AN:/ Sorry for the delay but I just graduated from Uni, when I got ill, my grandma went into hospital to have a hip replacement, then I was away for a weekend at the British Grand Prix and then my grandma overdosed so real life has been a bitch. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, hopefully the next update won't take as long, I do have some notes for the next few chapters so fingers crossed. Here you go.
NB: Psylocke has some of her shadow powers as in the comics, as well as her telepathy and telekinesis which is altered slightly from the comics.
Disclaimer: Don't own it, not mine OK. I'm an unemployed graduate do you really think I have the money!
Chapter 5 – the first signs of the Apocalypse
Tibet
Apocalypse surveyed the group of mutants in the shadows in front of him, his 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse, looking over each mutant in turn before turning to face Mystique and saying, "excellent work, you have chosen well. They will bring about my victory."
Turning to back to the shadowed mutants, he beckoned them forward. "War, the mutant Boom Boom; Famine, the mutant Avalanche; Pestilence, the mutant Psylocke; and finally Death, the mutant Angel. My horsemen I require your services. In order for my plan to work, I require certain artefacts that are currently situated in various museums throughout Egypt, Mexico and China. Once you have obtained these items return them to me, and use any force necessary to acquire them."
With this the Horsemen turned from Apocalypse to do his bidding. As Psylocke opened a shadow portal they disappeared from view, heading towards their first destination to bring Apocalypse's plan closer to fruition.
Mexico City, Mexico
The crowds ran screaming out of the doors of the cathedral as explosions were heard within as the horsemen attempted to find the required relic, the Rings of Osiris. Eventually the three rings were located and the horsemen left the cathedral into the chaos caused by their appearance. As Psylocke opened another portal to their next destination, Avalanche started an earthquake causing further destruction, this time far more widespread and covering up some of their tracks. The earthquake rumbling on, the four horsemen entered the portal, and as it closed behind them the earthquake stopped. Left behind the horsemen was one devastated city, rife with death and destruction.
Shanghai, China
The area surrounding the city centre was in ruins following what appeared to be a series of earthquakes, which had followed a couple of large explosions currently believed to be terrorist bombs, that had devastated one of the largest collections of Chinese antiques spanning a number of dynasties. The Horsemen easily obtained the second artefact, the Bracelet of Osiris, leaving almost as quickly as they arrived, before heading to their final destination, Cairo.
Cairo, Egypt
The portal opened up at the Horsemen's final destination, the Museum of Antiquities in Cairo, where they were to obtain the final two items in the set, the Sceptre and the Spear. It was late at night, so there were only the night watchmen to deal with and they were easily dispatched with a psychic blade from Psylocke. Boom Boom opened the safe with a loud explosion. Upon entering the safe, and with no care for the extra security measures that were sure to bring in reinforcements, they easily found the Spear, but the Sceptre was nowhere to be found. Questioning of the security guards proved uninformative, they knew very little and the Horsemen decided to leave and return to Apocalypse. As they left Boom Boom threw a handful of highly explosive bombs that detonated as the Horsemen entered the portal to return to Tibet, leaving a trail of destruction behind them in three different cities.
Tibet
Apocalypse and Mystique watched as a portal shimmered into existence in the cavern, and the four horsemen appeared.
Death stepped forward to hand Apocalypse the items that they had retrieved saying, "Here my Lord, unfortunately we were unable to obtain the final item as it had recently been borrowed from the Museum of Antiquities for a private showing in America."
"Where in America?"
"The guards were not forthcoming with that information initially, and required some slightly more… drastic measures. Pestilence."
"My scans revealed no initial information, someone had put up strong mental barriers to protect the information my Lord, so I was forced to use some invasive techniques."
"AND…"
"The Sceptre is currently in Bayville, at the residence of one Charles Xavier."
"The X-Men, I will therefore have to bring forward part of my plan and reveal your existence to them. Go, NOW and obtain my Sceptre."
With that the Horsemen and Mystique left, to confront the X-Men in a battle that could not go well.
Bayville, New York
Xavier and Magneto were watching the news as the reports came in from China of the destruction that had been caused, and currently linked to a terrorist attack.
"What do you think Charles?"
"I do not believe that it is terrorists. I fear there is some other force at work."
"Why?" came the puzzled reply.
"Just a feeling I have. I feel more investigation into the events that transpired before the destruction is required, why these areas in particular…"
At this moment their attention was drawn back to the TV as they heard "we interrupt this story for a moment, reports are just coming in of similar destruction having just occurred in Cairo, Egypt. Eye witnesses report hearing and seeing a series of large explosions causing widespread devastation, and there is also talk of people disappearing into thin air, leading to blame being placed on mutant terrorists. More information as we get it. Now back to our reporter in China…"
"These events are not just a coincidence are they Charles"
"Unfortunately I do not think so although as of yet I cannot see a link between the three areas."
"I can Chuck," came from behind them as Logan, and Storm entered the room, "they're the same three places we went last time Apoc was around."
"That's not good. I think we need to call a meeting, all team members need to be informed."
"There are also reports of Ancient Egyptian artefacts being stolen in Mexico, but they are reporting one thing as odd," came the well-educated voice of Henry McCoy as he entered the room.
"What is that Henry?"
"Simply that only one item was stolen, and not even an expensive one. It was from the era of Pharaoh Ramatut, and was part of a collection of four pieces dedicated to Osiris, the other three being exhibited in China and Egypt."
"Coincidence?"
"I think not Erik, and unfortunately the Sceptre part of the set is not currently residing in the Museum of Antiquities,"
"And where is it Chuck."
"In a safe in the lower levels of the mansion, it should take them a while to find out the location of the piece, if they are indeed after it. I put mental blocks on the museum owners and guards, all they can remember is that it is on private show in America."
"Well, that does give us some rest before the real battles begin."
"Good, more Danger Room sessions for the little brats, wear 'em out so they can't cause havoc and it's all for a good cause."
"Do not wear them out too much Logan, you never know when they'll be called on to fight…"
At that moment a loud explosion was heard out on the grounds.
"I told those kids to stop messing around out there."
"But Mr Logan, it, like, wasn't any of us. We're all here because the Prof called us to a meeting," came the voice of Kitty Pryde from behind him. As the instructors turned around they realised that all the students were behind them with the exception of Lance and Betsy, who had reasons for not being there.
"Chuck…"
"I think Apocalypse might have located the final artefact, the Sceptre, faster than we anticipated."
"APOCALYPSE" came the shout from the students
"Ah thought we defeated him."
"We did, but we did not destroy him merely caused him a setback it would appear."
"What are they after."
"An artefact stored here that forms part of a set, we don't know what it does"
BANG
Another explosion was heard, this one a lot closer
"And we think he's coming for it,"
This final comment from the Professor was cut off as one final explosion occurred knocking out the wall. The mutants turned to the hole in the wall in time to see four figures emerging from the dust. As they got closer, their identities became clearer and caused a wave of shock to pass over the assembled mutants.
AN2:/ And that's it for now, I'll try and type the next chappie as quick as poss. Hope you enjoyed. There might be some editing of this chapter, as I'm not that happy with it, but I wanted to get it up, as it's been a while since I updated.
AN3:/ 24-11-04 Not much editing done in the end, but I'm still not entirely happy. I have honestly started the next chapter but I can't write fight scenes so it's taking a bit longer than I thought it would. Sorry.