X-Men: Come the Apocalypse Chapter 24 (Conclusion, pt. 2) Author: Nathan Summers Date: 1998/02/26 Forum: alt.comics.fan-fiction Egypt... The twenty-two mutants (now including Magneto) try to decide their next course of action. {Phoenix}: Apocalypse has himself totally psi shielded from me! {Cyclops}: That's okay, Jean. Now that Magneto has recovered, Storm's got a plan. {Storm}: Working as a whole, it could take hours for us to find Apocalypse. By then, he may easily recover from our assault and take us down. If we split up, we can more effectively use our forces. {Cable}: Ororo, this is Apocalypse we're talking about. You say, "Split up," he says, "Divide and conquer." {Storm}: I can see why you are opposed to this. Nevertheless, I have a solution, and it will work. Each separate team will have a psychic with them to warn the rest of us if Apocalypse is encountered. As long as the rest arrive in time, we have nothing to fear. {Angel}: Okay, four psychics, four teams. {Havok}: Are you sure you want to go through with this, Warren? After what you learned, is it such a good idea? {Angel}: I've simply seen the truth. It's shocking, yes, but I can handle it. We can work it all out later. {Havok}: I hope we will. {Storm}: As Warren said, four psychis means four teams. {Bishop}: What about Magneto? {Storm}: He will be included. In all, there are twenty-two of us. Charles, you must be excluded, so that makes twenty-one. {Cyclops}: It still doesn't work out evenly. {Storm}: Domino, you will watch over the professor. That makes twenty. Now it works out, Scott. {Domino}: You'll get no argument out of me. I'm the least useful, so it's best I do this. {Xavier}: Come now... {Domino}: Shut up before I change my mind! {Bishop}: Please, just divide our forces quickly! {Storm}: Bishop is right. We must get on with this now. Team Alpha is as follows: X-Man, Cecilia, Gambit, Cannonball, and myself. Psylocke, Cyclops, Bishop, Wolverine, and Angel are team Beta. Team Delta-- Cable, Aurora, Beast, Havok, and Magneto. Finally, Phoenix, Maggott, Caliban, Iceman,and Rogue make up team Omega. If any of you encounters Apocalypse, have your psychics send a distress signal to the other teams immediately. {Rogue}: Gotcha on that one, Storm. Approximately fifteen minutes later... {Rogue}: How much time do ya'll suppose has passed? {Iceman}: Hours... minutes... who knows? {Phoenix}: Ssshhhh! We won't get anywhere if you two aren't quiet. {Maggott}: I think I heard something. {Caliban}: Yes, I did as well. Jean, look out! Caliban senses it before any of them. Before she can react, an energy blast nails her in the stomach. It is the last thing Jean sees before blacking out. {Iceman}: Damn! There goes our psychic. I knew this was a bad idea! {Assailant}: That it was! That is, from your standpoint. The antagonist steps out into the light to reveal himself. {Rogue}: Who _is_ that? The person is obviously some kind of warrior. His chest and back is covered with armor, as well as his shoulders, elbows, waist, and knees. He wore energy gauntlets on his hands, clearly used to blast Phoenix. The man wore heavy iron boots which nearly came up to his knees. The rest of his body was covered in chain mail. {Iceman}: What about his face? I can't see his face. {Rogue}: Looks like he's wearing a helmet... yep, it's... Apocalypse! She was right. The helmet had an exaggerated face of Apocalypse on it. Clearly only the man himself would wear it. He removes a cutlass from a case attached to his waist and reveals a long, triangular shaped shield in his other. {Rogue}: That sword looks like bad news. Without speaking a word, Apocalypse jumps out of the darkness and smashes his shield into Rogue's face. He turns, and slashes Caliban across the chest. {Iceman}: You're out of line! {Apocalypse}: I am simply prepared for the inevitable! Iceman is in no mood to hear him ramble on. He freezes him in place... literally, at temperatures nearly as low as absolute zero. Maggott "blue-juices" and punches the frozen Apocalypse, sending shards