Prologue

Mutants. A more advanced stage in human evolution or possibly a new species altogether. Mutants are feared and hated for being what they are, yet they have done no harm to anyone. It is a well known fact that humans fear what they know nothing about, and in years and months past, that has been proven firsthand. Mutants have sacrificed their lives for each other as well as for the humans who hate them so much.

Chapter One

New Orleans, Louisiana

Murky fog covered the New Orleans streets, the only sounds being heard were wailing sirens in the distance. If he had been anywhere else, his nerves may have tensed and his eyes advert to the shadows. But he was in his hometown and he knew how to survive here. He had survived for the past twenty-six years on his own, nothing was going to change now.

Remy rubbed the back of his neck, a unique scar passing under his fingertips. A reminder of his recent past. A reminder of something he couldn't remember; something that was covered in mist in his mind. Up until four months ago, his memory was fine, then he met General William Stryker, and that's where it got murky.

But he was free now - free of anything to do with Stryker - and happy as one living on the streets could be. Tonight, he thought, he'd go to some bar and get some money out of a hapless drunk. His philosophy was that if you couldn't handle your money, then give it to someone who could. And Remy LeBeau was one who could handle money.

He entered the bar after passing a group of three people, a woman with white hair, a man with blue skin, and a rough-trucker type. He hoped they'd come in the bar, they looked rich enough.

"The Professor says the mutant is nearby," Storm said, putting her flip-phone away. She lead the group - which consisted of her, Logan, and Kurt - in New Orleans, of all places. In an attempt of trying to track down all mutants Stryker came in contact with, Professor Xavier located one here. His name was Remy LeBeau, but what power he concealed was unknown.

Logan walked a few steps and stopped, alerting his senses. He clenched his fists and felt the adamantium in his bones respond. It didn't hurt, nor did it ever - if it ever had, he had forgotten about it. Or he just didn't remember, the thought succumbing to his amnesia which he had forever battled.

He looked down the alley to his right, just one streetlight shining at the other end. Dumpsters and trash cans lined the walls, casting shadows on the street. It was empty, but Logan already knew that, the scent of the mutant they were after - or just another mutant - lingered in the alley. It was just an educated guess that it was the one they were after.

"He's been here recently," Logan said, turning to his teammates.

"How recent?" Kurt asked.

"It's like he was here the same time we were," Logan replied.

"Maybe he is here," Storm said, looking at the doors of a bar.

Remy collected the money he had just won from a drunk and made his way across the room. As he ran a hand through his shaggy brown hair, he glanced to the door which had just ushered in the three people from the street. The rich-looking people.

He smiled and sat down at the bar, watching the group. He knew they were mutants - they had to be. He'd never seen a blue-skinned human or a woman so young with such white hair. Finally, he thought, someone like him. Being a thief, Remy's watching ability was topnotch. Just by looking at someone, he could tell what they there for, how old they were, and what they were going to do soon enough.

But damn, these ones were hard to read. They seemed to be looking for something. But what? Money? Or were they police, looking for a fugitive? Wait, no, mutants weren't able to become policeman. Or could they? He didn't know - or care - he just hoped they weren't. He continued to watch them and when they passed by him, he kept to himself. Even so, the rugged one stopped and sniffed like a beast of some sort.

"He's here," Remy heard him say. The woman and blue-man stopped and looked at the rugged man, whose eyes, Remy felt, were surveying him.

Storm crossed her arms. They'd found him - or they thought they had. He was wearing a long gray raincoat, beneath which they could see plain pants and a green shirt. His hair was brown and shaggy, reminding Storm of a model she had seen in a magazine.

Logan reached his arm out and tapped the boy on the shoulder. He turned around, revealing his mysteriously handsome features and red eyes.

"Excuse me," Storm said, "are you Remy LeBeau?"

How do they know my name? Remy thought. "Uh, yes, that's me." He took the woman's hand and kissed it gently. "And what is a beautiful belle like yourself doin' looking for a man like me?" The woman was seemingly unaffected by the come-on, but he could see her blush minimally even though her skin was dark.

