A young girl stood on top of a small hill, the cold wind hit her skin making her shiver as she looked over the burning building in front of her. The flames were still burning her old home, and smoke was floating into the air, covering the stars. She had barely made it out, and not without help. She only had her skin tight latex suit on, and it wasn't doing anything for her in the cold winter weather. She looked down at herself, seeing that she was covered in ash, dirt, and her left leg had a red spot on her knee. The blood wasn't a lot, but it didn't feel good. She was lucky that it was only a scratch. Heck she was lucky that she made it out of that building before it was brought down by the rebels. The memories of what happened moments before were playing on repeat on her mind.

"Marigold, take this!" Julie had said, shoving the back backpack into her arms. Guards and Doctors were running around everywhere, she could hear guns firing off as she and Julie ran down a hallway. The red lights going on and off above them indicated that the building was on lock-down. "What is happening Julie?!" I shouted over the sirens going off. We reached a staircase and Julie used her badge to open the electrically locked door. "I have done a lot of wrong things, but tonight is the night that I fix those. The Rebels are here to take down this place...but not you. I can't do enough good to erase the bad on my record, but I can help you. Before it's too late." She said as she helped me put on my backpack. She grabbed my shoulders and made me face her. An explosion went off somewhere and the ground under our feet shook. "I know you have never been outside on your own, and your scared. But once you get out of here and get far away from this place open the backpack and find the people in the files I gave you." She pushed me through the door, but before she could shut it I grabbed her hand. "Why do I have to go alone?" I asked her. Julie should be able to come with me. She was the closest thing I had to a friend, or mom. "Because I have to take down this place so they never experiment on mutants again." She hugged me and I was startled. No one was allowed to hug me. "I have so much blood on my hands. But not yours. You are so good. And you deserve a better life than this." She said pulling away from the hug. I hadn't hugged her back, too shocked to even move. Another explosion shook the building and she pushed me through the door. "Run! And don't look back! That is an Order!...the last order you will ever have to follow." She said, a single tear running down her face before she shut the door. The lights were still blinking red, and the sirens were getting louder. "No!" I cried, trying to pull the door open. Julie couldn't leave me! That's an order Julie had given me an order, and I always have to follow orders.

I ran down the steps, got to the bottom floor.

Two guards saw me and tried to stop me as I ran to one of the exit doors

One of them were dragging me on the floor, but I was trying to wiggle out of his grip.

I used a shield to cover me when the other guard tried to shoot me.

I was running to towards the door.

Another explosion shook the ground, but there was suddenly fire everywhere.

I had a shield surrounding me, the flames were so hot, but they couldn't touch me. But the flames still burned so much.

I felt like I was suffocating.

I blinked and I was still standing on the hill beside the now burnt down building. How long had I been standing here? The flames had died down, and the smell of smoke was burning my throat and nose. My body felt numb, but there was an underline feeling of pain that my brain couldn't quite grasp a concept on yet. Julie was dead. There was no way she wasn't. Everyone who was inside of that building died when it was blown up. Is that why I've been standing here so long? Waiting to see if Julie lived? "I should've hugged her." I said to myself, my voice barely above a whisper. It didn't matter. There was no one around to hear me anyway. I suddenly felt the weight of the backpack on my shoulders and I pulled it off, my muscles twisted in pain as I dropped the bag on the ground in front of me. I knelled down and opened the bag, pulling out one of the files that Julie had given me moments before she died. I opened the folder and read over the name at the very top. "The Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters." I read out loud. I put the files back and threw the backpack back on. I turned away from the burned building and to the seemingly endless woods behind me. "I always wanted to see the world...now's my chance. I won't waste it Julie. I promise." The cold air and determination pushed me into the woods, away from the place that was my prison for my whole life, and the only place that ever felt familiar to me. A ball of fear and worry settled heavily on my chest as began my journey.

