American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

“Alyssa, we really need your help.” Lynn decided to get straight to the point. “Derrick Mallory is refusing to cooperate with our investigation, and we need to obtain intelligence about the Black Crow organization as quickly as possible.”

“You want me to use my abilities to interrogate him,” Elisa said calmly, not as a question, but as a statement.

“Yes,” Lynn admitted, “but I want you to know that this decision is entirely up to you. We will never force you if you don’t want to.”

Elisa paused for a moment, then turned her gaze to the window. The afternoon sun shone on her face, making her look even younger.

"Detective, can you tell me the specifics?" she finally asked. "What exactly is the Black Crow organization planning?"

Lynn glanced at the professor, received an affirmative nod, and began to explain in detail. “According to our intelligence, they are planning a large-scale terrorist attack. The target is likely a densely populated public place, and it is expected to cause numerous casualties.”

Elisa's expression turned serious. "How many people might be harmed?"

“If the attack succeeds, there could be hundreds or even thousands of casualties,” Lynn answered truthfully.

Silence fell over the room. Elisa closed her eyes, as if sensing something. When she opened them again, her purple eyes were filled with determination.

“I’m willing to help you, Inspector.” Her voice was soft, but her tone was firm. “If my abilities can save innocent lives, then it’s my responsibility to use them.”

Professor Xavier's expression was complex. "Elisa, are you sure? Derek's heart is filled with darkness and hatred; exploring his mind might bring you pain."

“I understand, Professor,” Alyssa turned to Xavier, “but you have always taught us that with great power comes great responsibility. Now it is my turn to take on that responsibility.”

Lynn felt a surge of admiration. The courage and sense of responsibility displayed by this young girl reminded him of his own ideals and beliefs when he first joined the FBI.

“Then let’s begin now.” Lynn stood up. “Time is of the essence; we can’t delay any longer.”

“Wait a moment, Inspector Hall,” Professor Xavier called out to him. “Before we begin, I need to speak with Alyssa alone for a few minutes.”

Lynn nodded understandingly. "I'll wait for you outside."

Lynn left the office and gently closed the door. Through the heavy oak door, he could hear the professor and Alyssa talking in hushed tones, but he couldn't make out the details. He knew the professor was confirming Alyssa's wishes one last time, while also giving her some necessary guidance and protection.

Ten minutes later, the door opened again. Elisa stepped out, her expression calm and resolute.

“Detective Hall, I’m ready,” she said.

Professor Xavier followed, his wheelchair making a slight sliding sound on the marble floor of the corridor. "I will accompany you the entire time," the professor said, "to ensure Elisa's safety."

The three of them walked together towards the safe area beneath the academy. The corridor was quiet, with only the echo of their footsteps. Lynn noticed that Elisa's steps were steady, showing no signs of tension or fear.

"Elisa, are you nervous?" Lynn asked in the elevator.

She turned to look at him, her purple eyes gleaming with a light Lynn couldn't fully comprehend. "A little. But more than that... anticipation."

"expect?"

“Yes.” Alyssa nodded. “I’m curious to know if my abilities can truly help others, if they can make the world a better place.”

The elevator reached the basement level, and the doors slowly opened. Ahead lay the secure area where Derek Mallory was being held. Lynn took a deep breath; he knew the upcoming interrogation would determine the fate of many.

The lighting in the safe zone was dim, and the walls were made of a special alloy that effectively suppressed the abilities of mutants. Several guards saluted Lynn, and one of them stepped forward to report.

"Detective, the prisoner is in stable condition. He's been relatively quiet today and hasn't exhibited any unusual behavior."

“Very good.” Lynn nodded. “Prepare the interrogation room; we’ll begin immediately.”

The interrogation room was a simple space of about twenty square meters—a metal table, a few chairs, and surveillance equipment in the corner. A power-suppressing device was installed in the room; a pale blue light flickered on the walls, indicating that the device was functioning properly.

“Elisa, how are you feeling?” Professor Xavier asked with concern. “Is the suppression device affecting you?”

Elisa closed her eyes to sense her surroundings, then opened them. "There's some impact, but it's not serious. My sensory abilities still function normally, just with a reduced range and precision."

“That’s enough,” Lynn said. “Now let’s bring Derek over.”

A few minutes later, Derek Mallory was escorted into the interrogation room by two guards. He was wearing an orange prison uniform, and his hands and feet were bound by specially made shackles. These were devices specifically designed to suppress his fire abilities, and they flickered with a faint blue light.

Derek's fiery red hair was somewhat disheveled, and his green eyes still burned with fury. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes when he saw the three people in the room, especially when his gaze settled on Elisa.

"Another Xavier student?" Derek's voice was hoarse and laced with sarcasm. "Let me guess, what special ability does this little girl have? Mind reading?"

Elisa looked at him calmly without answering. But Lynn noticed a flicker of pity in her eyes.

“Sit down, Mallory,” Lynn said, gesturing to the chair across the table.

Derek slowly sat down, the shackles clinking softly against the metal chair. His gaze swept between the three, finally settling on Elisa.

“What are you looking at, little girl?” Derek sneered. “Scared?”

“I’m looking at a lost soul,” Elisa said softly, her voice devoid of fear or hostility, only a deep sorrow. “I can feel the pain deep within you, Derek. It’s almost consuming you.”

Derek's expression changed instantly; the sneer vanished, replaced by shock and anger. "What...what did you do in my head?"

“I didn’t do anything,” Elisa shook her head. “I just felt your emotions. The pain of losing a loved one, the anger towards the world, and… a deep loneliness.”

