In a world that hates and fears them, the X-men of X-Corporation continue to use their powers to fight for peace in an ever-growing world that is filled with toxicity. With discrimination on the rise towards mutants, the X-men know that their role in fighting for peace is ever more important, especially with an upcoming presidential election, the two front runners being Republican Senator Edward Kelly, and Libertarian Lilandra Neramani.

However, the anti-mutant discrimination is proving to affect not just the X-men. It is proving to affect an even younger generation of people. Recently, thirteen-year-old Kitty Pryde has witnessed it at her own middle school. However, all it took was a wild food fight for her powers of phasing through anything solid to manifest. Now, the young teen must face the pressures of not just being a teenage girl, but also a mutant.

However, as this is happening, a newly-formed hate group named the "Friends of Humanity" is on the rise, underneath the leadership of a mysterious man named Graydon Creed.

Issue 46: Pryde and Prejudice

Illinois Institute of Technology

'One of the last presidential debates before the election . . .' thought Libertarian presidential nominee Lilandra Neramani as she fixed herself. Her long black hair flowed down her back as she mentally prepared herself for what was to come.

It was a great surprise to many that Republican nominee Senator Edward Kelly's biggest competitor was from the Conservative Libertarians. But, Lilandra was not your typical Conservative Libertarian. Her main focus was on equal rights for mutants. She was known to be a huge human rights activist, and a mutant rights activist. It was so far neck and neck between her and Senator Kelly, but, she hoped that she would be the one to end up winning, mostly due to the fact that she was well-aware of the fact that Senator Kelly was looking to unleash the Sentinels. Despite the fact that it had gone terrible with Cameron Hodge and Obadiah Stane, Lilandra was curious as to why Senator Kelly thought it could work this time just because it was now being monitored by the president who was approving of it.

Lilandra was not a politician, no she was not. But, what she was, was a successful business woman with several degrees, including one in law which allowed her to open up her law firm which helped represent mutants in court cases.

While Lilandra had her thoughts reeling through her mind at that moment in time, Senator Edward Kelly was mentally preparing himself as well. He understood that Lilandra's choice for her vice president was Evangeline Whedon, a lawyer who had gotten disbarred after her mutation had been exposed. To hear that was a surprise to many, but, for mutants who were angry about getting fired from their jobs due to their mutations, it fueled them to want to vote for Lilandra even further.

'Here we go . . . let's just hope that I end up winning them over with the launch of the MRD today, as well as The Wide Awake Project. I can only hope that this election will be in my favor,' thought Senator Kelly as he looked at Lilandra Neramani across the room, who was speaking with her assistant as well as her choice for vice president. What worried Senator Edward Kelly was the Lilandra was sharp, intelligent and eloquent with a very clean record and almost no controversies or scandals. She was definitely the one that greatly concerned the Republican presidential nominee.

"Edward, are you almost ready to take the stage?" asked his choice for vice president, Henry Peter Gyrich.

"Yes, Gyrich, I can assure you that," Kelly replied in return. "Besides, I know Shepherd Yost is the moderator for this one . . . knowing him, he'll be asking the toughest questions. I've got the feeling that Lilandra woman will be fully prepared."

"Hey, worry about what it is that you have got to do," said William Stryker. "Today, we're additionally launching the Sentinels and the MRD. There cannot be a better day than this, my dear Senator."

"No doubts there, William. I also understand that today, we've got a guest coming: Charles Xavier of X-Corporation as well as his X-men."

"Well, is his business partner Tony Stark going to be here?" asked Gyrich.

"Yes, most likely; you know that Stark kid goes wherever he goes," said Stryker. He then turned to Bolivar Trask. "Trask, are the Sentinels ready?"

"Yes, they are ready for presentation during the debate; we've additionally designed Sentinel Prowlers too," Trask said.

"Good; at least everybody's in place," said Senator Kelly.

O'Hare International Airport

"Professor, is it really necessary to go to this debate?" asked Bobby Drake from where he sat on the Blackbird.

"Bobby, please stop complaining. The minute you heard we were going to Chicago for the presidential debate, you've been bitching about it since last night," Jean pointed out. "How much TV can you watch in a day?"

"Yeah, I know, I know, it'll rot my brain cells." Bobby rolled his eyes as the plane landed and they proceeded to get into a car which would be taking them to their destination. "But while we're here, can we at least do sightseeing?"

