Let It Burn

[John Allerdyce]

Pyro was separated from his small time gang of mutants. Despite his leadership role, this was far from ideal for him. He wanted The Brotherhood back. He would never admit that it was dead though! All he needed to do was find Magneto and then everything would be back to the way it was. When he had joined the Brotherhood, it had been the first time for his entire life that he felt like he belonged. He was with mutants who shared the same values and beliefs as him and most importantly, they weren't trying to tell him not to use his powers. They were only saying when would be the best time to use them. So yes. He needed the group to get back together. It was why after the battle, he had regrouped with what Brotherhood mutants were there and formed this small spin off gang of theirs. They all knew it was temporary, just until Magneto was found. He was no alpha, more of a beta. So he didn't try to overly control the group. It just helped to have the second in command while they awaited the reforming of The Brotherhood. Until then, they all created havoc against humans, other times it was just about surviving day to day with what limited provisions they had. They still stayed at the headquarters, but he knew it would only be a matter of time before it was compromised.

Right now, his group mates were doing their own thing, carrying about their own business. And that business involved getting in a fight. There were three mutants, and five humans. They all had in a darkened alleyway, clearly arguing about something or another. "What are ya gonna do about it?!" One of the humans demanded. The three mutants were clearly growing increasingly angry, while the humans were over confident for they had the numbers. Which didn't matter. If there was one thing that the three mutants all had in common it was arrogance. One that was soon exposed, for one of the mutants suddenly caused the humans hair to grow with abnormal speed at an alarming length. The human, clearly confused, let out a worried cry as scared expressions formed over the faces of the other humans. The mutants chuckled at this, as the one with the power used their powers to cause the long trail of hair, wrap around the humans neck and start choking him. "Not so tough now are you?!" She questioned rhetorically. As she focused his powers on this, the other two mutants began to advance toward the humans who were slowly stepping away, cowering from the fight.

[[ Tag: Marie aka Rogue ]]

[eloquentnovelist]

Why was she even still at the mansion? She had no powers. But that meant she also had no place else to go... It made her wonder if she should consider telling Ororo that she would leave. But no one had asked her to leave. Maybe a they were just being polite... What business did a human have at Xavier's school? Well... She still had friends there. Bobby, Piotr, Logan, Jubilee... In the loss of her powers, was she also giving up much more than her ability to not touch? She had been so desperate to be able to get close to people, she didn't even consider that she might be asked to leave once she wasn't a mutant anymore.

These were the he thoughts that rustled through her brain all the time. Night and day, she couldn't focus on anything else. No wonder she was so restless... She had been up, watching movies late, writing, drawing, being active.... If only she could silence her mind... Which was why a walk in the city was clearly overdue. She needed to just be in a place where she felt she wasn't being judged. Maybe the people at the school didn't judge her. Maybe they did. First, everyone whispered about how sorry they felt for her, for her powers always keeping her from being intimate with her boyfriend, for being the reason Magneto came after her one night... Now, it was all whispers about how she turned her back on her own natural gifts... Did she even belong here anymore? No matter, whispers were whispers and the walls had ears. It was frustrating, having a home that you didn't know was home. It was more of a home when she had powers. Now, she just missed the south. She longed for those hot summer nights where the fireflies lit the path along the side of the road...

Rogue had been interrupted from her thoughts by yelling and shouting. Always the curious one, she stepped closer to the alley carefully, back against the wall as she peeked around the corner and saw a group arguing with another group. Five against three... The odds were stacked in favor of the group with more people. If a fight broke out, she'd have to wave down an officer in the main street. It was to her surprise when one of the aggressor's hair grew at incredible speed... Rogue crouched low to the ground, keeping cover behind a dumpster to get a closer look. By the time she had reached her next cover point, she saw the aggressor being strangled. She couldn't wave down an officer now. This was a human and mutant conflict. If the police got involved, there was a high risk of assaulting...

