Disclaimer : I own none of the X-Men nor their surroundings, however Dell Tucker and Ilehana Xavier are mine.

A/N : The date at the start of a chapter refers to the timeline in respect to the Prologue. Rating for mild language. The news report at the start of this chapter is lifted directly from X-Men The Movie. Guilty as charged.

Chapter Four : X-Men

Six Months Previous, Somewhere in New York State

"The mutant registration act lost its main component today with the dramatic reversal of Senator Robert Kelly, who until this time had provided the loudest voice in the cry for mutant registration. "I was wrong in this particular issue and I hope, in time, I may be forgiven. Thank you."" Danielle watched as 'Senator Kelly' stepped down from the small podium and fought 'his' way through the swarm of journalists, some how knowing that those accursed X-Men would see the flash of Mystique's yellow eyes. But then, they already knew that Robert Kelly was deader than a door-nail. The reporter continued his irritating droning. "The mutant registration act continues to draw support from many parents rights group who feel threatened………"

"Turn off that rubbish." Mystique ordered curtly, coming into the living room.

"That's your plan? To ape Senator Smart-Ass Kelly for months? In the hope that his influence will be enough to cease this mutant registration nonsense? While Magneto rots in some plastic prison?" Danielle finally flicked the 'Stand-by' button on the remote, before turning to give Mystique a cold and calculating look. She strode over to the blue mutant, stood inches away from her. "And whose bright idea was it to send me off to keep an eye on the wolf-bitch, Mystique? Can you imagine if I'd been there? How could Storm and Jean have lifted Wolverine to the top of the tower, how could Cyclops have hit Magneto, without the aid of their powers? It never would have happened. Mutants would be free by now……… if it wasn't for you."

Danielle recoiled sharply as Mystique's hand made full contact with her cheek at a rate she hadn't expected. So her speed and strength were a natural assent, not part of her mutation. Secretly, Danielle was impressed, but she would not show it. No, she owed Mystique nothing, she would not pamper her ego in such a way.

"I will get your father out. With a little time and preparation………"

"You really think I give a st what you do? The only thing I regret is that the lummox they call Wolverine wasn't a little more thorough in his attempt to kill you!" She smiled cruelly, preparing to defend against another slap. At last, Danielle had the freedom to say what she really thought. "All you've ever brought me is pain and misery. Now I'm going to show you how these things should be done. For my father, and for myself, and I warn you now, stay out of my way."

Danielle spun on her heel and stormed from the room. She'd been preparing for this mission since she first heard of her father's imprisonment, since Sabretooth had come crawling back to their home, his body exhausted from healing its many wounds to tell her of Mystique's failure. Now was her time……… she would show them all. Watch out X-Men………

AT THE X-MEN MANSION

"Son of a bitch." Scott sat back, his arms folded. He glanced up as Logan walked through the rec. room, a bag slung over one shoulder. So he was finally leaving was he? Good. He looked a little sheepish as Professor Xavier frowned at him for his language. "Sorry."

The Professor watched the rest of the news report, his mood sinking. What was Mystique planning? But their sources suggested nothing in the immediate future. No, the shape-shifter would wait for the perfect opportunity, and that time was not now, not with Eric locked away in a plastic prison. With a heartfelt sigh, Xavier turned his wheelchair away from the TV, noting how sadly Rogue meandered away from the front door, something gripped tightly in her gloved fist. Sending a wave of comfort to the young girl, the Professor went to get ready for his first visit to his old friend in prison.

MAGNETO'S LAIR

She checked her kit list through once more, making sure everything was in its place. It seemed to have taken forever to gather up the things she needed, her mood darkening all the while. Now was the time - she'd been training for years, five long, hard years, and now she would prove to herself and to him that it had all been worth it. They didn't need Mystique, or that pathetic wretch Sabretooth, or anyone. They were father and daughter, a team, family. She owed him everything and so now she would save him……… but first she would destroy the ones who had hurt him so badly.

Galaxy watched her as she dropped her kit bag on a pile of straw, did not baulk at the tense anger in her eyes. He stood as still as a house as she tacked him up, led him from his stall. She pulled her rucksack onto her shoulders and mounted lithely, with just enough spring to make her coat flutter out behind her and rest smoothly across his rump and flanks. With black gloved hands, she lifted the hood that shadowed her face, then took the reins in a confident grip. A vicious kick that he did not deserve and Galaxy leapt into smooth gallop heading down the drive and off towards the city of New York.

X-MEN MANSION

The tea cup and saucer went flying as the Professor gripped his head in pain. So intense was it that he could not even cry out. The crash had alerted Scott and Jean, who came rushing into his study to his aid.

"Professor? Professor? What's wrong?" The fear from Jean was almost tangible - was this another onset of the drug that had been used to cripple the Professor in Cerebro?

"I'm……… I'm alright." Indeed, the pain was passing. He looked up at his foster children and smiled reassuringly. "Really, I'm fine, but we must be vigilant, someone, somewhere, is planning revenge for Magneto. We are all in great danger………"

It was still there, on the periphery of his mind, that intense hatred for the Professor and his X-Men, like the black storm cloud on the edge of a perfectly blue sky. He had only one choice - he must head for Cerebro and locate this mutant that was such a danger to them all, find out what they were planning. He'd contact Logan and Ilehana too, both located within three hundred miles of the other and yet Logan did not even know that Ilehana existed……… He'd put them on stand-by in case they were needed.

The door to Cerebro scanned his iris pattern with its sweeping blue light, before welcoming him as the door slid open. Charles Xavier hadn't been this nervous about using the machine since the first trials all those years ago. But then, the last time he'd used Cerebro, he'd ended up in severe agony, and then unconscious floating in a sea of darkness and anonymity for days……… He knew, of course, that Jean had used Cerebro since, that she had successfully drained the machine of the harmful chemical installed into it by Mystique, but that didn't make him any less nervous.

For a moment his mind was swamped with the thoughts and emotions of millions of different mutants, but he was able to sift through them quickly and easily despite the rush of adrenaline that swept though him making his heart beat faster and his breathing quicken. He sifted through the separate consciousnesses, searched for dark thoughts, thoughts of Magneto……… he found Mystique, sulking in her lair, he found Sabretooth, sore and angry. And then he found her……… a lone rider heading for New York City. She was planning……… whatever it was, she clamped down on her thoughts, preventing him access. Such a powerful telepath, to be able to prevent him reading her mind. Jean couldn't do that. Ilehana could, but then the telepathy of his daughter was strong enough to rival Xavier's own. Who was she, this mysterious girl?

I'm the one who will destroy you and your X-Men, Charles Xavier, for you have destroyed his life and mine. A cold voice, though not cruel or evil, used his own telepathic link to speak to him. She wasn't a telepath! And just before pushing him away, she left him with a final cold sentiment that was no comfort to the Professor. But believe me, I am truly sorry for your deaths.