Issue 34: Come to Me, My Brotherhood...

Brought to you by Stephen Crosby

MAY...YEAR FOUR

Toad watched from the shadows as the newest members of his Brotherhood met for the first time. Mystique had promised him three mutants, and she delivered, much to Toad’s chagrin. Members brought in by Mystique meant members loyal to Mystique, not to Toad. Thus, Toad observes them, hoping to see something that he can use to shift their loyalty to himself.

Down in the lobby of the Angels apartment complex, Avalanche spoke with two young women. Avalanche, his costume covered by a trenchcoat, was one that Toad knew could not be turned. Allegedly a life-long friend of Mystique’s, Avalanche had agreed to show up only because he was eager to find his other friends, Blob and Pyro. Fortunately, that was something that Toad could use to his advantage.

The two women are both known to Toad only through association. The bitchy-looking one with masculine features was undoubtedly Unuscione, a former member of the mast-, of Magneto’s Acolytes. Toad knew her to be an aggressive woman who passionately enjoyed using her power to hurt people. Much like Unus, the man that she claims is her father.

Toad had heard of the second woman as well, a vision of sheer beauty to his eyes. How such a radiant creature could be the daughter of a pug-ugly like Jason Wyngarde is beyond him, but she apparently has similar powers. Toad had hear of her exploits in London, manipulating Wolverine and Gambit into battling each other. Unfortunately, he’d also heard of what she did to Arcade, and while Toad is worried at how that may affect things, he’s confident that he can deal with them.

And so, Toad stayed hidden, and watched his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants meet each other.

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Leaning nonchalantly against the same column that Toad is hiding behind from far above, Avalanche looks the two women up and down. "So, the messed-up, unknown daughters of some third-rate villains think they can be a part of the most dangerous mutant team ever? Save yourselves some washed up mascara, girls, and go home to your dolls now."

Unuscione seethes in anger, her force field shimmering around her. "I-my father held the entire X-Men at bay several times, and I have proven myself worthy of serving Lord Magneto himself!"

"Well, this isn’t ‘Lord’ Magneto’s team, toots. Mystique actually has standards."

Seeing the slight expansion in Unuscione’s force field, a sure sign that she’s about to attack, Mastermind quickly steps forward and speaks. "I cannot speak for her, Dominic, but my father had manipulated Jean Grey, nearly got Cyclops killed by his own teammates, and only failed in killing three X-Men because of the Legacy Virus*! He also told me stories as a lass about his days with the Brotherhood, most notably Unus," she says quickly.

*(Uncanny X-Men 122-134,Uncanny X-Men 175, and Uncanny X-Men Annual 17)

Her words, as well as some mild telepathic soothing, successfully calms Unuscione down. She drops the force field, though she still looks at Avalanche with what can only be called contempt. He only smiles and nods his head at her, welcoming the chance to show her what a "real man is like".

"Tsk, tsk, this kind of quibbling among brothers-and sisters-just cannot be tolerated," a voice from above croaks out. The three look up in time to see Toad crouch down among them. "Fortunately, ‘Brother’ Toad is here to keep his siblings in line, heheheeheehe!"

Disgusted, Avalanche spits out towards Toad. "Times must really be bad if Misty has to recruit a worm like you! Soon’s we find Blobbo and Pyro, first thing we’ll do is toss you and these girls out. ‘Course, these two chickies won’t go ‘till after we’ve had our fun."

Unable to contain herself further, Unuscione lashes out. Mastermind makes no move to stop her. The psionic energy that is Unuscione’s force field erupts from her against Avalanche, pinning him to the column. Likewise, Avalanche focuses his own mutant power on the floor at Unuscione’s feet, taking her off balance.

No sooner is Avalanche freed, though, that Toad is at his throat.

With surprisingly strong fingers locked around his throat, Toad whispers in Avalanche’s ear. "Listen closely, you Greek faggot. Your powers are useless against me, while I could kill you with ease. You had damn well better remember that the next time you even think about insulting me like that again."

Pulling back suddenly, Toad dusts Avalanche off and straightens his trench coat. Switching his menacing tone for a much milder one, he says, "Dominic, I suggest you treat these young women with a little respect. I highly doubt that Mystique would take kindly to it. Oh, wait, she wouldn’t care, because I’m in charge here."

While Avalanche has some words to say about this, Toad’s threat holds his tongue for the moment. Mastermind and Unuscione, however, have words of their own.

"You!?" Unuscione exclaims. "You’re no leader. The last Brotherhood you led was an embarrassment."

