A/N: Wow! 2 months! I could give a ton of excuses, but I figure you
wouldn't want to hear that so I'll shut up about that. Sorry. Also I wanted
to mention that over my little *cough*long*cough* vacation I got a ton of
ideas and have a vague idea of where this is going. The first chapter was
an introduction and sort of set the stage. This one focuses on and explores
the characters themselves and lets you know what's going on and effecting
them right now. Sort of me added depth or something. Except for Freddy. I
haven't figured out how he's going to fit into all this yet. Since the last
chapter contained a lot of Todd and Wanda I focused more on the others but
they still snuck in and got a nice sized section also. Also there won't be
those huge gaps anymore (I hope) and I plan on updating either once a week
or once every two weeks. Let's pray I can at least do that! Well read on!
Moving On
Chapter Two
There was a sale. At least that was what Lance figured must be happening to cause the huge crowds of people running around. He frowned and surveyed the scene with distaste. Half-crazed girls hurried around while their poor miserable boyfriends trailed behind and carried shopping bags. He rolled his eyes. He'd never been _that_ bad.
Taking a deep breath he again entered the mayhem in search for his new guitar. Sadly he wasn't having much luck due to the fact that he had no idea where anything was. They'd driven over to the nearest town to find a mall since not only would they be recognized as mutants at Bayville's mall, but that particular mall had actually handed out pictures of them to the security guards after they decided that the mall had been trashed a few too many times.
Then he found himself thinking of Kitty as he saw a girl with a brown ponytail out of the corner of his eye. He hadn't even called her and if she called the boarding house while he was gone, she might decide to hang out with that metal guy instead.
Lance's eye twitched involuntarily. Sure anti-mutant fanatics irritated the hell out of him, and he hated Summers with a passion, but Piotr was different. He didn't hate Piotr. He _loathed_ him. The guy was pure EVIL! He was trying to steal Kitty away from him right after they'd patched things up.
He pushed thoughts of Kitty and metal man out of his mind as he dodged another crazed couple. Then he saw it. Sitting, polished and perfect, in the window display of a nearby store sat _his_ guitar. Suddenly he found himself fighting his way toward the store the same way all the other shoppers he'd just been thinking about were. But that wasn't what he was thinking of now. No, the only thing on his mind was the guitar. He'd do anything to have it and nothing would stop him. No distractions.
"Hey Lance is that like, you?" Lance stopped mid-stride, jerked his head to the side, and nearly got run over by an eighty year old woman with way too much perfume. There was the girl with the ponytail from before, but it wasn't just any girl. It was _his_ girl.
"K-kitty? What are you doing here?" She smiled.
"Well we wanted to get some shopping done and Bayville isn't the most mutant friendly place at the moment, if you know what I mean." Lance nodded remembering his own thoughts on the matter. "So I had Piotr drive me here." It was then that Lance noticed Him standing behind Kitty and carrying an enormous amount of shopping bags.
"Oh." It was really all Lance could trust himself to say at the moment. Don't lose your temper. Don't lose your temper.
"Kitty, I think we should be going. You said you wanted to visit the shoe department before we left." The taller boy's voice rumbled, deep and low.
"Hey! Lance, you could like, help Piotr carry my stuff," Kitty smiled brightly and Lance smiled back, cringing inwardly. The shoe department...was pure torture.
"That won't be necessary, Kitty," Piotr interrupted. "I am fully capable of carrying these on my own." Lance scowled darkly at the Russian before smiling at Kitty.
"Actually I'd love to help."
***************
John's fingers were itching. That was the only way to describe the feeling they got when he reached for his trusty lighter only to remember it was gone. For the hundredth time he dug around in his pockets searching hopelessly.
Sighing in defeat he continued wandering aimlessly. Life just wasn't as much fun without fire and he'd had to go very long time without fire. Okay so he hadn't gone a _long_ time but still he'd had to be extra careful and that was just...unnatural!
