World Without X-Men

By Michael Weyer

Marvel Comics owns just about everything.

I know I've got tons of other fics but while re-reading that "Onslaught the Complete Epic" books, the idea stuck in my head and I just couldn't get rid of it. All comments welcomed.

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I am Uatu. Like the others of my race, I am pledged to observe, but never interfere, in the affairs of others worlds. My chosen planet is the one known as Earth, a world filled with amazing champions who I have come to respect and even…like.

There are other Earths, other realities, where much is the same until an event where fate diverges. One world was much like the one you knew in regard to the creature known as Onslaught. When Professor Charles Xavier wiped the mind of his former friend turned foe Magneto, he accidentally took on the man's darker side. That combined with the long repressed rage and feelings Xavier had kept inside himself, giving birth to a monstrous figure of pure psionic energy. This being attacked New York City, a massive assault that culminated with many of Earth's heroes seemingly sacrificing themselves to stop Onslaught. They alone could do is as mutants would not be able to enter his twisted form. The heroes were believed dead by the world when in truth, they were transported to another world created by the powerful Franklin Richards, staying there for almost a year before returning.

That is what happened on your world. But on another Earth, the conflict turned out much differently. The X-Men, united with friends and allies who did not take part in the reality you know, were given a different choice. And this is the result…

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The air over Central Park was thick with ozone as energies of a dozen different types smashed against each other. The final parts of Onslaught's armor had fallen away to expose his true form, a dark purplish light in the form of a man. The wind howled about, tearing at trees as the massive purple form in the center of it all stood slowly. Before the wild light lay the form of the Hulk with Bruce Banner lying next to him, the two separated in their effort to crack Onslaught's armor.

"Perhaps leaving England was not the smartest of moves, comrades," Colossus said as he planted his steel feet into the ground to brace himself against the winds being thrown about. His fellow Excalibur teammates, Nightcrawler and Shadowcat, stood by him and the rest of the X-Men.

"We're X-Men at heart, Peter," Kitty Pryde said. "We can't let them go into this alone."

"The more the merrier," Cyclops said. "As long as we know a way to fight back."

"If there's a way, Nate will find it," Domino said, making sure the clip in her gun was clear, the rest of X-Force backing her up.

Cyclops paused to look around, taking in the scene. The Fantastic Four and the Avengers were standing next to them, also taking in the wild scene. Doctor Doom stood at a bit of a distance, his mask impassive as ever. On the other side of the group was another unlikely ally, Apocalypse, who gazed at Onslaught with what almost looked like awe. At the center of it all was Professor Charles Xavier in his hovering wheelchair, his face more somber than Cyclops had ever seen it. Next to him was Magneto…

No, Cyclops corrected himself. Joseph. It was still strange to think that this young man with the long white hair was the enemy the X-Men had been fighting for so many years. He stared outward with his white hair billowing, taking in the monster he had played a part in creating.

"Fools!" Onslaught bellowed, his voice blasting into their minds as much as their ears. "All you did was free me of my shell! Now…now, I have the power to finally destroy this world!"

Reed Richards was examining a scanner he held in his hands, his face grave. "He's pure psionic energy now! There's nothing to fight!"

"I don't accept that!" Cyclops yelled. "There has to be a way!"

Next to him, Cable nodded. He was looking quite the worse for wear, his control over the techno-virus within himself weakening and thus the metal parts of his body were growing wild. "He has to be…holding himself tight in order…to maintain form. If we can disrupt that…we could…" He coughed. "Maybe take him apart!"

"Accept the inevitable!" Onslaught boomed. "I am greater than your mere minds can comprehend! I cannot be held by any of your limited minds!"

"Perhaps not our minds," Joseph muttered. "But perhaps…our bodies…"

Xavier's eyes widened as he took in the words. "He is energy now, held only by his mind. But supply it with a vessel…"

Mr. Fantastic nodded, instantly understanding. "Give him a new physical form we can attack and he can be destroyed."

"Along with the physical body," Jean Grey was quick to point out.

"That…can be supplied."

Before anyone realized it, Joseph began flying toward Onslaught. Blasts of energy ripped at him but the mutant put up magnetic shields to block it, his hands and eyes glowing. "You!" he cried out, a touch of Magneto in his words. "You claim I created you? You say I am responsible for your birth? So be it! Then I shall also be responsible for your fall!"

"Joseph!" Rogue yelled out. "Ya don't have to…"

"I may not remember my past but I know of it," Joseph said. "And whatever the man I once was…I can decide to be the man I am now." His glowing eyes narrowed as he flew forward. "And if that life must end to stop your rampage, monster…than that is a life well spent!"

He flew into the purple body, vanishing with a cry into its form. Onslaught let out a yell of agony, his body flashing hard as Joseph's magnetic energies tore at him from within. He shivered and it appeared his body was fluctuating in itself.

