Chapter 71: [71] Raven's Presidential Speech
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Above the White House.
Brian hovered in midair. With a wave of his hand, he opened the hatch of the supersonic jet.
"Professor X, the President of the United States is in your hands,"
He said before casually tossing the unconscious Kennedy toward Professor X.
What happened to the President after that wasn't Brian's concern.
He had already fulfilled Professor X's request to spare Kennedy's life.
After handing Kennedy over, Brian's lips moved slightly, and a voice audible only to Raven echoed in her ears:
"Raven, let's begin our plan."
Controlling America was just the first step in Brian's grand design.
Now, it was time to move on to the second phase.
Inside the White House, in the President's Office.
The room had returned to its usual bustle.
The war faction and peace faction continued their heated debate,
Entirely unaware that the man sitting in the presidential chair was no longer the original President.
Raven, in her guise as Kennedy, was seated in the chair, scanning the documents on the desk with interest.
"Charles, you traitor,"
She muttered softly, shaking her head as she read the papers in her hands.
Disappointment flickered in her eyes.
It was clear that Professor X had sent a letter to the President's office before the X-Men made their move.
That act felt like a betrayal to Raven, as though she'd been stabbed in the back by Professor X himself.
The document didn't just list the abilities and weaknesses of the Hellfire Club members.
It also detailed the abilities of the X-Men themselves!
To say Raven was disappointed in Professor X would be an understatement.
Didn't Professor X understand the danger of exposing the X-Men's weakness to the American government?
Of course he understood.
But he naively believed that as long as the X-Men abided by the law, the American government would not act against them.
It was an irony that someone like Professor X, who had witnessed the dark side of humanity since childhood,
Would place the safety of the X-Men in the hands of the government's supposed mercy and goodwill.
"Charles, you're going to get the X-Men killed one day,"
Raven muttered under her breath as she casually destroyed the document.
Straightening up in her chair, she lightly tapped the desk with her fingers.
"Quiet, gentlemen."
Her voice was calm, not loud, yet it commanded the room.
Instantly, the heated debate in the President's Office came to a halt.
"You shouldn't be discussing whether to launch a full-scale war against the Soviet Union.
What you need to focus on is how to eliminate the powerful Mutant, Sebastian Shaw, the Black King."
Raven's words silenced the room further, her statement forcing everyone to think.
She didn't give them time to dwell for long, continuing decisively:
"The current situation is clear.
As a Mutant, Sebastian Shaw, with his incredible abilities, has single-handedly brought the Soviet Union—a superpower—to its knees.
Gentlemen, think about that.
The Soviet Union, a global superpower, now bends to his will."
"I'm very scared, gentlemen.
I'm afraid that the powerful Mutant who now controls the Soviet Union will do the same here.
Come to America—the land of freedom.
Perhaps even come to the White House itself...
And then, with his immense power, slaughter all of us—the high-ranking officials of the United States—And seize control of this nation by force."
Raven's voice trembled with a mixture of fear and urgency.
Her emotionally charged words made everyone in the room exchange uneasy glances.
They realized, with a sinking feeling, that the president's words were correct.
They had made a grave miscalculation in their thinking.
The truth was painfully clear:
If Sebastian Shaw, the Black King, could so easily bring the Soviet Union to heel through sheer power! He could do the same to America!!
There would be no need for war, no need for a world war.
Because Shaw himself was a walking, human-shaped nuclear bomb.
Wherever he went, nations would crumble.
Their focus shifted entirely.
No longer should they be concerned about the prospect of an all-out war with the Soviet Union.
What they truly needed to prioritize was figuring out how to deal with Shaw himself.
How to prevent Sebastian Shaw from coming to America unchallenged, and how to stop him from eliminating them—the real power brokers of the United States.
No one is immune to the fear of death.
Especially these high-ranking officials—the true power brokers of America.
They feared death more than anything.
They had seen how Sebastian Shaw mercilessly dealt with the Soviet Union's leadership.
Like a devil from hell, Shaw had thrown disobedient officials from a height of 10,000 meters,
Their deaths were gruesome and horrifying.
None of these American officials wanted to experience such a fate—a high-altitude execution masquerading as a bungee jump.
And so, they decisively abandoned the idea of full-scale confrontation with the Soviet Union.
At this moment, their thoughts aligned with remarkable clarity:
Do whatever it takes to stop Sebastian Shaw.
"Mr. President, how can we stop the Black King?"
A presidential adviser, frowning in thought, glanced toward Raven, seated confidently in the presidential chair.
Her composed demeanor caught his attention, prompting the question almost reflexively.
"Gentlemen, Mutants are not unique to the Soviet Union,"
Raven said, her calm yet pointed statement drawing everyone's gaze to her.
Confusion spread across their faces as they tried to grasp her meaning.
Raven met their puzzled expressions without hesitation.
Standing up slowly, she prepared to explain.
Under the gaze of everyone, Raven spoke calmly.
