C5 Superpower

The look of regret on Qi Ann's face slowly faded, giving way to a simmering anger and a hint of scorn as she pondered the situation.

As a doctor and scientist, Qi Ann's initial excitement at the mention of "Mutants" and Warren's wings was a bit overzealous, bordering on disrespect for the Mutants themselves. She recognized this and offered an apology. Yet, Charles Xavier assured her that her attitude was commendable.

But what standard was this "commendable" based on?

Clearly, it was in comparison to the "ordinary people" of the world.

And how do these ordinary people treat Mutants?

Certainly not with tolerance or kindness.

Indifference, neglect, rejection, disgust, hatred?

Qi Ann averted her gaze from Charles, looking down at the ground to mask the turbulent, dark emotions swirling within her.

"Humans have never ceased evolving throughout our history. Without genetic mutations, humans as we know them wouldn't exist. If someone can't accept genetic mutations and sees them as alien, then they ought to examine their own genes and those of their parents before preparing for a drastic and final act."

No one's genes are an exact replica of their parents'. Life's propagation always introduces variations—a necessary change for any species to adapt and endure in this world.

Some mutations are advantageous, others detrimental, and the impact of some may not be clear until the environment shifts, revealing their true value.

For a species to survive in a complex environment, cloning identical genes is not an option. A single disease or environmental shift targeting that gene could wipe out the entire population without a chance for resistance. Diversity through mutation is what allows for survival and continued evolution in the face of natural selection.

Charles Xavier didn't need to read minds to understand the turmoil within the "angel" before him.

He had always been a guardian for Mutants, witnessing the myriad forms of malice directed at them. Ordinary people not viewing Mutants as monsters was already a sign of "friendliness," and willingness to befriend Mutants was seen as a positive step. But how many would actually stand up and condemn those who ostracize Mutants for the sake of Mutant rights?

Mercy.

He silently repeated the woman's codename to himself.

Indeed, she was too merciful.

He resolved to show her in a more straightforward way why regular folks harbored such animosity towards Mutants.

(Angela.)

Qi Ann's head snapped up when she heard her name. Noticing a hint of displeasure on Charles's face, she assumed he disapproved of her recent impassioned remarks and preemptively stated, "I won't apologize for what I've said. To me, unless there's reproductive isolation, Mutants are still human. Labeling them otherwise is just another unscientific method of dividing people."

Charles couldn't suppress a chuckle, then reached out with his mind to communicate once more.

(Angela, mutations bring about more than just physical alterations; they often come with other changes, like superpowers. The fear ordinary people have of Mutants isn't entirely unfounded.)

As Qi Ann locked eyes with Charles, she realized he hadn't spoken aloud, yet she heard his voice. She instinctively touched her ear, then, understanding dawned on her amidst his tender smile.

"Is this a psychic ability? Mind reading?"

Charles nodded.

(Yes, telepathy, one of the potential powers a Mutant might awaken. You can respond to me in your thoughts as well.)

Qi Ann pondered with some difficulty before responding, "But if my mind is filled with numerous thoughts, how will you know which one I intend to communicate?"

Charles smiled and tapped his temple.

(When you concentrate on a particular thought, it becomes more pronounced, making it clearly audible to me.)

After mulling it over for a few minutes, Qi Ann felt that merely 'reading current thoughts' seemed trivial. Human thoughts are complex and fluid, changing from one moment to the next. Surely, the headmaster of a school for the gifted had more up his sleeve than that. Such a skill alone didn't seem to justify Charles's earnest attempt to persuade her of the Mutants' potential threat to ordinary people.

What could the full extent of Psychic Sense entail?

Setting aside whether the concept of the 'mind' was scientific or mystical, the ability to read thoughts and communicate mentally was already more advanced than the "neural implant brain" still in conceptual stages at Overwatch's research division.

Going beyond just reading current thoughts, the next level would be accessing other information in the brain, right? In other words, "reading memories." If one could not only read but also "write" to the brain, it might be possible to erase, alter, or fabricate memories. If one could usurp the brain's control over the body, they could take direct control of another person.

She attempted to communicate her thoughts telepathically.

(Is that how it works, Charles? Reading memories, altering them, and controlling nerves—could a psychic possess such powers?)

It took a moment, but Charles eventually confirmed.

(Yes.)

Qi Ann chuckled, gazing at the superpowered individual before her, and posed her question with earnest, "If you have the power to change others' thoughts, why haven't you used it to alter their perceptions, to help them understand that Mutants are simply a part of humanity, neither special nor frightening?"

Charles Xavier paused, then shook his head, "I can't do that—and I wouldn't."

"You truly are a..." Qi Ann searched for the right word, finally settling on one she deemed fitting, "principled person."

If she were in the same predicament, she certainly wouldn't bind herself with such principles; she'd use her abilities in the most self-serving way. This was beyond mere "kindness" or "tolerance."

To act in accordance with the natural flow, to speak with reason, to be fair and impartial, not swayed by comfort or deterred by peril—these are the tenets upheld by the truly principled.

Charles Xavier received the compliment with a grin.

"I'm quite intrigued by the origins of your abilities as well. Maybe you're a Mutant too, Angela?"

"Me?" Qi Ann pointed to herself, breaking into laughter, "I'm just an ordinary person, both lucky and unlucky. My ability to heal others comes from technology, not any special powers."

Charles Xavier's eyes twinkled as he replied, "I wasn't referring to 'healing.' I'm talking about your capacity to retrieve objects from thin air. That's a spatial superpower, isn't it?"