She should have kept walking... But even Rogue wasn't a fan of bullying, no matter which species it was. God damn it... Emerging from the back of a dumpster came a woman that was almost unrecognizable. Since the cure, Rogue had ditched the gloves, the long sleeves, the hood, and the plain Jane look. Now that she was confident about herself, she stood tall and approached the groups in conflict. "Stop it! Whatever ya'll are arguing about, it's not worth a life." Rogue knew they would turn their attention on her. It was a stupid thing to do, but better they targeted her than people who didn't know how to defend themselves against mutants. "Let them go. If you're lookin' fer a fight, ah'll gladly serve it up."

[John Allerdyce]

Before anything escalated, it seemed another woman decided to join the scene. It caused the mutant with the humans life in her hand to pause and stare at the newcomer. Cocking her head to the side she looked at her with disbelief. Was she offering herself as some sort of alternative? It made the woman scoff, but loosen her grip around the humans throat, causing him to stumble to the ground, gagging. The female mutant then kept her gaze on the newcomer to the scene, eying her up and down. "Who the hell are you? Some kind of serve protect bull shitter?" Her words caused the others to snicker as they stood along side the female mutant as they all eyed this intruder. They all clearly found this rather amusing. Whatever she was, human or mutant, she was outnumbered. "Come on then. Give me your best shot!" She egged on, anticipating a fight, just waiting for her to make a move so that she could react in kind. Another voice however once again, distracted the situation.

"Well look at who we have here." Pyro stepped into the scene, Rogue being the first one who had caught his attention. He had heard the commotion so knew something was going on. While he wasn't one to step in and stop a fight, hell he was usually the one who instigated and provoked them, he had to intervene on this one. Because... who would have expected Rogue of all people to be here. The female mutant and others stepped down, curiosity flickering in their eyes as they realized that Pyro and this random woman knew each other. Pyro eyed Rogue, a smirk on his face. He didn't fail to notice that she wasn't wearing her gloves. Interesting. Had his prediction been correct? When he saw Bobby at the rally, he'd assumed he was looking for Rogue. And that seemed to be true. Maybe she did prove to be the coward and sought out the cure. "Aren't you a little far from your home?" He asked mockingly, still smirking, still rather surprised at her presence though was also aamusement in him over it.

[eloquentnovelist]

As expected, all attention was drawn to her. She nearly rolled her eyes when the five humans didn't do baby thing except gawk. Run, idiots! The woman addressed her and of course, the group seemed rather amused by her remark. Rogue didn't answer. Instead, her eyes flickered around her surroundings. Yes, she was seriously outnumbered. Life had always stacked the odds against her and yet, very single time, she had come out better than before. Maybe she just got lucky. Or maybe someone up above was watching her. Why, she didn't understand but hey, who was she to argue with divine intervention? Three to one, a mutant who manipulated hair and what else? Blind to the other two mutant's powers, Rogue didn't take the first shot just yet. It would be stupid to. Instead, she felt it best to focus on defense and tactics instead of a strong offense. She stood, one foot in front of the other, firmly planted into the ground with her hands to her sides. She might not have had a power, but she had stubbornness on her side. Most of the time, wit and snark were half the battle.

The stare down continued and Rogue was just about to lunge at the woman when a voice froze her where she stood. It couldn't be...

She visibly relaxed... Pyro knew her... She didn't expect him to attack her. They had been class mates... But anything was possible which kept her alert in her mind. She was ready to duck and roll if he shot at her with any fire streams. "Pyro?" He would either be saving grace or the one to seal her fate. The way he eyed her made her skin crawl, like she was a bunny being appraised by a predator... Still, she showed no fear. She addressed him like she would have a year ago, like one of Bobby's friends. He teased at her and she wasn't sure if he was just being playful or if this was the lion playing with his food before devouring it. "Home is where the heart is and mine is right here." She pressed a bare hand to her chest. She was a vagrant at heart. Home wasn't a specific place to her. It was where the people she cared about were, and it was where her heart would lead her. Often enough, her mind wandered back home to Mississippi. She longed for the south. And sometimes, she longed to be with the people who accepted her as a mutant.

"Come on, what are ya doin' out here with these people? Picking on people less than your size? Ya know better than that. Even Erik wouldn't pick on humans that meant nothing." Maybe mentioning Erik was the wrong way to get him and his people to settle down. But hey, she wasn't dead yet. Maybe she was doing something right...

