Prologue
Ever since the beginning of life on Earth, life as we know it has changed in ways beyond normal comprehension, growing stronger, growing more intelligent, becoming more capable of survival. This is evolution, the everlasting cycle of species gaining new adaptations, such as strength, speed, and intelligence that allow them to live in Earth's ever-changing climate. Now, over three billion years after life first evolved on Earth, the most intelligent species ever known to exist rules the Earth, humans. With all the aspects of technology, knowledge of the cosmos and of the planet itself, there are many who say that humans are the evolutionary climax of Earth's biosphere.
However, evolution's power and unceasing influence is continuing to proceed, and now, in the time of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, humankind itself is evolving. Little by little, there are those emerging who are more highly evolved than the norm of the human population. Due to unique genetic mutations, these individuals have amazing powers and abilities, making them stand out from the normal ranks of the Homo sapiens species. These people, possessing their powers as a result of what is called the "X-gene," are known to the world as mutants.
Since the first emergence of mutants in cities and countries across the globe, they have tried to avoid being discovered for what they are, hiding in the shadows, living out their lives in solitude and isolation, denying their differences to others, and avoiding contact with the outside world as much as they possibly can. They fear rejection of the outside world, knowing that it is human nature to fear and hate the unusual. There are some who say that mutants are just freaks of nature and a menace to all humans. Others believe that mutants are just people who are different in their own ways, fighting for their share of the world and for the freedom that all are entitled to have. While most hardly do anything to act on their beliefs, there are some who are taking steps to bring their plans to life others can only imagine.
The mutant scientist Professor Charles Xavier has hopes that one day humans and mutants can live in peace together in harmony. To this end, he has established the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, teaching young mutants to use their gifts responsibly, with discipline and control for the benefit of humankind, creating the X-Men. But there are those who don't share this view of future harmony, such as the infamous Magneto, who believes that humans and mutants can never co-exist. Magneto is also leading his own team, recruiting mutants sharing his view to prepare them to overthrow humankind to make way for the future for mutants.
Where are these mutants now? They are living among the citizens of Bayville, New York, blending in as ordinary citizens and humans, waiting for the right moment to emerge and let the human populace know of their true nature. One side is bidding its time, waiting for the chance to attack. The other, determining how to make themselves be known without cause fear in their non-mutant kin.
Meanwhile, in the mountain city of Moonriver Falls, Washington, a new mutant has emerged among the human inhabitants of this mountain suburb, a mutant who is far more than he realizes and far more than he appears. This mutant is different from normal humans, like all mutants are. But he is different in more ways than one, for he is not only different by human standards, but by mutant standards as well.