Hey readers! I appreciate the reviews for the last chapter. You guys are great.

So, a few updates—I realize that I keep changing the category from "X-Men" to "X-Men: the Movie", but I've decided that there are so many different versions of the X-Men that I'll keep it categorized in the comics section. I visualize all the characters (Twilight included) as they appear in the movies, though—hope that doesn't confuse anyone.

I also want to thank RogueNya for providing a killer line for this chapter. Hope you don't mind that I used it. I apologize for the delayed update, but this chapter should be a bit more interesting than previous ones. I hope you guys like where I'm going with this. If not, let me know in your reviews! Thanks, enjoy.

Chapter Five:

"Psi, Sigma—what are your coordinates?"

"We have located the targets—it seems that they've acquired some assistance."

"No matter; destroy them all."

"Affirmative."

*-*-*-*

Despite the ongoing chaos, the mutants and vampires managed to separate themselves into three different teams: Bella, Edward, Carlisle, the Professor, Kitty, and Storm were to travel in the Blackbird and immediately locate Mystique's whereabouts; Emmett, Colossus, Rosalie, and Rogue (neither of which were exactly pleased with their assigned teammates) were to travel northeast, toward Port Angeles, in case of any further threats; Esme, Alice, and Jasper were to remain at the Cullen residence and—along with the help of the Quileute pack—ensure the safety of Forks.

Jacob and Wolverine refused to cooperate.

"I am not staying here while you go out and play hero, Edward!" Jacob shouted, fighting back the tremors that shook through his body.

"You've already caused enough damage, Jacob. Please don't make this anymore difficult than you already have."Edward replied quietly as he tugged on his black parka. It was taking everything inside of him not to lung forward and hush Jacob. Forever.

Bella stood next to him, her eyes full of fright and determination. "Listen to him, Jake. Just stay here with the pack." She said quietly, pulling her hair back into a ponytail.

"But—"

"You're coming with me, kid." It was Wolverine who spoke this time. He was headed toward the garage door, pulling on his leather jacket.

"Logan, it would be best if you came with us," intervened the Professor from his place across the room. The living area had been divided accordingly by team, and Storm stood behind Xavier, a pleading look among her face.

"Not this time," replied Wolverine, deeply inhaling the room's aroma. "Something just doesn't feel right. We shouldn't be endangering everyone like this. You coming, kid?"

"Logan, endangering your own life along with Jacob's is none the braver." Xavier retorted.

"We're the most durable."

"That's debatable."

Wolverine eyed Edward intently, hearing the double-meaning behind his comment. Inside his head, Wolverine growled at him: This is not the time nor the place, bub.

Re-directing his attention back to the Professor, Wolverine audibly spoke now, "Charles, you know how to reach me. I'll contact you if me and the kid find anything—and I have a feeling we will." With that, he was out of sight. The faint hum of Edward's motorcycle could be heard from within the garage.

Jacob looked at Bella, and then at the open garage door. He decided that he couldn't just guard the perimeter while his dear Nessie was in trouble. He had to find her. Without any further thought, he followed behind Wolverine.

*-*-*-*

"This technology is amazing, Charles." Carlisle said with great interest as he seated himself on the Blackbird. Bella and Edward occupied the two seats across from his own, their hands entwined together.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to leave Alice behind?" questioned Edward, giving his father a puzzled look as the tall woman with the white hair lifted the aircraft off of the ground with ease. She sat at the front of the ship, along with the dark-haired girl called Kitty, adjusting the plane's controls.

"Yes, Edward." Carlisle replied softly. "Alice needs some relief from all the confusion that our new friends have caused her, and Forks needs protection." He laughed lightly now, smiling, as he continued, "I don't see why you ask questions that you already know the answers to."

Carlisle's attempt to lighten the mood was in vain as Edward answered worriedly, "I'm in need of some reassurance."

"Edward, everything will be fine. We've gotten through so much already—I assure you that we'll get through this." Carlisle said thoughtfully.

"How can we, though, with so many new threats working against us?"

"Stop being so pessimistic, Edward." Bella interceded. Edward turned to look into her equally worried eyes. "I understand that we're facing something that we aren't familiar with, but for the sake of Renesmee, we must try."

