Malibu Mall Madness
Disclaimer: "Let's party!" - Arnold Schwarzenegger, Commando
Chapter 11: Fire it Up!
Malibu Mall
"Jean, call the others!" Scott ordered, switching out his sunglasses for his visor and putting on his blue-and-yellow glovatrix.
"On it, Scott!" Jean put her fingers to her temples and concentrated.
The Malibu Mall bank
The disguised Dr. Cyber waited and carefully watched the customers in the bank take care of their finances. Unbeknownst to the evil scientist, she herself was being watched.
What the bloody hell do I do? Lila Cheney frowned in thought as she watched the woman. I can't exactly leap into action against her. I do have the Joe training, but I don't have any weapons, and I have no idea who that woman is or what she can do. Her brow furrowed. Come on, Lila! Think!
"Hey, what're you doing?" A male voice inquired.
"What the-?" Lila mumbled, turning around. Her eyes widened and her cheeks reddened when she saw Bobby Drake frowning at her. Oh, God...
"What are you doing?" Bobby asked again. "I know you rockstars are strange people, but-!"
"Shhhh!" Lila quickly collected herself and shushed him. "Not so loud!" She pointed at the woman. "Look!" Bobby peeked over at her.
"That's weird." The cryokinetic mutant blinked. "What is that woman doing?"
"I don't know." Lila answered. "But I have a bad feeling about it."
"You think so?"
"Yeah, sure." Lila nodded. "Ever seen any movies or TV? If somebody is loitering around in front of a bank in front of a trenchcoat like that, it's never good news in any form."
"True." Bobby admitted with a nod.
This is kind of serendipitous. Lila thought. Bobby's an X-Man! I can talk to him about this...that is, if I can just stop blushing like mad... "I...am kind of glad you appeared when you did, though."
Bobby blinked in confusion. "You...are?"
Lila nodded. "Yeah." She smiled. "I am. You see...uhm..." Her face reddened. Oh, dammit! She mentally cursed as she felt her cheeks heat up. Bobby couldn't help but chuckle.
"You look like a tomato."
"...shut up."
"I'm sorry, you do look like a tomato right now." Heh heh, she looks cute when she blushes...
"...again, shut up." Lila grumbled. "Look, w-we should-!" She heard a crash, like glass shattering. "What the hell-?"
"It was from above!" Bobby pointed upwards. The two young mutants looked up and saw the Surf Master crash in, cackling like a madman.
"Bloody hell!" Lila gasped. She turned to Bobby. "I take it he's new to you?"
"Must be a new super-villain." Bobby suggested. "I don't think Malibu has any superheroes of its own to deal with this guy."
"It's got the X-Men today." Lila smirked at the cryokinetic.
"I guess it does nngh!" Bobby put his hand to his head.
"Bobby, are you alright?" Lila asked in concern.
Bobby nodded. "I'm okay. It's just Jean Grey calling me."
That is amazing. Lila thought. That would be a great alternate communication route. Shame none of the West Coast Misfits are telepaths...well, except for Paul and Craig, but only with each other. Blast it.
Bobby! Jean's voice called out in his head. There's this armored madman in a flying surfboard-!
I know! Lila Cheney and I just saw him! Bobby answered.
"Oh, no!" Lila gasped as the woman removed her trenchcoat, her face seemingly vanishing, revealing a yellow mask. Revealed was the villainous scientist Doctor Cyber.
"What is it?" Bobby asked.
"It's Doctor Cyber!" Lila exclaimed.
Bobby, what is it?
We got another problem! Bobby told Jean. We got Doctor Cyber in front of the mall's bank!
Doctor Cyber? One of Wonder Woman's enemies? What is she doing here? Why is she in front of a bank...oh...
Doctor Cyber marched into the bank, frightening the customers.
"None of you move." The scientist growled, pointing a blaster at the crowd. The customers mumbled and put their hands up in fright.
Jean, Doctor Cyber is robbing the bank! Bobby explained.
Oh, God! We don't need this now! Jean groaned. I'll let Scott know. Don't engage her. If she can go toe-to-toe with Wonder Woman, then she is someone who is not to be messed with. I'll see if I can get you some help from the others.
Right. Bobby nodded.
"So, what did your leader say?" Bobby sighed at Lila's question.
"Don't take her on, and wait to get help."
"That's a good idea." Lila nodded. "If that crazy tart can trade punches with a bloody Amazon, then she's way above our weight class." If only I could use me powers in public. If I could, I'd teleport that robo-slag to some moon.
"Crazy tart?"
"British slang."
"Ah."
The Food Court
"I have to admit, this was fun talking to you." Ray smiled at Jenni Starr as the two youths, alongside Roberto Da Costa, walked away from a Cold Stone Creamery, milkshakes in hand. Jenni was carrying a second one for Kyle.
"Yeah, it is!" Roberto nodded, enjoying his milkshake. "It's neat meeting a celebrity who is so down to Earth."
"Ah, thanks." Jenni smiled, blushing slightly. "It's nice to meet you two as well." Ray then realized something.
"Aren't you worried about Kyle?" Ray recalled. "I honestly wouldn't care what happened to that little bastard, but I know he's your friend and bandmate..."
"I know where'd he go." Jenni said. "I saw a comic and collectible stuff store here. Kyle is a nut for comics. He'll be there, browsing the long boxes. Knowing him, he'll be there all day."
"You sure about that?" Ray blinked.
"Yup." Jenni nodded. "Hey, look who it is!" She waved at Kyle, who was approaching them. "Hey Kyle!"
