High above New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty loomed against the night sky. Hidden among the towering steel framework inside the monument's crown, Magneto and his followers waited in silence. Across the narrow stretch of water, on Ellis Island, the United Nations summit was in full swing. Heads of state, diplomats, and dignitaries from around the world had gathered there to discuss global issues, unaware of how close they were to becoming the center of an unprecedented disaster.
Even though Magneto had failed to capture Rogue earlier, he had no intention of abandoning his plan. Tonight, he intended to turn some of the world's most powerful political leaders into mutants. If successful, the balance of power between humans and mutants would shift instantly and irrevocably. For Magneto, the risk was worth it, and he had personally stepped into the field to ensure the plan succeeded.
But the operation didn't go as smoothly as he had hoped. Just as the machinery atop the statue began to activate, the X-Men appeared without warning. Their sudden arrival threw the entire situation into chaos.
Professor Charles Xavier had been stunned when he received Ethan Voss's message earlier. The warning had revealed Magneto's intentions before it was too late. Yet what troubled him even more was the inevitable consequence if Magneto actually succeeded. If world leaders were forcibly transformed into mutants, humanity would never forgive or trust mutants again. The fragile hope for coexistence would shatter overnight.
Thanks to Ethan's warning, Charles had not fallen victim to Mystique's earlier deception involving the telescope at the summit venue. Instead, he led the X-Men directly to the Statue of Liberty, determined to confront his old friend and stop the catastrophe before it began.
Meanwhile, the summit on Ellis Island continued without any awareness of the battle unfolding across the water. The President of the United States stood at the podium, delivering a carefully prepared speech about international cooperation and global stability. Diplomats listened politely while reporters recorded every word.
Suddenly, a startled voice cut through the audience.
Many people instinctively turned toward the harbor. Above the Statue of Liberty, an expanding white light began to bloom into the night sky. It grew larger by the second, blazing brighter and brighter until it resembled a burning sphere hovering above the monument.
The dazzling glow instantly triggered panic throughout the venue. Reporters rushed toward the windows and balconies, frantically snapping photographs of the strange phenomenon. Camera shutters clicked nonstop as journalists fought to capture the moment.
Secret Service agents reacted almost immediately. Sensing potential danger, they moved swiftly toward the stage, preparing to escort the president away from the podium.
Just as they were about to reach him, three voices suddenly rang out.
"Calm down!"
The shout came from the entrance to the hall. Three men hurried inside, pushing past security personnel and drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
Several Secret Service agents quickly recognized two of them. One was Senator Kelly, a well-known political figure with strong opinions about mutant affairs. The other was CIA Director Brennan.
Senator Kelly strode forward without hesitation. He pushed past the agents guarding the stage and approached the president directly. Leaning close so the microphones wouldn't catch his words, he whispered something into the president's ear.
The president's expression changed slightly. He murmured a quiet response, clearly uncertain. For a moment, he hesitated as if weighing a difficult decision.
Kelly leaned in again, speaking quickly and with a trace of excitement in his voice. After hearing the second explanation, the president finally gave a small nod.
He raised one hand toward the restless audience.
"Everyone, please remain calm."
His tone carried a deliberate note of reassurance.
"I sincerely apologize for the confusion. It seems we neglected to inform our guests beforehand. The white light you're seeing is actually part of a high-tech fireworks demonstration."
A murmur spread through the crowd as people exchanged puzzled glances.
"This display was arranged temporarily to entertain our distinguished guests. There is absolutely no cause for alarm. Everything is completely under control."
He paused briefly, gesturing toward the harbor beyond the windows.
"The performance is taking place atop the Statue of Liberty, one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States."
With that calm explanation, the tension in the hall slowly began to dissolve. The president continued his speech with remarkable composure, smoothly transitioning back to his prepared remarks. His confident delivery gradually settled the audience, and the earlier panic faded into nervous laughter and scattered applause.
Outside, the white glow in the sky finally stopped expanding. Instead, it flickered irregularly, pulsing as though the energy source behind it had become unstable.
The president glanced toward the harbor and chuckled lightly.
"Well, this is unfortunate," he said with a wry smile. "It seems our experimental technology isn't quite perfect yet. Perhaps I'll need to have a serious conversation with the supplier."
The lighthearted joke drew genuine laughter from the assembled diplomats and world leaders. The atmosphere in the hall relaxed completely.
Not far from the podium, Ethan Voss stood beside CIA Director Brennan, observing the entire scene. He gave a quiet chuckle.
"Our president is impressive," Ethan said casually. "That kind of composure takes real courage."
Brennan nodded slowly in agreement. After a moment, he turned to Ethan with a thoughtful look.
"Mr. Voss," he said, lowering his voice slightly, "you seem to have quite a good relationship with Senator Kelly."
Brennan knew of the young billionaire's reputation. Ethan Voss was wealthy, influential, and increasingly visible in political circles. But despite that reputation, the CIA director realized he actually knew very little about the man standing beside him.
Ethan shrugged slightly.
"I wouldn't say our relationship is especially close," he replied with a faint smile. "But we do share some similar views and long-term goals. Senator Kelly believes there are areas where I might be able to help the United States government and the president. That's why he invited me here tonight."
Brennan's brows furrowed slightly.
Help the United States… and the president?
He didn't press the topic further. But in the back of his mind, a quiet realization settled in. It was probably time for the CIA to start paying closer attention to this young tycoon.
