CHAPTER 82 - BROKEN AGAINST THE MASTER
The lab was a furnace of sparks and screaming steel. Magneto stood at the center, cloak billowing as though the air Itself bent to his will.
Colossus staggered, still fighting his own body. His metal frame jerked like a puppet pulled by cruel strings. "Please... comrades... stay clear! I am... no better than a weapon in his hands!" His voice cracked with shame.
Thunderbird bellowed and hurled a steel beam like a javelin. Magneto caught it mid-flight, spun it in the air, and lashed it across Thunderbird's chest. The Apache crashed into a wall hard enough to crack concrete, blood on his lips.
Sunfire screamed in fury, flames searing hotter, hotter, until the air itself warped. The inferno struck Magneto's shield-and vanished like a candle snuffed in a hurricane. Magneto didn't even blink.
Banshee tried again, his sonic wail ripping through the chamber, rattling the bones of every man present. Magneto raised one hand. The sound bent around him, twisted, hurled back. Banshee staggered, clutching his ears, blood trickling from his nose.
Nightcrawler blinked into smoke, teleporting behind Magneto, claws ready. But Magneto's power felt him. Iron particles in the air drew together, and Kurt reappeared inside a crushing field that hurled him sideways. He slammed into the ceiling, crumpled, and dropped like a ragdoll.
Storm gasped for breath, eyes wide with panic. Iron dust swirled again, knitting itself into a lattice around her face, pressing close, sealing her lungs. She clawed at the metal cage, every breath thinner, thinner-until her knees buckled.
Logan's chest went cold. 'She's done. If I don't
He lunged. His claws shrieked against the iron shell, sparks painting his face. He slashed again, harder, every muscle burning. With a roar he split the cage. The shards fell away and Storm collapsed into his arms, gulping air.
Magneto's gaze locked on him. "You persist, beast. But you cannot prevail."
Logan snarled, setting Storm gently aside. His claws trembled, every nerve screaming to strike. But Magneto's pull was there, invisible, relentless. The bastard had him by the bones.
"You smell it, don't you?" Logan growled through clenched teeth. "Your own stink.
ARROGANCE. DESIRE TO RULE. Superiority dripping like sweat. His claws twitched uselessly. "That's your soul, Magneto. And it REEKS.
Magneto's eyes narrowed, insult flickering across his proud face. "You dare presume to judge me, animal? I am the next step. You are nothing.
He raised his arms, the whole lab trembling as pipes, beams, and shattered consoles lifted into the air. The X-Men were being crushed piece by piece, their strength stripped away.
And then-
A searing red beam cut through the chaos, smashing into Magneto's shield. He staggered back, cloak snapping in the magnetic storm.
Cyclops stormed into the chamber, visor blazing. 'You'll find, Magneto," he said, voice low and steady, "that we're not so easy to break."
The X-Men rallied faintly, hope flickering like dying embers. But Scott's mind was already racing.
'Erik the Red. Restored Magneto. This whole fight-just a stall. His real target's not us. It's Xavier. If we stay, he wins."
Magneto braced, pouring power into his shield, teeth bared.
Scott turned, shouting above the roar. "Everyone FALL BACK! Get to the Blackbird! NOW!"
Logan's head whipped toward him, fury in his eyes. "What the hell are you SAYIN', Slim? You want us to run like COWARDS?"
But Cyclops didn't look back. His beam burned hotter, buying seconds. "Go! That's an order!"
The team hesitated, battered and broken. One by one, they dragged each other toward the wrecked wall, stumbling through smoke and rubble.
Magneto's voice thundered behind them, equal parts fury and triumph. "YOU ESCAPE BECAUSE I ALLOW IT. YOU LIVE ONLY BECAUSE I AM MERCIFUL. REMEMBER IT!"
They spilled out into the night, the lab behind them collapsing in showers of sparks.
Inside, Magneto straightened, cloak swirling, eyes blazing with fire and pride. They flee because of my POWER. And the world itself will follow."