"Teacher."
Jean's voice echoed through the room, startling Caesar. He turned, expecting to see her awake, but she remained still, her breathing even.
"Teacher..." She murmured again, sleep-talking.
Relief washed over him, quickly followed by a pang of disappointment. It was a bittersweet cocktail of emotions.
But perhaps it was for the best...
"Sleep well, Jean. This time, it truly is goodbye," He whispered, his gaze lingering on her peaceful face. Then, with a silent shimmer, he vanished from the room.
Outside, the snowstorm raged. Time seemed to lose all meaning.
"Teacher, don't leave me!" Jean cried out in her sleep, jolting awake. Fear gripped her, her eyes wide with terror as she scrambled to sit up.
She scanned the room frantically, then clutched her chest, murmuring, "It was just a dream."
A single tear escaped her eye, tracing a path down her cheek and onto the pillow.
"Huh?" She touched her face in confusion.
The tears continued to flow, cascading down her face like pearls.
"What's happening to me?" Jean sobbed, her heart overflowing with an overwhelming sorrow she couldn't explain.
...
After their brief reunion with Jean, despite Charles' insistence, Caesar and Apocalypse departed from the Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters that night.
This was not their world.
Their departure went unnoticed, leaving no trace.
Charles, however, couldn't shake the feeling that this might be his last encounter with Superman Caesar.
...
In the heart of the German mountains, far from the bustling city of Berlin, nestled amidst a dense forest, stood a secluded villa. It was the home of the most powerful mutant family on Earth.
"Mom, where's my razor? I can't find it anywhere," Quicksilver grumbled, his hair a tousled mess and his face unshaven as he brushed his teeth.
"Ask your father. He deals with metal all the time," His mother replied from the adjoining room.
"I'm busy. You're supposed to be fast. Just find it yourself. It won't take long," Eric retorted, lounging on the sofa. He was playing with Anya, their six-year-old daughter, who sat happily on his lap.
It was hard to believe this was the same man who had once led the most feared mutant organization, orchestrated the assassination of a U.S. President, and terrified the world – the legendary Magneto.
"You're over thirty and still living like a bachelor," His wife teased, then smiled. "Wanda and Lorna should be home from school soon. They'll be here for lunch."
Just as she finished speaking, the doorbell rang.
"They're back early?" Eric looked surprised, about to use his magnetism to open the door, but Anya, eager to greet her sisters, wriggled off his lap and toddled towards the door.
Her small hands struggled to reach the handle, but with a determined puff of her cheeks, she managed to turn the knob.
"Sisters..." Anya raised her hands in greeting, but her words trailed off. Instead of her sisters, she saw a tall, blond man standing on the doorstep, accompanied by a stooped, ancient figure.
Anya paused, her small hands raised in a hesitant wave. "Hug?" she offered.
Caesar smiled faintly and bent down to greet her. Then, without hesitation, he stepped into the villa.
"It's you – Teacher Caesar, and Lord Apocalypse," Eric exclaimed, rising from the sofa in surprise.
"What's this, Erik? No welcome for old friends?" Caesar teased, his eyes twinkling.
"How could I not?" Eric replied, genuinely pleased. "I just wasn't expecting to see you. You've been gone so long."
He was deeply grateful to Caesar. Without him, mutants and humans might never have found a path to peaceful coexistence. He might never have known the joys of a quiet, peaceful life with his family.
A gust of wind swept in from the bathroom.
"Wow, it's really Caesar! I've missed you!" Quicksilver rushed towards Caesar, eager for a hug.
Anya, in Caesar's arms, scrunched up her nose and waved him away. "Don't come near me, brother."
Quicksilver sheepishly retreated.
Caesar looked down at Anya, then at Quicksilver, and remarked to Erik, "You've got a family now. And Erik, you have another daughter."
"Not just one," Eric corrected with a proud smile.
Just then, the front door burst open.
Eric winced. Quicksilver slumped onto the sofa, groaning. "The witches are back."
Caesar turned to see two young girls standing in the doorway, their eyes narrowing suspiciously.
They were strikingly beautiful, mirror images of each other. They wore matching outfits, colorful stockings, and lollipops, and carried identical backpacks.
The girl on the left had fiery red hair, while the girl on the right had short, spiky green hair.
Their attention was immediately drawn to Caesar and the little girl in his arms.
"Who are you? And what are you doing with my sister?" The red-haired girl demanded.
"Maybe he's a human trafficker. We should take action," The green-haired girl suggested.
"Stop it!" Eric scolded, feeling a wave of awkwardness wash over him. He turned to Caesar and introduced them, "These are my daughters, Wanda and Lorna. They're twins, just back from school in the city."
Hearing their names, Caesar was momentarily stunned, and then a wry smile touched his lips.
As expected. Their paths had converged in this world, albeit in a different way.
"Dad, you just spilled all my secrets! Are you trying to sell me?" Lorna exclaimed.
"If anyone needs selling, it's Quicksilver," Wanda retorted, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
The two girls launched into a playful argument, leaving Quicksilver to groan in exasperation.
Caesar couldn't help but chuckle.
In this world, Quicksilver, the youngest in his original timeline, was now the eldest, and clearly, the least favored.
"Incredible," Apocalypse murmured, his ancient eyes gleaming with an unexpected light.
He looked at Magneto's children, a flicker of something akin to admiration in his gaze. "They are powerful, Erik. Their genes... they surpass even your own."
"Apocalypse..." Erik's expression tightened, concerned that Apocalypse might be tempted to return to his old ways. He looked to Caesar for reassurance, who nodded calmly.
"Don't worry, Erik. I've found a new path. There's no need for me to seek power through others anymore," Apocalypse said, his gaze softening.
(End of Chapter)
I have finished translating this fanfic, IMUC (I Am In Marvel With Unlimited Cards) and have posted all the advanced chapters on Patreon (Last Chapter -- 706). (/c/marvel6395). You can read all the advanced chapters there.