The narration finished as an image upon the screen changed to a logo that read Law and Order: Mutant Crimes Unit or MCU for short. Expectant eyes shot to the head of the table and the man that sat in judgment.
“Pass.” Warren Worthington sighed and leaned forward upon the large black conference table. Disappointment colored the eyes of each member of the assembled group of Hollywood directors and television executives.
“Understandable, Mr. Worthington. Police procedurals are so last decade.” One of the men, Warren seemed to recall his name was Stan or such, seemed to rally back from the loss and grabbed the remote from another man. “We came with many viable products.”
“I’m sure you have.”
Taking that as an ascent to move to the next one, Stan hit the next button on the remote. A graphic came up of a group of handsome young adults some with visible power effects around them. “This is a project we were working on. It’s called Mutant X. A group of misunderstood mutants on the run from…”
“No.”
“But we…”
“Nothing with mutants on the run. Is that understood? We’re working to put mutants in a positive light Mr...”
“Sitwell.”
“Mr. Sitwell. Not as vigilantes or criminals. So unless you have something that does just that I think we’re finished here today.”
As Warren moved to slide away from the table, Sitwell got a third wind. “Wait, we do have such a project. I think you’re going to love this one sir. What about a reality show where a woman vies to choose from various eligible bachelors with the twist being their all mutants?”
“No.”
“A group of mutants stranded on an island and each week another is voted off?”
“No.”
“The E network has offered up a chance in primetime airing real-estate for a reality documentary ‘Keeping up with the X-Men’.”
“No. No reality television.” The various shouts of offers from the gathered men were beginning to give Warren a world class headache. The man’s wings twitched as another executive placed up a slide on the projector, followed by another sliding a DVD for viewing. The decision to put mutant friendly programming out there had been an interesting one that he had chosen to run with. Now that decision was coming back to bite in the ass it seemed.
The screen showed a young animated boy in the forest and a giant rocky mutant was coming forward and growling at him. Seconds later the boy tossed a small device forward that exploded in bright light to bring a man with arcs of electricity crackling around his body into existence. The two mutants leapt forward to fight and the promo ended.
“Think of it as Pokémon meets mutants.”
“Okay, I’ve just about had it…” Before Warren could finish a bright light exploded in the center of the table. Various men went tumbling back to escape what was perceived to be an attack of some kind. Warren’s wings shot out to prepare to wrap around himself as protection. A swirling void grew from where the light had been and a figure moved through it.
Metal clanged as four swords bounced against the metallic body plates upon the body. Four hands held those swords aloft as white hair billowed down the shoulders. A curse went up from Warren as the woman became apparent. “Spiral.”
Smirking, the woman moved aside as a thunderous clanking sound followed behind. Moments later the bulbous mass that was the master of the woman that just appeared made his triumphant emergence into their reality. Green and slimy as ever, Mojo the ruler of the self named Mojoworld stood smiling upon the table. “Angel baby, long time no see. Let’s do lunch. You’re people can call my people. Capiche?”
Warren stood tall and defiant as the others cowered low out of sight. “Mojo! What do you want?”
“What do I want? I’m hurt, Angel baby. I want nothing but the best for my favorite stars. I want to make an offer.”
“We don’t make deals with your kind.”
“Oh, I’m sorry you misunderstood. This is the kind of offer you can’t refuse.” The silly smile that was once there was wiped from the face as a more sinister one replaced it. Beside the man Spiral began her dance to open the portal again. Within seconds the interdimensional television mogul, his henchwoman, the executives, and the X-Man were gone. All that was left in the air was a sinister laugh and a few falling feathers.
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#5
NOV 10 |
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No Business like Show Business, Part One
“An Offer You Can't Refuse”
“An Offer You Can't Refuse”
Island X
Chicago
“What the hell is that?”
Jubilee grinned as she plopped combat boot-clad feet onto the large circular conference table with a stylized X in the middle. Within her hands was a large rectangular neon pink device with a headphone cord trailing from the top to the large headphones upon her head. They were so large they almost dwarfed her head. “It’s the X-Pod, baby. Newest thing on the market. Music playing like at it’s best.”
Vance’s eyes blinked for a moment at the news, Angelica placing a hand to her mouth with a giggle. “Seriously…X-Pod?”
“Yeah, dude, we’re a new craze here. They name everything after us. Shirts. Toys. Music Players. Hell, I hear they want to name a street after us. It’s so Avengers.”
Vance groaned. Angelica patted his arm before turning back to Jubilee. “I’m glad you’re quite happy with this Jubilee. This is a bright new time for us. Vance is just used to not having fame, you know.”
“Oh yeah, the New Warriors or whatever it was? You guys were like second-rate heroes?”
