Chapter 9.
While Li Yue was experimenting with his newfound abilities, Charles and Eric, much like in the movie, successfully captured the White Queen, who had been manipulating Soviet officers.
Eric shattered the White Queen's diamond form, allowing Charles to read her memories. Through this, Charles learned of Sebastian Shaw's sinister plan — to provoke the Soviet Union into deploying missiles in Cuba, leading the United States and the Soviets to the brink of war. The resulting nuclear fallout would wipe out humanity, while mutants, resistant to radiation, would emerge as the dominant species.
The revelation deeply unsettled Charles. He had always believed that humans and mutants could coexist peacefully. However, Eric's motivations were different. His sole desire was revenge — to kill Sebastian Shaw, the man responsible for his mother's death.
After handing the White Queen over to the CIA, Charles and Eric received news of the devastating attack on the CIA base, with numerous casualties. Concerned for the safety of Mystique and the other mutants, they rushed to the scene without hesitation.
At the base, the aftermath of the massacre was evident. CIA personnel worked tirelessly, cleaning up the destruction. Meanwhile, Mystique and the other mutants sat in silence, no longer as frightened –as they had been the previous night. Thanks to Li Yue's intervention, Angel Girl had not defected to the enemy, and Darwin, the adaptable mutant, had survived.
Grateful for Li Yue's help, the mutants found solace in his presence. He had become their source of reassurance.
"Raven, are you alright? Were you hurt?" Charles hurried to Mystique side, visibly relieved to see her unharmed.
"We're fine. Li Yue saved us just in time," she replied, briefly recounting the events of the previous night.
"I'll arrange for someone to take you all home soon," Charles said, turning his gaze to the other mutants.
But their response took him aback.
"We don't want to go home. We want to stand and fight with you. Besides, we have no homes to return to. Our families see us as monsters."
The words came from Darwin, his tone firm.
"I'm not going back to prison," Alex declared.
"I'm done with my past life. I refuse to return to being a prostitute," Angel Girl added, her voice trembling with resolve.
Their words hung heavy in the air. Charles fell silent, struggling to respond. But Eric's eyes gleamed with a sense of purpose.
"I don't want to live in fear anymore, hiding in the shadows, relying on others to protect me," Mystique said, her gaze resting on Li Yue.
Eric seized the moment. "We can train them," he stated, though it was clear his words were directed more at Charles than the mutants.
"Eric, let's speak privately," Charles replied, leading him away.
"Eric, they're just children!"
"They were children," Eric corrected, his voice unwavering. "But after what they endured last night, they aren't the same. They've faced death. They understand what's at stake."
"Sebastian Shaw has his own team of mutants. If we don't prepare, we'll stand no chance–. We need to train them. They need to learn how to defend themselves."
Charles hesitated, his heart torn. He glanced back at the young mutants — their expressions, though youthful, were marked by resolve. They were no longer innocent bystanders.
After a long pause, he nodded. "Alright. We'll train them."
"We need specialized training, everyone!"
"But we can't stay here anymore. Even if this place is repaired, it won't be safe. We have nowhere else to go!" Beast interrupted anxiously.
"No, we do have a place to go," Charles said mysteriously, a glint of certainty in his eyes.
"This is your house?"
The sight of the massive, European-style castle left everyone in awe. The long-haired young man couldn't help but blurt out his disbelief.
"No, it's ours now," Charles corrected with a smile.
"Charles, I have no idea how you earn your money, but your life is outrageously luxurious," Eric muttered, his voice tinged with unmistakable jealousy.
Li Yue stood in quiet amazement. The grandeur of the mansion reminded him why Professor X was known as the founder of the prestigious X-Men Academy for gifted children.
"Let's go inside. It's time for a proper look," said Mystique confidently, leading the way like a true mistress of the house.
The castle's interior was as grand as its exterior. Unlike Tony Stark's modern, futuristic villa, the professor's home was a reflection of old-world charm, filled with opulent, classic decor. Though the styles were worlds apart, both residences radiated immense wealth and magnificence.
After the awe-filled tour, it was time to begin the special training.
Charles took Alex to a fortified underground shelter designed to withstand nuclear attacks.
"Alex, your abilities are incredibly powerful, but your lack of control is your greatest weakness. The first step in your training will be learning to direct your attacks with precision. You need to hit your target accurately," Charles instructed.
Meanwhile, the aquatic mutant, Kraken, stood alongside Charles and the female detective. With a single focused effort, Kraken emitted a powerful soundwave that shattered a pane of glass several meters away.
"That's incredible! Your abilities are remarkable," Charles said, genuinely impressed. "You can manipulate your vocal frequency to match the resonance of materials like glass, causing them to break. With more control, you could expand this to even stronger materials."
