Uncanny X-Men (2012 series) #14

In the 1st issues of this series Mr Sinister used the power of the Phalanx and the Dreaming Celestial to convert the heart of San Francisco into a funfair populated by clones of himself. He was defeated by the X-Men and the Celestials. Lately the Phoenix Force returned to Earth in the Avengers Vs X-Men event and in AvX#5 it gave its power to 5 X-Men (Colossus, Cyclops, Emma Frost, Magik and Sub-Mariner).

Now we find that Sinister has created his own version of late 19th Century London deep underground, populated by his clones. They all have a white diamond shape on their brows, where MrS himself has a blood red 1. It is a perfect society because Sinister has perfected the mathematics of humanity and used that to make a plan that will work like clockwork. But 1 of the clones doesn't believe in this perfection because he believes he has free will. And he plans to do something with it, and to that end has created a contraption in his basement.

He is a journalist and has secured an interview with the man himself. They have travelled on white horses to some farmland where cows are grazing. A male youth is milking 1 out in the field, and another with a rifle slung over his shoulder brings them 2 glasses of milk. MrS explains that he included cows in his plan because he likes milk. Our protagonist notes the absence of milkmaids, along with all other women. Sinister points out that because the clones are created by his Creation Engine there is no need for them. But if the Engine ever breaks down then half of the existing clones will immediately but temporarily convert to females to continue (re)production until the Engine is repaired.

The interview is interrupted when a Moloid burrows up into the field. The boy hands Sinister his rifle and MrS kills the invader with it. He explains that after his last encounter with the X-Men he decided to take over Moloid caverns to build his London in. His Marauder troops tried to exterminate the inhabitants but there are always stragglers left behind. The journo accuses him of hiding from the X-Men but MrS says he expects them to come knocking once they've settled in to their Phoenix-powers. He declines at the moment to say what he'll do when that happens, and instead mentions that the 'milk' is actually a nutrient-rich invention of his own.

They tour more of the domain. They see men reaping wheat with hi-tech scythes and the bales carried by 'flying saucers' to carts drawn by more cows. Marauder clones practising rifle fire against advancing headless clones. And Celestial looms weave the guns in a factory. This 'civilisation' sickens our hero but he knows that killing Sinister wouldn't help because he'd just transfer his consciousness to another clone. Instead he intends to use the machine in his basement to *change* Sinister himself.

They reach the lord's castle, an edifice from an even earlier century built atop what looks like a statue of a monstrous creature. They enter and MrS proposes to show the journalist his menagerie. But our hero would prefer a tour of the private quarters 1st. Nathaniel Essex assents and shows him to his enormous bedroom-come-lounge. The reporter pulls out a camera, but instead of taking a picture it transports them both ...

... to his basement where Sinister finds himself shackled in a chair surrounded by sinister (excuse the pun) devices. Our protagonist prepares to 'change' Essex' mind. But then he notices that MrS's blood jewel has fallen off revealing a plain white diamond beneath. The trapdoor to the basement opens and the *real* Mr Sinister walks in flanked by 2 Marauder guards. As the guards beat our guy up Essex explains that Sinister *is* the system, and any rebels are also playing their part in it because any system needs to regularly self-test. He orders the guards to eject the rebel from the city, and after a half hour's head start release the hounds from the menagerie.

We see our clone running. A huntsman on a white horse blows a horn. And a pack of human hounds with Sabretooth heads catch him and tear him apart. And Sinister has arranged that he and the 'fake' MrS can taste the Sinister blood the hounds are drinking. Then Sinister finally answers the question the journalist asked. He predicts again that the Phoenix-empowered Cyclops will want to destroy him. He'll get through the Marauder battalions to reach the castle. Inside he'll find many surprises like Sinisterised clones of Gambit, himself, Sabretooth, the Phalanx and also mixed beings. And finally a room full of Sinisterised Madelynne Pryor clones to be perfect hosts for the Phoenix power. And when he has that power he can use it to run his civilisation forever.