“Second rate… We saved the world and New York many times!”
Vance’s yells echoed around as suddenly everything shifted and a bright light flashed through the room. In its aftermath there was none left in the room.
Eyes blinked as the area was different. Vance groaned and rubbed at a sore head. “Oh man…where are we.”
Cheers sounded as light began to appear around. Something was sliding away allowing the light to reveal a large cage. Vance’s eyes adjusted to the light as he noticed the rest of the team around him. Even Sean, Kitty and Longshot, who had been away on a mission. Wings fluttered to the right bringing to his attention that even Angel was there. “I’m guessing we’re not in Chicago anymore…”
“No. Mojoworld.” Longshot’s usually jovial tone was far from it as the name of the realm of his creation rolled off his tongue.
Loud laughter sounded as the corpulent yellow spineless media mogul rose on a platform over the cage. A tall gaunt man with graying hair stood with a large pad in hand, close to Mojo’s side. His eyes were staring at them but with no interest at all showing in them; in fact this seemed to just be a routine day for the man.
Slimy yellow fingers came together as the smile on Mojo’s face grew. “Oh, now, Longshot baby, you hurt me. After all I did for you. Say hi to daddy!”
“Go to hell.”
“Oh, such language! Did the humans teach you that? For shame.”
“What do you want, Mojo.” Scott stood, hands on his hips and all but glared at the man from behind his visor, even though none could actually see the glare.
“Just to make you all the stars you deserve to be. I have a deal that you just can’t say no to. Let me show you.” The sinister smile grew as the sword wielding Spiral appeared and began spinning around. A large white light appeared and suddenly once again the X-Men all vanished. “It’s show time baby.”
Cyclops, Banshee, Firestar
Scott’s eyes were suddenly filled with the image of a police precinct, officers all around going about their business. The desk across from his was occupied by Sean who was coming to as well. The two caught each other’s eyes and frowns grew. All the X-Men were aware of the sort of games that Mojo put them through. None were ever a trip through the park.
“What ye think we’re going through?”
“Knowing his penchant for mimicking local media, I’d say police procedural.”
Sean sighed, the idea of being in a television version of what was once his career was enough to cause a major headache since, after all, most shows never did fully get real law enforcement right.
Stacks of files were upon the desk, apparently detailing crimes and suspects and victims. Stamped on each was the letters ‘MCU’ in large block print. Pushing one open, Scott scanned it and noticed each suspect usually had mutant powers. Sometimes it was the victim. Upon one of the papers was the words ‘Mutant Crimes Unit’.
“Well, I think I figured this one out: a cop show about a special group solving Mutant-specific crimes. Sounds like something the marketing departments Warren has working for him would come up with.”
“Got a bad feeling about this.”
“Agreed.”
Across the way a door opened and a woman with flaming red hair, attired in a sharp blouse and blazer combined with a black skirt and leggings entered. Angelica spotted the two men and moved closer quickly. “Guys, what the heck is going on?”
“We’re trapped in a cop show.”
“You…you’re kidding, right?”
“Wish he was, lassie, but it’s true.”
Before any could speak of the situation again, a far window exploded. Glass poured into the room as all around ducked behind desks or walls as quick as they could. As the glass settled upon the floor a figure burst through a door and power brimmed from the man’s body in an orange hue. “Where’s Stella! Stella!!!”
“Told ya…bad feeling.” Sean’s comment brought an irritated frown from Scott as the world went to hell around them.
Sunfire, Longshot, Shadowcat
“Tonight on Mutant Bachelor, Kitty Pryde makes her final choice on whom to give the coveted final X-belt too!”
Announcer’s voice rang out as a group of men stood around adjusting their collars or hair. Frustration was evident in a grunt. Shiro stared at the suit upon him and the surroundings in distaste. “American reality television. Why am I not surprised Mojo would use such dreck?”
“Hey, I subsist on this ‘dreck’ most nights, buddy.” Kitty’s finger jabbed into Shiro’s chest as she backed away and stared at her long black gown. “At least I got a fancy dress to wear. Not often do I get to dress up.”
“Yes, good for you, do we have to be part of this detestable exercise?”
Longshot adjusted his suit and gave a grim look at the two. Kitty was still put off by seeing his jovial side all but vanish. Most knew that his time in Mojoworld was not pleasant, but they hardly ever saw the evidence of that. “It’s Mojo’s game. There is usually no way out but finishing whatever the sick game is.”
“Lucky us.”
“No…lucky that you have actual luck on your side.” For once the man actually slipped a bit back into his old self, the smile turning a bit less grim. “So, Kitty, whoever will you choose?”
