Steam and black smoke erupted from the dragon's jaws as she started to cough and sputter. Princess tried to breathe more fire, but her flame seemed to have been extinguished. Seizing the opportunity, Diz grabbed the cable and started running it around the dragon's legs. Karis got a flying start once the legs were bound, and knocked Princess on her side. Princess struggled to get back up, but Diz' plan seemed to have taken the fight out of her. Karis landed next to Diz and they hugged.
"That was a great plan," Karis said as she rubbed his helmet.
"I wasn't sure it would work," Diz admitted, "but we had to try something."
"We make a great team, don't we?" Karis asked.
"Yes, we do." Diz agreed.
Chapter 23
"How could you do this to me?" Cacy demanded several hours later from her bedroom. "How could you do this to us?"
"They both started annoying me about it at once," Gavin tried to explain. "I just wanted them to get off my case about it, so I said yes."
"You could have warned me ahead of time," Cacy scolded. "Oh, and fighting a dragon is a bad time as well. I don't know if I'll ever get rid of this smoke smell."
"That is one advantage of switching bodies," Gavin joked.
"Not funny," Cacy snapped.
"Diz would have appreciated it, besides I can't smell it anymore," Gavin observed sniffing the air.
"That doesn't make it better," Cacy grunted.
Gavin was already ready for the night. He had picked out a dark green dress shirt and a yellow and blue stripped tie. He still had to wait for Cacy, and for the right time to leave, so he turned on the news.
* * *
In other news, Karis and the Diz have had a busy day filled with traffic jams, robberies, and even a dragon. Princess, New York's own Komodo dragon, was seen walking through the city cutting a devastating path of destruction as she grew to an enormous size. The duo confronted the dragon and led it to Central Park where police had evacuated the patrons of the park. However, the man known as Mornigan showed up to cause some trouble. Mrs. Anna Lisa Dillinger had this to say:
"So, Diz and Karis were fighting that poor Komodo dragon, and I was really worried that they were going to hurt it, but then this guy that was dressed in black with a metal helmet on his head came down from the sky. It looked like he was talking to Diz and Karis for a while, but I couldn't hear a thing they were saying. Then this guy starts doing something to his arm and shoots a laser or something at that poor Komodo dragon. They're endangered, you know. So that poor Komodo dragon starts to change. It turns into a real dragon like you see in books and movies. I was glad to see that since those poor Komodo Dragons are in so much trouble lately. Maybe this one can fight back for a change."
Karis and the Diz managed to subdue the animal without harming it, but as you can see, animal rights groups are still upset about the situation.
Gavin turned off the television before he could see any more shots of himself getting engulfed in flame while in Cacy's body. It looked even worse from this perspective than it did from inside the flames. Being invulnerable didn't keep him from flinching at the dangers. That was probably due to switching bodies on a regular basis.
* * *
"How does this look?" Cacy asked as she stepped out of her room in a pair of jeans and a red tank top, but posing like she was dressed in a fancy gown.
"Going casual?" Gavin joked.
"I don't want Charlie thinking I'm taking this too seriously," Cacy imparted.
"You could at least make a little effort," Gavin complained as he displayed his outfit which consisted of black pants and shoes with a green polo shirt.
"You can make enough effort for both of us."
"It doesn't work that way," Gavin demanded.
"If you're so excited about Charlie having a good date," Cacy muttered as she put in a pair of earings, "we can switch so you can make sure it happens."
"That won't work," Gavin corrected, "if we switched, I'd have red hair, and give everything away. Charlie is obsessed with Karis."
"You and your excuses," Cacy joked. "Are we ready to go?"
"I guess so," Gavin replied. "I'm not sure what we're getting ourselves into with this. I think I'm going to be sorry I ever said yes."
* * *
Cacy and Gavin made their way to the restaurant where they were supposed to meet Charlie and Andi. It was a small, cozy French restaurant with some woman singing a French ballad that neither of them understood. It was a nice song, but they really weren't interested in it.
