The X-men of X-Corporation are determined to use their mutant powers to fight for peace, and not chaos. Nonetheless, anti-mutant discrimination continues to be on the rise. The closer it gets to the presidential election, the worse it seems to get as the two front runners, Lilandra Neramani and Edward Kelly duke it out.

However, the X-men are proved to be faced with bigger problems. Tony Stark – their boss – is in recovery for alcoholism. Add to that, the Friends of Humanity is on the rise with their anti-mutant agenda. Their most recent attack was the New Salem Mall in Chicago, where Kitty Pryde was caught in the crossfire. Now, the FOH plan to attack Lilandra Neramani's campaign rally to further spread a message of hate.

Issue 49: Chauvinism Part 2

Across the Street From NYU

'Shit . . . out of all things I'd pictured doin' on my Saturday night, goin' to NYU ta keep an eye on Libertarian party nominee Lilandra Neramani wasn't one of those things,' thought Logan Howlett as he sat inside the campus of NYU with Anna-Marie "Rogue" D'Ancanto and Ororo "Storm" Munroe.

Logan hadn't planned on being at Lilandra Neramani's campaign rally with Rogue and Storm, but, when Professor Xavier had told him the other day that he should keep watch over it, Logan knew Charles was serious about it.

"Chuck, are you serious about this?" he'd asked.

"Yes, Logan, I am. Typically, Tony would be going with Pepper to keep watch over event such as this, but, he's on detox. I will be with my son tomorrow on a visit. That leaves you; you may select whichever X-men of your choosing for this," Professor Xavier had told him.

That was why Logan found himself outside NYU, keeping watch on the campaign rally with Ororo and Anna-Marie at his side, looking on through binoculars.

"Logan, why did ya have ta choose the two of us?" asked Anna-Marie.

"Because, kid, ya two are startin' to prove yerselves capable, plus, I felt Cyke and Jeannie could use a break," Logan said, wearing dark sunglasses over his eyes.

"Giving Scott and Jean a break; I've never heard of that one before," Storm said lightly. "I think you training us, a bunch of teenagers, has softened you quite a bit."

"Don't test my temper, darlin'," Logan told her, smiling at Ororo in return.

Ororo grinned, her blue eyes seeming to flash. As the three sat there, miles away, Lilandra Neramani stood up behind a podium on the NYU football field, getting ready to speak and say her speech she had prepared earlier that week. Looking behind her at her vice president, Evangeline Whedon, Lilandra smiled as she proceeded to talk into the microphone.

"Thank you, it is an honor to be here on the campus of NYU, for one of my last presidential rallies before the election starts. As you know, we are all still shaken up by the attack that had happened two weeks ago in Chicago at that shopping mall. Who caused it, nobody truly knows for sure how or why. But, I do know, and I can promise this, my first act as president of the United States of America will be to protect the rights of mutants, ensuring their safety to assure that they will have the same equal rights that all human beings have. It says in our Constitution, "All men are created equal." Yes, that has proven to be true; women were also given rights and independence especially during the Roaring Twenties. I am not saying that mutant rights will just be given over night. I am not saying that it will be easy.

"Yes, I understand that there are some mutants out there, who use their power to do evil in the world. But, you can say the same about humans. A human doctor can so easily be corrupted when opportunity presents itself. How many doctors have been arrested and sued for malpractice? But, that doesn't mean that we should label all doctors the same way. It's the same thing with police offers. There are crooked cops out there who violate their position and use it to spread hate, but, there are so many cops out there who are brave enough to step in and do the right thing. That's called being a hero. Sure, there are mutants out there who are dangerous. But, that does not mean by any means necessary that mutants should be painted with the same brush. That doesn't mean we should arrest all mutants and fear all mutants. There could be that one good mutant out there who can save your life one day. There are mutants out there looking to do the right thing. I think the perfect example of this is the X-men. They are going out of their way to protect us, to intervene when they feel that it is necessary, because they feel the need to protect and save everyone, even those that hate them and fear them.

