On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Seven Brotherhood members shaking,
Six teachers on a hunt,
Five scary rounds,
Four students playing hooky,
Three musicians out of tune,
Two dancing lovebirds
And a Wolverine in a pear tree.

To say that Magneto was annoyed was an understatement. It was the supposed Christian season of Christmas. No matter where he went, he had to push aside one angry or cheery human or another and proceed with his own plans. Even some mutants had gotten caught up in this festering commercial atmosphere. More than once, Magneto saw one of them participating in the seasonal festivities.

It was such a bother! With so much friction between mutants and humans, Magneto had to wonder why they all pretended to get along. It was unusual to see a store manager toss out a mutant. Everybody was singing carols. And even the little human boy who threw rocks and mud at his fellow mutant classmates was being nice.

What was worse was that, after all was said and done, everything will go back to what it was before. The hatred will still be present. The taunting and teasing will continue. Even those children will suffer and be hunted down until safe in Charles' school. Even so, they will still be targeted until the end.

Honestly, Magneto wanted nothing more than to prove who was more superior. Even at this time of year, he was planning his next move. While the chessboard had yet to be set up, he still was calculating what his initial play will be. Charles was usually his opponent. He always stopped this old friend from destroying what was left of the feeling of hope.

Sitting in his cold office in the mountains, Magneto folded his hands together. He was foiled time and time again. This Christmas, it will not happen. He had a scheme to get through this madness. He will ensure that this time of year will never be sung again. He will prove to those humans that being mutant was nothing to be ashamed of and that they were not in a higher position.

Some noise in the hallway caught his attention though. Annoyed that he was disturbed, Magneto got up and walked to the doorway. There, he caught sight of Sabretooth. Although hardly human looking anymore, he appeared quite ridiculous. Magneto had never seen him this way before. Fully clothed with festive gear and even whistling some Christmas cheer as he carried some boxes…it was hardly the Sabretooth that Magneto knew.

Magneto ensured that the next doorway was blocked with a metal bar. Sabretooth was annoyed and turned around. He soon was confused. He saw Magneto behind him and dropped everything he was carrying. If Magneto had to pinpoint any emotion afterward, it would have been a cross between rage and contempt. Sabretooth had been fooled by someone and Magneto had an idea as to who it was.

Mystique.

She had been pretty testy lately. The month before, she was complaining about the lack of holiday spirit. It continued with Magneto inanely asking her what she would have done if she had not chosen to come with him too. That can of worms was too much to bear and he squashed it immediately. Mystique wasn't a sentimental type, but she did care for the years she spent with Charles and the better memories with him.

Or so Magneto thought…

He beckoned to Sabretooth, crooking his finger and curling it to his hand. Sabretooth obeyed, growling the whole way. Magneto was pleased. It meant that he still had power and proved that he was not a copy. Mystique could mimic his powers, but the anger behind his gestures could not be mistaken.

"What has happened?" he asked Sabretooth.

"We were ordered to decorate some tree," Sabretooth growled. Even admitting it made him seem foolish.

Magneto nodded. "Take me to them."

Sabretooth agreed. Quietly, as soon as Magneto cleared the way, they wove through the hallways until they reached a common area. Magneto had ordered to keep it cleared for prisoners. His latest contraption was also been stationed there and he did not want any interference. But now, it was decked out in the brightest and flashiest embellishments he had ever witnessed. The colors were disgusting. The light reflected in such a way that Magneto feared that their position was compromised.

Even so, five members of his Brotherhood and Mystique (disguised as him) were too busy to notice his arrival with Sabretooth. All the best, Magneto concluded, as he again commanded another metal beam. It crashed into the tree. He then swung it around, catching each corner of color until the adornments had been destroyed.

It was at that moment that all had realized what had happened. The five members glanced at him in shame, heads down. Sabretooth led the exodus, feeling that the confrontation was not for their eyes and ears. Mystique saw that the game was up and changed back into her blue form. She did not join them. Instead, she looked at Magneto in a petulant manner.

Free of witnesses, he walked up to her and lifted her high, holding her by the neck. "The next time you want to pretend that the world is bright and gay, don't stay with me. Go back to Charles and his mind games. You understand?"

"Perfectly," Mystique replied. She didn't even struggle.

That was better. Magneto put her down and exited. He had some work to do and expected her to clean the mess up. He was in no mood for the madness. Christmas had to go and Mystique to hell if need be. Nothing was going to spoil this season.

And that was that.

Hi, everyone! Sorry about the lack of updates. It's been an intense season! Hope you enjoy the last of this story. I'll update as often as I can. :)