X-Men Belonging Chapter 9: Episode 9, a x-men fanfic

EPISODE 9:

Dagger drives Erik and co to an abandoned warehouse where it seems Cloak and Dagger have made a home for themselves. Dagger drives in as Cloak uses his phone to shut the doors behind them and then turn on the lights. There is a seating area, decorative lamps and a stairwell leading to the balcony above. Toad, Mystique, Erik and Quicksilver get out of the vehicle. All is quiet until Juggernaut leaps off the top of the vehicle and lands with a giant thud, almost causing the hanging lights to drop from the rafters. Raven eyeballs Cloak and Dagger as they get out of the Land Rover.

Raven: "So? Any explanation as to what we're doing here?"

Juggernaut: "No! Any explanation of where I can get some food?!"

Toad: "That sounds nice."

Raven barks that there's no time for food. Toad whines and Juggernaut complains that Mystique has always treated him like a tool.

Raven: "You are a fucking tool!"

Erik: "Enough!"

Cloak and Dagger stand quietly.

Erik turns to Juggernaut: "Cain. The police probably have a tracker in you. We have to get that out."

Cain: "They don't. They couldn't put a tracker in me. They tried, but every time I flexed I'd pop it out of my system."

Erik: "You're sure?"

Raven: "He can't be sure. The police could be on their way here right now."

Cain: "Shut up bitch, who asked you?"

Toad: "Ha, ha ha, bitch."

Raven: "Can it slime ball."

Pietro: "Alright alright can we all relax?"

Erik: "Yes, please. But Cain, we have to be sure about a tracker buddy."

Cain: "So scan me boss. You can find it with your magnetism."

Raven: "Oh my God. Where the fuck have you been? He doesn't have his powers!"

Pietro, to Raven: "Hey, would you chill?! We just got him on our side, you want him to stomp us into the ground and leave us be?"

Raven turns a shoulder.

Toad catches Pietro's eye: "Time of the month?"

Pietro: "A human discrepancy, apparently."

Erik: "I don't have my powers Cain. After Decimation Day, mutants are a rarity."

Cain: "But those X-folk still had their powers. What's Decimation Day?"

Raven: "Ergh! Moron!"

Cain: "Hey I've been locked up for years! How do I know what's going on?!"

Erik: "You're right, look, everybody just calm down. We're losing track here."

Pietro: "Dad's right. Look Cain I'll go get you some food. I'll bring enough for everyone. You and I can talk and I'll catch you up on all things."

Cain: "Food! A lot of food!"

Pietro: "Yeah, fine. Toad, hang with Cain. You guys chill out over there. Raven, if you could relax a little and maybe you and dad can get yin and yang to tell us what they're doing helping us, that would be great."

Tyrone and Tandy walk toward their seating area and Raven stomps as she follows. Erik looks at Pietro, almost as if he's a proud dad.

Remy and Sooraya are in the Blackbird watching the monitor, Sooraya on Remy's lap.

Remy: "There. Vickie-whatever."

Sooraya: "Valerie, Cooper."

Remy: "That's it. Took her a little while."

Sooraya: "There are much politics here. Similar to my home."

Remy: "Yeah well we have to be careful not to draw attention to ourselves. If any media get any wind of a mutant problem, then we all become the enemy again."

Sooraya: "That explains why the police didn't go after Juggernaut. It's exactly like home. Will they covertly try and bring him back in do you think?"

Remy: "Probably. I mean they should, it's their job. But if the media don't get wind of this, they're sure to get news of Juggernaut's capture whenever they do bring him in again. I don't know how the cops would spin the story."

Sooraya: "Maybe they blame the X-Men."

Remy: "Maybe they would. Definitely wouldn't be the first time. Let's hope Valerie gets us in the clear here."

We go split screen into the prison establishment where Scott, Logan and Hank are being held. Valerie Cooper comes in with some officers and they open the door to the cage.

Scott: "Valerie, thank you."

Valerie: "It's alright Scott. Though your wife wasn't too polite when asking for my help. Maybe remind her that we're on the same side?"

Scott: "We're not married, but my apologies. She's feisty. We all know that."

