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Pyro---real name St. John ("SinJin") Allerdyce---was an original member of both Mystique's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and Freedom Force, and as such, working towards a pardon in FF. A mutant pyromorph, he had the ability to increase the size of and intensify any flame, as well as shape it into anything he wished and have it obey his (psionic) commands. These flame constructs could have greater solidity than normal fire; they could carry people, and one was able to withstand punching and grappling with the Hulk for a short period of time. Pyro was, despite some contention, an Australian---though originally depicted from England, this was soon retconned, albeit with a few slip-ups since then. Personality-wise, he was a friendly and loyal individual (especially to Mystique, to whom he was completely devoted and hard-working), tempered with the ability to be exceedingly annoying at times and an occasional sadistic streak. Still, during his FF days he was probably the most personable and chatty member of the team, and made an honest attempt at heroism/redemption (at least in Chris Claremont's issues). See his biographical entry and chronology for more information on him.
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Pyro and Blob were abandoned by Avalanche/the U.S. army during FF's mission to Kuwait, and eventually got out (probably after a few weeks) when Toad showed up and bartered for their freedom. They then joined his BoEM, and stayed there until Pyro developed the Legacy Virus, which he may have caught in Kuwait from the Iraqi agent Aminedi. All of his appearances afterward dealt with the illness---his out-of-control powers, occasional bouts of insanity, and increasingly desperate search to find a cure. Previously he was seen being taken into custody by SHIELD after an insanity-induced rampage---perhaps brought on in part due to being chased by a sentient Cerebro unit---though eventually he left their care through unknown means. However, in Cable #87, he died from Legacy complications after thwarting the plans of his former Brotherhood teammates, thus saving the life of old nemesis Senator Kelly. Pyro had decided that the hatred and fighting between humans and mutants is wrong and destructive, and pleaded with Kelly to stop the war, to which the presidential candidate agreed. We can hope that his sacrifice will have a positive impact on others, though Kelly was killed shortly thereafter, and Pyro has scarcely been mentioned since (never by his friends).
He has since appeared in the altered House of M reality, first as part of a fascist group of mutants ruling Australia, and later (after they were defeated by the Hulk) as one of Magneto's royal guards. There were plenty of dead people 'alive' in the altered reality, but most returned to death after it was ended; Pyro unfortunately suffered the same fate.
Issues which highlight his character: Uncanny X-Men 206, 223, 255, New Mutants annual 7, Uncanny X-Men annual 15, X-Factor annual 6, X-Men annual 2.
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 141
Final Appearance: Cable 87
Most Recent Appearance: X-Necrosha
