Chapter 9 The odd Twins

Sarah sat on her bed, laptop in lap, scrolling through her files. She clicked away from an image of the fiery mutant her and her friends took down not too long ago. Revealing the other cases she had on file.

“Hmm lets see,”she muttered as she read through her own document.

“Tony Stank , age twenty nine, went missing. Two weeks ago. Found mutated, with flames for hair. Now sits in a maximum security facility searching for a cure.”

Sarah paused as she read the word cure, knowing full well her research has led to nothing. She clicked over to a different dile, showing her results. Over six thousand attempts now, according to the number on her screen, and still was nowhere coles to undoing whatever caused her and her friends strange mutations. She let out a frustrated groan at the fact before something in her peripheral vision caught her eye.

Her only family photo with her parents. She was small. And smiling, with a reward in her hand for her time machine, proto type. Next to her, her mother, and behind her her father. She stared at her smiling father, as she remembered what, hes old colleague said about him at the party. He was working on something that would make the biggest discovery since the atomic bomb.

“What were you working on dad,” she said narrowed her eyes at him. Before looking over at a large lump underneath a sheet. She grabbed the cloth and ripped it off revealing the same device that was in the photo. She set her hands on her back as she stretched looking at the strange device, before picking up a wrench and began getting to work. After ten minutes of checking gauges, and tightening bolts, and wiring power couplers, Sarah heard a bedroom door open, and smiled before calling out to her friend. “Sky, you feeling alright< you left the party early, and we found you asleep when we got home.

Sky jumped slightly startled by the sound of Sarah's voice from the other room. “Ya, yes im alright. What are you doing here? She asked as she heeded into Sarah's room. “And what is that thing.

“This oh, its just an old science experiment i bult for a fair years ago.” Sarah answered getting to her feet. I like working on it when i need a break from my research.” sarah tossed the wrench on the table next to the machine. “Its a silly time machine. I know, childish right? She rolled her eyes, with a with grin.

“Eddie actually is building a time machine. Though he tries to explain to me how it works i really don't get it.” Sky said marveling at the device.

Sarah scoffed at that with a giggle.”im not surprised, considering hoe nerdy he is. I really only keep it around for Maroo. But time machines will never work.”

“Tell that to Eddie, sky snorted with a laugh. Where is he anyway?”

“Maroo, him, and ray all went to go see his car. I would have gone two but i wanted to some digging.”

“On the mutants?”

“No on my dad.”

“Your dad?” Sky questended turning to sarah.

“Yeah, mr tension, said something about him working on a project for the war effort. But when i looked it up.” Sarah explained a she grab her computer. No such research project was ever mentioned. But i do have access to my dads old finances, and he was definitely funding something. Something i just don't know what.

“ howd you get your dads old…” Sky was about to asked when she saw sarahs smirk. “Oh right, you have the mayor's words.”

“Not too hard to remember since, my old care taker, keeps the same password for everything. “Miss Shaw, tries to keep them changing, but ultimately fails at it.”

“No offense but he really isn't a good mayor.” sky mumbled.

“Makes it easy on my job though.” Sarah replied. “Any way the only thing i found close to this mystery project of my dads, is the funding for it. Other then that its kept top secret, by. Sarah said typing something in, bringing up an fbi symbol.

“The FBI, Eddie's dad?” Sky shouted louder then she meant.

“Mhmm.”

“But, but what does that mean?” spluttered Sky.

“I don't know, sarah told her as she looked back on her old family photo. “I don't know.

…

A garage door opened up revealing Eddie Maroo and Ray behind it. “Well what you think, isn't it awesome,” Eddie called out Jumping towards a rusty old vehicle.

His two companions stood staring at a junky old broken truck that looked like it might have crashed at some point, judging by the right side of the front being smashed in.

“Uhhhh Eddie, you said you had a car. This is a pile of junk.” Ray told him, crossing her arms.

“Oh why did I even let you come,” he snorted. Maroo. you see it don't ya? The Eddie mobile or better yet the Strong mobile.”

Maroo tilted his head trying to picture what ever eddie saw in the pile of junk. But after a moment, the boy shared the same poes as Ray did. “Sorry Eddie I'm with Ray on this one, thires more rust then their is car.”

