X4 Family Origins

Chapter One

One-Twenty-Nine Years Earlier

Mutation: it is the key to our evolution. We have evolved from singled cell organisms to the dominant species that we are to this very day. Though, this process is slow, every few millennia evolution leaps forward. Evolution didn't just leap forward on its own as most like to think. It's had a helping hand through science.

Over the years, science has played a big role in helping mankind to study all living things from plants to animals to humans alike trying to understand how this process we call evolution works. Mutations are no different. Scientists have been studying mutants trying to figure out how mutations work for years. Every so often they'd come across a discovery that changes everything.

Earlier 1976

In a secret base located on the outskirts of a mountain in Osaka Japan, Scientist can be seen coming and going about. There are a lot of guards carrying rifles moving about to keep a watch on the various activities going on around the base. Scientists are working hard on various things. All are wearing their white lab coats. Some are looking through magnified glasses and others are going over notes on white board that appear to be some sort of a chemistry formula.

Walking along a corridor are three armed soldiers. The one in charge walking ahead of them is a military man known as Wayne Stryker. Wayne Stryker is a retired military veteran. A man in his late thirties, Stryker first discovered that mutants exist about five years ago before leaving the army. He found out one was living in his own hometown. He learned that his own nine year old nephew Jason was a mutant. Jason has the ability to create illusions using his mind. He could make anyone see what he wanted them to see. His older brother William sent Jason to a school for mutants hoping he can be cured. Wayne hated mutants but the fascination with them grew. He wanted to know what made them tick. Being a scientist himself, Wayne wanted to learn more about the mutant. It was the reason he moved to Osaka Japan. He had heard that several mutants had been spotted in the country. Wayne had gotten offered a job to work in a lab that specialized in mutant DNA. He'd be heading up the team of scientist. Stryker is working with a scientist name Toko Yomo-Ishi. Toko is a brilliant scientist whose specialty is bio-Chemistry. They worked for a militant group who specialized in capturing mutants to experiment on them.

Wayne and Toko were trying to learn more about the mutant gene. What Wayne learned was that all men carried the mutant gene or the X gene as it is called. However, what they were trying to do was change that. They were trying corrupt the X gene to purify the normal human genes.

The man in charge of the military group hired to capture mutants was a man name Odon Monroe. His right hand man is his younger brother Olamaide Monroe. Both were from Africa. Kenya to be exact. Odon stands about six one with caramel complexion, brown eyes and keeps in shape. Olamaide is two inches shorter than that of his brother with the same caramel complexion, deep brown eyes and like his brother he worked out. Both aren't the conventional Kenyan men where they're complexions are dark skinned. No they were a different breed of Keyans. Both brothers severed in the military before taking on this job. Odon served for eight years while Olamaide served six years in the military before leaving to pursue other careers. The brothers are very close. Odon is three years older and does whatever he can to protect his brother. Though they protect and look out for each other, both brothers have very different personalities.

Coming from a white father and a black mother wasn't easy for the siblings. Their father was a business man who left their family when Odon was ten years old. Odon is the rough and rugged type while Olamaide was the sensitive, kind hearted brother. Odon didn't understand why he wanted to be in the military but there he was. Odon was always tough growing up in Kenya. He never let anyone mess with him and he always seemed to get into fights. Most kids in their town seemed to pick on the siblings because they were lighter than the other children but Odon didn't let this bother him. He and Olamaide aren't the only Monroe siblings. They have a younger sister name Oama. Odon's father had left the family when they were children. He was never the same because of this. Their mother Okana spent her time working to feed her family but this forced Odon to grow up pretty fast. He took care of his family the best way he knew how. Odon had taken boxing at the local gym. When the bullies in school would mess with his siblings, Odon would take care of them. He tried to toughen Olamaide up by teaching him how to fight. As they got older, their interests became different. Odon wasn't the smartest guy in the world but got by while Olamaide and Oama where the brainy siblings. When it came to the opposite sex, Odon thought of himself as a guy who could get any woman he wanted and usually did. He was a player. He used his athleticism to get dates. Olamaide was a romantic at heart. Oama was the kind of girl guys chased after. Of course with two older brothers in the house, this made dating an obstacle for her. She was happy when they went off into the military.

