When they got to Mexico City, they were shocked at the amount of people at the airport.
"I never thought there could be so many people in one place."said Toad, pickpocketting.
"Well, it's a city. What do you expect? The largest city in the world."said Javier proudly. "We're going to have a great time here, not to mention make loads and loads of money."
"I like the sound of that."said Pietro.
"You would. Now, why don't we go for a rest, and I show you the sights afterwards."
Javier said they were going to stay in the best hotel in the city.
"What do you think?"
"Wow, I didn't think I'd ever be living in the lap of luxury like this."
"I know you didn't, Swamp Breath. You just never think, period."
Toad groaned. It looked like Javier knew just about anything there was to know about the history and everything of the city. He knew all the museums, the Basilica de Guadulupe, they dined at the best restaurants, went to the best parks, everything.
"We just don't have enough time to enjoy the city. See, here, La Plaza de las Tres Culturas! A piece here, representing the Aztec heritage, here, the cathedral, well, that's Spanish, of course, and to your left, over there, …"he pointed.
"Wow, I never thought people would invest so much money in churches. They're gigantic."
"We'd go inside, but I don't trust you guys to behave yourself, and it's a pity. They really have quite beautiful interiors."
"Oh, you don't trust us."
"I trust Lance and maybe Speedy, here, and maybe Fatass, but you, Swamp Breath, definitely not."
"Oh, I'd behave, promise."
"One wrong move, and you'll get us kicked out, for reals."
In the interior, Ma.del Carmen knew much more than Javier.
"Oh, aqui, Nstra. Sra. del Carmen. My saint. When I turned fifteen, I asked that my misa was in her church. Her day is on the sixteenth of July, see. The name Carmen, meaning caramel, in Hebrew, I think it means garden, was given to her, I think because she was so…sweet. That's why I've sometimes thought I shouldn't bear her name. There's an order of nuns named for her. Las Carmelitas Descalzas. See, how she's also barefoot? Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz was a Carmelite. They live quite a strict life. I've sometimes thought…anyway, this is San Francisco Javier. Once, I heard my grandmother say that he was…el santo de los animalitos. I'm not sure if that was true, however, San Francisco is attributed with the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and even raised the dead. He was able to convert thousands. His day is the third of December. Here we have San Enrique. My grandfather's saint. He died about five years ago. St.Henry is the patron saint of people with disabilities. His day is on July 13. Only a few before mine…"
"Wow, you know them just by looking at them? Where did you get all the info?"
"Of course I know them. As for the information, I know their lives, and their symbols, days, and patronages. It's something I just do. You won't find many people who know the saints well. At least I have never found someone like that. Except my grandmother."
"Oh."
"Of course, the churches here aren't the same as they are in the smaller towns. I went to one, once, that oh, it was so beautiful! Would you believe it was almost the same as the ones you see on television. Just like it. There were painting, that were worth probably billions of dollars, there was a confesinoario, and everything. My grandparents knew the priest personally, of course, as he was from the same town where my father grew up."
"So your grandmother what she does is just spend her time on her knees, praying, then?"
She didn't pay attention to him.
"Doesn't your head feel like it's going to explode? How do you remember everything?"asked Pietro.
"Well, I say their novenas to them. It's a little difficult, of course, in July. I have two saints to say their novenas to."
"What's a novena?"asked Blob.
"Their prayers. For nine days. Along with a rosary, of course. You meet so few people who know how to say a rosary properly, today. Neither of my parents nor my brother ever learned."
"Why did you learn, then?"
"I've always wanted to be a good Catholic."
None of the Brotherhood knew exactly what she was talking about.
"This is getting boring."said Pietro. "We should move on to something else."
She smiled.
"Just why do people think that church is boring? I never understood it. I've always enjoyed going to church. Besides, I don't think we should move on. We must stay, be confessed, and attend the Hora Santa. That way, we can comulgar on Sunday. The Hora Santa shall start in a few minutes."
"What!"
"Why not? We can continue our little tour tomorrow."
"I don't understand anything."said Pietro, almost stupefied with sleep.
Ma.del Carmen gave him a strict look.
"Shhh."Javier told him. "She doesn't like people talking while the priest is talking. Quiet."
"That is the first and last time I ever attend something so boring. I thought we were here to have fun, and make money."
"Which is what we will do."said Javier.
"See here,"he was saying the next morning. "I've got you a job at one of the best restaurants here. Only a little bit of luck, and…you'll take off, I promise you. You start in a week."
Javier knew what he was talking, because had he no sooner started singing at the restaurant, two weeks afterwards, people were starting to contact them, offering money. A month later, Lance had finally recorded his first album.
"Just look,"said Javier. "Before we know it, you'll be well known throughout the whole world."
Pietro snatched it from him.
"This only means money, money, and more money!"he said.