Logan: "Oh yeah."

Hank: "Thank you Miss Cooper. Is there a process by which the officers here are tracking down Juggernaut?"

Valerie: "That's private information Hank, but nice try. I suggest you all go home. I convinced them here that you had wind of Magneto coming to break Juggernaut out. You were trying to keep him in, but you were outnumbered."

Scott: "That's not untrue."

Valerie: "Exactly. Stick to that story. If you go out there after them now there will be a fight on the streets. That's the last thing mutants need."

Hank: "It seems laying low would be the best way to go for now."

Logan: "So we ain't going after those chumps?"

Scott: "No, we're not. Thanks Val. Will you keep me posted if you do find Juggernaut?"

Valerie: "Good day Scott."

Logan, Hank and Beast exit the vicinity as Logan mutters that he can see why Emma doesn't like Valerie.

Back at the warehouse, Erik and Raven are trying to build a rapport with Cloak and Dagger.

Erik: "Why did you help us?"

Tandy: "We saw the news. Wanda on the streets. And we saw you too. When you disappeared we found you in Poland and we've been following you ever since."

Raven: "Why?"

Ty': "We want to find Wanda, for real."

Erik: "I don't know where my daughter is. But that's exactly what our end game is, to find her. I want her back in my life. I have to know she's ok."

Tandy: "That's not your only reason for finding her. We deal in realms of truth. Think twice before you lie."

Erik: "Alright. We want to find Wanda so that the world can go back to the way it was. Humans and mutants, in almost equal measure."

Raven: "But you already knew that, so tell us; why did you help us escape?"

Ty': "We want the mutants to have their powers back too."

There's a pause as we see Quicksilver zoom in and out of the warehouse, back and forth, eventually bringing a whole buffet to the venue.

Scott, Logan and Hank get back onto the Blackbird. They communicate with Emma.

Scott: "Emma, we're out. We're coming back home."

Emma: "You're not going after Magneto?"

Scott: "No. We've been warned off that as it might cause a media problem. We'll devise a plan when we get back to the mansion."

Emma: "Damn it. Fine. Are you alright?"

Scott: "All good. See you soon."

Hank starts up the Blackbird.

Remy: "Anyone know where Magneto got a rocket launcher? And where de hell Toad came from?"

Logan: "That little twerp was probably with Erik all along. He don't have a life unless he's stooging for somebody."

Scott: "I agree. The rocket launcher is the most concerning matter. If they come to Egypt with weapons like that, Storm's wedding will become a huge mess."

Dust: "That may be inevitable."

Scott nods.

Split screen to the warehouse. Cloak and Dagger explain that they were present when Wanda said 'no more mutants.'

Ty': "The world changed and it's not been for the better. People were at a point of acceptance, where it was considered a normal everyday thing to meet or to know a person with powers. What Wanda's done is rewound time. She's made it so evolution has gone back a few decades. She hasn't realised what peril it's left mutants in, and others with powers. The world's more in danger now than it's ever been. I've seen the worst of what could happen. Believe me, the world needs mutants."

Raven: "What are you some kind of profit?"

Tandy: "He's not. He sees the worst possible scenario. I see the best. The problem is, the best I see is dark."

Raven: "You wanna explain that?"

Tandy: "I don't know how. All we know is that we didn't have these issues before. Since Decimation Day, my visions of hope have faded to black."

Ty': "It can't be coincidence that the visions have happened since D-Day. So now we're here. It's not fair that we have to struggle and lay low just because you all have problems at home. Tandy seeing darkness, that's too much of a worry. We need a light and we hope Wanda can restore it."

Erik: "My daughter did what she did for her reasons. She was intensely emotional. But what you're saying takes on a whole new meaning. Who did you touch for your visions? How do you know the world needs mutants?"

Tandy: "We're not gonna tell you that. Obviously there are issues of trust here. All we want is for Wanda to make things right. You are on the road to finding her aren't you? We gather you want the same thing, to have your powers back?"

Erik: "I do. But only as a bonus, if it turns out as the best conclusion. Most of all I want my Wanda safe."

