Scott and Jean rushed up the immense steps of the castle, stopping once they were under cover to shake at least some of the wet rain from their clothes. Scott gave Jean a reassuring smile and leaning forward he pressed the doorbell. A cacophony of clangs and rattles, as if someone was moving a wooden crate filled with broken glass and metal pipes peeled out.

Jean shuddered. "Oh Scott let's go back! I'm cold and I'm frightened."

"Just a minute Jean," Scott answered, pressing the doorbell once again, "they may have a telephone."

Scott was just about to ring the doorbell for the third time when slowly the great oak door creaked open enough to let out a hunched figure. The figure looked at them with indifferent eyes, his long fingers drumming in a spider-like manner against the door frame. "Hello," Todd drawled.

Jean and Scott exchanged a quick glance before Scott realized he had left the person hanging and quickly tried to cover. "Uh-oh hi!" he extended a hand, "I'm Scott Summers and this is my fiancée Jean Weiss." Todd looked at Scott's hand and stayed where he was. Embarrassed Scott retracted the hand and asked in a slightly more subdued tone, "I wonder if you could help us. Our car has broken down about two miles up the road. Do you have a phone we might use?"

"You're wet," Todd said, his eyes piercing.

"Yes," Jean said, uncomfortable, "it's raining."

"Yes," Scott nodded.

"Yeees," Todd drawled, his eyes still fixed upon their faces.

The thunder rolled and the lightening illuminated the steps and the space behind them. To Scott's surprise a long row of motorcycles stood, immobile, in a long line that stretched out over the driveway.

Noticing Scott's surprise Todd shot forward, grabbing both Jean and Scott by the arm. He still didn't smile, and continued to speak in his quiet drawl. "I think you'd both better........come inside." Scott followed the skinny figure, dragging Jean after.

"You're too kind," Jean said, before giving Scott a look that said 'I so do not want to go in here.'

Todd pushed them forwards into the hall, closing the door behind them. He disappeared behind the door as it swung shut, although both Jean and Scott had no idea that he had done so. As they entered the house the two lovers both noticed music, playing loud, though at a distance, somewhere else in the house.

"Oh Scott I'm frightened," Jean whispered, clutching Scott's arm, "what kind of place is this?"

"It's probably some kind of hunting lodge for rich weirdoes," Scott answered, giving her a comforting squeeze.

"This way," Todd said suddenly, frightening the two teenagers and causing them to jump. He smiled slightly at their reaction and took the lead, walking at a curious hobbling gate.

"A-Are you having a party?" Jean asked hesitantly.

"No," Todd answered without looking back. "You've arrived on a rather special night. It's one of the master's affairs."

"Oh," Jean answered, "lucky him?"

"He's lucky," a voice called out. Jean and Scott jumped in fright as what they had taken to be part of the staircase came to life and grinned up at them. She wore a French Maid's outfit and carried a duster. "You're lucky, I'm lucky, WE'RE ALLLL LUCKY!" Rogue cackled, sliding down the banister and tossing Todd the duster.

Todd: It's astounding....time is.....fleeting. Madness, takes it's toll. But listen closely....

Rogue: (who has left the stairs and is now behind them) But not for very much longer

Todd: I've got to........keep control! I remember!! Doing the Time Warp! Drinking those moments when, the blackness was in me!

Todd and Rogue: And the void would be calling!!! (Todd grabs Rogue and spins her around before shoving Jean and Scott through a pair of double doors and into a well lit room from where the music had been coming. A large group of strangely dressed people are there)

Todd, Rogue and Guests: Let's do the Time Warp again!!!!! Let's do the Time Warp again!! (Jean faints)

- - - ******* - - -

Freddy pulls down a dance step diagram and points with some decision.

Freddy: It's just a jump to the left.......

- - - ******* - - -

Guests: And then a step to the righ-ii-i-i-i-ight!!!

- - - ******* - - -

Freddy: You put your hands on your hips

- - - ******* - - -

Guests: And bring your knees in tigh-ii-i-ight! But it's the pelvic thrust, that really drives you insaa-aa-a-a-a-ane! Let's do the Time Warp again!! Let's do the Time Warp again!!

Rogue danced past Scott and Jean. Todd smiled and shoved them forwards onto the ballroom floor, despite Jean's protests.

Rogue: It's so dreamy, oh fantasy free me! So you can't see me.....no not at all. In another dimension, with voyeuristic intention. Well secluded....I see all! (Rogue rests her head on a balcony)

Todd: With a bit of a mind flip

Rogue: You're into the time slip-ah! (Rogue leaps onto the table)

Todd: And nothing...can ever be the same.

Rogue: You're spaced out on sensation

Todd: Like you're under sedation!!!

Todd, Rogue and Guests: Let's do the Time Warp again!! Let's do the Time Warp again!!

Todd and Rogue left the two teenagers and rushed to where a girl in a shiny gold top hat and tails, hot pants and tap shoes, sat on the top of a jukebox. She grinned and flicked the brim of her hat up.

Kitty: Well I was walking down the street just-a havin' a think, when a snake of a guy gave me an ev-all wink! He shook-a me up, he took me by surprise, he had a pick-up truck and a devil's eye!! He stared at me and I felt a change...time meant nothing never would again!

Guests: Let's do the Time Warp again!! Let's do the Time Warp again!!

- - - ******* - - -

Freddy: It's just a jump to the left!

- - - ******* - - -

Guests: And then a step to the righ-ii-i-i-i-ight!!!

- - - ******* - - -

Freddy: You put your hands on your hips

- - - ******* - - -

Guests: And bring your knees in tigh-ii-i-ight! But it's the pelvic thrust, that really drives you insaa-aa-a-a-a-ane! Let's do the Time Warp again!! Let's do the Time Warp again!!

