Youth Of The Nation
'The world is a changing place. Evolution is tearing through us and shaping the way we live our lives, the people we love...and those we hate. As the lives of those branded as 'different' begin to weave together, it becomes apparent that they will have to band together to save a world that hates them...as well as their very lives.'
This is a massive Marvel Comics crossover piece that has been brewing in my mind for almost eight years. There are many things to explain if you are going to embark on this little epic of mine, and I would like to take the time to do that now.
First off, Cascade is my own creation. When my brother and I were younger we absolutely loved the X-Men cartoon show and would spend hours pretending we had joined the team by running round our back garden, jumping in and out of trees. His character has changed many times, but Cascade has always been mine...although she started life out as 'Atlantic'...eesh! Anyway, YES, she is therefore a Mary-Sue, as she has my name and some of my characteristics and background, but I PROMISE she is neither 'perfect' or insipid, as most of these characters seem to be. I love her just as dearly as my other original characters, here and in other works, and you have my word she will be a 100% proper, well-rounded character :-) As for the prologue, I would like to state that myself and my brother are making authentic cameos, however the parents are a work of fiction, and merely act as a catalyst for what is to come.
Right, onto the other characters. X-Men is based after the second film, so the characters seen there will be living at the mansion...plus obviously, Jean is 'dead', Pyro has left and all the other events will be the main basis for the plot. I will, however, be taking influences from the cartoon show and 'Ultimate X-Men', as well as the other various comic book incarnations I have come across along the way.
Spiderman is from the latest (and best!) comic book series 'Ultimate Spiderman', as I personally think it's the best incarnation. Therefore, Peter is a Junior at high school, he's dating Mary-Jane (who knows he's Spiderman), Gwen Stacey is living at his house, due to the death of her father at the hands of a Spidy impersonator (but she thinks HE really did it) and the Green Goblin is dead, leaving Harry an orphan; he saw the Goblin murder his mother in a fire that engulfed their home, and knows that he was his father. He is now being looked after by Nick Fury and the rest of the team at S.H.I.E.L.D.
DareDevil is from the fantastic film, and so is Ben Urich (even though he's in Ultimate Spiderman, I'm using Joe Pantoliano's portrayal as he's tres cool.)
The rest of the characters are from general, mish-mashed origins, and don't have any particular background so to speak.
The style of writing is inspired by the likes of Stephen King and Michael Crichton; I wanted to tell a single, linier narrative from a multi-focal character perspective. I guess I felt like a challenge :-)
Right! Here's the real thing. To be honest, I've done a bit of a Tolkien and am not too sure where I'm going with this...but hey, it'll all turn out alright in the end! I hope you enjoy it :-) Oh, and by the way, the title is from the P.O.D. song quoted in the prologue, and the general feel of the story is derived from this song and a number of other ones like it, which I might site as I go along...I'm not too sure yet. It's a great song, so get your hands on it if you can :-) Okay, finally, REALLY finished talking now...read the story!!!
...For my brother John, muse and encyclopaedia.