To Kikoken and Vammy, who were kind enough to review my first chapter,
thank you for your comments and support. I hope the rest of the fic is
enjoyed as much.
***********************************************
When M. Bison entered a room, everything stopped. Guards hardly dared to breathe, workers tried not to glance in his direction. The aura of fear that surrounded him was almost palpable. Only his top commanders; Sagat, Vega, and Balrog, seemed capable of overcoming the fear and acting somewhat normal around the master.
He sat down in his throne, and beckoned for his lieutenant to approach. He was Bison's overseer, the man who took care of the day-to-day running of Shadowlaw's operations. In theory, he had more authority than even Sagat, but there was no way he would test that authority with the Muay Thai fighter.
"My lord?"
"What progress have you made in finding Ryu Hoshi?" asked Bison. It had been years since they had first learned of Ryu, but Bison's hunger for capturing the Shotokan warrior had not diminished in the least. If anything, Ryu's continued ability to defeat Bison's best plans and match him in personal combat had increased Bison's appetite to force the fighter to join Shadowlaw.
"My lord, our most recent report indicates that Ryu has left the Philippines and has returned to his native Japan. He eluded our agents in Tokyo, and we have not yet picked him back up. But our agents know he is top priority. We will find him soon."
Bison nodded. "And what of the other project? These mutants that everyone seems concerned with. What can you tell me about the most powerful among them?"
"My lord Bison, you must understand that identifying mutants is difficult, especially since they take pains not to be noticed, unlike street fighters." At Bison's glowering stare, the lieutenant hurried on. "H- However, we have identified two men who we believe are among the most powerful mutants in the world. We retrieved their data from the office files of a Colonel Stryker of the United States, who died a few months ago at Alkali Lake in Canada. This first man is Professor Charles Xavier."
The screen showed a man, probably in his sixties, in a wheelchair. Bison's milky-white eyes narrowed.
"What mockery is this? Is the most powerful mutant a cripple? This I don't believe!"
"My lord, in truth, Professor Xavier possesses incredible telepathic and other mental powers. The great pains and near-death experience humans across the world felt we believe are his work. However, we cannot be certain of this because he advocates peaceful cooperation between humans and mutants."
Bison nodded slowly. "Next."
The next image was of another old man, although he was tall and regal looking. "This man is known as Magneto, though we believe his real name is Eric Lensherr. He has power of magnetism and can control all kinds of metals. He believes that mutants are the next stage of evolution and that humans should be serving mutants; mutants should not live in fear."
Bison chuckled. Mutants, he knew, could be very valuable allies in his struggle. He wanted both of them. With Xavier's telepathic powers added to his own, no one could resist his control. Camilia would come back under his control, and Ryu could never resist his mental domination. With Ryu and these two mutants serving him, he would be unstoppable.
"Where are these mutants?"
"My lord, Xavier maintains a mansion and school for mutants in New York under the guise of a school for gifted youths. Magneto has a stronghold along the coast of New England in the United States. We believe he has retreated there to recover from the events at Alkali Lake."
Bison rose quickly to his feet and began to march out of the room. "Then we will go to New England. Prepare my transport."
*********************************************
Eric Lensherr leaned back in his chair, enjoying the feel of cold metal. The cavern where the Brotherhood made their base was large, and cold, and empty. Toad had not yet re-surfaced since the battle with the X-Men at the Statue of Liberty last year, Mystique was doing her usual infiltration work, and Sabertooth was scouting the area around the base, keeping an eye out that no one approached. Pyro was in another part of the base, honing his abilities over fire.
Magneto thought over his plans. The X-Men had proven too resourceful, or too lucky, to defeat openly, especially now that he was outnumbered. In any case, he could not attack them now. He would have to gather more mutants to him, but he knew that the X-Men were only a speed bump. The real problem was defeating mankind. To do that he would require an army of mutants. An army of any kind was needed. But there was no way he could do that. Armed with Cerebro, Charles was able to stay a step ahead of him; keeping track of all the mutants on the planet.
"Greetings, Mr. Lensherr," boomed a deep voice.
Magneto spun around and faced the entrance to his room. A man stood there; extremely tall, at least six and a half feet, and powerfully built. He was wearing a red military-style outfit, with shiny black boots, a military cap with a lightning-crossed skull, and a long cape.
"A little cold and too much steel for my taste," continued the stranger.
"Who are you? How did you get here?" Magneto wanted to know.
