Chapter 574: IMUC Chapter 569 The End of the Battle
I have finished translating this fanfic, IMUC (I Am In Marvel With Unlimited Cards) and have posted all the advanced chapters on Patreon. (https://www.patreon.com/c/marvel6395). You can read all the advanced chapters there.
**Chapter 569:**
This one-sided beatdown not only shattered Apocalypse's false godhood but also made him realize a timeless piece of wisdom from the ancient era:
"There is always someone stronger out there."
As if determined to remember today's lesson, Apocalypse no longer donned his armor but instead maintained his withered, frail form, simply donning a plain cloak that made him look like an old servant. He stood beside Caesar with a bowed head, awaiting orders.
Even if his followers were to encounter him in the future, they likely wouldn't recognize this decrepit old servant as the once-great god who nearly conquered the Earth.
At this moment, even the three Horsemen almost failed to recognize Apocalypse.
"Apocalypse, can you get rid of your pyramid?"
Caesar, holding Jean, tapped his foot on the hard floor of the altar hall and asked Apocalypse.
"Of course, Master," Apocalypse nodded. His frail hands pressed down, causing the grand and magnificent pyramid to tremble violently. Cracks began to appear from the outside in, and it looked ready to collapse.
"In three minutes, it will completely collapse and disappear from this city forever."
Apocalypse gazed at the crumbling pyramid with a hint of nostalgia. It was once the supreme ladder he used to ascend to godhood.
"Then let's prepare to leave. The battle in Washington should be ending soon."
Caesar, carrying Jean, looked toward the western sky. At that moment, a faint "whimpering" sound caught his attention, reminding him of the person still in the altar hall.
"Charles, I almost forgot about you..."
Caesar smiled casually, walking toward the stone bed with Jean. Charles, now powerless and sprawled out on the bed, resembled a defeated dog.
Apocalypse followed Caesar but was soon called by Storm from the three Horsemen. "Master Apocalypse!"
Apocalypse stopped, turned slowly, and straightened his once-bowed body, looking at the three figures with an emotionless expression. "I am no longer Master Apocalypse. I am now merely an old servant to Master Caesar. Please remember this going forward."
"Then what should we do, Master Apocalypse?"
Storm's eyes widened. Apocalypse's transformation had upended her life; in her mind, Apocalypse would always be a god on high.
The Angel and Psylocke remained silent. They were all homeless, mutants rejected by ordinary people.
"I am no longer Master Apocalypse, and you are no longer the Horsemen. Go wherever you wish; the path ahead is yours to choose."
Having said this, Apocalypse turned and walked back toward the stone bed where Caesar was.
"Master Apocalypse."
Storm's eyes filled with tears as she tried to follow, only to be stopped by Psylocke. She looked back at Psylocke, who shook her head, signaling not to pursue.
"He is no longer the Apocalypse we knew. His godhood, his wildness, his pride— almost everything has been shattered."
Angel snorted coldly, his Steel Wings flapping as he flew toward the sky outside the pyramid, leaving behind a swirling hurricane.
"Yes. From now on, we must choose our own paths and decide how to move forward."
Psylocke, linking arms with Storm, sighed as they left.
"Master Apocalypse."
Storm stared blankly at Apocalypse's back, and as she listened to Psylocke's words, she suddenly recalled the orphanage she once supported through theft.
It seemed that she was not truly homeless.
After Caesar freed Charles from his restraints, Charles got up from the stone bed, looking at Apocalypse, who stood to the side, with a complex expression on his face. He then looked at Caesar and sincerely remarked, "You truly are something."
Charles's telepathy was powerless against Apocalypse, and the fact that Caesar could make such a powerful being into a slave was almost unbelievable.
But this was Superman Caesar; no one knew just how strong he was. Miracles in his hands seemed as ordinary and simple as daily life.
Charles glanced around. Seeing that the three Horsemen had already left, he noticed the collapsing pyramid and asked, "What about Hank and Logan?"
"They're in Washington at the White House, fighting against Erik and his controlled Sentinels. The battle there should be wrapping up soon," Caesar replied, having been aware of this since he arrived in New York.
Charles, alarmed, said, "Then why are we waiting? We need to get to Washington quickly! Magneto and the X-Men team— any trouble there, and no one would want to see it."
"Apocalypse," Caesar gestured to Apocalypse with a nod.
"Understood, Master."
Apocalypse raised his left hand, using his teleportation ability to summon a purple portal in the pyramid's altar hall.
Caesar took Jean's hand and stepped through first, followed by Charles. Apocalypse brought up the rear.
Shortly after they left, the pyramid, which had appeared in the center of New York for less than half an hour and seemed like a divine miracle, began to collapse catastrophically, eventually forming a crater about five hundred meters in radius, resembling an impact crater from a meteorite.
This battle would later be known as the "Battle of the Gods' Fall," and even become a notable tourist attraction in New York City— but that was a story for another time.
**At the Site of the Old White House in Washington**
Why say "old site"?
Because the area around the White House, within a hundred meters, had been ravaged by war and was now a complete wreck.
The iconic White House building was reduced to scattered white bricks. The once-green lawn was now pockmarked and uneven. The ground was littered with Sentinel remains, and thick smoke billowed into the sky.
In the midst of this devastating battle, as the last of the first-generation Sentinels fell, Wolverine Logan, Mystique Raven, Beast Hank, Quicksilver Pietro, Alex, Azazel, and Nightcrawler— seven battle-worn individuals with unwavering determination— moved forward, surrounding Magneto Erik, who was also injured and standing alone amidst the ruins.
The first-generation Sentinels, despite their strength, were no match for the powerful members of X-Men, like Logan, Alex, and Quicksilver. They were being systematically defeated and destroyed.
"Erik, it's time to end this," Raven said, aiming a specially made pistol at Magneto.
Magneto's helmet was partially shattered, and he clutched his wounded left side, looking at the X-Men members around him, and spoke with a cold voice, "When it ends is up to me."
"Old man, there's a limit to how stubborn you can be," Quicksilver sighed. Due to a certain suspicion in his heart, he truly did not want to force Magneto into a corner.
"Kid, you don't understand. All of you come at me together! To determine victory, one side must be utterly defeated!"
Magneto stood proudly, raising his hands. All nearby metal objects began to float, defying gravity.
The X-Men members tensed their bodies, and just as the battle was about to resume—
"Stop it, just do it for me."
A familiar voice halted everyone, including Magneto. They looked toward the source of the voice and saw a purple portal appear in the middle of the battlefield.
**(End of Chapter)**