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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
A Rogue's Tale
A rainy night in the city of New York, where light in the upper windows of a condemned tenement betrays a sign of occupancy. 'You said you had a gift for me' the enigmatic Mystique remarks as she stands before the diabolical Mr Sinister inside that upper apartment. 'And I did not lie' Sinister responds. Mystique smiles as she tells Sinister that she would never accuse him of lying. Sinister grins wickedly as he informs Mystique that Professor Charles Xavier, leader of the X-Men, is no longer with them, and like sheep without a shepherd, the X-Men wander aimlessly. He tells Mystique that under such circumstances, the X-Men would fall quickly, and her daughter will be easily reclaimed by her. Sinister adds that he wonders how Mystique's daughter is doing at this very moment.
'NOOOOO! GET AWAY FROM MEEEEEE! AWWWAAAYYYY!' the X-Man known as Rogue screams as she sits up in bed, drenched in sweat, her eyes wide with fear. Scott Summers a.k.a. Cyclops tells Rogue to take it easy, that she is at the X-Mansion, and they are all here with her. Remy LeBeau a.k.a. Gambit asks Rogue what she has been seeing in her sleep, what it is that is spooking her. Rogue looks up at them and explains that it must have been one of those flashes she has been having lately. She informs them that it has been going on for the last few weeks, ever since the Professor disappeared. Rogue reveals that the Professor was using his mental abilities to block out a whole bunch of her unpleasant memories, but with him gone, the floodgates are opening up on her. Remy tells Rogue that he will stay with her, that she is in good hands.
Suddenly, Jean Grey enters the room, holding a file as Cyclops tells her that she looks tense and asks her what is up. Jean reveals that she ran a computer search on the woman Rogue saw the other day, the one whose appearance disturbed her so much. 'And?' Scott asks. Jean opens the file and holds up some photos of the woman at protests and points out that she really got around, front and center almost like she wanted to be seen. 'It's eerie!' Jean adds. Rogue holds up one of the photos and tells her teammates that this is so weird, that she knows she has seen the woman somewhere. A strange yellow zig-zag symbol flashes before Rogue's eyes and she utters 'No! No! NOOOOO! TAKE 'EM AWAY!' as she throws the photos away, and covers her face with her hands.
(in Rogue's mind)
Rogue looks up, only she's not in the X-Mansion anymore, she's floating on an asteroid, seemingly in space. 'Where am I? Where's mah room? The X-Men?' Rogue calls out, while a woman with long blonde hair floats above her, wearing a black costume with a large yellow zig-zag symbol. She tells Rogue that she is in the lower depths of her mind. 'Where you put me!' the woman exclaims. Rogue asks her who she is, and why she is doing this. 'Didn't you hear me, Rogue? I'm doing it because you stole my life!' the blonde woman declares. 'You stole my life!' she repeats over and over. Rogue gets up and tries to fly from the asteroid and the woman, but the woman keeps reappearing as Rogue flies on. 'Stop haunting me! Stop! STOP!' Rogue screams.
(reality)
Rogue looks around and sees Gambit and Cyclops standing over her. 'Chere! You blink out again! Steady, Petite, steady' Gambit tells his friend. Rogue looks confused and scared as she exclaims that she can't stay here, as the woman is in her head, haunting her. 'Can't y'all tell? She's in there! Get out y'hear!' Rogue calls out. 'GET OUT!' Rogue screams as she leaps up off the bed, knocking Cyclops and Gambit backwards. Rogue drops to the floor, fists pressed against her face, she claims that she has never suffered like this, and she doesn't know what the woman is talking about. 'Why's this happening tuh me?' Rogue asks. Jean begins to probe Rogue's mind and reports that Rogue is practically delirious – and she is detecting another presence in there, too. Rogue exclaims that she has to find out what is going on, that she can no longer stay here – and flies straight through the window, out into the night. Concerned, Cyclops asks Jean to get Storm to follow Rogue, as there is no telling what she might do in this condition.
Moments later, Ororo Munroe a.k.a. Storm flies towards the Statue of Liberty, where she finds Rogue huddled and shaking on the mighty statue. Storm radios Cyclops, informing him that she has found Rogue and that she is approaching her now. Cyclops' voice can be heard over the communicator, acknowledging Storm's update. Storm hovers before Rogue and asks her to let her help – as she hates seeing her in such torment. 'Please. Are we not friends?' Storm asks when she gets no response from Rogue. Rogue hangs her head and tells Storm that she appreciates what she is saying, but that friendship doesn't count for much now – only the Professor could have helped her. With tears streaming down her face, Rogue utters that the Professor is gone now, maybe forever.
Elsewhere, Professor Charles Xavier sits quietly around a campfire in a hidden jungle beneath the frozen Antarctic wastes, conversing with the man who was his greatest enemy in the world – Magneto. Charles tells Magneto that it is odd how they were both duped into coming here at the same time, neither of them knowing why. 'Strange – the Savage Land Mutates I created years back have turned against me' Magneto comments, before telling Charles that he does not understand why their mutant powers ceased to work, or why Charles is able to walk. He grits his teeth and supposes that there must be a new source of power at work in the jungle. Suddnely, they hear a growling from the shadows nearby, and Charles sees some eyes beyond the fire. 'What can it be?' Charles wonders, before a brown, furry figure wearing a yellow contraption on its head leaps at Xavier, forcing him to the ground, large hand around his throat, the creature growls at Charles, while kicking Magneto back as Magneto exclaims 'Timberius! Stop!'
Timberius bares down on Xavier, its razor-sharp teeth inches from Xavier's face, as Xavier struggles to keep the creature at bay, as it is too powerful. Suddenly, before Xavier meets his demise at the hands of Timberius, a sabertooth tiger lunges at Timberius, knocking him away from Xavier. Timberius leaps up onto two feet and runs away into the jungle, while Magneto tells Xavier that Timberius is another of his Savage Land Mutates, out for their deaths. 'But he was chased off by that enormous sabertooth tiger!' Charles exclaims. Charles approaches the large cat and remarks that it seems almost docile – he sees the cat's ears prick at the sound of a strange noise, and watches as it turns to follow the direction of the sound. 'If we follow it...' Xavier begins, to which Magneto points out they may be drawn into a trap, as the intelligence commanding the animal may be no more benevolent than anything else they have encountered here in the Savage Land. Xavier laments that Magneto's words ring true, and adds that the mystery here deepens.
Back on the Statue of Liberty, Rogue covers her face with her hands as she tells Storm that she is so scared. Storm assures Rogue that she won't leave her, that her troubles can be shared. Rogue looks up, and sees the mystery woman in the dark costume with the yellow zig zag hovering before her. 'There she is again – see? In front of me!' Rogue exclaims. 'You are mine now. Don't fight it' the voice of the woman calls out. 'What d'yuh want, lady?' Rogue shouts. Storm asks Rogue what she is doing, as there is nothing there – when suddenly, Rogue knocks Storm back and leapps from the statue, 'She's there Storm an' Ah gotta follow! Ah gotta!' Rogue calls out as she flies away. 'Come with me and all your questions will all be answered' the mysterious woman's voice calls out. Storm uses her communicator to report to Cyclops that Rogue has fled, and that she is in pursuit, and will remain in contact.

At the Midtown Hospital in New York City, two nurses check in on a blonde woman who lies in a coma. 'No change in our Jane Doe?' one of the nurses asks. The other replies 'No. Her brain activity is minimal'. They leave the room, with the nurse adding 'That's the way it's been since she was brought in here'. Moments after the nurses have departed, the mysterious blonde woman who has been tormenting Rogue emerges from behind a curtain – looking remarkably like the blonde woman lying in the coma. 'There you are, sleeping beauty. So easy for me to use my shape changing powers – to assume your form and await Rogue's arrival' the mystery woman grins, when, a second later, 'That voice led me here!' Rogue calls out as she flies through a window. 'Now there's two of yuh – who?' Rogue gasps when she sees the woman standing, and the woman in the bed. Suddenly, the woman standing reveals her true form as she shifts into Mystique! 'You're behind this? You been making me see things? But you helped tuh raise me! Ah used tuh call you muh Mama!' the wide-eyed Rogue calls out, before asking Mystique why she is tormenting her.
'To get you close to her! To help you reclaim the past Xavier has purged from your memory!' Mystique declares, before grabbing Rogue by her wrist, and removing one of her gloves so that Rogue can touch Mystique skin-on-skin, so that Rogue's mutant powers will absorb her memories, fill in the gaps. 'Don't! Ah can't ever touch anyone! It might hurt them real bad!' the wide-eyed Rogue exclaims. Mystique narrows her yellow eyes and tells Rogue not to fear, that she should just touch her and open her mind to her, to let the memories seep in. Rogue's bare hand is pressed against Mystique's face, but after a few moments, Mystique grows weak, and Rogue pulls her hand away, while Mystique tells Rogue not to worry, as she has done what she wanted to do. 'Just remember...' Mystique utters as she collapses, leaving a now blue-skinned Rogue standing over her unmoving body, while the wide-eyed Rogue exclaims that her mind is burning. Tears fall down Rogue's face as her skin reverts to its regular color, but images flood her mind, images from years back, in Mississippi, where something happened with her first boyfriend.
