Chapter 7: Settling Things
Genesis ran as fast as she could, Bobby behind her, doing his best to keep up. The door slid open when they reached the sick bay and what awaited them stopped them dead in their tracks. Warren lay on the metal table, a sheet covering him from the waist down. His abdomen was thickly wrapped and he had an oxygen mask over his mask to help regulate and keep him breathing.
Genesis slowly walked over towards him, Storm and Logan stepped backed knowing that she would want to be alone. She looked down at his bruised and beaten body. Leaning in, she gently kissed his forehead and stoked the side of his face.
'Get Xaos down here. I need to know exactly what happened to him'
An already tired Bobby ran back up and within two minutes brought Xaos down to the sick bay.
'Read his mind' Genesis explained 'then, you'll send the images to me. I want to know what he did to him'
'Don't you think we should wait until he's? …'
'Just do it'
'Couldn't you just absorb my powers and...?'
'I only use my powers when they are absolutely necessary. Just do it'
Xaos nodded and stepped to the head of where Warren lay. He placed each hand on either side of Warren's face.
'Warren, if you can hear me, I need you to concentrate. Just relax and concentrate on what happened' Xaos told him as he closed his eyes and began to read.
Images of the brutal attack flashed through Xaos' mind. With every hit that Warren took, Xaos flinched, as if he were getting hit. He even groaned, feeling the pain. Warren's eyes twitched rapidly, reliving his experience like a bad dream, his heart rate rising. The last image showed Apocalypse slamming Warren into the ground. Xaos collapsed to the floor. Warren's heart beat slowed and Wolverine and Storm ran over to help Xaos up.
'That bad?' Logan asked
'Worse. You sure you want to see this?'
'I have to. You alright to play it?'
'I'll be fine. Come here'
Genesis stood in front of Xaos, who put his hands on either side of her face. He closed his eyes and began to send the images to Genesis. Ororo and Logan expected some kind of reaction from her, but to their surprise she seemed unmoved. The only sign that the images were affecting her was a single cheek that rolled down her cheek when Xaos was done.
'Thank you' she wiped the tear away 'you guys mind if I have a few minutes alone with Warren?'
Logan, Xaos and Ororo nodded and started to leave. Bobby moved over to the other side of the table, opposite Genesis.
'Comin' Popsicle?'
'I'll be right there. I just need a minute too'
Genesis nodded and gave a little smile to them to show them that she didn't mind. With that the others left.
Genesis could tell that this was hurting Bobby too. Ever since he arrived at the mansion, Warren was his best friend. It was Bobby who had given him the codename: Angel and they had been partners in battle ever since Angel first donned the suit.
'Come on, Warren, you're tougher than this. You can get through this. Everyone wants you back… especially her'
Genesis was taken aback by what Bobby was saying
'I know how it feels to be in love' He continued 'you want that person with you every waking moment and even when you sleep, they're in your dreams. But every moment that they're not with you is painful. You feel like a piece of you is missing. That's how Genesis feels right now Warren. It's so painful for her not to have you beside her and to see you like this. If you care about her as much as I know you do, you won't put her through this. Fight this! …And Get better, alright friend' He squeezed Warren's hand and started to leave.
'Bobby' Genesis stopped him 'Thank you' she hugged him
He left and now Genesis was alone. She walked back over to Warren's side. Her tough exterior started to crumble and the tears started to flow.
'Bobby's right Angel' She stroked his hair and held his hand. 'It hurts me so much to see you like this. I am so sorry. This is all my fault, he wants me and now, look what he did to you. But that's one promise I make to you now. Apocalypse will pay for this; he's gone too far this time'
She looked him in the face and smiled 'There's defiantly one more thing that Bobby was right about. That's exactly how it feels to be in love. You can't be without the person and that's why you have to make it through this, my beautiful Angel. I can't live without you because…' She removed the oxygen mask, but just for a moment 'I love you' She kissed his lips.
-xxx-
Later that night Genesis stood in the middle of Central Park. It was amazing how even in a city with so many people there could actually be peace and quiet at some point. She looked from side to side and then up at the starry night sky.
'Show yourself!' She screamed into the night
A few long seconds passed, when she heard the sound of a small plane coming from behind her. She didn't bother to turn around, knowing perfectly well that it wasn't a plane. It landed behind her with a loud thud, causing the ground to shake.
'Apocalypse' She said, now turning around
'Genesis' He looked down to meet her gaze 'I see you got my message'
'Loud and Clear, but you went too far this time!'
'Really?'
'This is between you and I, they have nothing to do with this'
'It makes it all the more interesting'
'I promise you, if you ever touch him again…'
'Him? Oh the winged one. But, I thought you were concerned about all of them, unless… you've developed feelings for him'
'That is certainly none of your affair'
'There's my answer. You should be careful, you know how emotions can cloud the mind'
'And you shouldn't like your egotism and overrated self confidence blind you to your true fate'
'You honestly think you can stop me?'
'I've done it twice before and I will do it again, but this time, I will end it'
'You've got it wrong my dear, I will end it. I will end your existence and that of your pitiful companions, starting with the Winged creature' He grinned
Genesis narrowed her eyes, her fists clenching, wanting nothing more than to send out her vines and drain every particle of energy he had. But she held back, this was neither the time nor the place.
'Two nights time, where it all began, is where it will also end'
'I will be there' Genesis answered without hesitation.
'Savor the moments you have left' Apocalypse turned to leave 'For they are your last, in this life or any other' He took off into the night
Genesis continued to stand silently in the middle of the park, her fists still clenched, her determination growing. She would make him pay for what he did to Warren and she would protect her already dear friends. She would destroy him this time, once and for all.