-The Institute / Professor Xavier's Pov-

I rolled down the dark and silent hallway in my wheelchair, rubbing my fingers against my itchy, sleepy eyes as I entered my office. I had gotten an alert from my computer that I had gotten an emergency e-mail. Now this wouldn't normally have me waking up to answer it at this time of night, but only a select number of people have this e-mail. And if someone was sending me a message with it, something bad was happening. And someone needed the X-men to help them. I turned on the computer and opened the e-mail to see a few files attached and a video message. "Very peculiar indeed." I clicked on the video message and a woman appeared on my screen. She was wearing a lab coat and looked scared, but determined as the video started to play.

"Professor Xavier. My name is Julie Brown and I'm a doctor HYDRA. I can't tell you who gave me this e-mail, but the person who did said that you could help my daugh-a child experiments we are holding here. Her experiment number is 8, but her name is Marigold. We have a group of rebels working outside of SHIELD coming in to bring down the building tonight and I'm going to help them take this organization down...but I can't let Marigold die. I'm going to help her escape during the attack. Please. follow the coordinates that I've sent in this e-mail and take Marigold with you. She deserves a life, and tonight I'm going to make sure she has a shot at having one."

The woman teared up and I took a deep breath. She obviously cared for this Marigold very much.

"You help mutants live a normal life, you give them a chance to be happy. And the people who work in this building have tried to make Marigold a weapon, they experimented on her, tortured her, and I can't sit back and let that happen anymore. I-"

She sobbed and covered her mouth with her hand. A few moments passed before she continued.

"I've seen the monster that I had become in the name of science through the eyes of Marigold. And I have built up a large dept of evil acts. I can't take back everything I have done, but I can give Marigold a chance to live a better life. I've taken so much from her. Please. Give her the life she deserves. Everything you need to know about her are in the files I sent you. By the time you receive this message the attack will be over, and Marigold will probably be on her own out in a world she doesn't know. I don't know the kind of man that you are, but the person who gave me this contact said that you care deeply for mutant children and this Xavier Institute can help them. Please, find Marigold and help her."

The video ended and I let out a heavy sigh before placing my pointer finger against my temple, and telepathically called to the other adults in the building.

"Sorry to wake you up, Ororo and Logan, but I need you in my office as soon as possible. Suit up and meet at the blackbird. We can de-brief the mission on the way."

In his mind he heard Logan grumbling, but could sense that he was getting out of his bed, while Ororo asked what the mission was about.

"We're gotten a tip about a young mutant who has recently escaped a pretty dire situation. That's all I can say for now until we get in the air and are on our way. It will be just us for now, the kids have school tomorrow and I don't think this mission will require everyone."

Ororo seemed to accept that answer and didn't directly think about anything to where I could hear it and I looked over the files that Professor Brown had sent along with the e-mail. "Don't worry Marigold, we're coming for you."

-Marigold Pov-

It had started to snow at some point. I couldn't feel my feet, and it was hard to walk in a straight line, my leg that was cut was starting to burn. Causing me to have a slight limp as I walked through the trees. I had my arms crossed over my chest and my fingers were shoved into my armpits, but they were still numb from the cold, but not as bad as my feet. The sun was up now. The sunrise had been so breathtaking. I had seen it in pictures before, but seeing it in real life was so different, it had made me forget about how bad my situation was for a few peaceful moments and I got lost in the mixed colors that the sky was displaying. My body wouldn't stop shaking. The snow made the ground slippery and my numb foot couldn't feel the hole that I had stepped in, and I didn't know until it was too late and I had slipped, falling onto my side in the cold mud. I tried to stand back up, but I had slipped on my already injured leg and it throbbed with pain when I tried to put pressure on it. So instead I dragged myself to a tree trunk a few feet away from me and pulled myself into a sitting position, leaning against the trunk of the tree. I opened the bag Julie had given me and saw that she had thought ahead and packed enough food to last me a week if I rationed it correctly. I took one of the nasty protein bars and ate part of it, before wrapping it back up and putting it back in the bag. I took a hand-full of the snow that had fallen onto the ground and put it in my mouth. The cold sent another chill through my body, but I needed the water. Some more time passed and I looked up to see the sun shining high in the sky, despite it being so cold. I stood up, my leg protested, but I needed to move now. I could stop at night, but I needed to move now while it was warmer and I could see better. Despite my body telling me to sit back down, I kept limping through the forest, hoping that I would find my way out before night hit again, and I could somehow find a way to the Xavier Institute.