[John Allerdyce]

She acknowledged him, saying his name and he couldn't quite tell what her tone was. He just went with it, holding out his hands a bit and continuing to smirk. "In the flesh," he confirmed. He lowered his hands back to his side as she spoke of how home was where the heart was and hers was right here. He purposely looked around with a slightly raised eyebrow before resting his gaze on her again. "What, an abandoned alleyway?" He questioned, though he knew what she had meant. "Cause I sure don't think you mean that your home is with me and us mutants," he joked. Maybe it was with the other mutants... though did she even still have her powers? If not, then she definitely couldn't be considered a mutant anymore. He grew less amused when she questioned what he was doing out here.

It wasn't what she said about him picking on people less than his size... it was what she said about 'Erik'. That, was something he had absolutely no appreciation of. "Why don't you give respect where it's due and call him by his real name, Magneto." Erik was his other name, one that he was no longer known as. They all called him Magneto, and Magneto he would forever remain to them. "It's not like you would go around calling The Professor, Charles now would you?" He was trying to put it in perspective. She had her own leader, he had his. Although... hers was technically dead while his was still only missing. "At least I got people here with me. What about you, where's your backup?" He asked mockingly. Wasn't Bobby around playing the hero? Or was she just lurking out here by herself picking fights?

[eloquentnovelist]

Gauging him by conversation, he was not here to be friendly. If anything, she judged that he was here to make a spectacle before letting his team come at him. Well... She had expected that going into the fight. Having Pyro here was no difference than if he wasn't here. If her luck was out there somewhere, she could sure use it right now... Things looked worse for her every second that ticked by. Why couldn't she have a cool power like freezing time? Instead, she was bestowed with the gift of death touch. It was such a violent power... "Ya use to be a part of mah home... John. Remember? You and ah and Bobby use to sit in the lounge together and hang out and talk and mess around on the grounds... Nothin's changed." Lie. She gave up he gift... But he didn't know that. He didn't physically see her take the cure. Maybe she could bluff them... It would be a pretty big bluff but without options, she had to take any chance she had.

"It's Erik. He's not a mutant anymore. Hank vaccinated him at the Battle of Alcatraz... It's probably why he's not around. Without his powers, Erik is just runnin' scared with his tail tucked between his legs. Get yourself a new leader. Be the leader of your own life." The Professor was dead. Rogue didn't have a leader. She went and did what her heart told her to and so far, it was working out alright.... Except for right now. Right now, she was stuck between a rock and a hard place, pretty soon to be six feet under. "Ah don't carry backup with me. Ah'm not constantly looking around for a fight." Now or never... Rogue took a step towards Pyro with her hand extended to him. "Besides, ah don't need it. Death touch still works. Ah just have it under control." She didn't flinch once while she fibbed. This had to work.

[John Allerdyce]

Used to be part of her so called home. Yeah. That was true. But... only to a certain extent. "Just cause I lived there doesn't mean it was ever my home." Because he had never felt like he belonged. The number of detentions he had gotten had to have made a new record. Always being told what to do, or what not to do. Having to hide his power and being accused of showing off every time he wanted to expose himself. Yeah. Some home. The only thing that had made it remotely bearable was Bobby. But when he was given an alternative, he had taken it without a second thought. And he did not regret it. She told him nothings changed and he had to wonder how true that was. "Everything's changed." Cause he wasn't there any more. But, was she talking about herself? Was she still Rogue or was she now Marie? He had to hold back a glare when she called him John. God, he hated that. She couldn't even get his damn name right! The glare was more difficult to suppress however when she spoke of Erik. Accusing him of not being a mutant any more. How dare she! His eyes narrowed at her, clearly unamused by her words. She then finished her words off with some lame ass inspirational words.

