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[Assistant]
First Story: A Sinister Heart
Second story: Words
First story:
In a darkened room, someone turns on a light to reveal an old woman sitting in a wheelchair. Her mind seems to be gone, completely out of touch. Yet a hand reaches out and she’s gone…
Meanwhile, in the Catskills, Henry McCoy, aka the Beast, is bouncing through the woods, escaping from the trials of life. He has come to find peace of mind as he jumps and flips, calling out “Geronimo!” as he leaps into a river below. On shore, Jean Grey applauds his dive. They discuss their getaway to this old cabin of Hank’s that he bought for his and Bobby’s double-dates. Since Bobby is on the run with Rogue, Hank feels the need to relax with his original X-Men friends. The two reminisce their early days, and remember how simple those days seemed. Reconnecting with your oldest friends is only natural, no offence to the newer X-Men. Hank suggests they head inside for the night and silently misses his pal, Bobby.
At the Carlysle Nursing Home, Mr. Nathan Essex greets the staff on his way to visit Miss Livingstone. He inquires from Doris the nurse about her health. Doris says she’s the same, staring into nothing. Occasionally, Miss Livingstone speaks, but it is as if she’s talking to someone in the past. When they approach the room, Miss Livingstone is gone, but in her place is the heir to Apocalypse: Genesis!
Genesis presses Mr. Essex about his feelings for the old woman, revealing Essex’s true identity as Mr. Sinister. The nurse turns to run, but Genesis grabs her and callously breaks her neck. Sinister tells Genesis to get to the point as to why he’s here. Genesis asks why Sinister visits Livingstone every year. Sinister grabs him and slams him against the wall, telling him he doesn’t need to give reasons. He wants to know where this pretender has taken her. Genesis replies that if he were pretending to be Apocalypse, could he lead those Apocalypse once commanded: the Dark Riders?  Lifeforce, Hurricane, Gauntlet, Deadbolt, and Spyne reveal themselves as Livingstone’s captors. Genesis has manipulated Livingstone’s genetic structure, making her look years younger, like the woman Sinister once knew as Faye. Suddenly, Harddrive teleports them all away…
(Flashback)
Los Angeles, California, 1930: a young Faye Livingstone attends a gala event at a Hollywood Hills mansion. Faye asks her friend Lucille the identity of the mysterious host of the party. Lucille recounts the rumors she’s heard of him being a count, an overthrown prince, a former general in the German army, a munitions maker, a poet, and/or a womanizer. Faye is intrigued. At that moment, Essex enters the room dramatically. He makes his way to the two women and Lucille introduces him to Faye. Essex is instantly drawn to the woman. The two dance, which leads to kissing, which leads to much more…
Nights pass, and Faye notices that Nathan is missing from bed. She gets up to see Nathan sneaking into a secret passage. She follows him down a dark staircase and into a large laboratory with cages of creatures and all kinds of equipment. Faye asks what all of this is, to which a surprised Essex turns to reveal his true face. Faye screams at his appearance…
(Present)
Back in the Catskills, Jean and Hank sit in front of the fire and Jean chastises Hank for eating popcorn with his feet by dumping the bowl on his head with her telekinetic powers. Jean heads to bed and Hank thinks about Scott and Jean’s love, wishing he could find something like that. In the shadows, the Dark Riders wait to attack the cabin. There is a flash of lightning and the front door gets blasted off its hinges as the Dark Riders run in. Hank leaps to defend himself and Gauntlet explains that they are there for Jean. Deadbolt and Spyne get the better of Hank, but Jean removes them with her powers. Then, Lifeforce grabs Jean by the head and starts draining her consciousness, but Jean swats her off. Before Hank can get to them, Harddrive teleports the Dark Riders and the captive Jean. Hank receives a tiny sliver of Jean’s psyche and decides to follow it on his own, thinking that since Gauntlet mentioned the “High Lord,” that Apocalypse must be involved. Since the trail to Jean is fading fast, Hank decides to alert the X-Men on his way to save her. However, they all are occupied.
In Sinister’s old Hollywood Hills mansion, Sinister, Genesis and Faye stand beneath a caged Jean Grey. Jean tries to use her telekinesis to escape, but the cage sends an energy feedback on anyone who uses a psychic attack against it. Genesis explains that all of this is an attempt to avenge Apocalypse, the man who made Sinister who he is. He wants to break Sinister slowly and Faye is one key to Sinister’s destruction. While Genesis is talking, Jean uses all her telekinetic juice to override the cage’s psychic blocks and succeeds, blowing the cage and dropping the floor below.
Genesis threatens to kill Faye in Jean comes any closer, but Sinister interrupts and gazes into Faye’s eyes
(Flashback)
Sinister is gazing upon the frightened Faye. He carries her back to her bedroom and begins to rant about the X-factor in Faye’s genes and how she has amazing potential to breed mutant children. He keeps her in the house against her will. Time passes and Faye wonders if Nathan Essex ever truly loved her, yet eventually Sinister releases her with no explanation, just the memory of his cold, expressionless face staring at her. She runs away and carries those memories with her for sixty years.
(Present)
Hank lands the Blackbird on Sinister’s estate and begins to climb the house when numerous gnomes attack him. Hank fights and fights, but is overwhelmed…
Back in the lab, Genesis explains that he discovered that the chink in Sinister’s armor is the love he once had for Faye. Jean wants to know her part in all of this. Genesis replies that he wants her to mind-link Sinister and Faye, so his theory about Sinister can be revealed. Jean refuses to play these games with these two men and demands that they hand Faye over to her. Sinister objects and demands that she perform the mind-link.
Suddenly, Hank emerges after his battle with the gnomes. Jean encases Faye in a telekinetic shield, but Hank notices Sinister’s reaction and wonders if he could actually be in love with Faye. Sinister pleads for them not to leave, and Hank oddly agrees with him. Jean questions Hank and Sinister, but lowers Faye and establishes the mind-link.
Suddenly, Faye and Sinister are dancing in a ballroom. Faye is struck by the beauty of the moment, being able to walk and dance again. Faye explains that she has always known of Sinister’s love for her. She never married and never had those mutant children Sinister had studied her for. She says that all of his experiments on her ultimately failed, and yet she was the one who touched him. She kisses him on the cheek and reverts back to her elderly self and dies.
Everyone wants to know what she said to Sinister, but Sinister passes it all off as delusions of an old woman. He gives the corpse to Hank and coldly tells him to do with her what he will.
Genesis says that Sinister has proven him wrong, and he will leave Sinister unscathed. Genesis teleports away. Sinister orders the two X-Men to leave also and, as he does so, Hank lays a hand on Sinister’s shoulder, expressing sympathy to the cold villain.
As they leave, the house collapses in on itself. Jean wants to know what Hank said to Sinister, but Hank says that it wasn’t what he said, but the look in Sinister’s eyes. Genesis wanted to expose Sinister, but Sinister wouldn’t allow that emotion to show, because it would be a sign of weakness. In rejecting Faye’s love, Sinister showed that he has no true strength at all, as love is the greatest source of strength anyone can have.
As they fly away, Sinister stands in the rubble blankly. Meanwhile, Genesis and the Dark Riders contemplate Sinister’s weakness that he truly showed. Genesis has learned much about Sinister in this exercise, and now must move on to Wolverine.
The X-Men land the Blackbird in front of Hank’s cabin to find Scott and Warren waiting for them. Scott asks about the disheveled cabin and Jean and Hank pretend that nothing happened. Hank and Warren go fishing, while Jean and Scott decide to make out before the clean up.
