chapter 64

Even Magneto, usually composed, showed rare panic.

Not even when Professor X died had he looked so distraught.

"You should be dead! I killed you with my own hands! Why are you still alive?!"

Magneto stood up abruptly, his voice shaking with disbelief.

"Erik, long time no see," the dwarf said to him with a smile.

Robert instantly recognized who the person was—Bolivar Trask, the founder of Trask Industries. He was the creator of the Sentinel robots, designed to protect Humanity. In reality, he was a fanatical racist.

This man should have been dead.

Even setting aside Magneto's long-standing hatred for him, Trask should have died of old age. Yet here he was, still looking like a man in his middle years.

As Robert pondered this, Trask continued speaking.

"Erik, it seems you don't recognize me. Well, it's been many years, after all."

"But if I change my appearance… maybe this will jog your memory."

As he spoke, Trask's body began to twist and morph. Like Mystique, his form transformed—growing taller and changing in color—until he stood before them as a blue-skinned figure resembling a Kree.

Magneto's eyes widened. His hands trembled.

"Apocalypse!"

"Why are you still alive?!"

Panic gripped Magneto—a feeling he hadn't known in years.

More than a decade ago, Apocalypse had awakened from beneath a pyramid and nearly destroyed an entire city. Magneto, alongside Professor X and his team, had managed to defeat him before he could fully recover his powers.

He had believed Apocalypse was gone forever.

But now, here he was—alive and well.

Seeing Magneto's fear, Apocalypse smiled slightly.

"Child, I almost died. But God spared me."

"I spent years healing. I reflected deeply on why I failed."

"Eventually, I understood. I was too lenient with you children. I gave you something you were never worthy of…"

"Freedom."

His voice was calm, without a trace of anger. He wasn't emotional even while referencing his near-death experience. He merely stated facts.

Magneto, in contrast, was visibly agitated.

"This is impossible!" Magneto growled. "You can't be alive!"

Apocalypse looked at him with pity.

"You're still so young, Erik. There are many unbelievable things in this world."

"Last time, you managed to suppress me."

"This time, I will not give you that opportunity."

"You will become my weapon, my most glorious creation."

Still, his tone remained neutral.

"Don't even think about it!" Magneto shouted, face twisted with rage.

Robert finally spoke up, stepping between them.

"Are you two done yet?" he said sharply. "Your personal vendetta can wait. We still have a debt to settle."

He glared at Apocalypse.

The destruction of the X-Men Academy—Robert would never forget that. That debt, too, would be paid today.

Apocalypse turned his gaze toward Robert, eyes soft, almost gentle.

"Child, don't let anger rule you. It clouds the mind and yields no gain."

"You have incredible talent—more than anyone I've seen in years."

"Join me. Become my apostle. Rule this world with me."

"Together, we will stand above Humans—lowly creatures—and become the kings of this Earth."

His voice was smooth and persuasive, filled with a magnetic allure.

Robert shook his head.

"No thanks. I'm not interested."

"Ruling the world? Are you insane?"

"This world has countless gods and powerhouses. You want to rule it? You must first defeat them all."

"Besides, what benefit is there to ruling? It sounds like a headache."

"Fishing is a much better use of my time."

Only lunatics like Apocalypse dreamed of world domination. His immense talent had clearly gone to his head.

Apocalypse's expression remained calm, though his tone grew slightly mournful.

"That's truly unfortunate."

"You could have been my apostle, my knight—standing above all life."

"Now, you will only be a puppet."

"A puppet?" Robert repeated coldly. "We'll see if you even have the ability."

"Then let us determine the truth with our hands," Apocalypse said, stepping back.

From behind him, three figures moved forward.

Robert narrowed his eyes, analyzing their forms.

Magneto quickly called out: "Robert, be careful! That's Sebastian Shaw, the White Queen, and the Red Devil!"

Robert raised an eyebrow.

Sebastian Shaw and the Red Devil? Weren't they supposed to be dead?

Sebastian—aka Black King—was a formidable mutant, capable of absorbing and redirecting energy. He had once been controlled by Professor X, then killed by Magneto, who used a coin to pierce his brain.

Red Devil had been captured by Trask Industries and tortured to death in gruesome experiments.

Only the White Queen was known to be alive.

Seeing Robert's confusion, Apocalypse spoke again.

"You seem puzzled. Let me explain."

"The dead... do not always remain dead. And time is not as linear as it seems."

As he said this, the three figures stood silently, exuding immense pressure.

Robert stepped forward.

"It doesn't matter who they are. Anyone who stands in my way will fall."

The White Queen smiled faintly, her psychic energy already spreading like a wave.

Red Devil teleported, leaving a trace of sulfur in the air. Shaw clenched his fists, absorbing energy from the surrounding environment.

Robert's eyes glowed faintly. He extended his hand.

Magneto grunted, raising a magnetic shield.

"We fight together."

Apocalypse smiled as if watching a show unfold.

"Let the dance begin."

FOR MORE CHAPTER

patreon.com/Jackssparrow