Agent-G: Freddies in this cause he one of my favorites. I switched some of the ages around to suit me. Rahne is now 15, and yes her and Mally may hook up. Keep yer eye on Wolfie & Pappy for good times.
I guess I should let any readers know, I am taking LOTS of liberties with the x-man evolution mythos. Hopefully I won't change anything much more than ages of certain characters and/or if they are bad guys or good guys to make my story roll. Thanks!
mattb3671
Chapter 3 - Out on the TownNext morning, In the Rec Room, the Institute, 10 a.m.
"How could you even think of going to the mall without us?" Jubilee squeaked. "What, did you think to yourselves: 'Hey tall, red, and jumpy –
"Hey!" snorted Mally.
Jubliee continued "– lets you and me, short, blue, and fuzzy – "
"Huh?" Kurt stammered.
Jubes pushed on "– go paint the town green!" She stood there with her hand on her hips, behind her were Kitty and Rahne, in similar poses.
Kurt threw his hands up. "Fine! Ve vere only going to get Mally some basic stuff, you know, black t-shirts, some boxer shorts, bathroom stuff, nothing we can't handle on our own. But if you vant, come – but ve leave when I say!"
"Oh right, that's yer story," Rahne smirked "I have it in good faith that ye both have image inducers now. Ye two hounds were off to 'scout chickys' at the mall, an we knows it!"
"Wait a gosh darn second, shielas!" Mally spoke up. "First off, yeah, I got a watch thingy from Forge. The reason I wanted to go right out last night was, well, I ain't been out in public fer 4 years witout getting' stared at like a, ...a, ...a, well, a kangaroo boy! Sheesh! Shielas!"
Kurt's turn. "And second, we can go vhere ve vant, vhen ve vant! Mädchen denken, dass sie alles wissen!"
"Yeah," Mally growled, "what he said, whatever it was! Besides, I ain't ever been to a mall before!"
A hush fell over the rec room, so quiet they could here the clock ticking down the hall.
Kitty looked at Jubilee. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Jubilee tilted her head back and bellowed, "FIELD TRIP!!"
Professors Office, the Institute, 10 a.m.
"Pappy, with your permission, we are going to enroll your son in a class to complete his high school education on a fast track – it's called a GED, or general equivalency diploma. After getting it, Mallory could move on to a trade, associates, or bachelors degree if he so chooses." Xavier was explaining to Mr. O'Bryanson their plans for his son.
"I'd also like Mally to learn with my 'self-defense' class here at the school. Ya never know when that kinda training can come in handy fer a mutant." Logan chimed in.
"Well, me boy needs ta gets his school learnin' done, tis true, I agree wit you Professor, so where do I sign? On the other hand there, Wolfie me lad, what constitutes 'self-defense' to a chap such as yerself? Punchin' a bloke loopy fer lookin' at ye wrong?"
Charles had to cover a smirk with his hand as Logan growled and tried to defend himself to Pappy. Pappy just held up his hand.
"Now, now Wolfie lad, I guess it ok if ye teach me boy how to box. Just promise me this –"
"What?" Logan said, his hand covering his eyes.
"That ye be teachin' me boy how to WIN when he gets in a scrape, so right!"
Motor Pool, the Institute, about 11 a.m.
Ten mutant children ranging from 6 foot 7 inches down to 4 foot 10 stood waiting to board a van only slightly smaller than a school bus. Of the kids who were going, Kurt, Bobby, Forge, and Sam had drivers licenses, and Jubilee, Kitty, and Rahne had beginners permits, so the boys picked a number out of Jubilee's head to see who drove.
"Well, the number I was thinking of is '1', so Sam got closest with '2'. He gets to drive. All Aboard!" She squealed, pumping her fist in the air as she got in the shotgun seat.
Jubilee turned around in her seat and took aim at Mally. "So-I-can't-believe-you've-never-been-to-a-mall-ohwhydidn't-you tell-me-right-away-that's-just-terrible!-Go-ahead-turn-on-your-'duecer-so-we-can-see-what-you-look-like-without-fur." She just sat there, chewing her gum and smiling.
Mally looked to Kurt. "Vell, basically that's vhat these vatches do, is replace the furry parts of us with 'skin' parts, but it follows the same lines and body structure. Except for on me, it chops off my tail too."
"Come on, don't keep us waiting!" piped Kitty.
"Yeah, lets see if its really Mel Gibson under the fur!" poked Bobby.
"Right, well here goes mates!" Mally pushed the 'on' button.
The air around Mally got wavy, then his fur disappeared. His legs shunk in size, appearing like a normal human boy.
"Hey, you're pretty cute!' Paige said, giggling like a child, and making the other girls laugh too.
"What, what are you dingo's laughin' at?" Then Mally looked down at his hands. They were no longer covered on top by red fur, and his fingernails were flesh colored and rounded, instead of brown and sharp.
His kilt had been replaced by pants of the same plaid, and his feet looked –
"Dear God, I have no feet! Where have my feet gone! Crikey!", Mally moaned, looking at Kurt. "You don't expect me to walk on these do ya!?!"
