Title: Savin' Me
Author: UnderThePaleMoonlight
Summary: A girl runs away from her old life once she discovers she's a mutant. She meets an extraordinary gentleman, joins him, and meets an even more extraordinary boy. She wants to help him, but maybe he isn't the only one who needs saving. . .
Setting: Post X2 through post X3.
Pairings: Pyro/OC, slight Magneto/Mystique, slight Gambit/OC
Rated for: Language and mature content in future chapters.
A/N: I just realized that I didn't put any disclaimer in the last two chapters. So you know, I don't own anything relating to X-Men, except for Ava, blah blah blah. So there. Thanks to all whose who have reviewed so far! I've gotten some really good feedback, which has totally made my last couple of days. Anyways, this chapter you get to see Ava's powers in action. . .sort of. Please review when you're finished, but no flaming. I won't read your bitch-fest, so no point in wasting your time. Thanks and enjoy!
"Magneto, sir?"
He glanced at her with his pale eyes, sending an involuntary shiver down Ava's spine. Her teeth chattered lightly as she asked him, "How much farther until we get there?"
Magneto gave a hearty chuckle, the hard look in his eyes melting away. "No need for the 'Sir,' Ava. And we're very close, about a few minutes away." He looked over her shivering body. "Are you cold, my dear?" She could only nod, as her teeth were chattering loudly and she was furiously rubbing her arms for warmth.
In a small act of charity, Magneto removed his long coat and placed it over Ava's trembling shoulders. She looked up at him with a startled expression.
"N-No, you d-don't have to. W-We're c-close by, I-I can h-handle it," she stammered.
Magneto shook his head and wrapped his coat tightly around her. "Don't worry, my dear. I've been through worse weather with less clothing than I have on now. I don't need you to catch a death of a cold." She still looked at him skeptically and started to take the coat off again. His hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, the other pulling up his own sleeve.
Ava struggled to stop him, but froze at what she saw. Tattooed on his forearm was a faded line of numbers. Nothing special about them, just black numbers. But Ava knew what they were. She had seen pictures in her history books at school. Now there they were, right in front of her.
Her shining eyes met his. Her mouth opened, then closed, opened, then closed.
She was speechless.
He smiled at her, a smile that was tinged with sadness. "Trust me, Ava, cold air is nothing to me." His grip on her wrist loosened and his hand fell to his side. The sleeve came down, and silence resumed.
His mouth twisted into the very faintest of smiles when he saw her pull the coat closer to her from the corner of his eye.
"Here we are."
Ava jumped at the sound of Magneto's voice, having grown accustomed to the rhythmic sound of their footsteps and the crickets chirping. Her eyes darted about to see her new home. . .
There was nothing but an empty lot, weeds and grass sprouting from the dirt.
She gave him a questioning look, her brown eyes filled with confusion. "Where is it?"
Magneto stared straight ahead, much like in the diner, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement, arms crossed, and a light grin on his face. "Ava, my dear, just wait. Patience is a virtue."
She pulled his coat around her a little tighter, keeping the cold night air from getting in. Her hand crept up to her ponytail and she played with a chestnut curl. She surveyed her surroundings: a set of old buildings, a wire fence around the lot behind her. . .
Her eyes rested upon a small, wilted dandelion close to her foot. The stem was brown, the petals brittle and dead. She almost hadn't noticed it, as it blended in with the earth it grew from.
Poor little thing.
Ava knelt on one knee, the ends of the coat brushing the sidewalk beneath her. She held out her hand and placed a slender finger on the lifeless petals.
Slowly, the tiny stem started turning green. The edges of the leaves went from the dead brown to spring green. The tips of the petals became a familiar butter yellow and spread downwards. The stem picked itself up off the ground, rising to where it stood proudly with green leaves and bright petals.
Ava smiled at her work. She felt something graze her shoulder, and turned to see Magneto's hand resting on her back. He stared intently at the little flower.
"Keep going," he urged her.
She drew her hand away from the plant. Hand still out, her fingers curled in.
Magneto watched as the stem elongated, the leaves grew bigger, and the flower itself blossomed even further. What was months of growth took place in a matter of seconds.
Ava dropped her hand, a triumphant smile on her face. She stood up and observed her work. What was nothing but a miniscule sprout before now was as tall as her knee, the leaves the size of her hand, and the head of yellow petals like a sunflower. She glanced at Magneto, waiting for some type of response.
He gazed at the flower in wonder. She gave a half-smile and tried to break the silence. "I can do a lot more," she told him.
He met her eyes. His smile spread across his face even more. "Please show me, Ava."
She straightened the coat she wore, pushing the sleeves back. Her eyes closed, her hands outstretched with palms up. She felt a familiar tremor through her body sending an invisible wave of energy out.
Please let it work.
She barely opened one eye to peek at the plot of land. Her heart swelled with pride when she saw buds sprouting all over. Each rose up, stems healthy and green, and while the leaves extended outward, the tip unfurled into beautiful snow white petals.
