Shifting Sands
By Todd Fan
Disclaimer: "If you find a mate in life, you should be loyal. In your case grateful, now get away from me".
****
***
Chapter 2 - Plots and Projects
*****
The next morning, even if technically it WAS morning when she went to bed, Sidney fell out of bed. At some point while she was asleep, she had changed back to her normal form, and thus her hair was now a wild bushy mess...not that it wasn't EVERY morning mind you. She gave a heavy sigh, showered and dressed before slumping downstairs. In the kitchen, Freddy was trying to get the deceased waffle machine to work.
"Morning Sid", he said, not looking up from where he was poking the machine.
"Nugh", replied Sidney, sitting down at the table.
"Ewww", said Freddy, descovering what had caused the waffle machine to disrupt, "HOW does Toad get his slime INTO this?".
Sidney pulled a face.
"Don't know, don't care", she said moodily, "probably did it when he was with Wanda the Wonderfull".
Freddy winced.
"Sid..it's been ages, you should have, you know, moved on by now", he said, "i mean, what about Piotr?".
"Me and Piotr AREN'T dating", said Sidney with a frustrated sigh, "geez why can't people understand that...and i am TRYING to move on. But...ugh".
"And this is why i'm glad i'm single", said Freddy with a wise nod, "less hastle".
"...Not helping, Freddy", said Sidney, "you DO realise that asks for revenge, right?".
Fred arched an eyebrow. He was used to Sidney coming out with bizare comments and threats of revenge, but as seen as he had done nothing, he wanted to see what his punishment was.
"I'm gonna get you a date!".
Freddy watched her for a long time, before snorting and falling on the floor in a laughing fit.
"WHAT?", said Sidney, her tail flicking in anger.
"Me...a date?", managed Freddy, picking himself up and trying to speak in- between laughs, "that's like saying you'll make Pietro have a bad hair day".
"I heard that!", came Pietro's voice from somewhere in the house, "hex on thee for such vile curses!".
"See?", said Freddy, gesturing in the dirrection of Pietro's voice.
"Awwwww", said Sidney, "please?. I'm tired of seeing Todd and Wanda all lovey dovey. I need a project before i rip their eyes out. You can be my project".
"....Now your starting to scare me", said Freddy.
"No, i can find someone who'll date you, really!", she said, "i mean, you ARE a geniunely nice, sweet, gentlemanly type guy".
"...Who weighs 976 pounds", added Freddy.
"A minor technicallity", said Sidney with a wave of her hand, "i can get a date, so can Todd, AND Kurt, so you should be a sinch. You're neither furry, have a tail nor smell".
"...I'd take that as a compliment", said Freddy, "but...i'm not sure...".
"Too late, deal is done, poject is set", said Sidney quickly, "all we have to do is alter your image, maybe a wardobe change and PRESTO!".
With that, Sidney jumped up, grabbing Freddy by the arm and dragging the 'unmovable' Blob out of the kitchen door.
"...Help", said Freddy weakly as he was dragged away.
*****
Meanwhile, Ororo and Forge were enjoying a rare moment of peace and tranquillity that didn't involve either teenagers, crazy animals or aliens (or all three) disrupting them. They had taken the oportunity as a blessing and had escaped to the park for a walk.
"Count yourself lucky you don't live in the mansion", said Ororo with a tried sigh, "Kitty and Rogue were STILL at war when Bobby admited he had stolen Kitty's book. And Roberto has a hate campaign against Jean's new 'clean study area' project".
"Teenagers hate everything", pointed out Forge, "unless it involves something they shouldn't be doing"
"Warlock is not like that", pointed out Ororo.
"Give him time", said Forge with a sigh, "the Insitute demons will soon drag him down to their dark level of....evilness".
Ororo gave him a playfull swat across his head for that comment.
"Be nice to those 'demons'", she scolded, "they're my pupils".
"Oww", said Forge, rubbing his head, "you know, you're the most violent girlfriend i have ever had".
"Oh, i'm you're girlfriend now?", said Ororo with a cryptic smirk, sauntering off, "what out of two?".
"You're meaner too", pouted Forge, "and you pick on me".
Ororo kept walking, quietly flicking her hand to the side. Before Forge had chance to react to this tiny gesture, he found himself hung upside-down on a small wind a few feet in the air, right in front of a grinning Storm.
"That might be true", she said, "but i can also do that".
"....Ok...i'll give you that one", said Forge, "can you let me go now?...the blood is rushing to my head".
Storm contimplated this.
"Nope".