-Logan Pov-

"Well Doc. Brown wasn't kidding when she said her and the rebels were taking this place down." I said as Ororo and I stepped out of the jet, the Professor following us in his wheelchair. We had landed the Blackbird jet on a hill beside the burned down building. "No sight of the girl. But she could be using her powers. Can you sense her?" Ororo asked turning to the Professor. I wrapped my leather jacket tighter around me as the winter wind blew against us. "I fear that I cannot sense anyone near us, the sun will rise soon. And by the looks of the remains this attack happened hours ago. If Marigold left right after the attack she could have covered a lot of ground before we got here." Xavier said with his eyes closed, it was easy to tell he was trying to use his powers to see if he could sense anyone. "How far could an eleven year old get on her own? Maybe I can get a scent on her." I said walking around. "If there is one thing I'm good at it's tracking." I said sniffing the air. It was hard to smell anything besides smoke, but as I walked down the hill we landed on and walked up another one I caught a scent of something...but not just something, blood. "I got a scent on something, but it may not be a good sign." I shouted to the other two who had went down to explore the burned remains of the building while I had climbed up the hill. "What is it Logan?" Professor asked with his telepathy. "It's blood. Fresh too." I thought inside my mind, knowing that the professor could hear me. "That isn't a good sign. You two go follow the trail, and I will continue to explore down here. I fear that I may not be much help on this particular mission." The Professor thought as Ororo flew through the air to join me on the hill. "I think that Wolverine and I can handle ourselves. The Doctor said that she told Marigold about us right? Maybe she is trying to find us." She said as she landed beside me. "It's never really that easy is it? Come on, we need to follow the trail while I've got a lock on her scent." I said gesturing to the woods. "Do try to hurry. The forecast is calling for snow. The sooner we can find Marigold the better for all of us. Even with her gifts of Invisibility and Force-Field Projection she wont be safe in the cold forest." The professor said as Ororo and I entered the forest in search for the missing girl.

