Vincent's Apartment.
"Most powers in the Marvel Universe are tied to genetics," Vincent mused, analyzing his new body.
"Professor X lost his powers in Days of Future Past because of a serum that altered his DNA. Mutants, Inhumans, Super Soldiers—it's all biology."
He frowned.
"But my power is different. The Ice Fruit and Hydro-Kinesis are conceptual. They aren't just biological functions. My genetic evolution just gave me a better vessel to hold that power."
"There are no Sea Prism Stones here. No Kairoseki. Like a Kryptonian without Kryptonite. That makes me truly dangerous."
He thought about the timeline.
X-Men: The Last Stand ended with Jean Grey dead and Magneto depowered. But in Days of Future Past, Charles is alive, and Magneto has his powers back. The timeline is fluid.
"I need to keep getting stronger. The Dragon Elephant Wisdom Technique is my base. But for offense..."
He checked the System.
[Ice Fruit Limit Break: 80 Million Desire Points.]
[Hydro-Kinesis Limit Break: 50 Million Desire Points.]
[Dragon Elephant Limit Break: 60 Million Desire Points.]
The costs were astronomical. But for Mind Immunity and Baji-Mizong Art, the cost was only 3 Million each.
"I'll upgrade Mind Immunity next. Charles Xavier and Emma Frost are threats I can't ignore."
He sketched out a power roadmap for his Ice Fruit:
Stage 1: Basic Ice Control, Intangibility (Logia).
Stage 2: Awakening (Current). Ice Domain, Matter Assimilation.
Stage 3: Atomic Level Control. Absolute Zero. Time Freeze (Mahapadma).
"If I reach Stage 3, I'm basically a God. Even Odin would hesitate."
Vincent waved his hand. The Ice Sphere he had created earlier dissolved into water and flushed itself down the drain.
Ding.
A text from his homeroom teacher, Ms. Juliet: "School resumes today. Graduation Prom is postponed to next weekend."
Right. He was still a high school senior.
Knock, knock.
It was Gwen.
Vincent grabbed his backpack and opened the door.
"Have you decided on a college?" Gwen asked, her eyes full of hope.
Vincent sighed. He had to rip the band-aid off.
"I'm not going to college, Gwen."
"What?!" Gwen stopped walking. "Why?"
"I'm starting an investment firm. I don't have time for four years of lectures. Besides, Tony Stark already offered me a job."
"But... we were supposed to go together," Gwen looked hurt. "You have the grades for MIT!"
"Gwen, listen," Vincent held her shoulders. "The world is changing. I need to be out there, building my empire. But you... you should go to Cambridge. It's your dream."
"I'm not going to Cambridge," Gwen said stubbornly. "I'm staying in New York. I applied to Columbia."
"Columbia?" Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Because of me?"
"Because New York needs Ghost Spider," Gwen lied, looking away. "And my family is here."
Vincent smiled softly. "Well, my apartment is always open. You know that."
"Thanks," Gwen gave a small smile, though she was clearly still disappointed.
Midtown High.
They arrived at school. The shadow of the Lizard attack still hung over the campus.
"Hey, Gwen," Peter Parker walked up to them.
"Morning, Peter," Gwen replied.
Vincent slung an arm around Peter's shoulder, squeezing tight.
"Hey, Pete. Heard about Oscorp. How's Harry holding up?"
Peter flinched. Vincent's grip was like a vice. He's strong. Too strong.
"Harry's fine," Peter said through gritted teeth, carefully removing Vincent's arm. "He's taking over the company. He dropped out of college, too."
"Shame," Gwen muttered, glaring at Vincent.
"It's the right move," Vincent shrugged. "Power vacuums are dangerous. Harry needs to secure his throne."
"I believe in him," Peter said, his eyes cold. "He'll make Oscorp great again."
Vincent chuckled internally. Make Oscorp Great Again? With you and Connors pulling the strings?
"I'm actually buying Oscorp stock," Vincent announced. "It's dirt cheap right now. I'll support Harry at the board meeting."
Peter forced a smile. "That's... generous of you, Vincent."
Generous? You're funding the enemy, Peter thought.
But in reality, Vincent was just sharking for profit. Oscorp stock had tanked after Norman's death. It was a classic "buy the dip" moment.
The Classroom.
Vincent and Gwen sat down. Gwen was still giving him the cold shoulder.
"She mad at you?" Hannah, the class gossip, whispered to Vincent.
"You have a keen eye, Hannah. You should major in Psychology," Vincent whispered back.
"Maybe I will. Unlike Ms. Natasha, who got fired for being 'too distracting'," Hannah giggled.
"She was definitely distracting," Vincent smirked, remembering the many distractions.
Ms. Juliet walked in.
She was pregnant. Her belly was showing slightly.
Vincent frowned.
Is that Mystique again?
He used Hydro-Kinesis to scan her.
No. It's really Ms. Juliet. And the baby... the heartbeat is normal.
Vincent relaxed. He was getting paranoid.
But then, he noticed something else.
Ms. Juliet's eyes lingered on him for a split second too long.
Interesting.
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