A/N: Please read and review?
In the city, Spider-Man kept on swinging through the city, looking for Angelica.
"Man, I'll give her this; her powers make her fast." he thought. "Almost as fast as Johnny."
He landed on the side of a building and looked around.
"I'm gonna have to play this smart." he realized. "If she wants to put out the fire around her and doesn't know how to turn it off herself, where's she gonna go? Somewhere near water."
He jumped off the wall and began to swing off.
"She's heading for either the beach or Central Park lake to extinguish herself." he realized. "I just hope I get to her before that Brotherhood does."
He turned left as he kept on swinging.
In the Blackbird over the city, Rogue was piloting it, as Storm sat beside her, while Bobby, Jean and Kurt all sat behind them.
"We're comin' up on Chinatown." Rogue said.
"Good." Storm said. "Let us hope the people at that shelter are friendly."
"Wait?" Jean asked, touching her head.
"Jean, what is it?" Bobby asked. "Can you sense something?"
"Yes. The Mutant's moving...through the air." Jean explained.
"This Mutant can fly?" Bobby inquired.
"Yes." Jean answered. "Rogue, turn left and slow down the speed so I can get a reading on it."
Rogue nodded and turned the Blackbird left while slowing down the speed.
"Vhy voult zis Mutant be mofink zough zee air?" Kurt wondered.
"I don't know, but I can sense that it's scared." Jean explained. "Something must've spooked it and caused its powers to activate, which include flight."
"Somethin' must've really spooked 'em if that's th' case." Rogue deduced. "Tell me which way, Jean?"
"Just keep going straight for now." Jean instructed. "I'll let you know when to change."
Rogue nodded and kept on flying the Blackbird, all of them hoping to find this Mutant fast.
Elsewhere, Angelica was still flying around over the city, still shocked and upset about what had happened to her.
"Just what happened to me?" she questioned, as she stopped to catch her breath. "I can't be like this forever! I need to find a way to stop the burning?"
She looked down, and saw she was over Central Park, close to the lake.
"Of course, if I dive into that lake, I might put out the fire around me." she thought. "Good thing I know how to swim."
She shot down and dived towards the lake, going under it, extinguishing the fire around her. She swam up to the surface and looked at her arms, seeing they were back to normal.
"Phew." she sighed. "I'm back to normal."
She looked at herself, seeing she'd burnt all her clothes off, including her underwear, leaving her naked, but everything below her shoulders was below the water.
"Oh, great!" she moaned, looking around. "At least no one's around to see me like this. Now I just need to find some clothes to cover me with, then to find out what happened."
She dived under the water and began to swim towards the nearest edge of the lake.
Meanwhile, Spider-Man landed on a rooftop, then looked around, before he saw something in the sky.
"Huh?" he muttered.
He looked carefully, and saw it was one of the Blackbirds.
"The X-Men?" he thought.
The Blackbird lowered itself down and landed on the rooftop, then the door opened up, then the five X-Men came out.
"Spidey, good to see you." Bobby said, running out.
"Good to see you guys too." Spider-Man said, as they high-fived each other. "You wouldn't be searching for a new Mutant would you?"
"Hov dit sie guess, mein Freund?" Nightcrawler inquired.
"Because I saw her myself." Spider-Man explained. "So has Gwen."
"She?" Rogue said. "This Mutant's a gal?"
"Yeah." Spider-Man nodded.
"Are you sure it's the same one as we're searching for?" Storm asked.
"Well, do you know what power this one has?" Spider-Man asked.
"The Professor said its power is fire." Bobby explained.
"Then it's the same one." Spider-Man assured. "And I met her yesterday."
"Then why is she on the run?" Jean asked.
"Because some other Mutants are searching for her too, including this blue-skinned woman who can shapeshift." Spider-Man explained.
The X-Men gasped at the news.
"So the Brotherhood's after this Mutant too?" Storm inquired.
"Yes. Gwen and I saw them ourselves." Spider-Man explained. "And they don't look very friendly."
"They're not. They're th' exact opposite o' us." Rogue assured. "Lahke t' think o' themselves as bettah than normal Humans."
"Or superior as their leader would say." Bobby chuckled.
"Superior?" Spider-Man questioned. "Uh, I hate that word. I've always seen everyone as equals regardless of what they are. You guys for example, you're proof of that."
"I aprikate your kint vords, mein freund." Nightcrawler said. "I just vish zere vas more like sie, Gven ant our other friends."
"Thanks." Spider-Man said.
"Where exactly did you see this girl?" Storm asked.
"Outside the FEAST shelter." Spider-Man explained. "That's when Angelica turned into fire and soared off scared."
"Angelica?" Bobby questioned.
"That's the girl's name." Spider-Man explained.
"Oh." Bobby said.
"Vee hafe to fint zis girl before zee Brotherhoot does." Nightcrawler said.
"No doubt." Spider-Man agreed. "When we saw her powers manifest, she burned her clothes off."
"Burnt them off?" Storm questioned. "Completely?"
"Yeah." Spider-Man said. "Her entire body's covered in fire like Johnny, which is covering her private areas."
"We might need a special uniform for her if this is the case." Bobby said.
"I'll speak with the Professor about that." Jean said. "He might also have an idea where Angelica is."
She touched the side of her head, telepathically communicating with the Professor.