(memories in Rogue's mind)
A teenage Rogue walks hand-in-hand with a blond boy called Cody and tells him that they have been walking along the riverbank for an hour, and suggests they hold up by the cypress tree to get better acquainted. But as they lean in and kiss each other's lips, something terrible happens, and Cody collapses before the shocked Rogue who utters 'We only kissed!'
This is when Rogues powers first acted up, and when she first realized that she was a mutant. Nothing was ever the same for her – she was ashamed of what she had done, and what she was, so she left home, a frightened kid. Sitting at the bus stop alone, until a mysterious blonde woman showed up and told Rogue that she looked like she could use a meal and a hot bath. The blonde woman was really Mystique in disguise, and through Mystique, Rogue got introduced to other mutants in her circle – like Blob and Avalanche – and Mystique trained Rogue in the use of her powers, and how she could steal others' abilities and memories.
Wearing a green and black costume, Rogue trained with Mystique, Blob and Avalanche, as Mystique told her not to run from what she is, but to embrace it. She instructed Rogue to reach out and touch Avalanche, so Rogue put her hand to Avalanche's face, telling him that she didn't want to hurt him, but that Mystique told her to do this. 'Don't sweat it kid. I'm plenty tough' Avalanche replied, before he collapsed, face-flat on the ground. 'Apparently not tough enough' Mystique grinned, before explaining to Rogue that she had temporarily absorbed Avalanche's vibratory powers, and that she should direct the energies at a large boulder nearby, to concentrate on its disintegration. 'Ah – Ah'll try, Mystique' Rogue replied, before concentrating hard, and releasing those stolen powers at the boulder – destroying it into small pebbles and stones.
They spent weeks training for what Mystique told Rogue was the most important day of her life, when they snuck into a MacIntyre Air force base to steal a B-1 bomber plane. Firstly, Rogue came into contact with the pilot so she could absorb his piloting skills. When she touched the surprised pilot she told him that she would try to make this as painless as possible, before he collapsed. Mystique congratulated Rogue on her accomplishment and instructed her to head inside the cockpit and take the controls, while she dealt with the hangar doors. 'Hope this crate's got wide body seats' the Blob joked as he lumbered into the plane. Rogue grabbed the plane controls like she was born to do this – her whole body was tingling, and she moved the plane right out on the tarmac with ease.
But as the plane took off, that is when the mysterious blonde woman – the super hero known as Ms Marvel – showed up. Rogue didn't know it at the time, but this whole escapade was done to attract Ms Marvel's attention, to get her to try and nab them, because Mystique knew Ms Marvel was stationed at the base. Ms Marvel flew after the stolen jet, knowing that the tower did not give permission for takeoff, so assumed it was being hijacked. Ms Marvel landed on the top of the plane and began to peel back the roof of the plane like it was an onion skin. As Rouge would learn, Mystique had previously fought with Ms Marvel and didn't do very well – so this was for revenge, and Mystique was taking no chances.
'That's far enough! You let off the throttle and bring this aircraft to a halt! Now!' Ms Marvel called down into the plane. Ms Marvel flies down into the cockpit, but finds it empty, so she takes the controls, knowing she will have to stop the plane herself. 'Exactly as I intended!' Mystique grinned to herself as she appeared behind Ms Marvel and told Rogue to get behind her and grab her head – and not to let go. 'Ah hear yuh, Momma!' Rogue responded as she pressed her bare hands to Ms Marvel's head. 'Dizzy – strength draining! Let go!' Ms Marvel called out, wide-eyed, while equally, Rogue thinks something is wrong, and told Mystique that she wanted to let go, that she had to let go – but the wicked Mystique grinned and told Rogue not to let go.
As Ms Marvel slumped to the floor, Rogue asked Mystique why she made her so that, and who the woman was, as she looked hurt. Rogue would later learn that she was Carol Danvers – but never considered that Carol might have a permanent condition. Now permanently possessing Ms Marvel's powers, Rogue had a blast with her newfound super strength and ability to fly. However, she had also absorbed Carol Danvers' mind, which was now trapped inside her, and that is when the spells started. She began to see Carol in her mind, 'You stole my powers! You stole my life!' Carol would shout at Rogue – and sometimes it would get so bad that Rogue could barely stay conscious. One day, Rogue fell from the sky, crashing into the ground, and when she was found by Mystique, who asked her what was wrong, told her that nothing was wrong, and that she would be okay.
But Rogue wasn't okay, and so, for the second time, she was forced to leave a place she called home, flying out into the night, on what she thought was the lowest point of her life. It was then that Professor Xavier called out to her – the leader of the X-Men reached out to heal, Rogue had to forget – only even Charles Xavier couldn't return Ms Marvel to her real body – all he could do was quiet her down – for both their sakes, burying Carol deep in Rogue's mind. And, as long as Xavier was around, the spells never recurred.
(present)
Crying, Rogue utters that now Xavier is gone, she is worse off than ever before. Mystique runs a hand through her striking red hair and replies 'That is hw I lost you to Xavier and the X-Men. And I swore that one day I would get you back!' Rogue looks at her “mother” and points out that she used her. 'Ah trusted you – and you used me as a weapon! Do you know how much Ah been suffering 'cause of this?' Rogue asks. Mystique points out that Charles Xavier is no longer around to quell Rogue's pain, and that he offered her only a panacea, not a true cure. 'You belong with me, daughter. With your mother. Come with me and we will put an end to what ails  you' Mystique declares. 'Right now, you're what ails me!' Rogue snaps, wide-eyed. 'You give me some lie about a cure – when you oughtta be offering me a shoulder to cry on! That's what a real momma would do! Ain't it?' Rogue exclaims.
Suddenly, 'Who – the X-Men!' Mystique utters as Cyclops, Storm, Gambit and Wolverine burst into the hospital ward. 'Rogue – and Mystique!?' Cyclops calls out. Wolverine informs Rogue that Storm tracked her here, but she didn't say anything about Mystique paying a visit. 'You're starting to change into Ms Marvel – what are  you doing?' Mystique gasps as Rogue grabs her and uses Mystique's shapeshifting powers to change her appearance into that of Ms Marvel's, as Carol Danvers, seemingly in charge of Rogue's mind, declares 'Rogue still has your shape-shifting powers from being in contact with you. So I'm taking over her mind – and body – so I can get to you – at last!' With that, Rogue leaps out the window, taking Mystique with her.
Gambit calls out to Rogue, asking her to ocme back, that they want to help, and this running away will only make things worse. Wolverine tells Gambit to save his French, as Rogue ain't listening – in any language. Storm flies after Rogue and tells Cyclops that she will not let them get away. Suddenly, Jean's voice can be heard over Storm's communicator, informing Storm that she is at the Mansion, and is monitoring them all through Cerebro, and with Cerebro's help, she can probe Rogue's mind and get to the bottom of what is eating her up. Jean's voice is projected into Rogue's mind, asking her to let her in, that she can help her, and she must let her try.
(in Rogue's mind)
Rogue lets Jean in, and Jean sees the psyches of Rogue and Ms Marvel battling it out within Rogue's mind. Jean tells Rogue not to let this happen, and that she must fight Ms Marvel, as Ms Marvel slams her fist into Rogue, knocking her backwards. Ms Marvel declares that she has waited a long time for this, and she is going to enjoy every minute of pounding Rogue lifeless. Rogue collapses to the asteroid that they fight on, before Ms Marvel flies upwards and exclaims 'And once I've defeated you here... your mind and body will become mine! MINE!' Ms Marvel shouts as she turns around mid-flight and speeds back down towards Rogue.
Jean knows that if Carol Danvers succeeds in killing Rogue, that they will both die. 'I'll only have one chance...' Jean tells herself as she realizes that she must implant a suggestion in Ms Marvel's mind that she is flying into a trap, a cage from which there is no escape. Indeed, Ms Marvel is surprised as a cage begins to form around her, 'I'm flying right into it! How did you do this?' Ms Marvel asks. Rogue looks up at her, 'Search me, gal! But if it gets you to stop popping me...I'm closing thev door as fast as Ah can!' Rogue replies as she grabs the cage when it is fully formed around Ms Marvel, and slams it down onto the asteroid. Ms Marvel begins banging on the cage, 'Let me out! This ends now! I can't take this any longer! Don't you understand!?' Ms Marvel exclaims. Dropping to her knees, Rogue remarks that she can't take this any more either, but that killing her won't make Ms Marvel live again. 'Ah'm truly sorry, Ms Marvel. Believe me' Rogue utters.
(reality)
At the Mansion, Jean Grey removes the Cerebro unit and leans against a wall, putting her arm to her face. While flying through the air outside the hospital, Rogue reverts to her true form, and Mystque asks her what she is doing. 'Ah'm puttin an end to our dealin's Mystique – once and fer all!' Rogue responds. Mystique scowls at Rogue and tells her that she can desert her own mother. 'Haven't I come back to help you – to be with you? Don't turn away from me, daughter' Mystique replies. But Rogue tells Mystique to save it, that she isn't her daughter anymore. 'Ah was just a tool for you – and you know it! You only cared about mah powers... and you made me into something worse than a killer!' Rogue then tells Mystique that they are through – and warns her never to come near her again.