of ice all over the place. {Iceman}: As long as you're shivering, youre still mortal! He sends out another ice wave, this one solid. It hits him like a concussive force blast. Rogue gets back up without even a minor concussion and flies headlong into Apocalypse's back. He grunts, stumbles, and twists around, catching her by the neck. Rogue is snapped forward and dropped like a helpless microbe. {Maggott}: Biscuit's on! Eany and Meany crash into Apocalypse's shield as they try to attack. {Apocalypse}: I am anxious to examine these things. They do so pique my interest. Perhaps later Maggott rams into Apocalypse with his arms folded over. As Maggott is punched away, Caliban moves in from behind, slashing ferociously. Apocalypse gets him in a headlock from behind and throws him over his head. {Iceman}: Oh... {Rogue}: Crap. Neither of them were sure of their plan, but they knew they had to stall until Jean awoke. Iceman sends a barrage of of hail stones in Apocalypse's direction as Rogue pounds away at his face. {Apocalypse}: Ahahahahahaha The maniacal mutant removes a ball-and-chain from his belt and swings it toward Iceman. The chain extends several feet, connecting with his head. He brings it back in and wraps it around Rogue's neck, subduing her. He replaces the weapon and prepares to depart, only to have his mind overcome with pain. {Apocalypse}: ARRGGH! Ah, Phoenix. I should have known you wouldn't be out long. Jean raises a hand and blasts Apocalypse with a telekinetic burst. He is knocked off his feet and skids across the ground. She blasts him again, this time from her mind. The huge blast carries Apocalypse into the air, and he comes back down like a rock. {Apocalypse}: Urgh... I've accomplished what I came here to do... Now I leave you. He vanishes, leaving the others quite confused. Elsewhere... {X-Man}: Whoa! I just got a major distress call from Jean. It nearly knocked me off my feet! {Gambit}: Musta' been somethin' cuz I felt it too. {Cannonball}: Ah think we all did. {Storm}: Samuel is correct. {Cecilia}: We'd best get moving! {Apocalypse}: Too late! You will be taught a lesson as well. None of them hesitate. They all know that this can only be Apocalypse. Even Cecilia acts in defense. Cannonball; however, is first to attack. He slams into Apocalypse full force, knocking him in to a wall where Cecilia pins him with her force-field. {Gambit}: Get de' others now, kid! {X-Man}: Uh... ye-yeah, right. The seemingly helpless Apocalypse fires energy blasts in every direction. Cannonball has since backed off, so Cecilia alone is holding him at bay. Not for long. Gambit's arms criss-cross as he reaches into his coat for some ammo. He grasps a stack of cards in each hand and lets them fly. They become projectiles and tear apart the wall as much as they do Apocalypse's armor. Stones collapse around him, burrying Apocalypse alive. {Gambit}: Let's hope he not be comin' back from dat. {Storm}: Nathan, have the others been contacted? {X-Man}: Ngghh, hrgghh... I- I- Just then, the rubble is thrown aside as Apocalypse transforms his arms into huge sheets. One arm becomes normal again and the other is morphed into a mace. {Storm}: Remy, behind-- Gambit goes down as Apocalypse smashes him on the back with his mace. {X-Man}: Uggghh... Agghh... Can't hold it back. {Storm}: Enough of this! A gale force wind sweeps through the chamber, forcing Apocalypse back. Storm doesn't let up even when Apocalypse is on his knees. Cannonball nails him from behind with his blast-field as he rockets forward. He flies around, striking Apocalypse in the face. {Storm}: Nathan, you must get ahold of yourself! {X-Man}: No! I'm not holding back any longer! Apocalypse is mine! Nate's body pulses with yellow psionic energy and his eyes glow red. The yellow becomes thicker and begins to take shape. {Apocalypse}: Don't allow yourself to be distracted, Storm. Cannonball comes around for another blow. After completing it, Apocalypse's temper was flared. A hand transforms into a chain-gun- like weapon which sprays