Disclaimer: I don't own didly squat except for David Smith a.k.a. Tarot. Don't sue me, since I really don't have anything worth taking from me in a court of law. Also, if you happen to be any of the people who own this stuff, feel free to contact me if you want to "buy" my character and use him in some episode(s) of X-Men: Evolution or Static Shock.

Cheating Fate

Prologue: The New Mutant

Slowly walking through the halls of the institute, Kurt sighed. Everyone seemed a bit tense every now and then. This was not the greatest point in time to be living a mutant life among perfectly normal people. The only person who hadn't really changed was Wolverine. He pretty much kept the same attitude as usual. Some were not that surprised.

Today, all of the other students were sleeping in. Xavier Allowed them to stay in bed, knowing how they would react if forced to go back to school. But there was another reason for this choice as well. He feared that their presence might disturb his efforts to bring in another lost soul. This new person had powers the professor had yet to fully comprehend, let alone properly label.

Seated in his office, he looked at the 19 year old boy. His short black hair was parted straight down the middle. His left eye was lime green while his right eye was crimson. Held within his hands was a large, heavy book that looked centuries old. He didn't speak very often, for he seemed to be focused on watching something only he could see. He did, however, listen very carefully to every word that the Professor said to him.

"David," Xavier spoke, "I'm sure that you'll be welcomed with open arms by everyone here at the institute."

The young man suddenly glared, focused completely on the here and now. "Trust me," he whispered. "I've already seen the current possibilities, and the future holds plenty of potential for a disaster. something greatly devastating. And by the way, call me Tarot."