They were born mutants--possessing powers of a genetic origin which made them outcasts of society. But one man -- Professor Charles Xavier -- brought them together to learn to use their unique gifts in the service of a world that hates and fears them...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marvel 2000 Proudly Presents... X-Men #3 “DEATH OF A DREAM” Part Five Written by Dino Pollard --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Rewind. Fast-forward. Rewind. Fast-forward. Rewind. Fast-forward." McCoy was enjoying himself immensly. This "brain-drain" machine was truly spectacular. He was extracting images from Marrow's mind, displaying them on a monitor in front of him. "You got somethin' ya actually wanna tell me?" Marrow asked, still strapped to the cold, metal table. "Or do I gotta carve it outta yer hide?" "My, such spunk," McCoy said with glee. "Very well, my calcium-fied friend. Is calcium-fied even a word? I promised I would tell you something about your teammate, Remy LeBeau. Otherwise known as the X-Man Gambit. And it relates to the ever-famous Mutant Massacre. Do I need to remind you of what that is?" Marrow said nothing. She knew full-well what McCoy was talking about. The Mutant Massacre occurred years ago, when she was a young girl. Mr. Sinister's Marauders had entered the Morlock tunnels. And there, they killed dozens of the mutants living beneath the city streets. All because Sinister deemed them "unfit." Sickening. "What about it?" Marrow asked. "Well, let me tell you a story," McCoy began. "Once upon a time, there was a thief named Mr. LeBeau. He was the best in the world. One day, he was hired by a man named Mr. Essex. Mr. Essex was also known as Mr. Sinister. You see, Mr. Sinister wanted Mr. LeBeau to find some of the nastiest people in the world. And Mr. LeBeau did--for a fee. Mr. Sinister was able to meet this fee. And once he gathered these men, Mr. Sinister named them the Marauders. But, he had one final job for Mr. LeBeau. He wanted Mr. LeBeau to lead the Marauders to a very specific place. This place was beneath the city streets. In the tunnels. And in these tunnels lived some very specific people. They were called the Morlocks. Once Mr. LeBeau lead the Marauders here, the Marauders began... marauding the Morlocks." "WHAT?!?" "Perhaps I was being too subtle," McCoy said. "Gambit formed the Marauders, then led them to the Morlock tunnels. He is responsible for the Mutant Massacre." "No, yer lyin'!!" "Would you like to hear the real kicker?" McCoy asked. "The rest of the X-Men recently found out he was responsible."* (* See Marvel's Uncanny X-Men #350 - Dino) McCoy's finger flicked a switch on his command console. Marrow's shackles snapped open. She instantly leapt at McCoy, bringing a bone dagger up to his throat. "I'LL KILL YOU!!!" "Why would you do that?" McCoy asked. "I have simply told you the truth. Look." He pointed to a monitor. The X-Men squaring off against the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.* (* See last ish for details - Dino) "Gambit is with them," he said. "Squaring off against my allies." Marrow looked at the monitor, then back at McCoy. She pushed her dagger up a little further, then pulled it away. And then, she was gone. McCoy grinned at first. Then, it broke into laughter. "Just our luck," Iceman said. "ANOTHER Brotherhood of Evil Mutants!!" "You're a funny one," Fatale mused. "I'm gonna enjoy tearing you apart, popsicle!!" Wolverine's claws extended from his hands. "That'll be the day, bub," he said. "Why are we wasting time with these boyos?" Black Tom asked. "Just kill 'em!!" He brought his plant-like hand up, sending a powerful bio-blast at the X-Men. Easily dodged. "Well, mes amis," Gambit began, charging up a pair of playing cards. "Shall we party?" Marrow ran through the underground tunnels, her mind consumed with rage. Gambit was responsible for the Mutant Massacre. One of the few X-Men she was starting to trust. What's really horrible is not only the fact that he was responsible, but that the other X-Men knew as well. And they never told her. She saw only red as she continued to run through the tunnels. They would pay. They'd all pay for what they've done to her. The Toad leapt into the air, bringing his legs down towards Nightcrawler. The X-Man teleported at the last minute, reappearing behind Toad. He delivered a quick kick to the Toad's head. Mortimer Toynbee was a member of the original Brotherhood, led by Magneto. While he wasn't part of Mystique's incarnation, he led a third incarnation, and was a member of the previous one. His mutation enhanced the strength of his legs, giving him the ability to leap. The strength they posses could kill a normal man. "Not long ago, herr Toad," Nightcrawler began. "You were actually following Professor Xavier.