Second story:
At a small post office on the coast of Scotland, Brian Braddock awaits as the postmaster Rob McCaully digs through a messy stack of mail searching for a letter. Mr. McCaully continually gets Brian’s name wrong, despite having supposedly never lost a letter in forty years. Finally, McCaully finds the letter, and the impatient Brian heads out of the post office into the windy Scotland weather.
Brian surmises that, with his powers, he could have destroyed the post office. However, since his return from his trip through a chronal wave as Captain Britain, he has gained more patience than before. He then turns his attention to the normalcy of the letter from his sister Elisabeth, also known as Psylocke of the X-Men, as compared to the many adventures he has with Excalibur or the bizarre circumstances he and his sister have found themselves in the recent years. He opens the letter to find pictures of Betsy and her new love interest, Warren Worthington III, better known as Archangel. Betsy’s letter narrates that she is, in fact, in love with Warren. She tells Brian of a recent trip that she and Warren took to the Westchester County Fair.
(flashback)
Warren pulls the photos from the photo booth out of the slot, and Betsy threatens him to hand them over or she will kill him. Instead, they settle for a kiss. Warren comments on Betsy’s kissing abilities, having hardly ever kissed anyone before, but Betsy reminds him that she doesn’t know how much kissing practice the body she is now has had. The couple realizes they must be the oddest couple in the world.
They kiss again and Betsy wonders if there is a tension between them since their return from Israel and the battle against Legion. Warren admits that, when it looked like the end, he came to some quick realizations about their relationship. When Betsy wonders if those realizations changed the way he feels about her, he changes the subject and goes to get cotton candy. The girl vendor of the cotton candy is quite smitten with Warren and wishes she were with him instead of working.
Betsy presses Warren into his realizations of their relationship. Warren admits that, in the beginning of their relationship, he thought it was very scripted - love at first sight, many commonalities, and a sense of pain in both of them from having been manipulated so many times. In that, reaching out to her, Warren felt good that in helping her, he was reclaiming is own soul again. The cotton candy girl hands them their order and she wishes again that she were with Warren.
The two then share their violating experiences with one another and Betsy guesses that is what brought them together. But now, the feelings are even stronger and she wonders what the next step is.
Brian reads on and Betsy confesses that both were holding back their feelings. Warren and Betsy get on the Ferris wheel and they discuss the complexity of the other X-Men’s relationships. After years of obstacles, including Jean’s “death,” Scott and Jean finally found happiness. Hank and Trish Tilby didn’t work out, Bobby has had many failed loves, Kitty and Peter’s love disappeared, and Rogue and Gambit’s expression of love turned out awful. Betsy asks if love isn’t worth the risk.
The Ferris wheel gets stuck, and Warren asks what’s going on. The operator says the engine is overheated and it will take 30 minutes to get them all down. Warren thinks that’s too long and, so, he grabs Betsy and they fly off. The crowd unexpectedly cheers at Warren’s display of his powers, and Warren comments that not all stories end the same way. Instead, the couple wonders if they should give in to their feelings, despite the risks.
As they fly, they continue their discussion that maybe the reason Rogue and Gambit ended up the way they did was because they never discussed their feelings. Betsy admits that when her body was switched with Revanche, that maybe all her thoughts and desires weren’t her own. But Warren has helped her realize the truth about herself. After finally baring all to one another, they decide to take the risk. In the end, they learn to love each other and themselves, and Betsy thanks Warren for showing her the beauty of being alive.
(present)
Brian finishes the letter, and is proud that his sister is growing up. He remembers that risking one’s heart is sometimes more dangerous than risking one’s life in Excalibur, but the risks are worth it and the world is better for taking them.


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[Assistant]
I Had a Dream
I wanted you to see this, Charles, says the maniacal Bastion. However, more than that, he wants Xavier to understand. Xavier’s goal? His crusade? His dream? It’s over.
The “Real” World:
“Over?” asks the incredulous Stan Lee. This is Marvel! Nothing is over so long as they can pull out another idea out of their heads. Now he has a surprise for the readers!
Stan Lee walks the readers through the halls of Marvel’s offices. He finds artist Carlos Pacheco hard at work and introduces him to the fans. However, Carlos doesn’t even know who Stan is! Stan introduces himself, and Carlos is shocked to discover that Stan Lee is an actual person. As Stan walks past some staff members being attacked by Spider-Man, he thinks it is scary what he started. How could he have known that Xavier’s five loveable mutants would be the greatest team ever?
Stan finds the original X-Men and introduces them. The theme was so simple then that he understood it. Who would know that it would multiply? The original X-Men are then overrun by other X-Men, Generation X, X-Force and X-Factor members. Stan laments that he might as well as created a bunch of rabbits. They have new mutants, old mutants, generations of mutants, good mutants, bad mutants, good mutants that used to be bad, bad mutants that used to be good, and mutants that even he doesn’t know about. However, there is one quintessential X-Man, and he isn’t talking about himself!
The Past; Xavier Institute:
Charles Xavier lies in his pool at night and stares up at the sky. There were moments in the night when the world slept that Xavier could hear them; the voices of billions of people in the world. He knew their hopes and dreams, and knew their voices. He tasted their successes and drank for the cups of bitterness that they had. He would have gone mad experiencing this at the age of thirteen, but he discovered a sanctum in his own mind, in his own backyard – literally.
He came back to his mansion after suffering injuries which shattered his legs. It was there he chose to evaluate the course of action to take to create peaceful coexistence between man and mutant. At his home, he realized that he could not do it alone. That is one of the reasons why she joined him there; also, because Amelia Voigt genuinely loves Charles.
Amelia, dressed in her night lingerie, stands at the edge of the pool and tells Charles that they should leave soon. Amelia loves Charles and fears him. She is inspired by his will, but confounded by his singular vision. Though they have decided to live their lives together, from the moment they met in India, Amelia knew that there were parts of his life she would never understand.
Amelia puts her legs into the pool and decides to call out to Charles one more time. She sings his name and asks if he can hear her. Xavier, still looking at the sky, tells Amelia that he is probably the world’s most powerful telepath. Of course he can hear her. Oh, says Amelia. He’s in one of those moods again. What mood is that, asks Charles. “Me, big chief mutant,” jokes Amelia.
Charles, startled, moves and asks Amelia if that is how he really seems to her. Sometimes, admits Amelia, as she lets herself into the water. However, she knows he doesn’t mean to come across that way. She knows his heart is in the right place, or she would never have left her job at the hospital overseas. She would still be Amelia Voght of the Red Cross. “But…?” asks Charles.
But sometimes, admits Amelia, he scares her. She came partially because she loves him, but also to convince him to give up his nonsense idea. Xavier tells Amelia that trying to prevent the coming conflict between man and mutant is not a nonsense idea. You’re right, says Amelia, it is insane. No, says Charles. Insane would be if they stayed in this mansion in safety and ignored the rest of the world and waited. For what, asks Amelia. Him, says Charles, as he turns and stares to the sky.
Asteroid M:
As a child, Erik Lehnsherr could also hear voices in the night. However, the voices he heard were heard through the walls beside his “bed.” Examples would be cries in the distance, angry defiant cries, hushed prayers, shouts of final fatal commands, and then nothing. However, unlike Xavier, Erik had no where to go. He had no choice but to keep the feelings within him until there was no “him” anymore. Now he is Magneto. Now his home is Asteroid M, nestled in the shadow of the moon.
