CH 30: Collapse

"Ragnar Haddock, nice to meet you," Ragnar said, flashing a friendly smile at Ororo.

Ororo ignored him, pulling her hood further over her head as she quickened her pace.

They came to a stop in an alley, where Ororo pointed toward a shop across the street. "That's what you're looking for."

"Be careful. Those guys can be overly enthusiastic about their god," Ororo added, despite not believing in any deity herself.

"I'll check it out first," Ragnar said, glancing over her shoulder as he started to move toward the shop, only for Ororo to pull him back.

"Where do you think you're going? We have a deal!" Ororo glared at him, gesturing toward the floating RV. "You need to tell me how you got that."

"You get that with magic," Ragnar answered, spreading his hands knowing it was a wizard had used alchemy and magic to help him upgrade the RV, when he gave it to Luna.

"Magic? Are you kidding me?" Ororo exclaimed, her eyes wide as she pushed him on the shoulder.

"I'm not. I promise," Ragnar insisted earnestly. "If you want me to be specific its probably Mr.Weasley,"

But Ororo seemed unconvinced. She clenched her fist, her gaze fixed on Ragnar, biting her lip, knowing she couldn't overpower him.

"Liar," Ororo whispered, resigned as she turned and pulled her hood over her head, starting to leave.

"Wait! Aren't you coming with me?" Ragnar asked as she walked away, Ragnar didn't want her to leave when he didn't accomplish his mission.

"No. At least I held up my end of the bargain," Ororo said begrudgingly, turning back to glare at him.

"How about I show you magic after we check it out?" Ragnar offered, eager for Ororo to stay and to continue his mission. He decided to demonstrate a simple transfiguration.

Ragnar picked up a small stone from the ground and, with a flick of his wrist, transformed it into a coin. He tossed it toward Ororo. "I didn't lie, did I?"

Ororo caught the coin, her eyes widening in amazement as she examined it closely. It was a real coin. She looked up at Ragnar with a mixture of wonder and suspicion. 'How...?' she thought but the same time she knew a opportunity if she saw one.

"Follow my lead," Ororo said, as she kept the coin in her pocket her curiosity piqued. She wanted to learn how Ragnar did it. If it really was magic, she wanted to know for herself. "Can you teach me how you did it?" Ororo asked as she led Ragnar towards the diner.

"No," Ragnar said knowing he was the only one that can do magic like that in this universe, "it's like how mutants are unique from each other," he explained trying to find the right words.

"Are you saying you're the only one that can do that?" Ororo asked with a frown as she turned to face him.

"Well, I don't know there are many different mages, sorcerers in this world," Ragnar thought seeing Ororo being impatient as he knew he needed to make her stay interested if he wanted her to come with him.

At the same time Ragnar looked at Ororo's back, as he wondered if she would be a Great Sorcerer like the Ancient One if she knew magic, as her bloodline was favored by one of the Vishanti, Oshtur.

Ororo eyes flickered with interest and felt the world becoming more magical that she had thought, at first she was just curious about Ragnar as the other mutant in town but now she was curious more about the world.

"Is there really that many Magicians? Or Sorcerers in the world? Why haven't people seen them?" Ororo asked as her eyes flickered into all white as she made a gust appear in front of the shop making a huge commotion.

"They don't really appear in public, but just kept fighting in the dark, protecting the world," Ragnar whispered as he looked at her back with cunning eyes, he knew Storm wanted to be a hero like Mystique.

"Are they Heroes like X-Men but hidden from the public?" Ororo asked while whispering as her eyes lit up in excitement.

"Yes," Ragnar nodded as a sly smile appeared on his lips before he made it disappear so Storm couldn't notice it as he looked around and finally saw men with triangle tattoos on their neck.

"You know, I can just use telepathy on them, then sneak around, right?" Ragnar said, but he obediently followed her.

"Now," Ororo said, as if she hadn't even heard him. Inside, she was determined to show Ragnar her own abilities. She didn't want to be outdone by those who already beat her in a fight.