Outside, the strange white glow above the Statue of Liberty gradually faded until the sky returned to normal darkness. With the disturbance resolved, the president concluded his speech successfully.
He stepped down from the stage, smiling and waving politely to the gathered dignitaries. As he walked past Ethan and Brennan, the pleasant expression on his face vanished instantly.
In its place appeared a look of cold intensity, like the stillness before a volcanic eruption.
"Tell me everything that happened," he said slowly, enunciating each word.
Later that night, inside the White House, the Oval Office was quiet and tense.
The president sat behind the Resolute Desk, his hands folded as he listened. Senator Kelly and Director Brennan sat across from him on a sofa, while Ethan stood nearby, finishing his explanation of the night's events.
"So," the president said after a moment of silence, "according to your account, Magneto intended to transform the political leaders attending the summit into mutants. And a team called the X-Men stopped him."
"Yes, Mr. President," Ethan replied calmly.
The president leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Then explain something to me. How do you know so much about all of this?"
Ethan didn't hesitate.
"I'm acquainted with Professor Charles Xavier," he said. "He runs Xavier's School for Gifted Students. For years he's hoped to earn the government's trust and support."
The president tilted his head slightly.
"So you're acting as his advocate?"
Ethan laughed softly.
"No, of course not. They couldn't possibly afford my consulting fees."
The president glanced over his shoulder toward the two men standing behind him.
"Director Brennan. Senator Kelly," he said thoughtfully. "I admit I don't know much about mutants. But tell me honestly—are they a threat to us?"
Senator Kelly answered immediately.
"Some of them absolutely are, Mr. President."
Before anyone else could speak, another voice came from the doorway.
"No, Mr. President. They are all threats."
Everyone in the room turned toward the entrance.
A short, stocky middle-aged man stepped inside. His posture was rigid and disciplined, and a neatly trimmed white beard framed his stern expression.
Director Brennan rose to his feet.
"Mr. President," he said, gesturing toward the newcomer, "this is Colonel William Stryker. He has worked closely with mutant matters for many years. In my opinion, he is better qualified than I am to speak on this subject."
Colonel Stryker nodded respectfully toward the president before turning to Senator Kelly.
"Forgive my bluntness, Congressman," he said evenly. "Among mutants, there are only two categories. Those who are an immediate threat… and those who will eventually become one. They possess immense power, and when something goes wrong, the consequences can be catastrophic."
Ethan studied Stryker quietly. In the back of his mind, he was already considering when the most convenient opportunity might arise to eliminate the man. After all, Stryker possessed several extremely valuable assets.
"But tonight they saved the world," Ethan pointed out calmly.
Stryker's gaze shifted sharply toward him.
"No," the colonel replied coldly. "What you should say is that tonight they nearly destroyed it."
He stared directly at the young billionaire in front of him. For some reason, an uneasy feeling crept into his mind. There was something about Ethan Voss that he couldn't quite place.
"So what exactly is your plan?" Ethan asked mildly. "Arrest them all? Conduct experiments on them? Slice them open and dissect their bodies piece by piece?"
Stryker frowned sharply.
How could this man possibly know about those methods?
"Mr. President," Ethan continued, turning slightly toward the desk, "mutants are citizens of the United States just like anyone else. That means they possess the same constitutional rights as every other American."
His tone was steady but firm.
"We cannot simply arrest them without cause. Any government that does so will eventually be condemned by history."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"The United States is the most powerful, most inclusive, and most free nation in the world. If we truly believe that, then we must also have the courage to face difficult problems—and the confidence to solve them."
His gaze swept across the room.
"If we imprison mutants simply because they might become dangerous someday, then how are we any different from authoritarian regimes?"
For a moment, Stryker had no immediate response. Although he privately considered Ethan's argument naïve, he knew that moral arguments like this were extremely powerful in political debates.
People who claimed the moral high ground often held the advantage.
The president nodded slowly.
"So then, Mr. Voss," he said, "what is your solution?"
Ethan's answer came immediately.
"It's simple, Mr. President. We support one group of mutants… and allow them to suppress the others. If we offer them incentives they can't refuse, they'll work even harder than their own kind."
He spoke calmly, but there was a cold calculation behind his words.
"After all, from beginning to end, we would remain the ones holding absolute authority. That means we could ultimately decide the fate of most mutants."
The president fell silent, considering the proposal carefully.
After a moment, he asked a single question.
"What exactly do they want?"
Ethan spread his hands slightly.
"Their demands are actually very simple. Government recognition, legal protection, and goodwill. They want to be treated like any other minority group in the country."
The president frowned slightly.
"That's all?"
Ethan's smile widened.
"Of course that's not all."
His voice suddenly carried a hint of fierce excitement.
"That's what they want. But it's far from everything we intend to give them."
He stepped forward slightly as he spoke.
"We send instructors to train them properly. Teach them about honor, justice, loyalty. Provide the best resources and conditions so they grow into disciplined defenders of the nation."
The president listened silently.
Representative Kelly, however, looked uneasy.
"I'm not convinced taxpayers should be funding something like that," he said.
Ethan turned toward him with a confident smile.
"But Senator Kelly," he said, "think about the possibilities. We could build another West Point there. The most powerful military academy in the world, and the most elite intelligence training center."
His eyes gleamed faintly.
"We could even create a completely new Captain America, according to our own wishes!"
.....
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