Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men:Evolution or it's characters. Just my OC, Molly Callum/Creature and any original characters/background characters that may pop up from time to time.
Two days later, the team was still in the middle of trying to shut-down the power-eight production. They were in the CEOs office, trying to give firsthand testimony of their personal experiences as a plea. A last ditch effort before going over the companys' head to higher authorities. They were trying to go about it a more peaceful way than the Morlocks originally had. The office was small, with a single window overlooking the soda production. It had one gray desk, two sales charts on easels, and a coffee maker on a stand. All of this was on top of white tile. It wasn't a very exciting looking office space.
"...So you see Mister Bowmann, your drink almost killed me," Molly finished explaining, "It's going to kill a lot of mutants if you don't stop production right away. As soon as possible."
"But the profits! Power-Eight has been our most popular drink so far. It's flying off the shelves!" The short, portly, dark haired man in a cream colored suit pointed to sales charts hung up in his office.
"At the risk of people's lives, sir?" Cyclops said, "Sooner or later you might have a lawsuit on your hands if tons of mutants start randomly dropping dead from drinking your soda. Is it worth it?"
Bowmann looked conflicted.
"Look, I'll talk it over with marketing and get back to you. I know, I know! I sound heartless, but you kids don't get how companies work. We could be out millions."
"Don't think it would be much of a loss," Remy scowled as the team left.
Remy and Molly held hands going inside the mansion afterwards.
"So, uh, what's say you and I go to look out point after dinner?" Molly smiled.
"I'd love to, but I need to keep practicing that eulogy first. No way I'm going to mess it up on national television," Remy smiled.
"National television? Remy, I'm pretty sure something this important is going to be seen by the whole world," Molly said.
"Well, good thing I'm not camera shy then," Remy said confidently.
Later on, Remy met Molly downstairs.
"Ready to go?" Molly asked.
"Very ready," Remy nodded.
They soon made it to Look Out Point. The city seemed more beautiful and the stars were brighter. Maybe it was because the whole Johnny Tuttle debacle was nearly over with. Or maybe Remy was just happy to be alive, with Molly, and grateful for life.
"Can't believe we got away with everything so far," Molly smiled, "You being that sneaky? Kind of makes you hotter."
"Come on, Cherie, I don't want to talk about that," Remy said, "But, if that's what you like, we could talk about the evil, evil things I did in my acolyte days. Like...running red lights and J-walking."
Molly rolled her eyes.
"I know you did worse than that. Regale me a little with your _adventures_!" Molly said dramatically.
Remy went on for a while and they made-out a little between talking.
"Alright sweetie," Molly smiled later, "We've made-out and talked, but I was thinking you could do something for me."
"Anything for you, Elue," Remy smiled charmingly, curious.
"Well, I'd like you to go with me to help me pick out some new stuff for my room. I want to grow it up a little. I'm giving Erin my tiger collection and some other things. It's time for me to start being a little more mature. In everything." Molly looked serious.
"I understand," Remy held her hand, "We all have to grow up sometime, but I'm kind of going to miss seeing all those fuzzy faces staring back at me when I go into your room."
"Well, you've still got me," Molly smirked, turning into an orange cat and rubbing against Remys arm, purring. She changed back.
"That's right. You're my forever fuzzy face," Remy gently kissed her.
It took a whole week, but the Mister Fizzy soda company agreed to shut down production of Power-8 and completely got rid of the component in it that killed mutants. To everyone's relief, this was the end of Power-8 forever!
That following Monday morning was the funeral for Johnny Tuttle at the White House. It was being broadcast worldwide for every man, woman and child to see. Rumor had it there was a national holiday in the works, but Remy was hoping it was only a rumor.
Everyone was gathered on a navy blue carpeted stage directly in front of the White House. The X-Men were dressed in their best attire in dark wooden chairs behind a brown oak podium with a ton of microphones on it. The audience was massive. Thousands of metal folding chairs on the white house lawn with people in them, including the press, up front. Photographers were taking pictures of the event from all sides, as were television cameras.
Remy was nervous, of course, but he couldn't jeopardize this. If he let the secret out that Johnny wasn't real, they'd probably lock him up and throw away the key for wasting tax payers money putting this thing together and involving the President in a huge shennanigan. Not to mention the Institute would probably go under in the process. Never mind that the X-Men, along with the Avengers, were all nearly personal friends with the President after saving his life some months ago, even receiving medals of valor in a big ceremony for their heroics. That little fact wasn't going to save Remy from prison if things went sideways!
They had to convince the Professor that Johnny's mother had come down with the flu and wanted no contact with anyone, not even a phone call from the President, so as much as she would have loved to go, she could not attend the funeral.
"Hey," Molly squeezed his hand, sensing his nervousness, "It's going to be okay, Remy. If anyone can do this, it's you."
Remy blinked. "You're right, Petite. You're right. I'm amazing. I've got this. No one can do it better than I can."
They watched the President step up to the podium.
"Good morning press, colleagues and friends. We're here today to honor a life taken from us too soon. That of young Jonathan Tuttle.
He was only enrolled a short time at the Xavier Institute, but he made an impact on his fellow students. Before that, he made an impact on the world with his selfless acts, humor, love for others, talent, and joy for life. A teacher from the Institute, Mister Remy LeBeau,
will now perform the eulogy."
Time to step up.
