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Pages from the Book of Sins
Westchester, the sun shines down on the front lawn of the Xavier Institute, where Ororo “Storm” Munroe, Betsy “Psylocke” Braddock, Lucas Bishop, the student Edie Sawyer a.k.a. U-Go Girl and Dracula stand their ground, ready for battle. 'Alpha Red!' Storm shouts. 'You threaten to replace mutant and mankind with your bloodthirsty breed? Mark my words, monster – that will not happen! The X-Men will not allow it!' Betsy asks Storm if she sees that that they are obnoxiously outnumbered, to which Dracula asks 'But for how long?'
Inside the X-Mansion, Dr Henry McCoy a.k.a. the Beast is in a lab with several students – Chamber, Husk, Artie and Dead Girl, as he tinkers with some sort of helmet. 'And that's it. Everything you need to know about virtual reality in under a minute. Questions?' the Beast asks. 'Just one, Beast' Dead Girl replies, asking if it is too late to drop out of school.
Chamber prepares some equipment, while Husk and Artie stand on some stairs nearby. 'Afraid so' the Beast tells Dead Girl, pointing out that not only did Alpha Red's incantation preternaturally alter every vampire on earth, but it also corrupted their super-computer, Cerebro. The Beast explains that traditional antivirus methods are out of the question, and so their only hope is to access that same program through VR and digitally exorcise the software. 'And that's where I come in?' Dead Girl asks. The Beast points out that Dead Girl's unique mutant abilities make her immune to the supernatural, so she is the best chance they have got. 'I'm not sure, I -' Dead Girl begins, nervously. 'I'll pass you for the semester' the Beast tells her, handing her the VR helmet. 'Honor Roll, here I come!' Dead Girl exclaims, putting the helmet on.
Back outside, the infected Wolverine a.k.a. Logan and Jubilation Lee stand alongside Maverick, the students Kid Sensitive and Leech and the People's Protectorate members Darkstar, Red Guardian, Vostok and Ursa Major as Alpha Red laughs at Storm and tells her that she talks tough, but that it doesn't matter how grandly she speaks or how resolved she is to stop him, because he has already run. 'The age of the mutant is over. All around the world vampires are rising to a new day – one where our weaknesses to religion and superstition are a thing of the past. Children of the night no more! We are unstoppable. Trust me. You're going to like being one of us' Alpha Red grins.
Storm points out that they don't have time for this, and orders Bishop and Psylocke to do their worst. 'X-Force style!' Bishop shouts as he ruses forward, holding a large weapon. 'And the children?' Psylocke enquires, psi-knife at the ready. Standing with U-Go Girl, Storm announces that she will deal with the children, but they are to focus on Alpha Red.
'No! He's my son – that makes him mine to punish!' Dracula cries  as he flies forward. 'You threaten me with rebuke? You who were my father in blood alone? No, I think not, old man!' Alpha Red shouts, boasting that Dracula will find he has no power over him, or any vampire for that matter. 'I have finally taken your place. I needn't even sully my hands with your demise' he remarks. 'Wolverine... you know what to do' Alpha Red commands Wolverine, who suddenly pops his claws, and replies 'Got a pretty good idea, Bub' as he slashes his claws across Alpha Red. 'But you ain't gonna like it!' Wolverine snarls, and Alpha Red screams.
Dracula looms over Alpha Red, 'Face me child! For the sins of the son must now be chastised by the father!' Dracula calls out. Alpha Red just growls, while Bishop shouts 'Get some!' as he fires his weapon, striking Darkstar, Red Guardian and Vostok at the same time. 'Traitor!' Maverick shouts as he grabs Wolverine from behind. 'Bad form, Wolvie! What gives?' Jubilee asks. Wolverine explains that his healing factor is fighting the bite, but he doesn't know how long he has got, so he took a shot while he could. As she kicks Ursa Major in the face, Psylocke tells Wolverine that if he feels like losing control again, he needs to say the word and they will put him down. 'Nothing like having friends' Wolverine replies.
'Never eaten a teacher's pet before!' the transformed Vivisector snarls as he and other transformed students move towards U-Go Girl and Storm. M, Kid Sensitive, Leech and Mondo are among them, as Storm tells Edie 'Just like we discussed'. U-Go Girl replies that she is ready, and shouts 'Set. Go!' As the transformed students lunge towards her, she teleports them, herself and Storm away.
An instant later, Storm and U-Go Girl return to the front lawn. 'Phew! Light headed, but... it worked' Edie exclaims, asking Storm if the others will be okay. Storm tells U-Go Girl that is not for her to worry about, and instructs her to find safety and get some rest, reminding her that she has class tomorrow.
The transformed students look around as they find themselves in the Danger Room. M, Leech, Doop, Vivisector, Kid Sensitive, Mondo and the others look confused, and Kid Sensitive wonders why she dropped them off here. The Danger Room computer tells the students that Storm has prepared a stimulating training session for them today, and launches program “Daywalker”. The students stand ready for battle as they are suddenly surrounded by holograms of Blade, who announces 'Well, well, well... looks like it's open season on all suckheads!' 'Oh, crap' M mutters.
Meantime, 'Helloooooo? Is there anybody home?' Dead Girl calls out as she floats through the VR world. Beast contacts her and asks her what she sees. 'Nothing too exciting' Dead Girl replies, explaining that she is just doing the Wonderland bit, and that it feels like she has been falling for days.
Suddenly, she lands in a cemetery. 'Whoa. Scenery just changed' she informs the Beast over the communicator, adding that the whole place looks pretty grim all of a sudden, and while normally that is her thing, she is a little wigged out. The Beast tells Dead Girl to stay calm, and assures her that they will get through this together. 'I'm gonna hold that to you, okay?' Dead Girl replies as she examines the strangely designed VR world. She then asks the Beast if he has any idea what she is looking for, when a voice calls out 'It looks like you're having trouble finding something. Can I help?'
Dead Girl looks over and sees a short man in a suit standing next to an open grave, the headstone reads Dead Girl. Died '92. Dead Girl asks him who he is, and the short man in the suit introduces himself as the Darkhold. 'May I grant your darkest wish at the cost of your immortal soul?' he enquires.

Back in the real world, Dead Girl mutters 'Who are you?' as the Beast shakes her body, 'Wait, who are you talking to? Is someone in there with you? Speak to me, Dead Girl. Dead Girl -' but he gets no response, and his concentration is interrupted by a loud BLANG. 'Oh, now what?' he asks Chamber.
They turn to the monitors, one of them depicts Psylocke outside who is fighting Vostok and Darkstar, while the other depicts Rogue outside the room they are in, slamming her fists into the door. 'Trouble! Rogue's outside and – well, you get the idea, yeah?' Chamber tells the Beast. The Beast points out that they have bigger concerns than the barbarians at the gate. 'Dead Girl's lost...in a computer?' Husk asks. Professor X has woken, and he asks the Beast to let him help, explaining that even weakened he can  still form a psychic link with Dead Girl. Wide-eyed, Chamber reminds the Beast that Rogue can snap their legs off with one hand when she's not a blood-sucking fiend, and now she is almost inside. 'Y'all tend to Goth Gal. I'll take care of little miss Rogue' Husk declares as she shucks her skin into a dense form.
Artie projects an image of some dynamite, while the Beast tells Husk that she is being admirable, but unnecessary, as this room was built to withstand the Juggernaut, so unlike Dead Girl, they are perfectly safe.
But an instant later, the door bursts open, knocking Chamber and the Beast over. 'What I tell you, chere? Ain't never been a door ol' Gambit couldn't open' Remy “Gambit” LeBeau boasts as he and Rogue enter the room. 'I don't know about you, sugah, but I've worked up one heck of an appetite. Who we gonna eat first?' Rogue grins. But as she and Gambit move towards the others, Chamber releases a burst of energy, knocking them back. Chamber stands in front of Artie, the Beast, Husk and Professor X as he asks 'Anybody else hungry?'
Back outside: 'You're slowing down, Wolvie – I can tell!' Jubilee exclaims, telling Wolverine to stop fighting it, and to come back to the dark side. Wolverine tells Jubilee to look around, as it ain't just him that's losing steam. 'They're getting weaker, Bishop!' Psylocke calls out as she leaps towards Darkstar, while Bishop fires his weapon at Maverick, Ursa Major and Vostok. 'Good. Makes 'em easier to hit!' Bishop shouts.
Jubilee grabs Wolverine by the wrist as Wolverine tells her that something is wrong with them – and he doesn't just mean the obvious. 'Unhand him, Jubilee!' Storm calls out, while Wolverine tellls Jubilee that they are burning out. 'Speak for yourself, slowpoke. I'm just getting warmed – aaaah!' Jubilee screams as her powers vanish, and she collapses into Wolverine's arms. Wolverine tells Storm that Jubilee is burning up and asks what is happening to them. 'It's Alpha Red. His bite destroys his victims over time! Jubilee is but the first – unless someone can end this curse'
Nearby: 'Behind me, master! I will protect you!' Red Guardian calls out to Alpha Red, clanging his shield against Dracula, who slices Red Guardian's shield in half. 'Protect yourself, minion. For today you face Dracula!' the vampire lord declares, before Alpha Red tosses Red Guardian aside with ease, 'Out of my way, dolt!' he exclaims, boasting that he needs no protection from this. He then tells his father that he speaks the name “Dracula” like it still means something. 'Unhand me, Janus!' Dracula tells his son. 'As you wish!' Alpha Red replies as he throws Dracula into the air. He then stands on Dracula when he lands. 'Be honest, father – do you feel even a twinge of pride in knowing your own offspring accomplished what you never could?' Alpha Red asks, boasting that he has freed their kind, remove the defects that made them less than well, save for one – beheading. 'Some things never go out of style' Alpha Red declares, holding half of Red Guardian's shield. 'Noo...' Dracula utters as there is a surge of lightning and Storm blasts Alpha Red away.
'Dracula, are you -' Storm begins as she drops down beside Dracula, who gets to his feet. But Dracula tells her that he needs not her sympathy or her help, and warns her too get away from him. 'No!' Storm exclaims, telling Dracula that he must set aside his vendetta long enough to help her friends, as he promised. 'Or is your bloodlust stronger than your word?' Storm enquires. 'You dare question my honor?' Dracula roars. 'Can you not see everything has changed? Janus has broken it all! Any power I possessed is his now. Along with your precious X-Men!' Dracula declares. He asks Storm that if she wants him to help her friends, then to bring him a shovel and he will dig their graves. Professor X telepathically calls out to Storm, asking her if she can hear him. 'Now leave me to my vengeance' Dracula declares as he walks away from Storm. 'Professor Xavier?' Storm replies, to which Dracula asks her if she has gone mad.