Eddie snorted again. “Really, I get Ray, but of all people, I thought you'd have some imagination," he knocked on the truck only for the bumper to fall off when he touched it. “Uhhh I can fix that, he grinned. But his company only blinked in unison. “Oh alright, so i admit it needs work. But it is my new car, dad bought it for me for Christmas. It's a fixer-upper but she runs,” he shrugged looking back at the two of them. “ I was hoping you guys would like to help me fix it up. If you do so ill give you rides where ever you want. “Sky especially.” he added under his breath with a soft grin.

“You want me to fix that,” Ray pointed at the object.

“Look if im being totally honest,” he flung his hands in the air. “I wanted a nice looking car, nothing to fancy, just something to impress my friends. He crossed his arms. But collage isn't exactly cheep, my dad did what he could. I thought we were friends.” he said turning his back on them. Especially ray.

Ray, eyes increased in size, at his words. Friends… since when were the two of them friends, she thought as she stared at the car. Finally feeling bad about how she acted, she sighed before giving in.

“FINE! yeah, look I know my way around tools thanks to my dad, but this is gonna take forever to fix up and I have studying to do, as does Sarah. Ill help,” Ray grew a sly smirk before walking over to a table, leaning back to sit on it.“No, no don’t, don't do that!” He yelled scaring her.

“Wha!”

“Sorry look I don't care about anything in here, but don't touch what's on that table alright.” Eddie said, rushing over to push her away from it.

“Why, What's under the cloth!? She asked.

“I'll show you.” He chuckled before removing the blanket. In its palace was an odd clunky, piece of machinery, with wires, bolts, pipes, and gauges, all surrounding a ring.

Ray looked at it, tilting her head in confusion, until Maroo gasped at the sight of it, before running to it in excitement. “Woah is that Dr. Times, molecular wormhole generator.”

“Yes, and no. It's designed to look like that from the comic books, but unlike that one, this one is a real one. I based the design off that one but I made this using the calculations of real science.” Eddie crossed his arms, with a smirk on his face. Even using some of the greatest minds, like Albert Einstein, or Steve Hawking's own theories to boost my productivity.”

“Yeah, all I heard was nerd,” Ray blinked.

With a face palmed Eddie groaned. Seeing this, Maroo decided it was best for him to try and explain. “This thing is a black hole generator. It can make a black hole that in theory could be a wormhole.”

“And why do I care about wormholes?” Ray tilted her head int he other direction.

“Because it could be the key to making a time machine!”Maroo shouted accidentally. “You need to show sarah this, she made a time machine prototype herself as a kid. I catch her working on it all the time. SHELL LOVE THIS!

“A time machine.” Ray repeated in disbelief. “You're saying that this thing, she pointed at it. “Is a time machine.”

“Actually,” Eddie joined the conversation again, with a higher pitch to his voice. “This is just a prototype. To make a real full one, I need it to be ten times this size. Not only that, but while it does work,” he shrugged, “and I can make an electromagnetic field. I need an energy source much, much denser to generate a black hole. He sighed.

“Something ten times the power of a lightning bolt,” Right, thats what Sarah says all the time.” Maroo asked .

“Yep.It would have to be connected to a nuclear sight to generate the energy I need. But I am so close to cracking the code to open it. And if I can I'll be the very first to ever do it.” He said, as he set his hands on his hips. “I'll be rich, famous, hell I'll go down in history. eh but there's a few kinks with this model I still need to work out before I can even show this to anyone substantial.” He shrugged before .

“So, this is what you do with your spare time then,” Ray asked.

“Yeah look, are you gonna help me with the car or not?” he groaned.

“I already said yes, but if were going to, im gonna need a few things from the store. I need couplers, gloves, some fresh oil-”

As Ray was explaining what she needed to fix the truck to eddie, Maroo, looked around garage, looking at all the junk in it, when noticed a shadow from outside. He tilted his head, in curiosity but soon let it go when his friends caled him.

“Alright look i got some cash we can head up to local hard where store right now, Maroo come on lets go little dude. Eddie called out. Gaining his attention, before they heeded off.

…

As they walked to the store, the hair on the back of maroos neck stood up as he felt on odd chill, and decided to look around. But other then a few people, on the side walk, he saw nothing.

