While the shifter was originally heading to the kitchen to grab some food he became distracted by Zek’s questioning of the danger room and headed down the stairs at the first chance he got. While the shifter was normally not of fan of going anywhere underground the halls were spacious and the lighting helped him forget that they were underground and the walls weren’t going to cave in on him.

His tail flicked at Zek, ”Yes, it is entertaining long as ya got a decent enough imagination. The school uses it as a ‘training’ room. Where most of the X-men practice and where I can be anywhere in the world by still being here.” the shifter said feeling the weight ankle monitor the more he thought about it.

The long metallic hallway gave way to the large double metallic doors that opened with a ‘woosh’ as the shifter approached. The closer he got to the room the more excited he got which was evident from the way he moved. When he entered the room his wings snapped open and he took off flying. ”Danger take me home.” the room hummed to life and a light show took place around Carrick as he flew in a circle.

Green rolling hills started to form as the ceiling above them shifted to a grey overcast sky Carrick could have changed it to sunny but with it being ‘home’ the overcast would break way for the sun eventually. The shifter flew over a blank area in the dirt that outlined a house that was no longer there before circling back to Zek. ”What ya think?” the shifter smirked waiting to see Zek’s reaction.

Zek followed Karaoke into the big ol’ mansion and dead gods was it impressive. All the furniture had throw pillows! And many of them had tassels, too! That’s how you know the place was expensive! And that’s when Zek started regretting only having six available pocket dimensions. Ah well. He made sure to vanish one along the way though. Who’d ever notice?

They ended up going downstairs though and the impressiveness only grew. Now this was proper fancy! So hi-techy and sciency and stuff. He was definitely going to have to do some exploring on his own - he could probably spend a whole day wandering these halls.

And whooshing doors happened and they entered…

...another room.

“Um, yay?” Zek said. Well, Carl hadn’t been wrong - it would certainly take a lot of imagination to use the empty room for anything remotely related to training. Except for training mimes, maybe?

And then everything changed and oh yeah, that was actually pretty cool and…

“....is that it?” Zek said, waving his hands everywhere. Dirt, hills, and gray skies. Somehow, he was expecting more training equipment and laser robots or something. Weren’t the X-Men those fighting shoot-em-up people? “We left nice, happy sunshine just to come down here for...yucky skies and grassy dirt?” He peered around. The luster was very much in the lacking.

Carrick raised an eyebrow to Zek and his tail lowered at his response. The place he grew up was slightly dismal compared to the place they were now. ”Fek off.” he rolled his eyes and answered the challenge. ”Give him some danger. Tons of it.” Carrick should had specified what type of danger but light constructs started to form around Zek some of them small and some of them large. Carrick recognized the largest instantly. He’d seen it before. It was a T-Rex.

”N’d make a few more of me!” he called out as some gunman appeared next to Zek all of the newest light constructs started in the sky everything else was centered around Zek. The first Carrick appeared and called out, “Fer **** sake!” the next one above, “Aye mate.” There were three more and all of them yelled out something he had probably said in the last two days. It was clear the shifter needed to expand his vocabulary.

The T-rex roared and then Carrick added, ”Pause danger.” a guy in a scuba suit and flippers was about to shoot Zek with a spear gun. There was no water around. He really needed to specify on what type of dange. All of his doppelgangers circled overhead. The way a pack of buzzards fly over a kill.

”Aye! Need you good looking fellas down here! Got a request to put in.” there was no helpful response. One of his clones yelled to shove something somewhere. Carrick sighed, ”I can pay ya in gems or cash.” at once all five of them flew down away from the danger and closer to Carrick. ”Greedy ********.” Carrick cursed adding a new word to his vocabulary.

“Now THIS is more like it!” Zek cried and clapped with glee. He might’ve even hopped up and down. All kinds of things were starting to appear. A walking cactus that wore a shirt that said “Free hugs”, a woman with ruined mascara who looked like she’d just been dumped in front of friends and family over the phone on her birthday, a clown with a murder cream pie, the T-Rex, a girl scout--

“Ack!” Zek shrieked as he jumped back. A T-Rex? What the?! It roared and lots of little flecks of dino spit splattered his face.

“Gross gross gross GROSS!” he said as he swiped at his face with his sleeve. Ugh, now he was going to get dino germs! Or cretaceous cooties! The horror!

Zek scrambled away from the big ol’ dinosaur and was that a scuba diver? With a spear gun? He suddenly realized that oh yes, the X-men were definitely the shoot-me-up fighty kind of people. And their training room was designed with that in mind.

“Heh heh, yeah, uh, this might’ve been a mistake,” he said as he sidled away. And then there were a bunch of catbird doppelgangers in the air.

