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 later chapters.
A/N: Sorry for the delay! I just need a day to think this one over, and rest. I've been totally wiped out from work, and it took a toll on my creativity. Anyways, please review when you're finished reading. No flaming please, because as I like to say over and over, I will not read your bitch-fest, so don't waste your time. Thanks and enjoy!
"'As if in the superhuman energy of his utterance there had been found the potency of a spell, the huge antique panels to which the speaker pointed threw slowly back, upon the instant, their ponderous and ebony jaws. It was the work of the rushing gust- but then without those doors there did stand the lofty and enshrouded figure of the lady Madeline of Usher. There was blood upon her white robes, and the evidence of some bitter struggle upon every portion of her emaciated frame. For a moment she remained trembling and reeling to and fro upon the threshold- then, with a low moaning cry, fell heavily inward upon the person of her brother, and in her violent and now final death-agonies, bore him to the floor a corpse, and a victim to the terrors he had anticipated-'"
There was a light rapping at her door.
Ava looked up, folding the worn edge of the page inward to save her place.
"Yes?"
The door opened slowly, revealing someone she was actually quite happy to see.
"Hello, Gambit," she said pleasantly. Her fellow Southerner waltzed in, a smile lighting up his face.
"G'afternoon, Cherie. Slep' well, Ah 'ope?"
She smiled, blushing just a little. "Yes, Ah did. Thank ya for askin'." Her own Southern accent was a little bolder than before.
He swaggered over to her cot, where she was lying on her stomach reading. A large hand decorated in a black, fingerless glove picked up her book. "Wha'cha readin'?" He glanced at the cover with his red eyes. "Poe?" Gambit grinned, clearly amused. "Ah nevah would've guessed, Miss Ava. You's seem as sweet as apple pie."
Ava sat up on her elbows. "Consider it mah darker side. Ah'm a Poe fanatic." She stole the book back from him, her slender fingers brushing the front picture of the author himself. "He was a brilli'nt writah. Ah absolutely love his work."
He chuckled. "Brilli'nt writah indeed." His sharp face shot her a mock-stern look. "Now, Ah was sent 'ere by Magneto. He wants ta speak ta ya."
A small bit of fear ate at her stomach. She sat up on the edge of her cot. "Did he say if it was about this mornin'?"
Gambit shrugged. "He said nothin'. Ah'm jus' suppos'd ta escort ya ta 'im."
Ava eyed him. "Ah'm suppos'd ta be escort'd? Ah can get there mahself."
He held out his muscular arm, ruby eyes sparkling. "Magneto's ordahs. Ya ready, mon cherie?"
She stood up, reluctantly wrapping her thin arm around his bulging bicep. "Ah suppose," she sighed.
As he led her down an empty hallway, Ava couldn't help but let her chestnut eyes dance across Gambit in interest. He was much taller than her, which was great considering that she stood at 5'8" and sometimes had trouble being the same height or taller than some of the boys at school. His chest stood out proudly and with confidence, and the way his dark brown hair fell in his hypnotic, yet frightening eyes gave him a mysterious, sexy vibe-
Sexy! Whoa there, Ava, you're getting a little ahead of yourself. This is only the second time you've been around him, and you've known him less than a day.
She heard Gambit chuckle.
"What's so funny?" she asked lightheartedly.
He kept looking straight ahead, the smile on his face rivaling the Cheshire Cat. "You was lookin'," he stated.
Ava's face burned bright red.
Smooth. Very smooth.
"Ah wasn't-"
That laugh.
"Cherie," he started with, locking eyes with her. He leaned in close, huskily whispering in her ear. "Dere ain't nothin' wrong wit' lookin'." He winked at her with that same flirtatious nature as the night before.
Ava felt herself becoming flustered, her heartbeat quickening. She tried to cover with up. "A lil' full of ahselves, aren't we?"
"But ya like it, oui?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. That confident grin on his face.
Ava remained silent.
Darn it.
Gambit stopped suddenly. "Dis is it."
She gulped audibly. "O-Okay," she stuttered.
He patted her back reassuringly. "Don't worry, mon cherie. It's prob'ly nothin'. If ya want, Ah'll wait out 'ere fo' ya."
She nodded. "Could ya?"
He shook his head "yes" while knocking on the door in front of them. It was the only wooden door Ava had seen in the entire place so far, so it must have been something important.
"Come in." That recognizable voice.