Noticing his discomfort, Eddie turned to him. “Something wrong?”

“hmm , oh nothing. I just- he said before looking around seeing a figure dash behind the wall. “Umm, ya know-” he said looking back at eddie. “Ill wait out here you two can get what ever you need.

Overhearing the conversation, Ray called back, “sure thing kid just don't go anywhere.”

With his own grin on his face, Eddie went after Ray, leaving Maroo behind. He decided to try to see what ever was following him, acting casual as to not arouse suspicion he headed back to where he last saw the shadow dash from him. As he approached closer to it, he set his back to the wall, carefully looking over the side for a sign of any one.

Meow, he jumped at the sound of a cat beneath his feet. “Oh, oh you startled me little guy, he said kneeling down to pet the friendly cat who was looking for food. But at the sound of a foot step behind him, Maroo dashed his eyes up, seeing the same shadow that was outside of eddies garage. “He gasped at the sight and leapt back, grabbing the cat, before a young man walked out. Maroo watched as the man casually seemed to stop by a bench. At first glance due to his hight Maroo thought he was an adult, but it was clear with a second look that he was much younger. Despite his height, he couldn't be too much older than Maroo himself. In a moment of small relief knowing it wasn't an adult he was dealing with, maroo breathed a little easier, as he sat back keeping an eye on whoever the older boy was. As A girl on a bike drove up to him.

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“What took you so long, where are they?” She asked the yong man standing in front of her.

“Relax sis there inside the shop over there.” He tilted his head to the store.

“Alright, here I got you some lunch,” she handed him a muffin.

The young man snatched it grumpily.

“What?” she groaned.

“I'm tired of living like this. Look at where we are. Can't we get something warm to eat instead? Like pancakes, you know like mom used to make?” he complained as he took a bite of the muffin.

”With what cash dude,Now,” she replied getting off the boke. You take the bike, ill keep watch, is she with them.

“No, Only ray eddie and maroo, i guess the others are at the apartment.

The girl straightened her oversized jacket, before giving him orders. Well get some rest. My shift starts now.

“Overhearing their conversation, Maroo, shook at what ran through his mind.” who are these two, how do they know, our names? Sarah's apartment, and where were all at. Maroo took a closer look at them kneeling over the side of the wall. “Wait a minute.” Biker, wheres her helmet? He quietly asked himself as he remembered what eddie told him when he was mutated.

Could it be them. Could they be the ones mutating innocent people, maroo thought, as his spine turned cold. He grinded his teeth at the thought of it, as he thogut back to what Sarah and his friends have gone through. He remembered how they took down eddie who was ina mindless state of rage. How he first met Sky who was scared and asked him for help. How sarah explained to him what it felt like turning into a mutant. He couldnt stand for it. He needed to do something, anything to stop it.

Taking in a deep breath, he stood up off the wall, setting the cat in his arms, down. Clenched his fist, letting his own rage take over. Finally he ran out around the corner and over to his enemy.

The brother was already on the bike getting ready to drive off when, WAM!!! he was sucker punched to the face, nocking him and the bike over to the ground.he wasn't done their though. Maroo quickly got to his feet, “going somewhere? Her asked as he clenched his fist.

“Alright so we got a wrench and some spark plugs, new tiers, and some scrapers, have a pizza delivered, and don't forget my soda,” Ray told Eddie who pulled out his phone to order one.

“Alright, Maroo you want anything on your pizza little man.” Eddie asked walking out the store, only to find maroo on the streets. A woman went to kick him, but he evaded her blow, and tacked her to the ground.

WHAT THE-!!! Yelled Ray who bolted into action. For getting all about her strength, she through a full punch at the man who got up to his feet and was about to kick Maroo off his sister. But as Ray landed the punch, she mealyonly squished his face. Her eyes flew open at the realization. YOUR! She shouted as she through an right upper cut at the man, but he he evaded it.

Eddie stood, jaw dropped at the scene before him. Ray fighting a bystander, while Maroo was trying his best to hold down a woman that oddly semed familiar to him. “Don't i know you from somewhere. He asked.