Oh yeah. BIG mistake. The world did not need that many Kentons. Like, one was fine, but five? That was just tacky.

Zek was soooo jealous.

“Computer, make a dozen more of me!” he yelled as he continued removing himself from as many opponents as possible. “And put them in pop art colors!”

Nothing.

“Poop.”

The shifter shook his head when Zek tried and commanding something from the Danger room. ”Wouldn’t work for ya unless you were given permission to run yer own sessions. Teachers and staff got to do it. Only reason I’m in here is so I can fly on **** days.” the shifter said smirking. Other than the scenery being able to take him wherever he didn’t care much for the room of danger.

The shifter looked back to his clones and then added, ”Only need one of ya fer the job. I need this, to stay on me but not stay on me.” one of the clones stepped forward, “Yeah? So why ya here bugging us?” Carrick sighed, he wasn’t that dense right?

”Zippy, ya mind trying a switch?” the shifter asked kicking his leg up. He was still in the mansion so if there was a lack of a heartbeat it shouldn’t matter right? He put his hand in his pocket and grabbed his phone just incase he’d be getting a call.

Exactly 247 dreams died that day when Cricket delivered the news. Zek deflated. “Bah. I knew it was too good to be true,” he sighed. There went his thirty-second old dream of starting a hologram band. Oh well. The world probably wasn’t ready for the glory of Led Zekkelin anyways.

Although he had at least learned that teachers and staff had access to the place. Maybe the place could use a bouncer. He was betting the room was killer when it came to projecting movies. His eyes shone with possibilities.

Zek just assumed that the Charon doing most of the talking was the real one. And if it wasn’t, it didn’t seem to matter since he’d now proven he was very easily replaceable. “Sure thing, boss,” he said easily as the birdguy stuck a leg out.

Flash.

The tacky monstrosity was still there. The bangle was gone though. There was only so many miracles Zek could perform. Scarlet light coalesced in his hand. “Hey you,” he said to one of the clones. “The ugly one. Yeah, you. No not you, the one with the funny-looking face. Yeah! Bingo! Come over here. Just hold still and--”

He held the ball against the clone’s leg and a light flash later, it had become the bangle, although now encircling the clone’s leg instead.

“Ta da!”

Closing his mismatched colored eyes he held his breath for a second when the ball of light flashed. Opening his eyes and looking to his leg and the lack of the ankle monitor he bent down and went to town on scratching it felt like decades since he had been able to scratch there. “Fer **** sakes” he heard one of his clones groan as they were now sporting the tether. ”And for an encore we que the disappearing act!” Carrick said to the others.

“Yer delivery was a little off.” One said to Zek before another looked back to the now way happier original. “Am I really that good looking?” ”Nice try, yer not getting it off the leg until…” he stopped hearing the vibrations before hearing them. ”****.” he fumbled into his pocket and pulled out the phone. “It the princess? Tell her yer a cheapskate and need some cash!” another one chimed in, ”Yeah, if I got to wear this monstrosity best be compensated. I don’t really care if you go to jail.” “Yeah!”

Rolling his eyes he turned and yelled, ”**** off all of ya!” one of his clones bumped into another next thing he knew they were swinging on each other. Carrick ducked and answered the phone. ”Yes, love?”

”No… still at the mansion. Aye, breathing is my default…. Why would ya assume that? I would never not after ya did so much to keep me out of trouble.” In the background one of the Carrick chimed in, “Think he’s trying to pull a fast one over on ya.” Another Carrick socked him in the jaw and before he could say anything else he looked over the phone to Zek as two of the clones started fighting.

”Ah! Erm… television, getting really big into monologues. Got too much time on me hands.” his face dropped and he finished the call with. ”Love ya too mom.” before hanging up. He looked panicked, ”Zek, gonna need that tether back ASAP!” he held his leg up so he could do his thing.

Zek backed up in genuine concern that Eric’s suddenly frantic scratching was a sign of fleas. Or ringworm. He forced himself to not start scratching violently all over himself from phantom itches as well.

And then time for a phone call?

Zek made a bean-bag chair and bucket of movie popcorn appear and he flopped back to enjoy his snack and entertain himself while Creed was doing his thing. And the copybirdcats were doing other things, including commentary and fighting themselves. He noisily chomped on popcorn and threw a few pieces at some of the Christy’s.

He was gonna need to come here more often. Although he needed to remember to remind Chris to show him where the kitchen was so he didn’t have to alway bring his own snacks.

And then panic.

“Ruh?” he said as Kipper snapped. Zek’s mouth was fully of soggy popcorn. He spat it out in an impressive spray. “Ruh?” he repeated. “Oh, gotcha.”

