Disclaimer: Furor Paxx and VulgateOfEarth do not own the X-Men or any affiliates. All are the property of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc and its various affiliates and partners. Phoenix Malcolm, Haiden Malcolm and all irregular characters are the sole property of Furor Paxx and are being used with permission.
~~ Bayville High, Lunchtime ~~
"You've gotta be kidding me." Evan stared at Kurt.
"I wish."
"Well, that's what you get for sneaking around at night." Kitty interrupted.
"Logan is kinda jumping to conclusions, though. I thought it had more to do with Phoenix than Pietro. That's why you walked him home right, so he wouldn't have to face him." Scott watched Kurt and Evan sneak glances at each other. He saw where things were going and didn't like it one bit. If they were harassing Phoenix… then again, if Pietro was afraid of Phoenix to the point that he would ask his rival to walk him home so that he'd have company… If only Logan was right…that a scandalous circle was being played out…but Scott knew Evan and Kurt too well to give that idea much merit.
"Daniels, we gotta talk." It was Pietro, and his voice was grim.
"About what?"
"She's making trouble. Ranting and raving about defending some masters."
"And this means what to me?"
"Oh, remember I mentioned how she was so mad about something yesterday…" Pietro's smile was heavier than a ton of bricks. "She was kinda upset about how you tore up her cover. It seems she thinks you're a threat." Pietro leaned forward. "That you're trying to interfere with the master's work. Did I mention she was supposed to be defending them?"
"Evan, I'm scared." Kurt whispered.
"Who are we talking about again?" Scott asked. Every nerve in his body sang that this was a result of whatever had gone down yesterday, but he still didn't know what was going on.
"Oh man, what do we do?" Evan leaned against the table.
"I don't know, but until this works itself out, I'm gonna play invisible. Maybe if we stay outta her way, she'll find someone else to get revenge on."
"You know that won't work."
Pietro shrugged. "It will for me. She didn't see me there, only you and a pair of demonic eyes…" he let that sink in. "And she really doesn't like you, whatever you said to her yesterday at lunch really set her off."
"I didn't say anything to her."
"Maybe she just doesn't like boneheads. I don't know and I don't care. I just thought I'd warn you so you wouldn't wander around by yourself."
"What would she expect me to do…" Evan thought about the papers and CDs again. After a futile attempt at sleep, he'd scanned the papers onto his computer and then copied the CDs on it too. As an afterthought, he burned copies of everything on a new set of CDs and hidden them. Then he settled under the covers with a flashlight and a dictionary to finish reading the papers. They were pretty technical, but even reading them cold, Evan could guess their meaning. Phoenix wasn't really Phoenix at all, she was a random person pulled off the street and given treatments that were supposed to trigger the latent mutant gene that everyone had within them. By itself, the gene was useless, but when a special virus was released in the subject's bloodstream, it did something to the bacteria in the blood and set off a chain reaction that ended when the subject was left with a double mutant gene. That meant, by definition, that Phoenix was a manmade mutant. The seven Masters, as Phoenix called them, had carefully tested her, but all that she could do was create a small portal that only she could go through. Over time, it got bigger and stronger, but not enough to let anyone else through. The last test was done four years ago, in 1998. Right before she lit all those candles and burnt her house down.
"I dunno, but if I were you, I'd pack up and leave."
"Everyone runs from her. Of course! Where is she now?"
Kurt and Pietro blanched. "Nein. Not this again. The last time you said that, we almost got caught by Magneto, and then you made us hide in her room. Nein." Kurt crossed his arms and looked to Pietro for support, but Pietro was gone. "Vas?"
All of a sudden, a rough hand grabbed Evan by the scruff of his neck. "You got a lot of nerve showing up at school today." Scott stood, ready to defend his friends from the intruder, but at the same time, Kurt jumped into his arms, Scooby-Doo style. "Let's go Daniels. We'll settle this here and now."
"Phoenix, you know I'm no match for you." Evan's voice was steady, and he stared straight into Phoenix's eyes. "You look different without the ashes and stuff in your hair." Scott looked closer, yes, it was Phoenix. His hair was a middle-ish tone of brown and he had red highlights, a serious change from the grey-black hair with the brown streak. His face was different, too. It looked more open, but somehow more hostile. The eyes though, they were the same, but instead of shifting, they were focused on Evan.
