Volume 5: The Young Wolf Seeks Home Chapter 33: You even use your own mother, Mason, how dare you say you are a good person?
The truth told by the White Queen was not complicated or lengthy, but it made Mason feel a sense of rationality despite his surprise.
Out of humanitarian concern, at Emma's request, he helped her walk out of the silent and cold palace hall, just like a wanderer supporting his elderly mother, and walked along the royal garden of Attilan.
Emma shares everything she knows for her "son".
She said:
"In the Illuminati, they confirmed that the end of the world was coming and launched a series of self-rescue plans, taking everything from self-armament to the survival of civilization into consideration.
Mutants led by Professor X and Inhumans led by Black Bolt are all involved as necessary forces.
Not only did we restart the Weapon X project to enhance our capabilities to deal with the crisis, the Inhumans also contributed precious Terrigen crystals and, with official support, began searching the world for unawakened Inhumans.
However, darkness was spreading beneath this appearance of unity and self-help, and it was Captain Steve Rogers who first discovered that something was wrong.
He is always the sharpest one.
But he had no time to warn us, so he could only go to the Inhumans' base together with Iron Man Tony Stark to check the situation.
Just ten minutes after they entered the underground base, a nuclear war broke out without warning throughout the world. All the super villains suddenly united and launched an attack on the Avengers, Xavier Institute and Attilan.
The X-Men were the first to perish..."
At this point, the White Queen sighed with regret and said softly:
“I still don’t know what happened at Xavier Academy that night, but our defeat was undoubtedly the first domino to fall.
The collapses happened one after another.
The SHIELD headquarters was breached, and all members except Nick Fury were killed.
They called for reinforcements from the universe, but Thor was killed by the crazed Hulk, and the Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel were ambushed by unknown forces before they even reached the solar system.
Finally, there is Attilan.
Black Bolt and his subjects fought desperately and barely defeated the attackers, but they could not allow their bloodline to be used for ugly purposes.
So Queen Medusa led the last of her army into the Inhumans' base, destroyed all the Terrigen crystals, and died there together with her enemies.
I followed their example and called out to our compatriots, but unfortunately, we failed.
In the end, we can only send you, the experimental subjects who have entered the third stage, out of the world. We created you for the purpose of saving you..."
“The word ‘made’ really captures the essence of this.”
Mason, who plays the role of "son", said quietly:
"Especially for the person involved, hearing someone who calls herself 'mother' use this word to describe my birth process really warms my heart."
The White Queen fell silent.
As they passed a garden where birds were singing, she said in a hoarse voice:
"Believe it or not, I was ready to adopt you. I wanted to take care of you as if you were my own child because, among all the experimental subjects, your appearance was the most in line with my aesthetic standards, Mason.
I still remember.
There is a small mole on your waist, and the third toe of your left foot is smaller than that of your right foot. When you cry, your voice is like that of a girl...
Scott and I had it all planned out, we even named you, got you a crib, and bought you clothes.
Unfortunately, the sudden outbreak of war interrupted all this.
Sorry, Mason, we are not strong enough to give you a warm childhood. Do you mind telling me about your growing up experience in another world?
Just think of it as a small talk with an old woman who won’t live long.”
"That's a long story."
Mason glanced at the weak White Queen beside him.
He helped her sit on a chair in the garden and told her the story of the night he was adopted from the Gotham Orphanage, and then talked about his experience in War World that he had completed before.
Emma listened carefully.
Especially in the first half, when he heard how Robert Cooper treated the "son" in his mind, there was a moment when the old mutant clenched his fists.
After Mason finished speaking, she commented:
"It's like someone else's story..."
"Um?"
Mason looked at her, and Emma shook her head and said:
"I mean, you tell your life like you're telling your friend's story, with all the details but without any emotion attached to it.
This calmness and indifference makes me uncomfortable, Mason.
I'm beginning to wonder if you've inherited the bad, dark side of my personality."
"Maybe we should get down to business."
Mason did not intend to explain. He said softly:
“About my abilities.
At present, it seems that I have awakened a variant of the Iceman's power. I feel that I have a closer relationship with water, and I have made no achievements in the spiritual field where you are more proficient."
“It’s not surprising.”
Emma explained:
"The process by which the X gene takes effect is still an elusive mystery to us. The child born from two powerful mutants may be just an ordinary person, and the offspring of two ordinary people may also become mutants.
