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" Carolinus, splendid day for a race, is it not?!" Called a mutant frog on horseback. A tree frog with bright red eyes and love blue stripes and yellow hands and bright green skin. Up beside him came another horse with a ground frog...not as big as a bullfrog but larger than the sentry {tree frog}. " So, it is!" Carolinus smiled. " But, how about we race to Toad Castle? If we're late, Mala-Ra just might have our heads!" " Ah, yes, the festival!" " Yes! I'm not about to miss a royal festival! Not even for you, Fiver!" " Long life to Mala-Ka and Mala-Na!" Fiver cheered, speeding on ahead. He had the advantage, being lighter in weight. Carolinus smiled and called for his horse to pick up speed. Toad Castle....built from the hard labor of the frogs brought to the planet by Toad. They did so willingly and without his order. They believed he deserved it and spent two years building it. It was indeed the most awe-inspiring creation on the planet save Toad's mutant frogs themselves. He and Jasper spent many happy years there, becoming familiar with each frog as well as meeting their offspring. Toad never realized he had a talent for diplomacy. Toad as a politician...how frightening. Jasper had since many years before given birth to "Mala-Ka and Mala-Na" a set of twins. Of course the occasion was marked as a holiday...a week-long festival. And of course holidays marked the birthdays of both "Mala-Ra and Mala-Sa." Within the throne room, Toad sat crouched in his throne. A large crowd gathered on and around the grounds. Those on the other side of the planet conducted the festival accordingly. Toad had appointed the young Ezra to be his magistrate on the other side of the planet...making sure his kingdom did not go arry. Little chance, as his people were indeed as they said and devoted to him. It amused him to no end to see temples erected to him and Jasper...to hear the holy praises....as well to his son and daughter. " I'm sure they'll be very excited," Jasper smiled. " That's not what I'm worried about." " Don't tell me you forgot them." " Of course not. But, did you ever hear about the curse?" " What curse?" " I hope your children act just the way you act," Toad quoted with a smile. " Even with your blood, they are far from being angels." " They aren't demons either, Todd," Jasper smiled. " Let me summon Isis. I'd like for us to spend a little time with them before we get things underway." Toad nodded and sat back. It wasn't long before Isis, a lovely tree frog, a pea green color with a white underside, no other colors, entered. Her long white dress flowed freely from her skinny body and she bowed towards Mala-Ra and Mala-Sa. She turned and rolled her eyes...seeing the twins had yet to enter. In stormed the first-born.....Ren Tolansky. She was everything Toad could remember about a young girl. She was endless amusement in her immature, pretending to be mature, manner. " Dad, tell him to STOP!" " What's he doing this time?" Toad asked. " He keeps chasing me with it!" " Don't listen to her!" He replied, running in to defend himself, " I didn't do anything!" Naturally by now Toad knew a lie from his brood when he heard one, " I told you, Jeremy, if you couldn't behave yourself with it, you couldn't have it. Let it go." " Dad!" " Let it go." Jeremy sighed. He crouched down and let the cricket go. It was quite large and chirped gleefully as it hopped away. Isis stood up and knelt closer to Toad, " Shall I prepare Mala-Na's dress?" " Yeah, yeah. Make sure you check Jeremy's pockets before he exits, understand?" Isis nodded. She preferred to work with Mala-Na {Ren}, who at least pretended to be mature. Mala-Ka {Jeremy} seemed to be in no hurry to grow up. So Toad's son. Has it been so long already? Ten years? No, eleven. In such a short amount of time, Toad was able to create a powerful kingdom out of a growing colony. His children, though a little immature, were certainly a blessing to him...and he loved them dearly. He himself, however, had not changed. Mystique's DNA, as he had hoped, had joined with his....keeping him young and un-aged. The changes he did experience was a darker shade of hair and a slight difference in build. But, what about his kingdom? Toad had assigned certain duties to certain species. Tree frogs were usually assigned sentry or scout positions. Those types were the ones most often inheriting Jasper's psychic gifts and had superb eye-sight otherwise. Bullfrogs bore the