"I have been disgraced. Because of you I am no longer worthy of wearing the symbol of the code of Guardians. I must avenge myself and protect the Masters."
"They're dead, if you ever opened your eyes, maybe you'd see that."
"The Masters are not dead. They are not alive, and have never been. They simply exist and that which exists cannot be dead or alive, destroyed or recreated. Your lies have no affect upon me; The Masters have granted me protection until I have completed my duty."
"Get over it. You aren't the strongest person in the universe, stop making up lies to pretend that you are."
"Are you implying that you are more powerful than I?"
"I'm telling you that I can take your so-called Masters anytime, anywhere." Evan leaned towards Phoenix a fraction, just to make his point, and was pleased with the look of doubt that flickered across her face. Then he noticed Scott edging around Phoenix. He gestured frantically for him to stop, but never got a chance to see if Scott got the message.
"You are attempting to call my bluff. The Masters would never lower themselves to combat with a mere mortal. Therefore, I will do it for them. I am empowered by their might and they shall furbish me as they see fit." Phoenix let go of Evan and took two steps back before swinging her fist. Evan didn't see it coming and got knocked flat by the blow. He was up in a flash and dodged another fist. He elbowed Phoenix in the stomach and as his opponent doubled over, hit her again on her back. She fell to the ground and swung her legs around and tripped Evan. In the moment that it took him to recover, she lashed out with her foot and caught him square in the jaw. Evan stumbled back a pace and she leapt to her feet. They faced off and out of the corner of his eye, Evan noticed the X-men assembling around the pair.
"Stay out of this you guys. This is something I have to do alone." Scott looked like he had a problem with that, but Evan pushed the thought from his mind. If he could beat Phoenix, maybe she would see that there were more powerful people to ally herself with. Maybe he could help her escape the prison that she believed was the haven of her 'masters'.
If and maybe… Evan's whole face hurt and he was tempted to used his mutant ability and harden his skin. 'I can't do that, there are too many people looking, and that would give me an unfair advantage over her.' Evan ducked as Phoenix lunged at him. He stood and threw her over his shoulder. There was a cheer from the crowd, but the two fighters were too intent on one another to notice. They faced each other again, trying to figure how to get the advantage. Evan feinted to the left and jumped at her, catching her completely unawares and knocking the breath out of her lungs. He retreated three steps and regarded her again. She was fast, but years of battling Pietro had given him the experience he needed to counter most of the worst she could dish out. She wasn't all that strong, either, the only advantage she had was surprise. Although she could deliver some numbing blows, it looked like that took as much out of her as it did him. Her endurance was better, as long as she practiced restraint, but she was convinced that she was infallible, she wouldn't hold back. On the other hand, pain seemed to have no effect on her, and even though she had hit Evan only twice, he was sore and tired. She looked like she was just getting started.
'How do I turn this in my favor?' Evan thought furiously as the two combatants began edging around the circle that the crowd made for them. All this waiting just wasn't his style. He stopped traversing the perimeter of the circle and crossed to where Phoenix stood with a hilariously startled look on her face. She swung her arm around and Evan blocked it mechanically, only to take her knee full in his stomach. Inwardly he thanked God that he hadn't been closer or something a bit more precious than his stomach would have been aching. He noticed that this time, the hit didn't hurt as much as the other. Maybe she was losing steam… a flurry of fists convinced him otherwise, and instinctively he batted out with his own fist. It connected soundly with her temple and she stumbled backwards, trying to regain her balance. She failed, and landed on her bottom, still looking shocked and obviously stunned. Evan approached her and offered his hand.
