The MARVELOUS Muppets: X-Men Mark The Spot

[muppetwriter]

Good news, everybody!

I've finally thought up the perfect ending for this story! It'll require adding some characters from a comic-turned-cartoon series that I enjoy watching out of Disney's Jetix program. These characters will be popping up now and then in other Muppet/Marvel stories that I'll write in the future.

 

[muppetwriter]

In just a short amount of time, I was able to cook up this brand-spanking new chapter.

Chapter Eight (Part One)​

“Lights on.” Magneto ordered, into the walkie-talkie, as the machine finally locked into place. Sabretooth grabbed a hold of a lever for the “Liberty Display” power breaker and pulled up, turning it on. The lights of the Statue came back on, and the crowd of dignitaries burst into enthusiastic applause as if it was part of the proceedings. Magneto turned and opened the hatch; seeing the hole, he realized that Logan had escaped. He walked over and stared at the hole, which was clearly cut out by Logan’s claws; he wiped the edge of the hole and noticed Logan’s blood on his fingers. “Remarkable.” Magneto looked down and saw Logan’s claw marks down the arm of the Statue, marking his escape. He scanned the island from his high perch and did not see Logan. “Very remarkable.”

Meanwhile, in a fashionable Chinese restaurant in Downtown Manhattan that was closed down for the evening, five teenage girls and a young man named Caleb were watching aerial footage of Liberty Island on television. The secret behind the five girls was a fascinating one: they were chosen to be the Guardians of the Veil (mystical portals that led to parallel worlds) and given magical powers over the five elements (fire, air, water, earth, and energy). 14-year-old Will Vandom was the leader over her friends (Irma Lair, Cornelia Hale, Hay Lin, and Taranee Cook) and the keeper of a small crystal called the Heart of Candracar. The Heart was absorbed into Will’s body and emerged when it was needed; it transformed the girls into Guardians (they age to 16 and wear special costumes) and strengthens their elemental powers. Their ally, Caleb, was a rebel soldier from the world that they protected (Meridian).

“That is one impressive statue.” He said, keeping his eyes on the television set, which was a scarce object in Meridian. “Most of ours only stand at eight feet tall.”

“Never mind about Lady Liberty,” Will said, as she clutched the Heart of Candracar, “Something bad is happening on that island.”

“What? Are the pyrotechnics not functioning?” Irma joked, and Will shot a dirty look at her.

“I’m serious.” Will said. “I think someone’s putting the world in serious danger.”

“Is it Phobos?” Caleb asked, as the thoughts of the sly, arrogant, and ruthless prince of Meridian on Earth making him feel very nervous.

“No, it’s not Phobos.” Will told Caleb, who signed with relief. “It’s someone…more powerful…more…vengeful.”

“Then what are we doing just sitting around here for?” Hay Lin said, energetically. “Let’s get over there and kick this guy’s butt!”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Cornelia said, holding her hands up in protest. “Why should we waste our time stopping some weirdo on the Statue of Liberty? We only stop weirdoes from another universe.”

“Cornelia, we got these powers to protect both this world and the next.” Will said. “If we protect Meridian more than Earth, then we’ll just be leaving Earth to waste away more and more by the day.”

“Okay. Okay.” Cornelia said, as Hay Lin noticed one small thing about their wording in their conversation.

“Hey, that all rhymes!” She exclaimed, and the other girls just gave her an odd look, while Caleb was getting his caramel-colored overcoat on.

“You girls know what to do.” He said.

“Sure do.” Will said, just as she pulled out the Heart of Candracar from beneath her shirt and uttered the phrase, “Guardians, unite!” With those words, the five ordinary girls transformed into their Guardian forms in a quick second before Caleb’s very impressed eyes.

“Never get tired of that.” He commented.

“Let’s hope not.” Cornelia said, posing as if she was in a fashion show. “Because if you do, then we’ll start getting tired of lookin’ so darn good.” Will just shook her head at Cornelia.

