DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE X-MEN OR ANY AFILIATED CRITEREA SUCH AS MAGNETO, THE BROTHERHOOD OR THE PLACES AND TECHNOLOGY DISCRIBED.

I OWN LYRA DE CLOYES, THE DE CLOYES FAMILY, THE PHOENIX LEAGUE MINUS PYRO, AND OTHER CHARACTERS WHO PRESENT THEMSELVES IN THIS STORY.

CREDITS: TO DRAGONFLYQUEEN, WITHOUT YOU, I WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET TO CHAPTER 9, WHICH SHE WROTE A MAIN PART OF.

TO LYDIA BECAUSE I MODELED HER MUTATIONS ON YOUR GYM SKILLS.

CHASE

PART I

CHAPTER I

Lyra "Chase" De Cloyes scaled the worn stone walls of the immense mansion with ease, her calloused hands touching the each stone, giving her a slight burst of energy. She was completely concealed by darkness; the moon had passed behind a cloud skimming across the sky. When it emerged again, it showered the grounds of the manor with a soft, silver light. Instinctively, she leapt up onto the roof and ran for cover behind one of the many chimneys issuing smoke. She sat, legs crossed, perched above the skylight, letting her black eyes survey the happenings of the people below. Once she was sure that no-one was left in the classroom, she jumped to her feet, flipped deftly onto one hand that was resting lightly on the stain glass window. Her black hair was hanging loosely, marring her view of the room below.
Twisting her arm so that she could reach her rucksack that was strapped tightly to her back, she retrieved a hammer, blunt side facing the window.

A strong wind rustled the leaves in the trees, sending stray leaves flying. Lyra was rocked slightly, but managed to keep herself upright.

Raising her hand that held the hammer up a distance away from the window, she launched herself up into the air, bringing the hammer down fast, breaking the centre panes of glass, leaving her a clear entry wound. She dived several metres, enjoying the feeling of the cool wind on her face, before landing on her feet, crouching slightly, surveying her possible exits.

She'd seen the blue prints hours before, but it was completely different in real form.

Lyra, knowing that someone must have heard the window break and the shards of glass fall to the floor, darted off to her right to the main door, unclipping her bag and leaving it by the door. She had no need for it now.

Her army boots soundlessly padded down the hall toward the lift. Some one was coming in the other direction so she jumped to the wall. She slipped up onto roof of the hall, her black body suit blending into the shadows. A muscular boy without a shirt ran underneath her, blindly looking for the intruder that he wasn't going to find.

Lyra laughed silently to herself before continuing to crawl along the roof of the hall. Others followed the muscular boys lead, running in the wrong direction, leaving her undetected and unseen. She dodged a chandelier, elevator in sight.

She dropped to the floor, landing without a sound. She was like a shadow, noiseless, constantly on the move, never seen by the people she pursued. And that's the way she liked it. She did what she wanted. No one gave her trouble; they were too startled by her appearance to do that. She lived alone. She worked alone. That's the way things had to be.

The sensor above the door to the lift alerted it that someone wanted to go downstairs. She heard it, pulleys working all at once to retrieve the carriage. She heard it click into place and the doors began to open.

But what waited inside, she had no time to prepare for.

Logan released his claws, all six of them protruding out of his knuckles, Lyra was startled, she jumped to the roof and ran in the other direction. She knew the man was right behind her, his footsteps falling heavily on the ground underneath him.. He threw his arms at her madly, cutting away parts of her jet black hair that was travelling along behind her. He finally caught onto her pony tail and pulled her back. She screamed shrilly as she was thrown to the floor. Logan pinned her down by her shoulders. He was breathing hard, the thrill of the chase and adrenalin had gone straight to his head. His ears were pounding, every sense tingling.

She raised her right leg and kicked him in the crotch. He winced and fell onto his side, gasping for air. Lyra pushed him away from her and leapt to the wall once more, sprinting to the elevator that had been poised, doors open. Once inside, she pressed at the "Close Doors" Button madly.

Cerebro was hers for the taking.

She waved, smiling maliciously at Logan who had gathered himself and was now advancing on her. The doors closed and she heard a hollow thump as metal hit metal.