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This wasn't the winning argument he thought it might be, because Northton actually wasn't all that in favor of the belief in the proliferation of gun ownership being a natural sign of the ability to defend oneself that was prevalent in America. But he knew that was a fight he wouldn't win, so did not even try to fight it in the first place. In this day and age, there were just more important things to worry about. The problem was that he didn't know enough about Russia to understand if Kirov was telling the truth about how important the military was to their sense of national identity. But looking over the numbers and the gross size estimation of the Russian army from 2 ½ years ago, he knew that an army that size could still be a significant threat in the region, if not to world peace.
King William leaned forward, speaking up for the first time after he, Doom and Harry had gotten everyone to really start to realize that they needed to actually talk rather than simply shout propaganda speeches at one another. "Once more, we come back to the idea of compromise. You say that the national identity of Russia is tied up in their armies. Given the history of Russia, I can understand that concern. However, you must, in turn, understand that the numbers we are looking at here even for your target limit are just not small enough. So let us get down to actual numbers and type. At the beginning of this war, Russian submarines and Russian silos along with NATO silos were launched in an aggressive manner against one another. The Phoenix stopped us from committing that gross mistake. Now that the war is over, I believe that we can remove the means from which that mistake can occur again."
Kirov stiffened, knowing where he was going with that, but he couldn't object as William went on inexorably. "I propose an oversight of any and all nuclear sites and any new armament projects by an inspection team to be chosen by the United Nations. Furthermore, I propose that Russia pledge not to build further submarines, or indeed anything larger than a destroyer, to not rebuild its Navy or strength. And once more that we will be allowed to insert oversight investigators to make certain that that is the case."
"That combined with a demand that you move all of your remaining Air Force assets into a more centralized location away from any launch points that could be used to hit targets further away than your own borders will be enough for us to agree that you may keep your Army and Air Force at that level of strength. That you can, in fact, build your Army to that point, considering the fact that from our estimates, you are actually lower than that at this moment." The German representative said sternly. He, above all of the others, had been completely unmanned by the comment about not wanting to make a second Germany earlier by making their fiscal demands too high.
But now he came on hard, driving the discussion on this moment for a time, with William and Margaret Thatcher and the president all combining with him. Kirov refused to be browbeaten however and with General Borisov fought back doggedly, especially when they got down to the nuts and bolts of where the Air Force bases could be allowed and the idea of unilateral nuclear disarmament. Again there was just no way he could sell that to the rest of the Duma, which was really the only working aspect of the Russian government this point and that barely.
The conversation began to gain more heat, but Storm's cool voice cut across the growing argument like a blast of freezing water on a lava flow. "I believe that we are missing one reason why Russian found themselves manipulated by the Dire Wraiths and their quislings." She paused then as every eye turned to her. "That is a good term to use here given its historical significance. But one of the reasons why the Dire Wraiths gained power, was because of Russia's news and information networks are barely freer now than they were under the communists. There is not a single large-scale, intranational news agency that is not run by the state, and no foreign news agency has had the ability to act within your country openly."
The oldest member of the Russians started to curse under his breath and was about to stand up and pound his hand down onto the table, but General Barisov grabbed his arm and held him still, while Ororo continued inexorably. "Even China, gentlemen, has a slightly freer press than Russia does at this point in time, or at least access to the internet. Some of that can be laid at the feet of the Dire Wraiths and their puppets, but not all of it. The state control of the press and the public information must end," she said coldly. "If it does not, the people of Russia can still be far too easily controlled by a small, dangerous minority looking out for its own self-interest rather than the interests of the state."
Paris smiled, looking over at Dr. Doom with a quirk of her lips indicating that Ororo had just helped her score some kind of point in an argument between them. In response, Doom sighed but nodded his metal-clad head towards her very slightly. He then said aloud, "It says something that one such as I, who rules as a tyrant - a benevolent one, but still a tyrant I know myself, after all - allows more freedom of the press than a supposedly free government. I too believe that this is an important step to take."
"In return for that," Harry said, seizing the initiative, "I believe that Earth Defense Force will not only open our doors on the medical side of things, but we will be willing to oversee the relocation of Russian civilians from the territories that are going to be allowed to claim their freedom or will be annexed by your neighbors. That will save you a lot of money, time and effort. We will also not join in efforts to enforce a smaller military limit on you."
This neatly cut the legs out from under those who wanted to push for Russian to have a small army and the German delegate argued against it hotly. "You are talking about using some kind of soft limitation on any future expansionist regimes that might come to power in Russia, what if that doesn't work? No, I'm afraid that my government must demand a sharp curtailing of the Russian military forces, far sharper than your arbitrary decision of pairing it back by only 2 ½ years. Specifically, we want a cessation on any military development programs."
