Most characters belong to Marvel and are borrowed without permission with no profit made. Visions characters
belong to Visions, and can be used, just tell us.

EDITORS NOTE: Since we are about to go into big revelations in a major storyline, I just want to take few
lines to bring any hopeful new readers up to date, or remind old readers of what is going on. Fenris, Andreass
and Andrea Stucker, mutant twins have been a plague to Magneto's life for a long time now. They are the
children of Baron Stucker; a Nazi who Magneto and Charles Xavier fought long ago in Israel, when they were
still friends. Fenris returned, with vengeance, disrupting a trail Magneto was going through. They were defeated,
and since then have worked along side Matuso, to gain the power of Omega Red. They had failed then as well,
and weren't seen until few issues ago of X-Men Gold and Blue, where they broke into the SHIELD Helicarrier
and stole information on Magneto. Next, they attacked one of Magneto's old bases in Savage Land, where his
followers, the original Acolytes (seemingly back from the dead) had been living. The Acolytes were defeated and
locked up in their own home. Fortunately, one of them, Anne Marie Cortez was out at the time and when she
returned the found her friends locked up, and went to get help, namely Joseph and the X-Men. And that brings
us up to the present. I hope this has in some way helped you understand this story better if you're new, or has
refreshed your memory if you're a current reader. And remember, to tell me what you think of this story, of the
whole series, of even the entire universe. I always appreciate feedback. And while I'm at it, I would just like to thank all those people who wrote in after my call to arms in #23, and commented on XMGB. Your support really lifted my spirits, thank you very much. Keep 'em coming I say ! And don't forget to be here next month for out 2nd Anniversary Celebration, as we Celebrate our 2 years in business (woohooo !), and treat you with some extra stuff, and believe me, you're going to love them (or so I hope) ! Enjoy !

April 1999

VC brings you the last piece of the puzzle in:
"Some Things Just Need To Be Done" Tom: Writin' cuz he has to and Editin' very terribly along the way Kingbob: Beta-readin' cuz he's just a nice guy

There are times, in our lives when things just suddenly go wrong. Everything seems to be going perfectly fine, and
then suddenly, everything crashes, and you're left in a terrible situation, with no obvious way out. That is exactly
how Joseph feels right now.

The woman resting on the couch in front of him, is familiar to him, vaguely. Once upon a time when he was
Magneto, he had taken her and four other mutants under his wing, and called them Acolytes. That, however was
a very different man, and Joseph did not have the memories of that man. He remembered Anne Marie Cortez
from a short flashback of the first time he met her, and that was how he recognized her when she came crashing
in through the front door. She was holding a cup of tea that Bishop had made her, with two hands wrapped
around it. Her long, almost orange hair was neatly tucked in behind her ears, though it kept falling out. This was
of some confusion to Joseph, as he remembered her with short blue hair, but he guessed that blue wasn't her real
color, and like her brother, her hair was orange.

His thoughts were interrupted by Anne Marie looking around the room. She was about to start her explanation.
By now, Gambit, Psylocke and Bishop har started to settle on the newly aquired couch.

"Anne, what happened?" Joseph asked in a stern voice, hiding his fear that someone might have died perfectly.

"Well... I don't know where to start." She said hesitantly. "I was visiting my family, in Seattle and, I came back
and I found out that these two creeps, Fenris attacked our home while I was gone, and imprisoned the rest of
the Acolytes."

"Fenris ?" Came a question from Joseph.

"A brother and a sister, Neo Nazis, and Magneto's old enemies." Psylocke answered.

"I see." Joseph said with a sigh. Welcome o past again. "Please
continue Anne."

"At first I didn't know what to do, I mean I wasn't sure if everyone was alive...."

"Were they ?" Joseph interrupted, his voice no longer confident.

