DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters created by Alexander Key and
owned by Walt Disney Pictures. This is fan fiction, and not endorsed by
Mr. Key, his estate, or the Walt Disney Company. No copyright infringement
is intended, and no money is being made from this story. It is based on
plot elements used in the books Escape to Witch Mountain and Return from
Witch Mountain, as well as the movies of the same name, although the books
and the movies differ extensively. Please direct all queries, comments,
etc. to kevinpkhaynes@yahoo.com. It is my sincere desire that you enjoy
the story as the pure entertainment it was intended to be. Your feedback
is welcome as well!
LIFE ON WITCH MOUNTAIN
By Kevin Haynes
CHAPTER 28
Tony's mind was reeling. A movie was playing inside his head - images of Truck stealing Tia's pen, trying to punch him, running off with Tia's star case, calling them names. When they had been "adopted" by Mr. Deranian, Truck resented them even more. Tony had never learned Truck's history, or how he'd been orphaned, but Tony guess that Truck felt it was unfair that two "weirdoes" should be adopted, and by a rich guy, before he got the chance to get out of the orphanage.
But why on earth would Truck nurse a grudge like that all these years? The kids at the orphanage thought Tony and Tia were different, and Truck took every opportunity to emphasize it, since he was more popular than they ever were. Why on earth would he want to get at Tony now?
Tony finally spoke, "Truck, or whatever your real name is, it's been almost 30 years! Have you been looking for me all this time because I won one fight?"
Truck shook his head, smirking. "Oh please. You're not worth that, Malone. No, the only reason I started looking for you again is because of the man I met. He had an encounter a few years after I knew you - with a teenager named Tony who could do miraculous things. And this teenager had a sister named Tia who kept spoiling his plans, and suddenly I knew who he was talking about!"
Tony gasped. "You met Dr. Gannon?"
"You call him 'Dr. Gannon'? Well his friends call him Victor, or Vic. Yeah, I've met him. His lifelong ambition has been to find you two - he thinks you're aliens - and get you to use your 'powers' for him. Well, I know you got some strange abilities, 'cuz I saw you use them on me. And this guy is paying big bucks for anyone who can find you. I never liked your or your sister, and I could use some big bucks, so I started looking for you.
"I accidentally found you that day when I passed by your art stand. I had been looking in North Carolina, starting at the orphanage. Using their records I traced you to Mr. Bolt, and then, after some research, found out you got away from him. I happened to be here in New York on other business when I passed by your stand. Lucky day for me - bad one for you!"
While Truck had been speaking, almost gloating, he wasn't aware that Ty and Trina were communicating. Tony half-listened to their discussion as they sought for a way out of the situation.
Truck continued. "Another interesting thing about Vic is that he had a little machine that could control your mind - make you into an obedient robot that did whatever he wanted. You stole things, you destroyed things, and you came thisclose to killing your own sister! Over the years, he's improved the device, and I happen to have one right here. Does this bring back any memories . Tony?"
He pulled from his suit pocket a small mechanical box that Tony remembered only too well. He was having trouble remaining calm - every nerve in his body was tense. Memories began to flood his mind - the frustration at not being able to think for himself; the guilt over helping an evil man; and the fear in Tia's eyes as he tried to harm her over and over again. He felt like he was a kid again, and feared he would never see his sister or his people again. Yet through the terror in his heart, he felt determined at the same time. He had decided long ago that he would rather die than to be under someone's control again. That determination hadn't changed.
One gun was still aimed at Ty, and one at Trina, and Truck said, "OK, Malone. Here's the deal. We don't care about the boy or the woman. We want you. You let me put this on you, and they can go. You refuse or try any funny business . and they die while you watch."
Tony's eyes narrowed. He knew Truck was lying - he had no intention of letting the others go. He remembered Uncle Bené's words about revenge, but Truck was threatening him, his family, and his new friends. It seemed that the AAAI was willing kill anyone who stood in their way. Perhaps it was time that they experience some death - they had certainly dealt it out enough.
Truck's hand reached out to place the device behind Tony's ear. Tony was going to stop him, but wasn't sure how yet. He didn't want to endanger Ty or Trina by his actions. Suddenly, however, they heard someone cry out, "NOOOOOOOO!!!"
It was Ty. Apparently afraid they were going to kidnap Tony again, he couldn't stand it anymore. Before Tony could even blink, Truck and his associate were gone. In a daze, Tony looked around to see what happened to them - no Homedweller could teleport himself or anyone else! It just couldn't be done. Surely Ty hadn't done that!