"Yes, we can," Scott said. "Afterwards; I'm anxious to see the Illinois Institute of Technology; even though RIT is my top choice for school."

"Slim, please do not move to Chicago," Tony pled.

"I'm not moving anywhere yet," Scott said.

The drive to the Illinois Institute of Technology was relatively silent between Tony, his X-men and Pepper Potts. They were not by any means looking forward to needing to go to this presidential debate. However, from what they all understood was that the presidential candidate that could very well work in their favor was Libertarian party member Lilandra Neramani, a woman who was heavily behind mutant rights. While Charles Xavier was thinking of how Lilandra could potentially help in terms of creating peace between humans and mutants, Tony was thinking of the potential business mergers that X-Corporation and Chandilar Industries. Before they knew it, they were outside the Illinois Institute of Technology and getting out of the car, walking into the building where the presidential debate would be taking place.

"Professor, this being one of the last debates, aren't you worried about this?" Jean asked.

"Yes, Jean . . . I believe it would be out of character for me to not have my concerns and qualms about the fact that today, Senator Kelly is planning to announce the MRD and the Sentinels as part of his presidential campaign. It was just announced yesterday that President Osborn approved it," said the professor.

"Well, that makes me feel relief. My best friend, Peter, is going to love this one, considering our president is the father of one of his childhood friends, who is all the way out in California at a boarding school," Bobby groaned.

"Believe me, Bobby, none of us like the idea of this. The idea of an MRD being around to essentially babysit us and to force us to register. It violates basic human rights," said Ororo. "Let's just be thankful Logan's not here. You know he'll go on a berserker rage at the first person who gives him the wrong look. It just seems as though ever since what happened to Ms. Danvers, he's become even more of a hard ass."

"Well, they say that time heals all wounds, but, I believe for our resident Wolverine that it'll take a decade for not only this wound to heal, but others as well," said Hank as they walked through the building towards the auditorium where the presidential debate was going to be held.

"Well, I've got a little bit of Italian in my blood on my father's side; my father's mother to be exact. And when Italian or even Irish people fight, it's like a war that's been going on for a hundred years. You never know how the war started, but, from my observation of people with Logan's temper, a decade is exactly what it will take for him to heal from anything he's been through in the past. I mean, I am not the one to intrude on anybody's private thoughts intentionally, but, I do not need to intrude on Logan to know that he's a man with a past that is completely clouded," Jean said.

"Indeed Jean. When I'd first encountered him it was when I had been touring Alpha Flight's facility. If you had seen him at the time, you would hardly believe it," Professor Xavier said.

"Well, here we go," whispered Warren from where he stood next to Cecilia. They all took their seats in the large auditorium where the presidential debate was being hosted. "But, why do I have the oddest feeling that it's going to turn into a shit show?"

"Don't be pessimistic right now, Warren," whispered Cecilia. "We've got enough of that in this country right now."

New Salem Mall Food Courts – One Hour Ago

'Goddamn mutie freaks . . . if that good-for-nothing Senator Kelly won't do shit about it, then I guess some of us might just have to!' thought a bitter, angry Graydon Creed as he sat in the New Salem Mall in Chicago, Illinois. It wasn't ironic that he chose this particular location of all days, especially considering that the mall was not too far from Illinois Institute of Technology, where he knew that the presidential debate was going to be held.

Sitting there in the food court with Alyssa Risman – younger sister of Matthew Risman who was in anger over the fact that her older brother had gotten arrested by the X-men and SHIELD, Creed observed his surroundings. From what he understood, Chicago was one of the many cities in the United States that had the largest mutant population. It was no coincidence that he would pick the day of the third presidential debate, in a location not too far from where it was being hosted, to accomplish his goal that he was setting for that day.

"Creed, how long are we going to sit here and wait! The presidential debate is going to be in an hour! If we want to start something, why don't we just go to IIT across the street?" spat Alyssa Risman, wearing dark sunglasses that were shielding her eyes, as well as a long sweater to cover her body.

"Have some patience, Risman. I promise you that you will be able to avenge your brother's arrest. If Senator Kelly isn't going to protect us from the muties, than I suggest we push it and take it a step further. What is a mutant registration going to do? What is the MRD or those Sentinel robots going to do? Nothing, as far as I am concerned. They're good in theory, but until I see someone taking action, then I guess it's going to have to be the FOH," said Creed in a tone that sounded as though it should calm the young woman, but, it only fired Alyssa up more. "Besides, we do not do this alone. We have people do it for us. That's how it works."

