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Fifteen years ago...

The boy ran through the streets of New Orleans. His young legs carried him further and further away from his latest theft. Turning the corner, he ran into the very man he stole from. 'How...'

The man grabbed the boy's shirt.

'You runnin' from somethin'?' The man said calmly as he brought the boy closer.

'Let go of me' the boy struggled.

The man brought the boy face to face with him, his eyes widened at what he saw, 'who are you?'

'None of you business.'

'The name is Jean Luc Lebeau'

'I don' care.'

'Very few people are able to steal from me. You have something special my boy.'

The man set the boy down, but kept his hand on the boy's shoulder, 'welcome to the thieves' guild.'

Five years ago...

A young man walked into the board room. He stood there proud assured that he would get what he came for.

In front of him sat all the prominent figures in the scientific community.

At the head of the table sat Dr. Maxwell, the foremost expert in genetics research.

'Dr. Nathaniel Essex, thank you for coming.'

'It is my pleasure sir.'

Dr. Maxwell took a deep breath, 'our board is has shown some growing concern with your genetics research doctor.'

Dr. Essex looked around; no one would meet his eye. The overwhelming fear that this meeting was not to congratulate him on his work shook him. 'My work is important to the human and mutant race.'

'….There is talk about what is happening in your lab Doctor.'

Dr. Essex, arrogantly said, 'Nothing that should be of your concern.'

The man sighed pushing a manila file towards him, 'But it is our concern when rumors of abuse, negligence, and unethical methods are used.'

'Nothing outside the bounds of reason sir. Think of the potential, think of the drugs we can produce with my research.' Essex said calmly, trying to hide the growing fury

Dr. Maxwell shook his head, 'Not if the research is ethically unsound. Rumors that plague your research can destroy hundreds of research now and in the future. It's not worth it, you're not worth it.'

Dr. Essex's eyes narrowed, 'My work will eclipse all others!'

Dr. Maxwell shot back, 'Your work is putting people's lives in danger. You're a scientist for God's sakes; realize what you are doing to your own patients. I cannot allow you to continue. We're pulling our money. I'm sorry.'

Dr. Essex looked at each of the men around the table, before turning back to Dr. Maxwell, 'But-You're trying to keep the research for yourself aren't you.'

Maxwell calmly stood up, tugging at his suit, 'get a hold of yourself doctor or you will be escorted out of here immediately.'

Dr. Essex sneered, 'You will regret this Maxwell, all of you. What I have is the next evolution in humans and mutants, the next stage in human history. I intend to BE the next step in EVOLUTION.'

The boardroom broke into chaos.

Present time…

He sat there everyday, an old man playing chess by himself. People would glance over, wondering whom he was imagining he was playing with. Sometimes, he would simply smile, or even throw in a little chuckle at his opponent. But people left him alone, the way he preferred it.

'Mutants are they back...'

He sighed as he could hear the news from a radio a few tables away. A shadow loomed over him as he contemplated his next move.

'How you sit here in de park playing chess wit' nobody old man?'

He never looked up.

'Young man, you are blocking the sun. As you have pointed out I am an old man, my time with the sun is somewhat limited.' He moved the black pawn, 'check'

A young man's hand moved the white pawn, thus eliminating the old man's chess piece.

'The cure has failed as millions of mutants…crackle...who had taken the cure…crackle…manifestations of their powers again…'

'Monsieur, I think you need practice.' Suddenly moving his piece to the end of the board, the old man could hear the smirk in his voice, 'checkmate.'

'President Creed has issued…crackle...Mutant task force headed by Nick Fury…'

The young man smirked. 'My boss requests your assistance on a…shall we say sensitive subject.'

'Oh' the old man raised an eyebrow, his chin resting on his fist. 'I'm sure you have the wrong man. Run along now.'

'I believe you have a certain expertise wit' mutants.' Grabbing something from inside his trench coat, he held it out to Magneto.

'Are mutants taking over-' SCREECH

'Hey, what the hell happened to my radio?' a man behind him yelled.

Magneto stared at the object the young man held out, before throwing a startling look at the young man. 'Where did you get this?'

The man raised his sunglasses and smiled.

His red pupils contracting slightly as he stared at Magneto. 'My boss has many connections.'

The woman could hear the banging. She ran down the hall breathing deeply, her heart raced, as her little girl was the only thing that occupied her mind.

Opening each of the doors along the hallway, she called out for her. 'Anna?' One door after the other,

She opened the door to the bathroom.

'Mommy' the girl cried out.

Hearing the voice, the woman turned to the sound. Touching the edge of the tub, she felt for the girl. Once she touched her, the woman scooped up the child and ran out of the room.

Pausing, she heard her front door cracking under the men trying to get in. She ran in the opposite direction. The shouting came closer.

'Mommy!'

'it's okay, it's okay.'

The woman ran down the hall into the bedroom. Pulling open her closet door, she set her child down on the floor, 'Stay quiet baby'

'Mommy?'

The door shut on the little girl plunging her in pitch black.

The little girl heard male voices shouting, the bedroom door opened with a sharp thud.

She could hear her mother pleading with them.

The door opened, and the little girl stared up at the barrel of a gun

Suddenly gunshots broke the silence.

Bang! Bang!

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