Chapter Text
A young boy straights in his chair as a TV turns on, and a black and white ad starts to play. As the ad starts, a brass band performs the American National anthem.
"Join the war!" The ad screams, with bold font repeating the phrase.
A young child, maybe 8, plays in a sandbox.
"You!" The ad yells at the boy.
The boy looks up, then points to himself in confusion.
"Yes you! Do you think mutants are a threat?" The ad asks.
The boy nods eagerly.
"Then join the war against the Mutants!" The ad cheers.
The ad cuts to a group of men wearing make-up meant to make them look like horrifying monsters. It's not very effective....
"Mutants can cause all kinds of havoc" The ad continued, obviously to how goofy the "mutants" looked.
"Do your duty to your country, nay the world, and join the war!"
Then, mercifully, the school bell rang.
Ms. Blaire pushed the eject button, and removed the tap.
"Alright class, that's all we have time for today. Remember, you have homework during the break, so review your notes. Other than that, have a Merry Christmas."
The rest of the class got up from their seats and began laughing and making fun of the tape. One of boys, a kid named Riley who had extra arms, began mimicking the "Mutants" from the tap. Earning him more laughs from his friends.
As for Alex Summers, he rushed out of school and ran to the parking lot. The wind was blowing softly, and snow was melting in the California heat. Then, he spotted his older brother.
Standing in front of him was a man wearing red tinted sunglasses and a black leather jacket. He was casually leaning against his motorcycle, and gave Alex a nod.
Alex rushed past him and hugged his brother Scott, who had been standing right behind the guy with a motorcycle.
“Scott! You're back from college!” Alex cheered.
Scott, almost knocked over by his little brother, steadied himself and hugged Alex back.
“Just for the holidays. Then I'll be starting my new job.” Scott said.
“So soon?” Alex whined.
“Sorry Alex, but they want me to start as soon as possible.” Scott said apologetically.
Alex whined some more, but eventually nodded.
“Okay, but you better keep writing!” Alex said, punching Scott in the arm.
“Ow! Okay, I will! And not so hard." Scott said, rubbing his arm.
"It's good practice for when you start in the FBI." Alex jeered.
"It's not the FBI, we're-"
"A division of it, protecting humans and mutants from Omega level threats." Alex said, mimicking Scott's voice.
Scott sighed, took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
"I swear you're still five some days."
"Okay, okay. Sorry." Alex said, feeling a little bad.
Scott blinked, cleaned his glasses on his checkered patterned sweater vest, then put his glasses back on.
"It's fine, let's get headed home. I've missed Mom's cooking."
"So, how was school?" Scott asked
"Fine, history class was... interesting." Alex said.
"How so?"
"Saw an ad that humans made during the war."
"Ah, I remember watching some as a kid."
"Yeah, cause your old."
"It was seventeen years ago and I was five."
"Old."
Scott just shook his head.
"Did people really talk like that?" Alex asked curiously.
"In the ads at least." Scott shrugged.
"Man, wonder how awkward it must have been for those guys when they woke up with powers?"
"Or image if they ended up getting a useless power, like an extra nostril. Worst of both worlds for them."
Scott and Alex laugh.
"How was your day?" Alex asked.
"Long. Flight got delayed, and Mom was late picking me up. Got to help her with groceries though. Oh, and I managed to get you a present." Scott said slyly.
"What! What is it?" Alex asked.
"I can't tell, that'll ruin the surprise."
"Oh come on! Please!" Alex begged, but Scott wouldn't budge.
Eventually, Alex stopped, and Scott turned on the radio. Flipping through various channels about sports, news, and music. Right as they pulled into their neighborhood, one snippet of news caught Scott's attention.
"...And tonight, the President will be delivering a brief Christmas message for the Nation. It will be pre-recorded and air at 8pm local time."
Scott made a mental note of this, then shut off the radio as they pulled into the driveway.