A/N: Hello again, everyone! Sorry that this one's a bit late, but work and Christmas related stuff have been taking up more of my time. I hope you enjoy this regardless of the delay.
A minor note- I take a small degree of liberty with some dialogue taken from episode 26 and how a scene plays out, but I had been using a leaked script from the FB fanpage, which came out long after this story (and the previously published arc) had been planned out, and it was too difficult to rearrange things or drop the arc at such short notice, after some of it had already been published to boot. Had it happened just before, maybe things would've been different, but hey. This is fanfiction, so please forgive me. Enjoy!
The officer disembarked from the transport, a smile forming underneath his helmet as he realised what this could perhaps mean for his career. This fugitive was considered a high-priority prisoner, and if he was successfully returned to custody, it could mean such rewards as genetic or cybernetic enhancement, yes, Sinister was an expert in those fields. Of course, he would not push his master for such a reward, to do so would be foolish; Sinister tended to reward those that he knew would continually prove their worth and despised open glory-hogging unless his master was the one doing it.
He reached for the prone form of Charles Xavier, going down on one knee and fumbling as he struggled to find the handle for the helmet, pulling up as he eventually got a hold of it-
-but when he pulled the helmet off the prone man's head, he discovered that the man in question had a head full of hair, was at least twenty years younger than the escapee, and quite simply wasn't who they were looking for. His face was weak and battered, and clearly Xavier must have pulled him in off the street.
"It's not him! Check inside!" All traces of smugness had gone from his voice as he barked the orders to the teleporting soldiers, who disappeared and reappeared in the interior part of the warehouse, fists ready to fire as they both covered one another's backs. There was a momentary pause as one of them stared towards the far door, expecting to see him running towards it and opening it, but it was already ajar.
"He's not here, sir!"
Outside, the officer was struggling to keep his cool, sprinting towards the transport and climbing back inside, struggling to catch his breath. Behind him, some of the soldiers were starting to do the same.
"If he's not there, then he can't be far away! We don't return to the Pens without him, or Sinister will have our heads! Get back on the transport, all of you!"
The two teleporting soldiers left the confines of the warehouse, likely making an effort to get ahead of the prisoner, and as they did so the last few soldiers that hadn't grabbed hold of the transport's alcoves clambered back in, before the vehicle took off down the street, to the alarm of the pedestrians.
"No more games. If we corner him again and he tries to make a run for it, we go for the kill solution."
The Citadel
It was surprisingly easy to forget that the Citadel was being suspended in the air once you spent enough time inside. While the majority of the prisoners were kept in the Pens for ease of transport and security, a few special individuals, mostly secret science experiments, had been granted the honour of residence here, and the dungeons may have been small in comparison, but by their own merits they still held a noteworthy amount of people, even with some cells being left empty. In the unlikely event that you were able to navigate through the prison, there was the additional distraction of the backup generators, in the event that the power station below was to fail and disable the energy beam holding it aloft, and then the dining facilities, food storage, armoury, and personal quarters alone took up a good chunk of space.
The man in the shadows smiled, as crowds gathered below on the elevated platforms. Stealing a brief glance over the edge of the balcony, taking care not to reveal himself too early to the masses below, he saw that attendance was high once again. It had never been said that it was compulsory to arrive for decree, but in the mind of Lord Apocalypse it was a good way to weed out some dissenters, and for that reason the intelligence services kept an absence record, with three absences earning the dissenters an unspecified amount of time in the Pens, from which exit was never guaranteed.
His thoughts were distracted as he saw an air carrier soar through the air towards the docking port of the Citadel, the wide door opening to grant it passage. He waited a few minutes, having a good idea as to who was onboard and making their way towards him. Surely enough, his guesses were validated as the staging room doors parted to let in Mister Sinister.
"I hear that a prisoner has escaped from the Pens, master," Cyclops said, smiling as he stood in a cool and collected stance. For anyone else, the sight would have been menacing, in no small part owing to the eyepatch covering one eye and the glowing visor covering the other. For Sinister, it was just melodramatic, and he paid the gesture no attention as he took a position on the right side of the doors, afternoon sunlight flooding in from a side window, accompanied the cheers of the unseen masses.