'Professor! Henry! Thank the goddess you're both alive, but – is this the Astral Plane? Why? The X-Men are dying. I don't have time -' Storm exclaims, as the Beast tells her that they have a situation, one that demands the acumen of all three senior X-Men. The Professor explains to Storm that they are inside the mind of Dead Girl, within Cerebro. He informs Storm that Dead Girl is communicating directly with something called the Darkhold, the vast database of arcane knowledge that Alpha Red uses to modify his vampire spawn. 'Show me, Professor!' Storm declares.
Storm, Xavier and the Beast watch as Dead Girl tells the Darkhold dwarf that she doesn't want to sell her soul, she is just here to help the X-Men. Can't you just undo what that goth guy did to everybody?' The Darkhold dwarf asks Dead Girl if she would like help to eradicate all vampires from existence. 'Wait, you can do that? How?' Dead Girl exclaims. A scroll hovers before Dead Girl, as the Darkhold dwarf explains that the Montessi Program will unleash a wave of dark energy that will fundamentally alter their genetic makeup – they will, in effect, be made human again.
'Uh, guys?' Dead Girl calls out, looking around for help. The Darkhold dwarf grins, 'No need to whisper, user. I'm well aware of your friends' he reveals.
'Do it quickly! We haven't a moment to spare!' Storm declares. But the Beast tells her to wait. 'You can't seriously be advocating this! We cannot use some unknown power to turn them all human! How do we even know what it's saying is true?' the Beast points out. Storm tells the Beast that there are few in this world she respects more than he, but they have no time for debate. 'The X-Men are dying - Jubilee is dying! We must save them!' The Professor tries to calm them both down, but they ignore him.
The Beast continues, reminding Storm that he has already watched Jubilee die once today, and asks if she thinks he wants to do so again. He declares that he refuses to believe dabbling with dark forces they scarcely understand is their only solution.
'Stop arguing! Please, I don't know what to do!' Dead Girl shouts, covering her ears with her hands. 'Save them all, child' Storm tells Dead Girl. 'There has to be another way. Just a little more time' the Beast declares. 'There are not easy decisions when you're an X-Man, Dead Girl. You must -' the Professor begins, before the three vanish.
'Oops! I have terminated your connection to outside users! The psychic feedback of unleashing the Montessi Program would have burned away their souls and rotted their living flesh' the Darkhold dwarf explains. He grins as he holds the scrolls towards Dead Girl, telling her that she doesn't have to worry about that – she can end this right now. Dead Girl explains that she hasn't made up her mind yet. 'Have you not?' the Darkhold dwarf asks. Dead Girl growns, before telling the Darkhold to give her the scroll. She takes it, and the Darkhold grins again, 'Good! We're almost done! Now...say. The. Words' the Darkhold dwarf urges her. Dead Girl then utters three fateful words: 'No more vampires'.
At that selfsame moment, a cascade of otherworldly energy erupts from Westchester. It is felt in the Greenwich Village brownstone of Doctor Strange, master of the mystic arts. 'By the Vishanti, what have they done?' Strange gasps. It is even felt outside the bounds of Earth, a shifting of forces beyond the knowledge of men...and X-Men, as Lord Dracula of the Cross-Time Draculas remarks that this is unexpected. 'They think themselves victorious, but they shall soon discover a world without vampires is a world out of balance'. And closer to home, in the chambers of the Gamesmaster, the shadowy figure knocks over a figurine of Alpha Red and remarks that it is a pity, as the von Struckers were so close. 'On to round two' he declares.
In Westchester, for the X-Men and their allies, there is victory. Wolverine and Jubilee smile at each other, while Rogue, Gambit, Darkstar, Maverick and the others look around, and examine themselves, freed of the vampiric influence. But for others... there is only loss. 'Janus? No, this is not the victory I wanted!' Dracula exclaims as Alpha Red reverts to a human appearance, screaming in pain. Storm rushes over, 'Dracula, let me -' she begins, but a furious Dracula warns her to stay back. 'You did this!' he shouts at her. Dracula declares that Janus's humanity has been returned, but that the dark rituals that he subjected himself to were never meant for humans. 'No, father...they were meant for those who would rule' Janus replies. He looks up at his father, weary, as he announces that he dies knowing that he brought vampires closer to dominating these frail weaklings than his father ever did. 'It is only betrayal that stopped me. Your alliance with these pretenders to the evolutionary throne' Janus declares.
Janus's body starts to crumble, and his father tells him that he could never make him understand. 'You can only prey upon them so much before their desperation turns them into the predator' Dracula points out. Janus replies that it is better to die having tried than to spend immortality as a failure. 'Goodbye, father...I pray we never...meet again...' Janus utters as he dies. 'I'm sorry' Storm tells Dracula. 'You' Dracula retorts, telling Storm to save her words, as they mean nothing. 'You employed the same magics as Janus – magic I warned you against, Storm. Do you know what you've done?' Dracula asks. Storm replies that she protected those she cares for most. 'Something you could've done for him long ago' she adds. Dracula declares that he wanted to correct his failures, to which Storm suggests to him that he should try learning from them, instead. 'Failure is a part of being human, Dracula. I suggest you get used to it' Storm adds.
A few days later, Gambit is outside the front of the Mansion, supervising M, Artie, Mondo and Vivisector as they remove some rubble. Gambit tells them to act like they are getting graded, as construction is more useful than algebra around here. Storm and the Professor are on the balcony at the top of the Mansion, and Storm asks the Professor if victory always feels this hollow. 'Frequently, I'm afraid' Charles tells her, adding that no one ever said being an X-Man was easy – certainly not him, at least. 'I never want it to be easy to place these children in harm's way' Storm declares. Charles tells her that it never will – not for her. 'It's the very thing that separates us from our enemies'. Charles tells Storm that if she would like some advice from one old leader to another, she should focus on the positive. 'None of our students were killed – at least not permanently'. Storm asks about Cerebro, to which the Professor reveals that Henry's diagnostic scans show no trace of the Darkhold in their systems, that it seemingly purged itself following Alpha Red's demise. 'Gone without a trace... much like our “friend” Dracula' Charles adds. 'Speaking of Henry...where is he this morning?' Storm enquires.
Storm finds Henry on a hill away from the Mansion, where he sits under a tree. 'I believe you have a class to teach, Professor McCoy' Storm remarks as she approaches him. 'Funny. Professor Logan never seems to have such definite hours' the Beast replies, without looking up from his book. Storm asks him if he needs to talk, to which the Beast tells her that everything he wants to say makes him sound like a raving lunatic. The Beast closes his book, but without turning to Storm, he tells her that he looks around at their living annd breathing students and knows he should be celebrating their victory – but he just can't help shake the feeling that they have made a proverbial deal with the devil. 'We do what we must' Storm responds. 'Always' the Beast replies. 'But given the chance, are there not those who would do the same to you and me? Make us human against our will? End the “mutant meance” once and for all?' Storm has her back to the Beast, and doesn't look at him as she announces that she will not apologize for saving lives. 'We did our jobs – protected our students, and the world. I feel no guilt in ridding the world of another monster. It was us or them, Henry'. The Beast lumbers down the hill, and calls back 'Yes. “Survival of the fittest”. Now where have I heard that before?' Storm stands under the tree and does not respond....


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[Assistant]
The Adventures of Cyclops & Phoenix: The Last X-Man
Anchorage, Alaska, inside a house within some woods, where the ground is covered in snow. 'Stop, Jean – you're out of control!' exclaims Scott “Cyclops” Summers to Jean Grey as they sit beside an open fire place, playing a board game. 'Sorry, Bub, but I'm the best there is at what I do – and what I do is win every time!' Jean replies. Both are wearing warm sweaters as they play the game, which consists of figurines of Wolverine and Colossus. 'Again? Tell the truth – you're manipulating the dice with your telekinesis, aren't you?' Scott asks. 'I am now!' Jean declares as she uses her telekinesis to throw the board game into the air. Scott laughs and tells her that he surrenders. Jean leans into Scott, “I surrender?” she quotes him. 'The one thing I never thought I'd hear Scott Summers say' Jean points out. Scott pauses, before announcing that he is sitting on Wolverine. 'Spoke too soon' Jean decides, before Scott picks up the figurine of Wolverine and tells Jean 'Believe it or not, I actually miss this guy. Not the smell. Or the snoring. Or the smell' Scott exclaims.
Jean puts a hand on Scott's arm and tells him that they can always go back. 'Bet they'd even let us have our old room' she adds. 'No. Two weeks ago, I walked out of that mansion without so much as a clue as to where I'd end up. And now... I can't imagine being anywhere else but here' Scott tells Jean. 'With you' he adds. 'Oh, Scott...' Jean begins. Scott asks her what is wrong – if it was something he said. Jean turns away from him and tells him that no one deserves happiness more than he. 'All you've done for the team, the world, all the sacrifices you've made... it's more than anyone will ever know'. Jean folds her arms, 'You're finished with the X-Men. I accept that, I do... but what if I'm not?' Jean asks. Scott puts a hand on Jean's shoulder and tells her that he wants to spend the rest of his of his life with her. 'If that means I'm in love with a super hero, well... I can't think of a better one than Jean Grey'.
'Well, maybe Spider-Man' Scott jokes as he takes Jean's hand and starts to lead her towards the bedroom. 'Scott, I'm serious' Jean exclaims. Scott reminds Jean that everyone knows he is the serious one. 'But after all we've seen and done... c'mon, we can get through anything' Scott tells her. Jean tells Scott that she loves him, and that they have a beautiful life in front of them. 'Lord willing, Ms Grey' Scott tells her. The door closes behind them, and Scott suggests that, for once, they do not think about the future.
'They are awake!' a voice calls out, as Scott and Jean wake on golden slabs. Scott calls out to Jean, who moans. 'Our uniforms – Scott, where are we?' Jean asks, sitting up, they are wearing their uniforms, and surrounded by dozens of people on robes. 'Pretty sure it's not Anchorage' Scott points out, before asking 'What's going on here? Who are you people?'
Scott and Jean stand up and hold defensive poses. 'They are eager to fight' one of the figures in robes points out. 'You bet we are, mister. Now start talking – and fast' Scott exclaims, before Jean informs him that their minds are so different than anything she has felt before – they are so peaceful. The robed figure tells Cyclops and Jean that they mean them no harm. 'Do not lie to them!' a forceful voice cries out. Jean approaches the source of this voice – a person hidden under a hooded robe. 'They are in grave danger – as are we all! But we're working on changing that' the mysterious figure announces. 'Jean?' Scott calls out. Jean tells him that it is all right, before asking the mysterious figure 'I know you, don't I?' to which the figure replies 'Part of me, yes'. 'Um, Jean... introductions?' Cyclops asks. 'No need, Scott. You already know her...' Jean announces, as the woman removes her hood, revealing the withered, old face of Rachel Summers. 'The Phoenix' Jean declares.