"It's the simplest excuse of "someone made me do it," or, "the news made me do it," when in reality it's all that individual's doing. You should know of this better than anybody here, Alyssa," said another member who was sitting with them.

Alyssa Risman groaned, refraining from rolling her eyes. She knew that what Creed was saying was true. She remembered all the way back when she'd first joined the Friends of Humanity. It had been nearly a month ago when she'd decided that she wanted to make sure that her brother's arrest at the hands of a group of mutants was avenged. Joining the Friends of Humanity only fueled the young woman's anger more and more, because it spent so much time festering inside her.

"Believe me, Risman, this will work," said Creed in a tone that sounded reassuring.

New Salem Mall – Present

'I still cannot believe what had happened to me at school the other day . . . the fact that I am a mutant, of all things. In times like this, it really makes me wish that that isn't what I am,' thought Kitty Pryde as she walked through the mall with her parents, Carmen and Theresa.

After the incident that had happened a day ago with the food fight that had broken out at school, Kitty had ended up telling her mother and father of the fact that she thought that she was a mutant. Carmen and Theresa, being the worrisome parents that they were who had experienced their fair share of discrimination for their Jewish heritage, worried greatly about the fact that their only daughter was a mutant. Carmen saw how mutants were being kept from being lawyers and being active in the military because people felt that mutants' powers were dangerous. In fact, with the presidential debate currently happening not too far down the road from where they were, it further made the two parents paranoid.

However, Kitty insisted that she wanted to live her life normally even she was a mutant. That was why Carmen and Theresa were at the mall with their daughter, determined to keep her safe while she was out shopping for even more back-to-school clothing that she needed.

Stopping in Macy's, Kitty went off to the junior's section while her mother and father stayed to the side, talking quietly amongst themselves.

"Carmen, what if the neighbors somehow find out about Kitty?" asked Theresa Pryde nervous as she watched her daughter picking out clothing to try on. "I mean, you know, that despite the fact that Chicago is rather mutant-friendly, what people would think! There have been several riots at her school regarding anti-mutant violence!"

"Theresa, Kitty's tough. I've taught her how to handle herself by the time that she was three years old. If she can take care of herself and defend herself, then what are you worried about? Leave her alone," Carmen insisted.

"Carmen, hun, no, the world's crazy out there! Wake up! She's not just growing into a beautiful young woman, but she's also a mutant, and you know as well as I do that people are going to see her as that! I was a thirteen-year-old girl quite a bit of years ago. Things have changed. And by things changing, I mean having mutants who are open about their powers! Most aren't shy about showing off," Theresa noted, the worry evident in her voice.

"Theresa, of course I worry for the safety of our daughter; it's hard for me as a father to even think our Kitty is a mutant, but that doesn't mean I do not accept her as she is. And you know that. It's bad enough having parents who are survivors of the Holocaust and needing to hear stories of Jews being sent to the gas chambers and the ghettos," Carmen pointed out to his wife.

"Yes, I know, you're right, Carmen. I know, but we cannot be in denial over the fact that there are some pretty ugly things happening in the world right now. It's one thing registering people for guns . . . it's another to register people for just living."

While Kitty's parents continued to discuss their concerns for their one and only daughter, Kitty was in the changing rooms, trying on clothing pieces.

'I can only hope and pray that I do not slip up with my mutation here. That's the last thing that I need, especially with the rise in anti-mutant prejudice. If that happens, then I am fucked,' she thought to herself as she stared at her reflection of herself wearing a red, pleated skirt. 'All I want is to live life normally, and I want everyone to leave me alone. Ever since I'd told my mom and dad about my powers the other day, they've been hovering over me! Even waiting outside my bathroom! Who does that? God, I know they're worried, but, don't treat me like I'm a crystal wine glass! I'm no porcelain doll!'

Deciding that the skirt did not flatter her as much as she thought that it would, Kitty proceeded to change back into her regular clothes to go off and find something else to try on. However, just as she was about to put the clothes on the return rack, she felt herself accidentally bump into somebody else. However, instead of hitting the woman, she felt herself phase right through the person.

"Oh, sorry!" she said breathlessly as she arranged the clothes on the rack so that they could be returned.

"What did you just do?" the woman asked in surprise.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Kitty answered back honestly.

"I know exactly what you did. You're one of those mutie freaks, aren't you?" the woman asked harshly.