The popcorn vanished and he flicked another light ball at the ugly Ricky. “Hey Ugly, catch.”

He did. He vanished. The ankle thingibmabob did not. Zek lurched forward out of his chair, vanished it, and then vanished the butt-ugly bangle. He grabbed hold of Creeper’s leg, squinted, and held a red light up to it.

The tacky doodad was back on the leg.

“Sooooooo,” he drawled, “you gonna tell me what that was about?”

”****.” the shifter cursed as the bracelet appeared back onto his leg. The skin under it already becoming itchy again now that he couldn’t reach it. His tail flicked behind him as he put the phone back into his pocket. ”Yeah, on ta plan b!”

Mismatched colored eyes shifted from Zek to the other Carricks then to the god room. ”Danger, forget we were here!” all the other Carricks had a look of concern on their faces as they tried to outrun whatever made them vanish. Two were still fighting as they disappeared. ”Eejits” he said his wings reflecting his somber expression.

”That was the babysitters. They noticed something wrong. So turns out hologram me’s don’t have a heartbeat.” he sighed and shrugged. ”Sorry bout yer popcorn.” he looked to the food on the floor. ”Someone will clean it I’m sure.”

With a wave to follow Carrick headed to the large metallic doors that ‘whooshed’ open and close behind them. ”To the kitchen!” on the walk Carrick explained his next plan. ”It involves a steak, an ex and a dog.” he said grinning trying not to let the last failed plan bring him down.

“Plan B? I thought this was plan D,” Zek said in confusion. He looked down at his buttery and salty finger. His cancer balls were the first plan, the saw was the second, the ex was the third. This one was both dumb and dangerous, though. “Double D? D-squared?”

And then all the other Craven’s went bye-bye as an extinction level vanishment swept the room and everything else away.

Zek nodded. Respect. He had a dream that one day, he, too, could vanish things away like that. That was some next level stuff. Next time he saw Sam, he was bringing chocolates and roses because Zek totally definitely absolutely wanting to get some sweet access to this room! If it could make a dinosaur in a boring countryside, it could easily recreate hot dogs on a beach in Bermuda! And if not Zek was willing to explore its limits. It had to be worth at least two hours of fun.

He blinked owlishly at Rickety. “You...didn’t expect that to happen?” he said with an arched eyebrow. He glanced back where he could still pretend to see the horror on the vanishing Rens. He looked at Ren Prime again. “Aren’t holograms just light? Like, no blood and organs and squishy stuff and such?” Zek grinned smugly.

Then he shrugged. “Eh, whatever man. I’m not complaining. This room is pretty rad, dude. And you can just make up for popcorn at the circus.”

Zek fell into step behind Catbird as they excited the playroom. He’d definitely give it seventeen stars out of omega epsilon apple trees. The mention of steak got him salivating, then he started smiling at the return to plan C, but then--

“Oh no, oh no, no no no nnononono. Uh uh.” His shoes squeaked on the polished and waxed floor as he abruptly stopped. “No way, bro. I’m not getting involved with a dog. Nosirree, they’re the companions of the devil and eldritch abominations and now that I’m thinking about it, do you have any molotov cocktails around? Maybe we should burn the place down just to be safe and sure that no dogs are here whatsoever.”

”Light that can kick yer ass? They also give thermal readings from what I’m told. Figured it was worth a shot, that way I didn’t have to deal with… her….” Carrick said placing his arms behind his head as he went up some stairs.

His tail trying to stay optimistic flicked behind him mischievously. ”Oh not a fan?” he asked curiously. ”Never had a problem with any of the dogs here. Bout two dozen or so. Just a heads up.” Carrick smirked. ”And maybe I should hold the steak then. Sure the dogs will all smell it.”

”Elephant ears. That was what they bragged about.” Carrick corrected Zek as he made his way into the kitchen. ”Hope they still have some of the guys still working there. Haven’t seen them in… fek. Long time now.” he said thinking about it.

Someone was cooking something. He didn’t pay them any mind but went into the freezer. He saw it earlier a bag of steak marked with ‘Sam’s don’t touch.’ He pulled out the freezer bag and shook it slightly. ”Alright all set.” he hefted the small bag and walked back out of the kitchen before the person cooking decided to say something.

”Why would we burn it down? I live here.” he said with a smirk, ”Best get over that if ya want to hang with captain iceman. He’s got a big dog.” he said as he headed outside.

Two. Dozen. DOGS?!

