now it begins!
Ive been waiting to upload this because, well, it's chapter 13 (unlucky number and all, but I don't actually believe that) and I wanted something drastic to happen, so here it is. and also because it's the last day of April.
Thanks to SuperNaturalxxFreak (I love that name XD) for the review, I'm also super excited for DOFP! I've been watching e little behind the scenes they've been releasing on Youtube, I just love the cast New and original! I'm hoping to go and see it when it comes out if I have the pocket money, especially after finally watching all the x men films.
i realise after this most chapters will be focused on Sam and Isaac, however, I will try and add John bits where I can, especially between him and bobby.
thanks for all the support!
with that done, on with the chapter...
Oh, you can hear me cry,
See my dreams all die,
From where you're standing, on your own.
It's so quiet here, and I feel so cold,
This house no longer,
Feels like home,
Ben Cocks ~ So cold
"You sure you want to do this?" John asked me in a whisper, all of us looking directly at the double doors of the club. A flicker of fear sparked inside me, but apparently the newly found energy quickly tore it to pieces, and a smirk appeared on my face.
"No more hiding." I replied, to which he responded by entwining his hand in mine. The touch was comforting, but my mind warned to pull away, to not fall for it. I ignored the warning, it couldn't stop me from having fun.
"Since when?" Johanna asked in a shocked tone, Kitty and Bobby gawping at the two of us. I think we both realised we couldn't hide it anymore, glancing at each other with the exact same smirk.
"Since Central Park...after you ran off." I told her, and she rolled her eyes at me.
"Seriously? You couldn't wait to snog her face off?" Johanna directed the questions towards John, who glared at her before softening the look as I gripped his hand. He didn't counter her questions, which I was grateful for. I looked past John at Kitty and Bobby, Kitty's wink telling me I'd done good, Bobby nodded his head with a little smile.
Thinking on how we looked, all of us standing in a straight line in front of a nightclub, not exactly non-suspicious, but as a few drunkards walked past us loudly, I didn't think anyone really cared. The night rained upon us, the light patter sending a tension through all of us, mainly me as the water trickled down my face, oddly able to spark the tiniest amount of energy.
"Come on, let's get inside before it pours down." Johanna offered, storming towards the double doors and heading inside, Bobby and Kitty slightly reluctant but followed anyway, Kitty just fazing through the wall.
"Something's up, don't lie." John said forcefully, blocking my view of the nightclub as he released my hand. I avoided his eyes, everyone had been glancing at my hair the whole bus trip, and even though he tried not to, John couldn't help himself from sneaking little peaks.
"Nothing has happened, just, my mutation is waking up a bit more, that's all this is." I said, pointing a finger around my hair, acting like it was nothing. John stared at my eyes, trying to decide whether I was lying or not. I joked about the subject, thinking it would shake him off.
"Why the sudden sensitive type?" I quipped, and luckily John fell for it and smirked, dropping the detective eyes.
"That's what boyfriends do...or as Bobby's been tutoring me." He shrugged, pushing a strand of blue hair behind my ear. He glanced at it for a moment, noting where the shades changed, how many there were, he wasn't trying to hide his fascination.
"You shouldn't care what people think, it's amazing, and you're still the same Sam." He told me, likely the softest tone he had ever used. I smiled, hugging him briefly before pulling him inside by his arm.
Strobe lights, fog, loud music...this was definitely a nightclub. The assorted colours of red, green and blue reminded me of the other club where all of it started, but this one looked more expensive and well-looked after.
The bar stretched around in an oval shape in the centre, with booths of tables scattered around it, a metal staircase lead to a lower level where the dance floor was placed, multiple people dancing drunkly.
Johanna called us towards a table at the far end of the club, away from most of the other tables which was perfect for us. Purposely, me and John swivelled through everyone and joined the other three members of our group, Kitty and bobby already in a deep conversation. I smiled, they did get on as I had hoped.
