Editing X-Men: Evolution (section)

==Plot==
===Season 1===
The first season introduces the core characters of the series. The titular team, founded by [[Professor X|Professor Charles Xavier]], competes with [[Mystique (character)|Mystique]] to recruit young mutants with newly discovered [[Superpower (ability)|superpowers]] to their cause. At the [[X-Mansion|Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters]], the teenage X-Men are taught by Xavier, [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]], and [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]] to control their abilities and keep them hidden from the rest of society whilst attending high school in the fictional [[Upstate New York]] town of Bayville.<ref name="Ten years tough for X-Men">Evan Levine [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y94vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tTsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4190,2099465 Ten years tough for X-Men] ''Rome News-Tribune'' – November 21, 2000. Retrieved June 8, 2011</ref> Their ranks grow over the course of the season and ultimately include [[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)|Cyclops]], [[Jean Grey]], [[Nightcrawler (character)|Nightcrawler]], [[Kitty Pryde|Shadowcat]], [[Spyke]], and [[Rogue (Marvel Comics)|Rogue]], who is initially manipulated into joining Mystique's [[Brotherhood of Mutants|Brotherhood of Bayville]].

While the X-Men teach their recruits to exercise restraint and uphold responsibility, Mystique encourages the Brotherhood to recklessly use their powers for selfish gain. The juvenile delinquents inducted into the Brotherhood consist of [[Avalanche (character)|Avalanche]], [[Toad (Marvel Comics)|Toad]], [[Blob (Marvel Comics)|Blob]], and [[Quicksilver (Marvel Comics)|Quicksilver]]. The mastermind behind Mystique and the Brotherhood is eventually revealed to be [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]], a shadowy and mysterious figure from Xavier's past who seeks to enable mutants to replace humans as the dominant species on the planet. Nightcrawler also learns that he is Mystique's biological son, who was lost to her long ago due to Magneto's interference.

Other villains in the season are Wolverine's old rival [[Sabretooth (character)|Sabretooth]], Xavier's vengeful half-brother [[Juggernaut (character)|Juggernaut]], and [[Weapon X]] professor [[Professor Thorton|Andre Thorton]].

===Season 2===
Season two focuses on the continuing conflict between the X-Men, Magneto, and Mystique. [[Beast (Marvel Comics)|Beast]] joins the X-Men as a teacher as a cohort of [[New Mutants|new mutants]] are added to their ranks, including [[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman]], [[Magma (comics)|Magma]], [[Jubilee (character)|Jubilee]], [[Cannonball (Marvel Comics)|Cannonball]], [[Berzerker (comics)|Berzerker]], [[Jamie Madrox|Multiple]], [[Sunspot (Marvel Comics)|Sunspot]], [[Wolfsbane (character)|Wolfsbane]], and [[Tabitha Smith|Boom Boom]], who soon leaves the team and becomes a neutral character. The season also introduces [[Warren Worthington III|Angel]], who uses his powers to help people independently but chooses not to join the X-Men.

Cyclops and Jean grow closer, creating a [[love triangle]] when Rogue develops a crush on Cyclops, while Shadowcat and Avalanche begin dating despite being on opposing sides.

The X-Men are faced with several threats: Mystique strikes off with the Brotherhood and recruits the [[Scarlet Witch]], Magneto's abandoned daughter and Quicksilver's sister, to seek revenge; [[Mesmero]] plots to free the ancient mutant [[Apocalypse (character)|Apocalypse]]; and Magneto forms a new group of mutant followers called the [[Acolytes (comics)|Acolytes]], comprising Sabretooth, [[Gambit (Marvel Comics)|Gambit]], [[Pyro (Marvel Comics)|Pyro]], and [[Colossus (character)|Colossus]]. The existence of mutants is ultimately revealed to the world when Magneto pits the X-Men and the Brotherhood against [[Bolivar Trask]]'s anti-mutant weapon, the [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinel]]. The X-Men discover that Mystique has been posing as Xavier, who is now missing.

===Season 3===
Season three focuses on the rising tension and hostility between mutants and humans. After Xavier is found and rescued, the X-Men attempt to rebuild their normal lives in Bayville and continue using their powers for good, though they face public scrutiny and discrimination from the other students at school.

The X-Men are forced to contend with numerous personal struggles: Cyclops is abducted and left for dead by Mystique; Spyke leaves the team to join the sewer-dwelling [[Morlocks (comics)|Morlocks]] when his mutation rapidly advances; Nightcrawler overcomes his insecurities about his appearance; Rogue learns that Mystique is her adoptive mother and loses control of her powers; and Wolverine discovers that he has a teenage clone called [[X-23]], who was created by [[Hydra (comics)|Hydra]] to be trained and used as a weapon.

Meanwhile, Magneto enlists [[Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)|Mastermind]] to alter Scarlet Witch's memories to end her vendetta against him; and Mesmero manipulates Mystique and hypnotizes Rogue into helping him resurrect Apocalypse, who defeats the combined forces of the X-Men, the Brotherhood, and the Acolytes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/21956/x-men-evolution-the-complete-third-season/|title=X-Men Evolution - The Complete Third Season|website=dvdtalk.com}}</ref>

===Season 4===
Season four focuses on the aftermath of the X-Men's failed attempt to prevent Apocalypse's revival. The Brotherhood try their hand at heroism, only for their selfish tendencies to prevail; Wolverine and X-23 work together to bring down Hydra; Xavier confronts his estranged son [[Legion (Marvel Comics)|David]]; Spyke and the Morlocks begin fighting back against human prejudice; Shadowcat befriends [[Danielle Moonstar]]; and Rogue pushes Mystique's petrified statue off a cliff, creating a rift between her and Nightcrawler, which causes her to seek redemption by helping Gambit to rescue his father.

Apocalypse captures and transforms Xavier, Storm, Magneto, and Mystique into his [[Horsemen of Apocalypse|Four Horsemen]] as he attempts to turn the human population into mutants. During the final battle, the X-Men and their allies defeat the Horsemen, who are returned to normal, while Rogue absorbs the powers of [[Leech (character)|Dorian Leach]] to neutralize Apocalypse. In the aftermath, Rogue and Nightcrawler rebuff Mystique's attempt to make amends; Magneto reconciles with Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch; Shadowcat and Avalanche rekindle their relationship; Spyke reconnects with his aunt Storm; and Xavier sees his students reunited as the X-Men.

The series ends with a speech by Xavier, having caught a glimpse of the near future in Apocalypse's mind that shows:
* Continued anti-mutant sentiment at Capitol Hill.
* A reformed Magneto as a new instructor at Xavier's institute.
* Jean being consumed by the all-powerful [[Phoenix Force]]. Had the series continued, the fifth season would have focused on the ''[[The Dark Phoenix Saga|Dark Phoenix]]'' saga with her becoming an enemy of the X-Men.
* The future X-Men team consisting of Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Storm, Beast, Iceman, Colossus, X-23, and Rogue, who is now capable of flight and no longer wearing gloves.
* The Brotherhood, including Pyro reforming and joining [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] as the [[Freedom Force (comics)|Freedom Force]].
* A fleet of Sentinels led by [[Nimrod (comics)|Nimrod]].
* A final photographic portrait of the full X-Men roster, including new members [[Havok (character)|Havok]], Angel, Gambit, Colossus, and X-23.