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Chapter 211: Only Mutants Can Save Our City
🕑 Added 2025-07-15 17:20:31 +0000 UTC
"That’s right, buddy—we’re heroes now!"
Havok clapped Banshee on the shoulder with mock solemnity, gesturing at the TV screen in front of them. "Did you see that? They gave me a close-up!"
"What’s there to be proud of? I was on there too," Banshee replied with a snort.
"Yeah, but I got the hero angle—the lighting was perfect!"
"You definitely imagined that."
"You definitely saw it. You just don’t want to admit it!"
The young mutants around them burst into laughter, their banter light and carefree.
For a moment, it was easy to forget the battles they had endured just yesterday.
Youthful energy still burned bright.
---
Not far off, Charles glanced at Erik.
"How do you feel about all this?" he asked quietly.
Erik didn't respond immediately.
Charles already knew what he was thinking—but he had to ask.
For once, there was undeniable proof of something Charles had fought his whole life to believe in: that peace between humans and mutants wasn't just a dream.
That coexistence was possible.
But Erik’s expression remained as cold and guarded as ever.
"What are you implying, Charles?" he said flatly.
"I hope," Charles said carefully, "that you’re not so jaded you can’t see what’s right in front of you."
Erik's eyes narrowed. "And I hope you’re not foolish enough to be blinded by a fleeting show of gratitude."
Charles sighed. "Always the cynic."
"And you’re still the dreamer."
Just like always.
No matter how much the world changed, they didn’t.
---
Alex, lounging nearby, gave a shrug.
"I think you both already know what I’d say, so why waste my breath?"
Charles couldn’t help but smile. Of course.
Alex had always walked the middle path—clear-eyed, pragmatic, and rarely swept up in anyone else's idealism or bitterness.
Even when the world pushed him to one side, he never stopped walking the line between hope and realism.
Strangely, that consistency was… comforting.
---
"Alright, let’s not get too serious," Alex said, stretching his arms behind his head. "We’ve had a long day. Chill out a little."
With that, he stood and headed for the nearby couch, flopping down like someone who had definitely earned it.
Charles gave up trying to argue and turned to catch up with old friends.
The atmosphere in the base remained lighthearted and warm.
---
"Director, dinner is ready."
Selene’s voice drew the group’s attention.
She smiled gently at the gathered mutants. "You must all be starving. I’ve prepared something simple."
Acting the gracious host, Alex stood and ushered everyone toward the dining hall.
Laughter echoed through the corridors as the team enjoyed a long-overdue, well-earned meal.
---
Early Next Morning
All three mutant bases had mobilized.
Fully rested and rearmed, the combat teams assembled once more before the Blackbird.
"Alright everyone, let’s move out."
There was no need for long speeches.
Yesterday’s victories had spoken for themselves.
With a single wave from Charles, the team boarded the aircraft.
Whoosh!
The jet roared into the sky, vanishing toward their next objective.
---
Queens, New York
Rubble littered the streets. Smoke drifted from collapsed buildings.
Over a dozen Decepticons battled entrenched military units, overwhelming the soldiers with brute force and advanced weaponry.
The humans were losing. Badly.
Until—
"The Blackbird!"
All heads turned upward at the sound of twin engines.
"The mutants are here!"
"They came back!"
Hope surged through the ranks of exhausted soldiers.
And not just the soldiers—civilians watching from behind barricades, hidden in buildings and subway stations, felt it too.
They’d seen the broadcasts.
They knew what the mutants had done.
And now they were here. Again.
> "With the mutants here, our city will be saved!"
"Thank heavens—our saviors have arrived!"
---
The Blackbird landed in a wide, open stretch of street.
Its ramp lowered with a hiss of hydraulics.
Alex stepped out first, flanked by Charles and Erik, followed by the rest of the combat team.
They walked forward—not with arrogance, but quiet, unshakable confidence.
---
"Professor Xavier!"
This time, there was no hesitation.
Colonel April approached immediately, extending his hand in greeting.
"Colonel," Charles returned the handshake briefly. "We’ll take it from here."
"Then it’s all yours."
The colonel turned and barked orders.
"All units—begin withdrawal!"
The soldiers fell back swiftly and efficiently, clearing the way for the real frontline.
For once, humans and mutants weren’t at odds—they were allies.
And that made all the difference.
The battle was about to begin again.
But this time…
The city had hope.
Because only mutants could save it.