Charles meticulously analyzed each mutant's abilities, offering tailored guidance to enhance their powers. But when it came to Li Yue, the professor was perplexed.
Li Yue's teleportation –abilities were already extraordinarily refined, leaving little room for further improvement. However, his immense mental power remained largely untapped. Unlike others, Li Yue didn't know how to channel –this power effectively.
This posed a significant challenge for Charles. After some thought, he offered a simple piece of advice — one he had once given to Eric.
"The key to harnessing your mental power lies in the balance between anger and calm. True strength is born when you stand on the fine line between the two. If you can consciously utilize even half of your mental power, you could easily teleport an entire island," Charles said seriously.
Li Yue absorbed the words thoughtfully, aware of the untapped potential within him.
"Professor Charles, could you help me get some stronger metals?" Li Yue suddenly asked just as Charles was about to leave.
"Stronger metals? What for?" Charles questioned, puzzled.
"Never mind. Just consider it a small personal project," Li Yue replied vaguely.
"Alright then. I'll arrange for someone to procure them. You should have what you need in a few days," Charles agreed, though curiosity lingered in his mind.
Unbeknownst to him, Li Yue's true intentions were far more ambitious.
Thanks to his –adaptive abilities, Li Yue had recently discovered that he could transform parts of his body into materials like rock or ordinary steel, providing him with excellent durability. This ability sparked a bold idea — what if he could transform into Vibranium or Adamantium?
If successful, Li Yue's body would become nearly indestructible.
Finding top-tier metals like those was unlikely, but acquiring materials stronger than common steel was feasible. For Li Yue, it was a risk worth taking — a step closer to achieving his vision of ultimate resilience.
At that moment, people gathered outside, their curiosity evident. Unable to resist, Li Yue stepped out to see what the commotion was about.
It turned out to be a test flight for the Kraken's gliding wings. Dressed in his gear, the Kraken sat nervously on a third-floor window ledge, while Beast and Charles stood nearby, offering guidance.
"As long as you shout as loud as possible when you're about to land, you should be able to fly," Beast explained confidently.
"Wait… did I hear that right? You think I should be able to fly?" Kraken asked, visibly doubtful of Beast's advice.
"Alright, get ready. Believe in yourself — you can do this!" Charles encouraged, his voice calm and reassuring.
"Ready… Three, two, one!"
"Ahhh!"
Boom!
Before the Kraken could even properly shout, he plummeted straight to the ground, landing with a resounding thud and sending a cloud of dust into the air. Li Yue almost burst out laughing, and the spectators at the window couldn't hold back their laughter either.
A week passed swiftly. Li Yue now sat in his room, staring at a table cluttered with various metal blocks. Some were the size of fists, others slightly smaller, but among them lay a small, silver-white dagger, no larger than the palm of his hand.
According to Charles, these metal blocks represented the toughest materials available on the market. Some were highly resistant to extreme temperatures, others to corrosion, while a few boasted exceptional strength.
However, the dagger had captured Li Yue's full attention. After learning that it was made of secondary Adamantium alloy, his interest in the other metals vanished.
While secondary Adamantium wasn't as pure as the original alloy, it was still leagues ahead of any conventional metal. In the Marvel universe, Adamantium was one of the hardest materials known, famously bonded to Wolverine's skeleton without hindering his healing factor.
Vibranium, on the other hand, was used for Captain America's shield and Black Panther's suit. Though Adamantium surpassed Vibranium in raw hardness, Vibranium's unique energy-absorbing properties gave it other advantages. It was no wonder Captain America could hold his own in battle.
Li Yue was ecstatic. He hadn't expected Charles to procure even secondary Adamantium, making it far superior to what he had hoped for.
With a dismissive gesture, Li Yue pushed aside the ordinary metal blocks. He placed the silver dagger before him, closed his eyes, and concentrated his mental energy to probe the weapon's molecular structure.
An hour passed. Sweat dripped from his forehead, but when Li Yue opened his eyes, they gleamed with satisfaction.
"Adamantium truly lives up to its name. It took all this time just to analyze its composition. But I succeeded."
He extended his right hand, watching intently as –his index finger began to transform. The change was visible to the naked eye as the skin shifted into gleaming, silver-white metal. The transformation spread slowly across his palm, turning his entire right hand into Adamantium.
Li Yue clenched his metallic fist, the sound of metal striking metal echoing through the room. He grabbed the silver dagger and tested its sharpness by scraping it gently against his transformed hand. No sensation.
