Chapter 38
Detroit...
The 3 teen heroes stand outside the building they were in...or more correctly what was left of the building which was now more a pile of rubble than anything resembling a standing structure.
They couldn't risk any of the Metaleks creations surviving and escaping so in the end they decided, since they were no people inside, just to level the place. A combination of Cyborg's sonic canon and Superman's heat vision hitting the right spots and collapsing the building.
"So we done? That the end of them?" Impulse wonders.
"No," Cyborg chews the word out, still affected by being controlled. It's a deeply personal violation and not one you get over just like that. "They're a sentient program. They can be anywhere there is a computer network."
"Dude, aren't those things everywhere these days?"
"Yes," Cyborg states simply the enormity of the problem they now face. "We did get lucky."
"How?" Impulse asks, not seeing where it was they got lucky.
"We caught them early. These were only the 1st generation 'bodies' they were creating for themselves. They would have used them to create a 2nd more advanced generation and so on and so on."
Superman's gaze flickers over at Cyborg with intrigue. "You picked up something from them didn't you?"
"Bits and pieces," Cyborg reports as he tries to process it.
"Tell us," Superman gently requests.
"They are not of this world. Their home world...it was destroyed...by something they call..." Victor pauses as he tries to translate the word from the data in his head. "They call it the Multitude."
"Multitude?" Superman queries with a frown.
"I don't know what it was. But I do know they were saved by...something."
"They did say they were working for someone," Impulse recalls.
Bart's word seems to partially clear up something in Victor's head. "Yes. In exchange for their salvation they agreed to work for their saviour. Scouting ahead, preparing the chosen planet for their Master's arrival."
"Something is coming," Superman states the dire truth of the only possible conclusion. If the Metaleks scout ahead for a Master of some sort then that Master is coming here; to Earth.
Cyborg nods. "Yes...and it has a particular interest in you," he confirms, looking intently at Superman. "You're not of this world either," he states what he has discovered. Victor doesn't quite know what to think about that yet.
"No," Superman confirms, his voice soft. "Is it because of me that it's coming?" he asks, potential guilt already forming that he may have placed the Earth in danger.
Cyborg frowns. "That's...I wasn't accusing you because the answer is no," he gives the answer as he knows it to be. "It's hard to apply emotions. The Metaleks don't have any but if I was going to apply one they and their Master were surprised by you being here, by you being alive at all."
Superman nods sadly as he understands why they would be surprised about him existing. "My home world is gone too. I'm essentially the only survivor of my species. It's probable they thought that my entire species was extinct...which it functionally is."
"I...uh...didn't know," Cyborg says, shocked to hear that. "Sorry," he offers up.
"It's ok."
Cyborg returns to the question of the surprise of Superman being here. "No. They didn't expect you to be here but when they found out they, in response to their Master, became intrigued by you. They have questions...so many questions they want answered."
"If they aren't here for him then they were coming here anyway?" Impulse wants clarified.
"Yes. I don't know why. Like I said I only got bits and pieces."
"They said they were here to prepare Earth to be saved like them," Superman recalls. "Which implies Earth is under some sort of threat of destruction."
"This Multitude thing that was mentioned?" Impulse proposes.
"Could be. Don't know," Cyborg says. "Though I did get a sense of...urgency would be the closest applicable description so it's possible I guess."
Clark will need to speak to Jor-El. See what's in the Kryptonian database about any of this.
"So what does any of this have to do with cue-ball head?" Impulse asks in reference to Lex.
"That I can't tell you," Cyborg says. "Could be the Metaleks have infiltrated Lexcorp's systems and what I thought was Lex investigating the SynTechnics technology was them."
"We could always go ask," Impulse suggests, tongue firmly in cheek.
"He'd lie in any scenario," Superman has to face the bleak truth about Lex these days. "Though we should definitely keep an eye on him as we were. Might lead us back to the Metaleks. We can't let them create superior vessels for themselves if we can prevent it," he feels is the right course of action.
"Sounds solid," Cyborg gives his view.
"Are you doing alright?" Superman asks him.
"Don't know yet."
"If you need to talk I've been through what you just did. Being controlled. I know what it feels like," Superman informs him with a genuine offer to help.
"I need time to process it."
"Of course."
Cyborg looks at the tall powerful...alien. "So from another world?"