"Awww come on, don't make me put evil to your list too", said Forge, making a vain attempt to escape from the small whirlwind, only suceeding in spinning around in the air a few times.
"Having problems, Honey?", teased Storm with a giggle.
"Okay, evil is on the list", said Forge, "right along with deception, violent mood swings and...".
Storm gave him an upside-down kiss, shutting him up instantly.
"That too", said Forge after she'd pulled back.
"Ok, i'll let you down now", said Storm, clicking her fingers and letting Forge fall to a crumpled heap on the floor.
"You're gonna be the death of me", said Forge with a sigh, standing up, "but, hey, at least i'll go happy".
****
"Tabby, come on tell me what's wrong, i'm your BEST friend, remember?"
Amara crossed her arms and frowned at Tabby, she'd been acting weird for a LONG time now...it was starting to creep her out. They were sitting out in the ground of the Institute, Amara having stopped Tabby in her tracks as she tried to leave. She wanted answers, and she wanted them NOW.
"I'm just fine!", retorted Tabby back, trying desperately to find a distraction, she found it when she saw Warlock heading towards them, happily pulling a little red wagon behind him.
"Hi Warlock!", said 'Tabby' quickly before Amara could question her anymore, "err....what's with the wagon?".
"Hello Self-friends Tabby and Amara", said Warlock, "Self is taking Self- Pet Max for a walk".
Tabby and Amara blinked, before glancing behind Warlock, where Max was lying in little red wagon, sleeping.
"...'Lock", Amara started, carefully, "Max isn't technically walking".
"Self-Pet Max is an old dog", said Warlock with a shrug, "Self thought he'd like to get out and see the trees and get fresh air".
"Yuh...huh", said Tabby, "he's...awfully still, is he dead?".
A look of sheer terror sweapt across the young aliens face. He bent down and gave Max a poke. After a few minutes, Max's tail gave one half-a-wag.
"Self-Pet Max is still alive", said Warlock happily, "Self was scared for a moment there".
Max opened one eye and slowly got out of the wagon. The old dog stopped dead when he saw 'Tabby'...then he did something he had never done before. His hackles raised, her bared his almost toothless mouth and he growled, low and threatening.
"...Nice dog", said Tabby with a nervous laugh, backing away slowly.
Warlock blinked a few times in confusion.
"Self is...confused", he said, "Self-Pet has never acted so hostile before....".
"Oh it must have been after i petted my friend Bernie's chipmunk", Tabby lied. "he must smell that..heh heh".
Warlock wasn't one to argue...not that he was all that clear WHAT a chipmunk actually was. Max's growling became much more fierce as he advanced on 'Tabby'. Warlock gave a defeated sigh and grabbed hold of the dog's bandana collar, opening the door to Forge's truck and putting him inside.
"Now Self-Pet stay there until Self-Carer returns from Courtship-Party with Self-Carer-Life-Mate", said Warlock sternly, before walking into the mansion.
"....A what now?", asked Tabby confused.
"He means when Forge come back from his date with Storm", said Amara, rolling her eyes, "geez Tabby, i thought you'd have learned a BIT of Warlock-speak by now".
"AMARA!", came Scott's voice from inside, "Lockheed's chewing on your perfume bottles again!".
"That little no good lizard!", snapped Amara, "that's IT! Kitty or no, i'm making a Guchi bag out of you, Dragon!".
With that, Amara stormed into the house, leaving Tabby alone. 'She' gave a sigh of relief and leaned on Forge's pick-up truck. BAD mistake. Max jumped up against the window, with more life than the old dog had shown in a long while, and started to bark and snarl.
"Having...poochy problems?".
Tabby started, before sighing as a 20 year old man wandered out from the shadows.
"You could say that" 'she' said, crossing her arms, "how can it sense me?. It shouldn't be able to!! I have no...".
"We KNOW", answered the man, "but we don't know how it can sense you...no matter, it can be dealt with".
With that, he opened the door to Forge's truck, letting Max jump out. The dog got his feet for a minute before snarling at both people. The man rolled his eyes before giving Max a flick on the ear. Max blinked once before crumpling to the ground.
"Bad Doggie", said the man with a chuckle, flinging the unconcious form of Max over his shoulder, "no treat"
"....What are you gonna do to the dog?", asked 'Tabby', a slight hint of concern in her voice.
"None of your beezwax!", replied the man, "you just carry on with your mission. That's ALL the boss wants you to do"
"Fine..." muttered Tabby, giving Max one last look before sighing and walking back into the mansion. The man grinned and disapeared into the dense forest on the grounds of the Institute.
