Christmas in France
To Sparky Genocide: Hey there Sparky! Kyle paying a prank on Marie-Claire that gets her dressed up like Cyndi Lauper? That's an interesting prank. And yes, you can borrow back Leathersuit. I didn't see the address of your story. Enjoy the new chapter. You'll probably have to e-mail it to me.
To Firefly25: Hey there Firefly. Yeah, poor old Thunderbird always lets his pride do the thinking for him in battle. You do have a point, but as far as GI Joe is concerned, Cobra La no longer exists. It was completely annihilated. Yeah, I have been on the Marvel Directory website. Pretty informative, but a bit out of date in places. Enjoy the new chapter!
To Red Witch: Hey there Red Witch! I read the new chapters of "Holidays Are Hazardous To Your Health" and I loved them! Demons caroling, and mistletoe madness, oh my! I liked it when Kelly tried to call the cops and they laughed at him. Yeah, I do believe that Sunfire and Beast King won't be bored for much longer. Yeah, baking and wrapping is a real pain. At least Christmas is only a few days away! Enjoy the new chapter!
To Raliena: Hey there Rae! Yeah, "Smokey and the Bandit" is an awesome movie. Jackie Gleason was at his best in that one. Enjoy the new chapter!
To Aaron: Hey there Aaron! I'm glad you liked the fight scene. It won't be pretty when Kyle and Marie-Claire wake up. Is Marie-Claire going to join the West Coast Misfits? You'll see. You bet it's going to be a tough fight once the rest of the team face off against Overkill. Enjoy the new chapter!
Disclaimer: "Well, baby needs a beer!" - Mike Judge as Hank Hill, King of the Hill
Chapter 8: A Plot Starts!
A ballroom in Paris
Toshiro Yashida, the Japanese pyrokinetic and West Coast Misfit codenamed Sunfire, stood watching the executives talk and dance. It was an annual Christmas ball, which raised money for charity. The teenager looked extraordinarily bored. He took off his mask, revealing his handsome features and short black hair. A bee buzzed down next to him. The minute it touched the ground, the small insect grew in size and changed in shape, turning into an 18-year-old California boy with long blond hair, clad in a green, white, and black costume. His name was Jack McCormick, a native of Malibu, California. A surfer bum at heart, Jack was known as the Beast King for his mutant power to transform himself into any animal.
"Hey dude! Man, you look totally down." Jack grinned. "Something eating away at you?"
"If you must know…" Toshi replied with a little annoyance in his voice. The Solar Samurai wasn't the most social person on Earth. "I am bored. I cannot really engage in intelligent conversation to anyone here because no one here knows much English or Japanese."
"I totally speak English! We can talk." Jack suggested with a grin. Toshiro looked up at his teammate.
"As I has said, I cannot engage in intelligent conversation with anyone here." Toshi smirked. Evidently the solar-powered mutant just told a joke. Jack grimaced at Toshi and crossed his arms.
"Dude, that was not cool." Jack grimaced. "I was just trying to be nice."
"Did you find anything suspicious?" Toshiro asked, quickly changing the subject. Jack thought about it.
"Not really, dude." Jack shook his head. "I've been over this place as a bee and as a bug, and besides nearly getting crushed several times, and nearly getting swatted around like a ping-pong ball, I saw nothing." The blond sighed.
"Hey guys!" Ali grinned as she walked up in costume, hugging them. "I hope you haven't been bored."
"No, we are entertained." Toshi grumbled. His voice didn't show it, but he was obviously being sarcastic. He put his mask back on.
"Oh, don't be so cold, Toshi. We got the B.E.T. loaded up and they should be presenting it soon. Don't worry about it. Haven't you guys found a way to entertain yourselves?"
"Throwing insults at Jack is always entertaining." Toshi chuckled.
"Hey!"
A warehouse in Paris
"My beloved army…" Overkill paced up and down a large crate, looking down on his troops of B.A.T.s like they were soldiers and he was General Patton. "Today, the mighty Cobra Commander has given us a mission of the utmost importance! You all have a chance to become immortal today, my soldiers. To become legends. To become Cobra heroes! We are to attack a Christmas Ball held by that filthy organic Gerard d' Agastino and obtain the B.E.T. With it, Cobra will be invincible!" The B.A.T.s all raised their fists, beeping like a chant. "Yes, my soldiers! YES!! We shall rule France! And Cobra will rule the world!" Overkill started cackling like the loony little cyborg he was. "Oh yes! As you see, I have already captured these prisoners of war!" Overkill gestured to a curtain behind him. The curtain opened up, revealing an unconscious Thunderbird, Velocity, and Chilljaw, all shackled to the wall by rings of green energy. "These three are among the strongest members of the West Coast Misfits, with Thunderbird and Chilljaw's strength and Velocity's speed. When we're done, the West Coast Misfits and Joes will fall and the B.E.T. will fall and the day will be ours!" What Overkill didn't realize was that a certain feral clone was watching.
I knew it! I knew my instincts were right on the money! X23 mentally snarled. If Cobra's here, then something really bad is going to go down.
A ballroom in Paris
"Man, this party is a bit on the boring side." Rictor sighed. "And if only Athena were here. She'd know how to lighten up a mood with her sparkling wit, man."
"Aye, but ye know her. Always got to be the 'lone wolf', no pun intended." Theresa rolled her eyes. "Besides, she kept mumblin' something about finding something to do. Knowing her, she's probably found herself in the middle of a bar fight."
"I feel sorry for any poor sap she decides to fight then." Rictor laughed. A crashing was heard backstage. "Oh no! Kyle and Marie-Claire woke up."
Well, well, well! Looks like Overkill just may crash the party! What insanity will happen next? Will X23 be able to warn the others? Will Overkill get the B.E.T? Can our heroes save the day? Find out in the next chapter! Suggestions needed badly!