Edward shook his head, unconvinced. "This just doesn't make any sense. The more I think about it, the less sense any of this makes—I mean, why was Professor Xavier unable to sense this mutant's presence, yet fully capable of reading my mind? Wouldn't it be easier for him to hear a mutant than a vampire?"

"You make a good point," Xavier answered, wheeling himself to where the three vampires sat. "I realize that the situation is a bit perplexing, but my guess is that because our gifts are so similar, we are able to communicate easily. This is common with telepaths."

"Still," Edward pressed, "wouldn't I have heard the faulty Rosalie's thoughts? Back at the house—Alice was having a vision of some sort, but the images depicted in her mind were hazy. As if for one moment she saw a vampire, and then next she saw nothing."

"I'm still oblivious as to why I couldn't sense Mystique—my guess is as good as yours. I couldn't hear Rogue earlier tonight, either. If she had received my thought projections, I doubt the incident with the real Rosalie would have occurred." explained Xavier. "And as for Alice, she and I have similar qualities—which also provides for similar defects. If I was unable to detect a foreign mutant in a room full of vampires, I'm sure she wouldn't be able to envision a vampire in a room full of mutants, especially if that vampire was actually a mutant in disguise."

"That's confusing," Bella sighed, scratching her head.

Edward pondered the Professor's words for a moment. He looked at Carlisle, hearing something in his thoughts. "You're right, Carlisle—all of this intermingled confusion could have been caused by Bella's shield."

The Professor perked up. "A shield?"

"Of course," Edward continued, looking a bit more animate, "Bella had her shield surrounding the house when Rogue arrived—that would explain your inability to transmit your thoughts, Xavier. Though Bella retracted her shield upon your arrival, it takes awhile to wear off—this would provide the mutant Mystique time to fool everyone by posing as Rosalie."

"Which would mean that Mystique knew what she was doing, as always." said the Professor regrettably. "Leave it to Mystique to fool both a mutant and a vampire." He delicately massaged his temples in an attempt to think.

"And plus, with a mutant disguised as a vampire, I imagine this would have discombobulated your telepathy, professor—including Alice's and my own." agreed Edward, feeling foolish for not realizing this sooner. "I imagine Renesmee's gifts only made it worse."

The Professor looked interested once again. "What exactly do your daughter's gifts entail?"

"Renesmee's gifts are the opposite of ours," Edward began, gesturing to himself and then to Bella before continuing, "She can project her thoughts through a simple touch, as well as the thoughts of others. What's going on through her mind will be projected into the person's mind that she touched. And since Renesmee is able to share her thoughts with Bella, we have reason to believe that she can also depower mental force fields."

Xavier looked baffled.

"What power," he spoke softly, almost under his breath. "This must have been what Cerebro had detected."

"Cerebro?" Edward asked.

"Yes," replied Xavier, "Cerebro is a mutant-locating computer. It picked up Renesmee's energy levels because they were so great. Though she is half-vampire, she is also half-human—making her a mutant of sorts. Your daughter's power—though as delicate as it may be—could possibly become quite the weapon in the wrong hands. Mystique's intentions are far beyond my understanding, but I can assure you that they aren't good."

Edward felt Bella cringe beside him. Carlisle even looked a little scared.

"Then we must do all that we can to find this mutant named Mystique, professor." Edward said darkly. "Immediately."

*-*-*-*

Renesmee watched—more in awe than in fear, frankly—as her mysterious, blue-skinned captor took down the three massive guards with merely a few swift kicks and cartwheels. When she—Renesmee had concluded to herself that this thing that had captured her was, in fact, a she—had successfully disarmed the men and piled them up against the corner, she looked over at Nessie with her unusual yellow eyes and smiled.

"Come here to me, child."

Renesmee knew that she could run. Perhaps she would even make it out of this strange headquarters and farther still before this woman caught up to her. But her talents were beyond comprehension, and Renesmee doubted her ability to outrun whomever (or whatever, for that matter) the blue woman would transform herself into.