Ty': "Have you ever thought about the idea, that if you found her, what if she didn't have any powers? What if she couldn't turn things back?"

Erik: "That's what scares you. It's what scares her," he says looking at Tandy.

Ty': "As we have touched upon; Tandy and I never had these fears before Decimation Day. And since then the trauma has increased. We're hoping that Wanda is the solution. She was our friend too. If we talk to her, even if she doesn't restore her father's powers, she has to think about the fate of the world."

Raven: "How do we know we can trust you? These fears of yours, you could be making them up. And if all you see is black then you really can't read my hopes can you blondie?"

Tandy: "I like keeping people on their toes. We've gotten you this far. Even if you don't trust us, we'll try and help. It's up to you if you accept our assistance or not. But we won't kill for you. We're hoping, with the idea of mutants keeping a low profile, you're not going to resort to your previous evil ways."

Erik: "I like you. You're very honest. But to be frank with you, you may not like our plan. It may turn out that the world is ended as we know it."

Ty': "What do you mean? Wanda wiping out everybody?"

Erik: "No. Our plan is to wake En Sabah Nur. With his telepathic powers he can locate Wanda and then she can restore the world's mutant population."

Tyrone and Tandy look at one another.

Raven: "What?"

Ty': "Something makes sense now."

Erik: "What?"

Tandy: "We received invitations recently, for Storm's wedding. And the wedding's happening in Egypt."

Ty': "Right by the pyramids."

Tandy: "Right over the tomb…"

Raven: "Of En Sabah Nur."

Erik stands up off the sofa in a rage. "Fuck! Storm's wedding's in Egypt?! Why? How the hell could they have known of our plan?!"

Raven: "I'll give you a quick silvery guess. Your son has a big mouth."

Erik: "Damn it. So everyone's invited to this wedding. Who's she even marrying?"

Ty': "The Black Panther."

Erik: "Ergh! Wakanda'ns, Wakanda'ns are going to be there too? This is not right. We need a clear path to En Sabah Nur. This makes our quest near impossible now."

Raven: "So what, so what if there are people there. They won't stop us. We'll fight them to get through and they'll want the least collateral damage as possible."

Tandy: "No. We won't kill as part of your crusade!"

Erik: "You won't have to. You don't even have to remain by our sides. The information you've provided us helps us and what you did to help us break Cain out does not go unnoticed. We will devise a plan to complete our mission. The two of you don't have to be a part of it."

Ty': "No. It's better if we are. We have invites, so we can get in and be your eyes and ears within the guests while you make your mark underground. None of the X-Men saw us help you breaking Juggernaut free, so we can be oversights that they won't see coming."

Tandy: "So we'll get you in, help you do whatever you need to, but we do it as quietly as possible. If we have to knock people out it's fine. But no killing."

Raven: "We can't guarantee that."

Ty': "If you kill anyone we pull the plug and we make sure the X-Men and every Wakanda'n at that wedding know where you are. We stay on the same page and we all get what we want."

Erik: "Alright. That's fair. But what's out of our control is En Sabah Nur. If he wakes and decides to destroy the world, then we'll all be dead."

Ty': "That's the risk we'll take. It's all or nothing."

Tandy: "As long as you keep to your end of the bargain. If and when you find Wanda, you get her to reset everything. The world can't stay like this. There has to be hope."

Erik: "I just want my daughter back. My family."

Tandy: "We know. But we also know that's not quite Mystique's plan."

Raven: "You self righteous little cu-"

Erik: "Raven, calm. She already said she can't see clarity in her visions. She's yanking your chain."

Dagger and Mystique eyeball one another as Pietro runs to them and offers to replenish their food. Erik begins voicing a plan, stating that they will need to consider every possible obstacle at the wedding. They'll need a team, bigger than what they have now. He says they may need Gateway again, to find some old friends of his.

Cain: "Who you thinkin' boss?"

We fast-forward into imagery of Erik and co finding various old allies. This is a similar sequence of scenes as to the one from X-Men First Class, when Erik and Charles went to recruit mutants. First they find Blob, in a scene where Erik says that the worst human trait that mutants have is their predictability. The fast forward goes on to show Erik and co finding Avalanche in Europe. He's more than happy to be a part of the team because "this stifled life is so boring!"

