Fan Fiction ❯ Blast From The Past ❯ Paris anyone? ( Chapter 1 )

Author's Notes: I know I promised my friend Nikki that I would write a song fic, but I don't feel like working on a song fic. I feel like writing some long with chapters and that has a detailed plot. So here I am…writing a X-Men fic. I will be doing the best I can with this, and I hope that everyone likes it. And yes Nikki, I will be writing song fics, but I have to go with what my brain tells me.

Disclaimer: I do not own the X-Men. I just own the slew of new characters I will be introducing through out the story. Please don't sue…I own nothing. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

Summary: With the major Mutant Wars over with, a time of semi peace is here. But ever the wary, Professor X has split his X-Men into four teams consisting of 4 to 6 people, mixing old veterans with new blood. A team consisting of Wolverine and Iceman and two new X-Men take on the challenge of locating a rogue mutant with a strange power. Only when they find him, something happens that they did not expect and it becomes a literal race against time to prevent the inevitable.

Blast From The Past

Kalina Blue Stars

Thunder pealed across the night sky, the walls of the mansion shaking from the force. Several minutes later, a fork of lighting illuminated the grounds, revealing for that half second a figure slinking low to the ground. Nostrils flared at the scent of on coming rain, and the figure darted across the grounds. Floodlights near the garage showed it to be a jaguar, a large sleek black cat. The cat slowed to a trot as it neared the garage. Then as it entered the garage, it began to change form.

Rising on its hide legs, the cat became slimmer, more feminine. Black fur disappeared into a woman's body, the skin taking a deepened tanned color. Tousled curls colored ruby red flowed over shoulders and her back. Deep green eyes, the color of emeralds, glimmered beneath thick and dark lashes. Within minutes, the woman, in full human form, strolled across the garage, entering the mansion from there.

Caitlyn Gallagher, codename Pounce, walked down the hall to the kitchen where two other members of her team waited. Her curls bounced as she walked, the demin skirt swayed with her hips. The black tank top she wore left her shoulders and stomach bared, the naval piercing and Celtic knot tattoo visible. Coming to a stop in the kitchen, she gazed at her two compatriots.

Blue and gray eyes stared back at her and she offered them a smile, walking over to stand by the mutant called Wolverine as she thought. His dark locks were swept away from his face, a completely natural wave that gave him a predator look. Even now when they were relaxed; in a time of peace, he looked ready to rumble in his worn blue jeans and black tee. A cigar smoldered between his fingers and the other man in the room chided him.

"Logan, you know how the professor feels about you smoking in the mansion."

The speaker was a man who had obviously seen a lot of battles in what Caitlyn called the Mutant Wars. His hair was a sandy blonde, his eyes icy blue, holding true to his nature. He was dressed comfortably in a pair of tan slacks and pale blue button down shirt. His name was Bobby Drake, also called Iceman and for as long as Cait could remember she had a crush on him.

Logan gave him a look that even Iceman felt the chill and his voice was low as he drawled, "Well, ole Charley isn't here right now. And what he can't see, he doesn't have to know."

Just when Bobby was about to retort, Caitlyn cut in, he voice rolling over them like honey, "Now boys, you're supposed to be the adults here, not the children."

They both sent her equally dirty looks and she just laughed them off. Walking over to the fridge she pulled out a bottle of water, then she went and rummaged through a cabinet. It only took her a few minutes before she pulled out a battered pack of cigarettes. Feeling Bobby's glare, she held her eyes level with his as she lit one up and took a deep drag. Logan laughed and waved her towards a seat.

Bobby shook his head, "I don't see why you two insist on breaking the rules. Logan you know better and should be setting a example for Caitlyn and the others."

"Hey, no one sets a example for me anymore. I do as I will." Retorted the twenty one year old woman. Neither Logan nor Bobby contradicted her, having grown used to her stubborn streak over the past few months.

Due to the increase of mutants living at the Xavier Mansion, Professor Charles Xavier set up a new system for his X-Men, of new and old. For now it was only a trial run, to see how those who grew up around the veteran X-Men would handle different situations and if they could work as a team. Several of the new X-Men, the ones who have studied for years at the mansion, were teamed up with the old ones. There were four such teams, three of them always gone on missions of finding young mutants and bringing them back or to deal with rogue mutants who were a harm to society. One team stayed at the mansion, teaching and handling things there.