"So, where's Gwen?" Bobby asked.
"At work. She won't get off for another..." Spider-Man explained, checking the clock on his phone. "...hour at least. I better call her."
He dialled Gwen's number, then put it to his ear.
"Hi, Pete. Any luck finding Angelica?" Gwen asked.
"Not quite, but half the X-Men are here." Spider-Man explained. "They've picked up her powers themselves."
"So, she really is a Mutant like them?" Gwen asked.
"Yeah." Spider-Man said. "We're near Central Park right now."
"Okay. I'll track you though your phone when I'm finished. Good luck." Gwen said.
"Thanks." Spider-Man said, hanging up.
Jean lowered her hands and turned to the others.
"The Professor's found her." she said. "She's in Central Park herself. As for her uniform, he's gonna try and sort something out."
"Right. Let's get going." Storm said. "We have to get to her before the Brotherhood does. Are you with us, Spider-Man?"
"Of course I am." Spider-Man said. "I know what she looks like, so I can point her out to you if her powers are off."
"Okay. Everyone onboard the Blackbird." Storm ordered.
Once inside, Rogue flew it up and away, hoping to get to Central Park before the Brotherhood did.
"You all sound like you know this Brotherhood well?" Spider-Man noted.
"We've had to deal with the Brotherhood several times in the past." Jean explained. "They seem to believe Mutants should rule over Humans."
"And they all making people scared of them, to show Mutants are a threat, which we try to avoid." Bobby explained.
"Is that all?" Spider-Man asked.
Rogue sighed. "No. Ah used t' be one o' 'em...until ah took Carol's powers an' put hah in th' hospital." she explained. "That's been one o' mah biggest regret evah. When ah began t' go insane from th' aftermath, ah deserted an' joined th' X-Men t' atone f' whut ah did."
"I'm sorry." Spider-Man said.
"Mystique jus' used me as a weapon, an' ah thought she loved me. Turns out she only cared 'bout mah powers." Rogue sighed.
"Loved you?" Spider-Man questioned.
"Mystique's my birth mother, vho took Anna in after she ran avay from home." Nightcrawler explained.
"Oh... So that's how you're related?" Spider-Man realized.
"Ja." Nightcrawler sighed.
"Ah ran away from home when mah powers manifested, puttin' mah first boyfriend in a coma." Rogue explained sadly. "He spent three weeks in it before he woke up from whut ah heard. Mah Daddy bein' a drunk kicked me out o' th' house afterwards. Ah met Mystique not long aftah."
"Right." Spider-Man said. "I'm sorry to hear about your past."
"It's 'kay. Ah've come t' terms with it." Rogue sighed.
Jean turned to Spider-Man.
"You say Angelica burned all her clothes off when she flamed up?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Yeah." Spider-Man said. "She's like a female version of the Human Torch."
"Let us hope she finds something to cover herself up with then." Storm said. "I'd hate to be in her shoes in a city like this."
"We can always use one o' Remy's dusters, as he keeps a spare one in each Blackbird." Rogue suggested.
"You sure your boyfriend won't mind?" Bobby teased.
Rogue turned to him, glaring angrily.
"O' course he would!" she snapped. "He did it f' me once when mah uniform was torn an' had no control o' mah powers."
"Okay, I'm just saying." Bobby said, taken aback.
In Central Park, Angelica was still in the lake, hiding under a bridge as people had been walking around near the edge, and didn't want anyone to see her.
"Just my luck? Trust people to be out on strolls in this area." she thought, annoyed.
She looked around, seeing people moving away from the side on her left, then turned and saw people moving away on the right.
"Okay, time to find something to cover me up." she thought.
She swam towards the edge on her left, then peeked out from under the bridge, seeing no one around. She climbed out of the lake the quickly, then dashed towards some nearby trees, hiding behind them. She covered her privates with her arms, then ran off, hoping not to get spotted before she found something to wear.
After five minutes of running and searching, she found a jacket that went to a person's knees, which she picked up.
"Guess this'll do for now." she thought, putting it on.
She wrapped it around herself tightly, covering all but her feet and lower legs, making her relax slightly.
"As least now I can move around more freely." she thought.
She walked out of the treeline, and onto an empty path, then she began to walk away, hoping to get back to FEAST and her Dad. She didn't get very far though as something dashed past her like a blur.
"Huh?" she gasped.
She looked around and saw the blur speeding around her, making her dizzy before she fell onto her behind.
"Oh! What was that?" she wondered.
"It was one my friends." came a cold familiar voice.
Angelica gasped slightly and turned around, seeing Mystique and her Brotherhood behind her, as Quicksliver stopped near them on her right, as he'd been the blur.
"You're pretty fast in the sky." Mystique noted. "We could use that...just like my daughter was before she turned on us."
"Good for her then!" Angelica spat. "I'll never help any of you, you monsters!"
"Oh, but you're just like us." Quicksliver said.
"So come here, babe." Pyro flirted.
Angelica panicked and turned and ran off as the Brotherhood all began chased her, just as the Blackbird showed up over the area.
"Looks lahke th' Brotherhood's chasin' aftah our gal." Rogue noted, looking at the monitor screen.
"We can't let her get away." Storm said. "She might accidently hurt someone with her fire power."
"Kurt, take ovah th' controls?" Rogue asked. "We're gonna go down there an' stop 'em."
