Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men: Evolution.

This is the sequel to 'All's Fair in Love and War', so if you haven't read that, I strongly suggest you find that and read it first, or none of this will make sense. Also, I've taken a few liberties as to where Bayville is in New York, mainly because it's a fictional place.

This is rated T, but some scenes/themes later on may push at the boundaries, so please take note of the warnings at the tops of those chapters and use your own discretion.

Prologue

November 1999

Everyone – aside from very young children – knows where the USA is. It's a large country in the Pacific and has a huge effect on the world's economy.

Most people know where New York City is. It's in the north east of the USA, part of the larger state of New York, which borders New Jersey and Connecticut.

Very few people, however, know where Bayville is. Bayville is a small town on the southern-eastern coast of Queens, one of New York City's five boroughs.

In many ways, it is just like any other small town in the US; there are schools, malls, parks, theatres and suburbs.

What distinguishes this town from any other is located through the larger of the two parks, through the dark, thick trees, which hide a long dirt track that runs past a wasteland of rubble and brick, arriving at a large manor house with a sweeping drive that is home to a group of teenagers and their guardians.

Now that in itself is not unusual as the house doubles as a private school of sorts.

However, only two of the inhabitants are human.

As for the rest …

They are mutant.

They are heroes.

They are the X-Men.

One cold day at the end of November, the snow came. Bayville awoke to a swirling blizzard that provoked conflicting responses.

By mid-afternoon, the snow had settled into a soft flurry of large white flakes. Adults hurried through the streets of Bayville, laden with bags and boxes, to preoccupied with finishing their shopping to stop and chat with one another.

Many of them, of course, were held up by children, who hung back, throwing snowballs at each other, building snowmen and making snow angels, making the most of this unexpected day off.

Dogs bounded through the places where the snow had cumulated into mounds, while cats sprung from fence to fence to avoid getting their feet wet, staring disdainfully down at their fellow creatures.

Amidst the chaos, a young woman was making her way through the snow, a few strands of long blonde hair escaping from where it had been pinned up under a hat. Clear blue eyes took in every detail of her surroundings as she tried to get her bearings.

Finally conceding defeat, she slipped into a coffee shop, shaking the snow from her clothes. The warmth from the heating hit her and she sighed with relief, deciding to take the time to have a cup of coffee before continuing on her way. Getting directions from the barista as she paid, she sat in the window, savouring the hot drink while she could.

After fifteen minutes of people-watching, she was left with only dregs and left her warm sanctuary to once again step out into the biting cold.

Following the directions, she made her way to the end of the street again, but this time, rather than stopping, she continued through the dense trees. The snow was lighter here, but light was dimmer and she had to slow down anyway to avoid running in to anything.

Finally, the trees thinned and she stepped out onto a rough dirt track. Turning right, she sped up, although kept her pace to a walk so as not to fall foul of the iced-over potholes that barred her way.

Eventually her way was barred by an immense set of gates equipped with an impressive security system, behind which lay a long sweeping driveway.

Eyeing the cameras warily, she reached out and pressed the intercom button.

After a nerve-wracking few minutes, the radio crackled and a slightly-accented male voice floated out to her. "Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters; how can I help?"

"Er, hi. I need to talk to Professor Xavier. I have a gift and I need help."

"Is he expecting you?"

She groaned. "No, sorry. I haven't really had an opportunity to get to a phone."

"Don't worry about it. He's not here right now, but why don't you come in? It's freezing out there."

With a loud beep, the gates began to swing open slowly and she slipped through them. Giving up on the slippery ground, the girl rose into the air and flew the rest of the way to the house.

The front door opened to reveal a young man her age with dark hair, dark eyes and tanned skin, and when he greeted her, it was obvious he was who she had spoken to through the intercom. "Hey, how you doin'? You're a flier, huh?"

"Flying, super-strength, telepathy and invulnerability." She confirmed, landing beside him.

He stuck out his hand. "I'm Roberto DaCosta; everyone just calls me Robbie."

"Nice to meet you." She shook his hand firmly. "I'm Carole. Carole Danvers."

AN: Like 'All's Fair', this is a somewhat revised version, so the first 14 chapters or so should be up fairly quickly, because I just have to tweak them. After that, however, is anyone's guess, so wish me luck!