Penelope sighed. She was happy. For the first time in a long time, she was happy. She was enrolled at Xavier’s Sister School and she felt more belonged than any other time in her life. Even when she was living with her parents, it was obvious that she didn’t fully belong. But now, now it seemed as if she finally had a life of her own. She could be happy at the mansion, she knew she could.

But that didn’t mean she couldn’t have a day or two with her sister. Though she was sure that life was probably easier for Lilith now that she was not at home as often, that still needed to have some time together. After all, Penelope didn’t want to say good bye to her sister forever.

Today was one of those days. After a week of schooling, Penelope wanted to spend the weekend with Lilith. Movies, mall shopping, maybe food of some sort, she didn’t care! So long as they got to be together.

That was why, when Lilith offered to take to her to Central Park to visit the zoo, Penelope jumped at the offer. Today would be a good day.

Standing next to her sister in line, Penelope smiled happily as she looked up at Lilith. Her sister looked so…relaxed. Maybe it really was a good thing that she decided to stay at the mansion more often

That was good. She would do anything for her sister.

“Thank you, Lily,” she said with a beaming smile. “I hope we have fun today.”

Lilith grinned and nodded. “I’m sure we will.”

Penelope was so excited. She bounced the whole time that she was standing in line with Lilith, waiting for their turn to purchase tickets and step inside the zoo. She could already smell the animal-like smell in the air that wafted out from deep within the heart of the place. The habitats were so beautiful and the animals so regal. She absolutely loved to wander from place to place, looking over each and every creature as they looked up at her curiously. Though it had a been awhile since she been here, it was almost like she was returning home.

It was comfortable.

Before long their tickets had been bought and Penelope dashed inside the zoo the second that she had hers in hand. Obviously she wouldn’t really leave Lilith behind, but she was just so excited that she couldn’t contain herself. She had to run in, smiling and jumping by herself in the air.

Ahh, this was such a normal thing to do. She was happy to participate in something that was just all around…normal.

But, sitting there, she had to give herself pause. A strength sensation crept up the back of her spine, a feeling like she was being watched or something. It was strange. Normally Penelope was far too excitable to really feel senses of paranoia. But if that were the case, why was she feeling it now.

Hmm…

Shaking the feeling off after she glanced among the ground, Penelope shrugged and smiled once again to Lilith who was catching up.

“Come on, Lily!” she beamed. “I wanna see the penguins!”

Together they ran, enjoying the cool air of the day and stopping at the first enclosure of animals, then moving on to the next, and then to the next. The strange thing was, though, with as much fun as Penelope was indeed having, she just couldn’t shake that paranoid feeling. She was sure that someone was watching her…and rather closely too!

Leaning to look into the sea lion habitat, she paused in her watching of the animals when she felt those eyes on her again. Someone was there, they had to be. She turned sharply on her heel and peered through the crowd. Around her, people were walking, talking, watching animals, but no one was really paying any particular attention to her. But if so, then why was she feeling like this? It was just strange because Penelope wasn’t the suspicious type.

“What’s wrong, Baby Girl?” Lilith asked with concern.

Penelope blinked as she looked up at her sister. For a moment she was silent before she just shook her head and put on a brave smile. She didn’t want to ruin this perfect day by making Lilith paranoid about everything. Maybe, in the end, it really was just all her own imagination. If so, her imagination needed to stop.

“Nothing, Lily,” she said with her patented smile. “Um, just, you know, thought I saw someone I knew from school.”

Lilith smiled and nodded in returned. It seemed as if she bought that as a reason and turned back to the frolicking sea lions.

Penelope, meanwhile, turned her gaze momentarily back towards the crowd. She tried to pass off her suspicions as just being imaginary but something told her to stay on her guard. For whatever reason, she felt like she was being watched and that could never be a good thing.

Yes. That has to be her. I wouldn’t forget her face anywhere. She has grown so much. It was barely been over a year and yet it seems like an eternity since I last saw her sweet little face. She was always so bubbly and full of life.

But look at the company she takes now. That sister of her. I can’t believe that she was allowed to go with that filthy human. At least if she had made it into foster care, I could have found her sooner and saved her from that mess. This is certainly not the outcome that her parents would have wanted; by no means at all.