He increased the pressure. Still nothing. Finally, he applied his full strength, but not a single scratch appeared on his Adamantium skin.
A triumphant grin spread across his face.
Next, he brought his index and middle fingers together, and with a focused thought, the two fingers shifted and reshaped. Within seconds, they formed a sharp dagger, identical to the one on the table.
Without hesitation, Li Yue stabbed downward. The dagger pierced through the wooden table effortlessly. Then, he turned to one of the discarded metal blocks. There was resistance this time, but his transformed fingers still penetrated it with relative ease.
"Incredible…"
However, the exhilaration faded slightly as he examined his hand.
"For now, I can only transform my palm into Adamantium. To convert my entire body will take more time and practice."
Determined, Li Yue continued his experiments. He practiced repeatedly, shifting his hand from flesh to metal and back again, gradually refining his control.
The possibilities filled his mind. He imagined a future where his skin could transform into Vibranium, rendering him impervious to harm. His arms could become deadly weapons of Adamantium, making him virtually unstoppable.
The road ahead was challenging, but with his newfound abilities, Li Yue was one step closer to becoming truly invincible.
At this point, the mutants' training had progressed significantly. Under the looming threat of death, Kraken had managed to master the ability to fly using sound waves. Alex, with the guidance of Charles and the Beast, could now accurately hit his targets. Angel Girl had improved her flying speed, honing her accuracy and increasing the frequency of her fireball attacks.
Charles also assisted Eric in recalling precious memories of his childhood spent with his mother. These emotional recollections triggered a considerable boost in Eric's powers.
However, the progress of the black driver, Darwin, was relatively slow. Unlike the others, his abilities required time and patience to cultivate. According to Charles, if Darwin continued evolving, he could eventually achieve an almost indestructible body.
Meanwhile, the U.S. President had issued a stern warning, declaring that if Soviet ships crossed the embargo line, military retaliation would follow. With only one night remaining for the mutant team to act, the atmosphere was tense.
That night brought several unexpected events.
First, Hank developed two serums using the genetic material from Mystique, designed to eliminate mutant physical traits and restore a more human appearance. However, when he presented it to her, she firmly rejected the offer.
Disappointed, Hank returned to his lab and injected himself with one of the serums. Initially, it worked — his feet transformed to resemble those of an ordinary human. But his joy was short-lived. The serum's side effects quickly manifested, causing his entire body to swell and morph into a monstrous form covered in thick blue fur.
Elsewhere, Charles and Magneto found themselves at odds. While Charles's sole goal was to prevent Sebastian Shaw from igniting a war, Magneto was driven by a thirst for vengeance. His determination to kill Shaw was unwavering. He warned Charles that once humans witnessed the full extent of mutant abilities, their fear would compel them to seek the destruction of mutants. Tragically, Magneto's beliefs would later prove accurate.
Amid their growing conflict, Magneto approached Li Yue with a question. If a division arose between him and Charles, who would Li Yue choose to follow?
Li Yue couldn't shake the feeling that he was like a child caught between two feuding parents. Weighing the decision heavily, he told Magneto that he would think it over carefully.
Meanwhile, the magic-shaped woman confronted Charles. She believed that he wished for her to suppress her true identity, to adopt a human form for the sake of fitting into society. In contrast, Magneto encouraged her to embrace her natural self — to proudly reveal her blue skin without fear.
The night passed quickly despite the emotional turmoil. By morning, the entire team had gathered, though Hank was noticeably absent. Curious and concerned, they headed to the lab. Upon arrival, they found a note taped to the door:
"I've gone to the flight base first. Don't forget to bring the box marked with the X symbol."
The sight that greeted them as they opened the lab door was shocking. It looked as though a wild beast had rampaged through the room, leaving it in complete disarray. After scanning the chaotic mess, they finally located the box with the prominent "X" symbol. Upon opening it, they were met with a set of specially designed battle suits — one for each member.
"It seems Hank hasn't been idle!" the professor exclaimed.
"Do we really have to wear this?" one of the mutants asked, inspecting the combat suit.
"First of all, we can't withstand extreme gravity or bullets, so it's better to wear it," Charles replied calmly.
Li Yue and the rest of the team stood beside a sleek, futuristic-looking fighter jet. For its time, the aircraft was exceptionally advanced.
"Where's Hank?" someone asked.
"I'm here!"
Everyone turned to see a figure approaching, but it was no longer the familiar Hank. Instead, a beast-like figure covered in blue fur walked upright towards them. His features were unrecognizable, replaced by a more animalistic appearance.
"The serum didn't eliminate my mutation. It enhanced it instead. I failed," Hank said, his voice tinged with regret.