EDDIE THEIR BEHIND IT, THE MUTATIONS! Shouted Maroo, tussling with the girl, only for her to slap him off of her. Maroo went flying skirting across the pavement.

That strength! THEIR MUTANTS! Shouted eddie who quickly leaped into action. His eyes glowing emerald, as he came in for a punch on the girl. She ended it, and through her foot into eddies stomach, kicking him back three feet.

STOP! Shouted the boy, as he looked over to his sister. Ray through a punch believing his guard was down. But he quickly caught her fist. “Were friendly alright. Sis stop!”

“Are you kidding me they started it. That little jerk attacked you out of nowhere! She shouted at the top of her lungs.

Eddie looked over at maroo, the question already on his face.

Maroo, groaned from the pain he felt, as he stood up. Uh ok thats kinda tru. but , their mutants, and the bike! And their following us! I over heard them say all of your names and know where the apartment is!

With the word from Mroo, Ray new she couldnt hold back. She spread her wing, ripping through the back of her shirt. She flew up, in a back flip before flying down with more momentum, behind her swing at the boy. But before she could attack him, his sister lunged forward tacking Ray to the ground, despite the speed boost made by her wings.

The gir then stomped rays wings into the ground so she couldnt take flight again.

“Alright, alright, let's take it easy.” Said the tall boy.

“Who are you and how do you know any of us? Asked Eddie.

“None ya business.” Spat the girl as she tussled with Ray holding her to the ground.

“Well,” her brother shrugged. She looked at him, with a don't you dare, look.

With a smirk and shrugged at his sisters expression he gave in. “Look What she means to say is we're not looking for trouble."

"Ok, what then, why are you following us then, your mutants tow, what do you know about all of this hh!?" Shouted Maruu

The girl shook her head to the other to say no. but he continued despite his sisters feelings. "We're only looking for our pops."

The girl moaned in frustration, at the sound of her brothers cocky voice.

"What do you mean?" Asked Eddie.

"Not much. Our pops is a mutant, we were hoping to track him down by following other mutants. we know your heroes." he said nonchalantly as if it weren't a big deal.

“You, what?” Ray yelled, shaking the girl off and quickly rushing the boy.

“Let him go or you'll be sorry.” Snarled his sister, baring fangs.

"I will if you answer me. so you're following us around, why do you think we know where your father is?"

The teenage girl sighed and started talking. "Ignore my little brother, please."

"Little!" He shouted.

"Look, we're just trying to track down our father. We saw you were hero mutants and thought perhaps we could find others until we caught up to him." She said annoyed.

"You're only older than me by five minutes."

"Five Minutes is still being born first, little bro." She spat back, before turing her attention to the others. “We were born with powers, we didn't mutate anyone and have no idea whos behind this.

Her brother rolled his eyes, at her before telling them. "Look we're not interested in fighting, we're not gonna tell anyone you're mutants either, we simply don't care. "

"Yeah, well, we can't let you go now that we know. Besides, you're just a couple of kids." Ray tightened her grip on the boy

"Are not, we’re sixteen" shouted the girl.

"What she means to say is we're quite fine on our own. Now leg go," He forcefully removed her hand form his shirt.

"Uh-huh. And what makes you think we can trust you? Give us a good reason or…"

"Or what." teenage girl spat. "Look, you can't kidnap us or anything and the moment we tell anyone about you…"

"Which we won't do." Her brother chimed in.

"Then you'll be arrested and thrown in the hospital like the others."

"And what about your dad, the mutant? Isn't he in the hospital?" How did he get mutated. Asked Eddie

"No, he's out running around somewhere, that's why we're looking for him." She said as if it was obvious.

RAY growled, sounding like an angry dog "ok, ok RAY back up, they're just kids." Eddie told her.

"We're practically your age." complained the girl.

"Look we were just being cautious of you guys, that's all. We really don't want to be caught up by the cops. We're trying to find a cure to all this ourselves. Eddie shrugged. “I'm sorry bout your dad. Maybe we can help you find them. But we can't let you just run around unsupervised with what you know, ok?

At his words, Ray turned her head tilting it at eddie.

“What?” he asked her.

“No im with ray on this one, since when do you ever say something that makes since?” Maroo added still rubbing his face from the pain.

