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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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When X is not X
In U-Man Central, a funeral is being held. The stripped remains of the deceased lie in a metal casket, volts of electricity arcing over his body. Reading from their holy book, "The 3rd Species", the "minister" tells the others that a funeral like this is not an occasion for sadness but for rejoicing. It is a time, even, of greedy anticipation. U-Man Smitts, he tells the group, died of blood poisoning when his mutant lung grafts went rotten after a week of agonizing waiting. Bob wasn't pure enough to bear his transplants... but they are. For today is the day of the Recycled Man! The third species eternal! Homo Perfectus! Let the harvest begin, he concludes. As the eight assembled all brandish their various surgical utensils, one informs the others that Smitts promised him his x-ray corneas. The jaws, another exclaims, are his. Holding a bone saw in his hand, a third asks if they all get a bit of him or is it just the group leaders?
Suddenly, a red van bursts through Central's wall, running over two of the U-Men as the others scatter. The van comes to a violent stop as it impacts on Bob Smitts? metal coffin, ramming it against the concrete wall. A few minutes later the U-Men Central is quiet, the remaining seven U-Men having been violently brought down by Quentin Quire and his gang of "new X-Men."
This is nice, Quentin announces. They are their worst nightmare... vengeful mutants on drugs. Bending down to look into the eyes of the U-Man currently being held down by Redneck, Quentin asks why he would want to be like them? Really, it's not east being a mutant. People like them exterminate them, murder their artists, cut out their organs and stick them into their own diseased bodies. Their leaders and teachers expect them to be "reasonable," stare at their shoes and do nothing. Leaning down to whisper in the ear of the U-Man (were it not covered by his environmental suit) Quentin tells him that he doesn't think Homo Inferior should have any right to mess up the future the way they've messed up the past. As the U-Man begs Quentin not to hurt him, the teen breaks the seal of the U-Man's helmet, which begins to hiss re-circulated air. Sneering at the U-Man and referring to his recent speech, Quentin instructs the U-Man to agree with him.
As Quentin pulls his mask off, the U-Man pleads quietly. He can't touch the ground... he has to breathe pure air... it's his religion... please... he can't touch the fallen world until it's been made perfect. Nearby, Tattoo holds a Hypercortisone D inhaler to Rednecks's mouth, instructing him to get some Kick into his lungs and give her five-bar electric death. Still pleading incoherently, the U-Man, now unmasked, tells them that he spent the last of his life savings on this suit... please don't ruin it...
Incredulous, Quentin tells the U-Man that he's not a religion. He's a cannibal freak who met some like-minded losers in a seedy chatroom and decided to create a do-it-yourself species... using pieces of his people. Introducing "Citizen" Redneck and "Citizen" Herman, Quentin instructs the U-Man to meet New X Justice. As he heats up Glob Herman's hands with flames from his own, Redneck asks Quentin if they should tell this guy what Herman's made of... before it's too late for him to hear? His hands heated to his satisfaction, Herman places them on the U-Man's face, eliciting bloodcurdling screams. Does he mean Bio-Paraffin, Quentin finally answers. Living wax? The world has not fallen, Quentin tells the screaming U-Man, calling him an ignorant ape. The world is a Garden of Eden made for mutants.
On a laptop nearby, a faint, electronic voice sounds, asking if anybody is there? Identifying himself as U-Man Patrol, calling U-Man Central, the caller asks if Dix is there. Miles away, staring down at his own laptop, which is transmitting the message, the U-Man reports that he just called to confirm the mutant colony sighting. They think it's some sort of camping trip from the nearby Xavier Institute. Cursing at the lack of response, the U-Man is reminded by a colleague that today is Bob Smitts funeral.
The second U-Man, crouched nearby, is looking through a large set of binoculars. Instructing his colleague to put away the laptop, he tells him to check out this freakshow... they're doing it right out in the open... like bugs! Like on the Discovery Channel! Lowering the binoculars, the U-Man reports that the chick's wobbling like a rubber glove filled with milk and the other thing is like the stuff he used to see hanging on hooks in his Uncle Buck's butcher shop. Returning his attention through the binoculars, he wonders aloud what he's doing now? Why can't he have telescopic vision like U-Man Parr? Her grafts just took... no antibiotics, no infection... these binoculars, he says, are useless.
Telling his colleague to be quiet, the first U-Man returns his attention to the laptop. Informing the other that he just checked the Sublime website, he reports that, in answer to his brief question, Master John says it's their right and duty to harvest the organs of these mutants. The younger, the better.
Some distance away, Angel sits atop the Beak, straddling him as she drinks more of her beer. Announcing that he can't do it anymore, the Barnell begins to rise, to the surprise and anger of Angel. This is supposed to be easy, she tells him. Even the birds and bees managed to figure this out... it's genetic evolution! It's the whole point of the X-Men school! Sitting down with his back to Angel, the Beak tells her it's enough. She's just coming on to him way too strong. He wishes he had never been part of this stupid tent expedition.
Taken aback at the Beak's statement, Angel is repeats part of his statement; she was coming on to him? He was squawking a whole different song five minutes ago. Changing her own tune, Angel offers Barnell a drink. Refusing it, Barnell asks where the romance is here among the bugs and the toadstool? What if somebody trips over them and tells everyone? Laughing at the thought, Angel asks what they would tell? That he said no to the first, last and best chance he ever had? There's not a hope in ten billion anybody's going to find them, so get... Angel's words are interrupted by a spotlight, placed directly on them, followed by the faint voice of Barnell thanking God.
At the campfire, Basilisk informs "Mister" Xorn that he definitely saw him sneaking a peek at No-Girl's sexy, fat butt just a moment previous. Denying the statement, Xorn replies that he still cannot see No-Girl anywhere. Undeterred, Basilisk assures Xorn that she's around.
Speaking up, Ernst tells Xorn that Martha says she is bored in her bubble. What are they going to do now? Do? Xorn asks. This is them doing. He thought that they would meditate. He had hoped they would become friends and learn something about themselves and their limits. Pulling out the piece of paper with the words "Jack Ass" written on them, which had been taped to his back at the classroom, Xorn confesses that he cannot tell when there are trying to be funny or when they are trying to be cruel. After a few moments of Xorn waiting for a response, Basilisk asks about meditation. With a chuckle, he asks if that doesn't make one go blind.
A loud shout draws the attention of the campfire group. The shout is from Barnell, announcing repeatedly the presence of the U-Man. Running as fast as he can while zipping up his pants, Barnell is accompanied by the airborne Angel, who instructs them all to run for their lives. As Xorn catches Angel in mid-air, Ernst tries to hold back the frantic Martha, who has begun to hover in a panicked flight. Announcing that Martha is screaming, she informs the rest that it was the U-Men who cut away her body. She's frightened of them!
Appearing out of the darkness of the forest, three U-Men raise their guns and begin to fire small, razor shards. Recognizing the weapon, Angel tells the others that she knows these guys from before! They'll kill them like stomping on a roach. Directing the students in the opposite direction as the U-Men, Xorn orders them to leave the equipment. Bringing up the rear and watching for signs of the U-Men following, Xorn proclaims, to himself, that this is quite unacceptable.
The group comes to a stop when the Beak announces that they can't go any further. Directing Xorn's attention to his meaning, Barnell shows a steep ravine, descending at an almost vertical angle. Announcing that there will be no need to go further, Xorn orders the students to stay here and wait for him. Watching their instructor disappear back into the woods, Barnell declares that he can't just leave them there... the guy is eight feet tall with the power of a tiny, blue star in his head! While they are the Xavier School remedial class! Standing nearby, Dummy holds his left shoulder, where a wound slowly allows gasses to escape.
Eying the ravine, Basilisk pronounces that "Xorny" is so dead. He bets that they'll find him all cut up with his head severed off and stuff. Reminding Basilisk that Xorn has a sun for a head, Ernst points out that you can't sever a sun... can you? As Ernst collapses in despair, Barnell tells the others that they all have to work together as a team, like they tell them every week in assembly. Drawing everyone's attention over to Dummy, who has collapsed, Angel informs the others that he's making a really creepy hissing noise, like your grandma dying.
Noting the horrible stink in the air, which smells like egg and Parmesan cheese, Barnell asks Angel if it was her. Calling Barnell as dum-dum, Basilisk points out that it is from Dummy, he's a living person. Translating Martha's silent words, Ernst informs the rest that Martha has told her that the smell is Dummy, escaping into the air. Dummy's an intelligent gas in a suit. Laughing at the idea, Basilisk proclaims Dummy a smart fart.
Changing the subject, Basilisk asks the Beak when did common sense stand on its head and make him leader? His arms wide in disbelief, Barnell points out that they are the ones who made him leader by standing there, doing @&@$! They, Barnell tells them, make him look like the X-Men! They're supposed to be losers, Basilisk counters. That's the point of them. That's why they put them in Mister Xorn's special class. Dismissing the belief, Barnell retorts that no way are they losers. Does he look like a loser to them? A moment of silence follows while the group considers the Beak's words.
Pointing his finger at Barnell, Basilisk tells him that he'll never be X-Man material. And Angel, he continues, is only there because she likes the taste of finger-lickin' frozen chicken. With this said, Basilisk lets out a small chuckle. Ignoring her classmate, Angel, addressing Barnell as "leader," reminds him that fifteen minutes ago he was begging her to tell him what went where... now he's the big man with the plan? Shrugging his shoulders in amazement, the Beak asks why is everybody picking on him? They are in a death and life situation! Taking charge, Barnell tells Angel that as she is the only one who can fly, she should fly for help!! Taking off into the night sky, Angel asks what kind of help? Psychiatric?
Lying on the ground, completely covered by his sealed suit, save for the cut on his right forearm, Dummy faintly excuses himself and asks for help... please. He doesn't want to leak away. After Basilisk declares that Dummy is going to die, the Beak replies that that is what he thinks. All they need, he says, is something rubber to patch him up. Pulling out a condom, still in its package, from his coat, Barnell lets out a triumphant A-ha! His jaw dropped in disbelief, Basilisk lets out a corresponding, Wohh.
