By bcfan
bcfan@shaw.ca

WEBSITE:  bcfanfic.tripod.com
NOTE:  This story was written for the Haven Rotting Your
Brain Challenge: combine an x-file character with a t.v.
show.  Well, it was supposed to be an x-files character
'watching' a t.v. show, but I kind of put my own spin on it.
SUMMARY:  When worlds and cartoon characters collide.

~~~
Wayback
By bcfan
 

"Set the Wayback Machine for 1973, Sherman.  Today
we're visiting a small town in Rhode Island.
Quonochontaug."

"Quonochontaug, Mr. Peabody?  I didn't know anyone
famous lived there."

"Not famous in 1973, Sherman.  But destined to be
famous.  Fox Mulder, commander of rebel forces and key
strategist - with Dr. Dana Scully - in defeating the alien
invasion, grew up in Quonochontaug.  He has a problem.
We can help."

"Gosh, Mr. Peabody.  How can we help Fox Mulder?"

"By erasing his memories of a tragic, key moment in his
life.  We'd better hurry!"

- splink! -

Mr. Peabody and Sherman suddenly appeared in the living
room of a typical suburban home.  But the living room
scene was far from typical.  Two men in biohazard suits,
silhouetted in the harsh light of a black sedan's headlights,
stepped carefully around scattered game pieces and a
tilting coffee table to lift a small girl.  The third bent down
to check the pulse of a slim boy, who loosely clutched a gun in
his prostrate hand.

Mr. Peabody shrank back against the wall, pulling
Sherman with him.

Sherman trembled and started to speak.

"Quiet.  They can't see us," Mr. Peabody whispered
into Sherman's ear.

After long moments, a trail of pale smoke followed the
men out the door.

"What - what's going on, Mr. Peabody?"

Mr. Peabody's eyes were solemn behind thick glasses.

"Evil men have just kidnapped Fox Mulder's sister.  If he
wakes and remembers this scene, he'll grow up determined
to find her, searching to the ends of the earth."

"Why is that bad, Mr. Peabody?  Is it because he won't
be able to find his sister?"

"No, Sherman.  If Fox Mulder searches the earth, he'll
never think to look to the stars.  And we both know how
important it is that he considers all possibilities - for his
own future, and the future of his planet."

"You're right, Mr. Peabody.  How can I help?"

"Lift his head carefully.  I'll administer this special
expungapotion, and Fox Mulder won't remember what happened
at all."

"Gee - won't that be dangerous?"

"No, Sherman.  His conscious memories of this event will
be totally erased, and even his dreams will be vague.  This
potion will ease his mind until future circumstances set
Fox Mulder on the right path."

After carefully slipping the potion between the boy's slack
lips, Mr. Peabody stood and solemnly considered the
earth's future saviour.  Sherman was smiling as they re-entered
the Wayback.

*

The vid was spooling the credits when a voice called from
the next pod.

"Zaphod, are you doing your homework?"

"Yes, mumma, my history."

"History - it sounds like another vid to me."

Zaphod scowled and sucked a tentacle, his purple brow
wrinkling in frustration.

"It's part of an assignment - Earth history."

"That teacher," he heard mumma mutter, "Why can't he
concentrate on Reticulan history?"

Zaphod lowered the vid sound, ready to disc another Mr.
Peabody.  Lawrence of Arabia?  The Royal Canadian
Mounted Police?  Mata Hari?  They were all so interesting!
Off world history was his favourite subject.

"Zaphod - no more history.  Start your trigcalc assignment
instead.  I'll be there in five nans to check your progress."

Zaphod sighed.  Another homework time had begun.

But as he bent to his task, Zaphod's thoughts wandered to
other worlds, other futures.  Just like famous hero Fox
Mulder, he was ready and eager to consider the
possibilities.