DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING EXCEPT SYDNEY. I would also like to add that I borrowed Warren Worthington's speech from the X-Men 3 novel. I DID NOT WRITE IT AND DO NOT CLAIM IT AS MINE. Please don't sue me.

Sydney was outside, reading, when the sudden storm began. The sun disappeared behind a veil of thick clouds in mere seconds, great winds whipping up and sending the book's pages flying. Her freckled face contorted into a confused frown, but she stood and began to run inside as thunder cracked across the distance. Other students did the same, and most of them didn't find it odd. Perhaps, she thought, that Storm has something to do with it.

"I just can't get a minute to read in this place!" She muttered, running a hand through her now wind-whipped and tangled blue hair. She was about to head for the dining room, it was getting awfully close to dinner time, but something stopped her. When she walked by one of the common rooms, the one with the largest television, everyone was silent. Everyone. She stopped after a few paces past the door, backtracked, and stared at the TV.

"They've been called saints and sinners," An older man announced, Sydney didn't recognize him or even the news station it was tuned to. She'd hardly seen American TV. "They've committed atrocities and been the victims of atrocities themselves. They've been labeled monsters, and not without reason."

Sydney's breath caught. He was talking about mutants. About people like her. She stepped further into the room, barely looking away from the screen for a moment when she felt a firm hand on her shoulder. Piotr stood next to her, and shared her concerned expression. "But these so-called monsters are people just like us." The man continued. "They are our fathers and mothers, our brothers and sisters they are our children. Their affliction is nothing more than a disease. A corruption of healthy cellular activity. Finally, there is hope. A way to eradicate their suffering and the suffering of those who love them." Sydney winced at the words; they were delivered far too late for her.

The man, Warren Worthington Jr.; his name had just flashed across the bottom of the screen, held up a photo of a young boy no older than nine or ten, before continuing. "A few years ago, we found a mutant with the most extraordinary ability—to repress, and even reverse, the powers of other mutants who came close to him. Now, after much research, we've found the means for all mutants to get 'close' to him."

Sydney's eyes widened as Warren Worthington held up a vial. She felt Piotr's grip tighten as her own hand covered her mouth in shock. Was this… a cure? A weapon? Would they force it on mutants? Her knees felt weak. The air of tension increased as the similarly shocked students began buzzing at the news. Then another thought entered her mind. Would John take it? She knew how proud he was of his abilities. She'd heard the stories about how he thought he was better than everyone else, and how he joined a man named Magneto. No doubt everyone at Xavier's would believe him too sure of his powers to reverse them. But they didn't know him like Sydney did. They didn't know the scared teenage boy that said goodbye to her on the beach, running from the terror his 'gift' had produced.

She had drowned out the rest of the Worthington man's words, and gave a shaky, but reassuring, smile to Piotr before turning and leaving the room.



When she arrived in her dorm, Rogue was curled up and hugging a pillow. It was clear the girl was deeply conflicted. Sydney sat on her own bed, silent for a few moments before she found the other's gaze.

"Did you hear?"

Rogue nodded.

"…Are you gonna do it?"

She looked helpless.

Sydney reached forward, grasping Rogue's gloved hands in her own. Rogue flinched, but Sydney held fast. "You have every right to do it. But fate has given you this ability, and whether it is a gift or a curse is all in how you use it." She watched Rogue with pleading eyes.

"Are you saying I shouldn't do it?" She bit her lip.

"No. I'm saying you should really think about this. Sure, your powers limit you, but do you have any idea how powerful you are? Do you just want to go back to Mississippi and be normal Marie again? Nothing different, nothing special?"

Rogue's eyes narrowed, and she pulled her hands back. "You sound like John."

A hurt look flashed across Sydney's face, her brown eyes dimming as she pulled herself farther back on her bed. Rogue immediately knew that wasn't the thing to say. "He's my brother." Sydney murmured. "He's not what you think he is. He's not heartless. He—"

"He betrayed us. He left, Sydney, and he didn't look back. Didn't consider our feelings, that we might miss him! You have no idea what that's like!"

Sydney was silent. Her eyes flared to life, an outraged expression overtaking her slightly tanned features. She gripped the blankets with white knuckles and glared, her lips pursed angrily. The water began to rise out of the plant on the windowsill, and a bottle of water sitting on the end table began to shake. Rogue even felt a bit queasy, and it scared her that she didn't know why.

"Sydney, I—"

"Shut up!" Sydney glared. "Shut up, shut UP, SHUT UP. You think I have no idea? You think he didn't leave me, too? That he magically just appeared at Xavier's with no past and no family? Dad left, Emma was dead, you think Mum's sanity lasted long? He abandoned me, Marie! I had nothing!"

The water bottle burst, spewing liquid everywhere. Sydney's eyes were wild when she realized what she'd done. The water in the plant splashed across the carpet as she released it. Looking down at her hands, she realized they were shaking. "…I'm sorry." Her voice was quiet and weak. "I… I have to go." She stood, unsure of where she was going, just that she needed to get there.

"Sydney, wait." The aqua-haired girl paused at the doorway. "…Who's Emma?"

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Author's note: Yes, I'm back. So sorry I haven't been updating, honestly. It's summer break now, and I've got more time to spare. Next week I'm out of town, away from my computer, but I'll update either before I go or when I get back. I just got a wave of reviews and story alert emails, so inspiration struck! This chapter was a bit easier due to the fact that it revolves more around the main plotline. Hope you all enjoy!