CH 33: Experiments and Rewards
Lex could make four clones. One of them had fused with the Pocket Dimension and couldn't be used outside it, while the remaining three had transformed into different people and were running errands for Raphael or occasionally assisting her with research.
As for what sort of research was being conducted? Well, good old Derek Hale had been supplying a lot of "animals" who had once been human. Since the Hand had ruled much of Japan for so long, it had naturally created a large amount of scum.
And Raphael was putting them to very good use.
The X-Gene, as it was called, was a fascinating thing. An extremely advanced gene capable of altering reality itself. Despite being a Victorian-era scientist, Dr. Essex's work was surprisingly advanced, to the point that simply verifying portions of his research had taken them an absurd amount of time.
Then again, Raphael's own wisdom was nothing to scoff at.
While the data they had obtained didn't actually contain DNA samples, it did contain extremely detailed information on multiple mutant bloodlines. It wasn't enough to completely recreate an X-Gene profile, but there was enough information to reconstruct the necessary genetic combinations and create artificial X-Genes that mimicked specific families.
"Subject 026 has become the fourth successful subject to integrate the Summers Bloodline and has awakened a Beta-level mutation. However, the mutation remains unstable and continued use of the ability results in eventual death."
Lex read through the records as he browsed the various experiment logs.
While he was always present within the Pocket Dimension, he could easily ignore this body and allow Raphael to pilot it instead. Recently, however, Raphael had suggested experimenting on his clones and granting them X-Genes of their own.
Since these bodies lacked X-Genes and were significantly easier to operate on than his original body, they made excellent test subjects for acquiring and experimenting with powers.
Then again, those bodies were still him.
That had made him somewhat hesitant until now, but...
[Subject: 081
Former Identity: Head of Child Trafficking Gang
Genetic Health Before Operation: 97.56%
Gene Injected: Braddock
Mutation Rank: Alpha
Precautions: Injected with Obedience Potion, surrounded by Mutation Dampeners, Pocket Dimension minor reality-bending focus.
Developed Gene: Flying Brick]
This was one of the most powerful mutants Raphael had successfully developed. The subject possessed flight, impressive strength, enhanced durability and greatly improved reflexes.
Currently, Alpha-level mutations represented the hard limit. The available data simply didn't contain enough information regarding Omega-level mutants for Raphael to reproduce them reliably.
Even then, results varied depending on the individual. Lex himself would almost certainly obtain the Alpha-level mutation successfully, but using the same process on others could produce very different outcomes.
Entering the Pocket Dimension with his original body, he began the procedure under Raphael's supervision. The first bloodline they intended to test was the Summers Bloodline, by far the most extensively researched bloodline in Essex's records.
The moment the modification was completed, Lex immediately sensed the presence of the X-Gene, much like he could sense it in his original body.
Understanding the mutation itself took a little longer.
Energy conversion.
He could absorb one form of energy and convert it into another.
The ability wasn't capable of storing large amounts of power. It could only hold enough energy to perform the conversion itself. However, the mutation could transform energy into virtually any natural form.
Electricity, heat, radiation, kinetic force and countless other forms were all possible. No matter how many times he experimented, however, supernatural energies remained completely outside the mutation's capabilities.
Even so, the mutation was absurdly useful.
A relatively small amount of electricity could theoretically be converted into something as devastating as a nuclear explosion.
All things considered, it was a solid mutation.
The next one, however, was considerably more interesting.
The Akaba Bloodline was one of the more incomplete entries in Essex's records, but there was still enough information to work with. To compensate for the missing sections, Raphael combined it with data from the Darkholme Bloodline.
The result exceeded expectations.
The result exceeded expectations. The mutation granted high-speed teleportation capable of covering several kilometers almost instantly, though it came with one rather unfortunate drawback: only the user teleported. Clothes, equipment and anything else being carried were left behind, creating some fairly obvious practical problems.
The mutation itself worked flawlessly. All it required was a destination and a thought. Of course, that didn't mean it was perfectly safe. It remained entirely possible to teleport directly into an occupied space, which would have been catastrophic for most people.
For Lex, it was merely annoying.
Pain immunity applied across all versions of himself.
Alas, he wouldn't be using it as much as he would have because he already had a somewhat similar ability from Todo Template.
As he continued hopping around the Pocket Dimension, he noticed how much it had changed.