"Understoot." Nightcrawler said.
Rogue got up and moved away, as he sat down and took the controls, then all but he approached the door.
"I'll lant zee Blakkbirt avay from zee area, zen meet up vith sie all." he promised.
"Right. Let's go." Storm said, as the door opened up.
She jumped out and flew towards the ground, followed by Spider-Man who glided, then Rogue grabbed Jean and followed, then Bobby jumped and began making his ice bridge as he iced up. Nightcrawler flew the Blackbird away as the others all landed between Angelica and the Brotherhood.
"Hold it right there, Mystique!" Storm roared.
The Brotherhood stopped and gasped, as Angelica turned around and saw the X-Men, but couldn't see Spider-Man as he crouched in front of them in a three-point stance. She turned and hid herself behind a tree, looking scared.
"Oh, great! More of them!" she thought.
She ducked and hid herself from sight, breathing hard, hoping her she wouldn't turn into fire again.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the X-Men?" Mystique scoffed.
"Looks more like half the X-Men." Quicksliver smirked. "With a new friend."
"New friend?" Spider-Man said. "Have you guys been keeping up with the news?"
"Very funny, whimp!" Blob snarled.
"Surprised your here, Bobby." Pyro smirked. "I thought you'd stay away since this girl is hot, literary."
"Very funny, Pryo!" Iceman snarled. "I'm not gonna let your hurt her!"
Nightcrawler showed up near the heroes via teleportation.
"I'fe safely put zee Blakkbirt avay from zee area." he said.
"Good work, bro." Rogue smirked, before glaring at Mystique. "Well, well, well, why ah am not surprised t' see ya, 'ere, Mystique?"
"Flattery will get you no where, Rogue!" Mystique snapped.
"You will not take Angelica away with you!" Iceman frowned.
"And we will not let you use her for your own ends!" Storm added.
Angelica peeked out from the tree to stare at them all.
"If you think I'm gonna let you X-Men get her first, then you're wrong." Mystique scoffed. "Even if two of you are my children!"
Rogue and Nightcrawler glared at her, as Spider-Man turned to them.
"She's your mother?" he questioned.
"Ja." Nightcrawler said sadly, as Rogue nodded.
"Well, I see where you get your skin from, Nightcrawler." Spider-Man noted. "No offence."
"None taken, mein freund." Nightcrawler assured.
"Mystique, I am giving you one last warning; leave now!" Storm roared.
"Never!" Mystique bellowed. "We're getting that girl! She'll be a find addition to our cause."
"Well, then, you'll have to go through us first!" Jean snarled, pointing at her.
"If that's what it takes, then so be it!" Mystique snarled.
Both sides charged at each other, before Rogue shot down towards the Brotherhood like a rocket, punching Avalanche in the face hard, knocking him away, before he hit the ground out cold.
"Ya're not makin' any earthquakes this tahme." she said, putting her hands on her hips.
Angelica turned and saw the X-Men fighting the Brotherhood, but she couldn't see Spider-Man or Toad, as they were both out of sight.
"I better get outta here before any of those guys spots me." she thought. "I can use their battle as a diversion."
She turned and started to run, but then looked at herself and saw her fire power was starting up again.
"Oh, no!" she gasped. "I better not let this jacket burn like my clothes, since it's not mine."
She took it off as she kept running, just as she fully flamed up and flew off, hoping to lose the Brotherhood again.
Spider-Man dodged Toad's tongue by back flipping away, then he landed on in a tree, staring at him.
"Ew, gross." he said. "How often do you wash, Mr?"
"Once a month, but what's it to you!" Toad snarled.
He jumped and tried to pounce on Spider-Man, but missed as he jumped down, before he saw Angelica flying off.
"Oh, no!" he gasped. "I've got to find her before the Brotherhood does!"
He turned and saw her jacket nearby, before he shot a web at it, pulling it towards him. He put the jacket on, then he jumped up and swung off, just as Iceman spotted him and Angelica, before turning to Storm, who was nearby.
"Spidey's going after Angelica!" he said.
"Go with him." Storm instructed. "I have a feeling you've got the best chance of getting through to her."
"Understood." Iceman nodded.
He ran off, then began to make an ice bridge after he chased after his friend, who turned to him.
"Thought you might need some help, webs." he joked.
"Thanks, I apricate it." Spider-Man said. "Now come on!"
They both turned left and were out of sight from the others.
On the ground, Jean used her telekinetic powers to hold back some fire sent from Pyro's flamethrower, before Nightcrawler teleported in behind him and kicked him forward.
"OH!" he moaned, before Nightcrawler tripped him over onto his chest. "OH!"
Storm sent lighting out of her hands at Blob, but they just bounced off him due to his power.
"Ha! Is that suppose to hurt?" he asked.
Storm glared at him, hoping to find a way to stop him.
Quicksliver began charging towards Jean, when a web shot out across the path he was on, tripping him up.
"AH!" he yelped, falling onto his face.
Jean looked around, when Ghost Spider jumped down from a tree on her left and landed near her.
"Ghost Spider, nice timing." Jean said. "We could use the help."
"Thanks. Where's Spidey?" Ghost Spider asked.
"Gone after Angelica with Iceman." Jean explained. "But right now, we need your help more than them."
"Okay, Jean." Ghost Spider understood. "I'm with you all."
