At the Start: Part Three
The late Reed Richards had constructed the Four Towers, in the city he had attended college in and always received the warmest reception. New Orleans welcomed The Four Towers with open arms and threw their full support into the construction of it. Reed actually built four skyscrapers side by side, which not only served as the Fantastic four's base of operations, but also as one of the world's largest research facilities. Only Rory Campbell's Muir Island and China's Feng Tu beat it out in size. Of course Susan Storm was slightly bias about which one she thought was the best.
Right now, she was at the top floor of the third tower strapped into a telepathic enhancement device Reed had dubbed the Telepathrix. Not exactly Sue's favorite name, but none of the Fantastic Four could think of anything better. She had been doing her daily scan of the city when she picked up on he X-Men's thought patterns. They were apparently looking for her assistance on a matter.
Reaching telepathically into their vessel, Psi-Storm said. Glad to see you too Robert
She laughed inwardly as all of the X-Men began to look around, with the exception of Iceman, who said, "You too Sue. Guess you already know why I'm here. Could you cover Kafka?"
Susan had absolutely no desire to see the X-Men, but she also knew that they had no desire to see her either. So if they were seeking her counsel then it had to be serious.
I'll talk to her Robert, but I can't make any promises. Right now she doesn't want to appear weak on mutants in any fashion
"Because of the situation in Russia. I understand. Just do what you can, please."
After your last visit that might be nothing
Flashback
M had one hand wrapped around Nightcrawler's ankle and flung him through an apartment building's window. "Only a coward would strike a lady in the face.
A laser shot right through M's chest and made a grapefruit sized hole. Monet turned to see her attacker as the hole quickly closed itself. "Domino you should know by now that won't work."
Domino smiled. "I didn't shoot you to hurt you."
Lightning cascaded down from the sky and struck an unsuspecting M. A scream issued from M's mouth as her body was supercharged by Storm's electrical attack. She tumbled to the ground and landed like a meteor into the middle of the street.
Domino walked over to M's unmoving body and with a smile said, "That's why I shot you."
A slab of ice struck Domino in the back of her head and knocked her to the ground. Iceman walked over to the fallen solider of Sinister and said, "Back off my team."
Iceman turned his attention back to his wife and the battle she was conducting with Havok. Nearly every car on the street had either been evaporated by Havok or thrown into an apartment building window. Robert cursed under his breath at the amount of destruction. He could try to take down Havok, but the rest of this team needed his leadership. The Chosen had greater numbers and Iceman was one of the X-Men's most powerful members.
"Rampage stopped me from finishing Havok off," Rogue said as she landed behind Iceman. "But ah guess that's why he use to be called Captain America."
"Did you get rid of him?" Iceman asked.
"Hell naw. Even with Pietro's power he was slippery as an eel," Rogue replied.
A man with black military fatigues with a sword strapped to his back landed in front of Iceman. "Not sure if I like being compared to an eel."
A green magnetic field rose up around Rogue's body as she said, "Don't worry. I can handle him Bobby. Go help out somebody else."
Iceman's body began to dissipate into ice particles. "Just don't get in over your head."
"Okay, when we get to The Four Towers please don't touch anything. Susan is real sensitive about her late husband's stuff," Iceman said, focusing his eyes on Jubilee.
"You mean Reed's dead? How'd that happen?" Lorna asked as she prepared to surround the departing X-Men in a magnetic bubble to carry them to New Orleans.
"Baron Zemo killed both Reed and Susan's brother in a battle in Germany. Susan wasn't able to retaliate because the Fantastic Four are a UN sanctioned team and Germany is one of the organization's charter members," Shaman replied. He felt great sympathy for whatever was plaguing Lorna, but dirty looks from Toad kept him from expressing what he really wanted to say. Would past mistakes always haunt him?
"That play into why she sounded like such a bitch to us?" Lorna asked as she cocooned the X-Men in a magnetic field and began to descend downward.
