[Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters - Manhattan County]
[Professor X: "X-Men, I've just received an urgent message from SHIELD. There's a group of rogue mutants wreaking havoc in Manhattan. We cannot allow them to continue, or the reputation of mutants will worsen even more. Tensions in the government are already high regarding mutants, and I fear this could ignite something much larger."
[Cyclops: "Understood, Professor. What's our plan of action?"
[Professor X: "Cyclops, you'll lead the team. Take Emma Frost, Wolverine, and Jean Grey with you. We need to contain the situation before it escalates further and help these mutants find their path. I'll use 'brainwave amplifier' to try to locate them. Once I find their position, I'll let you know."
[Wolverine: "About time for some action. I was starting to feel rusty here." (He stretches as he speaks.)
[Storm: "Perhaps they're just confused by the cruel world outside. I hope we can bring them here to keep them safe from danger."
[Jean Grey: "I agree. Let's try to reason with them first, Wolverine. We don't want them to think we're their enemies due to a hasty act of aggression." (Jean says, her voice firm, while Wolverine clicks his tongue in frustration.)
[Aboard the Quinjet, en route to Manhattan]
Cyclops: "SHIELD currently doesn't know the exact location of the mutants. Based on intelligence reports, there are five individuals. It's suspected that one has psychic abilities, and another possesses superhuman strength. As for the remaining three, there's no information. Their last known location was causing a disturbance in a clothing store in downtown Manhattan. We need to get there while Professor X pinpoints their location."
[Wolverine: "I bet they were just robbing the store. Looks like they're young and probably abusing their powers. What do you think?" (Wolverine says while sharpening his adamantium claws.)
[Emma Frost: "I agree with your assessment. We just need to help them see reason and guide them toward the right path." (Emma nods.)
[Jean Grey: "That's right. We'd better find them before the conflict escalates further..." (Jean says, maintaining her composure.)
[Cyclops: "Alright, team. Prepare for landing. Once we're on the ground, we'll request additional updates from SHIELD while we await Professor X's intel."
[All: "Understood!"
[On the outskirts of Manhattan, in a preselected hideout]
[Ritzer: "Alright, I hope you're all ready for the massacre we're about to unleash on the big city. Any questions before we go?"
[Max: "Boss, I have a question. Forgive me for asking, but I think I speak for everyone when I say we're curious. Why do you want to cause chaos and destruction so publicly instead of killing people more discreetly? Wouldn't that be a better strategy?"
[Ritzer: (Smirking) "Good question, Max. Listen closely, because I won't explain this again in the future. You see, I need any external suffering caused by me—or indirectly influenced by me, like you—to feed my power. It might sound hard to believe, and I get that. But in the long run, I need you to cause as much havoc as possible so I can grow stronger. Of course, you'll be rewarded with power as well. Isn't that what you all desire most? You'll achieve greater heights than you were ever destined for. All I ask is that my orders are followed without question. Oh, my dear subordinates, this little planet is only the first step. There are dimensions out there waiting to be destroyed. It's time to sharpen yourselves for the challenges ahead. If you can't adapt, you'll only prove you're a waste of my time. Understood?" (Ritzer clasps his hands behind his back, awaiting their response.)
[All: "We'll obey your every command, boss!" (They reply in unison, any lingering doubts vanishing at the promise of greater power.)
Sharing a bit about how I gain power is risky, but even if they know, it doesn't bother me. Any betrayal would be a futile effort. Besides, I see no reason for them to turn on me, knowing I offer more benefits than anyone else in this world. With that settled, I won't have to explain how I achieve anything in the future—they'll chalk it up to my abnormalities. Once again, this proves that having strength is the only path to gaining followers. Today's plan cannot fail. I need their abilities to become stronger... [I thought to myself, nodding as I led my subordinates into a Jeep, heading for downtown Manhattan.]
[Ritzer: "Oh, great Manhattan, disaster is coming—I am coming..."
[New York, Manhattan District, 3:12 PM]
It was a typical day in Manhattan, the city bustling at full swing. Skyscrapers loomed majestically under a clear sky, while the streets were filled with hurried people, yellow taxis, and tourists awestruck by the grandeur of the Big Apple. Everything seemed calm until a major commotion at a clothing store shattered the peace.
Over 90 people poured out of the store, some unconscious and others stumbling, struggling to stay on their feet. The scene was chaotic, with paramedics and police arriving swiftly to assist the injured. It didn't take long for the FBI, SHIELD, and several other agencies to collaborate, investigating quietly alongside the X-Men. Soon, the incident trended across social media, with videos and photos spreading like wildfire.
In response to public concern, the government and police issued a news statement. They assured citizens the matter was under control and that there was no reason to worry, promising regular updates as the investigation progressed. They encouraged everyone to continue their daily routines, unaware that we were heading straight for the heart of the city, looking sharp but still feeling something was missing to truly make an impression.
[On the way to Manhattan]
As we moved toward our destination, I used the last 15 fragments I had left to create masks for us. I asked my subordinates for their opinions while we were on the way, wondering which design suited them best. They told me they trusted my decision, and I nodded, trying to imagine masks that seemed cool but not too flashy. I ultimately chose classic theater masks as inspiration.
[Ding!]
[Please imagine what you want to create and its characteristics while the system calculates the cost.]
First, I imagined a mask expressing anger with the characteristic white color and red-and-black patterns that looked incredibly cool. This would be for Goliath. Next was Max's mask, which was similar but had a happy expression and silver-and-red patterns. Then came Leo's mask. This one was the most complicated because I had to create a characteristic to make it semi-invisible with him. His mask had no expression and was completely black with purple patterns and golden lines.
The next was Lisa's. Since her powers aren't for close combat, she wouldn't stand out in a fight. So I added some special effects to hers, imagining a mask expressing sadness and happiness at the same time, split down the middle. I added pink-and-red patterns, and from the eye area, I envisioned a pinkish-purple mist emanating to give it a mystical look.
Finally, my mask. Damn, after seeing how cool the others' masks looked, it was challenging to imagine something better. I went with something simple: a mask expressing suffering. Since I couldn't afford to create the effects I initially wanted, I just added the characteristic that, when I charge my chaotic energy attack, energy resembling my blasts would gradually emanate from the mask's mouth and eyes. The cost, with these extra features, came to exactly 15 fragments.
[Creation System]
Objects: Masks (Customized).
[Quantity: 5.
[Features:
-Provides resistance against intrusion/mind control.
-Becomes semi-invisible with the wearer (only one).
-Does not obstruct vision in any way, only visible to others.
-Collects negative emotions within a 100-meter radius.
[Cost: 15 [fragments Create? (Yes) (No)]
Did you really think I'd waste 15 fragments on simple masks? Well, yeah [Ejem], I would, but mostly because they provide some protection against psychic energy. The thought of being controlled by Professor X is terrifying. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford total resistance. These masks also ensure no negative emotions around us go to waste. After confirming the design, I focused on [Yes] and they were created.
Afterward, I handed them out to my subordinates while we neared our destination. Right now, the area was bustling and full of people. We got out of the Jeep wearing our masks, and everyone nearby stared at us with curiosity.
Behind my mask, I smiled and said to my subordinates, "You may begin."