"As was your short-lived team with Frog Man and Spider Kid," Mastermind chides in, shuddering at the memory*.

*(As is this writer, and most likely many of you readers as well)

Toad turns his head to glare at two women, a freakishly wide snarl on his lips. "Those were the actions of a lonely, pathetic wretch who blindlessly sought our respect from his peers. I have evolved from that wretch into a man who knows how to get respect, and is more than eager to do what needs to be done. Those that have wronged members of the Brotherhood will be among the first to fall when we go on the offensive. Until then, I ask that you three stay with me out of self-preservation, so that we can train and recover lost brethren."

"I don’t have the faintest idea what you’re talking about, nut. But if that last thing you said means you’re gonna find Blob and Pyro, then I’m in."

"And you two?"

Unuscione ponders Toad’s words, so similar are they to what the Acolytes preach. She, too, has no one right now. Since she and the others were saved in Australia by Cyclops*, she has had doubts about her place. Exodus had refused her for the Acolytes, claiming that she was "tainted". Though she feels that Magneto would welcome her into his territory, that life is not for her.

*(X-Men 44-Aussie fan Steve!)

When Mystique had contacted her with this offer, she had also hinted that the Brotherhood would be able to help her in other ways. So far, she doesn’t see how that is possible, but she has learned patience over the years. For that, and other reasons, she has decided that-

"I will join you as well," She says to Toad.

Martinique Jason, daughter of Mastermind and successor of the name, hesitates only a moment before answering. "My father had nothing but unkind words for you, as I suspect most others had. When I look at you, I see a hideous, grotesque creature with no regard for the lives of humans. I also see a pathetic shell of a man who was raised to believe that he was below everyone. I see a hurt, angry man who wants to lash out at the world, while at the same time holding on to the only thing that ever made him belong."

Turning to Avalanche, she continues. "Looking at you, I see a man who would rather take orders than make his own choices. The one time you make your own decision, you left two of your best friends for dead, a mistake you’ve tried to rectify ever since. I see a young revolutionary who was saved by a woman he fell in love with, but could never admit it to. I see a man who hides his doubts and fears in bravado and insults, pushing away those that he feels closest to."

Finally, Mastermind turns to Unuscione. "In you, I see contradictions and lies. I see fear of persecution, and not just for being a mutant. I see a woman trying to find her place and make sense of her life. Looking at you all, I see outcasts, individuals who feel they don’t belong even among their own kind. I to, feel this way, and will join you for this because of this."

Mastermind now cries out, because she has suddenly been thrown to the floor, powerful hands pressing against her throat. She tries to gasp for breath, but her neck and vocal muscles are numb and worthless. The hideously angry face of Toad breaths mere inches from her face.

"If you ever-ever!-enter my mind again, I will kill you! And don’t look to the others for help, ‘cause I have an idea that they feel much the same way."

Looking past Toad, Martinique sees Avalanche and Unuscione standing over them, impassively watching, with no intention of interfering.

Harshly pushing himself away from Mastermind, Toad leaps away to land outside a doorway.

"Now that you’ve chosen to join me, it’s time you get your benefits. First, there’s the identity-changer himself: Masque!" On cue, Masque walks through the doorway into the lobby, his features hidden under the hooded cloak.

"New faces, fingerprints, hair, muscle and bone structure, all can be altered and shaped by Masque to suit your needs. Allow me to demonstrate the ‘improvement’ he’s made on me recently."

Without warning, Toad’s tongue shoots out of his mouth. The odd thing is that it travels 15 feet before reaching, and licking, the face of Mastermind.

Toad smirks as Mastermind tries to release a scream of disgust. "Sorry, but my tongue is covered with a substance that paralyzes your nerve muscles. It should wear off shortly. Now let that be a lesson to you, mind-bitch. Get under my skin, I get all over yours!"

Avalanche is obviously enjoying the degrading treatment, and Unuscione doesn’t seem too upset by it herself. She’s actually looking at Masque in a studious manner, unconsciously raising her hand to her own face. Toad doesn’t miss this as he retracts his tongue back.

"But wait, folks, that’s not all! We also offer training facilities that make the Danger Room look like a play pen!"

Crouching down, Toad takes a gun that Masque hands to him and holds it up to his face. He then speaks into it like a microphone.

"Toad! You’ve just gathered the newest incarnation of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants! What are you going to do next!"

Leaping high into the air, he exclaims, "I’m going to Murderworld!"

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Elsewhere in Los Angeles....