The next day, at the X-Mansion, Rogue is wearing a long green dress, and picks up some potted flowers as Gambit enters the room and tells her that he likes her dress. He suggests that now she is feeling good, they should go take in a show. Rogue smiles at Gambit and tells him he is sweet, but that she is going out on her own – she has got somewhere to be.
A short time later, 'Hope these brighten yoh day, Carol' Rogue remarks as she places the potted flowers on the table next to the comatose Carol Danvers. Rogue tells Carol that the nurse said she has almost no brain activity – but Rogue is sure Carol can hear her. Rogue looks down at Carol and tells her that she is leaving now, but that they will find a way to restore her mind – she swears it. 'Ah did this to you – and Ah'm making amends'. Rogue tells Carol to take care, and bids her farewell. But when Rogue leaves, the life-support monitor connected to Carol blips – and a tear falls down Carol's face.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Survivors
12.30 AM at the Canadian Ministry of Defense. A red-haired man walks down a long corridor, between Gary Cody, unofficial liaison with the government’s formerly employed super heroes known as Alpha Flight, and a large balding man. The red-head convinces his guest that “they” tested twice as well as the original prototype, but that there is of course room for improvement, and that any price which works for him, works for them - and everyone walks a way a winner. ‘Absolutely,’ declares Gary as his ID card opens a locked storage room. Once inside, the men stand on a platform above rows and rows over high-tech armored suits, and the large man exclaims ‘Perfect’.
Six months later, Scott “Cyclops” Summers of the mutant outlaw super hero team known as the X-Men stands before the grave of his lover, Jean “Phoenix” Grey. He tells Jean that he is not here for her birthday, nor the anniversary of the day they met, but because it is Wednesday, and he misses her. Scott tells Jean he knows what she is saying. “Stop brooding, get on with your life. Try to be happy”. He exclaims that he is still trying. Scott’s teammate, Wolverine a.k.a. Logan, a man who shares a very special connection with Jean walks up behind Scott and tells him he knows he is trying to fill the void. The one Jean left behind - the one that makes the future look like a lonely place that will never get filled. ‘Any suggestions?’ Scott asks. ‘Not a one,’ replies Logan as he lights up a cigarette.
Inside Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, in Westchester, New York, the X-Men’s home. In her attic room / greenhouse, Storm, a.k.a. Ororo Munroe tells Kurt “Nightcrawler” Wagner that change might do not only herself, but the X-Men some good. Hanging from the rafters by his tail, Kurt tells Ororo that he hopes she has thought this through, but that either way, she has earned everyone’s respect. Storm asks Kurt if he doesn’t think he has earned their respect, to which Nightcrawler replies that although he may seem like he is being ridiculous, he sees himself in a different light, and is still asking himself if he contributes to the team.
Storm hands Kurt a rose and tells him that he is being ridiculous now. Kurt thanks Ororo for the pep talk and the flower, asking her if she is certain she wants to part with it. As Nightcrawler begins to teleport away, Storm tells him that it is sometimes good for the soul to let something beautiful go. Kurt fades from view and Storm looks at the single petal she holds in her hand.
Kurt’s teleport sends him to the door of teammate Kitty Pryde’s room, and knocking on the door he tells Kitty that it is almost eight o’clock and asks if she is ready. ‘Two seconds,’ says Kitty as she phases her head through the door. Kurt mocks her that that is what she said ten minutes ago, but Kitty asks for two more ‘eentsy-weentsy seconds…to find the perfect outfit!’ she exclaims as she returns to her room and looks at all her clothes sprawled all over the floor.
Kitty tells her pet dragon that is flying around the room with some of her clothes in his mouth that he is not helping. ‘This makes me look fat.’ ‘Nope, way too Dazzler.’ ‘This isn’t happening! ‘A closet full of clothes and nothing to wear…?’
Kurt bamfs to Piotr “Colossus” Rasputin’s room and asks his Russian teammate if he is ready, as the car is in the drive-way. ‘Two more seconds,’ Colossus calls from behind his door. ‘Puppy love,’ mutters Kurt. Inside his room, Piotr stares at one of his paintings, but tells himself that staring at it will not make the butterflies in his stomach go away. ‘So much for plan A,’ he mutters. The handsome Russian gets up and looks at himself in a mirror, wondering why he is so nervous - perhaps because it is his and Katya’s first date alone? Or is it because he feels like a fool dressed in such fancy clothes? ‘Perhaps no one will notice?’
Kurt opens the door and asks Colossus if he is ready to ‘paint the town red?’ ‘Uh…da,’ replies Piotr as Kurt hands him the rose Storm gave him, before mockingly asking Piotr if the Professor knows he has raided his wardrobe. Colossus tosses the jacket onto the floor.
In one of the living rooms in the mansion, Professor Charles Xavier sits beside a photo of his original X-Men - Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Iceman and Angel, of whom only Cyclops remains with the team. Charles declares that he ‘doesn’t know’ to which Scott agrees, and points out that even with Nightcrawler taking Kitty and Colossus into Manhattan, he thinks it can get weird at night for someone Kitty’s age. The always reasonable Storm asks the men to consider if Kitty’s life as an X-Man is any less strange, before reminding them that Kitty and Colossus can take care of themselves.
Ororo continues that Kitty and Piotr are children and that youth is meant to be enjoyed, for it is a time of growth and change and not something to be stifled. Storm wishes she could have had this much fun when she was Kitty’s age. ‘I was a kid once,’ mutters Wolverine picking his teeth with one of his adamantinum claws.
As Colossus enters the living room, he asks Kurt why the others are here, and Kurt informs him that they have come to see him and Kitty off on their first date. Nightcrawler asks his teammates how their farm boy looks, and Storm goes over to Piotr, smiles and as she adjusts his tie, she tells him he is very handsome and just in time to greet his date. ‘Taa-daaa!!!’ exclaims Kitty as she walks down the stairs after finally deciding on an outfit. Colossus looks at Kitty and immediately shifts to his metal form, whispering to Kurt that he is a little nervous. ‘wow…you…look…beautiful!’ both Kitty and Colossus say to each other. The young mutant codenamed “Sprite” asks Piotr if he really thinks so, to which Colossus replies that he does, and hands Kitty the flower - which has now become rather crushed. Piotr frowns, but Kitty just smiles.
As Kurt enters the car, Colossus tells the Professor that they will be careful. ‘Says you,’ whispers Kitty’, and as Kurt drives the car with his teammates away, Professor X watches them go, and telepathically says to them ‘come back safe children…’
Meanwhile, in Ottawa, Gary Cody asks his secretary who is busy filing - her nails, not paper - and asks her if they showed up. Grace the secretary replies ‘no sir…well, he did’. Cody pauses understanding who Grace means, and as he enters his office asks her to hold his calls. Entering his office, Gary closes the door behind him, before saying ‘Hello, James’ to the red and white Mapleleaf clad man in his office. Mac turns to Gary as a response as Gary asks the man codenamed Guardian where the rest of Alpha Flight are. ‘Can’t you get your team here?’
Frowning, Mac tells Gary that the rest of Alpha Flight are not interested in what he has to offer, as maybe they have found something better. Gary sarcastically tells Mac that that is ‘great news’ before asking him why he has come. Mac gives a half-smile as he declares ‘Old habits die hard.’ Mac proclaims that even though the Government disbanded Alpha Flight, he will still answer the call when his country needs him - even if the call does come from Gary himself. Referring to their triumphs against the Great Beast Tundra and the Master of the World, Mac boasts that Alpha Flight is tighter than ever before, and that they saved both Canada and the rest of the world, all without the help of the Government.
Gary informs Mac that the “winds of change” are blowing through the Ministry and that there is some talk about reviving both Department H and Alpha Flight. Gary pauses before adding that the details are not clear, but before he can go any further, Mac cuts in and exclaims that the ‘details are never clear’, that it is always red-tape and broken promises. Angry, Mac is about to tell Gary that if he thinks he is going to subject his people to that again - but he stops before going any further, and Gary calmly reminds Mac that he is just the messenger.
Changing the subject, Gary asks how Heather is. Mac is silent before replying that Heather is fine, before turning and opening a large window in the office, informing Cody that Heather is tired of watching her husband being jerked around. Flying out of the window, Mac tells Gary that as soon as he has sorted out those “details” to give him a call, but until then he should keep his grand design to himself.
In Greenwich Village, ‘Mmmm…strawberry!’ mutters Piotr as he rubs his ice-cream covered shirt, while Kitty stands beside him, muttering ‘Omigod! Omigod! Omigod!’ Colossus tells himself that he is so embarrassed, while Kitty thinks to herself that she is sooooo embarrassed. Piotr believes Kitty will think he is a fool, while Kitty supposes Colossus thinks she is a total klutz. ‘Well, that certainly broke the ice,’ Colossus exclaims, as Kitty, holding her ice-cream-less cone points out that she has totally ruined his shirt. ‘But not my night,’ Piotr replies. Kitty tells Colossus how sweet that was, before offering him her sugar cone. Little do the young X-Men know, they are being targeted by someone not too far away.
Colossus points out that it is getting late and declares that Kurt will be expecting them back soon. Kitty tells Piotr that it is such a beautiful night, one could almost think Storm had a hand in it. She tells him she feels like they are the only two people in the entire city…the whole world…. Little does Sprite know, there are several armored men flying over the city, headed directly for her and Colossus.