“Come on, Heidi Klum.” Will told her. “Get your butt in gear, so we can start taking care of the trash that’s polluting Liberty Island.” The Guardians, with Caleb in tow, went up to the rooftop of the restaurant and used the beautiful, three-foot wide wings on their backs to fly over to Liberty Island; Caleb, who didn’t have any wings to fly with, was carried by Irma and Taranee.

Back on Liberty Island, the doors to the old torch room burst open, allowing smoke to billow out; Jean and Rizzo (who still had the unconscious Pyro over his right shoulder) ran out, both coughing violently.

“Man! The last time I inhaled something that bad, Gonzo had to remove his socks from our room.” Rizzo/Colossus said, just as Toad landed in front of Jean, grabbed her head, and (before she could react) launched his tongue at her face; his tongue covered her face with an adhesive slime. Jean fell to the ground, while Rizzo dropped Pyro’s body and turned Colossus’s body into steel. “Kermit, I’m sorry about this, but I’ve gotta take out your twice-removed cousin!”

Rizzo swung his steel fist into Toad’s face, sending the mutant flying across the air and crashing into a nearby display case. Shaking the cobwebs out of his head, Toad extended his tongue again and wrapped it around Rizzo’s ankles; he jerked his head back and caused Rizzo to fall flat on his back.

“Oy! What the heck was up with that?!” Rizzo/Colossus exclaimed.

“Just one of the many tricks I have in my hat.” Toad remarked, and as Rizzo got to his feet, Toad did a brilliant somersault in the air and attempted to kick Rizzo in the face; fortunately, he moved out of the way in time to let Toad hit nothing but the floor, which he put a huge dent in.

“Close, but no cigar, Froggy!” Rizzo/Colossus said, and he picked up Toad, swinging around and around, really fast. “Time…to…take…the…ultimate…SPIN!!” He let go of Toad’s body and flung him over the air; the mutant crashed right through a wall and ended up outside, still flying through the air at an incredible speed. When Toad was far away from the island, he landed in the water, disappearing below the surface and leaving nothing but bubbles. Back inside the complex, Rizzo was fighting the dizziness that Colossus’s body had picked up, after spinning so fast. “Remind me never to do that again.”

Rizzo collapsed on the floor, as Cyclops stumbled into the room; he saw the damaged that Rizzo and Toad caused during their fight, and then he saw Jean lying on the ground. He ran to her and turned her on her back, ready to perform CPR; he was shocked to see the slime on her face, which was hardening. Jean was suffocating, and Cyclops desperately tried to pry the hardened slime off; he stopped and put his hands on Jean’s shoulders, pinning her down.

“Jean, stop moving.” Scott demanded, and she started to calm down, with her chest still hitching involuntarily for air. “Jean, trust me. Don’t move.” He took a hold of her chin and gripped it tightly, and then he fired a thin, focused optic beam into the encrusted slime, splitting it in half. Cyclops pulled the remains away from her face, allowing Jean to gasp for air; she then looked up and her face turned to horror. Behind Cyclops, towering over him was Sabretooth; with one violent swipe from the monster’s hand, Cyclops was knocked out cold.

TO BE CONTINUED...​

 

[The Count]

Wow! So much funneeeeeeee!
The fight between Rizzo/Colossus and Toad was my fave part.
Sorry Kermit, but I gotta take out your twice-removed cousin.
Classic.

And now that Toad's gone from Liberty Island, I guess that allows for the introduction of another slimy reptilian/amphibian creature... Blunc!
The introduction and rendering of the WITCH characters was well done. You captured Irma's joke-killing and Hai Lynn's odd airheadedness.
The problem I have with WITCH now is that it and I when viewing it are suffering from the same thing that happened with Winks Club. They just keep repeating the Season 1 episodes ad nauseum till Season 2 starts up.
And is there any evidence WITCH will have a Season 2? At least they took Schinzo off for the same reason to make room for the new stuff.

Look forward to more from this story.

 

[ReneeLouvier]

Really really awesome!

