Authors note: Just a quick fic that has been playing on my mind for a while. I mean no offence to anyone with it ---- heck, I do a lot of the stuff mentioned myself. Its just observation. Nobody get pissy at me, please?





The small group was gathered in one of the empty classrooms. The tall glass windows looked out onto a deserted basketball court, sky tainted lilac with the onset of evening. Elsewhere in the school, a janitor's whistle haunted the corridors as he locked up for the night. Evan was grateful that he had let them use the school space. They could have held the meeting elsewhere, but Bayville High seemed like a natural neutral ground for the gathering. Looking around at the assembled, he saw kids gathered that had been enemies ever since arriving in Bayville. Under any other circumstances, they would have been fighting each other. But not this time. They were all united for a similar cause ---- they could put their petty differences aside for half an hour or so.

He was pleased was the amount of kids that had showed up. When Evan had first put up the posters, he wasn't certain how many people would respond. After all, he might have been the only one who felt this way.

Apparently not.

They had moved the desks to make a large space in the middle of the room, placing chairs in a circle so that they could all sit facing each other. He had seen it on a movie once, and he was pretty sure that this was the way to do it. Okay, maybe they weren't quite Alcoholics Anonymous, but he figured that a similar setting would be appropriate. The kids were chatting nervously amongst each other, talk confined to quiet murmurings. There was definitely some tension in this room. He hoped that that would dissipate during the proceedings.

He glanced up at the clock on the wall opposite him. Five O'clock. Time to get this thing started.

Clearing his throat to gain their attention, he stood up from his seat. A respectful hush spell over the students as they all looked up at him expectantly. Despite the situation, it was nice to have people actually paying him some notice.

"My name is Evan Daniels," he started in a clear voice, "And I called this meeting tonight for a very important reason. First of all, I want to thank you all for coming. To be honest, I didn't know how many people would show. So, you know --- thanks." He paused and looked around the group. All eyes were trained on him, faces upturned keenly. Different kids - freshmen and seniors, black and white, X Men and Brotherhood. If Xavier had been there, he would have had something moving to say. He wasn't Xavier --- he'd flunked debate for God's sake --- but these kids needed a voice. And right now, he was the only one offering.

Standing a little taller, he took a deep breath. "I'm here to say that I resent the way that I'm ignored in fan fiction. I'm going to make a stand for anyone who feels that they get a raw deal from the script writers on the show, and from the fans themselves. We've been mistreated for too long and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

He paused in surprised at the round of applause that followed his little speech. Blushing a little, the dark skinned boy gave a lopsided grin and nodded appreciatively. A couple of the younger mutants rose to their feet and gave him a standing ovation. He was glad for the support.

Waiting for everything to calm down, Evan continued. "That's why I called this meeting. I've felt this way for a long time --- ever since season one I guess --- and after a while I figured that there must be others who felt this way. A quick scroll on the internet showed that there were only a couple of characters from the show who were getting decent fic coverage. What about the rest of us? Don't we deserve a little appreciation?" He paused for dramatic effect. "And that's why I've called the first official meeting of the FCA - Forgotten Characters Anonymous!"

More applause, with a considerable amount of cheering thrown in for good measure. This time, he didn't wait for the noise to subside. He was being carried on the crest of a wave.

"The FCA will stand up for all the Evolution characters who feel that they don't get the respect that they deserve! We can look out for each other, support each other! We don't have to go through this alone! We can stick together --- make people notice us!"

The clapping rose to a crescendo, even more students standing to cheer him on.

Getting into the swing of things, he threw a fist into the air. "We will not be ignored any longer!!"

The response was more then he had imagined that it would be. Frustration that had been building for months was let lose in a hammering of applause. Some stomped their feet on the ground, some jumped up and down. One young mutant threw his baseball hat in the air. And in the middle of it all was Evan Daniels, grinning happily. He let go a breath that he hadn't realised that he had been holding and beamed at the other students.

If he had got this response in debate class, maybe he wouldn't have flunked after all.





It took a while to get everyone quiet again, almost a full five minutes in fact. Finally, after much cheering and backslapping, Evan looked around to make sure that everyone was sitting in their seats. They were all silent, waiting for him to speak. Unlike at the beginning of the meeting, there was no tense undertones --- no nervousness. If anything, there was an overwhelming feeling of community. At the end of the day, he reasoned, they were all in the same boat.