-Marigold Pov-

I heard a twig snap behind me and I froze. "Who's there?" I called out, turning towards the direction from where the sound came from. "Come out! I can tell someone is hiding behind the large tree to my right." I said folding my arms. I heard some more rustling before a woman with bright red hair and even brighter blue skin walk out into the open. I stood in a defensive position, hands up ready to fight. "I'm officially impressed. When my boss said that you were more than meets the eye he wasn't kidding." The woman said walking closer to me. "What do you want?" I asked, not in the mood for games. "I want you to join my team. We are gifted just like you are. And my boss has taken a big interest in you. When we heard that the people holding you captive were all burned to the ground we wanted to offer you our help." I blinked in confusion. "Are-are you with the Xavier Institute?" The woman frowned and I figured that was the wrong question to ask. "No, we are better than them. We use our powers against those who oppress us! You have been oppressed your whole life, used as a weapon and slave because of your powers. come with me, and you can get your revenge on them." I tucked my fingers back under my armpits to try and warm them, thinking over the woman's words. "Everyone that I could have gotten any type of revenge on died in that fire...and Julie gave me the information for Xavier Institute. She used the last moments of her life to give me files on them. She wanted me there...so no. I'm not joining you and your group." I said as the snow continued to fall around us. The woman sighed and got into a fighting stance. "Looks like we will have to do this the hard way after all." I waved my hands out in front of me and a force field appeared in front of me as the woman jumped through the air to attack me. She hit the force field and fell to the ground as I turned and tried to run away from her. I was in no state to fight. So I needed to find a way to get away from this woman. I tried to run, but my numb feet and hurt leg was making it hard, and the crazy woman was catching up with me. I saw that I was getting closer to a slope, and if I kept running I would run over the edge. But the woman was right behind me! She was about to try and jump on top of me when another person flew over me and tackled her to the ground before she could hit me. I stopped in my tracks and turned around to see a huge guy standing over the woman. I gasped when some type of claws came out of his hands. "Right when I thought you couldn't get any lower Mystique, you go and try to kidnap kids against their will and chase them around the woods." he said with a growl. "Wh-who are you?" I asked backing away from the both of them. "We are here to help." Someone said from behind me, and I jumped back to see a woman with bright white hair slowly walking towards me. "How many of you are there?!" I asked, feeling trapped. "We are not here to try and hurt you or capture you. We are with the X-men." She said in a calming voice. "You-you are with the Xavier Institute?" I asked. "Yep, some chick named Doctor Brown sent us a video message telling us to come find you." The man said still standing over Mystique, she was trying to get out from under him but his foot was pressed against her shoulder blade. "Julie! Sh-she told you about m-me." I said, suddenly shaking a lot more than before, feeling so cold. "My name is Storm, or Ororo. You used a lot of your energy running away from Mystique, we need to get you warmed up. Come with us and we can help you." The other woman said walking up to me. I went to reach for her hand when the ground under us started to shake. "About time Avalanche!" Mystique shouted as she was able to get out from under Wolverine. My legs felt like jelly and I fell back, not noticing how close I was to the slope until I was falling over it. I heard multiple people calling my name, but I couldn't stop myself as I rolled down the slope, I cried out in pain. Hitting rocks and tree branches until I reached the bottom and stopped rolling.

-Logan Pov-

Lance ran out from his hiding spot once he stopped the earthquake and ran over to Mystique. We all looked over the edge of the slope, but couldn't see any sight of the girl. "Where did she go?! She couldn't have possible gotten up and run away so quickly." She said grabbing Lance's arm. "I suggest you give up now, before we go for a round two." I said, pushing my claws out and pointing them at the two. Lance looked scared, while Mystique pulled him back and glared at me. "Looks like it's a race to see who can find her first." She said before pulling Lance down the trail with her. "What are we going to do? We need to hurry and find the child before those two do." Storm said, sounding worried as we watched the two run down the trail in search for the kid. I held my finger over my lips, showing Storm to stay quite. She followed my instructions (giving me a confused glare) and once the two idiots were gone I grabbed Storm and we both slid down the slope as gracefully as we could. And once we got to the bottom I sniffed the air and smirked. "You can come out now, those two bozos are gone." I heard a relieved sigh and the girl turned visible again showing her location to us. She was laying down on the ground, a cut on her forehead that was slowly bleeding down the side of her face. "I'm impressed, I'm glad you have such a good nose or we would have been running after those two." Storm said kneeling down to help the girl stand. "Are you alright?" I asked sniffing the girl over. "I-I'll be b-better once we get o-out of here." she said, shivering. Storm looked her over quickly and decided that she didn't have any life threatening injuries and I took off my leather jacket, draping it over the girls shoulders. "Now let's hurry, before they realize they've been tricked and come back." I said helping the girl limp up the slope. Storm flew herself up and once we were all on the trail again the girl's leg was hurt so bad I ended up carrying her so that we could go faster. She yelped as I reached down and pulled her off the ground, resting her on my hip and wrapping an arm around her body. I held her close to me, hoping to give her some more heat from my body as we both ran through the forest the way that we had come.

