Chapter 10 : One Life

Chapter 10 : One Life

Apocalypse raised his hand and a beam of black energy sot out. Genesis grabbed hold of Warren and rolled them out of the way. He came charging at them and Genesis took off towards him as well. As she was running she released the vines from her right hand. Apocalypse stopped and caught all five vines in one hand and pulled. Genesis was sent forward with more speed than she already was advancing and Apocalypse slammed his fist into her side. Still holding her vines he gave one great swing and sent her flying into one of the piles of wood.

'Pity' He headed towards her 'I thought this would be more difficult'

Suddenly a bolt of lighting struck the ground between them. Storm was up in the sky. She sent bolt after bolt to keep them apart.

'Annoying fly.' He raised both hands and shot an energy blast at Storm. Unable to dodge both of them, one beam struck her in the shoulder and she started to fall. Wolverine caught her just in time.

'Then try me' MJ shouted 'Storm!'

Storm sent one bolt straight at her. Overload concentrated and charged herself up until her fingers crackled with energy and her eyes had sparks. She put her hands together and sent a powerful electric shock at Apocalypse, making him stagger back. He was immediately hit after with a log by Xaos using his mind power.

'Pesky flies. I will crush you all' He shot a combined energy blast and knocked them all to the ground. He headed towards the fallen heroes when something latched itself onto his back and he left a surge run through his body. Genesis was back on her feet, her vines on him, draining his energy.

'That's pretty sneaky, coming from behind like that. Why don't you try this?' He took off into the air, Genesis still with him. She hung on tight continuing to drain his energy, but it didn't seem to have any effect. She was right; he was stronger than ever before. Apocalypse kept going higher, much higher than she had ever been with Warren. She could feel the air getting thin around her. Than, Apocalypse stopped and twisted, with the shift movement, Genesis lost grip on him. He grabbed her neck, cutting off her already limited air supply.

'I told you that this would be the end of you' He dealt her a crushing blow to the stomach, she howled in pain.

'Genesis!' Angel continued to climb. Than out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of his love falling back to earth. Apocalypse had released his grip. Warren shifted and headed towards her, catching her in his arms

'Genesis, Genesis, please answer me'

She stirred and moaned 'I'm alright. Not like I've never felt that before. But I am beginning to get fed up. Time to stop him once and for all. You up for a dive?'

'Sure, but…'

'Hey Apocalypse! Is that really all you have? I don't understand why you're so feared, you can't even get rid of a innocent girl… Dive!'

'What?'

'Now!'

Warren folded his wings and headed straight down. He turned his head and realized why Genesis had struck a nerve, Apocalypse was right behind them.

'Just keep going. I've got an idea' she told him

Angel kept going straight down, just barely out of reach of Apocalypse's grasp.

They were back in view of the others 'Colossus!' Genesis yelled and pointed behind them. Piotr understood and ran towards where they would land, he stood ready, fist clenched.

'Wait until the last possible minute than turn up'

Warren nodded and did just that. Apocalypse followed, but didn't expect Colossus to be waiting. With no time to stop he met Colossus' fist with striking force. It sent him flying back.

'Storm, now!' Genesis told her, as she and Warren rejoined the others.

Ororo started striking him with powerful thunderbolts and Overload did the same.

'That's it we work together' Bobby said

'We can't give him time to rest'

'Wolverine, go for it'

'Gladly' He extended his claws and went after Apocalypse. He wasn't even back on the ground when Logan jumped on him and began mercilessly clawing at his armour and face. Apocalypse landed flat on his back and managed to push Logan off.

'Kitty, how 'bout you make sure he stays where he is?'

Shawdowcat understood and grabbed Apocalypse's legs. She phased into the ground taking Apocalypse with her, until he was half buried in the crust. Kitty phased back up behind him.

'Popsicle, freeze him good' Wolverine told Bobby

Iceman attacked quickly, hitting their enemy with a severe ice blast until he was nothing more than an ice sculpture.

Could that really be it?' Anthony asked

'Just one last touch. We shatter the ice.' Genesis said getting ready for the final strike.

She stepped forward when she noticed the ice was staring to crack and the ground rumbled below her.

'Everyone back'

The ice shattered and the ground opened up. Apocalypse was free again.

'You cannot defeat me, I am unstoppable' He charged at them knocking them all side to side. Running through them, he grabbed Genesis by the neck again. He tightened his grip as he rammed her through the last remaining houses.

'I told you, young one. This ends where it began. You are a failure to your people and all those you were supposed to protect.

Genesis struck back. She unleashed the vines from all ten fingers and wrapped them all around Apocalypse. She started to drain as quickly as she could. The effect was quick this time. She felt his grip loosing on her and his footing was uneasy. Eventually he couldn't hold on anymore and dropped her.

'Everyone together now!'

Each on turn they attacked. Bobby hit him with an ice blast, Colossus delivered a hard blow to the chest, Overload and Storm dealt deadly thunderbolts, Wolverine slashed and Xaos used another log to hit him. Kitty and Warren gave kicks and punches. Meanwhile Genesis continued to drain.

Apocalypse's breathing grew hard and rapid and he looked like he could barely stand.

'You were right when you said that it would end where it began Apocalypse. But it ends for you'

She drew back her vines and put her palms together. She lunged forward and sent her vines out again. They twisted together to form a stake that plunged straight through Apocalypse's armour and chest. She drew them out and back into her fingers.

'How can you, a child defeat me?'

'I could stop you' She turned to the others 'but I needed help to defeat you once and for all. Goodbye for good Apocalypse'

Apocalypse let out one last loud yell and fell motionless to the ground. His body quickly decomposed and become a pile of dust, only to be blown away by the wind.

'I guess that's how fast you go when you are a couple of centuries old' Shadowcat joked.

Warren came up beside Genesis and put his arm around her shoulders. 'Its all over'

'Yeah, it finally is'

Suddenly she started glowing a bright white light.

'No, no. Please not this time. I want to stay'

'What happening?' The others came closer

'This is what happens every time after I stop Apocalypse, before I go back into dormant state. I can't stop it' she grabbed Warren's hand 'Warren…Ahh!!' She held her head. 'The images again, faster and more painful then ever before. I can't stop it'

'I'm right here, Genesis. I'm not leaving you.'

'But I am afraid that I am leaving all of you. I will never forget you' the light grew lighter and lighter. She looked at Warren 'I love you' She kissed him one last time. The light grew incredibly bright. The others had to shield their eyes.

As quickly as it came, the light disappeared. They saw that Genesis was still with them, lying in Warren's arms.

'Genesis, Genesis…can you hear me?' Angel asked

Her eyes twitched and fluttered open.

'Genesis?'

'Arina'

'What?'

'My name…Arina Arkwell. I remember everything and I'm still here?'

'Yeah, you are'

'You were always put back into dormant because Apocalypse was still alive. You would be needed again. But I guess now that he's destroyed. You're free'

'Free to stay with us'

'And with me' Warren told her with a smile 'I love you'

'I love you too' They kissed

Genesis couldn't believe it. She finally had a real home, loyal fiends and true love and this time, they were all here to stay.