Rebirth of a Pyromaniac, Special Edition!

A/N: I just want to clear up something about Paul's obliviousness. Paul seems to be slow on the uptake at times, but he actually is very smart. He just tends to not pick up on some things as quickly as others (Like the X-Boys' jealousy of him).

Disclaimer: "I'm wanted, dead or alive." - Jon Bon Jovi

Chapter 4: Talks and Plots

The Pit

"Man, the Misfits can hold a grudge." Pyro groaned. He walked away from the group, Paul, Craig, and Barbecue by his side.

"You think that's bad? You should see the grudge the Misfits hold with the X-Men." Barbecue laughed.

"In their minds, it's a three-way battle: Misfits vs. X-Men vs. Magneto." Craig grumbled. "I don't like the X-Men, but not for the same reasons they do. I don't trust their leader, Xavier. They follow him like sheep. I don't like it."

"Craig would never trust a telepath with his life." Paul explained. "He's very private. He doesn't confide anything unless he's good and ready. He feels mind-readers violate his privacy." Craig nodded.

"Man, I still can't believe Paul has a brother." John looked at Craig. "A twin brother at that. Rather grouchy, ain't ya?" John shot Craig a goofy grin. Craig snorted.

"Yeah, we used to make jokes about the fact Paul and Craig were such opposites. They still are to this day." Barbecue chuckled. "Hey, I have an idea. Paul, Craig, maybe you two can show John around the base."

"Yeah, I never got to finish! C'mon John, I'll show you the dojo!" Paul grabbed John and ran off. Starchild grinned at Craig. "You can come too, Craig. We could use someone to provide snide comments."

"Oh shut up." Craig sighed as he followed. Barbecue looked at the three teens.

I have a feeling that John will feel right at home here soon. Barbecue smiled.

Magneto's base, Location Unknown

Magneto was watching the television. A newscaster was broadcasting the headlines.

"In other news, the world's top genetic experts have gathered in New York City to discuss the qualities of mutant DNA. The topic of mutants has brought up much fascination and fear in the world of genetics, and…" The newscaster was cut off by Magneto shutting off the television.

"Hmm…" Magneto hummed as he tapped the fingers of his chair, plotting as always. "Winters!" He barked out. His mutant butler, blessed with the ability to process information much faster than the average human, walked in.

"You screamed, sir?"

"Winters, get Shiva for me, please." Magneto ordered.

"As you wish, sir." Winters bowed, then went to retrieve the six-armed swordswoman. She walked into the room, Winters with her a couple minutes later.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Shiva bowed. Magneto gave Winters a nod. The butler nodded in response and left the room.

"I wish to congratulate you for completing the mission I assigned you in California, as well as getting rid of that bungler Pyro."

"Thank you sir. It was simple." Shiva smirked. "No one could survive the warehouse collapse."

"I plan to appear at the conference in New York City." Magneto said. "Bring your group and Cortez as well."

"With all due respect sir, why do you want to bring Cortez? The man's a butt-kisser." Shiva groaned. Magneto sighed.

"Okay, I'll admit it. Cortez is a boot-licking, brown-nosing moron who tends to really embarrass himself at times. But at least he's loyal to the Brotherhood." Magneto grumbled.

The Pit's dojo garden

John, Paul, and Craig sat in the dojo garden. Paul thought it'd be a good idea for John and Craig to get to know each other.

"I don't get it." John sighed. "I still don't get it at all. You and Craig are in the Misfits."

"Mmm." Craig nodded, head down.

"What about Barbecue?" John asked.

"What about him? He's a good guy. He's the Joe fireman." Paul shrugged. He turned and saw Lionheart chasing Barbecue.

"Leave me alone, Lionheart!" Barbecue snapped.

"Just one little dinner…" Lionheart moaned.

"Man, this place is crazy." Pyro shrugged. "And I thought I was nuts. Anyway, why did he help me?"

"Why?" Craig asked in disbelief.

"Why? Because you were injured and it was the right thing to do." Paul replied. "The Joes don't care about your mutantcy. They know you can't help being a mutant anymore than you can help being Australian. Barbecue helped you because you needed help. I helped you because you were my friend, and friends help each other."

"Talk to Toad. He knows what you're going through." Craig said simply. "He was one of the first Misfits. He'd know how you feel. The Joes are good guys. Mutants are people as well to them. Let me tell you a story." Craig raised his head. "Of a place called Moreauseau. It was a lab. C'mere." Craig motioned. Pyro leaned closer, and Craig whispered the story in his ear. John's jaw dropped in shock. Craig nodded. "The Joes were enraged by Bragg's actions. They vowed to never let that happen to anyone again. Technically, we are not supposed to be here at the Pit."

"What do you mean?" John turned to Paul.

"The military has their own department for investigating mutants. However, they tend to use mutants as science class frogs." Paul answered.

"The Joes did not want to let that happen to you, us, or the others. So they blackmailed several politicians into allowing the Misfits to stay here. Besides, the Joes have a personal stake in this." Craig added.

"You know Althea? The one with the black-and-blue hair?" Paul asked. John nodded. "She is the daughter of a Joe codenamed Shipwreck. She also has three crazy younger sisters."

"Trinity." Craig groaned. "Daria, Quinn, and Brittany. They have psychic capabilities. Althea also has two baby brothers, Barney and Claudius." Darkstar glared at his twin brother for the next statement: "Aka Beak…and Seal-Dude. You should see 'em around soon."

"Hey, Claudius likes the codename." Paul groaned. "Look John, They'll forgive and accept you. Besides, you don't really have anywhere else to go."

"You got a point, mate." John admitted.

"Besides, I can see in your eyes. You want revenge. Revenge for what Magneto and the Acolytes did." Craig smirked.

"You got that right, Darkstar." Pyro growled. "I want a piece of him so bad."

"Take a number." Paul sighed. "Lance and Toad want a piece of him for messing with their DNA, Althea wants a piece of him for kidnapping her brother Claudius, Wanda wants a piece of him for locking her in a nuthouse for years due to her powers, Pietro wants a piece of him for betraying him. Craig wants a piece of him because he…well, Craig wants a piece of everybody." Craig let out a growl. "Aw c'mon bro, it's not like I was talking about your crush on Wanda." Craig gritted his teeth and his face turned red out of a mix of embarrassment and anger. John snickered.

"You have a crush on Wanda?!?! Wanda?!?! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Man, you two would make some real bad-tempered children!!!" John laughed loudly and crazily.

"Paul, keep your big mouth shut!!" Craig snapped. Paul sighed.

"Oops." Paul grinned sheepishly.

"I'd threaten you to keep your big mouth shut and not tell the X-Men John, but they know about it already thanks to Paul." Craig grumbled. He then let out a sigh. "Paul isn't really a tattletale. He just tends to forget that some things should be kept secret. He'd never blab anything really important."

"Yeah. Paul's a real good guy." John smiled, patting Starchild's shoulder. "Always willing to help out, always there to listen, and to advise." Paul smiled shyly, an unusual event for someone as outgoing as him.

"John, Al gave you a chance to prove yourself." Craig reminded. "What are you going to do?"

"Maybe I should give it a shot. I got nothin' to lose." John admitted.

What'll John do with his one chance to prove himself as a Misfit? Do the other Misfits trust Pyro at all? What is Magneto gonna pull in New York City? Find out in the next chapter!