Marvel: Death Knight

"Who is Erik?" Pietro asked, puzzled by Garus' sudden decision to seek him out.

"A powerful mutant," Garus replied, his voice steady. "In any place with metal, he's virtually invincible. But his ability isn't just about controlling metal; it's mastery over magnetic fields. Guns and other conventional weapons are useless against him." If he could recruit Magneto, it would bolster his forces significantly.

After considerable effort, Garus and his companions boarded a plane bound for Poland.

...

Erik's world had turned to ash and gray. His abilities, once a source of salvation, had become a curse. When he used his powers to save lives, he was exposed, leading to the deaths of his wife and daughter in a cruel twist of fate.

Today, he sought vengeance.

The factory gates creaked under Erik's control, slamming shut with an air of finality. Inside, the machines ground to a halt, their deafening clamor replaced by an eerie silence. Erik's face was devoid of emotion as he stared down the workers he once called colleagues.

"Was it you who reported me to the police after what you saw yesterday?" Erik's voice was calm, but it sent shivers down the spines of those present. "You wanted to know who I am, what I'm capable of? I'll show you."

The workers froze, paralyzed with fear. Those who had alerted the authorities regretted their actions but could do nothing to reverse them now.

"Henryk*, please, don't do this," one pleaded, their voice trembling.

Erik raised his hands, the steel around him groaning in response. "My name isn't Henryk," he said, shaking his head. "I am Magneto."

The factory's metal roof and machinery shuddered, trembling under his command. Just as he was about to unleash his wrath, Erik heard a sound from behind.

Turning, he saw the factory doors sliced open by a single stroke of a blade. Four figures entered, their presence commanding.

Erik frowned. "Who are you? If you've come to stop me, you're welcome to try."

"Stop you?" one of the newcomers replied, their tone dismissive. "No, we have no intention of doing that. Do as you please."

The workers' brief hope evaporated, replaced by terror once more. Seeing that these strangers wouldn't intervene, Erik prepared to strike again.

Garus, however, had other plans. Ever since learning of Apocalypse's emergence, he had reevaluated his goals. Magneto, at his most vulnerable and disillusioned, was a prime candidate for recruitment—a formidable ally if properly guided.

But before Garus could act, a glowing purple shield materialized nearby. Four mutants emerged: Apocalypse, Storm, Archangel, and Psylocke.

Ignoring Garus and his group entirely, Apocalypse advanced toward Erik.

The arrival of so many unknown forces unnerved Erik. The factory's steel girders, boilers, and machinery lifted into the air, poised to strike. With a wave of his hand, Erik sent them hurtling toward both Garus' group and Apocalypse's entourage.

Apocalypse remained unfazed. A fiery red shield materialized around him, effortlessly deflecting the onslaught of metal.

On Garus' side, Abomination let out a guttural roar, his body swelling and runes glowing crimson. He intercepted the attack, shielding his companions. The factory was quickly reduced to rubble, its workers buried and lifeless beneath the debris.

Perhaps sensing the futility of further conflict, or perhaps satisfied with his vengeance, Erik began to ascend, preparing to leave.

"Erik," Apocalypse called out, his voice resounding with authority. "This world needs purification. A new order must rise, and those who defy the gods must be punished. You will be my strongest ally."

Erik hesitated, turning back. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"Yahweh, Ra, Allah—these are but some of my names," Apocalypse declared with arrogance. "I can unlock your potential, granting you power far beyond your imagination."

Each word was imbued with psychic influence, stirring Erik's heart. Garus could see that Erik was faltering, drawn to Apocalypse's promise.

"En Sabah Nur," Garus interjected. "I know your name."

Apocalypse turned, his eyes narrowing. "You know my true name. Then you must also know my power."

Garus addressed Erik directly. "Erik, he seeks to destroy everything. Is that what you want? To see more innocents perish? I can offer you strength and the life you desire. Think carefully."

Even as he spoke, Garus felt a twinge of hypocrisy. Had he endured Erik's pain, revenge might have consumed him as well.

Magneto's destiny, however, was pivotal. Garus had chosen him as one of his "Four Horsemen". Apocalypse, sensing competition, grew enraged. "You are bold," he said, "but I hope your strength matches your audacity."

Suddenly, a force surged around them, attempting to disassemble their very bodies. A green rune shield enveloped Garus and his allies, protecting them from Apocalypse's power.

A battle was inevitable.

"Erik! Erik!"

Hovering above the ruins, Erik heard a familiar voice in his mind. It was Professor Charles Xavier.

Reading Erik's memories, Charles said, "I can feel your pain, Erik. I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your wife and daughter…"

"You think understanding my memories means understanding my pain?" Erik shot back. "You'll never understand." His resentment toward Charles remained unshaken. "Don't bother. I won't let this happen again."

Erik refocused on the battle below. Both Garus and Apocalypse demonstrated extraordinary power, but Erik found himself leaning toward Apocalypse. He sensed a kinship in their shared identity as mutants, and Apocalypse's promise of greater strength was too enticing to ignore. Power, he believed, was the only path to justice.

Apocalypse, meanwhile, had detected the mental link between Erik and Charles. Using his own psychic prowess, he traced it back to Xavier in New York.

"Such immense psychic power," Apocalypse marveled, even he impressed. "If I could merge that eternal mind with my body…" His ambition burned brighter.

"Distracted in battle?" Garus scoffed. Frostmourne glowed with blood-red energy as it slashed toward Apocalypse, leaving a deep gash across his form.

The ground erupted as Apocalypse countered, encasing Garus in a massive earthen cage.

"I have more pressing matters to attend to," Apocalypse said, activating a teleportation device. Frustrated by his knights' struggles, he decided to withdraw, his plans still unfolding.

A flash of purple light signaled their departure. Within moments, Apocalypse and his followers were gone.

With a thunderous roar, Garus shattered his prison, only to find his enemies had vanished. His frustration was palpable.

The battle was over, but the war had just begun.

[TL/N: Henryk Gurzsky is an alias Magneto used when living an unassuming life in Poland.]

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