Caitlyn was teamed up with Logan, Bobby, and her younger half sister Lyssa. Lyssa currently was taking a group of students out to the movies. She was 19 to her sisters 21 years of age. Her mutant power was being able to control both ice and fire. Caitlyn had the ability to shape shift into any feline form, from the great wild cats to common household cats.

The other groups consisted of the Beast, Storm, a mutant named Ivy, and one who called himself Streak. Rogue and Gambit lead three new X-Men called Crys, Slick and Magma. Jean Grey and Cyclops stayed at the mansion with the other four new X-Men, or at least for the time being they stayed home.

Logan and his group were back at the mansion after spending two months searching for a mutant who had the unique ability of stopping and reversing time. Not much was known about his power expect for it could be dangerous. All four of them were glad to be home because they might work well together as a team but could still annoy each other. Especially Caitlyn and Lyssa. Why the Professor teamed them up, only he knew.

Cait blew out a stream of smoke and let her cigarette smolder in the ashtray as she looked at her two teammates. She liked the arrangement because she actually got along with these two. The other team leaders, she only got along with for a short amount of time. She figured she got along with Logan and Bobby because she was like them both. Like Logan she had a wild streak and could bring down the best in a hand-to-hand fight. And like Bobby, she was an all American girl, to his all American boy, who could get along with anyone.

Taking a drink of her water, she asked, "Have we heard anything about the time mutant?"

Logan looked at her from over the rim of his beer, "So eager to get back on the hunt?"

She flashed him a cat like grin, "And if I am?"

Bobby laughed, "Then you, Caitlyn, are nuts. Don't you think we deserve a break?"

She considered what he said for a moment before answering, "I think we do…after we get our job done. I mean the only reason we came back to the mansion was to see if Charles had more information to work with."

Logan leaned back and was about to answer when noise of several children sounded throughout the house. He waited, knowing what was to come. A herd of them came into the kitchen and raided the fridge before leaving. And in their wake a woman walked in. She had pale skin and midnight black hair that was cut short along her head, streaked with red, white and blue. Her eyes were the catcher though. One eye was blood red that held the heat of fire and the other was a pale blue, chilling as they stared at the three. She wore a black corset top laced with red ribbons and black leather pants.

Lyssa MacAllister, aka Element, plopped down at the table and reached for her sister's cigarettes only to have Caitlyn smack her hand lightly. Giving her sister a cross look she took the bottle of water and drink deep. They waited until she was done before asking, all together, "Have fun?"

"Screw you." Was her response as she slammed her head against the table. Bobby, Logan, and Caitlyn exchanged grins as she continued, her words muffled, "If I ever get a idea of taking ten children who possess mutant powers to the mall to see a movie, someone shoot me…please?"

Bobby teased, "Well I could flash freeze you."

Caitlyn picked up on the teasing, "But, Bobby, that wouldn't do any good cause she could melt through it."

Logan added his two cents, "Well, instead of doing that, we'll just set up a training session in the Danger Room, level 8."

The look Lyssa sent the trio could kill and she rolled her eyes, "Why do I put up with you nutters?"

Caitlyn grinned broadly, "Cause, sister dear, you love us with all your heart and couldn't stand to be away from us."

"What she said." Logan and Bobby chorused together.

Ignoring her sister and the other two objections, the black haired woman plucked her sister's lit cigarette up and took a deep drag before passing it back to her. Caitlyn didn't even bother with scolding her as she took her own deep drag. Lyssa was widely known for listening to the rules then breaking them.

"So what's new?" Lyssa asked as she got up to dig out an ice cream sandwich from the freezer.

Caitlyn angled a look towards Bobby and Logan, "That's what I was asking before you came in. On whether or not we got more information on our time stopper."

Bobby sent Logan a look that said those two girls are going to put me in an early grave. Out loud her said as he slide a folder towards Caitlyn, "As a matter of fact, we do. The professor managed to pinpoint a place where the mutant was last scene. With luck, he's still there."

Caitlyn opened the folder and flipped through it, letting out an excited yelp when she saw their destination, "Hell yeah baby, Paris here we come."

Lyssa chewed on a bit of sandwich as she studied the folder over her sister's shoulder, "Oui."

Looking over her shoulder, Cait gave her sister a smile before looking at their older friends, "So when do we leave?"