Both brothers were stationed in the same base during their time in the military and left around the same time. Odon asked that Olamaide be put into his unit. This way he could keep an eye out for his brother. Olamaide sometimes found this annoying but understood why his brother was there for him. Odon spent most of his time learning all about the different weapons and combat skills. Olamaide learned the same skills as his brother but also continued his education. Since they were stationed in Australia, he learned to speak English considering Swahili was his primary language. He earned his business degree. Odon already knew how speak English.

After leaving the military three years ago, both had found work as the leader and second in command in a mercenary group taking charge in this special program called Operation Dover. They were assigned to kidnap mutants all over Japan. They hadn't been there that long. In the year and a half he had been doing this, Olamaide was growing tired of following his brother's orders as well as hunting innocent people. He didn't really care that the people he hunted were mutants. All he cared about was the fact that they were innocent people. Both are in a green truck that's moving down an abandoned street.

"So where are we going brother?" Olamaide asked his older brother.

"Was told there are mutants hiding out in this area. We're going to find them." Odon told him. Olamaide rolled his eyes at his brother.

"Don't you ever get tired of doing this job brother?" He asked.

"Not really no." Odon told him. "Why do you ask such a silly question?" He asked.

"Don't you want to do other things? You know make real money?" Olamaide asked. Odon looked over at him. They made pretty decent money but Olamaide's heart wasn't in the job any longer. All he really wanted to do is find a nice job and settle down with a woman and have children.

"Why? Is that what you want to do that?" Odon asked.

"Of course. Don't you want to have a career and a family of your own?" Olamaide asked.

"I don't settle down when there's way too much Uke?" Odon asked laughed at his own question. Uke is the Swahili word for vagina. In other words pussy. Olamaide rolled his eyes. "How they say it in America—pussy." He said laughing. The other guys in their group laughed to. Olamaide shook his head. Odon knew what he met.

"Come on brother. I'm not joking. Don't you want to settle down and have a family?" Olamaide asked.

"It sounds like something you want little brother." Odon told him as he continued to drive.

"Yes I do want that. I don't know how long I can keep finding these mutants and kidnapping them. I just want to have a better life." Olamaide said. He sighs deeply.

"I understand that's what you want Olli but I'm not you. May someday I may settle down but not right now. I'm having too much fun capturing these mutants." Odon said. "Look alive gentlemen. We're here." He said as the truck stopped. "Olli, we'll continue this conversation later. Right now I need your head in the game. Ok?" He asked. Olli his knick name for him.

"Ok." Olamaide said grabbing his gun and getting out of the truck. Odon watched him a moment before getting out of the truck with the rest of the group.

With their guns raised, the group of ten moved towards this abandoned construction building that had a condemned sign on it in Japanese. The guns they are carrying have bullets laced with a powerful sleeping agent that once hit the person immediately goes to sleep. They were not to kill these mutants but to capture them. They moved slow and deliberate. All ten men looked around to keep from being ambushed. They hear a group of Japanese men talking in their native tongue. Odon turned to one member of the group holding device. He nods as the man pointed the device at the group. The device looks to be used as a mutant locator. If it turned red they are mutants. If it turned green, they weren't mutants. It turned red. The man nods. Odon held up his hand and then signals for his group to move in with their guns. The Japanese men saw this and proceed to run. Odon and his men fire at the group of fleeing men. Three of the men were hit with the darts. Odon and Olamaide chased the last remaining two guys. The two fleeing mutants tried to get away but Odon kicked a can at one of them hitting him in the head. The other mutant is tackled by Olamaide. The mutant wrestles with Olamaide trying to use his claws on him. Olamaide holds his hands back but is finding it difficult to do so. The mutant stabs him in the arm. Olamaide screams in pain. Odon who has captured the other one sees this and goes to help him. He uses the butt of the rifle and brains the mutant in the head. The mutant slumps forward onto Olamaide. Olamaide pushes the mutant off of him.

"Are you ok brother?" Odon asked.

"The son of a bitch clawed me." Olamaide said grimacing holding his arm.

"Come on." Odon said helping him up. "You can get treated when we get back to the lab." He said as they headed back to the group. The other eight men were tied up loaded into the back of the truck.

