The heavy metal hinges of the explosion-proof door gave a final, dull click, completely isolating the noisy, chaotic, and gunpowder-scented world outside.
The base's rest area was eerily quiet, save for the low hum of the fans in the ventilation ducts, like the tireless chirping of a cicada. Ye Mo didn't immediately collapse onto the sofa; his body still felt sore from the intense exercise, especially his right arm, which was throbbing with a dull, cramping pain from maintaining its " Steel Bone " shape and moving so quickly for so long. But he ignored it and went straight to the monitoring console on the wall.
On the enormous high-definition screen, live broadcasts from major news outlets around the world were scrolling. The footage showed black smoke still rising from the ruins of New York airport, and a close-up shot magnified the back of Tony Stark as he carried the unconscious Bucky onto a transport plane, accompanied by headlines punctuated by glaring red exclamation marks: "Traitor," "Wanted," "Hero or Criminal?" On the other side, a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicopter hovered overhead over the industrial area, its target lost, yet the oppressive atmosphere still permeated the screen.
Ye Mo narrowed his eyes, his fingers rapidly tapping on the virtual keyboard, bringing up all the action data from the past forty-eight hours. He ignored the overwhelming barrage of public criticism and focused his attention on the timeline.
Half an hour ago, he created an ice wall on the cooling tower in the industrial area, Emma Frost interfered with the agents' perception, and the group of Mutants who opposed registration evacuated through the sewers. This series of actions seemed like a simple cover, but in Ye Mo's mental replay, it was actually a precise tactical maneuver. S.H.I.E.L.D..'s original plan was to "wipe them all out," using Tony taking Bucky away as bait to lure all the resistance forces into revealing their positions, and then encircle and annihilate them. However, the appearance of Ye Mo and Emma Frost forcibly tore open a gap in this encirclement.
He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the Gene Spiral Tower in his mind. Although he hadn't unlocked any new levels, he clearly recalled the moment each ability was released: the precision of Ice Manipulation, the refraction angle of the optical camouflage, and the slight delay caused by Emma Frost's mental interference. These details pieced together to form a complete logical chain—they not only saved people, but also sent a signal to the outside world: even without publicly taking sides, even while remaining neutral, they had the ability to stir up trouble.
This low-key operation was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake. Ripples were spreading, and all parties were reassessing their threat levels. Ye Mo's lips curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible sneer. From simply seeking survival and escaping to now assessing the situation, his mindset had undergone some subtle changes. He was no longer just an observer hiding in the shadows, but a variable that could influence the weight of the scales.
Click.
The door to the lounge opened, Emma Frost Thaddeus Ross walked in. She was still wearing her dark gray tactical trench coat, the hem of which was dusty, and her face was pale, clearly indicating that the mental exertion she had just exerted had greatly depleted her energy. She didn't greet him as usual, nor did she check her wounds. Instead, she walked straight behind Ye Mo, crossed her arms, and stared coldly at the reports about the " Superhero Civil War " on the screen.
"You were very cautious on the battlefield just now," Emma Frost's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a sharp, penetrating quality. "So cautious... it was like you were afraid."
Ye Mo's fingers paused for a moment, then continued to move the mouse, bringing up a set of data charts on fund flows. "This is a tactical necessity, to avoid unnecessary casualties." He said calmly, trying to use rational analysis to mask his inner turmoil.
"Don't lie to me, Ye Mo." Emma Frost walked around the table, stood in front of him, and looked down at him. "I can read your mental frequency. Just now, when you saw Tony's armor lock onto the direction, your heart skipped a beat. That wasn't tactical hesitation; that was fear."
Ye Mo turned his head and met Emma Frost's eyes, which seemed to see right through his soul. There was no blame in her eyes, only a cold, clear-headedness. This clarity made Ye Mo feel a sharp pain, because his best disguise was completely exposed in front of this woman.
"You think I'm running away?" Ye Mo put down his coffee cup, which made a crisp sound as it hit the table.
"I'm asking you, how exactly do you define a 'hero'?" Emma Frost asked bluntly. "If you don't even have the courage to face your choices, all your abilities are just a fig leaf for cowardice. You acted like a warrior when you fought in San Francisco, but now you want to hide in your shell. Why? Because if the Superhuman Registration Act passes, you might become a target? Or is it because you're afraid of choosing the wrong side and losing your pitiful peaceful life?"
Ye Mo fell silent. The air in the lounge seemed to freeze, leaving only the dappled light from the screen casting on his face. He tried to brush it off with his usual humor or system notifications, perhaps teasing Emma Frost's sharp tongue, or saying it was just a "strategic retreat." But under Emma Frost's piercing gaze, all excuses seemed pale and powerless.
He hit the nail on the head.
Ye Mo took a deep breath, and his tense shoulders slowly relaxed. He turned around, leaned against the edge of the table, and looked through the window at the gray sky outside.
"I'm afraid," he finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse. "I'm afraid that if I choose the wrong side, I'll not only lose my current life, but I'll also drag my friends into an abyss of no return. Do you know what that means? It means the collapse of trust, it means that those who once fought alongside me will become enemies, it means that innocent people will die because of our choices."
He paused, then gave a bitter laugh, "I'm a time traveler, I know how cruel this world is. I don't want to be some kind of savior, I just want to live peacefully. So, I want to hide away, to be an ordinary person, to pretend that all of this has nothing to do with me."
Emma Frost listened quietly, without interrupting or mocking. Her gaze softened slightly, but remained firm.
"But," Ye Mo raised his head, the confusion in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a heavy clarity, "I've realized that running away is pointless. No matter how I hide, no matter how careful I am, I'm already standing at the forefront. Just now in the industrial zone, the way those kids looked at me, and Emma Frost, how you almost exhausted your mental strength to cover us... all of this tells me that superpowered individuals cannot remain uninvolved."
He stood up, walked to the window, his back to Emma Frost, and his voice became firm. "I can't pray for calm like an ordinary person. I must learn to stand firm in the storm. Not to become a glamorous hero, nor to conform to the political correctness of either side, but because I have the power to protect those seeking help in the ruins. If I don't stand up, who will speak for them?"
Emma Frost watched his tall, straight back, and the weight that had been hanging over her heart finally lifted. She knew that the man before her was undergoing a profound transformation. From initially just wanting to survive to now taking initiative and shouldering responsibilities, this weight on his shoulders was also making him truly grow into a trustworthy comrade-in-arms.
"Then don't back down." Emma Frost walked to his side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him, their gazes also fixed on the sky outside the window, about to be obscured by dark clouds. "Since you've chosen to face it, don't look back. No matter how big the storm, I'll be behind you."
Ye Mo turned his head and looked at Emma Frost's determined profile, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. He knew that the road ahead would not be easy; the shadow of the Superhuman Registration Act loomed over everyone, and the internal division within the Avengers was only the beginning. But as long as he had people by his side, he had the confidence to move forward.
He picked up the coffee cup that had long since gone cold from the table, gently swirled it, and the few remaining drops of liquid rippled in the cup, reflecting the two people's tired yet determined images.
"Let's go," Ye Mo put down his cup, turned, and headed towards the equipment room. "It's time to prepare for the next tough battle."
Emma Frost followed him, their shadows stretching long in the dim light until they disappeared at the end of the corridor.