It's more like a blessing that comes into effect randomly.
But you are different from ordinary people in that your X gene is preset, Mason. Only after you complete the third stage of awakening can you truly know what your abilities are.
But this means that you have to go back to the base and face the place where you were born, and I guess that after they took full control of the Weapon X project, their control over the experimental subjects must have reached a new level. "
"I know what you want to say."
Mason bowed his head and said:
"If it is necessary to kill, I will not show mercy. In fact, as you said, I don't have any special feelings for mutants, and I don't regard this world as my real home.
Does this disappoint you, Emma?
"Disappointed? No, not at all."
The White Queen reached out her hand and placed it on Mason's shoulder. She whispered:
"You don't owe the world anything. It's us who owe you. We made the mess ourselves and still need you to help us clean it up. This really makes people feel cruel and helpless.
Of course, Black Bolt will help you.
That's one of the main reasons we asked you to come here, to see this city, Mason, to see it carefully."
At Emma's urging, Mason stood up and walked to the fence of the high royal garden.
He looked down at the entire Attilan. The technological level of the alien city was certainly far superior to that of ordinary people's cities, but as far as Mason could see, he could not see any signs of prosperity. The entire city seemed to be shrouded in a gray filter.
It is filled with an indescribable feeling of desolation and desolation.
Sometimes, you can see strangers going out on the streets, but their numbers are very small. The houses are like cages, protecting and imprisoning the few remaining lives.
After a few seconds, Mason came back to his senses and looked at the White Queen sitting in the chair.
The latter took out a lady's cigarette. Although he was very old and weak, his action at that moment still revealed a hint of his former elegance.
As expected, she is a famous leader and image spokesperson in the mutant society. Judging from her temperament alone, this former "rebel girl" is indeed one of the best in the entire X-Men.
As she lit the flame she said:
"How does it feel?"
"It is dying and withering, just like a world entering its end. There is actually no difference between here and the outside world, except that the sufferings they endure are different."
Mason leaned against the railing and said to Emma:
"Is it because of the loss of the Terrigen Crystal that the Inhumans can no longer truly 'reproduce'?"
"Well, it is true. Your senses are very sharp, and your intelligence is surprising."
The White Queen blew out a smoke ring and said in a low voice:
"This city has not had a 'newborn' for seventeen years. Although in my opinion, the Inhumans have never had a truly prosperous era, they are now undoubtedly on the verge of extinction.
During the nuclear war that night, Black Bolt ordered his courtiers to bring ordinary people with Inhuman genes from all over the world here, but the lack of awakening materials has prevented them from truly integrating into it.
The Terrigen crystals in this world have long been exhausted.
Black Bolt hopes that you can take Attilan away from here, go to the new world and help the people in this city awaken, which will be regarded as the rebirth and inheritance of the aliens in this world.
For this reason, the old king has become your pioneer and destroyer. With his help, the destruction of New Babylon will no longer be an unattainable goal. "
"He trusts me that much?"
Mason said:
"He is handing his people over to a stranger to take care of. Isn't he afraid that I will do the same as the other hounds of the Star Society and send these people to a dangerous place to be used as cannon fodder?"
"Can you?"
Emma asked back, and in Mason's silence, she said:
"This decision was made by Black Bolt himself. He has been watching you, Mason, since you entered this world.
Obviously you did something that made him approve of you.
It may not be that satisfying, but unfortunately, Black Bolt doesn't have many options at this time, so I think you should accept this advice, Mason."
The White Queen coughed and said:
"It will do you no harm."
Mason didn't answer.
He walked forward, stretched out his hand and rudely pinched the cigarette in Emma's hand. Under the surprised gaze of the White Queen, he pulled it out and threw it on the ground and stomped it out.
He squatted in front of Emma, looking at her frail, old face, and the eyes that had been avoiding Mason.
He said:
"I'll accept it, but I have one request."
"You tell me, and I'll pass it on to Black Bolt."
She said something, but Mason shook his head and said:
"This request has nothing to do with Black Bolt. It is a matter between you and me. You must leave with me and cooperate with my next series of treatments."
"I won't be alive much longer, kid."
This request made the White Queen burst out laughing.