They both turned and ran in to help their friends out.
Meanwhile, Angelica was hovering slightly over a rooftop, crying, staring at her reflection in a puddle.
"What am I gonna do? I can't go anywhere like this." she freaked. "I'll keep turning like this and never be able to go anywhere. I'm a freak!"
"That's not true." a voice said.
Angelica looked up and saw Spider-Man and Iceman coming towards her.
"Spider-Man?" she gasped. "And... You're one of those X-Men aren't you?"
"Yes, I am." Iceman said. "Name's Iceman, or Bobby if your prefer."
He iced down, shocking Angelica.
"How did you do that?" she asked. "How'd you de-ice yourself?"
"I concentrated hard." Bobby explained. "Several Mutants have to do that to turn off their powers. You're one of them?"
Angelica looked from him to Spider-Man, who nodded.
"It's true, that's why you turned into fire, Ms. Jones." Spider-Man explained.
"How do you know my name?" Angelica asked.
"I just do, okay." Spider-Man assured.
Angelica looked from him to Bobby.
"So, you're saying if I concentrate hard, I might be able to de-flame myself?" she asked hopefully.
"Yes." Bobby said. "Just close your mind of all worries and concentrate hard."
Angelica nodded, driving out all the fear of being stuck like this, and then de-flamed herself, making both boys turned away, as she was naked again.
"Oh, man!" she gasped, covering herself with her hands and arms.
"Here." Spider-Man said, taking off the jacket. "Put that on. We won't watch."
He kicked the jacket towards Angelica, who picked it up and wrapped it around herself, covering herself up expect for her feet and lower legs like before.
"Okay, I'm decent." she said.
The two boys turned to her and approached her.
"How you feeling?" Spider-Man asked.
"I'm...confused." Angelica sighed. "I mean, tonight's been a complete nightmare for me. Being told I'm Mutant and then turning into fire, and then having to lose my clothes and run away from those creeps..."
She began to cry softly, wanting to know what was happening to her.
"I know how it feels." Bobby said, touching her shoulder. "I'm a Mutant too, so's the rest of the X-Men."
Angelica looked up at him.
"But we're different from that Brotherhood." he explained. "They just wanna use you to help them conquer places."
"Conquer?" Angelica gasped, covering her mouth.
"Yes. They've done a lot of things over the years which me and my fellow X-Men don't stand for." Bobby explained. "We want to fight to live in peace with Humans."
Angelica looked at him confused.
"But how can I be a Mutant?" she asked. "I mean, how can I create fire that surrounds me?"
"All Mutant powers are different." Bobby explained. "Mine for example is ice, and there's one who can control the weather, and as you've seen, Mystique can shapeshift."
"But then...why did it manifest now?" Angelica asked. "I mean..."
"Most Mutants gain their powers when they hit puberty." Bobby explained. "That's what happened to me and most others."
Angelica sighed, before remembering something that had been happening to her for the past few months.
(Flashback)
About six weeks ago, Angelica and her Dad were both walking down a path in Central Park, near the lake.
"I still can't believe I got fired." Bart sighed, as he'd recently lost his job.
"Dad, it's okay." Angelica said. "You'll find another job eventually. At least we still have each other."
"Yeah, true." Bart sighed. "I'm just worried about you. You're all I have, Angel, and I don't want your future ruined."
"Dad, I'll be fine." Angelica said. "We'll find some way to get back on our feet. I just wish we hadn't lost our apartment in the process."
Bart turned to say something, when the ground shook wildly, making them both look around.
"Dad, what was that?" Angelica asked.
"Yeah." Bart said.
They both turned as the noise got louder, seeing 15 Sentinel robots marching nearby.
"What on Earth are those?!" Angelica exclaimed.
"I have no idea, Angel." Bart gulped. "But we need to get outta here!"
He took Angelica's hand and they both ran off into the treeline, then they both hid behind a tree. They peeked up as the Sentinels looked around, as more people ran off scared.
"Mutant detected." one said near the lake, raising its arm up. "Preparing to exterminate."
Bart and Angelica turned to it, as it was nearby, not seeing the Mutant girl diving into the lake, as other Sentinels approached it.
"There is no sign of her." one said. "She must've drowned."
"Good." another said. "That's one less Mutant to worry about."
"And it's the last one you'll ever hunt down!" a voice roared loudly.
The Sentinels all turned right, as Bart and Angelica turned left, seeing Cyclops, Angel and Falcon staring at them all. The couple and the other remaining people all saw them too.
"If that kid's dead, your creator is so gonna pay for this!" Falcon promised.
"Two Mutants detected." one Sentinel said. "Third lifeform: Human. Must-"
Cyclops fired a blast from his visor, hitting and decapitating it, as its head shot off before it could finish.
"I hate these Sentinels." Cyclops frowned. "Is everyone else ready?"
"They're ready, my friend." Angel assured.
"Right! Then let's get them!" Cyclops yelled.
He charged at the Sentinels, as Angel and Falcon both flew towards them.
"I don't know what's going on, but we need to get outta here." Bart said.
"I'm right behind you, Dad." Angelica promised.
Both Jones turned and began to run towards the nearest park exit, which would take them to the Upper West Side. They ran past several trees as they did, before Angelica tripped over, with her father not noticing.
"Oh!" Angelica moaned.
