X-Men: Chapter 1 1/2

An Introduction to Apocalypse

Disclaimer: I think this is the part where I say I do not own X-Men or Apocalypse. These horsemen, however, are kinda mine. Not completely, but somewhat. Okay, since you all know that, let's just skip this part. Enjoy, or I'll just have to send Death to your house...(insert dramatic music here)

Author's note: This story actually is more of a prologue to Chapter 5 and also is telling of events that happened LONG before this series. It is not really necessary to read it; I'm just using to prolong my actual having to write Chapter 2. How am I supposed to write Blink's dialogue if no one really knows anything about her regular Marvelverse self. Anyways, read this and it'll explain my Horsemen. Enjoy!

"The four living creatures said, 'Amen,' and the elders fell down and worshiped."

REV 5:14

"I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, 'Come! ' I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest."

REV 6:1

"When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword."

REV 6:3

"When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, 'Come!' I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand."

REV 6:5

"Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, 'A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!'"

REV 6:6

"And there before me was a pale horse! It's rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the Earth to kill by sword, famine, and plague, and by the wild beasts of the Earth."

REV 6:7-8

All of the predictions made by the Bible of the four horsemen were correct. They are Pestilence, War, Death, and Famine. All are beings who have existed since the beginning of time, and will exist after time is over. An ancient being called Apocalypse put them in human form. This being will bring the end of all time and life as we know it. The world will end when he sees fit, and no being can do anything about it.

First is Death. A beautiful young woman who once lived a semi-happy life, until her family was killed by a gang of super-natural beings looking only to torment others for their own pleasure. The old body of Death was decayed and decrepit. No longer the instrument of destruction he once was. When this one girl's suffering caught Apocalypse's attention. He offered her a way out. A way to see her family again. She accepted, and he turned her into Death. Riding a pale horse, she is the most combative and murderous of the Four Horsemen. She rarely speaks, calculates every move before carrying it out, and is uncaring and unsympathetic to all. Her movements are slow and graceful. She is garbed in all black (black leather boots, black leather pants, a black halter-top, and a black leather trench coat) and carries as her weapon a long scythe. Death can, however, only kill those who attack her directly. Ironically, it is her very presence that causes panic and conflict. Inevitably, people of all ages will either flee in terror or attack the menacing entity. She will never attack another unless they attack her first. She will, though, entice acts of aggression to cause her intended victims to attack her. She enjoys these games, and will often stalk her victims in the shadows and make threatening moves. This eventually frays on her opponent's nerves and they eventually fall prey to their fear, anxiety, hatred, and anger that they snap and attack.

Next is the monster known as Famine. He looks like a skeleton with a withered, malnourished body, pale complexion, swept back ram's horns and a malicious expression. Atop a black horse, he is sinister, cunning, and treacherous. He will use sneaky tactics to hurt or injure others. While no one knows his background, he is obsessed with the destruction of all life forms, and delights in the suffering of others. Famine frequently strikes from the shadows, or from a distance, and his powers to control the weather and spoil crops are often mistaken as natural disasters. He often instigates trouble by manipulating others. These tactics can lead to theft, vandalism, and war, which causes even more death and suffering. Famine loves these games.

The other female demon of the horsemen, Pestilence was a former biologist, often studying the insects, which she now commands. She is clever and resourceful, using both the direct approach and manipulation. With but a touch, she can infect her victim with a deadly disease. Riding a white horse, she carries with her a bow to shoot a disease filled arrow into her opponent. She is dressed in a long, black leather robe filled with insects in which move by her command.

The final horseman is the violent War. Armed with a long, broad sword, and riding a fiery red horse, he is the most evilly violent of the four, and will often go straight into battle. He is large and muscular looking with a black leather mask, covering his entire face, and black leather/ gilded metal armor. Once a Japanese warrior, he is now the warrior of the horsemen. He has the power to blast others with supernatural energy and incite hatred in others, causing them to kill one another. A cold-blooded, evil monster, he loves anything that causes bloodshed.

All of these demons are brought onto this plane of existence only with the will of the demi-god, Apocalypse. So long as the book of Apocalypse does not fall into the wrong hands, the ceremony that brings Apocalypse from his prison in Hell cannot be performed and none will have to be brought face to face with the fury of the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse.