# Chapter 21: The Ancient Awakens
Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters
Five Days Later
The afternoon sun streamed through the windows of the mansion's training facility. Lin Chen stood in the observation area, watching Daisy practice controlling her vibrational powers under Professor Xavier's guidance.
"Focus on the frequency, Daisy," Charles instructed patiently from his wheelchair. "Your power responds to your emotional state. When you're calm, you can fine-tune the vibrations to affect only what you intend."
Daisy stood in the center of the training room, her hands extended toward a line of glass bottles arranged on a table.
Her face showed intense concentration as she tried to shatter only the middle bottle without affecting the others.
Tiny vibrations rippled through the air. The middle bottle trembled, then cracked, then exploded into fine powder. But the bottles on either side remained intact.
"I did it!" Daisy exclaimed with genuine joy, turning to look at Lin Chen with a bright smile.
He smiled back and gave her an encouraging thumbs up. Over the past five days, she had made remarkable progress. Her control had improved dramatically, and her confidence was growing with each successful exercise.
"Excellent work," Professor Xavier said warmly. "You're learning faster than most students. Take a break now—you've earned it."
As Daisy left the training room, Lin Chen approached Professor Xavier.
"She's doing well," Charles observed. "Her abilities are quite powerful. With proper training, she could become one of the most formidable individuals I've encountered."
"That's why we're here," Lin Chen replied. "Thank you for helping her."
"It's what we do," Charles said simply. Then his expression became more thoughtful. "Though I must admit, I'm curious about you, Mr. Chen. Your mental defenses are unlike anything I've experienced. Even now, I cannot sense your surface thoughts at all."
"Let's just say I've had unique experiences," Lin Chen replied diplomatically.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Jean Grey entered the observation area, carrying a stack of books.
"Professor, I finished the reading assignments you gave me," she said, then noticed Lin Chen and her face brightened noticeably. "Oh, hi Lin Chen! I didn't know you'd be here."
"Just observing Daisy's training," Lin Chen explained. Over the past five days, he and Jean had spent considerable time together. They'd talked in the library, walked through the mansion's gardens, and shared meals in the dining hall. A natural friendship had developed between them—or perhaps something more, if the way Jean's eyes lit up when she saw him was any indication.
"Would you like to grab lunch together?" Jean asked. "The cafeteria is serving that special chicken dish you liked yesterday."
"I'd like that," Lin Chen replied warmly.
As they walked toward the cafeteria together, Charles watched them with a knowing expression. His telepathy might not work on Lin Chen, but he didn't need psychic powers to recognize the signs of mutual attraction developing between the two young people.
---
Mansion Cafeteria
Lin Chen and Jean sat at a corner table, their lunch trays in front of them.
"Can you tell me more about your abilities?" Jean said, her intelligent eyes studying him with curiosity. "I know you have super strength—you showed me how you lifted that big stone in the garden yesterday with one hand. But Professor Xavier said you also have other powers?"
"Several," Lin Chen admitted. "Strength, durability, enhanced speed, energy manipulation, some magical abilities. I'm still learning the full extent of what I can do."
"That must be incredible," Jean said softly. "Having so much power and control over it. I sometimes feel like..." She paused, her expression becoming troubled. "Like there's something inside me that I can't fully understand or contain. Something vast and frightening."
Lin Chen reached across the table and gently placed his hand over hers. "Whatever it is, you're not alone in dealing with it. I and your friends are here to support you. And if you ever need someone to talk to..." He smiled. "I'm a pretty good listener."
Jean's cheeks colored slightly pink, and she looked down at their joined hands. "Thank you. That means a lot to me. You're different from most people I've met—you're not afraid of power, your own or anyone else's. You just... accept it as natural."
"Power is just a tool," Lin Chen replied. "What matters is how you choose to use it, and the person you are beyond the abilities."
Their moment was interrupted by a commotion near the entrance to the cafeteria. A young man with dark hair and an unusual bandage covering his eyes had just passed by, looking uncertain. His brother was holding his arm, guiding him carefully.
"Is that a new student?" Lin Chen asked.
"I think so! Yes," Jean replied. "He just arrived this morning. He has some kind of eye-based power that he can't control—that's why he's wearing that eye cover."
So Scott has arrived, Lin Chen thought.
But things were already different. In the original timeline, Jean and Scott would have met and formed a connection immediately. Now, Jean was sitting with Lin Chen, clearly comfortable and happy in his company.