 

[muppetwriter]

Chapter Eight (Part Two)​

Inside Lady Liberty’s head, Jean, Cyclops (without his visor on), and Rizzo were trapped in a hideous tangle of metal, which was taken from the Statue’s steel bracing; Jean and Cyclops were forced to face each other, while Rizzo (still unconscious) was hanging upside down. Two sharp points of metal rest on either side of Cyclops’ head, locking it in position; he was close enough to feel Jean’s breath, and if he opened his eyes, he will destroy everything in his path, including Jean.

Storm was also encased in a mass of sharp metal bands, along with Kermit and Fozzie, who (like Rizzo) had regained their personas and were back in control of Iceman and Jubilee. They were all pinned to the wall, with razor sharp pieces of metal warped and closing on their throats. Oddly, Gonzo wasn’t with the group; he seemed to have disappeared, just as soon as Magneto captured Storm, Kermit, and Fozzie.

“What’s going on here?!” Kermit/Iceman yelled, frantically. “Why am I strapped here inside of the Statue of Liberty like this, wearing this ridiculous outfit?! And where the heck is Gonzo?!”

“These outfits aren’t too ridiculous, Kermit.” Fozzie/Jubilee said, as he glanced at the skintight X-Man uniform that Jubilee’s body had on. “In fact, they’re kind of comfortable. Hey, hey! Be honest with me…does it make my butt look fat?” Kermit made a disturbed expression on his face, as Magneto stepped into the room, placing Cyclops’ visor against one of the metal straps that was lined on his belt.

“And who are you?” Kermit/Iceman asked Magneto, who only saw him as Bobby Drake and not Kermit the Frog.

“My boy, hasn’t your Professor ever shared his fondest memories of me with you?” Magneto said.

“Can’t say that I have.” Kermit/Iceman remarked.

“Excuse me, Mr. Scary-Old-Man-With-A-Cape?” Fozzie/Jubilee said. “But…why do you have us strapped inside of the Statue of Liberty like this? And I’m asking that question on behalf of my friend, Kermit.”

“Fozzie!” Kermit/Iceman exclaimed.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Fozzie/Jubilee said. “I meant on behalf of my friend, Bobby Drake.” Kermit rolled his eyes with disgust, as Magneto walked up close to Fozzie, glaring straight into his eyes.

“You really like to know, wouldn’t you, child?” He asked.

“Uh…yeah?” Fozzie/Jubilee remarked, and Magneto grinned, moving himself to the middle of the room.

“I am simply attempting to change the way God has created humanity.” Magneto said. “Before tomorrow morning, the Homo sapiens of the Earth will be one with the mutants, and there’ll be no need to fear any longer.” He looked to his hand, where a chip from Cerebro rested on his palm. “This small piece of Cerebro could very much save Charles Xavier, and if I’m correct and Logan is hearing everything I say now, he’ll have no other choice but to come and get this chip from me—that is, if he cares about Xavier’s life.” He went over to Jean and tucked the chip in an exposed part of her uniform. “If I get what I want, you can try and save him…for old times sake.”

“Magneto, I’ve seen the results of your machine.” Jean said. “I’ve seen Senator Kelly.”

“Ahhh, so the good Senator survived his fall and the swim to the shore?” Magneto said, very pleased. “He’s stronger than I ever could’ve imagined.”

“Your experiment was a failure, buddy.” Kermit/Iceman said.

“Yeah.” Fozzie/Jubilee said. “Thanks to you, Senator Kelly’s gone.”

“It’s true, Erik.” Jean said, as shock was registering on Magneto’s face, thinking that he could be totally wrong. “Yes, you were successful in activating his mutator gene, but you failed to take into account the rest of his body—it wasn’t ready for the strain.” Magneto’s mind raced and calculated the possibility; he considered what Jean was telling him. “Kelly was dead within hours. Your machine kills!!”

“I don’t believe you.” Magneto remarked, and he got angry, squeezing the metal surrounding Jean’s head. She gasped, and Cyclops was driven crazy, but he was helpless to stop it.

“Hey! Cut it out!” Kermit/Iceman shouted, pleading for Jean’s life.

