The X-Men are a group of mutants formed under the leadership of Charles Xavier, who believed mutants could be productive towards society. They were hidden from the world for their protection, but knew that mutants would be learned of someday. Sometime after the group started, they formed the offshoot team of the New Mutants. But the focus always remained on the X-Men. Above all, they knew not to be harsh on those who repented their anti-mutant views, knowing that there was a time when they did not know what they knew then.