Sitting back down in his own chair, the blonde haired mutant rubbed a hand over his knuckles. He wasn't quite sure what to do now. He thought back to the movie that he had watched for ideas. Inspired, he smiled.

"Okay then, why don't we go around the group and introduce ourselves? Kind of a get-to-know-ya deal."

There was a quiet murmur of agreement. Encouraged, he continued gestured to the boy sitting to his right. "Why don't you start us off?"

The large figure shifted uneasily, hands clasped together in his lap. He cleared his throat nervously. "Well, my name is Fred Dukes, and I-I'm a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants." He paused and looked at Evan. "Was that okay?"

Evan nodded encouragingly. "Why don't you tell us why you're here, Fred?"

Freddy frowned. "Because the poster said so. Oh wait, I get ya." There was a hesitant pause as he trained his eyes down on the floor. "I guess I'm here because of the stuff you've said. Nobody writes about me. I mean, I know that I don't say much, and my powers aren't exactly optic- blast cool --- but I'm still a member of the Brotherhood. I just wish that people would pay me some attention is all ---" he trailed into silence, twiddling his thumbs.

Evan reached over and rested his hand on Fred's gigantic shoulder. "Its okay, man. Let it out."

There was a quiet sniffing. "I can't help being shy. If you had been overweight you're whole life, wouldn't you be? Even the fan writers make fun of me. They write me stupid --- I mean really, totally stupid. I'm not the brightest spoon in the draw, but I'm not half as thick as they make out. And there's another thing," he scowled "I am NOT constantly thinking about food! And I am NOT constantly eating! I mean, when was the last time that you saw me pig-out on the show?"

There was a silence.

"Exactly! I don't do it! I'm big because of my mutant power, not because I'm some kind of slob. And even if I was, they shouldn't be constantly going on about my weight. But at least those people write about me. Most don't bother. Even in Brotherhood fics, I usually get left out. Lance and Pietro get paired with every girl going --- even Todd gets a staring role sometimes." He shook his head sadly. "Not me though. Everybody forgets about me." Fred sighed and shrugged, signalling that he was finished.

There was a round of applause. Freddy looked up in surprise, cheeks flushing scarlet. Despite himself, he gave a small smile.

"Boy," he breathed, "I feel tons better."

Sitting next to him, a small red-haired girl put her hand on his. He looked up in surprise.

"Och, ye wee cutey," Rahne Sinclair beamed shyly, "I always though tha' ye were the best o' the whole Brotherhood."

Freddy blinked uncertainly. "Really?"

She nodded. "Nae foolin'."

Freddy thought for a moment, trying desperately to think of something nice to say back to her. "I-I like what you've done to your hair," he told her lamely, gesturing to her short pig-tails.

The girl giggled appreciatively and the two exchanged timid grins. Evan decided to move on quickly, before the situation could dissolve into candy hearts and roses. He looked to the group of kids sitting after Fred.

"Any of you guys want to go next?"

The band of younger mutants glanced at each other, a dark skinned Brazilian boy finally raising his hand.

"Is it okay if I speak for all of the New Recruits?" he asked.

Evan nodded. "Sure, why not?" he paused, suddenly frowning. "Erm --- who are you guys?"

The boy - Roberto - leant forward and looked around the circle. "See, that's exactly what I'm talking about! Nobody knows who we are! We're just 'The New Recruits'. Erm, hello? We've been here for a full season now. Can't we just be X Men?"

A look of revelation spread across Evan Daniel's face. "Oh, right! I remember you now. I've seen you guys hanging around the Institute a couple of times."

Roberto arched a charcoal eyebrow. "Bet you can't name all of us" he challenged.

Evan frowned thoughtfully. "Lets see --- there's Bobby, Jubilation Lee, Armara ---- " he trailed into silence, deep in concentration. "Err ---- Jamie? Jamine? What's his name --- Multiple Man?"

The younger mutant leaned back triumphantly. "You see? No one can! It's like we're just spare parts that came along with season two. We don't have any character --- any adventures of our own. We just hang around the Xavier Institute making trouble for the main characters."

Jubilation Lee, sitting next to Roberto, nodded in agreement. "We don't really blame the fan writers. It's the writers on the show really." She looked up at Evan. "All you guys got origin stories --- a personality. We didn't get anything like that. We just appeared at the Institute one day, totally cool with our powers and with no angst whatsoever. I mean, would you want to write fan fiction about people like that? I know I wouldn't. It's lame."

