Xavier's school for children sat silent on one chilly November Saturday. The students all out enjoying the crisp air among friends, safely hidden behind the schools walls... but not all mutants are so lucky. Some brave the unforgiving world beyond Xavier's' gates, while others cower from the world's view, afraid of the labels humans slap upon them and the consequences that follow them. Two such mutants in particular, each following different paths and finding different destinies, until ultimately only one ending can be found.
The doors creaked open as casually as they had done countless times before the oak frame giving away to a grand foyer. Professor Xavier rolled inside, a grand smile spread onto his face in delight "I'm glad to see you finally joining our ranks Kira, I'm sure you'll feel at home here in no time."
"Professor, I'm still not so sure I'm ready for this..."
A willowy damsel following Xavier into the institute. She stood tall, her long thin frame gliding along behind the professor, her long hair reached her hips, its color a striking pinkish peach but what attracted ones line of sight were her spectacular eyes, the color of crystal grass that easily caught the light around her. Her odd appearance was only conflicted by her choice in clothing. Boot cut jeans swayed around her red sneakers, a baggy green blouse hung lazily across her shoulders, rustling with every movement she made. An oddly shaped white watch strapped to her right wrist.
"Nonsense, you've been trained longer than most here and I'm confident you'll be a great addition to the team."
"That's another thing, what team? I haven't been told almost anything since you sent for me a month ago."
"You'll meet everyone else soon enough, right now we should get you settled in your new room."
Kira let out a small sigh "alright...why did you send for me anyways?"
The professor stopped and turned to face his newest student "I'm afraid the brotherhood also has a new addition to their ranks, and we're not sure what she's capable of but they've become a lot more brazen in their efforts." The professor stopped and gave Kira a reassuring smile "besides, it was about time we used your abilities to the best of your potential."
At that Kira gave Xavier a small smile "Okay." She followed him up a level to what Xavier said were the dorms and walked down only a few doors until the Professor stopped and opened one, a nicely decorated beige room greeted a mystified Kira.
"It's like a hotel..!" She gasped "I get this all to myself?"
"Well normally you would be put with a roommate, but because of your particular talents I thought it would be best to give you some privacy."
Kira looked at the floor then to the professor, the subject obviously a soft spot as she unconsciously went to rub her wrist around the watch.
"..thanks..."
"It's no problem, you'll fit in here in no time. If you need me I'll be downstairs."
Kira nodded as he left and turned to her bags that had been brought up earlier, one was a simple black and purple suitcase which sat next to her white backpack decorated with teal and magenta dragonflies. She walked over and began to unpack her things. Kira's wardrobe consisted mainly of jeans and assorted T-shirts, so organization wasn't a problem. She settled for hanging up her shirts in the closet and placing her jeans and assorted other items in the drawer. She was about to dig into her backpack where all her electronics were but footsteps in the hallways started her and she froze, all her attention on the sounds outside her door. Muffled voices grew closer before fading away in the other direction. Kira kept stock still for another three minutes before finally exhaling the breath she didn't realize she had been holding. She wasn't good with people or new places, so this experience was not as welcomed as her parents had hoped. She removed the biggest things from the backpack first, laptop and a pair of portable speakers followed by her MP3 player and wireless mouse. Spread out on her bed she dug deeper into the backpack, finding the mementos of home she bad brought. Kira gingerly brought out a framed picture of when she was little, her mother and father smiling down warmly at a little Kira her hair pinker than ever with a scrawny brunette at her side. Kira smiled fondly at the picture, before she became a mutant she had lived in southern Michigan with her parents and best friend, Evelyn. The duo had done too much with each other to remember, though she remembered everyday back then as a normal happy childhood. Kira had called her Evie back then, it was always them against the world. Kira let out a dry laugh as she recalled all the crap Evie had led them into. The only day that really stood out from those cherished memories was the day she had to leave... The day she ceased being human.