John paused. Was that Piotr? Yes it was! And he was talking to Lance. Honestly it was a little weird seeing his former teammate and new teammate together at the same time. In fact he sort of missed Gambit and Colossus. But it was better this way. Being at the Boardinghouse was great! No one forcing them to train or giving them long boring speeches about how mutants were the superior race and humans were inferior and how if they didn't blah, blah, blah. Usually by then he'd zoned out and gone back to pretending to listen and playing with his lighter.
And the company was better too. Piotr was a little too quiet and Remy was fun but tended to freak out when something like his trench coat caught on fire. And Sabertooth was just plain creepy.
The Brotherhood wasn't the greatest bunch but they certainly were interesting. And his habit of burning things didn't bother them nearly as much as it had the Acolytes. Wanda had mentioned something about being used to destruction.
Yes he'd miss those two but it wasn't worth going to the Institute. They probably wouldn't be too happy with the whole burning everything in sight. They'd probably kick him out in a week...or worse, they'd try to _fix_ him. He shuddered momentarily at the thought.
Shaking his head he began practically swimming across the sea of people toward the other teens. It looked like they were with someone else. That X- men girl...what was her name...Kitten?
It was official. He was getting depressed. It always happened when he went without fire for too long. If they'd let him have a little more fire- centered fun Lance wouldn't need a new guitar. It really wasn't his fault. Well not entirely his fault. He'd tried not to burn anything. But some people can only go so long without certain things and that thing for John was fire. Eventually it got to the point where all he could think about was fire. Lance's guitar just happened to be the closest flammable object.
There was no way of describing the feeling he got when he went without fire too long. It was like Pietro not running or a smoker needing a cigarette.
A cigarette...
There, only a few yards away, was a punk teen trying to look cool by smoking a cigarette and blowing the smoke at people as they walked by. It might have been more convincing if the teen wasn't choking and gagging. John could smell the smoke drifting by and see the embers slowly burning.
That was all it took, just a tiny ember.
***************
The aforementioned punk was in the middle of gagging, eyes watering from the smoke, when the embers on his cigarette jumped up enveloping his hand. He shrieked in pain dropping the cancer stick. Then just as quickly as the flames had grown they shrunk and all that was left was a half burned cigarette.
After several seconds of staring, the teen, cradling his hand, turned and ran as fast as he could toward the exit. He never touched another cigarette in his life.
****************
Pietro was bored. That in it self was a dangerous situation. Sure there were plenty of girls around that he could flirt with but even that got boring eventually. Luckily for the inhabitants of the mall, he'd decided he felt like taking a run instead of some other more destructive activity. Easily maneuvering between shoppers that seemed to barely move to him, he ran, too fast to be seen but slow enough that no windows shattered.
He always ran when he needed to think and he'd been running a lot the past week. His father had been possessed, then saved and as always Pietro had been disappointed. Instead of sticking around his father had just left. Like every other time. And then there was Wanda.
God if his life got even a bit more complicated he'd go insane. Though why he was worrying about her he'd never know. Everything was fine with Wanda. She was happy now or at least happier than before. She'd been upset that he hadn't done anything before but now not doing anything was the right thing to do. She hadn't wanted to go to that hell-hole and now it was almost like she hadn't. She was better off forgetting that place. And she wasn't trying to kill him any more. That was definitely better than before.
He frowned. He still didn't understand why she blamed _him_. He was 7 years old for Christ's sake! How could he have stood up to Magneto? No, he didn't blame himself and he wasn't feeling guilty...or at least he wished he wasn't. It wasn't the fact that he'd done nothing that made him feel a little of that horrible twisting feeling in his gut that he'd once been told was guilt. No the real reason he felt guilty about Wanda was much worse. Still...things couldn't go back to the way they had been before she left.
This rather depressing train of thought was cut off as he noticed Lance, Kitty, and Piotr. He would have stopped and basically annoyed the hell out of them for fun if he hadn't seen John igniting another teen's cigarette about ΒΌ of a second later. Great, if John blew this place up, _he'd_ get blamed for it.