"Yes, master everyone is fine. For now. Anyway, I climbed through a air vent and reached the cell. I'm not sure
why, and how but Fenris didn't see me. I then saw Nance, Delgado and Chrome in a cell, powerless. I tried to
free them, but they advised that I get out, while I'm still free, and ask you for help. So I left...." She took a deep
breath and looked around the X-Men for responses. When her gaze reached Joseph she could see the fury
building him.

He got up in one swift move and looked around the lounge. "I knew something like this would happen one day. I'm not sure what my old self would do, but I'm going to go there, and defend my people like I would defend X-Men."

He paused for a while and looked around. "I understand this is not X-Men business, and I can get them out of there with or without your help."

"But sugah, how could we leave you all on your lonesome ?" A southern voice called from the doorway.

All heads turned towards the door, to see Rogue standing there, shopping bags in her hands, her hair ruffled from the flight she had just made from New York. Joseph looked at her and then at the rest of the X-Men.

"Rogue is right. We can't just leave the Acolytes in the hands of Fenris." Psylocke said getting up as well. "I mean, we've fought them before, but they are decent people." A small smile formed at the corner of Anne's lips as she heard those words.

"Of course we'll go with you Joseph." Bishop said getting up as well. "You are and X-Man now, and that means your business is X-Men business."

"Well I guess I'll get my coat." Remy concluded with a large grin on his face as he too, rose to his feet.

"Okay then, let's go." Joseph said impatiently. "We can use Anne's jet to get there since Cyclops took the
Blackbird."

"Just hang on sugah, Ah'll drop off Mah shopping and Ah'll be on Mah way." Rogue called out flying upstairs to
her new room. The X-Men began getting up and heading for the door.

While Joseph picked up the door, and using his magnetic powers, nailed it back into the frame, Bishop came up
behind him.

"Joseph, you do realize that this could be a set up ?" He asked from behind.

"Actually, Bishop that thought didn't come to my head, but now that you've mentioned it, it's possible. That's why
I would ask you to take the leadership of this mission. Not that I have much to say, about who is the leader, but
this is my problem, and I want you to lead the X-Men. Is that okay ?"

"I don't see a problem with that Joseph. After all, I do have years of leadership skills. One would wonder why
I'm never asked to do things like that more often."

"Yes, here's your chance." Joseph said with a slight grin on his face. All the time, he was keeping himself busy
with nailing the door back in, and he didn't face Bishop, his anger clearly showing on his face.

Bishop barely looked at Joseph and then walked out of the house, saying he will be waiting on the jet. Joseph
turned around and he knew who was standing behind him. He looked her deep in the eyes, as she stood before
him, her gaze set on him, with amazement.

"Look, Anne I don't know you very well..... but I'm sorry for what happened to your life because of me..."

"No need to apologize, master. After all, we're, just following in what we believe in."

Joseph sighed. "No, you're following in what I used to believe in, but I don't anymore. Just like when you call me
master. I am not your master. Once we defeat Fenris, something will have to be done about this whole thing.
You can't live all your life in Savage Land in a old base. Do you understand ?"

"Yes... kind of."

"Well it's a start. I guess Moira's experiment has to expire one day. Now, c'mon let's go and show Fenris that no
one messes with us, and gets away with it."

Anne Marie smiled and headed out of the house with Joseph heading for the jet. She did not quite understand
what her master was talking about, but that did not matter to her now. What mattered was that they were going
to save the Acolytes.

***

Somewhere in Cairo

"I'm telling you 'Ro, that kid was trying to snach my wallet."

"Ah Logan, once you've lived on those streets long enough, like I have you will learn to tell thieves and poor
children apart. I after all, I was a thief."

"Say what you want Ro, I'm still standin by what I said."

"Stubborn as ever, eh Logan ?" Storm said smiling.

"Yep." Logan said lighting a cigar. "So what are we gonna do now ?"

"Well, I think we should have few days left before we leave for my village. And right now, if you don't mind I
have to visit a certain place."

"Sure, after all I was the one that tagged along."

"I will see you in an hour or so then." Storm said shutting the door behind herself.

