Hello readers, I'm back!

I settled into a restless sleep.

The next day, I felt thoroughly disgusted with myself. How selfish was I to consider sacrificing my own mother?

I sighed.

It's not the thought, but the actions that define people. I considered an option I had and dismissed it. I'm still a good person.

As I got ready for the day, I thought about how I'd become so quickly tolerant of conditions that I thought were stifling weeks ago.

The power of habituation. It's how people survive terrible conditions.

I was aware of this selfish thought process and figured I had to correct it. In response to this, I'd unconsciously acted more guarded at breakfast - something that wasn't overlooked by Magneto.

With a wave of a hand, all the bullets I'd been struggling to keep track of froze. "What's wrong?"

We are not doing this. We are not. Just - just let me suffer. I'd rather get hit by a million of these things than talk.

I willed the bullets to move forward to restart the session, "Nothing's wrong."

The bullets didn't move. They remained firmly in the other man's grasp.

The man made a 'tsking' noise and clearly didn't think I was trying to return to training out of devotion, "Everything you did at breakfast paints a different picture."

His observant look told me that by trying to continue training I had made the man more interested in speaking with me.

"I've been thinking. That's all. Why do you care?" My stomach twinged. I said the words calmly yes, but beneath the tone, there was a significant amount of insolence. Would there be consequences for this?

Instead of paying attention to my words, Magneto said "You seemed frightened. Despite what you think, I do care about your welfare."

Never before had the phrase 'blue screen of death' been more appropriate.

"What?"

What

It took a few seconds for my brain to reboot.

"Why would you?" I asked.

That makes no sense. My emotions haven't affected how well I'm doing in training. Why would he care? That's all you want - results.

"You're a child." He said that so simply, clearly thinking there was no need to elaborate. I disagreed.

I frowned, "I'm 14."

"That you think that response is a compelling one, shows just how immature you are."

A pause. Magneto continued. "You're a child that if left to his own devices will either get himself killed or captured."

Killed or captured.

I was feeling a bit bold. "I managed for three months without doing either."

"Are you aware that the bases of several government agencies happen to be miles from your house?" He shot back.

"No, it wasn't in the fi -" The fact that it wasn't mentioned in the files he gave me wasn't the important part.

"Luckily for you, your house was just out of the range of their trackers. Chicago is a major city. There are half a dozen government agencies there to prevent the extinction of rare birds; it's reasonable to believe there are several for the hunting of mutants."

I didn't have anything to say to that. My eyes widened as I thought of the ramifications of the statement. Every time I used my powers to push my car home after running out of gas or push a random can down the road, I was putting myself in danger.

"The fact that you didn't at all consider this..." He shook his head, "you're a very fortunate lad. But it was clear to me that I had to take matters into my own hands. Leaving you without training to defend yourself, or knowledge of the threats around you. It would've been equivalent to letting a 5-year-old run through traffic."

I cringed at the comparison "A 5-year-old running through traffic? That's harsh."

"It's reality. You hate fighting, didn't know about the many threats against you and lack the mental fortitude to kill to protect yourself. That combined with your lack of training would've sealed your fate. At my level of knowledge, I can defend myself and choose not to kill others. At your level, you would've had to choose between those two things."

I frowned but said nothing.

"Don't be stubborn. You're smarter than that." He said, appealing to my ability to reason, which had been temporarily blocked by my hurt pride.

I looked away.

"Lacking the nerve to kill those who'd murder you and feel nothing, you'd likely freeze and get yourself captured. Perhaps they'd kill you, or experiment on you, or force you to do their bidding, but your old life would have ended either way. So even if I didn't enjoy your presence here, I couldn't have left you."

He's… right.

Magneto as if he read my mind seemed satisfied.

I don't want to tell you that though. Still, there is that other thing…

I eagerly seized the option to change the subject, "Enjoy my presence?"

"You're an intelligent and witty teenager," he paused.

"It helps that your lack of experience is at times quite humorous." He thoroughly enjoyed my exasperation.

Training continued and I'd managed to get hit seven times (three less than the previous day). I was gradually getting better at multitasking with my power. Raw strength I had no shortage of, but learning to control that power was a hard-fought battle.

After training, the debate in my mind continued.

Does he mean it? Insecurity asked.

It seems like it. Wisdom said.

That's not important. We were sitting ducks. Logic responded.

Then what - he really did save us? Rebellion asked.