The arrival of a U-Man from the woods brings the group back to the crisis at hand. As the Beak, Ernst and Martha take cover behind him, Basilisk asks what's in it for him if he saves everybody? Which of the lovely ladies will be his bride? Eying the approaching, armed U-Man, Barnell tells Basilisk to do something and even he will be his bride! He's already done his bit! Speaking up, Ernst tells Basilisk than Martha says that No-Girl has agreed to go out with him on Friday... if he helps them. Emitting a strobe pulse from his single eye, which takes out the approaching U-Man, Basilisk says it's a pleasure.
Her face illuminated by the flames, Angel looks on in dumbfounded silence. Sometimes, Xorn tells her, the teacher must leave to make room for learning. His back to Angel, Xorn faces the flaming wreckage that was once the U-Men's vehicle, his helmet still smoking from the energy discharge that created it. The corpses of several U-Men litter the nearby forest floor.
Beak dreamed of respect, he continues. Ernst could find no one to be responsible for. Basilisk had no focus for his energy. For Dummy, there was no community. And she..., Xorn trails, referring to Angel. Turning around and facing her at last, Xorn places his forefinger to his helmet's chin, miming the "Shhh" sign. Speaking once again, he tells Angel that this will be their secret. All will be well. Her mouth still agape as she watches steam rise from Xorn's superheated helmet, she voices a simple yes, sir.
His shoulders shrugged in disbelief, Basilisk asks Ernst if she really said that. Replying affirmatively, Ernst tells him that No-Girl said she'd go out with him anytime. He has a really nice smile, she says. Struggling with a heavy rock he is dragging to the scene, the Beak tells Basilisk that his eyebeam is just a cheap copy of Cyclops'. Having reached the unconscious U-Man, Barnell lifts the rock and tells Basilisk that Mr. Summers will sue him for stealing the copyright trademark to his talent. Replying that he has no money, Basilisk adds that all he has is a seizure in his brain, which sets off a flash that freezes people like roadkill in the lights.
Watching Barnell struggle with lifting the rock, Ernst tells him he will strain his back. Having finally lifted the rock above his head, the Beak replies that there is no way he will trust Basilisk's stupid eyeflash to do the whole job. Somebody has to break the helmet like an egg and stun this guy. Moving Martha's bubble on the opposite side of her from the U-Man, Ernst tells her not to look if the U-Man scares her. Several feet away, Barnell drops the rock squarely on the U-Man's head. Seeing this, Basilisk grins to himself, repeating to himself the words a nice smile.
Seeing Xorn and Angel emerge from the woods, Ernst excitedly announces that they caught a big one! And Martha says she sent a mind alarm to Miss Frost at the school. Telling Ernst that she did well, Xorn announces that he's proud of them all. The U-Men will leave them alone now.
Still sporting his grin, Basilisk asks Xorn to guess who was the unlikely hero of the hour. And, he continues, he would like him to meet No-Girl... his fiancé. Laughing at the statement, Barnell remarks that only a girl who is non-existent would go out with him. Ignoring the Beak, Basilisk tells Xorn that she's saying "Hi." Addressing the empty space next to Basilisk, Xorn asks No-Girl to forgive him. He was searching all the wrong frequencies for her. There she is. Welcome to the special class.
It is still late in the evening when the X-copter returns to the Xavier Institute, bringing Xorn and his class. Out in front of the school are Professor Xavier, the Beast, Emma Frost and her Stepford Cuckoos. Dressed in matching ladies' suits, the five Stepford girls stand for inspection by Dr. McCoy. Descending from the stairs in her strapless, white dress and carrying a matching purse, Emma Frost tells her girls that this promises to be an evening of high octane wit and cruelly sophisticated chat.
Dismissing Emma's comments, the Beast comments on the shaved hairstyle of a passing student, noting that he has been seeing it turning up everywhere. Speaking in unison as ever, the five sisters inform Dr. McCoy that Quentin Quire has been trying to make it fashionable but then suggest that they not talk about him; he's an unpleasant boy with B.O. Still talking about Quentin, the Cuckoos add that they're still sure he plans to disrupt Open Day somehow.
Descending from the stairs to greet the girls, Xavier notes that they have been wise to trust their intuitions before. Addressing the group as a whole, Xavier asks where is Mister Quire? He would like to speak with him before tomorrow. Speaking to Emma, who seems lost in pleasurable thoughts, Xavier asks if Quentin took her precognition class today. Noting their teacher's distraction, the five girls call her to attention. Brought back to the here-and-now, Emma apologizes in halting words, asking for forgiveness. She was miles away.
Not quite miles away, in a world of yellow haze, Emma kisses Scott Summers deeply. His mouth busy, Cyclops thinks to Emma that they shouldn't. Her mouth likewise busy in kissing, Emma thinks/tells Scott that they're only having a thought together; a delicious thought they can both share.
Calling out to Scott, Xorn, co-piloting the X-copter, brings Cyclops back to the here-and-now. Concerned, Xorn asks his friend if he is well. He seems distant and preoccupied. Dismissing Xorn's fears, Cyclops replies that he was listening. He has just had a lot on his mind. He was miles away.
As the X-copter lands on the Institute's lawn, Xavier's limousine departs. Speaking to Dr. McCoy, who is driving, Xavier voices that the idea of an anti-human protest the next day is unthinkable! They're trying to attract human students! The last thing they need is some lunatic movement arising to fill the ideological void left by Magneto. As Xavier speaks, in the back seat of the limo, the Stepford Cuckoos regard their teacher with scrutiny. Her mind once again lost in thoughts "miles away," Emma brushes a hair away from her face in an obviously aroused manner.
(later)Walking down the hall of the Institute toward his room, Xavier telepathically thanks everyone for a very enjoyable and amusing evening. He'll be shutting down his thoughts until tomorrow. Opening the door to his pitch-black room, Xavier senses that something is amiss. Before he can do anything, Xavier is hit over the head with a baseball bat and collapses on the floor. Suddenly, the lights come on and illuminate the room, which is inhabited by both the Professor and the entire gang of Quentin Quire. Taken aback at their deed, Glob Herman asks Quentin what happens when the X-Men turn up to kick their asses? Already closing the door, Quentin tells Glob to bring them on. They have all night to prepare. Holding the baseball bat which struck Xavier, Radian informs Quentin that Wolverine is all Quentin?s.
Now conscious but unable to see, Xavier hears Quentin Quire ask him is he wanted to see him. Asking the Professor if he remembers telling them to "think outside the box," Quentin tells him that they did. The helmet he is wearing is based on Magneto's telepathy-proof technology. Xavier couldn't think into the helmet and he can't think out of this one.
All of the rhetoric about man/mutant brotherhood sounded really inspiring when he was thirteen, Quentin tells the Professor but he grew up... and the world looks different when you're a little taller. His "dream" has failed the mutant race at every turn. Humans can't be reasoned with. The only thing they haven't tried, Quentin then adds, is Magneto's way... total extermination of the human race. As Quentin tells Xavier that the school gates open to the public in two hours, the others in Quentin's gang discover the moving bookcase, which leads into a giant laboratory. Noting the secret labs, Tattoo tells the others that she smells Kick.
(The next day)Outside the Institute, Emma Frost and her Stepford Cuckoos lead a group of humans from their parked cars. Noting the absence of Xavier, one of the girls tells Emma that the Professor was supposed to join them for the opening. That's what he said last night. Unconcerned, Emma replies that he likes to make an entrance. She's sure he's racing against the clock to powder his head just so for the...
Emma's words, as well as the advancement of the guests for Open Day, are stopped dead in their tracks by a booming voice. Speaking through a megaphone, a voice announces that Professor X is their hostage. They're hijacking the corrupt and reactionary Xavier Institute. Leaning out of a second story window, from which a giant sheet with his omega symbol over an X is spray-painted, Quentin issues his demands; They demand nothing less than Year Zero for mutantkind! Humans must be tried for their crimes! School's out, he yells. Riiiot!


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

[Assistant]
Riot at Xavier's
Glaring out of the second-story window of the Xavier Institute, prodigy student Quentin Quire holds his megaphone in hand while he watches the events transpire outside. With his eyes glazed over and dazed from the effects of Hypercortisone D, Quentin grins maniacally as he views the chaos outside, the result of the riot he has started. Now that they've got their attention... he smirks.
They're not international criminals, Quentin tells Xavier, not bothering to look at his captive. They're not famous super-terrorists. It's true they want to tear down everything that he's created and replace it, but it's not because they're monsters; it's because they're young and it's their right. Finally turning to glance at the Professor, Quentin adds that he's saying all this out loud because he had the brilliant idea of thought-proofing him. Regarding the eyeless metal helmet, which covers Xavier's head and eyes, Quentin informs him that it's adapted from a blueprint of Magneto's helmet they found on the net. He had a lot of good ideas, you know. Yes, Xavier agrees, referring to Magneto. He was kind to animals and he could dance the tango to championship standards. He was also a psychopathic murderer, Xavier then adds, and a poor role model in most other respects.
Sneering mockingly, Tattoo leers over the helpless Professor, reminding him that humans killed Jumbo Carnation. Where was he? Watching the opera? Hovering over Xavier's shoulder from the other side, Redneck adds that humans bomb their cities! Humans trash their whole culture and what does he do? Invite 'em over for dinner! Radian chides.
Some distance from the Institute, Angel stands next to Basilisk and Xorn. Eying the group of protesters standing at the Institute's front door, Angel notes to Xorn that things seem to be getting restless. Something's about to happen, Xorn replies to his student, asking if she can feel it. Human gravity... shifting, he continues, not waiting for her answer. Energy fields in motion...