'Please. Call me Rachel. Welcome to the year 3992' Rachel greets them. 'The future? How -' Cyclops shouts. Rachel explains that the power of the Phoenix is limitless. She coughs, and adds that it used to be, at least. Scott and Jean help the old woman to stand, and she tells them that pulling them forward through time has taken a lot out of her – neither she nor the Phoenix Force plan on being around much longer. 'But your spirit – it's so bright! You're not afraid...' Jean asks. 'Of dying? Not anymore' Rachel replies.
They walk through some sort of temple, with carvings along the wall. Jean helps Rachel down a flight of stairs, while Cyclops tells the old woman that she has his sympathies, but tells her that if she has brought them here to help save the Phoenix or something like that, then she is going to be disappointed. 'The universe is better off without' Scott declares. 'You are exactly as the legends describe' Rachel tells him, before she explains that the Phoenix's time has come to an end. 'Follow me. They're waiting for us below' she tells them. “They?” Jean asks.
Cyclops follows Jean and Rachel down the steps and looks at the drawings on the wall. He realizes that they are Apocalypse's life story. 'What is this, some kind of history lesson?' he asks. 'For some' Rachel replies. 'For others, like yourselves, a glimpse of what is yet to be' 'But... the X-Men destroyed him!' Jean points out. Rachel remarks that many have “destroyed” Apocalypse, but never permanently. She reveals that even now, in their present, he gathers new Horsemen and will soon usher in a period of unparalleled genocide. 'The X-Men would never let that happen' Cyclops states, to which Rachel points out that they stand in a world that proves they did. 'Magneto, too? Does anyone stay dead in the future?' Jean asks as she sees an image of Magneto amongst the drawings. Scott calls Jean over to look at anothrer drawing, and Rachel explains that when Apocalypse took his conquest to the stars, it was Mister Sinister who took his place, and his first act as “emperor” was to wipe out half the planet's population. An image of the Phoenix behind her, Rachel reveals that she saved those she could, but that they are on the precipice of extinction, and in desperation, she asked the Phoenix to guide her, to help her save what little world they had left.
'And what, it gave you us?' Scott asks. 'It did' Rachel tells him. 'That chanting I hear. What are they saying - “Ask can he”?' Jean enquires. They reach the bottom of the stairs, where others are waiting for them. 'Askani!' someone exclaims 'She has done it!' another shouts. 'Askani!' others cry out. 'The Slim and the Red!' another declares. 'Locked and loaded, Mother Askani. We're ready' a strange being calls out as Rachel removes her cloak, revealing a red spiked costume underneath.
Rachel introduces the strange being as Blaquesmith and informs Scott and Jean that he will be accompanying them. 'Hold on! We never agreed to -' Scott begins, but Jean interrupts him, asking for a word. 'Jean, I've got a plan to get us home -' Scott tells Jean, while some of the Askani Clan help Mother Askani into a golden suit of armor. Jean tells Scott that she is going with Mother Askani. 'I know you can't feel it in the same way I can, but... this entire world was razed by Apocalypse, and now Mister Sinister. They need the X-Men, Scott, and right now, I'm the only one they've got' Jean declares. 'Unless you know of another' she adds. Scott sighs, and tells Jean that she wins. 'Every time' Jean smiles.
Jean, Scott, Rachel and Blaquesmith stand before a large set of doors which start to open. The Askani Clan members stand around them. 'All right. We're in. But...is this everybody? Aren't we a little light on supplies?' Jean asks. Rachel explains that Blaquesmith is a master builder – it is his mutant power. 'Anything we don't have, he can make' she adds. Blaquesmith announces that the good news is the trip won't take long. But the bad news is – everything else. 'And where exactly is it we're headed?' Cyclops enquires. 'There' Mother Askani declares as the doors open, and motions up at a large statue of Mister Sinister. She calls it Citadel Sinister, and reveals that it is in the heart of the Savage Land. 'That is where our destiny lies' she announces. 'And you know this how?' a rather anxious Cyclops asks. 'The Phoenix told me' the old woman reveals. She announces that in the Askani Scrolls, it is written that a journey across the Savage Land one took mere moments, and at the height of its decadence, there were underground trains and mysterious beings called Taxik'aabs that would carry those they swallowed to their destination. 'But those days are gone! In this, the Sinister Century, you're more likely to run into...' Askani begins, before the quartet are surrounded by: '...Mauraders!' she shouts as deformed versions of heroes and villains appear.
'There's a void where their minds should be -' Jean calls out, to which Blaquesmith tells her to quit thinking at them and fight, as this is only gonna get worse. Shirtless, Cyclops punches a Deadpool Marauder in the face. 'Break his jaw, baby!' Jean calls out, while the Deadpool Marauder asks if this count as a cameo.
'Gimme a break!' Jean mutters as several Marauders resembling a strange being appear in a tunnel. The heroes continue on, as large tripods loom over them. 'Small brains. Still yummy' the tripods call down at the heroes, while further on, the heroes encounter a dinosaur that fires beams from its eyes. 'We have to be getting close!' Jean calls out as they dodge the creature's eye blast.
Closer to the citadel, Cyclops and Askani take some time to sleep, while Jean sits with Blaquesmith and asks him what he is working on. Blaquesmith tells her that is is something he found in the tunnels. Jean enquires as to how long he has known Rachel, and Blaquesmith reveals that he has since he was young. He explains that his parents used to steal food and medicine from the Askani, and one day they got caught – but they never cared much for how he looked, so they offered him in exchange for their freedom. Blaquesmith reveals that he repaired stoves and generators around the cloister, which got him noticed by Mother Askani herself, and since then he has been her right hand. 'I'm sorry, Blaquesmith, bringing us here – using the Phoenix to anchor us in your time. It's killing her, and I don't -' Jean begins, but Blaquesmith informs her that it is the very thing that is keeping her alive. Suddenly, 'Finished!' he shouts as he holds up the device he was tinkering with – a polaroid camera, which flashes as he takes a photo of Jean, who laughs.
The Citadel Sinister, Cyclops, Jean, Blaquesmith and Mother Askani enter the citadel with relative ease. 'For all the trouble we had getting here...I expected some kind of defenses at the building itself, this seems almost too -' Cyclops begins, but Jean interrupts him and tells him not to say it. Blaquesmith remarks that there is no need to worry about defenses, as no one has ever made it this far before. 'No...others have. And they're still here!' Mother Askani calls out. Jean announces that she feels it, too. A cluster of life – or something close to it – stimulated by their very presence here, just beyond the door up ahead. 'What are we up against, people?' Cyclops asks. 'We're about to find out...' Rachel remarks, as the door opens, and suddenly, various versions of Cyclops and Jean Grey appear. 'We are THE ESSEX MEN!' one version of Cyclops with a large face that covers most of his body announces. 'And you're not better than us!' an early version of Jean, in her green mini-dress costume exclaims.
Jean blocks and attack with a telekinetic field and asks 'What are they?' Cyclops fires an optic blast as Rachel reports that they are aberrations – by-products of Sinister's cloning experiments. 'Failed or not, they're still quite impressive' Blaquesmith states as he shoots one of the Cyclops clones. 'I'll – take that as a compliment, Blaquesmith!' Cyclops calls out as one of his clones knocks him to the ground and pins him down. 'Scott!' Jean shouts as she rushes over to Cyclops, who looks up and sees an X-Factor era Marvel Girl with what appear to be brains attached to her hands behind the real Jean. 'Don't worry about me, Jean – watch your back!' Cyclops calls out to his locer as he blasts the clone with a close-range optic beam. 'This way!' Blaquesmith calls out to everyone as he blasts a Jean clone away. 'Come on, Scott! I'll clear a path!' Jean calls out as Scott helps Rachel walk towards the door Blaquesmith has opened.
Rachel coughs, and Cyclops tells her to hang in there. Blaquesmith presses a button on a console, which seals the door behind them. He tells the others that it won't hold forever, but that it should buy them some time. 'Help me understand this – those things out there -' Scott begins, as Rachel explains that they are imperfect clones of he and Jean, grown from tainted genetic material. Jean remarks that Sinister has always been fixated on them, but points out that they are two thousand years in the future, and asks why he still cares, not to mention what it is he is doing here. 'It had to be you' Rachel utters. 'Are you all right?' Jean asks, while Cyclops frowns, and asks 'We're not here to destroy Sinister, are we, Rachel?' 'No' Rachel replies, turning from Scott and Jean, when suddenly, 'Oh, don't look so shocked!' a voice calls out, and Jean and Scott look up to see: 'Mister Sinister!' Cyclops shouts.
The bearded Sinister stands before Cyclops and Jean and greets them, telling them that they look just as he remember – flawless, unpolluted, a spotless canvas of genetic perfection. 'Yes, you'll do nicely' he declares, before turning away from everyone and telling Rachel that she did well. 'Rachel – you're working with him?' Cyclops shouts. Rachel replies 'No!' and explains that they have a shared goal. 'That is all. It was the only way'. Jean informs Scott that she tells the truth, that she senses no deception in either of them. Standing before some monitors, Sinister remarks 'Of course not. Who has the time for deception anymore?' and announces that Apocalypse is returning. 'And we've prepared quite the homecoming' Sinister remarks, motioning to a large egg-like pod, with an “X” on it. 'Are we supposed to be impressed?' Jean asks. Sinister reminds them that Apocalypse made him, and explains that after centuries in service, he longged for revenge. 'So when he charged me with tending his flock, naturally I tried to kill the sheep' Sinister then tells Jean and Cyclops that he found inspiration in those who survived, especially their descendant. 'Rachel?' Cyclops asks.

Sinister replies that Rachel's resilience proved even the end times were no match for the Summers-Grey bloodline, so when she came to him with a plan to defeat En Sabah Nur, he couldn't refuse. 'Please, have a look' Sinister asks Scott and Jean, who peer into the eff. 'Oh' Jean utters, while Cyclops tells Sinister that he is a monster. 'Perhaps' Sinister replies, clasping his hands together. 'But I think even you would agree, a force like Apocalypse needs a balance. And when one does not exist...nyou get creative'. Sinister remarks that when the subject's biology wouldn't stabilize, and he even tried techno-orgnaic bonding, Rachel suggested that they stop playing God and start playing Cupid. 'And that's where you come in'. But Cyclops tells Sinister to forget it. 'We won't be part of this!' he shouts, as a computer recording states that genetic harvest is complete. 'Stand by for recombination'. The computer then reports that subject CAB-1-L is stabilized.
