CHAPTER 2: GETTING A DOUBLE-CROSS FOR CHRISTMAS

Mamba and Python were walking in the mall looking for Christmas gifts for their families. They had a lot on their mind besides what to get their parents and siblings. After the meeting with Cobra at the ballfield claiming either Rattler or Anaconda was conspiring with a newly-forming rival group, they were even more vigilant. While both Anaconda and Rattler were still coming to normal meetings, Cobra was having secret meetings with Mamba and Python as well. The biggest question on their mind was…

"Why would one of them try to double-cross us?" asked Mamba.

"I don't know, girl," Python responded. "All I know is that we need to keep a close watch on what they do. Rattler doesn't seem to be the defecting kind, despite her bad temper, but I can't put it past her either. Anaconda's more of a mystery to me. Because she's a mute and virtually emotionless, it's hard to get a beat on how she's feeling. We just got to keep watch and see what happens."

"Cobra said she was going to meet with Black Widow and see if she could get more information on what she knows about the impending plot," said Mamba. "Hopefully we'll have more information then."

"I hope so, too," said a worried Python. "Mamba, I want this Christmas to be very special. I really want to do something nice for my mother. I want to show her that I still love her."

"Well nothing says 'I love you' like a dozen roses," suggested Mamba. "Or you could treat her out to a movie on Christmas."

"How about you? Are you going to spend time with your family?"

"I don't know. While Linus and I made up, we're still not on easy footing. Plus he's been spending most of his time with his new girlfriend Eudora. And as for Rerun, well, I do want to spend some time with him at least. I think he's genuinely concerned about me. Linus and I agreed not to tell him about me being a Serpent, as it may upset him even more than it did Linus."

"I totally understand. My mother thinks that Cobra, Anaconda, and Rattler are simply new friends I made since moving here from Detroit. She has no idea about them being gang members, let alone me being a member myself."

"Well it took some teeth-pulling with Linus, but he agreed not to tell our parents about my joining up, unless I got in serious trouble."

At that moment, they saw Violet and Patty walking up towards them. Python went from calm to pure fury when she saw Violet. This was the girl who made fun of her about her height and the fact she came from inner city Detroit. Mamba, for her part, was cautious. She hadn't really talked to either Violet or Patty since befriending the Serpent Sisters and the Homecoming incident. So she didn't know what to expect.

"Well hello, Lucy," said Violet, with a half-smile. "Long time, no see. What have you been up to?"

"Not much, Violet," said Mamba.

"Who's your new friend?" Violet asked, noticing Python. "She looks familiar."

"You should know, Gray!" snapped Python.

"Ah, yes, now I remember," Violet sneered. "Detroit. Of course! Lucy, I'm actually surprised. You, of all people, hanging out with trash like Detroit here?"

"My name is Margaux Holt," corrected Python, "but YOU can call me Python!"

"Python?!" laughed Violet. "What a stupid name! Why would ANYONE call themselves 'Python'?"

"That's enough, Violet!" warned Mamba.

"You are nothing more than ghetto trash, Margaux, Python, or whatever you call yourself. And by the way, MY dad has a better car than YOUR dad. Oh wait! That's right. You don't know who your dad is, doncha?"

Python's eyes were welling up with tears, but Mamba's was turning red with rage. Even though she abandoned her 'Lucy Van Pelt' moniker, she hadn't abandoned that 'Van Pelt' temper.

"GOOD GRIEF, VIOLET, WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?!" she finally exploded. "OKAY, I KNOW I'M NO SAINT WHEN IT COMES TO TEASING FOLKS, ESPECIALLY AS FAR AS CHARLIE BROWN IS CONCERNED, BUT EVEN I HAVE MY LIMITS! Python is a great girl; far better than MOST folks I know. And before you mention the Homecoming incident, yes, I screwed up royally with Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty, but at least I have a conscience that I feel guilt over it! And when the two of them are ready, I will apologize formally and try to make amends. That's what makes us different, Violet Gray. You have no conscience, no respect for others, NO FREAKING SOUL! In spite of all the bad things I've done, I, at least can own up to them. Which is more than I can say for you. YOU always seem to yell at someone like Charlie Brown and then go about your business like it never happened. I may be a fussbudget, a sneak, and even a blockhead myself, but YOU, Violet, YOU. ARE. A. SNOB!"

Everyone was looking at the commotion in the mall. Lucy was out of breath by the time she was done. Python was shocked at what she just witnessed. Even Patty was quiet. Now it was Violet who was welling up with tears. Nobody had stood up to her like that. Nobody had the courage to put her in her place. But if it was going to be anyone, it was Mamba, formerly Lucy Van Pelt.

Before anything else could be said, Violet ran away bawling. Patty went after her, shouting, "VIOLET! WAIT UP!"

After the dust settled, a tearful Python ran up and hugged Mamba. "Thank you so much, Mamba!" she sobbed. "Finally, someone put that little witch in her place!"

"No problem, Python," Mamba replied. "Violet had it coming for eons. As I said, I was no better than her, but at least I can own up to my past mistakes and even admit that I made folks like Charlie Brown miserable."

"Mamba, you are more than my best friend; you are my guardian angel!"

"I wouldn't go that far, Py!" At that moment, Linus and Eudora came walking by.

"Hey Lucy," said Linus. "I just saw Violet running away crying with Patty following behind. What happened?"

"Not much, Linus," she said. "I just finally made her face the fact that she was no better than I was when I messed with Charlie Brown and other folks. Plus I had to defend my bestie here."

"I don't think we've met," said Linus, looking at Python.

"Oh yeah, Linus, this is Python, one of the Serpent Sisters, and one of the nicest girls you'll ever meet. Python, this is my brother, Linus, and his girlfriend, Eudora."

"Finally nice to meet you, Linus," greeted Python.

"Likewise," said Linus.

"And don't even THINK about telling her about the Great Pumpkin, you blockhead!" added Mamba. Everyone started laughing, and the drama from earlier was quickly forgotten.

NEXT CHAPTER: FRIEDA'S WINTER WONDERLAND