A New Alliance is Formed

"Hello," Cobra Commander said nervously. "You must be Magneto."

"And I see that you are not Mystique," Magneto floated in. "You must be Cobra Commander then."

"You've heard of me?" Cobra Commander asked.

"Oh yes," Magneto grabbed his shirtfront and lifted him off the ground. "I have."

"This is not good," Torch gulped.

"You are the maniac who tried to kidnap my son and daughter as well as several other associates of mine," Magneto growled. "And to use them in your experiments."

"Kidnapping is a strong word," Cobra Commander gulped. "It was more like an aggressive recruitment campaign."

"Save your lies you sniveling worm!" Magneto snarled. "I know all about you and how you treat mutants!"

"Now wait a minute!" Cobra Commander snapped. "Those are exaggerations! Besides there have been quite a few stories about you going around so don't you…AGGGGHHH!" He gasped when Magneto started to strangle him.

"That ought to shut you up!" Mystique snapped.

"Quiet you!" Magneto snarled at her. "I will deal with you soon enough. After I take care of him! An example must be made to show that no human will get away with Crimes against Mutants!"

Then an idea came into Cobra Commander's mind. "Wait! You don't understand! I can prove those stories are false! How can I discriminate and torture mutants when not only do I employ them," He pointed to Zartan. "But…" He removed his cowl.

Magneto's eyes widened. "Y-You're…?"

"A mutant, like you," Cobra Commander replaced his cowl. "Yes. Do you really believe that my goal to rule the world is to enslave our kind? It is to enslave humankind…brother."

"Oh brother," Destro whispered underneath his breath.

"True I have done the occasional experiment," Cobra Commander said as Magneto let him go. "But it's only to enhance the natural powers of mutants! To improve the way of life for our kind! Basically the same things you yourself have done. Would you call yourself a tyrant over mutantkind? We are of the same cloth you and I. The only difference is I have been forced to work with humans to achieve my goals."

"Hey!" The Baroness snapped.

"Of course the present company here is much more advanced and intelligent than the average human," Cobra Commander said. "They understand the need for the dominant species to survive and claim their rightful place."

"Then you wouldn't mind working with your fellow mutants," Magneto said.

"Of course not! In fact, I suggest that we form an alliance," Cobra Commander said. "A pact between fellow mutants. What do you say? I have armies and resources at your disposal and with your knowledge of mutations, there is nothing we can't accomplish! And we both have some enemies in common, am I right?"

"Yes," Magneto nodded. "You are right. Very well, we shall work together," He offered his hand. Cobra Commander took it. "And together we will both get our revenge on GI Joe!"

"You know if I were you my first target of revenge wouldn't be GI Joe but the ones who put you in that stasis block in the first place," Cobra Commander said. "Now who was it again?"

"Emma Frost," Magneto growled. "And that infernal Inner Circle."

"Yes from what I understand she made a deal with Mystique to assist Cobra," Cobra Commander pondered. "I see no need to inform her of the change of leadership at this time. Do you?"

"No," Magneto grinned. "I don't."

"Perhaps you should have a discussion with her exactly what the details are," Cobra Commander suggested. "And why she didn't intend to rescue you when she knew exactly where you were all those long months?"

"Yes," Magneto glared at her. "I was wondering that myself."

"I was just going to put together a rescue squad myself," Cobra Commander told him. "Once I took care of a few loose ends here."

"Sir," Zanya stepped forward. "I am Zanya, daughter of Zartan and the new leader of the Dreadnoks. I must humbly ask forgiveness for my father's actions. He has been…led astray." She glared at Mystique.

"Young Zanya here is also a mutant," Cobra Commander brought her forward. "An exemplary warrior. She has her father's ability to camouflage herself. And a natural leader if I do say so."

"Indeed?" Magneto raised his eyebrow. "I admit I have heard some things about you. And they are impressive. I could use someone like you in my Acolytes."

"You know," Zandar spoke up. "You could train Zanya and my sister and I could run the Dreadnoks while she's away. I mean why should she be held back training a bunch of lowly humans? Am I right boys?"

"Oh yeah!" The Dreadnoks called out. "Absolutely! We'd just hold her back! You go girl!"

"Sir," An officer whispered to Cobra Commander. "What about those mutants you ordered rounded up?"

"Fool I said bring all the mutant officers here!" Cobra Commander snapped. "So they could help Magneto escape from his cell! Escape! Don't you people listen? But now they can talk to our new ally. And the glorious new future for all Mutantkind!" He turned to Magneto. "It's so hard to get good help these days."

"We could get more," Zanya told him. "If we could just get our hands on the Cytorak Gem Destro was hiding."

"I was wondering when you'd get to that," Destro muttered. He turned to Magneto. "Apparently Ms. Frost was planning to increase sunspot radiation using a device using it. Let's just say, the radiation is not beneficial to normal humans. However, I'm sure now that Cobra and your associates are now allies we can work out some sort of deal?"

"I think we can," Magneto said. "But for now…I'd like to have a few words with Mystique…in private."

"Of course, of course," Cobra Commander nodded. "We have several wonderful torture chambers…I mean conference rooms that you could use. Uh…why don't you have Zanya here show you around? I'm sure you will all find something you like!"

"Good idea," Zanya grinned. "As long as I get to watch. Aunt, Uncle…please escort my father home. He needs a time out."

"Okay!" Zandar nodded. "No problem!" Quickly the Dreadnoks left with Zartan.

"Magneto I can explain…" Mystique said.

"Save it!" Magneto told her. "Zanya if you don't mind?"

"Of course not Lord Magneto," Zanya bowed. "Right this way." They followed her out. Soon only the Cobra staff remained.

"Well that was close," Cobra Commander sighed.

"Smart move," The Baroness told him.

"I think so," Cobra Commander said. "I don't think it's necessary to tell him my real origins now do you?"

"No Cobra Commander," All the staff grinned.

"Yes, I think this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful partnership," Cobra Commander grinned underneath his hood. "At least until I decide to dissolve it."

Next: deception, discoveries, Misfit bonding, a minor GI Joe character appears, spy stuff and whiffle bats!

*Those of you who do not know of Cobra Commander's origin (Cartoon verse) stay tuned! Or you could just go roaming around a few websites and cheat. For those that do, well…Don't tell Magneto just yet!