Apocalypse sat on his throne watching holographic displays that showed the world burning.
But one display in particular held his attention.
The recording played on repeat. Wolverine fighting. Then a figure in advanced armor arriving. The fight lasting mere seconds. Wolverine being freed from Celestial corruption.
The figure's identity appeared in text below the image: Tony Stark.
Apocalypse's expression shifted from anger to something else. Curiosity. Interest. Perhaps even respect.
"So the genius has returned," he said to the empty throne room.
He gestured and more displays appeared around him. Files on Tony Stark compiled from various sources over the years. Multiple identities documented. Ultron. Iron Man.
The Merchant of Death. The Futurist. A man who had disappeared five months ago after some kind of experimental accident.
Now returned. Changed. Evolved beyond human limits.
Apocalypse stood from his throne slowly. He was fifteen feet tall and radiated pure power.
His Celestial armor glowed with ancient energy patterns. He walked closer to the holographic display showing Tony in the Mark Infinity Supreme armor.
His hand reached out. Fingers passed through the hologram as he studied every detail.
The armor was impressive. Advanced beyond anything Earth should possess. But it was what lay beneath the armor that truly fascinated him.
Apocalypse's Celestial senses could perceive things normal beings couldn't. He saw the quantum energy signature. The cellular structure that existed between states of matter. The DNA that had been fundamentally rewritten.
"He evolved himself," Apocalypse said slowly. Wonder touched his ancient voice.
For thousands of years, Apocalypse had been the master of evolution. He had transformed countless beings.
Upgraded mutants into weapons. Created the Horsemen through Celestial technology and his own power.
But this human had done something different.
Tony Stark had forced his own evolution without outside help. Through science and determination and sheer intellectual brilliance, he had transcended his species entirely.
'Not through my design,' Apocalypse thought. 'Not through Celestial intervention. Through his own will alone.'
The concept was both fascinating and deeply threatening.
Apocalypse had always believed that evolution came through one path: survival of the fittest. The strong dominated. The weak perished. Natural selection guided by his divine hand.
But Tony Stark represented a different philosophy entirely. Evolution through intellect. Through science. Through the power of the mind rather than the body.
Apocalypse read the species classification that his sensors had detected. "A new branch of humanity. Created by choice rather than chance."
He turned away from the displays and walked to the massive window overlooking Cairo. The city was transformed into his fortress.
Celestial technology merged with ancient pyramids. His mutant army patrolled the streets below.
This was his kingdom. His design. His vision of the future.
But somewhere out there, Tony Stark was building his own vision. One that didn't include Apocalypse's guidance.
'Is this true evolution?' Apocalypse wondered. 'Or is it arrogance? Does he truly understand what he's become? Or is he merely a child playing with forces beyond his comprehension?'
The questions troubled him more than he wanted to admit.
For millennia, Apocalypse had been unopposed in his understanding of evolution. He was the expert. The master. The god of adaptation and survival.
Now a human dared to challenge that supremacy. Not through power alone, but through a completely different approach to evolution itself.
Apocalypse's hands clenched into fists. Energy crackled between his fingers.
"I must know," he said aloud. "Is he worthy of the evolution he's achieved? Or is he just another pretender who will fall before true power?"
The massive doors to the throne room opened with a deep grinding sound. Three figures entered and knelt immediately. War, Famine, and Death.
The remaining Horsemen after Pestilence's liberation.
"Master," War spoke with Magneto's corrupted voice. "Pestilence has been freed. The corruption was burned from his system completely. What are your orders?"
Apocalypse didn't turn from the window. He continued looking out over his kingdom.
"Increase all attacks," he commanded. His voice was calm but carried absolute authority. "Make them more aggressive. More visible. More impossible to ignore."
The Horsemen remained kneeling but confusion showed in their postures.
"You want to draw out Tony Stark," Death rumbled in understanding.
"Yes." Apocalypse finally turned to face them. His eyes glowed with intensity. "I want to see him in action. Watch how he thinks. How he prioritizes. How he handles choices with no good options."
Famine's hollow voice echoed through the chamber. "And if he proves strong?"
Apocalypse walked slowly down the steps from his throne. Each footstep shook the floor slightly.
"Then I will face him personally," Apocalypse said. "And we will see whose vision of evolution is superior."
He stopped in front of the three Horsemen. They were powerful beings, each one capable of destroying armies. But before Apocalypse, they were nothing. Tools to be used and discarded.
"War. Go to London. Tear apart their last defensive fortifications."
"Famine. India is still resisting. Bring drought and plague upon them."
"Death. There are resistance bases in Eastern Europe. Demolish them all."
The three Horsemen stood as one. "As you command."
They turned and left the throne room to carry out their orders.
Apocalypse returned to his throne and sat down heavily. The throne itself was ancient Celestial technology that amplified his already god-like powers. It connected him to the Ascension Device. To his army. To the very planet itself.
He pulled up the holographic display of Tony Stark again. Watched the recording of Wolverine's liberation one more time.
Apocalypse had a thought.
'You believe you've transcended humanity through your own genius. But have you truly evolved? Or have you simply changed yourself without understanding what evolution actually means?'
Apocalypse had seen countless beings try to force their own evolution over the centuries. They always failed.
True evolution required more than just physical changes. It required the right mindset. The right philosophy. The acceptance that only the strong deserved to survive.
"Tony Stark," Apocalypse said the name like he was tasting it. "Genius. Billionaire. Playboy. Philanthropist. And now something more."
He leaned forward on his throne. Energy crackled around his body as his power surged.
"I have waited five thousand years to find a worthy opponent. Someone who truly understands evolution." His voice was quiet but intense. "Perhaps you are that opponent. Or perhaps you are just another insect who needs to be crushed."
The holographic displays showed chaos spreading across the globe. His Horsemen carrying out his orders. Cities burning. Millions dying or transforming. The world being reshaped in his image.
But Apocalypse's attention remained fixed on that single recording. On Tony Stark freeing Wolverine.
'Show me what you're truly capable of,' Apocalypse thought. 'Show me if your evolution is real. Or if it's just a clever illusion created by advanced technology.'
He stood from his throne one final time. His massive form towered over everything in the room.
"The strong survive," he declared to the empty chamber. "The weak perish. This is the law of nature. The law of evolution. The law I enforce."
Apocalypse's eyes blazed with power as he made his decision.
"Come, Tony Stark. Come and face me. Let us see whose philosophy will inherit the Earth."
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