"Why don't we call it quits, I really don't like hitting ladies." She looked at his hand and then in his face. Without a word, she planted her foot in Evan's chest and jumped to her feet as he fell backwards. "Now that is what I call bad sportsmanship." Evan muttered as the crowd booed. He rolled to his feet and caught her foot. He pulled it towards him and punched Phoenix in the stomach. He seriously felt uncomfortable about hitting her anywhere else. She tore herself loose and toppled backwards. Regaining her balance, she retreated, possibly to rethink her strategy. Evan didn't give her a chance, though. He followed her up and landed a one-two combo in her stomach and grappled her to the ground. "Give it up, Phoenix, you can't win." She twisted her body around until she was lying on her back. Then she kneed him, hard, in the head. As his head pitched forward, she freed her hands from his embrace and gripped his head in the crook of his arm. Evan wasn't a fan of wrestling, but he knew a take-out move when he felt it, and frantically interlocked his fingers and bashed her on the head before she could break his neck. He scrambled for his feet. The realization that she was trying to kill him finally dawned on Evan. He watched her stagger to her feet and felt his blood run cold. She was serious about the whole avenging herself thing, she wouldn't stop fighting him until one of them died. Evan found that he couldn't move, couldn't breathe. He suddenly became aware of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and several dark bruises on Phoenix's arms. 'She must have really thin skin to bruise that bad so soon.' He thought idly. He looked at her looking at him and it struck him how confused she must have been. 'I could have won this fight twice over, and now I'm just standing here like an idiot. Say something Evan…'
"Not bad, is that the best your Masters have?"
Phoenix's eyebrows danced and Evan tensed, waiting for the worst, but she only bowed her head.
"The Masters acknowledge your strength. I'm afraid there is no question about it, Evan Daniels. You are a threat to the Masters and it is my duty to eliminate all threats." She looked up and her eyes took on a strange glint. "I'm sure you understand."
"Honestly, Haiden, you'll have to do better than that." Evan referred to the name that had once been Phoenix's, before she was picked up and experimented on.
Phoenix/Haiden stopped and outright gaped at Evan. "I have a proposal. I've already proven that I'm stronger than you and your masters, why don't you join a winner now. There's really no point in this." Evan's mind raced even as his smooth voice cajoled Pheonix. He sounded like Pietro when he wanted something, even to himself. "They won't accept you back unless you kill me, and you can't do that, even with their help." He walked towards her slowly, knowing that if his plan didn't work, he may as well give up. "I know what you're looking for, and I know how to find it." That last comment made Phoenix's mind up for her. As soon as he said it, he knew she was his.
"And just what do I have to do?"
"For now, get yourself cleaned up. You look like hell." Evan turned and stalked out of the circle, which closed as soon as he passed through it. Scott was there by his side in an instant, so were all the others. He couldn't see Phoenix, and that suited him just fine, at the moment the only thing he wanted to see was the back of his eyelids.
~~ Bayville High, Lunchtime ~~
"You've gotta be kidding me." Evan stared at Kurt.
"I wish."
"Well, that's what you get for sneaking around at night." Kitty interrupted.
"Logan is kinda jumping to conclusions, though. I thought it had more to do with Phoenix than Pietro. That's why you walked him home right, so he wouldn't have to face him." Scott watched Kurt and Evan sneak glances at each other. He saw where things were going and didn't like it one bit. If they were harassing Phoenix… then again, if Pietro was afraid of Phoenix to the point that he would ask his rival to walk him home so that he'd have company… If only Logan was right…that a scandalous circle was being played out…but Scott knew Evan and Kurt too well to give that idea much merit.
"Daniels, we gotta talk." It was Pietro, and his voice was grim.
"About what?"
"She's making trouble. Ranting and raving about defending some masters."
"And this means what to me?"
"Oh, remember I mentioned how she was so mad about something yesterday…" Pietro's smile was heavier than a ton of bricks. "She was kinda upset about how you tore up her cover. It seems she thinks you're a threat." Pietro leaned forward. "That you're trying to interfere with the master's work. Did I mention she was supposed to be defending them?"
"Evan, I'm scared." Kurt whispered.
"Who are we talking about again?" Scott asked. Every nerve in his body sang that this was a result of whatever had gone down yesterday, but he still didn't know what was going on.
"Oh man, what do we do?" Evan leaned against the table.
"I don't know, but until this works itself out, I'm gonna play invisible. Maybe if we stay outta her way, she'll find someone else to get revenge on."
"You know that won't work."
Pietro shrugged. "It will for me. She didn't see me there, only you and a pair of demonic eyes…" he let that sink in. "And she really doesn't like you, whatever you said to her yesterday at lunch really set her off."
"I didn't say anything to her."
"Maybe she just doesn't like boneheads. I don't know and I don't care. I just thought I'd warn you so you wouldn't wander around by yourself."
