For Better or For Worse

Chapter 10

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The team was quickly gathered together and organized.

They had to come up with new plans and strategies based off of their current situation (due to the unexpected, Erik-induced, crashing of their transportation... I mean honestly, the worst timing possible).

Here is how it went:

Raven was to go and attempt to persuade Erik to rejoin their ranks. In all honesty, Raven wasn't to keen about this idea – understandably having some resentment toward Erik with their rough past and all – but it would make no sense to leave the powerful metal bender on their enemy's side. In fact, it would be more counterproductive than anything.

While Raven was occupied with Erik: Jean, Scott, and Kurt were to try to distract and, if at all possible, take out the other horsemen. By doing this, there would hopefully be a clearer path to the Professor, hidden deep within the catacombs of the Pyramid.

Hank, the poor thing, was designated the task of not only helping the younger X-Men if needed but also to do his best at luring Apocalypse as far away from the scene as possible.

They all hoped, that if their plan was successful, they would have the Professor safely back on the jet within the hour.

Ah yes, the jet.

About the jet, now broken down and battered, completely incapable of any immediate form of flight...

Luckily, its communication system still worked.

Hank, before disembarking the shuttle and joining his companions now huddled on the ground, hiding behind rubble and discussing plans, had managed to contact Moira McTaggart.

Moira had been quite a help to the group in the past. Even once having been in a relationship with Charles himself. Although the breakup was nasty, she was still always quite willing to help. Luckily, because her affiliation with the CIA was really quite convenient at times, especially times like this...

He had managed to not only get a jet, that Moira herself would fly in as a replacement for their useless one, but also a couple of backup mutants to assist in the takedown of Apocalypse.

These being Emma Frost and Remy LeBeau.

Good, they needed all the extra help that they could get.

Their ETA, due to their coincidental current location in Egypt, would be within the hour.

Thank goodness. Because both Hank and Raven understood how severely out-skilled they were.

They all looked at each other then, after designating each task.

Each of their eyes was filled with a mixture of fear and determination.

There was a lot at stake.

"I can't lie to you and tell you all that everything is going to be okay..." Raven said solemnly, "besides, Jean would call my bluff right away" she chuckled, turning her sad eyes to Jean fondly, "but here is the thing gang, there are billions of people in danger right now, both humans and mutants... and we are the only things standing in between them and destruction right now... So, let's do our very best to do our job: to protect the weak and stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves. Let's fight our hardest, save the Professor, and earn our titles as X-Men".

The team gathered themselves and put on their fighting faces, masking their internal panic.

Raven, gave them all a firm handshake and said that she would see them soon at their designated meet-up spot – the destroyed jet unless Moira came with the new jet before they were finished.