The Meaning of Your Love

Chapter 3: Maboroshi

Author's Notes: HAHA! Haven't updated in forever! I changed my Pen Name so yeah! Haven't updated in a year almost! OH SNAP! This story is getting a bit AU, since I started it before the series ended, so yeah! XD

They arrived at the carnival at around 5 pm, it was quite packed. Amara recognized many of her classmates right off the bat as they entered the fair grounds. She grinned to herself for ever worrying about going out with the Acolyte, but then her stomach dropped as someone came into view. It was Bobby. "Oh shit," she uttered as she grabbed Pyro's arm and dragged him out of Bobby's line of view, towards the Ferris Wheel.

"What the matter Sheila?" Pyro uttered as he was literally thrown onto the Ferris Wheel. He took a seat next to the disheveled Islander and gave her a smirk. "Want to be alone with me that badly, eh Sheila? I can't blame ya, I am quite attractive.."

Amara gave him a puzzled look and sighed. "I saw someone from the Institute.. If they ever saw me with an Acolyte.. I don't know what they'd do.. I mean, when I even MENTIONED your name, they went ballistic.."

Pyro grinned at her and steadied himself as the ride started. They slowly rose into the air and then back down again, the creaking of the machine gave Pyro a nauseous feeling. "Did I ever tell you I don't fare to well on carnival rides?" His skin slightly paled.

The X-man gave him a sympathetic look. "I'm so sorry! I didn't know! God I'm stupid! Do you want me to get the guy to let us off?"

He shook his head, "No, it's alright, if it means that much to ya no being seen, I understand-" He made an odd noise and covered his mouth. "I'll be just fine! Ugh.." He closed his eyes and ran his hand through his fiery hair. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to close his eyes, he felt even worse..

Amara took his other hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.

He opened his eyes and gave her a smile.

She smiled back and for the first time in a while, felt incredibly happy.

The happiness soon faded away as she heard a familiar voice yell out, "HEY! LOOK! IT'S AMARA! WHO'S SHE UP THERE WITH?" Damn, she was caught.

She slapped her forehead and glared down at the ground. It was Bobby, and Ray had joined him. She felt almost as nauseous as St. John, when Ray shouted out.

"AMARA! WHO IS THAT WITH YOU! BETTER NOT BE THAT FIRE GUY!"

Pyro stiffled a laugh, then held his mouth again as the ride stopped at the very top. "Seems like we've been caught.."

"Yeah.." Amara sighed. What would they say to her when she reached the bottom? Ferris Wheels.. Why did she always have such bad luck when it came to them? Last year's carnival the ride broke down when she was at the very top. The year before that, she was about to reach the bottom when someone from the couple above her had thrown up and she was just lucky enough to be in the right position to be drenched. And now.. Her perfect date was ruined… The boys would definitely tell the Professor on her.. What would Scott say? And what about Jean? She closed her eyes and sighed as the ride started it's journey towards the bottom…

They reached the bottom and she stood up from the ride. She held up her chin, like her father had taught her, and walked into the face of battle. She stopped in front of the boys, Pyro tailing behind her.

"Dude, she is with the Acolyte! Amara, you know you're not supposed to hang around Acolyteds.." Ray said as he pointed at the older man.

Amara rolled her eyes. "Yeah, so what? Magneto is gone so it's not like he's exactly trying to destroy us now!" She grabbed Pyro's hand and marched off towards somewhere that wasn't near the boys. She huffed with annoyance as they reached the carnival games area.

Pyro smiled at her. "Not that bad was it?"

She blinked and nodded. "Yeah, atleast I don't feel so worried about being caught anymore." She smiled and was caught off guard as Pyro in turn grabbed her hand and rushed towards a certain game.

"HAHA! I love this game! Want any of those prizes Sheila?" They were in front of the dart balloon booth. He handed the attendant some cash and received many darts.

She smiled again and glanced through the prizes. She grinned as she came across a bear with fiery fur. She pointed at him and he grinned widely.

"Great choice. Top prize! I'll get it for sure!" He began throwing darts and hit the balloons left and right. Every dart he threw, he hit a balloon and they resounded in a loud popping noise. After he went through all of the darts, he received the prize. He handed it to her and smiled smugly.

"Thanks!" She hugged the bear tightly and smiled up at him. "This has been really fun today St. John. Probably the most fun I've had in a while," she said as they headed towards more of the rides.

"Me too! Even since Maggy's been gone, I've had absolutely nothing to do! We should go out again some time! How bout next weekend?" He took her hand in his and lead her towards the Fun House.

She looked at him and thought. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to go out with this guy. I mean, he was an Acolyte.. He tried to beat them a countless number of times.. And now he wanted to go out with her? She beamed. "Of course, sure, it sounds like fun!"

They entered the Fun House and walked inside. It was dark and no one else was in their at the moment. They reached the mirrors and Amara giggled loudly as she looked at St. John's. In his reflection, he looked very very large and in charge. She then looked at herself and scoffed. Her body was all stretched out and she looked freaky. St. John laughed beside her.

"Ya know, I've always loved the Fun house," he said as they reached more mirrors. "Everything is so different and weird, kinda like me. The mirrors are the best part of course! Illusions are what they are! Showing us what we could have looked like… What could have been! Kind of scary, eh?" He had a remorseful look on his face.

She agreed. If she was that disturbing looking, she didn't know what she would do.

They reached a maze of some sort, the walls were lined with mirrors. Everywhere she looked she saw herself in a different perspective. Tall, short, fat, thin, upside down, on the ceiling. She walked around many corners and then realized she couldn't see John anymore. "John? Where'd you go?" She giggled as if it were a game.

"Sorry Sheila."

Her face turned serious. "What? What's the matter John?"

"I'm very very sorry Sheila… But I'm afraid the fun stops here.. I did have fun though.."

She began to feel a bit frightened. "What are you babbling about? Come out this instant John." This couldn't be happening.. He wouldn't try anything would he? She trusted him! "Where are you John!"

She heard another voice, a loud and resounding cackle. Then she felt the floor open up beneath her and screamed a loud shrill scream as she fell into the blackness.

Rogue felt a chill down her spine as they rounded another corner in the carnival. They had lost track of them an hour ago and she felt doubtful that they were still there.

Remy placed a hand on her clothed shoulder and pointed towards the Fun House. "Maybe they're in there." He grinned as she walked towards it and stalked off behind her, his eyes glowing a faint red.