A soft voice came from the kitchen door, "Now." A regal looking woman with mocha colored skin and shockingly white hair that hung down to the middle of her back stood there, holding another folder. Ororo Monroe walked in and leaned against the counters as she tapped her own folder against her fingertips.

"I just got done speaking with Charles. He would like you to leave now. He's been getting uneasy thoughts from the mutant in Paris. He is thinking that someone else has reached him first and that the man is going to try something. Take the Blackbird and leave now. You should reach Paris in a few hours. And with any luck, you'll have him in a few more hours. By then Charles should be here to deal with him."

Caitlyn was the first out of her seat and she exclaimed, "Give me a few minutes to pack."

Halfway out the door, she was stopped by Logan's drawl, "Don't count on it darlin. We are getting in and getting out. I'm not going to chase you, the clothes horse of the mansion, all over Paris."

Caitlyn turned to look at him, her lips forming a pout, "Your such a spoiled sport."

When Lyssa was about to say something cutting Storm held up a hand, "And Charles also told me that when this mission is done, he is going to give you guys a vacation. Rogue and her team will take the next one. You can go back to Paris to shop then."

Caitlyn didn't have to say anything; her smile spoke words to the people in the kitchen. It was common knowledge that she wanted to visit Paris on a non-mission related visit to shop around. Lyssa gave a sigh and looked down at her clothes, "We still need a few minutes to change. I for one am not going to wear this popcorn and candy smelling outfit a minute more."

And with that she stalked out of the kitchen to the room she shared with her sister. Caitlyn looked at her own outfit and that of Bobby and Logan, "Yeah we should all change."

Turning to go, she heard Logan's parting shot, "Yeah we want to catch the rogue mutant, not kill him."

Bobby picked up the end of the teasing sentence, "And kill you will."

Caitlyn rolled her eyes and walked up the stairs slowly, thinking. She might be able to convince Bobby to make one stop at a clothing boutique, if they had the time. What if the mutant was hiding in a boutique, just to throw them off his trail? Much better to check them out.

When she arrived in her room, her sister was zipping up the leather top she wore as part of her uniform. Matching leather pants and boots went with it. As an addition, she wore several black iron bracelets and a black color chained belt that slung low over her hips. She had also managed to pull her short hair back into several braids to keep it out of her eyes. Lyssa plopped down on her bed to watch her sister dress.

Caitlyn ignored her for a moment as she pulled a black leather cat suit out of the closet. It had long sleeves and long legs. When she pulled it on, Lyssa got up and walked over to zip it up. The suit had black belt that cinched around her waist, complete with a large X colored in blue and white. Spike heeled boots completed her outfit. Walking over to the dresser, she brushed her curly hair back into a high ponytail. With both women ready to go, they walked to the hanger together.

They were already in the Blackbird, prepping it for flight when Bobby and Logan walked in; each dressed accordingly in their uniforms. As always Bobby let out a low whistle when he saw Caitlyn. He always teased her that her uniform was too sexy to be a X-Men uniform. This time Logan added a remark, "You belong in a strip joint wearing that. One of these days, you're going to get into trouble wearing that."

Caitlyn looked up from the navigational system she was running checks on and smirked, "And when I do, I'll take care of it." As she said that she held up a hand and flexed it, claws appearing in place of the French tips she had. When they laughed, the claws receded and she got down to business, "All systems check out. We have enough fuel to reach Paris and to return home. One of the engines flashed red for a minute then went to green. Umm weather reports a storm over London, but I think we can fly over it if needed."

Lyssa looked up from her seat behind the pilot's chair and remarked, "You only want to evade the storm cause you hate the rain."

Cait stuck her tongue out at her sister before returning her attention to the board before her, "Ready to go…all we need is the pilot." And she shot Bobby a hard look as she said this.

Holding his hands up in defeat, the ice-wielding mutant moved and took his seat and Logan slid into the seat next to him. Bobby started the Blackbird up and checked to make sure they were clear to leave. After making sure everyone was strapped in, he opened the throttle up and the black jet lifted out of the ground and headed up in the air.

It only took them a few minutes to get to an altitude where they could set it on autopilot since it would take them several hours to reach Paris, even in the jet. While Bobby did that, Caitlyn ran another systems check just to make sure they were going steady. With everything done, the group turned their chairs so they were facing each other in a semi circle. Logan held out his hand and Lyssa handed him the papers that contained the information they needed.

