"Chris!" Marie exclaimed, rushing into my little cell.

"I'm really glad Watts came here." She said. I smirked when I saw that the girl wore a very familiar necklace.

"Oh, you like it?" she asked, looking down at the piece of jewelry. It was silver with several ice blue jewels attached. It was simple and classic not gaudy

She looked back at me and wiggled her eyebrows. "Ya know… I think I got myself a secret admirer." I chuckled.

"Not quite. I bought it."

"What?" she gasped. "But Chris! It's so expensive!"

I shrugged. "So what? I went a week without croissants and sushi, not a big deal. But you like it, don't you?"

"Yeah, sure, but but I can't measure up to this! Why'd you give it to me?" she asked.

I raised an eyebrow.

Is this girl for real? She said she wanted it. Cynicism commented, arms crossed.

A realization hit me. "Oh, don't worry about trying to making your gift cost as much as mine. You don't even need to give me presents. I never get those during Christmas." She looked flabbergasted at that.

"Wah? You don't celebrate Christmas?"

"Well, my Mom always did, but it involved more church than gifts."

"Aww," pity took over her expression.

"No, it's fine. You don't need gifts to show you care." I smiled, memories of a dark house because of unpaid electric bills coming to me. My Mom had me gathering firewood and we would huddle by the fireplace for warmth. We'd often play chess, too. While I did frustrate her with my "slowness to learn", she cared for me all the same.

"Thinking of a good memory?" Marie asked, fondness in her tone. I sighed happily.

"Yeah."

"When I touch someone I get to see their memories. Feel their feelings, hear their voices in my head."

"You want to touch me?" I asked.

"N-No." My friends face turned scarlet. "Your memories and voices would be in my head then." I realized I had been pretty blunt with my questioning.

"Of course. I wouldn't have let you, anyways. I have secrets. Things I must never tell anyone."

Okay, that was a bit dramatic. But I knew my father would be there at any moment so it felt fitting.

"Yeah. I get that. You've probably got tons."

I smiled. I'm holding a rather important one from you right now.

The X-Men must not know. Then they could prepare. Logic said.

I decided to address the biggest issue. "Marie, after this is through I'm not going to be able to talk to you much anymore."

"Cause of your crummy dad?" she asked. I laughed.

"He's not crummy but… Yes."

"I just hate that guy! Why does he have to ruin everything?" she sulked.

"Pff. I'll be fine."

"Yeah, physically, sure. But I'm worried, Chris! You're turning into something something else."

"I'm fine!" I tried to reason with her. "Not hurt in the slightest. Father is teaching me to control my powers better."

"But at what cost?" she asked.

I felt a small vibration in Watts' collar as I held him.

A signal.

"Marie, we'll need to discuss this later."

"But-" I'm running out of time.

"Get out." I told her, almost pleading.

"No!" she exclaimed, getting nervous. "Not till you tell me what's going on."

"You are my friend but if you do not leave this room now you will regret it." I sent her the glare I often found on my Father when he was intimidating someone.

Marie left silently.

Sorry...

I sighed. Now she'll be safe. I don't know what she has against Father but keeping them both in the same room would be stupid.

Later...

I smirked, Watts looking up at me as I petted him.

All according to plan.

That was when I heard the loud bang upstairs. There was the sound of people shouting. Above all, one voice stood out.

Is that him? Optimism asked, eyes wide in anticipation.

I believe so. Logic answered. He eyed the door outside of my cell nervously.

I grinned.

"30 minutes?" I said when my father arrived. "You're getting slower."

He smiled back. " I was in Washington DC."

"Impressive."

"Close your eyes," he warned. I gladly did that. The glass cell shattered but I was unharmed.

I flew out carrying my small dog. The first thing I wanted to do was hug my father but considering the situation I decided to not.

"Stay with me," my father said.

"I will," I assured him.

We quickly flew out the underground jail and up to the main part of the school.

I pointed at the exit.

"There, we can-"

"No," Father cut me off. "We're not done just yet."

