I do not own X men. This is set before X men 3.

That was a year ago. She tried not to think about that night now, it was just to frightening. She came to realise everyone she had met that night had been on their guard, not sure if she was a friend or foe and that first impressions aren't always accurate.

Now the sixteen year old sat in a circle around one of the many camp fires with Callisto, Spyke the man who had chased her throwing his regrowable spikes, and Pyro, the blonde boy who had captured her. She watched as a flame lept from the fire they sat around and into Pyro's palm. Claire loved his power. In a way she was jealous. Her power seemed useless in every sense of the word. His on the other hand allowed him to touch the one untouchable element. She wondered what it felt like to have the flames dance in his bare skin. Did it tickle? Was it warm? Could he be burned if he didn't focus enough? She might never know.

She looked at the sun that was now directly over their heads and dismissed herself from the group. She made her way to the training grounds. Magneto made sure that his followers were in top physical condition. He had instructors to teach people defensive as well as offensive moves to use in any sort of fighting. He also helped people like Claire, who had no real control over their abilities so they could learn to become more effective. Claire, unfortunately, wasn't even sure what her power was.

She knew two things: one, when she touched people she could see memories. Sometimes they were happy, sometimes sad, sometimes she even saw fights they had been in. She couldn't really control what she saw. Two, she often found herself able to alter other's power or gain one herself. The probability of being able to increased to a certainty when she touched the opponent. For example: when she had touched Spyke, instead of being able to sprout horns he sprouted flowers. This power was very confusing to her. It seemed that this power was uncontrollable. When Magneto had her use her powers on him all she had done was throw a rock in his direction. Sometimes nothing happened at all. How useful was that? Not very, let me just be telling you.

"Hello my dear, how are you this fine afternoon?" Magneto greeted her with one of his custom smiles. After that first night when Magneto held the gun to her head she had never seen even a hint of malice in this congenial features. It must have just been an off night.

"I'm doing fine Magneto, how are you?"

"Wonderfully. I smell real progress coming our way with your powers."

Though Magneto was adamant that Claire's powers had immense potential but they hadn't quite made any progresstowards herbeing able to control them. The lessons had changed from being instructed by Multiple Man to Magneto. It was embarrassing not to have made any progress. What was wrong with her?

"Well, if nothing else we now know what I do." she half smiled.

"Don't say such a thing. We are so close to unlocking your power I can smell it. With every session we have together the more powerful your powers react."

This was true. She had been dueling Multiple Man and had won because his clones had suddenly turned on him in the middle of the battle. Not to meantion her power now reacted more without touch then before, though the attacks were usually smaller, admittedly.

She suddenly felt a surge of confidence flow through her like a fresh breath of air.

"Are you ready?" Magneto asked her, getting into a battle stance.

Claire relaxed her joints, ready to move. "Go."

There was a rush of leaves being thrown out of the way as something fell from a tree. Claire's eyes widened. Magneto wasn't her opponent. It was a distraction. She spun around to face the person she was really dueling. Pyro hurled a ball of fire aimed at her head before she could register who hewas. She threw herself to the ground, knocking the wind out of her. She felt the heat wash over her for a moment and then pass, leaving her hair singed badly.

She pushed herself off the ground, landing on her feet, ready to fight. Pyro sent another pillar of flames her way. She held up her hand, willing her power to do something useful.

An eardrum splitting scream sliced through the air, sending the two duelers to their knees in pain. Magneto ducked as a spinning, sparkling rocket shot over his head.

"Very good Miss Richards!" Magneto beamed.

"Fireworks?" Claire yelled over the howls, disappointed.

The sound came to a slow halt and the three of them straightened. "This is marvelous!" Magneto continued.You completely incapacitated your enemy with your power and didn't have to touch him." Pyro scowled.

"I also incapacitated myself. That doesn't do me much good if he were to recover first." she pointed out pessimistically.

"That can be learned, we'll just send you into battle with earplug next time."

"Earplugs for sound, sunglasses for blinding light, a special suit incase of heat, where will it end? Maybe I'll retire early so I won't be such a threat to myself." With that she turned on her heels and left to stomp back to her tent. She had a headache she hoped to sleep off.

Please review! I hoped you enjoyed the longer chapter.