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Post by apocalypse on Nov 30, 2010 10:56:20 GMT -5
New York was a risky place to be for any mutant, whether it's x-men, brotherhood, even your common variety. It was as if NY wasn't just the major city of the US, but also the center for the worst of the mutant prejudice, next to washington of course.
Crystal's report of an Ellwood in the city was, as always, accurate. Apocalypse stood in an alley off to the side, changing his form and shape into one of his human counterpart, Trask. He walked from the alleyway, straighening his tan suit and slicking back his dark brown hair. His dark eyes always looking through a set of spectacles as he walked along the streets, giving a nod to a random person every now and then.
Once in a while he would check his watch and turn down a certain street. While others assumed he was checking the time, the watch served as a different purpose. He linked this watch to his computer, allowing him to locate the member of the Ellwood family. He only hoped he located her before someone else did. Again he looked at his watch and continued to walk down the streets, looking around for anybody that fit the discription of a young girl that Crystal described.
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Post by jane on Dec 1, 2010 17:40:06 GMT -5
Jane had a pretty easy time blending into the busy city of New York. She was dressed in the latest fashions, looking the part of just another rich person's child. Which she was, seeing as her family was more worried about wealth then the state of the world. Now, that didn't bother Jane to much... She'd been raised that way, after all, but her personally? Well she was thinking more of the long run. What world would be left if no one stopped those seeking it's destruction? Cain wasn't the only one attacking after all! Other mutant groups were coming out of hiding to attack the public, using Cain as a distraction so no one would specifically go after them. And in some ways? These other people were worse, because no one knew who they were or how many were on their side. At least with Cain you knew something.
No one passing Jane on the streets would think she was a mutant, not with the way she was dressed or the way she acted. There wasn't that small hesitation in her steps or shifting gaze that people often associated with mutants, she acted just like any normal rich 18 year old.
Finally she just sat on a bench, sighing. She'd stopped at several stores that day, but only had one shopping bag with her. She was so... bored. She hadn't had much interest in shopping today, even though she knew she was behind in her Christmas shopping. But she just didn't know what to get her family members. It was hard finding things that they would like when they basically had everything they wanted!
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Post by apocalypse on Dec 2, 2010 14:47:06 GMT -5
Another look at his watch and he could see the small blip begining to flash more rapidly. He was getting close, which meant that he would soon find out who this Ellwood girl was. A few more steps down the street and the blip was flashing to the point where it was almost solid. He continued to look around as he passed by the bench and kept going, wondering where she was.
As he started walking away, the blip was growing less solid, which raised his curiosity and caused him to turn around. He walked back down the street until the blip on his watch was flashing solidly again. He looked around some more, wondering where he would find this girl, and then his eyes moved to the girl on the bench. He gave her a curious look before moving to the side of the bench and looking her over.
Her shopping bag next to her and her clothes made her look as if she could by half of main street and still have enough money to buy a restaurant if she wanted to. Her discription fit exactly to the detail that Crystal had given him.
"Excuse me, might I join you?"
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Post by jane on Dec 8, 2010 15:47:57 GMT -5
Jane hadn't sat there long when a well dressed business man passed by, staring down at his watch as if waiting for it to do something. It almost made her roll her eyes. If he was in such a hurry why didn't he just take a taxi or something? He was gone as quickly as he came, and her interest was lost. She finally just pulled out her cellphone, flipping it open and going through her text messages, responding to texts she'd skipped over earlier in the day, or send others just to entertain herself. She knew she should finish her shopping, but for the moment her creative gift ideas were gone, and she was stuck trying to come up with something new.
Then, that business man was back, and talking to her no less! Jane slowly lifted her gaze from the phone, fixing him with a somewhat blank expression. Why the hell was he wanting to sit by her? Oh great, he wasn't trying to pick her up or something, right? After all, it always seemed like men his age were trying to hook up with girls her age.
After staring for only a few seconds, she shrugged, not really caring if he sat or not. "Go ahead."
