<div class="floatleft">(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V9XKgV6M6Qw/TIw5G2g3aEI/AAAAAAAAAEs/vMRf_ijo9js/s1600/apocalypse+1.jpg)</div><br/><hr/><hr/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>  Name:</strong>       En Sabah Nur<br/>  <strong>Title:</strong>          Apocalypse<br/>  <strong>Affiliation:</strong>  The Vision<br/>  <strong>Location:</strong>   Giza Plateau, Cairo<br/>  <strong>Tags:</strong>         Selene, Blink, Plague, CLOSED<br/><br/></span></span><hr/><hr/><br/><div style="text-align: justify;">     Apocalypse turned away from the group of people who'd suddenly appeared before him - Sinister was dragging off the unconscious form of Magneto, while the other two were discussing their next moves. As the ancient mutant was walking back into the Pyramid away from them, he could hear Selene's voice practically blistering as she spoke to Blink. He didn't care what they were talking about. He had given his instructions.<br/><br/>     His muscles rippled with every step as he strode down the long dark hallway. The glowing rune-like veins that pulsed just below the surface of his skin were enough light to illuminate the unlit corridor. His footfalls were heavy and echoed off the newly blue-tinted brick walls. The sound of each step bounced down the walkway until he stopped - and then only the distant hum of the crystal pyramid several hundred feet below him could be heard.<br/><br/>     He took a sharp turn into a newly discovered anti-chamber - likely found while they were searching for the cavern below. This particular room had been set up as Apocalypse's personal chambers. It was one large room, with several smaller rooms that branched off of it. Apocalypse strode into the main chamber and he could hear a device set near the center of the room beeping. It was an incoming call. With but a thought, the device blinked to life and a life-size hologram illuminated in the center of the room. Apocalypse continued his heavy and determined gate towards the appearing group of individuals. <br/><br/>    Pestilence was in the center, with that obnoxiously deceptive smile on her face - as usual; as if he didn't know her thoughts and how badly she hated everyone and everything. All of his Horsemen shared this close bond - though it was partially one-sided; as Apocalypse' thoughts and feelings could be well masked while theirs were constantly bare before him. He stopped several feet from the projection and crossed his massive arms.<br/><br/>     As if it were some sort of cue, Pestilence immediately began to greet her master with fine words and a seductive flash of her eyes. Apocalypse rudely interrupted her extended greeting, <strong>"Save me your petty banter Plague. What have you accomplished?"</strong> His eyes were cold and calculating, and they were focused on Pestilence alone - despite her accompanying party. Hurt &amp; Harm were present - foolish little children, but useful. There was also one of Pestilence's many scientists, he'd seen the man before. And then there were two new beings, both very animalistic in appearance. <br/><br/>     Pestilence didn't even waste the time apologizing - and with good reason, as it would have only further irritated the grey-skinned tyrant. "A new success, master. The first shipment of DNA from the amazon has produced intriguing results." She swept her arm to the side to offer the images of Cackle and Tangle as tribute. "Tangle and Cackle. The first two successes - though the fatality rate of the new serum is substantially higher..."<br/><br/>     Apocalypse narrowed his eyes as he took in the new specimens, they looked good. They looked strong. And more importantly - they had been hand-designed, each given a specific set of animal DNA mixed in with some version of serum derived from Apocalypse' own blood. When Pestilence mentioned the higher fatality rate, he just smiled. <strong>"Perfect."</strong> He'd already amassed an incredible army, and most of his enemies had already been decimated. The world's strongest governments had been destroyed, the rest had collapsed into anarchy. Every major superhuman organization and stronghold and been hit hard and fast. There were survivors, but they were scattered and divided. However, they were no longer leaderless... Apocalypse growled slightly as he recalled Stark's message. <strong>"Set them hunting immediately. Stark has survived the initial assault - I believe he may be hiding in your region."</strong> Stark's home and original base of operations had been in California, after all. With his tech at Stark Tower in ruins, he'd have to resort to older models... though there was no telling how many secret stashes Tony had hidden around the globe. It was a start at least.<br/><br/>     "Yes Master." Solara answered obediently. She waved Cackle and Tangle off camera and then turned to regard Apocalypse again. "And what new duties would you have for myself sire?" she asked, an eager gleam in her brilliant yellow-green eyes. "I'm assuming our success on the new serum would mean that I know longer need to personally supervise it?"<br/><br/>     A wave of energy burst from Apocalypse then and Pestilence clutched her head and dropped to one knee, a short shout of pain barely escaped her before she managed to hold the rest in. <strong>"Never assume what my commands may be, Plague. You have served me well, don't give me reason to slight your efforts."</strong> He said coldly, hardly flinching as she was racked with his mental attack. <strong>"But you are correct..."</strong> he said with a smile, releasing her from the painful assault. <strong>"too many foolish beings dare to resist us. I would squash them out before their pitiful flame even has the chance to burn. Search out any superhumans in your area..."</strong> <br/><br/>     Pestilence fell to the ground as another wave of pain hit her mind. <strong>"And do not think that you can hide your failures from me..."</strong> he had dug through her memories and seen the Serum survivors that she let escape. She had managed to recapture some, but two still evaded her. Apocalypse was particularly upset about Wreck's escape. He had been a worthy survivor and shown such promise among Pestilence' ranks. Now, he would have to die with the rest of them. Apocalypse took a few steps forward, standing almost directly above Plague's prone form, his body blocking several of the projector lasers and causing her image to flicker. <strong>"Find them. Kill them, and perhaps I will not follow through with the punishment that I will begin fashioning for you... Blink is coming to aid you, and to receive a FULL report. Try your best not to omit any important facts the next time around...</strong>"<br/><br/>     And with that the projector cut off. Apocalypse sneered. So many fools; didn't they understand that their efforts were futile? He would bring about the new dawn and a new age of the Earth. They could not stop his plans anymore than they could prevent the sun from rising. Now to deal with those pitiful humans in Port Said. They think because they have a few superhuman accomplices that they can defy him? Madness! He stormed into his private resting chamber in the back of the anterooms. He sat down in the center of an intricately carved symbol that had been etched into the ancient stone floor. It was in a timeless language - one that predated every written and spoken language on earth that still existed. He crossed his legs and raised his chin, almost in a meditative posture. His eyes closed and his mind then reached out rapidly across the local area. <br/><br/>      <strong><em>Venom. Omega Red. Deacon. Juggernaut. Southpaw. You have work to do. Report to the Giza platform immediately. Rebels in Port Said dare to stand up against my Vision! Bring a squad of Judgement troops, each of you. I will provide the... first assault wave.</em></strong> Apocalypse's glowing eyes snapped open and a twisted smile crept across his face as he stood to his feet. He hoped they truly did have the heart to stand up and fight him. Chasing them down as they retreated just wouldn't be quite as satisfying.</div>