Mr. Fantastic stared at his readings. "It…it worked! There is an effect there." He frowned. "But when Rogue hit Onslaught, he only grew stronger. He should be getting his power from mutants, Joseph should be feeding that…"

"This X-Man…" Doom stated, his own mind, the only one on Earth the equal to Reed Richards, whirling. "He is held inside Onslaught along with your son. If they know what we are trying to do…"

"They could combine their abilities to shift Onslaught from within!" Reed's eyes widened. "They're changing it so mutants can leech off his power!"

"But it is not enough," Doom intoned. "Magneto or whatever name he uses, he alone cannot hold Onslaught at bay."

"Maybe not," Wolverine growled, his feral nature on full as he popped out his claws. "So maybe he needs a little more ammo." He moved in to a familiar position. "Been a while since we did a fastball special, Petey."

Colossus blinked in surprise and then concern. "Wolverine…"

"No time to argue, Russkie!" Wolverine snapped. "Just do it."

Opening his mouth, then shutting it, Colossus put his hand out. Wolverine moved into it, bent low and claws extended. Colossus shot his arm forward, his super-strong steel muscles uncoiling at full strength. Wolverine sailed out, a wicked grin on his face and flew into Onslaught, claws first. Once more, the creature yelled and shimmered with color but did not go down.

"Déjà vu," Kitty remarked to herself. "It's like when you guys died in Dallas." She nodded to Peter. "Only this time, Kurt and I aren't staying behind to mourn you."

Nightcrawler exchanged a smile with Colossus and Kitty. "Mein Freunds…it has been an honor."

"Together then, comrades?"

Kitty put a hand into his former love's. "Together," she whispered. He looked down at her with a warm smile, the two sharing regret at time lost but satisfied at going out together. The trio charged in, Nightcrawler teleporting ahead to flash inside Onslaught while Colossus and Shadowcat entered together.

"Reed!" the Invisible Woman yelled out. "We can't let them…"

Mr. Fantastic shook his head. "Onslaught's physiology has been changed, Sue. Non-mutants, even those given powers such as ourselves, we might make matters worse." His jaw was set. "It's up to them."

Bishop cracked his knuckles, his body feeling charged by the energy in the air. "I don't see anyone coming out," he declared. "You realize whoever goes in…it's a one way trip."

"The world is at stake," Storm said, her hands crackling with lightning. "I do not think we can be bothered by details."

Cannonball glanced over to where X-Force was gathered with him. "Ya'll don't have to…"

"Gone too far together to walk out on you now, Sam," Sunspot said, the energies of his bodies sparkling around him.

Meltdown nodded as she created an exploding ball in her hands. "Sure as hell not gonna let you go on your own."

"You're an X-Man, Samuel," Storm said. "It is your own choice."

He smiled at her. "Made it a long time ago, Storm." He kicked in his mutant power, blasting forward in flight toward the purple form. Bishop was next, letting out a blast of energy from his own body. Storm took a final look at the earth around her, breathing in the elements one last time. Then, she flew in to accept her fate. With a loud cry, Sunspot followed, the rest of X-Force following suit. Each entry caused another flash in Onslaught's form as well as a scream of pain.

Cable grunted as he brought himself up as best he could. He took a deep breath as he observed the now flashing form of Onslaught. "Almost done…" he muttered. "Just…one thing…" He spun around and sent out his telekinetic powers at full scale to grab onto a form.

Apocalypse gasped in shock as he felt himself wrenched off his feet. "What?!"

Cable's face was harsh as he pulled, the metal in his body growing more as he put his energy into bringing Apocalypse over. "The last thing I'm gonna do is leave this world to you," he growled. "If I'm going out…I'm taking you with me."

"Unhand me!" Apocalypse tried to fight back but was thrown by how strong Cable's hold was. He realized too late just how much power the man had been holding back in order to keep his body in check. Now, he had no more qualms as he held his hand out. "Congratulation, En Sabah Nur," he said, a smile on his face. "Your last act in your miserable life is going to be helping the world."

He swept his hand out and the ancient mutant flew into Onslaught. The monstrous being screamed even louder, his body flashing more and it seemed bits of himself were sent flying in other directions. With the last of his strength, Cable lunged into the creature himself, vanishing into it.

Nearby, the Avengers watched the process continue, their hearts in pain over seeing such brave sacrifice. "Dammit," Hawkeye muttered. "It just doesn't seem right, Cap."

"I know, Clint," Captain America said, his jaw set. "I know how it is."

The Scarlet Witch was moving close to Quicksilver, her voice low. "Don't."

He blinked at her. "What?"

She held his gaze. "I know you, Pietro. You're figuring out if you can whisk me to the city limits and back in time."

He held a small smile. "And you did not consider using your powers to send me away?"

