New York, Xavier Mansion
10 a.m.
All the members of the X-Men were seated in front of an old black-and-white TV, watching a live news report with intense focus.
The TV displayed footage of Red Square in Moscow, Soviet Union.
At that moment, in front of the grand stage in Red Square, Khrushchev, then the Premier of the Soviet Union, was delivering a speech that shocked the world.
"I am too old to continue leading the Soviet Union, a superpower.
Therefore, following the vote of our cabinet and parliament,
The Soviet side has decided to appoint Sebastian Shaw as my successor to lead the Soviet Union comprehensively.
Three days from now, I will officially transfer all presidential powers to Shaw."
As Khrushchev's speech concluded, the world erupted in shock and disbelief.
This was the height of the Cold War, with the two superpowers on the brink of confrontation, their tensions like a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest spark.
Amid such a precarious situation, the sudden announcement of a change in the Soviet Union's leadership was monumental—news destined to be recorded in the annals of history.
Countless reporters surged forward without hesitation, shoving their microphones toward the Soviet officials as if trying to extract answers by sheer force.
Despite the barrage of questions, the Soviet leadership remained tight-lipped.
Their expressions ranged from solemn to visibly uneasy, with some even showing signs of panic.
No matter how persistent the reporters were, they failed to glean any meaningful information from the officials.
Bang.
Just as the group of reporters was at a loss, a ball of red mist suddenly appeared beside Khrushchev.
The sudden emergence of the red mist caused everyone in Red Square—and the global audience watching the live news broadcast—to freeze in shock.
"What is that?"
Some viewers at home rubbed their eyes, convinced they were hallucinating.
It wasn't just the ordinary viewers who were stunned.
At that moment, confusion and disbelief swept across the world.
People carefully confirmed that they were indeed watching the official, real-time news broadcast of the Soviet Union.
But what was the red mist that had appeared so abruptly behind the Soviet Premier?
As the world watched in bewilderment, the red mist began to dissipate.
Then, several figures emerged from the mist, walking hand in hand.
"Sebastian Shaw.."
In the living room of Xavier's Mansion, upon seeing the figures stepping out of the red mist, Professor X and the others became visibly tense.
Only Brian remained calm, watching the TV without a trace of emotion.
On-screen, the individuals who had emerged from the red mist were unmistakable—members of the Hellfire Club.
The leader, Sebastian Shaw.
Azazel.
And Angel, the former X-men, who had left for the Hellfire Club but retained her lofty title.
Finally, Mikhail Ursus, the first Soviet mutant to awaken.
Once a powerhouse of mutant talent, the Hellfire Club now had only these four members, reduced in strength due to Brian's interference.
The Hellfire Club had lost many of its former allies and resources, leaving it a shadow of its former self.
Shaw had no choice but to step out from behind the scenes and take center stage.
Standing at the podium in Red Square, Sebastian Shaw, wearing a telepathic-blocking helmet, couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret for Emma Frost, the White Queen of his club.
Previously, Shaw had relied heavily on Emma's telepathic powers,
Using her abilities to secretly manipulate Khrushchev and other high-ranking Soviet officials.
From the shadows, Shaw had controlled every facet of the Soviet Union's operations.
However, three days ago, after sending Shaw a telepathic message, Emma abruptly left the Hellfire Club.
Shaw was furious, his rage knowing no bounds.
But there was little he could do.
With her telepathic powers, Emma Frost could hide anywhere she wished, and Shaw had no means of finding her.
Without Emma's telepathy, many of Shaw's carefully laid plans began to unravel.
The man who had once prided himself on ruling from the shadows was now forced to step into the spotlight.
As the only Level 5 Mutant known in the world, Sebastian Shaw was nothing short of a living, breathing nuclear weapon.
This was no empty claim; Shaw had proven his might when he effortlessly obliterated a Soviet naval fleet.
Faced with such overwhelming power, the entire Soviet leadership capitulated without resistance.
Through sheer force, Sebastian Shaw had brought the mighty Soviet Union to its knees.
Now, as he stood at the podium, he adjusted his stance slightly, exuding confidence and vitality.
"I am Sebastian Shaw," he declared, his voice resounding across the square.
"I am the next President of the Soviet Union.
And I am also a Mutant with extraordinary abilities."
Shaw's bold proclamation sent shockwaves around the world.
"What is a Mutant?"
