A/N & Disclaimer: Originally written for myself and a few friends for our own amusement. I don't own any of the X-Men, sadly. I'm just borrowing them for my story. Comments are welcome. Chapters will be held ransom for a few reviews. ;)

Chapter I: The Challenge of Change

"Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful, it is threatening, because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful, it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident, it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better." – King Whitney Jr.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are not here to condemn the branching of the evolution of the human race into something that is becoming a source of concern for our families, our homes, and our lives. We are here to determine whether this branching poses a threat, and to take appropriate measures against it if it is deemed necessary."

As applause rang through the hearing chamber, Howard Fulwood, a tall, swarthy man in his early forties, stepped down from the podium, mopping his brow quickly with a limp, white handkerchief. Thank goodness that the hearing was finally over with. It had gone unusually well. No one had stood up to question his statements. Not even a single mutant, and he knew very well that some of them had to have been out there, listening.

"Senator Fulwood! Can you tell us how exactly you plan to determine whether mutants pose a threat to the rest of the population?"

"What measures will you take against them?"

"Senator, how will you respond to Senator Radler's claim that mutants and humans should be able to co-exist peacefully?"

The endless barrage of questions from the press assaulted him as he made his way outside, causing him to pause on the steps to say briefly into the microphones that were eagerly held toward him, "The mutant situation will be dealt with in an efficient manner. Although Senator Radler and I have opposing views, let me assure the public, and especially my people in Florida, that I will do all that I can to ensure that your homes are kept safe from the powers of these mutated individuals. Thank you."

With a quiet click, the television's screen went blank.

"I've heard enough of this, " Logan said gruffly, leaning against the wall behind him.

"We all have, Logan, " Storm replied, quietly. "But how else are we to stay informed on how the rest of the world views us?"

"Nearly everyone else in the country would agree with this Fulwood guy, " the lupine man retorted. "They hate and fear us. I don't need a news broadcast to tell me that."

"They hate and fear what they don't understand, " Ororo Munroe corrected, standing from one of the many ornate couches in Xavier's mansion. "It's a repetitive trend that we see often in our study of the course of history. As long as men are prejudiced, there will be ill will and misunderstandings. If they were brought to an understanding of mutants, perhaps -- "

"It's an age-old argument, Storm, " Professor Charles Xavier said gently, wheeling into the living room. "And one that isn't likely to be answered completely anytime soon. As long as there are people working toward a more peaceful way of life between mutants and humans, there will always be those who feel that humanity must be separated into two separate factions, that mutants are dominant, and that we must do whatever we can to ensure our own survival."

"Sometimes you have to do what's necessary to survive, " Logan responded after a moment. "And when you live from day-to-day, you don't have the time to find a side to stand on. You have to do what's in your best interests."

"Yes, " Xavier agreed, "but when you find the time, Logan, you will eventually have to confront the ideals that concern you, and decide where to take a stand."

"As you did?"

The professor closed his eyes briefly, and then re-opened them. "Yes, Logan. As we all did." He paused. "And as some mutants soon will." His gaze shifted slightly to include Ororo. "Storm, there are a couple of mutants who fall under Senator Fulwood's jurisdiction that I need you to bring back to the mansion. They will be affected by his plans sooner than most, if his plans come to fruition. They will be much safer, here. Take Logan with you."

"And if they don't cooperate?" Logan asked.

"I'm reasonably certain that an old friend of mine will soon pay them a visit, " Xavier answered with the hint of a smile, wheeling out of the room.

" … let me assure the public, and especially my people in Florida, that I will do all that I can to ensure that your homes are kept safe from the powers of these mutated individuals. Thank you."

Kimberly turned off the television and flopped back onto the couch in her friend's living room, staring balefully at the blank screen. "This is getting ridiculous, " she muttered.

"The mutant situation that they keep talking about?" Natalie asked, as she shut the door to her room and moved to join the other girl. "I heard his last statement to the press before I shut off my TV in there." She rolled her eyes a little. "They're people, just like us. Why can't he – or any of those other people up there – see that?"

"Because they're government officials?" Kim quipped in response, shrugging. "Or maybe because Senator Fulwood is a Republican? I heard on the news last week that Senator Radler from New Jersey disagrees with him. He's in favor of mutants being able to peacefully co-exist with humans."

"Let me guess. He's a Democrat?"

"Obviously, Nat. He has sensible ideas, after all."

Natalie opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a cheerful voice.

"Good morning, " Jessica smiled as she emerged from the bathroom. Her bright expression faltered slightly as she noticed the expressions on her friends' faces, and the fact that the television was off. That was odd. Her hazel eyes narrowed a little. "Is everything alright?"

"They're taking shots at mutants again, Jess, " Nat explained, tightly. "It's not right. I'm really getting tired of listening to them talk about it."

"The Republicans are mainly advocating how dangerous mutants can be, " Kim argued. "Not everyone agrees. The Democrats are certainly taking the opposite viewpoint, although I'm not sure if they're doing it just to spite their opposing party, or because that's what they really believe in. Either way, at least someone is trying to speak up for them."

Jessica sighed, and slowly took a seat on the couch, shaking her head. "Prejudice is always such an injustice, " she murmured sadly. "It shouldn't be that way. I've never met a mutant, but I've heard about what they can do. They're just – special. There's nothing wrong with them, I suppose."