I'd hesitate to call it that but - yes. Logic acknowledged.

Logic continued. If anything had gone wrong, the US government would've taken us away. Instead, Magneto took us.

Rebellion asked. Which would've been worse?

Really? That's not even a question. The US Government by far. Cynicism stated.

Everyone had to agree there. I'd seen plenty of documentaries on places like Guantanamo Bay. Magneto didn't even approach anything like that. Additionally, he treated me like a kid, which while annoying, did moderate how he acted. Most people wouldn't punch a 5-year-old for being bratty and this feeling of restraint applied to him too. I wasn't waterboarded, starved, or forced to go hours without sleep. It really could've been worse.

After training, I rested (which was really me collapsing on the floor of the training room). I decided to start on the other things he wanted me to do. That meant reading an article by the FOH titled "The Only Good Mutie Is A Dead One."

A mutant girl with green skin had been burnt alive by an angry mob. Worse, the magazine made a series of cartoons that if you flip through the pages fast enough would make it look like the girl was in flames writhing in pain in front of you. It was the special edition "bonus" of the month's issue.

This is just so sickening. He keeps showing me the worst of humanity to make me 'see the light' about them.

Cynicism chimed in. To be fair, he doesn't have to look far. From the reports he's given me, FOH chapters have been sprouting up like weeds.

I didn't want to, but I finished the article. The harsh screech of metal on metal interrupted my thoughts and a flash of silver whizzed by my face as the walls broke free from their frames.

I immediately closed my eyes and started the first deep breathing exercise I could think of.

"It's enraging, isn't it?" Magneto wasn't wearing any metal at the time so I hadn't sensed him, "There's nothing wrong with being upset."

"I don't see how being angry over this will help. Nothing to focus the anger on. Unfocused anger is dangerous because it tends to hurt people around you."

For a moment, Magneto just stared at me saying nothing.

"Where'd you pick that up?"

"Life."

"Your life?"

"Yes." He seemed to want more detail. "Mom doesn't take angry rages well. They scare her."

It wasn't me who did those things, but seeing her reaction to other people doing it, made me not want to be like them. Plus, it would make me more like the man my mother married.

"And you push away your anger rather than upset her." A pause, "In many ways, you're more of a parent to her than the other way around."

There was a tense silence.

Then I said, "I guess I am."

He seemed to not approve of this practice but didn't mention it.

"You claimed to be a computer enthusiast. How good are you?"

"Pretty good. Obviously, I'm not a professional, but I can hack most computers." Really most meant ninety percent, but I'd never been one to brag. Though to be fair, 90% of computers have terrible security. Because most are owned by schools, local businesses, and normal people like you. I wouldn't dare to attempt hacking something like an FBI server.

"Good. You were wrong about your anger being unfocused. You're going to hack into Bringers Of Light's computer systems and download their files."

"The Bringers Of Light, isn't that the name of the faction rebelling against the current government in The Republic of the Congo?"

"It is. My sources say that they have at one of their bases a lab where they experiment on mutants." Anger was rolling off the man in waves. I knew it wasn't aimed at me even if it was frightening to witness.

Why would a group of rebels be interested in experimenting when they have a war to win?

The hidden meaning behind the statement hit me. "The Bringers Of Light is a military organization, so the base is a barrier that whoever is really interested in the research can hide behind."

The older man smirked. "Correct. The US government is currently funding this. The group gets money. The US government gets a place to do experiments and should they win, a government favorable to them."

I suddenly felt cheated. This was the country that I pledged allegiance to? That I paid taxes to? The Bringers Of Light were working to undermine the progress the country had made in the last few years, undermined civil liberties, and killed anyone - man, woman, or child that opposed them.

I knew this, and certainly, the US government agents knew this, yet they sent them funding and used their base to hide their crimes.

This was certainly a mission I approved of.

I then said, "I should be able to help you with that."

"Should?"

"I haven't seen a computer in a while and I'll need to be careful because of updates."

"Why are you worried about updates? You'll figure those out quickly considering how fast you pick everything else up."

I frown. That didn't make much sense so why did I? There was only one reason.

"Well, I sometimes doubt myself."

"Even though you've proven time and time again that you have nothing to worry about?"

I nodded

"I'm certain you'll do fine. You've excelled at any other challenge placed in front of you."

What just happened? Did Magneto give me a motivational pep talk?

