Yay! The next chapter! Just warning you guys now, this will be split into two chapters. I was going to try and make it one, but so much is going on, I just couldn't. The next part should be out soon.

Oh my God! So there were totally people still around to read this! Yay! As always, if you spot any mistakes, please let me know! Okay, without further ado, the Cauldron, Part One!

Disclaimer: I own only Inara and Sylvie. All other OCs are property of their respective creators.


"I'm not exactly sure why Charles wanted me to come along," Crystal admitted.

Logan glanced over at the woman sitting in the co-pilot's seat. "He give ya the details?"

"He told me that he had detected another mutant," she replied. "One that has close ties to Scott."

"His little brother," Logan told her. He glanced out of the window to his left, watching as Scott jogged into the hanger, a duffle bag in his left hand. "Scott doesn't know he's alive."

"I see," she murmured. "So emotions may be high, then."

"That's probably an understatement. Chuck wants you there in case we need to dampener." His eyes were still on Scott, watching as the teen dropped the duffle bag in shock.

She nodded her head. "I understand," she said as Charles and Scott boarded the jet.


The X-Van pulled out of the garage, the front of the roof sliding back to reveal Kurt driving, Evan in the passenger seat, and Kitty behind Evan. They all turned to look toward the front of the mansion that served as Xavier's Institute. Evan stood up as much as his seat belt would allow.

"Hustle it up, Rogue," he called to the Southern Goth stepping out of the front door, "before Auntie O shows up and dry docks our plans."

As Rogue jogged out to the van, a plain, muddle brown cat darted in front of her, causing her to stumble a little. "Ugh, shoo! Ah hate cats," she snapped as she slid into the van. "Ah couldn't find Jean, so I left her a note," she explained as she fastened her seat belt.

"The Rosemund gang is going to meet us there," Kitty informed them, glancing down at her cell phone. "Ailana says that Mr. Hideyoshi is chaperoning, but that he's way cool."

As the van pulled out of the drive way, the brown cat slipped out of the bush it had darted into earlier. Once the van was out of sight, the cat morphed back into the form of Mystique. She pulled a cell phone out of the bush where she had hidden it. After dialing, she held it up to her ear.

"Change of plans," she spoke before the person who had answered could greet her. "They're on the move."

"Not for long," the voice of Lance stated in a grim tone through the receiver.


Lance snapped the cell phone shut, turning to look at the assembled Brotherhood. "Change of plans, guys. Both teams are headed for the beach. Quicksilver, Blob, Toad, and I will go after the X-Men. Boneyard, you take the girls and cut off the Thorns."

"Got it," Damion replied with a nod, ignoring the snickers that arose at Lance's unintentional pun.

As Lance climbed into his jeep, followed by Pietro, Fred, and Todd, the others slid into Emily's Honda. "What about Miss Desmarais?" Annie asked, casting a glance at the girls' home.

"We'll deal with repercussions from her when we return," Damion answered.

Emily frowned a little as she pulled the car out onto the road. She didn't like keeping this from Sylvie, but Mystique had made it clear the other woman wasn't to know. Glancing in the rear view mirror, she noticed that the other three girls looked just as uncomfortable with the situation as she felt.

The glint of the sun on something metallic caught her attention. Looking past the girls, she noticed a motorcycle following a distance behind the car. While she couldn't make out much of the rider, she could tell the motorcycle was a deep purple. A purple just a few shades darker than her own violet eyes. A purple that matched the eyes of a French woman she recently became acquainted with. Emily turned her attention back to the road ahead of her, a barely there smirk making its way onto her lips.


Tokugawa stepped into the garage, the keys to Robin's jeep jingling in his hand. Gone was his general attire that covered most of his skin. Now he wore a black sleeveless shirt and black swim trunks with a red stripe running along the sides, showing off the sleeves and legs of his Japanese bodysuit.

Inara was leaning against the side of the jeep, wearing a forest green bikini that had a bandeau top with strings attached to middle that wrapped around her neck. A gold sarong was wrapped around her waist and brown flip flips donned her feet. Bridget stood beside her in a one piece suit with a halter top and blue jean shorts. The suit was half black and half hot pink, meeting in the middle in a zigzag pattern. Black flip flops, altered with a couple of Robin's chips, donned her feet. Ailana was tugging a white t-shirt over her gray bikini top that resembled a sports bra. Her bottoms were in the style of shorts and white flip flops were on her feet.

James and Alex were standing beside the latter's motorcycle. James wore a black, sleeveless shirt, black swim trunks, and black flip flops. Alex wore a white t-shirt, bright green swimming trunks, and his normal sneakers.

None of the teens, except for Bridget, noticed his presence until he spoke. "You are not riding your bike like that," Tokugawa stated, eyeing Alex's attire.

"Come on, Mr. Hideyoshi," Alex groaned. "We can't all ride in Miss Latimer's jeep."

"James can take his Volvo," Tokugawa supplied.

"Then half of us would be stuck in an enclosed car while the others got to enjoy the breeze in the jeep," Alex was quick to retort. "It wouldn't be fair."

"You are not indestructible, Alex," Tokugawa said, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose with two fingers. "If you were in a severe accident, you might not walk away from it."

"I'll be really careful," the blond stated. "And I'll stay right in front of you the whole time."

Tokugawa considered the boy's words. While he knew that he shouldn't let the boy ride with no protection, he also knew Alex would argue with him until they were both out of breath. He sighed in defeat, "Fine, but no one else rides with you."

"Shotgun!" Augustus called as he came running into the garage, pulling a white, sleeveless shirt over his head. His maroon swimming trunks matched the sandals on his feet. He didn't give the others a chance to contest as he quickly hopped into the passenger seat.

James gave a small shake of his head as he moved to slide into the backseat of the jeep. Although he was the same height as Augustus, he was leaner than the aerokinetic, so it wasn't as crowded as it could have been. Especially considering the girls were all fairly petite.

"Nice tats, Mr. Hideyoshi," Augustus said as the man climbed into the passenger seat. The tensing of his muscles was so miniscule that none of the teens caught it. "Did they hurt?"

"Some of them did, yes," he replied, his tone light and even.

"So," Augustus went on. Tokugawa prepared himself for the questioning of their origin. However, he was pleasantly surprised when the boy asked, "Does this mean we can get tats?"

Tokugawa chuckled, the tension slowly leaving his body, as he answered. "That is a matter you must discuss with your parents, Augustus."

The boy pouted as Tokugawa started the jeep. Following behind Alex's motorcycle, he pulled out onto the road.


"Hawaii?" Crystal asked as the Blackbird moved in close to a beach to land.

"Yes," Charles confirmed, nodding. "The Masters' live in Oahu."

"As in Alex Masters?"

Charles arched an eyebrow in surprise while Scott turned his gaze on the empath. "You know him?"

"Ailana does," she said. "They're friends, but I don't think he knows she's gifted. I'm not sure what the official story given was in regards to her leaving, but I got the impression that her gifts weren't mentioned."

"Have they kept in contact?" Charles asked.

"Yes," Crystal replied. "They write to each other." She didn't miss the look of deep thought that settled over his features, or the brief flash of hope that she felt from him, but she didn't comment on it.

"You mean email?" Logan asked, having often been corrected by the kids when he said something similar.

"No, I mean letters," Crystal said with a chuckle. "Ailana and computers don't mix."

Logan smirked. "Guess we got somethin' in common."

"Do you think she would mind if I read some of his letters?" Scott asked quietly after a moment's hesitation.

Crystal turned to look at Scott. "We'll ask her when we get back," she told him with a small smile.

"Thanks, Miss Rosemund," he said, returning her smile. The plane landed in with a softer jolt than it normally would have due to the sand. Scott moved to lean against the back of Logan's seat. "Do you see anything?"

"No," Logan stated, "and the tide's comin' in. This cove'll be underwater in an hour."

"Take a closer look around," Charles said, looking between Logan and Scott. "Crystal and I will wait here."

It was only after she could clearly see Logan and Scott through the jet's windows that she spoke, "When I told you that Ailana kept in touch with Alex, you were hopeful. Why?"

Charles continued to look out of the window as he answered her, "Cerebro picked up another mutant signature on an island not far from here, one I'm familiar with, though not as much as Logan." Crystal's eyebrows shot up, but she didn't interrupt him. "His name is Victor Creed, but he's better known as Sabretooth. He's been known to work for Magneto."

Crystal's eyes widened as she sucked in a breath. "You think Magneto is after Alex." It wasn't a question.

"Yes," he replied, "but I'm not sure why. If he's hoping to use Alex to get to Scott-"

"Ailana may be able to help Alex see what Magneto's really up to," Crystal interrupted with a nod.

Charles sighed. "I didn't want your students to be involved, Crystal, but I doubt Magneto feels the same."

"I know, Charles," she reassured him. "I understand. After all, I feel what you feel."

Charles chuckled, but it was cut short when the jet started to shake violently. Crystal cried out, quickly refastening her seat belt as the jet lifted out of the sand. "I'm guessing this is Magneto."

"Yes," Charles said through gritted teeth as the jet took off into the sky. "I'm afraid I don't know what he'd planning. I'm sorry to have gotten you involved."

She could feel the remorse rolling off of him. "You didn't involve me, Charles. Magneto did, and he may come to regret that decision."

Charles spared a glance at the woman beside him. Her face was set in a determined glare. "Yes, I daresay he may."


"Whoo hoo!" Ailana cheered, stretching her hands above her head. "A day at the beach is just what I need!"

Tokugawa chuckled as he glanced in the rear view mirror. "Yes, I bet you've been missing the water."

"You have no idea!" she replied with a laugh.

Augustus turned to look at the four people occupying the back seat. Ailana sat behind Tokugawa, a look of pure enthusiasm on her face. James sat between her and Inara with Bridget on Inara's other side, behind Augustus. After the initial once over, Augustus' blue eyes made their way back to settle on James.

"Having fun back there, Jimmy?" Augustus teased, flashing a grin at the other boy.

James simply smirked at Augustus' use of his hated nickname. "I'm surrounded by beautiful girls, Aug," he shot back, slipping his arms around Ailana and Inara for emphasis. "So, yes, I am."

"Oh, James," Ailana said, pretending to swoon as her voice took on a mock dreamy tone. "You just know all the right things to say."

"Our hearts are all aflutter," Inara added, placing one hand over her heart. Bridget giggled quietly beside her.

Augustus stuck his tongue out at the boy who was younger than him by only two days. In response, James' smirk grew into a grin. The grin dropped from his face in the next second as the sound of metal grinding against asphalt was heard. Augustus' head whipped around as Tokugawa slammed on the brakes, muttering under his breath in Japanese.

"Alex!" Inara cried, leaning forward in her seat to scan the road for her friend.

Alex was standing on the road a few feet in front of the now motionless jeep. His bike was on the ground a few feet away from him and there was a nasty looking bout of road rash, that was already starting to heal, covering his left arm and leg. He was facing away from the jeep, staring down five members of the Brotherhood dressed in their battle gear, Gravity standing at the front with her hand outstretched.

The Thorns were quick to scramble out of the jeep, coming to stand around Alex. "You alright?" James asked, glancing at his second in command.

"I'll be fine," Alex growled, his temper flaring. "Even better once we take these guys out."

From behind Gravity, Boneyard spoke in a low tone so that only his team would hear. "Don't let them formulate a strategy," he murmured, watching James closely. "Attack, now!"

The Brotherhood teens were quick to charge at Boneyard's command. Lycan darted toward Inara, shifting in mid sprint. Inara cart wheeled out of the way at the last minute, the wolf's jaws snapping shut around the edge of her sarong. Ailana threw her hand to the side and sent a heat blast at the wolf. It hit Lycan's side and sent her tumbling. She shifted back into a human girl, coming to a stop in the grass alongside the road. Inara was quick to call upon her ability, causing the weeds around Lycan to grow and twist unnaturally, trapping the shifting mutant.

Phantom went after James, but found her path blocked by a pitch black humanoid. Using the minimum amount of shadows on this particular bend of the road, she formed shields on her forearms to help protect against the soldier's doubled strength. She blocked two punches with her shields, maneuvering so that her own shadow was underneath the soldier. She smirked as she watched the soldier fall into the shadow portal she opened underneath it. She turned back to where James was standing, the smirk sliding off of her face as she took in the four soldiers standing around their creator. A jet of blue fire shot out above Phantom's head, its light diminishing her shields as the four soldiers approached her.

Boneyard charged Augustus, a bone shield on his forearm and a large bone club in his other hand. In an attempt to halt the Brotherhood boy's advance, swirling winds flared to life around the dark skinned boy. Boneyard was prepared, though, and spikes shot out unseen through the soles of his boots to anchor him to the ground. As he concentrated on his winds, Augustus didn't realize that Boneyard was slowly, but steadily, growing closer. Just as Augustus' feet started to leave the ground, Boneyard swung the club. Though the blow was slowed by the winds, it still connected with the side of Augustus' head. The winds immediately died down, Augustus unconscious at their center.

Copycat danced and weaved and bobbed around Alex, using her small stature to her advantage. Though his anger hadn't dissipated, Alex did his best not to use his abilities as he fought back. He knew he had the potential to seriously injure the girl and he didn't want that, even if she was on the opposing team. She landed a punch straight to his nose, causing him to stumble backward. Out of reflex, he outstretched his right hand and released a green blast in her direction. Copycat didn't move fast enough to completely dodge it and the aftershock sent her into the side of the jeep.

Gravity headed for Bridget, adjusting her own gravitational pull so that she floated just above the ground. Bridget tensed when the taller girl disappeared from her 'sight'. She strained her hearing, listening for anything that would give away her opponent's position. Gravity slowly moved around to Bridget's right side, lifting her arm to hit the blonde in the back of the head. A soft rustling to her right caught Bridget's attention and she shifted into her rock form. A blow connected with her head seconds later.

"Damn it," Gravity cursed, holding her throbbing hand with the other. Piercing green eyes glared down at Bridget.

Bridget suddenly felt herself grow steadily heavier, until she was slammed into the ground. She tried to get up, but the sheer force of her own weight in the bubble of much denser gravity her opponent caused around her made that impossible. She thought about shifting, but decided against it when the asphalt began to crack underneath her form.

"Bridget!" Inara cried, starting to move to help her friend. Boneyard threw out an arm to stop her. "What are you doing?!"

"Our ride is here," he answered, looking up into the sky.

The mutants left standing followed his gaze, Gravity looking exalted while the Thorns simply looked confused. Seven metal spheres dropped out of the sky, their tops splitting apart as they landed. Boneyard and Gravity quickly climbed into two of the spheres. The Thorns eyed the spheres warily, slowly starting to back up. Metal tentacles shot out of the spheres, quickly wrapping themselves around the four students and their teacher. They pulled them into the spheres before they could even consider using their powers to escape. The spheres quickly sealed shut around them before shooting off into the sky.


"Hunter?" Robin called as she walked through the empty hallways of the academy. She poked her head into the library, a popular haunt of the prophetic man. "I think I've got Gavin to where we may be able to get past whatever's blocking your ability."

He looked up from the book he was trying to read, blue eyes locking with hazel eyes that were more green at the moment. "Good," he said, snapping the book closed. "I-"

He stopped, his eyes growing distant. She stepped further into the library, waiting patiently. She knew he was having a vision. His eyes once again focused on her, widening a split second later. "Run!"

The same moment the word left his mouth, a large metal sphere crashed through the ceiling, followed by a second. Robin turned to do exactly as Hunter had told her to, but she didn't get far. Two metal tentacles wrapped around her, pulling her toward the sphere. She tried to talk to the sphere, to persuade it to let her go, but found that she couldn't. Terrified eyes that were slowly turning from green to gray met Hunter's.

"They're not machines!" she cried, watching as he was pulled into the other sphere. "I can't stop them!"

The metal of the sphere slid closed above her head, shrouding her in darkness.


Charles tried adjusting switches here and there, one hand on the controls. He gave off a calm, outer appearance, but Crystal could feel the beginning of panic coming from him.

"Charles, relax," a voice spoke over the speakers in the jet, "I'm in control."

"What is this about, Magneto?" Charles asked, looking around.

"I'm simply taking steps to ensure our survival," came the reply. "We both know that human kind will not only learn of us, but they will fear us. For we are the future, and what man fears, he tramples. So I should be ready for them."

Crystal whipped her head around to stare at the roof of the jet, feeling the intense mixture of emotions that came from one man. Charles followed her gaze seconds later when three adamantium claws pierced the metal, followed closely but a second set.

"Ah, yes, Wolverine," Magneto's voice mused over the speakers. "The man with the adamantium claws. Of course, adamantium is a metal," a loud thump sounded throughout the jet, "and you must realize I," another loud thump, "am the Master of Magnetism."

The adamantium claws suddenly disappeared from sight. Logan's yell could be heard briefly inside the jet. Crystal glanced warily at the speakers before turning wide eyes to Charles. Will he survive the fall? she asked telepathically.

He will, he assured her.

But? she prompted, clearly picking up on the tone of his thoughts.

I believe he was dropped near the island on which Sabretooth was located earlier.

Her eyes moved to look out of the window of the jet once more. What is Magneto up to?

I don't know, he answered, closing his eyes. She could feel the worry coming from him.


Sylvie watched the battle from behind a nearby outcropping of rocks she and her motorcycle were hidden behind. Her eyes narrowed upon the arrival of the metal spheres, her tone dark as she angrily muttered, "Magneto."

Without Gravity around, Bridget was able to get to her feet and shift back into her normal state. The vibrations from the chips in her shoes lit up the world in burnt orange light, revealing Augustus crumpled on the ground not far from her. "Aug!" she cried, darting over to him.

Sylvie waited until the spheres had disappeared into the sky before she moved from her hiding place to check on the Brotherhood teens left behind. She rushed over to check on Liron first, brushing aside a few strands of brown hair that escaped the girl's ever present braid. "Liron? Can you hear me?"

A groan slipped past the girl's lips as her brown eyes slowly opened. "Miss Desmarais?"

"Call me Sylvie, dear," she said softly. She helped the girl move into a sitting position. "Rest for a minute. I'm going to go check on the others."

Sylvie moved to where Annie was tearing her way through the weeds holding her down. Without Inara around to control them, they were limp and easy to get through. She nodded her head to the side, dark brown, layered bangs falling into her blue-green eyes as she told the woman, "I'm fine. Check on Em."

Sylvie nodded before getting up and quickly walking over to Emily. She lightly shook the girl's shoulder. "Emily? Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah," came the weary response. "More tired than injured."

Sylvie wasn't quite satisfied until violet eyes met her own dark purple ones. She smiled. "Can you stand up?"

When Emily nodded, Sylvie slowly helped her get to her feet. Emily looked around, a frown marring her features. "We lost. That's just great."

Before Sylvie could ask what exactly it was that they had lost, Augustus groaned from where his head was cradled on Bridget's lap. "What happened?" he mumbled.

"That's a good question," Bridget mused. When she looked up, the Brotherhood members saw that her sunglasses were shattered, revealing cloudy brown eyes. "What did happen?"

"A powerful mutant named Magneto," Annie said, finally able to stand up. Emily saw Sylvie's eyes flash dangerously. "He's got it in his head to thin out the best from the worst."

"We didn't make the cut," Liron spat, slamming her fist into the side of the jeep.

"What happens to those who do?" Bridget asked as she slowly helped Augustus stand.

"One way trip to Asteroid M," Annie replied with a shrug.

"An actual asteroid?" Augustus questioned, worry edging his voice. "As in away from the Earth?"

"No," Emily drawled in a highly sarcastic tone, "Magneto's definitely not that over the top."

"Emily," Bridget began, turning her head in the Brotherhood girl's direction. "Inara becomes severely ill when she's away from the ground for too long."

"So," Annie snorted, crossing her arms under her chest, "why should we care?"

"She feels connected to Lance," Bridget went on, her worry for her friend breaking through her normally quiet persona, "and if Professor Xavier and Miss Rosemund are correct, he's going to get sick, too."

Emily's shoulders tensed, violet eyes widening slightly. "Right," she said, tone hard. "We need to get to that asteroid."


"Charles," Crystal gasped as the jet approached what appeared to be an asteroid floating high above the snow covered fields of the arctic tundra.

"What is this place?" Charles asked, staring in slight awe.

"Welcome, Charles and Miss Rosemund, to sanctuary," Magneto's voice flitted through the speakers once more. "Asteroid M."

When the jet landed, Charles' wheelchair began to move of its own accord. Crystal quickly unfastened her seat belt and moved to follow. They were taken down a long, metal corridor to what looked like a balcony. A man was standing near the railing, a long, purple cape fanning out behind him and a red helmet upon his head.

"What is all of this about?" Charles asked as they grew closer to the man.

"A rebirth," Magneto stated, turning to face them with a flourish of his cape. "Your teams face a trial by fire, as do my own recruits. Mutant pitted against mutant. One shall lose, one shall win. Those who emerge victorious shall take their place here on Asteroid M." He turned back to look over the railing. "Once gathered here at this place of solitude, they can fully realize their mutant abilities, safe from those who might mistreat them."

Crystal shuddered at the hatred rolling off of the man in front of her. Charles leaned forward, saying, "Magnus, don't do this." As he willing moved his wheelchair forward, he continued, "We can introduce ourselves to mankind as friends, not enemies."

"You are an idealist, Charles," Magneto said, turning to face the other man. "I am a realist. It's a dark future that rushes toward us," he glanced between Charles and Crystal as he moved to walk between them, "and we must face it prepared."

With a wave of Magneto's hand, Charles' chair once more moved without his control. Crystal quickly fell into step beside the chair. Charles, she ventured telepathically. Inara won't survive up here. Nor will Mr. Alvers if our theory is correct.

Yes, I know, he replied.

"The gathering is almost complete," Magnus said before any further telepathic communication could take place. He went on as they continued down the hallway. "Just Wolverine and Sabretooth left to go." He paused, glancing back Charles and Crystal. "A storm is coming for mutant kind, and our resolve must be ironclad." He spun around to face them. "Side with me, not against me."

"Your invitation begs the question," Charles began, looking up at the man warily. Crystal could feel that he was much more nervous than he let on. "What happens to those who won't come willingly?"

Crystal sucked in a breath at those words, brown eyes darting between the two men. Magnus turned away from them and continued walking. "If necessary," he began, "sometimes salvation must be force fed."

He stopped and raised one hand, pointing to a row of tubes Charles and Crystal had missed until then. There were twelve tubes in total, ten of which contained unconscious people. Rogue, Jean, and Ororo occupied the first three, while Inara, Ailana, Alex, James, Tokugawa, Hunter, and Robin occupied the remaining seven.

Crystal gasped, running over to place her hands on Tokugawa's tube. "Toku!" She glanced at the other two teachers. "Hunter! Robin!"

Charles, he doesn't have Jay and Ava, Crystal stated mentally as she glanced at the tubes containing her students. The only response she received was a noticeable sense of relief.

At the same time, Charles wheeled forward, pressing a hand to Ororo's tube and bowed his head. "Magnus," he said, turning to the other man, "you haven't saved them. You've abducted them!"

"A certain amount of persuasion may still be needed, I'll admit," Magnus stated coolly as five members of the Brotherhood came to stand behind him.

Crystal noted the apprehension coming from the young man known as Avalanche, noted that he looked paler than usual, and concluded that she and Charles were right. His mutation, like Inara's, connected him to the Earth in such a way that being a part from it was making him physically ill.

Magnus walked toward them, continuing his speech, "But for every non-believer," he waved his hand toward metal doors that slid open, revealing two young men dressed exactly the same, "there is a new convert."

At the same moment that Crystal recognized one of the young men as Scott Summers, she felt a sharp stab of surprise from Charles. "Scott," he whispered, eyes wide. "No."

Charles! Crystal called desperately. Tell Logan! Tell Logan to loose the battle! Tell Ava how to find him! They may be our only hope!

The surprise coming from Charles quelled just enough. Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she saw him lift one hand to his head. When he lowered a minute later, she knew he'd completed the task before he gave her confirmation.

It is done.


So, there's part one of the Cauldron! So, I did not plan on Ailana previously knowing Alex Summers, but it makes more sense for what's to come. Not only in the next chapter, but in much later chapters. Also, there is a reason Magneto didn't nab Jay and Ava. It will be revealed in the next chapter. I think that's all I have to say. I hope you enjoyed!