The episode "Middleverse", while one of my favorites, irks me for various reasons. I don't think Marvel put much thought into it. (you see this on other occasions too...) So, to construct this story, I had to make it slightly AU and find a lot of explanations. Oh, and for the purposes of this fic, Forge's real name is Jonathan Walker.
One, I think that Forge's reputation would stick around a while longer. Think about the "blue and furry ghost" incident. In this story, Forge is something of a legend, though a rather forgotten one over the years. Sightings are reported occasionally.
Two, I also believe Forge would familiarize himself with the students, from boredom if nothing else. I think he'd figure out, or at least have suspicions, about the X-men. He's a genius, remember?
Third, I'm pretty sure Xavier would know about him. This doesn't figure in the episode, but think about it. Whatever Xavier was doing back in the late 70s, he was probably aware of other mutants, and Forge, if not openly exposed as a mutant, he's definitely a known genius-come on, if he was hiding he wouldn't make a transdimensional projector for a science project. So the students at the mansion would most likely know also, because of the myth I made up AND this fact.
And, finally, I think from observing students for all those years (come on, you can make only so many things from the limited supply of technology he apparently has) he'd pick up a bit more modern dialect. If only so I don't have to try to write his lingo. I didn't experience the 1970s-80s so I have little idea of what they were like.
Jon grinned as he very tentatively placed the transdimensional projector in his backpack. It had taken him days and days, but his science fair project was finally ready! He couldn't wait to get to to school and show it off. Of course he'd be praised for his inventive talents again, which eventually got annoying, but at the moment he was in a good mood and a little attention was not going to kill it. In fact, it would probably end up fueling his positive attitude. He'd been waiting for weeks, after all. He carefully put on his backpack-he'd kill someone if that machine got damaged-and walked to the school.
Once there, he greeted all his friends with an excited smile. He was probably the only one really excited about the science fair-everyone else looked positively glum. It was understandable. After all, no one else had his gift. The gift no one knew about...
The morning passed slowly. Jon was extremely nervous, tapping his pencil habitually against the desk. Even though he knew he'd taken precautions and no one would mess with his locker and the projector was fine, he was still worried. Finally, finally, after an endlessly anxious period of waiting, seventh period arrived. Jon rushed immediately to his locker, retrieved the projector and the rest of his science fair components, then walked very, very carefully to his class. Wouldn't do to destroy the machine after so much work...
One of his best friends, Nick, watched him with an amused expression. "Careful, Jon." He chuckled. "I think a turtle is gonna breeze by and knock you over." Jon glared at his friend, whose project was about how the order of ingredients effected the overall taste of a dish, and said, "I wouldn't talk, Martha Stewart." Nick held his head high and said, "Don't blame me when it malfunctions."
Jon scowled at his friend, but quickly turned his attention away as they reached the stairs. This would be a perilous part of the short journey, couldn't be distracted now...
His projector, needless to say, made it safely to the science room, although there was one scary moment when Jon almost tripped. Jon held his breath and waited for an explosion, but nothing happened, so he continued on, if possible, even slower than before. Nick had long since ditched him in favor of getting to class on time.
Once there, he had to set up his exhibit fairly quickly, as he'd wasted five minutes being careful with the projector, even though he'd reinforced it and was highly unlikely it would break even if it did hit the floor. They were given ten more minutes to get ready and then it was time to present.
It was alphabetical, so Jon was actually one of the last people to show off. He enjoyed seeing the other projects, though, studying the electronic ones to see how they worked. The others he was less interested in, but still paid marginal attention to.
Finally it was Jon's turn. He hurried to the front and immediately started spouting technical information that he doubted anyone but the teacher even vaguely understood. Seeing their confused expressions, after five minutes of talking, he sighed and said, "Look, basically it's a transdimensional projector." Confusion cleared and suddenly the class was all exuberance.
Nick raised his hand. Jon deliberately swept the class for other hands, pretending to be mad, before saying, "Nick?" Nick smirked and asked, "Can you give us a demonstration?"
Jon looked to the teacher, Mr. Adams. Mr. Adams seemed about to refuse, but seeing the faces that were more eager than they'd been all day, he caved. "Alright, fine. Give us a demonstration. But be careful!" His last sentence was drowned out by cheers.
Jon smiled and carefully activated the projector, pointing it away from anything that it could swallow first. He hadn't tested it, he had gotten a little behind schedule and hadn't had time, but he was sure it'd be fine. After all, THAT much math COULDN'T be wrong.
The class waited expectantly. Nothing happened. Jon frowned and looked at the machine carefully. Still, nothing happened. Abandoning caution, he walked in front of it to inspect it further...
And the projector finally decided to activate. Jon disappeared in a shimmer of pink light, while twenty eight students looked on, dumbfounded.
Oh my goodness. That's WAY too short if you don't include the first part... Oh well. Reviews? Reviews?