Meanwhile, outside the Statue of Liberty, Logan had safely made it off the Statue and attempted to jump off the seawall, until he heard what Magneto had been telling the others in the Statue; his powerful hearing enabled him to hear the magnetic mutant from a far distance. Logan was severely frustration, wanting so desperately to walk away from the situation that was happening on the island. “To **** with it all,” Logan thought; he was able to jump off the seawall, until a blue blur sped up behind him, and Gonzo appeared in front of him.

“What the…?” Logan said, looking around puzzlingly. “Where did you come from?”

“It’s my speed, Wolverine!” Gonzo exclaimed. “Not only do I have remarkable strength, but I’m faster than Superman now!”

“That’s great, kid.” Logan said, uninterested. “Now, get outta my way. I’ve got some waves to catch.” Gonzo realized what Logan was attempting to do, and he reacted quickly to stop him from doing it.

“W-Wait! You can’t leave!” Gonzo told him. “The others…they need our help!”

“They need your help.” Logan contradicted. “Me? I’m taking the first train back to Canada; and this train ain’t gonna split open like a sardine can!”

“This isn’t you talking, Wolverine.” Gonzo said. “It’s Magneto talking.” That comment stopped Logan from taking another step; he knew how dangerous Magneto was, and it made him sick to his stomach that anyone would compare a monster like Magneto to him. “You’re saying that you don’t care if every human in the world doesn’t live to see the sun rise tomorrow. You’re saying that you’d rather let all those that fear us—only because they hadn’t gotten the chance to know us—die in less than an hour! You’re spitting on everything Xavier has ever taught us and letting bullies like Magneto destroy a world that you fear, Wolverine…not them!”

“I AIN’T AFRAID OF NO STINKIN’ THING!!!!!” Logan screamed, with a great deal of hatred in his voice, grabbing Gonzo by the collar with one hand, while his claws extracted from another. Gonzo didn’t show any fear on his face, as Logan glared into his eyes, ready to shred him to pieces at any moment. However, Logan didn’t tear the X-Muppet like he wanted to; he knew that Gonzo had a point to what he said about him, and even Logan himself admitted that he was a coward. The claws on Logan’s left hand went back into his hand, as he let go of Gonzo and gawked at his X-Man uniform. “Did those geeks actually give you that monkey suit?”

“Yeah.” Gonzo said. “I’m the first X-Muppet.”

“X-Muppet, eh?” Logan uttered, and he grinned, shaking his head at the idea of a Muppet being a mutant. “Heck, if you characters can turn a pig into a sex symbol, then I guess anything’s possible.”

“Then you’ll join me in saving the world?” Gonzo asked, as he pulled another X-Man uniform out from behind him, which was evidently for Logan, who took the uniform from him, looked at it for a long time, and made a funny face.

“Does it come in yellow?” Logan remarked, and Gonzo smiled, taking his remark as an acknowledgement.

“Great! Now let’s…” Gonzo stopped and noticed six figures flying across the night air, only a minute away from approaching Liberty Island. Logan noticed them as well, and he became a bit puzzled by their sudden appearance.

“Who the heck’s comin’ now?” Logan asked.

“I’m not sure.” Gonzo said. “But, for some strange reason, I’ve got a feeling that they might be able to help us out.” Logan looked over at Gonzo, giving him an odd look.

END OF CHAPTER EIGHT​

 

[The Count]

That was rully good. You get points for the cleverness of having Gonzo in the scene from the movie where Storm's talking to Logan to convince him to fight.
The reference to his X-Men uniform color was funny.

And I hope the rest of the gang can pull outta those metal restraints in time for the big fight.

 

[ReneeLouvier]

Oh wow. This is a rully awesome story!!! I can't wait for more!!!

 

[muppetwriter]

Chapter Nine (Part One)​

“Why can’t you see what I am trying to do?!” Magneto yelled; his anger was boiling over, trying to convince the captured mutants before him that he was some sort of savior for the mutant race. “Why do you stand in my way?!”

