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"Our research once believed that Neanderthals went extinct while competing with the more evolved Cromagnons. But recent studies of our DNA suggest that the two races may have interbred, eventually evolving into modern humans. In other words, they evolved into us," Storm explained with a smile to the group of children dressed in white, pacing back and forth as he elucidated the origins of the ancient peoples and the modern race.

Some of the children looked puzzled, unsure if they were regular humans or mutants.

"Yes," Storm confirmed, acknowledging that mutants were indeed the ancestors of the current mutant population. His gaze swept over the children, focusing momentarily on a little boy who stuck his tongue out mischievously at a girl with a lollipop.

With a hands-on-hips stance, Storm called out to the mischievous boy: "Ati, not now!"

Ati promptly withdrew his tongue, scratching his head sheepishly.

Observing this, Jean approached the boy, gently resting a hand on his shoulder. "Stay focused, Ati," he advised before nudging him back into the attentive crowd gathered around Storm.

"These little ones seem quite engaged in the lesson," Alex remarked with a chuckle as he glanced at the scene beside him, where Jean sat.

"Just here for the session. Storm handles the explanations; they have other stops after this," Jean replied with a smile.

"Ah, I remember Charles mentioning something about Neanderthals and Cromagnons back then," Alex reminisced, recalling a conversation from 1962.

"Hehe, I remember Emma soaking all my notes," Charles chimed in from behind, joining the conversation.

"That's on you for knowing my least favorite thing is essays," Alex shot back.

"Haha, you hate paperwork? That's not necessarily true. Remember how eloquently you dissected human nature in the beginning," Charles chuckled softly.

"Is he questioning my expertise? Time to show him what I'm made of," Alex chuckled, then inquired casually, "Got any other plans for me?"

"Just come and see these little ones, it'll be worth your time," Charles replied, watching the children with a fond smile.

As Storm finished her commentary, the children scattered, Katie leading Anna and Anya off to play.

Storm approached Alex, brushing his white hair aside, and addressed Charles, "Professor."

"Excellent work," Alex praised.

"It's the least I can do," Storm replied, bashful.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed, and Emma, sporting glasses, hurried over.

"What's going on, Emma?" Alex inquired, noting her serious expression.

"We've got a situation. Take a look at this," Emma said, presenting a video screen to Alex and Charles.

The screen displayed footage of Sentinels attacking Mutants.

Charles maintained a cold demeanor, his hands tightly clenched, the whitened knuckles betraying his inner turmoil.

Alex shook his head, recognizing the gravity of the situation.

"This is a Sentinel! Didn't we alter the future? Why has the Sentinel reappeared?" Charles inquired with remarkable composure.

Stryker hadn't relented; instead, he clandestinely continued his research on Sentinels. Over the years, he had manufactured more than a dozen of them, garnering support from Congress. The impact of Eric's previous actions had been immense. Emma sighed, recalling her involvement in the original debacle. Little did she expect Sentinels to resurface.

"They received support from Congress?!" Charles couldn't contain his agitation. What did this signify? The war between Mutants and humanity had commenced.

"However, they claimed it was to apprehend Mutant criminals," Emma retorted with a sardonic smile, her tone dripping with disdain. "Thirty billion dollars to apprehend Mutant criminals? Ridiculous."

"Perhaps Sentinels are costly," Charles conjectured uncertainly.

"Costly?" Emma scoffed, her smile tinged with mockery. "Maybe with limited technology, it's indeed expensive. But a million dollars could suffice. Thirty billion dollars? That's a plan to exterminate Mutants."

This situation underscored the dire consequences of Eric's past actions, driving humanity's resolve to eradicate Mutants. The radiation that permeated New York served as a catalyst for Mutant transformation. But what if it proved lethal? No one could guarantee otherwise.

(End of this chapter)

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