They were probably turning in their graves, poor souls.

But he could change that. He could make it better! After all, that had been his intention the whole time. Tracking Penelope down to New York, today was the first day since her parents died that he had actually laid eyes upon her.

She deserved so much better than living with a lowly human. Especially since she was so powerful! He didn’t know how, but he knew that somehow she aided in the death of all those S.W.A.T. members that had stormed her house. She had to have been since there was no way that Gold Fox or Hellfyre could have caused the massive damage that was caused.

No, Penelope was a mutant. He was sure of it. That fact alone meant that it was his duty to rescue her from this fate. And rescue her he would!

Ahhh, lunch time! Today was proving to be such a delight that Penelope could hardly contain herself. Yes, the feeling that she was being watched came and went, but it was not something that she was going to let ruin either her day, or Lilith’s. Nope, today Penelope was just going to be a good sister and do absolutely everything that she could to make sure that Lilith had just as much a fun day as she was having. It was important.

So, when lunch time finally came and Lilith suggested that they dine at the Dancing Crane Café, Penelope jumped on the opportunity. Food would help her current predicament of not know if she were being followed or not. Sitting down, snacking on a hotdog and a soda would do wonders for taking her mind off of things and putting the focus back on the fun that she was supposed to be having.

With a beaming smile, she followed behind Lilith as her older sister led the way. She eyed the various people, none of which looked suspicious, and kept her gaze forward at all times. Food, food, food, she kept repeating that word to herself just to keep up the mindset that she would be focusing on fun only.

“Lily,” Penelope asked when they got into line. “Do you think that the penguins like it here?”

Lilith tilted her head. “Hmm, that’s a good question. I think they do. They get to hang with friends all day, eat good food, not worry about being eaten by predators, what’s not to like?”

Penelope smiled a little. Sure, it sounded nice. But wasn’t that exactly what a prison was like? Prisoners were fed, hung out with some people they liked, but they were locked away. Hmm…she wondered if the penguins here could ever get parole.

Lily smirked as they started to move forward in line. “Whatcha want to eat?”

“Oh, just a hotdog and orange soda! she responded with a grin. “Um, Lily, I gotta use the bathroooooom.”

Lilith smirked and nodded to a nearby sign that pointed to the restrooms. “Go on. I’ll get the food and find a table. Just remember, don’t talk to anyone you don’t know, okay?”

Quickly, through a little dance, Penelope nodded before she bolted for the restroom that was pointed out. God, she didn’t know she needed to go this badly.

Penelope sighed. As soon as she was done, she stepped out of the stall with a satisfactory smile. She was glad there was a restroom so close to the café. She doubted that she would have made it if there hadn’t been. But, thankfully, there was and now she could eat in peace.

Maneuvering herself over to the sink, Penelope hummed to herself as she waved her hand under the faucet’s sensors which automatically made the water pour out at the perfect temperature. Quietly she placed her hands underneath water, counting down the correct time she should wash her hands to wipe away any ugly or scary germs that wanted to make her sick.

Once done, she slipped away and moved over to the hot air hand dryer. As soon as her hands were placed understand the box, it roared to life and sent out a burst of hot air that made her giggled. Smirking she watched the skin on her hands pucker and fold under the force of the air. It was such a tickly sensation that Penelope couldn’t help but laugh.

Eventually, though, once she was done laughing, she pulled her hands away to make sure they were dry. Instantly she could feel how dry they were. Good. That would work.

She turned to head out of the bathroom, humming to herself, when she suddenly paused. A dark, looming shadow covered the only entrance / exit to the bathroom and Penelope was filled with a sense of trepidation. Surely if they were coming in, they would have just walked in, right? No, they were purposefully blocking the door.

Her heart racing, Penelope slowly raised her eyes until she locked onto the face of the figure blocking the door.

“Hi Penelope. Remember me?”

Penelope was frozen in her spot. Standing there, looking up, she watched the features of the man who had just spoken. He wore a brown leather bomber jacket, extremely worn jeans, and had long, white hair that was pulled tightly back into a ponytail against his back. Penelope stood there, watching the man as her mind suddenly started to connect pieces. When the final part clicked into place, her mouth fell open in surprise.