Kitty instantly backed out of the dressing room area, feeling her heart starting to pound.

"Get out of here! Nobody wants your kind around here!" the woman called after her. Hearing someone outright reject her due to the fact that she was a mutant was something that felt more crushing than Kitty could expect. However, that was the moment that it seemed as though her powers were starting to go haywire, and she could feel herself phasing through clothing rack after clothing rack. It was almost as though she couldn't turn it off. That was the moment she felt her booming migraine she'd been feeling over the past couple days growing worse and worse, and she felt that she was almost in a way falling through the floor.

"AHHH!" she screamed out, her brown eyes growing huge as her fear overtook her, and she crash-landed in the middle of the food court. She could then hear shouts coming from all directions.

"HOLY SHIT! A MUTIE!"

"MUTIE FREAK!"

"GET OUT OF HERE! WE DON'T WANT YOUR KIND AROUND HERE!"

"GO BACK TO THE FREAKSHOW!"

Kitty felt her face growing bright red in shame and anger, cursing herself for her mutation as she tried rising to her feet.

Illinois Institute of Technology Auditorium

Meanwhile, during the presidential debate between Lilandra Neramani and Senator Edward Kelly, the X-men and Tony were sitting there, listening intently; knowing how they had to pay close attention. Scott, Jean, Ororo, Warren and Forge being old enough were all registered to vote. However, for Tony, the entire debate was driving him to drink, literally.

That morning, before boarding the plane, he'd taken several shots of Jack Daniels to quote-on-quote "relax." And then on the plane ride, he'd secretly stashed away flasks filled with tequila, gin and dark rum. Currently, he was drinking gin out of his flask, despite feeling the fast heart palpitations. He knew that he was supposed to have stopped drinking under Cecilia's orders. But the continuing stress of being a workaholic proved to be harder on the thirty-five-going-on-thirty-six-year-old than most would expect. Needing to manage two companies, plus worry about having placed Stark Pharmaceuticals in the hands of Hank and Warren was giving Tony even more anxiety than typical. If one asked Tony just how long he'd been drinking, he would say since mid-August when his stress became more and more.

Taking another gulp of gin, Tony breathed out a deep sigh. However, he could see Charles and Cecilia casting him some concerned looks.

'Tony, you know I never like to intrude on your mind, my son. But is everything alright?' Xavier asked him telepathically.

'I'm alright, old man. I promise,' Tony replied back as they continued to watch the debate.

"What I can say about the mutant issue is that a registration is not the answer," Lilandra Neramani was saying, replying back to the question of mutant registration. "It is something that violates basic human rights; now, I understand that you might say that mutants are not human. But, to say that would be highly unfair. And who is to say that a mutant registration would work? You'll be forcing mutants who are already scared of being out and open about their mutations to tell the government who they are, where they live, what their social security is . . . we do not register people for being alive. Guns are one thing. But, people with powers, that is a whole different animal. Tell me, would you say the same thing about Captain America who is considered one of the greatest war heroes?"

The X-men, Xavier, Pepper and Tony were left in shock and awe over Lilandra's words. The fact that she was arguing with facts that were completely true stunned them. To think that there was a presidential candidate who was challenging Senator Kelly's yearnings for a mutant registration was a great surprise.

"Okay, this one I like. She's got my vote," said Jean.

"Agreed, mein friend," Kurt said with a nod of his head and a smile on his face. However, as they all turned to look at the professor, they could all see the way that he was staring at Lilandra in fascination.

"Oh crap," whispered Warren. "I think the professor's found his match."

"Well, good for the professor," whispered Scott in agreement as he shared a look with Jean, taking her by the hand. Suddenly, that was the moment that they all noticed a few of the cops were starting to leave the room.

"Um, what is going on?" the moderator asked.

"There's word of an anti-mutant riot in the New Salem Mall close by here. We have got to go and handle the situation," said an officer, and the police proceeded to pile out of the room.

Getting up from his seat, Scott prepared to switch his image inducer off. "Are you going to go and handle this?" he asked.

"You're the boss, you call the shots," said Hank, taking his trench and hat off.

"Here we go again," whispered Cecilia, turning off her image inducer to reveal her uniform. The X-men proceeded to pile out of the space and shoved through the crowd that was pushing and shoving to try and see what was going on at the mall.