She headed down the stairs, taking each step slowly. As she got out to the crowded street she took a deep
breath, inhaling the fresh air. People passed her, bumping and pushing her. She began walking down the
sidewalk, her white hair making her stand out from a colorful crowd of men and women from all across the
globe, some in business suits, some in primitive clothes of their ancestors.

^The streets of Cairo always used to be colorful, but this, it's never been like this.^ she thought to herself, while
passing the strangers in her land. The men in african clothes were normal to her, but these men, in suits, with
briefcases in their hands, hurrying past, trying to get to some meeting, it was all unreal to her. She had been away
from this city for far too long.

Of course, she did have all the reasons to try to stay away. Her parents were killed in a bomb attack, and she
had been the only one left alive. That was when she began earning living as a street thief, stealing wallets from
people who were more fortunate than her. As she got older , the price grew, and she began stealing larger things,
out of houses and museums. Who knew, she might have been a thief up until now, if not that unfortunate night,
when an assignment went bad.

She had remembered how scared she was that night, and how within few minutes she decided she was going to
leave this cursed city, and try to start anew. Who knows, if she had not stabbed that man, she might have never
headed south, and might have never been found by Xavier. That single moment, a single misstep, had changed so
much. It was all in this city. First her parents, then this. And there it was, where it all began.

The Springfall building, had been built after the war, as a series of apartments, for the more wealthy occupants of
the city. The Munroe family had moved in there when they arrived in Cairo, more than twenty years ago.
Everything was fine, until that fearful night, when the city of Cairo was bombed by the Israeli Army.
Many people died that night, their bodies blown to pieces, or crushed under tumbling buildings. The Springfall
building was no exception. The moment the bomb hit it, it shook, at it's core, and then began falling, killing most
of it's occupants with it. Ororo had been one of the lucky survivors, her mother's body stopped her from being
crushed to death. Unfortunately, her parents were not as fortunate. Both of them had been killed, and suddenly
over one night, she had become a orphan. She spent three days, trapped under the ruins, developing a very
strong claustrophobia, and for the rest of her life, she would have the fear of being locked up in small rooms.

^This is where it all began.^ Storm thought, stopping and looking up at the building before her.

The Fall building, had been built after a bombing, of the city of Cairo. The ruins had been cleaned up, and the
building was erected anew, in the memory of all the casualties. After it was finished, the building was given to the
city council which made it a public library, the biggest one in whole of Egypt. It was named, after the old building,
but the name left out the first part of the word, shortening it to Fall, in the memory of the falling building.

This is what was left of the place where Ororo used to live, and almost died. A library.

Storm, slid down to a bench nearby, staring at the building before her, unable to take her gaze of it. Once she got
out, she had never returned to this part of the town again. She did not know, what happened to the ruins, and
had made a great deal of effort not to find out. Now, after over 20 year, she had returned, to find it a library...

^This.... this is the place where my parents died.... and they've made it into a library. How much has changed...^
She sighed and leaned on the bench, just looking in front of her, staring at it, as it stood there, motionless. A
sudden chill ran down her spine, as she remembered just how scared she was that night.

***

The cold air rushed past his face, filling his hair with a amazing sense of lightens, he felt as if he was a mere
feather, floating in a empty void, with no end or beginning. Taking a sharp turn, he turned around and corner of a
building, and flopping his wings, he lifted himself higher, and higher off the ground.

Warren Woringhton the Third glided over the sky, his metallic wings keeping him up in the air without a single
motion. Beneath him, unfolded a carpet of never ending flashing lights, that were the New York at night. He had
come here to think, to clear his head, to make avery hard decision. Over a month ago, he had left the X-Men in
a last ditch effort to have a life. His then, at the time girlfriend Psylocke had refused to go, and he left without her.
This was how desperate he was, to get out of there, he even left the woman he loved. Then again, he wasn't
quite sure that he still did love her, after all these transformations she went through, it seemed to him she was a
very distant woman all out of the sudden. It was much harder to love her, to be with her. That was probably why
he left her, and he stood by that. He had then swore to himself not to even get mixed up in mutant matters. Now,
to advance his business he had to help Reach Out, a pro mutants camping run by the government.

