Charles, Erik, Raven, and Hank had left and were now preparing to confront Sebastian Shaw.
Accompanying them were five others: Warren aka Angel, Calvin aka Mimic, Armando aka Darwin, and later introduced by Erik, Shiro Yoshida aka Sunfire, whose powers include generating atomic flas and manipulating various forms of radiation. Finally, there was Elizabeth "Betsy" Braddock aka Psylocke, a master of psychic energy and telekinesis, once an assassin skilled in hand-to-hand combat, assassination, and intelligence gathering.
In truth, the five didn't care much about what Sebastian Shaw had done. They weren't raised in the Sanctuary from childhood, but had co there for various reasons in adulthood—after suffering discrimination and persecution in the outside world.
From their perspective, as long as no one ca to disturb their dreamlike ho in the Sanctuary, the rest of the world could burn, and it wouldn't be their concern.
They agreed to participate purely out of respect for Erik. From the start, they made it clear: they weren't joining Charles' team. They were only collaborators, and once the mission ended, they'd return to the Sanctuary.
Charles was disappointed—his plan to form a team had essentially failed. Erik's earlier words echoed in his mind: cooperating with governnts might carry the banner of justice, but he understood all too well the nature of bureaucrats.
When they need you, you're on a pedestal. When they don't, you're a lab rat.
For mutants to survive in society, they needed strength—enough strength to force the world's bureaucrats to accept them.
And to gain equal footing, they had to possess real power. Diplomacy without strength only invited bullying.
"Charles, this won't do. We need to find our own people," Raven reminded him. She knew the five were strong and could offer huge help, but she never considered them their own. And if they weren't truly your people, there could be no trust.
"No, Raven. I don't think we need to do that," Charles replied after so thought.
"I don't rember you being soone who gives up so easily," Raven frowned.
"No, Raven. I know you don't see them as one of us. Honestly, they don't either. There's no trust between us—only Erik serves as the link."
"Then you…"
"I was thinking… If they won't join us, what if we join them?" Charles asked in return.
"You an… join the Sanctuary?"
"Exactly. Don't you think life there is amazing? No discrimination, no persecution, no need to hide who we are. For us mutants, it's paradise," Charles said.
Raven's eyes sparkled—she was tempted. Deep down, Charles was too. Though his powers weren't visible, he had developed a bad habit: probing the mories of strangers who got close to him, just to ensure they didn't harbor ill intent.
He knew it was rude, but it was a matter of survival for him and Raven.
Now, with a real paradise in front of him, he could live freely among his kind, without fear of being targeted.
And having seen the contrast between life inside and outside the Sanctuary, a bold idea ford in Charles' heart.
Knock knock knock…
There was a knock on the door. Erik's voice ca from outside: "Charles, do you have a mont? I'd like to talk."
"Co in."
Erik entered, with Hank in tow.
"What's up?"
"Charles, I have a plan. I think you'll agree with it," Erik got straight to the point.
"Funny, I have one too. You might agree as well," Charles chuckled. Was this what they called chemistry? Two people having the sa idea.
"You have a plan? Let's hear it," Erik smiled.
"You first—I'll save mine as a surprise."
"Haha, alright then. After seeing the harsh reality for mutants out there, I can't turn a blind eye. They're our people. I want to travel the world and, if they're willing, bring them back to the Sanctuary to enjoy freedom."
"Looks like we really are on the sa wavelength, Erik," Charles laughed with delight.
"You're thinking the sa?"
"Exactly. But I have one condition."
"Go on."
"We want to join the Sanctuary. Is that possible?"
Erik was montarily stunned, then smiled. In fact, he had already considered this. When lin gave permission for Charles to recruit teammates, Erik understood lin's true intention: to draw Charles and the others into the Sanctuary.
Even if Charles hadn't brought it up, Erik would've eventually invited them himself.
"Of course. But the question is… you may be willing, but what about Raven and Hank?" Erik asked, half-joking, half-serious.
"I… I'm in," Hank quietly raised his hand. Now that his lost mories had returned, Hank still admired the Saints. Living openly with his identity, and getting to see his heroes? Of course he was willing.
With Hank's answer, Erik and Charles exchanged a smile, then looked at Raven.