Both stared as the dirt covered lot was now filled with white lilies: Ava in pleasure, Magneto in awe.
Ava couldn't help but be proud. Magneto was right: she was a Homo superior. Superior. This set her apart from every other individual. It felt as though everything else she had accomplished in her life, from school to track to cheerleading, didn't matter anymore-
Stop. You're getting conceited. Pride cometh before the fall.
Magneto's arm around her shoulders broke her train of thought. She was met with his pale eyes that were full of delight.
"My dear, your gift is extraordinary." He pulled her close to him in a sort of hug. "You'll fit in quite well," he said to reassure her.
Well, maybe I can be just a little proud.
Ava picked up the sound of tires against pavement. She saw lights approaching from the end of the street. Eyes locked on the vehicle, she felt Magneto's arm pull away. He clapped his hands together.
"And here is our ride," he announced, apparently pleased.
As it came closer, she could see it was a plain white van. It slowed to a gradual stop right in front of them. The rolled down to reveal a beautiful woman with blond hair and blue eyes.
Magneto chuckled. "Really now, Mystique, is that necessary?"
The woman smirked. "You wanted inconspicuous, didn't you?"
He placed a hand on the woman's cheek, caressing it lightly. "Let me see that beautiful face, please."
The woman smiled at him and placed her own hand over his. "Always the charmer," she quipped.
To Ava's horror, the skin melted away into slick, blue scales. It continued up her arm and neck, and the woman's bright blue eyes turned a glowing amber yellow. The blond locks became slicked-back, short red hair.
The yellow eyes fell on Ava. The blue woman frowned and looked at Magneto. "Looks like you got more than a cup of tea, Erik."
Ava shrunk back behind Magneto, but his strong hand brought her forward. "Now, now, Mystique. No need to scare off our new member. This is Ava." He looked at Ava. "Ava, this is Mystique. She is-" He paused while locking eyes with Mystique, both sharing a small grin. "She is a dear friend," he said.
Ava nodded. She wasn't going to question what he told her. They seemed to share more than a close friendship, but it wasn't her business to ask.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mystique," Ava said in a friendly tone, extending her hand.
Mystique eyed it coldly, settling for a nod directed at her. "Same. Get in the back, kid."
Ok. Not exactly the friendly type.
Ava went behind to the back of the van and pulled open the two doors. With a creak, they revealed an almost empty back. All that was inside was a pile of thick blankets and a pillow. Hesitantly, Ava set her backpack down on the floor, pushed it to the opposite wall, and crawled in. It wasn't too bad. Definitely roomy, she thought as she settled herself on the pile of blankets.
Magneto had taken his place in the passenger's seat. He looked back at Ava. "Comfortable, my dear?" She nodded, which made him flash his charming smile. "Good. You can try to get some rest, if you'd like. I imagine you must be getting tired."
Ava was about to protest, but was interrupted by a loud yawn. She smiled sheepishly. "Yeah. I guess I am a little tired." She laid down, resting her head on the pillow. She felt the van lurch forward and drive away as her eyelids began to feel heavy.
"Magneto, sir?" she called out weakly, stifling another yawn.
"Yes, Ava?" That voice like a warm blanket.
She pulled a blanket over herself before saying softly, "Thank you."
She didn't stay awake long enough to hear him laugh and tell her, "You're welcome."
Waiting until she heard the girl's steady breathing, indicating she was asleep, Mystique glanced at Magneto. "You're quite gentle with her, Erik," she stated while turning onto the highway which would lead them to headquarters.
He smirked. "She's a pleasant girl, Mystique." His eyes gazed off into the distance as his voice turned serious. "Her powers are impressive. With some training, she'll make an excellent member."
She scoffed, giving Magneto a skeptical look. "She won't make it. She'll be torn apart by me in training, and the fellas will have a field day with her."
"Mystique, she's a valuable asset. She's got an ability that will only grow stronger with time, she is eager to help and to please, and," he reasoned, pausing to tap the side of his head, "She's got quite a brain."
Mystique sighed and shook her head. "I'm trusting your judgement, Erik. But be warned; if she becomes dead weight, she's gone." An evil smile crept onto her face. "And you know I won't hesitate to get rid of her."
Magneto quietly laughed to himself. "I'm sure you won't, my dear. I'm sure you won't."
Hey. . .Hey, kid. . ."Hey!"
Cold enveloped Ava's legs, making her flinch. Her eyes fluttered open. White walls, metal floor, green backpack.
Where. . .? Memories of the past couple hours flooded her mind.
Oh, right.
"Hey!"
Ava propped herself up on her elbow to see Mystique. The blanket that was previously on Ava's body was being clutched in her blue fist. Ava rubbed her eyes sleepily and yawned.
Mystique gave Ava a wry smirk. "Rise and shine." She tossed the blanket back in the van and began walking off. "We're here."
A/N: Yay for Mystique! Sorry, but she really is one of my favorite characters. She's so kick-ass and I love it. Anyways, please review and no flaming. Thanks for reading!