Reborn with Steve Stand

Chapter 819: We’re Saved… Not!

Upon hearing Kitty's explanation, the expressions of the others visibly shifted.

Mutants like Blink, Bishop, Sunspot, and Warpath appeared confused, as they had never heard of the name Fang Mo. However, for Colossus and Iceman, who were from Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, the recognition was immediate, and their faces changed completely.

The last time Fang Mo had visited this world, it was around the timeline of the original 'X-Men 1'. Back then, both Professor X and Magneto were already showing signs of age, but the new generation of X-Men were still kids—Bobby (Iceman) had barely entered adolescence at that time.

Now, decades later, in the era of 'Days of Future Past', the timeline had progressed significantly. It was this long span of time that prevented them from recognizing Fang Mo right away. After all, while Professor X had aged from a melancholic young man to a wrinkled, bald elder, Fang Mo's appearance hadn't changed at all, which seemed impossible.

“Could it really be the Celestial?” Bobby, now realizing who Fang Mo was, felt his tension ease, his serious expression softening. “It seems like we’re saved.”

Colossus remained silent, but the relief on his face mirrored Bobby’s sentiment, as if they had just narrowly escaped disaster.

“Hey, Kitty, hold on a moment,” Bishop, standing nearby, couldn’t help but ask, “You make him sound like a powerful mutant. Can you tell us more?”

“He’s the greatest mutant in the world!” Before Kitty could respond, Bobby jumped in excitedly. “His Celestial power surpasses even Magneto and Professor X’s telepathy. He’s an Omega-level mutant, the strongest. I remember Professor X telling us stories about him. They say he’s the one who averted the Cuban Missile Crisis during the Cold War.”@@@@

“What?!” The rest of the group, shocked by this revelation, turned their eyes to Fang Mo in astonishment.

Given the dire threat posed by the Sentinels, Bobby had no reason to lie. It became clear to them that Fang Mo was indeed the legendary top-tier mutant they had heard about.

“But...” Despite this, someone still voiced doubts. A plain-looking man hesitated before asking, “No offense, but if he’s truly one of the original X-Men, why hasn’t he aged after all these years?”

“Maybe it’s part of his mutant abilities?” Colossus scratched his head, unsure of the specifics. “Although I don’t know how it works, there’s another X-Man at Xavier’s, Wolverine, who also hasn’t aged.”

“Yes, exactly!” Bobby quickly added, “Wolverine once told me that he and the Celestial were good friends.”

“That’s right.” Kitty nodded in agreement. “After the Celestial left, Wolverine hung a picture of him in his room. I saw it once when I went to deliver something. In the picture, he looked almost like Jesus. I think Wolverine saw him as a savior...”

“What the hell!?” Fang Mo couldn't help but exclaim. “Wait, did Logan seriously hang my picture on his wall?”

“Uh?” The group was momentarily confused.

Back when Fang Mo first visited the X-Men, he had made a joke, comparing himself to Jesus. Before leaving, he had even teased Wolverine about the difference between Jesus and his image, saying that the real Jesus could be hung up with just one nail. He had never expected Logan to take the joke seriously and actually hang his picture.

“Logan’s learned my bad habits...” Fang Mo muttered, wiping his face in disbelief before turning to Kitty. “So, do you know where that bastard is hiding now?”

“Sorry, I don’t,” Kitty said, her head drooping in disappointment. “Ever since the Sentinel crisis began, communications have been cut off. We haven’t heard from Professor X or the others in a long time.”

“Is that so?” Fang Mo stroked his chin, recalling the general plot of 'Days of Future Past'. Kitty was a key figure in that story, since she was the one who could send Wolverine’s consciousness back in time. So Professor X would likely seek her out eventually. All Fang Mo needed to do was stay close to her.

However, he couldn’t entirely rule out the possibility that due to the butterfly effect, something might have already happened to Professor X and his group. But for now, that was just speculation without any solid evidence.

“What... was that?” The group, still lying on the ground, slowly lifted their heads. The sight before them left them speechless, their expressions filled with disbelief and awe.

Moments later, Fang Mo deactivated the gravitational field, and the giant sphere began to fall, crashing onto the ground with a terrifying thud that reverberated through their chests like the tolling of a massive bell.

Still lying prone on the ground, the group felt even more vulnerable. The only one standing was Fang Mo, and it felt as if they were mere mortals receiving divine salvation from a god. Behind him loomed the awe-inspiring display of his divine power, stirring feelings of reverence and near-worship within them.

The strange man before them truly was a god.

“So, this is the Celestial?” Those unfamiliar with Fang Mo, including the likes of Blink, Bishop, and Sunspot, were completely shaken. They could hardly believe what they had just witnessed—was this the peak of mutant power?

But if that was the case, why had he only appeared now, after the Sentinel program had been active for so many years?

Just as these thoughts crossed their minds, the sound of an approaching engine echoed in the distance. They turned and saw a strange aircraft emerging from the clouds.

“It’s the X-Jet!” Kitty exclaimed in disbelief. “It’s Professor Xavier and the others—they’ve found us!”

“The X-Jet?” The group exchanged glances and slowly rose to their feet. They had set out to gather supplies, but the sudden series of events had left them dazed. Was this really happening? Could it be true that mutants were finally saved, or was this just another illusion?

The advanced jet quickly descended and landed on the ground. The hatch opened, and several familiar figures rushed out: Storm, Magneto, and most importantly, the one Fang Mo had been looking for—Wolverine, Logan.

The moment Logan stepped off the jet, he scanned the area as if searching for something. His eyes soon landed on Fang Mo, who was smiling at him from a distance. Logan’s face froze for a second, then he sprinted toward him.

“Fang Mo!!!” Logan shouted, grabbing Fang Mo by the collar the moment he reached him. “I knew it was you, you bastard!”

“Wolverine, it was Celestial who just saved us,” Kitty chimed in, unaware of the tension in the air. Overcome with joy from their miraculous survival, she continued, “Finally, it seems like mutants are saved!”

“Saved?” Logan shot her a sharp look. “Kid... What are you thinking? This guy is here to destroy the world. We’re all doomed!”

“What?” Kitty froze. “Destroy... the world?”

“Wait, Logan.” Bobby, clearly confused, asked, “Isn’t Celestial on our side?”

“To him, this world is probably beyond saving,” Logan explained bitterly, turning back to Fang Mo. “Isn’t that right?”

“Yeah,” Fang Mo admitted with a grin. “You guys have a bit too much urbanization going on here.”

“You...” Logan began, but Fang Mo cut him off with a playful smile.

“Haven’t you read the Bible? Isn’t it natural for a god to destroy the world? I’ve always wanted to set a glass sphere on fire. Looks like my dream might finally come true...”

The joy that had been on everyone’s faces quickly vanished, replaced by a heavy, ominous silence.