"Shit," whispered Tony as he maneuvered his way through with Pepper. Reaching for his flask again, he gulped down more liquor. However, the combination of his drinking and the huge crowd pushing and shoving seemed to be causing Tony's heart arrhythmia to get worse and worse. He felt sweat gathering on his forehead as his heart pounded in his chest, as though it were about to burst. His face went chalky as he leaned against a wall, trying to breathe.

"Tony, are you okay?" Pepper asked him anxiously. "Tony!" She noticed the way that he was clutching his chest, gripping his flask hard in his hand as he found himself sliding down against the wall.

Meanwhile

On the X-men's side, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Forge, Cecilia, Angel, Iceman, and Beast were making their way through the crowd of people towards the location of the anti-mutant rioting that was taking place. It wouldn't be like them not to interfere in a situation like this, especially if it involved a mutant in danger.

Finally, after five minutes of a struggle to get through, they could see the cops desperately trying to break up a fight between mutants and a group of people wearing berets that said "FOH" on them. The looks of hatred and anger of the "FOH" wearing humans was a sight that deeply startled them all. However, what disturbed the X-men even more was the fact that the attack seemed to be centered on a young girl who looked no older than thirteen-years-old. The fact that nobody was by her concerned Marvel Girl deeply.

"Kurt!" Marvel Girl latched onto Nightcrawler, and he teleported her over to the thirteen-year-old mutant who was cowering in the corner in a state of tears, as if she did not know what to do. Marvel Girl and Nightcrawler made their way over to the girl, kneeling in front of her.

"Hey, hey, hey, it's alright, it's alright," Marvel Girl repeated, leaning a hand onto the younger girl's shoulder. "Tell me your name."

"K-Kitty . . . Kitty Pryde," the girl stuttered out.

"It's alright, fraulein," Nightcrawler said softly to her. "Ve're vith zhe X-men . . ."

"X-men?" Kitty asked. Of course, she heard stories about the X-men on the news. She saw coverage of them fighting the Juggernaut and Magneto. But to see Jean Grey standing before her brought her a feeling of relief. The stark relief in Kitty's eyes struck something deep within Marvel Girl as she extended a hand forward with a kind smile on her face.

"I'm sure you've seen us in the news, but don't worry. We'll get out of here and we'll explain everything, okay?" Marvel Girl said, giving Kitty a hand up to her feet. That was the moment a rock got thrown their way. Before Marvel Girl could even put up a psychic shielding around them to protect them, the rock seemed to phase right through her, Kitty and Nightcrawler. Kitty's eyes were clenched shut. "Kurt, get us out of here," she said.

Nightcrawler obliged by teleporting them out of the mall. Beast and Cecilia were trying to break the crowd apart with the help of Iceman and Cyclops. However, that was when Cyclops' visor went flying off his head, and his opened eyes released a powerful blast of red right at the roof.

"SCOTT!" Rogue screamed, flying in and grabbing his visor, shoving it back onto his face.

"Thanks, Rogue," he whispered to her in appreciation.

"No problem there, sugah," she said in reply before flying off to break apart the crowd even further. That was the moment a powerful psychic pulse seemed to sound throughout the room.

"ENOUGH!" a voice called out, belonging to Professor Xavier who had Marvel Girl at his side.

"That's right, enough!" Marvel Girl said. "Come on, you're all adults, act like it! You want to kill each other in your own homes? Do it! This is not the place for this to happen! Period! Okay? I don't care who started it! End it, please!"

Marvel Girl's words were enough to shock the crowd into nothing but silence. There were several people there who were parents with babies, and those seemed to be the people who were embarrassed the most. Sometimes it took one from the outside to give their honest perspective to make you wake up. However, that was when Carmen and Theresa Pryde were pushing their way through the crowd of people standing around.

"Where's our daughter?" asked Theresa seriously. "Where's Kitty?"

"I got her out of danger; she's alright, just shook up," said Marvel Girl, leading the worried parents outside towards their child. Theresa took hold of Kitty in her arms, hugging her tightly.

"Thank you," she told Marvel Girl and Nightcrawler.

"Just doing our job," said Nightcrawler with a smile on his face as the other X-men came outside.

"Okay, I never want that to happen again," said Iceman, allowing his organic ice form to melt.

"Agreed. That was horrible and disgusting," said Rogue.

"Tell me about it. These people were animals," Cyclops said, going to Marvel Girl's side to wrap an arm around her. "Hey, has anyone seen Tony or Pepper?" he added.

"Shit," whispered Cecilia under her breath in realization.

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