In less than a second he grabbed the Australian by the collar of his shirt and then deposited him it an empty parking lot a few blocks away before the other boy realized anything had happened.
"W-what in bloody hell!" he screeched before he noticed the other teen. "Why the hell'd ya have to go an' do that!"
"Maybe because you were about to burn that guy's hand off." He retorted sarcastically. A second later a huge pile of trash was sitting in front of John and the pyro found to his surprise that his lighter was in his hand. "Just get it out of your system now before you do something stupid."
The other boy wasted no time and as Pietro watched, a huge grin spread across his face as the situation dawned on him and that familiar glint returned to his eyes. The mountain of garbage was engulfed in seconds. As the flames grew higher and higher and the Australian began jumping up and down in excitement, Pietro found himself thinking about the pyromaniac and his addiction. He couldn't really blame the guy. He wouldn't be able to live without running.
So pushing all thoughts of Wanda or his father or anything else that was currently plaguing his life out of his mind, he sat down and watched the blaze grow.
***************
Todd was scared. When he'd offered to go with Wanda while she shopped, he hadn't really thought she would let him. Now he almost wished she hadn't. Almost.
The store was most definitely gothic. The walls and ceiling were black as well as the majority of the merchandise. Several other teens, all of whom looked like they'd just as soon push him into oncoming traffic as say hello, were browsing. Wanda looked perfectly at home.
It was also kind of scary, Wanda knowing about the memory thing. He kept thinking she'd suddenly change her mind and blast him into oblivion. And he wasn't looking forward to the inevitable confrontation that would take place between the twins when Wanda decided it was time or Pietro did something stupid and provoked her. Whichever came first.
He was still sort of pissed off at the speedster for the Sentinel thing. Well he was when he thought about it. The majority of the time it was almost like it hadn't happened at all. Or at least Pietro acted like it hadn't. More and more he found himself not even thinking about how he was supposed to hate him for all the stupid stunts and betrayals that seemed natural to the other mutant.
"Todd." He jerked as he heard her voice, edged with the impatience of someone who's been calling someone else's name several times.
"Uh, yeah." He said shrinking away from her glare. Another emotion flickered across her face before it was replaced by her usual scowl.
"I said that I was going to go pay for this and then we could leave."
"Oh alright, I'll just uh, wait here for you."
"Alright I'll be right back." She said before turning and leaving. Todd sighed in relief. Well he was still alive. That had to be worth something.
**************
Wanda left Todd cringing in a corner and deposited her stuff in front of the purple haired punked out girl at the cash register, whose name tag read Michelle Sage.
"Cool choices. You might want to add a little more color to your wardrobe, though." Wanda glared and eyed the girl's bright lime green shirt.
"No I'm fine with what I picked out."
"You sure? 'Cause I know of some stuff you might like."
"I'm sure." Don't lose your temper.
"Sorry I didn't mean anything by it, just trying to boost sales and get a raise y'know." Wanda continued to glare as the girl bagged the clothes and handed them back.
She sighed. Being terrifying helped when dealing with strangers, and she'd always used it to her advantage. Still, during the time she'd lost her memories people, well not people just the guys, had... As stupid as it sounds they'd _looked_ at her differently. They still knew she could and possibly would crush them if they upset her, but they still weren't as afraid of her. Like they didn't think she'd really hurt them. Or at least not hurt them much. And during the past few days she kept expecting them to revert back to their old ways. She could already see it in Todd. He was terrified of her.
What would happen if they all knew? Lance would pretty much leave her alone completely. No more talking about how immature everyone else was or complaining to each other about how awful their day had been over some well deserved coffee. Freddy would stop inviting her to share a snack and make fun of daytime TV with him. John...wouldn't really be affected. She already saw the affect it had on Todd and Pietro...she would probably never see him again. The moment he found out that she knew the teasing, the incessant chattering, that infuriating sense of humor and the mischievous grin, they'd all disappear. If he didn't run away right away, he'd avoid her completely. They could live in the same house and not see each other for weeks.
