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#32 December 1999
LAST ISSUE: TheX-Men arrived home to find Revanche, someone they thought to be long dead. A battle soon followed and the X-Men were overpowered by her. Eventually Revanche left without causing any major damage, but Psylocke, who thought she had put all of her baggage behind her, felt a stinging blow. We know that this new Revanche is a clone created by Matuso, but to what purpose remains unknown. Just as the X-Men were getting themselves together, an old friend, Lila Cheney, arrived asking for their help. She immediately teleported them back to her house without any further explanation. And yet again another saga begins....
In this last month of the century (yes,
yes we know math geeks) Visions brings you a sweeping epic that
can be only called:
MOJO WARS
EPISODE 1
"Lies, lies, lies"
Written, Produced, Directed and Designed by: Tom
Edited, Co-Produced and Merchandised by: Link
A VISIONS PRESENTATION
"Wha..."
"Where..."
"Who..."
"Eina! My head!"
"....in trouble?"
Magneto, Iceman, Rogue, Gambit, Psylocke, Bishop, Maggott and Anne Marie Cortez looked around in suspicion. Just a second before they were standing in the demolished lounge of the Xavier's Institute for Higher Learning. Wherever they were now, it surely wasn't home anymore. Or Kansas. They were in a spacious room that looked fairly normal. A couch stood in front of a TV and a large stereo system. There was a kitchen nearby complete with a bar and stools. Bascially it was like any regular living room. It was the view outside the window that amazed them. As far as they could see, a black void stretched out with white dots spread over like glitter. Psylocke was the first to understand where they were. "We're in space," she whispered amazed.
"Welcome to my home, X-Men! Welcome to the Dyson Sphere!" Just then the X-Men turned their attention to the person who brought them here. Lila Cheney, rock star, inter-dimensional thief and mutant teleporter, she had allied X-Men on several occasions in the past.
"Why have you brought us...." Psylocke's voice trailed as soon as she saw who was sitting on the couch. In the corner, sat Alison Blaire, former singer and X-Man who could project light from sound. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying and her left eye had a black, swollen ring around it. She had been clearly hit by someone.
"ALISON!" Psylocke shouted running up to her old teammate. "What happened to you?!!" she questioned as they embraced each other.
"Oh Betsy.... don't even ask," she whispered. One after one, the X-Men who knew her greeted her and for a brief moment a sparkle of happiness shone in her eyes. It felt great to see her old friends again.
As they sat down on the couch her joy disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Everyone was facing her awaiting an explanation for her current state and the reason they were teleported here. Dazzler looked around and noticed there were few faces she didn't know, which didn't come as a surprise; the X-Men were always evolving. But these people were the closest she had to friends, even if she hadn't seen them for months. She trusted them and knew they would help. When she did, it was in a shaky, sobbing voice. She kept her gaze to the floor, never looking up to meet any of their eyes.
"It.... it all began with the disappearance of the X-Babies. You know I was taking care of them after Gog and MgGog tried to kill them (Marvel's X-Men #46-47). At first we thought that it was those two at it again but the very next day Longshot.... he... went crazy. He sacked the entire government, which he had built over the past year. He always said that they were just beginning to turn Mojo Verse into a normal place. I don't know much about it, I preferred to stay away from the politics. Longshot was the one who ran it all. He took it upon himself to lead the new world."
"Funny, that's not the Longshot I know," Psylocke unwillingly interrupted Dazzler's story.
"He's changed, Betsy. He's not the man we all knew from Australia. I thought maybe it was the time that he spent away from the team that made him more distance... (Longshot left the X-Men in Uncanny X-Men #248) ... but now...." Allison's voice cut off and she covered her face with her hands, crying again. The team looked at each other, feeling uneasy in the situation.
After a moment Allison pulled herself together and began telling the story again.
"He sacked the whole government and announced that the old regime was returning. Slavery would be reintroduced and the slaves would fight for entertainment just like during Mojo's regime. To start it all off, there is going to be a giant fight between the members of the sacked parliament and the best warriors from the entire universe. He said the entire event is going to be televised everywhere," Alison stopped to take a breath. Saying all of this wasn't easy. Longshot was her husband and she had no idea what was going on with him.
