As expected.
The moment the press conference ended, the entire world plunged into an unprecedented frenzy. Meanwhile, Admiral Scudder and a tight group of high-level operatives rushed to the White House aboard a fighter jet.
Another emergency session of the highest order was convened that very night.
But unlike previous times, the urgency now was absolute—it reached the very foundations of national power.
"They're cutting out our roots!!"
Scudder's voice thundered across the meeting room as he slammed his hand on the conference table.
"All our previous assumptions about the Mutants were wrong! We've completely underestimated their ambition! This isn't about launching some product or releasing a game—this is a blatant attempt to overthrow the world order!"
Everyone around the polished oak table remained silent. Grave. Tense.
No one in this room was naïve. Every person here understood what Oasis had just done to the world. And the terrifying truth? The people loved it.
Humanity had been shielded from the reality of aliens and superpowers for decades—always in the name of maintaining global stability.
But now? Joseph and the Second World Company had handed the people a key to power. To evolution.
Whether it worked or not didn't even matter anymore. The belief had taken root.
And belief? That changed everything.
Before today, the world operated on a simple hierarchy: power, money, status. The ruling elite held dominance because they controlled all three—alongside military might.
But now, the game had changed.
From this day forward, people would pursue superhuman power above all else.
When ordinary civilians could gain strength to rival soldiers and weapons—what would armies mean then?
The thought alone caused shivers.
"Maybe it's all a smokescreen," someone finally muttered. "A scheme by Second World. Maybe those so-called 'awakened players' were just Mutants in disguise. It's impossible that a game can actually cause evolution."
Nods followed. It was a comforting idea—that it was all hype. That this chaos was built on illusions.
"Delusions won't save us!" Scudder snapped, slamming the table again. "You saw what I saw. That wasn't smoke and mirrors—it was real power."
His face was red, twisted with barely suppressed rage.
"Joseph said it himself—times have changed. What was once science fiction is now our reality. You still think Oasis was built with Earth's current tech standards? Don't forget—they have the Tesseract!"
Murmurs swept the room.
"We spent years researching that damn cube and could only make a few weapons. Stark hid the only breakthrough tech we had, refusing to hand it over."
"But Joseph? The Second World Company? They've done the impossible! They're using the Tesseract to reshape reality!"
Scudder's words sent chills down spines.
"We have to treat this with the highest threat level," declared President Matthew Ellis, whose recent success following the nuclear incident had catapulted his influence to its peak.
All eyes turned to him.
"It doesn't matter if Oasis truly evolves humans or not. The world believes it can—and banning it would only incite rebellion. We need a plan. Now."
A heavy silence followed.
Finally, some began offering ideas.
"The game requires infrastructure. Servers. Staff. Developers. Maybe we can target them? Not all Second World employees are superpowered. Most have families..."
"Pointless," Scudder and Ellis replied in unison.
"You attack those people and the masses will revolt. They see Oasis as a lifeline. A birthright. Attack it, and they'll see you as tyrants killing their future."
"Delay won't solve anything," Ellis said. "Only a decisive solution will work."
"Should we censor the press conference video? Many haven't seen it yet—"
The sharp glares that met the speaker shut him down instantly.
Scudder's anger was now shared.
Joseph hadn't launched a secret plot.
He had launched a revolution.
And they had no answer.
Silence again.
Then, Ellis spoke slowly.
"Do you remember Magneto? He once created a device that could transform humans into Mutants. It failed—killed people instead of evolving them—but what if it hadn't?"
The room froze.
"What if it works now? What if Oasis is the evolution machine, perfected?"
He stood.
"Whether we have intelligence or not, we must assume Oasis works exactly as advertised."
He paused.
"And it's controlled... by the Mutants."
Gasps. Realization dawned.
"Forget all the talk about evolution rates or game quests like the 'Trial of the God of Law.' If they control who gets power, then they control the future."
"Only those loyal to Mutants—or at least neutral—will be granted superpowers."
"As for us? Officials? Traditional elites? We're locked out."
It was plain to see.
They already had proof. James, a high-ranking FBI agent, and Maria Hill, a Level 9 S.H.I.E.L.D. officer—both had appeared at the press conference as newly awakened.
"So... do we ban insiders from purchasing Oasis gear?"
"Can you even do that?" Scudder sneered. "Do you really think any restriction can stop people? The situation has reached a life-or-death moment. If we wait, we'll be nothing but dust beneath the Mutants' feet."
He rose, voice rising.
"We must act. And not with half-measures. We need action strong enough to turn the tide in a single blow!"
The room erupted in whispers. Panic. Plans. Questions.
Ellis and Scudder didn't interrupt. They watched the tide of fear turn to grim resolve.
Then Ellis pointed to a stern man in the corner.
"Director Worthington. Your lab was working on the anti-ability serum. Accelerate production. We need doses immediately."
"Plastic guns. Psychic-blocking helmets. Everything. Get them moving."
Worthington, father of the Mutant known as Angel, frowned. "Sir, the formula is still untested—"
"No excuses," Ellis cut him off. "Do your best."
He turned to Scudder. "We'll need special operations units."
"Leave that to me," Scudder nodded. "General Ross, your super-soldier program. Can you give us something usable? Even if it's just Blonsky-level strength."
"Absolutely," Ross said with a cold grin. "In fact, I can provide you with a Hulk army."
Eyes widened.
"The serum isn't stable, but it works. S.H.I.E.L.D. has the Abomination on standby as a doomsday weapon—we'll do better."
The cost in human lives didn't matter anymore.
Ellis nodded. "I'll pressure S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Sandra Pierce. We'll get cooperation from the World Security Council too."
Scudder added, "Even the old X-Weapon research can be used. The data is flawed, but we don't need perfection—we need weapons."
Finally, both men turned.
"Sir Trask. The Sentinel Program. How far along are you?"
Bolivar Trask didn't flinch.
"Ready."
With that one word, half the room exhaled.
The ace up their sleeve had been revealed.
More plans poured in. More madness.
"What about the villains who attacked the press conference? Can we find them? Recruit them?"
"Arkham Asylum—Gotham's worst. Could they be of use?"
"Belle Reve Prison has dozens of superpowered inmates. Maybe we can make a deal?"
All heads turned.
"Amanda Waller. You're in charge of that operation."
The war for humanity's future had begun.
And the old world wouldn't go down without a fight.
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