So I sometimes imagine serious conversations between characters in movies, tv, comics, whatever and decided to write this one down. I hope you enjoy it.
-Rog
The bald man rolled up to the park bench in his wheelchair. He was alone as was the man sitting there already who was feeding the birds gathered around him.
Magnus: Well, I'm here as you asked.
Xavier: Thank you. I just want to talk. I want to know what your long-term plans are. Are you and I destined to continually butt heads?
M: Will you always try to stop me in my plans?
X: Will you always try to enslave humanity?
M: Are we not the more powerful and therefore dominant species deserving of our rightful place? Are we not another step in the evolution of the genome?
X: Yes, I believe we are.
M: Then, why shouldn't we exert ourselves using our natural abilities? If the result is that we push aside the previous iteration of our ancestry, then so be it. Just as the Cro-Magnon and Neanderthal went extinct.
X: In a general sense, I don't necessarily disagree; however there are extenuating circumstances. Humans have now harnessed the atom, travelled into space, cured numerous diseases and advanced our knowledge of the natural world far beyond anything previously accomplished in all of history. They have shown great potential.
M: And you think this justifies saving them?
X: Would you wipe away all that they have done to restart from the very beginning? Are you willing to reinvent everything, just to say it was created by Homo Superior?
M: Of course not, don't be ridiculous. We shall stand upon their shoulders…
X: Or their graves?
M: As necessary. We shall reach ever greater heights than they could ever know in their limited existence. We have Mutants that can teleport, reshape matter, create new substances, absorb enormous amounts of power or control the weather. We can do things they only dream of.
X: Can't we do this together? If we can bring out the goodness in humanity…
M: The Goodness?! Are you serious, Charles? What goodness was to be found in the Concentration camp I endured? What goodness can be found in the violence of the inner city? Please spare me your conceptual notions of the innate goodness of people. Jesus man, look around you.
X: So, you believe that Might makes Right? What makes it right, especially when someone is subjugated?
M: What makes any of this right? It's a basic principle of life, that it is right for any being, sentient or otherwise to realize its potential, whatever that may be. What is considered right by one culture does not necessarily translate to other cultures. You know this already.
X: It is a justification for violence and oppression.
M: Right or wrong are merely concepts that are based on antiquated philosophical ideas. The Roman Empire died 1,600 years ago. The Greeks were before that. If western society had been formed and influenced by other sources, things would be considerably different. Besides, it's time for a new approach, one that allows for a new dawn and new opportunities. We should not be held back from our potential by anything, especially outdated human perspectives that they refuse to reconsider. Right and wrong are determined by those in power, they make the rules.
X: And you want the power.
M: Clearly, I am the most fit to wield it, am I not? Who else, if not me?
X: I think the High Evolutionary and a few others may beg to differ with your opinion.
M: Bah! Misguided idiots. They can have their corner of the planet so long as their actions don't affect Mutant Kind.
X: And if they do?…
M: Then they shall feel the vengeful fist of the Mutant Race!
X: What if they unite against us?
M: Well then, you can talk them down. Since that is what you seem to prefer doing; talking incessantly.
X: Eric…
M: That was my human name. Don't ever say it again. Let me ask you something…
X: Very well.
M: What makes your approach to dealing with everything better than mine? Haven't you chosen to wipe memories of people in order to safeguard the location of your school? I know you've used your powers to block Mutant abilities, hide memories and more. Why not just ask people not to divulge the location? Don't you believe in their goodness?
X: You know I did what I could to protect my students and to…
M: So, that justification allows you to use your abilities to do what you think is right, but it's a different story when I do it.
X: The scale and severity are different! I erase the memory of one person, you would subjugate all humans.
M: Yet you are using your powers, the same as I.
X: To protect, not to punish! You are still angry at them for what they did to you, those many decades ago.
M: Yes! As you should be angry at what you've seen happening to us. You are still using your abilities just as I am. The scale of affect may be different, but it's a slippery slope Charles. When you come to your senses, let me know.
The man with white hair stood up from the bench. He was tall and proud as he looked into the distance.
M: They are coming, Charles. Will you be ready?
X: I pity anyone who comes to my school looking to cause trouble.
The tall man drifted up into the sky and floated away. The bald man sat silently, contemplating the future and hoping his old friend and nemesis was wrong, but fearing what may be to come.
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