Closer to the protests, Emma Frost, accompanied by her ever-present wards, the Stepford Cuckoos, warns the Beast that the protest is turning violent. Towering over two protestors before him, the Beast remarks that the rioters said something about the Professor being involved. Finally seeing the level of hostility from the protestors, he instructs Emma to get her girls out of there. Wolverine, he adds, is checking on Charles.
Back at the window, Quentin is joined by Tattoo. Eying the events outside, she informs Quentin gang that they'll send the X-Men in to get them. Any second now and they're squished. Then they're in for glory, Quentin responds. Calling for Glob Herman, Quentin informs him that he's onstage. Taking his cue, Herman asks Redneck to "light him." As Redneck uses his flame powers to ignite the gelatinous flesh of one of his hands, Herman tells Quentin that he'll try and be careful not to hit any of his girlfriends, those beautiful Stepford Cuckoos. Telling Herman to shut up, Quentin uses his bullhorn to smash the window and instructs Herman to make terror. Leaning out of the window, Herman announces to all outside that he is Herman, the Living Weapon! As he hurls flaming globs of his flesh to the people below, Herman asks Quentin in quiet amazement how he guessed he could do this.
On the Institute's grounds below, the teachers, students, visitors and protestors alike all run for safety. Running as well, Emma follows her Stepford Cuckoos toward the safety of the far side of a bus. Another gold star, Emma says, praising her girls. It looks like they were right about Master Quire and his gang of bad haircuts. This, she adds, is quite appalling. Speaking in unison, the Cuckoos remind "Miss Frost" that they told her. They knew he'd ruin their Open Day! Quentin wants to make a mess of everything. Watching the flames rise from Glob Herman's handiwork, Emma replies that she's sure it's just another petulant cry for help.
Adding then that she doesn't know what it is about young people these days, Emma laments that she misses the imagination and verve of the little zealots she used to teach. There was a wild, romantic light in their eyes and they threw themselves into the fray at every turn. Transforming into her diamond form, Emma continues. Now, it's all bored stares, vague demands and a few broken windows, hardly the stuff of mutant legends. One of the Cuckoos, Esme, speaking individually instead in unison with her sisters, snidely asks Emma if her former students weren't all killed. Turning her back to her students and walking back to the Institute, Emma answers that, yes, there were one or two fatalities... But, for heaven's sake, she asks, try not to dwell on the down side. As Emma leaves their presence, one of the sisters tries to reassure the rest; she's only trying to inspire them.
Standing resolutely before the open door of the Institute, surrounded by smoke, Emma watches one of the rioting students tossing a classmate off of the steps of the school. The rioting pupil yells to the others to seize the school! Try the humans for their crimes! Her arms crossed in annoyance, Emma asks for heaven's sake. Seize the school and then what? And then what?
Still bound to his chair, his face still covered by the telepathy-suppressing helmet, Xavier tells Quentin that he can honestly understand the attraction of violent change. When he was young, Xavier informs the youth, he used to imagine using his telepathic talents to short-circuit the minds of despots... Cutting the Professor off, Quentin tells him that he was never his age. Sixteen million mutants died in Genosha while he was imagining new ways to do nothing. Real change, Xavier counters, takes lifetimes... The Professor's statement is cut short by Tattoo, who coolly places a strip of duct tape over the Professor's mouth.
Walking down the hall, away from the bound and now-silenced Professor, Quentin's gang struts with confidence. When asked by Tattoo how far they are taking this, Quentin replies that he doesn't know; he's never done this before. How far do you get? About as far as this Wolverine answers, leaning against the wall of the stairwell platform. I know it'll hurt, he calmly tells Quentin, but he has to say it; his speeches are even more pompous than Charlie's. Acting superior when he's just confused never won anybody any prizes.
Is that so? Quentin asks Wolverine. Still resting against the wall, Wolverine tells Quentin that he's shaking. Giving the "kid" advice, Wolverine suggests to Quentin that he do himself some hard thinking before blood starts pouring outta this drug-induced prank he started. It's not a prank, Quentin counters, as he confidently descends the stairs. It's a mutiny against Charles Xavier's destructive lies. Hard thinking? That nagging though in the back of his head, Quentin points out to Wolverine, trailing off? His muscles seizing up as his eyes roll back, Wolverine can barely manage a gurgle as Quentin and his gang walks by. Hearing Wolverine manage out a comment about him having stones, Quentin smiles, replying that he definitely has Wolverine's. That thought's got so loud you can't think past it right? Quentin asks.
(inside Wolverine's mind)Wearing a farmer's overalls instead of any X-Men uniform, Wolverine has his metal claws unsheathed, but not bared for combat. Rather than alert, Wolverine is dazed by a dissected, labyrinthine structure, with giant sets of stairs leading to exposed rooms, each housing a different memory. Reeling in the sensory chaos, Wolverine hears voices calling out to "James," telling him that they are there.
(reality)Descending the next set of stairs to the ground floor, Quentin's gang marvels at Wolverine's impotent status. Wolverine, Redneck mutters. That's Wolverine he's messed with, Redneck tells Quentin, calling him a suicidal genius. Warned by Redneck that Wolverine will hunt him down, Quentin dismissed the worry. That's just his image Quentin tells his classmate. It doesn't matter anyway. What they do here will never be forgotten.
Outside the Institute, an explosion blows apart a front wall of the school. Still bound in his room, Xavier lets out a silent scream, accompanied by a single tear. Back in the courtyard, Beak Barnell cradles the empty suit of Dummy, whose suit was ripped in two by shrapnel from the explosion, his gaseous form having dispersed.
Flanked by the Beast and Xorn, Cyclops greets Quentin's gang, as they emerge from the Institute. This is way out of line, Cyclops says before ordering them to break it up. Speaking to the mass of rioting students, who have joined Quentin's gang, Cyclops orders them to lay down their weapons, unless they want the Xavier teaching staff to turn this into an impromptu martial arts lesson.
Stepping to the fore, Redneck asks Cyclops about turning some of this big, tough justice on the humans who killed Jumbo Carnation. How about that? Turning back to his following rioters, spurring them on, Rednecks asks if he is just going to let humans walk all over? Redneck's rant is silenced by the optic blast of Cyclops, who deftly uses it to effectively knock Redneck off his feet by a blast to the nose. Checking on the barely conscious Redneck, Tattoo informs Cyclops that he's broken Redneck's nose. That's total assault, she tells him.
The next joker gets a broken leg, Cyclops replies. They don't tolerate killers. What about Jumbo Carnation? Tattoo questions. Humans murdered him like a dog in the street, adds Radian. On the contrary, the Beast corrects. The truth is they've established what happened the night of Jumbo's death in some detail with help from the human police. Some humans roughed him up a little, that's true, the Beast says, but that's not what killed him. Jumbo Carnation died from a self-administered overdose of Kick. Humans, the Beast states, aren't responsible for everything. Maybe they should all take a deep breath and calm down.
Taking in the Beast's words, the rioters consider them in silence. The silence is broken when Radian declares Dr. McCoy's words lies and repels his former instructor with a burst of energy. Firing as he falls to the ground, Cyclops manages to break Radian's leg. Rising to his feet, Cyclops grades the evaluation of his student as poor. To Cyclops' surprise, Tattoo asks him to evaluate her actions, as she phases her right hand through the back of his head, emerging through the front of his face. Having successfully snuck up on him, Tattoo informs Cyclops that, if she solidifies, he dies. Two can play at that game, Emma informs Tattoo as she inserts her own right hand through Tattoo's phased head. If she solidifies, Emma tells Tattoo, she dies as well. Having gotten the drop on her former student, Emma instructs her to remove her hand gently from "Mr. Summers'" head.
Running from the deteriorating situation, Glob Herman, now completely aflame, cries aloud that he is the Inhuman Torch as he exits the Institute's grounds, chasing after a bus. Noting the situation with Glob Herman, Beast announces to Cyclops the obvious: Open Day is now an unqualified disaster, unless they can salvage the situation and redeem the image of the staff by effortlessly tackling the problem as though it were a demonstration of mutant teaching skill. Hearing the cries of Glob Herman as he announcing that he's a suicide bomb and will kill the humans, Cyclops tells McCoy that he makes it all sound so easy.
Entering the Cerebra chamber, Sophie of the Stepford Cuckoos tells her sisters that the Professor's machine can magnify their brainpower ten times, or so she's heard. That, she declares, should be about as much as they need. Another sister, watching the group's rear, points out that Quentin Quire is an Omega strength mutant and can make people do all kinds of things. And the first thing he'll do, Esme declares, is make them take all their clothes off. But they are five-in-one, Sophie counters as she picks up the Cerebra helmet. Well... Esme stutters, just because Frost's old students wore spandex and flew around like idiots doesn't mean they have to be stupid too. Instructing her sister to stop fussing, Sophie tells Esme to hand her the Kick. After taking a lung-full from the inhaler, Sophie dons the Cerebra helmet, asking her sisters if they haven't ever wanted to be a super hero?
Holding his bullwhip in one hand and the Open Day banner, now in flames, Quentin announces that, all his life, he's waited for this "dream" to come true! They were promised peace and security! All his life! Where is it? This place, Quentin rants, has taught him nothing but what it was like to run and fight and hide and... Quentin's words are silenced by the telepathic voice of Xavier, informing him that he could have submitted his critique in the form of an essay. That helmet, Xavier informs the youth, proved as flimsy as his plan.
Big joke, Quentin snarls to Xavier. He can see all around his thoughts from every angle. He knows he's made him question all those big assumptions he just takes for granted. Now standing on the edge of the front staircase, his mouth still bound by the duct tape, Xavier telepathically tells Quentin he's caused some property damage and hurt some people, but it's over now... the revolution lasted minutes. These drugs he's taking are driving his thoughts too hard and too fast. Approaching the Professor defiantly, Quentin tells the Professor to hand the school over to the students. They don't need the kind of education that turns them into victims. Perhaps, Xavier suggests, it's only he who feels like a victim.
