Chapter 83: The Two Quicksilvers

The power of the Frost Bomb exceeded Garus' expectations. Even with the dual protection of the Lich's Frost Barrier and his own Anti-Magic Shield, he still suffered significant injuries. Meanwhile, Apocalypse, who bore the brunt of the blast, was completely encased in frost. With no defenses of his own, the massive mutant—towering tens of meters high—was severely wounded, his entire body covered in a thick layer of ice.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!" Metallic rods, controlled by Erik's magnetic abilities, pierced Apocalypse's frozen form again and again. The freezing cold had made his body brittle, and each strike left him more shattered than before.

With a resounding crash, Apocalypse's colossal body crumbled into fragments, scattering across the battlefield.

Garus observed the scene with mixed feelings. Apocalypse was now in pieces, but was it truly over?

In the astral plane of Charles Xavier's mind, Apocalypse's psychic consciousness, which had been resisting valiantly, was suddenly expelled as his physical form disintegrated.

"Mark my words—I will return one day, and that day will be your end!" Apocalypse's defiant voice echoed from the ruins, filled with bitterness and malice.

As a mutant who had existed for over five millennia, Apocalypse retained the potential to resurrect himself, given the right circumstances.

"Hmm?" Garus's eyes narrowed as he saw a soul emerge from the fragments—Apocalypse's soul.

Garus had no intention of letting it escape. Frostmourne, the Runeblade he wielded, emanated a powerful pull. The soul, which had been on the verge of fleeing, was forcibly drawn back toward him.

As a Death Knight wielding Frostmourne, Garus held dominion over the souls of even the strongest beings.

"Let me go!" Apocalypse roared in a mix of fury and desperation. He knew that if his soul fell into Garus's grasp, he would face an eternity of subjugation.

Devoid of a physical form, Apocalypse was as helpless as a lamb led to slaughter. His soul was inexorably absorbed into Frostmourne.

While Garus chose not to resurrect Apocalypse as a Death Knight, capturing his soul was a significant victory in itself.

[S-class mission completed: Resolve the crisis facing Professor X. Reward: 100,000 Exchange Points.]

With the mission in this world concluded, it was time for Garus to return. However, before leaving, he considered visiting the X-Mansion one last time.

Sensing the location of his allies in the distance, Garus opened a Death Gate and instantly appeared beside them.

At that moment, Erik descended from the sky. With Apocalypse's death, Erik felt his enhanced powers dissipate, returning to their original state. While he felt a twinge of regret, he harbored no complaints.

"Professor Xavier," Garus called out.

Charles turned at the sound of the unfamiliar voice. Studying Garus for a moment, recognition dawned on his face.

"You…? But how is this possible? No, you're not the man I met years ago," Charles murmured, his brows furrowed in confusion.

Garus shook his head. "No, I'm not. But I have traveled here from the future."

Meanwhile, Moira had contacted a nearby Air Force base, and everyone awaited the arrival of a transport plane. On the other side of the battlefield, two Pietros stood frozen, staring at each other in shock.

"I don't remember having a twin brother," they said in unison, their voices perfectly synchronized.

One of them reached out and placed a hand on the other's shoulder. A burst of blinding white light erupted between them, drawing everyone's attention.

"What's happening?" others exclaimed, bewildered by the sudden phenomenon.

Charles extended his psychic powers into the sphere of light. Though he couldn't see what was happening, he sensed the two Pietros' mental essences gradually merging. It was something he had never encountered before.

"Pietro?"

Garus watched the event with uncertainty. Two versions of the same person from parallel universes shouldn't interact like this. Could it have been caused by time travel?

When the light faded, only one Pietro remained.

"Pietro, are you okay?" Garus asked, noting the subtle changes in him but unable to pinpoint them.

"I'm fine," Pietro replied, shaking his head to clear the dizziness. Two conflicting voices clamored within his mind, but he forced himself to focus.

A transport plane arrived shortly after, dispatched by Moira's contacts. As they prepared to board, a hesitant voice called out.

"Wait for me!"

Storm emerged from the ruins of a nearby building, her expression tense. "Can I come with you? I… I'm sorry for what happened earlier."

She looked hopefully at Raven. Storm had always idolized Mystique, and seeing Apocalypse harm her had shaken her deeply.

"Of course," Raven said, her tone forgiving.

"Thank you!" Storm exclaimed, relief washing over her as she joined the group.

Throughout the journey, Pietro kept glancing at Erik, as though wanting to say something.

Scott, sitting beside Pietro, tried to make sense of what had just happened but remained just as confused.

When the transport landed at the X-Mansion in Westchester, they were greeted by devastation. The school lay in ruins, its students scattered and wary after Stryker's recent attack. The absence of their teachers had left them frightened and uncertain.

"Professor!" the students cried, overjoyed to see Charles and the others.

Charles gazed at the destroyed academy with a heavy heart. Turning to Jean and Erik, he said, "Let's rebuild."

Understanding his intent, the two nodded. With telekinesis and magnetic manipulation, they began lifting rubble, reconstructing the mansion piece by piece. In mere moments, the X-Mansion stood restored to its former glory.

Garus couldn't help but muse, "If these two started a construction company, skyscrapers would go up in no time."

Meanwhile, Storm turned to Pietro and asked, "I heard from Jean that Magneto is your father. Are you going to tell him? Also, what was with the two of you earlier?"

Now possessing the memories of both Pietros, he knew Wanda was his sister and Erik his father. Shrugging, he replied, "I'm not sure what happened, but I'll tell him soon. It might be my only chance."

With that, Pietro approached Erik, determination in his stride.

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