Clarkia is a beautiful isolated island. Most of the island is covered in lush ancient plants, with crystal-clear streams flowing into rivers, and the rivers flowing towards an inner bay that shines like a sapphire. The white sandy beaches are tinted a warm orange by twilight, and the meadows glimmer with a golden sheen. Every scene tells of the beauty of this earthly paradise.
This is truly a mutant island. Because Clarkia itself is alive. It is an ancient totem with wisdom, accepting only mutants. After the destruction of the Genosha built by Magneto, this living island became the last utopia for mutants.
"This is nothing like I imagined," Stark said, looking at the crystal dome covered in countless green vines, "It seems I misjudged you; this is truly a great tourist destination."
Twilight trickled down from the crystal dome, casting winding and mysterious light green patterns on the ground, gently rippling like water waves, making it look like a mysterious underwater palace. It is clearly a meticulously designed creation, and mutants seem determined to make this a beautiful home.
Shiller paused to look outside, where greenery stretched as far as the eye could see. Some beautiful, glowing plants swayed in the layered green valleys. The fragrance of trees and flowers mingled with the damp mist of fountain pools, and a tall figure approached.
When Magneto walked in, Stark almost didn't recognize him. Because he wasn't wearing his usual black, but instead, was clad in silver armor. His cape shimmered in the twilight like a golden wisp, with a face younger than imagined shadowed under the mask.
"Greetings, visitors from the Prime Universe. On behalf of the X Royal Family, I welcome you," Magneto stepped forward, shaking hands with both.
As Stark scrutinized Magneto, Magneto was also subtly examining them. His gaze finally fell on Stark, and he said, "I'm quite surprised, sir, that you're not wearing your armor."
"Are you going to make an iron can joke?" Stark chuckled, "Tin opener, sir?"
Magneto seemed even more astonished. He examined Stark more closely and then said, "I must admit, you're unlike any Iron Man I've ever met. How should I put it? You're more... relaxed?"
"They are too tense," Stark said. "But indeed, I am exceptionally relaxed. I suppose you understand, compared to the frightening little demon at home, saving the world seems like a vacation."
Magneto chuckled, "Your daughter?"
"Yes, before coming here, she just dismantled one of my large gravity docks and magnetic induction devices. To avoid her clinging to me, demanding we reassemble it together, as you can see, I ended up here."
"Perhaps she's the real tin opener," Magneto's smile grew wider, "Enough talk here, we have a welcoming banquet ready, please follow me."
They walked out of the Crystal Palace to an open square. Only then did they realize that they placed the transmitter on a hillside, and the mode of transportation was neither a spaceship nor an elevator, but a very ancient stone platform, adorned with natural patterns like vines, resembling a small floating island.
When Stark stepped on it, he curiously examined it. He knelt down, gently touched those patterns, and after a while, felt something: "It's amazing, it seems alive."
Magneto was once again taken aback, then said, "You are the first outsider to discover this."
Standing on the platform overlooking the buildings below the island, Stark said, "This is a remarkable wonder. You have a living island, coexisting harmoniously with it, which is far better than the relationship between humans and nature."
Magneto's mind suddenly raced. Some inspiration flashed by, yet he couldn't quite grasp it. Shiller looked at him and asked, "How come we haven't seen the Professor?"
"He... is busy," Magneto seemed somewhat uneasy.
"Not even time to drop by?" Shiller asked, puzzled, "Sorry, but our universe's Professor X has some words to pass along. If convenient, could he connect with our brainwaves?"
Magneto was still in surprise. He hesitantly said, "You don't mind... I mean, you have a good relationship with your universe's Professor X?"
"We are friends," Shiller said, "In fact, Tony, Charles, and I are all members of the Luminous Alliance, we're quite close."
"Luminous Alliance? What's that organization?"
"It's a collective established in the Psychic_Battlefield, aiming to help humans and mutants develop better in the cosmos," Shiller said vaguely, then added, "You should have heard about the situation in the Prime Universe, right?"
Magneto nodded, "I've heard that mutants in the Prime Universe have not only established a nation but also ventured into space. Did the Luminous Alliance play an important role in that?"
"It's our shared efforts, I mean, ordinary people, mutants, superheroes, S.H.I.E.L.D., etc., all forces working together for the best outcome."
"Truly astonishing," Magneto marveled, "I can't fathom how to unite so many forces, it's simply impossible. What message do you have for Charles?"
"Our universe's Professor X wants to remind him never to blindly replicate the path of any universe. You should find your own way. In this stage, being independent is more important than development."
Magneto slightly furrowed his brows. Shiller continued, "This is also our shared view."
"I thought you came to help us."