“U-Uncle Roger?!” she asked.

He wasn’t actually related to her. Not by blood anyway. He was a man who always hung out around the house, who helped her parents whenever they had trouble with something, whatever the case, he was always right at their side to lend a helping hand. Needless to say, Penelope became close to him and knew him only as Uncle Roger.

The man smiled, warmly, as he nodded to the young girl. “Yeah, it’s me,” he said with a wide grin.

“I..I thought you disappeared!” she giggled as she ran up and quickly wrapped her arms around the man’s waist. She felt the tender, loving pats on her back and she grinned as she peeled herself away from him, still clinging onto his jeans though. “Uncle Roger…w-where’ve you been all this time? I thought you just didn’t care anymore.”

“Not care about you? Naaaah,” he smirked, using his free hand to brush down his unruly, white mustache and goatee. “I’ve been looking for you. Ever since, you know, what happened. I just now found you.”

Penelope smiled up at the man. So he did care! She wasn’t abandoned by all those people who used to hang around with her parents. Uncle Roger cared! He really did care! She squeed with delight as she hugged his waist again before grabbing his hand.

“Come on! You NEED to meet Lilith! Did you know I had a sister! A real sister!!” she beamed proudly. Today was certainly a good day so far.

Penelope pulled, but it seemed as Uncle Roger was nailed to the ground. She was confused but normally her persistence won out and adults went with her while she tried to pull them away. Uncle Roger, though, seemed like he was going to have none of it. She tugged and pulled but there was absolutely no moving the man. For whatever reason, he was simply not going anywhere.

This confused Penelope.

She turned and looked over her shoulder. Eyeing the man, she saw his jaw was set tight and he was unmoving as he was looking directly at her. His eyes showed so much anger and disgust that Penelope was momentarily frightened. There were only a few times in recent memory where Penelope remembered seeing him like that; normally it was only when he and her father were talking about bad things and humans.

The thought of that made Penelope shiver a little.

“Uncle Roger?” Peneloped cautioned to address. “What’s wrong?”

Roger arched a brow, sighed, and tried to keep himself from growling or saying anything unruly. Instead he cleared his throat and tried to put on a mask of indifference as he looked closely to Penelope.

“Sweetheart, um, let’s not talk to her., right now, okay?” he asked. “Let’s you and I go for a walk.”

“B-But, Lilith,” she started. “Lily is waiting for me.”

“No. She won’t mind,” he assured her. “Come on. I always like seeing the monkeys.”

Penelope didn’t really like the idea of going anywhere without her sister. As much as she wanted to reconnect with her uncle, she knew better than to run off and leave without telling Lilith anything. But what could she do? She was faced with a tiny dilemma here.

Fortunately, Uncle Rogers seemed to make the decision for her. Stepping up closer, he smiled as he knelt down so that they could look at one another eye-to-eye.

“Come on, Penny,” he said gently. “I promise. Then, um, I’ll meet her after. I just need to talk to you real quick.”

Penelope sighed as she stared at the man. She just didn’t know what to think. She knew that Lilith would worry, but surely Uncle Rogers could be trusted. It was not like she would be leaving with a stranger. She knew that that would have been a huge no-no. But Uncle Rogers, she knew and trusted him deeply. He would surely be someone who wouldn’t do her wrong. In all the time she knew him back in D.C., he was always extremely nice and caring. So much so that her parents trusted her with him implacably.

So…maybe a minute or two away from Lilith wouldn’t hurt…right?

Looking squarely at the man, Penelope was quiet for a second before she finally held up her hand, offering the Roger her pinkie finger.

“Pinkie swear?” she asked cautiously. “Pinkie swear we’ll see Lilith RIGHT after?”

Uncle Roger eyed her for a second before a smile broke across his face. Reaching out, he laced his pinkie finger around Penelope’s and nodded firmly.

“Pinkie swear,” he grinned. “Come on.”