Tears pour from an eye, as Sinister tells Jean and Cyclops that they already have – the moment they set foot inside the citadel, his nanomites began harvesting their DNA and feeding it into the birth matrix. 'A child crafted from the original DNA of Jean Grey and Scott Summers. The mutant messiah is born!' Sinister announces, before asking 'Care to meet our son?'
The egg glows. 'Jean, I -' Scott begins, while Jean tells Sinister to get him out of there. 'I've been calling him Nathan' Sinister remarks as a teenage boy emerges from the egg. His left arm and part of his chest are some sort of metal. 'Oh, Scott. He's...' Jean utters. 'Cable? Cable's our... son?' Scott asks. 'He's beautiful. He has your eyes' Jean smiles as she and Cyclops hold Nathan.
Blaquesmith suggests to Mother Askani that they should be leaving now, to which the old woman tells him to tend to the boy, and that she won't be long. 'You did your part, Sinister, and for that, I am grateful. But our truce is at an end. I will take the boy with me, and we are to speak of this day never again, understood?' Mother Askani declares. 'Of course, Mother Askani. But before you go – a proposition' Sinister replies. He tells Mother Askani to look around, and asks if the boy would not be better suited for his future here, with him. 'What's he saying? Rachel -' Jean begins, but Blaquesmith tells Jean that this is between Rachel and Sinister. Sinister points out that Rachel is old, and admits that he has seen better days himself, but that he stands a greater chance of molding Nathan into the enemy of Apocalypse that he is meant to be. 'Your life is at an end, Rachel. When you go, Scott and Jean's connection to this era will be broken, and they will return to their own time period'. Sinister points out that on that day, the boy will be his anyway.
'The Phoenix has long offered you great wisdom, Rachel. Let it do so again. Listen to what it's telling you... it knows I'm right' Sinister calls out to her. Rachel closes her eyes, as energy roars up around her. 'YES' she admits, before releasing the Phoenix, which destroys Sinister, reducing his body to nothing in spectacular display. 'Rachel!' Jean calls out, while Cyclops turns Nathan away from the scene of terror. 'Don't look' Cyclops tells his son. 'But I disagree' Rachel utters as she collapses. Suddenly, 'We're fading!' Scott calls out as he and Jean begin to disappear. 'That was the last of the Phoenix Force. She can't keep us here any longer. Nathan, I -' Jean begins, while Cyclops tells Nathan that they will find him again – he swears it. With that, the polaroid photo of Jean falls to Nathan's feet, and Blaquesmith holds the old Rachel in his arms. 'She's gone. Nothing left of her of the Phoenix' he announces. Blaquesmith looks up at Nathan and tells him that he is to be his teacher. 'Do you know what that is? You must have so many questions' Blaquesmith remarks. 'Just one. When do I get a gun?' Nathan asks, looking up at a monitor which states that Apocalypse will return in 6 years, 6 months and 6 days... 666.
Elsewhen:
'Ugggh... what -' Cyclops utters as he and Jean examine their new surroundings, where someone calls out 'Tell Alchemax to send a better class of assassin next time!' They find themselves surrounded by a large white-skinned being, a red creature with wings, a woman in pink and white, a man with glowing fists, and another man. 'It'll take a lot more than you two to stop... the X-Men!' the winged man declares. 'Scott?' 'Jean?' the heroes call out to each other, unaware that those who surround them are known as Metalhead, Bloodhawk, Krystallin, Skullfire and Meanstreak, the X-Men of the year 2099!


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Lilapalooza
In space above the planet Earth, the space station called the Peak is position. It is the orbital headquarters of SWORD – Space Warfare, Operations, Recon and Defense. Commander Abigail Brand, the Supreme Director of SWORD is lowered to the command deck on a moving platform as a computer recording indicates a red alert – an unauthorized spacecraft has entered earthspace. 'I need a sitrep and I need it yesterday!' Brand orders.
An officer informs Brand that he ran it through the database, and that he got a match, but he doesn't think they have anything to worry about. 'Says here it's a peacekeeper' the officer reports. 'Give me that!' the abrupt Brand declares, snatching a piece of paper from the officer's hand. She grins: 'Perfect. Like this is what I needed today' she remarks, before ordering her crew to get her eyes on that ship. 'On screen, Commander!' an officer calls out, and Brand looks up at the screen, which depicts the spacecraft. 'Yeah, that's him' Brand remarks, before asking for an ETA. The computer reports that the vessel is entering the atmosphere in approximately eleven minutes. 'Peak control, prepare to bodyslide by one' Brand calls out as she runs along a corridor. The computer asks for coordinates, so Brand responds by stating some numbers. The computer receives the destination, and primes the dematerialization chamber. 'Next stop... Westchester!'
Meanwhile, in Westchester itself, a concert is underway, headlined by Lila Cheney and her band, the Flaming Lips. Lila Cheney is an intergalactic pop star, and interplanetary teleporter. The large crowd before the stage goes wild, as the band ready themselves: 'Ready, Steven?' a guitarist calls out to the drummer. 'Let's do this, Michael!' Steven calls back on drums. 'Take it away, Wayne!' Lila calls out to another guitarist, who introduces the Flaming Lips, before Lila introduces herself: 'And this is Lilapalooza! 1 – 2 – one' Lila begins before she starts to sing.
Near the stage, two women dressed as Dazzler look perplexed as the X-Man called Bishop tells them that he doesn't care whose fan club they are in – nobody gets back there without a pass. With Bishop is Wolverine a.k.a. Logan who leans against a wall and remarks that the backstage entrance is secure. 'How we looking everywhere else?' he asks.
Inside a booth somewhere, Henry McCoy a.k.a. the Beast watches several monitors as he sings along to Lila's performance. The Beast then replies that it might be too early to claim success, but that they are off to an auspicious beginning. Flying above the crowd is Rogue, who announces that the skies are all clear, and adds that having Storm around for an outdoor festival is pretty handy. Over the communicator, Rogue asks Gambit a.k.a. Remy LeBeau if there are any troubles down by the concessions. At the concessions, one woman doesn't look very happy, while the other with her is enthralled by Gambit, who holds their ID cards and tells them 'Nice try', but that they can'd fool Gambit with a faux ID. 'Don't y'all know cards is what he do best?'
'Awful lot of unsavoury characters hanging about' Betsy Braddock a.k.a. Psylocke remarks, looking unimpressed as she and Ororo “Storm” Munroe stand at the stairs to the back of the stage. 'They're called “Roadies”, Psylocke. And if you think this is bad, you should've been here when I toured with Nightcat!' Lila exclaims as she approaches the women.
'Lila! So good to see you, old friend!' Storm smiles. 'Are you kidding – you're the ones helping me out by being here' Lila grins as she and Storm embrace. Storm replies that a human / mutant unity concert is an extraordinary idea, and adds that they wouldn't be very good role models if they weren't involved. Hands on hips, Betsy frowns and asks 'Tending to your every security need is “helping out”? You're welcome, I suppose'. Storm reminds Betsy that as the world's foremost mutant heroes, their mere presence is the most effective deterrent against violence. Storm adds that Lila is a friend. 'She could ask far more and we would gladly provide'.
'Funny you should mention that, Ororo' Lila announces. 'So, if I had an intergalactic bounty on my head -' she starts to say, before an announcer declares that the Toadies are up next on stage. 'Yo, Lila – we're on!' one of the Toadies tells Lila, who turns away from Storm: 'Um, to be continued?' she asks. 'Lila – I thought you were done with a life of space crime!' Storm exclaims. Taking a guitar, Lila tells Storm that it isn't as bad as it sounds. 'I'll tell you all about it after the encore, okay?' she calls out. Storm looks concerned, while Betsy smiles and tells Storm 'I'm starting to see why you like her'. Lila then begins to sing as she performs with the Toadies.
The performance is watched on the television in the rec room back at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, where Jubilee sits on the sofa, arms crossed and frowning, she exclaims 'This is bogus. The most important concert ever, and we're stuck here, grounded!' Without looking up from the book she is reading, M reminds Jubilee that she did try to kill everyone in the school. 'What I don't get is why the rest of us have to suffer for your mistake, Jubilee' M continues, while Doop flies across the back of the room carrying a skateboard, Kid Sensitive and Vivisector are playing table tennis,  and Penance and Mondo are playing football. 'Yeah, well at least it took becoming a vampire to make me a jerk. What's your excuse, Monet?' Jubilee snaps, sitting up. M still doesn't look at Jubilee as she replies 'I don't need an excuse. I didn't break curfew to go on the date that nearly took out the X-Men'.
'You know what -' Jubilee declares, raising her voice as she stands up and points at M, when suddenly a voice calls her name. Jubilee turns to see Professor Charles Xavier in the doorway. With him are Chamber, Artie and Dead Girl. 'Oh! Uh, Hey, Professor. Class is over already?' Jubilee asks. M doesn't bother to look up from her book, while the Professor explains to Jubilee that this is not punishment, it is for her own safety. Xavier adds that the student body has been through a lot, and until they are absolutely sure they are all recovered from their recent encounter with Alpha Red, they will all remain at the mansion.
Chamber reminds the Professor that Dead Girl fixed them right up when she saved the day. Jubilee scowls as Dead Girl smiles at Chamber and tells him he is sweet, but she didn't. 'I mean, Professor McCoy said there's no way to be sure...' her voice trails off as Chamber points out that they aren't trying to eat other anymore, so he reckons it is safe to call it a success. 'Be that as it may, Mr Starsmore, it's something to remember next time you decide to break curfew' the Professor suggests as he leaves the rec room. 'Told you' M calls out as she turns the page in her book. Chamber has to hold Jubilee back as she attempts to lunge at M.
Back at Lilapalooza, Bishop continues to guard the stage door. Wolverine brings him some food, but Bishop declares that he doesn't eat while on duty. 'Suit yourself...' Wolverine replies as he leans against the door with two hot dogs and two cans of beer. '... but if you're this uptight around a bunch of overzealous teenagers, maybe yer in the wrong line of work, Bishop' Logan suggests, to which Bishop tells Wolverine that he might be going soft in his old age. 'Nah. Just a guy who's learned when to turn it on and turn it off' Logan smiles. As Logan knocks back a beer, Bishop tells him that he is a legend in the future. 'But the reality is, you're nothing like the stories the Witness used to tell me and my sister!' Casually, Wolverine tells Bishop that he has some read bad news for him about the Easter Bunny. Wolverine then crushes the beer can and tells Bishop that he has been to the future, the past and everywhere in between. 'And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that -' Logan starts to say, before a wide-eyed Bishop asks 'What is that?'