"Yes, but it's just help, not interference or control. After all, this is your universe, this island is your home. That's why we haven't sent too many people; otherwise, it wouldn't be aid, but invasion."
Magneto paused: "Some people don't seem to think so."
"I heard people from the Prime Universe have arrived. Where are they?"
"In the main base," Magneto sighed. You could hear a lot of dissatisfaction just from that sentence. Even if you hadn't seen Shiller in person, you could probably imagine the situation when people from the Prime Universe arrived.
"I wouldn't think less of mutants from other universes just because our universe's mutants are doing better. In fact, every effort you've made for racial independence and development deserves respect. All your achievements hold significant value."
Magneto pursed his lips: "Given the current situation, whether this can be called progress is still unclear."
"You've built so well here," Stark spoke up, "Why can't it be considered progress?"
"Really? Even after you've seen your universe's mutants' alien base, you still think Clarkia is great?"
"Much better, I mean it," Stark said. "Our universe's mutant base in the Andromeda Galaxy was actually seized from someone else. Although the subsequent construction was good, I don't quite agree with the aliens' sense of aesthetics. They always emphasize practicality, so I can't say much."
Magneto laughed sincerely, his tone becoming lighter: "I'm glad you think so. When we first arrived at Clarkia, it was Charles who believed we should plan and design well, rather than mess it up in the name of practicality. It's nice to have someone appreciate his planning."
They walked down the stone platform and continued along a mountain path, from the stone path by the creek into a tunnel. After exiting the tunnel, countless cave-style houses embedded in the mountainside appeared before them. They had small, arched spires and colorful glass windows, blending with the tall trees and strange shrubs, looking like a scene from a fairy tale.
"It's beautiful," Stark praised. He took out his phone to start taking photos and said, "I really need to talk to Charles and the others when I get back. It's been over ten years, and the capital Sky Island in the Andromeda Galaxy still looks the same. They should renovate it."
Shiller slowed his pace and stopped in front of an extremely tall tree. He looked at Magneto and asked, "What's happened to Charles?"
Magneto looked at him without speaking, and Shiller continued, "I know the Professor fairly well. It's impossible for him not to say a word to us when we arrived. Where exactly is he?"
"He really is in Clarkia," Magneto said. "But now he's with Moira at the bottom of the island in the anti-gravity laboratory, conducting drug research."
"I never heard that Charles had a background in pharmaceutical research," Shiller wasn't planning to accept this explanation, "and doing research doesn't mean he can't communicate with us. Has he lost his abilities?"
"Why would you think that?" Magneto seemed slightly shocked, "Who in this world could take away his abilities?"
"Many," Shiller said, "Sentinel Robots neutralize all mutants. You should know better than I how the squad that destroyed the Mother Module was wiped out. Even the Phoenix couldn't escape unscathed."
"Why would you think we would use Sentinels against Charles? That's simply horrific!" Magneto exclaimed.
"Then it seems someone doesn't want him to use his abilities. Is that person you, Magneto?"
Magneto opened his mouth, then paused, and said, "I indeed suggested he refrain from using his mind communication abilities for now because it might make visitors from other universes uncomfortable."
"Why?"
"What?" Magneto was momentarily unsure what Shiller was questioning, and he said, "No one likes having their psychic battlefield spied on by others."
"Alright," Shiller seemed to reluctantly accept this, and then said, "Then why doesn't he come out?"
"He needs protection," Magneto sighed heavily, "His decision to support the multiverse almost nullified all our longstanding efforts. The annihilation of the assault team was an almost unacceptable loss. I'm afraid someone might..."
He shook his head, as if that was all he could say. Shiller lowered his eyelids and said, "It seems the situation is indeed very severe. But no matter what, I need to see him. Can you help, Magneto?"
As Magneto was about to say something, Shiller interrupted him, saying, "Whatever reasons he gave you to take the blame for all these failures, you understand it's unfair to him. Because it's not entirely his fault. How strong must one's spirit be to remain steadfast that they haven't been abandoned in such a situation? Erik, have you ever given him that kind of confidence?"
Magneto's fingertips trembled a little: "It has always been him giving me confidence. Including this plan, it was Charles who approached me, telling me he had a way to build another Utopia for mutants. Even after Genosha was completely destroyed, he still had a way to convince people that mutants still have independence and freedom."
"His cry cannot stop here. Even if you're worried that some dissenting mutants might harm him, at least let people hear his voice again. Those who hope to hear him speak again may be more than you imagine."
Magneto hesitated again. He said, "You make me believe you really are good friends with Charles. You seem to be someone who understands him. I can arrange for you to meet him, but we don't have much time. The United Nations conference is the night after tomorrow."