heavy gear....soldiers and the heavier jobs such as blacksmith. From the rest came a more lenient group of jobs and positions. Being each of different builds, strengths and gifts, they created the rest of the populace. Some were soldiers....most of which, since they were smaller, were horsemen and archers. Some were in the medical field, some, who had no will to fight at all, became clergy. Jasper had suggested to Toad to create a communal nursery. No one's child would be better than another. Everyone was parent, brother, sister. No one objected to it. *** Ren stood on the stool while Isis dressed her. She was certainly the image of her mother in many ways. She, however, had Toad's eyes. Her hair was dirty blonde, not quite as dark as his had been, but shades lighter, due to the white-gene as well. She was more Jasper than anything. She complained about silly things which were important to her. She had a compassion for life and was more settled despite her spontaneous moods. She was indeed brought up to be a lady....but she was indeed her father's daughter...and had a strange attraction to getting dirty when she played hard. Her true name, Ren, was used only by her brother and parents. In fact, the only times they ever heard their real names was when each other used them. The frogs themselves only referred to them by their Divine Names. To them, she was Mala-Na...God's Daughter. Jeremy was perhaps more like Toad in almost all aspects. He looked like him, even acted like him...to a point. Despite his immaturity, he was very intelligent and was certainly the makings for a good king when the time came. It wouldn't be for a long time though. He actually preferred being called by his Divine Name. He liked feeling important. He was perhaps more enthralled in his mightiness than Ren, who would retaliate snobbishly if provoked. Mala-Ka was a title he slung around like a bag of goodies. God's Son. Mutants? Of course...but both yet to develop any mighty gifts. Jeremy was perhaps more physically oriented, built much like Toad, but rather than a leaper, he was more of a sprinter, enjoying the thrill of a chase. *** Firecrackers announced the beginning of the Festival. Their tenth birthday. Was he really getting up there in years? How old was he now? Twenty-Five. Jasper too. Nice age. So, those on Earth would too be in their late twenties...early thirties. Toad stayed on the balcony attached to the master bedroom. Jasper, Jeremy and Ren were in the crowd....or so he thought. He knew exactly where the twins were...everyone fussed about to spoil them rotten. " Why don't you come down?" " You don't have to leave the party, Paige. Not because of me." " Is something bothering you?" " Not really. Just thinking." He turned and smiled. Jasper was in female form...and in a lovely flowing dress. " About?" " It's about finished, Paige. I plan to have it finished next week. We'll be able to take a crew back to Earth." " Do you honestly believe you can find them all, Todd?" " Those X-Geeks...yes. Like a beehive....they'll stay in that Institute as long as it's standing...Hell...even after if falls they still hang around it. Even if they all aren't there....there's only a few I want....Brotherhood too. I'm not leaving until I've left my mark." " And if possible, conquer Earth?" Jasper frowned. Toad could hear the disapproval. " I don't know if I want to conquer Earth anymore. I actually am quite content here. I have everything...just about. I have people who adore and worship me....I have children...and I have a wife. My planet is very prosperous within itself. Whatever we don't have we import from Stranger's planet and export our excess. If anything...I want to pay a little visit to those who've wronged me over the years.....after that....let Stranger do what he pleases with it. Destroy him afterwards somewhere down the line. But, in the meantime, I still have everyone here to keep me happy." Jasper nodded, " So, from conquest to revenge." " You don't like it much, do you?" " I just don't want you biting off more than you can chew." Toad smiled. " I'll be careful. I have superior weapons on my side and a devoted army. I don't care how they handle it. But, those specific few...the ones on my list....those exact few on my list...I want to deal with them myself. I'm not the same Toad I was when I was 14." " Will you be coming down?" Toad approached Jasper and placed his hands on her hips, " I think I want to spend tonight inside." " You dirty horny toad..." Jasper joked. Toad smiled and pressed a kiss on her lips. He sent mental messages after that so as not to dull the mood. =I'm not even at the peak of my virility yet. And I don't plan on stopping here.