No, no, calm down mein freund! Calm down! Your feet are still there, you just can't see them. Trust me, the first time someone steps on your invisible tail, or, feet, you'll know that their still there." Everybody got a kick out of that.
Sam pulled the van out of the motor pool, and turned out towards the main road. As they got near the gatehouse, they saw Pappy flagging them down with a red handkerchief . Rahne leaned her tiny body out the side window to talk with him.
"Hey now Guv'nor, whats the fuss? Me an me crew are headed to the mall. Giveway now dearie!" she shouted.
"Ye ain't goin' no where's til I clear'd it will the good Professor and me boss Wolfie. Now ye pups sit tight til I calls the main house. Likely as not, ye hooligans are sneakin' off avoidin' chores! Stay where ye are!"
Rahne slid back in. "Damn, yer Da's a sweetie, ain't he now!"
Mally was blushing, and for the first time in 4 years, you could see it happen. "Me third day here and Pappy's already puttin' me worst foot forward. Lordy, Sam, just go, we all told the Professor what we were doin'. Pappy's just takin' his job too seriously. Alas, me Pa. Wants to be the King, but forever the jester. God love him, somebody has too."
"I can't go Mally, yah pa's got the gate shet. First time I seen it shet too." Sam stated. "Must be new house policy or sumthin'."
"I doubt it mate," Mally groaned, "It more likely new 'Pappy' policy, here to turn this place into Stalog 17."
Pappy limped back to the van, muttering under his breath. "...and another thing," he said opening the gate with the remote, "ye kiddies best be back here at 5 o' the clock sharp, lest I lock these gates and ye'll be locked out all night! Say, ye gots me boy with ya?"
Mally couldn't resist. He waved his 'new' flesh & blood arm at his Pa. "Hiya Pappy! I'm goin' shoppin' See ya at supper, ya old gaffer!"
Sam punched the gas, leaving a thoroughly confused Pappy waving and staring at the back of the van.
"Me beautiful boy............they shaved him!"
Bayville Mall Parking Lot
"Well, here we are Red, this is a Mall. Prepare yourself for a sensory sensation beyond space and time!" Jubilee was jumping from foot to foot she was so excited.
"Mally, what you are seeing is a classic case of 'Dr. Jubilee & Mr. Hyde' syndrome. Get her within 20 yards of a mall, and the monster rears it's ugly head!" Bobby hunched his back like Egore and made a face.
Jubilee frowned. "Listen Icehead, you zip it. Girls, lets go shopping. Boys, we will meet you at the Food Court at 1:30 on the dot. Mally, DO NOT make any purchases until you have a girls approval. Are we clear gentlemen?" Without waiting for an answer, Jubilee, Kitty, Paige, Rahne and Rouge stalked off.
"Boys, I think we jess been set aside..." Sam drawled.
"More like 'pardoned' if ya ask me," little Jaime piped, "Who wants to go shoppin' with a bunch of girls anyhows."
"I'm with you James," Mally crowed, "Lets go check this hubbub out, mates."
Half an hour later, the Gate House, the InstituteLogan was leaning on his cycle at the front gate, talking to Pappy. "Look Pappy, I got some pals comin' here tonight for a little poker game I'm throwin'. You gotta help me keep this undercover."
Pappy sparked up. "Aye, getting the lads together fer a meeting, eh? Throwin' yer pennies away for the sake of the sport. I assumes we'll be imbuing a frosty malt beverage or two? Don't ye worry, I'll be sure an keeps it under me hat."
Logan frowned. "Ya better, cause you'll be under the gun too, bub, if we get busted. I gotta go ta the market, and pick up some brew, cigars and chips. I should be back in an hour or so."
"Aye, my captain!" saluted Pappy. "We'll breathe not a word of it to none!"
Meanwhile, back at the Baywille MallForge, Kurt, and Mally were in the Radio Shaq, trying to pick out an alarm clock for Mally. Forge waved Mally over to the one he was looking at.
"Hey Mally, look at this one. AM/FM, CD/DVD, TV & Short wave bands, plus digital cordless speakerphone. I could work with this one, its got all the basics in there. All I would need to do is install a two-way video, and increase the processer......" Forge stopped, noticing Mally looking at him.
"Was I rambling? I do that when I talk shop. Sorry." Forge smiled.
"No, not that mate," Mally said, "Can't just get one with a clock face and two bells up top? I don't know if my wallet can choke one of those down. I mean, I've got some money from me Mum passing, ya know, enough an all, but I gotta use it wisely none the less."
Forge smiled. "Mally, the Professer gives new students a hand when they first get here. Shoot, some students have nothing when they get here. You get what you want, within reason of course, and we charge it to the Institute. If the Professor has any questions, believe me, he will ask them. I mean, can you guess what my Radio Shaq bill is like monthly?"
Mallory thought about it. He didn't want anybodies charity, especially not the Professors'. On the other hand, it would be good to have some things, and maybe the Professor would let him work off some of the bill at the Institute.
