There comes a time in every pony's life when they must choose a side. And, no, I wasn't referring to choosing between the Dark Side or the Light Side, or even choosing between being an Iplier or a Septiceye. I was talking about the real world, where shit gets real as soon as people choose which side they're on. Apparently, life had decided that the Avenger's so called 'Civil War' wasn't enough of a choice for me to make. No, I was now being forced between choosing life as an Avenger or as a Mutant.

Pietro's words about the Senator were true. As soon as Captain America bailed the twins out of the prison they had been forced into, along with the rest of those who supported Cap in his bizarre regime, the Senator chose me as his next target. Me, and subsequently the whole Mutant community. It wasn't like we were having problems already. No, of course not. Everything was simply peachy when the bastard marched into the school, demanding to know where I was.

I had planned on Skyping Pentatonix. It had been entirely too long since I had contacted them, and I felt horrible for leaving them in such an unexpected silence. I was sitting in my room when someone knocked on the door. I glanced up at the door. "Yes?"

Hunter popped his head in the door. "Someone's here to see ya, Menagerie."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Who?"

Hunter's eyes darkened, and my gut dropped. "The Senator."

I leaned back in my chair. "Fuck," I drawled out. I ran a hand over my face. "Is Stark here with him?"

"No, it's just the Senator. But, he seems like he's in a pretty determined mood." Hunter paused. "Professor seems to think he won't leave unless you go with him, either by will or force."

I glared at the floor. "Are there guards with him?"

Hunter shook his head. "Not physically in Professor's office, no. Around the building..." He trailed off, knowing that his answers were only increasing my anger, but I needed to know.

I stood up and made my way out of my room, closing the door behind me. "Are the kids inside and away from them?"

"They were called into the classrooms as soon as Charles felt their presence nearby."

I sighed in relief. "Good. They don't need to witness this."

A hand was placed on my shoulder, and we came to a halt in the middle of the hallway. I met Hunter's even gaze. "We will stand behind you, Kristin, but please don't make this any worse than it has to be."

"You know I would never do anything to bring more danger to any of you."

"I believe that. I do. But, it doesn't change the fact that there are hundreds of guys with loaded guns and God knows what else surrounding the property with orders to escort you away, no matter what."

I placed my hand over his in comfort. "Look, I know this situation is serious. I'm not some naïve kid that thinks they're invincible, Hunter, but I can handle this. There won't be any major physical conflict. I swear."

The rest of the trip to the Professor's office was done in silence. When we reached the door, Hunter opened the door for me to enter but made no move to do so himself. I watched as his form disappeared from view as the door closed before facing forward. "Charles, Senator Ross. So wonderful of you to visit us today. May I inquire as to what the occasion is?"

The Senator stepped forward. "You know very well why I'm here, Menagerie. You're actions are just as public as the Avengers, and while no one is completely sure of your identity, it's best that you're taken into custody so we can ensure you remain hidden from the populace."

"Oh, you mean the humans? I'm sorry, Senator, but when has my identity as a Mutant ever threatened anyone other than my work with the Avengers?"

Ross scoffed. "Although you may not be an Avenger on paper, you are certainly identified as one due to your extreme loyalty to the team."

I gestured around me. "My loyalty is to this school and these children, as far as outside sources are aware. I believe the only problem here is your own insecurities, Senator."

Kristin, Charles warned.

"My own insecurities?" Ross grumbled. His voice was becoming louder over time, and it was obvious by his facial expression he hadn't come to exchange words with me. He was a man of action, and he was determined to complete his goal. "My insecurities are the people of America's insecurities. How are they expected to defend themselves against foreign and alien attacks when those who are meant to protect them are allowed to run free like bandits, when these so called 'heroes' leave more damage and terror in their wake than some of the 'enemies'? How are they to know they can trust on those who are supposed to protect them?"

"You have a militia. If they were more capable of beating these types of threats, the Avengers wouldn't be needed. My role would be nullified."

"Yet, the necessities to achieve such a proposition are kept from us by the Avengers."

I snarled. "That's because when you politicians get your greasy hands on that technology, you'll use it for your own selfish desires! You'll be just like Ultron! You'll either mold the world into the form you want it, or you'll destroy everyone because they'll refuse to disobey you. And, let's face it Senator, there will always be those who disobey orders. That's what life is about. You learn to compromise because if one person, and only one person, sets all of the boundaries, then no one but that person will be able to live happily."

Senator Ross stepped forward into my personal space. He leveled me with a glare meant to make weaker men cower. Thankfully, I was no man. "You adamantly refused to sign the Sokovian Accords! You are legally a prisoner of the United States of America!"

I couldn't help my next jab. "Hmm, funny. I'm pretty sure you're underwater confinements are empty as of late." Ross took another step forward, a growl poised on his lips. Before the sound could exit his mouth, however, I raised a hand and had him trapped uncomfortably close to the wall. "Let me assure you, Senator, that I am the best ally you can possible have. Choose your words wisely." My words held my own growl behind them, and I made sure he could not possibly misinterpret what I was telling him.

He gulped and tried to step back further to no avail. His tune definitely changed then. "Now, Kristin, you must realize the dangers you can cause to society."

I raised an eyebrow. "I am fully aware, thank you. I have trained to ensure I would be the exact opposite of a danger."