This has to be the strangest thing that has ever happened to me.

Of course he's doing this, he wants to use my knowledge.

Do I have a problem with that?

I took a second to consider things.

No, I don't.

I actually want to help him with this. Odd.

Still, there was nothing I could do besides get to work. I couldn't exactly claim conscientious objector status. I hadn't realized it until I saw the very shiny laptop, but I had been going through a serious case of technology withdrawal. I hadn't ever been so excited to use a computer.

Of course, I knew that I was being monitored so I kept to strictly business. I thought it was odd that Magneto had me of all people hack their files, but I didn't ask why. I was just too busy working on what he gave me. The systems were so interesting that I forgot about how strange the task was.

It was very exhilarating. I'd hacked before, but the stakes were much different. If I messed up I could end up displaying the Brotherhood's location. I definitely didn't want that.

I'd done penetration testing for several school club sites with friends. Additionally, I poked around and shook my head at my school district's shoddy cyber defenses. This along with a few jaunts into the networks of local businesses and libraries gave me a decent amount of experience. I never did anything malicious with this ability though. Mostly I wanted to check out how secure things were to protect myself and those around me. Once I got this info, I closed whatever holes I could and I sent anonymous messages to the relevant people.

Basically, there was a new law in my state that gave cyber criminals like me clemency if we didn't harm anyone and tipped off the right people. Yes, cybercrime is such a problem that the state of Illinois had to make a law shielding ethical hackers from the feds so they would fight against malicious hackers.

This also meant my friends and I could practice these things without fear. Though I must confess, I wasn't the best at this sort of thing. I'm fluent, some of the other kids I met? Could get your data so fast it was scary. Most of them ended up working for the government. It's a small community, but the state has a thriving hacking scene.

The stakes plus the challenge led me to completely focus on hacking and before long, I was done. Their defenses had been a cut above my schools, but by searching the internet I found a popular security bug. It had been patched in the newest copy of the software that was used, but not they hadn't gotten the update yet.

And that was my way in. I noticed that one of the files was a spreadsheet. Interested, I decided to open it.

If I knew what was in there I would have never opened it - ever. The spreadsheet contained a list of names on the first page that corresponded to several numbers. After that, only numbers were used to refer to the mutants.

I felt incensed that someone could reduce lives to a number, but kept reading.

I quickly scrolled down and then I saw a list of punishments. I almost lost my lunch. Prisoner 2674 used his real name, Richard Wright, once by accident. This led to him being beaten for several hours while his tormentors kept shouting "You are prisoner 2674" at him. After this, he was sent to the cooler. There was no detail on what this 'cooler' was, but I instinctively knew it wasn't a good thing.

I couldn't look away after that - something made me keep reading. A little girl named Susie or as the prison called her prisoner 2408 was charged with "impeding the work of researchers" by closing her eyes while they were injecting them with who knows what. They punished her for this instinctive response with another beating that lasted 3 hours and then they callously treated her wounds by dousing them with alcohol.

Who could do that to somebody? Much less an 8-year-old?

Where are the people responsible for this? There won't be anything left when I'm done. Rebellion was quickly up in arms.

Apparently seeing red is not just an expression. Logic observed.

Come on Logic, at least have the humanity to be angry here. I'll even give you a free pitchfork. Rebellion said.

Sarcasm is Cynicism's thing. And you're wrong. I am angry. Logic didn't change the tone of his voice at all.

Logic was severely underestimating his fury and everyone, even Manipulation, wanted nothing more than to kill the people responsible. Logic, however, didn't want me to become an irrational senseless killer.

Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to not attack the screen as I read this information. That was all Logic. I was already angry that these people had the gall to refer to other sentient beings as nothing more than numbered units, but this really set me off.

I didn't care if the person I was helping was Magneto. 50 people needed help urgently. That's all I saw.

After I regained my ability to think, I headed back to his office with the computer.

"You're done already?" He said before he took in my body language, "You're upset."

I was far past simply being upset. No, I was fuming. My knuckles flexed every few seconds or so and it was taking every bit of energy I had to not twist the computer I held into scrap metal.

"Spreadsheets. They reduced 50 lives, 50 people to a bunch of numbers on a spreadsheet. They beat a little girl for not keeping her eyes open while they put syringes in, " I said simply.

Instead of being angry with me for looking at the files, there was understanding in his eyes.

"We'll make them pay for what they've done," he promised.

