I don't own the X-Men, although sometimes I wish I did.
Nor do I own the show X-Men: Evolution. If I did, Magneto would sound like Ian McKellen and not be such an asshole, the Brotherhood would actually win sometimes, and Duncan Matthews would get beat up.
However....*evil grin, laughs* the mutants to appear later named Farsight, Eclipse, Shockwave, Wraith and Reactor are mine exclusively. Gambit and Psylocke, on the other hand, are not
Comments welcome. Flames will be sent to goatse.cx....now, prepare for...
Critical Mass
by Dark Matter
Chapter 1: If This Is The Brotherhood, Mutants Are Screwed
DAMMIT TOAD!!! came Lance Alvers' shriek from the kitchen. The tall high school senior was pissed beyond belief. And when you have the genetically inherent power to bring a house down on someones' head, that's not a good thing. Lance, thankfully, was not as imbalanced as some people believed. He simply stood there, smoking with rage at the foul deed his supposed had committed. He couldn't believe even Toad was capable of such evil...
said the curious Tolensky, sticking his large, frog-esque head around the corner of the doorway.
YOU ATE MY %$#^%#$IN' OREOS!!!!! screamed Avalanche in fury, the house beginning to shake. Todd blinked. Yeah, I split em with Blob. What's the big deal, Lance-man?
Lance was furious beyond words. His face turned an odd shade of purple as he tried to speak.
Fred Dukes, aka Blob, walked into the room at this point. Unlike Toad, he caught on rather well.
Oh....you found out about the Oreos...uh...I saved two?
Toad looked at him. Those ones in your overall pockets? I snatched em while you weren't looking.
Lance screamed in rage.The house began to rumble, and several of Mystique's former decorations fell to the floor with a crash. There was a loud yelp from the upstairs bathroom. Fred looked to Toad worriedly. We should, uh, hide.
Pietro Maximoff, clad in towel and looking annoyed, glared from the top of the stairs. Whatthebloodyfuckinghellisgoingon? I'm tryin to take a shower, and then the entire house nearly COMESDOWNONMYHEAD! Explanation, please!
Toad looked up at Maximoff from under a table. We kinda pissed Lance off, yo.
Pietro tried to keep his balance as the tremors got worse. Yeah. This I can see. Hey, Lance! Calmthehelldownman!!! When Alvers did not, Pietro sighed in frustration, and using his superspeed, tripped up the apocleptic Avalanche. The earthquake suddenly ceased.
Toad applauded. And he manages to stay decent. Props to Quickie! (Author's note: Apologies to all the disappointed fangirls out there. ^_^;;;;) Pietro grinned and bowed as Lance fumed on the floor.
Quicksilver turned his attention to Alvers. Now, what was so important that you nearly broughttheshowerdownonmoi'sprettyhead?
They ATE my GODDAMN OREOS, said Lance. Pietro sighed with frustration and ran his fingers through his silvery hair. ~Why must I be the only sane one in this entire house?~ he thought to himself with frustration. First of all, Lance, they're cookies. Secondly, you know how Blob is around junk food.
Fred's shout of was cut off by Avalanche's angry THEY WERE MINE!
Pietro's eyes narrowed. Thirdly, I get all the food for this house. TheymightaswellbeMYOreos. Now, if you'll just sittightandrefrainfromgoinghomicidal, I'll get you another package once I'm dressed. OK?
Lance sighed. he muttered.
Pietro looked to the other two. Now that we have had a demonstration of how possessive Lance is about the Oreos, maybe we won't eat them, OK? Toad and Blob nodded sheepishly.
Remember, we'resupposedtobe kickin' X-Geek ass, and maybe that prettyboy Matthews'. Not each other's.With that, Pietro headed upstairs, and shortly thereafter, a long sigh of relief came from the shower. Toad was the first to move.Sorry, man. We still down?
Lance looked at the extended hand for a second...the grinned and shook it. Yeah, we're cool. An' so's Fred. The large boy beamed. I feel a group hug comin' on, he said happily.
Avalanche and Toad were immediately on the other side of the room. No you don't! they chorused.
Todd flicked his tongue out and caught the remote. So what's on? he said as he turned their small TV on. Aggghhh!!! Knicks? They stink like a skank ho's ass!
Fred nodded. Hell, I can play basketball better'n them. Lance grimaced. Sad thing is that's true. Change the channel, Toad-man. If only so I don't have to look at those idiots anymore.
