X-Men: Come The Apocalypse (part 6) Egypt... {Apocalypse}: You may power the machine down now, Ozymandias. {Ozymandias}: As you wish, Dark Lord. {Apoacalypse}: Was the operation successful? {Ozymandias}: Yes, it would appear so now. Exodus's powers have been greatly increased and his body was altered physically in order to contain all of that energy. {Apocalypse}: Good. Take him to the recovery quarters. I must now deal with my prisoners. As Ozymandias escorts Exodus, or War away, Apocalypse turns his attention to an enclosure near the wall. There sat his prisoners-- Cyclops and Psylocke! Psylocke was lying on her side, apparently unconscious. Cyclops had each arm bound by a two foot long chain to the wall. The cell they were in was ten feet wide, six feet long, and seven feet high. The walls were solid granite. In fact, the walls of the entire complex were granite. It appeared to be a laboratory of some sort. Psylocke seemed okay. A few bruises here and there, but she would be fine. Cyclops was in about the same shape, but he looked worse. His red and white tie hung lazily over his shoulder. The white shirt he'd been wearing was caked with dust, dirt, soot, ash, mud, and who knows what else. It was all ragged and was no longer tucked into his trousers. And speaking of them, his navy blue trousers weren't in the best of shape either. They were torn and dirty as well, not as bad as his shirt, but totally irreplaceable. The only part of his attire that could be salvaged were his loafers, which had a little dust on them. Just then Apocalypse unlocked the door and stepped in. He almost had to duck down to get inside. Either that or alter his molecular structure. {Apocalypse}: You see now, mutants? You see that I cannot be stopped! I have all of my Horsemen, save one-- Famine! But I have the perfect candidate. And though I was harsh with Death for bringing Caliban here, I now realize the good in that deed. I shall use him, and you two, to lure the other X-Men here. And then you will be annihilated! Until then, you all may live. {Cyclops}: You monster! For all the lives you've destroyed, for all the innocent souls you've corrupted, I swear first chance I get I'll rip your heart out with my bear hands! A long standing grin on Apocalypse's face grew wider when he heard those words. Cyclops was lunging for him, pulling against his chains. When the strain became too much, he backed down, gritting his teeth. {Apocalypse}: Suppose I give you the oppurtunity you're looking for... right now! Apocalypse used his shape-shifting powers to open up a hole in his own chest! The sight before Cyclops wanted to make him puke. Anyone else probably would have. There, in front of him, was Apocalypse's hideous, blue, throbbing heart. He was close enough that Cyclops actually could tear it out if he wanted too. {Apocalypse}: Surely I am close enough to you. Go ahead. Do it! {Cyclops}: If I didn't know you, Apocalypse, I probably would take that risk. But you're such a coward-- you'd back down the minute I got within three inches of you. {Apocalypse}: And you are a hipocrite, Summers! You are now, you were when you abandoned your wife and son! You have and will always be a hipocrite... and a coward! {Cyclops}: It's too easy now. I'd rather kill you on my own terms. Like this! Cyclops tore away his protective glasses and nailed Apocalypse full force. Though he focused the blast into a standard looking beam. He would let it flow out until he blew Apocalypse to atoms. {Apocalypse}: Uhhh... Hahahahahaha! After the initial impact of your blast, withstanding the rest of it isn't a problem! I thought that you'd used the last of your power reserves in the battle with Post, but it seems I'm mistaken. I knew it was a bad idea to remove the energy clamp. But it matters not. Soon you will run out of power. And there is no sunlight here to re-plenish it! {Cyclops}: Yeah, just keep talking. Try to take you're mind off the fact that I'm going to blow you to pieces! {Apocalypse}: tsk, tsk. Such a miserable display of bravado. You're blast is already dwindling down into nothing. About thirty seconds later, the conflict is near over. Cyclops has run out of power and Apocalypse is moving in... {Apocalypse}: And this is your punishment for defying me! {Cyclops}: OOOF After back-handing him, Apocalypse elongates his arm, scoops Cyclops up into the air, reels back with him and slams him hard into the granite wall, cracking it. {Cyclops}: ARRGGHH! YoU... sOnUvA... Blood