DC/Marvel: This Guy is Insane

"Retreat!"

The two symbiote warriors, upon seeing Apocalypse, didn't hesitate for a second. They vanished. At the same time, the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents turned and fled, leaping into the sea to escape.

The mutants didn't pursue them. Instead, they looked to their leader, Magneto, who was still shaken. A moment ago, he had been certain he was about to die, closer to death than he had been in a long time. While Magneto was nominally a Level 4 mutant, the power gap within that classification was immense. A being as powerful as Apocalypse was also considered Level 4.

Of course, Magneto was simply unaware of the symbiotes' weaknesses. Had he known about their aversion to noise and fire, he could have slammed two steel pipes together, creating a sonic blast that would have rendered them helpless. Apocalypse's energy wave had succeeded primarily because of its intense heat, which had frightened the symbiotes away.

Alan, however, had recognized them instantly. He was almost certain they were Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter. He had seen the black and white symbiotes on them during the video call at Arkham but had chosen to keep quiet.

"Alan."

Wade sheathed his swords and walked over, glaring at him.

"Holy cow, you recognized me even in this outfit? Was it my irresistible charisma?" Alan struck a Captain America-esque pose in his new Hydra-themed suit.

"Your voice is too perverted," Wade said bluntly. "I knew it was you the second I heard it."

"Of course. My handsomeness incites jealousy. I understand your twisted heart. After all, being this good-looking is a terrible burden." Alan slung an arm around Wade's shoulder. "I'm busy helping Boss Apocalypse build a mutant empire. Want to help? We're short a Fourth Horseman. I think you'd be a perfect fit."

Wade slapped Alan's hand away. "I will never join an evil organization!" he declared righteously.

"Evil?" Alan shot back angrily. "We are an organization with principles and ideals! If we were truly evil, my boss could have slaughtered everyone on this island!"

"…" Wade fell silent. He had to admit, it was true. Judging by the power Apocalypse had displayed, wiping out a group of mere mortals would have been effortless. Yet, he hadn't. He had let them escape.

"Come over here and let's chat. Give the two bosses some private space," Alan said, beckoning Wade to the side. He pulled a carrot from his armpit. "Have a cigar."

"Don't gross me out," Wade said with a look of disgust.

At that moment, Apocalypse and Magneto were in deep discussion, with Apocalypse carefully crafting his persona as instructed. The meeting was surprisingly harmonious. Magneto couldn't very well attack the man who had just saved his life. He agreed with Apocalypse's ideology, but he refused to formally cooperate. If they joined forces, who would be the leader? Magneto would never relinquish control of the empire he had worked so hard to build.

Fortunately, Apocalypse appeared magnanimous, not forcing the issue at all. He even offered to enhance Magneto's powers.

"Why?" Magneto asked, confused.

"For the future of all mutants," Apocalypse replied. As he said the words, he felt a pang of awkwardness. If his skin weren't naturally gray, he would have been blushing. The words, however, significantly elevated Magneto's opinion of him.

In truth, Magneto was already tempted. If his powers were enhanced, he was confident he could finally stand against the Black King and achieve the revenge he had so long desired. Still, he remained cautious. What if this was a trick, a way to gain control over him?

"Allow me to offer you a gift," Apocalypse said. He raised a hand, and sand from the ground swirled up, coalescing into a black helmet in his palm. "I know Professor X often intrudes upon your mind," he explained. "This helmet will block his telepathic abilities."

Magneto's eyes were glued to the helmet. The Black King had a similar one, which made him immune to Charles's powers. Furthermore, the Black King's ally, the White Queen, was a telepath who had often thwarted Magneto's surprise attacks. With this helmet, not only could he block Charles's incessant nagging, but he could also launch a surprise attack of his own against the Black King.

In the distance, Alan and Wade stood side-by-side, watching the exchange.

"Look how well they're getting along," Alan said with a wide grin. "They're already exchanging love tokens."

"A match made in heaven," Wade nodded in agreement. "A pair of adulterous scoundrels."

"How can you say that about them?" Alan rebuked him with a serious expression before his face broke into a wicked smile. "They're shameless degenerates."

"I wonder who's on top."

"I think they could switch."

"Hehehehe…"

"Hehehehe…"

The onlookers watched as the madman and the psycho giggled conspiratorially, a chill running down their spines. It was truly unsettling. Only two people this unhinged could have such a conversation.

"Little psycho, I'm doing pretty well for myself now," Alan said, spinning around to show off his uniform. "I'm Captain Hydra, in control of the entire organization, and the Third Horseman of Apocalypse. But I'm missing someone who truly understands me."

"I don't want to be a villain. It's bad for my popularity," Wade said, though he was clearly tempted. He and Alan had a rare connection.

"What a shame," Alan said mysteriously. "What comes next is going to be very interesting. Don't say I didn't invite you."

"How interesting?" Wade's eyes lit up, his heart pounding. In the face of true fun, justice could be redefined.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise. I guarantee the outcome will be completely unexpected," Alan said with a smug grin.

"I'm in! Let me play!"

With just a few words, Alan had successfully lured Wade onto his pirate ship.

He walked back to Apocalypse's side. "Boss, I'd like to recommend Deadpool as our Fourth Horseman."

"I trust your judgment," Apocalypse said, giving Wade a brief once-over. He had complete faith in Alan.

"Congratulations, Boss, on acquiring two great assets at once! Our grand cause is now within reach!" Alan proclaimed.

"Boss, any suicidal missions you have, just give them to me. I'm not afraid to die," Wade declared eagerly.

Hearing his new subordinate's enthusiasm, Apocalypse's expression grew even more satisfied.

In the end, Magneto agreed to have his potential unlocked and his powers enhanced.

With Apocalypse's help, the onlookers witnessed Magneto's terrifying potential unleashed. A massive magnetic storm erupted on the island, pulling metal from the soil and turning the island into what looked like an erupting volcano. The research institute disintegrated into dust. With a single clench of his fist, Magneto crushed a complex piece of equipment into a ball of scrap metal, then released it, returning it to its base elements.

Even Apocalypse was shocked. Magneto had leaped to the peak of Level 4 power. Apocalypse's ability to enhance others was dependent on their potential, not something he could control. But even at the peak of Level 4, his power was limited to city-level disasters, not the world-ending abilities of a Level 5 mutant. A being like the Scarlet Witch, who could rewrite reality with a single phrase, or a fully realized Phoenix Jean Grey, who could annihilate all life in her path—even Apocalypse would have to steer clear of them.

[Chapter Complete]

***

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