"Mr. Canable, before we get down to business, I would like to thank you again for coming down here personally for the debriefing."

Taking the Cuban out of his mouth and breathing out a ring of smoke, Bruce Canable answers, "Well, Snyder, I was in town on business anyway. I realize that some people in my line of work are skeptical about having clients see their face, but I’m not nearly as paranoid."

Samuel Snyder chuckles. "Too, true, Mr. Canable. I doubt, however, that anyone else has ever had your reputation for dealing with double-crosses. Now, about the man that we want killed..."

He slides a manila folder across the table to Canable’s waiting hand. Snatching it up, Canable opens it and scans the photos and documents within.

With a snort of annoyance, Bruce Canable stands and throws the envelope at Mr. Snyder’s face.

"I don’t know how you learned to hire me, Mr. Snyder, nor do I care. But if you were able to learn that much, you should have also learned that I don’t take those kinds of targets. Not for any price."

Snyder snaps his fingers. The two rather large men in the room stand as well and move to block Canable. "I admit that I was aware of your...conditions, Mr. Canable. However, I’m sure that we can come to some conclusion-"

"No amount of money in the world will get me to kill that guy. Do you realize, you idiot, that Arcade has had dealing with Spider Man, Captain Britain and Excalibur, the X-Men, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Juggernaught and Black Tom, and even Dr. Doom. My policy is that none of my targets has any connections to any superhuman!

"If I wanted to, I could accept assignments of the Punisher, Nick Fury, Tony Stark, and the Fantastic Four for enough money to make even Bill Gates’ head spin. If I don’t take those assignment, Mr. Snyder, why the hell do you think I would take five million dollars to kill an elaborate assassin. You sir, are a fool. I do not deal with fools." With that, Bruce Canable turns to go.

One of the two men, a man-mountain by the name of Shorty, moves to stop him. "Mr. Snyder didn’t say you could go y-ungh!"

Faster than the eye could follow, a small knife came out the sleeve of Canable’s jacket, into his hand, and got shoved into Shorty’s midsection. Keeping his grip and the handle of the knife, he grabbed Shorty by the collar and lifted him over his head.

In one fluid movement, Bruce Canable slammed Shorty through the large table. Drawing his gun while the splinters were still in the air, Canable pointed it at the other big man. Nodding at Mr. Snyder while keeping his eyes on the other man, Bruce Canable stepped out of the room and continued on his way.

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Avalanche, Mastermind II, and Unuscione take in their surroundings, at the mixture of merriment and mayhem. Shortly after Toad’s announcement, he had a taken out a device that had instantly teleported them to this place, undoubtedly the most recent incarnation of Murderworld. And there to greet them was the proprietor of Murderworld himself, the assassin known as Arcade.

"Arcade, ol’ buddy ol’ pal!" Toad leaps forward a short distance to shake the man’s hand. "I trust everything is ready for my team and I."

Arcade throws on a hasty smile, one more disturbing than usual, and takes Toad’s hand. "Don’t fret, Toad, I’ve got the scenario set-up according to your specifications. Including, of course, my own little stipulation. Now, who all do we have here?"

"Avalanche I’m sure you’ve met before," Avalanche steps forward. Arcade nods quickly, not even looking at him. "Then there’s Unuscione, who was one of Magneto’s Acolytes. And the other woman is Mastermind, daughter of the original."

"We’ve met," Mastermind states coldly.

A puzzled look crosses Arcade’s face, before it reverts back to it’s customary smile. "Yes, of course. How could I ever forget such a lovely women."

Quickly changing the subject, Arcade turned back to Toad. "Well, uh, you just go right through that door there. I’ll be in the control room monitoring everything. Remember, the game ends when you or your opponents are dead or incapacitated."

Going through the door, Mastermind hurries up to Toad and whispers, "There’s something wrong. Arcade and I had parted and very bad terms. But right then I would swear that he didn’t recognize me."

"If that is the case, we’ll deal with it after the exercise."

The four mutants walked from a sterile, cold hallway into a bright, laughter-filled amusement park. The only thing that separated this theme park from dozens of others was that it was completely empty.

Toad leaped on top of a ticket booth and, placing his hand over his eyes, scanned the area. Almost immediately, he leaps down to avoid a crimson blast of energy. "Unuscione! Surround us with your psionic shield! Avalanche, knock down some of those buildings so we can get a clear view!"