"Yep."
"Didn't see that coming," Cyborg has to remark.
"Neither did Impulse here and he's my roommate. Took him weeks before he twigged it and this was with me not making an effort to conceal it."
"Stretch, I'm standing right here," Impulse reminds him, hands on his hips, sounding insulted.
"So you are," Superman drawls with a lazy cheeky grin. "And he claims to be the Fastest Man on Earth," he keeps rubbing it in.
Cyborg chuckles. "Might need to rethink that."
"Heck no! I've got a trademark pending on that!" Impulse insists.
"Hmm, hmm," Superman remarks. "Come on, lets get out of here and I'll tell you the story of how he finally discovered the truth. You'll laugh your pistons out...and I'll answer any questions you have," he says to Cyborg. Though that's another one who now knows he's an alien. Seriously Clark should just put an ad online and be done with it.
And with that the 3 walk off into the night.
Somewhere Else...
Mystique sat quietly in the sitting room of her home as Rogue...her estranged daughter Rogue, stands there with the bald freak and her other daughter Alicia and sells her what may seem an impossible story about a long lost mutant named Apocalypse and how, together, they can free him and transform the world into a better place but to do so they need Mystique's assistance.
It has also not escaped her attention that Alicia is obviously being controlled by Mesmero.
She had heard all about him.
This meeting is also not as much as a surprise to Mystique as one might think.
Months ago Destiny told her an ancient mutant would be coming for her and that her fate and Rogue's lay with him. On that day Destiny has said he would serve his servant for her. It doesn't take much deduction to see this is the moment she has been expecting for quite some time.
Though Mystique must admit she never in a million years expected that servant to be her own daughter, Rogue.
As for what she does in response...Irene told her that she would have to make up her own mind about what she does. Well she guesses she must and she guesses the time is now.
Mystique waits until Rogue is finished before speaking. "I have a question," she raises.
"Ask it," Mesmero permits her.
"What have you done to Rogue?" she wants to know because last time she and Rogue met, her daughter drained her and left her a heap on the floor, telling her how she wanted nothing to do with her.
Rogue rolls her eyes and makes a face. "He's done nothing, Mama. Apocalypse enlightened meh. He showed meh tha wonders he will bring once we have freed him."
"And this required enslaving your sister?" Mystique asks, clearly unhappy to say the least about what has happened to Alicia.
"We both know her loyalty is ta Magneto, Mama and that she would nevah willingly betray him. Ah know it seems harsh but sometahmes ya have ta make sacrifices...lahke ya have for all of us, your children. This is why ah'm doing this, Mama. For all of us. Apocalypse rewards those that serve him well. Join him and he'll ensure we're all protected. Kurt too."
"You never seemed very interested in us being a family before," Mystique points out.
"Ah told ya Mama. Apocalypse enlightened meh. If only ya could have seen what ah have seen," Rogue says, her voice and stare far off as if seeing something wondrous. "Ah understand now, how petty and selfish ah was. Ah understand what ya have had ta sacrifice for us. Ah forgive ya...and ah'm sorry ah hurt ya," she gives what seems like a genuine apology. "But this is meh making amends. Once we have freed tha Great Apocalypse we can beh together as a family, living in Utopia."
Mystique...has a deep, deep longing to reunite with her children. Everything she does is for them even when they don't see it or appreciate her for it. She works for Magneto because she genuinely believes he is her best shot to create something that can keep her children safe.
However if this Apocalypse brings a greater chance to create that world she desires then she must give the proposition serious consideration. She has no obligation to remain loyal to Magneto. In fact he should thank himself lucky she came back at all after he betrayed her over Asteroid M.
Mystique turns to Mesmero. "Does my daughter speak truly?" she asks, wishing to hear a confirmation from him.
Mesmero is more than happy to do so if it brings his mission one step closer to completion. "Indeed. Apocalypse's rewards for serving him can be beyond imagining. Anything your heart desires can be yours. Though be equally warned his wrath on those who stand against him can also be beyond imagining."
"I want my children safe and protected. That is it. Including Kurt even if he stands with the X-Men," Mystique lays down the minimum conditions she has before she will even consider it.
"Your son can be spared. This is not difficult," Mesmero offers her. "As long as you agree to serve as Rogue has."