= *** " Do we get to go too?" Jeremy asked. " Please..." Ren pleaded. " Do you think that's wise?" Jasper asked...moreso whispering to Toad. " I don't see a problem so long as our troops keep them safe." He replied. " We'll take a small troop specifically for them. Keep them on the ship. If they leave, have them go no further than a precise distance from the ship so the defenses won't be out of range." The twins cheered and slapped each other high fives before darting between their parents and into the ship. " Mala-Ra, when do you expect to return?" Ezra asked. He had traveled to see them off. " I'm not sure. Don't let anything happen to my kingdom, you understand? I'm counting on you." " I won't let you down, Mala-Ra." " As for all that's going...get on," He smiled. " Last chance." Only moments afterwards, the door shut and the ship lifted. Once they hit space, they began to discuss tactics and strategy. Jeremy leapt into one of the pilot's seats and glanced at the controls, " Can I drive?" " Sorry, Mala-Ka," from the pilot presently controlling the ship, " I don't think your parents would like that." " I never get to do anything fun." " Maybe on the way back, if Mala-Sa says it's alright." Jeremy gave a whoot and leapt from the seat, chasing down Jasper, " Mommomomomomomomom! Can I drive the ship, can I, can I? On the way back, can I can I?" " If he drives...I'm staying on Earth," Ren sighed, crossing her arms. " You're just jealous cuz I was offered the chance and you weren't." " Am not!" " Are too!" " Am not!" " Are too!" " MOM!" " Shhhh," Jasper scolded. " Your father is trying to work. Go play a quiet game with Angelo." The twins replied in unison, " Okay." And went on the hunt for Angelo, the basic frog type...the archer and a swordsman. He wasn't very young but definitely not middle-aged yet either. He had an eager love for children. His history had a part in that. He was one of Toad's youngest creations. Not too long past tadpole. He'd been raised by children from a tadpole and released when he was grown. Toad favored him for his knowledge of games and jokes...usually always sending the twins off to find him if they became a handful. " I can't be sure just how much either team has grown over the years. So, be careful. Anything threatening, destroy it. But, there is a list of people who will certainly be targets...but I want to take care of them myself. " We'll defend you, Mala-Ra," Carolinus spoke up. " No one will offend you and go unpunished." " Good to hear." He frowned, " Let's run down the list, shall we?" Toad pressed a few buttons and showed statistics and holographic images...unfortunately the images were out of date...but Toad would always know them if he saw them. That was all that was important. " Kurt Wagner a.k.a. Nightcrawler. He's my brother. Don't worry about what or why...just don't touch him. Rogue...don't touch her either...really...don't touch her. She's my sister. Duncan Matthews. I don't care what happens I don't want you touching him. I want the pleasure of killing him myself. Slowly....painfully....a taste of his own medicine. Wanda Maximoff Lensherr a.k.a. Scarlet Witch..." " You're going after Wanda?" Jasper chimed in. " Unfinished business, Jasper. Other than that....I don't give a damn who or what you destroy. Anyone of you who is injured...I want them brought back to the ship and quickly tended to. No one gets left behind, understand?" The frogs nodded. " May blessings be on our side, Mala-Ra," Carolinus smiled. " Try not to get killed, alright?" " We are about four days away, Mala-Ra," came Fiver's voice. Toad turned to see the tree frog glancing at the radar. Earth wasn't anywhere on the radar, but Fiver's vision was very keen and his senses were enhanced greatly. " Terrific. Get some rest, everyone. In four days, we descend to Earth." " Particular place you want us to settle, Mala-Ra?" Fiver asked. " Bayville, New York." *** " Angelo," Ren whispered, " Dad's gonna be alright...right?" " Of course, Mala-Na. We won't let anything happen to him." " Can we leave Ren behind?" " Jeremy!" Ren hissed, pushing him...making him fall onto his back. " I think if we leave anyone, it'll be YOU!" " Nuh-uh, you're the annoying one!" " You're the pest!" " Oy, this is going to be a long trip," Angelo sighed as