The desert winds howled across the ruins of an ancient temple in Egypt.
The night sky, once adorned with stars, now shimmered with an unnatural glow—pulsing with the raw energy of a force long forgotten.
A deep, commanding voice echoed through the air, reverberating through the very bones of the Avengers.
"You stand in the presence of En Sabah Nur... the first... the strongest. Kneel."
From the shadows of a crumbling obelisk, a towering figure emerged, clad in dark, intricately adorned armor, his skin a deep blue, his piercing eyes glowing with ancient power. Apocalypse had revealed himself.
Captain America tightened his grip on his shield, his instincts screaming at him that they were outmatched. But retreat wasn't an option—at least, not yet.
"We don't kneel." Steve Rogers stepped forward, his voice firm. "We fight."
Apocalypse smirked. "Then you fight against the inevitable."
Before Captain America could react, Apocalypse moved with blinding speed—an unnatural blur of power.
A single strike sent Steve flying through the air, crashing against the temple ruins with a force that sent debris cascading around him.
Gritting his teeth, Steve forced himself up, but his body screamed in protest. He activated his comms. "We need backup. Now."
Across the comm channels, the Avengers received the distress call. Within moments, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Falcon, Shang-Chi, Iron Fist, and Captain Peggy Carter converged on the battlefield, their advanced Stark-tech suits gleaming under the ominous glow of the transformed landscape.
"Let's see what these upgrades can really do," Falcon muttered as he launched into the air, his wings thrumming with enhanced propulsion.
Black Widow landed gracefully beside Captain America, her gauntlets sparking with blue energy. "You called?" she quipped before unleashing a barrage of electrified strikes at Apocalypse, the impact sending shockwaves through the air.
Hawkeye nocked an energy-infused arrow, releasing it with pinpoint precision. It exploded upon contact, engulfing Apocalypse in a brilliant blue flare. But as the smoke cleared, he remained unfazed, his expression unreadable.
Shang-Chi and Iron Fist moved in tandem, their strikes coordinated and relentless. Enhanced by their Starktonium Arc Reactor-powered suits, their blows carried enough force to shatter steel. Shang-Chi's fists struck like a tempest, while Iron Fist's chi-infused attacks radiated golden light.
Apocalypse studied them with mild interest, his expression slowly morphing into amusement. "Your technology is impressive," he mused. "But it will never replace the power of evolution."
With a wave of his hand, an unseen force sent the Avengers skidding backward. Before they could regroup, shadows shifted, and from the darkness emerged his Centurions—towering, biomechanical warriors infused with his essence. Leading them was Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, his body pulsating with an unnatural energy. Enhanced.
"Herr Rogers," Strucker sneered. "Let's continue where we left off last time."
"You're not the only one with upgrades you know," Strucker smiled.
*Boom!*
The battle erupted in chaos. Falcon darted through the sky, weaving between energy blasts while unleashing counterstrikes.
Black Widow and Hawkeye moved with surgical precision, dismantling the Centurions with synchronized efficiency. Shang-Chi and Iron Fist held their ground against Strucker, their strikes meeting his unnatural strength in a clash of raw power.
But Apocalypse had grown tired of their resistance.
"Enough."
The word alone carried power, and with a mere gesture, the battlefield shifted. The ground trembled as arcs of energy spiraled outward. The Avengers were lifted off their feet, their suits flickering under an overwhelming force.
One by one, they crashed to the ground, their systems overloaded. Captain America struggled to rise, but Apocalypse loomed over him, gripping him by the throat and lifting him effortlessly.
"You fight with heart," Apocalypse admitted. "But heart cannot change fate."
With a flick of his wrist, he hurled Steve across the battlefield. The rest of the Avengers, battered and weakened, knew they had no choice.
"Retreat!" Steve commanded, his voice strained but firm.
Reluctantly, the Avengers disengaged. As they made their escape, Apocalypse merely watched, making no move to pursue. He had made his point. The battle was his.
As the Avengers retreated into the darkness, Apocalypse turned his gaze toward the horizon. His plan was only beginning.
With a slow, deliberate motion, he raised his hand, and the land beneath him trembled. Ancient ruins reformed, towering spires emerging from the earth as sand gave way to gleaming stone. The transformation had begun.
Egypt was no longer just a nation.
It was the foundation of a new mutant kingdom.
---
Meanwhile, far from the chaos, at the School for Gifted Youngsters, Professor Charles Xavier removed the Cerebro helmet, his hands trembling slightly as he massaged his temple.
"My God..." he whispered.
Those in the room exchanged uneasy glances. Jean Grey, Beast, Storm, and Wolverine stood in tense silence, waiting for him to speak.
"What is it, Charles?" Jean asked softly.
Xavier exhaled slowly, composing himself before meeting their concerned gazes. "Apocalypse has returned... and he has begun his war."
The room fell deathly silent.
The age of mutants had begun.
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