"While I agree that the military development programs need to have some oversight, I stand by my words earlier," Harry said firmly. "With oversight teams in place, up until we, the allies, believe that freedom of the press and the press's complete separation from the state has sunk in rather than some foolishly hard date, I believe that we can stop any such regime from taking power in the first place, let alone from being in a position to become a danger to the rest of the world."
Italy, France, Spain, Germany protested this, but Harry was firm and eventually, they subsided. All of them knew that without the help of the World Guard, America, and the United Kingdom, who were silent on this point, they would have had a much worse time fighting Russia.
But finally, all the deals were done, everything was accomplished, and they had signed their names to an agreement to finalize the peace treaty that the neutrals could declare as being fair and honest to everyone, punishing Russia, but without grinding them into the dirt. The nonaggression status would stay in place for a few more weeks as lawyers and bureaucrats went to work on the full wording of all the agreements, which Sage would look over for him. But Harry's part of the process was finished, and the war would never again break out into open conflict. That was enough for Harry.
OOOOOOO
Entering the master bedroom in High Note, Harry sighed in relief flopping onto the bed, before he propped himself up with his elbows to look at his ladies as they followed him in. "Well," he said jubilantly, "I think that the actual politicians can now be trusted to get things right without creating further problems in the future."
"Perhaps so, though I would never bet against the stupidity of humanity when it comes to creating new problems for itself," Hela quipped, looking over at Ororo as she went on. "But your entrance the other day was magnificent my dear, it took the wind out of the protestors' sails most agreeably."
Ororo nodded her head in acknowledgment of the compliment, while Harry fell silent for a second looking at them. Taking in the ladies one after another, Harry could only smile in somewhat bemused wonder even now unable to believe his luck, staring at them one after another. "God, you're all so beautiful. How the hell did I get so lucky as to have even one of you let alone all of you in my life?"
"Let's see," Jean drawled, moving towards him slowly as her condition warranted, sitting next to Harry and gently pulling off his jacket then undoing his tie as she continued to speak. "You helped me realize that there was a super-sentient being trapped within my mind, thereby allowing me to bond with it and not go crazy in the doing. Is it any wonder I fell for you?" she finished tenderly.
"You helped me get in touch with my emotions, in a way that I had despaired of ever doing without causing the weather around me to mirror them," Ororo said. She did not sit next to Harry, but in front of him on the floor in a position that looked almost submissive were such a thing not patently impossible to consider with a woman like Ororo Munroe. She then began to lift his feet up and his shoes off, then his socks, winking up at him. "And after that, well, falling for you was almost too easy."
"You helped me against my father, were a sounding board for certain ideas about how to deal with him and my older sister, and let's not forget less impersonal things like how you've made the lives of mutants throughout the world far, far better than they would otherwise have been," Emma said. She then followed Jean's example, helping to peal Harry out of his shirt, running her hands up his bare skin as she did.
"You've seen off several attacks on earth by various aliens and before you say it Harry no, no one on Earth would not have done it without you creating the Earth Defense Force first," Jean interjected in a similar vein. "And almost as an aside to all that you helped me achieve my dream of going into space, of seeing other planets."
"And you helped me see the trap the shadows had engulfing both myself and the rest of the Asgardians. You have given me my freedom for the first time in hundreds of years when I did not even realize I was chained," Hela said returning the conversation to the personal as Jean had. "You are a Jarl worthy of respect, who has led his people to such victories that even lord Odin would be proud to boast of them. I have said this before, but I find myself having to say it again: humility does not become you, Harry Potter. Stop it."
"True and I'm not exactly humble about my accomplishments, it's just the whole winning your love thing that tends to throw me on occasion. Excuse me if I've not got the ego to just overlook that," Harry said with an eye-roll gesturing to all four of them with his free hand before Emma captured it and his arm, pulling him back against the bed's headrest even as he continued to speak to them all, amused by the manhandling. "Can you honestly blame me? I'm only one mortal man after all and each of you is just so gorgeous, inside and out. A single man winning all of your love, now that is an accomplishment that will never cease to be a wonder."
"A mortal man perhaps, but one who has more than once turned down a divinity," Hela said sternly shaking her head. "You could have ascended when you drained the Dire Wraiths, my Seidr Man. Again. Why didn't you?" she looked away, her body language turning almost vulnerable for a moment even if half her face was, even here, hidden by her half mask as always. "Does becoming a god seem so horrible to you that you would turn away from it without a second thought?"
