The Uncanny x-Men #363
THE MENGO BROTHERS

The private jet owned by Shiro Yashida (otherwise known as the honorary X-Man, Sunfire) began to spiral out of control.

"WE'RE LOSING IT!!" Sunfire exclaimed. "ROGUE!! TRY AND SLOW OUR DESCENT!!"

"Ah'm on it!!" Rogue replied, ripping the hatch free and flying out to the front of the plane. She has kept her real name a well-guarded secret. As to why is anyone's guess. As a member of the outlaw team known as the X-Men, she uses her mutant ability to absorb the memories and abilities of anyone she touches, as well as flight, super-strength, and invulnerability (powers she permanently gained from Ms. Marvel), to fight for Professor Charles Xavier's dream of peace between human and mutant.

The man who was sitting next to her in the trench coat is Remy LeBeau, ex-communicated member of the Thieves Guild in New Orleans. He has the mutant ability to charge any inorganic matter with explosive kinetic energy. He was once a member of the X-Men as well, until his deepest, darkest secret, that he was responsible for the Mutant Massacre, was revealed to his teammates. They left him in the snowbanks of Antarctica to fend for himself, something they regret. Recently, he met up with Rogue once again after battling Sinister alongside four other mutants. They were heading back to the X-Mansion in Westchester when they were attacked by someone, or something.

"I hope the gel kin keep this tub up in th' air..."

The bad Pierce Brosnan immitation would be Pete Wisdom, former member of Black Air and Excalibur. Among these other heroes dressed in brightly-colored spandex, he stands out quite a bit dressed in slacks, a white shirt, and a black tie. But, his mutant ability to extend "hot knives" from his fingertips make him a valuable ally to the X-Men. Like Sunfire, he helped Gambit out against Sinister, alongwith Dazzler and Caliban, who parted ways with the team after Rogue arrived.

The plane began to steady as Rogue used all her strength to slow it's descent to the ground.

"Now, will somebody mind tellin' me WHAT THE 'ELL JUST HAPPENED?!"

Wisdom's question goes unanswered, because they all know as much as he does.

*****

The answer to Pete Wisdom's question is these two men: Grigori and Stanislaus Mengochauzchras. Otherwise known as the Mengo Brothers. They're from the country of Latveria, run by Doctor Doom. They're also two of the best mercenaries money can buy (although not very bright).

"We target hit, Stan!!" Greg stated.

"'We hit target,' Greg," Stan replied. "Speak English proper!!"

"'Speak proper English!!' Ha!!" Greg muttered. "We must hurry fast and get that thief out. Boss will be paying us the very big bucks!!"

*****

"Shh!!" Wisdom ordered. "I hear voices..."

"Hey, we all got our problems, mon am--"

"No, you idiot!!" Sunfire spat. "He means he hears someone coming."

The team stays inside the plane, listening to the voices as the Mengo Brothers approach.

"They sound like bloody morons!!" Wisdom exclaimed. "We can take these blokes!!"

"All right, get ready to rush 'em..." Rogue said. "On my mark...."

"Here are we, Greg," Stan said, bringing up his guns. "Time being to collect our payment!!"

"Remember plan, Stan!!" Greg said. "Plan, Stan... I rhymeded!! We get thief for boss!!"

"Always with the rhymes, Grigori..." Stan muttered.

Before the pair could get within ten feet of the ship, several playing cards flew out from it. They landed in front of the two mercs.

"What is this being?" Stan asked.

"That is being called a 'Spades of Ace,'" Greg replied.

"Umm... Grigori...?"

"Yes, Stanislaus?"

"Do Spades of Aces glow like fire?"

"No, wh--"

Before Grigori Mengochauzchras could answer his brother's question, the playing cards exploded, sending them flying.

"Nice work, sugah!!" Rogue said, as the X-Men (or what's left of them right now) emerged from the plane. "Those time-delayed charges worked like a charm!!"

"Charmin's what I do, cherie!!" Gambit replied, hurling several more charged cards at the Mengos.

"Who the 'ell are they?" Wisdom asked.

"I recognize them from the Yakiba's files," Sunfire replied. "Grigori and Stanislaus Mengochauzchras. Latverian mercenaries called the Mengo Brothers."

"JUST GIVE US THIEF WITH CARDS GLOWING!!" Stan shouted, unleashing a hail of gunfire.

"They're after Remy!!" Rogue exclaimed.

"Sorry t'disappoint y' chere," Gambit stated. "But dis Cajun don' go quietly!!"

"Why would the Mengo Brothers be after you?!" Sunfire asked.

Gambit doesn't answer just continues the assault as if he didn't hear the question. Partly because he recognizes the area that they're fighting in. And because he prays that the Mengos aren't working for the one demon from his past that Remy hasn't confronted yet.

"GET DOWN!!!" Sunfire ordered, unleashing a large plasma blast at the Mengos.

Then, silence.

"At least that's overwith..." Wisdom said, getting to his feet. "Bloody Latverians..."

"FROZEN!!!"

The single word was followed by at least a dozen guns cocking. The X-Men turned to find themselves face to face with the Mengos and about a dozen soldiers.

"Now, please to be handing over thief. The boss is waiting."

NEXT ISSUE: Who sent the Mengos after Gambit?