The waiter led them to the table where Charlie and Andi were waiting for them. The brother and sister stood up as they approached. Charlie was dressed in a brown suit with a yellow shirt and brown bow tie. Andi was wearing a little black dress that revealed more than it covered. When Cacy got to the table, Charlie took her hand and gave it a kiss. Andi offered her hand to Gavin for the same treatment which he reluctantly provided.
"I guess I'm a little underdressed," Cacy stated as she looked around the room.
"You look lovely," Charlie assured her.
"Thanks, I guess," Cacy said as she moved toward her chair.
Charlie insisted on holding the chair for Cacy and once Andi noticed that, she wouldn't sit until Gavin held the chair for her too. Once everyone was seated, a short blond waitress approached the table holding four menus in her arm. She took a moment to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear before she started.
“Welcome to our restaurant, my name is Katie, and I’ll be your waitress. Tonight we have a delightfully prepared coq au vin, there is also boeuf bourguigon with braised onions, and our soup tonight is a bouillabaisse with cod, bass, and haddock. Do you want to see some menus?"
"Sure thing, sweetness," Charlie answered with a wink and a smile.
Cacy glared at Gavin when she heard those words, but he was too distracted by his date to notice. Gavin wasn't excited about all of the attention as Andi wouldn't keep her hands off of him. She would caress his arm or play with his hair, any excuse to touch him. This led to Gavin looking jumpy because every time she touched him, he jumped a little.
"So what do you think of this place, pretty lady?" Charlie asked looking at Cacy.
"It's nice," she answered.
"I only bring the prettiest girls here," Charlie announced.
"Isn't that special," Cacy muttered.
"You know that we could have more fun like this," Charlie suggested.
"Have we had any fun?" Cacy asked.
"Certainly not much yet," Charlie hinted. "There is more to come, I assure you."
"How did you get such big muscles?" Andi asked Gavin as she stroked his arm in a playful manner.
"I don't know," he shrugged. "Clean living?"
"You're so funny," Andi laughed. "Do you like my dress? I bought it just for you."
"I don't think it will fit me," Gavin joked.
"You can try it on later tonight, if you're into that kind of thing," Andi giggled. "It might be a little small, though."
"I wasn't planning on that," Gavin replied. "I was just making a joke."
"I don't get it," Andi replied.
"It doesn't matter," Gavin said as he turned his attention to the menu. "Does everyone know what they're eating?"
"I have to go to the bathroom," Cacy announced as she got up from the table and walked off without waiting for a response.
"I'll come with you," Andi offered as she stood up and chased after Cacy.
"So what do you think of my sister?" Charlie asked once the girls were out of earshot.
"She's nice," Gavin replied as he turned his attention back to the menu.
"She likes you," Charlie hinted with a wink, "almost as much as I think Cacy likes me."
"You think so?" Gavin asked as he looked up from the menu.
"For sure," Charlie gloated. "Did you see the way she was looking at me? We were really having a great conversation before she left for the bathroom. I think we could both get lucky tonight."
"Do you really think that Cacy is that interested in you?" Gavin inquired.
"What are you blind?" Charlie demanded leaning over the table. "That girl is picking up on my signals. Don't you worry about that."
In the bathroom, Cacy was trying to avoid conversation with Andi, but Andi wasn’t going going to let that happen.
"Gavin is so hot," Andi declared. "I'm taking him home with me after dinner."
"You seem awfully confident," Cacy responded as she turned on the faucet and started washing her hands. "Are you sure?"
"He was showing off his muscles and he’s been trying to impress me since we got here," Andi explained. "And look at how my brother has been with you tonight. It's all the same thing. A girl has to be on the lookout for these kinds of signals."
"I suppose you are right," Cacy muttered as she grabbed a paper towel to dry her hands.
"Let's go see what our boys are up to right now," Andi suggested grabbing Cacy's hand and dragging her towards the door.