the twins leapt at each other in one of their fights. " Makes you want a few hundred of your own, ne?" Laughed a frog in the corner. " The joy of children...energetic or not, Mortimer," Angelo smiled. " Heh, Mala-Ra, give me strength." *** " Look!" Jeremy yelled, pointing to the planet approaching. " Is that Earth?" Toad stepped over and placed a hand on his son's shoulder, " Yep, that's Earth...." " You were born there, right?" " Yes. Earth....it's not like our planet. It's full of hate...intolerance....deception...lies. Promise me you'll never let our planet become like Earth, Jeremy." " If I don't promise, I don't get to be king, right?" " Position has nothing to do with it. I worked very hard to create our people....and our kingdom. I want you to protect them...and they will protect you in return." " People there...they disrespected you? Mala-Ra?" " I'm not considered a god to those people. In fact, when I was your age...I was nothing...just a sniveling orphan boy used and abused by everyone and everything. A worthless waste of space." He gave a sad smile to Jeremy, " Listen to me...I don't want you to have to go through what I went through as a child, Jeremy, understand? You and your sister....I want for you two to always defend what is yours...don't let anyone take it from you...or allow anyone to feel you are not worthy of it. You were born to be a king...not some sniveling wretch of a human being. No one's pawn." " I promise." " Good. And would you stop chasing your sister with those damn crickets? The next one I see...I'm eating it, got it?" " Aww," Jeremy groaned. " Sir, ten minutes to landing." Fiver said. Toad nodded. " Wake the others. I want everyone suited up and ready. Tell those staying on the ship not to let anything happen to my kids..." He turned to Fiver angrily, " Or they'll be next on my hit list." " Of course, Mala-Ra." Fiver went to alert the soldiers, passing Jasper on the way. " Todd, please, promise me you'll be careful. If anything ‘appened to you, I don't know what I'd do with myself." " You'd move on," Toad replied. " You'd return home with Ren and Jeremy and you'd continue to rule over our people..and you'd raise them up to do the same. Do you understand?" " Only if you died. Even then, I'm not leaving Earth without your body." " Don't go getting yourself killed over my mistakes, Jasper. Stay and find me if you wish....but if you can't find me....you take everyone home." Jasper sighed and pushed back the tears, but finally just let them fall as she leapt for Toad, wrapping her arms around his neck and falling into his. He frowned and hugged her. " I'll be alright, Jasper." " Let...me...go...with you." " No. Stay here with them. They need you more than I do. I've bounced back before I'll do it again. Stop this crying...you'll upset them." Jasper got up and looked to see Jeremy and Ren glancing up at her. She sniffled and wiped the tears away. " If you don't come back, I'll beat you good, you understand?!" She scolded. Toad gave a big smile and nodded his approval. *** " Where do we start, Mala-Ra?" Carolinus asked. " I want your group to stay out of sight and cover me. No sudden starts." " What about you?" " I'll find someone I'm sure. I'm pretty sure at least ONE of them still lives in the New York area. So, I'll use a phone book." Corolinus looked confused. They didn't have phones on their planet. But, he shrugged and had his troops take to cover...sending the tree frogs into the trees to keep an eye on their precious Mala-Ra. Toad flipped through the pages. If there was anyone he wanted to see first, it was Duncan. His adrenaline was pumping...and moreso when he found the name and address. " Still in Bayville, Duncan? Let's catch up on old times." *** " Some people never change," Toad muttered to himself from a tree branch as he sat outside Duncan's house. It was a small home, but not exactly happy. Toad had been there all morning and watched as the current steady girlfriend left the house for work. Not more than an hour later did a red-headed bimbo come over. Duncan played the field in life just as he did in football. Dumb jock. The streets were empty. School and work....how quiet things were when everyone was busy. Duncan...he was living off someone...Toad could bet on that. He still had that crap car. He leapt from the tree and crouched onto the street and walked casually over to the car, examining the scratches it had gained over the years. " Don't look back," Toad muttered, pulling the mirrors