With that, Renesmee walked slowly toward her—too slow for being half vampire—until she reached Mystique, who had gathered up one of the previously unconscious guards. Behind the man's helmet, Nessie knew that he was scared—probably just as scared as she was, if not more. In an instant, Mystique had slid his handgun from within its holster at his waist and now held him at gunpoint, her scaly blue fingers lightly teasing the trigger.

"Go on."

Renesmee knew what she was doing was against her better morals, but she reached out and touched the man's skin despite this. She gasped after a brief encounter with the man's thoughts, to which Mystique smiled.

"Give them to me," Mystique ordered, and Renesmee unwillingly touched her hand to the pale blue scales along the woman's face.

Instantly, the flush of information crowded Mystique's mind:

"It's a proven fact that the mutant gene is at its most volatile state when it first appears during puberty. This serum will rapidly age its host until they have reached full adulthood."

"What are you implying?"

"It's simple, doctor—we capture a few of those worthless teenage mutants, inject them with the blood plasma, and turn them into the ultimate weapons. Because they're mutant gene is in its first stages, it is more susceptible to accept change—and once the serum invades its host's bloodstream, it will allow the mutant to reach adulthood in a matter of minutes! Not only will their powers be at their full potential, but their physical stature as well. Think of the possibilities! And I've already gotten in touch with another laboratory in Seattle who intends on creating mutant-vampire hybrids."

"Hybrids? They're both dangerous enough as it is. You're mad!"

"Am I, doctor? Or am I brilliant? Think of the irony—using both mutants and vampires against themselves. It is our job to assure that we humans are, indeed, the dominant race on the planet."

"Nothing good will come of this, I can assure you that. Do you honestly believe that either species will keep quiet about this? They'll retaliate—and you'll be sorry."

"Ah! And that is where you're wrong. If and when they decide to attack, we'll be prepared to unleash their own kind against them! Vampires and mutants, fused together as one, yet only to benefit the human race! It's all quite amusing."

"Amusing? You're sick. I refuse to take part in such hypocrisy! Our organization is supposed to ensure the prevention of superhuman threats—not to create them."

"Very well then, doctor. Have it your way. Guards? Please escort our friend out of the building. Permanently."

Even as she returned to reality, Mystique never stopped grinning.

"A job well done," she told Renesmee. With a swift flick-of-the-wrist, she punctured the guard's nose and knocked him out cold. Taking Renesmee's hand, she walked out of the large chrome doorways of the building and into the night. "Would you like some ice cream? You deserve it."

"No, thank you." Nessie answered quietly. Blood sounded nice, but she was afraid that if she asked for some, Mystique would provide it in the worst way possible.

"Very well, then. Are you feeling alright?" Mystique questioned.

"I'm okay—but, can I ask you something?"

"Certainly."

"What does S.H.I.E.L.D. stand for?"

*-*-*-*

"You've already caused enough damage, Jacob. Please don't make this anymore difficult than you already have."

Jake snarled as he recalled Edward's words from earlier tonight. He and Wolverine were mounting their bikes, preparing to take off again. They had stopped at a rest station near Olympia and were now preparing to resume their patrol. Jacob was sick with worry, and prayed that they'd hear from the others sometime soon. So far they hadn't heard anything from either team. He was beginning to become angry—he wanted to do anything to ensure Nessie's safety, which unfortunately included taking indirect orders from the reeking bloodsucker that was her father. To make matters worse, Bella had left him a text message that said, simply: "Stay put. We'll find her. This is the best way to make sure she's okay."

Edward's doing.

He knew that Nessie's safety was the first priority here, which was the only reason he continued to follow this strange Hell's Angel knock-off with the sharp claws in his hands. They both traveled by motorcycle, exchanging no words unless it concerned the situation at hand. Jacob had just returned from talking with Quil via mind-link and regrettably retrieved no new information.

"Looks like your killer instincts aren't so hot," Jacob huffed, pulling on his red helmet—not that he needed it; it was merely a safety precaution Renesmee wanted him to take while riding. "We've been driving for hours and haven't found a damn thing! Do you realize how hard I'm trying not to rip apart everything I see within a 5-foot radius?"

"No use complaining, bub." Wolverine said gruffly. "Edward is too roused up to be negotiated with. I know there's something out here, and if he doesn't believe me, then so be it. I don't have time for stubbornness."

