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MARVEL 2000 PRESENTS..."TOKYO NIGHTS"
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THE CAST Storm- Weather manipulator. Former member of the X-men. Ozymandias- A former servant of Apocalypse. Due to manipulation by Onset he has been granted a powerful prophetic slight. Dania- Bursts of super-speed, mutant detection, and able to heighten mutant abilities. With Storm to find her brother. Ramirez- Body growth and wind manipulation. Friend of Dania. Genzo- Body chemistry manipulation, incest creation. Friend of Dania. Red Lotus- Mutant ability allows him to best anyone in hand-to-hand combat. Ally of Yukio. Yukio- A ronin samurai. Longtime friend of Storm. Mario DaVingi- Mutant slave trader. Somnus- Bodyguard of DaVingi. Able to emit nocturnal gas and has superstrength. Noveau- Bodyguard of DaVingi. Healing factor, skilled fighter and able to sense danger. Triad- Bodyguard of DaVingi. Able to split herself into three people and each always has different abilities. Jadianna- Alternate reality daughter of Storm and Wolverine. N24- A creation of Sinister. The genetic son of Deadpool and Storm. Z12- A creation of Sinister. The genetic daughter of Iceman and Vertigo. Japan The night hung around DaVingi as he sipped on a glass of fine wine. Recent opportunities had kept him rather busy and the mutant slaver was enjoying this bit of downtime. He had traveled to Tokyo alongside his three enforcers; Noveau, Triad, and Somnus. All of them were talented in the arts of protection and had kept DaVingi safe from a number of threats. They all stood at the opposite end of the rectangular dining table with their arms folded behind their backs. Each of them was garbed entirely in black and had sunglasses to match. Triad was a petite woman with a sleeveless leather shirt and pants. Her hair was short and slicked back, giving her a cryptic allure. She was standing next to Somnus, who was a middle-aged, bulky, bald, black man. He was wearing a silk dress shirt and pants with a high thread count. The last of the group was Noveau. He had boyish looks and perfectly laid hair to match it, but dress that was akin to the boys of Columbine. DaVingi cut a piece of steak and began to chew it. Before he was finished he asked, “Has zee shipment arrived yet?” Somnus was the one to answer. “Yes sir. Fifty mutants locked in and being debriefed on their current situation as we speak, sir.” “Good, good. What of our guests?” DaVingi asked as he took another chunk from his well-cooked steak. “Four of them have already arrived at their hotel accommodations. Three are on their flights as we speak and all others should be en route within the next twenty four hours,” Triad reported. “Zee pit?” DaVingi said as he wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin. “It’s been prepped and all necessary modifications have been made, but I need to ask one thing of you sir if I may?” Noveau requested. “Go ahead,” the slaver replied coolly. “The security measures for the pit seem to be a bit lacking sir. We’re dealing with some possibly volatile individuals here. The three of us and a few enforcers may not be enough in a worse case scenario.” DaVingi sat down his napkin and licked his lips. “Zee point of zis endeavor is to make money. Having a high level of security will cost me money. I hope you can see where my logic is going.” “Of course sir. Sorry for having doubted you,” Noveau replied. “You did nothing wrong. A valid concern, but one I can’t afford to worry about. Move along with my plans. I want zis affair to be flawless.” Storm’s three newly recruited mutants followed her down the stairs and looking at the cobwebs, Dania said, “You actually stay here? The X-Men might have actually been a better idea.” When they reached the end of the stairs, Ozymandias appeared from the shadows and said with open arms, “Welcome to my abode, three mutants of the sun. I trust Ororo made your trip here comfortable.” Genzo, the oddball of the group, stepped forward and asked, “They are curious. What do you mean by mutants of the sun?” Ozymandias smiled. “Forgive my cryptic speech. I only refer to a future that will no longer be.” Confusion held firm to Genzo. “They do not understand what you mean, but they are curious to find out.” Giving a gentle nod, Ozymandias said, “I am sure you are. There is much I could tell all of you.” “Why not start with where my brother is?” Dania demanded with a bit more force than Storm would have liked, but Ozymandias wasn’t bothered by it. “Japan. A mutant slave trader named Mario DaVingi has him held captive. He’s going to make your brother fight to the death and he will lose. No doubt about that.” Dania’s face was drained of all color with Ozymandias’ dreadful news. Her brother was near death halfway across the world. Then there was the way Ozymandias had said it so casually. She could just rip his head clean off! “How long does he have?” Ramirez asked. “Three days. He’s not the only mutant facing death,” Ozymandias informed the group. “He’s the only mutant I’m worried about,” Dania snapped. Quickly defusing the situation, Storm said, “Then we need to mount a rescue operation.” “Precisely my thoughts. The four of you along with three of my other agents will infiltrate DaVingi’s Japanese operations and shut them down completely,” Ozymandias said. “What of the other mutants being held captive?” Storm asked. “Bring back anyone who agrees to work under me. Leave the others to the Japanese authorities. They’ll know what to do with them,” Ozymandias replied. Dania snickered insultingly. “The authorities there are overtaxed. Red Skull’s attack devastated the nation *. They’re going through a recovery phase at the moment.” * ( Check out Avengers #42-44 for that