Child of Light and Darkness

~

Chapter Eleven  

"I'm worried about them Logan."

Ororo and Logan stood out of the way, in the landing deck. They watched as the team slowly began to appear and load into the blackbird.

"I mean they're such good kids."

Logan placed a hand on Ororo's shoulder.

"I know. I'm worried 'bout 'em too."

"Is it right for us to willingly put their lives in danger? They're all still so young, they have parents, family, friends, how can we willingly take all that away from them?"

"We don't know what'll happen to 'em 'Ro. But is it better for us to just let this happen, and willingly put the whole universe's lives at stake? I believe we're doin' the right thing, and that's what these kids believe to. That's why they're doin' this."

"Yes but Logan, they're X-men, they have sworn to use their powers to protect the universe from harm, isn't it safe to say that they had no choice?"

"Everyone o' 'em had a choice 'Ro. N' they chose to do this. That's what makes each one o' em special. Forget the powers for a sec. These kids have ta choose who they want to be. Each o' em have ta choose by themselves. Think of it, of all the things they coulda chose, they chose to be X-men. They all believe in somethin', in a dream that may never become reality. But they believe in it so strongly that they are willin' to risk their lives, just to push the dream a little closer to comin' true. They understand the risks involved, n' still they're gonna go through wit' it. It's their choice entirely 'Ro, we ain't forcin' 'em to do this, they chose. They all know that for the dream to become reality, lives will have ta be lost. That's just how it is. Think 'bout it, all the freedom we enjoy in America, is because we fought wars, and millions of strong men and women died to give us the freedom we enjoy. Heck, I was one o' em. It'll be the same way wit' this dream, lives will be lost, they understand that, and deep down all of us, Chuck, You, Me, we all know this is true, we are puttin' our own lives at risk. It's fair to say we all had a choice, and we all have chosen the only choice that is possible to choose."

Ororo put her hand on her forehead, causing her white hair to fall over her face.

Logan put his arm around Ororo bringing her closer to him.

She rested her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you Logan, I know you were trying to comfort me, but I still can't help worrying."

"It's 'right 'Ro. But you don't have ta be worried, it'll all turn out for the better."

"I guess I just can't help thinking that a war is going to turn out well."

"Yeah, you're right. I guess I was just tryin' to calm myself."

Ororo drew in arm around Logan's waist.

"I guess we'll just have to comfort each other than."

"Sound's good to me 'Ro."

"Hey, you know, you never did take me to dinner Logan."

Logan looked down at her.

"You're right, I didn't….'Kay how's this, I'll take you to dinner after this thing."

"Is that a promise?"

"Yes and No. It's a promise that I'll take ya to dinner, but it's a reassurance that I believe nothing will happen to us."

"Alright Logan, I'll hold you to that."

"Yeah, but first we gotta finish this up. C'mon it looks they're all ready."

~x~x~x~x~x~x~

"Master, may I ask what you plan to do with the girl?"

"Mesmero, Mesmero, have I taught you nothing?"

Apocalypse sat in an office chair in the abanded laboratory.

"She can give me infinite powers! Once Mastermind has finished, through her I will have ultimate power no force in existence can withstand. Don't you know what that means? I will have power to destroy whatever I please. I will hold the universe at my mercy, mine and mine alone. With one thought the universe can be no more. Do you not love the feeling of ultimate power? Of rulership above all living things? This is what I have lived many centuries to accomplish, and now it can be our very reality."

"But what if somehow she turns on us?"

Apocalypse chuckled. "She can not. Mastermind will keep her mind jumbled, she will believe that those who are her friends are her enemies and those that are enemies, friends. If she somehow begins to slip you will than keep her in a mesmerized state while Mastermind fixes the problem."

"So my I ask why we're here?"

"Once my horseman finish their tasks, we won't be here for much longer."

"What about the X-men? What if they learn of our plan?"

"The X-men are fools. They are of little burden. If they do learn of our plans, they will not live long to bother us."

"But she is one of them. They will come looking for her."

"And all that they will find is a creature bestowed with power beyond conception. She will see them as enemies and therefore in obstacle in her path, she will do whatever's necessary to be rid of them. And in doing so she helps me. The X-men may be fools but they are still obstacles in my path, and by harming them she rids me of the only obstacles that are keeping me from full domination."

"So it is power you're after Master?"

"Have you not been paying much attention? Power is what I have lived so many lives to have. I have dedicated myself to having ultimate power over all creatures. I wish to have the power that not even their presidents, chancellors, or kings have ever had. I have always wished to rule, I have tried many times to do so, but I have never succeeded, until now. With this mutant I have all I need, instant power, instant rulership, to have the power to hold lives in your hands, to have all at your mercy, is that not what life is all about? This is not about wealth or rulership. This is about Power! Power is all that makes life worth living. You know what they say; absolute power corrupts absolutely. Do you believe that Mesmero?"

Mesmero trembled at having been asked a question in which it's answers could go both ways. To tell the truth, Mesmero was as afraid as Apocalypse as any human, creature or mutant would be.

"If you believe it Master."

"Ha, I do." Apocalypse stood out of the chair his booming voice echoing across the room as he did so.

"The riders shall be back soon. Come Mesmero…" Apocalypse's voice grew deeper.

"The Age of Apocalypse is near."

He laughed a cruel and thunderous laugh that shook the ground and the laboratory along with it.

~x~x~x~x~x~x~

The trip took a little longer than what they were used to, the sky darkened to night, and finally they were about ready to land.

"Hey ve're here." Kurt shouted out.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, pretty. I check the coordinates Hank gave Logan, this is it."

"Can I see those?" Kurt handed Scott the coordinates.

A few moments passed as Scott looked them over.

"This is all correct, but where's the lab?" Scott looked to Kurt who shrugged.

They all looked out the windows.

"Hey there it is." Kitty pointed out her window.

"Yeah that's it. But I just looked over there. I didn't see anything."

"Maybe you just weren't looking hard enough Scott."

"Yeah maybe you're right."

"Elf, put 'er down nice n' easy, n' don't forget to put on the camouflaging unit."

Logan commanded.

After the Kurt landed the blackbird, they all slowly filed out.

"Alright, 'Ro, Remy, Rogue and Kurt, ya all comin' wit' me. The rest o' ya go wit' Scott."

They all nodded.

"We'll keep in touch by comlinks, my team 'ill take the back, Scott your team will take the inside. All clear?"

Scott nodded.

"Alright. Now remember try to keep as quiet as you can. This is a complete stealth mission. Unless o' course, something happens and than we're forced to use our powers. Got it? Good. Lets move."

~x~x~x~x~x~x~

Mesmero stood at the number of computers in the lab. He typed a few keys on the keyboard, He searched the security cameras, he's eyes grew wide as he saw the X-men approaching the building.

"Master we have intruders!" He shouted to Apocalypse.

"What? Who?"

"The X-men."

"Ha, ha, they actually think they can get past Apocalypse?"

"But how did they find us Master?"

"That doesn't matter Mesmero. Send the horseman out to stall them. The time has come."

"But master, you can't go through with the plan, not with the X-men here."

"And why not Mesmero? Once I have the girl at my disposal not even the army will be able to stop me."

"But Master…."

"Did you not hear me Mesmero? Send the horseman out. It is time."

~x~x~x~x~x~x~

I know shorter chap, but this was a good place to stop. Don't want one chap to go on infinitely.

R u gettin' tired of Apocy already? Good cause so I am…n' the action hasn't even started yet. But it's comin up! So keep on readin' and reviewin' n' I'll post an' we'll all be one big happy family! Er…nah…not really…I hate Barney anyway.