>>6142289>Alt-Text: Comic art of a Shinden-zukuri complex. A caption reads “Near the coast of Hokkaido.”>Pencils: Klaus Janson & William Johnson. Inks: Klaus Janson & Mike Migmola. Script: Denny O’Neil. Letters: Joe RosenYou are Nathanial Essex, host of Apocalypse. Currently trying to avoid getting sucked into a war when your entire nation consists of three and a half people!
Essex: Magneto, care to join me in the Astral Plane? I think a telekinetic mind meld will help to fix the flint.
Magneto: Very well. Excuse me, gentlemen.
He takes off his ridiculous helmet and instantly, your minds join.
<span class="mu-i">In the Astral Plane.</span>
Magneto: I refuse to run errands for those who allied with my butchers.
Essex: You’re stuck in the past old boy. Think of the future. Their flaming princess is our ticket to ultimate power. The more time we spend with the Yoshida’s the more time you have to turn hertour side.
Magneto: You speak truly, but Mariko’s power will be for mutant liberation, not your experiments.
Apocalypse: She wields the fire of the gods. Rest assured, Magneto. Her flame will burn away the weakness of the old ways.
<span class="mu-i">Back at the Yoshida Fortress.</span>
Essex: It’s decided, we will join your raid.
Soma: As expected. Our agent Kannon will be our representative for this mission. As I said, this will not be our first involvement in Mutant affairs.
Harada: And Mariko will ensure Yoshida interests are served on this mission.
Kannon: The target is an Island off the coast of Hokkaido. Our shinobi tell us security should be light because it is the week of Obon.
Beast: Ah, the Japanese festival of the dead.
Essex: And if security ISN’T light?
Kannon: We’ll give them more bodies to celebrate.
<span class="mu-i">The Hokkaido Coast</span>
Kannon: I can sense five guards. They’re frustrated they aren’t home with their families.
What a fabulous little specimen. You’re practically salivating at what you could do with your hands on that psychic brain.
Kannon: Everyone prepare.
Mariko inspects a small knife.
Kannon: You bring that tanto on every mission. It's a waste of space when you shoot fire.
Mariko: It belonged to my mother. Her spirit watches over me in battle.
Kannon: Don’t get sentimental. It gets you killed. There’s no Hell or reincarnation. I know firsthand. So make sure you’re not the one in the ground.
Beast: I do say, I have some reservations. Despite my atavistic figure, violence does not become me.
Magneto: You were born a mutant, Beast. YOUR LIFE is a battle. It's time you learned that.
Essex: Yes, yes, everyone’s had their pre-battle gabs. If we’re all sorted let’s get this Far East Mystery weapon.
Kannon: From our perspective, YOU’RE in the East.
The brat flips to the fortress gate. Your furry lab assistant follows and Magneto levitates you and Mariko down by your metal accoutrements.
Kannon: I’ve cut the locks, go!
Magneto: Stop. I sense- metal!
About twenty ninjas emerge from the shadows.