"You didn't fail. This is who you are. There's no need to hide it," Mystique reassured him with a comforting tone.
"You look amazing, my friend," Eric added. But before Eric could –continue, Hank unexpectedly grabbed him by the neck, lifting him with ease.
Li Yue couldn't suppress a chuckle at the sight. "What is this? Beauty and the Beast, but reversed?"
"Put him down, Hank!" Charles called out, shaking his head.
"I'm not joking," Eric protested, visibly uncomfortable.
"I'm telling the truth!" Eric replied, feeling wronged.
"Hank! We need to take off," Charles reminded him.
"Can you even fly this plane?" the Kraken asked, still skeptical.
"I built this plane," Hank replied with confidence.
Everyone boarded the aircraft, secured their safety belts, and prepared for the journey. The engines roared to life, and with a sudden burst of acceleration, the fighter jet took to the sky, its supersonic capabilities evident.
Li Yue couldn't help but marvel at the technology. Despite the era, Hank had managed to create something far ahead of its time.
Soon, they reached the conflict zone. Tension filled the air as the U.S. and Soviet warships faced off, both prepared for battle. The blockade line was clearly visible, and a Soviet cargo ship continued its slow advance towards it. The moment it crossed the line, the U.S. forces were under orders to open fire, triggering the inevitable escalation of war.
"Three minutes until the cargo ship crosses the embargo line, sir," an officer reported.
"If they cross the line, may God have mercy. Raise the alarm and prepare for battle," the U.S. commander ordered, his expression grim.
Meanwhile, aboard the Soviet ship, the commander had received new orders from his superiors. The cargo ship was to return immediately and avoid any further provocation. However, despite repeated attempts to issue the command, there was no response from the cargo ship. It continued its course, ignoring all communication.
"The ship isn't responding. What's going on?" the Soviet commander demanded.
Using his telepathic abilities, Charles scanned the cargo ship. His face darkened as he sensed the horrific truth.
"There are no living people on that ship," he said gravely. "Sebastian Shaw was there. He killed everyone on board."
The CIA agent's voice trembled with concern. "What do we do? If the cargo ship crosses the line, the U.S. will fire. The Soviets will retaliate. War will break out."
A heavy silence fell over the group. The weight of the impending catastrophe hung in the air.
The professor thought for a moment and then used his psychic abilities to control an officer aboard the Soviet warship.
The officer's eyes went blank as he moved robotically towards the control panel, shoving aside a soldier who had been operating it. Without hesitation, he slammed his hand down on the missile launch button.
After completing the task, the officer suddenly regained his senses. He stood there, confused and disoriented, unaware of what had just occurred.
Meanwhile, aboard the plane, panic surged through the cabin. The missile that had just been launched was now hurtling toward them, directly in their path.
"Ahhh!"
The Beast roared as he desperately tried to steer the aircraft out of the missile's trajectory. However, no matter how much he maneuvered, the missile seemed impossible to avoid. It was locked onto them, and the inevitable impact loomed closer.
Seeing the impending disaster, Li Yue didn't have time to think. Relying purely on instinct, he activated his powers. In an instant, the entire plane and everyone onboard vanished from the missile's path, reappearing a safe distance away in mid-air.
"Hoo!"
Relief washed over the team as they realized they had narrowly escaped death.
"Li Yue, that was incredible!" someone exclaimed, still catching their breath.
"Thank you, Li Yue. You saved all of us," the professor said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.
"Next time, Professor, maybe give us a heads-up before pulling a stunt like that!" The Beast grumbled, still shaken. "If it weren't for Li Yue, we'd all be dead."
Even Magneto, who had failed to react in time, nodded in silent acknowledgment of Li Yue's quick thinking.
Back on the Soviet warship, the sailors stared in shock as their missile struck the cargo ship, detonating it in a fiery explosion. The scene was surreal, and for a moment, no one knew how to respond.
"Good job! You just prevented a nuclear war," the commander said, placing a firm hand on the confused officer's shoulder.
"W-what?" The officer stammered, still bewildered.
"Take him to the confinement room!" the commander barked.
"But... what happened?" The officer was dragged away, his protests unanswered.
On the cargo ship, the Red Devil sensed the impending explosion and swiftly teleported to the submarine.
"It was the Soviets. They destroyed their own ship," he reported.
Sebastian Shaw's expression remained calm. "They took the bait. I knew they would."
He reached for his helmet — a signature, metallic headpiece designed to block telepathic interference.
"Is that it, then? Did they just foil our plan?" the Red Devil asked anxiously.
"No," Shaw replied, his voice dripping with confidence. "We just need another match to light the fuse. And we still have the most powerful weapon in the world — me."
