NOVEL NEXT Chapter 198: Three Mutant Factions Unite — The Battle Begins
It wasn't just Erik who found it surreal.
For Alex and Charles too, standing together again—side by side—was something they never imagined would happen after the split.
Charles glanced from Alex to Erik, and for a fleeting moment, it felt like they were back at Xavier's School, strategizing like old times.
But of course, that was just an illusion.
Those days were long gone, and they all knew it.
Still, the present crisis left no room for nostalgia. Charles shook off the haze of memories and got to work, diving into strategy alongside his two oldest comrades.
Raven and Hank quickly joined in, and surprisingly, so did Emma and Mystique.
Neither of them gave a damn about saving humans, but they did care about Alex's greater plan—the one where mutants saved the world and finally earned their rightful place.
That alone made them willing participants.
Before long, the war room was buzzing with energy.
---
> "Besides myself, we've got Cyclops—Scott, Vincent a.k.a. the Thousand-Hand Hashirama, and Liz. All three are strong enough for frontline combat,"
Alex listed off his current lineup.
"What about you two?"
Though the base had many mutants, the fight ahead was against the Decepticons. This wasn't a schoolyard brawl—only elites could be sent into that firestorm.
> "Thousand-Hand Hashirama?" Erik quirked a brow.
He remembered Vincent—back when all three had vied to recruit him. Vincent chose Alex. His powers were plant-based, but what was with the ridiculous nickname?
Charles looked equally curious but let it go.
> "I've got Riptide, Banshee, and Darwin," Charles replied calmly.
"All of them are ready."
Old allies. Familiar names.
All eyes turned to Erik.
> "I've got Cutwave, Tremor, and Hawk," Erik said with a shrug.
> "You two really didn't waste time," Charles muttered, a half-smile tugging at his lips.
Like him, they'd both gathered their own mutant teams—and they'd grown fast.
Charles himself had likely recruited more than either of them, but many of his new additions lacked the combat experience required for this mission.
Thankfully, Riptide and Banshee were veterans.
Darwin might lack offense, but his adaptability made him nearly unkillable.
---
With the primary combatants chosen, the trio spent time detailing each squad's strengths and tactics. Charles and Erik led the strategic planning.
Alex stayed out of it—strategy wasn't his thing, and he knew it.
Sometimes, it was better to let the professionals handle the map.
---
Two hours later, the forces from all three mutant factions had assembled in Alex's base.
> "Alex! Raven! Hank!"
"Alex Summers! Sean Cassidy! Darwin!"
Excited shouts filled the courtyard. The Xavier crew was visibly emotional seeing old friends again. Warm greetings, tight embraces—it felt like a reunion.
> "Alex?"
A voice blinked through the noise.
Cyclops—Scott—stepped forward, eyes wide in disbelief.
> "Scott?"
Riptide froze, then rushed forward.
The two brothers clutched each other in a fierce hug.
> "Scott, Mom and Dad said you were dead—I was terrified."
"Alex, I'm fine. The headmaster saved me."
> "Headmaster?"
"Yeah. Alex—that's Alex."
> "You're kidding."
> "Nope. He saved my life."
Scott and Alex Summers—two brothers, reunited.
No one in the crowd had seen it coming. Raven blinked in confusion. Emma raised a brow.
> "So… you two are actual brothers?"
"Born and raised!" Scott grinned.
Soon after, everyone was introduced—Vincent, Liz, Cutwave, Tremor, Hawk.
It wasn't long before the ragtag team of powerful mutants had all been acquainted.
Leading this team: Alex, Charles, and Erik.
Unquestioned.
No one objected.
---
Charles stepped forward, giving a brief but heartfelt speech.
> "We've had our differences. We've made mistakes. But this is not the time to dwell on the past.
Right now, our home is under attack. Not just their home—ours.
Whether you care about humanity or not, these invaders won't stop with just them.
This is the time to fight back."
Erik followed up, his tone sharper, more commanding.
> "Now the world will finally see our strength!
We will do what they cannot. We will stop what they could not.
Are you ready to show the world what mutants are truly capable of?"
Alex, standing beside them, said nothing.
But he didn't need to.
The resolve in his eyes said more than a thousand speeches ever could.
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