"Hmph," Jake grunted, fastening the helmet's strap around his chin. "You act like you've met him before."

"Once."

Jacob looked a little confused, but still let out a husky chuckle. "Well, it's good to know that I'm not the only one who wants to rip him to pieces at the moment."

"You're nothing like Ephraim," Wolverine responded bluntly.

"Huh?" the statement caught Jacob off guard. "What are you talking about?"

"I remember Ephraim Black being a lot less . . . temperamental," continued Wolverine, running his gloved hand through his thick, black mane. "And a lot quieter, too."

"How do you know my great-grandfather?" Jacob pressed, looking a bit puzzled.

"Long story," Wolverine said, pulling on his helmet now. "Just be aware that my 'killer instincts' are a lot older than yours, kid—and I know something's up around here."

As if to prove Wolverine correct, a foreign scent invaded Jacob's nostrils, stinging his nose as he inhaled it. This smell was unlike anything he'd encountered before, and he immediately looked every which way to find its origin. Beside him, he could see Wolverine take off his helmet and intake the air as well.

"You smell that too, kid?" he asked, extending his claws. They pierced the air, making a snikt sound as they appeared. Jake felt a tremor slam into his chest.

"S'not a leech," Jacob said confidently, dismounting his bike.

"Not a mutant, either." Wolverine confirmed. He got off his bike, too, and scanned the nearby forest with his eyes. The crunch of leaves and sticks under his feet was the only sound to break the silence of the night.

Jacob wasn't sure where the bullet came from—or who had shot it—but what he did see was Wolverine turning to slice it in midair before it was able to reach him.

The clink clink clink of three more bullets being slashed followed the first, and Jacob instantly leapt forward, bursting out of his clothes as he phased into his wolf form. He attempted to find where the bullets were coming from, but Wolverine was abruptly slammed into him, knocking them both into the trunk of a nearby tree. Jake winced at the pain—he felt like two hundred pounds of metal had just been flung against him by some sort of steroid-using professional athlete.

Or worse—a vampire.

Wolverine recovered quickly and was back on his feet, charging after a darkened figure in the forest. Jake got back up on all fours and growled menacingly, prepared for another attack. He sensed no oncoming threats, but the blast of concrete—at least that's what it felt like—that crashed into his side said otherwise.

Jacob rolled a couple of times against the damp ground before he gained the upper-hand, pinning his attacker against the earth. His sharp teeth snapped at the air, searching for flesh, bone—anything they could find—but a critical blow to his muzzle had him whimper out in anguish. He was sent flying across the air and landed against the ground with a deafening thud. He regained his stability and stood erect, a fierce growl ripping through his throat.

Wolverine was preoccupied with his combatant, who still remained a moving shadow in the darkness—Jake still hadn't gotten a clear glimpse of his foe, relying only on its scent to predict the next onslaught. He watched as Logan expertly sliced his claws through the air, only to have his opponent duck, dodge, and twirl in evasion. The movements of the shadow were incredibly graceful and sharp, and when it struck, its attacks were swift and deadly—almost professional.

The snapping of tree bark broke through Jacob's trance—as he turned to face his seemingly invisible adversary, the wood smashed into the side of his face and sent him flying back once again. Jake felt himself take down Wolverine for a second time as he soared sideways; they both landed in a heap against the trunk of another tree.

"Oof!" grunted Wolverine as his head slammed back against Jake's colossal form. His eyes narrowed in anger at the approaching shadows, and he shook away the pain that stung his body to regain assertion. Jacob licked the fresh cuts and gashes that occupied his fur as he stood up again, poised for another attack.

Wolverine snarled as he got back up on his feet, his six mighty claws shimmering threateningly in the darkness. Jacob's fearsome bark surely would have been heard from miles away as they stood firmly at each other's side. Both canine creatures continued to exert untamed growls—sounds that certainly would have sent shivers through any human's spine—as the oncoming hostiles were defined in the moonlight.

Despite being in his wolf-form, Jacob rolled his dark eyes, dumbfounded, as the two approaching individuals became entirely visible. Too bad the creatures that faced them now were anything but human, huh?

*-*-*-*

That's all for now! I hope you guys liked it. Please review!