I don't own Wizards of Waverly Place! I must admit I'm still frustrated with the finale.. I came up with this on a whim, I vaguely know where it's going, but I hope it's okay! Sorry there's not really a summary, I want it to be a surprise!

Coup d'état

Chapter One:

"So Alex and Justin get to be wizards, and I get the sub-station?... That's AWESOME!"

Max's words echoed in his head. He almost slipped up back there. He was in a state of shock on that stage; he was the only one without powers, of course that sounded lame. But he had to pretend it was a sweet deal, he was proud of his sister and brother, and he knew that if they didn't win, Alex wouldn't get to be with Mason, and Justin wouldn't be with Juliet. Max was not a sore loser, and wasn't about to make a scene. That would have ruined the celebratory mood. He had since bought Alex and Justin congratulatory presents for being a wizard, and made sure his family didn't realize that he actually wasn't happy with the result. Well… who would be?

At first it was a lot of "I should have studied more" and "I should have practiced my magic." And then he faced flashbacking to the competition, and the questions were suspiciously about situations Alex created by messing up with her magic or random trivia questions that only Justin would know. The one question Max answered, Justin challenged it. It felt like the odds were against him from the start.

But then, all of those things just sounded like excuses. He lost, and that was all there was to it. It gave him a really empty feeling, but it was better to put on a smile and act happy.

"Max, what are you just sitting around for? Can you wash the dishes?" his mother asked, passing by. Alex was coming down the stairs as she said it. Max barely had time to glance at the sink when Alex waved her wand.

"All done Mom! You're welcome, Max."

"Alex! You know I don't like magic being used around the house!" complained Theresa.

Alex shrugged. "Why not? It's way faster than doing it by hand."

Theresa just sighed in response. "Alright then, Max can you fold the laundry?"

Alex waved her wand again and the clothes flew up from the hamper and folded themselves before landing softly. "And that's all there is to it!" she said cheerfully. "I have a date so I gotta run, see ya."

"Thanks Alex," mumbled Max.

"No problem Max!"

She closed the door behind her. Max quietly regarded the hamper. He wasn't able to do that anymore. He wished that Alex hadn't done that. He never even asked her to.

"Max, honey, go do your homework. You have school tomorrow. Just because everyone was excited about the family wizard competition doesn't mean you don't still have school!"

Max returned to his room and opened his notebook, about to start his math homework. Justin popped in. "Hey Max, do you know where Alex went?"

"Yeah, she's got some kind of date with that werewolf guy," answered Max. "You know, the one who ate Dean that one time."

"Yeah Max, I know who Mason is," answered Justin huffily. "You're doing homework? I don't usually condone this, but now that I'm a full wizard there's a trick I learned that finishes your homework in a snap. You can thank me later." Justin waved his wand and said a couple of words, and all the answers appeared on the homework paper.

"Yeah, I'll do that," said Max, almost bitterly. "Thanks bro."

"You got it Max!" Justin grinned at him, and then flashed out. Max closed his notebook, with a little bit more force than he intended. He stared at the spot Justin was at moments ago, and then walked past it, heading to the lair.