ran from Cyclops's nostrils and mouth as he attempted to speak, winded. Apocalypse still wasn't finished. He back-handed him again, this time using his fist. Cyclops spit blood (fortunately only blood and no teeth) and rolled over on his stomache. He would've cursed if he hadn't still been wined. Then again, Apocalypse never gave him time anyway. He then delivered a swift kick to Cyclop's face, which sent him rolling into the wall. {Cyclops}: ... ... I'll...I'll Apocalypse quickly decked him in the jaw, shutting him up. Finally, he grabbed Cyclops under the chin, lifted him up, and prepared slam him again. Then suddenly... {Psylocke}: Stop it! Stop it! I've seen enough. Just leave us be! {Apocalypse}: For interfering I should punish you too... but I have more important matters to attend too. I think you've learned your lesson. I will return shortly! And they were prisoners locked up once again. Betsy crouched down next to Scott, who was reeling over, clutching his stomache. She was about to put her hand on his shoulder, but he motioned her to stop. {Cyclops}: G-g-got my second wind n-now. T-think I-I-I'll be o-okay in a sec. {Psylocke}: Why did you do that? {Cyclops}: I actually think it went better than I thought. Although that kick knocked a filling out. {Psylocke}: Better than you thought?!? Look at yourself! Blood ran from both of his nostrils, covered his entire chin, flowed from his mouth. One eye was already black and swollen, the other red. Cyclops's cheek was busted open, so was an eyebrow. His nose was most likely broken too. There were cuts, scratches, and bruises covering most of the rest of his face. His hair was frizzled and his once white shirt was a rag now. {Cyclops}: Just a few bumps and bruises. Wait... yea... Nose is broken. Got it back in the proper position though. This shoulder is what I'm really worried about though. {Psylocke}: It's dislocated? {Cyclops}: Yep. {Psylocke}: And you need me to pop it back into place. {Cyclops}: Yep. {Psylocke}: I'll see what I can do. {Cyclops}: OOOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!! {Psylocke}: Now I'm sure it's fixed. {Cyclops}: Ouch. Thanks. {Psylocke}: Now then... what was with that machismo? {Cyclops}: It wasn't. I just got us free. {Psylocke}: Huh? {Cyclops}: Look. Cyclops tugged on his chains a little. They were about to break right out of the wall. A good pull and they would. {Psylocke}: How did you know? {Cyclops}: This granite is weak. I figured that little skirmish would be just the thing. {Psylocke}: And your optic blasts wouldn't? {Cyclops}: I my powers were weak after our fight with Post. I didn't know if they would be strong enough to get through granite even that weak. Besides, if Apocalypse saw my using my powers to try to escape, he'd toss me in a heavily shielded cell or put that clamp on me. Then we'd be skrewed. I couldn't risk that. {Psylocke}: Will you need your glasses? {Cyclops}: No, not until we get outside. I used up the rest of my power reserves on Apocalypse. {Psylocke}: Why not just escape this way and keep your powers? {Cyclops}: So that Apocalypse would get over-confidant. He knew I was weak after fighting with Post. If he saw me actually loose my powers, he'd get cocky. That's what I tried to do. By the way, how long have you been conscious? {Psylocke}: The first thing I saw when I woke up was Apocalypse's foot connecting with your face. {Cyclops}: Well that'll wake you up. Not a pretty sight. Now let's say we blow this pop-sickle stand! {Psylocke}: Sounds like a plan to me! Interlude 1. Just outside the Shi'ar galaxy: {Bishop}: Blast! I knew this was a mistake! Where the hell am I? I should've listened to Deathbird. It's all dark in here... can't see a thing... oh, crap. There's something in here... I've walked right into an... ambush*** Ohhhh***** End Interlude 1. Chicago, Illinois isn't normally accustomed to hearing the sonic boom of the X-Men's SR 71 Blackbird jet... not like Manhatten is. Though neither city would ever associate this sound with mutantas. Certainly not the X-Men for that matter. {Storm}: Do we still have a lock on the Brotherhood's location? {Joseph}: Yes. It seems they've relocated here in Chicago after their run-in with X-Factor. We'll be at their head quarters in less then five minutes. I'm beginning a descent now. Once the Blackbird has landed in a small secluded area, the five X-Men-- Storm, Joseph, Iceman, Cannonball, and Cecilia Reyes-- begin scouting the