During the fast forward we hear Cloak and Dagger suggest that this could all be done after the wedding. Erik insists, saying he wants to find his daughter and he's sick of being a mere human. He tells Cloak and Dagger that they have to be all-in or they can get out; fights may ensue against the X-Men, but as long as they keep them busy, he can do what's needed to ensure the rise of Apocalypse.

The final person they go to is Sabretooth, in Canada. Erik explains to his group that they need to have all angles covered, so Sabretooth being the sworn enemy of Wolverine would guarantee that Logan would be too distracted to focus on his task at hand.

Erik says: "the X-Men wear that X with the promise of being united, but they're not going to know what's hit them at this wedding. You all do your jobs, we wake Apocalypse and the world will be ours again!"

Pietro looks at Raven: "Is this what you had in mind?"

Raven: "This is exactly what I wanted. Magneto is coming back."

We fade to Giza where Mary Jane and Peter Parker are talking in their room. MJ says that she hopes the Wakanda'ns keep all their buildings here. MJ goes to their balcony to embrace the sun: "Isn't it wonderful? It's like a vacation resort. I must try talk to Ororo, or do you think T'Challa's the best person to ask?"

Peter, laying on the bed in only his shorts: "What, to get them to keep all this here? I'm not sure MJ. If the Egyptians wanted their pyramids to be vacation resorts they would have made them as such years ago. I think this all affects the sanctity of the history of this place."

MJ: "So you think the Wakanda'ns will just knock it all down and leave it as sand?"

Peter: "I'd say that would be the right thing to do."

MJ, walking back into their room, eyeballing Peter and removing her panties: "That's one of the best things I love about you Pete. You always do the right thing." She smiles and throws her panties at Peter, who doesn't seem flustered.

We see Kitty Pryde playing tennis in a court around the outside of the hotel-like building that we'd just seen Parker and MJ in. She's playing against Okoye. From over his shoulder, with a café along the terrace beside the tennis court we zoom out and reveal Piotr Rasputin. A hand pats him on the shoulder. Piotr turns to shake hands and greet Luke Cage.

"Pete. My favourite bullet-proof mutant, how you doing man?"

Piotr: "Oh I'm fine. It's good to see you. You're looking very well."

Cage: "Thanks, I'd say you do too, but are you still babysittin' Wade? I hear he's a bit of a pain in the ass?"

Piotr: "No. That was while ago. I don't know where he is now. It's fine, but I doubt he's invited to this wedding. The man's far too disrespectful."

Cage: "I hear ya. So are you here from Russia?"

Piotr: "Da."

Cage: "What you been doin' over there?"

Piotr: "Similar to you. Trying to maintain the safety of my people. But I do it from a field or forest, not a busy night club like yours."

Cage: "Oh come on, you can't get an office job or a bouncer's gig or something?"

Piotr: "I not fit in suit very well. And bouncer? Well I don't like confrontation. Always been my weakness."

Cage: "Well man, I tell ya, if you're ever back in New York and need a job, I could use you at Harlem's Paradise. People see Colossus at the doors, they won't bring drugs or guns anywhere near my club. In fact you and I could do a lot of good together you know – without gettin' into fights."

Piotr: "I thank you Luke. You are good guy. I will think, if I ever return to US. At moment my country needs me."

Cage: "You sure? You just said all you're doing is manual labour?"

Piotr: "Da, but there's trouble about to escalate in Russia. As long as the government know I'm there, my hope is they don't do anything stupid to wage civil war."

Cage: "Damn. Things not good over there huh?"

Piotr: "The government cannot be trusted to ensure progress for my nation."

Cage: "Damn man, and I thought I had problems in Harlem. You're like Russia's Captain America you know. Captain Colossus, has a nice ring to it."

Piotr chuckles: "I think not. I work quietly and with the police and authorities. Government legislation holds police back and the corruption leaves sour taste in mouth. So I act as equaliser. Sometimes. I know you are no saint in Harlem and neither is Rogers in America. Internal conflict is never good for the big picture."