She pulled herself up, then kept on running, until she got onto a path, having lost sight of her father.
"Oh, no!" she gasped. "Where'd Dad go?"
She looked around frantically as she moved along the path, as she couldn't see the exit. She ran along the path as she kept looking, hearing the battle between Cyclops, Angel, Falcon, Reed Richards, Wolverine, the Hulk, Nightcrawler and the Sentinels as she did.
"Halt!" a robotic voice yelled.
Angelica stopped and gasped, recognizing the voice as a Sentinel, then she turned around and saw one standing right over her, looking down at her, scanning her.
"AH!" Angelica cried.
She raised her hands up while closing her eyes in fright, hoping she was dreaming, while shooting fire from her hands unknowingly, hitting the Sentinel's face, making it catch fire.
"Systems damaged!" it reported, turning slightly. "Cannot...remain...standing!"
Angelica lowered her arms and looked at it, as it began to fall down onto its back, making her back away slightly. It then fell onto its back as she stared at it, looking at it carefully.
"What happened? It wasn't on fire earlier?" she thought.
The Sentinel began to move its right arm, making her back away.
"AHH! It's still alive!" she screamed.
She raised her hands up over her face, shooting a fireball from each hand unknowingly, which hit the Sentinel's arm and body, starting another fire on it, which destroyed it.
"Huh?" she muttered.
She lowered her arms and stared at it, as it burned.
"Okay, now this is weird." she thought.
"Angelica!" Bart called.
Angelica turned left and saw her father coming towards her.
"You've had me worried! Are you alright?" he asked.
Angelica nodded, too worried to speak.
"Well, come on! We need to get outta here!" Bart said, before he turned and ran off.
Angelica nodded, then she turned and looked at the small fire near her on the Sentinel, wondering where all the fire had come from, as she was nowhere near any of the heroes. She then turned and ran after her father, thinking she'd done it herself, but at the time, wasn't sure how.
(Flashback ends)
Angelia sighed as Bobby and Spider-Man looked at her, then she remembered how she always felt warm or touched cold stuff, which became warmer.
"Oh, man. I've been feeling this for weeks, ever since Bolivar Trask's Sentinels rampaged through the city." she sighed.
"You witnessed that?" Bobby asked.
"Yeah, the ones in Central Park." Angelica explained. "One came at me, and when I raised my arms in fear, it was suddenly on fire. I must've done it without knowing, but I thought I just imaged it back then."
"Well, how'd you end up turning into a ball of fire?" Spider-Man asked.
"I guess being grabbed by that creep must've made my powers go overboard, as I've been scared every time." Angelica realized. "But how can I be sure you guys aren't like that Brotherhood."
"Hey, you said you saw us helping Spidey, Ghostie, the Avengers and the Fantastic Four about six weeks ago?" Bobby asked. "We practically helped save the city from being torn down by those Sentinel robots."
Angelica thought for a minute, before remembering Nightcrawler was among those fighting the Brotherhood.
"But that blue guy with the tail?" she said. "Is he with-"
"That's Kurt, and despite his appearance, he's kind." Bobby assured. "He only fights to protect, not to harm, and he'll never kill."
Angelica turned to Spider-Man while getting up.
"Spider-Man, are you sure about these X-Men?" she asked. "Can they be trusted to help me.
"Ms. Jones, I assure you, they can help you control your powers so you won't have to live in fear." Spider-Man assured. "In fact, Bobby here's become one of my closet friends, and Ghost has become close friends with another of them."
"But what if I never gain control?" Angelica wept. "I don't wanna be like that forever."
"Nothing's impossible." Bobby assured. "One of my teammates had no control over her powers for years, but she was able to in the end after a lot of trying. If anything, she's proof that any Mutant power can be controlled."
Angelica looked from him to Spider-Man, not knowing what to do.
"But what do I do if I can't?" she asked. "And then what would I do with myself? I can't just live my life knowing I'm a freak?"
"You're not a freak!" Bobby insisted, touching her shoulder. "And you're powers could be used to help people, like what we've been doing."
"What do you mean?" Angelica asked.
"Ms. Jones, I have a saying, which I learned from my Uncle; with great power, comes great responsibility." Spider-Man explained.
Angelica turned to him.
"I've been using that ever since he died, since I unknowingly had a hand in it." Spider-Man explained. "I vowed to never let that happen again if I can help it."
Angelica gasped. "I... I had no idea that's why you do this." she said. "But I'm scared. What if I burn my father to death! He's the only family I have! I don't have many friends either, and that includes a few I just met today. If anything happened to any of them, I'd never forgive myself."
Bobby looked at them both, as Spider-Man sighed, as Angelica began to cry.
"Look, I know how you feel." Bobby sighed. "I once accidently turned someone into a block of ice, when my powers manifested."
Angelica turned to him.
"You did?" she asked.
"Yeah." Bobby sighed. "Nearly all Mutants have that fear when their powers manifest, but if you can control them, you won't do any of that. I haven't done it to any innocent people since."
Angelica looked between both men, their stories hitting her hard, especially Spider-Man's, but they saw she still looked scared. Spider-Man seeing no other option here, then he took off his mask, showing her his face.
"Peter?" Angelica gasped, covering her mouth. "You're...?"
"Yes." Peter said. "I don't like showing people who I am, but since you're that scared, I don't see another option."