"Hey, Jen!" Kyle waved back.
"See? He's cheered up already!" Jenni grinned. "Got you a milkshake!"
"Oh, thanks." Kyle took the milkshake and sipped some through his straw. He glanced at Ray and Roberto. "Oh look, Larry and Curly are still here. Moe finally got fed up and ditched you two?"
"Jackass." Roberto grumbled. "How do you put up with him, Jen?"
"He's not so bad once you get to know him." Jenni smiled. "Kyle, why not show them your new comics?"
"How'd you know I got new comics?"
"Every time you go somewhere that sells comics, you always get at least one." Jenni reminded. "And the bag in your hand."
"Check these out!" Kyle pulled his comics out. "Captain Nebula #75 (The first appearance of Lazeron), Danger Dirk #32 (A criminally underrated comic), Lady Liberator #88 (The issue of her classic encounter with Red Wazzle, who was a parody of Walt Disney), Squadron Supreme #75, and Black Termite #56!" Kyle grinned at the Black Termite comic. "I finally have the whole 'Dark Black Termite Returns' storyline. They never put it out in trade form."
"You're a real nerd for that, aren't you?" Ray remarked at Kyle.
"You got a problem with that?" Kyle scowled at his fellow electrokinetic. "Yeah, the Thunderbolt likes comic books. Comic books are awesome."
"I used to like comic books, but then I started noticing girls."
"Girls? You mean like yo mama, you sick fffffffreak?" Kyle mocked. "You look like the type to try to pick up on your own relatives."
"Ohhhh, he got you, man!" Roberto laughed. Jenni rolled her eyes.
Stupid Kyle and his need to be a smartass... She mentally grumbled. Ray scowled at the younger mutant.
"You really want me to beat you down, you little punk?"
Kyle smirked. "You couldn't even kick your own ass in your dreams, you walking battery!" Ray growled.
"Kyle, be nice!" Jenni snapped.
Kyle held his hands up in a calming gesture. "Alright, alright, Jen. The Thunderbolt apologizes. After all, Xavier is very fond of keeping his pets on a very tight leash. Wouldn't want you to raise a lot of hell in the kennel. You might end up getting put to sleep."
"I am going to shove this milkshake right up your-!"
"Hey hey hey!" Jenni put her hand on Ray's shoulder. "Let's not fight! I'm sure the Professor would not approve of you picking a fight here. Set a good example, remember?" Ray took a breath and calmed down.
"Yeah, you're right, Jenni." Ray smirked at Kyle. "After all, picking a fight with you wouldn't be worth it, Wildfire. After all, you ain't remotely the tough guy your father is." Ray was referring to Eric "Blazer" Wildfire, a legendary professional wrestler. "You're just a little loudmouthed punk who thinks he's all that."
"The Thunderbolt will show you who is all that, you little-!" Kyle cocked back his fist only to get his milkshake shoved at him.
"Kyle, just have your milkshake and shut up." Jenni sighed.
"Oh, milkshake. Thanks." Kyle took the milkshake and sipped on it. "Mm, good."
"Wow." Roberto blinked. "Kid goes through moods faster than crap through a goose."
"I wish he was always that easy to pacify." Jenni sighed. She then heard something. "Hey...you guys hear that?"
"Don't care. Milkshake." Kyle answered. A crashing and yelling was heard. "The hell was that?!"
"Oh, no..." Roberto groaned.
"BWAAAAAA-HAHAHAHAHAHA!" The Surf Master cackled as he flew up to the group.
"Ah, hell..." Kyle groaned. Jenni gasped.
"You know, I'm kind of glad Goggles made us bring our glovatrixes." Ray snickered, pulling out his custom glovatrix. Jenni eyed the futuristic gauntlet.
I've heard about those things, but never got to see one in person. The blonde girl thought. Lila had said she would love to examine one, tech head she is. Not to mention, admittedly, I'd love to have one myself in red and pink.
"Hey, we may get some action after all!" Roberto whooped, putting on his own glovatrix, a black one with red and orange highlights. Jenni let out a quiet sigh.
Man, I wish I could use my powers to help them. She mused. I could use my lasers to take him off his surfboard, and my hypnotic abilities to calm this maniac down. Meanwhile, Kyle gripped his bag of comics tighter, his hand shaking with barely restrained rage, the knuckles turning pale white.
Great! Just great! Kyle mentally grumbled in frustration. A bona-fide supervillain, The Thunderbolt has powers which can help layeth the smacketh down on his candy ass, and the Thunderbolt has to hide them! He glared at Ray and Roberto. We gotta depend on these two members of the biggest disaster to hit our species since Magneto! Wonderful! The Thunderbolt's life sucks! He heard what sounded like flame-throwers. "Hey, who turned on the napalm?!"
"Napalm?!" Jenni, Ray, and Roberto turned around and saw Flame firing his flamethrowers into the air.
"Everyone leave!" He yelled at the customers. "I have no desire for anyone to be harmed!" Being smart, the customers fled.
"Who is that guy?" Ray blinked in confusion.
"I've heard of him." Kyle grunted. "He's called Flame. Costumed arsonist for hire. Thought that Daredevil kicked his ass last week."
"Looks like the Man Without Fear didn't do a good enough job." Roberto snickered. "Guess it's up to us to show him how it's done."
"Don't get cocky." Jenni warned. "A certain roguish space pirate warned that once."
Well, well, well! Looks like Sunspot and Berzerker are possibly in big trouble! What insanity will happen next? Can the X-Men save the day? Will Kyle lose it with the X-Men? Find out in the next chapter!