Gifts and Curses
By Todd Fan
Disclaimer: "Ladies and gentlemen, the world's least successful werewolf"
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Chapter 11 – The Wolf prince
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By the time evening came around, the Not-So-New Mutants had dispersed their own ways. Sam had headed off into Manhattan for his poker game, Roberto and Dani had gone to his dorm room for 'alone time, Ray had muttered something about getting drunk and Tabby wanted to walk. Rahne, taking her wolf form, had promised not to kill anything and run off. Sam, worried about her being in a new place had convinced Warlock to keep an eye on her. The young alien had been enjoying his date with Doug, who had convinced him to go to dinner after the game, the pair were walking back into campus, Warlock knowing he'd have to leave to stop Rahne from getting herself into trouble….he didn't really want to leave though, he liked being in Doug's company….man, all this being human stuff was getting increasingly confusing and complicated.
"I am sorry to cut our courtship..", Warlock quickly corrected himself, "date short, but I promised Sam I would keep my eyes on Rahne"
"Don't worry about it", smiled Doug, giving a shrug, "sometimes you have to baby-sit your lancanthropic team-mate"
Doug paused.
"That's another thing, I've seen the other New Mutants on TV before, but never you…", he tilted his head to the side, "the others say your on their team, though.."
"Oh..err…", think fast, Warlock, "I am shy of the camera?"
"Camera shy?", asked Doug, then chuckled, "you know, if you're still having trouble with English, you can talk to me in your own language, I don't mind, I'd pick it up in a few minutes"
Uh oh.
"Uh, no it is okay", said Warlock nervously, "I really should be working on my English"
"Oh…okay", Doug blinked, "so… what are your mutant powers?..Y'know, if you're one of the X-Men"
Warlock decided to get out of this. Fast. He glanced up at the full moon, illuminating the sky.
"I really should be going…", he said, "Rahne dislikes it when she eats small, furry mammals"
"Okay then", Doug smiled, "this was fun, though, we should do it again sometime"
Without giving Warlock the chance to reply, he gave the alien a quick peck on the lips, before smiling, walking off.
"Goodnight, 'Lock"
Warlock blinked, slightly dumbfounded. Well, that had never happened to him before. If his species could blush, he would have done so. He gave a small sigh, watching Doug leave.
"..Yeah, goodnight", he said, before sighing, heading off to find Rahne.
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Meanwhile, Tabby was walking around Campus. She just needed to clear her head. She'd really thought that this John guy would stick around for a bit longer than he did. Sure, she was a love-'em and leave-'em kind herself….but still.. She sighed, pulling her jacket closer to her, she missed Amara, she knew, when all things were said and done, that was what it was all about. She had fallen for the Roma-Nova Princess, hook, line and sinker. They'd flirted, got close…even shared a kiss. That single kiss had been one of the greatest experiences in Tabby's life. It was only a day after that, Amara announced she was going back to her island home, taking the ex-Hellion Empath with her. When Tabby had tried to talk to her, Amara had announced she didn't really feel that way, and not to contact her again. Tabby let out a shuddery breath, trying to block the memory. Amara had used her, just like most people she let her guard down completely with. After all, that's why she was how she was now, she just didn't want to let down that wall…and get hurt again.
"Hey, sweetcheeks, don't you know it's not safe for ladies to walk around on their own at night?"
Tabby narrowed her eyes, trying to see who had spoken, forming a boom-ball in her hands.
"Yeah, well I'm not lady", she said, "and I can look after myself"
"That's a matter of opinion"
John Lopez smirked as he stepped out of the darkness, causing Tabby to frown, tossing her boom ball to the side, it exploding against a wall, letting a little flash of light, illuminating the pair.
"What do you want, John?", she asked.
"Well, now we've run into each other, I would like some Tabby love", he smirked.
"You dumped me, John", said Tabby flatly, "I doubt you're relationship material"
"I didn't say I wanted a relationship", said John, "I just want some fun"
Tabby frowned, moving to walk around him.
"Not interested"
John reached out, grabbing her arm.
"Awww, don't be like that, Tabs", he smirked, "I thought you were all about fooling around. That's the impression I got from you, a bit of a slut, really, aren't you?"
Tabby tried to pull her arm loose, then narrowed her eyes.
"John, let me go. Now", she said.
"Don't want to", laughed John, "come on, Baby, have some fun"
Tabby quickly formed another boom ball, tossing it at him. John laughed, his body suddenly becoming completely made of water. It still held form, but the boom ball passed through him and exploded somewhere behind them.
"That was your best shot?", he sneered, pushing her to the ground, "seems you can't look after yourself, after all, huh?"