The thin Tolensky flipped through the channels till they reached one all three loved...
YASA! Dark Angel! cried Todd happily as he let the remote fall onto the coffee table.
Fred and Lance were immediately beside him, entranced by the show, and Jessica Alba especially.
Suddenly the lights flashed upstairs as the commercials were going, and the Brotherhood collectively looked up. Pietro, dressed in a pimp hat and a sportcoat he'd no doubt stolen, grinned impishly. Presenting tonight, for your entertainment, gentlemen...and gentlemen...the one, the only, Piiii-eeetro Maximoff! he called out. Applause, please! I live for applause!
The Brotherhood applauded wildly, and Pietro grinned broadly and slid down the bannister, then began to sing...
I feel pretty! Oh so pretty! I feel pretty, and witty, and gaaaaaaa-yyyyy! And I pity any guy who isn't me today!sang Quicksilver, slinking up to them as he sang and blowing a kiss at Lance, who arched his eyebrow. I feel charming! Oh so charming! It's alarming, how charming I feel and I'm so pretty that I hardly can believe I'm real!! As he sang, the prancing Maximoff pulled a rose fromthe pocket of his sportcoat and flung it into the crowd of three. Todd caught it with a long green tongue and ate it.
See the handsome guy in that mirror there? Who can that attractive man be? Such a handsome face, such a handsome smileSuch a haaaa-nnnndsome meeeee!!finished Pietro, hands spread to indicate himself. The Brotherhood applauded once more, and Quicksilver bowed.
Thank you, thank you all-- began Pietro arrogantly. Lance cut in with an evil grin. ...for watching that open display of Mr.Maximoff's homosexuality and not throwing up.
Oh, stick it where you can't find it with both hands, Lancey, said Pietro with a haughty air.
He laughed, and then his smile became more relaxed. Anyway, I'm takin' my pimp outfit and pimpin' the whorishSafewayroundthecornerforgroceries. Don't smash the place while I'm gone, and be sure to let in Tabitha, or she'll let herself in.
Don't need to tell us all twice, yo, said a pallid Toad. They all knew Tabitha, codenamed Boom-Boom, had the power to make things explode. Including the door. Trouble with that was, they couldn't afford to replace the door. Life in the Brotherhood House would certainly take an extreme turn for the worse then, especially with winter about to arrive...
Quicksilver cracked his knuckles, grinned, concentrated...and sped off at well-nigh the speed of light towards Safeway. Fred chuckled. The poor clerks'll never know what hit em...that reminds me, I put some nachos in the oven for dinner.
The three returned to watching Dark Angel. Todd snarled at the new villain. Man, this guy's just hatin' off Manticore and shit. Shit.Lance nodded. Hell yeah. Plus he's all I hate mutants cause I'm an asshole', y'know?
Fred seemed to have his attention elsewhere. Uh, guys, someone's at the door.
Todd got up. Damn, yo...who's that gonna be at.... His voice suddenly trailed off, and he locked eyes with Lance. they chorused, and sprinted for the door just as the bell rang.
The three male memebers of the Brotherhood all got to the door at once, and fell over each other, all of them trying to open it. There was a muffled sound of explosion and the door swung open. Tabitha Smith, aka Tabby/Boom-Boom, stood there with a wide grin. BOOM, baby! she said with pride.
Lance groaned, squished under the weight of Blob and Toad. I see you've found a less destructive mode of entrance, he grunted. The blonde girl grinned. Well, I try. You boys havin' fun there? she said with an evil grin. Avalanche gave her a dirty look. Tabitha giggled. I was just kiddin', Lance! Lighten up a little, she said as she and Toad helped Blob to his feet. Fred blushed and looked sheepishly at his comrades. he said.
A new voice cut into the conversation. I see the Dark Queen has arrived, and left psychological scars onyouthreeforlifeonceagain, ne? Pietro quipped from the doorway.
Tabitha pouted cutely at Pietro. Hey now! It's not my fault I'm psycho.Pietro laughed. No....
but it makes you so much more attractive, my dear, the speedster said flirtatiously, placing a pale finger under her chin. Tabby raised an eyebrow.
Oh, so you like kinky? Boom-Boom said with a wicked smile. Very well then...