* What has changed?" (* See Marvel's Hunt for Xavier storyline - Dino) "I got a better offer," Toad replied. He squatted, propelling himself into the air once again. Another attempt to take down Nightcrawler. "Well, mein freund," Nightcrawler said. "Pardon my abrupt exit." The stench of brimstone was present in the air as Kurt Wagner teleported once again, avoiding the Toad's attack. He appeared behind his foe, attempting another sneak attack. "Sorry handsome, can't let you do that." Before Nightcrawler could register what was happening, he was attacked by another member of the Brotherhood. "After all, this isn't the old Brotherhood that you guys used to beat into submission." Nightcrawler looked up at his assailant. "You must be the one they call Fatale, ja?" he asked. "You're smarter than you look, fuzzy," Fatale said. She brought up a dagger as Toad began to close in. A flick of his wrist and a plastic playing card fell into the waiting fingers of Gambit. He kept a pack of playing cards in each sleeve of his trench coat, for easy access. Once in his hand, the card flares up with energy as Remy LeBeau uses his genetic birthright to charge any inanimate object with kinetic energy. He throws the deadly object with incredible accuracy towards his opponent--the mutant known as Random. "Dunno why yer helpin' out de Brotherhood," Gambit said. "'Specially when you used ta work wit' X-Factor." Random's arms shifted into dual cannons as he fired an energy blast at the card, then a second at Gambit. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Gambit," he replied. "The guy who organized all this is someone who I owe big time. So, I'd gladly do this for him. And from what he's told us about you, you're not exactly an angel. I'm surprised the X-Men even let a mass-murderer join them!!" Gambit's eyes were filled with shock. How did Random know about his role in the Mutant Massacre? And who was behind the Brotherhood? Random unloaded a barrage of energy blasts on Gambit. Damn, gettin' careless!! Gambit thought, leaping out of the way of the blasts. Sometin' ain't right, here. Black Tom wouldn't know 'bout m' role in the Mutant Massacre. Dere's someone else pullin' de strings. I just hope it ain't who I t'ink it be. Storm used her mutant ability to control the weather to help control the raging fire that Pyro was at the center of. Iceman was assisting her on the ground as Quicksilver got as many of the innocent bystanders away as possible. Goddess, what has happened here, she thought. Last we met Pyro, his powers were uncontrollable due to the Legacy Virus. After we stopped him, he was taken into custody by SHIELD.* How did he break out of SHIELD's custody? And how is he able to control his powers? Has the small band of mutants he formed actually found a cure? (* It all happened in Hunt for Xavier - Dino) "Robert, try to get in closer to Pyro!" Storm commanded. "We must stop this before it escalates." "Already on it, Storm," Iceman replied, increasing the intensity of his ice blasts. If the temperature didn't keep rising, I could probably take him out right now. Something's not right, though. Every time I lower the temperature, he's able to raise it twice as high. If this doesn't stop soon, we could be in some serious trouble. Nightcrawler was dazed. After Fatale's sneak attack, he was disoriented. Now, both she and Toad advanced upon him, moving in for the kill. "Such a noble, little X-Man," Fatale said. "I think I'll take his head with me as a memento." Fatale lifted her dagger up, preparing to bring it down on Kurt. Before her arm could even twitch, she was knocked off of her feet. Nightcrawler and