"It still doesn't explain anything," Katie Dee muttered, her voice stiff. "He's usually so good to me…takes care of me like a brother. I've always wanted an older brother like him, so I call him all the time. That's normal, right? Besides…he's your brother and your boyfriend. As his little sister, I wouldn't mess around."
"So…if he wasn't my boyfriend, you'd go wild?" Susan teased.
Katie's face flushed crimson. "Sister…you're speaking too much!"
Susan chuckled. "Okay, okay, I'll stop teasing. I get it—you've got your own little worries. You must be tired too. Sleep now, I'll check the kitchen and see if I can help with anything."
"Can…can you stay with me?" Katie asked hesitantly.
"Aren't you afraid I'll say something embarrassing again?"
"I just…want someone with me right now," she admitted. "I can't move. If something bad happens, I'll be in trouble."
"Can't you use your Variant Ability?"
"I…don't want to sink to the next floor!"
Susan smiled softly. "Then I'll stay."
Without another word, she lay down beside Katie. Whispering gently, she said, "Katie Dee, Ryuuto, I, and the big brothers and sisters at school…we're all your family. You don't have to be afraid. Anything happens, you tell me."
Katie's eyes glistened. The warmth in Susan's voice touched her deeply.
Meanwhile, Ryuuto stood by the window in Charles's room. Charles sat in his wheelchair near the table, calm as ever.
Ryuuto explained the situation roughly. "Professor…before Juggernaut arrived, can you guess who was behind it?"
"In my experience, only two people can manipulate someone else's consciousness at will." Charles's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
"Me…or the White Queen, Emma."
Ryuuto paused, frowning. "I've been at school for ten years. Never heard anyone talk about Emma…except maybe someone mentioned her death decades ago—almost thirty years ago. Are you saying she's still alive?"
"She is," Charles said quietly, "but no one's seen her in years. Her telepathy rivals mine, and she may have grown even stronger. Dozens of Mutants can fall under her control at once. She has teamed up before to subvert the world. Whatever she's planning this time…likely the same."
"Professor, you're sure it's her?" Ryuuto asked.
"No," Charles admitted. "We'll know when Juggernaut's mind is accessed."
Ryuuto nodded. "Then we'll wait."
Charles leaned back, concern etched on his face. "White Queen is dangerous. If your mental power isn't strong enough, she could even control you."
Ryuuto smirked. "Professor, I like difficult opponents. Otherwise, it's boring. By the way…what about Xiao? Is he still alive? I remember his ability absorbs all energy…almost invincible."
"Dead," Charles said firmly. "I remember it clearly—the moment he died. Magneto removed his helmet. I connected to Xiao's consciousness…felt every bit of it. Then Magneto struck his head with a coin. Because of the connection, I felt it too. That pain…I'll never forget."
"So…if you enter someone's consciousness, and they're hurt, you feel it?" Ryuuto asked.
"I controlled Xiao's consciousness," Charles corrected. "If I just observe someone's mind, I feel nothing. But if I'm controlling it…their pain is mine too."
Ryuuto nodded, understanding. So any Mutant under Emma's control would feel the pain of her orders—if she actually possessed their body. But the ones she ordered to kill weren't directly controlled, only guided. That explained why they weren't hurt.
As Ryuuto considered this, the floor seemed to tremble. Heavy, exaggerated footsteps shook the building. Before he could react, the door crashed open.
"Come in," Charles called.
Juggernaut staggered in, breathless, looking like he'd just survived a battle.
"You're faster than I expected," Ryuuto said.
"Me…" Juggernaut gasped, unable to finish the sentence.
"Take a rest first," Ryuuto told him. Juggernaut let out a guttural roar, catching his breath.
"You, come here," Charles instructed.
Juggernaut approached, removing his helmet. Charles placed one hand on his head, the other on his temples. Telepathy worked better with contact, memories clearer and sharper.
Closing his eyes, Charles dove into Juggernaut's mind. Instantly, he appeared in the bar, seeing Juggernaut drinking alone. And there—White Queen Emma, in a flowing white dress, walked in.