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New Dawn Rising
Scotland is the last place Neal Shaara expected himself to wind up at, but where else is he to go? He stands at the pier on the lake, his hands giving off smoke and energy residue, dressed in black pants and shirt with a black and yellow jacket. The lake gives off cold, but he feels none of it. His entire body radiates with heat from his new mutant ability, which has changed his life. Whether it is a curse or a gift is for him to decide. All he knows is that there is no turning back. The future is before him.
Neal stands dumbfounded on the pier, but he hears a voice calling him from within his head. Neal is confused, but the voice, outside his head, directs him to her location. Neal looks over to see a motorboat pull up at the pier, with a beautiful redhead at helm. An older man with white hair sits in the back seasick. The woman, Jean Grey, once died but, like the Phoenix, she came back. Recently, her husband was presumed dead, which took part of her soul. She and her friends have spent the last few months as guests of Dr. Moira MacTaggart on Muir Island. Wounds heal over time, but hers are very slow to mend.
Jean tells Neal that he must be Mr. Shaara. Neal tells her that she is correct. Jean introduces herself and the man “skulking” behind her as Nathan. Moira MacTaggart has sent them to find him and bring him to Muir Island. Jean jokes and tells Neal that, unless he is afraid of some high-speed adventure, he should climb aboard. Neal smiles and tells Jean that, if he knew Moira kept such “delightful” company, he would have come sooner. Flattered, Jean tells Neal that he is a charmer. Nathan tells the two that he is going to be ill. Jean’s piloting is worse enough; he cannot take the witty banter and asks if they can return to the island, unless of course if she wants to see his lunch for a second time. Neal boards the boat and Jean takes off. She tells Cable that if she didn’t know better, she’d think that he was being overprotective. Cable tells her that she is right to assume that she does not know better and tells her to drive.
Neal asks Jean if she always drives at such high speeds. Jean jokes and tells him she does so only when she wants to stay earthbound. She then asks Neal his connection to Moira. Neal explains that her family is friends with his parents. Jean tells Neal that he is a long way from home to see a friend and asks him what he is running away from. Neal demands for Jean to tell him all she knows about him. Jean tells him that she has a knack for these kinds of things. Nathan tells Neal that Jean can read minds and then asks Jean to slow down, because he is not feeling well. Jean tells Neal not to pay attention to Nathan. He actually gets seasick. Neal tells Jean that it is a pity, because he loves speed. The faster you go the more you feel alive. Neal then asks Jean to show him how fast the boat can go. Jean is flattered by Neal’s attraction to her and tells Nathan to strap in. Nathan mumbles an “oh no” as Jean speeds away.
(Seven Months Ago)
Neal hails from the port city of Calcutta, India. It was founded by the British East India Company hundreds of years ago and has a population of over four million. Statistics mean nothing to Neal, as he speeds down a street on his motorcycle. They mean nothing when one is young, wealthy and alive. Pedestrians see Neal speed by and a group of girls comment on his good looks. Neal reaches his home, which is the Shaara Tea Plantation, one of the most prosperous in all of the state of Assam.
Neal enters his home just in time to see his distraught parents on the phone. His father tells the person on the other end to keep him informed if he hears even the slightest thing. Mrs. Shaara sees Neal and tells him that his brother, Sanjit, is missing.
Later that evening, Neal hacks into Sanjit’s computer, grateful that his brother is only a reporter and not a computer expert, because it was so easy to break into his electronic diary without a password. Neal then notices something interesting. He goes down to the foyé to meet his parents and tells them that Sanjit wrote a story about an investigation he was undertaking involving the disappearances among the poor in the city. Neal does not think that this is a coincidence. Sanjit had also written some names of people he spoke to. They should try to find them, for they may have answers and can be the best leads. Mr. Shaara tells Neal that he will pass the information onto the proper authorities.
Neal is angered by his father’s decision and asks his parents if they can really go on now knowing if their son is dead or alive. He has to try and find Sanjit, for his brother would do not less for him. Mr. Shaara forbids Neal to involve himself. They have to leave this to the trained professionals. He is the chief of police and he has faith that his colleagues will find Sanjit. The best things for them to do are to sit and to wait. Annoyed, Neal tells his parents that they can wait. He is going into the city. Neal’s father tells him to get back, but Neal leaves the plantation.
(Present)
Jean arrives back at the Muir Island dock, where Peter Rasputin and Rahne Sinclair wait to greet them. The three get off the boat and Neal asks if there is something in the water, because beautiful women are appearing everywhere. Peter jokes and asks if Neal is always in Romeo mode and Jean notices that Rahne is blushing. Rahne tells Neal that her mother has prepared a room for him in the guesthouse. With all the guests, they are running out of space, but when Peter leaves Neal can move into his room.
Neal asks Peter if he is leaving so soon and wonders what could possibly tear the Russian man from such a beautiful setting. Peter, who carries one of Neal’s suitcases, tells the man that Rahne speaks the truth. He will be leaving for Cape Canaveral in Florida as part of a construction crew for the new Starcore orbital platform. Neal is impressed and tells Peter that he has never met an astronaut before. Peter tells Neal that it was actually his brother, Mikhail, who was the astronaut. He only works in space from time to time. Neal excuses himself, but tells Peter that he referred to his brother in the past tense and asks if Mikhail is all right. Peter tells Neal that something happened and Mikhail is no longer with them. Neal tells Peter that he is sorry but, of all present, he may understand him the most.
(Seven Months Ago)
Neal walks through the streets of Calcutta at night. The city has two hundred thousand people living in poverty and in the streets. Sanjit Shaara went missing here, while investigating, and it is where Neal starts his own investigation. As Neal walks by an alley, he is surrounded by a group of four and forced into the alley. One of the men tells him that it is not often that someone of Neal’s stature comes around here. When they do, says another man, they often regret it. Not intimidated, Neal asks the men if that is a fact. Neal tells the men that he would assume the son of a police chief would be properly trained in self defense. He then punches one of the men in the face, but is whacked in the back of the head by another man. Two men hold Neal, while another man pulls out a knife and wonders how Neal will like having his flesh cut from his face.
Suddenly, a woman descends from the roofs and wraps her arm around the knife-wielder and disarms him. She kicks one of Neal’s captors in the face and then proceeds to punch the other in the face. Neal elbows the fourth man in the face, as the woman gives one last punch to the group’s leader. Neal would later find out that her name was Karima Shapander, a detective in the National Police. His father had requested that she shadow him in case his arrogant self bit off more than he could chew. His father was always overprotective of his children and, right at that moment, Neal was grateful.
(Present)
At the guesthouse in Muir Island, Neal tells the others that he knows why he is here, but wonders what brings them to Muir Island. Peter tells Neal that, at one time, Muir Island was a home to many of them and still is to Rahne. This is a vacation for them, except for Jean, who is here for medical tests. Worried, Neal asks Jean if she is ill. “No,” says Jean, “merely cautious.”
Suddenly, Nathan interrupts and asks if it is getting hot in the room. Suddenly, the sleeve to his left arm rips apart to reveal his techno organic arm, which is once again trying to take over his body. Neal is shocked to see that Nathan’s arm is alive. As Nathan fights it, he calls himself dumb for losing his concentration and letting the virus seize a chance. A psychic Phoenix raptor envelops Jean, as she tries to help Nathan.
Rahne shifts into her wolf form and tells the others that she will get Moira. Shocked at Rahne’s power, he asks his new friends what kind of beings are they. Jean tells Neal that he has nothing to fear and that she will explain everything later but, right now, Nathan is having a very bad attack and she needs to concentrate solely on him. Neal must trust her. Neal repeats the word “trust” and asks who they are. Rahne runs past Hank McCoy, who has entered the room, carrying books. Rahne causes Hank to drop many books and he tells Neal that they are the X-Men.
Peter enters the room in his armored form and tells Neal to calm and that all can be explained. Scared, Neal tells Peter that he will be free and unleashes his power on the other man. Neal erupts in flames and hits Peter full force. Peter’s clothes burn off and he is sent through the air and out the house and into the forest, enveloped in flames.
(Seven Months Ago)
With Karima’s presence revealed, the two started to work together to find Sanjit. They were able to locate some people that he had spoken to before his disappearance, but few were willing to speak to them. Neal did not know if it was out of fear of strangers or a fear of something else. All the two were able to figure out was that something serious and perverse was occurring in the slums and neither knew what to do about it. However, there was something else that caught them unprepared, which was a growing emotional connection between the two of them.