Unlike earlier, I was not uncomfortable with the 'we' used here.

I nod, "I'm certain we will."

It wasn't often, but this time all of my emotions had come to a consensus. This had to be stopped. If that meant working with the Brotherhood, then so be it.

In preparation for this new mission, for the next few weeks, we devoted every hour that we weren't sleeping or eating to training.

Training in a group for a specific mission was very different from general training.

We practiced in a virtual reality room that I didn't even know we had. Not surprising considering the size of the base and how I lacked free time.

I stuck around Magneto and worked on compensating for his moves. For example, while he was destroying the wall that enclosed the base, I'd work on cutting the power and defending against bullet fire.

Technically, we succeeded on our first try, although it was very disjointed and chaos was rampant.

My teacher wasn't pleased, "That was pathetic. We'll redo this in 15 minutes. Chris, I want to talk with you."

Mystique smirked and I heard Toad say "You're in trouble" teasingly behind my back. But, I followed the man regardless.

Once we were in another room, he gave me a cold stare. "You never attacked. Not once."

That was true. I simply disarmed or pushed away any guards in my way.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"No."

"I'd think differently based on your actions. This is war. Don't forget that." I flinched under the stern glance.

"I understand it's just that, I'm no soldier and my morals make acting as one hard for me."

"I'll make you into one. You need only be concerned with following my instructions." That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

People like me don't concern themselves with only following instructions. Dogs do that. It stung that I had to do as he said, but to shove my lack of power in my face? I was silently infuriated.

"You keep pushing me into roles I don't want. Then, you say it's for my own good. You could have told me about the dangers I faced and left me after I said no. Instead, you make me go with you. Here's a revolutionary idea: leave me alone. Think you can manage that?"

Once I saw the man's face, I knew I was in trouble. I said what I thought aloud.

This man who constructed his own palace, who scares the daylights out of even the most powerful of people, who has an army devoted to his cause was walking towards me angrily. I stepped back, but he kept pressing into my space, giving me a sudden case of Claustrophobia.

I was roughly shoved to the side by a force field and was soon on the floor. I quickly got myself up before he could press the advantage.

I sensed a metal rod approaching and tried to stop it, but despite my resistance, it wrapped around me. Once again, my power was rendered completely irrelevant because of my restrained hands.

Soon, I was suspended in the air and still struggled to get out of his grasp.

"If I were truly cruel, I would have killed your mother. Instead, she's receiving treatment that you couldn't have dreamed of getting on your own."

I decided there was no point in holding back, "You're using her as leverage. Don't misrepresent your intentions.Y -"

The coils tightened and in a moment I couldn't breathe.

"I wasn't done speaking." In a second, the coil loosened and gasping, I breathed sweet air once again.

"You'll do this. We'll get over your aversion, whether you want to or not. Your personal feelings on the matter are irrelevant."

I suppose if I give up now the punishment I'd get would be reduced. He doesn't want me to be beaten to a pulp, especially with the mission coming up. I should just apologize.

The idea burned my pride. I did not ever give up. I lost, but I never gave in. I had never apologized for my actions and if I started how could I face myself afterward? But, why bother?

Can I do anything about this? Do I have to let him fashion me into whatever person he wants me to be?

No.

With my power, I instinctively rip the rod off me with my power and land with a defiant gaze. I wouldn't take this sitting down. I wouldn't.

Something needs to be done, something rash.

Inspiration hit me.

Seems safe enough. The floor in this room for once isn't metal.

"I see. I'll have to beat the stubbornness out of you."

I'd heard similar words before from bullies and mom's boyfriends and each time they lost in the end. I was of course frightened, but my justified anger pushed me to action instead of backing down.

Not if I can help it.

I attacked first, snatching a large sheet of metal from the wall and threw it at the man hoping to slow him down. It flew quickly at him and suddenly it stopped on a dime before it could touch him.

He threw it back at me at what looked to be light speed. With no time to dodge, I miraculously manage to stop the sheet and send it back with a twist.

I threw my arms to the side and the pieces shattered. I put the practice I had with electricity to use and added an electric current to the fray. One touch was all I needed- one mistake or miscalculation on Magneto's end and he'd be out like a light.

I don't know what I expected, but surely not what happened. All the shards headed toward me and the electricity I created vanished.