"He's never run from a fight," Pyro countered. He was and would always be loyal to Magneto. Despite what anyone said about him. "Least he's alive. Didn't get himself killed like a pansy, unlike your big man Xavier." If she wasn't going to show his leader respect, well he wasn't going to show hers any. She told him she didn't carry back up... "Funny you say you're not looking for a fight, cause you stepped into this one," he countered. He only paused when he noticed her step closer and hold out her hand to him. He looked at her, and then her hand, and then back at her face. Damn this was when some telepathy would come in handy! Was she messing with him? Had she really not gotten the cure? Was his assumption wrong? His mind went back to the time she had touched him, back at Bobby's house. It had felt like his life was being sucked from him, having no control of his powers or anything else. It was a feeling that had made him bitterly resentful toward her... and he didn't want to experience it ever again. But now, faced with this interesting scenario... he wondered if it was worth the risk. He had people around him that would step in if need be.

Unlike before. Who had been there? It's not like Bobby was going to stand up for him, and Wolverine was too busy getting himself shot in the head... not that Pyro thought that mutant would stand up for him either. But now, it was different. Now, he had three other mutants by his side that would defend him if required. Should he risk it? Was he really that arrogant? He flicked his flamethrower, creating a ball of fire in the palm of his hand. Damn, this better be worth it he thought. He swallowed, holding back any reluctance because he had to appear confident. But his mind was screaming at the possibility that she was serious. That she could suck the life out of him again as she had done before. Taking a deep breath he stepped toward her, moving his fire filled hand closer and closer to hers. If she had her powers, she could easily put out the fire in his hand. "Handshake, or hug for old time's sake?" He suggested, forcing a smirk on his face. He was not a hugger (not at all) but he was also stalling a little. His hand grew closer and closer to hers as he increased the heat of the fire in his hand. It was now or never! Taking another deep breath, he finally closed the distance, clutching her hand as he squeezed his eyes tightly shut, bracing himself for the hell she could cause him to feel.

[eloquentnovelist]

"No! Nothing's changed. Iceman and Ah are still your friends. You're the one that left us without a word, remember? We don't wanna fight you but ya give us no choice! If you expect us to sit and take it while ya plow through us, you're beggin' us to fight, and we will. You should know better by now that it's what we do." Maybe it was time Rogue shut that mouth up and learned to be seen and not heard. That would defeat everything she was... And she couldn't have that. Especially with a group surrounding her. She was certain they were enjoying the show... Four to one, a lady against a group that clearly had an entire arsenal on her. And what did she have? Some Danger Room training tactics, her mouth, and a bluff.

Rogue had felt around for his weak spots. He didn't deny that Erik wasn't present in his life. So she was right. The Brotherhood was without a leader and it was all great intel she could report back to the group at the mansion... If she made it back alive. So now she knew how to get a rise out of him. Granted, he would act aggressively, the fighter who acted on aggression had less focus than a fighter with a clear mind. So she had that advantage, but it wasn't enough to balance out the other disadvantages... She was starting to wonder when something was going to happen in her favor. Instead of letting those thoughts sink in, she mentally swatted at the negativity. It would only weigh her down against this group. John took a shot at The Professor. There was a whole lot of bad karma reserved for people who spoke ill of the dead. There was no motivation for her to return a quip to that statement. It was better left let go. It didn't stop her fist from clenching like she wanted to strike at his jaw for taking a cheap shot. "Ah stepped into this fight to keep the cops out of this. You know as well as ah do that when the police get involved in mutant human conflicts, people die. There's enough blood in these streets."

Rogue's green eyes flickered to his. It was easy to spot his hesitation. She could almost see the memory of being absorbed in his eyes and he was considering the gamble. The more he chewed on it, the more fear would consume him...

That's when she miscalculated him. With a flame ready, he extended his hand to her. She dare not flinch at the time like this, not when her bluff was on the line. Rogue could feel her insides shaking. She knew exactly what that fire could do to her and her surroundings. He returned her bluff with a bluff of his own. Part of him didn't believe her. And there was a big part of him that didn't believe he wants afraid. Refusing to flinch, she only watched his eyes, daring him to take her hand with a smirk on her face before he closed the distance and took her hand.

The sting burned, and when she felt his hand tightening around hers, she bit down on her lip and yanked him forward into her, driving a well aimed knee cap into his stomach, her free hand wrapping around him and only pushing him into her knee even harder for a more effective and efficient blow. It didn't stop her from crying out in pain. The searing heat around her hand was maddening, like it would consume her. All this for saving a bunch of strangers?

