A/N: Enjoy!

They Call Me Pyro

Chapter 8

Unrestricted

"Excuse me?"

"Do you have a CD player," I repeated, adding, "that I can borrow?"

Logan grunted, "Uh-huh".

I went back to the top of the bleachers to see what I could observe from that vantage point. I squinted at what looked like stables. This place was huge so I highly doubt I'm mistaken. A commercial jet flew overhead that drowned out any noise that could be heard. I watched it until it disappeared from my view into clouds. A flash of memory struck: A chopper with a man and a blue woman with scarlet hair inside. It was part of the past I've seen before, but more clear, though, utterly short.

"Shake a leg, Pyro."

I hurried down, caught up to him, and trailed behind, letting Logan lead the way.

He removed the cigar from his mouth and held it in his hand. "I know what it feels like to have a fuzzy memory," he told me.

"Oh, yeah?" My interest was sincere. "Is it crystal clear now?"

"No, but I got some answers," he responded. "The day you left, actually." No judgment, just fact.

"Do you regret knowing?" I asked.

He suddenly stopped, causing me to veer to the side to avoid coming into contact with his long muscular frame. The notebooks fell from my grip onto the grass, but I left them to give him my undivided attention.

"I regret nothing. It was a personal mission as I'm sure yours is."

I nodded. "Are they going to let me play with my power?"

He gave me a half-grin and said, "If you use the word "play" they won't."

"Poor word choice," I agreed and squatted to pick up the notebooks.

"Writing again?" he asked.

In response, I gave him a funny look because I got the sense he was talking about something else.

"You wrote intriguing short story romances. Normally I wouldn't admit I read stuff like that, but yours," he paused, "were different."

I'm glad I made him elaborate. "If they are in here"—I jerked the notebooks—"I haven't come across them yet." I cocked my head to the side. "Different how?"

He smirked, turned his back on me, and started walking. "You'll see."

After that, we were both quiet. I was able to walk and skim at the same time, but I didn't come across anything remotely romantic. We only had to climb one set of stairs to get to his room.

Prior to handing the CD player over to me, he took out the disk that was previously left in it. I unplugged the headphones. "I have earbuds." He retrieved them from me, and that's when I thanked him and left.

As I passed the entrance to the library, I stopped short, took two steps back, and entered. The novel that piqued my interest was still in the same spot on the shelf. Using my index finger to slide it out, I briefly studied the cover before I tucked it into my arm that contained my notebooks. The next stop would be my room for some independent therapy. On the way I had a decision to make: do I start with music or reading? I chose the latter. The music might lull me to sleep and I rather have that occur later.

Using my foot to push the door closed, I placed the CD player and notebooks onto my bed, then I put the book on the desk, flipped the switch on the lamp, and took a seat. Nearly two hours later my gaze finally veered from the page to the clock. I yawned and rubbed my eyes. I marked the page using a king playing card—no other card would be fit for the job—and flipped the hardcover shut.

A quick glance at the clock informed me that my dinner would arrive in forty-five minutes. While listening to my compact discs, I'd wait. I pushed the earbuds into the CD player, plugged them into my ears, pressed play, and closed my eyes, letting the music take over. Some of the lyrics—especially the chorus—I knew better than the back of my own hand. I hummed along until light from the hallway interrupted. Dinner time! I got to my feet as quickly as I could to retrieve the tray from Moira. She told me to enjoy it and went on her way.

I slid the tray onto the desk, pushing the novel to make room. Steam eagerly escaped as I lifted the dome-shaped lid. Hot meals were always welcome. It smelled delicious. Chicken with various veggies and spaghetti in a brown sauce. After a few bites, I opened the book to where I'd left off. If I had access to a television, I'd be doing that instead while consuming dinner. Forty-five minutes later, I finished everything that was edible on the tray. When I was done with the current chapter, I marked the spot and closed the novel. I stared at the wall as I decided what was next. My legs needed to stretch and some social interaction might be what I needed. I know what you're thinking and I agree, but when you're forced to be silent for years things change. I know now how I felt back then, but solitude isn't for most no matter how much you think you want it . . . deserve it.

When I exited my room, I had no set destination. I let my subconscious take control and guide me until I heard laughter and chatter. That's when I used one of my five senses to guide me the rest of the way. I slipped into the room unnoticed, taking the first available seat. All I wanted was to blend in.

However, that didn't last too long.

I heard someone whisper my favored name and then jerk their head towards me. I silently cursed. Then they said, "I overheard Jordan say Magneto's bitch antagonized him for no reason." I swore some more. That dumb kid was going to ruin everything. If I had to hear another lie I was going to lose it. I pushed to my feet and strolled only about four doors down, blindly making a right at the threshold. I froze as soon as I entered. The little girl who had refused my flower immediately pointed her finger at me and said, "Bad man."