When they walked out of the bathroom, they were greeted by a man wearing a mask and holding a gun in their faces.
“Is there anyone else in there?” he grunted.
“Please don’t shoot me,” Andi whined. “I’m too cute to get shot.”
“Don’t mind her,” Cacy added. “We’re the last two in there.”
"Why don't you ladies go back to your tables?" the man suggested.
Cacy and Andi stumbled to the table. Cacy was glad that Andi took the seat next to Charlie. Cacy reached over and took Gavin's hand.
What do we do now? Cacy thought to Gavin.
Can you get us out of here without anyone noticing us change? Gavin asked.
It might be suspicious, Cacy suggested, but we can be outside as soon as we switch.
Let's do it, Gavin decided, but let's be smart about it. When we leave, run me to the costumes. I'll get changed while you rush back and pull everyone else out of the building.
Not a problem, Cacy agreed. Let's go.
Before Gavin could feel the change, he was speeding through the city. Before she could blink, Karis was at the place where they had hidden their costumes. She worked quickly to get changed. It was good that Cacy had chosen loose jeans for the night. A minute later, she was flying back to the restaurant.
When Karis got to the restaurant and found that all the customers had been evacuated. Karis floated through the door and flinched as the masked men started shooting at her. She waited for them to run out of bullets before she flew over and knocked out all of them.
Diz arrive a moment later with several officers close behind him, and the situation was wrapped up quickly after that. The officers had a few questions, and then Karis and Diz were free to go explain what had happened to them.
Chapter 24
"What happened to you two?" Charlie demanded as he set down a bin filled with dishes. "One moment you're there, and the next, you're gone. Andi and I ended up at the same place, but not everyone in the restaurant did. Where did you two turn up?"
"Well," Gavin started, "we were there and it was a pretty scary situation."
"You aren't kidding," Charlie added. "Just don't tell Cacy I said that, OK?"
"So there we were," Gavin continued, "and I felt myself being carried someplace. Then I was there after getting carried by the Diz. I can't believe how fast he can move."
"I know what you mean," Charlie agreed. "I've never experienced anything like that."
"Sorry things didn't work out for the date," Gavin offered.
"It's alright," Charlie replied. "Andi and I met a brother and sister combo after the rescue. We all hit it off. Sorry, but things won't work out with you and Andi after all."
"Those are the breaks," Gavin replied trying to hide his relief. "I'm just glad your night wasn't ruined."
* * *
"You should see this guy," Andi gloated. "Six feet six inches of hunk, and what a kisser. We're getting together again tonight after work."
"So you're not too broken up about last night?" Cacy wondered.
"Gavin is great, but Mickey is the best," Andi rambled.
"That's good," Cacy muttered.
"I'm just sorry you couldn't get the rest of your date with Charlie," Andi continued. "I hear he's a wild animal in the sack."
"Now I'll never know," Cacy lamented as she rolled her eyes.
* * *
"Everybody needs to get out of the building now," a police officer ordered as he rushed in the door and started waving people to get out. "We have an emergency situation heading this way."
"What's going on?" Gavin shouted over the panicked customers.
"There is something big coming this way, and we are trying to get everyone out of its path before anyone gets hurt."
"Could you be more specific?" Cacy asked as people ran past her on their way out the door.
"I haven't seen it," the officer reported, "but the reports are that it’s a big problem, now get going before I decide to lock you up."
"Let us check on the cooks," Cacy insisted as she grabbed Gavin's hand and dragged him towards the kitchen.
The room was empty since the entire building had already evacuated. Cacy looked at Gavin's hand and the both nodded at each other. They switched bodies.
"We need to figure out a better plan for our costumes," Karis commented. "It's a pain to have to keep sending you after them every time we want to go into action."
"We have to figure out a lot of issues," Diz amended. "It's impossible to try to balance having a job and battling all of these complications."