Suddenly panic-stricken, Xavier rips the duct tape from his mouth as he telepathically calls out girls. Finishing his short sentence vocally, he yells out no! To Xavier and Quentin's horror, they see four of the Stepford Cuckoos, accompanied by the disembodied, astral "head" of Sophie, break through the walls of the Institute.
Back in the Cerebra room, quite alone, Sophie speaks to Quentin on the Institute's grounds. I suppose, she says, addressing Quentin, that he thinks this is some big fight between (grimacing in pain) between youth and experience? Anarchy and authority? People like he always miss the point. Speaking in turn, the other sisters tell Quentin what it's all about: "In versus Out."
Quentin, reeling from the telepathic attack of the super-charged Stepford Cuckoos, mutters, almost inaudibly, to the sisters; he started up his own movement and everything? so they'd look up to him... Using the disgusting idea as fuel for their attack, the five sisters cry out an united "Ewww" and lay Quentin low with a final psi-blast. Thrown several feet backwards, almost out of his skin, Quentin barely manages a gurgle before curling into a fetal position.
Finally able to speak, Quentin tells the Professor that he didn't mean it... He just wanted to change things... and be famous or something... because he was adopted and... He doesn't even know anymore... He doesn't even know... He didn't want to hurt anyone...
As Quentin manages to rise to his feet, his eyes and mouth bloody from his telepathic/physical wounds, he stands in horror, as does Xavier. Addressing the young Mr. Quire, Emma Frost, holding Sophie, asks Quentin he didn't think this through at all, did he? Quentin, almost speechless, can barely manage to utter Sophie's name as he views her lifeless form.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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The Prime of Miss Emma Frost
(Wednesday)On a lonely, rural road in Westchester, a giant, mutant teen, completely engulfed in flames, runs maniacally toward his target. Directly in the youth’s path is a halted car, its confused passengers having stopped abruptly at seeing the approaching creature. The two travelers have begun to exit the vehicle when the X-Man known as Beast suddenly lands on the hood of the car. With the strength and speed endowed him by his mutation, the Beast manages to scoop up the confused humans and leap them safety mere moments before the fiery youth plows through the car, causing it to explode in flame and smoke.
Having saved the two innocents, who are confused and awestruck at what has happen as they lie in the grass by the road, the Beast turns his attention back at the flaming Glob Herman, who continues his chase of the bus of humans which he has followed from the Xavier Institute. His eyes fixed on his prey, the Beast leaps into action, making full use of his feline body, which allows him to run on all fours like a cat. Able to traverse the distance between he and Glob Herman, the Beast catches up with his student and attempts to tackle him to the pavement, but is unsuccessful.
Following not far behind, Cyclops drives another car, accompanied by Xorn. Catching up with the flaming Herman, the two X-Men move into action. As Xorn begins to exit the speeding car, Cyclops opens his visor, emitting one of his powerful optic blasts. The blast breaks through the car’s windshield and traverses the distance to Glob Herman’s skull in an instant. Bowled over by the blow to his head, Herman falls to the ground, skidding along the pavement as his momentum is used up.
As Herman’s fall has brought him within feet of a local gas station, the two X-Men use this to their advantage. While Cyclops brings his vehicle to a stop, Xorn, already having exited the car, leaps to a cement mixer and dumps its contents on the flaming Herman. Per Xorn’s plan, Herman is incapacitated, but his flames persist, causing him to scream out in apparent pain as much as frustration. Emerging from the gar station with a two armfuls of bottled water, the Beast begins to pour them onto Herman’s blazing skin. He tells Herman to spare them the histrionics. He’ll live. Trust him, the Beast continues; he’s a doctor.
As the grounds of the Xavier Institute are being cleaned up and the Beast unloads the concrete-bound Glob Herman from a flatbed truck, Wolverine berates the remains of the Omega Gang in the Institute’s gymnasium. Addressing the three students, Tattoo, Redneck and Radian, who are all standing at attention, Wolverine tells them that they are all going to do time in human jail. When the Professor finally convinces the authorities to hand them back, they’ll be sent to the third world… and that’s where they’ll put all that revolutionary energy to good use… helping people who need it. They’re going to help people until they bleed and they sob. And then they’re going to help some more.
A bright kid, Wolverine continues, with her whole life ahead of her is dead because of them and another is missing, presumed dead! Breaking ranks to defend himself, Radian tells Wolverine they can’t put them in a human jail… they were totally under the influence of a superior mind… it was Quentin Quire! He made them do it! Sticking his face into Radian’s face, causing him to shoot back to attention, Wolverine yells that he’s making them do this! Clear?
(Thursday)On a sunny day in the garden, Emma Frost holds a private ceremony memorializing the deceased Sophie. The service is attended only by the remaining four sisters of the Stepford Cuckoos. Facing the four sisters, Emma holds a slip of paper in her hand and reads the words written upon it. … beside me, gathering beauty as she grew. Like the bright shade of some immortal dream. Which walks, when tempest sleeps, the wave of life’s dark stream. Her passage finished, Emma tells the girls that they must be strong. As strong as Sophie who gave her life yesterday with such fearlessness and glory and panache. Closing her eyes intently, Emma proposes that they create a shrine there among the roses she loved so much… Sophie’s bower…
Noticing the girls departing, Emma stops her speech and calls out to them. What good is a shrine, one sister asks. Or perhaps she’s hoping it might inspire more children to their deaths? Now speaking in unison, the four girls tell their teacher that they were five in one. What are they now? Oh, they say, continuing as their teacher looks in aghast confusion, they shan’t be coming back there after the prizegiving. They’ll be working to restore their telepathic talents in Switzerland with Madame LaFarge. LaFarge? Emma repeats, holding her crumbled speech close to her chest. But LaFarge has hair on the back of her hands, she whispers.
As her former wards exit the garden, Emma follows, asking what it is they are saying. They’re saying, the four girls say in unison, Sophie’s dead because she believed all the rubbish Emma talked about being superior. Continuing their march away from Emma, both physically and symbolically, they tell her she’s all shiny surface with nothing underneath. She has no feeling and no heart. Just nasty jokes and cleverness. People like her, they tell Emma, are a danger to impressionable children. Goodbye.
No, that’s not true…, Emma says, stopping at the entrance to the garden. She loves children, she continues. Teaching is her life. Uninterested in her defense, the girls snidely ask, if she loves them so much, then why does she let them die all the time, you silly old woman. Old? Emma gasps, covering her mouth in shock. Bending down to the grass, Emma continues to cover her face, holding back the tears. Picking up a rose one of the girls picked up in the garden and just moments ago dropped, she holds it delicately in her hands. Finally gaining composure, Emma transforms into her diamond form and then resolutely crushes the flower. Recalling the girls calling her old, Emma sternly informs the "ungrateful wretches" that she’s only twenty-seven.
Addressing his student informally, Professor Xavier asks Henry for a diagnosis. Staring through his spectacles, Doctor McCoy studies the readings on the glowing monitors. Quentin’s temperature, the Beast reports, is all over the place… brainscans look like seismic activity during a particularly large quake… brain cells are converting to… and he’s serious… faster than light energy and are disappearing one by one. Reminding the Professor that he knows as much about mutant biology as anyone else alive, the Beast states that his best guess qualifies as current theory.
What? Quentin quietly asks, as he floats face-up in his thank. What’s happening to him? What are they all saying about him? Professor? Either ignoring, or simply not hearing Quentin, Doctor McCoy continues. He exclaims that he thinks some kind of unforeseen secondary mutation is beginning to occur, McCoy suggests that it’s triggered by Quentin’s abuse of Hypercortisone D… Kick.
Standing over the rectangular, transparent tank in which Quentin is floating, Xavier looks down at his student. Soothingly, Xavier informs Quentin that he is there, but he can’t see into his mind. Speaking in a barely audible voice, Quentin tells the Professor that he hears thoughts in Chinese… and French… and Arabic… but… it’s everyone thinking the same stupid thought. On a section of the infirmary’s wall, just in Quentin’s view, a newspaper article hangs. It is the same article and picture, drawn of the artist’s impression of mankind’s fate under rule by mutants, which had inspired Quentin’s recent actions.
Returning back to his conversation with Xavier, Quentin tells Xavier that the one thought is divided into ignorant boxes… jabbering so hard it can’t hear itself thinking. Listening closely to his former student, Xavier replies that he’s heard it too. Everyone scared of their replacements, Quentin continues to ramble, scared of their children… scared of themselves. Like the hand scared of its fingers, Xavier continues. The loneliness and loss felt in a world with telepathy; he knows.
He’s streaming… Quentin resumes, going away… into bigger rooms… outside rooms bigger than the whole world. He understands things… He doesn’t know who his parents are… because… because… he hasn’t been born yet… He’ll be born soon and meet them in these rooms… Suddenly, Quentin begins to convulse, violently splashing in the buoyant liquid of the tank. Calling out to Henry once more, the Professor instructs him to fetch Xorn; his healing gifts might be their last chance.
Quieting again, Quentin calls out to the Professor. His insides now expending energy, Quentin’s eyes and mouth begin to emit light, bathing his face in its eerie glow. It’s the future already… he continues. He thought he was going to miss it… look at the curve of time… Manhattan is gone… the school is gigantic. After suffering another spasm, Quentin informs Xavier that he was thinking… "what if you’re wrong, Professor X…" He couldn’t help thinking that thought hand letting it loose… not trying to be rude but… >uhhm<… what if he’d really… really… missed… the point? Holding Quentin’s hand, Xavier answers that that’s a question they all must ask themselves every day. He’s done many good things and… and he’s made many terrible mistakes…
Noticing Xorn entering the infirmary, Xavier informs him that the boy is dying. Standing at the tank’s side, Xorn reaches into it and grasps Quentin’s temples with both hands. No, he is only changing, Xorn informs Xavier. He feels they would be wrong to interfere. Now speaking to Quentin, Xorn introduces himself. He is Xorn… and he shouldn’t be afraid. Still continuing his conversation with Xavier, Quentin asks what if they are both wrong… and it wasn’t humans to blame at all?
