Author's Note: Hey, I'm sorry that it took so long to post, but I caught a
virus that's been going around; as much as I like to write, there ain't no
way I'm gonna be typing with a fever of 102, ya feel me? Oh, and by the
way, I've never seen the second Matrix movie, never-never-never, I don't
even know what the Matrix movies are about! I've never seen the second
movie, and it was so totally NOT what inspired this chapter! By the way,
have I mentioned it's opposite day? ;)
*^*^*^*^*
Friday Afternoon
"Bobby, Eric and Mystique have left John alone."
Charles Xavier had just emerged from the Cerebro chamber, after Bobby had insisted that he check on John. Charles couldn't blame him, he was worried as well. Bobby's face lit up instantly.
"Great! Where is he? Maybe if we hurry we can get him before they come back."
Bobby was already putting on his jacket, ready to perform the rescue mission. Charles, however, was less enthusiastic.
"Bobby, it's not as easy as it seems. Eric and Mystique may have left, but John is not alone. Cerebro picked up two other mutants who are living in the same apartment Eric has been keeping John."
Bobby's face fell; he wanted to save his friend, but so many obstacles kept getting in the way!
"What if John isn't the only mutant Magneto's caught? What if he's got a whole room full of kids that he's trying to twist into an army or something?" Bobby asked with a hint of desperation in his voice.
Charles attempted to soothe him, "Bobby, Eric can be many things, but I don't think he would stoop so low. In any case, the two mutants with him are young, probably about the same age as you or John."
Bobby thought for a moment, "What are their powers?"
"I'm not sure, Cerebro cannot identify a mutant's power until the mutant in question is using their ability. Also, I have to be wearing the helmet to pick up on it, and I can't wear it day and night."
Bobby frowned. This wasn't going well at all. "Listen, I just want to save my friend, ok? If the two mutants try to cause trouble, I'll freeze them."
"Bobby, I understand your concern, but they could be very dangerous."
Bobby sighed, irritated. "So can I. Just find him, Professor, please."
*^*^*^*^*^**
John propped his feet up and put in his new DVD. It was early Saturday morning and the penthouse was eerily quiet. Wanda and Pietro were gone, scoping out the city for something all three of them could do together later on in the afternoon.
Magneto and Mystique had been gone for five days already, and as much as John liked both of them, he was thankful for the break. Mystique already worked him hard enough in combat training without Magneto trying to help him advance his skills with flame.
Those two were like a couple of drill sergeants!
Then again, learning how to fight would probably end up being more useful than trigonometry in the long run, especially in this life, so he reminded himself to be grateful for their instruction.
They'd be back soon, and he was sure that once they came back things would go back to normal; his training would recommence, as would his mini- missions for Eric.
Well, he still had some time left to enjoy the lax schedule. Which is exactly why he took advantage of Eric and Mystique's lovely home theater system.
He had seen Matrix: Reloaded at the movie theaters with Bobby, Jubilee and some of the other kids from Xavier's, but he figured that it was worth a second viewing, especially on a TV that big.
John watched as Neo punched and kicked his way through a million Agent Smiths.
"Man, that would never happen!" he laughed aloud.
*^*^*^*^*^*
After John was finished watching the movie, and he had gotten washed and dressed for the day, he answered a phone call from Pietro.
"John, we found something. Wanda and I flipped a coin and she won."
"Yeah? What does she want to do?"
"She wants to see the Lion King on Broadway. I have only once seen the cartoon movie, but that was a long time ago. I liked it, so perhaps the play will be good too. You want to see it?"
John ran a brush through his hair. He had seen the cartoon movie too, and remembered that it was his favorite movie all through second grade. "Sure, why not? Where are you?"
"We are on Broadway right now, Wanda just got the tickets. Do you want us to come back to there to pick you up?"
John looked out the window. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, it was a beautiful day. "No, listen, why don't you and Wanda meet me at that playground on 5th and Lake? The play doesn't start for awhile; we can grab a bite to eat before it starts."
"5th and Lake? All right, see you when we see you."
"Cool."
John hung up the phone and got ready to go.
*^*^*^*^*^*
It wasn't too long of a walk, but then again, John had long legs and took long strides.