"In fact, just hours after Sebastian Shaw delivered his speech in Red Square, our country's own Mutants, driven by the justice in their hearts and their dedication to the safety of this nation, without regard for their own safety or the overwhelming strength of the enemy,
Spontaneously formed a team to oppose Shaw. I call them the X-Men."
Raven's words were filled with passion and emotion.
She painted the X-Men as noble individuals willing to sacrifice everything for their country, for humanity, and for the ideals of justice.
"Gentlemen! In the face of danger, when our nation needed them most, the X-Men stood up without hesitation.
They are true heroes.
They are the embodiment of justice, deserving of the highest respect.
They champion righteousness, overcome fear, and use their unique abilities to combat the evil Mutant, Sebastian Shaw.
They are the heroes of this country.
The X-Men are humanity's superheroes."
Having spent significant time with Brian, Raven had learned the art of persuasive rhetoric.
Now, her impassioned speech resonated deeply with the American executives in the room, prompting them to quickly recognize the X-Men as symbols of justice and sacrifice.
"Can the X-Men really defeat that Black King?"
One of the senators asked hesitantly, his concern evident.
"One X-Man may not be able to defeat Sebastian Shaw,"
Raven replied, her voice steady and confident.
"But what about many X-Men?"
Her response left the American executives momentarily puzzled, her words sparking a new train of thought.
The room was filled with confusion. The executives didn't quite understand what the president was hinting at.
"Gentlemen, I propose to make the X-Men a legitimate superhero team in our country.
I want them to become the benchmark of justice in America.
I want to create a superhero dream for the Mutants of this nation—something they will want to join enthusiastically.
By doing so, we will strengthen the X-Men's power, and ensure the elimination of the evil Mutant, Sebastian Shaw, the asshole who calls himself the Black King!!"
Raven, now fully in control of the room, shrugged casually as she returned to the presidential chair.
Her eyes sparkled with determination as she shared the plan she and Brian had carefully crafted.
Yes, controlling America wasn't Brian's ultimate goal.
His real objective was far more ambitious.
Brian aimed to leverage the political influence of the U.S. government
To transform the X-Men into a superhero team not only for America but for all humanity.
With America's endorsement as a global superpower
And Sebastian Shaw positioned as the absolute evil villain!
The X-Men would inevitably be seen as the embodiment of justice.
Every member of the X-Men would rise to iconic status,
Becoming as revered and celebrated as Captain America himself.
"Superheroes? Like the ones in those Marvel comic books—Captain America?"
A bald man asked, pulling a comic book from his pocket and holding it up for all to see.
This was the era of superhero comics released by Marvel,
And Captain America was at the forefront.
Since its release, the comic had become a sensation across America.
Captain America, much like the early DC Superman comics, became a household name and an iconic superhero figure.
Some states even established Captain America comic halls, drawing in countless young fans.
"Yes, I want to make the X-Men into superheroes like Captain America,"
Raven said, her tone deep and resolute.
"The X-Men will become even more famous than Captain America."
Her eyes gleamed with determination as she continued,
"Gentlemen, it's time to vote.
To make the X-Men America's superhero team, we need your support and cooperation."
After Raven finished, she leaned back and waited quietly.
...
Half an hour later.
The resolution vote in the President's office concluded.
An overwhelming 90% of the senior officials had agreed to the President's plan.
"Excellent. In two hours, I will deliver a presidential address,"
Raven said with a smile, issuing the order to the presidential secretary.
...
Two hours later, White House Square.
A large crowd of reporters and countless news outlets had gathered.
Microphones were raised, and the media clamored for answers.
"Mr. President, what is your opinion of the Soviet Union's Mutant President, Sebastian Shaw, the Black King?"
"Mr. President, do we have Mutants in our country as well?"
"Mr. President…"
The questions came rapid-fire, as reporters tried to outdo one another in gaining the President's attention.
Facing the barrage of questions, Raven stood calmly on the podium, taking a measured sip of coffee.
She waited patiently until the reporters finally quieted down.
Once silence fell, Raven began to speak.
"The Soviet Union's Mutant President, Sebastian Shaw—everyone has seen him.
Let me tell you about his past.
Sebastian Shaw was originally a military scientist in Germany during World War II.
He worked at the Auschwitz concentration camp…"
Raven's voice was steady as she revealed Shaw's identity to the reporters.
The revelation sent shockwaves through the audience watching the live broadcast.
The mention of World War II Germany immediately evoked one thought: pure evil.
And now, Sebastian Shaw was indelibly linked to that era of atrocities.
With just a few carefully chosen words, Raven cemented Shaw's image as a symbol of evil in the public's mind.
"There is no doubt that Sebastian Shaw is evil,"
Raven continued.
"He seeks to use force to dominate the world and establish a Mutant nation under his rule.
According to intelligence, Shaw's ultimate plan is to use the Soviet Union to ignite a world war.