When he was a boy, not much older than he, Xorn tells Quentin, whose head he now cradles in his hands, a little star opened like a flower inside his head. What if the real enemy… was inside… all along Quentin mumbles. A flower made of lights is opening in him, Xorn continues. He can help him to let go of his last, painful attachments to this flesh where he was grown. There is something in him Xorn informs Quentin, that is like him. Opening his faceplate, revealing the microscopic star within his helmet, Xorn shines his radiance upon Quentin. Does he see? Xorn asks. After a brief moment of vocalized pain, Quentin is silent. God help me, Xavier whispers; so much potential wasted.
Addressing the group of students assembled on the Institute’s grounds, many of whom carry protest signs, Xavier informs them that Quentin Quire was liberated from his physical cocoon and born into a higher world at exactly 4:32 in the afternoon. He knows how ridiculous that sounds, he continues, but in this case they believe it to be the truth. His goal, Xavier says, changing the subject, is integration with humankind, through peaceful coexistence and mutual self-development. His methods are non-violent and require time and patience. In light of recent events, he’s willing to consider that his approach may be in error. With this said, Xavier informs the students that they are free to continue their protest for as long as they have the inclination, bearing in mind that the school will be closing for the summer in exactly six days. Following the break, he will be stepping down as Headmaster. He hopes, Xavier concludes, to see them all at the prizegiving ceremony.
(Friday)In a high-end fashion shop in Manhattan, Angel informs Emma Frost that she thinks she looks really stupid. Nonsense, Emma retorts, eyeing the tight, black and very expensive dress Angel is in. She’s left "totally stupid" far behind, Emma adds, and now looks exquisite. Pose in the mirror and she’ll see.
Becoming much more serious, Angel informs Emma that there was something she wanted to talk about… like important stuff. Anytime, Emma quickly replies. She’s been searching for a new project and, right now, no one needs her advice more than she does. The journey from ugly quacker to glamorous swan has begun, Miss Salvadore, she says. Let Emma be her guide. Resigning herself to accept the rose that Miss Frost is putting behind her ear, Angel gives a weak "yeah, sure" and adds that Mister Xorn keeps saying she’d make a pretty good super hero, too. With their shopping completed, Emma leads the bag-laden Angel out of the store and hails a taxi.
(Saturday)In front of his assembled students, Professor Xavier stands on the stage behind his podium. Turned to his side, Xavier addresses the four identical sisters of the Stepford Cuckoos. For outstanding achievement in the field of telepathic communications and for exceptional bravery in defense of the ideals of the Xavier Institute… Xavier announces.
In the back of the tent, Xorn sits with his half of his "special class." Leaning in so that Xorn alone can hear, Basilisk pronounces that them gurlz iz weird. Changing the subject, Basilisk informs his teacher that he thinks he smelled Dummy. He thinks he’s still floating around alive in the shape of gas. Kinda ‘round near where Xorn’s butt is… Trying to hear the awards being presented in the front of the tent, Ernst whispers for her classmate to shush.
And now, Xavier continues, holding another ribbon-bound scroll, this special award is for outstanding achievement in heroism and honors their potential X-Men of the future. Barnell Bohusk, aka the Beak, and Angel Salvadore. Staring at the two empty seats on the other side of the "special class’s" table, Basilisk declares his missing classmates lo-sers and follows his avowal with a chuckle.
At the edge of the clearing where the tent is pitched, the absent Angel Salvadore leads the equally absent Barnell Bohusk into the woods. Protesting their actions, Barnell announces that they are going to miss the prizes! This, he tells her, is the one time in his life he has the chance to be taken seriously as more than just a potential source of food for dogs! Telling Barnell to shut up, Angel jests that they’re never going to win anything in this rotten existence. Trust her, she says, if the can he was born in says "loser" on the label then that’s what’s insi…
Angel cuts off her own words as she leans against a tree and vomits. Taking the brief respite in Angel’s painful words as an opportunity, Barnell proclaims that he is not a loser. He is so sick of that word! Okay, relents Angel as she wipes her mouth. He can be Mister Sunshine and show her how it’s done! Two words, Beakie, she says; I’m pregnant. They’ll throw them out of the school unless they do something fast. Us? Barnell asks in confusion. What does this have to do with… with… As the meaning of Angel’s words sink into Barnell’s mind, he whispers a barely audible oh, boy.
Sitting at a table of their own, the Stepford Cuckoos mock Miss Frost’s absence. That’s a surprise, one says. So, they’re all agreed, states another. Who can they call on the psychic telephone to see if their heads still work? asks another. Someone who’s really good at telepathy, states the first. Someone who can see into the hardest skull. I know, declares the second. How about one of the teachers? suggests the third.
On a commercial airplane, just as it is making its final approach to JFK International Airport, Jean Grey-Summers tries to comfort her fellow passenger; a woman clad in her covering burka. This is New York City, Jean states, pointing to a map in an in-flight magazine. Telling Sooraya to not be scared by anything that she sees, Jean adds that they are not far from the school she told her about.
Jean’s verbal conversation is cut short by the start of a telepathic one. Calling out to Mrs. Grey-Summers, the four Stepford Cuckoos say hello and apologize for interrupting. Recognizing the telepathic "voice," Jean asks her „caller" if they are Emma’s Cuckoos. Not bothering to answer the rhetorical question, the girls tells Jean that they know she’ll see this in their minds anyway, so they suppose they’d better just tell her; It’s about her husband and Miss Frost.
Standing by herself in the garden, Emma Frost once again holds her mouth in her hand, trying to hold back emotions. Walking into the garden, Cyclops tells Emma that he figured he’d find her there. They need to talk. Playing off her emotional state, Emma informs Scott that she was just checking her nose for cracks. It’s never been right, she says, since it was broken by that awful man… Ignoring Emma’s attempts at distraction, Scott informs her that he has to make a decision.
Unable to keep her emotional façade, Emma melts into Cyclops’ chest, announcing that this last week has been hideous. Looking up into his gaze, Emma tells Scott she’s so glad he’s there. She just wants to get away from all this crushing misery and have some fun… somewhere safe inside their heads… where no one can find them. Shifting their locale from the physical to the mental, Emma transports herself and Scott into a pillowed bedroom, illuminated by more than a dozen candles. While Scott retains his X-Men jacket and uniform, Emma now wears the costume of Dark Phoenix.
Ignoring Scott’s beginning protest, Emma rubs her hands over his shoulders. They are deep in a private thought, where they’re safe to explore all those… difficult feelings without guilt. Bereavement always fills her, she tells him, with an unforgivable lust. Remaining stoic, Scott points out the obvious: he’s betraying his wife. He can’t go on like this. It’s not real, Emma counters. They’re just thoughts. As Emma reaches for his visor, Scott asks her not to touch it. It’s really dangerous and he could kill her just by looking at her. Defending her actions, Emma replies that she only wanted to see if his eyes were as red as his face.
Stepping away from Emma’s embrace, Cyclops finds himself back in the physical world, still in the garden of the Institute. Turning his head, Scott tells Emma that he want to, but he can’t. The betrayal, Emma asserts to Scott, is all in his head. Dismissing the argument, Cyclops tells Emma that he’s not like this. En Sabah Nur made him like this… when he was possessed. He made everything seem boring afterwards… he made his life seem so small… his experiences so… so limited. So he says, Emma replies, reasserting the telepathic hideaway, but those dark feelings he left in his head are just ordinary human emotions. Employing her mastery of all things in her telepathic domain, Emma transforms her hair from blonde to red, immediately asking Scott if he likes her with that color. As Scott murmurs to himself in the real world, he and Emma are unaware of the arrival of Jean Grey-Summers or the resoluteness with which she strides across the Institute’s grounds to the garden.
Stop trying to live up to such ridiculous, restrictive ideas, Emma tells Scott, her arms wrapped around his neck and her hands clasped behind his back. Let yourself fall, she says. Stop being such an old super hero. But, Scott replies, he’s never been anything else. He’s never been allowed to be anything else. Well, Emma smiles, he can be anything he likes now. He’s safe in Auntie Emma’s wicked thoughts.
Leaning back onto a mound of pillows, Emma slowly unzips the front of the Dark Phoenix costume, revealing her cleavage and exposing her stomach. Standing nearby, next to the bed, Scott proceeds to take off his shirt. Is this really how he wishes it was with Jean, Emma asks. Not allowing him time to answer, Emma eyes Scott’s chest and announces that he’s making her lose control. She’s going to explode with passion and fry the stars…
As Scott makes his way onto the bed, Emma turns her attention elsewhere and attempts to find the words to say. All she is able to voice, however, is Unless, You and Oh, dear. Standing in the doorway of Emma’s telepathic bedroom is Jean. Looking upon her half-naked husband and the woman with whom he is in bed, Jean asks them to not tell her; they can explain.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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Shattered
Opening the door wide to Emma Frost’s telepathic love nest, Jean Grey-Summers beholds her husband, Scott Summers, sitting shirtless on a bed with Emma Frost, who is sporting red hair and wearing the Dark Phoenix costume. As Scott looks at his wife, his mouth agape, Jean tells Emma that she knew she’d find her husband here in her head.
Rising from the bed, Scott stammers a defense, telling Jean that it’s not real… it’s just thoughts… Stepping past her husband as she tells him to shut up, Jean confronts Emma, who has also risen. When asked if she thinks this is funny, Emma, smiling mischievously, tells Jean that she has to agree, she looks rather good in these old rags of hers. Subsequently mentally transforming the Dark Phoenix costume into her recent, revealing outfit, Emma then adds that she can think herself into something a little more up to date if she’d like.
