Another Perspective

"This assignment is of the utmost importance. We cannot allow them to uncover our movements. The key to our freedom is in New Jersey; there is a reason I am entrusting this to you and you alone. Following the... acquisition, you should make contact with the boy you mentioned, Psych. He could be a powerful asset to our cause, and most essential in establishing cooperation. In the event he declines, I will be tracking down an old acquaintance to fill the role. Do not fail me, Mystique."

"I won't disappoint you."

As she approached the Stonybrook Institution, Mystique took the form of Kimberly Kalarjian, the doctor overseeing a certain patient she needed to meet.

Altering reality, a dangerous power in its own right. Pair that with mental instability and you get a disaster waiting to happen.

"Oh Doctor Kalarjian! You're a bit late, why didn't you call in?" Asked the receptionist

"Yes I'm sorry, there was a traffic accident while I was on the way." Mystique lied, easier than some would tell the truth

She walked to 'her' office. It wasn't very hard to find the layout for such an old government building, nor to memorize it's pathways; Doctor Kalarjian was very forthcoming as well, given the right motivation. Soon she was sifting through 'her' files, looking for information on the patient. She had Borderline Personality Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a nasty combination. Luckily for Mystique, she was scheduled for a session later that morning. Playing the role of the honest psychiatrist for a few hours was child's play.

Breaching their system's meager defenses posed little challenge, allowing her to shut down the security cameras with little fanfare. Within minutes, 'Doctor Kalarjian' was alone with a very special young woman, thanks to a diversion on the other side of the building.

"Come with me Wanda, I need your help with something."

"I– Doctor Kalarjian? Wh– what are you talking about?" The girl asked

"You're capable of much more than you know, and this is the next step in your recovery. It will all make sense soon, I promise."

"If– if you say so..." She responded meekly

Mystique led her out of the building, to a truck she was "borrowing" from another doctor. Their disappearance was promptly discovered at noon. When Kimberly Kalarjian was rushed to the emergency room with six broken ribs and a fractured arm, the police realized something was very wrong. By the time a proper investigation was under way, Mystique was long gone.

"Feel free to get comfortable, I apologize for the... other residents behavior ahead of time." 'Doctor Kalarjian' introduced dismissively.

"What... What did you need me for, Doctor?"

"All will be explained, in time. Be patient Wanda, I believe in you." She wore a fake smile. "There's someone else I need to find. He can help you, give you your life back."

With that 'Doctor Kalarjian' left, and Mystique moved on to the second half of her assignment.

The boy; the X-Man, Psych. He stopped Quicksilver in his tracks, despite Irene suggesting some form of hypnotic powers. There's clearly more to him, and that could prove useful, everyone has their secrets after all. The difficulty is finding a secure way to contact him. Despite my resistance to telepathy, I can't risk proximity to Charles Xavier. I'll have to either wait for Psych to leave the school, or use electronic communication to lure him away from the telepaths. And I think I have the perfect way to do just that.

Mystique took her wife's form as she contemplated what to say. After figuring out the best wording, she called the X-Mansion directly, and asked to speak to Anna Marie. Identifying herself as the student's mother, Irene Adler, she was forwarded to Rogue.

"Yeah, who is this?"

"Your mother."

"Mom? What's– I mean, why are you calling?" Rogue asked nervously

"I'd like to address your disappearance, and your powers, in person. I understand you've joined a fancy private school, but I think you can spare a few hours, I'm in New York as we speak. If possible, I'd like to speak to that psychic boy as well."

"You know!? About Connor and my powers? How?"

"I've known longer than you, honey. I promise I'm not mad, I just want to get the full picture."

"Okay, but I want an explanation for how you knew about my powers. How's tomorrow at lunch?"

"That's good yes, are you fine with pizza? There's a nice restaurant downtown called Jonathan's."

"Yeah, that's fine. I'll see what I can do about bringing Connor as well."

"See you soon honey."

"See you, Mom."

It's nice to know she's all right, and Psych's real name is a wonderful bit of info. I'll simply take him aside to lecture him on my daughter, and appeal to his hero complex with Wanda.