Pyro was glad that Bobby was a late sleeper, so he just had to slip in, change, and slip out-no questions asked. He grabbed some type of breakfast bar, since he wasn't all that hungry and walked outside. He saw Lara drive away with Scott and Storm. She waved at him and he lifted his hand casually. They were probably going off to pick up more mutants. Xavier must be thrilled to have a mutant who can disable alarms. He smirked and walked over to stand on the edge of the lake. He looked at his reflection and noticed someone standing behind him. He whirled around to spot Darren, who didn't look all that happy.
"I think it's time you and I had a little 'talk'," he said and advanced on Pyro, the water behind him rippling. Pyro's fists clenched, knowing what was coming.
"You know, about Lara? And how you were supposed to leave her alone? I don't think sticking your tongue down her throat really qualifies as 'leaving her alone'." His eyes narrowed and the water began to take shape. Pyro shot him an ugly glare. He felt his lighter in his pocket and he dodged out of the way as Darren threw a wave at him. It barely nicked him. He backed up and Darren used the water to bring John closer. The water washed over his head and he coughed, not able to keep his footing.
"She doesn't care about you. And when you're out of the picture, things will be much easier for me," Darren hissed. John felt blood trickle down his cheek and the water lapped up dangerously close to his face.
"She'll be mine," Darren whispered and brought up another wave, preparing to drown him. Pyro's eyes blazed and he felt for his lighter. He held it above the water and flicked it open. He sent a fireball at Darren's feet, causing him to lose his concentration and drop his prisoner.
Pyro stood up on the shore, a massive fire lion by his side.
"It's time we played it my way," he growled and sent the lion charging at Darren, its teeth bared. Darren shot a water ball at the lion, but it evaporated into mist, as Pyro was constantly refueling the lifeless creature. The fire around John swirled up his arms and around his torso and legs with no command. He clenched his teeth and sent the lion leaping into the air, landing on Darren. Darren was licked by the orange dragon tongues and engulfed. He tried to put it out with the lake and partly succeeded, but Pyro constantly kept the fire on him, never seeming to tire. He is the flame. Darren looked into John's blazing eyes, sweat pouring down his brow, and at last, gave up…
John kept the fire swirling, still caught up in the exhilaration of it all. The flames finally died down and he slumped against a tree. He had lost it. The fire had controlled him and he'd let it. It was the first time he'd ever really been able to unleash himself, and he felt as if there was so much more he was capable of. John looked at the burnt body in front of him and then his gaze drifted over to the school. He couldn't stay here. Not after killing another mutant. He used a stick to write out a message in the mud, a code, telling Wild where he was. Then he left.
Lara Kelson returned to the school later with three new mutants. They were afraid, but trusting. Scott and Storm left to help them settle in while she went to go find Hot-Shot. She remembered where she had last seen him and headed to the lake. Her hand flew to her mouth at her findings and she almost fainted. She sent a mental signal and soon Professor Xavier was at her side, along with Logan and Dr. Jean Grey. Jean gasped and Logan let out a low growl. Xavier had disbelief written on his face and he motored over to Darren's blackened body.
"I…why would John have…?" he let the question trail off.
"I don't know! You're the psychic!" Logan yelled. He went over and looked at something on the ground before waving them over. Lara looked down at the writing in the mud. She recognized it immediately. It was the same code John liked to use to write her notes during Chemistry. She quickly deciphered it and looked back at the others.
"He's headed for Maine."
Pyro:Why would I go to Maine?
RTD: I don't know. Ask my subconcious.