"What would she expect me to do…" Evan thought about the papers and CDs again. After a futile attempt at sleep, he'd scanned the papers onto his computer and then copied the CDs on it too. As an afterthought, he burned copies of everything on a new set of CDs and hidden them. Then he settled under the covers with a flashlight and a dictionary to finish reading the papers. They were pretty technical, but even reading them cold, Evan could guess their meaning. Phoenix wasn't really Phoenix at all, she was a random person pulled off the street and given treatments that were supposed to trigger the latent mutant gene that everyone had within them. By itself, the gene was useless, but when a special virus was released in the subject's bloodstream, it did something to the bacteria in the blood and set off a chain reaction that ended when the subject was left with a double mutant gene. That meant, by definition, that Phoenix was a manmade mutant. The seven Masters, as Phoenix called them, had carefully tested her, but all that she could do was create a small portal that only she could go through. Over time, it got bigger and stronger, but not enough to let anyone else through. The last test was done four years ago, in 1998. Right before she lit all those candles and burnt her house down.
"I dunno, but if I were you, I'd pack up and leave."
"Everyone runs from her. Of course! Where is she now?"
Kurt and Pietro blanched. "Nein. Not this again. The last time you said that, we almost got caught by Magneto, and then you made us hide in her room. Nein." Kurt crossed his arms and looked to Pietro for support, but Pietro was gone. "Vas?"
All of a sudden, a rough hand grabbed Evan by the scruff of his neck. "You got a lot of nerve showing up at school today." Scott stood, ready to defend his friends from the intruder, but at the same time, Kurt jumped into his arms, Scooby-Doo style. "Let's go Daniels. We'll settle this here and now."
"Phoenix, you know I'm no match for you." Evan's voice was steady, and he stared straight into Phoenix's eyes. "You look different without the ashes and stuff in your hair." Scott looked closer, yes, it was Phoenix. His hair was a middle-ish tone of brown and he had red highlights, a serious change from the grey-black hair with the brown streak. His face was different, too. It looked more open, but somehow more hostile. The eyes though, they were the same, but instead of shifting, they were focused on Evan.
"I have been disgraced. Because of you I am no longer worthy of wearing the symbol of the code of Guardians. I must avenge myself and protect the Masters."
"They're dead, if you ever opened your eyes, maybe you'd see that."
"The Masters are not dead. They are not alive, and have never been. They simply exist and that which exists cannot be dead or alive, destroyed or recreated. Your lies have no affect upon me; The Masters have granted me protection until I have completed my duty."
"Get over it. You aren't the strongest person in the universe, stop making up lies to pretend that you are."
"Are you implying that you are more powerful than I?"
"I'm telling you that I can take your so-called Masters anytime, anywhere." Evan leaned towards Phoenix a fraction, just to make his point, and was pleased with the look of doubt that flickered across her face. Then he noticed Scott edging around Phoenix. He gestured frantically for him to stop, but never got a chance to see if Scott got the message.
"You are attempting to call my bluff. The Masters would never lower themselves to combat with a mere mortal. Therefore, I will do it for them. I am empowered by their might and they shall furbish me as they see fit." Phoenix let go of Evan and took two steps back before swinging her fist. Evan didn't see it coming and got knocked flat by the blow. He was up in a flash and dodged another fist. He elbowed Phoenix in the stomach and as his opponent doubled over, hit her again on her back. She fell to the ground and swung her legs around and tripped Evan. In the moment that it took him to recover, she lashed out with her foot and caught him square in the jaw. Evan stumbled back a pace and she leapt to her feet. They faced off and out of the corner of his eye, Evan noticed the X-men assembling around the pair.
"Stay out of this you guys. This is something I have to do alone." Scott looked like he had a problem with that, but Evan pushed the thought from his mind. If he could beat Phoenix, maybe she would see that there were more powerful people to ally herself with. Maybe he could help her escape the prison that she believed was the haven of her 'masters'.