His goal? To subject the world to the horrors of nuclear conflict.
He believes the radiation from nuclear explosions will trigger human evolution, forcing humanity to become Mutants."
Raven paused, her tone heavy with condemnation.
"This deranged idea is beyond comprehension.
Sadly, with the current strength of mankind, we are powerless to stop Sebastian Shaw.
Three days from now, the world faces the looming threat of nuclear war.
And humanity may well be annihilated in the resulting destruction..."
Her voice carried a somber weight as she painted a grim picture of the future,
A world engulfed in nuclear devastation.
As the gravity of her words sank in, despair and panic began to ripple through the audience.
Just then, Raven shifted her tone, changing the direction of her speech.
"However, the people of America are also fortunate.
Because Mutants are not exclusive to the Soviet Union.
Our nation is home to powerful Mutants as well.
These individuals live among you as ordinary citizens.
They obey the law, cherish life, and contribute to society.
But when the country is in crisis, when humanity faces the threat of annihilation,
These Mutants are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice!!
They are willing to abandon their luxuary, their families, and everything they hold dear.
Even their own lives!
These courageous Mutants are ready to use their unique powers to defend our nation, our people, and our freedom.
They are true heroes.
And they are humanity's last hope to defeat Sebastian Shaw, the Black King.
They are the X-Men.
They will become America's superheroes.
The X-Men will fight for America, for our soldiers, and for each and every one of you.
They will fight for freedom.
Now, let us welcome the seven superheroes of our nation."
As Raven delivered her stirring speech the audience watching the President's address began to see the X-Men as true messengers of justice.
Young viewers, especially fans of superhero comics, were electrified with excitement.
"Superheroes? Super Seven?"
"The X-Men?"
The younger generation buzzed with enthusiasm.
Their eyes remained glued to the television eager to witness the birth of America's true superheroes.
Swish.
As Raven continued speaking,
The entire White House venue seemed to freeze in time.
Every reporter, every government official, stopped moving all at once.
"What's going on?"
Viewers at home watching the broadcast stared at their screens in astonishment,
Their expressions filled with confusion and uncertainty.
For a moment, no one understood what had happened.
But among the audience, the younger viewers—avid fans of superhero comics—immediately made the connection.
"It's an ability.
It's a super ability!"
Some of the young fans exclaimed, their excitement palpable.
They wished they could be there to witness it in person.
As the realization sank in, their enthusiasm only grew.
Amidst this buzz of energy, Professor X appeared.
Dressed in a dignified white suit, he stepped forward, emerging from the motionless crowd.
Calmly and with deliberate steps, he walked to Raven's side.
The moment he reached her, he released his psychic ability.
The crowd in the venue collectively snapped back to awareness,
As though waking from a brief dream.
Unaware their minds had been frozen,
They only noticed that, in the blink of an eye, ten individuals had appeared behind President Raven.
"As you can see, these are America's superheroes,
The leader of the X-Men, Professor X, who possesses the ability of mind freezing,"
Raven announced as she walked to Professor X's side, raising his arm and introducing him with solemnity.
"Mind freezing?"
A murmur of confusion rippled through the group of reporters.
Noticing their puzzled expressions, Professor X stepped forward pressing his right hand gently against his temple.
In an instant, half the people in the venue fell into a state of mental stagnation, their expressions blank and unmoving.
"Superhero."
""Professor X!""
As Professor X demonstrated his ability, the initially quiet venue erupted into spontaneous cheers.
Amid the applause and excitement, Magneto descended from the sky, his arms outstretched, exuding an aura of regal authority.
"And this is America's second superhero,
One of the X-Men veterans and a founding member of this superhero group.
He possesses the ability to control magnetic fields."
Magneto landed smoothly, standing tall as he nodded coldly toward the reporters.
"Magneto! Magneto!"
The crowd took in his commanding presence with a mix of awe and apprehension.
Most instinctively backed away from him,
Leaving only a few scattered voices cheering timidly.
Magneto frowned slightly, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd as if dissatisfied with their response.
"Pfft~ Magneto, if you want to become a popular superhero, you still need to learn how to make an impression~~"
Brian's voice echoed in Magneto's ears, calm yet teasing.
Moments later, Brian descended from the sky.
In full view of the crowd, he floated above the ground perfectly in a dramatic, standard superhero pose with hands on his waist.
"Wooah! He is flying!!"
His timing and flair left the audience stunned.
"And here we have one of the founders of the X-Men,
Another member of the Super Seven: The Homelander."
"He possesses abilities akin to Superman from the comics—super strength, an invulnerable body, super speed, and more,"
Raven announced, her voice carrying excitement as she gestured toward Brian.
Boom.
Brian's superhero landing sent a ripple of energy through the crowd, and the audience erupted in cheers.
The reaction was especially enthusiastic among the female reporters, who screamed in excitement upon catching sight of Brian's strikingly handsome face.
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