Karima and Neal sit in an outdoor café. Neal tells Karima that he knows Sanjit is alive. He would have felt if his brother was dead if he were. However, it is frustrating, since no one claims to have seen him or know him. It is as if Sanjit disappeared off the face of the Earth, something Neal refuses to accept. Karima tells Neal not to despair. She will search for Sanjit with him, until they find the answers they need. People are afraid of something. If they can find out what that something is, half the mystery will be over.
Karima tells Neal that, in the meantime, they should deserve at least one night to themselves. The two hold hands and Neal agrees. They walk across town together and stop on a small bridge over a river. The two stop and Neal tells Karima that he has never met someone like her before. Karima is going to say something, but Neal tells her not to say anything as the two lean towards one another to kiss. Suddenly, a bright light flashes on them. Karima goes for her gun and tells Neal to get out of here, but before either can do anything they are shot off the bridge by an energy weapon. The being known as Bastion walks to the edge of the bridge and tells his two Prime Sentinel companions to fetch the two before they drown. He wants them alive for what he has planned for them.
(Present)
Neal Shaara walks in the middle of the night, naked, through the woods of Muir Island. Worried, he asks himself what he was thinking, cutting lose with his powers. What if he killed Peter? Considering he is on a water-locked piece of land with no clothes and room full of “somethings” after him, escape is probably not an option. Suddenly, Phoenix arrives telekinetically behind Neal and tells him that he does not need to run. They are not his enemy and can help him. Wolfsbane arrives behind Phoenix and Neal is amazed that Jean can fly. Wolfsbane tells Jean that she has brought a spare uniform, as requested, but does not understand why it is needed. She stops herself when she realizes that Neal is naked.
Jokingly, Jean tells Wolfsbane that they cannot have a naked man run through the countryside. “What would the neighbors say?” asks Jean. Wolfsbane reminds Jean that they don’t have any neighbors, but Jean tells Rahne just to go along with her. Neal holds up the blue and gold X-Men training uniform. Jean explains that one size fits all and it won’t incinerate with the use of his power. She won’t bore him with the why’s and where fore’s. Neal tells her that the uniform is unstable on a molecular level, allowing it to withstand on both extreme temperatures and to serve as an insulation unit. He read about Reed Richard’s work while at Oxford.
(Seven Months Ago)
Neal wakes up and finds himself strapped down. He calls out Karima’s name and looks to the side to see the unconscious women strapped to the table beside her; both tables are propped up vertically. A man tells Neal that Karima is not harmed. Neal is horrified to discover that the man is Sanjit. Neal asks his brother why they are bound and demands that they be released. Bastion comes up from behind Sanjit and tells Neal that it would be impossible.
Bastion introduces himself and tells Neal that Sanjit works for him now. He has transcended humanity and has now become a Prime Sentinel, whose sole objective is to preserve the integrity of humanity from the infestation of mutants. The role of Operation:  Zero Tolerance is to eradicate all mutants and to stand as humanities last bastion against all forces that threaten to destroy humans. However, he cannot do it alone. That is why Neal and Karima will soon be constituents to the cause. Protests are useless.
Bastion continues and tells Neal that the pain they will feel will pale in comparison to the good they will do on behalf of the human race. Bastion then tells Sanjit to begin the procedure of converting the two into Prime Sentinels. “With pleasure,” says Sanjit, as he presses a button. Energy cascades through Karima and Neal. Karima wakes up and screams out loud. The conversion ends for her and Bastion notes that she is displaying the attributes of a prime unit and that her strength will be much valued to their cause. He then notices that Neal is emitting a strange glow and realizes that someone has tampered with the bioscan results. Neal is a mutant and the process is catalyzing his powers. Neal screams out loud as he unleashes a blast of fire, destroying the entire complex.
(Present)
Neal, in the X-Men uniform, stands outside the guesthouse on Muir Island. worried. His family and Moira’s family have known each other for decades, but he still worries about the tests that need to be run. However, he knows that he knows little of his powers and he is a risk to others and himself. Unfortunately, the memories of Calcutta are still too fresh.
Neal returns to the cottage and finds Peter, who is armored up. Peter tells Neal that he wears the uniform as if he is born to do so. Neal is surprised to see Peter and tells him that he was afraid that the man was hurt. Peter tells his new friend not to worry, for he has withstood far worse and lived to tell the tale. Moira hugs Neal and takes a good look at him, for she has not seen him in such a long time. Neal sits with everyone around the fireplace and tells them that they have been too kind to him. They also seem to have a history and bond together that he envies. Unfortunately, he is an outsider, looking in. He would not have come to Muir Island and intruded, but he has nowhere else to go. He has lost all he has ever known and he has never felt so alone and indecisive.
Peter tells Neal that he can relate to him the most. He was just a simple farmer before joining the X-Men. Since then, he has seen things he would never have imagined before. However, his sister, Illyana, and brother, Mikhail, became intertwined with the X-Men and paid the ultimate price. He has known loss, but also knows that his work with the X-Men has value. There is true evil in the world. Someone has to fight for it and be the light against the darkness. He is proud to one of those people.
Moira tells Neal that they all paid a price to be where they are today. That is the way of things and there is no shame in standing aside. It is not the proper life for everyone. Their role is to help people like Neal learn the use of their powers for their own sake, as well as the people around them. What happens next is up to him.
(Seven Months Ago)
Neal gets up from the rubble and finds himself wondering what happened, as Bastion and three Prime Sentinels surround him. Bastion explains to Neal that he has destroyed the building, as well as the industrial district adjacent to it. His latent mutant power has manifesting with disastrous results. Bastion thanks him. As a mutant, he will be condemned and Bastion’s cause will have increased credence. Operation: Zero Tolerance will once again regain support from the human community.
Neal mutters the word mutant and, in rage, he unleashes a blast of fire at Bastion, which passes right through him. Bastion asks Neal how foolish he thinks he is to think that he would allow anything other than a hologram near such an unknown like himself. However, the Prime Sentinels are real. One of the sentinels scans Neal and deduces that his powers are temporarily depleted.
Before the Prime Sentinels can attack, Sanjit attacks them and tells them that the mutant is his brother. Sanjit deals with the rest of the Prime Sentinels and tells them that mutants are a form of life and should not be cleansed. Neal is his brother and is family. The units retaliate and take down Sanjit, who is unable to fight. Neal holds up his dying brother just as Karima rises from the wreckage. Karima tells the Sentinels to die as she unleashes a wave of energy from her body, thanks to her transformation into a Prime Sentinel.
Karima grabs Neal and Sanjit and tells them that the main power core has been compromised and they must get away before it reaches critical mass. She flies them away, just as the entire site explodes. The three land nearby and Neal tends to his brother, while Karima watches the wreckage. Neal tells his brother to conserve his energy, for he has just found him and won’t lose him again. Sanjit tells Neal that it is too late for him. With sorrow in his voice, Neal tells Sanjit not to say that. Soon, they will be reunited with their family and everything will be back to normal. Before dying, Sanjit tells Neal to live his life and to never let anyone take that away.
Sanjit passes away, as Karima tells Neal to run. With confusion, Neal questions Karima again, who tells him once again to run. Neal tells her that his brother is dead and asks if she is meaning that she wants him to leave his dead body when there is no clear and present danger. Karima tells Neal that she is an Omega Prime and soon she will have reached her full combat mode with her programming set to destroy mutants such as him. It is getting more difficult for her to even consider him as a human. His only chance is to leave India and her. Neal tells her that he loves her and Karima says the same, but that love is the only thing that has been helping her resist the full transformation. Their only hope of a semblance of happiness is for him to go. Karima tells Neal one last time to run and he does this time.
(Present)
Neal sits alone by a fire and recalls the events in India. He curses his new powers and wonders if he really wants to know any more about them. Suddenly, his powers flare out of control and Neal realizes that he cannot control himself. He calls for the X-Men and, suddenly, his powers stop acting out. Jean comes from behind and tells him to let her help. Neal wonders what just happened and Jean explains that she used her telepathy to help him out.
Jean then explains that mutant powers must be mastered like everything else in life. With proper guidance, he will be fine. She asks Neal if he wants to go back in now, because Moira is anxious to run tests on him. Neal, however, is unsure if he can go through with this. His life used to be perfect, but now his brother is dead and he can barely remember what his parents look like. He then asks Jean if this is what she envisioned her life to be like. Jean tells Neal that she lost her sister, her husband, and her own life once before. She spent twelve years, two millennia in the future, fighting a war that probably will never happen and she has found herself in the bottom of the Earth to the far ends of the galaxy. She is not telling Neal that there won’t be heartbreak. She is just telling him that he will not be alone.