The Temperate Territory. That is where the snow monkeys were held that the Central Park zoo had. Penelope giggled a she leaned against the railing and watched the cute monkeys as they skittered about the snow and romped and played. Every once and awhile a pink face was lifted up and pointed directly at her and she had to grin and wave at them. Though they didn’t wave back, she had a feeling that if they could, they probably would have. After all, who wouldn’t wave to her?

She sighed contentedly as she turned to look at her Uncle Roger, the man who was standing nearby and looking around in a most suspicious manner. She nibbled her bottom lip in thought before she glanced between both him and the monkeys, before she finally tugged his hand.

“Uncle Roger?” she asked quietly. “What’s wrong? Why are you so quiet? You said you wanted to talk.”

Roger was silent for a moment as she smiled down at the sweet, young girl. Though something was obviously bothering him, he did make sure to always plaster a smile on his face for her. It was something that she really appreciated.

Running a hand through his hair, Roger sighed before he turned to face her completely.

“Penelope,” he said, “I don’t think that New York is the…life for you. You’re parents would have wanted you someplace else.”

Penelope tilted her head curiously.

“What do you mean?”

“With me,” he said with a nod and a warm smile. “You’re parents would have wanted you to come with me. Not your sister. I’m here to take you back home to D.C.”

Penelope blinked in confusion. Back to DC? What was her uncle talking about? Why would she go back to DC? The judge people said that Lilith was the person to take care of her now, she couldn’t just leave her like that. Of course, wasn’t that just what she did when she decided to go off to the mansion and live part of the time there? Didn’t she abandon Lilith already? No, that was different. She was at least still seeing her sister. If she were to go back to DC, well…

“Pen,” her uncle whispered gently. “I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to do. But, you know, you’re parents never wanted you to live with Lilith. They didn’t want you to know about her.”

Flash. Confusion whipped across Penelope’s face like a bitter wind. She was startled by this revelation. Her parents purposefully kept Lilith away? This whole time Penelope just thought that Lilith was the one who made the break and purposefully kept away until her parents passed away. But this was different. Why on earth would her parents do that? They were sisters!

Penelope shook her head as she into her uncle’s face again. She sought his features for anything that could tell her that he was not telling the truth, that he was just making up that story. But as the seconds ticked on, she realized that he was being truthful. That was probably the worst part of it.

“But…why? Lily…Lily is so nice!” she said with determination. “She’s been the best sister! W-Why would mom and dad do that?”

Uncle Roger took a deep breath before he stood up to his full height. Turning his attention back to the snow monkeys that were scuttling about in the snow. He was quiet, as if trying to collect his thoughts to think of the exact right thing to say to the young girl. It was obvious that he was trying to convince her to go, but Penelope could indeed be rather stubborn. Finally, though, he nodded to the monkeys in their habitat.

“You see those monkeys?” he asked. When Penelope nodded he continued. “Do you think that monkeys are just long distant cousins of humans? That over time they evolved into humans?”

Penelope nodded again. “Daddy used to say things like that all the time. But what does that have to do wi—“

“You’re sister…is human,” he said with a sigh. “And you’re a mutant. You shouldn’t be raised by humans. You’re parents always believed that.” Another deep breath and he finally turned to Penelope, trying to look at her with a sense of genetic pride and strength. “You’re better than monkeys, Penelope,” her uncle finally said firmly. “You don’t deserve a fate of living like one. That is why I’m taking you back to DC away. I’m carrying out your parent’s last wish.”

Stunned. That was the only way to describe the young girl as she stared, wide-eyed at the large man who was kneeling in front of her. He was someone that she had always trusted, that had always shown her kindness, aside from her parents he was the one person that she loved and cared for deeply before she met Lilith. And yet, here he was, actually calling her sister a monkey? He was actually acting like her father and assuming that he just happened to know what was best?

Penelope didn’t like that. Not. One. Bit.

Brow furrowed in confusion, Penelope shook her head as she tried to pry herself away from the older man. All the excitement of seeing him, of being in the zoo, was beginning to wash away as doubt filled her mind. What could she do?

“Uncle Roger,” she said with a soft shake of her head. “D-Don’t talk about Lilith like that. She’s…She’s been here for me! She loves me!”

Roger attempted to shake his head as he straightened up to his full height.

