X-MEN #3
"You've Killed My Brother"
Author's note: This particular story will have a few references to old Uncanny X-Men and Excalibur stories. If you have the issues take them out and read them again.
Salem Center, New York:
Just a few moments ago the X-Men were enjoying a rare moment of serenity. How quickly things can change.
"You're gonna pay X-Men!" shouts Juggernaut. "This time you've gone too far!"
Storm turns to Cyclops and says, "This is not good Cyclops. If Jean cannot subdue Juggernaut telepathically, then Cain literally is unstoppable."
"I know Storm," Cyclops shouts. "Colossus, Rogue keep Cain busy for as long as you can!"
Cyclops turns to the rest of the X-Men, "We need a plan and we need one fast!"
The Law Firm of Claremont and Cockrum:
Frederick Clark inheritance claim researcher was experiencing a rather typical day at the office. As a matter of fact it was becoming rather dull. Another obvious forgery, Clark thinks. I don't know who they were trying to fool with this one. I remember a time when the criminals were much more intelligent. What is this world coming to? Maybe it's time to retire.
His thoughts are interrupted by the ringing of a telephone. "Hello, Yes this is Frederick Clark. No currently I have no assignments. Yes, I am aware of the death of Charles Xavier. Do you have any sort of proof? Would you like to set a meeting for tomorrow? Yes 3 o'clock will be fine."
Salem Center, New York:
Colossus punches Juggernaut back and smashes him through several stout oak trees. Juggernaut stands up and laughs, "Boy, if that's all you got, this fights going to go quicker than it did the last time."
"We'll see," Colossus responds. "At least this time I won't have a hangover at the start of the fight."
"I liked that bar," Juggernaut comments, "and you had to ruin it for me when you got all up in my face." Juggernaut turns and picks up one of the fallen trees and tosses at Colossus' head.
Rogue flies in from the side and knocks the tree away an instant before contact. "Now, now boys. Didn't your momma teach you how to play nice?"
"I ain't got nothin' against you Rogue," Juggernaut responds. "You weren't always a goody-two-shoe hypocrite. Why don't you run along before you get hurt?"
Rogue turns around and hovers in the air briefly for a moment, "That's mighty kind of you," and then Rogue charges directly at him flying with fists first, "but I have a different idea." Rogue comes barreling down at Juggernaut at an incredible speed. She manages to knock Juggernaut off of his feet but she also lost momentum with the impact. Juggernaut manages to grab her by the arms. He holds her out at arms length while she tries to struggle her way out. Juggernaut is too strong for her.
"She seems a little too feisty for me," Juggernaut grunts, "I'll think I'll give her back to you. Whaddya call this again? Oh yeah, a fastball special."
Elsewhere:
Cyclops turns to Storm, "Any point in trying to reason with him?"
"None whatsoever?"
"Any ideas for stopping him?" Cyclops asks.
"As much as ah hate to say dis," Gambit comments, "we could jus' run away."
"No we can't have him trashing the mansion," Cyclops comments, "or have him rampaging out of control."
"I've got an idea," Shadowcat replies, "but it's pretty risky."
"At this point, I'm game for anything," Cyclops responds.
"Better move quick," growls Wolverine, "things don't look to well for Rogue and Colossus."
The X-Men turn to see Rogue smashing into Colossus sending him and Rogue flying deep into the woods downing several trees.
Juggernaut laughs, "Now that's a fastball that puts even Nolan Ryan to shame!"
Cyclops fires an optic blast at Juggernaut. A blinding red flash fills the air as the other X-Men cover their eyes. Finally, the blast stops and the smoke clears. Juggernaut stands completely unphased.
"Whatever your plan is darlin'," snarls Wolverine, "it had better work because we're running out of options."
Millions of light years away:
The imperial shuttle for the royal majestrix of the Shi'ar Empire speeds rapidly towards Earth. Lilandra tries once again to reach out with her thoughts to the man she loves. Charles, she thinks, can you hear me? If you can hear me Charles, I'm on my way to you. I desperately need your help. Why are you not answering me? What has happened to you?
"Still no word from the Imperial Consort?" asks a guard in Lilandra's chambers.
"No, I'm afraid not," Lilandra sighs.
Salem Center, New York:
Shadowcat turns into her ghost form and stands in front of Juggernaut, "You know something Cain. Some people never learn."
"Yeah well I'll teach you something," Juggernaut punches at Shadowcat and his fist passes through her.
"You can't hurt me when I'm intangible," Shadowcat chides, "or did you forget the last time we tangled already."