from the car. He glanced at the house. No better way than casually. He skipped the fence with no problem and knocked on the door. He heard the scurry of the couple inside and smirked when Duncan answered the door, shirt a mess. " Wha....Tolansky? What are you doing here?!" " Long time, no see, Duncan. Miss me?" He peered around the big man's body. " Does your girl know about your girl?" " What do you know?" " Oh, I know that it's not a good idea to play games on the front." Duncan went to swing and missed as Toad skipping inside, inviting himself in. " Spool. You decorating skills suck. You always made off like you'd be a great person...looks like you're rolling pennies for gas." " Like you're doing any better," Duncan replied. " You wouldn't amount to anything." " Oh, but I have. Things are really looking up for me. I'm a politician....a diplomat....I'm a father...and a husband...a homeowner...Hell...a landowner too. I've got more wealth than I know what to do with." " Yeah right..." " Dunc...who's this?" " It's okay, Melanie," Duncan replied to the young lady, " Just an old high school punk looking for an ass-whooping." " Did you go to college, Dunc?" Toad asked, turning back to him and crouching contently on the carpet. " Surely a guy with your sports skills could get a scholarship." " Auto mechanics, Slime Ball....more than you ever could do." " I studied abroad," Toad beamed. " I went to England...Japan....different places..." he smiled again. " I focused my studies on science and technology. Guess you can say I was head of my class since I'm head of government." " I don't believe a word of it. It's pretty stupid for you to be coming around here looking for trouble." " I don't. I am trouble. I've come to repay you for your impact on my life." DUNCAN scowled and pulled a bat from the nearby closet, " I've had enough of you, Frog-Face." " Oh, the weapon of nerds...a baseball bat." DUNCAN swung the bat hard, only to feel the jolt of a sudden stop. He focused and saw Toad had grabbed the end of the bat with...one hand! " You're not gonna push the little guy around anymore, Duncan. Big bad things come in small boxes...and I'm no exception." DUNCAN couldn't speak. Where was the wimpy Toad he remembered? " Duncan, I'm gonna call the cops!" Melanie called. " I wouldn't do that if I were you, Melanie." Toad smiled. " Not unless you want to go next." Melanie took a step back, beginning to cry from fear as Toad stood up and with full force, crushed the end of the bat into splinters. Duncan stumbled backwards, dropping the broken bat. Toad took a step towards him. " Get away from me, you freak!" Toad lunged forward, grabbed Duncan by the shirt. " Do you remember this, Duncan? Huh? Remember this? Oh, you may not....because when this happened the last time....YOU were doing it to ME!" " I..." " You what? You're sorry? You're scared? Did you ever stop? Ever show me some compassion when I cried out in fear....when I cowered at your feet? When I pleaded for you to stop?!" He lifted Duncan clear off the floor and peered up at him, " I'm a lot stronger than you think I am....I'm a lot stronger than I thought I was. With these hands, I could rip you apart..." He threw him hard to the floor and crouched down, placing his foot flat on Duncan's throat, " With these legs... I could crush your bones to dust....long before I even work a muscle. Can you feel it, Duncan? Can you feel all the pain?" Duncan couldn't respond verbally but gasped for air as he wrapped both hands firmly around Toad's ankle in an attempt to get some air. Toad put a little more weight down, " I want you to suffer. I want you to suffer long....and hard." " Stop it!" Melanie shouted, running over and slamming the remains of the bat across Toad's back. Toad glared angrily at her but didn't release Duncan. Instead he shot out his tongue, wrapping it tightly around Melanie's throat and dropping her beside him and Duncan flat on her back. She was strong despite how she looked, Toad would give her that. She squeezed and pulled at his tongue furiously trying to free herself. He wanted to taunt some more though, so pulled his tongue back, replacing it with the firm grip of his hand at her throat, " I told you not to, you silly girl. I never had any hesitations hitting a girl. I certainly won't have any guilt over killing one." She gasped and fought but Toad just squeezed tighter. " Did you know another woman lives here, Melanie? Did you know he was playing on both of you? Or were you