(Bows gratefully to Alara, Kielle, Alicia and everyone else for your feedback :) I figured I'd repost it for the challenge ... psinex@yahoo.com Subreality Cafe: Electric Payback by Phil Hartman DISCLAIMER: Everyone here is Marvel's, except for the Subreality Cafe and related characters, which are Kielle's. Siku is Darqstar's, and the slippers are Abyss's. The song is by Kix. Please don't sue. ------------------------------------------------------- "I can't BELIEVE you lost a game of 'Pong' to Astra !?" 12-year-old Chuck Lehnsherr groaned as he watched his father prepare to own up to the bet he'd made with his disgruntled ex-technician. "She cheats," Erik Magnus Lehnsherr, better known to most people as Magneto - but just plain "Dad" to Chuck - grunted as he forced his way into a pair of knee boots. "You have the hairdryer ?" "Yes, and the mousse," Chuck muttered. "You're gonna go through with it, aren't you ?" Erik patted his son's shoulder and said, "Honoring even the most ridiculous of bets is part of being true to yourself, Charles. "Besides," Magnus grinned, levitating the Stratocaster to himself, "who says I can't beat her at her own game ... ?" ------------------------------------------------------- The Bouncer coughed as he took the stage, dodging a pair of ravenous bunny slippers as they stalked a screaming Howard the Duck fictive. "Uh ... we have someone for amateur night," he said into the mike, wincing from the feedback. One of the Sikus in the audience adjusted the main amp, and the Bouncer smiled weakly. "Thanks. Live, from Haven - you're from Haven, right ? - OK, Haven, MAGNETO !!" The crowd's collective jaws dropped as Magnus strode out from between the curtains, while Astra cackled maniacally. The usual red and purple uniform had been replaced by white leather stretch pants, black knee boots and a large Phoenix medallion on a gold chain around Erik's neck. His chest was otherwise bare, save for a dated black leather vest. His hair was poofed out to twice its' normal length and size. And in his hands, he held a red and purple guitar. "A-one, a-two, a-one-two-three," he said into the mike. Astra's face fell as a perfect chord blazed out from the speakers, followed by a voice which sounded like an angel's singing in ... well, a bar. C'mon start a fire in my electric chair Baby cross my wire and light up my hair The crowd began to sway, and Chuck's face lit up. #He's good ... he's really, really GOOD !# the boy marveled. Overload my circuit lemme feel the juice Make me an offer that I can't refuse The beat pounded, crescending into the chorus, and the crowd began to rise and dance. Blow my fuse got nothin to lose blow my fuse I need a good shock I can give it to you on electric cruise blow my fuse ... You light my light I light you #NOOOOO !!! HE'S ENJOYING THIS !!!!# Astra thought, infuriated. #AIEAGH !!!# The beat shifted back down, but the crowd continued to dance, chanting along with the hypnotic words and the magnetic light show dancing around the Lord of the Electromagnetic Fire. Baby shake my tower get it while it's hot Baby feel my power 50,000 watts C'mon feel the voltage like snaking through From the whites of my eyeballs to the soles of my shoes The beat rose once more, and even Chuck's feet began to tap in time. Blow my fuse got nothin' to lose blow my fuse I need a good shock I can give it to you on electric cruise blow my fuse The drum machine began to pound as Magnus launched into the third and final verse, sweat flying and lips moving at record speed. Live wire get higher ooh baby, watch it blow Gimme action satisfaction babe, I'm ready for an overload His fingers moved with tiny bolts of lightning across the strings, and the instrumental brought a series of pit divers and thrashing headbangers to the front of the stage. Lighters went on across the room, and the patrons chanted the last words as one. Plug me in like electric light It's a rock and roll show tonight Blow my fuse got nothin' to lose blow my fuse I need a good shock I can give it to you on electric cruise blow my fuse Magnus completed the song, tossing the guitar aside and crowd-surfing as the patrons chanted the chorus four more times. They set him down and cheered, while Chuck ran to his father and high-fived him. "You were GREAT !" the boy laughed. "I try," Magnus chuckled, accepting a towel from the Bartender. Record executives from a hundred different timelines stuck contracts under Erik's nose, but he refused them and shepherded Chuck to the door. Astra leapt in front of them and screamed, "HOW !? HOW COULD YOU BE SO GOOD AT ROCK AND ROLL !? YOU !!!" "My dear, deluded child," Erik grinned, shoving her out of the way ... "I am the MASTER of heavy metal." Astra hit her knees, screaming, as Chuck held the door for his dad. "Hey, pop, think you can teach me to play like that ?" the boy grinned ... ------------------------------------------------------- end ... ? >) _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com