Christmas in France

To Sparky Genocide: Hey there, Sparky! The West Coast Misfits hotwiring Overkill and making him sing the Styx classic 'Mr. Roboto' while having him do the robot dance? I LIKE IT!!! I'll see if I can fit that in somewhere! Enjoy the new chapters!

To Red Witch: Hey there Red! I read the last chapters of 'Holidays are Hazardous to your Health' and I loved them! Sorry I didn't review the last two. I was sick. Yeah, something tells me that Overkill has bitten off a lot more than his metal jaw can chew. I never had Italian Christmas cookies. Are they good? Enjoy the new chapter!

To Firefly25: Hey there Firefly! Yeah, I guess Overkill's little 'tribute' to Patton is slightly disturbing in its own way. You can definitely bet that the Joes will love to add Overkill's performance to their 'Cobra's Funniest Home Videos' collection. Knowing Theresa and Rictor, I'm sure that they brought some way to keep Kyle and Marie-Claire under in case of emergency. Enjoy the new chapter!

To Raliena: Hey there Rae! I'm glad you liked the last chapter. You're right, whenever you're in a superhero team, never say that you are bored, otherwise action will come to you in a big way. Enjoy the new chapter!

Disclaimer: "Welcome to Earth." - Will Smith, Independence Day

Author's Note: Hey folks! L1701E here! The reason I haven't really been doing anything for a few days is because I've been sick, I've had writer's block, and I've had some family troubles. What a way to run a Christmas. Hopefully I can get myself back in the saddle. Enjoy the long-awaited new chapter!

Chapter 9: Attack of the B.E.T.s, Part 1!

The streets of Paris

"Now, where in the name of everything cool is that d'Agastino Industries place?" Ace groaned as he looked around from the driver's seat of a French police car. Tarot was sitting next to him, looking through a map.

"Uhm…let me see…I know it is somewhere along this road…" Marie-Ange mumbled as she moved the map around, looking rather comical.

"What is he doing?!" Jester exclaimed as their car struggled to keep up with Ace.

"I don't know about you guys, but Ace sure has a talent for taking anything he drives and making it go completely crazy." Longshot chuckled.

"Yes." Rahne agreed. "Ace really demonstrates that well with his blue Ferrari." The red-haired Scot tried not to laugh. Besides, Ace is not even half as dangerous on a road as Kitty. God am I glad I never had to give Kitty driving lessons. The Joes and West Coast Misfits heard their watch blink and beep.

"This is Dial-Up." Dial-Up replied on her watch.

"X23 here. You guys will not believe this." X23's voice came from the watch. "I was at this warehouse. I saw this kook there talking to a whole slew of B.A.T.s like they were soldiers and he was General Patton or something. It was kind of weird." Dial-Up, Jester, Longshot, and Rahne all shot each other strange looks. "And I think I saw Velocity, Thunderbird, and Chilljaw with them. They appeared to be bound and incapacitated."

"Are you for real, X?" Jester blinked.

"JESTER, WATCH THE ROAD!!!" Rahne screamed.

A ballroom in Paris

Kyle Wildfire and Marie-Claire d'Agastino both sat at a wall, smoking and covered in ash.

"Longshot should never anger you in the slightest, Alison." Toshiro blinked. Ali formed her smoking hand into a gun and blew on her finger.

"You should know, Samurai." Jack snickered. "You totally got fried by her once. During Thanksgiving (1)." Toshiro scowled at the blond surfer.

(1) - See "What Are The West Coast Misfits Thankful For?"

"If I were you, and I possessed any form of wisdom, I would keep quiet, you baka." The Japanese teenage mutant scowled. Jack took a step back, holding up his hands in a defensive position.

"Whoa dude. Easy. Easy. Back up, just totally cool the jets, man. Just cool the jets." Jack said in a calming tone.

"Calm down, boys." Ali put herself between them. "Has anyone seen the others? Longshot? Rahne? Ace? John?"

"They went out sightseeing and never reported." Toshi remembered. "Typical of those three. Velocity's obsession with girls, Thunderbird's Apache loner attitude, and Chilljaw's general ineptitude all together. I was not surprised."

"Relax, Toshi." Ali assured. "Terrell, John, and Tommy are tough guys. They can take care of themselves."

Nearby the warehouse

"Where are those idiots?" X23 scowled as she hid behind a pile of crates. A finger tapped her shoulder. The clone snarled and unsheathed her claws as she whirled around. "Ace…" She resheathed her claws. "I see you got my call."

"Yeah. You don't mind if I brought a friend, do you?" Ace pointed behind him, revealing Tarot. X23 blinked in confusion.

"What's she doing here?"

"Ace and I were having a romantic day together until those foul robots showed up." Tarot scowled at the warehouse.

"Oh…kay." The clone blinked. "Where are the others?" Ace pointed across the warehouse front at another pile of crates. "What's the plan?"

"Here it is…" Ace whispered it into X23's ear. The clone nodded, and then her face formed a smirk as she pulled the hood of her costume over her face.

"Naturally, you and I go in first." X23 smirked.

"Well, both you and I have healing factors, X. So naturally, we go out and do the heavy stuff first." Ace chuckled.

"Do you think that your healing powers will allow you to survive B.A.T.s, amour?" Tarot asked Ace with some worry. Ace just tickled her chin.

"Don't worry, babe." Ace smirked. "It's going to take a lot more than a bunch of fancy tin cans to take me down."

"Ace is one of those people you can't get rid of." X23 joked. "Why do you think your teacher hates him so?"

"Oh yeah, Card-girl. You'll need these." Ace put a deck of cards in Tarot's hand. Tarot smirked.

"Cards are not the only weapon I have, mon amour." Ace smirked at the red-haired French girl's statement. He certainly knew what she was talking about.

Well, well, well! Looks like the B.A.T.s may not get a chance to strike! What insanity will happen next? Can our heroes save the day? What of the Christmas party? Find out in the next chapter! Suggestions needed badly!