Reaching out to his wife, Scott repeats that it’s not what she thinks. Not even bothering to turn and face her husband, Jean retorts that it’s exactly what she thinks. Following this statement, Jean emits a flame from her eyes and yells out. Engulfed in telepathic, ephemeral flames Scott finds himself teleported outside Emma Frost’s room, in the physical world. Now in the hallway, Scott finds himself confronted by the four remaining Stepford Cuckoos. All dressed the same in their schoolgirl traveling clothes and all carrying identical suitcases, the four girls, as ever, speak in unison.
Telling Mister Summers that he looks dazed, they then ask if Miss Frost threw him out of her thoughts. She’s like that, they add while Scott runs to the still-open door to the bedroom yelling his wife’s name. As he does so, the four girls tell Scott that they think he’s wasting his time. Pausing at the doorway to regard the girls, he is told by them that she won’t speak to them either. Ms. Grey-Summers, they continue, doesn’t like Miss Frost one bit. It looks like there’s going to be trouble. Punctuating their remark, the door to Emma’s bedroom slams shut.
Turning their back on their former teacher, the Stepford Cuckoos walk down the hall. They tell Mister Summers that they’re glad the school is closed for the summer. Sometime, they say, you can learn too much.
Elsewhere in the mansion, Professor Xavier, sitting at a desk and looking out a giant window pauses in his work. Looking over his shoulder at something he senses in the mansion, the Professor whispers Jean’s name interrogatively. Rhetorically, he asks what she is up to now. Sitting at this workstation in his lab, Hank McCoy, the Beast, also pauses in his work. Sliding his eyes to their side, he too realizes that something is wrong. Still in the hallway, Scott Summers stands alone outside of Emma’s bedroom, yelling through the still-closed door to his wife, telling her to open the door.
On the other side of the door, the room no longer is what it was. Formerly, a lover’s bedroom, it is now Emma’s Spartan quarters. Scott shook off possession by an evil spirit called En Sabah Nur, Jean tells Emma, nothing like that ever happened to him before. She has no right to exploit his confusion. Sitting in a ball-shaped chair and scowling over her computer screen, Emma informs Jean that she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Scott came to her in a state of utter desolation, possessed by nothing more than the drab horror or his empty marriage. Among her other achievements, Emma tells Jean, as she continues to refuse looking at her, she’s a qualified sex therapist.
Really, inquires Jean, as flames begin to dance at her fingertips. As the rest of her hair and body begin to likewise combust, Jean tells Emma that she just can’t help running everything, can she? Her "Road to Damascus" moment, the big change of heart when she decided to join the X-Men had absolutely nothing to do with altruism, did it? Not eliciting any response, Jean projects her power to Emma’s chair, spinning it around. Speaking with a deep, booming voice Jean tells Emma to turn around and look at her. Now completely engulfed in flames, which form the Phoenix raptor, Jean’s radiance causes Emma, now on the floor, to cower in fear. Her eyes whitened with rage and radiating with power, Jean tells Emma that it will be just the two of them and the Phoenix.
In the hallway, Professor Xavier and Xorn find Scott still working furiously and futilely to open the door. When the Professor asks what’s happening, Scott replies that he’s done something stupid. Emma and he did something stupid and Jean’s holding the door closed with her telekinesis. Speaking up, Xorn informs the Professor and Scott that he can feel such stress and pain there… like gravity bending space. Addressing Scott as his friend, Xorn innocently asks how they can help.
Replying curtly, Scott tells the two that he doesn’t need any more help. He asked Emma to help him and… it turned into some kind of affair. They’ve been telepathically sharing these thoughts and now… and now Jean’s found out. But it’s just thoughts, isn’t it, Scott asks the Professor. It’s… he actually doesn’t know why it feels so wrong… he doesn’t know what’s wrong and what’s right anymore. Comforting his former student, Xavier tells Scott that Jean is undergoing a radical psychic transformation… this "Phoenix potential" she’s accessing has reserves of power on a cosmic scale. They cannot risk angering that power! Growing angry himself, Scott’s power begins to rise, shining brightly behind the red shades of his ruby quartz glasses. Declaring that he doesn’t care about the Phoenix, Scott announces that he’s had enough of this.
On the other side of the door, Emma Frost rises to her feet from the cobblestone road. Sneering, Emma tells Jean to be reasonable. She really doesn’t know her own strength and she can be inclined to shocking violence. Confident in her control of their shared reality, Jean replies that she knows exactly what she is doing. Taking in their surroundings and characteristics of the city, Jean recognizes where they are: Boston.
Angered at this intrusion, Emma yells to Jean that she has no right to come in there uninvited. Raising her voice, she commands Jean to get out of her thoughts. As they walk to the steps of a large mansion, Jean replies that she isn’t in her thoughts anymore… Emma is enfolded in hers. This, Jean asks her, is her memory of where she grew up? As the two walk through the closed front door, like immaterial phantoms, Emma asks Jean what is it to her. Who does she think she is to do this to her? Walking deeper into the house, Jean replies curtly that she is the wife of the man she’s been seducing. Turning suddenly and grabbing Emma by the wrist, Jean tells Emma that, to tell the truth, this memory means nothing to her but it seems pretty important to Emma. To this, Jean wonders aloud why.
Snarling a response, Emma reminds Jean that she left her in a mental hospital the last time she smashed her way into her thoughts. Her pacifist posturing, Emma adds, hides a playground bully. Aflame once again, Jean instructs Emma to shut up. She promises she won’t throw big lightning bolts of psychic electricity at her this time. But, she continues, the fire of the Phoenix burns through lies. The gaze of the Phoenix is like an X-ray tearing through every self-deception. So, Jean concludes, burn, Emma.
Trying futilely to hold Jean back, Emma pleads for her to listen to herself! Don’t do this. Admitting that she’s been having a difficult time recently… everything in her life has changed… Emma tells Jean that she’s trying to be honest with her. Unable to convince Jean with logic, Emma screams in terror for Jean not to hurt her like this. The scream subsided, Emma finds herself, along with Jean, in the parlor of an upscale household, where the family inhabiting the house have congregated. Standing at the end of the parlor the father figure, middle-aged with graying temples, has his back to the rest of the family; a brood-hen mother-figure sitting by herself, a red-bereted young man, sitting behind the parlor’s piano, and three young women sitting together on a couch. Taking in her own memory, Emma finishes her plea in a whisper, asking for Jean not to bring her back here…
Viewing the middle-aged man, Jean asks Emma if that is her father. As if in answering Jean’s question, the father announces that he knows that he’s wasting time with Christian over there, so he suggests they see how the remaining heirs to the throne live up to his expectations. Which of them can he trust to steer their fortunes safely into the future, hmmm?
Focusing his attention on the daughter to his left, a young woman with scant hair, shaved close to the scalp, and wearing leggings that seem to be cut from the Union Jack flag, the father asks her, Cordelia, if it will be her? Should he pass his kingdom into her subtle, dark and devious hands? Moving his eyes to the right, to a slightly older girl with painstakingly maintained hair, make-up and fine clothes, who even now is using a nail file to work on her nails, Mister Frost asks if it should be she, Adrienne. Heartless and brilliant, Frost characterizes, Adrienne seems the obvious choice. Hearing a tsk from the final daughter sitting to the far right, a young girl, bony in appearance and wearing a sleeveless top that only helps to accentuate the flatness of her chest, Mister Frost regards his rebellious little Emma.
The elder, phantom Emma, seeing Jean lean inward for a closer look, crosses her arms and admits with bile that, yes, it’s true… she had cosmetic surgery. What’s it to her? Dismissing the accusation, Jean replies that that’s not what she’s looking at. It’s what’s going on beneath all of this. Walking to Emma’s mother, Jean tells Emma that her mother is barely conscious. She can feel three different prescription tranquilizers. Addiction, Jean adds, seems to run in the family… along with fear of her father.
Nearby, Emma regards her brother, Christian, who, with an innocent smile, is still sitting behind the piano, not a care in the world. Her brother, Emma tells Jean, didn’t stay a user. No, Jean verifies; he went insane. Suddenly, finding herself with Jean in her brother’s padded cell, Emma pleads with Jean to stop this. Undeterred, Jean asks Emma what about her. Suddenly, back in the Frost family parlor, Emma sits atop of the coffee table looking into her past-self’s eyes. Remembering the day, Emma remembers Adrienne gasping as she suddenly learned the horrible truth she’d denied was revealed… second best.
Transfixed by the cold eyes she had as a youth, Emma tells Jean that this was how her father, after all those years, was finally telling her he cared, in the only way he knew how. He was giving her a chance to shine, an opportunity to prove her worth. So, Emma concludes, she looked him in the eye and said… Completing her older self’s sentence, the youthful Emma tells her father, I think I’ll make it my own way.
Narrating the following memory of her younger self, walking the streets of New York City, Emma tells Jean that she had four hundred dollars in a savings account. She decided to start from the bottom. Suddenly finding herself leading Jean up circular, stone step Emma asks Jean why she is telling her this. She’s not, Jean replies. It’s just happening that way.
A new memory emerges. A slightly older Emma, clad in the all white corset and matching underwear, cape and boot she wore as a member of the Hellfire Club, dances for the amusement of the very same organization. Sitting in shadows beneath torchlight, the only illumination of the room, the four kings and queens watch Emma dance. The Hellfire Club, Emma tells Jean, wanted dancers and, since she could make men see whatever they wanted them to see, her graceless efforts were automatically declared a modern „dance of the seven veils" by mesmerized onlookers at her audition.
Now in another memory, an older Emma is sitting as the club’s White Queen, attended to as a superior and admired by the club’s Black King, Sebastian Shaw. Dear Sebastian, Emma continues, narrating the scene, he thought he was in charge. He thought she was absolutely besotted with him… completely misreading her desire for a brilliant, ruthless father substitute as love. Together, Emma continues, they seized control of the club from Buckman and that old tart, Paris Seville.
