The next morning, Ethan Voss sat calmly at the breakfast table in the penthouse suite of Typhon Tower. Sunlight streamed through the enormous glass windows, bathing the room in warm light while the city of New York buzzed quietly far below.
A news broadcast played on the large television mounted on the wall.
"The United Nations summit officially opened today on Ellis Island in New York," the anchor reported. "Heads of state and dignitaries from numerous countries attended the opening ceremony. Over the next few days, representatives will discuss issues including economic cooperation and international arms agreements."
The screen showed footage of diplomats arriving under heavy security.
"While not part of the official agenda, insiders suggest that the issue of mutant affairs may also be discussed privately during the summit."
Ethan calmly took another bite of breakfast while watching the broadcast.
According to the timeline he remembered, Magneto was already preparing for something dramatic.
His plan was simple and terrifying.
He intended to use the summit to transform influential leaders from around the world into mutants.
The purpose was obvious.
Once global leaders became mutants themselves, discrimination against mutants would instantly become politically impossible.
Magneto believed he could force the world to accept mutantkind.
But there was a flaw in his plan.
The radiation machine he had built was extremely dangerous to the person operating it.
That was why Magneto originally wanted Rogue.
Her ability allowed her to replicate other mutants' powers.
If Rogue copied Magneto's ability and operated the machine instead, then any fatal side effects would only kill her.
Magneto would remain safe.
But now Rogue was in Noah Town.
Magneto couldn't reach her.
Given Magneto's personality, Ethan was certain of one thing.
If he couldn't find a substitute…
Magneto would simply operate the machine himself.
Throughout the original trilogy, Magneto had always been ruthless in pursuit of his goals.
He spoke about protecting mutantkind, but he never hesitated to sacrifice other mutants if it helped him achieve victory.
Only much later did his personality soften after the events of Days of Future Past.
At this point in time, however, Magneto was still extremely radical.
Ethan leaned back in his chair thoughtfully.
Senator Robert Kelly should already have been transformed into a mutant by Magneto's machine.
And according to the original sequence of events, Kelly would soon escape and seek help from the X-Men.
But Ethan had already prepared for that.
Several weeks earlier, he had quietly established contact with Senator Kelly using Hydra's extensive political network.
Kelly had been one of the loudest supporters of the mutant registration bill.
To him, mutants were dangerous enemies.
That hatred made him extremely useful.
Through their cooperation, Kelly had helped establish an underground detention facility specifically designed to hold mutant criminals.
Of course, the real purpose of the facility benefited both sides.
Kelly gained a tool to contain mutants.
Ethan gained political leverage.
More importantly, Ethan knew something Kelly did not.
After being mutated by Magneto's machine, Kelly would panic and seek help from Jean Grey.
Ethan had already arranged for his agents to intercept him.
Because he needed Kelly alive.
In the three X-Men films, there were several major events that pushed mutants toward near extinction.
Magneto's first major operation attempted to convert world leaders into mutants.
Later, mutants would be blamed for an assassination attempt on the President of the United States.
Another incident involved Magneto attempting to manipulate Professor Xavier into killing ordinary humans worldwide.
And finally, Charles himself once threatened the president through a broadcast to change the narrative surrounding mutants.
Any one of these incidents could push the United States government into declaring war on mutantkind.
The Sentinel Program would inevitably follow.
Even in a world that included heroes like Captain America, Thor, Hulk, and Iron Man, mutants would still face enormous backlash.
For weaker mutants already struggling to survive, it would be catastrophic.
Ethan intended to use those crises carefully.
Each one would give him an opportunity to recruit more mutants to Noah Town.
At the same time, Senator Kelly offered another advantage.
Through Kelly, Ethan could reach far more powerful figures.
Eventually, even the President of the United States.
That was extremely important.
Because according to the future timeline Ethan knew, Hydra would reach the peak of its power during the events surrounding Captain America's second appearance.
And then it would collapse almost overnight.
Alexander Pierce's faction would be destroyed, and the entire organization would suffer massive losses.
Anyone connected to Hydra would inevitably be dragged down with it.
Which meant Ethan needed a backup plan long before that moment arrived.
"Knock knock."
A soft knock sounded at the door.
The sharp rhythm of high heels echoed across the floor as the door opened.
"Boss," a clear voice said, "we've received confirmation that Stark's plane will depart for Afghanistan today."
The woman who entered was Ethan's personal secretary, Felicia.
She had striking blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Her red high heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she approached, dressed in a tight black uniform that emphasized her elegant figure.
Ethan looked up from the television.
"So it's finally happening," he murmured.
Tony Stark's capture.
Which meant Iron Man was about to be born.
Ethan smiled slightly.
"In that case," he said calmly, "we can officially begin the Justice League project."
Nick Fury was building the Avengers.