"Why me?" Mystique asks. "Why do you need me?" she asks the prudent question. Surely with Rogue's abilities they wouldn't need her.
"Apocalypse's prison was created by a powerful, intelligent foe who made sure it would not be easy to open. 3 doors must be breached, using 3 different keys for Apocalypse to walk the Earth once again. I have already opened 2 of the doors. We require your unique powers to obtain the 3rd key. Not even your daughter, with all her gifts can do it."
"After all Mama, if ah could do it by mahself wouldn't ah have already?" Rogue gives the pertinent answer.
Well that does make sense Mystique supposes.
"What do you say, Mystique?" Mesmero presses.
What is her choice? Even with Magneto the war against humanity will be a long one. This Apocalypse, from what Rogue has said, sounds like an Omega Level. Any war would be short...assuming there would be one at all. He could just sweep the flat-scans from the surface of the planet.
"Once this is over Alicia will be freed?" Mystique wants confirmed.
"Certainly," Mesmero promises.
Mystique looks up into her daughter's green eyes. They look so...certain. Something Rogue has never seemed to possess. There was always doubts before about...many things. She stands up straight. "You truly believe this is the way, Rogue?"
Rogue nods. "Cross mah heart, Mama," she says, crossing her heart with her finger. She then surprises Mystique by wrapping the blue shapeshifter in a bear hug. "All is forgiven Mama," she whispers a repeat of what she said just to reinforce it for Mystique that it's true. "We'll beh a family just lahke ya always wanted," she promises about the future if her mother will join them.
Mystique swallows the lump in her throat that has formed at hearing that. She hugs Rogue back. This is what she has always wanted. She knows she's made mistakes but if this is her chance to correct those then she will seize it. "I'm in," she agrees, her voice choked with uncharacteristic emotion.
Rogue pulls back smiling widely. "You've made tha right choice, Mama."
"Indeed you have," Mesmero agrees.
"So how do we do this?" Mystique wants details.
"It is, as I said, difficult. Rogue must return to her place beside Magneto to obtain the life energy Apocalypse requires," Mesmero lays out what must be done now.
"You said he was weakened," Mystique recalls from what Rogue was saying.
"Yes...but Rogue, thanks to the Great Apocalypse's assistance, can take a little energy from multiple mutants and store it within herself to give to him, to rejuvenate his body. However, this must be done carefully, slowly, so as to not raise suspicion. Magneto and Xavier are already aware that I am trying to free Apocalypse and we must avoid their interference until it is far too late for them to stop it."
Mystique wasn't aware that what Mesmero was saying was Rogue's job was possible for her daughter to do. She always thought Rogue could only hold the energy she absorbs for a short time. "And then?" she presses for as much information as possible. She doesn't like surprises so she wants to know the plan beforehand.
"There is a plan that must be followed. Apocalypse has commanded it," Mesmero informs her in a tone that broaches no argument so that even if the plan makes no sense to Mystique it must still be done. "Magneto, Xavier, their followers...they do have a part in this when the appropriate time comes. As does the Star Child. Apocalypse has foreseen this."
"Superman?" Mystique queries with interest. She has heard that Star Child name. Destiny used it to describe him. It seems a gamble to include one of the most powerful beings she knows. It seems likely he would ruin the plans.
Mesmero smiles...which is very disturbing. "Indeed. He has a very special place in Apocalypse's plan," he says with deep foreboding for what it to come for Superman.
At the Institute...
Jean is in the kitchen alone. It's late. She's indulging in Kitty's solution to everything.
Ice-cream.
Oddly it kinda works.
No, she's not really hurting less over Scott but somehow the frozen delicacy provides a small crumb of comfort.
The door to the kitchen is pushed open and in walks Mrs Kent, in a red night robe.
Martha pauses momentarily at seeing Jean before continuing what she came here for. She puts on some milk to warm up.
"Can't sleep?" Jean queries.
"No," Martha replies with a sigh. "You?" she queries back.
"It's more I'm worried I'll murder Scott in my sleep. My powers don't shut off just because I'm unconscious."
Martha was very sad at seeing Jean and Scott's problems. They were such a...well you do have to be careful in saying perfect couple. Few things in life are perfect but Jean and Scott seemed to be pretty close to it. "What did he do to trigger this?" Martha asks because something must have happened to have Jean sitting here eating ice-cream.