“Because someone has to be brave enough to let you know how much of a jerk you’re turning into!” Kermit/Iceman stated, and the furious Magneto was about to finish him off with the sharp metal bands, until they heard a thud above them, followed by the sound of footsteps, then another and another. The faces around the room looked at the stairs, as the footsteps got closer and louder.

“Check and mate.” Magneto murmured, just as Gonzo came up from the stairs and glared at Magneto, who was a little surprised and yet confused. “What is this? I ask for an animal, and they send me a…whatever!”

“You’re going down, Magneto!” Gonzo exclaimed, and though Kermit and Fozzie wanted to feel relieved that Gonzo had come, they couldn’t help but to sense that all hope was lost, if Gonzo was their only hope. “I’ve got Logan and some other heroes with me that are gonna bring you down, bub!” That last word in Gonzo’s comment gave Jean a hint; she used her mind to read Gonzo’s, and her eyes widen with surprise, discovering something that no one else in the room would, unless Gonzo revealed it to them.

“You know, if you were just an ordinary character, I could just as easily rip you to shreds with the metal in this room.” Magneto told Gonzo. “However, there’s something about you that’s so similar to the other mutant that I’m searching for.” Suddenly, Magneto raised his hand and magnetic waves rippled, as Gonzo’s body was lifted off the floor and left hovering in the air; but the strangest part of the display were the six claws that extracted from Gonzo’s hands. “Yes…you have adamantium…you are special after all!” The others, except for Cyclops and Rizzo, watched in disbelief.

“How is that possible?!” Storm exclaimed.

“Sheesh.” Kermit/Iceman uttered. “Just when I thought I knew Gonzo…I find out that I don’t know him!”

“Yeah.” Fozzie/Jubilee said. “He has more secrets than Houdini.” Metal groaned as Magneto peeled open a gaping hole in the top of Lady Liberty’s head; looking up at the torch, he levitated Gonzo out the hole in the Statue’s head. Magnetic waves thrust Gonzo through the air and through the metal skin of the torch’s flame; he landed in the center of the sphere on top of the machine. Inside the sphere was a metal structure that resembled the model of an atom; its rings expanded as it received Gonzo.

Back inside the Statue’s head, while Magneto impatiently stared at Gonzo (keeping his focus only on him), Caleb and Will snuck into the room and crouched low enough to avoid detection from Magneto. They went up to the others and tried to find a way free them from the sharp metal bands. Kermit, Fozzie, Jean, and Storm looked at Caleb and Will with confusion and suspicion.

“Now who are these people?!” Kermit/Iceman exclaimed, and Will shushed him to keep silent before Magneto realized that they were there. “Who are you? And what are you doing here?”

“We’re here to save your butts…what else?” Will told Kermit, as Caleb examined the way they were strapped to the metal bands.

“He’s got them in pretty tight.” Caleb told Will. “It’d take the exact same power that got them in these to get them out.”

“Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but none of us Guardians carry the power of magnetism.” Will said, while Magneto’s hand continued aim towards the machine; with a slight motion of his wrist, the rings started revolving on the machine, spinning slowly and then gaining in speed. The air around it rippled, gaining in intensity.

The rings were spinning around Gonzo at such a speed, until they were no longer visible, just merely a blur around the stationary Gonzo, who was screaming in unthinkable pain. Strangely, his skeleton was beginning to glow through his skin, as if the adamantium inside of him was a battery that powered the machine. Magneto looked at the incredible displays as magnetic energy flowed from his hands, continuing to charge the machine.

Outside the Statue, Logan (who was now wearing his X-Man uniform) stood at ground level with Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin, watching the activated machine build up energy and a deafening whine that got louder and louder.

“I hope the weirdo’s plan works.” Logan said. “It looks like Magneto’s beginnin’ the first stage of his demented scheme.”

“There’s something that’s got me a little confused about the plan.” Taranee said. “This guy Magneto is who we’re supposed to keep distracted, right?”

“That’s what Gonzo said.” Hay Lin said.

“But he also said that Magneto has two henchmen around here, watching over every part of the island.” Taranee said. “So where are those…?” Before Taranee reached her point, a massive clawed hand struck Logan’s chest, and the blow sent him sailing back towards a tree that his body smacked into; the impact broke the tree in half.