Seeing another memory, one of Emma sitting across a small table at an upscale restaurant, Jean rhetorically states that Emma set about building her empire of mutants. Shifting to a later memory, one of the cosmetic surgery that enhanced her breast line, Emma replies that she became exactly what Sebastian wanted… the Ice Queen, the dominatrix from hell… and she watched how he did business. She learned how simple and predictable the desires of men can be. Which, Emma shouts, finally regaining her sense of being, is absolutely none… of… her… business!
Trying to regain control of their telepathic journey, Emma rips apart the telepathic slate, shattering it into shards of memories. Scott, Emma yells at Jean, came to her because he couldn’t talk to Jean about his feelings. Because the truth is she doesn’t know what ordinary feelings are any more. Nearly engulfed in the flames of Jean’s recreated Phoenix raptor, Emma tells Jean that she’s not human at all… is she? What’s in there where she used to be? Speaking deeply, with the voice of the Phoenix, Jean asks Emma if she honestly thinks she can protect herself against this?
As the entire Xavier Institute is engulfed in Jean’s fiery, telepathic power, Jean tells Emma that she can think what she likes but she knows what haunts her every waking hour, so stop hiding from her. Something happened between she and Scott in Hong Kong, Jean tells Emma. Now, Jean bellows to Emma, either she tells her or she’ll make her relive the life of every single child she’s allowed to die. Her head in her hand, Emma sees the horror Jean spoke of in her mind. On a mountain of rubble, Emma sees every student of hers who has died under her watch: the Hellions, students from Genosha and even Sophie of the Stepford Cuckoos. Driven to the breaking point, Emma sobs for Jean to not make her look.
flashbackWalking into Scott’s room in Hong Kong, Emma tells Scott that she couldn’t sleep after the traumas of the day. Repositioning his ruby-quartz glasses, Scott Summers sees Emma Frost at his doorway. Leaning against the doorframe, she holds a bottle of wine in one hand and two glasses in the other. Unlike Scott, who is dressed only in his boxer shorts, Emma is wearing her evening gown, replete with a pearl necklace and matching earrings. With a seductive stare, Emma asks Scott to tell her more about the world of chastity.
As Emma pours the wine, Scott protests. None for him; he doesn’t really drink much. Ignoring Scott, Emma asks him to forgive this absolutely appalling "cat pee," it’s not her choice but the bellboy’s. She had no idea life with the X-Men would be so racy… Logan and Domino are making farmyard noises together even as they speak. Sitting down on Scott’s bed and crossing her legs, Emma states that, now, here they are… two souls with so much in common. Toasting her glass, Emma dedicates it to l’amour. Pausing for a moment, Emma looks to the side and excuses herself. She thought this was all real but it’s just a memory. She has to go now.
presentRepeating her statement that she has to go now, Emma holds her head and she curls in a fetal position on the floor of her quarters. In tears, she looks up at the looming Jean and tells her she has no right to judge her. She loved those children. She wanted them to be independent and strong and… Emma’s words are interrupted by the impact of Scott Summers’ optic blasts, which have ripped asunder the door into the room.
Finally able to gain entrance, Scott strides into the room and tells his wife that she’s out of line. If she wants to know what happened between Emma and he in Hong Kong… read his mind.
flashbackSo anyway, Scott continues, sitting atop his bed in his Hong Kong hotel room with Emma, this bad guy, En Sabah Nur, wound up worming his way into his thoughts… Even when he threw him off, he couldn’t stop thinking all this awful stuff. People like Jean and the Professor just shrug this kind of thing off like it’s some kind of occupational hazard. It’s hard to talk to them, he admits.
Grinning at Scott’s innocence, Emma notes that only he could use the words "bad guy" to describe a murderous, disembodied consciousness. Returning to the table for a refill of wine, Emma sums up Scott’s narration. All he’s saying, Emma summarizes, is that some mind monster put a lot of dirty thoughts in his head and he’s embarrassed in case his telepathic wife sees what he’s really thinking about her? Oh Scott, she laughs, how ordinary! Returning to the bed with the refilled glasses and the bottle, Emma slides across the bed on her stomach. Seductively, she asks why he can’t just give up his place on the Olympic suffering team and relax with some wine and adultery? Holding his hand out in punctuation, Scott informs her that he’s serious about the whole celibacy thing. It’s Jean or nothing.
presentHis point made, Scott storms out of the room, refusing to say a word. Her hair still aflame with rage, Jean is unconvinced. They were thinking about it… she tells the Professor. They were thinking about it the whole time! Holding Jean back, Xavier tells her that he is hoping that this is only jet lag. "The Phoenix has come back to disinfect the planet…" he reminds her, Those were her words earlier. What does that mean? What can this force make her do next?
Storming out of the room after her husband, Jean tells Xavier, addressing him as Charles, that she doesn’t need lectures. Scott, she reminds him, is her husband. Resolute, she passes the newly arrived Beast, who unsuccessfully tries to stop her. Watching the departing Jean, Xorn admits to the others that he’s not sure he understands this turmoil. Having just arrived himself, Logan tells Xorn that he’ll just get used to it. Summers took the bike he’s been working on for months and he knows he’s going to wreck it. Trying to make light of the situation, Xavier hopes aloud that this is not the search for Cyclops again…
Standing back in the now very open doorway to Emma’s room, Logan softly calls out to Emma, asking if she is okay. Propping herself against her desk, her back to Logan, Emma replies that, yes, she is fine and thanks him. Running her fingers through her hair, Emma tells Logan that Jean had a little rummage around in her mind and knocked a few things over. She can do that… Emma continues. Jean’s more than just a telepath… she sees right through them and gets to decide whether they’re innocent or guilty. Turning toward Logan, Emma reveals her tear-soaked face, which has caused her mascara to run. Now comforted by Logan, she admits that she hates this awful place and these ugly, repressed people.
Placing his arm on Emma’s shoulder, Logan tells her that it’s not so bad… but she shoulda known better than to get between Jeannie and Slim, trust him. Still, he admits… nice try. Turning away again, Emma replies that she knows. She knows he lies beside her at night without touching her… she knows Jean sees what Scott’s thinking and despises him for his weakness… she knows Jean’s so pure and their love is so special…
Turning back to Logan and burying her face in his embrace, Emma tells Logan that she’s so shallow… and spiteful… and… manipulative. She knows because Jean saw right through her. She saw the truth and she had no defense… and she knows too. Lowering her voice to a whisper, Emma asks Logan why did she allow herself to become so stupid and vulnerable? Why did she have to fall in love with Scott bloody Summers?
laterWalking through the halls of the mansion, Hank McCoy sings to himself from the opera Orfeo ed Euridice in the original Italian. Arriving at his destination, Hank raps his knuckle against the door in a knock with his free hand, his other occupied with holding a book, a bottle of wine and a small bouquet of roses. Calling out to Emma, Hank tells the occupant, in French, that it is he… the Beast! Hearing no response, Hank opens the door with caution he calls out to Emma, telling her that Logan said she was pretty down so he brought that book he was telling her about and…
Hank’s words are cut short by what he sees. He barely manages a weak oh, my as he drops his gifts. On the floor of Emma’s room is her costume, which seems to contain the shattered body of Emma Frost’s diamond form.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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Murder at the Mansion
In Salem Center, New York, an SUV makes its way along a remote road. The vehicle reaches its destination at the gates of a walled estate, which opens at its arrival, letting it in. The estate is that of the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. The time is 4:55 EST and a lockdown has begun at the behest of Lucas Bishop and Sage. No one in. No one out.
Addressing the populace of the Xavier Institute, students and instructors alike, Bishop informs them that summer vacation is cancelled until further notice. Continuing, Bishop tells the assembly that, while most of them know him as Sergeant Lucas Bishop, he is also a mutant detective. His associate’s name is Sage. Producing a small, crystalline item, Bishop announces that it is the diamond bullet that killed the White Queen. Everyone in the room is a suspect in the murder of Emma Frost. Nobody, he concludes, leaves until they’re done.
Waving the investigators on, the Beast rhetorically asks Bishop if he wants to see the body. Silently, he picks up a handful of the shards that once composed Emma Frost’s body and allows them to slip through his fingers. Regarding the body solemnly, he informs Bishop that she’s not really dead. He knows she’s not… a mind like Emma’s…
Trying to soften the blow of the obvious, Bishop tells Dr. McCoy that there’s no chance. Echoing her partner, albeit in her blunt manner, Sage tells Beast that Emma looks pretty dead to her… and, quite frankly, she adds, good riddance. It’s going to be hard narrowing this down, she tells them both; nobody liked her. Contradicting Sage, the Beast retorts that he did. Almost absentmindedly, he picks up a shard of Emma’s corpse and views it through a jeweler’s lens. Declaring the piece "part 10035," he determines it to be a section of aortal valve. Promptly turning back to his conversation with Sage and Bishop, he informs them that Emma was a good listener. She laughed at his jokes. She knew every line of Byron by heart.
Turning his attention to the current situation, he tells the two that Emma managed to turn to diamond form but the bullet hit her flaw. He tried to find all the pieces, he rambles on. It’s just like an incredibly intricate biological jigsaw… he used to love jigsaw puzzles when he was younger. Quite aware that he is rambling, the Beast asks Bishop and Sage for their opinion. He’s the least likely and therefore the most likely suspect. Before they can even answer, he informs them that he was at the opera… "Orfeo…" with Emma’s girls. Once again changing the subject, he informs Bishop that he does intend to put Emma back together. Leaning in to his former teammate, Bishop replies that he knows and tells him to keep them posted.
In Xavier’s study, Bishop sits in the chair before Xavier’s desk with a cup of tea in hand. Addressing the Professor, who is gazing out of the window, his back to him, Bishop says that it looks like things haven’t been going so well. He has to admit, he tells Xavier, it was hard to come back to the school after the way Sage and he were treated last time. Emma Frost was one of their least favorite people. And, he informs the Professor, there’s something else he has to bring into the equation… he’s been possessed before. In a world of mindreaders, shapechangers and disembodied consciousnesses… crime takes on a whole new meaning.
