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"How long did it take?" "Nine minutes and twenty-three seconds." "Less than ten minutes. Looks like I win. Remember to transfer the money."
Ignoring Logan and Beast, who were bickering over their bet on his speed, Charles glided his wheelchair forward and picked up the device linked to the brain scanner.
"Clark, I truly don't know what to say besides thank you. You've helped us tremendously."
Clark simply waved a hand. "Don't mention it. Rogue is my friend, too. Even if it's just to save her, I'll do everything I can."
Charles nodded, understanding the urgency. This was no time for pleasantries; every useful resource had to be put to use. Without another word, he attached the specialized metal tubes to his temples. Clark did the same, sitting in a chair opposite him and fitting a similar device to his own head.
"Now, use your powers, Professor."
Charles nodded, and a wave of psychic energy burst forth, rippling through the room like a temporal shockwave. Though an invisible force, it had a physical impact, sending those watching flying. They all cried out, clutching their heads in agony.
"What is this?" Charles gasped, frightened by the sudden shift.
When he opened his eyes, he was in a different world. He saw his own body sitting in the wheelchair, his brow furrowed in concentration. He saw his friends on the floor, writhing in pain. His soul, it seemed, had left his body. Everything around him moved in extreme slow motion, like a video cassette stuck on a single frame, allowing him to see every tiny detail.
"I'm sorry, Professor," a voice said.
Charles turned to see Clark's form floating above his own body. "I didn't realize my brain had become this powerful."
Before this, the only person Clark had ever linked with was Lex Luthor, an ordinary human. Though brilliant, Luthor had no special abilities, and the connection had been effortless. Clark had only vaguely felt Luthor's thoughts as he worked, and there had been no dramatic effects.
But Charles was different. His psychic abilities were so immense they strained even his own brain. Without its physical constraints, his power was uncontrollably violent, exploding with a force that impacted reality and generated a psychic shockwave that knocked everyone down.
"Is this the world you see, Clark?" Charles quickly composed himself, realizing that his consciousness had detached from his body because his thoughts were moving far faster than his physical form.
"Not exactly. My mind and body are in sync, so to me, you just move slowly. This is the first time I've ever seen a consciousness separate from its body."
"Really? The Superman from the comics is indeed powerful. But now, it's time to control this mess."
The ghostly form of Charles smiled and gently touched his temple. Instantly, all the psychic energy was reabsorbed. The pain on his friends' faces faded, and they got to their feet, looking horrified.
"Now, let's find Magneto in New York City," Charles said, full of confidence. With this immense power, he could locate anyone he knew on Earth, as long as they weren't wearing a helmet that blocked psychic abilities.
New York City, Liberty Island
A helicopter slowly touched down, carrying Magneto, Sabretooth, Mystique, Toad, and the still-unconscious Rogue. As soon as they stepped out, Sabretooth suddenly lowered his head. This caught everyone's attention, and Magneto smirked.
"You're here, my old friend."
When Sabretooth looked up, his gaze went straight to Magneto.
"Erik, your machine will kill the mutants it creates in a short time. This will only lead to a war between humans and mutants. Stop this now!"
Magneto looked genuinely surprised. He hadn't known about the side effects, but it didn't change his plan. His expression showed he wouldn't abandon his goal over a minor detail.
"Charles, what does it matter? Those who persecute mutants deserve to die in the same despair we feel. They fear God's power, so they worship him. Shouldn't we, the ones they fear even more, stand above everyone else?"
'Sabretooth' sighed. "Erik, your ideas are too radical."
"And you are too weak! Charles, if you had worked with me from the start and fought human persecution with force, so many mutants wouldn't have been hurt."
"Sigh."
In the end, Charles could only sigh. He knew his friend too well. If words could change his mind, they wouldn't have become enemies in the first place. Just as Magneto thought Charles was about to end the psychic link, another unfamiliar voice spoke through Sabretooth's mouth.
"Magneto, I don't care about your past, or what humans have done to you. All I know is that I'm here to save my friend. You want Rogue to be a sacrifice for your plan, and that will absolutely not happen!"
With that, the mind control was broken. Sabretooth shook his head and let out a frustrated roar. "Damn it! Why me again?"
Back in the lab, as the psychic connection was severed, Charles looked up at everyone.
"The location has been found. Liberty Island, at the Statue of Liberty. Magneto plans to activate his device there. It could turn half the people in New York, including world leaders, into mutants. It's time to go!"
"Beast, you stay at the school. Protect the students and repair the academy. Everyone else, get ready to move out."
Just then, Jean Grey opened the door and walked in. "Professor, I have two pieces of bad news."