He gestured toward the submarine's nuclear reactor. "Once I absorb 100% of its energy, no one will be able to stop me. During this process, I must not be disturbed."
Without further words, Shaw entered the reactor chamber. The Red Devil followed his orders, activating the reactor. As the massive machine roared to life, Shaw placed his hands on it, beginning the process of absorbing its immense energy.
Back on the plane, the professor's voice was grim. "Shaw must be hiding underwater. But without sonar detection, we have no way of pinpointing his exact location."
A heavy sense of frustration settled over the team. The thought of Shaw lurking just beneath the surface, still carrying out his plan, weighed on them.
Magneto clenched his fists, his eyes burning with determination. "He's so close, yet we can't get to him. Not being able to avenge my mother — that's the hardest part to bear."
The professor placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll find a way, Erik. We won't let him succeed."
The mission was far from over.
"No, we have a sonar!" The Kraken suddenly exclaimed, interrupting everyone's thoughts.
Professor Xavier and Magneto both turned to him in surprise. Of course! How could they forget?
Without wasting a moment, both unbuckled their seat belts and led the Kraken to the back of the plane.
"Open the hatch, Beast!" the professor commanded.
The large metal hatch creaked open, revealing the vast ocean below. Before the Kraken jumped, the professor gave him one last piece of advice.
"Your vocal cords are like a muscle. You just need to control them. I'll be in your mind to guide you." He pointed to his head, reassuring him with a calm expression.
With a nod, the Kraken leaped from the plane. As he neared the water's surface, he let out a powerful shout, slowing his descent. The force of the sound created a buffer of air, allowing him to glide momentarily before plunging into the sea.
Once submerged, the Kraken unleashed another deep, resonating cry. Visible sound waves pulsed through the water, spreading rapidly. Upon colliding with the submerged submarine, the waves reflected back, providing him with its precise location.
"The Kraken found the submarine," the professor announced. "Hank, lower the plane. Erik, are you ready?"
"Let's go find him!" Magneto declared firmly, determination in his eyes.
The Beast carefully brought the plane closer to the water. Magneto grasped the aircraft's landing gear with his left hand, extending his right toward the ocean. He focused intensely, his magnetic power surging. Despite his efforts, the immense weight of the submarine made it nearly impossible to lift.
"Eric, remember — the key is to find the balance between anger and calm," the professor encouraged.
With renewed focus, Magneto's confidence surged. His powers ignited once more, the magnetic field expanding dramatically. Slowly, the massive submarine emerged from the depths, water cascading down its metallic frame. It hovered in the air, suspended by Magneto's sheer will.
From the nearby military vessels, soldiers stared in disbelief. The sight of the colossal submarine defying gravity left them speechless. For the first time, they truly grasped the immense power of mutants.
Li Yue, too, was awestruck. Witnessing Magneto's strength firsthand was an unforgettable experience. The sight of the submarine, thousands of tons of steel, lifted effortlessly into the sky was a true testament to Magneto's legendary power.
Suddenly, the submarine's hatch creaked open. Sebastian Shaw emerged, his presence commanding. Not far behind him, the Red Devil and the Hurricane stood like sentinels. Shaw's eyes locked onto the hovering aircraft. Realizing the threat, he wasted no time.
The Hurricane stepped forward, manipulating the air currents. A violent gale surged towards the plane. Under the immense force, one of the aircraft's wings was torn away. The plane spiraled uncontrollably, plummeting towards the shoreline.
Inside, the cabin erupted into chaos. Sparks flew from damaged wiring, and the Beast fought desperately to stabilize the controls.
"Li Yue!" the professor called out urgently. Magneto, still outside, clung tightly to the aircraft.
Without hesitation, Li Yue activated his powers. In an instant, the plane and all its passengers vanished, reappearing on the beach. Though the landing was rough, with the aircraft skidding across the sand, it remained intact.
Breathing heavily, the passengers slowly unbuckled their seat belts, shaken but alive. They helped each other out of the wreckage, grateful for the narrow escape.
But the danger was far from over.
Unlike in the original timeline, Sebastian Shaw had already completed his absorption of the reactor's energy. With a swift blast of immense power, he blew a gaping hole in the side of the submarine. As smoke billowed from the wreck, Shaw stepped forward, his figure illuminated by the destruction. The Red Devil and Hurricane flanked him like loyal bodyguards.
A twisted smirk spread across Shaw's face as his gaze met Li Yue's.
"So," he sneered. "You didn't die after all."
...…..
Please support us and read at least 10 chapter ahead at my patréon.
patréon.com/PrimorDious.
I'll be very grateful. Thank you.