[John Allerdyce]

She went on about how he was the one who had left... how they didn't want to fight him. He believed that, because he had spent time with both of them. He knew that he was the one who provoked fights, but that didn't mean the comfort of being in her and Iceman's company compared to the comfort he found in the Brotherhood. They couldn't support him or his views... besides, what the hell was he to them, a third wheel? "Oh I do know," he told her, not doubting that fact. "But other than a roof over my head and food on a table, that place did nothing for me. I was better off at a shelter." He didn't believe that Bobby or Rogue actually missed him. Hell, he didn't believe that anyone there did. It was odd, to feel isolated even while surrounded by so many people. It was not something he could explain, nor did he have any desire to. What mattered was that he found where he did belong... and it sure as hell wasn't at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. She said how she had stepped in to keep the cops from getting involved... that hardly scared him. He had handled a whole army of cops before. And that was just one of him. There were four mutants here now so clearly, the cops would be outmatched. But alas, her need to protect so called innocent humans controlled her actions.

"Well it wasn't very smart of you. Even you gotta know that." Because there was just one of her, standing up to a group of them. The conversation set aside as the next series of events took place. The contact of their skin had done nothing, not what he had expected it to. Instead, he felt himself pulled forward and a forceful knee rammed into his stomach. The attack caused him to let out a groan of unexpected pain as he cringed, before getting hit again, this time harder. The act was enough to make him stumble to the ground on his knees, and break the contact of their hands. It took him a few moments to realize what had happened; to think past the aching in his stomach. As he was on his knees, heavily breathing... his heaves began to turn into laughter. Not maniacal laughter, but more, a laughter of realization. As his mind played back what had just happened... it showed him that she had let out a sound of pain, and that he still had his powers; that there was no familiar use of hers against him. The other mutants stepped forward and he raised his hand to stop them amidst his continuing laughter.

Slowly, his laughter was brought to an end though an expression of pure amusement remained on his face. Because he was right! He had called her bluff and it had so been worth it, even if he did get rammed in the stomach. Something that would most likely leave a bruise. He rose to his feet and looked at her, shaking his head at her as he grinned. He couldn't resist letting out a few more chuckles as he further processed this. "Looks like I was right." He couldn't help but point that out. "Is that why you're out here, got kicked out of mutant school cause you aren't a mutant any more?" He asked sarcastically, basking in the glory of being proved correct. "Makes sense. Who the hell would want you on their side now, Marie?" He questioned rhetorically, emphasizing her name, for never before had he called her Marie. He always called her Rogue. But that was her mutant name. She now deserved to be called by her human name.

[eloquentnovelist]

Rogue missed John more than he would ever know...

He was a part of the mansion group, a part of her class, a friend of Bobby's which she considered a friend as well. But they were not where his heart lay. He had ambitions of his own which conflicted to what Bobby and Rogue wanted. Rogue watched him intently, keeping her focus on her surroundings and her opponent and his squad. Most mutants traveled in packs. John was no different. He seemed to be leading this pack. He wouldn't be too much trouble without Erik leading him around. But it was definitely good information to report back to Logan and the others.

"Sometimes the right thing to do isn't always what's smart." One casualty was better than five. Where was her damn luck anyways? Brick buildings were around her, meaning too much of a fire couldn't start. The dumpster was all metal, with who knew what inside... Diving in or behind it would only burn more. She couldn't run either, he would char her to bits and then she would give away her bluff.

It was a bluff he had called out.

She cursed internally and bit at the pain that seared up her nerves. It hurt, like a million hot needles penetrating her skin. The tips of her fingers hurt the most and she swore she could see nothing but red. It didn't stop her from delivering the only blows she could to him. He might have gotten the best of her, but if she was going to fall, she would take a chunk out of her opponent.

John fell and she released him. Her hand couldn't take anymore. Crouched low to the ground like a defensive wounded animal, Rogue kept her burned hand behind her. She could feel the blisters already and she needed medical attention to stop the burn from hurting. It seemed every nerve in her body was throbbing from the pain and it was almost shocking. Her breathing had become more rapid but she kept as calm as she could. His dogs approached and he called them back... Perhaps he was so intent on finishing her off himself...

