It was amazing. I'd never seen anything like it before. So this was Earth. You see, I'm from a different planet, and usually we're not allowed to travel to Earth, but I ran away from home. I was so curious to see what was so amazing about this beautiful planet, but now I know.

~ * ~

Lily wandered around aimlessly, her mind searching the crowd around her. Earth was new to her, and she wanted to learn more about it as quick as possible. It frightened her though to learn about the mutants, and how much people hated them. She was a little confused.

"Mutants? Why do they call them mutants?" Lily shook her head clear of the thought and continued walking. There was no point in worrying about it.

"Hey you, with the black hair."

At first Lily wasn't sure if the person was talking to her or not, but then told herself they couldn't be. Her hair was black with red tips, and there were many people with black hair.

"Are those contacts? I don't know anyone with violet eyes." Or maybe they were talking to her. Lily spun to stare at the person. It was a boy, who looked to be about her age, with brown hair and eyes.

"Who are you? And why are you even talking to me?"

"Name's John. And I was just curious. You looked like a little lost kitty. I just thought I'd help."

Lily knew that wasn't really what he was trying to do, so she searched his mind. "You think I'm a mutant."

"What?" John pretended to act innocent, though he did a poor job of it. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I don't like the term mutant. Why are they called mutants?"

John blinked in confusion. "What are you talking about? Of course they're called mutants. They're different. People are afraid of them." Lily still didn't understand. Where she was from people were different, but no one was called a mutant.

"And you like being called a mutant?"

"See! I knew you were one. You're a damn mind reader, aren't you? I was right."

"I'm not a mutant," Lily calmly told him.

"Sure. Tell that to everyone else." John started laughing. Lily was getting angry, but made a point of not making a scene.

"Stop. I'm telling the truth. I'm not a..."

"John!" John's laughter stopped as a young couple walked up to them. One was a girl. Lily liked the white streak in her hair. The other was a boy with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Bobby, Rogue." John seemed to glare the two, but Lily wasn't exactly sure, because at the same time he was smiling.

"John, what..."

"It's Pyro to the both of you," John snapped.

"He's not bothering you, is he?" the girl asked.

"Not really. I can take care of myself." Lily tried to walk away.

"Is that the thanks we get?" the boy asked.

"Bobby!" Rogue smiled at Lily. "I'm sorry. We probably just got in the way. I'm Rogue, and this is my boyfriend, Bobby."

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Lily." The two girls shook hands. "Isn't it hot? I like your gloves though."

"Thanks." Rogue pointed at Lily's arms. "But these gloves are just as bad as your arm warmers." Lily gave a nervous laugh.

"Oops. I forgot about those. They may be warm, but they sure are fashionable." The two girls laughed. Lily really liked Rogue. She seemed like a nice girl.

"You don't want to hang out with these people. They're boring." Lily looked over at John and a flame just barely sparked around her.

"Don't ever tell me what I want to or don't want to do. Looking into your mind, I see you can only manipulate fire. Guess what! I can create it." Slowly, an aura of fire grew around Lily. Her eyes flashed a deadly crimson, causing John to fall back and hit a brick wall. "I came to this planet searching for my friends. I have a feeling I won't find them through you."

"Who... who are you?" John stuttered.

"Your worst nightmare. Now go before I decide to do any damage, you poor pathetic excuse for so called mutants." Now normally it was hard to get Lily angry, but once you have, she was very dangerous.

"So called mutants?" Rogue looked over at Bobby, but he just shrugged.

"Don't ask me."

"Well?" asked Lily. "Are you leaving?"

"Yes..." John attempted to run, but stumbled in the process. Struggling to get back up, he looked back at Lily and ran around the corner, out of sight.

"Wow Lily. That was amazing." Rogue smiled slightly, and looked at Bobby.

"You're scared. I can tell." Lily shook her head. "I don't blame you. But I’m not a mutant. Never call me a mutant." Lily tossed her hair back and started to walk away. She didn't want to stick around people who were afraid of her, especially people she liked.

"Wait," Bobby called out to Lily. "Maybe you should come to the institute with us." Lily admired their bravery. Even though they were scared of her, they still wanted her around.

"Institute?" Lily turned to look at him. ~Hm... he's kinda cute. Too bad he's taken.~ Brushing that thought to the side, she took a peek into his mind. "A school for mutants?"

"Yes," Rogue answered her. "It's a good school and you'll meet a lot of nice people."

"You include me in the 'us'. I'm not like you. And don't ask. You wouldn't understand, but I will come to this institute with you." Lily gave off a small smile. "It sounds interesting."

~ * ~

"Wolvy!" Sakura, a young girl with ice blue eyes and black hair with silver streaks, glomped Wolverine. She let out a small giggle.

"Kid, how many times have I told you not to call me that?" Wolverine walked down the hall with the young girl clinging to his back. Obviously this happened often.