energy pulses out as it rotates. The pulses hit Cannonball, who's blast-field reflects them throughout the catacombs. Storm is struck down, as well as Cecilia, who collapses from the strain. Surprised, Cannonball slams right into a wall. {Gambit}: Uhhh... hope I didn' miss much. The cajun hits Apocalypse over the head with a changed stone, hurting him badly. {Apocalypse}: ARRGGHH!!! Cheap shot. {Gambit}: Dose are de ones I live for. You gon' have a hard time gettin' dat helmet off now. {Apocalypse}: Amusing. Meanwhile, Nate has lost all control. His desire to destroy the evil one is like a spark setting off a chain reaction in his mind. He slips back into reality to see Gambit being slammed against a pillar by Apocalypse's extended hand. Then, a familiar silhouette appears around Nate. {Storm}: By the Goddess!!! Apocalypse is awash in a burst from Nate's left eye. Nate rises into the air and takes Apocalypse with him. {X-Man}: All my life I've waited for this moment! My very existence is due to your life! If I am to die soon, at least I will have accomplished what I was created to do! A psionic blast from both hands hits the flea-like Apocalypse, nearly destroying him. Nate drops back down to the ground to engage Apocalypse hand-to-hand. He nails him across the face with a psionically charges fist. And then another. And another. Telekinetic energy blows several support columns away, making the chamber collapse. Storm is a lucky one, escaping with minor injuries. She blasts an unsuspecting Apocalypse with lightning before he teleports away. Elsewhere yet again... {Psylocke}: Cable just contacted me. He got Jean's distress call too. His team is moving in on their location as we speak. {Cyclops}: So are we. Anything from Storm's team yet? {Psylocke}: Nope. {Cyclops}: Damn! {Bishop}: We have reason to be concerned, but we must move as rapidly as possible. {Angel}: He's right. If we havn't gotten anything from Storm, then we have to believe everything's fine. {Wolverine}: We're about to have company ourselves, folks. {Cyclops}: Don't take this personally, Bishop. Cyclops blasts him with incredible force. It hurt, but Bishop did need the power-up. He was running dangerously low. {Bishop}: Thanks. {Cyclops}: Now, as you were saying? {Wolverine}: Company. {Cyclops}: Right. Psylocke forms a psychic blade and crouches low, Angel's wings expand, Cyclops has his hands poised on his visor, and Bishop's hands glow. Apocalypse materializes in the center of them and swings his sword at Wolverine. {Wolverine}: Not good enough, bub. I'm the best there is at what I do... now that I've figured it out. Wolverine keeps the sword at bay with his claws while Bishop uses his newly changed power to blast Apocalypse. Apocalypse forms a clamp with his right hand and grasps Bishop around the waist. Bishop is lifted off the ground and thrown violently back down. {Psylocke}: Can't say we weren't prepared! She slams the psychic knife into Apocalypse's head, making his mouth drop open. Stunned, he is left open for an attack. Angel packs a lot of power behind his fist due to momentum and takes over. Blood spurts from Apocalypse's open mouth as he is nailed directly in the cheek. {Apocalypse}: ACK! You make a good team, but you will never defeat me. No one will! Not without destroying Angel! {Wolverine}: Shut-up Cyclops}: Shut-up Psylocke is kicked aside as Apocalypse focuses on Wolverine. Angel flies by at the same time, but Apocalypse simply raises his shield at the right moment, making him fly into it. {Wolverine}: Get ready for a bruisin!' To allow Wolverine's attack to be successfull, Cyclops blows Apocalypse's helmet off swiftly with a single blast. Logan's claws gash deeply into his open face. He finds an opening in Apocalypse's armor and stabs him in the stomach. Finally, Wolverine slashes scross Apocalypse's upper chest, drawing much blood. {Apocalypse}: I do so tire of this. Apocalypse's left hand morphs into a buzz-saw and he digs deeply into Wolverine's ribs. Wolverine goes down, cringing. Apocalypse