X-MEN #16

LAND OF THE FREE,MUTANTS OF THE BRAVE PART 2

By:Bodhi Ouellette

Magneto: "I've lost hope two, Charles. I lost hope the exact same way you did. When the entire mutant race almost seemed like it was just a figment of everyone's imagination. But I lost hope much later than you. Much, much later."

Charles: "So how much later did you lose hope?"

Magneto: "Months ago. And do you want to know what hope I lost? You're dream. All these times of staying together, meanwhile, not a damn thing happened in that time. I too wished for the mutant race to return. I guess I should thank you for doing exactly that. And with the idea our Scott Summers came up with..."

Savage Land: Wolverine, Professor X, Storm, Beast, and Havok are all floating in their changs, watching Magneto's mutants work on a tower like machine. It's functions are unknown. But we are focused on the Captured X-Men, as Magneto (floating) approaches them.

Professor X: Our Scott Summers. Not yours.

Magneto: Don't be silly, we both know he had a little bit of both of us inside him. Professor X: (looks at the machine the mutants are working on) What are you planning, Erik?

Magneto: As you can see, my children are working on something very special. But I want to make the whole thing a surprise. These are my senior members. I found the best I could find in building, powering, and changing.

Professor X: What do you-

Magneto: I've found mutants that are possibly more powerful than both of us. They are able to change life itself. And now I can control them how I want them to. Professor X: Control?

Magneto: I intend to implant microchips into my stronger students, in order to keep them from overthrowing me. Plus Itâ?ll be an easy way to bend them to my will and needs.

Professor X: How could you do that! Magneto: I am being a leader to my people, Charles! To lead them to freedom!

Professor X: No! Leaders command, not control! What you're doing is slavery, not freedom!

Magneto: You and I both have a different view on freedom. Magneto floats away to see the work his children are doing.

Magneto: In order to bring peace and freedom, you must do whatever it takes to bring it. And I will do whatever it takes to do it.

Professor X: But the methods, the actions. Actions speak louder than words, Erik. Wolverine: And right now, your words right here don't match up with what's happening down below, bub.

Magneto: (long beat; turns back around facing them) Then I guess you'll just have to wait and see. To wait and see the big picture.

Miles out from the Savage Land, we see a X-Jet holding most of the X-Men inside, with the exception of a few X-Men, who are capable of flying outside soaring besides the jet. Inside the jet, Forge is piloting the jet, with Shadowcat and Rogue sitting close up. Back in the Savage Land, a mutant flies up towards Magneto.

Mutant: They are coming, master.

Magneto: (beat) How far?

Mutant: 5 miles, master. Magneto: (turns back towards the captured X-Men) It seems you're children will be the first to fall by my children. And I'm sorry for that, Charles. They were all such great people, dying for a lost cause.

Storm: Whatever you have up your sleeves, Erik, we will stop you.

Magento: With what I have now? (smiles) I'd like to see you all try.

The X-Jet lands offshore of the Savage Land. All the X-Men get out of the jet, with the aerial X-Men land on the ground.

Shadowcat: Alright, we all know what the mission is; Get in, rescue Xavier and the others, and get out. If Xavier warned us expecting a fight, then that's what we're gonna give them.

Hope: Kitty, look! All the X-Men direct their attention to the empty jet that Xavier and the others used to travel there.

Shadowcat: Let's just focus on the mission everyone. We can't let this distract what we're here for. (Shadowcat turns to the X-Men behind her) We should split up. Team Red, Blue, and Green.

Deadpool: Splitting teams up by colors? Lame! If I were leading this team, Iâ?d have only two teams: Team Me, and Team Everyone-Else-That's-Not-Me. Except maybe X-23, she'd be on my team, maybe Psylocke, and I'd throw in Doop, cause what the hell I can- Shadowcat: -Deadpool; Shut. Up. Rogue, you're Team Blue, you'll lead a team with Gambit, Husk, Frenzy, Fantomex, Domino, Deadpool, and Forge. Psylocke, you get Team Green, with Colossus, Magik, Cannonball, Sunspot, Deathlok, Chamber, Mimic, Warbird, X-23, and Doop. I'll be

Team Red: Hope, Marvel Girl, Iceman, Karma, Angel, Lockheed, and Sage are with me. This is how it's going to plan out; we surround the base and give off a surprise attack. If what Xavier says is true, that Magneto has a new brotherhood with him, I want to give Magneto a surprise. Any questions? Deadpool: I've got one-

Shadowcat: -Other than Deadpool? Everyone was silent.

Shadowcat: Good. Let's go. All teams began to split up. Team Blue and Team Green all went a different pathway. Team Red was the only team to follow the main pathway. Team Red started to get closer and closer to the base, as they saw less forest and more open space. The team eventually got into the open spaced area where in front of them was Magneto's base. Many of Magneto's mutants were already out working in the open space. Over 50 mutants were out in the open space. Once Team Red came out of the forest, everyone directed their attention to them. Magneto then appeared into the scene floating above them all.

Magneto: Welcome, X-Men. (Slowly floating down to ground level) Hm. Disappointing?

Shadowcat: (mockingly) What's so disappointing?

Magneto: I would've thought there would be more of you to fight my Brotherhood. Shadowcat: Well, I hope this gets your hopes up. X-Men! With that signal, the rest of Team Blue and Green come out of the forest and regroup with the X-Men.

Shadowcat: Having high hopes yet, Magneto?!

Magneto: This is it? Well, then. Let me show you my Brotherhood! About 50 more students quickly come out of the forest and building of the base. Others also teleport, appear out of thin air, or fly into the open spaced area.

X-Men: 27, Magneto: Over 100.

Magneto: Is it war then?

Shadowcat: You want war? You'll get war...

To be continued in X-Men Issue 17 Magneto's Brotherhood Vs. Shadowcat's X-Men! Who will win? Who will lose? And what will this mean for the future of the X-Men? Check in next time as the fight to insure will change the meaning of the X-Men!