Ororo really should have asked her to leave the school. She wasn't one of them anymore. She couldn't play or tag team on missions... She was just a little human now. The weight of his words hit her, winding her of reason... Was it her fate all along to leave the school and lead a human life? If she survived this, maybe that's where her path would lead... It would mean ending a relationship with Bobby, and cutting ties with the people she considered family... Her name, her human name sounded so malicious on his lips... All the hatred coming from him, she couldn't stomach it. She was silent, but she kept her focus on him, kept her defensive stance up. But now... She was really starting to panic.

[John Allerdyce]

It seemed that Pyro's words or actions had rendered her silent, and it only fueled the mutant's amusement. He knew that the situation could have ended very differently if she had not rid herself of her powers... but fortunately for Pyro, they had worked in his favor. He looked at her with a mix of amusement and distaste. He felt no sympathy for what he had done, for he was only calling her out on her own bluff! She should not have underestimated his intelligence. "Pathetic," he stated as he looked over her. "I told Bobby that when I saw him at the rally, looking for you." Had he been there to stop her or to encourage her? Either way it had caused a confrontation between them, one that Bobby had walked away from , which hardly came as a surprise. He tended to avoid conflict unless it was absolutely necessary; one of the many things that he and Pyro were total opposites in.

"Told him that you were pathetic and looks like you proved me right." They had fought to stop the cure, for the cure implied that they had some sort of disease; that there was something within them that needed to be fixed. And she was one of those mutants who Pyro had no respect for. "Does he even still wanna be with you?" Pyro asked, somewhat rhetorically. "Cause even I think he deserves someone better; someone who's not ashamed of who they are." The damage was already done between their relationship... he knew he couldn't do any worse to it. So he wasn't going to apologize or look at her with sympathy. Pity perhaps, especially if it annoyed the hell out of her, but definitely not regret for his actions or words. She would just have to deal with them.

[eloquentnovelist]

Rogue had fallen in the fight.

She had once been in a world where she wasn't human enough for the people around her. Depraved of touch, Rogue reached out and took the cure where she could openly be herself and contribute to her relationships. Bobby had to be sick of having a one sided relationship... And now, in a world full of mutants, she still felt inadequate... There was no winning. No matter what she did, it seemed that Rogue or Marie would never measure up to what the world expected from her.

Rogue picked up her gaze from the floor and looked to John, his words cutting right through her as he went on. Had he always felt like this? John was a friend she would have trusted with her life. Hell, she did trust him during the entire Stryker fiasco and now here he was, telling her what he had always thought of her. He was following in the wrong man's footsteps when people like her and his other friends were still hoping he would come around.

The pain of her hand was starting to make her sick. The scent of singed flesh made her want to heave, but if she fell now, there was little chance of her getting back up and seeing another day. She couldn't show more weakness to this group than she already had.

Did Bobby still want to be with her or was their relationship some sort of consolation prize for giving up what made her special? John's question really made her wonder what it was about her that intrigued Bobby. When she was untouchable, she was like the shiny toy that everyone wanted. Now, she wasn't so special or taboo. She was no longer the thing that couldn't be had. Now, she was ordinary.

Rogue had never believed someone who she considered a friend could tear her down in such a way. It made her want to be more guarded from people. John poured salt on every unhealed wound in her self esteem and pulled at the seams. It made her question so much more about her life and the people in it. She didn't belong in their world. Next time she got involved in a mutant human conflict, she might end up dead if she wasn't already marked for death now.

"Go ahead, John. Keep doin' your worst..." She said it in a defiant tone. If she was going get injured or killed by his hand, then she sure as hell wasn't going to show fear.

[John Allerdyce]

He hated being called John. He, unlike her, still had his powers so he should rightfully be called Pyro; not the name his human parents had given him to help conform him to what was considered normal in society. Something else he had learned from Magneto. Apart from the wrong calling of his name, her tone seemed strong and unwilling to admit defeat; as if she was encouraging him to keep doing what he could to break her down. All he was doing was speaking the truth! She had been the one who decided to take The Cure and now she had to live with the repercussions. He was just pointing them out... albeit in a rather unsympathetic and harsh way, but still. "I don't need to," he told her. He didn't need to do his worst, that could easily involve killing her. But even he would not do that right now. Besides, what kind of victory would it be? Where was the glory in killing someone who wasn't even fighting? It was one thing to kill during a battle, but this was no battle. It was just her, already wounded from his powers trying to fight back in whatever way she could... whatever human way.