Inside, Pietro and Wanda Maximoff watch the powerful master of magnetism unleash his power outside. Wanda stares and tells her brother that Magneto is amazing. Not only did he choose to live high above the Earth, but he had to forge this place with his own hands. Yet, despite all the power and confidence, he seems so tragically alone. A sentiment that they will never have to share, says Pietro. While he admits this is partly due to Magneto, who rescued them from a mob of ignorant humans, he still does think that Magneto is quite mad. Wanda disagrees, however. He is not mad. He is sullen and haunted. For all he has done, it seems like a sane response to an insane world.
Magneto enters and overhears the two speak. In some ways, they are wiser than their years, says Magneto. Mad is he? If only it were that simple. He is more than just lashing out at the world and grappling with the ghosts of his past. Everything he is doing is for their future for the good of all mutants. If there is any pain to be felt it will be shared by the ignorant humans on Earth. He then tells the twins to prepare for departure. They will leave for Earth in 10 minutes.
However, Pietro runs past Magneto to cut him off from leaving the room, much to Magneto’s surprise. Pietro has had enough of Magneto’s posturing. He has been using his speed with his sister’s powers in good conjunction for years, so he will not kowtow to Magneto’s arrogance and attitude. Is he clear? Crystal, says Magneto. Now he will be clear. Ten. Minutes.
Pietro is tired of Magneto talking down to them as if he is some disapproving father. If he is determined to make his “Brotherhood,” then he should remember that they are there because they choose to be there. Magneto walks past Pietro and tells him that if that is what he chooses to believe then so be it. However, so long as he and Wanda choose to live in sanctuary they will do as he says. They will not have this conversation again.
Somewhere in Europe:
It is a place the world would like to forget, but cannot, should not and dare not. It was there and many other places along Eastern Europe that one nation attempted to eliminate anyone they deemed inferior. The most frightening part is that this occurred half way through the twentieth century, known as the age of “civilization.” The madmen came close to accomplishing their goals. This concentration camp stands as a reminder and a warning.
Amelia Voght pushes Charles’ wheelchair through the camp and is sick at being there. Why did he have her teleport them there? Charles tells Amelia that he must speak to Erik, who will be here. Confused, Amelia asks Charles how he is sure, since he hasn’t spoken to Erik in years. Xavier answers that he knows Erik well; almost like how he knows himself. This place and day is special for Erik. In a way, he never escaped the death camps that claimed his family during World War II. He fled, but the conditions here retarded the natural manifestation of his powers, meaning he was unable to save the ones he held dear.
Xavier continues to speak, but is cut off by a booming voice that tells him that this is neither the place nor the time for this discussion. Amelia and Charles look up to see Magneto descend on a disc with Pietro and Wanda. Pietro asks if he should do anything, but Magneto tells him to do nothing. This is between himself and Xavier. Amelia is scared, as Magneto is radiating with energy. How powerful is he? As powerful as he needs to be, replies Xavier. He tells Amelia to stay put as he pushes his chair towards Magneto.
Charles welcomes Magneto and compliments him on his new helmet. Don’t change the subject, says Magneto. He doesn’t belong there. Charles tells him that no one belongs there and Magneto knows that better than anyone. This place should not have been built. It is a scar to humanity. The truth of its existence should be enough to steer Magneto away from the course he has chosen.
Angered, Magneto tells Xavier not to pretend like he knew what happened there. He doesn’t know how much they suffered and how much they lost. Charles reminds Erik that he is a telepath and, even if he wanted to protect his mind from the pain and suffering of others, he cannot. Every emotion once there echoes in his head. Magneto then asks Charles why he doesn’t understand why he has chosen to do this. Charles tells Erik that he may not realize that he has gone down the road to becoming what he hates. Cannot he see what has happened to him? The path of having mutants be superior will lead to more places such as this.
Magneto stays silent for a moment, and then laughs. What about Xavier; what has he become? He puts his hands on Charles’ shoulders and tells him that he was the man who was supposed to lead them all, but now he is confined to a wheelchair, unable to perform simple mundane actions. Charles pauses, then answers that he may have lost the use of his legs, but he still has his heart. That is not something Erik can say.
Enough, says Magneto, who walks away claiming that they are wasting each other’s time. Magneto bends down to lift up some dirt, thinking that they could agree to disagree, but he knows that won’t happen. He should kill Charles here and now. Charles understands that he can, correct? Of course, replies Xavier. Charles, however, should reach into Erik’s mind and change it or turn it off – even shut it down. However, he won’t.  Asteroid M:
Magneto stands outside his complex on the surface of the Asteroid and clutches the dirt in his hand, with anguish in his face.
The “Real” World:
Stan asks the readers if they were surprised. They probably expected guys in tights beating each other, but Marvel likes to do things that aren’t obvious. Besides, all the emotion that came from that story has made Carlos Pacheco tired. That is one of the perks of Marvel – Carlos can sleep on the drawing board!
Stan gets his coat and turns off the lights. He wishes he had a drawing board. Now the readers know why they are called the House of Ideas.


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[Assistant]
A House in Order
It’s ironic isn’t it? Jean Grey Summers has been to the ends of the universe and back, she has raced comets around the moon and has circled the globe at the speed of thought. However, she still cannot get a good night’s sleep the night before a long flight. If her husband, Scott Summers, knew that she was suffering from pre-trip insomnia, he would most likely pop open his stitches from laughing. Jean would laugh too, but telekinetic meditation takes a lot of concentration.
While Scott sleeps on a mattress and pillow, the only furniture in the entire room, Jean floats upside down, “sitting” Indian style with her eyes closed. In addition to meditating, she is doing a house cleaning of sort. Throughout the mansion, there is a lingering psychic detritus, similar to the stench of tar and nicotine on a coach after a smoker has been over. However, this residue has been left by Bastion and his Zero Tolerance forces. He took all their possessions and left nothing but psychic tarnish. While Bastion is long gone, his hatred remains.
With her telepathy, Jean begins to destroy any psychic remains of Bastion on the estate. Jean finishes and feels better about herself, but knows that getting rid of Bastion’s hate was only the easy part. Bastion was deadly but he did not leave as deep as a psychic scar as Remy LeBeau did. He was their friend, their teammate and just revealed to have been their Judas. Gambit’s “betrayal” has poisoned everyone’s thoughts, especially those of the woman named Rogue. Jean is troubled over how Rogue keeps on hiding her feelings, yet the untouchable woman still keeps a Queen playing card that Gambit once gave her. Unfortunately, X-Women tend to be stubborn, or at least that is what Jean has heard. Bishop, Gambit and Professor Xavier are gone. There is a lot of pain trapped in the halls of the institute. Everything has gone out of whack.
Below Jean, Scott begins to moan in his sleep. Just as Jean thinks to herself that maybe they shouldn’t leave, Scott screams out in pain. Startled, Jean falls to the floor and lands on her butt. Jean gets up and asks her husband if he is all right. She felt his pain though their psychic rapport and…now she has bruised her behind while he has fallen back to sleep as if nothing has happened. Jean pulls the covers back over Scott and thinks about how the man can sleep through anything. He sleeps so confidently, as if he knows everything will be all right. He is lucky. She, however, is wide awake and is still stuck on the same nagging question: Will the X-Men hold it together?
Down in the kitchen, Cannonball, Cecelia Reyes, Beast and Iceman stop eating breakfast and look at Marrow in shock. Maggott is the only one who does not eat and simply looks out a window. Last time she was up in the surface, Marrow rudely says, she learned that staring was considered to be a bad manner. As Marrow dips her fingers back into a jar of honey, she asks the X-Men to take a picture and gawk at it later or she will snap their necks. “Somebody give me syrup,” she adds.