"Thank you, Mister President, sir. Jonathan-Johnny tuttle as his friends knew him-was an amazing young man. He was the first to help when there was a crisis, the one to laugh the loudest, and he would give you the shirt off his back every single time. The short version of his life is that Johnny was born in to a single parent, Miss Marlene Blanche Tuttle. She couldn't be with us today as she is down with the flu. Johnny came from Dallas Texas, which explains his big heart, kind manner and strong family values. He didn't have any brothers or sisters, but he always said his friends were like his extended family. He worked at the Piggly Wiggly part-time for a year as a bag boy. Johnny, generously, had to quit to help take care of his grandparents, nana Sophia and grandpa Joey, until they passed away a few years ago. He was so sweet and kind, when he got his powers, none of his friends or classmates in Texas viewed him differently. They just wanted what was best for Johnny. Johnny was one of a kind and we will never, ever forget him. We can all be comforted by the fact that he's not really gone. That there's a little Tuttle in all of us. In fact, you could say that all of us X-Men together made up Johnny Tuttle. Thank you."
There was not a dry eye in the audience and their applause was deafening as Remy sat back down. Remy was shocked he'd actually pulled it off.
Well...almost. They had to get out of Washington and back home without anyone finding out, of course. The X-Men accepted the medal of commendation on Johnny's behalf and the ceremony concluded.
Everyone gathered indoors in a large, red carpeted meeting room later for refreshments and conversation. The Professor waved Remy over to talk with the president. Remy pulled Molly along.
"Young man that was an amazing speech," The President marveled, "Tell me, do you have much experience doing eulogy's? That was just incredible!"
"No. No, sir," Remy smiled, "Thank you. It took a lot of thought and insight. I was wrecked with nerves, believe me."
"Molly," The professor said, "Don't look so nervous. The worst is over with."
"That's right. And no reason to be nervous around me. I'm just an old man," The President smiled, "I think I'll get some punch, excuse me."
"Sorry, Professor. It's, uh, it's been a long morning," Molly said, "Remy? A minute?"
"Later, Professor," Remy nodded. Molly pulled him outside into the vast hallway, away from the two secret service agents,
next to the bathrooms.
"What's wrong, Cherie?" Remy bent down close to Molly.
"I don't know if I can keep up the charade much longer," Molly admitted, "This is majorly stressful. I feel like I'm going to crack. Remy, we made up an entire person and held a _presidential funeral_ for him! If anyone ever finds out, that's it! Put in front of the Supreme Court! Prison for life! Lock us up and throw aw-" Remy put a hand over her mouth, because, among other reasons, She was starting to get hysterical.
"Molly, honey, you have to stay calm. None of that's going to happen. We're going to go home tonight, and after that, we're going to be free and in the clear. You wait here, I'm going to get Kurt and Kitty. They'll stay with you in the jet and you can relax. Take deep breaths, stay calm."
Because visitors couldn't come in with any metal devices, (It was standard procedure after the Legion and Loki attack), the X-Men had to forego their communicators, so Remy had to find Kurt and Kitty the old-fashioned way. Thankfully, the team was allowed to use their powers, but on the condition not anywhere near The President or First Lady unless it was a life and death situation, and even then, they had to take precautions.
He found Kurt and Kitty laughing and talking at the h'orderves table together.
"Hey, guys? Molly needs you. She's not doing so good," Remy said.
"What? What's wrong?" Kitty said.
"Tell you later," Remy looked around.
When they got back to Molly, she was pacing. Ohh boy, she really was about to crack.
"We'll 'port her to the jet," Kurt said, "Kitty will get you once we've calmed her down."
"Yeah, okay," Remy nodded.
BAMF!
Remy ran his hands through his (awful) shaved hair. Not the greatest outcome, but they were almost home free.
"Where is Molly?" Ororo wondered when Remy went back to the party. Remy had to admit, the woman looked extravagant in a long, glittering rosy pink, strapless and backless gown.
"Uh, she wasn't doing too good. Kurt and Kitty took her to the jet," Remy explained.
"Poor dear. Let us know if she needs to go home," Ororo looked sympathetic.
"Uh, we'll see," Remy said. Maybe that would be best.
Remy tried to relax and have fun. Kurt and Kitty could handle Molly. If she got _really_ out of hand,
there were many ways of getting her to calm down again, including sedatives, if needed. Everyone would be fine.
A few hours later, Kitty found Remy again.
"Molly's doing a little better, but we had to knock her out with benadryl. She got a little, um, squirrel-y. Literally." Kitty said.
"Poor kid," Remy said, "Well, a few hours to go and this thing should be over with. Stay with her for me, will you?" It just wouldn't do for the man that gave the eulogy to bow out of the refreshments suddenly.
"No problem, Remy," Kitty smiled.
Remy kept schmoozing and mingling with people until it was time to finally leave. The X-Men and teachers piled into the jet, tired.
"What's with her?" Logan pointed to a deep sleeping Molly, curled up on Kittys lap.
"Uh, not doing so good," Kurt said, "We gave her some bendadryl and it knocked her out cold."
Logan just shook his head, going to take his seat up front. Molly was always, well, Molly.
Remy sat next to Kurt, across from Kitty and Molly.
They gave him a thumbs up and he returned it. Mission accomplished.
"Hey," Scott said out of nowhere, "Why do I have like two-hundered new texts on my phone?"
...Oops.