"But Wolvy! It's so cute!" Sakura whined, clinging even tighter to him.

"There's nothing cute about it. Now get off." Wolverine tried shrugging her off. "Kid." But she held on tightly.

"You're so mean." Sakura reluctantly let go and retreated off to her room.

"Hey Sakura!" Jubilee went to catch up with her friend. "Sakura! Hello! I'm talking to you!" She let out a small huff as Sakura finally stopped and turned to face her.

"Oh, hi Jubilee."

"What wrong with you?" Jubilee followed Sakura into their room.

"Wolvy is being mean again!" Sakura whined.

"Oh, stop whining. You know how he is. That's just the way he acts. It's all a façade. He don't want people to know he's actually a softie." Jubilee patted Sakura on the head. "It's alright Sakura."

"I guess. Hey, we gotta get to class soon," Sakura suddenly remembered. "We have enough tardies."

"Oh yeah." Both girls scooped up their books and ran out of the room. They stumbled down the stairs, both crashing into something and falling to the ground.

"That's why you shouldn't run inside."

Both girls looked to see their professor, Jean. They smiled nervously and stood, dusting themselves off. Jean just clicked her tongue at them.

"Hello Professor Grey," the girls chorused. They looked at each other and started giggling. Ringing throughout the institute was the bell for class, and both girls rushed past Jean and into class.

"You're late!" Jean shouted after them.

After class, both girls were held for detention. Sighing, they started grading the test they had all just taken.

"Did you girls even study?" Jean handed Jubilee and Sakura their test. "You passed, but barely." Both girls stared down at their large D's. "I want you both in here helping me for an hour everyday this month."

~ * ~

“Professor Storm’s lesson today was pretty cool.” Talya sat down on a bench just outside the institute. Her grey eyes searched the grounds, seeing if there were anyone she recognized. Her friend, Kitty, sat down right beside her and attempted to braid Talya’s long blonde hair with blue highlights that reached the ground when she stood.

“It was interesting,” Kitty agreed. Looking at her, Kitty noticed the look that appeared on Talya’s face. She looked lonely again. “You’re thinking about her, aren’t you?”

“I’m sorry. It’s just, I really think that Lily would like it here. I haven’t seen her in like forever.”

“Forever being how long?”

“A few years I think.” Talya sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s just, she was my best friend and I don’t even know if she’s okay.” Shaking her head, Talya opened up a book. “Anyway, enough about that. We have an essay to worry about.”

“Good point.” Both girls got to writing. Talya was a good student, and made a point of never getting into trouble at the institute. Her power was controlling the wind, though she had more secrets than she cared to let on to everyone here.

“Talya,” Kitty called out to her. “It’s getting dark. Maybe we should go inside now.”

Looking at her friend, Talya blinked, realizing that they were still outside. “Oh, yeah… right. Let’s go then.” She gathered her stuff and the two girls went inside.

“So tell me more about your friend, Lily,” Kitty asked.

“She’s a psycho demon. She's smart and beautiful,” Talya simply explained.

“You say the same thing every time.”

“Because one day for sure you will meet her, and then you will see for yourself what she’s like.”

“But you said you’re not even sure if she’s okay,” Kitty decided to point out to her friend.

“I know, but at the same time I have a feeling that she is, and that I’ll see her soon. I hope I do at least.”

Kitty didn’t quite understand Talya, but chose not to question her. The two went up to their room, both deciding to turn in for the night.

~ * ~

Jen sat alone in her room. She could feel it, her cousin’s presence. Smiling brightly she braided her blue hair. “I knew she’d arrive soon.” She closed her text book, having just finished all her homework. Jen laid back on her bed and stared over at the extra bed in her room. It was great having a room all to herself, but it was lonely as well. Jen didn’t like it much.

Jen thought back to Rogue. She was supposed to be moving into the room with her, but hadn’t gotten to it yet. Jen liked the idea, but if her cousin was really here, she liked the idea of sharing a room with her even better.
Smiling, Jen rolled over and closed her eyes, thinking back to the fun times with her cousin. Before Jen knew it, her thoughts turned into dreams.

~ * ~

Kathryn stared up at the stars. “She’s coming.” Slowly Kat rose from her spot in the grass and walked towards the institute. She was about to go inside when she decided to stay out tonight and sleep at her secret spot.

Turning around, Kat left the institute grounds. After walking for about ten minutes, Kat entered what looked to be a broken down house, but what was on the outside wasn’t what was on the inside. Inside was beautiful. It was a little on the dark side, but still had that cozy feeling that made you feel like you were at home. Faeries outlined the walls, giving that welcome look.

Kat lit a few candles. She didn’t really feel like turning on the lights. They were usually too bright for her. She pulled out a blanket and curled up on the couch. Kat just lay there for awhile, watching the candles burn, till they flickered out and she fell asleep.