Mutation

Testing

          "So, now that you want more responsibilities, what do you hope to do?" Logan asks as he leads me to my room.

I smile and jump on him from behind. "I just want to be like you guys. Allowed to use abilities out of that room. Be a normal girl."

"Your perfect, just the way you are," Logan reminds. "If you tell anyone I'm saying this stuff, I will deny it."

I chuckle and jump down. "I know."

"You know, it's not really that big a deal to be able to use your powers in all aspects of life. I mean, you don't see me pulling out my claws when I need to cut something. Jean only uses hers for tasks that benefit more than herself."

"I know, it's just- to know I'm allowed to use them if I ever needed to- it's comforting and makes me feel more normal."

"Nothing about our lives is normal, Phoenix," Logan scoffs. "We're freaks of nature that if anyone ever sees and doesn't need us, they hate us. Being a mutant, though we've made the best of it, is more a curse. Especially if you're a known mutant."

"Is that why you, Jean, and Storm never let me outside unless you check first?" I ask.

He nods. "Right now, if you don't use your powers in front of others, you can be seen as normal and a friendly person. If others knew, they'd hide away, thinking your dangerous. Now, there are some people who like mutants. Tony Stark hasn't said anything against us, neither has S.H.I.E.L.D. or Alex's parents. Some try to hunt us so we can't accidently hurt anyone."

"But we haven't done anything wrong!" I scream. "That's not fair to judge people before you know them."

"Exactly," Logan agrees. "Which is why you can't be angry at them. You don't know them or their experiences. They are just scared of what they don't understand. You let them feel like they are in charge, then they'll have no reason to feel like you're a danger."

"Or I could just not let them see my powers," I reply.

He chuckles and ruffles my hair. "Come on. Your test is gonna start soon." I smile, take his hand and we walk out.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Are you ready to begin?" Professor X asks. I take a breath and nod shakily. "Then we shall begin."

"Wait, can I talk to her for minute before this?" Logan asks. The Professor nods and leaves with Jean to the observation deck. "What's up?"

"I'm a little nervous. This is a big thing. I've never really had a reason to use my powers," I reply.

"You don't have to do this," he reminds me. "You just put it off. It's a test to see if you're ready to use your powers in everyday life."

"No, no. I want to do this. For myself."

Logan smiles and ruffles my hair. "Then do me proud." I nod and he walks out, heading to the observation deck.

"Phoenix, we're going to start you off easy and it will get progressively harder to control your powers. Ready?"

I nod, looking at them. Logan gives me a thumbs up. "I'm ready!" I pivot when I hear a metal door opening. Small animatronic devices start to run at me. I use my powers, sending them flying into a wall.

They start coming faster and variating in size. As I'm handling them, voices pick up on the speaker system. "Worthless," Logan's voice says. "I wish you'd have just died before I brought you here."

"You think we're friends?" Alex asks. "Not in a million years. I'd never be friends with a freak like you. A mutant who can't even control her own powers."

"Miserable excuse for a living creature," Logan continues.

I feel tears burn trail down my dirt smeared cheeks. "Stop it," I whisper. They don't. I try to tune them out, focus on what I'm doing but I can feel my control slipping. "Stop it!" I scream. My powers lash out and I'm thrown away. I hit the wall and try to open my eyes despite the spots. "No." I get up, watching the representation of my powers. Anything that goes near it gets sucked in. I start to walk towards it, trying to absorb the power but it's not enough. I let it pull me closer. It's surrounds me, orbiting in a protective circle.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~❶Logan❶~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I need to get down there," I scream at Jean. She holds me from the door, trying to stop me. "Please! She's in danger!"

"You can't help her. If you go down there, you'll be killed."

I push past her and take off running. "I have to try!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~❶Phoenix❶~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I stick my hand into the orbit and it starts to crawl up my arm. I feel it seeping into me, filling every inkling of my soul. It disappears within me and I fall to my knees, trying to contain it. It's so much more than before. The doors open and I turn to see who entered. "Run!" I snap. He only comes closer. "No! Run!" I try again. I stick my hand out but my powers shoot out. "No!" I rush towards his figure on the ground. "No, no, no, no, no!" I scream. He doesn't move and I look down at my hands. "What have I done?" I fall back, crawling away. Tears mare my face at Jean runs in with Professor X in tow. She immediately tries to help Logan. The Professor slowly approaches and I curl further into myself. "No, stay back. I'm dangerous!"

"Phoenix," he starts. "You're not a danger to me or anyone else, you're just confused. And scared." He comes closer and I crawl backwards. "You didn't mean to hurt Logan. Just calm down." He offers me a hand and I look at it. "Please."

I start to offer my hand but I feel a sharp sting and retract it. "Run," I gasp out. "Please! Run!" It pulses deep through my core and makes me curl inwards once more. "I c- can't. I can't control it!"

I hear the wheels of Professor X's wheelchair glide over the slick tiles of the training room. Jean lugs Logan out of the room. When the door slides shut with a click, I ease my body into relaxation and an explosion booms around me. I'm throw to the wall, the loud smack of hitting it resonates through the room. My powers continue to lash out and when they're finished, I peek a glance. Havoc and chaos appear along the walls, painting harsh claws and dark scars along the interior. I stumble to my feet as I stare in awe at the destruction.

Hearing footsteps, I pull myself together, pushing towards the door and dashing to my room. I lock the door and throw together a small bag of clothes and a few pictures. I cry when I see some of Logan. We're so happy in that picture. Now he's dead.

H8i