Justin
2:05am, November 04, 2015
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[Delete] | In the early 1980s, modern science was on the cusp of exploring and mapping the human genome. In the course of this exploration, they discovered what would come to be known as the X-Gene or Mutant Gene. While people with abilities had been recorded in history before this unlocking of powers it was only in this moment that a direct genetic structure was linked to these abnormalities. To study these "Mutants", the United States government secretly took those possessing these genes into custody under "Quarantine Protocols". Housing them in small Quarantine Camps for study and experimentation. Similar experimentation was happening across the globe under the guidance of foreign governments such as England, Russia, Germany, France, and China.
It was in one such Quarantine Camp that one Charles Xavier would meet Magnus Maximoff and the world would be forever altered. Due to the radical experiments he was subjected to, Charles mindset was altered drastically. No longer did he believe that peace could be achieved by working with humanity, he saw first hand the fear and hatred of his people and his telepathic gifts showed him that given the chance humanity wished nothing but the complete eradication of his people. With the aid of Magnus and a young Scott Summers, Xavier began plotting his escape. The three men were able to escape the camp, slaughtering nearly all of the men that were present before finally fleeing.
The Mutant War (also referred to as the Nine Year War):
After the escape from the camp, Xavier, Magneto, and Scott began plotting a revolution for mutant-kind. With Xavier's powers, they began to reach out to other mutants to join their war. It is here that the "Shift" occurs, while most of the population is unaware of this event there is a small subset of beings aware of a small cosmic alteration of reality. A divergence in the fabric of the universe. Two paths existed, one where Xavier and his fledgling Mutant Empire eradicated most of the human population and subjected the remaining population to prison camps; And the current reality, where a significant portion of humanity survived but were subjugated by the more powerful Mutant Empire. In this reality, Magnus Maximoff was compelled to argue that less extreme tactics be used against the humans. That rather than complete annihilation that subjugation was a better prospect. After all, the lesser elements of their world could be a boon for the work of the mutant populace. Why not 'Thrive on the bones of the old world' as he suggested. This led to a more strategic attack against the world, targeting most of the infrastructure that the world had become dependent on such as hospitals, power plants, and other key elements of daily life.
Over the course of nine years, the Mutant Empire (or as it would become more prominently known as Empire X) took over the entirety of the Earth. The seat of power for the Empire became what was formerly New York City now renamed to NeoX. The shape of the world had changed drastically as the new Empire rebuilt from the war. Humans were either arrested or "voluntarily" moved into a fenced off section of the city. These human ghettos suffered from lack of maintenance and general urban decay. It is here again that the 'Shift' in this reality plays a part. The softer hand of the Empire against humanity has lead to a larger human population then in the alternate path.
Roughly sixty percent of the world's population was killed during the nine year war leaving roughly the worlds population at roughly 2 billion. The human population has roughly remained at this number in the following years due to the squalid conditions that most humans have lived under as well as other factors.
The Rise of the Empire:
After the war, Charles Xavier took command of the Mutant Empire and formerly changed its name to Empire X. He also claimed the city of New York as his seat of power and it was the first city to be rebuilt by the Empire after the war. It became known as NeoX and is viewed as the most prominent city in the Empire as it houses its most illustious members, the first Xavier Institute, and the imperial Palace. NeoX was not the only city that the empire rebuilt as they would launch formal intiatives to rebuild several of the larger American cities along with other locations across the globe as strong holds for their Empire.
The continent of Australia was formerly turned into an Imperial prison colony while the continent of Africa remained in a state of flux due to a consistent guerrilla war against detractors from the nation of Wakanda. While the Empire had a strong hold on Asia, it remains one of the largest human settlements in the world boasting roughly half of the remaining human population alone. Due to the larger human population, small "human" cities have appeared in recent years in the remnants of smaller cities that the Empire has little personal interest in. However, as much of the global infrastructure was decimated during the nine year war, these cities often lack formal accommodations such as medical care, electricity, and even in some cases running water though some of have made in roads to repairing this damaged infrastructure most of the cities are as bad if not worse then the ghettos that other humans live in within the cities.
The Fall of an Emperor:
Due to machinations from a man known as Victor von Doom, Emperor Charles Xavier himself was apparently killed during a terrorist attack. Upon learning of the Emperor's death, Scott Summers faced Doom and was presumed killed. After ascending to the new Emperor, Magnus Maximoff was lured to a meeting with Doom resulting in Emperor Magneto falling into a trap which ultimately cost him his powers, thus dealing a huge blow to the upper echelon of the Empire's government.
During these events, a rebellion had sparked in the Imperial Prison Colony that was formerly Australia. Lead by Nicholas Fury and Sharon Carter, former agents of the covert military organization known as SHIELD. They were able to seize control of the prison colony, turning it into a stronghold that housed some of the Empire's most dangerous living opposition. With the loss of his powers, Magnus seceded his position as Emperor to his daughter, Wanda Maximoff.
This stirred some rumors amongs the Empire as the position should have fallen to the older sibling, Jean-Paul. While these rumors were quieted by Jean-Paul's support of his sister, an inopportune secret meeting between Jean-Paul and the forces of SHIELD to try and bring a peaceable resolution to the rebellion was viewed in a negative light, painting him as a traitor to the Empire.
In the midst of these blows to the Empire, Alex Summers, one of Scott Summers' younger brothers and a fellow founder of the Empire returned from a peaceful life in teaching in California to return to the Empire as one of its cabinet members. While Alex was no Scott, the presence of a Summers in office helped distract the public and calm several political storms.
However, as questions of Wanda's ability to lead were put forth a formal engagement was launched positioning the Empire's Favorite Son, Colonel Corbin Heart, as Wanda's future husband and the future Emperor. Wanda also launched a formal campaign to regain the European territories that Doom had managed to garner, lead by none other than the Empress herself.
Unfortunately for Wanda, with the questions of Jean-Paul's loyalty and the break-up of the engagement and formal 'retirement' of Colonel Heart the rumors never quite quieted even with her triumph over Doom.
Present Day:
It has been two years since Wanda Maximoff has taken the throne. In that time the Empire and Alex Summers(interim Governor of Wakanda) were able to formally put down the Wakandan rebels and finally claim the territory of Africa as their own, the SHIELD rebellion was put down seemingly by it's leader Nick Fury, and the menace known as Doom was defeated.
Magnus Maximoff has returned, having gained back his abilities and vowing to join his daughter in ruling the Empire even going so far as to sponsor her work to better the human condition under the Empire's rule. Under Wanda, a proposition to allow for more rights and privileges among humans in the Empire had begun to form. This has been a point of contention among some in the Empire and the rumors of "Loyalists" dissatisfied with the current state of the Empire has grown. And of course, the resistance remains to the ideals of the Empire even with this more positive lien of the Empire. And there remains figures outside of these camps, bent on conquest or power who remain threats. Welcome to the new Empire. Rise or fall, your fate is in your hands. |