Evan, who had been counting the number of New Recruits with narrowed eyes, suddenly spoke. "Hey, where's the Iceman?"

There was an uncomfortable pause amongst the young X Men. It was Roberto who finally answered.

"Ever since they put him with the main X Men in 'Day of Recovery', he thinks that he's too cool to hang out with us." He shrugged. "We invited him to come to the meeting, but he said that he didn't have a problem with how the writers used him."

Armara pouted and crossed her arms. "I haven't seen much fan fiction with HIS name on it."

"I have." Jubilation Lee scowled. "They always insist on putting us two together."

The young princess smirked. "You didn't seem to have a problem with him in Storm's loft last night."

Jubilation's eyes widened in shock. "You take that back!" she shrieked.

Evan quickly jumped in before the situation got out of hand. The last thing that he needed was for the first meeting of the FCA to dissolve into a bitch fight. "Ladies, ladies!" He held up his hands for order. "Please can we have a little control? We're all friends here, remember?"

The two girls glared at each other for a further moment before turning sulkily away. Jamie, who had been sitting between them, glanced gratefully up at Evan.

"I think that we'd better be moving on." The bleached blonde skater gestured to the girl sitting next to Sam. "What's you're name?"

The girl started as he looked at her and blinked hurriedly behind a pair of oversized sunglasses. "Th-the poster said that it was anonymous. I-I didn't think that you need my name."

Evan smiled encouragingly. "Nobody's going to judge you. It's just nice to know who we're talking too, is all."

The girl paused uncertainly. With her sunglasses and baseball cap, she was obviously trying to cover her true identity. Evan watched her closely. There was something familiar about her ----

With a weary sigh, the girl took of the hat and shook her hair free. It fell well past her shoulders in shining scarlet waves, emerald green eyes uncovered as she removed the glasses. Revealed. The girl stared anxiously at the gathered group. "I guess you all know who I am?" she asked apprehensively.

Evan reeled back in surprise. "Jean?! What are you doing here?"

"The poster said that anyone who felt that they got a raw deal from the writers could come." Jean Grey swallowed and shrugged. "Guess that's me."

Rahne, who had been talking in whispers to Freddy ever since he had finished with his introduction, suddenly looked up. "But ye're in all of th' episodes? How can ye think that ye're hard done by?"

"Oh sure, the script writers love me." Jean shook her head bitterly. "It's the fans themselves that seem to have the problem. I never get any fics to myself. If I'm in any at all, it's only to play Duncan and Scott off against each other, or to act like a self-obsessed bitch in the background." She thought about it for a moment. "Unless its an original character story, in which case I'm there briefly in the first scene when I try and get the OC to talk about their troubled past."

Evan thought back to all the episodes of Evolution that he had ever watched. "Well, it is keeping in character --- " he admitted thoughtfully.

The red haired senior looked around desperately. "But there's more to me than just that! I'm not just some popularity queen that happens to have super powers. I have angst too!"

The others stared at her doubtfully.

"I do! I have problems, just the same as anyone else. The only difference is that I don't whine about them all the time. Rogue has more friends than me for God's sake, and she's supposed to be a loner! Do you know how many friends I have," she held up her index finger "One. Scott Summers."

Sam frowned. "What about that Taryn girl you used to hang out with?"

Jean paused uncomfortably. "She hasn't really spoken to me since I came out about being with Scott. And there's another thing! The writers always make me out to be a total bitch - that I was stringing Scott along from the very beginning. I wasn't! But the writers don't like that, so obviously I'm playing Scott along while I use Duncan for his popularity. That is so not true! They just can't hack that I'm good at a lot of stuff --- they WANT me to be bitchy. They act like I just pretend to be nice to people --- that I don't really care about any of them. Why is it so hard for people to accept that I might genuinely want to help others?"

Jubilation Lee smirked to Roberto. "Its okay, I can totally relate to what you're going through," she told him in a mock Jean-Grey voice, then burst out laughing. Evan shot her a warning glance, quickly subduing her into silence.

"I just want people to write me as a human being for once. I'm not the cardboard no-personality social worker that they make me out to be, and I'm not a backstabbing bitch either. I have problems, just like any other teenager. I just wish that writers would accept me! It's been two and a half seasons now, why won't they get over this whole anti-Jean thing?!"

She stopped and looked up. She had been speaking shrill and fast, and the two kids sitting next to her had edged away as far as they could. Even Evan was watching her doubtfully.