A tiny Kira races along the lush grassy plains that was the city park, the brunette we now know as Evelyn chasing after her. The other children payed no mind to the dashing duo, some effectively trying to avoid the two little girls. It was apparent to the lingering guardians of Kira that she was outmatched, because while Kira had speed, Evie could make sharper turns and was slowly closing in on her target. Kira had only barely made it back into the clearing when a charging Evie tackled her from behind, the two tussling in the grass. This was a normal occurrence for them. Kira's parents gave each other exasperated looks as other parents and guardians looked at the play-fighting little girls with distaste. Meanwhile the girls who rolled around in the dirt, got caught up in the fun. Evie stood as tall as a seven year old could, attacking like a superhero and releasing small, playful roars while Kira preferred to attack like a beast, hunkering down on all fours and pouncing around with astonishing agility, growling and hissing. Kira leapt at her adversary, a smiling snarl on her face as he let out a battle cry; much to Kira's surprise she noticed her voice take on a different tone, one more primal and fearsome. Evelyn stumbled back in shock, scared tears already brimming in her eyes, Kira landed before standing on all fours and shrunk back at the frightened screams of other children and parents around her. They were all looking... At her. Taken aback she recoiled and backed up, seeing her parents rushing toward her she turned and ran. Her escape cut short by the parks pond, she skidded to a stop just before plunging into the dark depths. The face that stared back at we was not human. She stared back terrified at a long purple maw with sharp fangs and glowing green eyes. Kira stumbled back in shock, taking in her arms which had somehow become long claws matching the face in the water. She turned back seeing her parents rushing toward her, Evie not far behind and most people beyond that taking pictures and on their phones calling god knows who. In her mind Kira kept screaming "I'm sorry! Help me! Please mommy! I'm scared..." But all that she was able to produce were strangled cries and little roars unlike any animal known to man. Little tears began to leak from her slitted eyes as her mother scooped her up into her arms and rushed them into their car. Most of it after that is a blur.
Kira's family moved far away into the mountains and away from other people. Shortly after they were contacted by the institute, but Kira's abilities were still evolving and they agreed it was in everyone's best interest if she stayed away from society for the time being. The Professor was kind enough to give their family financial aid for Kira's growth. It was in those lonely mountains that Kira was raised, and later trained just as any other X-Man was. With time she even learned to control her abilities better than some at the institute. Charles made visits when he could, and he was always greeted warmly. After all, they didn't get many visitors.
Kira shook her head as she was brought back to reality, things had to be done. She gingerly placed it on the table next to her bed and finished unpacking without too much delay. A soft knock on the door came shortly after, Kira cracked the door open to see the professor sitting before her, a tall read-head smiling at his side.
"Good morning Kira, may we come in?"
Without a word Kira opened the door completely, taking cover behind the wooden barrier as they entered.
"Ah, I see you've already begun settling in, good! You- ah, you don't have to hide, come on out." Xavier held out his hand for her. The pink-haired girl tentatively closed the door behind then, effectively putting her out in the open.
"Kira, I want you to meet Jean, she will be helping you adjust here."
The older girl smiled charmingly and waved her hand "Hi! We're going to have a lot of fun."
Kira looked skeptical, but gave her best attempt at a smile and waved back a light tint coming to her cheeks. Jean thought the small girl was on the edge of adorable, her shy demeanor comparable to that of a pink puppy. Jean suddenly wanted to be there for the newest student, to get to know her better beyond this timid state. To see what Kira was like beneath this shy layer.
Unconsciously Kira slid her hands behind her back, one hand going to cover the watch she guarded like her only lifeline. Seeing the shine of determination in Jeans eyes, and the subtle curiosity shown by Kira, the professor smiled warmly once more "well, I'll leave you to it then." And with that he rolled back into the hallway, red gutting the door behind him. The silence that hung behind him seemed to get thicker by the second, and neither had any idea where to start. Jean decided to try first.
"So, where are you from?"
"Originally? Maine..." Kira looked to the ground, then to her right "I've lived most of my life in the mountains though, I was never really sure which state."
Jean found this to be curious, and decided to press on "Wow, you've come a long way to be here, what made you move to the mountains?"
Kira visibly sagged "My... condition..." Jean winced at that last word, she knew many students came here unhappy with what they were gifted with, but the undeniable vehemence behind her words felt like searing venom coursing through her. Trying to brighten up the suddenly heavy atmosphere, Jean started going through the motions she had learned to help other mutants adjust and accept what they were, so they could embrace what made them unique, and use those gifts to become outstanding people.
"Y'know, it's not nearly as bad as you think. The thing that makes you different is a gift, not a curse, and here you'll get to learn how to control it and use it to help people."
This seemed to stile a chord within Kira, her eyes got real wide before falling into a deep scowl, her eyes glowing bright green. Jeans smile fell in surprise.
