The amount of feedback I had for chapter one was aMazing. A deep, heartfelt thank-you to all of you who reviewed and encouraged me on, and thank-you also to those who just read, but hopefully still enjoyed it.
I've recently read some really excellent Pyro stories, my favourites being 'Stranger' by freakochicko, 'A Love That's So Demanding' by Sublime Angel, 'Not Broken' by DarkClerk and 'Tabula Rasa' by Ebon Hush. They have really inspired me in writing this, and I'd advise all of you to go check those stories.
As a first time X-Men: The Movie writer, I need guidance from those of you who know the fandom well. If you see any glitches in the timeline, the characterisation, etc, please let me know. I'd be most grateful.
So, please read on!
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'The Demon in Me'
By Sergeant Scarlett
Chapter Two: Return to Hell
"It's John. He's outside."
Marie felt her heart give a very involuntary somersault. She was sure she hadn't heard Bobby properly. Either that or he just said…
"What?" It came out as a ghostly whisper.
"John. Outside. Now." Bobby stated slowly, as though not daring to believe it himself. "Don't ask me why. This sound woke me up. I looked out of my window and saw Dr McCoy getting out of a car. With him came –"
"John," Marie breathed. The shock quickly evaporated. It was replaced by a mixture of confusing emotions: fear, rage, disbelief.
Bobby pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms closely around her. "This isn't going to be easy. For either of us. We'll just take it one step at a time. For all we know, he won't even acknowledge us."
Marie sighed. Bobby was right. Having John here wasn't going to be a walk in the park. Questions bubbled up inside her. Why wasn't he in prison? Why was he here instead? Could their friendship be saved?
She felt Bobby slip his hand into hers. "Come on, let's go and find out what's happening."
No sooner than they were out of the door did they realise that the rest of the mansion had exactly the same idea. Some of the very young students skipped merrily down the stairs, curious as to who was there, obviously not realising the possible danger that awaited them in the hall. Older pupils like Colossus, Warren, Kitty and Jubilee hung back, knowing full well who had just arrived. The six of them cautiously leant over the banister.
Storm, already fully dressed, was ushering the younger students back upstairs. Logan, still in boxers and a ruffled shirt, was talking in deep conversation with the blue furry mutant, Dr Hank McCoy.
Jubilee, closest to what was going on, couldn't hear a thing. She turned and shook her head to the others in defeat. None of them could see their visitor, and none of them were sure if they wanted to.
---
Below, with the children finally back upstairs, Storm turned and embraced her friend, though not with her usual warmth.
"So everything's in place. I don't think there's anything we've forgotten," she began, addressing the Beast. "Logan's set up a room for him, well away from the other students for now." She lowered her voice in case of being overheard. "Are you sure this is the right decision? I mean, shouldn't he be in prison?"
"No, I don't think so, Ororo. He's been fine while recovering in hospital. Quite the gentleman, actually. He's not a danger to anyone anymore," Hank replied quietly.
Logan cut in. "Listen, I know you, Scott and the Professor agreed to this, Storm, but you know I've been against it from the start. Once a traitor, always a traitor, in my book. If I had my way, he'd be locked up for life."
"Hey, you're not perfect yourself, you know?" Storm snapped. "This boy has always had it tough. He deserves another chance."
Logan snorted. "Reality check, Storm: we've all had it tough." Clearly not in the mood to talk any further, the Wolverine marched back in the direction of his room, eager for an extra few hours of sleep before classes began.
Storm sighed at her friend's temper.
"Anyway, I'd better get going," said Hank. "Let me know how the boy gets on."
"I will. Thanks for bringing him, Hank. Not many people would have done it, transporting a former terrorist to a school facility."
Hank laughed jovially. "Ah Storm, when have I ever tried to follow what everyone else does?" With a short nod of the head, Dr McCoy was out of the door and on his way. Breathing in deeply, Storm prepared herself for the endless questions that would be facing her later that day.
