The Park I9DT

[Isabel Galen]

Isabel was sitting in the park, looking at the memorial statue, lost in thought.

[Narrator]

It wasn't apparent where the large man in the hooded jacket came from, but he didn't seem inclined to being speaking when he did show up. He stood silently for a bit behind Izzy, also gazing at the memorial.

[Isabel Galen]

"Sucks, doesn't it?" Isabel said.

[Narrator]

"I suppose," the other person said in a deep voice, "That that depends on perspective."

[Isabel Galen]

"The only one I have is mine." Isabel said "From here, its all pain."

[Narrator]

"Many see it that way. Most, perhaps," the voice rumbled speculatively. "But what, then, do they see coming of the pain."

[Isabel Galen]

"If their lucky, they get to think the pain is gone." Isabel said "But it isn't. It just gets moved around."

[Narrator]

"Pain," he said thoughtfully, "Can be good... granted that those experiencing it are strong enough to not be consumed by it... to be able to come through it stronger, wiser."

[Isabel Galen]

"Sometimes."

[Narrator]

The figure behind her regarded her curiously. "And what of you, then? Does pain simply consume and destroy you?"

[Isabel Galen]

"Physical pain, I can send away. Emotional pain? It becomes part of me, and turns into something else."

[Narrator]

"Then why," asked the hooded man, "Do you not take the path which will let you prevent yourself from being hurt. Why not be something glorious."

[Amanda Weinrich]

"I don't think that is possible." Isabel said "At least not for me."

[Narrator]

"Why should it not be," the man said. "You who can take the pain from the body, or to place it upon one? You have the power to separate the weak from the strong, to force man to be more than it is. Who could stop you from taking whatever you wish."

[Isabel Galen]

"Because I don't have that power." Isabel said "I have a bucket, and I'm trying to empty the ocean."

[Narrator]

There was a low, rumbling chuckle from behind her. "Then perhaps you simply need this 'bucket' to be larger. Greatly larger."

[Isabel Galen]

"And maybe I need to shoot lightening out of my ass."

[Narrator]

"I fail to see how that would help you."

"But... what if one could do what I say? Would you want that?"

[Isabel Galen]

"Yeah, I would." Isabel said "I want lots of things."

[En Sabah Nur]

The man stepped up closer.

"And are you ready to take what you want, what the world keeps denying you?" he rumbled.

[Isabel Galen]

"What are you offering?"

[En Sabah Nur]

"Everything," Apocalypse murmured, leaning closer. "To be able to have what you want... for no one to be able to deny you. To be the master of your gifts rather than their slave." He was silent for a moment. "Again... to be glorious."

[Isabel Galen]

"And in return?"

[En Sabah Nur]

"You do what is natural. Prove your strength. Weed the weak from the strong. You are a force of nature... You can take pain, and you can give it. You will know what you are to do."

[Isabel Galen]

"I can do that." Isabel said "Not much else left for me."

[En Sabah Nur]

"Then you find what you want... and take it," Apocalypse said. "Come, child," he said, looking down at her. "Take the first steps toward the new world."

[Isabel Galen]

"What do I do?" Isabel asked.

[En Sabah Nur]

"Rise," he said. "And follow me."