บท 606: The Pain of Empathy
The question segment ended, but instead of playing a video, another question appeared on the light screen:
[In the special task force formed by Magneto and Professor X, who experienced the most intense pain during this mission?]
[A: Magneto/Erik Lehnsherr
B: Professor X/Charles Xavier
C: Beast/Hank McCoy
D: Havok/Alex Summers.]
This was a two-part question. Erik let out a muffled grunt, suppressing his frustration at not being able to immediately see the scene of his revenge. He had no choice but to think about the question.
At first glance, it seemed like the question was asking who got hurt the most during this mission, but the wording was specific: "Who experienced the most intense pain?"
Pain is subjective—it isn't always tied to physical injury. The scars on the mind and soul are invisible but can cause far greater suffering than physical wounds.
"This should be me." Erik thought about it and chose himself. He could fully understand the pain he experienced when facing Sebastian Shaw.
Years of repressed hatred and the unbearable memories of the past would have made him feel immense pain and anger. To be fair, the video showed that he was also seriously injured while fighting Shaw. Overall, he was convinced that he was the correct answer.
Logan shrugged, his expression practically screaming indifference. "Whatever, man."
Over in Team A, Peter analyzed: "First, we can eliminate option B. Professor X didn't directly participate in the fight, so it's unlikely he got hurt. D can also be ruled out.
Banshee did find the hidden submarine, which was crucial, and later engaged in an air battle with Angel, playing a big part, but he didn't really get injured—he just got tossed around a bit. So the answer is likely between A and C.
I think... C might be more probable. Hank fought fiercely with Azazel and got pretty banged up."
Wanda chimed in: "But the question doesn't ask who got injured the most. It could be referring to emotional or psychological pain. I think A is more likely. Erik not only got beaten up by Shaw, but he was also forced to relive those painful memories from the past. He must've been in a terrible state of mind."
Peter thought about it and agreed that Wanda made a good point, so he changed his mind.
The countdown began, and both teams quickly pressed their buzzers. Team A got lucky once again, securing the right to answer first. Peter, excited, exclaimed, "Ha! We're going to take the lead!"
But his excitement was short-lived as a bucket of cold water was thrown over him:
[The correct answer is—B: Professor Charles Xavier. Team A's answer is incorrect. Player Peter Parker and player Wanda Maximoff each lose 4 points. Team B's answer is also incorrect. Player Erik Lehnsherr and player Logan Howlett each lose 1 point!]
When the correct answer was revealed, the four players were dumbfounded. The very option they had dismissed first turned out to be the right one. Even Logan was surprised. "Charles stayed on the damn plane the whole time. Shaw's men were dealt with, and you were the one handling Shaw. How did Charles get hurt?"
Erik frowned, unable to come up with an answer. He could only mutter, "I hope there's no more questions."
His wish was granted. The quiz ended, and the screen began to play the next part of the video. In the footage, Sebastian Shaw, who had been smug and confident just moments earlier, suddenly froze in place, as if someone had hit the pause button.
But the scene hadn't completely stopped. Erik could still move freely. He slowly approached his sworn enemy and removed the helmet that blocked telepathic abilities. "Sorry, Charles, it's not that I don't trust you..."
He then put the helmet on himself.
With that, Charles Xavier could no longer stop him from what he was about to do. Of course, Charles knew exactly what Erik intended.
Before the telepathic connection was cut, Charles urgently pleaded, "No, Erik, don't do this, I'm begging you! You can be a better person, Erik. If you go through with this, there's no turning back..."
As Erik firmly placed the helmet on his head, the telepathic link was completely severed. Charles's desperate attempts to dissuade him fell on deaf ears.
Back on the damaged plane, Charles angrily pounded the walls. He didn't want his friend to commit murder, but he wasn't about to release his control over Sebastian Shaw. However, from that moment on, things were entirely out of his control.
Erik took a couple more steps closer, tilting his head as he studied Sebastian Shaw. He smirked. "If you can hear me, I want you to know that I agree with every word you just said. We mutants are the future... But, unfortunately for you, you killed my mother."
Magneto actually agreed with Shaw's belief in mutant superiority!
If there had been no personal grudge, no history of torment in the concentration camps, Erik might have joined Shaw's organization, just like Angel Salvadore. But reality doesn't deal in what-ifs. Today, Erik was determined to exact his revenge.
He pulled out a coin with symbol on it, which also represented the painful memories of his past. In a cold voice, he said, "I'll move this coin on the count of three."
Years ago, in the concentration camp, Erik had inadvertently revealed his mutant powers, catching Shaw's attention. Shaw then killed Erik's mother in front of him to force him to move a coin on a table. That coin became the catalyst for all the suffering that followed.
Now, fueled by his thirst for vengeance, Erik was back. He was going to use this very coin to end the tragedy that had begun all those years ago and finally give justice to himself and his mother.
Under Erik's power, the small coin floated in midair and slowly began moving toward Sebastian Shaw.
Erik started counting. By the time he reached "two," the coin was already inches from Shaw's face. The man who had shamelessly justified his actions as "training" or "for your own good" was now frozen in place, like a lifeless puppet.
But outside, on the ruined plane, Charles was gasping for breath, his pupils contracting. He could see the coin getting closer to Shaw's forehead.
No, to be precise, he wasn't just seeing it—he was experiencing it. Because he was controlling Sebastian Shaw's mind, he had become Shaw. In that moment, their senses were shared—sight, hearing, smell, and most importantly... pain!
Erik, watching from outside the screen, widened his eyes in shock. He understood everything now.
If he killed Sebastian Shaw with that coin, it would be like killing Charles as well... No, Charles wouldn't die, but he would feel the excruciating pain of dying!
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