The playground where they agreed to meet at was about six blocks away from the penthouse, and about eight blocks away from Broadway. Almost a half point. The upscale neighborhood that Eric had bought into gradually faded into the middle class of the city.
It was still nice, just a little less polish and a homier feel.
The meeting place he had selected wasn't really a playground, more like a vacant concrete lot with a couple swing sets in it. It was okay, didn't really strike him as a place for major gang activity, more like a place where the neighbors got together for barbeques.
John looked around, Wanda and Pietro weren't there yet so he sat down on a bench and relaxed, closed his eyes and let the sun shine down on him, warming his face.
"Nice day." He said to no one in particular. He didn't care if anyone heard him, he just felt GOOD today.
He heard a fluttering noise close by and opened his eyes. A bunch of birds had just flown out of the playground, revealing a very familiar figure.
John got up from the bench, and found that he couldn't speak.
"Mr. Allerdyce."
That snapped him out of it. Bobby was smiling as he walked up to John. No one had said his last name in months, hearing it made him feel strange. Seeing Bobby again made him feel equally strange. He had seen Bobby outside of the mall, but he was called away by Mystique and never got the chance to say anything.
"Bobby! What's going on, man?" John asked, happy to see his friend despite the odd circumstances.
"John, it's great to see you again, but come on, we've got to go."
"Go? Go where, what are you talking about?" John asked him.
Bobby frowned. "John, don't worry, you'll be safe once we get back to the school."
"What? I don't want to go back to the school."
Bobby's jaw dropped upon hearing this. "Why not? I mean, I know the classes can be boring, but it's got to be better treatment than they've been giving you here!"
John was very confused. "Bobby, what are you talking about?"
"John, Magneto is dangerous, ok? If you don't come back to the school, there's no telling what else he'll do to you."
John scoffed, "You mean FOR me! He's helped me develop my powers, he's letting me stay in his penthouse, he's gotten me all these nice things-"
"Like that black eye?" Bobby asked, becoming angry at John's attitude.
John shrugged and tenderly touched the fading bruise around his eye and on his cheek. "That wasn't him."
"Well who was it then? Mystique?" Bobby asked as his temper grew.
"No, it was his son." John said, also getting angry.
"Look, John, I don't know what lies Magneto's told you, but this is crazy, you can't stay with him!"
"Why not? How is he any different than Xavier?"
Both of the young men were yelling now.
"Magneto's a crazy serial killer! How do you know he's not planning to kill you like he was going to kill Rogue?!"
"He's not a crazy serial killer, and at least he's actually doing something for mutants!"
"God, John, why can't you see the truth? He's just going to use you for his stupid plots!"
John didn't answer right away, he was distracted by something. What was that? It was a weird tingle that ran up his back. The temperature hadn't changed, the wind wasn't blowing.
It took John a minute to realize that it was the same feeling he always got when Magneto walked into the room, his natural bio-magnetic energy effected everything around him.
However, John knew that Eric and Mystique weren't due back for a couple more days, which left only one possibility.
Oh, no.
John looked back to Bobby, whose face was colored and he was still glaring.
Quietly, John said, "Bobby, be careful what you say."
"Why? Why should I be careful of what I say? Are you worried that madman will hear what I've said and then come kill me?!"
"Bobby, no, just don't-"
"You'd better watch your mouth."
John watched as Bobby's focus shifted to the voice source behind him. John sighed, "Oh, shit."
"Who are you?" Bobby asked.
John turned around to see Pietro standing there behind him, his icy blue eyes glaring right back into Bobby's.
"I'm Pietro, son of Eric Lehnsherr. The man you were just insulting is my father. I demand apology."
John watched as Bobby scoffed. "No way!"
"My brother demands an apology for your rudeness to our father. As do I. It would be in your best interest to apologize now."
John looked to the side and saw that Wanda was making her approach.
Not good.
Quietly, John said to Bobby. "Just apologize and go, trust me, you do NOT want them angry."
Bobby's anger and pride wouldn't let him stop. "You brought friends John? Well so did I."
He put his fingers in his mouth and blew out a long, loud whistle.
From the alley that ran along the playground emerged Jamie and Jubilee, a couple of John's friends from Xavier's.
