I Didn't Know How to Follow
John Allerdyce was my best friend. He knew everything about me, he knew how to make me laugh when I was sad, and calm me down when I was angry. He was the only one who knew about my past, as I trusted him with all my heart. That night in the mansion when Stryker attacked our school, John ran beside me, holding my hand as we sped through the halls. But the moment he let go was the moment I lost him in the crowd. I was guided to the emergency exit, screaming his name and begging him to follow me. But he had never been a follower.
I didn't see him again until after he'd joined Magneto.
I felt disheartened, as I never would have guessed that he'd join the Brotherhood. I knew he was a free spirit, that the fire within him raged on like wild fire.
So when he snuck into my room one night, offering for me to join the Brotherhood, I took a step back. I'd followed him all my life, even following him to Xavier's school for mutants. But I didn't know how to follow him anymore. He wasn't my John anymore, he was Magneto's Pyro. He's eyes were much darker than I remembered, his skin paler and his hair blonder.
In that moment, I knew I'd have to reject his offer.
He begged me, telling me that I could be a god amongst insects if I wanted to be. I could have unlimited power, I could be in control. I tried to tell him that I was content with where I was and who I was. His smirk faded into a frown and he asked me how I could be content with a mediocre life. But he knew the answer to his question. John had never been stupid. He knew I couldn't follow him this time. It was time to say our final goodbyes.
Then he was gone.
John simply had a problem with authority. Where it was his father, the police or Professor Xavier, he couldn't take it. I'd always laughed at his antics, but seeing him at Alcatraz scared me. The way he smirked as his fellow mutants were used as pawns for Magneto's sickening plot tore a hole through my heart. There was no John left, it was just Pyro now. I watched as Magneto launched cars on top off us and Pyro set them on fire. The look in his eyes made him look crazy, and I was sure he was probably mad with power. When he jumped down to face Bobby, I froze. He's face showed resentment and hatred towards Bobby. They fought, battling with their powers. Ice against flame. Pyro was arrogant, and that was his downfall. When Bobby was finished with him, he walked away, leaving Pyro with me.
He looked angelic when he was knocked out.
I dragged him back to the jet and put him into restraints. When everyone else came aboard, they gave me a concerned look, but took their seats. Pyro stirred and asked where he was. I told him and he groaned. I told him that it was his turn to follow me. He gave me a confused look before he passed out again. The others asked why I'd saved Pyro, and I told them that I wasn't that cruel. That I refused to be like the Brotherhood and leave someone for dead. At least Logan looked impressed.
Back at the school, Pyro didn't fair so well. He was made to stay, without his lighter as punishment for what he'd done. He asked me why I had saved me, and I said that he would have done the same for me. At least I hope he would have. When he asked me why I called him Pyro and not John, I told him. He seemed upset, and I didn't know how to comfort him. I didn't know Pyro, I only knew John.
He crept into my room one night, looking more like John than Pyro. His eyes seemed softer and his hair was back to brown. He said that while he loved being Pyro, he was nothing without me. He brushed his hand across my cheek gently, and I felt a surge of emotion. His gently lowered his lips to mine. I was in a state of confusion. He pulled away and locked my gaze with his.
"I don't know how to follow you, but I'm willing to learn."
Disclaimer: I do not own the X Men.