Odon and his group got back to the lab. They brought the captured mutants into the facility. The mutants were immediately placed in cages. Wayne approaches the two brothers. Odon takes Olamaide to the medic bay.

"What happened?" Wayne asked.

"My brother was attacked by the one with the claws." Odon said.

"Stand back." Wayne said as he tended to Olamaide's wound. Odon watched as Olamaide grimaced at the pain he was in. Odon is angered at what happened to his brother. He storms off and heads to the cage where the mutant who attacked his brother. Wayne sees this but continues to treat Olamaide.

"Open the fucking cage." Odon orders. The attendant does as he is told. The cage door opens and he steps in. The mutant with the claws begins to stir. "MOTHERFUCKER!" Odon screams and begins to beat the mutant in the head with his fist. He was relentless in his attack. Wayne who has finished bandaging Olamaide up comes running towards the cage.

"ODON!" He screams. Odon doesn't hear him. Odon continues to bash the mutant's head into the floor. The mutant couldn't mount any kind of attack. There's blood gushing from the mutant's head. "ODON STOP!" Wayne yelled but it was too late. The mutant was dead. Odon stopped his attack seeing that the mutant was dead. He is breathing heavy. He turned to see the faces of everyone around. Wayne was angry at him. Olamaide watched horrified at his brother's actions. Odon could care less. The mutant attacked his brother and that met he had to die. Wayne sighed heavily. He still had four new mutants plus he has others.

After that incident, Olamaide decided to leave Operation Dove. He went back home to Kenya.

1985- Eight Years Later

Olamaide had moved on with his life. Operation Dove was in his past. When he got back home to Kenya, he found a job at a business firm in the import/export division. He was put in charge of shipments coming and going. He was paid a great salary. He was happy with his job but that wasn't the only thing that happened to him when he came home. He met a woman name Oana Akon. Oana is the classic kind of beauty. She's about five feet two inches with dark flowing hair with caramel skin, a nice bust size and the most beautiful brown eyes Olamaide has ever seen. She was from their town and had gone to school with Olamaide but never talked to him because she was too shy. Both liked each other and spent time together. Oana loves to sing and teaches elementary. The two begun dating which quickly blossomed into a love. They were married six months after they met and Oana ended up pregnant with their now seven year old daughter Ororo Monroe.

Okana Olamaide's mother loves being a grandmother. Oama loves her little niece spending time with her and making sure Ororo was cared for. When Olamaide had gotten married, everyone in their family had come to the wedding. The only person who hadn't come was Odon. He hadn't heard from Odon since that incident almost ten years ago. He missed his brother but knew that he had to make a new life for himself. He had hoped that Odon would show up to his wedding but he was a no show. That hurt him deeply.

Today was Ororo's eighth birthday. Odon had taken the day off to buy his daughter's presents. He knew she was restless. Oana was home making the cake and decorating the house for Ororo's birthday party. She had already invited Ororo's classmates seeing as though she is a teacher at her daughter's school. Okana was already at the house helping out. Oana had the Oama keep Ororo busy while she and Oama helped to decorate the classroom for her party. Olamaide got into his car with the presents then took off for his house. He had no idea he was being followed. He was so focused on making sure to get to home that he hadn't seen the car behind him.

"Where is that son of yours? I swear he's always late." Oana said.

"Don't worry yourself child. He'll be here." Okana said as the doorbell rang. "I got it." She said heading towards the door. She opens the door to reveal five parents with their children. "Hi come on in." She said as the parents came into the house with their children carrying various gifts for the birthday girl. Several more of Ororo's classmates arrived with their parents and gifts.

"Did you enjoy the movie Ororo?" Oama asked.

"Yeah it was funny." Ororo said feeling dejected. She thought her parents had forgotten her birthday.

"What's the matter honey?" Oama asked.

"Everyone forgot my birthday." Ororo said feeling sad.

"Oh honey I'm sure they didn't forget your birthday." Oama said to her. She said to her young niece. The truth was that her parents hadn't forgotten her birthday. They had planned a surprise party for her. Oama was to keep Ororo busy until the party was ready. Oama had called home while Ororo was in the bathroom to see how the preparations were going. She was told to bring her home at three in the afternoon. It's 3pm now.

