Chapter 14

It was a rare night for Erik Lensherr.

Most of the time, on a night like that, he would be roaming the city, looking for young down-and-out mutants to bring into the fold of the Brotherhood before Charles got to them.

But that night he just wanted to relax, since the blasted X-Men didn't have anyone to chase after. So, he found himself in his favorite recliner and in front of the television, idly scrolling through the channels. There wasn't' anything on but he wasn't looking for anything in particular. It was just one of those nights of flipping through the channels and back, and not even listening to anything in particular, just watching the screen fade in and out as the distorted images blended together.

"-ouple of mutants saved several children from a burning fire in the city of Bayville."

Instantly, Erik's attention snapped back into place as his back went rigid straight. He flipped back towards the news station he just passed. Eyes glued to the screen, he listened intently as the newscaster spoke.

"One of the mutants apparently used some of the water from the nearest firetruck while the other one, looking more like a gargoyle, flew inside the building to rescue the trapped children."

Ther screen shifted to a shaky camera scene from on sight. Erik leaned forward as he watched a flying mutant, female and young, dash into the flaming building while her companion moved water from the inside of the firetruck. His eye went wide as he watched the video, cursing the baboon recording as the image wouldn't stay still long enough for him to see anything clearly. There was some cursing as the mutant that flew bursting through a shattered window just as the cops and military pulled up.

Erik watched, right as the cops and military pulled up, as the two mutants disappeared in a cloud of mist.

Someone walked in behind him.

"Hey, Magento."

Erik perked. "Ah. Mr. Alvez. I have a job for you and your group."

The earth mutant turned towards the much older mutant with a raised eyebrow. "And, uh, what's the job?"

Erik stood, placing his hands behind his back. "It seems that we have company in Bayville. I want you to…. gently persuade our new friends to join the Brotherhood, to join our fight against humanity."

"You can count on us, boss."

Erik heard the young man start to walk away, before stopping and turning around again.

"Uh….who exactly are we going to 'persuade'?"

"That's what I need you to find out." Erik refrained from rolling his eyes and sighing in annoyance. "Search the streets. Do not rest until we have the new mutants' names. I have a feeling that they will be quite the allies. And make sure those X-Men don't stick their noses into your investigation."

"You got it."

Like always Charles, we are one step ahead of you. Erik grinned.