CHAPTER II
ADVENTURES AT CITY HALL
"...thus disproves Victor Von Doom's theory that interstellar communication devices can be used to contact spirits and proves it can be used as a valuable spy device", said Reed Richards. Curt Connors was standing right next behind him, and was forced to listen to Richards, now Mr. Fantastic of the Fantastic Four, bash upon his rival upon his old theories and glorify Reed's new ones. Richard's speech took way longer than it should have, but it was still a good speech that might get him the gold medal. Curt figured that Richards would win anyway due to his status as Mr. Fantastic, but Curt would give his best shot at getting second place.
"That was a great presentation", said the judge.
"Thanks", said Richards. "Now, I would like to introduce the greatest scientist for reptiles ever, Doctor Curt Connors of Florida." The whole audience clapped loudly for Curt as he walked up and bowed.
"Thank you, Reed", said Curt. "I have come here several times before to give my speeches about using Reptilian DNA to grow extra limbs and organs, for which I have won many awards and have gotten recognition in the scientific community. However, and I know I will lose my place in the awards tonight for doing this, but I am here to warn you. Do not, and I repeat, do not attempt these experiments in your own labs. I have tried these experiments time and time again, but my latest attempt was a disaster."
"What kind of a disaster?" asked the judge.
"Well, first, I tested it on several lizards, which appeared to be fine after I gave them the serum", said Curt.
"What serum?" asked the judge.
"The serum to grow back their lost limbs", said Curt.
"Are you saying you actually removed those lizards' limbs?" asked the Judge.
"That is correct", said Curt.
"You know the direct injury of living things, including life forms, is against our rules", said the Judge.
"I know Judge Darkholm", said Curt. "However, I soon tested my formula on a rabbit, and it grew its leg back, but it turned into a lizard like creature".
"I'm sorry, Doctor Connors", said the Judge. "But since you have already disobeyed two rules of our scientific competition, I will have to expel you from this gathering."
"I had to shoot it nine times with a shotgun before the mutated rabbit died", said Curt.
"That is sickening!" yelled the Judge.
"The rabbit tried to kill my child!" yelled Curt.
"Guards!" yelled the Judge. "Seize that scientist!"
"With pleasure", said one of the lead guards. Several armed troopers then ran out of nowhere and began to fire at Curt.
"Don't kill him!" yelled the Judge. "We need him alive so he can suffer in prison!" Everyone ducked, including Curt, who was in an obviously hopeless situation.
"They must know about my alter ego!" thought Curt. "That's the only reason why they want just me! I just injected the anti-lizard formula into my system, so I guess my inner monster can't help me". He then hid as the bullets flew past his head, he looked for a way out of the mess. He then saw that a window had been blown to shreds in the process of the attack, and that seemed like the best route of escape. Once the guards began to reload, Curt sprinted towards the window as he did in his earlier track and field days. The guards then began to shoot him, but none of the bullets hit. He then leaped out of the window and flew in the air for several seconds. However, right as he was about to land in the grass, he felt something puncture the side of his neck and took it out before the land could make it go deeper into his skin.
"Damn it", yelled Curt. "A sleeping dart. Oh, hell..." He then gave into his bodily senses and began to drift off into a deep sleep, but before he was completely dozed, he could swear he saw Judge Darkholm turn into a blue woman.
EARLIER
Raven Darkholme, how under the alias 'Mystique', was watering the plants in the front lawn of the Brotherhood headquarters. She never considered herself a gardener and never had, but she did want the place to look nice. It wasn't the greatest of homes in a shaggy neighborhood, but she made sure it was clean, despite people like Toad and Quicksilver being the slobs they were. It had been a tough time for the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants (now just 'The Brotherhood'), with Senator Kelly running for president, Magneto dying and being reborn time and time again, and the X- Men returning with more powerful mutants and being more goody-goody than ever. However, she was glad to have the time to do things such as water the plants and try to rip Toad's annoying tongue of out his socket. She never used to have this much time, especially with her son (Kurt Wager, A.K.A. Nightcrawler) still looking for more answers about his childhood, but modern times were defiantly better than older ones. As she was planting the new plant, she heard footsteps. She turned around and saw that a tall, bald Canadian was stepping on one of her plants.
"You are stepping on one of my plants", said Raven. "If you do not remove your foot this very instant you will face consequences far worse than burning in hell."
"I'm sorry, madam", said the man. "This plant was going to die in a matter of days, anyway".
"You still hadn't removed your foot", warned Raven.
"That's not a very nice thing to say to someone who has a great offer for you", said the man. Raven then turned around and gave him a smirk.
"What kind of an offer?" asked Raven.
"I have heard of your shape shifting abilities", said the man.
"And?" exclaimed Raven.
"I need to use them", said the man.
"How?" asked Raven.
"As a disguise", said the man, "to lure a man of great importance to me".
"And the price?"
"$25,000"
"$50,000"
"$35,000"
"$75,000"
"$50,000"
"A million".
"$76,000"
"Deal". Raven then stood up, shook his hand, and smiled. Not only would she get away from the brotherhood, use the money to stop Senator Kelly, and be able to flex her powers, she would have a lot of fun doing it, too.
