Disclaimer: All characters belong to Marvel or Red Witch, the creator of the Misfitverse. Except Mini-Kitty, who is sort of mine.
Author's note: And now, for a part of the story that I didn't envision until I wrote this chapter. The introduction of some new (non-original) characters, and chaos in the mall. Hopefully this is better than the previous chapters. And before you ask... yeah, Duncan's working, but he can have a little time off to hang out at the mall, especially during the Christmas season. (Besides, it was convenient for me to bring him in on this story as part of the plot.)

Madness at the Mall

As Kitty and Mini-Kitty walked into the Bayville Mall, they were being watched.

Hey Duncan, said one of the watchers, Here comes one of the muties. And she's got a kid with her.

A kid? Duncan looked over at Kitty and Mini-Kitty. You're right. Except for size, those two could be twins!

Think Pryde had a little sister who got sent to join her? asked the third jock.

Doesn't matter. We don't want them around, so let's go get rid of them. Duncan cracked his knuckles as he and the other two headed over to the pair.

Hey mutie!

Kitty turned around, and saw the three. Oh great. Didn't you guys learn your lesson after Storm and Shipwreck got you in trouble the last time you tried to cause trouble?

Who's that? asked Mini-Kitty. She ducked behind Kitty, peering out around her.

replied Kitty grimly. Stay back.

Actually, I'd tell them that, replied a new voice.

All five turned, to see an unfamiliar girl striding over. She looked like a female version of Forge, with longer hair and darker skin.

Better stay back, girlie, Duncan snarled. You don't want to get in my way.

Wrong. You don't want to get in my way. The girl stepped in front of Kitty. Don't worry. I'll handle this.

And what are you going to do? Throw your shoes at me? Duncan snickered, his two cohorts joining in.

The girl closed her eyes, and concentrated.

Duncan and the two other jocks suddenly found themselves in the old school office. Principal Darkholme and Principal Kelly were both standing in the room.

You three are terrible football players! snapped Darkholme.

And your grades are even worse! Kelly added.

For being such big fools on and off the field, Darkholme began,

And for showing such prejudice against those who are different, Kelly added,

You are hereby expelled from school and humanity. We sentance you to become mutants! the two shouted as one.

Duncan screamed in horror as his skin began to ripple up. Scales rapidly covered his body, as he shifted into a new, mutated form. The two other jocks screamed as they too were changed, one with two fingers on each hand and spikes growing out of his forehead, the other turning neon green, neon orange, and a bright purple. The colors rapidly covered his skin and hair.

the trio screamed. They closed their eyes, and when they were open, they were back in the mall.

If you think that's bad, you should see what else I can pull out of your minds! the girl snapped.

Kitty blinked as Duncan and his crew backed up, turned around, and ran screaming from the mall. You - you're a mutant?

The girl nodded. Name's Danielle Moonstar. You can call me Dani. Of course, some people call me Mirage. That's my power. I bring the fears of people to life in their minds. Those three were easy compared to some people I've met. This is the first time I've actually used my powers against someone on purpose, she added, her voice softer.

Kitty grinned. Well, you did a good job. Thanks.

No problem, Dani replied. And you are?

Kitty Pryde. I walk through walls.

Dani said, stepping back. And who are you? she asked Mini-Kitty, who was still hiding behind Kitty.

This is my younger clone, replied Kitty. I kind of got her in my Hannukah present.

You celebrate Hannukah? That's so cool! So does my mom. The only thing she really remembers from her past was that she was Jewish and her name. Dani looked down at the little girl. Don't worry, little one. I won't hurt you.

Kitty smiled at her. She's technically not even a day old, she told Dani. But she's got the mind of a four-year-old and the body of a six-year-old. She's not quite used to people yet.

No problem, said Dani, shrugging. Mind if I join you?

Kitty exclaimed. We came to get my little clone some new clothes - she doesn't have anything besides what she was created with.

Dani gave them a grin. My family just moved here, and they sent me to check out a few things around here. Such as the mall. Mom, Grandpa, and my sister are busy getting their own things unpacked. I already got mine done, so I was able to come out.

The two girls laughed, and set off into the mall.

About two hours later, they emerged from the mall, the two older girls holding two full shopping bags each, with Mini-Kitty in the middle between the two.

My house isn't far from here, explained Dani. We can walk there easily.

And sure enough, about ten minutes later, the three arrived in front of a house that reminded Kitty very much of her own back in Illinois.

Mom! Grandpa! I'm home! called Dani.