"Mutants are just men, women and children who go to school; go to work every day to provide for their selves, to makes something of their selves. Isn't that what regular human beings do every single day in this country? Isn't that the American dream? So why shouldn't mutants have that same opportunity? Additionally, what I plan for, as President, is to ensure that mutant children can go to school to get an education. If mutants have any particular mental health problems, they should have access to care that isn't corrupted. We look around and we see mental hospitals meant to treat mutants, but, those mental hospitals are more like prisons than anything else. That is something that must be changed; the change has to be effective when it takes place, so that we can make this country safer, for not just humans, but, mutants alike."

Lilandra could hear the applause gathering from the cheering crowd, many mutants standing there in support of her campaign. But, unbeknownst to Lilandra, who was concentrating on her speech, Graydon Creed sat there in the audience with his Friends of Humanity followers, growling in anger as he listened to this woman speak. Just hearing somebody speaking on the behalf of mutants everywhere was something that deeply enraged the man to his very core. How anybody could support this woman, he had no idea. Speaking into his comm device, he knew now was the time to initiate his attack on the presidential nominee.

"This is Creed?" he said. "Are you all in position?"

"Sir, yes, sir," said one of his followers on the other line.

"Excellent," Creed said with a bitter smile.

Meanwhile

On Logan, Rogue and Ororo's side, the three sat there, keeping close attention on what was going on out in the arena. Lilandra had made it clear that her rally was mutant-friendly, but, Logan felt that he, Rogue and Storm being members of the X-men would make them stand out like a sore thumb. Logan then took a sniff of the air, his animal instincts coming over him.

'Somethin' don't feel right. It stinks here,' he thought. 'I don't like it . . .'

Turning to Rogue and Storm, he looked to the two girls. "Ladies, I think ya should call the rest of the X-men . . . something ain't right here. I can smell it."

"Everyone?" asked Rogue.

"Do as I say," he insisted.

Rogue nodded, and proceeded to call all of the X-men. "Attention, X-men . . . get to the NYU campus as soon as possible. It looks like we've got trouble."

X-Corporation Tower – War Room

"Why do you think Logan called us?" asked Kitty as she slipped into her blue X-men uniform.

"For whatever reason he'd called us, it must be urgent," Jean explained, pulling her cowl up and over her head. "Besides, we've already called the professor. As much as he doesn't want to cut his visit with his son, David, short, he's on his way."

"She's right. And if someone is going to try and attack Lilandra Neramani – a member of the Libertarian party who just happens to be on our side – then we have to be there to make sure that she is safe. You saw what happened at that mall back in Chicago. We cannot have that happen again," Scott said.

"I'm pretty sure I still have PTSD from that event," Kitty said, shuddering.

"I think we all do," said Warren in agreement as they followed Scott to the Blackbird. "But right now, we have to make this a priority. I don't care if it's Senator Edward Kelly. We've got to protect everyone, including those who hate us. If we let extremists get away with attacking central political figures, then it could be a disaster for mutants everywhere."

"Well, you all might as well set that aside now, because I am telling you, we cannot afford to have anything happen. Not today," Jean said, boarding the jet and taking her seat beside Scott in the cockpit. She breathed out a sigh as Scott proceeded to pilot the plane towards the NYU campus, knowing what they had to do. Jean closed her eyes, reaching for Scott's hand. He took hers into his and gently gave it a squeeze.

Bobby sat in his seat watching Scott and Jean sharing a moment of tenderness, feeling the sadness returning.

'Why can't I have something like that with somebody?' he thought. Little Bobby realized; Jean had picked up on his thoughts. She turned in her seat slightly to look in Bobby's direction, noticing the younger teen was making the attempt at masking the pain that he was feeling. She swallowed slightly. Letting her hand drop from Scott's, Jean suddenly felt highly insensitive considering how alone Bobby was feeling and thinking she should be more empathetic.

'Jean, I know what you're thinking right now. I know you might be feeling guilt for how Bobby is feeling, but try to keep your head in the game right now, baby,' Scott told her.

