Capturing Apocalypse
Now that Xu Mo knew Apocalypse had set his sights on Death Island, there was no way he could simply leave the matter alone.
If the enemy struck while he was away, the White Queen and the others might not be able to withstand the attack. She was the only one with even a chance of restraining him—but Apocalypse was notorious for creating a helmet immune to psychic influence.
Tracking him down, however, wasn't difficult. Aside from the pyramid ruins in Egypt, where Apocalypse had transferred bodies, the most likely location was Xavier's Academy.
And sure enough, that's exactly where Xu Mo found him.
When his portal opened, Apocalypse stood there, wearing the infamous helmet. Xu Mo's expression didn't change—he had expected nothing less.
At first, Professor X was relieved to see a portal form, but his relief soured when only Xu Mo emerged. His face grew tense.
"Hurry—find Guardian Daniel!" he called.
As a telepath, Professor X was aware of the hidden order of magicians. He had even visited Daniel, Guardian of the New York Sanctum, and witnessed magic firsthand. The portal's color was different, but to him the resemblance was close enough.
He had never seen Xu Mo before, but in his mind, magical ability was tied to age and experience. A man in his twenties hardly looked the part of a seasoned sorcerer. That was why he shouted for help.
Apocalypse turned at the noise, his gaze falling on Xu Mo. His lip curled.
"A worthless human? You're not even fit to be my slave."
With a gesture, he commanded the sand to coil like a serpent toward Xu Mo's throat.
Professor X's eyes widened. "No!"
But Xu Mo didn't move. He stood calmly as the sand rushed forward. Apocalypse sneered.
So much for this so-called wizard.
Satisfied, Apocalypse turned to enter the portal behind him—only to stop cold.
Xu Mo was suddenly in front of him.
Apocalypse's eyes went wide. When did he—? Even with enhanced perception, he hadn't seen the movement. A chill of dread crawled up his spine.
He tried to retreat, but it was far too late. Xu Mo's fist blurred forward.
Desperately, Apocalypse raised a violet energy shield. Xu Mo's blow shattered it instantly, slamming into his shoulder with the force of a hundred thousand tons.
Boom!
The earth split. Apocalypse's body plummeted, carving a crater tens of meters wide.
And that was only one-third of Xu Mo's strength.
Had he unleashed his full 300,000-ton strike, Apocalypse might not have survived at all. Even with the shield, the reduced force caved in his chest and left him broken, his armor scattered to the winds. His healing factor was the only thing keeping him alive.
Xu Mo looked down at him, unimpressed.
"So weak?" he muttered.
He had expected more from the so-called progenitor of mutants. Apocalypse's powers were legendary—control of matter, immense strength, speed. He should have lasted longer.
But the truth was simple: Apocalypse's abilities were overwhelming, yet his physical resilience lagged behind. Magneto could shift entire bridges, but Mystique could still beat him in a brawl. Powers didn't always translate to durability.
Apocalypse's body, enhanced though it was, still couldn't withstand Xu Mo's raw might. In fact, surviving the blow at all was a testament to his strength.
It wasn't that Apocalypse was too weak—it was that Xu Mo was too strong.
On the sidelines, Professor X and the other X-Men stared in stunned silence. The ground was split, a crater yawning at their feet, yet Xu Mo spoke as though Apocalypse had merely stumbled.
Even Wolverine, who normally had a sharp tongue, held back. He wasn't sure he could withstand even one strike like that.
Professor X recalled Daniel's words—that mages were poor at close combat. His lips twitched.
If this isn't close combat, then what is?
Xu Mo, unconcerned with their shock, pulled a slave chip from his pocket and pricked Apocalypse with it. The villain's chest was already knitting itself back together, flesh regenerating. The chip glowed, embedding itself into his brow.
Satisfied, Xu Mo released his grip and turned toward Professor X.
The telepath maneuvered his wheelchair forward. "Thank you for your assistance, sir. Please… give my regards to Guardian Daniel."
Xu Mo frowned slightly. Professor X had mentioned that name earlier. Now again?
Daniel, Guardian of the New York Temple…
Then it clicked.
The portal. To outsiders, his own gateways looked nearly identical to those of Kamar-Taj, aside from their color. Of course Xavier had mistaken him for one of their sorcerers.
He didn't bother to correct him.
Casting a glance at the ruined landscape, Xu Mo said simply, "It seems you'll have your hands full here. I won't intrude further."
Hoisting Apocalypse's unconscious form like a sack of grain, he stepped back through his portal and vanished.
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