"Dad had to work and mom is not home." Ororo complained.

"Come on why don't we go inside? Maybe they're home now." Oama said knowing this was a set up for Ororo's surprise birthday party.

"Ok." Ororo said. She opens the door to the house and….

"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ORORO!" Everyone in the house said in unison. She was shocked. She smiled at the scene.

"Wow!" She said smiling. "This is all for me?" Ororo asked.

"Of course honey." Oana said. "You didn't think we'd forget did you?"

"Of course not." Ororo lied. Oama smirked. She knew her niece would like the surprise. "Thanks everyone." She said happy.

Olamaide's car pulled into the driveway. He gets out of the car and headed into the house.

Ororo went to mingle with her friends. Oana, Oama and the other parents were helping to make lunch.

"I'm home." Olamaide said.

"Daddy." Ororo said running to her father.

"There's my little birthday girl. Come here." Olamaide said scooping his daughter up into his arms. She kissed his cheek.

"Where's my present daddy?" Ororo asked.

"In the car. I will get it when the time is right." Olamaide said. He looked down and saw her friends from her school. "Hey kids."

"Hi." They said in unison. He put Ororo down.

"Hi honey." Oana said.

"Hi." Olamaide said to his wife kissing her on the cheek. Oana looked away smiling. Okana saw this.

"Can you entertain the children while we finish making lunch?" She asked her husband.

"Sure." Olamaide said smiling. The doorbell rang. "I got it." He said going to get the door. He opened the door and is shocked.

"Hello brother." The figure said. Okana and Oama smile. The figure standing at the door is none other than Odon Monroe.

"Odon." Olamaide said then he starts to smile.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" Odon asked.

"Of course." Olamaide said letting his brother into his house. He closed the door. Odon was carrying a present for his niece.

"Odon." Oama said going over to hug her brother.

"Hello sista." He said hugging her tight.

"I've missed you." Oama said.

"I've missed you to." Odon said. "Momma."

"Oh my big boy." Okana said hugging her son. "We've missed you."

"I've missed you guys to." Odon said smiling. Olamaide was stunned. The two brothers embrace in a hug.

"How come you didn't tell me you were coming?" Olamaide asked.

"I wanted to surprise you." He said to him smiling. Oana comes into the living room.

"Oana, this is my brother Odon." Olamaide said. "Brother, this is my wife Oana."

"It's nice to finally meet you. Olli has talked so much about you." Oana said extending her hand to him. Odon takes her hand and kisses it. She smiles.

"It's a pleasure to meet you to." Odon said.

"This is our daughter Ororo, your niece." Olamaide said to him.

"Well hello there." Odon said smiling down at the girl.

"Hi." Ororo said smiling. She didn't know her uncle but he still smiled anyway. Ororo was always taught to be polite.

"It's her birthday today." Okana said.

"Well happy birthday." Odon said.

"Thank you." Ororo said.

"Why don't we serve lunch? Are you hungry Odon?" Oana asked.

"Of course." Odon said. "This is for Ororo." He said handing the present to Olamaide who put the present with the others.

"Come on brother." Olamaide said with his arm around his shoulder.

Oana, Oama, Okana and the others finished making lunch. The children ate while the adults chatted while drinking beer. Olamaide was happy to have his brother back. Oana brought out Ororo's cake with eight candles on it. Everyone sang happy birthday to Ororo who smiles happily. Then she began to open up her presents. She loved all the gifts everyone had given her.

Its evening and Ororo's party had ended. She is smiling playing with her toys. Odon had entertained the children as the adults telling various jokes that he knew. He also played games with the children having a good time with the children. Olamaide, Oama and Okana watched smiling. Oana smiled for the sake of her daughter. The other adults enjoyed watching Odon have fun with the children. When they left, he spent time getting to know little Ororo. She practically talked his ear off.

"I know you're happy to have your brother back." Okana said to Olamaide who watches his mother clean the dishes.

"Yes I am." Olamaide said. "It's good to have him home."

"That kid of yours is amazing and smart." Odon said smiling. He kisses his mother on the cheek.

"That's my little one." Olamaide said smiling.

"Where's your wife? What was here name again?" Odon asked.

"Oana." Olamaide said.

"Right." Odon said.

