Chapter 116: Several Women Are Entangled, And the Results of Space Gem Research Are Revealed:

Raven's eyes widened. "Psylocke? Really? How is that even possible?"

Ethan Hayes laughed, a bright smile that only made Raven more agitated as she glared at him. "We'll train our dear Captain well. Don't worry."

"Ethan, are you trying to provoke me by talking about other women right in front of me? What does she have that I don't?" Raven asked sharply.

With a flicker, she transformed herself to look like Psylocke, complete with her stance and expression.

Ethan shook his head, amused. "No, Raven, it's you I'm here for, not Psylocke."

Raven returned to her original form, but her expression remained a mix of intrigue and frustration. As a shapeshifter, she had the allure of countless women at her disposal, from celebrities to legendary figures. "Is that so? What about this one?"

With a sly smile, Raven morphed into the Ancient One, her features shifting to match the appearance of the powerful sorcerer.

Ethan's smile faded, his face suddenly serious. "No, definitely not. That's not only… out of my aesthetic but also deeply disrespectful to her. The Ancient One is a guardian, and anything you do now she could easily observe across the timelines."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "Is she really that powerful?"

"More than you can imagine," Ethan replied, his tone reverent. "She's kept this world safe for centuries. Her death would open Earth to dangers beyond anything we've faced. She's warded off threats that would make Thanos seem like a minor inconvenience."

Raven's eyes widened, understanding for the first time the depth of Ethan's respect for this mysterious sorcerer.

"So what's your plan now, Mr. Hayes?" Raven's gaze softened, a teasing smile returning to her lips.

"Tonight's our night," Ethan replied, lifting her up with ease. Raven laughed, her laughter echoing as he carried her to the bed.

As he settled in beside her, Ethan checked his mental "property" list—a habit of his that brought satisfaction. His recent encounters had been rewarding, from battles in Siberia and the Vatican to skirmishes with HYDRA, each adding millions to his wealth and desire points.

Character Stats:

Wealth Value: 101.53675 billion points (can be used to improve abilities)

Desire Points: 913.5 million points (can be used to break through limits)

Bloodlines: Kryptonian bloodline (Level 1 gene lock), Human bloodline (Level 1 gene lock)

Abilities: Frozen Fruit (Third Level, Mastery+), Burning Fruit, Sparkling Fruit, and several peak-level superpowers

Skills: Omega Ray (Entry+), Dragon Elephant Prajna Kung Fu (Thirteenth Level Peak), among others

Current Tasks: Infinite Gems Collection (0/6)

Completing his mission with Psylocke had pushed his rewards up, unlocking a coveted red blind box. Ethan rarely initiated these encounters, but the bonuses brought by "special relationships" with key characters were significant. His only main task now was collecting the Infinite Gems, a quest he knew would take time and cunning.

Raven, noticing his silence, curled around him like a serpent. "You're thinking about something… care to share?"

"I'm strategizing how to keep improving my strength," he admitted.

Raven smiled knowingly. "You're already one of the most powerful beings on Earth, Ethan. You could retire today, and no one could challenge you."

Ethan shook his head. "I need more. To live without fear, I need to be truly invincible."

Raven closed her eyes, resting her head on his chest. "Then, for now, let me be the one to feel secure." She opened her eyes, giving him a wicked smile. "And as for last time… the same moves won't work on me twice!"

But as the night went on, Raven found herself worn out, eventually pleading for mercy. Domino, her downstairs neighbor, sighed, grateful her dark skin hid any potential dark circles from her sleepless night due to the noise.

The following morning, Natasha Romanoff awoke alone. "Figures. He just disappears after all that," she muttered, a mix of frustration and amusement coloring her tone. But she had business to attend to; Nick Fury was waiting for her return.

She needed to debrief him on Siberia's events and update him on her role within the Avengers. Remembering Ethan's suggestion about the super soldier serum, Natasha felt a pang of curiosity. She had been injected with an experimental serum before, which enhanced her physical abilities, but she suspected Osborn's serum could be far more potent.

With that in mind, she dressed, selected a sleek red Bugatti Veyron from Ethan's garage, and sped off toward the new Avengers base in Los Angeles.

Arriving at the base, Natasha was greeted by Agent Hill, who smiled warmly. "Welcome back, Natasha."

Natasha looked Hill up and down, taking in her radiant skin and poised demeanor. "Hill, you look… different. What's your secret? New skincare routine?"

Hill smiled knowingly. "I was injected with Osborn's super soldier serum. It does wonders for the body."

Natasha's eyes lingered on Hill, recognizing subtle changes. She now wondered if Hill had more than just professional reasons for being at Osborn. If she had the serum, then her connection to Ethan might be more than simply business.

For a moment, Natasha felt a pang of rivalry, but she pushed it aside. "I'll have to give it a try myself," she murmured, feeling a surge of motivation.

Hill led her to the main briefing room where Nick Fury and the rest of the Avengers awaited. Tony Stark whistled as Natasha and Hill entered together. "Well, if it isn't my two favorite people. Any chance either of you are free for dinner tonight?"

Natasha and Hill exchanged a glance, both smiling mischievously. "I'm sure Pepper wouldn't approve, Tony," Hill replied.

Fury cut in, his tone brisk. "Alright, Stark. Enough with the flirting. Natasha, glad to have you back." He directed her to a seat, his expression turning serious. "HYDRA's infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. has deepened. We need the Avengers now more than ever."

The room fell silent, tension palpable as each team member considered the implications. Fury glanced at Captain Steve Rogers, who seemed distant, his thoughts elsewhere.

Only Fury, Barton, and Hill knew that Peggy Carter had passed away the day before. It was a loss that had shaken Steve to his core. But today's meeting left no time for mourning; they had to act.

As Fury briefed the team, his phone rang. He answered quickly, listening intently before ending the call with a firm nod. "Get ready. Our test results are in, and we're moving forward with the plan tonight."

The Avengers exchanged glances, bracing for the battle to come.

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