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Logan growled as he was thrust into the arena. Just previously, he had been whipped countless times by Winter Soldier and was prevented by Apocalypse from killing him. He could smell that Nightcrawler was about and that there was something slightly different about him, as if he was under some sort of mind control
The lights flared on, briefly blinding Logan as a fist slammed into his face, staggering him. Snarling and unsheathing his claws, Wolverine slashed back, but Sabretooth caught his arm and tossed him against the wall, temporarily winding him
"You have no adamantinum?" Sabretooth said, "That's a shame. Guess that'll make it easier for me to break you in half"
"Guess again, bub," Wolverine growled, getting to his feet, "It's your unlucky day"
"Well, for one of you anyway," came Apocalypse's voice over the loudspeaker, "This is a little something I like to call sudden death. Whoever wins will become my Horseman of War"
"Horseman of War?" Sabretooth asked
"One of my personal henchmen. You should see who Death is"
A screen flickered to life, showing a conscious Warren strapped to an upright table, as Mr Sinister worked on something nearby. He then injected something into Warren's body, causing him great pain, as metallic wings grew out from his back. At the same time, his skin was turned blue and a blue and purple outfit appeared on his body
"Meet Archangel," Apocalypse said, "And one of you two will join him. Fight it out"
The screen turned off, as Sabretooth and Wolverine turned back to each other
"That position is going to me," Sabretooth growled
"I don't think so, bub," Wolverine countered, "You're not walking out of here alive"
"How are you gonna survive against me? I have an adamantinum skeleton. You don't. You have no chance""
Sabretooth roared and charged at Wolverine, slamming him against the wall. Wolverine snarled when he felt several ribs breaking and then he was thrown through the air. He slid to a stop, his ribs healing, as he got to his feet and ducked under Sabretooth's fist, before slashing him across the face. Sabretooth growled, touching the blood and striking Wolverine in the jaw, then punching him in the stomach, sinking his claws in. gritting his teeth, Wolverine stabbed Sabretooth in the chest, as he was lifted up and slammed against a wall
-XXXX-
"Okay, we're nearly there," Jean said, "Just over this ridge"
The X-Jet flew over the snowy hills, flying over a large fortress. Already they could see that the Brotherhood was already there, fighting against Apocalypse's guards, while Nightcrawler was battling against the Brotherhood. Omega Red struck him with a tendril and was chastised by Mystique, as Storm landed the jet nearby
"Get ready. This is going to be messy," Cyclops said
The hatch opened up and the X-Men piled out, heading towards the fortress, as the Brotherhood continued fighting against the guards, distracting them. However, Avalanche saw the X-Men sneaking past and shouted out to his teammates
"Oh crap, here we go," Storm said
Her eyes turned white, as she created a blizzard, blinding the Brotherhood. Cyclops blasted the door open and headed inside with the X-Men following after him. At that moment, Juggernaut came bursting through the wall, a grin on his face
"You can't hide from me," he chuckled
"I'll take care of this guy," Colossus said, changing forms
"I'll help you," Shadowcat offered
"No, you go with them"
"No, I'm staying here"
"Just make up your mind," Juggernaut interrupted
The X-Men headed off, as Colossus cracked his neck and walked over. Juggernaut grinned and dodged the first punch, getting struck by the second punch, before swinging his own fist and cracking Colossus across the jaw
"Okay, where are we going to find Logan?" Cyclops asked
"This way," Jean said, "He's not far away"
She headed off in his direction, rounding a corner and finding the Brotherhood standing before them, minus Mystique. She was outside with Nightcrawler, having used magic from the Scarlet Witch to break the mind control over him
"You got what you came for," Jean said, reading Pyro's mind, "Why are you still here?"
"Because we're not finished with you yet," Pyro replied
He sent forth a huge blast of fire, which Jean stopped with her telekinesis. The rest of the Brotherhood moved forth to engage the rest of the X-Men in combat. Havoc blasted Omega Red in the chest, smashing him through a wall, while Gambit swung his staff at Quicksilver, charging his weapon up with kinetic energy and managing to strike Quicksilver in the chest, blasting him through the air. Deathstrike and X23 disappeared into another room, while Cyclops battled against Toad, as Iceman went up against Avalanche and Blob, with help from Storm
Deathstrike kicked X23 in the face, extending her claws and slashing her across the face. X23 growled, unsheathing her claws and striking, only to miss as Deathstrike blocked and kneed her in the stomach, then slashing her across the chest and kicking her against the wall. X23 groaned, getting to her feet and dodging the slashes, as she lashed out, hitting something metallic on Deathstrike. The mutant smiled and sliced away her sleeves, revealing the adamantinum covering them
"Apocalypse took the metal out of me and covered parts of my body with it," Deathstrike said, answering X23's unasked question, "Good luck destroying me"
X23 lunged and slashed; getting thrown into the wall again, more cuts covering her body. Getting to her feet, she sliced away the top half of her uniform, revealing a black midriff tank top. She still had her gloves on, while the leggings of her uniform were held up by her belt
"Leather was getting in the way," X23 said, "Now, that's better"
Deathstrike lunged and sliced, as X23 dodged her and spun around, slashing her back. She scored an elbow to the face, but ducked under Deathstrike's roundhouse kick and stabbed. Deathstrike caught her wrist and twisted backwards, stabbing her in the stomach several times. X23 slashed her across the face, before twisting her body and throwing Deathstrike over her shoulder. The mutant kicked X23 in the face and flipped onto her feet, as X23 did a cartwheel. Her foot claw popped out, impaling Deathstrike through the face. Removing her claw, X23 landed on her feet, smiling at Deathstrike's body slumped to the floor, blood pooling around her head
"Now to find Dad"
-XXXX-
Wolverine was panting heavily, his wounds healing as he stared down at the defeated form of Sabretooth. His blood had pooled around him from the multiple wounds he received from Wolverine in the furious fight. Sabretooth was still alive, but too weak to do anything, as Wolverine turned his back
"Why don't you kill me?" Sabretooth asked
"Because you're not worth it," Wolverine replied
"But you are," Apocalypse said, appearing in the room, "Congratulations, Wolverine, you have now earned your rightful place at my side"
"But I don't-"
"Have adamantinum? No problem. Say thank you to your friend, Sabretooth"
Mr Sinister arrived and carried Sabretooth out of the room, as Apocalypse led Logan to the lab room, where Archangel was still restrained, but Daken was also there. And he looked like he had been transformed as well, with black marking covering his body, pointed ears and a red glow under his eyelids
"Why you" Logan growled
He turned on Apocalypse, only to get knocked out by his massive hammer
"Ah dear. Well, let's begin"
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