Uncanny New Mutants

Chapter 64: Truly, Truly Outrageous- Part 2

By

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer- All familiar characters belong to Marvel Comics.

Omicron Persei Eight-

Omicron Persei Eight was the eighth planet circling a giant red star in the Omicron system, many light-years away from Earth. The planet was the destination for many species that wished to take some time off and put their feet up. Most species were welcome on the planet, even Skrulls and the Kree. Skirmishes were thankfully rare, which was ironic that the Skrulls and the Kree had hated each other for millennia. However, both species tended to keep to their own sectors of the planet and didn’t socialise much with other species.

An intergalactic rock concert was being held in a stadium in the capital city of the planet’s largest continent. Many different artists were going to be there, from Glarix Flob and his Tingly-Flarks of Glarbla-Tok to Lila Cheney and Dazzler of Earth. The whole area outside the stadium was a hive of activity as patrons stood in line for the concert.

FWASH!

The beings standing in line all turned to see a group of people appear in a flash of light.

‘What’s going on? Is it an attack?’ A blue-skinned Kree asked.

‘I knew those damned Skrulls couldn’t be trusted.’ Another Kree tutted.

‘Look, it’s that human. That singer.’ A third Kree pointed out. ‘It’s Lila Cheney!’

The throng of alien beings began to surge forward to speak to the raven-haired teleporter.

‘Ms Cheney, can I have your autograph?’ One of the Kree trio asked.

‘Hey, watch where you’re going!’ A bipedal raccoon-like creature admonished the clumsy Kree. ‘You almost stepped on my tail, jerk!’

‘I am Groot!’ The raccoon creature’s wooden companion told the Kree.

‘Oh. Heh. Sorry.’ The Kree smiled embarrassedly as he backed away. ‘My apologies.’

‘Guys, the autographs can wait until later, okay?’ Lila told the assembled throng of aliens. ‘Now, if you could all get back in line, then my friends and I would like to get inside. I need to prepare for the concert.’

Everybody did as they were told and moved out of the way so Lila and her friends could gain access to the building.

‘Wow, Lila. You really know how to handle those fans.’ An impressed Dani whistled as she followed the intergalactic rock star inside the building. ‘I thought we were going to end up in a riot just then.’

‘Hey, just one of the perils of fame.’ Lila grinned as she led her friends inside.

The raccoon creature clambered on top of his tall wooden companion’s shoulder to get a look at the humans that had just arrived.

‘What disturbs you, Raccoon?’ The wooden giant enquired. ‘What could it be about those humans that bother you so?’

‘I dunno, Groot.’ Rocket Raccoon shrugged. ‘It’s something about that redheaded chick that gives me the willies. I keep getting the urge to run and hide.’

‘She is but one human.’ Groot pointed out. ‘What could you have to fear from her?’

‘Eh. I guess you’re right.’ Rocket sniffed. ‘It’s not like she’s gonna eat me or anything.’

Later-

Lila had given the former New Mutants a tour of the stadium before the concert was due to start. The mutant heroes were milling about backstage just enjoying the experience.

Rahne muttered under her breath as she surveyed the catering table. It was little more than a folding table with a few bottles of water and bags of potato chips.

‘Ach. They call this catering?’ The Scottish werewolf grumbled. ‘If I knew things were going to be this bad, I would have brought a packed lunch.’

‘We are light-years away from Earth, remember?’ Warlock pointed out. ‘Supplies must be hard to come by here. It’s not as if you could just go down to the store and stock up on goods.’

Rahne grabbed a handful of chips and shovelled them in her mouth.

‘Hunh. Some spread, right?’ A voice piped up. ‘You’d think intergalactic rock stars would be able to get something better than water and chips.’

Rahne looked around to see who it was that was speaking to her.

‘Down here.’ The voice instructed her.

Rahne looked down to see Rocket Raccoon standing next to her.

‘Oh!’ Rahne yelped in surprise. ‘I didn’t see you there.’

‘I get that a lot.’ Rocket shrugged. ‘I’m Rocket Raccoon by the way. This is my buddy Groot.’

‘Pleasure to meet you.’ Warlock smiled as he held out his hand to Groot. The techno-organic alien had taken on the form of a human male with dirty blond hair. He didn’t want to cause a panic by attending the concert in his true form. The rest of the audience might have thought he was there to absorb them all. The Technarch weren’t exactly well-liked in any part of the galaxy.

‘I am Groot!’ The giant tree creature announced.

‘Okay…’ Warlock blinked. ‘I’ll just be over here…’

Elsewhere, Roberto was trying his luck with some of the alien ladies in the backstage area. The object of his attention was a scantily-glad woman with green skin, red markings around her eyes, and a hooded cloak.

‘I’ve got to say, most look dumb wearing a cloak, but you look absolutely fine!’ Roberto flashed the woman his most charming grin.

‘Gee, thanks.’ The green-skinned woman responded with a forced smile.

‘Say, is every part of your body green?’ Roberto waggled his eyebrows.