"Cause it looks like you already did the worst for yourself." Pyro would rather die than not have his powers. It defined who he was. His mind went to Mystique... having to watch her powers sucked from her when she had been injected with the cure. It was a horrible sight to see and that was a situation Pyro did sympathize in. Her mutation had been so amazing, and then humans decided to weaponize it and decide for them who should be given the cure and who shouldn't. It was no wonder Magneto wanted to fight against that! It was disgusting! He only hoped that Magneto was still Magneto... despite whatever everyone may be saying about how he was forcibly given the cure. Pyro had to hold out the hope for something at least. And in the meantime, he would deal with others where he saw fit. So right now, killing Marie wasn't something on his agenda.

[eloquentnovelist]

People always said that things happened for a reason.

This might just be her saving grace. A sign. She didn't belong in a world of mutants. And she didn't belong in a world of humans either. So where did she belong if she wasn't on one side or the other? Did she belong at a mutant school, teaching mutant children when she wasn't a mutant? Did no one see that it was hypocritical of her to teach of ethics and accepting of powers to mutant kids when she had willingly sacrificed hers so she could be normal?

Normal... Rogue would NEVER be normal. Her human status didn't define her. And her powers never defined her. So what did?

That wild and beating heart that always sided with her passions. What defined her was what she had just done. She had been selfless and saved five lives without thinking. What defined her was the courage to stand up to a group of mutants when she had nothing in her arsenal to throw back at them.

Was being at the school the right thing? Was being with Bobby the right thing?

Rogue finally fell back and leaned against the brick wall behind her, keeping her hand close to her without touching anything. It hurt too much to touch anything right now. "You made your point. Get out of here."

How did she come back to the school like this? Burned badly, someone was going to notice. Questions would be asked and then the vicious cycle would a start. It was unnecessary. It was her own mistake for stepping up against mutants when she had no powers. All she wanted was to sit here for awhile, alone so she could think about her future... Or lack of at Xavier's School.

[John Allerdyce]

She told him that he had made his point, and to leave. Like hell. "Actually, I'm waiting for a few more people here, so why don't you leave." Instead of just sitting here like a loner. "Go wander the streets or get yourself to a hospital or something." Or go back to her precious school. He didn't care which option she chose. All he knew was that he was going to remain here until he was ready to go, and it sure as hell wasn't going to be because she dismissed him. What right did she even have to do that? "Besides, we was here first," he added, still with a smirk on his face, referring to him and his fellow mutants. He may have joined the scene a little later, but they had been here before she decided to join and interrupt the little conversation they had. A lot of good that did. "Here," he began to say, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a quarter and tossed it to her.

"Why don't you call your boyfriend to come pick you up." Pyro would just love that. If there was one thing he liked doing, it was provoking Bobby. He had done so when they were friends (though in a very different way) and he did so now. Only now of course it was in a far less friendly kind of way. It was provoking him into fights that could very well cost one of them their lives, or at least become injured. So it would be so much fun if he joined the scene, and Pyro could see his reaction to everything that had happened. Would Bobby be the same old Bobby and walk away from a fight? Probably, but Pyro hoped he could discover that for himself. And yet knew Rogue well enough to know that she probably wouldn't put him in that position. Still. Either way, he at least got to mock her.

[eloquentnovelist]

The classic "I'm not leaving, you leave."

John loved conflict. And Rogue wasn't one to run off with her tail tucked between her legs. She wasn't going anywhere until she was good and ready. Part of that stubbornness was Logan's fault. She had absorbed a lot of him at a younger age and then growing up around him, she simply just took after him, along with her other charming qualities. "It's a free country. Besides' Ah'm enjoying the view." Yea, concrete never looked so good before. Where the hell else was she gonna go? Too many people would ask about her hand and telling Bobby what happened was only going to make things worse. Right now, she didn't want to dwell on the past, present, or future.