A spacecraft has come to a stop over the concert, and starts to descend. 'That ship – it's not Shi'ar. The Kree, maybe?' Bishop suggests as he and Logan race through the crowd, who are staring up in awe and pointing at the vessel. 'Not one I recognize, but let's assume it's trouble. So much for enjoying the show – you ready to turn it on, kid?' Logan asks Bishop, while on the stage, Lila asks everyone to please stay calm and not to panic. 'This is definitely all part of the show, okay?' Lila announces. 'She's lying, isn't she?' Betsy asks Storm as they race onto the stage  to protect Lila. 'Oh yes. Let's go' Storm calls out, while nearby, a stagehand is busy moving some equipment. He pulls out a phone: 'Gamesmaster? Yes, it's Cortez. Slight change of plan. No, no, keep watching...I'm ready to make my move. But things just got a lot more interesting' the villain called Fabian Cortez declares.
Storm tells Lila that it is time to come clean: 'What is this? What are we dealing with?' she asks. Lila reports that he is here for her, and only her. 'Who's he?' Betsy enquires. 'Just some bounty hunter I've been running from -' Lila begins, when suddenly, the entrance to the spacecraft slowly opens, and a voice calls out 'No, Cheney! Not a “bounty hunter”. Bounty hunters are a sorry, disreputable lot. Me... I'm a professional, yes!' announces a strange being called Death's Head, who is a freelance peacekeeping agent! Jumping into the stage, Death's Head announces that he is always on the clock. 'Maybe you oughta consider takin' a day off now an' again, big 'un!' Rogue suggests as she swoops down and slams into Death's Head. 'The element of surprise!' Death's Head remarks. 'Always effective, yes?' Gambit calls out as he throws some kinetically-charged playing cards towards Death's Head. The Toadies start to run, while Storm tells Lila to get down. Gambit then asks Death's Head why he has to go ruining everybody's fun. 'Everybody 'cept Gambit, that is!' the X-Man adds. 'Fun? Explosions this small are almost an insult!' Death's Head declares.
Wolverine arrives on the stage and pops his claws: 'You know what they say about insults, Bub – they ain't nothing compared to sticks, stones and adamantium claws!' Wolverine leaps at Death's Head, who replies 'Good advice' and offers some to Wolverine as he pulls out a mace and slams it into Wolverine, knocking him backwards. 'Always look before you leap' Death's Head suggests. Bishop tells everyone else to stay back. 'I've got this!' he assures them, but Death's Head grabs the end of Bishop's large weapon and declares 'This is a simple misunderstanding, yes? There's no contract on you. Only Cheney! Let me do my job and I'll be on my way'.
But the Beast runs past Storm, Betsy and Lila and tells Death's Head that is where he will find the problem. 'We're rather attached to her on Earth!' Storm asks the Beast to wait, suggesting she talk to him. 'We won't let him -' the Beast begins, but he is knocked back as Death's Head throws Bishop into him.
The X-Men regroup and gather together, as Death's Head turns to face them. He tells them that they can make this easy or hard – the job pays the same either way. 'Honey, you must not know about the X-Men' Rogue tells him. 'That's right – we always make it tres difficile!' Gambit adds. Suddenly, there is a teleport signal and Abigail Brand appears between the X-Men and Death's Head. 'Stand down, Death's Head!' Abigail declares, pointing a weapon at the strange being. Brand introduces herself and announces that she is an authorized representative for Earth under the Kree / Skrull Accords. Brand adds that Cheney is currently petitioning for planetary asylum. 'And as I'm sure you know, that means no extraction without approval. And I don't recall you stopping by my office to file the paperwork'. “Death's Head”? Gambit asks. 'Makes “Wolverine” sound a li'l less bizarre, no?' Brand tells Gambit to keep the comments to himself and adds that this is delicate work. Brand then suggests to Death's Head that he can leave, or he can violate a dozen interstellar treaties and tick off the planet that beat back Galactus. 'You're choice, either way...Cheney's doing nowhere' Brand declares.
But, suddenly: 'Oh, I don't know about that' Cortez snarls as he appears behind Lila and the X-Men, grabbing Lila, energy glows around her. 'Cortez!' Storm gasps, while Lila screams and asks 'What's happening? Can't – too much power!' while Cortez just laughs. He continues to hold onto Lila, 'Just a little longer, my dear!' he tells her, while Wolverine leaps towards Cortez, claws at the ready, he tells him to get his hands off her – when suddenly, the X-Men and Lila all vanish. 'And that, as they say... is that' Cortez grins.
'Hey, something just happened at the concert. The X-Men – they – they're gone!' Vivisector informs the others in the rec room. M looks up from her book, while Jubilee, Chamber and Dead Girl gather around the television. 'What are you talking about?' Jubilee asks Vivisector. 'One second I'm watching Lila and the Toadies. Then some ugly robot guy's there, and next thing I know – poof! Adios X-Men!' he explains. 'Then what're we waiting for?' Jubilee asks as she moves into action. Chamber tells Jubilee that they should talk to the Professor. 'Seriously, Chamber. She's just looking for a good excuse to get to Lilapalooza, right Jubilee?' M calls out. Wide-eyed, Jubilee declares that this is not about some stupid concert. 'This is about being there for your team when they're in trouble. You might not know about that, but I'm an X-Man. So either shut up, or help me figure out how to get past the Professor'. But the Professor appears in the doorway and tells Jubilee that there is no need. 'You're right. We should be there. Now, who would like to go on a field trip?'
An unknown location. The terrain is dry and barren save for some strange plants and pools of mud. There is a burst of energy, as the X-Men, Lila, Brand and Death's Head materialize. '- trash!' Wolverine grumbles as he falls forward into a pool of mud. Storm and Brand tend to Lila, who looks distressed. She announces that she thinks that guy overloaded her powers. 'Couldn't keep myself from 'porting...' Lila explains. Bishop and Rogue help Wolverine up as Rogue asks 'Teleportin' where? This sure as heck ain't New York, sugah'. Wolverine sniffs the air and reports that this isn't Earth, as everything smells wrong. 'If we are no longer on Earth, then treaties no longer apply, yes?' Death's Head asks as he reaches out for Brand, who grabs his arm: 'No' she tells him, before pulling him into the air and throwing him into a pool of mud. 'And until we know exactly where we are... you're on your best behavior' Brand tells him.
Brand turns back to Lila and asks her if there is any chance she can zap them back home. Lila replies that she can't even think about it without almost losing her lunch. 'Adding my cleaning bill to the expense report, yes?' Death's Head mutters. 'Do, what then? We're stuck here?' Betsy asks. The Beast suggests that they should count themselves lucky, for if Lila's teleportation was truly uncontrollable, then they are astronomically fortunate that they didn't find themselves floating in the vacuum of space. 'All my years as an X-Man, and I ain't sure I've ever seen good luck, McCoy' Wolverine declares. Gambit smiles and tells Rogue that it sounds to him that they are on vacation whether they like it or not. 'And us without our swimsuits' he grins. 'Keep dreamin' Cajun' Rogue replies. Wolverine looks at the ridges that surround them and suggests that as soon as they are done flirting, they could help him scout the perimeter. 'Call me paranoid – but I got a feeling we ain't alone' Wolverine informs the others, while, up on one of the ridges, several different alien Brood are gathered. 'Who is it, leader? Are we discovered?' one of the aliens asks. 'No, my soldier... we are saved' the leader of the unusual group of Brood announces.


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Untitled
Westchester, the Lilapalooza concert has been interrupted. Concert-goers are not happy, and shout 'WE WANT LILA! WE WANT LILA!' while back stage, the band known as the Toadies peer out from behind the curtains. 'Huh! Wish I'd known they were planning a big stunt!' one of them remarks. 'Could've given them a few pointers' another suggests. 'I don't think their disappearance was intentional, Wayne' another proposes. 'This is a disaster! Those X-Men are a magnet for trouble! Wonder if it's too late to book Woodstock?' another asks as he puts a phone to his ear.
Someone runs towards the group, 'The X-Men had nothing to do with this, Scott! It was that weird roadie with the ponytail. He did something to Lila and poof! They were gone!' He adds that he chased the roadie to the parking lot, but then lost him. Wayne points out that whatever the case, they have 300,000 angry fans and a missing headliner. 'If we don't do something -' he begins, before Scott pushes Wayne out onto the stage: 'Great idea, Wayne! You should do something! Get out there. Be amazing! Be weird – I don't care!' 'Guys?' Wayne calls back to the others, who poke their heads from behind the curtains and raise their thumbs at him, telling him to break a leg.
Wayne picks up a microphone and smiles at the large crowd, asking them if they like karate. 'BOOOO!' the crowd roars, before shouting 'WE WANT LILA!' again.
Suddenly: 'We'll take it from here, Mr Coyne' a voice calls out, as a gloved hand grabs the microphone from the surprised musician. He looks around the stage to find several gold and blue clad mutants: Multiple Man! Polaris! Strong Guy! Havok! Forge! Wolfsbane! Wayne looks nervous as the large Strong Guy leans into him, while Havok calmly addresses the audience, asking for their attention. He tells the audience that he recognizes that it has been an eventful afternoon, before stating that they are in charge now, and that everything is under control. He introduces his team as X-Factor and explains that they work for the government. 'BOOOOO!' the crowd responds. 'Get off the stage, you second-rate Cyclops!' someone calls out. 'Ugh' Havok mutters, before turning to Forge and asking him what they have.
Forge reports that there are trace elements of bio-displacement energy, to which Wayne announces that Vaden saw a guy with a ponytail touch Lila before they vanished. Strong Guy a.k.a. Guido Carosella clenches a fist, raises it to Wayne and asks 'Who's Vaden, huh? One of the Nasty Boys? Part of Hell's Belles?' Wayne looks confused and explains that Vaden sings for the Toadies.
Polaris a.k.a. Lorna Dane comes between them and tells Guido to take it easy. She apologizes to Wayne and explains that he used to be Lila's bodyguard. Havok tells his team to focus, and instructs Guido and Multiple Man to get on crowd control. 'Obviously' Jamie Madrox replies as he creates dupes and moves towards the crowd. Polaris tells Rahne Sinclair a.k.a. Wolfsbane to come with her, as she wants to investigate the alien ship. Havok turns to Wayne and informs him that they have orders to get the Lips and the Toadies to safety, as they have lost enough national treasures for one day. 'Sure thing, but if you have a second... would you mind telling me more about those pink robots you guys're always fighting?' Wayne asks, smiling.
