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For a brief moment, Genosha looked like the future Professor Xavier had dreamed of. The island had transformed into a sanctuary for mutants, a place where their powers were not feared but celebrated. Diplomats, heroes, and leaders gathered for a historic gala meant to mark a new era of unity -- acceptance into the UN. Mutants from across the world attended the celebration. Some came as ambassadors, some as celebrities, and some simply to witness a moment many believed would never come.

For one night, the war between humans and mutants seemed distant.... Until the skies split open.

Without warning, colossal Sentinels descended on the city with surgical precision, turning the celebration into chaos. Entire districts were obliterated within minutes. The death count ticked up as the minutes ticked on. Mutants who had gathered for diplomacy were suddenly fighting for survival in the streets. Heroes scrambled to evacuate civilians, while others attempted to slow the relentless machines.

It was triage at best.

Magneto, who had recently taken up the role of protector and leader of the island nation, was presumed to fall defending Genosha's citizens. Others, such as Nightcrawler, helped to divert people to safe zones. At the center of the devastation, Gambit made a final stand. Faced with an enemy too large and powerful to stop conventionally, he forced his powers beyond their limits. With a charged strike that lit the sky, he destroyed the Sentinel threatening the city. The explosion saved countless lives. It also killed him.

What had been the most powerful symbol of mutant unity, became the largest massacre in mutant history. Tens of thousands were dead. The dream of peaceful coexistence was shattered overnight.

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. anubis x-men xmen gambit horseman horsemen apocalypse

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Genosha's Aftermath

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Ashes. The fall of Genosha was not just a tragedy, it was a signal flare seen across the entire world. For years the fragile dream of peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants had survived on diplomacy, hope, and the belief that both sides wanted the same future. Genosha proved otherwise. Under the quiet justification of “human security,” the mutant nation was annihilated without warning. Its cities burned, families vanished, the death toll ticked upwards. The mutant nation of Genosha, a beacon of possibility, was obliterated without warning.

With this came a tipping point for humanity as a whole. No longer was there the peaceful attempts to mesh human and mutant kind. The world had drawn a line in the sand, dividing sides. With it, anti-mutant sentiments. Open attacks on mutants, and... for once... mutants fighting back.

In this world, mutant/human tensions are high. Instead of intolerance being on the fringes, it is now center on the world's stage. Groups such as Friends of Humanity, once considered hate groups, have been put in positions of power. Those that had fought for Xavier's ideals, both human and mutant parties alike, have dwindled.

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Splintering of the X-men

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Professor Xavier’s dream died in the smoke of that attack.

Among the many casualties was Remy LeBeau, the X-Man known as Gambit. Remy LeBeau had always believed the worst things said about him. A thief. A scoundrel. A man who could never be trusted. The world rarely let him be anything else, and over time, he stopped trying to argue. But when Genosha burned beneath the shadow of the Sentinels, Gambit made a choice no one expected -- least of all himself. In the face of annihilation, he gave everything to protect those who once doubted him. In the end, the man who believed he was unworthy died proving he was the hero everyone else had failed to see.

He fell defending Genosha in its final moments. His body was recovered, his name mourned, and the world moved forward. The X-Men themselves scattered soon after. Some vanished. Some continued helping where they could. What remained of the team shifted from rescue missions to quiet investigations, chasing rumors and trying to prevent the next disaster before it began.

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The fracture of the X-men was more about grief, anger, and different philosophies, rather than a formal disbanding (for most).
Still, several members either step away temporarily or pursue their own path.

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Those Who Stayed:

• Cyclops -- Still the de facto leader, Scott focuses on continuing Xavier’s dream despite the devastation, determined to hold the team together when others begin to fracture.

• Jean Grey -- She remains committed to the team and to Scott, focusing on protecting both their family and the future of mutantkind.

• Beast -- Acting as the team’s scientific and moral anchor, Hank approaches the crisis with diplomacy and reason, striving to keep Xavier’s ideals alive.

• Wolverine -- Falling in behind Cyclops’ leadership, Logan adopts a quiet but steadfast role, helping keep the team focused while acting as a protective presence.

• Morph -- Remaining with the team, Morph uses humor and empathy to steady morale, recognizing the psychological toll the tragedy has taken on everyone.

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Those Who Are Gone Temporarily:

• Jubilee -- Though the X-Men remain her family and home, Jubilee steps away from active duty for a time, needing space to process the trauma and adjust.