area. {Iceman}: This mini-cerebro unit says we should be right on top of them. Keep your eyes peeled. {Man}: Wrong! We're on top of you! {Cannonball}: Up there! The ground literally explodes from beneath their feet as Havok strikes out with his plasma blast. He, Fatale, McCoy and Ever are standing on the roof of an abandoned warehouse, fifteen feet up. {Storm}: X-Men, we must prepare for this attack. Scatter your selves! {Iceman}: Ohhh... anyone get the number of that energy signature. {Cannonball}: One word-- Havok! {Iceman}: Oh, shit... Havok leaped off the roof, activating his plasma blasts half-way down to slow his fall. Ever teleported himself down, Fatale did the same. McCoy simply jumped off, landing gracefully. {Havok}: ..urora? Aurora do you read me? This is Alex, there's five X-Men out here and four of us! We need you to even the oods. Are you up to it? Over. {Aurora}: Roger that, 'Lex. I'll be out in a second. Aurora out! McCoy and Storm circled each other, one sizing the other up, deciding what attack to use. {McCoy}: Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes. I've wanted another encounter with you ever since our run-in with Gene Nation in Africa. {Storm}: I do not care! We only wish to speak with you. {McCoy}: Not an option! McCoy leaps at Storm preparing to rip her throat out. Storm easily could've taken him out with a lightning blast, but she wanted him conscious. Instead she side-stepped and elbowed him in the gut as he went past her. This made McCoy land flat on his face, skidding across the gravel {McCoy}: Ouch! OOF! OHHH... that fall hurt, winch. Now you'll pay. We now turn our attention to Iceman and Ever... {Ever}: You obviously don't realize my power. I can create psilographic projections. And-- {Iceman}: Uh, huh. And I can deep freeze you. Like this! {Ever}: You didn't let me finish. {Iceman}: Huh? Behind me? {Ever}: I can teleport, and project thoughts into physical reality. Here's one of pain! {Iceman}: ARRGGHH!!! Head... burning... {Ever}: That was just a sample. Surrender now or-- {Iceman}: Wait! We don't want to fight! {Ever}: The Brotherhood are through talking! We seek action now! {Iceman}: O-KAY. What are you made out of, dude? Squishy brain matter or something? {Ever}: You might say that. {Iceman}: Then how about a brain freeze! {Ever}: ARRRGGHHH!!!! Stop it! Enough! I'll listen! {Havok}: Bad idea facing off against me, Magneto. {Joseph}: It's Joseph. Get it right. {Havok}: Get this! {Joseph}: You're good at throwing up asphalt. But that's about it. {Havok}: Trying to skewer me with METAL street signs when I'm radiating this much heat? Not a good idea. {Joseph}: So you'll melt it into liquid metal. Big deal. I'll just reform it-- into a battering ram! {Havok}: OOOFF! Score points for originality there... {Joseph}: AHHH! Hit me dead center. Impressive. You could've killed me. {Havok}: Oops. Sorry. I'll do better this time. {Joseph}: Not if I expand my electro-magnetic field and use it as a shield. {Havok}: Oh. This is kinda pointless. We can't do anything to harm each other. Everything you throw at me, I counter-attack. Everything I throw at you, you counter-attack. Now what was it you wanted to tell us? {Joseph}: Well, we have a slight problem and-- {KRACKT} {Havok}: Sorry about the sucker-punch there, but I had to knock you out somehow. As Cannonball blasts through the air, searching for a target, Fatale comes from out of no where and lands on him. She crosses her legs around his face so that he can't see where he's going. {Cannonball}: Hey! What gives? Now ah can't see and we're gonna-- {WHAM!> crash**** A crater is left where they slammed into the ground. A massive one at that. Fatale is already back on her feet, dazed, but conscious. Cannonball staggers up behind her. {Fatale}: Still alive, eh? We'll rectify that! {Cannonball}: Hey, that's what kinetic fields are for! Nasty little blade ya got there. Don plan on usin it on me, do ya? Fatale leaped at Cannonball, who side-stepped out of the way like Storm did. She landed, twirled around, and tossed four energy sphere's at him, like they were throwing stars. Cannonball blasted into the air, letting the blasts hit him. His kinetic field shielded him from them. {Cannonball}: What other tricks you got under you're sleeve? {Fatale}: Lots more. Fot instance, I can shape-shift. She transformed into Cannonball's father, who died many years ago. {Cannonball}: Pa? {Fatale}: Why didn't ya save me, boy? Why didn't ya save