Toad both turned to see Fatale lying at the feet of a short man dressed in a brown and gold uniform, bone claws protruding from the backs of his hands. "Cutting it a little close with the last-minute saves, eh mein freund?" Nightcrawler asked. "Take care o' th' jackrabbit, elf," Wolverine ordered. "I got McCoy's maid. Remember hearin' 'bout you from Forge, Fatale. So tell me, what's McCoy up ta this time?" "You'll have to kill me first, freak!!" Fatale screamed, leaping at him. Wolverine deflected her dagger with his claws. "That can be arranged," he said gravely. Shoving her back, he advanced on her. She got up for another attack. Attempting to stab him in the chest, she drove her dagger towards his ribcage. This time, he grabbed her wrist, the dagger inches from his heart. His free hand popped a single claw in her side. "I'm only gonna ask ya one more time," Wolverine said, kneeling by her. He placed his fist inches from her throat. The two end claws popped out, sliding right past her neck. "What's McCoy up to?" "You don't got th' guts..." Fatale said, grinning. "Ya better watch yer mouth, kid," Wolverine warned. "Ya already met contestants one an' two. Wanna be introduced ta contestant number three?" Quicksilver moved as fast as he could, ferrying the civilians to safety. This was what his purpose was best served as. Saving innocents. As Pietro Maximoff began to run back towards the center of the battle, the ground became uneven. Violent tremors occured, knocking him off his feet. A man wearing a metal helmet was the source. "Avalanche," Pietro said. "You want to see what else I can do, Quicksilver?" Dominic Petros, the terrorist Avalanche, asked. "Superspeed's pretty useless when your enemy can control vibrations, eh?" "We shall see," Quicksilver said, racing towards his opponent. Avalanche increased the intensity of the tremors, causing Quicksilver once again to be thrown back. Blast!! he thought. Colossus and the Blob have been trading blows for quite some time, with neither mutant making much headway. "Get over it, Ruskie!!" Blob exclaimed. "Nothin' can move th' Blob if he don't wanna be moved!!!" "Perhaps, comrade," Colossus said. "Then again, perhaps there is more to this battle than meets the eye." "What the hell's that meaaARRRRRGH!!!!" "First rule, Dukes," Cyclops exclaimed, firing a high-intensity optic blast at the Blob from behind. "Never turn your back on your enemy!" "Ye should learn ta follow yuir own advice, lad!!" Before Cyclops could react, a bio-blast sent him reeling. "Now, it's time ta test yuir X-Men trainin' against th' new an' improved Black Tom Cassidy!!" "All I see is a madman trying to harm innocent civilians!!" Cyclops exclaimed, firing an optic blast at Black Tom. "Not much of a change from how you used to be!" Tom countered Cyclops' optic blast with his own bio-blasts. The strength was causing Scott's beam to shorten. He was actually overpowering the X-Man!! With a mere thought, the ruby-quartz lens of Cyclops' visor opened even more, increasing the intensity of the blast. There was a tremendous flash, knocking Scott back. What happened? he thought. Where's Cassidy? Was it too much? Did the blast engulf him? Cyclops surveyed the area, with no luck. No sign of Black Tom Cassidy. "Lookin' f'r me, lad?" He turned to see a figure rising from the ground. "Cassidy....?" It was indeed Black Tom, still growing taller, composed nearly entirely of wood. He's a lot more powerful with these plant-like abilities of his now. This could mean trouble. Quicksilver raced around as much as possible, trying to avoid Avalanche's seismic powers. He was eventually able to get up behind the terrorist, charging up to him. "Avalanche, a little bit of advice..." "Eh..?" Avalanche asked, turning. He was immediately greeted with a fist travelling at superhuman speeds. "Spend less time gloating and more time winning." He looked at the fallen mutant. Odd. One punch shouldn't have been enough to knock him out. It wasn't that powerful, yet he's not moving. There is more to this than meets the eye. Wolverine still had Fatale pinned on the ground. "Last chance, kid," he warned. "Ya gonna come clean?" Fatale simply grinned. "Well old man, since you asked me so nicely... I'd