CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

NAKED LAD

"He's WHAT?," asked Rebecca Tang. Her husband looked disturbed as well.

"Naked Lad," said the kid, pulling out a comic book with someone who clearly had Timmy's face, but was much more muscular and well, very, very naked.


Anti-Cosmo was a safe distance away from the group. He couldn't get but so close. However, the anti-fairy commander could do indirect things such as influencing that geeky kid to embarrass Timmy.

"That self righteous old bag, Rebecca," said Anti-Cosmo grinning, "probably won't give Turner a chance to explain, and then condemn him." He paused and added, "and then Timothy is going to be even MORE in despair, and ripe for me to manipulate."


"That's not me," said Timmy, "that's a fictional comic book character."

"This is what is sold at comic book stores," said Rebecca, "dirty magazines."

"Rebecca, please," said Jeff, "for every 20 great comic books, there's a bad one." He paused and added, "although it is a little disconcerting to see how much he resembles Timmy."

Mrs. Tang seemed to consider this.

"Oh, I know Naked Lad is a fictional character," said the kid, "but this guy" and with that, "he pointed at Timmy, "must have been promoting him; that must be why he was in the comic book store naked, and running around Dimmsdale in the buff."


Anti-Cosmo just grinned; this was better than those soap operas that Timothy and Jorgen would watch.


"I DID NOT," said Timmy, exasperated, "run around town naked." He paused. "Why would I do something like that!"

"Like I said fella," said the kid, "you must have been promoting the comic book."

"Like I said," said Timmy, "you're wrong."

"Oh really," said the nerd with the glasses, "then how do you EXPLAIN this."

With that the kid pulled out an edition of the Dimmsdale paper. The head line read "Naked Terror Stuns City" and a picture of Timmy. There was also a sub headline saying "Chompy scarred for life."

Jeff and Rebecca looked suspiciously at Timmy. Even Trixie looked a little disturbed. Timmy didn't have a choice; he'd have to be as honest as possible without implicating Cosmo and Wanda. This may mean that Trixie and him were through. However before Timmy could say anything, Chester spoke up,

"Mr. and Mrs. Tang, don't get mad at Timmy. What happened was MY fault."


Anti-Cosmo looked shocked. What was going on; was there more to this story than even he knew. He wanted to stop Chester from speaking, but the security was still in place. He had to stand back and just watch what happened.


"What do you mean, Chester," asked Jeff.

Chester looked at everyone and then spoke,

"I was playing a joke on Timmy; he was swimming at the YMCA, and when he took his shower, I hid his clothes from him. When he realized what happened he panicked and without thinking he went outside." He paused and looked over and continued, "I would have stopped Timmy, but then A.J. called me on my cell phone and asked me to come to the Museum of Natural History." He paused and looked at A.J, and added, "I knew I shouldn't have let you drag me there. That sort of distracted me and I forgot about Timmy, so I guess he tried to make his way home." Chester turned to Timmy, "I'm sorry buddy."


Anti-Cosmo was fuming. Was this even true? No; Chester was just protecting Timmy and ruining the Anti-Fairy's plan. If all of this extra security had not been around the blond, Anti-Cosmo would have destroyed him.


Timmy didn't know what to say. Chester had just lied to protect him. He went ahead and played along,

"That's okay Chester. I should have not darted out of the YMCA so quickly. You know how impulsive I can be."

"Dude, it's fine," said Chester, "like I said, I'm just sorry you had to go through that."

Jeff nodded and then said,

"Well, Chester. You really need to be careful about practical jokes, and Timmy the next time you're in a situation like that, don't go out. Just call your parents or for that matter me or Mrs. Tang."

Rebecca didn't say anything. Jeff looked with concern at his wife. He wasn't sure if she'd accept the explanation.


Anti-Cosmo had a glimmer of hope. Maybe Rebecca's high class and rather snooty nature would prevent her from accepting what Chester and Timmy said.


For what seemed like forever, Rebecca Tang was very quiet.

"Honey," said Jeff, "what's wrong?"

Rebecca drew in a breath and spoke,

"Nothing, it was just disconcerting to learn this. However, I do accept your explantion, boys. But like Mr. Tang said; 'Be careful." And then Trixie's mother turned and said, "and Timothy, like Mr. Tang said, if you're in a bad situation like this, either call your parents or you can even call us."

"Yes ma'am," said Timmy, "so is everything okay?"

"No," said Mark who then turned to the geeky kid and said, "dude who are you? And do you make it a habit to reveal humiliating information to complete strangers."

"I'm interested in that too," said A.J., "why would you come up to us like that?"


Anti-Cosmo got alarmed. He had to get out of there, before the finger of blame pointed at him. With that, the anti-fairy Anti-Poofed out of there.


"My name's Benjamin," said the kid, "and that guy over there, "and with that Benjamin pointed toward the corner, "told me to come up and say who you are."

"What guy," said Jeff.

"Well," said Benjamin who then looked in the direction of the now empty street corner. The boy looked stunned and said, "he was just right there."

"He isn't there now," said Mark, "if he ever was."

"He WAS," said Benjamin, "in fact, I think he was going to a costume party."

"A costume party?," asked Rebecca.

"Yeah," said Benjamin, "he was dressed up as a vampire; complete with bat wings."

Chester, A.J. and Timmy looked at each other. They knew who it was.


Anti-Cosmo was back in his castle fuming. Then just as suddenly, he calmed down and pulled himself together.

"Okay," said the Anti-Fairy, "this was not a complete success, but it may not be a complete failure either. I planted a little seed of doubt in Trixie's parents' mind about Turner. By the time, friday the thirteenth rolls around, all of this despair Timothy is going to feel will be intensified. And when it is...." Anti-Cosmo didn't say anything else. He just smiled.


Benjamin apologized for the trouble, and then left the group. "Well, Trixie, Rebecca," said Jeff, "let's go back in and pay for the stuff we left on the cashier's counter." Jeff then looked at the group of boys and said, "Why don't you guys wait out here. Trixie was talking about going to the arcade, so I'll drive all of you to the mall."

"Yes sir," said Timmy, "thank you."

When the Tangs went back into the comic book store, Timmy turned to Chester with gratitude in his eyes.

"Thank you buddy," said Timmy, "You didn't have to lie for me though."

"That's fine dude," said Chester, "you're my best friend so I didn't want to see you get in trouble. Although I suspect the real explanation is much more interesting than what I told them."

"It is," said Timmy, looking at his watch which of course was actually his godfamily, "I was going to read a Crimson Chin comic book while taking a bath." He paused and looked at his friends and added, "but it was an older comic book so I wished myself to the store, but then.." Timmy looked at his watch again a bit glaringly, "someone FORGOT to dress me."

"Well," said Cosmo, "you should have been more specific with your wishes."

"Well," said A.J.,"at least everything worked out okay."

"Yeah," said Mark, "let's enjoy this hideous earth day; maybe there'll be some gruel in the mall I can sample." The Yugopatamian paused and said, "By the way, is there any place that sells manure in the Dimmsdale Mall. I so have a craving for it."


Vicky had finally come home, unfortunately. However, Tootie was taking a nap, and Vicky was too busy watching a DVD she had purchased in her room.

"This is the perfect time," said Binky who then poofed outside.

"Jorgen," said Tootie's fairy godfather, "I need to see you right now."

There was an atomic poof and Jorgen was standing there; he looked a little annoyed.

"This had better be good, Binky," said the Toughest Fairy in the Universe, "I was watching All My Biceps."

"It is," said Binky, "would you care to explain why you never told me that Vicky and Tootie had a brother, and why that brother's name was Winston, incidently the same name was your former gochild?"

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