"And this."
In the room, under Ron's watchful gaze, Raven held out her palm. The nails on her five fingers lengthened, becoming like the claws of a tiger or leopard.
"My ability?"
"After I touched you, I copied this ability from you."
Yes, this was it. Ron's eyes brightened slightly.
A fully developed Sentry could copy all mutant abilities that affected the body physically.
"Wait, you only copied this?"
He should have had far more than one copyable ability.
"No others?"
Raven shook her head.
"All right."
Perhaps Mystique's ability had only just emerged and was not strong enough yet, requiring further development. Or perhaps... the Serum's stimulation had not been enough.
For the time being, she seemed able to copy only some lower-level physical abilities.
Mystique's ability had become more varied and powerful, greatly changing her fate as a result.
Ability Points: 100,200
Ron glanced at his slightly over one hundred thousand Ability Points, then held her and continued comforting her.
Hank had botched the Serum, and Raven's appearance mutated once more.
But she was only pained and heartbroken at first. Under Ron's comfort, she quickly came to terms with it, and her mood improved.
"As long as Ron likes how I look, that's enough."
Raven felt that having Ron was enough for her. As for everyone else, who cared?
She could now more easily devote part of her power to maintaining the appearance of an ordinary person.
After going through both incidents, Raven and Ron's feelings for each other deepened.
Ron's affirmation when she was insecure, suffering, and lost was like a beam of light piercing the darkness. It made her helplessly fall into a warmth she had never known before, one she would never forget and never want to leave.
For someone who had never seen light, even the smallest glimmer was enough to make them give up everything to pursue it.
That was also why Mystique had originally chosen to leave Professor X, the adoptive brother she had grown up with for more than a decade, and depart with Magneto.
But she soon discovered that the unique gaze that held no revulsion, even admiration, was because she was a mutant. Magneto was a mutant supremacist.
If she had not been a mutant and still looked like this, who knew how Magneto would have reacted...
For some time afterward, everyone trained relentlessly, mastering their abilities and making intense preparations for the plan to deal with the Black King.
Finally, that day arrived. Everyone gathered before the television.
From the black-and-white TV came the President's grave voice.
"As a matter of policy, any nuclear missile action that crosses the Cuban Missile Crisis Embargo Line will be regarded as an attack on our nation by the Soviet Union, and we will respond with full force!"
It was an unwavering stance with no room for compromise. The Cold War of many years seemed poised to develop into a hot war. On that day, the entire world watched with bated breath.
People covered their mouths and could not help sighing in despair. Was World War III about to arrive? Would the entire world be reduced to scorched earth in a war between the two superpowers?
"The time has come. Shaw is there."
In the castle, Magneto switched off the television, coldness appearing in his eyes.
The chance for revenge had finally come. Shaw was there this time, and he would not leave. Magneto had ample opportunity to avenge himself.
"The embargo line?" Alex asked in confusion. "How do you know?"
Hadn't they said that even the White Queen did not know the specific details of the Black King's plan?
"We all know that the Black King believes radiation helps mutants emerge and evolve. His ultimate goal is to start a global hot war and shroud the world in nuclear radiation."
Ron analyzed slowly.
"He would never miss such a good opportunity."
The Black King first used the Hellfire Club to control and threaten high-ranking officials, securing the crucial votes to bring about America's deployment of nuclear missiles in Turkey and provoke the Soviet Union. Then, using the same old trick, he made the Soviet Union pass a resolution to deploy nuclear missiles in Cuba, making America feel an enormous threat.
The series of arrangements had long been completed. All that remained was the day the Soviet Union officially deployed them.
"In a few days, the fleets of the two superpowers will confront each other on either side of the embargo line, nerves taut and weapons drawn.
The Black King will only need to move a finger there."
He held out one finger and flicked it lightly, as though flicking a marble.
"Then he can control the course of the entire planet and bring about a hot war."
"The day of the final battle has arrived."
Professor X, his expression grave, let out a long breath. He rose to his feet and looked around at everyone in the room, determination surging onto his face.
"We absolutely cannot let the Black King's scheme succeed."
This concerned the fate of the entire world.
The next day, at the Cuban Missile Crisis Embargo Line.
Massive ships weighing more than ten thousand tons each cut through the waves like cold, silent steel beasts, unstoppable in their advance.
The super fleets of the two nations slowly approached, stopping on opposite sides of the line to confront one another.
The eyes of the entire world were fixed on this place. Every person in both fleets held their breath nervously.
A military cargo ship carrying more than a dozen nuclear bombs slowly sailed toward the embargo line under the watchful eyes of those on both sides.
Once the cargo ship crossed the line, the US side would act immediately. Then the Soviet Union would retaliate, and the fate of the world would turn in another direction.
"If they dare cross the line, tell them to prepare for the consequences.
Sound the battle alarm. All personnel, enter combat readiness. Be prepared at any time!"
As that cargo ship drew closer and closer, the US side's entire fleet issued fierce orders. The Soviet Union's fleet did the same, and the captains' roars echoed throughout their vessels over the radio.
"All personnel, prepare yourselves! Arm and stand by!"
"It has begun."
In a nuclear submarine beneath the water, the now solitary Black King put on a helmet that blocked telepathy. With an indifferent expression, he slowly rose and walked deeper into the submarine.
Even for him, draining the energy from a nuclear reactor was no small burden. He could not endure storing it in his body for long.
So he could only absorb it and use it immediately. He had replaced the people aboard that cargo ship with his own men. Unless something unexpected happened, they would ignore any recall order and sail straight across the embargo line.
But if something unexpected did happen, he would have no choice but to activate the Contingency Plan.
A merciless glint appeared in the Black King's eyes as he slowly placed both hands on the device that assisted in absorbing nuclear energy.
"Contingency Plan—I become a nuclear bomb, release my energy to destroy the fleets, and ignite a global hot war!"
The one I just posted got blocked, so I'll change some wording and see if it goes through.
Before you continue