ADVENTURES AT CITY HALL
"...thus disproves Victor Von Doom's theory that interstellar communication devices can be used to contact spirits and proves it can be used as a valuable spy device", said Reed Richards. Curt Connors was standing right next behind him, and was forced to listen to Richards, now Mr. Fantastic of the Fantastic Four, bash upon his rival upon his old theories and glorify Reed's new ones. Richard's speech took way longer than it should have, but it was still a good speech that might get him the gold medal. Curt figured that Richards would win anyway due to his status as Mr. Fantastic, but Curt would give his best shot at getting second place.
"That was a great presentation", said the judge.
"Thanks", said Richards. "Now, I would like to introduce the greatest scientist for reptiles ever, Doctor Curt Connors of Florida." The whole audience clapped loudly for Curt as he walked up and bowed.
"Thank you, Reed", said Curt. "I have come here several times before to give my speeches about using Reptilian DNA to grow extra limbs and organs, for which I have won many awards and have gotten recognition in the scientific community. However, and I know I will lose my place in the awards tonight for doing this, but I am here to warn you. Do not, and I repeat, do not attempt these experiments in your own labs. I have tried these experiments time and time again, but my latest attempt was a disaster."
"What kind of a disaster?" asked the judge.
"Well, first, I tested it on several lizards, which appeared to be fine after I gave them the serum", said Curt.
"What serum?" asked the judge.
"The serum to grow back their lost limbs", said Curt.
"Are you saying you actually removed those lizards' limbs?" asked the Judge.
"That is correct", said Curt.
"You know the direct injury of living things, including life forms, is against our rules", said the Judge.
"I know Judge Darkholm", said Curt. "However, I soon tested my formula on a rabbit, and it grew its leg back, but it turned into a lizard like creature".
"I'm sorry, Doctor Connors", said the Judge. "But since you have already disobeyed two rules of our scientific competition, I will have to expel you from this gathering."
"I had to shoot it nine times with a shotgun before the mutated rabbit died", said Curt.
"That is sickening!" yelled the Judge.
"The rabbit tried to kill my child!" yelled Curt.
"Guards!" yelled the Judge. "Seize that scientist!"
"With pleasure", said one of the lead guards. Several armed troopers then ran out of nowhere and began to fire at Curt.
"Don't kill him!" yelled the Judge. "We need him alive so he can suffer in prison!" Everyone ducked, including Curt, who was in an obviously hopeless situation.
"They must know about my alter ego!" thought Curt. "That's the only reason why they want just me! I just injected the anti-lizard formula into my system, so I guess my inner monster can't help me". He then hid as the bullets flew past his head, he looked for a way out of the mess. He then saw that a window had been blown to shreds in the process of the attack, and that seemed like the best route of escape. Once the guards began to reload, Curt sprinted towards the window as he did in his earlier track and field days. The guards then began to shoot him, but none of the bullets hit. He then leaped out of the window and flew in the air for several seconds. However, right as he was about to land in the grass, he felt something puncture the side of his neck and took it out before the land could make it go deeper into his skin.
"Damn it", yelled Curt. "A sleeping dart. Oh, hell..." He then gave into his bodily senses and began to drift off into a deep sleep, but before he was completely dozed, he could swear he saw Judge Darkholm turn into a blue woman.
EARLIER
Raven Darkholme, how under the alias 'Mystique', was watering the plants in the front lawn of the Brotherhood headquarters. She never considered herself a gardener and never had, but she did want the place to look nice. It wasn't the greatest of homes in a shaggy neighborhood, but she made sure it was clean, despite people like Toad and Quicksilver being the slobs they were. It had been a tough time for the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants (now just 'The Brotherhood'), with Senator Kelly running for president, Magneto dying and being reborn time and time again, and the X- Men returning with more powerful mutants and being more goody-goody than ever. However, she was glad to have the time to do things such as water the plants and try to rip Toad's annoying tongue of out his socket. She never used to have this much time, especially with her son (Kurt Wager, A.K.A. Nightcrawler) still looking for more answers about his childhood, but modern times were defiantly better than older ones. As she was planting the new plant, she heard footsteps. She turned around and saw that a tall, bald Canadian was stepping on one of her plants.
"You are stepping on one of my plants", said Raven. "If you do not remove your foot this very instant you will face consequences far worse than burning in hell."
"I'm sorry, madam", said the man. "This plant was going to die in a matter of days, anyway".
"You still hadn't removed your foot", warned Raven.
"That's not a very nice thing to say to someone who has a great offer for you", said the man. Raven then turned around and gave him a smirk.
"What kind of an offer?" asked Raven.
"I have heard of your shape shifting abilities", said the man.
"And?" exclaimed Raven.
"I need to use them", said the man.
"How?" asked Raven.
"As a disguise", said the man, "to lure a man of great importance to me".
"And the price?"
"$25,000"
"$50,000"
"$35,000"
"$75,000"
"$50,000"
"A million".
"$76,000"
"Deal". Raven then stood up, shook his hand, and smiled. Not only would she get away from the brotherhood, use the money to stop Senator Kelly, and be able to flex her powers, she would have a lot of fun doing it, too.