What to do about Magik?
Author's note: Somehow I'm just sure the regular readers of this FanFic just know that I'd write something about the comic Cable Issue 1, a comic I found to be surprisingly entertaining as I am so not a Cable fan. Apparently he's now a bit of a Casanova (meaning lots of girls are chasing after him and I suppose the reverse as well); which kind of makes sense as he is the son of Scott Summers. And by golly, Marvel is trying to give him a personality that differs from old Cable, who I always considered very much an ass and let's face it, grump old Cable spent way to much time at the gym and not enough time chasing chicks, a failing that young Cable appears to rectifying.
But back to the comic, in it we see that the combat prone Mutants, of various skill levels, have created a kind of challenge area called the quarry (which looks like it takes place in a small rock quarry so hence the name). So… those who have a hankering for a punching can engage with those of similar bent, and I suppose appropriate skill level as… well… meaning Wolverine vs. Pixie would be rather like cheering a baby seal beating (that cute helpless seal was begging for it!). Apparently there are really no rules so cheating is okay because no rules means you can't cheat.
But…
Apparently you can get disqualified as happened to Magik when she fought Gorgon (one great Captain against another). And everybody is rather in awe of what caused that disqualification. Yeah Gorgon won, but… I bet he'd rather have lost…
Or… would he?
Either way, this is my take until Marvel publishes details.
Part51a: Oy Vey (Yiddish for Oh the pain)
There is a place on Krakoa that some know of. Call it a kind of bar, but only for a few. Warriors, those who knew how to deal out controlled violence. Not a place for the like of Sabretooth as he was far more unrestrained in his actions. The place of dark wood, rich leather, and smoky as many liked to indulge in tobacco; rather like an English gentlemen's club back in the day.
Gorgon (Tomi Shishido), former member of the Hand and Hydra, was relaxing in a most deep and soft leather chair, although convalescing would be better description of his physical condition. He was sipping Saki from a small dish, the kind they use in historical Japanese films, with a several small jars of very fine Saki before him on a table. Despite the gloom he was wearing his signature dark glasses. Opposite him, ensconced in a likewise luxurious chair, was Logan partaking of the Saki (who was somewhat surprised to find himself partaking of Saki with Gorgon considering their past history).
BEGIN INFO DUMP
Who is Gorgon you ask (Info extracted from Wikipedia)? As a child, he possessed near superhuman levels of intelligence. He said his first words at two weeks of age, could walk at three months, and was able to read and write by his first birthday. He became an accomplished painter by age four, among the top artists in all of Japan and composed an opera at age six. This is also the age when he attempted his second suicide (yes he had issues). At age 13, Shishido formulated a mathematical formula that proves the existence of One-Above-All and manifested the mutant ability to turn people to stone just by looking at them. The media dubbed him as "The Gorgon", after the Gorgon of Greek mythology. Shortly after, he became the leader of a mutant death-cult called the Dawn of the White Light, which committed terrorist attacks throughout Japan. At the age of eighteen he sought out the Hand. Before leaving his home, he killed his entire family and his only friend to prove that he was ruthless enough to join the terrorist organization. After finding the Hand sanctuary and slaying all of its guards while blindfolded, Gorgon went inside and pledged his allegiance to the Hand's Jonin. When the master questioned his dedication, the Gorgon impaled himself with his own sword, fatally injuring himself, and told the master to resurrect him. The Jonin were impressed and brought him into the fold. So… major bastard would be the start of a good description.
Gorgon's primary mutant ability is the ability to transform an individual into stone by making eye contact with them. Gorgon's eyes have no visible features, glowing with a bright green energy. He often wears a mask or pair of dark sunglasses in order to see without affecting those around him. Whether said face wear possess any sort of special properties or are composed of some special material designed to block his power is not known. He was also born with, or soon achieved, psionic abilities. He possesses advanced knowledge in multiple academic and artistic fields. This intellect makes him extremely arrogant as, for some reason, he equates intelligence with being a mutant. For example, Gorgon dismisses Reed Richards as simply the equivalent of a parrot that can mimic a human voice, despite the fact that Gorgon is impressed by Richard's ideas, simply because Richards is not a mutant.
After his resurrection by the Hand, Gorgon's strength, speed, reflexes/reactions, agility, dexterity, coordination, balance, and endurance were all heightened to superhuman levels, the exact limits of which are not revealed. He also possesses an accelerated healing factor that enables him to repair damaged or destroyed tissue with extraordinary speed and efficiency; this means he is capable of healing from massive trauma inflicted by… say… Wolverine's adamantium claws, bludgeoning, and falling from great heights while continuing to fight.
Aside from his physical advantages, Mr. Shishido possesses some level of telepathy/empathy allowing him to hear the thoughts and feel the emotions of others. His telepathy also enables him to perceive his surroundings if necessary, such as when he's blindfolded. Much like his physical capabilities, the exact limits of his psionic powers remain unknown.
And to round it out, he has extraordinary hand-to-hand combatant, even before his resurrection, trained in multiple forms of martial arts. He's an expert swordsman and typically prefers to use a katana during combat. Also, he typically uses his psionic abilities to read the minds of his opponents during combat situations (even highly trained minds like Wolverine's and Elektra's), enabling him to predict and counter their every move.