Tabby winced as she hit the ground, this brought memories of her father much too close for comfort. Memories of how he beat her as a child, beat her even more harshly when he discovered she was a mutant. Of course, that had been before he realized he could make money from her powers…
"Leave me alone, John", she frowned, kicking her legs at him, them just splashing though his leg.
"You can't fight me, Tabby", grinned John, "you know you can't. So just sit back an enjoy it.."
He smirked, reaching down to grab her. Before he could do so, however, his hand froze in place the water that made it completely solid.
"What the…"
"…Bobby?", Tabby blinked at the frozen hand.
"Who?", asked John, glancing around.
"She's talking to me", said Bobby, stepping out of the darkness, his eyes narrowed, "I might not be her favorite person right now, but I'm not exactly going to turn a blind eye to this"
He cracked his knuckles.
"Besides", he growled, "I have this thing against rapists"
John narrowed his eyes, abandoning Tabby as he stood and turned to face Bobby, his iced-up water hand dangling.
"You're dead, whoever the hell you are", he growled, shooting a jet of water from his other hand at him.
Bobby narrowed his eyes, causing the water to shift direction, sailing past him, freezing as it went striking the wall behind them.
"Nice try", said Bobby, his blue eyes flickering, "no dice"
He flicked his hand in John's direction, the other mutants body beginning to freeze form the legs up. John blinked, trying to move, but couldn't, before he had chance to change back to his normal form, his entire body was frozen solid.
"A word of advice for you, Johnny boy", said Bobby walking over, "you pick on one of us, you pick on all of us. I strongly suggest you leave Tabby alone"
He smirked, pulling back an iced-up fist.
"I should warn you, this is gonna hurt"
With that, he slammed his fist into John's chest, shattering the water-based mutant into pieces, which scattered along the ground. Slowly, the watery drops began to trickle together…it would probably be a few hours before John had completely re-formed himself. Bobby snorted, before starting to head off. Tabby frowned, getting steadily to her feet and chasing after him.
"Bobby, why did you…", she trailed off.
"Despite what you guys think, I'm not completely evil", said Bobby, stopping and turning to look at her.
"I..", Tabby paused, "…thank you"
"You're welcome", said Bobby.
Tabby blinked at him, before stepping forward, giving him a hug. Bobby blinked, staying ram-rod straight, accepting it, but not returning it. Tabby took a step back, giving him a small smile.
"I owe you", she said, then bit her lip, "..I'm sorry. I've been a Grade-A-Bitch".
"You and every other X-Geek… every human one, anyway", said Bobby with a shrug, starting off, "I'm heading back to my team, I suggest you do the same, Boom-Boom"
Tabby smiled slightly, watching him go, before casting a glance at the slowly reforming water particles. She frowned, stomping her foot into a puddle of them as she headed back to her dorm room.
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In the Baxter Building, New York City, four men of varying ages sat at a table. Two X-Men, two of the Fantastic Four. Johnny Storm looked highly bored, watching as the Ever Lovin' Blue Eyed Thing looked at his cards
"This time, you're outta luck, X-Men", he said, "this time, I'm gonna win fer sure"
"You say that every game, Ben", pointed out Logan, "and ya haven't won a game since I brought the Wreaking Ball along"
Logan had discovered Sam's unexpected talent in the game of Poker quite by accident. Hank had to bail out on him in a game, and so the Canadian looked for an honest face to take with him for a fourth. This was mostly due to his suspicions that Benjamin Grimm cheated.. a lot. They don't get much more honest than Samuel Guthrie, right? Wrong! Though he couldn't tell a lie to save his life, Sam was an expert at bluffing, in a matter of two hours in that first game, he'd taken all of the other players money..and Johnny Storm's pants, which were given as a present for Kitty, apparently, she still kept them hidden in a drawer somewhere, much to the chagrin of Lance.
Logan knew when he was onto a good thing, and now took the Southerner to every poker game he played with the Fantastic Four… or rather, Troublesome Two. Sure, it meant that he was broke by the end of it, but at least an X-Man went home the victor, and that was all that mattered.
"Neither have you", shot back Ben with a smirk, "shows you what a loser you are, don' it?"
Ahh, the taunting. Every game comprised of a ritualized slinging match between Ben and Logan, never getting nasty, of course, it was just what had to be done.
"Are you guys playing, or making a play date?", smirked Johnny.
Logan puffed on his cigar, sending a plume of smoke at the human fireball.
"You're cruisin' for a bruisin', little man", he said, looking at his cards, "I'll raise ya"
He tossed his chips in the middle of the table. Everyone turned to look at Sam, who was looking at his cards with the utmost concentration.
"Mmm", he said in thought, "this might take a while, a'hm not too sure about this"
He picked up a few chips, hesitated, then put them down. Johnny watched this, then sighed, putting his cards down.
