Ethan Hayes sat in the Osborn chairman's office, watching the news coverage from the United States. The headlines fixated on the aftermath of his recent actions—thousands dead, and yet the world remained largely unaware of the true cause. The Vatican's frozen state still dominated the news, but it wouldn't last much longer.
"The desire value is nearly at its peak. It's time to upgrade my abilities," Ethan thought. The combination of his Frozen Fruit and Water Control Magic had proven to be incredibly effective on Earth, especially when taken to their extremes. While his Burning Fruit ability was strong enough for now, he knew the power of Freezing had far more potential to evolve—particularly when it came to pushing the limits of absolute zero.
"If I could acquire the physique of a Kryptonian or a Saiyan, I would focus my desire points and wealth on maxing out that ability," he mused, imagining the limitless strength such power could offer. But for now, he had to work with what he had.
His phone buzzed, and it was Happy on the other end. "Mr. Hayes, I've arranged for Tony's special plane to bring Miss Raven back to New York. Stark Industries will also provide a car to escort her to Osborn Group once she arrives," Happy said professionally.
"Thank you, Happy. You're a reliable friend, and I appreciate everything you've done," Ethan replied with a smile. He knew that Mystique, now human, would need support after her fall from grace within the Mutant community. Her abilities might be temporarily suppressed, but her mind and talents remained invaluable. Ethan intended to bring her into his fold, giving her a place by his side.
With that settled, Ethan pressed the button on his desk to call his assistant. "Julia, please come to my office," he said.
Julia Roberts, his trusted assistant, entered shortly. "Yes, Mr. Hayes?" she asked, her voice as polished and professional as always, though her eyes hinted at more.
"I want you to purchase a luxury house near Central Park, as quickly as possible," Ethan instructed.
Julia's eyes lit up. "Right away, Mr. Hayes. I'll take care of it immediately."
Within minutes, Julia was on the phone with a real estate company. Before long, she had a list of available top-tier properties ready for Ethan to choose from.
Ethan picked one from the list and handed the rest back to her. "You pick one for yourself," he said casually.
Julia's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"
"Yes. Consider it a reward for all your hard work."
She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Mr. Hayes," she said, excitement clear in her voice.
Once Julia left to handle the purchase, Ethan turned his attention back to his future plans. Stark Industries' stock was stabilizing at around $35 per share. Tony Stark had yet to release his arc reactor technology to the public, and Ethan saw this as an opportunity. Partnering with Stark could open new doors, but he wasn't sure how receptive the billionaire genius would be to working together.
Meanwhile, in the skies over New York, Raven—formerly Mystique—was returning home. She gazed out the window, her heart conflicted. Magneto had abandoned her after she lost her abilities, but Ethan had stepped in, providing support in ways she hadn't expected. His phone call had arranged her entire trip back to New York, demonstrating how far he was willing to go for her.
"Maybe he was right," she thought. "Mutants are just humans with mutations. Losing my abilities doesn't change who I am."
By the time Raven arrived at Osborn Group, she had made up her mind. Julia greeted her and escorted her to Ethan's office, but she could sense the tension between them. Julia smiled politely as she left, knowing that Raven's presence signaled a conversation that would be far beyond the realm of ordinary business.
When Raven entered Ethan's office, she met his gaze with a determined look. "I'm not Mystique anymore. I'm just Raven now," she said, her voice steady, though her emotions ran deep.
Ethan stood and approached her. "You were always Raven," he said gently. "Your abilities were just a part of you, not your whole identity."
"But can you help me get them back?" she asked, her eyes searching his for the answer she hoped he would have.
"Yes, but it depends on what you want. Mutant Jimmy from Worthing Lab only suppresses your X gene. Your powers aren't gone forever, just dormant. I can help you restore them when the time is right," Ethan assured her.
Raven stepped closer, sitting in his lap. "I trust you," she whispered, resting her head on his shoulder. "You've given me hope when I had none."
"You'll have to be patient, though. There are a few options we can explore, but for now, focus on taking care of yourself. We can deal with your abilities later," Ethan said, stroking her back reassuringly.
As they spoke, Ethan's mind was already working on bigger plans. Professor X, Magneto, and the whole Mutant debate—Ethan saw them as part of a larger conflict that transcended individual struggles. His vision for the future involved more than just playing into the roles that society had established for Mutants and humans alike. He had something far grander in mind.
Raven's phone buzzed suddenly. She answered, and the voice on the other end sent chills down her spine. "Raven," came the familiar voice of Professor X. "Come back. You're still needed."
Raven glanced at Ethan. "Charles wants me to return," she whispered.
Ethan's expression hardened. "Let me speak to him."
Through their psychic connection, Ethan and Charles met, their minds colliding in a silent duel. For the first time, Charles found himself unable to penetrate Ethan's defenses. The barriers around Ethan's mind were impenetrable, stronger than anything Charles had ever encountered.
"Ice Demon," Charles said telepathically. "I should've known. Your mind is well-guarded, but you're dangerous. I can feel the darkness in you."
Ethan smiled coldly. "You can feel a lot of things, Professor, but you're not the only one with power over the mind. You're not the only one who can influence others."
As they spoke, Ethan activated his spiritual immunity. "System, enhance my spiritual immunity," he commanded mentally.
With the expenditure of his desire points, his Telepathy evolved into something much greater: Mind Mastery. With this new ability, Ethan gained control not just over his own thoughts, but over the minds of others. His mental power surged, allowing him to manipulate reality with mere thought.
"I'm stronger now, Professor," Ethan said through their telepathic link. "You're not the only one who can shape the future. I'll protect the people I care about, even if it means going against everything you stand for."
"Be careful, Ethan," Charles warned, his voice tinged with sadness. "You're treading a dangerous path."
But Ethan was unfazed. He had risen too far to be stopped now. The Mind Master had ascended, and the world would soon learn just how powerful he had become.
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