Escanor(Marvel)

Rows of seats near the stage were filled with people. The atmosphere in the hall was tense, anticipation hanging in the air.

One of the spectators subtly twitched his nose, catching a familiar scent. Logan sat back in his chair, his shirt slightly unbuttoned, revealing his toned muscles. He glanced around slowly, trying to pinpoint what had put him on edge.

"Something wrong?" Cyclops asked, adjusting his glasses, disguised as regular sunglasses.

"The smell... too familiar," Logan replied hoarsely. His nostrils flared, and a shadow of displeasure crossed his face. There was something unsettling about that scent, something that stirred old, unpleasant memories.

"From who?" Cyclops asked tensely, following Logan's gaze.

"I don't know. Too many people. And it's faint... Maybe I imagined it," Logan frowned.

For a few moments, silence hung between them, broken only by the muffled hum of the crowd.

"Is this really a good idea revealing everything about us to the world?" Cyclops murmured, his brow furrowing.

Logan smirked, his wary eyes still scanning the audience.

"I don't know. I don't like it... but the Professor knows what he's doing," Logan replied, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Will it be for the better?" Scott asked doubtfully, keeping his gaze fixed on the stage.

"Maybe. But we have to be ready for anything," Wolverine said. Yet, deep inside, unease was already bubbling. His instincts told him things wouldn't go as smoothly as planned.

"I wish Jean had come," Scott muttered, trying to keep the disappointment out of his voice.

"We can't leave the school unattended," Logan reminded him, trying to shift his focus.

"Then it was a bad idea to leave Jubilee and Kitty in charge," Cyclops noted.

Logan hesitated for a moment. In their haste, they might have made a serious mistake, leaving the mansion in the hands of those who still needed supervision. He could only hope it would remain intact.

Meanwhile, people continued gathering on the stage. Silence thickened in the hall, the air growing heavy with expectation. And then, it began.

The Prime Minister stepped up to the microphone.

"Today is a special day for America," he began. His voice was steady, but there was a hint of tension beneath it. "Today, we will reveal a secret that has been hidden for years, one meant to protect you. But those who have lived in the shadows, striking mercilessly at our country, have become too dangerous to ignore. I apologize to our citizens we have failed you. It is time to change everything. This is only the beginning."

He paused, as if savoring the moment.

"Today, I reveal the truth: among us have always lived individuals with extraordinary abilities. They are called mutants. The gene responsible for their powers can manifest randomly in anyone."

A wave of murmurs rippled through the audience. Many turned to glance at one another in disbelief, while a few cast their eyes toward Hank, trying to make sense of the situation.

"We have invited a group that has long remained in secrecy," the Prime Minister continued, his voice calm. "Their intentions are entirely peaceful. They have helped our nation overcome numerous threats."

Professor Xavier and his colleagues stepped onto the stage. Ororo walked beside him, pushing his wheelchair, while Hank followed behind in his signature glasses.

"I would like to begin with something simple," Professor Xavier spoke, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. His voice was firm yet warm. "You may think of us as a threat. That we are different. But that is merely fear of the unknown. We are not here for war. We are here to prove that we are just as human as you, even if we are a little different. My name is Professor Xavier. I am a mutant. And throughout my life, I have sought peace and harmony between our worlds. I believe that together, we can create a future where fear does not define our destiny."

His words hung in the air, but the tension in the hall did not dissipate. People exchanged glances, unsure of what to think or feel. It was all too new, too unexpected.

"Go to hell, mutants! You belong in cages!" someone shouted from the stands. The voice was filled with aggression and hatred.

The words shattered the silence, and security moved in almost instantly, seizing the disruptor and swiftly escorting him out. The rest of the audience remained frozen, uncertain how to react.

Only one person in the front rows sat calmly. He smiled ever so slightly, watching the events unfold with interest. His eyes were fixed on those who would soon become the center of attention. He knew this was only the beginning, and what happened next would change everything.

Professor Xavier, as if he hadn't heard the insult, continued in a composed manner:

"You are welcome to ask questions to better understand us."

A tense silence settled over the room. Journalists exchanged glances, contemplating where to begin. Finally, one of them a man wearing glasses with an "America Times" press badge cleared his throat and raised his hand.

"My question is this: if you have abilities, what kind are they?"

Xavier offered a faint, composed smile.

"It all comes down to the X-gene. Its activation occurs randomly. Sometimes, it results in minor changes such as a shift in eye color. Other times, it grants extraordinary abilities: the power to fly, control water, or even alter one's own molecular structure. The outcome is always unpredictable."

"Thank you for your answer," the journalist nodded and took his seat, yielding the floor to the next.

Another reporter stood up, his movements sharp, his voice more confrontational:

"Forgive me, but what if a mutant chooses to cause harm? Who can hold them accountable if they are immune to weapons and above the law?"