playing the game too?" Squeezed tighter. It wasn't long before she stopped moving and he could no longer feel her pulse. He returned his attention to Duncan. " Now you....where was I? Oh yes..." DUNCAN squeezed Toad's ankle. The pressure didn't phase him a bit. Toad grabbed a fistful of his hair. " I don't like men who tower over me, Duncan. I think it's time we brought you down in size." DUNCAN struggled to protest but found he was preoccupied in regaining air as Toad released his throat and placed a foot firmly on his chest. " Good-bye, Duncan." One swift pull with only half his strength was more than enough, crushing his ribs and pulling the head and upper spine from the body. Toad dropped it carelessly and frowned. " I expected a little more from you, Duncan. You die too easily." *** " What in the..." " Mala-Ra," From Carolinus, " We caught this one in the alley. He looked suspicious." Toad glanced at the little boy. " I don't think he's a spy, Carolinus." " I was just trying to find something to eat in the restaurant trash and these freaks grabbed me," the boy sniveled. Toad sighed. " I appreciate that you want to protect me, Boys....but can we please try to be a little more careful?" " We beg your forgiveness, Mala-Ra." " Don't beg for forgiveness, just let him go." Toad paused and eyed him, " Mortimer." The bullfrog stepped forward. " Feed him and get him out of here. We can't have kids getting in the way." He glanced at the kid, " Don't worry, we're not gonna hurt ya. Try to stay clear from now on. We wouldn't want you getting hurt, now would we?" After Mortimer took the kid away, Carolinus snickered. " Mala-Ra, preaching sympathy with blood staining your uniform." " Eh? Oh, guess I made a mess." " We haven't seen anything otherwise, Mala-Ra. We've gone unnoticed." " Good. Tell the troops...and especially Fiver, Cyrus, Octavius, and Sawyer to keep a close watch. I have a feeling it won't be long until someone will be tracking me down." " Don't worry, Mala-Ra, we'll keep close and hidden perimeters." " Don't do anything too chancy. If there's a group after me, then take a drop. But, if the cops catch me...fall back. Keep close watch but don't make any sudden moves. The cops won't kill me if I turn myself in when cornered. Leave that to me. You can get me out of the jam later when things are safer." " Be careful, Mala-Ra." Toad sighed, " Now you sound like my wife." " Before we left," Carolinus smiled, " Mala-Sa made me promise to bring you back alive one way or the other." " Sounds like Jasper." Toad smiled. " What are your plans for Nightcrawler and Rogue?" " Nothing. Kurt and I have had some differences...but we've had close times too...strange as they were. I don't think I hate him enough to kill him. Rogue....she hates everyone...we've had issues too...but not enough for me to kill her either. Though they may not be blood, they are still my siblings." " What if they come after you, Mala-Ra?" " Hold them off, but don't kill them." " Where are you heading?" " I have to find someone else." *** Dishes. She hated washing dishes. Who would have ever thought she'd be at home washing dishes.....HIS dishes...doing HIS laundry? Who'd have thought that she WANTED to do it? But, here she was, waiting for the washer to stop....waiting for the dryer to finish...and washing the dishes from the past few days. She smiled and hummed, brushing her hair from her face. Hearing the door open and shut she felt giddy. " Hun, is that you?" No answer. She frowned, " Fun?" No answer. She then smiled. He was playing a joke on her. He did this every once in a while. " If you're playing a joke on me, don't bother. I'll zap you a good one, I mean it." The silence then made her uncomfortable. She turned and dried her hands. Still nothing, no movement and no answer. She set the towel down and walked up the first flight of stairs and look around. Nothing. She turned, planning to go up the second flight of stairs. Perhaps he had gone into the bedroom. A surprise for her perhaps? Oh, if he jumped out at her again, she'd definitely zap him a hex he'd never forget. She let out a loud scream, startled to see, not her husband, but Toad sitting casually on the stairs. " What the HELL are you doing here?!" " Oh, not allowed to drop by and visit my old girlfriend?" " I was never your girlfriend, Toad. Get OVER it!" " Wanda....." Toad stopped...paused....and studied her carefully. She'd definitely grown older, even in those few years. She wasn't as lovely as she