Hello friends! Back again with a new chappie. Hope ya'll enjoy, please R&R. This is opener to The Brotherhoods training with Taskmaster. Wheeee! THANKS!

P.S. my stories will come slower during the holidays; i work retail. Sorry!

Readrrr Grrl: Thanks for the kind words, and for changing your adjective! LOL! All my life, I've wanted to be the Maraboro Man, but have to deal with being more Pappa Smurf. THANKS!

Agent-G: Well, problems in the future are what comics are all about. As to explaining about their quick growth to others, well, you'll just have to wait and see how the Parkers pull that off. As far as the age thing, Hank explains that after the first five years, their growth rate will even out to normal. In my head, by time their 10, they will look like other 10 year olds. Hank also explains that their mental capacity will age like their bodies during the first 5 yrs. Sorry if you think it's cruel. THANKS!

My MJ will be just fine. If you haven't guessed by now, a lot of things in my story are different than in the MU. Enjoy the Taskmaster! THANKS!

Red Witch: Thanks again for the R&R. By the way, your spelling and grammer in yer stories is awesome! Must be nice to have yer Masters! THANKS!

L1701E: Dude! Ziti is a type of noodle, kinda tube like. Tasty! And no, I'm not reading ASM, really the only comics I read are the ones on at the Marvel website. I just pulled the idea outta my butt. Maybe I could have your Virus join the Bro or the Lytes on down the road. We shall see… THANKS!

P.P.S. Please keep an eye out for a side story called Forge's Secret. Hopefully it will be a good time for all.

Chapter 24 – Unhappy Campers

Brotherhood House, afternoon, next day

When the Brotherhood had all returned from school, they found Magneto waiting for them. He gathered all the children around him.

"Children, the remainder of school this week and all of next week you will not be attending classes." There was a slight cheer at this news. "I have arranged a… field trip for you, to the city. I have decided that it is time for the Brotherhood to learn to act as a team on the field of battle. This will not be easy. I am having you trained professionally, in tactics not concerning your individual powers. There will be no failure…" he looked darkly at them, "lest you are prepared to leave the Brotherhood. And let me attest, not being on my side means you oppose me. None of you want that…" he said, looking pointedly at Marie Claire, "no matter what your personal situation. Am I understood?"

The kids all nodded, including Marie Claire. Magneto was one of the few people her power didn't scare…and that scared her somewhat. She would never admit that though. Besides, learning to fight would only make her more powerful.

"Then prepare, we leave first thing in the morning. That is all." Magneto turned and walked out.

"Well, at least we don't have to go to class." Tabitha said.

"Yo, and learning to fight better is cool. Next time that goofy-ass kangaroo at the Institute gives me lip; POW!" Todd stated.

"Why do I have to learn to fight? I'll just bury anyone in my way…" grumbled Lance.

"Right, or set them aflame." St. John agreed.

"You heard what he said, and you don't want to be on Fathers shit list." Wanda growled.

"Yeah, not a quick idea." Affirmed Pietro. "Have you picked out a codename yet, Marie Claire?" he asked sweetly.

She looked at Pietro in disgust. "Yes, worm. Lourd will be my codename. It iz meaning 'heavy' en anglais, which iz what I will make you if you do not get me a Coke from the kitchen. Hurry now, fetch, boy.

Pietro glared, but all of a sudden he had a Coke in his hands. "Here."

"Merci." She said, sitting down on the couch.

'She's such a bitch,' thought Wanda, 'but ya gotta admit, she's got style.'

The Institute

Clarice was sitting in Scout's room, answering questions. She didn't attend classes yet, so that left her at the Institute all day. Normally, she would work in the garden with Ms. Munroe, but she was glad to have Scout to talk to.

"Well, it is interesting when Bobby turns to ice. I think hi whole body does that, insides an all. And sometimes, he makes ice slides in the Danger Room, which are fun. Like sledding in the snow." She said.

"Sledding?" Scout asked.

"Um, yes, it's an activity somewhat like skiing. Do you know about skiing?"

"Yes, I was trained in that." Scout replied. "The time is 3:15. Logan said the other kids got home at this time. Can we go downstairs?" she asked.

"I don't see why not. Are you going to start coming to Mr. Logan's self-defense class?"

"He said I could, if I wanted. Should I want to?"

Clarice smiled. "Well, they are kinda fun. And we all need exercise. But I think he wanted you to decide for yourself." She said, opening a portal. "Lets go downstairs this way."

-

The kids were coming in, putting their jackets up. Rahne and Theresa were talking.

"Yea, the Brotherhood kids are bloody bullocks, especially that new girl, Marie Claire. I used ta think Wanda Maximoff was a bitch, til I met her." Rahne stated. "They always be buggin' us kids from the Institute, which is crazy; we're all mutants. Most likely Magneto's doin', screwin' wit their heads."

"Well, they shan't be messin' wit me. Me Da showed me how ta give a body a simple nosebleed wit a whisper. Don't tell Ms. MacTaggart." Said Theresa.

"Hey dingo! How was yer day?" Mally asked, stepping off the elevator with Forge.

"'ello, rabbit; fine. Introduced Theresa to some of the students at B.H.S. Whatchu been up to?" Rahne asked.

"Helping me with my Time Displacement Emitter." Forge put in.

"Yeah, 'Mally tighten this', 'Mally hold this right here for me', that sort a stuff. Maybe one day, I'll get to design somethin', if big brain here gives me a chance."

