Earth 816

EARTH 816

In 1983, the United States is hotly debating the 'Mutant Issue' as more and more mutants are appearing in the population. Despite the efforts of groups like the X-Men, mutants still face fear, hatred, and discrimination.

The first class of the Xavier Institute have graduated and moved on into different spheres. Scott Summers and Jean Grey have begun running the Xavier Institute in the absence of Charles Xavier himself. Bobby Drake, having been outed as a mutant in his public life, acts as a grassroots mutant rights activist, Warren Worthington III has taken over running his father's business and uses the money to fund mutant rights groups covertly. Hank McCoy continued with the superheroing business, joining the Avengers.

The original Brotherhood of Mutants has disbanded with the disappearance of the mutant extremist Magneto. Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch have gone on to join the Avengers as well, while Toad and Mastermind have gone underground as wanted fugitives. The name Brotherhood of Mutants has continued on under the leadership of Mystique, working currently to rebrand itself as a nonviolent activist organization.

In late 1983, a series of bombings/attacks across the country are implicated to be the work of the Brotherhood of Mutants and used to push through the Mutant Registration Act, sponsored by Senator Robert Kelly. The Act requires US mutants to register with the government, as well as setting up a series of 'settlement zones' across the country, ostensibly for the safety of both mutant and human populations. In addition, boarding schools specifically catering to those with unwanted mutant children are starting to be built around the country, competing with private institutions like the Xavier Institute.

The big difference between this world and the Earth 616 is in the response of the general, non-mutant, superhero community. On passage of the MRA, Steven Rogers resigned his position as Captain America in protest, taking several of the Avengers with him into an underground resistance against the US government's actions. Several other non-mutant members of the superhero community have likewise joined in protest and are taking actions against this Act. Others are in support of mutant registration for various other reasons.