New York, Xavier Mansion.
The X-Men had gathered together, their expressions varying widely.
Professor X looked deeply troubled.
Magneto appeared almost unnervingly excited.
Alex Summers, Havok, wore a grim expression.
Sean Cassidy, Siryn, seemed visibly fearful.
Meanwhile, Raven kept her eyes fixed intently on Brian.
As for Brian, he sat on the sofa without a care in the world, leisurely sipping coffee.
"Brian, tell me about your plan,"
After half an hour of silence, Professor X finally broke the tension, lifting his gaze to address Brian.
Still seated comfortably, Brian casually opened his right hand.
In response, several cups of coffee floated gracefully from the table, landing in the hands of the X-Men members.
Professor X frowned deeply, his gaze fixed on Brian, waiting for an answer.
Instead of replying immediately, Brian posed a question of his own.
"Professor, who is the current President of America?"
The room went quiet for a moment before Raven answered promptly.
"John F. Kennedy! The current President of America is Kennedy."
She had been to the White House several times in recent days and had even met President Kennedy on multiple occasions.
Brian laughed at Raven's response.
"My plan is very simple.
Professor X, use your abilities to suspend the thoughts of everyone in the White House.
Then Magneto and I will enter and eliminate the President.
After that, Raven will assume the role of President and take direct control of America."
Brian's plan was, indeed, straightforward and shockingly crude.
Unlike Sebastian Shaw, who relied on overwhelming force to ascend to the presidency of the Soviet Union, the X-Men, with Professor X's powers and Mystique's shapeshifting abilities could control America with ease.
Professor X merely needed to use his telepathic abilities to suppress everyone in the White House.
The X-Men could then locate the President, eliminate him, and install Raven as his replacement.
"You're suggesting we kill the President of the United States?"
Professor X suddenly stood up, his voice filled with disbelief as he stared at Brian.
He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Even Sebastian Shaw had not dared to kill the Soviet Premier outright;
Instead, Shaw had used his power to force the leader into stepping down.
But Brian's plan—killing the President of the United States directly—was sheer madness.
It was an idea so radical that it seemed to defy all reason.
For someone like Professor X, who adhered to a strict moral code, there was no way he could agree to such an extreme course of action.
"Heh! Is there a problem? Kennedy's going to die sooner or later anyway," Brian said with a shrug, his tone utterly indifferent.
"You! Don't talk nonsense! What do you mean by 'sooner or later'? Why don't you die instead?"
Professor X finally snapped, his composure breaking under the weight of Brian's words.
His usual calm and collected demeanor was gone.
If not for Brian's impenetrable mental shield, Professor X might have attempted to break into his mind just to figure out what he was thinking.
"Charles, calm down," Magneto said quietly, trying to ease the situation as he watched Professor X grow increasingly agitated.
"I think Brian's plan is very feasible."
The room fell silent as Magneto spoke, his support for Brian's plan catching everyone's attention.
Just as Professor X had managed to regain some control over his emotions, Magneto's words ignited his fury again.
"Erik, are you seriously going along with Brian's madness?"
Professor X turned to Magneto, his expression filled with disbelief and his eyes heavy with disappointment.
The sting of betrayal was evident in his voice.
Once, Magneto had been disillusioned with Professor X and his ideals.
Now, it seemed that disillusionment was mutual, as Professor X found himself grappling with his own growing disappointment in Magneto.
"Charles, this is the simplest and most direct solution.
You must understand that in three days, once Sebastian Shaw succeeds as the President of the Soviet Union, World War will begin," Raven said, her tone calm but persuasive as she looked at the visibly angry Professor X.
Hearing her words, the anger on Professor X's face began to fade, replaced by a profound sense of helplessness.
Though Professor X was steadfast in his principles, he was also pragmatic enough to recognize the severity of the situation.
If they continued to hesitate...
In three days, when Sebastian Shaw officially became the President of the Soviet Union, he would likely unleash the full nuclear arsenal of the Soviet Union on America to carry out his plans.
A nuclear war would be inevitable.
What terrified Professor X even more was the sheer scale of the Soviet Union's stockpile:
Thousands of nuclear bombs, enough to destroy human civilization dozens of times over.
"Sigh.. Brian, I agree with your plan," Professor X said at last, his voice heavy with resignation.
He had compromised once again, unable to see any alternative.
"That's righ—!"
As Magneto and the others smiled in triumph,
Professor X suddenly used his telepathic abilities, instantly seizing control of everyone in the room—except Brian.
Magneto and the others mechanically moved behind Professor X, isolating Brian.
"The President of America must not die. That is my bottom line, and it is also the bottom line of the X-Men,"
The X-Men, under Professor X's telepathic control, spoke in unison with serious expressions.
It was clear that Professor X was using his ability to pressure Brian, sending a pointed message:
He could take control of every X-Men member at any time, except Brian.
Professor X was asserting his authority as the undisputed leader of the X-Men.
His principles were the X-Men's principles.
His rules were the X-Men's rules.
Brian, as a member of the X-Men, was expected to abide by them.
If Brian refused to comply, there would be no place for him in the team.
Faced with this implicit threat, Brian took a sip of coffee, meeting Professor X's stern gaze with a calm, indifferent expression.
"You're the boss. You have the final say," Brian said casually.
He didn't care whether the President of America lived or died.
His only goal was to gain control over the country.
The method of achieving that control was irrelevant to him.
"..."
Professor X, seeing Brian's nonchalant attitude, felt a wave of frustration, as though his efforts had been a futile punch against a wall of cotton.
After a moment of thought, Professor X released his telepathic control.
The X-Men members blinked, coming out of their confusion.
"What the..?"
"Damn it, Charles, did you just use your ability on me?"
Magneto glared at Professor X, immediately realizing he'd been under telepathic control.
Anger surged within him, and without hesitation, he activated his powers.
The metal fork on the table suddenly flew at high speed toward Professor X.
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