A murmur of approval rippled through the audience. Some nodded, others exchanged glances with their neighbors. This question was on many minds, and now it had been voiced aloud.

"That is one of the challenges we face," Xavier replied calmly. "But I must emphasize an overwhelming majority of mutants are ordinary people who have no desire to harm anyone. They live, work, and raise families, just like everyone else."

He paused, then continued:

"A mutant cannot rob a bank or commit a crime with impunity. The law applies to all. Any offender, regardless of their abilities, will be held accountable. I believe that is fair. Powers do not exempt one from justice, nor do they hinder the judicial system from carrying out its duty."

The journalist scoffed, crossing his arms.

"Fair?" he repeated sarcastically. "I find that hard to believe. What punishment did the Hulk receive? The Abomination? Or those two bruisers from last year? I haven't seen a single trial!"

A wave of murmurs swept through the hall. Some nodded in agreement, while others began whispering amongst themselves. The question had stirred the tension that was already thick in the air.

Professor Xavier remained silent for a few seconds, allowing the crowd's emotions to settle slightly. He subtly dampened the heightened emotions with his telepathy, helping people think more clearly.

"I will answer your question. The Hulk and the Abomination are not mutants. They are the result of experiments aimed at creating super-soldiers. Their existence is a consequence of scientific research that spiraled out of control. So perhaps that question is better directed at your government..."

The hall erupted into an even louder uproar.

"Let's not dwell on that," the Prime Minister interjected, his voice carrying a note of panic. "We are here today to discuss entirely different matters."

Xavier looked at him, then gave a slight nod.

"I will meet you halfway," he said calmly.

Journalists eagerly scribbled down every word, already anticipating a sensational headline. The revelations they had heard today could change society's entire perception of the situation. Maybe the ones being blamed weren't the real culprits? Maybe everything was far more complicated than it seemed?

Gradually, the questions came at the professor and his companions in a relentless barrage, turning the press conference into a chaotic storm of voices. After a few minutes, the Prime Minister was forced to intervene, raising a hand to call for silence.

"Now you know as much as we do," he said, his voice steady. "But knowing the truth, we cannot stand idly by. We must protect people from those who see themselves as gods among mortals."

He gestured toward the audience.

"I invite Bolivar Trask."

A short man with a cold, confident gaze stepped onto the stage. Someone in the crowd chuckled, but the moment he began to speak, all smiles disappeared.

"A lot has been said here today," Trask declared. "And all of it is a lie."

His sharp eyes swept across the room, as if assessing each person present.

"They say mutants are just like us? No! That is a lie! How many innocent people have died at their hands? Given power, they see themselves as superior to the rest of us!"

He pointed to a massive object nearby, hidden beneath a thick cloth.

"My entire life has been dedicated to one goal protecting humanity from the mutant threat. And today, I present to you the project that will make the world a safer place."

With those words, the cloth was pulled away, revealing the figures concealed beneath it. Metal gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting the bright light. Towering humanoid forms stood before the audience, their dark blue bodies shimmering with a metallic sheen, while sparse violet accents gave them an ominous appearance.

"The Sentinel Project."

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As if on cue, the reactor at the machine's chest flared to life. A low hum echoed through the hall as the massive mechanisms whirred into motion. People leapt from their seats, their faces a mix of awe and alarm. Iron Man had once been the pinnacle of technological advancement, but now he was far from the only one with such capabilities. The world had changed.

Sensing the growing tension, the Prime Minister quickly stepped in.

"Of course, Bolivar Trask is slightly exaggerating," he said, his voice steady, though his eyes betrayed unease. "But these machines will truly ensure order and prevent the misuse of abilities. We had no choice but to take this step for the sake of security."

Trask stepped forward, his movements precise and deliberate, as if he had been waiting for this moment all along.

"Forgive my… bluntness," he began, his voice cold and sharp as a blade. "But protecting humanity requires decisive measures. We cannot allow a potential threat to grow unchecked. This is not an attack. This is a response."

Slowly, he turned toward Professor Xavier, his gaze filled with unwavering conviction.

Logan clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening into fists. SNIKT. Adamantium claws slid out just slightly on their own. His instincts had been right this was a trap.

And then, a sharp, furious voice cut through the air, echoing from above.

"You see, Charles? You dreamed of peace, and they built weapons to exterminate us!"

The entire hall froze. All eyes turned upward toward the source of the voice.

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Suspended in the air, Magneto loomed like a dark specter against the fiery hues of the setting sun. Above him, a massive chunk of the arena, ripped from the earth itself, hovered menacingly. Debris rained down, shattering against the ground.

Panic erupted. People screamed, shoving past one another in a frantic attempt to escape the impending destruction.

"Eliminate him!" Trask bellowed, thrusting a hand forward.

"STOP!" Xavier's voice sliced through the chaos.

