So this is the fifth of my stories carrying on from the film trilogy and ignoring the prequels. I gather there is actually going to be another film picking up on these characters, which will probably make this series even more obsolete than it already is, but until then, reading of the previous four is recommended.

CHAPTER 1

The boy worked his way nimbly through the crowds. He was experienced by now, knowing just how to look like an ordinary nine-year-old, rushing around without drawing attention from anyone. He bumped into a rich-looking gentleman, extracting his wallet from his pocket with an expert hand while proclaiming "Sorry, mister" in a loud voice. Then he ran on, a broad smile on his face at his find.

"Do not be complacent, Javier,"came the voice in his head.

Javier's smile vanished immediately. He knew the owner of the voice well, knew what he did to those who displeased him. "Sorry, sir,"he whispered.

"Do not apologise. Learn from your mistakes. No delays. To work."

Javier hurried on, seeking out his next target. He knew the consequences if he failed.

Wolverine pulled awkwardly at the collar of his tux as they entered the restaurant. "Why did we have to wear this?"

Gambit, who, annoyingly, seemed to be pulling off the look, patted him on the shoulder. "Be cheerful, my friend. You look good."

Wolverine looked at Storm, who was looking as stunning as ever in her cocktail dress. "Why did the Professor send us to do this?"

"I don't know,"she admitted. "He was a bit vague. Said there was something he was working on." She looked around at all the tables. "There they are." She gave Wolverine a severe look. "Arm." Wolverine offered her his arm as instructed and couldn't help breaking into a smile. He led her towards the table she'd indicated.

Their dining companions stood up as they approached: Beast, Havok and a green-haired woman they didn't know. Beast smiled at his old friends. "Logan, Ororo. Glad you could make it."

Gambit's eyes were fixed on the woman. "And who is this delightful creature?"

The woman blushed slightly at the declaration. "Lorna. Lorna Danes."

Gambit took her hand and kissed it. "Enchante, mademoiselle."

"She's with me,"Havok added pointedly.

"Now, now, Alex,"Beast scolded him. "Let us remain courteous."

The group took their seats. Wolverine looked across at Lorna. "What's with the hair?" Storm gave him a pointed dig in the ribs. "It's what everyone else was thinking."

"What's with yours?"Lorna responded.

Gambit smirked. "Touche, mon ami."

"Actually, it's my natural hair colour,"Lorna continued.

Storm looked at her in interest. "You're a mutant."

Lorna gestured to the place set in front of her and all her cutlery floated into the air. As did all the other cutlery on the table.

"Telekinesis?"Storm asked.

Lorna shook her head. "I can only move metal."

"I've been trying to convince Lorna to join X-Factor since she and Alex met,"Beast observed. "Sadly, to no avail."

"Maybe you could join the X-Men,"Storm suggested.

"How fascinating." Everyone looked at Gambit, who was purusing the menu. "Tandoori chicken for starters."

Javier placed a large bag into the outstretched hand. A large man in a turban, dressed in a white suit and sunglasses, weighed the contents, not bothering to look inside. After a moment, he nodded and Javier gave a sigh of relief. It was when Amahl Farouk took a close interest in you that you had to worry.

Farouk went over the rest of the children, boys and girls around Javier's age, accepting their day's takings in turn, giving each the curt nod of approval. Until he came to Fraco, always one of the more nervous of the group. Shaking, Fraco handed out a single wallet. Farouk looked down at it and looked back at Fraco, his eyes growing colder by the second.

"It was difficult,"Fraco stammered. "They kept watching me, getting suspicious. I didn't want to get caught, I…I know how you'd feel about that."

"No excuses,"Farouk snapped. "I have fed you and clothed you. I demand payment." He smiled, the most terrifying thing he ever did. "And I shall have it."

"No…no…" Fraco screamed, clutching his head. Javier knew what was happening to him, they had all experienced it. In his head, Fraco was suffering the worst pains and torments anyone could imagine and others that only Farouk would ever imagine. It was an onslaught that even the hardiest couldn't suffer for long. Fraco dropped dead at his feet.

Farouk moved on to the next child in line.

Professor X, sat at the controls of the grounded X-Jet, scowled as he sensed the boy's death. One more senseless killing to add to a lifetime. He cursed that they had arrived too late to save the boy but it sharpened his resolve to put an end to it. "Now, Rogue,"he stated telepathically.

Outside the building, Rogue heard the message and turned to those with her – Iceman, Kitty, Angel and Jubilee. "Let's move in."