The teenager rolled her eyes. "So annoying," she grumbled.

“What's your names anyway? I know i've seen you somewhere,Eddie asked crossing his arms, trying to ignore his friends remarks about him.

"I'm Charlie and this is Wendy. We’re in your class doofus."

Eddie shook his head, bewildered, at that. Before the memory came to him. “Oh yeah its you two. Your always so quiet." he said realization.

“For good reason, we only joined their to follow Sarah Stone.

SHUT UP BRO!

“WHAT! Its not like thats a secret anymore. We've been caught.'' Junior shrugged.

OK, sp Do you at least know where to start looking for him? Your dad I mean." What is your old man's name? Asked Maruu, finally sitting down his hand from his thumping face.

“No, we never met him. We don't even know his name”. Shrugged charlie.

“Then how do you know he's a mutant?” Asked Ray.

“Our aunt,” grumbled Wendy. “She told us to go find him.”

“Your aunt did, Where's your mom, You're just kids,” Ray asked.

Wendy groaned at the kid's comment before replying, “Mom died when we were seven.

Her brother who was currently looking over the bike for damage, commented, We lived with our aunt for a while, dad never even knew we were born, so.” he sighed. “Sorry look, we're just trying to find our pops alright, we kinda need to-” Suddenly his sister punched him in the gut. Not hard enough to hurt him but stop him from talking.

“Look we’re not babies, and we can find him on our own thank you.”

“Yet you're following us. Maroo pointed out.”

“Look well help if you keep our secret ok,” Eddie chimed in as, Ray lowed her eyebrow.“Just tell us where you're staying at and will go from there.”

“No where, we live on the road.. All we got is our dad's old bike and the clothes on our back.” Junior said, trying to adjust the handle bars back into place.

“What, but it's almost the New Year. Christmas was just a few days ago, where were you guys?” Eddie flung his hands out.

The two teenagers shrugged, uninterested in the holiday.

Ray’s eyes softened, after hearing about that, only to sharpen once again with eddies next comment. “well, you come to the right place. Hey, I know why don't you help me fix my car and I'll let you stay at my place.”

“Really, that be great?” Charles cheered up before his sister pulled him by the ear. “Hay, he groaned. “Owe, owe,hay!”

“Give us a moment, will ya?" She smiled an irritated look. Before pulling him around the corner, as the three other watched.

Once around the corner, she tossed her brother along with his ear to the wall. "What are you thinking!? We can't get too close to them, it could ruin the whole mission!" She yelled keeping her voice down so they wouldn't hear.

"Sis, I'm tired, you're tired. One night and well leave, besides, if we do get closer to them, they could lead us right to him."

"Ugh. Fine, but don't forget brother, I'm in charge here."

"Just because you're older doesn't make you in charge."

"You just didn't want to get into a fight."

"Of course not, I hate fights." He growled as he stood at eye level with her.

She then smiled. And rubbed his head. "I know, brother. I know." she sighed a bit sad and returned to them. Alright, you got yourself a deal.

“Alright, with you two on board, the Eddie mobile will be done for sure.” He called out.

“The Eddie Mobile?” Asked wendy.

“Don't ask?” Muttered Ray.

…

With the sound of a car pulling up to the garage, Eddie flagged a hello with his dirty ragas, and the driver got out.

Maroo ran over to greet Sarah, but as soon as he saw the guy in her eyes, he came to an abrupt halt.

Sarah stood glairing at him, as she set her hands on her hips almost like a mother would. “Maroo.”

“Hay i was right> he snorted crossing his arms.

“Either way, you CAN’T randomly attack people. You have no powers! What if Ray and Eddie weren't there! She scolded him.

“I WOULD HAVE CALLED YOU! He shouted at the top of his lungs. “Remember i knew i couldnt defeat them by myself. Nor could you.

“Then why didn't you go get help.”

“Eddie was going to come out any moment. If i didn't then junior would have gotten away.”

Overhearing the conversation, reay stood up from where she was leaning, pizza in hand. “You know the kids got a point.”

At the sound of her voice Sarah eyes dashed over to her.

“Seriously, he's smart. Distracted them long enough for us to get out there.”she shrugged before taking a bite out of her pizza.

The twins, who were helping with the car, twitched a nervous smile.