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Post by apocalypse on Dec 11, 2010 17:40:19 GMT -5
Once given permission, he sat down at the other end of the bench and placed his hands on his lap as if waiting for someone. He let the sounds of the city settle in, still in his own slight doubt about whether this who was sitting with him was truly a member of the Ellwood family. He trusted Crystal's judgment however, having been proven right by them more then a shared number of times.
"I hope you don't mind my asking, but I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time."
He looked to her, a small smile on his face. He adjusted the glasses on his face, waiting for her response. He did his best to come off as casual, knowing that just saying the brotherhood required her assistance would more then likely send her walking right away.
"After all," he allowed his true voice to show, "I'm sure you would spare some time for a fellow mutant, Miss Ellwood."
He was prepared for anything then. Whether she decided to leave or go on the defensive against him. Either way he didn't care, but he didn't have patience for either as well. He wanted to get this over with and return to his base of operations.
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Post by jane on Dec 12, 2010 14:05:41 GMT -5
Jane just returned to ignoring him when he sat, her attention back on her phone, this time obviously because she'd started a game. She had absolutely no interest in talking to the man next to her, just as it seemed he didn't have any in talking with her. He looked more like he was waiting for a ride, or something. But, it seemed that theory was thrown out the window as soon as he spoke again, this time obviously meaning to carry a conversation. She just sighed, wondering if she should just leave. She wasn't in the mood to talk with a complete stranger right now, she'd had enough of strangers for a while!
She didn't even look up from her game when he spoke, just shrugging in response. Only when he continued did she stop her playing, his change in voice obvious. She'd never heard Apocalypse's voice though, so she didn't recognize it. What she did recognize was the air of importance and power in his breath. Whoever this guy was, he was powerful. She slowly glanced out of the corner of her eyes at him, her gaze going slightly dark with suspicion. She didn't do anything to him yet though. If she just 'attacked' anyone who knew her name she would have been exposed a long time ago, after all! "... Who are you?"
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Post by apocalypse on Dec 13, 2010 0:39:47 GMT -5
He couldn't help but smile at her, having gotten her attention. She seemed like some average teen checking on her phone and waiting. He wasn't sure what she was waiting for, but her attention was caught by him with just a change of his voice. When she asked about who he was, his smile grew a little bit more.
"Who am I?" his voice changing back to human, "It is a complicated question actually. Humans would call me Trask, my ancient egyptian name is En Saba Nur, but my true name is one that most mutants know well. I am the leader of the brotherhood, Apocalypse."
He smirked at her as he allowed his many known names to sink into her. He could tell she was a member of the Ellwoods, or at least a mutant, otherwise she would've walked away and called him a nutjob by now. He turned his attention back towards the people going by, wondering if any of them were oblivious to what was going on around them.
"I am in need of some assistance from you, but we can't talk here. I must request that we find a more secluded or private area to speak. It is a matter of importance."
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Post by jane on Dec 13, 2010 1:02:44 GMT -5
"....."
Jane recognized every single one of those names. Trask, Boliver Trask. He was the man who invented the Sentinel robots. En Sabah Nur, the name Apocalypse went by before he became… well Apocalypse! And Apocalypse was obvious, everyone in the Mutant community knew the name, though it was reaching a point where Cain was a more recognize name then Apocalypse. Which wasn’t exactly a good thing…
She processed the information faster then he’d probably expected. He’d probably expected her to be shocked, surprised, maybe even decide to bolt having realized who her company was. Instead, she just sat there with that same unreadable expression. She wasn’t shocked. Not in the least. With the strange happens these days, you became somewhat desensitized to these situations. Which wasn’t always a good thing. It was probably why so many people were being killed by Cain, their fight or flight was starting to lean towards fight, even though they were ants to him.
“My assistance..?” Finally, Jane smirked a little. “Someone of your… reputation needs my help?” For some reason, she found it a little funny. Finally though, the smirk vanished, her serious expression returning. Her gaze wandered, training on the people passing, checking to see if any were watching the pair. None. She reached out to grab her bag, she didn’t want to accidently leave it after all. Then, everything melted away. “You might get motion sick.” She hadn’t even warned him before hand. Why should she? He was the first mutant after all.