Then Tony realized, as his brain finally allowed sound to enter, that he had heard breaking glass and two men screaming in fear. He looked up and saw that both had been driven out of the closed window and were hanging in the air. If Ty let them drop, it would be a 50-foot fall to the ground. Their guns were not in their hands - Tony saw them lying on the floor just inside the window.
Tony couldn't help but be impressed. He might have been able to do that to one of the men, but not that quickly, and there's no way he could have done it to more than one! Ty looked shaken but determined. Tony was still rattled himself, but tried to get back in control of the situation. First, he looked over at Trina, and caused her ropes and gag to fall off. She looked relieved, although still somewhat drugged. He mentally lifted her up and laid her on the couch. Her eyes closed, and she appeared to be resting.
Then he stepped next to Ty and gave him a big hug. Ty hugged back, almost hanging on for dear life. Tony was beginning to realize how much Ty needed him - that was why Ty couldn't bear to see anything happen to Tony. And Tony was beginning to feel an attachment to this boy who had really become a younger brother to him.
The two men in the air were still yelling, but it was less fear and more obscenities and threats. Tony looked at Ty and said, "OK, you've shown off enough!" Ty smiled, as did Tony. "Now, what did you have in mind . or are you playing this by ear?"
Ty said, "I guess by ear. I just knew I had to get both of them out of the room, so they couldn't hurt you or my mom. I didn't think any farther than that."
Tony mussed Ty's hair and said, "You did great, Ty. You saved my life and your mom's life! You're the best!"
An idea came to Tony, and he said, "I know what we can do to these guys, but first we need to talk to them. Hold them there for a second longer." Tony then concentrated on the ropes that had come off of Trina. At his gaze, they rose through the air, tied themselves together, and headed out what used to be the window. They wrapped themselves around the two men, tying them to each other, back to back.
Once the rope was secure, and just a little too tight for their comfort, Tony said, "OK, Ty . bring them back in." Without even looking like he was concentrating, Ty made both men float gently back in through the hole they'd made in the large window. They landed a little hard on the floor, and Tony suspected that Ty had done that on purpose, since he obviously had the power to set them down gently.
Tony stepped closer to them, looking sternly at Truck. A second later, Truck's wallet flew out of his pocket and into Tony's hand. Tony opened it up and found a driver's license with Truck's picture on it. It was from North Carolina, and was in the name of "Travis Pluck." Tony said, "Oh, I get it - Travis . Pluck . Tr-uck!" Clever nickname. Now, Travis . where is the not-so-good doctor?"
Truck practically spit his answer at Tony. "I'll never tell you, Malone! You and the other freaks deserve what he's going to do to you!"
LIFE ON WITCH MOUNTAIN
By Kevin Haynes
CHAPTER 28
Tony's mind was reeling. A movie was playing inside his head - images of Truck stealing Tia's pen, trying to punch him, running off with Tia's star case, calling them names. When they had been "adopted" by Mr. Deranian, Truck resented them even more. Tony had never learned Truck's history, or how he'd been orphaned, but Tony guess that Truck felt it was unfair that two "weirdoes" should be adopted, and by a rich guy, before he got the chance to get out of the orphanage.
But why on earth would Truck nurse a grudge like that all these years? The kids at the orphanage thought Tony and Tia were different, and Truck took every opportunity to emphasize it, since he was more popular than they ever were. Why on earth would he want to get at Tony now?
Tony finally spoke, "Truck, or whatever your real name is, it's been almost 30 years! Have you been looking for me all this time because I won one fight?"
Truck shook his head, smirking. "Oh please. You're not worth that, Malone. No, the only reason I started looking for you again is because of the man I met. He had an encounter a few years after I knew you - with a teenager named Tony who could do miraculous things. And this teenager had a sister named Tia who kept spoiling his plans, and suddenly I knew who he was talking about!"
Tony gasped. "You met Dr. Gannon?"
"You call him 'Dr. Gannon'? Well his friends call him Victor, or Vic. Yeah, I've met him. His lifelong ambition has been to find you two - he thinks you're aliens - and get you to use your 'powers' for him. Well, I know you got some strange abilities, 'cuz I saw you use them on me. And this guy is paying big bucks for anyone who can find you. I never liked your or your sister, and I could use some big bucks, so I started looking for you.
"I accidentally found you that day when I passed by your art stand. I had been looking in North Carolina, starting at the orphanage. Using their records I traced you to Mr. Bolt, and then, after some research, found out you got away from him. I happened to be here in New York on other business when I passed by your stand. Lucky day for me - bad one for you!"
While Truck had been speaking, almost gloating, he wasn't aware that Ty and Trina were communicating. Tony half-listened to their discussion as they sought for a way out of the situation.