“No, Penelope. She doesn’t,” he whispered. “She is a human and humans are incapable of caring for mutants. They are too lowly to understand how to care for mutants.”

Penelope again shook her head as she started to back away from the man. It was one thing to hear something like this from her father, a man now dead. But to hear it from this person, as he spoke about her very own sister like this? It was just unforgivable.

“Uncle Roger…don’t…” she pleaded as she backed away from him.
“You can’t talk like that about—“

“Penelope!!”

The young girl jumped out of her skin at the sound of the voice. Whipping around, she turned to see the very familiar sight of her sister, Lilith Pepper, standing at the entrance to the Snow Monkey section, a look of both panic and relief on her face. It was obvious that even though Penelope wasn’t gone very long, she worried. Why shouldn’t she? Penelope said that she would be right back and then to suddenly disappear like that would surely show that something had happened.

“Lily!!” Penelope shouted with excitement. She was very relieved to see her. And, since Lilith looked so scared, it was obvious to her that Uncle Roger had no idea what he was talking about. She even pointed that fact out by pointing to Lilith and addressing him. “See! I told you she cared.”

Roger narrowed his eyes at the appearance of Lilith, no longer listening to anything that Penelope had said. Though her remark had been a scathing one, the man made no appearance that had been offended in anyway. Instead he remained quiet as his eyes bored a hole directly into Penelope’s sister.

Lilith eyes lit up with recognition as she cautiously stepped closer towards the duo. The passerbys suspected nothing, but there was an obviously tension in the air.

“Roger,” Lilith whispered questioningly. Before long she refocused on Penelope and nodded to the young girl. “Baby girl, come to me. Come on.”

“O-Okay Li—EEP!”

Suddenly she felt hands grab her shoulders. Pulled backwards, Penelope was nestled against Uncle Roger’s chest as the man’s grip tightened.

“Oh no you don’t, you filthy human!” he shouted. “You’re not going to defile Hellfyre and Gold Fox’s memory like this! You will not poison their powerful daughter!”

“Lily!!”

This was certainly new for Penelope. Being grabbed the way she was, nestled back into the taller, stronger body of the man she knew from her past, Penelope began to feel a wave of fear wash over her. This was not right. Maybe before she was confused as to whether or not her uncle and Lilith were right, but right now all her trust was falling on Lilith, her sister. She wanted to be in her sister’s arms, not this man’s! She began to struggle, but try as she might, Roger held onto her tight.

Spittle fell from the man’s lips as he gripped Penelope hard, his eyes hard and focused on Lilith like a laser.

“You back away, you human slime!” Roger growled and snapped at Lilith. “She doesn’t belong with you! You should be dead!”

Lilith was obviously scared but her determination to not let her sister go was evident in her voice as she snapped back at Roger. “Not happening, you psycho! Let my sister go!”

By now the crowd was beginning to pay attention. Heads turned as men, women, and children all began to take in what was happening. It took a second but finally a brave soul or two attempted to step up to Roger once they caught on that this man was being the unreasonable one.

“Hey man, let the girl go” one man said.

While another chimed in, “Who you think you are? Call the cops!”

Uncle Roger, though, seemed to only get more agitated with the growing appearance of humans around him. Twitching nervously, the man eyed them all out of the corner of his eye before he began to back away. Then he too revealed what he really was. The second one of the men stepped to close to pull the man off Penelope…FLASH-KOOM!!![/b], he was jettisoned back by an impossible force. Roger grinned as he saw the human strike the wall in the most painful manner possible.

“Filthy humans,” he smirked. He turned and for a brief moment, everyone gathered saw a reflection of invisible light, much like a prism, wrapped in a sphere around the man’s body. “Don’t you dare try to touch me again.”

Th-Thump Th-Thump Th-Thump!!!

Oh no! I-I’m scared…

Shhh…let me handle things, Penelope…

No! W-We had a deal!

Penny, I’m trying to protect you.

You’re going to hurt someone!

Only whoever deserves it. Penny, you’re scared. You need to let me take over.

B-But…

No! Penelope if you want to get away from Uncle Roger, let me out!

But…Lily…

…I won’t hurt her. Or anyone else.

You promise?

Mmhmm…

…okay…

Th-Thump!