'Why should I care?' she asked herself as she brushed past Todd who merely followed without a word. 'He's been no brother to me.' But that was a lie. They'd been close before the asylum. And on the plane ride...It really was impossible to know that it had been concern in his eyes. It could have been anything. And if it _was_ concern, who ever said it was for her? It could have been for their father or more likely himself.
She shook her head in frustration. She was thinking too much. She was supposed to relax, yet now all she wanted to do was go home.
"We're going to find the others and get out of here."
***************
It didn't take long to find Freddy at the food court. In fact a crowd of young boys had gathered and was watching with eyes as wide as saucers. The others however were harder to track down. Eventually they ran into Lance walking out of the shoe store with Kitty. He and Piotr looked like they were having a contest as to who could carry the most bags. Kitty looked like she was having the time of her life.
It took 10 minutes and few threats to get them all out to the parking lot so Lance and Piotr could pack all the bags into the car Piotr had borrowed.
"You know we could always give you a ride home Kitty." Lance said putting his arm around her as she giggled. Piotr was about to protest, but Wanda beat him to it.
"We need to find Pietro and Pyro."
"But..." He began.
"It's okay, Lance. I can just go with Piotr. I mean we live at the same place anyway." She interrupted apologetically.
"Yeah alright." He said forlornly as he watched them get into the car and leave.
***************
John stared, slightly disappointed that the bonfire had finally burned out. Still it had been fun while it lasted. He grinned, having thoroughly enjoyed himself and turned to his companion. Pietro had alternated between watching the fire and running ever since it began and had arrived minutes ago as the flames died away.
"We had better head back, Wanda's probably pissed." The albino pointed out.
"Yeah I s'pose."
***************
After several searches, they were all back in the parking lot with no sign of the speed demon or the pyromaniac. It was already getting dark.
"Where are they, yo?" Todd asked.
"If we knew we wouldn't be looking for them, idiot," Lance retorted irritably.
"If they don't show up soon I will kill them," Wanda said darkly.
"So nice to know you care," She spun around to find her brother's face grinning at her and a slightly disoriented John.
"Where have you two been?" Lance demanded.
"Oh here, there, everywhere," Pietro replied vaguely as he waved a hand airily. It was just the kind of thing he knew would irritate Lance.
"Was burnin' stuff," John said happily, still grinning like an idiot. Wanda was about to threaten them both with unimaginable pain when Pietro interrupted.
"I'm gonna run home. Seeyouguyslater." And then he was just gone.
"Oh he is just the most annoying infuriating," Wanda was fuming. It was just like him to disappear for hours, let them know he was alive and then disappear again.
"Let's just head home," Lance said tiredly. They all silently agreed and climbed into the jeep. The ride home was uneventful, nothing like the ride there, with Pietro complaining about how slow everything was and singing to the radio in an incredibly off-key tone just to annoy them. The only sound was the click of John's lighter and every now and then a small giggle that escaped his lips as he sat enraptured with the flame.
***************
When they got home, Pietro's light was already out. Wanda sighed. She really didn't know what to do and it bothered her. Usually she could just crush whatever was causing problems for her. Sadly that method wouldn't work so well in this situation. Tired, frustrated, and a little angry, she began climbing the stairs just as Todd said:
"Hey, I thought you s'posed ta be gettin' a guitar, Lance."
TCB
A/N: Wow, that took a while to type up. Hope you enjoyed!
Shout outs to the Reviewers!
Todd fan: Todd fan, the todd fan, master of parodies, is reviewing my story? author is in shock I...um...wow.(read: thanks)
The Rogue Witch: Yay Pyro!!!!!! I really hope you liked the way I cose to portray him. As I said earlier this chapter was mainly getting into the characters and preparing for a few things. Sorry for the delay!
rogueandkurt: Todd and Wanda are cool together. I'm still trying to figure out if they're gonna get together or if he's just gonna be a friend to help her get through the hard times to come. And I love Pyro! I hope you liked him in this chapter.
DoWriter12: Whoah thanks! I was afraid I would come off too strongly on either side but I'm glad you like it!