"You have no idea what you're talking about. This gift you talk so highly of, is nothing more than a bane upon myself and those who dare to get close enough to... To the monstrosity that plagues both my DNA... And my soul." Kira's scowl fell to a look of utter desperation, jean looked to speak again but was abruptly cut off "What I am is a time bomb, waiting to destroy everything around me. I am a curse, a demon, a mistake." Tears glistened in Kira's hardened eyes, as she suddenly grew soft "so... please... Please don't tell me that what I am is a blessing. Don't tell me that everything will be alright... and don't think for a moment that what afflicts me will be like anything you may have encountered before this. "
Jean stayed silent for a few moments, her mind racing, before she looked down, and backed up until she was sitting on Kira's bed, careful to avoid the articles still scattered about her bed.
She patted the spot beside her for Kira to join. Kira closed her eyes and breathed deeply, Jean could still see the tears brimming just beyond her lashes, but they quickly disappeared. Kira dared look nowhere but the floor as she made her way over to the bed, her anger long forgotten, leaving only a dreadful hollowness in its wake where her ugly words had caved a hole into her being. She slowly sat beside Jean, the evening light casting a warm yellow tone to everything it touched. Kira held out her hands weakly before herself, and clasped each one into a light fist before unfurling her fingers again, as if looking for something.
"I'm sorry-" her voice cracked, the aching dryness that came with tears, still lingering. She dared not look jean in the eye.
"No, I'm sorry" Jean interrupted "I didn't mean to upset you. I was only trying to... "Jean exhaled deeply and started again slowly "when I started getting my powers, everything seemed to fall apart at once. They were there all at once, and so great that I couldn't control them. It took the professors help to stop the chaos that my petrified mind had conjured, my parents feared me. Even with the Professors help, it was still hard to handle on my own, so I was sent here to become someone who could help make the world a better place for everyone." As if to prove her point, Jean pointed to the bookshelf and floated over a random book so that she held the dark blue cover loosely, it was an encyclopedia, one of a set. Kira looked up for the first time and was awed by what Jean was capable of. Jean sent the book back to its resting place and turned to look a Kira, a smile on her face but the hurt of memories still in her eyes.
"If you still don't believe me, I've got a friend here who you'll probably relate to quickly, you'll get to meet him soon I'm sure. His name is Kurt." Jean brightened up, the thought of the boisterous elf meeting this timid girl an amusing thought.
"So what is it you do..?" Jean dared to ask.
Kira took a long, shuddering breath "I..." She hesitated "it's complicated." She have an uncertain smile and even dared to laugh lightly. Jean smiled, "I've got time."
Kira scratched her head "I can change... Like, to be something else."
This caught jeans attention, many mutants held the ability to change shape, but the only one jean thought who might choose such a vague definition was Mystique. She couldn't deny that having someone like that on the X-Men's team would be useful.
"What do you become..?" Jean asked curiously.
"It's unlike anything I've seen before, but for lack of a better word... A dragon."
Kira let those words hang in the stunned air for a few moments
"Never mind-" she began
"No, that sounds really cool." Jean smiled charmingly "I simply wasn't expecting that." Kira couldn't help it, and smiled too.
"Not many do."
Jean left with a bright smile, feeling like she had grown a little closer to her broken little dragon. After discovering what Kira was, the two had started talking. Kira consented to letting Jean into her mind so long as she only looked at that Kira showed her. Kira escorted Jean though her past so that she might understand her previous hesitation to be around others a bit better. After moving to the mountains, Kira had been effective cut off from society so that no prying eyes would find her. The professor had located her then, but felt it better to train her privately for everyone's safety since she was still unstable. Jean had to admit, Kira had a darkened view on this world, but Jean could sense there was a hidden light in her mind that was hidden behind her past, much like one can see with peripheral vision, it just had to be found and brought out. The question was though, who would be able to?
Kira's smile fell after Jean had left, and she hovered against the door for a moment, her mind starting to reel with everything that had happened today. She had moved far away from everything she's known for the past nine years, been taken in by a man she had only seen a handful of times, made a friend, and had been given a gift beyond any measure she could have asked for. She brought up her hand to look at the white watch she had received this morning. The time said it was 7:45 but she knew it was more than a time telling device. She turned off the lights an moved over to the window, grabbing each side of the drapes and moved to close them before a bright silver light caught her attention. The moon was poised brilliantly against the black sky, its marbled surface outlining the night with silver, making the garden below look like a magical wonderland. Kira envied the moon, to be so bright and beautiful, to light up the night and be the muse for thousands of lives around the world, to be unafraid if people see you...
With the lights out and most of the other students asleep for the night, Kira pressed the switch on her watch, the silhouette of an unseen demon greeting the night.
Authors Note:
Hey! This is my second FanFiction, but my first was over a few years ago and was short and stupid. So lets just please forget about all that... Well! On another note I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! May we sweetly continue on. With that, I bid you good evening.