Of Conquerors and Heroes

Charles Xavier and Eric Lenshirr, both mutants and old friends, share the same dream. They seek only the freedom of their people and their right to live unafraid. For quite some time they worked hand in hand to see this vision come true but, though they share both their dream and a mutual fondness for each other, they and their lives have become opposite edges to the same blade. Upon first hearing of their goal, they couldn't seem more alike in mindset. Despite their similarities they are truly opposing sides of the same scale; they seek the same things and know the same things but the similarities end there.

The vision of peaceful existence on this earth has many twists within it that lead them to ether side while the humans are caught in the middle. Eric, known as Magneto, formed a terrorist group known as the Brotherhood as the ends to his bloody means. The Brotherhood are destructive, hating everything that has to do with the humans, or Homosapiens. The group will stop at nothing to see all of humanity crushed beneath their boot, dead or in chains doesn't seem to really matter to them. Charles, also known as Professor X, has build a school called Xavier's School for the Gifted. There he teaches tolerance and the ability to control and understand the mutant powers his students have developed. The heroic group known as the X-Men, were formed deep within the school to keep humanity and mutants safe from the violence that intolerance breeds. Many a time have the X-Men and The Brotherhood butted heads when Magneto's dream of world domination for mutants and X's vision of peaceful co-existence have brought them toe to toe. Even if the mutants and humanity don't understand them, they both will pursue their goals with the conviction of zealots.

Their lives have both brought them close together in many ways, even though they are adversaries. Their childhoods weren't ultimately different, most of their family members died and they both were victims of abuse. The similarities lie with the abuse; Magneto, who suffered in Auschwitz as a child, and Xavier, who suffered at the hands of his step father and brother the Creeds. The differences come with how they learned from their experiences. Magneto grew up developing bitterness and hatred while Xavier learned tolerance and patience. Eric has living relatives but he uses them for his own personal gain and even his friends are little more than tools. His existence is a lonely one at best. Charles, however, has created a vast network of family and friends who work together for their greater cause because they wish too; not because they are afraid. Charles, in short, is well loved as a teacher while Eric is feared as an iron fisted tyrant.

Another thing that sets them together but apart is that they are ranked as two of the most powerful mutants in the Marvel Universe. Their rankings set aside, these two have powers that are very different indeed. Magneto possesses the power to control all forms of magnetism. He can shape and manipulate magnetic fields that exist naturally or artificially. It is unclear, however, whether he must draw magnetic force from outside himself (if so, then he can do so over vast distances), or whether he can also generate magnetic force from within himself. Nor is it clear whether Magneto's power is psionic or purely physiological in nature. Magneto's power is, for all practical purposes, limitless and he can use his magnetic powers in more than one way at a time. He can completely assemble a complicated machine within seconds. He has a magnetic force field with a high degree of impenetrability for protection. Professor X is a mutant who possesses vast psionic powers, making him arguably the world's most powerful telepath. He can read minds and project his own thoughts into the minds of others within a radius of approximately 250 miles. Professor X can also psionically manipulate the minds of others, for example to make himself seem invisible, and project illusions into them. He can also induce temporary mental and/or physical paralysis, loss of particular memories or even total amnesia. Within close range, Professor X can manipulate almost any number of minds for such simple feats but he can only take over another being's mind one at a time, and only do so if he is within their presence. Also, Professor X can project powerful mental bolts of psionic energy enabling him to knock someone out. Professor X can also sense the presence of other mutants within a small radius of himself by but, in order to detect the presence of mutants further away, he must amplify his powers.

The two of these superhuman men also are very well educated, though their areas of expertise tend to vary outside of the realm of genetics; their employment of these skills are also different in many ways. Magneto has mastered many technological fields, and is an expert on genetic manipulation and engineering, with knowledge far beyond that of contemporary science. He is considered to be quite beyond the title of genius in these fields. He can mutate humans in order to give them superhuman powers, or create adult clones of human beings and then manipulate the genetic structures of these clones during their development. He has also learned how to create artificial living beings. Magneto is also an excellent strategist, both in actual battles and games of chess. Now, Xavier is a leading authority on genetics, mutation, and psionic powers, and has considerable expertise in other life sciences. He is also highly talented in devising equipment for utilizing and enhancing psionic powers. Beyond that, he has received a PhD in anthropology and spent several years in London earning a PhD in psychiatry. He acts as a mentor and teacher to many young mutants, who have come to trust his patient and level-headed lessons.

So you see, these two friends and opponents, though they dream of a safe world for their kind, could hardly be more different. They agree only on the fact that mutants should be free. Their methods and mindsets have cast them to different paths, even causing Magneto to cripple Xavier. Though they become extremely frustrated with each other often, neither of them seem to hold a true grudge for anything they have done. The two of tem are hardly ever not at odds but from time to time, these friends team up for the cause, but only when their differences don't get in the way. In closing, their relationship is odd at best but much stranger relationships have come to be in the twisted world of the Marvel Universe, look at Peter Parker and Harry Osborn.