"Being a god like you and your fellow Aesir, no. But that, alas, isn't an option for me," Harry said dryly, looking over at Ororo. "You didn't tell her about our discussion with Lady Gaea?"
"I did not," Ororo said shaking her head. "It seemed to me that those revelations would have been better to come from you."
Harry nodded and described the discussion he and Ororo had with Lady Gaea on their flight from down to Genosha, during which Hela's eyes widened behind her ubiquitous half mask. She was silent throughout, digesting the tale, working through all the implications. When they finished, she nodded thoughtfully. "That is, that is telling. But yet by her speech, Lady Gaea told you that there were other means to retain the power you take in such a manner and not ascend. Even I have heard of Galactus the World Eater. Then there is that creature that you fought, the Mad Titan, Thanos. I have even heard tell that there is some kind of race whose power is based upon belief in oneself or some such prattle. Perhaps their blood might hold a clue as to become as strong as you can be without losing your essential humanity."
The fact she was happy now he had made the choice he did was plain in her body language, the faint, but the warm smile of approval she gave him as she learned what he would give up. While she would never come out and say it, not until after they wed at least, but part of what attracted Hela so much to Harry was his very humanity: his emotions, his love, his innate goodness and his sense of humor, so like yet so unlike her own which she had inherited from the original Trickster, her father.
"How would that even work?" Harry asked quizzically, smiling back at her but also grabbing on the last comment in confusion.
"I know not, it was but a rumor I'd heard once, from my brother Fenrir who had it from when Tyr had befriended him before he grew too large. Tyr talked about an adventure that the Warriors Three and Thor had at one point, during their travels away from Asgard." Hela shrugged, turning the conversation back to the more important topic. "In any event, it's something to search into."
"Perhaps in the future," Harry said with a sigh. "Right now, I've got more than enough power to do what I need, it's just bringing it to bear that's the issue. In any event, how are you all doing?" he asked, looking around at them all. "And I will say it now, we all, us and the teams, are on vacation now. I want us all to have at least a week, maybe more to rest and recuperate. But anything, in particular, you need or want to do or help you need, you will have, I swear it."
Jean sighed, shaking her head and actually volunteering to go first this time rather than being forced to by the others in some kind of communication that Harry, as a man, could not follow. "Physically I'm about as well as someone in my condition could be. Apparently, pregnancy really agrees with me. Go figure," she said lovingly patting her stomach yet at the same time almost glaring at her hand as it glowed red. "I'm certain that the Phoenix has a hand in that and I'm not certain how I feel about that."
"Mentally… I'm tired, annoyed, cranky and more thankful than ever that I am linked to your mind, Harry. That connection's been worth my weight in gold. It kept me sane even in the worst moments of this war. But I've decided I can't use my telekinetic powers for anything more than say lifting a can of soda at this point. My control is completely out of whack. Still, the twins are coming along fine." She patted her stomach a second time. "Actually, I think that they knew that their mommy was having a tough time and had laid off their game of soccer to give me what relief they could."
"Football love, please, after all, that was its original name and not all of us are like you foolish Americans who need to rename everything," Harry quipped, putting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her gently against his side. That was next to nothing to the emotions Jean was getting through their link and she sniffled lightly, nuzzling into his shoulder.
"For my part, I am somewhat burnt out Harry," Ororo said with a sigh. "The repair and recovery efforts lady Gaea and I have been busy with our now finished for my part. She is still dealing with some microbiological issues, especially ocean life, but she is hopeful that it will eventually restore itself. But between helping her and my own work in the hospital over the past few weeks I am, as you and Jean, most desperately in need of a vacation. As long as it involves us all together, whatever we decide to do will get no argument from me."
Harry nodded at that, then looked over to Hela who sat back in her own chair, sipping from a wine goblet. She had decided she would make it an objective of her time in Midgard to try out every wine the planet offered and this one, a Claret, was particularly tasty. "In many ways, I had the easiest time of all of you. I will not say that it was surprising to find so many souls that looked towards my faith passing on during the fighting, but such is my duty to sift through. It was not altogether difficult. Indeed, taking part with Emma in the ongoing political work was much harder."
"Emma?" Harry asked while pulling her up as she tried to pull off his pants. Harry didn't know why she started to do that since he could just banish them himself which he did promptly, before pulling her into a sideways hug and letting her retreat to a chair next to Hela.
"Physically I am probably the best off of all of us at this point thanks to a few days rest from my battle with Madelyn. But… there were times when I was pressed sorely during that contest, both before and after Charles threw himself into the contest." The blonde looked oddly vulnerable as she admitted that and Harry instantly pulled her into a hug, knowing that Emma still had issues at times admitting weakness.