"I remember it all right," responds Juggernaut, "What was that clowns name? Oh yeah, Captain Britain. He must've hit me a dozen times and it didn't even phase me a bit. You should have seen the look on his face when I clobbered him. It was hysterical."
"I know Cain," Shadowcat comments, "but we still beat you."
"Only cause I didn't have my helmet on and the telepath of yours gave me a mental KO."
"Have you ever lost your helmet in battle before?" asks Shadowcat.
Juggernaut pauses for a moment while the other X-Men stop and look on. "Yeah it seems like every time I fight you x-twerps I loose my helmet. I mean the thing is supposed to be mystically sealed but I can think of at least… That's it isn't it. You're gonna take my helmet off and have Jeanie knock me out."
"Cain," Cyclops comments, "Xavier adopted me. As weird as this may sound you are my uncle. Everybody here did everything they could to keep Xavier alive you've got to believe that."
"Yeah, I know," Juggernaut turns to leave. "I was just angry. Angry that he died. You know I always hated Charles cause I thought dad liked him better than me. But that wasn't his fault. Charles was just a kid. Xavier always treated me with respect. He deserved better."
"Hey Cain," Wolverine calls out. "How bout' we change into some civvies and go into town. There's this bar called Harry's down there. Why don't we have a couple of brews in memory of old Chuck?"
"You know runt," laughs Juggernaut, "that's best offer I've had in a long time."
Wolverine, Juggernaut and few others leave. Colossus turns to Shadowcat. "You were able to reason with Juggernaut?"
"We knew that Jean couldn't take him out," Shadowcat whispers, "but thankfully he didn't know that."
"Your luck amazes me, Katya." Colossus laughs.
Pine Ridge Cemetery:
Later that evening a solitary figure floats over the grave of Charles Xavier. "Well old friend. You did your best and in the end you achieved nothing. Secretly, I always hoped you were right. I always hoped that humans and mutants would be able to co-exist peacefully. But I remembered the lessons from evolution that you tried so desperately to ignore. Their time is over. Our time is now. Out of respect for you, I promise I will give your students every opportunity to turn away from your foolishness. Unfortunately, you and I both know they will not. You were always an idealist Charles and your students are no different."
With that said the figure flies off into to the night.
This concludes story cycle.
Next Issue: What does Lilandra need with the X-Men? Read "Loyalties" to find out.
"You've Killed My Brother"
Author's note: This particular story will have a few references to old Uncanny X-Men and Excalibur stories. If you have the issues take them out and read them again.
Salem Center, New York:
Just a few moments ago the X-Men were enjoying a rare moment of serenity. How quickly things can change.
"You're gonna pay X-Men!" shouts Juggernaut. "This time you've gone too far!"
Storm turns to Cyclops and says, "This is not good Cyclops. If Jean cannot subdue Juggernaut telepathically, then Cain literally is unstoppable."
"I know Storm," Cyclops shouts. "Colossus, Rogue keep Cain busy for as long as you can!"
Cyclops turns to the rest of the X-Men, "We need a plan and we need one fast!"
The Law Firm of Claremont and Cockrum:
Frederick Clark inheritance claim researcher was experiencing a rather typical day at the office. As a matter of fact it was becoming rather dull. Another obvious forgery, Clark thinks. I don't know who they were trying to fool with this one. I remember a time when the criminals were much more intelligent. What is this world coming to? Maybe it's time to retire.
His thoughts are interrupted by the ringing of a telephone. "Hello, Yes this is Frederick Clark. No currently I have no assignments. Yes, I am aware of the death of Charles Xavier. Do you have any sort of proof? Would you like to set a meeting for tomorrow? Yes 3 o'clock will be fine."
Salem Center, New York:
Colossus punches Juggernaut back and smashes him through several stout oak trees. Juggernaut stands up and laughs, "Boy, if that's all you got, this fights going to go quicker than it did the last time."
"We'll see," Colossus responds. "At least this time I won't have a hangover at the start of the fight."
"I liked that bar," Juggernaut comments, "and you had to ruin it for me when you got all up in my face." Juggernaut turns and picks up one of the fallen trees and tosses at Colossus' head.
Rogue flies in from the side and knocks the tree away an instant before contact. "Now, now boys. Didn't your momma teach you how to play nice?"
"I ain't got nothin' against you Rogue," Juggernaut responds. "You weren't always a goody-two-shoe hypocrite. Why don't you run along before you get hurt?"