"What about Mojo II?" Gambit asked about Mojo's successor who promised to rule the universe at much more normal levels.
"He's right up there with Longshot calling the shots," Alison replied. "Longshot came home that night. We got into a fight..... I lost." Alison paused, unable to continue. An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. The X-Men could well see that Longshot had struck her; she had a black eye and bruises on her arms. They had no idea what else he might have done to her, but they tried not to think of it. From her tale he had turned into an insane monster. What happened to the laid-back, relaxed, always smiling Longshot they all knew?
Dazzler's voice brought them back to reality. "That night, I escaped and came here. We both agreed that it was the best we call you guys. But I... I... don't know what to do. I don't know what happened to Longshot. He's never acted like this before.... I... I... just don't know..."
"Do not worry, Alison," Psylocke asserted embracing Alison. "We're going to find out what's wrong and make it right. You can count on us. Magneto already has a plan," she announced looking up at Magnus.
"Yes. I have been thinking it over as you were talking, Ms. Blaire. When is the big fighting event?" Magneto questioned.
"Tonight."
"Is Longshot going to be there?"
"Yes, he's due to open the whole thing."
"Good. Then we will sneak into the stadium and apprehend Longshot. Then we'll find all the answers we need."
"Gee you came up with that all by yourself? No wonder they made you leader," Bobby mumbled under his lip.
"Bobby this is not the time for being immature!" Betsy turned to him shouting.
"Sessh, don't get your panties in a knot. I was just kidding," Bobby retreated.
"Well now that that's settled I suggest we get ready. We're going to need disguises," Magneto began.
***
Somewhere in Mojo Verse
"The preparations are going really well, sir. There will be a high turn out and we've managed to get all the networks up and running again for the whole universe to see," Mojo II reported to Longshot who was leaning on the table scanning the TV screen in front of him. He looked normal as he always had. Long, blonde hair, blue eyes, dressed in his silver uniform with a star on his chest. But his face showed a previously unknown determination. He was a man with a mission. Before his mission had been to free Mojo Verse from the tyranny of Mojo. He even succeeded and became the new leader of the universe (Marvel's X-Men #10-11). But now his goal was different. He wanted to return the universe to what it was before: a savage tyranny living on the high of entertainment. His motivations were still unclear, especially since he fought so hard in the past to overthrow what he was now setting up.
"There is however a small problem."
"What is it, Mojo II?" Longshot asked looking towards the clone of Mojo. He had yellow skin just like the original but human features and long, dark hair, complete with a long mustache. Mojo II had aided him in defeating Mojo and agreed to return the universe to normal. His reasons for suddenly changing his mind were as unclear as Longshot's.
"We recorded a disturbance in the magnetic field of the planet. Something or someone has landed on the surface. Considering that your wife is missing and her past association with the mutant group, the X-Men, I think we could have a security breach."
Before he could reply however, a voice spoke from the shadows, making both men turn around and pay attention. "That's good. After all, what would a show be without the guest stars?"
***
A universe away in Africa
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Ororo Munroe stated looking over the Savannah, which was bathed in the setting sun. Birds were preparing to go hunting for food and the larger animals were looking for shelter for the night.
"Sure whatever ya say, 'Ro. I've never been someone to appreciate sunsets," Logan answered from where he was sitting. He put out yet another cigar with his boot.
"Ah, yes the macho man attitude. How could I forget about it Logan," Storm responded, looking at Logan perversely.
"Ain't nuthin' macho about it, Storm. When yer my age ya've seen too much to care about something as unimportant as a sunset. Anyhow, yer looking beautiful nowadays yerself, with a baldhead and all," Logan asserted, chuckling to himself.
"It is traditional, Logan, for women to have no or little hair on their heads. I would not mind if you stopped pointing it out. Besides, it will grow back," Storm remarked with a tingle of annoyance in her tone.