"Even so, you must know how much of a chance we're taking by letting you go around unchecked. You should have been in one of those cells from the very beginning. You are an Avenger, after all, and you made your stance on the Accords rather clear. You have contributed to just as much death as they have."

"Wrong," I snarled. I balled my hands up to keep from throwing my other one out at him. "I am not an Avenger. When Director Fury offered me a position, I declined. I was there only to help, and I persisted in my identity as a Mutant."

The Senator waved his arms. "Do you want me to charge you as a Mutant, then? That's fine, too. I'm sure the public would love to know how much of a constant danger they're in, especially with powerful individuals such as yourself roaming around, doing what they wish when they wish it. You can play God, and they wouldn't ever know it."

"What would I gain from playing God? I have a family, Senator. I have friends, a place to call home, and anything else I can possibly want. Power holds no appeal to me."

"But you can't guarantee us you won't go rogue. You have the support of almost the entire Mutant community behind you. You could completely wipe out the human race if you wished."

What was this man not understanding? "That would be a vast concern if I wanted to do such a thing, but I don't. Please, Senator, leave. This is the first and last time I will ask you."

He began to storm off as soon as I released my hold over him. "As soon as you breathe in the wrong direction, Menagerie, your ass will be dealt with accordingly." His threat sounded sincere, but he wasn't ignorant. He knew that unless I gave up willingly, he would never catch me. I was very good at hide-and-seek.

Feeling very irked with the entire meeting, I couldn't hold back a sadistic smirk. "I'm looking forward to it."

The door slammed shut behind him with a resounding thud, and I crumpled to the ground with it. All of the energy I had been fighting back vanished just as quickly as it gathered. Tears pooled into the corner of my eyes. Why? Why did I even try to do good if I was only going to get punished for it?

I teleported myself back to my room. Logan found me a few moments later. Apparently I had forgotten to lock my door before I left. "Kristin, what's wrong?"

I scoffed. "Apparently, I'm in line for position 'Undesirable Number One'. The government wants nothing more than complete control of me, for reasons I'd rather not fathom."

Logan snorted. "Tell me something new, kid. The government's always looking to get their hands on the next best thing. What do they want you for now?"

"You remember all of that debacle about the Sokovian Accords?" When Logan nodded, I continued. "Well, I stayed a sort of neutral party because I claimed my status as a Mutant as well as my lack of contract with the Avengers. I was a third party, if you will. Senator Ross doesn't agree with that, and he wants me in a cold, lonely jail cell, probably for the rest of my existence or until the scientists discover some drug to completely negate my Abilities."

Logan hummed and took a seat on my bed. "Did you send his tail packing with a firm, 'No'?"

I shrugged. "I don't believe that word is in his vocabulary."

"All I can tell you, kid, is to lay low as much as possible. Stick to the school and make sure you're not very noticeable when going out. Try not to draw attention to yourself."

"I try to do that as it is."

Logan stood. "Make sure you try extra hard, then. I'd also suggest watching what you say to your Avenger friends, especially War Machine and Iron Man."

I shook my head. "I don't talk to them anymore, anyway."

"Your S.H.I.E.L.D. friends aren't safe, either."

"Laura would never tell a soul, but I understand."

"Good. Watch your back, kid. I don't want anything happening to you. There doesn't need to be another World War, especially between the Mutants and humans."

I nodded. "I know, Dad. Thanks."

He patted my head as he passed and shut the door firmly behind him. I glanced at my computer dismally. Should I still try to contact Pentatonix? Was I in the mood for chatting anymore?

My answer was my computer dinging with a notification from Skype. I sat at my desk and answered it. Avriel's face popped up on the screen. "Hey, beautiful. How are you?"

I tried to smile. "I could be better. How are you? How's tour?"

Avi frowned. "What's wrong? Has something happened?"

I shake my head. "It's nothing. How is the gang? Are you all doing well?"

"No," Avi said firmly. "You're not turning this around to avoid telling me what's going on. Is it anything serious? You can tell me, you know that."

"It's...it's serious, I suppose." I glanced around my room. "I can't really talk much about it because it involves confidential school stuff. Some papers turned up that didn't make the government too happy. We're handling it but..."

Avi was worried. "Is there a possibility that the school might have to shut down?"

I looked away from the camera. "No, it's nothing like that. Seriously, it's fine, Avriel. I promise. The moment something serious comes up, I'll let you know. I'm not trying to keep secrets, but..."

Avi smiled softly. "Hey, it's okay. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just worried. We usually talk pretty regularly, and you haven't been on Skype that often."

"Yeah, that's my bad. I'll try to be on more regularly. Things have just been crazy. I had to deal with two friends that were dueling. At first it was simple, but you know how quickly things can get out of hand."

"Yep, I know what you mean."

I attempted to brighten my mood. "Anyway, how are you? How's tour? Are you super tired yet?"

We talked for another hour or so before he had to go. "I will try to talk to you in a few days. Is that okay?"

"Yes. Will you text me before you call so I can be ready?"

"Of course, Kristin. Goodnight, beautiful."

I blushed. "Goodnight, handsome." Cheekily, I blew him a kiss before ending the call. I sat back in my chair and stared up at the ceiling once again. "I should just live at Tony's place in Santa Monica. At least then I'll be away from all of the fucking drama that surrounds New York." With my mind made up, I began packing. I wasn't sure where I was going, but I was leaving the school, for a while at least.