Calamity on Earth
(the following chapter takes place during chapter 63-64 of 'Spider of the Rangers)
48 hours had passed since Anne Boonchuy, Marcy Wu and Sasha Waybright were last seen. What was supposed to be a birthday party turned into a nightmare for their parents when they didn't respond to texts two hours later, nor show up for said party.
The three girls were officially missing.
The Thai community had rallied together, already putting up missing posters and helping the Boonchuys in any way they could. Mrs. Wu had put up notice of a reward for any knowledge of her daughter's whereabouts, as had Mrs. Waybright and her younger daughter Molly Joe. Her husband was out of town and the moment and his son's had been at band camp, so they'd be informed shortly.
As for Mr. Alex Waybright?
"Find my daughter and make those mutants pay."
The man he had hired pocketed the cheque and took his leave, slinging a rifle of some kind over his shoulder; the less he was around these morons, the better….even if they DID pay well.
You see? The girls weren't the only ones who went missing; a pawn shop owner recalled that three boys had expressed interest in a music box she'd had on her salefloor; a music box that, according to security cameras, Anne Boonchuy stole. And a hot dog vendor claimed to have seen the girls arguing with boys who matched that description….
"If they are mutants and involved, I will."
"Of course they're involved!" Alex roared. "Kidnapping Sasha and her friends? The mutants are finally making a move against us after so long! Something you're familiar with, right…Xecutioner?"
The bounty Hunter for hire groaned; his idiot uncle had used that code name and worn the cowl he could pull up once; Magento's farce of a 'trail.' But the notion and association of that moron stuck with him. Unlike his predecessor, a complainer and hater for the sake of complaining and hating, he tried to focus on Mutants who had knowingly committed crimes and escaped the law. But those were a very niche group, so here he was, bounty hunting to pay the bills.
He simply bid Mr. Waybright a good day amnd tuned out all the moronic Anti-mutant talk and messages as he left the building: How sad were these people and the world if they could be somewhat respected in this day and age?
Just then, his cellphone rang. Spying the name, he smirked. Another asshole, but at least he was more intelligent and reasonable than Waybright. Plus he paid better.
"Hello Mr. Frost." He replied. "Yes. Yes I am. In fact, they were last seen with another bunch of kids I'm looking for. Oh? Yes. Yes. Send the payment and I'll focus on them. Alright. I'll contact you when I find something."
Taking money from a fearmongering moron was nice…but getting the Frost family as one your clients? His reputation would skyrocket.
Yeah, if the girls didn't come back? Xecutioner would still be fine.
CALAMITY
"So, the runts ran away to see us and then go missing in LA." James Howlett, AKA Logan AKA Wolverine reflected. "Right as the apparent Anti-Christ of mutants is about to born."
Just a typical day for the X-Men, he mused….He was getting too old for this, but6 honestly? The craziness kept him calm. Only reason he didn't join them on the hunt for this…'All for One' brat was because he didn't trust Frost to behave herself with Cerbero.
That and, as much as he loved Japan. He didn't need the bad memories right now; Silver Samuari, Mariko….And now the fact that bastard Sinsiter had not only played a role in all those memories, but grown….the boy.
The one possible upside to all this? Summers was out flying the Blackbird, so once less pain in the ass to deal with; his brother was more to Wolverine's speed in all honesty….Still, didn't mean he didn't feel for the guy:
"I had a son this whole time and I scared him off." Was all Scott Summers, AKA Cyclops had said before he dashed off to fly the plane.
With that in mind, Logan made a note to do something nice for the guy….if for no other reason than the fact that 'Lucas' and…the boy…got along like brothers should…..Huh. Thinking of that seemed to stir something in Logan, so he took a puff of his cigar and then wemnt for a walk.
He found Kurt Wagner, AKA Nightcrawler, in his robe and at the atlar, praying.
"You are welcome to join, Logan."
The older mutant just extingsuhed his smoke and sat.
"….Don't sweat it elf. They're tough. Sides, last kid I met hates my guts." Logan reminded his comrade, trying to be comforting but also realistic. "Sides, he ain't really yours; one of Sinister's backups."
"How the boys came to exist does not change the fact they share our blood." Kurt replied.
Logan said nothing.
"….I know that you have…reservations." Kurt tried to choose his words. "And I do not fault you for them. Just….? Do you wish you could help him?"
"…Seemed pretty good to me already." Logan replied. "Natural at the Danger Room…"
Senseing the tensing mood, Logan excused himself and Kurt continued to pray, not just for his newly discovered son Anthony and his brothers, but for Logan, Scott and the other X-Men; who, through Emma, had learnt that they could've also had psudeo children…
It was a test of faith for Kurt to pray for Sinister's soul.
CALAMITY
Two hours and nothing.
Emma removed the helmet and massaged her forehead, licking her dry lips and wishing she;d brought some water. But she would not quit. Not yet.
She'd sensed her students, the Rangers, Spider-Man, the Defenders and Turtles flying closer to hwere Eric was certain 'All for One' would be born. Seeing as they still had some time, she decided to let her guard down ever so slighty.
"You and and others can explain." she telepathically told her students. "Maybe they can help us after this All for One business."
She then ended the search and spied a familiar face walking in; an indegious man with an artificial leg.
"Sorry I'm late. Customs is…"
He was soon forced to one knee.
"The real Forge is on assignment in Ottawa." Emma cut him off. "How sloppy of you….Raven."
'Forge' began to shrink and take on blue,s caly skin with red hair and glowing yellow eyes.