Not too far away, Kurt walks out of a movie theatre that was playing an Errol Flynn film. He thinks to himself ‘those are heroes’, even though he is faster, more agile and twice the swordsman his idol was in the movies, no one sees the hero within him - sometimes even he doesn’t see it. ‘All they ever see is a freak’. ‘Mein Gott!’ Kurt exclaims as he turns the corner and sees Colossus, armored up and fighting a bunch of clunky wannabe-Iron Men. Kitty is unconscious and is being held by one of the armored men.
Nightcrawler bamfs into action, asking Piotr what is going on. Colossus declares that it happened so fast, that they appeared out of nowhere and knocked out Kitty. He asks Kurt to get them away from Kitty, but Kurt is already on it, and leaps towards the men, but before he can grab Kitty back, the man holding her disappears, with Kitty too. Colossus and Kurt look at each other, and Kurt exclaims that the need help. Suddenly, one of the men grabs him by his tail and spin him round above his head. Kurt calls out to the Professor, hoping he will pick up his cries, Kurt informs Xavier that they are under attack, before the man flinging him around lets go of his tail, and sends Kurt careening into a trash can.
Back in Canada, 138 Laurier Drive, Ottawa, James Hudson tells his wife Heather that he probably should not have read Cody the riot act, but that even being near Department H gets to him at the moment. Heather calls to Mac as he gets changed, and tells him he should come and look at this. Mac points out that he is changing, but Heather declares ‘Not so fast, hero’, and Mac looks at the television, where he sees the mysterious armored men in downtown Manhattan, as the reporter informs viewers that members of the X-Men have engaged the metal men whose origin remains a mystery.
Mac is stunned, the phone rings and Heather answers it. She hands it to Mac, about to tell him who it is, but he already knows. Furious, Mac tells Gary Cody to tell him that he is not responsible for this, as it has his name written all over it. Cody begins to say something, but Mac cuts him off, telling Cody to shut up, as he is on his way. Mac begins to leave, but Heather gets up and tells him to stay calm, as it may not be as bad as he thinks. Mac reminds her that that is half of his technology destroying Manhattan,  so “calm” is a foregone conclusion. ‘Mac…’ Heather whispers.
Back in Manhattan, Colossus is smashed into a car by one of the men as he asks them why they are doing this. The man cannot answer, even if he would have, because a powerful optic blast knocks him off Colossus. The optic blast marks the arrival of Cyclops, Storm and Wolverine. Scott tells the men, whoever they are, that they are sadly mistaken if they thinks it is open season on mutants. ‘Enough talk,’ snarls Logan as he leaps into action. Storm agrees with Logan, yet as she creates a water funnel, trapping one of the men inside it, she thinks it is amazing how mere seconds into the battle and Cyclops instinctively resumes his former position as leader as if she were not present. Storm sends the water funnel towards Colossus, enabling him to wallop the armored man, ‘This one is for Katya!’
Cyclops tells Colossus to keep it together and reminds him that it wasn’t his fault, he suggests that they might have known Kitty could have short-circuited their internal systems which explains why they took her out. He asks everyone to stay sharp, as the enemy may know all their capabilities. ‘”Do as I say, not as I do”, eh, one-eye?’ asks Logan as he lunges at the opponent who was creeping up on Cyclops. Logan pushes the man to the ground, mocking the man, he tells him he knows what he is thinking - ‘what’s li’l ol’ me gonna do against your big bad armor?’ Logan lets his claws loose, and snarls ‘Three guesses, bub’ before hesitating - something about the armor seems familiar…but Logan shouldn’t have hesitated, and his enemy knocks him off with some power unleashed from the armor.
Nightcrawler sees Logan blasted back past him, and teleports to the rescue, breaking Logan’s fall. Logan telepathically calls to the Professor, telling him to get James Hudson, as the armor is his design. Logan then tells Kurt that the next time he wants to help him, do him a favor - ’don’t do me any favors’. ’Ja!’ Kurt replies.  As the five X-Men are slowly backed in, the armored men surround them, Storm under the impression that they are up to something. Cyclops tells her not to raise the white flag yet, ‘This war’s far from -’ he doesn’t get to finish his sentence, for suddenly, the X-Men and all the armored men disappear.
In Canada, a dishevelled Gary tells a furious Mac that it was all the idea of his assistant, Lemieu, who also happens to be missing. Gary claims that Lemieu put the idea in his head to broker a deal to raise funds to resurrect Department H, and though it made sense, the money never came. Cody mutters that this was only going to be a test run, as his secretary buzzes him, telling him there is a call on line one. ‘No now, Grace’ Cody snaps back, as Mac turns to him and asks what he means by “test run”. Mac tells Gary that he obviously handed weapons of mass destruction over to a known terrorist, weapons Mac happened to create.
Guardian asks Cody if he is insane, as Grace interrupts again, informing the men that the call is important as the caller says it is an emergency. ‘Not now Grace!’ Cody snaps again as he swears to Mac that this was supposed to be for him and Alpha Flight. Grace interrupts again, causing Gary to shout back at her furiously, but Grace raises her voice to match and tells Gary not to take that tone with her, ‘and besides, it’s not for you, it’s for Hudson - a Professor Charles Xavier’. Mac knows who he is, and frowns.
36 degrees North of the Equator, on a secluded island in the South Pacific, a once-abandoned stellar observatory now hums with life anew. Two scientists and a red-haired man stand on a platform before eight stasis fields, six of which are filled by the Uncanny X-Men. A scientist informs the red-head that vital signs are stable and that stasis fields are at 100%, showing better than their predecessors ever displayed. The red-head replies ‘It’ll suffice’ before the scientists asks what the plans are for the mutants.
‘To show them who’s superior,’ the red-head replies. The red-head reminds the scientists that they know how their boss has been lately, and as he opens the door to another room asks one of the scientists to lose the glasses he is wearing, as he will make them all look bad. The red head enters a large room where HYDRA agents are milling about and several of the Hudson-prototype armors are about the place.
‘Hail supreme HYDRA!’ the red-head exclaims as he approaches a man sitting on a chair in the middle of the room, looking out of the large telescope. The man reveals that dawn is near before asking the younger man if he cannot see he is busy. ‘As usual’ the red head mutters before informing the other man that they have the inferior mutants, so victory is at last his. He asks him if he will not get out of the chair and come and look.
The fat man does not move from his chair and asks what need he has to see something he already knows to be fact. He adds that he has been blessed with many victories, but has learned from defeat. He declares that there were once those who bid him call them superior, but now they are dust and he lives.
He rattles off some men’s names and calls them foolish men, for their small minds failed to comprehend the simple fact that one cannot destroy a race unless they also destroy the spirit guiding it. The man swings around in his chair - Baron von Strucker! He is dirty, clothes torn and litter all around him, he declares that for the hapless creatures that are mutants they have the spirit of their race embodied in one man - Professor Charles Xavier.
Westchester, Canada’s handsome Guardian swoops down over the School for the Gifted, thinking how interesting it is, that although he has never been to this house before, he can tell there is something wrong with it - the sun is coming up, but the place is not getting any brighter. A voice in Mac’s head tells him to come in and go down the hall to his left. Mac enters the room, where Charles Xavier is awaiting him.
Mac informs the Professor that he knows what this is about, to which Charles tells him he is sure he does, before declaring that he thought all the petty vendettas Department H harbored against him for “stealing” Weapon X had been resolved during Alpha Flight’s last encounter with the X-Men. Mac tells Charles that he wished this didn’t concern the Department, but that it is not what he thinks and asks him if he is familiar with the terrorist organization known as HYDRA. ‘Strucker!’ whispers Xavier, before exclaiming that Strucker was dead and buried beneath an entire mountain, that Magneto saw to that, but realizes that neither the passage of time nor tons of rubble has extinguished Strucker’s thirst for vengeance. Charles adds that thirst is now being fuelled by Guardian’s creations, so whether he likes it or not, he is a part of it.
Mac turns from Xavier, thinking that this is his battle therefore he should face it alone, but he knows that if he tries that then the X-Men do not stand a chance. But the question remains - does Mac believe all the things he told Gary Cody? Is Alpha Flight really ready for this dangerous mission?
Snowbird…Northstar…Sasquatch…Aurora…Shaman…Puck… Mac knows there is only one way to find out, and so he rings Heather back in Canada, and tells her to send out the signal!


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot…
Canada’s premiere super hero team - Guardian, Snowbird, Sasquatch, Northstar, Aurora, Shaman and Puck, collectively known as Alpha Flight - stand ready for the task that lies before them. James MacDonald Hudson a.k.a. Guardian, the team leader tells the others it is time to show their opponents what they are made. Their opponents being…The Original X-Men?
Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Iceman and Angel prepare to fight Alpha Flight, With Scott “Cyclops” Summers replying to Mac’s comment, but telling him the X-Men will be the judge. ‘You tell ‘im, Slim!’ young Bobby “Iceman” Drake shouts, supporting his team leader. Eugene Milton Judd, better known as Alpha’s diminutive Puck tells the X-Men that they will have to back up their claim. This should be interesting.