Cage: "I feel ya."

Piotr: "Harlem is in problems?"

Cage: "Well not as much as it used to be. I'm trying to figure out a way of people respecting the law rather than fearing me. If respect was there, I could clear out of Harlem's Paradise. I wouldn't have to be a gangster."

Piotr: "You keep your peace with fear. By scaring villains?"

Cage: "In a way, yeah. But myself as a weapon is all I got."

Piotr: "That makes you vulnerable no? A target of kidnap or murder."

Cage: "Why'd you think I'm offering you a job?"

Piotr smiles: "Maybe one day my friend."

Cage and Piotr keep watching the tennis out the window.

Cage: "You talk to her yet?"

Piotr shakes his head.

Cage: "She know you're here?"

Piotr: "Don't think so."

Cage sighs: "I don't know why you're not together, but take it from me, if you can have something special, grab it. You don't know what tomorrow brings and it's better to be with the one you love, than without."

Piotr looks at him quizzically: "Says you?"

Cage laughs: "Hey I'm just sayin'. You and Kitty both have powers. My situation is different. Your girl can take care of herself."

Piotr: "Not my girl. Not for long time. Anyway, she looks fine. Most happy."

Cage: "But ya miss her though."

Piotr: "Da."

Back in Peter and MJ's room, we see Mary Jane with her head between Peter's legs. She's pleasuring him, but looks up and moves to the side, putting her hand on Pete's chest. Peter barely looks at her.

MJ: "Pete? Am I doing anything wrong?"

He shakes his head.

MJ: "Er, well how about a dance? Want me to shake my butt in your lap?" She reaches to rub his penis with her hand.

Peter: "No MJ. I'm really sorry." He gets up off the bed, putting on shorts.

MJ: "What's the matter?"

Peter looks at her and as the sunlight beams into the room he blinks and from his point of view we see Gwen Stacey on the bed instead of MJ. Then he moves to ensure the sun's not in his eye. He goes to the door handle and opens it. "MJ. I don't know. It might be the jet lag."

MJ: "But Pete, we've been here for days."

Peter: "I know. I'm really sorry. Maybe it's the air here. Not as polluted as New York."

MJ: "You need pollution to make love to me?"

Peter: "No MJ, that's all wrong. Just, I, I'll be back, I'm sorry ok?" He exits the room and leaves Mary Jane sad on her bed.

Over in the US, Scott is in the gym going at a punchbag. He looks intense and we see flashes of Decimation Day and Scarlet Witch uttering the words 'no more mutants.' Scott punches harder and faster. He sees flashes of Emma, his relationship with her in Wanda's alternate world. He was happy and the two of them were married. We see a flash of Jean Grey's gravestone. Scott keeps punching and then we see Wolverine enter the gym. He has a cigar in his mouth.

Scott: "How many times do we have to tell you to stop smoking around the house?"

Logan: "Ah damn it. I didn't think anyone was awake." He puts the cigar out as we see the clock on the wall says 5:40am. "Why are you in here anyway? Shouldn't our fearless leader be working out in the Danger Room like a normal mutant?"

Scott keeps punching the bag. Logan goes to hold the other side of it so that Summers can feel the punch more.

Scott: "I couldn't sleep. Emma couldn't either, but overnight is a time when she needs her space I think."

Logan: "I thought that was the best time for you two to do your pillow talk."

Scott: "It was. Since she's been pregnant, and since D-Day actually, she hasn't been the best sleeper. I get through it most nights, but tonight my helplessness brought me here to blow off some steam. Why are you up?"

Logan: "Couldn't sleep. I was coming in here to lift some weights. Maybe tire myself out. You gotta realise that a lack of sleep ain't good for ya bub."

Scott: "Coming from you?"

Logan: "I heal. Meaning my mind heals of tiredness too. The X-Men aren't going to be in the best hands if you're drowsy on the job."

Scott: "That's never been a problem."

Logan: "It could be. The other factor is that you're older than you was ten years ago. Not as athletic. Not as agile. You're gonna have to be a warrior out there for us when it matters and you'll need to be awake to do so. All this shit's really buggin' ya ain't it? Hasn't Cooper told you anything?"