I was practically dragged towards Johanna who sat in the centre of the booth between Bobby and me, meaning Kitty and John had to sit on the edges. She looked overly ecstatic with herself for bringing all of us together, and she even mentioned that Jubilee was supposed to join us, her new roommate declined as she didn't like clubs, fearing her fireworks might erupt suddenly. It was better the way it was, nearly all of us knew each other except Kitty and Johanna, but they got talking pretty quickly and seemed civil with each other.
"So drinks people?" Johanna asked, glancing at all of us hoping one of us would answer. I elected myself to answer, needing something to do to mask the growing shakiness in my fingers, this being because multiple angry clubbers were pointing and staring at us.
"How about tequila, this is a celebration after all, new era and all that." I offered (because Johanna had nearly perfected her suggestion), pulling my hoodie sleeves over my quivering fingers under the table. Everyone quietened, signalling they didn't like the idea.
"We don't want to get drunk, and I thought you said this was about getting to know each other better." Bobby spoke for everyone, clearly wanting to go on and say and not get wasted, but he kept quiet. I nodded my head, pretending to agree as the energy worsened.
Stop it...
I hissed, but was left unanswered as the energy wasn't like the water, it didn't have a voice. It slowed down, but the shakiness in my fingers was still detectable. Johanna watched me, worried that I was scared, remembering me being like this the first time she met me.
"I'll just ask for some cokes, everyone okay with that?"
We all agreed as Bobby and kitty moved out the way so Johanna could get past, John too stubborn to move and I felt as if I did I would collapse. I had to inhale and exhale loudly to keep myself in control, but it was gradually becoming more difficult as the rage burned within me...no, not burned, crashed, like a coastal wave against rock.
Suddenly the sound of clicking metal nearly sent me over the edge, John pulling out his lighter as he revealed the burning flame. I watched it dance, the flame wavering from side to side silently. He quickly closed it, and then opened it again...the same process going on for twenty times before I finally spoke out, unable to crush my irritation.
"Stop doing that." I seethed, John closing it on cue. Bobby and Kitty had jolted at my slightly hissed voice, Kitty surprised as she had always seen the nicer side of me, Bobby just remembered the incident in Central Park.
"It didn't bother you before." John mumbled, clearly hurt by my outburst. He clicked a few more times to prove his point, and I had to clench my fist not to snatch the lighter off him.
"Well it's annoying me now, perceptions change." I countered gloweringly, noting how John was gradually becoming more angered.
"You've been acting like this ever since you knocked on our dorm door, ordering us to get ready as we were going to some club. What's wrong with you?" Bobby said, leaning closer to me with a tiny glare in his once kind eyes, one I had only witnessed once before, at Central Park. I scowled back, despising the question.
"I'm sick of people asking me that question, there is nothing wrong with me." I replied forcefully, but tears glazed my eyes, the constant crying starting to grate me, why did I cry so much?
Because I was broken, that was why.
"Could've fooled me." John interrupted, taking Bobby's side. I looked over to Kitty for support, but she also took Bobby's side, her face a blank expression but her eyes told me she agreed with the two boys. I sighed expressly, feeling cornered and ganged upon.
Bobby's right, something is really wrong, why won't I just shut up?
I asked myself, finding the only answer I could possibly have being the sudden energy surges I was experiencing. I still didn't understand why it was happening now, I spent years mastering the mutation, to not suddenly have an outburst and break every water main within a mile, and it had all gone to waste within a couple of hours.
I repetitively tried to force the words I'm sorry out of my mouth, but they just wouldn't form into sound, Bobby shaking his head disappointedly. In the end, the only person who hadn't turned against me was Johanna, so I searched for her at the bar.
She was patiently waiting for the drinks, tapping on the bar with her purple painted nails. Unfortunately, my eyes also casted to the people who had been pointing earlier, a few murmuring amongst themselves, eyes focused on me directly.
I can't do this...
"John please move." I asked hastily, the surge of energy spurred on by my hysterics. He was going to decline, still angry at me for snapping at him, but saw the tears in my eyes and complied reluctantly, stepping out of his chair slowly. I pushed myself towards Johanna, breathing heavily as my eyes frantically snapped on everyone in my eye line, thinking they were all out to do us harm.