Gazing out of his window and across his estate, Xavier agrees and informs Bishop that he’s had to give some serious thought to this. Violence haunts them… his teaching methods seem to have failed in so many ways. But, Xavier continues, turning around to face his interrogator, he is Charles Xavier. This is the real him, not some alien imposter bent on world destruction. Mr. Xorn healed his legs, Jean helped heal his mind… neither was able to restore his power to dance. Refusing to smile at Xavier’s humor, Bishop coldly replies that he understands. Monster don’t have a sense of humor, he says, but even they can fake it sometimes. Obviously through with Xavier on multiple levels, Bishop informs him that he will see Xorn and his pupils now.
Welcoming Bishop into his class, Xorn informs him that his children are vulnerable and asks that he be careful with his interrogations. All of them have been exploited and abused, he adds. They are very sensitive. In punctuation to Xorn’s words, the "Beak" Barnell announces to Basilisk that if he says that again, he will have to kill him. There is no such room as "the toilet" in Clue! Sitting on his knees and hovering over the board game like Barnell, Basilisk replies that there is now! "Professor Sex in the toilet with the lawnmower," he declares. "That’s whodunit!" To this, Basilisk ends with a customary chuckle.
Tightlipped and serious, Bishop tells Xorn that he sees what he means. He then informs Xorn that they have to interview everyone. When Xorn replies that he understands, Sage speaks up, calling their first interviewee; the girl, Angel. Alone. Xorn calls out to Angel and tells her that these people wish to discuss her relationship with Miss Frost. Turning away from the Beak and Basilisk, who have begun to tear apart the board game, Angel calls out confused, who wants what?
Approaching Bishop and Sage, Angel asks what is she supposed to have done? Declaring that she didn’t have any "relationship," Angel asks the two what they are trying to say. Stone-faced, Bishop retorts that nobody said she did anything. She has seen this one TV, he tells her, she knows how this works… they have to question everybody. Even he, Sage tells Xorn. Where was he last night? Unable to portray anything but the poker-faced countenance of his metal helmet, Xorn innocently replies that he was meditating, he believes.
Subsequently, in another empty room, Bishop leans sits at the edge of a desk, his arms crossed. Staring down at Angel, who is sitting cross-armed in a desk, Bishop asks the student what she and Emma talked about after Emma took her on a shopping trip to Manhattan a few days before she was killed. Her arms crossed in and stone-faced in defiance, Angels asks how should she know. Emma was all, like, "you are my new project…" and all. Mostly, Angel adds, she was helping her choose a dress for the prizegiving. To this, Angel adds that she won a commendation and has a certificate.
Leaning forward, Bishop tells Angels that he knows. He then asks if she remembers exactly where she was when Miss Frost was shot. Taken aback, Angel replies that she doesn’t even know when she was shot. She’d have been with Beakie, she says, swiftly adding that they hang out. Beakie? Bishop repeats.
One of the four remaining Stepford Cuckoos, dressed in the same black dress and yellow vest as her "sisters," informs Bishop that she completely understands the necessity for this investigation… but she really does have to leave. She’s meeting someone shortly. To this, she adds that school ought to have closed for the summer and this is a little unfair to the non-resident students. Sitting across from the girls along with Sage, Bishop tells… Esme?… that he understands her impatience. Addressing his lack of surety, Bishop asks for forgiveness, as he finds it difficult to tell them apart.
Returning to the subject, he tells the girls that he knows they were Miss Frost’s prize pupils but he also understands there was some kind of falling out… is he right? Speaking now in unison, the girls reply that Miss Frost taught them to conceal their emotions as a way of keeping one step ahead. It seems only fair, they add, to tell him that. But, they continue, he is right… they did. There were five of them, they explain. Sophie, their dear sister, was killed in the school riots after Miss Frost encouraged her to do stupid, supposedly heroic things.
Ah, Bishop voices. Pointing to his cranium, Bishop instructs the girls to not do that again. To not even try to read his mind. He absorbs psychic energy as easily as all other kinds. Returning to the subject at hand, Bishop asks the girls if what happened to Sophie would make any of them hurt Miss Frost. Replying in unison, the girls state that Miss Frost taught them everything they know. Yes, they were very angry with her but whyever would they ever want to hurt their favorite teacher?
Rising from their seats, the girls inform Bishop that they were at the opera with Doctor McCoy. They can ask him. "Orfeo" – it was to cheer them up. Their minds were traumatized by what happened. As the girls leave the classroom, Bishop replies that he can imagine and then thanks them.
Walking alongside her in the garden, Bishop tells Jean that this is hard for him but… she fought with Emma. She had some kind of telepathic affair going on with her husband, Scott. By all accounts, he tells her, she didn’t pull any punches. Unworried by the accusation, Jean stops to smell a rose and asks Bishop if he thinks that she killed her. It’s true, she states, that she has the worst temper. She runs around the world preaching peace and brotherhood and, when she came home, the first thing she does is fight. But, she states firmly, she can only tell the truth. Turning to face Bishop, Jean’s hair begins to dance with flames. After being told to take a look for himself, Bishop silently stares at Jean as she enters his mind. The power of the Phoenix reflects within the iris of his eye.
Her point made, Jean flicks her hair and exits the garden, leaving the befuddled Bishop whispering my God. Sage passes the exiting Jean as she is entering and receives an innocent "hi, Sage." Finding her partner still immobile, Sage asks Bishop what did he see. Closing his eyes in reflection, Bishop replies that he is not sure he can explain… but he knows she didn’t do it.
(11:36 am)Sage writes in her log that they are no closer to a clear solution. They are assembling the evidence, questioning the suspects and running possible scenarios. Certain key questions are emerging from the mass of speculative data. Foremost, where is the murder weapon? Who supplied the drug called "Kick" they keep hearing so much about? And why Emma Frost?
As Sage and Bishop continue their investigation, the school’s inhabitants deal with their "house arrest." Some are immensely bored, ready to leave with their packed bags when it is over. Others read or draw on the chalkboard. Angel even finds time to argue with a stoic Xorn.
(6:45 PM)Walking out of the front door of the institute, Bishops tells Sage to do that thing she does and send an e-mail with her mind… and arrange for him to see the boys from the Omega Skulls gang in prison. He wants to find that Kick dealer.
Bishop walks confidently down the hall of the NY State Maximum Security Penitentiary. As he makes his way past dozens of cells, he hears epithets yelled by inmates, calling him cop scum and mutant trash. When threats are uttered, Bishop tells his would-be assailants to get in line.
Prisoner #2102011, previously called Redneck in the Omega Gang, meets Bishop from the other side of the glass at the visitors’ section of the prison. Managing a quick hi, the youth immediately asks if he is getting out of there. Already sitting, cross-armed and wearing his dark shades, Bishop introduces himself as Sergeant Bishop. Rhetorically asking the prisoner if he previously went by the name of Redneck, Bishop states that he ran with Quentin Quire’s gang and helped provoke the riot at the Xavier School.
Gripped in panic, Redneck presses his hands against the glass and asks again, in a much louder voice, if he is getting out of there. There are people who really hate mutants in here, he exclaims. Keeping his focus, Bishop states another fact to Redneck, that he and the others were high on Hypercortisone D during most of their vandalizing spree. Bishop informs Redneck that he wants the name of their dealer. Who’s been dripping the poison into the school corridors? Help him with that, Bishop states, and he’ll see what he can do.
Questions? Redneck states in a panic. What if he doesn’t know the answers? It’s like surviving the jungle in there, he says. Tears welling in his eyes, Redneck exclaims that he has to get out of there before he gets hurt! Repeating his question, Bishop asks Redneck who his supplier was. Finally answering, Redneck exclaims that he doesn’t know. He was buying his inhalers from Quentin, same as the others. Stating again that Bishop has to get him out of there, Redneck states that he can just about generate the temperature of a two-bar electric heater in the bones of his hands… but how is he supposed to protect himself against the daily persecutions he’s getting?
Dropping his head into his hands, Redneck states that all he knows is this… Quentin would go into the woods at the back of the school and later he’d come back with this little baggie filled with inhalers for each of them. He’d never used drugs before in his life. They only cost five dollars each and they make you feel like the Incredible Hulk… Speaking into his glove, Bishop asks Sage if she got all that.
Traipsing through the woods, Sage replies that she’s way ahead of him. She went for a walk to clear her head and on the way she upgraded her sensory function. She set it to detect traces of Hypercortisone D. Coming across two round, black objects with red markings on them, Sage first wonders if they are mushrooms. No, delete that, she tells herself. Bending down and picking one up, Sage identifies them as Kick inhalers.
Studying the piece closely, Beast determines that the part designated #1700065 is a section of right index and ring finger. Taking a moment, Dr. McCoy looks down at the table at the emerging form of Emma Frost, still in thousands of pieces. In a quiet voice, he tells himself that this is insane. A new scent in the air tells the Beast that he is not alone. Turning around, he sees Barnell entering the room and asks if he is all right. Obviously not, Barnell is in tears and clutching his temples. He declares that he was the one selling the Kick drug! He killed Miss Frost!
Still online with Bishop, Sage tells him that there are definite signs of recent activity there. Disturbed grass, broken branches… Seeing an old cabin in a small clearing, Sage approaches it.
Having dropped to his knees, Barnell continues his confession. She was going to tell and… he did it for her, he cries. Joined by Dr. McCoy, who places his arm around him, Barnell informs his teacher that he did it for the babies… because… because no one must know…
At the door of the cabin, Sage looks enter its darkened interior. Still online with her partner, she tells Bishop that there’s something there. Entering the interior, Sage looks at the cabin’s ceiling and, with her tech-glasses, views the two dozen cocoons, which hang from the rafters. Sage manages to tell Bishop that there are living things there, just before realizing that she is not alone. Emerging from the darkness at her flank, Sage’s shadowy companion replies that, no, she’s not alone. Holding a gun up to Sage’s head, the individual tells Sage this probably is what she was looking for.