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Background

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Powers and Abilities

Protégé can mimic any powers he has observed being use, and can access them at any time he wishes. He seems to have no limit on the number of powers he can recall, or the level of power. He mimicked the abilities of some of the cosmic entities, such as the Living Tribunal.

He can only duplicate powers that are actually possessed by those he observes, not powers they access by use of gadgets or artefacts. So a character in a powered armour, with no other powers, would be immune to his mimicking. Howbeit he would be able to duplicate their skill at using those devices.

History

The Universal Church of Truth was founded millennia ago, by Magus, an evil version of Adam Warlock. It begun as a sect, but grew to take over their planet, which they called Homeworld. They then spread out to ’enlighten’ other worlds as to their faith.

Their search for their god unsuccessful, they eventually decided to create him themselves. Using a combination of selective breeding, genetic manipulation, various chemicals and drugs, sciences and arcane magicks gathered from the worlds in their dominion, they finally managed to create him.

Created to be the godhead of their faith, Protégé was raised as such, his every whim taken as divine dictate. When he reached 7 years of age, a contest was announced to decide his matriarch, she who would tutor him in the correct use of his power. The contest would also expose him to a range of powers which he could observe and mimic.

The Matriarch

During the contest, Malevolence appeared the easy favourite, dispatching all opponents. That was until Aleta of the Guardians of the Galaxy appeared, despite Malevolence having dispatched Force to delay her arrival.

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The contest was abruptly ended when Starhawk reabsorbed Aleta, and departed. This left Malevolence the winner by default, although Protégé ordered his forces to find Starhawk.

Protégé was fascinated by the Guardian Replica, a Universalite, and invited her to stay as his playmate. She agreed, and he let the Guardians leave, despite the trouble they’d caused.

He spent time supposedly being taught by Malevolence, with her spurring on his worst tendencies while Replica tried to bring out a more caring side of him.

When Malevolence revealed to him that Replica had betrayed him and fled back to the Guardians, he initially followed her advice to send ships after Replica, but could not bring himself to have them shoot her down, so he called them off, striking Malevolence when she dared to shout at him for doing so.

Big guns

He and Malevolence were taken captive by the powerful, other-dimensional entity known as the Beyonder, who saw them as curiosities. Protégé’s powers were activated by the Beyonder’s thoughts, which Protégé could not initially duplicate.

They are freed when Malevolence’s father, Mephisto, arrives in disguise, prompting the Beyonder to use his power in front of Protégé. With his newly duplicated powers, Protégé easily stands up to the Beyonder, forcing him to flee.

Protégé then comes under Mephisto’s influence, until the Beyonder pulls the Guardians of the Galaxy into his universe to oppose them. While the forces clash, Protégé and the Beyonder are drawn into the realm of cosmic beings. They are put on trial for their reckless behaviour, in front of the Living Tribunal.

Protégé managed to mimic the Living Tribunal’s power, but was subdued by the Celestial, Scathan the Approver. Judgement was passed, Protégé was considered too dangerous. He was imprisoned within a Celestial hourglass for eternity.

Lost continuity

Valentino had originally intended Protégé to be the son of Her (Kismet, later revealed to be the mother of Starhawk), making him the ’nephew‘ of the founder of the Universal Church of Truth. You’d need only minor tweaking to her GotG history if you wanted to use this link.

Personality

A spoiled child, Protégé has been raised to believe that he is a god. He refuses to accept that anyone is more powerful than him. Any disobedience throws him into a tantrum, as he has come to expect his orders to be carried out immediately.

He developed a close friendship with Replica, although he still treated her like a servant. He was deeply hurt when she ran away, although he refused to have her killed or hunted.

Quotes

“There is no level you can achieve that I cannot match ! Such is the power of the protégé!”

“By the ankh !”

DC Universe History

The ultimate product of a breeding program run by the Dark Circle. Protégé is the figurehead of their faith, intended to overpower the champions of the worlds that resist them.

By Gareth Lewis.

Source of Character: Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel Comics.

Helper(s): Mike Winkler, Pufnstuff, Jay Myers, William Chamberlin, KalEl el Vigilante.