'I know, Scott. It's just, I'm worried about Bobby. Because I know in a way how it feels to be very alone in the world; to feel misunderstood by everyone. And the fact that Bobby happens to be gay on top of this . . . he hides how he feels, but that doesn't mean I do not know what he's thinking or feeling,' said Jean in return as they reached the NYU campus. Landing the Blackbird down nearby, the X-men piled out of the jet to see Wolverine, Storm and Rouge already there, though Wolverine looked as though he could smell something bad was about to happen from a mile away.

"Wolverine, I do not know why you want us all here, but," Forge started to say. That was when they could hear gunshots on the NYU campus, as well as the sounds of screaming and rioting happening. "I spoke too soon."

"X-men, let's go! Remember, do damage control and break up the fight! And remember, no humans are to be harmed. And watch yourselves as well," Cyclops said.

"How's about telling them not to harm us, Cyclops?" quipped Iceman as he made a path of ice to glide on, grabbing Kitty, their newest recruit, by the hand. "Have you been practicing, Kitty?"

"Is that even a question?" asked the thirteen-year-old girl as she phased them through the walls dividing the NYU football stadium. Kitty jumped off Iceman's ice path and phased through the ground, coming back up and observing her surroundings.

She noticed a large group of men and women who were wearing the FOH berets and jackets. She recognized them as the group of people who had issued the riot at the mall nearly two weeks prior. That was the moment Nightcrawler popped up beside her in a puff of smoke.

"Seriously, fuzzy? I thought we talked about you teleporting unannounced!" Kitty said to him.

"Sorry, Kitten," said the Incredible Nightcrawler with a shrug as Angel arrived with Marvel Girl, Cyclops and Beast.

"Alright, boss, where do we start first?" Beast asked.

"Get all the civilians out of here, mutant and human alike. Also, Jean, track down Neramani and make sure that we get her to safety as well. I do not know who these people are or what "FOH" stands for, but I've got the feeling we're about to find out sometime soon," said Cyclops.

"Okay, Slim, we're on it." Angel and Beast went in, proceeding to get all of the civilians to safety, mutant and human alike upon Cyclops' orders.

'Cyclops, I take it you are at NYU?' asked the voice of Professor Xavier.

'Yes, Professor. Are you close by?' asked the young X-leader, leading several women and children to safety outside of the football stadium.

'Indeed, son . . . I'll be there shortly. Until then, improvise. I know you will do an exemplary job as always.'

'Yes, sir.' Cyclops ushered for more civilians to follow him out of the stadium, leading them to the safety of Rogue, Storm, Forge and Wolverine who had already called 9-1-1 for safe measures. Storm proceeded to fly in, using her powers to manipulate the winds to get even more civilians out of the way of the flying bullets that were being shot by the FOH.

Meanwhile, over on Lilandra Neramani and Evangeline Whedon's side, the presidential and vice-presidential nominees were being ushered away by their security that was there. However, the firing bullets and the screams and yells of the FOH were proving to be an issue. Evangeline had herself in her dragon form for safe measure as they were rushed to safety. However, that was the moment FOH founder Graydon Creed shot their security personnel down by firing his gun right at the security guards' chest.

"End of the line, mutie loving freaks," spat Creed in disgust as he prepared to shoot Lilandra and Evangeline dead where they stood. However, just as he fired the bullets, the bullets phased through the two women. "What the –?" Creed asked. That was when he noticed young Kitty Pryde there, who had phased Lilandra and Evangeline through the bullets just in time to save them both. "What the fuck?" he roared.

"Shut up!" spat Kitty in disgust. "Why do you hate us?! What did we ever do to you?"

"You were born, you stupid brat!" spat Creed in anger, preparing to shoot Kitty this time where she stood. However, that was when Creed was disarmed as Beast grabbed hold of his gun, Angel flying in to grab Kitty, Lilandra and Evangeline to fly them out of the way.

"Perhaps you are heedless, but this is a rather deadly armament, my dear friend," Beast said with a toothy smile.

"Shut up you fucking freak!"

"I would appreciate it if you restrained from using such volatile patois." Beast jumped down and tackled Creed to the ground, taking him out while Angel got Kitty and the presidential and vice-presidential nominees to safety.

"Thanks, Warren," Kitty said.

"Yes, thank you so much," Lilandra said, the gratitude evident in her voice.