Instead we flew upstairs in search of one man.

We soon found him in his study.

"Erik? We need to-"

A metal pipe coiled around his throat.

"You took my son! You knew who he was and you took him anyway!" Magneto bristled.

I glanced up at my father. He was shaking with an ice cold fury. His hands clenched and unclenched and tremors ran over his arms. Watts body shook with fear in my arms.

"No, worse, you knew who he was and you took him for that reason. You claim to be represent peace, yet you stole my child?' he snapped.

"I discounted your school from my search because I respected you, because I believed you would never kidnap him!" He stopped and huffed. "It seems I was wrong."

The professor's face turned red, pipe still secured tightly around his throat.

I'd thought about killing this man earlier. Yet now it didn't feel right anymore. I wanted him to live. To, if nothing else, teach the children at the school.

"Stop it, Father! You're killing him!" I yelled.

"And why shouldn't I?" he asked, eyes fixated on the professor.

"Because I don't want the school to close and I don't want him to die! Lets just go home!"

The pole dropped from the man's throat.

"It seems my son is far more merciful than me. Be grateful," he told him.

I could hear Xavier coughing on the floor.

"Our already fragile friendship is now over, Xavier," Magneto stated. "You have made a powerful enemy out of me." He turned around and walked out the room. I followed silently.

"Why did you stop me?" my father asked as we walked through one of the hallways. Signs of a brawl littered the place. I flinched in embarrassment as we passed a wrecked yucca. This place was full of bad memories for me.

"He helps people," I explained after I composed myself. "Even if this time, he was wrong."

He rolled his eyes. "Where do you get that nonsense from?"

"I don't know, actually," I smiled. "Still," I said. "I don't want him to die. I just want to go home. There's a holiday sale on video games I don't want to miss."

"Of course you think of video games," he said, shaking his head with a fond smile.

"It's 50 percent off! With my allowance I could buy out the store!" I explained. All of a sudden, I realized something.

It's quiet. Too quiet. Cynicism observed.

Diabolical! Optimism gasped.

You're right. We should have encountered even one of the students by now. Logic agreed.

"Where did all of the students go?" I asked Father

"They have probably all been evacuated by now," he said. "And I suppose a few of them are looking for Xavier. He can't stand alone by himself, after all."

"Then why didn't they get to him?"

"My boy, you're too smart to ask this. Do you really think I came alone?"

"I see."

Say what you want about my father but he gets things done. Minutes after finding my location he crushed the X-Men.

My father really is a genius, he accounted for all of the teachers and even the professor's strategy.

All of the teachers, that is.

A blast of cold air suddenly hit my father, sending him down the hallway. With a worrying smash, he connected with a wall. He slumped down, unconscious.

"Round two, bitch!" Bobby yelled.

I don't have time for this. I thought to myself.

I prepared myself for battle, but I suddenly felt my hands being pulled back and into wall.

"Got him!" the girl named Shadowcat shouted.

Bobby stared at me. "You know what, you were right. I was angry and for that you humiliated me in front of the school!"

"When I heard about your fight with the X-Men, I got myself some footage and guess who always used his hands?" Bobby shrugged smugly. "Thanks for the lesson, really."

"You done yet?" I asked.

What is this, a manga? Don't explain your reasoning to the enemy. Just attack!

"Yeah, I think I am." He smirked. I felt someone wearing rubber gloves cuff me with plastic handcuffs.

Interestingly enough, they did not touch my father. I suppose they had some sense after all. Watts was picked up with me and Shadowcat fussed over the cute puppy.

Hmm, what to do… Our powers are cut in half without hands. Can we take on Iceboy? Logic thought.

Probably not. Cynicism said.

Lovely. Rebellion commented.

"And even better," he said as he froze my cuffs."You shock anyone, you shock yourself too." He chuckled. "That ought to do it."

I was then taken outside and into the forest that I supposed many of the students went to regroup. I smiled as we went passed a tool shed.

