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Javier stood at the precipice of his next great challenge. After leaving the Black Order behind, and with the weight of his goals on his shoulders, he traveled through the cosmos. His destination was Ego, the Living Planet, and his target: Mantis, the empathic daughter of Ego. He knew her well, at least through the lens of the comics he had read back in his previous life, but this was different. He was no longer just a fan or an observer—he was a participant in the very story. And this time, he wasn't just going to stand back.
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The journey through the stars was long and lonely, but Javier's resolve never wavered. As he approached Ego's planet, he couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and dread. Ego was no ordinary being; he was a living, breathing entity of unimaginable power. This was not just a casual visit—this was a negotiation. Javier was about to propose to Mantis, and he knew the implications would reach far beyond just the two of them.
When he finally touched down on Ego's surface, it was as if the planet itself had recognized his arrival. The ground shifted beneath his feet, and the sky pulsed with an otherworldly light. Javier knew he wasn't alone. Ego was always watching. But he had a mission to complete, and nothing would stop him now.
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He found Mantis in a tranquil corner of the planet, sitting beneath the glowing trees, her hands resting gently on her lap as she meditated. The air around her seemed to hum with energy, and for a moment, Javier was struck by her presence. She was even more beautiful than he had imagined, her green skin glowing softly in the ambient light. But there was something in her eyes that held him back—a caution, a wariness, as if she were always waiting for something to happen.
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Javier: "Mantis."
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Her eyes opened slowly, and she regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. She had never seen him before, not in person. But the power of his presence was undeniable. She had sensed it the moment he landed on the planet.
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Mantis: "You... who are you? I've never felt your energy before."
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Javier could see the intrigue in her eyes, but he also knew that this moment could go either way. Mantis wasn't one to be easily swayed by charm or force. She was a being of deep empathy, and she would see through any pretense. He had to be honest with her, even if it meant risking everything.
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Javier: "I'm Javier. I've come with a proposal—something I believe could benefit both of us. I know who you are, Mantis. I've seen your story. I've watched you grow under the shadow of your father, and I know the path he's set for you. But I want to offer you a different one."
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Mantis stood, her posture graceful but guarded. She didn't speak, but her eyes were fixed on him, waiting for him to continue.
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Javier: "I want to marry you, Mantis. I know it may sound strange, but I'm offering you something more than just a marriage. I'm offering you the freedom to choose your own path, a chance to be free from the constraints of your father's will."
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Mantis didn't respond immediately. She stood there, silent and contemplative, as if weighing his words. Javier knew that he wasn't asking for her affection or trust right away. He wasn't even sure if she would accept. But he had to make his case.
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Javier: "I know it's a lot to ask, but I've seen your potential, Mantis. You deserve more than being tied to your father's will. And I believe together, we can create something greater than either of us could alone. You're not just a daughter of Ego. You're a force in your own right, and I want you by my side."
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Mantis was quiet for a moment longer, her green eyes searching his face for any sign of deceit. But she found none. She was used to being underestimated, used to people trying to control her. But Javier... He was different. He didn't speak as a conqueror or manipulator. He spoke as someone who truly saw her—someone who understood the weight of her choices.
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Mantis: "I... I don't know what to say. My father has always been my protector, my guide. But you... you speak of something I've never been allowed to dream of. To choose for myself. But why me? Why should I trust you?"
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Javier could see the uncertainty in her eyes, and he stepped closer, his voice soft but filled with sincerity.
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Javier: "Because I know you, Mantis. I know the struggles you've faced. I've read your story—your pain, your triumphs, your kindness. And I know that deep down, you want more. You deserve more. And if you'll have me, I will give you that choice. I won't control you. I'll stand beside you."
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Mantis looked away, her gaze drifting to the horizon. She was torn, conflicted between the safety of what she knew and the allure of something unknown, something that promised freedom and choice. She had always been her father's child, always tied to his whims. But could she trust this stranger, this being who claimed to know her so well?
Before she could respond, the voice of Ego, her father, boomed across the vastness of the planet.
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Ego: "Mantis, what is this? Who is this creature?"
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Javier turned, sensing the massive presence of the Living Planet. Ego's form seemed to ripple across the skies, his face forming within the clouds. He was not a being who could be ignored.
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Ego: "You come to my planet, my domain, and ask for my daughter's hand? Do you think I will allow this?"
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Javier met Ego's gaze unflinchingly. He had known this confrontation was coming, and he had prepared himself for it. Ego was not the type to allow his children to marry without his approval. But Javier wasn't just any suitor. He was not asking for permission—he was offering an exchange.
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Javier: "I do not ask for your permission, Ego. I offer you a deal. You've kept Mantis bound to this planet, to your will. But I will give her the choice to leave if she desires it. I won't force her. She will be free to choose her own destiny. In return, I will assist you in your goals."
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There was a long silence as Ego considered Javier's words. The planet seemed to tremble, and for a moment, Javier thought he had overstepped his bounds. But then, Ego's voice resonated through the air, his tone laced with amusement and something deeper—curiosity.
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Ego: "You are bold, Javier. I will allow this. But know this—you will not control my daughter. She is free to choose, but she is still mine. Remember that."
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Javier nodded, accepting Ego's terms. He understood the weight of Ego's words, but he also knew that this was his chance. Mantis was free to choose, and that was all he needed. He would prove to her that there was a life outside of her father's influence.
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As Mantis turned to face him again, there was a new spark in her eyes—something uncertain, but filled with hope.
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Mantis: "I will consider your offer, Javier. But know this—I'm not a prize to be won. I'm a person. And I will choose my path."
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Javier bowed his head, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
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Javier: "And I will respect that, Mantis. The choice is yours. Always."
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End of Chapter 69: The Proposal and Ego's Response
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