Westchester, a couple of weeks later
I'm Charles Xavier - mentor of the X-men.
How hollow that sounds now. I don't know
what to do anymore, if I ever did. I thought
I did, I really thought we had a chance of
stopping Apocalypse from reigning supreme.
Not in the beginning but when Fate's gift
manifested itself a thin ray of hope was
set abright. Maybe not by much since I
knew how powerful Apocalypse is. After all,
it's not the first time I've come across
him but back then he was still biding his
time I realise now. He's more cunning,
patient and powerful than I gave him credit
for.
And for that we all will pay the price. Mutantkind and humankind alike.
Many already has. The Brotherhood has sworn to be faithful to him, a lot of my students has been killed or are missing. Everything around me seems to get colder, almost by the second, as if the storm is gaining momentum. The shadows of my past, and most importantly my past mistakes, seems to be looming over my shoulders laughing at me.
My mistakes. They haunt me and forever will. It's thanks to them things have come down to this. Scott's dead, the one that I trusted and cherished the most. He's like the son I never had and I sent him to his grave. Ororo is probably dead too but I won't grieve over her. Not yet. Not until the hope is gone. Was I ever aware that what I'm doing could lead to people being slain? I don't think so. Not where it matters, in my heart. No one ever said anything about it, daring to say that maybe things would have been better if left alone. Out of respect for me or because they really believed in my dream? I don't know but I so want to believe that it's the latter.
But maybe there is some hope left by Scott's sacrifice. I don't claim to understand how it made Jean so much more powerful but it did. That's all that matters. She's almost like a God now, with all the power that resides in her. I can only pray that she can handle all of that and in time. She could be the key to Apocalypse final defeat.
Dear God, if you hear me grant us the power to resist and fight this menace.
Back in Jerusalem
Apocalypse opens the door to one of his laboratories
in his stronghold and walks directly up to his chief
scientist, a man with a strangely white complexion.
"Mr Sinister, is everthing ready?"
"Not really. An unforseen event has taken place."
"Let me guess. Scott Summers was stronger than our plans
had made allowances for?"
"No, not that. That was unfortunate but is no longer
of any concern. What bothers me is that our equipment
picks up signs of hitherto uncharted powers. Located
in Westchester. The readings are off the charts! The
mutant in question is even stronger than you, my Lord."
"Well, let's see if we can find a way to work that to
our advantage. We'll postpone the plans for a short
while and in the meantime we figure out a way to
once again turn the tide in our favor. Now, for
another matter. Any news about the Wolverine and
Rogue?"
"None Sir. They're still on the road."
"Now, we can't have that. They're of the utmost importance
for our plans. Dispatch the hunters and bring them to me,
immediately!"
"Consider it done!"
"Good. I will not be stopped this time. The time is at hand
and now mankind will know what's it's like to walk through
the deepest void, the blackened paradise. Punishment Divine
is upon them!"
