X-MEN #26

CROSSING TERRITORY PART 1

By: Bodhi Ouellette

Savage Land:

Ka-Zar wakes up from his sleep. Ka-Zar can see the people of the Savage Land, suffering from an ongoing purge from Magneto and his Brotherhood. A small fire has been set up in front of him by his wife, Shanna. Shanna looks up to notice her husband is up.
Shanna: Good morning, Ka-Zar.
Ka-Zar: Morning to you too. (Beat) Where's Zabu?
Shanna: Out, most likely looking for food.
Ka-Zar: I will find some more food soon as well. The people are suffering, Shanna. Their homes... our land, have been taken over by Magneto's Brotherhood.
Shanna: We will find a way to get our land back, my husband. Our problem is that we are facing a force that is bigger than ours.
Ka-Zar: It seems like all but a lost cause, now.
Shanna: Do not give up, Ka-Zar. There will be a way. Let us hope that it comes sooner, than later.
The ground started to shake progressively, bringing Ka-Zar and Shanna to their feet. Out from the bushes comes a Tyrannosaurus Rex, and on top of it, riding the T-Rex are three of Magneto's Brotherhood members. The one riding the T-Rex didn't have a codename, and is only referred to as "Kyle" and looks to be about 15 years old. Sitting behind him was a gun wielding boy, 17 years old possibly, called "The Sheriff". Behind him is a boy, younger than both of them, possibly 14, was a kid in normal clothes, called, "TheTransformer".
Sheriff: YEE-HAW!
He directs the T-Rex into a large group of people, defenseless at the moment. Ka-Zar and Shanna rush over to the group of people with spears in their hands, pointing them at the T-Rex's direction. But Kyle stops the T-Rex before he could get only closer. The Sheriff andTransformer both jump off the T-Rex and approach Ka-Zar and Shanna.
Sheriff: I bet you two are the fellas who lead these Savage whatevers, right?
Ka-Zar: Savage Land. And don't talk down to our people.
Sheriff: I can talk to you however I want, as long as you like living. I don't think you want a bullet in your head, now do you?
The Sheriff pulls out one of his revolvers and points it at Ka-Zar. Ka-Zar walks backwards and the Savage Land people back off a bit as well.
Sheriff: I'm just kidding, man! This damn thing ain't even loaded! Ha!
The Sheriff then points his gun over to a prehistoric looking bird, and pulls the trigger to the gun. No one expected seeing a thin line of air propel out of the barrel, hitting the bird, and killing it.
Sheriff: I can control the air around me, manipulating the velocity and density of that said air, which means I can also propel it out and it'll be like a wrecking ball hit you. Now, if any of you punks wanna deal with me, you can kiss your ass's goodbye. Now get your asses out of here before I change my mind!
Savage Land Person: You have no right to keep taking our land from us!
Sheriff: (beat) Excuse me, I didn't quite hear that. Why don't you come closer so I can hear it better?
The Savage Land person then approaches the Sheriff.
Sheriff: Now, I have some very bad hearing. Mostly because I kept blasting death metal in my ears for years, so I'm just kindly asking you to say what you said again. Just to make sure I didn't, y'know, misheard you.
Savage Land Person: (long beat) I-I said, you have no... right to keep taking our land from us.
Sheriff: That's what I thought.
The Sheriff points the gun at the Savage Land persons head, pulling the trigger, knocking the person back on the ground, dead from the extreme air pressure that hit his head.
Sheriff: You don't GET to speak up to me! And you're going to listen to everything I say; you are going to leave, right now, as this is now Brotherhood territory! If you refuse, you will be killed! Now get off our territory!
Suddenly, a Sabertooth Tiger comes out from the forest and tackles the Sheriff, knocking his gun out of his hands. Struggling to escape, the Sheriff unleashes a blast of air that sends the tiger flying up in the air, but it lands safely.
Ka-Zar: Good, Zabu!
Sheriff: Enough! Brotherhood, kill these bastards!
Transformer jumps up into the air and turns himself into gigantic sword. Kyle catches Transformer in his hands and charges at Ka-Zar and Shanna. The T-Rex begins attacking the Savage Land people, who have all grabbed their weapons and start trying to take the T-Rex down. Ka-Zar and Shanna charge over towards Kyle. As Kyle swings Transformer at the two, they both jump up into the air, over Kyle, and land behind him. As they point their spears towards Kyle, Transformer reforms himself into a suit of a jet-armor pack that blocks the attack of the spears, the rockets point towards the two and shoots out at them then flying up above in the air. Transformer then forms two blasters that Kyle grabs and begins shooting random Savage Land people. Shanna, ready to throw her spear up at Kyle and Transformer, is knocked back by a blast of air coming from the Sheriff's hand. Ka-Zar is now confronted by the Sheriff.
Sheriff: You never stood a chance, my posse. You can stop all this right now. Just pack your bags and get yourself moving.
Ka-Zar: Never.
Sheriff: Well ain't that swell? Thinking you can really keep this all up, huh? Well I've got news for you. You've lost.
Coming over towards him was Zabu again, trying to pounce on him again, but the Sheriff dodges the attack, and pushes Zabu away with a strong air blast.
Sheriff: Thought I was gonna fall for that, stupid cat-!
Distracted by Zabu gave Ka-Zar an opening from the Sheriff, which he gladly takes, socking him right in the face, knocking him down on the ground. Ka-Zar then helps Shanna up. Shanna grabs her spear and chucks it right up at Transformer. It hits one of the jet engines, and causing Transformer to scream out in pain. Transformer then begins directing Kyle over to the Sheriff.
Kyle: What are you doing?!
Transformer: (Heading back to base! Pick Sheriff up, will ya?)
The Sheriff was swept off the ground by Kyle.
Kyle: Brick!
The T-Rex, busy with dealing with the Savage Land people trying to take it down, hears Kyle's cry, makes a huge roar, and runs off following Kyle. The battle is over, but everyone knew that it wasn't the end. Ka-Zar and Shanna walk up to the still active Jet Engine that fell off from Transformer, but it soon calms down. Ka-Zar picks the engine up. Suddenly, the entire engine forms into a sci-fi like blaster. In his mind, Ka-Zar has found the piece that'll help bring the people of the Savage Land take back their home.