The spinning and melting lasted only a few moments, before the world began to rebuild itself as her usual spot in her own dimension, a gazebo in what could only be a large park, one side blocked by trees, the other long stretched of grass. Jane leaned up against one of the support beams, her arms wrapped around it as she just watched him with that same dreamy gaze as before, but only this time… It would feel more like meeting the face of a God, brilliant, powerful. And here? Jane was God. “You can tell me here."
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Post by apocalypse on Dec 13, 2010 12:04:11 GMT -5
"I assure you, it's nothing I wouldn't rather be without."
Though he did find it a bit humiliating himself to want assistance from others, to hear it from her made his smile fade. Her humor wasn't weighing quite well on him, and with Cain running around, he wasn't in the mood for jokes. He glanced at her bag before returning to her, then stood up and looked around as the world seemed to melt around them.
He watched as the world seem to form back together, changing from the crowded streets of new york to a secluded gazebo in the middle of what looked like a large field. He walked slowly around the gazebo, moving past Jane as he took in the sights around him. He remembered Crystal telling him the basics of her power, but it was nothing like he had imagined.
"Amazing." he said absently, "I've heard of your ability to create a new dimension, but to experience it first hand is indeed a sight."
He realized he was still in his human form, and getting the feeling this was some sort of safe haven, he shed his human form and grew in size, his clothes changing to the blue armor with the A in the center of his belt line. His human expression changing to that of an emotionless creature.
"I will get straight to the point. I wish to form an alliance."
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Post by jane on Dec 13, 2010 15:25:46 GMT -5
Jane just stood there for several minutes as he took in the sights with such interest. She wasn't all that impressed with her work anymore, not unless she did something so over the top it wasn't physically possible in the real world. Even then it rarely impressed her. She really was being desensitized by it all.
"Create. Control. Manipulate. Basically, I can do whatever the hell I want to here. If I want, I can even stop you from using your power." It was almost a warning, as if telling him if he did anything to bug her, she could do whatever she wanted to retaliate. This was her domain after all.
She continued to watch with little interest as he discarded his human disguise, returning to the form he was known by. SHe didn't even blink when it happened, as if not even surprised, as if... She'd expected it.
"An alliance..?" That made her raise an eyebrow, unwrapping her arms from around the support beam to cross her arms around her chest. "What sort of alliance? With me? Or my family?" She couldn't help but wonder, why was he coming to her? She wasn't in line to be the head of the family after all! Unless.. He only needed her help in particular?
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Post by apocalypse on Dec 13, 2010 18:41:40 GMT -5
"Indeed."
His interest in what she could do inside this world didn't bother him as much as her saying she could cut off his abilities did. The thought of being rendered useless inside his own body didn't sit well with him. He continued to stand there looking at her as she spoke, smirking a little when she asked if he was wanting her or her family.
"Your family is of no importance to me, just the fact that you are among the elder families. I need your assistance in order to protect my minions, just until our base is in it's new position, and Cain is out of the picture."
He turned and walked towards the edge of the the gazebo, staring out over the lands as he placed his hands behind his back. Apocalypse was showing an emotion not often given by one such as himself. He was worried. Worried for himself, his minions, and worried for Crystal.
"Cain is a threat, one that must be dealt with. However I have been rendered...weakened by his latest assault. My team has been severely injured, some and others missing, and I am in no condition to fight him." He paused for a moment, turning to Jane, "I need you to come with me. A member of my team believes that with an Ellwood with us, Cain would not think of attacking, though I personally have my doubts."
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Post by jane on Dec 13, 2010 18:55:08 GMT -5
So he was only wanting her assistance? Jane found that a little odd. Why was he only wanting hers? She didn't have to wait long for the answer, as he quickly began to explain the reasoning. All he wanted was an Ellwood on his side, to make Cain have second thoughts about attacking them. And Jane knew instantly why he would hesitate.
