Uncanny New Mutants

Chapter 67: Boomer's Back!

By

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer- All familiar characters belong to Marvel Comics.

Harry's Hideaway-

Tabitha Smith, the young mutant known as Boom-Boom, Boomer, or Meltdown, it really depended on her mood, had recently returned to the Xavier Institute to catch up with her friends. As usual, they immediately headed off to their local bar for some celebratory drinks. Not that they ever needed an excuse to head to Harry's for a few drinks.

'So, what's this big news you keep going on about?' Illyana enquired. 'C'mon, don't keep us hanging.'

'Are you pregnant?' Dani asked.

'I bet you eloped with some random guy and got married in Vegas.' Roberto added.

'Guys, ah'm sure that Tabitha will tell us when she's good and ready.' Sam added his two cents. 'Besides, it's your round, 'Berto.'

'What?' Roberto spluttered. 'I bought the last round!'

'No, I bought the last round.' Amara reminded her friend. 'Don't try to wiggle out of paying your way. For a rich man, you sure do seem tight with your money.'

'Hey, you have to be careful nowadays.' Roberto pointed out. 'I can't just waste my money haphazardly.'

'Oh, aye. Then what was that brand new Ferrari ye brought?' Rahne rolled her eyes. 'How was that being careful?'

Doug tapped his chin in thought as he began to put together his friend's latest purchases. 'Ferraris, bright Hawaiian shirts. Are you sure you're not taking this love of Magnum a little too far?'

'Yeah, next you'll be trying to grow a moustache.' Illyana laughed. The Russian mutant narrowed her eyes as she noticed the beginnings of facial hair underneath Roberto's nose. 'Oh my God! You are trying to grow a moustache!'

'Real classy, Roberto.' Dani laughed out loud at the sight. 'Oh, no. You don't look dumb at all.'

Roberto muttered something under his breath. 'Fine. I'll go buy the next damn round. Not that I'd get any thanks for it. Load of ungrateful wretches if you ask me. I'm rich, dammit. They should be worshipping the ground I walk on.'

With Roberto gone, Illyana turned back to Tabitha.

'So, what's this big secret?' The Russian mutant enquired. 'Come on, you might as well tell us now.'

'I bet she finally found out that Rictor's dating Shatterstar.' Warlock said. Tabitha spluttered in surprise at that.

'What? You mean I'm the last one to find out about that?'

'We love you Tabby, but you always were a little slow on the uptake.' Doug added.

'Since when did you guys figure it out?' Tabitha asked.

'Oh, we pretty much knew from day one.' Doug continued. 'It was pretty obvious.'

'But… Rahne, didn't you and Rictor used to have a thing?' Tabitha asked. 'I mean, how could he…?'

'Tabitha, one kiss hardly counts as a relationship.' Rahne pointed out.

'Don't you think it's sinful?' Tabitha continued. 'Aren't you a scary ultra-strict Christian?'

'I havenae been to church in years.' Rahne explained. 'Besides, I've got more important things to deal with than thinking whether same sex relationships are sinful or not.'

Roberto then returned with a tray of drinks.

'Here's the drinks. I hope you enjoy them, you ungrateful…'

'Roberto, Tabitha finally told us the big secret.' Amara interrupted him.

'Oh, right. I bet it was all about Rictor dating Shatterstar.' Roberto said. 'Yeah, that stuff's old news. Wait, were you going to out him to all his friends?'

'That was a pretty crappy thing to do, Tabitha.' Sam said. 'Even if he was already out, it doesn't give you any right do blab it to his friends.'

'Can we talk about something else?' Tabitha groaned. 'What about you, Sam. How are you and Lila getting on?'

'Yeah Sam, when are you two going to tie the knot?' Illyana chipped in. 'There hasn't been an X-Men wedding in oh, ages. I'm gonna need to get a new dress.'

'If you're going to marry a singer in a band, who's going to be the entertainment at the party after?' Dani asked.

'I guess they could ask Alison to take Lila's place for the party.' Warlock suggested. 'Alison did used to be part of Lila's group, didn't she?'

'Guys, we ain't gonna get married.' Sam reassured his friends. 'Not for a fair while at least.'

'Aww, why do you have to go spoil our fun like that, Sam?' Roberto tutted. 'Grow a sense of humour for crying out loud, man. We were just messing with you.'

'Ah just don't find it funny when y'all make jokes about mah love life.' Sam sniffed. ;Now quit it, will ya?'

'Ah, so you admit it.' Illyana grinned. You do love Lila!' The young blonde woman began to sing in a childish voice. 'Sam and Lila, up a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G…'

Later-

The group had returned from celebrating Tabitha's return. Most of them had headed off to bed, but Rahne wasn't one of them. She was pottering about the mansion doing a few jobs before retiring to bed.

Rrrrrumble…

The redheaded young woman frowned at the sound of the thunder. A storm wasn't predicted that night, and Storm wasn't present in the mansion. The weather-manipulating mutant was out of town with her team of X-Men. Unannounced thunder storms never usually meant anything good, so Rahne headed outside to investigate.

Rahne threw on her coat and headed outside to see dark clouds circling in the sky.

KRAKOOM!

A bolt of lightning shot out of the sky and hit the ground, leaving a furry grey form lying where the bolt had struck. Rahne instantly recognised the figure.

'Hrimhari?' Rahne gasped as she ran to check on the fallen Wolf Prince of Asgard. 'What are ye doing here?'

'Rahne… I need your help.' Hrimhari spluttered weakly. It was clear that the journey to Midgard had weakened the Wolf Prince. 'Please… I beg you.'

'Let's get ye inside…' Rahne said as she hefted up Hrimhari on to her shoulders. The redheaded Scot shifted to her transitional werewolf form to give her a little extra strength.

Dani and the others had been alerted to trouble by the unannounced thunderstorm, so they too had ran outside to investigate.

'What the heck?' Sam was the first to speak. 'Is that Hrimhari? What's he doing here?'

'Questions can wait, Sam.' Rahne said as she carried the Wolf Prince inside. 'He's seriously hurt. Help me carry him to the infirmary, then ye can ask all the questions y'want.'

The infirmary-

Once Hrimhari's injuries had been patched up, Rahne and the others began their inquiries.

'Not that I'm unhappy to see ye, but why are y'hear?' Rahne asked.

'I came seeking your assistance, for my mate has been kidnapped.' Hrimhari began. Rahne blinked in surprise at the news.

'Your mate?'

'What's the matter, Furtop?' Illyana teased her teammate 'Jealous?' Rahne just glowered at her blonde friend.

'Aye, my mate.' Hrimhari continued. 'She was kidnapped by Malekith the Accursed, one of the most evil Dark Elves there ever was. You see, the pelt of my people has magical properties, and Malekith wishes to harness those properties by killing my mate!'

'No offence or anything…' Dani said. 'But, why not ask Thor or somebody? Wouldn't this Malekith guy be more his sort of thing?'

'I cannot go to Asgard for assistance, for they do hunt my kind.' Hrimhari stated. 'I would not dare approach the Golden City lest they begin hunting me.'

'Then I guess we don't have any choice.' Sam said. 'We'd better go rescue your mate!'

TBC…

Next: Death to the Dark Elves!

The New Mutants travel to Asgard to rescue Hrimhari's mate from Malekith the Accursed. Guest-starring: The Warriors Three!