While he did that, Caitlyn pulled out a nail file and started filing her nails much to her sister's dismay. Where Lyssa was a hardass kinda gothic tomboy, Caitlyn was very concerned with her looks and how she presented herself to others. Well others that didn't know her. With her friends, she was a wise cracking bitch. That's how her sister described her.

Before Lyssa could remark about her sister being a preppy bitch, Logan spoke, "From the looks of this, our guy is hiding out in Paris."

Bobby gave him this look and Caitlyn remarked, "Well yeah we know that, it's why we are en-route to Paris."

Lyssa laughed as Logan shot a well-practiced glare in Cait's direction and he continued, "Like I was saying. He has holed himself up in Paris. And from the looks of it, its one area. A block full of old empty warehouses. From what we have, there are about 20 warehouses in this area."

"So we are going to split up?" Lyssa questioned.

Bobby took the papers from Logan and scanned them, "No, it will take some time, but we will search them together. I don't like how we have been chasing this guy for two months without being able to pinpoint his location exactly. Suddenly we know what city he is in and what basic area."

Caitlyn nodded as she set her file down and leaned forward, "Smells like a trap to me."

Lyssa remarked dryly, "Yes and the last time you smelled a 'trap' we ended up spending two hours trying to get out of a out of control rave."

Caitlyn's emerald eyes narrowed as she stared at her sister, "As opposed to the time you said there was no trap and you led us into one? If it hadn't been for Bobby, you and me both would be dead. I say I trust my instincts more than yours."

Before Lyssa could come up with a scathing remark, Logan cut them both off, "Enough girls. And as for it being a trap, I got that feeling too."

"Which is why we will be going together. We don't know the extent of this mutant's power or even if he has teamed up with someone else. For all we know, he could be working for the bad guys and have back up. So on this one, we stick together and follow orders. Got it Lyssa?" Bobby said, giving the gothic mutant a sharp look.

Lyssa pouted for a moment then nodded, "Fine, if you insist."

Caitlyn, Bobby and Logan spoke as one, "We do!" Then they looked at each other, a little surprised that they would all say the same thing.

But with Lyssa it was believable. Everything about her just screamed, I'm going to rebel! Which is why Xavier teamed her up with Caitlyn and Logan. Caitlyn because she was Lyssa's sister and could somewhat control her at times. And Logan because he scared the shit out of Lyssa most of the time.

Lyssa shut up and pouted while the other three came up with a plan on how to handle things. The easiest plan they came up with had Lyssa, Logan and Caitlyn distracting the time stopping mutant while Bobby froze him for transportation back to the mansion. The worst-case scenario had them all kicking ass until they could knock him out and lock him up. That's how they planned it, but of course plans change when it actually starts to come together.

After their planning was done, all they had to do was sit back and wait for the glorious city of Paris to appear. Which after a while got boring. So to pass time, Lyssa broke out her playing cards and they played several hands of poker to pass the time. When the system beeped at them to alert them of their arrival, Lyssa had won close to a hundred bucks and Caitlyn was certain she had been cheating.

But because they were getting closer to Paris with every minute, she was unable to call her sister on the cheating bit. Caitlyn busied herself at the communications unit and called back to the mansion, letting them know that they were arriving at Paris and would soon start the search for the rogue mutant. It was Jean Grey that let them know they would be waiting.

Bobby flipped the autopilot off and took over the controls. Caitlyn called out coordinates to where they could land and not have far to walk. Everyone tightened their belts, preparing themselves for one of Bobby's rough landings. He saw this and gave them dirty looks before proceeding to set the Blackbird down gently in a clearing about half a mile away from the warehouse district. Lyssa unbuckled and went to the back where she pulled out the hand held communication units they would all carry. Logan gave the file one last look as Bobby and Caitlyn ran the shut down and post flight checks.

Within minutes they join Lyssa in the back by the ramp. Bobby looked at them all, studying their faces. Lyssa had her game face on and he felt sorry for anyone who got in her way. Logan had a maniacal gleam to his eyes that he always got before going into a mission. Caitlyn, however, was a picture of calmness but he knew beneath the calm was a tiger ready to be let loose. His own was content, ready to do what was necessary.

Logan spoke up for the first time since Lyssa bluffed him into loosing 50 dollars, "Remember, codenames from here on out. If you get separated, then give a call. Lets go get this guy."