Just as with the metal sheet, the metallic shards suddenly stopped just before hitting me. Instead, the shards surrounded me on all sides. I had to stay perfectly still to avoid getting cut. A pit formed in my stomach.

"Your move."

I can't move my hands. I can't even move my head without slicing my own throat.

A moment passed before Magneto let go of the fragments. As if someone had pressed the play button, they rushed forward.

The shards tore open my skin and the pain from this was excruciating. There was nothing I could do to defend against the barrage of metal creating gashes on my arms and legs. I could only close my eyes, grit my teeth, and wait for it to be over.

Then I heard a crackle and a pop before my whole being was engulfed with pain. Pain so intense that it made my first punishment look like nothing. My eyes suddenly opened and I could see that he was hitting me with electricity.

I screamed as I fell to the floor. I was eagerly waiting for unconsciousness to take this terrible pain away. But, fate wasn't kind and I continued to scream. Something occurred to me - why wasn't I unconscious? I added enough current.

Then it came to me. I wasn't going to pass out. He wasn't going to let me. He wasn't going to accept anything less than complete surrender.

I held on for another ten seconds before something broke in my mind. Then, I yelled, "Stop please, I'm sorry!"

The burning stopped and I panted from the screaming.

"You'll do what I tell you when I tell you. And when we go on this mission you will not hold back."

Defeated, I stared at the floor.

"You will learn what I teach you. And you will be ready for the coming war, whether you'd like to be or not. Is that clear?"

"Yes, I understand."

I take a moment to collect myself (as much as I could after all that) honestly the gashes didn't hurt as the fact that no matter what I did I lost in the end.

After I changed out of my ripped clothes and bandaged myself up, we headed back to the training room in silence.

Unsurprisingly, Magneto spoke first " =You didn't add enough charge to kill me. Why?"

"I attacked first and that's bad enough but killing-"

He seemed disappointed at this and interrupted me, "Had you given it your all, you could have knocked me unconscious."

I can't be that strong.

When has this man ever needed to lie to me?

"This is actually what I was talking about - your reluctance to defend yourself. Had humans discovered your mutation while you were in Chicago, would you have killed them?"

Well, that was a no-brainer. "No."

Discovering my powers isn't a crime.

"Then you would have soon been captured yourself. The humans that saw you would've reported you, and in an hour, Chicago would've been buzzing with agents."

It really would happen like that. Magneto's powers are widely recognized and he's so feared that… I hate this.

"If you want to survive in this world you must be willing to use your mutation against those that seek to harm you with no mercy as they won't show any."

I grimly listen and we continue walking.

Why does Magneto have to make so much sense?

A pause. There was one reason that I'd kept ignoring.

Maybe he is right. Maybe there really isn't another option for me. Crushing all those that seek to harm me or death.

It's just a computer simulation. It's just a computer simulation. They might look lifelike but they are just holographic images.

Something occurred to me.

What is wrong with me? I agree with the mission. I want to help them. I know I do and I'm concerned about killing guards, accomplices to torture, and kidnapping?

I reported back to the VR room and I took a few deep breaths. The training exercise began and I could feel Magneto's watchful gaze.

I steeled myself and took out the guards with their own bullets. The guards disappeared from sight bloodlessly. Not that it would have mattered, my imagination filled in the blanks. Afterward, Magneto seemed proud. After what just happened, I didn't want to make him angry with me- ever.

So when I felt him place an arm on my shoulder I did nothing even though I felt very uncomfortable. I was sure he wouldn't have appreciated me pushing his arm off.

Is this supposed to be comforting?

"What did you learn today?"

After my rebellion happened, nothing changed. I was still in the same place in the same predicament. All I had to show for it were additional wounds. So I told him the answer to his question like a good student.

"Don't show mercy to those who don't give any."

"Yes. Precisely and what else?"

"Don't rebel against you."

I'd just lose.

My voice remained strong, but my heart broke as I said those words. I hated how outclassed I was and how because of the fact that I was young and inexperienced that he ignored what I wanted.

I was far more mature than most people of my age. I took responsibility for my own actions and wouldn't mind looking out for myself. I'd been doing that my whole life. The utter mismatch of maturity and level of freedom to be my own person burned.

There was a pause "You're a very moral person so of course this talk of killing disturbs you. But it must be done."

I grit my teeth but didn't say a word. Logic was back to pacing. I'd rather not but...

Sometimes killing does serve a purpose. You want to free the prisoners, yes? Manipulation said.