It was at this point that the dance came to an abrupt halt and everyone in the room, including the strange domestics and the girl in the top hat, fell to the floor as if dead. Jean and Scott looked about, slightly disturbed by the strange dance.

"Say something," Jean hissed to Scott, elbowing him in the ribs.

"Say!" Scott said, overly cheerful, "do any of you know how to Madison?"

"Oh God," Jean groaned, putting her head in her hands.

The guests began to rise up from the floor, all eyes fixed hungrily on the two teenagers. Frightened, Scott and Jean began to walk backwards.

"Scott, let's get out of here," Jean whispered.

"For God's sake get a grip on yourself Jean," Scott said, trying to sound manly.

"But it seems so unhealthy here!" Jean protested.

Behind the bickering couple an open cage lift had began to descend. Inside, the back of a tall figure could be seen, dressed in a black tissue cloak. Beneath the cloak a pair of diamante heels could be seen.

Unaware of the lift behind him Scott continued to talk to Jean in an insistent tone. "It's just a party Jean."

"Well I want to leave!"

"Just a moment Jean, they may have a phone."

"Then ask the butler," Jean hissed, gesturing to Todd, who was watching the lift behind in a kind of rapture.

"Let's wait a while Jean. We don't want to interfere with their celebrations."

"This isn't the Junior Chamber of Commerce Scott!" Jean growled.

"They're probably just foreigners with ways different to our own," Scott offered an explanation, "they may do some more........folk dancing."

"Scott; I'm cold, I'm wet and I'm just plain scared!!" Jean cried. She turned to leave and for the first time she saw the lift. The figure spun around and smiled.

Scott, still unaware of the lift continued to speak, "I'm here, there's nothing to worry about."

Jean screamed, startling Scott who only just managed to catch Jean as she fainted once more. He looked up in surprise at the figure as the wire covering that served for a door was thrown back by the person inside. Toby smiled wolfishly at Scott, his face extremely made up, crimson lips, pale face and dark eyeshadow which made his ice blue eyes all the more startling.

Toby: How do you do, I see you've met my, faithful....handyman. (He leaned forward as if confiding in Scott) He's just a..little bought down because...when you knocked (he flashed a grin) He thought you were the...candyman.

Todd scowled to himself. Toby laughed and skipped forward down the steps and into the ballroom below.

Toby: Don't get strung out, by the way I look. Don't judge a book by it's cover. I'm not....much of a man by the light of day, but by night I'm one hell of a lover!!

Having reached the other side of the ballroom, Toby cast off the dark cloak with a flourish, letting it fall onto the throne-like chair behind him. He wiggled his eyebrows as his clothing was exposed. He wore a deep purple corset, with elbow gloves with cut off fingers. A string of pearls sat about his neck. On the bottom half he wore only a pair of black underwear, and fishnets, along with the diamante heels Jean had spied before. He twisted his hips slowly, tossing his head back.

Toby: I'm just a sweet Transvestite, from Transsexual, Transylvania-ah-ha-haaa!

He moved back down the steps, ignoring the guests as they tried to touch him.

Toby: Let me show you around....maybe play you a sound. You look like you're both pretty groovy. (At this Toby gave a doubtful sneer. He pushed past Jean and Scott and began to shove them forward, a hand on each of their chests.) Or if you want something visual, that's not too abysmal...We could take in an old Steve Reeves movie.

Scott clumsily tried to circle Toby as the ebony-haired teenager began to greet his guests, ignoring the couple.

Scott: I'm glad we caught you at home. Can we use your phone? We're both in a bit of a hurry.

Jean: Right!

Scott: We'll just say where we are, then go back to the car. We don't want to be any worry.

Toby turned to them, eyeing Scott with pleasure.

Toby: Well you got caught with a flat! Well................how 'bout that? Well babies, don't you panic. By the light of the night, it'll all seem alright. I'll get you a Satanic Mechanic.

Now back on the raised podium on which his throne was, Toby began to dance. Kitty skipped up beside him and began to copy him, Toby grinning at her as she did so.

Toby: I'm just a sweet Transvestite, from Transsexual, Transylvania-ah-ha-haaa!

He sunk into his throne, Kitty, Todd and Rogue arranging themselves about him like so many fawning subjects.

Toby: Why don't you stay for the night?

Todd: Night.......

Toby: Or maybe a bite....

Kitty: Bite............

Toby: I could show you my favorite obsession. I've been making a man...with blonde hair and a tan (at this point he twirls a strand of Todd's hair around his finger) and he's good for relieving my............................(grins) tension.

Toby rose once more from the chair, ever so slowly, prolonging the moment as the guests and his servants watched on in adoration.

Toby: I'm just a sweet Transvestite, from Transsexual, Transylvania-ah-ha-haaa! I'm just a sweet Transvestite -

Guests: Sweet Transvestite!

Toby began to skip down the carpet back to the lift, raising his hands in triumph.

Toby: From Transsexual, Transylvania

Guests: Transylvania!

Toby: So....(he has reached the lift) come up to the lab, and see what's on the slab. I feel you shiver with antici....................................................................................................................................................pation. But maybe the rain....isn't really to blame. So I'll remove the cause. (Lift door slams shut and Toby begins to ascend) But not the symptom!

- - - ******* - - -

Ooh!! I see you shiver with anticipation!! What's in the lab people!?! Stay tuned for the next chapter, in which Pietro as Rocky is introduced, and Lance as Eddie. *walks off singing* I'm just a sweet Transvestite, from Transsexual, Transylvania.