"Hey, what's so funny?" Bobby asked.

"Oh, you. You and your stupidity anyway."

Bobby growled, angry that despite my apparent loss, I acted as if I were his superior.

Heh. Petty. Rebellion smirked.

"You're not better than me!" Bobby yelled, slapping me.

"Except that I am!" I quipped. He hit me again.

"Bobby!" Shadowcat exclaimed, apparently not approving.

Keep hitting me, dumbass. Don't look at the world around you.

It's easy not to notice several metal blades being formed when your friend is having a mental breakdown.

They quickly found themselves pinned to trees, unable to move. I of course electrocuted Shadowcat first, before using my metal to break my cuffs off. I walked over to Bobby.

"In the time you spent yelling, I forged a few dozen knives. You still have no control." I couldn't help but feel smug. "So I'm still better than you. Ya know… You gave me a bruise, might as well give you one to match." I smiled cruelly.

Bobby screamed as a piece of metal crashes into his face. He'd later have a very black eye from this.

I smiled at him. As fun as this was, I still had to get to my father. I took the liberty of electrocuting the rest of the team before turning on my heels to leave with my pet.

For a second, I felt a bit of guilt for enjoying the pain of a fellow mutant I quickly pushed it away.

Bobby hit me first. It isn't bad to like hurting enemies. Otherwise, you could get attached to them. Then... disaster.

While walking, I spotted the familiar bush of brown hair yet again.

"Marie."

"You used me." It was an accusation, laced with a sharp anger.

"I did for the greater good, of course"

She shivered a bit at the phrase 'greater good'.

"Am I really that predictable?"

"Yes." She snapped, finally throwing a punch at me. I smiled dodging.

"So, you being an asshole was just a warning, huh?" she asked, shaking with anger.

"Precisely. Father was going to arrive soon. Speaking of which, I have to go."

"What are you going to do?"

I smiled. "Save mutantkind of course."

"But- What about your Dad? He might seem nice and stuff but he's horrible!"

"Okay then." I shrugged. "That's your opinion. But don't you think making mutants rule that world would solve our problems? No more shame. No hiding." I offered. Maybe if I just tried one more time, she would get it.

"And the humans, what will they be? Slaves?" She spat.

Of course she wouldn't understand. Don't waste your time, buddy. Cynicism sighed.

"No, of course not. They'll be allowed to have a decent life. Run their own institutions, just not gather arms to kill mutants."

"And who told you this?"

"My father."

"Well, he's lying."

"Marie, my father never lies to me. He just doesn't."

Marie huffed at this.

"Well why'd you have to get in this. You're a kid, Chris, same as me. Why are we involved in a war in the first place?"

"I, my powers are very strong. I could make a big difference. Age doesn't matter for this."

"Even a baby out the crib if it can shoot fire, huh?" She said bitterly.

I sighed. "Yes. But we'll be making the world a better place."

"Well it can get better without our help. Ain't you tired? Tired of fightin'? Don't you want a normal life? With your Mom and…" She paused

"Marie, of course I wish I wasn't put in this situation. But that isn't reality."

"How bout we make it ours. Leave Magneto and that lying son of a bitch Xavier too."

"I can't."

"Chris…"

"If you want to leave, do it. I support you. If you need anything, call me." I looked her in the eyes. "Money, fake documents making you 18 on paper so you can get a apartment. Anything. But I can't leave. Not when my powers are like this. Just one lapse in control… That's all it takes. I need as much training as possible."

She sighed. "I'm not gonna convince you am I?"

"No. I have to leave. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too." We shared a long hug before I left the woods, soon finding father hovering just above the trees.

"Where were you?" He asked grimly.

"I was taken into the forest. It's pretty dense."

Once we came home, my Father and I retreated to his study. The place he always summoned me to, especially when I was in trouble.

"Father, I'm really sorry for leaving without permission. It's just-" I began.

"You only wanted to help," he said, cutting me off. "I understand."

