Charles sat in his silent study, poised over various newspaper articles. A small television murmured lazily in the background. "…And now reports from the south-east areas of Michigan claim to have experienced an instantaneous black-out at exactly the same moment. The effect of this current phenomena extends to handicapping electronic devices that are mobile and free of main power-line connections…" Charles glanced at the screen from over his papers. It showed a street devoid of lighting, people running about in confusion, and panned over to a pile-up of cars that were unable to stop. Some had crashed into a coffee shop, some into each other. "…the odd nature of this detached catastrophe has experts baffled. Specialist Ruth MacKinley will join us in person and explain her theories after the break. In the meantime, gas prices have risen once again…" The television continued, but Charles was already rolling out the door.

Hank caught up with him on his route to Cerebro, and began questioning Charles avidly as the computer scanned his eye. "This means electromagnetic disruption—the EXACT OPPOSITE of Erik's mutation. The possibility of having no relation but still existing with the same exact operons but reversed is absolutely astronomical—"

Charles raised a hand and silenced Hank. "Welcome, Professor" soothed the electric air in a liquid, female computer voice. Glancing up at his friend, Charles couldn't help but smile fondly, entering Cerebro. The geek was physically trembling with excitement, and he saw how very alive Hank was with this miracle. "Please, Hank. If this is caused by a mutant, you can come along. As for now…" he reached for the spiny helmet and settled it snuggly on his head, flattening his styled volumes of hair.

"Of course, Professor." The globed room flashed black, like the beginning of a film scene in IMAX. Beads of white and red began fading into existence, accelerating and shifting as their avatars adopted to the people's movements in the vague shapes of the continents. The gleeful laughter of a 6 year-old girl sounded as she chased a bouncing ball, her long hair fanning out in slow motion as she turned. An old man walked his dog ritualistically, passing an old lady feeding ducks with her grandson. "And here…we…go." Charles spoke with amusement as the view suddenly bucked forward and began falling into the United States. Hank clenched his fists against a sudden wave of motion sickness and blinked. The murmurs became confused, chaotic shouts of panic the closer he focused. All of a sudden, a mind he knew only too well caught his attention…Raven. "Raven is there. Erik. Angel. Someone else…aha. Yes, the blackout was caused by a mutant. She's currently unconscious. I can see-" He brushed her mind cautiously, not wanting to concentrate too hard and overwhelm her. His brows furrowed and his eyes grew sad. "This was an accident. Unintentional. Too much pressure; she'll want guidance. Friends. Healing…"

"I have a lock on her location. We're set." Hank intervened.

Charles closed his eyes and removed the helmet, winking the brilliant spectacle of Cerebro into a lovely, depth defying darkness.

"Do you think Erik is trying to recruit her? If he gets her on his side…well, let's just say she's our only defense against—"

"She's not a defense, she's a person. I have a theory, Hank, one I hope desperately to be incorrect." He halted his chair suddenly. Hank faced him, his expression deeply serious, but still alive with boyish excitement. "If Erik cannot persuade this mutant to join forces with him, he'll see to it personally that she will not join forces with anyone else."

"What do you mean?"

"He's cutting her off, Hank. He'll kill the only person who could be a viable threat to himself."

Nodding curtly, Hank grasped the handles of the wheelchair and hurried the two of them to the jet.