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The Black Emperor is undeniably an extraordinarily powerful mutant, and even his clone cannot be compared to ordinary mutant clones.
He possesses the ability to absorb various forms of energy, converting it into highly potent attacks. Whether it's technological explosives, missiles, even nuclear bombs, physical close-range attacks, or magical and energy-based assaults—he can absorb it all.
However, he is not without weaknesses; his abilities are restrained by psychic powers. To counter this vulnerability, he created a helmet to defend against mind control, which later became Magneto's iconic helmet.
Without this helmet, he wouldn't stand a chance against Professor X. But with it, there are few in the world who could kill him.
The Black Emperor clone here lacks such a helmet, and although George's psychic abilities aren't enough to immobilize him, nor does he know soul-binding spells like the Imperius Curse, he is skilled in the Confusion Charm.
The Confusion Charm induces mental disorientation, also considered a form of mental control magic.
In truth, George believed the Black Emperor clone's energy absorption capability was far inferior to that of the real Black Emperor. With enough strikes from his spiked mace, he suspected the clone wouldn't withstand much. But that approach would waste too much time; the Confusion Charm was more efficient.
"Stupefy!"
Once again, he cast a spell toward Reyes, but this attempt failed as well since the young clone of Professor X stepped in the way.
Naturally, the Professor X clone couldn't absorb the magical energy and was knocked unconscious instantly.
Just as George was about to kill him, a thought struck him. Acting on impulse, he grabbed the unconscious Professor X clone and stuffed him into his magically expanded pocket.
If he remembered correctly, Professor X could transfer his consciousness—a skill he once used to survive by moving his consciousness into his comatose twin brother after being killed by Phoenix.
This younger Professor X clone should, in theory, transfer his consciousness more effectively than the twin brother could. Although, due to bodily limitations, his powers might never again reach the level of a level-four mutant, he would at least have a young, healthy body and wouldn't need a wheelchair.
This could be extremely useful for managing a future superhuman school.
"Stupefy!"
A third attempt at casting was made, and another mutant clone blocked the path.
Each mutant clone had a controller inside them, programmed by Reyes with a prime directive: to protect him at all costs. So whenever he was in danger, these clones would step up, bearing attacks without hesitation or fear of death—they were his most loyal followers.
"I didn't expect you to have so many abilities. But it's useless now; soon, you'll be a mere human. I'll study your body to create countless powerful clones just like you, and they'll conquer the world for me!"
With the clones sacrificing themselves, Reyes finally reached the nutrient chamber's control panel and pressed a button.
George's strength was something Reyes never anticipated, which filled him with both fear and excitement.
"Turn me into an ordinary human? How naive!"
George smashed the Phoenix clone in front of him into pulp, casually slicing off some hair with a blade and pocketing it.
Ready-made wand core materials, sparing him the trouble of researching clones back home—he couldn't let it go to waste.
As for Reyes' final trump card, George had already guessed what it was. That card might be effective against other mutants, even the real Black Emperor, Magneto, or Professor X, but it held little threat to him.
Indeed, as Reyes pressed the button, a special nutrient chamber slowly rose in the center of the hall. When it opened, a bald young boy appeared before him.
With the boy's appearance, George felt both his magnetic field control and psychic abilities disappear.
"A clone of Leech, the mutant suppressor."
This boy wasn't just anyone; he was the mutant who could neutralize the powers of other mutants.
He had no offensive power himself, yet merely by being nearby, he could suppress the abilities of all mutants, even those of level four or five—he was truly the bane of mutants.
Of course, he was also considered a "cure" for mutants, as not every mutant embraced their awakened powers.
"Subject 757, I acknowledge your strength, but now you're just an ordinary human!"
Seeing a small squad of guards rush in through the hall doors, Reyes felt confident once more.
George, however, hurled his alloyed spiked mace with all his might at the approaching guards, instantly crushing most of them.
"If this actually worked on me, shouldn't I have reverted to my normal size by now? You fool—I've never relied solely on mutant abilities, so his powers don't affect me in the slightest!"
George drew his alloy longsword, unleashing a series of spells to immobilize the remaining guards and mutant clones. He then hefted the spiked mace, systematically killing each one, before advancing toward the now-terrified Reyes, who had collapsed to the ground.
"Subject 757, we could still join forces and conquer the world together."
"You know nothing about this world," George interrupted, dismissing Reyes's grand offer, and dispelled his giant form before slipping his ring back on.
"Legilimency, perhaps?"
Conquer the world with just a few mutant clones? Not a chance. For instance, if Tony Stark got his hands on this, he might even hack the control system with J.A.R.V.I.S. and reverse-control these mutant clones.
"Mrs. Natalie—is that supposed to be Black Widow?"
After scanning Reyes's memories, George couldn't help but ponder. The mysterious "Mrs. Natalie" in Reyes's mind strongly reminded him of the super-spy Black Widow from S.H.I.E.L.D.
"So, S.H.I.E.L.D. is also aware of Reyes's mutant gene research. I can't let Black Widow take that data!"
George rose, causing the grenades on the guards' belts to detonate simultaneously, obliterating the entire hall, and then dashed toward Reyes's records room.
If "Mrs. Natalie" truly was Black Widow, then she would undoubtedly seize this chaotic moment to steal the research data.
Should the mutant cloning technology fall into Black Widow's hands, it would effectively become property of S.H.I.E.L.D. or, worse yet, Hydra, a force far more formidable than Reyes.
"Not here—did she fail, or did she already succeed?"
George decided not to rush after "Mrs. Natalie." Instead, he backed up all of Reyes's research data, then destroyed the records room entirely.
Afterward, he cast a tracking spell.
"Footsteps Revealed!"
Now, his mind was no longer on Xander Reyes but on Natasha Romanoff—Black Widow's true identity.
A set of footprints appeared before him, leading out of the records room and into the hall.
(End of Chapter)