"Sorry," she smiled apologetically. "Guess I got a little carried away."

Evan frowned and rubbed his hands together awkwardly. "Well, Yeeaah." He was looking around desperately for a distraction when there was a knock on the door. Thankful that he wouldn't have to deal with Jean and her problems, he seized upon the diversion.

"Come in," he called. It was probably the janitor come to kick them out.

The door opened and a figure walked in. Or rather rolled in. It was not the Janitor, but Professor Xavier. He glanced around at the gathered group, smiling warmly.

"I'm not late for the FCA meeting am I?"

Evan was stunned into silence. After a moment, he remembered his manners and nodded hurriedly. "No, no of course not. Come right on in --- err, sir."

Charles, apparently oblivious to the surprised stares that he was receiving from the gathered kids, beamed cheerfully. "Well, this is nice," he clucked warmly, as if appreciating a well cooked meal. He wheeled his chair between Sam and Jean, who moved respectfully to make room for him.

"Oh, by the way," he started suddenly, looking up at Evan. "I invited a friend along. That won't be a problem, will it?"

Storm's young nephew blinked. "No, I guess not. The more the merrier."

Charles nodded in appreciation and turned his head to the open doorway. "Erik?" he called "You can come in if you want."

Rahne frowned. "Erik who?"

Freddy was about to answer when he was suddenly cut short. A lone figure filled the doorway. Dark and looming, cape fluttering in a nonexistent breeze, he strode slowly from the shadows. The glittering eyes considered each of the gathered in turn, an icy sneer curling at his mouth.

Magneto.

Charles smiled and waved him in. "Pull up a chair, old friend. I told you that we wouldn't be the only ones coming."

Magneto drifted to stand behind the man in the wheelchair. "I prefer to stand," he growled quietly. To Evan's surprise, Magneto was blushing, obviously embarrassed to be there. Weird.

Charles shrugged and looked to Evan. "I'm not really here for myself. Its Erik. He has a problem with the way that he is portrayed in fan fiction."

"I do not."

The bald man sighed. "We've been through this. If you have a problem, it won't help just to keep it to yourself. These people have all been through the same as you --- you will not face ridicule."

Evan looked shakily up at Magneto, the evil mutant staring back with grim features. "Hey man, whatever is said in the FCA doesn't leave this room." He attempted a nervous smile, failing miserably. "We're all friends here."

Charles raised his eyebrows to Erik. "What did I tell you?"

Magneto growled in irritation and shook his head. He was not wearing his helmet and his silvery hair fell across his forehead. The pinkish tinge to his cheeks increased to a dusky scarlet. "I do not need to be discussing my private matters with a group of teenagers," he muttered coldly.

Charles watched him closely for a moment before turning away. "Alright then, why don't I start?" He glanced at Evan, who nodded with the go- ahead.

"Well," he started, steepling his fingers under his chin. "I don't really have a problem with being ignored. Alright, I may not have any fan fictions on my own account, but I appear in most that feature the X Men as a team. The same goes for my appearances on the show. What I do feel upset about is the manner in which many writers chose to portray me." He paused, looking around at the gathered. "Have any of you heard of the anti- Xavier movement?"

The gathered mutants exchanged curious glances and shook their heads. The mahogany skinned leader of the FCA tilted his head thoughtfully. "What's that Professor?"

Charles shifted uncomfortably. Evidently, it was not a subject that he held favour over. "The anti-Xavier movement," he explained, "Is a group of fan fictions that feature me as the principle villain. They have me committing an array of unfavourable acts, ranging from mind control or purposefully splitting up couples, to planning the destruction of mankind."

Behind his, Magneto gave a low chuckle. "Charles," he purred darkly, "I didn't know that you had it in you."

Xavier sighed wearily. "I don't. If I did, then I would not have a problem with these fics."

"At least they allow you some screen time with which to attempt these evil schemes. I am supposed to be the main villain of the show and I have yet to note any fan fictions devoted to me."

Evan rested his chin against his hand, getting into full therapist mode. He was rather enjoying this. "Well now that's not true. There's tons of fics with you in them lately."

Magneto swallowed before looking away. "Those are not my stories," he murmured quietly. "They are Pietro's. I am merely a tool by which to provide him with more angst."

There was a slight tremor to the silver haired mutant's voice. It did not go unnoticed. Jean Grey looked up at him sadly. "And how does that make *you* feel?"