They both passed the guards and the diners inside the small restaurant and entered a huge open space with a large carpet lying on the ground.

Ororo frowned. There was no one around, which seemed odd. Ragnar, however, knew why.

"You're right, we found them," Ragnar said, pulling up the carpet, revealing a tunnel.

Ragnar started to walk down the tunnel, looking at Ororo. "Shall we?" he asked, offering his hand.

Ororo hesitated, feeling like he knew this place to well, but she took his hand, her doubts swirling in her mind.

As they descended into the tunnel, Ragnar used his telekinesis to put the carpet back in place. He knew that the sun was the reason that Apocalypse had awakened.

"How did you even know this place existed?" Ororo asked as she stepped down carefully, her eyes scanning the tunnel. "You're not from here, right?"

Ragnar's eyes changed into a dragon's eyes, allowing him to see in the dark. "I can tell you. But you have to come with me." His voice was low and serious, his words filled with a hidden urgency.

Ororo remained silent, her gaze fixed on Ragnar, a mixture of suspicion and curiosity swirling in her eyes. "Why? What are you after?"

Ragnar sighed, shaking his head, a look of frustration crossing his face. "I know it sounds crazy, but you'll thank me later."

"You know you're not very convincing, right?" Ororo said, her voice laced with a dry amusement.

"I know. I'm working on my speech," Ragnar admitted, scratching his head sheepishly. "But I'll be honest, I need you." He decided to be upfront, realizing that beating around the bush wasn't working with Ororo. He had to be direct, had to be truthful, had to be convincing.

Ororo glanced at him, sensing the sincerity in his voice. "Let me guess, you can't tell me why you need me, but I need to come with you first, right?" she asked, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Yeah, you guessed it right," Ragnar chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. Even Ororo laughed slightly, a sense of trust, however hesitant, beginning to blossom between them.

"Do you know any other mutants?" Ororo asked curiously, a wistful note in her voice. She thought Ragnar was a mutant like her, and she couldn't help but wonder how other mutants lived out there. how they navigated a world that often felt isolating towards them.

"I only knew one besides my parents," Ragnar said, looking ahead as they heard a hammering sound up ahead. "And you?" He asked, curious about her story, sensing that she had more experience than the movies could ever show.

"I lost my parents in an accident when I was a kid, so I didn't know if they were mutants as well," Ororo said, turning around and seeing that Ragnar had stopped talking.

Ororo chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm already over it, so you're the other mutant in town before me, just so you know," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.

Their faces turned serious as they saw the light ahead.

"So why don't you come with us? At least you know you're with a fellow mutant, right?" Ragnar said, leaving her side and walking toward the humans who were still excavating the site.

'I got here too early,' Ragnar thought, noticing that the tunnel wasn't fully developed yet.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" One of the men, holding a flashlight, illuminated Ragnar. "Who are you!"

"Sleep," Ragnar whispered, pressing his right index and middle fingers to his right temple.

The man fell to the ground, followed by the other men who were moving rocks.

"Looks like this is going to be a long day," Ragnar muttered, using telekinesis to move the rocks out of the way. He had a feeling that things were about to get a lot more interesting.

Meanwhile, Ororo watched Ragnar's back. She couldn't help but be tempted by his offer. She had nothing left in Cairo, and she knew it was better for mutants to stick together. She could use her powers, be free to be herself. And she was curious, eager to learn more about the world.

But Ororo sighed, thinking about the other kids, the abandoned strays like her, the ones who needed her. She was the oldest, the one they looked up to. She couldn't just leave them.

Ragnar frowned. He couldn't find a space to move the other rocks. He needed to get them out of the tunnel. 'But people would know we're here,' he thought. He was about to give up, admit defeat, and call it a day.

Then, a thought hit him like a bolt of lightning. He had an ace up his sleeve. He had a secret weapon. He had the Chat Group.