Beast and Cecilia, however, look at Marrow for a totally different reason. Cecelia transfixes her eyes on the large bone growth that is between Marrow’s eyes and covers her forehead and the bridge of her nose. Cautiously, Cecelia asks Marrow if the protuberance that grew overnight hurts. Sarcastically, Marrow says that she does not know. She then breaks off the bone and offers to drill it in Cecelia’s skull so she can tell her. Beast is astounded, while Iceman looks away in disgust covers his eyes. Interested, Beast asks Marrow if he can see the bone structure. Having had enough, Iceman gets up and asks if anyone wants his waffles. Cannonball decides to pass too.
Jean walks in and greets her friends, but is caught off guard by the sight in the kitchen. Enjoying the attention, Marrow tells them that, if they thought the last trick was great, then they are going to love this next one. Marrow picks up a bowl of food and dunks her head right into it, slurping and chomping on everything in it. Feeling ill, Iceman excuses himself, because he needs some air.
Beast and Cecelia, however, examine the bone piece. Beast decides that he will have to look at the castoff more closely later on to see how the calcium ossifies to create speedy, though disgusting, growth patterns on Marrow. Still transfixed on the bone, Cecelia mumbles that she would like to examine him with it later. Surprised, Beast tells Cecelia that it was very forward of her. Cecelia realizes her mistake and corrects herself, stating that she wants to examine “it.” Playing the role of the flattered bachelor, Beast tells Cecelia that all part of him are at her beck and all…after he kisses his lave goodbye, of course. “I said ‘examine it,” mumbles Cecelia, who finally gives up and says an embarrassed, “Oh, God…”
Cannonball turns his attention to Marrow, whose face is still in the bowl. The young X-Man tells Marrow that he knows she is not used to life outside of the Morlock Tunnels, but she is old enough to know how to use a spoon. Maybe she is, replies Marrow, who knows? Suddenly, Marrow throws the bowl away and screams that it is tough to count the birthdays when she is not allowed to see the sun. Eying the mess, she apologizes, because she just remembered that she doesn’t know how to use a mop either.
“Ag, she donnered you, boykie,” says Maggot to Cannonball. Cannonball has no clue what Maggot is saying, so the youth offers to repeat it again slowly. Jean says good morning to the two boys and asks if she is interrupting an intellectual conversation or some macho talk. “No static here, doll,” replies Maggot with a smirk, “Rich, maat?” Angered, Cannonball tells Maggot not to call Jean a doll, because she is a lady and deserves respect. Jean, smiling, tells Sam to make friends, not war. She turns to Maggot and tells him that she noticed he hadn’t eaten breakfast yet. Would he care to join her? Maggot leans back with his hands behind his head and explains that he doesn’t touch the stuff…unless of course it is served in bed, then they can talk. “Oh, boy…” mutters Jean. Shocked, Cannonball repeats to himself that he isn’t hearing this kind of dirty talk as he leaves the kitchen table.
Outside, Jean thinks about how Maggott and his two “pets” have decided to take up residence in the mansion, but she is uncomfortable since they don’t even know the boys’ real name. Who are they? What do they want? She doesn’t sense a consciousness when she scans the creatures, but there must be some thought buzzing around in there. Can she and Scott leave before finding out what those maggots are thinking?
Out in a stable on the estate, Storm removes a block of concrete from the ground, while Wolverine smokes a cigar and stares up. Exerting force to lift the concrete, Storm asks Wolverine if the sky decided to fall while she was not paying attention. Wolverine sniffs the air and explains that he smelled the new, strange, unfamiliar scents. He admits, he doesn’t like the newcomers. They smell like trouble. Jokingly, Storm tells him that it is a wonder that he can smell anything aside from his cigar smoke. Storm moves the concrete piece, with a lightning bolt chiseled on it, aside. Storm explains to Wolverine that they must give their visitors the benefit of the doubt and trust the instincts of their teammates for now. Isn’t that what the X-Men are about? Sure, replies Wolverine, is that why she is so annoyed about Marrow living in the basement? It must have slipped her mind to roll out the red carpet for the Morlock. Storm shoots Wolverine a dirty look. Taking another puff of his cigar, Wolverine tells Storm that it is hard to turn the other cheek when it is your cheek that is doing the turning. Having had enough, Storm tells Wolverine that he is fresh. He can leave her now, for she does not need his help.
Wolverine pops his claws, but offers to stay anyway. He begins to use his claws to dig through the dirt to help Storm, since he cannot mess up his manicure like hers…isn’t that right Jean, asks Wolverine. Impressed, Jean enters the barn and explains that she knows that she was downwind from him, so he couldn’t have smelled her. Also, she floated across, so there was no noise. How did he know she was there? There are some things that a man knows, explains Wolverine. Jean senses that Wolverine is tense, but does not say anything. Wolverine offers to give her and Scott a ride to the airport. Jean thinks to herself how Wolverine does not want her to leave, but would die before admitting it. Jean politely declines and asks what they two of them are doing.
Wolverine unearths a box and Storm explains that she is trying to determine what assets the X-Men have left. An asset other than Storm’s sense of humor of course, adds Logan. Lowly, Storm tells Logan that he is near her last nerve. Storm opens the box to reveal her old tiara, some gold jewelry and coins, and several lock picks. Jean is mesmerized by the jewelry and asks if they are real. Storm reveals that they are as the day she liberated them from their former owner. Storm puts on her tiara and tells her best friend that old habits die hard, no matter how much a person trusts their adopted family. An adept thief divides his or her equipment and earnings in multiple cases for extreme times.
Pessimistic, Wolverine tells Storm that, after she trades that gold for money, she better hide it under her pillow, because they don’t know who they can trust with all the unknowns in the mansion. Concerned, Jean asks Logan if he is that concerned about their guests. Wolverine tells Jean that he isn’t worried about himself, because at the end of the day he knows they have nothing he cannot handle. He turns around and asks the new arrivals if his assumption is right.
Jean and Storm turn to see Cannonball, Maggot and Cecelia in the barn with them. Cannonball apologizes for interrupting but explains that they were just heading into town and he wanted to see if anyone wanted to join them. Sam adds a desperate “please” at the end. Annoyed, Maggot tells the X-Men that they really know how to make a guest feel welcome. Sam tells Storm that Scott thought taking the new members into Salem Center would be a good bonding exercise. He got volunteered as the leader. Storm asks Sam if Maggott and Cecelia have been debriefed on the protocols regarding excursions into Salem Center. Maggot informs Storm that they are all hip to the proper X-Men etiquette in town. Sam asks if the also read the part about not giving lip to his superiors. Maggott admits that he hasn’t. He was distracted by the cigar smell. Wolverine puts on his hat and leaves the room and warns Sam to watch his back or he might start liking Maggott.
Tired of waiting, Cecelia tells the group that all she wants is real coffee, not the sludge that Iceman made that morning. If town is where the coffee is, then she is there ten minutes ago. She will read the protocols later on. Cecelia grabs Cecelia and tells her that there is no need for the attitude; they just need to make sure everyone is careful. From above, a raspy voice tells Cecelia that Jean is right. Jean thinks about how Marrow’s voice sucks the air out of the stables faster than any of them can process who is speaking. Marrow eyes them like a cat stalking its prey. Jean swears that if Scott looked into those eyes he would cancel their plane tickets in a heartbeat.