"It's nothing."
"Nothing?" Cyclops was clearly sceptical, and his face made no effort to hide it. "That's never happened before. Who was it?"
"Unimportant," Sinister bluntly replied. "The Pale Riders are taking over the search. The escapee won't have long left to enjoy his freedom."
A moment passed where neither of them spoke, and the cheering filled the silence before Cyclops chose to try and restart the conversation.
"You should never have put Havok in charge of the Pens. He's too undisciplined."
"Havok will do fine, Cyclops." The reply was short, but the tone of voice clearly stated that this was not an argument to have now, if at all. Sinister turned towards the balcony doors.
"Now... on to more significant matters. Let's prepare our citizens for their master's appearance."
As the pair stepped into the blinding sunlight, they heard the crowd erupt, with enthusiastic cheering from all sides.
Pale Rider compound- exterior
Xavier raced up to the stone wall, now in little more than his prisoner gear, although he had reluctantly stolen the pedestrian's coat in order to cover up. He ducked out of sight as he kept an eye on the winged figure in the sky. It didn't appear to be anyone he recognised as first, but gradually the conversations with Logan came back to him. He had mentioned something about Sinister abducting Warren after promising to restore his wings, but he had not mentioned all the details about the surgery that Warren had undergone.
Blue, with metal wings, Archangel soared overhead towards what had once been the Xavier Institute, only it had been changed from a place of knowledge and sanctuary to a military facility. While the X-Men operated out of the Xavier Institute and had installed multiple defences, it had been in the interest of the mutants there. This was something different.
As Archangel glided onto the roof, he passed over dozens of Infinite Soldiers and at least five transports, with the old defence turrets having been upgraded from machine guns to a mixture of plasma turrets and heavy lasers, with a few anti-aircraft batteries scattered around the compound. Xavier ducked behind a bush as he heard the approach of a motorbike, and turned to see its sleek and black form.
On top of the bike sat a woman clad in dark red gear, blonde hair going past her shoulders. He didn't know it, but her name was Candra, and she was a mutant that possessed the power of telekinesis, which she could use both offensively and medicinally, to heal her own body and stave off the natural aging process. She pulled up to the gate, waiting until it opened to grant her access to the facility.
As the gate began to close again, Xavier moved away, clinging to the wall as much as possible, and he eventually reached another bush and lifting it aside, revealing it to be the entrance to a tunnel. He crawled through, taking care to shut it behind him as he went in. Minutes later, he lifted a large rock near the rear wall of the compound that covered the access shaft, and placed it back once he had climbed out. It made a good hatch for the tunnel, he reflected, being glad he had not informed many people of the tunnel's existence.
With that thought, he found the second hatch, lifting it and beginning his descent. This plan he had would likely not buy the X-Men much time, but it had to be attempted. They needed to be given all the details.
This nightmarish world was one that scared him, and he dreaded to think who was behind it.
Pale Rider compound interior, planning room
The room that the Pale Riders were about to enter had once been the X-Men's dining room, where students, teachers and operatives had eaten together. For many of them, it had been the closest that they had to family meals. Those days had long since passed, and where there had once been tables, trays and comfortable chairs, there were now holo-maps, consoles and sleek terminals lining the walls, complimented by the banners that hung down, each covered by pyramid symbols.
From one of the far doors entered a man clad in plate armour, designed to resemble a Japanese samurai, although the colour scheme was not necessarily a usual one. On various parts of the armour were red studs to compliment the gunmetal grey plating, with a golden utility belt and a giant broadsword. On his forehead was a red, upside-down Omega symbol tattoo.
As Silver Samurai entered the room, he was flanked by both Candra and Archangel, as the door opposite to them slid open to reveal a dark-haired woman, clad in equally black, relatively revealing clothing- specifically a dress, leggings and gloves that covered most of her arm, with boots that went up to her knees and a dark cape trailing from her shoulders.