The laboratory still occupied the center, but beyond it stretched grasslands, trees and growing vegetation. He vaguely remembered planting some of them, but he certainly hadn't expected them to grow so quickly.
The third and final clone was next in line to receive an X-Gene. The fourth clone remained bound to the Pocket Dimension and had long since sacrificed its physical body to become the dimension's owner.
This time, however, they wouldn't be relying on Essex's research. No, this time they would be gathering the data themselves. Eventually he intended to collect samples from people such as Regan, Charles Xavier, Emma Frost and Jean Grey. Some of the most powerful psychics that were potentially available to him; all he needed was a way to acquire their DNA.
Just as Lex was planning to head back and start preparing a little surprise for Sharon, a sudden influx of information entered his mind, causing him to pause mid-step.
He had just conquered Japan.
The realization stopped him cold for a moment.
"How did that happen?" Lex wondered, immediately trying to work backwards through everything that had happened over the last few weeks.
<By overtaking The Hand and placing your—or rather your subordinate's—people in power, you've effectively gained control over most of Japan. It could be considered Conquest.>
Raphael promptly supplied a possible explanation. Whether that explanation was actually correct remained impossible to verify at the moment. This was the first conquest he had achieved since receiving the challenge from his father, meaning there was no precedent to compare it against. Still, the timing was difficult to argue with. The notification had arrived immediately after Nanami's people had secured their positions and The Hand's influence had effectively fallen under his control.
Whatever criteria were being used, the challenge appeared to consider Japan conquered.
Not only had he immediately received an Essence, but an additional reward had accompanied it as well.
The new power wasn't exactly a power.
It was more accurately described as a ritual.
A ritual that technically anyone could perform, provided Lex permitted it.
As the knowledge settled into place, he found himself mentally reviewing the instructions. To perform the ritual, a perfect circle needed to be created. Within that circle, a perfect square had to be drawn. In the area that remained between the square and the circle, the name of the Sovereign—his name—must be inscribed. Outside the first circle, surrounding it entirely, a spell composed of specific runes had to be written. The knowledge of those runes had been included with the reward itself. Once the runes were complete, a second circle needed to be formed around them using water or another reasonably pure liquid.
After that, anyone wishing to use the ritual would stand within the square while a drop of the Sovereign's blood was placed upon the first and final rune.
The moment the ritual activated, Lex would receive an immediate notification in his mind.
Then he could teleport everyone standing within the square to any location that existed within his Sovereignty.
Lex blinked as he considered the implications.
That... was actually incredibly useful.
He had already been thinking about the logistical nightmare that would eventually emerge if he succeeded in conquering territories across multiple worlds. Traveling between them himself wasn't particularly difficult, but moving large groups of people, supplies, administrators, soldiers, scientists, and civilians would quickly become a headache. This ritual provided a ready-made solution. Any conquered territory could effectively become connected through a network of ritual circles, allowing travel throughout his domains without requiring him to personally escort everyone.
The more he thought about it, the more valuable the reward seemed.
The ritual alone might end up being more useful than some actual superpowers.
The main reward, however, was the Essence.
Unlike many of the previous Essences he had received, this one didn't immediately strike him as overwhelmingly powerful. Then again, perhaps his perspective was skewed. The first few Essences had been absurdly broken by almost any standard imaginable. Compared to those, nearly everything looked mediocre. Alternatively, perhaps the rewards scaled according to the conquest itself. Taking control of Japan was certainly impressive by normal standards, but it was nowhere near the same level as conquering an entire world.
Essence of the Animal Sidekick
—---------------------------------------------------
This essence tastes like fresh cool water under a hot summer sun, with a mild sense of cleverness, curiosity, and amusement mingled in for a few seconds.
-
By drinking this essence, you gain a soul-bound Animal Sidekick, who you can summon at your side at any time to offer you help.
-
You might have a clever little monkey (Aladdin), a smart-ass talking parrot (Return of Jafar), a loyal and clever horse for a cowboy (Lucky Luke), or something similar. Thematically, they will be animals, but can have human level of intelligence and perception of the world around them, along with understanding.