"We also need to figure out our relationship sometime soon," Karis added.
* * *
After Diz ran to collect the uniforms and they had changed, Diz and Karis headed towards the reported disturbance. What they found was a twenty-five-foot robot heading for them. It was an awkward design that looked like something out of an old black-and-white science fiction movie. Its movements were sluggish and clumsy, but that didn't stop it from leaving piles of rubble as it passed. It had been painted a military green and it had metal shapes that Karis thought looked like vines attached to the frame.
"What is that thing?" Diz asked as he shook his head trying to clear his thoughts.
"I can't decide if it's a mobile garden sculpture or a b-movie reject," Karis replied.
"Whatever it is," Diz mocked, "it looks ready for the scrap heap. Let's help it get there."
Without waiting for a reply, Diz rushed in and started running figure eights around the legs of the robot. It didn't respond to his movements. He tried running up and down the body, but it still didn't react, in fact, it hadn't moved since they had arrived. Diz finally stopped his attacks and ran back to where Karis was still standing.
"You weren't any help at all," Diz complained pointing at the robot. "You could have at least done something."
"I was doing something," Karis replied. "I was watching and learning. This metal monster doesn't seem interested in wasted energy. It was moving toward us until we arrived, but now it seems content to stand where it is no matter what the provocation."
"How does that help us?" Diz muttered as he kicked a stone.
"I don't know if it does," Karis admitted, "it was just something I noticed. Take it for what it's worth."
"Planet Killers!" a booming voice issued from the robot, "I have come that you might pay for your crimes against Mother Nature."
"What crimes is that thing talking about?" Diz asked.
"What crimes do you mean?" Karis asked after flying up to the robot's head.
"You have caused destruction," the robot boomed, "and killed endangered species. Is that not enough?"
"We have prevented destruction," Karis insisted, “and we have only killed when it was necessary."
"Tell that to the Komodo dragon you murdered thoughtlessly," the robot yelled in an even louder voice.
"We didn't kill the dragon," Diz shouted through cupped hands.
"It is dead, and it is yo
ur fault," the robot boomed louder than ever.
"If it is dead," Diz argued. "We had nothing to do with it."
"Nevertheless," the robot continued, “you will die for your transgressions."
As those words were coming out of the mechanical creature, it started to move forward again. It swung its metal arms at Karis and tried to stomp on the Diz, but its form was too slow to connect with either of the heroes. It continued its efforts even though they continued to seem pointless.
"You say that destruction is one of our crimes," Karis shouted as the robot's arm crashed into a building.
"Yes," the robot replied, "you have caused much devastation."
"What about the damage you are causing right now?" Diz accused.
"That is in service of your annihilation," the robot replied mechanically. "It is irrelevant."
"Just like a robot," Diz muttered as he continued to run around the robot.
The vines that they assumed were for ornamentation crept from the robot and ensnared Karis. Diz was warned by her shout of surprise and was able to avoid getting captured too. He wasn't sure how he could help though. Karis was trapped and since she didn't have super strength, she wasn't able to break free, but her invulnerability did prevent the vines from crushing her. Diz ran up the robot and out on the vines to Karis, but he wasn't able to think of any way to break her free.
"What do we do now?" Diz asked.
"See if you can get inside this thing and mess it up," Karis suggested with a groan.
"Good idea," Diz agreed before he ran off to the body of the robot.
It wasn’t easy to find an opening. Diz had speed on his side, but he still had to avoid the vines that were trying to catch him. There had to be something though. Before he decided it was useless and was going to speed off in search of something to help, he was able to find a spot at the head where it looked like there could be an opening. Diz hit it a few times, and then pushed all around it looking for a switch of some kind. Not finding anything Diz bolted a few blocks and grabbed a pry bar from a hardware store. He left a twenty on the counter as he ran out the door. Back at the robot, Diz tried the bar on the door, and it opened after a few moments of prying.
Young Mutants in Love Page 10