Hey y'all, back again with a new story. Let me explain this one though. This is just one chapter from an idea for an X-Men novel I've had. It is a simple sample of what the story could unfold into. If you like it write a review, if you don't, still tell me in a review. What my readers think about my writing help me decide if I should countinue or not. Providence
An Unwanted Desire
Eve walked quickly down the mansion's hallway; the desire to be in solitude was high. The idea of packing up her things and leaving was great too. She could Aqueous, he'd come for her, take her back. The thoughts can be read by Xavier, she thought and instantly threw them away. But how could he keep her locked up in the mansion. She wasn't even allowed outside. Maybe, just maybe, John was right. Maybe Xavier gave no freedom, only a school of control and responsibility. Maybe he was afraid of other mutants developing stronger powers than him. He wouldn't be able to control them then; his so called peace would be ruptured. Eve thought on that quickly, contemplating leaving with John to go back…
Eve snorted. The image was out of the question. She couldn't, wouldn't want to survive one day with Magneto. The idea made her cringe. The man's soul was not like anyone's she wanted to get close to. But how far away is your soul from his? Her mind tortured her with the thought. She gritted her teeth and locked her thoughts of Magneto into a deep recess within her mind, the key thrown aside. Magneto's Brotherhood was more a prison than Professor's mansion could ever be. Xavier was just locking her up to keep her safe. Soon she would have her freedom, maybe even the chance to leave the mansion with others. Rogue and Storm were granted the freedom, why not her?
"Providence." The name rang in the air. Eve stopped in her tracks, surprised at the sound of her code name. But then John turned the corner and came into view. She wanted to smile, some company for her thoughts. John was the only one, besides Xavier every moment or two when he scolded her, who called Eve by her code name. And she repeated the tradition. While everyone, well except Logan when he got extremely pissed, called John by his original name, she stuck with Pyro. She loved the name. It rang smoothly from her mouth to his ears. Smiling at the thought of having a little fun, she kept her back towards him; she could still see him though. The image bore into her mind like a picture. He stood there, lighter in hand but no movement. Another joke? She thought. Her question gripped her powers, making her want to read his mind. She pushed the urge away and replaced her anger with a smile.
"What do you want Pyro?" She asked with a teasing tone dripping from her lips as she spun around. Normally John would be smiling too, or at least ready for some trouble to brew. He would call for Providence first, and then Pyro would easily escape her lips. But this time it was different. John, who usually would joke constantly with her, was now serious. Eve tired not to meet his eye as her smirk was wiped clean from her face. Yet she glanced up still to the face that captivated her on and on, lifting her startled face to his. John's eyes were like pools. Pools of alcohol drenched in flames. His eyes burned brightly, flickering with an every going rage and undying anger. Eve looked closer. There was another feeling that made her blink and look twice. As Eve looked closer, she saw fear. She was surprised, taken aback by the feeling. Had John ever felt fear? She asked herself. Maybe John but not the Pyro you know. The voice resounded in the back of her mind. John felt her stare. She had to know, he would tell her, or force her to know. He could force her to use her powers; he could make her read his mind. He stared deeply at her. Eve's sparkling hazel eyes, her waves of dirty dark blond hair. She was beautiful, hot in John's eyes. Magneto's plan was going to fail, John knew that for sure. There was already too much he didn't like about it.
"John, what's wrong?" Eve asked. John ran his hand through his hair. Eve stepped closer. She could feel heat escape from his body to her. The fear hung in his eyes, but his face was unreadable.
"Providence…" Eve cringed at the way he spoke her code name. She asked herself time and again why she had chosen that code name. Eve was young; her destiny amazed her as Xavier explained it in simple words, yet it seemed like a fantasy she couldn't believe she would live. She thought the name would fit her perfectly. But as she thought about it more and more, it truly did. It meant fate, destiny, and foresight. But above all those was chance. That's what Eve's fate is. It is taking a chance for mutants. It is helping them in the war. But it is a chance as well, a risk. Though she would be on the mutants side, from there she didn't know which side to choose. Magneto's or Xavier's. Her destiny is a chance to save mutants, but she would have to choose a side in the end. Eve remembered hearing the Professor always saying her destiny rested in the X-Men. He said her destiny would end by uniting humans and mutants. The thought of being an X-Man, the dream was one of things Eve always wanted when she first came to the school.