"It wasn't all fun and games and then afterward, seeing the clone of Jean and the rest of what Sinister had done, the cloning… that, that shook me. It was, I-I value my uniqueness, my sense of personal identity and being as a singular individual. And seeing a clone of someone I love as I do you, Jean, of having fought for the minds and sanity of an army against her, that was, it was a revelation and not a good one." Emma said.
She fell silent as Jean leaned over Harry to take her hand, wordlessly offering encouragement even as she gave Emma a look that said 'see it from my perspective why don't you.' Emma eventually smirked at that, pulling back from the hug to wink at Jean before addressing Harry once more. "But I am good to go physically and mentally unlike the rest of you and honestly, I found this bit of politicking rather invigorating, almost as good as making a business deal."
As Jean groaned and Hela scoffed at the very idea, Harry looked at Emma then down at Jean's stomach "Speaking of, how goes the plans for the wedding? Or should that be weddings, considering that Jean's is going to be right on the heels of mine and Emma's."
"Oh, the wedding," Jean smirked at him, as did Emma and Ororo, causing Harry to actually shrink back against the headboard for a moment. "The wedding, that thing that's happening next weekend? That wedding?"
Harry's eyes widened in surprise. "That soon?"
"That late," said every woman there, although Emma looked a little disgruntled as she did.
In reply Harry quickly held up his hands in surrender and moved to make amends. "My apologies, I meant that soon in terms of the time of the wedding to the current moment, no more no less. It simply snuck up on me, that's all. If I gave any other indication I deeply apologize."
"That's because you're smarter than the average male," Hela quipped as Jean nodded, accepting Harry's words. "But yes, Emma's is going to occur on the twenty-eighth of November. Jean's is set for the 31st of December, as you should know."
"Just don't tell me that the theme is green and white is all I ask," Harry said with a laugh gesturing to his eyes and then to Emma's dress which as always was white. "While Emma, of course, looks amazing in white, as she does in anything else, I do not look good in green except in very small quantities."
Jean laughed. "No, none of that. For the boys, it'll be a dark blue, for the womenfolk, white of course."
"And I have to say, that the house-elves have proven to be a godsend," Emma said. She and Ororo had taken the lead on organizing the wedding, only getting Jean's input on things like colors and her own dress months back before her pregnancy was so far along. "They've created much of the furniture and such like and will be handling the food too. They even helped us get the dresses in such a perfect fit for all of us that it's amazing."
"Even you?" Harry asked, looking over at Hela. As far as he knew, Hela hadn't been offered a position as one of Emma's maids of honor and he was wondering if he had missed that somewhere. He knew she was going to be involved in Jean and Ororo's as chief maid of honor, or whatever the equivalent of best man was for Jean, who would take up that position for Emma and Ororo both.
"Indeed, even I," Hela replied, nodding to indicate that yes, Harry had missed that conversation. "We even have Melody and Illyana ready to act as the, what was the term, flower girls? An amusing custom that, and I approve of getting children who will be affected by this merging of two lives involved."
"And I, of course, will be in white as well, even if I am the one performing the ceremony," Ororo said with a laugh. "You did remember that part of the plan, at least?"
"Okay, so the wedding's on and will happen right in the middle of my proposed week plus off. Excellent," Harry said, deliberately not answering Ororo's question, which made the four ladies laugh.
As she finished laughing, Emma almost ordered. "Yes, yes, my wedding is all planned out, wonderful, whatever. More importantly at the moment, our vacations begin now, correct?"
When Harry nodded she smiled a positively sinful smile. "Good. In that case, let's start off with a bang. If I leave this bed without walking bowlegged and fucking dripping, Harry Potter, I am going to be very angry!" she finished, her tone and eyes intense as she sat on the bed, leaning over Harry to kiss him hard, her tongue out and demanding entrance to his mouth almost instantly as their lips made contact.
"In that case, I will excuse myself now. When Emma of all people throws propriety away, it can be likened to a hammer to the side of the head in terms of hints as to what is about to occur," Hela replied dryly, finishing her cup of wine and sending it down delicately, standing up and looking down at them.
At those words Emma pulled back, actually flipping herself to the side to face Hela as Jean leaned in for a hug and kiss of her own. "Are you sure you have to go?" She'd opened up to the other woman even before the issue with Russia and the Dire Wraiths had started, but the way the two of them had been forced to work together during that war's aftermath had solidified their friendship.
"The waiting merely adds to the delight," Hela said with a chuckle, shaking her head. "And the first time I sleep in a bed with Harry Potter, I will demand that I do so alone. No offense to any of you but I believe that a woman should have the right to have her marriage bed to herself and her chosen at least for her first night there, regardless of the polyamory of our relationship."