"She wanted to get something from the market." Olamaide responds.

"How long ago was that?" Odon asked picking up a fruit from the platter on the table.

"She left ten minutes ago." Olamaide responds thinking that was an odd question. "Why?"

"No reason." Odon said. He didn't trust anyone outside of his family. Oana was no exception. He didn't know her but would give her the benefit of the doubt because of Olamaide.

"Come on why don't we go outside to get some air?" Olamaide asked. He reached into the fridge and pulled out two beers. Both headed outside on the porch to talk. They sat down on the bench. "Here you go."

"Thanks." Odon said as Olamaide nods. "O, how come you didn't contact me back? I sent you so many messages and letters. I tried to contact you but you were gone."

"Yeah I know. I was not in Japan. I was sent out of the country to do a job. The job ended up lasting longer than I thought. Besides, I thought after you left that you didn't want anything to do with me." Odon told him taking a sip of his beer.

"That's not true. I only left to start a new life. That didn't mean that I didn't want you in it." Olamaide told him. Odon looked down in shame. All this time he kept his distance because he thought his brother wanted to be away from him. That wasn't true at all. Olamaide wanted his brother around to meet his girlfriend turned wife.

"Listen I'm sorry I didn't come to your wedding." Odon told him.

"And the birth of your niece." Olamaide said smirking. Odon looks down again. Olamaide nudges him. Odon smiles. "Don't worry bro, I forgive you. Just promise me that you won't leave without providing contact information."

"I promise." Odon said as they clicked their beer bottles together. "Bro I have to ask."

"Ask what?" Olamaide asked.

"Are you happy with Oana?" Odon asked.

"Of course I am. I wouldn't have married her otherwise." Olamaide asked. "Why do you ask brother?"

"I'm just looking out for you brother. I love you and I don't want anyone to hurt you or our family." Olamaide said.

"Don't worry brother. Everything will be fine. You'll see. All you have to do is get to know her." Olamaide said to his brother.

"If you say so." Odon said.

Eight months had passed. Odon ended up staying home and found a job working with his hometown police department. He liked spending time with his niece realizing that she was a bright kid. Olamaide and Oana told the family that she was pregnant again. They were expecting a baby boy Olamaide had named Orion. He was happy to be getting a son not that he didn't love his daughter but he'd always wanted a little boy. Odon was happy for his brother but there was this nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach. He frowned wondering about Oana's conception.

Olamaide, Oana and Ororo had arrived in Japan. Olamaide's job had sent him out there to do business with the shipping company in Japan. The company was going belly up and Olamaide's boss who had promoted him a month ago wanted Olamaide to close the deal. Olamaide also spoke the language so he was the best choice for the job. A rental car was waiting for the Monroe family. Oana is nine months pregnant and almost due. She had told Olamaide that she wanted to stay behind but Olamaide wouldn't hear of it. Her doctors told him the same thing but he didn't listen. He called it a family trip. He packed their suitcases in their rental and the three got into the car. Olamaide hadn't been to Japan in years but it still felt familiar to him.

"Daddy you been to Japan before?" Ororo asked.

"Yes I have. It was before you were born." Olamaide said.

"It's pretty." Ororo said smiling liking what she is seeing. It's winter time in Japan so it's pretty cold.

"I'm taking you and Ororo to the hotel and then I have to head out for my business meeting." Olamaide said.

"You have to work daddy?" Ororo asked. She really didn't want her father to leave her and her mother alone in a strange city.

"Yes baby but when daddy gets back we can go to festival in town ok?" Olamaide said.

"YEAH!" Ororo cheered. Oana smiled lovingly at her husband who smirked and turned back to the road.

Once he got his wife and daughter to the hotel, Olamaide got them a room and told them to wait for him. That he'd be gone for a couple of hours. Oana could barely sit down without help. She sat down on the bed. Ororo hoped onto the bed next to her. She turned on the TV and began to watch a cartoon that was on in Japanese. Ororo didn't care. It was fun to her. Oana watched her smiling.

"Are you hungry honey?" Oana asked her little daughter.

"Yes." Ororo said.

"Ok." Oana called room services and ordered some food for them to eat. She knew they wouldn't have anything she craved but decided to eat something. The woman was eating for two.