That made two more sets of eyes lock onto me. Rogue shot Bobby a disapproving glance. He replied with a shrug. Rogue turned the little girl towards her and crouched down to meet her eyes, "Lexi, John is our friend."

"Bu—"

"No excuses." Her tone was firm but not harsh.

Lexi looked at me and told me she was sorry without being instructed. When Rogue stood up, the little girl wrapped her arms around Rogue's leg. Bobby took a couple of short steps, placing himself behind Rogue and put his left arm around her. The black wedding band easily stood out.

She looked at me with those bright green eyes and said, "John, this is Lexi . . . our daughter."

I smiled—though, I wasn't certain how I really felt—to show their daughter I was friendly. "How old are you?"

She held up five fingers and also said the number.

"Cute kid," I told her parents, adding, "I thought her eyes reminded me of someone." I chose to not disclose how I first met Lexi even though I was positive it would get Bobby into trouble. "Is she named after anyone?"

"Logan," Rogue replied and Bobby rolled his eyes. At five, the kid already has an attitude and now I know whom she got it from.

Lexi's eyes lit up at his name. She tugged on Rogue's hand, urging her to move. "Logan!" the five-year-old screeched.

Sidestepping as the girls headed in my direction, as they passed me, I asked with a smirk, "Is he in a boy band that I don't know about?"

"See you later, Pyro," said Rogue, smiling. "Lexi, say goodbye to John."

"Bye, John," she parroted, apathetic. I guess I wasn't very interesting.

Immediately when four became two, the room got colder. I reclaimed my original spot. Bobby's arms were crossed over his chest, the black ring still visible.

What was his problem now? This dude had more mood swings than a woman going through menopause. If anyone was going to bitch it was going to be me. "Great parenting, Bobby," I barked. "Telling childr—" I stopped short to correct myself, "—your own daughter that I'm the boogieman!"

He didn't react; only continued to gaze at me. Was he picking his words carefully? As seconds passed, the argument I thought was coming . . . just didn't. When my posture relaxed that's when he said, "Meet me at the elevator in a half-hour."

Dumbfounded, I stood alone. He didn't blow up at me. Rather, I was the one that had to diffuse. He gave me a time and a simple instruction but didn't offer anything more. That chill between us remained. I was starting to doubt our friendship would ever return to what we had before my world became pitch black—regardless of the side we were on at the time. His disdain was deeper than that.

Not knowing what else to do with the remaining time I had, I headed for the elevator. I wondered how I would've felt pre-coma about Rogue and Bobby tying the knot. It was pointless because it was something I couldn't answer, but it kept my mind busy as I waited.

As I saw Bobby walking towards me, I thought, 'This is going to be the most awkward elevator ride ever.' Our gazes met briefly. He placed all five fingers on the pad and the metal doors opened with an announcement of "access granted". We walked in, turned around, and stood side by side as the doors closed in front of us. Bobby pressed a button that was labeled "DR". A small hidden compartment underneath that button revealed another security clearance requiring another finger. He pressed his thumb onto it and the metal box descended into motion.

No words were exchanged.

When the doors opened, we walked straight ahead. The next set of metal doors had to be unlocked with a code, which Bobby punched in quickly. The doors slid open revealing a plain large metal room. I looked to my left at Bobby and then I followed his gaze to my upper right.

A panoramic viewing room.

Scott flipped a switch and then he walked closer to the glass. The speaker filled with his voice. "Pyro, you wanted the opportunity to use your ability in the hopes that it will trigger your suppressed memories." He spread his arms. "This is the Danger Room." He motioned to someone else behind him and the plainness of the space turned into a junkyard, then a jungle, then a desert, and back to metal. "Holograms. The environment is fake, but the threats are real. The Danger Room is a training tool. Its purpose is to teach control as well as strengthen. There are many levels and endless backdrops. Are you ready?"

Bobby nudged me. In his palm was a Zippo. He exited when I took it from him. I removed my red coat and hung it on the wall.

"Any questions?" asked Scott when I stepped back into the room soon to be filled with danger.

I flicked the cap open and turned the wheel with my thumb. Staring at the flame a foot away from my face, a genuine smile spread my lips. I shook my head and said with confidence, "Ready."

The viewing area was no longer visible when the hologram was chosen. The grass beneath my feet seemed real. The flowers were huge. They looked like they could swallow me whole. Vegetation was in my way no matter which direction I chose to go. I could have set it all ablaze but that would've defeated the purpose. This wasn't about taking shortcuts. I pushed giant leaves and vines aside. I heard sounds in the background that I couldn't identify. When I emerged from the plants, I was greeted with an arrow that missed my foot by an inch. Not knowing where it originated from, I didn't stay in that spot long.