The man laughed. It was a menacing sound, unnerving Magneto. "My name is Bison. And your defenses here are pitiful. You have no guards here. Who would stop your enemies from coming here and killing you?"
"I have my own defenses," said Eric.
He stretched his hand and three small blocks of metal flew towards Bison. But the man moved like lightning; it was like he was teleporting. He was out of the way just in the nick of time, and that was each time Magneto sent the blocks that way. And his irritating laughter filled the room, echoing back and forth. Magneto changed their shape into flat, razor-sharp disks, slicing across the room. But still this Bison seemed able to perceive them before Magneto could get them close.
Suddenly, Bison vanished. Magneto looked back and forth, but didn't see him anywhere. Bison's laughter sounded again, this time very close. Magneto felt it on the back of his neck. He spun around and Bison's hand was immediately around his throat and squeezing hard. Eric tried to breathe, but the man's hand was like a vise, stronger than anyone Eric knew of; he couldn't even concentrate enough to attack Bison with his powers.
"You see, Mr. Lensherr, I could kill you here and now without a second thought," said Bison, "I could let you strangle to death or I could snap your neck with a simple twist. I've done it to many men and women. But I don't seek your death."
Bison released him, and Magneto fell to his knees, gasping for breath. When he had control of himself, Eric stood up and faced Bison. "So, Mr. Bison, you've proven your point. But if you don't want me dead, what do you want?"
"I want you to join me. I am the master of Shadowlaw, and we are dedicated to overthrowing the governments of the world. You want the same thing; for all the governments to fall and for mutants to become equals at the very least with humans, if not their superiors. Join me, Magneto. Those mutants who join with me shall be my commanders and lieutenants. When the governments of the world have fallen, it will be those mutants who join me that will rule. At this moment, you are nothing. I could kill you now, or let you live, and you will never achieve your goal alone. But think of what we could accomplish together. Think of what you could do with an army to command. If you join me, all mutants that join Shadowlaw will be under your direct command. Soon, we shall have an army of humans and mutants with which to fight for what is rightfully ours: the rulership of this world! Join me Magneto, and you and all the mutants who will serve you shall be kings in the new order!"
Eric allowed himself a small smile. Perhaps this lunatic could help serve his purposes. After all, it didn't have to be a permanent arrangement.
***********************************************
When M. Bison entered a room, everything stopped. Guards hardly dared to breathe, workers tried not to glance in his direction. The aura of fear that surrounded him was almost palpable. Only his top commanders; Sagat, Vega, and Balrog, seemed capable of overcoming the fear and acting somewhat normal around the master.
He sat down in his throne, and beckoned for his lieutenant to approach. He was Bison's overseer, the man who took care of the day-to-day running of Shadowlaw's operations. In theory, he had more authority than even Sagat, but there was no way he would test that authority with the Muay Thai fighter.
"My lord?"
"What progress have you made in finding Ryu Hoshi?" asked Bison. It had been years since they had first learned of Ryu, but Bison's hunger for capturing the Shotokan warrior had not diminished in the least. If anything, Ryu's continued ability to defeat Bison's best plans and match him in personal combat had increased Bison's appetite to force the fighter to join Shadowlaw.
"My lord, our most recent report indicates that Ryu has left the Philippines and has returned to his native Japan. He eluded our agents in Tokyo, and we have not yet picked him back up. But our agents know he is top priority. We will find him soon."
Bison nodded. "And what of the other project? These mutants that everyone seems concerned with. What can you tell me about the most powerful among them?"
"My lord Bison, you must understand that identifying mutants is difficult, especially since they take pains not to be noticed, unlike street fighters." At Bison's glowering stare, the lieutenant hurried on. "H- However, we have identified two men who we believe are among the most powerful mutants in the world. We retrieved their data from the office files of a Colonel Stryker of the United States, who died a few months ago at Alkali Lake in Canada. This first man is Professor Charles Xavier."
The screen showed a man, probably in his sixties, in a wheelchair. Bison's milky-white eyes narrowed.
"What mockery is this? Is the most powerful mutant a cripple? This I don't believe!"
"My lord, in truth, Professor Xavier possesses incredible telepathic and other mental powers. The great pains and near-death experience humans across the world felt we believe are his work. However, we cannot be certain of this because he advocates peaceful cooperation between humans and mutants."
Bison nodded slowly. "Next."