"Apparently he gets over me in 2 weeks and starts taking Emma for trips in his car," Jean relays with not so subtle anger.
Ok. That one Martha didn't expect. Nor does she understand it. She lowers the heat on her milk and sits down next to Jean. "I don't need to ask how you are. I can see it," she comments. Jean looks miserable and heart-broken.
"I thought...no I know he loved me," Jean says. She's a telepath. She's been inside Scott's head. She knows how he feels. "How could he do this?" she asks, truly not having an answer. For all her telepathy Scott now seems like a complete stranger to her.
"For once I don't have an answer beyond teenage boys do stupid things."
"I love him. I don't want it to be over," Jean says teary-eyed.
Martha puts an arm around the redhead young woman. "Sometimes we can't always have what we want, Jean."
"I thought all you needed was love," Jean says, referring to a famous song.
"Love is a lot of it but it is not everything. If it were the world would be a much better place. However, I also believe if something is meant to be then it'll be. If you and Scott are meant to be he'll snap back to his senses and you'll find a way to make it work one day."
"You think so?"
"On the surface Jonathan and I should never work. He's a farmer. I come from circles similar to where Emma comes from. Like her I was a fairly spoilt, rich snob when I was younger."
"I can't imagine that," Jean says honestly. Mrs Kent was just so great. Nothing like Emma.
"I was," Martha admits her failings. You have to admit to them if you are to overcome them. "The point is, despite these differences, we have been happily married for 20 years and I can never imagine anything else but being with him. I truly believe we were meant to be. I know this because we 1st met when we were your and Scott's age, clashed horribly and went our separate ways on the assumption we would never see each other again. Yet by sheer chance we met up again 10 years later and fell in love. I mean what were the odds we would meet again? Astronomical."
Jean has to concede Mrs Kent has a point. She thinks she would like to think like Mrs Kent does. That there are some things that are meant to be. "It hurts," she admits, her voice tiny.
Martha gives Jean a comforting squeeze. "I know. I can't make it go away but I can be here for you any time, day or night."
Jean rests her head on the older red-head's shoulder. "Thank you."
Elsewhere in the mansion Jubilee is staying up late watching a movie. She couldn't sleep either. Though that may have something to do with the fact Paige snores. Not to mention sheds.
Seriously Jubilee is sick of almost stepping in Paige's discarded husks. Her roommate needs to find a new place to practice her powers.
Course there's also Scott Jackass Summers. Man Jubilee wants to do unpleasant things to him for the way he's treating Jean.
Sure Jean can be a stuck up, bossy cow but no-one deserves that.
A gust of wind breaks Jubilee out of her thoughts as her boyfriend suddenly appears sitting next to her, his arm laying across her shoulders...and her favourite snack is now in her lap.
Jubilee lips curl up. Bart could be so thoughtful. She leans over and kisses his cheek.
"Have a nice night out?" they both end up asking each other at the same time.
They both rolls their eyes. "You won't believe what happened," they says in reply to each other together.
They both break down into giggles, playfully poking and tickling the other and share some kisses. Two teenagers very much in the flush of hormones generated by emotions of what is for both of them their first serious attempt at a relationship.
Detroit...
Bart had left Clark and Victor because he was fed up of the teasing he was getting about his slowness at figuring out Clark wasn't human.
That left the other 2 sitting on a rooftop in a deserted part of the city.
Victor was still trying to process everything that had happened to him tonight. Superman had been very understanding, showing what he had said earlier, about a similar thing happening to him was true.
Then of course there's the alien bit.
Victor's mind was still stunned. He knew Superman wasn't a mutant from the vagueness of answers he had given before about himself but Victor hadn't jumped to extraterrestrial. And he looked so human it was hard to quite wrap your mind around it. Victor had so many questions...starting with a long talk with Tony who apparently knew about this according to Superman.
However Victor's mind wasn't in the right place to ask all those questions. The truth is tonight had been about a distraction as much as seeking to stop the proliferation of the cybernetic technology that created him. Something he has ended up mentioning to Superman.
"So you and Katherine are over?" Superman queries, his voice full of sympathy about Victor telling him about Vic's break-up with his girlfriend.
"Yeah," Victor says, his voice full of heartbreak. "She couldn't handle all this," he explains by gesturing at himself. And it's not just the fact he's half-machine now. It's what he is choosing to do with it. It was all too much for her.