Gently pulling away from Jean's hug, Harry stood up and moved forward, pulling Hela into a hug before she could back away. Then he was kissing her, before moving down the side of her face to her throat and bare shoulder, nipping her here and there. But he didn't go further, indeed his hands didn't even rove from her sides. Harry respected her decision, while at the same time making it blatantly clear that she was desired.
This got worse when Ororo moved up behind her and pushed her hair to one side. Hela had just worked up the willpower to push Harry away when Ororo nipped at the back of her neck, causing her to yelp then quiver in their arms.
"Oh my," Jean said with a laugh. "I think you just found a sweet spot, Ororo."
"Indeed, reconnoitering in force like that before the actual 'clash' is always a good idea," Emma said with a throaty laugh, staring at the standing trio with desire clear in her aristocratic face.
"You two are going to be the death of me," Hela said, finally freeing herself from her two will-be-lovers hugs, shaking an admonishing finger at them both. Yet, even so, she could not keep the smile off her face, nor the desire from her own violet eyes behind her mask.
"Would you like me to sing the praises of your skin, my dear, the finest silk having nothing upon it?" Harry asked in a whisper, leaning in close so his breath could be felt on Hela's neck and chin. "Or your hair, like a black waterfall as it cascades down your back, so fine to the touch it makes my fingers never wish to leave off feeling it?"
All three of the other women stared at him as Hela's eyes widened behind her half-mask. She coughed, a rosy blush appearing on the portion of her cheeks visible under the mask as she looked away. "You, you've been practicing your flirtations I see."
Harry chuckled, then looked around at the others, before leaning over the bed and putting his lips next to Emma's ears. What he whispered was unheard by the others, but the way her thighs clamped together, or the fact that her breathing became heavier was very noticeable.
Then he laughed, turning to sit down on the bed, reaching over to Ororo and pulling her on top of his lap, kissing her ardently on the lips. The Weather Witch moaned, twining her hands in his hair before pulling back slightly and whispering, "What, no sweet nothings for me?"
"With you, my love, I felt that actions would speak louder than words," Harry said slyly.
She laughed at that, then moaned as Harry's hands slowly started down her back, making her shirt disappear with an instant, showing that she had not bothered to wear a bra today. This allowed Harry's hands-free rein along her bare skin and they were enjoying every minute of it.
"And that truly is my cue to leave." Hela laughed, before waving her hands of the others and exiting the room quickly, but there was a bounce to her steps and gleam in her eyes as she did. That had been fun, and she was looking forward to her wedding night all the more now. Soon Emma will be done, then Jean, then Ororo and then I will have my turn. "I will see you all tomorrow. In the afternoon I feel, or perhaps late evening. Whenever dehydration and hunger drive you out of bed. Until then, have fun."
As Emma moved to start to kiss Ororo's side, reaching around to take one milk chocolate-colored breast in her hand - a sight that Jean found intensely erotic - Jean sighed, staring down and patting her stomach. "Don't mind any feelings of jealousy you're sensing from mommy right now children. Mommy loves you whatever she's feeling right now, even if you are boob blocking meEEE!" She eepped then, as she felt someone nibble at her ear.
She looked up to find that Ororo had switched places with Emma on the other side of the bed and was now looking into her eyes wickedly. To one side, Harry was making out with Emma with a fervor that was so passionate it made Jean quiver, while the look in Ororo's eyes took her breath away, making her body thrum with a sudden need. "Don't think that just because you're pregnant that means you can't have fun. Allow me to prove it," she whispered, before leaning in to kiss Jean lightly on the lips, then moving lower.
After that, the lovers did their best to fulfill Emma's demand and did so in a spectacular fashion.
OOOOOOO
Elsewhere, deep in the desert of Egypt, the world's first mutant woke up to stare at an unknown face, yet a face whose fingers had just flashed through the correct callsign of the Akkaba clan. This mutant's name was Apocalypse. It was not a name that he had first given himself, but it was one which, upon earning it, the man who had been En Sabah Nur had decided to wear with pride. He had earned it many times in the millennia since his birth, in the era before the First Pharaohs. And now, he was struggling once more to waken his mind and body from his slumber. "You know my policy," he said slowly, "I was not to be awoken unless it was time for the great test, for the war between mutants and humans I had long envisioned. Is it that time or are your lives forfeit?"
"Yes, master it is," said a voice from the shadows, behind the two clan Akkaba members. "But perhaps not for the reasons we might have wished."
