Disclaimer: I OWN NOZING!

Sorry it took so long. And props to whoever can figure out the codenames of at least half the kids!


Cassie glared at Pyro as he walked away. When he was out of earshot she fell to the ground. She looked at the river, "Why do these things always happen to me?" She leaned back in the grass on her back. She looked at the sky, "If anyone knew what my life was really like before the X-Men… not even the brotherhood would accept me." She closed her eyes and breathed in through her nose. She took deep breaths and opened her eyes when she heard water sloshing. She looked at the river, "What the…?"

She took a deep breath and released it. The water in the river moved in a wave. Cassie whistled and the water rippled. She laughed and slid her foot. The water moved and Cassie smiled happily, "Cool." Cassie moved her arms like an orchestra conductor and the water spread out in twenty tentacles. She laughed happily and dropped her arms. She looked at the water, "I wonder…" She closed her eyes and concentrated on the water. She didn't move her hands, feet, or anything. She opened her eyes and gasped. In front of her there was a large wall of water completely still, no currents or ripples. She blinked and a smile grew across her face.

She bit her lip and clenched her fists. The water turned into two large orbs of water. She punched the air in the motions Sarah taught her for the punching bag. The orbs followed her motions. She swept her leg and another orb floated up and followed her motions. She continued fighting the air. She did Karate, Boxing, and MMA fighting styles. She laughed and plopped down on the ground. She stared at her hands, "I thought I could only use my hands."

She heard a twig snap and spun around, "Who's there?"

A little girl with black hair walked out of the trees, "Did… did you do that with water."

Cassie nodded, "Yes. Yes I did. Who are you?"

The little girl came farther out of the forest, "I'm Noriko." Cassie sat back down and motioned for Noriko to sit by her.

Noriko sat next to her, "Are you a hero?"

Cassie blinked at her, "A… hero?"

Noriko nodded, "Like the ones on TV."

Cassie nodded, "I guess. How old are you?"

The small child climbed into Cassie's lap, "5."

Cassie sat Noriko on her leg, "Are you a hero?"

Noriko sucked her thumb, "A little."

Cassie looked at her, "What do you mean?"

Noriko put her thumb down, "I have super powers but I don't know how to use them."

Cassie looked at her in shock. This little five year old girl already had the X-gene. Cassie cocked her head, "Do you have a home?"

Noriko shook her head, "No. My mommy and daddy were scared of me so I ran away."

She looked at Cassie, "Do you have a home?"

Cassie bit her lip, "Kind of. I live with a friend."

Noriko pointed at the place she came out of, "I sleep in there. Can I come home with you?"

Cassie sighed, "I can ask. But you have to be polite and quiet. Okay?" Noriko nodded and made a motion like she was zipping her lips. Cassie ran her tongue over her teeth, "Noriko, huh? Can I call you Riko?"

Noriko nodded, "I like it."

Cassie laughed, "Want me to carry you?"

Riko nodded excitedly. Cassie laughed and Riko got on her back. Cassie laughed and ran off with Riko on her back. Riko giggled and stopped abruptly, "Who's that?"

Cassie looked at who she was pointing to and gasped softly, "That's no one Riko."

Riko slid off of Cassie's back, "He's coming over here." Riko grabbed Cassie's hand.

Alex walked up to Cassie, "Hi Cassie." He looked at Riko, "Hello. And who are you?"

Riko hid behind Cassie's leg and whimpered. Cassie looked at her, "It's going to be okay, Riko." She looked back at Alex, "Look at this. It's the boy who made my life miserable."

Alex looked at her, "I really am sorry Cassie."

Cassie rolled her eyes, "Everyone's sorry. But no one's apologized." Cassie bent down and picked up Riko, "Goodbye Alex." Cassie walked away from Alex.

Riko looked at her, "He looked sad."

Cassie looked at her, "Yeah, well. He has reason to be."


Sarah was crying when she opened the door for Cassie. She saw the little girl sleeping with her head resting on Cassie's shoulder and blinked, "Who's that?"

Cassie smiled slightly, "Her name is Noriko." Noriko moved in her sleep. Cassie walked in and sat Noriko on the couch. She turned to Sarah, "What happened?" Cassie looked around, "Where's your mom?" Sarah hugged Cassie's waist and Cassie patted her back awkwardly.