Kim blanched a little, and her gaze fell to her hands, twisted in her lap. She joked with her friends all of the time about being psychic, having a heightened ESP, and being able to read people's minds, but what they didn't know was that she was actually telling the truth. From about the age of eleven or twelve, she slowly grew more and more aware of what she was capable of doing. It had helped that her mother, too, was a telepath; she was also able to sense physiological and psychological changes in an individual's overall health, over time. Some of that talent had been passed on to her daughter, and although she was nowhere near as adept at it as her mother, it would still enable her to become a wonderful doctor, someday. Her intuition also told her volumes about the people around her. She could easily pick out other telepaths, just by coming face-to-face with them. She knew that Natalie had some telepathic abilities, and a very strong intuition, as did Jessica, although she was certain that those were not their primary abilities. But they were, as her mother often told her, special. They were all special, gifted individuals. But what exactly was this gift? Did it have a name?

" … superstitious and say that it's unnatural, but I don't think there's anything wrong with it, " Natalie was saying, as she drew her thoughts back to the present. "That's the way that species change, isn't it? Mutation?"

Jess nodded. "Yep, that's what we learned in AP Bio, at least. Point mutations are the most common. It's how organisms evolved over millions of years into animals, plants, and – us."

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"I'll get it, " Nat sighed, reluctantly getting up off of the couch and heading toward the front door. Opening it, she stared for a long moment at the gruff-looking man and white-haired woman standing on her front porch. "Can I help you with something?"

The tall woman nodded a little. "I think so. We're looking for someone who just got accepted into our private school."

"Oh, you mean like – a private college?"

"If that's what you want to call it, " the man answered with a shrug. "We were just sent by the – administration – to speak to the new students."

Natalie scratched her head a little. "Okay … I'm going to assume you mean Kim or Jess?"

The other two girls had, by this time, made their way to the door – especially when their names were mentioned.

Kimberly frowned a little as she watched their reactions. The man seemed tough, casual, and poised all in one. He didn't want there to be any trouble. Neither did the woman. Attempting to idly poke deeper to find out why they were there, the girl winced, suddenly, and pressed her hands to her head. There was some sort of electricity surrounding the woman's mind, which acted as a sort of shield. It deflected psychic energies easily, as Kim discovered the hard way. However it managed it, it was painful.

The white-haired woman lifted a hand to her own head at the same moment, peering closely at Kim. "You're one of them, " she said slowly. "Who's the other? Or are you both also – like her?"

Jessica looked confused. Very confused. "What do you mean, 'like her?'"

"Are you both also mutants, like her? Like us?" the man elaborated, bluntly.

"Mutants?' Natalie repeated. "I don't know. Is that why you're here? To find out if we're – mutants or not?"

"If you are mutants, " the man began, but was abruptly cut off by Nat's sudden accusation of, "You're from the government, aren't you! You're here to take her, or Jess, or all of us away and out of our lives, just because we're mutants!" She glared at him. "How dare you!" And as her anger grew, the room steadily began to darken.

Jess gasped. "Nat – what are you doing?" she cried, suddenly afraid, drawing closer to Kim. "You're making it go dark in here – stop!"

The lights in the dining room quickly dimmed and then died as the air surrounding the infuriated girl grew darker and darker. Shadows coalesced in front of her, shaping themselves into objects that resembled staffs, or heavy weapons from the Middle Ages.

Kimberly closed her eyes, and focused on warmth and reassurance. She was fairly certain that the two people standing there were not from the government, nor were they there to ruin their lives. They had good intentions. Reaching out with one hand to grasp Natalie's shoulder, she gently placed the other arm around Jessica, and blanketed their consciousness in warmth and comfort. Relax, Nat, she said firmly. They're not here to harm us. I think that they just want to take us to their school.

After a lengthy pause, the shadows slowly dissipated. The lights in the dining room flickered and then with a small surge, returned to their normal illumination.

"Well, are you coming, then?"

Jessica trembled as the lighting returned to normal. She'd never seen anything like that before. "C-Coming?" she squeaked, still quite a bit shaken.

Nat shook her head a little, gently disengaging her friend's hand from her shoulder. "If you're not from the government, then where the hell are you from?"

"We teach at a school in New York, " the woman replied, "a school for mutants, like us. We teach the younger mutants everything that you'd normally learn in school, but also how to develop, hone, and control your powers. You'll be much safer, if you come with us. Whatever the government chooses to do, we'll do everything we can to stay ahead of them. We seek harmony between humans and mutants, not mutant or human supremacy."

"Like Senator Radler, " Kim said, slowly. "If everyone at your school thinks like the Democrats, it can't be all that bad, can it?"

Jess managed a tremulous smile and a weak laugh. "She's saying that if you're not Republicans, you're probably alright."

The man gave a short, appreciative chuckle. "Well, if you're coming, we'll walk you to the jet."

Natalie's eyes rounded. "Jet? You get to your school by a private jet?"

The woman nodded, smiling a little. "We certainly do. We even teach some of our team members how to fly it – the ones that show an aptitude for it, that is."

That was all the convincing that Natalie needed. They had a jet, ideals that butted heads with the Republicans, and mutant and human harmony? On second thought, going to this private school suddenly didn't sound so bad. "Alright, I'll – go, " she said at last, much to everyone else's surprise.

The white-haired woman looked relieved. "Wonderful. Our jet is actually situated a little ways down the street, so if you'll gather what belongings you want to take with you, and follow me, please?"

And all three did. Although none of the trio was currently aware of it, they were about to embark upon a journey that would alter the course of their lives forever.