Oh, good, called a voice, as its owner came into the room. She was tall, with black hair, and was decidedly not a Native American like her daughter. Oh, you brought a friend!

This is Kitty Pryde, Mom, said Dani as Kitty held out her hand. She's a mutant, like me.

Mrs. Moonstar froze. Like... you?

Not exactly, said Kitty nervously. I don't have powers like your daughter - I just walk through walls.

Mrs. Moonstar sighed. Oh. Sorry - it's just that the only mutants I've known were my daughters. Technically, neither of them are my children - Dani's mother died in childbirth, and I married her father afterward. We adopted another child later.



Mrs. Moonstar cocked her head at the little girl between the two. And who's this?

My clone, said Kitty. Long story. She's not even a day old yet.

called another voice. Another girl came into the room. Oh, hey, she called when she saw Kitty. Welcome to the nuthouse.

Mrs. Moonstar turned to see her other daughter. We're not in a nuthouse.

Well, it seems like it, especially with all the unpacking going on around here, replied the purple-haired girl. She walked over to Kitty, Mini-Kitty, and Dani. I'm Sarah Moonstar, Dani's adopted sister. And like her, I'm a mutant. I take it you're one too?

Kitty nodded. She had the feeling she was going to be repeating this story for some time.

***


A few hours later, the six were sitting in the dining room. Kitty and Mini-Kitty had been introduced to Black Eagle, Dani's grandfather. Any mutant is a friend of mine, he had told her when Kitty had explained what she was. I have been a victim of prejudice, and I will never show prejudice against another willingly.

Now, Kitty and Mini-Kitty were listening to the family's stories. We actually had to move away from Dark Hollow, our home in Colorado, because it came out that Dani and Sarah were mutants, said Mrs. Moonstar. Fortunately, nobody was injured, just frightened. Dani activated her powers in self-defense against an attacker, and Sarah stepped in to protect her from a further attack while they escaped. That's when we came here.

The four were especially intrigued when Kitty told them of their encounters with Mojo and when he had created the X-Babies. Sarah almost fell off her chair laughing when Kitty told them about the Mini-Shipwrecks running amok.

Well, I'm glad you think it's funny, said Kitty as Sarah caught her breath. I was so embarassed.

I have to admit, it sounds like Mojo got his comeuppance, said Black Eagle, who had been snickering along with his granddaughter. And now he's sent you his cloning machine, so you'll have a mini-clone of yourself and one other running around. I can only imagine the chaos.

Well, I'll be experiencing it, said Kitty with a sigh. And my clone here... I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to tell my parents if they visit. They were thinking about coming to the mansion for the last few days of Hannukah.

Dani looked at her mother and grandfather. Can I come with Kitty to see her friends at the mansion this afternoon?

Of course, dear, said Mrs. Moonstar. And if Sarah has finished unpacking, she can come with you too.

said Sarah. I'm almost done - just one more box to unpack, and then I'll be ready.

Then what are we waiting for? Dani turned to Kitty. Can you and your clone come and join us? If there's four of us, it'll take even less time.

Oh there's no need, said Sarah. I'll take care of it. Should take only a few minutes.

said Dani. Just trying to help.

I understand, replied Sarah. And I appreciate your offer. I'll just be a few minutes, then we can go back to Kitty's place. She raced upstairs. And sure enough, less than ten minutes later, she was back down. I'm ready!

Dani and Kitty were already waiting in the living room, waiting with Mini-Kitty. Come on!

The four went out, and Kitty, her clone, and Dani waited while Sarah went into the garage. Minutes later, she drove out in her car. Mom and Grandpa gave it to me for a gift on my eighteenth birthday, she explained. I was older than Dani when I was adopted, so she's my younger sister, even though she was with the family first.

A few minutes later, they were on their way. And about ten mnutes after that, the four pulled into the driveway at the X-Mansion.

Fair warning, said Kitty as they walked up to the door. Things can get really crazy around here.

Believe me, nothing can surprise me anymore, replied Sarah.

Kitty shook her head. Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you...

Believe me, I was NOT expecting the majority of this chapter. Sarah is not an original character, and neither is Mrs. Moonstar - they're actually characters in the comics, but just who, I won't say yet (Sarah will be revealed next chapter, Mrs. Moonstar sometime later, maybe on Christmas). There are plenty more surprises in store for Kitty and her new friends. And who will the new clone be? Red Witch should know... but for the rest of you, feel free to guess until she appears.