Scott: "No, she's keeping a lid on any information, if she has any at all."

Logan: "You ain't told her 'bout the wedding plans have ya?"

Scott: "Of course not. I know you don't like me, but don't insult my intelligence Wolverine."

Logan: "Alright bub, so why don'tcha tell me what's really eatin' ya?"

Scott: "It's been days since we got back here. To think that Magneto got Juggernaut, makes me feel like he got what he wanted. And you know what, it may turn out that Juggernaut destroys Storm's wedding. I can't help but feel guilty for that. She deserves better."

Logan: "So Erik's one up on us, so what? We don't keep score. We win in the end, that's what matters. And Storm wouldn't have put her wedding in Egypt if she and the Panther weren't willing to help."

Scott: "The sacrifice is huge."

Logan: "And it's their choice. You being lost in your head over shit you can't control won't help us now. The plan is to get to Giza, get set for the wedding and have every contingency in place to battle Magneto and co. So look forward to it, I sure as hell do."

Scott: "You look forward to the conflict because you enjoy the fight Logan. Things are different for me."

Logan: "Why, because you're gonna be a dad? Ain't that more of a reason to fight?"

Scott: "I don't know. It kind of diverts my focus. As if I'm already looking over my shoulder to make sure my daughter's ok."

Logan: "But you can't control what may or may not happen to her or with her in her life. And you have Emma too. A woman who can hold her own against most of the world. All the worries you're havin' are in ya head."

Scott: "That's why I'm in here trying to punch them away."

Logan: "So hit."

Scott whacks the punchbag.

"Hit harder!"

Scott hits it again.

"You are Cyclops. You've brought us together."

Scott keeps punching, harder and harder, becoming stronger it seems.

"You're a leader, of us and your family to be. You battle. You fight. You win. Win Cyclops, punch. Hit it. Harder!"

Scott punches and punches and then loses control over his eyes and blasts a red beam into the chain atop the punchbag, breaking it and then turning to blast the mirrors and cause a racket in the process. He stops and he's on his knees, panting.

Logan walks over slowly and looks at the mess. "We really need a maid in this place."

Scott stands up. "I'm going to bed. I'll clean this up in the morning. Goodnight."

Logan: "Night."

Scott leaves the gym and we see Logan shake his head as he looks at the clock and it's gone 6am.

We see that Magneto's team has grown into including Mystique, Quicksilver, Toad, Juggernaut, Cloak, Dagger, Blob, Avalanche and Sabretooth. They're in Sabretooth's cabin in a very cold part of Canada. Most of them we see are asleep, but Pietro and Erik are awake. Erik says he'd go out for a morning stroll and to get some wood for the fire. Pietro says that he'd speed out and get the wood and he asks his dad to join him for the stroll. They walk and talk, discussing what happens next; the plan that they go to Egypt and try to wake a mutant God while causing the least amount of chaos as possible.

Pietro: "You know Mystique is looking forward to you getting your powers back. You're getting used to the idea too aren't ya?"

Erik: "Yes. Leading you all is false. Bravado. I feel no strength. I need my mutant abilities to ensure I am powerful enough to complete the mission."

Pietro: "What happened to wanting the family back?"

Erik: "I do want our family back. What's your problem boy? Did you not want the same, for Wanda to restore mutants all over the earth?"

Pietro: "I do dad. But I worry what it'd do to you. Wanda was pretty mad at you, which is why all this happened in the first place. She's gonna wanna know you've changed."

Erik: "That's where Cloak and Dagger are a big help. Wanda will see that our intentions are good, because they are trusting us to find her and restore the mutant population."

Pietro: "Dad, that's manipulation. That's not you changing at all."

Erik: "Well what do you want me to say? I won't lie to you son, I'm telling you like it is. Your sister will know too, I will tell her if we find her; I want equality, not domination. Not the alternate world she put us in. I just want normality, for us."

They keep walking. Eventually Pietro asks what's needed to bring En Sabah Nur to life.

Erik looks up at the sky as dawn breaks: "Sunlight."