Jean extends her hand to Neal and explains that the X-Men are a family and are always there for each other. All Neal has to do is want it in return. She then asks him if he does. Neal takes Jean’s hand and tells her that he wants it and thanks her.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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A Plague Among Us (1st story)<br>Garden State Slaughter (2nd story)
First Story
In 1972, the Soviet Union was among the 140 signatories of the Biological Weapons Convention, pledging not to develop, produce, stockpile or otherwise acquire or retain biological agents for offensive military purposes. It lied. For in the Aral Sea, dividing the Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, sits the island of Vozrozhdeniya, or as it is more commonly known: Rebirth Island. It is from this most clandestine of locations that the former Soviet Union built the largest and most advanced bio-logical warfare establishment in the world.
Eight years ago, Rebirth Island became a casualty of the collapse of the Soviet infrastructure. 37 Days ago, Rebirth Island was reborn. A military General watches several scientists all wearing orange containment suits as they go about their business in the facility, when suddenly, he orders ‘Now!’ The scientists suddenly are trapped in one part of this complex on Rebirth Island, while the General is safe behind some glass. Doctor Ivan Kivelki asks the General what the meaning of all this is, to which the General replies: ‘Research, Dr. Kivelki. This is a research facility is it not?’
The General asks Kivelki is he personally has not supervised countless experiments here - experiments that would brand him a monster among his own people if they knew the putrid truth of what he has done. The General informs Dr. Kivelki that it is not only scientists who do research, but the military as well, and reveals to the Doctor that they know about him, they know what he is - a freak of nature - a mutant. He claims that they have known for a very long time, but until this time there was a perceived need of his expertise in matters regarding biological warfare, but that time has passed.
The General declares that mutants are a race which believes itself to be genetically superior to humanity. The General believes this is an anomaly that must, and will, be addressed. He mentions Magneto, the butcher responsible for the Leningrad tragedy, who is now the tyrant ruler of Genosha, and asks which corner of the world will fall next to the coming mutant intrusion. He declares that it will not be Mother Russia, before revealing to Kivelki that the containment suit which he wears is flawed, and directs him to rub the back of his next, where he will discover the pinprick that renders it ineffective.
The General explains that this was known only to a chosen few, and tells Kivelki that a defense has been prepared to subjugate his kind, and he is the first test subject. Suddenly, red gas pours into the room, and seeps into Dr. Kivelki’s containment suit.
Now, elsewhere in Russia - Moscow to be exact - five members of the mutant heroes known as the Uncanny X-Men are doing some sight seeing. They are beings born with exceptional genes which grant them extraordinary abilities beyond that of normal man. They are feared by a world for that difference, yet they still aspire to save it, while striving for the day when mutant and man can live together in amiable coexistence. Their business in Moscow has concluded, so the five individuals now find themselves in a most unaccustomed role - that of tourist.
Nathan Dayspring Summers a.k.a. Cable admires the beautiful landscape, as Remy “Gambit” LeBeau welcomes his teammates to Moscow. Ororo Munroe, better known as Storm remarks that it is almost as beautiful from this perspective as it is from the skies. Disguised thanks to an image-inducer, Doctor Hank McCoy a.k.a. the Beast tells Ororo that she has him at a disadvantage as far as scope goes, but he does agree with her on her assessment of the pulchritude of the city’s magnificence. ‘Hank, you say the sweetest things,’ exclaims the beautiful Jean “Phoenix” Grey.
As the quintet make their way through the streets, Beast tells Gambit that while he appreciates the opportunity to explore the rich culture and beauty of Mother Russia, he would welcome a brief respite in the comforts of his own bed instead, that is, unless he has yet another Thieves Guild debt he has neglected to apprise his teammates of.  ‘Touché, McCoy’ remarks Remy, before telling the Beast that one thing he learned as a thief is that you have the chance for a moments relaxation if you take it, adding that he likes the Russian scenery, while he gazes down an alley where a cloaked young woman is standing.
‘When you say “scenery”, why do I get the feeling you are not referring to the Kremlin?’ Hank asks. Remy tells Beast that he must know how thinks, as an old stone building pales in comparison to the work of art that is a beautiful woman. ‘The man is a walking hormone. What did Rogue ever see in a scoundrel like that?’ asks Cable. ‘Charm, wit, good looks…need I go on?’ replies Storm. Walking down the alley, Remy points out that the “petite” looks like she needs some assistance. ‘What a gentleman’ Cable remarks sarcastically.
Remy decides that the young woman needs a light for her cigarette, and holding a match out for her, asks if he may be of assistance. ‘Why thank you…idiot!’ the blonde woman replies, before throwing off her cloak and revealing herself as Laynia Petrovna a.k.a. the dazzling Darkstar! Laynia unleashes a powerful blast of the Darkforce energy that she controls at Gambit, knocking him off his feet.
Beast ditches his image-inducer as the other X-Men remove their civilian clothing, revealing their costumes underneath. Storm recognizes Laynia, but to be sure of who she is checks with the Beast. Hank confirms that it is Darkstar of the Winter Guard, who are Russia’s answer to the Avengers. Beast informs everyone that Darkstar was a member of the Champions alongside other X-Men Angel and Iceman, while the Beast himself was a member of the Avengers. He explains that Darkstar is a mutant who commands an inmeasurable source of power called the Darkforce, adding that she is a professional, trained by the best the Soviets had to offer - she is no novice.
Taking to the skies, Storm tells Cable that Hank’s assessment of Darkstar’s abilities is an accurate one, so she is not to be underestimated, adding that if it is a battle she wants, then it will not be an easy one. The handsome Cable tells Storm that she is preaching to the converted, for one of the first things he learned was to never misjudge an opponent. Darkstar thanks Storm for taking to the air, because it has allowed her an unobstructed opportunity to comply with one of the basic principles of conflict - nullify the strongest foe first.
With great ease, Darkstar traps Storm in a Darkforce bubble, before turning her attention to Cable. Cable points out to his “mother”, Jean, that Storm being trapped in a lightless sphere cannot be good for her claustrophobia, so they need to get her out of there. Jean replies that she knows, and reveals that she is telepathically connected to Ororo, who is remaining calm so far, but she can feel her already starting to panic.
Cable suggests to Jean that she continues to reassure Ororo while he takes out the source, but as he lunges at Darkstar with his psimitar ready, Darkstar deflects its like it was nothing. He asks what this Darkforce is made of, to which the beautiful Darkstar replies that even she doesn’t fully understand the workings of her power. Dropping to the ground, Laynia remarks that it is formidable, but that she does not have to rely only on her mutant abilities, and tripping Cable up, she tells him he can attest to that himself.
Gambit lunges at Laynia with several playing cards kinetically charged, and tells Laynia that he will admit she is good, for not many can boast to catching Gambit off guard. However Remy believes that he will always be a sucker for an alluring beauty such as Darkstar. Taking flight, Laynia tells Gambit that his brutish attack is as easy to avoid as his attempts at charm.
Beast jumps up at Darkstar, ‘Sticks and stones’ he remarks, telling her that Gambit may be a bit uncouth, but he is still their favorite Cajun, and suggests that they halt any further aggressive acts on either side and discuss the subject of her unprovoked incursion on the X-Men. Hank tells Laynia to remember who he is, a friend of Bobby and Warren’s, her old friends from the Champions, and reminds her that the two of them fought Dr. Doom together on the White House lawn.
Suddenly, Storm is free from the restraints of the Darkforce sphere, explaining that Beast has succeeded in breaking Laynia’s concentration allowing her to escape from the “prison”. Storm orders Hank to stand aside, as she and Darkstar have a reckoning. Seeing how furious Storm is, Beast whispers that he doesn’t envy Laynia right now, and in an instant, a mighty bolt of lightening is thrust upon Darkstar, who falls to the ground. Beast jokes that if he were a betting man, he would say the young Russian lass if most definitely down for the perennial count of ten.
However as the resilient Darkstar starts to get to her feet, Beast admits that he has been known to be wrong before, and as a puzzled Laynia looks around, Hank adds that the prevalent amnesia predicament is right on cue. Laynia is surprised to see the Beast, and asks where she is. Cable points out that there is always a way to find out if she is telling the truth or not, and asks Jean if she wants him to do it.
Phoenix replies that she will do it, and touching Darkstar’s face, Jean reveals that Laynia is telling the truth, she doesn’t know why she attacked, or even how she came to be out here, meaning she is as out of place as any of them. Using her phenomenal telepathic abilities, Phoenix explains to Darkstar that she is going to probe a bit further, then perhaps she can find answers that they are all seeking. Jean informs Darkstar that she may feel a little discomfort, but otherwise she will be unharmed.
