Chapter 26: Chapter 26
No wonder Stryker can fuse mutant abilities to create such powerful weapons like Weapon X. It turns out he has Essex's support!
Nathaniel Essex, also known as Mr. Sinister, is about as old as Logan—an ancient monster with strange hobbies. He loves collecting mutant genes to enhance himself and create clones.
With a curious gaze, Mr. Sinister looked at Mike. "William, is this the guest you mentioned?"
His deep voice had the resonance of an opera singer, soothing yet unsettling.
Stryker nodded respectfully, "Apologies for the trouble, sir."
"Trouble?" Mr. Sinister chuckled, his expression softening. "This is a good addition to my collection."
Relieved, Stryker then spoke anxiously, "Sir, another mutant is here. He's trying to rescue the test subjects."
"Test subjects?" Mr. Sinister raised a finger, wagging it at Stryker. "Don't use such cold, impersonal terms. They're unique collections."
'Calling them a collection somehow sounded colder than labelling them as experiments.' Mike silently grimaced at the thought.
"Relax," Mr. Sinister continued, smiling calmly, "they won't escape."
His gaze shifted to Weapon XI, who stood silently. "Let him chase after them. I want to see how well he performs."
Stryker immediately nodded, issuing the command. In an instant, Weapon XI vanished from sight.
"Impressive," Mr. Sinister murmured before turning his attention back to Mike. "Now, tell me about your abilities."
'Talk to you? Hell no!' Mike thought. He knew Mr. Sinister was fishing for details to add him to his sick experiments.
Feigning nonchalance, Mike said, "I can summon things."
Buying time was his only option. The mutant in front of him wasn't someone to trifle with. Even with Logan, they wouldn't stand a chance against Mr. Sinister.
"Summon things?" Mr. Sinister's eyes lit up with curiosity. "How fascinating. I've never encountered a power like that before."
"What can you summon?"
Mike kept his tone serious, "Give me a moment, and you'll see."
'Come on, Black Emperor! Where the hell are you?' Mike's mind raced, desperately searching for a way out. If he could just hold Mr. Sinister off for a few more seconds, he might stand a chance.
Seconds passed, stretching into tens of seconds, and still nothing happened.
Mr. Sinister's patient expression began to darken. "I don't have all day. Perhaps I should examine you myself."
Raising his hand, he advanced towards Mike.
A crushing sense of danger descended on Mike, like a mountain closing in on him. But just as Mr. Sinister was about to strike, two figures materialised out of thin air, wrapped in a red mist.
Both were sharply dressed, as if attending a gala. One had blood-red skin, like a demon from hell. The other was tall, with a stern expression.
The Red Devil, Azazel, and the Black Emperor, Sebastian Shaw.
Mike exhaled in relief as Black Emperor and Mr. Sinister stared each other down, momentarily surprised.
Pointing at Mr. Sinister and Stryker, Mike said, "Boss! That's them! They've been using mutants in experiments. The others have been rescued, so let's get out of here!"
Sebastian glanced at Mike, his expression softening slightly. This was Riven's friend, after all. Plus, Mike calling him 'boss' implied he was interested in joining Hellfire.
Turning to Mr. Sinister, Sebastian asked coldly, "Is what he says true?"
The interrogation tone, like he was some kind of prisoner, annoyed Mr. Sinister. With an indifferent expression, he replied, "Did you send him to steal my collection?"
"Collection?" Sebastian's gaze turned frosty.
For Mr. Sinister to refer to mutants as collection in front of Shaw was like opening a dam, from here on there was no going back.
The tension between the two men intensified, and the air grew thick with hostility.
Mike, seeing the looming confrontation, took another deep breath. Compared to the Black Emperor of the original storyline, this world's Sebastian Shaw had a more aggressive and uncompromising style. In many ways, he reminded Mike of Magneto.
Sebastian took a single step forward, and that was all it took to ignite the clash. It was like a beast encroaching on another's territory.
Mr. Sinister vanished, reappearing in front of Sebastian with a fist aimed at his face.
"Wow!" Sebastian sneered, mocking him. "After absorbing the power of so many of my brethren, this is all you could achieve? Don't you feel ashamed?"
Though Mr. Sinister remained expressionless, he unleashed a flurry of punches on Sebastian.
Yet Sebastian just stood there, arms crossed, taunting him with every blow.
Mr. Sinister backed off momentarily, his lips curling into a sneer. "What's this? Is being a punching bag your main ability?"
"Punching bag? Then try this..." Sebastian's voice rumbled as he took a step forward. The ground beneath them cracked as he moved at lightning speed, slamming a punch straight into Mr. Sinister's stomach.
"How about that?" Sebastian smirked as Mr. Sinister's body was sent flying like a cannonball, crashing through a wall and leaving deep grooves as his feet dragged along the floor.
Mr. Sinister, now furious, let out a crazed laugh. The diamond-shaped mark on his forehead glowed red, and his eyes followed suit.
Mike didn't hesitate—he bolted toward the window as the Red Devil vanished in a swirl of red mist.
"Go to hell!" Mr. Sinister roared, raising his hand toward Sebastian.
Boom!
A surge of transparent, vibrating energy shot toward Sebastian.
Unfazed, Sebastian stood with arms wide, almost basking in it.
His power, energy absorption, allowed him to soak up any form of energy—kinetic, electrical, or otherwise—and convert it into raw strength. Mr. Sinister's attack was merely fuel for Sebastian's ever-growing might.
Though most of the shockwaves hit Sebastian, the surrounding laboratory wasn't spared. Walls crumbled, the ceiling caved in, and the ground rippled like waves as the entire building collapsed into ruin.
Mike leaped through the window just in time, glancing back at the destruction in awe.
Suddenly, a red mist appeared beside him.
Azazel grinned. "Thanks for your help this time."
Mike forced a smile, still wary. He had no intention of getting further entangled with the Hellfire Club. Just as he was about to leave, a portal opened nearby.
Mike turned to see who was stepping out—and his expression instantly hardened.
Two figures emerged.
Stryker and Mr. Sinister's men had escaped the battle, along with two new monsters.
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