END INFO DUMP
But now… Now Gorgon was one of the great captains of Krakoa, protector of the quiet council and the island in general. After a long sip Logan make a comment.
"I told you it wasn't worth it."
Gorgon gave a small smile in return as he raised his dish in a small salute… or tried as instead he gave grimace of pain, then partook of his Saki.
Part51b: Challenge made
A small crowd has collected for the first ever gathering of the Quarry (created and officiated by the Silver Samurai). Call it Mutant Fight Club. All who came were at risk of being challenged, otherwise banishment from the Quarry was the punishment (i.e. no wimps allowed).
Much liquid courage was being passed about as Gorgon rose to issue the very first challenge. Everybody expected that it would be Wolverine… but instead.
"MAGIK, fellow captain, I challenge you!"
The crowd hushed with an inward draw of breath. Then a cheer as that was… FANTASTIC!
Illyana rose from her front row seat. While most were grinning and enthusing, she was her typical stoic visage as she stated. "Accepted."
Logan, who had been sitting next to Gorgon as he had been expecting a challenge from him, gave a whisper. "Bad idea bub, looking for a world of hurt."
Just a grin from Gorgon in reply to Logan's comment.
Bets were quickly made by the crowd as the two contestants made their way to the floor of the quarry.
Part51c: Ruminations
"You were wrong Logan." Was Gorgon's statement, after first refilling his Saki dish, and then after a hesitation, Logan's as well.
"Not about the world of hurt you took."
"No… one must pay the admission price. I have never faced her, I wished to learn what she might be capable of."
A long look from Logan at Gorgon. "Not sure I follow."
A sip, and then a reply. "The Hand once considered… recruiting her. After her return, back when she dwelt at Utopia."
Raised eyebrows from Logan as he likewise took a sip while commenting upon that idea. "I've pay to see that."
"Yes… the leadership concluded that as tempting a potential recruit she might be, the likely outcomes would be… unsatisfactory."
"Meaning slaughter?"
A satisfied expression from Gorgon. "Great slaughter, but from the Hand's perspective, the wrong kind of slaughter."
A nod of agreement from Logan. "Meaning dead Hand. Girl's rather good at that. Did you learn anything?"
"Fighting with her is enjoyable as I am unable to read her potential moves. She is skilled with the blade, but I am better."
Logan pointed out a little flaw with that argument. "Says the one who won only because she got disqualified."
Part51d: Disqualified
The fight began, it was sword to sword. From somewhere Illyana had retrieved a Katana that was engraved with a dragon on the blade and a golden Chrysanthemum on the hilt, a blade that gave Gorgon some pause as they faced each other.
"Where did you acquire that blade from?"
"A gift."
"Did you earn it?"
A satisfied look from Illyana. "Yes."
"Prove it."
With that combat begin.
Strike and block.
Counter strike and counter block.
Fast foot work as they danced around the rock floor, blades flashing.
But Gorgon was better, faster, and stronger…
And dismissive as he spat upon the ground. "And I was led to believe you were dangerous."
A dodge, a block, a fighting retreat. "I am."
A strong attack that almost knocked Illyana's sword from her hands. "I don't see it."
A recovery, a teleportation that put her behind him as she struck. "You don't want to."
A block and a spinning turn to face her as he counter struck. "I do."
A block and a sliding attack as she tried to out flank him. "No."
A flanking move that was denied. "Pfff. How is it you American youths say… I double dog dare you."
"You won't like it."
"Surprise me."
She was dangerous.
She is dangerous.
She have Gorgon what he was asking for.
Teleportation disks flashed into existence as massive tentacles erupted from the disks, grasping at Gorgon.
Gorgon spun as he sliced the tentacles, but for ever one he cut, three more reached for him.
Grasping…
Clawing…
Squeezing…
Cutting…
Crushing…
Immobilizing as…
Her sword at his throat…
a snarl on her lips…
As the Silver Samurai cried forth…
"DISQUALIFIED!"
Part51e: Was it worth it?
"Insulting trash talk is not a good idea with her." Stated Logan after more Saki. "She mostly ignores it, but there's always the chance that she'll decide to make the talker eat their words."
"No… but it served its purpose."
"Which was?"
"She can defeat me, even if is not per the rules of the Quarry. Plus…"
Logan finished. "It reminded everybody that she's not to be trifled with. Really good job on that, flame'n likely folks are going to be talking about that for some time."
A shake of the head no from Gorgon. "I suppose, but… it served a more important purpose."
"Oh… pray tell bub."
"She knows she can defeat me. I believe that is important to one like her, after all, we all have our demons do we not Logan?"
Logan rose from his chair with a snort of disbelief. "Bub, you are way beyond playing with fire."
Gorgon watched Logan deport, then hummed a bit of a song as he shifted.
Oh, what was that he hummed you ask? It was Girl You Really Got Me by the Kinks.
Girl, you really got me goin'
You got me so I don't know what I'm doin' now
Yeah, you really got me now
You got me so I can't sleep at night
…
…
Gorgon raised his Saki dish in a silent toast. She would be a worthy Captain, and… perhaps… something more. Sadly he doubted that he was her type but…
But damn she looked good in tight black skimpy leather.
And a guy can dream can't he?