One was an African man, dressed in something similar to how a traditional man of Wakanda would, but in this place, the silver and black colors of that nation had been replaced by red and grey. His bald head shone in the light of the sepulcher, his small hat in his hand. The other was a large white man who looked almost but not quite obese, but who moved with speed belying his bulk. He was dressed in a costume that looked positively Victorian despite the heat outside the pyramid that Apocalypse's resting place resided in.
Both had the telltale signs of Clan Akkaba and were mutants of some power to have survived to get here. But at the moment, they did not matter. No, Apocalypse only had attention for the one who's voice came from the shadows.
"Abyss," Apocalypse said, his voice stronger and more aware than it had been a bare second ago. "Your words intrigue me, and your presence here shows that you are still among the strong and therefore you will survive. For now." Apocalypse stood and as he did his form changed.
In his sarcophagi, Apocalypse had seemed a mummy, thin, emaciated, his ribs showing his skin barely hanging on his skin. But as his guests watched, he began to change, to shift and grow. His legs pulsed out almost, growing into strong powerful legs encased in some kind of blue formfitting bodysuit. The rest of his body followed as panels opened up to either side of the sarcophagus, robotic arms extending, holding in their grips armor for his arms and body.
When they finished Apocalypse stood there. His head was bare, bullet-shaped almost, his mouth wide and marked by equally wide lips, a tattoo of some kind going up either side of his face. His shoulders were broad, powerful, framed by red armor and a cloak on his back. Red material covered his massive hands in gloves, matching his boots, elbow, and knees, as well as his waist. The rest was covered with form-fitting blue armor of some kind that barely contained the muscles within. His eyes were nearly red, deep-set and cold as he looked into the darkness beyond the two clan members. "Abyss."
The word hissed out like a command and out from the shadows came to a formless shape which slowly resolved itself into a thin man, wearing a form-fitting black, purple and golden suit, his body and hands looking like strands of darkness given form. "My liege. There has been a complication. One that came from beyond. But it has proven to not be alone. The alien has been active on Earth my liege, and because of that, the war of survival of the fittest…might not occur without your beginning it."
Apocalypse raised a nonexistent eyebrow, then turned his attention to the two clan members. They had not even flinched at his transformation, which was a good indicator of their own worthiness, nodding grimly. "Show me."
The two of them held out several CDs, which he took and inserted into a nearby wall, fitting them into what had looked like the mouths of a few motifs drawn on the wall. "Video screens."
At his word, an entire wall of the room shifted to multiple video screens. The computer running everything also seemed to have enough intelligence to then route each image or video to a different video screen.
For more than an hour, Apocalypse watched, listened to each newsreel, to each report as the two Akkaba clansmen and Abyss filled him in on what had been occurring. As they did, he cogitated, taking in everything they said with a frown on his face.
Apocalypse believed in two things above all else. First, he believed in survival of the fittest, that the constant struggle to evolve, to survive not just on a societal but also on an evolutionary level, was the only true test of strength, the only real way to prove your worth, to survive. And second, he hated the alien. He hated the idea of any other race coming to Earth and trying to claim what could only be humanity's own.
So to say he was torn about what he was watching and hearing was an understatement. This Harry Potter's aggressive policy of coexistence is folly. Human nature will beget hatred, hatred of those different, hatreds of those from different nationalities and above all, hatred of those who are genetically superior. It will not last. Yet he has done something else I would not have thought possible: used the threat of an exterior enemy to unite humanity. That is impressive and so long as an exterior threat exists, those worthy of survival will work together against them.
"How many alien races have made their presence known?" he asked. Apocalypse knew of at least four, perhaps as many as five depending on how you viewed the Externals.
"The Kree, the Skrull at first. A race called the Dire Wraiths in this latest war, where they somehow infiltrated humanity without Russia or anyone else knowing in what numbers they did so. There was also another space-based assault by a group of lizard-like aliens who are, according to Kree Prisoners the Magic-wielding anomaly took, called the Badoon," Abyss replied. "There have also been sightings of a so-called Titan, who we had no previous understanding of and several sightings of so-called Asgardians, who clan Akkaba had records of from centuries previous."
Hmm, Abyss's Death persona seems to be holding. Good. While his enthusiastic and rather bloodthirsty original personality was useful it was also rather irritating to deal with. Still, that momentary sense of accomplishment was wiped aside as Apocalypse turned to the recordings, concentrating on the first time Harry Potter came out as himself beyond the Guardian persona. "The Negative Zone…" he mused. He knew of the negative zone, a sort of garbage bin as it were for junk caught between dimensions. That was troubling, as it meant attempting to go back and remove Potter via the use of his time travel device would be incredibly hard. And his strength is also… impressive, both physically and magically.
