Ethan Hayes left the counseling room.
Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff, was lost in thought. Their conversation had been brief, but she'd gleaned more than enough useful information from the so-called Ice Demon. He knew too much about S.H.I.E.L.D. and even more about her, which raised red flags.
The details Ethan provided—whether about S.H.I.E.L.D. or her own past—were top-level confidential. Only someone deep within the organization should have access to such information. Yet she had never met him before.
How does he know so much? Natasha wondered.
As an elite agent, Natasha knew this kind of breach suggested serious internal problems within S.H.I.E.L.D. Ethan had either stumbled upon sensitive data or someone had handed it to him. Either way, she couldn't ignore the implications.
And while Ethan's claims about the future were interesting, she didn't believe them.
How could he know my future? she thought skeptically. To her, his talk about "the future" was simply meant to toy with her mind.
However, there was one thing that held her attention—the business card he'd given her. Devil's deal? What price will I pay?
Natasha smirked. Perhaps she could use this so-called "deal" to manipulate Ethan, gradually working her way into his life and controlling his actions. Step by step, she'd gain access to his thoughts and motivations. After all, he had made one mistake—he shouldn't have mentioned her past, nor hinted at her future.
She stood up, a seductive smile crossing her face, though her eyes remained cold. The past was a sensitive subject, a weak spot, and Ethan had unknowingly touched a nerve.
Meanwhile, Ethan, walking away from the counseling room, noticed the lack of reaction in his desire points when it came to Natasha Romanoff. He realized that despite his words, she hadn't given in emotionally. He wasn't surprised. Without his identity as the Ice Demon fully cemented, much of what he'd said would seem like nonsense to her.
But Ethan wasn't discouraged. He had only been speaking from the heart, after all. As for his plans to involve S.H.I.E.L.D., there was no rush. His "Building Prestige" mission had no time limit. He could take his time infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D., and there was no need to act until the launch of the Insight Program—something that was still years away.
It was still 2008. The Avengers were more than a decade away, and many heroes hadn't even been born yet. Ethan had time. Years to prepare, grow, and solidify his strength, aiming to become a celestial-level being before the real threats arrived.
Juliet, who had been observing Ethan as he left, had her own thoughts racing. Through her hidden earpiece, she had listened in on the entire conversation between Ethan and Natasha.
S.H.I.E.L.D…
Juliet, or rather, Raven the Shapeshifter, recognized the name immediately. She recalled hearing about Black Widow—an agent trained by the Red Room in the former Soviet Union. The Red Room had since dissolved, but its agents were legendary. Raven herself had once impersonated a Black Widow from the Red Room, though never Natasha Romanoff specifically.
"The Ice Demon seems to be intrigued by Natasha," Raven mused. A wicked smile played across her lips. "Perhaps I could exploit that attraction."
The more Raven learned about Ethan Hayes, the more interested she became. The Ice Demon's abilities far surpassed those of Iceman Robert Drake. Though Ethan wasn't technically a mutant, the Awakening of his superpowers made the difference seem trivial.
What's the real difference, anyway? Raven thought. If Ethan's true identity were revealed, society's prejudice against him would likely match, if not exceed, that against mutants. And Ethan didn't strike her as the submissive type. Any attempt to oppress him would only spark resistance.
Raven already had a plan forming in her mind. But she couldn't risk going in alone. If she pushed Ethan too hard, there was a chance he'd turn on her and the Mutant Brotherhood. A powerful enemy like him could pose a real threat to their cause.
"Natasha Romanoff is the perfect choice," Raven thought aloud. If Natasha struck a deal with Ethan to take down the Red Room, would Ethan agree?
This kind of temptation intrigued Raven. If Ethan accepted, it would give her room to manipulate him. Using Natasha's identity, she could strike deals with the Ice Demon, ensuring that anyone who opposed the Brotherhood met with a swift end.
Magneto would certainly approve.
Raven knew that Natasha was still in school, so now wasn't the time to act. But once Natasha was in the right position, Raven could set her plan in motion.
At the same time, Raven also considered Gwen Stacy, Ethan's close connection. Besides Natasha, Gwen could be another potential weak point. The power of seduction and manipulation was no mystery to Raven.
After all, Ethan was a man—if he had any weaknesses, Raven was sure lust would be among them. And manipulating men was her specialty. She could become any woman Ethan desired, even the President's wife if necessary.
If I get close enough to Ethan, even if he catches on to my plans, he won't kill me. My life would be safe, Raven concluded.
"Demons have always manipulated the world and sowed chaos. Now, I've discovered the weakness of a demon. If I can master that power, I will be unstoppable," she thought, her heart racing.
From that moment on, Raven's new primary target became the Ice Demon, Ethan Hayes.
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