1860

Cootie Tremble stood before him and laughed, amused by the display of arrogance from such an individual. The laughter rippled throughout the entire crowd - and eventually the entire shanty town - hidden away within the commodious sewer chamber. Until it was silenced by Apocalypse, holding Trembles skeleton in his hands high above him. The body fell to the floor and twitched, a pool of blood seeping into the sewage water from the tear along his chest and head. A collective murmur rose shortly after and everyone stared with bated breaths. The grey man had killed Cootie with no difficulty, and barely anyone had seen his hands move. Clearly he was powerful, more powerful than any them. Apocalypse stared back at everyone with an evil gaze, crushing the skeleton of the former Mutant into fine dust and kicking the remains into the water. People started to sob quietly in the crowd and Saba Nur rose, growing taller than them all and hitting the ceiling of the chamber, manipulating the very fabric of the cloak to grow with him.

"I have walked this world for almost six millennia! There are none who speak my wisdom!" He cries out, his booming voice making everything rattle. "I AM YOUR GOD, YOUR MASTER, I AM APOCALYPSE!

The Mutants shuffled in place, some of them submitting instantly to the presence before them. They were fearful of this new arrival. And they were going to obey. Apocalypse watched over his people, asking an important question that had been burning in his mind. "The bodies brought here. Where do they go?"

A small woman spoke up, kneeling down near the front. Her skin was marked in green, with black lines running across it. Gas seeped from pores along her face. She looked up with timid eyes to her new master, unaware of the path she was about to voyage down. "A Mr. Essex collects them, for his research and experiments.

"What is your name?" Apocalypse asked of her, noting her abilities right off the bat. Knowing the uses they could serve.

"I am Anne, my lord." She spoke, looking down again.

"Rise, Anne of London. For you will be the first of my most loyal servants."

She swallowed hard and look up at Apocalypse, rising on shaky legs and trembling slightly. He was terrifying, what kind of punishment would be wrought upon her should she fail?

"Do not tremble. You are serving my will admirably. You have little reason to fear me."

"Apologies, Master."

"What purpose do his experiments serve?"

"He wishes to create more... Freaks, such as ourselves."

"You are the future of this poxy ridden planet!" Apocalypse shakes his head in disappointment, is this the line of thinking all those here followed? "Through you, humanity shall fall and I shall take the helm!"

A reaction of joy shot through the crowd and they cheered. There would always be some who doubted, but the majority faithfully believed that this man could show them the way to a land of their own. Ruled solely by Mutantkind.

"Show me this Essex." Shrinking back down to a more human like height, despite towering over everyone in question further. The Marauders nodded and moved, scrambling around. The woman from before moved forward, bowing to the lord and master.

The streets of London remained bustling even into the approach of twilight. The hollow sound of horses moving along cobbled streets was a sound you couldn't escape, even among the noise of life. The woman before Apocalypse trailed along one such street with her new god in tow. Looks were cast their way, but a glance from imposing eyes hidden beneath the hood did much to stir them other ways. They moved in silence in the cold evening until they came across a large house in the center of the city. The mutants moved through a wrought Iron gate towards a greenhouse within the back garden, darkened by time but still well kept. In here Essex lay, performing his latest experiments.

In a liquid filled container lay a small child whose body was battered and bruised. His spine and body was twisted, as though someone had tried to wring him like a towel. He was unconscious for the time being, his skin red and raw. The Doctor injected the blood into a dead rat and waited, watching carefully with interest. The rotting, foul body of the mammal started to repair itself slowly, organs and bones reforming with renewed strength before his very eyes. Skin grew back to its rightful place and fur grew quickly, covering the rat once more.

But it did not live. Essex had failed once more.

"Blast these confounded beasts!" He roared, tossing the tray and rat aside, both landing on the floor under the vegetables. "The world tests my patience!"

Apocalypse stepped forward, pulling the hood from his face. He spoke immediately to Essex, making his presence known with his own voice, that threatened to shatter the greenhouse. "Nathaniel Essex. I have seen the work you have performed and I respect it heavily. But you have much more to learn."

"And who are you to dare step in here to my place of work, my sanctuary!"

"I am Apocalypse and heed my words. For your service, I can make you someone who will live beyond his years." The grey man told him, watching him carefully with his red eyes that made even the darkest shadows look bright. "In return I will teach you all you need to know. Join me, Nathaniel Essex. And become a god."

"The concept of god is the folly of man! It is why we do not test the limits to walk among the stars!” Essex responded, shaking his head.

"But a man can become a god! You have said this yourself!" Anne replied, pointing out his own words from the past. She went silent and retreated, looking between the two. Having spoken out of turn.

Apocalypse however looked to Sinister, finding her words to be just and true. "You said it yourself. And if a man can become a god, he can make others in his image!"

Nathaniel Essex regarded him with interest before taking to his knee and bowing his head. He had approached the Hellfire Club and many others. All had rejected him, all would laugh at his words and wisdom. But with the power he would possess? He could surely show them exactly why they should not have turned him away. This man with skin colored like ash spoke a truth even Essex could not deny. Could his dreams come to him finally?

"I serve your will, Lord Apocalypse."

Apocalypse bowed his head and turned, placing his hood up onto his head before beckoning his two followers. They left as quietly as they entered, disappearing into the night...

... And the rat squeaked.