Jean discovers something hidden, and manages to pull it forward in Laynia’s mind. ‘BOZHE MOI!’ Laynia exclaims, wide-eyed, and frightened, she exclaims that she is beginning to remember - the beast on the island, the blackness…. Laynia apologizes to the X-Men for attacking them, and asks that they find it within themselves to forgive her, for she must leave now. Gambit puts a hand on Laynia’s shoulder, telling her that she doesn’t know them as well as she might think, for the X-Men would never allow a petite such as herself to face the unknown by her lonesome.
Laynia begins to protest, but realizes that the X-Men will not let her leave on her own, she thanks them, before telling them to prepare themselves, and with that she gathers them in the Darkforce, using it to teleport them to their destination - and moments later, they have arrived. As the Darkforce dissipates around them, Hank jokes that he thinks he left his stomach back in Moscow, and asks if once this is over they can go back and retrieve it - if it hasn’t already been sold on the black market that is, he adds. With that, Laynia welcomes the X-Men to Rebirth Island.
As Darkstar and the X-Men make their way throughout the Island, they are being watched via hidden cameras, by someone within the complex. The strange being sees that Darkstar has returned, though no longer under his influence, which he thinks is a temporary setback at best, though she has still unwittingly succeeded in her mission - brining Doctor Henry McCoy the erstwhile Avenger and X-Man known as the Beast to the island. He thinks that the Beast’s reputation precedes him, for even in the outer regions of a failing empire, McCoy’s scientific knowledge is well known and respected. ‘For your sake, I hope it is well-deserved’ he mutters to himself, threatening the Beast.
Entering part of the complex, Cable points out the cages that fill one room, and declares that something tells him that the research going on at this facility was not agricultural. Storm remarks that man’s proficiency for cruelty never fails to sicken her, for destroying innocent creatures in the name of science is obscene to the point of senselessness. Cable then declares that he doesn’t like this at all, and asks anyone if they have noticed the vegetation - no? - that’s because there isn’t any. He points out that the soil is as arid and dry as a ten-year drought, believing that this isn’t natural, that man did this. He then reveals he has a feeling that they have been watched since the moment they arrived.
Phoenix agrees, and though her telepathy isn’t picking up any thoughts besides their own, she can almost feel a presence lurking and watching them. Laynia informs everyone that this facility was at one point a military biological weapons experimental station, and its existence was known to only a select few. She explains that with the fall of the Soviet Bloc and the economic recession that followed, governmental cutbacks forced a number of facilities to be closed, this being one of them.
Darkstar reveals that she had come here at the request of local citizens from a nearby village who reported unusual disturbances from this island in recent months, so she decided to investigate for herself. Laynia explains that the building they are entering now is devoid of power and is sealed so tightly that no light enters, and it was here that her memories fade - whatever waits within has already defeated her once.
Inside the blackness, Gambit asks Storm if she is okay. Ororo replies that she will survive, before Gambit offers to bring as little light to the matter at hand, and strikes a match, remarking that the dark is only good for one thing - and that involves two people being alone. With some light filling the room, the X-Men turn to see several large robots.
Phoenix declares that the Soviets did more than just experiment with biological weapons at this compound, for these robots are in the same class as SHIELD’s Mandroids. She believes that they may be formidable against conventional foes, but not against the X-Men, and tells her friends to hit them hard. The X-Men do as Jean commands, as Storm blasts them with lightening, Gambit uses his kinetically charged playing cards on them, Cable slashes them with his psimitar, Beast uses his super strength combined with his intelligence to outmaneuver the robots, while Laynia uses her trusty Darkforce to defeat her opponents.
Beast sees that Jean is in some trouble, and remarks that she is a fair damsel in distress, before adding that it can never be said Henry McCoy is not a knight in furry blue armor. Grabbing a pipe, he exclaims that it is exactly what the doctor ordered, and wraps it around Jean’s opponent, before asking Cable if he would like to do the honors, to which Cable replies ‘With pleasure’ as he slices the head off the robot with his psimitar. Darkstar finds herself wrapped in the arms of one of the robots, though Gambit comes to her rescue, remarking that it is humbling enough that she spurned his advances, but to find her in the arms of another so soon is more than he should have to bear. He throws some charged playing cards at the robot, who releases Laynia, enabling the young woman to use the Darkforce to gather the remaining robots in one cluster.
This is Storm’s cue, who calls upon the lightening to dispose of the robots, ensuring that they will not threaten them again. Just as the battle is over, someone steps out of the shadows, ‘Most impressive’ the being in similar armor to the robots remarks, before revealing that he was once Doctor Ivan Kivelki, but that name no longer applies, for he abandoned that name when the humanity abandoned him. ‘Now and forever more I am…the Black Death!’
Darkstar points at him, declaring that although her memories are vague, she knows him, for it was he whom she encountered when she first arrived upon this island, and it was he who stole her will and made him a slave to his selfish whims. The Black Death tells Laynia that she is correct, that he is indeed responsible for her loss of autonomy and subsequent fray against the X-Men, a situation he would have avoided if he had been more cautious in his ambitions.
The Beast asks the Black Death what exactly is the nature of his inquisitiveness towards ‘This band of merry mutants’, for he is not aware that their reputation had extended to the outer limits of Mother Russia. The Black Death replies that of the X-Men he has no interest other than simple curiosity, but his fascination lies entirely in the Beast, for like him, he is also a mutant and scientist, with the ability to bend the strongest of wills to his own. He explains that months ago he was exposed to an experimental biological weapon developed within this compound - one specifically engineered to attack a mutant’s genetic abnormalities.
The Black Death claims that Russia has no fear of other nations, but of a genetic oddity within its own populace - mutants - one which might even one day rise to challenge the obese bureaucracy, that is another story. He explains that a weapon of destruction had to be primed, and with his secret discovered, he became the guinea pig. He reveals that the agent reacted with his mutant biology in a way that neither he nor his superiors would have anticipated - he didn’t die, instead he grew stronger. Concerned for her friend Hank, Jean asks the Black Death what role Hank plays in all of this.
Taking off part of his helmet and revealing his disfigured face, the Black Death supposes that by letting the X-Men see what has been done to him, they will see why the Beast is so integral. He explains that the contagion failed in its initial objective, for its purpose was to cause the mutant DNA to erode and consume itself. So to a degree, it worked, but for reasons he does not understand, his body absorbed the toxins and he lived. Yet those around him perished as the toxins continued to emit from his skin, so in essence he became a living biological weapon. Kivelki claims that using his mutant power of suggestion, he instructed the survivors in the creation of this armor which acts as both a containment suit and an exo-skeleton.
The Black Death reveals that he has long been aware of the Beasts’ reputation, and that it was his research on the Legacy Virus which specifically caught his attention. He was positive that Hank’s expertise, coupled with his own, would uncover the means of ridding his body of the poisons which threaten to consume him, so all that remained to do was to locate him. Kivelki explains that Beasts’ former Avengers affiliation was they key, for anything can be brought upon the black market - even stolen Avengers flies which included a persons distinctive bio-signature. He thinks that it is ironic how he was tracking Hank’s bio-signature only to discover him already within Russia’s borders, and as Darkstar was already assimilated to his will, she was sent to retrieve him.
Gambit tells the Black Death that a plastic surgeon would be more beneficial to him than his blue-furred chum, adding that he doesn’t buy the story about the others dying on account of his seeping spores - not unless the dead tend to have a habit of destroying half the compound before they go to the great beyond. Beast steps forward and tells Remy that they can sort out the nuances later, but for now a man’s life may be at stake. Hank tells Kivelki that he is flattered by his confidence in his prowess, but that to be truthful, this is something far beyond anything he has had to deal with before.
The Beast suggests that Reed Richards or Bruce Banner would be more qualified, and explains that if he is allowed the opportunity to consult with them, then he promises they will do everything in their capacity to find a cure for his condition. The Black Death exclaims that he forbids it as they are not mutants, but outsiders. He exclaims that it is becoming obvious the Beast does not understand his sense of urgency and supposes that he may require an incentive.
Suddenly, Darkstar, Phoenix, Storm, Cable and Gambit are motionless and trance-like. The Black Death boasts that they now belong to him, and informs the Beast that he must use all the skills at his disposal to cure his condition - and for each failure, the Black Death is going to command Hank’s friends to kill one of their own until he is the only one left - and when that time comes, he will be directed to take his own life. ‘Are we speaking the same language now, Doctor McCoy?’ Reluctantly, Hank agrees.