I nodded and hung my head low in shame. "I was stupid and I got myself captured."

"Electron, there is nothing stupid about you. Understand?" His voice was sharp as he told me this, the tone making clear that this wasn't anything to be discussed. I nodded at the rebuke.

"Good. Yes, what you did was reckless. But that doesn't make you stupid. It makes you a selfless person." He shook his head. "Now that you have your powers, you can't resist helping out where you can. A hero. My hero son." He let out a laugh before frowning. "You worry me." He turned to me, a serious look on his face.

He looks scary like that. Optimism shivered.

He stared at me. "Don't be a hero, Electron. That's how people get themselves killed." A tremor ran down my spine at the look in his eyes. It told the story of a man who'd lived a life of conflict.

"Isn't dying to protect others the right thing to do?" I asked carefully.

"Not when you're, an 80 year old man with no real family to speak of, save a boy who loves to get into trouble. I will not lose another child," he said. "I won't."

I could tell he said the last part mostly to himself.

"You don't consider yourself a hero then, father?"

"No, I do not."

"Well, I've always thought you were."

My father smiled at me for a moment before continuing his explanation.

"Helping others is great, but the best way to do that is to live long enough to enact lasting change," he told me. "Going out in a blaze of heroic glory may be more glamorous than day to day toil but it's not how you change the world."

"I think I get it now. There's one part I don't understand, though. There are plenty of those heroes in The Brotherhood, people who go out with a bang. Why keep them with us?"

"They're pawns, soldiers." He waved a hand, dismissing them. "Nothing more. For most of them, burning up quickly is the best they're capable of. It's a good thing they're so plentiful. They're a useful resource."

"Yes, father," I replied quietly.

"Now then, tell me everything about what happened."

I did.

"You made friends with a member of the X-Men?"

"I didn't know." I said in my defense.

"Not until she blackmailed you into going to Xavier's."

"Yes. She's like I was earlier. She didn't see how the X-Men really is and thought it'd be best."

"Because of the recent violence..." He hummed.

"Father, I know you're probably thinking of the best way to get revenge for my kidnapping but whatever you do, please keep Marie and the rest of the students out of it."

"How did you know?" He smirked "I wouldn't dare touch her... Even if she was the reason you were captured."

His icy voice boomed, and a nearby sword on a wall bent in half, Staples flying at the wall and his laptop ripped in two like paper.

"Probably for her own revenge against me." He said after calming down.

"Revenge, father?" My eyes couldn't have possibly grown any more wide.

"Some friend she is- won't even tell you why she hates your father… I kidnapped Rouge once."

"What?" I couldn't help but yell.

"I wanted to use her to turn the attendees of the World Peace Conference into mutants. "

"Rouge, all she does is absorb powers. Why would you need…" I gasped, realisation hitting me. "You didn't."

"The machine, if I manned it, would have killed me. So instead, I transferred my powers to her."

"So she'd die instead…"

"It obviously didn't work."

I stared at him, unable to comprehend what I'd heard. I couldn't believe it.

"Electron, the political influence that mutants would have gained would have been worth far more than one girl's life."

"… do you regret it?" I asked quietly. He was silent for a beat.

"I regret that I wasn't successful."

All the air left my lungs.

"It's the truth. In my position I must make hard decisions. I was needed to fight a war and Marie was just a simple minded girl."

"So you're more important than her?"

"In the grand scheme of things… Yes."

I was silent.

"It's a hard truth to process Electron, but not all men are equal. I've tried and tried to explain it to you. You're always focused on the semantics. Can a mutant be just as good a person as a human? But being kind hearted isn't going to keep people alive."

"We are in a war and having the general of our army die makes absolutely no sense."

I nodded.

"You understand that. It was a strategic move to try and give mutants more political power. I have nothing against the girl though she surely has a grudge against me now.'

"But we're really friends. She didn't always know. She didn't know before the blackmail." I told him. He shook his head.

"Irrelevant. You're back now and you won't talk to her again anyway."

