Marvel: Starting as a Time Criminal, Stealing Powers

Boom... Boom...

The sound of idling engines grew louder.

In a remote valley, three motorcycles blocked off three directions, surrounding the center.

Seated on the bikes were several scruffy, filthy men, laughing with malicious grins.

"Haha, haven't seen such a pretty girl in a long time!"

"She's so young—bet she's still a virgin!"

"Anyone know which variant she is? First time I've seen this one."

"Who cares? She ran the moment she saw us. Can't be that tough."

"Bob's right. Just don't damage the skin. It'll sell for less."

They were completely relaxed, not treating the girl in the middle as a threat at all.

One of them—a bearded man wearing a torn leather jacket—got off his bike. He pulled a short knife from his belt, casually tossing it into the air and catching it with ease. His guard was completely down as he strolled toward the girl.

As he drew close, he flashed a greasy, disgusting smile and reached out a hairy hand to touch her face—

Shick!

A flash of steel.

Before anyone could see what happened, Laura's adamantium claws had already pierced through the man's skull, thrusting up from under his chin.

Swish!

Blood splattered. Laura yanked her claws free, bent slightly, assumed a combat stance, and bared her fangs.

The act had worked.

She took one down—making the fight a little easier.

But when she looked up, the remaining four men on motorcycles looked... oddly calm.

Laura's heart skipped a beat.

Something wasn't right.

She wasn't new to fighting. Ever since Wolverine died, she'd fought countless battles alongside other mutant teens. She had learned deception and ambush tactics through hard experience.

Yet none of these men were angry at their comrade's death. None were shocked by her claws. Instead, they wore satisfied smiles.

"Power level confirmed."

"Yeah, definitely a Wolverine variant."

"Self-healing might be a pain."

"Too bad the EMP bikes don't work well in the forest. Otherwise, alloy bones like hers would be a breeze."

They ignored Laura completely, chatting amongst themselves.

Then the corpse on the ground disappeared—vanished like a phantom.

Even the blood on her claws evaporated, leaving no trace.

Seeing the eerie scene, Laura crouched low, tense and confused.

Then someone from the bikes called out:

"Hey, who's going next?"

"Not me. That hurt last time."

"Then you do it!"

"Stop whining. I'll go!"

A freckled young man in a baseball cap hopped off one of the bikes and charged at Laura.

She was stunned.

He knew what she could do—why go for close combat?

Was he an idiot, or just too confident?

Instinct took over.

She dodged and slashed—

Pfft!

Blood sprayed. The man's throat was sliced clean.

Another kill.

But the body vanished—again an illusion.

Then another man charged her.

Trying to wear me down? she thought. What's the point of this?

Still, she met him head-on.

Slash!

Another clean kill.

But as she caught her breath, the man who had refused to go earlier charged her without hesitation.

This time, Laura carefully spotted his weakness and struck—

Thunk!

A duller sound. Not the clean slice she expected.

Ssshhh!

Yellow smoke burst from the wound. Laura instinctively tried to retreat—but it was too late.

As she inhaled, her limbs went numb. Her body collapsed.

Thud!

"Heh, finally got her~"

The last man, with wild messy hair, smirked and got off his bike. A cunning glint shone in his eyes.

Laura struggled to get up but couldn't. Despair crept into her gaze.

Her healing factor wasn't working.

The smug man walked over slowly.

"I changed up my charge pattern after observing you. Just as I thought—your final blow always aims for the heart."

"I rigged that spot with a special neurotoxin. It's made for healing-types like you."

"Magician tech. Handy stuff~"

Clearly excited after capturing the "little wolf girl," he bent down and introduced himself with pride.

"Name's Jamie Madrox. My ability? Duplication."

"Jamie?" Laura muttered, frowning. "Aren't you a mutant? I've seen that name in the X-Men files."

Jamie squatted down, grinning. "Then you've got me confused. I'm with the Brotherhood."

Shink!

Suddenly, Laura raised her leg—and a claw shot from her foot, stabbing straight through Jamie's skull.

He collapsed instantly.

Laura flopped back onto the ground, breathing hard.

She had known who he was.

She'd read the X-Men files countless times. Her question was just bait—to draw him closer.

Thank God it worked.

She sighed in relief.

But she was completely drained now.

Then—motorcycle engines again.

A minute later, two more men rolled into the valley.

"You really used up all your strength this time, huh?" one of them laughed.

Two figures approached.

Laura stared weakly at the newcomers, her heart dropping.

One had deep forehead wrinkles, balding hair, and a very British look. He spoke first:

"Jamie, you're a genius. Took down a Wolverine-type using only clones!"

"You're way better than Fireman. You should be the team leader!"

Jamie—still alive in another clone body—glanced smugly at Laura.

"Don't say that, Siryn. Fireman's raw power is stronger. I'm fine with him leading."

You don't mean that, Siryn cursed silently. That's why he's leading the team and you're stuck riding bikes…

Out loud, she said with a smile, "You're too modest, Jamie."

Jamie laughed, not denying it this time.

"I'll need you to carry her. Her adamantium skeleton is heavy. I don't have the strength."

What am I, a pack mule? Siryn complained in her head, but didn't argue. She bent down to pick Laura up.

Laura felt her heart sink again. She had nothing left to resist.

She watched in helpless horror as a filthy hand reached out to grab her.

Suddenly, she thought of last night's embrace—the warmth, the security.

At the time, she'd felt safe... and slept soundly.

Maybe if she had run toward that man instead of away, this wouldn't have happened.

But she immediately dismissed the thought.

This was her mistake. Her carelessness.

That warm hug—maybe it was just the universe's last gift to her.

She should be grateful.

She closed her eyes.

And the man she'd thought of... appeared again in her mind.

He was surprisingly good-looking, even for an Asian guy.

His voice had been calm, and strangely comforting.

"Hey—if you move your hand even an inch lower, I swear I'll rip your soul out. Wanna test it?"

A threatening voice rang out.

Laura flinched. Her eyes snapped open.

Was she... imagining his voice?

But then it came again—

"Sorry, but as her boyfriend, I can't let you walk away with her."

Her eyes widened.

The greasy hand had stopped.

Both men were now glaring into the distance with dark expressions.

Laura turned her head with effort and saw—

It was him.

He had really come.

Joy flooded her heart. Followed quickly by fear—what if he got hurt because of her?

Their eyes met.

Then he grinned and called out casually:

"Hey, girl! You really thought I'd just disappear after one night together? That's too naive."

Laura froze.

The sunlight filtered through the trees and landed on his shoulders, making him look like an angel descending from heaven.

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