Flying towards Sasquatch, who when he is human is known as Doctor Walter Langkowski, the X-Men’s Warren “Angel” Worthington the third exclaims he will hit “Bigfoot” from high, while Hank “the Beast” McCoy leaps towards Sasquatch’s feet. Sasquatch is about to underestimate his smaller opponent, assuming his Hulk-like strength is enough defence against any attack. ‘This is one tower you don’t wanna buzz, bird boy!’ Walt tells Angel as the winged mutant swoops towards him, however, Alpha Flight is no stranger to teamwork, and the young mutant Aurora streaks towards Angel, preventing him from attacking her lover Sasquatch.
Aurora tells Angel that he should listen to Sasquatch, and explains bluntly that he is no match for him. Angel smiles and tells the attractive Alphan that she is much more his speed, ’Oooo la laaaa?’ Angels’ sentence is skewered as Aurora’s handsome brother, Jean-Paul Beaubier, also known as Northstar speeds towards the two in mid flight and pulls him away from her. ‘Unhand my sister, cretin!’ he shouts. Though protectiveness runs in Aurora’s family, her brother expresses it solely for her, being no team player.
While Iceman starts to cover Alpha Flight’s resident Goddess, Snowbird, in a mountain of snow, the Beast is flipping Sasquatch around by his feet. As Sasquatch is tumbled around, Beast says to him: ‘I assume this codifies your cognizance of the fact that the greater an object’s mass, the more severe the blunt of the trauma of said object upon any given surface at any given point. But you knew that already’. Suddenly, Puck grabs Beast by the feet and declares ’In other words, “the bigger they are, the harder they fall”, eh?’ and with that he pulls Beast and knocks him over. Judd’s humor is an asset he has developed to make up for the pain of his dwarfism.
Cyclops calls to Beast and tries to get him back in the battle, while a man who possesses the same leadership potential - Guardian calls to Snowbird, and informs her that Northstar needs her help, but Snowbird is nowhere to be seen. Bobby Drake calls to Cyclops, and leaning against a mound of snow, he smirks and boasts ‘A little bit of snow, a little bit of ingenuity and voila! Goddess a la mode!’ Scott congratulates Iceman on a good job before telling him to help the others. Guardian has been watching too, and he smiles, for he knows his people. He tells Cyclops that the human Popsicle should stand back, as Snowbird is not known for her sense of humor. Suddenly, a giant polar bear leaps roaring from the snow, and rushes straight towards the screaming Iceman. Narya is part goddess, part human, her power far greater than her experience, which makes her dangerous. The polar bear has a claw outstretched as she grabs Bobby by the throat, however Narya changes back into her default form. ‘Mother!’ whispers the frightened Iceman.
The mystic Shaman is the only Alphan left, Doctor Michael Twoyoungmen’s tool is his Sarcee medicine pouch, and from it, he summons a large vine shaped with a hand at the end of it, ready to grab onto Jean Grey, the X-Men’s Marvel Girl. Grey is a telekinetic, and takes control of the vine, sending it back towards Shaman, where it grabs a hold of him instead.
Suddenly, the surrounding area fades from view, and the X-Men disappear. Alpha Flight are left standing in a technologically advanced room, and someone thanks them, telling them ‘that will be all’. Professor Charles Xavier, founder of the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters and the Uncanny X-Men wheels himself into the training room known as the Danger Room. He tells Canada’s finest super heroes that as a team they show promise, but points out that a training session in the Danger Room is one thing, but they will face more than holographic representations of his Original X-Men when they confront Baron von Strucker and his army of HYDRA terrorists. ‘You’ve got to be better than that’.
Judd suddenly leaps onto Xavier’s lap, angry he reminds Charles that he called and they came, and points out that it doesn’t look like he got a better offer, but before Judd can continue his rant, Mac motions to Sasquatch, who picks Judd up by his head, ‘Put a sock in it, shorty’ says Walt, as Judd squirms in his grasp, kicking and protesting. Mac tells Charles that Alpha Flight may be a little rough around the edges, but that they will bring the X-Men home safe. ‘We’ll do our best’ he declares, as Charles wheels himself out of the Danger Room, and replying ‘I hope so’.
An island in the Pacific Ocean, Baron von Strucker, head of the terrorist organization HYDRA stands before the six captive X-Men and thinks to himself how superior he is, even though numerous others, like Charles Xavier and Magneto have tried to prove otherwise. But Xavier and Magneto are both mutants, and represent the pinnacle of human evolution. Alleged that is, and Strucker recalls how these so-called “homo-superior” tried to foil his plans, destroying his spirit by denying him his tools of conquest. But Strucker knows he is a true Aryan son, whose spirit is unassailable - and he has found new tools. ‘It was only a matter of time’ he mutters standing before the captive X-Men.  Strucker’s new lackey, the Canadian Lemieu enters the chamber and asks him why there are eight cells but only six are filled. He wonders if the final two elude him, before asking Strucker why he hates them so. Strucker walks out of the room, replying simply that he has his reasons.
High above the Pacific Ocean now, Alpha Flight have thirty-five minutes before they are expected to arrive at the location of Strucker and the captive X-Men. Mac stands before his team, beside several computer screens depicting Strucker’s observatory and he informs the Alphans that it was Department H spy satellites that confirmed the location of Strucker’s stronghold, while Xavier’s mutant-detector Cerebro confirmed the X-Men’s presence.
Mac starts to get down to the plan, informing the Alphans that there are two entrances, one on the Eastern side of the island and one on the Western. His plan is for two teams to infiltrate the base from the opposing sides and he will rendezvous with them in the center. He continues with the expected HYDRA resistance, before informing them to proceed to the Northwest wing, where the X-Men are located, on his signal. Arms folded across his chest, Mac proclaims ‘It comes down to this: the odds of escape even with the X-Men’s aid are slim. Without them…? It’s near impossible’.
In another part of the jet, Shaman is preparing for the mission in his own fashion, calling upon the spirits of his ancestors to being him and his teammates strength in the impending battle. But sometimes the visions the seer wants, are not necessarily what he receives. Shaman is horrified when the vision he sees before him is of his friend and teammate, James MacDonald Hudson being blown up. Snowbird notices Shaman’s horror and asks him what is wrong. When Twoyoungmen reveals to her he had a premonition, Narya asks if it bodes ill. Shaman replies that it was a harrowing portrayal of things to come, and indeed bodes ill ‘for one of us‘. Shaman looks over to where a solemn Mac is sitting, slumped forward in his chair.
Walter goes over to his lover Aurora as she stares out a window, and asks her if she is okay with this. Remembering that it is Aurora’s other-self currently in control, the shy Jeanne-Marie, Walt asks if Jeanne-Marie is okay with this. Jeanne-Marie is about to answer, when her brother Northstar interrupts. Jean-Paul rudely tells Walt that his sister can take care of herself, and if there is trouble, then he will protect her. Jean-Paul tells Walt to worry about his own ‘flea-ridden hide’, and mocks him for the way he got kicked around by Xavier’s toys. ‘Why you arrogant, little frog!’ Walt shouts, annoyed, but before the two men can have-it-out Mac breaks them up, telling them to save it for what is ahead, as they are here.
T-Minus 3 Minutes: Snowbird, Sasquatch and Jeanne-Marie have disposed of the HYDRA agents outside their entrance point and Snowbird breaks into the observatory, the others follow her.
T-Minus 2 Minutes: Shaman works the control panel to the door at his entrance point while Northstar and Puck handle the HYDRA agents. T-Minus 1 Minute, Twoyoungmen thinks to himself that the team is doing well, and hopes that if the spirits are kind, their luck will continue.
T-Minus 30 Seconds: The army of HYDRA inside the observatory are made aware of six-anomalous bio-signatures entering the base. ‘We have guests’.
Alpha Flight attack the army of HYDRA soldiers in the center of the complex, Sasquatch cracks jokes as usual, ‘Surprised you guys made it on time, “Sawed-Off”’ he says to Judd as he shoves HYDRA agents out of his way. ‘Thought the same about you, eh, “Hairball”?’ Judd snaps back as he sits on a HYDRA soldier and pummels him. Snowbird and Jeanne-Marie dodge HYDRA wearing the super-powered armor, and as Northstar speeds across the ground, knocking several HYDRA over, he calls to his sister, telling her that he will be right there. Proving that she can use Aurora’s powers just fine, Jeanne-Marie tells Jean-Paul to tend to himself, pointing out that she needs no help.
Right on schedule, Guardian drops down into the midst of the battle, ‘Strucker! You have something of mine!’ Mac shouts. Strucker smirks, ‘Come to collect your toys have you?’ Once all the HYDRA agents are disposed of, Mac urges Shaman to lead the others on to rescue the X-Men, claiming he can handle things here. Twoyoungmen begins to protest, but Mac ignores him, ‘I said go!’ he shouts.
As Alpha Flight enter the corridor off the main chamber, a large door slams shut behind them. ‘Guardian is trapped!’ exclaims Snowbird. Twoyoungmen thinks back to the premonition, and tells Narya to focus, as the mission is too important. Shaman turns to Sasquatch and tells him it is up to him to get inside the chamber anyway that he can. Sasquatch starts to lift the heavy door as the Alphans depart.