-Professor Xavier's Pov-

I was waiting inside the jet for the group to get back. Storm had sent me a telepathic message once they were close updating me on what had happened. And when the three climbed into the jet I had the temperature turned up and an extra pair of sweatpants and a sweater waiting for the girl to change into. The girl looked around in wonder as Logan set her down on her own two feet. I noted that she shifted most of her weight to her UN-injured leg. She looked like she had seen better days. Her hair was partly frozen from all the snow that had fallen into it, she was covered in dirt and ash, she had dried blood all over her knee and fresh blood running down the side of her face, she was pale (except her cheeks and nose which were bright red) and her whole body was shaking from the cold. "It's nice to finally meet you Marigold, although I wish it were during more pleasant circumstances." I said as Logan took his jacket off the shaking girl and Ororo started to prepare the jet got takeoff. I handed her a towel and she wrapped it around her frame, rubbing it against her skin and messy hair. "Th-thank you. For coming to find me...Julie told me about you - before she died." The girl said, looking sad as she turned to face the open hatch of the jet. Looking at the burned building that she had left behind. "I can imagine that you are a scared. All of this is going to be an adjustment. But we are here to help. was right to send you to us." I said pulling the now dirty towel out of the girls hands. She seemed distracted, the past days events suddenly weighting on her young shoulders. "She was the closest thing I had to a friend...to a mom...to anything." She said as Ororo walked over to join us while Logan went to pilot seat. "I assure you that you will find a new family with us at the Xavier Institute. We can't replace Julie. But we can give you love like she did. And we can help you control and use your powers for good." I looked into the girls eyes and saw that she was blinking rapidly, and I could sense that she was very tired. "But we can talk more about that later. For now I can go to the front and let you change out of that suit and into something warm and clean." I said patting the girl on the shoulder, she only nodded her head and I rolled myself up to the front of the jet, letting Ororo take over. "How is she?" Logan asked as he flipped a few switches on the control panel. "She will be okay. Because we got to her." I said reassuringly. "When will people stop experimenting on other people?" Logan asked, his voice growling. "Probably never, but we will be there to help those who need it. Like we were here to help Marigold today." I said resting my hand on his shoulder. He gave me a smirk and the plane took off. Moments later Ororo and Marigold joined us at the front of the plane. Ororo had put bandages over the girls cuts and cleaned her off a bit, and she was already gaining some color to her skin wrapped up in the warm clothes. I could see the freckles that danced across her nose and cheeks and her eyes were bright blue, a big contrast to her short dark black hair. The girls eyes grew wide as she looked out the window to see the sunset as we flew through the air. "Wow," she sighed. Completely amazed by the sight before her. "I saw my first sunrise this morning...and now I'm seeing my first sunset." She said with a grin. "There will be many more in your future. Thank you joining us, and trusting us." I said turning to the girl. "I should be thanking you. You all came all the way out here...just for me." She said turning to Logan and Ororo. "That's what you do when your an X-men. Your never alone when your with us." Ororo said sending Logan a wink, knowing the man preferred to do some stuff on his own. "I like that...but how am I going to live now? I have only been out a few times with the guard or doctors, and that was for training. I don't know how to be...normal." She said sounding nervous. "That's part of what our school does. We teach students with special gifts like you to control your abilities. We also help mutants blend in, help them live a normal life." I said. "Normal may be bit of a stretch with us...but you will never get bored." Logan said smirking. "You will be the youngest student at this school, but I assure you, you will like it." I said as the girl yawned, trying to cover it with her hand. The sweater was big on her, so her hands were covered by the sleeves, making it all the more adorable sight. "You've had a long night. You can go get some rest if you wish." I said gesturing to one of the seats. Ororo guided her to the seat and she sighed, curling up into a small ball, pulling her knees up to her chest and turning onto her side. "I don't think the end of the world could keep me up at this point." She admitted with humor as I grabbed a blanket for her. The girl was too tired right now to worry about anything, which was probably for best. But I knew that we all had our work cut out with her. She would have to learn how to blend in with the crowd, while also learning how to control her powers and use them for good. And I was sure that we would be dealing with some trauma as well. But right now she was safe, and we didn't need to worry over the details. "We will wake you once we get back to the Institute, our other students are very curious about the new student." I said pulling the blanket over the exhausted girl. "okay...sounds good." She said with a sigh, falling asleep seconds later. "Welcome to the X-men, Marigold."