"Father-"

"That is final, Electron. You have other things to do that are more important than talking to that girl."

"I see."

"You're dismissed. Your detention at Xavier's was an adequate punishment. "

I nodded at him and walked towards the door. I stopped, turning back to him.

"Father, how do you do it?" I asked. "I don't think I'd be able to make the decisions you do. You'd think you'd have to be a cool calculating psychopath. But I know you're not. How do you go again your nature?"

"I merely adapted to the harsh environment around me."

"I'll make decisions like that when I get older?"

"Sadly, yes. I cannot protect yourself forever. Getting exposed, fighting those who'd like to kill you…"

I sighed. "Just focus on the greater good then?"

"No, focus on staying alive and when that is accomplished, then the greater good. You're too important to die stupidly."

I didn't like the idea that some people were more important than others, but bit down my protests.

"Thank you for rescuing me, Father."

"You're welcome. I am glad you are unharmed."

"Yeah, Xavier, he thought being sent to a room with a TV in it was a punishment." I laughed.

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, he'd probably give you weak tea as a punishment. I'm surprised the school hasn't burnt down with the lack of discipline."

I decided to suddenly hug my father. He was surprised but didn't mind and rustled my hair.

Later that day father called me to an empty room. When I asked why he said we need to talk.

"You weren't just friends with that girl were you?" He began

"What? That's not the case."

"I see a receipt for a silver necklace and two flower bouquets. One was sent to your mother, but where did the other go?" he stared intensely at me.

"I- I sent it to Marie." I said.

"Roses nonetheless! Do you have something to say to me?" He pressed.

"I-I"

Hs sighed "Did you at least wear protection?"

"I'd always wear protection! But no that's not. We we aren't together. I sent her yellow roses a sign of friendship."

My father didn't look convinced.

"And you just happened to pick roses not tulips or marigolds?"

"Yes. I did. I swear, nothing happened between Marie and I. We're best friends. We did everything together. One day she said she wanted a certain necklace and I got it."

"Nothing else." He said, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing."

My father sighed. "The mixed messages you give off."

What? Oh come on!

"She's just really important to me. She was instrumental to my escape and realized Xavier's faults."

"Then why isn't she here with you?"

"She doesn't like you."

He smirked. "Of course."

"She wants me to run off with her." I added.

That made my father angry.

"Where?" he demanded.

"She didn't say. She just… I guess she doesn't want me to become unrecognizable with all this killing." I shrugged nervously.

"Running away wouldn't solve anything. You'd still need to train, have to get your powers under control, mutants would still be hunted." He paused. "It's just as I thought. I do not want you speak to her again."

I frowned but dutifully said "Yes father."

From that day on, my father's behavior became drastically different. He was no longer satisfied with the occasional text notifying him that I'd be late for dinner. Instead, he wanted to know exactly where I was at all times. I had to carry my phone with me at all times. If I didn't there'd be hell to pay. The only occasion where losing it was acceptable was during battle.

I spent all my time when I wasn't training or studying playing with Watts. Of course while Watts was a good listener he wasn't a great conversationalist and I felt very lonely. My Christmas was spent missing my friend like mad and even my 20 minute visit to my mother didn't help much.

"Toad… We should go out. Do something." I said, watching the New York traffic go by in our car.

"And have your dad on my ass? Let me think about that… No."

I was even being transported in a bulletproof car to school.

My father's new found protectiveness felt like a leash.

I didn't even get to see my mother much. Whenever I asked, Father would always tell me "No." Before sending me away to study or train.

I felt so lonely. The only light in my life was chess, which was something father would let me leave the house for.

The week before my state championship, my father took me out to lunch.

"How are you feeling?" He asked,

"Fine." I stared at the wall behind our table.

"No, really. How are you?"

"I miss Mom and Marie." I sighed. "And I miss being able to leave the house."

My father said nothing, thinking of a way respond.

"Xavier now knows you're with me and he also knows where you go to school. We cannot take chances with this."