“Wolverine!!!” Irma cried, just as the girls noticed a very angry, very large Sabretooth towering over them. “Somebody know the number to animal control?” Sabretooth let out an incredible roar that sent Irma and Taranee reeling back, right into the blue, scaly arms of Mystique, who morphed into a larger and more vicious version of Sabretooth and threw Irma and Taranee into the air. Before they could’ve been flown completely off the island, Irma and Taranee got control of their flight. “WATER!” Just by shouting that one word was Irma able to conjure up a small wave from the water that surrounded the island and hurl it at Mystique, who was tossed ten feet across from where she stood.

Sabretooth stared at the wet and shaken-up Mystique in surprise over the impressive power that Irma unleashed on her. With his attention distracted for a brief moment, Cornelia placed her right palm on the ground and shouted the word “Earth!” She caused the ground beneath Sabretooth’s feet to crumble, and the mutant was swallowed up by a hole that had suddenly formed in the ground.

“Guess we showed him.” Cornelia said, dusting off her hands, just as there was a muffled roar underground. Sabretooth powerfully busted through the earth’s crust and stood back above the ground, dirty and furious, glaring right at Cornelia. “Oh, God! He’s gonna kill me!” He leapt at Cornelia, with his sharp claws lifted high in the air; but he was tackled in midair by Logan, who had his claws extracted from his hands, and the two animals soon went at it, slashing and howling. Cornelia, wiping some sweat from her brow after her life had been spared, joined Taranee, Hay Lin, and Irma as they went up against Mystique, whose skillful fighting techniques proved challenging for them.

TO BE CONTINUED...​

 

[The Count]

Well... Here's hoping for an explanation of how Gonzo got an adamantium skeleton just like Logan...
And great action between the WITCH team and the goons of Magneto.

 

[muppetwriter]

Chapter Nine (Part Two)​

When the machine became fully charged, the translucent torch of the Statue was cut to pieces by the spinning rings and strong force of energy. On Ellis Island, the President and the dignitaries turned to see what was happened to the Statue, and a wave of panic swept over the crowd. Millions of viewers were watching the unnatural event occur on their sets, including the one at the Happiness Hotel, which was shocking all of the residents that were watching.

“Aw, man!” Clifford exclaimed. “Either that one serious laser show or we’re bein’ invaded!”

“They’ve finally landed!” Dr. Teeth cried, in panic. “We better evacuate before our alien adversaries beam us aboard their ship!” All of the Happiness Hotel residents went into a sudden frenzy, frantically packing their things, crashing through windows, and screaming that they were all going to die. Scooter, on the other hand, just sat where he was and glared at the television screen.

“Mutants.” He murmured, as his hands gripped the armrests of the chair.

On the Manhattan Harbor, several Coast Guard boats headed full-speed toward Liberty Island; their decks were covered with armed Secret Service. Back on the island, Sabretooth picked Logan up over his head and threw him like a rag doll into a brick wall, putting a nasty dent in it. A dazed Logan struggled to his feet, just as Sabretooth, running at full steam, tackled him and slammed him through the brick wall. With the ferocious battle taking place in the museum, Sabretooth held Logan by his wrists, lifting him up high in the air and attempting to split his body in half. Logan was weakening, while Sabretooth was in complete control.

“Your girlfriend is next.” He said, and Logan stopped grunting for a moment to make certain about something.

“The one with the lightning?” Logan asked, and Sabretooth gave him a dumbfounded look.

“Uh, no.” Sabretooth said. “The one with the mind powers.”

“Oh.” Logan said, just before Logan put his dangling feet up and kicked Sabretooth with all his might, sending him flying back into an eight-foot model of the Statue of Liberty and shattering it to pieces. Logan started running at a speed faster than the rate Sabretooth was running and tackled him through another brick wall, harder than Sabretooth did.

