To Stay or To Go

"Charles, what do we do now? Can we still go back to the CIA?"

Hank looked up at Charles and asked.

Unlike the other mutants, Hank had been a researcher at the CIA. His mutant identity hadn't even been exposed when he worked there.

Naturally, he felt a sense of belonging to the CIA that was different from others.

Moreover, the CIA could provide Hank with all the research resources he needed, and he quite liked his old job.

"Hank, I'm sorry, but it's very likely you can't go back, and neither can we."

Charles paused for a moment before telling the truth.

This mutant secret base had been highly controversial within the CIA from the start, with many executives disagreeing.

Now that something like this had happened, it was almost impossible for the CIA to reallocate resources for its reconstruction.

Charles's cooperation with the CIA would likely end here.

From now on, all their actions would have to be on their own, with no further connection to the CIA.

"Is that so?"

"Then what do we do from now on?"

Darwin, Siren, Angel, Wrecker, and the other young people looked confused and a bit lost.

They had waited for Charles and the others for three days, hoping for a result, only to receive this outcome.

Charles and Erik exchanged a look.

Indeed, the CIA had heartlessly abandoned them. How would they house the mutants they had recruited because of this?

"Raven, can you entertain everyone for me?"

Charles thought for a moment and then said to Mystique, Raven.

Raven knew Charles must have something to discuss with Erik, so she didn't ask further.

As Charles instructed, she took charge of the situation as the host.

Charles beckoned to Erik and led him to his room.

"I plan to send everyone home."

After closing the door, Charles got straight to the point, telling Erik his plan.

"No, Charles, we need to keep them. Don't you remember why we recruited them? Whether the CIA is involved or not, I won't stop!"

"The only reason I stayed in the first place wasn't because of the CIA, but because of you, Charles!"

Erik, however, disagreed.

"They're just children!"

"Children couldn't have escaped under those circumstances!"

"Alright Erik, except for Rorschach, but most of them..."

"Charles, Shaw has a team, and we need a team too! You know we do! Otherwise, no one can stop Shaw!" Erik interrupted Charles decisively.

Charles fell silent.

He knew Erik was right.

Only mutants could deal with mutants.

The massacre at the CIA base this time was a prime example. Ordinary people were like lambs to the slaughter in front of those mutants with their various abilities.

Furthermore, Charles and Erik alone were far from enough.

"Alright Erik, but we need to train them."

After much thought, Charles made this decision and said to Erik emphatically.

A hint of joy appeared on Erik's face.

"Everyone, including you!" Charles glared at his old friend good-naturedly.

"Come on Charles, are you serious?"

Erik retorted in an exaggerated tone. He wasn't one of those kids.

"What do you think?"

Charles left him with that, then turned and strode out of the room.

Erik shook his head helplessly and quickly followed.

"Okay! Everyone!"

As soon as they entered the hall, everyone's gaze turned to them again. Charles announced the decision he and Erik had made.

"Although we no longer have any ties with the CIA, Erik and I still plan to form our own team!"

"You've all seen what kind of person Shaw is. We will be the only team capable of stopping him."

"Erik, myself, and you all!"

"Of course, you're not ready yet, not by a long shot. Erik and I aren't either, so for those willing to stay, I will provide special training."

"Naturally, if anyone wishes to leave, I will arrange for their immediate return home."

Charles's words echoed through the hall.

The mutants looked at each other, each having made up their minds.

"I'm not going back to prison again," Wrecker declared immediately.

"I don't really have anywhere else to go," Beast Hank shrugged.

"Charles, after everything we've been through, do you really think I can go back to driving my taxi peacefully?" Darwin spread his hands.

"I never had this many friends before, so~" Siren also stated that he didn't want to leave his friends.

"This is where I grew up, where else would I go?" Raven said as a matter of course, then she glanced at Rorschach opposite her, "Rorschach, what about you?"

Following Raven's question, everyone present subconsciously turned their gaze to Rorschach.

Undoubtedly, Rorschach was the most pivotal figure among them all.

Rorschach's decision to stay or go was, without a doubt, the most anticipated.

"Rorschach, you are an incredibly talented individual."

Erik even personally spoke to persuade him to stay, "If you leave, it will be a great loss for us. I personally hope you will stay."

"Erik, why make the atmosphere so heavy? When did I ever say I was leaving?" Rorschach smiled.

Erik visibly relaxed.

Many people in the hall couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"I'm sorry."

Just as the mood brightened, Angel suddenly poured cold water on everyone. "Charles, I don't know Shaw, but Shaw practically wiped out everyone at the base, yet he didn't lay a hand on us."

"But the ones who mocked us mercilessly were precisely those from the CIA."

"I'm very sorry, but I can't do it."

"Angel..." Raven and Angel were the only two women, and they had a very good relationship. Raven immediately began to persuade Angel.

"Raven, I'm sorry, but I don't think I belong here." Angel stood up with a resolute attitude.

"Okay, Salvador."

Charles nodded. He didn't say much about it; everyone had their own choice. "Thank you for your company during this time. I will send you home."

"Hey, girl!"

Erik's attitude was much less polite. "You know, if I see you on the battlefield, I won't hold back at all!"

"Erik!" Charles, standing nearby, frowned slightly.

"What is it, Charles? Do you still see them as children too fragile to bear the harsh truth? I think it's time for a change, for us and for them!"

Erik argued forcefully.

But it had to be said, to a certain extent, he did have a point.