Sarah sobbed, "My mom left me."

Cassie gasped, "What? Why?"

Sarah released her, "I'm a mutant!"

Cassie's eyes widened and she blinked, "What? Since when?"

Sarah kept crying, "A few minutes ago I was stretching and… and…"

Sarah grabbed something that looked suspiciously like bone, "This came out!"

Cassie held it, "What is it?"

Sarah looked at her, "I ran some tests on it. It's made of the same material as the bones in my body!" Cassie sat on the couch and Sarah sat down beside her, "What am I going to do?"

Cassie looked at her and smiled, "I've got an idea. I just met Riko." Cassie gestured to the sleeping child, "She's a mutant and has no family. I'm mad at the X-Men, but you two need a teacher. And I think I can help."

Sarah bit her lip, "I guess it could work. And I have all of the money my mom left."

Cassie grinned, "Then it's settled."

Riko had woken up and rubbed her eyes, "Cassie?"

Cassie looked at her, "Yes?"

Riko yawned, "If you are going to teach me… can I bring a few friends?" Cassie looked at Sarah who shrugged.

Cassie looked back to Riko, "Sure."


Cassie laughed as she pulled into Sarah's driveway. She opened the doors to her jeep, "Everybody!" The eleven kids in her car looked at her. She smiled and pointed to Sarah's door, "Welcome to your new home!" they all yelled and cheered as they ran in. Cassie unlocked the door and they all ran inside.

Sarah gasped and looked at Riko, "This is a few friends?!"

Cassie laughed, "Sarah let me introduce to you…" She turned to the kids, "Line up!" they formed a line and all faced Sarah. Cassie giggled and started at the right.

She gestured to a small blonde girl who stepped forward, "Illyana, age 11."

The boy beside her stepped forward, "Sean, age 6."

"Angelica, age 8."

"Paige, age 13."

"David, age 10"

"Alison, age 6"

"Clarice, age 12."

"Neena, age 14."

"Monet, age 8."

"Noriko, age 5."

"…"

Cassie giggled and whispered to Sarah, "She doesn't talk much. Her name is Xi'an and she's 4 ½. "

Cassie clapped and they sat down. Sarah looked at her, "Are they all mutants?"

Cassie nodded, "They were living with Riko in the forest, and the older ones took care of the younger ones. They were a little unsure of me at first but I won their trust." Cassie yawned, "I'm tired." She ran off and came back with four blankets and a few pillows. She sat two of the blankets on the ground and put the pillows on top of them. Cassie pointed to them, "You sleep here. Oga-boga!" the kids laughed and then lied down. Cassie spread the remaining blankets over them and turned off the light.


Berzerker stared at Cassie. She looked… different. She wasn't wearing bright, happy, colors. Just black and white. He blinked, she was doing better before. Talking and joking with people. Now she was back to eating lunch alone and not talking to anyone at all.

Every once in a while, Cassie would look at her phone and laugh. Then she would look at the brotherhood and the X-Men tables.

Berzerker scratched his head and Kitty nudged him, "You, like, going to stop staring at her and eat or what?"

Berzerker looked at her, "Whatever."


Cassie was taking notes in drama class and acting like Pyro wasn't there. She was getting better at doing that, acting like she didn't care about any of them. It wasn't hard because she didn't care. Or at least she thought she didn't. Mr. Ways looked at the clock, "Hmm… We have 30 minutes left in class. Why don't I give you some free time, hmm?" the class cheered and Cassie rolled her eyes. Pyro flicked a bunched up piece of paper at her and she didn't move.

Cassie's phone buzzed and she looked around for Mr. Ways. He wasn't looking at her so she took it out. Neena had texted her again, "Cassie! Angie and David took Riko's teddy bear. What do I do!?"

Cassie giggled and replied, "Steal it back!"

She hit send and jumped when Pyro asked, "What cha doing Sheila?" Cassie ignored him and put her cell-phone in her pocket. She took out a notebook and wrote something in it. Pyro snatched it from her desk, "So this is what cha doing!" Cassie glared at him and grabbed for her book.