After his business meeting, Olamaide decided to return to the hotel to pick up his wife and daughter and took them to a festival that was that was taking place in doors. Ororo got to see a lot of cool things. She got to see acrobats and dancing Japanese women with the fans and a puppet show. She had fun.

It's late. The family are on their way back to their hotel from seeing a festival. Little Ororo sat comfortably in her seat in the back as she nods off. It was a very cold night considering it was still winter in Japan. The festival took place in doors. The roads were pretty slick due to the fact that it had rained the night before and some of it the ground had ice on it. Olamaide and his family wouldn't be staying that long. Olamide tried to drive as carefully as he could. The car begins to slip and slide.

Olamide tried to slow the car down and takes a sharp turn on the road. The car begins to spin violently out of control. Olamide was worried. The commotion woke the slumbering eight year old up. Now she's worried. Olamide tries desperately to regain control of the car but the carcontinues to spin violently. Olamide does everything in his power to apply the brakes and finally the car stops before the edge of the cliff. At the bottom the cliff is a huge ditch. Something the construction workers hadn't fixed yet. If they fell it would be about ten feet directly into the ditch. All three sighed deeply relieved that the car had stopped. Their relief was short lived because without warning, another car that was out of control slammed into the back of Olamide's car sending the car tumbling over the cliff. Olamide held his wife's hand. She glances back at Ororo is completely horrified and scared. The tears pore down her face believing they are about to die. The car finally lands hard in the ditch upside down. All three are knocked out.

"Oh my god." Shing Shigatoshi said. Shing a scientist got out of the car to see what has happened.

"Shing what has happened?" His wife Ming asked.

"The car went over the cliff. It's in the ditch." Shing said to her.

"Oh god!" He said heading back to his car. His wife stares at him. His children were both scared but said nothing. He uses her car phone to call the police. "Hello police, I need an ambulance on Tomei road now. There is another car that went off the cliff and is in a ditch right now please hurry." He said into the phone.

Within the hour, the paramedics came to help. A crane was used to pull Olamaide's rental car back up to the road. The paramedics took all three of them out of the car and put them in the ambulances heading to the hospital. Olamaide, Oana and Ororo were all taken to different rooms. A team of doctors worked to save Oana. They were able to save her baby but Oana's heart gave out and she would not survive her wounds. Olamaide was pronounced dead at the scene and was put into a body bag. His head had a big gash on it. Ororo was treated for her wounds. She survived. The doctor waited for Ororo to wake up. They'd have to give her the bad news.

Ororo's little eyes began to open. Her head hurt a lot from the accident and was bandage as she has cuts and bruises. Her eye was puffy and her face hurt. All she wanted was her parents. Ororo had no idea that she would not see them again. There's a nurse in the room. The nurse spoke English and would need to tell Ororo what happened to her parents.

"Where am I?" Ororo asked.

"You're in the hospital." The female nurse said to her. "How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts." Ororo said.

"That's because you and your family were in an accident. Do you remember what happened?" The nurse asked.

"No." Ororo frowned. Then it dawned on her. "My mommy and daddy. Where are they?" She asked frowning. The nurse pauses a moment trying to think of the best way to tell her that her parents are dead.

"I'm sorry but they didn't make it." The nurse finally said. Ororo's face dropped and the only expression written on her face was sadness.

"NO!" She screams. The grief on her face. The sound of thunder is heard outside scaring just about every patient within ear shot. She begins to sob uncontrollably. The weather outside begins to pour hard. Rain was not in the forecast so why was it raining? The nurse holds the sobbing eight year old.

The doctors had told Shing that with both the parents dead that the girl Ororo and her new baby brother would be orphans. The nurse who was with Ororo told the doctor that she had family who can take them. Ororo told the nurse what her parents named the baby. She wrote it down and gave it to the doctor. Oama and her boyfriend came to Japan to get Ororo but left Orion there. Shing told the doctors that he can find a place for baby Orion. Shing took baby Orion to The Hong Academy. They took him in. It was the least he could do since he felt guilty about the turn of events for the Monroe family.

Notes: These events set the tone for the story. The events from 1985 is the year Orion was born. Only pay attention to the year of his birth though the events in 1976 are important as well. This story will definitely get better.