A/N: Whoo! Look at me! I'm the king of New York! Erm… yeah… nevermind about that… it's a "Newsies" thing… Anyways, I got the chapter done on time! Yay!

XM6: I wanna give a BIG thank you to my loyal reviewer! applauds XM6 You've reviewed every time since chapter 4! hugs Here's more for ya!

CrazyManiacalGurl: I was just looking for a more creative way to say "paper" and "parchment" was the best I could come up with!

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Pyro paced back and forth on the stone floor of the cave, flicking his lighter open and closed.

"What's taking them so long?" he muttered. Magneto and the rest of the Brotherhood (minus himself, which he growled mentally at) had been in a conference for over an hour and it was getting late. What was so important and why wasn't he allowed to join them? He pondered it as he continued to pace.

"You cannot just waltz into the White House and replace the President," declared Force. He was a tall, fair-skinned man with hair as black as ebony and stormy grey eyes. His body emanated a slight bluish glow.

"I didn't hear you offer any better ideas," retorted a short, pale, and slightly sickly looking woman. Despite her ill appearance and the ugly scabs that spattered her body, she was in the best of health and as ready for a fight with Force as any other day.

Magneto held up his hand before Force could respond and said, "Virus, Force, please! We do not have time to waste on foolish arguments! Whatever we do, we must do it quickly. Now, Force, list our options and then tell us which one YOU think will be most efficient."

The younger man shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Well, we could ignore the situation and try to hide while we watch the government take control of all the other mutants-" Virus uttered a low hiss of anger "- or we could kill the President-"
"For what point and purpose?" interrupted Mystique. ((Sorry, couldn't resist the PotC quote!)) "The Vice President would just take over and he's even more of a mutant hater than the President, if that's possible."

Force considered this for a moment, then tilted his head in agreement before continuing. "Or we could go with the original idea and have Mystique kill and replace the President." He thought for a minute, then sighed. "I guess our best choice would be the last."

Virus smirked triumphantly.

"But I still don't see how."

"We will watch and plan," said Magneto firmly, and his tone indicated that the discussion was over.

Mystique and Virus stood and began to move toward the makeshift door, but Force held back to talk with Magneto.

"What about Pyro? Why shouldn't he know what we're planning?"

"Listen, I know you think of the boy as a younger brother, but I don't think he's ready for… some of the more extreme things we have to do. It's best that he doesn't have to carry the burden."

Force nodded and silently left the room, his head down, deep in speculation. He found Pyro, who had stopped pacing, at the entrance of the cave.

"You know what this reminds me of?" the teenager asked suddenly, gesturing at the setting sun. Force shook his head. "Home. Before… before things happened."

He put his hand on the boy's shoulder, for he too was reflecting on the life he had abandoned and together they watched the sun sink lower, staining the clouds a brilliant crimson-orange and streaking them with purple, until darkness fell and they had to return to the back of the cavern.

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So there ya go! Two weeks from 9/16 the next chapter should be up! And review! But please don't flame… all flames WILL be donated to Pyro and his causes. Gee, that sounded really lame. Just don't flame meeeeeee! ()--- Ermine/Tree ---()

NEW NOTE: Hey everyone… I'm really sorry, but I'm putting my fic on hold for a while. sad sigh I just can't keep up with it and school and my other fics all at once. I'm still working on it, but it's been a month and a half since I last updated and I hate keeping people waiting and expecting a chapter I promised. Again, I'm really sorry. ()--- Ermine/Tree ---()