Gambit quietly opened the door, his hand comfortingly placed on Ava's lower back. Inside was a bare room, with the exception of a metal desk, chair, and a giant window spilling afternoon sunlight onto said desk. Sitting in the seat was the Master of Magnetism himself, with Mystique perched on top of the desk, her azure body shining. Her amber eyes fell on Ava and Gambit, and the small smile that had been on her face disappeared.
Magneto, however, clapped his hands together. "Ah, Ava. Good to see you, my dear. Please, come in," he greeted her with, motioning for her to enter.
Ava nervously stepped forward. "Y-You wanted to see me, sir?"
He nodded. "Yes, just for a minute." His attention turned to the Cajun, still waiting patiently at the door. "That will be all, Gambit."
Gambit silently nodded in Magneto's direction, then gave Ava one last reassuringly look before closing the door.
"Now, Ava," Magneto began, "I just wanted to discuss a few things with you, now that you're staying with us." He leaned forward on his desk, those light blue eyes burning a hole straight through Ava. "First, about this morning-"
"Sir," she blurted out unexpectedly, "I'm sorry about that! It was an accident, really! It's only happened when I've been scared. It's hard for me to control it, because it's completely controlled by my emotions. I-"
She lost her voice when Magneto held up a hand, signaling for her to stop. "Ava, dear, it is perfectly fine. While you're here, you'll learn how to control that aspect of your powers. It'll only grow stronger with time and practice, and I am sure that a bright, talented girl like yourself will have no problems learning to control your powers."
Ava blushed slightly, flattered by his comment. "Thank you, sir."
He gave her his signature grin. "You'll also have daily training sessions. You'll begin tomorrow, and it will of consist physical conditioning and fighting tactics. Mystique here will be your instructor."
The blue-skinned woman gave Ava a smug grin, baring her brilliant white teeth like fangs.
That can't be good.
"We do have a schedule here, Ava," Magneto continued. "Concerning meals, breakfast and lunch are on your own time, but you are expected to be present at dinner, as is everyone here, even myself. Dinner is at six and you are to be on time. This next week, you will have your own personal training sessions at eleven, then you will join the group sessions at ten. There is an eleven o'clock curfew, as I want you to be well rested for training. Understood?"
Ava nodded enthusiastically. "Yes sir," she replied confidently. She herself was an organized person, and liked having a daily routine. If there was one thing she couldn't stand, it was spontaneous planning and disorganization.
Magneto stood, slowly walking around his desk. "You will also need a code name."
She raised an eyebrow. "A code name?"
He looked up, his eyes with their usual sparkle. "Yes, a code name. Though Ava is a beautiful name, you need a name to represent who you are. One that represents your mutation."
Ava thought for a moment, pondering what he just said. "Like Magneto, or Toad? Something like that?"
He gave a hearty laugh. "Yes, something like that."
She mulled over a possible name.
Nature? Eh.
Flower? Sounds like a little girl.
Tree Root? Hah!
"Do I need one right now?" Ava asked.
"Not right now, my dear. But you best start thinking of one soon," he told her.
Magneto then placed a warm hand on her shoulder, making her jump. She didn't realize just how cold she was in the room.
"Ava." His voice was that comforting blanket again. "I want you to understand that what I'm asking of you is a serious matter. We are a group that strongly believes in mutant rights. You may be sent on an assignment that could put your life in danger, Ava. The only thing that will help you is to give your all in training sessions, to exercise your powers and let them grow. You must not be afraid." His hand found its way to her cheek, the tips of his fingers gently caressing her cheek. He looked her straight in her brown eyes. "Do you promise to help fight for our cause, Ava?"
She stood in shock, trying to comprehend what he had told her.
My life in danger?
But one deep look into the elderly man's pale eyes, and her heart softened.
"I promise, sir. I'll do my best."
Magneto's grip on her shoulder tightened. Mystique had joined him by his side, arms crossed and a skeptical look on her scaled face. For a few moments, the sun was covered by the clouds, and the softening glow that surrounded the two mutants disappeared. Magneto's eyes turned cold, and Mystique's yellow eyes glowed.
A light smile played on his lips when Ava pledged her allegiance.
"Welcome to the Brotherhood, Ava."
A/N: Okay, so this was kind of important, and a filler chapter. Sorry for the lack of Pyro, but there'll be plenty of his sarcasm next chapter, I promise! Please review, no flaming, etc. Thanks for reading!