me? {Cannonball}: Sorry. My daddy's dead. I don know how you know what you know, but that guilt trip thing ain't gonna work on me! Ah've accepted the fact that he's gone, and he won't be back. Cannonball channeled his blast-field through his hands and blasted Fatale clear through the warehouse wall with it. He ran in to make sure she wasn't dead. He found her lying on her back, eyes rolled back, aparently unconscious. Appearances can de deceiving. {Fatale}: Got ya! Fatale simutaneously rammed both feet into Cannonball's gut. She then elbowed him in the jaw and delivered a swift kick to his face. He tackled her to the ground, but she rolled over on top of him, bashing his face in. {Fatale}: Looks like this fight is over! Just then, Cecilia and and Aurora start duking it out in the warehouse. {Aurora}: Blast you, stop using that damn shield! {Cecilia}: I can't turn it off if I wanted to. {Aurora}: You seem to be able to feel pain from it. Like it's part of your body? Then I shall destroy it! {Cecilia}: ARRGGHH!!! All that lightning... what happens if she actually does destroy my force-field? The pain will probably kill me before that happens. {Aurora}: I am causing you such pain, yet you still refuse to fall!?! Or fight back?!? I will kill you! {Cecilia}: Listen, bitch, you don't seem to get it! I can't fight back, and I can't turn my power off! I don't want to hurt you... listen to me! {Aurora}: They all just "want to talk" and I don't want any of their help! They'll all die! {Cecilia}: I won't argue that you need help, but I could care less! You're in danger and-- ARRGGHH! {Aurora}: Ha! Finnally got a shot in. It won't be long now. {Cecilia}: You aren't paying attention-- {Aurora}: I don't want to listen to you anymore. I only wish to fight! {Cecilia}: You're nuts! This whole place is going to come down around our heads! {Aurora}: You're doing it again! You're resisting me! You can't resist me. {Cecilia} No I'm not! Now hear me out! {Aurora}: You still refuse to fight back?!? And you continue to resist me?!? That's it! You're toast, lady! {Cecilia}: Oh, shit! Look what you did now! We're both dead! The wooden support columns explode into stlinters under Aurora'a lightning fury. Cecilia would be dead if not for her bio-shield. It was only a matter of time before the whole place collapsed. Whenwhile, McCoy was about to slit Storm's throat... {McCoy}: Beg, wind-rider, beg! And I may make this painless. Mostly. {Storm}: I will never beg to a maggot like you, McCoy. {McCoy}: Now you're teammate might be offended by that remark, Storm. Moreso than I. I take it you aren't going to beg? {Storm}: The warehouse! {McCoy}: Now why would I fall for that? {McCoy}: Ehh? Oh dear... He turned to see his warehouse H.Q. collapse like a house of cards before his eyes. In fact, it caught everyone's attention. Storm took this as an oppurtunity to attack. She kicked McCoy in the gut, uppercutted him in the jaw, and sizzled his ugly black fur with a lightning blast. He was out cold. When all the dust settled... {Iceman}: Well don't count on _me_ cleaning this mess up! {Havok}: Um, seeing as how our head quarters kinda fell apart I guess we can have that talk that you, uh, wanted us to talk about. {Storm}: Yes. but I must first gather my team. {Cannonball}: Ah'm okay m'am. Blasted out 'o there when it started comin' down. {Storm}: And Fatale? {Cannonball}: Teleported out. {Cecilia}: I sure hope you appreciate me dragging her ugly ass out! I hope she has a MASSIVE hematoma for that stunt she pulled in there. {Havok}: It's about what she deserves. I'll deal with her later. Storm, here's Joseph. I kinda floored him. {Storm}: Err, thank you Alex. {Iceman}: Havok, here's Ever. I kinda deep froze him. {Havok}: Right. But where exactly is Fatale? {Fatale}: Right here boss. {Havok}: Good. Now that everyone's accounted for, let's get down to business. {Storm}: Yes. And could we try to avoid this conflict in the future please? The Xavier Institute for Higher Learning... {Beast}: Yeah, I'm comin, I'm comin!... Okay, who's there? {Gambit}: Hey Hank, how ya been? {Beast}: Remy, this is most unexpected! I knew you would visit after you left, but not this soon! Come on in, it's just me an the Angel here. {Gambit}: Hank, I gotta talk to you about somethin' important. {Beast}: Funny, I've got some things to tell you. {Gambit}: Oh? You go first. I wonder if it's as important as what I gotta tell you. {Beast}: Sit down. This is gonna be a longgg story...