Marrow, who is on the rafters, explains to Cecelia that they are dangerous, nasty mutant who might scare the good taxpayers of Westchester. She jumps to the ground in front of Cannonball and tells Sam that she is hurt, because he forgot to invite her on his trip. Stuttering, Sam explains that he did not forget; they just don’t have any holographic projectors at the moment. Storm steps in front of Cannonball and tells Marrow that she is not allowed to roam outside the mansion grounds. It is a privilege she must earn first. Marrow understands what Storm means. They X-Men must keep the ugly mutants hidden in tunnels where they won’t offend anyone. Only the good-looking ones can roam. What if Marrow decides it is her right to choose where she goes. Will Storm kill her? Telepathically, Jean tells Storm that Marrow is trying to bait her in front of the others. She cannot play her game. Storm thanks Jean, but adds that she is quite capable of dealing with this child.
Wolverine comes back to the entrance of the stable to watch. Out loud, Storm tells the “miscreant” to listen, for she will only explain this once. Maggott suddenly interrupts and tells the Morlock that he really didn’t want to go into Salem Center anyway. Why don’t they hang back and compare sob stories. Marrow pushes Maggott’s face away with her hand and tells him to save it for Storm. She is the one who is going to need it. Marrow stalks out of the room as Maggott tells her that a simple “no thank you” would have worked well. Wolverine asks Storm if Marrow ruffled her feathers. In response, Storm crashes a bolt of lightning through the stable roof. Jean looks up at the hole and Wolverine asks her if there is room left on her plane.
At that moment, Sebastian Shaw, the Black King of the Hellfire Club, finds himself in his inner sanctum in Venice, Italy. Shaw looks at a holographic projection displaying the current changes in his companies stock compared to his competition. Shaw Industries is clearly in the lead. Shaw addresses his servant, Kiko, and tells her that, the tighter his grasp on the elements that will restore the Inner Circle to its former glory, the farther things spin out of control. The Tomorrow Agenda debacle nearly killed him. Black Air continues to act as a self-destructive group and, of course, there are those problems with Donald Pierce and Madelyne Pryor. Being the king isn’t as cracked up to be, isn’t it?
Of course not, answers Kiko, who asks Shaw if he is ready for his tea. Shaw confirms and asks for something sweeter later to help him relax. “Of course, my Black Ki—,” says Kiko, who suddenly freezes along with the tea she is pouring and the bird that was flying in front of her. A voice tells Shaw that time has stopped, for they need privacy. A figure enshrouded in darkness hands Shaw a message. Shaw is impressed and tells the man that seeing as he is not dead is a testament to his smooth break of his defenses. He also lauds the manipulation of the time-flow. He will allow the figure to answer one more question before his patience ends. Who is he? The figure tells him to read. Shaw opens the manila envelope and is shocked. You understand, states the mysterious figure. The figure leaves, but not before telling Shaw not to mention this meeting to anyone, for what was done to time can be done to the heart. Time resumes as normal and Kiko tells Shaw that his tea is ready. Shaw does not answer and simply places the letter, which has a gold Egyptian emblem on it, on the table.
Back at Xavier’s, Beast sits atop the hood of Iceman’s rental jeep and bids his girlfriend, Trish Tilby, ado. Beast jokingly tells Trish to make sure that Iceman’s foot doesn’t freeze to the accelerator and she should make it back to Manhattan in one piece. Iceman comments on how it was clever to make hood ornaments with motor-mouths, before he enters the jeep. Iceman tells Beast to hurry up, because he wants to beat the Long Island rush hour and get to his home for his mother’s stuffed macaroni. Trish adoringly tells Beast that she misses him already and asks that he call her soon. Beast promises that, as soon as Bell Atlantic rewires the school, he will bombard her with nothing but calls and e-mails. The two kiss. Iceman looks at them and is disappointed over losing his breakfast and now losing his appetite for dinner. Under his breath, he tells Beast not to knock out Trish’s tonsils; he has to pay extra if the upholstery of the jeep is damaged, too.
In Scott and Jean’s bedroom, Wolverine looks out the window and tells Scott that the two of them have always been straight with one another and, even though he is not in the best shape right now, the Canadian mutant cannot keep his lips tight. It used to be that the X-Men ran out to stop evil mutants. It was simple: bad guys on one side, them on another. However, post-Charles Xavier, it seems that they are leaving the coop open to the wolves. There are a stone cold killer, a self-loathing pacifist and a lethal freak show walking about the mansion and they know next to nothing about them. Wolverine admits to Scott, who lies in bed with bandages still wrapped around his waist, that he has no clue what the X-Men are doing.
Scott sits up in bed and tells Logan that the team will do what they always do: survive. For the moment, they will do so with some extra company. The X-Men have a responsibility to Cecelia or at least until she gets back up on her feet. Beast and Joseph vouch for Maggott. Taken aback, Wolverine apologizes. If Magneto vouches for Maggott then he must be a good guy. How many Gambits are they going to have before they get the message? Cyclops looks at Wolverine and recalls a certain wild card that he had begged the Professor to keep away from the school. Instead, Xavier offered Wolverine a hand and Cyclops is glad he took it. The Professor is gone, says Wolverine, and the last time he extended his hand it was to Sabretooth and Xavier nearly lost his hand.
Wolverine sighs and tells Scott that he doesn’t want to fight, but he is not the Professor or Cyclops. If Wolverine is going to watch the team while Scott and Jean are gone, then he should expect the rules to change. Scott openly admits that he doesn’t believe Logan. Logan tells Scott not to say that he didn’t warn him. Before leaving Logan tells Scott to look after Jean. Scott says he will and also tells Wolverine to have faith, because he does. He is in the minority then, says Logan to Scott.
In Salem Center, Cannonball, Jean, Maggott and Cecelia walk down the street to get some coffee. In front of them, a mother pulls her son, Brandon, along, because she doesn’t like the looks of Jean and the others. The excited son tells his mom that those “kids” are cool. The mother tells Brandon not to talk back to her and pulls him along. Under his breath, Brandon mutters that he wishes he was a mutant; then he could hang out with the cool kids.
Maggott tells Cannonball that they live in a very dull town. He sarcastically says that he is trying not to blink so he doesn’t miss anything. Annoyed, Sam tells Maggott that, if he doesn’t have anything nice to say, don‘t say anything at all. Didn’t he learn some manners? Tired of hearing Sam and Maggott rant on, Cecelia demands to get some caffeine soon. Jean tells Cecelia that they make a nice coffee at Harry’s Hideaway. Disgusted, Cecelia asks Jean if she is referring to the “rat hole” behind them. She could smell the salmonella from the street.
Jean ponders about Cecelia, who has her defenses high. She refuses to let anyone hurt her again. Jean supposes that having your life stripped away, because you are different will do that to a person. Besides giving her place to rest, Jean doesn’t know what the X-Men can do for Cecelia, especially when she blames them for losing everything she held so dearly. The group reaches a department store, but not before Cecelia notices the Salem Center Health Clinic. She rushes ahead and enters the store. Jean pities Cecelia; she has so much to offer, especially with her medical training…oh, my god, says Jean.
