In ancient times, there were only three real sports. Ancient man either ran for his life, swam for his life, or did what I do, and fought for his life. One thing primitive man did not do is get in his car and drive away.

Mick Foley, 'Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweat Socks.'

As Ororo and Jean piloted the Blackbird back to the mansion, the new student asleep in his chair anda very empty bag of McDonalds on the seat next to him another mutant was about to be signed up.

Just not to the X-Men.

"Good God Benny, why in the hell are we out here again? We haven't seen a damned Gator for miles!"

His friend shook his head as he gently steered their small metal boat down the river.

"Settle down Roy. Folks been saying a big ole alligator has been swimming around a little too close to town. We gotta relocate that bad boy a little further away from town."

Roy shook his head as he watched a few logs for movement. Seeing none and dismissing them as logs and not reptiles awaiting something to ambush he turned to his friend. "I still say it's a waste of time, we are miles away from town and haven't seen one croc, let alone this so called eleven footer."

"Let's just keep it up for the next hour, then we'll turn back. With any luck this guy's relocated himself."

"We're not that lucky." Benny replied as one of the logs sank underneath the water, neither of the men noticing.

After a short moment they did notice something that was rather hard to miss. In a sudden strike of movement the front of their boat was lifted out of the water with such force it sent both men flying as the craft landed upside down in the water. Both men swam to surface, looking around.

"The HELL was that Benny?"

"I don't know! It was like, YEA-EAH!"

Roy watched in horror as Benny was dragged under the water, blood filling the water where he had been. A moment later Benny's lifeless body floated to the surface.

Wide-eyed Roy turned to swim to the upturned boat, only to come eye to eye with some... mishmash between a crocodile and a human. The olive-brown skinned beast peered at him through silvery eyes, two sets of eyelids blinking at him, one set clear so the beast could swim under water and see without irritating it's eyes. The beast seemed to grin at him.

The creature then charged at him, claws and teeth shredding flesh and bone alike.

Savage, formerly known as Cyrus Blake, burped loudly as he stood up on his hind legs his tail dragging behind him as he climbed ashore for a little sunning. He lay down on a patch of moss, turning around to watch the water of his territory. He grinned lightly at the two lifeless men floating downstream, the second one half eaten and their boat following them.

He hadn't hunted them for food, merely because he didn't want the... hassle of the men finding him. The last thing he needed was a hunting party out to gut him.

Still it was always a good idea to eat when you can, never know when another meal will present itself. He idly watched the boat float in place then blinked his twin eyelids.

The current wasn't strong today, but it was more than enough to drag the boat down at a more than noticeable speed. And yet it floated in place?

He blinked again as the boat continued to float, but this time lifting above the water. He scrambled to his feet as the boat was levitated towards him, only to be set down on the shore. He walked up to it in his slow and clumsy stride, something that naturally masked the full speed he could run at. He looked over the boat, then looked around to see what could have levitated the boat to the shore.

After a moment he found what he was looking for. An armoured man in a purple cape floated towards him, much like the boat did earlier. The being halted his descent ten feet over the water.

The being looked over at the crocodile mutant. It stood around 6'1, maybe 6'2, andstood slightly hunched over.It had a long tail that was as long as the rest of it's body. Under it's helmet the man smiled. "It seems you know your place as a hunter on the food chain."

The croc-being grinned at the man, his many sharp teeth in plain view. "Yes, I am Savage, hunter of these lands. Who are you?"

"My name is Magneto, and I bring you... an offer..."

Magneto grinned under his helmet, this fine beast would make a wonderful Acolyte.

He had plans to rule the world and enslave the human waste. This was but a small step, collecting a new warrior for his cause.

And as the old saying went 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step.'

James moaned slightly as someone shook his shoulder, his eyes opening to look into Ororo's blue orbs. "Wake up child, we're here."

James yawned and sat up taking a glance out the window, metal walls staring back. Down the way helicopter was being looked over by a short looking man with wild hair.

Standing up he followed Ororo and Jean as they exited the plane, watching as Ororo, Jean and a bald man in a wheelchair exchanged greetings. A tall older boy with brown hair and red tinted sunglass stood behind the man in the wheelchair, a bundle of clothing in his arms. James stepped down and turned his head to look at the African woman.

"James, I would like you to meet Professor Charles Xavier. He owns the institute."

James turned to look at the man who in turn smiled warmly at him. "Hello Professor."

"Good Afternoon Mr. Jennings. I hope your journey here was a pleasant one. I am sure you have some doubts as to whether or not this was a good decision. However I hope you decide it was a good decision after you've had a chance to see what we have to offer. Now, to get you settled in." He turned his chair slightly so he could gesture to the man behind him. "Allow me to introduce Scott Summers, he's the first student that has ever attended here. He'll show you to a room... but more importantly a shower. Another of our students has provided a few things for you to wear, at least until we can get you your own. Once you've had a chance to settle in I'll have you take a medical examwith Dr. Henry McCoy."

James rubbed the back of his head slightly as he nodded. "Um... Thank you... Professor."

The Professor smiled as the man with the shades stepped forward, shifting his bundle to one arm so he could place his free hand on James' shoulder. "Come on JJ, let's go get you that shower, all right?" James nodded in response as Scott led him towards the elevator. As the two left the man with the wild hair walked up to Xavier.

"So that's the new kid? Don't look like much."

Charles' face bore an amusing smile as he watched James shake his head as Scott gave off a laugh. "He is a timid person Logan. You have to admit, even Jean was a tad shy when she first came here."

"Yeah Chuck, I'll give ya that. So, what's his power?"

"Gravitational Manipulation."

"In other words... Gravity."

"Yes. Think Magneto, only without being limited to metals."

"... Your kiddin' me? That kid? Even if he had half the power..."

"I don't think he has 'half the power' Logan, I think in terms of raw power James is easily Eric's rival."

"...I hope your kiddin' Chuck. If Magneto finds out Streets over there has got that much power behind him..."

"He wouldn't rest until that power was under his control. I'm well aware of that Logan. Very well aware..."