The Uncanny XSE

Chapter 21: The Amazing Nightcrawler And The Circus Of Doom- Part 1

By

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer- 'I must break you.'- Ivan Drago (Rocky IV)

Sarah, the former Morlock also known as Marrow, was wandering through the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. The young mutant woman was at a loss for anything to do. Everybody else seemed to be up to something, whether it was a mission away from the Institute or a night out with a loved one.

'Sarah, there you are! I have been looking everywhere for you.'

Sarah turned around to see Piotr Rasputin walking towards her. A slight smile appeared on her face. The Russian was one of the only X-Men that went out of their way to make her feel welcome. Sarah and Piotr had become good friends during her first stint with the X-Men. Sarah looked upon the taller mutant as an older brother she wished she had when she was younger.

'Hey Petey.' Sarah smiled in greeting. 'What can I do for you?'

'Kurt as invited Katya and myself to go to the circus with himself and August.' Piotr explained. 'I was wondering whether you wished to join us.'

'I don't know…' Sarah frowned slightly. 'I don't wanna be a third wheel or anything.'

'Think nothing of it.' Piotr reassured his friend. 'Kurt and the others will be happy to have you come along with us. You are an X-Man now, you are with friends.'

'But how am I gonna pay for all this?' Sarah asked. 'I ain't got no money.'

'Kurt is the one getting the tickets.' Piotr responded. 'And as for refreshments… Well, leave that to me.'

Sarah shook her head at that. Piotr Rasputin could be very stubborn when he wanted to. When the mood struck him he could be more stubborn than a particularly stubborn ox.

'You ain't gonna leave me be until I say yes, are ya?' Sarah sighed.

'Is that a yes?' Piotr enquired.

'I guess.' Sarah nodded in confirmation. 'Just gimmie a sec to get changed. Although, I don't know what I'm gonna wear. I ain't exactly got many pretty clothes to wear.'

'We are not going to an expensive restaurant, Sarah.' Piotr pointed out. 'There is no need to dress up in your best clothes. Just wear what you are most comfortable with.'

'I'll see you in a little while then.' Sarah confirmed with a nod. 'I just need something nice to wear. I ain't going out dressed like this…'

Piotr looked at his friend's attire. She was dressed in a faded white t-shirt with a picture of the Thing on it and some jeans with holes torn in the legs to allow the bone growths on her knees to protrude.

'If you are desperate for some clothes, I dare say that Katya will be willing to lend you some.'

'Oh, yeah. As if Pretty-Kitty's gonna let me borrow anything of hers.' Sarah scoffed, rolling her eyes. 'I don't think that she'd appreciate it if I give her back her favourite sweater full of holes.'

'Just wear whatever you wish.' Piotr responded. 'Katya and I will meet you downstairs in an hour or so, okay?'

Sarah had chosen to wear her best clothes after all. Okay, Sarah's best clothes pretty much consisted of a simple black t-shirt and leather pants. It wasn't easy to find a good wardrobe when you had bones sticking out all over your body.

'There she is…' Kitty smiled as she watched the former Morlock walk down the stairs. 'I was starting to think that you'd stood us up.'

'Hey, you know me, Pretty-Kitty…' Sarah smirked. 'I can't say no to free food.'

'Steve and Wanda will be here to pick us up in five minutes.' Kurt told the group. 'We had better wait outside for them.'

'Oh, you worry so much, Fuzzy.' August smiled as she ruffled her boyfriend's hair.

'August!' Kurt grimaced as he pulled away. 'Not the hair! Do you have any idea how long it took me to get it just right?'

'Geez Kurt, you fuss over your hair more than an average woman.' Kitty laughed.

'Katzchen, is it such a crime to wish to look one's best?' Kurt responded as he turned to a nearby mirror to fix his hair.

'I thought pride was supposed to be a sin, or something…' August teased.

'Don't you start making religious semantics with me.' Kurt retorted gently. 'We don't have the time.'

As if in support of the fuzzy elf's suspicions, the sound of a honking horn came from outside the front door.

'Ach nein!' Kurt cursed to himself. 'We are already late! Hurry! We have to hurry!'

'You are the one that needs to hurry, Tovarisch.' Piotr pointed out. 'We were all ready much sooner than you were.' Kurt shot his Russian friend a withering glare.

'Don't you start!'

Thankfully, Kurt and the other X-Men hadn't been late at all, Steve Rogers and Wanda Maximoff were actually early. The Star-Spangled Sentinel of Liberty was a little over-zealous about his punctuality.

The five X-Men and two Avengers had parked up and were an the way to buy their tickets. Sarah looked about warily. Why weren't people reacting to the fact that mutants were amongst them?

'Uh, why aren't the norms freaking out?' Sarah asked, jerking her thumb in the direction of the crowd of people around them. 'Don't they have eyes?'

'That is my doing, I'm afraid.' Wanda explained. 'Before Steve and I left Avengers Mansion, I cast a spell to let us move amongst the public unhindered. If there are people here who wish us harm, then all they will see are a group of harmless-looking civilians.'

'Well, that's just… neat.' Sarah blinked in bemusement. 'Ooh, corndogs!'

'Let's not forget the cotton candy.' Kitty reminded her friend. 'Although, not all of us can eat it.'

'That was just the one time, Katzchen.' Kurt sighed. 'Is it my fault that cotton candy sticks to my fur?'

'The poor mite's the same with candy apples.' August chipped in. 'Although, when Kurt drinks milk he does get the cutest little moustache.' The raven-haired pyrokinetic smiled at the mental image.

'Oh, ja, let's all make fun of the fuzzy elf.' Kurt rolled his eyes. 'Let me remind you, however that I am the one paying for the tickets.'

'I wish that you would let me pay for Wanda and myself, Kurt.' Steve offered. 'I feel so guilty. It's like I'm taking advantage of you.'

'Think nothing of it, mein freund.' Kurt responded. 'We are all friends here. It is the least I could do.'

Kurt had purchased the tickets and the group had taken their seats. They were just waiting for the show to start.

'Wow, look at all these people…' Kitty let out an impressed whistle. 'And I thought circuses were going out of style.'

'Katya, shush.' Piotr whispered. 'The ringmaster has taken his place.'

'Ladies and gentlemen, if I might have your attention, please…'

The seven heroes all turned their attention to the centre of the tent where the ringmaster was about to begin the show. The man wore a brightly-decorated red-and-white costume with a great big top hat that hid his face.

'I'm afraid that your expected entertainment has been postponed for the moment…'

The ringmaster removed his hat to reveal a yellow-and-red quilted mask.

'I'm the Shocker and my buddies and I'd like you to meet some friends of mine…'

The vibro gauntlet-wearing villain motioned for his associates to join him.

'Introducing: Batroc the Leaper, Stilt Man, Boomerang, Constrictor, Whirlwind, and Tiger Shark.' The Shocker introduced them all. 'Together we're known as the Masters of Evil. We will be your captors for the evening!'

TBC…

Will Kurt and co be able to beat the Shocker's Masters of Evil? Tune in next time to find out!