Settling In
"Whispering Pines Wellness Retreat for Teens," Scott read the sign as they left the bus. "Welcome Gifted Students."
"They must mean us," Fred said.
"No you think?" Pietro looked at him. "Hey look at this!" He read a nearby billboard with flyers and posters on it. "Here are some of the seminars they offer here: Yoga for You, Karma Can Be Cool, Pint Sized Aromatherapy, and get this…Fishing for Intentions at the Bridge of Imagination."
"You're kidding?" Scott asked.
"Read it for yourself," Pietro said.
"Celestial Hula Hoop Aerobics?" Scott read one of the signs.
"Hey I like that class," Fred grinned.
"Oh man this is definitely not like Camp Ironback at all," Lance groaned.
"And that is definitely not a drill instructor," Pietro pointed at the figure greeting them.
"Hell-oooooo campers!" A fat man with long blond hair and bright clothes greeted them. "I'm Harvey Laffruff, your camp facilitator!"
"Hi Harvey!" Bazooka waved. "Good to see you again."
"You know this guy?" Scott asked.
"Yeah Harvey was involved with those giant vegetables that took over Chicago," Bazooka said.
"What did you just say?" Scott asked with a very puzzled look on his face.
"You don't wanna know," Ray sighed.
"It's kind of a long story," Harvey said. "Remind me to tell you later. So these are the students you've told me about. Welcome! Welcome one and all to an exciting journey of self discovery!"
"I can't wait," Pietro smiled. "Can you Summers?" Scott groaned in response.
"And to think I get to miss out on all this," Jamie snickered.
"I'm taking the kid camping," Bazooka told Harvey.
"Well maybe you'll come next year," Harvey said. "This is my first year working with genetically enabled young people. Oh I am so excited!"
"Glad somebody is," Lance muttered under his breath.
"You're not afraid of mutants?" Ray asked.
"Young man I of all people know what it's like to be ostracized because of one's looks or abilities. In high school they used to laugh at me because I was captain of the gardening team instead of a traditional sport. Besides, once you've been attacked by your own tomato plants very little will freak you out again," Harvey nodded. "Besides this lake has its very own lake monster."
"Cool!" Jamie said.
"Monster?" Tabitha asked.
"Yup the fabled Lake Howicha Monster. Well no one's actually taken a picture of it but it has been rumored to live around here," Harvey nodded. "Well it's time we all get you settled in the bunkhouses and then you can meet your camp mates! And then we will start our lessons of harnessing the power within!"
"Yeah this is gonna be such fun," Lance drawled as they went off with him.
"Hey is it me or is that guy skipping?" Pietro whispered as he indicated Harvey's walk.
"I believe he is," Xi nodded.
"I'm starting to miss Camp Ironback," Scott groaned.
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"Oh boy look at all the tadpoles!" Jamie said excitedly as he looked into the pond.
"Yeah Toad would love it here," Bazooka said. They had just finished pitching their tents. "Now let's go fishing!"
"Yeah!" Jamie said. He cast his line. "You think we'll get anything?"
"I dunno," Bazooka said. "But it could be a while before…"
"I got something!" Jamie yelled excitedly as he felt a tug on his line.
"Already?" Bazooka blinked. He helped Jamie pull on the line. "Wow it's a big one!"
However, what was on the other end of Jamie's line was not a fish. A huge green scaly head popped out of the water. "Muhrrrr?" It blinked its huge blue eyes at them.
"A real big one," Jamie said.
"Oh my…." Bazooka blinked as the huge creature looked at him.
Okay obviously I made up the name of the lake but Harvey Laffruff isn't mine! Yes he was in a GI Joe episode where those giant vegetables grew! I kind of like him. He's a fun character. Next, while Bazooka and Jamie get to know the local lake monster, The X-Men and Misfits meet their fellow campers! Boy are they in for a surprise!
