The two groups along with Blink soon entered a large open area as they saw a large stealth fighter designed black jet in the center and a bald man in a wheel chair waiting for them along with a man standing next to him that was familiar to Al, Miriam, and the founding members of Reformed Society.
"Magneto? You're here too?" Captain Cold asked.
"This may not be the same Magneto we've met before." Miriam said.
"But if the Brotherhood of Mutants are here, that means that things have really gone downhill." Cheetah said.
"Yes, Apocalypse is far too strong for either team to battle alone, even though it's a stressful situation, thousands of lives are depending on us, which is why the X-Men and Brotherhood must work together." Professor Xavier said. "Which is why I would like to ask of both of your groups' help as well."
"You would request our help, Professor?" Zamazenta asked.
"Yes, I have heard of your many exploits in helping those in need, which is why I believe your aid would be most welcome into helping us stop Apocalypse." Professor Xavier said.
"We'd like to help in any way we can, Professor." Ace said. "Right?"
"Yes. We will." Zamazenta said.
"Thank you, our main priority right now is to free the people of Genosha, but first you must find the Security Codes to gain access to Genosha, I shall explain more in the Mission Briefing." Professor X said.
Some members of the groups gathered near the Mission Computer along with a few members of the Brotherhood and the X-Men as Professor Xavier began.
"Let me start this meeting by thanking you and your teammates for rescuing Blink, Cheetah." Professor Xavier said.
"I thank you, Professor. I know that myself and my counterparts don't exactly have the best reputation in this universe." Cheetah said.
"But we are glad you and your friends are willin' to help us all out." A young woman with brown hair and white streaks said with a southern accent.
Rouge
Southern Belle Powerhouse.
"I'd do the same thing if it was my sector being attacked by Darkseid." Cheetah said.
"Yeah, and we'd help you all the way." Papelne said.
"So what's our next step, Professor?" A man with a tattoo of the letter M over his eye asked.
Bishop
Energy Absorbing Time Traveler.
"To free Genosha, we must first acquire the security codes for the City's Doors." Professor Xavier said.
"Doesn't Magneto already know them?" Bishop asked.
"No. The Codes were computer-generated daily and transmitted to the airships. I can only hope Apocalypse hasn't figured out how to generate new codes." Magneto said.
"So we'll be able to find the latest security codes from the airships in the Dead Zone then?" X asked.
"We'll have to hurry, then." Angelo said. "If Apocalypse figures out how to generate those codes, it could spell disaster for everyone."
"Correct. Which is why a team must travel further into the Dead Zone. There they can retrieve the security codes from the computer of a downed airship." Professor Xavier said.
"This sounds too easy, nonetheless we should keep our guard up. Chances are we'll be dealing with those bugs and some of Apocalypse's soldiers." Harpuia said.
"We can only hope. Be on your way and be on your guard. Good luck." Professor Xavier said.
"I'll warp you guys back to where you found me, and form another portal so you can reach the other side of the Dead Zone." Blink said, throwing a crystal in front of her as it formed a portal. "I'll be ready to help you guys out anytime you need a portal."
"That will be very helpful. Thank you." Riesz said.
The group soon found themselves back in the Dead Zone as they began their trek for the Security Codes and as they made their way through, the ground collapsed in front of them as it revealed a tunnel which they soon entered.
Cerci Caverns…
The group walked through the caves as they came across bugs that were different from the ones they fought before.
"Hmm… This one is new." Toya said.
"They're known as Cerci. Apocalypse had them genetically designed to aid in the attack on Genosha. They could potentially overrun the island in a matter of weeks." Professor Xavier said.
"Then we'd better do some pest control while we're searching for the security codes." Zero said.
The group dealt with Cerci and any nests they found as they soon spotted a computer node on the ground.
"This node… I wonder what this could be." Riesz said.
"It must be one of the security codes we need to enter Genosha, let's see if there are other ones." Mari said as the group soon reached a tunnel that led them back to the surface before coming face to face with a large hairy red man in a combat uniform with bands wrapped around his arms.
"Haven't seen this one before? Who is he?" Poison Ivy asked.
"Be careful, everyone. He's a dangerous foe." Cheetah said.
"Grizzly! What are you doing in the Dead Zone?" Jean Grey said.
"I'm tryin' to track down anybody who mighta escaped from Genosha. The little ingrates keep tryin' ta run away." The man known as Grizzly said.
"And probably for good reason since most of the citizens are imprisoned." Dhar said.
"Everyone, wait. It looks like he is under some sort of mind control." Cheetah said.
"Cheetah's right, I can feel his confusion, he's not a bad person. Maybe I can use my psychic powers to help him." Jean Grey said.
"It doesn't look like he's willing to stand still and let it happen. So, our only option is to fight him, and knock him out." Cheetah said.
"Hahaha. This is gonna be fun!" Grizzly said. "Besides, I'm helping out Apocalypse because he's allowing me to go crazy and kill people. So I refuse to be helped out by you goody twoshoes!"