Incrediblecuznz: I'm so sorry! I feel awful! SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!
Steven P.P : Thanks that's a great compliment! I'm glad you like the idea.
Demon Rogue 13: Thanks I have a ton of ideas and I really hope they all work out.
Viewer: They are awesome. I'm still sort of feeling them out right now. And I hope you like the way I portrayed the others in this chapter.
See you all again soon! (We hope)
Moving On
Chapter Two
There was a sale. At least that was what Lance figured must be happening to cause the huge crowds of people running around. He frowned and surveyed the scene with distaste. Half-crazed girls hurried around while their poor miserable boyfriends trailed behind and carried shopping bags. He rolled his eyes. He'd never been _that_ bad.
Taking a deep breath he again entered the mayhem in search for his new guitar. Sadly he wasn't having much luck due to the fact that he had no idea where anything was. They'd driven over to the nearest town to find a mall since not only would they be recognized as mutants at Bayville's mall, but that particular mall had actually handed out pictures of them to the security guards after they decided that the mall had been trashed a few too many times.
Then he found himself thinking of Kitty as he saw a girl with a brown ponytail out of the corner of his eye. He hadn't even called her and if she called the boarding house while he was gone, she might decide to hang out with that metal guy instead.
Lance's eye twitched involuntarily. Sure anti-mutant fanatics irritated the hell out of him, and he hated Summers with a passion, but Piotr was different. He didn't hate Piotr. He _loathed_ him. The guy was pure EVIL! He was trying to steal Kitty away from him right after they'd patched things up.
He pushed thoughts of Kitty and metal man out of his mind as he dodged another crazed couple. Then he saw it. Sitting, polished and perfect, in the window display of a nearby store sat _his_ guitar. Suddenly he found himself fighting his way toward the store the same way all the other shoppers he'd just been thinking about were. But that wasn't what he was thinking of now. No, the only thing on his mind was the guitar. He'd do anything to have it and nothing would stop him. No distractions.
"Hey Lance is that like, you?" Lance stopped mid-stride, jerked his head to the side, and nearly got run over by an eighty year old woman with way too much perfume. There was the girl with the ponytail from before, but it wasn't just any girl. It was _his_ girl.
"K-kitty? What are you doing here?" She smiled.
"Well we wanted to get some shopping done and Bayville isn't the most mutant friendly place at the moment, if you know what I mean." Lance nodded remembering his own thoughts on the matter. "So I had Piotr drive me here." It was then that Lance noticed Him standing behind Kitty and carrying an enormous amount of shopping bags.
"Oh." It was really all Lance could trust himself to say at the moment. Don't lose your temper. Don't lose your temper.
"Kitty, I think we should be going. You said you wanted to visit the shoe department before we left." The taller boy's voice rumbled, deep and low.
"Hey! Lance, you could like, help Piotr carry my stuff," Kitty smiled brightly and Lance smiled back, cringing inwardly. The shoe department...was pure torture.
"That won't be necessary, Kitty," Piotr interrupted. "I am fully capable of carrying these on my own." Lance scowled darkly at the Russian before smiling at Kitty.
"Actually I'd love to help."
***************
John's fingers were itching. That was the only way to describe the feeling they got when he reached for his trusty lighter only to remember it was gone. For the hundredth time he dug around in his pockets searching hopelessly.
Sighing in defeat he continued wandering aimlessly. Life just wasn't as much fun without fire and he'd had to go very long time without fire. Okay so he hadn't gone a _long_ time but still he'd had to be extra careful and that was just...unnatural!
John paused. Was that Piotr? Yes it was! And he was talking to Lance. Honestly it was a little weird seeing his former teammate and new teammate together at the same time. In fact he sort of missed Gambit and Colossus. But it was better this way. Being at the Boardinghouse was great! No one forcing them to train or giving them long boring speeches about how mutants were the superior race and humans were inferior and how if they didn't blah, blah, blah. Usually by then he'd zoned out and gone back to pretending to listen and playing with his lighter.
