Chapter 146: [145] : The True Gift
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Roger and Jean reunited after a short separation, and Jean seemed far more excited than Roger had expected, likely because she had been confined to her studies and unable to leave.
At least, that was Roger's guess. He didn't truly know what was going through Jean's mind. Though their separation had been less than a month, for some reason, seeing Roger again made Jean's tightly held composure relax completely.
It was as if, no matter what the problem, Roger's presence alone meant everything would be solved.
After reuniting with Jean and calming her down, Roger resumed his discussion about mutants with Charles.
...
"Jean likes you," the elder version of Charles said after Jean had been sent to wait elsewhere.
Roger replied, "Probably because she had no one else to rely on while she was outside."
"I don't think it's that simple," Charles said with a cryptic smile.
Roger cast a puzzled look at him, but Charles didn't elaborate. Instead, he shifted the conversation back to the main topic.
"Alright, let's get down to business. Bobby told me you came here looking for someone?"
Bobby, full name Robert Louis Bobby Drake, was better known as Iceman. Those familiar with him typically called him Bobby.
When Bobby returned, he had already informed Charles of Roger's purpose, which was why Charles brought it up.
Hearing the mention of business, Roger's expression turned serious. He sat across from Charles and said, "To be more precise, I'm tracing someone's steps. Andrea Kelson, does that name sound familiar to you?"
"Of course," Charles said with a gentle smile. "She was one of the original X-Men. How could I not know her?"
"Original…?"
Roger was momentarily stunned.
The original X-Men had been formed in the 1960s, shortly after 1960. If Andrea had joined at that time and stayed for a significant period, then by the time she left the X-Men universe… how old would she have been?
Roger's thoughts spiraled as he tried to estimate Andrea's age. Meanwhile, Charles continued speaking.
"Back then, we were all so young. Andrea, or 'Andi' as we called her, was the youngest among us. But she was full of energy, and her abilities had immense potential.
"During the missile crisis, it was thanks to Andi's powers that we avoided the outbreak of World War III."
Charles reminisced, recounting Andrea's past, a history Roger had never heard before.
Intrigued, Roger asked, "So after that, did Andrea help you establish the mutant academy?"
As Roger spoke, he glanced around the room, taking in the entirety of the X-Mansion.
Charles understood what Roger meant. The unique space the X-Mansion occupied had been personally created by Andrea, so Roger's assumption wasn't surprising.
But Charles shook his head. "No, after that, she disappeared."
"...Disappeared?"
"Yes, she vanished for ten years. It wasn't until the Sentinels were created that she returned… But that's all in the past. Now… Andi is gone, isn't she?"
"You know something happened to her?" Roger asked.
Charles turned to look at Roger, his eyes reflecting a trace of sorrow. He replied, "Yes, the moment I saw you, I knew she was no longer with us."
"Wait a minute!!" Roger suddenly realized something. Standing abruptly, he stared at Charles with wide eyes. "You… you know me!?"
It was one thing for Andrea to know about Roger, after all, she had been the Sorcerer Supreme, capable of seeing the future. Her awareness of Roger's existence wasn't surprising.
But why would Charles also know him!?
Sensing Roger's shock, Charles calmly said, "Relax, Roger. Yes, I know of you, but probably not in the way you think. I only sensed in you… a spiritual resonance similar to Andi's.
"Andi once told me that if one day someone stood before me with a spiritual frequency similar to hers, it would mean she was gone. She asked us to fully support that individual. At the time, I didn't understand what she meant, but now… I do."
Charles spoke earnestly to Roger.
Andrea had left Roger more than just gifts like the vibranium-magitech armor and Athena. The entire X-Men universe was, in a way, a gift from her to Roger.
As this realization dawned on Roger, he sank back into his chair, feeling drained.
He stared at the floor, trying to comprehend the mindset of this predecessor who had traversed universes. Though they had never met, she had placed immense trust in him.
"She… trusted me that much?" Roger asked softly.