With this she launched herself at Pietro, tackling Quicksilver to the floor with a happy squeal. Pietro laughed as the two struggled, which eventually ended up with Tabby sitting atop Pietro's chest with an evil grin. Call me your queen!! she said with mock imperity. Quicksilver feigned swooning. No! Never! The girl looked pouty, then grinned again as she got an idea..and ground against Pietro's hips slowly, bringing a blush to the albino-esque boy's face. Heeeeeyyy...that's not fair!Maximoff protested. Lance leaned against the wall with a grin. You two are so goddamn weird...
Pietro smirked at the senior. When you get some, Lancey, you can talk.
Avalanche snorted. Fine, fine, ya freaks. Go have fun with duct tape, whips, and leather while I put away the groceries... he sniffed, smeeling a faintly burnt scent ...and get those nachos. He ran off as Todd came into the room, long green tongue flying out to snatch an offending fly. The freshman arched an eyebrow at Tabitha and Pietro. That usually works better when you don't have no clothes on, yo, said Tolensky. Tabitha shot Toad a lascivious smile. Maybe you'd like to join in? she offered. Now both Todd's eyebrows raised.
Pietro looked at Tolensky solemnly. Think carefully, Todd...it may look like fun, but that's before the whips and choice food items come out. Tolensky chuckled. Much as I'd like to back away slowly, you two's missin' the nachos. C'mon, before Fred goes for thirds.
The speed-demon and the crazy girl disentangled themselves, got some nachos, and plopped down on the couch with the rest of the Brotherhood. What's on next? Boom-Boom inquired, curling a strand of hair around her finger. Fred grimaced. People with a serious urge to fuck up their personal relationships,as far as I can tell.
Temptation Island 2? said Tabitha with a wry smile. Blob nodded.
Todd shot out his tongue, bringing a clump of nachos up to his mouth and gulping them down.
Ain't nothin better on, yo. Unless you like Dan Rather.
Pietro smirked. I liked him...when he thought he had anthrax, that is. Lance snorted with laughter, nearly choking on the Coke he was drinking. A thin trickle of the brown liquid came from his nose.
Fred chuckled appreciatively. Hehe, yeah...
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A few blocks away from the Brotherhood's home, a huge, tall man, a mane of blonde hair flowing out behind him, and an man as tall but smaller-proportioned, older figure in a fedora and long trenchcoat, like a bad Dick Tracy ripoff. White hair showed from underneath the black hat. They strode with purpose toward the house of the Brotherhood, seeming to gain speed with every step, and not a word passed between them.
They came to an intersection. Seeing no cars, the trenchcoated stranger walked out into the street...and at that moment, an SUV came hurtling out of the shadows. As it saw the man, it hit the brakes with a hideous screech, but it was obviously not going to stop in time. The driver looked on in horror as he saw the man was still standing in the middle of the road, not even noticing the car...
And then the tall man flung up his hand, and the SUV flew backwards with a crash into a nearby Lexus, propelled aside by an invisible fist of power. The stranger smiled even as the car alarm began to blare. His grim blonde companion scowled at the man, teeth curling into a sneer...and the driver could see they were sharp-edged.
Fangs.
The two walked on. And the SUV's driver sat in shock till the police found him, not really believing what he had seen.
The cops didn't either.
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And reports have come that the Northern Alliance has captured the Afghanistan capital of Kabul... droned the anchorwoman. The Brotherhood had become so sick of the sad excuses for relationships on Temptation 2 that they had, indeed, switched to the news.
...and that I am cheating on my husband with the weatherman. And the sports anchor. And the female reporter on assignment in Lebanon. And some days, the cameraman, Pietro quipped dryly. Lance snickered again, and it was Todd's turn to nearly choke on his pop. Oddly enough, Fred's bass chuckle wasn't heard...
Lance frowned. It was an odd trait of Blob...the largest, and seemingly slowest of the Brotherhood, actually had quite the knack for sensing danger. The large boy rose, and tapped Avalanche on the shoulder, pointing to the door. Alvers couldn't understand why...till he saw the doorknob moving.
Lance motioned to the others to cut the TV off. Todd wordlessly complied, then gave a questioning look to their leader. The senior simply pointed...and the keen-eyed Tolensky saw the motionin moments. Pietro, then Tabitha, were the final ones to see it.
Quicksilver sped to the door and got in a fighting stance, the rest of the Brothers around him. Lance began charging a tremor, and Tabitha an energy-bomb.