And the company was better too. Piotr was a little too quiet and Remy was fun but tended to freak out when something like his trench coat caught on fire. And Sabertooth was just plain creepy.
The Brotherhood wasn't the greatest bunch but they certainly were interesting. And his habit of burning things didn't bother them nearly as much as it had the Acolytes. Wanda had mentioned something about being used to destruction.
Yes he'd miss those two but it wasn't worth going to the Institute. They probably wouldn't be too happy with the whole burning everything in sight. They'd probably kick him out in a week...or worse, they'd try to _fix_ him. He shuddered momentarily at the thought.
Shaking his head he began practically swimming across the sea of people toward the other teens. It looked like they were with someone else. That X- men girl...what was her name...Kitten?
It was official. He was getting depressed. It always happened when he went without fire for too long. If they'd let him have a little more fire- centered fun Lance wouldn't need a new guitar. It really wasn't his fault. Well not entirely his fault. He'd tried not to burn anything. But some people can only go so long without certain things and that thing for John was fire. Eventually it got to the point where all he could think about was fire. Lance's guitar just happened to be the closest flammable object.
There was no way of describing the feeling he got when he went without fire too long. It was like Pietro not running or a smoker needing a cigarette.
A cigarette...
There, only a few yards away, was a punk teen trying to look cool by smoking a cigarette and blowing the smoke at people as they walked by. It might have been more convincing if the teen wasn't choking and gagging. John could smell the smoke drifting by and see the embers slowly burning.
That was all it took, just a tiny ember.
***************
The aforementioned punk was in the middle of gagging, eyes watering from the smoke, when the embers on his cigarette jumped up enveloping his hand. He shrieked in pain dropping the cancer stick. Then just as quickly as the flames had grown they shrunk and all that was left was a half burned cigarette.
After several seconds of staring, the teen, cradling his hand, turned and ran as fast as he could toward the exit. He never touched another cigarette in his life.
****************
Pietro was bored. That in it self was a dangerous situation. Sure there were plenty of girls around that he could flirt with but even that got boring eventually. Luckily for the inhabitants of the mall, he'd decided he felt like taking a run instead of some other more destructive activity. Easily maneuvering between shoppers that seemed to barely move to him, he ran, too fast to be seen but slow enough that no windows shattered.
He always ran when he needed to think and he'd been running a lot the past week. His father had been possessed, then saved and as always Pietro had been disappointed. Instead of sticking around his father had just left. Like every other time. And then there was Wanda.
God if his life got even a bit more complicated he'd go insane. Though why he was worrying about her he'd never know. Everything was fine with Wanda. She was happy now or at least happier than before. She'd been upset that he hadn't done anything before but now not doing anything was the right thing to do. She hadn't wanted to go to that hell-hole and now it was almost like she hadn't. She was better off forgetting that place. And she wasn't trying to kill him any more. That was definitely better than before.
He frowned. He still didn't understand why she blamed _him_. He was 7 years old for Christ's sake! How could he have stood up to Magneto? No, he didn't blame himself and he wasn't feeling guilty...or at least he wished he wasn't. It wasn't the fact that he'd done nothing that made him feel a little of that horrible twisting feeling in his gut that he'd once been told was guilt. No the real reason he felt guilty about Wanda was much worse. Still...things couldn't go back to the way they had been before she left.
This rather depressing train of thought was cut off as he noticed Lance, Kitty, and Piotr. He would have stopped and basically annoyed the hell out of them for fun if he hadn't seen John igniting another teen's cigarette about ΒΌ of a second later. Great, if John blew this place up, _he'd_ get blamed for it.
In less than a second he grabbed the Australian by the collar of his shirt and then deposited him it an empty parking lot a few blocks away before the other boy realized anything had happened.
"W-what in bloody hell!" he screeched before he noticed the other teen. "Why the hell'd ya have to go an' do that!"
"Maybe because you were about to burn that guy's hand off." He retorted sarcastically. A second later a huge pile of trash was sitting in front of John and the pyro found to his surprise that his lighter was in his hand. "Just get it out of your system now before you do something stupid."