glances up in time to see Cyclops activate his visor. {Cyclops}: Remember what happened last time I unleashed my wrath on you? Shall I refresh your memory? Whatever the case may be, no devil in hell will protect you from me if you've harmed my wife! Here's a sample of what could happen! Apocalypse is struck down with a powerful pulsed optic blast. As he pulls himself upright, another more powerful blast carries him several yards away. {Apocalypse}: ARGH! Back off, Cyclops. You can hurt me now, but not for long. {Psylocke}: We're sick of hearing your dribble! Psylcoke does a flying jump-kick out of the shadows (literally), catching Apocalypse in the back. She nails him with her psychic blade yet again, just as Bishop is getting up. {Apocalypse}: ARGH... release me, woman! Release me this instant! {Bishop}: Here comes... the rest! Bishop concentrates all he has into two single blasts, knocking Apocalypse to his knees. Suddenly, Bishop feels weak. He hadn't completely recovered, and just let loose everything he had. His feet turn to lead and he falls. Apocalypse releases am energy burst from his body, getting rid of Psylocke. Afterward, his body his somewhat disfigured and he needs a moment to recover. {Cyclops}: Not a good moment to nap. Cyclops takes Apocalypse's temporary condition to his advantage, blasting him in the back. Apocalypse is stunned, but swiftly backhands Cyclops so he won't be a threat. {Apocalypse}: They are all down. I could finish them now. Good... now for the final team. I must prove to Them that I am strong. That I am truly worthy. Shortly... {Cable}: Team Beta was just taken out. We're the only ones left. {Beast}: But Storm-- {Havok}: We havn't heard anything from them. Let's face it, we're skrewed. {Magneto}: He's right. {Beast}: That's the first thing you've said yet. Are you okay? {Magneto}: I'm getting better now that I'm out of that madman's hands. We can worry about my problems later. {Apocalypse}: If you live til then! {Havok}: You almost look as bad as the first time I met you. Havok begins the inevitable, blasting Apocalypse back with his plasma waves. {Apocalypse}: Impressive, the heat from your blast melted much of my armor. An energy blast catches Havok in the right shoulder, knocking him down. {Havok}: Ugh! {Aurora}: Leave him alone!!! Blinding light is shined directly in Apocalypse's face. {Apocalypse}: ARRGH! Beast is sure to keep quitet so as to keep stealth among his advantages. He drop-kicks Apocalypse with the full force of his feet, making him stumble back. Beast then punches him twice across the face. Cable attacks mentally. While doing so, he failed to notice the techno mesh above his missing arm starting to extend and spread. {Apocalypse}: Ah, my sight has returned. Apocalypse hefts Beast off his feet and pulls him close to his face. {Apocalypse}: Never challenge me like that again! Beast is helplessly hurled away. Aurora is nervous, but attacks, nonetheless. Her lightning surges through Apocalypse's body, making him pause. He enlarges a hand and swats her off to the side. {Apocalypse}: You're holding back Magneto. Is it because you are afraid of my might? Or are you weak? Perhaps both? {Magneto}: No. I'm concentrating! An electro-magnetic pulse atomizes Apocalypse's armor and nearly does the same to the man himself. In fact, if he hadn't activated a button on his belt releasing an energy wave throughout the entire complex, Magneto would've ripped him in two. Cable, Aurora, Beast, Havok, and Magneto lose consciousness and join the fallen. Later... {X-Man}: Ughh... where are we? {Wolverine}: Somewhere in this complex of his. Just be glad all of us are present. {X-Man}: Where's Apocalypse? {Wolverine}; I saw him go down that passage over there. {X-Man}: We have to go after him! {Wolverine}: Yeah, just help me get the others up. The Egyptian desert approximately 100 yards from the pyramid... {Apocalypse}: Yes! I see them. At last, they are coming. {Cable}: Come on we're wasting time! {Bishop}: Just be glad everyone's recovering