-
This includes animals that aren’t native to Earth, or even mythical animals. Examples suggested include Phoenix (Conan), Cringer/Battlecat (He-Man), Dragon such as Toothless (How to Train your Dragon) or Fu Dog (American Dragon). It would include something like Stitch (Lilo and Stitch), or Snarf (Thundercats) as a borderline case, but something like Dobby the House-Elf (Harry Potter) would not fall into this category, being a side-kick, sure, but not meeting the requirement of thematically being an animal. This essence can include all manner of unusual animals. If you could argue in good faith that the creature fits the description of a side-kick and thematically animalistic, it should be alright.
-
This happy little sidekick will start with a very strong loyalty and a bond of friendship towards you, which cannot ever be completely broken, but abusive or hurtful treatment will have them leave you for a good while, returning periodically to see if you have changed and willing to treat them better, but still smart enough to care for their own safety the most if you have mistreated them before.
-
They will seem to have a surprising amount of luck and ability to help with things, can pull off stunts you wouldn’t expect from an animal, and can have a helpful touch of mischief, like stealing an item you really need but couldn’t get otherwise, or being able to get you out of jail in a comedic manner like sneaking a nail-file into your jail-cell that somehow is able to rapidly file down any bars in your window or break the lock in your door. Note that such tools only last as long as they are needed for a task, and lose their power if handed over to someone else, or dropped.
-
They can’t usually solve big issues on their own, but can provide a bit of unusual, unexpected help, and the occasional bit of backup or a surprise distraction that can be helpful.
-
They are essentially immortal, and if something does manage to kill them, you can summon them again good as new the next day, though if you are responsible for their death they may very well be very wary of you for a while. On another hand, if they truly feel they are loved and appreciated, then chances are they’ll happily take a bullet for you if necessary, though expecting to get rewarded and appreciated for the pain they went through for you in return.
—---------------------------------------------------
An animal sidekick.
Lex stared at the description for several seconds before shrugging.
It wasn't something he had been actively looking for, but it wasn't as though he was going to complain about free rewards. Besides, after everything he'd gained recently, perhaps receiving something a little less world-shattering wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
The Essence was consumed and immediately began searching for a suitable companion.
Lex briefly considered his options.
The description allowed for a ridiculous variety of creatures. Dragons, phoenixes, mythical beasts and creatures from entirely different worlds were all apparently on the table. Unfortunately, while he knew enough mythology to recognize many names, he didn't know nearly enough about mystical animals to make an informed choice. Letting the Essence decide seemed like the safer option.
"A type of dog is fine," he muttered after a moment's consideration. There was a brief temptation to choose a crow instead, especially considering how useful an intelligent flying companion could be, but the idea was dismissed almost as quickly as it appeared. He had already shared part of his life with a crow years ago. Ragul had been a constant companion for a long time before eventually dying, and even now the memory carried a faint sting whenever it resurfaced. Rationally, Lex knew another crow would be an entirely different creature, but that was precisely the problem. It wouldn't be Ragul, and trying to replace those memories with a magical copy felt strangely disrespectful.
A moment later, Lex felt a connection snap into existence somewhere beyond perception. It felt distant and yet impossibly close at the same time, like a taut string stretching across reality itself. Instinctively he reached for it and gave it a gentle tug.
Something large immediately materialized in front of him, causing Lex to instinctively take a moment to reassess exactly what he had requested. The creature was enormous, easily large enough that he found himself tilting his head upward slightly as he examined it. For several seconds both of them simply stared at one another while Lex attempted to determine what species he was looking at. It possessed enough canine traits to comfortably qualify as a dog, yet there was also something distinctly ursine about its build. The broad shoulders, massive frame, and thick coat of fur gave it the appearance of a creature that couldn't quite decide whether it wanted to be a dog or a polar bear.
The enormous creature blinked once before its nose began twitching rapidly. Lex could practically see it processing his scent as it leaned forward and took several enthusiastic sniffs, each one seeming to increase its excitement. The beast moved closer, then closer again, its massive tail beginning to wag with enough force that it looked capable of knocking over furniture. Lex only realized where this was heading when the creature's entire posture shifted from curiosity to pure enthusiasm.
"Hey, wai—"
His warning never had a chance to finish. The gigantic animal surged forward and immediately began covering his face with affectionate licks. One became two, then three, then four in rapid succession as Lex found himself being enthusiastically greeted by several hundred kilograms of excited fur. Any attempt at maintaining dignity quickly became impossible under the assault.
At least his passive cleanliness effect existed.
Otherwise he was fairly certain he would already smell like fish.