Beginning his work, the Beast tells the Black Death that he is curious as to why he wasn’t put under control like the others and forced to do the work. Kivelki reveals that his mutant power over others causes one to function at a methodical pace, therefore he did not want any circumstances to hinder the process. The Black Death adds that as long as he holds the lives of Hank’s friends then he has no doubt the Beast will not fail him.
‘I can’t promise that you will be on the cover of GQ, but it should fulfill the exact purpose for which it was created’ Hank remarks, before telling Kivelki to give him a few minutes. As he tinkers, the Beast thinks thoughts of Jean, asking her if she can hear him. Jean however is wearing a flowing pink gown and standing in a field of roses, when suddenly, she hears Hank’s thoughts and snaps back to reality - where she finds herself imprisoned in a small cage.
Phoenix looks around to see her friends also imprisoned in similar cages, and all seemingly sleeping. She recalls that not long ago she would have just opened the locks telekinetically, but those days are past. Jean supposes that the others are in the same sort of dream-states that she was until she was jarred awake, and hopes that she can return the favor. She telepathically calls to her best friend, Storm, telling her that she is needed.
Ororo wakes up and is horrified to discover herself in a cage. ‘NO!’ she screams before summoning thunder and lightening to free her. ‘Remind me never to ride in an elevator with you’ Jean jokes, before Storm admits that she may have over reacted. Jean just smiles and asks Ororo if she happens to know a good locksmith.
Shortly, the Beast remarks that it should just about do it, and Kivelki asks him if he has finished his work. Hank replies ‘You might say that’ and tells the Black Death not to worry, as he is about to get what is coming to him. On cue, Darkstar and the four X-Men burst into the room and Jean tells the Black Death that he stole their dignity and violated their minds - but the X-Men are no man’s slaves, so there will be a reckoning.
Jean tells Kivelki that he is sick, that the disease has not only ravaged his body, but damaged his mind also. She suggests that he surrender to them peacefully, and they will assure he gets the best possible care. Laynia steps forward and tells Kivelki that he will receive treatment, but also will answer for his crimes, as you cannot walk away from murder. The Black Death replies that they deserved to die, pointing out that the whole purpose of this installation was to discover new and better ways to kill. ‘They created me and suffered the consequences’.
Storm asks Kivelki if he wasn’t one of the men whose profession it was to create death - does that mean he has forfeited his right to life as well? She asks who they are to determine who lives or dies when they flawed themselves. The Black Death does not answer Storm’s question, instead he tells the heroes that they should have fled the facility when they had the chance, pointing out that he has subjected them to his will before and shall do so again.
‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’ exclaims Phoenix who admits that Kivelki may have caught her off guard once, but does he really expect to catch her so carelessly again? Her powers manifesting in a purple raptor, Jean points out that she is one of the world’s most powerful psychics, so she can assure him that he will never touch the mind of an X-Man again. ‘I see’ Kivelki replies, taking off his helmet he declares that it seems that the X-Men’s usefulness has reached an end sooner than he had hoped.
Gambit suggests to Storm that she should drown Kivelki in the biggest shower she can muster. Ororo does as she is requested, pointing out that the rain prevents Kivelki’s body toxins from escaping. With the Black Death disorientated, Remy and Nathan use their powers against him, confusing him as the Beast jumps on him and saves the day by sticking a device into the back of his neck, causing Kivelki to fall to the ground.
Laynia then uses the Darkforce to encase Kivelki so that none of his biological emissions escape into the air. She informs her friends that she will take him back to Moscow to see that he gets the treatment he needs as well as to make certain that her government takes responsibility for what it has done to him. Darkstar declares that he will pay for his crimes, but that he will not be alone in that regard.
Cable asks Beast what would have happened if Kivelki realized he was actually constructing a makeshift stun gun as opposed to trying to cure him. He remarks that he admires Hank’s tenacity, but points out he was taking a big chance with their lives. Hank smiles and replies that he wasn’t really taking a chance with their lives, because he had the utmost faith that the X-Men would come through long before his deception was discovered.
Gambit smiles, remarking that by the looks of things, it was only thirty seconds, and telling Hank that he likes the way he thinks. Beast exclaims that it is time he takes the opportunity to enlighten them with another contemplation of wisdom: ‘X-Men, let’s go home’. With that, the X-Men and Darkstar leave the complex.
Second Story
Times Square: Wade Wilson a.k.a. the Merc with the Mouth Deadpool has a trench coat and hat on protecting himself from the pouring rain. He decides that the “polished apple” is really getting on his nerves, for he used to really feel at home here, but once the mayor chased away the lowlifes, strip clubs and triple-x-rated features, the city lost most of its edge. The only way he thinks he would feel comfortable now would be to dress up in a mouse suit, dance and sing down Broadway while holding hands with his fellow man. ‘Just kidding. I’d rather suck down a double barrel’s worth of buckshot’.
He recalls that it has been a couple of bad days, for his apartment blew up and along with it, almost everything he owns. All he has left are a few trusty weapons and around 200 hundred dollars, but at least he is still alive, that has to count for something. He knows that there are people he could seek out for help, but he is just not in the mood for panhandling. In fact, he is so out of it he nearly forgets he still has his mask on - but it is New York, so no one notices.
He stops at the hardware store to pick up a shovel and some construction gloves, with a final cost of $38.00, meaning there is plenty left over to get him where he is going and back. Deadpool hails a cab and is on his way. ‘Fort Lee, New Jersey, take the George Washington Bridge’ he tells the driver. With all the rain and traffic, the ride will give him a little time to think, especially as his mind keeps going in the wrong directions lately, he needs to focus on the hear and now.
He cannot help thinking about Sandee, it has only been…three years now? He can’t quite recall. He does remember that it was Summertime at the Jersey shore, Wildwood to be exact. There were three thieves who robbed 4 million from one of the Donald’s Casino’s the night before, and there was a price on their heads. Big crime equals big reward. It was work for hire, so Deadpool was on it.
The guys name, as he later found out, was Jack Krush, a small time thief who was in way over his head. A red light went on when Deadpool got a tip about some moron throwing around a bunch of crisp hundred dollar bills in a buck-three-eighty type of strip joint called “The Crab Shack”. Amateur. Deadpool engaged Krush in a fight which tumbled out of the bar and onto the boardwalk, It took most people who were there a couple of minutes to figure out that this wasn’t part of the freak show exhibit!
Little did they know, Deadpool thought, before almost feeling sorry for the guy. Almost. But then Krush lands on the roller coaster tracks. ‘Gee, roller-coasters are fun!’ When the screams of horror died down and the Technicolor vomit stopped flying, Deadpool fished a bunch of numbers from the bottom third of Krush’s body. Not much else to be found there, so he hunted the midsection, and the search didn’t take long, thanks to the friend dough vendor, he found a key in the shirt pocket, which was all he needed.
Later, Deadpool scoped out the motel, everyone was still in there on the second floor. The girl doesn’t look too happy, and while it was hard to make out what was going on, he knew that there were three of them, two baddies and a young girl. He doesn’t like it one bit, for she looks young. ’Fifteen will get you Twenty in Jersey’. Every bone in his cancer-ridden body wanted to charge in there with guns blazing - not a good idea, he had to be smarter than that. So it took him thirty minutes and a little imagination, but it was all he could come up with - pizza boy.
Deadpool was thankful for his image inducer, and knocked on the apartment door, ‘Pizza!’ ‘Didn’t order any…aw, what the heck…’ comes the reply, as the younger of the men let the disguised Deadpool inside. Crime makes you hungry, something Deadpool is familiar with. Deadpool enters the apartment and fires at the younger man, clipping his shooting arm causing him to fall to the floor. The old guy reacted a little too fast, but adding to the confusion the girl cried ‘Mom?’
Never in a million years did Deadpool expect what happened next - ‘Die!’ shouted the girls mother as she shot Deadpool at close range in the back. All of a sudden, he was the bad guy. He didn’t even have time to laugh. ‘She shoots me in the back and mothers everywhere let out a sigh of relief’. Deadpool falls down hard. Things then went from bad to ugly really quick - the older guy panicked and shot the girls mother right in the head - she was gone in a flash. The younger guy tried to get to his feet but he got caught the crossfire. Bad move, and he too is shot in the head.
The older man was in shock and froze, giving the girl an opportunity to strike back, she lashed at his face with her nails and in a blind panic he runs toward the front door, tripping over Deadpool and the mother in the process, and then fell through the second story window, landing in a bloody mess on top of a car parked below.