Sam and Maggott notice Cecelia stop and put her hands together as if praying. Maggott wonders what is going on and Sam jokes that there must be a sale on java. Cecelia simply tells the group to look. For a moment, Jean is paralyzed, though she is unsure if it is due to the psionic charge from the crowd, or its source. On the many television monitors in the room are broadcasts from all over the world. On those monitors are Earth’s mightiest heroes: the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man and Captain America. The heroes that the world once believed who died to stop Onslaught are alive and well. Jean has spent her life trying to block out the thoughts and emotions of others from penetrating her mind. However, just this once she lets the psychic dam crumble and allows the feeling of hope cascade through her as the crowd begins to clap. The hope washes over everyone and even unites Sam, Maggott and Cecelia, who actually smile. Strangers don’t seem like strangers anymore.
In Storm’s empty attic, the weather goddess uses her powers to water the one solitary hanging plant in the room. Wolverine tells her that all the new people they picked up during Zero Tolerance are staying based on Scott’s orders. They are the X-Men’s problem until Scott and Jean come back. Logan asks Storm about her game plan. No garden can flourish without plucking the weeds says Storm stoically.
In Cairo, Egypt, a plane is ready to lift off to Hamburg, Germany with connecting flights to the United States. As the plan is being boarded, no one seems to notice a man running across the runway towards a baggage car. The Egyptian man curses his slow legs. Before he collapses he throws the package, addressed to Ororo Munroe, into the baggage car. The man coughs out blood and realizes that he has found him. However, he has beat Ananasi. The bright one will come and stop him. The man then dies.
Jean’s group leaves Ashley’s department store silent. All are tingling in the feeling that they just felt inside the store and all is well until Maggott and Sam bump into each other, both accusing each other of being the bumper. Sipping her coffee, Cecelia tells the boys to relax. Sam mentions that Maggott hangs out with those slugs of his all day and doesn’t step on them. Cecelia reminds Sam that he is less coordinated than the slugs and then asks Maggott where the little slugs are anyway. As Maggott tells the group that he always keeps them close by, a homeless man near an ally hears a sound and looks into it to see some weird looking creatures. He leans into the ally and wonders if he could sell them. Suddenly, the creatures grab him and yank him into the alley, where slurping and chopping sounds are heard.
Later on, Jean and Scott dress for this plane trip. Scott is silent, until finally he tells Jean that he doesn’t think that they should be leaving. Jean pulls down her suitcases from the closet and asks if he really thinks so. Scott explains that some of the others are concerned. There are major issues to discuss and he needs a second opinion. What does she think about everything? Jean openly tells Scott that they don’t have all the resources. Some people don’t belong in the mansion. Others are falling apart. Impressed, Scott asks Jean if she was practicing this speech all day. Jean kneels by Scott’s lap and tells him that the X-Men have a history of coming up top when the odds are stacked against them. Though she loves being married to the big cheese, what she said is true with or without him. If he asked her this morning, she would have said they shouldn’t go. Scott asks Jean what changed her mind. Television changed her mind, replies his wife, and a shot of hope.
Outside, there is a standard goodbye from Cannonball, Storm, Beast, Cecelia and Maggott. Jean is certain that a bond may be forming between Cecelia, Maggott and the X-Men. As expected, Logan is absent, but that is because he isn’t good at goodbyes. Scott and Jean look back from their taxi at the institute. Scott asks Jean if she is okay. Jean confirms that she is and adds that she thinks they all are. If she knows the X-Men, by the time the two of them come back, things will be better than before they even left. All it takes is time.
In the basement, Marrow uses one of her bones to write on the brick walls. The Morlock mutters to herself about how Storm kept her from going on the trip outside and mentions that, if Storm pushes her around again, she should expect trouble. Wolverine lights a cigarette and asks Marrow what kind of trouble. Marrow tells Wolverine to leave, but the man refuses to. This is a school, not a cesspool like she is used to. Marrow is going to live in the basement. She has a lot to learn. The bell just rang and school is in.


[User]
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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Life Lessons
In the cold basement of the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, Marrow asks Wolverine if he likes the dark. Of all the students in the school, he is the one who can live in the cramped, nasty spaces with damp and dead cold. Marrow can tell that Wolverine loves these sorts of things. He at least, knows how to have fun. Storm, on the other hand, doesn’t. The wind rider would rather play with her flowers. She is silly, though. She thinks she understands the formula for keeping a plant. She thinks she can control them. All she does is clip away the parts that don’t grow right or…pretty. Storm thinks by cutting the dead parts, they will go away forever. Storm is wrong, though, and she knows it. She wants to think that the sun, water, light, and love are needed for her plants. The woman averts her eyes from the truth.
Things grow stronger in the dark, continues Marrow. Hate is more powerful than the sun and sewage replaces water. Weeds erupt out of the ground and strangle flowers. No matter how many times Storm cuts the weeds, they always grow back. That is why Wolverine is here. That way Storm doesn’t get dirt under her finger nails again. She has to stay being the innocent goddess in her garden. Marrow hears, though, that when Wolverine cuts something it stays that way. Wolverine supposes that it’s true and then drops his cigar on the weeds that Marrow kneels before in what used to be the Danger Room of the mansion.
Impatient, Wolverine asks Marrow if she is ready to get off her soapbox, because he doesn’t have all day. Marrow plucks the cigar off the ground with her bone weapon and tells Wolverine that smoking in front of children is setting a bad example. Marrow begins to smoke as Wolverine tells her that she is a bad seed and they both know that. They also know that she and Storm have bad blood. If there were a chance that they could discuss things like ladies, Wolverine wouldn’t be here. Truthfully, though, if Storm were down there now, Marrow would wind up dead again, so why don’t they assume that no one wants that to happen again?
Wolverine explains to Marrow that, if she plans on living in the mansion, she must follow their rules. There will be no discussion about this. If she cannot handle that then she should go back to the sewers and save everyone the pain. Marrow throws down the cigar, blows smoke in Wolverine’s face and tells him that he is boring her. She rips a bone dagger from her back and bitterly tells him that he won’t be able to persuade her to be a good little girl, so why don’t they get down to business then? Wolverine pops his claws and smiles. “Kids today,” Wolverine says happily, “no respect for old-fashioned conversation…good.”
In her residence in Jerusalem, Gabrielle Haller lies in bed in casual clothes, typing a letter on her laptop to Senator Kelly. In her closing, she urges Kelly to free Charles Xavier from his wrongful incarceration. Kelly brought Operation: Zero Tolerance to a stop, but now he must finish the job and set an innocent man free. As Gabrielle types her salutations, she begins to yawn. She rubs her tired eyes, which feel like they have been dipped in lead. She hasn’t pulled an all-nighter like this since her days in the Technion. How can she rest though, when she sees Charles rotting in her cell when her eyes close? For all that he and the X-Men have done for humanity, Charles does not deserve such a fate. He is too important to lose. Gabrielle enters her balcony and vows to set Charles free. However, her last statement is stopped suddenly, as she sees a figure floating in the sky above her balcony. The figure tells Ambassador Haller that sometimes freedom, much like truth, is nothing more than an illusion. Doesn’t she agree?
At the Institute, Cannonball stands outside the door to the Danger Room and stares at the message that Marrow etched onto the door when she first arrived: “This Way to a Dark Ride.” Cannonball realizes that he has been staring at the door for ten minutes. He sighs and realizes that sometimes he is just pathetic. He doesn’t understand why he is so concerned about Marrow. It is most likely because she is holed up in the basement without anyone truly trying to get to know her. Cannonball opens the door and thinks about her bad reputation, but also takes into account how she helped Iceman during Zero Tolerance. If none of the “upperclassmen” are going to offer Marrow help, then he might as well. Besides, thinks Sam whimsically, it’s nice to have someone lower on the X-Men food chain to boss around.
