A/N: I introduce to you my first ever X-Men fanfic. It is loosely based on some of the events taking place in the comics, but this is an original universe, so do not assume any event happened unless stated in the fic. Personalities and back-stories should not vary too much. Also, this story is set in the present, focusing on an original character, but with very strong influences from canon characters. Please R&R, I'd love to know what you guys think!

Disclaimer:I do not own the X-Men or any familiar topics that are mentioned throughout the story. This is a fan fiction and it is meant for entertainment only. I am in no way earning money from this. Laue is my own creation.

Prologue: Dark Future Ahead

Three Months Ago

It was a beautiful day in New York City, with the summer sun shining high in the cloudless blue sky. To most people, it was a day for shopping trips in Times Square, nighttime escapades to local bars and clubs, hanging out at the beach or just lounging on a terrace with a good book, peacefully over-looking the busy city.

But for people like Senator Robert Kelly, today was a day where change was about to happen, a change that would have a great effect on the city. The Senator, dressed in a fancy gray suit and a matching striped tie, stood on his podium, looking over at a crowd of eager citizens all united in Central Park. A formal smile was spread on his thin lips, glasses perched on his nose. In between his hands was a well-prepared speech.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen!" Kelly said, pausing to let the crowd cheer. His smile widened as photographers clicked away at their cameras. "Today!" he said loudly. "Today is a day that will be marked in history!"

The crowd erupted again as posters of all shapes and sizes were waved into the air. All of them represented one thing – that Mutants were not welcomed, hated, and for some, wanted dead.

"As all of you know, earlier this year I was elected Governor of New York, and I have since made it my duty to represent, honor and protect the citizens of this fine city – protect them from the escalating Mutant threat!"

More cheering, more waving of Anti-Mutant posters, more insults thrown at Mutantkind.

If there was a group in the crowd that wasn't enthused by the Senator's words, it was the three teenagers standing close together, three pairs of eyes locked on the podium a couple dozen feet ahead of them.

Charles Xavier had warned the residents of the school not to come here today, but these three had managed to slip out unnoticed. At least, they convinced themselves that. With a Telepath as a headmaster, it was pretty hard to do anything unnoticed.

"This is bullshit," Bobby Drake whispered to his two friends.

"Yep. It's somethin' alright." Rogue whispered back.

Kitty Pryde, unlike her two counterparts, stayed silent, her hands clasped together so tightly that her knuckles were white.

"Let me introduce to you, fellow citizens, Officer Nathan Silverman, the first chief officer of the Mutant Response Division." Kelly announced proudly, waving an arm towards a bulky African-American man with shortly cropped black hair, menacingly dark eyes and a long jagged scar making his intimidating face that much more intimidating. He was in his early to mid fifties, but no one would ever dream to argue that he wasn't capable of taking down a couple of trouble-making Mutants.

"Officer Silverman has been working for the NYPD since 1979; he was without a doubt the perfect candidate for the job!" Kelly went on explaining. "For the past two years now, Silverman has been responsible for the arrests of a dozen Mutants, notably that of Mortimer Toynbee, a known member of the Mutant Terrorist group known as the Brotherhood. Everybody, welcome to the podium, Officer Nathan Silverman!"

Silverman did not look like the type of man to speak in front of a large crowd, but he was ushered in front of the microphone anyway, clearing his throat before making sure, with the tip of his finger, that the microphone worked.

The deafening screech told him it was ready for him to speak.

"Yes," he said awkwardly, "Last night, with the help of our Senator, the Government of the United States signed off on the establishment of the first Mutant Response Division – right here in New York City." he paused, glancing at Kelly for support. When the politician did nothing but give a false smile in the man's direction, Silverman was forced to go on. "Starting immediately, we will be responsible for the growing Mutant threat. We will do what we are required to do in order to keep the city safe."

The entire crowd of humans roared, clapping and cheering. A selected number of individuals, all of them Mutants, most of them shielded by hoods or sunglasses, did not look as pleased – actually, they weren't pleased at all.

The Mutants of the city were now forced to live in fear, unable to feel safe in their own homes. What was going to come next? As Rogue, Iceman and Shadowcat, three teenagers living at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, stood side by side, hidden amidst the crowd of Mutant haters, they couldn't help but fear the worst.