Disclaimer: I own none of the Marvel characters or X-Men Evolution, I only own my own, such as Leviathan and Slaughter.

This fic, although rated as a T now, will become M rated soon enough, as later on it will become much more graphic/violent etc. Until then, it remains within the bounds of T rated fiction, although if you're easily offended/repulsed or generally have a weak stomach, this may not be the right fic for you. If not, read and enjoy! :)

The Darkness of Life

Chapter One – A New Start

Unknown Location - England

Thunder crashed as lightning illuminated the skies. The rain fell heavily over the landscape, threatening to flood each small animal’s ground nests. In the middle of an overgrown forest, two figures stood, one on his knees, with the other standing over him, a sword seemingly sculpted from ice poised in is grip. Around them were two bodies which had already felt the wrath of the sword, their headless bodies seemingly reaching out to their attacker in a futile effort to stop him.

“Please...” The kneeling one begged. “We’re friends...right?”

“Friends?” The other spat. “We stopped being friends the moment you threatened my sister!” He hissed, pressing the tip of the sword close to the other’s neck. “Just because my family have disowned me due to my mutancy, doesn’t mean I won’t protect them by all means. Speaking of which, by all rights your death should be slow and painful. But,” In the blink of an eye the sword cut through his throat, sending blood spray everywhere as the jugulars were severed.

“I’m not that cruel.” He finished as he turned away and let his sword melt away, joining the rain water surrounding them all. “See you in hell.” He said over his shoulder as he dematerialised, becoming nothing but a body of water as he disappeared into the rain.

Xavier Institute - Bayville

Professor Charles Xavier let a smile cross his lips as he watched the world pass by from the windows of his office. A year had passed since Apocalypse had been defeated, and everything had become rather peaceful. Magneto and Mystique had gone off to create a new mutant island, Genosha as they called it. Pietro had joined his father, whereas Wanda had cut all ties with them both.

The Brotherhood was less trouble than ever, and would only ever occasionally be any bother to anyone, although they had become more bothersome since St John Allerdyce, also known as Pyro, had joined them.

At the Institute, things were livelier than ever. Tabitha ‘Boom-Boom’ Smith had joined them after Apocalypse, and so had Piotr ‘Colossus’ Rasputin, after realising Magneto could no longer help him find his missing sister Illyana. Warren Worthington III, also known as Angel, and Alex ‘Havok’ Masters had also both been offered places at the institute, but had yet to accept, but Xavier was holding out hope that they would soon become part of the team. Also, X-23 had joined the team, after being found and rescued from some less than savoury characters in New York. Now, however, she went by the name of Laura Kinney, and used the codename ‘Talon’.

Lance and Kitty had broken up due to Lance trying to push her too far, too soon. Amanda and Kurt had also separated, shortly after the X-Men defeated Apocalypse; Amanda’s family moved her during the night, leaving Kurt heartbroken come morning. Jean and Scott were still as strong as ever, and Rouge had still heard nothing from Gambit, much to her chagrin.

Most of all, Xavier was pleased because today they would be getting a new mutant joining their ranks. Even from his sessions with Cerebro, Xavier knew very little of this mutant, other than he was from England, and that he could control the element of water. What shocked him more so was that Xavier had received a phone call from him, asking if he could join the institute. With delight Xavier agreed, and hoped he would be the first of many.

As for now however, he received a new brief thoughtwave, and with that, set about getting ready to greet the new recruit.

A large black boot stepped on and snapped a twig outside the Xavier Institute’s gates. The owner of the boot was also wearing a pair of dark blue jeans, and a black tank top, covered by a deep sapphire jacket, which blew softly in the wind. His hair was shoulder length and blonde, and his olive green eyes scanned the mansion he was standing before. Slowly, he lifted a gloved hand and pressed a finger to the intercom.

“Hello?” He asked tentatively as a buzzing sound came through. “I’m A-”

“Yes, I know who you are.” A sophisticated English voice interrupted him. “Please, come on through.” As the intercom buzzed again, the large gates to the mansion opened, leaving the one mutant stood staring at interest at the large school before him.

“So, my new home huh?” He mused aloud as he walked up the pathway. “Hopefully they can help me...” At that moment he was brought out of his musings as a slender, tanned woman with astonishing white hair walked towards him, with a small feral looking man walking beside her.