used to be. His body didn't cry out for her. He didn't want her like he did eleven years prior. She wasn't attractive to his eyes. Perhaps it was because he'd been so attached to Jasper? No...it wasn't that. Even with Jasper he could remember and even sometimes want Wanda. It was never uncontrollable and he never brought it up. But...this wasn't the Wanda he wanted. She wasn't....untouchable. Was it the untouchable Wanda he wanted...to be the only person to ever have her? Was he really that selfish? He'd always taken a false comfort in knowing if he couldn't have her, no one else would. She was so hateful. " Toad, what's wrong?" The look in his eyes worried her. She couldn't remember the last time he looked at her like that. " You.....Who is he?" " We call him..." " YOU!" Toad leapt forward, standing up in front of her and grabbing her arms. " Toad, if you came thinking I changed my mind...I didn't. You can't stay here and I can't go with you. There will never be anything between us. Never was...never will. I'm married now." " I didn't come to retrieve you," Toad whispered. He looked her over again and grit his teeth, squeezing her arms. " Toad, you're hurting me. Let go." Wanda scolded. Toad let go abruptly and walked around, glancing at all the pictures on the wall. Her wedding picture...her husband....even the ultrasounds on the wall. The very thought sickened him endlessly. " You......bitch!" " Ex...cuse me?" " You worthless....heartless....hussy!" Toad stormed close, pressing her against the wall and holding both of her wrists in one hand. " TOAD!" " SHUT UP! Just shut the hell up. I cared about you. I would have done anything to please you. I was your slave." " I didn't want a slave, Toad. I wanted a man." " So, you got married. Is he a good man?" Wanda didn't answer, figuring Toad's actions weren't going to improve if she entertained him. She was, however, trying hard not the tremble. He certainly had become a lot stronger and a lot more....intimidating a presence since she last saw him eleven years ago. He slowly smiled and let out a cruel chuckle, " You're...afraid of me...aren't you?" " What the hell is wrong with you?" " Are you crying?" He leaned in closer. She could feel his breath on her cheek. She was indeed crying, holding back sobs but unable to stop the tears. It excited him. " Consider it a little....insane, Wanda," he whispered almost seductively, " but seeing you crying...because of me....it excites me." " You sick weirdo..." " Yeah...I guess I am." He leaned closer and licked the tear line from her face. " Well...you may be hideous to look at...but at least you still taste good." " Let me go, Toad," she whispered, hoping a pathetic voice would bring him to his senses. Perhaps under this angry front, he was still pitiful old Toad. He nuzzled his face against her neck. " How far along are you, Wanda?" " Eight months." " Ah." Toad let a chuckle loose from deep within his throat, " Y'know, I have two of my own." " Oh?" She choked out. " Son and a daughter. They turned ten last week." " You wouldn't hurt a baby, Toad. That's not who you are." " You don't know who I am," Toad replied. He kissed her cheek and let her go. " I hadn't expected to find you...expecting." ‘ My husband will be home any minute, Toad. I won't mention anything about you coming by...if you leave now." Toad frowned, " You think I'm afraid of him? Whoever he is?" " I'm sure he won't be alone." " I'm not afraid of the Brotherhood either." " I'm not part of the Brotherhood anymore. Pietro and I....we resent Magneto." " Join the friggin club." " We joined a super hero group....the Avengers." " Ick, Wanda is a goody two-shoes." Toad sighed. He quickly turned on her and slammed her against the wall. " Toad, my baby!" " I don't care! I don't even care!" " Let me go!" " Never," he growled. " I let you go once, Wanda and the bitterness just ate away at me. I'm not going to let you walk away from me again! That child....it should have been mine. No....that's alright. As I said...I have two of my own. Two very...very beautiful children. I can't....however...say the same for you." He reached a hand back, ready to finish this whole ordeal for good. " I suppose we say our final farewells now, Wanda." " Don't move." He turned and rolled his eyes, " What, are you permanently attached to her ass or something, Pietro?" " I thought we saw the last of you." Pietro hissed. " Hey, you got a new costume." " Screw the costume. Let Wanda go." " And if I say no?" Pietro