The other boy wasted no time and as Pietro watched, a huge grin spread across his face as the situation dawned on him and that familiar glint returned to his eyes. The mountain of garbage was engulfed in seconds. As the flames grew higher and higher and the Australian began jumping up and down in excitement, Pietro found himself thinking about the pyromaniac and his addiction. He couldn't really blame the guy. He wouldn't be able to live without running.
So pushing all thoughts of Wanda or his father or anything else that was currently plaguing his life out of his mind, he sat down and watched the blaze grow.
***************
Todd was scared. When he'd offered to go with Wanda while she shopped, he hadn't really thought she would let him. Now he almost wished she hadn't. Almost.
The store was most definitely gothic. The walls and ceiling were black as well as the majority of the merchandise. Several other teens, all of whom looked like they'd just as soon push him into oncoming traffic as say hello, were browsing. Wanda looked perfectly at home.
It was also kind of scary, Wanda knowing about the memory thing. He kept thinking she'd suddenly change her mind and blast him into oblivion. And he wasn't looking forward to the inevitable confrontation that would take place between the twins when Wanda decided it was time or Pietro did something stupid and provoked her. Whichever came first.
He was still sort of pissed off at the speedster for the Sentinel thing. Well he was when he thought about it. The majority of the time it was almost like it hadn't happened at all. Or at least Pietro acted like it hadn't. More and more he found himself not even thinking about how he was supposed to hate him for all the stupid stunts and betrayals that seemed natural to the other mutant.
"Todd." He jerked as he heard her voice, edged with the impatience of someone who's been calling someone else's name several times.
"Uh, yeah." He said shrinking away from her glare. Another emotion flickered across her face before it was replaced by her usual scowl.
"I said that I was going to go pay for this and then we could leave."
"Oh alright, I'll just uh, wait here for you."
"Alright I'll be right back." She said before turning and leaving. Todd sighed in relief. Well he was still alive. That had to be worth something.
**************
Wanda left Todd cringing in a corner and deposited her stuff in front of the purple haired punked out girl at the cash register, whose name tag read Michelle Sage.
"Cool choices. You might want to add a little more color to your wardrobe, though." Wanda glared and eyed the girl's bright lime green shirt.
"No I'm fine with what I picked out."
"You sure? 'Cause I know of some stuff you might like."
"I'm sure." Don't lose your temper.
"Sorry I didn't mean anything by it, just trying to boost sales and get a raise y'know." Wanda continued to glare as the girl bagged the clothes and handed them back.
She sighed. Being terrifying helped when dealing with strangers, and she'd always used it to her advantage. Still, during the time she'd lost her memories people, well not people just the guys, had... As stupid as it sounds they'd _looked_ at her differently. They still knew she could and possibly would crush them if they upset her, but they still weren't as afraid of her. Like they didn't think she'd really hurt them. Or at least not hurt them much. And during the past few days she kept expecting them to revert back to their old ways. She could already see it in Todd. He was terrified of her.
What would happen if they all knew? Lance would pretty much leave her alone completely. No more talking about how immature everyone else was or complaining to each other about how awful their day had been over some well deserved coffee. Freddy would stop inviting her to share a snack and make fun of daytime TV with him. John...wouldn't really be affected. She already saw the affect it had on Todd and Pietro...she would probably never see him again. The moment he found out that she knew the teasing, the incessant chattering, that infuriating sense of humor and the mischievous grin, they'd all disappear. If he didn't run away right away, he'd avoid her completely. They could live in the same house and not see each other for weeks.
'Why should I care?' she asked herself as she brushed past Todd who merely followed without a word. 'He's been no brother to me.' But that was a lie. They'd been close before the asylum. And on the plane ride...It really was impossible to know that it had been concern in his eyes. It could have been anything. And if it _was_ concern, who ever said it was for her? It could have been for their father or more likely himself.
She shook her head in frustration. She was thinking too much. She was supposed to relax, yet now all she wanted to do was go home.