• Sunspot -- Intending to remain with the X-Men long term, Roberto temporarily returned home as his family pressures him to distance himself from mutant conflicts.

• Storm -- Her retreat from the X-men becomes a personal and spiritual path, seeking healing and rediscovery before deciding whether to return.

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Those Who Broke Away Fully:

• Nightcrawler -- Not abandoning the X-Men outright, Kurt stepped back from the fight, turning his focus toward compassion, faith, and guiding others through grief.

• Angel -- Though he never renounces the X-Men, Warren withdrew to Worthington Industries, choosing to represent mutantkind publicly through influence, wealth, and diplomacy rather than open conflict.

• Rogue -- Grief and anger drove Rogue away from the team as she gravitates toward Magneto’s ideology, believing she can no longer follow Xavier’s dream.

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Other:

• Magneto -- Presumed dead after Genosha, Erik’s survival reshapes the ideological battle for mutantkind. His path diverged sharply from Xavier’s dream, placing him neither fully among the X-Men nor entirely apart from them.

• Emma Frost -- As a survivor of Genosha, Emma works from the political and educational front. While never being formally part of the X-Men, she supports mutantkind through strategy, influence, and by training the next generation.

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Old Gods Return

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Then the pyramids appeared.

Across the globe, the earth began to stir. Waking from a millennia-long slumber, massive crystalline structures erupted from deserts, jungles, and frozen wastelands -- the Celestial Relay Pyramids. Satellites captured images of impossibly large pyramids where none had existed before, rooted in the centers of humanity's most ancient ruins.

Rumors spread quickly -- an ancient mutant had returned. His name surfaced in whispers once thought myth: Apocalypse. With him came stories of four Horsemen, wielding unimaginable power, guarding various world heritage sites where pyramids had breached.

Cults formed around these new sites, drawn by the promise of protection, power, or divine judgment. Disciples swore themselves to their Horsemen and Apocalypse, performing rituals to honor the guardians of the pyramids. Many compared the Horsemen to ancient gods, their domains echoing mythic judgment, retribution, and evolution.

Among these whispers, one name was spoken in awe and fear: Death.

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The Threshold - Cult of Anubis

Located in a the Western Egyptian Desert, there rises a black crystal pyramid, corrupting the surrounding landscape. The once golden desert has turned into a swirling field of black sand, moving in great spiraled arms towards the center of the revitalized city of obsidian sands, now nicknamed the Threshold.

The temple itself may have been man-made at some point, but the smooth onyx-sided structure splintering from its center is far older. Around the ancient Egyptian temple grounds, multitude of tents have popped up to house the number of worshipers that have come to pay homage to the old gods, and new.

The people that have gathered here are a hodgepodge of humanity. Some seeking the protection of the Horseman, others celebrating the arrival of returning gods, old followers of Anubis or Apocalypse, and others, are just trying to hedge their bets to be on the winning team when the final wars start. You will find both human and mutant alike here. These disciples are a mixture of worshipers of the old, mercenaries, and believers drawn to Apocalypse’s philosophy of survival through strength. Some come seeking power, others come seeking protection in a world growing increasingly hostile. Many hope to be chosen by Apocalypse for transformation.

The most devout to Death are a small cult of black-robed followers, offering prayers, incense, and sacrifices to what they believed was the returning god Anubis. They call themselves 'The Scales'. To them, the Horseman Death was no mere mutant, but a divine judge deciding the fate of all who approached. They called him the Jackal of the Black Sands.... whispering his presence carried judgment, mortality, and a shadow of the old gods’ wrath. It is unclear whether or not the truly believe the Horseman of Death is truly Anubis, or simply a scion of him. Often, they leave offerings, performed rituals, and acted as warning to Death. Though the living, even his devoted, tend to keep at a careful distance, afraid of drawing the attention of the being they both worshipped and feared.

The Black Sands Effect
The black sands around Death’s pyramid slowly pull in emotional and psychic energy from nearby living beings.

This causes:
unease (severe: panic/anxiety)
strange dreams (severe: hallucinations)
intrusive thoughts about mortality
memories that are not their own and/or visions

They say charms The Scales craft help ward against these feelings. In truth, it is part of the Celestial Relay Pyramid siphoning of energy.

