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*****
It was Sunday.
Originally, Mike had planned to take Gwen to the aquarium, but after receiving news of the Black Queen's approach from Nick Fury that morning, he had no choice but to abandon his plans and stay home.
With the impending battle between Erik, Charles, and the Black Queen, he had to be ready to provide support at any moment.
The Black Queen...
She was no ordinary woman.
"Dad!"
Gwen sat in a corner, engrossed in a book. Noticing Mike deep in thought, she called out softly, "Do you have something on your mind today?"
Mike hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'll be heading out later. I'll take you to Uncle John's house first, okay?"
Gwen nodded obediently, then suddenly asked, "Dad, are you going on a date?"
Mike playfully pinched her nose. "You little rascal, don't make wild guesses."
"Hehe."
Gwen giggled, then suddenly remembered something and quickly covered her mouth. "Don't stare at my teeth."
With that, she put down her book and ran off to change her shoes.
As they finished getting dressed and were about to leave, Gwen suddenly remembered something.
"Wait for me, Dad! I need to grab something."
She dashed into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and took out some snacks that Mike had made for her. Carrying them on a plate, she walked out.
Mike was momentarily stunned before chuckling. "You little glutton."
Gwen grinned but quickly shut her mouth again.
"If you keep eating like this, you'll turn into a little chubby girl."
Chubby girl?
Gwen blinked and said, "If I share with Luke, I won't get fat!"
"You little trickster. Here, let me carry that for you."
Mike smiled indulgently at Gwen as he took the plate from her. "Let's go."
---
X Academy
Charles Xavier and Hank McCoy were fully prepared for battle.
It was no surprise that the Black Queen had deduced his location in New York. His movements had been too obvious, and they had anticipated this scenario from the beginning.
However, she didn't know his exact location.
Most likely, the Hellfire Club's mutants were merely bait to lure him out. The true threat, the Black Queen herself, was likely lurking in the shadows, waiting for the moment he revealed himself so she could strike.
But…
A slight smile appeared on Charles's lips.
He had Erik.
The moment the Black Queen made her move, Erik would stop fighting and start turning the Hellfire Club mutants against her.
Given the captains' dissatisfaction with the Black Queen's leadership, what choice would the Hellfire mutants make when faced with two options?
Would they risk their lives to support a ruler who led through fear—someone who could turn them to ashes at any moment?
Or would they choose to stand down, retreat under Erik's protection, and let the Black Queen perish at their hands?
"Hank, let's move out."
Charles stood up, his eyes gleaming with confidence.
Hank McCoy nodded eagerly and cleared his throat. "I've designed a new set of team battle suits!" he announced excitedly.
"Hmm?" Charles mused, then nodded. "That's a good idea. It will reinforce our identity as a team and leave a strong impression on everyone."
However, the moment he saw the so-called battle suits, he immediately regretted his decision.
The suits were hideous.
A garish combination of yellow and black, made from tight-fitting material…
Charles stiffly turned to Hank, forcing a smile. "I think we should embrace individuality and just wear our own clothes."
"You think the suits are ugly, don't you?"
Hank's excitement immediately plummeted.
"No, I just don't think I deserve to wear something this fashionable."
Hank's eyes lit up. "You think they'll set a trend too?"
"…Hank."
Charles held the battle suit in his hands, his expression grave.
"Hmm?"
"Promise me—never pick out clothes for anyone again."
With that, he picked up his battle suit and walked toward the door. But before stepping out, he suddenly paused.
"…Everyone has to wear this, right?"
"Of course!" Hank proudly gestured to the neatly stacked suits behind him. "They're elastic, so they'll fit any body type."
"You're amazing," Charles said, squeezing out a painful smile before making a hasty exit.
"Professor!"
As he reached his door, he saw Jean and Ororo waiting for him.
Charles nodded at the two women. "While Hank and I are out, the school is in your hands."
Jean and Ororo exchanged glances. "We're coming with you," Jean declared.
Charles hesitated. "It's too dangerous."
"That's exactly why we need to go," Ororo said firmly. "Jean and I are part of this school too. If we're going to fight for it in the future, we need to start getting used to it now."
Jean nodded, flashing a determined smile. "We'll stay on the outskirts of the battlefield. We won't get in your way."
Looking at their unwavering expressions, Charles fell silent for a moment before finally smiling. "Then I'll be counting on you two to keep me safe."
Hearing this, both women grinned.
"Go on," Charles said lightly. "Go find Hank and pick up your battle suits."
"Yes, Professor!"
"Awesome!"
Excited, the two hurried off to find Hank McCoy, their steps light and eager.
As he watched them leave, Charles' expression turned a little odd. "Hope they like the team battle suits."
Moments later, a group of one excited person and three expressionless ones made their way to the rendezvous point.
---
Hank McCoy was driving, while Charles and Jean quietly discussed key battle strategies.
Suddenly, Hank frowned. "Charles, I think we need a faster mode of transportation."
Jean and Ororo immediately nodded in agreement.
If they had to take a car every time something happened, by the time they arrived, the situation would already be over.
Charles thought for a moment. "S.H.I.E.L.D. has a very unique jet. Maybe we can design something similar—only better."
"Great idea!" Hank's eyes lit up. "Leave it to me. You provide the funding."
He had just wrapped up his recent research projects and was itching for something new to work on.
---
The rendezvous point wasn't far from Xavier's School. When the four arrived, they finally met their teammates.
Charles recognized two of them: Logan and Remy LeBeau.
Aside from them, there was Scott Summers—Cyclops—and a man dressed in a sleek black battle suit, his sharp gaze as piercing as a hawk's.
"Charles!"
Logan looked at him as he stepped out of the car, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
Remy LeBeau grinned and pulled Charles into a friendly hug. "Knew you weren't just some ordinary kid."
Before gathering the team, Nick Fury had already briefed them on Charles' background—and more importantly, he had sworn them to secrecy about Charles' connection to Mike.
Of course, Fury had only told them that Charles was building a school, nothing more.
Charles nodded at the two and introduced Hank, Jean, and Ororo to the rest of the team.
After a quick round of introductions, Hank cleared his throat and announced, "To make it easier to distinguish friend from foe during battle, I've prepared matching battle suits for everyone."
Logan and the others took one look at Charles' group—dressed in their tight, yellow-and-black suits—and their expressions instantly soured.
(End of Chapter)