“No no no no no no no…” Zek began chanting on a loop as they ascended stairs and traveled hallways and whatever. It was like the dog park all over again. All those dogs. He shuddered. And that evil girl. He shuddered harder. He needed to make some plans. Buy some scent-killer. He reflexively checked his pocket dimension that held his duffel bag of tools. The presence of the morningstar burned in his mind. Maybe he’d just get it out before they actually dealt with any dogs….

“Wait, they called you Elephant Ears?” The potential to mock someone snapped Zek out of his schemes and he realized they were at a kitchen-type place. Zek peered around at Birdcat’s ears. “Yeah, I can see that. Elephant Nose would’ve worked as well. Good thing you wouldn’t qualify for Elephant Feet or Elephant Tusks.” That would’ve been truly unfortunate.

And now Zek knew where the freezer was. Muahahaha. Savory aromas were coming from the occupied stove and suddenly Zek wanted some of that as well, but the sudden bag of steaks distracted him. “Sam’s don’t--hah, hahaha!” he broke of chortling. Richard had style. “Well played,” he said with a wink.

As the dynamic duo, the duo of dynamiteness, the Dos Amigos exited the mini-Nirvana, he piped up. “It’s basic science and economics. Kill it with fire. Then it can’t come back and get you. Unless it’s a phoenix. Or, like, demonic. But that’s why I keep holy water with me. But fire is better because you can also collect insurance money for it and get so many tokens and pizza at the arcade.”

He paused thoughtfully. “Well, I guess if it’s gonna be me or the dog, the dog’s just gonna have to go, then.” He had an extra gold orb just for the dog. And he knew this wonderful train that went to Jersey that a dog-carrying-ball could be thrown out of very easily.

“Soooo...off to see the ex, huh? This should be fun.” He made his popcorn reappear.

”Might as well have. Think I had it four four meals a day for a few weeks when I was with them.” he was holding steak but his stomach longed for the deep fried and battered in sugar. He want carnival food. ”Pointed more than rounded. And it’s a beak.”

Hoisting the bag of meat over his shoulder.”I’ll just tell ‘em you did it if anyone points at me.” the shifter said with a smirk as he walked the hall. Sniffing the air to see if there was any dogs around. Carrick spotted the popcorn. ”How much of that stuff do you carry?” wondering if he had a hideaway of just popcorn.

”Yep… you best enjoy the show now. Next time someone is giving you a beating I might order that second pint and enjoy that show.” He didn’t want to see Liz. In fact it had been something short of a miracle that he hadn’t run into her. Shame. Zorro seemed alright.

”Thinking more ya make her disappear while we use her dog…. Then again we could probably get away with using any dog… or person…” he voiced his final thoughts as he arrived at her door. ”Fek.” he knocked.

Zek glanced at Catbird’s...beak….and chose not to say anything. Some people just had weird ideas about their body image and it was rude to point them out. That had never stopped Zek before, but he figured in this case it was better to hold it for another time when it could have the most impact.

Zek stuff his face with more popcorn and began snacking very noisily. “I carry as much of this stuff as I need,” he said. He spat out a kernel. “Never know when you’re gonna catch front-row seats to a good show.” And a place where His Iciness and Birdcat both lived had to be full of drama and excitement. “And then if people blame me for something, I’ll just blame it back on you.”

Zek stuck a hand out and manifested a--

He blinked. Huh? Frowny face. He rifled through his dimensional pockets. Where’d he put the hologram birdcat? One duffle bag. Check. One bean bag chair. Check. The popcorn was in his hand, so that left three possible pockets. Which were empty.

“Huh. I have a hole in my pocket.” Would a band-aid fix that? Or like, maybe some extra strength duct tape? What did people normally use to fix pocket dimensions. “Wait, isn’t that what superglue is for?”

He shrugged and returned his hand to the more important task of stuffing his face.

And then they were at the door.

And suddenly there came a tapping, tapping at the chamber door.

A low woofing could be heard, and then a high-pitched and scratchy voice:

”Raawk, who goes there?”

>>>”Raawk, who goes there?”

”Thank god.” he said hearing dog behind the door. If Nico was answering that meant Liz wasn’t there. ”Hell Yes.” he said allowed before answering his feather acquaintance and former friend. Nothing personal with Nico, Liz’s bird it’s just it was personal with his human. ”Carrick. I brought popcorn. Liz home?” the shifter turned and grabbed a handful from Zek’s container.

He hoped for a ‘no’ from the bird but he was tempted to open the door anyways. Carrick dropped to his knees and held the bag of meat to the door opening the package to let the smell fill the air. The smell of raw meat was pretty evident to him being part cat he could only assume the dog was on the other side of the door drooling.

”You boys hungry?” he asked standing back up and looking to Zek and whispered, ”Get the door on me signal.” Carrick started to get ready.