With a sigh, Sarah gave in, walking past the boy, and over to the tenagers in the old beat up car. She came to a stop staring at them. You two from school are mutants then.

“Mhmm” wendy responded with a groan.

“Great welcome to the team, eddie told me on the phone about your father. Sarah crossed her arms. “Whats you powers.”

“Same as everyone else. We even got wings.” muttered junior.

“Great, more people can fly. Sarah said sarcastically as she turned away.

“Yeah you don't have wings do you. Don’t worry lots of mutants don't.” Snickers, wendy

“Hey were all friends here, so lets get the

“Don't say it,” Ray muttered, as eddie finished his sentence

“It's the Eddie mobile!”

With a groan, Ray took another bite at her pizza.

“Hay i know your mad at me and all, but me and Eddies got to show you something, said Maroo as he took the sheet off of eddies time machine.

Sarah froze in astonishment. “Is that a wormhole generator?”

“Yeah, Eddie’s building it,” Marooreplied loud,

.“I've been working on it for years, this is a-”

“A prototype, yeah. It needs to be ten times this size to pull off a black hole.” Said Sarahas she took a closer look at the device. . “But I can see here,” she pointing at a pile of cables..” You got this all weird wrong. And the power is going here instead of the magnet. You should redirect power to this coupler here instead.” She pointed at the machine.

The twin's eyes widened a bit at the sight of the strange device. “Sis?” Muttered charlie. “I know.” She said under her breath.

“I used to be a firm believer in the possibility of time travel,” Sarah said, astonished by what was in front of her. “But I've never been so close to a machine like this.”

“My handy work.” Eddie clapped cheerfully, as the room chuckled except for the twins who sat in the back cautiously.

“Hey you two, do you know anything about mechanics and wiring,” Sarah asked.

“Uh, I know mechanics but not wiring," Wendy replied.

“Well better than nothing, come over here and help me for a second will you.” She waved her hand and Wendy actually started working as much as she could. “So you're looking for your dad is that right, what's he like, do you know what he looks like as a mutant.”

“Uhh no, actually, we don't. Our aunt really didn't give us much details.”

“What about you mom?” She asked as she began to undo the power.

“She died, we have lived with our aunt ever since.”

“Yeah, I know the feeling. My parents were killed a long time ago.”

“Really, that must be hard on you and your brother.”

“Oh, oh Maroo isn't actually my brother. You see, his adopted mother is my godfather's assistant. We've been close ever since, he really is like a brother to me,” she chuckled.

“No, I meant your real brother.”

“Real brother?” Sarah stopped what she was doing and looked up at him. “I don't have a real brother.”

This caught the teenager off guard, judging by her expression, but it quickly diminished as she played it cool. “Oh I see, I could have sworn I read something, about you having a,”

“I'm not in the papers, my guardian kept me pretty much under wraps as much as possible. You couldn't have read about me, only my father.” Sarah said suspicious of the one in front of her.

“ok, sorry,” the teenager laughed it off. “So you don't have a brother. I guess I was wrong.” She said and undid a screw on the device opening up a panel.

“Yeah, I guess so.” Sarah shrugged, and the two continued their work, for a minute.

“Hey, I'm gonna get a drink, you want anything,” asked Sarah.

“No, but I'm gonna ask my brother if my aunt called us.”

“K,” Sarah replied before heading to the fridge, as she did she tapped on Ray's shoulder getting her attention, then gestured for her to follow. “Sup, anything going on?” Ray asked as she grabbed a drink from the cooler.

“Those two, they're really strange. Keep an eye on them.”

Ray nodded in agreement. Before Sarah called out to Eddie. “Hey Eddie, me and Maroos got to get going, but I'll help more with the time machine tomorrow alright.”

Eddie was showing Maroo his blueprints for the machine when they heard them. “K little dude.” He smiled before Maroo headed off with Sarah. He then looked over and saw the twins once aging chatting in the back. He couldn't make a word of what they were saying and thought nothing of it as he observed them.

“So anything up,” Charlie asked.

“Yeah, we got a big problem. She says she never had a brother. Ever.” she emphasized.

“Oh, oh that's not good”. Charlie replied back with a look of confusion and horror.