It was past midnight in Bayville and the majority of factories in the industrial area had been closed for hours, including the water treatment plant. In spite of that, there were two shadowy figures sneaking through the building, each carrying a suspicious-looking canister.
"Empty it into here," ordered one of them in a whisper.
The pair quickly poured the liquid contents of the containers into the tank that would shortly be supplying the town with its drinking water and crept quietly away, silently congratulating themselves on a job well done.
00000000000000000000000000
The Brotherhood walked down the street on their way to a café for some breakfast. On the way they had to pass Bayville High, the school they'd been expelled from some time earlier for nothing more serious than some minor property damage.
Lance scowled at the students milling around the building. "I can't believe Kelly expelled us! It was only a few small fires and no one got hurt. He totally over-reacted!"
Fred shrugged. "Who cares? It was a waste of time anyway."
"Look," said Todd, pointing to one of the cars in the school parking lot. "It's the X-geeks. How come they get cool cars and we have to drive around in Lances rust bucket?"
The group glared at Jean Greys new SUV jealously as the girl got out and rubbed some imaginary dust from the wing mirror. Kitty, Kurt and Rogue climbed out as well, talking happily between themselves.
Pietro gazed at the group thoughtfully and did something that startled the others. He burst into song.
Pietro: You're 17, evil and mean
Comfy and cosy nowhere scene
You can't deny the loser inside
All of your bad taste won't subside
The Brotherhood stared at him curiously.
Wanda blinked. "Is he talking about Rogue?"
Todd grinned at her. "I think Quicksilver finally lost his mind yo."
Pietro: You're outta sight
You keep me up at night
You dress funny, strapless and skintight
You're outta sight
You keep me up at night
You drive me crazy you wear it out of spite
Ban the tube top tonight
"Uh Pietro," said Fred hesitantly. "She's not wearing a tube top."
Pietro: You're magical mystery girl
Tick tock you don't stop rockin' my world"HEY!" yelled Lance. "I make the rock puns around here! Stop stealing my stuff!"
Pietro: You give high fives to all the guys
You let me know that I'm alive
You're outta sight
You keep me up at night
You dress funny strapless and skintight
You're outta sight
You keep me up at night
You drive me crazy you wear it out of spite
Ban the tube top tonight
Pyro popped up out of nowhere for no apparent reason. "Looks like Buckethead locked up the wrong twin."
Pietro: There's a party tonight we're not invited to
But I don't care because I hate everyone in school
I ignore all the girls but you
"That's a lie," said Wanda.
"WHAT party?" asked Lance, hurt. "I didn't get invited to any party!"
Pietro: Beautiful girl
Ugly shirt
You are a fashion red alert
But I can't resist
You've never been kissed
And I've never been in love like this…You're outta sight
You keep me up at night
You dress funny strapless and skintight
You're outta sight
You keep me up at night
You drive me crazy you wear it out of spite
Ban the tube top tonight
Pyro: Hey, I just had to go to Mars for a second! But I'm back now and I bought T-shirts for everyone!
Pietro blinked in confusion, then turned to the Brotherhood. "Uh, did I just confess my secret crush on Rogue through song?"
"Yes," replied Wanda. "And you were out of tune."
"I don't know what's worse," said Toadd. "The crush or the singing."
"The worst part was Pyro joining in," decided Fred.
Lance frowned. "This is weird. Maybe we should stop you eating all those candy canes."
Pietro shook his head. "I haven't had any today, I swear! Just a couple glasses of water."
"You can't blame a crush on Rogue on the water."
"It's probably just a one-off." Wanda glared at her brother. "It had better be just a one-off!"
Pietro noticeably paled. "Eeep!"
"Can we go get our breakfast?" Fred's stomach growled, emphasising his point. "Rogue went into school five minutes ago!"
And so the Brotherhood went off for breakfast, giving no further thought to Pietro's strange behaviour. Not then anyway…
This chapter's song is 'Ban the Tube Top' by Reel Big Fish.