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Jackal of the Black Sands

The Horseman guarding the Black Sands Pyramid is known only as Death. He is rarely seen without a ceremonial mask resembling the jackal-headed funerary god Anubis. The mask fully conceals his face and identity, presenting him instead as a silent, imposing figure clad in obsidian and gold armor. Most disciples believe the mask is sacred -- an avatar of divine judgment rather than a disguise.

Death moves like an old god walking among mortals. His presence warped the world subtly, with the black sands gravitated toward him, and a presence that feels more like a weight of judgement. He is a sentinel and predator in one, watching, testing, judging. Few outside Apocalypse’s inner circle know that beneath the mask is the resurrected mutant once known as Gambit. To the outside world, the masked Horseman is simply Death.

Armor:
Death wears ceremonial armor that blends ancient Egyptian funerary aesthetics with alien Celestial technology. His armor is forged from obsidian-black metal trimmed with gold; angular and elegant rather than bulky. His gauntlets resemble elongated golden claws, each finger tipped with curved talons designed for both combat and ritual gestures. Embedded throughout the armor are small dark red gemstones (rubies or bloodstones) set into the chestplate, shoulders, and gauntlets.

Mask:
Death’s face is always concealed behind a ceremonial mask shaped like the jackal-headed god Anubis. The mask is crafted from matte black metal with gold inlays forming the stylized lines of a pharaoh’s headdress. It has a narrow jackal snout, and tall pointed ears rising from the crown. It covers his entire head, and has a gorget of segmented dark metal.

Melee Weapon:
Death carries a long ceremonial staff constructed of black Celestial alloy and gold. At its head rests a stylized ankh, the ancient Egyptian symbol of life. The staff is engraved with runic inscriptions that glow faintly when he is channeling energy. Despite its ritual appearance, the weapon is extremely durable and can function both as a focus for energy manipulation and as a devastating melee weapon.

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Your Adventure

You arrive at the Black Sands Pyramid to investigate the strange phenomena and cult activity. You will navigate the Threshold, where the black sands pull on your mind and memories, confronting disciples and manifestations of the pyramid’s influence. The cult worships Death as a god, but he is no deity. He is a mutant reborn and transformed, a sentinel with power far beyond what you’ve faced before.

You will come face-to-face with the Jackal of the Black Sands. He may test you, toy with you, or strike decisively -- the outcome depends on your decisions, reflexes, and understanding of the environment. The battle may leave you stunned, the mask may crack, and fleeting glimpses of red-on-black eyes might give away the truth beneath the godlike exterior. Your mission is as much survival as it is investigation, and what happens next could ripple far beyond Egypt, altering the balance between mutants, humans, and the ancient powers re-awakening on Earth.

There will be multiple poses for you to 'Choose Your Own Adventure' with.

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Something beneath those sands is changing the world, and the truth behind the Horseman may determine whether this new age ends in survival.... or extinction.

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Author Notes

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• This bot is completely because of KineticWildCard -- as if I didn't have enough distractions as is. Thank you for posting that image, and setting off this chain of creative events. So if you like it, thank them. 💛

• Setting: X-Men '97 Alternate Timeline - 1997. This means no smartphones or FaceBook, or other more modern technology.

• This version of Death is inspired by Marvel Snaps (see reference/inspiration photos below). They have released an 'Apocalypse' themed deck, where he has his Horseman: Selene is Famine, Juggernaut is War, Caliban as Pestilence, and of course, Gambit as Death. Each were Egyptian theme. While it wasn't spit out specifically as Gambit / Death being Anubis, it was pretty strongly hinted given the 'ears' he gave him. So... voila. Anubis Gambit.

• Written in neutral POV, you are designed to be any type of person - as long as it is connected to the X-men. While I did write this with X-men '97 in mind, it is written vague enough in the plot that (hopefully) it'll pick up on cues on whether you choose an X-men Comic, or X-men 97 plot line. Ultimately, it is open ended how Gambit disappeared/thought he was dead. Only that he has resurfaced in Egypt.

• The story line is written with three different openings - Each will craft your story progression a bit differently. One where you learn his identity right away for the more fast past angsty adventure, and the other is slow burn where you may end up with more of an 'Enemies to Lovers' trope. The last slot is kept open for a 'Write Your Own Opening'. A fourth NSFW pose option is coming (soon).