Very soon, Alpha Flight reach the North-western location of the missing X-Men, but are confused to find the chambers the X-Men were held in all broken. Suddenly, ‘Hold it right there!’ someone shouts. Alpha Flight them turn to find themselves confronted by the X-Men. Cyclops tells the Alphans that he doesn’t know what beef Department H has with them this time, but before he can continue, Shaman cuts him off, telling him that he misunderstands, and reveals that Alpha Flight broke into the facility to look for them.
‘You call that stealth?’ asks former Alphan Wolverine, leaning against a wall as he lights up a cigarette. Cyclops mutters that Alpha Flight must have done something right, and reminds him that as soon as the power went down they were able to escape. Logan points out that the question remains - why are Alpha Flight here in the first place, and asks Twoyoungmen to pull an explanation out of his bag of tricks. Shaman begins telling the story, informing the X-Men that in exchange for all remaining proto-types of Guardian’s original armor, the Canadian government would receive sufficient funds to reinstate Department H, and therefore Alpha Flight. He points out that what no one realized was that HYDRA had planned a mole within the Canadian government to cut this deal. Shaman declares that this accounts for Alpha Flight’s involvement, but as for what Strucker wants with the X-Men, he does not know. What he does know, is that Guardian feels responsible. At the mention of his best friend’s name, Wolverine asks where Mac is.
Mac is trapped, he unleashes powerful blasts of electromagnetic energy, but more and more HYDRA agents attack him. Strucker looks on, grinning, he tells Mac to fight on and be the hero, to prove himself, before telling him that it matters not, as in the end, he shall die alone. ‘No one can save you’. Strucker is obviously unaware that Sasquatch is still outside the chamber, trying to force the door open.
Mac has disposed of all the HYDRA agents and turns to Strucker, telling him that it is he who does not see the big picture. ‘Aren’t I?’ Strucker asks with a grin as he clicks a button on the side of his char. Instantly, dozens of HYDRA agents wearing the battle suits Mac designed come flying up beside Canada’s iconic super hero.
Strucker watches intensely, while thinking to himself what exactly it is he sees: ‘a world full of costumed buffoons…of genetic freaks…of self-proclaimed saviors daring to bar my way from the supremacy that is my due’. Strucker then sees them trampled beneath his boots as he marches toward a goal, victims of the Blitzkrieg to come. ‘So fight to your last breath. You have failed’. Guardian is overwhelmed by the HYDRA agents who all close in on him, smothering him - but Sasquatch is incredibly strong, and with a loud roar rips up the reinforced door, rushing in to aid Mac.
‘Foolish beast. Come one, come all -’ Strucker cannot continue, as Wolverine exclaims ‘Itching t’pick a fight, tubby?’ Logan leads his former and current teams into the main chamber, and immediately, both groups of super heroes know what to do - engage the enemy. Jeanne-Marie calls to Nightcrawler, pointing out that the enemy is everywhere. ‘The more the merrier’ Kurt replies. For being knocked out before she even got to put up a fight when she was captured, Kitty Pryde phases through two of the armored HYDRA, ‘I’m not so easy a target when it’s a fair fight, am I? Creep’.
Colossus extends his arm to Puck and tells him to climb aboard, for a little manoeuvre called ‘The Fastball Special!’ Colossus throws the diminutive Alphan into the midst of the battle, propelling Judd thus giving him more oomph, ‘Hockey style, eh Colossus? Nice shot. For a Ruskie’ he adds quietly. Shaman believes Guardian to be safe, and after taking a staff from his medicine pouch he plunges it into the ground, causing vines to spread across his enemy as he praises Snowbird’s mother, Nelvanna, Goddess of the Northern Light.
Lemieu approaches Strucker, who asks Gary Cody’s former assistant if he brings him news. Holding a gun out in front of him, Lemieu cries ‘News? News?’ Strucker is calm and tells Lemieu that he is nothing more than a paperboy who has come to deliver today’s dispatch. Lemieu tells Strucker to look at himself - decked in rags, stinking of his own filth, his body corroded by the junk that he has infected himself with. Lemieu tells Strucker that he gave him everything, the battle suits and the X-Men. ‘How many times can one man lose in this lifetime and still call himself “superior”?’
Strucker answers Lemieu’s question by shooting him and declaring ‘As many as it takes’. Wolverine leaps towards Strucker, ‘End of the line, bub!’ But Strucker taps a small device on his wrist, ‘Only at my discretion. For now. There shall come a reckoning’ with that, Strucker vanishes. Wolverine asks Mac how it feels having his own technology used against him, to which Guardian replies that things do not always work out the way they want them. ‘Amen’ replies Wolverine as he looks at his friends, teammates past and present - Snowbird, Cyclops, Northstar, Jeanne-Marie, Nightcrawler, Shaman, Sasquatch, Storm, Puck, Colossus and Kitty Pryde - all standing on a mountain of deactivated battle suits.
Hours later, back at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, Kitty wraps her arms around the Professor and asks him if he thinks her and Colossus’ next date will be as exciting. ‘I sincerely pray not’ the Professor replies. Northstar watches as his sister holds hands with Walter who is talking to Cyclops, while Wolverine and Judd open a beer each. ‘Beer, nectar of the gods, eh, Shorty?’ Judd asks Logan. “Shorty?” Logan replies.
Guardian approaches Xavier and points out that everyone made it back in one piece and asks him if he is impressed. ‘Rather’ replies Charles, before smiling, and thanking Guardian. Snowbird points out to Twoyoungmen that his premonition did not come true and asks him if he will tells Guardian about it. Shaman informs Narya that this is the vexing nature of prophecy, ’some are better left unspoken’.
Wolverine asks Mac if everything is finally settled between him and Xavier, to which Mac replies that after all these years it finally appears so. Motioning to Alpha Flight who are all boarding Alpha Flight’s jet, Logan tells Mac he better get a move on. Mac smiles and asks Logan when it is that he is going to come and visit, as Heather misses him. ’She does, huh?’ asks Logan as the two men shake hands. ’We both do’ replies Mac. As the handsome hero climbs aboard the jet, Wolverine declares that the feeling is mutual.
Soon, at 138 Laurier Drive, Ottawa, Canada, Guardian flies through the window of his and Heather’s home. Heather informs Mac that Gary just rung her to inform her he was on his way, before asking him if everything is okay with him and the team. Guardian tells Heather that Alpha Flight did it, they really pulled it off just like he knew they could. He takes Heather in his arms and smiles, in the end he has to say that it was good to see old friends one more time.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Costumes On!
In the darkness of the woods, little Katie Power hunts for her brother Jack. She is dressed in an elaborate Cinderella gown although she still wears her typical “Katie-braids”. Jack, dressed as Wolverine, leaps from a tree and tackles her. Sorry, darlin’…but Jack ain’t here…
Jack plays too rough, though, and Katie’s princess costume is torn. When he refuses to get off her, Katie gets angry and begins to glow. Fine…let’s play…with that, Katie becomes Energizer and launches a volley of stored energy directly at Jack.
 Jack expands his mass and converts to cloud-form to avoid the attack, but loses his Wolverine costume in the process. Jack becomes angry that Katie could have ripped his costume. This is especially bothersome since he plans to win the costume contest. Katie doubts that will happen since his Wolverine is highly unoriginal. Jack calls Katie “Cinder-Smella” just to spite her, and Katie storms off. As she leaves, she tells Jack that Mom and Dad are leaving in five minutes…with or without him.
Later, the family arrives at the farmhouse where the party is being held. Mr. and Mrs. Power are dressed as Dr. Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein’s Monster, and Alex and Julie are dressed as Abraham Lincoln and an elf.
Julie and Alex head off with friends, and Mrs. Power and Katie head off to carve pumpkins. This leaves Jack and Mr. Power to go check out the competition for the costume contest. Jack is convinced that he has the trophy in the bag until he looks around and realized that the room is filled with no fewer than nineteen other versions of Wolverine. Dismayed, he sulks and leaves the party.
After winning an apple in the bobbing contest, Katie notices that Jack is pouting outside the barn. She tries to cheer him up, but Jack is too upset. He lashes out in frustration and anger and calls her a worthless little baby. Just because she is his sister doesn’t mean that she can pretend to be his friend. Get out of my life! Katie is broken-hearted and runs off into the woods crying.
Jack turns around and realizes that Julie and Alex saw the whole thing. They reprimand him for his temper and tell him that he needs to make this right with Katie or they will tell Mom and Dad. The three siblings set off into the woods to find their sister.
As Katie sits on a rock crying, she sees the silhouetted shape of Wolverine in the shadows. Assuming that it is Jack, the child spouts off at him and launches a volley of energy blasts in his direction. Wolverine is taken off guard, but moves quickly to dodge the attack. Katie is taken aback by her “brother’s” agility. She suddenly understands as Wolverine steps into the light, pops his claws, and tells her not to say a word if she wants to get out of the woods alive. Of course, she screams.
The other three Power children hear Katie’s cry and head off in her direction, but Jack goes the other way when he hears a loud “krakt” and decides to investigate. Alex and Julie can’t believe Jack would rather investigate a noise in the woods than find his sister who might be in danger, but Jack heads off alone anyway.
He comes across several trees that have been gouged with deep claw marks, and before he realizes what is happening, he is face to face with Sabretooth. He is hunting Wolverine, and says that he can smell him from here. Jack replies that he can smell him too…He thinks Sabretooth is another Halloween partygoer, and calls him hairball. He realizes how wrong he is when Sabretooth lunges at him and shreds his Wolverine costume.