Deadpool managed to get up with the girls help and they made their way down to her car. The night turned out to be full of surprises, and the girl, Sandee, turned out to be a lot tougher than Deadpool had originally thought. She drove them down to Cape May and checked them into the Dillon motel. By the time Deadpool passed out and woke up the next morning, Sandee had removed his shirt, turned off his image inducer and bandaged him up like a pro.
Wade gave her credit, and she wasn’t freaked out by how he looked - either she was just being polite or she was more screwed up than he thought. Deadpool sat up and spoke to her. He doesn’t know why, but he told her all about himself, how he started up in the mercenary game, how he found out he had terminal cancer and how Dr. Killbrew’s treatment gave him this uncanny healing factor. How he had so much going against him and still managed to come through it all - he thought it might help her.
Through Deadpool’s entire story, Sandee didn’t say a word, but she smiled - amazing what that can do to a hard-boiled guy like him. It was then that they heard it, right outside the room. The old man was back. Deadpool regrets that he didn’t check his body before they left, and thinks that they should have used his car. Lots of should haves…. Deadpool was caught off guard and still feeling like tendered beef, the old man gets the upper hand and he is mighty angry.
‘See what you did yo your father? Now your boyfriend’s gonna die!’ the old man shouts. Wide-eyed, Sandee replies that she was so scared, and asks her father to let her prove it. Somehow, she wins her father over in a second - this didn’t look good for Wade as Sandee told her father she can prove her live for him and pointed the gun at Deadpool - then winked.
With a tear falling from her eye, Sandee fired to the right of Deadpool - one shot, and this time, Dad stayed down. Sandee slumps to the ground, she was mess, and with a family like that, she never had a chance. Deadpool thought he could change that. He checked the bad and discovered 300 hundred grand - about one million short. He put two and two together and realized that it was an inside job, an insurance scam from the casino, by claiming more was stolen, they make more money. Only they were never meant to be caught. That was their mistake.
Deadpool made a collect call to the insurance agency handling the casino, tell them the full story and kept the cash for a job well done - and for the expenses of the damage done. Wade collected Sandee and the money then headed North on the Garden State parkway, not much else was said between them.
Their first stop was the Lady of Help Psychiatric Center, highly recommended in its field, Wade thinks that he could use a year or seven in their too. Sandee was so shell shocked that she doesn’t even notice where she is. Wade set up an account with the “main penguin” and gave her most of the cash to help her out, also giving her his phone number and any other info she might need, it is kept to a bare minimum.
Deadpool was hoping that this might set Sandee in the right direction, a new name, a new home and a new way of looking at life. But a week later he received a phone call - Sandee had taken her life. He was her only next of kin and took care of all the details. He tried to help, but it was out of his hands. Sandee was not at rest so he made sure she was properly marked and buried - the remaining money was buried with her too, for there was too much blood and bad vibes connected to it.
Only now the tables have turned and Deadpool is in a bad way for some cash. Blood money or not, he needs it, Sandee isn’t going to miss it after all. He feels bad about doing it, but everyone deserves a second chance. Sandee’s grave, marked “R.I.P. Sandee Wade 1983-2000” is dug up. Deadpool hopes that he will not let her down, after all, they are family. With that, he takes the money, covers her grave back up and leaves in the pouring rain.


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

[Assistant]
Renewed Acquaintances (1st story)
Tempered Steel (2nd story)
First Story:
The journey home has been long and full of sacrifices and many regrets. The pain of losing his sister once again burns in him and the fate of a young child name Michael is unknown. He has journey through centuries through space and time to return to this world and era. The era is not his, but it has intertwined itself with his destiny. Nostalgia overcomes the man who steps out of the transmat portal on Ellis Island. His name is Bishop and he has returned back home.
Bishop emerges from the portal and finds himself in front of his teammates, whom he has not seen in quite some time. Colossus, Psylocke, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Rogue, the newcomer Thunderbird and Cerise, agent of the Shi’ar, are amazed to see Bishop. Nightcrawler tells Wolverine that he was not part of the X-Men when Bishop was a member, but asks the feral mutant if that is really the man he has heard about.
Before anyone can say anything else, Rogue tells Bishop to watch out as someone shoots an energy blast right into the group. High on a ledge, a Skrull tells the humans to die as he tries to get a lock on the team again. Rogue grabs Bishop and flies him out of the way as the Skrull tries to shoot him. Rogue tells Bishop to quit squirming, because she would hate to lose him again seeing how he just got back.
Bishop is still in disbelief over seeing the X-Men once again, even though he knew he would meet them at Ellis Island. Rogue looks up into the sky and sees a space ship heading towards her and Bishop. Before Rogue can do anything, however, the ship launches and energy attack from its cannon. The attack is mostly absorbed by Bishop. Rogue asks Bishop if he is okay. The man, whose eyes glow with energy, tells Rogue to close her eyes. Rogue does so and Bishop unleashes his stored energy on the ship, destroying it.
Rogue swoops low to avoid being hit by the debris and tells Bishop that he always knows how to make an entrance. Bishop tells her that first impressions are always important, because then no one forgets you. Wolverine and Colossus finish taking down the rest of the Shi’ar guards on site. Wolverine tells Rogue and Bishop that he hates to break up the happy reunion, but they need to get out while they still have a chance, unless of course the two would enjoy taking on a whole entire army.
Cerise tells Nightcrawler that, as an agent of the Shi’ar, she will only be seen as a threat or a spy in the forthcoming battle. Thus, it would be best if she leaves them for now. Cerise gives Nightcrawler her best wishes and tells him that she will miss him. Nightcrawler tells her that he will also miss her.
Cerise makes her surreptitious exit and Rogue tells the others that Wolverine is right. They are outnumbered and, since they already got what they came for, there is no use in hanging around. She orders Thunderbird to use his powers to lay a wall of fire to cover their escape. Thunderbird complies and also tells Rogue that he loves a woman who is forceful.
Outside, Bishop tells Rogue that he is happy to see her, but he was told by Xavier that he would be meeting with a skrull telepath named Z’cann. Despondently, Rogue tells Bishop that Z’cann is in a bad way. Forge and Tessa are watching over her at the mansion, but they are not sure if she is going to make it. MP>
Rogue and Bishop land on the ground and Rogue tells him that, before Z’cann lost consciousness, she passed on the crucial information of the plan to her. The “mind meld” also messed up her powers, making them unpredictable. However, the mind meld also let the X-Men know that they had a little errand to run on their way to Ellis Island. Bishop and Rogue look up into the sky and Bishop asks if they came. As Rogue watches the Quinjet descend from the sky, she tells Bishop that of course they came. “They’re the Avengers!”
Onboard the Quinjet, Warbird tells Goliath that their radar is picking up some incoming bogeys. They have less than a minute until contact. Goliath tells her to look out for ground troops as well and then radios the X-Men to tell them to get on board, because they only have about a thirty second window.
The X-Men board the Quinjet and it streaks away from Ellis Island. Goliath tells the X-Men that they have three minutes before they reach their destination. There is a high probability that they will take on enemy fire, so they should make sure their seatbelts are fastened. Rogue tells him that she does not like the sound of that. Warbird tells the X-Men that Hank is understating the situation. When the Avengers last tried to take on Ronan the Accuser’s Citadel, he annihilated their Quinjet. Wolverine sarcastically tells her that it is nice to have something to look forward to.
Bishop interrupts and asks the X-Men if they could only get two Avengers. From what Xavier told him, they would need all of both teams to accomplish their mission. Psylocke tells Bishop that they are lucky that they got even two. The Avengers have been commandeered by the United States government as a result of Maximum Security. It wasn’t until after the X-Men pleaded their case to the Avengers’ security liaison, Duane Freeman, did the government give the X-Men permission to have two Avengers and a Quinjet.
Thunderbird says that it was not until recently that he dreamed of seeing the stars. Now this is his second trip into space. His life is changing so fast that he has not had time to catch his breath. Colossus tells Thunderbird that he envies him for seeing this all as an adventure. He himself sees it as a recurring nightmare. When he leaves the Earth, he always thinks of his brother Mikhail, who was a Soviet cosmonaut, whom he thought died when his rocket ship exploded. It wasn’t until years later when he learned this was all a cruel lie. However, the memory of dealing with Mikhail’s death still haunts him and space travel will never be easy.
In the front, Goliath tells everyone that they will have full visual in thirty seconds. Wolverine gives everyone a pre-game pep talk and reminds them that this is not just a session in the Danger Room. They need to follow their assignments to the letter and cannot afford any slip-ups.