The door opened, and the stranger stepped in, removing his fedora. Not a single mutant moved...except him.
He had white hair, Pietro's color, in a widow's peak. The rest flowed in a wave down to his neck. His face was lined many times over, far more weathered than when they had last seen the man. Blue, hawk-like eyes cut the teens to the soul. He was different, when not in his battle armor, and gothically styled, blood-crimson helm. But the man was still recognizable as their leader...
...the man named Erik Magnus Lensherr. Or to his enemies, simply Magneto.
Pietro was the first to speak, but only in a whisper that Erik alone caught, a whisper of betrayal, awe, fear, and...love.
Quicksilver whispered.
Erik smiled, not unkindly, and yet a shudder ran through the collective Brotherhood. There was something about their enigmatic leader that frightened and intoxicated you at the same time...it added to his quality as a born demagogue.
Hello, Pietro, said the man in his deep, rather rough-edged Polish voice. It's been a while.
Lance, Fred, and Todd all saluted their definitive leader. After a quick look around, Tabitha did the same. Magneto gestured, and they lowered their salute, yet all but Tabitha seemed at attention.
Boom-Boom's stomach flip-flopped...so this was the mutant Pietro spoke of in whispers, that they all respected and feared. This was the leader of the Brotherhood of Mutants, Professor Xavier's rival, the great Magneto. She felt small and insignificant in his terrible presence, like a baby before a god.
Then, to her utter horror, his ice-blue eyes turned to her.
Erik looked at the girl curiously. She had such charming innocence to her, and at the same time a sharp edge. A double-edged sword...yet, somehow, he could sense she identified here with home. What she hadn't been ready for was him. It wasn't surprising...Erik was over 6 feet tall, an imposing figure by anyone's standards, despite his obvious age.
You must be Tabitha Smith, he said, breaking the dark silence. I am Erik Lensherr...I have heard a lot about you. He smiled wryly. I'm sure my recruits have already said this, but...welcome to the Brotherhood. He extended his hand, and the girl gingerly grasped it, finding Magneto's own grasp firm, but not uncomfortable. She grinned, and shook the hand of the demagogue. My God...he's so...nice....Tabby thought.
Erik let go of Tabitha, and stepped to the side, allowing the hulking form of Victor Creed to come through the door. Sabretooth snarled as he looked aboutt the room.. Meet your new babysitter, kiddies, he rasped sarcastically. He would have said more had a fierce glare from Magneto not shut him up. Pietro's father cleared his throat. My young friends, he began. I have called upon you today with information of great importance...the first of such matters being to reassure you I am indeed alive and well. The second, however, is what I have truly come to tell you about...
The X-Gene is spreading like wildfire. More mutants are being born every day...and here, in this humblest of places, shall the great drama of mankind's evolution play out. We must reinforce mutantkind, Homo superior, for the day when we may rise triumphant. Already, I know of one new member for our cause, my personal student, who I met long ago, and raised in another country.
At this Pietro felt a sudden twinge of jealousy. Some mutant from another country got more attention from his father than him? What, was super-speed not good enough for his dad? Was it not enough that he gave his heart and soul to the Brotherhood? Why wasn't he good enough in his father's eyes?
Was it......his mother's death???
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Erik....promise...me...you'll take....care of....Pietro...
Magda, don't say that! You won't die! You...you can't die...I love you....
Erik....please...I...I love...you...Erik Lensherr....
And then the heart monitor stopped. And young Pietro did not cry...for he saw his father's face, stern, and proud, his heart breaking on the inside, yet his face a mask of indifference. He showed no sign of grief....and yet, on the inside, his world came apart.
He wanted to be like his father, and so Pietro did not cry.
Pietro masked his own tears till his father turned and left. Then he cried, cried out at the unfairness and the evil of the world...the world....
The new world of emptiness and cold.
He hated it. He would waste no more tears on it.
No more.
He would not cry.
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The twinge of jealous rage subsided, replaced by hollowing guilt. Pietro licked his lips nervously, out of habit, hoping no one had seen. Out of the corner of his eye, he thought he had seen Tabitha frown at him, but dismissed it as irrelevant.
He is from Japan, Lensherr continued, and unfamiliar with the customs of this country. But he is worthy of our cause, and a good fighter. I expect you will treat him with respect.
The Brotherhood nodded collectively. Magneto cleared his throat, and spoke further.
