This is *drum roll please* the final installment of "Nothing is Set In
Stone"! Or is it? Hmm . . . let's ponder this . . . be sure to read the
very end, even after the story's done, cause a surprise will be there! And
now, my inner fan girl is about to come out so be afraid, be very afraid .
. .
Yay! I reached my goal of over 100 reviews!!!! Thank you, thank you! WHOOOOO! (Okay, maybe that wasn't too bad . . . but I feel very chatty right now. ^_^0)
*clears throat* I have some reviewers to thank (Feel free to skip this part and move onto the story, which by the way, I hope you'll like):
Special thanks to: Obiwanfan, Wiccan-One14, Pyrotic, Icegirl-Kat, Orlandorocksmyworld, and Pyro-Hi!
Also thanks to: Rhiannon Merdon, squishyJH, highlitergrl, Flame3, Lalene Brooks, Ang3l666, the Proud Canadian, Aussiegal, Sethoz, happy-little- hobbit, Starkeeper, and everyone else! (Sorry, can't fit in everyone who reviewed the earlier chapters or I'll never get to the story . . .) I apologize if I got your usernames spelled wrong!
I feel like I'm at the Oscars . . . anyway, review!
Random Fact: This fic is really supposed to be Bobby and Rogue centered but SOMEHOW . . . this story turned sort of Pyro centric, although John was only supposed to supply part of the plot and the must needed sarcasm. Although I think Bobby and Rogue still play a pretty big part, right?
Ignore me . . . on with the story!
* * *
They were flying. It was as if they were cruising through time itself. John kept on getting glimpses of events that happened, but he rushed by them so fast that he didn't bother to try and figure them out.
John really didn't like time traveling. There were colorful sparks, sort of like Jubilee's power, that kept on zapping around and occasionally hit him, in which case was extremely painful. But at the same time, he felt this undeniable freedom . . . something he hadn't felt in a while.
Up ahead, Bobby and Rogue were desperately trying to find each other. Rogue had gone in first, and she suddenly sensed someone behind her. She reached her gloved hand back, and she felt the strong grip of her boyfriend Bobby clasp his hand over hers.
Rogue felt safe now.
Suddenly, a huge gap of dark space opened up ahead of her, and she felt relieved to see everyone: the Professor, Jubilee, Kitty, Logan . . . hell, even Magneto! She felt as if shocks were pulsing through her entire body, and then she hit the hard ground, her hand still grasped in Bobby's.
A couple of seconds later, John flew out of the portal too, managing to turn himself in the air and landing on his butt. He immediately reached into his pocket and checked on his lighter. He sighed in relief when he saw that his Zippo lighter was safe.
He surveyed the scene he had landed on. No time had passed at all, although he, Bobby, and Rogue had been in the future for about a week . . .
It was a wreck. The blow that had sent them to the future scattered everyone. Everyone was on the ground, hurt, maybe dead. Professor Xavier was out of his wheelchair, struggling to sit up. With a wave of his hand, his plastic wheelchair flew back towards him. Holding the handles of the wheelchair, he slowly got into it. He stared at the wasteland sadly, and then he noticed his two newest X-Men and his former student standing above the rubble, unhurt at all.
Rogue looked over at her teacher staring at them.
"Um . . . we can explain?" Rogue said, shrugging feebly.
Suddenly, a figure moved on the Brotherhood side of the rubble.
"Who is it John?" Bobby asked.
"It's the old man," John replied as Magneto got up, dusted the dirt off his helmet, and faced the group with a slightly confused look on his face.
"Hmm. Well, we seem to be outnumbered, but fire beats ice." Magneto croaked, his voice harsh. He was feeling very angry.
"John . . ." Rogue trailed off quietly. She really thought John wouldn't betray them again . . . not after everything they'd been through. But then again, she never would have thought he would have left them in the first place . . .
"Erik, this has gone too far. Everyone is badly hurt. Let's stop this now," Xavier said, his voice forceful and tired.