The next image was of another old man, although he was tall and regal looking. "This man is known as Magneto, though we believe his real name is Eric Lensherr. He has power of magnetism and can control all kinds of metals. He believes that mutants are the next stage of evolution and that humans should be serving mutants; mutants should not live in fear."
Bison chuckled. Mutants, he knew, could be very valuable allies in his struggle. He wanted both of them. With Xavier's telepathic powers added to his own, no one could resist his control. Camilia would come back under his control, and Ryu could never resist his mental domination. With Ryu and these two mutants serving him, he would be unstoppable.
"Where are these mutants?"
"My lord, Xavier maintains a mansion and school for mutants in New York under the guise of a school for gifted youths. Magneto has a stronghold along the coast of New England in the United States. We believe he has retreated there to recover from the events at Alkali Lake."
Bison rose quickly to his feet and began to march out of the room. "Then we will go to New England. Prepare my transport."
*********************************************
Eric Lensherr leaned back in his chair, enjoying the feel of cold metal. The cavern where the Brotherhood made their base was large, and cold, and empty. Toad had not yet re-surfaced since the battle with the X-Men at the Statue of Liberty last year, Mystique was doing her usual infiltration work, and Sabertooth was scouting the area around the base, keeping an eye out that no one approached. Pyro was in another part of the base, honing his abilities over fire.
Magneto thought over his plans. The X-Men had proven too resourceful, or too lucky, to defeat openly, especially now that he was outnumbered. In any case, he could not attack them now. He would have to gather more mutants to him, but he knew that the X-Men were only a speed bump. The real problem was defeating mankind. To do that he would require an army of mutants. An army of any kind was needed. But there was no way he could do that. Armed with Cerebro, Charles was able to stay a step ahead of him; keeping track of all the mutants on the planet.
"Greetings, Mr. Lensherr," boomed a deep voice.
Magneto spun around and faced the entrance to his room. A man stood there; extremely tall, at least six and a half feet, and powerfully built. He was wearing a red military-style outfit, with shiny black boots, a military cap with a lightning-crossed skull, and a long cape.
"A little cold and too much steel for my taste," continued the stranger.
"Who are you? How did you get here?" Magneto wanted to know.
The man laughed. It was a menacing sound, unnerving Magneto. "My name is Bison. And your defenses here are pitiful. You have no guards here. Who would stop your enemies from coming here and killing you?"
"I have my own defenses," said Eric.
He stretched his hand and three small blocks of metal flew towards Bison. But the man moved like lightning; it was like he was teleporting. He was out of the way just in the nick of time, and that was each time Magneto sent the blocks that way. And his irritating laughter filled the room, echoing back and forth. Magneto changed their shape into flat, razor-sharp disks, slicing across the room. But still this Bison seemed able to perceive them before Magneto could get them close.
Suddenly, Bison vanished. Magneto looked back and forth, but didn't see him anywhere. Bison's laughter sounded again, this time very close. Magneto felt it on the back of his neck. He spun around and Bison's hand was immediately around his throat and squeezing hard. Eric tried to breathe, but the man's hand was like a vise, stronger than anyone Eric knew of; he couldn't even concentrate enough to attack Bison with his powers.
"You see, Mr. Lensherr, I could kill you here and now without a second thought," said Bison, "I could let you strangle to death or I could snap your neck with a simple twist. I've done it to many men and women. But I don't seek your death."
Bison released him, and Magneto fell to his knees, gasping for breath. When he had control of himself, Eric stood up and faced Bison. "So, Mr. Bison, you've proven your point. But if you don't want me dead, what do you want?"
"I want you to join me. I am the master of Shadowlaw, and we are dedicated to overthrowing the governments of the world. You want the same thing; for all the governments to fall and for mutants to become equals at the very least with humans, if not their superiors. Join me, Magneto. Those mutants who join with me shall be my commanders and lieutenants. When the governments of the world have fallen, it will be those mutants who join me that will rule. At this moment, you are nothing. I could kill you now, or let you live, and you will never achieve your goal alone. But think of what we could accomplish together. Think of what you could do with an army to command. If you join me, all mutants that join Shadowlaw will be under your direct command. Soon, we shall have an army of humans and mutants with which to fight for what is rightfully ours: the rulership of this world! Join me Magneto, and you and all the mutants who will serve you shall be kings in the new order!"
Eric allowed himself a small smile. Perhaps this lunatic could help serve his purposes. After all, it didn't have to be a permanent arrangement.