The safe house was dragged forward by Magneto's power.
All the handguns held by the special agents and security personnel were now under Magneto's control, floating ominously behind him with their barrels aimed at the terrified people huddled inside the safe house.
Eric, ever the master of theatrics, wasn't here just to kill and leave. No, he intended to make a spectacle of it.
With a wave of his hand, he redirected all the surrounding cameras to focus on himself and the panicked political elites behind him.
Some of those cameras were still livestreaming, and Eric was about to carry out an execution-style finale in front of countless live viewers.
Like a preacher at the pulpit, he spoke solemnly to the cameras:
"You built these weapons to use against us? Why? Because you fear our gifts? Because we are different from you?, Humanity has always feared the other. But now, I say this to you—and to the entire world:
You should fear us. We are the future. We will inherit this world. Anyone who tries to stop us will meet the same fate!
Today was meant to be a demonstration of your power. But now, I will show you what my people can do—what destruction we are capable of bringing!
Let this be a warning to the world.
And to my fellow mutant—I say this: Stop hiding. Stop suffering. You've lived too long in shame and fear.
Step forward. Join me.
Fight for our kind!
A new tomorrow begins today!"
Eric's speech, broadcast live, was effectively a declaration of war against humanity.
At the same time, the screen cut—montage-style—to the year 2023. Ironic, really. Just as Magneto trampled the dignity of the world's greatest superpower, the United States, in the present, mutants in the future were being brutally hunted down by Sentinels.
The fully-evolved Sentinels of the future were terrifying foes. They could mimic and wield a wide range of mutant abilities, and thanks to mass production, they swept through surviving mutants like a scythe through wheat.
That bleak future for mutants—what Magneto had feared—had become a grim reality.
And yet, therein lay a cruel paradox: Humanity, fearing the rise of mutants and their potential to overthrow human dominance, created Sentinels to combat them.
Now, despite Magneto's bold execution of White House officials on live TV, he hadn't wiped out all of humanity's power.
His actions would only deepen the divide—fuel more hatred—and hasten the birth of the Sentinels.
In other words, while Magneto's vengeance thrilled many mutants watching the stream, his actions were bound to bring devastating consequences. Rationally speaking, his outburst would only make life harder for mutants everywhere.
No matter how you looked at it, Earth still belonged to humanity at this point. Their technological capabilities were more than enough to bridge the gap between themselves and mutants' superpowers. If an all-out war broke out, mutants stood little chance of winning. At best, it would end in mutual destruction.
Outside the screen, Charles shook his head and sighed,
"Eric, your recklessness will lead to grave consequences. Don't you see? War is never the answer."
Watching the video as a detached observer, Magneto—though visibly stirred—remained silent. Deep down, he knew there was a contradiction in his future self's actions.
Back in the video, the scene shifted again to 2023. The Sentinels had already broken through the outer defenses and were closing in on Wolverine, who had traveled through time.
Even though the older Magneto had fortified doors and walls with all his might, the Sentinels' sheer power meant their entry was inevitable.
Worse yet, Magneto had already suffered serious injuries during the earlier fight. Now he slumped against a stone pillar, casting a deep, thoughtful gaze at Charles.
"Charles," he murmured, "we wasted too much time fighting each other."
These two old friends, bound by love and rivalry, finally made peace in humanity's final hour.
The camera cut back to 1973. Just as Magneto's speech ended and he prepared to act, the President stepped out of the safe house, looking as if he were ready to face death with dignity.
But Trask and a few others noticed something odd—the real President was still standing right next to them.
It was Mystique, in disguise.
Magneto didn't realize it. He admired the 'President's' bravery and decided to grant him a respectable death.
Just then, Hank—who had been locked in a struggle with the Sentinel prototype—suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
He pulled out a bunch of serum injectors and plunged them all into his body.
The serum temporarily suppressed mutant genes, allowing Hank to fool the Sentinel prototype.
Since the Sentinel was programmed to target mutants, it shifted its focus to the nearest ones: Magneto and Mystique.
This prototype, laced with metal components, stood no chance against Magneto. Even out of control, it was nothing to him—he could dismantle it with a mere gesture.
But at that exact moment, Raven—still disguised as the President—seized her opportunity.
She pulled out a plastic pistol and fired.
The plastic bullet grazed Magneto's neck, not lethal, but enough to send him crashing to the ground in pain.
The tide turned instantly. Raven dropped the disguise, revealing her true blue-skinned form, and knocked Magneto unconscious.
Then she turned, gun still in hand, and pointed it straight at Trask.
Even now, she hadn't given up on her original goal—to assassinate Trask and take revenge.
Just then, Charles—who had been down for most of the scene—finally intervened.
Using telepathy, he reached out to Raven:
"Raven… don't make mutants the enemy of the world today."
But instead of trying to control her, Charles spoke with equality and sincerity.
Raven looked around, voice low and firm:
"We already are."
"Not entirely," Xavier replied.
"What you've done today has saved their lives. You can lead them…"
Hank ran up beside Charles, suggesting he knock Raven out with his powers, but Xavier refused.
Instead, he pleaded gently:
"From the moment we met, I've tried to control you. But look at us now. Whatever happens next—it's up to you. I believe in you, Raven."
Just as this pivotal moment hung in the air, the video froze.
A new question popped up:
[Will the future of mutants become bright and full of hope?]
[A: Yes
B: No]
__
T/N:
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