(A few things before we get into the chap. This is a special thank you to anybody who showed me support by either reviewing the story or subbing to my Patreon. You guys don't know what it means to me. So, with that said, I'm saying a special thank you to Darkling for the 5-star review spam. LOL.
I'm also saying a big, warm thank you to--
Austin, BinRasas, Onemanarmy, Ishy391, Morg535, Devor, Kryptic, Joseph Bibb, Endless_life, Hibu, Covidaewt, Dez, SuicideByTaco, Steven Lumpkin, Kieta Aki, Ruben Alonzo, Ryan Bagan, and Box boy b-- thank you for being my first Patron.)
"Sweet, Mary and Joseph, you have no idea how happy that makes me."
"I wouldn't rejoice just quite yet," Scott warned, his lips twisting in disgust. "You're a killer. The police would like to talk with you. The news said you set fire to a store."
"The place was on fire when I left," I huffed, folding my arms. "Donnie had a lot of electrical equipment at the back of his store, and he liked to drink. Is it all that surprising that a fire broke out during a shoot-out?"
"You've got an answer to every question, don't ya?" Wolverine asked, and I replied with a shrug.
"As a matter of fact, I do. And I can't let the police find me."
"Why? Because you have even more blood on your hands?" Scott was quick to pile on.
'Yes,' I thought but answered differently. "Because they'll hand me over to SHIELD or any number of extra-governmental bodies or factions in search of people with superhuman powers. I will be poked, prodded, or experimented on. Your type has been prosecuted. Are you okay with just handing me over because I don't fit into your convenient label?"
My words struck a chord in everyone except Scott.
"You see what he's doing. He's killed people. We can't trust him."
"And you and the rest of the X-Men haven't committed any crime in your little secret missions to save mutants?"
Ororo and Jean's eyes went a little bit wider, while Logan's only grew narrower.
"you're not nearly as good at covering your tracks as you think you are," I grinned. "Y'all have been at this a while, and people pay attention."
"What happened to you? You can't be much older than I or Scott," Jean's voice was thick with emotion. She pitied me. I blinked. Her words caught me in the feels.
"A string of bad luck brought on a psychotic powerhouse and a bubble bath," I said with a dark chuckle, trying to lower the walls I'd put on since I arrived in the Marvel Universe. I'd been ON 24/7 for days now. I was tired to my very soul and was seeing a window of opportunity rapidly opening.
"Look, all I ask is for a chance. I just woke up one day with the ability to suddenly summon weapons out of thin air and fight harder and faster than I could ever dream. My life since then has been one bloody mess up after the next."
Jean threw a look at Logan and Ororo before finally settling on Scott, who threw his hands up.
"Oh, come on!"
"He never had the same chance we did," Jean pleaded. "All he's asking for is asking us for help. Are we really going to turn our backs on him?"
"But he's a murderer!"
"It was all self-defense!" I said a bit too quickly. It was probably not the best time to bring up how my powers worked. I had a feeling that stealing souls wouldn't sit well with them.
"He's no mutant," Logan finally spoke. "But you know how to scrap, and I will never fault a man for protecting himself."
I nodded in appreciation, knowing the self-defense angle would appeal to, at least, Logan. A veteran of World War two, he knew a thing or two about taking a life.
"We'll take you to see the professor when he's awake. He'll decide what to do with you.
The blood drained out of my face, and Scott laughed. Not the mind rapist.
I looked at Ororo in hope, but she seemed to agree with Logan.
"We trust the professor's Judgement. He can see through lies. If all you've said is true, I have no doubt he'll let you stay."
I set my teeth and resisted the urge to show outward displeasure, but Scott caught it easy enough.
"Ha! Thought you could fool us?" he snickered. "I'll be standing right next to you when he makes the call."
'Fuck my life.' I hate teenagers. For a moment, I considered making a desperate escape. But between Wolverine, Storm, Jean, and Scott, I didn't like my chances.
Plus, I'll be risking what trust Jean had for me. I had to play the long game, so I put on a show.
I summoned Rebellion and clutched it in my hand with a fearless look in my eyes.
"You might as well kill me here because I'd rather die than end up as somebody's guinea pig," I growled.
"I dare you!" Scott threatened. "Move an inch, and I'll laser what's left of that jacket off you!"
"Scott!" Jean yelled. "You're only making it worse!"
"Stand down, kid. Don't make me repeat myself!"
"Or, you'll what? Hand me over to that Telepath and turn me into a vegetable? I think I'll take my chances!" I assumed a fighting stance, and Scott powered on his Visor. Jean leapt in front of him.
"Get out of the way, Jean!"
"I won't! Whatever happened to giving everybody a chance!"
"He doesn't deserve one. He's playing us."
"Enough!" Storm's voice rippled out, then she turned to face me. "If you want the chance you're so desperate for, come with us and be interrogated. That is the only way you're going regain your freedom."
I was hoping that I'd be Jean who'd be the tiebreaker, but Storm led the team, so I supposed it was more appropriate.
But I couldn't give it away too easily.
"What makes you different from every other asshole who tried to kill or use me?"
"If you know of us, then you must know what we stand for?"
"Yeah, for mutants, that is? What about us regular weirdos."
Storm sighed. "This is clearly going nowhere, so how can we prove to you that no harm will befall you?"
I blinked, then smiled a little inside before pointing at Jean.
"She's the only one who spoke up for me, and since she's on this special team, she must be fairly powerful and important. If she promises you're for real, I'll come."
"Oh, Come on!" Scott let out a frustrated scream, clearly seeing through my bullshit. But it was effective nonetheless.
"I promise," Jean said almost immediately, and I nodded, 'reluctantly' banishing Rebellion.
"I'm in your hands now, Princess," I flashed her a smile, and she blushed. My grin grew even wider, seeing the mounting frustration on Scott's face.
"Now that the drama is done with, we can finally leave," Logan said, sheathing back his claws.
Ororo huffed beside him. "Teenagers and their theatrics."
(A'N: Read 5 chapters ahead on Patr.eon at Artandcreativewriting)