Chapter 202: Blacksteel Vs Apocalypse

Having thrown Apocalypse to the ground, I followed up by rapidly descending to the ground, slamming my knee right into his chest while pushing him even deeper into the ground, though thanks to his freaking armor, all the damage that otherwise would've gone to him, was completely offset, causing me to grunt in annoyance as I repeatedly pummeled his face into the earth. However, he eventually reacted by lifting his arm and grabbing my fist before his mouth morphed into a futuristic sci-fi cannon, only for me to be blasted with a powerful energy wave. Yet, I merely stuck my hand through the energy beam before forcefully shutting his mouth.

Lifting his head, I slammed him back into the ground before yanking my arm out of his hand and tossing him in the air, only to swiftly appear above him to hit him back onto the ground with so much force his body bounced back up, while I slammed both of my hands onto his head, flinging him back to the ground. Taking a massive gulp of air, I looked down at the city below me and released a mighty gust of cold air that swiftly morphed the entirety of Cairo into a freezing tundra as I froze over the very ground, covering it in a layer of ice while trapping Apocalypse within a thicker block of it.

Though I knew Apocalypse wouldn't stay trapped for long, so with that knowledge, I swiftly descended to the ground, just in time for the block of ice he was encased in to crack, prompting me to grab it and toss it into the sky, only for it to explode into a million pieces while freeing him. Flying up after him, I blasted his chest with my heat vision, pushing him even higher while I neared him before punching him in the face while shrugging off his telekinesis.

Swiftly flying after him, I appeared behind him, punching him once more as he threatened to leave the city of Cairo, so I made sure that didn't happen. For the next several seconds, which felt like hours, I treated Apocalypse like a pinball, constantly hitting him back and forth through the sky, turning his face into a bloody mess, and although it healed, I was injuring him quicker than he could regenerate. 

Punching him in the face, I blasted his back with heat vision before swiftly chasing after him, appearing above him as I slammed into him, grabbing his face while colliding with the very earth, causing it to tremble rather intensely.

Standing up from the ground, I took a few deep breathes while eyeing Apocalypse as he lay there motionlessly, yet I knew he was still alive; despite having received some of my strongest attacks to date, I only managed to break his nose, dislocate his jaw, and knock a few teeth out.

Clenching my fist in anger, I was about to attack him once more, but before I could, he suddenly raised his hand at him, causing me to freeze as I felt a powerful energy restrain my movements, trying with nearly all of my might, straining my muscles, I tried approaching him, yet just taking one step felt like planets were strapped to my legs, I could hardly move.

"I've given you the chance to showcase your true strength; it is the least I could do for a warrior such as yourself. However, you've thoroughly angered me, so this fight is ending." Remarked Apocalypse as he turned and glanced at Tut while holding out his opened palm at him, using a combination of numerous mutant abilities to immobilize Tut, though even so, he couldn't entirely stop him, only slowing him to a crawl.

"F-Fucking, Bastard!" Yelled Pharaoh furiously as he lifted his second foot and slowly approached Apocalypse while glaring at him with murderous intent.

Despite all of my struggling, I was forced to watch as Apocalypse stood back up and healed from all the damages I had given him while I was forced to practically stand still and watch as I did nothing cause I could do nothing. Watching Apocalypse glance at Wolverine, who was still bound by metal rebar, wave his hand, causing Wolverine to float towards him while he grabbed his wrist before pointing it at me.

"You've done well, warrior; you're one of the strongest I've ever faced. Now, before you die, know that the one who killed was En Sabah Nur. Farewell." Stated Apocalypse as he trailed his fingers across Wolverine's claws before approaching Tut, who squinted his eyes while hardening his expression.

I knew exactly what he was about to do, and I saw how everything happened, almost as if it was in slow motion; he used Wolverine's claws, pointing them at my chest before he swiftly stabbed into my chest, and although there were slight resistance thanks to my aura and incredibly dense muscles, it did little to stop the claws from piercing my body and stabbing me through the heart.

'Heh, this is a faintly familiar feeling.' Thought Pharaoh softly as he glanced down at the Wolverine's claws inside his chest while his blood trailed down his suit.

