Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my, I daresay, lovely plot.
Well I finally got off my lazy butt, figuratively, to type this out since I've had this idea for quite a while. And of course by the time I've done so, school's reopening soon. So don't expect too much. Hopefully my interest in this story remains though.
Set during Episode Thirty-Four, "Stuff of Villains". This story was inspired by the moment when Pietro and Kitty are hanging on the cliff. It was in that instant that I knew they could be more than enemies. Go figure.
I haven't watched every single episode of X-Men Evolution nor would I even remember those I have watched so I apologise for any incorrect/inaccurate information in my story. But it's my story and if I don't care you shouldn't.
It all happened in a split second. The van had been teetering over the edge, held back only by the mammoth strength that belonged to the equally large Fred Dukes. The handle of the van hung there, metal twisted and bent against the vice-like grip of sweaty palms, all eyes glued to the sight of Fred's super-strength finally, it seemed, fighting a losing battle. The metal strained against the impossible might that held it back, then, with a tired groan, it had enough.
The metal snapped loudly, the sound louder still as it echoed through the silent mountains.
In a flash, a lithe form sped towards the van and, just as it seemed it was about to slam into the door, it phased right through. A phenomenal sight to some, this was just another gift that had been bestowed upon those "mutants" fortunate, or unfortunate enough.
The van unceremoniously tumbled into the ravine, crashing into the water below with a splash a sumo wrestler would have been proud of. Someone gasped.
It was like a slow motion replay of a movie. Then, they spotted the slender hand that gripped onto the edge of the cliff. The sight jolted everyone out of their reveries. Todd Tolansky let go of a breath he didn't even know he'd been holding. Immediately, Rogue dashed towards the edge, searching for her petite friend.
"Kitty!" She drew nearer, then stopped abruptly as the cliff started to crumble, weakened by the tug-of-war that had gone on between the van and Fred earlier.
"Lance! What are ya trying ta kill them?" Rogue whipped around and glared daggers at Lance Alvers, only to remember, as she spotted his body on the ground, dazed, that she'd taken him out earlier on.
"Wait! Don't come any closer!" A voice squeaked from beyond their view.
Below, Pietro had manged to grab onto Kitty's ankle.
"What're you waiting for!" His usually calm exterior was gone as he peered down and caught sight of the river below. Far below.
"Look I don't know about you but I kinda like the idea of remaining in one piece." Pietro started to clamber up Kitty in a desperate attempt to get back on the ground, deciding that he wasn't in the mood for cliff-diving at the moment.
"Stop it or I'll phase through you!" Kitty screeched, deciding that she'd already been too generous in letting him touch her ankle. Her mind raced as she knew that the edge would crumble soon enough, leaving them to plunge into the icy waters below. And at this height, the impact alone would probably kill them.
Not if she could help it.
"Listen I have an idea! I'm gonna let go but don't let go of me. When we reach the bottom, I'll phase through the water," Kitty commanded, her usual bubbly self replaced by a calmness that emphasised the severity of the situation. She didn't give him time to answer. "On three. One... two..."
"What are you cra-!" Pietro interrupted, the colour draining from his face.
"Three!" Her aching hand slipped off the edge gratefully and they plunged towards the river. It had seemed like a long way down but now, as they fell, it seemed a lot shorter. It didn't take them too long. Wind whistling in their ears, images of everything around them zooming by the speed of a bullet train, it would have been thrilling if not for the fact that they didn't know what to expect. Kitty had certainly never attempted this stunt before.
Just as it seemed like they would slam against the hard body of water, Kitty shut her eyes tight, hoped for the best, and concentrated on phasing. If she was just a split second late, the result would be disastrous.
Soon... NOW!
They phased through the surface easily.
A few seconds later, she opened her eyes, deciding that the fact that she'd felt no pain was a good sign. The sight that lay before her eyes astounded her. The feeling of weightlessness, as one might feel in space, was there. And it was truly fascinating. Their bodies were completely immersed in water, yet they could not feel anything. Then she remembered Pietro.
She let go.
Cold water immediately rushed in, seeping into their clothes and chilling them to their bones. It came as a rude shock and Kitty gasped, immediately swallowing mouthfuls of water. She forced her way to the top, breaking through the surface, spluttering and choking on the filthy water. Pietro's hand had disappeared from her ankle.