"Ya ain't gonna have to worry about me fer much longer, 'Ro. I'm leaving," Logan announced in a serious tone. "I hope ya understand."
"Of course I do, my friend. You have matters to attend and you made it clear that you could accompanied me for only a while, which I do thank you for. I am not sure I would have defeated Lukin without your help. You have been great company, aside from your sense of humor, to which I am used to by now."
Both Storm and Wolverine laughed. "So where are you going to go?" Storm asked after a short silence.
"Dunno. Might visit Mac. Haven't seen him in ages. I also promised Jubilee I would visit her so I might do that. Other than that I don't know yet."
"What about the X-Men?" Storm questioned.
"From past experiences, I know we'll run into each other sooner or later, but right now I've got some of my own business to deal with. What about you?"
"I will be staying here. I have not decided what to do with the Morlocks that reside here. This is not the best place for them and we both know it, but I am not sure what to do. I am hoping my powers will return. Aniet says that they are gone because my connection with mother earth has been cut for so long. There is probably some truth in that so I will be working with her for some time. After that I will see. I am in no hurry to be a hero again," Storm replied. She lifted her head to look at Wolverine popping his claws in and out as if to amuse himself. "Speaking of powers, how is your skeleton doing?" she questioned.
"Not really sure, 'Ro. After the fight with Lukin, all the bone scraped off the claws revealing pure adamantium underneath. Last time I thought they were just pure adamantium but it turned out that were just bone covered in adamantium. Now it seems they are pure adamantium. Not really sure. And if they are then what happens when the bone starts peeling off inside me? I've never been a philosopher but there's something to think about. I guess I'm going to have to wait and see, as usual."
If this was someone else Storm would worry, but she knew Wolverine for a long time. She knew his healing factor would take care of any damage the peeling bone could do to his body and if it for some reason didn't he would find a way, he always did.
"So I guess you'll be leaving soon?" she asked.
"Yup. Two, three days."
***
Mojo Verse
The seven X-Men, Anne Marie Cortez, Lila Cheney and Dazzler all assembled in the queue, holding onto their long robes, which Lila managed to get them to disguise themselves. Despite the grim situation, they were joking amongst themselves, acting as normal as the other fans around them.
"You know you guys, this is just like Robin Hood," Gambit remarked to his companions behind him.
"Pfft Robin Hood, how childish are you, Gambit?" Bobby called after him.
"You shut up, Bobby. At least I don't watch the reruns of the Full House every night," Gambit bit back an evil grin appearing on his face. He knew he had struck a nerve as Bobby immediately shut up and lowered his head pretending he didn't hear it.
Gambit now turned his attention to Bishop who was next to him. "So Bish, how did your visit to your sister go?"
"It was fine, Remy. It was great to see her again. (in the we're-really-going-to-publish-it-one-day Unpredictable X-Factor #5) We haven't really talked for a long time; the visit was long overdue. We worked out some of our past differences and talked a lot. Yet, there are still so many things that need to be resolved in my life, I've barely began and there seems to be no end."
"Don't worry, homme, you can count on us being there for ya. Whatever you have to face, we'll help you," Gambit replied cheerfully patting Bishop on the back.
"Thank you, Gambit, it really means a lot," Bishop replied looking down at Remy and slightly smiling.
Meanwhile behind them, the new X-Man, Maggott, was just getting the feel for his new role. "Struesbob! When I hooked up with you guys I never imagined I'd be rocking up in other dimensions. Not so soon anyway."
"Feeling a bit homesick already, Maggott?" Rogue replied raising an eyebrow.
"Not really, doll. The girls had a vrot ride but I'm having a hang of a time. Nothing a massage from you couldn't fix," Maggott responded looking at his new teammate from behind his glasses and grinning.
Rogue erupted with laughter. Maggott clearly had no idea what her powers were but she had no intention of setting him straight yet. Watching him try to hit on her was too valuable to pass up.
Everyone's conversation ended as they entered the stadium. It was almost full and the crowd was screaming and cheering. As the X-Men found themselves some seats, Dazzler bit her lip and mumbled to herself about how some things never change.