---
Training Grounds
Professor Xavier had called Scott Summers to the lake at the edge of the mansion's property for his first proper training session. Lin Chen, Jean, and several other students had gathered to observe.
"Scott," Professor Xavier said patiently, positioning his wheelchair at a safe distance. "Your optic blasts are one of the most powerful abilities I've encountered. But power without control is dangerous. Today, we're going to work on your precision and restraint."
Scott stood nervously at the edge of the lake, his hands clenched at his sides. "Professor, I'm afraid. What if I hurt someone? What if I can't stop it?"
"That's why we're here by the lake," Charles explained calmly. "The worst that can happen is you disturb some lake water. Now, I want you to remove your eye cover briefly and aim straight ahead at the point. Try to create just a small burst."
Scott took a deep breath and slowly reached up to remove the cloth strip covering his eyes. The moment it came off, a massive red beam of pure force erupted from his eyes, blasting across the lake with tremendous power.
The beam carved a deep trench through the water, sending massive waves splashing against the opposite shore. Fish jumped in panic, and the force of the blast created a temporary canyon in the lake itself. The laser beam passed through an old tree, burning and cutting it cleanly in half.
Scott quickly closed his eyes and put the cover back on, breathing heavily. "I'm sorry! I tried to make it small, but—"
"It's alright," Professor Xavier assured him. "Control will come with practice."
Hank McCoy approached and handed Scott a pair of special glasses with red-tinted lenses. "These should help you manage your power until you develop better control," Hank explained.
Lin Chen stood among the observers, and his system suddenly activated.
[DETECTED: Optic Energy Projection]
[ANALYZING...]
[Optic Energy Projection: Ability to generate and emit powerful beams of force from the eyes. Original ability has no conscious control—subject cannot turn off power without external aid. Beam intensity varies with emotional state and mental focus. Energy originates from another dimension.]
[SYSTEM MODIFICATION IN PROGRESS...]
[Modified Ability Created: Controlled Energy Projection]
[Host can now emit energy beams from eyes with full conscious control. Beams can be activated or deactivated at will, with precise control over intensity, duration, and focus.]
[Confirm acquisition Y/N?]
"Yes," Lin Chen confirmed mentally.
Immediately, he felt a strange tingling sensation behind his eyes—not painful, but unusual. He blinked several times as the new ability integrated with his existing powers. He felt his eyes now connected to another dimension of kinetic energy.
Interesting, Lin Chen thought.The system didn't just copy Scott's ability—it improved it. I have all the power of his optic blasts, but with none of the control problems.
Jean stood close to Lin Chen throughout the demonstration, her attention focused more on him than on Scott's training. Her interest in the handsome young man beside her was obvious to anyone watching.
"Lin Chen," he said, stepping forward and extending his own hand to Scott. "Welcome to the school."
Scott shook his hand, though his attention kept returning to Jean. "Thanks. This place is... overwhelming. I've never met so many people with abilities before."
"You'll get used to it," Lin Chen assured him. "We're all here to help each other learn."
---
Later That Afternoon - Training Ground
"So can I see your other powers?" Jean asked Lin Chen as they stood in a private area of the training grounds. She had asked to observe his abilities after he'd mentioned having multiple powers, and he'd agreed.
"What would you like to see first?" Lin Chen asked.
"Your telekinesis," Jean replied immediately. "Professor Xavier mentioned you might have some psychic abilities, though he can't read your mind to confirm."
"I don't have traditional telekinesis like you do," Lin Chen explained. "But I can manipulate matter and energy in similar ways. Watch."
He focused on a heavy wooden bench across the area. Using his mental power combined with his abilities, he lifted it smoothly into the air. The bench floated across the space, rotated in a complete circle, then settled gently back on the ground.
Jean's eyes widened. "That's incredible! How does it feel? When I use my telekinesis, it's like... like invisible hands reaching out."
"For me, it's more like... willing reality to change," Lin Chen tried to explain. "I think about what I want to happen, and my power makes it so."
"Can you show me something else?" Jean asked eagerly, her scientific curiosity fully engaged now.
Lin Chen smiled and extended his hand. Electricity crackled between his fingers, then formed into a small sphere of contained lightning that danced in his palm. "I can manipulate various forms of energy."
He dismissed the electrical sphere and gestured. A portal of golden energy opened beside him, showing a view of another country through its circular frame. "I can create portals to travel long distances instantly."
Jean watched in fascination. "That's amazing! You're like... like multiple mutants combined into one person!"
"Can you show me your telekinesis?"
