One with all

Enjoy the chapter

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POV: Charles Xavier

Location: X-Mansion

The Blackbird, the high-tech jet of the X-Men, was currently occupied by most of its key members:

Charles Xavier – Professor X

Jean Grey – Marvel Girl

Cyclops – Scott Summers

Storm – Ororo Munroe

Wolverine – Logan/James Howlett

Colossus – Piotr "Peter" Nikolayevich Rasputin

Shadowcat – Kitty Pryde

Nightcrawler – Kurt Wagner

Kitty Pryde: "So, Professor, is this another Omega-level mutant? What's his power?"

Professor X: "Yes, Kitty. He's an Omega-level mutant… maybe even more powerful. But, unfortunately, I can't seem to figure out his abilities, nor can I communicate with him via telepathy. It's as if he's completely immune. No matter how hard I try, I can't connect with his mind. That's why we need to move quickly. We can't risk an Omega-level mutant losing control in the middle of a city—especially one as populated as Gotham."

At this, Jean's ears perked up. She had felt it too—the surge of brainwave energy washing over the entire planet. She had attempted to reach out telepathically to the newly awakened mutant, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't even locate his consciousness. For someone who often struggled to not read minds, this was an entirely foreign experience.

Cyclops: "Professor, do you think the Brotherhood will show up?"

Wolverine let out a low growl. He didn't care much for the Brotherhood, but his real hatred was reserved for his supposed "brother"—Sabretooth.

Professor X: "No, I don't think so. The new mutant hasn't done anything yet to attract the Brotherhood's attention—or that of the government. However, I am concerned about anti-mutant groups. Let's just hope none of them show up."

Storm: "Beast, how much longer until we reach our destination?"

Beast: "Ten minutes."

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POV: MC

Did I go too far strengthening my brainwaves? Yeah, I think I did.

…Oh well, doesn't matter now.

Man, I'm excited! The X-Mansion is filled with so many powers I can copy. But honestly, one of the best abilities there is Wolverine's. Why? Because of his regeneration, of course.

Sure, my regeneration is superior—it's instant—but it comes with a major downside. I need biomass. He doesn't. His body just creates more. If I can get his healing factor, I'll essentially have infinite biomass.

The method is simple. I create a clone body with no consciousness, absorb it, regenerate it, then repeat. Again and again and again. If this works, one of my few weaknesses—biomass dependency—will be completely eliminated. And I won't need to kill hundreds of thousands of people just to sustain myself. That's a win-win.

And that's just the start.

Professor Xavier & Jean Grey → Telepathy & Telekinesis (Omega-level)

Shadowcat → Phasing through solid matter

Storm → Weather manipulation (Omega-level)

Cyclops → Optic blasts

But the one that really worries me is Jean Grey. The Phoenix Force is a wildcard. Does she have it yet? If so, how will it react to me infecting her?

…No. Too risky.

I'll just get a little of her blood and extract the power that way. No need to piss off a cosmic god who controls life, death, and rebirth. Yeah, let's not do that.

For now, let's focus on making a clone before the X-Men arrive.

I take a deep breath. Alright… let's do this.

I reach into my biomass, pulling it forward. Tendrils extend from my hands, twisting and shaping until—there.

A body, identical to mine, forms in front of me. I stare at it. No… not it. Me.

I blink. Suddenly, I can see through his eyes. Feel what he feels. There are no two consciousnesses—just one. Me. It's like multitasking on an entirely different level.

Main Body: "Well, hello, handsome."

Clone: "Hello to you, handsome."

We shake hands.

Okay, this is weird.

Yeah, I know. We're literally talking to ourselves.

Yup.

Still, as fun as this is, the clone needs to hide before the X-Men arrive.

"Alright, time for you to disappear."

"Agreed. Goodbye, me."

With that, he jumps out the window.

…Wait, I jumped out the window.

Oh, goddammit.

It's going to take time to get used to this. I can see and feel everything my clone does at all times. It's like controlling two characters in a video game simultaneously—but without the mental strain.

Anyway, now I wait.

10 minutes later…

I'm bored.

Where the hell are they? Do I need to release another wave?

…No, no, no. Bad idea. I slap myself twice. Focus, idiot.

If I do it again, I have no idea what kind of monsters will show up. I need to avoid announcing my existence like that ever again. That was stupid.

To kill time, I turn on the TV.

"Hello, everyone! Today we're making the perfect omelet—"

Click.

"Mutants will be the death of us all—"

Click.

"Hahaha! Man, you're hilarious!"

Click. Click. Click.

Ugh. Nothing but garbage.

I keep flipping channels until something catches my eye.

"Tony Stark is planning to go to Afghanistan for a presentation of his new weapon—"

Wait. Wait. What the hell was that?

I scroll back.

"For the presentation of Stark Industries' newest weapon, Tony Stark will personally travel to Afghanistan for its demonstration. The estimated date of his departure is approximately ten days from now."

…So it has begun.

The new age of heroes and villains.

The age where gods descend from the heavens.

From gods wielding hammers...

To gods who devour planets...

From aliens soaring through the skies...

To those who call themselves fantastic...

To those who will avenge...

To those who will uphold justice...

Am I ready?

Can I become strong enough—not just to fight them, but to protect them? To protect the world?

Determination fills my voice.

"Maybe not yet… but I have the potential to surpass them all. From the alien who flies in the sky to the gods who rule the heavens… I will surpass them all. From Death to Manhattan. From Darkseid to Thanos. Slowly but surely… I will become the strongest being to ever exist."

And my first step begins with the X-Men.

---

Ding-dong!

My doorbell rings.

I stand from the couch and walk toward the door. Opening it, I find myself face-to-face with a team of mutants.

Charles Xavier – Professor X

Jean Grey – Marvel Girl

Cyclops – Scott Summers

Storm – Ororo Munroe

Wolverine – Logan/James Howlett

Colossus – Piotr "Peter" Nikolayevich Rasputin

Shadowcat – Kitty Pryde

Nightcrawler – Kurt Wagner

Charles Xavier stands at the front.

"Hello, young man. I am Professor Charles Xavier from the School for Gifted Youngsters, and I'm here to invite you to join us."

I smile.

Oh yeah… I never did pick a name, did I?

Well, now I have.

"I am… Cyrus Mercer."

I step aside and gesture.

"Please, come in. We can talk inside."

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