DISCLAIMER: Okay, all characters (including Thunderbird) are property of Marvel Comics and used without their permission. There are spoilers for March comics in this story. You have been warned. On with the story!

His name is Nathaniel Essex or, as his associates call him, Mr. Sinister. Over a hundred years ago, he was transformed by Apocalypse into an immortal. Shortly after that, he defied Apocalypse and tried to kill him with a virus.

He failed and made an enemy, that day.

During the next hundred years, he focused first on making the ultimate weapon to destroy his former master, but also on making a few 'fun projects' on the side. He found the components of his weapon in two unlikely places. One place was a small town: a girl who's telepathy was very strong. The other place was a shy little boy, who was orphaned at a young age.

In the recent years, he became more active in his pursuits for the 'ultimate weapon'. When the girl died, he had cloned her. He manipulated her into mating with the man. A little boy was born from that union; his little soon-to-be super powerful mutant. He even had him named 'Nathan' after himself.

Then, fate threw more obstacles in his path. He managed to overcome them and his little weapon returned as a big weapon named Cable.

Ironically, he was here to destroy Apocalypse as well. Sinister watched him carefully and tried to help out by offering Cable the chance to be free from the virus had held his powers in check for so long. Cable refused.

The battle arrived at the turn of the century. Sinister watched, knowing that his fate was at stake. He didn't participate in the actual battle since he knew that it would result in his own death.

Apocalypse lived as had as the X-Men. The only casualty of that battle was Cyclops.

Or was he?

Sinister could feel the faintest flicker of the link between Phoenix and Cyclops. He could watch it with his mind. He knew that there was a chance, not only to save Cyclops but to destroy Apocalypse as well.