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As the clock struck nine, Bobby and Marie raced to their first class of the day, Mutant Ethics with Professor Xavier. The Professor disliked his pupils being late, and Marie especially hated disappointing him. He was very rarely ever angry, but worse than him shouting was the low, sad voice he used when telling off pupils.
Her reason for her lateness was not, as most would have thought, a quick make-out session with Bobby in his room, but mentally psyching herself out for the re-introduction of John into the class. It was inevitable, she told herself.
She and Bobby took the stairs two at a time and burst into the classroom. The Professor ceased talking as they entered. Everyone else stared at them harshly.
"Robert, Marie, please take your seats. Near the front, if you will."
Marie was sure she caught a ghost of a smile on the Professor's kind face. When they were seated, he resumed talking to the class.
"As I was saying, today we'll be starting a new topic, one which I don't think any of you will have ever covered before, even the older students." He said this with a brief glance at Bobby, Pete and Jubilee, who looked keen and interested.
"First, let me begin with a question: who here believes their personal abilities as mutants are useful? Do they help other people, and not only yourself?"
A few hands were raised cautiously into the air.
"Yes, Robert?"
Bobby leant forward keenly to answer. "This is a little far-fetched, Professor, but if I were to do some volunteer work in a third-world country, or within a charity with little money, I could freeze food so it would keep longer. Less money would have to be spent on fresher food."
"A decent answer. Now, another question: who thinks their powers are completely useless?"
More hands were raised. "Yes, Jubilation?"
"Yeah, Professor, what I'm I supposed to do with these random sparks flying out of my hands? They don't do anything!" Jubilee ranted. "I mean, it'd be okay if they actually did something, but all they do is crackle!"
The Professor chuckled. "True, but your powers have yet to develop. Anyone else? Marie?"
The other students stared at her, regarding her strangely. Marie imagined what they were saying in their heads…
She can't answer. She doesn't HAVE powers.
She's not a mutant anymore.
She took that Cure.
"Well," she began, taking a deep breath, "when I did have my powers, they were no good to me or anyone else for that matter. I was deprived of physically touching someone, and when I did, that particular someone would get seriously hurt, or worse, die. My powers were completely useless."
"Well answered, Marie, though I'm not sure you were considering it from both sides," Professor Xavier continued. "Now, let's look at it from a different angle: how do we categorise our powers into what is useful, what is useless; what is dangerous and what is safe?"
The class was silent. After a few moments, Kitty Pryde raised her hand.
"I suppose you can't judge someone's mutant abilities simply on what they are," she began slowly, thinking hard. "For example, Storm's weather manipulating powers could wipe out the planet if she wanted them to, but they could also provide rain in countries suffering from drought, and so on…"
Kitty paused, considering how to conclude. The Professor urged her on. "Go on, Kitty." She continued more confidently, the whole class eager to hear her opinion.
"A mutant's abilities can only be considered dangerous if he or she uses them for dangerous means. So, it's not what the powers are, or how strong they are, but how they are used, and what they are used for."
The Professor smiled widely. "I agree most strongly, Kitty. Thank you for your contribution. As for the rest of you, do you agree? What really defines our abilities?"
Several students were eager to answer, but the class froze as someone knocked smartly on the classroom door.
"Come in," called the Professor.
The door was opened by Storm, who entered the room, followed by Logan. Storm strode over to the Professor and whispered something in his ear, something the other students couldn't hear.
"Yes, of course," Professor Xavier answered. "Bring him in."
Logan beckoned to the door. Scott entered with a young man holding tightly onto his arm. Scott guided him in.
Marie shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
It was John.
This certainly wasn't the John Allerdyce she remembered. Marie could tell the other students, especially Bobby, were thinking the same thing.
His hair was the same colour as it was three weeks ago, but it was untidy, unkempt. Clothes hung off his thin, scrawny frame, and there was slight limp when he walked. Running from his left eyebrow down to his right cheek was a six-inch gnash that was close to healing. He had to cling for Cyclops for support, but not only because of his limp.
Wrapped around his head and over both his eyes was a thick bandage. And that's when it hit Marie.
He couldn't see.
