RogueFanKC: Thank you. I usually write comedy, so this is an interesting experiment for me. That Wikipedia idea is good. As for Zanya, this chapter reveals the reason, if not the whole explanation (that comes later). Considering that this is part one in a trilogy, the end is a ways away. The whole trilogy is important to the story I'm starting here. And everyone reading this should join that forum. For those who don't know, it's found at the web site link in my profile.

Goofn1: It will be interesting, indeed. As for Todd, well... Anyway, here's some fun stuff setting up a Lance/Piotr-centered chapter, where they explore their feelings for Kitty or just punch each other out. I'm leaning either way.

Red Witch: Glad you caught that. Check out the forum I mentioned. It has a section in your honor!

Chapter 11: Revelations

"I can't believe Althea would snap like that," Wanda shook her head. "I've never seen anyone go so crazy."

"You have to admit, she had a pretty good reason," Lance told her. "If it were Kitty, I would probably have done the same thing."

"I can't believe Toad is dead," Fred sobbed. "He was just bouncing around this morning! WAAAHHH!"

Wanda awkwardly tried to put an arm around Fred's massive shoulders. "It's okay," she told him. "Let it out..."

"This is impossible!" yelled Pietro.

"I know what you mean," sighed Lance.

"How could my hair be so messed up?" continued Pietro. "After all the conditioner I put in it!"

"SHUT UP, PIETRO!" the other three yelled at him.

"Sorry..." he lowered his eyes. "I just can't take it, you know? Sure, Toad was annoying, but he was our friend."

"Yeah," Wanda said softly. "He was a good friend..."

Lance heard her. "What?" he asked.

"He was..." Wanda began. "I dunno. He grew on you."

"I know what you mean," Fred told her sadly.

"I don't think we do," Pietro told the bigger teen. "Do we, Wanda?"

Wanda colored. "What do you mean by that?" she snapped.

"You tell us," snickered Pietro.

Wanda hexed him into the wall. "Owie..."

"Come on, you guys," Fred told them. "Show some respect for once."

"I bet if Mr. McCoy were here she would." Pietro had quickly recovered. He snickered as Wanda's face paled, then turned crimson. Pietro zipped behind Lance for protection while Fred held Wanda back.

"What did he mean by that?" asked Lance.

"I heard her and Althea talking the other day," snickered Pietro. "They were playing Truth or Dare, and Althea asked her who she liked most in that special way."

"Shut up, Pietro!" Wanda screamed at her brother, her face pink.

Lance chuckled. "The Beast? You like the Beast?" The two boys burst out laughing.

"What's wrong with that?" Fred was puzzled. "Lance likes Kitty and Pietro likes Tabitha."

"Great job keeping that to yourself, Blob," muttered Pietro.

"Tabby?" Lance turned to him. "You like Boom Boom?"

"Well, after the ninth time she walks in on your shower, you get to know each other," defended Pietro.

"I bet," snickered Fred.

"Shut up, Blob," Pietro muttered.

"Well, if it's any consolation, I'll bet Beast likes you too," Lance told Wanda.

"What makes you say that?" she asked. "Not that it matters, or anything."

Lance and Pietro exchanged glances. "We kinda heard him talking with Logan and Jinx," Lance admitted. "He didn't know what to do about liking someone so much younger than him."

"Really?" Wanda asked.

"Unfortunately, yeah," Pietro groaned. He shuddered. "That is such a gross image!"

Lifeline chose that moment to walk into the room. Immediately, the kids gathered around him. "How is she?" "Is she gonna be okay?" "Does she need anything?"

Lifeline sighed. "I've given her a sedative," he told them. "She's resting now. Xi's in there for when she wakes up. General Hawk told me to tell the rest of you to go over to the X-Men for now."

"What?" cried Lance. "Why do we have to go there? We should stay here with Al!"

"Yeah!" the others agreed.

"I'm sorry, but it's Hawk's orders," Lifeline told them. "He did say it had to do with a joint mission. Something to help you guys avenge Todd."

"In that case, what are we waiting for?" asked Pietro. The group quickly transported away.

They arrived at the Mansion to find Xavier, Hawk, Storm, Cyclops, and Colossus waiting for them.

"What do you need, Sir?" asked Lance.

Hawk hesitated, then said, "Against my better judgment, I need you to go on a last-ditch mission to stop the Mutant Registration Bill. You'll be paired with Colossus."

"What?" the two teens cried out at the same time. They glared at each other.

"There's no way I'm working with Metal Mouth," growled Lance.

"I'm not working with the Human Faultline," Piotr growled.

"We have no choice," Xavier sighed. "You two are the best suited for this particular mission. Try not to kill each other."

"Very sorry, indeed, 'Father'," smirked Zanya, as she put the pistol back.

Zartan stepped into the room.

"Good job, Zanya," he smiled. "Now, let's pick up where my unfortunate future self left off, shall we?"

"I can't believe this," grumbled Lance.

"You can't?" muttered Piotr. "What were they thinking, pairing us up?"

"Exactly how I feel," Lance told him.

The two were making their way down a long steel corridor deep underground. "I still can't believe there's an unguarded tunnel to the Capitol."

"Da," Piotr agreed. "You'd think they'd at least have a booby trap."

As he spoke, the two passed a small red light near the floor. Their feet disrupted its beam, triggering mechanisms long unused.

"What's that sound," Lance stopped suddenly.

"The rocks rolling around in your empty skull," Piotr commented.

"No, I'm serious," Lance told him. "Shhh..."

Both boys were quiet. They could hear a faint rumblings. It was coming closer.

"Maybe we should turn back and try a different way?" gulped Lance.

"That seems like a good option," gulped Piotr.

As they turned, a huge metal block slammed down where they had come from.

The turned again, to find another block lowering in front of them. They were sealed in.

"Great," muttered Lance. "Now what?"

Next time: Oh, boy. Lance and Piotr, confined together in a small space. I pity whatever building is on top of them. Anyway, next time, Lance and Piotr are rescued, and we find out how the X-Men react to Todd's apparent demise. Tune in again, for chapter twelve of Misfits In Time!