Jack activates his mass controlling power and converts to cloud form just in time to avoid being disemboweled. The oafish Sabretooth is easily confused and Jack takes advantage of this to deliver a reverse Jack-Hammer punch right under Sabretooth’s chin. It was a mistake to go solid, however, for the feral mutant quickly grabs Jack by the arm and lifts him into air.
Wolverine and Jack’s brother and sisters show up just in the nick of time. Alex yells “Costumes on!” and the battle begins.
It is short one. Jack is amazed that Katie has found the real Wolverine and even more amazed when Logan asks Katie for some help. Power and Pack and Wolverine make quick work of Sabretooth thanks in great part to the teamwork of Jack and Katie. After Sabretooth is down, Jack admits that sometimes the best teammates are the ones you least suspect and smiles at Katie.
Suddenly Sabretooth leaps back into the fight. Jack distracts him with cloud cover and while he is blinded Wolverine punches his ticket. With the bad guy down for the count, Logan chains Sabretooth to a motorcycle and then joins the Power family for the rest of the Halloween party.
Everyone is surprised when Jack is declared the costume winner with his “battle- damaged” Wolverine costume. Jack grins as he clutches his trophy.
What can I say, bub? I’m the best there is at what I do…


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Mind Over Matter
The Power family arrives at the Annual Science Expo. Numerous stalls are spread out throughout the convention, as scientists talk to each other and the expo attendees. ‘If my theory holds...’ one of them can be heard saying. ‘Space-age polymers...’ another remarks. ’15 years ahead of its time...’ a third states, while Jim Power extends his arms and declares ‘Isn’t this amazing?’ His children look at him confused. ‘The world’s greatest inventors and scientists all gathered under one roof! Can you imagine anything more exciting than this?’ he asks them. ‘I can think of a few things...’ young Katie replies, wide-eyed. ‘He’s kidding, right? Please tell me he’s kidding...’ Jack frowns, folding his arms. Margaret Power tells her children that she will get their father to his booth before he bursts with excitement, which reminds Jim that there is a seminar on spontaneous combustion at 3:30. As Margaret and Jim head off, Margaret tells the kids to look around, to try not to get into too much trouble, and to have fun.
‘I don’t think you need to worry about that, Mom!’ eldest child Alex calls out, waving goodbye to his mother. ‘Ugh, can you believe that we’re stuck at this nerd-fest all day?’ Julie mutters to her siblings. Jack grinds and asks his older sister who she is trying to kid. He tells her that her clothes may have gotten trendier, but that she is still the family bookworm. ‘Just because I’m acing chemistry class doesn’t mean I enjoy it, Jack’ Julie protests. Looking around at the stalls, she asks ‘When am I ever gonna need to use any of this stuff in... in our “line of work”...’
‘Look out!’ someone declares. ‘A monster!’ another shouts. Familiar energy signatures start to materialize around the Power children as they stand ready for any approaching danger, before a voice calls out ‘Excuse me! Coming through! Sorry folks! Running late! Don’t mind me!’ – and Katie looks up at the blue-furred Henry McCoy a.k.a. the Beast, leaping across the crowds, and suggests to Julie that she should ask him.
Soon, the Beast stands on a stage, a large audience before him, as an announcer introduces him. ‘Now this is science!’ Jack declares as he, Alex and the girls take seats at the back of the room. The Beast greets his “friends and colleagues”, and points out that they may know him better as the Beast. ‘Over the years, I’ve been a member of the X-Men, the Avengers, the Defenders – the list goes on and on. But today, I take the utmost pride in being a lifelong member of your team – the scientific community!’ he states, explaining that the worlds of science and super heroics find themselves once again intertwined, thanks to his newest invention, a device that can analyze a person’s cellular structure and determine their genetic potential of possessing super powers. He holds the green device up to show the audience.
The Beast continues, remarking that although his strength, agility and good looks are all a result of genetic mutation, the potential ways that a person could become “enhanced” are nearly unlimited. He asks the audience if anyone can give him another example, but gets no response. ‘Anyone? Come on, now – don’t be shy’ he calls out to them. Julie raises her hand, ‘Yes – you! With the red hair!’ the Beast remarks, and Alex, Jack and Katie go wide-eyed as Julie states ‘A dying alien could transfer its powers to another person – or a group of people – so that they could stop a race of evil aliens from destroying the planet’. She then sinks in her seat, ‘Ummm... hypothetically speaking, of course’ she adds, although of course she knows that is indeed true, as that is how she and her siblings gained their powers. ‘You just couldn’t resist, could you, Brainiac?’ Jack quietly snaps at Julie.
‘Very creative! I like the way you think, young lady!’ the Beast smiles, before leaping across the audience. He announces that since she was the only one to volunteer, she gets to be the lucky girl who helps him demonstrate his new invention. ‘No!’ Julie calls out, before adding ‘I mean, I can’t, I’m sorry. I... ummm... I have stage fright!’ she claims. ‘And she’s allergic to fur!’ Katie exclaims. The Beast takes Julie by the hand and leads her towards the stage, assuring her that she has nothing to fear. ‘But... but...’ Julie protests, looking back at her brothers and sister, while the Beast instructs the audience to give a round of applause for their little test subject. They do so, clapping, while Alex tells Jack and Katie that this can’t be good. Julie stands nervously on the stage, while the Beast holds the green device up, ‘Ready to find out if you’re going to be just like me when you grow up?’ the Beast asks. ‘If I say “no” can I go sit down?’ Julie asks quietly, but loud enough for some in the audience to hear, and they laugh, while the Beast declares that she has a sense of humor and is delightful!
The device starts to scan Julie, and the Beast tells her that they are almost done. ‘And according to my readings – wait! These readings! They can’t be –’ he begins, when suddenly, the device seems to short circuit. ‘Oh, no!’ the Beast gasps. ‘You can say that again...’ Julie mumbles. The Beast looks at the device while apologizing to the audience, explaining that, apparently, he still has some unexpected bugs to work out. ‘Either that, or our young friend here is secretly one of the world’s youngest super heroes!’ he suggests. ‘Heh’ Julie smiles sweetly, while the audience erupts into laughter.
Elsewhere, a woman with dark hair, wearing a lab coat, leans over a counter towards Jim Power and tells him that his theories are amazing, suggesting that they discuss them further over lunch. ‘You? Lunch? With me? Well, I...that would be...’ Jim stammers, before Margaret walks up to him and declares that the Professor already has lunch plans – with his wife. ‘Yes... of course he does...’ Jim replies, before asking the woman if there is anything else he can show her – any of his work, that is. ‘No thanks, handsome... I think I’ve seen everything I need’ the woman replies, smiling as she walks away. Margaret and Jim start arguing, and do not see that the woman shifts form – firstly into a blue-skinned woman with red hair, and then into Jim – she is Mystique!
Soon, the Power children are walking out of the room where the Beast’s lecture was held, and Jack is angry at Julie. ‘I said I was sorry. I didn’t expect him to put me on stage’ Julie points out. ‘Yeah, well, we didn’t expect you to reveal our secret origin. So, hooray! Everyone got a surprise!’ Jack mutters. Alex tells Jack to cool it, and states that all that matters is that no one caught on. ‘Alex is right. Even the best of us totally screw up every now and then. Trust me... I know...’ Katie remarks. ‘Katie, I didn’t –’ Julie begins, when suddenly, a boy with dark hair calls out to her, ‘Julie? Hey, Julie!’ he waves at Julie, who smiles, ‘Greg! What are you –’ she begins, as Greg walks over to her and tells Julie that he saw her on stage, and it was so cool. ‘You got to meet a real live X-Man! I mean, how often does that happen?’ he grins. ‘More often than you’d think...’ Julie replies quietly, while Alex tells his sister that they are going to get some lunch, and asks her if she is coming. Katie frowns at Julie, while Jack scowls at her, and Julie tells her siblings to go ahead, and that she will catch up in a few minutes. ‘If I ever get like that around a boy, I expect you to put me out of my misery’ Katie tells Jack, who grins and asks if he has to wait that long.
Greg tells Julie that it is good to see her outside of school, to which Julie tells him that it is good to see him, too, but that it is too bad it had to be at this lame place. ‘Are you kidding? The guy I work for – Dr Essex – he said this was like the Super Bowl of science!’ Greg exclaims, adding that he has been looking forward to this for months. Julie smiles, ‘Yeah, ummm – me too! I was totally kidding! I would never let my Dad come here without me!’ she adds. ‘And speaking of my Dad...’ Julie remarks as she sees her father stride down the corridor, carrying the Beast’s device. ‘Hey, Dad! I want you to meet –’ Julie calls out to him, but Jim interrupts, ‘Out of my way, kid! “Daddy” has more important things to do!’ he shouts back. Julie looks hurt, and assures Greg that her father isn’t usually like that. Greg smiles and tells Julie not to worry, as these conventions can get really stressful, with so much to do in such a short time. ‘Which reminds me – if I don’t head to the lab soon, I’m gonna lose my internship!’ he remarks, smiling and waving goodbye to Julie, he tells her that he will see her on a Monday.
