Logically speaking, Alex's plan was the most thorough solution available.
Everyone understood that.
But after learning what the TVA was, even the senior mutant leaders found it difficult to feel completely at ease.
Even though Alex had built his reputation on countless victories and an undefeated legend—
this time, they couldn't place blind faith in him like before.
For one reason only:
The TVA was simply too outrageous.
"Alex, I think… we should take our time and plan carefully."
Raven said, expression grave.
"She's right. We should consider this slowly."
Emma Frost nodded in agreement.
"Alex, how confident are you?"
After thinking for a moment, Magneto asked solemnly.
"Fifty to sixty percent."
Alex thought for a moment and answered truthfully.
If this had been before his encounter with the TVA agents, he wouldn't have had even one percent confidence.
No matter how powerful he was, going to the TVA would've been suicide.
But he had just discovered something—
The TVA's ability-erasing tech seemed to fail on him.
Whatever method they used—magic, rule-based suppression, exotic physics—
the principle should be the same both outside and inside the TVA.
If the ability-erasing effect already failed out here…
then it should fail inside as well.
That—
was where his 50–60% confidence came from.
"F-Fifty or sixty percent?! Even the Headmaster only has that much confidence?"
Cyclops couldn't help but suck in a breath.
Someone like Alex—yet only this much certainty?
"With such a low chance, let's give up."
"Alex, this can't be rushed."
Many mutant leaders urged him to reconsider.
Alex simply smiled and turned to Charles:
"Don't worry. I won't act recklessly. Charles—I need you to help me with something."
The first thing Alex needed Charles to do—
Read the TVA agents' memories
and figure out exactly how their ability-erasing tech worked.
For Charles, that was easy.
He visited the prison, scanned their minds, and soon returned with answers.
"It's this."
Charles held up one of the baton-weapons the agents used.
"This device emits a special type of energy wave. I don't yet know the exact principle, but that wave can suppress all abilities and revert someone to an ordinary human."
"However, the range is very short. It only works at close distance."
"And it's a one-directional energy wave."
So that was it.
Alex nodded.
So the TVA could erase powers—but with heavy limitations.
As long as one avoided close quarters, the weapon was basically useless.
But in the entire universe, how many people even knew this?
Probably none—not even most who knew the TVA existed.
Used without warning, this weapon would be devastating.
But now—
For the X-Men, its threat had plummeted to nothing.
All they had to do was avoid the portal the moment it opened and hit TVA agents with ranged attacks.
The pressure in the room eased significantly.
Even if they couldn't invade the TVA, the TVA couldn't easily threaten them either.
"What about inside the TVA?"
Alex asked—the most critical question.
"Bad news, Alex."
Charles' expression darkened.
"The entire TVA is filled with this energy wave.
That's why all TVA personnel are ordinary humans."
Everyone frowned.
Even if their handheld version didn't work on Alex…
the massive, constantly-present version inside the TVA?
That was uncertain—too uncertain.
No one wanted Alex walking into that.
"I'm guessing they don't know why their weapons don't work on me, right?"
Alex asked.
Charles shook his head.
Even scanning their minds revealed nothing.
They genuinely had no idea.
Only Alex could unravel that mystery himself.
"Could it be… because of the system?"
Alex had a very reasonable suspicion.
All his power came from system enhancements.
And the system clearly stood above TVA's authority level.
This explanation made sense.
If so, even inside the TVA, his power wouldn't disappear.
But this was only speculation.
And Alex was not the type to gamble with his life recklessly.
If he was wrong, he'd be walking into death.
"At this point, there's only one way—test it myself."
Alex made up his mind.
This was the second thing he needed Charles to help with.
He explained his plan.
Charles didn't argue.
He used his psychic power to gain complete control of the Black female TVA agent.
"Alright, Alex. She'll follow all your orders. What do you want her to do?"
Charles asked.
"Whatever you need, sir, I'll comply."
the agent said obediently.
"I want you to use your equipment to open a portal to the TVA.
But the destination must be somewhere remote, hidden, and unlikely to be noticed."
"Once the portal is open, you do NOT follow me inside.
Only I go. You stay here. Understand?"
This was Alex's test.
He would enter the TVA in an empty corner—
If his powers stayed intact, great.
If not—he'd escape instantly.
"Understood."
The agent nodded immediately.
Right in front of Alex, she adjusted her device—
and activated it.
SWISH!
A glowing golden rectangle opened.
A portal to the TVA.
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