Feeling something welling up, I coughed, spitting out my blood, only for me to grunt in pain when the claws were removed from my body, causing blood to gush out from my wound while I collapsed onto my knee the moment the suppression effect vanished. Clutching my bloody chest, I raised my head and looked at Apocalypse in anger, only to faintly smirk when I heard her arrival.

'Heh, if he wants the Phoenix Force for himself, that must mean it's incredibly powerful, powerful enough to kill him.' Mused Pharaoh with a faint grin as he looked at Apocalypse before glancing to his right, only to spot Jean and Kurt holding hands.

"PHARAOH!!" Yelled Jean in anguish as she looked at Tut in astonishment, tears streaming down her face while she ran towards him.

Smirking, I glanced at Apocalypse, who had turned to look at Jean, and used the lasts of my strength to lunge forward, punching him in the chest and filing him far away, only for me to collapse back onto one knee while clutching my chest in pain.

'F-Fuck, it's getting difficult to breathe, and my strength is waning; if only the stupid clouds were blocking the sun!' Thought Pharaoh in slight anger as he glared at the sky full of dark clouds that rumbled at his words, causing him to groan before spitting out some more blood.

"P-PHARAOH! A-Are you okay? P-Please tell me you're okay, right? Y-You'll heal from this?" Questioned Jean in a shaky, pain filled voice as she kneeled before Tut while Kurt ran to the other side.

"Here, use this; it should stop the flow of bleeding." Said Kurt quickly as he took off his shirt and handed it to TUt, who tossed it back, confusing him.

"I-I'll be fine, p-probably; q-quickly, bring me, Kitty, she's lost too much blood, she'll die i-if the wound doesn't close." Remarked Tut exhaustively as he dismissively waved his hand at Kurt while leaning against Jean, his words causing Kurt to quickly look around before spotting Kitty, teleporting to her only to teleport back with her in his arms.

"I-Is she still alive?" Asked Kurt as he quickly set down the unconscious Kitty beside Pharaoh, who suddenly released a weak yet precisely concentrated beam of plasma around Kitty's wounds, cauterizing them and stopping the blood flow.

"Y-Yeah; j-just quickly get them medical attention. G-Gambit, Beast, and Colossus really need it." Replied Pharaoh seriously with a nod as he finished cauterizing Kitty's wound, only for her and Kurt to disappear before reappearing a few moments later in the exact same spot.

"Alright, one it!" Stated Kurt with a nod as he quickly teleported around the destroyed battlefield, bringing back each member of the X-Men and placing them in the infirmary beneath the X-mansion.

"A-Are you sure you'll be okay, Tut; y-you were stabbed through the Heart." Asked Jean anxiously as she helped Tut stand up while he coughed in response, spitting out blood.

"I-I should be fine; my body is very durable; I-I just don't think I'll be able to fight much right now." Replied Tut with a pained expression as he looked down at Jean, only to sport an ugly expression when he saw Wolverine suddenly swap places with Apocalypse, who punched Jean.

Having already been ready, I swiftly appeared before Jean, protecting her from Apocalypse's punches, which were more than capable of seriously harming her, though thanks to our height difference, the fist hit me right atop my wound, causing me to clutch my chest once more while collapsing to the ground.

'Fuck, t-that hurt like a bitch.' Thought Pharaoh while coughing in agony, only to clench his fist when he heard Jean's painful whimpers.

Turning around, only to see Apocalypse choking Jean, I blasted the side of his head with my heat vision, though he simply used his other than to redirect back at me.

"L-L-Let m-me go!" Yelled Jean angrily, her eyes taking on a bright reddish color while her body erupted into ethereal multicolor flames, burning Apocalypse and forcing him to take several steps back.

"The Phoenix Force; it's power, so mighty." Muttered Apocalypse as he looked down at his burnt hand, which, despite healing, was taking significantly longer time than usual.

"T-That burns, Jean!" Remarked Tut in slight annoyance as he swiftly moved his feet away, which were getting burned.

"S-Sorry, I-I didn't mean to." Said Jean quickly as she tried to restrain her power, only for her body to suddenly be lifted into the air against her will.

"The Phoenix Force; it shall be mine." Declared Apocalypse as he looked at Jean, who was struggling with all her might, but her telekinesis was far inferior to his.