"Don't ya talk 'bout Forgie lahke that! He's not all brains, he's got a soft side too." Rogue said, coming over. "Cahn we go see tha horsies before PT, Forge?" she asked, bumping Mally with her hip in jest.

"Forgie, porgie, puddin' an pie…" Mally jibbed.

"Don't start, turkey lips," Forge smiled, "Sure Rogue, let's go. Maybe Pappy will be out there, and we can tell him his son needs a bath."

"Oh, stick a peace pipe in it!" laughed Mally. "You sheila's wanna get a snack before Mr. Logan's – Oh, hiya Scout, Clarice, what's up?"

"…'Hiya' Mally. That is up." Scout said, pointing, not trying to be funny. Clarice tittered. "No Scout, 'what's up' is like asking 'how are you?'.

"I see. What's up Mally? What's up Rahne? What's up Theresa?" she asked, trying out the new phrase.

"Well, we were gonna get a bite before Mr. Logan's lessons, would ye like ta come along?" Rahne smiled.

"Yes. Perhaps I should have some carbohydrates before activity." Scout agreed.

"Are ye comin' to class today Scout? It'll be me first day also. I'm nervous!" Theresa said.

"Yes. I will join the class today. Is my brother Logan a hard instructor?" she asked.

"Let's just say he's not Richard Simmons." Toned Mally. Scout didn't get it, but she smiled when the others laughed. Mally was…funny.

Next day, NYC

The Brotherhood stepped out of the long limo that had picked them up this morning. The building they stopped at had a weather-beaten sign stating 'Mickey's School of Boxing'.

"Sheesh, this dump is right outta 'Rocky'. We ain't gonna have ta chase a chicken around, are we?" St. John joshed.

"More like choke yer chicken for you, yo." Laughed Todd.

"Shuttup, wart." St. John frowned.

"Inside children, let's meet your instuctor." Magneto lead them in.

The inside was nothing like the outside. There was a brand new boxing ring, surrounded by punching bags and weight benches of all types. One side of the gym was a matted area like gymnasts used for floor routines. Weapons of all kinds lined the walls.

"So where is this trainer?" Wanda asked impatiently.

From up in the rafters, a figure jumped. As he landed, he kicked Todd across the chest, knocking him backwards. The dark figure spun, and whacked the lighter out of St. John's hand, then swept his legs, punching the Aussie in the gut on the way down. He flipped, chopping at Wanda 's neck mid-spin. She collapsed. Before landing, he kicked Lance in the face. Dodging one of Tabitha's bombs, he moved to her, and disabled her, poking a nerve that temporarily paralyzed her. He stuck his leg out at seemingly nothing, and Pietro stumbled over it and smashed into the wall. He jumped on Marie Claire, knocking her flat on her back. His hands tightened around her throat.

"Make me heavy, go on." He whispered. Marie Claire just looked at him in fright. The man had a hideous skull mask on, and his eyes were controlled, but crazy.

Magneto watched, smiling. Kingpin had done well. This was exactly what his group needed. He let himself out of the gym quietly, still smiling.

"Alright, ya freaks, line up right here. All your crap has been put in the back room. Yer wimp days are done – NOW. Yer all mine, the Taskmasters', for ten days. No showers, no breaks, two squares a day, five minutes to eat 'em."

The confused students lined up. The Taskmaster started dehumanizing them, holding a bag of something.

"Seven 'superhumans', each with a great big 'power' couldn't stop one trained fighter. I coulda killed all of ya. Who knows, maybe I will." He stopped in front of Pietro.

"You, speedboy, yeah, all that speed, but your reaction time sucks. You want reaction? When you can react like Spider-Man, that's reaction. I can." He moved to Wanda.

"Hello, Scarlet Bitch. You wilted like a rose on a car dashboard in summer. What good is your little spells when ya can't breath? You angry?" he laughed, noticing her look. "Save it. An angry fighter is a beaten one."

Lance was next.

"And you, earthquake punk. How's that nose feel? Do ya wanna bring the building down on me? Well, remember, you and yer friends are in here too. So whatta gonna do? Lose. Eyes down, punk, you ain't got the right ta look at me." He looked to St. John.

"Hello 'mate'. Pretty stupid ta be without fire when that's all you got. And whatta you gonna do with it anyway? Burn me? Ya gotta hit me first, which you ain't capable of." Tabitha was next.

Hello, 'Boom-Boom'. Nice name; if yer a stripper. Which might be a good career change for you, seein' as how yer not a fighter. Bomb's ain't no good if they don't hit the target." A scared Todd was up.

"And you, frogman, I got the most respect for the talents you got, but you're wasting them. In fact, you're a complete waste. And wipe your freakin' chin off, ya droolin' idiot. What an ass." He looked to Marie Claire.

"And speakin' of ass, hello gorgeous. NOT. Your 'power' aint worth a shit when someone's got ya by the neck, is it? Yeah, I see that bad attitude inside. Well, I ain't yer Daddy, little girl. Get over it."

Taskmaster had been snapping a bracelet on each of their wrists while berating them, pulling one out of the bag for each of them.

"These little fashion accessories will stay your mutant abilities. We're not gonna use them til later. And don't try an take 'em off, unless ya wanna lose that arm. Yeah, I know it's a cliché, but it works; the old 'exploding collar' trick."

He stopped and faced them all. "Play times over kids. Yer gonna learn how to fight like big boys and girls – and yer not gonna like it." He started laughing evilly, his skull forming a big macabre grin.

End – Chapter 25 – The Tadpole & The Wolfpup