Angelica stared at him, before turning to Bobby.
"He only told me and the others 'cause our mentor Professor X is a telepath, along with another one of us." Bobby explained. "That red-haired women you saw with us."
"That's how you found me, isn't it?" Angelica inquired.
"Yes." Peter explained. "Gwen and I, we saw Mystique leading you outside and saw what happened. I followed you afterwards to make sure you're alright."
"Gwen... She's Ghost Spider, isn't she?" Angelica inquired. "I've been hearing rumours about the Spider-Duo being an item, and since she's your girlfriend-"
"Yes, she is." Peter assured.
"And she's out there fighting with my fellow X-Men to make sure the Brotherhood doesn't get ahold of you." Bobby explained.
Angelica looked from one to the other.
"If you come with me and the X-Men, you'll be able to live your life like you want." Bobby promised. "The Brotherhood won't care about using you for their ends."
"If you won't trust him, then trust me alright?" Peter asked. "I only met you yesterday and helped you and your Dad out 'cause you were homeless. I'd do the same again with anyone. If anyone can help you, it's the X-Men."
Angelica sighed and nodded, her decision made after seeing what her new friend really was, and knowing that his girlfriend was the same. Despite that though, she wasn't fully sure about her choice yet, but decided to trust them both.
"Can you both turn around?" she asked.
Peter and Bobby turned around, as she let her jacket fall down and thought hard, firing up as she jumped up, hovering over the rooftop. Both boys turned around and stared at her as she nodded.
"I'm in, Bobby." she said, making the boys smile. "But first, I'd like to make sure Mystique knows it for sure."
"Then let's go and help our friends." Peter smirked, putting his mask on.
Bobby iced up and nodded. "Follow me?" he said.
He turned and began to make an ice bridge, as Spider-Man webbed Angelica's jacket and pulled it towards her, putting it on. He then turned and shot a web at Iceman's back, as he began to move them along the bridge as Iceman extended it, as Angelica flew off beside them, as she'd made up her mind about who to trust.
Outside Central Park, Ghost Spider tried to punch Blob, but her fist went right through him.
"Webs!" she gasped.
Blob laughed. "Is that all you've got, tiny spider?" he smirked.
He flicked her away like a flea.
"Ah!" she moaned, hitting the ground on her side. "So didn't see that coming!"
She rolled onto her belly, as the four X-Men gathered around her.
"Ya alrigh', hun?" she asked.
"I've been better!" Ghost Spider moaned, pulling herself up.
"Not for long, you won't!" a Greek voice roared.
The ground around them all began to shake wildly, knocking them all off their feet.
"AHH!" they moaned.
They all looked up as Avalanche showed up, as the rest of the Brotherhood gathered around him.
"Glad to see you recovered." Mystique noted.
"Thank you, boss." Avalanche said.
Ghost Spider and the four X-Men all looked up at them all as they laughed.
"Looks like you've lost, even with your new friend here." Mystique mocked. "Pretty the rest of you X-Men couldn't be here to try and help."
"Shall I finish this, boss?" Pyro asked.
"Go ahead. Let them all burn." Mystique commanded.
Pyro grinned and aimed his flamethrowers at Ghost Spider and the X-Men.
"Not so fast, St. John!" came Iceman's voice.
"Huh?" Pyro muttered.
Everyone looked around, when Blob pointed up at the sky.
"Look!" he said.
Everyone turned and saw Angelica shooting towards, with Iceman and Spider-Man following her on one of the former's ice bridges.
"Well, I was wondering when you'd come back." Mystique spat. "And you brought us two new friends to play with. Nice work, Ms. Jones."
"You're wrong, Mystique!" Iceman roared. "She's made up her mind."
"And she's not with you!" Spider-Man said, pointing at her.
The Brotherhood gasped as the X-Men and Ghost Spider smiled.
"Yeah, you can forget it, Mystique!" Angelica roared. "I've made my choice, and it's with the X-Men, not you!"
"What?!" Mystique exclaimed.
"Looks like you've lost!" Iceman joked.
"So, what you gonna do now?" Spider-Man smirked. "The way I see it, there's not point in you staying here."
The Brotherhood looked amongst themselves.
"The web-head's got a point." Toad admitted. "If she's made up her mind, what's the point in chasing her."
"Not to mention the Cops could be here due to all the damage we've done." Blob added.
"Even father knows when to run at times like this." Quicksliver said.
"Fine, but you'll regret this, Ms. Jones! I swear it!" Mystique roared. "And as for my two children, some last words with you both."
Ghost Spider looked confused as she turned to the X-Men, noticing Rogue and Nightcrawler glaring at her.
"That's how they're related?" she thought.
"Rogue, you will pay for leaving me when I practically raised you like my own." Mystique spat. "And as for your Kurt, I'm still surprised you'll never see things my way, due to your appearance."
"Mother, sie're nothink at all like zee x-men, or zee family zat adoptet me. I just hope one day sie'll learn from your mistakes." Nightcrawler said, getting up with Rogue.
"Raised me, mama?" Rogue questioned, disgusted. "Ya nevah loved me, Mystique! Ya only cared 'bout mah powers. Ya made me worse than a killah f' whut ya made me do t' Capt. Marvel!"
The other heroes pulled themselves up.
"Well, are you leaving or not?" Storm frowned.
Mystique glared at her, knowing Magneto wasn't gonna be happy.