story) “All the more reason for you to do as I ask then,” Ozymandias replied. Having picked up on something that the prophet said, Ororo crossed her arms across her chest and with great indignation inquired, “What other agents Ozymandias?” Storm followed Ozymandias into the room and angrily closed the door behind her. “Why are you keeping things from me? I thought we were in a partnership!” Ozymandias turned on Ororo and said, “We are together Ororo. But you must understand I view things in an entirely different way than most people. Telling you about these other agents so soon would have been stressful for you.” “Why?” Sighing, Ozymandias said, “You had already been introduced to Jadianna. Introducing you to another illegitimate child would have been too much.” Ororo was floored. “What? Who?” “They’re creations of Sinister. They fought the Exiles, but abandoned their master. They have been on the run ever since,” Ozymandias answered. “His name is N24.” “You’re right,” Storm answered. “I can’t handle this. Not right now. I’m going to Japan and it’s just going to be me with Dania and her boys. No one else. Is that understood?” Ozymandias smiled. “I never intended for you to go with more than that. You already have a friend in Japan looking into the same thing you’re about to.” Storm thought about it for a moment and said, “Yukio.” “Precisely. You have everything you need. I just needed to pull you aside to tell you about N24. Now just happened to be the right time,” Ozymandias replied. Trying her best to not show anger, Storm stepped back from the prophet and began to make her way through the door. “Do not treat me as some chess piece to be moved Ozymandias. You will regret it.” After she was gone, Ozymandias sighed and said, “You can come out now. She’s gone.” Out of the shadows stepped the two individuals he had just spoken of, N24 and Z12. They had been created by Sinister to use against The Exiles in the early days of their formation. In truth they were only a few months old, but to genetic tampering they each had the appearance of someone in their mid-20s. N24 had skin that was about three shades lighter than Ororo’s but he had her classic white hair and blue eyes. The hair was cut low, but his eyes shined just as brightly as hers. He was wearing a sleeveless sliver shirt with gloves and pants to match. N24 had his mother’s height, but his father’s build. Ozymandias saw many curious things in the young man’s future. Standing next to N24 was his partner in crime, Z12. They had both made the decision to run away from Sinister and had successfully survived his wrath for quite some time. Ozymandias knew it was only because Essex had become distracted with other details. Z12 was about a foot shorter than her partner and looked exactly like her mother except for the fact her hair and nails were permanently organic ice. She was wearing a baby blue tank top, white shorts, and boots that were white with blue laces. “So I guess we’re cut out of this mission?” N24 asked. Ozymandias shrugged. “Not quite. She’ll need you. Of this I’m sure.” “What is it that you see?” Z12 inquired. She was deeply impressed by Ozymandias’ gift. It would have saved them from many a sleepless night while on the run from Sinister. “They’ll be a moment when DaVingi will nearly win this endeavor. That’s where the two of you will step in. Prepare yourselves,” Ozymandias said as he walked to the door. “There is much we’ll need to go over.” Japan (12 Hours Later) One Mario DaVingi had reserved the entire hotel, but with the amount of false identities he had, no one would have ever noticed. The rich and wealthy guests for his sick entertainment were beginning to arrive and fill the rooms that DaVingi had offered as some bonus incentive to his sadistic sport. Yukio watched the arrivals with binoculars from another building adjacent to the hotel with a burning disgust. “They’re like modern day shoguns. They hoard and they plunder to only satisfy their debauchery.” “Aren’t you a samurai?” Yukio’s young male companion asked. “Thought they were loyal to the shogun?” “I’m a ronin,” Yukio smirked. “A distinctly different kind of samurai ,Lotus.” Red Lotus shook his head and put his binoculars back up to his eyes. “A man with no one to answer to is a dangerous one indeed.” “And a woman even worse,” Yukio added. It was comments like those that had endured Red lotus to the feisty Japanese woman. In the months following the dissolution of The Exiles the former Triad had been without direction. He himself had become very much a ronin. Greece, Russia, Italy, and Japan were some of the places he found trouble for himself. It was at that last destination when Lotus bit off more than he could chew. He found himself in conflict with the forces of DaVingi. If not for the timely intervention of Yukio, he would have found himself a part of DaVingi’s slave trade. From that point forward the two began working towards the Frenchman’s end. In recent days that goal seemed closer and closer to being attained. DaVingi was making mistakes and the two had been around enough criminals to recognize them. Laying low and not jumping into the action had paid off for them. “You see anybody worth nabbing yet?” Red Lotus asked. “Not a single one,” Yukio replied. “But we’ve already been up here three hours. I don’t see what two more could hurt. Patience has got us this far.” “I think my stomach might disagree with you.” “I’ll have to teach you the technique to trick your body into thinking its full,” Yukio said. A strong wind descended upon the roof and sent a cold chill over the two warriors. A beautiful mahogany goddess’ feet touched the roof and she said, “I believe that there is much you can teach him.” “Ororo!” Yukio yelled as she ran and embraced her old friend. “What