The Pride of Thunder

As the name suggests, John Proudstar was the Proudest of the Apache. He was the fastest man of the plains, the strongest of the reservation, and the best tracker of them all. It was said that the great spirits themselves possessed the man. There were rumor saying that John chased the mightiest buffalo halfway across the plateau and brought it down with his bear hands; to save a little girl. Yes, he was the best, but he was also the angriest.

John was tired of listening to the wise men reminisced of the old days. When they could be free to hunt whenever they pleased. When the plains were literally teemed with life. That was before the white men came. The stories he was told how the white man ravaged the land planted a seed of hate within him. Overtime the seed sprouted and bloomed hatred throughout his entire body. That was before a visit, from Charles Xavier.

Everyday, John took a morning run across the plains. Running was how he clears his head, until everything stopped. John looked around very confused, trying to piece together what happened. Do not be alarmed. John jumped back, was he hearing voices? Has the great spirits spoke to him? I am no great spirit, just a man with a gift, like you. Turn around.

John turned to see a middle-aged man in a wheelchair. He saw that his most distinguishing feature was his baldness. "How the hell did a cripple get all the way out here?"

The man just smiled and said, "I am not just an ordinary man. I am a mutant, just like you."

"Mutant huh? Well, whatever the hell it is I don't give a damn. You ain't welcome here so you can just turn around and wheel your self back to town."

John went to turn around and leave him there. Are you sure that's wise? He turned back and he just smiled.

"Okay, what the hell was that?"

"It's my mutant power, telepathy. It is how I found you. My name is Charles Xavier; I run a school for mutants like yourself. I would very much like to enroll you into it."

"And for the last time I don't give a damn, I want nothing to do with the white man's world and I certainly don't want help from a damned so you can take this whole school of yours and shove it!"

"So it's true what they say, that the Apache are as afraid." John felt his blood boil, the last time someone questioned his bravery, they couldn't walk for three months.

"Okay, that does it. No-one but no-one calls me a coward. I'm as good as the next guy, hell, I'm better."

"Then prove it," the Professor said calmly.

John thought a moment, "I ain't got nothin' ta prove to you Cue ball!" Then John ran off leaving the Professor in the dust. Xavier sighed and wheeled back to the X-Jet.

Inside Logan, Scott, and Ororo were waiting inside the plane. Seeing the grimace and the Professor's face he could only assume the worst. "He told you where to stick it, didn't he?"

Xavier couldn't help but smile, "never could hide anything from you can I?" Logan stifled a laugh. "I can't under stand why a boy can be so angry."

"Well, for starters, he maybe only seventeen, but he's far from a boy. And in all truth, he ain't mad at you. He's mad at the world for his tribe, he's mad at his tribe for not fighting back," Logan explained. "What else can a guy do?"

Charles sighed, "I guess we'll have to try again some other day. Scott, take us home." Just as they took off the Professor felt a faint psychic trace. He couldn't quite explain it, no-one ever blipped on and off before like that. Charles just blew it off and blamed it on fatigue.

John ran back to camp Verde, the sight will horrify him for the rest of his life. He was only a mile away and he could see the flames. Inside the reservation, he could see the bodies scattered on the ground. Everyone in the camp was there was dead on the ground; everyone, except James. He searched around the whole camp site, the Elders, men, women, children, all dead, but no James. Just as a huge shadow that loomed over him. "John Proudstar, I have chosen you join us." John turned his head to a floating man in crimson body armor. His helmet covered most of his face, but the most intimidating feature was the flowing cape. "Come with me, and you can lead the Hellions to glory!"

"Did you do this?!" John's blood boiled over this, he knew this man. He saw him all over the news. "Your Magneto ain't ya?" no answer. "DID YOU DO THIS!!!?"

"I had to... dispose of the distractions." That did it, John charged full front, only letting out a gigantic war cry. "If you will not join me, then you will be destroyed." Magneto simply waved his hand, and John was knocked back several yards.

"WHY?!!" John shouted, "They did nothing to you!"

"Why do you weep for them, they are only human. You yourself were tired of living on this rock. They are weak, you are strong, join me and you can run as free as the Buffalo."

"Never! I'll never go with a heartless murderer," John proudly stated back, he stood up as tall as his namesake.

"So you made your decision?" Magneto asked.

"Yup," John said and he again began his charge. "I'm coming for ya Bucket head!!!" John pulled an astonishing leap towards the crimson figure and with all his might, punched Magneto's force bubble. That hit knocked him clear out of the sky and on the ground. Magneto slowly got on his feet, and started to float, until a lightning bolt struck him full force on where he stood. KKKKRRRRRAAACCCCC TTTHHHHOOOOMMMMM

When the dust cleared he saw four figures standing. The first was Xavier, but the other three. He saw a tall boy about his age with a red visor, a flying African woman with flowing white hair. And a short, feral looking guy with metal spikes coming out of his hand. "Xavier, what the hell is go'en on here?!"

Take a look for yourself. Was spoken ih his head. John looked down at what was Magneto. It was nothing but a pile scrap metal. The thing that decimated his entire tribe was nothing but a damned robot. In John's rage he picked up what was left of it and ripped it two. "HHHHUUUURRRRRAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Damn," the woman mumbled under her breath, "we lost Proudstar. I thought you said your robot was unbeatable Pierce."

"Every program has its flaws," replied a calm, lanky looking man, "I can rebuild it and make it better than ever. At least we got his younger brother."

"Ohh goodie, we got the second banana," she replied sarcastically. The real prize was John. James was not as strong, nor as skilled.

"We'll make due," Pierce reassured, "Inform Shaw what we have and head back, Miss Frost, those damned X-Men may have won the battle, but the war isn't over yet."

"Your arrogance may prove to be our undoing, the X-Men maybe children, but they are far from novices. Do not make that assumption, now that we lost our powerhouse they do have the edge over us." Pierce just walked off without giving a second thought. "Arrogant prick!" She shouted.