Johanna turned around when I tapped her on the shoulder, a quick smile that turned to concern as she saw my worsened manner, the shaking I couldn't disguise any longer.
"Hey Sam, what's wrong?" She asked, squeezing my shoulders in an act to calm me, but I shrugged them off, not even wanting her to touch me in case she felt the energy that writhed inside me.
"I can't do it, I can't stay here." I replied below a whisper, shaking my head vigorously, realising I had repeated what my brother had told me before he supposedly died. Before she could say anything, I was spun around by an unknown person, an angry middle-aged women glaring loathingly at me, her biker buddies ganging up behind her.
"We know your sort, mutants, you don't belong here." She snarled at me, using a pudgy finger to prod me in the chest, sending a jolt of pain (but also a spark of energy) through my body.
"Leave her alone!" Johanna screeched, pushing the woman away.
"You too? You're scum, get your friends and get out of my bar!" She bellowed, and I really wanted to be out of the confrontation, but Johanna gripped my arm tightly.
"We're not going anywhere, so sling your hook and leave us alone." She was using her suggestion, but it failed, the woman was much stronger-willed than any man Johanna had charmed. Again she prodded me, much harsher than before, my hands involuntarily curling into fists.
"You really don't want to do that again." I warned her, or more fittingly begged, having a smidgen of self-control left but it was deteriorating quickly. The woman took a step forward, extending her already tall height to look down at me, spot-infested face disgusting me to no end making me want to gag.
"Or what mutant? You haven't got the guts." She decreed, extending her arm back in an attempt to punch me. But before the impact could be made, she was on her knees vomiting, but it wasn't vomit, it was pure water. She brought her hands to grip around her throat, the water just spilling out her mouth and gushing over the red carpeted floor. The club screamed in surprise, watching in fear as the woman drowned on her own bodily fluid.
"You sure about that?" I said through shaky breaths, a numb hand raised as I willed the water to continue draining, attempting to spill every drop.
"Sam! Stop it, can't you see it's killing her, stop it!" Johanna screamed at me, shaking my numb arm savagely. In one shaky gasp I let the woman go, her body collapsing onto the floor as she inhaled glorious oxygen, staring up at me in fear.
I watched as she slinked away from me, still on the floor as she crawled towards her friends who helped her up, all eyes on me. I was still gasping, looking at my raised hand in horror.
I almost killed someone...I almost murdered a human.
"Sam..." Johanna whispered, shell-shocked by my actions. I twisted to look at her one final time, seeing the fear in her eyes...in everyone's eyes.
I ran.
I bustled past all the petrified people and slammed the double doors open, hearing Johanna's voice call after me. But I refused to stop, stumbling into a narrow alleyway and resting my body against the cold wall. I closed my eyes, wishing the energy to go away, to stop screaming at me to use it again.
Shut up!
I yelled, the drain above me exploding as water rained down and drenched my body. It didn't just pass over me, no, it seeped into my clothes, crawling into my skin as it replenished me.
What's wrong with me?
I asked through a broken soul, sliding down to the concrete floor as I hid my face in my hands. I choked, scrunching my body into a tight ball of protection, hoping if I squeezed hard enough I would disappear. Time past slowly, the alleyway covering me so no-one could find me. I heard Johanna and Kitty calling for me, telling me to come back, saying it was going to be okay.
It would never be okay. I went too far. Professor X would never accept me back.
What almost brought me out of my ball, was John's voice shouting for me, concern I had never heard in his tone before. He honestly wanted me to come out, no matter what crap I had said, he still cared. I couldn't face them, not after that, how was I supposed to look them in the eye after I nearly killed someone?
I let their voices die away in the night, the only sound being my shallow heartbeat as it slowed to a near halt, feeling as if death would be an easy way out, but then again hell could be waiting for me. I was that ashamed of myself, ashamed at what I had become because of this power, this power I hated and wished I could get rid of.
I was hating myself all over again.
"Sammy?" A familiar voice spoke in the darkness of the alleyway, my head snapping in that direction. Slowly, the owner stepped out so I could see their features, horrified to see it was Isaac. He was wearing faded patient clothes, arms bare as goose pimples appeared on his skin, feet also bare even though how cold the bitter night was.
