Chapter 20

In the heat of the moment, powered by the Goku template, Hawking truly wanted to battle Magneto.

However, prioritizing saving lives over fighting, even with Goku's tendencies, led him not to engage directly with Magneto but instead to use the Triple Afterimage Fist to deceive him and prioritize taking out Mastermind.

With Mastermind eliminated, no one could control Professor X, ensuring safety for both mutants and humans.

As tragic as Mastermind's backstory was—unable to control his powers, accidentally killing his mother, and then being turned into an experiment by his own father—Hawking felt a brief pang of sorrow.

Nonetheless, the broader risk to humanity and mutantkind justified his actions.

"Very well done!" Magneto floated, surrounded by a menacing aura, the entire brainwave enhancement room trembling under his anger.

If not for Hawking, he would have been able to eradicate humanity, making mutants the rulers of Earth, fulfilling his life's ambition.

"Eric, did you come to save me?" At that moment, Professor X's weak voice echoed in the room.

Freed from control with Mastermind's death, he removed his helmet and laboriously turned his wheelchair to face the levitating Magneto.

Catching his breath, Magneto descended slowly. "Charles, what did you see in that illusion? Still fighting for justice? Sadly, they don't play by your rules; they want to kill all mutants!"

While to Magneto, anyone preventing his plans from before Mastermind's death was an enemy, now with Mastermind gone, they were not necessarily foes—at least not at the moment.

His relationship with Charles was complex; both strove for mutant welfare but with differing ideologies, leading them on divergent paths.

Unless at a critical juncture, like previously on Liberty Island or his recent attempt to eradicate humanity, they needed each other.

"Eric, people can stumble and lose their way, but that doesn't mean they can't find it again. Sometimes, all it takes is a helping hand. Together, we can guide humanity towards a better future!"

Despite Magneto's scorn, Professor X remained calm, steadfast in his belief. "You're still naïve, Charles. Humans will only destroy us. There's no coexistence—only survival of the fittest."

As the two seemed ready to debate further, Hawking interjected, "How about we find a safer place to continue this discussion?" The base was unstable, and a misstep could trigger a catastrophe for all.

Regarding their ideological debate, Hawking had no interest. He wasn't a mutant, and in a world like Marvel's, such debates seemed pointless. Whether you prioritize mutant identity, family, or friends shapes your actions. If someone threatens your loved ones, does it matter if the aggressor is a mutant or not?

"Click!" Just then, the door to the brainwave enhancement room opened, and Storm, Wolverine, Cyclops, and others rushed in.

Colossus and Wolverine had subdued Lady Deathstrike and brought Stryker in to unlock the door. With Mastermind's death, the control serum lost its effect, restoring Cyclops and Lady Deathstrike to normal.

"Let's go," Magneto said, turning to leave with Mystique, seeing no point in staying now that his plan had failed.

"No, let them go," Professor X telepathically urged, stopping Storm and Cyclops from pursuing. A battle here could jeopardize the dam, and Magneto could easily escape such an outcome.

Reflecting on the events, Professor X wasn't completely unchanged. Perhaps keeping Magneto at large served a purpose.

As Magneto and Mystique departed, Professor X turned to Hawking: "I'm sorry you had to face this on your first day here, and thank you for your help." Having read everyone's memories, he appreciated Hawking's efforts to protect the school and both mutant and human lives.

"I promised you wouldn't regret my decision that day," Hawking replied, smiling.

Professor X's next words wiped the smile off Hawking's face: "However, I must insist, no smoking or drinking at the school, at least until you're of age."

Turning to Wolverine, he warned, "And you, if I catch you supplying him again, I'll make you think you're a six-year-old girl and let Jean braid your hair."

The room lightened with laughter.

Finally, with a glance at the deceased Mastermind, a former student who couldn't control his powers, Professor X led everyone out of the room.

Outside the base, as Magneto and Mystique exited the spillway, an arrow shot towards Magneto's head. Using his powers, he stopped it, but the arrowhead exploded, forcing him back several steps, only steadied by Mystique's quick reaction.

(End of Chapter)