Two by Two-X-Men fic
Series Title: Brotherhood
Prologue: Two by Two
Rating for Chapter: light T/PG (for language)
Rating for Series: hard T/light M/PG-13/light R
Disclaimer: I don’t own them.
Timeline: Very AU. Characters are from different generations of mutants, they have been aged or deaged and are different people and have different relationships.
Author’s Note: When I saw X3 a couple of weeks ago, I found myself rooting for the Brotherhood. So, I decided to try and write a story with the Brotherhood as the main characters, and as the people you root for.
The Brotherhood was founded in 1946 in the state of New York. It was founded on a Tuesday, that much everyone remembers. Though, the reasoning behind the forming of the group is something that has been up to debate for years. Some say it was formed to protest the way humans treated mutants. Others say it was formed in order to fight humans, to make mutants the dominate race. There are many different theories on why the Brotherhood was formed, but it isn’t so much the why as the what that is important.
Over the years, the Brotherhood has been held responsible for several acts of terrorism, kidnappings, murders, and traffic tickets. Yet, only three Brotherhood members have ever actually been named, arrested, and tried in a court of law. Of course, all three Brotherhood members never even made it to prison.
The Brotherhood has a way of getting into trouble and not paying for it. Their leader often suggest that they are simply blessed with talents that mere ‘flat scans’ will never fully understand.
_________
Washington D.C.
Henry McCoy wished to God that they’d turn up the air. It was only April and already temperatures in Washington were reaching ninety-seven degrees. Henry made a mental note to call around and see if any new mutants had a thing for making the heat rise; he’d have to check to see if Ororo Munroe was still in prison, as well.
Henry cleared his throat, as he stood up to speak to the rest of the members of National Security. As the representative for the Mutant Control Branch, Henry was forced to talk about the newest mutant activity at least once a week. Yet, he just couldn’t get used to speaking in front of everyone.
“One of the Brotherhood’s members was on her way to prison for life last week. She went missing and the guards escorting her are dead.” Senator Kelly spoke up. “Marie-Ange Colbert, alias Tarot, was well guarded. How did she escape?”
“The same way St. John Allerdyce and James Madrox escaped three years ago. The other Brotherhood members saved them, Senator.” Henry answered with a slight roll of the eyes. Honestly, sometimes Henry wondered how Kelly had even gotten the job.
“From the intelligence we’ve been able to gather over the last twenty years, we know the Brotherhood are mutants. We also know that their base of operations is somewhere in the United States and that the founder of the group is still very much alive and in charge. Colbert, Allerdyce, and Madrox answered no questions posed to them about the Brotherhood.” Henry paused briefly, to let that sink in. “If you can say anything positive about these people, it’s that they are loyal.”
Senator Charles Xavier nodded in agreement. “Gentlemen and ladies, I know for a fact that Mr. McCoy is correct. These Brotherhood people are very dangerous and they refuse to change their ways. I know that Henry and myself are against being forceful with the mutant population, but I believe it is time for drastic measures.”
“Before the Brotherhood strikes again.” Kelly thought out loud. “California is still trying to repair the damage that was caused the last time the Brotherhood attacked.”
Henry nodded. “The Brotherhood is very real and very dangerous. It’s time to see them all in prison, before there are anymore attacks on the people of America.”
________
Chicago
Three Days Later
Once upon a time, Jonothon Starsmore could have been a rock and roll star or at the very least a male model. He had had that look, tall and slim, with fantastic hair and brilliant eyes. Then, he turned fifteen. And while he still had the hair and eyes, his body was different.
Once upon a time, Jonothon Starsmore had been unflawed, good looks, well formed nose, soft brown eyes, and wild auburn hair had marked him as one of the most beautiful people in his prep school. Of course, now he walked around with his face and upper stomach wrapped in a swathe of black bandages.
It made him…pissed off. Royally pissed off.
His shoulders knotted in defiance against the world, he stared out at the people on the busy streets. He was dressed in an outfit that looked as if it belonged in the heyday of punk rock. Leather pants, held by a webbing belt, chains hanging from the loops of his pants, all leading to the pockets. Black fabric and leather bandages around his body. A classic leather jacket, dark shirt, and pin badges. Jono gave off a vibe that seemed to say: ’Don’t you dare get too close to me.’ He questioned his companion. Jono glanced to the right and down, at the petit blond. “It’s four-fifty-five, Adrienne. An’ I’m bored.”
If Jono Starsmore gave off the ’Don’t you dare get too close to me.’ vibe, Adrienne Frost gave off the ‘Diva’ vibe. Small and slim, with wide blue eyes and long blonde hair, Adrienne was dressed in a three hundred dollar white shirt and a six hundred dollar read top. Her shoes were completely impractical, and she carried a red bag that was filled with make up and cash. Jono could have been a model, Adrienne was one.
“You’re bored? Darling, I had plans. I have a show in Rio in two days and I’ve yet to decide on an outfit for when I arrive.” She tossed some hair back. “Mystique said that you are to use your powers at five o’clock and not a moment before. Just…just think about something for five minutes, alright?” Adrienne rolled her eyes. “Honestly, it’s like being with a child.”
