Title: A Spark Of Good From The Burn Of Evil

Rating: FRT
Disclaimer: I own Ashley, nothing more. Just the idea.
Spoilers: X1, X2, X3

Summary: Your past is the blueprint for your future. Rogue knew this better than anyone. Future fic. Ryro, slight RoLo, Bobby/Roge vibes.

Most characters will have a slight bit of OOC, but given the storyline, I don't know how they'd react to this situation.

I changed a few things from the movie, so it's possible AU.

I think this is one of my worst chapters, but it had to be put in. I just couldn't figure out the wording, and mentality of it. Sorry for cheese...


John couldn't believe it. He had a daughter! A beautiful one at that.

He had never seen someone to beautiful…all except her mother.

His whole life he had either failed, or lived a horrible existence. But here, right in front of him, starring up at him with deep green eyes that held more wisdom that her age foretold, was his redemption. A rebirth. A reason to break away.

Since Alcatraz, John hadn't been the same. He had seen his life flash before his eyes when other mutants and humans were de-molecularized feet from him. After he was head butted by Iceman, he came to, to see throngs of people running for their lives.

John had always believed that when his time was up, it was going to be in battle.

Better to burn out than fade away...

But when the time came, Pyro realized he didn't have the will. He didn't want to die. And he certainly didn't want to die with a list of unfinished business a mile long.

Since then, Pyro had committed himself to checking off that list.

Perfect mutation. Check!

Become a force to be reckoned with. Check!

Experience the thrills of life. Check!

See Rogue again. He had certainly done that.

Become my own man. It was kinda funny how the previous point, had now given him an avenue to do his final point.

For years, he had either been under the thumb of Xavier, or shadowed by Magneto.

For some time, he had wanted to break way. Try something new. The monotony of day in, day out planning total annihilation or domination of humans was wearing a little thin.

Although the boredom of same song, same tune wasn't his only reason to breakaway.

When you're with Magneto, you're guaranteed one thing. To never stay in the same place long.

When you're constantly on the move, it doesn't give you much time to meet people, and Pyro would never admit it to anyone, but he was lonely.

One night stands just weren't what they were cracked up to be. He'd been used to people not giving a damn about him, but he couldn't escape the memory, of the only person who did. Rogue. Although he wouldn't let on, he appreciated her friendliness towards him, and her interest in his well being.

The morning he woke up alone was a reminder as to how much he missed her. Her laugh. Her smile. Her eyes. Her, just being there. A reminder of all the things he didn't have, and secretly wanted.

But now he had a daughter. And if he worked things right, he would have her mother too.

Pyro knew Magneto would do anything to get the girl, but now that it was revealed that the girl was his kid, John was going to protect his child at all costs.

John was broken from his thoughts by a tug on his hand. He looked down to see Ashley looking up at him.

Ashley surprised everyone when she disentangled herself from Marie and stretched out her arms to John.

"Daddy." She simply said with a matter-of-fact smile on her lips.

Rogue took a sharp intake of breath. She had expected Ashley to call someone 'daddy' but never had she imagined it would be John…however much she hoped.

Neither did she imagine what came next.

Bending down, John picked up the 5 year old and placed her on his hip.

Rogue felt an overwhelming surge of happiness engulf her as she watched father and daughter. It was a sight she had never expected to see, but had longed for.

It was already obvious that Ashley had herself wrapped around her father's finger, when she snuggled into the crook of his neck.

A maliciously evil laugh cut thought the serene beauty.

"Daddy?"

Pyro turned his head to the direction of the voice to see Magneto with a greasy smile on is face. "Daddy?' Mags repeated through fits of laughter. "Oh, my dear, I do believe you have the wrong mutant."

Although on the exterior Magneto looked smug and surefire, inside, he was dealing with conflicting logic. It was all too possible that Pyro could be the girl's father, he just couldn't see it. Pyro had left the X-Men years ago and it was presumed, that was the last time he saw her.

Pyro turned to Magneto just as Ashley lifted her head off his shoulder.

Magneto had to eat his words.

He instantly saw the resemblance between his right hand and the child. The similarities were too frequent, and he had to take another look. Sure enough, 'daddy' was the correct word.

"Pyro?...explain yourself."

"There's nothing to explain." The hot tempered mutant said. "She's my daughter, and the reason you came here no longer exists." Marie touched John's arm. They had come for Ashley!

"I'm sorry, Pyro. Are you telling me that I must cancel my plans?"

"Yes. You're coming no where near her."

Rogue's earlier fears about what he would do if he were to find out about Ashley, vanished as John spoke. He was protecting her. He was going against his boss, as it were, for his daughter.

Marie never thought that possible.

"It sounds to me like you are against me."

Pyro turned around to put Ashley back in Marie's arms. As he bent down to place her there, he discreetly whispered into her ear.

"I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe."

Rogue was momentarily shocked but covered quickly. He said 'you'…as in the both of 'you'…

John turned back around to face magneto.

"I'm neither will you, or against you." He stated "But if you come anywhere near Rogue or my daughter, I'll have no choice but be against you."

Wolverine, Storm and Callisto just stood in stunned silence. Neither sure what to say, but absolutely dumbfounded as the events unfolded.

"You sound pretty sure of yourself, Pyro."

"This has been a long time coming."

"I'm sure it has." Said the metal manic as power sprang to life in his silvery-grey eyes. "But no matter. I will have what I came for."


There ya have it. As cheezy as it was. Only 4 more chapters left.

Reviews make me update faster;)

Author's Note: Pyro is so OOC…and I apologize for people who wanted normal Pyro, but it wouldn't have work how I planned.