At some point in time, a race of insectoid beings later known as theTimebreakers discovered the Panoptichron, a massive crystalline fortress existing outside of space and time from which alternate realities could be viewed or visited. During their exploration they caused an accident that destabilized the Omniverse, threatening to destroy all existence. Pacifists by nature, the Timebreakers chose to seek out champions to correct changes to various realities. Finding that mutants in general (and those associated with the X-Menin particular) were highly versatile, the Timebreakers chose various X-Men from different realities.