Lin Chen asked. "I'd like to see what you can do."
Jean looked uncertain. "I'm not that powerful. And Professor Xavier has been teaching me to restrain my abilities—he says I need to build control gradually."
"Show me what you're comfortable showing," Lin Chen encouraged gently.
Jean took a deep breath and focused. Several books on a nearby bench lifted into the air simultaneously, floating over to arrange themselves in a neat stack on a table.
"That's impressive," Lin Chen said honestly, though he could feel the immense power she was restraining. According to his analysis, Jean's true potential was vastly greater than what she was displaying—Professor Xavier had apparently placed mental blocks to prevent her from accessing her full power too quickly.
[DETECTED: Telekinesis]
[ANALYZING...]
[Telekinesis: Ability to move objects with mental force. Subject possesses Omega-level potential. Full power would allow manipulation of matter at molecular level, creation of force fields, flight, and reality manipulation at cosmic scale.]
[Confirm acquisition Y/N?]
"Yes," Lin Chen confirmed immediately.
As the ability integrated, Lin Chen felt his awareness expand. He could sense the structure of objects around him, feel the potential to manipulate them with just a thought. Combined with his already high mental power, this new ability was incredibly potent.
"See? Not very impressive compared to what you can do," Jean said modestly.
"Don't sell yourself short," Lin Chen replied seriously. "You have immense potential, Jean. I can sense it, even if you can't fully access it yet. Professor Xavier is right to teach you control first—that kind of power needs to be developed carefully."
To demonstrate his own abilities and perhaps impress her a bit, Lin Chen walked over to a large boulder that weighed several tons. He gripped it with one hand and lifted it effortlessly over his head, holding it steady without any apparent strain.
Jean's eyes widened. "How strong are you?"
"Strong enough," Lin Chen replied with a slight smile, setting the boulder down gently. Then, using his new energy projection ability, he created a small demonstration—thin beams of red energy shot from his eyes, precisely cutting a pattern into a distant stone target across the garden.
"Wait—you also have similar eye beams?" Jean asked in surprise.
"Something similar," Lin Chen confirmed. "Though I can control mine more precisely."
He continued showing her various abilities—enhanced speed that let him move in a blur, weather manipulation that created a small localized rain cloud in the sky, and finally, he opened a portal to the Dark Dimension briefly, showing her the purple-black energy of that realm.
Jean stared at the portal in awe. "What is that place?"
"A dimension I have... authority over," Lin Chen explained carefully, closing the portal. "It's complicated."
"You're incredible," Jean said softly, looking at him with undisguised admiration. "I've never met anyone with so many different abilities. You're like..." She paused, searching for the right words. "Like someone beyond mutants."
Lin Chen stepped closer to her, close enough that he could see the flecks of gold in her green eyes. "I'm still just a person, Jean. The powers don't change that. What matters is how we choose to use them, and who we choose to stand beside."
The conversation gradually became more personal, and the distance between them grew smaller. Jean looked up at him, her face showing a mixture of admiration, affection, and something deeper.
Then, in a moment that felt completely natural, Lin Chen leaned down and gently kissed her. Jean's eyes widened in surprise for just a moment, then closed as she returned the kiss with equal tenderness.
When they finally pulled apart, both were slightly breathless.
"I've wanted to do that for days," Lin Chen admitted quietly.
"Me too," Jean whispered, her cheeks flushed pink but her smile bright and genuine.
Whatever else they might have said was interrupted by an alarm blaring throughout the mansion. Both of them immediately turned toward the building as Professor Xavier's voice came through the intercom system.
"All senior students and staff, please report to the conference room immediately. We have a situation that requires urgent attention."
Lin Chen and Jean exchanged concerned glances, then hurried toward the conference room together.
---
**Conference Room - Minutes Later**
Professor Xavier sat at the head of the table, his expression grave. Hank McCoy sat beside him, and Mystique stood near the door, having just arrived with urgent news.
"Thank you all for coming so quickly," Charles began. "We've received troubling news from a CIA contact—Agent Moira MacTaggert. She was investigating an arms deal in Egypt when she accidentally triggered something... ancient."
Mystique stepped forward. "According to her report, she discovered an underground chamber beneath the Egyptian desert. Inside was some kind of pyramid structure that appeared to be thousands of years old. When she accidentally activated its mechanisms, something was released."
Hank pulled up satellite imagery on the screen. "This shows the area where the incident occurred. As you can see, there's significant structural damage and evidence of massive energy release."