They all nodded and exited the jet, Bobby activating the stealth setting before walking down the ramp. Pounce looked over her shoulder to see the Blackbird disappeared from sight. The four walked beside each other in silence as they made their way to the warehouses. As the large old looking buildings came into sight, Element muttered, "I still think it would be a good idea to split into groups of two. We would get the search done faster."

Wolverine looked at her reproachfully before his look changed to that of thoughtfulness. Glancing at Iceman and Pounce he nodded, "Ok then. Element your with me, Pounce your with Iceman. You two that side." And he pointed to the east side, "And me and Element will that the west side. Give a call if you find something."

They parted ways, each duo going their won way. Pounce looked at Iceman as they entered the first warehouse, "Is it safe for us to split up?" she whispered.

He turned his blue eyes on her and she felt herself go weak in the knees as he answered just as softly, "Wolverine knows that he is doing. We'll be fine."

She nodded and got lost in her thoughts as they explored the warehouse, Pounce going left and Iceman going right. As she examined ever nook and cranny of the open space, she wished not for the first time, that Iceman would whisper in her ear like that. Only it not be about a current mission. She also knew that she should get over this crush because nothing would ever happen between him and her. It was just a fruitless fantasy, how ever nice it was. If Iceman knew what kind of thoughts she was having about him, then he would have been red all over, since he never thought of the redhead like that.

Wolverine and Element had already checked out their first warehouse and had moved on to the next. Element dragged a hand carelessly across the wall, burning a design into the brick with a superheated finger. Wolverine's sharp nose picked up the smell of burnt brick and he glared at the black haired girl until she smiled sheepishly and quickly stopped. Not that it mattered, their search was fruitless, and they didn't find any mutant.

With both groups having no luck they met again and stared at the last warehouse, all thinking the same thing, if he's here, then he has to be in that one. Without a spoken word between them, they moved towards it with a collected ease that was only achieved by working together for several months. Pounce and Iceman went left when they entered and Wolverine, with Element, going right. Within a minute of entering all hell broke loose.

A large energy blast landing right between Pounce and Iceman, sending them flying off in opposite directions. Iceman stopped his decent with an ice ramp that formed beneath him, allowing him to slide back to the ground safely. Pounce twisted around mid air, like the cats she was named for, landing in a crouch. Both of them searched for the source of the blast.

Wolverine and Element heard the blast but were unable to come to their aide as a blast fired in their direction. Wolverine leapt to the side to avoid it as Element pointed at it with one finger, her ice blue eye glowing. Immediately the blast became a solid block of ice. The molten red orb started to glow as she stared at the ball of ice flying towards her. Heat leapt out between her and the ball and it melted within seconds. A quiet snikt snakt was heard as Wolverine's claws popped out.

The source of the blast landed between the two groups. It was a man wearing a large black trench coat. What he wore beneath it wasn't visible. His hair was a shocking electric blue color that matched his eyes. He was tall, taller than Iceman who was the tallest of their foursome. The kinetic energy he tossed around in his hand was the same blue as his hair and eyes.

His voice was deep and full of malice as he spoke, "I see you finally made it. So nice of you to take your time."

Caitlyn's voice was soft as she spoke, shifting her stance, "Well you know, had to stop for dinner. Can't fight slime on a empty stomach."

The man laughed, the sound rolling out his mouth, "Well, lets see if I can't make you lose that dinner." Then moving faster than the four could imagine, he fired off four simulatous blasts towards each of them. Iceman froze his blast the rode an ice ramp out of harms way. Element multitasked, freezing and melting the two that were flying towards her and Wolverine. Pounce waited until the blast was almost upon her, scaring Iceman in the process, then pushed off the word, nimbly landing as the blast smashed into a wall.

Wolverine smirked as he circled the mutant, "Did you really think you were dealing with amateurs?"

"Oh how I was hoping so." Drawled another voice from the shadows. They heard a clinking sound as the owner of the voice stepped forward. He was tall and slightly muscular with tousled brown-blonde hair. He held a zippo in one hand, idly flicking it open before snapping it shut. Pyro stared at the four X-Men, letting his gaze drift over Pounce, ignoring the inarticulate growl coming from Wolverine. He smirked; lifting his eyes to meet hers and commented, "They sure grow them pretty at the Institute."

