Marvel's master of cosmic magic

Chapter 587

"Professor!"

The portal collapsed, and the shock of it broke the inhibitor in Hank McCoy’s system. Blue fur surged across his skin as he reverted fully into his Beast form. The transformation brought a surge of strength with it. He tore through the metal restraints holding him, then moved fast, freeing Mystique and the CIA agent, Moira MacTaggert, before shaking Alex Summers awake.

"Who was that man with Erik?" Mystique demanded. "And why did he take Charles?"

Neither she nor Hank had an answer.

Moira did.

She quickly shared what she had uncovered in her research. Ancient records. A mutant worshipped as a god. Rebirth through possession. The Four Horsemen.

Apocalypse.

The unseen mental fragment Rowan Mercer had left behind didn’t linger in the Cerebro chamber. It slipped away from the chaos and reformed near the school’s front gates, shedding its invisibility as it walked openly toward the entrance.

"Fast," Rowan muttered.

He stopped as a silver-haired young man appeared beside him, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Hey," the stranger said, holding up a worn business card. "This is Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, right?"

The man introduced himself as Pietro Maximoff. He’d learned recently that Magneto wasn’t just a historical figure or a wanted criminal, but his biological father. Ten years ago, Charles Xavier had given him that card. Now he wanted answers.

"First time here," Rowan replied lightly. "Same as me."

They shook hands.

Pietro’s eyes flicked to Rowan’s hand as two bottles of cola appeared out of thin air.

"That’s your power?" Pietro said, impressed. "You can make soda?"

"Anything," Rowan said, popping the cap.

Pietro stared. "Money too?"

Rowan produced a neat stack of bills.

"Gold. Diamonds. Whatever you want."

Pietro let out a low whistle. "That’s unfair. I can run faster than sound, but this? This is the dream."

He slung an arm around Rowan’s shoulders without hesitation. "You got a girlfriend?"

Rowan stiffened. "Just to be clear, I’m not interested in men."

Pietro laughed. "Relax. I’ve got a sister. She’s beautiful. Single. You interested?"

Rowan paused. "Your sister... how old is she?"

"I’ve got two," Pietro said casually as they walked. "The younger one’s still a kid. The older one was born minutes after me."

Rowan stopped walking.

"Her name?"

"Wanda Maximoff."

That got Rowan’s full attention.

Scarlet Witch.

He hadn’t expected that twist. In some versions of reality, Pietro and Wanda were Magneto’s children. In others, they weren’t. This universe had chosen its answer.

Interesting.

Rowan smiled again as they continued inside.

Between Jean Grey’s dormant Phoenix force and Wanda’s chaos magic, this world was stacked with dangerous possibilities. He’d come here for Apocalypse and mutant enhancement, and that part of the plan was already complete.

Everything else was opportunity.

Time was on his side.