“Welcome child.” She smiled warmly. “My name is Ororo Monroe, and this is Logan.” She introduced as she gestured towards him. “We can help you with your luggage if you like, and then introduce you to the other students here.”

“That sounds good to me.” He replied. “The name’s Adam, by the way.”

“Well kid, let’s get yer settled in.” Logan growled. “The sooner yer get used to it all here, the sooner yer trainin’ can start.”

“The sooner the better.” He replied as his eyes glazed over in a mixture of emotion.

Rec Room

“So, like, what do you think we’re all in here for?” Kitty asked the blue furred mutant sitting next to her.

“It must be somezhing important.” Kurt replied. In fact, he knew they were getting a new mutant joining the institute, as he had been told beforehand that he would now be sharing a room. “It could be a new mutant?”

“Yeah, course.” Rogue snorted. “Aftah seein’ us all fight Apocalypse, no-one wants tah send their kids here, they’d rather hide them all away from tha world, and pretend they don’t exist.”

“Maybe you’re right Rogue.” Kitty admitted gloomily. “It’s been like, a year now, and no-one has come along and joined.”

“Vell, they need to start again sometime, don’t zhey?” Kurt offered.

“Everyone,” Xavier’s telepathic message drew their attention towards the doors, where him, Storm, Wolverine and Beast all stood. “I have an announcement for you all. Today, a new student shall be joining us.”

“A new student?!” Scott repeated in shock, as a variety of reactions spread through the students.

“All right!” Tabitha cheered. “Hopefully she’s a girl; we’ve got enough boys as is! Although, if he’s a guy, hopefully he’s something good to look at!”

“Why would that matter?” Laura asked with a perplexed expression.

“Because...” Amara looked awkwardly between everyone, “Sometimes, you need to well-“

“You need some decent eye candy!” Tabitha interrupted, causing a laugh to pass through all the new mutants.

“Do you think maybe I won’t be the youngest one here anymore?” Jamie asked hopefully.

“I cannae say.” Rahne answered. “We won’t know until we’re introduced to them, will we, wee one?”

“As obvious as it is that you are all excited,” Beast smiled, “Please try not to be too overexcited when you see him.”

“And that said.” Xavier smiled, “I think it’s time we introduce you all. Everyone, meet Adam Davids.”

“Umm, well, hi – I guess.” Adam waved nervously as he entered the room, letting his hair cover an eye.

“Goddamn!” Tabitha cheered. “We sure hit the jackpot here! Right girls?” She winked as she elbowed Amara and Jubilee in the side.

“Glad to see I’ve instantly become man-candy.” He shot back with a grin, causing all three girls to turn a shade of red.

“And I’m glad to see someone can finally silence them all.” Scott said with a smirk as he walked forwards. “I’m Scott, leader of the X-Men team.” He introduced himself as he stuck out his hand. “And this beautiful lady,” He beamed as his wrapped an arm around Jean and pulled her forwards, “Is Jean Grey.”

“Pretty weird how every mutant seems to be good looking.” Adam thought to himself.

“Well, you should remember that we can also do more than look pretty.” Jean’s voice replied. “I’m a telepath.” She explained. “And telekinetic, but I still have random outbursts of power beyond my control, which is why I picked up on those thoughts of yours.”

“Well, I meant what I thought.” He grinned. “But it must suck to be you, picking up on stray thoughts in a house full of hormonal teenagers...”

“It can be.” She grimaced at certain thoughts as she struggled to look at certain male mutants in the room.

“So, like, what brought you here?” Kitty asked with eyes full of interest.

“Katya, perhaps Adam would like to show us at his pace?” Piotr asked, trying to calm the ever-hyper Kitty down.

“Nah, it’s fine big guy, I guess you’ll all want the demonstration.” Adam reassured him. “Alright, stand back.” He warned, and waited until everyone took a step back, giving him a small amount of space. Slowly, he reached his right arm forwards and placed his palm downwards, in which water began to form. Suddenly it took shape, and was visible to all as a watery sword. As he gripped his hand around the sword’s hilt, it rapidly froze, forming a perfect sword, constructed of ice.

“Now that,” Ray let out a whistle, “Is cool. Literally even!”