"Selene, you summoned us. Is there a reason for this, or should we return to hunting Human High Council resistance members in the Badlands?"
The only response that Silver Samurai got at first was a frown.
"Yes, Harada, there is a reason that I chose to recall the three of you from dealing with hostiles on our turf." As she said this, she brought up a photograph of Charles Xavier on one of the terminal screens.
"We've done our best to keep the story under wraps, but this prisoner recently escaped from solitary confinement in the Pens. Initial efforts to recapture him have been... disappointing, and the Infinites have lost the fugitive. The hunt goes to us, now."
Candra walked over to the holo-map, touching a location to magnify on it. A more detailed scan of the industrial area appeared, with a marker flashing near one of the warehouses.
"He was last seen here, in district eighty-three. The Three-In-One are scanning for him now."
Same time, Sublevel Storage Room
The back wall of the storage room slid away to reveal the tunnel that had led from outside the mansion, power cables and conduits scattered almost everywhere. Xavier emerged from the tunnel, put the wall back into its rightful place, and moved towards the door at the end.
Opening the door so that it was ajar, he stole a glance to the left and to the right to make sure the coast was clear, then began sneaking down the corridor. What he saw was slightly unexpected, but compared to the airborne, pyramid-shaped Citadel and the vision he had from checking the pedestrian's mind, it was small peas.
The three women sat in front of a modified Cerebro, each wearing headgear and focused on their own set of floating images out in the sphere. He thought that they were three of the five Stepford Cuckoos, but was not entirely sure as to their names. No matter, this had to be done, and fast.
The shadowy figures on Cerebro's displays drifted past and dissipated in front of them, until the focus began to shift away from the war zone that they had been watching and the form of Xavier solidified enough to show that he was in the chamber and right behind them. The one on the right turned, startled to see him there, fingers at his temple and glare levelled at them.
"Goodnight, girls."
All three collapsed from their chairs and slid to the floor as he seized one of their headgear units, slipping it onto his head and taking a seat. He placed his hands on the flat screens- he was used to using Cerebro, but it was really necessary in this case to amplify its power.
He desperately hoped that Logan, or at least somebody, would be around to answer his call.
Xavier Mansion, Present Day
The prone form of Charles Xavier lay propped up on the bed, joined to the life support machinery that had been set up next to him by a series of tubes and wires that monitored everything from blood pressure to brain waves. Opposite the machinery sat Logan, although he was leaning on his knees, having been there for a long time.
Logan, Logan? Can you hear me?
The voice was distorted, but enough to cause Logan to bolt upright, now standing.
"Charles? Charles? Yeah... I hear ya. What happened? We've been waiting to-"
Cerebro Chamber, Unknown Future
"I'm sorry, we haven't much time," Xavier replied, seeing Logan's face appear as a vaporous, astral image on the display. "Please assemble the X-Men. When you do, I'll fill you in on everything."
"You got it. I'll get everyone who's around and hail everyone else to get back here," Logan said, rushing offscreen and yelling for somebody.
Pale Rider Institute Terrace, Unknown Future
Selene stared out over the city towards the sound of the chanting and cheering crowds. She had to strain to hear, but their cries could be faintly understood. It was weird to think that for this continent, this was the closest that any mutant had to paradise.
"Apocalypse, Apocalypse, Apocalypse!"
She raised a hand to her comm.
"Girls? I expected an update from you by now. Has any progress been made?"
She turned and entered the main building, now concerned.
"Phoebe? Celeste? Mindee, answer me, any of you."
Not getting a reply, she frowned, and strode into the planning room, hitting an alarm. Instantly, Candra and Silver Samurai reappeared in front of her. She knew Archangel was patrolling the airspace of the institute, so the three of them would be enough.
"Candra, cover the main exits of the complex and take as many soldiers as you need to do so. Samurai, you take over the main walls and call in for reinforcements from the city."
"All this for one man?" Candra scoffed.
