[Age Of Apocalypse] – S.H.I.E.L.D. And C.I.A.’s Joint Co-Op

In the building of the Egyptian Antiquities Organization,

Moira, Bob, Peggy and Mystique were standing around a table upon which several photos were scattered about. These photos were of Apocalypse's chamber. Mystique was in her blue form and curiously looked at the photos in a typical S.H.I.E.L.D. suit.

Peggy sighed and raised her head to look at Moira after staring at the photos, trying to figure out the meaning and said, "I can't understand any of this. What was the panic for? Why did you say it was a level 8 event, Agent MacTaggert?"

"I'm sorry, Director Carter. But...", she pointed at the photos and said, "... the issue is very concerning and requires our attention."

She turned to Bob and asked, "Where is the file?"

"Here!", Bob said after handing her file.

Moira placed it on the table and opened it. She pointed at a photo of a sarcophagus in a tomb and said, "The main issue is this."

"Let me guess," Peggy said, "Has the mummy in the sarcophagus come back alive?"

"Yes!", Moira exclaimed, "Exactly!"

She shuffled through the photos and placed one of them over the others and said, "But, according to our forensic experts, the person at the top of the platform was given some sort of liquid that rejuvenated their body, causing them to awaken. Right now, our experts are working hard to figure out what that fluid contained. But , what we are sure about is that the person awakened due to this fluid. According to the archaeologists, the person was never dead. He was merely placed in a deep sleep."

"Deep sleep?", Peggy frowned and said, "Like a cryogenic chamber? Howard was very passionate about that."

"Yes," Moira nodded and explained, "This is a natural cryogenic chamber. But, let's get back to our issue - the person who was on top of the platform."

She placed a few photos of hieroglyphs on the table and began, "Whatever history was about this person was buried. It was very difficult to obtain it. Luckily, we did. His name was En Sabah Nur and he was a Pharaoh."

"A Pharaoh?", Peggy frowned and repeated.

"Yes, a Pharaoh.", Moira nodded and continued, "He had his own kingdom. A big one at that. But, what set him apart from Cleopatra and everybody else were his followers. They worshipped him like a God. They believed him to be immortal. Whenever he would be on the brink of death, he would simply transfer his consciousness from one body to the next. So many of his fanatical followers were eager to be his host. There would a massive ritual when he did so. But, the most concerning thing what we found about him was that he's believed to be the first mutant."

"What?", Both Mystique and Peggy shouted in shock.

"Unfortunately, we have evidence to back that claim," Moira explained, "He wouldn't simply transfer his consciousness from one host to the other. Whatever mutant ability his previous host had would also be transferred to his new one. This continued for centuries and he amassed countless abilities over time. But, that wasn't all. He had four people by his side whenever he did so. They were something like his disciples. And, they were called his horsemen. Each represented a unique aspect. Death. Pestilence. Famine. And, war. Wherever they went, they brought about total destruction. They brought... Apocalypse."

Peggy crossed her arms and stared at the photo for a few seconds while she was thinking. She nodded and said, "If this person is alive, then a level 8 event would inevitably occur. We have to take this very seriously. If an Apocalypse were to unfortunately happen, the number of lives that would be lost...."

She shook her head and offered her hand to Moira and said, "This would be a joint co-op between S.H.I.E.L.D and C.I.A. Expect full cooperation from us and I expect the same from you as well, Agent MacTaggert."

Moira shook Peggy's hand and said, "Likewise, Director Carter."

Peggy turned around and walked away with Mystique following behind her. She looked at Mystique and said, "I'm giving you a mission right now, Agent Red Queen."

"Yes, Director," Mystique became serious and Peggy continued, "I want you to track down this... Apocalypse. He's from the time of Pharaohs and would find it difficult to blend in with the people. Because even if a person has world-ending powers, their thinking remains the same. I want you to find him and keep an eye on him. Do NOT engage. If you find him, send me the details. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Director," Mystique said and walked away in another direction.

Peggy walked out of the building. She gazed at the pyramid in the middle of the city in the distance and sighed. She took out her Chrono and typed a message.

[ Hey, Val!

You wanted me to inform you the things that happened because of your punch and there is one more. The pyramid that was unearthed in Cairo is that of a Pharaoh of a long time ago. His name is En Sabah Nur. He's very powerful and believed to be the world's first mutant. S.H.I.E.L.D. is treating this as a level 8 event and have begun their preparations. We are trying to track him down and hopefully, capture him before he does something horrible but... you know how it is. Of course, you would involve yourself. I know you would try to do something about it. I won't stop you. But... I want you to remember. Don't put your life in risk. Don't be reckless and jump into the fray. Otherwise, I would be mad. I hope you're doing well. You haven't come out of the basement for a few months and it's worrying me. Sigh! Whatever. I hope you're at least taking care of yourself.

Love you,

Big Sis ]

. . .

"Apocalypse?", Val muttered after reading Peggy's message. He put his Chrono back on the desk and leaned back on his chair and thought, 'So... my punch awakened Apocalypse? I fucking hate this fucking bullshit!! According to my calculations, Apocalypse was going to be the next thing that would happen and I was waiting for him to awaken and cause and earthquake but this... this is...'

He clenched his fists in anger and thought, 'I swear I will kill whoever is responsible for this timeline or whatever. Instead of Apocalypse awakening himself, I was made the cause for him. Shou-Lau did say that he and the Chiantang could see destiny and make prophecies on it. Uggghh! I hate this! This is like my actions aren't my own but it's predetermined.'

He sighed and shook his head while thinking, 'Whatever! I will continue to do what I want. Because the more I think about this, the angrier I become. And, more importantly..', his eyes fell on the armor lying on the table beside him and he murmured, "What should I call you?"