***
"MMMMM, now Beryll and Jack Stapleton were brother and sister and posed as a married couple...no..that's not right".
Kitty frowned, looking through her notes...this was confusing.
"I hate this book, hate it, hate it, hate it!", she said, glaring at said book.
"I'm sure Sir Doyle would have loved to hear those sentiments", said Hank from the other end of the table, "it is a very good book, once you read it through. By the way, it's the other way around".
"Oh", said Kitty, "still, it makes no sense!. I mean..."
She was cut off when Storm wandered into the kitchen, humming happily to herself. Kitty, who was looking for a distraction from homework anyway, decided to take full advantage of Ororo's current state of bliss.
"Ororo had a daaaaattee".
"Yes, yes i did", said Ororo smugly, "and i enjoyed it".
Kitty pondered this for a second before sighing.
"Man, it's only funny if your embarassed by it", she said, "i'm gonna go pick on Scott and Jean some more".
With that, she got up and stormed out of the kitchen, leaving Logan and Hank to grin at their fellow instructor as she picked up an apple, smiling happily to herself. She paused, realising she was being watched.
"What?".
"Ya look like you slept with a coat hanger in your mouth....or ya doin' an impression of the Cheshire Cat", said Logan.
"I know", said Ororo, still grinning, "i can't help it. It's like everytime i see him it's just......"
She let out a deep, happy sigh.
"The best feelings are those that have no words to describe them", quoted Hank.
"Mmmm?", said Ororo.
"In non-Hank-speak, you got it BAD", said Logan.
"Oh", said Ororo, spacing out, "okay".
"She's done it again", said Logan, giving the Weather Witch a poke, "Storm! Hey Ororo, the kids are burning down your garden".
"That's nice, Hank", replied Ororo, obviously her mind was elsewhere.
"I'm L-O-G-A-N", said Logan, "that's Hank, the big blue fuzzy guy! How can you confuse us?!".
"Yes", replied Ororo.
Hank sighed.
"Give it up, Logan, she's out of here", he said.
"And to think, she used ta be the dependable one", muttered Logan.
****
*Rubs hand with glee* Am i driving you all mad with my 'Tabby' yet? Oh i hope i am. Mwhoahahahaha. Do review, until next time.
By Todd Fan
Disclaimer: "If you find a mate in life, you should be loyal. In your case grateful, now get away from me".
****
***
Chapter 2 - Plots and Projects
*****
The next morning, even if technically it WAS morning when she went to bed, Sidney fell out of bed. At some point while she was asleep, she had changed back to her normal form, and thus her hair was now a wild bushy mess...not that it wasn't EVERY morning mind you. She gave a heavy sigh, showered and dressed before slumping downstairs. In the kitchen, Freddy was trying to get the deceased waffle machine to work.
"Morning Sid", he said, not looking up from where he was poking the machine.
"Nugh", replied Sidney, sitting down at the table.
"Ewww", said Freddy, descovering what had caused the waffle machine to disrupt, "HOW does Toad get his slime INTO this?".
Sidney pulled a face.
"Don't know, don't care", she said moodily, "probably did it when he was with Wanda the Wonderfull".
Freddy winced.
"Sid..it's been ages, you should have, you know, moved on by now", he said, "i mean, what about Piotr?".
"Me and Piotr AREN'T dating", said Sidney with a frustrated sigh, "geez why can't people understand that...and i am TRYING to move on. But...ugh".
"And this is why i'm glad i'm single", said Freddy with a wise nod, "less hastle".
"...Not helping, Freddy", said Sidney, "you DO realise that asks for revenge, right?".
Fred arched an eyebrow. He was used to Sidney coming out with bizare comments and threats of revenge, but as seen as he had done nothing, he wanted to see what his punishment was.
"I'm gonna get you a date!".
Freddy watched her for a long time, before snorting and falling on the floor in a laughing fit.
"WHAT?", said Sidney, her tail flicking in anger.
"Me...a date?", managed Freddy, picking himself up and trying to speak in- between laughs, "that's like saying you'll make Pietro have a bad hair day".
"I heard that!", came Pietro's voice from somewhere in the house, "hex on thee for such vile curses!".
"See?", said Freddy, gesturing in the dirrection of Pietro's voice.
"Awwwww", said Sidney, "please?. I'm tired of seeing Todd and Wanda all lovey dovey. I need a project before i rip their eyes out. You can be my project".
"....Now your starting to scare me", said Freddy.