Bobby's hand found Rogue's. He squeezed her hand, giving her strength. If John chose Magneto now . . . after seeing the person he would become . . . seeing Bobby's own grave . . . Bobby would never forgive him. Never.
John felt like he was stuck in that time traveling machine again. Before he would have picked Magneto hands down . . . he would have thought that Bobby and Rogue were a part of his past . . .
But now that he had gone into the future, things are different. He knew what would happen if he stayed with Magneto.
John took his lighter out of his pocket and started flicking it on and off, ignoring the looks from his friends and Magneto. (A/N: Sorry for the bad portrayal of Magneto right now . . . his side of the story will come later. *hint hint*)
He himself had been disgusted and ashamed by his future self, and he could tell everyone else was too. Except, at the same time, he sort of admired the power both his future self and Blaze had. Guess it's just in his blood.
It was kind of weird. Before, when he was still with Magneto, he would have thought Blaze a coward for not using her powers. But now . . . he realized that she was brave to be able to stand up to everything and keep her powers in control. Her father destroyed all that when he made her do those things . . .
John realized that he didn't want to have to relive that future, especially if he knew what would happen. And that, as much as he hated to admit it, would take some sacrifice.
Pyro sighed as he paused before flicking his lighter on again, the flame reflecting in his dark eyes.
"Piss off." He said, looking up at Magneto, danger sparking in his eyes.
Magneto blinked, surprised. For once he seemed unsure of himself. "Excuse me?"
"I said . . . piss off!" And with that, a small fire streamer erupted from the flame and hit Magneto in the face. Magneto fell and didn't get up.
Rogue sighed as she realized she had been holding her breath. She looked into Bobby's deep blue eyes and smiled. Then she glanced back at her redeemed friend.
"Let's go home," She said.
* * *
Hours after the wreck, everyone else was nursing their wounds. To extreme luck, no one on the X-Men team had died. The Brotherhood seemed to have had a few casualties, however. The trio and the Professor were having a talk inside his office.
"Well, now that we have some privacy, would you mind telling me what happened?" Professor Xavier asked.
"Can't you just read our minds?" John asked rudely.
Xavier gave John a look. "I could. But I'd prefer to hear YOUR side of the story in YOUR own words. And don't bother saying nothing happened. You do not need to tell me everything, but I'd like to know the brunt of it."
"But then how would you know something happened if you didn't read our minds?" John challenged. He enjoyed seeing how far he could stretch Xavier's patience.
But as usual, Xavier seemed to know what John wanted him to do and merely smiled patiently. "Common sense, John. It's something certain people have yet to learn to use instead of their powers."
John exchanged a glance with Bobby sheepishly.
So they explained, in turn, their adventure in the future. With a silent agreement, they managed to dance around the fact that the Professor wouldn't live to see that future.
In between their story, the Professor interrupted them and questioned the whole Miss Marvel/Rogue deal.
"I-I don't know. I just held on for such a long time, and I somehow got her powers and mind . . . I honestly didn't mean to I swear Professor . . ." Rogue ranted. The thought of the female mutant locked up in her mind made her nervous.
"I know you wouldn't do that on purpose, Rogue." The Professor's eyes clouded for a moment. "The barrier Jean set for you is fine. The time travel didn't affect it."
"So . . . about Jean . . .we don't know how she comes back . . ."
"I know. I've felt her presence . . . I've known she, or at least her spirit, is alive somehow." The Professor explained, "Rogue, why don't you try out the flying?"
Rogue concentrated hard, but she only levitated off her chair about a foot before crashing back down.
"It's alright Rogue. Even if it was originally someone else's ability, it will take time to fine-tune it." The Professor encouraged.
They continued the story, this time John narrating. When John finished talking about Blaze and her dad, the Professor waited until he was done before speaking up.
"What is this 'Blaze's' real name?" He asked curiously, his green eyes alert. (A/N: I think they're green . . .)