"Let's go." she said.
She and the Brotherhood all turned and ran off, Toad hopping along, as the heroes and Angelica stared at them.
Spider-Man and Iceman both jumped down towards the other heroes, as Angelica hovered slowly down towards them.
"I see you two managed to convince Angelica to meet us?" Storm noted.
"And by the way she sounded, it sounds like she's made her choice." Jean added.
"Well, sort of." Iceman shrugged.
"I haven't probably made up my mind yet. So, I'd like to talk to you all first, if that's okay?" Angelica asked.
"That's fine with us, but this isn't the right place." Storm said. "We better leave before the Police arrive."
Later, the X-Men all stood near Angelica, who was wrapped in the jacket again, as they all stood near the Blackbird, which was parked on a rooftop, as the Spider-Duo stood away from them.
"So, the Brotherhood are terrorists?" Ghost Spider gasped. "I figured there was something wrong with them."
"They are. Rogue knows them better than anyone, as she used to be one of them." Spider-Man explained.
"Huh?" Ghost Spider muttered.
"Long story." Spider-Man said. "I'll tell you later."
"Okay." Ghost Spider said.
They both turned to the X-Men and Angelica.
"I really wanna learn how to control my powers so I don't burn or hurt anyone." Angelica said. "I'm just worried how my Dad's gonna react. He's the only family I have."
"We'll sort it out with your father." Jean promised. "My parents accept me for who I am. If he really loves you, he still will."
"But do all your parents accept you?" Angelica asked.
"Sie'fe seen my birth mother for vho she is, ant i'fe looket like zis sinke I vas born." Kurt explained. "My adoptet family hovefer lofet me despite all zat."
"Ah had t' run away from home aftah mah powers surfaced. Mah Daddy practically assaulted me, an' soon got drunk afterwards." Rogue sighed sadly. "Mah birth mama died when ah was young so ah don' know how she would've reacted."
"Mine are... Well, my Dad's not happy, but I'm not so sure about my Mom." Bobby assured.
"So, not all of you have acceptable parents?" Angelica asked.
"Some of us are...orphans, actually, so they'll never know that." Storm explained.
"Bobby told me one of you had trouble learning to control your powers." Angelica recalled.
"That's me, sweetie. Ah was too stubborn t' try at first, an' was worried ah wouldn' be able t' touch anyone." Rogue explained. "Whut ya saw, mah flight an' supah strength, that ain't mah powah. Ah absorb peoples thoughts an' drain part o' their life though skin-to-skin contact."
Angelica looked at the other X-Men, who all nodded.
"But you have control of it now?" Angelica asked.
"Yes, ah do. So if ah can control mah powah, ya can too, even if it will take a while." Rogue assured.
Angelica smiled.
"So, you ready to go?" Storm asked.
"Just give me a minute?" Angelica asked.
She moved past the X-Men towards the Spider-Duo, looking at Spider-Man.
"Thank you for everything, Spider-Man." she said. "I'll be forever in your debt."
"You don't owe me anything." Spider-Man assured. "I just wanted to make sure you didn't choose the wrong path."
Angelica smiled and hugged him, making Ghost Spider smile under her mask, as she knew it was just a friendly thank you.
"I'll never forget what you told me." she promised, pulling away. "I promise you that, Spidey."
She turned and approached the X-Men, then they all boarded the Blackbird, before Rogue flew it up into the air and away from the city.
"Well, that takes care of that." Ghost Spider said.
"Sure does." Spider-Man said. "But, there's something I need to tell you."
"What do you mean?" Ghost Spider asked.
"I... I had to unmask myself to gain her trust." Spider-Man explained. "She was terrified and wouldn't listen to Bobby, so I had no choice."
"Well, in this case, I guess it's fair enough." Ghost Spider reasoned. "I mean, the rest of the X-Men know who we are already. You told her about me as well?"
"Yeah, I did." Spider-Man said. "Plus, she kinda guessed."
"Well, I understand, Pete." Ghost Spider said. "I just hope they can help her out."
"Me too. Come on, Ghost. Let's go home." Spider-Man said.
"I'm all for that." Ghost Spider said. "I'm worn out after tonight."
They both jumped off the rooftop and began to swing off towards their respective homes, just wanting to go to bed after tonight.
The next morning, at Midtown High, Peter was outside the school, on the phone to Daisy.
"So, you found someone else?" she asked.
"Well, sort of...but she's a Mutant." Peter explained. "So we gave her to the X-Men. You know Gwen and I told-"
"I know. You said if the person's a Mutant, you'd send them there instead." Daisy said. "He told me that and I understand."
"Glad to know." Peter said.
(Elsewhere)
Daisy stood on a rooftop, on the phone to Peter.
"Are you sure she's a Mutant though?" she asked.
"I'm positive, and so's Gwen." Peter assured. "Some of the X-Men themselves arrived searching for her, and they know she's a Mutant for sure."
(Midtown High)
"Well, I understand." Daisy sighed. "Still, keep up the good work. These four you've already found for us are really good at training. I'm thinking it won't be long before they can go in the field together."
"Glad to know." Peter smiled. "Anyway, I better go, school's about to start."
"Okay." Daisy understood. "See you later."
"Same to you." Peter said.
He put his phone away, then turned to see Gwen coming towards him.