‘Listen, kid. I’m not in the mood for this kind of crap.’ The woman groaned. ‘Get lost, will you?’

‘Oh, playing hard to get.’ Roberto chuckled. ‘I can play along…’

The woman lashed out and grabbed Roberto by the throat, slamming him against the wall.

‘Listen, you little twerp! Get the hell away from me before I break you in half!’

‘You’re gonna regret that…’ Roberto glared as he manifested his powers and pushed the green-skinned woman away. ‘You’ve got no idea who you’re messing with!’

'Neither do you, kid!' The green-skin woman retorted as she assumed a martial pose.

Fortunately, Amara was able to jump in and prevent any blood from being spilled.

‘Berto, cut that out!’ The lava-wielding mutant admonished her friend. ‘That’s Gamora, the Deadliest Woman in the Universe. Lila invited Gamora and her friends here as well.’

‘The Deadliest Woman in the Galaxy?’ Roberto gulped. ‘Seriously?’

‘Do you really want to find out, kid?’ Gamora smirked.

‘Uh… no?’ Roberto smiled meekly. ‘I’ve just got to go…’

‘I am sorry about Roberto.’ Amara apologised. ‘For a rich guy, he has hardly any manners at all.’

‘Forget about it.’ Gamora shrugged. ‘I’m used to men trying to get with me. I’ve forgotten how many bars I’ve trashed just because men couldn’t take a hint.’

‘How did come to know Lila?’ Amara asked.

‘A couple of buddies and I rescued her from space pirates a while ago.’ Gamora explained. ‘A couple of them are here, actually. There’s Rocket, he’s the raccoon-looking guy. Groot’s here, he’s the giant tree thing. So are Star-Lord and Jack Flag. They’re the two humans in matching jumpsuits.’

Amara craned her neck to get a look at the two men. One was a rather nondescript guy with short black hair, while the other had hair that was coloured red-white-and-blue. They were talking to Illyana and Doug.

‘Wow, I love your hair.’ Illyana complimented as she looked Jack up and down. ‘What’s the deal, are you a Captain America fan boy or something?’

‘I used to work with Cap back in the day.’ Jack explained. ‘Then I kind of went my own way.’

‘Which is where we picked him up.’ Star-Lord, real name Peter Quill, told the Russian mutant.

‘We?’ Doug blinked. ‘Who do you mean we?’

‘The Guardians of the Galaxy, kid.’ Quill snickered. ‘Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of us.’

‘Hey, don’t look at me.’ Illyana shrugged. ‘I’ve been dead. I’m still getting used to the fact that all my friends are grown up and having kids now.’

Later still-

With the introductions done, the former New Mutants and the Guardians of the Galaxy all headed out to then main stadium to watch the concert.

‘You must be real happy to see Lila again, Sam.’ Roberto smirked. ‘At least now we know who you’re going out with.’

‘Hey ‘Berto, look. It’s that Gamora woman you were talking to before…’ Sam responded. pointing backstage.

‘Ahh! Hide me!’ Roberto yelped in fear, jumping behind his taller teammate. Sam just laughed out loud at his friend. Roberto glowered back at him. ‘You suck, man.’

‘Guys, quit it!’ Dani admonished the pair. ‘The concert’s about to start.’

A spotlight shone on the stage in front of the audience and the music began to spell.

‘Ladies, gentlemen, and species of non-specific gender, get ready for tonight’s main event: Lila Cheney and Dazzler!’

The audience exploded in applause and whoops of joy as the two mutant songstresses appeared on stage.

‘Thank you, everybody!’ Lila said as she took the mic. ‘This first song is dedicated to a good friend of mine. He’s here tonight. Where are you, Sam? Come on up here, will you?’

‘This is so embarrassing…’ Sam grimaced as the spotlight shone on him. ‘Do I have to?’

‘What are you waiting for, Sammie?’ Illyana smirked. ‘Your girlfriend wants you on the stage.’

‘She isn’t my girlfriend!’ Sam hissed. ‘Lila and I are just friends!’

‘Sure you are, buddy.’ Doug snickered.

Sam shot his friends withering glares and reluctantly trudged up towards the stage. No sooner had the Kentuckian mutant reached the stage then the whole stadium began to shake.

‘What the…?’ Dazzler frowned. ‘What’s going on?’

A giant spaceship slowly began to appear above the stadium.

‘You know those space pirates I told you about earlier?’ Gamora whispered to Amara. ‘We3ll, it looks like they want a rematch.’

‘Then let’s give them one!’ Star-Lord suggested as he put on his helmet and whipped out his Element Gun. ‘I hope you kids are ready to kick some butt!’

‘I’m always ready to kick some butt.’ Illyana grinned as she conjured her sword. ‘Just when I thought this concert was going to get boring…’

TBC…

Next: Truly, Truly Outrageous- Part 3

The New Mutants! The Guardians of the Galaxy! Dazzler! Lila Cheney! Space pirates! ‘Nuff said!