Everything Andrea had done was to prevent the collapse of the multiverse. And the person she had chosen for this task was Roger.
But Roger couldn't understand, what had Andrea seen in him?
After all, he was just an ordinary man. Even with his superhuman abilities, he didn't possess the selfless, world-saving nature of a true superhero. What had made Andrea place such faith in him?
Charles answered gently, "It's not that she trusted you."
"Then why…"
"She didn't trust anyone else, not even me. But she trusted herself. Andi had a self-confidence bordering on arrogance."
Roger let out a wry chuckle. "So she was absolutely certain that the person she chose would save the multiverse? That's… arrogance."
Roger recalled how Tony Stark had once described Andrea as an arrogant individual. At the time, Roger had thought Tony might have been exaggerating.
But now, Roger felt Tony hadn't been wrong at all. Andrea truly was an arrogant person, arrogant to the extreme.
"If you choose to see it that way… I suppose it's not entirely inaccurate," Charles said with a slightly bemused smile before continuing, "I know you came here to find something she left behind, a gem, right?"
"You know where it is?"
"Of course, but you can't take it. At least, not yet."
"…"
Roger stared at Charles, waiting for an explanation. He didn't need to ask; he knew Charles would provide one.
And sure enough, Charles soon elaborated.
"Right now, that gem is the keystone stabilizing two universes. If you take it…"
"What will happen?" Roger prompted.
"Total collapse is unlikely, but Andi must have left you a message, mentioning that these two worlds were her creations, split from the main universe, correct?"
"Yeah."
"And if you remove the Soul Gem, these two worlds may return to the original larger universe, or worse, they might merge, creating unpredictable consequences."
Charles explained the Soul Gem's critical role in maintaining the two worlds.
Roger frowned. If that were true, he couldn't recklessly take the gem.
Returning to the original universe, back to the broader Marvel multiverse, could lead to outcomes Roger couldn't foresee. But one thing was certain, it wouldn't be good.
As Roger considered this, Charles added, "However, if you truly wish to take it, it's not impossible."
"What…?" Roger was stunned.
Charles solemnly said, "As long as you're willing to take responsibility for these two worlds."
Removing the Soul Gem would plunge the two worlds into an uncertain future. Someone would need to guide them along the right path.
And if Roger took the gem, the responsibility would undoubtedly fall on him.
"Emotional blackmail?" Roger asked, his voice tinged with suspicion as he stared at Charles.
Charles smiled. "Not at all. It's a responsibility, and the price you must pay. You can't just take without giving. That's not how it works. Actions come with consequences. Surely, you understand that."
Before Roger could respond, Charles continued, "Of course, you're free to ignore all this and take the gem regardless. We can't stop you. You're free to do as you please. If you think otherwise… well, that would indeed be emotional blackmail."
"I… I'll think about it."
Feeling his throat dry, Roger gave Charles a hesitant response.
The weight of responsibility for two entire worlds wasn't something he could decide on a whim. He needed time to think it over.
Charles didn't press him. "Take your time. There's no rush. In the meantime, I'll have rooms prepared for you and your friends. Stay here as long as you need."
After finishing his conversation with Charles, Roger left the office.
He truly needed time to consider. This wasn't a decision that could be made lightly or quickly.
Once Roger was gone, Charles sat quietly for a moment before speaking.
"Raven, you can come out now."
From a study adjacent to the office, Mystique, Raven Darkholme, stepped out. She was clad in her X-Men uniform, her skin its natural blue hue, unmasked.
Raven stared intently in the direction Roger had left, saying nothing for a long while.
Eventually, Charles spoke, his tone gentle. "Raven, Andi is already…"
"I know," Raven interrupted, though her gaze remained fixed on where Roger had disappeared.
Charles sighed softly and said, "Do whatever you feel you must, but don't make things difficult for him."
"…I understand," Raven replied.
Yet her tone lacked the decisiveness of her earlier statement.
Charles said no more, simply waving her off.
Raven, still silent, left the office with purposeful strides, heading in the direction of Roger's assigned quarters.
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