[Golden Dragon]: Are any of you free today? 

Ragnar smirked, glancing at the rocks, having a great idea in his mind.

[Viking Champion]: I am. Luna is still in class, Sona should be as well, Huo Yuhao probably still forging. 

Astrid said, leaning over Skadi, and was playing with the Terrible Terror. 'Has this dragon found a mission?' she thought, nodding with approval, even though she often fought with Ragnar. It was mostly how they communicated.

[Golden Dragon sent Viking Champion a Mail]

[Golden Dragon sent Viking Champion a Mail]

[Golden Dragon sent Viking Champion a Mail]

[Golden Dragon sent Viking Champion a Mail] 

Astrid's eyes widened, and she sat up straight. 'Did Ragnar find something good?' she thought, receiving the mail from the Chat Group.

In Astrid expectant eyes a rock appeared in front of her, making her lips twitch in annoyance.

[Viking Champion]: What is the meaning of this? Is there something special about this rock? 

Astrid hoped Ragnar wasn't just irritating her, clenching her fist that was itching to punch someone.

[Golden Dragon]: No, I need to move the rocks. I didn't have anywhere to put them.

Astrid sighed helplessly and waved her hand, making the Chat Group disappear. She stopped paying attention to Ragnar, stroking Skadi's scales. "I have another reason to beat him up in person."

"You'll help me, right?" Astrid asked, her voice filled with trust but her eyes showed confidence as she patted Skadi's scales.

Skadi just grunted in affirmation making a rumbling noise spread through the underground den, shaking the crystal ice walls slightly.

Ragnar was oblivious to Astrid's annoyance as he continued sending rocks to her in the mail, using his telekinesis to cover them before sending them through the Chat Group System.

"What did you do with the rocks? How did you make them disappear? Is this magic as well?" Ororo asked in rapid succession, her eyes wide with wonder as she stepped closer to Ragnar, trying to figure out how he did it.

"If you want to know, you know what to do," Ragnar said, smirking. He removed the huge rock in front of them, revealing a cavern filled with ruins, with Ancient rune and finally a Small Golden pyramid with runes and lines carved into its surface, and a gaping hole in the middle of the cave.

"Looks like we're here," Ragnar said, stepping into the cave and walking towards the hole.

Ororo rolled her eyes, she knew he just wanted to offer her to come with him again, glancing around, her mind focused on the golden pyramid. 'How much would this sell for? She thought greedily but she knew it was impossible as it was too big to even move.

Ragnar walked to the center of the cave looking down into the hole and then checked his Chat Group system, wondering when he would get a mission.

[Destiny Detected]

[Mission 8: Awaken Apocalypse early he is destined to]

[Rewards: Power Amplification]

[Mission 8: Delay Apocalypse's awakening he is destined to]

[Rewards: Power Bestowal]

'Two missions, but I can only do one,' Ragnar thought, but he had already made up his mind. The second mission was the obvious choice. He knew what to do to prevent or delay Apocalypse's awakening.

Ragnar walked towards the small golden pyramid and placed his hands on its cold surface.

[Golden Dragon]: @Shitori Sona, I'm sending something to you. Figure out what it is. 

Ragnar closed his eyes, using the Chat Group System to send Sona the Pyramid.

[Golden Dragon sent Shitori Sona a Mail] 

When Ragnar sent the pyramid away, the Chat Group system reacted making him grin.

[Mission 8: Delay Apocalypse's awakening he is destined to]

[Rewards: Power Bestowal]

[Mission Complete]

[Do you wish to accept the Rewards?]

[Yes/No] 

Ragnar was about to accept the rewards when Ororo suddenly grabbed his arm.

"Look out!" Ororo shouted, grabbing Ragnar's arm and pulling him to the ground just as a massive pillar, which had been leaning on the golden pyramid before it vanished, crashed down where he had been standing.

A plume of dust erupted, filling the air with a choking cloud.