“You want to use the Ancient Family treaty to protect your people..?” The Ancient Families had a treaty, of sorts, that had been established a long time ago. As long as the families didn’t attack each other, they would stay out of each other’s business. And if you did attack one… You declared war between your family and the one harassed. It was a clever idea to say the least. But did Cain even know about the treaty? “Cain is a Milena, I believe. How do you know he’s even heard about the treaty? After all, he’s the proven Milena, I doubt his family would have told him.” Of course there were theories of other members, mainly just their founder being a mutant who could live forever, but they were only rumors.
“I suppose, if he were aware of my assistance, his Nightshade allies would warn him… But otherwise I can’t see how my help would be of much use.” Okay, that was a half lie. Of course she could be effective against Cain if she could trap him in her dimension. The problem was getting close enough with out being killed to pull him in.
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Post by apocalypse on Dec 13, 2010 19:10:31 GMT -5
"In a word, yes."
He turned to her, his usual half smile on his face. He never thought that he would use a mutant as a means to hold off another. Usually he welcomed the attack and ended up winning, but Cain was a different story. He had attacked Xavier as well as Apocalypse, and had gathered all the information and technology that both acquired.
"Cain has grown even more corrupted as of late. He has used a copy of my machine to make himself more powerful, but in doing so drove himself into complete madness. What's worse, I have reason to believe he has sired a child."
He stopped, waiting to see what she would have to say. He hoped she would say yes to his request. He wasn't sure how it would go over, knowing she was right in questioning whether or not Cain had heard of the treaty. If he had, then the brotherhood would be safe for the time being. If he hadn't, then Apocalypse may be making things worse.
"It is not his knowledge of the treaty that worries me, it is whether the thought matters to him. If you wish for anything in return for your assistance, then I'm sure we can work something out."
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Post by jane on Dec 13, 2010 19:29:29 GMT -5
Jane shifted, leaning against the pillar and watching him with her head tilted slightly. How did Apocalypse even know about the Treaty to begin with? Whoever it was that had told him was incredibly knowledgeable… Someone who knew the family secrets without being a member. After all, why would he need her if he already had someone from an Ancient family on his side?
Finally though, real shock crossed her face. Cain had a child? That was news to her! And she thought she kept up on these things! “A child..? With who?” Somehow she couldn’t imagine him ‘knocking up’ any woman. He’d want someone powerful, and someone he could keep an eye on. One of his allies. And the Nightshades were his allies… “Is it a Nightshade?” That made things even more complicated. If Cain attacked Jane, and Jane retaliated… The Nightshade woman just might lash out at her. And if that happened… Jane’s family would get involved, forcing the Nightshades to get involved… In all? The families would turn the entire planet into a battle field.
Jane sighed, shaking her head and rubbing her forehead. “So he might not even care about the treaty if he does know about it… He may even enjoy the chaos stirred by it all and purposely attack me. That’s reassuring..” She sighed again. She had told Ian she wanted to help in the War anyway she could… How could she back down now? “How long are you asking for?”
She stopped, her gaze wandering back to Apocalypse again. “How do you know so much about the Ancient Families? We try to keep our secrets, you know, only telling those we need to… And you no longer have any connects… Whoever told you this… It can’t be the only thing they know…”
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Post by apocalypse on Dec 13, 2010 19:39:07 GMT -5
"Sky Nightshade. That is not all. I have reason to believe that he has attacked one of the Elensar sisters. He has left her for in the middle of paris"
Apocalypse had encountered the Elensar sisters in the past, and that didn't go well for him in the least. So to hear that one man had taken on and defeated a mutant that he barely escaped from was something that sent chills down his armored body.
"I merely ask for your assistance until Cain is defeated or is no longer considered a threat to us. You are no prisoner, so you will be able to come and go as you please, however you have my protection while you are with us."
He hoped that would be the end of the conversation, but when she asked how he knew about the treaty and ancient families, his smile faded. He never thought he would find himself drawing close to a member of a team he had become the leader of, but this person was proving to be more then just a member.
"Her name is Crystal, which is another reason I'm in need of your assistance. Cain and Shadow brought her to me to find a way to control her after effects of her power. She's a child of vast knowledge, but her power, before I helped her, caused her to have headaches and collapse if used too much. Cain knows where she is and how to get to her. If he were to need her, and I'm certain he would, he would spare no one to get her."
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