Meanwhile, across the universe, the X-Men, Lila Cheney, Commander Abigail Brand and the bounty hunter Death's Head find themselves on an alien world. 'Pardon the expression, but I'm fairly certain these aren't my stars at all!' Dr Henry McCoy a.k.a. the Beast jokes. Brand announces that she doesn't recognize them either, and points out that wherever they are, they are nowhere near Earth. 'Of course... if someone a little more well-travelled would actually bother to help, maybe we could figure things out!' Brand snaps at Death's Head, who reminds Brand that he has told her already – he only “helps” when he is being paid to. 'Unbelievable' Brand mutters, rolling her eyes.
The Beast points out that even if they knew exactly where in the galaxy they were, they don't have a way home without Lila's power. 'And I'm afraid that may not be an option for quite a while, Henry' Ororo “Storm” Munroe remarks as she and Betsy “Psylocke” Braddock help Lila Cheney to stand. 'No kiddin' Lila moans, adding that every time she even thinks about trying to teleport them back home, it hurts so much she can't think straight. 'Cortez really did a number on me' Lila remarks.
'You're the doctor, McCoy. What's the prognosis? How long until Lila's back in working order?' Psylocke enquires. 'How long after a sprained ankle can you run a marathon, Psylocke?' the Beast replies. He suggests that it could just be a matter of bed rest, but reminds the others about what happened to Professor X when he pushed himself to the limit battling Cassandra Nova – it has been weeks and he still hasn't fully recovered. The Beast tells Lila that if the man she saw on stage was in fact Fabian Cortez, then his attack pushed Lila's powers past their limits, so without proper treatment, he supposes they could think of this as an extended camping trip. 'It was Cortez, all right. I'd know that lousy little polecat anywhere!' Rogue exclaims as she drops down amongst the group. Bishop asks her if she saw anything up there, but Rogue announces that she didn't see nothing – no cities, no people, not a dadgum thing for miles. Remy “Gambit” LeBeau joins the group and reports that it was empty on this side too, but that is the good news. 'Ain't nobody trying to kill us for the next few minutes, non?' he points out. 'I'm just thankful we landed here instead of someplace out in space. I couldn't even -' Lila begins, but Storm interrupts her, 'Hold, child' she declares. Gambit asks Storm if something is wrong, to which Storm replies 'Perhaps it's nothing, Remy... but Wolverine should have returned by now'. With that, the group falls silent.
Nearby, several Brood of various forms are gathered. 'The time grows short!' one of them announces in their native tongue. 'We must engage them now!' another declares. 'No, Hardside! Their power is too great! We would be crushed!' a green Brood exclaims. A blue Brood that appears to be crackling with energy calls the green Brood Phader and announces that Phader speaks the truth. The blue Brood suggests that they wait until they are at ease, then make their approach. 'What if we know wrong? What if they are hunter-killers – here to bleed us for the birds?' Hardside asks. 'Hunter-killers they may be, Sharpwing... but bleed us, they won't!' the Brood with green glowing energy on its forehead exclaims. Suddenly, a voice calls out 'Never learned to speak bug... but I know an ambush when I see one!' followed by the familiar SNIKT sound.
Back with the X-Men:'There! On the hillside!' Storm exclaims, pointing to a hill where some energy can be seen. 'What was that?' the Beast asks. Gambit tells Rogue that he thought she said there was nothing out there. Rogue replies that she ain't got x-ray vision, before asking Bishop what he thinks. Bishop supposes it could be an energy weapon, but adds that it is too far off to be sure. 'Ah yes. But thankfully, it seems to be getting closer!' the Beast points out. 'Bloody -' Betsy calls out, while Storm gasps 'Goddess!' as Wolverine is thrown towards them with a surge of energy. 'Not quite, Stormy. Think we just found our missing -' Gambit begins, while Storm exclaims 'Logan – are you?' as Wolverine a.k.a. Logan gets to his feet, claws at the ready, he tells Storm that it is just a scrape and that he is feeling better already. He adds that he wouldn't mind a hand with round two, though, as these ain't your average run of the mill Sleazoids. “Sleazoids”? Rogue asks. 'Oh, honey, you don't mean -' She starts to ask. 'Fraid so, darlin. The BROOD!' Wolverine announces as the horrid aliens appear before the X-Men.
Back in Westchester:'Y'know, this is exactly what I thought I'd be doing as a member of the United States Government's mutant  task force' Strong Guy remarks as he juggles several Multiple Man dupes, while an unimpressed audience looks on. 'You think you've got it bad!' the dupes reply. At the rear of the stage, Forge and Havok are surveying footage on monitors, and see a man with a ponytail in some of the footage. 'That's him there' Forge declares. Havok asks Forge if he is sure, pointing out that you can't get a good look at him under all the hair. 'I'll try not to take that personally, Alex' the long-haired Forge replies, adding that VHS resolution only goes so high, but if he had five minutes, then he could build something to enhance it. 'Make it two, Forge. We don't have a lot of time to spare' Havok replies, when suddenly, 'Perhaps you might allow me to be of some assistance' Professor Xavier calls out. '...if you're not too busy, that is' he adds as he, Jubilee, M, Chamber and Dead Girl appear behind Forge and Havok, who turn in shock at the new arrivals.
'Professor Xavier! It's a pleasure. I'm Forge. Big admirer of your work' Forge calls out as he shakes Xavier's hand. 'Ah, yes – the inventor' Xavier replies, adding that Cyclops briefed him on the X-Men's previous encounter with X-Factor. 'He spoke quite highly of your skills as a team' Xavier smiles. 'And what'd he have to say about me?' Havok asks. 'You must be Havok' Charles remarks. Frowning and folding her arms, Jubilee mutters 'More like “half-cocked” if you ask me. These guys love to shoot first and ask questions never'. Charles informs Havok and Forge that the man on screen is called Fabian Cortez, and is one of the most dangerous mutants on the planet. 'Oh yeah? Never heard of him' Havok replies. Memories flash through Xavier's mind as he explains that Cortez possesses the ability to enhance and overcharge another mutant's power. Charles reveals that at the height of the Westchester Wars, Magneto sought to use this enhancement to make himself unstoppable in his quest for mutant supremacy, but that these power boosts are dangerously addictive, something Cortez used to position himself as the puppet master behind Magneto's throne. Charles adds that Cortez's plan was foiled, but it took Magneto's death and the destruction of Asteroid M to do it, and Cortez has been missing ever since. 'It seems he still holds a grudge' Charles points out.
Elsewhere: 'Before you say anything, Fitzroy, I know I'm early. Turns out, ridding the world of the X-Men doesn't take as long as you might... think?' Fitzroy calls out, but he looks shocked as Fitzroy and Shaw are nowhere to be seen. He sees the Von Strucker twins, Andreas and Andrea bound with straps of metal, lying on the floor. Andrea has tears in her eyes. 'What is this? I don't have time for this, Gamesmaster! I dealt a killing blow to Xavier's X-Men this day, and I – I demand my prize!' Cortez exclaims. But a voice informs Fabian Cortez that the Gamesmaster is not here. Fabian looks up and sees two figures standing in the shadows. Metal shards hover around one of them, who appears to be controlling the shards. 'But I'll get him soon enough!' the figure controlling the shards remarks. 'You! But how can it be you? You're...you're...' Fabian's voice trails off. 'I'm not the man you believe me to be' the figure announces. 'Although he and I have a lot in common' the mysterious figure remarks, before the shards of metal are thrust towards Cortez, tearing through his body as he cries out in agony.
Back at Lilapalooza, Polaris and Wolfsbane are under the mysterious space ship. Lorna asks Wolfsbane what her take is, to which the young mutant replies that it smells weird, but she supposes that is to be expected, given it is from space and all. She adds that it is a good sign the space craft didn't start shooting when they got close. Lorna agrees that it seems safe enough, but reminds Wolfsbane that procedure says they should move it away from civilians until the boys from DARPA can have a look. 'Right then...give her a lift!' Wolfsbane replies, as Lorna proceeds to use her magnetic powers to lift the space craft overhead.
Amongst the crowd, several mutants are with the festival goers. 'Look at 'em. Government stooges. Thought this was supposed to be about mutant unity, brother' a large mutant with slugs on his shoulder remarks. 'Yeah, keep looking up. Sentinels should be along any second now' a female with bones sticking out of her back comments. 'Can't believe we fell for this. Just an excuse to get us all in one place' a large gray-skinned mutant with a red bandana asks the others. 'You even gotta ask? I wanna get X-Treme!' a handsome man with long blond hair declares, tugging on his gloves. His name is Adam X. You're welcome. The others are Random, Marrow and Maggott, and they follow Adam X as he strides towards Polaris and Wolfsbane. Wolfsbane notices the other mutants and warns Lorna that they have company.
'What's up, sellouts?' Adam X calls out to them. Wolfsbane bares her teeth at Adam X as he looks down at her, suggesting she get back to President Kelly and tell him that his little plan to round up real mutants was a bust – before things get violent. Wolfsbane assures Adam X that that they are not here to fight. Polaris keeps her eyes on Adam X as he tells Wolfsbane to get out of the mosh pit. 'Settle down, Wolverteen' Polaris tells Adam X as she uses her magnetic power to push him away from Wolfsbane, suggesting that they find a better place for that anger than in her friend's face. Adam X warns Polaris that she has down it now. Calling her a narc, he tells her that laying powers on him was her first mistake. 'Wanna guess what you're second was?' Random asks, aiming his arm, which he has transformed into a weapon, at Polaris. Marrow and Maggott stand at the ready, too, as Polaris looks around and remarks 'Oh well, time to make the donuts...'.
And far away, the X-Men and Abigail Brand have engaged the Brood in combat. Wolverine tells the others that it took his senses a while to adjust, but that the Brood ain't the kind of smell you forget. Brand kicks one of the Brood, and informs Death's Head that everything in his SWORD file is wrong. 'I have a file? Does it disclose my net worth, because that's personal -' the mercenary starts to reply, but Abigail tells him that it says he has a strong moral code, and that he hates seeing good sentients come  to harm. 'Every sentient's a potential customer, yes? As for the bit about the code... must've meant binary code. The world's just a sequence – of zeroes and ones – and dollar signs!' Death's Head responds. 'But they're trying to kill us!' Brand declares as Death's Head continues to stand with his arms folded, not involved in the battle. 'Wouldn't be so sure about that' Death's Head casually responds, as the Beast comes to Brand's aid against one of the Brood. Beast calls Abigail that she is wasting her breath on that one, while he, on the other hand, is at her service. 'May I call you Abigail?' he asks.