She laughed softly, and wet her lip with the tip of her tongue catching Pyro's attention. The others tensed up, waiting. Pounce took a small step towards Pyro, stopping besides a steel support beam. Her fingertips shifted into claws and she rested them on the beam, "Come closer and I'll show that looks can be deceiving." As she said this, she drew her clawed hand over the beam, creating a sound like nails on a chalkboard.

Pyro and energy boy wince and two more mutants fell into view. Having their cover blown, all four of the enemy mutants rushed them. Energy boy went after Element, a muscular man taking on Wolverine, while the third on, a pasty faced skinny boy leapt after Iceman. Pyro himself took several steps towards Pounce.

He flicked his zippo open and struck the flint, creating a flame. The flame grew in shape as he gestured with his hand, sending the fireball at Pounce. She however was ready for something like this and shoved off the ground, shifting form midair. Neatly a large male lion landed in front of the pyrokinetic and took a swipe at his legs, claws unsheathed, roaring loud enough to shake the shaky beams above them.

Wolverine faced off with steroid boy who called himself, Brick. The feral X-Man found out while when he slammed his fist into Brick's jaw in a sharp upper cut. It if weren't for the steel that ran through his skeleton and his healing factor, Wolverine would have broken his hand. Brick retaliated with a punch to the gut, sending Wolverine several feet back. Wolverine lashed out with his clawed hands, scoring several slashes over the mutant's body.

Element stepped out of the way of energy man, who screamed his name was Blaster. Turning on her heel she blew a breath, her red eye glowing. The superheated breath struck Blaster and flash burned the trench coat. He let out panicked yelp, not being prepared for this. He had no idea that a mutant could control both fire and ice. When he turned to fire an energy blast at Element, her blue eye pulsed with unnatural forces. Feeling something cold around his feet he looked down and screamed. Ice traveled up his legs as ivy traveled up a wall. Within seconds his hands were frozen to his sides and he could no long feel them enough to fire a blast to break free.

Iceman and the mutant who called himself Echo circled each other warily. Iceman had heard Pounce roar and Blaster screams but paid no mind to them. His mind was completely focused on the mutant in front of him. About to make a remark on why he was called Echo, he got his answer when the man opened his mouth. The sound that came out was soft at first, but soon grew in decibels as it resounded through the warehouse. Iceman winced, grabbing his ears with one hand, as the echoes grew louder with every pulse, threatening to bring the building down around him. Staring over Echo's shoulder, he gathered all the moisture around him to build up a large ice bat above his head. When he released it from his power, the tick chunk of ice fell with a loud thud on the baldhead. The sound stopped as the mutant passed out. Iceman turned to look at the battle before him.

Wolverine had just dealt a slash to Brick that nearly slashed his arm off. He dropped immediately to a crouch and sliced at the muscle man's legs, bringing him to the ground. Element had Blaster encased in ice and the boy was screaming to be let go. Pounce was still squaring off against Pyro, several burns decorating her furred body. Pyro in turn had several slash marks across his arms and stomach.

Pounce lashed out with a great paw, ignoring the stinging pain of a new burn. What she was trying to do now was knock the lighter out of his hands so he couldn't make new flames. Element moved to help her sister out when Wolverine laid a warning hand on her shoulder. Pounce missed Pyro's hand and got his chest again.

With another roar she shifted forms again, taking on the much more slender feline form of a cheetah. Pyro watched her, interested on how this new form would defeat him when the much stronger lion's form wouldn't. Pounce showed him how by lashing out lightening fast and knocking the lighter from his hand. The fire-favoring mutant stared at her in shock as she pounced, changing to a white tiger, landing heavily on his body, docking him down. Pressing her paws to his shoulders, she held him down and bared her teeth.

The other three of her team walked over, each resting a hand on her powerful back. Wolverine looked down at the X-Men's old adversary, smirking, "So you wanna tell us where the mutant we came here looking for is? Or shall I have Pounce bite out your throat?"

Pounce backed up his threat by pressing her heavy muzzle to Pyro's neck, her lips pulled back so he could feel her cat fangs pressing against his jugular. It made a last impression as he gasped for breath, trying to speak. Wolverine smirked again and tapped a finger lightly against Pounce's neck. She whirled her great head to glare at him, snarling. Wolverine merely glanced at her and she turned away, hissing softly. Pyro glared up at them with hatred in his eyes as he spoke, "Why don't you look behind you?"