She sighed dejectedly, touched the life-support devices on her neck and chest, and said:
"You know, I should have died a few years ago, but I kept on living in pain, even though I didn't know what I was holding on to.
As it turned out, this persistence paid off and I finally saw you again.
That’s enough to make me die with a smile on my face.”
"I am touched by your willingness to die just to see me again, but I have a White Queen living for me now."
Mason looked at her and said:
“You said you regretted not giving me a warm childhood. I don’t know if you were lying or if you really meant it, but you still have a chance to prove your words.
I can heal you.
While your case is certainly bad, severe radiation sickness is only the least of the symptoms, and the genetic problems caused by exposure to high levels of radiation are obviously more troublesome.
In addition, your organs that can no longer heal themselves and your deformed limbs require long-term and professional medication treatment.
But I believe I can heal you.
Emma, our relationship is complicated and it's hard for us to be real relatives, but maybe we should give each other a chance.
I admit it.
I am using you, after all, your ability is what I need most right now."
"And you can be sure that terrible guilt and possible compensation will make it impossible for me to refuse your request."
Emma stared at Mason and said in a hoarse voice:
"You are such a clever little thing, and I have confirmed that you have inherited the worst part of my character. You might be more suitable to be the behind-the-scenes boss of the Hellfire Club..."
"Why not another 'Black Emperor'?"
Mason asked softly:
"As a 'mother', are you so unconfident about your 'son's' potential?"
"No."
Emma shook her head and stood up again with Mason's help.
This time her posture was much more natural. As she staggered forward, she patted Mason's hand on her arm and said slowly like an old lady:
"You can't be the Black Emperor, Mason, you lack a cold and cruel heart.
But my child needed his mom to help him do something that felt scary, and how could I deny my baby that?"
"Come on, Emma, you're giving me goosebumps."
Mason said expressionlessly:
"Just take it step by step, okay?"
"Okay, whatever you say is what's going on."
The White Queen laughed strangely, just like when she was young and plotted to disturb the entire mutant world. However, when she left the palace garden, she saw a familiar figure standing next to the Spider-Car, maintaining the vehicle.
This made Emma stop, she frowned and said:
"That's... Logan? I thought he was dead, Mason, let me talk to him for a minute, give us some space, okay?"
"Whatever you want."
Mason let go of the hand that was supporting him, took a few steps back, and planned to return to his residence to continue his never-ending research.
But as soon as he turned around and walked around a bend, he saw Black Bolt sitting on a chair on the street in front of him, flipping through the tattered notebook.
The alien king sat there like an ordinary old man, the sunlight refracted by Attilan's energy shield shining on him, adding a touch of orderly grace to him.
As the most outstanding ruler of the alien royal family, this old man never lacks the necessary bearing.
He looked at Mason, his weathered eyes full of scrutiny, as if he was evaluating whether the young man in front of him had the ability to lead the aliens to rise in the alien world.
"It's hard for me to do that. After all, I'm not an alien."
Mason walked forward and sat in the chair next to Black Bolt. He whispered:
"So I think you should do this job yourself. Maybe you have promised to help me destroy the source of evil and have made up your mind to die, but Your Majesty, I feel that your long and arduous journey is not over yet.
I don't need an old man fighting for me, it's my job to destroy that place and I will do it on my own.
You have to survive!
You have to see with your own eyes the rebirth of your people in another world... In addition, if I accept Emma as my 'mother', then from an ethical point of view, you should be my 'adoptive father'.
In this case, if you don't give me the title of Attilan, I will think you are biased, Your Majesty."
——
"Logan!"
After Mason left, the White Queen Emma quietly came to Wolverine who was repairing the car. She looked at the old figure in front of her, crossed her arms like she did when she was young, and said in a cold and arrogant tone:
"What happened at Xavier Academy that night?"
"It's not the right time yet."
Logan, who was changing the tire, wiped the sweat off his face and said without turning his head:
"I'll tell him, but it's not the right time yet... Why are you still here? You can leave."
"Because he's dead, Charles Xavier is dead, and I have to stay and fight the monster that took his power."
The White Queen whispered:
"The professor died in a very miserable way, with no remains left. I could not sense his consciousness, but I could feel his pain, remorse and regret at the time of his death.
Logan, I can sense your terrible desire for self-destruction.
Just before you choose to die, there is still something you can do for us.
Consider it my plea to you."