Avalanche does as he’s told, shifting the earth beneath the buildings to throw them aside. The source of the crimson blast of energy is revealed, along with his companions. Cyclops, Beast, Iceman, Angel, and Marvel Girl. The original five X-Men in their original costumes.

Toad turns to his Brotherhood, a wide grin on his face. "Okay guys, these robots are only at the power levels of the X-Men when they first formed. So, Marvel Girl’s only a telekinetic, and Iceman’s really a snow man.

"Now, here’s the game plan. Mastermind, Arcade said that your powers will work on those things, so torture Marvel Girl for a while. Avalanche, keep Iceman off balance and crush him like an icicle. Unuscione, hold off Cyclops. I’ll deal with fly-boy and beastie. Cut loose and kill ‘em all!"

And so the battle is joined. Toad leaps into the midst of the X-Robots and strikes immediately at Beast and Angel. Dodging a blow from Beast, he leaps up beside Angel. Grabbing his wing, Toad swings up and over onto Angel’s back, throwing him to the ground as he pulls up on the wing. The result is a vicious tear of Angel’s wings separating from his body. The sparkling robot falls to the ground and explodes.

Meanwhile, Avalanche has knocked Iceman off his ice slide and crushed him beneath mounds of earth. Also, Unuscione’s psionic shield stands up easily to Cyplops’ optic blasts, and she’s pummeling him without mercy.

Marvel Girl is now writhing on the ground, weeping and screaming in agony. Mastermind stands over her with an amused expression on her face.

Angel destroyed, Toad now focuses his attention on Beast. "Come on, acrobat. Let’s see what you’ve got."

Toad tries to feint Beast, but it doesn’t work. "Hmmm, I am smart but you are smarter!" He lands a punch on Beast, but the robot is too durable and shrugs it off. "Aha! I am strong but you are stronger!" Finally, Beast lunges at him, but Toad easily leaps over him. "At last! It seems that you are fast but I am faster!"

Landing behind Beast, Toad kicks out and nails the robot in the back of the neck, sending it sprawling. "Also, it seems that while your stronger, my legs are strongest!" As Beast turns and lunges again, Toad crouches down and kicks up, landing a blow just below Beast’s chin. With a squeal of metal tearing, the robot’s head goes flying off.

Crouching on the robot’s sparking body, Toad grins and peers at the area where the head used to be. "Not so smart now, are ya!"

Surveying the battlefield, Toad is pleased to see that his fellow Brotherhood teammates have succeeded against their respective foes. Unuscione finally got bored of Cyclops and just crushed him into a little metal box. Finally, the Marvel Girl robot that Mastermind is tormenting stops screaming and goes limp, its head bursting into flames.

With an impassive look, Mastermind looks up. "I made her think she got hit by a bus. If you think you’re gonna die, you die."

Gathering together in the middle of the amusement park, they all turn to face a clapping Arcade. "Bravo, bravo! Not very entertaining, unfortunately, but give me a couple of tries. I guarantee I’ll have you all screaming in agony and begging for mercy!"

Toad cackles a little and responds. "That’s what I pay you for? By the way, is Miss Locke back from her vacation yet?"

"No, she sent me a postcard saying she’d be gone another week."

A slow smile creeps across Toad’s face. He says three words. "Brotherhood, take him."

Avalanche immediately sends waves of force beneath Arcade’s feet, intending to knock him off balance. To his surprise, Arcade leaps into the air in a amazing acrobatic move. Straight into a massive fist of psionic energy created by Unuscione.

To the shock of the Brotherhood, upon contact with Unuscione’s psionic energy field, another person comes out of Arcade.

His was the face of the devil itself, with a small goatee and eyebrows the turned upwards into horns, as well as long, blood-red hair and eyes. He wore elaborate clothing: a bluish grey jacket and pants, white shirt, lime green tie, gloves and high boots. Most disturbing of all was the fact that, despite the fact that he has been beaten and is now helpless, he had a wicked smile on his face.

As if he is the one in control.

Staring intently at him, Mastermind breaks the silence. "His name is Mountjoy, and he finds joy in death and chaos. He’s possessed Arcade these last few weeks for that purpose. He’s not scared."

"Well," Unuscione speaks acidly. "He should be." She then drives a battering ram of psionic energy straight at him.

Laughing, Mountjoy rolls easily under her attack. Leaping to his feet, he bowls into a surprised Toad and touchings his fingers to the forehead. "I need a quick escape toady, and you’re just the one to give it to me. Bye now."

Toad screams in agony as Mountjoy shrinks down into him.

"Hit him now Unuscione!" Mastermind screams.