Iceman and Element turned to look behind them and they gasped. Their gasp made Wolverine and Pounce spin around, Pounce slicing Pyro's shoulder in the process. She moved to stand beside Wolverine, taking on her true form as they stared at the mutant they had been chasing for the past two months.

He was tall once, but now he was stooped over, holding himself up with a cane. Age weathered his face so it looked all crinkly with deep lines framing his eyes. His lips were puckered. While his face was aged and he was stooped over, the rest of him was young. His hands were age free, looking as though they belonged on a 22 year old. He was dressed all in black, from turtleneck to slacks to dress shoes. The only color he hand to him was the youthful spring green of his eyes and the silver chain that he wore around his neck. At the center of the chain, hanging in the middle of his chest was a clock face with large hands.

He spoke, his voice ageless, "I am called Chronos. Why have you searched me out for so long?"

"I think the question is how did you evade us for so long?" snarled Wolverine.

Chronos smiled, a look not suited for his weathered face, "I knew you were coming. I had help from…friends. All I had to do was slip through time to evade you. Now I ask again, what do you want with me."

Pounce answered, "We wish to take you to our home where you can learn to use your power without endangering anyone."

"That's right, Professor Charles Xavier wishes to help you." Added Lyssa, her voice sharp.

Chronos laughed, a sound that grew louder with each breath he took and he spoke, his voice turning hard, "I do not wish to join you. I have no desire to become one of Xavier's dogs."

Both Wolverine and Pounce snarled at the slur of their leader. Iceman and Element had to restrain them from attacking and Element's dry sarcastic voice filled the silence, "And they say I have a short temper."

Bobby shushed her with a look and he replied to Chronos, "We will not force you to join us. But at the same time, we cannot allow you to run around freely where you can harm innocent lives. It would just be something to further damn other mutants. Which is what Pyro and his buddies are trying to make you do."

Pounce spoke, her voice forced to keep it steady, "You will be hunted and when caught killed. We have seen it before."

Chronos shook his head slowly, "You don't seem to understand. I will not be caught. All I have to do is slip through time, as I did to avoid you."

Wolverine spoke, "Then you have made your coice. Element!" He snapped out her name and she reacted without thinking.

The edges of Chronos' jeans began to smolder as flames came to life, flickering their way up his pant legs. At the same time Iceman reacted, his power reaching out towards the aged mutant. Ice crystals began to form around the clock face and Chronos laughed, his clock starting to glow a strange off white color that matched the glow coming from his eyes.

Wolverine and Pounce cried out too, both realizing what he was trying to do. Breaking free from Iceman and Element's grasps, lunging for him. Wolverine had his steel claws extended, ready to use them to rip off the clock. Pounce had her own claws, intending on using them to slice the man, hoping that with an injury he wouldn't be able to use his powers.

Seeing them coming at him, Chronos's laughed again, the glow getting brighter. It was blinding as it grew to cover the two X-Men. Iceman and Element lunged towards their friends and partners. Pyro had gotten up as well and lunged towards them, knocking the two aside. They were knocked out of the path of the light. It flashed once, covering Chronos, Pounce, Wolverine, Pyro and Blaster, who managed to free himself from his ice prison.

Iceman and Element rose to their knees and looked over. The space where Wolverine and Pounce, with the enemy mutants, occupied was empty and there was no sight or sign of them anywhere. The two exchanged a panicky look and leapt to their feet, heading towards the Blackbird.

Author's Notes: Well there you go. The first chapter of my first ever X-Men fic. And what I hope is a cliffhanger I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing it. I should have the second chapter out over the next few days so look for it. Oh and here are the names and codenames and powers to the main mutant mentioned here.

Logan aka Wolverine: healing factor and metal claws made out of adamantium metal grafted into his skeleton.

Bobby Drake aka Iceman: His name says it all, has power to control manipulate and create ice.

Caitlyn Gallagher aka Pounce: Shape shifter. Can only take on feline forms.

Lyssa MacAllister aka Element: Controls, manipulate, and creates fire and ice

John Allardyce aka Pyro: manipulates fire but can cont create it from scratch like Element.

Blaster: Creates concentrated energy blasts that can range from any size and shake.

Brick: Body made of brick. Mainly abnormal strength

Echo: With one sound he makes, he can control it so it echoes, growing in power with each echo

Daniel Ferguson aka Chronos: He has power over time itself. He can slow it down, speed it up, stop it and can travel through it to the past but not the future.