"Just doing my job," Angel said with a smile as the ambulance finally arrived to give people medical attention. Marvel Girl and Cyclops went over to their youngest, newest member.

"Are you alright, Kitty?" Cyclops asked her.

"Yeah . . . Yeah, I'm alright." Even though she was making the attempt at hiding it, Marvel Girl could see Kitty was startled and even a little hurt by the fact that someone had told her that he hated her because she was born.

'That son of a bitch tried shooting me in the head in front of a presidential candidate! Why . . . why the hell is this happening? What have I done that is so bad?' Kitty was projecting her thoughts on a billion loudspeakers inside Marvel Girl's head. Letting out a sigh, Jean Grey knew that she needed to confront Kitty about the situation, because these were the thoughts going through the head of a thirteen-year-old girl who was just trying to live her life.

Marvel Girl went over and sat beside Kitty, placing an arm around her shoulders. "You're projecting your thoughts on a loudspeaker, or a dozen loudspeakers, honey," she said, noticing the tears filling the thirteen-year-old girl's eyes.

"That-That man . . . he attempted to kill me. He hates me . . . and he doesn't even know me. If Warren hadn't interfered, he would have shot me in the head. He-He told me that what I did wrong was being born!" Kitty said, sniffling.

"That's because these FOH people are clearly looking for scapegoats and they are looking for someone to blame, sweetie. We're easy targets because we have mutant powers," Marvel Girl said simply. "You're talking to a person who was locked away in a mental hospital because she would hear voices and make things move. This is something that is out of our control at this point. The only thing that we can do is just try our best to make things better by using our gifts to benefit the world. But nobody ever said that it would be easy. Anybody who thinks it's easy is delusional. It's constant work."

Kitty nodded, leaning into the redhead's touch as the tears rolled down her face. She sat there, just allowing Jean to hold her and comfort her. She felt her back being rubbed soothingly as she leaned further into Jean's arms.

Meanwhile, for Lilandra and Evangeline, the two women found themselves in a conversation with Professor Charles Xavier, who had just arrived in time, as well as Beast.

"Are you sure that the two of you are alright?" asked Charles to Lilandra.

"Yes, yes, Professor Xavier. I'm just fine. Luckily for the two of us your newest recruit saved us both. She acted on pure instinct to get us out of danger," Lilandra said as she looked over at Kitty Pryde, who was crying against the shoulder of Jean Grey out of pure confusion and hurt over the fact that she was hated by people who did not even know her.

"Well, Miss Neramani, I can assure you that the X-men will try to get to the bottom of this and find out whom these FOH people happen to be," said Beast in an assuring tone to the two women standing before him. However, looking over at Charles, he could see a look in his mentor's eyes. He couldn't tell what it was, but he knew that the look in the eyes of Charles Xavier was beyond admiration.

"Thank you, Mr. McCoy," Evangeline said with a polite smile on her face.

Just as Beast and Professor Xavier were wrapping up their conversation with the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, the two men turned to see Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym approaching them.

The blonde-haired genius of a man walked over to the pair, an expression on his face that read as a mixture of exhausted and horrified by what he had witnessed at the rally.

"Ahh, Dr. Pym; I see you came here to the rally as well," said Charles, turning to face Tony's closest friend aside from Pepper and Rhodey.

"Yes, Professor," Pym said, breathing out a sigh. The man who had at one point gone by the superhero alias as "Ant Man" looked rather disturbed. "I was here, as you know; I wasn't expecting anything like this to break out today, sir. But I wanted to talk to you and to Tony for quite a while."

"Tony is on a rather serious detox program right now; I do not know if he will be available to discuss things with you, but you are more than welcome to come by the office tomorrow," Charles said.

"Janet's not with you?" asked Beast, referring to Pym's better half, Janet Van Dyne.

"Umm . . . Janet and I, we're on a bit of a break," the genius scientist admitted. "But I've got a project I've wanted to talk with McCoy and Tony about for quite some time now. And I truly think that it is something that can help to benefit not only Pym Enterprises, but, also X-Corporation. I would like to meet with Tony as soon as I potentially can to talk with him about this."

Up next: Mysterious Mojo Part 1