She doesn’t hesitate, gripping Toad in a massive hand, she can feel the entity inside of him lost it’s grip. Carefully, she relaxes her grip on Toad, letting him fall to the ground. For Mounjoy, however, she tightens her hold, taking pleasure in his screams.

Gathering his breath, Toad manages to squeak out an order. "Release him, Carmilla! Now!"

"But-"

"Now!"

Reluctantly, Unuscione dissipates the giant hand, dropping Mountjoy harshly to the ground. Toad motions for her and the others to keep their distance, something he doesn’t forget to do as well. He’s pleased to see that Avalanche had also picked up Arcade’s unconscious form and moved it away as well.

Satisfied that they’re safe at the moment, he addresses Mountjoy. "So, prettyboy, howzabout you give us a reason to let you live?"

Covering his actions with writhes of agony, Mounjoy draws a crossbow out of his jacket and fires three arrows at Toad. "Sorry, I prefer to let my actions speak for me."

Faster than lightning, Toad shoots out his tongue at the speeding arrows. Much to the amazement of his teammates, his tongue catches the arrows and mid-air and tosses them aside with a mere flick. Seeing the look of amazement on Mountjoy’s eyes, Toad chuckles.

"You almost had me a moment there, pretty boy. If not for Unuscione, you’d be riding in me like you were doing with Arcade. For that and what you just did, I have every reason to kill you. I doubt you could do much about it, seeing as how Unuscione’s power can counteract yours with ease.

"However, your power intrigues me, as well as the fact that I’ve heard of you in the company of the Hellfire Club. Therefore, I’m prepared to offer you membership here with my Brotherhood of Evil Mutants."

There are mixed reactions all around. Avalanche immediately protests to it, as does Mastermind. Unuscione smiles, stretching her psionic field outwards, as though mocking Mounjoy.

Mounjoy smiles as well, as if this is what he’d been expecting all along. He stands shakily to his feet and gives a small bow. "Why, Mr. Toynbee, I would be more than honored. I truly think we’ll be very happy together." He winks at Mastermind and Unuscione with that.

Toad grins. "Just remember Mounjoy, I have two psions to deal with you if you prove uncooperative."

"Yes, yes. And you have yourself to hold Avalanche in check, who in turn holds Mastermind in check, who in turn holds Unuscione in check, who now holds me in check. Quite a proper arrangement for such a gathering of individuals, don’t you think?"

Toad’s grin spread even wider. "But of course, what else would you expect of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants?"

And then he began to laugh. After a short moment, Mountjoy joined in. As the two laugh at their private joke, Avalanche, Mastermind II, and Unuscione looked at each other uneasily. They were all thinking the same thing.

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Author’s Notes

Finally, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants has finally been introduced to MV1! The Acolytes, the Sinister Six, the Frighful Four, two Masters of Evils, and even the MLF recently appeared in the lastest X-Factor story! Yet it’s now over three years before the Brotherhood have appeared, which I think is just wrong.

This team, more than the Acolytes, are the complete anthesis to the X-Men. A closely-knit group of dangerous mutants who care only for total dominion over all humans. This group stands for everything the X-Men are against, and have continuously strained mutant/human relations time and time again. Now that they’re in MV1, however, they’ll hopefully be used more often, possibly by yours truly.

Unfortunately, it’ll be some time before I can come back to the Brotherhood. I’ll be scripting X-Men over Will’s plots, plus I’ll finally be getting back to the Kree. It leaves a lot on my plate, but I hope to eventually come back and use Super-Villain Team-Up like Sam’s been using Marvel Fanfare.

I hope you’ve all enjoyed this and the last two issues, and please let me know. Here’s a letter I recieved about last issue by my soon-to-be co-writer, Will Short:

Steve-
I read your issues, and the most recent is even more fun than the first.
The Toad's new charaterization of Toad as a maniac killer with a chip on his
shoulder shows that someone, you, is finally doing the character justice,
especially with his added powers. They proved to be well-used in this story.
The action scenes are well-done too, with descriptions sparse but still
revealing, and over-all a good length, although short. The final scene with
Mystique and Toad is sweetly brief, a classic scene with classic lines. I
enjoy your stories so far, and I'll be looking forward to the final gathering
of the Brotherhood next issue.

-Will Short

Thanks for the kind words Will. I hope this issue has exceeding your expectations.

Here’s hoping there’ll be more letters in response to this issue. I remain:

Stephen Crosby

Contact Stephen at: sjoc@linkny.com