“Why don’t you try that Bobby?” Roberto asked as he turned around to face the ice mutant.

“No problem!” Bobby grinned and tried to form the sword, his concentration fading rapidly as he suddenly shot ice spikes everywhere in the room. Rogue barely had the time to blink as one stopped right between her eyes, just millimetres away from her skin.

“Guess you owe me for the save.” Adam smiled, his English accent adding a soft charm to the words in a way that reminded Rogue of someone she’d rather not feel how she did towards. “Luckily ice is just solid water, and water’s my thing, otherwise I’m afraid you’d be pinned to the wall like a trophy right now.” His eyes smiled at Rogue before he waved a hand, the ice spikes instantly melting and coalescing into a watery sphere in the palm of his hand. “How about I teach you how to do that Frosty?”

As Iceman grumbled under his breath about being shown up infront of everyone, Xavier chuckled to himself. “You see students, Adam has the power to produce, control and manipulate water, rather like Bobby and ice, and Ray and electricity. Also, he seems to have a secondary mutant ability.”

“Yeah...” Adam trailed awkwardly, letting the sphere of water evaporate as he begun to scratch his head sheepishly as everyone’s eyes returned to him. “I think my powers actually have something to do with Hydrogen bonding, but, I can-to a certain extent, manipulate DNA.”

This was met by a multitude of reactions, the most extreme of which by Kurt, Hank and Rogue.

“So, yah could lahke, change someone’s abilities?” She asked.

“Or change zheir appearance?” Kurt added in.

“Or even locate and completely change the genetic structure of an organism?” Hank finished.

“Ummm...” Adam looked between them all nervously. “Simply put, no. I don’t have the control over my abilities to do that. The DNA part I can only use on myself so far.” His response was met by downcasted looks from each of the three mutants. “My DNA powers are a bit...unstable to say the least. I need more control over them to use them properly...as much as I try telling people.” He added under his breath. “All I can do at the moment is change my own to a degree, and sense it within others, sorta letting me be one of the best diagnosis doctors there are really...”

“Well, now that the introductions are done,” Xavier smiled, and gestured for Kurt to come forwards. “I think it’s time for you to get to know your roommate. Kurt, you and Adam shall be sharing, so kindly show him around the mansion and it’s grounds, if you please.”

“Is it okay if I bring Kitty and Rogue with me?” Kurt asked as his tail swished across the floor.

“Of course.” Xavier smiled, “In the mean time, the rest of you are dismissed.”

As everyone left the rec room, talking between themselves about everything, the four instructors waited behind, on Xavier’s request.

“Everyone,” He began, “I feel I need not tell you how dangerous young Adam’s powers could be if they were to be manipulated by an external source.” He grimaced as the memories of his possession by Apocalypse washed through him. “Because of such, we shall have to train him to the best of our abilities, while praying that no-one is able to take him for uses that would bring eventual ruin to us all.”

“You got it Chuck.” Logan growled. “We’ll make sure of it.”

Underground location, New York.

“You got it Chuck, we’ll make sure of it.”

Five people sat around a table staring at the young teenage mutant who was relaying the information back to them.

“Interesting...” One mused aloud as the mutant projected an image of the Xavier Institute before them, using his powers of remote viewing. “A mutant with the power to control not only water and DNA...he shall be of some use to us. We have no need for you now, child.” He growled as he waved a dismissive hand.

The teenager nodded and spun round nervously, eager to escape the gloomy, doom filled chamber he was in. Not a step later there was a loud explosion followed by a flash of green light. When the smoke cleared, the mutant fell to the floor, dead, a massive hole now where his chest once was.

“Was that really necessary my dear?” A blonde haired woman groaned. “I could have used him as a toy for such a long time...”

“Perhaps you could have.” The one who fired argued. “But who was to say he could not just remotely view what was happening, but could also project such things elsewhere after viewing?”

“He has a point.” A black haired woman agreed. “As much as I do love wars and conflicts, even I see it necessary to remain hidden for now.”

“Then we are agreed.” Their leader concluded. “For now, we watch and wait. When the X-Men have recruited enough mutants that will be of use to us, we shall move in, and in one sweep, capture those we need, and eliminate those we don’t. They won’t know what hit them, and if they do, it will be too late.”