"Raven?"
"What are you looking at for? You're all going—how could I not? Or are you planning to abandon ?" Raven narrowed her eyes at Charles, throwing a soul-piercing question.
"Ahem… what are you saying? You're my sister—I'd never leave you behind," Charles hurriedly defended himself. Raven at full sass was terrifying.
"Just your sister…?" Raven murmured. There was a hint of sorrow in her eyes, but sothing inside her seed to break free.
"What did you say?" Charles asked, not quite catching her words.
"Nothing."
Charles had a strange feeling—as if sothing between him and Raven was lost, but also sothing new was gained. Sohow, she seed lighter, freer. What was it?
His thoughts were soon interrupted by Erik.
"So, Charles—are you in?" Erik asked knowingly.
"Of course. It's my honor."
"Then count in too."
"You're all in—how could I be the odd one out?" Raven added.
With that, Charles, Raven, and Hank agreed to the plan. But Charles had one more question: "What about the others? Did you ask them?"
Erik hesitated, realizing Charles ant Warren and the rest.
To be honest, Erik wasn't confident. Though they were friends, they hadn't grown up together. These mutants ca to the Sanctuary later in life. They had a strong sense of belonging, but that didn't an they shared the Sanctuary's beliefs—or cared about saving others.
"Honestly, I don't know. But I think it's worth asking," Erik said.
"Then let's go together," Charles suggested.
"Alright."
Later, the four found Warren and the others and explained the plan, inviting them to join.
"Frankly… I don't really care about the situation of other mutants," Warren said first.
"Just as I thought," Erik's heart sank. He knew a bit about Warren's past—how he'd been treated like a rare animal on display as a child, then sold into underground fighting as an adult. Living each day on the edge of death. If not for Orpheus rescuing him, he'd probably be dead.
Back then, no fellow mutants lent him a hand. So now, expecting him to risk his life for others was a big ask.
But then, a twist.
"But Orpheus saved my life. And Lord lin gave a new one. Knowing his values, I believe he'd want to save others. So… I'm in," said Angel Warren.
"Warren's right. I may not be as noble as the Saints, but I want to contribute to Lord lin's cause. So I'm in too," Mimic Calvin agreed.
"Of course I'm in. I've always admired the Saints, though I never had the talent. Still, to do what they do—even if I'm not one of them—is an honor. I'm in," Darwin Armando said.
Only Sunfire Shiro Yoshida and Psylocke Elizabeth were left.
Compared to the others, their backgrounds were more complex. Both ca to the Sanctuary later. Elizabeth had been a killer; Shiro, heir to a powerful Japanese family. They were calculating by nature.
Erik had low expectations.
But their answers surprised him.
"Erik, you know I used to be an assassin, right?" Psylocke Elizabeth asked.
"I do."
"Since childhood, I was trained to kill. But I grew tired of it. When I was on the run, nearly killed, it was Lord lin who saved . You know the first thing he said to ?"
"What was it?"
"He said he hoped that soday, these hands of mine would be used to save—not to kill."
Everyone fell silent.
Elizabeth didn't stop: "Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? I thought so too. My hands are soaked in blood—how could they save anyone? But now, you're giving a chance. I want to try—to see if I can beco the person Lord lin believed I could be."
Erik and Charles exchanged a knowing smile. "Welco aboard, Betsy."
"Hmph, you guys already said everything I wanted to say. What more can I add?" Sunfire Shiro sighed. "I'll join. But let's be clear—I'm not doing this for other mutants. I just don't want to disappoint Lord lin."
Seeing Shiro's tsundere expression, everyone laughed. Erik held out his hand: "Welco aboard, Shiro."
"Thanks," Sunfire said, shaking his hand with a grin.
"Now that we're all in, we're basically a team. We need a na," Darwin Armando suggested.
"How about… X-n?" Charles proposed. "We'll rescue innocent mutants—and bring the guilty to justice."
"X-n? Like the police?"
"Interesting na."
"Never thought I'd beco a cop."
"We're not those kinds of cops."
"Hahaha…"
Amid laughter, the barriers between them began to fall. Bonds were forming.
And so, a legendary team was born—pioneers of a future that would shine with hope.
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