She just wanted to be a lily pad floating aimlessly in the summer heat...

"Well, ah don't see your name on it so it looks like we're both stayin'." It was probably a good way to ensure another burn from him but at this point, she didn't care. He wasn't going to kill her. He would have done it by now.

It made her think... So much that she practically zoned out on him and paid him no attention until he callously tossed a coin at her and suggested calling Bobby. And tell him what?! "Hey, ah just got home from picking a fight with Pyro, kiss my hand and make it better?" It sounded pathetic. She needed to get that hand looked at though. Maybe Hank would discreetly tend to it and advise her as to what to do. She knew Bobby though. He would dote and get angry that Pyro had done this. She admitted to part of the blame. She needed to stop being so reckless that she would make a bluff like she had. "Ya know, for someone who isn't a fan of us, Ah'm surprised ya talk about Bobby so much. Ah think ya might even miss him, deep down inside."

When was she just going to learn to just shut her mouth?

[John Allerdyce]

Figures she wasn't going to move. But to say she was enjoying the view? He continued to smirk at that. "Thanks," he replied, knowing she wasn't talking about him, but decided to make a joke about it. They may not exactly be friends any more... but Pyro was the same. Just able to express himself more freely without the constraints that had existed in the school. She confirmed that she had no plans of leaving, which served him just fine. He was rather having fun 'catching up' with her. It was her next words that caused him to pause as she told him, or accused him, of possibly missing Bobby. That certainly did not amuse him. "That's cause I know him," he told her. There weren't many people he had bothered forming some semblance of a friendship with at the school. But he and Bobby had... yes, they had become friends. How, no one could explain. They couldn't be more different, more opposite. Not only in terms of their powers but also their personalities.

Bobby was the do gooder type who everyone loved. Pyro was more the one who got in trouble and who everyone believed was a bad influence. Together, they had somehow worked as friends. But that was well in the past. "I don't miss anything about that school," he said defiantly and stubbornly, refusing to admit that he liked anything about it. "Bobby and I don't have anything in common. Well, except for the fact that we're mutants. Which is more than what can be said about you." He deflected, moving the conversation back to her instead of him and his time spent at the school. "What exactly do you and Iceman have in common right now anyway?" He asked, only half rhetorically because he would actually love to hear an answer. "Mutual love for foozeball and thumb wars?" He further mocked, thinking back to the time when they had first started dating.

[eloquentnovelist]

Rogue actually chuckled. What a smartass. It was actually one of the reasons she missed him.

She got comfortable against the wall. What was she going to do anyways? Run down the street and hail a cab? She couldn't call anyone without causing a panic. Being here was better than being at the mansion right now. Pyro had a point. She didn't belong in their world. She had no place staying with them. She had betrayed them all when she turned in her powers for touch and a picket fence. Being normal was something a Rogue had wanted. She didn't have a power that could be harnessed to help people or protect the people she loved. Instead, her power seemed all about destruction. It wasn't something she could handle if she as given the option... It made her realize what a coward she was. She couldn't handle the fate that was in store for her and so, she ran from it. Instead of accepting the human consequences, she stuck around in a mansion full of mutants when she should have assimilated back into the real world. So how was that going to work? Pack up, leave the mansion and go to what? Nowhere? With nobody? She had no human friends. She had no parents at this point.

It was going to be her against the world... Wandering aimlessly.

Not all who wander are lost.

She wasn't lost. She just had nowhere to be. Rogue could almost thank Pyro for this encounter. It had opened her eyes to what was her next step in her story. Travel the country, go place to place, and start a life wherever she felt like it was home... Maybe she would go down south... She had always missed the sounds of cicadas in the middle of the night during her bare footed walks.

Bobby would be alright. He deserved someone special, someone who had gifts and enjoyed them. Not someone like Marie who was lost in her own mind and willing to give back parts of herself to make her life easier. "Honestly, you wanna know what we have in common?"

Rogue chuckled and looked back up to him, eyes lit up with amusement. "You. You're a pain in both our asses.."