He just wants me to be safe.

More accurately, he was afraid.

"We'll go out more. I understand that staying at home all week can be suffocating." He said understanding my predicament.

"Thanks."

"Of course, on the topic of your mother and Rogue I haven't changed my mind."

My smile soon left my face.

"She's a crutch, Electron. She's only making you weaker."

"Well, I think family is more important than power. I'd give up my powers if it meant any of you would live."

Wait. Did I say that out loud?

Judging by Father's face yeah. Rebellion said.

"No you won't. You will never ever do that for anyone!" He boomed. Some people in the cafe looked up, frowning. "No one in your life could possibly be worth that."

That day I wasn't feeling very smart. The smart move would have been to shut up and eat my lunch. No, I needed clarification. I needed answers.

"Father why do you value yourself so little? I've lived with and without powers that's hardly a death-"

"Electron, please stop talking." I obeyed. "Your mutation is who you are. It's a part of you. And there's no one in this world that's worthy of you giving up your life for. Not unless you decide to have children." He was silent for a second. "Electron, your self-sacrificing ways worry me."

"I just care about you a lot."

"Be careful not to overdo it. I'm the parent here, not you."

I nodded.

He then left the table for a short call.

While looking outside, I see the same bundle of brown with small gleam of silver strands.

"Marie?" Soon enough, the girl was in the restaurant and sitting next in front of me.

"Chris. Ahm so glad to see you-!"She smiled happily

"You- you should really go back."

"I see how you're looking Chris. You're miserable!"

"I do miss you. It's not that. I didn't contact you because I couldn't."

"Come with me." she pleaded. "Let's forget all this crap."

"We don't even know anything." I laughed. "I don't have anywhere to go. I can't."

"So? You're my friend we can cover for each other."

"I need to continue my training."

"That's just some crap he tells you to keep you with him. You'll be fine."

I wanted to respond. I opened my mouth.

"Look at what we have here." A deep voice interrupted us. Marie froze.

Father!

"I rented the restaurant's second floor just now. We won't be disturbed there," he said, making it clear it wasn't a choice.

My friend looks at my father wearily but we make our trip up the stairs. We then entered a large room with a billiards table. When my father locked the door behind us, I could feel my stomach curl.

"Marie happened to pass by." I began weakly.

"Happened?" he yelled. "Don't lie to me Electron!"

"I'm not. She was passing by and spotted me. Had I contacted her earlier, you'd know."

He didn't say anything for a moment.

"You have software that lets you know who I talk to and you read my emails. I haven't had the chance to talk to her."

"You knew." Father said

"Yes. I just wanted to earn your trust back, so I said nothing."

"I believe you." He then focused his attention on my friend.

"My son will have nothing to do with you."

"You've got no right to be bossing my friend round." Marie said sternly.

"I have every right. He's my son. And he doesn't need someone like you influencing him."

Feeling the air get tense I said, "Father, let's just go home." I thought fast. "She could be stalling for Xavier."

"Of course, but first…" My friend's necklace wrapped around her throat tightly, lifting her off the ground.

"Marie!" I yelled. "Father, you've made your point. Please, let her down." Scared and nervous, I disintegrated the necklace. Its silver dispersing in all directions.

I rushed over to the girl and caught her in my arms.

"Electron, put that girl down now!"

I reluctantly did as he said, placing my friend gently on the ground. The girl seemed grateful even if she couldn't verbalize it.

In a moment my father was in my personal space. His face looked livid.

"What were you thinking? She could have absorbed you. And you risk dying to save her from a bump on her head!"

I felt the heat and pain of a slap on my right cheek. I stared at him, surprised. He was always so calm and relaxed when I was was getting punished for something. This came out of pure emotion- fear.

"That was so foolish. I can't believe that I saw you do that. I'll have someone deliver Rouge to the hospital." He began to walk out the room.

I nodded, then walked forward to follow my father. I felt a sudden rush of nausea, followed by weakness. Everything became dark...