Further, I cannot say his removal would, in turn, remove the exterior threats. Not all of them at any rate. That was irritating. It would force Apocalypse to remove them or provide technology to some so-called heroes to do the work for him. That irritated him immensely.
But not as irritating as contemplating Potter's list of victories, both assumed and known. Mr. Sinister, the geneticist creature that Apocalypse had twisted to his own designs for all that Sinister himself might've thought differently, was dead. Magneto, whose ability according to his spies was control of one of the most basic powers in the universe, magnetism, was dead. Such a champion he would have been for the survival of the fittest, Apocalypsemused to himself, leaning back. Alien incursions beaten back, one after another. A defense fleet stolen from the Kree and slowly being rebuilt. Mars made into a Fortress.
It was enough to give even Apocalypse pause. And yet, I could prove my own superiority, my own right to survive in no uncertain terms by defeating him. That would be… pleasing. And taking over his efforts from within would put me in a position to wipe out non-powered humanity.
"Leave me," he said. "I must ponder this."
As Abyss and the others left, Apocalypse returned his attention to the reports, then looked over the notes the clan had made on what they knew of their own, admittedly second-hand attempts or the attempts of other groups to infiltrate Potter's various groups. This wasn't a lot of information obviously, but considering the timeline Apocalypse was able to put together, it looked as if Harry had some magic that could warn him if someone working for him was untrustworthy. There were a few ways around that perhaps, but they were chancy, at best
He turned to a seeming statue set against one wall. "What say you of this, Ozymandias?"
The stone statue opened its eyes and stared at him. "You asked me what I think when you well know the answer," he said angrily. "Magic has proven its worth again over science! And you well know that magic is a weakness you have never truly overcome. Or do I need to remind you of the trouble you had killing that upstart bloodsucker once he learned magic? And to compare that pathetic creature to this Potter is to compare night and day. The strength of an Asgardian, the magic knowledge of a Sorcerer Supreme, with more actual power than any such I know of. You are overmatched, oh mighty Apocalypse."
"I would rather say that magic has evened the playing field between the power of mutants and those humans," Apocalypse replied, unmoved by his unwilling advisor's vitriol. This was why Apocalypse had sent Abyss and the two clansmen away. He trusted very few, believing that wholly trusting someone was a sign of weakness. And besides, only Ozymandias, who was one of the reasons why he believed as he did, was worthy of giving Apocalypse advice or listening to his words when he was thinking aloud.
Because Ozymandias could not betray him. Indeed, if he tried, Ozymandias would die, and he knew it. And after so long as an immortal, there was nothing that the frightened Ozymandias more than taking the eternal sleep.
"And you know as well as I that I have prepared for millennia to face not only regular humans but magic as well. And thanks to this ship, I have become able to do so," he finished with a small, thin smile.
"But it would not have worked without the clear and present threat of alien existence," Ozymandias shot back. "So by your mandate, humanity as a whole has proven their worth by banding together against that threat. If they were so nihilistic as to not do so, all of humanity would have proven that they were not worth surviving."
"Perhaps," Apocalypse said, frowning as Ozymandias repeated his own earlier thoughts back to him. "And yet, it is proof that humanity is also weak. That they had to band together, rather than standing separately."
"Does that matter?" Ozymandias asked, becoming tired of this circular thinking. "After all, how could they have stood up to the aliens with the present technology? Or even the magic of the Sorcerer Supreme? Perhaps the one called Magneto could have tried, but would he have succeeded? You could very well have woken up to a wasteland. Or a planet conquered by the Kree. Or, at best, a planet where the Eternals have taken over."
To that Apocalypse had no response but the truth. "I…had not anticipated so many exterior elements interfering." He waited until Ozymandias's mocking cackle faded, having long since become inured to the ancient undying one's laughter. "So… what should I do?"
"Launch your war and die," Ozymandias hissed with true hate in his voice now. "You were asleep too long, your vassals waited too long to waken you because of the Dire Wraiths and the other aliens. You no longer are in a position to wage a war as an equal. Perhaps a guerilla war, but that is all. Potter has won against you without even trying!"
Apocalypse scowled, then he began to smile, looking around him. "Perhaps, perhaps not. After all… while Earth might be lost to me for now, that does not mean I cannot retreat elsewhere and gather more strength, more power. Prove myself against lesser enemies." He raised his voice, ordering, "Ship orders: short term, open up the Mausoleum and prepare it for gene-altering. I will first examine those two individuals. If they prove worthy, that will mean I will only need to find one more Horseman. After that, prepare a list of what I will need to obtain in order to make you space-capable once more."
