A/N: So, this is just a short little oneshot before 2011. I haven't posted anything for a while, I know, I've just been lacking inspiration lately.

BUT! That is over! Inspiration is back! Quick question: if I were to write a series about the New Recruits, would anyone read it? Answer in a review! (hint hint)


"Fire, fire, wonderful fire, oh what would I do without you?" A certain fire-crazy mutant was making his way home from the grocery store on a colder night in December. Seeing as this was Pyro, he didn't really notice the cold, but continued singing as he walked along.

"You know," he said to himself, "this would be a lot easier if Buckethead would just let me have my own motorcycle. But no! Instead I have to walk everywhere!" Pyro kicked a rock in annoyance. "You send one guy to the emergency room and suddenly you're a criminal!" He was about to continue, but a small mew attracted his attention.

Sitting in front of him was a small, orange kitten. Her fur was wet, and her big green eyes stared pathetically up at Pyro.

"What do we have here, then?" Pyro wondered out loud. He picked up the kitten and examined her. "Hey, you look kinda like a flame...if flames had eyes and noses, you know..."

The kitten, sensing a potential giver of food, licked Pyro's nose and mewed again.

"Aw, you're a pretty cute one, aren't you?" Pyro said. He poked the kitten's side, feeling her ribs. "You must be pretty hungry, huh? I know! You can come home with me! I'll call you...Flamey! Yeah!" Pyro, having thus decided, continued on his way home, setting the kitten on his shoulder. He continued talking. "You'll like Gambit, I'm sure...he's got a funny accent...Jason's a weird one, though...looks like a monkey..." The kitten licked his ear every now and then, which amused Pyro greatly.

When he walked in the front door of the Top-Secret-Base-Of-The-Acolytes, Magneto looked up from his newspaper, saw Flamey the kitten, and said one word.

"No."

"But, Mags, Flamey could get rid of all the bugs and stuff!" Pyro protested.

"No."

"She could be our team mascot!"

"No."

Gambit, who was walking by, casually said, "She could distract Pyro so he doesn't burn anything."

"Fine."

Pyro cheered and began dancing around, completely forgetting about the groceries he'd left lying on the floor. Magneto sighed and picked them up, carrying them into the kitchen.

Pyro was still in the midst of his celebrations when there was a crash and loud, high-pitched scream from the kitchen.

"Was that Mags?" Pyro wondered. "Let's go take a look, Flamey."

In the kitchen, Magneto was floating three feet in the air, still screaming. On the floor, innocently chewing on a chunk of cheese Pyro had bought, was a little grey mouse.

"It's just a mouse, Boss. What's the big deal?" Pyro asked.

"I HATE MICE! KILL IT! KILL IT!" Magneto screeched.*

Flamey, having just spotted the mouse, quickly did just that. Pleased with herself, the little kitten trotted off with her dinner.

"See, Mags? I told you having Flamey around was a good thing!"


A/N: In my mind, Mags has a huge fear of mice. I have no idea why I think this. This may or may not turn into a series...again, review please! They make the voices in my head so very happy...