took a step forward, " I'll pull you off before you can even blink." Toad huffed at him and turned around. " Enough of this." " You've said it," Pietro growled, zipping over and, indeed picking up Toad before he had a chance to react. " Put me down you, scrawny, over-caffeinated..." " What's going on, Pietro?" " Vision, get Wanda out of here. I'll take care of Toad." " Vision? What kind of a name is that?" Toad hissed. *** " Toad, what happened to you?" Pietro asked. There was no way he would face Toad face-to-face again. He'd been kicked in the ribs three times on the way down. Luckily Toad had no thrust in his attacks. Only a few bruises were left behind. Toad sat in a cell now, keeping a safe distance between them....that and a mask over Toad's face. No goop attacks this time. " When you left, you seemed just fine. A little depressed, but I thought once you got to wherever the hell you were going, you and Jasper would be fine. I mean....are things okay with you two?" " Fabulous." " Then, why attack Wanda? You could have killed her....you could have killed an unborn baby, Toad. My nephew. I thought we left on such good terms." " Maybe things weren't as good as you thought. You thought I was a worthless wretch of a human being, didn't you?" " You obviously proved me wrong the last time we had the pleasure of working together. You nearly killed me." " Pietro..." From another person Toad didn't know. Another one of these Avengers people he guessed. Pietro looked back over his shoulder as he took some papers. " his fingerprints were found at that house you wanted us to check out." Pietro looked through the papers and glanced at Toad, " Duncan Matthews..." " He deserved it," Toad said. Pietro could tell he had that evil smile under that mask. " What the HELL is wrong with you?! Are so some...friggin psycho?!" " Maybe." " Dammit, Toad. What would Jasper say if he saw you like this?!" " Hmmmm....he'd probably lecture me on how I should have perhaps been more careful and taken....oh gee....but why would I want to tell you my plan?" " You have no remorse whatsoever?! You killed Duncan Matthews...and some innocent girl!" " I have her the chance to live, Pietro. All she had to do was go away. She chose to attack me so I attacked back. Killed two birds with one stone. Hehe, no pun intended." " You're sick." " So?" " If we turn him over to the authorities, Pietro, they'll put him in a maximum security prison." Pietro eyed Toad who made no movement, " I don't think a prison cell is what we need." " What do you suggest? We can't just let him go. The slime-ball just killed two innocent human beings...and almost killed your sister and her unborn baby. He's dangerous." " You don't know how good it is to hear someone say that." Toad chuckled maniacly. " Maximum security padded room sounds a lot better...with a mask and a straight jacket and a LOT of prozac," Pietro sighed, slamming the folder full of papers back into the other's middle. " Forget the prozac. I'm putting in a good word for the strongest damn xannex they got." " I'm sorry, Toad...but it's for your own good. You obviously can't be trusted in the world by your own." " Awww," Toad snickered with fake sympathy, " Mr. Law-abiding Pietro talks about family...but takes me away from mine. Keeping me from my children and my wife, Pietro?" " I'm doing your children a favor. I wouldn't want to be with a psycho father." " Pietro..." " For your information I left for that reason." " Dammit." " I hate him....I'd really hate for your children to hate you. But, the way things look, you won't be going to their birthday parties for a loooong time." " If you say so, Pietro." " Dammit, Toad...can't you show SOME feeling other than that prick-ass self-righteousness?!" " Not for you." " For who?" " Not you." " I would have helped you, you know that?" Pietro sighed, wiping his face, mostly just to keep from sitting idle. " You can't help me, Pietro," Toad said simply. " Go on...bind me, drug me up, lock me away. Give me a reason to hate you, Pietro. I've always wanted to kill you...but...despite the stupid things you did as a kid...I could never find a good enough reason. No reason that was...just mine." " This is stupid. Maybe some time in a padded room will give you some time to just see how ridiculous you're acting. You need some serious help." Toad smiled and stood up. " Call me when my ride's here." With that, he walked over to the corner where he crouched down and waited. To Be Continued... | ||||