Lin Chen's expression showed some understanding. Apocalypse has awakened. Earlier than I expected.
"There's more," Charles continued gravely. "We've received reports of an individual in Cairo demonstrating multiple superhuman abilities. Witnesses describe him as appearing ancient, powerful.
"Who is this person?" one of the students asked.
"Based on historical records and Agent MacTaggert's descriptions," Hank replied, "we believe this individual is En Sabah Nur. He's referenced in ancient texts as the first mutant, a being who has existed for thousands of years by transferring his consciousness into new bodies."
The room fell silent as everyone processed this information.
"If the legends are true," Charles added quietly, "he possesses incredible power and believes that only the strong deserve to survive. His philosophy is 'survival of the fittest' taken to its most extreme conclusion."
Lin Chen spoke up. "What's his current status? Where is he now?"
"That's what concerns us most," Mystique replied. "Our contacts report that he's been recruiting others—enhancing their abilities and forming some kind of group."
---
Meanwhile - Cairo, Egypt - Two Days Earlier
CIA agent Moira MacTaggert crawled through a narrow underground passage, her flashlight cutting through the darkness. She had been tracking an international arms deal that led her to this hidden location beneath the Egyptian desert.
"Just a little further," she muttered to herself, squeezing through a particularly tight section of the tunnel.
She emerged into a vast underground chamber, and her breath caught. The space was enormous—clearly ancient, with hieroglyphics covering every surface. But at the center of the chamber was something that shouldn't exist: a pyramid structure within the cave, perfectly preserved despite obvious millennia of age.
"My God," Moira whispered, approaching carefully with her flashlight and camera. She began photographing everything, knowing her superiors wouldn't believe this without proof.
As she moved around the interior pyramid, her foot caught on something—a nearly invisible tripwire. There was a clicking sound, and suddenly the chamber filled with light. Ancient mechanisms, somehow still functioning after thousands of years, activated throughout the space.
"Oh no," Moira breathed, realizing what she'd done.
The pyramid's capstone began to glow with an eerie golden light. Energy pulsed through channels carved into the structure, following patterns that defied normal physics.
At the center of the pyramid, within a sealed chamber, something stirred.
A figure lay motionless on a stone platform—tall, powerful, with skin that seemed to shift between human flesh and something harder, more metallic.
The energy flowing through the pyramid reached the chamber. The preservation systems began to shut down, reversing their function. The body on the platform twitched. Fingers moved. Eyes opened—glowing with terrible intelligence and ancient power.
En Sabah Nur, known throughout history as Apocalypse, was awakening.
Moira ran. She fled through the tunnel as behind her, the entire chamber began to collapse. The pyramid was destroying itself, tearing through the underground space as its occupant emerged from his long sleep.
She burst out into the desert and collapsed, unconscious from exhaustion and terror.
A figure rose from the collapsing chamber—tall, imposing, radiating power that made the air shimmer. Apocalypse stood in the desert for the first time in thousands of years, looking up at the sun. His face showed no emotion, only ancient intelligence assessing this new world.
"Look like so much time has passed," he said, his voice carrying weight and power. "Let us see what this world has become."
---
Cairo, Egypt - Streets - Present Day
Apocalypse walked through the crowded Cairo streets, his unusual appearance hidden beneath a black robe. He moved with purpose, observing everything around him with growing disappointment.
he was walking among weak mortals. He was observing the everything the people—the buildings, the way humanity had developed in his absence. And with each observation, his disappointment grew.
A young girl with short dark hair caught his attention. He watched as she skillfully used her ability to manipulate wind, creating a small sandstorm that allowed her to snatch a man's wallet before disappearing into the crowd.
Apocalypse followed her with interest. Here was someone using her power, however small, to survive in this world. Here was potential.
The girl—Ororo Munroe—ducked into a narrow alley between buildings. She counted her stolen money quickly, unaware she was being followed.
Suddenly, three large men appeared at both ends of the alley, blocking her escape routes. They were enforcers for the merchant she'd stolen from, and they looked angry.
"You picked the wrong man to steal from, girl," one of them growled, pulling out a knife.
Ororo backed against the wall, her eyes wide with fear. She raised her hands and tried to summon wind, but it was weak, barely moving the men's clothing.
"Please, I'm sorry! I just needed food—" she began.
The men advanced, weapons ready.
Then Apocalypse stepped into the alley.
"Stop," he said simply, his voice carrying absolute authority.