"I fold like Reed's folding machine on the foldingest day of the month", he said.
"Oh-kay", blinked Ben, before smirking, chomping on his own cigar, "I raise. Looks like we got a showdown"
"Flush", said Logan, placing his cards down with a grin..
Grimm smirked.
"Got ya beat, Canuk", he said, "get some extra chairs, I got a full house"
He did a little victory dance. Which looked very strange being performed by someone of Ben's stature and appearance.
"Who's house? Grimm's house!", he sang, "Who's house? Grimm's house!"
There was a polite cough, making everyone turn to Sam, who suddenly gave a smirk.
"Well, we'd better get the bathroom ready for the queen", he said, laying his cards on the table, "'cause a'h got a royal flush!"
Everyone blinked at him for a few seconds, before the Thing snapped.
"ARRRRRRGHHHHHH!", screamed Ben, beginning to shove cards in his mouth, eating them in frustration.
Though a sweet, kindly and gentle person in real life, once at a poker table, Sam had a Jekyll-Hyde transformation. Sam became something that would make a mafia hit-man cry.
"Bye bye, Grimmy", said Sam in a high, squeaky voice as he picked up the man's chips, dancing them across to his own pile, "we'll miss you"
"I'll get you", warned Ben, pointing a orange, rocky finger at Sam, "and you're little werewolf, too!"
"It's really sad that he beats us every time", muttered Logan.
"It's even sadder that we fall for his bluffs every time", muttered Grimm, "okay, that's it, I'm bettin' the Playstation"
"Not the Playstation!", cried Johnny, "I love the Playstation!"
"We could use a Playstation in out dorm room", smirked Sam, "it will be ma'h greatest pleasure taking it from you"
"Thanks a lot, Uncle Grumpy", muttered Johnny. (1)
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The russet coloured wolf prowled around the campus in silence. Rahne had, indeed, gained considerable control over her 'monthly problems', no longer needing someone to watch over her. Of course, that didn't mean she was alone. As the wolf trotted along, she didn't notice the yellow and back owl sitting in a tree nearby. As Warlock carried no scent, there was no way for her to know he was there. The wolf snuffled about on the ground, wagging her tail, before pausing, hearing a growl.
She lifted her head, sniffing the air cautiously. A familiar scent she couldn't quite recall wafted in, along with a much stronger scent. The scent of another wolf. She trotted forwards, heading out to the school baseball field, now empty of spectators, most sound asleep. Snuffling through a discarded litter bin was, indeed, another wolf. This one was grey, male, much larger than Rahne. She advanced slowly, silently…carefully. Neither noticed the owl land on the back of a set of bleachers nearby, watching them silently.
The grey wolf lifted it's head, catching Rahne's scent, turning swiftly and growling dangerously. Rahne, not opposed to defend what her wolf side was considering 'her' territory lowered her head, raising her hackles, letting out an equally dangerous growl. Undeterred, the grey wolf took a step forwards. Rahne immediately went into plan B, transforming into her transitional form, larger, much more powerful. Any animal, wolf included, would much prefer to bluff it's way out, than go into an all out fight. (2)
The grey wolf stepped back, seemingly surprised, before snarling, transforming itself into a transitional form, much like Rahne. Rahne yelped in surprise, she thought she was the only one. She growled, taking in that strange scent again, suddenly realizing where it came from.
"…Himhari?", she asked in her growly transitional voice
The grey wolf paused, seeming to recognize the name, before snarling, lashing out with a clawed hand, catching Rahne's ankle and knocking her to the ground. Rahne yelped, trying to pull herself back up.
"Himmy, it's me..Rahne", she said, "what happened te ye? Why won't ye talk tae me?"
Himhari snarled, preparing for another blow. He didn't get to make it however. Within seconds, a large black and yellow T-Rex stood between them, giving a roar. Himhari snarled, before turning tail and running. Once he was gone, Warlock shifted to his normal form, glancing worriedly at Rahne.
"Query: Is Self-friend Rahne hurt?", he asked.
Rahne got herself up on her feet, wincing at the pain in her ankle, leaning on the alien for support.
"Aye, I think he just twisted it", she said, then glanced at him, "thanks, 'Lock"
"Do not mention it", smiled Warlock.
"I figured Sam would have sent ye after me, somehow", she said, rolling her eyes, "he worries too much…I'm glad he did, though"
She frowned.
"I'm gunnae have tae have a little 'talk' with Himhari in the morning"
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Forge yawned sleepily as he walked back into the kitchen from his lab in the basement of his home. The only reason he had surfaced from what his wife gleefully called 'The Pit' was because he was so hungry, he was just about ready to eat his own arm.. his only arm.
