The New Guard
Momentum was wearing a suit of the first time in months. Of course he would wear a clown suit if it meant being respectful to his dead friends. Same felt rather weird in his seat because he was sitting next to the wife of his mentor, Riot. Cecilia Cassidy held a somber look, as did Elektra and Polaris, who were sitting behind her. Those three women had lost more friends in the last few weeks than most people lost in a lifetime. He especially felt for little Scotty, who was on Elektra's lap. He had lost both of his parents in a short span of time. Sam couldn't imagine that happening to himself though it almost did. He managed to stop it from happening, but the cost was his sister. As Reverend Graydon Creed stepped up to the caskets of the many dead; Sam rose from his seat because it was time for him to speak. He could only say what he felt deep inside.
"Today we have come to honor friends. They were all women and men of honor despite their very human flaws. We sometimes make heroes out to be gods and we forget just how human they truly are, but ladies and gentlemen though these fallen may not be gods… they are some of the most selfless and loving people I've ever known. I think Brute use to say it best…"
Six Weeks Later
This is going to be one of the most stressful days of my life. Since I'm the only surviving member of the Six it's my duty to reform the team with me as leader. Let's just put it this way. Try-outs are going to be hell! At least I got Elektra around to help me keep a grip on things and Lorna gave me some tips on how to handle try-outs since she assembled her all female X-Men team two weeks back. Man-Killer would definitely have a hard time fighting them.
Six's Danger Room
Jubilee walked through the crowd of her heroes and wannabes as best as she could handle. She just wished Momentum would pick to her to be on the team and get it over with. She already knew she was good enough and there was no doubt in her mind about it. There was no way he couldn't pick her to be part of the Six. She was a member of the X-Men, X-Force and she had a successful solo career. Her experience was vast to say the least.
As Jubilee was about to go to the first part of the try-outs an Asian woman in her about her early 30's approached her. The woman held a gleaming smile upon her face. Her hair shimmered just as much as her smile did. She gave Jubes a hug much to her surprise.
"It's nice to see you too Infectia. So how's Thunderbird doing?" Jubilee asked still entrapped in Infectia's embrace.
"You know John. He was too lazy to come and try out," Infectia lied. She purposely didn't tell John about the try-outs so he wouldn't meet up with Jubilee who she knew would be here.
"Figures the big lummox never wants to do anything," Jubilee giggled. Infectia joined in her laughter.
Meanwhile across the room two people who never had any association with the X-Men in nearly any form were talking about old times. There was Phase, a woman not sure of her identity, and there was Blink, Harlem's ninja as she was called often.
"Remember that time we had to take down Moongoblin! God I can't believe I tripped over the stairs," Blink laughed.
"Oh yeah that was hilarious now that I think back on it! You know Blink I never got the chance to thank you. You helped me find out who my real parents were. The sad thing is I don't know which name to use; Kitty Pryde or Maria Boudreaux," Kitty laughed weakly. Blink's laughter turned into a hoarse cough.
"Phase you shouldn't really thank me. I mean Stick did most of the work. He knew your dad well and I guess he could tell a family resemblance."
"But Stick's dead and so I'm thanking the next best person and that's you because you helped me accept the truth when I didn't want to hear it."
Suddenly a robust, handsome man in his late 20's butted into the two women's conversation with a swipe of his hand. The eyes of Blink and Phase fell instantly upon Christopher Aaronson also known as King Bedlam. He slowly backed off the two women once he saw their eyes were full of fury.
"Easy ladies. I was just playing around with you! Just think I about the time I saved you two from the Red King. Hey stop looking at me like that! Okay! Okay! I can catch a hint. Sheesh!" King Bedlam cried as he stomped off at his failed attempts at getting a date with Blink.
While this little exchange of glances was going on six mutant heroes were playing the game of Uno. Sauron held a hand full of green cards, Barrage held a hand full of different colored ones and fives, Jesse Bedlam had a bunch of lame reds expect for two wild cards, Hazard was carrying nothing but skips and a few numbered blues, Bonesmasher had so many dang cards she could hardly keep track of them, and Beef Kid just happened to be blessed in that he had only one card left.
"You're going down Beef Kid!" Jesse yelled jubilantly as he smacked down a Wild Draw Four card. Beef Kid's face turned red with anger. Sauron cawed loudly at the sight of anger upon this fragile boy's face. Beef Kid shot Sauron a dirty look and continued to play his hand.
"Do you want to get rough child!" Sauron roared as he knocked over the table the six mutants were playing Uno at and lunged for the boy. Jesse shot him with an EMP blast taking him down.
"Sorry guys Karl here sometimes has episodes that he still learning to overcome, but believe he has made a lot of progress," Jesse said as he picked up Sauron on his shoulders and walked out of the try-out area.
Moonstar was momentarily distracted by this display by Sauron and it gave Sunspot the opportunity to land his final punch on Dani knocking her out cold. "Rich snob," Dani muttered before she passed out into unconsciousness.
Sunspot had thought that these so-called try-outs were going to be a lot harder, but of course he had underestimated the organization of the Six. Maybe Momentum wasn't such a good leader as Roberto had previously thought he was.
"Man can you believe that guy? What would a millionaire be doing in a place like this?" Jubilee asked of Infectia.
"He's probably just doing it for kicks Jube. You know how rich folks are. I mean look at Lord Plunder. The guy puts his body to extremes just for the thrill of it."
"Uggh! That's just disturbingly sick. Well, I guess I'm up next for this "Arena Test" so wish me luck," Jubilee exclaimed as she bent over and gave Infectia a hug. If she only knew the woman was hoping that she would be beaten so bad that she would be too ugly for Thunderbird to ever be interested in her.