Julie doesn’t reply, she just stands in the corridor, arms folded, wondering where her Dad is going in such a hurry. ‘Hey there, sweetie!’ a voice calls out, and Julie turns around to see her Mom and Dad standing behind her. She looks confused, before Margaret asks Julie what happened to her sister and brothers. ‘You didn’t have to see them in order to buy one of the convention center’s overpriced hot dogs, did you?’ Jim smiles. ‘How are you – I – I just say you – didn’t you just run that way?’ Julie asks. ‘Run?’ Jim replies, while Margaret asks Julie what she is talking about. Suddenly, ‘That’s him, officers! That’s the man who stole my invention!’ the Beast announces, pointing at Jim Power. ‘WHAT?’ the Professor gasps, as he is surrounded by security guards. ‘Please come with us, Sir’ one of the officers asks, while Jim protests, announcing that this must be some kind of mistake. ‘No! I just saw – it wasn’t him!’ Julie calls out, while Margaret assures her daughter that it is okay, that they will stay put and figure this out.
Julie turns to the Beast, ‘Dr McCoy... you’ve got the wrong man!’ she exclaims. The Beast tells Julie that he is sorry, but he saw the culprit with his own eyes. Julie explains that she thinks she did too, and that another guy that look just like her Dad ran by here a few minutes ago. ‘Well, unless your father’s area of expertise involves cloning or alternate reality doppelgangers, I’m afraid he’s out of luck’ the Beast replies. At that moment, Alex, Jack and Katie rush towards their sister, ‘You’re not going to believe this!’ Alex shouts out. ‘We just saw Dad and he –’ Jack begins, before Julie interrupts: ‘I know. He’s been arrested for stealing Dr McCoy’s scanner’ she concludes. ‘Seriously? I was gonna say that we just saw Dad transform into a lady’ Jack explains. ‘A blue lady’ Katie adds. ‘The Beast looks thoughtful, ‘Intriguing... perhaps your father may be innocent after all’ he realizes.
Shortly, the Power children and the Beast make their way through the crowds at the convention, ‘There she is!’ one of them calls out when they see the woman with dark hair, wearing a lab coat and carrying the Beast’s scanner. ‘I thought you said she was blue’ Julie reminds her siblings. Alex explains that she was for a second, but then she morphed again to look like this. ‘And who can blame her? Hubba hubba!’ Jack remarks. The Beast tells the children that he appreciates their help, but that the time has come for them to go their separate ways. ‘With all due respect, Doctor – not a chance! This guy...or lady...whatever! She framed our Dad! This is personal now!’ Julie announces. ‘Perhaps’ the Beast replies, but points out that if this mystery woman is who he believes she is, then things are about to get very dangerous in here. Alex and Julie just smile, while Jack flexes his arms and boasts that “Dangerous” is his middle name. ‘Mine is Margaret’ Katie smiles.
The Beast tells the children that their enthusiasm is duly noted, but that this situation requires a more “super-heroic” touch. ‘See, that’s the thing...Remember when your machine freaked our earlier? I think I may have overloaded it’ Julie explains. The Beast tells her that that is virtually impossible. ‘The only way that you could have triggered the malfunction is if you already had – super powers?’ he goes wide-eyed, as the Power children’s super hero Power Pack costumes materialize before him. ‘Oh, my stars and garters’ the Beast gasps as Julie – Lightspeed, Jack – Mass Master, Alex – Zero-G, and Katie – Energizer, stand ready for action.
‘Excuse me, Ma’am...but that exist is for emergency use only!’ Zero-G calls out to the raven-haired woman as she approaches a door marked “emergency exit”. She turns to see the Beast and Power Pack standing behind her, as Mass Master declares that if she would like an emergency, they are always happy to help. ‘What’s going on? What do you people want from me? I’ve done nothing –’ the woman claims innocently. ‘Simply astounding!’ the Beast declares. ‘All these years, and your acting still hasn’t gotten any better...Mystique!’ and with her cover blown, the shape-shifter switches to her default form, ‘Neither has your smell, Beast’ Mystique smirks, while still holding the scanner in her possession. The Beast tells Mystique that they don’t have to resort to violence. ‘Just return my genetic analyzer and you can –’ the Beast begins, but Mystique tells him that she is sorry, but she has been offered a lot of money to steal this hunk of junk. ‘And you and your little play pals aren’t going to stop me!’ she declares, before shifting into the Juggernaut and boasting that nothing can stop her. ‘Yikes!’ Katie gasps, while some convention attendees nearby start to run away.
‘We’ll see about that’ the Beast declares as he leaps into the air and kicks Mystique-Juggernaut in the chest, knocking her back. ‘Look out!’ someone calls out as more people start to run away as a convention stand falls over. From the rubble, a scientist sits up, ‘What just happened?’ he asks rubbing his head. ‘Yeah, right! You can’t fool the Mass Master, lady! Now why don’t you just drop the stupid geek disguise and change back to normal blue self so we can get this –’ Mass Master suggests to the surprised scientist, when suddenly, Mystique, now with demon-like wings, suddenly flies out of the rubble and into the air. ‘Listen, about that stupid geek thing...’ Jack bashfully tells the scientist. Lightspeed follows Mystique, ‘You can’t stop me, girl’ Mystique snarls. ‘Maybe not, but I can stall you’ Lightspeed replies. ‘“Stall me?” For what?’ Mystique asks. ‘My brother. We call him Zero-G. Care to find out why’ Julie announces, as Zero-G thanks his sister, then cancels the gravity around Mystique, sending her plummeting to the ground, where she lands right on top of Jack. ‘Oof!’ Jack mutters, before getting to his feet – and staring back at him, is Mystique – now shifted into his form.
‘Hey! Watch it!’ the real Mass Master exclaims. ‘You watch it!’ Mystique-Mass Master replies. ‘Wait a minute! You look just like...me!’ they both say in unison. ‘Oh, man, she’s trying to trick you guys’ Mass Master calls out. ‘Yeah she totally is! I’m the real deal!’ the Mystique-Mass Master claims. ‘No way! I am!’ Mass Master declares, while Katie turns to the Beast and asks him how they are supposed to tell them apart. The Beast explains that Mystique can replicate a person’s appearance, but not their super powers. He asks Katie if there is any way she can force her brother to activate his abilities. ‘I’m sure I can figure something out’ Katie smiles, before releasing bursts of energy towards Mass Master and Mystique-Mass Master. ‘Hey! Watch it, Energizer!’ Mass Master exclaims as he switches to his cloud form so that Katie’s energy blasts don’t harm him. He returns to his human form and goes over to his siblings, asking Katie what she thinks she was doing. ‘Oh, I don’t know...maybe saving the day?’ Katie replies. Alex and Julie look up, and they look worried. ‘Hey, guys...I think we have much bigger things to worry about’ he tells his siblings as they turn and look at the large purple demon that Mystique has shifted to, looming over them.
The Beast turns to Mass Master, ‘Your codename suggests that you understand the key to defeating our oversized opponent!’ he tells the young hero. ‘I do’ Jack asks. ‘The Law of Conservation? Antoine Lavoisier? 1785? Ring any bells?’ the Beast asks. ‘Dude – I’m only ten’ Jack replies as he switches to his cloud form. ‘For future reference, the law states that –’ the Beast begins before the oversized Mystique-demon knocks over some equipment, which crashes into the Beast, knocking him out. ‘What are we gonna do now?’ Energizer asks, concerned. ‘I think I know!’ Lightspeed exclaims as she takes flight. ‘You do?’ Katie asks, calling out after her sister, as Lightspeed approaches the Mystique-demon and explains that the Law of Conservation, she learned about it in school, and that it says “mass is neither created nor destroyed”. Lightspeed states that she thinks the Beast was trying to tell them that Mystique always has the same mass – no matter what size she becomes. ‘In other words, she only looks big...’ Lightspeed announces as she punches the Mystique-demon hard in the face.
The punch reverts Mystique to her default form, and she falls back against a wall, knocking herself unconscious, she drops to the ground. ‘...but luckily, she still falls hard!’ Lightspeed smiles, while standing over the Beast’s scanner. ‘Indubitably!’ the Beast remarks as he and Zero-G approach Lightspeed.
Later, Mystique is seen being led away by security guards, her hands in some sort of dampening cuffs. The Power children have returned to their civilian clothing, and the Beast sits Katie on his shoulders, while Jim and Margaret Power stand with their children and the Beast outside of the convention. Jim announces that he is glad all of this is over, and suggests they pack up the booth and head home. ‘Just when I was starting to have some fun...’ Jack mutters. Jim shakes the Beast’s hand and thanks him, ‘Without you, I’d probably be behind bars’ he points out. ‘Don’t thank me! It’s these amazing children of yours that deserve the credit’ the Beast replies, while Katie starts to whisper in his ear ‘Shh! They don’t –’, so the Beast explains that it was the children that alerted him to Mystique’s presence. ‘Whew! Thanks!’ Katie whispers. The Beast puts a hand on Julie’s shoulder and tells Margaret and Jim that their eldest daughter is going to make quite the scientist someday. ‘You should be very proud’ he adds. ‘Julie – that’s wonderful! I never thought you liked any of this! What changed your mind?’ Jim smiles. Julie replies that she has finally realized that sometimes, the Laws of Matter really do matter!