Chapter 7: The Calm Before the Storm, The X-Men's Gambit
[Edited]
Chapter 7: The Calm Before the Storm, The X-Men's Gambit
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Spring 1983 – Global Chaos
The world was unraveling.
Across the globe, reports flooded in of mass destruction and unnatural disasters. Cairo had become an epicenter of devastation, swallowed by a storm of impossible magnitude. A new presence had emerged—an ancient force, a mutant so powerful that the world itself seemed to tremble at his awakening. The name whispered in fear and awe: Apocalypse.
Edward Lin stood in his war room, staring at the screens displaying live footage. His fingers drummed against the polished mahogany table. Around him, his most trusted people gathered, their expressions grim. Jackie Wu and David Chen stood by his side, their postures tense but resolute. The twelve homunculi—his greatest creations—stood at attention, their otherworldly presence filling the room with an air of unstoppable force.
William had been taken.
Edward clenched his jaw, suppressing the wave of fury threatening to consume him. The moment William had refused Apocalypse's offer, the ancient mutant had decided to take him by force. Now, his son was in enemy hands, a vessel for a being that sought to remake the world in his image.
Edward exhaled slowly. "Report."
Jackie Wu, his chief strategist, stepped forward. "Apocalypse has begun reshaping the world in his vision. His powers are unlike anything we've ever seen. He has gathered four powerful mutants as his Horsemen."
Jackie Wu, his intelligence chief, continued, "Storm, Magneto, Psylocke, and Archangel. All are incredibly powerful in their own right. Magneto is the most dangerous—he's manipulating the entire planet's magnetic field. He's already caused untold destruction. Storm controls the weather on a catastrophic scale."
Edward's gaze flickered toward the images of Cairo. The pyramids had been swallowed by an enormous metallic construct—Apocalypse's throne. He could see storm clouds raging, the sky twisted by unnatural forces.
The homunculi remained silent, awaiting orders. Leo, the strongest, stood with arms crossed, his eyes burning with a warrior's fury. Sagittarius, the fastest, shifted restlessly, eager for action. Each of them had been designed for war, but even they understood the gravity of the enemy they faced.
Edward turned to Jackie. "How long until we're fully prepared?"
"Two days at most. Every resource is being mobilized. Our elite forces are en route to the staging ground. The homunculi are at full strength." He hesitated. "But the world isn't waiting for us. The X-Men are already moving."
Edward narrowed his eyes. "Charles and his team…"
"Yes. They've engaged Apocalypse's forces. If they fail—"
"They won't be the only ones paying the price," Edward finished. His fingers pressed against the edge of the table, his thoughts sharp as a blade. "We move when we're ready. Not a moment sooner."
David spoke up. "We intercepted a message. Xavier has been taken. Apocalypse infiltrated the X-Mansion and took him. The X-Men are regrouping. They're planning an attack on Cairo."
Edward's eyes darkened. "Then we'll let them be the spearhead."
Jackie frowned. "You want them to fight first?"
Edward gave a thin smile. "They're the perfect distraction. Let them exhaust Apocalypse's forces. When the time is right, we strike. We take back William and end this threat permanently."
The homunculi bowed their heads in acknowledgment. Leo spoke his voice like rolling thunder. "We will tear through their ranks when the moment arrives."
Edward's gaze remained fixed on the swirling chaos in Cairo. His son was out there, trapped in the hands of a god.
But gods could fall.
And Edward Lin would make sure this one did.
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Spring 1983 – Cairo, Egypt
The world held its breath as the X-Men made their move.
Far above the ancient ruins of Cairo, the Blackbird roared through the sky, cutting through the chaotic storm that loomed over the city. Inside, Charles Xavier's chosen warriors prepared for the battle of their lives. They had no choice—Apocalypse had made his declaration, and his influence was already reshaping the world into something unrecognizable. Magneto had twisted the Earth's magnetic field, Storm commanded tempests of unfathomable power, and Psylocke and Archangel stood as deadly enforcers. The very fabric of civilization was crumbling under their might.
In the cockpit, Hank McCoy—Beast—monitored their approach, his normally composed expression marked with tension. "Cairo's been completely altered," he reported. "That structure at the center—it's his stronghold. If we're going to stop him, we need to get inside."
Raven Darkhölme—Mystique—stood at his side, arms crossed. "Then let's not waste time."
Scott Summers—Cyclops—checked his visor, determination set in his features. "I'll clear the way."
Beside him, Jean Grey closed her eyes, already reaching out with her telepathic senses. "He's there… And so is William Lin."
At the mention of William, Mystique's eyes flickered with concern. The young man had fought with everything he had against Apocalypse, yet even his immense strength had not been enough. Now, he was trapped, and if Apocalypse succeeded in taking over his body, the world would face a new and even greater terror.
Charles Xavier's voice echoed through their minds. "Remember, my X-Men… We do not fight for revenge. We fight to save the future."
No more words were needed. The Blackbird descended, and the battle began.
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~The First Strike~
Explosions erupted as Cyclops unleashed a torrent of optic blasts, carving through the hordes of Apocalypse's followers. The city was a war zone, filled with loyalists who worshipped the ancient mutant as a god.
Storm hovered above, lightning crackling at her fingertips. "You should have joined us," she called out to the X-Men before hurling a bolt of electricity. Cyclops barely dodged as it struck the ground, leaving a scorched crater in its wake.
"Storm, this isn't you!" Jean shouted, her telepathy reaching out. "Apocalypse is controlling you!"
Storm hesitated for only a moment before she gritted her teeth. "No… he's giving me power."
Psylocke descended from above, her psionic blade glowing as she clashed with Beast in a display of raw agility and skill. On the far end of the battlefield, Archangel soared through the sky, metal wings slicing through the air as he targeted Nightcrawler, who teleported just in time to evade the deadly projectiles.
Meanwhile, Magneto stood in the heart of the destruction, a titan of magnetic force. With a single gesture, he lifted entire structures and hurled them at his enemies, reshaping the battlefield at his will.
Raven dodged through the chaos, her mind focused on one objective—getting inside the stronghold and finding Xavier. If they could sever Apocalypse's hold on Magneto and Storm, they might stand a chance.
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~Edward Lin's Watchful Eye~
While the X-Men waged war, Edward Lin watched from afar.
A secure facility beneath one of Golden Enterprise's strongholds housed the most advanced war room ever constructed by mortal hands. The entire battlefield was displayed before Edward, his sharp eyes analyzing every detail. His homunculi stood behind him in silent anticipation, waiting for the command to strike.
Jackie Wu spoke first. "They're holding their own. But they won't last."
Edward did not respond immediately. His gaze was fixed on one figure—William, suspended in the heart of the stronghold, surrounded by the raw energy of Apocalypse's transformation process.
David Chen, ever the pragmatist, exhaled slowly. "If they fail, Apocalypse will complete the process. William won't just be his vessel—he'll be his evolution."
Edward's fingers curled into a fist. "Then we take him back before that happens."
Jackie frowned. "Are we moving now?"
Edward shook his head. "Not yet. They're buying us time. Let them draw Apocalypse's attention. When the moment is right, we strike."
The homunculi remained still, their enhanced bodies brimming with anticipation. They had been created for war, and soon, they would be unleashed.
Edward turned back to the battlefield, his expression unreadable.
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To be continued...