The Decisive Battle and Contingency Plan

"And this one."

In the room, under Ron's gaze, Raven extended her palm. The nails on her five fingers lengthened, turning into claws like those of a tiger or leopard.

"My ability?"

"I copied it from you when I touched you."

Right, that's it. Ron's eyes lit up slightly.

A fully developed Sentinel could replicate all physical abilities of mutants that acted on the body.

"Wait, you only copied this?"

Logically, there should be more than just one ability he could replicate.

"Nothing else?"

Raven shook her head.

"Alright."

Maybe Mystique's ability had just emerged and wasn't strong enough yet, needing development... or perhaps the Serum's stimulation wasn't sufficient.

For now, it seemed she could only replicate some low-level physical abilities.

Mystique's abilities grew stronger and more numerous, drastically changing her fate.

Ability Points: 102,000

Ron glanced at the just-over-one-hundred-thousand Ability Points, then hugged her to offer more comfort.

Hank had botched the Serum, and Raven's appearance shifted again.

But she was only pained and sad at the start. Under Ron's soothing, she quickly let it go and brightened up.

"As long as Ron likes how I look, that's enough."

Raven felt she had Ron, and as for everyone else, who cared?

Now she could more easily spare some power to maintain a normal appearance.

Having gone through these two ordeals, Raven and Ron's bond deepened.

His affirmation of her during her moments of inferiority, pain, and confusion was like a beam of light piercing the darkness, making her fall into a warmth she'd never felt before—one she'd never forget, never want to leave.

For someone who had never seen light, even a single glimmer was enough to make them abandon everything to chase it.

This was also why the original Mystique had chosen to leave her adopted brother Professor X, whom she'd grown up with for over a decade, and follow Magneto.

But she quickly discovered that that unique gaze—free of any prejudice, even carrying admiration—was because she was a mutant, and Magneto was a mutant supremacist.

If she weren't a mutant and looked like this, who knew how Magneto would react...

Over the next period, everyone trained relentlessly, mastering their abilities, and busily prepared for the plan against Black King.

Finally, that day arrived. Everyone gathered before the TV.

From the black-and-white television, the President's stern voice rang out.

"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 country by the Soviet Union, and we will respond with full force!"

An uncompromising stance. The Cold War, after years of tension, seemed on the verge of turning hot. The whole world watched, holding its breath.

People covered their mouths, lamenting in sorrow: Was World War III about to come? Would the entire world be reduced to scorched earth under the war between two superpowers?

"It's time. Shaw is there."

In the castle, Magneto killed the TV, a cold look in his eyes.

The chance for revenge had finally come. This time, Shaw was right there and wouldn't leave. He had ample opportunity to settle the score.

"The embargo line?" Alex asked, puzzled. "How do you know?"

Wasn't it said that even White Queen didn't know the specifics of Black King's plan?

"We all know Black King believes radiation helps mutants emerge and evolve, and his ultimate goal is to spark a global hot war, with nuclear fallout blanketing the world," Ron analyzed slowly.

"He won't miss this golden opportunity."

Black King first used the Hellfire Club to manipulate and threaten high-ranking officials, casting the pivotal votes to push America into deploying nuclear missiles in Turkey, provoking the Soviet Union. Then he pulled the same trick to get the Soviet Union to pass a resolution deploying nuclear missiles in Cuba, making America feel a massive threat.

A series of setups had long been completed, waiting only for the day of the Soviet Union's official deployment.

"In a few days, the fleets of two superpowers will face off on either side of the embargo line, nerves taut, swords drawn."

"Black King only needs to twitch his finger there."

He extended a finger and flicked it lightly, as if flicking a marble.

"And he can control the entire planet's direction, bringing down a hot war."

"The day of the final battle has come."

Professor X, his expression grave, let out a long breath, stood up, and swept his gaze across everyone in the room, a resolute look rising on his face.

"The Black King's scheme must not succeed."

"This concerns the fate of the entire world."

The next day, at the Cuban Missile Crisis Embargo Line.

One after another, colossal ships weighing over ten thousand tons cut through the waves like cold, silent steel behemoths, unstoppable.

The super-fleets of two nations slowly approached, halting on opposite sides of the line to face off.

The eyes of the entire world were fixed on this place. Aboard both fleets, every man held his breath in tension.

A military cargo ship loaded with over a dozen nuclear warheads, under the watch of those on both sides of the line, slowly advanced toward the embargo line.

If the ship crossed the line, the U.S. side would strike immediately, the Soviet Union would counterattack, and the world's fate would veer in another direction.

"If they dare cross that line, let them prepare to fend for themselves."

"Sound battle stations. All personnel to combat readiness. Stand by!"

As the cargo ship drew closer, the U.S. fleet barked out fierce orders. The Soviet fleet did the same—over the radio, the captains' roars echoed through every deck.

"All hands prepare. Arm and await orders!"

"It begins."

Deep underwater, inside a nuclear submarine, the Black King—now utterly alone—donned a mind-shielding helmet, rose slowly with indifference, and walked into the submarine's depths.

Draining a nuclear reactor's energy was no small burden, even for him. He couldn't store it in his body for long.

So he had to absorb and use it on the spot. The men aboard that cargo ship had been replaced by his people. Barring any mishap, they would ignore all recall orders and drive straight across the embargo line.

But if something went wrong, he would have no choice but to fall back on the Contingency Plan.

The Black King's eyes held a merciless gleam as he slowly placed both hands on the device that assisted in absorbing nuclear energy.

"Contingency Plan—I become the nuclear bomb. Unleash the energy, destroy the fleet, and ignite a world war!"