The men turned, irritated by the interruption. "Mind your own business, old man—"
The lead thug's words died as Apocalypse raised one hand. Using his molecular manipulation ability, he reached out to the mud and clay of the alley wall. The material suddenly liquefied, then reformed into sharp blades that shot forward with deadly precision.
Three throats were cut in an instant. The men collapsed, gasping and dying, their blood pooling on the dirty ground.
Apocalypse walked past them without concern, approaching the frightened Ororo. "Do not fear me, child. I mean you no harm. You have power—weak now, but with potential."
"Who... who are you?" Ororo whispered, terrified by what she'd just witnessed.
"I am your ancestor," he replied mysteriously. "Though humanity has forgotten my name. Come with me. I sense you have no purpose in life, no family. I will give you meaning."
Ororo, having no better options and stunned by what she'd just witnessed, nodded slowly.
---
**Ororo's Home - A Few Hours Later**
Apocalypse stood in the small, rundown space that Ororo called home. It was barely more than a room, with a single television set and few possessions.
"This world," he said, gesturing around him with disdain. "It has lost its way. When I last walked the Earth, strength was honored. The powerful ruled, and the weak served or perished. It was natural. It was right."
"But now?" He shook his head. "Now weakness is celebrated. The strong are restrained. Humanity hides from its potential, afraid of those with power."
He turned to the television and placed his hand on it. His technopathy ability activated, connecting his consciousness to the vast network of human information—the internet, databases, satellites, every piece of connected technology on the planet.
Information flooded into his ancient mind. Thousands of years of history, technological advancement, social changes, wars, peace, suffering, and progress. He absorbed it all in moments, his vast intelligence processing what humanity had become.
They have forgotten, he thought with growing anger.They have forgotten the old ways. Forgotten strength. Forgotten that only the strong deserve to survive and rule.
Everywhere he witness weakness. People distracted by small electronic devices, ignoring the world around them. Buildings that served no purpose but comfort. A society that had grown soft, that protected the weak rather than allowing the strong to rise naturally. Wars, suffering, poverty—but also images of luxury, waste, and decadence.
Mutants are suffering for their existence.
"Ahhhh..." he said as the connection ended. "I understand now. This world is sick. Corrupted. It must be cleansed."
Ororo watched nervously. "What do you mean, cleansed?"
"I will tear down this false civilization," Apocalypse declared. "I will destroy the illusion of peace and prosperity. And from the ashes, I will build a new world—a world where the strong rule as they should, where mutants take their rightful place as the superior species."
He looked at her intensely. "You have power, child. But it is dormant, sleeping. Let me awaken it. Let me show you what you could truly become."
Before Ororo could respond, Apocalypse placed his hand on her head. Energy flowed from him into her, his power augmentation ability activating. Ororo's eyes rolled back as her body was flooded with enhanced power.
Her weather manipulation, once barely able to create a breeze, exploded into full force. Lightning crackled around her. Wind whipped through the room with hurricane strength. Her hair, once dark brown, bleached to pure white from the power coursing through her.
When Apocalypse removed his hand, Ororo collapsed to her knees, gasping. But when she looked up, her eyes glowed white with power. She raised her hand experimentally, and thunder rumbled outside, responding instantly to her will.
"What... what did you do to me?" she asked in awe.
"I awakened your true potential," Apocalypse replied. "You are Storm now—controller of weather, wielder of nature's fury. You are the first of my Four Horsemen."
---
Following Storm's guidance, Apocalypse and his new follower traveled to East Berlin. In the depths of an abandoned warehouse, they found an illegal fighting arena where mutants were forced to battle for the entertainment of wealthy humans.
They met Betsy Braddock also known as Psylocke, She was beautiful, deadly, and clearly powerful. Currently she is bodyguard of owner of this club. During a argument with that owner.
Apocalypse felt her purple sword on his throat. "You work for them," he said, his voice carrying disapproval. "You have such power, yet you demean yourself for money."
Psylocke studied him carefully, her psychic senses detecting immense power. "Who are you?"
"I offer you something better than this—purpose. Power."
Apocalypse placed his hand on her head. Energy flowed from him into her, his power augmentation ability activating. Ororo's eyes rolled back as her body was flooded with enhanced power. Her sword now burning with intense purple flame, clearly more dangerous.
Psylocke considered his offer. She sensed the truth in his words—he did possess incredible power. And she was tired of being used as guard for humans who saw mutants as nothing more than monster.
"I accept," she said finally. "But I know where to find others with power. Others who might join your cause."