"Elizabeth Johnson," Rogue supplied.
"Johnson . . . as in Senator Johnson?" The Professor pressed further.
"Well . . . he's the President there. He hates mutants but he is one himself." Bobby added, "Why?"
The Professor hesitated a moment before answering. "Senator Johnson is an avid anti-mutant supporter, as Bobby pointed out. Although it is a little surprising that he's a mutant himself, but it is not unheard of. He must be very ashamed of his abilities to hide it in hatred like that. I believe he is the youngest Senator we've had yet. We were planning on something for him . . . but we had better leave him alone now, since his daughter will be of such great help to you in the future. We must not tamper with that, thank you for pointing it out to me . . .what is his power, by the way?"
"He can control fire," John muttered, memories resurfacing of his and Blaze's fight. He could still remember the burning smell and the smoke.
"Interesting," The Professor commented, looking interested and glancing John's way.
"Well, back to the present day, John . . . you are intending on staying, right?"
John grinned. "After telling Magneto to piss off, I doubt he'd ever forgive me, so yeah . . . I guess."
"Well then . . ." Professor Xavier began. The trio jumped as the doors to his office opened and a bag of books fell into John's lap.
"Show off," John muttered quietly.
Xavier didn't seem to hear him, "Here are your books. We kept them in storage for new students. But I suppose you can have them back. There will be no school tomorrow, and then weekend break. But I expect you three to be ready for class on Monday."
John groaned. "Class was something I didn't miss here,"
"C'mon, buddy," Bobby teased, "If we have to suffer, so do you. Of course, a lot of the classes are interesting and worth learning . . ." Bobby added hastily, glancing the Professor's way.
"I suggest you three rest up. You've had a long . . . week, I suppose," The Professor said.
* * *
John sat on the couch, flicking his lighter on and off. Rogue and Bobby sat on either side of him. They had been trying really hard not to be a couple as much around him. John was touched at the gesture, but he really didn't mind. He actually thought they were trying a bit too hard to make sure he's happy enough so he wouldn't leave again.
Suddenly, Bobby and Rogue sat up.
"John, come on," Rogue urged.
"Come on what?" John asked lazily, still playing with the flame.
"There's a new student. We're supposed to go meet her."
"Ah . . . no. Being the X-Kid Ambassador is YOUR job. Cyclops still doesn't trust me!"
"Did he ever?" Bobby scoffed.
"Shut up, snowman." John said darkly.
Rogue grabbed Bobby's arm. "C'mon, Bobby, John's just a party pooper," But she smiled at John before marching off with her boyfriend.
What does the Professor think I am? John thought grumpily. He continued to play with the fire, subconsciously making different shapes out of the single flame, in deep thought.
He snapped back to reality when he heard very loud squeals coming from the hall. Rogue, probably. What was she so happy about?
John made up his mind to go and see what the heck Rogue was making such a racket about. He walked out of the lounge, crossed into the hall, and stopped dead in his tracks.
Rogue had just released the new girl from a very tight hug just when John had rounded the corner.
The girl flipped her long brown bangs out of her face. John's eyes drifted to the thin scar on her right cheek.
This girl did not run and give him a hug like Rogue had done to her. Instead, she crossed her arms across her chest and smirked at him.
"Surprised to see me?" Blaze asked, her smirk transforming into a smile.
* * *
Once again, they found themselves in Professor Xavier's office. Blaze was relaying the story to them.
Every since she had attacked her dad involuntarily, she couldn't show her face in public without being in disguise. Her face was on the news. Her father was determined to make her pay for revealing his dark secret of his mutant abilities, although no one else knew besides his wife. He must have threatened her to keep her quiet.
They were given a tip from a mole working for them in the CIA who told them that the government had figured out the location of their secret underground X-Men base, the place Blaze had called home for years.
The "portable" time machine Rogue, John, and Bobby had used apparently had a glitch-once you use it, it isn't portable anymore.
