Ryuuto knew one thing for sure: Emma could sense Mutants. That meant no companions with Mutant signatures. Only two possibilities remained from the school—Susan and Natasha Romanoff.
Natasha, the Black Widow, had once shone in the Battle of New York with the Avengers. Susan, the Invisible Woman, had defended cities countless times. Both were famous, and drawing attention to themselves meant Emma would instantly recognize them.
Recognition was the last thing Ryuuto wanted. Once Emma locked onto someone, controlling her became exponentially harder. In the worst-case scenario, not just Ryuuto, but his entire team could be puppets under her will.
Alone, he decided, was the safest.
Ryuuto had planned to study the detonator with Natasha, but that could wait. After a brief farewell to Charles, he left the school.
Two hours later, northern New York.
From a kilometer away, Ryuuto surveyed a lone ranch. A quick call to Tony confirmed Emma's presence in the main house. Time to think strategy.
"Surprise attack with High-Speed Movement…should work," Ryuuto muttered. He sprinted toward the house, leaping through an open window.
Inside, a striking blonde sat casually on the sofa. Perfect posture, flawless figure—no doubt, this was White Queen Emma.
Yet her expression wasn't just calm. It was shock…as if she had known he would come.
Before he could speak, she picked up an apple from the coffee table, biting into it lazily. "I didn't expect you so soon. I thought you'd take a day or two to find me."
"You knew I'd come?" Ryuuto asked, eyes narrowing.
"Of course," Emma said, eyes glinting. "I've tampered with many Mutants' memories, sending subtle warnings. Charles's Telepathy confirmed the mastermind behind the recent chaos—me. I also know you're allied with several Avengers. So I could pinpoint my location easily. Yet…you took a whole week to arrive."
Ryuuto felt a twinge of unease. Something about her calm demeanor screamed conspiracy.
"Why do you still look so…young?" he asked.
"I can maintain this form indefinitely," Emma said, voice smooth as ice. "Since our last plan with Xiao was foiled by Charles and Magneto, we've hidden in the shadows. Searching for Mutants whose powers surpass the rest. Thirty years of wandering. Many strong ones appeared—Mr. Fantastic, Stoneman, Thunderbolt, Invisible Woman, Hulk, Iron Man—but none fit our requirements. Without someone stronger than all others, our plans fail. And of course, the 'Justice Messengers' keep obstructing me. Understand?"
Ryuuto smirked. "Sounds like you want me on your side."
"Exactly," she said. "Join us, and you can have it all."
"Even if I don't join, I'll still get everything. And you…you're timid. You've always wanted someone stronger than you as a shield, so you hide behind them instead of acting yourself."
Emma laughed softly, the sound chilling yet melodic. "Refuse, and we're enemies."
"Afraid of you? Not in the slightest."
Emma's smile widened. Then, suddenly, Ryuuto's head throbbed. Dizzy, nauseous, and…he heard a roar in his mind. Emma was trying to invade his consciousness, to turn him into a puppet.
Impossible. He couldn't allow it.
But…how the hell did you get her out of your head once she was in it?
Emma walked toward him slowly, almost lazily. "No one escapes my Mind Control. For thirty years, I've honed my variant abilities to dominate anyone. Whether you agree or resist doesn't matter—I will control you."
Cold sweat dripped down Ryuuto's forehead. "Your Mutant ability…is terrifying!"
She reached out, voice taunting. "Let me press my consciousness into yours. The first thing I'll do—go to Axville Genius Youth School in your body. Kill everyone, especially Charles. Imagine the irony…killed by the student he taught himself."
"Think you can control me?" Ryuuto growled.
"In this world? No one surpasses me, especially non-telepathic Mutants. Give me five minutes, and your body will be mine."
"Not a chance!"
Roaring, Ryuuto lunged, punching at her. In an instant, Emma's body shimmered…then solidified. Diamond.
...
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