"Then show me," Apocalypse replied.
---
**Fight Club - Holding Area**
Psylocke led them to another section of the underground complex where caged mutants waited for their turn to fight. In one cage sat a man with large broken wings that hung injured, broken. This was Warren Worthington III, once called Angel.
"His wings were beautiful once," Psylocke explained quietly. "White and feathered, like an actual angel. They were destroyed in a fight that went too far. He's given up hope."
Apocalypse approached the cage. "You have been broken," he said to Warren. "Your gift turned into a curse."
Warren looked up with empty, defeated eyes.
"You will serve me," Apocalypse said simply. "You will be reborn as my Angel of Death, my Archangel. You will fly again, and when you do, you will be more powerful than you ever were."
He reached through the bars pointed towards Warren's damaged wings. Energy flowed, and the broken organic wings transformed. Metal replaced flesh, creating wings of gleaming steel with razor-sharp feathers that could be fired as deadly projectiles.
Warren gasped as the transformation completed. He stood, testing his new wings, feeling their power and perfection. The weight of despair lifted from his shoulders as strength flooded through him.
"I... I can fly again," he breathed in wonder.
"You can do more than fly," Apocalypse said. "You can kill. You can destroy. You will be my third Horseman."
---
Poland - Small Town - Lehnsherr Home
Erik Lehnsherr stood in the small house he had shared with his wife Nina and daughter. But they were not there anymore. Instead, two freshly dug graves marked their final resting place in the backyard.
The tragedy had happened just hours ago. Erik had used his magnetic powers publicly to save a coworker at the factory where he worked.
Someone had reported him to the authorities as a dangerous mutant. When the police came to arrest him, his wife and daughter had tried to protect him. In the chaos, an officer's bow had discharged accidentally, killing both Nina and their daughter with a single arrow.
Erik stood at the graves, his body shaking with grief and rage so intense it felt like it would consume him entirely.
"I tried," he whispered to the graves, tears streaming down his face. "I tried to be normal. To live peacefully. To put Magneto behind me. And this is how the world rewards me? By taking everything I love?"
He walked toward the factory where he had worked, where the coworker he'd saved had betrayed him to the authorities. Rage filled his every step, and his magnetic powers flared with his emotions, causing metal objects around him to tremble and shake.
At the factory, he prepared to unleash his vengeance. But before he could act, a voice spoke behind him—calm, ancient, and carrying undeniable power.
"Your pain is real, Erik Lehnsherr. The injustice done to you demands retribution."
Erik spun around to find a tall figure in dark robes standing there, accompanied by three others—a white-haired woman whose eyes glowed with power, a woman with purple energy around her hands, and a man with gleaming metal wings.
"Who are you?" Erik demanded, magnetic energy crackling around his hands.
"I am En Sabah Nur, though history has called me by another name—Apocalypse. I know your pain, my child. I know what humans have taken from you. They fear what they cannot control, and they destroy what they fear."
Apocalypse stepped closer, his ancient eyes showing something that might have been sympathy.
"I offer you what they never could—a world where mutants are not hunted. A world where the strong rule, and the weak cannot harm us. A world where your family's deaths would never have been possible, because mutants would be the masters, not the victims."
"Why should I trust you?" Erik asked bitterly, though his voice carried less conviction than his words.
"Because I offer you power," Apocalypse replied. "Not just over metal, but over the very magnetic field of the Earth itself. Become my fourth Horseman, You will have the strength to ensure no mutant ever suffers as you have."
Apocalypse placed his hand on Erik's shoulder. "Join me. Together, we will cleanse this world of its weakness and build something better from mutants."
Erik closed his eyes, and when he opened them, they were filled with cold determination rather than grief.
"I will join you," Erik said quietly. "For them. For all mutants who have suffered at human hands."
Apocalypse placed his hand on Erik's head, and power flooded into the master of magnetism. Erik gasped as his abilities exploded exponentially.
Where before he could manipulate metal within a few hundred meters, now he could sense the magnetic field of the entire planet. He could feel the iron core deep beneath the Earth's crust, could touch the fundamental magnetic forces that shaped the world itself.
He destroyed entire factory turning into ruins.
"Yes," Erik breathed, overwhelmed by the power flowing through him. "Yes, I will be your War."
Apocalypse smiled coldly. "Then my Four Horsemen are complete. Storm, Psylocke, Archangel, and Magneto. The age of human dominance ends now."
---
[TO BE CONTINUED...]