X-MEN- CH-59. Yondu

The feeling on top of the mountain was exhilarating. Martin suddenly thought about whether he should find a full moon night to go up on the roof. "Hahahaha... you're crazy!" he exclaimed. He knew that technology wasn't developed enough yet. In a few years, who would dare to do something like that near the city? Martin certainly wouldn't!

Time quickly moved to 1988. In the past five years, nothing significant had happened—at least, nothing that directly involved Martin. If he had to summarize, it would be that Horn company had begun to grow. Both computer networks and mobile communications had made great strides and started expanding their business worldwide.

Emma and others had transformed from mutants in hiding to the new elites of the country. Emma, in particular, commanded a formidable team, including not only the Hellfire Club, which was primarily composed of mutants, but also various companies and government departments across the United States. It was no wonder ordinary people feared mutants.

Jean continued her studies after graduation. In addition to earning her master's degree in her major, she also obtained a degree in finance and was now working toward a doctorate. Simultaneously, she worked as Yuriko's assistant at the company.

As for Martin, his strength had increased, but not significantly. He hadn't experienced the feeling he had in early 90's again; he sensed that he needed energy—lots of energy. There were two things on Earth that could satisfy this need: the Time Stone and the Space Stone. However, the Time Stone was in the hands of the Ancient One, and he didn't want to provoke her.

The Ancient One's strength was likely at the level of a god, given that she had kept the Dimensional Demon at bay outside Earth. The Dimensional Demon was an entity on par with a god, allowing for a rough estimation of the Ancient One's power. The Space Stone was being studied by S.H.I.E.L.D., and Martin didn't want to charge in recklessly; that would lead to complications later on. It definitely wasn't due to laziness—he was simply being cautious.

Although mutants were still unwelcome in recent years, Martin and his family had refrained from interfering in their affairs, so few people knew about them. People like Charles and Eric were careful not to expose themselves casually. For the departments that had their own data, Emma had already ensured they were dealt with. Any issues Emma couldn't handle, Martin resolved himself.

Martin had always known that his strongest ability was replication, but it lacked direct combat power. His second greatest asset had become the Phoenix Force, after all, it was one of the strongest powers in the universe. His control over the magnetic field was impressive, but looking at the enemies appearing behind him, Martin worried it might not be enough. He needed an opportunity—an opening to seize the Space Stone.

No matter how strong he became, Martin didn't want to cause turmoil in the world unless provoked. He enjoyed the peaceful and quiet life he had built. Having strength and stirring up trouble unprovoked didn't make one powerful; it made one foolish. What does it mean to be strong? Being strong isn't about flaunting one's fists everywhere; it's about being able to protect everything you cherish, and when you desire something, having the capability to obtain it.

Returning to the main point, perhaps Martin could find what he sought in the universe. He had attempted to leave the atmosphere before. Once he entered space, his body withstood the vacuum environment. In addition to the Phoenix Force, his ability to survive in such conditions played a significant role.

However, that experience was incredibly uncomfortable. It was cold and suffocating; a creature reliant on oxygen would struggle to adapt to an oxygen-deprived environment. He stayed there for a while but ultimately returned.

Another factor was that Earth was likely very remote in the vast universe. The rate at which he absorbed energy outside the atmosphere was slightly faster than inside, but still insufficient. Unless he ventured deeper into the universe...

That night, while surrounded by a group of Wendys and a familiar Asian beauty, Martin suddenly opened his eyes. He noticed something streaking through the atmosphere at an extremely high speed, heading toward Earth.

"What's wrong?" The Asian beauty, Raven, murmured as she was stirred awake.

Looking at her enchanting face, Martin smiled knowingly, "It's nothing; you can go back to sleep. I have something to check on."

"Okay..." Raven agreed, turning over to fall back asleep.

Martin casually slipped on a pair of shorts, sensed that the object was in Missouri, and immediately teleported himself there.

In mid-air, Martin spotted a spaceship floating beneath him. It resembled a bird in flight, albeit tattered and covered in "patches." The bow of the spacecraft emitted a white light downward, pulling a little boy from Earth inside.

"Haha... Just be patient. When the time comes, it will come to you." Martin thought. It seemed the spaceship was specifically sent to retrieve this child. Now that the child was aboard, the ship began to rise slowly into the air.

"Beep, beep…" As soon as the spacecraft took off, an alarm blared, causing it to halt.

"...What's going on? Why isn't it moving? Did you lazy bastards forget to check everything before takeoff?" Shouted a man with dark blue skin, dressed in a windbreaker. He sported a maple leaf badge on his chest, a hairless blue bald head, a red bulge on top of his head, and sharp teeth.

"I checked, Yondu. If you had paid a bit more attention to this ship, you would see it's affected by external forces." Replied a subordinate timidly, turning to glance back at Yondu.

"This is just a junk spaceship that no one wants. Why should I care? Well, let's see what's wrong with it. After we deliver the cargo, I'll buy a better ship," Yondu retorted, wrinkling his nose.

"Yondu..."

Snapped out of his daydream of making a fortune, Yondu replied, "What? It seems there aren't just primitive people on this planet..."

On the display screen in front of the spaceship, a handsome guy in floral shorts and slippers stood in mid-air, waving and greeting everyone inside with a smile.

"Should we open fire?" The mate asked seriously.

Martin outside raised an eyebrow; he vanished from sight and reappeared inside the spaceship the next moment.

As the crew saw Martin suddenly appear, they all pulled out their guns, aiming them at him.

"Look what I found—a stowaway." Martin teased, causing everyone to lower their guns uncontrollably.

"Oh…" Yondu whistled, almost accidentally. Martin raised his hand, and an arrow fell into it. The whistle continued to blare, and the arrow struggled in Martin's grip but to no avail.

"Maybe I mean no harm?" Martin suggested with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Yondu fell silent and regarded Martin seriously. He felt the arrow; it was made of an unfamiliar metal—very light, yet it was still just a metal arrow. Martin controlled the arrow to fly toward Yondu, where it hovered in front of him.

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