Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters
Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters stood on a sprawling private estate on Staten Island, New York.
The estate stretched over 300 acres. Beyond the central manor and classroom complex lay rolling lawns, groves of trees, and a vast artificial lake glistening to the east.
When the bell rang, boys and girls of all ages streamed from the classrooms, books in hand, laughing and chatting as they headed toward the shade by the lake.
Then—
A shimmering portal opened in the courtyard.
From it stepped a tall man with dark purple skin, clad in ancient armor and wearing a helmet designed to block psychic intrusion.
Apocalypse.
He had fled Death Island after his defeat at Emma Frost's hands. Though his helmet shielded him from telepaths, it still gnawed at him—relying on such protection felt beneath one who claimed godhood. He needed followers, soldiers who could help him reclaim his glory.
And so he had come here, to the famed school of Charles Xavier.
The students stopped, startled at the stranger's sudden arrival, though not overly alarmed. Most of them were mutants themselves—unusual appearances and powers were daily sights.
A teacher, a man in his thirties, stepped forward. "Excuse me, sir, who are you looking for?"
Apocalypse's glowing eyes narrowed. An ordinary human.
Though Xavier employed many mutant instructors, some teachers were baseline humans, brought in to provide traditional education.
Contempt twisted Apocalypse's face. With a flick of his eyes, the man was dragged beneath the ground, leaving only a single arm protruding. It twitched, then fell limp.
Screams erupted. Students scattered in panic.
---
The Headmaster's Office
High atop the manor, Professor Charles Xavier sat in his wheelchair, conversing with Ororo Munroe. His words faltered as he suddenly froze, his expression darkening.
As one of the world's most powerful telepaths, he could feel the terror surging through his students.
He turned his chair toward the window—and locked eyes with Apocalypse in the courtyard.
Recognition flared in the ancient mutant's gaze. This was the one. Another telepath. Similar in nature to Emma Frost, but even stronger. With such a vessel, he could transcend his limits.
A thrill coursed through him. Helmets were unnecessary—once he claimed Xavier's body, he would crush Emma without aid.
Behind Xavier, Ororo noticed his change in demeanor. "What is it, Charles?" She moved toward the window—
A portal bloomed in the office itself.
Apocalypse stepped through.
Ororo's eyes widened. She placed herself between Xavier and the intruder, lightning sparking at her fingertips. "Who are you?"
"I am the one who will unlock your true potential," Apocalypse intoned, his eyes glowing white as he unleashed his power.
Storm gasped as energy surged through her body. Power doubled, tripled—her body lifted off the ground as lightning coiled wildly around her.
Xavier grimaced, straining. Apocalypse's helmet rendered his telepathy useless. The storm's energy lashed out violently, forcing him back.
After a minute of unrelenting force, Ororo collapsed to the ground, trembling. She stared at her own hands in horror. "My powers… they've grown stronger. Who are you?"
"This world was ours," Apocalypse declared. "Mutants were meant to rule. Humans stole it. I will lead you to reclaim it."
"No!" Xavier wheeled forward, voice firm. "This world belongs to all mankind—mutants and humans alike."
Apocalypse ignored him. With a gesture, Xavier's wheelchair rose into the air, helpless. A portal yawned open behind him.
"Come, child," Apocalypse commanded Ororo. "Follow me."
But instead of obeying, Ororo launched a bolt of lightning in front of him, blocking his path.
Apocalypse turned, astonished. This was not the submissive Storm he had once commanded in another future.
"Put the professor down!" she demanded, rising into the air, lightning surging in a protective barrier.
Apocalypse's face darkened. "So be it. After all these years, you mutants have become nothing but slaves to humans. It's time you awoke!"
The office wall exploded into fragments under his power, slamming into Ororo and knocking her aside.
At that moment, Wolverine, Colossus, and Iceman burst into the room.
They needed no explanation. Seeing Xavier in Apocalypse's grasp was enough.
With a snarl, Logan's adamantium claws unsheathed. He charged, Colossus at his side. But rubble slammed into them mid-leap, hurling both back. Iceman's blasts of ice shattered harmlessly against Apocalypse's protective field.
Fury burned in Apocalypse's chest. The sting of his loss to the White Queen resurfaced.
"Then face the wrath of a god!" he roared.
The entire building shuddered, walls dissolving into sand. The storm of grains swirled into blades that slashed across Wolverine's throat. Logan fell, choking, only to heal moments later.
The school disintegrated around them. Students had already fled, but the X-Men were trapped. Sand wrapped around Wolverine, Colossus, and Iceman, binding them with only their heads exposed.
"You will serve me," Apocalypse declared coldly. "Once I claim Xavier's power, you will all bend the knee."
The portal behind him widened. He began to step through, dragging the captives with him—
When suddenly, another portal snapped open in the room, sparking with violet energy.
A familiar figure stepped through with a faint smile.
"Well," Xu Mo said calmly, surveying the chaos. "Looks like things got lively."
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