Storm tells Lila to fear not, for even though her connection to this planet's weather is not as strong as it is on Earth, she can still protect her. 'And I've got enough firepower to make up the difference!' Bishop boasts. Betsy suddenly warns Bishop not to shoot, as the Brood's minds are archaic, but she doesn't think they are their enemies. 'Yeah? Well, they're doing a pretty good impression of it!' Wolverine declares. 'They don't back down?' one of the Brood remarks as it moves towards Wolverine. 'No, Logan, I think she's right!' the Beast calls out, as he grabs Abigail and holds her in the air. 'Pardon me, Madam' he tells Abigail, while explaining that he thinks the Brood might be reacting in defense. 'They would hardly be the warriors hive-mother told us about if they did!' another Brood exclaims. The blue-energy-like Brood darts about Gambit who asks 'What are we supposed to do then, ask 'em to stop? How about it, Brand – parlez-vous Brood?' while the blue Brood is struck by Gambit's kinetically-charged playing cards at the blue Brood as it tells the others that they must end this quickly, as the purple one comes soon.
'Swamp Rat's right! It's the Brood we're talking about!' Rogue reminds the others as the green one, Phader, appears to phase through her, and asks 'Do the power, Openmind?' The Brood with the green energy on its head replies 'Truth, Phader. Time grows short now. Our only chance is to cast all them with all I have – and hope their mammal brains can survive!' Suddenly, Openmind releases the green energy and shouts 'Hear me, X-Men! Join in our mind that we may communicate! We are not your enemies!' he announces. Images of the Brood flash through the X-Men's minds, as Openmind tells the X-Men that the Brood are like the X-Men – changed. Openmind announces that they are born on Acanti, beneath the rays of a blackhole star, and bathed in that strange, harsh light, they were granted abilities not seen within the hives of the Brood. And, cast out, they were sent to wander the harsh cosmos as exiles – hunted, hated and feared by those that do not understand... those who move through the void to end them.
The X-Men watch Openmind as he tells them that they know the X-Men have encountered their species before, they know the hatred, but they are of the hive no longer. 'We now wander apart as...Ex-Brood'. 'Must've scrambled my eggs good, Bub. Not only can I understand what you're saying, but it sound to me like you said you called yourselves the X-Brood' Wolverine remarks. Storm gasps that, by the Bright Lady, these Brood are mutants! 'Yes! The first of our kind – and last if we are found by the hunters who pursue us' Openmind points out, explaining that, in desperation, he cast his thoughts to find help, and pulled the teleporter to this world that they might not die here, alone and forgotten. Openmind introduces himself, and the other X-Brood – Phader, Hardside, Fastskin and Sharpwing. He address Storm as “Silver Leader” and asks her to help them. 'You...you will have my protection' Storm announces. She declares that she cannot stand by and let a new mutant race be destroyed, but that she will not speak for her friends, as the choice must be their own.
Storm takes Openmind's “hand” before Wolverine smiles and remarks that he can't believe he is saying this – 'But count me in'. He puts his hand on Storm's, followed by Bishop, who asks 'Mutant Brood? The 20th Century just keeps gettng weirder' while Betsy is next, asking Bishop if he hasn't learned by now that weird is what they do best. 'Ain't got nothing else to do out here, eh?' Gambit points out, while Rogue decides that it will be a good story for the students back at school. “The wheel is come full circle. Here I am” the Beast quotes, smiling as he puts his hand on the others. Abigail informs the others that as Director of SWORD, it is her duty to protect new forms of alien life. 'I'm with you' she assures them. Suddenly, Death's Head puts his hand on the others. They all look up at him, surprised. 'I'll be sending you each a bill, yes?' he asks them.
But, three hundred miles above, in orbit, a vessel containing members of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard is positioned. Among them are Oracle, Smasher, Starbolt and Flashfire, who announces that he is not sure what the Brood were doing down there, but the mutant energy signature just spiked on their scanner. 'We know exactly where they are!' he reports, before stating that he is laying in coordinates. 'Awaiting your orders, Praetor?' he asks, turning to a shadowy figure who sits in the command chair. 'The order is simple...' begins Gladiator as he comes into view: '...destroy every living thing on the surface of that planet!'


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Untitled
Giza, Egypt, where the uber-mutant, Apocalypse carries a large, spiked, curved sword, and drags the demon-lord N'astirh behind him. Apocalypse announces that negotiations with N'astirh went poorly, and reveals that Limbo refuses to join their cause. 'They will stand with neither mutant nor human. We are alone'. Apocalypse adds that he can no longer delay the inevitable, so they must act quickly – for their enemy draws near. Behind Apocalypse are Exodus and Bastion, while the Gamesmaster approach Apocalypse and asks 'But what of the X-Game?' to which Apocalypse remarks that they are no longer allowed such luxuries – the days of winners and champions are behind them, and the only title worthy of fighting for now is survivor. 'Very well, my Lord, but...I have some troubling news' the Gamesmaster replies. Apocalypse raises the sword overhead and declares 'The barriers between dimensions are crumbling because of the actions of your Upstarts – even demons flee in terror... and you bring me more “troubling news”?' Apocalypse asks.
'Fine. Enlighten me – but first... I would look upon your true face... Mystique' Apocalypse demands, as within the eerie pyramid, Mystique reveals her true self, and informs Apocalypse that Fabian Cortez sent the X-Men into deep space with no way of returning. 'Hmm. Quite the feat, I admit. But my contest's purpose was to weed out weakness and hone the X-Men into the saviors we need' Apocalypse remarks. 'Not remove them from the battle entirely' Apocalypse orders, before asking about the other Upstarts.
Mystique reports that Fitzroy and Shaw have gone silent, and as far as the Von Struckers and Cortez, well, she found evidence of foul play in their game room, and holds up Cortez's tattered cape. Apocalypse does not look happy. '“Troubling news” indeed' he quotes, and announces that mutant kind's greatest foe draws near. 'If the X-Men can't save the world... then who among us can?'
The Lilapalooza concert, where backstage, Forge of X-Factor has a large blueprint displayed on a monitor. 'Fascinating – and brilliant if I may say so' Professor X remarks, while Jubilee, M, Chamber and Dead Girl stand nearby. Forge thanks the Professor and explains that it is crude, but that the amplified power signature scanner should do the job. Forge points out that, fortunately for them, Lila's teleportation leaves a very distinctive energy trail, and with the satellite uplink in place, they should be able to locate the X-Men, but that it will take time, as Lila's powers work on a galactic scale, and it might be days before they know where the X-Men are. 'I'm sorry, Professor' Forge adds. But the Professor tells him not to be, and adds that his students are resourceful and resilient. 'I have every confidence that -' Charles begins, interrupted by a loud BOOM. 'Did you feel that?' Forge asks. 'Yes, and... is that screaming?' Charles enquires.
Outside, concert goers flee as X-Factor has engaged several mutants who were attending the concert in battle. 'Get 'em off me! Why are you so disgusting, man?' Strong Guy shouts as he is attacked by Maggott's creatures. Polaris uses her magnetic powers to lift Adam X the X-Treme into the air and offers him a tip – not to cover himself in metal before he picks a fight with the Mistress of Magnetism! Wolfsbane dodges Marrow, who lashes out with her bones. 'Can't we talk this out?' Wolfsbane asks. 'No!' Marrow shouts, knocking back Multiple Man and one of his dupes, too. 'You say surrender! I say mutant equality now!' Random shouts as he firest a blast of energy at Havok, who fires one back. 'For the love of – we're not here to arrest you, damn it!' Havok calls out. 'This is worse than the Westchester Wars!' one of the fleeing concert goers exclaims. 'No kidding! At least I knew what they were fighting about back then!' someone calls back.
Forge and Professor X have entered the crowd, and Forge asks the Professor if he is okay, and whether he can calm the crowd. 'Easier said than done, Forge' Xavier replies, informing the Forge that his gifts were pushed to the breaking point only a few months ago. 'Find my students! Get them on crowd control before someone's hurt!' X-Treme has broken away from Polaris, and suddenly he sees the Professor. 'Yo! That's the old man – the one who can shut down brains!' he exclaims, before holding up one of his throwing blades: 'Eat this, Gepetto!' X-Treme shouts, but before he can throw it, someone grabs his hand: 'I think that's quite enough out of young' M tells him, using her strength to hold him back. 'Monet's right, mate. Time to settle down' Chamber remarks to X-Treme, while Jubilee, holding a very large drink, tells X-Treme that she is all about a little attitude, but that the old guy is with them, and they would like to keep him in one piece.
X-Treme pulls away, but his blade is broken. 'Hands off, brat! You don't understand the struggle! Living in some fancy mansion! Ain't got a clue what it means to be a real mutant! To make it out here you gotta be X-Treme! You feel me!?' he shouts. Monet smiles: 'Not even a little bit. But thank you. You just made things so much easier'.
Across the universe, Storm and Abigail Brand of SWORD stand on the deserted planet, a large “X” in a circle on the ground before them. Brand announces that the SWORD file on these guys is bigger than her Toyota Celica, and that she hopes Storm knows what she is going. 'That makes two of us, Agent Brand' Storm replies, when suddenly, there is a teleport signal, and Gladiator, Oracle, Smasher and Starbolt of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard materialize. 'Storm. It's been too long' Gladiator calls out. Storm greets Gladiator and tells him that she is glad he found them. 'Imagine my surprise to discover our old friends the X-Men so far from home' Gladiator replies, before asking Storm how they ended up here. 'Perhaps I can tell the story once we've resolved the matter at hand' Storm suggests. 'So you're not looking for a ride home, then? Who's your friend' Gladiator asks, referring to Brand. Brand introduces herself and boasts that she is Earth's foremost expert on extraterrestrial threats and containment. 'I can assure you that the Brood refugees pose no -' Brand begins, but Gladiator asks' Does this look like Earth to you?'
'Gladiator, please -' Storm starts to say, but the powerful being asks Storm where the Brood are, declaring that he knows they are close. 'It's only matter of time before -' he begins, while Oracle puts her fingers to her head, concentrating. 'You destroy them? What right have you to take these creatures' lives?' Storm asks Gladiator, interrupting him. Gladiator mutters that he grows tired of this, and asks Oracle what the X-Men know. 'Their thoughts...defended. Like daggers stabbing at my mind' Oracle utters, collapsing backwards into Smasher. 'Xavier's psychic conditioning, no doubt' Gladiator supposes, before telling Storm that she asks “What right” and declares that he is praetor of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard, personally charged by the Majestrix Lilandra Neramani with their eradication. Gladiator announces that these Brood are far deadlier than anything they have faced before, and given the chance to procreate, this new breed of cosmic parasite would decimate the galaxy. 'It is imperative we are rid of them before they become a greater threat!' Gladiator explains, adding that he has no wish to fight Storm, but that the Brood cannot be allowed to live.
