...
The universe still spread out across a sea of stars, but it wasn't the same as before. Now it was new, with endless possibilities ahead.
Earth still looked like the same blue planet, but it wasn't the old Earth anymore. One thing hadn't changed: humans and mutants still lived together, and true peace between them was still impossible.
'You don't get diamonds without pressure.'
Professor X thought about what the Ancient One had said. Behind him, a few groups of mutants stood on the lawn at Xavier's School. He watched them for a moment, then turned to Hawk, who was by the lake watching the swans.
"So the peaceful coexistence I've spent my life pursuing will never happen?"
Charles had spent his life trying to end the hatred between humans and mutants. He wanted people to stop fearing mutants, and mutants to stop hating humans. He always thought that with enough patience and effort, they could get there.
Now he realized that goal was never really possible for people to reach. The conflict wasn't just about humans or mutants. Something greater wanted it to happen. The universe needed to grow, and their struggle helped it do that.
Charles still didn't know how to put his feelings into words. Even after coming back from space, it hardly made sense to him.
"Perfect peace? No," Hawk answered, turning away from the graceful swans. "Humans and mutants will always be at odds, but the conflict won't be allowed to tear the world apart. You might finally have a real shot at getting your Mutant Peace Act passed."
Charles looked at him in surprise.
"Humans fight among themselves too, Professor," Jean added. "That's never going to change. Mutants and humans will still clash, but from now on, their conflict will stay within those limits. It will never threaten the entire world again."
Wanda agreed to that compromise after seeing Jean, and the Ancient One made it part of the new timeline. Humans and mutants would keep struggling, but their fights would never again threaten the world with extinction.
At least, not anywhere along the timeline the Ancient One had created.
There wouldn't be another Days of Future Past. Even if Wolverine tried to time travel again, he wouldn't make it far. Tiamut was now guarding the timeline. If Logan tried to change the past, the God of Order would stop him right away.
"Of course," Charles said after a thoughtful silence. A relieved smile appeared on his face. "Conflict exists everywhere. Wherever there are people, there will be disagreements and struggles. That can't be avoided. Even so, I'll keep trying to bring humans and mutants closer to peaceful coexistence."
After listening to Hawk talk about the professor, Jean finally understood him.
Charles Xavier had never really taken sides with humans or mutants. He was an idealist, and his loyalty was always to his dream.
Understanding him didn't mean she planned to follow him again.
Hawk had also shown her that it was safer to respect idealists from afar. They were willing to risk their own lives for a dream, and too often, they risked other people's lives too.
"Goodbye, Professor," Jean said. Her eyes showed neither the warmth she used to have for him nor the coldness that came after, just calm acceptance.
"Goodbye, Jean," Charles replied just as gently.
Jean turned and rejoined her parents. Wanda's attention drifted toward a mutant wearing a visor in the distance.
"Don't you want to say goodbye to them too?" she asked.
Professor X wasn't the only one Hawk spoke to before the old universe was destroyed and rebuilt. The surviving X-Men, like Storm, Cyclops, and the others, also stayed out of the reenactment.
"No, Mom." Jean shook her head. "There's no need."
"If you're sure. Just don't regret it later."
Jean caught the teasing note in her mother's voice and rolled her eyes. "If I did want to talk to them, would you even let me?"
"I'll support whatever decision you make," Wanda replied with a shrug. "Your father might be another story."
Both of them turned toward Hawk.
"Don't look at me," he said after pausing. "Your mother took away all my parenting authority, remember? Ask her. She's in charge in this family. I just live here."
The same trick never worked twice on a Saint, and Hawk wasn't about to fall for one of Wanda's tricks again. Besides, he didn't think she would ever let a guy with laser eyes take their daughter away.
"I don't mind," Wanda said evenly.
Jean blinked, and her expression immediately began to change.
"Wait," Hawk cut in before she could say a word.
Jean stared at him. "Dad, didn't you just say Mom gets to decide?"
Wanda watched him with a knowing smile.
"I need to talk to your mother about something else," Hawk said, clearing his throat. He took Wanda's arm and led her a little way off.
Wanda folded her arms and waited.
"What are you thinking?" Hawk asked quietly.
"About what?"
"You know what. Are you serious?"
"You just said I had full authority over the children."
"I know." Hawk nodded, trying not to give her another chance to tease him. "I just want to have a calm, reasonable talk. We shouldn't take something like this lightly. It needs careful thought."
Wanda considered that, then nodded slowly.
"So you agree that we were too casual back then and didn't think things through?"
Hawk's face fell.
Damn it. He had walked right into that.
"You're in charge of everything at home," he said with complete seriousness. "Pretend I'm not here."
"I thought this required careful consideration."
"It doesn't."
"Then all that matters is making our daughter happy?"
"Whatever you say."
Hawk wasn't going to bring up that topic again. Every time he tried, Wanda used his words against him. She obviously didn't want him to get involved, so he'd let her handle it.
Jean was an adult now. Sooner or later, she'd end up dating someone. And if the options were the wild Wolverine or the clean-cut, respectable Cyclops, then Scott started to look pretty good.
"So I'm going home by myself?" Hawk asked, shaking his head with a small, wry smile as he changed the subject.
Taking over this universe had changed his plans for going back to the main universe. At first, he just wanted to find Jean with Wanda, then bring his wife and daughter home.
When Wanda entered his timeline, the plan changed. Hawk and Jean would go back together, while the Wanda he needed to bring home was already waiting in Earth-828, the universe where the Fantastic Four lived.
Then Hawk took over this universe, and everything changed again.
Jean couldn't go back either. In fact, there was nowhere for her to return to. This universe was now part of the Phoenix Universe, so she was already home.
And Wanda was basically telling her to find a boyfriend here.
"What about Billy and Tommy back in Westview?" Hawk asked. "Do you want me to bring them here?"
Wanda looked at him, clearly not believing what she was hearing.
"Wow," she said at last. "You really don't want to look after your sons, do you?"
The look on her face made Hawk uneasy. "You're the one who said I lost all say in raising them. Anyway, I'm asking you. I'll do whatever you decide."
"Take care of Billy and Tommy."
"Sure."
"And come get me as soon as you can." Wanda paused, thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Actually, never mind. Don't worry about them. Just look after yourself. I don't trust you with the boys anyway. My parents and Pietro are there. Just focus on bringing me home."
Hawk nodded. "I need to kill that Celestial who ran away first."
"Do you know where he went?"
"I do." Hawk's eyes narrowed. "Once I take care of him, I can finally put all this behind me. Then I'll come to Earth-828 and bring you home."
❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁
~ 70 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)