Disclaimer: Are you stupid? No? Then why do I even need to bother?

A/N: And chapter five redone. I'm not changing much... or, not really anything.

St John Allerdyce sat on a park bench in New York City, drained. He felt as though all of the hard work the Acolytes did for the mutant race was, going to waste. The humans would never give in, would never be defeated, would never accept … suddenly a warm breeze washed over him, and all was forgotten. In an instant, he could feel the fire, all around him, in every car, every factory, every furnace, every cigarette. He felt it's energy, it's fervor, bringing him out of his stupor.

He reached out with this strange new sense, feeling its limit… good god, he could feel to the edges of the city! He fed off of the flames, letting them rush through them.

Pyro stood up in the middle of the park, and spread his arms out to accept the heat… then he began to laugh from the sheer ecstasy.

—This just in… New York City has burned to the ground. Many are dead or missing… fire-fighting teams from all over the country are being rushed in to combat the flames. Mutant terrorists are suspected—

Devon turned off the TV. Bigots. Of course they assumed it was mutants. They always assumed it was mutants. And of course, when it turns out that it was just an arsonist, they don't tell anybody… he sighed.

He'd spent twenty-four hours in hell, and was finally becoming ready to emerge from the pit… metaphorically speaking, that is. He was actually in his room.

The first five hours were spent swinging from his angry for to the depressed one, and back. The walls and furniture had, fortunately, been designed to withstand that sort of treatment. Three hours after that had been the same, except that his fear was coming into play because he was out of control.

Seven times he had attempted suicide, and had failed because none of the forms he had taken were fully solid.

Ten hours had been spent marshalling his will, and taking control back from his emotions. Then the last few hours he had watched TV and come to terms with his problems. And now it was over. He was finally going to emerge, and face life.

Kinda sucked, but there was nothing he could do about it. He realized he was still sitting there in front of the door, and pulled it open.

Mike listened as Mystique explained the convoluted story of the Brotherhood.

"So… you started this Brotherhood with Magneto, but then you turned on each other. The Brotherhood was on its own, then you came back, led them against him, you ended up in prison, he took back over, and now you want control again."

Mystique sighed irritably. "Basically… yes, that's the gist of it."

"And you want me to be your plant so that I can turn the members back to your side."

"Correct."

"And… where does this benefit me?"

"You will be second in command."

"Right…" Meaning, he thought, that I would be blamed for every mistake that she makes.

He smiled. "Alright, I'll do it." He knew that, despite the disadvantages, the position was sure to be worth it.

And now… theme songs! Aren't you all excited?

This chapter: The original team.

Scott: "The Red" by Chevelle

Jean: "Everybody's Fool" by Evanescence (First and Second season, specifically)

Rogue: "Keep Away" by Godsmack

Kitty: "Stupid Girl" by Cold

Kurt: "Engel" by Rammstein

Evan: "Numb" by Linkin Park

Logan: "Until It Sleeps" by Metallica

Storm: "Storm Front" by Billy Joel (Bad pun, but I couldn't resist.)

If anybody has better suggestions, please review to let me know.