Fair to say I was confused.
"Isaac, what...what are you doing here?" I croaked, still trying to piece together how he was there when I left him with the X-men. Strangely, he smiled maliciously, eyes changing into a murky yellow.
"To bring you home, Samantha King." The voice was now that of a woman's, the shock of this changed voice forcing me to stand, but I couldn't remove myself from the wall.
Slowly Isaac was engulfed in a shifting colour of blue, this blue shape growing taller as it covered the whole Isaac decoy. When the change was complete, a naked woman (I believed her to be a woman due to the obvious female breasts) stood in front of me, hair the colour of crimson blood and the yellow eyes with black conjugating spots
"Who are you?" I asked quickly, taking a step back as the mutant took a step forward. She cocked her head to the side, as if studying me, the smile still on her blue face.
"Mystique, and I saw what you did in there...truly amazing, just like Magneto had said." She replied, taking more steps towards me, but this time I didn't counter them, suddenly intrigued by this Magneto.
"How does Magneto know my name?" I asked warily, but part of me knew I didn't need to fear Mystique, at least not yet. She chuckled, amused by my lack of knowledge.
"He knows more than your name. He knows about your mother, he knows about your father's cure, he knows about your brother...he even knows the things Charles Xavier won't tell you." She teased, knowing that every word was capturing my full attention, mesmerised by this seemingly proud mutant, something hard to come by when she looked the way she did. It was amazing, how her attitudes portrayed someone who couldn't care what humanity thought of her, which was something I respected.
"Is he more willing to tell me?" I asked, Mystique's confidence seeming to rub off on me as I straightened by back, stepping forward slightly as I wanted to know more about Magneto. Mystique knew she had me now, and smiled with a grin that revealed her white teeth.
"More than that, he's willing to give you a home, one that won't cast you out in the cold." She replied lowly, gently using one blue hand to graze against the side of my face, wiping away the drying tears in the process.
I thought for a moment.
If I went with Mystique, I would be leaving everything I had at the X-mansion, I would be leaving Isaac, Johanna, Kitty, Bobby...John. And worst of all...I would be leaving Sam.
"Where do I sign up?" I quipped through a cracked throat, to which Mystique smiled, knowing it was too easy to corrupt me.
I knew I should've chased after her, stopping her would've stopped my dreams from coming true, could they be classed as dreams now? Dreams are fantasy worlds created by our imagination to escape reality, not foreseeing the future.
I had taken her chair after forcing myself away from Dr Grey, her warm arms beginning to suffocate me. I just stared at the floor, unable to see the many faces of the X-men, every single one bringing the future upon themselves for not stopping my sister. That was all they had to do to change it, to not let her leave the room, but no, they had just let her prance out.
"Do you see now Isaac, see why we were concerned for your sister's well being?" Professor X's voice spoke from the space in front of me, but I didn't look up, because I already knew why, I saw why they were afraid of her.
"All that time she spent here, and none of you noticed what was happening to her?" I accused, finally looking up and glancing at all the faces. My eyes rested on Professor X, him the most to blame for the events that were about to unfold, events he could've stopped from happening.
"To be honest kid, nobody noticed she was there to begin with." Logan grunted, still pissed by her argumentative comments.
"Logan stop, don't make it worse for him." Dr Grey scolded, Logan shutting up for only her. I wanted to also growl at him, but felt like I couldn't defend myself if he suddenly lunged at me with those claws, I wasn't brave enough to try.
"How could we notice something that wasn't there? The drastic increase in her mutation was only apparent this evening, when you witnessed it, I doubt whether she even noticed it herself before it was too late." Professor X used excuses, but he knew he should've acted quicker before the mutation even showed signs of increasing.
"Evolution takes years and mutation is evolution , so how can it suddenly happen?" I hissed, but I already knew the answer, I had read through every page of my father's journal as Professor X instructed his X-men, every paragraph making me gag, never knowing any human could be so cruel.
Professor X rested a wrinkled hand on my lap, clearly trying to show he cared about me and my sister, but he should've done more than that to save her.