"We're," Logan said, interrupting the stare between the two, "wondering if we could ask you some questions."

"If you would be so kind," Kurt added, his German accent showing. His politeness altered the atmosphere of the room from bar to home. It was like that whenever he spoke.

"I might be able to answer those questions," Remy said, "if ya buy me a drink."

Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Winchester, New York

Professor Charles Xavier sat behind a mahogany-stained desk, a large World History book lying open in front of him. His large brown eyes surveyed the classroom in front of them, their facial features heavily enhanced by the sunlight shining through the tall windows behind Xavier. Each of them were mutants, here for safety. Most had stories of their own, some of them simple, some of them tragic. But wary of their past, they enjoyed their lives with Professor Xavier.

Dismissing the class, Xavier closed the book in front of him and waited for the students to leave the room. All but two did, but this was expected. Rogue and Bobby; two mutants with incredible strength, both in their mutant abilities and hearts.

Rogue, her real name being Marie, had arrived at Xavier's school one year ago, with Logan. Since then, she took to the students but still had a certain shyness to her that was directly related to her mutation. She was able, through physical touch, to absorb the memories, life force, and in mutant cases, powers from anyone. If she held on too long, she could kill her victim. Thus, she had to wear gloves and made sure no one touched her.

Bobby, also called Iceman by some, was a gentle-heart. He was in love with Rogue, and she loved him. But there was a hole in their relationship - he couldn't kiss or touch her skin. His power was that of ice, he could control and create it. He could mold it to be whatever he wanted it to be, and as he was advancing, he could do more. His family hadn't known about his mutation until four months ago, and disowned him because of it. Sometimes, his fellow students could hear him cry himself to sleep.

"Professor," Bobby said, standing in front of the desk, "what's the progress on Scott's location?"

"None, I'm afraid," he returned, wheeling himself around to the front of the desk. "He's blocking his mind from me."

"But that's not Cyclops's power," Rogue said.

"No, it isn't," Xavier replied, "but it is able to be done with proper training." Professor Xavier sighed. He was the one who trained Scott to do so.

Four months ago, Jean Grey, a fellow X-man and lover of Scott sacrificed her life to save her teammates. In doing so, she pierced everyone's heart, especially those of Logan and Scott. Logan let his pain be subsided, but it was still there. Scott, not weaker per se, but more succumbing to his emotions, abandoned the team, leaving no notice of where he was.

"If we find him, we'll go after…" Xavier looked over to the door, distracted by something on the other side.

"What is it, Professor?" Bobby asked.

"I think we've been eavesdropped on," he said, wheeling to the door and opening it. An Asian girl with dark hair and superb features was obviously surprised when the door was opened, and she fell backwards. Bobby and Rogue chuckled.

"Jubilee," Xavier said, "it is rude to eavesdrop. Especially when a matter such as the previously discussed is being discussed."

"I'm sorry," the girl, "Jubilee", said, standing up. "It's just - I'm worried about Cyclops - Scott, whatever."

"I'm sure you are. Now, if you'll excuse us, your classmates and I have business to do." Xavier, followed by Rogue and Bobby, ventured down the hallway.

"It doesn't take a telepath to figure out where you're going," Jubilee said. "May I come along?"

Xavier turned and smiled, bewildered at the persistence of his young student. "Yes, you may."

Xavier, Bobby, Rogue, and Jubilee made their way down the long hallway, which was entirely made out of steel. This was the basement of the mansion, the X-men's base of operations. Although students weren't permitted to enter, the three with Xavier were exceptions. Bobby and Rogue were members of the team; Jubilee, wasn't however, and this was her first time being there.

They made their way to a large door, decorated by ridges circling a blue sphere. Xavier stopped in front of it, and the sphere responded, a blue laser scanning his retina. When it was complete, a computerized female voice said "Welcome, Professor," and the doors opened.

He turned to the students and said, "Wait here. I'll check Cerebro for Scott. I'm hopeful for his location, but it's not promised." The students nodded and allowed him to enter the chamber.