This was the question on the minds of every human across the globe.
As the world held its breath, people listened intently.
"Since ancient times, humanity has been evolving," Shaw began, his voice calm but commanding.
"Through this natural process of evolution, certain pioneers among humans have gained extraordinary abilities.
This evolution occurs at the genetic level.
We call those who have acquired such extraordinary abilities:
Mutants."
Sebastian Shaw ignored the shocked expressions of the crowd, his voice steady, powerful, and filled with the authority of a true leader.
"Meet Azazel, the Red Devil!"
To demonstrate his point, Shaw gestured to the Red Devil standing beside him.
Bang.
A ball of red mist materialized next to Shaw, and moments later, Azazel appeared, stepping forward.
When the crowd saw Azazel's demonic appearance, so distinctly different from that of any human,
They truly began to comprehend what Shaw meant by "Mutant."
"Mikhail Ursus."
But Shaw's demonstration wasn't over yet.
Turning to the towering man beside him, Shaw addressed him again.
Roar.
Ursa Major ripped off his shirt, and in an instant, his entire form transformed into a massive Siberian brown bear, standing at an imposing height of over three and a half meters.
People around the world widened their eyes in disbelief at the scene unfolding before them.
In front of the grand stage in Red Square, a group of KGB agents suddenly charged forward, their weapons aimed directly at the Black King.
These KGB operatives had been secretly positioned by certain high-ranking Soviet officials, hoping to assassinate Shaw during his public speech.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunfire erupted, and chaos spread through the crowd.
But on the high platform of Red Square, Shaw stood firm and unshaken, exuding an air of complete mastery.
Bullets struck him, only to lose all kinetic energy and harmlessly fall to the ground.
"Azazel, handle them."
Shaw's voice was cold and commanding as he issued his order to Azazel.
In an instant, Azazel transformed into a ghostly red mist.
Reappearing in front of each KGB agent, he dispatched them with terrifying ease, using his claws and razor-sharp tail to lift and eliminate them one by one.
Meanwhile, the high-ranking Soviet officials who had orchestrated this desperate move realized the tide had turned against them.
Panicking, they attempted to flee.
But as the red mist enveloped the area, these officials suddenly found themselves transported to an altitude of 10,000 meters.
Their screams echoed through the air as they plummeted back to the ground of Red Square, lifeless upon impact.
"Well, that takes care of the troublesome distractions."
Sebastian Shaw dusted off his hands nonchalantly, as though clearing away a minor inconvenience.
Turning his attention back to the cowering reporters, he clapped his hands sharply to snap them out of their terror.
"Now, let us continue with my inaugural speech."
Shaw spoke freely, his voice steady and commanding, as the reporters stared at him, trembling in fear.
"For thousands of years, this evolution has never ceased.
And in recent times, this evolution has begun to surge at an unprecedented rate.
Now, a new era is upon us—an era where Mutants will rise."
Sebastian Shaw extended his arms wide, as if to embrace the entire world.
"My Mutant brothers and sisters, there is no need to hide anymore.
I, a Mutant, Sebastian Shaw, invite you to join me.
Together, we will create a new world—a Mutant world."
After delivering his powerful speech, Shaw and the Mutants of the Hellfire Club vanished into the red mist once more, leaving the stage empty.
The world was left in turmoil.
Viewers sitting in front of their TVs were stunned into silence, their minds struggling to process what they had just witnessed.
Mutants exist.!
Not only that, but they possess extraordinary abilities, and some, like Sebastian Shaw, are so powerful they've single-handedly seized control of the Soviet Union.
It was a revelation so shocking, it seemed almost impossible.
The global reaction was swift—especially in America.
As one of the world's superpowers, the United States was blindsided by the Soviet Union's unexpected move.
The American government immediately convened an emergency national defense meeting.
At the same time, the military began preparing for the possibility of war, mobilizing resources and drafting contingency plans.
In stark contrast to the human response, the reaction among Mutants was entirely different.
Some Mutants who watched Sebastian Shaw's speech were inspired, viewing him as the leader of their kind—a figurehead for a new Mutant revolution.
These Mutants had been hiding in the human world,
Living like rats in the shadows, unseen and unwanted.
But the emergence of Sebastian Shaw, the Black King, was like the break of dawn for them.
A dawn of hope!!
_____________
Read 12 Chapters ahead of WN:
Patreon: LiveLifeLove