A Few Hours Later
I had been in this stinking office for about two hours. Going over each and every person who tried out statistics. I've come to a decision though I'm sure Elektra will not in the least agree on some. But this is my team and I've got to do what is right.
Well, here I go. As soon as I go out of this door there will be about sixty heroes waiting for me to tell them who's on the Six. I just hope no riots start or something. This base costs too damn much to start and try to make repairs anytime soon. I mean a castle isn't a cheap thing.
As I step out onto the platform I can feel everyone's eyes on me. I clear my throat so they can hear me loud and clear. Ain't nothing worse than a leader with a small voice.
Well, here goes nothing.
"Ladies and Gentlemen let me say that it has been a pleasure working with all of you, but only five of you will make it on this team today. These five are the best of the best. They excel in almost every area of the try-outs. These are the people who are part of the new Six; Blink, Phase, Sunspot, Sauron and Moonstar. People give the new Six a big round of applause."
Down below Jubilation Lee refused to applaud for anyone who would put a psycho like Sauron on his team. It was obvious that Momentum already had his team picked out before the try-outs even started. Everyone knows the only reason Momentum put Sunspot on his team was because he's rich and has resources. Though Jubilee did find the millionaire boy to be quite charming.
Brazil
"Trust me Legion you won't be making the wrong mistake by joining us. The High Evolutionary already has Mephisto, the Reavers, Gamemaster and Adversary on our side."
"Why should I believe anything you have to say Saul?" Legion questioned.
"You don't, but if you want power then you will join us!"
"So be it then. I'll join you, but if there is any funny business I will personally rip you limb from tiny limb and then I'll put your organs in alphabetical order. Got it? Good." Legion said with a wicked smile.
The floating old Chinese man trembled in fear at this because he knew very well that Legion was capable of doing this horrible and gory deed.
Egpyt
Apocalypse sat high on his throne with his eight Horsemen surrounding him. Exodus was covered in armor made of bones symbolizing his role as Death. Thor's armor was golden, yet he had a black skull in the middle of his helmet and shield symbolizing his role as War.
Plague's face was blistered and full of boils showing her role as Pestilence and Vessel was emaciated showing his role as Famine. Shatterstar was completely naked and his body was full of tattoos and scars. His body was muscular and imposing and etched in his forehead was the word Wrath.
Sunfire's body was on constantly on fire almost as if he was a living sun about to bubble over. Everywhere he went he bought Doom. Venus was dressed in sultry clothes and her stance was one that could turn a man on in a heartbeat and fill them with Lust.
The last horseman was second after Death. The Shiar woman was probably the most deadly because she had chosen to be one. Lilandra's skin was a shiny ebony color and her eyes were a deep crimson. Her hair was pure white. She had become Evil itself.
These nine powerful beings looked down upon the pathetic form of Frogman as he addressed them about joining the ranks of the High Evolutionary.
"This is truly an awesome deal grand Apocalypse. My master already has many allies that stand by him. If you join he promises he will allow you to eliminate the weak in whatever fashion you choose. This offer is once in a lifetime," Frogman said weakly his legs shaking wildly from fear of being in front of nine of the most powerful beings on the planet.
"HA! Boy do you not realize I will live a thousand lifetimes! I ought to crush you like a bug right now for even wasting my time with your pathetic chatter. And your master, High Evolutionary, is a fool if he doesn't think I don't know who he really is! Tell him two things low one; I know who is he and he can throw his offer into the pits of Hades because that's the only place it'll have merit to me! Now go!" Apocalypse bellowed loudly his voice echoing throughout his throne room.
Frogman couldn't stop himself from screaming as he leaped out of Apocalypse's abode. The Horsemen laughed wildly at this sight. The urge to kill this weak man was almost too great for them to hold back. After Frogman made his last leap out of the base Lilandra sat upon her master's lap.
"High Lord does this mean that we will be fighting alongside the heroes when the time comes?" Evil asked as she stroked her master's chest.
"Yes Evil we will fight with the heroes because my rivalry with this High Evolutionary is far more aggressive and has last much longer than my one with the heroes."
"Should I be waking the Dark Riders then?" War asked as he bowed before his master. Apocalypse nodded his head and pointed the way to where the chambers of the Dark Riders were.
"What of the Pale Riders?" Sunfire asked quickly. He had chosen the Pale Riders just as Thor had assembled the Dark Riders. Ever since that time there had been a minor rivalry between the two on which team was better. Apocalypse smiled and nodded at Sunfire as well.
Doom looked at the chambers of each of his Pale Riders. Bastion. Chamber. Deadpool. Emplate. Kylun. Each had a spark of potential evil in them that they stood out like beacons to Sunfire. He believed he had chosen his riders well and that they and not the Dark Riders would lead Apocalypse's armies to glory.
War gazed in pride at the chambers of his Dark Riders. Sif. Balder. Namor. Moon Knight and the recently added addition of Marrow. Some were the former friends of Thor. One was a former enemy and the others had impressed War with their fighting prowess. His selections would bring glory and honor to Apocalypse and they would bring chaos to the flatscan world.
Author's NotesTo be honest I really didn't want to do a try-out issue, but for everything I had planned to fall in place it was a necessary evil. One good thing that came out of this though is that I've begun to establish a lot people's places in this universe, which is what I need to do to really get rolling in this universe. In issues to come you will see some M2K exclusive characters appearing in the Mutant X universe. (Anyone remember Payne from X-Men Alpha?)