But, I've never been the type to do it myself. Hacking I can do. Killing? Attacking with the intent to kill? I just repeated myself, but you can see my anxiousness. Logic put a hand through his hair.

Well, Magneto's not going to back down on this. So get used to it. Manipulation said bluntly,

I remember being a bit confused. Magneto seemed to be as cold as the Arctic an hour ago, but now he isn't. He almost seemed compassionate about my need to reject my morals, almost like a friend telling another a harsh truth.

This did not compute in Logic's mind. Panicked, he said But, he just electrocuted me not too long ago and I'm cut everywhere but my face.

Manipulation would never refuse a chance to put down Logic. Well, do you want to remind him of that?

The response was quick. No. That was one of the few things Logic was sure about.

Then go with it.

Truthfully, I didn't know how to "go with it. My mother gave hugs, putting your arms on someone's shoulders -a traditionally father-like gesture was something I had no experience with.

Just what the hell am I supposed to do here?

"As much as you'd like it to be, hiding is simply not an option. You've never wanted to bring people to justice? That's what we'd be doing."

"A few times, but as a dispatcher worker or government hacker. I don't like violence. I don't even like justified or necessary violence. And for the most part, I've been able to avoid it."

"Until now."

I nod.

"I've seen too many classmates die for nothing to like violence. And having a friend who died because he lived in the wrong zip code certainly helped!"

I sigh.

It's been a while since I've talked about that.

From time to time I think about Taylor. At the time, the mental trauma was so intense that I'd blocked out the memories. A whole year locked away.

He was energetic, cheerful, and even younger than me. Tay as we liked to call him, was a total ladies man and had all the 3rd graders' hearts. And why wouldn't he?

He was the definition of cute with his soft black curls that perfectly complemented his brown skin. Yes, I'm straight, but I'm perfectly comfortable with acknowledging good genetics. He put the pretty in pretty boy and contrary to popular belief, many girls do like that. This was in addition to how he could poke a hole with a straw into a juice pouch in one go- a coveted skill.

We had a stupid argument about something I don't remember. I told him to go home and clear his head. As president of the chess club, I felt very justified in this. Until I got home from the club and saw his face on tv.

Having a friend on TV for children in my area meant either three things: your friend is dead, on the run, or got a college scholarship. He was 9 so the third one was out and as angry as he was I doubted he'd hurt anyone.

I didn't even have to think about this. I knew he was gone instantly and I felt guilty for sending him away. If only I'd been more patient if only I had insisted on working out the disagreement at school.

I suddenly remembered where I was.

I did just yell at Buckethead. I guess I'm in trouble. You know what? I don't care. Let him be angry.

I expected to see anger, but once again there was none, just understanding.

"This hasn't been easy for you."

I shook my head. It hasn't been easy at all. I was exhausted from the fighting mentally, and physically, and I was tired of always being beaten no matter how hard I tried. The man was simply too powerful, too ruthless, and too skilled for me to have a chance of escaping.

That last escape attempt had been far too rash. I hadn't even figured out a way to go home as I couldn't exactly swim to the coast and I didn't know if I could really fly off the island safely. In fact, I didn't even know how to use any vehicle other than a car.

"As a mutant born in the world that hates you, there isn't a choice. You have to fight. We have to fight for the right to exist - against those who want nothing more than for us all to be dead. This is reality. Do you understand?"

"I do."

"In order for you to fight successfully, you can't hold back. Mercy leads to self-destruction in war."

A sad, but true statement.

"I'm confident that in time this won't be an issue."

I close my eyes and breath.

But, that's exactly what I'm afraid of-when it isn't hard for me at all.

"Chris, teaching you has already and will continue to save your life. And in the end, the result will be worth it. Don't you want to save mutants that were imprisoned?"

"I do."

"This is what it takes. There is no other option."

He's not lying. He's not lying at all. It's all so wrong -anyone being attacked for how they're born.

What are you going to do about that?

The only thing I can do. My best.

After this incident, I didn't hold back during our training sessions.

Early one morning, I decided to go to the VR room. I really wasn't supposed to be there, but technically I wasn't forbidden from going there either. It was implied that the VR room was dangerous and should be used only under close supervision. But that didn't matter, I wasn't going to be in the VR room, I was going to be in the control console upstairs.

I wanted to do this because going into the console room and examining it was the closest I was going to get to picking the room apart circuit by circuit.