She smiled back as she reached for his hand. Quicksilver gazed over at the Vision as the android took in their stance. "For what it is worth," he said in a voice softer and more emotional than normal. "I am sorry for how I have treated you in the past." His eyes swept over the Avengers. "All of you."

"Wait, guys-----" Hawkeye began.

"We're mutants, Clint," the Witch interrupted. "This is what we have to do." She and Quicksilver moved forward. He took her in his arms, took in a deep breath and in a blur, they were flying into the monstrous being.

Rogue and Gambit exchanged a long look themselves. "Chere…" the Cajun began.

Rogue put a hand to his mouth and then kissed the palm. "Time for talking is past, Remy," she whispered. "Maybe the next chance we get…"

He offered a cocky grin. "Sure to make the use of it dis time." He sprinted toward Onslaught, charging his cards a final time. With a loud rebel yell, Rogue flew in after him.

Cyclops turned toward Captain America. "As soon as we're in…hit him with whatever you have."

The Star-Spangled Avenger nodded. "Cyclops…I'm sorry."

"The fault is not yours, Captain," Xavier replied as he adjusted the settings on his chair. "In a way, perhaps this is what was meant to be."

Angel landed next to where Iceman and Beast were. "Looks like we're all that's left here."

The Beast shook his head ruefully. "It figures. I escape my evil double and don't even have time for a coffee."

Iceman forced a grin. "Kinda ironic it's the five of us left, huh?"

"Not irony, Bobby," Jean Grey said, putting her hand in her husband's. "It started with us. It's only fitting it end with us."

Xavier stared at the crackling monstrosity he had helped create before turning his head to the five. "This is my own choice. The rest of you…"

"Save your breath, Prof," Angel said, flexing his wings. "We're going with you."

"You gave us everything you could, Charles," the Beast stated. "You taught us how to live with our abilities. You gave us our choices and we're making this one."

Charles looked over to his first and favorite students. "I am truly sorry for all of this…And yet, I have never been as proud of any of you as I am today."

"The feeling is mutual," Cyclops said, smiling. "Charles."

Xavier turned and took a deep breath. "To me, my X-Men."

He set the chair forward, the original five X-Men right at his side, Iceman creating an ice slide as Angel took to the air. The Beast bounded forward as Cyclops opened up with his full optic blasts.

Captain America watched as the last of them vanished within Onslaught and then cried out. "NOW!"

With a loud roar, Thor lifted his hammer, unleashing energies that would ravage the skies. Iron Man fired off his full repulsors from his hands and his chest plate. Reed Richards fired off a cannon he'd been tinkering with for the last several minutes, sending waves of energy into the target as the Human Torch let loose with just short of Nova flames. Even Doom was firing off power from his gauntlets, all centered directly on Onslaught.

Already shaking and glowing from the power within, the monstrous being let out a horrendous scream that echoed throughout the city. It stood still, under assault from the various energies both within and without, the glow of its body growing. In a final blast of air, Onslaught imploded, the blasts of energy creating a whirlwind throughout Central Park. The various heroes held to what cover they could as the wind and the energies within it pulled at them.

Without warning, the effect faded. The wind died, an eerie silence covering the entire area. The center of the park was a huge crater, sparkling with energy and bare…except for one small form.

"FRANKLIN!" Susan Richards cried out as she raced forward, ignoring her husband's outstretched arm. She fell to her knees in the middle of the pit, clutching her young son to her arms and kissing his forehead. "Baby, my baby…are you okay?"

The young boy nodded. "Nate…he told me not to be scared….that it would be okay…He…he said goodbye before…"

Sue hugged him tight as the other heroes took in the scene. "Damn," Hawkeye muttered. "No hesitation….no second thoughts…They just charged right in there."

Thor bowed his head solemnly. "May Valhalla grant them their just rewards."

The Thing glanced about. "Hey, where'd Doom go?"

Mr. Fantastic frowned as he looked around. "I should have known. He probably took scans of the energy being unleashed before teleporting back to Latveria."

"That's a problem for another time," Captain America said. He gazed at the spot where the X-Men had given their lives to save the world and shook his head. "Right now…we've got a lot of recovery work to do."

A coughing got attention as Bruce Banner raised himself up, wincing as he rubbed his back. "Damn," he muttered. He turned his head to see the Hulk lying unconscious. "Whoa…how…."

"Get a containment team down here!" Captain America cried out. "We need to hold the Hulk before he wakes up!"

The Vision was helping Banner up, the man staring in amazement at the Hulk's body. "I can't…feel him in me….This…I'm actually free of him."

"Then maybe there's some good out of this after all," Mr. Fantastic noted.

The other heroes nodded, in the chaos, no one noticing the blue ball Franklin clutched to his chest or the way it shimmered in the light.

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Next: The Mourning After