Suddenly, a gust of wind slams the basement door shut. From the staircase, Storm asks Sam what he was doing. Shocked, Cannonball explains that he was simply going to introduce himself to Marrow. Disappointed, Storm tells Cannonball that she knows he feels compelled to reach out, but Marrow…she is not like the rest of them. Storm has witnessed Marrow threaten to kill hundreds to further her goals. Cannonball begins to argue, but Storm tells Sam that he was not there and did not see what she did. The X-Men have sworn to unite man and mutant against those who would use their powers to rule. Marrow jeopardizes their mission. Storm suggests that Sam talks to Cecilia Reyes or Maggott if he wants to reach out to one of the new members. However, he is to stay away from Marrow.
Angered, Cannonball goes up the stairs and tells Storm that he understands. Rule number one is to always admit that the senior officer is right. Rule number two is to refer to rule number one. Sam excuses himself, for now he must go remember why he is proud to be an X-Man. When Cannonball is gone, Storm mentions out loud that being an X-Man is always something to be proud of…being a leader is something else.
Elsewhere, Beast and Joseph work hard to repair the hole in the roof and first floor that Cannonball created when the X-Men were rushing the injured Cyclops back to the mansion. Beast surveys the job, as Joseph uses his mastery over magnetism to place steel girders one by one over the holes. As Joseph is about to finish the lattice, Cannonball blasts right through the girders and destroys the construct. Annoyed, Beast wonders if Sam has forgotten how to use the front door. He sighs and then figures that the boy is just blowing off some steam after all that has happened, including the loss of the Professor and Gambit. Beast hears a “klang” sound and sees that Joseph has in seconds repaired the damage that Cannonball caused not once, but twice. Embarrassed, Beast congratulates Joseph and admits that he is surprised that not all of them are blowing off some steam too.
On a hill, Cecilia drinks some coffee and sees the “flying farm boy at ten o’clock.” Cecilia jokes that they aren’t in the hood anymore. To herself, Cecilia wonders about what she is going to do about it. Is she just going to sit on a hill and feel sorry about herself? She already tried getting her job at the hospital back and that failed, due to her worthless and essentially benign power. Cecilia purposely pours the scalding hot coffee on herself, which harmlessly slides off her force field. In perspective, she could take the opportunity to learn more about her condition, but there doesn’t seem to be any teachers at the moment in the “school.”
From behind, Maggott comments on the nice view they have and then adds that it is even better with a fine looking woman like herself. Cecilia pleads to Maggott to not make her puke. She then asks where his slugs are. Maggott guesses that they are out getting lunch. He then asks Cecilia if the spot next to her is taken. Cecilia points out that there are a billion acres of woods and asks if he must sit next to her. No, says Maggott, as he takes Cecilia’s coffee, but the way he sees it is that it would be a shame for the two of them to spend the day looking at anything but one another. He then mutters under his breath if he must throw himself off a cliff to make her smile. Cecilia sighs and sarcastically comments about how she thought it would be safe to be depressed.
In the Danger Room, Wolverine jumps in the air to evade Marrow and admits that now he knows why Storm was not the best candidate to come down and take care of Marrow. He has only been with the girl for ten seconds and he already wants to kill her. Even Gandhi would have to resist the urge to rip out her heart. In a rage, Marrow screams to Wolverine that she is going to dance in his blood and then hang his body by its intestines. Wolverine lands and punches Marrow in the face, telling her that she talks too much. He then taunts her by saying that, if she wasn’t a waste of space, she could actually focus all that anger, but what does a killer like her want with the X-Men?
She wants nothing from them, screams Marrow, because she does not want her goals to be muddied by Xavier’s dream. It is her destiny to rise out of the sewers and dominate the surface. She is the voice of the mutants of tomorrow. Wolverine leap-frogs over Marrow and throws her into a wall. Wolverine tells her that if she is the voice of tomorrow, then he is embarrassed. He gets up every morning to fight to make the world a better place just so a “wannabe roughneck” can ruin things later on? It’s over then, he is going to quit and vacation in Tijuana. Annoyed, Marrow tells Wolverine not to mock her. Humans would bury all mutants if they had the chance.
Marrow charges at Wolverine and asks him if he really thought that the Morlocks lived in upworlders filth because they liked it. The Morlocks were denied the bare necessities by human kind: sun, clean air, water and dignity. Upon hearing that part about dignity, Wolverine punches Marrow in the gut and leaves her on the floor, holding her gut. Angered, Wolverine wonders if they are talking about different Morlocks. The Morlocks he knew had it tougher than the average mutants, considering they lived in the sewers of Manhattan, but if it is one thing that they had it was dignity. They had it in the spades, says Wolverine. That is more than he can say about a certain terrorist he knows, though. She is a disgrace to her people. Screaming in anger, Marrow throw three bone daggers right at Wolverine.
Back in Jerusalem, Gabrielle Haller looks up into the air to see Sabra, who introduces herself. Upon hearing the name, Haller tells the woman that she has heard whispers about her and that she is well respected in the Mossad. What does Haller owe the honor to be meeting Agent Bat-Seraph? Urgent, says Sabra, as if there were any other in their line of business. In particular, it deals with Erik Lensherr. Haller realizes that Sabra refers to Magneto. Sabra lands on the balcony and reminds Haller when the ambassador announced to the world that she had proof that Magneto was actually Erik Lensherr. Her “undeniable” truth has been denied.
Haller is shocked and looks through a folder that Sabra gives to her. Sabra explains that Georg Odekirk, the most accomplished forgers in Eastern Europe, may have created a false identity for Magneto. However, though he can trick any human, in the day of computer technology his ruse fell apart. Haller goes back into her apartment and tells Sabra that she must take her to Odekirk at once. He may be their last chance to stop Magneto once and for all. Sabra agrees and tells Haller to get her sweater in her top drawer, for where they are going it is cold.
At the Institute, Joseph walks upon the hills and thinks about the mysteries of life, even the ones his own heart keeps from him. It is funny how the “master of magnetism” acts like a child whenever Gambit or Rogue are mentioned, just like how he quickly finished his repairing job when Beast mentioned the missing Gambit. He feels so much sorrow, guilt, loss, and…possibly love? All he yearns for is one true friend. Joseph walks by Cecilia and Maggott and overhears Cecilia tell Maggott that all his pick-up lines are from the eighties and that he needs better ones. Maggott tries out a new line, but Cecilia again tells him that it is horrible.
Joseph stops and stares at Maggott. In Antarctica Maggott called him friend, though Joseph is sure that they never met. They haven’t had time alone since they returned. Maybe Maggott has some clues about the past that he cannot remember. Joseph must speak with Maggott, who clearly has his own secrets. Joseph walks along as Maggott begins to stare at him suspiciously. Cecilia tells Maggott that he is a piece of work. “That’s what I hear, lovely,” says Maggot, “That’s what I hear.”
Somewhere over the Institute, Cannonball is angered that the X-Men act like he shouldn’t ask questions and treat him as if he should keep his head down and smash through stuff when they tell him to. He isn’t a kid anymore; he is an X-Man. Several days ago he received a letter from Tabitha. It seems that X-Force is doing fine. If Storm and the others want to have their little senior class, then maybe he should quit the X-Men. Suddenly, Cannonball stops in midair and wonders if he just said that he would quit. He turns around and heads back to the mansion, thinking about how is father is probably turning in his grave over hearing his eldest talking like that. He cannot run off because Storm lectured him. He has to stop acting like a newbie and if that means going toe-to-toe with Storm, then so be it then.