"Thanks," Ragnar said, looking up at the broken pillar. He knew, however, that the danger wasn't over. He could feel the tremors in the ground, the cavern groaning in protest.

Ragnar and Ororo both gasped as the pillar's collapse triggered a chain reaction, causing the rocks to crumble one by one.

The entire cavern shook with a strong force, the ground rumbling beneath their feet.

Time seemed to slow down as they looked at each other shouting at the same time, "Run!"

They scrambled to their feet and sprinted towards the exit, the sound of falling rocks echoing behind them.

"What about them?!" Ororo yelled, stopping and pointing to the unconscious cultists.

"Leave them. It's their fate! And they're bad guys, anyway," Ragnar said, pulling Ororo. He knew they were destined to die when Apocalypse awoke and most importantly he wasn't a hero.

"Just make them disappear like you did with the rocks!" Ororo insisted, crouching down to avoid Ragnar's grasp.

"Don't let them die! You're the one who put them to sleep!" Ororo insisted, her voice rising in urgency. She was a thief, but she had a conscience. She couldn't let those men die in the collapsing cave.

"I can't use it on a living being. If we get stuck here, it's your fault!" Ragnar shouted, pressing his fingers to his temple. 'Wake up!' he commanded mentally. He could use his telekinesis to carry them out, but he didn't want to. He wasn't that good of a guy.

"What? What's happening?" the cultists mumbled, disoriented as they looked around, noticing the tunnel shaking and dirt raining down from the walls and ceiling.

"Let's go!" Ragnar yelled, pulling Ororo forcefully.

"Run! The tunnel is collapsing!" Ororo yelled, seeing they were still dazed. But she didn't fight back or pull away from Ragnar. She was starting to realize that she had no choice.

"Shit!" Ragnar yelled as the entrance collapsed, the carpet that covered the tunnel falling in as well.

Ragnar gritted his teeth, running toward the exit, his eyes flashing with gold light as he focused on pushing away the blockage but someone was faster.

The blockage began to move on its own, revealing the entrance, and his parents standing upfront.

"What did you do?!" Sicilia asked, waving her hand and clearing the rocks away.

"I didn't think it would collapse like that!" Ragnar yelled as he stepped out of the tunnel, pulling Ororo with him.

"We gotta go!" Elliot shouted, glancing at the incoming cultists, who noticed the commotion inside.

Sicilia turned to face the approaching cultists, her eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and determination. She used her telepathy to make them turn around and leave the building.

"Let's go!" Sicilia yelled, her voice ringing with urgency, as they rushed towards the RV.

They hurriedly climbed in, and it began to soar in the sky.

Sicilia then used her powers to make the civilians in the surrounding building to leave the premises and to their safety.

They all moved towards the window of the RV looking down, they saw the cultists leave the tunnel.

But the ground crumbled beneath their feet, the tunnel caving in, swallowing them whole. The cracks spread outwards, and the buildings surrounding the hole began to sink.

"Well, no one died, except for the cultists, right?" Ragnar whispered, looking down observing closely, he would only feel guilty if he affected innocent people.

"And you think they deserve to die?" Ororo grabbed his collar, her voice sharp with anger.

"What are you even doing there anyway? Seven people just died because of you," Ororo said, her gaze unwavering. She wanted to learn more about him, but she was also trying to gauge his character. If he was truly heartless, then she wouldn't even consider leaving Cairo, no matter how tempting his offer might be.

"I mean, they're bad people," Ragnar said, shrugging his shoulders. His voice was flat, devoid of any emotion. He couldn't understand why Ororo was so upset.

"But I think the girl is right," Sicilia said, patting Ororo on the shoulder to calm her down. She looked at Ragnar, her eyes holding a certain weight of disappointment.

"You need to explain yourself. Many people are affected by what you did today." Sicilia said as she pointed outside.

Ragnar stayed silent looking out of the window he could even hear sirens flaring up on the streets when he looked back he saw Ororo with cross arms standing beside his parents who were waiting for his explanation.

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