"Ah-ah-ah! First you have ta tell me who's texting ya!" she narrowed her eyes. He grinned, "Or I can read what you just wrote. What's it gonna be Sheila?" Cassie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Pyro shrugged and opened her notebook, "Interesting… interesting… very interesting!" Pyro tossed the book back, "Too bad I dunno who David and Sean are. Or I might tell them that ya cheating on them!"

Cassie laughed lightly and enjoyed the look on Pyro's face. He looked at her suspiciously, "Why are you laughing Sheila?" Cassie took out her phone.

Before she opened it, she glared at Pyro, "Touch my phone… and you die." Pyro shrugged.

She looked at the message from Neena, "It worked! Thanks Cassie! When are you coming home?"

Cassie typed back, "15 minutes. See ya then!" She hit reply and shoved it in her pocket.

Pyro raised an eyebrow, "That another bloke ya dating? Or is that the wax head?" Cassie shot him a 'roll-over-and-die' look and the bell rung. Cassie grabbed her bags and bolted out of the door.


Pyro followed Cassie on a motorcycle. He saw her pulling over into a driveway and he hid his bike in the trees. She jumped out of her jeep and a teenage girl opened the door. Multiple children came running out and hugged her. Pyro blinked. Cassie was happy and laughing. Cassie picked up a redhead boy and a blonde little girl. The teenager who opened the door laughed and ushered them inside.

Pyro blinked, "What are you doing with a bunch of ankle-biters?" He got on his bike and rode away to the brotherhood house.


Kitty sat down in the kitchen, "So… you think that Cassie has a friend that's teaching her how to use her mutant abilities?"

Berzerker nodded, "She kept getting texts at lunch and then she would look at us and the brotherhood."

Kitty knocked on his head, "Hell-oo? Is anyone home?"

Berzerker rubbed his head and Kitty sighed, "Cassie doesn't have any mutant friends anymore."

Berzerker shrugged, "Still…"

Kitty rolled her eyes, "She's a team of one! A one-man band! She went solo, remember?"

Berzerker rolled his eyes, "I don't care. I'm worried about her."

Kitty blinked and pouted, "Aww! It's soo adorable!"

Berzerker narrowed his eyes, "You want me to shock you while you're in the shower? No? Then shut it."


Cassie pulled on her sneakers and called out, "We're leaving in one minute!" Cassie walked outside and leaned up against her jeep. She watched as ten kids ran out and got in her jeep. Cassie shook her head, "I'm gonna need a bigger car." Cassie hopped in the driver's seat, "Sarah! You comin?"

Sarah walked out, "I don't think I can fit."

Cassie nodded to her bike, "Can you ride?"

Sarah shook her head, "I'll take my car."

Clarice and David started jumping, "Can we go with you?" Sarah nodded and they ran off with her."

Cassie laughed and looked back, "Everyone buckled up?" they nodded and Cassie drove away.


Cassie parked in front of the mall and looked back, "Okay, here's the deal. We all stay in a group and you always have to be within reach of someone else in that group. Understand?" the group nodded. Cassie smiled, "Good! Oh! And we are here for clothes and stuff for training only. Let's go!"

Neena held Alison and Sean's hands. Cassie picked up Riko and held Monet's hand. Sarah came up and picked up Paige. David picked up Xi. Angelica, Illyana, and Clarice walked in front of them. They walked into the mall and the younger ones let out a gasp. Cassie and Sarah laughed and they walked until they got to the escalator. Sarah got on, then the kids, and then Cassie holding Riko.

They reached the second floor and Riko laughed, "Look!" she pointed to a kids clothing store.

Cassie laughed, "Come on." She walked into the store with the kids in tow.


They stayed in the store for two hours and every child had three purchases; day clothes, pajamas, and workout clothes. David, Angelica, and Clarice held the bags. Cassie sighed and felt her jean leg being tugged. She looked down and saw Xi holding her arms up. Cassie bent down and picked her up. Xi laughed happily. Cassie giggled, "Who's hungry?" the children shouted their agreements. Xi, who was looking over Cassie's shoulder, whimpered.

Cassie turned around and saw Tabitha, Sam, and Betsy. Betsy blinked, "Cassie?" Cassie rearranged her hold on Xi and nodded.

Tabitha looked at all of the people behind her, "Who are they?"

Sarah was crouching beside Paige and she stood, "They're mutants."

Sam blinked, "But they're little kids!"

Cassie nodded, "So?"