But now her brain raked and rattled with a new purpose. She could hear Magneto's silent prayers as she killed all the humans in the world with her psychic powers. Providence could hear his praise as she betrayed the X-Men, Professor Xavier, as she did as Magneto pleased. Eve felt the stares of Scott, Jean and Storm as she brought world domination for mutants, bringing an end to the race of Homo sapiens, the destruction of mankind. Eve wanted to scream in anger. Everything had to be complicated, everything. Her fate was, is still, a chance. It is a chance of which mutant side she'd turn to in the end, the Brotherhood or the X-Men. But it is also a chance of killing, or saving, the race of humans. Eve's hands grew to fists. Her body, her thoughts, was sewed together by two pieces. One was Magneto, the other Xavier.
Pyro could feel her drift away. He could feel her anger, fear, spite, running to him, calling in a desperate cry for help. Her telepathic powers drew to his mind, yet then pulled away at the last second. It wanted so much to help her. But then again, maybe he could. He took a deep breath as he began to ask again the favor he could give. He'd help her.
"Providence…Eve," he called her name, drawing her away from her own mind. She stiffened. Something had to be up if John used both names to get her attention. For once, Eve really wished he was joking around. The glazed look in her eyes vanished, she was alert. John looked away from her, not meeting her eyes till he spoke again. His fear was still hanging by a small thread.
"Eve, I need you to read my mind," he said forcefully. His voice seemed to shout though Eve was only two feet from him. Eve's face melted into confusion.
"Why?" she asked curtly. His body was warm. Her desire to step as close as she could to Pyro yanked at her. "Why do I have to read your mind…John?" She hesitated before throwing in his name, his real name. John breathed hard, taking a deep sigh. The fear was gone, it was completely gone.
"Eve, I know things, things about Magneto and Alan Breaker. But I…can't tell them to you. I know that sounds like a whole load of bull shit, but it's the truth. The only thing you can do is read my mind." He was pleading now, begging. A strand of hair fell back form his fifties hairstyle and into his eyes. It seemed to hide his anger and Eve noticed how her cheeks grew warm. He looks hot. Without anger swirling in his eyes, is face looked more wonderful than she thought.
"I thought you were a member of the Brotherhood, not the X-Men. So why do you want to help us?" She asked coolly. John pulled his hair back, Pyro's anger flared in his brown eyes. Eve's insides squirmed. Damn, he still looks good.
"I'm not trying to help the X-Men Eve. I want to help you…" He trailed off as his eyes lowered. Providence's powers kicked in as she made him lift his face back up, controlling him to leave it there. So which side are you on then, Pyro? Her question bolted into his mind like lightning. But there was no answer. "Eve…" John whispered. "Please." Eve let her powers linger lightly, then let go of her control on them completely, tucking them away.
"No," she said flatly. John's mouth clenched tightly. Eve listened to the sound of metal grazing metal and air as John began opening and closing his trusty lighter. The sound never bothered her. The warmth of his body was close. John opened his mind to her. Without any hesitation, Eve's willing powers drenched her mind, sweeping her away to read John's.
She saw the sadness, anger and much needed revenge flow through a young John as he ran away from his home. She watched him roam the streets. John burned down everything he could muster with his developing powers, testing his strength. Then the entrance found him to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. He didn't consider himself gifted. But hey it would be a nice place to sleep in. He crept in unnoticed at night, his thoughts plain. He'd rest the night here, stalking the mansion as he pleased, maybe even having a little fun along the way. He'd be sneaky; cunning and sly, making sure no one would notice him. But someone did, and that was Xavier. Like every student, he welcomed John into the mansion. John gladly joined the students, every desire of exposing his power was granted in this place. Everyone was the same, yet different. And no one seemed to relate to John for his brash attitude and his nag to disobey. That was until Eve came. She instantly made friends with Kitty and Bobby, dragging them into things that got them in trouble at the mansion. She came lastly, to John, yet the friendship seemed more connected between her and John than anyone else. They even recognized each other by their code names.
Then there was the day when Eve grabbed for John's lighter, gently grazing his hand with her fingers. She yelled in pain, her hands shot up to her throbbing head. John called out her name but it was only a whisper in her ears. The next second, John watched as Eve's hands erupted with fire, blasting at him and the other direction at Bobby. She screamed as she was unable to control her new power. John caught and warped most of the fire to him, but the feeling Eve felt was ineffable. Like Rogue, her touch granted her other mutants' powers. But unlike Rogue, it affected only herself, no pain and comatose to the one's she touched. Alan Breaker's powers had finally developed.
Maybe that's why Bobby warmed up to Rogue so much, he didn't want her to be alone, Eve thought. Or maybe it's the fact he thinks she's hot! John answered. Eve bared her teeth and sent a stab of her power at John. Ow, sorry! Eve smiled.
Eve's eyes were closed; John winced as she began playing with him. One hand was held to his temple, digging deeper into her mind. He waited, she would find it soon enough.
