Smith departed, leaving a satisfied Vincent Hall behind.
His commercial empire was growing, but he was still short on trusted lieutenants.
Oscorp had gone dark after privatization. The acquisition of Tesla Lighting had quietly transformed it into the nation's undisputed energy monopoly—a Tier 0 powerhouse with no competitors.
The bio-labs were reopened. A new Energy Research Division was established, led by Dr. Otto Octavius. Working quietly beside him was a brilliant but overlooked electrical engineer named Maxwell Dillon.
"Max gets some respect," Vincent mused. "Will he still become Electro? I hope so. But this time, he'll work for me."
Harry Osborn had vanished with a chunk of the family fortune, likely plotting revenge. Vincent didn't care. Let Harry and Peter play their tragic game of cat and mouse.
Dr. Connors was MIA.
"Your destiny has changed, Connors," Vincent thought, drumming his fingers on the desk. "But you're still thinking too small. Lizards? Please. I need someone who understands the X-Gene."
The plot of Thor had officially begun. The Marvel Cinematic Universe was spinning up.
Vincent scribbled a roadmap on his notepad:
AI.
Starlink.
Global Surveillance Grid.
The Sentinels.
"If only I could get Reed Richards," Vincent sighed. But superheroes were notoriously stubborn about 'ethics.' Villains, on the other hand, just wanted funding.
Knock, knock.
"Enter."
Julia Roberts strutted in, radiating confidence. Life as the executive assistant to the world's richest teenager suited her.
"Vincent, here are the transfer agreements for Tesla Lighting. And one more file for your signature."
She leaned over the desk, offering a generous view down her blouse.
Vincent signed the papers without looking up. "Thank you, Julia."
After she left—flustered but happy—Vincent accessed Oscorp's secure archives.
Project: Cross-Species Genetics.
Lizard Serum (Flawed)Spider Serum (Flawed - Missing Key)Rhino Armor (Prototype)Super Soldier Serum (Generic Copy)
The Spider Serum required Richard Parker's bloodline to work. That meant Peter.
"Or Gwen," Vincent smiled. "But I prefer her as Ghost Spider. Let Peter keep the extra arms and scales."
His phone buzzed.
System Alert: Threat Detected.
The Vatican incident had ripples. The Church, the Brotherhood of Mutants, the Military, and Hydra were all looking at the "Ice Demon."
Especially Hydra.
Vincent had slaughtered Brock Rumlow and his team. Alexander Pierce would be asking questions.
Washington D.C.
"Nick, Rumlow is missing," Alexander Pierce said, tossing a file onto Fury's desk. "Twelve agents gone. Last seen in New York."
Fury rubbed his temples.
"New York is a no-fly zone for S.H.I.E.L.D. right now," Fury said bluntly. "Unless we have a smoking gun to turn the public against the Ice Demon, we can't touch him."
"If this 'Ice Demon' is a Chinese asset, do you know what that means for national security?" Pierce pressed, feigning patriotism. "General Ross is already expanding his anti-supernatural budget. He's hunting."
"I'm trying to assemble a team," Fury countered. "The Avengers Initiative."
"The Council is skeptical," Pierce said. "But I'll push for it. We need a response. I don't want my family frozen in ice."
Pierce leaned in. "I'll talk to Hank McCoy. If we can get the Beast on board, maybe we can get Xavier's help. We need telepaths to fight this guy."
Fury nodded. He didn't like working with mutants, but he was desperate. The Vatican freeze was a Omega-level event.
New York. Central Park Villa.
Ding-dong.
Vincent opened the door.
"Natasha?"
Standing there was Black Widow, wearing a seductive smile and a tight dress.
"Aren't you happy to see me?" she purred.
"Come in," Vincent said, smiling warmly.
But his internal radar screamed WARNING.
Natasha knew about the Vatican. Their last conversation had ended in tears. Why would she be here, acting like nothing happened?
Unless it wasn't Natasha.
Vincent sensed the bio-signature. It was wrong.
"You know who I am, don't you?" the woman asked, her smile fading as she stepped inside.
"Why would you say that, Natasha?"
The woman sighed. Her skin rippled like water. The red hair vanished. The dress melted away.
Standing before him was Raven Darkhölme. Mystique.
She was naked, her blue scales shimmering in the ambient light.
"You knew from the moment I walked in," Mystique said, circling him. "Just like you knew I was Mrs. Juliet, your teacher."
Vincent looked her up and down with genuine appreciation. "I liked Mrs. Juliet. She was pregnant. That added a certain... glow."
Mystique pressed herself against him, transforming back into the hot teacher for a split second before reverting to her blue form.
"Why didn't you expose me?"
Vincent picked her up, carrying her to the sofa. "I prefer the original."
Mystique froze. For decades, she had been called a monster. An aberration. "Mutant and Proud" was her slogan, but deep down, she craved acceptance.
"The Creator did amazing work with you," Vincent whispered, tracing a line of scales along her spine. "But you haven't unlocked your true potential."
"What do you mean?"
"Your power isn't just shape-shifting," Vincent said, his voice hypnotic. "It's genetic adaptation. In the future, men like Trask will use your DNA to build Sentinels that can copy any power. Why let robots have all the fun?"
"You're talking about the Sentinel program," Mystique whispered, her eyes wide. "How do you know?"
"I know many things. Including the fact that William Stryker is still hunting you."
Vincent kissed her neck.
"But we aren't here to talk politics."
Mystique wrapped her legs around his waist. "No. We have a deal. I still owe you time."
"You do," Vincent agreed.
"So," Mystique grinned, her yellow eyes flashing playfully. "Who do you want me to be tonight? The President's wife? A movie star? Or maybe..."
"The Ancient One," Vincent said suddenly.
Mystique blinked. "Who?"
"Never mind," Vincent chuckled. "Too bald. How about... Hela?"
"Who?"
"Just make yourself look goth, scary, and wear a horned headdress. Trust me."
[System Update]
[Mission: A Fragrant Marsh]
[Target: Mystique (Repeat)]
[Status: Active]
As they engaged in their "transaction," Vincent's mind was already on the next step.
He had the money. He had the power. Now he needed the magic.
And the Sorcerer Supreme was watching.
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