Yin and Yang

By Todd Fan

Disclaimer: "The problem with people like you who has super powers is that you not really use them for good. If I had super powers, everyone would be naked!"

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Sorry this is so late, writers block is a pain in the patella. Won't be an update next week, I'm on holiday. Wee!

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Chapter 4 – Brain Boy and Magnet Man.

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Once they'd escaped from the diner, neither Charles nor Erik spoke to one another for a while as they walked home. Charles being Charles, of course, couldn't keep quiet for long. He stole a glance at his friend, taking a deep breath, then letting it out.

"…So"

When this elicited no response, he cleared his throat

"Magnetic field manipulation", he said, "I knew that was too precise for you to just think that up"

"I have no idea what you're talking about", said Erik calmly.

Charles frowned.

"Erik, your eyes were glowing", he said, "like light bulbs!. In case you haven't noticed, that's not commonly seen as normal"

Erik made a disgruntled noise.

"I'm perfectly normal, thank you".

"You're in denial", said Charles pointedly.

"No I'm not", said Erik, "I just happen to find making metal move normal…for me, anyway"

"Why didn't you say anything?", said Charles.

"Say what? 'Oh, hey Charles, guess what I can do!'", said Erik, "You didn't say anything, either. What did you do to that guy?"

"I made him want to go to sleep", said Charles with a shrug, then smirked, "this is like something from the Twilight Zone"

"De de de de de", said Erik dryly.

"This is so cool!", laughed Charles, bouncing ahead.

Erik rolled his eyes, plodding along as a sedate pace, heedless to his more hyperactive companion.

"I mean, what are the odds?", babbled Charles excitedly, "Two mutants from different places on the planet turn out be to friends! So cool"

"Woo. Hoo"

Charles didn't seem to notice Erik's lack of enthusiasm, coming to a stop in front of him.

"It's like….", Charles waved his arms around for emphasis, "Destiny!"

He turned to grin at his friend.

"That is so cool"

"Yes, you've mentioned", Erik gave a tired sigh, "numerous times"

"Well, it is", said Charles with a sniff, "Wow, so, what else can you do? I bet you can do loads of things!"

Erik shrugged.

"I don't know, I never really did much with my powers", he said, "handy when you don't have a tin opener, I guess"

Charles blinked at him.

"You never tried anything?", he asked, "You can control one of the basic elements of the planet! And you use it to open tins!"

"Pretty much", shrugged Erik.

Charles shook his head, then grinned.

"Oh, I have an idea!"

"Would you like me to alert the media?", asked Erik, a small smirk playing on his lips.

"Very funny", said Charles, "We have these gifts, right?"

"……Right"

"Well, we should be doing some good with them", said Charles, "Helping others"

"Heh, yeah, we can wear tights and capes", snorted Erik, "Brain Boy and Magnet Man to the rescue!"

Charles crossed his arms, looking at Erik pointedly. Erik blinked.

"….You're being serious"

"We could do a lot of good, Erik", said Charles, "like back in the diner"

"Oh yes, and risk getting found out", said Erik, "What will they do when they find out what we are, Charles? I've been on the receiving end of intolerance. It isn't fun"

"We'll wear disguises", said Charles, "No one will ever know it was us! We can't just have gifts and sit back and do nothing with them"

Erik stared at him, then gave a defeated sigh.

"You're going to pester me about this until I can't take it anymore and give in, aren't you?"

"Most definitely", said Charles, "I'd quit while I was ahead, if I were you"

Erik rolled his eyes, starting back to the dorm room.

"Okay, fine", he said, "but don't make me say 'I told you so'".

"Oh, I won't", said Charles, shaking his head sagely, then paused.

"What now?", asked Erik with a sigh.

"Why are you Magnet Man, when I'm only Brain Boy?"

Erik considered this, opening the door.

"I'm older"

"By three years!", squeaked Charles, following him.

"I'm not a teenager anymore", said Erik with a smirk, "You are"

Charles crossed his arms, scowling.

"I still want to be considered a man"

"Well, Brain Man isn't alliteration", said Erik smugly.

Charles blinked, then sighed.

"…..I never thought getting you that calendar would come back and bite me in the ass"

Erik looked considerably smug, then arched a brow.

"So, what did you plan for disguises?"

Charles considered this, then smirked.

"You know, I think I might have an idea"

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I think by now, we can safely say Charles' ideas aren't all that healthy. Do review. Until next time…