Eve saw John's change the moment she left. The instant rebellion against everyone. He refused to act upon anything he didn't want to listen to, only obeying what he anted to hear. Like Eve, Xavier slowly led him on the path of an X-Man, helping him as best he could. But then there was the museum incident where John set a flame the bully's arm. And then the mansion attack from Stryker. He watched Logan take Stryker's men down, wishing greedily to join him in the battle. But there was Xavier's "control" lesson, making John just stand and watch. By the time he had reached Bobby's house, his mind had made its decision. If he were to help, that meant he would be allowed to do what he wanted. And that let the threat flow form his lips to the cops as he began to torture them all with his flame. And he loved it, every part of the screams, the explosions bursting before his eyes. He was saving the X-Men in his own way and he loved it.
Eve wondered if she would have done the same to save Logan, Bobby and Rogue from the cops. Her answer was plain and it made John smile with joy.
Eve watched as the Black Bird grew smaller and smaller as she and John flew away with Magneto in his stolen flight. She felt as if she was there, yet she wasn't. John looked down at the jet, then with a frown to the leader of the Brotherhood. Thoughts lingered still in his mind. What if she comes back? What if she's not dead? Eve's eyes grew wide in surprise. All this time he thought she'd died from Breaker's powers. Suddenly it explained so much, why he went off on his own. Why his rebellion replaced the small willingness to disobey. Eve couldn't believe Xavier didn't tell John the truth. Why would he not?
It's because he cares for you, he thinks I'm dangerous and doesn't want you to get hurt; John shot the words through the images as he found her in his mind. Eve shook her head. No, he wants to make sure I stay where I am. Exactly, John retorted angrily. He doesn't want you to be close to me because I influence your decision. Eve shook her head again. No one chooses what I want for me, not even you Pyro. She continued the search when John remained silent.
John had the right to know where she was. So did Bobby. Did the Professor tell Bobby the truth? Sure he did, after John left. Eve felt her nostrils flare with anger towards Xavier. But suddenly the scene changed as the helicopter melted away, exposing Magneto's secret base, new and approved. It was a small room of many, completed with a new feature of a metal table and chair for Magneto to move. Eric now stood up, leaning his knuckles on the desk. John stood in the middle of the metal lined room. Eve looked around her, trying to figure out where Magneto's new base actual was. A single window was cut through the wall, divulging a small mountain range. Eve followed John's eyes, still puzzled on the site's location. John's eyes were looking out the same window, the only door to the outside world besides a series of Magneto's metal sealed doors and new cronies. Eve realized John's words shifted through hers. John flicked open his lighter, both hands behind his back. Eve watched three small balls of flame twirl in and out of his fingers in a figure eight style. Magneto's hard gaze was pasted onto John; he was watching Pyro's every move.
John had his own head bowed, but his eyes were also on his new leader. His hands shifted behind his back, one into the pocket of the X-Men sweater stolen from the Black Bird's stock. The other hand behind his back held all three balls and morphed it into one giant one. Then it was sculpted into a serpent. Its fangs were large like daggers and it wound itself around John's bare arm, the sleeves of the sweater rolled up. Yet Pyro kept it from burning his skin off.
"So…what exactly do you want me to do?" John asked. Eve cursed; she had come in to late and was already included in half of the conversation. She thought of back tracking, but knew John could be controlling what he wanted her to see. Magneto set himself on the chair, his hands on the table. Pyro watched out of the corner of his eye as the table shook from Magneto's anger. Pyro couldn't help but smirk. Magneto's "orders" were just like the rest. He hated them. He glanced back at Eric, whose cold eyes hung over John like clouds.
"Pyro, I want you to answer my questions but first you must find them. You will go to Xavier's and there you will watch her." John failed his smirk, finally letting it disappear. Who was he going to watch out for? But Eve's question escaped his lips.
"Who am I watching?" he asked abruptly, hoping already Magneto wouldn't send him back to the school. He also hoped it had nothing to do with Marie, for then there was Bobby. Magneto squared his eyes on John, and then trailed them behind, beyond the boy. He smiled slightly, John took no notice.
"You don't listen very well do you?" Magneto asked with a gaze of wonder and amusement coloring his face as he mocked John. But Pyro took the complaint as he always did and smiled back, his head cocked the side. Eve recognized the smile of want. The want to get in trouble was stamped on Pyro's face.
