"X-men Evolution: Soul Searching" Series

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in the story except for Alyssa.

Chapter 1 - Outcast

Cries of a newborn echoed through the forest. The tribe stood around a shelter of branches and leaves as they waited in anticipation of the new member of their tribe. From within the shelter, there were shouts of joy. Moments later, the tribe heard a gasp and a screaming nursemaid rushed out. She pushed her way past the crowd and disappeared into the forest.

A curious child slipped into the shelter and reappeared with a shocked expression on his face. He made quick gestures with his scarred hands and pointed to his forehead. The people scratched their heads, still puzzled. The child scurried to the shelter and shifted the branches and leaves covering the entrance, revealing a beautiful baby girl - with a gemstone embedded in her forehead.

The people's eyes widened in horror and the tribe leader shouted in their tribal language, "The baby's a demon! Kill the mother for she has disgraced our tribe but leave the wretched creature alone or her spirit will curse the tribe! We must leave at once!" Immediately, some of the tribe members picked up some rocks and entered the shelter, preparing to stone the mother of the demon child.

However, the mother had lost too much blood during the delivery and bled to death. Upon the realization of the woman's tragic death, the people left the shelter and gathered their belongings. When the tribe was ready, their leader led the people away from their tribal camp and to somewhere far from the despised creature.

16 years later, in an orphanage...

"'Why do you have that weird thing in your forehead?' people always ask. It's like I'm a total outsider or something! Why can't they just accept me for who I am?" Alyssa muttered to herself as she curled up on her tiny bunk bed. She closed her eyes and forced herself to sleep. Tears welled up in her eyes and, unknowingly, the gemstone in her forehead began glowing a strange blue colour.

Vague images of her past entered her mind like water from a dam gushing out. It all happened so fast. A baby crying in the forest, all covered in dried blood. No. It was too much for her to take. Alyssa's head throbbed with so much pain that she let out an ear-piercing scream that chilled everyone to the bone. Everyone backed away from her as they noticed the now fading glow of the gem. A thin layer of mist swirled around the frightened girl.

At the Xavier's School for The Gifted...

Professor Charles X. Xavier exited Cerebro, the security doors sliding shut behind him. the Professor voice sounded in Cyclops' head. Cyclops replied (or thought, if you'd put it that way). Within a few minutes, the X-men, consisting of Cyclops, Jean, Storm, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Spyke and Rogue, assembled and settled down, ready to take in the news.

"What's wrong, Professor?" Shadowcat asked, oblivious to what was going on. The Professor replied in an urgent tone, "I just sensed a mutant manifestation in an isolated mountain region, near a dense tropical forest. It is unlike any I have ever sensed before. The mutant's identity is unknown and the mutant, at this point of time, is emotionally unstable. All of you have to bring back the mutant safely."

Wolverine merely smirked, "This mission will be a piece of cake. The mutant sort of reminds me of Rogue." Rogue glared at him, but remained silent. Jean gave Wolverine a look of disapproval. "You can never be to sure," Nightcrawler warned jokingly. Spyke added, "Yup. Never could-" He felt his nose twitch and immediately let out an abrupt sneeze, sending razor-sharp spikes flying in all directions.

"Bless you," Storm said in reply, smiling at her nephew. Spyke's face reddened, making him look like a tomato that was about to burst. Kitty and Kurt giggled. "Kids," Logan muttered. Rogue just gave a "whatever" look. "How 'bout we grab the Black Bird and bail?" suggested Cyclops. "Sounds good to me," Kurt replied.

"And who's gonna clean up this mess?" Storm questioned, glancing at the destruction the spikes had caused. All at once, Kurt and Kitty pointed their fingers at Spyke. "Wha-? What did I do?" Spyke asked in an innocent tone. Rogue muttered, "Kids."