Jubilee laughed and if Iceman were flesh she would have loved to see him blush. "That's your hubby's fault. Namor hit on you while we were in Atlantis and Bobby boy made the whole place freeze over. Took them weeks to melt the crap!"
Lorna laughed. "Sounds a lot like my Alex."
I don't get this! They're acting like nothing is wrong with Lorna. What the hell is wrong with them? And her Alex…I hope Susan can fix whatever is going on with my wife.
The magnetic bubble carried the X-Men over the futuristic city that was New Orleans. It had become, thanks to Reed Richards, the world's foremost technological center. The wealthy flocked to the city to get the latest in cell phones, computers, and other luxuries. Military contracts were stacked on the desk of many corporate offices in the city. The threat of flooding was no more thanks to a levy system that Reed had made plans for before he died.
"This place is amazing. All it's missing is flying cars," Polaris said awe-struck.
Jubilee snickered. "If Brains hadn't died you'd probably have a ladder to the moon by now. Guy was smart, but man he had his whacked out moments."
Iceman elbowed Jubilee. "Susan is a telepath remember."
"Then she already knows what I'm thinking then right?"
M shrugged. "She's got a point."
Iceman dug his hand in his forehead. "You guys could learn the meaning of tact."
"And you could learn not to be so uptight. Susan already doesn't like us. No point in trying to disguise that fact," Jubilee replied.
The Four Towers
Susan called her Fantastic Four to her and said, "We're having some unwanted company, but it seems they need my help."
Namor crossed his arms across his chest and groaned. "I assume you mean the X-Men in all their mutant glory."
Gomi, the team's resident techo-buff, laughed. "Well, all genetics show that you yourself are a mutant, Namor."
"Don't expect me to strap an X onto my chest anytime soon," the ruler of Atlantis replied angrily.
Sue walked forward and laid a hand on Namor's bare chest. "No one's asking you to honey. I just need you to be civil for an hour. Maybe two at most. The X-Men wouldn't come to use without a good reason."
"Is Shaman coming with them?" Cyber asked. Shaman and himself were both former members of the Weapon X program. The X-Men had freed them from the program so Cyber didn't hold quite so much venom towards the team as his fellow teammates did.
"Yes. I know you two will probably want to catch up," Susan smiled. Cyber ever since being delivered to the team by the UN had been distant and not very sociable. Maybe Shaman could bring something out of him. Perhaps some good could come of this X-Men visit after all.
"Did they explain to you why they're coming to us for help?" Namor asked.
Gomi laughed. "Ever the arrogant ruler. They're coming for your wife's help. It has nothing to do with the rest of us. You might just be better off heading to Atlantis to avoid any confrontation."
Namor sneered. "Do you suggest that I am unable to keep my cool?"
"Ironically, around Iceman you aren't. And the last thing we need is for you to get all lovey dovey with Polaris again."
Susan cut her eyes at her husband. "None of that had better be going on or you'll think you're a six year old girl for the next week."
"Looks like you better get ready to have tea parties with Namor then, Cyber," Gomi laughed.
Cyber grunted and Namor said, "I think not. I am a married man with a beautiful wife who just so happens to be pregnant with my son, the future ruler of Atlantis."
"Better just hope the little bugger can breath underwater," Gomi laughed again.
Susan cut her eyes at Gomi. "That's quite enough of that. How long till the X-Men arrive?"
Gomi shrugged. "Ten, fifteen minutes at most. Why? Got some special decorating you need to do."
"No. I just need to shut off the mutant nullifiers in the north section of the city. Don't want them to drop out of mid-air."
"I wouldn't mind that so much," Namor said half-joking and half-serious.
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Three away from New Orleans forces gathered.
Belladonna looked at the assortment of thugs and mercenaries that Shinobi had gathered for her. As the Black Knight of The Hellfire Club, she handled any necessary assassinations that needed to be conducted by the organization. Their target was one of high fare this time around.
"Are all of you ready?"
The rising of weapons into the air was a strong sign of yes.
"Good. Then Susan Richards will be dead before the day is out."