Egypt
Apocalypse had sat upon his throne for a day straight. Lilandra knew whenever he did this he was great in thought. It was most likely about the High Evolutionary situation though she had thought the High Lord would be above worrying about such pitiful matters, but of course he heard what she now believes to be her pitiful cries of help to kill her brother, D'Ken. Finally the High Lord rose out of his seat and called his Horsemen to him.
"Who will be our emissary to the heroes?" Lust asked as stroked her body slightly. She was always in a constant mood of being… well very sexual. She had to fight to control it herself so her powers were much more potent on other people. No one has ever been able to resist her powers expect for the former Weapon X agent, Mystique.
"All of you will be my emissaries just to different groups. Doom I want you to head to Six Castle since you use to work with Momentum in Cassidy's New Mutants. Since the X-Men are now at Six Castle as well you'll have two groups to convince. Death I want you to go to the Hellfire Club since you helped Roderick Worthington overcome the Shadow King possessing him. War and Wrath I'll need you to make allies of the Defenders since you both have had dealings with them. Pestilence and Famine to the Morlocks you will go. Finally Lust the Avengers will be yours to deal with. Now go and don't return until you have done as I asked!" Apocalypse roared loudly. The Horsemen simply bowed unshaken by his voice and left his abode in great haste.
Out from behind Apocalypse's throne came Ozymandias. His body shimmered in the light. He had long served Apocalypse and had almost become equals. He was the closest thing Apocalypse had to a friend.
"Well, Apocalypse are you sure they will be able to convince the heroes to work with one of their worst foes?"
"Ozymandias you are the only one of my servants I allow to call me Apocalypse. Lilandra may gain that honor one day, but until that time I suggest you don't stretch your freedom with me. To answer your question yes I have faith in my Horsemen. Almost as much faith as I have that I will defeat the Prophesied," Apocalypse smiled. Ozymandias knew that his master wanted to know if he had any visions.
"Yes my lord I have news to speak of. The gatherer of the Prophesied, Adam Warlock is here on Earth and he will remain here for a while to come. Also I have had a vision of another member of the Prophesied. He's the one called Spider-Man I believe," Ozymandias said looking away from his master. He was lying of course. He couldn't allow his master to ascend to ultimate power by defeating the Prophesied. He knew too well what Apocalypse would do with that kind of power yet, he didn't want to see the man who he owed everything to die. There had to be a way to have it both ways; to save Apocalypse and stop him all at once. There just had to be a way.
"Excellent my friend."
Six Castle
"How are they doing doc?" a bandaged Blink asked the team's new resident doctor, John Sublime.
"Momentum's hurt pretty badly, but his healing abilities will pull him through. Phase has few broken ribs and a concussion. She'll pull through as will everyone else, but the only two I'm worried about are Feral and Dazzler. They both suffered enormous trauma and lost a lot of blood."
"Damn! I can't believe we underestimated the Brotherhood so badly! They handed our lungs to us and easily at that," Blink said her mind so filled with fury she began to cry.
"Don't worry dear. It's not your fault. They'll be fine trust me. Xavier is sending some of his best…"
"Tell him he can keep whatever he has to offer! I don't want that man's help," Blink said as she leaned against the wall and buried her hands in her face.
"Blink why are you attacking like this? Xavier is a great man who…"
"Couldn't even show up for his best friend's funeral! He couldn't have been doing such great work that he couldn't even attend his best friend's funeral. I didn't even know Magneto very well but I came to the funeral because he was a friend of my father, Stick and you sit here and tell me Magneto is a great man," Blink criticized rudely.
"How would you feel if Phase died Blink? I honestly don't you think you would be able to bear it. If I'm correct you became a cocaine addict after the death of Stick."
"At least I would go to her damn funeral. Don't try and give me a life lesson here Elektra!" Blink yelled as she got up and close with Ms. Natchios.
"The point is child that Xavier did come to Magnus's funeral after most of you had left. He has always been a man of control and he knew he would lose it if he was around all of Magnus's friends and family," Elektra stated matter-of-factly casting a dumbfounded look upon the face of Blink.
"As I was saying Xavier will be sending us his finest doctors and medical equipment," John Sublime said with a victorious smile. Just as he was about to prepare for the arrival of Xavier's assistance a bellowing bleeping sound went off down the hallway.
"That's the intruder alarm! Cerebro identify the intruder," Elektra commanded.
Intruder is designate Sunfire also known as the Horsemen Doom
"Damn it's just me and you I guess Blink. Are you ready to get your ass handed to you again?"
"You better be joking Elektra."
"Humor is not something that becomes me," Elektra said as she looked back on Clarice with a look that chilled young Blink to the bone.
"What about Adam?" Blink managed to mutter out.
"He's at Avengers Mansion right now trying to inform them of the situation with the High Evolutionary."
"Just great. I really don't need any more bruises," Blink sighed putting her hand to her forehead.
"I think you should be more worried about burns."
"You really know how to brighten up someone's day Elektra."
Shaw Mansion
"Surely Roderick you know that what I'm saying is true!" Death said angered.
"What I also know is that you serve one of the most evil men on Earth and that the same man also horrifically altered my older brother. So give me a good reason as to why I should believe you," Roderick Worthington exclaimed.
Death looked around the room. No Harry Leland Jr. wouldn't work. Maybe Shinobi Shaw or his sister Lillian could work. Damn he would have to do this the hard way.
"If you will allow a brief mind-link Roderick I will prove everything I say is true."
"HA! This is laughable. Do you really expect Roderick to allow you in his mind and manipulate it because that's exactly what you intend to do!" Kevin McTaggert laughed.
"Then let him perform a mind-link on me. My magic abilities will protect me from his telepathy," Gloria Fate suggested. She looked up at Exodus with a mischievous smile.
"That sounds fine to me Roderick. I really can't see any harm in it. Of course it might be fun to see Gloria being stringed along like a puppet," Candy Worthington teased.
"Roderick you are a fool if you let this mutant join with Gloria. There's no telling what he might try to do to her!" Kevin protested.
Exodus watched the faces of each one of the Hellfire Club members. All of them were reacting to his news differently, but the one that interested him the most was Harry Leland who seemed to be contemplating the situation carefully. He was a lot like his father.
"Roderick it's obvious the course of action that must be taken. We cannot allow Exodus to enter the mind of one of us for fear of manipulation, but we have to explore the validity of his news. I say you send Kevin and me to Egypt with Exodus. Would you agree to this resolution?" Harry asked. Roderick nodded his head and turned his eyes intently on Kevin. The young Irish smiled wickedly and rose from his seat prepared to follow the Horsemen of Death.
"Thank you Roderick. Follow me my two esteemed future comrades in arms," Exodus exclaimed waving his hand quickly to the direction of where his transit portal was about to form.
"That remains to be seen Horsemen," Kevin spat viciously. He didn't trust Exodus for all that was in him.
Six Castle
Dr. Sublime knew he wouldn't be able to help in fighting Doom, but possibly he could call up someone who could. He just hoped the man had kept his communicator online.
"Yes this is Forge. OH Dr. Sublime! What a lovely surprise! How may I help you?"
"Forge you've got to bring help. Doom is outside the castle and only Blink and Elektra are around to fight him! There is absolutely no way they can win! Please help us," Dr. Sublime pleaded.
"I'll be on my shortly. Forge out!"
Dr. Sublime sat in his chair somewhat relieved that help was on its way for his two friends. He just hoped it would be enough to go up against Doom. He had seen how that guy destroyed all of Arcade's Murderworlds.