"You've read the pages...your father had been quickening the mutation process for years, likely from the moment she was born he had been using her to unlock the mutation codes. That is why your mother made him leave Isaac, not because of you or Samantha, but because she found out what he had been doing to the both of you." He confirmed my judgement, and it sickened me to think a man I called my father did those things, made us into stronger mutants that we originally would not had been.
The future had been written since the moment Sammy was born, every step pointing her towards the final destination, which was so far away to somewhere I couldn't save her.
"It's too late." I stated flatly, frantic knocks on the door timed perfectly. Everyone turned to the door, the frantic knocking continuing non-stop.
"Enter." Professor X commanded, the door slamming open to reveal a girl I didn't recognise, but behind her was Kitty, Bobby and Pyro, all of them friends of Sammy.
She's gone...
My mind concluded sadly, I didn't need to hear their hysteric explanations of what happened, I knew she was now in the clutches of the brotherhood.
"Miss Pearce, Miss Pryde, Mr Drake and Mr Allerdyce...may I ask why you-" professor X stopped abruptly, hearing Miss Pearce telepathically tell him what had happened. He paled, he genuinely paled as he realised the grave error he had made, and the consequences of that decision.
"Charles?" Elijah asked worryingly, never seeing the man so saddened since the beach in nineteen sixty-two, when Erik began his alternate path that created the brotherhood. Professor X looked at his old friend, mouth slightly open as he tried to think of the right words, truly fearful of what Miss Pearce had told him.
"She's gone Elijah." He stated, hurt in his tone, ashamed he had treated her poorly, she had been strong enough for the truth but he couldn't bring himself to tell her.
"What do you mean 'she's gone'?" He asked, taking a step toward the crippled Charles, finding that the man couldn't answer.
"She's with the brotherhood, like I told you, she's with him now." I told them, knowing it was no good, if the adults couldn't accept it I would have too. I looked towards her friends, all of them confused and ashamed that they had left Sam behind, believing she would have at least gone back home. The sad thing was, she was going home, to where she belonged.
My eyes rested on Pyro, even though he wouldn't use the name yet, I knew it was a matter of time before he would. He seemed to be the most ashamed, and I realised that he did care about her, that it wasn't a bit of fun for him, he genuinely cared. But it was all in vain, the short romance they had was over, she wouldn't be Sammy anymore.
She was levelled as a Beta mutant...Aqua was now in control.
As soon as I stepped inside the gigantic rock and metal covered room, I knew this brotherhood meant business. The long trip to the island brought enough tension, the night sky changing into early morning orange as the helicopter touched down, Mystique apparently adapt at flying helicopters as it was a steady landing.
She walked in front of me, only barely as I kept up with her quick pace towards a metal desk, unable to see anyone around, my eyes marvelling in the sight of the miraculous structure, able to hear distant water calmly swaying in another part of the island.
"Ah Mystique, you've brought our guest." The voice sounded old, a grave rocky tone which to me fitted with the owner's surroundings, reminding me of an evil scientist in a lair. Mystique stepped to the side to reveal me, my eyes focused on the man sitting at the desk, four metal balls clinking together as the old man studied me.
He looked older than Professor X, but seemed to hold the same authority if not more powerful, hands clasped together under his chin as his eyes travelled over me, as if this alone was a test. He seemed satisfied with me, though I could clearly make out slight disappointment, clearly expecting something more than a sixteen year old girl with a tear-streaked face and bags under my eyes.
"Welcome Miss King, shall we take a walk?" He offered, standing up majestically as he ushered me to stand beside him. I looked to Mystique, as if searching for a comfort that it was good to follow his instructions, there was no comfort, something I deemed I would have to get used to.
I limped over to him, his face wearing a tight smirk that could be undetected, and there was no warmth to it. He guided me down more metal and rock hallways, walking slowly as he explained why I had been brought before him.
"I understand there are questions you wish to ask, and I will answer them in time, but now I need to find out your true potential." He decreed, hands moving as he spoke, clearly a habit. As we walked further away from the main room, I heard the loud clank as the four balls rolled off the table, and I realised he had caused it.