"Hey, 'Hon", said Storm, smiling from where she sat at the kitchen table.
Forge suppressed a shudder. That Mohawk really was terrible on her… really.
"Hi", he said with a smile, rummaging through the cupboards, "you eaten yet? I can make you something if you want"
Storm smiled, getting up and walking over, nuzzling him.
"Not hungry", she said, "sorry if I was moody with you, I just wanted to try something.. new"
"Heh", said Forge, arching a brow at her, "it's gonna take some getting used to, but I think I can deal".
"Good", said Storm, then smirked, "Imara has gone with Toby and 'Unkie Kurt' to the park. We have the house alllll to ourselves"
Forge laughed.
"Geez, woman, there's no stopping you, is there?".
"Nope, I grab every ounce of 'peace' I can with you", she smiled, leaning in to give him a passionate kiss, before smirking, "of course, if you'd rather stay here, I can just.. amuse myself all on my own"
Forge blinked as she smirked, walking off with a sway of her hips.
"Nononononono", he said, following after her, "I can eat later, who needs food?"
"I thought you'd say that", smirked Storm, "starting to walk up the stairs.
Forge paused, blinking…something wasn't right here. He didn't know what, but something just didn't…fit. And then it clicked. He narrowed his eyes stopping dead.
"Who the Hell are you?"
Storm turned to blinked at him.
"What are you talking abut?", she asked, "I'm your wife, remember? You've been in that lab for too long"
Forge shook his head.
"You're not Ororo", he said, "you're wearing a sweater. Ororo never wears sweaters, not indoors anyway, she uses the weather to regulate the temperature around her. I know my wife better than anyone, I know her every little quirk, comes from being hopelessly in love with her, and so very observant"
He narrowed his eyes.
"And you're not her".
'Storm' watched him before sighing, shifting shape, he skin becoming blue, her hair red, yellow eyes blinking at him.
"Well done, Inspector Morse"
"What are you doing here, Mystique?", asked Forge, then blinked, worry crossing his features, "and where are Ororo and Imara?"
"Relax", said Mystique, "I didn't hurt them, I saw them head out about an hour ago. I came here because of what you did for me"
Forge watched her suspiciously.
"What are you talking about?"
"That book Kurt gave to me", she said, "he said you have him the idea. We sat talking about Wilde and stuff….we bonded, it's something we don't get to do often"
She shrugged.
"I wanted to thank you, I guess"
"And you think the way to go about that is by taking my wife's form and trying to sleep with me?", Forge shook his head, "you're really, really twisted, you know that?"
"I guess I am", shrugged Mystique, "you could say I'm being selfish as well… I missed you, you know"
"Yeah, right", said Forge, crossing his arms.
Mystique's eyes narrowed as she stomped down the stairs to glare at him.
"Hey, after you vanished, I rode around on that crappy moped of mine for months", she said, "even after the police had given up on you, I still looked for you. Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore and went home to Germany, where I met Kurt's father".
She sighed.
"I loved you, Forge", she said, "and I can't say that about a whole lot of people. And I know that you loved me"
"No, I loved a lie you created", said Forge, "there's a difference. Besides, the key word is loved, past tense. I love Ororo"
"Of course", muttered Mystique, "you seem to know everything about her"
"You think I didn't notice things about you, Raven?", asked Forge, picking up a hand mirror from a side table and turning it to Mystique.
"Son of a..", snapped Mystique, turning her head away.
"I know you can't even look at your own reflection in the mirror", said Forge, "whenever we passed one, you'd turn your head away. You have some big issues with self-esteem, dontcha?" (3)
Mystique put her head up as he put the mirror down.
"Get out of my house, Raven", he said simply, "I don't want you back here, are we clear?"
Mystique frowned, heading to the door, pausing as she opened it slightly.
"Answer me this, Maker", she said, "if you love your precious Ororo so much, why doesn't she know what I already know? Who you are, what you are? She doesn't have a clue, does she?"
Forge narrowed his eyes, looking away.
"Thought not", smirked Mystique, "face it, you hide from yourself more than I do. And it seems you hide it from her even more"
She sifted shape, taking on one of probably countless personas, stepping out of the door and walking down the path.
"Think on it, Maker".
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(1) – Grimm is called 'Uncle Grumpy' in the X-Men/Fantastic Four Annual 1999, where Sam is indeed dragged in by Logan to see if Ben cheats in a poker game (and yes, Sam does win).
(2) – Bit on Animal Behaviour there for you. Correct term is Agonistic Behaviour. Yes, I do love what I study.
(3) – 'Tis true. Forge pulled the trick on her in the Mystique comics, though eventually she has been able to look at her reflection again during the course of the comic.
Oh such action, all in one chapter! Do review. Until next time…