The Dragon Tamer: Spellbound

(PG-13 for swearing and suggestive actions and words. This is Part II in The Dragon Tamer series. I think most of you know as well as I do that I don't own X-Men or the characters (except the ones I make up, you should be able to tell who those are.) Enjoy!

Chapter 7: Old Scars Renewed

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Amanda, Marie, and Bobby stepped off the jet. They all looked around at the all too familiar field and a chill blew through the air. Amanda looked nervously over at Professor X, "When are they supposed to get here?" The words had no sooner slipped out of her mouth than she heard the blades of a helicopter approaching. The professor smiled, "I believe that should answer your question, my dear." She nodded and gulped, 'This is going to be one vacation I'm gonna wish I never took.'

-=-

'God, she came with them.' Even though John was holding the handle in the back of the chopper, he still felt as if his knees were going to give in and he would fall. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew Amanda would probably be here, but he wasn't prepared for it. He gulped as the aircraft drew nearer to the ground.

Cheyenne took notice of his apprehension and followed his gaze. She couldn't tell who he was looking at, but she felt herself growing slightly jealous. Who, in his eyes, deserved more attention than she did?

-=-

As the helicopter landed all that could be heard was the distinct sound of the blades slowing to a halt. No one spoke; there was no need to. Amanda held her breath as the four shadowed figures crept out of the open door... 'Four?' She counted again and sure enough there were indeed four of them. 'Wonder who the new one is?' She was about to voice this to Bobby, but discovered he was busy dousing the campfire. He noticed her questioning look and shrugged, "Just in case."

Apparently another saw his act of insecurity because a familiar voice sounded from directly behind Amanda. So close, in fact, she felt the breath on her neck. "What's the matter Bobby, don't trust me?"

John couldn't stop himself from laughing as Amanda jumped in surprise. He had crept up behind her while she was watching Bobby. It was dark enough so that all of them were very hard to see. As Amanda began backing away he was about to tell her to relax when someone cleared their throat behind him. He too jumped, and turned around. It was Cheyenne. She smirked, 'Silly boy.'

He frowned, he had almost forgotten she had come along. "Guys, this is Cheyenne."

-=-

Ten minutes later the fire was going again and the five teens were seated comfortably around it. The four adults had gone into the jet to talk. In the firelight Amanda was able to get a better look at her ex. 'He looks so old.' John had obviously lost some sleep, and he was undoubtedly jaded from doing Magneto's dirty work. She could tell he had more muscle mass, and in all he was more rough around the edges than he used to be. But he was still her John, that much reflected in his eyes. After a few moments of staring at him she realized he was looking right back at her, so she looked down at the fire.

John looked away as he felt the guilt rush over him. Had he done this to her? She looked tired, dead tired. There was no sparkle about her anymore. It seemed like she was just barely breathing, let alone living. "How have you all been doing?" The question was more directed at Amanda than the other two, and they seemed to know it.

Amanda sighed, "Ok I guess..." Marie rolled her eyes and decided to take matters into her own hands, "You know, Amanda, Evan took it pretty hard when you broke up with him." John's eyes narrowed at this, "When you broke up with him?" Marie smugly nodded, "Amanda dated Evan for over a month. Didn't you?" Her friend raised an eyebrow at her, but Marie held firm. Finally Amanda nodded, still not quite understand Marie's approach. 'Since when does she care what Evan feels?' But when she looked up and saw the sheer jealousy in John's eyes, she knew what Marie was trying to do.

Pyro's blood boiled inside his veins. How dare that asshole take his girl! Sure, they weren't together anymore. But still! If he ever saw Evan again he would be sure to kick his preppy ass as far as it would go. Cheyenne took notice of the emotions that were flickering across her crush's face. 'So, it's the little red-headed bitch that he was getting so nervous about?' Silently she glanced over at Amanda, 'Well, we will just have to make sure she hates him as much as possible. Now won't we?' Swiftly she slid her hand up to the back of John's neck, and before he could say anything cast her spell.

Amanda watched, her interest peaked. John's head was now rolling on his neck as if he's just passed out. The new girl, Cheyenne, was saying something to him. But she couldn't make it out. Turning her head she looked over at Bobby and Marie, who in turn looked at her. All were wondering the same thing. 'What's going on here?'

After about two minutes of looking like a drunk John finally lifted his head up, as Cheyenne rested her own head upon his shoulder. All three of the x-teens had raised eyebrows about this move. Surely John wouldn't just sit there and let her do that? Out of nowhere John rested his head against the young woman's. "I don't know if I told you all this or not, but Cheyenne and I are dating. In love even. She beats every other girl I've ever been with." Cheyenne gave him a peck on the lips and smirked at Amanda.

At that moment Amanda fought back the immense urge to grab the nearest stick, preferably one with fire on it, and bash the bitch over the head. Both Bobby and Marie looked like they were thinking the same thing. Amanda actually found herself twitching and was reaching for a fiery branch when the 'adults' came out of the jet. That saved Bobby enough time to grab her lightly around the wrist, preventing her from harming the new devil-woman.

"All right, everyone listen up." Magneto's voice boomed and seemed to echo off the trees. "All of you have been told about Gregory Shoff. According to Xavier, a sixteen-year-old mutant by the name of Devon Greere has been plotting the fall of mankind and the slavery of remaining mutants with him. We are camping here for the night, but tomorrow Charles has agreed we should go to the school and he will use Cerebro to find Gregory, also known as Tornado. In the meantime, don't get yourselves killed."

A shadow stood watching from behind a very far off tree. Diablo's eyes roamed the area and it's new inhabitants. There he had been, sleeping only a few feet away when he heard the jet coming. Now he couldn't help but gulp as he caught sight of his cousin, Amanda. 'This has got to be someone up there messing with my mind.' How long had it been since they had seen each other? At least four years, because had been under Stryker's 'treatment' from the time he was twelve until he was fourteen, when he finally broke free. Suddenly the man in the wheelchair turned his head and looked right at him. He backed up and hid behind the tree. 'Boy, that was weird.'

-=-

Far off back at Alkali Lake Jean and Scott embrace. "God, I've missed you like hell." Jean smiled and snuggled closer, "I've missed you too." Kurt and Ororo watched from the back of the jet. Cyclops and Phoenix were the ones in the front. Nightcrawler was all smiles, "They really love each other huh?" Storm nodded, smiling at his adorable accent. "Yes. Before you came along, there were times when I found myself jealous of them, but mostly, I am happy for them."

"Is everyone ready back there?" Jean's commanding voice echoed off the metallic walls. Storm nodded, "Yes." Cyclops readied the engine, "Ok then. It's time to meet the others."

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