^I don't have to do it.^ he told himself, as he looked over the city underneath. ^I could just tell Eddie that I'm not
going with it, because I don't want to get mixed up with mutants again, they have messed up most of my life, first
with my parents, then with Candy, and Cameron. How much more can they expect me to take ?^

He let out a loud sigh. It wasn't that easy though. Ever since, he left X-Men, he vowed to get his business up and
running again, like he never could, when he was with the X-Men. And this, this was a golden opportunity, he
didn't like it, but he knew it. The whole country was talking about Reach Out, since it's
formal inauguration by Senator Kelly. It turned out Operation Zero Tolerance didn't have as much
support as everyone thought, and that a large, but unvocal, number of the public actually never had anything
against mutants. They saw Reach Out as a opportunity to overcome their fears and miseducation, and hopefully
live in peace. It was a sure bet to support them, especially for Warren. He was a mutant after all, and everyone
knew about it. He was a once known business man, who used to be famous, before his life was destroyed.
People would love it.

So why was he having doubts ? He didn't know anymore. He was scared, scared that this too would ruin his life.
But he had been scared for a long time now, and nothing good came out of it. If there was ever a time to stand
up, and take control of his life, it was now. He wasn't about to waste one of the best chances in his life.

With a smile on his face, his wings switched position and he began falling downwards, picking up speed every
second, the amazing feeling of air rushing through him, returning once again.

***

The Morlock Tunnels

"Would you hurry up damn it ?"

"Look, umm Sarah, I'm doing the best I can, and you're the one that kidnapped me, so just be quiet for a
second, will you ?"

Sarah mumbled something under her breath and kept quiet, as Cecilia Reyes, a doctor she had brought to help
Calisto, was sitting beside her bed checking up on her mentor.

"So what happened here anyway ?" the puerto rican doctor asked, while she checked Calisto's pulse rate.

"None of your damn business."

"You brought me here to help this woman! It might help if I know what happened to her." Cecilia answered
sarcastically.

"She got hit, by a ray of energy. If it wasn't for you stupid humans, and your stupid Operation Zero Tolerance,
Calisto would have been okay."

"I see. Well, I've got news for you. Your friend, as you call her Calisto isn't lying in bed because she got hit with
plasma. She's sick. Very sick. She's got a virus."

"A virus ??!!"

"Yes, I think it's Influenza."

"What's that ??" Sarah asked anger sparkling from her.

Cecilia sighed. "It's a deadly virus, that hundred years ago was killing thousands of people. Luckily we found a
cure, and a injection that would produce antibodies. When the virus attacked a organism, the antibodies
destroyed it easily. Pretty much everyone has had a injection like this, but your friend obviously hasn't. That's
why she's been like this for over a month now, which actually is very rare."

"Wha.... you, you mean she's going to die ?" Sarah said barely managing to get the words out of her mouth.

"No, I never said that. She probably would, if she wasn't a mutant." Cecilia paused and she looked at Sarah. She
was a mutant then, just like she suspected. "I mean normal people die within few days, your friend here is lucky.
But eventually the virus would take over her..."

"Goddamn it, stop giving me this bullshit and get to the point ! Is she going to be okay ?" Sarah shouted angered.

"Okay, okay sessh. Usually there is no hope once you're exposed to the virus and you haven't been immunized.
Luckily, few years ago the scientists came up with a injection, that would kill the virus even after it was in a body.
It hasn't really been so famous, since pretty much everyone is already protected, but it works fine for your friend.

"So you mean, she's going to be okay ?"