They came forward and stood beside Bobby.
John sighed, this was way too weird.
"Are we really going to do this?" he asked Bobby.
"Well, you said Magneto was helping you to develop your powers, right?"
John nodded.
"Show me."
*^*^*^*^*
Friday Afternoon
"Bobby, Eric and Mystique have left John alone."
Charles Xavier had just emerged from the Cerebro chamber, after Bobby had insisted that he check on John. Charles couldn't blame him, he was worried as well. Bobby's face lit up instantly.
"Great! Where is he? Maybe if we hurry we can get him before they come back."
Bobby was already putting on his jacket, ready to perform the rescue mission. Charles, however, was less enthusiastic.
"Bobby, it's not as easy as it seems. Eric and Mystique may have left, but John is not alone. Cerebro picked up two other mutants who are living in the same apartment Eric has been keeping John."
Bobby's face fell; he wanted to save his friend, but so many obstacles kept getting in the way!
"What if John isn't the only mutant Magneto's caught? What if he's got a whole room full of kids that he's trying to twist into an army or something?" Bobby asked with a hint of desperation in his voice.
Charles attempted to soothe him, "Bobby, Eric can be many things, but I don't think he would stoop so low. In any case, the two mutants with him are young, probably about the same age as you or John."
Bobby thought for a moment, "What are their powers?"
"I'm not sure, Cerebro cannot identify a mutant's power until the mutant in question is using their ability. Also, I have to be wearing the helmet to pick up on it, and I can't wear it day and night."
Bobby frowned. This wasn't going well at all. "Listen, I just want to save my friend, ok? If the two mutants try to cause trouble, I'll freeze them."
"Bobby, I understand your concern, but they could be very dangerous."
Bobby sighed, irritated. "So can I. Just find him, Professor, please."
*^*^*^*^*^**
John propped his feet up and put in his new DVD. It was early Saturday morning and the penthouse was eerily quiet. Wanda and Pietro were gone, scoping out the city for something all three of them could do together later on in the afternoon.
Magneto and Mystique had been gone for five days already, and as much as John liked both of them, he was thankful for the break. Mystique already worked him hard enough in combat training without Magneto trying to help him advance his skills with flame.
Those two were like a couple of drill sergeants!
Then again, learning how to fight would probably end up being more useful than trigonometry in the long run, especially in this life, so he reminded himself to be grateful for their instruction.
They'd be back soon, and he was sure that once they came back things would go back to normal; his training would recommence, as would his mini- missions for Eric.
Well, he still had some time left to enjoy the lax schedule. Which is exactly why he took advantage of Eric and Mystique's lovely home theater system.
He had seen Matrix: Reloaded at the movie theaters with Bobby, Jubilee and some of the other kids from Xavier's, but he figured that it was worth a second viewing, especially on a TV that big.
John watched as Neo punched and kicked his way through a million Agent Smiths.
"Man, that would never happen!" he laughed aloud.
*^*^*^*^*^*
After John was finished watching the movie, and he had gotten washed and dressed for the day, he answered a phone call from Pietro.
"John, we found something. Wanda and I flipped a coin and she won."
"Yeah? What does she want to do?"
"She wants to see the Lion King on Broadway. I have only once seen the cartoon movie, but that was a long time ago. I liked it, so perhaps the play will be good too. You want to see it?"
John ran a brush through his hair. He had seen the cartoon movie too, and remembered that it was his favorite movie all through second grade. "Sure, why not? Where are you?"
"We are on Broadway right now, Wanda just got the tickets. Do you want us to come back to there to pick you up?"
John looked out the window. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, it was a beautiful day. "No, listen, why don't you and Wanda meet me at that playground on 5th and Lake? The play doesn't start for awhile; we can grab a bite to eat before it starts."
"5th and Lake? All right, see you when we see you."
"Cool."
John hung up the phone and got ready to go.
*^*^*^*^*^*
It wasn't too long of a walk, but then again, John had long legs and took long strides.
The playground where they agreed to meet at was about six blocks away from the penthouse, and about eight blocks away from Broadway. Almost a half point. The upscale neighborhood that Eric had bought into gradually faded into the middle class of the city.
It was still nice, just a little less polish and a homier feel.