Jean, at the last moment, decided that Blaze couldn't do anything in this time without being recognized and maybe she plays a bigger part in this . . . by actually going to the past and using her knowledge of the future to help change it. So she had sent Blaze through the portal before destroying it and moving on to the next base.
"From what you have told me, and their story, I believe you. All I can say is: welcome to Xavier's Institute for Gifted Children, or Mutant High, as some call it. That is, if you'd like to stay." Xavier welcomed.
Blaze was a bit uncomfortable around Professor Xavier at first. He was such a legend in the future, and it was weird meeting and talking to someone who's dead in her time. But his friendly disposition made it easy to respond, "Absolutely."
When the four walked out of the office, Rogue wrapped a gloved arm around Blaze. "Looks like you're stuck with us!"
"Looks like," Blaze replied, grinning.
"Welcome to Mutant High," Bobby said.
"Didn't the Prof already say that?" John pointed out.
"Yeah, but I have to say it," Bobby retorted with a grin.
Blaze smiled at her new friends. She had had many homes in the future. Her old house with her parents, before her mutation was discovered, her short housing at the White House, the X-Men Base . . . but nothing permanent.
Now, Blaze really felt this might be that permanent home for her . . . and she'd do anything to protect it and the people inside.
To Be Continued . . .
* * *
THERE IS A SEQUAL!!! Note the "To Be Continued"! It's called "Devil's Bargain". I posted it right after posting this chapter, so it should be showing. If not, wait a little while for it to appear before checking it out.
Long version of the summary: Having to have returned from an adventure in the future, John has returned to the X-Men in order to prevent the things he does in the future while choosing to be with Magneto. Blaze joins them. However, events after another start to unfold, and a new threat emerges. This threat seems to be taking mutant's powers. . . And killing them at the same time. And what is this "Devil's Bargain" that John will make in the future to give him the ability to create fire and become evil? As John starts to doubt his decision to go back to the X-Men, can Bobby, Rogue, Blaze, and the X-Men stop the threat and save John from falling into darkness?
Sound interesting? I hope so. Please check out the sequel! And thanks to everyone for their support of this story! ^_^
Yay! I reached my goal of over 100 reviews!!!! Thank you, thank you! WHOOOOO! (Okay, maybe that wasn't too bad . . . but I feel very chatty right now. ^_^0)
*clears throat* I have some reviewers to thank (Feel free to skip this part and move onto the story, which by the way, I hope you'll like):
Special thanks to: Obiwanfan, Wiccan-One14, Pyrotic, Icegirl-Kat, Orlandorocksmyworld, and Pyro-Hi!
Also thanks to: Rhiannon Merdon, squishyJH, highlitergrl, Flame3, Lalene Brooks, Ang3l666, the Proud Canadian, Aussiegal, Sethoz, happy-little- hobbit, Starkeeper, and everyone else! (Sorry, can't fit in everyone who reviewed the earlier chapters or I'll never get to the story . . .) I apologize if I got your usernames spelled wrong!
I feel like I'm at the Oscars . . . anyway, review!
Random Fact: This fic is really supposed to be Bobby and Rogue centered but SOMEHOW . . . this story turned sort of Pyro centric, although John was only supposed to supply part of the plot and the must needed sarcasm. Although I think Bobby and Rogue still play a pretty big part, right?
Ignore me . . . on with the story!
* * *
They were flying. It was as if they were cruising through time itself. John kept on getting glimpses of events that happened, but he rushed by them so fast that he didn't bother to try and figure them out.
John really didn't like time traveling. There were colorful sparks, sort of like Jubilee's power, that kept on zapping around and occasionally hit him, in which case was extremely painful. But at the same time, he felt this undeniable freedom . . . something he hadn't felt in a while.
Up ahead, Bobby and Rogue were desperately trying to find each other. Rogue had gone in first, and she suddenly sensed someone behind her. She reached her gloved hand back, and she felt the strong grip of her boyfriend Bobby clasp his hand over hers.