"Listening is not one of my strengths." He reported, trying not to laugh. He thought Magneto would know that by now. Magneto glared at the boy and instantly the lighter was snatched from his pocket. Pyro ignored it, the flame still sizzling in his palm. The thud of footsteps came from behind John as someone entered. He looked over his shoulder. Someone that took John by surprise, yet his face was still unreadable as he covered his amazement. Eve had entered the room.
"Hello Pyro, it's been awhile," she mused. John saw her hazel eyes, her hair flowing down past her shoulders. It was all flawless, perfect. He stepped closer.
"Eve…" he whispered. But then Eve laughed out loud as her skin melted away like feathers. Her hair turned red and short, her eyes wolf yellow. John glared as Mystique smiled her seductive smile.
"Surprise lover boy. Don't tell me you actual have feelings for our little deal we made. She's worthless, just part of out plot," she said as she walked towards Eric. John followed her, glaring with a sneer of hate tracing after.
"Please Pyro," Eric said, Mystique laying a hand on his shoulder. "Prove to me you can do this. Bring her to me."
"And if I don't. What if I tell her the plot and the deal you made over her," John retorted back, his anger flaring, the serpent curling into a deadly weapon behind his hand. Eve, I would never give you to them, he thought. I'll never harm you…you're needed…
Eve felt John's strength fail. She was holding onto his mind to tight. If she held on any harder, she could hurt John. Yet she wanted to continue, she wanted to know everything. John watched her hand, it moved farther away. It felt as if she was tipping backwards. Quickly his wrist snapped out as he reached for her hand laid at her side. Magneto laughed at her, his laugh sending a shiver down her spine. His follower Mystique, smiled at John.
"Pyro…I will know if you tell her and believe me the results won't be pretty." He placed both hands in front of his mouth from where he sat, yet his sincere smile was peeking out through his intertwined fingers. "Pyro, our deal is for our benefit. Once we receive our part we shall take his part as well. For I need her more than a human does." He stood up, lifting his hand up to move the chair beneath him, which floated breathlessly across the floor. Magneto walked slowly to stand in front of Pyro, Mystique keeping her distance. Magneto sent the lighter floating back to Pyro, who snatched it and shoved it back into the pocket.
"You fail to bring her," Eric began. Pyro still held his eyes on Eric, his head bowed. "There will be punishment. This is a mission Pyro and I'm counting on out new recruit." He nodded his leave and walked out the doorway to a hallway that led deeper into his mountain base. "Don't let love get in the way!" He shouted behind him. "Love is for the weak!"
John let the serpent go, it swung itself down his arm and fell onto the floor. It hissed as Mystique walked by. She snickered at John, whose stare could now beat the Devil's. With one swift motion, a quick over layer of skin, she turned back into Eve.
"Bye, bye lover boy…" She whispered in his ear. John flinched and stepped back. His serpent flew for Mystique, ready to shrike. The smile faded as Mystique/Eve turned and cocked an eyebrow at John. With a great sigh he set the serpent into a puff of smoke as it sizzled away…
John took a gasp for strength as he grabbed Eve's hand and pulled her back to her feet. Eve felt his warm bare skin as she let go of his mind. She felt pain shatter her spine as it showered down to her fingertips. It was too quick for her to scream, but when she opened her eyes, Pyro had one hand on her shoulder, the other holding her hand tightly. He looked slightly weak from her mind search, but the color was already returning to his cheeks. Eve sucked in a deep breath. Her body suddenly warmed up and she felt the sparks on her fingertips heat up. Pyro's fire had returned again, the second favorite power that she had mastered to wield from days of grazing his skin. Pyro glanced at her palm and saw a tiny flame appear then flicker out. He refused to let go of Eve's hand.
"What did you see?" He asked softly. Eve's eyes were shut, her head bowed and facing the ground. John's hand traveled down her back to her waist as he pushed her towards him. Eve wanted to pull back, yet couldn't resist his warmth. She gathered herself of all the images she saw. During Pyro and Magneto's fight she read Eric's mind. He wanted her for something…and had sent Pyro to get her. But the farther she looked the hazer his mind got, as if even he couldn't remember. With an angry snarl he locked his mind from her and she swept herself back into Pyro. His thoughts were laid open. The disbelief that he found her still alive, the word bitch clinging to his lips as Mystique entered and showed her true form. All the memories flashed in his mind of Eve, Bobby and him before all of this happened. In anger he threw them away but not before the realization came to mind.
As much as he hated it he had grown to Eve and cared for her. Magneto's plan was so awkward to him, so unlike the master of metal that he refused to listen to it. All he knew was that he had to go back, that was the one order he'd follow. He still had yet to figure out what Magneto actually wanted Eve for. Then the scene and thoughts seemed to black out as John closed his mind from her. Eve noticed that John wasn't the only one who blacked out the memory, but her as well. She didn't want to hurt him.