Doubt was starting to cross my mind. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so arrogant. Maybe I should've requested target practice first.

A weapon mounted on a tree directed itself at me. It fired, sending a laser at my torso. Had I not been quicker, I would've been struck. More lasers followed, but I was faster. There was no hesitation when I finally got the chance to use my gift. I willed the fire to my palm and sent it toward the gun. My aim was a little off, but it did the job anyway. "Whoa," I ordered the flames to consume the entire weapon to confirm it was fully disabled. Satisfied, I wiped my sweaty forehead on my shirt sleeve. Before moving, I eyed my surroundings. I headed in the direction with a clear path and the best visibility. The sky wasn't covered by treetops. I looked over my shoulder and then jerked my head to the right when I heard what sounded like a bird.

My gut told me to run, so that's what I did. I ran for about a mile before I could say with certainty that my gut was right. I stopped and turned around. A prehistoric bird headed straight for me. Out of breath and slow to process, I didn't hit the ground until the very last minute. The beast's shadow passed over me. If asked later, I'd lie and say that strategy was deliberate. I scrambled to my feet and waited with a fireball in my right hand as the creature made a U-turn. When the target was close enough, I released the fire. The pterodactyl screeched in anguish as it glided over my head and then made a sharp turn gradually descending into the trees.

I resumed walking on the unoccupied trail while flicking the Zippo open and shut along the way. At some point, I held a small amount of fire in my palm and pocketed the lighter. The little flames danced and continued their moves as they grew per my influence. The untouchable ball was the size of a kickball when I held two hands under it as it grew and grew. The ball split into two per my instructions and then stretched way above my head. Eventually, I made the tips connect and then shrink. Both of my palms remained open as the fire was shaped like a pipe. Grinning in anticipation of my next move, I turned to face the trees. I shoved the pipe of fire forward and then spread my arms apart stretching the pipe even longer to hit more trees in one shot.

Hello there, pyromaniac. I've missed you.

My self-realization was interrupted by a roar that was so loud I thought the source was right next to me. Turning my head in its direction, it bent halfway and bellowed again. Then I heard a similar sound, but it didn't come from the Tyrannosaurus I was looking at. As my head turned to the opposite side, the rest of my body remained very still. To my left, another T-Rex.

Delighted, I rubbed my hands together and smirked. "Gnarly. A threesome. Exactly my style, Scott." I called existing flames to my palms and then looked down at them. Both dinosaurs started charging toward me. Spreading my arms like an airplane, fire streamed out from both sides like flame throwers. Unaffected by the heat of the flames, the dinosaurs were annoyed but continued to push forward so I intensified the strength. The force of the flames kept them at bay; however, they were persistent as they attempted to push forward. I felt the adrenaline kick in boosting my ability. Determined not to waste any of it, I'd give my next offensive move everything I have left. A warrior battle cry escaped my lips as I let the extra power loose. The eruption of fire from each side spilled out of me like waves knocking down the archaic beasts simultaneously. Threats defeated; however, my power didn't stop there. It continued to pour out and engulf me until I was a human torch. Unable to control it, I clenched my fists, tilted my head back, and screamed. The ground erupted around me. Shortly after, the fiery explosion fanned out like a nuclear bomb, disturbing and knocking down everything in its path. My screams became hysterical laughter. Everything around me was ablaze in glorious hues of yellow, orange, and red. While a beautiful sight, I was grinning from ear to ear because I no longer needed an external source to activate my gift.

The prehistoric scenery disappeared. Panels in various spots slid open and out came extinguishers. I stopped laughing when three directed themselves at me, but before they could attempt to put me out I swiftly disabled them. "NO!" I shouted and then took out the rest of the fire safety hardware. "You can't contain me any longer!" I flung flames where the viewing window was supposed to be. Proving to be more of a tantrum rather than effective my focus and energy were redirected. I placed softball-sized fireballs around me—giving myself a decent circumference—on the metal floor. Following my arms as they rose, they stretched into straight fiery beams above my head and beyond, purposely stopping a great distance away from the ceiling. The cage's function—to keep them away from me.

"Why are you hiding from me?" I demanded.

In the brief moment I allotted, no reply was given.

Still alone in the Danger Room, the next words to come out of my mouth would be direct. I taunted, "Oh, hey, Bobby, how about a rematch? It's been long overdue . . . don'tcha th—"

A/N: I apologize for the long wait. A lot of thinking and decisions went into this chapter especially for the DR. I knew I wanted Pyro to evolve (my bullet-point word: explode) but not the specifics. Ultimately it came together piece by piece. Drop me a review/comment and let me know whatever you desire.

Track Suggestion: Blood Like Gasoline by Against The Current