"Heh. Normally, I would've said the same thing." Cheetah said. "But this is beyond any normal stretch of morality. Apocalypse comes unwelcomed to us all."
"Apocalypse will create a world where the strong rule over the weak, survival of the fittest, hahahaha!" Grizzly laughed.
"We will not let that happen!" Riesz said, readying her spear.
"Let's go!" Luke said.
(Cue- Confidence in the Domination- Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth)
"O Frigid Blades pour forth...Icicle Rain!" Jade called, as a blue portal formed above Grizzly and rained icicles down onto him.
"Let's see if I can get in on it too." Zenji said. "O gathering flames of darkness, treat our dear guests to the strains of your terrible song… Bloody Howling!" he called as pink-red flames erupted as it let out an eerie moan, hitting Grizzly multiple times.
"Wind! Ha!" Riesz called, thrusting her spear and generating a small whirlwind before striking Grizzly.
"Here I go." Angelo said as he fired multiple arrows at the sky as they flew at Grizzly.
"Can you withstand the heat?" Vargas said. "Finishing Strike! Ardent Flare Ride!" he called, dealing a multihit combo before executing a rising blade strike as erupting flames followed.
"You ain't seen the last of me!" Grizzly said before he fell to the ground.
"Whew… We managed to subdue him." Cheetah said.
"Hey, he dropped something." Al said, picking up two computer nodes.
"These must be more of those security codes." Cheetah said.
"Now that we have all three, we can get into the city and free the people." Harpuia said.
"If I recall correctly, there's an entrance underground that will lead to the city's entrance nearby." Scarlet Witch said as cretaceous critters popped out of said tunnels.
"More enemies. Guess we'll have to deal with them on the way." Jessica said.
"Time to squash more bugs, and me without my bug spray." Lei said.
The group soon dealt with the bugs as they entered the tunnels and worked their way down while dealing with any remaining Cerci Nests and Queens.
"According to the map, the entrance should be right up...ahead." Mari said as the group saw a man in a white and blue jumpsuit waiting for them.
"What are you doing here, Magneto? Shouldn't you be sitting on a throne giving orders? It's not your style to do any of the dirty work." The man said.
"Zealot, you have no idea the number of times I wanted to permanently silence your endless prattle during the Genoshan Council meetings." Magneto said.
"You can't silence me, Magneto. The people of Genosha know that I will lead them to a better tomorrow. They are done listening to your poisonous lies." Zealot said.
"This one really likes to hear himself talk, doesn't he?" Koren asked.
"You have no idea." Scarlet Witch said.
"You...as the leader? Ha! The people of Genosha would sooner be ruled over by a chimpanzee. Face it, Zealot, you were barely able to garner enough votes to join the council." Magneto said.
"Ooh!" Al said.
"Ouch! That's an even worse burn than Mick can deal." Captain Cold said.
"You've insulted me for the last time, Magneto! I will destroy you and the rest of this lot!" Zealot said.
"His power is the ability to manipulate the earth around him, watch yourselves." Magneto said.
"Then perhaps it's time I step up. Earthquake!" Koren said.
Multiple stalactites erupted underneath Zealot, sending him flying into the air.
"Havoc Strike!" Luke called, jumping and spinning into the air before slamming down onto Zealot.
"Coming through! Iron Head!" Zamazenta said.
"Argh!" Zealot yelled as he was slammed into the wall. "Curse you, Magneto!" he said before collapsing to the ground.
"That guy has a serious ego problem, for sure." Zamazenta said.
"Indeed." Magneto said.
The group soon arrived at the entrance as Mari used the security codes to unlock the door as a female Genoshan prisoner came running out.
"Quickly, get out of here! Apocalypse mined the seawall with bombs! If he detonates them, the entire city will flood!" The Genoshan Woman said.
"Blink, can you teleport her to the Sanctuary?" Tear asked.
"You got it! Teleporting now." Blink said, summoning a portal for the Genoshan Prisoner.
"This does not bode well." Ace said. "Professor Xavier, we've just learned that Apocalypse has lined bombs on Genosha's seawall."
"This is most distressing. Meet with me at the Sanctuary and we can discuss in greater detail." Professor Xavier said.
"Roger that." Cheetah said.
The group soon returned via portal to the Sanctuary as they began the mission briefing on the Seawall bombs.
"We did well, battling our way through the Cerci Tunnels and defeating Zealot. But now a much bigger challenge awaits us." Magneto said.
"Yes, those Seawall Bombs that were mentioned earlier. It's an incredibly dangerous situation." Sojiro said.
"Yes, all of Genosha would flood, thousands would drown." Scarlet Witch said.
"If Apocalypse knew we would attempt to retake the City, he would detonate them. Which is why we must be cautious and deal with these bombs as soon as possible before we press further into the city." Spade said.
"Agreed. Even the slightest sudden movement could set them off." Cheetah said.
"Then let us proceed immediately." Magneto said.