Magneto's Base:

In the distance, Kyle, carrying the Sheriff, and being flown by Transformer, who at this point is struggling to keep all three in the air, manages to land all safely at Magneto's base. A few Brotherhood members approach them. Transformer turns back into his human form, lying on the ground without a leg, screaming in agony. The T-Rex also arrives back.
Transformer: My leg! My freakin' leg!
Brotherhood #1: What happened?
Kyle: One of the Savage Land people threw a freaking spear at his leg when it was a jet engine, cutting it right off.
Brotherhood #2: You failed to get rid of the Savage Land pests?
Kyle: Sheriff was out, and I wasn't going to let him die out there!
Sheriff: I swear, those bastards aren't gonna know what's coming from me!
Brotherhood #3: (beat) Oh, jeeze.
Many of them looked up to see descending down on a metal plate, was Magneto. He approaches Kyle and the other Brotherhood members.
Kyle: Magneto.
Magneto: Don't give me that. You have failed the task at hand. Though your punishment will be small, know that my respect for you three has decreased.
Sheriff: What do we do now?
Magneto: They now have something they could use against us. (He looks over to Transformers missing leg). That means we have to be ready, now. I won't let one loss mess up my plans. Do you understand?
All Brotherhood: (In unison) Yes, Sir!
Magneto: Take transformers in to be stitched up. The rest of you will be preparing to defend yourselves against any unwanted intruders.

"For this is our territory now. And it will be the new home for all mutants when the rise begins."

To be continued in X-Men 27! The people of the SL are going to try to get back their land! Plus, we see Magneto's plan come into fruition! Also, that Mesmero guy returns! Don't miss what is to come. For the next issue is just the beginning of what Magneto has planned for the world!