Rogue turns around and hovers in the air briefly for a moment, "That's mighty kind of you," and then Rogue charges directly at him flying with fists first, "but I have a different idea." Rogue comes barreling down at Juggernaut at an incredible speed. She manages to knock Juggernaut off of his feet but she also lost momentum with the impact. Juggernaut manages to grab her by the arms. He holds her out at arms length while she tries to struggle her way out. Juggernaut is too strong for her.
"She seems a little too feisty for me," Juggernaut grunts, "I'll think I'll give her back to you. Whaddya call this again? Oh yeah, a fastball special."
Elsewhere:
Cyclops turns to Storm, "Any point in trying to reason with him?"
"None whatsoever?"
"Any ideas for stopping him?" Cyclops asks.
"As much as ah hate to say dis," Gambit comments, "we could jus' run away."
"No we can't have him trashing the mansion," Cyclops comments, "or have him rampaging out of control."
"I've got an idea," Shadowcat replies, "but it's pretty risky."
"At this point, I'm game for anything," Cyclops responds.
"Better move quick," growls Wolverine, "things don't look to well for Rogue and Colossus."
The X-Men turn to see Rogue smashing into Colossus sending him and Rogue flying deep into the woods downing several trees.
Juggernaut laughs, "Now that's a fastball that puts even Nolan Ryan to shame!"
Cyclops fires an optic blast at Juggernaut. A blinding red flash fills the air as the other X-Men cover their eyes. Finally, the blast stops and the smoke clears. Juggernaut stands completely unphased.
"Whatever your plan is darlin'," snarls Wolverine, "it had better work because we're running out of options."
Millions of light years away:
The imperial shuttle for the royal majestrix of the Shi'ar Empire speeds rapidly towards Earth. Lilandra tries once again to reach out with her thoughts to the man she loves. Charles, she thinks, can you hear me? If you can hear me Charles, I'm on my way to you. I desperately need your help. Why are you not answering me? What has happened to you?
"Still no word from the Imperial Consort?" asks a guard in Lilandra's chambers.
"No, I'm afraid not," Lilandra sighs.
Salem Center, New York:
Shadowcat turns into her ghost form and stands in front of Juggernaut, "You know something Cain. Some people never learn."
"Yeah well I'll teach you something," Juggernaut punches at Shadowcat and his fist passes through her.
"You can't hurt me when I'm intangible," Shadowcat chides, "or did you forget the last time we tangled already."
"I remember it all right," responds Juggernaut, "What was that clowns name? Oh yeah, Captain Britain. He must've hit me a dozen times and it didn't even phase me a bit. You should have seen the look on his face when I clobbered him. It was hysterical."
"I know Cain," Shadowcat comments, "but we still beat you."
"Only cause I didn't have my helmet on and the telepath of yours gave me a mental KO."
"Have you ever lost your helmet in battle before?" asks Shadowcat.
Juggernaut pauses for a moment while the other X-Men stop and look on. "Yeah it seems like every time I fight you x-twerps I loose my helmet. I mean the thing is supposed to be mystically sealed but I can think of at least… That's it isn't it. You're gonna take my helmet off and have Jeanie knock me out."
"Cain," Cyclops comments, "Xavier adopted me. As weird as this may sound you are my uncle. Everybody here did everything they could to keep Xavier alive you've got to believe that."
"Yeah, I know," Juggernaut turns to leave. "I was just angry. Angry that he died. You know I always hated Charles cause I thought dad liked him better than me. But that wasn't his fault. Charles was just a kid. Xavier always treated me with respect. He deserved better."
"Hey Cain," Wolverine calls out. "How bout' we change into some civvies and go into town. There's this bar called Harry's down there. Why don't we have a couple of brews in memory of old Chuck?"
"You know runt," laughs Juggernaut, "that's best offer I've had in a long time."
Wolverine, Juggernaut and few others leave. Colossus turns to Shadowcat. "You were able to reason with Juggernaut?"
"We knew that Jean couldn't take him out," Shadowcat whispers, "but thankfully he didn't know that."
"Your luck amazes me, Katya." Colossus laughs.
Pine Ridge Cemetery:
Later that evening a solitary figure floats over the grave of Charles Xavier. "Well old friend. You did your best and in the end you achieved nothing. Secretly, I always hoped you were right. I always hoped that humans and mutants would be able to co-exist peacefully. But I remembered the lessons from evolution that you tried so desperately to ignore. Their time is over. Our time is now. Out of respect for you, I promise I will give your students every opportunity to turn away from your foolishness. Unfortunately, you and I both know they will not. You were always an idealist Charles and your students are no different."
With that said the figure flies off into to the night.
This concludes story cycle.
Next Issue: What does Lilandra need with the X-Men? Read "Loyalties" to find out.