In Sibiu, Romania, at the foot of the Transylvanian Alps, there is a modest looking home on a modest street. There, criminal Georg Odekirk lives a modest life. It is rumored that he signed his own birth certificate at birth. Who signs his death certificate will be a totally different legend. Odekirk finishes the last touches of a fake passport in bed, while his wife sleeps beside him. A voice tells Odekirk that his work is exquisite. Odekirk looks into the air as Magneto tells him that it was a fitting masterpiece with which to end his career. “Merciful God…” stammers Odekirk at the sight of Magneto. No, says Magneto, he must have him confused with someone else, for mercy is not on the program tonight.
In the Danger Room, Wolverine slashes through Marrow’s daggers and tells her that she is persistent. Of course that means little when she is persistent at being boneheaded, no pun intended. Marrow tells Wolverine that this was originally between her and Storm, but Marrow will allow no one to question her birthright. She is a Morlock and, as long as blood pumps into her heart, she will make sure that Wolverine knows what that means.
Suddenly, with much effort, Marrow begins to extend her fingers and makes them sharper. Wolverine is impressed and realizes that, when angered, Marrow can control her bones well enough. He then asks Marrow again what she wants. Marrow screams that she wants respect and there cannot be respect until all debts are settled. She wants a dead human for every dead mutant. Marrow then slashes Wolverine’s face and then drinks his blood off her hand. Hate burns hotter than his pretty words and tastes better too, says Marrow. Hate is her engine and she will never stop until her kills her. Wolverine agrees and tells her that it is time to die.
The two charge at one another and Wolverine knees Marrow in the stomach. He tells her that it is time to take her poor excuse of a life and throw it down a toilet for a cause she doesn’t understand and a hate she hasn’t earned. Wolverine disarms Marrow and tells her that he doesn’t kill stupid kids, though; he kills soldiers. She is not a soldier and that is why she came here. Marrow could have died during Zero Tolerance, says Wolverine, as he pins her to the ground. She could have challenged Marrow anywhere besides the school, but she didn’t. Somewhere in her head, she came here to get something better. Wolverine is only going to offer her that chance once. Cyclops wants him to treat her with kiddie gloves, but Wolverine knew that she needed to get her butt kicked.
Wolverine extends his hand to Marrow and tells her that, if she wants to be a soldier, he will be her drill sergeant but, if he smells dissent, he will give her a harder beating. Marrow asks Wolverine why he is offering her a trick. She isn’t one of the pretty ones. Wolverine tells her that she reminds him of himself. Honestly, he doesn’t think she will last two weeks under his tutelage, but at least they tried to save her. Marrow takes Wolverine’s hand and declines the offer. She then thrusts a bone dagger right into his throat. She tells Wolverine that she will do fine on her own. He can scream now if he can. Wolverine manages a horrible animalistic howl that is heard by Storm, Joseph, Beast, Maggott, Cecilia and even Cannonball.
Back in Romania, Magneto tells Odekirk that he failed the master of magnetism. Terrified, Odekirk begs Magneto to leave him alone for the sake of his slumbering wife. Magneto assures the forger that she will sleep soundly, for she was not the one who betrayed him. Magneto leans in closer as Odekirk defends himself. Magneto explains that Odekirk’s incompetence is what betrayed him. Does the man remember what he promised Magneto nearly 25 years ago?
Magneto was searching for his wife, Magda, while the authorities chased after him for his “crime” of avenging the death of his daughter. He risked everything to find one woman and the Erik Lensherr identity was a means used to make sure that he would be safe on his journey. Odekirk swore that his papers were flawless, but now it seems that the man is a liability. His work has been questioned and Magneto’s enemies will come looking for Odekirk. Odekirk begins to explain that his work is flawless, but Magneto stops him. He gave birth to Erik Lensherr, says Magneto, as he puts his hand on Odekirk’s face. Tonight, Odekirk will kill Erik. Magneto uses his powers to kill Odekirk and announces that now all that is left is Magnus.
Downstairs, Sabra kicks the front door into pieces and calls out Odekirk’s name. Haller follows behind and is amazed at Sabra’s power, though, considering how fast they reached Romania from Israel, she shouldn’t be too surprised. The women hear a blood-curdling scream. Sabra runs up the stairs and tells Haller that Magneto is here. Not so sure, Haller pulls out her gun and tells Sabra that she would scream to if someone barged into her house like they just did. “Not like that,” says Sabra coldly, as they enter Odekirk’s bedroom, only to find Odekirk dead with his eyes clouded gray and his wife shrieking in horror. Haller asks what happened. Sabra explains that he crossed Magneto. She welcomes the master of magnetism back and asks God to help them all.
Back in the Danger Room, Marrow pulls her bone out of Wolverine’s throat and tells him that she did come here to learn, but all she has been taught so far is how to be weak. Storm is too guilty to deal with her and Wolverine was too busy trying to save her that he lost his edge. One lesson she already learned was that the weak get hurt. Marrow pulls back Wolverine’s mask and asks him to show her something that she doesn’t know already. Wolverine responds with a ferocious snarl that few people ever hear. As he erupts in feral mode, Wolverine grabs Marrow by the throat and slams her headfirst into the ground. He unleashes his claws and is ready to stab them through her face. One of the last things to go through Marrow’s mind, however, is that maybe she did push this one too far.
Suddenly, Cannonball flies up from behind and grabs Wolverine by his uniform. Wolverine snarls again, as Cannonball realizes that there is no way to calm Wolverine except by taking him down. He asks Wolverine not to take his personally and slams the man unconscious against the wall. Sam checks Logan and prays that he doesn’t wake up mad. Strom, Beast and Joseph rush into the room, as Marrow runs into the shadows. Angry, Sam asks Storm if this is how the X-Men deal with problems; by sending Wolverine against a kid so she is beyond all help. Storm explains that it wasn’t supposed to end this way.
Still angry, Cannonball asks what happened to compassion and second chances. This wasn’t about teaching Marrow a lesson. One of them could have been killed and, if Wolverine didn’t have a healing factor, it would have been him. Beast tells Cannonball to calm down, for there must be some wise explanation for all this. Cannonball turns away and tells Beast that he gets it. Second chances are out this year. Joseph picks up Wolverine’s mask and gives Cannonball a dirty look. Storm tells Cannonball that he doesn’t know what they are dealing with. She orders him not to walk away when she speaks to him, but stops when she steps on Marrow’s flower.
In the Morlock sewers, Marrow keeps on running. She thinks of all the things the X-Men have taught her and deduces that they were all lies. She is too mean and too ugly to be a part of their world. There is no room for her. Who would want her up there? Marrow reaches Callisto’s room and finds her mentor in bed. Marrow realizes that what she deserves is down in the sewers. Callisto weakly calls out to Sarah, who responds by asking the woman how she feels. Callisto jokingly tells Marrow that she will be back on her feet soon and then asks how school was today. Marrow hesitates at first, but then tells Callisto that school was fine. She is making…friends. That’s a good girl, says Callisto.
In Salem Center, a local officer tells Gumbs that she found Hamish here like this in the alley and she didn’t know what to do. Gumbs jokes around and tells her that, if he is drunk, she should just get him some coffee and…Gumbs stops talking as he sees the bloody mess before him. Gumbs asks what would do such a thing to a man, as he gapes at the horribly disfigured remains. The female officer does not know, but she does notice that the trail heads back into the woods, possibly to the edge of the boarding school. They are not talking about human footprints either. This is going to be ugly.