OOOOOOO
Harry looked around at the vast group that had gathered together here in the main hall of Camelot. All of them were now staring at him, waiting with bated breath as piles upon piles of food, music, and other things began to gather on the long row of tables spread out against the walls to either side of the hall. The rest of the castle had already been prepared for this, the biggest party it had quite possibly ever seen. The massive wine vault of the castle had also been opened and every kind of drink imaginable was on tap for the asking. Indeed, Harry knew of at least ten house-elves who had been researching drinks for this occasion. Elsewhere in the castle rooms had been set aside for various types of entertainment, so many Harry didn't know about them all, although he'd had a hand in setting up most of them. Regardless, this was going to be a party to remember for everyone here, whatever they chose to do after it officially began.
But for now, everyone who would take part in the parties was here, while the rest of the castle's populace, the younger kids, the teachers and the rest of the school's population had agreed to stay to Camelot's version of the Gryffindor tower for now. Every member of the extended Custodes Mundi team, the X-Men, both new and old, the FF, Doom and Paris and several dozen of his officers, Wendy and her group who had been busy in the background during the war, and Mystique and her team of spies, now formally pulled out of the field. Even Thunderbird and his smaller team were there, although the work in Genosha was still ongoing. Dozens of other men and women also stood there, friends made over the past month, men and women in various military off duty wear, a dozen politicians from around the world who had been instrumental in forging the new peace or pushing for mutant rights and others.
Now they stood in front of him, with the rest. "All right people," Harry said with a grin at Piotr, whose words of 'I hope this won't take too long, I'm rather hungry and speeches do not a pleasant time make', had reached him easily. "As anyone could tell you, I'm not really one for giving speeches. Not long ones anyway." he added, as and several of the others began to laugh. "Yada yada, greatest trial yet, yada yada, hugely tested, yada yada, came together in the face of blah blah. Can we all say everything's been said?" He was answered by a rousing cheer and he roared back. "In that case, let the festivities begin!"
There was a load roar and music instantly started up in the background, a hard, thumping rock band Harry thought he recognized as AC/DC but couldn't be certain. A lot of people began to pair off, mobbing to dance. But in the main, the teens and older members of the Custodes were more interested in the food. Most of the foods served here in the castle were of the nutritious variety, but the food being served now was pizza, chicken wings, hoagies, and Philly cheesesteaks, several different types of every kind of fatty, but good tasting food from around the world.
Harry mingled with the crowd for a good hour, getting introduced to many of the men and women one or other of the Custodes had asked to be included in this party. Since they had all passed through the runic doorways he knew they were no threat and mostly trustworthy, but he hadn't met many of them personally before this. But this party wasn't just for the Custodes Mundi but for their new friends too, those men and women who had led, sweated and nearly died in several cases alongside them.
At that thought, Harry's eyes flicked over towards where Banshee and Evan were speaking to one another by a buffet table. Hopefully, this party would help them both get out of their funk. Still, Evan was badly wounded in the line of duty for the second time in this war. That kind of thing can wear on one and he was never the most dedicated fighter either. Banshee though should get over his funk quickly, especially with his daughter being released from jail soon.
Still, the loud music and the strobing lights of the main room started to bother him after a time and he slowly exited, heading out to check in on everything else being offered today as part of this party, although he certainly wasn't the first. Practically every room bar those which were dedicated to education had been turned over to this party and many had gone to explore.
So Harry began to make the rounds, smiling and laughing with everyone, eating food here and there as the house-elves brought it along to the various rooms as the partygoers spread out. He took part in some of the games in one room, then in the next just looking on in bemusement along with the extremely pregnant Sue, Emma, and the amused form of Paris Lourdes at the antics of Dr. Doom and Reed Richards.
Harry had personally set up this room as one of the four game rooms, filling it with every type of chess that he had been able to find mention of around the world. He'd then enchanted the pieces so that they all acted like those in wizard's chess, believing that everyone would get a kick out of them.
However, he had not anticipated the two mad scientists - and yes, Harry fully believed that appellation was true for Reed as much it was Dr. Doom - to just take the entire room over. Even as he watched, they were playing seven of the different types of chess all at once. On one table lay the 'dead' remains of the king and queen Doom had been using, sacrificed as an example to the rest of his pieces around the room. Now every piece followed his orders exactly, while Reed was still contending with the pieces attempting to give him advice many times if they didn't think he was using them well.
Harry stood there watching for a time, then shook his head and left the room. In the movie area, he found that Melody and Illyana had somehow, Harry wasn't certain how, evaded the security spells that were supposed to have kept them and the other kids in the tower. Instead, they were up and had taken over the movie lounge, where they were currently watching The Jungle Book and had roped Jean into it along with Rahne and Garm.