Upgrading Armor, A Call From Bruce, Establishing A business..

A week had passed since the climactic battle against Doomsday, and Ethan still felt the weight of the encounter. His body had recovered, but the memories of standing on the brink of death—and of witnessing the destruction wrought by the monster—were harder to shake.

Sitting in his workshop, a converted underground bunker filled with scattered blueprints, glowing components, and half-assembled devices, Ethan examined his suit. It was a battered shell of what it had been—a testament to how far it had pushed itself during the fight.

The armor's surface was scarred, sections melted from Doomsday's heat vision, and the internal systems were fried from overload. It had protected him when it mattered, but he couldn't afford to leave its durability to chance again.

"Time for an upgrade," he muttered to himself, setting his tools on the workbench.

In the center of the workshop stood the Echo Box, softly humming as it processed data. Ethan had been analyzing the alien artifact ever since he created his scaled-down version. Its ability to store and manipulate energy had already revolutionized his designs, but its potential extended far beyond energy manipulation.

Using the Echo Box, he had uncovered the secret to creating a unique alloy—a promethium-based material infused with trace elements of other exotic metals. Promethium was already known to be one of the strongest and most versatile substances on Earth, but Ethan's process promised to take it further.

He loaded a fragment of his suit's original material into the Echo Box, programming it to disassemble the molecular structure and recombine it into the new alloy. The Echo Box glowed brighter, energy radiating outward as the material inside began to shift and transform.

As he watched the process, Ethan sketched out his new design. The armor wouldn't just be tougher; it would be smarter, more efficient, and capable of adapting to high-energy environments like the one Doomsday had created.

After several hours, the Echo Box's transformation cycle finished. The chamber opened, revealing a small ingot of shimmering promethium alloy. Ethan picked it up, marveling at its weight and texture. The metal was impossibly smooth, yet he could feel its strength as he held it.

"This... this will work," he said, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

He spent the next few days dismantling his old armor, salvaging what components he could, and building the new suit around the promethium alloy. Every plate, every joint, and every internal system was carefully constructed, with Ethan ensuring that the new suit was not only more durable but also more streamlined.

The suit retained its insect-like appearance, but the design was sleeker, with sharp angles and overlapping plates that provided additional protection. Ethan also upgraded the Null Rod, integrating it into the suit's systems so that it could emit a focused radiation field directly through the armor's gauntlets.

The result was a suit that was nearly indestructible, capable of withstanding intense heat, energy blasts, and even physical impacts that would have shattered the original.

As the final touches were completed, Ethan stood back and admired his work. The new suit gleamed under the workshop's lights, its dark surface reflecting a faint blue hue from the integrated energy conduits.

"It's not just a weapon," Ethan said to himself. "It's a shield. A second chance."

But the weight of what the suit represented wasn't lost on him. The battle against Doomsday had shown him how high the stakes were in this world. His powers and intellect made him a valuable asset, but they also placed a burden on him to use them responsibly.

He thought about Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman—their unwavering resolve to protect the world, no matter the cost. Ethan had been thrust into their universe, and while he hadn't asked for it, he now understood that he couldn't stand by while others fought to save it.

"Time to step up," he said, donning the armor for the first time.

As the plates locked into place, the suit hummed with power. It felt lighter, more responsive, and infinitely stronger. Ethan flexed his fingers, the gauntlets sparking with faint blue energy.

This was more than an upgrade—it was a declaration. Ethan wasn't just a programmer or a man with reverse-engineering powers anymore. He was a force to be reckoned with, and he was ready for whatever came next

As he powered down the workshop, Ethan turned to the Echo Box one last time. Its potential still intrigued him, and he knew there was more to uncover. But for now, his focus was clear.

"I've got the tools," he thought, stepping out of the workshop and into the city. "Let's see what I can do with them."

The world outside was unpredictable, filled with dangers he couldn't foresee.

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Two days after completing his upgraded armor, Ethan received an unexpected call. The voice on the other end was calm, with a distinct British accent.

"Mr. Ethan Harper, this is Alfred Pennyworth. Master Wayne requests your presence at Wayne Manor. I've sent the coordinates to your device."

Ethan froze for a moment, staring at his terminal. He had always known Batman was a man of vast resources, but hearing from Bruce Wayne's trusted butler was another level of surreal.

"I'll be there," Ethan replied, masking his surprise.

Wayne Manor loomed in the distance as Ethan approached, its gothic architecture standing tall against the cloudy sky. Alfred greeted him at the door, impeccably dressed as always, and led him through the vast hallways to the Batcave.

There, Batman—without the cowl—stood before a glowing console, the screens displaying news of the global fallout from Doomsday's rampage. Ethan couldn't help but notice the dark circles under Bruce's eyes.

"Bruce," Ethan began, still getting used to addressing the legendary figure by his first name, "why am I here?"

Bruce turned, his expression as stoic as ever. "I wanted to discuss the future."

"The future?"

"The world is changing, Ethan," Bruce said, his voice steady. "Extraordinary threats like Doomsday won't be the last. Superman has left Earth, searching for surviving Kryptonians. That leaves us more vulnerable than ever. We need to prepare. We need a team."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You mean like... the Justice League?"

Bruce nodded slightly. "Something like that. I've been scouting individuals with unique abilities and potential. You're on that list."

Ethan crossed his arms. "Why me? I'm no Superman or Wonder Woman."

"You're resourceful. Intelligent. You think differently. Your power to analyze and create is as important as physical strength. And you've proven you're willing to risk your life for the greater good."

Ethan exhaled, the weight of the proposal sinking in. "Alright, Bruce. I'm in. But if we're doing this, we do it right. No half-measures."

Bruce allowed a small smirk. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

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While the idea of forming a team of extraordinary individuals lingered in his mind, Ethan returned to his own vision for the world. Using the Null Rod, he developed a machine capable of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen with unprecedented efficiency.

This machine became the cornerstone of his new company, Aether Energies, focused on green hydrogen production and fuel cell technologies. The hydrogen revolution he spearheaded wasn't just a business—it was a step toward a sustainable future.

In just under a month, Aether Energies gained immense traction. Investors poured in, hailing Ethan as the "Father of the Green Hydrogen Economy." His machine's ability to produce 270 kilograms of hydrogen for just 50 kWh of energy broke every efficiency record in the industry.

The demand for his technology skyrocketed, and partnerships with governments and private firms followed. Ethan's wealth grew rapidly, and the company's valuation surpassed $250 million.

But success didn't distract him from his goals.

One evening, Ethan sat in his newly established office overlooking Metropolis, reviewing the company's latest achievements. The desk was littered with blueprints for new projects—more efficient hydrogen fuel cells, carbon-neutral manufacturing methods, and even ideas for advanced transportation powered by hydrogen.

His phone buzzed, a message from Bruce: "Progress update on the team. Will call soon."

Ethan leaned back, staring out the window at the bustling city. He felt the dual weight of his responsibilities—as an innovator shaping the future of energy and as a potential member of a team to protect the planet from extraordinary threats.

"One step at a time," he muttered, setting the phone down and returning to his plans.

For now, Ethan Harper was building a better world. But he knew that when the next great threat came, he'd be ready—both as a businessman and as a warrior.