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*****
"Phew!"
Erik contentedly set down his chopsticks.
The taste was just as he remembered—just as satisfying.
His cheeks were slightly flushed from the alcohol. Watching as Mike pulled a pot of tea and two cups from his dimensional pouch, Erik quickly took the teapot and poured for both of them. He asked, "Dad, you just said you wanted to talk…"
Mike raised his cup and took a leisurely sip. Blowing away the rising steam, he looked at Erik's curious expression and said, "After the Battle of New York, what are your plans? What does the Brotherhood intend to do? Will you keep being seen as mutant criminals—attacking bases and rescuing other mutants?"
Erik scratched his head, a small smile on his face. "Actually, this morning—before you arrived—Charles and I already discussed it."
"Oh?"
Mike's curiosity piqued. "Let's hear it. What did you two discuss?"
These two kids were smart. They had already sensed the shift in public perception toward the X-Men, the Brotherhood, and mutants in general after the Battle of New York.
Now, even without the Brotherhood, the existence of the X-School would no longer be questioned.
In other words, one of the main reasons the brothers initially founded the Brotherhood—to stand in opposition and thus guarantee the X-School's existence—was now obsolete.
If the Brotherhood continued its past stance of hostility toward the X-School, it would only harm the mutant cause. The favorable impression that mutants had gained after the Battle of New York would quickly erode.
That was the last thing they wanted.
The Brotherhood's role in the battle had given them a rare opportunity. If they could seize it, it could drastically improve the circumstances for all mutants—for the better.
In the end, they made a decision.
"The Brotherhood needs to change."
Erik couldn't help clenching his fists, his eyes burning with intensity as he looked at Mike.
He wanted Mike's approval.
Mike smiled and nodded. "Good. Now's a great opportunity."
Erik let out a long breath and began to relax.
Setting his cup down, Mike asked, "So, what's your plan?"
Erik refilled Mike's tea, then paused thoughtfully. "Superheroes are a good starting point. We believe the Brotherhood should maintain that image."
"Not a bad idea—but that overlaps with what the X-School is already doing."
Mike tapped his fingers against the table and continued slowly, "The superhero image is already well-handled by the X-Men.
If the X-School represents the children of the mutant community—the future—then what can the Brotherhood represent?"
Erik's expression grew contemplative. "We can represent adult mutants—the present."
Beyond educating young mutants, the actions of adult mutants must also be guided.
Mike smiled again. "And what do you think mutants need most right now? More superheroes?"
Erik's eyes flickered, and he slowly shook his head.
Mutants were people with powers, yes—but while some could be inspired to walk the path of a superhero, the reality was harsher. Many mutants had weak powers, couldn't even afford to eat, and lived at the bottom of society, suffering discrimination…
At that moment, Erik recalled a memory from his childhood—when the four of them had gone to the circus. There, they had seen two mutants forced to perform like animals under a whip.
Even now, he remembered what those two had said.
It wasn't that they didn't want dignity, or that they didn't want to leave the circus. It was just that if they left, they had no way to survive without resorting to crime. They couldn't even find a decent job.
Guidance, survival, and dignity.
Erik's eyes flickered with emotion.
Mike spoke gently, "It looks like you've realized it."
Erik nodded.
Guidance was already part of what the X-Men handled.
Then what about survival and dignity…?
If mutants could obtain both, would they still turn to crime?
Yes.
That was the honest, though disheartening, answer. But the number would be far less.
Right now, many committed crimes because they had no other choice. But if they had better options, would the majority still risk their lives for it?
Erik reflected for a moment and asked, "Then what are you suggesting, Dad?"
"Meet their needs."
"And how? War?"
Smack!
Mike whacked Erik on the head with his chopsticks. "How many people do you have? How many of them can actually fight? If you start a war, can you guarantee unity among them? What about your original decisions and plans? You might as well have let Charles kill all the regular humans from the start."
"Hehe!"
Erik rubbed his head sheepishly. "I was just throwing out ideas."
As for killing humans—that was a thought too horrifying to even imagine.
"So…" Erik stroked his chin. "Start a company?"
Creating a company could not only support a large number of mutants but also build real capital—providing influence and creating change in their situation.
Mike smiled at Erik. "Not a bad idea."
In truth, Mike thought the idea would be difficult and limited in scope. But it was worth letting the kids give it a shot.
To truly resolve the mutant situation, either society would have to stop rejecting and fearing them—or…
Mike's eyes flashed as he sighed inwardly.
Forget it. Let them try it their way. Who knows? Maybe it'll work better than the alternative.
He muttered to himself and said aloud, "Give it a try."
Erik cleared his throat. "We'll need funding. Should I go rob a bank?"
"I'll provide the funding."
Mike gave Erik an exasperated look. "You have to keep this company clean if you want public acceptance."
"And also…"
Mike paused thoughtfully. "You've destroyed a lot of those research bases. I assume you kept evidence of what they were doing?"
Erik's eyes lit up. "You want us to release that evidence to gain public sympathy and empathy for the mutant community?"
Mike nodded.
The truth was ugly—so ugly that many people wouldn't even want to believe it.
If they had released this evidence earlier, people might've believed 30% of it. But now? They might believe 60%. And that would be enough.
(End of Chapter)