"Now it's time to move on to phase two. You need to get rid of that ridiculous outfit, for one. You need to dress more…should we say, extravagantly? And I have some people who want to meet you, for a contract, or something. I think they want you to sing somewhere, I'm not sure. El Estadio Azteca? This will we in stores by tomorrow."
"I can't believe how well it's been selling!"Javier was saying.
"We have more money than we can count!"
"I think it's not a good idea to be living here, anymore."he said. "We need to move out of the hotel. Pretty soon, there are going to be fans, etc, you get he idea."
"But where will we go?"
"Well, I guess the most logical thing would be to buy a house. That's it. Just look at the news, will you?"he asked. "Just imagine your friends over there, under all that persecution!"
"You don't think it will reach us?"asked Lance anxiously.
"Nah. Not with your talent. You may be a mutant, however, there are always people who dismiss that idea, because of your voice. I mean, look, there are stars accused of being gay, of cheating on their wives, etc. People still like them."
"But this is different!"
"In what way?"
"Well…you know, this being a mutant."
"Well, people think a little differently over here. One thing is, you know how the government is corrupt, and all that? Well, if you make money, you can buy the government. I hate to say it, but it's true. I hate to say it about my own people. But it's not hard, a little expensive, maybe, but hard? Besides, you went into the church, didn't you? That should say something. Since when have you seen churches like that in Bayville? Never. It might be a little difficult, but that doesn't mean it's impossible."
In Bayville, Kitty and Rogue walked into a record store.
"Can't we go somewhere where people don't look at us like that?"
"Apparently, not."said Rogue.
Looking for a cd, Kitty's eyes fell on an album titled No Importa, with Lance on the cover.
"Wha…? But, I thought they…I didn't think he'd ever be able to do something like this, with all the persecution going on. They just disappeared!"
"Maybe they switched identities, or something."
"No, that's his name. See."
"Impossible!"
She bought it, and showing to everyone, Scott took it, and smashed it.
"Hey, that was, like, my money I paid for that!"
"But everyone's hunting mutants!"exclaimed Kurt.
"Not all mutants from the looks of it."
In Mexico, as Lance got ready to appear on La Oreja, he told Javier, he would have loved to see the faces of all the X Men, if they ever found out. Javier laughed.
"Probably just unbelieving. Shocked. It'd be fun, though. It's a pity we can't go and see them. Especially that Summers. Always did think much of himself. Don't you think we should have them give your boots an extra shine?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Very well. Just remember to put on your happiest expression, and be on your best behavior."
"Right."
"What if they ask anything about me being a mutant? What do I say?"
"You say the truth, that's it. Just remember to add that your powers have nothing to do with your singing. Maybe give them a little demonstration. It doesn't do good to lie. You remember what Ma.del Carmen said about Valentino Lanus, and Carolina Tejera."
He was a little nervous, but he didn't show it. They did, in fact, ask him if it was true about his being a mutant.
"Bueno, si es verdad, pero mis abilidades no tienen nada que ver con mi canto. Todos mis amigos son mutantes. Solo Javier Medina Acosta, y su prima no, pero ellos lo saben."
"Fascinante! Y no nos demuestra sus abilidades, Sr.Alvers?
He did give them a demonstration.
"Y cree que esto afectara lo que en el publico diga de usted?"
"No tiene porque. Soy una persona decente, no? Ademas, yo jamaz uso mis abilidades para hacer nada malo."
After it was over, Javier said that he had been right in the fact that it would affect nothing.
"See, here we think a little differently. We're a little more open minded, and besides, you're like, right out of movie, or a telelnovela. It's more like they're interested in your powers. Of course, you have people like my grandmother, who doesn't like Christian Castro, because his mother wasn't ever married, and all that, but you have people like my cousin who adore him. Most of it is to his singing and his good looks, of course. You have just the same. You can sing, and you have good looks. Besides, the interview thing was about a week ago, and just look what I got today."He handed Lance an envelope. "You are being nomitated to go to the awards this year. You might just get it. For the best-selling album. And sales haven't gone down. If anything, they've gone up."
Bueno, si es verdad, pero mis abilidades no tienen nada que ver con mi canto. Todos mis amigos son mutantes. Solo Javier Medina Acosta, y su prima no, pero ellos lo saben.
Well, it's true, but my abilities have nothing to do with my singing. All my friends are mutants. Just Javier Medina Acosta, and his cousin aren't, but they already know.
Fascinante! Y no nos demuestra sus abilidades, Sr.Alvers?
Fascinating! And couldn't you give us a demonstration of your abilities, Mr.Alvers?
Y cree que esto afectara lo que en el publico diga de usted?
And do you think this will affect what the public says about you?
No tiene porque. Soy una persona decente, no? Ademas, yo jamaz uso mis abilidades para hacer nada malo.
Not that I know of. I'm a decent person, aren't I? Besides, I would never use my abilities to do anything bad.