"Lord Apocalypse managed to unite his warriors under his banner because they feared him, and he is just one individual, as powerful and great as he may be. I am aware that our target may not approach Lord Apocalypse in terms of power and vision, but never again dismiss a target because they are just one man," Selene shot back, making certain that the scorn in her voice was clear. "Do you understand?"
"Yes, madam," came the somewhat sheepish reply.
"As for me, I will deal with a situation that appears to have developed below. The Cuckoo trio is not responding to my messages. Given the fugitive and his efforts to derail things, he's almost certainly behind this," she stated, matter-of-factly, as she marched towards the lift, calling it up and getting inside in order to head downstairs.
Xavier Mansion, Present Day
The image of an anxious Charles Xavier looking at the chamber doors greeted Logan, Scott, Jean, Kitty, Rogue, Forge, Tildie and Piotr as they walked into the room to speak to him.
"Okay, Chuck. This is everybody that we could get on short notice. Storm's off with Iceman, Beast and Nightcrawler in Genosha, but we'll try to get a hold of 'em once you've filled us in."
Xavier smiled.
"Greetings, my X-Men," echoed his reassuring voice. He took a moment to pause and beam at Jean. "Hello, Jean. I've missed you. Piotr, it is great to see you as well."
"I've missed you too, Professor," came the sheepish but sincere reply from both of them.
"It's truly wonderful to see all of you- well, most of you- again."
Logan took a breath. He was pleased that the reunion seemed to be going well, but it was time to cut to the chase.
"So, uh... we're kinda dying to know. How did we do?"
"I congratulate everyone," the Professor said. "You not only stopped the war, you saved the world from the Phoenix, and prevented the rise of the Sentinels. Indeed, you've changed the course of the future."
It was at this point that the smile vanished from his face, replaced by a hint of sorrow.
"However, I fear our fight has only just begun."
Cerebro Chamber Exterior, Unknown Future
The lift doors opened as Selene walked out, heading towards the chamber door. She could faintly make out multiple voices, although none of them sounded like the Cuckoos, who seldom talked while working in any case.
Cerebro Chamber Interior, Same Time
Xavier continued talking as the spectral image of the X-Men flickered on the display screen.
"There is still much for me to learn, but there is one thing that I know for certain. A mutant tyrant has risen to power. He calls himself Apocalypse, and his empire is mighty. He's aided by somebody you know all too well. Sinister. "
He could see that Jean wasn't particularly happy to hear this piece of information, and Scott was equally nonplussed. He could hardly blame them, but he needed to keep talking.
"But the most alarming discovery of all is that... mutants are the dominant species, because humanity has been all but wiped out."
The looks on everyone's faces could only be described as horrified.
"Their fate is still a mystery, but-"
Xavier Mansion, present day
He didn't get a chance to finish the sentence, and the X-Men saw his image wisp away with an alarmed gasp. Logan rushed to the clear dome that housed his body back in the present, deathly silent for a moment.
"Charles? Charles!"
There was no reply, and his image did not return.
"Get hold of Ororo! Tell her that Genosha needs to be put on hold for now and that she needs to get back here NOW!"
Kitty stared at the communication console, realising that she couldn't get through to any of their comms.
"I can't get hold of them! Something's blocking their signals!"
I have more to write on Charles Xavier, but I felt that it was best to save it for a later point. I wanted to make some progress on the AoA front, however limited, in part because I haven't shown too much of it until recently; even now, there's much still to explore.
I'm writing this last part of the post-chapter thing because I don't know if I'll get to upload before New Year, or before I head off to France to work for three months. I just want to thank everyone so much for their support; the last two months of writing on Fanfiction have easily been my best. If you haven't, drop me a constructive review, vote on my profile's poll and recommend it to your friends. If anyone's on the "1M to Save WATXM" FB page, a share on there would be appreciated.
Hopefully, the next chapter will be up before the 5th January. If it's not, then I'll upload a filler chapter explaining my complicated schedule before an actual chapter is made- when stuff gets sorted out I'll remove the filler chapter.
Okay, this is getting into TL;DR territory, so I'm signing off. Take care!