Magneto...does that have something to do with magnetism?
I wondered, but didn't ask the questions, not wanting to anger him as it would be a bad first impression. Instead I asked a more reasonable question, one that was connected to his previous statement.
"Potential?" My voice cracked with the question, tiredness attacking me since I tried resting at the back of the helicopter, however the constant vibrations and noise meant I couldn't.
"A war is brewing, and there is no point in you being here if you cannot defend yourself." He answered, keeping his word that any questions I asked he would answer, which was more than Professor X had done for a long time.
We came to a room which was mostly imbedded with rock, the only metal being a narrow walkway and the entrance/exit door. I realised before we stepped inside, that the water I had been connecting with earlier was from this room (this room actually being on the edge of the island, the dark night sky holding no stars), the floor being surrounded with a large quantity of lake-sized water, the gentle bobbing music to my ears.
You took your time...
It seemed to mock, thinking I should have been brought there sooner.
"How do I prove I have potential?" I asked, knowing whatever he would ask me to do I would do in a heartbeat, I already felt like I had found home. He smirked again, but it seemed more malicious than the other one, giving me chills.
Suddenly a roar erupted above me, and before I could even react a large hairy hand gripped my throat, almost choking me on the spot. I felt sharp nails dig into the flesh of my neck, but I dared not struggle unless my captor decided to just break my neck there and then.
"Like this." Magneto spoke in a normal tone, clearly not caring about the fear that had gripped me like the large hand around my throat. With one swift nod of his head, the owner of the giant hand used its other one to rip the fabric of my hoodie and black t-shirt away to reveal my bare arm. With one flick, searing pain made me yelp, a deep cut bleeding near the crook of my elbow joint.
Magneto wasn't fazed, in fact, he seemed slightly irritated that I had shown pain, the measly cut nothing compared to other tasks he had for me if I succeeded. He stepped forward, his eyes focused on mine as again he studied me, searching for my weak point so he could crush it.
The creature still gripping my throat refused to let me go, even though it seemed his work was done, but Magneto wanted it to squeeze my throat tighter, forcing me to act.
I had gained an audience, Mystique appearing behind Magneto, watching me in agony with a smile on her face. A crazed laugh erupted from above, a slimy green mutant crawling down the rock wall so I could get a good look at him, his green hair and grotesque face reminding me of a toad.
"Think Miss King...use what you have always had at your disposal." Magneto encouraged, not giving me anymore clues. I thought about it, I knew he meant water, but what could I possibly do with water in concerns to the cut?
Wait, I've seen this before...
Like a lightbulb in my head, I willed a spiralling snake of liquid to emerge from the water behind Magneto and Mystique, watching as it rose above their heads. I made it break free from the main water supply, rolling it into a clear ball as I ushered it towards me.
It moved quite hastily, passing over Magneto's head, dropping down slightly to steady itself in front of my raised hand. It broke apart into five strands, gliding along my fingers and hand towards the crook of my arm. As it reached the cut, it sizzled for all of two seconds before every single droplet seeped into the damaged flesh and repaired it.
I wasn't done.
Using the newly found sparks of energy, I focused on the water behind me and the creature, commanding it to do as I told it. A surprise roar erupted and the grip around my throat stopped as the creature was dragged into the water by another liquid snake, me gasping oxygen into my lungs.
The toad-like mutant clapped his hands viciously, him suddenly sitting crossed-legged on the ceiling like a baby vampire. I turned around to catch a look at the creature, seeing mostly drenched blonde fur, two black irises and razor sharp teeth. He looked more like an animal than a human.
I twisted my body around to look at Magneto as the animal-like mutant snarled at me angrily as he bobbed on the water. To my surprise, he seemed proud of what I had just done, seeing I did have the potential he wanted.
"Welcome to the brotherhood...it is accustomed to have a named based on your power." He enlightened, and I liked how he used power instead of mutation, because mutation always seemed to mean something that was an abomination.
I didn't have to think long, I knew what I was meant to be called. With a wicked smirk, I glanced at every mutant before my gaze again rested on Magneto.
"Aqua, I want mine to be Aqua."