"Yes, I'm pretty sure she will. I even have the injection with me." With those words, Cecilia pulled out a small
container from her handbag, and a needle. Filling the tube with the injection, she looked at Sarah out of the
corner of her eye. It was amazing to her, as a doctor, to see a person like that. Sarah had bones, normal human
bones sticking out of her body. Bones grew out of her spine, and it seemed they were a natural extension of it.
According to science, this was impossible. Yet, there she was, looking at it. The girl was obviously a mutant, and
while Cecilia has met mutants and super powered beings before, she had never seen one like this. It was
amazing.

She finished filling the tube, and wiping Calisto's arm with a cotton bud, she inserted the needle. The injection
disappeared into Calisto's body within mere seconds and Cecilia pulled the needle out, beginning to pack.

"She should be back to normal within few days, but I need to check up on her."

"If Calisto will need you, you'll come back." Sarah said, her cold and distant tone returning.

"You do understand that I have no idea how to get out of here right ?"

"I'll lead you back to New York."

"What about my visit ?"

"If something is wrong, I'll come and get you."

"I'm afraid I can't do that. I can't trust your judgment, and you might not even notice something's wrong until it's
too late."

"Look lady." Sarah said getting up from a chair and walking up to Cecilia. "I've brought you here so you could
help my friend. You've done your job now go home. If I'll I need you I will let you know. Is that understood ?"

Cecilia looked at her, unsure what to say for a while, and then nodded. She had no chance against Sarah,
especially with that razor sharp bone in her hand. Of course she could try to depend on it, but she preferred not
to do that. Last time she did, it didn't end pretty and she didn't want to witness it again.

"Okay, I'll go. But remember, if anything is wrong, let me know. Okay ?"

"Yeah sure whatever. Now let's go." Having said that, Sarah got up and headed for the door. Cecilia looked at
Calisto for the last time, hesitating. She never left her patients like this, unsure of their saftey. But she didn't want
Sarah to find out who she really was, and there was a 99 % chance that everything would go perfect with the
injection. And if something did go wrong, then she had to trust Sarah to get her. And she knew, that under all
those masks of anger and rage, Sarah cared for Calisto, and she would do what's best.

"Let's go then." she said sighing.

***

Mexico

The Blackbird landed, creating a sand storm around it, as it's engines blew the sand covering the ground all
around. As the plane settled, so did the sand, and after few minutes, the hatch dropped open and 5 figures
appeared in it, slowly walking down the steps.

The X-Man known as Cyclops looked over his group grimly, as they walked out to the desert. Most concern in
him, brought his wife Jean who had been acting strange ever since the mansion blew into pieces. Right now, she
was not wasting time, and was wearing a brand new costume, that seemed strangely familiar. It was a lot like the
one she wore when they were in X-Factor, it was all red and had a giant yellow X starting at the feet and going
all the way to her shoulders. Scott wasn't sure where she got it from, or why she decided to put it on, but he
wasn't sure if he wanted to ask, not especial after the last time he got her angry.

As he headed into the desert, walking towards the Hulkbuster Base, his thoughts were on Jean, and his life, and
very far away from the mission at hand.

***

Savage Land

Another jet made it's landing, a world away, this time landing in between vines and small trees. This time six
figures came out when the hatch dropped and headed for the base before them, trying very hard not to be seen.

They entered the base of the building, and Gambit began picking at the lock to the hangar bay.

"Anything yet Psylocke ?" Bishop asked the English telepath.

"No, Fenris aren't around anywhere yet, I'll tell you when I sense something."

"Okay. Anne, are you sure we can get to the main hall from here ?"

"Yes, I'm sure. All we need to do, is go up stairs turn few corners and we're there."

"Mes ames, your favorite Cajun would like to announce that he has once again broke the law, and opened yet
another lock !" Gambit announced with a unusual happiness in his voice.