the hell are you doing here?” “It seems we have a common enemy.” Yukio sighed. “The X-Men know about DaVingi?” “No. I am not with the X-Men anymore.” His hopes dashed, Red Lotus said, “There goes our cavalry.” Yukio cut her eyes at Lotus as a signal to be quiet and turned back to Ororo. “So I assume that’s another story for another time. How’d you find me?” Storm smiled. “Normally, I would just follow the trail of broken bones. Presently, my aid comes from my new ally, Ozymandias.” “Him?” Red Lotus yelled remembering The Exiles encounters with the Egyptian prophet. Ororo didn’t seem phased in the slightest by the outburst. “He told me you would react like that. I assure you that he has changed since you met him.” Yukio turned back to her partner. “If she says it then I believe it.” Relaxing some, Red Lotus said, “Fine. I’ll go for it.” “So what all do you know?” Yukio asked. “Ozymandias only gave me the basics. He said you would be more than capable of telling me everything I needed to know about the situation,” Storm answered. The ronin’s brow furrowed some and she whispered, “You sure you trust this guy?” “Not entirely, but that’s also another story for another time,” Storm responded knowing that Yukio wanted to press it further. Her trust of Ozymandias was a subject that she herself was still struggling with. Now wasn’t the time to dissect it. Yukio didn’t like Ororo’s answer, but respected her friend’s wishes. When there was time she would bring it up again. Ororo had always shown herself to be smart, resourceful, and independent. Those traits could work against a person because they grew to think they could take on anything. From her shaky answer, Yukio got the impression that Ororo was unsure of herself. For someone like Ororo to be unsure worried Yukio. What earth-shattering event made her leave the one group of people that she had spent most of her adult life with? Storm felt her friend’s unease and said, “Don’t worry. I know what I’m getting myself into. So why are you here of all places?” Pointing to the lavish hotel, Yukio said, “This is where DaVingi is housing his guest. Lotus and I had intended to kidnap whoever looked important and milk them for info.” “Haven’t seen anyone yet,” Red Lotus complained. “I think we should just pick someone and get it over with.” “How good do you move in fog?” Storm asked. Knowing her friend’ intent, Yukio smiled and said, “You should know that by now. Like a tiger.” Looking upwards, Storm’s blue eyes went white and she replied, “Then get ready to find your prey.” Yukio walked over to Red Lotus and said, “I think your stomach won’t be waiting much longer.” “About damn time,” Lotus replied. Yukio and Red Lotus’s mission had gone quickly and smoothly. Storm dropped enough fog to blanket a few city blocks and it was under that cover that Sergio Villa, a weapons dealer, was taken from his bedroom. Storm and Yukio began their interrogation while Red Lotus went to get some food (his stomach absolutely demanded it). The ladies had no qualms with his stomach. A man like Sergio Villa was as much a threat to them as a smashed fly on a window truck. Still blindfolded, the 40-something Spaniard struggled with the knots binding his wrists and ankles. “Where am I?” “Answer our questions and this goes smoothly. Don’t and my friend here starts frying your internal organs. Your choice. Make it a smart one,” Yukio warned. The chubby man squirmed. “Who are you?” What do you want?” Pushing her foot into the man’s neck, Yukio said, “I think you should let us ask the questions.” “Who are you and why are you here?” Storm asked. Pressing her foot harder into the man’s throat, Yukio added, “And don’t feed us any bullshit. We know more than you think.” “My name is Sergio. I was invited here by a business partner,” the man quivered. “Why were you invited?” Storm asked. “He’s holding an event and wanted me to attend,” the man replied. “I got a blade with your name on it if you don’t tell me who this friend is and what the hell kind of event he’s holding,” Yukio growled as she removed her foot from Sergio’s throat, bent down and pressed a blade to his neck. She hated making a defenseless man squirm, but it was for the greater good. Besides, he had condemned himself by being a willing participant in such a sick affair. Stone cold with fear, the man said, “DaVingi. Mario DaVingi. He’s a human trafficker. This weekend he’s holding a competition to show off his best merchandise.” “Merchandise!” Yukio roared. “People are not merchandise! Where do these people come from?” The man began to tremble under the ronin’s hot breath. He moved his tied hands to his mouth in a pleading fashion as he said, “They’re mutants. One mutant has become more valuable than a hundred flatline humans. DaVingi is one of the few traffickers who exclusively deals with mutants.” Biting back her own anger at the mistreatment of her people, Storm asked, “What is your connection with DaVingi?” If there was ever a time the man feared for his life it was now. He still gave a response fearing his other options. “I’m a weapons dealer. I brought goods from DaVingi to test new weapons systems on.” Sick bastard, Yukio thought. “Where did DaVingi want you to meet?” Storm said. The man let them know everything he knew. DaVingi’s Stronghold “Adama!” DaVingi yelled as he hugged his African friend and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I didn’t think you were going to come. Did you bring the boys?” The vain Rulke wanted to wipe the kiss away from his cheek, but he had orders and those orders required him to play nice. “Of course I brought the boys. I’m sure this event of yours is going to full of surprises.” NEXT ISSUE: Adama Rulke is in Japan? How is this going to complicate things for Ororo?   |