Rogue felt safe now.
Suddenly, a huge gap of dark space opened up ahead of her, and she felt relieved to see everyone: the Professor, Jubilee, Kitty, Logan . . . hell, even Magneto! She felt as if shocks were pulsing through her entire body, and then she hit the hard ground, her hand still grasped in Bobby's.
A couple of seconds later, John flew out of the portal too, managing to turn himself in the air and landing on his butt. He immediately reached into his pocket and checked on his lighter. He sighed in relief when he saw that his Zippo lighter was safe.
He surveyed the scene he had landed on. No time had passed at all, although he, Bobby, and Rogue had been in the future for about a week . . .
It was a wreck. The blow that had sent them to the future scattered everyone. Everyone was on the ground, hurt, maybe dead. Professor Xavier was out of his wheelchair, struggling to sit up. With a wave of his hand, his plastic wheelchair flew back towards him. Holding the handles of the wheelchair, he slowly got into it. He stared at the wasteland sadly, and then he noticed his two newest X-Men and his former student standing above the rubble, unhurt at all.
Rogue looked over at her teacher staring at them.
"Um . . . we can explain?" Rogue said, shrugging feebly.
Suddenly, a figure moved on the Brotherhood side of the rubble.
"Who is it John?" Bobby asked.
"It's the old man," John replied as Magneto got up, dusted the dirt off his helmet, and faced the group with a slightly confused look on his face.
"Hmm. Well, we seem to be outnumbered, but fire beats ice." Magneto croaked, his voice harsh. He was feeling very angry.
"John . . ." Rogue trailed off quietly. She really thought John wouldn't betray them again . . . not after everything they'd been through. But then again, she never would have thought he would have left them in the first place . . .
"Erik, this has gone too far. Everyone is badly hurt. Let's stop this now," Xavier said, his voice forceful and tired.
Bobby's hand found Rogue's. He squeezed her hand, giving her strength. If John chose Magneto now . . . after seeing the person he would become . . . seeing Bobby's own grave . . . Bobby would never forgive him. Never.
John felt like he was stuck in that time traveling machine again. Before he would have picked Magneto hands down . . . he would have thought that Bobby and Rogue were a part of his past . . .
But now that he had gone into the future, things are different. He knew what would happen if he stayed with Magneto.
John took his lighter out of his pocket and started flicking it on and off, ignoring the looks from his friends and Magneto. (A/N: Sorry for the bad portrayal of Magneto right now . . . his side of the story will come later. *hint hint*)
He himself had been disgusted and ashamed by his future self, and he could tell everyone else was too. Except, at the same time, he sort of admired the power both his future self and Blaze had. Guess it's just in his blood.
It was kind of weird. Before, when he was still with Magneto, he would have thought Blaze a coward for not using her powers. But now . . . he realized that she was brave to be able to stand up to everything and keep her powers in control. Her father destroyed all that when he made her do those things . . .
John realized that he didn't want to have to relive that future, especially if he knew what would happen. And that, as much as he hated to admit it, would take some sacrifice.
Pyro sighed as he paused before flicking his lighter on again, the flame reflecting in his dark eyes.
"Piss off." He said, looking up at Magneto, danger sparking in his eyes.
Magneto blinked, surprised. For once he seemed unsure of himself. "Excuse me?"
"I said . . . piss off!" And with that, a small fire streamer erupted from the flame and hit Magneto in the face. Magneto fell and didn't get up.
Rogue sighed as she realized she had been holding her breath. She looked into Bobby's deep blue eyes and smiled. Then she glanced back at her redeemed friend.
"Let's go home," She said.
* * *
Hours after the wreck, everyone else was nursing their wounds. To extreme luck, no one on the X-Men team had died. The Brotherhood seemed to have had a few casualties, however. The trio and the Professor were having a talk inside his office.
"Well, now that we have some privacy, would you mind telling me what happened?" Professor Xavier asked.