Wolverine turns to Bishop and asks him if it is like old times. He speaks for all of them when he says that it is good to have the man back. He hopes Bishop sticks around a while this time. Bishop thanks Wolverine and tells him that it is good to be home. Nightcrawler leans up in his seat and asks Goliath, if the first Quinjet was destroyed, what is going to prevent Ronan from destroying the one they are in? Goliath smiles and tells Nightcrawler that he and Tony Stark made adjustments to the Quinjet they are riding in. This time, it is their turn to catch Ronan by surprise. With that said, Goliath presses a button and the Quinjet cloaks itself.
Warbird tells Goliath that the cloaking device is working perfectly. She looks back and sees Logan standing behind her and tells him to get back to his seat. Logan tells her not to worry and that he wants to see what they are up against. Goliath presses another button and suddenly the Citadel appears out of nowhere in front of the heroes. Goliath explains that Ronan has a cloaking device that made the Citadel nearly invisible to the naked eye. The only way they could see the station before was through refracted heat traces. However, now the Quinjet cockpit window has an infrared screen that allows them to see the Citadel in its entirety.
Goliath tells the heroes that he has found a good place to land. Rogue tells everyone to pray when Goliath tells them that they are going in. The Quinjet smashes into the side of the hull and ruptures it. Many Ruul workers are thrown by the crash and resulting explosion. The X-Men and Avengers prepare to disembark the ship, which is half stuck in the hull. Nightcrawler tells Goliath that he thought he was going for a peaceful landing. Goliath corrects himself and says that it was quiet until just this moment. Now everyone needs to take necessary measures to defend themselves from the hostiles outside their Quinjet.
Thunderbird asks Goliath if he is insane and tells the man that they just breached the hull of the station. The decompression will pull them out into the Earth’s upper atmosphere as soon as they exit the ship. Goliath tells Thunderbird that his assessment is not likely, because the fortress is of skrull design, which means that the station is now repairing itself with magno-force technology. With that said, the heroes exit the ship and attack the army of Shi’ar warriors waiting outside for them.
The team takes down the initial wave of troops and has a moment to collect their bearings. Wolverine tells Warbird, Rogue and Bishop that Xavier sent Bishop back to them for this so they should get what they need and get out before anyone knows what hit them. The four heroes sneak by in the shadows. Wolverine pops out his claws and tells them that the others will keep the troops busy, which will give the four of them the opportunity to sneak away and take care of business.
As the four run down a platform, Goliath spots a group of Shi’ar troops hot on their tail. Nightcrawler teleports to the troops and takes them down with his acrobatic skills. However, he cannot take them all down and orders Thunderbird to seal the corridor behind Wolverine and the others. Before the Shi’ar can reach the corridor, Thunderbird has it sealed with his powers. Bishop turns around to see the passage being welded shut by Thunderbird and tells the others they will need to find another way out. Wolverine presumes that Thunderbird shut the passage to prevent any unwelcome guests from getting to them and tells Bishop to worry about that later.
Rogue goes over to a transparent wall panel and tells the others that what she is seeing will help put things in perspective. The others go to the panel and the distraught Warbird tells the others that she did not realize the scope. Rogue tells her that none of them did. The heroes look out the panel to see that over half the Earth has been terraformed by Ego. Ego’s face emerges where North and South America used to be. Florida and bits of the east coast of the United States are the only parts left that were once the western world. Now, Ego has begun to focus his assault more on the eastern side of the world. Wolverine reminds everyone that, if they don’t succeed, there won’t be an Earth to come back to.
Back at the battle, Colossus lifts up several troops and tosses them. He tells Goliath that this is madness, for every enemy he defeats another one takes his place. Goliath smashes two Shi’ar and Ruul troops with his fist and tells Colossus that no one said the battle would be easy. However, they need to the troops to concentrate on them while the others carry out their part of the mission. Colossus tells Goliath that he did not mean he would give up. He would continue unto his dying breath, if necessary.
Nightcrawler teleports over some Ruul and tells Colossus that he hopes that it does not come to that. He then spots some ion cannons being brought in and tells Psylocke to take care of the heavy artillery. Psylocke thanks Nightcrawler for the heads up and easily uses her telekinesis to lift up the cannon and chuck it. She then wonders if this is the best that the bad guys have to throw at them.
Thunderbird looks behind him and tells Psylocke that he thinks that the best just came. Goliath turns around and sees Ronan the Accuser right behind him. Ronan tells the heroes that he is amazed by their arrogance. He spared their lives on their last attack on the Citadel. Ronan asks Goliath if he actually believed that he would spare them a second time.
Back in Salem Center, one of the last free places in the western hemisphere, the Skrull telepath named Z’cann lays near death. She is a student of Charles Xavier, who was entrusted with the duty to bring crucial information to the X-Men. That was before she was almost beaten to death by the Blood Brothers. She may perish now, but she won’t go down without a fight.
Forge and Tessa discuss Z’cann’s condition, while the young girl sleeps on the bed near them. Suddenly, Z’cann clenches her teeth and begins to shake. Her eyes dart open and she transforms into a creature of mammoth proportions. She leaps out of bed and grabs the nearest thing to her, which is Forge. Forge yells to Tessa to administer the sedative, as Z’cann begins to crush the man in her arms. Tessa injects the sedative into Z’cann’s arm and the girl reverts back to normal and falls unconscious. Forge thanks Tessa, but is now worried that the fight may have weakened Z’cann. It may take a miracle now to save her.
In the Citadel, Wolverine takes a quick peek around the corner into a room and spots three Ruul scientists. He tells Warbird to take the two on the right and he will take the other one. On three, the two leap into the room, take the Ruul by surprise and take them down. Bishop and Rogue follow Wolverine and Warbird into the room. Bishop searches among the machines in the room until he finds one computer in particular. Rogue tells him that she does not see an on-switch and jokingly asks him if he has some “magic key” on him.
Bishop tells Rogue that he does. Bishop raises his left forearm, which is wrapped up in bandages and tells Wolverine to make an incision about an inch deep and three inches wide and the point is if referring too. Wolverine comments that Charles is getting shifty in his old age if he is putting implants in Bishop. Bishop closes his eyes and winces as Wolverine cuts into him. He tells Wolverine that it was necessary in case he was discovered before he reached Earth.
Wolverine takes out the small device and asks Bishop if he is sure this is going to work. Bishop tells Wolverine that Xavier would not have sent him if he did not think it would work. However, there is only one way to find out. Bishop aims the device at the computer he is at. The device is actually the start switch for the computer and it sends out a focused laser beam at the computer, which turns it on.
Bishop begins to type on the computer and, after a few moments, it becomes clear to Rogue that Bishop may not be one hundred percent sure of what he is doing. Bishop explains that they are at the correct terminal, but the coding is so alien that he is unsure of how to proceed. Warbird stoically tells the others that the computer is of Kree design.
Bishop asks Warbird if she is familiar with it. Warbird tells him that her genetic make-up is both Kree and human. When she gained her powers, she also gained some Kree knowledge. However, she has no idea what to look for.
Rogue turns Wolverine and tells him that she does know what to look for. When she absorbed Z’cann’s memories, she also gained the knowledge that the Professor meant for the X-Men to have. Once she is in the system, they can find what they need. Wolverine realizes what Rogue is implying and tells her that he does not like the direction.
Rogue turns to Warbird and, standing like a scared little girl, she tells Warbird that she needs her help. She knows that she is asking a lot of her and it is the last thing she wants to do. When she stole her powers,  she also stole her memories. Normally, she would remember everything that Carol would but, right now, her powers are unreliable, thanks to something that happened when she absorbed Z’cann’s memories. All the memories she has are unclear to her. Rogue continues and says that she does not want to ask this, but the world is counting on them and she sees no other way. If Warbird would allow her to make skin-to-skin contact, so she could gain the Kree knowledge, then she can find the information Professor Xavier sent them to find.
Wolverine tells Warbird that it is her choice and nobody is pushing her to do anything she is uncomfortable with. Warbird tells Rogue that at one point in time she would have trusted the devil rather than her. However, Rogue is right. They need to do this for the greater good. “I’m…I’m ready,” falters Warbird.
Rogue tells Warbird that she will be jealous and then puts her bare hands to Carol’s face. Carol gasps for air as she begins to feel her energy drain from her. Rogue stops and the dizzy Warbird falls back into the arms of Wolverine, who catches her. Rogue smiles, cracks her knuckles and tells the others that they have a world to save.
Ronan swings his hammer at Psylocke and Nightcrawler, who avoid him. Ronan tells the heroes that he has been given the duty of being the warden of their planet. By law, anyone who tries to escape Earth is punished by death. Goliath, who is much larger than Ronan, grabs the man from behind and tells the alien that he is not match for his might. Goliath restrains Ronan and tells the X-Men to watch out for the hammer because, last time, Ronan used it to teleport the Avengers back to Earth. Colossus tells Goliath that Ronan will not have a chance to use it and punches the man in the face.