The meeting place he had selected wasn't really a playground, more like a vacant concrete lot with a couple swing sets in it. It was okay, didn't really strike him as a place for major gang activity, more like a place where the neighbors got together for barbeques.
John looked around, Wanda and Pietro weren't there yet so he sat down on a bench and relaxed, closed his eyes and let the sun shine down on him, warming his face.
"Nice day." He said to no one in particular. He didn't care if anyone heard him, he just felt GOOD today.
He heard a fluttering noise close by and opened his eyes. A bunch of birds had just flown out of the playground, revealing a very familiar figure.
John got up from the bench, and found that he couldn't speak.
"Mr. Allerdyce."
That snapped him out of it. Bobby was smiling as he walked up to John. No one had said his last name in months, hearing it made him feel strange. Seeing Bobby again made him feel equally strange. He had seen Bobby outside of the mall, but he was called away by Mystique and never got the chance to say anything.
"Bobby! What's going on, man?" John asked, happy to see his friend despite the odd circumstances.
"John, it's great to see you again, but come on, we've got to go."
"Go? Go where, what are you talking about?" John asked him.
Bobby frowned. "John, don't worry, you'll be safe once we get back to the school."
"What? I don't want to go back to the school."
Bobby's jaw dropped upon hearing this. "Why not? I mean, I know the classes can be boring, but it's got to be better treatment than they've been giving you here!"
John was very confused. "Bobby, what are you talking about?"
"John, Magneto is dangerous, ok? If you don't come back to the school, there's no telling what else he'll do to you."
John scoffed, "You mean FOR me! He's helped me develop my powers, he's letting me stay in his penthouse, he's gotten me all these nice things-"
"Like that black eye?" Bobby asked, becoming angry at John's attitude.
John shrugged and tenderly touched the fading bruise around his eye and on his cheek. "That wasn't him."
"Well who was it then? Mystique?" Bobby asked as his temper grew.
"No, it was his son." John said, also getting angry.
"Look, John, I don't know what lies Magneto's told you, but this is crazy, you can't stay with him!"
"Why not? How is he any different than Xavier?"
Both of the young men were yelling now.
"Magneto's a crazy serial killer! How do you know he's not planning to kill you like he was going to kill Rogue?!"
"He's not a crazy serial killer, and at least he's actually doing something for mutants!"
"God, John, why can't you see the truth? He's just going to use you for his stupid plots!"
John didn't answer right away, he was distracted by something. What was that? It was a weird tingle that ran up his back. The temperature hadn't changed, the wind wasn't blowing.
It took John a minute to realize that it was the same feeling he always got when Magneto walked into the room, his natural bio-magnetic energy effected everything around him.
However, John knew that Eric and Mystique weren't due back for a couple more days, which left only one possibility.
Oh, no.
John looked back to Bobby, whose face was colored and he was still glaring.
Quietly, John said, "Bobby, be careful what you say."
"Why? Why should I be careful of what I say? Are you worried that madman will hear what I've said and then come kill me?!"
"Bobby, no, just don't-"
"You'd better watch your mouth."
John watched as Bobby's focus shifted to the voice source behind him. John sighed, "Oh, shit."
"Who are you?" Bobby asked.
John turned around to see Pietro standing there behind him, his icy blue eyes glaring right back into Bobby's.
"I'm Pietro, son of Eric Lehnsherr. The man you were just insulting is my father. I demand apology."
John watched as Bobby scoffed. "No way!"
"My brother demands an apology for your rudeness to our father. As do I. It would be in your best interest to apologize now."
John looked to the side and saw that Wanda was making her approach.
Not good.
Quietly, John said to Bobby. "Just apologize and go, trust me, you do NOT want them angry."
Bobby's anger and pride wouldn't let him stop. "You brought friends John? Well so did I."
He put his fingers in his mouth and blew out a long, loud whistle.
From the alley that ran along the playground emerged Jamie and Jubilee, a couple of John's friends from Xavier's.
They came forward and stood beside Bobby.
John sighed, this was way too weird.
"Are we really going to do this?" he asked Bobby.
"Well, you said Magneto was helping you to develop your powers, right?"
John nodded.
"Show me."