Rebellion loved this idea because he could finally rebel for its own sake. Everyone else drooled at the prospect of figuring out how the room worked.

Okay, but only for a moment. Logic said.

So I got a fingerprint from Magneto's office and lifted it using some tape and put that on the security systems fingerprint reader.

I'm not sure if this will work. I held my breath.

It opened.

From the console room, I looked through the glass to see the room below and saw Magneto training.

Wow.

Magneto was annihilating an army, a real army with ease. Forget my record of stopping 80 bullets, he stopped at least a few thousand in mid-air.

Without the hesitation that I had, the bullet rushed straight at the computer-generated soldiers. The tanks were next. They were flipped over and exploded. The few missiles that manage to fire amid all the chaos? They were turned around and used to destroy the wreckage.

Inside his protective shield, Magneto didn't have a scratch on him!

This is what I'm dealing with.

He didn't even seem to break a sweat. I knew I was outmatched, but it seemed that whenever I felt I had a decent idea of what he was capable of, he threw away that notion.

He sure as hell doesn't need my help.

Yet, he's bringing me anyway. Even though I don't want to kill anyone. Is that arrogance on his part? He thinks that he can control me, lead, and rescue 50 people at the same time.

I shook my head.

No, that's silly he's more than capable of doing just that. He disabled me in 3 minutes in our last fight. And that was just because he didn't go full force. It's about getting me experience.

I started to leave but I noticed that he was staring at me through the one-way glass, "Enjoying the show?"

How?

Regardless, since he knew I was there I might as well give up. I reach for the speaker button to the microphone when I hear my keys clash together on my neck.

Well, that's a rather sad way of being discovered.

"Uh- morning?"

"What are you doing here?"

I told the truth. "I wanted to have a look at the control console."

A moment later, the door to the console elevator opened.

"Clearly."

"Clearly?"

"You in no way tried to use the room to attack me."

It hadn't even occurred to me.

I had nothing to say to that so Magneto continued.

"How did you get in anyway?"

I showed him the tape I used.

"Clever. I told Toad to update the security systems to avoid this. It appears he missed a door."

He gave me a brief synopsis of how the room worked and it felt great to actually know how it worked. Of course, these answers lead to more questions. I didn't press him for more information. I wasn't supposed to be there in the first place.

"I suppose I hadn't exactly told you you couldn't go into this room. At the same time, you're smart enough to know that if you don't have the clearances to enter a room you don't enter."

Well, I can't exactly deny that.

"I'll forgive you this time. Don't let this happen again or you won't like the consequences."

I was surprised, but when Magneto of all people gives you a break you don't question it. You take it and run. So I did just that.

Sometime later Magneto said, "You'll need a name for the mission."

"A codename?"

"No- a mutant name." I raise an eyebrow at his strange emphasis on mutant.

"You were given a human name by your human mother. However, you're not human. That is why you need a new name, to separate yourself from Homo inferiors."

Homo inferior, that's harsh.

"A new name, okay. I'll think of something." I pause before saying "Do you hate all humans?"

"I don't care for them."

"From your age, I'm going to assume your parents weren't mutants. Do you hate them?"

A pause. "No, they were wonderful parents." Magneto stops and thinks for a moment "All the same, humans are our genetic inferiors."

"You already know my thoughts on that."

"Must you be so stubborn about this?"

"You're using genetics something no one has control over, to argue for mutant superiority- of course, I do." I did love testing the man.

For the most part, he seemed to not mind me having an opinion different from his as long as I did as I was told. The lack of control I had over my own life made me exploit any chances I could get at being a bit defiant so I could show that I was my own person.

"I thought you agreed with this mission."

No, I'm not letting you frame this argument as you like. Disagreeing with you doesn't equal agreeing with their actions.

"I do. Rescuing 50 people imprisoned for existing is simply the right thing to do. Human, mutant, alien."

"Alien?"

"Had to cover all my bases." As expected the subject matter had become so bizarre that he let the conservation drop. I smirk. Hey, I had my tricks too.

Poor poor Chris always getting caught up in problems that are much bigger than himself. What do you think will happen next now that they're about to go on a mission?

Also FF. net keeps deleting my italicized lines which is pretty annoying. Any way of getting around that when you copy and paste a chapter into a text box?

Thanks for reading my story despite my admittedly terrible editing skills. I so need a beta reader.

Have a great day!