"No, i can find someone who'll date you, really!", she said, "i mean, you ARE a geniunely nice, sweet, gentlemanly type guy".
"...Who weighs 976 pounds", added Freddy.
"A minor technicallity", said Sidney with a wave of her hand, "i can get a date, so can Todd, AND Kurt, so you should be a sinch. You're neither furry, have a tail nor smell".
"...I'd take that as a compliment", said Freddy, "but...i'm not sure...".
"Too late, deal is done, poject is set", said Sidney quickly, "all we have to do is alter your image, maybe a wardobe change and PRESTO!".
With that, Sidney jumped up, grabbing Freddy by the arm and dragging the 'unmovable' Blob out of the kitchen door.
"...Help", said Freddy weakly as he was dragged away.
*****
Meanwhile, Ororo and Forge were enjoying a rare moment of peace and tranquillity that didn't involve either teenagers, crazy animals or aliens (or all three) disrupting them. They had taken the oportunity as a blessing and had escaped to the park for a walk.
"Count yourself lucky you don't live in the mansion", said Ororo with a tried sigh, "Kitty and Rogue were STILL at war when Bobby admited he had stolen Kitty's book. And Roberto has a hate campaign against Jean's new 'clean study area' project".
"Teenagers hate everything", pointed out Forge, "unless it involves something they shouldn't be doing"
"Warlock is not like that", pointed out Ororo.
"Give him time", said Forge with a sigh, "the Insitute demons will soon drag him down to their dark level of....evilness".
Ororo gave him a playfull swat across his head for that comment.
"Be nice to those 'demons'", she scolded, "they're my pupils".
"Oww", said Forge, rubbing his head, "you know, you're the most violent girlfriend i have ever had".
"Oh, i'm you're girlfriend now?", said Ororo with a cryptic smirk, sauntering off, "what out of two?".
"You're meaner too", pouted Forge, "and you pick on me".
Ororo kept walking, quietly flicking her hand to the side. Before Forge had chance to react to this tiny gesture, he found himself hung upside-down on a small wind a few feet in the air, right in front of a grinning Storm.
"That might be true", she said, "but i can also do that".
"....Ok...i'll give you that one", said Forge, "can you let me go now?...the blood is rushing to my head".
Storm contimplated this.
"Nope".
"Awww come on, don't make me put evil to your list too", said Forge, making a vain attempt to escape from the small whirlwind, only suceeding in spinning around in the air a few times.
"Having problems, Honey?", teased Storm with a giggle.
"Okay, evil is on the list", said Forge, "right along with deception, violent mood swings and...".
Storm gave him an upside-down kiss, shutting him up instantly.
"That too", said Forge after she'd pulled back.
"Ok, i'll let you down now", said Storm, clicking her fingers and letting Forge fall to a crumpled heap on the floor.
"You're gonna be the death of me", said Forge with a sigh, standing up, "but, hey, at least i'll go happy".
****
"Tabby, come on tell me what's wrong, i'm your BEST friend, remember?"
Amara crossed her arms and frowned at Tabby, she'd been acting weird for a LONG time now...it was starting to creep her out. They were sitting out in the ground of the Institute, Amara having stopped Tabby in her tracks as she tried to leave. She wanted answers, and she wanted them NOW.
"I'm just fine!", retorted Tabby back, trying desperately to find a distraction, she found it when she saw Warlock heading towards them, happily pulling a little red wagon behind him.
"Hi Warlock!", said 'Tabby' quickly before Amara could question her anymore, "err....what's with the wagon?".
"Hello Self-friends Tabby and Amara", said Warlock, "Self is taking Self- Pet Max for a walk".
Tabby and Amara blinked, before glancing behind Warlock, where Max was lying in little red wagon, sleeping.
"...'Lock", Amara started, carefully, "Max isn't technically walking".
"Self-Pet Max is an old dog", said Warlock with a shrug, "Self thought he'd like to get out and see the trees and get fresh air".
"Yuh...huh", said Tabby, "he's...awfully still, is he dead?".
A look of sheer terror sweapt across the young aliens face. He bent down and gave Max a poke. After a few minutes, Max's tail gave one half-a-wag.
"Self-Pet Max is still alive", said Warlock happily, "Self was scared for a moment there".
Max opened one eye and slowly got out of the wagon. The old dog stopped dead when he saw 'Tabby'...then he did something he had never done before. His hackles raised, her bared his almost toothless mouth and he growled, low and threatening.
"...Nice dog", said Tabby with a nervous laugh, backing away slowly.
Warlock blinked a few times in confusion.
