that? That wasn't even my opinion!"
"So, Rorschach," Eric said with a smirk, "You don't agree with Charles, but you don't agree with me either. What would you do in this situation?"
Rorschach's expression remained unreadable. "I'd neutralize the both of you," he said flatly. "Charles, I'd share your good ideals for the world, but I'd also make the necessary preparations to deal with the worst-case scenario, the way Eric would."
"In other words," Rorschach said with a wry smile, "Hope for the best and prepare for the worst."
Both Charles and Eric were quiet, contemplating his words.
Rorschach had managed to combine both their thought processes, something neither of them had ever quite managed to do. After all, changing one's nature and approach to problems wasn't easy.
"So, what do you think we should do about the angel?" Eric's voice broke through the silence, more insistent now.
"I'll erase her memory," Rorschach said without hesitation. "Sorry, Charles, but I'm with Eric on this one. There's no need for the angel to speak if we need information. What she knows could be dangerous."
It wasn't just the angel's knowledge of the mutant academy's location that worried them. The angel also knew about several powerful mutants, information that could be used against them.
For instance, Stryker, the elderly military officer, had long heard rumors about the academy but never managed to find it. Eventually, he had gotten information from Magneto, which led him straight to the mutant base. If Wolverine hadn't been stationed there, the entire school could have been captured.
Eric seemed relieved by Rorschach's decision. Charles, on the other hand, wondered if he had made the right call. Had Eric led Rorschach down this path?
"Alright," Eric said, clapping his hands to break the tension. "It's time to head back. We've still got plenty of work to do."
Charles and Rorschach followed Eric back to Xavier Manor. On the large playground, mutants like Raven, Hank the Beast, Darwin, and Kraken were already gathered, waiting for Charles to begin the day's training.
"Okay!" Charles clapped his hands to get their attention. "Let's see what everyone's capable of now. Don't be shy. One by one."
He surveyed the young faces in front of him, a small smile on his face. They looked different now, more focused. Charles could sense the growth in them, especially after the Black Emperor incident.
"I'll understand where you all are now, and then I'll come up with personalized training plans. Who's up first?"
Some mutants eagerly stepped forward, while others hesitated. But no one could avoid it. One by one, they demonstrated their abilities in front of Charles and the group.
As Charles watched, he scratched his head. He had expected some rusty skills, but this level of growth caught him off guard. The contrast between the others and Rorschach's near-perfect control of his powers was impossible to ignore.
"Well, this is... difficult to put into words," Charles said, trying to be diplomatic.
Before he could continue, Charles suddenly paused, his senses tingling. He snapped his fingers. "Alright, that's enough for today. Let's reconvene at the same time tomorrow."
The young mutants dispersed, but Charles, Eric, and Rorschach stayed behind. Charles had given them a look, a silent cue that something else was coming.
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