If and maybe… Evan's whole face hurt and he was tempted to used his mutant ability and harden his skin. 'I can't do that, there are too many people looking, and that would give me an unfair advantage over her.' Evan ducked as Phoenix lunged at him. He stood and threw her over his shoulder. There was a cheer from the crowd, but the two fighters were too intent on one another to notice. They faced each other again, trying to figure how to get the advantage. Evan feinted to the left and jumped at her, catching her completely unawares and knocking the breath out of her lungs. He retreated three steps and regarded her again. She was fast, but years of battling Pietro had given him the experience he needed to counter most of the worst she could dish out. She wasn't all that strong, either, the only advantage she had was surprise. Although she could deliver some numbing blows, it looked like that took as much out of her as it did him. Her endurance was better, as long as she practiced restraint, but she was convinced that she was infallible, she wouldn't hold back. On the other hand, pain seemed to have no effect on her, and even though she had hit Evan only twice, he was sore and tired. She looked like she was just getting started.
'How do I turn this in my favor?' Evan thought furiously as the two combatants began edging around the circle that the crowd made for them. All this waiting just wasn't his style. He stopped traversing the perimeter of the circle and crossed to where Phoenix stood with a hilariously startled look on her face. She swung her arm around and Evan blocked it mechanically, only to take her knee full in his stomach. Inwardly he thanked God that he hadn't been closer or something a bit more precious than his stomach would have been aching. He noticed that this time, the hit didn't hurt as much as the other. Maybe she was losing steam… a flurry of fists convinced him otherwise, and instinctively he batted out with his own fist. It connected soundly with her temple and she stumbled backwards, trying to regain her balance. She failed, and landed on her bottom, still looking shocked and obviously stunned. Evan approached her and offered his hand.
"Why don't we call it quits, I really don't like hitting ladies." She looked at his hand and then in his face. Without a word, she planted her foot in Evan's chest and jumped to her feet as he fell backwards. "Now that is what I call bad sportsmanship." Evan muttered as the crowd booed. He rolled to his feet and caught her foot. He pulled it towards him and punched Phoenix in the stomach. He seriously felt uncomfortable about hitting her anywhere else. She tore herself loose and toppled backwards. Regaining her balance, she retreated, possibly to rethink her strategy. Evan didn't give her a chance, though. He followed her up and landed a one-two combo in her stomach and grappled her to the ground. "Give it up, Phoenix, you can't win." She twisted her body around until she was lying on her back. Then she kneed him, hard, in the head. As his head pitched forward, she freed her hands from his embrace and gripped his head in the crook of his arm. Evan wasn't a fan of wrestling, but he knew a take-out move when he felt it, and frantically interlocked his fingers and bashed her on the head before she could break his neck. He scrambled for his feet. The realization that she was trying to kill him finally dawned on Evan. He watched her stagger to her feet and felt his blood run cold. She was serious about the whole avenging herself thing, she wouldn't stop fighting him until one of them died. Evan found that he couldn't move, couldn't breathe. He suddenly became aware of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and several dark bruises on Phoenix's arms. 'She must have really thin skin to bruise that bad so soon.' He thought idly. He looked at her looking at him and it struck him how confused she must have been. 'I could have won this fight twice over, and now I'm just standing here like an idiot. Say something Evan…'
"Not bad, is that the best your Masters have?"
Phoenix's eyebrows danced and Evan tensed, waiting for the worst, but she only bowed her head.
"The Masters acknowledge your strength. I'm afraid there is no question about it, Evan Daniels. You are a threat to the Masters and it is my duty to eliminate all threats." She looked up and her eyes took on a strange glint. "I'm sure you understand."
"Honestly, Haiden, you'll have to do better than that." Evan referred to the name that had once been Phoenix's, before she was picked up and experimented on.
Phoenix/Haiden stopped and outright gaped at Evan. "I have a proposal. I've already proven that I'm stronger than you and your masters, why don't you join a winner now. There's really no point in this." Evan's mind raced even as his smooth voice cajoled Pheonix. He sounded like Pietro when he wanted something, even to himself. "They won't accept you back unless you kill me, and you can't do that, even with their help." He walked towards her slowly, knowing that if his plan didn't work, he may as well give up. "I know what you're looking for, and I know how to find it." That last comment made Phoenix's mind up for her. As soon as he said it, he knew she was his.
"And just what do I have to do?"
"For now, get yourself cleaned up. You look like hell." Evan turned and stalked out of the circle, which closed as soon as he passed through it. Scott was there by his side in an instant, so were all the others. He couldn't see Phoenix, and that suited him just fine, at the moment the only thing he wanted to see was the back of his eyelids.