quickly. {Apocalypse}: Yes! One is coming down. I have waited so long! {Wolverine}: Follow me down this passage. {Angel}: No! It's a dead-end. {Apocalypse}: It has nearly arrived! {Wolverine}: Nope. More like a secret passage. {Psylocke}: The wall folded back--? {Storm}: Hurry! {Cyclops}: It leads out into the desert! Where are we supposed to find-- Oh my Lord! {Havok}: Look! An enormous figure stands before Apocalypse. Of all of them gathered there, only Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Phoenix, and Angel knew what it was. A Spacegod... A Celestial. They weren't sure what it meant, but it was definitely something big. The others could only stare in awe. As powerful a statement the Celestial made, some couldn't help but wonder if that was a big, red, mug in place of a head. In fact, the entire being was red-- with a few splotches of white on its waist and chest. It would take an eternity to completely describe the entity. {Maggott}: Ag, please tell me we won't have to attack that thing. {Cecilia}; It must be 1,000 feet all! {Cyclops}: Bigger, in fact. {Gambit}: Back to what Maggott said. {Phoenix}: No, we won't attack it. The Celestials pose no real threat. That is, until they judge something. {Maggott}: Oh, not until they judge something! That's fine then. {Phoenix}: We have nothing to worry about. It's Apocalypse who's getting judged. {Apocalypse}: Yes! Yes! Suddenly, the Celestial slowly raises its massive hand. It clinches its fingers into a fist. A thumb is extended. The process was very simple, and it lasted about a minute since the Celestial did it so slowly. But to everyone observing, that minute may very well have been a lifetime. It pauses... {Maggott}: Now what's it doing? {Beast}: Thumbs down means Apocalypse remains Apocalypse. Thumbs up means he becomes one of those things. {Cable}: Oh, shit. Can't we do something to influence its judgment? {Beast}: Nope. We just watch. {Iceman}: We could blow its hand off again. {Havok}: What? {Cyclops}: Don't even worry about it. We don't have the capability or time right now. They continue to observe as the Celestial prepares to make its decision. Normally taking its time, the Celestial quickly makes the call this time. {Bishop}: It's-- it's... Thumbs... down! {Beast}: Yes! {Apocalypse}: What?!? NOOO!!! I am worthy! There must be some mistake! The Celestial gracefully lifts off the ground to rejoin the others hovering several thousand feet above. {Apocalypse}: This cannot be! {Psylocke}: Well, Apocalypse... you saw the decision. Time to make your move. {Apocalypse}: I will not fight! All of you bore me! We have reached nothing more than an armistice! I will spend the next several years recovering in my lazarus chamber. But when I return, I will destroy all of you! That is my vow mutants! My vow! Apocalypse presses the button in the center of the big "A" on his belt and teleports away. {Cable}: He's gone! What about his lackeys? {Cyclops}: I'm sure they went with him. Now we have to concentrate on getting out of here. {Gambit}: Anybody seen Domino and de Prof.? {Domino}: Right here! I came out just in time to see the final judgment. {Storm}: Good... all of us are accounted for. Now... what about transportation? X-Man blows several feet of sand aside to reveal the surface of the Blackbird. Magneto handles the rest, lifting it out of the sand and keeping it several feet off the ground so it wouldn't sink right back in. {Angel}: Thank God for VTOL. {Cable}: Amen to that. Shields as well, otherwise we'd have a ton of sand to worry about. The twenty-two of them climb into the ship and lift into the air (many of them are forced to stand). Before speeding off, Magneto manually activates a warhead. He guides it through the air and sends it crashing into Apocalypse's pyramid. They all watch it explode as they head out. {Beast}: God, I can't wait to get home. Well, that's it! Come the Apocalypse is over! Well, not _completely_ over. I'll have the Epilouge up two weeks from tonight. Thanks to everybody who hung in there! --Nate!