Magneto sat down next to Anne Marie Cortez. "What do you think so far, Anne? I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess...." he began but was cut off.
"It's okay, Magneto. You didn't have much choice and besides I'm glad I can help these people keep their independence. That is a cause worthy in itself," Anne replied with a faint smirk.
"I am proud of your attitude, Anne. I am glad that you did manage to pick up the main facet of my dream," Magneto responded.
Anne glanced at him unsure of what he was talking about. Since when had she and Magneto become great friends? Before it was different; she accepted him as her master as did the rest of the Acolytes, and followed his orders without question. But ever since the Acolytes broke up, and Magneto took up the leadership of the X-Men, things began to appear in a new light. Magneto was not the saint that they thought him to be. His dream, while it had good intentions was flawed and would never succeed much like Xavier's dream. Now with these two working together could they possibly bring the best aspects of their visions together and finally make it work? She hoped so. She still cared about her people and she knew Magneto had enough good in him to make this work. He wasn't a saint but he could make it work.
Her train of thought was broken by a roar from the crowd; the start of the first fight. Two human-like warriors, announced as Kar and El, stepped out into the arena. both armed with swords and battle staffs. They first greeted the crowd, inciting more enthusiasm. Then they both began circling each other with caution, their weapons ready, their eyes fixed on each other waiting for the other to move.
Finally, Kar lost his nerve and threw himself at his opponent, which was just what El was waiting for. He dogged the attack swiftly and smacked Kar over the back with his staff, sending him to the ground. Kar quickly pulled himself back up and swung his sword at El, missing his chest by mere inches. The crowd applauded once again. Kar smiled to himself, feeling his confidence return but it was in vain. While Kar dodged El's staff, El's sword came up and then down onto Kar's arm, cutting right through the bone and chopping it off.
Kar shrieked in pain and fell to the ground and the crowd erupted in applause. With a wicked grin on his face, El walked up to the pain-stricken Kar and grabbing his sword he lifted it above his head and pointed it at Karl's chest. He looked around the crowd for a reaction.
"KILL!"
"KILL!"
"KILL!"
"KILL!"
The word echoed around the stadium like a chant; the crowd drowned in it's own furore. Without any hesitation, El bought his blade down onto the half conscious Kar, driving it deep into his chest and not stopping until it broke through to the other side. The crowd was going crazy.
Immediately, the slaves appeared on the arena and dragged the still shaking body of Kar off the arena. El walked off waving triumphantly to the crowd.
Out of one of the exits came Longshot. All lights rotated onto him and he greeted the crowd, raising yet another loud cheer from them.
"Welcome citizens! Welcome to the new universe of entertainment. Prepare yourself to be entertained like you've never been entertained before! Prepare yourself for the rising of Mojo Verse Inc.!"
#I've heard enough of this garbage,# Magneto announced through Psylocke's telepathic link. #Let's go, X-Men.#
The X-Men sprung from their seats and dropped their disguises. Surrounded by Magneto's bubble, they all drifted towards the arena, surrounding Longshot.
"Longshot, we are doing this as your friends. Stop this now and no one will get hurt," Psylocke announced. She landed on the ground with the rest of the X-Men.
The crowd behind them was screaming again, interpreting the scene as another act of the show.
"Ah, the X-Men. Believe it or not, we were expecting you." Longshot snapped his fingers and warriors began emerging in countless numbers from the doors of the stadium and forming a circle around the X-Men. "Oh, and I doubt that no one will get hurt tonight, old friends. In fact I'm betting on it," he added.
"What's going on, Longshot?!!" Dazzler shouted with tears in her eyes. "What has gotten into you? The Longshot I knew would never do anything like this!"
"My dear Alison," Longshot replied with pity. "You are so stupid. Maybe I don't act like your Longshot because I am not Longshot."
DEFINITELY TO BE CONCLUDED...
NEXT ISSUE:
"Mojo Wars,
Episode 2"
"Cliffhanger"
Who is Longshot? Answers and even more questions, next month! Be
there!
Or