The older man's eyes closed briefly. "How do you think it makes me feel? I am overshadowed by my own son. I must content myself to making guest appearances in Pietro fics --- causing him conflicts which stretch for chapters at a time." He curled his gloved hands into fists, a strand of hair falling over his brow. "I am not a villain. I am simply Quicksilver's evil father."

Jean nodded sympathetically. "I can relate to what you're going through."

Evan frowned doubtfully at the senior before turning to Magneto. "Listen man, I hear what you're saying. I mean, if I make an appearance in ANY fic nowadays, it's only to act at Pietro's punch bag, you know what I'm saying?"

Erik looked up hopefully, eyes shining with tears of frustration. "Really?" he sniffed, "You mean I'm not the only one?"

"Of course not! I've been living in that dudes shadow since day one! The only time it ever evens out is if its an Evitro fic!"

Magneto frowned. "What's Evitro?"

A dreamy half-smile played on the young boys mouth as he slipped away into a by now familiar fantasy. Pietro in the locker-room after a basketball game. Pietro getting undressed in the locker-room after a basketball game. Pietro getting into a shower after getting undressed in the locker-room after a basketball game ----

He crossed his legs, clearing his throat hurriedly. "You know, I'm not sure. Maybe I'll look it up later."

Magneto smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Evan Daniels."

Evan sighed and shrugged.

"Hey, no sweat."







It was much later when the FCA finally called it a night. It took a while for Magneto to work through his issues with Pietro, and by the time that the group slowly trickled away the sky had darkened to the colour of India ink. Evan stood by the door and saw them off.

Magneto was the first to leave, eyes still red-rimmed from the discussion about his childhood insecurities. He offered Evan his gloved hand, shaking the young boy's firmly. "There will always be a place for you with my new team --- if you desire it."

Evan smiled gratefully. It was something to think about. "Thanks man."

The master of magnetism bowed slightly and strode through the door.

Next was Jean Grey, accompanied by a number of the New Recruits. She paused awkwardly for a moment, putting her sunglasses back on.

"Listen Evan --- I'd really appreciate it if you kept this to yourself, you know?"

He nodded silently and watched her as she left. He wasn't going to rat on her. It was called Forgotten Character's ANONYMOUS for a reason.

It took a couple of minutes for the rest of the New Recruits to leave. Roberto gave him a friendly high-five as he passed, Armara and Jubilation Lee still swapping snide remarks to each other. Evan rolled his eyes. Girls. He would never understand them. Guys on the other hand ----

He was saved from slipping into another Pietro fantasy as Rahne and Freddy left the room, hand in hand. They were the original odd-couple to say the least, but they seemed happy. He hadn't seen a smile like that on Freddy's face since --- well, come to think of it, he's NEVER seen a smile like that on Freddy's face. Ever. Rahne flashed the blonde haired mutant a quick grin as she left. Evan hoped that it worked out for them.

The door shut with a soft thud as the last of the mutants left. That was it. Everyone was gone. Time to put the chairs back and return the keys to the Janitor.

He turned, and found himself looking at the Professor.

"Oh hey, Prof. I thought that you'd gone already."

Charles smiled softly. "I will, shortly." He looked around the deserted classroom, hands cupped in his lap. "I'd say that it when rather well, wouldn't you?"

Evan shrugged one shoulder. "I guess so."

The older man considered him silently for a moment, then began to slowly wheel himself towards the doorway. "And Evan?"

Storm's nephew looked up. "Hm?"

Charles nodded gently. "You deserve better. I wanted you to know that"

Evan didn't know what to say to that. Eyes lowered self-consciously to the floor, he pulled his eyebrows into a look of thought. "We all do."

Charles silently left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. Evan Daniels sighed and looked up. Freddy, Jean, Magneto, the New Recruits ---- they were all great characters. If people worked a little harder --- to look beyond the surface --- maybe one day they would get the appreciation that they deserved. It would happen, eventually, of course it would. One day, when the Kurt stories would ran dry, and the writers ran out of people to pair Rogue with, they would have to look elsewhere for inspiration.

And when they did --- well, the FCA would always be there.

Smiling to himself, he picked up the nearest chair and began to clear away. He wanted to get back to the institute. One of his favourite fan fic authors was uploading an Evitro story tonight, and he wanted to print it off before Kitty could claim the computer.

God he loved slash.

Shifting a table back into place, he began to whistle the X Men theme.