If you encounter any other mutants, you may contact me at this number. He pressed a slip of stationery into Pietro's hand. The speed-demon flipped it into his pocket with a smile. Will do, sir.
Erik raised an eyebrow at his son's impudence. Thirdly...do not underestimate Xavier or his team. You will be encountering them more often, as I have more missions for you all. You must learn how to fight them...learn their strengths and, more importantly, their weaknesses. Keep your friends close, but your enemies even closer. Understood?
Again, there were no voices of dissent.
He turned his hawk-eyes on Toad, causing the small boy to almost visibly squirm.
Mr. Tolensky...I apologize for the incident on Asteroid M. Please, try not to take it too personally...it was really just a test of our benefactors' equipment. When the time comes, you will stand proud with the rest of the Brotherhood, no? said Magneto. Compassion and amusement danced in his eyes, like a Santa on Christmas.
Ye-yeah, uh, no hard feelins', yo...I mean sir, stammered Todd. With a nervous grin he saluted.
Magneto suppressed a grave chuckle...they were just children, after all.
Here also is some money, said the demagogue as he turned and placed his hat back on, pulling a small metal box out of his coat as if it was second nature via a conduit of power. The box opened, and over a thousand dollars spilled out. The kids swarmed over it with yells of excitement.
Mr. Creed will be checking up on you from time to time and providing you with all needed funds, Erik finished. That is all...farewell, Brothers.
The teenagers saluted again as their leader motioned to Sabretooth, then walked off into the distance, Creed following, with wary glances behind him.
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He....he...he apologized. To me. He...yo, said Todd, at a loss for words. Pietro grinned wryly, and Tabitha frowned again. Something was wrong with Quicksilver's smile...it was sad and introspective, not the usual Pietro look of mischieviousness. Yeah...that's Magneto for ya, the speedster said quietly.
Fred looked thoughtful. You and him are a lot alike...are you related?
Got it in one, Pietro thought. Blob's smarter than people give him credit for. He nodded to Fred, a faraway look in his blue eyes.
Tabitha lightly touched a hand to his shoulder. You okay, Quicksie? The speedster turned with a remarkably natural-looking grin. OfcourseIam? Whywouldn'tIbe?
Tabitha frowned, not convinced, but decided to let the matter go. It was Lance who broke the following silence. I, as definitive group leader, think we should go and celebrate the return of Magneto with some Slurpees, he said with a smile.
There was general agreement from the Brotherhood, accented with a quip from Pietro about how they'd better not make any detours by the Xavier Institute so Lance could spy on Kitty.
Lance smacked him for that.
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What was that whole fiasco on the asteroid about anyway, Mags? growled Sabretooth as the two arrived at Erik's hotel. Lensherr looked at him with a small smile. As i told the boy, Mr. Creed... it was a test of Mr. Nur's equipment. Nothing more, nothing less. He laughed cynically. And to think poor Charles actually believed I was that shortsighted.
Victor didn't laugh. He's still dangerous, you know.
I'm quite aware of that, my good Mr. Creed. But Charles is not our greatest threat, nor are his students. The Master of Magnetism made a sweeping gesture, and his eyes narrowed in anger. They are...they, Homo sapiens. When they learn of us, we will be hunted down, tagged, and marked for extermination. I can not...I will not...watch my people die again.
Creed nodded. I'm with you, of course...but can we really trust Nur? After all, you've experienced firsthand his philosophy...survival of the fittest, taken to the ultimate level. The weak perish. I don't have any problems with it, of course, but..
Erik's scowl deepened. The world must be made safe for all mutantkind. If Mr. Nur doesn't understand that...he is in the way. As Charles is.
Sabretooth grinned. Now that's more like the Magneto I know. Call me once the new boy arrives, right?
Magneto nodded. Yes, of course.
Get some sleep, children...you're going to need it.
Author's Notes: A lovely beginning, if I do say so m'self.
Yup, I'm planning on pairing Tabby n' Pietro, for all those wondering...as well as Lance and Kitty. Dun worry, Kurt fans, Blue-boy gets the hook-up as well.
Be sure to review and show your appreciation! Gifts are always welcome! Especially in the form of cash!!! (j/k) Oh, and whoever can guess the identity of the mysterious Mr. Nur wins...something. ^_^;;;;;; Ja ne, all! Chap. 2'll be up soon, I promise.
