Chapter 1. Hoods.
It's not as if I really care.
I don't.
Not about them. I don't care.
Especially not about them.
But sometimes, I get this feeling... maybe I do.
No, I don't. I really don't.
Why would I?
They're just a bunch of hoods that stick around because they've got nowhere else to go. Rebels without a cause.
I don't.
My self-centered brother is an egotistical jerk.
Toad is a slimy idiot that won't leave me alone.
Fred isn't as bad, but he won't even think for himself most of the time, he just goes along with all of my brother's stupid plans.
I guess Lance is okay. He doesn't really take the crap from my brother, at least not as much. And he's pretty much the only one I might actually have a smart conversation with around here. If I wanted to.
I don't.
I keep to myself most of the time.
They do too, now.
Lance doesn't really talk to anyone now, especially not Pietro. I think he's sad, in a way. I kind of understand how he feels.
I don't think Fred was ever theone to launch a conversation, but in any case, he doesn't.
Pietro tries to start up new ideas and things, but no one really cares anymore.
I guess Toad's the only one that's really trying to keep everything together.
I never really tried.
Pietro likes to think he is keeping things together. He's not.
Lance used to, from what I understand. I can see him doing that. Being the leader.
I don't think I'd ever want to be the leader.
I don't think Toad or Fred do either. They don't mind doing what others tell them. Well, as long as the person telling them what to do is okay with them. Or feared.
I don't think even Lance ever wanted to be the leader. He is, though. In a way. He's still the one they look to. I guess it's grown on them. Lance doesn't want them to, though. He doesn't want to be the leader. He just happens to be.
I know Pietro wants to be the leader. He always has. He likes being on the top of everything. But I don't know... I think I remember a lot more to him than just that. I'm not sure. I can't remember things so well, and sometimes it hurts to think about it. In any case, Pietro is supposed to be the leader. And he likes to look the part, and talk the part. But I think even Pietro looks to Lance. No, I know he does. Not that he'd ever admit it. I guess it's grown on him too, having someone there.
What is aleader anyhow?
Are you a leader if you're assigned to be, if you want to be; though even you know you're not fooling anyone?
Are you a leader if you're never recognized as one, but everyone thinks of you as one anyhow? Even if you don't want them to?
Are you a leader if you're the adult, by default the one with power; the one that organized everything to be what it is now, the one that created the Brotherhood? Even if you disappear, even if you desert the very thing you created?
Mystique hasn't been around for a long time. And we found out why- she's dead. Sort of. But even before that, she left us; long before that.
She was supposed to be the leader. But she left. I don't really remember her though, just that my father put Pietro in charge after she left.
They say my father is dead. I didn't believe it at first... but it's getting to the point where I can't really deny it.
I wish I didn't care. I wish I didn't care about my father.
Or them.
No, I don't care for them.
I don't.
Why should I?
They're just a bunch of hoods.
But I'm one of them.
And I think I might just care after all.