'Very well, Gladiator. Remember the answer you gave today when next you're asked to spare another's life' Storm replies. 'What are you talking about?' Gladiator asks, when suddenly, 'She's talking about my, space boy!' Rogue exclaims as she appears above Gladiator, and slams her fist into him, sending him careenings backwards into a rockface, which breaks into rubble. 'You can drop the cloak now, Phader. I think they know we're here' Psylocke declares as she, Wolveine, Bishop, Lila Cheney and the Ex-Brood – Phader, Sharpwing, Openmind, Fastskin and Hardside mateiralize and together with Storm and Brand, surround the Imperiaal Guard members. 'What -' Starbolt begins. 'How – where'd they come from?' Smasher asks. 'X-Men! Defend the Brood!' Storm commands. 'Hey, ain't nobody ever said that before' Wolverine jokes. 'Does your species always speak this much whil you fight?' one of the Brood asks. Bishop addresses it as Hardside and tells him that this is them being quiet!
Gladiator looks up from where he has landed, and declares that he has sung the praises of the X-Men the universe over – always said they were an honorable assortment of Earthlings. 'But if this is how you negotiate – with a sneak attack...I suppose I'll have to change my tune' he announces as Rogue hovers over him. She tells him not to worry, as she is more than happy to help him get tuned up. She dives down to strike him, but Gladiator grabs a tree and raises it up to defend himself. Rogue smashes through the tree, then punches him in the face, telling him that swinging trees ain't gonna get him gar, as she has been chopping wood since she was knee high to a june bug. 'I see' Gladiator replies, unimpressed, before asking Rogue if those trees ever chopped back, as he smacks her back up through the air, before telling her to stop this, as fighting is not her forte. 'You're not at home in your own skin – the power's there, but it's not yours, is it?' Gladiator asks. He follows Rogue skyward, and tells her that she doesn't know what she is doing, and that could get her killed, as he slams her back into the ground, where she lands with a mighty BOOM.
Rogue gets to her feet, and touches a large rock, absorbing the force from it. Gladiator drops down nearby, and tells Rogue to be reasonable. 'You've fought the Brood before. You know what they can do without powers. Stay down. Let us do our duty' he asks her. 'Y'all still think that's an option?' Rogue asks, tossing the large rock at Gladiator, it breaks up and bombards him as Rogue tells him that he is dumber than that haircut makes him look. 'Fine. Do your worst...' Gladiator replies. Rogue flies over to him and punches him over and over again, boasting that she aims to do just that. 'Are you finished?' Gladiator asks, looking up ar Rogue, who holds a boulder overhead, 'Almost there...' she begins, but before she can drop the rock on Gladiator, he reaches up, grabs her throat and slams her into the ground. 'ENOUGH!' Gladiator roars. He throws Rogue up over his head and shouts 'You will not – you cannot stop me!' before he slams her down onto the ground again.
Gladiator admits that Rogue is an impressive specimen, and tells her that he has fought gods who would've given up by now. 'Truly, you are a worthy opponent, X-Man... for someone else'. Gladiator suggests that Rogue recognize her superior and stand down. 'Honey, you're strong...' Rogue starts to reply, coughing at the dust that rises around her, '... but you got the brains God gave to a dead goose'. Gladiator is surprised: 'And still you speak? The battle-madness has surely taken your mind'. He suggests to Rogue that she stay down, lest it take her life as well. Rogue grins, her face cut and bloodied, as she tells Gladiator that she isn't the one getting taken. 'While you and I was scrappin' the best thief in the galaxy just stole your ship. But don't tell him I said that' Rogue jokes, adding that it is liable to go straight to his head. Enraged, Gladiator spins around, wide-eyed, he looks up to the sky and mutters something in his native tongue.
Inside the Shi'ar battle cruiser, Gambit and Death's Head are on the bridge, when the Beast joins them. 'Bout time you joined us, Chewbacca!' Gambit jokes, as the Beast reports that Lila Cheney is secured in the medical bay and on her way to a full recovery. 'Not that it matters, but – despite appearances – I've always been a Trek man' the Beast tells Gambit, who asks the Beast if he can boldly get them outta here. Pointing to a monitor, he reports that there is trouble coming up from planetside, as Gladiator flies towards his ship. The Beast looks over the control panel and declares that he just needs a moment to familarize himself with the instruments. 'Let's set phasers to -' he begins, as Death's Head suddenly slams a fist onto the control panel: 'Exterminate, yes?' he asks, as the cruiaer blasts an energy down towards Gladiator, striking the super-powerful warrior.
Gladiator falls back to the planet with a thud, and finds Storm, Psylocke, Wovlerine, Bishop, Rogue, Brand and the Ex-Brood waiting for him. Storm tells Gladiator that he has been an ally, but no longer, for the moment he saw these Brood as anything other than worthy of life, he made himself an enemy of the X-Men. 'Not a good place to be, bub' Wolverine points out. 'Finish him, Wind-Master!' the Brood called Openmind calls out, but Storm tells the Brood that Gladiator's lesson today was one of humility and acceptance. 'Yours is one of mercy' she adds, before Storm informs the Beast that they are ready. The X-Men and the Brood are then teleported off the planet, as Gladiator's teammates rush to their leader. 'Praetor, they're escaping!' Starbolt calls out. 'Let them' Gladiator replies, adding that they will not give chase this day, not where they are going. 'Where?' Smasher asks. 'Earth. Their home. And they don't know it yet...but right now, that is the last place in the galaxy anyone wants to be'.
Back at the concert, '...and that's for thinking those obnoxious gloves were a good idea!' Monet declares as she punches X-Treme across the fleeing crowd, where he lands on the stage behind the Professor and Forge. 'Children, please. Do not make the situation worse' the Professor pleads with them. 'With all due respect, Professor... I'm not sure they could!' Forge points out, as Random suddenly appears behind them, pointing his large weapon-arm at the Professor, 'Oh, trust me, pal – things can always get worse!' Random declares, while Chamber blasts Marrow back nearby. 'Hey, loser!' Jubilee shouts as she leaps towards Random, and fires some sparks at him: 'What's we tell you lameoids about taking pot-shots at the Prof?' she asks. Unimpressed, Random asks Jubilee 'Is that seriously your mutant power?' to which Jubilee replies 'That was, uh...that was a warning, bub. You ready to settle down?' Juiblee asks nervously, when suddenly, Random is yanked skyward by Monet. 'Hey! I had it under control!' Jubilee exclaims. 'Of course you did' Monet replies. 'After all, you're an X-Man' Monet adds as she drops Random onto a tent. 'Gotta admit, love. She's all right' Chamber tells Jubilee. 'I admit nothing!' Jubilee exclaims.
Suddenly, 'What is going on here?' a voice calls out. Everyone stops what they are doing and looks over to President Robert Kelly, who asks them if they have lost their minds. His guards aim weapons at everyone, as Kelly walks over to X-Factor, and remarks that, against his better judgement, he signed off on this “Lilapalooza” because he was assured it would promote unity between humans and mutants. 'But you've allowed it to descend into a full-blown riot!' Kelly declares, pointing a finger at Havok. 'It wasn't our fault, Mr President. When the X-Men vanished, the crowd got out of control, and -' Havok starts to explain, but Kelly interrupts him, reminding Havok that it his job to keep things under control. 'I shouldn't have to remind you that X-Factor exists because my administration pushed for it – and right now, I'm strongly reconsidering that' Kelly snaps. 'At least tell me you have something, Forge. Where are the X-Men?' Kelly asks. 'Mr President, I -' Forge begins, when suddenly, one of his devices emits a pinging noise. He looks at his scanner, and reports that he thinks the X-Men have just re-entered the solar system.
Thailand, where Trevor Fitzroy and Shinobi Shaw are onboard a large yacht, where Shaw is reclining back on a sofa with two women, as other partygoers enjoy themselves. 'We've been out here for weeks, Shaw. We missed the last meeting. We're probably banned from the game by now!' Fitzroy exclaims. Shaw tells him to lighten up and to look around. 'Who wants to spend all day thinking up ways to kill the X-Men when you could be playing shuffleboard with Miss November?' Shaw adds that Fitzroy is from the future, and asks him how he doesn't already know who wins the blasted tournament. 'The future's not set in stone. When Bishop and I traveled into the past, things changed- I have no idea whats going to happen next' Fitzroy explains. As if on cue, the ship's anchor is suddenly thrown up through the deck. 'Blazes!' Fitzroy shouts, surprised. 'My boat -' Shaw begins. 'For instance' Fitzroy mutters, as their captive teammates, Fabian Cortez and the von Strucker twins appear, along with Cassandra Nova, and a man with long white hair wearing a white and gold costume. 'Magneto?' Shaw gasps before Shaw asks him what he wants. 'The peaceful coexistence of all living things' Joseph replies, adding that he will settle for the Gamesmaster's whereabouts. 'How do I find him?' Joseph enquires. 'Oh, he's much closer than you think, young man' a voice announces. 'Who -?' Joseph asks. 'You!' Cassandra Nova exclaims as they turn to see Apocalypse, Mystique, Bastion and Exodus on a platform, hovering overhead. 'My dear nova, how you've grown' Apocalypse remarks. 'You're behind this plot to slay the X-Men?' Cassandra asks. 'But the whole world watched you die in Westchester!' she exclaims. 'An understandable misreading of events. But no...despite the X-Men's best efforts...I survived' Apocalypse replies. 'And now, with your help...so might the mutant race' Apocalypse tells Joseph. 'Cassandra told me about you. How you created her to be a weapon against the X-Men. You're not one of the good guys!' Joseph declares.
'Good. Bad. Meaningless words used to describe lesser beings' Apocalypse replies, boasting 'I am He who was born to save the world' and asks Joseph if he will join him. 'Don't you normally keep things to just Four Horsemen?' Joseph asks. 'Once, perhaps. But no longer do I see myself as the Coachman of Armageddon. Another has taken the reigns...I have seen tomorrow, Joseph. And he strides across the cosmos as if it were sand. He believes himself to be our end...I know otherwise' Apocalypse declares, announcing that the time for Horsemen is over – as he needs disciples!