"Can't you just read our minds?" John asked rudely.
Xavier gave John a look. "I could. But I'd prefer to hear YOUR side of the story in YOUR own words. And don't bother saying nothing happened. You do not need to tell me everything, but I'd like to know the brunt of it."
"But then how would you know something happened if you didn't read our minds?" John challenged. He enjoyed seeing how far he could stretch Xavier's patience.
But as usual, Xavier seemed to know what John wanted him to do and merely smiled patiently. "Common sense, John. It's something certain people have yet to learn to use instead of their powers."
John exchanged a glance with Bobby sheepishly.
So they explained, in turn, their adventure in the future. With a silent agreement, they managed to dance around the fact that the Professor wouldn't live to see that future.
In between their story, the Professor interrupted them and questioned the whole Miss Marvel/Rogue deal.
"I-I don't know. I just held on for such a long time, and I somehow got her powers and mind . . . I honestly didn't mean to I swear Professor . . ." Rogue ranted. The thought of the female mutant locked up in her mind made her nervous.
"I know you wouldn't do that on purpose, Rogue." The Professor's eyes clouded for a moment. "The barrier Jean set for you is fine. The time travel didn't affect it."
"So . . . about Jean . . .we don't know how she comes back . . ."
"I know. I've felt her presence . . . I've known she, or at least her spirit, is alive somehow." The Professor explained, "Rogue, why don't you try out the flying?"
Rogue concentrated hard, but she only levitated off her chair about a foot before crashing back down.
"It's alright Rogue. Even if it was originally someone else's ability, it will take time to fine-tune it." The Professor encouraged.
They continued the story, this time John narrating. When John finished talking about Blaze and her dad, the Professor waited until he was done before speaking up.
"What is this 'Blaze's' real name?" He asked curiously, his green eyes alert. (A/N: I think they're green . . .)
"Elizabeth Johnson," Rogue supplied.
"Johnson . . . as in Senator Johnson?" The Professor pressed further.
"Well . . . he's the President there. He hates mutants but he is one himself." Bobby added, "Why?"
The Professor hesitated a moment before answering. "Senator Johnson is an avid anti-mutant supporter, as Bobby pointed out. Although it is a little surprising that he's a mutant himself, but it is not unheard of. He must be very ashamed of his abilities to hide it in hatred like that. I believe he is the youngest Senator we've had yet. We were planning on something for him . . . but we had better leave him alone now, since his daughter will be of such great help to you in the future. We must not tamper with that, thank you for pointing it out to me . . .what is his power, by the way?"
"He can control fire," John muttered, memories resurfacing of his and Blaze's fight. He could still remember the burning smell and the smoke.
"Interesting," The Professor commented, looking interested and glancing John's way.
"Well, back to the present day, John . . . you are intending on staying, right?"
John grinned. "After telling Magneto to piss off, I doubt he'd ever forgive me, so yeah . . . I guess."
"Well then . . ." Professor Xavier began. The trio jumped as the doors to his office opened and a bag of books fell into John's lap.
"Show off," John muttered quietly.
Xavier didn't seem to hear him, "Here are your books. We kept them in storage for new students. But I suppose you can have them back. There will be no school tomorrow, and then weekend break. But I expect you three to be ready for class on Monday."
John groaned. "Class was something I didn't miss here,"
"C'mon, buddy," Bobby teased, "If we have to suffer, so do you. Of course, a lot of the classes are interesting and worth learning . . ." Bobby added hastily, glancing the Professor's way.
"I suggest you three rest up. You've had a long . . . week, I suppose," The Professor said.
* * *
John sat on the couch, flicking his lighter on and off. Rogue and Bobby sat on either side of him. They had been trying really hard not to be a couple as much around him. John was touched at the gesture, but he really didn't mind. He actually thought they were trying a bit too hard to make sure he's happy enough so he wouldn't leave again.
Suddenly, Bobby and Rogue sat up.
"John, come on," Rogue urged.