Ethan would build the Justice League.
Not as rivals.
Both teams would claim the same goal—protecting the world and defending justice.
The only difference was their backing.
The Avengers belonged to S.H.I.E.L.D.
And the Justice League…
Would belong to Ethan Voss.
The first step of the plan was simple.
Make money.
Stark Industries' stock was about to become extremely volatile.
Tony Stark's disappearance would cause a massive crash.
His rescue would trigger a surge.
The closure of Stark's weapons division would cause another sharp decline.
His public announcement as Iron Man would create another dramatic spike.
And the development of new energy technology would eventually drive the stock even higher.
Ethan had already assembled a professional financial team.
They would constantly shift between short positions and long positions, exploiting every fluctuation.
If everything went according to plan, they would earn a fortune.
"Tell the finance team to monitor Stark Industries around the clock," Ethan said.
Felicia nodded.
"I'll notify them immediately."
At that moment, another voice spoke from the doorway.
"Boss."
Frank, Ethan's personal security chief, stepped into the room.
"We've located Senator Kelly."
Ethan turned toward him.
"He traveled alone to Xavier's School," Frank continued. "Our team intercepted him and brought him to Typhon Manor."
Frank's expression grew serious.
"His condition is critical."
"His genes have collapsed completely. The mutant ability is spreading through his entire body."
"He might die at any moment."
Ethan stood up immediately.
"Prepare the helicopter."
When Ethan arrived at Typhon Estate, Senator Kelly's condition had already worsened dramatically.
His body lay twisted on the hospital bed as translucent fluid seeped from his skin.
His flesh looked as if it were beginning to dissolve.
Ethan stepped closer.
Kelly struggled weakly, lifting one trembling hand.
"Those mutants…" he rasped. "They killed me…"
His eyes filled with hatred.
"They're the enemy."
Ethan bent down beside the bed.
"Don't worry," he said calmly. "We'll do everything possible to save you."
He gestured toward the surrounding medical equipment.
"We have the latest treatments available."
"We will cure you."
Kelly tried to speak again, but Ethan raised a hand.
Several doctors rushed forward immediately.
Injections were administered.
Machines began monitoring his vital signs.
Within moments, the drugs forced Kelly into deep unconsciousness.
One of the medical staff stepped forward and removed his mask.
It was Dr. Samuel Sterns.
"Boss," Sterns said quietly, "the gene stabilization agent has temporarily stopped the collapse."
"But the damage is severe."
He hesitated.
"Honestly… we're not confident we can cure him."
"Even using the special pharmaceutical process carries enormous risks."
Ethan had recruited Sterns several years earlier.
The scientist knew about the Divine Kingdom and Ethan's unusual powers.
More importantly, Sterns trusted him.
After all, his wife and children now lived safely in Noah Town.
Sterns continued speaking.
"Fortunately, Mr. Green contacted me recently."
"If we could obtain a blood sample from him," Sterns explained, "we might be able to counteract the mutation using gamma-based regeneration."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"It would significantly increase Kelly's survival rate."
"Although his body might undergo additional mutations."
Ethan nodded calmly.
"That's fine."
"I'll handle it."
Then he looked directly at Sterns.
"Doctor, you should return to Grenfell College."
"I'll have Frank assign a security team to protect you."
"Once we obtain Mr. Green's blood sample, you can begin research immediately."
His voice grew encouraging.
"With the potential of gamma technology, we could create hundreds of new medicines."
"You might even leave a permanent mark on the history of human medicine."
Ethan smiled faintly.
"Winning a Nobel Prize wouldn't be difficult."
Fame and fortune were powerful motivators.
And Ethan had always been very skilled at using them.
Sterns still looked curious about Kelly's condition, but the possibility of studying Bruce Banner's blood clearly excited him more.
Once Sterns left, Ethan approached the hospital bed again.
He opened a portal beside Kelly.
Then he gently pushed the unconscious senator through.
In the past, Ethan might have risked trying Sterns's treatment.
But things were different now.
Inside the Divine Kingdom, Ethan possessed the ultimate form of Rogue's power.
He could copy, remove, or grant mutant abilities at will.
Kelly's body was collapsing because his mutation had destabilized his genetic structure.
If Ethan simply removed the ability…
The damage would stabilize.
Inside the Divine Kingdom, Ethan easily stripped away Kelly's mutation and absorbed the ability himself.
The power allowed the body to liquefy and reshape at will.
However, Kelly had already suffered massive biological damage.
His genes were still unstable.
Of course, that problem was easy to fix.
Ethan only needed to grant him a portion of Wolverine's regenerative ability.
That alone would completely heal him.
Or…
He could simply maintain Kelly's life with periodic gene stabilization injections.
Ethan's lips curved into a small smile.
The outcome had turned out even better than he originally expected.
.....
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