"…Haven't gone by t6hat name is years. It's Mystique, now. And I believe you can forgive me for that; this is my first grandchild."
Emma would've normally called the shapeshifter out for caring about someone now, but she held her tongue.
"How the tables turn." Mystique mused. "Once upon a time, we were mortal enemies on opposing sides. Now, even if you're more…petty and selfish about it? Our sides have changed. ..Why?"
"I will be the first to admit, I have made many, many mistakes." Emma admitted. "And I have lost much for them: My sister. A fortune or two, even if I rebuilt them….But now? Above all else?"
She paused, memories filling her head:
She and her team: the former 'New Mutants' turned newly christened X-Factor, minus the late Strong Guy and Polaris, who had gone over to Magneto, tracking down Sinister and almost exposing Essex Industries' crimes before he and his Nasty Boys had escaped…but not before they found what remained of Prohject Cucukoo; three younger boys…all technically her sons.
And what had she done? She;'d taken them in, yes….but her older students had 'raised' them; teaching them to be 'normal' and have fun…while she acted like a colder and less sadistic Sinsister; demanding perfection from them…like her father had.
"…Iwas not the best mother of those three, nor have I been the best teacher to X-Factor. But I WILL find my boys and make things right, no matter the cost. Now kindly leave before I alert the others; Charles is in NO mood to deal with you."
Mystique smiled sadly.
"Speaking from personal experience, the sayings are true: You don't know what you have until its gone."
She then left Emma alone as the blonde woman's phone buzzed. She sighed.
"Hello Mr. Wu. Yes, I've condolences and prayers for your daughter's safe return. No, this does not affect your pending employment with me. We have Skype and other such programs for you to ultize. Just focus on finding your daughter."
She then ended the call. He was NOT like her father in certain manners; Mr. Wu clearly did love Marcy…but he had no tact and often put himself before her.
…Huh. No wonder she'd liked him.
She decided to try Cerbero one more time before getting something to eat and then finding a way to hopefully join her students.
'Danny? Lucas? Tony? Wherever you are…Please be safe.'
CALAMITY
At the same time, a packed Blackbird flew across the skies. Its destination; an abandoned complex in Japan
"It all started after Peter snapped the world back.*" Rahne explained. "We went toe Professor X's school, but…"
"It wasn't for us; too cheerful. Not really helping us after where we'd been." Illyana added.
This got some risen brows from the others; they DIDN'T want to live in a mansion?
"I get it." Himiko noted, recalling her own..transitional period after being adopted.
"So…when Mrs. Frost offered us the chance to become stronger and NOT hold back? We took it." Roberto said. "Along with two others…"
"…They're dead aren't they?" Mikey and Zack asked, getting slaps from Alita.
"One is." Sam said. "The other went with Magento. Turns out he's her dad."
That shocked everyone and made some irk; yes, Magneto looked well for his age, bit still!
"Anyways!" Danielle added. "We tracked down the head of Essex Industries and tried to expose him…"
"Who is he?" Billy asked.
"He goes by 'Mr. Sinister' these days." Rahne growled, Danielle trying to calm her down, but the others could tell their miutant friends, including their pilot, LOATHED thizs man. "Buit he was born Nathainel Essex."
"Wait…like the geneticist fanboy of Darwin?' Peter asked, getting some looks. "…He basically predicted mutations."
"And may have had some role in the Super Solider program." Alita added.
"Among other things." Illyana added, recalling what Emma had told her students about the Cuban Missile Crisis and just WHO had mentored Sebastion Shaw….
"But wait, if its the same guy…He'd have to be over…" Donatello started.
"Prolonged his life by taking from mutants." Izuku cut in. "Stole their powers as well."
"Unless he thinks you're useful, like his 'Nasty Boys.'" Sam added. The younger Mutants' anger grew.
"In our age? That piece of crap is a strong contender for 'most evil person to ever live'." Eijiro noted.
A tense air overcame the Blackbird, but it was broken by Roberto
"But…we DID find three chicos that made him getting away worth it."
The latino boy took out his phone and shared several pictures of him and the others hangoing out with and playing with three boys a little younger than them,
CALAMITY
Finally, somewhere, deep in the Egyptian dessert, someone else decided to act.
His true name had been lost to time. Xavier and Magneto had bested him once. His dream was still on route to coming true, espiecally in this ,new millenium of Iron men, Super Soldiers and mystical aliens; The ideal conditions for his world.
Those who knew of him called him Apocalypse
Essex had been useful.
The attempts on his life, Apocalypse could forgive. Hell, he even applauded them. But the constant failures? The fact he never truly learnt from his mistakes. The blatant and petty sadism he inflicted when he had not truly acquired any of what he had by himself?
Those were not so easy to forgive.
He'd keep this single clone; a child. All of Sinister's stolen abilities and the capacity for his great mind, but none of his shared memories.
Before he could go any further, someone entered his room.
"Ah, Nathan." Apocalypse smiled at his favorite of Sinister's creations; the perfect fusion of Cyclops and Jean Grey; a younger and 'perfectly' molded clone of that pest Cable.
"You wished to see me?"
"Indeed. It would seem that three of your brothers have gone missing."
Nathan's eyes widened in shock and worry.
"And Sinister is too blame."
Nathan's brow furrowed as one of his eyes began to glow.
"…Tell me everything, master."
Apocalpuse
To be continued….
A short chapter, mostly to show how the six's disappearance affected the home front and set up some of the season three dramas.
Next time it's the second Amphia episode 'Best Fronds' followed by 'Green Child in Newtopia', wherein Marcy and Tony explore the cuity they landed in and forces start plotting.