Betsy looked at Xi, "How old are the blokes?"

Sarah stood beside Cassie, "Xi'an here is 4. Neena…"

Neena looked at them, "I'm fourteen." Cassie rubbed Xi's head, she was trembling.

Tabitha narrowed her eyes, "Why don't you bring them to the institute?"

Cassie passed Xi to Sarah, stepped closer to Tabitha, and whispered, "They've lived with each other for years. At the institute, they'd be overwhelmed." Cassie took Xi back, "We've got to go." Cassie walked around them and her group followed.

After they were done shopping they went to Sarah's house.

Cassie looked out at the bay behind her house. She snapped her fingers, "Sarah!"

Sarah came running out, "What's wrong?"

Cassie smiled excitedly, "I've got an idea. Bring the kids out here." Sarah nodded. Cassie ran and jumped into the water. She torpedoed down 15 feet and came upon a cave. She swam in and looked up. There was a pathway leading up. She swam up and found herself in an underwater cave. She laughed and took a breath of the air. She pulled herself out of the water and looked around. She laughed and dove back in.


Neena looked into the water, "I still don't see her!"

Sarah sighed, "Okay." She was about to suggest going inside when Cassie shot up out of the water.

She landed on her feet, "Ta-Da!" the children clapped. Cassie laughed excitedly, "I found a place for us to train! Come on!" Cassie looked to the water and clapped. The sound rippled the water and made a water tunnel straight down. Cassie laughed, "Come on! It's like a giant waterslide!" Neena shrugged and jumped in followed by the rest of them.


Cassie came up out of the water after everyone else had. She dried off their clothes, "Sit down in a circle." The children did as commanded. Cassie wiped off her hands and sat down with them, "First off, I have absolutely no idea what your abilities are. So we're going to go around in a circle telling each other what they are. I'll go first. I can control water. Any form; liquid, cloud, or ice. I can also melt, evaporate, and freeze it."

Neena nodded, "I can… alter luck to my favor. I'm pretty good with weapons and I can fight."

Clarice fingered her necklace, "I can teleport myself and others. But what made my parents and everyone else scared of me was how I look." She took off her necklace and her skin turned purple and her hair turned magenta. She put it back on and looked at David.

David looked around, "I can absorb the memories and skills of other people around me. But not their mutant abilities."

Angelica smiled, "I can make heat and fly!"

Monet blushed, "I am strong and I can fly."

Illyana nodded, "I can open a portal to another place and sense weird stuff. Oh! And I have a magic sword that is really not heavy"

Sean, "I can make loud sounds!"

Alison, "I make pretty lights."

Paige, "I have metal skin." Everyone stared at her and she blinked, "What?"

Cassie laughed and gestured to Riko, "I can shoot electricity. And I can absorb it too!"

Xi raised her hand, "I make animals do things. And I make people go to bed."

Sarah raised her hand, "My turn! I can make spikes shoot out of me."

Cassie shushed them, "Okay. Neena, Sarah, and I will be training you. I have a friend coming over and I think he can help. As she spoke a boy came down the water slide. Cassie looked at him and closed the slide.

Forge looked at her, "Cassie!"

Cassie grinned, "Hey Forge. These are the kids I was telling you about."

Forge looked at them, "Hiya kids!"

They waved at him and Cassie pointed up, "Can you give us a better way to get down here?"

Forge looked up, "Sure. Give me a few minutes."

Cassie rolled her eyes and turned to the kids, "Lesson one: Focus."


Betsy barged into the kitchen, "Cassie's being trained!"

Kitty looked at her, "WHAT!?"

Betsy looked at her, "We saw her at the mall, ten or twelve ankle biters with her. She said they were all mutants. The youngest was 4."

Kitty looked at Betsy, "But… but…"

Berzerker looked at her, "So much for your team of one."

Kitty looked at Betsy, "We have to tell the Professor!" Betsy nodded and ran off.

They ran into Xavier's office and explained what they heard. The Professor nodded, "I assumed this would happen. But a child possessing the X-gene is… it's almost unheard of. You saw she had at least ten with her?"

Betsy nodded, "The youngest was 4 Prof. She was four."

He sighed, "Someone is abusing a breakthrough in the X-gene. Children who have the X-gene are in danger. Along with Cassie."