At the age of 6 young Allister was diagnosed with a rare terminal illness. His parents, both scientist for the Winston-Slater corporation in London, tried their best to find a cure for their beloved son. Allister remained home schooled and was taught by his mother, who would bring him to the labs while she researched day and night to help her son. Secretly she blamed herself for her son's despair and smothered him with attention to make up for not telling her husband she was a mutant.