Storm's eyes widened in disbelief. The shock in her voice made it clear—she didn't doubt the information, but its implications were staggering.
One-fifth of internet users speaking out in support of Mutants?
That wasn't just significant—it was historic.
Joseph merely smiled. "Alice, say hello to Teacher Ororo."
As soon as he spoke, the TV screen flickered. Under the astonished gazes of Storm and the other X-Men, the broadcast shifted to display a little girl in a red dress. She waved cheerfully, her voice sweet and crisp:
"Hello, teachers—"
"Hello, teachers—"
"Hello, teachers—"
The voice echoed not just from the television, but also from every device in the room—phones, computers, tablets—even Storm's own cellphone chimed in.
It was like the room had become a concert hall of synchronized greetings.
"What the—an artificial intelligence?!"
Storm, Cyclops, Jean, and Logan were stunned.
In that instant, they fully understood the scale of Joseph's resources. With the support of a fully functional A.I., it was no wonder the data he presented was so thorough and accurate.
But that also raised a more troubling question…
Could public opinion really be shifting this fast?
The four X-Men exchanged glances before turning to Professor Xavier.
Charles looked contemplative. The wheels of his mind were clearly turning before he finally broke the silence.
"Joseph," he said slowly, "are you challenging the authorities... for control of public opinion?"
Joseph's gaze didn't waver. "Not just public opinion, Professor. I'm competing... for the hearts of the people."
He spoke calmly, but his words carried the weight of thunder.
"People's hearts are like the sea—vast, fluid, and constantly shifting. Public sentiment flows like countless streams, and when those streams converge, they form a tidal wave."
He looked around at them all, letting the message sink in.
"Until now, that wave has always belonged to those who fear us. But starting today... Mutants will have their own voice."
That final sentence echoed through the room like a cannon blast.
Storm, Cyclops, Jean, and Logan froze, stunned into silence.
It was only now that they truly began to understand why Professor Xavier had given Joseph so much leeway—why he had invested heavily into Joseph's proposal, why he trusted him so quickly.
Because Joseph didn't just talk about change—he engineered it.
Tonight's chaos at the Hammer Expo, what they thought had simply been a bold high-profile appearance by the X-Men… was actually much more.
This wasn't just a rescue mission.
It was the moment Mutants spoke.
And the world listened.
Storm stared at Joseph, her expression blank. "So... tonight wasn't just a stunt—it was a declaration."
Joseph's smile was bright but serene. "Exactly. Our very first message... and it ignited a storm of support that's already sweeping across the United States. Soon, it will spread to the rest of the world."
Cyclops let out a low whistle. "No warning. No build-up. Just boom."
"You don't need months of planning if the timing and execution are perfect," Joseph replied. "When the moment comes... you grab it."
Still, Professor X wasn't done. "Impressive," he said. "But I know you, Joseph. This is just your opening act, isn't it?"
Joseph chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck like a student caught in the act. "You know me too well, Professor."
"You're planning something bigger," Xavier concluded with a knowing smile. "Let's hear it then. Enlighten us old folks who can't keep up with this new digital world."
Joseph's face turned serious once more.
"Public opinion is powerful—but fickle," he said. "Tonight, we were lucky. We rescued people of influence—politicians, generals, CEOs, media moguls. They'll sing our praises for now. Out of gratitude. Or because it benefits them."
"But that won't last."
He began pacing slowly around the room.
"Eventually, those same people will revert to protecting their own interests. They'll side with the majority—or whoever's paying more."
"The same goes for viewers. Right now, they're cheering. But a week from now? A month? One bad headline and the goodwill disappears."
"When the media spins the next incident? When fear returns?"
Joseph's eyes darkened.
"Our voice will vanish again."
"So," he said firmly, "we can't let that happen."
"We have to amplify this voice. Make it so loud that no one can suppress it. So thunderous, it shakes the heavens."
The air in the room grew still.
"Let the voice of Mutants shake the sky…"
Storm murmured the words under her breath, stunned by their weight.
Jean looked toward Joseph, her chest tight. For the first time in a long while, she felt like someone understood the magnitude of what she carried. Maybe, she thought, he could even help me tame the Phoenix inside me...
Logan, still chewing on his half-burned cigar, just let out a quiet grunt. But he didn't argue.
Joseph's energy was infectious.
Even Professor X looked visibly intrigued. "So how do we ensure that the voice of Mutants can't be silenced?"
Joseph didn't miss a beat. "First step—create a channel."
"The foundation for Second World Corporation is already laid. Next, we begin recruitment... and launch full-scale promotion of Oasis."
He paused.
"And alongside that, we establish a brand-new media company."
"A new... media company?" Cyclops asked.
Joseph grinned. "We'll call it X Daily."
He waited for that to settle before continuing.
"X Daily will feature a dedicated channel in Oasis—a Mutant-focused news, entertainment, and information platform."
Professor X looked impressed… but also slightly alarmed.
"Wait. Don't tell me you want another investment," he said suspiciously. "I already gave you a hundred million and an entire building!"
Joseph blinked innocently. "No, no need for more funding—at least not yet."
The other X-Men chuckled, and even the professor let out a short laugh.
"Still," Xavier added, "the media world is dominated by massive conglomerates. It won't be easy to break in, let alone compete."
"True," Joseph said. "But times have changed, Professor. This is the age of the internet."
He tapped his temple. "And in this age... new media is king."
"All it takes is one viral moment—one spark—and the world watches."
Professor X's eyes twinkled. "And you already have something in mind for that spark, don't you?"
Joseph nodded. "What's trending now more than anything else?"
He spread his arms.
"The X-Men."
Then, with a theatrical snap of his fingers, four Oasis VR bands appeared in front of Storm, Cyclops, Jean, and Logan.
Xavier already had his own.
The group stared at the bracelets, puzzled.
"I want to create something," Joseph said softly, "that the world has never seen."
"A Mutant documentary. Based on your memories. Your stories. Your lives."
The room fell silent.
Logan's eye twitched. "So that whole thing about restoring my memory… that was your setup for this?"
Joseph just gave a cheeky smile.
"Well... kind of."
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