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#A Word Before Dying
By: Ruler Ra
"My name is Nathan Charles Christopher Summers. Once I was the Askani'Son, would-be messiah of the Askani Clan. Later I became the only link between my future and this past and was known as the mutant freedom fighter called Cable. Now I am called exactly what I am, Solider X, a solider from an unknown time. Today I meet my destiny.
It has been five years since the trials of the Twelve. I have left both my family, the X-Men, as well as my army, X-Force, behind to search for him. He who made me what I am. En Sabah Nur, Apocalypse. This should have ended then, but I was too weak. Another, my father, saved us, but he still lived. Today you finally meet your death."
The mutant known as Solider X has waited his entire life for the confrontation that will soon take place. Before him lies the stronghold of Apocalypse and inside sits his foe. For the last five years Nathan has traveled the world in search of Apocalypse's many safe houses and hideouts, this is the last one. Many have died for Nathan to get where he is, soon another will be added to that list.
Perched precariously atop a steep mountain incline overlooking Apocalypse's stronghold, Nathan sits and waits for some sign of the tyrant. As he waits, he again goes back to recording his thoughts into his com-link, which will relay all his thoughts to those closest to him if he is the one to die today.
"I have said my goodbyes long ago, I do not fear dying. Apocalypse has taken everything from me; today I take his life from him. I will not fail any of you counting on me. Sam, I've been training you for this day since I first met you, and I know you want nothing more than to be here fighting with me, but if I fail… if I should fall, lead my army against him. You are as able as I have ever been for the task.
Scott, father, you have felt the power of Apocalypse's touch, you maybe more than anyone will know why I must do this. Take care of Jean. You… you… have taught me well."
The people close to him, as it has always been, are few. Nathan knows everyone else he has forgotten this day, will learn of his struggle from other sources. Night slowly approaches and the sky is suddenly lit up from enormous amounts of energy emitting from Apocalypse's cathedral. Nathan says a small prayer in his Askani tongue and leaps from his mountain hiding spot.
He falls rapidly, teeth clenched together, eyes open, as the wind slams across his face. He then uses his mutant telekinetic powers to slow his descent, his left eye glowing with power. A mere few feet from the ground, a few minutes from ending his life's work. The doors from the stronghold are blast to nothing, but from within. Apocalypse knew he was coming.
In a voice that rivals thunderclaps, he spoke-
"So finally you have come. Did you think I would be caught so unaware? Do you think I will be so easily defeated? I am forever like time itself. I am Apocalypse. I am your death."
With that the battle began; Nathan used his powers to telekinetically increases the techno-organic virus within his body, making him stronger and faster. The toll on his body was excruciating, but Nathan was more than willing to do die tonight. Focusing his telekinetic powers into his psimiter, Nathan fires a blast at full power into Apocalypse's chest. The giant mutant's only reaction was the crack of a small smile across his blue lips. Nathan, not believing anyone could survive such an attack, begins to regroup.
The battle was fierce and unrelenting; both men were near death before too long. Suddenly the mighty Apocalypse fell, exhausted. Nathan sensed that the time must be now. He prepared for one final blow to end his future. As he concentrated, Apocalypse turned towards him and with the last bits of energy in him spoke-
"Summers… you are a fool… you have lived your life as I have for told. You are not the only time traveler in this present… I have seen the end of time… I saw my own death at the hands of… the Askani'Son. Throughout my life I have learned time cannot be changed, but it can be manipulated… I knew you would face me and eventually defeat me if left whole… which is why at your most vulnerable… only a babe… I infected you with what you and everyone else believed to be a techno-organic virus… you came here, to this time, hoping to defeat me… ha. Why leave an entire world of soldiers and face me alone at the height of my powers? Why not stay where the entire mutant race was yours to command against me? That was no virus, Askani'Son, it was a way for me to control you… a way for you to deliver my ultimate prize… a body with the ability to sustain me forever… my final form…"
Apocalypse reached his arm out and Nathan's body, against his will bowed before him. The virus within Nathan quickly began a process of overtaking Nathan's psychic defenses, leaving Nathan's body defenseless. Apocalypse slowly rose to his feet, and with a touch transferred his essence within the body of the Askani'Son. Nathan's last thoughts before dying were there was never any hope for his future, he unwittingly was sent back in time to hand deliver to his greatest enemy, his most powerful weapon.
More powerful now than ever before, Apocalypse stands triumphant. A plan played out over two thousand years has finally come to bear, and Apocalypse knows that now a truly wonderful age will begin. Noticing Nathan's com-link, Apocalypse greets his enemies-
"X-Men. Tell the world. Look upon me and know the end is near. Apocalypse has risen. The world will soon be mines, for tomorrow belongs to me. Your champion is no more. All those too weak to march within my armies shall be trampled under their boot heels. I am eternity. The war will soon begin…"
Within hours, the news of Nathan's death is whispered on the lips of the X-Men. His com-link broadcast his final words to all those who knew him. Through tears, and familiar war-stories of how good a man Nathan was, one man thinks about the future thrust on to him.
One month later, Apocalypse has begun recruiting for his armies. Mutants are quickly choosing sides, either falling in with Apocalypse or with the X-Men. Humans know little of what's going on in the mutant world, but that will shortly change. In the confines of the Xavier Mansion, Sam Guthrie, the mutant known as Cannonball, sits and begins debriefing his team. He looks at their faces, Proudstar, Domino, Meltdown, Richter, Moonstar, Magma and their newest recruit- X-Man. This is his army, his X-Squadron. Sam looks at them all and smiles, because he knows they are all soldiers willing to die for their cause.