X-MEN #2

"A Team Divided"

Salem Center, New York:

On the grounds of the Xavier School For Gifted Youngsters has long stood a beautiful stretch of old woods. Usually the trees are home to several small animals. Today however, the woods have a set of new visitors.

It is strange how things change. I was once a goddess for several primitive tribes bringing them desperately needed rain. How innocent I was. How lonely I was. But my life changed when I met him. He told me that my powers were not given to me by the Gods but by birth. I will always remember you Charles. I know well that you would not want us to grieve overmuch. Life is for living. It is a lesson you have taught me well. Storm turns to address her team.

"This is our first exercise as team. I would very much like for us to win."

"What are we doing Ororo?" asks Shadowcat.

"We are playing a very old game," Storm says, "capture the flag. Our goal is to capture the flag from Cyclops and his group while protecting our own."

"Storm," replies Forge, "I've whipped up a device which should scramble up our pheromones so that Wolverine will have a hard time sniffing us out."

"Excellent," Storm smiles, "Forge, Nightcrawler and I will pursue the flag while Peter and Kitty will stay behind and guard our own flag. Any questions?"

"Yeah," laughs Shadowcat, "why wouldn't you want to send out a 6 foot 6 steel Ukrainian on a covert operation?"

"You wound me Katya," Colossus says while performing a mock wince. "By the way, what is your excuse for being left behind?"

"Well, someone has to protect your shiny metal butt."

Storm shakes her head and thinks. I hope those two don't carry on like this all the time. "Nightcrawler and Forge let's go."

After creeping stealthily through the woods for several minutes, Storm turns to Nightcrawler. "Kurt, you teleport on ahead." With a flash Nightcrawler disappears.

"By the way," Forge whispers, "I also have a tracking device which will allow us to know if anyone is in the immediate area." Forge pauses to turn the device on. "That's funny. It says there is someone right on top of us."

Dropping out of tree from just above them, Wolverine falls and knocks Forge aside. "I'm not sure what you did to your scents, but I could sure hear you easily enough." Forge quickly leaps up out of the dirt and moves into a combat stance.

"It's ok, Forge," says Storm icily, "I will keep Wolverine occupied. You move on ahead."

Wolverine grins and says, "Good. We'll see if all that time I spent teaching you hand to hand combat was worth my time."

"Oh I assure you," smiles Storm. "It was."

"Sounds like a challenge to me darling."

At the other end of the woods:

Guarding the flag for Cyclops and his team is Rogue and Gambit. "Gambit," asks Rogue, "why do you suppose that Cyclops left us to guard the flag."

"Well, I don't know Cyke very well but it seems to me that he is a man of action."

"Yeah, he never was one to sit on the sidelines," comments Rogue, "But neither am I."

Suddenly Gambit catches the acrid smell of brimstone. "Don't worry chere. I think the action…" Gambit suddenly turns and tosses a card in the direction of the flag knocking Nightcrawler off of his feet, "has found us."

Gambit smiles at Nightcrawler, "Don' be tryin' to steal from the thief. You always gonna get caught."

"I have always wanted to test my blade against your bo staff," Nightcrawler challenges. "Now would be the ideal time."

"You stay out of this chere," says Gambit to Rogue. "I'm gonna show em a thing or two."

"Men," Rogue exhorts groaning loudly.

New York City:

The fabled Hellfire Club is hosting a gala event. Down in the rooms below some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in the world are enjoying an evening of fine cuisine and dancing. However, in the upper chambers, the elite inner circle is meeting.

"So what you are saying is the X-Men's base of operations is a mansion in upstate New York."

"That is correct Leland," Shaw responds. Fat fool I will enjoy eliminating you once you have served my purpose.

"You alluded to a plan earlier Shaw. A plan to deal with our primary nemesis the X-Men. While you may be leader of are little group. We still have the right to know your plan," comments Pierce.

Off all the members of the Hellfire Club Pierce is the most dangerous Shaw thinks. Except of course for you Emma.

Thank you Shaw, the White Queen thinks back.

Shush Emma, Shaw thinks. "Pierce I purpose we approach this like a business venture."

"I see Shaw," Pierce replies. "Now that we know the source of their income, why not attack that source?"

"But what will this do?" asks Leland.

"Fool," snarls Pierce. "It's hard to find time to be a hero when you don't have a place to live or anything to eat. There have been 20 to 30 different mutants associated with the X-Men over the last several years. Currently, we have no idea as to their membership and resources. This will flush them out and get us the information we need."

"Besides," Pierce turns to face Shaw, "the sentinels have proven to be very ineffective against the X-Men."

"A minor setback I assure you," Shaw replies with a hint of anger in his voice. "When the time is right and the X-Men are weak, we will attack and we will win."

Back on the grounds of Xavier's estate:

Storm plants a solid kick into Wolverines' ribs.

"Ouch," Wolverine snarls, "that one hurts."

"You my friend are a liar," Storm laughs. "With your adamantium bones and healing factor I could hit you all day and not do a thing to you."

"That doesn't mean that it don't hurt 'Roro," jokes Wolverine.

"Logan," Storm begins while still sparring. "Why did you choose to join Cyclops' team? In the past you have always chosen to work with me."

"Well, it's like this," Wolverine responds. "Someone needs to keep an eye on Cyke while he plays the big boss man. And I feel like I am the best qualified to do it."

Elsewhere:

Nightcrawler is imitating his favorite swashbuckler Errol Flynn while fighting Gambit. Rogue is watching and laughing at these two combatants as they ham it up. Sneaking up from the opposite direction is Forge. Just a few more feet, Forge thinks, and that flag is mine.

At the other end of the woods:

Cyclops and Jean Grey approach their destination.

I see Colossus and Shadowcat, Jean thinks to Scott. Scott for some reason my telepathic powers have not been as powerful lately. I can mind talk with you and a few others I have a strong rapport with but that is all. Do you think what happened with the Shadow King has anything to do with it?

I'm not sure Jean, Cyclops thinks back. We'll puzzle it over later. I'll provide the distraction. You go for the flag.

Works for me Scott, Jean thinks back.

Cyclops fires an optic blast at Colossus' feet to knock him off balance and then shoots him in the chest to knock him back.

"You can blast me like that all day and it won't do you any good," Shadowcat challenges.

"That is true," counters Cyclops, "but look behind you." Jean grabs the flag and raises it in the air.

"Well," Shadowcat grumbles, "It looks like you won."

"Not exactly see that," Jean points to a green flare hangin in the air, "it was shot up in the air just after I picked up the flag. I can only guess that one of your team captured our flag as well."

"So it's a draw then. Let's gather everyone up and head back to the mansion," Cyclops orders.

As the sun starts to set the X-Men gather round and chat with one another loudly as they make it back to the mansion proper. For a moment the cares and pain of the last few days are forgotten as they enjoy the companionship of their brothers in arms. Alas the moment is all too brief.

Just as they step out of the woods they see a 7 foot tall man dressed in scarlet armor. Juggernaut sees the X-Men and points his finger and shouts, "You've killed my brother."

Storm looks over at Cyclops and says, "Ok standard procedure we take off his helmet and then Jean will subdue him telepathically."

"We're not going to be able to do that," replies Jean.

"Why not?" asks Storm.

"Somehow, the death of Xavier and the Shadow King has effected Jean's telepathic abilities," comments Cyclops.

"Then my friend," replies Storm, "we are in a great deal of trouble."

"Did you hear me x-wimps," yells the armored figure. "You've killed my brother! And the Juggernaut is here to make you pay!"

Next Issue: Juggernaut vs. The X-Men need I say more.