hafta say slag off!!!" With a thought, Fatale opened a teleportation portal beneath her, dropping into it. Wolverine reached in, trying to grab her. He was forcefully rejected. "Damn." He looked to see how the others were faring. Nightcrawler and Gambit had defeated the Toad and Random, Colossus took out the Blob, and Storm and Iceman were able to extinguish Pyro's flames, and Quicksilver knocked out Avalanche. Cyclops, however, was facing problems of his own. Black Tom Cassidy. A plant-like being. If not for Cyclops' timely intervention, I would not have been able to knock out the Blob. Something is not right here, though. This so-called Brotherhood should have been more of a match for us. However, it seems that it is quite the opposite. "Petey!!" Colossus recognized the voice immediately. "Logan, what is it?" he asked. "See that thing Cyke's fightin' up there?" he replied, pointing towards Cyclops. "That's Cassidy. Ya know what t' do!!" "Da," Colossus replied, picking Wolverine up. "One Fastball Special coming up, tovarisch!!" He pulled back, putting all his strength into hurling Wolverine at Black Tom. Wolverine flew through the air, driving right through the plant-creature. Once he landed, the other X-Men gathered around. "We need a plan," Cyclops noted. "You just realized that?" Quicksilver asked, sarcastically. "Zip it, kid," Wolverine snapped. "Now ain't th' time." Roots began to spring up from the ground, grabbing the X-Men. "Goddess!!" Storm exclaimed, using lightning to destroy her bonds. "This is pure insanity!! I know Black Tom's power increased--but to this effect?" "Sean told me about this," Cyclops said. "But he said that Penance ripped Tom apart. Something else is definitely going on here. Here's what we do. Iceman, I want you to see what you can do about lowering his temperature. Storm, Gambit, on my mark, I want you two to cut loose on him. Tearing him apart once seemed to work for a while, so it'll most likely work again. That's where--" "--I come in!" "By the Goddess, Marrow?!" "What're ya doin' here, kid?" Wolverine asked. "That's not the issue right now," Nightcrawler said. "We need to worry about Herr Cassidy." "I can tear 'im apart from back here better'n the old guy can up close," Marrow said. "All right," Cyclops said. "We'll try it your way, Marrow. Quicksilver, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Colossus. You four are back-up. Once we finish the initial attack, hit him hard. Now, let's get this over with." Bobby Drake froze the moisture around his hands, projecting a beam of ice towards the ground, creating an iceslide for him to travel on. Once high enough, he turned his sub-zero blasts on Cassidy. "Gonna hafta try harder'n that, boyo!!" Cassidy exclaimed. "It'll take more'n some cold ta get rid'o Black Tom!!" "We aim t' please, mon ami!!" Gambit exclaimed as he threw a barrage of playing cards at Black Tom, while Storm assaulted him with lightning. Cyclops let loose with an optic blast. "All right Marrow, now!!" She made no move. "Marrow, I said now!!" Nothing. "MARROW!!!" "All right, fine," Marrow said, pulling a bone dagger from her back. "But don't say I didn't warn you!!" She leapt in the air, hurling it. But not at Black Tom. Instead, the jagged bone stuck Gambit in the stomach!! "REMY!!!" Storm exclaimed. "MARROW, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!?" "It's called revenge, Summers," Marrow replied. "Gambit was the one responsible f'r the Mutant Massacre. HE'S THE ONE RESPONSIBLE F'R KILLIN' MY FAMILY!!! MY FRIENDS!!!! IT'S HIS FAULT THAT I BECAME THE 'TWISTED' LEADER O' GENE NATION!!!! ALL HIM!!!! AND YOU KNEW ABOUT IT, ALL ALONG!!!!" Black Tom, slowly shrunk down to normal size, barely able to stand. "An' because o' that," Marrow said. "I'm joinin' up with the Brotherhood." "Just what we were waitin' t' hear, lass," Black Tom said with a grin. "Fatale, ye can get us outta here now." Several teleportation portals appeared, taking the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants away with them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEXT ISSUE: Head over to Uncanny X-Men #3 by Cory Wiegel for “DEATH OF A DREAM,” Part Six! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |