Part 8

The Professor waited for everyone to get settled before he began.

"Storm and Pyro are with the three new guests. They all tested positive with the mutant gene, however only one of them had the same radiation signature that Tara had."

"So the other two were mutants naturally?"

"No, all three were genetically enhanced by non-natural methods but I suspect only the one was treated by Magneto."

"How were the other two made mutants then?"

"That's what I'm hoping to find out from a mind scan. As soon as they're settled in their rooms Jean and I will probe their minds. Hopefully we'll find not only how but also who. From there we'll discover the why."

"W-when Magneto changed me he said he picked Willow and I because of our magickal ability. Our something 'extra' made us closer to being mutants than others. Did the one that was changed by Magneto have the same 'extra'?"

"Very good question, Tara and yes he did. Mark wasn't a witch like you and Willow but he had psychic tendencies. He helped police out on difficult cases."

"They all three had the 'extra'. Maya, the one found in the Pacific, is the seer for her people. Ivan, the one in Russia, is a telekinetic."

"How were they found? I mean Mark who helped police, would be easy enough to find as someone with 'extra' but Tara and I weren't common knowledge."

"Actually you were. Once we learned that Magneto had targeted you two from the Gentlemen, Kitty was able to find out that he tracked you before then. She found a trail that we suspect leads back to him of checking out everyone in your college Wicca group. We think that he is checking into local groups all over the US."

"Great, he could be anywhere and anyone could be next."

Everyone looked to the door as it was quietly opened. Storm nodded to Jean and Charles. "They are settled and willing to talk now."

~~~~

Willow stood in the doorway of Hank's lab and smiled as she watched Kitty and Tara move their hands in and out of phase. Tara seemed to be adjusting well at the X-mansion. She wasn't as shy as she was at school.

Tara glanced up and saw Willow watching her. She waved her in, "Kitty's been helping me learn to phase in and out."

"That's great. You seem to have mastered it."

Tara grinned at Willow, "Not at first. I kept falling through chairs and going through floors but I am better."

"Do you want Giles to start looking for a supernatural 'cure' in case Dr. McCoy's research comes up blank?"

"You know if you'd have asked me that last week I would have jumped at the chance but now, I'm not so sure. I don't feel different anymore and I don't just mean being a mutant. I've always felt like I was different but here I feel 'normal'. Not just a mutant either. They like me, just plain Tara."

Willow softly smiled and pulled her into a hug. "What's not to like? I've always liked just plain Tara." She was glad that Tara felt comfortable here.

Tara smiled and returned her hug.

Dr. McCoy smiled as he watched the two friends. He wondered how many mutants here would give up the chance to reverse their mutation, himself included.

~~~~~

Maya looked at the kind older gentleman as he softly knocked on her doorframe.

"Maya? I'm Professor Charles Xavier. May I come in?"

Storm had told her and the others all about the Professor and this school.

"Sure."

The Professor made his way over to where Maya was sitting on the bed.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions and I'll be happy to answer as many of them as I can."

"Storm said that you'd be able to help me remember what happened."

Xavier was surprised but hid it well. Storm had said that there was memory loss but he hadn't realized she didn't remember anything.

"What was the last memory you had?"

"I was in the sweat lodge to cleanse body and spirit when I heard a noise. I stood up and the next thing I remember is that the village women found me in the forest. When I got scared, my body grew hot and I started to glow with fire. My people thought our goddess had bestowed the gift of fire on me but I wasn't so sure. A couple days later Storm and Pyro came and told me about you and your school. Am I a mutant?"

"We believe you were made a mutant. Not by natural means. Someone is trying to genetically leapfrog those with 'special' abilities. With your permission I would like to probe your mind and see if I can find out how this happened."

Maya looked down at her clinched hands and then up at the Professor. "If I was made a mutant . . . can it be reversed?"

"We have a lot of people researching it. While they are looking into a way of reversing the mutation I and the other teachers here will try to help you learn to control your powers."

Maya nodded and turned fully to the Professor, "Okay, what do I have to do?"

Charles smiled gently at Maya, "Just relax."

He reached over and softly laid his hands on either side of her head. "I'm not going to hurt you."

He closed his eyes in concentration. He saw Maya's body engulfed in flames but none touching her. He saw the people of her village bow down and want to treat her like a goddess.

The scenes switched to the sweat lodge. He saw Maya sit and prepare the hot rocks. As the steam grew thick the Professor turned to the noise in the back. A figure walked forward out of the fog. He felt another presence in Maya's mind but knew that it was a memory. He glanced back at Maya who was staring unseeing at the person.

Someone was controlling her mind. Charles looked back as the figure became clearer.

"The White Queen."

'Why was Emma Frost helping Magneto to create other mutants?'

He saw her indicate for someone to carry Maya from the lodge.

The next memory was the village women finding her.

The Professor gently backed out of the memories and released Maya.

"Who was that woman? Is she from the goddess?"

"No, I'm sorry she's not. She's a mutant known as The White Witch."

Maya sadly nodded, in the back of her mind she had been hoping that maybe this was a gift bestowed by the goddess. Straightening her shoulders she was determined to use it to help her people if the process can't be reversed.

Maya's hand suddenly gripped the Professor's tightly.

"Maya, are you all right?"

She smiled tightly. "Vision. Flashes." Her hand relaxed as the scenes ended.

"I saw a large gathering of people in a mansion. A sign that said the Hell Fire Club. The woman from the lodge was talking to a tall distinguished older man. Next to him was a woman with blue skin. She was talking to someone but their back was to me and I couldn't see who it was though they looked familiar."