"We're going to find the others and get out of here."
***************
It didn't take long to find Freddy at the food court. In fact a crowd of young boys had gathered and was watching with eyes as wide as saucers. The others however were harder to track down. Eventually they ran into Lance walking out of the shoe store with Kitty. He and Piotr looked like they were having a contest as to who could carry the most bags. Kitty looked like she was having the time of her life.
It took 10 minutes and few threats to get them all out to the parking lot so Lance and Piotr could pack all the bags into the car Piotr had borrowed.
"You know we could always give you a ride home Kitty." Lance said putting his arm around her as she giggled. Piotr was about to protest, but Wanda beat him to it.
"We need to find Pietro and Pyro."
"But..." He began.
"It's okay, Lance. I can just go with Piotr. I mean we live at the same place anyway." She interrupted apologetically.
"Yeah alright." He said forlornly as he watched them get into the car and leave.
***************
John stared, slightly disappointed that the bonfire had finally burned out. Still it had been fun while it lasted. He grinned, having thoroughly enjoyed himself and turned to his companion. Pietro had alternated between watching the fire and running ever since it began and had arrived minutes ago as the flames died away.
"We had better head back, Wanda's probably pissed." The albino pointed out.
"Yeah I s'pose."
***************
After several searches, they were all back in the parking lot with no sign of the speed demon or the pyromaniac. It was already getting dark.
"Where are they, yo?" Todd asked.
"If we knew we wouldn't be looking for them, idiot," Lance retorted irritably.
"If they don't show up soon I will kill them," Wanda said darkly.
"So nice to know you care," She spun around to find her brother's face grinning at her and a slightly disoriented John.
"Where have you two been?" Lance demanded.
"Oh here, there, everywhere," Pietro replied vaguely as he waved a hand airily. It was just the kind of thing he knew would irritate Lance.
"Was burnin' stuff," John said happily, still grinning like an idiot. Wanda was about to threaten them both with unimaginable pain when Pietro interrupted.
"I'm gonna run home. Seeyouguyslater." And then he was just gone.
"Oh he is just the most annoying infuriating," Wanda was fuming. It was just like him to disappear for hours, let them know he was alive and then disappear again.
"Let's just head home," Lance said tiredly. They all silently agreed and climbed into the jeep. The ride home was uneventful, nothing like the ride there, with Pietro complaining about how slow everything was and singing to the radio in an incredibly off-key tone just to annoy them. The only sound was the click of John's lighter and every now and then a small giggle that escaped his lips as he sat enraptured with the flame.
***************
When they got home, Pietro's light was already out. Wanda sighed. She really didn't know what to do and it bothered her. Usually she could just crush whatever was causing problems for her. Sadly that method wouldn't work so well in this situation. Tired, frustrated, and a little angry, she began climbing the stairs just as Todd said:
"Hey, I thought you s'posed ta be gettin' a guitar, Lance."
TCB
A/N: Wow, that took a while to type up. Hope you enjoyed!
Shout outs to the Reviewers!
Todd fan: Todd fan, the todd fan, master of parodies, is reviewing my story? author is in shock I...um...wow.(read: thanks)
The Rogue Witch: Yay Pyro!!!!!! I really hope you liked the way I cose to portray him. As I said earlier this chapter was mainly getting into the characters and preparing for a few things. Sorry for the delay!
rogueandkurt: Todd and Wanda are cool together. I'm still trying to figure out if they're gonna get together or if he's just gonna be a friend to help her get through the hard times to come. And I love Pyro! I hope you liked him in this chapter.
DoWriter12: Whoah thanks! I was afraid I would come off too strongly on either side but I'm glad you like it!
Incrediblecuznz: I'm so sorry! I feel awful! SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!
Steven P.P : Thanks that's a great compliment! I'm glad you like the idea.
Demon Rogue 13: Thanks I have a ton of ideas and I really hope they all work out.
Viewer: They are awesome. I'm still sort of feeling them out right now. And I hope you like the way I portrayed the others in this chapter.
See you all again soon! (We hope)