"John…I…" Eve was at a loss of words as she came back to John's arms holding her. She opened her eyes and lifted them to Pyro. She stared deeply into his dark eyes, looking for the feelings he had thought back with Magneto. But he showed none of it and only returned his gaze. She felt him pushing her closer and she didn't care. Suddenly she stopped as she heard footsteps echoing behind John. They both turned around. Logan stood in the hallway's entrance. John feasted a glare at the other man, the only X-Men he had ever taken credit to, for Wolverine still held a feral look to him and was allowed to possess the rage when fighting. Unlike Pyro.
"Logan, what is it?" Eve asked, stepping slightly in front of John when she felt his heat radiate off him. She didn't want to break a fight, knowing Logan could easily slice John to pieces. Logan caught Pyro's glare, his eyes sparkled with amusement. Eve waited for Logan to answer. How long has he been there watching? How long had I wandered John's mind? It couldn't have been long. The Professor had always seemed to time her; it never took long to find what she wanted. But this time she still needed to search…
"Chuck wants to speak with you before…" He glanced from John to Eve, Pyro to Providence. John still had his arm wrapped around her waist. "…he leaves." Logan wanted to smirk at the couple, yet the scent of John, Pyro, made him uneasy. It smelled like betrayal and anger. Eve nodded.
"Tell him I'll be there in a minute." Logan nodded back before spinning on his heel for the elevator that led to the basement. Pyro watched him with frightful eyes before truing back to Eve.
"Providence-" But Eve quickly cut him off.
"I have to go. Meet me tonight outside on the bench at the edge of the woods." She smiled and John quirked his own, his head cocked to the side. It was the same face he had given Magneto. Eve's mischief had kicked back into gear, right after the master of the mansion had told her not to leave. John felt his chest puff out in pride knowing that he was the maker of Eve's mischief and willingness to get in trouble with him. But he kept silent, knowing she didn't want to admit it.
John smirked as he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "What ever you want Providence."
Eve felt a shiver of thrill and joy run down her spine, as she turned for the elevator door in the same direction Logan left. She pressed against the hard wood and waited for the door to slide open, meeting Pyro's gaze one last time before the door hid her from view. John's smile quickly disappeared. I'm sorry Pyro, I was hoping to hang around longer…Eve's whisper rangin his ears. John shook his head. He tried to warn her but at the last second he seemed to pull away. Magneto's threats echoed harshly in his head. Eve would be in more danger if she knew. But then how would he tell her.
There was more than one danger after her and if John let one take her she was as good as dead. But if he betrayed the other, both he was in danger and Eve still. John clenched his fists, his fingernails cutting away at his skin. His palms grew sweaty and he felt blood trickle down his hand to flow onto his wrist. He hated her, yet had grown to her and knew someday he would end up protecting her. But why should he protect someone who was more powerful than he was and could fend for herself. Because it's right and you know she'd love it. John wanted to punch himself for even thinking that.
Don't let love get in your way. Magneto's words beckoned. But it wasn't love; hell John barely grasped the meaning of the word. Eve and him were just…were just there. It wasn't love that was in Pyro's way, it was everything else holding him, pulling him back from what he wanted to do. Pyro pulled his lighter out from his pocket and opened it. Flicking it alive, he let the fire travel to his other hand, tucking his lighter back into the pocket. The flame in his hands morphed in a miniature figure of Magneto. Pyro frowned at it. There was something not right about Eric and Mystique. Once again John felt not included, thrown carelessly aside. John had to figure out Magneto's plan, because what he knew already didn't fit with the master of metal's personality. Pyro watched as another layer of flames engulfed the Brotherhood's leader from head to toe, consuming him. Pyro smiled as the flame resulted in a perfect sculpted Eve, winking at him with her pretty eyes. He let the flame grow small; the last thing he saw was her beaming face before wiping it away with a wave of his hand.
It was that day that he left to go back to Xavier's that he knew he was alone again. Magneto was not the same. Pyro knew he was his own team once more, a rouge mutant. He would follow no orders unless he wanted to, and Magneto's sudden lust for Eve was something that made Pyro cringe in disgust. He believed in only one person who could end the war. Pyro felt satisfied. Either side, either team made no difference right now. But a promised had to be kept. Revenge would come to anyone who would harm Providence. Pyro pushed away Magneto's orders and threats. Till he found out anymore on the mission he was assigned to, Magneto wouldn't complete his plan very easily. Not if Pyro stood in the middle. He wouldn't hand over Eve so effortlessly. They'd have to pass him first.