Truck continued. "Another interesting thing about Vic is that he had a little machine that could control your mind - make you into an obedient robot that did whatever he wanted. You stole things, you destroyed things, and you came thisclose to killing your own sister! Over the years, he's improved the device, and I happen to have one right here. Does this bring back any memories . Tony?"
He pulled from his suit pocket a small mechanical box that Tony remembered only too well. He was having trouble remaining calm - every nerve in his body was tense. Memories began to flood his mind - the frustration at not being able to think for himself; the guilt over helping an evil man; and the fear in Tia's eyes as he tried to harm her over and over again. He felt like he was a kid again, and feared he would never see his sister or his people again. Yet through the terror in his heart, he felt determined at the same time. He had decided long ago that he would rather die than to be under someone's control again. That determination hadn't changed.
One gun was still aimed at Ty, and one at Trina, and Truck said, "OK, Malone. Here's the deal. We don't care about the boy or the woman. We want you. You let me put this on you, and they can go. You refuse or try any funny business . and they die while you watch."
Tony's eyes narrowed. He knew Truck was lying - he had no intention of letting the others go. He remembered Uncle Bené's words about revenge, but Truck was threatening him, his family, and his new friends. It seemed that the AAAI was willing kill anyone who stood in their way. Perhaps it was time that they experience some death - they had certainly dealt it out enough.
Truck's hand reached out to place the device behind Tony's ear. Tony was going to stop him, but wasn't sure how yet. He didn't want to endanger Ty or Trina by his actions. Suddenly, however, they heard someone cry out, "NOOOOOOOO!!!"
It was Ty. Apparently afraid they were going to kidnap Tony again, he couldn't stand it anymore. Before Tony could even blink, Truck and his associate were gone. In a daze, Tony looked around to see what happened to them - no Homedweller could teleport himself or anyone else! It just couldn't be done. Surely Ty hadn't done that!
Then Tony realized, as his brain finally allowed sound to enter, that he had heard breaking glass and two men screaming in fear. He looked up and saw that both had been driven out of the closed window and were hanging in the air. If Ty let them drop, it would be a 50-foot fall to the ground. Their guns were not in their hands - Tony saw them lying on the floor just inside the window.
Tony couldn't help but be impressed. He might have been able to do that to one of the men, but not that quickly, and there's no way he could have done it to more than one! Ty looked shaken but determined. Tony was still rattled himself, but tried to get back in control of the situation. First, he looked over at Trina, and caused her ropes and gag to fall off. She looked relieved, although still somewhat drugged. He mentally lifted her up and laid her on the couch. Her eyes closed, and she appeared to be resting.
Then he stepped next to Ty and gave him a big hug. Ty hugged back, almost hanging on for dear life. Tony was beginning to realize how much Ty needed him - that was why Ty couldn't bear to see anything happen to Tony. And Tony was beginning to feel an attachment to this boy who had really become a younger brother to him.
The two men in the air were still yelling, but it was less fear and more obscenities and threats. Tony looked at Ty and said, "OK, you've shown off enough!" Ty smiled, as did Tony. "Now, what did you have in mind . or are you playing this by ear?"
Ty said, "I guess by ear. I just knew I had to get both of them out of the room, so they couldn't hurt you or my mom. I didn't think any farther than that."
Tony mussed Ty's hair and said, "You did great, Ty. You saved my life and your mom's life! You're the best!"
An idea came to Tony, and he said, "I know what we can do to these guys, but first we need to talk to them. Hold them there for a second longer." Tony then concentrated on the ropes that had come off of Trina. At his gaze, they rose through the air, tied themselves together, and headed out what used to be the window. They wrapped themselves around the two men, tying them to each other, back to back.
Once the rope was secure, and just a little too tight for their comfort, Tony said, "OK, Ty . bring them back in." Without even looking like he was concentrating, Ty made both men float gently back in through the hole they'd made in the large window. They landed a little hard on the floor, and Tony suspected that Ty had done that on purpose, since he obviously had the power to set them down gently.
Tony stepped closer to them, looking sternly at Truck. A second later, Truck's wallet flew out of his pocket and into Tony's hand. Tony opened it up and found a driver's license with Truck's picture on it. It was from North Carolina, and was in the name of "Travis Pluck." Tony said, "Oh, I get it - Travis . Pluck . Tr-uck!" Clever nickname. Now, Travis . where is the not-so-good doctor?"
Truck practically spit his answer at Tony. "I'll never tell you, Malone! You and the other freaks deserve what he's going to do to you!"