If Jono could have, he would have protested. But, it was best not to make Adrienne-or any one of the Frost sisters-angry. He spent the next five minutes thinking about the pros and cons of buying a new pair of pants versus the pros and cons of using the money for condoms, which he‘d never use. In the end, Jono decided on buying the pants.
At five o’clock on the dot, Adrienne nudged Jono. He unwrapped his bandages, just as the car carrying Dr. Kavita Rao drove by. There was a moment of stunned silence, before the screaming and ‘oh my gods’ began. By the time anyone looked to where the blast had come from, Adrienne and Jono were gone.
________
Los Angeles
If anyone where to look at the two of them, they would have simply seen a young teen couple sitting together in a trendy café. The boy, dressed in jeans and a ratty long sleeved shirt, played with a Zippo lighter. While the girl, dressed in a short skirt and shirt-oddly enough with fishnet stockings covering her legs and arms-fidgeted under the boy’s stare.
St. John Allerdyce flicked the lighter again, his dark eyes momentarily caressing the flame, before turning his full attention back to the girl, who tried to look bored but knew she wasn‘t pulling it off. “We’re in Los Angeles and instead of having any type of fun, we’re here.” John sighed and flicked the Zippo. “We should have rented a motel room. Free food, porn, hot tub…” he trailed off, giving the girl a leering look.
“She said to sit right here, until it‘s time. We sit, John.” She fidgeted under his gaze again.
“Yes,” John began slowly. “but we just have to sit until she calls. But, what if we weren’t here.” He mocked gasped. “Would she even know or care? Really, Marie, would she?”
Marie bit her lower lip in thought. “Maybe.” A small grin began to creep across John’s face. “But, I ain’t about to find out.” John’s face fell. “She said stay, so we stay.”
John scoffed lightly, mockingly, “You’re such a mommy’s girl.” Marie opened her mouth to protest, but was cut off by the ring of John’s cell phone. He held up a hand, telling her to be quiet, as he answered. “Pyro here. You’ve reached the spring of my discontent.”
A smooth, female voice, responded. “It’s ‘the winter of our discontent‘, not ‘spring of my discontent‘. Don’t be an idiot.” There was a small pause, like she was trying to figure out why she hired him in the first place. “ It’s time, Pyro. Chamber and Frost have already done their job, now it is your turn to cause a distraction. The last thing we need are the X-Men getting involved. Have Rogue take on some of your powers, and do your jobs. I want low levels, just enough for a distraction. Don’t go crazy, Pyro.”
John closed his cell phone and flicked his Zippo one last time. “That was Mystique. It’s time to do our thing, Rogue.” He held out a hand for her. “Touch me, baby, touch me. Time to make this place just a little hotter.”
Marie rolled her eyes, even as she reached out for John’s hand. John’s hand was oddly cold and smooth. She got flashes, but pulled away before she could take too much. There was just something about having too much John Allerdyce in her, that made Marie nervous. When she pulled away from John, he frowned thoughtfully, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he flipped his Zippo open.
“John, she said distraction.” Marie reminded him softly.
John offered Marie a wicked smile. “What’s a better distraction then tons of random buildings catching fire?” She raised an eyebrow, and he shrugged. “Come on.” John, Pyro, flicked a finger at the Zippo, causing a fire to spring up a few inches from the table. The twosome quickly stood up and raced out of the café. One building down, several to go.
_______
New York City
Long ago, roughly seven years ago actually, Emma Frost-Lehnsherr had had one dream: marry rich. She hadn’t exactly fulfilled that dream. At twenty-three, Emma was married, but she was also a member of the Brotherhood. Not exactly the posh life of a trophy wife that she had envisioned for herself. Truthfully, she blamed Adrienne for getting her involved in the Brotherhood’s less then legal, or moral, activities.
Currently, she was seated in a library, painting her nails a cherry red, and waiting for a phone call. Beside her, Marie-Ange Colbert sat hunched over her beloved tarot cards. In a way, Emma felt sorry for Marie-Ange. The girl had no social skills and her fashion was so three years ago. It was no wonder though, as Marie-Ange spent nearly all her time with the tarot cards. Hell, Emma had known Marie-Ange three weeks before she heard the other woman speak.
Marie-Angel glanced up at Emma. “The cards say it’s the right to move.”
Emma clicked her tongue. “Yeah? Well, we aren’t moving until we get the call.” She blew on her nails and sighed softly. “God, I hate that we have to be one of the stupid distractions.”
“The cards told me that we’re doing the work of Gods; as distractions or as the ones actually doing the fighting.” Marie-Ange went back to her cards. “Would you rather be blowing up cars?”
“I’d rather-” Emma was cut off by her cell phone ringing. “Hello? Mystique, hello. Yes, yes, fine. Good-bye.” Emma rolled her blue eyes as she closed her cell. “Mystique says it’s time. Do your thing, Tarot. Time to let your creepy tarot card friends come out to play.”
“And you?”
Emma shrugged. “Just a little bit of mass hysteria to keep the X-Geeks busy. Nothing overly interesting, dear.” She put her nail polish back into her bag. “Shall we begin, Tarot?”