He held the door open, and everyone walked in, Rogue eyeing him, surprised. This was a definite change in
Remy's behavior. Yesterday, he was brooding and closed up, now he was all over the place, cracking jokes,
and acting like the Gambit that arrived in the mansion for the first time. ^Well I'm glad he's finally gotten over me,
I can see it's already helping him. I love him too much to watch him suffer again.^

"That way, up those stairs." Anne pointed at the stairs on the other end of the room, which led upwards."

"Aren't there any alarms installed here ?" Bishop asked cautiously.

"There used to be, but the system broke down few weeks ago and no one was able to fix it. It was master's
creation and no one had an idea how it worked."

Joseph lifted an eyebrow at this comment but didn't say anything. They quickly crossed the room, and began
climbing the stairs. "Remember everyone keep a low profile, and Psylocke I want you to constantly monitor for
Fenris, and tell me when you can sense them."

The team moved swiftly up the stairs along the corridors, Anne Marie leading the way, with Joseph and Bishop
behind her. "Two more turns and we're there." Anne Marie whispered to Bishop. He looked at Psylocke,
questionably and she shook her head.

"NO WAIT !" She suddenly screamed, grabbing her head. "They're right here !" she shouted turning around to
find Fenris standing behind them.

"Welcome X-Men. Can't say we weren't expecting you." Andrea shouted, her hand joining with her brother's.

"And believe us, we're prepared." Andreass added, his hand now holding his sisters as they shoot a beam of
energy at the X-Men. Within a single second, they regrouped, and began to attack. However...

"Wha....?" Rogue shouted as she fell flat on the floor, when she intended to fly.

"Chere, a woman shouldn't fall like that !" Gambit shouted to her, massive grin on his face, as he pulled out a
deck of cards from his pocket. He began charging one, and then to his own surprise he found that it wasn't
working.

"Our power's aren't working !" Joseph shouted as he looked at Fenris dumb folded.

"Oh, X-Men, did you honestly think we would take on all of you ? Our friend Switch already took away your
powers, and the Black Lotus will take care of you." With those words Andrea pulled out a large black flower
that filled up her whole hand and pointed it at the X-Men around her.

"Don't let her use the flower !" Psylocke shouted, throwing herself towards Fenris, wishing she had her katana
with her now.

It was too late. The smell of the Black Lotus reached Betsy's lungs and instantly made her pass out on, landing
on the floor with a loud thump. Bishop opened him mouth to speak, but by now the scent reached them, and
they all fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Great." Andrea commented, smiling. "Take them to the chamber, but leave Joseph to us." she commanded the
mutates behind her, and they obeyed, picking up the X-Men one by one and carrying them out. "You two !"
Andrea shouted at two mutates that stood behind her, motionless. "Take him and follow us."

***

"So as you see Sebastian, we have our part of the deal now, where's yours ?" Andrea spoke to the screen in
front of her, which showed Sebastian Shaw eyeing the view before him with suspicion.

"This is what has become of Magneto ? For Pete's sake he looks like he's 15. How could such a powerful man
become so little ?" Sebastian wondered to himself aloud as he stared at Joseph lying on a table next to Andrea
and Andreass.

"Look Shaw, if you don't believe us, we can send you his DNA. The point is, we beat Magneto, or what's left of
him. Where's our reward."

"Do not be fooled Fenris. I know of Magneto's transformation, but I never imagined he looked so weak. But that
is not of matter anymore. You have defeated Magneto, and therefore you can share his White King seat in the
Hellfire Club. I will tell you the details later, meanwhile, do what you wish with him, he is of not any importance.
Shaw out."

The screen went blank, and Andreass looked at Andrea. "We did it sister !" he said grinning.

"Don't be stupid Andreass, taking over Magneto's seat in the Inner Circle was just the first step of our plan. We
are far from finished. We will crush Magneto slowly, and make sure he's in pain, and when will find out what we
want, we'll kill him."

"Mutates, take Joseph into the chamber, and let the party begin !"

To Be Continued.....

NEXT ISSUE:
"Presenttense"

The fate of Magneto ! Nuff said. (and few other surprises)

On to Issue #25

Or

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