"Right then, I guess I'll have one of these alarm clock/shuttle control thingys." Mally stopped, looking at his new 'watch', which among other things, kept good time. "We gotta wrap this up mates, and meet the lassies at the Food Whatchimacallit place. Besides, I don't know about you guys, but I'm famished. Let's eat!" He grabbed his packages and they headed out, meeting up with Sam and Jaime along the way. Jaime was dieing to show them his new Superman figurine. Which, Mally had to admit, it was pretty rippa.
They met the girls at the food court, sitting by McRonald's. Jubilee, Kitty, and Paige were eating a huge mound of French Fries, and Rahne was showing Rouge her new T-shirt.
"Crikey, that stuff smells awful," Mally admitted. "I know it's potatoes, but what else is in it?"
"That's ma 'special sauce' Mally. Bar-Be-Que, ketchup, mayo, hot sauce, an tartar sauce. Wanna try some?" Paige slid the laden tray his way.
"Uh, no thanks, but thanks fer offerin'," shot Mally. "You guys got a 'train station' sub shop here?"
"Sure, sugar," breathed Rouge, "right ovah there by the Dairy King. It's where Storm always dines when she's here."
'No wonder', thought Mally, 'it's one of the few places with a good veggie menu.' He moved to the sub shop.
"G'day mate. Lemme have a veggie sub, extra everything, footlong, on cheese bread. Thanks!"
"What to drink sir?" the sub guy asked.
Mally checked his choices. "uh, gimme some Lemonade. Right that'll work" He paid, then took his grub back to their tables. Rouge had gotten up to get a refill, which left Rahne sitting at a table by herself. Mally sat down.
"Right, an what's this, you jumpin' in Rouge's grave an all. She's comin' back, ye know."
"Well, if'n I hafta move, I will, I just guessed I would sit with ya for a bite ta eat......" Mally was somewhat taken back by Rahne's attitude. She had always been nice to him before.
"I don't want ye sitting here stuffin' yer pale face with rabbit food. I gots better things te do than watch boys eat!" Rahne moped.
"Rahne, whats up, girl? What, did I do something to bug ya? Whatever it was, I'm sorry! Why the attitude? Its not like you!" Mally protested.
Rahne looked down at her hands. "Oh, nuttin', I'm sorry Mally. It's...not like it's yer fault...it's just, well, I like the 'real' you better. Not the one yer 'duecer makes. I seen the looks the lassies gave you when you walked to get yer sam'itch. Yer right handsome, don't get me wrong. But its just not right. They don't know the real you......but I suppose a pretty one will catch yer eye when School starts up, an......oh never mind!" Rahne got up to go catch up with Rouge.
Mally sighed. 'What was that all about?' he thought to himself, as Kurt slid into the vacant seat.
"I tink the girl has a crush on you, big red. You poor, poor, man." Kurt mockingly said. "I vill tell them you vere a man of gott your funeral."
"No way, do ya think so elf?" Mally immediately started to sweat. He would have to talk with Pappy about this tonight. Maybe even Mr. Logan, he might know something about girls.
Later that evening, dining hall, the InstituteEveryone was eating dinner, having normal dinner conversations, eating beef stew. Ororo had made Shitake mushroom 'stew' for her and Mally. Some of the other kids preferred it too, it was tasty.
The girls had taken Mally shopping in the mall, all of them picking out shirts, holding them up to his body, thoroughly embarrassing Mally to no end. Rahne was still a bit distant, only saying things like "No, don't get him anything green, remember, he's red underneath. He'll look like a bloody Christmas tree." He guessed she was right, but he wanted to ask Pappy about girls and how to deal with them. Pappy was helping himself to thirds of the stew with a vultures look in his eye when Mally asked him about a chat.
"Aye, sure me boy, I'll always talk with ya. Come see me after supper. Bring yer 'shaved' self so I can look at ya. Scared the wool from me ya did!" Pappy said, plopping down a spoonful of stew.
Mally felt relieved. Maybe Logan would be at Pappy's too, and he could get two opinions. He fished out a few more mushroom 'steaks' and dug in. After supper, he would go put up his new clothes, and get his room set up, then go talk to Pappy.
8:30 p.m., the Gate House, the Institute
Logan dumped four bags of chips and pretzels into a huge bowl. He turned to Pappy.
"Hey Pops, the boys should be getting' here any sec now, and I don't I really gotta warn ya, but you may see some strange characters showin' up. Just treat 'em regular, don't......aw, look who I'm talkin' too, ya got a kangaroo fer a boy. You know what I'm sayin', don't, ya?
Pappy was sittin' in an easy chair, with his shoes off. "Aye, Wolfie. If'n I see any super-types or mutant weirdies, I treat 'em like any Joe on the street. Right, right, 'ello guv'ener', an all that. Don't you worry, laddie, all will be well."
Logan swore he could hear a bell tolling in the background.
Just a that moment, there was a knock at the door.
End – Chapter 4 – Advise from the High Rollers