Marie-Ange’s response was to simply smile happily at her tarot cards.
_______
Washington, D.C.
Erik Lehnsherr needed a hair cut. He could tell that much, by the way he keep blowing long pieces of white hair out of his eyes. Dressed in jeans, a dark shirt, and a long leather duster, he looked oddly out of place on the steps of Congress. Beside him, Jamie Madrox, dressed in much the same way, looked even more out of place. They looked as if they belonged in some poor neighborhood or at a local fast food restaurant, not on the steps of Congress.
Erik glanced through his long hair to notice that Jamie was absentmindedly playing with his I-Pod. It appeared that Jamie was trying to figure out how to get the damn thing to work properly.
“I think you broke my stupid thing, dude.” Jamie stated with a thoughtful frown. “I can’t get it to stop playing the same song over and over again.”
“I control metal, dumb-ass. I can’t break a stupid I-Pod.” Erik paused in thought for a moment. “Or I could, but it wouldn’t. I wouldn’t break your stupid thing okay? You broke it, because you keep playing that same song.”
Jamie snorted. “Please. You broke it. You just don’t want to admit it.”
“I just learned to float properly!”
Again, Jamie snorted. “And it took you, what, thirty-seven years?” Erik hit him in the arm. “Ow, sorry. You’ve had…okay, it only took you twenty years.”
“Thank you, Mr. ‘I-still-make-copies-when-I-rub-one-out.’” Erik laughed. “Just do her, already.”
“Don’t talk to me about sexual tension.” Jamie gave Erik a pointed glare. “When was the last time you screwed the wife you actually have?”
“Son on a-” Erik was cut off by the sudden sound of a large group of people walking down the stairs of Congress. Erik and Jamie turned around to see that Senators Kelly and Xavier were leaving the building, a large group reporters ascending on them.
Jamie made a disgusted face. “Man, Kelly put on major hip weight.”
“Don’t be a woman.” Erik shook his head sadly. “You sure the girls’ shields are going to work? The last thing we need is Xavier figuring out we’re here.”
“Xavier’s too busy playing it up for the Man.” Jamie reminded Erik. “’Sides, we got to get to McCoy’s.”
Erik gave Xavier and Kelly one last glance, before following Jamie down the stairs and toward their waiting car.
________
Henry McCoy’s private offices were empty, except for McCoy himself. He had a thing for working late, it seemed. Perfect for Erik and Jamie. The two were running late; Mystique would have their heads for it.
Jamie punched himself in the arm, allowing another Jamie to appear to his right. “Right, you stay with the car. And keep it running. We won’t be a minute.” Jamie told his other self.
Jamie Two raised an eyebrow. “But, why? Isn’t this wrong? Illegal and immoral? Didn’t God say-”
“Shut up, or you go back in.” Jamie warned with a glare. “Just keep the car running.”
Erik shook his head disapprovingly. “Really, you should have more control over yourself.” He laughed lightly at his own stupid joke, before waving his hand in front of the locked door. “We’re in, let’s hurry.” Jamie stuck his tongue out at Erik, as he followed the slightly older man into the building.
It wasn’t very hard to find McCoy’s private office. Erik quietly opened the door, to find McCoy sitting at his desk.
“Who are you?” Henry McCoy’s voice sounded scared. Both Erik and Jamie could tell that the blue, fuzzy, man was about to stand and ready himself for a fight. “What are you doing here?”
Jamie and Erik exchanged a look, both trying to think of a really cool thing to say. Finally, Jamie cleared his throat, and said: “I Can’t think of anything cool to say. Sorry.” He gave Erik a half-shrug.
Erik groaned. Closing his fist, he told Henry McCoy. “This will only hurt for a minute. It’s your own fault, too much iron in the blood. That’s not good.”
As their target fell to the ground, Jamie clicked his tongue and looked toward Erik. “Hey, you want to get some Mexican after this?”
__________
Brotherhood Headquarters
Mystique smiled happily to herself. Dr. Kavita Rao and Henry McCoy were both dead, and the X-Men were so busy in Los Angeles and New York, that they wouldn’t even begin to think about Rao and McCoy for at least a day. Not a lot of time, but enough for Mystique to take a breath and form the next stage of her plans. No one was going to ‘cure’ mutant powers. Mutants were the next stage of evolution and you simply didn’t stop evolution.
“Tell me, sweetheart, where is that silly cure being kept?” Mystique turned to the other person in the room. A pretty girl, who was quietly reading a book in one of the comfortable chairs. “Can you tell me that?”
“In a lab.” The girl answered simply. “In a lab across the ocean. That is all I know.” Mystique moved to touch the girl, but she moved away. “N-no touching.”
“Sorry, I forgot.” The older woman looked apologetic for half a second, but then her face hardened slightly. “When Adrienne and Emma get home, you three are going to find the lab, aren’t you, Cordelia?”
Cordelia seemed to think about it for a second. “I think we will certainly try.”
Mystique nodded. “Good, girl.” She cleared her throat. “Let me known when everyone gets back. I’ll be in my office, taking a phone conversance with the Thieves Guild.” With that, she left Cordelia to her book.