She tried to look for him but soon the current of the water started to pull her along the river and she gave up. Fighting to stay afloat was tough, much less trying to swim to shore. Drained by her power, her limbs flailed uselessly in the fierce waters. It seemed there was only one way to go. She caught sight of the obligatory rapids down below and probably a waterfall somewhere further. Typical.
The tide kept pulling her beneath the surface and gulping down the water soon seemed like a routine. The exhaustion finally seemed to be getting to her as she stayed above water for shorter lengths of time. Her vision slowly faded and she sank beneath the water. It was so cliché, she thought to herself. Sacrificing her life for... one probably not worth it. Where was he anyway?
As she blacked out, she felt an arm slip around her waist, back pressed against a muscular lean body. And for the first time, she was glad to see him. Darkness enveloped her.
Icy blue orbs stared down at her, watching the seemingly sleeping form on the ground. She certainly was more tolerable when she wasn't screaming at him. Her hair tie had long been washed away and he impulsively ran a hand through the chocolate tresses. Pietro admitted that she was more attractive than many her age, certainly not the most attractive but enough for any warm blooded male with raging hormones to want her. He wondered if he wanted her.
Well perhaps like this, he thought, deciding she looked hot with her drenched clothes clinging to her taut body like a second skin. Pietro smirked, eyes raking over her body. He was sure that if she'd been awake she'd have screamed at him. And, he grinned, he probably wouldn't mind.
Just then, he heard a tiny cough from beneath him. He immediately retracted the hand that had been absent-mindedly caressing her hair. It felt bare without the warmth of her hair but he pushed that thought aside. Her body stilled again and he bent down, his face barely a few inches away from hers.
Then suddenly, without warning, her eyes shot open and she coughed violently, coughing up the mouthfuls of water she had swallowed earlier. Naturally, right into Pietro's bewildered face.
"Yuck!" He withdrew immediately, disgusted, and frantically wiped his face as Kitty woke, choking out what seemed like bucketfuls of water. When she felt remotely better, she became aware of the familiar voice. She peered at the boy still busy attacking the water that had dared mar his good-looking features. Well, this certainly couldn't be heaven.
"That was disgusting Pryde," He glared at her. "A 'thank you' would have been nice."
"Well, I saved your life so we're quits." Kitty giggled, finding the sight of Pietro trying to save whatever face he had left very amusing. Pun intended. She wondered if she'd imagined his face so close to hers. The water on his face suggested otherwise. There was a moment of awkward silence as she watched him.
After a while, he stopped, unnerved and deciding his efforts were obviously futile.
"So... why'd you save me?" Pietro wondered if there'd been anything other than the apparent want to help people that caused her to jump into the van. His devilishly good looks for example. He chuckled as he knew that she had to have been brave, or just pure foolish to have saved him. He liked to believe it was the latter for both.
"Because that's what we do. Help people." She replied predictably, yet this time, even to her own ears the usually inspiring words sounded artificial and forced. There was another moment of silence.
"So why'd you save me?" She asked.
Pietro didn't answer immediately. Why had he saved her?
"Just repaying a favour." He forced out eventually, refusing to think of it otherwise.
Somehow, they didn't completely believe the other's answers, but neither wished to pursue the topic any further. Had it been just an act resulting from their obligations, or was there something more between them?
(Stay tuned to find out x)
(Sorry that was a most unelegant way to end)
And of course a review would be nice. But please give constructive feedback. Remember: the purpose of a review is to help me improve and make the story better for your benefit! And of course make me feel appreciated ) I would feel more appreciated if my readers proved to bother enough to type properly (I really liked your story because…) instead of (LyK uR sToRy wAs s0 t0TaLly k3Wl d00dz) Yes it pained me to type that. And if you simply don't like the pairing you shouldn't be reading it in the first place so spare me.
Yes you can tell me if I got any facts wrong and I'll change it if I can (be bothered to) but as long as you tell it to me nicely I'll thank you nicely. But don't kick up a big fuss over it.
Oh and for the simplicity of the story, and of course my own pure laziness, I shan't be mentioning too much about the rest. Maybe I'll come up with a lame reason why they'll probably be stuck down there for quite a while. If not, use your imagination.