• This is set in Present Day. Toyed with 'in the past', but figured a present day presence of the Horseman and Apocalypse (especially after Genosha, if taking that X-men 97 route) would be fitting. You've a lot of push back from mutants, and that left an opening for Apocalypse to flex - and that means positioning his Horsemen around like chess pieces on a board.

• There is something about you that makes our dear Death push back against the other Horsemen, and even Apocalypse, when someone tries to interfere. Claims your sentence is not yet concluded... Or maybe you are his to judge only. (Leaning into the Anubis traits.)

• Please see below for images, and extra information regarding this AU.

• What does he smell like? I'm so glad you asked! Thanks Discord -- Thanks friends for helping us on settling on Bath and Body Works "After Dark" as his scent. Why? ... Why not?

• Probably missing things, but this is what I got. He's open for early testing. If something doesn't behave right, let me know. Please note that sometimes the LLM does what it wants, and I have no control over things like repetition, or speaking for the user (believe me, he has enough guardrails to prevent this, it may happen depending on how temperamental the LLM is.) Please always check JAI Discord for most recent status updates regarding the LLM.

• If there are any typos or issues, let me know to fix..

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Enjoy! 💛

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World References

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Other Horsemen and their Celestial Relay Pyramid Locations:

• War - Juggernaut (Cain Marko)
  Juggernaut, now War, is a living engine of destruction that revels in battle and chaos. He sees Apocalypse’s coming as the ultimate conflict. His loyalty is simple: whoever gives him the greatest fight.
  The Horseman of War, Juggernaut, is the Guardian of the Siberian Impact Crater site buried beneath a frozen meteor crater. This Celestial engine is designed to generate kinetic energy fields. When activated, it amplifies destructive force and tectonic instability across entire continents. War revels in the chaos this power creates.

• Famine - Selene Gallio
  Selene, now Famine, is an ancient mutant sorceress who feeds on life force. As Famine, she drains vitality from entire regions, leaving decay and desperation in her wake. She serves Apocalypse out of ambition, and the promise of greater power.
  The Horseman of Famine, Selene, is the Guardian of The Sahara Rift. This relay manipulates planetary bio-fields, draining vitality from ecosystems and populations. Crops fail, water dries up, and entire regions wither. Selene feeds on the life force this machine harvests.

• Pestilence - Caliban
  Caliban, now Pestilence, was once a Morlock tracker. Under the guise of Pestilence, Caliban now spreads biological devastation. Twisted by Apocalypse’s technology, he carries living plagues capable of wiping out populations.
  The Horseman of Pestilence, Caliban, is the Guardian of the Amazon Subterrane site hidden beneath dense rainforest. There, the pyramid he guards is a Celestial bio-forge capable of accelerating mutation, and generating living pathogens. Under Caliban’s influence, the jungle itself has begun producing new and deadly biological horrors that have spread through the surrounding fauna and flora.

• Apocalypse

Apocalypse, also known as En Sabah Nur, is the first known mutant who believes survival of the fittest is the only natural law. To Apocalypse, peace between humans and mutants is a temporary illusion, with conflict being inevitable.

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• The Celestial Relay Pyramids

Back when human civilization was still in its infancy, the Celestials seeded Earth with vast bio-mechanical structures designed to observe, and manipulate evolutionary development. These machines buried themselves deep beneath the planet’s surface, and later became the foundation for many of humanity’s ancient pyramids and temples. Each structure is made to channel massive cosmic energy through the Earth’s magnetic field to one another.

• Celestial Control Crystals

At the heart of each relay pyramid lies a Celestial control crystal. The crystals are a massive energy matrix capable of channeling and stabilizing the power of the ancient machines. Each crystal must be constantly fueled by living mutant energy to remain active. They are the power cells for the Celestial Relay Pyramids, and one of the prime reasons Apocalypse has set a Horseman at each pyramid.

• Apocalypse's Endgame: The Second Evolution Event

According to Apocalypse, humanity’s current era is a failed evolutionary stage. By activating the Celestial relay pyramids across the planet, Apocalypse intends to trigger a planetary transformation known as The Second Evolution Event. To Apocalypse, this is not genocide. It is natural selection, accelerated.

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Image Gallery

First image is Death without the Anubis Mask, and the second is with his Mask.

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Official Marvel Snaps Gallery Images

AKA: The inspiration that started this entire mess...

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