"I'm sorry," Superman expresses his sympathy. "But the fact is Victor I think what we do would be too much for a lot of people to handle. Most people just want a quiet, normal life. It's something neither of us can give. Even if we stopped the heroics it's not something we can give. I'll always be an alien. I can't change that."
"And I'll always be a cyborg," Victor has to very sadly accept no matter how much he wishes he didn't. Though with it being a commonality he and Superman share at least he's not alone in being not normal.
"This is our lot in life," Superman describes it. "Ever feel like someone is having a good long laugh at us?" he asks, trying to lighten it with some humour.
Victor manages a small smile. "From time to time," he agrees with that assessment.
"Just have to carry on," Superman gives his view of what you do. "I know it hurts," he again expresses sympathy and understanding with Victor's pain. "But what else can you do?"
"I don't know. A vacation somewhere sunny might be nice," Victor suggests with a laugh.
Clark joins in. Yeah. He thinks Victor will be alight. And as corny as it sounds he's sure Victor will find someone else. Like his parents are always saying; There's someone for everyone.
Luthor Mansion, Smallville...
Lex is alone in his study on the phone. The person on the other end only ever speaks through a synthetic generated voice.
"What do you mean you need another facility?" Lex demands to know what he is being asked for.
"...Facility...Location, Detroit...neutralised..."
"Neutralised?" Lex queries with a harsh tone. "Which means what? By whom?"
"...Irrelevant..."
"Not to me. It's my money. We have an arrangement."
"...Have fulfilled...data provided...bargain upheld..."
In other words he's claiming he has kept to his side of the agreement. Lex rubs his head. This started out of the blue shortly after the battle in Smallville. His phone rang and this voice spoke in broken syntax. Lex would have hanged up right there and then and had the police deal with it until this person hacked his computer and showed him equations, schematics for a generational leap in technology.
Lex couldn't help but be intrigued. In return for this his mysterious benefactor asked for some resources in return which Lex agreed to provide. He has also been able to gain a good ability to decipher his 'partner's' speech.
Lex takes a deep breath. "I'll provide another facility but I need...a clarification for the Steel Soldiers project," he proposes as a deal.
"...Elaborate..."
"The cybernetic interface they are insisting on is beyond what I have previously designed for the Mandroids. They want it tied in directly to the brain. I need your expertise to upgrade the SynTechnics cyborg technology to have any chance of enabling it to function in the way they are demanding."
"...Data...human neurological structures required..."
"I'll have all the data made available for you to study."
"...Living...functioning...specimen...required..."
Lex pauses only for a moment. "I'll arrange it," he agrees, even knowing what that implies but it's necessary. After the Smallville débâcle Lex had gotten aid in dealing with the situation from an unlikely source. The US military. To be exact General Samuel Lane, who has been in charge of a covert project dubbed Steel Soldiers for years. The General not only aided in making sure the Congressional Investigation's findings would not be overly harsh(even if technically they hadn't reported yet) he also funnelled much needed cash Lex's way to cover the shortfall he was currently enduring.
And all of this was separate from what he is doing for SHIELD. Yes, Lex finds himself caught in between two rival power blocks within the US governmental system because only Lex had the technology both needed.
Though he was certain Fury was trying to find a way out of their agreement which is another reason he agreed to aid General Lane.
If Lex is being fair what the military had developed by itself wasn't bad exactly. It's creator, John Henry Irons, had an intellect Lex could respect. It just...they had failed to make it work, despite working on it for years. With Lex's new ally aiding him he was certain he would make it work.
"...Will contact...when upgrades complete..."
"Wait," Lex orders. "Look I've been more than patient with you but I don't even know your name. I want to know what to call you."
"...Designation...One Moment...Extrapolating applicable term...Conserver...Preserver...Incorrect...Designation is...Collector...of Worlds."
Author's Note: Aw, Rogue and her mother reunited. Brings a tear to the eye doesn't it. And Apocalypse has special plans for Clark? That can't be good. And speaking of Clark, he just doesn't have much luck keeping his alien status secret lately does he? And the Collector of Worlds is coming? Wow, I just like to keep piling up Clark's looming problems don't I. Thanks to everyone who wrote review. Next up; the arc this story has been building to(and is named after) as Dark Horizons begins.