Sorry for the late release TT
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As Mark continued to speak with quiet conviction about a better future for mutants, Professor Xavier felt his resolve begin to shift.
In truth, the professor had entertained similar thoughts many times. He had long believed it was possible to change how the world viewed mutants, but he had always held back. There were too many variables, and a single misstep could bring dangerous consequences.
Power was the first concern. Not every mutant could safely control their abilities. Someone like Jean Grey, for instance, possessed immense strength. Yet even a momentary lapse could deepen humanity's fear of mutants.
The second issue was resentment. Not all mutants wanted to live alongside humans. Ororo, for example, carried emotional wounds from a painful childhood that made it difficult for her to trust anyone outside their kind. Forcing someone like her into that role might only heighten tensions.
Then there was temperament. To be seen as a hero by the public required more than raw power. It demanded restraint, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate complex situations. A person too rigid or too volatile might cause more harm than good.
Xavier had always feared that pushing too hard to change public opinion could backfire. The school, which had known relative peace for years, might become a battlefield for political and ideological conflict. Cyclops tended to see things in absolutes. Wolverine, on the other hand, acted on instinct. Neither was well-suited to a delicate mission like this.
Looking around at the staff and the younger X-Men, Xavier realized that few were prepared to shoulder such a burden. Most were too young, too inexperienced, or simply uninterested in becoming public figures.
"I understand what you're saying," Xavier said at last. His voice was calm but cautious. "Still, there are valid concerns."
He laid out his reasoning with clarity and care.
Mark listened closely, then smiled, not in defiance, but in quiet determination.
"Then let me try, Professor. I'm not tied down by teaching responsibilities like Jean or Ororo, and I'm strong enough to protect myself. I can start small. I'll go into the city and help people who need it. If things go well, I'll reveal I'm a mutant. If not, I'll stay anonymous."
His tone remained steady, his gaze unwavering. The plan sounded simple on the surface, but it was clear he had given it serious thought.
Xavier remained silent, weighing the idea more seriously than he had expected.
It might be worth trying. And if something went wrong, as long as Mark stayed unidentified, the damage would be minimal.
He looked more closely at the boy before him. Mark was powerful, yes, but more importantly, he was balanced. He had a sharp mind, strong instincts, and a sincere desire to do good. He was confident without being arrogant, and adaptable without losing his principles.
Only one concern remained.
"You're still a child," Xavier said quietly. "I built this school so children like you wouldn't have to take on these risks so early."
But Mark had already anticipated that objection.
He stood a little straighter, his eyes filled with resolve.
"Professor, the longer we wait, the more people suffer. Every day, mutants are rejected or hunted. If we delay too long, we might miss our chance to help them."
He paused briefly, then added with quiet urgency, "I don't see myself as a child. And even if you won't approve, I'm still going to do this. Not for glory, not to rebel, but for the sake of the school and for every mutant out there who needs hope."
"I'm willing to take that risk."
For a long moment, Xavier said nothing. Then, moved by Mark's courage, he gave a slow, solemn nod.
"In that case," he said gently, "follow through with your plan. And if you ever need support, come to me."
His eyes conveyed both pride and concern.
Fifteen years old, and already thinking like a leader.
Even if the plan failed, Xavier took comfort in the fact that someone like Mark existed, someone who gave him hope that mutants and humans might one day share the world without fear.
"For now, I don't need anything," Mark said. "But if you're willing, maybe consider investing in a media outlet. That newspaper, The Daily Bugle, might be a good place to start."
Seeing Xavier nod in agreement, Mark's expression brightened with a smile.
Of course, if the professor had been able to read his thoughts in that moment, he might not have looked so pleased.
Because Mark's long-term vision extended far beyond what he had revealed.
He was not doing this just to help people. He believed it was necessary. Mutants and humans would not learn to coexist through idealism alone. Real change required action, carefully calculated, strategic, and sometimes, dangerous.
The Following Night
Long after midnight, the school had gone quiet. Lights dimmed across the halls, and both students and teachers slept peacefully.
Mark moved silently through the shadows.
He slipped out through his bedroom window without hesitation and landed lightly on the grass below. In a few swift strides, he disappeared into the wooded area behind the school.
It was time to earn Justice Points, and the night was always the best time for that kind of work.
While crimes did occur during the day, they were more frequent and more dangerous after dark. And the cover of night made movement less conspicuous.
From now on, Mark would have to change his rhythm. Nights would be for missions. Days would be for rest and recovery.
"This one looks about right."
He chose a tree of suitable height and thickness. With a quick leap, he cut off both ends and hoisted the remaining trunk like a staff.
"South. Roughly in that direction."
He made a quick mental calculation, then hurled the tree trunk like a missile. In the same motion, he kicked off the ground and launched himself after it.
Within seconds, he landed squarely atop the hurtling log.
This was pillar-riding, an iconic technique once used by a legendary martial assassin. Now, even without activating any protagonist templates, Mark could perform it effortlessly.
Of course, he had other options. He could summon the flying nimbus or use his broom but those required using either the Goku or Harry template.
Three years earlier, after completing a mission with SHIELD, he had tested the cloud using the Goku template. It had worked. And because the template was active, the cloud accepted him without judgment.
But most of the time, Mark chose not to use any templates.
And flying through the sky on a giant log was far from discreet. While most civilians might not notice, organizations like SHIELD certainly would. (T/N: I'm pretty sure you can't get more discreet than a cloud in the sky, but what do i Know)
Then again, did it matter?
He had been on their radar for three years already. One more unusual sighting would not make much difference.
Besides, he was not heading into the city to fight. He was going to help people, with Xavier's quiet blessing.
"What on earth?"
Inside the school's security monitoring room, Cyclops stared at the screen in disbelief.
There it was, unmistakable. Mark, standing on a flying tree trunk as it vanished into the night sky.
Although Professor Xavier's mental field protected the campus from most intrusions, the school still relied on physical security systems. Every night, a teacher was assigned to monitor the surveillance feeds.
Xavier could sense people. Machines, however, often escaped even his notice.
Tonight, it was Cyclops' turn. And now, he had seen everything.
After a long moment of stunned silence, he rose to report it.
But when he told Professor Xavier what he had witnessed, the older man simply nodded without surprise.
"I already know," he said calmly. "You don't need to worry about Mark."