"Come on what?" John asked lazily, still playing with the flame.
"There's a new student. We're supposed to go meet her."
"Ah . . . no. Being the X-Kid Ambassador is YOUR job. Cyclops still doesn't trust me!"
"Did he ever?" Bobby scoffed.
"Shut up, snowman." John said darkly.
Rogue grabbed Bobby's arm. "C'mon, Bobby, John's just a party pooper," But she smiled at John before marching off with her boyfriend.
What does the Professor think I am? John thought grumpily. He continued to play with the fire, subconsciously making different shapes out of the single flame, in deep thought.
He snapped back to reality when he heard very loud squeals coming from the hall. Rogue, probably. What was she so happy about?
John made up his mind to go and see what the heck Rogue was making such a racket about. He walked out of the lounge, crossed into the hall, and stopped dead in his tracks.
Rogue had just released the new girl from a very tight hug just when John had rounded the corner.
The girl flipped her long brown bangs out of her face. John's eyes drifted to the thin scar on her right cheek.
This girl did not run and give him a hug like Rogue had done to her. Instead, she crossed her arms across her chest and smirked at him.
"Surprised to see me?" Blaze asked, her smirk transforming into a smile.
* * *
Once again, they found themselves in Professor Xavier's office. Blaze was relaying the story to them.
Every since she had attacked her dad involuntarily, she couldn't show her face in public without being in disguise. Her face was on the news. Her father was determined to make her pay for revealing his dark secret of his mutant abilities, although no one else knew besides his wife. He must have threatened her to keep her quiet.
They were given a tip from a mole working for them in the CIA who told them that the government had figured out the location of their secret underground X-Men base, the place Blaze had called home for years.
The "portable" time machine Rogue, John, and Bobby had used apparently had a glitch-once you use it, it isn't portable anymore.
Jean, at the last moment, decided that Blaze couldn't do anything in this time without being recognized and maybe she plays a bigger part in this . . . by actually going to the past and using her knowledge of the future to help change it. So she had sent Blaze through the portal before destroying it and moving on to the next base.
"From what you have told me, and their story, I believe you. All I can say is: welcome to Xavier's Institute for Gifted Children, or Mutant High, as some call it. That is, if you'd like to stay." Xavier welcomed.
Blaze was a bit uncomfortable around Professor Xavier at first. He was such a legend in the future, and it was weird meeting and talking to someone who's dead in her time. But his friendly disposition made it easy to respond, "Absolutely."
When the four walked out of the office, Rogue wrapped a gloved arm around Blaze. "Looks like you're stuck with us!"
"Looks like," Blaze replied, grinning.
"Welcome to Mutant High," Bobby said.
"Didn't the Prof already say that?" John pointed out.
"Yeah, but I have to say it," Bobby retorted with a grin.
Blaze smiled at her new friends. She had had many homes in the future. Her old house with her parents, before her mutation was discovered, her short housing at the White House, the X-Men Base . . . but nothing permanent.
Now, Blaze really felt this might be that permanent home for her . . . and she'd do anything to protect it and the people inside.
To Be Continued . . .
* * *
THERE IS A SEQUAL!!! Note the "To Be Continued"! It's called "Devil's Bargain". I posted it right after posting this chapter, so it should be showing. If not, wait a little while for it to appear before checking it out.
Long version of the summary: Having to have returned from an adventure in the future, John has returned to the X-Men in order to prevent the things he does in the future while choosing to be with Magneto. Blaze joins them. However, events after another start to unfold, and a new threat emerges. This threat seems to be taking mutant's powers. . . And killing them at the same time. And what is this "Devil's Bargain" that John will make in the future to give him the ability to create fire and become evil? As John starts to doubt his decision to go back to the X-Men, can Bobby, Rogue, Blaze, and the X-Men stop the threat and save John from falling into darkness?
Sound interesting? I hope so. Please check out the sequel! And thanks to everyone for their support of this story! ^_^