The Sentinels turned in unison, their arms locking onto Magneto. Power surged, weapons primed.

But nothing happened.

The towering metal giants stood motionless.

Magneto slowly lowered his hands, and in that instant, the enormous arena fragment trembled in midair. A heartbeat of silence followed.

And then, with terrifying force, it came crashing down.

A thunderous impact.

Steel and concrete shattered, crushing everything beneath. Those unfortunate enough to be caught in its path were lost beneath the wreckage. Cries of terror rang out as some people froze in shock while others clutched their phones, still filming the catastrophe.

Across the world, screens flickered, broadcasting every moment in real time. And as if guided by an unseen hand, all cameras synchronized, honing in on a single figure.

Magneto.

He spread his arms wide, his voice booming over the chaos:

"Brothers and sisters! Do you see what they do? They do not see us as people! They experiment on us, exploit us, force us to obey! And now, they have built weapons to destroy us!"

He took a step forward, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Enough hiding! Enough running! It's time to fight back! They deserve this!"

"Erik, stop!" Xavier tried to halt the madness. "You're destroying everything we worked for! Understanding, peace… You're leaving us with only one path war!"

But Magneto only smirked.

"You still don't understand, Charles? Peace is long gone. They despise us and want to erase us from the face of the Earth. The only way to survive is to show them power power they will fear. Only then can we save our kind!"

Slowly, he raised his hand.

The Sentinels, which had stood frozen moments before, suddenly twitched. Their mechanical joints groaned as, obeying an unseen force, they turned. Their weaponized arms locked onto the humans.

"And now, I will turn their weapons against them."

Magneto's voice was cold, leaving no room for doubt.

"Bolivar…" the Prime Minister exhaled in panic, watching as the Sentinels' barrels slowly pivoted toward them.

"They're not responding… He's taken control!" Trask shouted, his voice cracking. His face had gone pale. Everything he had spent years creating was crumbling before his eyes. Even if he survived this he would be branded a failure, a man incapable of protecting humanity. A stain on his reputation that could never be erased. In despair, he collapsed to his knees, clutching his head.

"No, Erik!" Xavier's voice rang out, filled with desperation.

Storm raised her hands, summoning a storm, but she had no time. She saw Hank and Logan lunging forward, trying to reach Magneto.

Scott's optic blast tore from his visor, glowing red-hot. But before it could hit its mark, swirling streams of metal converged around Magneto, forming an impenetrable shield. The energy scattered against the spinning barrier, leaving him unharmed.

And then… nothing happened.

The Sentinels didn't fire.

Magneto whirled around, his brow furrowed. Their weapons remained charged but motionless.

"What…" He clenched his fists, sensing something was wrong.

"It worked."

Magneto slowly turned his gaze.

Bolivar Trask lifted his head. A strange mix of relief and triumph flickered across his face.

"What worked?" The Prime Minister's voice trembled as he glanced between Trask and the frozen Sentinels.

Trask exhaled, as if he had only just felt solid ground beneath his feet again.

"The Sentinels… recognize and attack only mutants."

Magneto slowly turned his head. His gaze was no longer fixed on the humans. Now, he was looking directly at the X-Men.

"If you want something done right, do it yourself."

With grim determination, he prepared to finish them off personally while the Sentinels handled the rest of the bothersome team.

"Run!" Bolivar shouted, realizing this was their only chance to escape. He took off first, and the others followed.

Outside, storm clouds gathered, and a fierce wind rose. Electricity crackled around Storm as she focused, summoning a lightning bolt like an arrow aimed directly at Magneto. He raised a magnetic shield to defend himself, but the charge pierced through the layers of metal and nearly struck him.

The Sentinels launched their attack on Beast first, attacking from multiple sides. He struggled to break free but couldn't deal any significant damage. Scott (Cyclops) seized the opportunity and fired a powerful optic blast at one of the Sentinels. It was enough to destroy it, but the remaining ones retaliated with suppressive fire, forcing him to take cover behind the rubble.

The X-Men were outnumbered against Magneto and his Sentinels. They fought desperately, but slowly, they were losing ground.

Then, one of the blasts hit Storm. She hadn't managed to dodge in time, and the shot struck her directly in the side.

Ororo collapsed to the ground, wracked with pain. She tried to get up, but her body refused to move several bones were likely broken. No one could help her as a Sentinel loomed overhead, raising its arm for a final, lethal strike.

She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable.

But the blow never came.

Opening her eyes, she saw him. But… how? He was supposed to be dead.

"You need not fear any longer… for Escanor is here," he declared confidently.

He stood between her and the Sentinel like an unshakable shield, radiating safety and hope. The fierce lion emblazoned on his back seemed to roar with life, while his slight smirk gave the impression that this was nothing more than a casual stroll like there was no danger at all.

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