"Is this really me?" John stared at his reflection in the mirror...
The black uniform was impeccably tailored, hugging his frame with a snug fit that accentuated his chest and shoulders, exuding a sense of solid strength.
Intricate silver patterns embroidered the shoulders, collar, and cuffs, while his right arm bore a striking crimson armband emblazoned with flames. On his chest gleamed a metallic badge... a red-and-white Umbrella insignia.
The uniform's design bore a striking resemblance to the German SS style, radiating a cold lethal aura.
But more important than its imposing appearance was the material itself... a new fabric cultivated from symbiote technology, developed by Umbrella. Lightweight, bulletproof, and capable of optical camouflage, it was a cutting-edge combat suit not yet available to the military.
With the gradual implementation of the Mutant Registration Act, most of the young mutants at Xavier's Institute had chosen to publicly disclose their identities, becoming officially registered.
True to the Act's provisions, the government and Mr. Cyphers had upheld their promises, granting them legal status, social welfare benefits, and full citizenship rights.
Unlike Bobby Drake who had hesitated, John and his peers had joined Umbrella...
Those with strong combat abilities, like him and Piotr "Colossus" Rasputin, were assigned to the company's new security division, earning generous salaries. Outstanding performers could even receive military commissions.
The sudden changes hadn't left the impulsive Pyro disoriented. On the contrary, he was brimming with determination.
John (Pyro) wasn't like his reserved obedient friend Bobby, nor was he as mild-mannered as Piotr. He had his own ideas and his own ambitions.
In the original timeline, John had ultimately followed Magneto rather than returning to Xavier's Institute to remain a "good boy". That alone proved he was different from the other students...
Thanks to Sean's influence, mutants hadn't caused much upheaval in this world... aside from Magneto's rampage in Manhattan. As a result, John's former belief in following the strongest had shifted.
The Pyro of the past had worshipped strength above all. But when he heard how the legendary mutants had fallen before Sean, he began questioning his old convictions.
William Stryker, the infamous "Mutant Butcher", had died at Mr. Cyphers' hands. Professor Xavier trusted him implicitly. And Magneto? Rumor had it he's been exiled, forced to lead the Brotherhood to distant Africa.
It wasn't until John joined Umbrella that he truly saw what real power looked like. Even Emil Blonsky, a warrior capable of transforming into the Abomination, treated Sean with deference. The brilliant scientists, the dazzling superheroes, the high-ranking government officials... none dared show even a hint of disrespect toward this seemingly ordinary young man.
No one was content with mediocrity. Every young man had dreams and ideals... it was just that time usually wore them away.
John didn't care about moral stances or human-mutant peace. To him, Xavier's philosophy was outdated. He had always agreed more with Magneto, mutants were the next step in evolution, superior to ordinary humans.
But Magneto's defeat at Sean's hands had forced John to reconsider. His brief time at Umbrella had shown him the allure of true influence.
The high-ranking military officers, and the arrogant government officials... their attitudes toward Mr. Cyphers were entirely different from how they treated others. This wasn't something pure strength could achieve.
A powerhouse like Magneto could make humans tremble in fear, but he could never make them kneel in submission. Wealth and authority, however, accomplished it effortlessly.
This revelation shook John to his core. Every young man needed a role model. Before, his had been vague... maybe Xavier, maybe Magneto. But now, Sean had unveiled the true world at the pyramid's peak, and that figure in his mind had suddenly become crystal clear...
John studied his reflection, the crisp uniform, and 'silently' made his vow: "I want to be someone like him."
...
Stepping outside, he joined the rows of black-clad figures in the hall...
This was Umbrella's new facility on Long Island's northern outskirts, and they were all members of the Umbrella Security Team. Their drill instructor? It was none other than Emil Blonsky, a former special forces operative.
At first, some of the young mutants had underestimated the compact battle-hardened man. But they quickly abandoned that foolish notion, especially after one unlucky challenger was pummeled into submission by the Abomination.
In the face of Blonsky's combat experience, their raw mutant abilities were nothing...
"Listen up, rookies! Forget your past identities. From now on, you're Umbrella's private legion, serving our boss, Mr. Cyphers!" Blonsky's commanding presence made everyone instinctively straighten, "You think your powers make you better than ordinary humans? Remember your last failure! That was a disgrace... a scar you'll carry!"
A week ago, these young mutants had faced off against General Ross's Thunderbolts in a live combat drill. The super-soldiers, enhanced by performance-enhancing drugs and armed with top-tier weaponry, had crushed them effortlessly.
This had been Sean's idea...
He hadn't been surprised by the outcome. Mutant abilities were formidable, but without teamwork and tactical discipline, even the most gifted were no match for seasoned soldiers.
The young boss behind the scenes wanted them to understand that their powers alone weren't enough...
First, he shattered their arrogance. Then, Blonsky would forge them into a real fighting force. Finally, they'd become an unstoppable mutant legion.
"The average soldier makes $30 000 a year. Officers? $70 000. And you useless rookies are earning nearly double, yet you couldn't even take down a bunch of grunts!" Blonsky's roar echoed through the hall.
As a veteran who had spent his life on the battlefield, he knew the drill sergeant's playbook by heart.
In this collective, these young mutants would soon forget their old identities. They'd be tempered and hammered into shape until they became true soldiers, obeying orders without question...
In the foreseeable future, they'd be Umbrella's sword and shield. Blonsky couldn't help but marvel at the young boss's ambitions. With the power and influence Sean already wielded, he stood at the pinnacle of this nation's hierarchy.
Yet, from what Blonsky had observed, Sean never seemed satisfied or complacent. It was as if something were chasing him, driving him relentlessly forward, as though the road ahead had no end.
"Is the apocalypse coming?" Blonsky blinked, then shook off the dark joke...
~~~
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