The brunette’s eyebrows rose as she started around at all the men waiting for her announcement. “Really….yeah, this is so not how I ever pictured myself getting on one of these shows. For one, I thought it would be in reality and that at least I wouldn’t have any of my team there…”
“I'd be insulted if I truly cared.” Shiro eyed the room, possible escape routes the target.
“Yeah, you do that. I can tell who I won’t be picking for sure. I guess the easiest way to just end it all would be to pick Longshot, right? Then the show would be at its conclusion.”
“Logical in its stupid simplicity.”
Longshot bumped Shiro’s arm, before turning attention back to Kitty. “Be careful, Kitty, Mojo’s games are never as easy as they seem.”
“I choose Longshot.”
All around them the room shifted to a stage with a crowd watching, all the other men seated and Shiro and Longshot now with them. Kitty stood in the middle of the stage with the host beside her. Two of the men were standing up and waving fingers and fists at Longshot.
“She was supposed to pick me! I also hated you Longshot!” The man leapt and tackled the former denizen of Mojoworld.
Kitty’s hand slapped her forehead. “Oh god…”
Phoenix, Jubilee, Archangel
Shattering glass fell to the floor and a head of red hair ducked behind the counter. Soon a couple of pots and pans followed the once full glass cup. Anguished shrieks accompanied the flying kitchen equipment. Jean reached out with her powers, stopping the assault. The throwing figure shrieked more and leapt around. “You don’t understand me at all! Two timing hussy, stealing my boyfriend!”
The dark haired woman, the one having thrown things, leapt around and grabbed Warren by the arm and tried to drag him over. “Don’t you love me Warren baby?”
“Jean…dare I ask what is going on?”
“You got me, fly boy, I’m just as in the dark as you.”
“No way!” Jubilee’s voice rang out as the young Asian girl dashed into the kitchen. “I totally know this show! It’s on E or something. Keeping Up With Some Bimbo. It’s totally awesome though.”
“Why am I not surprised we’re stuck in a Jubilee style fantasy,” Warren mused, pulling his arm away from the over enthusiastic woman.
“You’re just jealous my style of entertainment totally rocks over your old man stuff.”
“Jubilee, I’m only thirty…”
A crash sounded from the other room as another woman ran around screaming about something. “Is that all they do?” Jean looked around confused, trying to gain bearing of their situation.
“Pretty much. Yell. Break things. Photo shoots. Be famous and such. Awesome stuff.”
Warren’s head shook. “The new generation is truly a lost cause.”
Jubilee waved the winged man off and dashed out of the room to see what else was going on. Jean watched the woman once holding onto Warren follow suit. Standing beside her old friend, she met his gaze. “What do you think we have to do to get out of this game of Mojo’s?”
“I’m not sure. He appeared at my office speaking of an offer for us. Something to help us. He’s not to be trusted…but something tells me this isn’t his usual games. There is something bigger going on. The strange part is I recall one of my marketing department guys mentioning doing a show like this for the X-Men. It’s like Mojo was listening in…that might mean the others are trapped in other ideas that came up.”
Jean frowned. “Is that good or bad?”
“Depends on what their trapped in. Though if it’s as sedate as this what’s the worst that can happen?”
Cyclops, Banshee, Firestar
Shards of glass reflected the blood dripping out around them, wedged deeply within the tan leg; Angelica winced as fingers pried at the glass. Around her shouts came as the powered man barged around firing at anything that moved, and screams sounded as more things broke and more people were blasted aside. Across the room the form of Sean was crumpled in the middle of the floor after a blast had struck the man in the chest and driven him down quickly. Whatever the energy was it wasn’t something to be messed with.
Scott dashed around a desk trying to get a clear shot. It was hard to do with a constantly moving target. Eyes settled upon a paper weight upon a desk. Seconds later it was tossed close enough to the attacker to gain his attention. “Over here, dirt bag. Say cheese.” Ruby red optic energy spilled out as glasses were removed, slamming into the man.
Where normally a figure would be felled or stumbling back from such an onslaught of energy, the man was not. Instead, he seemed to glow and laugh louder. Like Bishop, apparently the man didn’t just shoot energy, he absorbed it as well. “Damn.” Scott leapt to the side as a return blast was sent his way. Energy grazed his leg and sent him flying behind a desk.
Angelica crawled around the desk, pain shooting up her leg. Microwaves were gathered as she tried to spot the man. Something impacted with her face and sent her rolling back, and her vision blurred before finally settling back to bring the man into focus as he stood over her, breathing deeply. “Stellaaaaaa!!!” Angelica had no time to react as suddenly the world went black and nothing more was felt or seen.
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To Be Continued...
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