“Shut up!” Derek jumped to his feet, but was immediately subdued by the electric shock device on his shackles, and he slumped back into his chair in pain. “Don’t pretend to understand me!”

Lynn saw her chance. “Derek, we’re not your enemies. We just want to know the truth and stop more innocent people from being harmed.” “Innocent?” Derek smiled bitterly. “Are there any innocent people in this world? They killed my parents, ruined my life, and now they hypocritically talk about innocence?”

Elisa closed her eyes, and her abilities began to take effect. Even under the influence of the suppression device, she could still sense the emotional fluctuations deep within Derek's heart.

“You remembered your mother’s last words to you,” Elisa said softly. “She said, no matter what happens, don’t let hatred consume your heart. She hoped you would become a kind person.”

Derek's body began to tremble, and tears welled up in his eyes. "No...don't say these things..."

“She also said that if she and your father were gone, you must learn to forgive and learn to love,” Elisa continued, “because only love can overcome hatred.”

“Shut up! Shut up!” Derek screamed in anguish. “She doesn’t understand! This world isn’t worth loving!”

Professor Xavier spoke slowly, "Derek, your mother is right. Hatred only brings more pain; only love and understanding can break this vicious cycle."

“Understand?” Derek looked up, his eyes brimming with tears. “What do you understand? Have you had family members murdered? Have you ever experienced homelessness, of being abandoned by society?”

“I understand,” Elisa suddenly said, “because I can feel everything about you. Your pain, your anger, your despair. But I can also feel that faint glimmer of light deep within you—the love your mother left you, which never truly died out, even in the darkest of times.”

Derek stared at her, as if seeing this young girl for the first time. "You...you can really feel it?"

“Yes,” Alyssa nodded. “I can still feel the remorse you feel for what you’ve done. Every time you hurt innocent people, every time you participate in a terrorist act, your heart bleeds. You tell yourself it’s for revenge, but you know it’s not what your mother would have wanted.”

Silence fell over the room. Derek's head was bowed, his shoulders trembling slightly. Lynn knew that Alyssa had found a breakthrough.

“Derek, tell us about the Black Crows’ plans,” Lynn’s voice softened. “Not for us, but for the innocent people who might be harmed. For your mother’s last wish.”

Derek remained silent for a long time. When he looked up again, the anger in his eyes had been replaced by pain and struggle.

“If I told you, they would kill me,” Derek’s voice weakened. “Victor won’t let a traitor get away with it.”

“We will protect you,” Lynn promised. “And this is your chance to start over. You can choose to remain consumed by hatred, or you can choose to follow your mother’s teachings.”

Alyssa closed her eyes again, delving deeper into Derek's mind. "I saw a plan, a terrorist attack involving Times Square. You planned to launch an attack during the music festival, where there would be thousands of people..."

Derek stared at her in shock. "How could you...?"

“Tell us the details, Derek.” Lynn stared intently at him. “The time, the place, the people involved, and your superiors.”

Derek struggled for a moment, but ultimately, his mental defenses completely collapsed.

“Alright… I’ll tell you.” His voice was almost a sob. “The attack is planned to begin at eight o’clock the night after tomorrow. Thunder, Frost, and I will infiltrate the music festival crowd and then launch the attack simultaneously. I’ll start the fire, Thunder will attack the power system, and Frost will block the entrances and exits.”

Lynn quickly jotted down this information. "Who is your superior?"

“Victor Klein, codename ‘Shadow,’” Derek continued. “He’s in charge of our operations on the East Coast. His ability is to manipulate shadows; he’s extremely dangerous.”

Where is he now?

“247 East Houston Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan,” Derek described in detail. “It was an abandoned textile mill, which Victor converted into our base. There were about fifteen people there, including five mutants.”

Alyssa continued to monitor Derek's mental state. "He's telling the truth, but I sense he's still hiding something important."

Lynn immediately pressed, "Anything else, Derek?"

Derek hesitated for a moment, then said, “Victor isn’t at the top. Above him is a mysterious leader we all call ‘The Black Crow King.’ No one has ever seen his true face, but he possesses extremely powerful abilities.”

"What kind of ability?" Professor Xavier asked.

“I’m not sure, but I’ve heard he can manipulate minds and even alter memories,” Derek said, his voice trembling with fear. “All important instructions are relayed through Victor, and Victor has a deep awe of this man.”

Elisa suddenly opened her eyes, her face pale. "Someone is watching us."

"What?" Lynn immediately became alert.

“I sensed a powerful and malevolent presence, like a massive shadow looming over this place,” Elisa’s voice was filled with fear. “It felt… like facing death.”

Just then, the lights in the interrogation room flickered, and the monitoring equipment began emitting a piercing electronic interference sound. Derek's eyes became vacant, as if controlled by something.

“Time’s up,” Derek said in a completely different voice, a deep and threatening one. “Game over.”

“Derek!” Lynn shouted, but it was too late.

An invisible force suddenly filled the room. Elisa clutched her head in pain, and Professor Xavier's wheelchair began to rock violently. Lynn felt dizzy, as if something was trying to invade his brain.

Then, everything stopped.

When they came to their senses, Derek was gone. The interrogation room door was wide open, but there was no one there. The surveillance footage showed a blank screen, as if everything that had just happened had never existed.

"Damn it!" Lynn slammed his fist on the table. "We've been tricked!"

Alyssa clutched her head, her face ashen. "That 'Black Crow King'... his abilities are far greater than we imagined. He not only rescued Derek, but also erased the surveillance footage."

Professor Xavier's expression was also grim. "This proves one thing—we're not facing ordinary terrorists, but a mutant with extremely dangerous abilities." (End of Chapter)