#evolution wolverine

Meet Faris Wolf, an Indonesian-Cherokee member of the X-Men!

Faris' family originally hailed from Georgia, where he spent much time out in the woods learning to hunt and survive in the wild. Unlike his numerous younger siblings and older sister, he was born with amber eyes, which were sensitive to the light and thus necessitated special sunglasses for Faris to wear outdoors. Inside tended to be fine for him, but he kept them close to hand for when it either got unbearable or he had to make a quick run outdoors.

Eventually, his father landed a better job in construction in New York, practically right in Bayville. Packing up their things, they left, and Faris comforted his kid brothers and sisters about the new life they were going to have up north. Although he would miss Georgia, Faris was rather eager to move, as he'd been feeling a bit constrained in their old home recently.

Once they'd reached Bayville and began moving in, Faris took to "prowling about town", as the family lovingly called it. He couldn't help it: it was new, there was lots to see, and it kept him close to his natural huntsman roots. In short order, Faris learned the ins and outs of the town, memorized the streets, and even hung around Bayville High and became acquainted with the students.

The first he met was Jean Grey, who boarded at the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters.

They bonded pretty fast, and her sportsmanship meshed nicely with his outdoorsman nature. Soon, Faris enrolled at the school, and quickly ended up on the football team - though, to his confusion, quarterback Duncan Matthews was aggressive. An aggression that slowly started to become reciprocated when he saw the man's attitude toward Jean...

But Faris is nothing if not restrained and relaxed, and knowing that Jean could take care of herself, he let it slide.

But he couldn't get over the other man's behavior. And then, things started happening to Faris.

He began dreaming of hunting at night, seemingly on all fours. He'd start awake in the early morning, in a cold sweat and feeling his mouth dry. His muscles seemed to feel stretched and strained, as if he'd run a marathon when he was only practicing for the football matches or otherwise playing around outside. His body and limbs felt too big and too small at the same time, and his nails itched while his skin tickled from some unseen fur brushing against it.

And his eyes began to react to everything. One moment, he couldn't stand the brightness of a stray beam of light, and then the next, he didn't flinch at being out in the sun without his shades.

Faris needed to clear his head, and the only way he knew how to do that was to do what always calmed him down:

A late night hunt.

After getting permission and receiving his new state permit, Faris grabbed his gear, loaded his rifle, and set out in the woods a few miles out from Bayville. With a full moon shining above him and cool winds pushing against him, it was a ripe time for a kill.

And deep within him, something stirred.

Faris moved like the wind, tracking an eight point deer and preparing to fire. But then, something in him made him lower the rifle silently. He crept forward on hands and knees, the prosthetic limb snapping off as his clothes ripped, causing the deer to bolt. With a bellowing roar, Faris burst after the deer, fur replacing skin, hands and feet traded out for paws, a tail snapping out behind him, and claws extending to deliver the finishing blow before sharp canines sank into its neck, cutting off the deer's bleat as instinct took over.

Jean awoke at that moment, hearing thoughts reminiscent of Faris' before amber, feline eyes - so much like Faris', yet so animalistic - flashed through her mind.

She went to consult the Professor, only to find Wolverine there, already clothed and looking antsy. When she asked what was going on, she learned that Logan had just returned from some late night business when he'd heard a tiger's roar. There were no zoos in Bayville, nor were exotic pets allowed. Which could only mean one thing:

Bayville had a new mutant in town - one who didn't know how to control his or her powers.