Speed Demon

Chapter 1

Speed is something that drives the earth insane. It is uncontrolled, violent, and impatient. It strives to demand the most from us, and Pietro, you have met those demands. Your mind is advance beyond compare. Your body uses the fuel that comes into it so efficiently that there is no cell decay. You could drink pure alcohol and you would not become intoxicated. You are virtually perfect, except for one flaw. You, indeed have not reached your full potential. Come with me, I will help you to unlock your power, and use it to punish our hunters...

Professor X thoughtfully laced his fingers and stared at the young man sitting in the seat across from him, "So, tell me. Why do you want to join the X-Men after all of this time?" He had never shown any intrest in the X-Men. In fact, he had despised them up until he showed up not but one hour ago.

The boy was silent for a moment, "I already told you, Mystique kicked me out after we had an argument. I thought this place was no questions asked..." He crossed his arms and looked away.

Xavier nodded, "You're right. Don't worry, I believe you." He looked him over for a moment. The boy's short white hair seemed different from before, now hanging around his face rather than slicked back, "Pietro, how long has it been since you used your powers?" He asked gently.

The boy looked to the side reluctantly, "I dunno, maybe a couple of days?" he said dryly as he shrugged.

Xavier paused, then tilted his head, "A person with your powers must have a consciousness to match. Why would you stop using them? It must be driving you insane." The professor looked to the other young man by the wall in the corner of the room. He was Pietro's close friend, Lance.

"Yeah, you can never just sit and do nothing." Lance walked up to Pietro's side, "What's going on?"

Pietro was silent again, "Like I need to tell you." He rolled his eyes to the side, tensing a bit. Lance shook his head and shrugged.

"It's fine, Lance." Xavier nodded, "Why don't you show your friend to his room, wherever he'd like that's free." He gave a friendly smile as Pietro stood. Lance stood still, then nodded stiffly and gestured for Pietro to follow. The two headed out the door just as fellow student, Scott Summers, was heading in. Scott turned sideways for them to pass, then walked inside.

"What'd he say? Anything about the brotherhood?" He said rather eagerly.

Xavier shook his head, "Nothing, and I'm not going to pry. He'll come to us when he's ready. Until then we will treat him just like any other student."

Scott reluctantly nodded, "How do we know this isn't a trick, though? He could be spying for them."

"No, Scott. That's not what I think. Let us see what happens."

******

The door to the room opened, "Here we are. Home, sweet home." Lance smirked and walked in, "Why do you want to room with me?"

"Is it too much to ask to ease into things?" Pietro casually strolled in and flopped onto the bed on the other side of the room, dropping his duffle bag by the door, "So, what kind of stuff do you guys do around here anyway? Book club, sewing?"

"Dude, shut up." Lance snorted as he sat on his own bed, "We train. You know, to use our powers." He shrugs, "It gets fun after a while."

"And that would explain why your window's covered in branches?" He pointed. The branches reached up and caressed the window's frame, but didn't come into the room. They had formed into an almost sidewalk out the window and to the ground.

"No. My powers growing explain that." He looked up at the young man, "... Where's Todd, and Freddie, and Wanda?"

Pietro looked over, his glance oddly serious, "They're still with him. I couldn't convince them out of it."

"With hi-... With who?" Lance stopped, slowly realizing who Pietro was talking about, ".... So why exactly did you leave, then?"

"Simple." Pietro stood up and walked over to the window, looking out, "Because I didn't want to get in too deep." He looked back, "Something big is going to happen, Lance. I can just feel it."

Lance gave a blank gaze. He look then softened, "... It's our secret, if you want." Pietro didn't say much, he just turned back to the window and nodded. Lance let the room stay in silence. He didn't know that Pietro was capable of that tone. Pietro never seemed to be the very serious type, at least not when it wasn't needed. He just always seemed like he didn't care, either way. Maybe there was something more to this he just wasn't getting.

line

"I'm not who you think I am! I'm not some tool for you to use to kill innocent people, and I won't help you!"

"You will help me. You are of my blood, and that is what bind us together. You will see that we cannot be separated, my son."

The alarm clock sounded, it's high-pitched ringing waking Lance and Pietro. While Lance responded as if it were nothing, Pietro fell right out of bed, making a loud thump against the floor, "Ah! Shit!" He shouted.

Lance calmly reached over and pressed the button on top of the clock, turning it off abruptly. He rubbed his eyes and yawned, looking over at the empty bed, "Ugh, Pietro?" he straightened up to try and get a better look. Pietro's hand slammed on the bed, clawing it as he pulled himself up. His hair was messy and hanging in his face, and his face looked frustrated and tired. He stiffly stood before storming out of sight, "Good morning to you, too, prissy-pants."

Pietro walked right past Kurt and Kitty, heading right into the bathroom, "Oh, hey Piet--" Kitty said as the door was slammed, "Geez, what's gotten into him?"

"Ah, he just being grumpy, that's all." Kurt smiled, his German accent shining through to its fullest, "It takes a while to get used to our schedule."

Kitty sighed, "Yeah, but still, he doesn't have to be all, y'know, grouchy!" She crossed her arms, and Kurt just gave her a hopeless smile.

The breakfast table was loud and filled with different conversations. It was almost overwhelming to Pietro as he tried to quietly eat his cereal and drink his milk. He was trying to keep separated, trying not to get noticed. That didn't seem to work, as Jean, who sat across from him, chose to point him out by talking to him, "Good morning, Pietro. You seem quiet." Everyone looked up to Jean, like she was their goddess or something, so all eyes were most likely on him.

Pietro made a sour look at her without lifting his head, "Ever think it might be because I want to be quiet and eat in peace?"

"Okay, sorry." Jean said rather politely, "Go right on ahead, then."

Logan and Lance seemed to be silent as they ate, but still had some sort of connection, like a father and son. Pietro only observed for a moment before he looked back at his cereal, "I think the new kid's just a bit moody is all." A familiar voice said in his ear. Pietro quickly looked in the direction of the voice, seeing Tabitha, "Hey there, speedy."

"Oh great, so Tabby's here?" Pietro's head sunk a bit as he looked ahead at Jean.

Jean giggled a bit, her oh so perfect cheeks only complimenting her white teeth, "Don't worry, Pietro, she won't cause any trouble."

"Yeah, Pietro, don't worry." She laced her fingers and smiled. Pietro gave her a sidelong look before taking another bite of his cereal. Tabitha smirked and elbowed him in the ribs, making him cough a bit, "C'mon, you're not afraid of me, are you?"

"Actually, no. I just want to eat. And look! I'm finished." Pietro gave a fake smile at his cereal, then stood up, "I have to go get my uniform, thank you." He turned and walked out of the room.

Jean looked a Tabby, "Why's he so angry with you?" she asked as Tabby leaned back in her seat, swinging an arm over the back.

Tabby chuckled a bit, "We just didn't really get a long much at the boarding house, I guess." Jean looked at Pietro as he quietly walked out. Lance had also heard the discussion and watched as well, though he still continued to eat.

"It's like Rogue all over again." Kitty said quietly.

"Hey!" Rogue sneered at her, "Ah was confused, go it? Ah didn't know who to trust." this only got a little chuckle out of Kitty, "Besides, let's face it. There is no way that kid's gonna just.. 'settle in'."