87 Alliances

Alex strolled into his grand manor, a demeanor of confidence accompanying him. His face bore a smug expression, a reflection of the power he held.

"Just when the world was plunging into chaos, Stryker made his move with a squad of Mutants, raiding your school, Charles. The students, your prized possessions, were rounded up and taken to his accursed lab. It's been a while now, and I reckon your students have been turned into Stryker's lab rats," Alex disclosed.

"Stryker, that cursed man," Charles uttered, his anger palpable.

"I'll make sure he pays for this," Eric vowed with equal intensity.

"Care to take a wild guess who I spotted in Stryker's twisted laboratory?" Alex inquired, shaking his head with a chuckle.

"Logan, isn't it?" Charles pondered, his mind piecing together the puzzle.

Jumping fifty years into the past, Charles delved into Logan's memories, discovering that his metal bones underwent a ruthless transformation at the hands of Stryker's experiments.

"Ah, the very same. Despite his memory loss, I think he might be persuaded to join the X-Men if you reach out to him," Alex suggested with a light laugh.

"Dad!" Several voices interrupted the conversation, a seven-hour time difference spanning the continents. Anya, waking up in Egypt, greeted her father, who was in New York at six in the morning.

"Melissa, did we wake you?" Eric's gentle smile adorned his face as he embraced Anya, his stubble playfully grazing her cheek.

"Hmm, ticklish!" Anya giggled, pushing away from Eric's affectionate grasp.

Quicksilver, observing from the sidelines, couldn't help but envy the father-daughter bond. He, residing in the basement, lacked such familial warmth.

"Why stand there gawking? Join in!" Alex playfully nudged Quicksilver, pushing him toward Eric.

Eric reveled in the family reunion, and Alex, with a smile, shook his head. Charles, observing from a distance, seemed lost in thought.

"Honey, you're back?" Raven, clad in pajamas, emerged from the room, well-aware of the events in Cairo. Confidence in her partner's abilities shielded her from worry, trusting that he could handle any danger that came their way.

"It seems like it's bothering you," Alex chuckled.

"Are you Mystique?" Storm noticed a shift after the Swiss incident. Some excitement crept into her demeanor as she reached out, holding Raven's hand.

"Well, yes, that's correct," Raven replied, slightly puzzled by Storm's excitement but nodding subconsciously.

"Fantastic! You're my idol," Storm exclaimed with excitement.

"Idol..." Raven smiled. It turned out Storm was a small fan. She proudly glanced at Alex and left the scene with Storm.

Alex laughed, shook his head, and turned to Angel and Psylocke, asking, "So, what's your business here? Are you joining our party, or are you heading out?"

"Charles's Mutant school aims for peace between inspirational people and Mutants. Eric's Mutant Brotherhood seeks human recognition of Mutant social status. Since you're also a Mutant, you have choices. As for me, I'm just neutral and lives to live a peaceful life but if someone messes with me then....," Alex explained to Psylocke and Angel, gesturing towards Charles and Eric.

Eric approached with Quicksilver, and Anya.

"All brothers and sisters, whether you desire a life of anonymity or not, we support your decision. We won't force you," Eric interjected, breaking into the conversation.

"Humans capture us, throw us in confined spaces surrounded by high-voltage fences, making us fight for our lives. I've had enough of humanity. I choose to join the Mutant Brotherhood," declared Angel, deciding to align with Eric's party.

"Welcome, my brother," Eric said, reaching out to hug Angel, his face beaming with joy.

Angel's strength was a significant addition to Mutant Brotherhood, boosting Eric's cause.

"I used to work in the black market. The boss there treated me well. If one day we can achieve peaceful coexistence between Mutants and humans, that would be truly great," Psylocke shared, recounting her experience before moving to Charles's side.

"You're welcome to join my school; we have mutant children. Perhaps you could be a teacher to guide and educate them," Charles said with a welcoming smile.

"Happy to be a part of it," Psylocke responded with a warm smile.

"Hey Alex, shouldn't a situation like this call for breaking out some of your wine collection that you've been saving for years?" Eric asked, looking at Alex.

"Come on, you two. Is my wine the only thing on your minds all day?" Alex retorted sharply, giving them a disgruntled stare, like two old troublemakers.

"Haha, who else would appreciate your best red wine if not us? Don't pretend like you're not thinking about it, Charles," Eric laughed mischievously.

Alex couldn't resist the banter and headed to the cellar, pulling out a bottle from his 1921 wine collection—a sixty-year-old wine that promised a delightful taste.

When it came to friends, Alex never held back.

(End of this chapter)

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