Ronan uses his strength to rip himself free from Goliath and knocks the Avenger and Colossus down. Psylocke uses her psionic katana on Ronan and tells the man that her katana does not contain like Goliath; it cuts. Ronan screams in pain and tells Psylocke that he did not think it would be possible for someone from Earth to hurt him. He then turns around and shoots an optic blast at Psylocke, but Nightcrawler pushes her to the ground in time.
Ronan picks up his hammer from the ground but is perplexed when he finds that it is scalding hot. Thunderbird speaks up from behind and tells Ronan that his mutant power involves heat and flame. Neal becomes engulfed in fire and tells Ronan that he is heating his weapon to its melting point. He does not know what the melting point is, but is sure that they will all find out soon. Ronan raises his hammer to the air and emits a blast of light, which blinds everyone. Ronan tells the heroes that he has underestimated them, but he will do so no longer.
Ronan runs into another room and asks the Shi’ar men there about the status of the Ego-spore. One of the men tells Ronan that Ego has terraformed almost 60% of the Earth. Ronan tells the man that it is enough. He then asks if all the Earth bound receptors are in proper placement as he instructed. A Ruul confirms this. Ronan tells him to activate the transfer on his signal. He wants the power of Ego to be his. The Ruul tells Ronan the process is premature, but Ronan threatens to imprison the man on Earth for disobedience. The Ruul and Shi’ar men comply with Ronan and start the process. Almost immediately, Ronan is flooded with energy from Ego and it is more than he could imagine.
Nightcrawler and the others find Ronan and realize that they are in trouble. Ronan orders the scientists to give him more power. Ronan spots the heroes and realizes that they have come to witness the birth of a god. Nightcrawler tells everyone that the mission takes precedence and that they need to return back to the Quinjet. Ronan laughs as the group races back to the Quinjet.
Psylocke rounds the corner and immediately stops and tells the others that they have a problem. The four find themselves in front of the Quinjet, but with an army of Shi’ar troops in the middle. Before either side can attack, though, the wall behind Colossus is blown open. Rogue flies in and asks Colossus if they started the party without sending them an invitation. Psylocke asks Rogue if the mission was a success and Rogue shows her the disk they retrieved. She then tells them that they need to get it to the Avengers.
Before the heroes can step one foot in the direction of the Quinjet, Ronan destroys it. He then turns to the others and tells them that he is invincible. Colossus steps towards Ronan, but Rogue stops him and tells him that he has another idea. She goes over to an unconscious alien that was guarding an aircraft and figures that he is the pilot. She kisses him and then orders everyone onto the ship, including Bishop, who will not play martyr now that the X-Men just got him back. That is how they lost Shadowcat. Within seconds, everyone is onboard and Rogue lifts the ship off the ground, through a wall and back to Earth.
A Shi’ar troop asks Ronan if they should pursue the X-Men and Avengers. Ronan tells him to let the heroes go. They cannot go anywhere where he cannot go. Besides, he will need sport in the end and Earth’s heroes will do nicely.
On the other end of the barrier, past Pluto in another space station, an unusual quartet of heroes find themselves in a dire situation. The fours Skrulls, collectively known as Cadre K, sit in their prison cell after they attempted to raid upon the galactic council. Suddenly, the door to their cell opens and they look to see who is coming in. Professor Xavier sits in his hover chair and tells Cadre K that the time for deception has passed. Now is the moment to act and to end oppression once and for all. “One way or another,” says Xavier, “Humanity will no longer be caged.”
Second Story:
Several Years Ago…
Colossus and Illyana Rasputin ride a train back to Salem Center, New York. Piotr asks little Illyana if she had a good time in the city today. In Russian, Illyana tells her brother that the Guggenheim was amazing. Before she can continue any further, Colossus tells her to tell him in English. “Oh,” says Illyana, “I hev...good time.”
Piotr is happy to hear that and jokes that soon they won’t be able to keep her quiet. Suddenly, Piotr remembers that he forgot to stop by the Strand and look for the Sorolla book that he has been trying to find. He begins to wonder if he can find the time to go next week when the woman behind him asks him if he was at the museum today. She tells Piotr that she and her friends had a hard time seeing around him all day, because he is huge. Piotr smiles and apologizes, because his size can sometimes be a problem.
Piotr introduces himself and Illyana, who waves at the young woman in the baseball cap. The girl takes off her hat and introduces herself as Lex. She goes to the Rister School in Sleepy Hollow. Piotr recognizes the school name and realizes that Lex wants to be a painter. He then points to Lex’s shoes and tells her that he would probably not think she is an accountant. Lex looks down at her shoes and realizes that Colossus is referring to the drawing of the woman on her right shoe. Lex tells Piotr that he wins that bet, but wants to know more about him. She asks Piotr if he is Russian. Piotr says he is and tells Lex that he is an exchange student of sorts.
Outside the train, a stalled pick-up truck sits on the tracks. The man in the truck desperately tries to get his truck starting, as the train approaches him. He realizes that he attempts are futile and runs out the truck in terror, as the train is about to his the truck. Violently, the train hits the truck and derails.
In the train, all the passengers are thrown out of their seats. Piotr turns into his steel form and catches Illyana. The lights in the train go out and he asks Illyana if she is all right. The girl is fine and Colossus tells her that he will try to see if they can get her out of the train and then help others who may be hurt. Colossus uses his strength to rip open the side of the train. The passengers disembark, but Illyana asks Piotr where Lex is. Colossus tells her to get to safety and he will look for her. He goes back into the train and calls Lex’s name and asks if she is all right. Suddenly, he stops and looks at the ground before him at the dead body of his new friend, Lex.
The next morning, Colossus goes into the woods and begins to punch his fists into a large boulder on the mansion grounds. From behind him, Wolverine appears with some flowers in his hand and asks Piotr if this has been going on long. Colossus asks Wolverine how long he has been watching him. Wolverine knows that Colossus is trying to change the subject and tells him that he is hiding something. Colossus tells him that he is not hiding something and just wants to be alone.
Wolverine lights a cigarette and asks Colossus if he saw the morning news. Last night there was a train wreck, which led to a lot of damage and loss of life. Survivors apparently saw a metal man. Colossus picks up another boulder and chucks it. He tells Wolverine that he was there. Wolverine asks if Colossus caused the wreck. Colossus tells him he did not and that he does not want to talk about it. Wolverine continues to persist and asks Piotr if he did what he could.
Colossus tells Wolverine that he would not understand, because he is not “cursed with feelings” like the rest of them. Wolverine takes out his cigarette and tells Piotr that he is right. However, they were talking about Colossus, not him. Colossus tells Wolverine one more time that he does not want to talk about it and turns away. He pauses and then tells Wolverine that he met a nice girl on the train. She was killed in the accident and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Wolverine tells Colossus not to be stupid, because they are all bound to lose once in a while. Colossus punches his fist into the boulder again and tells Wolverine that there is more. He was so concerned with saving Illyana that he ignored everyone else until it was too late. He was being selfish. His conduct goes against everything Xavier taught him and now Lex is dead because of him. Colossus stops punching the boulder and tells Wolverine that maybe it would be best if he just went back to being a farmer.
Wolverine is upset and tells Colossus that he does not care about Lex or Illyana. He has barely been here for a year and, at the first sign of trouble, he wants to pack his bags. That sounds more selfish than anything. Wolverine flicks his cigar at Colossus’ head and tells him that the X-Men are better off without a loser like him.
In a rage, Colossus smashes the boulder that Wolverine is on and knocks him to the ground. He holds the man down and asks him how he could be so callous and cruel. Wolverine pops his claws out and bets that adamantium can beat steel. Wolverine tells Colossus to let him up and then tells him that they cannot save them all. Colossus falls back and asks Wolverine why they cannot. Wolverine gets up and says that there in no point in asking. They just have to deal with it.
Colossus tells Wolverine that he wishes that he had acted differently. He was only thinking of something important to him. The other passengers deserved better. Wolverine tells Colossus that, between saving a stranger and Mariko, he knows who he’d pick. He then picks up his flowers and says that he is late for his date with her. He asks Colossus if he is going to be okay. Colossus gets up and says that he just has to deal with it.
Colossus looks at the picture he smashed into the boulder, which is the same drawing of the woman that Lex had on her shoe. As Wolverine walks away, he reminds Colossus that no one lives forever.