Chapter Eight:
Snap…hiss…
Pyro flicked his lighter opened and sparked the flame to life. He looked at it for a moment, smiling almost tenderly at its glowing light, and then snapped it shut again.
He was moving through the Island compound quickly. Mystique had roused him early, with a loud, unfriendly knock on the front door of his quarters, to let him know Magneto had called the Brothers together. They were going to discuss what was found in Chicago, and what the next stage of Magneto's plan was.
Snap…hiss…
Pyro repeated the nervous action over again. There was comfort in knowing the fire was there, waiting for his command. In his chaotic life, that was always the part of it he could control. That was what made him special…what made him like a god…
God of fire, he thought with a measure of arrogance, I should have called myself 'Mars' or something. But I don't need to be a god…I'll settle for sainthood…
He chuckled at the joke he shared only with himself, and walked on, snapping his lighter every now and then for emphasis. His sharp black boots tapped along the metal floor, his long leather coat swinging just past his knees. The coat was dark brown, similar in color to the one he had at Xavier's, one of many things he had left behind.
Pyro entered the large hanger housing the Brotherhood's growing arsenal of airborne vehicles, and made his way towards the other side. Beams of light shone down from numerous glass skylights, which were cut at different angles in the high ceiling. The sunlight caused the large metallic supports lining the stone wall to shine, casting odd shadows around the room.
As he approached the silver jet, he heard someone working diligently, the sound of metal on metal echoing through the chamber. Pyro glanced up and saw Toad crouching atop one wing, frowning over his large goggles in concentration.
"Hey," Pyro greeted him.
Toad paused only long enough to spare him a quick glance before returning to his work. Pyro took the response grudgingly, knowing indifference was usually as close to friendly as the green mutant ever got.
Pyro sighed and looked around the room for any of the other Brothers.
"So...where are we meeting?" he asked, feeling a little anxious. He had never met another mutant who could control fire, so he was interested in who of the Brotherhood would be going to find her.
Toad did not look up as he responded, "In Magneto's office."
Pyro nodded, "Oh. Should we head over there?"
Toad gave the boy an annoyed glance but spoke again, "Just waitin' on the word."
"Oh," he repeated. He lingered there, with his hands in his pockets, wondering just how long it would be before the 'word' came. When awaiting Magneto's call, it could be minutes or hours. One simply had to be ready to go, right away, when the call came.
Pyro stood silently for a few minutes, but the tedium of the Island had been weighing on him lately, so he decided to try to start a conversation while they waited for word from Magneto.
"So, what's up with the jet?" Pyro asked, earning himself another annoyed glare, "Mystique ding the bumper or something?"
Toad frowned down at him, and tilted his head cynically. However, he did find the image of Mystique backing the jet into another vehicle (maybe having to exchange insurance information) amusing, and he smirked.
"Jets don't have bumpers," Toad replied, continuing his work.
"Yeah, I know," Pyro said smugly, "It was a joke..."
Toad looked down at him again, and Pyro grinned sarcastically.
"Ya'know...a joke," Pyro said, and Toad rolled his eyes without amusement.
The motion was exaggerated by the lenses he wore and Pyro suppressed another comment. After eight months, he had learned the tolerance level of the other Brotherhood members, and he knew not to push those limits. While Toad was typically reserved in his emotions, Pyro had only needed to see him lose his temper once and to know that anger was not something he ever wanted directed at him.
Glancing around the room again, Pyro noticed with some relief that Mystique heading toward them from the direction of Magneto's office. Her face was even and impassive, looking as apathetic as a statue, but at least her presence meant Pyro would not have to wait around in silence for another hour. Toad had apparently noticed her also, as Pyro could hear him gathering his things from above.
As Mystique reached the jet, she gave each of the other mutants a long look, almost measuring them up before they went to see Magneto. Pyro shifted, trying not to look too uncomfortable by her scrutiny, and stood with his shoulders back. Her gazed moved to Toad, who barely acknowledged her presence.
"We ready to start?" Pyro asked and Mystique looked at him again.
"No," she replied, "I was just making sure everyone was here. We're still waiting for another arrival. He's traveling from the north by water, but should be arriving shortly."
"Really?" Toad suddenly spoke from above, glancing down at Mystique with a wicked grin, "The pussy's coming home, then?"
Mystique did not reply, and the reason for Toad's scathing tone was lost on Pyro.
"Who're we waiting for?" Pyro asked.
"Another of our Brothers," she replied, and glanced up at Toad coolly, who chuckled and pulled off his lenses and put them in his tool case.
Before Pyro could question further, a low rumbling could be heard reverberating from outside the compound. Pyro glanced up with a curious frown and a smooth smile spread across Mystique's face. The dying roar of the boat's engine was a noise she recognized. She gave Toad once last warning glance, and walked off towards the dock to greet the new arrival.
Pyro watched her go, and heard Toad land solidly behind him as he jumped from the wing. Toad was still smirking as he shouldered his pack and began to walk towards Magneto's office.
Pyro walked quickly to catch up with him and frowned curiously.
"Pussy?" he asked and Toad gave him a broad grin.
"Yeah...as in cat..."