"So, how'd Daisy take it?" Gwen asked.
"She was fine." Peter assured. "She knows the deal with made, and accepted it. And given what Angelica's power is, she's better off this way."
"Glad to know." Gwen smiled. "Come on then. We better get to our first class."
Peter smiled and linked his arm with her, as they walked off into the school to start the day.
The next morning, in the Xavier Mansion, Angelica stood before Professor Xavier, as the other X-Men all stared at her in the Professor's office. She was wearing clothes that belonged to Kitty, as they were around the same size, since the only ones she had had been burned last night. She wasn't setting off her powers as Rogue had told her to close her mind of all fear, as it would keep them at bay for now, which was how she said she'd gained control over her powers.
"Now, I must congratulate you all on two well successful missions." the Professor explained.
"Thank you, Professor." Scott said.
"Likewise." Storm said.
"What exactly was your mission anyway?" Bobby asked.
"We were infiltrating a facility in Washington, which had loads of Mutant files on." Scott explained.
"Dat's why Kitty and I were needed." Remy said, playing with a deck of cards. "Due to how da place was tight with security, we had to sneak in. Her power and my skills make us da best for getting in undetected."
"Plus, I was needed to hack the computers and delete the files." Kitty explained.
"Makes sense, due to the computer whiz you are." Bobby joked, making her blush.
"I take it there was a reason for it?" Jean inquired.
"Yes. The files were of Mutants listed around the world, which could've been hunted down and killed." the Professor sighed. "Someone is trying to create a Mutant Registration act which could make the people turn against us."
"Lahke Trask or those Friends o' Humanity?" Rogue said, shocked. "This guy - whoevah he is - is barkin' up th' wrong tree by doin' this."
"Indeed he is, Rogue." Scott agreed.
Angelica looked at them all, before the Professor moved towards her in his chair, making her back away slightly.
"Um..." she muttered.
Everyone turned to her as the Professor stopped near her.
"And now, I welcome the newest member to our team." the Professor said.
Angelica looked unsure as Scott, Kitty, Bobby and Rogue all approached her, while the rest kept staring at her.
"Angelica, you don't need to be scared." Bobby assured.
"Angelica Jones, Bobby is right." the Professor assured. "I am Professor Xavier, and I promise you, you will learn to control your powers here, so you won't have to risk hurting anyone."
"I know that. That's why I agreed to come here." Angelica said. "But I'm not so sure about joining you all."
"Angelica, I told you, we fight for peace between Mutants and Humans." Bobby explained. "But it's your decision."
"Bobby is right." Scott agreed. "You don't have to join us if you don't want too. You can leave as soon as you have your powers in control."
Angelica looked up at him.
"And my Dad?" she asked. "Have you...?"
"We called him last night." Jean assured. "He is shocked by what you are, but he still loves you like he always has. And he believes this is the best place for you for now."
Angelica smiled, happy to know that news.
"Can I have a minute to think about this?" she asked.
"Sure." the Professor assured.
Angelica backed away towards the door as she thought, Peter's voice ringing through her head.
"I have a saying, which I learned from my Uncle; with great power, comes great responsibility."
She thought for a minute, realizing she'd been given these powers for a reason like everyone else here, and that Peter's phase made her realize she had to use them for good.
"If Johnny Storm uses his fire powers for good, I guess I can too." she thought. "And if I can make it so I don't burn anyone or anything, it'll be worth learning. Plus, Peter's phase has really gotten to me. These powers have given me a new responsibility, and I can't just ignore it."
She looked up at the X-Men.
"Okay, I'm in." she said. "But until I have some control, I don't wanna take any missions, especially after what happened last night."
"That's okay with us, Angelica." Scott said, as the others smiled. "And welcome aboard."
"Same here." Kitty said. "I'll help you get more clothes, so I can have mine back."
"Thanks." Angelica said.
"But there's one thing though. If you're gonna be one of us, you need a codename from you go out in the field." Bobby said. "Any ideas?"
Angelica thought for a minute, remembering all that had happened yesterday and what her powers were. She could make fire and burn stuff, which included burning her clothes off, and could fly through the sky like a star.
"How about...Firestar." she said.
"Firestar?" the Professor said. "That's not too bad."
"Nor it isn't." Remy nodded. "Suits you, petite."
"Indeet it does." Kurt agreed.
"But...what will I wear when I'm training?" Angelica asked. "I mean, I can't train in my normal clothes. I'll just keep burning them completely!"
"We've already worked on your uniform for that." the Professor explained. "I made a call to get the right material so you won't burn it off."
Jean smiled and used her telekinetic powers to open up a secret passage behind a bookcase. Angelica turned to it, seeing a yellow one-piece outfit, with red gloves and boots with a flame pattern on, with a eye mask with flame points at the top, as well as a belt with the letter X on. She approached it to get a better look, then smiled.
"There you go, Firestar." Kitty said. "Your uniform all set for you."
"Thanks." Angelica said. "All of you."
She turned to her new friends and smiled, happy to know she was gonna be okay and learn to control her powers, so she wouldn't hurt anyone, and that the phase Peter taught her would be forever in her mind.
A/N: Firestar's costume is her known standard one, expect she has a belt with the X-Men symbol on to keep in contact with the others.
Angelica's flashback takes place during part one of Bringing Trask to Justice, in case you haven't read it.