Back in Lady Liberty’s head, Magneto dropped his raised hand after his machine was fully charged, and he seemed very weak afterwards. While he was weakened, Caleb and Will took advantage of it and charged at Magneto, knocking him to the floor and pinning him there, long enough for Will to take out the Heart of Candracar and use it to create a magnetic wave that was more powerful than Magneto’s.

“I thought you said that none of you Guardians had the power of magnetism.” Caleb said.

“I forgot that the Heart can generate any kind of energy…including magnetism.” Will told him, as she bent back the metal points and freed Cyclops, Jean, Storm, Kermit, Fozzie, and Rizzo (who was left falling on Colossus’s head, due to his unconscious state). Magneto, who was beginning to regain his strength, saw what Will had done to the mutants and became extraordinarily angry.

“No! I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!!!” Magneto yelled, as he flung Caleb off of him and sent the boy reeling back against the metal wall; creating another magnetic wave, he wrapped Caleb’s body together in the metal bracing of the Statue, just like he did with the others. Will, Cyclops, Jean, Storm, Kermit, and Fozzie attempted to take down Magneto again, until he raised his hand in protest. “Stop! Take one more step and I’ll squeeze this Homo sapien into a pulp!” Caleb could feel the metal bracing getting tighter and tighter, as his rescuers got closer and closer to Magneto. Immediately, Will and the mutants stopped, for the sake of Caleb.

“Alright, alright.” Will told Magneto. “Just…Just don’t hurt him, okay?” Will glanced over at Caleb for a second and then back at Magneto. “What do you want?” Magneto just glared at Will, with a devilish grin on his face.

“Control.” Magneto said, and his glare and grin sent a chill down Will’s spine, as if she saw exactly what he was thinking in his mind. Despite the fact that Will and the mutants were surrendering, Magneto was still going to squeeze Caleb’s body; but before he could’ve done just that…

“Oh, Magneto!” A voice said from above, in a singsong tone. Magneto looked up towards the hole above him and saw Gonzo, smiling down at him; the magnetic mutant’s eyes darted over to the machine, where “Gonzo” still was standing and screaming, and he became very puzzled.

“What in the…?” Magneto said, right before Gonzo raised his hand and sent some kind of energy force into Magneto’s skull; it wasn’t long before Magneto lost consciousness and fell to the floor, while Caleb was freed from the metal bracing and joined up with Will and the others, who were staring up at Gonzo puzzlingly.

“Gonzo?!” Kermit/Iceman exclaimed. “I thought Magneto put you into that machine of his!”

“Oh, no!” Fozzie/Jubilee cried, really frightened. “Maybe Gonzo’s already dead, and his ghost came back to haunt us!” For a second, that seemed to be what they all believed, until Jean (who seemed to be the only one that understood) just smiled and put her hand on Fozzie’s shoulder.

“He’s no ghost.” Jean said. “He just used one of his mutant powers to create a crossbred clone of himself and Logan to distract Magneto.” To discover the truth in the rumors of Gonzo being a real mutant with real powers of his own was more of a shock than the fact that he was able to create a clone of himself.

“You mean…Gonzo’s really a mutant?” Kermit/Iceman said, and Jean nodded, while Fozzie put his hand against his head and sighed.

“Boy, this sure does throw that whole ‘Muppet from space’ thing out the window!” Fozzie/Jubilee remarked, as Gonzo dropped into the room and noticed how Cyclops still didn’t have his visor on, leaving him still unable to open his eyes.

“We’ve got to get Scott’s visor back on him.” Gonzo said, just before Will noticed how the visor was on Magneto’s belt.

“Got it covered.” She said, and used the Heart of Candracar to remove the visor from the belt and hover it right into her hands. “If your eyes are just as pretty as your face, then it’s too bad you’ve gotta walk around with this thing on.” Scott smiled, as Will placed the visor back over his eyes.

“Trust me,” Cyclops said, “It’s not the eyes that makes the man.” With Cyclops’s vision regained and Magneto defeated, all seemed to have been taken care of…that is, until a loud thud and the roars of two animals were made from above the group’s heads.

TO BE CONTINUED...​