"Professor!" Anna's eyes widened with shock as she glanced at Charles, who was bound tightly, rendering him unable to speak.
"Mmm." Charles could only emit a muffled sound, his mouth sealed shut.
As Eric approached, Anna's horror intensified, and she cried out, "No! Stay back! I refuse to— even if you transform every person on Earth into Mutants, I won't yield!"
"I understand your apprehension about your abilities," Eric addressed Anna with a solemn tone. "Didn't Charles mention that Alex can formulate potions tailored to optimize your abilities and rectify any shortcomings based on your genetic makeup?"
"Yes," Anna replied hesitantly, "Professor Alex did mention it, but..."
"But you doubted it," Eric interjected with a knowing smile. "Living in Alex's estate, you must be familiar with Raven."
Anna's expression turned pensive as she contemplated Eric's words. "Raven's appearance was beyond my imagination. Her skin is blue, with scales—quite contrary to human aesthetics. Even if she assumes a semblance of normalcy, it's only superficial; Raven's skin isn't real. However, Alex has devised a remedy capable of rectifying genetic anomalies. Raven, once adorned with blue skin, now boasts a complexion of breathtaking beauty."
Eric continued his explanation as they walked, stopping beside Anna and gently grasping her wrist, his ability subtly transferring between them. "We were mere youngsters at the time, surrounded by comrades who benefited from Alex's concoctions. Do you recall Hank? Formerly known as the blue-haired Beast, he can now shift effortlessly between human form and his previous appearance, all thanks to Alex's potion."
As they conversed, the depth of Eric's knowledge and experience became increasingly evident.
"Trisk," Eric uttered.
Trisk slipped on the gloves, swiftly creating a barrier between Wolverine and Sabretooth.
Eric slumped to the ground, his strength waning, as he spoke with a hint of exhaustion, "After all these years, he can effortlessly mend the flaws in your powers. So, brace yourself for what's to come for mutants."
Certainly, Wolverine, known for his beastly nature, wasn't one to easily cooperate.
"All right, Logan! The ball's in your court now. Will you watch Anna, the one you're fighting to save, perish onstage, or will you join forces with me to spare her life?" Eric's lips curled into a sly smile as he posed the question to Logan.
Despite Wolverine's typically brash and impulsive demeanor, he knew better than to act recklessly in this moment.
After a pregnant pause, Wolverine reluctantly acquiesced.
"Excellent. The future generations of mutants will remember your sacrifice," Eric affirmed, a grin spreading across his face.
The radiation machine, now redesigned by Eric, boasted a larger interior space, capable of accommodating four or five individuals standing upright.
Trisk maneuvered Wolverine and Sabretooth next to Anna. With Anna's hands pressed against their heads, she began absorbing their powers.
"Trisk, you may proceed," Eric instructed, his eyes fixed on the mutant.
Trisk decisively activated the machine, and suddenly a cascade of silver-white brilliance cascaded towards the United Nations summit like a celestial curtain, expanding exponentially with each passing moment until it seemed poised to envelop the entirety of New York City.
"Look, Charles. The dawn of the Mutant era is upon us," Eric exclaimed with fervor as he removed the gag from Charles' mouth, needing him to witness the unfolding events. "It's time for the world to embrace its evolution."
"Eric, cease this madness! You'll bring ruin upon New York!" Charles pleaded urgently, his voice strained.
"After destruction comes rebirth," Eric retorted adamantly, his resolve unshaken.
"Oh my stars! What in heaven's name is that?" gasped onlookers at the UN summit as they beheld the ethereal silver-white spectacle, their astonishment palpable.
"Is this some grand fireworks display to commemorate the summit's commencement?" speculated one attendee, bewildered by the unprecedented sight.
As Eric's plan unfolded unchecked, its success seemed inevitable this time.
"Eric's scheme is nearing fruition," remarked Alex softly, his gaze fixed on the radiant display in the heavens.
"Wait, why don't I recall planning such a celebration?" questioned the President of the United States, seizing those nearby for answers.
"Mr. President, we're at a loss," replied his bewildered companion, equally perplexed by the spectacle unfolding above. When had they ever organized such a grand fireworks spectacle?
Yet, one glance was enough to discern that this luminous phenomenon was no ordinary fireworks show.
As the luminous curtains traversed the UN summit grounds and surged towards New York City, they imbued many heads of state and accompanying dignitaries with newfound vigor.
The X-gene within them stirred, awakened by the catalytic influence of the radiant curtain, granting them extraordinary abilities.
But for others, whose exposure to the light was less direct, the awakening of their X-gene was incomplete, leaving them with only a fraction of the power bestowed upon their peers.
As the ambitions of these newly empowered individuals swelled, chaos engulfed the streets of New York City, heralding the dawn of a new era fraught with uncertainty and upheaval.
(End of Chapter)
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