"Self is...confused", he said, "Self-Pet has never acted so hostile before....".
"Oh it must have been after i petted my friend Bernie's chipmunk", Tabby lied. "he must smell that..heh heh".
Warlock wasn't one to argue...not that he was all that clear WHAT a chipmunk actually was. Max's growling became much more fierce as he advanced on 'Tabby'. Warlock gave a defeated sigh and grabbed hold of the dog's bandana collar, opening the door to Forge's truck and putting him inside.
"Now Self-Pet stay there until Self-Carer returns from Courtship-Party with Self-Carer-Life-Mate", said Warlock sternly, before walking into the mansion.
"....A what now?", asked Tabby confused.
"He means when Forge come back from his date with Storm", said Amara, rolling her eyes, "geez Tabby, i thought you'd have learned a BIT of Warlock-speak by now".
"AMARA!", came Scott's voice from inside, "Lockheed's chewing on your perfume bottles again!".
"That little no good lizard!", snapped Amara, "that's IT! Kitty or no, i'm making a Guchi bag out of you, Dragon!".
With that, Amara stormed into the house, leaving Tabby alone. 'She' gave a sigh of relief and leaned on Forge's pick-up truck. BAD mistake. Max jumped up against the window, with more life than the old dog had shown in a long while, and started to bark and snarl.
"Having...poochy problems?".
Tabby started, before sighing as a 20 year old man wandered out from the shadows.
"You could say that" 'she' said, crossing her arms, "how can it sense me?. It shouldn't be able to!! I have no...".
"We KNOW", answered the man, "but we don't know how it can sense you...no matter, it can be dealt with".
With that, he opened the door to Forge's truck, letting Max jump out. The dog got his feet for a minute before snarling at both people. The man rolled his eyes before giving Max a flick on the ear. Max blinked once before crumpling to the ground.
"Bad Doggie", said the man with a chuckle, flinging the unconcious form of Max over his shoulder, "no treat"
"....What are you gonna do to the dog?", asked 'Tabby', a slight hint of concern in her voice.
"None of your beezwax!", replied the man, "you just carry on with your mission. That's ALL the boss wants you to do"
"Fine..." muttered Tabby, giving Max one last look before sighing and walking back into the mansion. The man grinned and disapeared into the dense forest on the grounds of the Institute.
***
"MMMMM, now Beryll and Jack Stapleton were brother and sister and posed as a married couple...no..that's not right".
Kitty frowned, looking through her notes...this was confusing.
"I hate this book, hate it, hate it, hate it!", she said, glaring at said book.
"I'm sure Sir Doyle would have loved to hear those sentiments", said Hank from the other end of the table, "it is a very good book, once you read it through. By the way, it's the other way around".
"Oh", said Kitty, "still, it makes no sense!. I mean..."
She was cut off when Storm wandered into the kitchen, humming happily to herself. Kitty, who was looking for a distraction from homework anyway, decided to take full advantage of Ororo's current state of bliss.
"Ororo had a daaaaattee".
"Yes, yes i did", said Ororo smugly, "and i enjoyed it".
Kitty pondered this for a second before sighing.
"Man, it's only funny if your embarassed by it", she said, "i'm gonna go pick on Scott and Jean some more".
With that, she got up and stormed out of the kitchen, leaving Logan and Hank to grin at their fellow instructor as she picked up an apple, smiling happily to herself. She paused, realising she was being watched.
"What?".
"Ya look like you slept with a coat hanger in your mouth....or ya doin' an impression of the Cheshire Cat", said Logan.
"I know", said Ororo, still grinning, "i can't help it. It's like everytime i see him it's just......"
She let out a deep, happy sigh.
"The best feelings are those that have no words to describe them", quoted Hank.
"Mmmm?", said Ororo.
"In non-Hank-speak, you got it BAD", said Logan.
"Oh", said Ororo, spacing out, "okay".
"She's done it again", said Logan, giving the Weather Witch a poke, "Storm! Hey Ororo, the kids are burning down your garden".
"That's nice, Hank", replied Ororo, obviously her mind was elsewhere.
"I'm L-O-G-A-N", said Logan, "that's Hank, the big blue fuzzy guy! How can you confuse us?!".
"Yes", replied Ororo.
Hank sighed.
"Give it up, Logan, she's out of here", he said.
"And to think, she used ta be the dependable one", muttered Logan.
****
*Rubs hand with glee* Am i driving you all mad with my 'Tabby' yet? Oh i hope i am. Mwhoahahahaha. Do review, until next time.